I Could Never | Robert Madu | Social Dallas

Summary

Social Dallas Podcast – "I Could Never" | Robert Madu | November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This message, delivered by Pastor Robert Madu at Social Dallas, explores the theme "I Could Never" as part of the ongoing series, "God Hates ____." Pastor Robert addresses the Biblical truth that the sins God hates are not distant from us, but rooted deeply in our hearts. Focusing on Proverbs 6 and the story of Cain and Abel, he challenges listeners to examine their hearts, recognizing that all outward actions begin internally. The transformative power of Jesus' blood and the need for grace and heart renewal remain at the episode's core.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Reflections & Community Stories ([00:00]–[15:08])

• Taylor and Robert emphasize spiritual steadfastness for the year, with metaphors of being "planted" despite life's storms.
• Community members share testimonies about baptism, finding family at Social Dallas, and the impact on children.
• Robert tells a story of a family driving two hours from Mount Pleasant, Texas, underscoring the power of obedience and belonging.
  "They said, 'It's worth the drive.' And I was thinking about their obedience... A place that we were only able to acquire because of people's obedience." ([15:08])

Gratitude, Generosity & Church Vision ([15:08]–[22:23])

• Updates on the church’s fundraising campaign: nearing $1 million towards a $6 million goal for a new building.
• Emphasis on giving as an act of obedience, not just duty.
• Prayer for the offering, highlighting the privilege to sow into the community and serve globally.

Worship & The Presence of God ([22:23]–[34:11])

• Extended worship sequence focusing on God's holiness, power, and love.
• Robert reflects on God embodying both power and love, making Him uniquely trustworthy. "I'm scared of somebody that's in power but has no love...But can I tell you what I love about our God? He is love. And he has all power in his hand. That's why you can trust him." ([30:22])

Word of the Year & Verse Declaration ([34:11]–[36:23])

• Robert invites the congregation to declare Psalm 92:13–15, reinforcing the word "planted" as the theme for 2025.

Sermon Introduction – The “Never Have I Ever” Illusion ([36:23]–[43:37])

• Pastor Robert introduces Proverbs 6:16–17, focusing on "hands that shed innocent blood."
• He uses the game "Never Have I Ever" to illustrate how we distance ourselves from certain sins. "Because I think that is one of the most dangerous illusions that the human heart could ever believe. Whenever you tell yourself 'I could never do that,' oh, no, they might have done it, but I could never do that. Anytime you say I could never, be careful because I believe you are right on the edge of a fall." ([43:37])

The Heart-Hand Connection ([43:37]–[54:49])

• Central thesis: All outward sin starts in the heart.
• Challenges the congregation to self-examine, reminding that pride, lying, and even physical harm originate internally. "The heart of the problem with the humanity in society is not the hands. It's always the heart." ([46:02])
• Taylor: "Who is the person that you refuse to forgive? What is the grudge you keep nursing and rehearsing?" ([46:22])

Biblical and Practical Examples ([50:05]–[55:03])

• Robert uses forensic science metaphors: detectives know the crime scene is the last scene—the real beginning is the motive, rooted in the heart.
• Looks at David’s prayer after his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah:
  "Just because you are after God's heart, it doesn't mean that you have mastered your heart." ([53:59])
• Emphasizes the importance of praying for a clean heart, not just better behavior.

Jesus’ Teaching: Anger, Motive, and True Guilt ([55:58]–[58:32])

• References Matthew 5 (Sermon on the Mount):
  "You have heard that it was said...you shall not murder...But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment."
• Explains that evil actions (robbery, adultery, murder) have internal seeds (envy, lust, anger).

Proverbs 6 List: Our Bodies and Sin ([58:32]–[60:50])

• Breaks down how every sin God hates is connected to a body part—eyes, tongue, hands, heart, feet. "My body is not neutral. Your body can be an instrument for righteousness or for the greatest evil...What have you done with your eyes this week? What have you done with your tongue? What’s happening in your heart?" ([59:01])

The Story of Cain & Abel: Worship, Rejection, and Murder ([60:50]–[71:21])

• Detailed retelling of Genesis 4: Cain and Abel’s offerings; God’s rejection of Cain’s offering not due to the gift, but the heart posture.
• Taylor: "Cain said, 'My offering, my choice.'...But Abel offered it by faith and said, I’m going to bring God worship not the way I want, but the way He wants." ([65:27])
• God warns Cain: "Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." ([69:07])
• Cain, ignoring God’s warning, murders Abel—an act that began in the heart before it manifested in action.

The Voice of Innocent Blood & The Better Word of Christ ([71:21]–[75:48])

• After Abel’s murder, God says:
  "Listen. Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground." ([71:21])
• Taylor: "Blood always has a voice." ([72:39])
• Transitions to the Gospel:
  "Abel's blood screams for justice. But I’m thankful for the blood of Jesus that cries out mercy. The blood of Jesus cries out forgiveness..." ([75:48])
• Hebrews 12:24: "To Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than that of Abel."

Closing Prayer and Calls for Repentance ([77:06]–[82:20])

• Invitation to respond:
  "I've shed innocent blood either with my hands or in my heart. Today, I need to find forgiveness and the only one whose blood speaks a better word." ([79:43])
• Leads in corporate prayer of surrender and a request for a clean heart.

Final Blessing and Encouragement ([82:20]–end)

• Robert reassures:
  "This is not a message to say, oh, you're so messed up. This is a message. It says, yeah, we're all messed up, but thank God for Jesus and His blood that speaks a better word..." ([82:49])
• Challenges the congregation to "keep showing up," promising growth through steadfast participation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If you keep showing up, you keep growing up." – Robert Madu ([00:18], closing at [84:00])
• "Your hands and your heart are connected." – Taylor Madu ([49:14])
• "My hands might pull the trigger, but it's my heart that loaded the gun." – Robert Madu ([49:16])
• "Just because you are after God's heart, it doesn't mean that you have mastered your heart." – Robert Madu ([53:59])
• "Anger is murder in seed form." – Robert Madu ([56:47])
• "Blood always has a voice." – Taylor Madu ([72:39])
• "Abel's blood screams for justice. But I’m thankful for the blood of Jesus that cries out mercy." – Robert Madu ([75:48])
• "Don't let the enemy come in your mind with shame and condemnation. Because when you come to Jesus... his blood speaks a better word." – Robert Madu ([82:20])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00]–[01:23]: Theme of being "planted"; community introductions
• [15:08]: Testimonies about the impact of Social Dallas
• [18:00]: Church giving campaign update
• [22:23]–[34:11]: Worship and reflection on God's attributes
• [36:23]: Start of sermon – "God Hates ___" series context
• [41:50]: Introduction of the main theme: "I Could Never"
• [46:02]: Emphasis on the heart as the root of all evil actions
• [53:59]: King David's story: The danger of an unguarded heart
• [55:58]: Jesus’ teaching on anger and murder
• [59:01]: Physical anatomy and spiritual application in Proverbs 6
• [60:50]–[71:21]: Cain and Abel narrative; deeper teaching on sin's origins
• [72:39]: The cry of Abel’s blood vs. the blood of Jesus
• [75:48]: Hebrews 12:24 and the "better word" of Christ's blood
• [79:43]: Invitation to repent and surrender
• [82:20]: Prayer for a clean heart and new life in Jesus

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Tone & Style

Pastor Robert’s tone is warm, direct, and deeply pastoral. He uses accessible metaphors, Biblical narratives, and practical questions to push for genuine heart introspection and spiritual growth. Taylor’s interjections reinforce inclusivity, acceptance, and communal belonging. The overall environment is honest, vulnerable, and inviting for transformation.

