WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.399 Thank you, collective worship, right? I want 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:06.559 to say it was Thursday. You know, I was praying 00:00:06.559 --> 00:00:09.419 about this moment and envisioning this moment. 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:13.939 And this song came on and I just immediately 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:19.379 just broke down weeping in tears. And I can look 00:00:19.379 --> 00:00:21.879 across the room and see some of you guys get 00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:25.079 the message. But just so that we can come together 00:00:25.079 --> 00:00:31.640 in this moment. This song. It resonated so deeply. 00:00:32.659 --> 00:00:36.280 Because if there's one thing that you want to 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:40.899 do when you find yourself where God wills you 00:00:40.899 --> 00:00:46.079 to be, is you want to slow down. That you don't 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:52.460 want to miss what God is doing. And today we're 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:55.280 starting a new sermon series, new life, new community. 00:00:57.979 --> 00:01:02.299 objective of this message in this series is to 00:01:02.299 --> 00:01:05.200 get us to really perceive what God is doing. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:09.260 And that's my prayer that many of you guys will 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:12.239 realize that you're actually in the middle of 00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:16.280 what God is doing. That you haven't been randomly 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:19.260 going through life and you didn't accidentally 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:23.060 end up here today, this Sunday morning, that 00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:26.640 the decisions were the right or wrong. that God 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:30.219 hasn't mismanaged your life. And when you start 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:33.400 to realize that in his great love, his great 00:01:33.400 --> 00:01:37.599 care, his sovereignty, that you are where God 00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:40.500 wants you to be, you start to look at life differently. 00:01:41.180 --> 00:01:44.079 And you stop thinking about the next thing you 00:01:44.079 --> 00:01:48.319 can do, you start slowing down that ambition 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:51.500 a little, and you start to really say, you know 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:56.390 what, God, I don't wanna miss Where you designed 00:01:56.390 --> 00:02:01.890 for me to be I? Told him in first service that 00:02:01.890 --> 00:02:07.250 one of the reasons regret Hurts so much. It's 00:02:07.250 --> 00:02:10.229 because regret is just evidence that you mismanaged 00:02:10.229 --> 00:02:13.009 something you thought was going to be in plentiful 00:02:13.009 --> 00:02:17.770 supply and It turns out it was sacred It turns 00:02:17.770 --> 00:02:20.490 out it was sacred. So now you're looking back 00:02:20.490 --> 00:02:22.150 regretting because you thought you were gonna 00:02:22.150 --> 00:02:25.550 have more conversations You thought you were 00:02:25.550 --> 00:02:28.289 going to have more opportunities and you realized 00:02:28.289 --> 00:02:33.610 that moment I was in was actually precious. And 00:02:33.610 --> 00:02:36.669 so the aim of this moment, this time, is to get 00:02:36.669 --> 00:02:40.430 for some of us to realize that guess what? You're 00:02:40.430 --> 00:02:46.300 actually where God wants you to be. Now whether 00:02:46.300 --> 00:02:48.919 or not you got stories of victory spewing out 00:02:48.919 --> 00:02:51.599 of your mouth or you're presently pressing through 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:56.699 situations You're where God wants you to be And 00:02:56.699 --> 00:03:00.319 I woke up I was sitting in that room I was in 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:02.620 my office at my home and just thinking about 00:03:02.620 --> 00:03:04.960 what I had on my agenda that day I was thinking 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:07.419 about you know, all the problems that were gonna 00:03:07.419 --> 00:03:09.960 be solved the prayers I was asking to be answered 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:17.610 and God said boy slow down I'm here. We're here. 00:03:18.689 --> 00:03:22.550 You're in the midst of what I'm doing. Enjoy 00:03:22.550 --> 00:03:28.050 my presence. Enjoy this time. You don't want 00:03:28.050 --> 00:03:30.830 to get two months from now and realize that this 00:03:30.830 --> 00:03:39.909 was precious. That this was beautiful. I'm looking 00:03:39.909 --> 00:03:41.629 around this room right now and I'm just seeing 00:03:41.629 --> 00:03:43.650 things that are beautiful to me. I'm seeing. 00:03:43.849 --> 00:03:47.610 Husbands and wives worshiping next to each other 00:03:47.610 --> 00:03:53.009 Seeing kids families together He gripping his 00:03:53.009 --> 00:03:56.789 wife this couple's matching and y 'all look fly 00:03:56.789 --> 00:04:09.229 God slows down But let's let's appreciate the 00:04:09.229 --> 00:04:13.580 moments that are precious let's appreciate your 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:16.939 presence and let's appreciate what you were doing. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:21.500 And so I want to bring you guys into this moment 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:27.660 because this series is predicated upon us really 00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:30.779 slowing down in some moments. Being thankful. 00:04:32.540 --> 00:04:35.800 Being thankful. Thankful for what, Pastor Brian? 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:45.949 That you're no longer doomed to damnation. thankful 00:04:45.949 --> 00:04:49.430 that you've been resurrected into an eternal 00:04:49.430 --> 00:04:53.790 life, that joy truly is coming in the morning, 00:04:53.829 --> 00:04:55.910 whether that morning is here on earth or that 00:04:55.910 --> 00:05:00.689 morning is heaven, joy is my future. Slow me 00:05:00.689 --> 00:05:04.829 down and let me not lay down the greatest gift 00:05:04.829 --> 00:05:09.470 I was given, which was salvation. Listen, look 00:05:09.470 --> 00:05:11.470 around, you're looking at a bunch of redeemed 00:05:11.470 --> 00:05:14.970 people. You're looking at a bunch of people who 00:05:14.970 --> 00:05:21.769 were doomed on the path to death Jesus stepped 00:05:21.769 --> 00:05:29.750 in Made them righteous Covered them forgave them 00:05:29.750 --> 00:05:33.209 redeemed them brought them into his marvelous 00:05:33.209 --> 00:05:42.350 light A bunch of people who are no longer lost, 00:05:42.389 --> 00:05:53.410 they are found. Woo! Woo! Gotta slow down sometimes 00:05:53.410 --> 00:05:59.230 and see what God is doing. See what God has done. 00:05:59.850 --> 00:06:01.889 The Bible tells us that we enter into his case 00:06:01.889 --> 00:06:04.930 with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. 