1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:15,440 Welcome to Hub City Vineyard. 2 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:23,060 To get connected or to give online go to connect.hcv.church or give.hcv.church. 3 00:00:23,060 --> 00:00:27,360 If at any point during this message you feel called to make a change in your life, text 4 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,840 change me to 970-00. 5 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:32,120 Thank you and enjoy the message. 6 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:33,120 Hey, good morning everyone. 7 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:35,620 So good to see you. 8 00:00:35,620 --> 00:00:36,620 Such a great response. 9 00:00:36,620 --> 00:00:39,760 If you're joining us from home, I'm sure you screamed at your TV. 10 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:43,640 So great to have you join us in your space. 11 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:45,920 So just a couple quick updates. 12 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:52,240 Our run, our Tide-I run for freedom, we currently have around 120 registered runners for the 13 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:53,240 event. 14 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:54,360 Yeah, that's a great turnout. 15 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:56,060 Our goal is 200. 16 00:00:56,060 --> 00:00:58,480 So remember, we're giving all the money away. 17 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:00,760 It doesn't matter if you run or don't run. 18 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:01,800 You can walk it with me. 19 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:08,360 I'm doing the one mile fun walk at the beginning of the day at eight. 20 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:10,000 So you can join me on that walk. 21 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,800 Again, just to make a difference in the lives of children. 22 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:16,360 And don't forget our spaghetti dinner for the freedom fighters. 23 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:17,400 They're hosting it. 24 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:21,440 All that money is being given away to end human trafficking. 25 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:25,920 So get involved, grab a ticket, sign up to run. 26 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:28,620 It all makes a difference. 27 00:01:28,620 --> 00:01:34,960 So I want to start this morning just like I started last Sunday with a question. 28 00:01:34,960 --> 00:01:41,880 What would you do if you knew you had 24 hours to live? 29 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:47,960 What would you do if you knew you had 24 hours to live? 30 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:49,640 What would be on your bucket list? 31 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:50,640 Right? 32 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:51,640 Where would you go? 33 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:52,640 What would you see? 34 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:57,720 My bucket list would include a trip to a beach with my entire family and close friends, no 35 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:03,680 matter the time of the year, sitting in the sand, sharing stories and memories about how 36 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:07,640 good life is and how we are better together. 37 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:14,040 I would also encourage my family to get matching tattoos because after all, we want to remember 38 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:17,200 all that God did in us and through us. 39 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:21,360 Maybe for some of you, you would visit a place you have never seen before. 40 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,680 Maybe you would get crazy and actually skydive. 41 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:27,560 Maybe you would go see a sunrise or a sunset. 42 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:31,120 Maybe some of you would simply go fishing. 43 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:34,960 What would you do if you had just 24 hours to live? 44 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:37,280 Well, that is what we're going to be discussing today. 45 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:41,040 We're going to be jumping into the book of John and just to look a little bit, and we're 46 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:44,400 going to be looking at Jesus' final hours. 47 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:50,840 In fact, his last 24 hours and see what was on his bucket list and what he chose to do. 48 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:56,160 So many of you know we're currently in a series called Get Real with God, focusing on Micah 49 00:02:56,160 --> 00:03:01,920 6, 8, which reads, No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good. 50 00:03:01,920 --> 00:03:07,600 And this is what he requires of you church, to do what is right, to love mercy and to 51 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,280 walk humbly with your God. 52 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:15,520 I don't know about you, but this has been a great series, very impactful in my life. 53 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:22,480 We kicked it off discussing what we do, what we love and how we walk matters in this life. 54 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:27,240 We then looked at the not so good Samaritan and we're encouraged to become innkeepers 55 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:28,240 for God. 56 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:34,700 Last week, we focused on God's mercy and we're challenged to walk away from shame. 57 00:03:34,700 --> 00:03:39,720 This morning, we're going to focus on walking humbly with God. 58 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:45,320 And before jumping into the book of John, I would like to go to the gospel of Luke. 59 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:51,440 Now the gospel of Luke is actually written by the only Gentile author of scripture. 60 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:56,640 Every other author of the 66 books in the Bible was Jewish, so they have a very different 61 00:03:56,640 --> 00:04:00,560 perspective from Luke being the only non-Jew. 62 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:05,520 Now there are a few books like Hebrews that scholars don't know definitively who wrote 63 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:10,600 it, so there are a few books recorded in the Bible with unknown authors, but out of all 64 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:15,920 those that we do know, which of course the majority, the only books that were definitely 65 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:23,640 written by an outsider, an outcast, a non-Jew was Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. 66 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:28,600 These two books were written together and they're kind of like Star Wars and The Empire 67 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:36,360 Strikes Back, but unfortunately in our modern Bible, they stuck John in between the two, 68 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,120 so a lot of times we can't read them cohesively. 69 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:43,960 I want to challenge you this week, read the gospel of Luke and then jump over John right 70 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:49,400 into the Acts of the Apostles and then what you'll realize is there's a synergy and a 71 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:54,080 compassion of God that will speak into your heart. 72 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,000 And I believe that is because Luke was an outsider, right? 73 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:05,240 He focuses on stories that highlight intimacy and accessibility of Jesus with people who 74 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:07,480 didn't fit, right? 75 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:08,520 Kind of sound familiar, right? 76 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:10,960 We just kind of don't fit. 77 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:16,340 And all of that leads to our first thought this morning, you see, servanthood requires 78 00:05:16,340 --> 00:05:18,920 closeness. 79 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:20,680 Servanthood requires closeness. 80 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:26,240 Remember Micah 6.8 from the message paraphrased, written by Eugene Peterson says, but he's 81 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:31,200 already made it plain how to live, what to do, and what God is looking for in men and 82 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:32,200 women. 83 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:33,200 It's quite simple. 84 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:38,840 Know what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love and 85 00:05:38,840 --> 00:05:41,420 don't take yourself too seriously. 86 00:05:41,420 --> 00:05:43,080 Take God seriously. 87 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:44,480 And I love how that's written there. 88 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:48,080 Don't take yourself too seriously. 89 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:49,620 Focus on God. 90 00:05:49,620 --> 00:05:50,620 Get over yourself. 91 00:05:50,620 --> 00:05:53,960 In other words, walk humbly with your God. 92 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:58,880 And in order for us to do this, friends, we have to get close. 93 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:03,440 Now I'm going to be reading from Luke chapter seven and I'm going to start actually in verse 94 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:04,440 36. 95 00:06:04,440 --> 00:06:06,280 This won't be on our sky Bible. 96 00:06:06,280 --> 00:06:08,000 I did that purposely. 