1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:28,960 Let's go ahead and give him one more praise in this house this morning. 2 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:29,960 I love that. 3 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:33,180 You know what I'm thinking as we're singing that chorus. 4 00:00:33,180 --> 00:00:38,160 Throw that chorus back up there for me, Hunter. 5 00:00:38,160 --> 00:00:45,020 Don't you want that to be the proclamation of your student going back to school? 6 00:00:45,020 --> 00:00:53,540 Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my God. 7 00:00:53,540 --> 00:00:56,800 That you're altogether lovely. 8 00:00:56,800 --> 00:00:58,560 That you're altogether worthy. 9 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:02,800 and that you're all together wonderful to me. 10 00:01:03,900 --> 00:01:06,540 I know we're about to go back to school, aren't we? 11 00:01:06,540 --> 00:01:09,380 Kids are getting ready, I think next week they start. 12 00:01:09,380 --> 00:01:11,620 But wouldn't that be a great proclamation 13 00:01:11,620 --> 00:01:13,380 for them to walk into that school, 14 00:01:13,380 --> 00:01:15,500 to be a living light and a testimony 15 00:01:15,500 --> 00:01:17,480 to every other person around them, 16 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:19,600 to show them that I am separate, 17 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:23,900 that I am owned and I belong to Jesus Christ, 18 00:01:23,900 --> 00:01:26,400 to know that you're lovely, you're worthy, 19 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:30,440 that he's wonderful and that he is my God. 20 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:31,260 Amen. 21 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:34,760 Guys, I love you. 22 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:35,720 Outstanding job. 23 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:38,160 Can we give these guys a hand clap of praise 24 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:41,200 for leading us into the presence of the Lord this morning? 25 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:42,540 Thank you so much. 26 00:01:42,540 --> 00:01:47,540 They just get better and better every time I hear them. 27 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:50,080 And the beauty of that is I get to hear them 28 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:51,920 every Wednesday night. 29 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,920 So thank you guys so very much. 30 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:56,960 Awesome job, outstanding job. 31 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:01,320 I do have to make a correction to an announcement I made 32 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:04,500 about the missions, the mission services next Sunday. 33 00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:09,200 Right after service, we will be having a spaghetti dinner 34 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:11,280 as our fundraiser, not a special offering. 35 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,160 I messed that up. 36 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:15,440 Anybody ever messed up before, happens to me. 37 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:16,740 Happens to me all the time. 38 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:20,920 Usually I'll get this look from Sister Erica. 39 00:02:20,920 --> 00:02:24,200 She'll look at me and I'll be like, I did something. 40 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,520 I can't quite figure out what it is, but I did something. 41 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:28,680 So I just wanna make that correction. 42 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,800 Please come out, make plans to fellowship with us 43 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:33,040 after service next week. 44 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:36,360 Of course, we'll be taking the donations 45 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:38,600 for the spaghetti dinner. 46 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:40,760 But Sister Stella has so graciously asked 47 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:43,280 and those that are helping her, so thank you. 48 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:45,620 But we're gonna be having that right after church. 49 00:02:45,620 --> 00:02:48,120 So please make plans to be a part of that. 50 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:48,960 Amen. 51 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:53,960 I have not been known so far to be a long-winded preacher. 52 00:02:58,000 --> 00:02:59,480 But after Sister Ann shook my hand, 53 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:01,880 I can't promise you what's about to happen today. 54 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:06,240 All I can tell you that I do believe 55 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:08,480 I have a word for us today. 56 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,200 I do believe that I've heard from the Lord 57 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:12,680 that he's confirmed in my spirit 58 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:13,880 what I'm to preach to you today. 59 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:16,920 And of course, it's hard for me to peel back 60 00:03:16,920 --> 00:03:19,680 the layers of youth pastor. 61 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:22,160 It's hard for me to get away from that. 62 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:25,680 But today is a service specifically about the youth 63 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:28,880 and about the kids and about going back to school. 64 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:30,560 There's gonna be a time in altar later 65 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,960 for a special time of prayer that I'll call us into. 66 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:36,160 But I really believe I have a word 67 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,000 for not just the youth of today, 68 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,640 not just the generation of the day or the next generation, 69 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,180 but the current generation. 70 00:03:43,180 --> 00:03:46,020 For every single person, I believe there's a word 71 00:03:46,020 --> 00:03:48,120 from the Lord today, amen? 72 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:49,520 I'm gonna be reading to you today. 73 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:51,280 And if I had to title this, 74 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:52,880 I think Hunter threw something together for me. 75 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,060 If I had to title this, I would just say led by the Lord. 76 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:58,720 Led by the Lord. 77 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:00,060 I'm gonna be in Luke chapter five 78 00:04:00,060 --> 00:04:02,240 and I'm gonna read verses one through 11. 79 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:05,760 But I believe in the day and time we're living in today, 80 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:07,360 it is more important now than ever 81 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,880 that we are led by the Lord, amen. 82 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:12,720 With all the turmoil going on in the world 83 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,680 and the things that I hear week in and week out 84 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:17,400 from the high schoolers and from kids 85 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:19,440 and what they're facing in schools and with friends 86 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,440 and just things going on around this world, 87 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:23,180 we as adults watch the news 88 00:04:23,180 --> 00:04:25,280 and we lost the political issues 89 00:04:25,280 --> 00:04:26,600 that are happening all over the world 90 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:30,320 and the trauma and the disaster, the devastation 91 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:31,520 that's happening all around the world. 92 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:33,200 And we look at it from that lens, 93 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:35,460 but the youth and the kids have a whole different lens 94 00:04:35,460 --> 00:04:37,800 that they're looking at things through. 95 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:39,040 So I think now more than ever, 96 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:42,440 it's important for all of us to understand what that is, 97 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:43,680 to be led by the Lord, 98 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:46,680 but also to understand that God wants to lead you 99 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:48,000 and the Lord wants to lead you. 100 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,760 He's looking for a people. 101 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:52,520 Pastor's been talking about the harvest. 102 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,960 Last week he talked about planting seeds 103 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,480 and being a witness and letting your testimony shine through. 