1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,900 He is glorious. 2 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:13,780 Behold the one who has come to life. 3 00:00:13,780 --> 00:00:15,740 Welcome to Hub City Vineyard. 4 00:00:15,740 --> 00:00:17,740 To get connected or to give online, 5 00:00:17,740 --> 00:00:20,540 you can go to connect.hcv.church 6 00:00:20,540 --> 00:00:23,640 or give.hcv.church. 7 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:25,640 If at any time during this message 8 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,280 you feel called to make a change in your life, 9 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:33,000 text changeme to 970-00. 10 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,000 Thank you and enjoy the message. 11 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:37,000 Hey, good morning everyone. 12 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:39,000 How we doing? 13 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:39,500 Good. 14 00:00:39,500 --> 00:00:42,000 If you're joining us from home, thank you for welcoming us 15 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:43,840 into your space. 16 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:47,520 Now, I've got to be honest with you. 17 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:50,960 I have done a lot of things over the years 18 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:54,800 to illustrate a point for our community of faith. 19 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:57,880 I've worn a Santa suit on Christmas Eve. 20 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:01,600 I've dressed as an avatar for Sunday morning matinee. 21 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:06,720 I came on the stage with my face painted as Kiss. 22 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:12,080 I've stabbed an ice pick into a scientific heart frozen in ice. 23 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,040 I have dumped the largest container of coins 24 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:17,080 all over this stage. 25 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:21,240 And I actually attempt to preach while riding an exercise bike. 26 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:24,560 And I quickly learned that was a mistake. 27 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:27,360 I've done a lot of things to illustrate my points, 28 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:32,160 but never have I gotten up on a Sunday morning, took a shower, 29 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:36,640 got dressed, drove to HCV, and then decided 30 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:39,640 to immerse myself in the baptismal 31 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:42,680 to stand in front of you completely soaking wet 32 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:46,960 so I can challenge you with two words for 2024. 33 00:01:46,960 --> 00:01:51,800 God is challenging our community of faith to go deeper this year. 34 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:56,800 Look at your neighbor and say, go deeper. 35 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,760 Now, I'll be honest with you. 36 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:01,000 I question God. 37 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,040 I'm already going to get soaking wet at the end of our gatherings 38 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:08,800 for our baptisms. 39 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,840 Rudy just got back from a cruise on Christmas. 40 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:14,080 I gave him a week off. 41 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:17,880 I should have made him do this. 42 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:24,200 God, do I have to fully immerse myself in my clothes? 43 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,440 But just being honest, I felt like I had to do this 44 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:33,640 so that you didn't just hear the message, but you saw it as well. 45 00:02:33,640 --> 00:02:36,720 If you're going to see the two words for 2024 46 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:39,160 that God is calling our community of faith into, 47 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,880 then I had to be the first and lead by example 48 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,280 of what it means to go deeper. 49 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:48,160 God is challenging us to go deeper with him. 50 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:50,800 Deeper simply means to get closer to him, 51 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:53,480 closer than you got last year, closer 52 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:55,760 than you've gotten over the last couple years. 53 00:02:55,760 --> 00:03:00,080 He is inviting us to go all in. 54 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,680 He wants us to move past just our toes touching the water 55 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,320 or our feet being dipped in. 56 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:10,040 He wants us to move past the uncomfortable waste waiting 57 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,400 and be fully immersed in his presence 58 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:15,720 and his authority in our lives. 59 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:16,760 And hear me out. 60 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,840 I'm amazed at what God is doing in our community of faith. 61 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:22,400 2023 was an incredible year. 62 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:26,120 And some of you may remember that last year when we kicked it off, 63 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:29,360 I had two words for you, and it was no limits. 64 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:34,400 That we were going to go no limits all in with God in 2023. 65 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:39,040 And for example, this year, remember we were doing a Wells offering 66 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,280 for our Christmas gift that we were going to send away. 67 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:52,120 Next week, we will write a check for $54,469. 68 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:57,080 So that is approximately five wells that will be built in Africa 69 00:03:57,080 --> 00:04:00,800 providing those people with clean drinking water. 70 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:06,640 And that's just one example of how God led us to live a life of no limits. 71 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:09,600 But this year, it's personal. 72 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:12,240 This year is the year to go deeper. 73 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:17,800 And me being soaking wet from my shoes to my shirt, right, 74 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:24,280 is totally worth it so that you can have a mental image seared in your mind 75 00:04:24,280 --> 00:04:31,680 of what it means to go deeper, what it means to live a life on fire for God. 76 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:34,200 So I'm going to share the scripture that God put on my heart 77 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,400 for our community of faith in 2024. 78 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:40,000 It's Luke chapter 2, verse 52, and it says this. 79 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:46,120 Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, 80 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,640 and in favor with all the people. 81 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:52,920 So notice Jesus, right, if we're his follower and we're following him, 82 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:57,040 Jesus grew in wisdom, which is he became mentally strong. 83 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:58,960 Jesus grew in stature. 84 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:00,920 He became physically strong. 85 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:04,840 Jesus grew in favor with God, meaning his relationship with his creator, 86 00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:06,680 with his father was strong. 