00:06:05.149 --> 00:06:07.089 And I'm just giving you something to be thankful 00:06:07.089 --> 00:06:18.620 about this morning. is done look what the Lord 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:22.079 has done look what the Lord has done some of 00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:24.459 y 'all never thought you would step foot in a 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:28.319 church and here you are look what the Lord has 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:32.480 done now you may be here curious and wondering 00:06:46.829 --> 00:07:01.610 this new day yeah he's doing a new thing have 00:07:01.610 --> 00:07:07.129 you slowed down to see it to perceive it to embrace 00:07:07.129 --> 00:07:10.410 it and to enjoy it I gotta talk about you cuz 00:07:10.410 --> 00:07:13.709 I seen you this week Deacon Andre he just won 00:07:13.709 --> 00:07:18.310 his live and he just said I love it, too. He 00:07:18.310 --> 00:07:21.430 just was talking about how good God's been. And 00:07:21.430 --> 00:07:23.910 you've seen the joy rise up on him. He was sitting 00:07:23.910 --> 00:07:28.649 there. He was talking. He just said, woo! Woo! 00:07:33.670 --> 00:07:35.689 I'm not going to tell his testimony. He'll tell 00:07:35.689 --> 00:07:38.430 his own testimony. But look what the Lord has 00:07:38.430 --> 00:07:54.879 done. Slow us down, God. Open up our eyes of 00:07:54.879 --> 00:08:03.360 understanding. Just one more time. Just give 00:08:03.360 --> 00:12:59.610 it to us one more time. about to rise up say 00:12:59.610 --> 00:13:03.549 everybody stop everybody stop everybody pause 00:13:03.549 --> 00:13:08.309 check this out follow me I'm gonna say something 00:13:08.309 --> 00:13:13.750 we we all arguing right now I need y 'all to 00:13:13.750 --> 00:13:18.549 stop and I need y 'all to look at what the Lord 00:13:18.549 --> 00:13:26.129 has done there's people alone in hospitals but 00:13:26.129 --> 00:13:43.049 we're here together our text we have in them 00:13:43.049 --> 00:13:49.330 in. I know some of y 'all forgot when you was 00:13:49.330 --> 00:13:51.289 praying for the marriage you complained about 00:13:51.289 --> 00:13:55.230 right now. You forgot what you'd have forgotten. 00:13:55.330 --> 00:14:00.389 It was the gift from the Lord. Slow me down, 00:14:00.389 --> 00:14:05.070 God. Let me not forget what you've done. Let 00:14:05.070 --> 00:14:08.370 me not forget what you've done. Let me appreciate 00:14:08.370 --> 00:14:11.070 what you've done with hopes of what you're going 00:14:11.070 --> 00:14:17.830 to do. I thank you for this moment and I thank 00:14:17.830 --> 00:14:20.450 you for this time to come and to minister your 00:14:20.450 --> 00:14:23.269 word. I pray that your Holy Spirit illuminates 00:14:23.269 --> 00:14:26.230 your truth. We cannot expect to come to your 00:14:26.230 --> 00:14:28.990 word in our own understanding with our own minds 00:14:28.990 --> 00:14:31.570 and in our flesh. So in this moment, God, we're 00:14:31.570 --> 00:14:33.610 asking for your Holy Spirit to lead the way, 00:14:33.990 --> 00:14:36.710 to be the guide, to illuminate what you have 00:14:36.710 --> 00:14:39.110 for us today. And we pray that as a result that 00:14:39.110 --> 00:14:42.710 we are edified, that we are sharpened, and what 00:14:42.710 --> 00:14:45.980 we produce will bring glory to you. But then 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:49.980 more than anything, God, we are thankful. And 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:55.159 we say thank you. We say thank you. We say thank 00:14:55.159 --> 00:15:00.039 you. We say thank you for calling us out of darkness 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:02.960 into this marvelous light, for redeeming our 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:05.940 souls from damnation, for giving us an inheritance 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:08.720 that we didn't earn nor we deserve. And we thank 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:11.850 you. for calling us sons and daughters of yours. 00:15:12.009 --> 00:15:14.470 A title we don't earn, we couldn't earn, and 00:15:14.470 --> 00:15:20.889 we don't deserve. But you, out of your kindness 00:15:20.889 --> 00:15:28.090 and your love, have given us the most precious 00:15:28.090 --> 00:15:32.620 gift. And we say thank you. In your precious 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:34.860 name, we pray the name above all names. Y 'all 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:40.639 say with me, Jesus, amen, amen. We'll love on 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:44.220 somebody next to you. We about to get into this. 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:47.039 I love this. Look at your neighbor say, new life, 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:58.019 new, new life, new community. And this moment 00:15:58.019 --> 00:16:05.100 is a prophetic moment. that God told us that 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:09.700 we would enter into this time and this part of 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:13.299 the year. And he said, it's because he, and he 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:15.779 gave some frames, some time frames. He said, 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:20.299 this fall, saw August, that he was going to begin 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:25.179 to enlarge his church. That he was gonna begin 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:31.409 to enlarge his church. And with that, We took 00:16:31.409 --> 00:16:34.649 that word of the Lord serious and said well, 00:16:34.850 --> 00:16:38.850 how are we to prepare? his people for what he's 00:16:38.850 --> 00:16:42.090 going to do and The first step in that it was 00:16:42.090 --> 00:16:46.149 our truth collection called follow me Because 00:16:46.149 --> 00:16:49.529 the worst thing that can happen When new people 00:16:49.529 --> 00:16:52.889 are coming into the body is for people in the 00:16:52.889 --> 00:16:55.830 body not to have the boldness to say follow me 00:16:55.830 --> 00:17:03.649 People are coming in lost broken confused yet 00:17:03.649 --> 00:17:06.650 those who truly have something to be thankful 00:17:06.650 --> 00:17:11.890 for are unwilling to just say something as simple 00:17:11.890 --> 00:17:17.970 as follow me and The truth of the matter is many 00:17:17.970 --> 00:17:23.430 of us Won't say it because we're unwilling to 00:17:23.430 --> 00:17:28.390 slow down To bring somebody into what we've been 00:17:28.390 --> 00:17:35.319 the beneficiaries of We're thinking about schedules, 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:41.559 our agendas, and we just don't see space to allow 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:45.779 somebody to get that close. Y 'all know, you 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:50.119 done moved from ceramic tile to custom hardwood 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:54.900 floors. No scratch easy, pastor. Can't just have 00:17:54.900 --> 00:18:02.160 everybody in here with their shoes on. But look 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:06.500 at your neighbor and say, do you remember when? 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:10.579 When what, pastor? When someone who was bigger 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:14.599 than you slowed down for you. None of us have 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:18.299 got to where we are alone. All of us have had 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:25.940 people who were willing to slow down, give a 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:30.559 word of encouragement, slow down, invite us in. