WEBVTT 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:14.199 Welcome to Hub City Vineyard. To get connected 00:00:14.199 --> 00:00:17.760 or to give online, please go to hcv .church slash 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:21.960 connect or hcv .church slash give. If at any 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:24.179 point during this message you feel called to 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:27.059 make a change in your life, text CHANGE ME to 00:00:27.059 --> 00:00:33.100 97000. Now enjoy the message. Good morning, everyone. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:38.820 I'm already weeping, so just bear with me. This 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:42.880 may be a long talk this morning. So at every 00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:45.679 celebration of life, I talk about markers in 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:47.880 people's lives that they leave behind, essentially 00:00:47.880 --> 00:00:51.380 our legacy. Well, in that video that you just 00:00:51.380 --> 00:00:57.719 saw, that's a marker in my life. Like that afternoon, 00:00:57.899 --> 00:01:01.899 that Wednesday afternoon a few weeks ago, it 00:01:01.899 --> 00:01:04.260 just significantly changed my relationship with 00:01:04.260 --> 00:01:10.200 Jesus. Because I realized that as a community 00:01:10.200 --> 00:01:13.659 of faith, we are reaching those the world has 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:17.340 forgotten. And we are transforming a healthcare 00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:21.310 center. that no one knows about. Not just the 00:01:21.310 --> 00:01:24.109 residents, but you saw there in the video, one 00:01:24.109 --> 00:01:29.890 of the nurses chose to be baptized with the residents 00:01:29.890 --> 00:01:33.950 because that's what God is doing in our midst. 00:01:34.569 --> 00:01:42.890 He's changing lives. So it's a celebration that 00:01:42.890 --> 00:01:48.299 we all can just stand in awe of. So if you're 00:01:48.299 --> 00:01:51.099 new here, that's what we're all about. Welcome. 00:01:51.799 --> 00:01:54.900 We're all about just changing lives and reaching 00:01:54.900 --> 00:01:57.900 those the world has forgot. If you're joining 00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:00.400 us from home, thank you for welcoming us into 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:02.480 your space. Just a couple additional announcements. 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:06.840 You heard Jeff say about the tie -dye run. It's 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:09.759 coming up in two weeks. Actually, less than two 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:13.129 weeks because it's the Saturday before. the Gather 00:02:13.129 --> 00:02:17.250 2025 event for Compassion Weekend. And we have 00:02:17.250 --> 00:02:20.409 roughly 100 or so runners. So I want to challenge 00:02:20.409 --> 00:02:24.030 you. Our goal was 200. You know, reach out to 00:02:24.030 --> 00:02:25.849 some people, invite some people to come run with 00:02:25.849 --> 00:02:27.669 you. And you say, Chris, I don't run. Fine, walk 00:02:27.669 --> 00:02:32.009 or crawl in the family. Fun run. It's okay. You 00:02:32.009 --> 00:02:35.090 know, you can do whatever it takes because it's 00:02:35.090 --> 00:02:37.509 only a mile. But then we have a 5K and a 10K. 00:02:37.610 --> 00:02:40.189 But if you could help us get word out, invite 00:02:40.189 --> 00:02:42.729 some people to join the run, there's plenty of 00:02:42.729 --> 00:02:46.069 time to sign up. And then for our Gather 2025 00:02:46.069 --> 00:02:49.370 event, you guys know that we have rented Boxcar 00:02:49.370 --> 00:02:52.949 Stadium. It's paid for. Thank you, those that 00:02:52.949 --> 00:02:57.870 made a difference and made this opportunity for 00:02:57.870 --> 00:03:01.770 us to gather in what the city built for downtown 00:03:01.770 --> 00:03:04.560 revival. We're believing that God's going to 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:09.960 bring spiritual revival. So with that said, we're 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:12.199 going to set up the stage on Saturday afternoon 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:16.180 at 3 and tear it down on Monday. We need 20 individuals 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:19.120 to assist with Mr. John Eardley. John, could 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:20.819 you put everyone looking towards the back? That's 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:23.560 John. He's our sound guy. You can partner with 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:26.219 him and be a sound technician if you want. But 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:29.280 more importantly, he needs 20 people to serve 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:32.139 and to set a stage up and tear it down. So listen, 00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:33.919 if you've never done anything in our community 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:39.060 of faith, do something. Set up a stage and tear 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:41.080 it down. This is a great way just to get involved 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:43.759 in a simple practical way. So see him right after 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:46.500 this. Go right back to the sound booth. Add your 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:50.159 name to the list and make a difference in people's 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:52.560 lives. Because we believe thousands of people 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:55.900 are going to show up, experience Jesus, and we're 00:03:55.900 --> 00:03:57.460 going to change lives of children all around 00:03:57.460 --> 00:03:59.919 the world. Amen? So let's open in prayer. Holy 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:04.699 Spirit, come. God, prepare our hearts, open our 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:09.280 minds, our ears, silence distractions in Jesus' 00:04:09.419 --> 00:04:13.460 name. May we all receive what you have for us 00:04:13.460 --> 00:04:17.259 this morning, God. Make us more like your son. 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:21.759 Amen. So many of you know we've been in a series 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:24.240 for the month of September called We Are Family. 