WEBVTT 00:00:13.130 --> 00:00:15.970 Welcome to Hub City Vineyard. To get connected 00:00:15.970 --> 00:00:19.949 or to give online, please go to hcv .church .connect 00:00:19.949 --> 00:00:24.269 or hcv .church .give. If at any point during 00:00:24.269 --> 00:00:26.750 this message you feel called to make a change 00:00:26.750 --> 00:00:31.989 in your life, text CHANGEME to 97000. Now enjoy 00:00:31.989 --> 00:00:35.009 the message. How's everybody doing today? Good. 00:00:35.189 --> 00:00:37.210 If you're joining us from home, thank you for 00:00:37.210 --> 00:00:43.740 welcoming us into your space. This is a Sunday 00:00:43.740 --> 00:00:47.600 that you're never prepared for because the events 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:51.500 that took place during the week kind of overshadows 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:55.799 us gathering together to celebrate and worship 00:00:55.799 --> 00:01:01.060 Jesus. It was a difficult week for all of us, 00:01:01.100 --> 00:01:04.939 not just those of us in the church, but for the 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:09.870 country as well. And when the event took place 00:01:09.870 --> 00:01:12.450 on Wednesday, just being honest from a personal 00:01:12.450 --> 00:01:15.189 level, I didn't even know who Charlie Kirk was. 00:01:16.049 --> 00:01:19.849 I've never heard about him. I didn't know about 00:01:19.849 --> 00:01:24.590 his organization, what he did. So I quickly searched 00:01:24.590 --> 00:01:28.629 on YouTube who he was. I wanted to see what was 00:01:28.629 --> 00:01:31.390 happening and what all this chaos was about. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:35.180 And as I watched his videos and his interactions 00:01:35.180 --> 00:01:40.939 with college students, I didn't see anything 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:44.620 evil. I didn't see anything judgmental. I just 00:01:44.620 --> 00:01:48.560 saw interaction with people, discussions with 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:52.200 people about politics, about faith, about our 00:01:52.200 --> 00:01:58.260 society. Nothing threatening. So just the simple 00:01:58.260 --> 00:02:02.159 fact that a man lost his life this week for having 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:05.780 a different opinion is absolutely unacceptable. 00:02:06.700 --> 00:02:10.599 It shouldn't have happened. It shouldn't happen 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:14.000 in our country. It shouldn't happen, I believe, 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:18.620 around the world. I mean, just a man being able 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:21.199 to express his views and what he believes is 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:24.680 one of the principles for which our country was 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:28.389 founded on. And now not only did he lose his 00:02:28.389 --> 00:02:30.270 life, but you have children growing up without 00:02:30.270 --> 00:02:32.669 a father and a wife that doesn't have a husband. 00:02:32.729 --> 00:02:34.969 And then to throw on top of that, there's another 00:02:34.969 --> 00:02:39.669 shooting in Colorado. I mean, my week was full 00:02:39.669 --> 00:02:42.789 of emotion. All this took place on Wednesday. 00:02:42.830 --> 00:02:47.370 Thursday morning was 9 -11. And I had totally 00:02:47.370 --> 00:02:50.990 forgotten that 9 -11 was actually my dad's birthday. 00:02:51.990 --> 00:02:56.039 And my daughter sent me an image of him. you 00:02:56.039 --> 00:02:59.379 know, encouraging us because we lost him three 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:05.639 years ago. It was a week that makes you kind 00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:12.379 of fall back in question. But the most important 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:16.479 thing we can do is not fall back, is not question. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:25.319 I believe God wants his church to stand up. I 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:28.300 believe God desires his church, those of us that 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:31.840 are passionate in love with Jesus, to continue 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:36.599 to not only stand up, but to move forward. Because 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:39.740 Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:43.319 I believe that 100%. And I believe people that 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:45.800 are struggling with sin and doubt and frustration 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:48.539 and negativity and addiction, all can experience 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:54.560 freedom through Jesus. So should we... Have a 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:59.400 broken heart. Absolutely. A man lost his life 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:05.620 for no good reason. But at the same time, we 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:09.919 need to stand up. We need to pray. And we need 00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:12.479 to believe that God is going to use this, what 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:18.579 the enemy meant for evil, for good. I mean, Jesus 00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:22.180 promised us that, and I'm going to use this in 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:25.230 my talk here in a few minutes. The powers of 00:04:25.230 --> 00:04:31.389 hell will not stop us. The powers of hell will 00:04:31.389 --> 00:04:36.709 not stop the church and simply stated, this is 00:04:36.709 --> 00:04:41.089 evil. That's what that is. That's evil. And we 00:04:41.089 --> 00:04:44.649 can't shy away from evil. We have to confront 00:04:44.649 --> 00:04:48.490 it with the name of Jesus and point everyone 00:04:48.490 --> 00:04:52.449 back to him. So let's open in a word of prayer. 00:04:53.870 --> 00:04:57.649 Holy Spirit, come. God, you know our hearts. 00:04:59.629 --> 00:05:01.970 You know our questioning. You know our doubts, 00:05:02.009 --> 00:05:05.050 our frustrations. God, we just lay them all at 00:05:05.050 --> 00:05:10.430 your feet. God, we just come together as a community 00:05:10.430 --> 00:05:13.269 of faith, and we pray for the Kirk family. We 00:05:13.269 --> 00:05:16.129 pray for those children and his wife, God. We 00:05:16.129 --> 00:05:19.269 just ask that you would surround them with people 00:05:19.269 --> 00:05:24.889 to encourage them, to love on them. God, just 00:05:24.889 --> 00:05:27.110 be with them and meet them in their time of grief. 00:05:28.470 --> 00:05:31.689 But God, I also pray for the family of the man 00:05:31.689 --> 00:05:36.750 that committed this crime. I just pray for them 00:05:36.750 --> 00:05:40.009 as well. And I just ask God in their questioning 00:05:40.009 --> 00:05:42.930 of what ifs and could ofs and should ofs, God, 00:05:43.050 --> 00:05:45.550 that you would meet them in their time of need. 00:05:47.230 --> 00:05:51.110 That you would move in their life. You would 00:05:51.110 --> 00:05:59.310 comfort them. Holy Spirit, come. We just ask, 00:05:59.329 --> 00:06:01.889 God, that you have your way and that you move 00:06:01.889 --> 00:06:06.790 amongst us today. In Jesus' name, amen. So just 00:06:06.790 --> 00:06:09.589 a couple additional announcements. Our Money 00:06:09.589 --> 00:06:13.350 Talks weekend starts this Friday, Friday evening 00:06:13.350 --> 00:06:17.870 and Saturday morning. Our financial coaches, 00:06:18.050 --> 00:06:20.110 Jess and I's financial coaches, are in town from 00:06:20.110 --> 00:06:23.209 Boise, Idaho. And they would love to share with 00:06:23.209 --> 00:06:27.339 you. how to steward your money well so just stop 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:29.000 by the welcome hub if you'd like to be a part 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:32.300 of that group child care is provided and we're 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:34.480 just believing it's going to be a great two days 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:38.680 souls for souls our annual collection of gently 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:41.959 used shoes starts next sunday They've already 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:44.220 started to be collected. Last year, we gave away 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:47.480 more than 1 ,000 pairs of shoes to underprivileged 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:50.319 kids all around the world. So clean out your 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:53.480 closets. This is how I go about it. I look in 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:56.819 my shoe section. And if I haven't worn a pair 00:06:56.819 --> 00:07:00.399 of shoes in six months, give them away. Because 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:02.000 chances are you're not going to wear them again. 