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:34.400 slow down and give us opportunities to understand 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:39.700 things we did not know. And then the greatest 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:44.160 concern became, man, how are we supposed to row 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:47.920 the church while remaining unwilling of doing 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:53.940 what really won many of us? It wasn't so much 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:57.200 the messages on the stage, but the interactions 00:18:57.200 --> 00:19:02.319 we had with people in the aisles. Once the message 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:07.119 was taught, truthfully, it was the holy conversations 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:11.019 around that message that began to transform our 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:15.559 lives. People with incredible marriages was willing 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:22.359 to talk to you in your raggedy marriage. They 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:24.579 invited you out to dinner to expensive restaurants 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:27.099 at the risk of ruin a good meal over your bad 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:33.210 conversation, yet they did it. You know, in your 00:19:33.210 --> 00:19:36.730 single season, a season seen you getting wild 00:19:36.730 --> 00:19:38.630 up in the church was like, boy, if you don't 00:19:38.630 --> 00:19:44.029 slow down, you're gonna find yourself entering 00:19:44.029 --> 00:19:46.630 into relationships before you actually see the 00:19:46.630 --> 00:19:52.529 one. We do things a little different in the body. 00:19:55.009 --> 00:20:02.130 Y 'all rocking with me. And I know that as God, 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:06.759 begins To call on people to draw in their hearts 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:13.720 to come to his body we as his body Have to do 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:18.420 our assignment Be those people that realize it's 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:21.039 impossible for someone to experience new life 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:24.740 without being surrounded by new community That 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:28.460 many of us are going to have to you know Do some 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:31.329 things y 'all know we don't like You know, no 00:20:31.329 --> 00:20:38.549 new friends. But unfortunately, people desperately 00:20:38.549 --> 00:20:44.710 need your friendship. I already turned here and 00:20:44.710 --> 00:20:49.150 I forgot to tell y 'all. Go to Acts 2 in 42 because 00:20:49.150 --> 00:20:53.329 we're gonna be looking at this text as we begin 00:20:53.329 --> 00:20:55.410 this journey. Y 'all know I like a good journey. 00:20:59.589 --> 00:21:03.670 But this year has been all about new life, that's 00:21:03.670 --> 00:21:07.430 why it's on the wall. And God said that he's 00:21:07.430 --> 00:21:12.150 gonna take us from graves to glory, graves to 00:21:12.150 --> 00:21:14.309 glory, that as this year progressed, that he 00:21:14.309 --> 00:21:17.509 would show us graves, which are just symbolic 00:21:17.509 --> 00:21:21.789 places of death for a believer, and show us how 00:21:21.789 --> 00:21:25.289 to go from that grave into glory, what he wants 00:21:25.289 --> 00:21:28.029 to see us do. And so every time we get to a new 00:21:28.029 --> 00:21:30.589 series we talk about what was promised and then 00:21:30.589 --> 00:21:33.329 we begin to discuss the path of how we go from 00:21:33.329 --> 00:21:36.549 graves to glory I'm gonna see if y 'all been 00:21:36.549 --> 00:21:38.549 remember this statement because to every promise 00:21:38.549 --> 00:21:42.630 there's what? Boy, I love y 'all. Whoo. I love 00:21:42.630 --> 00:21:46.190 y 'all. I Love y 'all to every promise. There 00:21:46.190 --> 00:21:48.970 is a path and many believers They come into churches 00:21:48.970 --> 00:21:51.450 and they hear promises and never stick around 00:21:51.450 --> 00:21:56.099 for the path The Bible would describe that as 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:59.740 misguided zeal, misdirected zeal. Anytime you 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:02.119 hear what God can do and you don't stick around 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:04.759 to hear how he wants to do it with you, you are 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:09.099 running off of what we would call a hype, but 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:12.940 no substance. And so we know what God has promised 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:18.039 is that we should have a spiritual family. Here 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:20.220 at Reveal the Truth Ministries, our spiritual 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:24.160 family is founded on Jeremiah 33 and six. so 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:28.559 on the wall peace prosperity security stability 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:32.259 health healing and truth that that was a promise 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:35.180 that was given to new jerusalem jeremiah gave 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:38.119 that prophecy of what the church would experience 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:41.099 as a result of the resurrection of jesus christ 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:43.619 and so our vision is that people would experience 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:46.240 all those things but here's the problem church 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:48.960 i want to hear the problem you're supposed to 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:51.319 experience that collectively not individually 00:22:53.769 --> 00:22:56.230 That that promise is given to a group of people 00:22:56.230 --> 00:22:59.890 not an individual But we haven't slowed down 00:22:59.890 --> 00:23:03.230 enough to realize that I may need you When I'm 00:23:03.230 --> 00:23:06.369 not feeling the peace that God has promised so 00:23:06.369 --> 00:23:09.289 that you can remind me of the peace God promised 00:23:09.289 --> 00:23:15.069 That truthfully there's people that represent 00:23:15.069 --> 00:23:18.670 those things those reality those spiritual truths 00:23:18.670 --> 00:23:23.519 in your life That receiving that isn't an individual 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:27.599 journey. It's a group project Y 'all rocking 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:33.960 with me that Unfortunately many people have turned 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:40.279 a we gospel into a you message That they're hearing 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:45.079 truth and they're thinking about themselves Not 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:47.799 the part they play and how it brings together 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:51.019 wholeness for us all Y 'all rocking with me. 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:53.819 I'm seeing how much I can go before y 'all start 00:23:53.819 --> 00:24:00.039 checking out y 'all doing good And it says and 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:03.400 they look at that they Devoted themselves to 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:06.660 the Apostles teaching and the fellowship into 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:11.019 the breaking of bread and the prayers and all 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:18.309 Came upon how many souls church? Every soul And 00:24:18.309 --> 00:24:22.710 many what, church? Wonders and signs were being 00:24:22.710 --> 00:24:26.650 done through the apostles. And all who believe 00:24:26.650 --> 00:24:31.410 were worth church together. And they had all 00:24:31.410 --> 00:24:35.009 things in common. I wanna pause right there because 00:24:35.009 --> 00:24:38.269 this is where you're starting to see the framework 00:24:38.269 --> 00:24:44.009 of spiritual community. Many people hear that 00:24:44.009 --> 00:24:47.009 as spooky community, but it's spiritual community. 