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Conclusion

Even for those feeling distant from “big sins,” this message insists we all must guard our hearts, as every action—good or evil—begins internally. Through Christ, the verdict over us is not condemnation but mercy. The episode ends with an invitation to embrace grace, pursue healing in Christ, and, as always, remain "planted" and showing up in faith and community.

Transcript

[Taylor]

But this year, 10 toes on the.

[Robert]

Ground, I'm gonna be planted.

[Taylor]

The winds may come, the waves may hit my life, but I'm gonna be planted.

[Robert]

I didn't think I had much to offer God, but when I joined the.

[Worship Leader]

Serve team, I realized that if you keep showing up, you keep growing up.

[Service Host]

Last year, I got baptized, and it was the best decision.

[Worship Leader]

I.

[Robert]

I came to Social Dallas not knowing anyone, and now I have a.

[Worship Leader]

Family.

[Service Host]

My kids favorite thing every Sunday after church is to repeat the verse of the year over and over and over.

[Robert]

But it really makes me just so.

[Service Host]

Grateful for Social kids.

[Robert]

There's something special about Social Dallas. You can't explain it. You just have to experience it. This year, I will stay planted. I'm excited about my future because I choose to remain planted.

[Service Host]

Those who are planted in the house.

[Robert]

Of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

[Taylor]

They shall still bear fruit in old.

[Worship Leader]

Age, they shall be fresh and flourishing. To declare them, the Lord is upright.

[Robert]

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

[Worship Leader]

Good morning, Social Dallas. Hey, y'. All. Hey, y'. All. Hey. This is the day that the Lord.

[Service Host]

Has made so we might as well.

[Worship Leader]

Rejoice and be glad in it. If you're happy and you know it, can you clap your hand? And you might as well shout out hallelujah while you're at it. Lord, you are so good. Thank you for another day.

[Service Host]

Thank you for waking us up this morning. Thank you for another opportunity to be in your presence.

[Worship Leader]

If it had not been for you on our side, where would we be?

[Service Host]

I'm grateful this morning.

[Worship Leader]

And so we say, have your way. Have your way. Have your way. Do whatever you want to do. Get your glory.

[Service Host]

Somebody said get your glory. In Jesus's name we pray and we say amen.

[Worship Leader]

Y' all ready to worship? Yeah.

[Service Host]

Make sure you have you some room. Okay. Say, neighbor, I need a little bit of room for this one. We're gonna give our great God our best praise.

[Robert]

Come on, let's go.

[Worship Leader]

Behold, he comes riding on a cloud Shining like the sun at the tropical so lift your eyes it's the year of jubilee out of S till salvation. I don't know about you, but one day I'm going home. This world is not my home. I need you to worship with us. One thing I know for sure, I'm going home. I hear you. Come on. Yesterday standing on head puns in stone I might not know that day but it won't be long My eyes will see it Don't Stop believing. One day I'm going home. Let's go. I'm going. I'm going home. You call mine and call mine. I see your come, God, the rising will praise you again. One day I'm going. Come. Come on. Come on. Come on. I love it. Let's say redemption is drawing near. The kingdom is earth will proclaim his name. Jesus is love. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, what a glorious name. The king has return ye. Yeah. My eyes will see it won't stop believing. One day I'm going home. Let me hear you say one day I'm going home.

[Taylor]

That's right.

[Worship Leader]

Shout it out. You call my name I see your face. What's going to happen? Do we sing? We'll praise you again. One day I'm going home. I'm excited about it. I'm excited about it. Hey. He'll split the sky in the blink of the night. I know that he's coming back. I know that he's coming back. Trumpets will sound and the dead come to light. I know that he's coming back. I know that he's coming back. He'll split the sky in the blink of an eye. I know that he's coming. But I know that he's coming. The trumpets will sound and the dead comes alive. I know that he's coming back. I know that he's coming back. He'll break the sky in the blink of night. Trumpets will sound and the dead comes alive. Behold, it will come with the gates that's like fire. I'm going home. Yeah, yeah. I'm going. He'll. He'll split the sky in the bully. Coming night Trumpets will sound and the d come to light. Behold, it will come with the gaze and sp. I'm going home. I'm going. Let's go. I'm going home One day. I hear you singing. I'm going home. You call mine. You call mine. I see your face. What's going to happen? Racing will crazy. One day. One day I'm going home. One more time. Come on. One day say one. It's going to happen. I'm so excited about it. Jesus is coming. You call my name. Hallelujah. I think we need to do that bridge one more time. The song says he'll split the sky in the blink of an eye. We say I know that he's coming. I know that. I know that I know that he'll split the sky in the blink of an eye. I know that. I know that Trumpets will sound and the dead come to life. I know that I Know that. Help me out right here. He'll split the sky in a blink of an eye. I know that. I know that Trumpets will sound and the dead comes alive. I know that. I know that. Let's go. Let's go. He'll split the sky in the blink of night. Trumpets will sound in the background. Behold, behold. He will come with the gates that behold. Behold. He will come with the gates. Behold. He will come with the gates that free heart behold. He will come with the gaze that behold it. He will come with the gates. Going home. I'm going home. I'm going one time. I'm going home. It's going to be a celebration with Jesus. I'm going home. You call my name. I see your face. You call my name. I see your face. You call my name. I see your face. See? You call my name. I see your face. You call my name. You call my name. You call my name. You're going to call my name. You're going to call my name. You call my name. You call my name. He's going to call your name. You call my name. I see your face. The reason where is it? Will take who? I'm going. I'm going. Anybody excited about it? Anybody excited about it? We're gonna be with Jesus forever. Forever and ever. What's good news this morning? Hallelujah. Somebody said, this world is not my home.

[Service Host]

I'm just passing through. It's like I'm living out of my suitcase. Yeah, it is a good day to give God praise. He's done so much. I'm so glad you're here.

[Worship Leader]

You glad you're here?

[Service Host]

Are you glad your neighbor's here? Do you know your neighbor yet? They're like, yes. So don't ask me. We gotta do 60 social, y'.

[Worship Leader]

All.

[Service Host]

If you're not familiar, 60 social is a time you get to meet the people in your neighborhood.

[Worship Leader]

Okay?

[Service Host]

Meet somebody you didn't come with. Make a hand, kiss a baby, shake a hand, high fives, fist bumps, whatever.

[Worship Leader]

You want to do.

