Welcome to 12Stone Live Experience

[music] [music] >> Well, hey, good morning, church. Glad >> Well, hey, good morning, church. Glad >> Well, hey, good morning, church. Glad you're here. Stand with us. you're here. Stand with us. you're here. Stand with us. Hey, the presence of God [music] is in Hey, the presence of God [music] is in Hey, the presence of God [music] is in this room. Amen. Why don't you help me this room. Amen. Why don't you help me this room. Amen. Why don't you help me welcome with the presence of God right welcome with the presence of God right welcome with the presence of God right here by celebrating putting your hands here by celebrating putting your hands here by celebrating putting your hands together? together? together? The word of God says that where [music] The word of God says that where [music] The word of God says that where [music] His presence is, there is fullness of His presence is, there is fullness of His presence is, there is fullness of joy. So, we're going to have a little joy. So, we're going to have a little joy. So, we're going to have a little fun this morning with the first song. fun this morning with the first song. fun this morning with the first song. You guys ready? We're going [music] to You guys ready? We're going [music] to You guys ready? We're going [music] to clap. We're going to dance. We're going clap. We're going to dance. We're going clap. We're going to dance. We're going to smile. All right? So, here's what to smile. All right? So, here's what to smile. All right? So, here's what we're going to do. If you're on this we're going to do. If you're on this we're going to do. If you're on this half of the room, you're [music] going half of the room, you're [music] going half of the room, you're [music] going to clap with me. You guys ready? Just to clap with me. You guys ready? Just to clap with me. You guys ready? Just like this. Here we go. like this. Here we go. like this. Here we go. That's good. Clap. Clap. You can move a That's good. Clap. Clap. You can move a That's good. Clap. Clap. You can move a little bit. You can dance a little bit. little bit. You can dance a little bit. little bit. You can dance a little bit. Keep it going. Keep it going. Keep it going. Keep it going. Keep it going. Keep it going. All right. Now, if you're in this side All right. Now, if you're in this side All right. Now, if you're in this side of the room, you're going to clap with of the room, you're going to clap with of the room, you're going to clap with me like this. You ready? [music] me like this. You ready? [music] me like this. You ready? [music] Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Clap. Clap. Here we go. Clap. Clap. Here we go. Clap. Clap. Here we go. One. Two. One. Two. One. Two. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Keep it going. >> Keep it going. >> Keep it going. Yeah, that's good. Yeah, that's good. Yeah, that's good. This is what it looks like to be [music] This is what it looks like to be [music] This is what it looks like to be [music] in God's presence, having fun, in God's presence, having fun, in God's presence, having fun, rejoicing, celebrating. So, let's sing rejoicing, celebrating. So, let's sing rejoicing, celebrating. So, let's sing together. You ready? together. You ready? together. You ready? >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Here we go.

>> Here we go. >> Here we go. Hallelujah. You [music] get all the praise, we say. You [music] get all the praise, we say. Hallelujah. [music] You get all the praise, always. [music] You get all the praise, always. Hallelujah. [music] [music] You get all the praise, we say. You get all the praise, we say. You get all the praise, we say. Hallelujah. That's good, church. All right, now That's good, church. All right, now let's sing it together. Come on. let's sing it together. Come on. let's sing it together. Come on. And I've got a God [music] who is for And I've got a God [music] who is for And I've got a God [music] who is for me. me. me. And he's known for making a way. And he's known for making a way. And he's known for making a way. And he fought the battle so I wouldn't And he fought the battle so I wouldn't And he fought the battle so I wouldn't [music] have to. All glory belongs to [music] have to. All glory belongs to [music] have to. All glory belongs to his name. Yeah. his name. Yeah. his name. Yeah. And I've got a God who's been faithful. And I've got a God who's been faithful. And I've got a God who's been faithful. Yes, he has. Yes, he has. Yes, he has. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Far more than I could explain. >> Far more than I could explain. >> Far more than I could explain. And through [music] every season, in And through [music] every season, in And through [music] every season, in spite of my weakness, he gave me a song spite of my weakness, he gave me a song spite of my weakness, he gave me a song I could sing. Come on.

I could sing. Come on. I could sing. Come on. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I came to praise. Hey. I came to [music] praise. I came to [music] praise. That's why I woke up today. That's That's why I woke up today. That's That's why I woke up today. That's right. right. right. I [music] came to praise. I [music] came to praise. I [music] came to praise. You ready? You ready? You ready? We say, "Hallelujah. We say, "Hallelujah. We say, "Hallelujah. [music] You get all the praise, we [music] say. You get all the praise, we [music] say. Hallelujah. [music] [music] You get all the praise." You get all the praise." You get all the praise." And I've got a king who is risen. King And I've got a king who is risen. King And I've got a king who is risen. King [music] Jesus. He put my shame in the [music] Jesus. He put my shame in the [music] Jesus. He put my shame in the grave. grave. grave. When you [music] were in back then, now When you [music] were in back then, now When you [music] were in back then, now I didn't have to. I didn't have to. I didn't have to. all in [music] three days. I came to all in [music] three days. I came to all in [music] three days. I came to praise. Come on, put your hands praise. Come on, put your hands praise. Come on, put your hands together. together. together. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I came to praise. >> I came to praise. >> I came to praise. God, that's why I woke up today. [music] God, that's why I woke up today. [music] God, that's why I woke up today. [music] Oh, I came to praise. Oh, I came to praise. Oh, I came to praise. You came to praise.

You came to praise. You came to praise. We say We say We say >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Hallelujah. You get all the praise. We say You get all the praise. We say Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music] Always, Always, we say we say we say I'm [music] singing in the morning. I'm [music] singing in the morning. I'm [music] singing in the morning. I'm singing at night. I'm singing at night. I'm singing at night. I'm singing in the battle. I'm singing in the battle. I'm singing in the battle. That's how I fight. That's how I fight. That's how I fight. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I'm singing it's holy. I'm singing it >> I'm singing it's holy. I'm singing it >> I'm singing it's holy. I'm singing it twice. twice. twice. I'm singing it's holy the rest of I'm singing it's holy the rest of I'm singing it's holy the rest of I'm singing in the morning. I'm singing I'm singing in the morning. I'm singing I'm singing in the morning. I'm singing at night. at night. at night. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I'm singing in the battle. >> I'm singing in the battle. >> I'm singing in the battle. That's how I fight. That's how I fight. That's how I fight. I'm singing it's holy. I'm singing it I'm singing it's holy. I'm singing it I'm singing it's holy. I'm singing it twice, twice. I'm singing it's holy the twice, twice. I'm singing it's holy the twice, twice. I'm singing it's holy the rest [music] of my life. Say rest [music] of my life. Say rest [music] of my life. Say I'm singing it's holy I'm singing it's holy I'm singing it's holy the rest of my the rest of my the rest of my Hallelujah. [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> We say Hallelujah.

You get all the praise. Always, You get all the praise. Always, Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. >> [music] >> You get all the praise. We [music] say >> You get all the praise. We [music] say Hallelujah. You [music] get all the praise. You [music] get all the praise. I'm singing in the morning. I'm singing in the morning. I'm singing in the morning. I'm singing at night. [music] I'm singing at night. [music] I'm singing at night. [music] I'm singing in the battle. I'm singing in the battle. I'm singing in the battle. That's how I fight. That's how I fight. That's how I fight. I'm singing it's [music] holy. I'm I'm singing it's [music] holy. I'm I'm singing it's [music] holy. I'm singing it twice. singing it twice. singing it twice. I'm singing it's holy the rest of my I'm singing it's holy the rest of my I'm singing it's holy the rest of my life. Hallelujah. 11:00 a.m. How we feeling?

11:00 a.m. How we feeling? A lot better after that song, right? A lot better after that song, right? A lot better after that song, right? It's so good. My wife always tells me It's so good. My wife always tells me It's so good. My wife always tells me I'm rhythmically challenged. So, it's I'm rhythmically challenged. So, it's I'm rhythmically challenged. So, it's always, you know, it's always a always, you know, it's always a always, you know, it's always a challenge for me when we sing stuff like challenge for me when we sing stuff like challenge for me when we sing stuff like that. But, good morning. Welcome in. You that. But, good morning. Welcome in. You that. But, good morning. Welcome in. You made it. Super glad you're here at made it. Super glad you're here at made it. Super glad you're here at church today. Um I know what you're church today. Um I know what you're church today. Um I know what you're thinking. Did Pastor Jason Price get a thinking. Did Pastor Jason Price get a thinking. Did Pastor Jason Price get a whole lot better looking today? What's whole lot better looking today? What's whole lot better looking today? What's up with that? It's a different guy. It's up with that? It's a different guy. It's up with that? It's a different guy. It's a different guy. My name is Dave. I'm a different guy. My name is Dave. I'm a different guy. My name is Dave. I'm one of the pastors around here. So glad one of the pastors around here. So glad one of the pastors around here. So glad that you're here today. And how many of that you're here today. And how many of that you're here today. And how many of you are grateful that we have a God that you are grateful that we have a God that you are grateful that we have a God that is worthy of praise? That word that we were singing the whole That word that we were singing the whole song, hallelujah, literally means praise song, hallelujah, literally means praise song, hallelujah, literally means praise God. God. God. And as I was thinking about that this And as I was thinking about that this And as I was thinking about that this morning, one of the things I think is morning, one of the things I think is morning, one of the things I think is interesting is that we do not praise God interesting is that we do not praise God interesting is that we do not praise God because things in our life are going because things in our life are going because things in our life are going great. great. great. We praise God because he is worthy of We praise God because he is worthy of We praise God because he is worthy of praise. And he, by the way, he, by the praise. And he, by the way, he, by the praise. And he, by the way, he, by the way, way, way, is the same yesterday. is the same yesterday. is the same yesterday. He's the same today. He'll be the same He's the same today. He'll be the same He's the same today. He'll be the same forever. Which means, which means all of forever. Which means, which means all of forever. Which means, which means all of us, all of us have plenty of reasons to us, all of us have plenty of reasons to us, all of us have plenty of reasons to praise.

praise. praise. And whether you came in and your week And whether you came in and your week And whether you came in and your week was incredible, things are going amazing was incredible, things are going amazing was incredible, things are going amazing for you, and when you look around at for you, and when you look around at for you, and when you look around at your life, you see the goodness of God, your life, you see the goodness of God, your life, you see the goodness of God, you got plenty of reasons to praise God you got plenty of reasons to praise God you got plenty of reasons to praise God today. today. today. But, maybe you came in and you had a But, maybe you came in and you had a But, maybe you came in and you had a difficult week. Maybe it was a week that difficult week. Maybe it was a week that difficult week. Maybe it was a week that you could not wait to get out of. Things you could not wait to get out of. Things you could not wait to get out of. Things did not go your way. You were wondering did not go your way. You were wondering did not go your way. You were wondering where God was while you were walking where God was while you were walking where God was while you were walking through it. I'm telling you, you do not through it. I'm telling you, you do not through it. I'm telling you, you do not praise God because your week was bad or praise God because your week was bad or praise God because your week was bad or good. You praise God because he is the good. You praise God because he is the good. You praise God because he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, even on bad weeks, we got plenty of So, even on bad weeks, we got plenty of reasons to praise. reasons to praise. reasons to praise. We don't talk about this one a whole lot We don't talk about this one a whole lot We don't talk about this one a whole lot in church, but man, if your week was in church, but man, if your week was in church, but man, if your week was just normal, just normal, just normal, you don't have a peak, you don't have a you don't have a peak, you don't have a you don't have a peak, you don't have a valley, it's mundane, it's kind of valley, it's mundane, it's kind of valley, it's mundane, it's kind of boring, boring, boring, you got plenty of reasons to praise this you got plenty of reasons to praise this you got plenty of reasons to praise this morning because [music] he is the same morning because [music] he is the same morning because [music] he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We got yesterday, today, and forever. We got yesterday, today, and forever. We got plenty of reasons to praise this plenty of reasons to praise this plenty of reasons to praise this morning. morning. morning. And not only And not only And not only do we have plenty of reasons to praise, do we have plenty of reasons to praise, do we have plenty of reasons to praise, we have plenty of ways [music] that we we have plenty of ways [music] that we we have plenty of ways [music] that we give praise to God, don't we? There's give praise to God, don't we? There's give praise to God, don't we? There's all kinds of ways that we give praise, all kinds of ways that we give praise, all kinds of ways that we give praise, and and we just did it while we were and and we just did it while we were and and we just did it while we were singing, and we're going to keep doing singing, and we're going to keep doing singing, and we're going to keep doing that this morning, by the way. Feel free that this morning, by the way. Feel free that this morning, by the way. Feel free to jump in, clap your hands, raise a to jump in, clap your hands, raise a to jump in, clap your hands, raise a hand up in the air, do whatever you need hand up in the air, do whatever you need hand up in the air, do whatever you need to do to praise God while we're singing.

to do to praise God while we're singing. to do to praise God while we're singing. But, there's all kinds of other ways to But, there's all kinds of other ways to But, there's all kinds of other ways to praise God. For those of us who have praise God. For those of us who have praise God. For those of us who have experienced the gospel, maybe Jesus experienced the gospel, maybe Jesus experienced the gospel, maybe Jesus saved you, saved you, saved you, and you came to the realization of and you came to the realization of and you came to the realization of everything that God gave up by sending everything that God gave up by sending everything that God gave up by sending his son to die for you, his son to die for you, his son to die for you, man, we have plenty of reasons to praise man, we have plenty of reasons to praise man, we have plenty of reasons to praise in that regard, and one of the ways that in that regard, and one of the ways that in that regard, and one of the ways that we praise the God who gave to us is to we praise the God who gave to us is to we praise the God who gave to us is to give back to him. give back to him. give back to him. And so, in a minute, we're going to have And so, in a minute, we're going to have And so, in a minute, we're going to have day makers coming down. They've got day makers coming down. They've got day makers coming down. They've got baskets, they're going to be passing baskets, they're going to be passing baskets, they're going to be passing through. One of the ways that we praise through. One of the ways that we praise through. One of the ways that we praise is not just through singing, we praise is not just through singing, we praise is not just through singing, we praise through giving because the God who gave through giving because the God who gave through giving because the God who gave everything for us is worthy of the first everything for us is worthy of the first everything for us is worthy of the first 10%, the best, our first and our best 10%, the best, our first and our best 10%, the best, our first and our best that we can give him. Amen. that we can give him. Amen. that we can give him. Amen. And by the way, if you're new to church, And by the way, if you're new to church, And by the way, if you're new to church, don't worry about the basket. Don't don't worry about the basket. Don't don't worry about the basket. Don't worry about the basket. We're just worry about the basket. We're just worry about the basket. We're just really glad that you're here. But, for really glad that you're here. But, for really glad that you're here. But, for those of us who call this place home, those of us who call this place home, those of us who call this place home, this is our church family, man, you can this is our church family, man, you can this is our church family, man, you can praise God this morning by participating praise God this morning by participating praise God this morning by participating in giving. in giving. in giving. There's another way that we're going to There's another way that we're going to There's another way that we're going to praise God today that's unique, um and praise God today that's unique, um and praise God today that's unique, um and we're going to praise God through the we're going to praise God through the we're going to praise God through the stories that we tell of the ways that stories that we tell of the ways that stories that we tell of the ways that God has shown up in our individual lives God has shown up in our individual lives God has shown up in our individual lives through baptism. How many of you get get through baptism. How many of you get get through baptism. How many of you get get excited when you see the baptism tubs excited when you see the baptism tubs excited when you see the baptism tubs down in the front?

We got We got plenty of people We got We got plenty of people >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> who are going to get in the tub and >> who are going to get in the tub and >> who are going to get in the tub and share their story of what God's been share their story of what God's been share their story of what God's been doing in their life. And by the way, you doing in their life. And by the way, you doing in their life. And by the way, you guys can go ahead and start getting into guys can go ahead and start getting into guys can go ahead and start getting into the tubs. We're going to do that here in the tubs. We're going to do that here in the tubs. We're going to do that here in just a minute. just a minute. just a minute. But I want you to notice something while But I want you to notice something while But I want you to notice something while we do baptisms today. we do baptisms today. we do baptisms today. There's all kinds of different people There's all kinds of different people There's all kinds of different people getting baptized. getting baptized. getting baptized. God is not just a God for adults. God is not just a God for adults. God is not just a God for adults. He's not just a God for middle-aged He's not just a God for middle-aged He's not just a God for middle-aged people who have kids at home. people who have kids at home. people who have kids at home. He's not just a God for people who have He's not just a God for people who have He's not just a God for people who have a stable job. There's elementary kids a stable job. There's elementary kids a stable job. There's elementary kids who got baptized at our 9:00 a.m. who got baptized at our 9:00 a.m. who got baptized at our 9:00 a.m. service. There's middle school students service. There's middle school students service. There's middle school students who are getting baptized. There's moms who are getting baptized. There's moms who are getting baptized. There's moms who are getting baptized. There's dads who are getting baptized. There's dads who are getting baptized. There's dads who are getting baptized. There's who are getting baptized. There's who are getting baptized. There's grandparents who are getting baptized. grandparents who are getting baptized. grandparents who are getting baptized. And the reason I want you to notice that And the reason I want you to notice that And the reason I want you to notice that is because is because is because you might see someone whose story looks you might see someone whose story looks you might see someone whose story looks a little bit like the story that you're a little bit like the story that you're a little bit like the story that you're living right now. And when they get living right now. And when they get living right now. And when they get baptized, what they are doing is giving baptized, what they are doing is giving baptized, what they are doing is giving praise and testifying to the way that praise and testifying to the way that praise and testifying to the way that the God of the universe has worked in the God of the universe has worked in the God of the universe has worked in their life. their life. their life. And I want you to notice that because And I want you to notice that because And I want you to notice that because they're not special. they're not special. they're not special. If God did it in their story, he could If God did it in their story, he could If God did it in their story, he could do it in your story.

do it in your story. do it in your story. And we had this happen at the 9:00 And we had this happen at the 9:00 And we had this happen at the 9:00 service. I'm going to invite it again. service. I'm going to invite it again. service. I'm going to invite it again. If you're in the room and you see If you're in the room and you see If you're in the room and you see someone getting baptized and the spirit someone getting baptized and the spirit someone getting baptized and the spirit of God is stirring something in you of God is stirring something in you of God is stirring something in you where it says, "Hey, I want you to give where it says, "Hey, I want you to give where it says, "Hey, I want you to give praise to me that way. Why don't you praise to me that way. Why don't you praise to me that way. Why don't you give praise by telling the story give praise by telling the story give praise by telling the story publicly of how I've shown up for you publicly of how I've shown up for you publicly of how I've shown up for you and what I've done for you?" If you want and what I've done for you?" If you want and what I've done for you?" If you want to get baptized, we got pastors all over to get baptized, we got pastors all over to get baptized, we got pastors all over this place. Do not leave today without this place. Do not leave today without this place. Do not leave today without finding a pastor and saying, "Hey, I finding a pastor and saying, "Hey, I finding a pastor and saying, "Hey, I want to give God praise that way. What want to give God praise that way. What want to give God praise that way. What do I need to do to get baptized?" So, do I need to do to get baptized?" So, do I need to do to get baptized?" So, we're about to jump back in to giving we're about to jump back in to giving we're about to jump back in to giving God praise through singing, through God praise through singing, through God praise through singing, through giving, and through baptizing. giving, and through baptizing. giving, and through baptizing. Give God as much praise as he deserves Give God as much praise as he deserves Give God as much praise as he deserves in your life. Make it personal. Make it in your life. Make it personal. Make it in your life. Make it personal. Make it personal. He is always worthy of praise. personal. He is always worthy of praise. personal. He is always worthy of praise. Amen? Amen? Amen? >> Amen. >> There was a moment >> There was a moment when the when the when the lights [music] went out. And death had [music] claimed its And death had [music] claimed its victory.