104 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:00,960 But in all that, what do we need? 105 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,320 We need men and women who are available 106 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:05,960 and who are surrendered themselves to be led by the Lord, 107 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:06,780 amen. 108 00:05:06,780 --> 00:05:09,020 And my prayer is that these high schoolers, these kids, 109 00:05:09,020 --> 00:05:10,540 and even you, when you go back to your job 110 00:05:10,540 --> 00:05:11,840 or when they go back to school, 111 00:05:11,840 --> 00:05:15,200 that they allow the Lord to lead them, amen. 112 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:16,520 And they walk in his steps, 113 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:18,880 the steps that the purpose that he has ordained 114 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:19,920 for their lives. 115 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,200 Luke chapter five, verse one. 116 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:27,840 And it came to pass that as the people pressed upon him 117 00:05:27,840 --> 00:05:28,880 to hear the word of God, 118 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:31,680 he stood by the Lake Geneserat 119 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:33,840 and saw two ships standing by the lake. 120 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:36,800 But the fishermen were gone out of them 121 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:38,800 and were washing their nets. 122 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,380 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, 123 00:05:41,380 --> 00:05:43,840 and prayed him that he would thrust out a little 124 00:05:43,840 --> 00:05:44,660 from the land. 125 00:05:44,660 --> 00:05:48,060 And he sat down and taught the people out of the ship. 126 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:52,200 Now, when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, 127 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:53,840 launch out into the deep 128 00:05:53,840 --> 00:05:57,240 and let down your nets for a catch. 129 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:59,020 And Simon answered and said unto him, 130 00:05:59,020 --> 00:06:02,180 Master, we have toiled all the night 131 00:06:02,180 --> 00:06:03,260 and have taken nothing. 132 00:06:03,260 --> 00:06:07,340 Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net. 133 00:06:07,340 --> 00:06:08,720 And when they had done this, 134 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,440 they enclosed a great multitude of fishes 135 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:13,760 and their net break. 136 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:15,380 And they beckoned unto their partners, 137 00:06:15,380 --> 00:06:19,420 which was in the other ship that should come and help them. 138 00:06:19,420 --> 00:06:21,200 And they came and filled both ships 139 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:23,480 so that they began to sink. 140 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:24,980 And when Simon Peter saw it, 141 00:06:24,980 --> 00:06:26,920 he fell down at Jesus's knees saying, 142 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:31,060 depart from me for I am a sinful man, oh Lord. 143 00:06:31,060 --> 00:06:33,680 For he was astonished at all that were with him 144 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,280 in the drought of the fishes which they had taken. 145 00:06:36,280 --> 00:06:40,560 And so also James and John and the sons of Zebedee, 146 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:41,960 which were partners with Simon. 147 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:43,560 And Jesus said unto Simon, 148 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:47,660 fear not from henceforth, thou shalt catch men. 149 00:06:47,660 --> 00:06:49,360 And when they had brought their ships to land, 150 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:52,780 they forsook all and followed him. 151 00:06:52,780 --> 00:06:54,000 Father, I love you this morning. 152 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:55,800 I thank you for your word. 153 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:57,460 God, as it has been broken today, 154 00:06:57,460 --> 00:06:59,900 I pray and I know that it will not return void. 155 00:06:59,900 --> 00:07:02,840 Lord, I pray that you would let my mouth be a condor 156 00:07:02,840 --> 00:07:04,600 to which your words would flow. 157 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:06,560 And God, I pray that you'd let our hearts 158 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:10,560 and our spirits hear what your spirit says to us today. 159 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:11,600 In Jesus' name. 160 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:13,600 And everybody said, amen. 161 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,480 I love saying and everybody said, amen. 162 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,440 Because I love hearing you say amen. 163 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:23,600 One of the biggest blessings that I get on Wednesday nights 164 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:25,880 is when, because I stand in the front row, 165 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:27,240 much like here on Wednesday nights 166 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,500 when we're doing worship and I hear the singers singing. 167 00:07:30,500 --> 00:07:31,880 But one of the biggest blessings 168 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:34,900 when I hear the voices coming from behind me. 169 00:07:34,900 --> 00:07:38,160 That's one of the last, a couple of Wednesdays ago, 170 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,600 Daniel, actually, they cut everything 171 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,360 and didn't use mics and just sung. 172 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:47,360 And just the audible sound that comes in that chapel, 173 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:49,400 it just reverberated around the room 174 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,040 and man, it blessed me to tears. 175 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:53,840 And I think that's what happened a lot of times. 176 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:55,520 You know, they were having those church revivals 177 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:58,240 kind of pop up everywhere in different places. 178 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:00,160 I don't know if y'all remember what I'm talking about 179 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:01,320 at different places. 180 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:03,160 And I went down to Lee University Chapel 181 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,760 where that was happening and I decided to go down there. 182 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:06,880 You know, you hear all these revivals 183 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:08,400 and you hear all these people getting saved 184 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:13,040 and sometimes the, you wanna go see for yourself. 185 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:15,560 You wanna go see what it's about. 186 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,120 So I walked in that chapel 187 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:18,960 and kind of set towards the back row 188 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,300 and it amazed me because there was nothing really going on, 189 00:08:21,300 --> 00:08:22,360 a lot of prayer. 190 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:23,200 It was packed. 191 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:25,720 The chapel was packed full of college kids and professors. 192 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:27,360 There were some professors in there too. 193 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,160 But it amazed me how a young lady 194 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:33,400 just kind of got up and started singing. 195 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:35,720 There was no band, no great choir procession, 196 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:39,400 no lights, no, all the things 197 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:42,880 that we wrap around worship today, right? 198 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:44,680 But she just got up and started singing 199 00:08:44,680 --> 00:08:48,160 and then the whole place just started singing with her. 200 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:50,400 And man, the glory of the Lord fell in that place. 201 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,440 And I began to think that it's as simple as that. 202 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,820 It's as simple as a body of Christ gathering together 203 00:08:56,820 --> 00:08:59,460 and lifting up the name of Jesus. 204 00:08:59,460 --> 00:09:01,340 It doesn't take fancy musicians. 205 00:09:01,340 --> 00:09:03,700 It doesn't take fancy song or fancy vocals. 206 00:09:03,700 --> 00:09:06,360 I tell my host, I do not care how you sound. 