87 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:09,360 And Jesus grew in favor with all people, 88 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:13,480 meaning he was in community with others, loving on them and serving them. 89 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:18,600 And God is challenging our community of faith to grow deeper with him this year, 90 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:23,640 deeper in intimacy, deeper in knowledge, deeper in understanding, 91 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:27,440 deeper in the application of the Bible to our lives 92 00:05:27,440 --> 00:05:35,320 so that others will be drawn into a relationship with God through our reflection. 93 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,720 Are you ready to go deeper? 94 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:39,880 Let's pray. 95 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:41,800 Holy Spirit, come. 96 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:44,320 God, may the words that I share be your words, not mine. 97 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:48,360 Just erase anything that's not of you 98 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:52,640 and challenge all of us to get closer to you, 99 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:56,800 to go deeper in our walk with you this coming year. 100 00:05:56,800 --> 00:06:01,280 May we all just be a reflection of your love and your life to our community. 101 00:06:01,280 --> 00:06:03,920 In Jesus' name, amen. 102 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,520 So all that leads to our first truth this morning. 103 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:08,200 We're gonna be looking at five simple truths 104 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,760 before we move into our baptisms. 105 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:13,520 Going deeper with God will cause discomfort. 106 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:18,480 Newsflash, it's very uncomfortable standing up here 107 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:22,600 with my clothes dripping wet with water. 108 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:28,320 It feels awkward, weird, and I am freezing. 109 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:31,520 It would have been much more comfortable to not speak like this, 110 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:34,640 but we need to understand that if we're gonna go deeper with God, 111 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:36,960 you will be uncomfortable. 112 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,160 He will make you uncomfortable. 113 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:43,040 God is way more committed to you living your purpose, 114 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:47,480 to you living your calling, than you walking in comfort. 115 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:51,040 He is committed to having you serve. 116 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:54,040 And quite often when he's trying to push us in a new direction 117 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:56,360 and move us into new direction, you know what he's gonna do? 118 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:59,160 He's gonna lead us into the deep water. 119 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:03,680 He's gonna lead us into the unknown, which causes a lot of discomfort. 120 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:07,000 And quite often for many of us, it means we gotta let go of things 121 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:09,480 in our lives that we're holding on to. 122 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:11,800 For some of you, you need to get rid of that relationship 123 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:15,000 that you've been stuck in. 124 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:20,600 For some of you, you need to say goodbye to the good things in your life. 125 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,200 It's one thing to say goodbye to the bad things 126 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:26,280 because we wanna get rid of them anyway, right? 127 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:28,920 But what about the things that we consider good 128 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:33,880 that are actually just distractions disguising themselves as opportunities? 129 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:37,360 It's a cost to go deeper. 130 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:38,360 It's uncomfortable. 131 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:45,480 I mean, it feels like I have minnows swimming in my shoes right now. 132 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:50,000 Ezekiel chapter 47 verses 2 through 6 and 9 says it this way. 133 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:53,480 There I could see the water flowing out through the south side 134 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:56,480 of the east gateway, measuring as he went, 135 00:07:56,480 --> 00:08:01,120 he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. 136 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:04,000 The water was up to my ankles. 137 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,880 He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. 138 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:11,080 This time it was up to my knees. 139 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:14,880 Then another 1,750 feet was up to my waist. 140 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:20,520 Then he measured another 1,750 feet and it was too deep to walk. 141 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:24,280 It was deep enough to swim in though, but too deep to walk through. 142 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,560 He asked, have you been watching, son of man? 143 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:30,560 Then he led me back along the riverbank and notice what he saw. 144 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:34,880 There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. 145 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:38,400 Life will flourish wherever this water flows. 146 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:42,120 See God is inviting us to go deeper this year. 147 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:46,840 Deeper in our knowledge, deeper in our hunger, deeper in life change. 148 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:49,400 And it's an invitation to go and swim. 149 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:53,360 By a show of hands, humor me, how many of you ready to go deeper this year? 150 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:54,920 Let me see them. 151 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:56,360 Let me see them. 152 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:57,680 Let me see them. 153 00:08:57,680 --> 00:08:59,720 Now remember we have cameras. 154 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:00,720 Okay. 155 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:04,480 So don't get two months in and say, no, that wasn't me. 156 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:05,480 That wasn't me. 157 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:06,480 That wasn't me. 158 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:10,000 It's the new year, right? 159 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:11,880 Everyone's ready to go deeper. 160 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:15,920 Everyone wants something new until we truly understand what deeper means. 161 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:20,680 See, the vision was not just for Ezekiel, it's for all of us. 162 00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:26,080 And the water coming out from under the threshold of the temple flowed toward the east. 163 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:27,080 All right. 164 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:33,480 And as it flowed toward the east, the stream of water flowed out of God's presence. 165 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:38,600 When we plunge deep into God's presence, when we get closer to Him, when we're immersed 166 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:43,320 in Him, that's when we will produce fruit. 167 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:45,920 That's when we produce fruit. 168 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:49,600 It's when we're in His presence, not in our own strength. 169 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:52,040 Jesus puts it this way in John chapter seven. 