[Service Host]

We're gonna put 60 seconds on the clock.

[Worship Leader]

Let's get Sam.

[Service Host]

Y' all could do better than that. Good morning, Social Family. Are you glad he woke you up this morning? Can we just give it up for Jesus?

[Worship Leader]

Thank you.

[Service Host]

Well, welcome to Social Dallas, as we say all the time. You could be anywhere in the world on a Sunday, but yet you chose to be here. And we're so grateful that your face is in the place. Now, can everyone say, next Sunday?

[Worship Leader]

Next Sunday.

[Service Host]

Say, next Sunday. Next Sunday. We are Taking over Texas Trust Theater. And we're going to have two powerful services at 9 and 11:30. So if you show up to Gillies next Sunday, you're going to be by yourself.

[Worship Leader]

Okay?

[Service Host]

We're not going to be here. So make sure that your face is in the place. And now you can turn your attention to the screen for more social news. Hey, social fam. It's the first Sunday of November and it's so good to see your face here at Gillies. Special shout out to our social global family watching from all over the world. Let's show them some love. This is your social news. If today is your first time with us, we'd love to say hello. Visit the connect area after service for a warm welcome and a special gift. Parents, if you've got a child from three months to third grade, they'll love social kids. And for our fourth through sixth graders, we've got the four, five, six just for them. Need to step out for a moment. Our family area is ready for you. Just ask the service host and they'll show you the way. Curious about how God is moving at Social Dallas? Just scan the card in front of you to see all that he's doing in our community. Make sure you join us this Wednesday night for prayer. We'll be here at Gilley's at 7pm if you'd like to find out more about the heart of our church and see how you can get involved, join US for social DNA registration for November 11th is available now. Tap the tag in front of you or simply head to our website to register. You can stay up to date with all things happening here at social Dallas on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. We hope to see you at Texas Trust next Sunday for our two services, 9 and 11:30. And remember, when you say yes to Jesus, you say yes to being social. Enjoy the service.

[Worship Leader]

Foreign.

[Robert]

Social fam. Are you glad to be in God's house today? Do you like who you are sitting next to? Good, good, good. That was a lot of yeses today. Of course it is. It's the 8:30 service. We're so glad that you're in God's house today. Let me just give some context to what you just saw on the screen. That was our fall fest yesterday, y'. All. It was amazing. How many were there? Give me a wave if you were there.

[Taylor]

Come on.

[Robert]

If you weren't there. You missed out. You missed out. It was absolutely incredible just to see all the families, just to see everybody come together and kids getting Candy. I had so many takeaway moments from the day. I met one family who talked about how social Dallas has changed their life. And even last week's service said their little girl said, mama and daddy, we can't be lying. Met another family that talked about how they just started coming, and now they got their whole family coming. It's just amazing, the testimonies of what God is doing in this house. But I got a favorite story. They might be here. I met a family, said, hey, we love this church. I said, where you from? They said, wait for it. Mount Pleasant, Texas. Mount Pleasant, Texas. Do you know what Mount Pleasant, Texas is? It's in East Texas. Mount Pleasant, Texas, is two hours away from Dallas. I met a family that drives two hours every single. Come on, some of y'.

[Taylor]

All.

[Robert]

It starts raining, you don't even get out the bed.

[Worship Leader]

Two hours.

[Taylor]

Here's the crazy part.

[Robert]

Your pastor was born in Mount Pleasant, Texas. And they said we had to be obedient to God. God. And this is our church. They said it's worth the drive. And I was thinking about their obedience. I was thinking about my parents obedience because I was born in Mount Pleasant. But my parents felt a call to Dallas and obeyed God and moved to Dallas when I was 2 years old. And then I was thinking of where I was hearing that story yesterday at Fallfest in the parking lot of what will be our future home. A place that we were only able to acquire because of people's obedience. Are you getting where I'm going? This is our moment to operate in generosity, where we get to give. And can I tell you what God is looking for in giving? Your obedience? It's never about the amount. It is always about a heart that says God. I'm just going to be obedient with what you have placed in my hand. Can I challenge you today? Just be obedient. Be obedient in the tithe. Be obedient with a heart that says God. I want to be a confidence conduit that you can flow through our amazing service. Hosts are standing in the aisles the way you can give at Social Dallas. Cause we next level like that. You can just tap the seat in front of you once you receive the bucket, if you'll just pass it to your right. But I do have an update. Since we were on the grounds yesterday, how many would like an update of our future home? Y' all ain't ready for this update. Here's the update, y'.

[Worship Leader]

All.

[Robert]

Are you ready? We are at 890.

[Taylor]

$186 you mean to tell me we're almost close million dollars toward our $6 million goal?

[Robert]

I'm telling you, that's a big deal. I want to say thank you not only for being faithful in the top, for going above and beyond y'.

[Worship Leader]

All.

[Robert]

We're almost to a million, which is 15% of our 6 million goal. And when we do that, we will be out there with shovels and we will break ground. Now, we've been saying we move at the speed of your generosity. If you wonder when they gonna move into that church they got when you.

[Worship Leader]

Start.

[Robert]

Every single dollar moves dirt and gets us closer. But I want to say thank you for being a church that's just obedient. Don't give today out of pressure. Give out of obedience. Amen. Would you bow your heads with me, Father? Thank you for the opportunity that we have to give, Lord. We give from an obedient heart that is fully cognizant of the fact that everything that we have, it comes from you. Every good and perfect gift comes from you, Father. And so it is our privilege to sow into good ground. God, we thank you in advance for all that you're going to do through this offering. Thank you for the community that we're able to serve. Thank you for the lives that are being changed, God, not just in this room and in Dallas, but, Lord, around the world. Lord, we'll give you glory and honor and praise for all that you've done and all that you're going to do in Jesus name. Everybody said, come on. Everybody said, amen. God bless you. As you get this morning.

[Service Host]

Family, as you continue and finish to worship the Lord through giving, I want to invite you into a time of prayer. Prayer is so important. You know that, right? It is the nucleus of our faith. It's our connection to the Father. And it's not lost on us that there are several people in the room that have come in with different weights and burdens that you're carrying. We have a prayer team that is going to come to this front altar in the middle section back there to pray with you. We need one another. We want to agree with heaven on your behalf no matter what it is. There's nothing too small that doesn't concern the Lord. There's nothing too great that he can't handle. But would you allow us to agree with what the Lord says on your behalf as we continue in worship? Let us pray with you.