207 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:08,640 I want you to worship the Lord. 208 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:10,040 They have freedom in the chapel 209 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:13,440 because it doesn't distract me when somebody's off pitch. 210 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:16,000 It doesn't distract me when somebody misses a note. 211 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,960 If anything, I'm just worshiping with them. 212 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,460 It doesn't matter to me all those things. 213 00:09:21,460 --> 00:09:24,520 Worship is always been an important part of my life. 214 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:25,500 It will always be. 215 00:09:25,500 --> 00:09:26,820 But today we're gonna talk about 216 00:09:26,820 --> 00:09:28,480 letting the Lord lead and guide us. 217 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:29,800 Amen. 218 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,160 And in this story in Luke chapter five, 219 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:33,760 we see the story of Peter 220 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:36,400 and he gives us a powerful example 221 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:40,520 of how Jesus wants to invite us to be a part of his story. 222 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:43,160 Here in Luke five, we see that Peter 223 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:45,040 and some others were washing their nets 224 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:47,540 and they were going about their usual business. 225 00:09:47,540 --> 00:09:50,480 And the first disciples that Jesus calls 226 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,600 was Peter, Andrew, James, and John. 227 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:53,940 They're all fishermen. 228 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:55,920 Fishing was hard work, 229 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:58,180 but a common trade around the Sea of Galilee 230 00:09:58,180 --> 00:10:01,800 because of this, there was a lot of competition. 231 00:10:02,680 --> 00:10:05,480 And each day was kind of a do or die situation. 232 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:06,600 For the most part, 233 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:09,420 they were just ordinary guys doing regular work. 234 00:10:09,420 --> 00:10:10,720 This was their livelihood, 235 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:13,440 their source of income, and their security. 236 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:17,160 Now keep in mind that they weren't the most influential men. 237 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:18,840 They weren't the most influential people. 238 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:19,940 They weren't very clean. 239 00:10:19,940 --> 00:10:21,920 They probably had a smell about them. 240 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:23,000 How many's been fishing all day? 241 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:24,080 You come home and your wife's like, 242 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,660 you stink, go take a shower. 243 00:10:26,660 --> 00:10:28,000 I know I do. 244 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:29,600 At least me and my wife are just that close. 245 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:32,200 She just tells me, right? 246 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:33,680 No holds barred at the Steward House, 247 00:10:33,680 --> 00:10:34,520 if they're right. 248 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:37,520 But they probably had an odor about them. 249 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,320 There were things and characteristics about them 250 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:43,440 that made that the fishermen were very rough and rugged 251 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:45,800 and they were not regarded at all 252 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:47,960 as having a very high social status. 253 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:53,340 They would have probably been seen as the last people 254 00:10:53,340 --> 00:10:56,280 that God would choose to share the gospel. 255 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,880 But Jesus invites them to be a part of something 256 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:00,920 much bigger than their fishing career. 257 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:02,120 He could have used anyone, 258 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:04,980 but he starts his kingdom work with four fishermen. 259 00:11:04,980 --> 00:11:07,880 Not much different than shepherds in those times. 260 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:10,580 You see shepherds in the family order of things 261 00:11:10,580 --> 00:11:13,360 were designed to shepherd the sheep. 262 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:14,920 And sheep represented food. 263 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:15,960 It represented the wool. 264 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:17,320 It represented the sheep's skin. 265 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:19,440 It was very valuable thing. 266 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:23,860 Usually having lots of sheep meant wealth in some aspects. 267 00:11:23,860 --> 00:11:25,540 But it's interesting as I began to study 268 00:11:25,540 --> 00:11:27,480 that the typical family order of things 269 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,280 was the youngest male in the family was the sheep watcher. 270 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,140 He was the one that was the shepherd. 271 00:11:32,140 --> 00:11:35,160 Because when they got older to do the harder task, 272 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:39,020 they left being a shepherd and went to do harder things. 273 00:11:39,020 --> 00:11:42,360 But isn't that funny that shepherds were chosen 274 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:44,480 as the youngest of the family, 275 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:45,960 but yet they were in charge of guarding 276 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:50,020 such a specific important piece of their day-to-day life. 277 00:11:50,020 --> 00:11:52,560 And that's funny how God chose these fishermen 278 00:11:52,560 --> 00:11:55,900 the same way that the family would choose a shepherd. 279 00:11:55,900 --> 00:11:58,920 And it reminds me of David and how when Samuel came 280 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:02,240 looking for King David and he was off shepherding the sheep. 281 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:05,020 And he asked, Jesse, do you have any other sons? 282 00:12:05,020 --> 00:12:06,440 And here they go get him from the field 283 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:08,240 and he anointed him to be king. 284 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:09,720 And he's a man after God's own heart. 285 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:11,720 We read all these wonderful things about David, 286 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:13,520 but it started as a shepherd. 287 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:16,200 He was a young boy and a shepherd, but what did God do? 288 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:19,120 God used him to slay a giant. 289 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:22,180 God used him to walk down in a battlefield in a valley 290 00:12:22,180 --> 00:12:24,520 to face a giant that the entire army of Israel 291 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:25,440 was scared of. 292 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:27,520 And he stood before him and told that giant, 293 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,960 you come to me with sword and a shield, 294 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,880 but I come to you in the name of the Lord. 295 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:36,080 And that's all you need to do, be led of the Lord. 296 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:37,860 These fishermen as well as the shepherds 297 00:12:37,860 --> 00:12:40,840 were led of the Lord, amen. 298 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:43,380 And did Jesus need Peter's boat 299 00:12:43,380 --> 00:12:45,880 to go out and preach to the crowd? 300 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:46,760 No, he didn't. 301 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:48,640 He didn't need the boat to hear him. 302 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:50,200 Did he need Peter to row him out there 303 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:53,160 in the Sea of Galilee so he could address the crowd 304 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:54,000 on the beach? 305 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:54,820 Of course not. 306 00:12:54,820 --> 00:12:57,800 Jesus, if he wanted to, he could have walked on that water 307 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:01,340 from the beach out onto the water and address the crowd. 