170 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:56,200 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and notice what he did. 171 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:03,240 He shouted to the crowds, anyone who is thirsty may come to me. 172 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:08,480 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink for the scriptures declare rivers of living 173 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,120 water will flow from his heart. 174 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:17,400 See, the living water is going to flow from our hearts, right? 175 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:22,040 When we go deeper with God, the living water, God's presence flows into our hearts. 176 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:27,080 And when it flows into our hearts, that means something has to change because that living 177 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:31,760 water is going to replace the negative aspects of the heart. 178 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:33,640 And what are the negative aspects of the heart? 179 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:39,280 Well, Jesus tells us that they are evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, 180 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:41,720 lying, and slander. 181 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:44,320 That's what's in the human heart. 182 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:47,160 And if we're going to go deeper with God, then those things are going to get pushed 183 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:50,800 out with His presence. 184 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:54,760 And here's the reality for so many people, it's a new year, right? 185 00:10:54,760 --> 00:11:03,560 And in a new year, we're either going to drift towards something or we're going to drift 186 00:11:03,560 --> 00:11:06,200 away from something. 187 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:08,840 That's human nature. 188 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:13,800 We can either strategically choose to move deeper or closer to Jesus, or we can unknowingly 189 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:19,040 drift away from a life of abundance. 190 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:22,920 And drifting away is simply living in comfort. 191 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:26,120 It's just doing the same thing over and over and over again. 192 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:27,840 And that's not abundance. 193 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:29,840 That's not God's best for our life. 194 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:31,920 Jesus came to give us abundant life. 195 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:38,240 So for 2024, will you choose to grow deeper with God? 196 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:41,720 Or will you choose to grow deeper with your depression? 197 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:43,480 Will you choose to grow deeper with God? 198 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:45,320 Or will you go deeper in anxiety? 199 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:46,720 Or will you go deeper in worry? 200 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:48,000 Or will you go deeper in debt? 201 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:50,960 Or will you go deeper in your social media drama? 202 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,780 You choose. 203 00:11:53,780 --> 00:11:58,400 Because it's either what the world offers or what God offers. 204 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:00,000 Which do you want? 205 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:04,720 And I truly believe that God is challenging many of us to move past the surface level 206 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,640 relationship with Him. 207 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:12,480 Ezekiel's vision challenges people to continue moving deeper. 208 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:17,560 Get your foot in, get your ankles in, get your knees in, get your waist in, go all in. 209 00:12:17,560 --> 00:12:20,480 But for many of us, this is where we begin to question. 210 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:28,600 Chris, why would I venture out, right, when I'm so familiar and comfortable where I am? 211 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:34,960 Right, I have my schedule, I have my boxes, this is my God time. 212 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:37,160 Why would I change that? 213 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:42,000 Do I really want people in the world to know that I'm a Jesus freak? 214 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:48,600 Do we really want to be classified as a spirit-filled radical follower of Jesus? 215 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:54,680 And if you do, then you've got to go deeper. 216 00:12:54,680 --> 00:12:58,600 Going deeper will take us out of our comfort zones. 217 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:05,600 Going deeper is inviting Jesus into the everyday aspects of our everyday lives. 218 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:10,720 Brother Lawrence, a friend, a Siscan monk says it this way, what I wanted was simply 219 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:13,040 to belong totally to God. 220 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:18,560 So I decided to give everything I could in order to attain the greatest blessing in return, 221 00:13:18,560 --> 00:13:22,480 knowing Him. 222 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:25,940 Will you choose to be uncomfortable in 2024? 223 00:13:25,940 --> 00:13:27,900 Which leads us to our next truth. 224 00:13:27,900 --> 00:13:30,360 Going deeper with God requires discipline. 225 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:36,440 See, when it comes to going deeper, there are many people that believe this simply means 226 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:40,200 that we need more passion, more desire, more excitement for God. 227 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:42,920 And I agree with this to an extent. 228 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:45,680 I love being part of this community of faith. 229 00:13:45,680 --> 00:13:48,880 Friends, we are willing to take risks. 230 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:54,120 We step out, we pray for the sick, we believe in the supernatural, we reach the forgotten, 231 00:13:54,120 --> 00:14:00,920 we serve the poor, we build wells, we provide gifts, we give away backpacks to children. 232 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,460 We worship like no other. 233 00:14:03,460 --> 00:14:06,740 There's nothing like hearing your voices sing. 234 00:14:06,740 --> 00:14:09,320 We sing, we pray, we give. 235 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:18,680 We're making a difference for God in the tri-state area because God loves Hub City. 236 00:14:18,680 --> 00:14:25,360 But to grow deeper with God, desire and passion needs to be replaced with discipline. 237 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:30,340 As a community of faith, it is our desire that you develop spiritual disciplines this 238 00:14:30,340 --> 00:14:31,920 very year. 239 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:35,320 Next week, we'll be launching into our 21 days of prayer and fasting like we have been 240 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:37,000 for the last three years. 241 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:43,320 It is my prayer that you take the time starting today to listen to God and be obedient in 242 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:48,840 what he is asking you to fast or give up for 21 days. 243 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:49,840 What is it? 244 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:58,920 It is my prayer that we have over 100 people gather here every morning at 6 a.m. for prayer 245 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:00,240 starting next Monday. 246 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:06,200 And listen, it is my prayer that you don't stop after January, that you continue to grow 247 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:09,320 and develop maturity through discipline. 248 00:15:09,320 --> 00:15:10,840 Because here's the reality. 