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:51.420 Because here's the truth the way you become a 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:54.440 part of any family unit is three ways right that 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:56.980 you're either married into a family Born into 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:59.819 the family and check out this last one adopted 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:04.599 into a family That the only way you can become 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:10.900 part of anybody's family is marriage birth or 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:13.859 adoption and Guess what? The Bible says we've 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:17.089 been we've been adopted So look at your neighbor 00:25:17.089 --> 00:25:23.910 and say, what's up, cuz? That we have all been 00:25:23.910 --> 00:25:28.410 adopted into a spiritual family. A spiritual 00:25:28.410 --> 00:25:35.670 family that isn't united by different bloods, 00:25:35.670 --> 00:25:39.849 but by one blood. That isn't united based on 00:25:39.849 --> 00:25:43.069 the color of their skin or where they were born. 00:25:43.849 --> 00:25:47.609 That they're united based on a deposit That the 00:25:47.609 --> 00:25:51.750 same Holy Spirit that lives in me lives in you 00:25:51.750 --> 00:25:55.329 And so we all have far more in common than we 00:25:55.329 --> 00:25:58.150 ever have different because the same power I 00:25:58.150 --> 00:26:01.549 have you have The same wisdom I have access to, 00:26:01.730 --> 00:26:04.549 you have access to. The same spiritual blessings 00:26:04.549 --> 00:26:07.869 I have access to, you have access to. Why? Because 00:26:07.869 --> 00:26:10.210 we all have been adopted into what is called 00:26:10.210 --> 00:26:14.509 a spiritual family, and the Holy Spirit is that 00:26:14.509 --> 00:26:18.250 united agent amongst us all. That's how you can 00:26:18.250 --> 00:26:21.569 know somebody, you know naturally for five years 00:26:21.569 --> 00:26:23.670 and y 'all ain't on the same page then you meet 00:26:23.670 --> 00:26:25.809 somebody in the church in one month and y 'all 00:26:25.809 --> 00:26:27.730 just start sharing things that you never told 00:26:27.730 --> 00:26:30.329 anybody before but they've heard from the Lord 00:26:30.329 --> 00:26:32.990 you've heard from the Lord and you find out that 00:26:32.990 --> 00:26:35.369 God has been speaking to both of you via the 00:26:35.369 --> 00:26:38.009 Spirit about the same things and now you have 00:26:38.009 --> 00:26:40.650 a deeper connection with someone you just met 00:26:40.650 --> 00:26:44.109 there's someone you know for five years Church 00:26:44.109 --> 00:26:52.880 that's not an accident is divine that is God 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:57.119 calling you into a family calling you into a 00:26:57.119 --> 00:27:05.180 community that truthfully upon saying yes to 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:09.400 Jesus knows more about who you are than sometimes 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:15.319 the mama that raised you your mama might be like 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:19.180 that's a bad business idea Because the only reason 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:21.200 you have to do it is you've heard from the Lord 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:25.180 She's thinking about the optics You go sheriff 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:27.660 one of your brothers and sisters of Christ. God 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:29.539 told me to start this business. They say God 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:35.599 told you That same word With your spiritual command 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:37.240 the community says you better go do that thing 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:40.920 now But what about this what about you better 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:44.819 throw all them butts out the door if God has 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:54.000 told you to do a thing look at me Do it My mama 00:27:54.000 --> 00:28:03.819 said I shouldn't yo mama don't know She don't 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:08.319 your daddy Some of y 'all your best friends You 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:10.140 know, I was supposed to save this example to 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:12.859 another week, but I'm gonna put it here It turns 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:15.900 out that church is the only institution Where 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:19.460 we expect to go from level to level without changing 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:23.980 who's around us It's amazing because at this 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:26.740 time of the year we're having to pray over Elementary 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:28.640 kids who are going to middle school and middle 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:30.319 schoolers who are going to high school because 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:35.319 by default elevation means new surroundings Church 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.900 is the only place where you figure you can go 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:40.420 from glory to glory Surrounded by people telling 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:48.559 that same story. No Look at him say, new life, 00:28:49.460 --> 00:29:01.119 new community. So he says that all things in 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:06.099 common, not sameness, but spiritual realities, 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:13.599 spiritual truths, and they can talk about what 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:19.910 God is doing, what God is saying. Check this 00:29:19.910 --> 00:29:24.069 out and they were selling their possessions and 00:29:24.069 --> 00:29:28.049 belongings and distributing the proceeds to all 00:29:28.049 --> 00:29:34.089 as any had need and day by day Attending the 00:29:34.089 --> 00:29:37.869 temple together and breaking bread in their homes 00:29:37.869 --> 00:29:41.369 I love this because it speaks about the repetition 00:29:41.369 --> 00:29:44.410 the rhythm if you notice that they went to the 00:29:44.410 --> 00:29:47.680 temple and in their homes So when speaking of 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:49.779 they didn't just worship together on Sunday, 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:56.539 they ate together on Mondays. And they gave as 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:59.500 each one had a need. What are you saying, Pastor 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:02.720 Brian, that it's expected that as spiritual family, 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:06.700 that man, anything my brothers and sisters are 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:10.220 in need of, I should be willing as spiritual 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:13.880 brothers and sisters to make sure they have what 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:21.839 they need. But you gotta catch the minor notes 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:26.140 here, is they weren't getting away everything, 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:29.240 because they still have food to eat, they still 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:32.380 had houses to go to. It was speaking of those 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:37.000 who have access, excess, that there are times 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:40.039 that as a family, some family members is doing 00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:42.680 better than other family members. And I know 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:45.740 you get mad at your natural family because they 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:48.480 can't seem to catch the clue. That this is your 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:50.660 struggle season. Why is there overcoming season? 