The king of love had given The king of love had given >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> up his life. A darkest [music] A darkest [music] day in history. One final breath and One final breath and >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> it was finished. For the [music] earth began to For the [music] earth began to worship. And the And the >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> veil was torn. One sacrifice was made. [music] One sacrifice was made. [music] As the As the As the heavens roared. heavens roared. heavens roared. >> Join in with heaven today. >> Join in with heaven today. >> Join in with heaven today. And lift praise to the king. [music] And lift praise to the king. [music] And lift praise to the king. [music] Sing this out. Sing this out. Sing this out. >> All [singing] hail >> All [singing] hail >> All [singing] hail king Jesus.

All [music and singing] hail All [music and singing] hail the lord of the lord of the lord of heaven heaven heaven >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> All hail >> All hail >> All hail king Jesus. king Jesus. king Jesus. >> [music] >> All hail >> All hail the savior [music and singing] of the world. of the world. >> [music] >> There was a moment >> There was a moment when the sky when the sky when the sky >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> lit up. A flash of white A flash of white breaking through. And when [music] all was lost, He And when [music] all was lost, He crossed eternity. The king of life [music] was on the The king of life [music] was on the move. For in a dark For in a dark >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] >> cold tomb where our where our >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Lord was >> Lord was >> Lord was laid.

When the rock When the rock >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> gave way >> gave way >> gave way for for for the quake the quake the quake and was forever and was forever and was forever changed. changed. changed. >> [music] >> All hail >> All hail >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> King Jesus. All [music] hail All [music] hail the Lord the Lord the Lord of heaven and All hail All hail >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> King Jesus. All hail All hail >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> the savior of the world. of the world. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> All hail King Jesus. All [music] hail All [music] hail the Lord the Lord the Lord of heaven of heaven of heaven and earth. and earth. and earth. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> All hail >> All hail >> All hail King Jesus. All hail All hail >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> the savior >> Hallelujah.

>> Hallelujah. >> [music] >> Yes, we thank you, Jesus, [music] cuz

>> Yes, we thank you, Jesus, [music] cuz you're king. you're king. you're king. You're victorious over the grave, over You're victorious over the grave, over You're victorious over the grave, over sin. sin. sin. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> By your blood for us. >> By your blood for us. >> By your blood for us. And we worship you. And we worship you. And we worship you. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> This peace that I have bestowed >> This peace that I have bestowed >> This peace that I have bestowed is soaked in that [singing] sinless is soaked in that [singing] sinless is soaked in that [singing] sinless blood. blood. blood. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> This future >> This future >> This future that's mine today, that's mine today, that's mine today, that Jesus [music] that Jesus [music] that Jesus [music] Christ has won. Christ has won. Christ has won. So, I can face tomorrow. [music] So, I can face tomorrow. [music] So, I can face tomorrow. [music] For tomorrow's For tomorrow's For tomorrow's in your hands. in your hands. in your hands. And all I need, And all I need, And all I need, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> you will >> you will >> you will provide, provide, provide, just like you always have. I'm fighting [music] I'm fighting [music] a battle. No matter [music] what comes my way.

No matter [music] what comes my way. I will hold I will hold I will hold the outcome. [music] the outcome. [music] the outcome. [music] Don't know what you're doing. I'm fighting a battle. I'm fighting a battle. But you already [music and singing] But you already [music and singing] But you already [music and singing] won. There's mercy There's mercy in the way. in the way. in the way. There's strength [music] There's strength [music] There's strength [music] I fought today. I fought today. I fought today. And when it's done, And when it's done, And when it's done, I know you're I know you're I know you're >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> there. You are my >> there. You are my >> there. You are my hope and hope and hope and strength. When the sea is raging, When the sea is raging, your spirit [music] your spirit [music] your spirit [music] is my help. is my help. is my help. I'll fix [music] my eyes on Jesus.

I'll fix [music] my eyes on Jesus. I'll fix [music] my eyes on Jesus. I'll say that I'll say that I'll say that it is well. it is well. it is well. Oh, I know Oh, I know Oh, I know >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> that >> that >> that it is well. it is well. it is well. I know. I know. I know. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I'm fighting the battle. >> I'm fighting the battle. >> I'm fighting the battle. Oh, Oh, Oh, you've [music] already won. No matter what comes No matter what comes >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> my way, >> my way, >> my way, I will overcome. I will overcome. I will overcome. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Don't know what you're >> Don't know what you're >> Don't know what you're doing, but doing, but doing, but but I know but I know but I know I know I know I know >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> what >> what >> what you've done. I'm fighting I'm fighting the battle. the battle. the battle. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> You've already won. >> You've already won. >> You've already won. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Let's sing with faith. Come on, church. >> Let's sing with faith. Come on, church. >> Let's sing with faith. Come on, church. I know I know I know how the story how the story how the story ends. [music] ends. [music] ends. [music] Don't you know it? Come on, sing the Don't you know it? Come on, sing the Don't you know it? Come on, sing the truth. truth. truth. We will be with We will be with We will be with >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Thank you, Jesus.

>> Thank you, Jesus. >> Thank you, Jesus. You're my savior, [music] You're my savior, [music] You're my savior, [music] my my my defense. defense. defense. >> [singing] Do you believe it? [music] Sing it out. Do you believe it? [music] Sing it out. I know I know I know how the how the how the story [music] story [music] story [music] ends. We [music] will be with We [music] will be with you again. you again. you again. again. again. again. You're my savior. You're my savior. You're my savior. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> You're my savior, >> You're my savior, >> You're my savior, my defense. >> [music] >> [music] >> No more fearing [singing] >> No more fearing [singing] >> No more fearing [singing] life. Don't shout it. life. Don't shout it. life. Don't shout it. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I know how the story ends. >> Thank you, Lord, >> Thank you, Lord, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> cuz I'm fighting >> cuz I'm fighting >> cuz I'm fighting a battle.

>> [music] >> [music] >> You've already won. >> You've already won. >> You've already won. Yes, you have, Yes, you have, Yes, you have, Lord. No matter Lord. No matter Lord. No matter >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> what comes >> what comes >> what comes my way, I will overcome. way, I will overcome. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Don't know >> Don't know >> Don't know what he is doing. what he is doing. what he is doing. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> But I know what he's done. I'm fighting [music] I'm fighting [music] a battle. You've You've already won. >> [music] >> [music] >> I'm fighting a >> I'm fighting a >> I'm fighting a battle. battle. battle. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> You've already won. >> You're singing victory, Lord. [music] >> You're singing victory, Lord. [music] You're singing victory, Lord. >> [music] >> [music] >> Oh, we give you praise. >> Oh, we give you praise. >> Oh, we give you praise. We give you glory.

We give you glory. We give you glory. You're the [music] savior, Lord. No matter what No matter what comes my way. comes my way. comes my way. We lift our faith, God, we sing. We lift our faith, God, we sing. We lift our faith, God, we sing. >> I will [music] overcome. >> I will [music] overcome. >> I will [music] overcome. >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> overcome. >> I don't know what you're doing. >> I don't know what you're doing. But this I know. But this I know. But this I know. I know what you've done. I'm fighting a battle. I'm fighting a battle. You've [music] already won. You've [music] already won. You've [music] already won. >> Sing it again. >> Sing it again. >> Sing it again. >> I'm fighting a battle. >> Come on, aren't you grateful >> Come on, aren't you grateful for the gospel for the gospel for the gospel of King Jesus [music] and his victory?

of King Jesus [music] and his victory? of King Jesus [music] and his victory? Would you lift your hands towards the Would you lift your hands towards the Would you lift your hands towards the heavens with me? Let's pray together and heavens with me? Let's pray together and heavens with me? Let's pray together and just begin to tell him, "Thank you." just begin to tell him, "Thank you." just begin to tell him, "Thank you." >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Just say it, "Thank you, Jesus." >> Just say it, "Thank you, Jesus." >> Just say it, "Thank you, Jesus." "Thank you, God, because we get to "Thank you, God, because we get to "Thank you, God, because we get to celebrate victory in you, not in celebrate victory in you, not in celebrate victory in you, not in anything we've done. [music] anything we've done. [music] anything we've done. [music] We get to celebrate, Lord, that we have We get to celebrate, Lord, that we have We get to celebrate, Lord, that we have access to your presence. Celebrate life access to your presence. Celebrate life access to your presence. Celebrate life change, God, and through baptism. change, God, and through baptism. change, God, and through baptism. What a privilege, what an honor it is to What a privilege, what an honor it is to What a privilege, what an honor it is to worship the king." worship the king." worship the king." And as we remember our own story, we And as we remember our own story, we And as we remember our own story, we thank you for what you've done and what thank you for what you've done and what thank you for what you've done and what you're doing, God. We look forward and you're doing, God. We look forward and you're doing, God. We look forward and we say, "Would you do it again? Would we say, "Would you do it again? Would we say, "Would you do it again? Would you keep moving in us and through you keep moving in us and through you keep moving in us and through [music] us? In Jesus' name we pray. And [music] us? In Jesus' name we pray. And [music] us? In Jesus' name we pray. And all his people say Amen. all his people say Amen. all his people say Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. So here in across the campuses, if So here in across the campuses, if So here in across the campuses, if you're still standing, give someone a you're still standing, give someone a you're still standing, give someone a high five next to you, grab a seat. And we're going to get to work today. And we're going to get to work today. We got a lot to go after, a lot to We got a lot to go after, a lot to We got a lot to go after, a lot to cover. cover. cover. Man, I was just standing in the back Man, I was just standing in the back Man, I was just standing in the back watching baptisms happen and sitting in watching baptisms happen and sitting in watching baptisms happen and sitting in sitting in worship, and I just was sitting in worship, and I just was sitting in worship, and I just was reminded, this is not normal.

reminded, this is not normal. reminded, this is not normal. You realize it's not normal that You realize it's not normal that You realize it's not normal that baptisms happen frequently here. Like I baptisms happen frequently here. Like I baptisms happen frequently here. Like I I was a part of churches growing up that I was a part of churches growing up that I was a part of churches growing up that I would go a whole year and never see I would go a whole year and never see I would go a whole year and never see anyone get baptized. And we get a chance anyone get baptized. And we get a chance anyone get baptized. And we get a chance to frequently celebrate what happens to frequently celebrate what happens to frequently celebrate what happens when someone bows the knee to King Jesus when someone bows the knee to King Jesus when someone bows the knee to King Jesus and they're brought to life in Christ and they're brought to life in Christ and they're brought to life in Christ and they go public with their faith. Can and they go public with their faith. Can and they go public with their faith. Can we just thank our God for all that he's we just thank our God for all that he's we just thank our God for all that he's doing across the life of our church? doing across the life of our church? doing across the life of our church? Glory and honor and praise to you, Glory and honor and praise to you, Glory and honor and praise to you, Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. And we're going to we're going to lean And we're going to we're going to lean And we're going to we're going to lean into that again today a little bit in into that again today a little bit in into that again today a little bit in that conversation, but first I want to that conversation, but first I want to that conversation, but first I want to talk about next week really quick. Next talk about next week really quick. Next talk about next week really quick. Next week in August 2nd, if this is your week in August 2nd, if this is your week in August 2nd, if this is your church home, you need to be here next church home, you need to be here next church home, you need to be here next weekend because it's going to be like a weekend because it's going to be like a weekend because it's going to be like a like a vision forward. What is God like a vision forward. What is God like a vision forward. What is God inviting our church into in this next inviting our church into in this next inviting our church into in this next season? We're calling it first look season? We're calling it first look season? We're calling it first look Sunday. And if this is your church home Sunday. And if this is your church home Sunday. And if this is your church home and you always ask the questions, "Man, and you always ask the questions, "Man, and you always ask the questions, "Man, what are we doing? What's coming up? what are we doing? What's coming up? what are we doing? What's coming up? What's the next series? What are we What's the next series? What are we What's the next series? What are we doing this fall?" I'm going to tell you doing this fall?" I'm going to tell you doing this fall?" I'm going to tell you everything. If you're a planner, bring everything. If you're a planner, bring everything. If you're a planner, bring your calendar. Open up your calendar app your calendar. Open up your calendar app your calendar. Open up your calendar app next weekend. You can start to fill up next weekend. You can start to fill up next weekend. You can start to fill up your calendar and know what is our your calendar and know what is our your calendar and know what is our church going after. Bring something to church going after. Bring something to church going after. Bring something to take notes with and we're going to lean take notes with and we're going to lean take notes with and we're going to lean into what God's inviting our church into into what God's inviting our church into into what God's inviting our church into this fall. So, be here next week. And this fall. So, be here next week. And this fall. So, be here next week. And look at your neighbor and say, "You look at your neighbor and say, "You look at your neighbor and say, "You better be here." Go ahead and tell them.

better be here." Go ahead and tell them. better be here." Go ahead and tell them. Say it with conviction. That was like, Say it with conviction. That was like, Say it with conviction. That was like, "You better be here." Like say it like "You better be here." Like say it like "You better be here." Like say it like you mean it. Like you're going to be you mean it. Like you're going to be you mean it. Like you're going to be here. Come on. So, the month of July, we've been in So, the month of July, we've been in this conversation. That's one of the this conversation. That's one of the this conversation. That's one of the core statements, one of the core core statements, one of the core core statements, one of the core questions in the life of our church. And questions in the life of our church. And questions in the life of our church. And today we're we're sort of wrapping that today we're we're sort of wrapping that today we're we're sort of wrapping that conversation up and it revolves around conversation up and it revolves around conversation up and it revolves around this question, "Who's your one?" this question, "Who's your one?" this question, "Who's your one?" And if you've been here longer than a And if you've been here longer than a And if you've been here longer than a minute, you've heard us say that minute, you've heard us say that minute, you've heard us say that statement and I hope you know what it statement and I hope you know what it statement and I hope you know what it means, but if not, let me just uh unpack means, but if not, let me just uh unpack means, but if not, let me just uh unpack it for you. Uh we believe that the the it for you. Uh we believe that the the it for you. Uh we believe that the the nature and character of our God is that nature and character of our God is that nature and character of our God is that he would leave the 99 people that are he would leave the 99 people that are he would leave the 99 people that are already saved behind and go after the already saved behind and go after the already saved behind and go after the one that's not. Like his heart is for one that's not. Like his heart is for one that's not. Like his heart is for his lost sons and daughters to come home his lost sons and daughters to come home his lost sons and daughters to come home again. And if we want to be like God, if again. And if we want to be like God, if again. And if we want to be like God, if we're supposed to be more and more like we're supposed to be more and more like we're supposed to be more and more like God in our character, then we should God in our character, then we should God in our character, then we should care about the one. And And one is this, care about the one. And And one is this, care about the one. And And one is this, it's someone who is physically near to it's someone who is physically near to it's someone who is physically near to you. Like they're in proximity to you, you. Like they're in proximity to you, you. Like they're in proximity to you, but they're spiritually far from God. but they're spiritually far from God. but they're spiritually far from God. And here's what I believe.