249 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:16,680 When Jesus promises his follower they will experience trouble in this world, he meant 250 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:17,680 it. 251 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:19,880 He meant it. 252 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:20,880 This life is hard. 253 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:21,880 It's challenging. 254 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:27,080 I don't know about you, but it feels like it's never easy. 255 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:33,960 And if we only talk to God on Sunday or have our tanks filled up with worship on Sunday, 256 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:38,200 one day out of the week, that high is going to last you to Monday. 257 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:43,040 And come Tuesday morning while you're driving to work, chances are you will regret something 258 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:45,080 you did or said. 259 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:49,880 Which means by Wednesday or Thursday when they roll around we will find ourselves back 260 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:55,080 to our same old dysfunctional cycles hanging onto the cross for dear life. 261 00:15:55,080 --> 00:16:00,180 Forgive me God, help me get back to Sunday. 262 00:16:00,180 --> 00:16:05,280 You have to make some decisions to develop spiritual disciplines. 263 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:10,640 Just last year, 2023, Justin and I decided to get on a plan to read through the Bible 264 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:12,040 in the entire year. 265 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:15,920 Okay, so we took this past year, we're going to commit to it, we're going to do it together 266 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:18,740 as a couple and we did it. 267 00:16:18,740 --> 00:16:22,160 We completed reading through the Bible in an entire year. 268 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:23,160 Now hear me out. 269 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:25,120 I don't need to, please don't applause. 270 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:29,700 That's the first time we ever did it in 26 years of marriage. 271 00:16:29,700 --> 00:16:32,080 That's not a good track record. 272 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,880 And my point in telling you is this, right? 273 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:39,480 If we can do it, you can do it. 274 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:42,680 Challenge yourself to get closer with God. 275 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:43,680 Right? 276 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:49,760 If we are going to be healthy and whole this year, and we're going to personally produce 277 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:53,040 fruit and life, we need to be disciplined. 278 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:58,320 Paul says it this way in Ephesians 3, when I think of all this, I fall to my knees and 279 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:01,840 pray to the Father, the creator of everything in the heaven and on earth. 280 00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:02,840 Notice what he prays for. 281 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:08,120 I pray that from his glorious and limited resources, he will empower you with inner 282 00:17:08,120 --> 00:17:11,680 strength through his spirit. 283 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:15,880 Notice Paul does not say, get stronger physically. 284 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:18,520 Paul doesn't say, hey, improve your outward appearance. 285 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:20,920 No, what's he focused on? 286 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:22,760 The internal. 287 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:27,640 His prayer is that we're strong on the inside. 288 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,720 That is where we need our strength. 289 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,440 And it's important to have goals for the external. 290 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:38,840 I mean, heck, we're going to be doing a whole series this year on physical health and developing 291 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:39,840 healthy habits. 292 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:41,840 Because I believe in it. 293 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:45,880 I believe that our physical activity is connected to our spiritual activity, but it can't be 294 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:46,880 our focus. 295 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:50,160 It's got to be an inward heart issue. 296 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:52,400 You need to take care of yourself. 297 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,620 But I know that everything flows from the heart. 298 00:17:55,620 --> 00:18:00,280 And if we're not strengthening that first, then the external doesn't matter. 299 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:05,480 Paul continues, then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. 300 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:09,920 Your roots, notice, will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. 301 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:13,720 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how 302 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:19,440 long, how high, and how deep his love is for you. 303 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:25,600 Paul is challenging us to experience to go deeper in his love this new year. 304 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:31,120 And friends, it takes discipline, which leads us to our next truth. 305 00:18:31,120 --> 00:18:35,400 Going deeper with God requires action. 306 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:36,400 Go deeper. 307 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:40,800 Two words that God is challenging us to in 2024. 308 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,680 Let's just simply look at the word go. 309 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:46,040 Go is a good word. 310 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:49,680 Two-third of God's name is go. 311 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:50,680 Right? 312 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:56,680 God, just in his name says, church, do something. 313 00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:57,880 Why? 314 00:18:57,880 --> 00:19:00,720 Because God is a God of movement and action. 315 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:02,520 Go all the way back to the beginning of the Bible. 316 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:04,120 And what are you going to discover? 317 00:19:04,120 --> 00:19:05,120 God is moving. 318 00:19:05,120 --> 00:19:06,120 Look at Genesis 1. 319 00:19:06,120 --> 00:19:08,560 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 320 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:10,360 The earth was formless and empty. 321 00:19:10,360 --> 00:19:12,920 The darkness covered the deep waters. 322 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:18,960 And the Spirit of God was hovering, was moving over the surface of the waters. 323 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:21,280 God is a God of movement. 324 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:24,520 God wants his church to go. 325 00:19:24,520 --> 00:19:30,000 The last thing that Jesus says to his disciples in Matthew 28, Jesus came and told his disciples, 326 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,880 I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. 327 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:38,000 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, 328 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,040 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 329 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:43,920 Reach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you and be sure of this. 330 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:47,400 I am with you always, even to the end of the age. 331 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,280 God wants us to go. 332 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:54,120 And I love New Year's because everyone gathered here, watching online, even people that aren't 333 00:19:54,120 --> 00:19:57,760 in a relationship with Jesus, they're looking to go. 334 00:19:57,760 --> 00:19:58,760 This is my year. 335 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:00,920 This is going to be my year. 336 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:01,920 I made some resolutions. 