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:54.220 Some of y 'all cousins can win the lottery and 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:57.160 you still got to ask them for $5 Do they remember 00:30:57.160 --> 00:31:00.380 you still owe them $10, right? You just won the 00:31:00.380 --> 00:31:03.640 lottery. What is wrong with your heart? Y 'all 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:05.819 would talk about this. Maybe you the one that 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:12.619 won the lottery, huh? What I'm saying is that 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:15.700 we do feel and I don't want you to hear these 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:18.839 things strange Hopefully over these weeks you'll 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:24.119 understand that we should feel a greater inclination 00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:27.539 to give towards our spiritual family than at 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:35.000 times our natural family. Some of us have ended 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:38.180 up in that problem. Y 'all know the words, how 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:40.539 you up to serving them like that and you ain't 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:44.859 been to 10 Thanksgivings? Because every time 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:52.579 I get around y 'all I forget who I am Now you 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:56.099 don't want to hear that And I'm trying to maintain 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:59.440 grace for your redemption. I don't want to be 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:05.059 your stumbling block But you remind me of who 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:07.880 I used to be don't want to be ain't looking to 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:19.539 be no more But many of us I'll stay in pace They 00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:26.400 receive I know They were that was good they received 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:29.880 some people saying oh, but how slow you know 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:35.440 They receive their food with glad and generous 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:40.680 hearts praising God Check this out having favor 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:47.799 with all people And the Lord added to their number, 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:53.480 day by day, those who were being saved. What 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:57.059 promises are we seeing here about biblical community 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:59.420 is that the promises of God, favor, miracles, 00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:02.720 signs, and wonders were never meant to be experienced 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:07.000 in isolation. That they were always experienced 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:09.680 amongst, look at your neighbor say, community. 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:19.859 And here's the truth. Many people don't need 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:24.039 another sermon. They need holy conversations. 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:34.740 That moment here we're looking into was the birthing 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:40.299 of the church. The birthing of the first community 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:42.700 of people who will come together and say, I believe 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:45.859 that the Lord Jesus Christ died in me. He rose 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:53.160 again. And they knew how precious that was, how 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:57.500 necessary it was for them to dwell amongst each 00:33:57.500 --> 00:34:01.960 other, to be with each other. They understood 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:05.039 that there are things that we have in common 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:08.840 that people who have no relationship with God 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:21.849 don't know anything about. And so the title of 00:34:21.849 --> 00:34:27.110 my message today is simply this, counterfeit 00:34:27.110 --> 00:34:35.630 community. Because the reality is many of us 00:34:35.630 --> 00:34:46.269 believe that we are amongst the community that 00:34:46.269 --> 00:34:49.690 Jesus wants us to be amongst and the truth is 00:34:49.690 --> 00:35:02.769 we aren't and many people are like Abraham understanding 00:35:02.769 --> 00:35:08.530 where the promised land is understanding that 00:35:08.530 --> 00:35:12.789 it's yours to possess understanding what God 00:35:12.789 --> 00:35:20.000 can do but unable to enter in because the community 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:28.059 you're supposed to enter in isn't ready. The 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:33.699 promised land wasn't just for Abraham. It was 00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:37.679 for his community. And when the community wasn't 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:44.360 ready, the journey paused on the outside. I'm 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:46.559 saying this because I've seen so many believers 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:51.460 So full of ambition, so I got an incredible work 00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:56.400 ethic and I'm like, that's great But where are 00:35:56.400 --> 00:36:04.019 your people Boy y 'all really not rocket would 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:06.519 be on this one some y 'all like I don't know 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:10.239 where they at You tell me your guess is as good 00:36:10.239 --> 00:36:27.590 as my guess pastor In short, your community is 00:36:27.590 --> 00:36:31.730 actually surrounding you right now. But for many 00:36:31.730 --> 00:36:33.489 of us, we don't even know the people in this 00:36:33.489 --> 00:36:41.489 room. No, I know who your natural family is. 00:36:42.190 --> 00:36:45.750 I'm talking about who are the spiritual people 00:36:45.750 --> 00:36:51.880 God has called you to be surrounded by? To experience 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:56.019 everything he promised I'm saying where them 00:36:56.019 --> 00:37:09.920 folks Y 'all rocking with me It's amazing and 00:37:09.920 --> 00:37:14.579 I totally put this up Put this image up on the 00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:16.840 stage, I don't know how many of you guys have 00:37:16.840 --> 00:37:18.960 been paying attention to what's been going