97 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:15,760 I want you to close your eyes and I want you, okay, in your own mind to picture the story 98 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:19,440 that I am reading to you. 99 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:25,200 So Luke chapter seven, starting in verse 36, one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner 100 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:26,200 with him. 101 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:29,440 So Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 102 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,600 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful 103 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:37,680 alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 104 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:40,520 Then she knelt behind him at his feet weeping. 105 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:44,940 Her tears fell on his feet and she wiped them off with her hair. 106 00:06:44,940 --> 00:06:48,800 Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 107 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:54,240 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, if this man were 108 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:58,240 a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. 109 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:00,760 She's a sinner. 110 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:02,600 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. 111 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:06,200 Simon, he said to the Pharisee, I have something to say to you. 112 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:07,200 Go ahead teacher. 113 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:11,000 Simon replied and Jesus told him this story. 114 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:17,440 A man loaned money to two people, 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 115 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:19,400 But neither of them could repay him. 116 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:23,520 So he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. 117 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,880 Who do you suppose loved him more after that? 118 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:32,520 Simon answered, I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt. 119 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:35,480 That's right, Jesus said. 120 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:42,680 So we have an outsider, a woman that crawls into a dinner party that Jesus is attending 121 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:47,300 and interrupted the entire gathering, but it doesn't end there. 122 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:49,720 Let's continue in verse 44. 123 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:56,040 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, look at this woman kneeling here. 124 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:57,360 And here's the reality. 125 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:03,520 For some of you here this morning, this is the first time you have felt seen in a long 126 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:04,800 time. 127 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:09,360 You walked into our community of faith, you feel like you didn't fit, but suddenly you 128 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:15,580 found yourself surrounded by people that was welcoming you, looking at you, seeing you, 129 00:08:15,580 --> 00:08:18,400 and you feel like you matter. 130 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:22,000 You do matter and you belong here. 131 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,780 Jesus continues, look at this woman, Simon. 132 00:08:24,780 --> 00:08:28,920 When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but 133 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:32,400 she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 134 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:36,720 You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped 135 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:38,600 kissing my feet. 136 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:43,680 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet 137 00:08:43,680 --> 00:08:45,360 with her rare perfume. 138 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:50,400 I tell you, her sins, and they are many, have been forgiven. 139 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:52,820 So she has shown me much love. 140 00:08:52,820 --> 00:08:57,240 But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. 141 00:08:57,240 --> 00:09:02,160 Then Jesus said to the woman, your sins are forgiven. 142 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:06,980 Now see church, if we stop right there and we move on, we end our gathering. 143 00:09:06,980 --> 00:09:12,600 It's a great story about Jesus accepting a woman that everyone else had written off and 144 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:13,760 judged. 145 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:17,140 But there's so much more within it, right? 146 00:09:17,140 --> 00:09:22,600 It would literally be a disservice to God not to discuss all that is happening. 147 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:29,440 See the Bible is full of information and 80 plus percent of the Bible is stories, true 148 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:33,840 stories that can impact and change our lives. 149 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:37,920 But for so many people in the church, they miss the context. 150 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:41,920 They miss the meaning because they're not willing to do the work. 151 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:43,640 They don't understand who wrote it. 152 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:46,400 They don't understand who it was written to. 153 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,720 They don't understand why it was even written. 154 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:53,640 The miracles, the healings, the acceptance gets so much better. 155 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:57,840 It overwhelms us when we understand these truths. 156 00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:03,840 So don't just post the scripture on your social media account, which is a good thing to do. 157 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:06,840 Learn and understand what you are posting. 158 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:09,520 Apply it to your life. 159 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:11,220 So let's tear this apart. 160 00:10:11,220 --> 00:10:17,020 To Jesus, he's at a dinner party with a Pharisee, a religious leader, and suddenly a woman that 161 00:10:17,020 --> 00:10:23,160 many scholars believe is a prostitute finds herself at the feet of Jesus washing his feet 162 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:25,980 with her tears and a rare perfume. 163 00:10:25,980 --> 00:10:30,960 Now please understand many women and children that were prostitutes during this time of 164 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:37,360 history were actually what we now call sex trafficking victims, right? 165 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:41,720 The reason for this is Rome had gone broke. 166 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:46,240 They had gone broke from all the wars and all the government spending on buildings. 167 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:50,880 And in order for them to continue to just have an army, which was the most barbaric 168 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:56,480 army in the history of the world, they allowed their soldiers to make war against any people 169 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:57,980 group they wanted. 170 00:10:57,980 --> 00:11:02,760 In return, the soldiers were given the right to keep the spoils of their victories, the 171 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:08,200 flocks of the people, their gold, their women and their children because Rome could not 172 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:10,480 pay the men in their ranks. 173 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:15,840 Historians, not Christian historians, historians will tell you that many of the women during 174 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:21,220 this time in the ancient Near East who sold their bodies, who were in prostitution, did 175 00:11:21,220 --> 00:11:22,840 not choose to do so. 176 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:24,880 They didn't want to be in that profession. 177 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:27,880 They were forced to do so. 178 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:34,200 Today, the same is true for many women and children all around the world, even in our 179 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,160 own state. 180 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:44,320 Now how does this woman who is a immoral prostitute and forgotten and outcast within society, 181 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:47,960 how does she end up the house of a wealthy religious leader? 182 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:55,400 Now some pastors teach that, oh, she knew her way there insinuating that Simon had regular 183 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:56,860 interactions with this woman. 184 00:11:56,860 --> 00:11:57,960 That is not true. 185 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:00,800 That is not what the Bible says. 186 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:03,080 That is something that pastors make up. 187 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:05,080 So picture Jesus, right? 188 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:06,600 He's not sitting. 189 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:14,040 He's leaning on a table with his left hip and elbow with a group of wealthy influencers, 190 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:15,560 all men, no women. 191 00:12:15,560 --> 00:12:17,120 Their tables were low. 192 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,320 Picture a modern day table and a coffee table. 193 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:25,360 They happen to love each other, get married and have children, and that's what they birthed. 