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:27.360 And we've been discussing the different aspects 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:32.870 of community that Jesus invites us. into. So 00:04:32.870 --> 00:04:35.129 as I was studying for this week's talk, I came 00:04:35.129 --> 00:04:40.050 across two words that challenged me this week, 00:04:40.110 --> 00:04:41.829 and they come from Mark chapter 2, and those 00:04:41.829 --> 00:04:47.990 two words are, follow me. Follow me. And I got 00:04:47.990 --> 00:04:51.050 to thinking, how many times did Jesus say those 00:04:51.050 --> 00:04:54.170 two words? So as I studied, I learned that it 00:04:54.170 --> 00:05:00.310 was 21 times in 12 different conversations. And 00:05:00.310 --> 00:05:04.209 when Jesus invites us to follow him, it's far 00:05:04.209 --> 00:05:07.290 more than just an invitation to walk behind him. 00:05:07.810 --> 00:05:12.629 See, to follow him means to be transformed. Following 00:05:12.629 --> 00:05:16.189 Jesus means we are aligning our lives with his 00:05:16.189 --> 00:05:19.730 teachings and his example. We are embracing his 00:05:19.730 --> 00:05:24.610 values, kingdom values, as our own. It signifies 00:05:24.610 --> 00:05:28.949 a willingness to leave behind. The old ways, 00:05:29.029 --> 00:05:32.050 the old habits. To take up our cross daily. That 00:05:32.050 --> 00:05:35.569 means to die to selfishness and commit to live 00:05:35.569 --> 00:05:39.810 out our pursuit of him through all aspects of 00:05:39.810 --> 00:05:44.370 life. See, when we follow Jesus, it reshapes 00:05:44.370 --> 00:05:48.170 our priorities, our actions, and our very identity. 00:05:49.310 --> 00:05:51.910 And when Jesus invited the disciples to follow 00:05:51.910 --> 00:05:54.230 him, think about it, they left their boats and 00:05:54.230 --> 00:05:57.029 nets, which was their identity and their livelihood. 00:05:58.089 --> 00:06:01.550 They began to listen to and to follow kingdom 00:06:01.550 --> 00:06:04.569 commandments that Jesus was teaching, which means 00:06:04.569 --> 00:06:06.829 they left their priorities and their agendas 00:06:06.829 --> 00:06:12.529 behind. They began to learn from Jesus, which 00:06:12.529 --> 00:06:15.149 means they let go of their opinions. And they 00:06:15.149 --> 00:06:18.550 began to imitate him, which means it wasn't about 00:06:18.550 --> 00:06:22.410 them anymore, it was about him. See, sometimes 00:06:22.410 --> 00:06:25.730 we fail to appreciate how much the disciples 00:06:25.730 --> 00:06:28.439 truly left behind. it turned their lives upside 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:33.139 down. But here's the question for the morning. 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:37.420 Do we have a right to expect any less when we 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:42.279 respond to Jesus? See, Jesus calls us to follow 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:45.319 him for several reasons. Primarily, it was an 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:47.459 invitation to participate in the kingdom of God, 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:51.199 to live under God's rule and reign, which brings 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:54.500 hope and meaning and purpose to our lives. Jesus 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:57.339 was initiating a movement that would spread God's 00:06:57.339 --> 00:07:01.420 love and grace throughout the world. And he was 00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:04.540 teaching us how to live out these kingdom values 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:08.279 in our personal lives and in our greater community. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:12.399 Add to this, when Jesus calls us to follow him, 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:15.600 we also are forming a community of believers 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:18.439 who would support one another, learn together, 00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:22.379 and grow in faith. And see, this communal aspect 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:26.800 of discipleship and change is crucial as it reflects 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:30.620 God's very nature in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:33.839 See, in following Jesus together, the church 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:37.720 is equipped and empowered to continue his mission 00:07:37.720 --> 00:07:42.019 in this world, to spread the good news of God's 00:07:42.019 --> 00:07:44.879 love and salvation. Unfortunately, though, there 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:48.019 are many within the American church that have 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:51.779 adopted, well, it's just me and Jesus. It's just 00:07:51.779 --> 00:07:56.329 me and God. Which simply means that we don't 00:07:56.329 --> 00:07:58.649 need other people to grow in our relationship 00:07:58.649 --> 00:08:01.149 with Jesus. And that, unfortunately, is a lie. 00:08:02.769 --> 00:08:06.129 When Jesus invites us to follow him, it includes 00:08:06.129 --> 00:08:09.250 all aspects of the call. Transformation from 00:08:09.250 --> 00:08:11.709 the inside out, partnering with the Holy Spirit, 00:08:11.790 --> 00:08:14.769 and connecting to our community of faith for 00:08:14.769 --> 00:08:17.930 growth and support. Here's the reality we're 00:08:17.930 --> 00:08:21.209 going to learn today. At some point on our faith 00:08:21.209 --> 00:08:25.189 journey, we're going to need others. Which leads 00:08:25.189 --> 00:08:27.730 us to our first thought this morning. You see, 00:08:27.790 --> 00:08:32.809 God desires his people to be free. Israel had 00:08:32.809 --> 00:08:35.490 experienced hundreds of years of captivity and 00:08:35.490 --> 00:08:38.789 slavery in Egypt. Moses, who was born a Hebrew, 00:08:39.049 --> 00:08:41.610 ends up being adopted into Pharaoh's family, 00:08:41.669 --> 00:08:45.330 becomes a prince of Egypt. But one day, he could 00:08:45.330 --> 00:08:47.769 no longer take the abuse his people was experiencing 00:08:47.769 --> 00:08:52.049 later in his life. Kills an Egyptian and ends 00:08:52.049 --> 00:08:55.330 up being exiled. To the desert for 40 years. 00:08:56.330 --> 00:08:58.690 God then speaks to Moses through a burning bush 00:08:58.690 --> 00:09:02.409 and commissions him to be the one that goes back 00:09:02.409 --> 00:09:05.590 to free his people from the horror of slavery 00:09:05.590 --> 00:09:09.690 and abuse. God promises to deliver the people 00:09:09.690 --> 00:09:13.549 from their bondage. God, of course, demonstrates 00:09:13.549 --> 00:09:16.669 his power to Pharaoh through 10 plagues. And 00:09:16.669 --> 00:09:19.169 after the firstborn sons of Egypt lose their 00:09:19.169 --> 00:09:22.210 lives in the final plague, Pharaoh sets the people 00:09:22.210 --> 00:09:27.379 free. However, in his anger, Pharaoh and his 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:30.519 army pursue the Israelites, wanting to return 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:33.419 them in bondage and slavery. And we read this 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:37.159 in Exodus 14. Then the Lord said to Moses, why 00:09:37.159 --> 00:09:40.000 are you crying out to me? Tell the people to 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:42.120 get moving. Pick up your staff and raise your 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:45.419 hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:47.519 can walk through the middle of the sea on dry 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:50.500 ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians. 00:09:51.129 --> 00:09:52.889 and they will charge in after the Israelites. 