Richard Ellis Talks

Guest (Male): Today on Richard Ellis Talks.

Richard Ellis: And you know what faith sometimes is not very exciting. Most of the time living by faith is just that. It is living by faith. I can't see what's coming. I don't know what's coming, but I know who does and I'm going to just keep it in my lane. I'm going to do the right thing and God ultimately that is the best thing to do.

Guest (Male): You're listening to Richard Ellis Talks with Richard Ellis. Richard's style is unlike anyone else where he shares the life-changing message of the gospel in a way that's real, refreshing, focused, and fun. We know that life is pretty challenging these days, but these talks will help you meet those challenges head on with biblical truth, encouragement, and direction. Now, if you're not able to stick around with us for all of today's talk, you can always listen to, download, and even share this entire message with a friend right from our website richard ellis dot com. So, let's jump right in with today's talk.

Here is Richard Ellis.

Richard Ellis: The title of today's message is the thrill is gone. Now, there are a lot of people out there we call for instance thrill seekers. They're roller coaster junkies and they'll travel all over the planet anywhere just to experience the thrill of a new roller coaster or all roller coasters. Some people jump out of planes, parachutes, skydiving. Some people bungee jump. Thrill seekers, what is it? It's the thought of getting up there on that platform and you go to the edge of that platform and you got nothing strapped to you but some rope, some bungee cord that you trust that somebody has done properly and it's strong enough and you lean over the edge and you look down and there's nothing but however many hundreds of feet and you're supposed to just let go and see before you even jump the thrill's already begun, hasn't it?

It's the anticipation of that thrill. And for some people it's not bungee jumping. For some people it's an affair and they don't even have to commit the adultery. The thrill, the thought of, the anticipation. And why do we want these thrills? Because our life is boring, because it's life, because part of life is that it's not always going to be thrilling. It's not always going to be exciting. Every once in a while our kids will be driving somewhere at home and one of them will just pipe up and say, I'm bored and I just want to say welcome to life.

You're not going to be entertained all the time and one of the problems with kids today is we are attempting to entertain them incessantly, non-stop. Keep it coming. What are we doing now? Where are we going now? What are we buying now? Let's have another thrill in our lives. That's not life. That's not reality. For some people a credit card purchase is a thrill, but they go from the thrill to the bill. There is a balance and part of life is thrilling, but a lot of life is just life. For some men it's the thrill of the hunt and when the thrill of the hunt is over you've captured your bride or your girlfriend.

Now you've got a trophy that you've won and you're done. There is no more thrill. There's no more pursuing that bride. For some women, you know, you say well he whispered sweet nothings in my ear and it turned out that's what they were, nothings. And the thrill is gone and he's gone and he does not interested in me anymore. For some people it's marriage. It went from bliss to piles of dirty underwear and socks on the floor. And you think well I didn't sign up for this. I found a bunch of quotes about marriage by the way.

Let me read you some of these. How is a marriage like a hot bath? Once you get used to it it's not so hot. The bow was so in love that he told her he would go through hell itself for her. He had no idea after they'd married that she would make him keep his promise. Boring husband. Honey, why are you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger? Bored wife. Because I married the wrong man. First guy proudly, my wife's an angel. Second guy, you're lucky mine's still alive. Now on a very personal note let me throw something in here today.

You know how in a relationship, and in my case in a marriage, there can be stuff boiling under the surface and you just don't touch it. You don't go there. You leave it alone. But one little spark can ignite a fire storm. And believe it or not we had a fire going, a little sort of fire, but we had contained it. And I don't remember what the absolute thing that caused the explosion, but I mean it was one of the bi-annual meltdowns in my house. But once you start going down this tube, once you get sucked into these thoughts and these processes, then you get irrational.

You start thinking things, saying things. It's emotion. You start feeling things. You start looking back at your life. And for a lot of people life is the problem. And you say well you know what I can remember when and it was just the two of us and we had time to date. I can remember even when our first born was born we'd get up and go to the movies together and get in the car and be about to drive off and remember we had a baby in the house. You know you just forget cuz your life is just you and then another kid shows up and another kid shows up.

Now there's no time for each other. And people change and physiologically you change and emotionally you change and there's just life stuff and stresses of work and money and people and just living. And all of a sudden that all comes in and we are been highly trained usually to keep our stuff to ourselves and you don't tell anybody. You don't stand up in church and say my marriage is in trouble. Pray for me. You know what you're nuts for doing that in most places. Keep it to yourself. Hide it. Drink a little more. Go mow your lawn.