00:07:02.399 --> 00:07:05.699 Okay, so six months is my timeline. So if you 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:07.480 have that or want to navigate through that, start 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:09.180 bringing them in next Sunday and the following 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:12.500 Sunday. And we'll partner with Souls for Souls 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:16.300 and change a kid's life. So last week, I kicked 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:19.420 off a new series called We Are Family. I discussed 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:23.899 four truths that bind us together as the church, 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:28.120 as a family, that is called to impact and change 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:31.699 the world. This morning, I want to focus on one 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:38.220 word, and it's the word devotion. Devotion. So 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:41.939 when you hear that word devotion, what comes 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:48.259 into your mind? Devotion. The definition is someone 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:52.319 who is devoted will give their time, money, and 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:57.800 energy to pursue said passion. A simple example 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:01.620 would be our devotions as a culture to a sport. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:05.620 It's easy to identify a truly devoted fan. Just 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:08.740 think back to last Sunday, Jersey Sunday. Everyone 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:11.240 wore their jerseys, their colors, they represented. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:17.199 Devoted fans spend time in preparation for their 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:21.160 team's season. They research those college fans. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:24.800 The next recruiting class, they listen to commentators 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:27.720 talk about their team. They buy all the gear. 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:31.240 Those who are devoted to their team, of course, 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:34.240 watch the game. And not only do they watch the 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:36.460 game, they watch highlights of the game later 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:39.399 in the day. And then they talk about the highlights 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:42.919 of the game that they watched with other fans 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:45.399 who think they're not a good enough fan because 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:51.299 the devoted fan is out of control. A person who 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:56.840 is devoted is all in and committed. And within 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:59.720 our current societal structure, there are countless 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:04.620 tribes, teams, clubs, groups, and families. A 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:08.940 person... can give their devotion too. But here's 00:09:08.940 --> 00:09:13.279 a question for all of us to ponder. If true devotion 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:18.519 is clearly identifiable, what would people say 00:09:18.519 --> 00:09:24.960 you're devoted to? What would people say you 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:31.120 personally are devoted to? Ephesians chapter 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:36.049 3 verse 20 speaks to God's heart. for our lives. 00:09:36.789 --> 00:09:40.269 It reads, now all glory to God who is able through 00:09:40.269 --> 00:09:44.169 his mighty power at work within us to accomplish 00:09:44.169 --> 00:09:50.909 infinitely more than we might ask or think. Infinitely 00:09:50.909 --> 00:09:56.889 more. I mean, as we gather here today, every 00:09:56.889 --> 00:09:59.129 single one of us walk through these doors or 00:09:59.129 --> 00:10:01.909 are watching online and we're caring or dealing 00:10:01.909 --> 00:10:05.549 with something in our lives. Could be a broken 00:10:05.549 --> 00:10:08.350 heart, a broken relationship, financial need. 00:10:09.730 --> 00:10:14.110 And all of us gathered here need God's mighty 00:10:14.110 --> 00:10:18.149 power to work in our lives. And I know that because 00:10:18.149 --> 00:10:22.450 we can't do it on our own. We need help. We need 00:10:22.450 --> 00:10:27.929 resources. We need encouragement. And God desires 00:10:27.929 --> 00:10:31.750 to move that way in your life today. It doesn't 00:10:31.750 --> 00:10:33.129 matter what you're going through, what you're 00:10:33.129 --> 00:10:35.009 struggling with. It doesn't even matter if you 00:10:35.009 --> 00:10:40.049 do or don't believe in Jesus. Open your heart 00:10:40.049 --> 00:10:44.929 and your mind to receive that mighty work. And 00:10:44.929 --> 00:10:48.250 you can leave here a person that is significantly 00:10:48.250 --> 00:10:51.590 changed, which leads us to our first thought. 00:10:51.649 --> 00:10:56.029 See, God's love is for everyone. God's love is 00:10:56.029 --> 00:10:58.629 for everyone. John 3, verse 16. For this is how 00:10:58.629 --> 00:11:01.389 God loved the world. He gave His one and only 00:11:01.389 --> 00:11:04.330 Son so that everyone who believes in Him will 00:11:04.330 --> 00:11:08.710 not perish but have eternal life. God sent His 00:11:08.710 --> 00:11:10.610 Son into the world not to judge the world but 00:11:10.610 --> 00:11:14.389 to save the world through Him. I want you to 00:11:14.389 --> 00:11:16.610 think about this. This verse that I just read 00:11:16.610 --> 00:11:24.070 to you is so good, so powerful, so known. That 00:11:24.070 --> 00:11:27.950 it's become common. Like when I read those words, 00:11:28.009 --> 00:11:29.950 some of you checked out because, oh, I know that 00:11:29.950 --> 00:11:34.210 verse. Yeah, I got that one memorized. That's 00:11:34.210 --> 00:11:37.750 the only one, but I have it memorized. And see, 00:11:37.830 --> 00:11:40.470 for many people in the church today, we've been 00:11:40.470 --> 00:11:43.850 attending Sunday gatherings for so long and going 00:11:43.850 --> 00:11:47.610 through the motions for so long that this powerful, 00:11:47.769 --> 00:11:54.659 life -changing verse loses its power. Just listen 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:57.159 to the truth that comes out of those words. God 00:11:57.159 --> 00:12:01.759 loves you. If you're watching online, God loves 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:04.059 you. If you're gathered here this morning, hear 00:12:04.059 --> 00:12:09.820 this. God loves you. And he sent his one and 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:15.840 only son, Jesus, to die for you and me. I mean, 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:20.899 God took action knowing that some people, and 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:23.720 we are the prize of his creation. won't ever 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:29.139 put their faith in his son Jesus. God took this 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:32.559 action knowing that some people will live their 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:37.059 whole lives mocking him. Just look at the social 00:12:37.059 --> 00:12:43.240 media this past week. But God didn't care. He 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:46.740 desires that all people are given this opportunity. 