00:09:53.529 --> 00:09:56.250 My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh 00:09:56.250 --> 00:09:58.629 and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. 00:09:59.990 --> 00:10:02.610 Many of us know the story, the parting of the 00:10:02.610 --> 00:10:06.149 Red Sea. This picture of freedom, though, is 00:10:06.149 --> 00:10:09.389 not just for the people of Israel. Remember, 00:10:09.470 --> 00:10:12.210 they were stuck in the bondage of slavery. But 00:10:12.210 --> 00:10:15.250 now, fast forward to today, it is available to 00:10:15.250 --> 00:10:17.590 all of us through Jesus' actions on the cross. 00:10:19.370 --> 00:10:21.909 See, we no longer have to remain stuck living 00:10:21.909 --> 00:10:24.490 in the bondage of sin, shame, regret, doubt, 00:10:24.730 --> 00:10:26.889 isolation, negativity, frustration, anxiety, 00:10:27.129 --> 00:10:31.789 or pain. We can experience freedom. And how do 00:10:31.789 --> 00:10:34.389 I know that? Well, Paul writes to us in 2 Corinthians 00:10:34.389 --> 00:10:38.629 3, For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the 00:10:38.629 --> 00:10:44.210 Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. See, 00:10:44.309 --> 00:10:48.750 freedom in this verse... points to the spiritual 00:10:48.750 --> 00:10:52.070 liberty achieved through the indwelling of the 00:10:52.070 --> 00:10:53.789 Holy Spirit. Because when we give our lives to 00:10:53.789 --> 00:10:58.009 Jesus, he fills us with his very spirit. The 00:10:58.009 --> 00:11:01.009 Holy Spirit then liberates people from sin, condemnation, 00:11:01.009 --> 00:11:03.909 and religion. It's not about following rules. 00:11:04.090 --> 00:11:08.669 It's about embracing love. It allows for us to 00:11:08.669 --> 00:11:10.629 have a true, authentic, and intimate relationship 00:11:10.629 --> 00:11:14.590 with God. But hear this out. This freedom is 00:11:14.590 --> 00:11:17.460 not a license to do anything we desire. It's 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:20.980 actually a call to live in obedience to God and 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:23.799 to pray that God's kingdom comes here to earth 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:28.259 as we serve others in love. But we must understand 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:31.320 our second thought. Experience and freedom includes 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:35.299 the wilderness and battles. Remember, the people 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:38.000 of Israel have been slaves for hundreds of years. 00:11:38.649 --> 00:11:41.070 There were no warriors among them. There were 00:11:41.070 --> 00:11:43.429 no natural resources. And they find themselves 00:11:43.429 --> 00:11:46.230 walking in the desert when we read this in Exodus 00:11:46.230 --> 00:11:49.549 15. Then Moses led the people of Israel away 00:11:49.549 --> 00:11:51.789 from the Red Sea and they moved out into the 00:11:51.789 --> 00:11:54.509 desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert 00:11:54.509 --> 00:11:57.590 for three days without finding any water. Please 00:11:57.590 --> 00:12:00.250 note that they're only three days into the wilderness. 00:12:01.070 --> 00:12:03.750 Then the people complained and turned against 00:12:03.750 --> 00:12:07.110 Moses. What are we going to drink? They demanded. 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:10.899 No, I don't know about you, but that's a lot 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:14.960 about me. It's just like us. We get free from 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:19.200 bondage, right? God releases freedom of sin and 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:23.159 our past and our hurts. But this relationship 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:25.580 with Jesus thing doesn't work out just the way 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:28.379 we want it. And what do we do? We begin to complain. 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:33.559 We're frustrated. God, where are you? Let's continue. 00:12:34.190 --> 00:12:36.590 So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and 00:12:36.590 --> 00:12:39.110 the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw 00:12:39.110 --> 00:12:40.769 it into the water, and this made the water good 00:12:40.769 --> 00:12:43.809 to drink. It was there at Merah that the Lord 00:12:43.809 --> 00:12:46.490 set before them the following decree as a standard 00:12:46.490 --> 00:12:50.090 to test their faithfulness to him. See, God simply 00:12:50.090 --> 00:12:53.210 wanted to see if the people would trust him to 00:12:53.210 --> 00:12:57.269 provide, to meet their needs, to lead them into 00:12:57.269 --> 00:13:00.269 this promised land. Let's continue in Exodus 00:13:00.269 --> 00:13:02.529 16. There, too, the whole community of Israel 00:13:02.529 --> 00:13:06.009 complained. About Moses and Aaron. If only the 00:13:06.009 --> 00:13:08.029 Lord had killed us back in Egypt, they moaned. 00:13:08.889 --> 00:13:11.730 There we sat around pots filled with meat and 00:13:11.730 --> 00:13:14.370 ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have 00:13:14.370 --> 00:13:16.149 brought us into the wilderness to starve all 00:13:16.149 --> 00:13:18.309 of us to death. Then the Lord said to Moses, 00:13:18.450 --> 00:13:20.990 look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven 00:13:20.990 --> 00:13:23.429 for you. Each day the people can go out and pick 00:13:23.429 --> 00:13:26.909 up as much food as they need for that day. So 00:13:26.909 --> 00:13:29.429 see here, it wasn't just water that God provided. 00:13:30.129 --> 00:13:33.639 He also supplied their food and sustenance. For 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:35.500 the journey through the wilderness. But again, 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:40.100 what do we see? People complaining. Questioning. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:43.460 Doubting the promises of God. And it doesn't 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:47.059 stop there. Exodus 17 again. I will stand before 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:49.820 you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:51.860 and water will come gushing out. Then the people 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:54.759 will be able to drink. So Moses struck the rock 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:57.700 as he was told. And water gushed out as the elders 00:13:57.700 --> 00:14:01.870 looked on. And as we see this story, miracle 00:14:01.870 --> 00:14:05.250 after miracle after miracle, God is providing 00:14:05.250 --> 00:14:08.870 for his people. And instead of gratitude, what 00:14:08.870 --> 00:14:13.889 do we see? Complaints. Questioning. Against God 00:14:13.889 --> 00:14:18.330 and Moses. Why did we leave Egypt? And I know 00:14:18.330 --> 00:14:21.730 it's crazy. But I find myself struggling with 00:14:21.730 --> 00:14:25.500 this same attitude. I've seen miracle after miracle 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:28.299 from God in pastoring this church for 19 years. 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:32.559 Physical healings of adults and children. God's 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:36.519 provision of finances and buildings and vehicles. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:41.279 He's opened doors for us in the community to 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:45.299 serve, to extend his grace, to purchase this 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:50.779 building. Yet I still find myself when I'm weak 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:54.730 and tired. complaining and arguing with my wife, 00:14:54.769 --> 00:14:58.070 moaning, I'm not good enough. Where is God? Is 00:14:58.070 --> 00:15:02.990 he going to show up? It's human nature. It's 00:15:02.990 --> 00:15:07.350 human nature. We're all selfish. We're all weak. 00:15:08.669 --> 00:15:10.929 And I've been learning a lot in the last few 00:15:10.929 --> 00:15:13.610 weeks preparing for next month's series called 00:15:13.610 --> 00:15:17.990 Gratitude. So prepare your hearts and invite 00:15:17.990 --> 00:15:20.250 your friends because next week we're going to 00:15:20.250 --> 00:15:22.649 learn that gratitude is actually A superpower. 00:15:23.889 --> 00:15:26.970 So if you've ever wanted to be Superman, show 00:15:26.970 --> 00:15:31.649 up next week. But here's the crazy thing. It's 00:15:31.649 --> 00:15:34.309 not just the wilderness. Notice we read this 00:15:34.309 --> 00:15:37.190 in Exodus 17. While the people of Israel still 00:15:37.190 --> 00:15:40.409 in Repidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 00:15:40.750 --> 00:15:44.110 Moses commanded Joshua, choose some men to go 00:15:44.110 --> 00:15:46.649 out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, 00:15:46.669 --> 00:15:49.389 I will stand at the top of the hill holding the 00:15:49.389 --> 00:15:53.330 staff of God in my hand. So not only is God providing 00:15:53.330 --> 00:15:56.269 to meet their needs, but now we find God defending 00:15:56.269 --> 00:15:59.970 them and protecting them from the battle. And 00:15:59.970 --> 00:16:01.850 there's a good chance that many of you gathered 00:16:01.850 --> 00:16:04.509 here today, you've experienced freedom from your 00:16:04.509 --> 00:16:07.529 past. You're walking in the hope and the love 00:16:07.529 --> 00:16:11.809 of Jesus. Yet have you ever wondered, why is 00:16:11.809 --> 00:16:16.029 life so hard? Why do I have to fight along the 00:16:16.029 --> 00:16:20.929 way? Why can't it just be easy? We have this 00:16:20.929 --> 00:16:23.070 moment, this encounter with God. We're set free. 00:16:23.490 --> 00:16:26.490 Maybe we chose to get baptized. And we tell all 00:16:26.490 --> 00:16:29.409 the people that get baptized, next week will 00:16:29.409 --> 00:16:33.330 be the hardest week of your life. Whether it 00:16:33.330 --> 00:16:37.830 be temptation of old habits. An argument with 00:16:37.830 --> 00:16:41.250 family or friends. A wrestling with our children 00:16:41.250 --> 00:16:44.590 or a spouse. Battles or struggles are a common 00:16:44.590 --> 00:16:47.009 occurrence in a relationship with Jesus. And 00:16:47.009 --> 00:16:48.409 you're sitting there thinking, well, Chris, why? 00:16:48.730 --> 00:16:50.889 Where's the freedom? Well, Jesus tells us in 00:16:50.889 --> 00:16:53.629 John 16, I've told you all this so you may have 00:16:53.629 --> 00:16:55.789 peace in me. Here on earth you will have many 00:16:55.789 --> 00:16:59.529 trials and sorrows, but take heart because I've 00:16:59.529 --> 00:17:03.149 overcome the world. See, Jesus told us we're 00:17:03.149 --> 00:17:07.349 going to daily be in a battle, that we would 00:17:07.349 --> 00:17:09.730 experience trials and sorrows along the way. 00:17:09.829 --> 00:17:14.650 But take heart. Have hope. Trust in God because 00:17:14.650 --> 00:17:18.240 Jesus what? I overcame the world. He walked a 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:21.579 perfect life, died the sinner's death, overcame 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:23.480 all of it when he defeated the grave on the third 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:26.779 day. Oh, well, Chris, I understand those truths, 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:30.019 but it doesn't change how I currently feel. I'm 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:33.420 struggling. Okay, let's look at our third thought. 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:37.180 God's presence and power leads to victory. If 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.799 you're struggling here this morning, I'm going 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:41.900 to point you back to God, Exodus 17. So Joshua 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:44.779 did what Moses had commanded and fought the army. 00:17:46.190 --> 00:17:49.910 Poor Joshua, no warriors. I don't even know what 00:17:49.910 --> 00:17:53.109 they were fighting with, probably sticks. Moses 00:17:53.109 --> 00:17:55.029 is like, hey, go fight that army. I'm going to 00:17:55.029 --> 00:17:58.069 go up on the hill. When you first read it, you're 00:17:58.069 --> 00:17:59.730 thinking, Moses, you're the leader, man. You've 00:17:59.730 --> 00:18:01.250 got to be leading the charge. No, he's up on 00:18:01.250 --> 00:18:05.150 the hill. But why? Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and 00:18:05.150 --> 00:18:07.569 Hur climbed to the top of the nearby hill. As 00:18:07.569 --> 00:18:10.329 long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, 00:18:10.470 --> 00:18:14.210 the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever 00:18:14.210 --> 00:18:17.950 he dropped his hands, the Amalekites gained the 00:18:17.950 --> 00:18:20.529 advantage. Please understand, the staff of God 00:18:20.529 --> 00:18:23.470 in Moses' hand was the authority and the power 00:18:23.470 --> 00:18:27.710 of God. It's what God had given Moses to instruct 00:18:27.710 --> 00:18:29.349 the people and lead them through the wilderness 00:18:29.349 --> 00:18:33.230 into the promised land. Joshua knew that Moses 00:18:33.230 --> 00:18:35.250 standing on the hill with the authority and the 00:18:35.250 --> 00:18:37.470 power of God in his hands would lead the people 00:18:37.470 --> 00:18:39.990 to victory. That's why he went forth into the 00:18:39.990 --> 00:18:43.980 battle. was walking in God's call in his life. 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:47.460 And Joshua was faithfully following the leader 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:52.579 that God had established. Listen, all of us, 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:56.460 all of us have been called into the family of 00:18:56.460 --> 00:19:01.039 God. All of us have a role to play in his kingdom. 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:05.839 And quite often, the enemies distract us, gets 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:09.299 us off course with trials, sorrows, and struggles 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:12.119 that Jesus promised we would have. See, those 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:14.980 trials, sorrows, and struggles get us off the 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:17.359 course and the calling that God has on our life. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:20.160 But listen to these promises from Paul writing 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:22.460 these words through the inspiration of the Holy 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:25.339 Spirit, 1 Corinthians 15. But thank God he gives 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:27.079 us victory over sin and death through our Lord 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:29.140 Jesus Christ. There it is, he gives us victory. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:32.740 Romans 8 .37, no, despite all these things, overwhelming 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:35.720 victory is ours through Christ who loved us. 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:38.799 And notice what that says. Overwhelming victory. 00:19:39.789 --> 00:19:42.730 And I want to declare that over your life today. 00:19:43.049 --> 00:19:44.990 It doesn't matter what you're dealing with, what 00:19:44.990 --> 00:19:46.769 you're struggling with, what you brought in here. 00:19:46.890 --> 00:19:51.549 If you're in a relationship with Jesus, you have 00:19:51.549 --> 00:19:56.630 overwhelming victory. Receive that in Jesus' 00:19:56.710 --> 00:20:03.210 name. But when we receive that victory, we can't 00:20:03.210 --> 00:20:04.990 just keep it to ourselves, our fourth thought. 00:20:05.109 --> 00:20:09.150 In our weakness, people can be our strength. 00:20:09.710 --> 00:20:11.910 That's right, even if you don't like people, 00:20:12.009 --> 00:20:17.170 in your weakness, you need them. See, the power 00:20:17.170 --> 00:20:19.809 and presence of God is the key to victory, but 00:20:19.809 --> 00:20:25.650 sometimes, guess what? We get tired. Exodus 17, 00:20:25.809 --> 00:20:28.309 10, and 12. So Joshua did what Moses had commanded 00:20:28.309 --> 00:20:31.109 and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, 00:20:31.250 --> 00:20:34.130 Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of the nearby 00:20:34.130 --> 00:20:37.589 hill. Moses' arms soon became so tired he could 00:20:37.589 --> 00:20:41.099 no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:43.779 a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:46.059 each side of Moses, holding up his hands, so 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:50.480 his hands were steady until sunset. Remember, 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:54.240 it doesn't matter where you've been, what you 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:56.240 went through, and what you experienced. You have 00:20:56.240 --> 00:21:00.519 a call on your life. But every one of those callings 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:03.460 require people to come around them in community 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:07.660 and shared strength. When Moses' hands grew tired, 00:21:08.349 --> 00:21:11.069 Aaron and her were there. And I find it interesting, 00:21:11.349 --> 00:21:13.450 nowhere did we know that Aaron and her were even 00:21:13.450 --> 00:21:15.869 going to the top of the mountain. Because God 00:21:15.869 --> 00:21:19.150 sent them. And the same goes for our relationship 00:21:19.150 --> 00:21:24.109 with Jesus. It's not if, it's when our hands 00:21:24.109 --> 00:21:27.390 get tired. And this includes all aspects of life. 00:21:27.890 --> 00:21:30.390 You know, so often when we come and gather on 00:21:30.390 --> 00:21:33.490 a Sunday, we just focus on church. Well, this 00:21:33.490 --> 00:21:36.170 is how I serve. I need prayer. I need this. But 00:21:36.170 --> 00:21:40.349 listen. We need support in all aspects of life 00:21:40.349 --> 00:21:42.609 because God is concerned about everything in 00:21:42.609 --> 00:21:44.210 your life. It could be your work, your business. 00:21:44.490 --> 00:21:48.670 It could be your marriage, right? Our marriage 00:21:48.670 --> 00:21:52.089 course launches at the end of this month. So 00:21:52.089 --> 00:21:56.829 if you and your spouse need a little kick in 00:21:56.829 --> 00:22:00.829 the butt, a little elbow in the ribs, our marriage 00:22:00.829 --> 00:22:02.609 course launches. It's at the end of October. 00:22:03.130 --> 00:22:06.240 Sign up at the Welcome Hub. Maybe it's our parenting, 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:08.619 our classmates, our finances. Listen, all of 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:11.500 it's meaningful to God. He cares about us and 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:14.859 he loves us. But friends, we have to realize 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:17.660 we need other Jesus followers in our life to 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:19.180 make it through and support us in our time of 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:23.180 need. For Moses, Aaron and Hur had him what? 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:27.799 Sit on a rock. And as he was sitting on a rock, 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:32.519 they each held a hand in his time of need. See, 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:35.359 we need to surround ourselves with people that 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:38.160 will encourage us because we can't do it on our 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:42.619 own. From this, we learn that we can sit in the 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:45.900 midst of a battle, a struggle, when we have other 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:48.740 people holding our hands. How do I know that? 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:51.660 Well, the place where the battle was happening, 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:54.599 Repidim, the name of that place or the meaning 00:22:54.599 --> 00:23:00.319 of that place is place of rest. Place of rest. 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:03.440 But unfortunately, many of us believe that rest 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:08.039 is a sign of weakness, and I'm one of them. I 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:10.839 find it hard to rest. I'm always moving, always 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:13.400 thinking, always doing, always serving. That's 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:16.200 just how God designed me, but yet God also designed 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:18.819 for us to take a Sabbath or a rest every single 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:23.140 week. Paul writes us this in 2 Corinthians 12, 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:25.359 9 through 10. Well, why should I rest, Chris? 