194 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:30,080 This small table where the men are leaning against it, sitting, talking, and it's important 195 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:37,280 to understand this because as they're sitting at the table, their feet are as far away from 196 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:46,400 the table as possible because their feet were unclean, both ceremonially unclean and literally 197 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:48,720 because they did not wear shoes, right? 198 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:49,920 They were slippers. 199 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,100 They walked in dirt and sand. 200 00:12:52,100 --> 00:12:54,920 Their feet were literally filthy. 201 00:12:54,920 --> 00:13:00,040 So as they're having dinner, which would have been outside, not in the house, outside on 202 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:05,920 a patio in the ancient Near East, many patios are outside because of the cooler temperatures 203 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:07,600 in the evening. 204 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:10,000 So they're outside of the house. 205 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:14,600 And what typically happened was as they're having dinner, especially when Jesus rolls 206 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:19,160 in for dinner, people from the city would have gathered around the patio because they 207 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:21,280 wanted to eavesdrop. 208 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:23,880 Everywhere Jesus went, he drew what? 209 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:24,880 Crows. 210 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:26,360 People followed him. 211 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:30,280 So he's sitting here having this conversation with these religious leaders, with these men 212 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:35,140 of influence, and it creates a lot of buzz everywhere, right? 213 00:13:35,140 --> 00:13:41,040 This group of people included this woman, a sinner in the city who was already being 214 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:43,660 criticized and judged just for being there. 215 00:13:43,660 --> 00:13:47,120 Like the people on the outside of the patio would have been like looking down at her, making 216 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,040 fun of her, telling her to get lost. 217 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:59,160 But this woman was so compelled by the nearness of Jesus's feet, not Jesus, his feet, that 218 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:05,720 she literally crawls into the patio area and begins to wash Jesus's feet with their tears 219 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,280 and expensive perfume. 220 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:13,800 Now please understand this woman already an outcast because of her reputation and profession. 221 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:22,440 Now this woman had the audacity to let down her hair and wash Jesus's feet with her hair. 222 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:23,920 Why is this important? 223 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:28,080 Because in that culture, this was a big no-no, right? 224 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:34,920 In Jewish culture, women only let their hair down when they were intimate with their husband. 225 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:37,340 Every other time it was up. 226 00:14:37,340 --> 00:14:42,880 And this Pharisee literally was exploding inside of himself. 227 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:45,440 He wanted to jump out of his skin. 228 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:48,840 And in his mind, he's thinking, who is this teacher? 229 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:50,000 Why? 230 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:53,840 Why would he let this woman touch his feet? 231 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:58,520 But Jesus, of course, we learned because we just read it, knows his thoughts, calls him 232 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:00,920 out and tells the story. 233 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:05,000 Well, there are two people who owe the lender a lot of money and the lender cancels both 234 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:06,000 the debts. 235 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:07,920 One of those people owed a thousand dollars. 236 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:10,480 The other owed a million dollars. 237 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:13,500 Each of these two will be more grateful. 238 00:15:13,500 --> 00:15:19,360 And the Pharisee says, well, the one with the larger debt, obviously, but the beauty 239 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:25,160 of Jesus, he flips the scripts, looks back at Simon and says, you did nothing for me 240 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:27,620 when I showed up at your house. 241 00:15:27,620 --> 00:15:29,260 You didn't wash my feet. 242 00:15:29,260 --> 00:15:31,100 You didn't greet me with a kiss. 243 00:15:31,100 --> 00:15:32,920 You didn't acknowledge my presence. 244 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:41,600 But this woman, this woman, whom all of you have judged, whom all of you have thrown out, 245 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:52,360 whom all of you didn't even see, hasn't stopped kissing my feet and washing my feet with her 246 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:53,360 hair. 247 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:59,200 See, church, there's a big difference between a fan and a follower of Jesus. 248 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:04,160 And that difference is intimacy and closeness. 249 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:08,920 See, this woman did not care what people thought. 250 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:11,400 She didn't care what the people were saying. 251 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:18,440 She only cared about Jesus, the one who could set her free. 252 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:22,240 This was worship for her. 253 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:24,360 This was her outpouring. 254 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:31,080 But for so many of us, we live in the US, we're in the American church, we can't raise 255 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:36,000 our hands in worship because I don't know who my neighbor is. 256 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,680 What are they going to think about me? 257 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:40,920 We can't share about Jesus with us. 258 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:45,520 And invite card, Chris, you expect me to invite someone to church? 259 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:49,240 Well, that's not appropriate at work or school. 260 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:57,320 What if people knew that I went to that church, that hippie church? 261 00:16:57,320 --> 00:17:07,640 I might as well get fired. 262 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:16,180 Intimacy with Jesus begins with humility and gratitude. 263 00:17:16,180 --> 00:17:20,600 Do you remember what it was like before Jesus? 264 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:26,640 I don't know about you, but I was miserable. 265 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:29,840 Every day that I woke up, it was miserable. 266 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:33,880 I had no point, no purpose. 267 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:36,800 I was trying to numb the pain. 268 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:44,040 Do you remember how kind and loving Jesus was when we didn't believe? 269 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:46,800 When we worried only about ourselves? 270 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:53,800 When we would hurt others by making fun of them or judging them because of their choices? 271 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:58,800 So this morning, are you willing to kiss his feet? 272 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:06,360 And this is important to ask because servanthood begins with closeness. 273 00:18:06,360 --> 00:18:09,240 Servanthood begins with closeness. 274 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:15,360 Now later in Luke's gospel, it is recorded that Jesus eagerly desired to share a Passover 275 00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:19,000 meal with his disciples before he would go on to suffer and die. 276 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:27,080 Jesus knew that in his last 24 hours, here it is, he would suffer, he would be crucified, 277 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:31,360 and the one thing he desired was to gather his disciples together, his friends, his extended 278 00:18:31,360 --> 00:18:34,600 family and celebrate Passover together. 279 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:39,920 So Jesus sent his disciples ahead to find a room to prepare a meal so they could share 280 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:41,900 the Passover celebration. 281 00:18:41,900 --> 00:18:44,880 But it didn't quite turn out the way Jesus expected. 282 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:49,800 A fight broke out amongst the disciples arguing who would be the greatest in the kingdom of 283 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:51,200 heaven. 284 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:56,160 Then Jesus had to approach Peter and explain to him, hey, hey, you may be the rock, but 285 00:18:56,160 --> 00:18:58,700 you're going to disown me three times. 286 00:18:58,700 --> 00:19:04,600 We also read that at this very meal, the thought came to Judas to betray Jesus. 287 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:09,920 So these final hours, this final meal wasn't turning out as Jesus expected. 288 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:12,600 And I'm sure many of us can relate. 