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:49.919 That they're given the chance to experience an 00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:55.220 abundant life. 1 John 4, verse 10. This is real 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:58.779 love. Not that we loved God, but notice, he loved 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:01.960 us and sent his son as a sacrifice to take away 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:05.759 our sins. And I want to challenge you this morning. 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:09.779 These truths can't become common for us. This 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:14.340 is an uncommon love coming from an uncommon God 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:19.659 who desires that we experience life to the full. 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:24.379 But see, it doesn't stop there. Jesus then challenged 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:27.039 his followers, number two, to share this good 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:32.379 news. A relationship with Jesus, when we enter 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:35.740 into it, we experience freedom from sin and pain 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:38.679 and death. But hear me out. That's not the finish 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:43.919 line. It's the starting line. See, Jesus challenges 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:49.000 us to take all that he did and does in our own 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:53.379 personal life. And to give it away and help others 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.980 experience that same freedom for themselves. 00:13:56.659 --> 00:14:02.419 And that gives us more purpose than all of us 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:06.120 have ever experienced combined in our own personal 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:11.419 experiences. The last words from Jesus in Matthew 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:16.740 28. Jesus came and told his disciples, I've been 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:19.639 given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:22.240 go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:24.600 them in the name of the Father, the Son, and 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:26.960 the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:28.480 obey all the commands I have given you, and be 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:31.820 sure of this, I am with you always, even to the 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:33.500 end of the age. Don't think about that for a 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:39.539 second. God promises to be with us, to live inside 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:45.700 of us every single day. As we boldly stand up, 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:48.720 as we boldly reach out, as we share this life 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:51.879 -changing truth with others, it's not that we 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:54.620 have to do it on our own. It's God through us. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:59.980 Paul challenges us with these words in Romans 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:04.139 chapter 10. But how can they call on him to save 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:07.220 them unless they believe in him? And how can 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:09.460 they believe in him if they've never heard about 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:12.000 him? And how can they hear about him unless someone 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:15.190 tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them 00:15:15.190 --> 00:15:19.509 without being sent? That is why the scriptures 00:15:19.509 --> 00:15:21.409 say, how beautiful are the feet of messengers 00:15:21.409 --> 00:15:24.210 who bring good news. And this morning, I want 00:15:24.210 --> 00:15:29.169 to remind you, church, you are called to share 00:15:29.169 --> 00:15:34.870 the good news about Jesus with others. That that's 00:15:34.870 --> 00:15:36.950 our purpose. That's our mission. That's why we 00:15:36.950 --> 00:15:42.720 join together. So again, reflect. Who is the 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:46.120 last person that you shared your story with? 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:51.600 But don't stop there. How long has it been since 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:56.659 you shared that story? Because we are called 00:15:56.659 --> 00:16:03.120 to share the good news every single day. Which 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.899 moves us to our next thought. You see, God calls 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:07.980 this church to be a city on a hill. Matthew chapter 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:12.230 5, verses 14 to 16. You, church, are the light 00:16:12.230 --> 00:16:15.149 of the world. Like a city on a hilltop that cannot 00:16:15.149 --> 00:16:17.230 be hidden, no one lights a lamp and then puts 00:16:17.230 --> 00:16:20.610 it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed 00:16:20.610 --> 00:16:22.509 on a stand where it gives light to everyone in 00:16:22.509 --> 00:16:27.909 the house. In the same way, church, let your 00:16:27.909 --> 00:16:32.490 good deeds shine for all to see so that everyone 00:16:32.490 --> 00:16:37.029 will praise your heavenly Father. See, God uses 00:16:37.029 --> 00:16:42.529 and empowers His church, you and I, to be the 00:16:42.529 --> 00:16:46.929 light of the world. That our words and our actions 00:16:46.929 --> 00:16:50.590 would make a difference in the lives of others. 00:16:51.490 --> 00:16:54.750 And please let me remind you, those words include 00:16:54.750 --> 00:17:01.429 our social media feeds. See, God's greatest tool 00:17:01.429 --> 00:17:03.929 for reaching people that are distant and far 00:17:03.929 --> 00:17:06.869 from Him, not walking in the abundance that He 00:17:06.869 --> 00:17:16.700 promises, It's you and me. It's you and me. So 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:20.119 another question for you to ponder this morning, 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:25.420 what are you praying for? Who are you praying 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:30.160 for? What does your prayer life look like? Is 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:34.079 it consumed with self? Or does it include... 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:36.599 Friends and family and coworkers and classmates 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:40.920 that are not in a relationship with Jesus. Because 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:44.619 Jesus promises in Matthew chapter 7, keep on 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:47.220 asking and you will receive what you ask for. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:50.059 Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:54.160 and the door will be opened to you. For everyone 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:56.240 who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:57.900 And to everyone who knocks, the door will be 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:01.940 opened. I mean, Jesus promises that if we keep 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:06.779 asking, seeking, knocking, we will receive. That 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:11.039 God will answer our prayers and open doors for 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:14.319 loved ones and friends and classmates to experience 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:19.180 this freedom. And typically what happens over 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:21.519 the course of a given day is the Holy Spirit 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:28.200 gives us opportunities to share our story with 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:32.470 others. Our struggles, our pain, our heartache, 00:18:32.609 --> 00:18:38.269 our new life. That's how God builds his church. 00:18:38.829 --> 00:18:43.569 He uses and empowers you and me. And again, Jesus 00:18:43.569 --> 00:18:46.430 made this promise to his followers that are gathered. 00:18:46.690 --> 00:18:49.569 And I say to you that you are Peter, which means 00:18:49.569 --> 00:18:52.670 rock, and upon this rock I will build my church, 00:18:52.910 --> 00:18:57.890 and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:03.460 Think about that. The powers of hell cannot stop 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:08.579 us. The powers of hell cannot stop the church. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:14.039 Cannot stop this church that is called to be 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:17.880 a non -traditional and uncommon city on a hill. 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:23.259 That's constantly pointing people to Jesus to 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:27.619 anyone that will listen. That's what we're called 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:32.690 to do. That's our mission from God. We are called 00:19:32.690 --> 00:19:36.589 by God to build His church. And I'm going to 00:19:36.589 --> 00:19:40.430 challenge all of you, including myself, to reignite 00:19:40.430 --> 00:19:43.869 that fire inside of us today. That for many of 00:19:43.869 --> 00:19:48.009 us, we can have to reignite that fire so that 00:19:48.009 --> 00:19:52.700 we gain ground, we don't lose it. Now last week 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:55.400 I focused on Acts chapter 1 and the truths that 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:57.759 bring us together to form the church. Today I 00:19:57.759 --> 00:20:01.059 want to move into Acts chapter 2. And Acts chapter 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:04.680 2 is the outline or the blueprint for what it 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:07.839 looks like to be involved or to be devoted to 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:10.759 the church. So I thought it would be good for 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:13.319 everyone to hear what our community of faith 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:16.920 is all about. What is HCV all about? Because 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:19.339 I'm going to ask you to be a part of it and to 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:21.339 be devoted to it. You need to know what it's 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:25.619 all about. Well, we launched this community of 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:29.420 faith in my living room. In 2006, by watching 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:33.460 the Washington Redskins, the Redskins played 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:38.329 two playoff games in January of 2006. It's amazing, 00:20:38.349 --> 00:20:40.990 but we've been having Jersey Sunday at HTV from 00:20:40.990 --> 00:20:46.970 the very beginning. It's never changed. We aren't 00:20:46.970 --> 00:20:51.569 perfect here at HTV. All of us are imperfect 00:20:51.569 --> 00:20:55.529 people pursuing a perfect God. And many of you 00:20:55.529 --> 00:20:57.490 know, I've always shared from my heart every 00:20:57.490 --> 00:21:00.450 single Sunday, I don't pretend to be perfect. 00:21:00.509 --> 00:21:03.329 I don't act like I have it all together. I'm 00:21:03.329 --> 00:21:07.200 real, raw, and honest. And if you struggle with 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:10.160 that, then it's okay. But you're going to hear 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:14.599 it. Because I want to partner with you and God 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:16.420 on a journey to change the world. Because I believe 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:20.240 that's what we're called to do. HTV is a come 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:23.059 as you are church. What does that mean? Simply 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:25.099 stated, people are welcomed in our community 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:27.700 of faith just as they are. They don't have to 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:30.039 clean up. They don't have to pretend to be something 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:34.660 they are not. HTV is practical. Look around. 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:38.480 Our building is not luxurious. It's practical. 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:42.599 It's a living room that welcomes people to gather 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:45.660 together and encourage one another. Right? That's 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.539 the way you have concrete floors. We know you're 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:51.680 going to spill coffee. No big deal. Just mop 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:53.819 it up and move on. But let me tell you something. 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:57.240 If they were granite floors, we might have a 00:21:57.240 --> 00:22:06.869 different outlook. HDV has fun on purpose. We 00:22:06.869 --> 00:22:09.470 believe that God celebrates and has a party when 00:22:09.470 --> 00:22:13.009 people who are lost find their way home. And 00:22:13.009 --> 00:22:15.289 we believe that party extends into our gatherings. 00:22:15.450 --> 00:22:19.130 I approach every Sunday as a day of celebration. 00:22:19.490 --> 00:22:21.609 And it's like this week God took me back to Bower 00:22:21.609 --> 00:22:23.730 Avenue. We used to meet up on Bower Avenue, which 00:22:23.730 --> 00:22:27.279 is a mile up the road here. And for those of 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:30.180 you who weren't a part of Bower Avenue, every 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:34.220 single Sunday there was this train that rolled 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:37.839 by. And I would be in the middle of prayer. I'd 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:40.180 be leading the people into a relationship with 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:47.299 Jesus. And then all of us hear this. I mean, 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:51.779 just this loud, annoying horn. And I hated it. 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:56.680 But I learned to love it when I had to start 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:59.559 parking on the other side of the tracks because 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:02.180 God was leading so many people in a relationship 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:05.859 with him through our community of faith. It was 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:09.559 like a horn that went off sounding, another lost 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:15.759 one came home. HTV is a hospital, not a courtroom. 