308 00:13:01,340 --> 00:13:04,800 Furthermore, did Jesus need them to haul all those fish 309 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:05,640 to the boat? 310 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:08,040 Did he need their hard work and effort and straining 311 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:10,240 to bring up the nets that were full of fish? 312 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:13,100 No, Jesus could have simply commanded and pointed 313 00:13:13,100 --> 00:13:17,280 in the boat and commanded the fish to jump into the boat. 314 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:20,480 But God doesn't need us, but by his grace, 315 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:22,240 he allows us to partner with him. 316 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,100 He invites us into what he wants to use us for, 317 00:13:25,100 --> 00:13:26,360 but it starts with surrender. 318 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:28,940 It starts with us giving up the things that we think 319 00:13:28,940 --> 00:13:29,780 will bring us fulfillment, 320 00:13:29,780 --> 00:13:32,640 and it starts with surrendering our will for his. 321 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:36,200 He wants us, he's chosen us, he's chosen you. 322 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,280 He has a purpose and a call in your life. 323 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:41,640 He has a purpose and a plan for each and every one of you. 324 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:45,780 And God wants to use us and lead us to change the world 325 00:13:45,780 --> 00:13:48,440 and to preach his kingdom and to preach Jesus 326 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,120 that he was buried, crucified, raised from the dead. 327 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:54,500 He wants us to preach the gospel to all the world. 328 00:13:56,100 --> 00:13:58,680 Notice that the disciples were exhausted 329 00:13:58,680 --> 00:14:01,380 from trying to make things work in their own strength. 330 00:14:02,780 --> 00:14:06,320 They had worked tirelessly, had come up empty handed. 331 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:10,000 However, when the disciples responded to Jesus' command 332 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:13,240 with obedience, they caught such a large number of fish 333 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:17,400 that their nets broke, and obedience being the key here. 334 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,400 You see, they were at a place of turmoil. 335 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:22,720 They were at a place of, I don't know what I'm gonna do. 336 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:23,760 Things aren't going right. 337 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:25,180 I've toiled all night. 338 00:14:25,180 --> 00:14:27,840 This is all I know, I'm a fisherman. 339 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:29,880 I've toiled all night, and it makes me think 340 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:32,800 that somehow that's how we are in life sometimes. 341 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:35,840 We've toiled, we've worked, we've tried our very best, 342 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:37,880 but it doesn't seem to be enough. 343 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:40,960 Why is all these things happening around us? 344 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:44,120 When I look at my own life, when I look at my family, 345 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:45,700 when I look around my own situations, 346 00:14:45,700 --> 00:14:48,320 I wonder sometimes, how in the world, Lord, 347 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:50,240 could it get this bad? 348 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:52,120 How could things keep happening? 349 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,440 It just seems like we cross one obstacle, 350 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:55,800 and there's another one. 351 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:58,080 It just looks like, God, you bless us in one way, 352 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,120 and here comes another problem. 353 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:01,600 These fishermen toiled all night, 354 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,760 but had nothing to show for it. 355 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:06,920 There was no fish in the boat, no food, no security, 356 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:09,360 no income, and then here comes Jesus. 357 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:12,000 Cast your net, put down your net, 358 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,520 and in their obedience, the Bible says, nevertheless, 359 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:17,060 He told them, we've toiled all night and caught nothing, 360 00:15:17,060 --> 00:15:20,440 but nevertheless, at your word, I will do as you say. 361 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:22,040 You see, when you're led by the Lord, 362 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:24,480 sometimes God's gonna ask you to be obedient. 363 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:26,680 When you're led by the Lord, sometimes He's gonna ask you 364 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:27,960 to do something that you're gonna say, 365 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:29,480 I've already done that, Lord. 366 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,880 When you're led by the Lord, sometimes He's gonna ask you 367 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:33,640 to do something that doesn't make sense. 368 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:35,880 He's gonna ask you to take a step out of faith. 369 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:37,880 He's gonna ask you to walk where you don't wanna walk. 370 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:39,600 He's gonna ask you to be uncomfortable, 371 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:41,740 but if you are obedient to Him, 372 00:15:41,740 --> 00:15:43,960 God will pour out His blessings. 373 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:46,000 He will deliver, He will transform, 374 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:49,120 He will bring you out, He will save, He will sanctify, 375 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,600 He will do what you're asking Him to do. 376 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:54,020 There was a time in my life 377 00:15:54,020 --> 00:15:56,100 that I had questions for the Lord. 378 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:00,800 Eric and I, it was early on and I felt called of God. 379 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:02,240 I didn't know what that meant, 380 00:16:03,580 --> 00:16:04,920 but I knew, Lord, I'm feeling like 381 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:06,280 You're calling me this direction, 382 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:08,760 and all I knew to do was stay on that path. 383 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:12,320 But the problem was my wife didn't think 384 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:13,780 that path was the right one. 385 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:18,640 It's not a wife joke, some of y'all laugh, but I get it. 386 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:25,280 We're a family, we're married, we're one. 387 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:27,720 Why do we not agree on the direction 388 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,220 that I think God is calling us to? 389 00:16:30,220 --> 00:16:35,120 We know confusion doesn't come from God, so why is that? 390 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:35,980 What is the case? 391 00:16:35,980 --> 00:16:39,480 We struggled for months, we struggle with it, 392 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,220 sometimes going separate places 393 00:16:41,220 --> 00:16:43,200 because we're trying to figure this thing out, 394 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:45,360 not that one of us was right or wrong. 395 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:47,080 But I remember sitting in the church service 396 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,520 and I remember the preacher looking at me, 397 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:53,120 and it was as if the Lord used him to speak right to me. 398 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:55,000 Matter of fact, He pointed His finger at me, 399 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,680 and He said, Brian, if you'll do what God is calling you 400 00:16:57,680 --> 00:17:00,600 and asking you to do, He will do a 360 401 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:02,240 in what you've been praying about. 402 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:04,280 He will guide the situation 403 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:06,120 that you've been seeking for answers. 404 00:17:06,120 --> 00:17:08,240 He will look to it, and what I begin to find 405 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:10,360 is the longer time goes on. 406 00:17:10,360 --> 00:17:13,160 Not only did He lead me to Hopewell Church of God, 407 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:15,800 where I found Pastor Waters and I found a mentor 408 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:17,920 and I found another direction and avenue, 409 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:19,360 and God answered all my prayers 410 00:17:19,360 --> 00:17:20,900 and brought my family back together. 