289 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:16,000 How many of you experienced something similar to that at a family meal? 290 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:18,000 Just gets a little awkward, right? 291 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,840 That wasn't supposed to happen. 292 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:27,980 Jesus, in this moment, he had to be frustrated because all he was trying to do was receive 293 00:19:27,980 --> 00:19:33,360 encouragement and gather with his people before he would go on to experience pain and suffering 294 00:19:33,360 --> 00:19:35,880 unlike no other. 295 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:43,480 It seems it would have been okay for Jesus to slam his fist on the table and say, this 296 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:45,480 is ridiculous. 297 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:48,080 Get it together. 298 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:54,960 It would have been okay for Jesus to walk away, to be by himself, to look for solitude 299 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:57,080 and peace in these last hours. 300 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:02,040 But Jesus does something in this situation that's totally unexpected. 301 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:07,640 Unexpected because he's a rabbi, unexpected because he was a teacher, unexpected for his 302 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:08,640 disciples. 303 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:17,240 Jesus gets up, takes off his outer clothing, wraps a towel around his waist, kneels down 304 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:21,240 and begins to wash the disciples feet. 305 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:25,400 Something no one would ever expect Jesus to do. 306 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:31,200 Why would Jesus get down and serve his disciples by washing their feet? 307 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:35,960 Because Jesus knew that if he humbled his heart, if he humbled himself, it would open 308 00:20:35,960 --> 00:20:41,600 the doorway to his heart so the father could release his power and sustain Jesus during 309 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:44,600 the suffering he was about to walk through. 310 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:49,640 Jesus knew that if he walked away and became proud, he would not be able to receive all 311 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:52,600 that the father had in store for him. 312 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:56,960 See when we serve others, God serves us. 313 00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:58,960 When we serve others, God serves us. 314 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:04,680 Jesus knew that if he served his disciples, his father would serve him with all the strength 315 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:10,320 that was needed to sacrifice himself for the sins of the world. 316 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:15,000 Friends when we decide not to be frustrated, not to be angry, not to be disappointed, not 317 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:22,320 to walk away, when we decide not to hold on to unforgiveness, God serves us. 318 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:24,440 Which leads us to our next thought. 319 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:30,300 When we serve others, God releases his favor. 320 00:21:30,300 --> 00:21:35,280 Now we're going to jump into the Gospel of John chapter 13 verses 15 through 17. 321 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:38,920 We read, I have given you an example to follow. 322 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:41,040 Do as I have done to you. 323 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:45,680 I told you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master, nor is the messenger more 324 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,340 important than the one who sends the message. 325 00:21:48,340 --> 00:21:56,240 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. 326 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:59,540 God will bless you if you serve others. 327 00:21:59,540 --> 00:22:04,960 If we serve others, God will serve us. 328 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:12,320 Friends this is good news. 329 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:21,420 For some of you. 330 00:22:21,420 --> 00:22:25,160 God gives us his blessing when we serve others. 331 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:28,740 Now I know some of you are thinking, well Chris, shouldn't I serve someone without expecting 332 00:22:28,740 --> 00:22:31,020 a blessing? 333 00:22:31,020 --> 00:22:34,080 Shouldn't I serve someone without expecting anything in return? 334 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:36,260 Yes, yes you should. 335 00:22:36,260 --> 00:22:41,480 But what is even better is Jesus telling us that we're going to be blessed with God's 336 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:43,900 favor when we do it. 337 00:22:43,900 --> 00:22:46,560 So should we do it without expecting any return? 338 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:51,040 Yes, but we get something in return, so why not celebrate it? 339 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:54,360 When we serve others, God blesses us spiritually. 340 00:22:54,360 --> 00:22:55,860 He blesses our relationships. 341 00:22:55,860 --> 00:22:56,860 He blesses us physically. 342 00:22:56,860 --> 00:22:58,520 He blesses us financially. 343 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:07,000 Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and he will meet all our needs. 344 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:08,260 All our needs. 345 00:23:08,260 --> 00:23:13,340 So when we seek his kingdom first, we automatically become a blessing to the people within our 346 00:23:13,340 --> 00:23:15,380 sphere of influence. 347 00:23:15,380 --> 00:23:21,320 When I receive my blessing, that results in the blessing for others like my wife and children. 348 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:26,040 My blessing, when I receive it in serving, it results in the blessing of my neighbors 349 00:23:26,040 --> 00:23:32,400 and my co-workers and in our community of faith and our greater outward community. 350 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,400 What could be better than receiving God's blessing on your life? 351 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:38,000 Is there anything better? 352 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,000 I can't think of anything. 353 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:43,600 Well, Chris, where's the example of this in the Bible? 354 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:45,480 Let me tell you. 355 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:48,340 There's this guy named Joseph in the Old Testament. 356 00:23:48,340 --> 00:23:49,440 You can read all about his story. 357 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:51,320 It's in the book of Genesis this week. 358 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:53,560 Add it to Luke and Acts. 359 00:23:53,560 --> 00:23:58,000 Man, you got a lot of homework today. 360 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:02,240 You will quickly learn that Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. 361 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:08,080 He had every right to be frustrated, angry, and disappointed his life was over. 362 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:15,520 But Joseph chose to serve and he received God's favor and blessing on his life. 363 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:18,040 Joseph was purchased by Potiphar and became his house manager. 364 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:20,160 We read this in Genesis 39. 365 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:27,560 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home 366 00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:29,160 of his Egyptian master. 367 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:33,480 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in 368 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:35,800 everything he did. 369 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:40,320 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant, putting him in charge 370 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:48,880 of his entire household and everything he owned because he chose to serve. 371 00:24:48,880 --> 00:24:52,800 Joseph would then be falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, thrown into prison. 372 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:57,640 I don't know about you, but if that happened to me, I'd be upset. 373 00:24:57,640 --> 00:24:58,640 I'd be angry. 374 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:01,520 I'd be disappointed. 375 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:04,520 Joseph once again chose to serve. 376 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:08,400 He received God's favor and became a leader in the prison where he got an audience of 377 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:11,160 one before Pharaoh. 378 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:15,040 Now Joseph could have been angry with Pharaoh after all. 379 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:21,360 This was the guy that led the country, that was enslaving his people and destroying families' 380 00:25:21,360 --> 00:25:22,360 lives. 381 00:25:22,360 --> 00:25:24,560 But once again, he chose to serve. 382 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:30,400 And once again, he received God's blessing and became second in command over all of Egypt, 383 00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:34,400 saved his family, saved his people because of the blessing that was on his life. 384 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:40,320 When we serve others, God releases his favor, his blessing on us. 385 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:47,520 I paused this week and I began to reflect on the past 19 years. 386 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:48,840 And I thought about my children. 387 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:51,880 For the last 19 years, I have six children. 