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:27.940 Well, each time he said, my grace is all you 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:34.099 need. My power. works best in weakness. So now 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:36.480 I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:38.599 the power of Christ can work through me. That's 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:41.180 why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:43.200 insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:46.099 that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:50.720 then I am strong. And see, God, here's the hard 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:53.660 part, is inviting us to express or show our weakness 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:57.339 today. Because when we express or show our weakness, 00:23:57.380 --> 00:24:01.339 what happens? His power moves. But we have to 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:04.539 be willing to allow others to support us. I've 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:07.420 been going through this season of nostalgia lately. 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:11.960 And it's been happening because my phone, every 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:16.019 morning, pops up memories. So I've been going 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:19.400 through these pictures that they just send to 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:23.539 me randomly, somehow. And as I'm going through 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:26.240 these pictures, nostalgia is this funny thing. 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:29.099 It starts out happy and smiling, and then two 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:31.140 minutes later, you're weeping on your knees, 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:36.720 crying. Like, how does this work? It's just a 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:42.920 weird thing. But in this season, I've been having 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:45.839 people pray for me. I've been honest with all 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:47.599 of you about the struggles I've been having about 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:50.619 sending my son to the other ends of the world. 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:53.400 But they've been encouraging me and reflecting 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:57.700 on the good, the joy of those moments. And now 00:24:57.700 --> 00:25:00.079 how from those moments and that joy and that 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:03.480 blessing, I now have children that are thriving 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:06.539 and successful in their lives. Because Jess and 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:12.039 I have been faithful to God. We need those people 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:15.519 in our life. But here's the reality. You've got 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:18.140 to take off your mask. You've got to be honest 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:21.400 with other people. Aaron and Hur held up Moses' 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:25.440 hands until what? Sunset. And notice, they were 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:29.480 only holding up his hands, not his staff. Because 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:32.000 the staff was Moses' to hold. That was his call 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:35.460 on his life. These two men came alongside Moses 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:39.240 to support that call, support that mission, support 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:42.240 that area of ministry. Now here's the crazy thing. 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:45.440 Aaron's name actually means mountain of strength. 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:50.859 Her was a common name during that time, and it 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:56.400 meant nobility. But notice, strength and nobility 00:25:56.400 --> 00:26:00.279 were serving Moses so that his call could happen. 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:04.440 And that's how our relationship with Jesus works. 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:07.180 See, there are seasons where we need encouragement. 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:11.079 But there's also opportunities, I believe, God 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:13.000 gives us every single day to encourage others. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:17.799 Will you do it? Will you do it? Yes, we're going 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:19.700 to go through seasons where we need encouraged, 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:22.640 but every day in our sphere of influence, there's 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:24.980 people that need encouraged by us. And as we 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:27.900 step out, suddenly we will find ourselves as 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:30.700 no longer being in a trial or being in despair 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:33.220 because we are serving someone else. We have 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:36.039 to look for them. See, God is inviting us to 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:38.440 be a part of his story, and his story is much 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:42.539 bigger than you and me. Faith is a shared journey 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:45.569 that challenges us to look outward. And how do 00:26:45.569 --> 00:26:48.190 we look outward? Our final thought. Testimonies 00:26:48.190 --> 00:26:52.609 unleash the supernatural. As a result, Exodus 00:26:52.609 --> 00:26:56.210 17, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in 00:26:56.210 --> 00:26:58.569 the battle. After the victory, the Lord instructed 00:26:58.569 --> 00:27:01.450 Moses, notice, write this down on a scroll as 00:27:01.450 --> 00:27:03.890 a permanent reminder and read it aloud to Joshua. 00:27:04.109 --> 00:27:07.309 I will erase the memory of Amalek from under 00:27:07.309 --> 00:27:11.750 heaven. See, this battle was never about Moses. 00:27:12.589 --> 00:27:15.750 It wasn't even about Aaron or her. This battle 00:27:15.750 --> 00:27:21.490 was all about Joshua. Joshua. Oh, Liberty Mutual 00:27:21.490 --> 00:27:26.670 is calling me. Wouldn't it be funny to answer? 00:27:28.190 --> 00:27:32.490 Oh, hi. How are you? You're in front of hundreds 00:27:32.490 --> 00:27:34.910 of people. Would you like to sell me car insurance? 00:27:40.589 --> 00:27:46.630 Isn't it funny how distractions work? The battle 00:27:46.630 --> 00:27:50.009 was never about Moses. It wasn't about Aaron 00:27:50.009 --> 00:27:53.410 or her. It was about Joshua. Joshua won the battle. 00:27:54.089 --> 00:27:57.190 Joshua would lead the people into the promised 00:27:57.190 --> 00:28:01.509 land. Moses was a vessel to set up Joshua for 00:28:01.509 --> 00:28:03.609 success. Who are you setting up for success? 00:28:04.930 --> 00:28:07.970 That's why God told Moses, write this down and 00:28:07.970 --> 00:28:13.089 record it. Record it. May it serve as a reminder, 00:28:13.269 --> 00:28:16.569 I believe, that this is what the church should 00:28:16.569 --> 00:28:19.710 look like. Well, Chris, that's the Old Testament. 