And here's what I believe. And here's what I believe. If you are a follower of Jesus, the If you are a follower of Jesus, the If you are a follower of Jesus, the person that's in your life that's far person that's in your life that's far person that's in your life that's far from God is there on purpose. from God is there on purpose. from God is there on purpose. That wasn't a mistake. God put you That wasn't a mistake. God put you That wasn't a mistake. God put you there. It might be the person your there. It might be the person your there. It might be the person your cubicle next to you, someone you see at cubicle next to you, someone you see at cubicle next to you, someone you see at the gas station a couple times a week, the gas station a couple times a week, the gas station a couple times a week, someone in your neighborhood, someone someone in your neighborhood, someone someone in your neighborhood, someone next to you in class, someone at the next to you in class, someone at the next to you in class, someone at the ball field, but it's someone that God ball field, but it's someone that God ball field, but it's someone that God put near to you. That was not an put near to you. That was not an put near to you. That was not an accident. accident. accident. You are there on purpose and for a You are there on purpose and for a You are there on purpose and for a purpose and you have a mission to bring purpose and you have a mission to bring purpose and you have a mission to bring that person to Jesus. And so many of the that person to Jesus. And so many of the that person to Jesus. And so many of the baptisms we celebrate, the person baptisms we celebrate, the person baptisms we celebrate, the person standing next to the tub that's not a standing next to the tub that's not a standing next to the tub that's not a pastor on staff is someone who that was pastor on staff is someone who that was pastor on staff is someone who that was their one. their one. their one. That they prayed, they invested, they That they prayed, they invested, they That they prayed, they invested, they they they talked to them about Jesus, they they talked to them about Jesus, they they talked to them about Jesus, they invited them to church, and now they invited them to church, and now they invited them to church, and now they get to stand next to the tub and go they get to stand next to the tub and go they get to stand next to the tub and go public because that was their one. public because that was their one. public because that was their one. Praise God. So as a church, we are we Praise God. So as a church, we are we Praise God. So as a church, we are we are never bigger than the next one and are never bigger than the next one and are never bigger than the next one and the next one and the next one. the next one and the next one. the next one and the next one. And so as we talk about this, here And so as we talk about this, here And so as we talk about this, here here's what you have to know. The one here's what you have to know. The one here's what you have to know. The one doesn't matter till they're your one. doesn't matter till they're your one. doesn't matter till they're your one. That one or that one is like that's That one or that one is like that's That one or that one is like that's cool, but it doesn't matter to you until cool, but it doesn't matter to you until cool, but it doesn't matter to you until it's your one.

it's your one. it's your one. So we've walked through this So we've walked through this So we've walked through this conversation July and and we're going to conversation July and and we're going to conversation July and and we're going to wrap it up today, but in order to do wrap it up today, but in order to do wrap it up today, but in order to do that, if you want to grab your Bibles, that, if you want to grab your Bibles, that, if you want to grab your Bibles, I'm going to be in Matthew 9 once again. I'm going to be in Matthew 9 once again. I'm going to be in Matthew 9 once again. If you're using a Worship Center Bible, If you're using a Worship Center Bible, If you're using a Worship Center Bible, it's page 835. it's page 835. it's page 835. And I want to pick up where Pastor Steve And I want to pick up where Pastor Steve And I want to pick up where Pastor Steve sort of ended last weekend. Matthew 9 sort of ended last weekend. Matthew 9 sort of ended last weekend. Matthew 9 starting in verse 36 and I want us to starting in verse 36 and I want us to starting in verse 36 and I want us to see a picture of both the nature and see a picture of both the nature and see a picture of both the nature and character of Jesus as well as the nature character of Jesus as well as the nature character of Jesus as well as the nature and reality of the kingdom of God that and reality of the kingdom of God that and reality of the kingdom of God that we're living in right now. Starting in we're living in right now. Starting in we're living in right now. Starting in verse 36, when he Jesus verse 36, when he Jesus verse 36, when he Jesus When Jesus saw the crowds, he had When Jesus saw the crowds, he had When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. He had what? compassion on them. He had what? compassion on them. He had what? If you're if you're far from God and you If you're if you're far from God and you If you're if you're far from God and you have questions, I want to start here. have questions, I want to start here. have questions, I want to start here. You might think that God has no You might think that God has no You might think that God has no compassion for you. compassion for you. compassion for you. You might think God does not give a rip You might think God does not give a rip You might think God does not give a rip about you. You might think Jesus doesn't about you. You might think Jesus doesn't about you. You might think Jesus doesn't even care about my life. And I want you even care about my life. And I want you even care about my life. And I want you to know this, Jesus has compassion on to know this, Jesus has compassion on to know this, Jesus has compassion on you. you. you. Jesus loves you. It's not just a kids Jesus loves you. It's not just a kids Jesus loves you. It's not just a kids song. It's a profound reality that God song. It's a profound reality that God song. It's a profound reality that God of the universe loves you. He's wild of the universe loves you. He's wild of the universe loves you. He's wild about you.

about you. about you. Jesus' heart has compassion for the Jesus' heart has compassion for the Jesus' heart has compassion for the crowds. Why? Because they were harassed crowds. Why? Because they were harassed crowds. Why? Because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a and helpless like sheep without a and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. shepherd. shepherd. They're lost in life, far from God. And They're lost in life, far from God. And They're lost in life, far from God. And then Jesus, I can see him walking down then Jesus, I can see him walking down then Jesus, I can see him walking down the road with his disciples. He looks the road with his disciples. He looks the road with his disciples. He looks over to the to his disciples. He's like, over to the to his disciples. He's like, over to the to his disciples. He's like, "Guys, "Guys, "Guys, the harvest is plentiful, but the the harvest is plentiful, but the the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. workers are few. workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore to Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore to Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore to send out workers into his harvest field. send out workers into his harvest field. send out workers into his harvest field. I need you to be clear. It's the harvest I need you to be clear. It's the harvest I need you to be clear. It's the harvest is not few. The workers are few. is not few. The workers are few. is not few. The workers are few. If you know anything about a field, the If you know anything about a field, the If you know anything about a field, the field is ripe with harvest. We just need field is ripe with harvest. We just need field is ripe with harvest. We just need workers to go get it. workers to go get it. workers to go get it. Like when when he's talking about this, Like when when he's talking about this, Like when when he's talking about this, what does that what does that little what does that what does that little what does that what does that little metaphor mean? The harvest is people. metaphor mean? The harvest is people. metaphor mean? The harvest is people. There are more people that need Jesus There are more people that need Jesus There are more people that need Jesus than there are people that know Jesus than there are people that know Jesus than there are people that know Jesus that are going to work and bring them that are going to work and bring them that are going to work and bring them home again. home again. home again. The the prayer at the end is not God The the prayer at the end is not God The the prayer at the end is not God send harvest. send harvest. send harvest. You don't have to pray for lost people. You don't have to pray for lost people. You don't have to pray for lost people. They're everywhere.

They're everywhere. They're everywhere. You have to pray for workers. God, so You have to pray for workers. God, so You have to pray for workers. God, so that God of the harvest, will you send that God of the harvest, will you send that God of the harvest, will you send workers? And then I look around rooms workers? And then I look around rooms workers? And then I look around rooms like this and I go, "Man, we've got like this and I go, "Man, we've got like this and I go, "Man, we've got thousands of people across our campuses, thousands of people across our campuses, thousands of people across our campuses, tens of thousands online. Might be tens of thousands online. Might be tens of thousands online. Might be watching online right now." And I'm watching online right now." And I'm watching online right now." And I'm like, "How can there be not enough like, "How can there be not enough like, "How can there be not enough workers? workers? workers? There's a lot of us." There's a lot of us." There's a lot of us." And I think to this, I think And I think to this, I think And I think to this, I think maybe we're people maybe we're people maybe we're people that have found Jesus, that have found Jesus, that have found Jesus, but we've not found our calling to who's but we've not found our calling to who's but we've not found our calling to who's your one. your one. your one. We're people that we we said yes to We're people that we we said yes to We're people that we we said yes to Jesus, but we've not gotten our hands Jesus, but we've not gotten our hands Jesus, but we've not gotten our hands dirty working the fields yet. dirty working the fields yet. dirty working the fields yet. And what if God brought you here today And what if God brought you here today And what if God brought you here today because he wants to awaken you? I've because he wants to awaken you? I've because he wants to awaken you? I've prayed this all week. Would you awaken prayed this all week. Would you awaken prayed this all week. Would you awaken our church? Would you reignite this our church? Would you reignite this our church? Would you reignite this hunger, this burden for lost people? Cuz hunger, this burden for lost people? Cuz hunger, this burden for lost people? Cuz whether you know it or not, you were whether you know it or not, you were whether you know it or not, you were once lost as well. And then somebody said something to you And then somebody said something to you about Jesus, the Holy Spirit awakens about Jesus, the Holy Spirit awakens about Jesus, the Holy Spirit awakens you, and you came home. Once you get you, and you came home. Once you get you, and you came home. Once you get rescued, you go rescue the next person. rescued, you go rescue the next person. rescued, you go rescue the next person. Amen? Amen? Amen? That's not good enough. Once you get That's not good enough. Once you get That's not good enough. Once you get rescued, you go rescue the next person.

rescued, you go rescue the next person. rescued, you go rescue the next person. Amen? Amen? Amen? If you can't tell, I got fire in my If you can't tell, I got fire in my If you can't tell, I got fire in my bones for this. I'm going to try to not bones for this. I'm going to try to not bones for this. I'm going to try to not talk too fast. My wife will always be talk too fast. My wife will always be talk too fast. My wife will always be like, "Great message. Slow down." I'm like, "Great message. Slow down." I'm like, "Great message. Slow down." I'm like, "I'm trying. I'm just excited." like, "I'm trying. I'm just excited." like, "I'm trying. I'm just excited." So, here's the question I want to I want So, here's the question I want to I want So, here's the question I want to I want to wrestle with. Like, the workers are to wrestle with. Like, the workers are to wrestle with. Like, the workers are few, and I look around and go, "No, few, and I look around and go, "No, few, and I look around and go, "No, they're not." they're not." they're not." The workers aren't few. And it's like, The workers aren't few. And it's like, The workers aren't few. And it's like, "Well, maybe they are." Here Here's the "Well, maybe they are." Here Here's the "Well, maybe they are." Here Here's the question I want to ask. Why don't we question I want to ask. Why don't we question I want to ask. Why don't we bring our ones to Jesus? bring our ones to Jesus? bring our ones to Jesus? I want to take like the devil's advocate I want to take like the devil's advocate I want to take like the devil's advocate position on the conversation. Why Why position on the conversation. Why Why position on the conversation. Why Why don't we bring our ones to Jesus? And in don't we bring our ones to Jesus? And in don't we bring our ones to Jesus? And in order to unpack it, I want to unpack one order to unpack it, I want to unpack one order to unpack it, I want to unpack one of my favorite stories in scripture. And of my favorite stories in scripture. And of my favorite stories in scripture. And actually starts the same chapter that actually starts the same chapter that actually starts the same chapter that Jesus just ended with. It's the very Jesus just ended with. It's the very Jesus just ended with. It's the very beginning of that chapter. And I'm going beginning of that chapter. And I'm going beginning of that chapter. And I'm going to be bouncing back and forth between to be bouncing back and forth between to be bouncing back and forth between Matthew 9 and Mark 2. Both the same Matthew 9 and Mark 2. Both the same Matthew 9 and Mark 2. Both the same story, just told from different story, just told from different story, just told from different perspective. Here's how it starts in perspective. Here's how it starts in perspective. Here's how it starts in Matthew 9:2. Matthew 9:2. Matthew 9:2. This is one of the first stories in This is one of the first stories in This is one of the first stories in scripture where someone else had scripture where someone else had scripture where someone else had compassion on their one, by the way. compassion on their one, by the way. compassion on their one, by the way. Jesus already had compassion. This is Jesus already had compassion. This is Jesus already had compassion. This is one of the first times where someone one of the first times where someone one of the first times where someone else had compassion. Verse 2 in Matthew else had compassion. Verse 2 in Matthew else had compassion. Verse 2 in Matthew 9. "Some men brought to him, Jesus, a 9. "Some men brought to him, Jesus, a 9. "Some men brought to him, Jesus, a paralyzed man lying on a mat." I want to paralyzed man lying on a mat." I want to paralyzed man lying on a mat." I want to pause here for a second. What's pause here for a second. What's pause here for a second. What's happening?

happening? happening? So, Jesus is hanging out in this area, So, Jesus is hanging out in this area, So, Jesus is hanging out in this area, and some presumably some friends and some presumably some friends and some presumably some friends bring their friend who's paralyzed, just bring their friend who's paralyzed, just bring their friend who's paralyzed, just meaning he can't walk, bring their meaning he can't walk, bring their meaning he can't walk, bring their friend, carrying their friend to Jesus friend, carrying their friend to Jesus friend, carrying their friend to Jesus on a mat. What's that about? Well, back on a mat. What's that about? Well, back on a mat. What's that about? Well, back in those days, when you were paralyzed, in those days, when you were paralyzed, in those days, when you were paralyzed, you couldn't make money, you were sort you couldn't make money, you were sort you couldn't make money, you were sort of like you couldn't get around, and so of like you couldn't get around, and so of like you couldn't get around, and so the way you get carried around was the way you get carried around was the way you get carried around was they'd carry you on the very mat that they'd carry you on the very mat that they'd carry you on the very mat that they'd lay out. You go lay on your mat they'd lay out. You go lay on your mat they'd lay out. You go lay on your mat during the day and you'd beg for money, during the day and you'd beg for money, during the day and you'd beg for money, and then some of your friends hopefully and then some of your friends hopefully and then some of your friends hopefully would carry you back home again. That's would carry you back home again. That's would carry you back home again. That's what's happening in the story, and what's happening in the story, and what's happening in the story, and luckily this man that was paralyzed and luckily this man that was paralyzed and luckily this man that was paralyzed and on a mat, the man who was broken, had on a mat, the man who was broken, had on a mat, the man who was broken, had four friends four friends four friends that loved him enough that loved him enough that loved him enough to carry him to Jesus. to carry him to Jesus. to carry him to Jesus. Listen to me, side note, men, Listen to me, side note, men, Listen to me, side note, men, you need mat carriers in your life. you need mat carriers in your life. you need mat carriers in your life. Listen to me. There are times in my life Listen to me. There are times in my life Listen to me. There are times in my life where I was too broken to make my own where I was too broken to make my own where I was too broken to make my own way back to Jesus, and I had men in my way back to Jesus, and I had men in my way back to Jesus, and I had men in my life that said, "Nope, we're carrying life that said, "Nope, we're carrying life that said, "Nope, we're carrying you back to Jesus." You need men in your you back to Jesus." You need men in your you back to Jesus." You need men in your life. In fact, the whole Who's Your One life. In fact, the whole Who's Your One life. In fact, the whole Who's Your One thing, one of the most strategic places thing, one of the most strategic places thing, one of the most strategic places you can invite your one to, if they're a you can invite your one to, if they're a you can invite your one to, if they're a dude and they're middle school or older, dude and they're middle school or older, dude and they're middle school or older, bring them to the Who's Oh, not Who's bring them to the Who's Oh, not Who's bring them to the Who's Oh, not Who's Your One. Bring them to the Be the Man Your One. Bring them to the Be the Man Your One. Bring them to the Be the Man Conference in November. You can text Be Conference in November. You can text Be Conference in November. You can text Be the Man to 37748. You can register now.

the Man to 37748. You can register now. the Man to 37748. You can register now. The first night, we're preaching the The first night, we're preaching the The first night, we're preaching the gospel, we're going to have open gospel, we're going to have open gospel, we're going to have open baptisms there. That might be the night baptisms there. That might be the night baptisms there. That might be the night where your one comes to faith in Jesus, where your one comes to faith in Jesus, where your one comes to faith in Jesus, and your job is to be a mat carrier. and your job is to be a mat carrier. and your job is to be a mat carrier. Bring them. You can text, you can be a Bring them. You can text, you can be a Bring them. You can text, you can be a part of that. Don't miss it. So, there's part of that. Don't miss it. So, there's part of that. Don't miss it. So, there's a lot going on in this verse, so I want a lot going on in this verse, so I want a lot going on in this verse, so I want to go over to Mark 2 because to go over to Mark 2 because to go over to Mark 2 because when when he unpacks it, he unpacks it when when he unpacks it, he unpacks it when when he unpacks it, he unpacks it from a different perspective because from a different perspective because from a different perspective because again, all four gospels are the same again, all four gospels are the same again, all four gospels are the same story, the same sort of timeline, but story, the same sort of timeline, but story, the same sort of timeline, but different perspective. different perspective. different perspective. So, I'll take the same story up in Mark So, I'll take the same story up in Mark So, I'll take the same story up in Mark 2, and I'll skip sort of through some of 2, and I'll skip sort of through some of 2, and I'll skip sort of through some of this. So, a few days later when Jesus this. So, a few days later when Jesus this. So, a few days later when Jesus entered Capernaum, the people heard that entered Capernaum, the people heard that entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such he had come home. They gathered in such he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers, verse 2, that there was large numbers, verse 2, that there was large numbers, verse 2, that there was no room left, not even outside the door, no room left, not even outside the door, no room left, not even outside the door, and Jesus preached the word to them. and Jesus preached the word to them. and Jesus preached the word to them. Here's where the story picks up. Some Here's where the story picks up. Some Here's where the story picks up. Some men came bringing to him a paralyzed men came bringing to him a paralyzed men came bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they man, carried by four of them. Since they man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of could not get him to Jesus because of could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the the crowd, they made an opening in the the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it roof above Jesus by digging through it roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was and then lowered the mat the man was and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. What's happening here?

lying on. What's happening here? lying on. What's happening here? Literally, they show up carrying their Literally, they show up carrying their Literally, they show up carrying their friend to Jesus, their broken friend who friend to Jesus, their broken friend who friend to Jesus, their broken friend who they thought Jesus might be able to heal they thought Jesus might be able to heal they thought Jesus might be able to heal him. I'm going to carry him to Jesus. him. I'm going to carry him to Jesus. him. I'm going to carry him to Jesus. They get there, the crowds are so big They get there, the crowds are so big They get there, the crowds are so big they can't walk in the front door. they can't walk in the front door. they can't walk in the front door. So, they they they look around and go, So, they they they look around and go, So, they they they look around and go, "Well, there's a roof on the place, "Well, there's a roof on the place, "Well, there's a roof on the place, right? Great. What are we going to do? right? Great. What are we going to do? right? Great. What are we going to do? We're going to dig a hole through the We're going to dig a hole through the We're going to dig a hole through the roof and bring our friend to Jesus." roof and bring our friend to Jesus." roof and bring our friend to Jesus." That's an awesome story for everybody That's an awesome story for everybody That's an awesome story for everybody except the homeowner, right? So, they're they're they're so they're So, they're they're they're so they're so intent on getting their friend to so intent on getting their friend to so intent on getting their friend to Jesus. Why the urgency? Because first, Jesus. Why the urgency? Because first, Jesus. Why the urgency? Because first, they loved their friend. Second, they they loved their friend. Second, they they loved their friend. Second, they believed Jesus could heal their friend. believed Jesus could heal their friend. believed Jesus could heal their friend. And so, they did whatever it took to get And so, they did whatever it took to get And so, they did whatever it took to get their friend to Jesus. I want to pause. their friend to Jesus. I want to pause. their friend to Jesus. I want to pause. Sometimes, I think we Sometimes, I think we Sometimes, I think we we theologize the hurdles and think that we theologize the hurdles and think that we theologize the hurdles and think that God's giving us a message. Let me Let me God's giving us a message. Let me Let me God's giving us a message. Let me Let me unpack that. unpack that. unpack that. If I was carrying my friend to Jesus and If I was carrying my friend to Jesus and If I was carrying my friend to Jesus and the crowds were piled up and I couldn't the crowds were piled up and I couldn't the crowds were piled up and I couldn't get in the house, I think my tendency get in the house, I think my tendency get in the house, I think my tendency would be to say this, "Man, if God would be to say this, "Man, if God would be to say this, "Man, if God wanted to heal this guy, he'd have made wanted to heal this guy, he'd have made wanted to heal this guy, he'd have made a way into the house." So, there's too a way into the house." So, there's too a way into the house." So, there's too big a crowds? Well, we'll try next time.