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:18.980 This isn't a place where you will be judged. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:22.839 Our community of faith welcomes you right. Where 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:25.940 you are. Why? Because all of us are broken and 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:30.880 hurting. We all need Jesus to impact and change 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:35.400 our lives every single day. HTV is a locker room, 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:39.119 not a country club. A country club is a place 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:42.720 where people wear their best, smile all the time, 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:45.420 pretend everything is amazing, and sit around 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:49.000 counting their blessings. Not that that's a problem, 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:51.900 but that's not who we are. We're a locker room 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:54.160 and I get it. Sometimes you roll into here, it 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:59.299 smells like it, but that's okay. We use this 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:03.119 building for a lot of purposes. But if you think 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:05.680 about a locker room, it's a place where we gather 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:09.859 and we're reminded of why we do what we do. Then 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:12.700 we join hands and we lock arms and we hit the 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:16.259 field with everything we got, believing that 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:18.559 God is going to empower us to change this community. 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:24.299 As a church, we believe the local church is the 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:26.980 key to God reaching people and changing lives 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:29.839 in the world. We don't compete against other 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:32.660 churches. We don't put down other churches. We 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:35.920 don't judge other churches. We desire to encourage 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:40.299 and support. As a community of faith, we are 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:45.900 empowered evangelicals. We value the Bible as 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:49.200 God's written words to humanity, and we value 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:53.130 the Holy Spirit. Because when we're in a relationship 00:24:53.130 --> 00:24:55.829 with Jesus, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:24:56.210 --> 00:24:59.130 And in the book, Empowered Evangelicals, Rich 00:24:59.130 --> 00:25:02.410 Nathan writes, for too long, evangelicals have 00:25:02.410 --> 00:25:06.029 emphasized the Bible over the Spirit. While charismatics 00:25:06.029 --> 00:25:09.930 have emphasized the Spirit over the Bible. But 00:25:09.930 --> 00:25:15.509 the Bible and the Spirit belong together. And 00:25:15.509 --> 00:25:19.789 that's how we live our lives. HCV is generous. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:23.140 We believe that God has called us to give away 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:26.519 our resources, our stuff, our time, and our focus 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:32.079 to see the world change. So if that sounds like 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:33.940 a community of faith you want to be a part of, 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:36.940 let's look at the blueprint for being devoted 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:41.259 to the church. First, devoted is defined as zealous 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:43.839 or ardent in attachment or affection characterized 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:49.220 by loyalty. Devoted means we are committed. We 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:51.220 are committed to pandering our lives after what 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:55.359 we read in the Bible. We are devoted or committed 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:59.359 to living our lives in the church, just as the 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:02.079 first church outlined for us to follow. Four 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:05.700 ways the first church devoted themselves to God 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:07.599 and one another. Now we must remember in Acts 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:10.900 chapter 2, there were 120 Jesus followers gathered 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:14.319 in the upper room when the promised Holy Spirit 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:18.119 fell upon them. They saw flames and tongues of 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:20.099 fire. They began to speak in other languages. 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:23.660 They rolled out into the streets speaking these 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:26.819 languages. And people from all over the known 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:29.819 world gathered to question and wonder why they 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:34.960 could hear their language being spoken. Now many 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:38.180 of those gathered there when hearing this chaos 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:43.950 assumed that they were drunk. Then Peter stands 00:26:43.950 --> 00:26:47.230 up and preaches the first sermon ever given, 00:26:47.269 --> 00:26:50.690 and 3 ,000 people gave their lives to Jesus, 00:26:50.710 --> 00:26:54.829 and they became the first church. What did they 00:26:54.829 --> 00:26:56.950 do? Well, they devoted themselves, number one, 00:26:56.950 --> 00:27:00.029 to being in God's house. All the believers devoted 00:27:00.029 --> 00:27:02.609 themselves to the apostles' teaching. That's 00:27:02.609 --> 00:27:04.849 what we are doing here. We are gathering in God's 00:27:04.849 --> 00:27:07.490 house, devoting ourselves to the apostles, teaching 00:27:07.490 --> 00:27:09.809 them. They worshiped together at the temple each 00:27:09.809 --> 00:27:11.890 day, met in homes for Lord's Supper, and shared 00:27:11.890 --> 00:27:16.069 their meals with great joy and generosity. Ask 00:27:16.069 --> 00:27:18.609 yourself, am I committed to being in God's house? 00:27:19.349 --> 00:27:23.190 Do I prioritize Sunday gatherings? Or simply 00:27:23.190 --> 00:27:27.329 stated, do I attend out of convenience? Well, 00:27:27.410 --> 00:27:29.750 as long as there's nothing else more important. 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:34.720 On my calendar. See, we are called to be different. 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:36.480 We're called to be set apart. We're called to 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:40.500 be uncommon. The common church attendance is 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:45.039 one out of every three Sundays. So essentially 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:49.420 once a month. Uncommon church attendance is saying, 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:53.059 no, I'm going to be there every single Sunday. 