[Worship Leader]

Of life, founder of faith. We set our eyes on you. Fire by night, cloud by day. We follow when you Move. Who you will be is who you have been. In you alone I am confiding the voice that Shakespeare the mountains is the voice that shaped my heart. What an honor. What a privilege. Look what we've got. This is our God the great. I am the smile is lamp. We will worship you forever the coming king Majesty. We will wait for you. We're waiting. We're waiting. We're waiting. We're waiting. We will be to you have been who you have been. In you. In you alone I am conquered. The V that chase the mountains is the voice that sh. My heart what had honor what a privilege. Look what we've got. Oh God. This is our God. The head the end that whole creation nation on the hands that held the Hallelujah. Look what we got. This is this is our God we come. This is how God. This is our God. What we got this is our God. O this is our God. We got a great big heart yes, we do. Kingdom unshakable. Fire untameable. Say your kingdom unshakable. Fire untamed. Say, do you see what we've got? A living God. Your kingdom unshakable. Fire untame. Can you see it? Do you see what we call everybody? Your king. Your kingdom unshakable. Fire unable. Do you see what we. Come on, say our true ages he's faithful all seasons. We see what we got through trial to victory. I know the voice that sh. The mountain is the praise that sh. My heart. Hallelujah. You know what we. This is our God. The hand. The hands of creation are the hands. Look what we've got. This is our God. Look what we've got. What we've got. This is our God. This is our God. This is this is our God to see you high and lifted up Shining in the light of your glory. I need to hear you say it. Come on. Pour out your power and love up as we sing. Holy, holy. Come on to see you Shining in the light of Shining in the light of your love. Pour out your power and love. Pour out your power and love. We sing, we sing. Holy, holy you to see you higher Lifted up, shining Shining in the light of your glory. Pour it out, Pour it out. As we sing, we sing. Holy, holy, holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy. The holy. To the only wise God Dominion and power. Just want to see how to see you. Come on, one more time. Holy, holy, holy. Say holy, holy, Holy. We join with the angels in Christ. Holy, holy. Are you. I want to see you. We want to see you. We want to See you. We want to see you. We want to behold the face of Jesus. Holy, holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy.

[Robert]

Thank you, God. Thank you, Father. Father, would you help us see you today? Take the scales off of our eyes. Let us see the beauty, the majesty, the sufficiency of our great and risen king. Father, we declare you are holy. There is no God like our God. So be lifted up in this place today. In Jesus name, everybody said, amen. Amen. Would you give King Jesus the best praise that you got today? Oh, come on, Social. He's been better to you than that. Would you give him some praise today? I love the. I love the sound doctrine and theology in that song. Pour out your power and love. That is the great thing about our God. He has power, all power and love. I'm scared of somebody that's in power but has no love. That's a tyrant who will destroy you. At the same token, I don't need somebody that just loves me. You can't do nothing. There's some situations I need more than a hug. I need somebody with some power. But can I tell you what I love about our God? He is love. And he has all power in his hand. That's why you can trust him. That's why you can give your life to him.

[Worship Leader]

Come on.

[Robert]

That's why he deserves not a cute.

[Taylor]

Golf clap like you and a lot library. Come on. You're in a sanctuary. Let everything. Let everything. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. My bills ain't paid. That don't matter. You got breath. It still hadn't got my miracle yet. It don't matter. You got breath. If you got breath, you got reason to give them praise. Come on, somebody. Lift up the name of Jesus and kill him.

[Worship Leader]

Hey.

[Taylor]

Jesus, we lift you up today. Have your way in this place.

[Worship Leader]

Pour out your power and love. Shining in the light of your glory. Pour it out. Pour it out. I power and I Holy. Holy. Holy. Holy. Holy. Holy. Holy. Holy. You have all power. Holy. Your name is. I want to see. Need you, Jesus.

[Robert]

Thank you. Amen. Thank you, God. How many thankful for the presence of the Lord that's in this place? Welcome to Social Dallas. So glad that you're here. I was talking earlier and some of.

[Taylor]

Y', all, like, I don't even know who he is.

[Robert]

My name is. My name is Robert. I get the privilege of pastoring this church alongside my bride, Taylor. And I'm so glad that your face is in the place today. I don't think you're here by accident. I think this is a divine setup. God knew you would be here today and he has something special in store for you. How many believe that? Do you believe it? Give me a wave if this is your first time here or your first time in a long time. Let me pause for station identification. I see you. I see you on the front row.

[Taylor]

Come on, social, don't act bougie. Would you welcome. Amazing.

[Robert]

So glad you're here. Hey. There's a whole lot of churches in Dallas, not a whole lot of them that meet in a bar. But we're so glad that you're here today. Hopefully somebody showed you some love. And we say all the time here, don't just attend. You oughta, you ought to tap in. So if you tap the seat in front of you and fill out the first time guest information, we'll have team that'll connect with you. Or you can go to our connect tent after service. Cuz we believe that the church is a family where you should belong. Amen. Y' all look good. Y' all look planted in the house of the Lord. That's our word for 20, 25. That is almost over. Can y' all believe it? We only have like. Math is not my thing. Six or six. Seven more Sunday to declare our verse of the year. That's where we get our word from the year. It's in Psalms 92, verses 13 through 15. We declare this every single Sunday. How many you got it memorized? How many still working on it. Lord, help.

[Taylor]

All right, you still got time.

[Robert]

There's no condemnation, but come on, let's read it together with uplifted voices. Y' all ready?

[Taylor]

1, 2, 3.

[Robert]

Those who are planted in the house of the the Lord, they shall still that the Lord is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

[Taylor]

You sound good.

[Robert]

Sound real good. And remain standing. We're going to jump into the word for today. We have been in a situation series called God Hates Blank Blank. It's one of those series. If you look at the service, you're like, get me out of this church. What are you talking about? How can a God who is love personified hate anything? But we've been understanding that God hates the things that harms what he loves. And when you look at what he hates, it reveals his nature. It reveals his character. And our anchor for this text and for this series has been Proverbs chapter 6. Proverbs, chapter 6. Where Solomon gives a life list of the things that God hates. And so y' all ready for another one?

[Taylor]

Today.

[Robert]