00:28:19.950 --> 00:28:22.950 It doesn't matter. We are called to serve one 00:28:22.950 --> 00:28:25.910 another, pray for one another, encourage one 00:28:25.910 --> 00:28:28.769 another, invite God's presence into one another's 00:28:28.769 --> 00:28:32.450 lives, watch him move in our lives, and tell 00:28:32.450 --> 00:28:35.150 everyone about it. See, we have to be willing 00:28:35.150 --> 00:28:38.240 to share a story. We have to be willing to point 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:41.660 people to Jesus through our story. Even if it's 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:44.059 painful, you've got to share it because someone 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:47.220 needs to hear it. We have to share our story. 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:51.279 Why? Not just to spread the good news, but to 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:54.660 fight off the attacks of the enemy. Oh, you're 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:56.759 under attack? Okay, let me read this for you. 00:28:57.059 --> 00:29:00.180 Revelation 12, 11. Oh, I'm sorry, you're defeated? 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:02.460 Oh, I'm sorry, you're depressed, you're full 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:05.420 of anxiety? And they have defeated him by the 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:07.740 blood of the lamb. That's our relationship with 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:12.400 Jesus. And by their testimony. And they did not 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:14.079 love their lives so much that they were afraid 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:16.720 to die. Who are you sharing your testimony with? 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:20.359 Testimonies allow for others to see the power 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:22.759 and the presence of God in your life. Luke chapter 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:25.940 8. The man who had been freed from the demons 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:28.579 begged to go with him. Right? And this is the 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:31.859 story of Legion. You know, the guy in the cemetery, 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:36.000 chained. No one went around. Jesus just said, 00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:41.319 be gone in Jesus' name. He was healed. He was 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:43.180 healed to the point that his life was radically 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:45.140 changed. He wanted to follow Jesus. So Jesus 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:47.440 says, no, go back to your family and tell them 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:50.400 everything God has done for you. So he went all 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:52.200 through town proclaiming the great things Jesus 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:55.420 has done for him. Tell your family. Tell your 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:58.220 town. See, sharing the good news of what God 00:29:58.220 --> 00:30:02.509 has done is the power of your testimony. It's 00:30:02.509 --> 00:30:05.750 the power of walking in freedom. Who knows your 00:30:05.750 --> 00:30:10.390 story? Who knows your pain? Who is surrounding 00:30:10.390 --> 00:30:14.450 you that will lift your arms? See, church, we 00:30:14.450 --> 00:30:17.269 have to change that attitude. It's just me and 00:30:17.269 --> 00:30:21.890 Jesus. No, it's not just you and Jesus. It's 00:30:21.890 --> 00:30:25.470 us walking together through this life, supporting 00:30:25.470 --> 00:30:28.670 and encouraging, standing with you, and loving 00:30:28.670 --> 00:30:31.680 you in difficult times. Which leads us to our 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:34.339 one action step. All of you are invited to join 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:38.720 the journey. Join the journey. Exodus 17. Moses 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:41.359 built an altar there and named it Yahweh Nisi. 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:45.380 Which means the Lord is my banner. So I studied 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:49.980 that word banner. Right? So essentially Moses 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:53.660 built a marker. An altar if you will. A marker 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:59.849 to identify and express his gratitude. God led 00:30:59.849 --> 00:31:02.809 us to victory. That God is our identity. That 00:31:02.809 --> 00:31:05.430 God protected us. So that Joshua would learn 00:31:05.430 --> 00:31:08.569 it as he took the people into the promised land. 00:31:08.670 --> 00:31:11.990 A banner historically served as a symbol of allegiance. 00:31:12.849 --> 00:31:18.529 A rallying point. A visual reminder of the people's 00:31:18.529 --> 00:31:23.049 true leader. Moses was acknowledging God as the 00:31:23.049 --> 00:31:25.690 true power and presence that gave them the win. 00:31:26.009 --> 00:31:29.170 Not their strength. Not their weapons. But so 00:31:29.170 --> 00:31:32.190 often people feel they have nothing to offer 00:31:32.190 --> 00:31:35.930 God. You know, some of you, you're gathered here, 00:31:36.069 --> 00:31:37.450 and you're like, well, I don't know how to pray. 00:31:37.609 --> 00:31:39.549 I can't pray in public, Chris. I can't pray out 00:31:39.549 --> 00:31:41.430 loud. I haven't read the Bible. I don't know 00:31:41.430 --> 00:31:44.069 the Bible enough. I haven't experienced these 00:31:44.069 --> 00:31:47.569 miracles that you're talking about. Okay, I tend 00:31:47.569 --> 00:31:50.930 to disagree. You know why? Look around. Look 00:31:50.930 --> 00:31:54.589 to your left. That's it. Make eye contact. Look 00:31:54.589 --> 00:31:57.369 to your right. Look at people. Do it. Look at 00:31:57.369 --> 00:32:01.289 people. Smile. Be a family. There you go. There 00:32:01.289 --> 00:32:07.849 you go. Look around. Look around. Listen. If 00:32:07.849 --> 00:32:11.130 you're in a relationship with Jesus, your life 00:32:11.130 --> 00:32:13.930 is a miracle. If you're in a relationship with 00:32:13.930 --> 00:32:16.130 Jesus, your life is a miracle. So many of you 00:32:16.130 --> 00:32:19.470 just looked around at miracles. So you can't 00:32:19.470 --> 00:32:22.170 say you've never seen a miracle. How do I know 00:32:22.170 --> 00:32:25.819 that? Well, Mark 2, 5. Four friends. desperately 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:28.500 wanted to help their friend who was paralyzed. 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:32.819 Jesus was in a house. They couldn't get in. There 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:35.079 were so many people. They ripped the roof off 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:39.519 a house. Listen to Jesus' words. Seeing their 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:42.460 faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, my child, 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:46.180 your sins are forgiven. Now, of course, the religious 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:50.839 got all upset. Who is he that has the power to 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:53.819 forgive sins? And they began arguing with Jesus. 