388 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:57,120 For those of you who don't know, my children have served with Jess and I in this church 389 00:25:57,120 --> 00:25:58,960 since the very beginning. 390 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:04,920 You know, on Sunday morning when I elbow them at 715, hey, it's time to roll. 391 00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:12,340 They have faithfully gotten up, eaten their breakfast, gotten their showers, and faithfully 392 00:26:12,340 --> 00:26:15,400 came to serve with us. 393 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:17,040 Now here's the crazy thing. 394 00:26:17,040 --> 00:26:21,860 As I pondered all of this, I began to realize all of my children, or at least the first 395 00:26:21,860 --> 00:26:28,960 five, they've received, you'll hear me out, hear me out. 396 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:33,160 All of my children, the first five, have all received the best education in the tri-state 397 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:34,160 area. 398 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:40,240 They attend a high school, a private boarding high school that costs $48,000 a year to send 399 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:41,620 them. 400 00:26:41,620 --> 00:26:44,600 Do you think I can afford to pay that? 401 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:47,920 Everyone just say, no. 402 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:49,800 I can afford to pay that. 403 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:56,760 In fact, I didn't pay that, but God's favor has allowed my first five children to attend 404 00:26:56,760 --> 00:27:01,560 a school, be successful, and be challenged to be their best. 405 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:04,120 My oldest son, Isaac, he's an engineer. 406 00:27:04,120 --> 00:27:06,240 He's smarter than I'll ever be. 407 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:10,760 He does things with numbers and designs things that I don't even understand, but he does 408 00:27:10,760 --> 00:27:15,480 it because he just loves math and he loves people and he's got such a beautiful sweet 409 00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:18,040 spirit. 410 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:22,240 My second, Trinity, she's an incredible athlete. 411 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:25,200 She's a professional athlete. 412 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:31,420 This past summer, she spent her entire summer in Texas playing professional softball, right? 413 00:27:31,420 --> 00:27:34,540 Because she is just talented and gifted. 414 00:27:34,540 --> 00:27:37,560 My third child, Zoe, she will graduate in December. 415 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:39,600 And you know what Zoe's going to do? 416 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:42,180 She's going to serve kids. 417 00:27:42,180 --> 00:27:46,700 She's going to be a teacher and she may become a special ed teacher. 418 00:27:46,700 --> 00:27:50,780 And she just wants to serve kids and see them grow and change. 419 00:27:50,780 --> 00:27:55,920 Now I have this other little daughter named Lily, and she's not so little anymore. 420 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:57,400 She's 17. 421 00:27:57,400 --> 00:27:59,540 She's an accomplished softball player. 422 00:27:59,540 --> 00:28:09,220 And last week she got offered a full ride, all expenses paid to her dream school in Florida. 423 00:28:09,220 --> 00:28:18,280 She will not pay one cent for her university experience because she's committed and she's 424 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:20,940 all in to do the things she wants to do. 425 00:28:20,940 --> 00:28:22,680 And then I have this little guy named Nolan. 426 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:23,680 He's not little anymore. 427 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:24,840 He's actually taller than me. 428 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:26,360 He's 14 years old. 429 00:28:26,360 --> 00:28:31,960 He's thriving at St. James and sees himself as the senior prefect by the time he's senior 430 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:34,720 because he just loves doing what he does. 431 00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:38,340 And then there's this other good little guy and he's four years old and his name's Phoenix. 432 00:28:38,340 --> 00:28:42,920 And he's really fast. 433 00:28:42,920 --> 00:28:43,920 He's really fast. 434 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:53,960 And if you could pray for us raising him, we need all the help we can get. 435 00:28:53,960 --> 00:28:57,480 Now I'm not saying these things to say, hey, look at my kids. 436 00:28:57,480 --> 00:28:58,640 Look how great they are. 437 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:01,680 Look at the great dad that I am and the Jess is an incredible mom. 438 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:03,640 I'm not saying that to say this to you. 439 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:05,440 This is what I'm saying. 440 00:29:05,440 --> 00:29:11,280 Over the last 19 years, my family has served this church. 441 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:13,960 We have served the tri-state area. 442 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:15,020 We serve you. 443 00:29:15,020 --> 00:29:16,200 We clean toilets. 444 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:17,480 We cook food. 445 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:18,520 We paint walls. 446 00:29:18,520 --> 00:29:24,580 We do what is ever necessary to make this place your home so that you're welcomed into 447 00:29:24,580 --> 00:29:27,280 it and you experience God's love. 448 00:29:27,280 --> 00:29:37,760 And in return, my family is reaping the blessings of serving. 449 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:41,140 So if you look around and you say, well, that's not happening with my family. 450 00:29:41,140 --> 00:29:45,280 Look in the mirror and say, oh, I'm not serving. 451 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:46,880 That's the challenge. 452 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:55,220 When we serve others, we receive God's blessing, his favor on our lives, which leads us to 453 00:29:55,220 --> 00:29:56,220 our next thought. 454 00:29:56,220 --> 00:29:59,820 When we serve others, God gives us his purpose. 455 00:29:59,820 --> 00:30:05,480 Back to John chapter 13 verses three through four, Jesus knew that the father had given 456 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:09,880 him authority over everything that he had come from God and would return to God. 457 00:30:09,880 --> 00:30:14,600 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist and 458 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:16,600 began to serve. 459 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:19,560 Jesus knew he came from the father. 460 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:22,880 Jesus knew that he was empowered by the father. 461 00:30:22,880 --> 00:30:26,840 Jesus knew that one day he would return to the father. 462 00:30:26,840 --> 00:30:28,480 Jesus had purpose in his heart. 463 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:29,480 And what did he do? 464 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:30,480 He lived it out. 465 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:32,720 He served his disciples to the very end. 466 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:37,760 Remember church, this is his last 24 hours. 467 00:30:37,760 --> 00:30:43,520 And when we serve, we receive God's purpose, not just any purpose, not just any goal, not 468 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:45,160 just any idea. 469 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:50,320 God gives us his purpose because we will not be fulfilled by simply doing the things that 470 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:51,840 we love to do. 471 00:30:51,840 --> 00:30:55,640 We will not be fulfilled by being around the people we love to be with. 472 00:30:55,640 --> 00:31:00,080 We won't be fulfilled by being someone unique and standing out in the crowd. 473 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:04,960 We will experience true fulfillment when we serve. 474 00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:05,960 How do I know that? 475 00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:10,320 Matthew 22, Jesus replied, you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your 476 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:11,960 soul or your mind. 477 00:31:11,960 --> 00:31:14,120 And the second is equally important. 478 00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:16,960 Love your neighbor as yourself. 479 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:19,520 We love God and we love others. 480 00:31:19,520 --> 00:31:23,040 God's purpose for our life is to then serve. 481 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:29,000 We will find ourselves excited and passionate about life when we're serving other people. 482 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:35,280 Just a couple of hours after this meal, Jesus, in his final hours, we find him in the garden 483 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:36,280 of Gethsemane. 484 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:42,240 And while in the garden, he's sweating blood, he's pleading with his father in heaven to 485 00:31:42,240 --> 00:31:44,240 get him out of this situation. 486 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:46,240 He's just struggling. 487 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:47,400 He doesn't have the words. 488 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:52,200 And then in Matthew 27, it says, Jesus called out in a loud voice, my God, my God, why have 489 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:54,600 you abandoned me? 490 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:58,240 It's almost as if the situation before, right? 491 00:31:58,240 --> 00:32:03,040 When Jesus was washing the disciples feet while he was serving them, it opened this 492 00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:07,380 door into his heart so that he can receive strength. 493 00:32:07,380 --> 00:32:12,240 He can receive supernatural power to sustain him for the upcoming suffering that he was 494 00:32:12,240 --> 00:32:15,000 about to walk through for you and I. 495 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:20,640 A humble heart opens up the doorway for God's strength and his supernatural power to fill 496 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:21,960 our life. 497 00:32:21,960 --> 00:32:24,640 When we serve others, God gives us what? 498 00:32:24,640 --> 00:32:25,640 His purpose. 