big a crowds? Well, we'll try next time. big a crowds? Well, we'll try next time. And we give ourselves an out. And we give ourselves an out. And we give ourselves an out. Listen to me. Sometimes, the very things Listen to me. Sometimes, the very things Listen to me. Sometimes, the very things that are hurdles are are the very way that are hurdles are are the very way that are hurdles are are the very way that God wants to heal your friend. The that God wants to heal your friend. The that God wants to heal your friend. The way that God wants to rescue your one. way that God wants to rescue your one. way that God wants to rescue your one. Don't theologize this and say, "Well, I Don't theologize this and say, "Well, I Don't theologize this and say, "Well, I guess God's not in it." No. Just cuz guess God's not in it." No. Just cuz guess God's not in it." No. Just cuz it's hard doesn't mean God's not in it. it's hard doesn't mean God's not in it. it's hard doesn't mean God's not in it. Otherwise, 70% of my life God wouldn't Otherwise, 70% of my life God wouldn't Otherwise, 70% of my life God wouldn't be in cuz it's hard. Amen, somebody. be in cuz it's hard. Amen, somebody. be in cuz it's hard. Amen, somebody. Don't don't theologize those moments. Don't don't theologize those moments. Don't don't theologize those moments. Sometimes, it is the hard. And then you Sometimes, it is the hard. And then you Sometimes, it is the hard. And then you get you get down in the in the story, get you get down in the in the story, get you get down in the in the story, they lower the man down, verse five. they lower the man down, verse five. they lower the man down, verse five. When Jesus saw their faith, whose faith? When Jesus saw their faith, whose faith? When Jesus saw their faith, whose faith? Their faith. The faith of the friends Their faith. The faith of the friends Their faith. The faith of the friends lowering him down. He said to the lowering him down. He said to the lowering him down. He said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." forgiven." forgiven." It was the faith of the four friends It was the faith of the four friends It was the faith of the four friends that caught Jesus's attention. that caught Jesus's attention. that caught Jesus's attention. And then Jesus And then Jesus And then Jesus says, "Take heart, your sins are says, "Take heart, your sins are says, "Take heart, your sins are forgiven." forgiven." forgiven." On one hand, that's amazing.

On one hand, that's amazing. On one hand, that's amazing. On the other hand, if I'm the friends, On the other hand, if I'm the friends, On the other hand, if I'm the friends, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, "Thanks, Jesus. Um we were here for a "Thanks, Jesus. Um we were here for a "Thanks, Jesus. Um we were here for a different problem, right?" Like if you different problem, right?" Like if you different problem, right?" Like if you brought your car into the garage to fix brought your car into the garage to fix brought your car into the garage to fix the brakes and they changed the tires, the brakes and they changed the tires, the brakes and they changed the tires, you're like, "Thanks, but it was a brake you're like, "Thanks, but it was a brake you're like, "Thanks, but it was a brake issue, not a tire issue." issue, not a tire issue." issue, not a tire issue." What are you doing, Jesus? I I want you What are you doing, Jesus? I I want you What are you doing, Jesus? I I want you to see this. to see this. to see this. Jesus was diagnosing the real emergency. Jesus was diagnosing the real emergency. Jesus was diagnosing the real emergency. See, they thought the biggest problem See, they thought the biggest problem See, they thought the biggest problem was his physical brokenness. was his physical brokenness. was his physical brokenness. And Jesus is like, "No, no, no, no, no. And Jesus is like, "No, no, no, no, no. And Jesus is like, "No, no, no, no, no. It's something much deeper." He's It's something much deeper." He's It's something much deeper." He's getting to the root. Why? In getting to the root. Why? In getting to the root. Why? In first-century Jewish thinking, if first-century Jewish thinking, if first-century Jewish thinking, if someone was paralyzed, someone was paralyzed, someone was paralyzed, it was widely viewed as like a it was widely viewed as like a it was widely viewed as like a a divine judgment, a divine payback for a divine judgment, a divine payback for a divine judgment, a divine payback for a specific sin. Either the the the man a specific sin. Either the the the man a specific sin. Either the the the man himself, his sin, or his parents' sin. himself, his sin, or his parents' sin. himself, his sin, or his parents' sin. They look at someone that was broken They look at someone that was broken They look at someone that was broken like that and say, "What did you do? like that and say, "What did you do? like that and say, "What did you do? You must have angered God. You must have angered God. You must have angered God. That's on you. That's on your parents." That's on you. That's on your parents." That's on you. That's on your parents." As if someone didn't sin perfectly and As if someone didn't sin perfectly and As if someone didn't sin perfectly and that's why they're not that way. that's why they're not that way. that's why they're not that way. So So the man was was not only disabled, So So the man was was not only disabled, So So the man was was not only disabled, he was socially and spiritually branded.

he was socially and spiritually branded. he was socially and spiritually branded. As if he was cursed by God. As if he was cursed by God. As if he was cursed by God. And Jesus goes straight to the root. And And Jesus goes straight to the root. And And Jesus goes straight to the root. And in a minute we're going to see that in a minute we're going to see that in a minute we're going to see that Jesus told the man to get up and walk. Jesus told the man to get up and walk. Jesus told the man to get up and walk. But before he did that, he said, "Your But before he did that, he said, "Your But before he did that, he said, "Your sins are forgiven." Because listen, the sins are forgiven." Because listen, the sins are forgiven." Because listen, the physical healing that he's about to do physical healing that he's about to do physical healing that he's about to do is actually the secondary proof of the is actually the secondary proof of the is actually the secondary proof of the deeper miracle. deeper miracle. deeper miracle. He forgave the sin first to show to show He forgave the sin first to show to show He forgave the sin first to show to show that sin was the ultimate paralysis. that sin was the ultimate paralysis. that sin was the ultimate paralysis. His sin was the real brokenness. His sin was the real brokenness. His sin was the real brokenness. And Jesus is relocating the place where And Jesus is relocating the place where And Jesus is relocating the place where sins are forgiven from the temple system sins are forgiven from the temple system sins are forgiven from the temple system to himself. to himself. to himself. And as you can imagine, the religious And as you can imagine, the religious And as you can imagine, the religious leaders of the day are watching Jesus do leaders of the day are watching Jesus do leaders of the day are watching Jesus do his thing, and they are no bueno. his thing, and they are no bueno. his thing, and they are no bueno. They are not happy. Because their whole They are not happy. Because their whole They are not happy. Because their whole income, their whole life revolved around income, their whole life revolved around income, their whole life revolved around you come to us and we go get your sins you come to us and we go get your sins you come to us and we go get your sins forgiven from God. You go jump through forgiven from God. You go jump through forgiven from God. You go jump through the hoops, you follow the rules, you do the hoops, you follow the rules, you do the hoops, you follow the rules, you do the temple thing, and then you're the temple thing, and then you're the temple thing, and then you're forgiven. And Jesus is like, "No, that forgiven. And Jesus is like, "No, that forgiven. And Jesus is like, "No, that game's done now." game's done now." game's done now." That game's over now.

That game's over now. That game's over now. And the religious leaders are mad, and And the religious leaders are mad, and And the religious leaders are mad, and Jesus literally like reads their Jesus literally like reads their Jesus literally like reads their thoughts and he responds back to Matthew thoughts and he responds back to Matthew thoughts and he responds back to Matthew 9:6. It said this, Jesus said, "But I 9:6. It said this, Jesus said, "But I 9:6. It said this, Jesus said, "But I want you to know that the Son of Man" want you to know that the Son of Man" want you to know that the Son of Man" that's a name from Daniel that was given that's a name from Daniel that was given that's a name from Daniel that was given to the coming Messiah, by the way, to the coming Messiah, by the way, to the coming Messiah, by the way, foretold. "The Son of Man has authority foretold. "The Son of Man has authority foretold. "The Son of Man has authority on earth." Somebody say authority. on earth." Somebody say authority. on earth." Somebody say authority. "The Son of Man has authority on earth "The Son of Man has authority on earth "The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." to forgive sins." to forgive sins." So, he then said to the paralyzed man, So, he then said to the paralyzed man, So, he then said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat, and go home." "Get up, take your mat, and go home." "Get up, take your mat, and go home." The man got up and went home. When the The man got up and went home. When the The man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with crowd saw this, they were filled with crowd saw this, they were filled with awe, and they praised God who had given awe, and they praised God who had given awe, and they praised God who had given such authority to man. I want to I want such authority to man. I want to I want such authority to man. I want to I want you to see one more thing in the story. you to see one more thing in the story. you to see one more thing in the story. When Jesus said, "Get up and carry your When Jesus said, "Get up and carry your When Jesus said, "Get up and carry your mat." This isn't This isn't um This is mat." This isn't This isn't um This is mat." This isn't This isn't um This is on purpose. on purpose. on purpose. See, Jesus isn't just healing, he's See, Jesus isn't just healing, he's See, Jesus isn't just healing, he's restoring dignity. restoring dignity. restoring dignity. You see, that mat would have been like a You see, that mat would have been like a You see, that mat would have been like a scarlet letter that he wore his whole scarlet letter that he wore his whole scarlet letter that he wore his whole life, or however long he's been life, or however long he's been life, or however long he's been paralyzed. paralyzed. paralyzed. You don't have a mat if you're walking. You don't have a mat if you're walking. You don't have a mat if you're walking. You have a mat to lay down and beg for You have a mat to lay down and beg for You have a mat to lay down and beg for money.

money. money. And for him, that mat represented what And for him, that mat represented what And for him, that mat represented what the people believed was like a curse the people believed was like a curse the people believed was like a curse from God for some sin he or his parents from God for some sin he or his parents from God for some sin he or his parents had committed. So, when Jesus said, had committed. So, when Jesus said, had committed. So, when Jesus said, "Pick up your mat and go home." Here's "Pick up your mat and go home." Here's "Pick up your mat and go home." Here's what he's doing, he's saying, "I want to what he's doing, he's saying, "I want to what he's doing, he's saying, "I want to give you dignity as well, not just give you dignity as well, not just give you dignity as well, not just healing. I want to give you dignity. You healing. I want to give you dignity. You healing. I want to give you dignity. You roll that mat up and you walk and you roll that mat up and you walk and you roll that mat up and you walk and you carry that mat straight through the carry that mat straight through the carry that mat straight through the community of people that has known you community of people that has known you community of people that has known you as that person your whole life and you as that person your whole life and you as that person your whole life and you show and you carry the evidence of the show and you carry the evidence of the show and you carry the evidence of the power of Jesus to transform and heal and power of Jesus to transform and heal and power of Jesus to transform and heal and restore. restore. restore. That is a beautiful picture of the heart That is a beautiful picture of the heart That is a beautiful picture of the heart of God for us and I love that story. of God for us and I love that story. of God for us and I love that story. It's so simple. But because it's so simple, it's But because it's so simple, it's convicting. convicting. convicting. And I'm talking to myself today. And I'm talking to myself today. And I'm talking to myself today. Why have there been so many seasons Why have there been so many seasons Why have there been so many seasons where many or most of us have never where many or most of us have never where many or most of us have never brought someone to Jesus? brought someone to Jesus? brought someone to Jesus? So that's the question I want to answer. So that's the question I want to answer. So that's the question I want to answer. Why Why don't we bring our one to Jesus? Why Why don't we bring our one to Jesus? Why Why don't we bring our one to Jesus? And I'm going to walk through And I'm going to walk through And I'm going to walk through three of the reasons I think from this three of the reasons I think from this three of the reasons I think from this story and from my own personal story and from my own personal story and from my own personal experience where at some point in my experience where at some point in my experience where at some point in my life I could own any one of these.

life I could own any one of these. life I could own any one of these. And I've prayed this week that the that And I've prayed this week that the that And I've prayed this week that the that the Holy Spirit would whisper and the Holy Spirit would whisper and the Holy Spirit would whisper and convict and encourage convict and encourage convict and encourage and and that the Holy Spirit would and and that the Holy Spirit would and and that the Holy Spirit would dismantle any excuse that we have not to dismantle any excuse that we have not to dismantle any excuse that we have not to bring our one to Jesus cuz that story is bring our one to Jesus cuz that story is bring our one to Jesus cuz that story is not rocket science. not rocket science. not rocket science. My friend's broken. My friend's broken. My friend's broken. Jesus is in town. I'm going to bring him Jesus is in town. I'm going to bring him Jesus is in town. I'm going to bring him to Jesus and let Jesus do what Jesus to Jesus and let Jesus do what Jesus to Jesus and let Jesus do what Jesus does. does. does. It's not rocket science and yet many if It's not rocket science and yet many if It's not rocket science and yet many if not most of us don't live this way. not most of us don't live this way. not most of us don't live this way. So, I'm going to walk through three So, I'm going to walk through three So, I'm going to walk through three reasons and I want to unpack them with reasons and I want to unpack them with reasons and I want to unpack them with you. Here's the first. I wonder if we you. Here's the first. I wonder if we you. Here's the first. I wonder if we don't bring our friends to Jesus because don't bring our friends to Jesus because don't bring our friends to Jesus because we overlook their brokenness. In the story of Matthew 9, it's so easy In the story of Matthew 9, it's so easy to see what was broken with the man. He to see what was broken with the man. He to see what was broken with the man. He couldn't walk. It was very obvious. In couldn't walk. It was very obvious. In couldn't walk. It was very obvious. In fact, uh those men would have probably fact, uh those men would have probably fact, uh those men would have probably carried their friend around a lot cuz he carried their friend around a lot cuz he carried their friend around a lot cuz he couldn't get around. Any place he was, couldn't get around. Any place he was, couldn't get around. Any place he was, he got there cuz someone else put him he got there cuz someone else put him he got there cuz someone else put him there. there. there. So they would have been around this So they would have been around this So they would have been around this friend for a long time. So it was almost friend for a long time. So it was almost friend for a long time. So it was almost impossible to overlook the brokenness.

impossible to overlook the brokenness. impossible to overlook the brokenness. They were not too busy to miss it, to They were not too busy to miss it, to They were not too busy to miss it, to overlook it. And the physical brokenness overlook it. And the physical brokenness overlook it. And the physical brokenness was obvious, but here's the thing, with was obvious, but here's the thing, with was obvious, but here's the thing, with our ones spiritual brokenness is our ones spiritual brokenness is our ones spiritual brokenness is sometimes easier to hide and harder to sometimes easier to hide and harder to sometimes easier to hide and harder to see. see. see. Have you noticed spiritual brokenness is Have you noticed spiritual brokenness is Have you noticed spiritual brokenness is easier to hide? easier to hide? easier to hide? Physical brokenness, not so much. Physical brokenness, not so much. Physical brokenness, not so much. But here's what the friends saw. They But here's what the friends saw. They But here's what the friends saw. They saw this the the the physical brokenness saw this the the the physical brokenness saw this the the the physical brokenness in their friend, and the more clearly in their friend, and the more clearly in their friend, and the more clearly you see the brokenness, the more you see the brokenness, the more you see the brokenness, the more urgently you want to bring them to urgently you want to bring them to urgently you want to bring them to Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. And I wonder if we're just so busy And I wonder if we're just so busy And I wonder if we're just so busy and life is so full, there's no margin and life is so full, there's no margin and life is so full, there's no margin to even notice the brokenness around us. to even notice the brokenness around us. to even notice the brokenness around us. Like I wonder if if we're walking around Like I wonder if if we're walking around Like I wonder if if we're walking around life and we and we just don't see the life and we and we just don't see the life and we and we just don't see the spiritual brokenness of people who are spiritual brokenness of people who are spiritual brokenness of people who are far from Jesus. if we just don't understand theology if we just don't understand theology well enough to have a burden, cuz I well enough to have a burden, cuz I well enough to have a burden, cuz I think think think go to the story, let me play with it. If go to the story, let me play with it. If go to the story, let me play with it. If their friend had a sprained ankle, their friend had a sprained ankle, their friend had a sprained ankle, not paralyzed, but a sprained ankle, not paralyzed, but a sprained ankle, not paralyzed, but a sprained ankle, would they have ripped the roof off a would they have ripped the roof off a would they have ripped the roof off a building to bring them to Jesus?