Do something, but don't tell me I got trouble too. I don't want to hear your trouble. I got my own trouble. And part of the reason I share some of this stuff you say well are you saying the thrill is gone? I'm saying that there are moments of exhilaration. There is moments of ecstasy, of passion, of wonderful emotions in a marriage and in life, but there is a lot of time that you spend living and you say well I don't like that. Then you don't have much option. That's the way it is. And even the things that people pursue, the thrills, the brief stealing away with somebody maybe or going off and buying something you can't afford.

There's the emotion and the all the adrenaline rush and the the feelings, but then that even goes away. You can't sustain the feelings. It's just not life. But she made it in the heat of the battle and in all fairness I'm going to tell you that it was in the heat of the battle. She made a very profound statement to me and I I may misquoted it, but she said, well you know the Bible doesn't promise excitement anywhere. And see we have been raised in this country especially to have excitement. I need excitement in my life.

I don't want to live a boring life. Look at the people on TV. They have exciting lives. Follow them around and see where the thrill goes cuz they got to keep it going and buy something bigger and better and better and it's just never ends. And sooner or later for all of us the thrill is gone. Now I can tell you that we regrouped and we're going to make it. But you know what yours is coming and mine's coming again because life is coming at you and me both. And whether you're single or married or employed or unemployed it's just going to keep coming and if you try to replace the thrill with more thrills instead of just hunkering down and holding on and saying God I'm going to trust you.

I'm going to depend on you. I'm going to take one step at a time and I 'm going to make it. And this chapter about faith. And you know what faith sometimes is not very exciting. Most of the time living by faith is just that. It is living by faith. I can't see what's coming. I don't know what 's coming, but I know who does and I 'm going to just keep it in my lane. I 'm going to do the right thing and God ultimately that is the best thing to do. There's blessing. There's joy.

And I 'm telling you what it's the longer I live and if you discover this along the way if you have to choose between excitement and thrills and pure joy you'll go with joy every time because joy is sustainable. Someone can die and you can still have joy in your life. A marriage can be in trouble and you can still have joy in your life, but happiness, those feelings come and go. Moses is talked about in Hebrews chapter 11. Let's start with 11 23. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents.

His parents hiding by faith believing that God would take care of him because they saw he was a beautiful child and they were not afraid of the king's command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to what? Enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. And the word here for the passing pleasures is for a season enduring only for a while, temporary, the passing pleasures. And Moses understood this. If you know Moses' life he spends 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, then 40 years in Egypt, 40 years preparing in the wilderness as a shepherd and then led the people of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years.

But he would not stay in Egypt. Let's read it again. Verse 25, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. Seasonal sin, seasonal pleasure, temporary pleasure. I am not going to stand here and tell you that sin is not thrilling or no one would do it if it wasn't thrilling, but I 'm telling you when the thrill is gone the pain is unbearable for most people because it's not worth it and I could start and go through this room beginning with me and we could all cite instances where I thought the thrill was going to be worth it, but when it was gone it was not worth it and it's caused me personal pain, emotional pain.

My family, my job, my work was lost. Who knows what happened? It was not worth it in the end. Keep reading with me. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward. And by faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, lest he should destroy the firstborn should touch them.

And he goes on to tell the story of Moses and some of the things that he did. In Job 20 verse 1 Zophar says to Job that the triumphing of the wicked is short and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Temporary things. If you know anything about King David in the Bible, he went from the thrill of watching Bathsheba take a bath and committing adultery with her to having her husband killed in battle and then watching their baby die. The thrill was gone. And every once in a while you think well wow that's tantalizing.

That's seductive. It's erotic. And here's David and he should have been on the battlefield and he goes out on his porch on his castle and looks down and he could have backed up and said ooh, but he kept looking. It looked so long he figured out a way to get her from her bath into his bed. And you know what? I bet it was all very thrilling or nobody do it. But when the thrill is gone, if you know his story you know there's forgiveness, there's mercy, but it was not worth it in the end.

Look at Mark chapter 6 verse 17 and it talks about a guy named Herod. Verse 17, for Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her because John had said to Herod it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. John was bold. He cut to the chase. He said you know what it may be what you think's right. It's not right and spoke out against it, the sin of the situation and the relationship. Verse 19, therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not.

Wanted to kill John. Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man and he protected him and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly. So Herod has a relationship with John, cares about John, is protecting John from his own wife Herodias. Verse 21, then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when Herodias's daughter herself came in and danced and pleased Herod and those who sat with him the king said to the girl ask me whatever you want and I will give it to you.