499 00:32:25,640 --> 00:32:28,560 He gives us his purpose. 500 00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:32,800 You know, I think about all the people that serve in our community of faith. 501 00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:38,160 You know, I go, the reason you can hear me talking is because Donnie and John Early, 502 00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:42,920 they're back, they're faithfully serving and making music and producing sound so that 503 00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:47,120 you can hear it so that people on the live stream can hear it. 504 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:48,120 Right? 505 00:32:48,120 --> 00:32:49,120 I think about Len and Lisa Rona. 506 00:32:49,120 --> 00:32:54,160 They faithfully serve you by preparing a meal every single Thursday for a free community 507 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:55,160 dinner every Thursday night. 508 00:32:55,160 --> 00:32:57,360 All you gotta do is show up and eat. 509 00:32:57,360 --> 00:32:58,720 God bless them. 510 00:32:58,720 --> 00:32:59,720 Right? 511 00:32:59,720 --> 00:33:00,840 They're walking in that. 512 00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:03,040 I think about all the new growth groups that just launched. 513 00:33:03,040 --> 00:33:04,840 I think about, I think about Parker. 514 00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:11,880 He's launching a group for our recovery people and addicts, you know, define freedom. 515 00:33:11,880 --> 00:33:16,720 Like if you're struggling with an addiction or some sort of habit, see Parker because 516 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:17,840 he wants to serve you. 517 00:33:17,840 --> 00:33:19,680 He wants you to be free. 518 00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:20,680 Right? 519 00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:23,480 I think about Tracy, who is on my staff. 520 00:33:23,480 --> 00:33:25,720 You're like, well, of course she's getting paid to do that. 521 00:33:25,720 --> 00:33:26,720 Yes, she is. 522 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:27,720 But you know something? 523 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:32,080 Tracy organizes all of our events that make a difference here in our community of faith. 524 00:33:32,080 --> 00:33:33,080 Right? 525 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:37,880 She walks in her purpose and she does an incredible job at it because guess what? 526 00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:40,320 I have no clue what to do. 527 00:33:40,320 --> 00:33:44,840 I was at a wedding last night and someone came up to me and said, Hey Chris, I'm, I 528 00:33:44,840 --> 00:33:49,680 was talking to Tracy and she said I was going to be the MC for the run for the run for freedom. 529 00:33:49,680 --> 00:33:50,680 When am I going to MC? 530 00:33:50,680 --> 00:33:52,600 I look back at him and say, I have no clue. 531 00:33:52,600 --> 00:33:53,600 Ask her. 532 00:33:53,600 --> 00:33:55,760 I have no clue what you're going to announce. 533 00:33:55,760 --> 00:33:56,760 Right? 534 00:33:56,760 --> 00:33:57,760 That's not my gifting. 535 00:33:57,760 --> 00:34:00,040 That's not what I'm called to do. 536 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:01,900 That's what Tracy's called to do. 537 00:34:01,900 --> 00:34:05,680 But the point is when you serve, you find purpose, which leads us to our final thought. 538 00:34:05,680 --> 00:34:07,560 And this is important for some of you. 539 00:34:07,560 --> 00:34:13,200 When we serve others, God breaks the power of the enemy over us. 540 00:34:13,200 --> 00:34:15,080 So everyone see that? 541 00:34:15,080 --> 00:34:16,920 There's so many people in the church today. 542 00:34:16,920 --> 00:34:18,120 They're sitting there struggling. 543 00:34:18,120 --> 00:34:20,400 They're saying, I don't understand why I can't catch a break. 544 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:21,400 I'm always being tempted. 545 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:22,520 I'm constantly in sin. 546 00:34:22,520 --> 00:34:24,720 I constantly fall back into sin. 547 00:34:24,720 --> 00:34:27,160 Why is it so hard, Chris, to follow Jesus? 548 00:34:27,160 --> 00:34:29,000 You know why it's hard to follow Jesus? 549 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:31,620 Because you're not serving. 550 00:34:31,620 --> 00:34:38,400 When we serve, when we serve, God breaks the power of the enemy over us. 551 00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:39,400 How do I know that? 552 00:34:39,400 --> 00:34:45,440 Back to John chapter 13, verse two, it was time for supper and the devil had already 553 00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:49,500 prompted Judas, son of Simon and Scarey, to betray Jesus. 554 00:34:49,500 --> 00:34:55,840 Can you imagine what Jesus is going through at this point? 555 00:34:55,840 --> 00:35:00,440 There was frustration with the disciples arguing with one another over who would be the greatest. 556 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:01,840 Like who cares? 557 00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:06,720 He had to speak to Peter about his upcoming denial that he would do three times. 558 00:35:06,720 --> 00:35:10,040 And now he knows that Judas is about to betray him. 559 00:35:10,040 --> 00:35:11,520 What does Jesus do? 560 00:35:11,520 --> 00:35:13,360 Jesus, you know what he does? 561 00:35:13,360 --> 00:35:15,460 He picks up a towel. 562 00:35:15,460 --> 00:35:23,880 He takes off his outer garments, lets loose the towel, wraps it around his waist, kneels 563 00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:31,760 down and begins to wash the disciples feet. 564 00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:33,640 Wash the disciples feet. 565 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:39,760 Now picture this, this master, this teacher, the son of God, he healed the sick, raised 566 00:35:39,760 --> 00:35:45,280 the dead, cleansed the lepers, challenged the Pharisees, walked on water, calmed the 567 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:46,360 storm. 568 00:35:46,360 --> 00:35:53,820 This man comes to his disciples, kneels before them and begins to wash their feet. 569 00:35:53,820 --> 00:35:56,440 He removes their sandals. 570 00:35:56,440 --> 00:36:04,560 He takes a washcloth and he begins to wash away the dirt, the sand, a hard day's work 571 00:36:04,560 --> 00:36:05,920 off their feet. 572 00:36:05,920 --> 00:36:09,720 Not just quickly, but thoroughly. 573 00:36:09,720 --> 00:36:14,400 Not just one foot, but both feet. 574 00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:16,960 Imagine not just one disciple. 575 00:36:16,960 --> 00:36:20,800 He starts with Andrew, he kneels down, he washes both his feet. 576 00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:22,300 He moves to Bartholomew. 577 00:36:22,300 --> 00:36:23,300 He kneels down. 578 00:36:23,300 --> 00:36:25,400 He washes their feet. 579 00:36:25,400 --> 00:36:30,560 Then Thomas and then he comes to Judas. 580 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:32,520 Judas. 581 00:36:32,520 --> 00:36:38,920 And in this moment, he knew that not only is Judas going to betray him, he also knows 582 00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:42,840 that Judas knows he's going to betray him. 583 00:36:42,840 --> 00:36:45,960 And what does Jesus choose to do? 584 00:36:45,960 --> 00:36:49,520 Wash Judas' feet. 585 00:36:49,520 --> 00:36:52,200 He takes off his sandals. 586 00:36:52,200 --> 00:36:58,040 He wipes off the sand and the dirt and the grime, serving him so well. 587 00:36:58,040 --> 00:37:01,520 Why would Jesus serve Judas so well? 588 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:08,620 Because Jesus knew that if he served Judas, it would break the power of the enemy over 589 00:37:08,620 --> 00:37:09,620 him. 590 00:37:09,620 --> 00:37:16,680 And see, if we serve others, God breaks the power of the enemy over us. 591 00:37:16,680 --> 00:37:23,200 Jesus knew that if he served Judas, frustration could not take a hold of his heart. 592 00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:28,640 Jesus knew that if he served Judas, there would not be a seed of resentment placed in 593 00:37:28,640 --> 00:37:32,880 his heart, planted in his thoughts that would have lasted. 594 00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:35,920 The enemy had no hold over him. 595 00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:41,960 And that is why Jesus chose to serve Judas. 596 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:44,580 Here's the reality, church. 597 00:37:44,580 --> 00:37:53,480 When we pick up a towel and a sword, we have the sword in one hand and the towel in the 598 00:37:53,480 --> 00:37:54,480 other. 599 00:37:54,480 --> 00:38:01,060 And I don't know about you, but that's the situation I find myself in daily. 600 00:38:01,060 --> 00:38:04,680 How am I going to respond when someone cuts me off? 601 00:38:04,680 --> 00:38:08,640 How am I going to respond when someone's smart and rude to me? 602 00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:13,880 How am I going to respond when it doesn't seem like there's enough money? 603 00:38:13,880 --> 00:38:15,400 How am I going to respond? 604 00:38:15,400 --> 00:38:19,120 See, when I get frustrated, what do we use? 605 00:38:19,120 --> 00:38:20,320 The sword. 606 00:38:20,320 --> 00:38:22,580 We lash out with rude comments. 607 00:38:22,580 --> 00:38:24,040 We tear people down. 608 00:38:24,040 --> 00:38:28,780 We post stuff on social media that has absolutely no point. 609 00:38:28,780 --> 00:38:30,840 It's like, I want to serve. 610 00:38:30,840 --> 00:38:39,200 I want to do the right thing, but I'm not able to use the towel because I have the sword 611 00:38:39,200 --> 00:38:43,120 in one hand and the towel in the other. 612 00:38:43,120 --> 00:38:53,720 See, to truly serve others, we have to lay down the sword and use both hands on the towel. 613 00:38:53,720 --> 00:39:01,060 We have to get down on our knees lower than everyone else and serve them and show them 614 00:39:01,060 --> 00:39:02,560 God's love. 615 00:39:02,560 --> 00:39:08,960 We have to let go of the sword because the enemy has no power over us when we're serving 616 00:39:08,960 --> 00:39:11,500 with both hands on the towel. 617 00:39:11,500 --> 00:39:13,920 No power. 