You sure? I've been telling you, this series is not a feel good series. This is a series where you're gonna get. Gonna get cut. But it's a good cut. It's the cut of a surgeon that cuts to heal you. So let's look at it. Proverbs, chapter six. We're just gonna look at verses 16 and 17. It says there are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him. Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. For the first time in this series, I actually want to add a narrative to this proverb and look at the first time in scripture where we see innocent bloodshed. In Genesis, chapter 4, verse 8, it says, Now Cain said to his brother and Abel, let's go out to the field. And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. And the Lord said to Cain, where is your brother Abel? I don't know. He replied, am I my brother's keeper? The Lord said, what have you done? Listen, your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. I want to tag a title to this text today and preach to you from this thought. I could never. I could never. Would you bow your heads? Gonna pray a long prayer. Father, speak to us today. Amen. You may be seated in the presence of the Lord. I could never. Anybody in here ever played the game. Never have I ever. You ever played that game. First of all, let me establish there are two versions of this game. There is a version that involves a certain beverage in red plastic cups. That is not the version I am talking about today. Amen. We gonna stay saved. I'm talking about the version of never have I ever where all it takes to play this game is you need a group of people that have hands. That's all you need to play this game. And you can do it with 10 fingers, both hands, or you can do it with one. And the way the game works is everybody holds up five fingers and you go around one by one, and people start saying things that they have not never done. And the goal is to say something that somebody has done because if they have done it, they lose a finger. You know what I'm talking about? Never have I ever. So, you know, if we ain't playing the game, but if I was playing the game with y' all and I was trying to get you to lose, and we were starting with, you know, five fingers, I would say something like, let's see. Never have I ever fallen asleep during one of my sermons. I would have lost some of y' all because I can see somebody else will go around the circle and they say, you know, never have I ever by accident hit Ripple reply all and then prayed for the Rapture to happen immediately. You know, somebody else could say, never have I ever posted something on the gram and then quickly archived it because it wasn't getting enough likes. Some of y' all would have lost it there, but never have I ever been in the mall and seen somebody that I didn't want to talk to, so I rushed into another store just to miss, you know, never have I ever. And the person that has fingers still up is the one that wins the game. You say PR what in the world does that have to do with your sermon today? Earth. Thank. Cause I think in this series, God Hates Blank, we have been playing a sermonic version of Never have I Ever. I think we've been playing this in the series. So week one, we all started off with five fingers, didn't we? And we. He said, never have I ever had haughty eyes or pride. And be honest, everybody lost a finger that day. If you didn't lose a finger, you lying. All of us have had pride. And then last week, we said, never have I ever lied. Never have I ever had a lying tongue. Everybody lost a finger there. Matter of fact, we lost two fingers. Because not just the lies that we tell to protect ourselves, we also dealt with the lies that we tell to destroy somebody else whenever you bear false witness against your neighbor. So if we're honest today with Never have I ever, all of us are.

[Taylor]

Walking around here with two fingers left in the series.

[Robert]

But this week feels different. This week feels different. Because this week it feels like we can finally exhale and say, finally, there is something on the list that God hates that has nothing to do with me. Finally, there's something on the list that God hates that is completely distant and removed from me. Finally, there's something on the list that God hates that I have never done. Because today we're looking in week three at the third thing that Solomon writes. He says that God hates hands that shed innocent blood. Come on, let's be honest. I don't know everybody, but I'm willing to bet that most of us, when we saw that right there, we said, whoo. Never have I ever had hands that shed innocent blood. I get a pass this week that has nothing to do with me. Oh, P.R. you got me in week number one and week number two. But you are not getting me this week because never have I Ever had hands that shed innocent blood. As a matter of fact, some of y' all will stick your chest out and say, not only. Never have I ever had hands that shed innocent blood. I'll take it a step further and say, I could never shed innocent blood. I could never do that. And that those are the words I want you to look at today that I have tagged to this sermon. I could never. Because I think that is one of the most dangerous illusions that the human heart could ever believe. Whenever you tell yourself, I could never do that, oh, no, they might have done it, but I could never do that. Anytime you say I could never. Be careful because I believe you are right on the edge of a fall.

[Taylor]

You are right on the edge.

[Robert]

Edge of stepping into something that will destroy your life. Let's just be honest on Sunday morning, since it's just us talking.

[Taylor]

Have you ever said I could never.

[Robert]

Only to find out that you could? Oh, it's a dangerous thing to say. Never could I do that. I could never do that. Whenever you say I could never. The problem with saying I could never is you always make sin or evil look like it's outside of yourself. Whenever you say, I could never lose control like that. I could never hurt somebody like that. I could never let anger take me that far. That is a dangerous statement because when you say I could never, you stop checking your heart, you stop checking your thoughts, you stop checking your motives and your intentions that drive your actions. And we always want to treat evil and sin like the problem is out there, like it's in the headlines, like it's in the documentaries, like it's in the news that we scroll. But the problem with the scriptures is the scripture never says sin and evil is a problem out there. It always points the camera right here and says, the problem is always right in us. And it starts in your heart. Before you ever commit evil or shed blood with your hands, it always starts. Starts in your heart. Matter of fact, I might say this a couple of times throughout this message and they'll put it on the screen, but I want you to get this if you don't get anything today. It always starts in your heart. It always starts in your heart. Have you looked at your neighbor yet today? No. Get in their personal space, get in their face and just say, neighbor, guess what? It always starts in your heart. Look at your other neighbor. Say, other neighbor, I know you think you're cute. You picked the right person.

[Worship Leader]

Right?

[Robert]

Say, but neighbor, I still got to tell you with your Q self, it.

[Taylor]

Always starts in Your heart. It starts in your heart. That's where it starts. Never have I ever had hands that shed innocent blood, okay? But the heart of the problem with.

[Robert]

The humanity in society is not the hands. It's always the. It's always the heart. Some of y' all think you need a trophy today in the Nobel Priest Prize because you've never shed innocent blood. But you do know the hands are never where it starts. It always starts in your heart.

[Taylor]

In your heart.

[Robert]

So what's in your heart? Let me ask it like this. Who is the person that you refuse to forgive? What is the grudge that you keep nursing and rehearsing and nursing and rehearsing and you don't think it's going to grow into anything? Who is the person that you keep checking their page just to see if something is going bad in their life.

[Worship Leader]

Life.

[Robert]

So you can quietly celebrate on the inside and then spiritualize it and say, see, God, don't play about me. I'm talking about your heart. Your heart. I know you're laughing, but who's the person that. When you see them or when somebody mentions their name, your visceral reaction action is to clench your fist and to grind your teeth. You haven't done anything with your hands. Brian punched them. But it never starts in your hands. It always starts in your heart. This list that Solomon gives us in Proverbs, chapter six, it lets us know the things that. That God hates. But we've been looking at it and understanding the wisdom that's in the order of the list. Notice he says God hates haughty eyes. Pride first. Pride goes first because pride is the sin beneath every single sin. He then says God hates a lying tongue. And that is the one that is mentioned twice, although it is the second on the list. And then he says God has hates hands that shed innocent blood. Yeah, that's not the right verse. Yeah, that's not it either. Just the one that says hands that shed innocent blood by itself. Yeah. Beautiful and right. When you hit hands that shed innocent blood blood and you think you're good and you say, never have I ever. Do you notice what's next on the list? He then says, a heart that devises wicked schemes. Oh, Solomon, you trying to tell me that my hands and my heart are connected? That anybody that has ever shed innocent blood with their hands, it first started with the wicked scheme that was in their heart.

[Taylor]

You mean to tell me that there is an inextricable connection between my heart.

[Robert]

And my hands and that everything I.

[Taylor]

Do for good or for evil with my hands. It did not start in my hands. It first started with my heart. Solomon, you trying to tell me that my hands might pull the trigger, but it's my heart that loaded the gun? You trying to tell me me, Solomon, that my hands might build the building, but it's my heart that is always the architect. It is my heart that is always giving my hands the blueprint. And anytime you see somebody doing something with their hands, don't just look at their hands, because something happened in their heart before they ever started moving with their hands. Your hands and your heart are connected.

[Robert]

Well, I'm going somewhere here today. Any cardiologist in this room will tell you if you.

[Taylor]

You want to know the size of.

[Robert]

The human heart, guess what it is the size of. It is the size of two hands.

[Taylor]

Clenched together as if God, who created.