337 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:02,920 I set a few goals. 338 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:03,920 New Year, new me. 339 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:07,000 Have you ever heard that before? 340 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:09,120 New Year, new you. 341 00:20:09,120 --> 00:20:11,320 You know what my response to that is? 342 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:14,760 Nah, I doubt it. 343 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:15,760 You know why? 344 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:20,440 Because I've been working out for a long time and been going to the gym for a while now. 345 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:24,240 And there's always that spike of attendance for the first three weeks. 346 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:28,000 Couples showing up, working out together, high-fiving each other. 347 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:33,120 Show me week three when you don't come anymore. 348 00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:36,680 Because New Year, new you doesn't work. 349 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:44,040 What if we change New Year, new you to New Year, new narrative? 350 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:48,820 Because if we simply say New Year, new me, and we're telling ourselves the same story 351 00:20:48,820 --> 00:20:52,720 over and over and over again, friends, nothing's going to change. 352 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:58,440 If we don't change how we talk to ourselves, if we don't develop a new narrative, then 353 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:04,880 2024 is going to look very similar to 2023, which looked very similar to 2022 and 2021. 354 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:10,160 2020 was a little different, but that's okay. 355 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:12,880 New Year, new narrative. 356 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:18,840 See, God wants us to go, and we must remember though, the kingdom of God is an upside down 357 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:21,720 kingdom when compared to our world. 358 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:24,440 So when we hear the word go, we think, oh, we've got to do something, we've got to do 359 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:25,440 something. 360 00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:32,880 When in reality, go simply means slow down and focus on what God wants you to change. 361 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:36,040 What is it that God wants you to change for this New Year? 362 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:40,240 And that's why here at HTV, we start every New Year with 21 days of prayer and fasting. 363 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:42,640 So we can take some time to what? 364 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:49,080 Hear what moves God, and then allow Him to move us into that New Year. 365 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:55,280 It's a pause where we invite God to make the move in our lives, in our hearts, so that 366 00:21:55,280 --> 00:22:02,120 we can then prioritize what is important for Him in us in this new season of our life. 367 00:22:02,120 --> 00:22:07,440 For example, every start of the New Year, today, I mean today, partnership Sunday, everyone 368 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:09,780 take out your bulletins, wave them in the air like you just don't care. 369 00:22:09,780 --> 00:22:11,480 Let me hear the papers. 370 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:13,180 Wave them, wave them. 371 00:22:13,180 --> 00:22:15,760 Some of you are bored and you don't want to wave them. 372 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:18,920 I can do it back at you. 373 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:22,620 Come on people. 374 00:22:22,620 --> 00:22:29,260 We believe, now in the back of your bulletin, we believe that if you live out these commitments, 375 00:22:29,260 --> 00:22:33,140 you will personally grow in your relationship with Jesus in 2024. 376 00:22:33,140 --> 00:22:34,180 We believe it. 377 00:22:34,180 --> 00:22:35,260 We believe it so much. 378 00:22:35,260 --> 00:22:42,340 I believe it so much that if you commit to these simple steps in 2024, and you commit 379 00:22:42,340 --> 00:22:47,800 to them the whole year, if come November, you don't see any change in your life, go 380 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:51,760 find a new church, because we're not helping you. 381 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:54,480 Like we want to help you, but it takes discipline. 382 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:56,800 It takes commitment. 383 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:59,120 And that's why we do this every single year. 384 00:22:59,120 --> 00:23:02,680 We outline what it looks like to follow Jesus here in our community of faith. 385 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:08,940 For example, actively attending weekend gatherings, engaging Jesus in worship, prayer, becoming 386 00:23:08,940 --> 00:23:11,420 a regular practice in my life, daily Bible reading. 387 00:23:11,420 --> 00:23:14,480 We all can do that, true or false? 388 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:16,040 Thank you. 389 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:18,920 Serving once a month, once, everyone say once. 390 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:19,920 Thank you. 391 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:24,680 Joining a community group that challenges me to grow, participating in other yearly 392 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:30,540 community events like the Reach Cold Weather Shutter, like the big party that we're going 393 00:23:30,540 --> 00:23:38,680 to have here in February to just love one and express high value to those with handicaps. 394 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:42,280 Praying for the leadership and other people in our community of faith. 395 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:46,880 Regular financial support, serving others with my possessions and talents, inviting 396 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:51,280 those not in a relationship with God to our community of faith where they'll experience 397 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:52,640 new life. 398 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:57,560 All things that we can do, and here's my challenge to you, if you commit to that, your life will 399 00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:00,480 be different come November. 400 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:02,520 But it's a choice. 401 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:06,480 And if you feel like you can do that, sign it, date it, and put it somewhere where you'll 402 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:11,600 see it every single day so that you are committing to this community of faith what it looks like 403 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:13,280 to follow God together. 404 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:17,040 I sign mine, I date mine, I put it in my office every morning, I go into my office, I see 405 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:21,780 it because I'm committed to this community of faiths as much as you're committed to it. 406 00:24:21,780 --> 00:24:26,760 This is my church as much as it's our church, amen? 407 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:33,280 It's important for us also to see that we need to go deeper, not just go deep. 408 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:35,920 And you say, well, Chris, what do you mean? 409 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:39,120 See, deep suggests that we know where deep is. 410 00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:43,880 And for many of us, we have no clue of what God wants us to do with our lives. 411 00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:47,120 We have no clue, right? 412 00:24:47,120 --> 00:24:50,380 When it comes to the kingdom of God, we've never arrived. 