411 00:17:20,900 --> 00:17:22,360 It's not just that. 412 00:17:22,360 --> 00:17:25,240 God has continued to move in that situation. 413 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:27,720 It wasn't just that He brought my family back together. 414 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:29,920 It wasn't just that I'm still walking in my car, 415 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:31,920 and it wasn't that we have answers finally 416 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:33,420 to the confusion that we had. 417 00:17:33,420 --> 00:17:36,240 It's that God is still moving in my family 418 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:38,200 and still performing the 360, 419 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:41,240 and I believe that the 360's not done yet, amen. 420 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:43,620 I believe that God has greater things. 421 00:17:43,620 --> 00:17:46,200 I believe that God has a direction for my life. 422 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:48,960 I believe that God has a path that He has set me on, 423 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:52,200 and I'm not going to stop, amen. 424 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:53,760 Go ahead and give Him praise in this house 425 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:55,900 because He deserves it this morning. 426 00:17:55,900 --> 00:18:00,900 And I didn't say all that to Pat Bryan on the back. 427 00:18:03,540 --> 00:18:04,460 It just came to my mind. 428 00:18:04,460 --> 00:18:05,580 It wasn't in here to share. 429 00:18:05,580 --> 00:18:07,380 I just felt like I needed to share it 430 00:18:07,380 --> 00:18:09,780 because sometimes we get so desolate in our situation, 431 00:18:09,780 --> 00:18:11,220 we don't know where to turn, 432 00:18:12,300 --> 00:18:15,060 but God will ask us to be obedient in those moments, 433 00:18:15,060 --> 00:18:16,540 and as long as we're obedient to Him, 434 00:18:16,540 --> 00:18:19,820 He will take care of you, amen. 435 00:18:22,260 --> 00:18:23,460 And then we read a little further 436 00:18:23,460 --> 00:18:25,880 and we look after they filled the boat full of fish, 437 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:27,980 we look at Peter's response. 438 00:18:27,980 --> 00:18:31,660 He was sorrowful and asked Jesus to leave him. 439 00:18:31,660 --> 00:18:32,480 Why? 440 00:18:33,780 --> 00:18:35,800 In the light of the presence of Christ, 441 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:38,320 He saw all of His sinfulness. 442 00:18:39,300 --> 00:18:42,220 However, Jesus doesn't turn Peter away. 443 00:18:42,220 --> 00:18:45,060 Not only does Jesus demonstrate His power in Luke 5, 444 00:18:45,060 --> 00:18:47,260 but His grace. 445 00:18:47,260 --> 00:18:49,500 He turns their focus from the thing they thought 446 00:18:49,500 --> 00:18:50,940 could bring them fulfillment, 447 00:18:50,940 --> 00:18:54,760 and directs it to the purpose He has for their life. 448 00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:57,420 The disciples leave everything and follow Him, 449 00:18:57,420 --> 00:18:58,640 the Bible says. 450 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:00,700 They realize in that moment, 451 00:19:00,700 --> 00:19:02,460 in that moment that God delivered them 452 00:19:02,460 --> 00:19:04,020 from the desperation, 453 00:19:04,020 --> 00:19:05,180 delivered them from poverty, 454 00:19:05,180 --> 00:19:06,340 delivered them from being hungry, 455 00:19:06,340 --> 00:19:08,780 delivered them from their insecurities, 456 00:19:08,780 --> 00:19:10,340 that He is all they need, 457 00:19:10,340 --> 00:19:12,520 that Jesus is all they need. 458 00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:13,540 Peter, along with the others, 459 00:19:13,540 --> 00:19:15,260 realized through this significant event 460 00:19:15,260 --> 00:19:18,540 that Jesus was enough in their situation. 461 00:19:18,540 --> 00:19:21,580 Too often our focus becomes everything else around us. 462 00:19:21,580 --> 00:19:23,660 We focus on our financial situation, 463 00:19:23,660 --> 00:19:26,220 on our career, our own social status, 464 00:19:26,220 --> 00:19:29,420 or sometimes how many likes we get on a picture on Facebook, 465 00:19:29,420 --> 00:19:30,700 or follows on Instagram, 466 00:19:30,700 --> 00:19:32,340 or views on TikTok. 467 00:19:32,340 --> 00:19:34,240 But we're wondering the whole time 468 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:36,140 why our lives are in turmoil. 469 00:19:36,140 --> 00:19:38,220 Why we can't seem to get over, 470 00:19:38,220 --> 00:19:39,660 or through our situation, 471 00:19:39,660 --> 00:19:41,260 or why there is discouragement, 472 00:19:41,260 --> 00:19:43,600 doubt, anxiety, and fear in our minds. 473 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,660 We get so overwhelmed with suicidal and destructive thoughts 474 00:19:46,660 --> 00:19:48,960 that the enemy just keeps coming and coming. 475 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:50,900 But I've come to tell somebody today 476 00:19:50,900 --> 00:19:52,380 that Jesus is enough. 477 00:19:52,380 --> 00:19:53,540 And you may ask me today, 478 00:19:53,540 --> 00:19:55,060 who is this Jesus? 479 00:19:55,060 --> 00:19:56,860 Well, He is my Savior. 480 00:19:56,860 --> 00:19:58,380 He is my Redeemer. 481 00:19:58,380 --> 00:19:59,660 He is my provider. 482 00:19:59,660 --> 00:20:01,260 He is my bread of life. 483 00:20:01,260 --> 00:20:04,660 He is the very present help that I need in times of trouble. 484 00:20:04,660 --> 00:20:06,420 He is the Son of the living God. 485 00:20:06,420 --> 00:20:09,060 He is the King of kings and the Lord of Lord. 486 00:20:09,060 --> 00:20:12,460 He is the only way, truth, and the life. 487 00:20:12,460 --> 00:20:13,300 Amen. 488 00:20:14,860 --> 00:20:17,100 The Bible says in Matthew 11, 28, 489 00:20:17,100 --> 00:20:20,700 "'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 490 00:20:20,700 --> 00:20:23,820 and I will give you rest.'" 491 00:20:23,820 --> 00:20:27,060 But we take our eyes off Jesus too many times. 492 00:20:27,060 --> 00:20:30,260 We get focused on the distractions all around us. 493 00:20:30,260 --> 00:20:33,720 And that's exactly where the enemy wants you to be. 494 00:20:34,980 --> 00:20:36,840 Matter of fact, that was a story told one time 495 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:39,140 of a great yard sale that Satan had. 496 00:20:40,420 --> 00:20:44,500 And everything had a price on it for sale. 497 00:20:44,500 --> 00:20:49,340 Fear, anxiety, doubt, suicidal thoughts. 498 00:20:49,340 --> 00:20:51,460 Everything had for sale on it. 499 00:20:51,460 --> 00:20:53,460 There was one thing over in the corner 500 00:20:53,460 --> 00:20:57,300 that had a sign that said, not to sale, not for sale. 501 00:20:59,140 --> 00:21:00,380 And it was discouragement. 502 00:21:02,020 --> 00:21:03,300 And somebody asked him, 503 00:21:03,300 --> 00:21:05,820 Satan, why is discouragement not for sale? 504 00:21:06,940 --> 00:21:09,340 And he said, "'Cause with discouragement, 505 00:21:09,340 --> 00:21:11,260 I can get to the heart. 506 00:21:11,260 --> 00:21:13,060 And when I can get to the heart, 507 00:21:13,060 --> 00:21:15,460 I can do anything I wanna do." 508 00:21:15,460 --> 00:21:17,220 And see, those unforeseen circumstances 509 00:21:17,220 --> 00:21:19,020 brings discouragement in our life. 510 00:21:19,020 --> 00:21:20,820 How many have we prayed and yet wondered, 511 00:21:20,820 --> 00:21:22,940 why God have you not answered my prayer? 512 00:21:22,940 --> 00:21:25,620 I've been praying hard, I've been seeking you. 513 00:21:25,620 --> 00:21:27,540 Why hadn't you performed that miracle? 514 00:21:27,540 --> 00:21:30,220 Why hadn't you done what I asked you to do? 515 00:21:30,220 --> 00:21:31,060 How many have wondered that? 516 00:21:31,060 --> 00:21:32,200 Just me? 517 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:33,740 I'm the only one that wondered. 518 00:21:35,900 --> 00:21:37,620 But God's will for our life 519 00:21:38,540 --> 00:21:40,060 is what we need more than anything. 520 00:21:40,060 --> 00:21:41,780 And when we take our eyes off Jesus, 521 00:21:41,780 --> 00:21:44,800 we lose sight of that his will is more important 522 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:46,380 than what we want. 523 00:21:46,380 --> 00:21:47,900 Amen. 524 00:21:47,900 --> 00:21:51,660 Too often we get so focused on doing the things 525 00:21:51,660 --> 00:21:52,980 that we should do as a church 526 00:21:52,980 --> 00:21:55,300 that we forget who we are as the church. 527 00:21:56,820 --> 00:22:00,300 And what God has established the church to be and to do. 528 00:22:00,300 --> 00:22:04,340 As the church, we have forgotten that Christ is enough. 529 00:22:04,340 --> 00:22:08,220 In Matthew 16, chapter 16, verse 13 through 18, 530 00:22:08,220 --> 00:22:11,460 we see the picture of what the foundation 531 00:22:11,460 --> 00:22:13,260 of the church should be. 532 00:22:13,260 --> 00:22:15,660 It reads, when Jesus came into the coast 533 00:22:15,660 --> 00:22:16,700 of Caesarea Philippi, 534 00:22:16,700 --> 00:22:18,500 he asked his disciples saying, 535 00:22:18,500 --> 00:22:22,580 whom do men say that I, the son of man, am? 536 00:22:22,580 --> 00:22:24,780 And they said, some say thou art John the Baptist 537 00:22:24,780 --> 00:22:27,020 and some Elias and others Jeremiah, 538 00:22:27,020 --> 00:22:28,460 or one of the prophets. 