[Robert]

Our bodies, gave theology and our physiology.

[Taylor]

And let us know that in the same way that your hands clenched together are the same size of your physical heart, anything that happens that is evil and wicked with your hands, you first entertained it in your heart. It's in your heart before.

[Robert]

It never gets in your hands. The Hebrew word for heart, you know, you gotta get some Hebrew so you can look spiritual on Monday. The Hebrew word for heart is the word Lev L E V. And it's this biblical idea that does not just speak to my emotions, it speaks to your inner control center. It is the thoughts, decisions, and motives of. Of your heart. Not just my emotions, it is my thoughts, decisions and motives. Thoughts, decisions and motives. My inner control center. Thoughts, decisions, motives. Thoughts, decisions, motives. If you wanna know what your pastor does in his free time, when I'm not reading the Word of God or writing a sermon and preparing, I watch a whole lot of csi, a whole lot of Forensic Files. I've seen almost every documentary on Netflix that has to do with murder. And it's interesting. I know some of y' all think it's weird, but here's what intrigues me is that whenever the forensic detective gets to the scene and there's blood and there's a body and there's fingerprints, the forensic detective knows something that we don't really know. They know that the crime scene is never the first scene. The crime scene is always the last scene. The crime scene is the last scene. And so it's always the job of the forensic detective to go from that scene to the first scene. So they start tracing the crime scene back to a motive, who had motive. And you will see that once they trace it back to a Motive. It is always connected to a human heart. And it is scary sometimes to watch a person who started planning the scene that we see in their heart before it ever manifested in the room. They are connecting it to the motive. And I want to know what are you entertaining in your heart? What do your thoughts look like? What are your inner control centers telling you to do? What are the decisions? What are the motives of your heart? Yes, never have I ever shed innocent blood with my hands. But what are you you doing with your heart? That's why the Bible says in Proverbs 4, 23, Guard your heart for everything that you do flows from it. That's why God told the children of Israel, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength. But heart is the first thing. That's why the Bible says in 1st Samuel 16:7, man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. That's what. That's why David in Psalms 51 cries this prayer, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. Do you know when David prayed that prayer? David prayed that prayer after he committed adultery, slept with Bathsheba and after he killed her husband, Uriah. This is a man who the Bible, Bible says was after God's. I'm confused. You're after God's heart and you committed adultery and murder. What is the Bible telling us? It's telling us that just because you are after God's heart, it doesn't mean that you have mastered your heart. That the enemy is always trying to get into your inner control center.

[Taylor]

He's trying to get in your thoughts. He's trying to get in your decisions. He's trying to corrupt your motive and dangerous.

[Robert]

David himself said my heart got corrupted. So don't tell me with your super spiritual self that you ain't ever had.

[Taylor]

No wicked schemes in your heart. When David, who is in the Bible, you just read the Bible. David said, something happened in my heart to the point that I went to a place that I never thought I could go. I said I couldn't do it, but I ended up doing the very thing that I never thought I could do. And thank God for a prophet, Nathan, who called him out. And in a repentant heart, he said, God created me a clean heart. Notice he does not say, God fix my behavior. He said, God created me a clean heart. He doesn't say, fix my behavior.

[Worship Leader]

Why?

[Taylor]

Because my behavior is not where it started. It didn't start when I touched Bathsheba. It started when I was on the Rooftop thinking about what I would do. It didn't start when I sent the letter to kill Uriah. It started when I said it started entertaining it on the inside of me.

[Worship Leader]

And.

[Robert]

David is crying out to God, saying, before I ask for forgiveness for what my hands have done, I need forgiveness for how contaminated my heart has become. Create in me a clean heart. It's interesting because many of us, us don't ever take the time to assess and analyze what is happening in my heart. We think we're guilt free because there's no blood in our hands. But what's happening in your heart, Pastor Robert, I don't know if I agree with that.

[Taylor]

This seemed kind of heavy for a Sunday morning.

[Robert]

I wish there was some scripture you could give that would like substantial substantiate.

[Taylor]

The fact that it starts in your heart.

[Robert]

Okay, how about a sermon from Jesus? Matthew, chapter 5. Jesus is giving his famous sermon on the mount. And look at what Jesus says. You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, you shall not murder. And anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But, and I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Hold on, Jesus, you mean to tell me that just because I haven't murdered, just because I haven't stabbed anybody because I got angry, I'm just as guilty? Uh huh.

[Taylor]

He'll later say, if you say to.

[Robert]

Your brother, raca, read it when you get to the crib, you're in danger of hellfire. Raca was a term that meant you are worthless, you are nothing. Jesus, hold up. You don't mean to tell me that if I've never stabbed anybody, if I've never punched them, I'm guilty when I insult them, when I have anger? Jesus, I'm confused. He said, I bet you are. Because you understand that I'm not just looking at your actions, I'm looking at your heart. And I need to let you know that anger is murder in seed form. Robbery never starts with robbery. The seed of it is is envy. Adultery never starts with adultery. The seed of it is lust. And God says if believers don't understand the heart hand connection, you'll walk away thinking, never have I ever shed innocent blood, not realizing you are harboring it in a human, your heart. It's interesting because if you look at the full list in Proverbs, chapter six, something intriguing will occur. Remember that verse y' all did earlier? Now I want to do it. Yeah, look at that real quick, y'.

[Worship Leader]

All.

[Robert]

This revelation just hit, hit me this week. Look at that. That's Proverbs 6, 16, 19. You notice anything about that list? Just keep it right there for a second. You notice anything? Read it real good. You notice anything? Some of y' all really squinting. You notice anything? This just hit me this week, you know?

[Taylor]

Notice anything?

[Robert]

You see it? I'm using more time. You're the first service. I thought you would get it quicker. You see it? Okay, let me. Now. How about now? You see it? Haughty eyes, a lion tongue. Hands that shed in a blood, a heart that devises wicked skins. Feet that are quick to rush into evil. A false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. How is it that everything that God hates is connected to physical anatomy?

[Taylor]

That means that my body is not neutral. Do you realize that your body can be an instrument for righteousness in the.

[Robert]

Earth or it can be an instrument.

[Taylor]

For the greatest evil that the earth has ever seen? Everything that God hates is connected to a body. That's why you got to be careful what you do with your heart, because your heart will instruct your body what to do. My body can lift up holy hands and worship God, or my body can cause damage in somebody else's life. My eyes can have pride and look down on people that I think I'm better than. Or my eyes can have humility and see somebody that's hurting and broken and realize they not much different than me. And if I am a sinner saved by God's grace, how dare I turn up my nose to them? My tongue can speak life and give hope to somebody and tell them, God's not through with you yet. He's got more in store for you. Or my tongue can curse them and hurt them and keep them in bondage and prison. My feet can rush to do evil deeds and do wickedness in the shadows of the night. Or my feet can rush to be Jesus with skin on and giving life to somebody else. I'm telling you, your body is an.