413 00:24:50,380 --> 00:24:53,620 Just because I read through the Bible this past year doesn't mean I shouldn't read it 414 00:24:53,620 --> 00:24:55,180 this year, right? 415 00:24:55,180 --> 00:24:59,640 When I look in the mirror every morning, I don't see Jesus staring back at me. 416 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:04,000 I don't know about you, maybe you do, I don't. 417 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:09,800 Because I'm constantly in pursuit of the one that sets the example for me to follow. 418 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:14,020 It's not go deep because we don't know when we're deep. 419 00:25:14,020 --> 00:25:17,480 We have to continue going deeper. 420 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:20,560 There's always more when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. 421 00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:21,920 What do you mean, Chris? 422 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,280 I memorized 25 Bible verses last year. 423 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:26,200 Great, God bless, high five. 424 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:28,000 I memorized 25 more this year. 425 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:33,060 And more importantly, tell me how you're loving your neighbor, your coworker, and your classmate, 426 00:25:33,060 --> 00:25:36,000 because that's when it gets real. 427 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:42,900 Is God challenging you to go deeper, which leads us to our next truth. 428 00:25:42,900 --> 00:25:46,520 Going deeper with God looks different for everyone. 429 00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:51,160 God wants us all to go deeper, but what it means for you is different for me. 430 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:56,320 For some of you, listen, this means that this is your year to participate in the 21 Day 431 00:25:56,320 --> 00:25:58,360 Fast. 432 00:25:58,360 --> 00:26:03,160 This is your year that you choose no more desserts for 21 days. 433 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:07,360 I'm going to stop all sugar and desserts for 21 days, and instead when I want to eat ice 434 00:26:07,360 --> 00:26:12,320 cream, I'm going to pray real hard. 435 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:14,600 That's a fast. 436 00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:21,680 Some of you, some of you need to choose to fast your Netflix series for 21 days, because 437 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:25,080 it's just distracting you from God. 438 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:31,760 Others of you, right, you need to fast social media for 21 days so that you can develop 439 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:36,320 some disciplines and boundaries in your life. 440 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:40,320 Can I step on some adult toes here real quick? 441 00:26:40,320 --> 00:26:57,200 Some of you, you need to fast your game systems, because it's not producing the life God wants 442 00:26:57,200 --> 00:26:58,520 for you. 443 00:26:58,520 --> 00:27:02,200 It's a distraction. 444 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:08,000 For some of you, listen, listen, for some of you, going deeper in 2024 means you show 445 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:12,880 up consistently here on Sundays. 446 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:21,240 Jesus is here more often than Christmas and Easter, just so you know. 447 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:26,800 Jesus shows up here beyond when you're in crisis. 448 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:30,160 He's here all the time. 449 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:33,960 Some of you, some of you need to get in a growth group. 450 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:37,800 You need to meet some people and get around some people and be challenged to grow and 451 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:40,200 challenge others to grow. 452 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:41,200 Right? 453 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:45,720 Like, we have this group that my wife felt like we needed to start. 454 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:46,720 It's called Grief Share. 455 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:47,720 Okay? 456 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:48,720 It's a great group. 457 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:53,360 It helps you process grief, helps you walk through people you've lost, people that have 458 00:27:53,360 --> 00:27:58,600 passed, pets that have passed, you know, any type of grief that you're struggling with. 459 00:27:58,600 --> 00:28:02,660 And when we launched it, it was last spring, it was great. 460 00:28:02,660 --> 00:28:06,280 We had, you know, 10, 15, 20 people in two different groups. 461 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:09,240 And then we ran it back in the fall and the winter. 462 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:13,160 We invited people that experienced loss, that experienced grief in their life. 463 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:15,480 We ended up with like one person in the group. 464 00:28:15,480 --> 00:28:18,520 It's like, people, you need to get real. 465 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:19,520 Right? 466 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:21,520 If you're struggling with grief, it's tearing you apart. 467 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:24,400 If you're not able to pass it, get in a group. 468 00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:30,040 Jess and I will be co-leading Couples Alpha, where we're going to transform our cafe into 469 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:33,640 a beautiful night setting for couples. 470 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:38,120 You know, focus on your marriage, improve your marriage. 471 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:40,920 Some of you, you need to read through the Bible this year. 472 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:42,640 I'll show you the plan that I used. 473 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:43,640 It works. 474 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:48,000 Some of you need to show up tonight, five o'clock in the square and give a stranger 475 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:59,000 a cup of hot coffee because you're selfish and you need to get over yourself. 476 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:02,400 You're the one laughing, not me. 477 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:07,600 All of us have something that God is inviting us to go deeper in. 478 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:09,520 And the question is, will you respond? 479 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:14,880 I mean, I love the way Paul says it in Romans chapter 12, because of the privilege and authority 480 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:18,720 God has given me, I give each of you this warning. 481 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:22,480 Don't think you're better than you really are. 482 00:29:22,480 --> 00:29:25,920 Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has 483 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:27,320 given us. 484 00:29:27,320 --> 00:29:31,400 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a specific function, so it is with 485 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:32,760 Christ's body. 486 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:35,920 We are many parts of one body and we all belong to each other. 487 00:29:35,920 --> 00:29:41,480 In His grace, God has given each different gifts for doing certain things well. 488 00:29:41,480 --> 00:29:46,160 So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given 489 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:47,160 you. 490 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:49,560 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. 491 00:29:49,560 --> 00:29:51,780 If you are a teacher, teach well. 492 00:29:51,780 --> 00:29:54,640 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. 493 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:59,920 If it is giving, give generously, if God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility 494 00:29:59,920 --> 00:30:00,920 seriously. 495 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:05,040 And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 496 00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:07,920 Don't just pretend to love others, really love them. 497 00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:11,840 Hate what is wrong, hold tightly to what is good. 498 00:30:11,840 --> 00:30:14,000 Which leads us to our final truth. 