on 00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:21.679 in the world right now Seem I like nothing not 00:37:21.679 --> 00:37:28.000 at all pastor lion Y 'all got y 'all got my image 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:30.179 they're gonna put it up, but if you notice over 00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:34.320 the over the weekend something Crazy has been 00:37:34.320 --> 00:37:37.659 going down right that Y 'all know y 'all ever 00:37:37.659 --> 00:37:41.420 heard of AP watches Some y 'all like what's the 00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:45.079 AP watch well an AP watch This watch over here 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:47.159 on this left -hand side the one that's surrounded 00:37:47.159 --> 00:37:48.860 by all them diamonds some of y 'all like is that 00:37:48.860 --> 00:37:53.079 what is that them diamonds? AP watches have a 00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:58.139 wide range Entry -level prices start around $20 00:37:58.139 --> 00:38:02.300 ,000 to $30 ,000 to get an AP watch some of y 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:03.380 'all right now. That's why I don't know what 00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:07.179 that is You could have said that that's right 00:38:07.179 --> 00:38:14.519 While more popular versions $45 ,000 to $120 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:20.400 ,000. And rare ones, like the one that's in this 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:28.239 image, cost a half a million dollars. If you 00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:31.880 see somebody with an AP watch on, they either 00:38:31.880 --> 00:38:35.119 have arrived or have enough to pretend they have 00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:38.760 arrived. But either way, they doing all right. 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:47.320 But over the weekend AP decided to do a collaboration 00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:52.340 He me all ever heard of swatch The mobile is 00:38:52.340 --> 00:38:54.440 upstairs the International Mall next to the Apple 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:56.820 Store, you know what I'm talking about Nice -looking 00:38:56.820 --> 00:39:02.340 watches great deals past them Well AP decided 00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:08.519 to do a collaboration watch with swatch and They 00:39:08.519 --> 00:39:14.110 announced this week That the prices would start 00:39:14.110 --> 00:39:21.969 at $400 now For everybody who's been wanting 00:39:21.969 --> 00:39:26.570 an AP watch this sounded like the opportunity 00:39:26.570 --> 00:39:32.489 of a lifetime But to anybody who already had 00:39:32.489 --> 00:39:37.230 an AP watch this sounds like the most devaluing 00:39:37.230 --> 00:39:41.789 moment that could have ever arrived. I paid that 00:39:41.789 --> 00:39:44.630 much because people didn't have access to it. 00:39:46.170 --> 00:39:49.969 I paid that much because the real thing only 00:39:49.969 --> 00:39:54.329 increases in value. It's precious. It's worth 00:39:54.329 --> 00:39:57.730 having. It's worth sacrificing for. It's worth 00:39:57.730 --> 00:40:00.570 giving more than what you normally would because 00:40:00.570 --> 00:40:06.289 it will only increase in value over time. So 00:40:06.289 --> 00:40:12.800 I put my life savings in a watch because it carries 00:40:12.800 --> 00:40:19.239 increasing value all the way up to the introduction 00:40:19.239 --> 00:40:28.239 of counterfeits and so while some people were 00:40:28.239 --> 00:40:34.659 celebrating check this out the lowering of standards 00:40:35.690 --> 00:40:39.210 While some people were celebrating compromise 00:40:39.210 --> 00:40:46.469 while some people were celebrating The availability 00:40:46.469 --> 00:40:51.670 and easy access to what was precious another 00:40:51.670 --> 00:40:59.090 group was nervous And so this weekend when y 00:40:59.090 --> 00:41:06.090 'all in line I Knew some y 'all knew So this 00:41:06.090 --> 00:41:10.929 weekend, they released them. $400. People were 00:41:10.929 --> 00:41:15.949 in line since Thursday, sleeping outside of the 00:41:15.949 --> 00:41:19.690 stores so they can get their hands on one of 00:41:19.690 --> 00:41:23.250 these watches in hope that the counterfeit could 00:41:23.250 --> 00:41:30.670 be just as valuable as the real thing. Y 'all 00:41:30.670 --> 00:41:38.420 be working. And so. They found out on Friday 00:41:38.420 --> 00:41:41.940 that the ones that were going to be released 00:41:41.940 --> 00:41:49.320 on Saturday ain't have straps on them. That was 00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:52.260 hit number one. Because how am I going to have 00:41:52.260 --> 00:41:55.599 an AP watch if I ain't got no strap to put it 00:41:55.599 --> 00:42:00.480 around my wrist? People were upset, got out of 00:42:00.480 --> 00:42:16.150 line. There's spots in line. But some people 00:42:16.150 --> 00:42:19.889 stuck around to see if the real, the counterfeit 00:42:19.889 --> 00:42:25.670 could ever be as good as the real thing. Saturday, 00:42:26.210 --> 00:42:31.250 stores opened up. People get the watches. I wanna 00:42:31.250 --> 00:42:35.050 see, put it back up. By Saturday afternoon, they 00:42:35.050 --> 00:42:39.230 were sold out everywhere. If you had. one of 00:42:39.230 --> 00:42:43.230 these four hundred dollar watches they actually 00:42:43.230 --> 00:42:46.429 Increased anywhere between seventeen hundred 00:42:46.429 --> 00:42:49.150 and twenty six hundred dollars, so they were 00:42:49.150 --> 00:42:55.449 right It did increase in value But the people 00:42:55.449 --> 00:43:00.969 who had the real thing Breathe the sigh of relief 00:43:00.969 --> 00:43:03.929 Realizing that although the name carries some 00:43:03.929 --> 00:43:14.030 value it couldn't duplicate all value Why are 00:43:14.030 --> 00:43:18.130 you saying this, Pastor Brad? When you got saved, 00:43:19.150 --> 00:43:29.210 you were introduced to real family that has immense 00:43:29.210 --> 00:43:34.190 value. Can't be duplicated. It gives you access 00:43:34.190 --> 00:43:38.130 to the experience of God's precious promises. 00:43:38.969 --> 00:43:44.050 Favor, mercy, grace, redemption. These things 00:43:44.050 --> 00:43:55.349 can't be duplicated. Yet many of us have stayed 00:43:55.349 --> 00:44:02.210 subscribed to the counterfeit version because 00:44:02.210 --> 00:44:05.809 it still has some value. We yet to realize it 00:44:05.809 --> 00:44:10.710 doesn't have ultimate value. What are you saying 00:44:10.710 --> 00:44:14.070 Pastor Bryant? I'm not saying that you should 00:44:14.070 --> 00:44:17.750 get rid of your family. I'm just saying you should 00:44:17.750 --> 00:44:26.469 reorganize the priority. Now I know I'm on thin 00:44:26.469 --> 00:44:39.760 ice. But I need you to hear this. The church 00:44:39.760 --> 00:44:42.739 is the only place where people think they can 00:44:42.739 --> 00:44:48.500 go from glory to glory without having to change 00:44:48.500 --> 00:44:55.980 what's around them. And like I say, it's not 00:44:55.980 --> 00:45:00.119 a matter of getting rid of people, but it's time 00:45:00.119 --> 00:45:06.679 for some of you guys to reprioritize your community. 00:45:08.329 --> 00:45:13.090 There are people who you've never met that know 00:45:13.090 --> 00:45:15.369 more about what God is gonna do in your life 00:45:15.369 --> 00:45:19.389 than people who have known you your whole life. 00:45:24.630 --> 00:45:32.409 And God is waiting on you to slow down and start 00:45:32.409 --> 00:45:35.769 prioritizing what's around you so you can enter 00:45:35.769 --> 00:45:43.130 into what he's promised you. for saying that. 00:45:44.949 --> 00:45:48.610 Thank you. Thank you. I'm just doing it for myself. 