00:32:54.509 --> 00:32:56.650 So Jesus continues, well, I'll prove to you that 00:32:56.650 --> 00:32:58.910 the Son of Man is the authority on earth to forgive 00:32:58.910 --> 00:33:01.369 sins. And Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and 00:33:01.369 --> 00:33:03.069 said, stand up, pick up your mat, and go home, 00:33:03.130 --> 00:33:07.609 to which he did. These men ripped the roof off 00:33:07.609 --> 00:33:10.190 a house to get their friend what he needed. They 00:33:10.190 --> 00:33:13.710 went to great lengths, and Jesus recognized this 00:33:13.710 --> 00:33:16.730 man needed grace and forgiveness. Being in a 00:33:16.730 --> 00:33:18.910 relationship with Jesus is a miracle. You are 00:33:18.910 --> 00:33:21.369 a living miracle. Don't tell me you've never 00:33:21.369 --> 00:33:24.369 seen one. 1 Corinthians 1 .18, the message of 00:33:24.369 --> 00:33:26.710 the cross is foolish to those who are headed 00:33:26.710 --> 00:33:31.769 for destruction, but we who are being saved know 00:33:31.769 --> 00:33:35.650 it is the very power of God. See, when we could 00:33:35.650 --> 00:33:39.750 do nothing, Jesus did everything. Our salvation 00:33:39.750 --> 00:33:42.349 is a miracle because the most foolish message 00:33:42.349 --> 00:33:45.150 has become the most powerful message in our very 00:33:45.150 --> 00:33:48.990 lives. Our story, because of the power of the 00:33:48.990 --> 00:33:53.099 gospel, we were dead, but now we're full. That 00:33:53.099 --> 00:34:00.839 was terrible. We were dead, but now we're alive. 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:06.440 And what should we do with it? Luke 8, 39. No, 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:08.179 go back to your family and tell them everything 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:11.000 God has done for you. So he went all through 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:15.079 the town proclaiming the great things Jesus has 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:18.199 done for him. Don't tell me you don't have a 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:20.559 story. If you're in a relationship with story. 00:34:21.530 --> 00:34:23.250 or in relationship with Jesus, you have a story 00:34:23.250 --> 00:34:26.809 to tell others because there's someone else that 00:34:26.809 --> 00:34:29.469 will connect with you in a real way and you have 00:34:29.469 --> 00:34:31.110 the power to transform their life through the 00:34:31.110 --> 00:34:34.429 living Holy Spirit with inside of you. But the 00:34:34.429 --> 00:34:36.849 question is, are you willing to go and do? Will 00:34:36.849 --> 00:34:41.889 you stand with me? So we're gonna close a little 00:34:41.889 --> 00:34:45.230 different this morning. About two weeks ago, 00:34:45.329 --> 00:34:47.670 I was praying about how to close this gathering 00:34:47.670 --> 00:34:51.159 and God dropped a bomb on me. But before we do 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:53.000 and before we move forward, we're going to close 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:55.880 in worship. I'm going to pray a simple prayer 00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:58.000 because I believe God brings people into our 00:34:58.000 --> 00:35:00.460 midst every single gathering that are distant 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:03.139 and far from God. And if you're not in a relationship 00:35:03.139 --> 00:35:05.280 with him this morning, pray these words with 00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:09.260 all of us and you will become that living miracle. 00:35:11.260 --> 00:35:16.079 The clock will stop and you will begin your journey 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:21.639 to eternity. Let's pray. Jesus. I'm broken. I'm 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:26.920 full of doubt, shame, regret, sin. Change me. 00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:32.460 Forgive me. I believe you're God's son. I believe 00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:38.420 you died for me. Make me new. Set me free. Fill 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:42.599 me with your spirit. Help me, God, to serve others. 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:47.650 In Jesus' name, amen. Now listen. If you prayed 00:35:47.650 --> 00:35:50.230 that prayer, see me, see Rudy, see someone, tell 00:35:50.230 --> 00:35:52.530 us so we can give you some next steps. But this 00:35:52.530 --> 00:35:55.110 is how we're going to close. Our prayer team 00:35:55.110 --> 00:35:58.829 will be here on my right. If you have pain in 00:35:58.829 --> 00:36:02.130 the inside of your left ankle or you have shoulder 00:36:02.130 --> 00:36:06.610 pain in your right shoulder, while we're worshiping, 00:36:06.610 --> 00:36:07.969 come get prayer. But this is how we're going 00:36:07.969 --> 00:36:10.869 to close. I believe that many of you came in 00:36:10.869 --> 00:36:16.639 here struggling. You're weak. You're empty. You're 00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:19.480 full of anxiety. You're questioning. Well, as 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:25.639 we worship, I want you to sit right now. Sit 00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:28.440 down. There you go. If you're struggling, you're 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:32.360 full of anxiety, doubt, sit down. Oh, some of 00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:41.659 you are confused. Okay, listen. Let me say this 00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:46.619 again. Here we go. Everyone calm down. If you 00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:49.400 are struggling, you're alone, you have anxiety, 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:52.820 you have doubt, you have frustration, don't stand, 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:56.860 sit. You got it? There you go. If you're good, 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:59.920 stand. I need people standing too. I can't grab 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:05.059 all of your hands. Jeez. So here's, if you're 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:07.960 sitting down, if you're sitting down, put them 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:11.380 up. Let's go, both hands up. Let's go. If you're 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:13.920 around them, if you're around them, get around 00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:17.190 them, hold their hands. Get around them. Hold 00:37:17.190 --> 00:37:22.170 their hands. This is a holy moment. If you're 00:37:22.170 --> 00:37:26.789 standing, go get hands. Get hands. There you 00:37:26.789 --> 00:37:29.510 go. Join hands. Support those that are in need. 00:37:30.250 --> 00:37:34.050 And we're going to close by singing these words. 00:37:34.130 --> 00:37:52.650 Let's go. I was deep, I was deep, I was deep