539 00:22:28,460 --> 00:22:31,700 And he said to them, but whom say ye that I am? 540 00:22:31,700 --> 00:22:33,820 Who do you say that I am? 541 00:22:33,820 --> 00:22:35,500 And Simon Peter answered and said, 542 00:22:35,500 --> 00:22:38,020 thou art the Christ, the son of the living God. 543 00:22:38,020 --> 00:22:39,500 And Jesus answered and said to him, 544 00:22:39,500 --> 00:22:42,380 blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, 545 00:22:42,380 --> 00:22:44,900 for flesh and blood hath not revealed unto thee, 546 00:22:44,900 --> 00:22:46,660 but my Father which is in heaven. 547 00:22:46,660 --> 00:22:49,140 And I say unto thee that thou art Peter, 548 00:22:49,140 --> 00:22:52,300 and upon this rock I will build my church 549 00:22:52,300 --> 00:22:55,100 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 550 00:22:55,100 --> 00:22:58,340 In this scripture, we see Peter confessing Jesus 551 00:22:58,340 --> 00:22:59,620 as the son of God. 552 00:22:59,620 --> 00:23:01,580 And this is important, why? 553 00:23:01,580 --> 00:23:04,500 Because how you see Jesus matters, 554 00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:08,540 how you see Jesus determines how you come to him. 555 00:23:08,540 --> 00:23:10,900 If you see him as good, faithful, and true, 556 00:23:10,900 --> 00:23:13,300 he will be your source, your identity. 557 00:23:13,300 --> 00:23:16,780 You identify him as one who you can turn to. 558 00:23:16,780 --> 00:23:18,300 There are very few important things 559 00:23:18,300 --> 00:23:19,660 that we can point to from this story. 560 00:23:19,660 --> 00:23:24,780 Firstly, that Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. 561 00:23:24,780 --> 00:23:27,220 Peter is saying, I gotta weigh this down, 562 00:23:27,220 --> 00:23:29,340 it's about to blow off the pulpit here. 563 00:23:30,740 --> 00:23:33,740 Peter is saying that Jesus is the promised deliverer. 564 00:23:33,740 --> 00:23:36,700 He is saying that you're not just any man or any person, 565 00:23:36,700 --> 00:23:39,420 you are my savior and my Lord. 566 00:23:39,420 --> 00:23:43,100 Jesus is making a, Peter is making a powerful statement here. 567 00:23:43,100 --> 00:23:46,220 It's one thing to recognize Jesus as savior, 568 00:23:46,220 --> 00:23:48,940 but do you recognize him as Lord? 569 00:23:48,940 --> 00:23:50,900 There was a story one time of a family 570 00:23:50,900 --> 00:23:52,500 who went on a great vacation. 571 00:23:52,500 --> 00:23:53,780 They decided to go to the beach 572 00:23:53,780 --> 00:23:55,660 and spend time together as a family. 573 00:23:55,660 --> 00:23:58,740 They arrived to the beach, was out in the ocean playing 574 00:23:58,740 --> 00:24:01,020 and having a great time, and a riptide came 575 00:24:01,020 --> 00:24:03,060 and sucked one of them out into the deep. 576 00:24:03,060 --> 00:24:06,180 And no matter how hard the young man struggled to swim, 577 00:24:06,180 --> 00:24:08,620 he struggled and fight and struggled and fight 578 00:24:08,620 --> 00:24:09,620 and was getting exhausted. 579 00:24:09,620 --> 00:24:10,980 No matter how hard he worked, 580 00:24:10,980 --> 00:24:13,020 he couldn't ever reach the bottom. 581 00:24:13,020 --> 00:24:15,020 It seems like every time he'd get closer, 582 00:24:15,020 --> 00:24:16,620 he kept getting pulled further 583 00:24:16,620 --> 00:24:18,380 and further away from the shore. 584 00:24:18,380 --> 00:24:19,860 Every time he'd make a little ground, 585 00:24:19,860 --> 00:24:22,500 he'd get further and further away from the shore. 586 00:24:22,500 --> 00:24:24,180 But right as he was about to fall under, 587 00:24:24,180 --> 00:24:25,940 right as he was about to meet his doom, 588 00:24:25,940 --> 00:24:28,460 a lifeguard shows up and saves his life, 589 00:24:28,460 --> 00:24:31,140 reaches him out and drags him back to shore. 590 00:24:31,140 --> 00:24:33,340 He recovers, the family go on about their day, 591 00:24:33,340 --> 00:24:36,180 and he makes sure to say thank you to the lifeguard 592 00:24:36,180 --> 00:24:37,700 for saving his life. 593 00:24:37,700 --> 00:24:41,060 Too many times people will treat Jesus 594 00:24:41,060 --> 00:24:43,020 like they do that lifeguard. 595 00:24:43,020 --> 00:24:45,260 We greatly appreciate Jesus for saving us 596 00:24:45,260 --> 00:24:47,700 because we asked him to at vacation Bible school 597 00:24:47,700 --> 00:24:49,700 or a youth camp or a conference or a service 598 00:24:49,700 --> 00:24:51,740 where the Lord fell, and we asked him to save us, 599 00:24:51,740 --> 00:24:53,860 and he does that, and we appreciate him for that. 600 00:24:53,860 --> 00:24:56,260 But the problem is, we simply say thank you 601 00:24:56,260 --> 00:24:57,700 and move on with our lives. 602 00:24:57,700 --> 00:25:01,500 Jesus is more than a lifeguard, he is your life Lord. 603 00:25:01,500 --> 00:25:03,420 When Jesus becomes the Lord of your life, 604 00:25:03,420 --> 00:25:05,740 we no longer live in who we once were. 605 00:25:05,740 --> 00:25:09,740 It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. 606 00:25:09,740 --> 00:25:13,260 It is in him that we live and move and have our very being. 607 00:25:13,260 --> 00:25:16,580 He deserves more than a thank you, he deserves a surrender. 608 00:25:16,580 --> 00:25:18,220 He deserves our hands lifted up to say, 609 00:25:18,220 --> 00:25:20,860 Lord use me more so than you ever have. 610 00:25:20,860 --> 00:25:23,820 That's my prayer every single time I preach, 611 00:25:23,820 --> 00:25:24,980 every single time I sing. 612 00:25:24,980 --> 00:25:28,220 God use me greater now than you ever have before. 613 00:25:28,220 --> 00:25:30,660 I want new transformation, I want new gifts, 614 00:25:30,660 --> 00:25:33,620 I want new everything, not for me, not for Brian, 615 00:25:33,620 --> 00:25:36,100 but that God would be edified and glorified 616 00:25:36,100 --> 00:25:39,220 and hopefully my life would point people back to the cross 617 00:25:39,220 --> 00:25:42,020 and point people back to Jesus, amen. 618 00:25:43,660 --> 00:25:46,740 The second thing we gotta identify or we see in this story 619 00:25:46,740 --> 00:25:50,340 is that Jesus identifies Peter for who he is, 620 00:25:50,340 --> 00:25:51,740 not who he was. 621 00:25:53,100 --> 00:25:55,340 Notice that Jesus says in verse 17, 622 00:25:55,340 --> 00:25:57,860 blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, 623 00:25:57,860 --> 00:25:59,900 for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, 624 00:25:59,900 --> 00:26:01,980 but by my father in heaven. 625 00:26:01,980 --> 00:26:04,900 And I tell you that you are Peter. 626 00:26:04,900 --> 00:26:05,780 What happened? 627 00:26:06,660 --> 00:26:09,140 Jesus just changed his name. 628 00:26:09,140 --> 00:26:12,820 Before this, we see that Peter was referred to as Simon. 629 00:26:12,820 --> 00:26:14,940 Even the disciples couldn't get on board with this 630 00:26:14,940 --> 00:26:17,380 and would often refer to him as Simon Peter, 631 00:26:17,380 --> 00:26:19,660 but Jesus changed his name. 632 00:26:19,660 --> 00:26:21,700 Well, why is this significant? 633 00:26:21,700 --> 00:26:25,340 Because Peter's name in the Greek literally means rock. 634 00:26:25,340 --> 00:26:28,180 Before Jesus, Simon was impulsive, emotional, 635 00:26:28,180 --> 00:26:29,380 and quick to react. 636 00:26:29,380 --> 00:26:32,380 We're talking about a guy who cut the ear off of a soldier 637 00:26:32,380 --> 00:26:34,500 when they tried to arrest Jesus, 638 00:26:34,500 --> 00:26:38,980 but why did Jesus call an unstable person a rock? 639 00:26:38,980 --> 00:26:41,900 Because he's the only one who can identify you 640 00:26:41,900 --> 00:26:44,940 for who you truly are, not who you were. 641 00:26:44,940 --> 00:26:47,180 You see, sometimes it's hard for us to shed 642 00:26:47,180 --> 00:26:49,100 the look of who we used to be. 643 00:26:49,100 --> 00:26:51,540 Sometimes it's hard to shed the persona 644 00:26:51,540 --> 00:26:53,340 of who we used to be. 645 00:26:53,340 --> 00:26:55,700 What I love about it though is when you kneel down 646 00:26:55,700 --> 00:26:59,100 at Jesus' feet and say, God, I need you to end of my life. 647 00:26:59,100 --> 00:27:01,100 Forgive me of my sins, come into my life 648 00:27:01,100 --> 00:27:03,020 and be the Lord and savior of my life. 649 00:27:03,020 --> 00:27:05,780 When you do that, God changes who you are. 650 00:27:05,780 --> 00:27:08,180 It no longer matters what you used to be. 651 00:27:08,180 --> 00:27:10,500 It no longer matters the habits you used to have. 652 00:27:10,500 --> 00:27:13,100 It no longer matters who you used to be associated with. 653 00:27:13,100 --> 00:27:15,980 The only thing that matters is that Jesus Christ 654 00:27:15,980 --> 00:27:18,380 changed and transformed your life 655 00:27:18,380 --> 00:27:21,260 and you are now living and walking and breathing 656 00:27:21,260 --> 00:27:24,340 and following and being led by the Lord, amen. 657 00:27:28,100 --> 00:27:30,380 He identifies you for who you are. 658 00:27:31,380 --> 00:27:34,660 And in a world where we're facing identity crisis 659 00:27:34,660 --> 00:27:35,900 all around us, 660 00:27:35,900 --> 00:27:39,540 in this generation, we don't know who we are. 661 00:27:41,100 --> 00:27:42,500 Men think they're women. 