00:45:49.329 --> 00:45:52.630 Thank you pastor for opening our eyes of understanding 00:45:52.630 --> 00:45:57.269 and giving us clarity of what's been going on 00:45:57.269 --> 00:46:00.250 in our lives because we've been trying to take 00:46:00.250 --> 00:46:12.659 elementary school level friends to college. And 00:46:12.659 --> 00:46:15.599 you're somewhere in between the real AP and the 00:46:15.599 --> 00:46:20.400 swatch. Asking somebody to value it like it's 00:46:20.400 --> 00:46:42.489 real. Woo! So. I'm gonna give you something. 00:46:46.289 --> 00:46:52.329 It's a audit of your circle. I'm asking you to 00:46:52.329 --> 00:46:58.050 slow down this week and consider these questions 00:46:58.050 --> 00:47:00.769 I'm about to give to you. I want you to think 00:47:00.769 --> 00:47:04.929 about the five people you communicate the most 00:47:04.929 --> 00:47:10.230 with, not the ones we see you talking to, the 00:47:10.230 --> 00:47:13.940 ones you Actually talk to the most think about 00:47:13.940 --> 00:47:19.539 the five people you spend the most time talking 00:47:19.539 --> 00:47:30.039 to And ask yourself these questions Who is helping 00:47:30.039 --> 00:47:39.000 me obey the truth I Know y 'all know a lot about 00:47:39.000 --> 00:47:42.320 each other I know y 'all can talk about stories 00:47:42.320 --> 00:47:48.519 from way back when. Are any of these stories 00:47:48.519 --> 00:47:54.920 stirring up where God is taking you? Because 00:47:54.920 --> 00:48:03.119 until they are, you got to swatch baby. The counterfeit. 00:48:04.619 --> 00:48:07.400 It got some value, but it ain't got all value. 00:48:09.900 --> 00:48:13.679 Ask yourself, who is normalizing compromise? 00:48:15.039 --> 00:48:18.079 Who every time I talk about I did something I 00:48:18.079 --> 00:48:19.940 wasn't supposed to do, they'd be like, you know, 00:48:20.019 --> 00:48:24.460 sometimes it happens to us all. Why are you normalizing 00:48:24.460 --> 00:48:27.880 compromise? Why are you making it seem like it's 00:48:27.880 --> 00:48:32.420 OK for me to keep failing at the same thing over 00:48:32.420 --> 00:48:36.199 and over and over again? And I'm not saying I'm 00:48:36.199 --> 00:48:38.280 done talking to you. I'm just say you moved out 00:48:38.280 --> 00:48:53.280 of the top five. urbanizing you Hey, and our 00:48:53.280 --> 00:48:56.019 phones are so sophisticated now, you can literally 00:48:56.019 --> 00:49:00.460 have top friends You can unfriend people they 00:49:00.460 --> 00:49:02.639 didn't even know you unfriend them You can set 00:49:02.639 --> 00:49:05.440 up your newsfeed to only see the people you want 00:49:05.440 --> 00:49:18.800 to see this is amazing As of who sharpens My 00:49:18.800 --> 00:49:22.659 convictions. Every time I'm like, man, I really 00:49:22.659 --> 00:49:25.960 got to stop doing that. Who says you should? 00:49:27.059 --> 00:49:30.340 And I'm thinking today. You got any of them, 00:49:30.719 --> 00:49:39.420 folks? Because if they like, hey, you know, you've 00:49:39.420 --> 00:49:42.940 been redeemed from the curse girl. That's true. 00:49:45.139 --> 00:49:48.610 But the application of it in this context, It's 00:49:48.610 --> 00:49:55.690 keeping me in elementary. Can we talk? I already 00:49:55.690 --> 00:49:58.349 know my life has been redeemed from destruction. 00:49:58.670 --> 00:50:02.309 Thank you. Can we get some meat into this conversation? 00:50:04.730 --> 00:50:15.570 Are we gonna keep drinking this milk? Boy, y 00:50:15.570 --> 00:50:22.880 'all looking at me like. Pass the cold bro, can 00:50:22.880 --> 00:50:28.300 I get another week? I Had plans this week and 00:50:28.300 --> 00:50:36.480 ain't none of them in that top five I Asked my 00:50:36.480 --> 00:50:37.880 daughter something the other day. I'm just doing 00:50:37.880 --> 00:50:42.119 this to help y 'all swallow this message As my 00:50:42.119 --> 00:50:45.800 daughter this the other day, um, she's in the 00:50:45.800 --> 00:50:49.869 third grade she's going to fourth grade And she's 00:50:49.869 --> 00:50:58.389 already nervous about the fifth grade. I said, 00:50:58.489 --> 00:51:00.949 why Amber? She said, because then I have to leave. 00:51:02.150 --> 00:51:11.269 I said, leaving is a part of growing. She said, 00:51:11.489 --> 00:51:13.570 she says, no daddy, I'm going to have to make 00:51:13.570 --> 00:51:16.190 all new friends. I said, you might, but you're 00:51:16.190 --> 00:51:26.900 a friendly girl. Stay friendly. We got to do 00:51:26.900 --> 00:51:31.139 this. Look at your neighbor. Don't look at me. 00:51:33.619 --> 00:51:42.099 Maybe you're nervous because you stop being nice. 00:51:46.960 --> 00:51:49.139 I'm not afraid of new people because I'm a nice 00:51:49.139 --> 00:51:52.840 person I'll walk in the room. Well ready to love 00:51:52.840 --> 00:51:56.219 on everybody I'm not caring the trauma of what 00:51:56.219 --> 00:51:57.940 happened to me from people that are no longer 00:51:57.940 --> 00:52:00.639 a part of my surroundings I'm not fearing new 00:52:00.639 --> 00:52:02.980 relationships because I'm so bent out of shape 00:52:02.980 --> 00:52:06.199 out of past relationships Jesus has set me free 00:52:06.199 --> 00:52:09.460 and who the Sun set free is free indeed I'm asking 00:52:09.460 --> 00:52:12.980 some of y 'all to exercise your freedom walk 00:52:12.980 --> 00:52:23.400 in your healing happen again it could you know 00:52:23.400 --> 00:52:31.360 what you do you dust off your feet but you have 00:52:31.360 --> 00:52:35.280 to refuse to believe that you can get to where 00:52:35.280 --> 00:52:38.699 God is taking to you to while staying surrounded 00:52:38.699 --> 00:52:41.500 by everything he's trying to grow you from I 00:52:41.500 --> 00:52:45.139 said Amber and answer this question I said Amber 00:52:49.239 --> 00:52:52.480 You like your school, don't you? She says, yes. 00:52:54.199 --> 00:52:56.280 She says, all my friends are there. I say, yeah. 00:52:56.619 --> 00:52:59.679 I said, OK. I said, can I ask you something? 00:53:00.079 --> 00:53:03.960 She was like, what? I said, how many sixth graders 00:53:03.960 --> 00:53:10.860 do you see walking around your elementary school? 00:53:12.360 --> 00:53:17.719 I'm like, nah, I don't see no middle schoolers. 00:53:18.940 --> 00:53:21.860 Walking around the elementary school. I said 00:53:21.860 --> 00:53:27.320 you wouldn't know why They discovered something 00:53:27.320 --> 00:53:35.760 look at your neighbor The best is yet to come 00:53:35.760 --> 00:53:39.360 Some y 'all moved out the neighborhood why you 00:53:39.360 --> 00:53:45.659 don't come by no more You don't swing by like 00:53:45.659 --> 00:53:49.190 you used to You don't let me ride with you no 00:53:49.190 --> 00:53:52.230 more. Uh, why you ain't calling me up after you 00:53:52.230 --> 00:54:05.190 did that? I'll never forget this last thing. 00:54:05.230 --> 00:54:07.329 I'm gonna say that we'll go home last question 00:54:07.329 --> 00:54:13.170 last one is and Who keeps softening them talking 00:54:13.170 --> 00:54:16.710 about your convictions? Who is helping me obey 00:54:16.710 --> 00:54:19.090 the truth? who is normalized and compromised, 00:54:19.329 --> 00:54:22.230 who sharpens my conviction, and who keeps softening 00:54:22.230 --> 00:54:25.409 me. Slow down this week, ask yourself those questions 00:54:25.409 --> 00:54:28.750 of the top five people you talk to on a weekly 00:54:28.750 --> 00:54:31.530 basis, and then that will let you know whether 00:54:31.530 --> 00:54:34.769 or not you have a godly community or whether 00:54:34.769 --> 00:54:37.210 you've been operating in a counterfeit version. 