00:27:54.150 --> 00:27:56.569 That's being sold out for Jesus. And I get it. 00:27:56.569 --> 00:27:57.670 You're going to get sick. And then you're going 00:27:57.670 --> 00:27:59.390 to go on vacation. And you're going to try. You're 00:27:59.390 --> 00:28:00.869 going to do different things. I get it. That's 00:28:00.869 --> 00:28:03.190 what the live stream is for. But we've become 00:28:03.190 --> 00:28:06.269 too comfortable in gathering together as the 00:28:06.269 --> 00:28:09.849 church. The first church gathered together every 00:28:09.849 --> 00:28:14.769 single day. In the temple. In the homes. And 00:28:14.769 --> 00:28:17.910 then they shared it. With others, Hebrews 10, 00:28:17.970 --> 00:28:21.289 25, let us not neglect our meeting together as 00:28:21.289 --> 00:28:23.089 some people do, but encourage one another, especially 00:28:23.089 --> 00:28:26.430 now the day of his return is drawing near. And 00:28:26.430 --> 00:28:28.390 see, the most important part of that verse is 00:28:28.390 --> 00:28:32.910 encouragement. See, we all need encouragement. 00:28:33.970 --> 00:28:37.450 I mean, just looking upon this past week, there's 00:28:37.450 --> 00:28:39.950 such evil and negativity destroying the very 00:28:39.950 --> 00:28:44.869 fabric of our culture. We need each other. Right? 00:28:44.910 --> 00:28:47.569 We need to text one another. We need to pray 00:28:47.569 --> 00:28:49.509 for one another. We need to lay hands on and 00:28:49.509 --> 00:28:52.490 meet face to face and encourage one another. 00:28:52.609 --> 00:28:54.690 That's what the early church did. And that's 00:28:54.690 --> 00:28:57.190 how they moved forward to change the world one 00:28:57.190 --> 00:29:01.890 life at a time. But we've got to be devoted. 00:29:01.930 --> 00:29:05.630 We've got to be committed to being in God's house, 00:29:05.690 --> 00:29:07.910 which leads us to number two. We've got to be 00:29:07.910 --> 00:29:10.730 devoted to getting in a group. All the believers 00:29:10.730 --> 00:29:12.349 devoted themselves to the apostles, teaching 00:29:12.349 --> 00:29:13.890 to fellowship, to sharing of meals, including 00:29:13.890 --> 00:29:17.049 the Lord's Supper, and to prayer. They worshiped 00:29:17.049 --> 00:29:18.769 together at the temple each day, met in homes 00:29:18.769 --> 00:29:21.450 for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals. 00:29:22.690 --> 00:29:25.329 You saw in our announcements in last week, all 00:29:25.329 --> 00:29:29.210 of our fall growth groups launched. And now is 00:29:29.210 --> 00:29:30.710 the time for you to jump in and get in a group. 00:29:31.349 --> 00:29:34.250 We have over 30 groups gathering together throughout 00:29:34.250 --> 00:29:36.529 the week in different places here, there, and 00:29:36.529 --> 00:29:40.440 homes. And we need double that. We need 60 groups. 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:44.759 The people gathered in the first church realized 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:47.539 the mission that Jesus gave them. It was daunting. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:53.420 It was going to be difficult and hard. That's 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:55.539 why they came together, because they needed each 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:58.720 other. They couldn't pursue the plans of God 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:01.380 without putting the people of God in their lives. 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:05.099 See, when we make the people of God a priority, 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:09.539 A family, we are family. Listen to what happens, 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:13.279 John chapter 13. So now I'm giving you a new 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:17.359 commandment, love each other. Just as I have 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:19.480 loved you, you should love each other. Your love 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:21.200 for one another will prove to the world that 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:25.940 you are my disciples. See, our love for one another 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:28.940 will point our friends, our families, our co 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:33.240 -workers, our class, points them to Jesus. And 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:35.460 we have to break free from the lies of social 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:39.519 media. To be connected means we need one another, 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:44.140 not digitally, but physically. We need to come 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:48.259 together to support, encourage one another, which 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:50.059 leads us to number three, they were devoted to 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:53.940 giving. The church, the first church, gave everything 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:56.579 they had. All the believers met together in one 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:58.460 place, shared everything they had. They sold 00:30:58.460 --> 00:31:01.039 their property and possessions and shared the 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:03.460 money with those in need. I mean, think about 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:06.460 it. They were selling their stuff so they could 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:11.079 stay generous. They could be even more generous 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:15.440 than what God asked. To reflect on this simple 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:19.240 question this morning, if everyone gathered here 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:23.259 at HCV gave like me, is there even a church? 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:28.480 Do we have the funds needed to make this place 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:32.390 a reality for one another every single day? And 00:31:32.390 --> 00:31:34.849 I mean that every single day. That is one thing 00:31:34.849 --> 00:31:36.970 that just excites me about our community of faith. 00:31:37.069 --> 00:31:40.369 There's not a day that goes by where there's 00:31:40.369 --> 00:31:43.630 not something happening in this place. This building 00:31:43.630 --> 00:31:49.150 is a community center. It's open every single 00:31:49.150 --> 00:31:53.150 day. Because we believe in welcoming people in 00:31:53.150 --> 00:31:55.289 right where they are so their lives can be changed. 00:31:56.289 --> 00:31:59.569 And Jesus reminds us in Luke 6, 38, give and 00:31:59.569 --> 00:32:03.140 you will receive. Your gift will return to you 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:04.900 in full, pressed down, shaken together, and make 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:06.779 room for more. Running over and pouring into 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:09.140 your lap, the amount that you give will determine 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:12.740 the amount you get back. Which leads us to our 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:14.880 fourth devotion. They were devoted to serving. 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:18.359 All the believers met together in one place, 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:20.579 shared everything they had. They sold their property 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:22.160 and possessions and shared the money with those 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:25.119 in need. And you just have to ask yourself this 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:28.240 morning, am I serving in our community of faith? 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:33.089 And I want to challenge you this morning. Say, 00:32:33.130 --> 00:32:35.369 Holy Spirit, come. Speak to my heart regarding 00:32:35.369 --> 00:32:40.890 this important part of being the church. Because 00:32:40.890 --> 00:32:43.369 listen, if you can't serve on Sundays or during 00:32:43.369 --> 00:32:46.849 the week, you're not serving in our local community. 00:32:47.650 --> 00:32:50.529 We're not serving our friends and our family. 