499 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:17,140 Going deeper with God is triggered by desperation. 500 00:30:17,140 --> 00:30:22,680 There is something about desperation that will make all of us say, hey God, I am tired 501 00:30:22,680 --> 00:30:24,440 of a shower relationship with you. 502 00:30:24,440 --> 00:30:27,080 I need to get closer to you. 503 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:31,680 And I just need to be honest with you, these past few months for me has caused a desperation 504 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:33,720 in my heart like no other. 505 00:30:33,720 --> 00:30:38,880 This past Christmas morning, we had 10 a.m. Christmas and PJs and I shared this with a 506 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:43,680 hundred or so people that showed up and on my way home, I believe it was my daughter 507 00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:47,400 Zoe who said, hey, great job dad, it's about time you got honest with the church. 508 00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:52,120 I'm like, oh, thank you, Zoe. 509 00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:55,920 I thought I was always honest with the church. 510 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:59,080 So I was challenged that I needed to share with you just kind of like what I've been 511 00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:03,800 experiencing, many of you may not know, but for the past two and a half months, I've been 512 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:06,920 struggling with the herniated disc in my back. 513 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:14,880 I was moving clothes from my washer to the dryer and found myself on my hands and knees 514 00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:17,840 for almost 10 minutes with my back frozen up. 515 00:31:17,840 --> 00:31:21,680 Pain couldn't move. 516 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:27,240 And as I was able to get back to my feet and try to work things out, it got better, but 517 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:29,200 then it got worse. 518 00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:35,160 And I found myself where that I was at the best shape of my life. 519 00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:37,880 I was 50 years old. 520 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:41,280 Some of you remember this past summer, I dropped my weighted vest. 521 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:43,840 I did the Murph for the first time. 522 00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:44,840 You know, what is the Murph? 523 00:31:44,840 --> 00:31:51,640 It's a mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats, mile run with a 20 pound weighted 524 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:52,640 vest. 525 00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:53,640 Right? 526 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:57,200 I had gotten my time down to 43 minutes. 527 00:31:57,200 --> 00:32:03,000 I was in the best shape of my life only to have my back thrown out, putting clothes in 528 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:05,200 the dryer. 529 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:06,640 And I've been in pain. 530 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:07,760 I haven't been able to run. 531 00:32:07,760 --> 00:32:08,880 I haven't been able to train. 532 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:10,000 I'm walking. 533 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:11,480 I'm walking with my limp. 534 00:32:11,480 --> 00:32:13,840 My wife tells me it's not sexy. 535 00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:15,840 I mean, it's just horrible. 536 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:16,840 Right? 537 00:32:16,840 --> 00:32:19,920 I mean, think about, I'm a husband. 538 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:20,920 I'm not sexy. 539 00:32:20,920 --> 00:32:24,360 I've got a limp. 540 00:32:24,360 --> 00:32:29,560 I mean, not only did I hurt my back for the past month, I've been sick. 541 00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:32,240 You know, the day after Thanksgiving, I was supposed to go to Florida. 542 00:32:32,240 --> 00:32:35,680 Vineyard invited me to Florida to a leadership training for a whole week. 543 00:32:35,680 --> 00:32:37,400 I couldn't even get off the couch. 544 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:39,880 I was so sick for a week. 545 00:32:39,880 --> 00:32:42,560 The Monday before Christmas, I'm vomiting. 546 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:43,560 I'm sick. 547 00:32:43,560 --> 00:32:46,760 I didn't even know if I was going to be able to do our Christmas services. 548 00:32:46,760 --> 00:32:49,960 And the point is, Chris doesn't get sick for 50 years. 549 00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:51,800 I've never gotten sick. 550 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:55,200 And here I am just being destroyed. 551 00:32:55,200 --> 00:32:58,360 My health, my back, my sickness. 552 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:00,840 And it got to the point where I was calling our board. 553 00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:02,840 I was calling Rudy. 554 00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:06,320 I was calling different people in tears. 555 00:33:06,320 --> 00:33:07,320 I was empty. 556 00:33:07,320 --> 00:33:08,320 I was broken. 557 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:09,800 I'm like, God, I'm serving you. 558 00:33:09,800 --> 00:33:10,800 I'm following you. 559 00:33:10,800 --> 00:33:12,600 I'm seeing people saved. 560 00:33:12,600 --> 00:33:14,960 I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing in here. 561 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:15,960 I can't even move. 562 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:16,960 Right? 563 00:33:16,960 --> 00:33:19,480 Oh, and to go along with that. 564 00:33:19,480 --> 00:33:25,240 We've had one car for a family of nine for like the last two weeks. 565 00:33:25,240 --> 00:33:28,080 I'm just like, what is going on? 566 00:33:28,080 --> 00:33:30,240 My cars are breaking down. 567 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:31,240 Nothing is working. 568 00:33:31,240 --> 00:33:32,240 Right? 569 00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:35,920 Oh, side note, if anybody's got to depend on what car they want to donate to the slaughterback, 570 00:33:35,920 --> 00:33:37,440 so we'll receive it. 571 00:33:37,440 --> 00:33:41,680 You know, I mean, just side note. 572 00:33:41,680 --> 00:33:46,160 But the point is, in my desperation, right? 573 00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:47,160 What do I want? 574 00:33:47,160 --> 00:33:48,160 I want change. 575 00:33:48,160 --> 00:33:54,120 And I'm not desperate for a new year, because that just means I'm getting older, but I'm 576 00:33:54,120 --> 00:33:57,400 desperate for change. 577 00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:02,500 And see, life will bring suffering and pain with every new year, but perhaps the beauty 578 00:34:02,500 --> 00:34:07,680 of pain and suffering is that it produces desperation in our lives for more of God. 579 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:11,160 See, desperation pushes us deeper with God. 580 00:34:11,160 --> 00:34:16,080 There's nothing like back pain and sickness that causes us to pray more and pray with 581 00:34:16,080 --> 00:34:19,240 this authority, believing that God's going to move. 582 00:34:19,240 --> 00:34:23,720 I mean, for some of you, there's nothing like your teenager, your child struggling with 583 00:34:23,720 --> 00:34:29,040 relationships in school and you want to serve them and you want them to get involved in 584 00:34:29,040 --> 00:34:30,520 church, but they don't want to go. 585 00:34:30,520 --> 00:34:36,200 But maybe God is calling you to serve in HCV youth or HCV kids, so they participate. 586 00:34:36,200 --> 00:34:39,720 Remember, we set the example, parents. 587 00:34:39,720 --> 00:34:45,000 If Jesus isn't a priority in your life, it won't be in their life. 588 00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:48,880 Maybe for some of you, it's financial struggles or relationship problems that you're currently 589 00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:52,240 having, and you desperately want a change. 590 00:34:52,240 --> 00:34:53,240 Make the choice. 