He also swore to her whatever you ask me I will give you up to half my kingdom. Now where did he get clobbered? The thrill of seeing Herodias's daughter dance. He got sucked into the moment and it was exhilarating. It was tantalizing. His eyes and his emotions and he thought you know what baby you can dance. So she went out and said to her mother what shall I ask me and what an opportunity mom? What do I ask for? And she said the head of John the Baptist. Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked saying I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

Now look at verse 26 and the king was exceedingly sorry. Yet because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him he did not want to refuse her. And what did they do? They decapitated John the Baptist and brought his head on a platter. And see it went from a thrill to a very expensive bill and the life of the head of John the Baptist. When the thrill was gone what was verse 26? And the king was exceedingly sorry. It costing. Now look over in the Old Testament in the book of Jeremiah in terms of our relationship with God.

Jeremiah 22 and then verse 2 down to verse 5. And God is speaking through this prophet to literally the city of Jerusalem and he says go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem saying thus says the Lord. I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal when you went after me in the wilderness in a land not sown. Israel was holiness to the Lord. The first fruits of his increase. All that devour him will offend. Disaster will come upon them says the Lord. Hear the word of the Lord, o house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel.

Thus says the Lord. What injustice have your fathers found in me that they have gone far from me, have followed idols and have become idolaters? What happens? We leave. You go back to my relationship with my own wife. You say well is the thrill gone? You know what? It's only gone if I want it to be. In the same way that your relationship with God can be new and can be fresh and you can pursue God with all your heart and we'll see in a minute in the book of the Revelation talks about this specific thing.

You can pursue God. Why can't you keep pursuing God? Why can't you keep pursuing your husband? Why can't you keep pursuing your wife? And I will throw this in here ultimately in my house if things go wrong it is my responsibility. You say well what if your wife does something? You know what? God has put me in this house to lead this house, to lead my wife, to lead myself, to lead this home. And ultimately if things are not well it is my responsibility. I'm maybe being hard on the men. At some of the core of the thrill being gone in my life it was my selfishness and it was my pride.

It was not my wife. And if I would spend as much time being selfish and pouting and identifying problems, if I'd spend all that time talking to God about my own life and my relationship with him and about my wife and praying for my wife, you know what things might turn around a whole lot quicker. And some of that thrill that honestly only God can instill in a relationship would be there. In Revelation chapter 2 verse 1 it says to the angel of the church of Ephesus write these things say he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of seven golden lamp stands.

I know your works, your labor, your patience and that you cannot bear those who are evil and you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not and have found them liars and you have persevered and have patience and have labored for my name's sake and have not become weary. He says all these great things that they've done that they are. I mean it sounds like great. This church is off the hook. They're not going to be in trouble about anything. It seems from the outside that everything's okay. Then in verse 4 he says nevertheless I have this against you that you have left your first love.

And some people misquote this and say that you know they 've lost their first love. If you lose something you can't find it sometimes. If you've left it you just go back where you left it. And we've talked about this before. You say well the thrill is gone. You know what? Where did you leave that thrill? I see over and over some people are in this room right now who recently have established a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and they say God I've screwed my whole life up. All my thrills are gone. I can't chase them anymore.

You think of somebody the thrill of shooting up for the first time or smoking crack for the first time or or 1 drinking something for the first time or a new high of some kind and then talk to them a few months or years later when it's worn off and the same dosage doesn't work anymore. The same perversion doesn't work anymore and the thrill is gone and they have chased it and chased it and finally something in their head says you know what? The thrill is always going to be gone. There's not enough in this life and some people check out of this life because they say there's no answers.

There's no hope. There's being true joy, any lasting happiness until someone comes along and says you know what there is a God and he does love you and he does have a purpose and a plan for your life and you may not be happy, giddy happy all the time, but you can have sustained joy and be thrilled in your relationship with him, not feeling something all the time, but knowing that he's there and he's going to take care of you and he's going to sustain you and he's going to provide for you and even if somebody dies he's not going to die.

And even if everybody else leaves you he's not going to leave you. And it is just a taste of what we will experience forever, not here but in heaven. But he says to this church in Ephesus I have something against you. You've left your first love. You used to want to be with me. You used to want to talk to me. Watch these couples. Somebody meets say oh we talked till 4 in the morning last night. We're flying all over the country to see each other. It's all so exciting and he looks at me and oh I just melt and And then you follow him around and wait on the year or two.

You say well it doesn't always have to be that way, but you know what it is. You say well but that's life. We're in a hurry. I can't get around there and open her door every time. She's a grown woman. Open your own door. Get in. That's what I'm talking about. And now I'm up here saying I figured all this out. I open the door. I do all these things. You know what sometimes I'm tired. Sometimes I'm insensitive. Sometimes I've had enough of math homework. And I don't want to talk. I've talked and listened all day long.

It's not that I'm perfect or that you're perfect, but you don't have to quit. Where did you leave your first love? And I'm not talking about in relationships with a human being primarily here. I am talking about with God. When's the last time I whispered something in his ear and how thankful I am that he chose me, that he loves me, that he gave his son to die for me. See you can't even start talking about this without it well in something. You want to be thrilled you get in a private place somewhere by yourself and tell God how good he is and how great he is and how awesome he is and how grateful you are and start singing little songs to him.