00:54:38.010 --> 00:54:39.769 And it's not that you're getting rid of people, 00:54:39.929 --> 00:54:45.469 you're reorganizing your communication. Because 00:54:45.469 --> 00:54:48.219 you don't need another sermon. You need hold 00:54:48.219 --> 00:54:51.519 of your conversations that are going to draw 00:54:51.519 --> 00:55:01.780 the God in you straight up out of you Bible tells 00:55:01.780 --> 00:55:06.760 us that we are to motivate ourselves To works 00:55:06.760 --> 00:55:16.199 good works But I'll never get it My father which 00:55:16.489 --> 00:55:21.170 I'm excited, right? Talk about graves to glory, 00:55:21.269 --> 00:55:23.590 right? This is one of those moments. Every time 00:55:23.590 --> 00:55:25.690 I feel like there's a big shift happening spiritually, 00:55:26.349 --> 00:55:28.610 I just do something that's significant to me. 00:55:28.829 --> 00:55:29.949 Because if you're wondering why I'm dressing 00:55:29.949 --> 00:55:32.250 a little different today, this is like my daddy's 00:55:32.250 --> 00:55:34.809 time. And I was like, I'm just going to add a 00:55:34.809 --> 00:55:38.050 little modern spin to it. But you know, I truly 00:55:38.050 --> 00:55:41.349 felt that there was a major shift in where he's 00:55:41.349 --> 00:55:47.050 taking us. I embody things like that. But my 00:55:47.050 --> 00:55:54.730 father Had such a reputation Where he was from 00:55:54.730 --> 00:55:59.829 Mobile, Alabama? That he truly realized he couldn't 00:55:59.829 --> 00:56:06.409 return Mind you our family reunion was in Mobile, 00:56:06.670 --> 00:56:15.409 Alabama every year Almost our crime because I 00:56:15.559 --> 00:56:20.440 I remember seeing his face and what he was saying. 00:56:22.420 --> 00:56:27.699 I realize now, at my age, how hard it was for 00:56:27.699 --> 00:56:33.380 him to say what he said. When I say they've said 00:56:33.380 --> 00:56:37.400 so many things about him, and I'm saying this 00:56:37.400 --> 00:56:38.880 knowing that some of them could potentially be 00:56:38.880 --> 00:56:43.039 listening, but y 'all, y 'all, we family, right? 00:56:43.440 --> 00:56:45.300 Because I might lose some of them telling y 'all 00:56:45.300 --> 00:56:50.139 the truth I'm just being real that's what it 00:56:50.139 --> 00:56:56.400 is sometimes And so but it's my life It's truth 00:56:56.400 --> 00:57:05.420 It was so bad We as his kids Never experienced 00:57:05.420 --> 00:57:10.360 a family reunion And I remember we were talking 00:57:10.360 --> 00:57:13.550 to him because we felt as though He was keeping 00:57:13.550 --> 00:57:22.489 us from our family. And we weren't connecting. 00:57:28.050 --> 00:57:33.150 The worlds. The hurts, the pains that we couldn't 00:57:33.150 --> 00:57:35.230 do it, we weren't weren't old enough, mature 00:57:35.230 --> 00:57:40.710 enough to understand that. But eventually, through 00:57:40.710 --> 00:57:44.920 so much pressing. He said, I'll make a phone 00:57:44.920 --> 00:57:48.860 call. And if you knew my daddy, you probably 00:57:48.860 --> 00:57:51.840 imagine how this phone call went. He called him 00:57:51.840 --> 00:58:00.440 up. He said, I'm still unwilling to go to Mobile, 00:58:00.440 --> 00:58:07.000 Alabama. But on behalf of my kids, I will pay 00:58:07.000 --> 00:58:11.000 to bring all y 'all to Tampa, Florida. If you 00:58:11.000 --> 00:58:14.480 want to see me. You gonna have to meet the new 00:58:14.480 --> 00:58:27.280 me. The things they called him, he was genuine 00:58:27.280 --> 00:58:31.219 in what he was saying. That's exactly what we 00:58:31.219 --> 00:58:33.559 expected you to say. You think you done got rich 00:58:33.559 --> 00:58:35.980 and ran off and now you can just push your money 00:58:35.980 --> 00:58:37.900 on all of us and they didn't realize he didn't 00:58:37.900 --> 00:58:44.500 even want to call you then. He was just trying 00:58:44.500 --> 00:58:55.820 to oblige his kids. He was done. But he always 00:58:55.820 --> 00:58:59.539 kept the door open. You could come to Tampa, 00:58:59.539 --> 00:59:04.380 Florida whenever you want. God continued to bless 00:59:04.380 --> 00:59:06.159 him in such a way that he told him, if you come 00:59:06.159 --> 00:59:09.940 to Tampa, Florida, I'll pay for your move and 00:59:09.940 --> 00:59:14.860 I'll get you jobs. God continued to bless him 00:59:14.860 --> 00:59:17.400 Listen not just you I'll get your husband a job 00:59:17.400 --> 00:59:20.099 your wife a job. I'll make sure your kids are 00:59:20.099 --> 00:59:24.539 set up He said but I'm not going to Mobile, Alabama 00:59:24.539 --> 00:59:31.079 Some of y 'all know my auntie Lucretia my uncle 00:59:31.079 --> 00:59:34.300 T They said we ready to leave Mobile, Alabama, 00:59:34.300 --> 00:59:37.880 too They came on down turned out the offer was 00:59:37.880 --> 00:59:46.170 real He meant every word But just to give y 'all 00:59:46.170 --> 00:59:50.469 a funny story right eventually I Want to say 00:59:50.469 --> 00:59:53.230 maybe five years after that moment He finally 00:59:53.230 --> 00:59:55.530 said y 'all want to go see where I'm from. We 00:59:55.530 --> 01:00:05.190 said sure He flew us to Mobile, Alabama At this 01:00:05.190 --> 01:00:09.070 point, you know, we we was pretty deep as pose 01:00:10.429 --> 01:00:17.889 He had rented two black Denali Suburbans They 01:00:17.889 --> 01:00:20.309 pull up to the airport we walk out there looking 01:00:20.309 --> 01:00:30.230 like Targets We hopped in these blacked out Suburbans 01:00:30.230 --> 01:00:33.670 We riding around I gotta tell y 'all this piece 01:00:33.670 --> 01:00:36.750 I Was in the one with him. He said I want to 01:00:36.750 --> 01:00:41.670 take y 'all To where I grew up And so he starts 01:00:41.670 --> 01:00:44.690 driving to that side of the town He said guys 01:00:44.690 --> 01:00:47.210 it's funny like now people say you grew up on 01:00:47.210 --> 01:00:49.610 the other side of the tracks He said it was literal 01:00:49.610 --> 01:00:52.510 tracks. We drove over the tracks. He's like man. 01:00:52.610 --> 01:00:54.250 He's like listen, it's so we drove the tracks 01:00:54.250 --> 01:00:56.449 He's like, yeah, he said man when I lived here, 01:00:56.449 --> 01:01:00.409 we will wait For people to come across them tracks 01:01:00.409 --> 01:01:02.989 that didn't belong here And as soon as they came 01:01:02.989 --> 01:01:05.469 across the tracks, they didn't realize that you 01:01:05.469 --> 01:01:07.690 can't just get up out of here There's like a 01:01:07.690 --> 01:01:11.440 u -turn there a you as he's talking He was like 01:01:11.440 --> 01:01:16.500 y 'all we got to go he realized I'm the target 01:01:16.500 --> 01:01:24.900 now Get us up out of here He went to take us 01:01:24.900 --> 01:01:27.619 on a memory trip and realized bro. You don't 01:01:27.619 --> 01:01:38.019 fit in here no more You the target He said man 01:01:38.019 --> 01:01:42.679 he swung us by that family reunion Never ate 01:01:42.679 --> 01:01:47.800 fish and grits so fast before my life He said 01:01:47.800 --> 01:01:54.579 y 'all We got to go but we knew he was out of 01:01:54.579 --> 01:01:58.059 water anyway When he told us the list of hotel 01:01:58.059 --> 01:02:00.159 accommodations and we was all like we got to 01:02:00.159 --> 01:02:01.380 stay there He's like this is what I was trying 01:02:01.380 --> 01:02:04.019 to tell y 'all for the last 20 years y 'all don't 01:02:04.019 --> 01:02:11.179 belong here I Know I'm adding a little a little 01:02:11.230 --> 01:02:13.570 levity, a comity to this, because I understand 01:02:13.570 --> 01:02:17.110 the context of what is being asked of you. I 01:02:17.110 --> 01:02:19.809 just pray that you are perceiving what God is 01:02:19.809 --> 01:02:27.869 saying and doing. And respecting, hear what I'm 01:02:27.869 --> 01:02:33.210 about to say, respecting what God has done with 01:02:33.210 --> 01:02:36.690 your life. There may not be a lot of natural 01:02:36.690 --> 01:02:40.369 evidence, but you know the transformation. Respect. 01:02:40.730 --> 01:02:46.010 what God is doing. And command that the people 01:02:46.010 --> 01:02:52.530 around you respect what God is doing. Father, 01:02:52.670 --> 01:02:54.369 we thank you for this moment.