00:32:50.710 --> 00:32:54.049 We, as a church, have to choose not to take. 00:32:54.269 --> 00:32:58.329 We live in a culture of takers. Well, give me, 00:32:58.349 --> 00:33:00.190 give me, give me what I need, what I want. Make 00:33:00.190 --> 00:33:03.750 me feel better. And as a church, we have to choose 00:33:03.750 --> 00:33:10.970 not to take. So ask yourself, am I serving or 00:33:10.970 --> 00:33:14.349 am I the one who pulls into the parking lot and 00:33:14.349 --> 00:33:17.170 waves at the men and women in yellow vests helping 00:33:17.170 --> 00:33:21.210 me to find a parking spot? Am I serving or do 00:33:21.210 --> 00:33:23.349 I simply thank people for welcoming me at the 00:33:23.349 --> 00:33:25.930 door, opening the door for me and smiling back? 00:33:27.210 --> 00:33:30.269 Am I serving or do I simply thank the person 00:33:30.269 --> 00:33:34.829 that hands me a cup of coffee and makes me feel 00:33:34.829 --> 00:33:40.109 better? Am I serving or do I say thank you for 00:33:40.109 --> 00:33:42.630 caring for my kids and teaching them about Jesus? 00:33:43.809 --> 00:33:47.069 Am I serving or do I simply just enjoy the music 00:33:47.069 --> 00:33:49.029 and connect with the Holy Spirit during worship? 00:33:49.549 --> 00:33:52.130 I'm challenged by the teaching. I'm thankful 00:33:52.130 --> 00:33:54.289 for all the people that produce the live stream 00:33:54.289 --> 00:33:58.869 that I can watch while I'm away. But I'm serving 00:33:58.869 --> 00:34:04.049 nowhere. See, friends, if that's you, that means 00:34:04.049 --> 00:34:08.570 you're a taker. And you're taking. And God invites 00:34:08.570 --> 00:34:11.269 us into so much more. He desires we walk in our 00:34:11.269 --> 00:34:14.489 calling to serve others and impact our community. 00:34:14.570 --> 00:34:18.769 We need you. It's really easy to walk into this 00:34:18.769 --> 00:34:21.530 place, especially during our second gathering, 00:34:21.730 --> 00:34:23.789 and think, wow, they got it all together. They 00:34:23.789 --> 00:34:27.449 don't need me. Just look at the guy talking. 00:34:28.949 --> 00:34:34.789 I'm in far from having it all together. We need 00:34:34.789 --> 00:34:40.289 each other. We need you. And there's so many 00:34:40.289 --> 00:34:42.329 different ways that you can serve in our community 00:34:42.329 --> 00:34:44.289 of faith. Just on Sundays alone, I already mentioned 00:34:44.289 --> 00:34:47.010 it. Parking team, welcome team, cafe team, prayer 00:34:47.010 --> 00:34:49.710 team, production team, worship team, clean team. 00:34:50.070 --> 00:34:52.550 I mean, think about it. You could get up from 00:34:52.550 --> 00:34:55.050 your seat and go scrub toilets right after this 00:34:55.050 --> 00:34:56.750 for the third gathering so the toilets are good 00:34:56.750 --> 00:35:03.639 and clean. Who doesn't want to do that? Did you 00:35:03.639 --> 00:35:05.699 know, some of you don't even know this, on Sunday 00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:08.440 mornings, we go to Hagerstown Healthcare, which 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:11.159 is a local nursing home, and Jeff France leads 00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:14.659 a team of individuals that take our notes, our 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:16.940 worship, and our message to them every single 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:20.380 Sunday. And let me tell you something, from being 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:22.400 in there every other Wednesday for a Bible study, 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:27.440 that's the forgotten. This Wednesday, we're baptizing 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:36.250 them in their wheelchairs. This Wednesday. Oh, 00:35:36.269 --> 00:35:39.650 did I mention our kids' ministry? You know, the 00:35:39.650 --> 00:35:42.289 kids' ministry that leads kids into a relationship 00:35:42.289 --> 00:35:45.630 with Jesus. The last time I checked, that's a 00:35:45.630 --> 00:35:51.309 very important aspect of growing up. After all, 00:35:51.389 --> 00:35:55.329 the window for people saying yes to Jesus, the 00:35:55.329 --> 00:35:57.969 highest percentage of people giving their life 00:35:57.969 --> 00:36:03.750 is the, does anyone know? Eight to 12. Eight 00:36:03.750 --> 00:36:08.099 to 12. I mean, there's no better way to practice 00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:10.920 telling your story and sharing about Jesus than 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:13.900 teaching a three and four year old. You want 00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:17.360 to know how Chris started? Felt bored teaching 00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:20.900 three and four year olds. That's how I started. 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:28.460 For two years. Felt bored. This is Jesus. He 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:35.349 loves you. Get involved with the kids, man. You're 00:36:35.349 --> 00:36:38.750 changing lives for eternity. Youth ministry, 00:36:38.949 --> 00:36:42.409 it's exploding. Some of you think you're young. 00:36:42.449 --> 00:36:44.510 Okay, go be young and lead some youth in a relationship 00:36:44.510 --> 00:36:47.210 with Jesus. They need it. You remember how hard 00:36:47.210 --> 00:36:49.889 it is to be a teenager? Well, now it's twice 00:36:49.889 --> 00:36:52.750 as hard. But it doesn't end there. Through the 00:36:52.750 --> 00:36:54.949 week, we have growth group leaders leading groups. 00:36:54.989 --> 00:36:58.010 We need more groups. We have recovery ministries 00:36:58.010 --> 00:36:59.510 that are leading people out of addiction. We 00:36:59.510 --> 00:37:01.190 have a free community dinner every Thursday. 00:37:01.429 --> 00:37:03.769 Every other Wednesday, we go to HHC and do a 00:37:03.769 --> 00:37:06.610 Bible study. Every other Wednesday, the ARC comes 00:37:06.610 --> 00:37:08.650 here and we lead a Bible study. We have First 00:37:08.650 --> 00:37:10.610 Saturday Serve. We have Servant Evangelism. We're 00:37:10.610 --> 00:37:12.889 sending a team to North Carolina to rebuild houses. 00:37:15.909 --> 00:37:18.869 And when you're devoted to the church, you see 00:37:18.869 --> 00:37:22.730 God move in miraculous ways. Acts 2, 41 and 47. 00:37:22.849 --> 00:37:25.389 Those who believed. What Peter said, we're baptized. 00:37:25.570 --> 00:37:27.210 And they entered the church that day, 3 ,000 00:37:27.210 --> 00:37:30.929 in all. And each day the Lord added. Notice what 00:37:30.929 --> 00:37:32.829 it says, each day the Lord added to their fellowship. 00:37:32.909 --> 00:37:36.110 When we're devoted, God adds. Then the church 00:37:36.110 --> 00:37:39.070 kept serving, kept giving, kept growing. And 00:37:39.070 --> 00:37:41.130 then in Acts 4, it says, but many of the people 00:37:41.130 --> 00:37:42.849 who heard the message believed it. So the number 00:37:42.849 --> 00:37:47.869 of men who believe now total 5 ,000. The people 00:37:47.869 --> 00:37:52.010 were watching God perform miracles right in front 00:37:52.010 --> 00:37:55.889 of their eyes. was using them to serve others, 00:37:55.969 --> 00:37:58.329 to see others set free and healed, relationships 00:37:58.329 --> 00:38:00.949 restored, sins being forgiven, the blind see, 00:38:01.070 --> 00:38:05.449 the lame walk. And daily, people were becoming 00:38:05.449 --> 00:38:11.409 a part of God's family. And why? All of that 00:38:11.409 --> 00:38:15.989 was happening because the people were devoted. 00:38:17.030 --> 00:38:21.210 And there's no greater time to be devoted than 00:38:21.210 --> 00:38:24.989 right now. And why do I say that? Because the 00:38:24.989 --> 00:38:30.750 man that lost his life this week, he was a follower 00:38:30.750 --> 00:38:39.969 of Jesus. He was a follower of Jesus. And we're 00:38:39.969 --> 00:38:42.849 not called to shy away. We're called to stand 00:38:42.849 --> 00:38:44.550 up and say, no, this is how the church lives. 