662 00:27:44,340 --> 00:27:45,700 Women think they're men. 663 00:27:47,660 --> 00:27:50,300 Some people believe they're supposed to be cats or dogs. 664 00:27:51,580 --> 00:27:53,060 I even saw this thing and I think Pastor 665 00:27:53,060 --> 00:27:54,100 was the one that showed it to me. 666 00:27:54,100 --> 00:27:56,220 There was a grown man dressed like an infant 667 00:27:56,220 --> 00:27:58,540 because he believed he was supposed to be a child 668 00:27:58,540 --> 00:28:00,340 and hired a nanny to come watch him. 669 00:28:01,980 --> 00:28:04,460 We live in a world and a society that we don't know 670 00:28:04,460 --> 00:28:06,020 who we are. 671 00:28:06,020 --> 00:28:07,460 So then the question becomes, 672 00:28:07,460 --> 00:28:10,020 do we as followers of Christ know who we are? 673 00:28:10,700 --> 00:28:12,900 Have we not found out who we are? 674 00:28:12,900 --> 00:28:14,980 You can find out who you are. 675 00:28:15,980 --> 00:28:17,620 You could even go as far as to say 676 00:28:17,620 --> 00:28:20,420 that the church itself has lost his identity. 677 00:28:20,420 --> 00:28:23,100 How can we be a witness or testify or minister 678 00:28:23,100 --> 00:28:25,980 to the world around us when we don't know who we are? 679 00:28:25,980 --> 00:28:27,820 We have to get back to that foundation 680 00:28:27,820 --> 00:28:29,500 upon what the church was built. 681 00:28:29,500 --> 00:28:32,780 That Jesus, you are the Christ, the son of the living God. 682 00:28:32,780 --> 00:28:34,700 It is Jesus who is the rock, 683 00:28:34,700 --> 00:28:37,900 the first and great foundation of the church. 684 00:28:37,900 --> 00:28:40,260 1 Corinthians 3, 11 says, 685 00:28:40,260 --> 00:28:43,660 for other foundation can no man lay that was laid, 686 00:28:43,660 --> 00:28:45,180 which is Christ Jesus. 687 00:28:46,700 --> 00:28:49,700 Because he is the only one who can identify you 688 00:28:49,700 --> 00:28:52,580 for who you truly are, not who you were, 689 00:28:52,580 --> 00:28:55,740 and then turn around and use you for his purpose. 690 00:28:55,740 --> 00:28:59,300 God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us. 691 00:28:59,300 --> 00:29:02,900 It's pre-designed, it's ready for us to go, 692 00:29:02,900 --> 00:29:04,660 but we have to be willing. 693 00:29:04,660 --> 00:29:06,580 God's not gonna force his purpose on our life, 694 00:29:06,580 --> 00:29:08,660 but he has a purpose and a plan. 695 00:29:08,660 --> 00:29:10,260 Isn't that awesome? 696 00:29:10,260 --> 00:29:12,820 Isn't that great to know that my life 697 00:29:12,820 --> 00:29:16,580 and the success of what Brian's meant to be on this earth for 698 00:29:16,580 --> 00:29:19,300 doesn't have to rely just on Brian? 699 00:29:19,300 --> 00:29:21,140 Isn't that wonderful? 700 00:29:21,140 --> 00:29:22,980 There was a saying I heard one time 701 00:29:22,980 --> 00:29:26,020 and it was that the definition of success, 702 00:29:26,020 --> 00:29:27,420 and I tell my high schoolers this, 703 00:29:27,420 --> 00:29:29,420 y'all are gonna hear this again, so, 704 00:29:29,420 --> 00:29:31,740 I tell them that the definition of success 705 00:29:31,740 --> 00:29:35,340 is that my feet land on streets of gold one day. 706 00:29:35,340 --> 00:29:36,940 That's the definition of success. 707 00:29:36,940 --> 00:29:38,900 We get wrapped up in our, 708 00:29:38,900 --> 00:29:40,540 what do you wanna do when you graduate high school? 709 00:29:40,540 --> 00:29:41,820 You're gonna go to college? 710 00:29:41,820 --> 00:29:43,660 What career path are you gonna follow? 711 00:29:43,660 --> 00:29:45,260 And all that's good, that's important, 712 00:29:45,260 --> 00:29:46,620 but where's your heart at? 713 00:29:46,620 --> 00:29:47,660 Where's your focus at? 714 00:29:47,660 --> 00:29:48,860 Is your focus on Jesus? 715 00:29:48,860 --> 00:29:50,900 Are you looking to be led by the Lord 716 00:29:50,900 --> 00:29:53,340 throughout that entire walk, throughout your career, 717 00:29:53,340 --> 00:29:55,020 throughout your, I used to tell people, 718 00:29:55,020 --> 00:29:58,380 I'm retiring at FedEx, I'll be at FedEx. 719 00:29:58,380 --> 00:29:59,580 I'm gonna keep promoting, 720 00:29:59,580 --> 00:30:01,060 I'm gonna keep climbing the corporate ladder, 721 00:30:01,060 --> 00:30:02,700 and that's what I'm going to do. 722 00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:05,060 But then the Lord stepped in front of me and said, 723 00:30:05,060 --> 00:30:07,420 I don't think so, because I've got other plans. 724 00:30:07,420 --> 00:30:09,820 I took that opportunity to obey the Lord. 725 00:30:09,820 --> 00:30:12,220 Now I tell people, my time's here numbered, fellas. 726 00:30:12,220 --> 00:30:14,180 It's only a matter of time before the Lord says, 727 00:30:14,180 --> 00:30:15,740 hey, I got something full time for you. 728 00:30:15,740 --> 00:30:16,820 And then I'm out of there, 729 00:30:16,820 --> 00:30:19,580 because all my heart wants to do now is ministry. 730 00:30:19,580 --> 00:30:22,780 All my heart wants to do now is be led by the Lord, 731 00:30:22,780 --> 00:30:25,380 to walk the path that He has laid out before me, 732 00:30:25,380 --> 00:30:27,500 because that is the most fulfilling thing 733 00:30:27,500 --> 00:30:28,740 that I could ever do. 734 00:30:30,140 --> 00:30:31,980 And God has that same plan and purpose 735 00:30:31,980 --> 00:30:34,060 for each and every one of us. 736 00:30:34,060 --> 00:30:35,660 Each and every one of us. 737 00:30:35,660 --> 00:30:37,500 You may not know what it is, you may know what it is, 738 00:30:37,500 --> 00:30:40,620 but God can lead the way, God can lead you. 739 00:30:41,980 --> 00:30:43,900 Jesus not only wants to, thirdly, 740 00:30:43,900 --> 00:30:47,060 Jesus not only wants to change you, He wants to use you. 741 00:30:48,100 --> 00:30:50,580 We see that Jesus identifies Peter, 742 00:30:50,580 --> 00:30:51,660 but goes a step further. 743 00:30:51,660 --> 00:30:55,660 He says in verse 18, I tell you that you are Peter. 744 00:30:55,660 --> 00:30:57,820 And on this rock, I will build my church 745 00:30:57,820 --> 00:31:00,380 and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 746 00:31:00,380 --> 00:31:04,380 Jesus is saying, I will build my church on that confession. 747 00:31:04,380 --> 00:31:07,500 When we confess Jesus as the Son of God, 748 00:31:07,500 --> 00:31:09,860 we are not just going to heaven when we die, 749 00:31:09,860 --> 00:31:13,020 but Jesus invites us to help build His church. 750 00:31:13,020 --> 00:31:14,820 What does this mean for us today? 751 00:31:14,820 --> 00:31:16,900 That when we realize that we are a part 752 00:31:16,900 --> 00:31:19,180 of something so much greater than our own, 753 00:31:19,180 --> 00:31:21,420 something so much greater than ourselves, 754 00:31:21,420 --> 00:31:24,540 it can feel exciting, it can also be terrifying. 755 00:31:24,540 --> 00:31:27,580 It's awesome to know that God wants to use us, 756 00:31:27,580 --> 00:31:29,860 but here's sometimes our dilemma. 757 00:31:29,860 --> 00:31:32,020 We know the real us, don't we? 758 00:31:32,020 --> 00:31:34,140 We start listening to our shortcomings, 759 00:31:34,140 --> 00:31:35,500 we start listening to our flaws, 760 00:31:35,500 --> 00:31:37,420 we start questioning our purpose 761 00:31:37,420 --> 00:31:39,300 or His purpose on our life. 762 00:31:39,300 --> 00:31:40,700 I've been there myself. 763 00:31:40,700 --> 00:31:43,500 There are times I've thought, you're inadequate for this. 764 00:31:43,500 --> 00:31:46,620 There's no way, you don't have the ability to do it. 765 00:31:46,620 --> 00:31:49,020 Can I tell you, discouragement that I talked about earlier 766 00:31:49,020 --> 00:31:51,100 that was not for sale is a struggle 767 00:31:51,100 --> 00:31:52,860 that Pastor Brian has sometimes. 768 00:31:54,620 --> 00:31:55,460 I struggle with that. 769 00:31:55,460 --> 00:31:57,580 The enemy knows that's something I struggle with, 770 00:31:57,580 --> 00:31:58,780 and he battles with me. 771 00:32:00,020 --> 00:32:02,060 But I fight right back, amen. 772 00:32:02,060 --> 00:32:04,340 I've got the authority and power, right? 773 00:32:05,780 --> 00:32:07,620 But discouragement is a real thing. 774 00:32:07,620 --> 00:32:10,260 Imagine putting yourself back in high school. 775 00:32:10,260 --> 00:32:12,020 I don't want to do that, by the way. 776 00:32:12,020 --> 00:32:14,140 But if you had to go back to high school, 777 00:32:14,140 --> 00:32:15,820 imagine the discouragement 778 00:32:15,820 --> 00:32:17,780 that's all around them. 779 00:32:17,780 --> 00:32:19,940 I went to high school orientation with Landon, 780 00:32:19,940 --> 00:32:21,620 she's gonna be a sixth grader, 781 00:32:21,620 --> 00:32:23,020 or not high school, middle school. 782 00:32:24,340 --> 00:32:25,860 Middle school orientation, gonna be a sixth grader. 783 00:32:25,860 --> 00:32:29,100 Well, I saw my sister-in-law and my niece there. 784 00:32:29,100 --> 00:32:31,460 And as I was standing there just talking to my niece, 785 00:32:31,460 --> 00:32:33,540 and she was telling me about all these girls 786 00:32:33,540 --> 00:32:36,180 that she sees that she was in school with last year. 787 00:32:36,180 --> 00:32:38,260 And it seemed like everything out of her mouth 788 00:32:38,260 --> 00:32:40,220 was negative about what those girls, 789 00:32:40,220 --> 00:32:42,300 how they talk about her. 790 00:32:42,300 --> 00:32:43,340 Well, this girl said this about me, 791 00:32:43,340 --> 00:32:45,460 and that's the one over there that doesn't like me. 792 00:32:45,460 --> 00:32:47,260 And it was all negative. 793 00:32:47,260 --> 00:32:48,980 There was not one thing she told me, 794 00:32:48,980 --> 00:32:50,300 that girl's my friend. 795 00:32:50,300 --> 00:32:52,380 That one over there's my best friend, we're buddies. 796 00:32:52,380 --> 00:32:55,060 Not one thing she said was negative, 797 00:32:55,060 --> 00:32:57,100 and that stuck out to me, or was positive, 798 00:32:57,100 --> 00:32:58,300 that stuck out to me. 799 00:32:59,140 --> 00:33:02,020 If there's that much discouragement in their lives, 800 00:33:02,020 --> 00:33:04,820 if there's that much just negativity in their lives, 801 00:33:04,820 --> 00:33:06,140 there's that much evil in their life, 802 00:33:06,140 --> 00:33:09,220 they need to know Jesus Christ. 