building to bring them to Jesus? building to bring them to Jesus? No. No. No. You give them a Tylenol and a pack of You give them a Tylenol and a pack of You give them a Tylenol and a pack of ice and say in 2 days you should be ice and say in 2 days you should be ice and say in 2 days you should be fine, right? I don't rip a roof off. But fine, right? I don't rip a roof off. But fine, right? I don't rip a roof off. But if your friend's paralyzed with no hope if your friend's paralyzed with no hope if your friend's paralyzed with no hope of fixing it themselves, you you tear a of fixing it themselves, you you tear a of fixing it themselves, you you tear a roof off to get them to Jesus. And I roof off to get them to Jesus. And I roof off to get them to Jesus. And I wonder if we actually we treat our lost wonder if we actually we treat our lost wonder if we actually we treat our lost friends, people who are far from Jesus, friends, people who are far from Jesus, friends, people who are far from Jesus, if we treat them like a sprained ankle, if we treat them like a sprained ankle, if we treat them like a sprained ankle, when actually if you understand when actually if you understand when actually if you understand scripture and theology, it's not a scripture and theology, it's not a scripture and theology, it's not a sprained ankle, it's a life-threatening sprained ankle, it's a life-threatening sprained ankle, it's a life-threatening heart condition. heart condition. heart condition. Guys, Guys, Guys, I'll say it out loud. I assume you know I'll say it out loud. I assume you know I'll say it out loud. I assume you know it. Heaven and hell is real. it. Heaven and hell is real. it. Heaven and hell is real. Like we're not here trying to sell you Like we're not here trying to sell you Like we're not here trying to sell you on a pyramid scheme to just get involved on a pyramid scheme to just get involved on a pyramid scheme to just get involved in a good community organization. We are in a good community organization. We are in a good community organization. We are on a rescue mission because heaven is on a rescue mission because heaven is on a rescue mission because heaven is real, hell is real, and if your plan in real, hell is real, and if your plan in real, hell is real, and if your plan in eternity is to go up there and say, "I eternity is to go up there and say, "I eternity is to go up there and say, "I think I did good enough." think I did good enough." think I did good enough." I'll tell you right now, I'll tell you right now, I'll tell you right now, it's not going to end well for any of us it's not going to end well for any of us it's not going to end well for any of us that that's the plan. that that's the plan. that that's the plan. In fact, if there was an option to be In fact, if there was an option to be In fact, if there was an option to be good enough, you think God would have good enough, you think God would have good enough, you think God would have sent Jesus to die? No.

sent Jesus to die? No. sent Jesus to die? No. You and I are not good enough. You and I are not good enough. You and I are not good enough. And there's no hope of solving the And there's no hope of solving the And there's no hope of solving the brokenness of sin. brokenness of sin. brokenness of sin. This is not sprained ankle stuff. This is not sprained ankle stuff. This is not sprained ankle stuff. Spiritual brokenness is like 911 Spiritual brokenness is like 911 Spiritual brokenness is like 911 ambulance ride stuff. ambulance ride stuff. ambulance ride stuff. And I wonder if we just we don't And I wonder if we just we don't And I wonder if we just we don't understand the real condition of the understand the real condition of the understand the real condition of the brokenness. And here's practical, let me brokenness. And here's practical, let me brokenness. And here's practical, let me get practical. get practical. get practical. When I when God brings a new one into my When I when God brings a new one into my When I when God brings a new one into my life, you know what I look for? I wait life, you know what I look for? I wait life, you know what I look for? I wait until I find the brokenness cuz here's until I find the brokenness cuz here's until I find the brokenness cuz here's what I've discovered. People far from what I've discovered. People far from what I've discovered. People far from God usually don't start with heaven and God usually don't start with heaven and God usually don't start with heaven and hell questions. hell questions. hell questions. They don't even believe it's true. They They don't even believe it's true. They They don't even believe it's true. They usually start with like a Tuesday usually start with like a Tuesday usually start with like a Tuesday question. question. question. My marriage is not working. My marriage is not working. My marriage is not working. Man, I got this addiction I can't break. Man, I got this addiction I can't break. Man, I got this addiction I can't break. Man, I don't have self-control. My anger Man, I don't have self-control. My anger Man, I don't have self-control. My anger just flares up at my kids and I hate just flares up at my kids and I hate just flares up at my kids and I hate myself for it. myself for it. myself for it. My lust is like an appetite that's never My lust is like an appetite that's never My lust is like an appetite that's never filled and I man, it's just it's ruining filled and I man, it's just it's ruining filled and I man, it's just it's ruining my intimacy with my spouse. Like I'm my intimacy with my spouse. Like I'm my intimacy with my spouse. Like I'm messed like you have to look for the messed like you have to look for the messed like you have to look for the brokenness and and here's the problem. brokenness and and here's the problem. brokenness and and here's the problem. Our culture is built around keeping up Our culture is built around keeping up Our culture is built around keeping up appearances.

appearances. appearances. And so broken people don't lead with And so broken people don't lead with And so broken people don't lead with their brokenness. So if you until you their brokenness. So if you until you their brokenness. So if you until you help find the brokenness, you have to help find the brokenness, you have to help find the brokenness, you have to hang close enough to your one until they hang close enough to your one until they hang close enough to your one until they crack the door into it. crack the door into it. crack the door into it. So I just hang out until I can find the So I just hang out until I can find the So I just hang out until I can find the broken. broken. broken. Cuz what is brokenness? It's the effects Cuz what is brokenness? It's the effects Cuz what is brokenness? It's the effects of sin and brokenness feels different in of sin and brokenness feels different in of sin and brokenness feels different in every person. every person. every person. But it's the same root which is sin. But it's the same root which is sin. But it's the same root which is sin. And here's the reality. We have the And here's the reality. We have the And here's the reality. We have the Instagram world that we live in and Instagram world that we live in and Instagram world that we live in and people tend to look better than we live. people tend to look better than we live. people tend to look better than we live. We we tend to we tend to bury what's We we tend to we tend to bury what's We we tend to we tend to bury what's broken, we tend to hide where we're broken, we tend to hide where we're broken, we tend to hide where we're hurting and we don't platform our pain. hurting and we don't platform our pain. hurting and we don't platform our pain. But if you're trying to reach your one, But if you're trying to reach your one, But if you're trying to reach your one, you have to pay attention. Don't you have to pay attention. Don't you have to pay attention. Don't overlook the brokenness. Don't assume, overlook the brokenness. Don't assume, overlook the brokenness. Don't assume, well, they're looking pretty good. I saw well, they're looking pretty good. I saw well, they're looking pretty good. I saw them on Instagram last week. Their them on Instagram last week. Their them on Instagram last week. Their vacation was better than mine. They're vacation was better than mine. They're vacation was better than mine. They're probably doing okay. Why would they want probably doing okay. Why would they want probably doing okay. Why would they want to know about Jesus? Sometimes the to know about Jesus? Sometimes the to know about Jesus? Sometimes the vacation they just spent the money on is vacation they just spent the money on is vacation they just spent the money on is to cover the brokenness. to cover the brokenness. to cover the brokenness. Sometimes the car they bought was trying Sometimes the car they bought was trying Sometimes the car they bought was trying to pacify the brokenness. Don't miss the to pacify the brokenness. Don't miss the to pacify the brokenness. Don't miss the fact that we present better than we fact that we present better than we fact that we present better than we live. Don't overlook the brokenness.

live. Don't overlook the brokenness. live. Don't overlook the brokenness. Second point, why don't we bring our Second point, why don't we bring our Second point, why don't we bring our ones to Jesus? I wonder if we ones to Jesus? I wonder if we ones to Jesus? I wonder if we underestimate Jesus' power to heal. underestimate Jesus' power to heal. underestimate Jesus' power to heal. I'm going to step on some toes in this I'm going to step on some toes in this I'm going to step on some toes in this one cuz God stepped on my toes one cuz God stepped on my toes one cuz God stepped on my toes throughout this whole process. throughout this whole process. throughout this whole process. See, the friends had a faith that Jesus See, the friends had a faith that Jesus See, the friends had a faith that Jesus had the power to heal their friends, and had the power to heal their friends, and had the power to heal their friends, and they they they they did something crazy because they they did something crazy because they they did something crazy because they thought the that Jesus had the power to thought the that Jesus had the power to thought the that Jesus had the power to do something crazy. do something crazy. do something crazy. Listen, you don't tear a roof off if you Listen, you don't tear a roof off if you Listen, you don't tear a roof off if you think it's a coin flip. You tear a roof think it's a coin flip. You tear a roof think it's a coin flip. You tear a roof off if you go, I know Jesus can heal. He off if you go, I know Jesus can heal. He off if you go, I know Jesus can heal. He is powerful enough to do it. is powerful enough to do it. is powerful enough to do it. And when Jesus saw the friends' faith, And when Jesus saw the friends' faith, And when Jesus saw the friends' faith, he initiated healing. And And And the he initiated healing. And And And the he initiated healing. And And And the conservative sort of biblical scholars conservative sort of biblical scholars conservative sort of biblical scholars call this a vicarious or intercessory call this a vicarious or intercessory call this a vicarious or intercessory faith. faith. faith. It's the faith of others being It's the faith of others being It's the faith of others being instrumental in bringing someone else to instrumental in bringing someone else to instrumental in bringing someone else to Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. So, like the the spiritual reality of So, like the the spiritual reality of So, like the the spiritual reality of being a mat carrier is you're probably being a mat carrier is you're probably being a mat carrier is you're probably not going to throw someone on a on a mat not going to throw someone on a on a mat not going to throw someone on a on a mat in the back of your van and drive them in the back of your van and drive them in the back of your van and drive them to church. That's called kidnapping.

to church. That's called kidnapping. to church. That's called kidnapping. You'll go to jail. You'll go to jail. You'll go to jail. But the spiritual version of that is But the spiritual version of that is But the spiritual version of that is you're begging for them in prayer. you're begging for them in prayer. you're begging for them in prayer. You're asking God, would you awaken them You're asking God, would you awaken them You're asking God, would you awaken them in prayer? You're You're making in prayer? You're You're making in prayer? You're You're making invitations. That's what being a mat invitations. That's what being a mat invitations. That's what being a mat carrier looks like in the spiritual carrier looks like in the spiritual carrier looks like in the spiritual sense. So, you don't have a charge on sense. So, you don't have a charge on sense. So, you don't have a charge on your record the rest of your life. your record the rest of your life. your record the rest of your life. See, if you believe See, if you believe See, if you believe and you have the faith that Jesus can and you have the faith that Jesus can and you have the faith that Jesus can heal and restore and forgive, you'll do heal and restore and forgive, you'll do heal and restore and forgive, you'll do crazy things. And listen, the crazy things. And listen, the crazy things. And listen, the unconvinced typically don't tear off unconvinced typically don't tear off unconvinced typically don't tear off roofs to get people to Jesus. roofs to get people to Jesus. roofs to get people to Jesus. And I wonder if we look at people and And I wonder if we look at people and And I wonder if we look at people and go, "Yeah, Jesus is good for me, go, "Yeah, Jesus is good for me, go, "Yeah, Jesus is good for me, but I don't know but I don't know but I don't know that Jesus can fix that one." that Jesus can fix that one." that Jesus can fix that one." Maybe it's someone who hurt you so Maybe it's someone who hurt you so Maybe it's someone who hurt you so deeply, and if you're honest, you don't deeply, and if you're honest, you don't deeply, and if you're honest, you don't want them to be forgiven. want them to be forgiven. want them to be forgiven. Like like I wonder if we look at someone Like like I wonder if we look at someone Like like I wonder if we look at someone else's mess, else's mess, else's mess, and we quietly conclude, "I don't know and we quietly conclude, "I don't know and we quietly conclude, "I don't know how Jesus is going to do that one." how Jesus is going to do that one." how Jesus is going to do that one." And the awkwardness of what if Jesus And the awkwardness of what if Jesus And the awkwardness of what if Jesus doesn't do what I think he's going to do doesn't do what I think he's going to do doesn't do what I think he's going to do leads you to never invest, never invite, leads you to never invest, never invite, leads you to never invest, never invite, never go after your one.

never go after your one. never go after your one. See someone's addiction, their sexual See someone's addiction, their sexual See someone's addiction, their sexual brokenness, they may have deconstructed brokenness, they may have deconstructed brokenness, they may have deconstructed their faith, they have a bitterness their faith, they have a bitterness their faith, they have a bitterness towards God or the church, family towards God or the church, family towards God or the church, family trauma, and you look and go, "Man, I trauma, and you look and go, "Man, I trauma, and you look and go, "Man, I don't know what Jesus is going to do." don't know what Jesus is going to do." don't know what Jesus is going to do." Like I wonder if some of us have reduced Like I wonder if some of us have reduced Like I wonder if some of us have reduced Jesus down to like a a life improvement Jesus down to like a a life improvement Jesus down to like a a life improvement tool as opposed to the person who can tool as opposed to the person who can tool as opposed to the person who can raise people from the dead. raise people from the dead. raise people from the dead. I wonder if we if we forget Jesus was I wonder if we if we forget Jesus was I wonder if we if we forget Jesus was dead, not like sleeping, not napping, dead, not like sleeping, not napping, dead, not like sleeping, not napping, dead dead for 3 days, and God raised him dead dead for 3 days, and God raised him dead dead for 3 days, and God raised him from from the dead, and now what Jesus from from the dead, and now what Jesus from from the dead, and now what Jesus does spiritually is he raises people does spiritually is he raises people does spiritually is he raises people from spiritual death to alive in Christ. from spiritual death to alive in Christ. from spiritual death to alive in Christ. And the same power that raised Christ And the same power that raised Christ And the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in your life, from the dead is at work in your life, from the dead is at work in your life, and will be at work in in your one's and will be at work in in your one's and will be at work in in your one's life, and I wonder if we have a pandemic life, and I wonder if we have a pandemic life, and I wonder if we have a pandemic of low expectations for the power of of low expectations for the power of of low expectations for the power of Jesus. Can I preach at you for a second? Can I preach at you for a second? You might be thinking you you already You might be thinking you you already You might be thinking you you already are, I know. I'm going to go one more are, I know. I'm going to go one more are, I know. I'm going to go one more level aggressive. Can I? that you don't invest and lean in to that you don't invest and lean in to your one because you're you're you're terrified because you're you're you're terrified that if you let them get close enough, that if you let them get close enough, that if you let them get close enough, your own life does not have evidence of your own life does not have evidence of your own life does not have evidence of the power of Jesus?

Everything I'm saying to you Everything I'm saying to you is something that I have had to walk is something that I have had to walk is something that I have had to walk through personally. So, I'm not saying through personally. So, I'm not saying through personally. So, I'm not saying this at you, although it feels like it. this at you, although it feels like it. this at you, although it feels like it. Like I wonder Like I wonder Like I wonder if our fear of sharing our faith is because if your one gets close is because if your one gets close enough, you will look like a fraud. enough, you will look like a fraud. enough, you will look like a fraud. Like if he gets or she gets close enough Like if he gets or she gets close enough Like if he gets or she gets close enough they'll see that you're still playing they'll see that you're still playing they'll see that you're still playing around with the very sin that Jesus died around with the very sin that Jesus died around with the very sin that Jesus died to forgive you from. to forgive you from. to forgive you from. They get close enough, they'll see They get close enough, they'll see They get close enough, they'll see you're still stuck in a bondage or an you're still stuck in a bondage or an you're still stuck in a bondage or an addiction to something. Like if if if addiction to something. Like if if if addiction to something. Like if if if you let them close enough to your you let them close enough to your you let them close enough to your marriage, they'll realize that the songs marriage, they'll realize that the songs marriage, they'll realize that the songs you sing on Sunday is the same mouth you sing on Sunday is the same mouth you sing on Sunday is the same mouth that you use to berate your spouse or that you use to berate your spouse or that you use to berate your spouse or your kids on Monday. your kids on Monday. your kids on Monday. Or the way that you do your life, you Or the way that you do your life, you Or the way that you do your life, you claim Jesus is first and best, but the claim Jesus is first and best, but the claim Jesus is first and best, but the way you spend your time, your money, and way you spend your time, your money, and way you spend your time, your money, and your energy does not hold up as if like your energy does not hold up as if like your energy does not hold up as if like your life does not point to Jesus as your life does not point to Jesus as your life does not point to Jesus as like he has the power to transform you. like he has the power to transform you. like he has the power to transform you. And man, is that easy to say. And man, is that easy to say. And man, is that easy to say. But if someone gets close enough, would But if someone gets close enough, would But if someone gets close enough, would would would you have enough evidence in would would you have enough evidence in would would you have enough evidence in your life to be declared guilty that the your life to be declared guilty that the your life to be declared guilty that the power of Jesus is at work?