[Robert]

Instrument for godliness or destruction. What have you done with your eyes this week? What have you done with your tongue this week? What have you done with your feet this week? What is happening in your heart? Oh, now I get why Paul says he Romans, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Oh, now I know why the Apostle Paul writes to that crazy church in Corinth and says, hey, you were bought with a price. You are not your own. Glorify God with your body. Hmm. Paul says, I'm bought with a price. My body is not my own. I don't belong to me. So no wonder the enemy has released within the culture perhaps the most diabolical and unbiblical statement that I have ever heard. My body, my choice. My body, my choice. I was bought with a price. I don't belong to me. It is not my body, it is not my choice. I have given my whole body to the Lord saying, use it for your glory. And anytime you say my body, my by choice, your tongue will be used to destroy lies, eyes will be used to look down, and innocent blood will be shed. That's Cain talk. Whenever you say my body, my choice, I do what I want. That is Cain talk. Cain is the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. Cain is on record in your Bible for committing the very first murder. It's interesting because Cain has a brother, Abel. And in Genesis chapter four, you hear their full. The Bible says in the course of time, both Cain and Abel brought an offering to God. Hold on. It's interesting to me that the first murder that was committed in the Bible happened after a church service. It happened after worship. Never have I ever. It happened after church. And Cain and Abel, they go to to God and they present their offering. The Bible lets us know their occupations. Cain is somebody who worked the ground. The ground. He's a farmer. Abel is a shepherd. He works his field. And the Bible says that they come to God and they bring their offering. Cain brought the fruit of his hard work. I don't know what the venture, but I'm sure he worked hard for it. Tomatoes, onions, potatoes. Can you see Cain? Oh, God gonna like this. I worked hard for this right here. And he brings his offering to God and God rejects it. The Bible says he does not look at his offering with favor. Here comes Abel after God rejects Cain's, Abel comes with a lamb, a lamb that he killed. He comes with not just any lamb. The first of his flock. He didn't bring God anything. He brought God the very best of his flock, the first lamb. He killed this lamb and brought the fat portions of the lamb and put it on the altar. And look what God does. God looked at his offering and says, I see that offering. I have favor on that offering. I received that offering. I have read this text my whole life and I was trying to figure out, hold on, God, where in the text did you tell them to bring a lamb that's messed up that you rejected Cain.

[Taylor]

Where in the text did you tell them explicitly, make sure when you come into my house, bring a lamb. And God said, I don't have to.

[Robert]

Put it in the text explicitly.

[Taylor]

You should know that. I should have told them that by what they offered. If I accepted Abel's, there had to be a conversation with where they knew. This is how you approach God. When you come to him.

[Robert]

This is what you bring to him.

[Taylor]

But Cain said, you know what? My offering, my choice. I'll bring God whatever I want. I bring God whatever I feel like he ought to be. Glad that I even came to church today.

[Robert]

You know, I started to sleep in.

[Taylor]

Today, but I still came today. Cain had this attitude that I can bring God whatever I want. But Abel offered it by faith and said, I'm going to bring God worship not the way I want worship, but the way he. He wants to receive my worship. And if God wants a sacrifice, God is going to get a sacrifice. If God wants the first and the best, I'm going to give God the first and the best. I don't know when they had the conversation of what to bring, but I promise you, the conversation happened. I don't know if Mama and Daddy, Adam and Eve talked to them and.

[Robert]

Said, boys, let me tell you something that happened before you were even in the earth.

[Taylor]

There used to be a time where we were connected with God. There was no sin in the earth, but both of us were disobedient. And we ate of the forbidden fruit and we thought we were going to be cast out in judgment forever. We sewed fig leaves together to cover ourselves, but it was not enough. And then God came and he killed an animal. And he covered us. And we understood that if we're going to approach him, there's got to be blood that covers us. There has to be a sacrifice. So whenever you come into his presence, don't give him whatever you want to give him.

[Worship Leader]

The.

[Taylor]

There must be a sacrifice. There must be blood to deal with sin so we can connect with a holy God. There had to be some conversation.

[Robert]

And Abel said, all right, if this is what God requires, this is what God will give. And Abel said, cain said, please, I'll give him whatever I want to give him. And God rejected it. But look at the grace of God. Even after the rejection, somebody come play softly behind me so they know I'm landing the plane. Look at what. Look at what God says. Because Cain got so angry that God wouldn't accept his offering. God, I worked hard for that.

[Worship Leader]

That.

[Robert]

And you don't accept it. God, I still use my hands and my effort to Bring it to you and you don't accept it. And you know, he was annoyed when he saw God accepted his little brothers in his presence. Oh, come on. It's one thing to not be blessed. It's a whole other thing when God blesses somebody you don't like in front of you and he felt some type of way. Then the Lord said to Cain, why.

[Taylor]

Are you asking angry?

[Robert]

Why is your face downcast? Look at God. Look at his grace. Cain is in the wrong. And yet God, the great counselor, is in touch with his emotions. He says, cain, why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? In other words, why are you depressed? If you do what he is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have you, but you must rule over it. In other words, Cain, why you tripping? You do realize that you can fix this?

[Taylor]

I know you got a contaminated heart.

[Robert]

And you're stuck in your feelings, but you can still make this right. Just come to me the way I want you to Come to me and bring a sacrifice. Because if you don't, sin is crouching at your door. Oh, if I had time, I will show you how. God paints this metaphor of sin being like a tiger who is crouching at your door waiting to pounce on you. God says that is the image of sin. If you think you can play with sin and you can do sin, don't get it twisted. Sin will do you. Yeah, he said it's like an animal waiting to pounce. He's letting him know the danger of what he's about to step into. But he's also letting him know the opportunity he has to get his heart right before he does something evil with his hands. But look at Cain. Instead of obeying God, checking his heart, instead of going to get a lamb.

[Taylor]

To kill, he takes his brother out into the field and kills his brother.

[Robert]

The first murder in human history came.

[Taylor]

From a man whose heart got so contaminated he refused to kill a lamb. But you'll kill your brother. You refuse to kill, shed blood for a lamb and approach God, but you'll shed blood against your brother. And how many know it did not start in his hands. It started with the anger and the bitterness in his heart. It started with the unforgiveness in his heart. I am pleading to somebody today who thinks your hands are clean. It's only a matter of time before what is happening in your heart manifests in your hands. I'm trying to give you A warning today. Come to God like David did and said, lord, create in me a clean heart.

[Robert]

Cain didn't do it. Kills his brother Abel. But it started in his heart after the murder. Look at how God, the great counselor, approaches him. He says, what have you done? He first asked him, where is your brother? He lies. I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper? Not only does he lie, he won't even take responsibility. And God says, what have you done? This is the part you can't miss. Listen. Listen. Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Listen. Listen. Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground. Can't you hear that? Kate? Listen, Listen. Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground. You think you got away with this? No. Listen. Listen. Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground.

[Taylor]

Understand, the Bible has beautiful poetry. The Bible has beautiful metaphor.

[Robert]

But under the. Understand that right there, that is not metaphor right there, that is God himself letting us know that blood has a voice.