618 00:39:13,920 --> 00:39:21,600 Hours later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas came back to Jesus and the other disciples. 619 00:39:21,600 --> 00:39:27,040 And when he came back with the soldiers and religious leaders, Peter, he laid down the 620 00:39:27,040 --> 00:39:32,740 towel and he took up the sword. 621 00:39:32,740 --> 00:39:36,180 And we all know that Peter wasn't serving. 622 00:39:36,180 --> 00:39:37,620 He was angry. 623 00:39:37,620 --> 00:39:39,280 He was frustrated. 624 00:39:39,280 --> 00:39:41,800 He was disappointed, and we read in John 18. 625 00:39:41,800 --> 00:39:48,000 Then Simon Peter drew the sword, slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest's 626 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:49,000 slave. 627 00:39:49,000 --> 00:39:52,520 But Jesus said to Peter, put your sword back into its sheath. 628 00:39:52,520 --> 00:39:57,840 Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me? 629 00:39:57,840 --> 00:40:02,680 We all know that Peter goes on to disown Jesus how many times? 630 00:40:02,680 --> 00:40:03,980 Three. 631 00:40:03,980 --> 00:40:05,560 Just like Jesus said he would do. 632 00:40:05,560 --> 00:40:10,240 Jesus, of course, goes to the cross, dies, is buried, and then resurrected. 633 00:40:10,240 --> 00:40:15,840 And then after the resurrection, Peter and Jesus have a reconciliation, a conversation 634 00:40:15,840 --> 00:40:16,840 together. 635 00:40:16,840 --> 00:40:19,520 Peter, he'd already left the ministry. 636 00:40:19,520 --> 00:40:20,680 He walked away. 637 00:40:20,680 --> 00:40:23,400 He returned to his job as a fisherman. 638 00:40:23,400 --> 00:40:27,640 He was believing that that's what he would do for the rest of his life. 639 00:40:27,640 --> 00:40:34,280 But while Peter was fishing, he hears that Jesus is on the shore. 640 00:40:34,280 --> 00:40:38,120 He jumps from the boat, and he begins to walk and run toward Jesus. 641 00:40:38,120 --> 00:40:40,120 And we read this in John 21. 642 00:40:40,120 --> 00:40:45,200 After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than 643 00:40:45,200 --> 00:40:46,200 these? 644 00:40:46,200 --> 00:40:47,920 Yes, Lord, Peter replied. 645 00:40:47,920 --> 00:40:49,160 You know I love you. 646 00:40:49,160 --> 00:40:52,080 Then feed my lambs, Jesus told him. 647 00:40:52,080 --> 00:40:54,760 Jesus repeated the question, Simon, son of John, do you love me? 648 00:40:54,760 --> 00:40:56,600 Yes, Lord, Peter said. 649 00:40:56,600 --> 00:40:57,600 You know I love you. 650 00:40:57,600 --> 00:40:59,600 Then take care of my sheep, Jesus said. 651 00:40:59,600 --> 00:41:04,520 A third time, he asked him, Simon, son of John, do you love me? 652 00:41:04,520 --> 00:41:08,160 Notice, Peter was hurt. 653 00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:13,120 He's grabbing for the sword again. 654 00:41:13,120 --> 00:41:19,160 Jesus asked the question a third time. 655 00:41:19,160 --> 00:41:20,480 He said, Lord, you know everything. 656 00:41:20,480 --> 00:41:23,120 You know that I love you, Jesus said. 657 00:41:23,120 --> 00:41:25,600 Then feed my sheep. 658 00:41:25,600 --> 00:41:28,480 Why was this conversation so important for Peter? 659 00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:37,120 Because Jesus knew that if Peter would lay down the sword of frustration and disappointment 660 00:41:37,120 --> 00:41:43,560 and anger and pain from the past, and Peter would take up a towel with both hands and 661 00:41:43,560 --> 00:41:47,040 serve others, he would receive God's goodness. 662 00:41:47,040 --> 00:41:50,040 He would receive God's favor and his blessing. 663 00:41:50,040 --> 00:41:55,920 Jesus knew that Peter would walk in his purpose and launch the church, becoming the rock. 664 00:41:55,920 --> 00:42:01,880 And Jesus knew that the power of the enemy would be broken over Peter's life. 665 00:42:01,880 --> 00:42:07,040 If you love me, Peter, feed my sheep. 666 00:42:07,040 --> 00:42:12,200 And today, this morning, Jesus is asking us the same question. 667 00:42:12,200 --> 00:42:16,600 Hey, church, do you love me? 668 00:42:16,600 --> 00:42:20,440 Hey, church, will you get close? 669 00:42:20,440 --> 00:42:24,040 Will you crawl even to his feet? 670 00:42:24,040 --> 00:42:29,040 Will you run to Jesus like Peter first did? 671 00:42:29,040 --> 00:42:35,680 Which leads us to our simple action steps responding to the great commandment church. 672 00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:39,200 We've got to get close to Jesus. 673 00:42:39,200 --> 00:42:42,080 Jesus replied, you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, your 674 00:42:42,080 --> 00:42:43,080 mind. 675 00:42:43,080 --> 00:42:44,160 This is the first and greatest commandment. 676 00:42:44,160 --> 00:42:47,480 What does it look like to love God with our heart, soul, and mind? 677 00:42:47,480 --> 00:42:51,320 Well, Luke 7, she knelt behind him and his feet weeping. 678 00:42:51,320 --> 00:42:54,360 Her tears fell on his feet and she wiped them off with her hair. 679 00:42:54,360 --> 00:42:58,820 Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 680 00:42:58,820 --> 00:43:00,520 We have to get close. 681 00:43:00,520 --> 00:43:02,220 We have to make it personal. 682 00:43:02,220 --> 00:43:06,520 We have to make it real every single day. 683 00:43:06,520 --> 00:43:13,240 There has to be time where you spend with Jesus, where you hang out with Jesus. 684 00:43:13,240 --> 00:43:15,880 And it's not just that one devotional time. 685 00:43:15,880 --> 00:43:18,160 It's 24-7. 686 00:43:18,160 --> 00:43:24,960 Loving God, getting close to Jesus is a heart full of gratitude and thankfulness. 687 00:43:24,960 --> 00:43:28,360 Are you willing to be thankful? 688 00:43:28,360 --> 00:43:34,400 Are you willing to celebrate even in the midst of chaos? 689 00:43:34,400 --> 00:43:36,000 Which leads us to our final step. 690 00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:38,000 I wonder what it is. 691 00:43:38,000 --> 00:43:41,120 Serve others. 692 00:43:41,120 --> 00:43:42,680 A second is equally important. 693 00:43:42,680 --> 00:43:44,320 Love your neighbor as yourself. 694 00:43:44,320 --> 00:43:46,160 How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? 695 00:43:46,160 --> 00:43:48,320 Jesus told us this in John 13. 696 00:43:48,320 --> 00:43:53,640 He says, look, I've given you an example to follow. 697 00:43:53,640 --> 00:43:57,680 Do as I have done. 698 00:43:57,680 --> 00:43:59,880 Do as I have done. 699 00:43:59,880 --> 00:44:02,240 We serve others. 700 00:44:02,240 --> 00:44:03,760 But here's the reality, church. 701 00:44:03,760 --> 00:44:06,480 Many of you right now, you're gathered, you're sitting here. 702 00:44:06,480 --> 00:44:09,000 You're not serving. 703 00:44:09,000 --> 00:44:10,160 You're not serving at HCV. 704 00:44:10,160 --> 00:44:13,400 You're not serving anywhere. 705 00:44:13,400 --> 00:44:21,200 The common percentage of churches is that out of 100% of the people that attend, 20% 706 00:44:21,200 --> 00:44:25,920 usually serve while 80% attend. 707 00:44:25,920 --> 00:44:27,720 Now I don't believe that's the case for HCV. 708 00:44:27,720 --> 00:44:31,800 I think we just have huge numbers of people that serve in the first gathering. 709 00:44:31,800 --> 00:44:40,560 I said, we're somewhere around 38% and 62%. 710 00:44:40,560 --> 00:44:45,320 I don't want to celebrate that. 711 00:44:45,320 --> 00:44:48,640 I don't want to be better than the average church. 712 00:44:48,640 --> 00:44:50,880 I want to be the best. 713 00:44:50,880 --> 00:44:52,680 You know why? 714 00:44:52,680 --> 00:44:55,160 Because I like to win. 715 00:44:55,160 --> 00:44:57,400 I like to win. 716 00:44:57,400 --> 00:45:00,600 And you know, Paul likes to win. 717 00:45:00,600 --> 00:45:02,320 What did Paul tell us? 718 00:45:02,320 --> 00:45:08,400 Did Paul say, hey, be average, come in 20th place? 719 00:45:08,400 --> 00:45:10,040 Did Paul say that? 720 00:45:10,040 --> 00:45:13,320 Paul said, win the race. 721 00:45:13,320 --> 00:45:14,320 Win. 722 00:45:14,320 --> 00:45:20,000 So I want to challenge you. 723 00:45:20,000 --> 00:45:26,880 Are you willing to pick up the towel and lay down the sword? 724 00:45:26,880 --> 00:45:32,400 I'm going to invite out my beautiful wife, Jessica, if you could give her a hand, please. 725 00:45:32,400 --> 00:45:35,600 You're strong, love. 726 00:45:35,600 --> 00:45:36,880 You're strong. 727 00:45:36,880 --> 00:45:42,800 So I am here to tell you about all the ways that you can team up here at HCV. 728 00:45:42,800 --> 00:45:45,440 I teach the team up class, if you guys have attended. 729 00:45:45,440 --> 00:45:50,040 And it's just an opportunity, great opportunity for me to serve you guys. 730 00:45:50,040 --> 00:45:57,120 The reason Chris and I are up here is because God used me in my weaknesses, in my vulnerability, 731 00:45:57,120 --> 00:46:00,120 when I was not perfect, which I'm still not perfect, right? 732 00:46:00,120 --> 00:46:05,280 When I let go of my pride and I just said, OK, God, these people probably don't want 733 00:46:05,280 --> 00:46:06,960 me to pray for them, but there's nobody else. 734 00:46:06,960 --> 00:46:07,960 And so I prayed for them. 735 00:46:07,960 --> 00:46:09,440 And God was able to use me. 736 00:46:09,440 --> 00:46:12,560 And I felt the Holy Spirit move through me, right? 737 00:46:12,560 --> 00:46:14,800 And then I realized I got off of myself. 738 00:46:14,800 --> 00:46:16,880 I got off of my insecurities. 739 00:46:16,880 --> 00:46:18,800 I got off of my things and said, you know what? 740 00:46:18,800 --> 00:46:20,920 I'm going to be vulnerable, right? 741 00:46:20,920 --> 00:46:23,200 And I realized how much God loved me. 742 00:46:23,200 --> 00:46:27,800 And the reason I feel like we don't serve and we don't volunteer is because we are insecure 743 00:46:27,800 --> 00:46:30,320 in who we are in Christ, right? 744 00:46:30,320 --> 00:46:38,200 If we know how much the Father loves us, if we even get a glimpse of it, fear goes away, 745 00:46:38,200 --> 00:46:41,000 shame goes away, guilt goes away, right? 746 00:46:41,000 --> 00:46:45,640 If we can just get a glimpse of how proud your Father is of you, right? 747 00:46:45,640 --> 00:46:47,280 And he wants to use you for his kingdom. 748 00:46:47,280 --> 00:46:52,320 The beautiful thing about God, the beautiful thing about Jesus is he doesn't need us to 749 00:46:52,320 --> 00:46:54,160 make this room full of people, right? 750 00:46:54,160 --> 00:46:59,360 He doesn't need us to do anything, but he chooses to use us to the hands and feet of 751 00:46:59,360 --> 00:47:00,440 Christ, right? 752 00:47:00,440 --> 00:47:05,960 He chooses to use us not for his glory, but for that we can move beyond ourselves. 753 00:47:05,960 --> 00:47:07,680 We can move beyond our circumstances. 