I'll flip it back to the story. I'll flip it back to the story. It's really hard It's really hard It's really hard to carry your friend to Jesus to carry your friend to Jesus to carry your friend to Jesus if you're letting your friends carry you if you're letting your friends carry you if you're letting your friends carry you away from Jesus. Like you can't be on the mat and Like you can't be on the mat and carrying the mat at the same time. carrying the mat at the same time. carrying the mat at the same time. And I wonder if the hypocrisy is such a And I wonder if the hypocrisy is such a And I wonder if the hypocrisy is such a hurdle because you let your friends hurdle because you let your friends hurdle because you let your friends carry you somewhere on Saturday night carry you somewhere on Saturday night carry you somewhere on Saturday night and you have no you have no conscience and you have no you have no conscience and you have no you have no conscience that allows you to carry them to church that allows you to carry them to church that allows you to carry them to church on Sunday morning. I'm saying this because I love you and I'm saying this because I love you and because it is perhaps the thing because it is perhaps the thing because it is perhaps the thing that keeps you from boldly proclaiming that keeps you from boldly proclaiming that keeps you from boldly proclaiming Christ because you have just enough Christ because you have just enough Christ because you have just enough godliness to experience some life godliness to experience some life godliness to experience some life change, but you deny its power as as 2 change, but you deny its power as as 2 change, but you deny its power as as 2 Timothy 3 says. Timothy 3 says. Timothy 3 says. And sometimes you've walked with Jesus And sometimes you've walked with Jesus And sometimes you've walked with Jesus long enough that the sins that are left long enough that the sins that are left long enough that the sins that are left are just the ones you like. Now, don't miss this. Here's a lie. You Now, don't miss this. Here's a lie. You don't have to be perfect to be able to don't have to be perfect to be able to don't have to be perfect to be able to bring someone to Jesus. If so, none of bring someone to Jesus. If so, none of bring someone to Jesus. If so, none of us could.

us could. us could. But you do have to be forgiven. But you do have to be forgiven. But you do have to be forgiven. And you do have to be in this journey of And you do have to be in this journey of And you do have to be in this journey of the Holy Spirit sanctifying you. the Holy Spirit sanctifying you. the Holy Spirit sanctifying you. It's not hypocritical to say, "Listen, I It's not hypocritical to say, "Listen, I It's not hypocritical to say, "Listen, I screwed up, but Jesus changed me, and I screwed up, but Jesus changed me, and I screwed up, but Jesus changed me, and I asked for forgiveness, and and he's he's asked for forgiveness, and and he's he's asked for forgiveness, and and he's he's convicting me of it." You don't have to convicting me of it." You don't have to convicting me of it." You don't have to be perfect, but you have to be forgiven be perfect, but you have to be forgiven be perfect, but you have to be forgiven and in the process. and in the process. and in the process. And I got a prompt yesterday morning at And I got a prompt yesterday morning at And I got a prompt yesterday morning at prayer. We gather here every Saturday at prayer. We gather here every Saturday at prayer. We gather here every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. to pray over the weekend, and 9:00 a.m. to pray over the weekend, and 9:00 a.m. to pray over the weekend, and I got a prompt, and it's kind of weird, I got a prompt, and it's kind of weird, I got a prompt, and it's kind of weird, but it might be for one person or a but it might be for one person or a but it might be for one person or a thousand people. I don't know. thousand people. I don't know. thousand people. I don't know. But if we believe that Jesus can heal But if we believe that Jesus can heal But if we believe that Jesus can heal and restore, if we believe everything and restore, if we believe everything and restore, if we believe everything we're saying, let's let's engage in we're saying, let's let's engage in we're saying, let's let's engage in prayer for that. So, here's the group prayer for that. So, here's the group prayer for that. So, here's the group I'm going to invite to stand in a I'm going to invite to stand in a I'm going to invite to stand in a minute, and I want to pray for you for minute, and I want to pray for you for minute, and I want to pray for you for 30 seconds, and you sit back down, we 30 seconds, and you sit back down, we 30 seconds, and you sit back down, we keep going to the teaching, okay? It's keep going to the teaching, okay? It's keep going to the teaching, okay? It's not going to be long, nothing crazy. If there's something in your life If there's something in your life that Satan is throwing in your face, that Satan is throwing in your face, that Satan is throwing in your face, and the shame and the guilt of it is why and the shame and the guilt of it is why and the shame and the guilt of it is why you don't have a boldness in sharing you don't have a boldness in sharing you don't have a boldness in sharing your faith.

your faith. your faith. It might be something in the selfish, It might be something in the selfish, It might be something in the selfish, prideful place. It might be an addiction prideful place. It might be an addiction prideful place. It might be an addiction that you keep going back to. It might be that you keep going back to. It might be that you keep going back to. It might be like the way you treat people, and you like the way you treat people, and you like the way you treat people, and you know, if they find out I'm a Christian, know, if they find out I'm a Christian, know, if they find out I'm a Christian, it would go bad for Jesus to hear that I it would go bad for Jesus to hear that I it would go bad for Jesus to hear that I claim his name, so you don't ever share claim his name, so you don't ever share claim his name, so you don't ever share your faith. Some place where you're your faith. Some place where you're your faith. Some place where you're stuck, you're broken. Maybe it's some stuck, you're broken. Maybe it's some stuck, you're broken. Maybe it's some place that you're letting your friends place that you're letting your friends place that you're letting your friends carry you away from Jesus, and they're carry you away from Jesus, and they're carry you away from Jesus, and they're therefore you don't have the authority therefore you don't have the authority therefore you don't have the authority to say, "Come to church with me. Come, to say, "Come to church with me. Come, to say, "Come to church with me. Come, let me tell you about Jesus." If there's let me tell you about Jesus." If there's let me tell you about Jesus." If there's some place in your life that if Jesus some place in your life that if Jesus some place in your life that if Jesus gave you freedom, gave you freedom, gave you freedom, like today from it, like today from it, like today from it, you would boldly share your faith. If you would boldly share your faith. If you would boldly share your faith. If that's you, stand up. Here across all that's you, stand up. Here across all that's you, stand up. Here across all the campuses, we're not going to make a the campuses, we're not going to make a the campuses, we're not going to make a scene. Somebody stand up. Thank you, scene. Somebody stand up. Thank you, scene. Somebody stand up. Thank you, ma'am. Stand up and we're going to pray ma'am. Stand up and we're going to pray ma'am. Stand up and we're going to pray for you. for you. for you. And by the way, And by the way, And by the way, years and years and years of my life, years and years and years of my life, years and years and years of my life, this would be the moment I would stand this would be the moment I would stand this would be the moment I would stand up that if the Holy Spirit right now up that if the Holy Spirit right now up that if the Holy Spirit right now would release you from that, you would would release you from that, you would would release you from that, you would have a boldness to proclaim there really have a boldness to proclaim there really have a boldness to proclaim there really is power in the name of Jesus. is power in the name of Jesus. is power in the name of Jesus. If you're not standing, I want you to If you're not standing, I want you to If you're not standing, I want you to pray for the people that are standing. pray for the people that are standing. pray for the people that are standing. If you should be standing, do it now If you should be standing, do it now If you should be standing, do it now when my eyes are down if you want that.

when my eyes are down if you want that. when my eyes are down if you want that. So, Holy Spirit, right now, So, Holy Spirit, right now, So, Holy Spirit, right now, your sons and daughters are man, the your sons and daughters are man, the your sons and daughters are man, the courage to stand in a moment like this. courage to stand in a moment like this. courage to stand in a moment like this. They're courageously standing saying, They're courageously standing saying, They're courageously standing saying, "Jesus, if you would help me break "Jesus, if you would help me break "Jesus, if you would help me break through this thing, through this thing, through this thing, I would boldly proclaim Jesus to my I would boldly proclaim Jesus to my I would boldly proclaim Jesus to my one." one." one." So, Holy Spirit, right now, whether it's So, Holy Spirit, right now, whether it's So, Holy Spirit, right now, whether it's an addiction, if you're standing, by the an addiction, if you're standing, by the an addiction, if you're standing, by the way, you whisper. You tell him what it way, you whisper. You tell him what it way, you whisper. You tell him what it is you're standing for. You whisper is you're standing for. You whisper is you're standing for. You whisper under your breath to your heavenly under your breath to your heavenly under your breath to your heavenly Father. You tell him, "God, I can't Father. You tell him, "God, I can't Father. You tell him, "God, I can't break free of alcohol. I can't break break free of alcohol. I can't break break free of alcohol. I can't break free of anger. I can't break free of You free of anger. I can't break free of You free of anger. I can't break free of You tell him what it is." tell him what it is." tell him what it is." Holy Spirit, whatever your sons and Holy Spirit, whatever your sons and Holy Spirit, whatever your sons and daughters are bringing to you, daughters are bringing to you, daughters are bringing to you, I pray in the powerful name of Jesus I pray in the powerful name of Jesus I pray in the powerful name of Jesus that you would break the chains that that you would break the chains that that you would break the chains that have that have enslaved them to it. have that have enslaved them to it. have that have enslaved them to it. A place where they need a fruit of the A place where they need a fruit of the A place where they need a fruit of the spirit to to to bloom in their life. spirit to to to bloom in their life. spirit to to to bloom in their life. They need self-control at a new level. They need self-control at a new level. They need self-control at a new level. Their anger is costing them Their anger is costing them Their anger is costing them relationships and how could they claim relationships and how could they claim relationships and how could they claim Jesus when they're also so angry at the Jesus when they're also so angry at the Jesus when they're also so angry at the drop of a hat? Maybe it's a substance. drop of a hat? Maybe it's a substance. drop of a hat? Maybe it's a substance. Maybe it's a place that they run to Maybe it's a place that they run to Maybe it's a place that they run to instead of you. Holy Spirit, would you instead of you. Holy Spirit, would you instead of you. Holy Spirit, would you heal? Would you free? Would you break heal? Would you free? Would you break heal? Would you free? Would you break the chains and then, God, would you not the chains and then, God, would you not the chains and then, God, would you not just free them to be free? Would you just free them to be free? Would you just free them to be free? Would you free them so they can freely preach the free them so they can freely preach the free them so they can freely preach the name of Jesus?

And where Satan wants to use our And where Satan wants to use our brokenness as a barrier for our ones, brokenness as a barrier for our ones, brokenness as a barrier for our ones, you take our brokenness and you make it you take our brokenness and you make it you take our brokenness and you make it a bridge to go, "Yep, I used to be a bridge to go, "Yep, I used to be a bridge to go, "Yep, I used to be there, too." there, too." there, too." So, Jesus, would you heal? So, Jesus, would you heal? So, Jesus, would you heal? Would you restore, and would you set Would you restore, and would you set Would you restore, and would you set free? free? free? In Jesus' name we pray. In Jesus' name we pray. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Grab a seat. That was a prompt from God, Grab a seat. That was a prompt from God, Grab a seat. That was a prompt from God, so I'm going to honor that. By the way, if you're new around here, By the way, if you're new around here, you're going to realize this about us. you're going to realize this about us. you're going to realize this about us. We We're kind of shameless We We're kind of shameless We We're kind of shameless in this sense. in this sense. in this sense. What do we have to hide? What do we have to hide? What do we have to hide? God knows all of it. God knows all of it. God knows all of it. We're all a bunch of broken people that We're all a bunch of broken people that We're all a bunch of broken people that Jesus sort of glued back together again, Jesus sort of glued back together again, Jesus sort of glued back together again, and we're being made new every day. and we're being made new every day. and we're being made new every day. Like, why would we not do stuff like Like, why would we not do stuff like Like, why would we not do stuff like this? Like, I hope you get more and more this? Like, I hope you get more and more this? Like, I hope you get more and more comfortable with, like, "I'm a mess. I comfortable with, like, "I'm a mess. I comfortable with, like, "I'm a mess. I need help." Great, welcome to the club. need help." Great, welcome to the club. need help." Great, welcome to the club. Like, that's who we are as a church, and Like, that's who we are as a church, and Like, that's who we are as a church, and that's what we do. And also, we believe that's what we do. And also, we believe that's what we do. And also, we believe in the power of prayer. Why wouldn't we in the power of prayer. Why wouldn't we in the power of prayer. Why wouldn't we pray? I don't have time, but I'm going to give I don't have time, but I'm going to give it cuz it was a a thought God put in my it cuz it was a a thought God put in my it cuz it was a a thought God put in my head this week.

head this week. head this week. Whenever I go out in public, Whenever I go out in public, Whenever I go out in public, restaurants, shopping, whatever I'm restaurants, shopping, whatever I'm restaurants, shopping, whatever I'm doing, I live with a keen awareness that doing, I live with a keen awareness that doing, I live with a keen awareness that there's a better chance than zero that there's a better chance than zero that there's a better chance than zero that someone's going to recognize me as the someone's going to recognize me as the someone's going to recognize me as the pastor at TwelveStone. pastor at TwelveStone. pastor at TwelveStone. Hm. Hm. Hm. It's There's some fun stories over the It's There's some fun stories over the It's There's some fun stories over the years, by the way. years, by the way. years, by the way. But, I live with the awareness that But, I live with the awareness that But, I live with the awareness that there are probably people watching me there are probably people watching me there are probably people watching me that that will never say anything to me, that that will never say anything to me, that that will never say anything to me, but they're watching going, "Let's see but they're watching going, "Let's see but they're watching going, "Let's see if he actually lives like he said he if he actually lives like he said he if he actually lives like he said he said he lives." said he lives." said he lives." And so, it It doesn't mean I live fake. And so, it It doesn't mean I live fake. And so, it It doesn't mean I live fake. It just means I live with an awareness. It just means I live with an awareness. It just means I live with an awareness. So, the way that I tip, the way that I So, the way that I tip, the way that I So, the way that I tip, the way that I treat people, treat people, treat people, the highways are the one thing God's the highways are the one thing God's the highways are the one thing God's like, "Hey, you don't have to be a like, "Hey, you don't have to be a like, "Hey, you don't have to be a pastor when you're driving on the pastor when you're driving on the pastor when you're driving on the highways." But, everywhere else, highways." But, everywhere else, highways." But, everywhere else, I live with an awareness where like, if I live with an awareness where like, if I live with an awareness where like, if I mess this up, I'm carrying the name of I mess this up, I'm carrying the name of I mess this up, I'm carrying the name of TwelveStone, and more importantly, the TwelveStone, and more importantly, the TwelveStone, and more importantly, the name of Jesus, and I could mess this up name of Jesus, and I could mess this up name of Jesus, and I could mess this up for somebody. for somebody. for somebody. And the Holy Spirit, as I'm thinking And the Holy Spirit, as I'm thinking And the Holy Spirit, as I'm thinking through this this week, he just through this this week, he just through this this week, he just whispered, "Jason, tell the church, you whispered, "Jason, tell the church, you whispered, "Jason, tell the church, you don't do that cuz you're a pastor. You don't do that cuz you're a pastor. You don't do that cuz you're a pastor. You do that cuz you're a Christian."

do that cuz you're a Christian." do that cuz you're a Christian." And I wonder if all of us should live And I wonder if all of us should live And I wonder if all of us should live with that awareness. with that awareness. with that awareness. They're watching you. They want to see if the power of Jesus They want to see if the power of Jesus is is is just thoughts and good vibes or is there just thoughts and good vibes or is there just thoughts and good vibes or is there really power in the name of Jesus? really power in the name of Jesus? really power in the name of Jesus? Anyway, I'll throw that in. Last one, Anyway, I'll throw that in. Last one, Anyway, I'll throw that in. Last one, number three. number three. number three. I think one of the reasons we don't I think one of the reasons we don't I think one of the reasons we don't bring our ones to Jesus is we bring our ones to Jesus is we bring our ones to Jesus is we overcomplicate the how. Like how how do I do it? What what do I Like how how do I do it? What what do I do if I get into a conversation about do if I get into a conversation about do if I get into a conversation about Jesus? What if they ask a question? How Jesus? What if they ask a question? How Jesus? What if they ask a question? How do I answer it? All the things. And do I answer it? All the things. And do I answer it? All the things. And that's such a human response. But go that's such a human response. But go that's such a human response. But go back to the story. The friends literally back to the story. The friends literally back to the story. The friends literally just did the math. All right, you are just did the math. All right, you are just did the math. All right, you are broken and need someone to hear you. broken and need someone to hear you. broken and need someone to hear you. Jesus is this guy who's healing people. Jesus is this guy who's healing people. Jesus is this guy who's healing people. We're going to get you to him and he's We're going to get you to him and he's We're going to get you to him and he's going to heal you. And if you're the going to heal you. And if you're the going to heal you. And if you're the friend on the mat, you're getting friend on the mat, you're getting friend on the mat, you're getting carried like, "But what do we do when we carried like, "But what do we do when we carried like, "But what do we do when we get there?" We don't know yet. Jesus is get there?" We don't know yet. Jesus is get there?" We don't know yet. Jesus is there. You get there, there's a crowd. there. You get there, there's a crowd. there. You get there, there's a crowd. No one's No way to get in the house. No one's No way to get in the house. No one's No way to get in the house. What's the plan now? Hold on, we got to What's the plan now? Hold on, we got to What's the plan now? Hold on, we got to circle up. Set your friend down, huddle circle up. Set your friend down, huddle circle up. Set your friend down, huddle up. All right, roof, got it. Hey, we're up. All right, roof, got it. Hey, we're up. All right, roof, got it. Hey, we're going up to the top. What? I've not been going up to the top. What? I've not been going up to the top. What? I've not been upstairs in a long time.

upstairs in a long time. upstairs in a long time. We're going upstairs to the roof. Okay, We're going upstairs to the roof. Okay, We're going upstairs to the roof. Okay, now what? We're going to dig a hole in now what? We're going to dig a hole in now what? We're going to dig a hole in the roof. the roof. the roof. Uh okay. Digging a hole. What are we Uh okay. Digging a hole. What are we Uh okay. Digging a hole. What are we going to do now? We're going to lower going to do now? We're going to lower going to do now? We're going to lower you through the hole we JUST DUG. you through the hole we JUST DUG. you through the hole we JUST DUG. WHAT NEXT? WE DON'T KNOW, but that's WHAT NEXT? WE DON'T KNOW, but that's WHAT NEXT? WE DON'T KNOW, but that's where Jesus is. So you lower him down where Jesus is. So you lower him down where Jesus is. So you lower him down and he's just there and you're like, "Hi and he's just there and you're like, "Hi and he's just there and you're like, "Hi Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. My friend needs you." And then you back My friend needs you." And then you back My friend needs you." And then you back up. up. up. They had no plan. They had no plan. They had no plan. All they knew was I have to get my All they knew was I have to get my All they knew was I have to get my friend to Jesus. friend to Jesus. friend to Jesus. And I I I know it's overly simplistic, And I I I know it's overly simplistic, And I I I know it's overly simplistic, but listen to me. but listen to me. but listen to me. Your job is not the how, it's the who. Your job is not the how, it's the who. Your job is not the how, it's the who. Your job is to carry people, Jesus's job Your job is to carry people, Jesus's job Your job is to carry people, Jesus's job is to heal people. is to heal people. is to heal people. You you bring the who, Jesus brings the You you bring the who, Jesus brings the You you bring the who, Jesus brings the how. how. how. And we feel this need to have to have And we feel this need to have to have And we feel this need to have to have perfect words and like a full perfect words and like a full perfect words and like a full apologetics arsenal and the right timing apologetics arsenal and the right timing apologetics arsenal and the right timing and a multi-week relationship strategy and a multi-week relationship strategy and a multi-week relationship strategy to build up to this thing and some to build up to this thing and some to build up to this thing and some special gift from God to be able to do special gift from God to be able to do special gift from God to be able to do this perfectly well, when in reality, this perfectly well, when in reality, this perfectly well, when in reality, you're not responsible for the how.