803 00:33:09,220 --> 00:33:12,540 Because He is their provider, He is their healer, 804 00:33:12,540 --> 00:33:15,980 He is everything they need in their life. 805 00:33:15,980 --> 00:33:18,380 So it's important that we as parents and grandparents 806 00:33:18,380 --> 00:33:20,900 and men and women of God help usher in those children 807 00:33:20,900 --> 00:33:22,060 into the church. 808 00:33:22,060 --> 00:33:24,180 Get them into the church that they can hear 809 00:33:24,180 --> 00:33:25,580 the gospel of Jesus Christ, 810 00:33:25,580 --> 00:33:26,780 and know that they don't have to walk 811 00:33:26,780 --> 00:33:28,220 that discouraging line. 812 00:33:28,220 --> 00:33:29,460 They don't have to walk that path, 813 00:33:29,460 --> 00:33:31,380 they don't have to walk the worldly path, 814 00:33:31,380 --> 00:33:33,860 that there's a path that Jesus Christ has for them, 815 00:33:33,860 --> 00:33:36,420 and they have help, they're not alone, amen? 816 00:33:39,260 --> 00:33:41,100 The prevailing truth is that the results 817 00:33:41,100 --> 00:33:43,060 of what Jesus said is fixed. 818 00:33:44,060 --> 00:33:47,020 Jesus said He will build His church. 819 00:33:47,020 --> 00:33:47,860 What does that mean? 820 00:33:47,860 --> 00:33:49,700 It means that no matter what, 821 00:33:49,700 --> 00:33:52,420 that the kingdom of heaven is going to go forth. 822 00:33:52,420 --> 00:33:56,060 We must surrender all, and we must make Jesus Lord 823 00:33:56,060 --> 00:34:01,060 of our life, and we must be led by the Lord. 824 00:34:01,060 --> 00:34:02,700 2 Timothy 2, 21 says, 825 00:34:02,700 --> 00:34:05,140 as if a man therefore purged himself from these, 826 00:34:05,140 --> 00:34:07,580 he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, 827 00:34:07,580 --> 00:34:10,060 and useful for the master's use. 828 00:34:10,060 --> 00:34:12,980 And prepared unto every good work. 829 00:34:14,900 --> 00:34:16,900 And I'm gonna go ahead and come to a close, 830 00:34:16,900 --> 00:34:19,420 so you can come to the instruments. 831 00:34:20,660 --> 00:34:23,460 The reality is this, Jesus will build His church 832 00:34:23,460 --> 00:34:25,420 with or without us. 833 00:34:25,420 --> 00:34:29,420 There was a saying I heard from an ex-pastor friend of ours 834 00:34:29,420 --> 00:34:33,420 who said that the will of God will be performed 835 00:34:33,420 --> 00:34:35,940 even through the carnality of man. 836 00:34:36,780 --> 00:34:39,340 We get so hung up on who's gonna be the next president. 837 00:34:39,340 --> 00:34:41,380 Who's gonna be the next leader? 838 00:34:41,380 --> 00:34:44,380 Even in Church of God recently, we had new appointments 839 00:34:44,380 --> 00:34:47,580 and people were shifting, going to this state overseer, 840 00:34:47,580 --> 00:34:50,180 and we have a new general overseer. 841 00:34:50,180 --> 00:34:51,740 But when you really stop to think about it, 842 00:34:51,740 --> 00:34:55,340 God's will is going to be performed 843 00:34:55,340 --> 00:34:58,500 even if He has to use a carnal man to do it. 844 00:34:58,500 --> 00:35:03,500 But wouldn't it be great if He had a body, 845 00:35:03,740 --> 00:35:08,740 a bride that was ready and willing and able 846 00:35:08,740 --> 00:35:11,940 to perform the work that God has for us to do 847 00:35:11,940 --> 00:35:13,260 while we're still here? 848 00:35:13,260 --> 00:35:15,180 Because I don't know about you, you guys can stand, 849 00:35:15,180 --> 00:35:16,260 I'm gonna come to a close. 850 00:35:16,260 --> 00:35:18,780 I don't know about you, but I still believe 851 00:35:18,780 --> 00:35:20,220 the Lord's gonna come. 852 00:35:20,220 --> 00:35:23,380 I still believe that His coming is very soon. 853 00:35:23,380 --> 00:35:25,740 And I know some of you say I'm gray headed now, 854 00:35:25,740 --> 00:35:27,540 I've heard that all my life, 855 00:35:27,540 --> 00:35:30,780 but the Lord is coming soon, amen. 856 00:35:30,780 --> 00:35:33,500 And I believe that while we're here in these last days, 857 00:35:33,500 --> 00:35:36,220 there's a work and a job for us to do. 858 00:35:36,220 --> 00:35:39,660 One thing I can tell you with 100% certainty 859 00:35:39,660 --> 00:35:41,740 is that the group of young men and women 860 00:35:41,740 --> 00:35:44,060 that I get to have the privilege to mentor 861 00:35:44,060 --> 00:35:46,300 and pastor every Wednesday night are a group 862 00:35:46,300 --> 00:35:49,860 that will be fighting for what God has called them to do. 863 00:35:56,740 --> 00:35:58,220 I get to see it every Wednesday night, 864 00:35:58,220 --> 00:36:00,060 I get to see their hearts poured out. 865 00:36:00,060 --> 00:36:05,060 I get to see them cry out to God. 866 00:36:06,500 --> 00:36:09,060 I get to see them come and fall face down in the altar 867 00:36:09,060 --> 00:36:10,500 when they have a need. 868 00:36:16,020 --> 00:36:17,500 And I've always told the Lord, I said, 869 00:36:17,500 --> 00:36:19,500 if you send them here, the only thing I'm gonna do 870 00:36:19,500 --> 00:36:20,900 is preach the word to them. 871 00:36:22,180 --> 00:36:23,340 That's all I know to do. 872 00:36:23,340 --> 00:36:28,340 That's my heart. 873 00:36:31,140 --> 00:36:33,220 It's funny, because I think they bless me sometimes 874 00:36:33,220 --> 00:36:34,380 more than I bless them. 875 00:36:36,820 --> 00:36:39,380 But God's going to do what he's going to do in our lives 876 00:36:39,380 --> 00:36:42,780 if we let him, if we invite him in, 877 00:36:42,780 --> 00:36:44,420 if we make him Lord of our life, 878 00:36:44,420 --> 00:36:47,980 not just say that he's Lord, but make him Lord of our life. 879 00:36:47,980 --> 00:36:50,340 He will lead a guide and direct us on a path 880 00:36:50,340 --> 00:36:53,140 of something so greater than we could ever imagine 881 00:36:53,140 --> 00:36:54,220 or think, amen? 882 00:36:56,740 --> 00:36:59,460 So this altar call this morning is just a simple call 883 00:36:59,460 --> 00:37:04,460 of if you don't know Jesus, don't be afraid. 884 00:37:06,220 --> 00:37:08,260 You may be sitting in your seat right now, 885 00:37:09,700 --> 00:37:11,940 heart's about to beat out of your chest. 886 00:37:11,940 --> 00:37:13,180 I know I've been there. 887 00:37:13,180 --> 00:37:24,180 You're not sure what to do, don't be afraid. 888 00:37:25,180 --> 00:37:27,380 Fear is the one thing that everyone struggles with. 889 00:37:27,380 --> 00:37:30,020 What are so and so gonna think about me being in the altar? 890 00:37:34,780 --> 00:37:35,820 What are they gonna say about me? 891 00:37:35,820 --> 00:37:36,660 Are they gonna question it? 892 00:37:36,660 --> 00:37:37,860 Are they gonna wonder why I'm here? 893 00:37:37,860 --> 00:37:40,660 Are they gonna know what my problems are? 894 00:37:40,660 --> 00:37:42,380 Your problems are between you and me. 895 00:37:42,380 --> 00:37:44,980 Your problems are between you and Jesus. 896 00:37:44,980 --> 00:37:47,580 And all you have to do is kneel down at this altar 897 00:37:47,580 --> 00:37:49,140 and cry out to the Lord. 898 00:37:50,260 --> 00:37:52,860 And he can take that wonder away 899 00:37:53,860 --> 00:37:55,900 because you can leave here transformed today. 900 00:37:55,900 --> 00:37:59,220 So I just wanna invite anyone that doesn't know Jesus 901 00:37:59,220 --> 00:38:00,540 to make your way down. 902 00:38:01,660 --> 00:38:04,340 Or maybe you knew Jesus, maybe you know him, 903 00:38:04,340 --> 00:38:05,420 but you've just fallen away. 904 00:38:05,420 --> 00:38:07,100 Maybe some things have happened, 905 00:38:07,100 --> 00:38:08,700 life has gotten out of control 906 00:38:08,700 --> 00:38:11,460 and you're trying to find a way to grab hold of it 907 00:38:11,460 --> 00:38:12,300 and rein it back in. 908 00:38:12,300 --> 00:38:15,180 You're trying to do so much on your own 909 00:38:17,980 --> 00:38:21,180 and you realize this morning that Jesus is enough. 910 00:38:22,980 --> 00:38:25,340 That God can deliver you from every situation, 911 00:38:25,340 --> 00:38:26,780 every circumstance. 912 00:38:33,180 --> 00:38:36,500 If you need prayer for anything, these altars are open. 913 00:38:36,500 --> 00:38:39,340 But I wanted to say a special prayer today 914 00:38:39,340 --> 00:38:41,420 over the kids and the high schoolers. 915 00:38:41,420 --> 00:38:45,900 So if you could just high schoolers guys come over this way, 916 00:38:45,900 --> 00:38:48,980 my youth, kids, I wanna pray over the kids 917 00:38:48,980 --> 00:38:50,300 and the high schoolers this morning 918 00:38:50,300 --> 00:38:53,100 because they are going back to school. 919 00:38:53,100 --> 00:38:54,780 So if there's kids in the room, 920 00:38:54,780 --> 00:38:55,860 if there's high schoolers in the room, 921 00:38:55,860 --> 00:38:57,300 please make your way down to this altar. 922 00:38:57,300 --> 00:38:58,580 I wanna pray with them. 923 00:38:58,580 --> 00:39:00,420 If there's teachers in the room, 924 00:39:00,420 --> 00:39:03,460 if there's church leaders, if there's faculty members, 925 00:39:03,460 --> 00:39:04,420 I want you to make your way. 926 00:39:04,420 --> 00:39:05,740 If you're a leader in this church, 927 00:39:05,740 --> 00:39:07,820 I want you to make your way down to this altar 928 00:39:07,820 --> 00:39:10,100 and I want you to stand behind these kids 929 00:39:10,100 --> 00:39:12,500 and stand behind these young men and women 930 00:39:12,500 --> 00:39:13,660 because we're gonna pray 931 00:39:13,660 --> 00:39:15,340 and we're gonna ask God to lead them. 932 00:39:15,340 --> 00:39:16,620 We're gonna ask God to protect them. 933 00:39:16,620 --> 00:39:18,740 We're gonna ask God to put a hedge of protection 934 00:39:18,740 --> 00:39:20,380 over their lives. 935 00:39:20,380 --> 00:39:22,980 And we're gonna pray that God will do extraordinary things 936 00:39:22,980 --> 00:39:38,380 in every single one of their lives, amen.