591 00:34:53,240 --> 00:34:55,240 You say, Chris, it's that easy? 592 00:34:55,240 --> 00:34:56,440 Yes, it's that easy. 593 00:34:56,440 --> 00:34:57,440 Look at Psalm 42. 594 00:34:57,440 --> 00:35:00,080 It's the deer longs for streams of water. 595 00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:01,360 So I long for you, O God. 596 00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:03,960 I thirst for God, the living God. 597 00:35:03,960 --> 00:35:06,520 When can I go and stand before Him? 598 00:35:06,520 --> 00:35:10,440 The psalmist here is so transparent. 599 00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:11,600 He's transparent with God. 600 00:35:11,600 --> 00:35:13,840 He says, God, I'm desperate for you. 601 00:35:13,840 --> 00:35:18,480 And the metaphor that is being used here is a deer panting for water. 602 00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:19,480 It's exhaustion. 603 00:35:19,480 --> 00:35:20,480 It's dehydration. 604 00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:24,160 And all of you, many of you are hunters. 605 00:35:24,160 --> 00:35:26,800 We understand deer aren't stupid. 606 00:35:26,800 --> 00:35:29,360 They know where the water is. 607 00:35:29,360 --> 00:35:33,040 They don't wait till they're going to die to go start drinking water. 608 00:35:33,040 --> 00:35:39,120 This imagery is of a deer who has gone to a stream to drink before several times. 609 00:35:39,120 --> 00:35:41,360 He knows where to get the water. 610 00:35:41,360 --> 00:35:46,520 But all of a sudden, the stream that that deer was going to is dry. 611 00:35:46,520 --> 00:35:54,360 Now the deer begins to frantically search for a place where he or she can be refreshed 612 00:35:54,360 --> 00:35:55,840 with what? 613 00:35:55,840 --> 00:35:57,800 Living water. 614 00:35:57,800 --> 00:36:06,400 There are reasons in life, right, that God is causing us to want to go closer to Him. 615 00:36:06,400 --> 00:36:10,280 There's going to be seasons this coming year where you find yourselves in a valley like 616 00:36:10,280 --> 00:36:14,040 God's a thousand miles away, like, God, where are you? 617 00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:18,400 Have you ever thought that that distance, that emptiness is simply God stirring you for 618 00:36:18,400 --> 00:36:21,000 desperation for Him? 619 00:36:21,000 --> 00:36:22,480 To want more of Him? 620 00:36:22,480 --> 00:36:25,560 God, I need you in every aspect of our life. 621 00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:27,360 God, I'm inviting you in my relationships. 622 00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:29,040 God, I'm inviting you in my finances. 623 00:36:29,040 --> 00:36:30,520 God, I'm inviting you into my marriage. 624 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:32,400 God, I'm inviting you into my parenting. 625 00:36:32,400 --> 00:36:35,800 God, I can't do it without you. 626 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:41,320 And notice what the psalmist says day and night, I have only tears for food. 627 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:43,720 Sounds like a fast to me. 628 00:36:43,720 --> 00:36:47,480 While my enemies continually taunt me saying, where is this God of yours? 629 00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:50,160 My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be. 630 00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:54,680 I walked among the crowds of worshipers leading a great possession of the house of God, singing 631 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:58,160 for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration. 632 00:36:58,160 --> 00:36:59,960 Why am I discouraged? 633 00:36:59,960 --> 00:37:01,920 Why is my heart so sad? 634 00:37:01,920 --> 00:37:06,440 And notice the psalmist, he isn't just feeling his feelings. 635 00:37:06,440 --> 00:37:08,280 He's not just thinking about them. 636 00:37:08,280 --> 00:37:11,480 He's talking to God about his feelings. 637 00:37:11,480 --> 00:37:16,920 It's so easy to simply go through the motions of being in a relationship with Jesus. 638 00:37:16,920 --> 00:37:18,160 Right? 639 00:37:18,160 --> 00:37:20,240 We're professional Christians. 640 00:37:20,240 --> 00:37:22,320 We know how to smile. 641 00:37:22,320 --> 00:37:24,720 We know the right words to say. 642 00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:27,160 We know that we're blessed and highly favored. 643 00:37:27,160 --> 00:37:28,160 Right? 644 00:37:28,160 --> 00:37:30,160 Some of you are super saved. 645 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:31,160 Right? 646 00:37:31,160 --> 00:37:34,640 Have you ever thought why Hollywood makes fun of Christians? 647 00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:36,360 Because they think they're super saved. 648 00:37:36,360 --> 00:37:37,440 That's why. 649 00:37:37,440 --> 00:37:42,320 But if we choose to be honest with God and we question our emotions rather than being 650 00:37:42,320 --> 00:37:48,240 frustrated and angry, then maybe we will realize that we actually put our hope in something 651 00:37:48,240 --> 00:37:50,800 we never should put our hope in. 652 00:37:50,800 --> 00:37:52,880 Why am I feeling this way, God? 653 00:37:52,880 --> 00:37:59,200 Well, it's because you have an idol in your life that you thought was best for you when 654 00:37:59,200 --> 00:38:02,320 in reality, God should be first. 655 00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:04,520 Why am I feeling this way, God? 656 00:38:04,520 --> 00:38:08,840 It's because you haven't taken the time, Chris, to be thankful for all that you have. 657 00:38:08,840 --> 00:38:14,040 See, there are times when I am exhausted and wake up on a Monday morning thinking about 658 00:38:14,040 --> 00:38:19,240 all the things that went wrong over the weekend at HCV when I should be celebrating all that 659 00:38:19,240 --> 00:38:21,840 God is doing right. 660 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:24,440 But it's human nature to focus on the what? 661 00:38:24,440 --> 00:38:25,440 The negative. 662 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:27,680 And God is challenging us. 663 00:38:27,680 --> 00:38:31,200 He says, no, preach to yourself. 664 00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:32,200 Notice the psalmist. 665 00:38:32,200 --> 00:38:33,720 I will put my hope in God. 666 00:38:33,720 --> 00:38:38,720 I will praise him again, my savior and my God, the greatest sermon that you're gonna hear 667 00:38:38,720 --> 00:38:40,200 in 2024. 668 00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:41,680 It's not coming from Chris. 669 00:38:41,680 --> 00:38:43,200 It's gonna come from you. 670 00:38:43,200 --> 00:38:44,280 Right? 671 00:38:44,280 --> 00:38:46,280 I hear from God every single week. 672 00:38:46,280 --> 00:38:50,420 I deliver messages that I feel are downloaded from the Holy Spirit. 673 00:38:50,420 --> 00:38:55,560 But if in your mind and in your heart, you're rejecting those words, you're bored, you're 674 00:38:55,560 --> 00:39:03,580 not paying attention, or you're just uninterested, that's the loudest voice in your life. 675 00:39:03,580 --> 00:39:06,580 We have to learn to preach to ourselves. 676 00:39:06,580 --> 00:39:08,280 Put your hope in God. 677 00:39:08,280 --> 00:39:09,280 Right? 678 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:11,960 Yes, God, you are my savior. 679 00:39:11,960 --> 00:39:16,560 You are gonna lead me down the path full of life. 680 00:39:16,560 --> 00:39:20,180 Because I want to encourage you this year, 2024, your hope better happen to be in our 681 00:39:20,180 --> 00:39:23,800 government because it's gonna get ugly. 682 00:39:23,800 --> 00:39:27,000 Your hope better happen to be in your job because it's gonna be gone tomorrow. 683 00:39:27,000 --> 00:39:28,000 Or your business. 684 00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:31,360 Unfortunately, they can come to an end. 685 00:39:31,360 --> 00:39:35,920 If you think your hope is your social media following, that's a lie. 686 00:39:35,920 --> 00:39:37,180 You're believing. 687 00:39:37,180 --> 00:39:38,180 It's not relationships. 688 00:39:38,180 --> 00:39:39,180 It's not your boyfriend. 689 00:39:39,180 --> 00:39:40,640 It's your girlfriend. 690 00:39:40,640 --> 00:39:47,760 Your hope has got to be secure and firm in Jesus' blood and righteousness. 691 00:39:47,760 --> 00:39:49,320 That's where it's gotta be. 692 00:39:49,320 --> 00:39:52,500 And you have to preach that to yourself. 693 00:39:52,500 --> 00:39:57,080 And that only happens when you move from the shallow waters to the deep. 694 00:39:57,080 --> 00:40:01,120 Because I tell you what, I made this stage soaking wet. 695 00:40:01,120 --> 00:40:03,080 I have puddles everywhere. 696 00:40:03,080 --> 00:40:04,560 And why did I do it? 697 00:40:04,560 --> 00:40:23,560 So that you can see what it looks like to go deeper in 2020.