[Taylor]

Innocent blood has a voice. Whenever blood is shed, God can hear it. Innocent blood has a voice. And somebody ought to thank God that he can hear innocent blood that has been shed. I thank God that he can hear.

[Robert]

The innocent blood of martyrs that have been shed.

[Taylor]

I thank God that he can can hear the innocent blood of that has been shed in school shootings. I thank God that he can hear the innocent blood that has been shed of abortions. I thank God that he can hear the innocent blood that was shed of my ancestor. I thank God he can hear the innocent blood that was shed. Blood always has a voice. And he's coming to Cain, saying, I hear something, Cain. I hear the blood of your brother crying out for justice. I hear the blood of your brother crying out that somebody's got to deal with this. And right when you think that there is no hope. And right when you think that there is no mercy. And right when you think that there is no grace. Understand the beauty of what God is.

[Robert]

Telling us when he says that blood has a voice and you can always hear it.

[Taylor]

Can I tell you the power of that? For somebody that feels the weight of shame and condemnation, for somebody that has bitterness and unforgiveness in your heart.

[Robert]

Heart.

[Taylor]

For somebody that has actually shed innocent blood, yes, blood has a voice. But can I give you some hope today? That is found in Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 24. If there's anything that you need to memorize is this verse right here in Hebrews chapter 12, verse 24. It says to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood. Here it is. That speaks a better word than that of the blood. In other words, God said, guess what? I had to send my son to die in the earth because Abel's blood screams for justice. But I'm thankful for the blood of Jesus that cries out mercy. The blood of Jesus cries out forgiveness. The blood of Jesus cries out grace. Oh, the enemy thought he had me because I messed up and I sinned. But every time I mess up, the blood of Jesus is louder and says, hold on. Don't charge Robert for that sin. I already paid the price. And blood, it speaks a better word. My blood doesn't speak vengeance. My blood speaks forgiveness. My blood speaks. I'll cover you. My blood speaks grace. My blood speaks mercy. Somebody ought to thank God that every time the enemy tried to come in your life with shame and condemnation, the blood of Jesus kept interrupting the enemy and said, no, no, no. That's already been paid for. No, no, no. Don't forget what happened on a Hill over 2,000 years ago. You want to know why the church is always singing about the blood of Jesus? Because that blood speaks. That blood test. Something that blood says, I'm not condemned. I'm forgiven. That blood says my sins can be washed away.

[Robert]

That blood, it reaches to the highest mountain. It flows to the lowest valley. I know this has been a heavy series. Don't let the enemy come in your mind with shame and condemnation. Because when you come to Jesus. Oh, can y' all put that up in the NLT version that I thought we had? Yeah. Thank you, Jesus. To Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant. And to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than that of Abel, Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant. Father, thank you today that your blood speaks a better word. God, I thank you that because of your blood we can find forgiveness if our hands have shed innocent blood, and we can find forgiveness if our hearts have plotted wicked schemes. How can you find grace and forgiveness for somebody that has done you so wrong is to look at a savior who at his arm strength stretched out.

[Worship Leader]

Wide.

[Robert]

Said, father, forgive them. They know not what they do. If he didn't hold and harbor your sin against you, what right do you.

[Worship Leader]

Have.

[Robert]

To harbor any unforgiveness and bitterness towards somebody else? I'm talking to somebody, somebody that the wickedness has gotten into your hands. It's gotten physical. And I'm talking to those of you who is Just the seed of anger that's in your heart. And I'm telling you today, you can bring it to Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant, and find forgiveness and let it go. You can only do that by looking at the cross. I'm gonna ask every person that can to stand. Stand to your feet. Would you just bow your heads and close your eyes? Father, I thank you today for your blood and speaks a better word. God, you even had grace for Cain. Cain said, my punishment is too great. Great Lord, I'm going to be killed. And even then you said, no, nobody's going to kill you. How beautiful is this grace that no matter what you've done, God says, if you'll come to me, ask for forgiveness, I paid the price. My blood speaks of better word. Heads are bowed, eyes are closed today. But if you're in here today and you'd be so honest to say, you know what? I've shed innocent blood either with my hands or in my heart. Today, I need to find forgiveness. And the only one whose blood speaks of better word, if that's you today, would you just lift up your hand just as a sign to say, lord, today I'm coming to you. I need you. I need your forgiveness. I need your grace. Hear me. Don't let the enemy lie to you.

[Worship Leader]

You.

[Robert]

And make you feel there is no hope. Hear me. There is grace. There is grace. There is mercy. Anybody else, just lift it up, put it right back down. Thank you, God. Heads are still bowed, eyes are still closed. I want to be very specific today. If you never surrendered your life to Jesus, hear me. He bought you with a price. He wants all of you. Not just your soul, not just your mind. He wants your body. He wants all of you. That's you today. And you say, hey, P.R. i. I need to come home today. I need to give him my life. Maybe the enemy's made you think, man, you're too messed up. You've done too many. There's no way God can forgive that. Yes, he can. His blood is still speaking. Bless you today. Say, PR, I need to give him my life. Would you just lift up your hand high enough and long enough to where I could see it. Thank you, God. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Jesus, I want to lead you in this prayer. We're all going to say it, but especially those of you who responded. Would you say this? Say, Jesus? As a matter of fact, would you just lift up your hands? Can we do that? Bible says, who can ascend to the hill of the Lord, the Person that has clean hands and a pure heart. You're lifting up your hands because your hands and your heart are connected. You're saying, God, I'm giving you my heart. Just say, lord, today I surrender. Create in me a clean heart. Renew a right spirit within me. Jesus, I admit I need you. Thank you so much. So much for living the life that I was supposed to live. For taking my place and dying the death that I was supposed to die. Thank you that your blood speaks a better word. I am forgiven. I am healed.

[Taylor]

I am not my past.

[Robert]

I don't walk in shame. I walk in freedom. Because your blood washes me clean. In Jesus name, amen. Amen. Amen.

[Taylor]

Amen.

[Worship Leader]

Amen. Amen.

[Robert]

Come on, somebody give God some praise today.

[Taylor]

Oh, come on, you can do better than that.

[Worship Leader]

Thank you, Jesus.

[Robert]

Hear me today. Hear the heart of your pastor. This is not a message to say, oh, you're so messed up. This is a message. It says, yeah, we're all messed up, but thank God for Jesus and his blood that speaks a better word and that we can come to him. Amen. As always, these altars are always going to be open. If you're here today and you say, hey, I just need to stay a little bit or I want to pray with somebody, our prayer team is going to be here. In fact, they're moving right now. And our elders and our pastors will be here. If you want personal prayer, please don't ever leave Social Dallas without getting that. Amen. Next Sunday, we won't be here. We are going to be at Texas Trust theater, not and 11:30. But if I were you, hear me today, if I were you, I would just keep showing up. I'm telling you, if you keep showing up, if you keep showing up, you will keep growing up. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. Give you grace and peace now and forevermore. Love you, social fam. We'll see you next week.

[Worship Leader]

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.