754 00:47:07,680 --> 00:47:11,800 We can take this broken vessel I am and I say, okay, I'm going to step out. 755 00:47:11,800 --> 00:47:13,720 I'm going to serve, right? 756 00:47:13,720 --> 00:47:14,720 And God uses me. 757 00:47:14,720 --> 00:47:17,680 And I said, well, maybe I am worth something. 758 00:47:17,680 --> 00:47:20,060 Maybe I can offer a nice word to somebody. 759 00:47:20,060 --> 00:47:22,320 Maybe I can do this, right? 760 00:47:22,320 --> 00:47:27,400 So I feel like we're all walking in a little fear, right, and insecurities, but hey, guess 761 00:47:27,400 --> 00:47:28,400 what? 762 00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:29,400 We're going to do it right. 763 00:47:29,400 --> 00:47:32,440 And we're not going to do it right all the time, but we need your help because we believe 764 00:47:32,440 --> 00:47:34,540 in the process of multiplication, right? 765 00:47:34,540 --> 00:47:37,560 The more of us that are serving, the more of us are telling people about Jesus, the 766 00:47:37,560 --> 00:47:39,280 more of us are doing this, guess what? 767 00:47:39,280 --> 00:47:43,640 The kingdom grows and grows and grows and this world changes, right? 768 00:47:43,640 --> 00:47:47,240 And people change and they start smiling and they start believing in themselves. 769 00:47:47,240 --> 00:47:48,240 And guess what? 770 00:47:48,240 --> 00:47:49,520 Then the drugs disappear. 771 00:47:49,520 --> 00:47:51,680 Then the homelessness disappears. 772 00:47:51,680 --> 00:47:53,360 Then the shootings disappear, right? 773 00:47:53,360 --> 00:47:57,960 It's all reciprocal on us just saying, I'm going to serve because Jesus served. 774 00:47:57,960 --> 00:48:00,440 This is my model and this is what I'm going to do. 775 00:48:00,440 --> 00:48:03,680 So I'm going to show you guys how to sign up if you want. 776 00:48:03,680 --> 00:48:06,220 On the back of your seats is a QR code. 777 00:48:06,220 --> 00:48:08,120 It's also going to be up here on the screen. 778 00:48:08,120 --> 00:48:13,980 If you're joining us from home, you can just go to teamup.hcv.church and you can do that. 779 00:48:13,980 --> 00:48:15,240 So there's a QR code there. 780 00:48:15,240 --> 00:48:19,240 If you scan the QR code on the back of your chairs or up here on the screen, it'll take 781 00:48:19,240 --> 00:48:21,760 you to our link tree. 782 00:48:21,760 --> 00:48:24,540 Our link tree has all the things we're doing, right? 783 00:48:24,540 --> 00:48:27,940 If you're missing communication from us, if you didn't see the things in the email, you 784 00:48:27,940 --> 00:48:29,720 can click onto that link tree. 785 00:48:29,720 --> 00:48:33,360 But at the bottom of the link tree, at the very bottom, you'll click the bottom. 786 00:48:33,360 --> 00:48:35,200 It says, how can I serve at HCV? 787 00:48:35,200 --> 00:48:37,140 And it'll take you to this form. 788 00:48:37,140 --> 00:48:39,080 If you don't have your phones out, that's great. 789 00:48:39,080 --> 00:48:40,080 I love you. 790 00:48:40,080 --> 00:48:43,720 If you don't have your phones out, we have a paper copy of this in the vestibules. 791 00:48:43,720 --> 00:48:46,200 As you leave, you can just grab a form, okay? 792 00:48:46,200 --> 00:48:50,480 And so when you go to this form, it's going to show you ways you can get involved in HCV. 793 00:48:50,480 --> 00:48:54,680 And the reason we at the Vineyard like, we like everybody to play, right? 794 00:48:54,680 --> 00:48:57,160 John Wimber says, we all want everybody to play here. 795 00:48:57,160 --> 00:49:00,080 It doesn't matter if you've been a Christian for two minutes or 20 years. 796 00:49:00,080 --> 00:49:02,360 We all have a place in God's kingdom, right? 797 00:49:02,360 --> 00:49:07,280 Or if you're even just checking out what it's like to follow Jesus, serve anyway, right? 798 00:49:07,280 --> 00:49:08,880 Serve anyway, okay? 799 00:49:08,880 --> 00:49:11,400 So when you click on that link, you can look at our teams. 800 00:49:11,400 --> 00:49:13,800 You fill in your name, and then it has Sunday morning teams. 801 00:49:13,800 --> 00:49:17,480 We've got some new teams that are happening here on Sunday mornings. 802 00:49:17,480 --> 00:49:18,960 We have a clean team. 803 00:49:18,960 --> 00:49:22,780 So in between, how many of us know that we're messy people, right? 804 00:49:22,780 --> 00:49:25,800 So in between services, you might find some trash in your seats. 805 00:49:25,800 --> 00:49:27,200 You might find some stuff. 806 00:49:27,200 --> 00:49:30,900 Sorry, we try to get in there, but we're having a team that comes in in between services and 807 00:49:30,900 --> 00:49:34,760 cleans up the seats, makes everything look as good for second service as it does for 808 00:49:34,760 --> 00:49:35,840 first, right? 809 00:49:35,840 --> 00:49:40,440 So if you want to join that team, you can click on that, and then the organizer or the 810 00:49:40,440 --> 00:49:42,400 team leader will reach out to you. 811 00:49:42,400 --> 00:49:45,480 We also need, we always need help with the kids team. 812 00:49:45,480 --> 00:49:48,440 We always have some special kids that just need some buddies to sit with them. 813 00:49:48,440 --> 00:49:50,680 You know, so if you want to do that, you can. 814 00:49:50,680 --> 00:49:54,160 The transportation team, bringing people to church on Sundays, right? 815 00:49:54,160 --> 00:49:56,600 Bringing people to their things. 816 00:49:56,600 --> 00:49:59,720 And then on the back, we've got some other teams that if you're like, okay, I can't 817 00:49:59,720 --> 00:50:01,480 serve on Sundays, but I can serve during the week. 818 00:50:01,480 --> 00:50:03,420 We have some other opportunities there. 819 00:50:03,420 --> 00:50:07,580 We are looking for people to serve at our Hagerstown Healthcare on Sunday mornings. 820 00:50:07,580 --> 00:50:12,440 There's a team of people that go in at 10 o'clock and just turn on the TV and just worship 821 00:50:12,440 --> 00:50:15,680 with the residents there and just bring our live stream to them. 822 00:50:15,680 --> 00:50:18,880 So if you are available to do that, it's not every week, right? 823 00:50:18,880 --> 00:50:20,640 It's just like once a month, right? 824 00:50:20,640 --> 00:50:24,060 Most of these teams, you serve once a month, one service. 825 00:50:24,060 --> 00:50:25,920 And so we need people to help volunteer with that. 826 00:50:25,920 --> 00:50:29,720 So you can check off nursing home or day ministry team. 827 00:50:29,720 --> 00:50:32,480 We're creating a new group of care callers if you want to do that. 828 00:50:32,480 --> 00:50:36,520 If you'd like to talk on the phone, I know some of you do, right? 829 00:50:36,520 --> 00:50:38,160 You can join the care calling team. 830 00:50:38,160 --> 00:50:40,240 So you can just look at all those opportunities to serve. 831 00:50:40,240 --> 00:50:43,960 We're getting ready to start our angel tree outreach. 832 00:50:43,960 --> 00:50:48,480 And Len and Lisa Rona need people to help reach out to families and just connect with 833 00:50:48,480 --> 00:50:50,880 them so we can figure out what gifts the kids need. 834 00:50:50,880 --> 00:50:53,160 And you can just check prison ministry team on the back. 835 00:50:53,160 --> 00:50:55,680 And they would love to have you join their team. 836 00:50:55,680 --> 00:50:59,440 So those are some good ways you guys can do that. 837 00:50:59,440 --> 00:51:04,480 But I just wanted to pray for you guys because I know that the enemy doesn't want us to be 838 00:51:04,480 --> 00:51:06,260 our best, right? 839 00:51:06,260 --> 00:51:09,000 We don't believe that we've got what it takes, right? 840 00:51:09,000 --> 00:51:10,800 There's all the excuses we can make in the world. 841 00:51:10,800 --> 00:51:11,920 Well, I've got this going on. 842 00:51:11,920 --> 00:51:12,920 I've got this going on. 843 00:51:12,920 --> 00:51:14,440 But you know what? 844 00:51:14,440 --> 00:51:19,660 When we serve, God uses our hands and feet and it's just a beautiful thing, right? 845 00:51:19,660 --> 00:51:23,200 So I'm going to pray for you guys because the first service when I was thinking up here, 846 00:51:23,200 --> 00:51:27,000 I saw people with, you know, they say I want to serve, but it was almost like they've thrown 847 00:51:27,000 --> 00:51:28,000 in the towel. 848 00:51:28,000 --> 00:51:29,440 Like, I've done that before. 849 00:51:29,440 --> 00:51:30,600 No, thank you. 850 00:51:30,600 --> 00:51:34,520 Somebody yelled at me when I was holding the door from and it just wasn't fun, right? 851 00:51:34,520 --> 00:51:37,780 And they've thrown in the towel and they've given up on service or, hey, if they get me 852 00:51:37,780 --> 00:51:39,720 on there, I'm going to have to serve every week. 853 00:51:39,720 --> 00:51:42,400 And there's kids were screaming in my ears and all that kind of stuff. 854 00:51:42,400 --> 00:51:44,000 You know, you've thrown in the towel in service. 855 00:51:44,000 --> 00:51:53,040 But then there's some of you guys that you had the towel over your head and you're like, 856 00:51:53,040 --> 00:51:58,240 I'm just not, I'm just stuck and I'm frozen and I'm afraid. 857 00:51:58,240 --> 00:51:59,920 And so I feel like that's the enemy. 858 00:51:59,920 --> 00:52:00,920 That doesn't come from God. 859 00:52:00,920 --> 00:52:02,400 Fear doesn't come from God. 860 00:52:02,400 --> 00:52:03,720 So I want to pray for you guys. 861 00:52:03,720 --> 00:52:04,720 Okay? 862 00:52:04,720 --> 00:52:05,760 All right. 863 00:52:05,760 --> 00:52:12,480 So Holy Spirit, God, I thank you that you use us. 864 00:52:12,480 --> 00:52:13,480 God. 865 00:52:13,480 --> 00:52:18,360 I thank you that you use our hands and our feet and our words to reach others that are 866 00:52:18,360 --> 00:52:25,040 hurting God, to reach this, to this world, God, to make this world a better place, God, 867 00:52:25,040 --> 00:52:27,440 where your presence and your healing can come, God. 868 00:52:27,440 --> 00:52:30,320 I've seen your miracles happen when people serve, God. 869 00:52:30,320 --> 00:52:35,200 And I just pray right now for every single person in this room who's watching us online, 870 00:52:35,200 --> 00:52:40,640 Lord, I just pray that you would take the towels off their head, God, that you would 871 00:52:40,640 --> 00:52:45,600 let them pick back up the towel with both hands, God, that you would just empower them. 872 00:52:45,600 --> 00:52:51,160 Show them, God, how much you love them and how valuable they are to the kingdom right 873 00:52:51,160 --> 00:52:53,520 now in Jesus' name. 874 00:52:53,520 --> 00:52:54,520 In Jesus' name. 875 00:52:54,520 --> 00:52:55,520 Thank you, Lord. 876 00:52:55,520 --> 00:52:56,520 Amen. 877 00:52:56,520 --> 00:52:57,520 Amen. 878 00:52:57,520 --> 00:53:01,000 There's no impossible. 879 00:53:01,000 --> 00:53:11,160 I believe that you are working now to pour it out. 880 00:53:11,160 --> 00:53:31,560 Oh, pour it out.