It's interesting even when you go back to Jesus. The thrill of Jesus' birth and his life is overshadowed by the kill of the crucifixion. And you go back to read Christmas time. Angels everywhere. The shepherds going what's going on? And a child unto you a child is born. Unto you a son is given. And it's thrilling. And just a few decades later it's not so thrilling anymore cuz this baby is grown up into a man who's lived a perfect life so he can die this perfect sacrifice on this torturous cross and shed his blood and do it all for us.

You know what? That's thrilling, but at the time that wasn't very thrilling. But as it turns out the cross is as thrilling as his birth because because of that day when Jesus died for me and for you I've got beyond thrill. And I don't know what category the thrill is gone for you. Maybe it's in a relationship with somebody and only God can mend that, but I'm telling you I got poster children in this room and beyond for marriages being restored. So maybe you have been caught up in some kind of sin, some kind of lifestyle, something that you got sucked into and it was thrilling or you wouldn't have done it, but you say you know what it's not thrilling anymore.

I got to get out of this. But maybe for you it's a spiritual thing. Maybe it's between you and God and your heart has grown cold. You don't care about people anymore. You used to love his word. You used to love to talk to him. You used to love to sing to him. You used to love to communicate with him, to pray. And other things have pulled you away and your heart has grown cold. Whatever the category and however the thrill, wherever the thrill is gone I'm going to encourage you to take some specific steps today in whatever category.

If there's sin in your life confess that sin. If there's sin in your relationship with someone confess that sin. Talk to them. If there's some habit, some addiction then deal with that.

Guest (Male): Richard will be back in a moment to wrap up today's talk, but first I want to share a couple thoughts with you. Let's be honest. Real life isn't about living some highlight reel for others to see. Most people have deep hurts, questions, and struggles. We get it and want to help you in any way we can. So let's keep this conversation going. Give us a call at 855-6 Richard or connect with us at our website richard ellis dot com. You can even put in your prayer request right there on the prayer wall so others can pray for you as well.

Call us at 855-6 Richard or online at richard ellis dot com. And now let's get back to Richard with a final word on today's show.

Richard Ellis: Let's pray. Father, thank you so much for your word. Thank you for the time we have together. Thank you for the power that there is in Jesus' name and the Holy Spirit who lives in and through us. And the exhilaration, the joy, the thrill of knowing you, Lord, is not something that has to come and go. It may not always be a feeling, but the fact is that you love us and you prove that by giving your son Jesus to live and die in our place and be buried and raised from the dead and we have access to everything we need to live the life that you intended.

Father, I pray for relationships that are in trouble today, people that are married, not married, complacency, selfishness, pride, the flesh, Lord, getting in the way. For those who personally have struggles, Lord, that the thrill God I'm into something and now they can't get out and the thrill is absolutely gone and now it's an addiction. It's a prison. But Father, maybe more than any group, I pray for those today, Lord, that the thrill of life without you was gone a long time ago and it's just replacing one thrill after another and it's not working and they realize maybe for the first time in their life that the answer to their challenge, to their pursuit of pleasure and happiness is found and not in someone, in his sweet name is Jesus.

And they're feeling like they're beginning to fall in love with you, God. And those desires for you are being kindled and the gratitude for what you've done for them is stirring in their heart and they would simply say today God I've screwed it all up, but I thank you that even though you knew all that before the foundation of the world, before I was ever born, you decided that you'd love me anyway unconditionally without any reservation in Christ. And I throw myself on your mercy and your grace. I thank you for loving me. I have sinned.

I've screwed up. I need your forgiveness, God. I believe that Jesus, your son, God man man God in the flesh died on that cross to pay my way, to provide a relationship with you, make it possible. I see that now. I understand that. I thank you for his blood that was shed to pay for my sin and provide the forgiveness of sin. I accept that forgiveness of sin. I ask you to come live in me and through me, God. Change my heart. Change my life. Give me a fresh start like being born all over again.

And use my life, God, and the love that I feel from you and for you, Lord. I pray it'll never go away. And even though it may not always be a feeling, God, may I know that it's a fact that you love me. You will never leave me or forsake me. Father, thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your strength, for your power, for the courage you give us to live by faith and to trust you. And I thank you in advance for the miraculous things that will happen in hearts here today and beyond this place for the restoration of relationships with you, Lord, with others, for the establishment of relationships today, God, between some and you.

Father, thrill of thrills will be the day when you return and take us home and our faith becomes sight and our prayer is even so come Lord Jesus. And we pray it all in Jesus' name. Amen.

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