you're not responsible for the how. you're not responsible for the how. You're just responsible to bring your You're just responsible to bring your You're just responsible to bring your one one one to Jesus. You do the bringing, he does to Jesus. You do the bringing, he does to Jesus. You do the bringing, he does the healing. the healing. the healing. And I I And I I And I I I don't know how to better illustrate I don't know how to better illustrate I don't know how to better illustrate this this this than through a story, and this is one of than through a story, and this is one of than through a story, and this is one of my favorite stories from this past year my favorite stories from this past year my favorite stories from this past year at our church. at our church. at our church. I've got his words that I'm going to I've got his words that I'm going to I've got his words that I'm going to walk us through, and I want you to see walk us through, and I want you to see walk us through, and I want you to see in this story in this story in this story a high school young man had no clue how, a high school young man had no clue how, a high school young man had no clue how, he just knew the who. he just knew the who. he just knew the who. So, I want to introduce you to Evan. So, I want to introduce you to Evan. So, I want to introduce you to Evan. And Evan is a going to be senior this And Evan is a going to be senior this And Evan is a going to be senior this year at Buford High School. He's a year at Buford High School. He's a year at Buford High School. He's a starting tight end. Uh where I grew up, starting tight end. Uh where I grew up, starting tight end. Uh where I grew up, we called a boy that big, he's corn-fed. we called a boy that big, he's corn-fed. we called a boy that big, he's corn-fed. That's a corn-fed boy right there. That's a corn-fed boy right there. That's a corn-fed boy right there. You're most likely going to see him play You're most likely going to see him play You're most likely going to see him play on Saturdays a year from now. on Saturdays a year from now. on Saturdays a year from now. And I want you to see a picture cuz I And I want you to see a picture cuz I And I want you to see a picture cuz I want you to see like this is This is not want you to see like this is This is not want you to see like this is This is not the pastor made-up story. This is his the pastor made-up story. This is his the pastor made-up story. This is his words. words. words. That's Evan. That's Evan. That's Evan. Here's what he said, "I've seen some Here's what he said, "I've seen some Here's what he said, "I've seen some amazing things in my life, but this amazing things in my life, but this amazing things in my life, but this miracle helped me fully fully live by miracle helped me fully fully live by miracle helped me fully fully live by the phrase trust the process."

the phrase trust the process." the phrase trust the process." "For years, I've had things and "For years, I've had things and "For years, I've had things and situations that I'd pray for repeatedly, situations that I'd pray for repeatedly, situations that I'd pray for repeatedly, and when it didn't work out, I started and when it didn't work out, I started and when it didn't work out, I started to believe that God never heard my to believe that God never heard my to believe that God never heard my cries. I was wrong, and this story shows cries. I was wrong, and this story shows cries. I was wrong, and this story shows God's beautiful timing. So, let's back God's beautiful timing. So, let's back God's beautiful timing. So, let's back up." He said, "I got baptized on up." He said, "I got baptized on up." He said, "I got baptized on Father's Day 2023." So, about 3 years Father's Day 2023." So, about 3 years Father's Day 2023." So, about 3 years ago or so. ago or so. ago or so. "At that time, I thought my life was "At that time, I thought my life was "At that time, I thought my life was going to be just fine and believed that going to be just fine and believed that going to be just fine and believed that the storms in life would get easier once the storms in life would get easier once the storms in life would get easier once I bow my life to Jesus. I bow my life to Jesus. I bow my life to Jesus. Turns out, the remainder of the year Turns out, the remainder of the year Turns out, the remainder of the year one of the hardest of my life. Side one of the hardest of my life. Side one of the hardest of my life. Side note, if you become a follower of Jesus, note, if you become a follower of Jesus, note, if you become a follower of Jesus, it is not to have an easier life. it is not to have an easier life. it is not to have an easier life. Jesus said, "In this world, you will Jesus said, "In this world, you will Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble." Oh, but also take heart have trouble." Oh, but also take heart have trouble." Oh, but also take heart cuz I've have the world. But listen, cuz I've have the world. But listen, cuz I've have the world. But listen, you're not living storm free, you're you're not living storm free, you're you're not living storm free, you're living storm proof anyway. living storm proof anyway. living storm proof anyway. He had a good dad that when he's going He had a good dad that when he's going He had a good dad that when he's going through some of the hard seasons, his through some of the hard seasons, his through some of the hard seasons, his dad came into his room, had one of those dad came into his room, had one of those dad came into his room, had one of those dad-son talk moments, and ended by dad-son talk moments, and ended by dad-son talk moments, and ended by hugging him and said, "Son, don't give hugging him and said, "Son, don't give hugging him and said, "Son, don't give up on me. up on me. up on me. I'm your dad. I'm here." And at that I'm your dad. I'm here." And at that I'm your dad. I'm here." And at that moment, Evan said, "I decided to never moment, Evan said, "I decided to never moment, Evan said, "I decided to never give up on him or my heavenly father."

give up on him or my heavenly father." give up on him or my heavenly father." A few months later, he said, "I was A few months later, he said, "I was A few months later, he said, "I was praying about my one." We just started praying about my one." We just started praying about my one." We just started talking about this whole who's your one talking about this whole who's your one talking about this whole who's your one thing. And the first person that came to thing. And the first person that came to thing. And the first person that came to mind, he said, "was my dad." mind, he said, "was my dad." mind, he said, "was my dad." Great man, great father, but did not Great man, great father, but did not Great man, great father, but did not follow Jesus. follow Jesus. follow Jesus. So, he started to open his mouth and So, he started to open his mouth and So, he started to open his mouth and tell people on Wednesdays at tell people on Wednesdays at tell people on Wednesdays at youth group and on Sundays, his dad was youth group and on Sundays, his dad was youth group and on Sundays, his dad was his one. And and and I can testify, my his one. And and and I can testify, my his one. And and and I can testify, my kids have been in small group with Evan kids have been in small group with Evan kids have been in small group with Evan before. And every time there's prayers, before. And every time there's prayers, before. And every time there's prayers, it's like, "All right, all the prayer it's like, "All right, all the prayer it's like, "All right, all the prayer requests? Also, Evan, your dad again? requests? Also, Evan, your dad again? requests? Also, Evan, your dad again? Cool, cool, cool." Like, every time. Cool, cool, cool." Like, every time. Cool, cool, cool." Like, every time. So, he tells his small group leader, So, he tells his small group leader, So, he tells his small group leader, Jonathan, Jonathan, Jonathan, by the way, shout out to all of the day by the way, shout out to all of the day by the way, shout out to all of the day maker, the people that serve and lead maker, the people that serve and lead maker, the people that serve and lead small groups for our students. Thank you small groups for our students. Thank you small groups for our students. Thank you for pouring in for pouring in for pouring in to young men and young women. And Jonathan gave him some good advice. And Jonathan gave him some good advice. He said, "Listen, get your dad into a He said, "Listen, get your dad into a He said, "Listen, get your dad into a small group. I know he doesn't believe small group. I know he doesn't believe small group. I know he doesn't believe Jesus yet, but get him around other Jesus yet, but get him around other Jesus yet, but get him around other godly men, like Matt Carrier type men in godly men, like Matt Carrier type men in godly men, like Matt Carrier type men in his life." So, he started going to a his life." So, he started going to a his life." So, he started going to a small group. One of the Wednesday small group. One of the Wednesday small group. One of the Wednesday nights, they had a who's your one night, nights, they had a who's your one night, nights, they had a who's your one night, and he wrote his dad's name down on the and he wrote his dad's name down on the and he wrote his dad's name down on the card. It's in his prayer journal. He's card. It's in his prayer journal. He's card. It's in his prayer journal. He's praying for his dad.

praying for his dad. praying for his dad. Eventually, his dad starts to become Eventually, his dad starts to become Eventually, his dad starts to become curious about the Lord, and he joins a curious about the Lord, and he joins a curious about the Lord, and he joins a small group. small group. small group. And as he's joined the small group, he And as he's joined the small group, he And as he's joined the small group, he started asking his dad, Clint, started started asking his dad, Clint, started started asking his dad, Clint, started asking Evan questions. And he said this, asking Evan questions. And he said this, asking Evan questions. And he said this, "I didn't have all the answers." "I didn't have all the answers." "I didn't have all the answers." It's important. "I didn't have all the It's important. "I didn't have all the It's important. "I didn't have all the answers, but his questions turned into answers, but his questions turned into answers, but his questions turned into deep conversations. deep conversations. deep conversations. And it was that curiosity that led him And it was that curiosity that led him And it was that curiosity that led him to be in his small group and engaged to be in his small group and engaged to be in his small group and engaged every week." Then came May 3rd, 2026, so every week." Then came May 3rd, 2026, so every week." Then came May 3rd, 2026, so like 4 months ago. "I will never forget like 4 months ago. "I will never forget like 4 months ago. "I will never forget this day. I went to church expecting a this day. I went to church expecting a this day. I went to church expecting a normal day. But that day we happen to be normal day. But that day we happen to be normal day. But that day we happen to be having open baptisms. having open baptisms. having open baptisms. My parents weren't even with me that day My parents weren't even with me that day My parents weren't even with me that day at church. at church. at church. They chose to stay home and finish some They chose to stay home and finish some They chose to stay home and finish some yard work. yard work. yard work. At the end of the sermon before the At the end of the sermon before the At the end of the sermon before the baptism started, I had a nudging to baptism started, I had a nudging to baptism started, I had a nudging to write these words in my journal. write these words in my journal. write these words in my journal. And he sent us a picture of his notes he And he sent us a picture of his notes he And he sent us a picture of his notes he took at church, which by the way, if took at church, which by the way, if took at church, which by the way, if 11th grader can take notes, so so can 11th grader can take notes, so so can 11th grader can take notes, so so can you. Anyway, at the end of his journal, you. Anyway, at the end of his journal, you. Anyway, at the end of his journal, bottom right corner, he wrote this down.

bottom right corner, he wrote this down. bottom right corner, he wrote this down. One day, Dad. One day. One day, Dad. One day. One day, Dad. One day. He's watching baptisms. He's praying for He's watching baptisms. He's praying for He's watching baptisms. He's praying for his dad. Now, it's been 3 years he's his dad. Now, it's been 3 years he's his dad. Now, it's been 3 years he's praying for his dad. One day. praying for his dad. One day. praying for his dad. One day. As people begin to come to the front, he As people begin to come to the front, he As people begin to come to the front, he Evan saw one of his football teammates Evan saw one of his football teammates Evan saw one of his football teammates walk down, give his life to Jesus and walk down, give his life to Jesus and walk down, give his life to Jesus and get baptized, and he's overjoyed. And he get baptized, and he's overjoyed. And he get baptized, and he's overjoyed. And he just called his parents said, "Mom and just called his parents said, "Mom and just called his parents said, "Mom and Dad, you it's amazing what God's doing Dad, you it's amazing what God's doing Dad, you it's amazing what God's doing at church today. People are just getting at church today. People are just getting at church today. People are just getting baptized in the clothes they came in in, baptized in the clothes they came in in, baptized in the clothes they came in in, and and I I need you to come see what and and I I need you to come see what and and I I need you to come see what God's doing for yourself." God's doing for yourself." God's doing for yourself." And my mom said that they were knee-deep And my mom said that they were knee-deep And my mom said that they were knee-deep in yard work. Here's a picture from the in yard work. Here's a picture from the in yard work. Here's a picture from the social media post that her mom his mom social media post that her mom his mom social media post that her mom his mom made that afternoon. Like they're doing made that afternoon. Like they're doing made that afternoon. Like they're doing yard work. That looks awful. Doing yard yard work. That looks awful. Doing yard yard work. That looks awful. Doing yard work. And she told Evan on the phone, like, And she told Evan on the phone, like, "Listen, we're covered in dirt, we're "Listen, we're covered in dirt, we're "Listen, we're covered in dirt, we're covered in dust." And here's what she covered in dust." And here's what she covered in dust." And here's what she said. Think about what he wrote. One said. Think about what he wrote. One said. Think about what he wrote. One day, Dad. She said, "Today is just not day, Dad. She said, "Today is just not day, Dad. She said, "Today is just not your dad's day." your dad's day." your dad's day." I hung up the phone, told my small group I hung up the phone, told my small group I hung up the phone, told my small group leader my parents weren't coming. leader my parents weren't coming. leader my parents weren't coming. To my surprise, 5 minutes later, I got a To my surprise, 5 minutes later, I got a To my surprise, 5 minutes later, I got a text from my dad, and he said, "Heading text from my dad, and he said, "Heading text from my dad, and he said, "Heading your way."

I later found out that after our phone I later found out that after our phone conversation, something just made him conversation, something just made him conversation, something just made him feel that they should head to church to feel that they should head to church to feel that they should head to church to check it out. check it out. check it out. By the way, Evan does not know how yet. By the way, Evan does not know how yet. By the way, Evan does not know how yet. He just knows the who. He just knows the who. He just knows the who. Evan said, "God's doing something, you Evan said, "God's doing something, you Evan said, "God's doing something, you should see it." They said no. He went should see it." They said no. He went should see it." They said no. He went about his day and now Jesus about his day and now Jesus about his day and now Jesus the power of the Holy Spirit is doing the power of the Holy Spirit is doing the power of the Holy Spirit is doing what he does. They dropped everything. They cleaned up They dropped everything. They cleaned up quickly. quickly. quickly. Headed to church. Headed to church. Headed to church. My mom later told me the whole car ride My mom later told me the whole car ride My mom later told me the whole car ride was in complete silence. was in complete silence. was in complete silence. She felt like something was stirring in She felt like something was stirring in She felt like something was stirring in my dad's heart. my dad's heart. my dad's heart. So I Evan was taking pictures outside So I Evan was taking pictures outside So I Evan was taking pictures outside with my football teammates who had just with my football teammates who had just with my football teammates who had just gotten baptized when I saw my parents gotten baptized when I saw my parents gotten baptized when I saw my parents pull up. It's one of the greatest pull up. It's one of the greatest pull up. It's one of the greatest feelings I've ever experienced. feelings I've ever experienced. feelings I've ever experienced. We walked into the worship center and We walked into the worship center and We walked into the worship center and watched a few baptisms. Then my dad told watched a few baptisms. Then my dad told watched a few baptisms. Then my dad told my mom, I think it's my time. my mom, I think it's my time. my mom, I think it's my time. My dad asked me, where do I go? My dad asked me, where do I go? My dad asked me, where do I go? And only in the kingdom of God can a son And only in the kingdom of God can a son And only in the kingdom of God can a son be a mat carrier for his own dad. be a mat carrier for his own dad. be a mat carrier for his own dad. He got to walk his own father.

He said, I let him up front so we could He said, I let him up front so we could pray with him and pray for him and and pray with him and pray for him and and pray with him and pray for him and and here's a picture of them together in the here's a picture of them together in the here's a picture of them together in the tub. He said, when my dad got in that tub. He said, when my dad got in that tub. He said, when my dad got in that tub, it was years of prayer and tears tub, it was years of prayer and tears tub, it was years of prayer and tears and crying and there he was. and crying and there he was. and crying and there he was. I stood right next to him the whole I stood right next to him the whole I stood right next to him the whole time. time. time. Like he stood next to me this whole Like he stood next to me this whole Like he stood next to me this whole time. time. time. Tears of joy filled my eyes Tears of joy filled my eyes Tears of joy filled my eyes as I was able to see Jesus work in him as I was able to see Jesus work in him as I was able to see Jesus work in him through my prayers. through my prayers. through my prayers. After he was lifted out of the water, After he was lifted out of the water, After he was lifted out of the water, got a picture of this, I hugged him the got a picture of this, I hugged him the got a picture of this, I hugged him the same way he hugged me when I was at my same way he hugged me when I was at my same way he hugged me when I was at my lowest. My dad whispered to me, My dad whispered to me, thank you for My dad whispered to me, thank you for not giving up on me. not giving up on me. not giving up on me. That's a one story. That's a one story. That's a one story. The kindness of God. There's more. It's just gratitude There's more. It's just gratitude though. though. though. Thank you, Jesus. He kept carrying his mat.