00:38:45.150 --> 00:38:47.550 We're devoted to one another. We're supporting 00:38:47.550 --> 00:38:50.309 one another because we know the only thing that's 00:38:50.309 --> 00:38:51.750 going to change our community and change our 00:38:51.750 --> 00:38:57.309 country, is Jesus. That's it. So will you stand 00:38:57.309 --> 00:39:00.010 with me? I'm running a little late, but I need 00:39:00.010 --> 00:39:05.110 to do this. So everyone just bear with me. Now 00:39:05.110 --> 00:39:08.269 listen, I challenged all of you that when you 00:39:08.269 --> 00:39:11.590 walked in this place today, or you're watching 00:39:11.590 --> 00:39:13.909 online, you have something you're dealing with 00:39:13.909 --> 00:39:15.949 in your heart. I know you are. We all have it. 00:39:18.710 --> 00:39:21.500 So I want to pray for you. So whatever it is 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:23.519 you brought into this place this morning, I want 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:25.059 to invite you, just put your hands like this. 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:27.860 This is just a sign of saying, God, I want you 00:39:27.860 --> 00:39:29.380 to have it. That's all this means. It doesn't 00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:30.860 mean you're weird. It doesn't mean anything. 00:39:30.860 --> 00:39:32.760 It just means, God, I want you to have this. 00:39:32.780 --> 00:39:36.460 I want you to take whatever it is that's a burden 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:43.679 on your heart. Whatever it is. I want you to 00:39:43.679 --> 00:39:46.280 just lay it down at God's feet right now. Holy 00:39:46.280 --> 00:39:49.460 Spirit, come. God, you know that every person 00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:51.940 watching online and gathered here brought something 00:39:51.940 --> 00:39:56.260 into this house. Move in our hearts. Free us 00:39:56.260 --> 00:39:59.199 from the pain. Free us from the addiction. Give 00:39:59.199 --> 00:40:03.460 us hope. Give us meaning. Give us purpose. Challenge 00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:06.440 us to be devoted to one another, to the church, 00:40:06.619 --> 00:40:11.099 as we see your kingdom come and see your will 00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:15.019 be done right here in the tri -state area as 00:40:15.019 --> 00:40:20.050 it is in heaven. Now, the other thing that God 00:40:20.050 --> 00:40:22.110 highlighted for me this week, now just bear with 00:40:22.110 --> 00:40:28.070 me, please. If you're 20 -something, 20 -something, 00:40:28.130 --> 00:40:30.989 you know what that means, 19 to 31. That's it. 00:40:31.630 --> 00:40:35.489 If you're 35, you're not 30, okay? I'm giving 00:40:35.489 --> 00:40:40.190 one year each way. If you're 19 to 31, that means 00:40:40.190 --> 00:40:41.570 you can't feel like you're young. That's how 00:40:41.570 --> 00:40:43.550 old you are. I want you to come up here right 00:40:43.550 --> 00:40:48.719 now. Come on. I know there's a lot of you. Jeez, 00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:54.179 I'm not going to like kick you in the face. Come 00:40:54.179 --> 00:41:10.239 on. 19 to 31. Let's go. Fill it. I got to be 00:41:10.239 --> 00:41:12.719 able to see everyone. Come on, spread out. There 00:41:12.719 --> 00:41:16.539 we go. 19 to 31. Anybody else? 19 to 31. Come 00:41:16.539 --> 00:41:31.349 on. Listen, listen. God needs you. God needs 00:41:31.349 --> 00:41:37.570 you, all of you. He wants you to change our world. 00:41:38.829 --> 00:41:41.550 And you have the youthfulness and the desire 00:41:41.550 --> 00:41:45.909 to want to go and do. He's inviting you to do 00:41:45.909 --> 00:41:49.869 that. Stop sitting on the sidelines. Stop making 00:41:49.869 --> 00:41:53.510 excuses. Stop. All the reasons that you can't 00:41:53.510 --> 00:41:56.769 do it or you won't do it or whatever. Listen 00:41:56.769 --> 00:42:01.110 to the Holy Spirit because we need you. We need 00:42:01.110 --> 00:42:03.590 you to lead. We need you in this church. We need 00:42:03.590 --> 00:42:06.550 you to be examples to the next generation of 00:42:06.550 --> 00:42:12.389 what it means to follow Jesus. I'm old. Okay? 00:42:12.570 --> 00:42:16.610 I'm old. 52 years old. Kids don't want to listen 00:42:16.610 --> 00:42:19.690 to me, but they'll listen to you. You understand? 00:42:20.300 --> 00:42:23.199 They'll listen to you. But you've got to make 00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:26.340 a decision to commit and to go all in and be 00:42:26.340 --> 00:42:30.559 committed. And as a church, we need you. We need 00:42:30.559 --> 00:42:32.639 you serving in kids. We need you serving in youth. 00:42:32.739 --> 00:42:34.639 We need you in the worship. We need you everywhere. 00:42:35.800 --> 00:42:40.079 So don't believe the lies. You are important 00:42:40.079 --> 00:42:44.219 to this church, to his church, and to this country. 00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:49.280 And we need you to make a stand for Jesus. And 00:42:49.280 --> 00:42:52.880 someone this Sunday, whether it's first service 00:42:52.880 --> 00:42:55.739 or second service or third, we're called to start 00:42:55.739 --> 00:43:00.300 a 20 -something something here where you all 00:43:00.300 --> 00:43:02.460 just get ruckus and crazy and don't even know 00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:06.940 what ruckus means. Where you just encourage one 00:43:06.940 --> 00:43:08.579 another and pray for one another. Man, I want 00:43:08.579 --> 00:43:12.460 to take this city over. So I threw it out there. 00:43:14.260 --> 00:43:20.780 I threw it out there. If that's you, let me know. 00:43:21.559 --> 00:43:24.840 If that's you, let me know. I'm going to pray 00:43:24.840 --> 00:43:27.420 for you in a second. Stay here. Four words of 00:43:27.420 --> 00:43:29.880 knowledge before I let everyone go. Hearing loss 00:43:29.880 --> 00:43:32.780 in your left ear, muscle pain extending from 00:43:32.780 --> 00:43:35.559 the back of your neck to your lower back, muscle 00:43:35.559 --> 00:43:38.159 nerve pain in the upper part of your left arm. 00:43:38.739 --> 00:43:42.380 You're struggling with a broken heart. If any 00:43:42.380 --> 00:43:44.159 of those are you, our prayer team will be here 00:43:44.159 --> 00:43:47.929 on the right. But will all of you... I just want 00:43:47.929 --> 00:43:50.730 to pray for these young people. Join me in praying 00:43:50.730 --> 00:43:52.449 that God's going to just move in them and they're 00:43:52.449 --> 00:43:54.769 going to just change this place. Can we do that? 00:43:55.250 --> 00:43:58.610 Holy Spirit, come, God. Move in this generation, 00:43:58.889 --> 00:44:01.969 God. Allow this generation to be one that stands 00:44:01.969 --> 00:44:05.309 up for Jesus and moves forward and says, no more 00:44:05.309 --> 00:44:08.070 laziness, no more standing by the side. We're 00:44:08.070 --> 00:44:10.769 going to change the church. We're going to change 00:44:10.769 --> 00:44:13.789 the country. We're going to make a decision. 00:44:15.400 --> 00:44:20.599 To put you first. Move in these lives, God. Speak 00:44:20.599 --> 00:44:24.340 to them. Allow them to be young people that won't 00:44:24.340 --> 00:44:27.460 back down, but will move forward and share your 00:44:27.460 --> 00:44:32.719 truth with many. In Jesus' name, amen. All right. 00:44:33.420 --> 00:44:36.099 All right, listen, hold on. I'm a little late. 00:44:36.179 --> 00:44:38.559 If you got a kid in the kid's wing, leave now. 00:44:38.760 --> 00:44:40.960 Like, get out of here. Everyone else, stay put. 00:44:41.340 --> 00:44:45.079 If you have a kid, get out of here. Go get your 00:44:45.079 --> 00:44:48.800 kid, your child that's learning about Jesus. 00:44:51.579 --> 00:44:57.500 Pick them up. Thank you. Thank you. All right. 00:44:58.059 --> 00:44:59.960 I'm going to that door there. So if you have 00:44:59.960 --> 00:45:02.380 to run out, you can go to that door. I love you 00:45:02.380 --> 00:45:04.159 guys. It's going to be a great series. Next week, 00:45:04.179 --> 00:45:05.780 I'm talking about loneliness. I'm addressing 00:45:05.780 --> 00:45:08.579 the pandemic issue and giving you tools to help 00:45:08.579 --> 00:45:10.699 people walk free from it. Have a great week. 00:45:16.489 --> 00:45:19.150 that you are working now.