He kept carrying his mat. kept carrying his dad to Jesus. But he had his one. But he had his one. And he knew that Jesus could heal, Jesus And he knew that Jesus could heal, Jesus And he knew that Jesus could heal, Jesus could forgive, Jesus could restore. Don't overcomplicate it. Don't overcomplicate it. See, if you want a tip, See, if you want a tip, See, if you want a tip, where do I start? where do I start? where do I start? >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Whenever you see God do something cool >> Whenever you see God do something cool >> Whenever you see God do something cool at church, tell everyone about it. at church, tell everyone about it. at church, tell everyone about it. Like you could go to the office Like you could go to the office Like you could go to the office tomorrow. Hey, how was your weekend? tomorrow. Hey, how was your weekend? tomorrow. Hey, how was your weekend? Awesome. How was yours? Great. Man, I Awesome. How was yours? Great. Man, I Awesome. How was yours? Great. Man, I was at church yesterday. We got to see was at church yesterday. We got to see was at church yesterday. We got to see 16 people get baptized. 16 people get baptized. 16 people get baptized. Tell them God's moving. Awesome. Tell them God's moving. Awesome. Tell them God's moving. Awesome. Bro, they told a story at church Bro, they told a story at church Bro, they told a story at church yesterday of a marriage that was a mess, yesterday of a marriage that was a mess, yesterday of a marriage that was a mess, falling apart. They had already filed falling apart. They had already filed falling apart. They had already filed papers for divorce, and Jesus rescued papers for divorce, and Jesus rescued papers for divorce, and Jesus rescued that marriage. Just tell them what God's that marriage. Just tell them what God's that marriage. Just tell them what God's doing. People, if God's real, people doing. People, if God's real, people doing. People, if God's real, people that don't believe, they wished it was that don't believe, they wished it was that don't believe, they wished it was true. true. true. So, show them stories that it is true, So, show them stories that it is true, So, show them stories that it is true, and they'll come looking. and they'll come looking. and they'll come looking. Evan just said, "Mom and Dad, God's Evan just said, "Mom and Dad, God's Evan just said, "Mom and Dad, God's doing something. I I wish you'd come see doing something. I I wish you'd come see doing something. I I wish you'd come see it." Start there.

it." Start there. it." Start there. See, it's rare that a broken person will See, it's rare that a broken person will See, it's rare that a broken person will just invite themselves into church. You just invite themselves into church. You just invite themselves into church. You have to invite them, you have to bring have to invite them, you have to bring have to invite them, you have to bring them, you have to invest, you have to them, you have to invest, you have to them, you have to invest, you have to invite. Your job is not to do the invite. Your job is not to do the invite. Your job is not to do the healing, your job's to do the carrying. healing, your job's to do the carrying. healing, your job's to do the carrying. Your job's not to do the convincing and Your job's not to do the convincing and Your job's not to do the convincing and to put them in the in the the headlock to put them in the in the the headlock to put them in the in the the headlock of theology and convince them. Your of theology and convince them. Your of theology and convince them. Your job's just to be evidence that there is job's just to be evidence that there is job's just to be evidence that there is power in the name of Jesus. power in the name of Jesus. power in the name of Jesus. And you stay close to them long enough And you stay close to them long enough And you stay close to them long enough until you find where they're broken, and until you find where they're broken, and until you find where they're broken, and then you help them bring their then you help them bring their then you help them bring their brokenness to the one who could heal it. See, I doubt that Evan will remember See, I doubt that Evan will remember anything that I taught on May 3rd. anything that I taught on May 3rd. anything that I taught on May 3rd. [music] He will never forget his dad bowing the He will never forget his dad bowing the knee to Jesus. knee to Jesus. knee to Jesus. And I'm telling you, if you're looking And I'm telling you, if you're looking And I'm telling you, if you're looking for the more in faith, for the more in faith, for the more in faith, it's not more content, more messages, it's not more content, more messages, it's not more content, more messages, more podcast. It's being in a service more podcast. It's being in a service more podcast. It's being in a service where your one says yes to Jesus. where your one says yes to Jesus. where your one says yes to Jesus. If you're looking for the adventure back If you're looking for the adventure back If you're looking for the adventure back in what it means to follow Jesus, get in in what it means to follow Jesus, get in in what it means to follow Jesus, get in the harvest field and roll your sleeves the harvest field and roll your sleeves the harvest field and roll your sleeves up and get to work. The harvest is up and get to work. The harvest is up and get to work. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

plentiful, but the workers are few. plentiful, but the workers are few. Mom and dad thought the best thing that Mom and dad thought the best thing that Mom and dad thought the best thing that could happen on a Sunday morning is could happen on a Sunday morning is could happen on a Sunday morning is we'll get some yard work and gardening we'll get some yard work and gardening we'll get some yard work and gardening done. done. done. When little did they know that they were When little did they know that they were When little did they know that they were the yard work in the kingdom of God and the yard work in the kingdom of God and the yard work in the kingdom of God and the harvest was that day. the harvest was that day. the harvest was that day. Listen to me, you never know. So, I want to pray for us and I'm going So, I want to pray for us and I'm going to dismiss us. We're going to hand it to to dismiss us. We're going to hand it to to dismiss us. We're going to hand it to the campus pastor to dismiss us. I want the campus pastor to dismiss us. I want the campus pastor to dismiss us. I want to pray for two groups. to pray for two groups. to pray for two groups. I'm not going to make it long. First I'm not going to make it long. First I'm not going to make it long. First group can just stand and the rest of us group can just stand and the rest of us group can just stand and the rest of us are going to join them. Here's the first are going to join them. Here's the first are going to join them. Here's the first group. If you are sitting in the seat of group. If you are sitting in the seat of group. If you are sitting in the seat of Evan Evan Evan and you have your one and you have your one and you have your one and you've been carrying that mat for so and you've been carrying that mat for so and you've been carrying that mat for so long and they've not bowed to Jesus. long and they've not bowed to Jesus. long and they've not bowed to Jesus. Your your temptation is like Your your temptation is like Your your temptation is like how much longer? Can I just drop the mat how much longer? Can I just drop the mat how much longer? Can I just drop the mat and move on? and move on? and move on? And if you're in a season where your one And if you're in a season where your one And if you're in a season where your one maybe weeks, months, years, maybe maybe weeks, months, years, maybe maybe weeks, months, years, maybe decades of a family member, a friend, a decades of a family member, a friend, a decades of a family member, a friend, a spouse, a kid, a co-worker, someone at spouse, a kid, a co-worker, someone at spouse, a kid, a co-worker, someone at work, like there's someone that you're work, like there's someone that you're work, like there's someone that you're trying to bring him to Jesus and you've trying to bring him to Jesus and you've trying to bring him to Jesus and you've not seen the payoff like Evan got to see not seen the payoff like Evan got to see not seen the payoff like Evan got to see yet, but you're in that three-year gap.

yet, but you're in that three-year gap. yet, but you're in that three-year gap. I want to pray for you cuz you need a I want to pray for you cuz you need a I want to pray for you cuz you need a fresh outpouring of God's strength to fresh outpouring of God's strength to fresh outpouring of God's strength to stay in it cuz it gets exhausting and it stay in it cuz it gets exhausting and it stay in it cuz it gets exhausting and it feels hopeless. So, if you're in Evan's feels hopeless. So, if you're in Evan's feels hopeless. So, if you're in Evan's seat and you have your one, stand up. seat and you have your one, stand up. seat and you have your one, stand up. You got your one and you've not seen it You got your one and you've not seen it You got your one and you've not seen it yet and you're asking God, Lord, would yet and you're asking God, Lord, would yet and you're asking God, Lord, would you would you awaken them to faith? you would you awaken them to faith? you would you awaken them to faith? You're exhausted, you're starting to You're exhausted, you're starting to You're exhausted, you're starting to feel that like I'm so discouraged. feel that like I'm so discouraged. feel that like I'm so discouraged. May 3rd, baptism. May 2nd, Evan's so May 3rd, baptism. May 2nd, Evan's so May 3rd, baptism. May 2nd, Evan's so discouraged. God, how long am I going to discouraged. God, how long am I going to discouraged. God, how long am I going to pray for my dad until he bows the knee pray for my dad until he bows the knee pray for my dad until he bows the knee to Jesus? to Jesus? to Jesus? Little did he know. Little did he know. Little did he know. Give it a day, son. Give it a day, son. Give it a day, son. So, if you're standing, I want to pray So, if you're standing, I want to pray So, if you're standing, I want to pray for you. If you're around them, you just for you. If you're around them, you just for you. If you're around them, you just start to whisper under your breath. start to whisper under your breath. start to whisper under your breath. You're asking the same prayers I'm You're asking the same prayers I'm You're asking the same prayers I'm asking. So, Holy Spirit right now, first asking. So, Holy Spirit right now, first asking. So, Holy Spirit right now, first of all, thank you for their courage to of all, thank you for their courage to of all, thank you for their courage to stand. Thank you for that you've given stand. Thank you for that you've given stand. Thank you for that you've given them a one. But God, I pray you'd meet them right But God, I pray you'd meet them right now in the disappointment and the now in the disappointment and the now in the disappointment and the feelings of hopelessness and the feelings of hopelessness and the feelings of hopelessness and the questions of is it ever going to happen? So Lord, for those who need like a fresh So Lord, for those who need like a fresh deepening of their faith, would you deepening of their faith, would you deepening of their faith, would you deepen their faith? Jesus is the same deepen their faith? Jesus is the same deepen their faith? Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same yesterday, today, and forever. The same yesterday, today, and forever. The same Jesus that healed him can heal your one.

Jesus that healed him can heal your one. Jesus that healed him can heal your one. The same Jesus that rescued Clay can The same Jesus that rescued Clay can The same Jesus that rescued Clay can rescue their one. So God, give them a rescue their one. So God, give them a rescue their one. So God, give them a fresh faith and a fresh hope that you're fresh faith and a fresh hope that you're fresh faith and a fresh hope that you're at work. You are working even when we at work. You are working even when we at work. You are working even when we can't see it. can't see it. can't see it. And God, I pray you'd wake them up every And God, I pray you'd wake them up every And God, I pray you'd wake them up every morning. morning. morning. It says your mercies are new every It says your mercies are new every It says your mercies are new every morning. Yes, I would pray that you morning. Yes, I would pray that you morning. Yes, I would pray that you would also renew their strength every would also renew their strength every would also renew their strength every morning. morning. morning. To wake up, take the corner of their To wake up, take the corner of their To wake up, take the corner of their mat, and keep carrying. mat, and keep carrying. mat, and keep carrying. Keep praying. Keep begging. Keep asking. Keep praying. Keep begging. Keep asking. Keep praying. Keep begging. Keep asking. Keep inviting. Keep sharing Jesus. And Lord, I pray that every person And Lord, I pray that every person standing standing standing I don't get to pick this, God, but I'm I don't get to pick this, God, but I'm I don't get to pick this, God, but I'm going to pray in faith and ask. God, going to pray in faith and ask. God, going to pray in faith and ask. God, what if this year every person standing what if this year every person standing what if this year every person standing would be now standing next to a tub with would be now standing next to a tub with would be now standing next to a tub with their one in it? their one in it? their one in it? Lord, we pray that you would do that in Lord, we pray that you would do that in Lord, we pray that you would do that in the name of Jesus. But until then, give the name of Jesus. But until then, give the name of Jesus. But until then, give them strength and hope, faith to them strength and hope, faith to them strength and hope, faith to believe. Jesus, you're not changing. believe. Jesus, you're not changing. believe. Jesus, you're not changing. You're the same. Your power can still You're the same. Your power can still You're the same. Your power can still transform. transform. transform. Just give us the strength to keep Just give us the strength to keep Just give us the strength to keep carrying.

carrying. carrying. The rest of us, let's all join in. I The rest of us, let's all join in. I The rest of us, let's all join in. I want to pray for all of us. want to pray for all of us. want to pray for all of us. So everyone else here across the So everyone else here across the So everyone else here across the campuses, stand up and join those that campuses, stand up and join those that campuses, stand up and join those that are standing. And I want to pray like a are standing. And I want to pray like a are standing. And I want to pray like a commissioning commissioning commissioning harvest is plentiful sort of prayer over harvest is plentiful sort of prayer over harvest is plentiful sort of prayer over us, then the pastors will join us. us, then the pastors will join us. us, then the pastors will join us. So heavenly Father, So heavenly Father, So heavenly Father, we have a calling whether we realize it we have a calling whether we realize it we have a calling whether we realize it or not. The harvest is plentiful, or not. The harvest is plentiful, or not. The harvest is plentiful, but after today, Father, in this but after today, Father, in this but after today, Father, in this territory, would the workers not be few? territory, would the workers not be few? territory, would the workers not be few? So God, I pray So God, I pray So God, I pray that as you said in Matthew 10:1, that as you said in Matthew 10:1, that as you said in Matthew 10:1, he you called your disciples and you he you called your disciples and you he you called your disciples and you said, "I give you the authority." said, "I give you the authority." said, "I give you the authority." So, Jesus, give them the authority right So, Jesus, give them the authority right So, Jesus, give them the authority right now that they don't have to have all the now that they don't have to have all the now that they don't have to have all the answers, but they bring the power of answers, but they bring the power of answers, but they bring the power of Jesus into every conversation. Jesus into every conversation. Jesus into every conversation. And then if we can just drag our ones to And then if we can just drag our ones to And then if we can just drag our ones to you, Lord, you'll do the healing. We'll you, Lord, you'll do the healing. We'll you, Lord, you'll do the healing. We'll do the carrying, you do the healing. do the carrying, you do the healing. do the carrying, you do the healing. So, God, give us a fresh look at a So, God, give us a fresh look at a So, God, give us a fresh look at a Monday. Give us a fresh look at our Monday. Give us a fresh look at our Monday. Give us a fresh look at our office time, our school time, our on the office time, our school time, our on the office time, our school time, our on the benches at at our kids sports time. benches at at our kids sports time. benches at at our kids sports time. Would you re- would you take those times Would you re- would you take those times Would you re- would you take those times that feel mundane and would you just that feel mundane and would you just that feel mundane and would you just whisper, "You're on a mission. You're on whisper, "You're on a mission. You're on whisper, "You're on a mission. You're on a mission. There's no such thing as a mission. There's no such thing as a mission. There's no such thing as wasted, no such thing as mundane."

wasted, no such thing as mundane." wasted, no such thing as mundane." And would you put inside of us a fresh And would you put inside of us a fresh And would you put inside of us a fresh burden for the lost people around us. burden for the lost people around us. burden for the lost people around us. Help us to see their brokenness. Help us to see their brokenness. Help us to see their brokenness. Help them Help us to believe that your Help them Help us to believe that your Help them Help us to believe that your power can heal. power can heal. power can heal. And Lord, we just trust you with the And Lord, we just trust you with the And Lord, we just trust you with the how. We're just going to keep carrying how. We're just going to keep carrying how. We're just going to keep carrying the who. the who. the who. Jesus, we love you. Put this deep in the Jesus, we love you. Put this deep in the Jesus, we love you. Put this deep in the heart of our church. heart of our church. heart of our church. In Jesus' name, and all God's people In Jesus' name, and all God's people In Jesus' name, and all God's people said, said, said, amen. amen. amen. Amen. >> I am so grateful that I get to be a part >> I am so grateful that I get to be a part of a church that cares about lost people of a church that cares about lost people of a church that cares about lost people that way. Aren't you? that way. Aren't you? that way. Aren't you? Aren't you grateful to have a pastor who Aren't you grateful to have a pastor who Aren't you grateful to have a pastor who cares about lost people that way, who's cares about lost people that way, who's cares about lost people that way, who's leading it I'm really grateful to be leading it I'm really grateful to be leading it I'm really grateful to be part of this church. part of this church. part of this church. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I hope you are, too. And uh we got some >> I hope you are, too. And uh we got some >> I hope you are, too. And uh we got some really cool things happening around here really cool things happening around here really cool things happening around here over the course of the fall, which is over the course of the fall, which is over the course of the fall, which is why we don't want you to miss next week, why we don't want you to miss next week, why we don't want you to miss next week, First Look Sunday. If it helps, you First Look Sunday. If it helps, you First Look Sunday. If it helps, you know, especially if you have kids, but know, especially if you have kids, but know, especially if you have kids, but you don't have to have kids to love you don't have to have kids to love you don't have to have kids to love this. We're going to have inflatables. this. We're going to have inflatables. this. We're going to have inflatables. We're going to have some Crumbl Cookie We're going to have some Crumbl Cookie We're going to have some Crumbl Cookie out and about. It's never too early to out and about. It's never too early to out and about. It's never too early to eat a cookie, you know what I mean? Next eat a cookie, you know what I mean? Next eat a cookie, you know what I mean? Next week, we'll all we'll all have that week, we'll all we'll all have that week, we'll all we'll all have that here. Don't want to miss it. Would love here. Don't want to miss it. Would love here. Don't want to miss it. Would love to have you here. Um man, for some of to have you here. Um man, for some of to have you here. Um man, for some of you, this is literally your first look you, this is literally your first look you, this is literally your first look at our church. You've never been here at our church. You've never been here at our church. You've never been here before. Maybe you're new in the past before. Maybe you're new in the past before. Maybe you're new in the past month or so. We have something that month or so. We have something that month or so. We have something that happens every single week after service happens every single week after service happens every single week after service right back here in our green room called right back here in our green room called right back here in our green room called all access and there's a whole team of all access and there's a whole team of all access and there's a whole team of people where the light is shining in the people where the light is shining in the people where the light is shining in the corner and there's a giant arrow corner and there's a giant arrow corner and there's a giant arrow pointing at them on the screen if you pointing at them on the screen if you pointing at them on the screen if you didn't see them that are there didn't see them that are there didn't see them that are there specifically to help meet you, greet

specifically to help meet you, greet specifically to help meet you, greet you, help you get connected around here. you, help you get connected around here. you, help you get connected around here. If you're new or if you just want to If you're new or if you just want to If you're new or if you just want to find some place to get some community, find some place to get some community, find some place to get some community, meet some new people, all access is the meet some new people, all access is the meet some new people, all access is the place for you. It's literally happening place for you. It's literally happening place for you. It's literally happening as soon as we dismiss. Just head back to as soon as we dismiss. Just head back to as soon as we dismiss. Just head back to that corner right there. that corner right there. that corner right there. And for others of you we have a prayer And for others of you we have a prayer And for others of you we have a prayer team that is here every single week team that is here every single week team that is here every single week after the service. after the service. after the service. And it's not lost on me that as we were And it's not lost on me that as we were And it's not lost on me that as we were talking about who's your one, we're talking about who's your one, we're talking about who's your one, we're talking about moments to pray for talking about moments to pray for talking about moments to pray for and have a perseverance to continue to and have a perseverance to continue to and have a perseverance to continue to invite them, to continue to pray for invite them, to continue to pray for invite them, to continue to pray for them. them. them. Some of you need a moment to be a little Some of you need a moment to be a little Some of you need a moment to be a little bit more specific. bit more specific. bit more specific. Some of you need a moment to linger with Some of you need a moment to linger with Some of you need a moment to linger with another person and walk through and pray another person and walk through and pray another person and walk through and pray through the specifics of your story. through the specifics of your story. through the specifics of your story. That's what this team is here for every That's what this team is here for every That's what this team is here for every single week. And so if that's you, as single week. And so if that's you, as single week. And so if that's you, as people are heading to all access or to people are heading to all access or to people are heading to all access or to pick up kids, maybe you just have a pick up kids, maybe you just have a pick up kids, maybe you just have a moment where you come forward and pray moment where you come forward and pray moment where you come forward and pray again for your one. And who knows, who again for your one. And who knows, who again for your one. And who knows, who knows, maybe just maybe you get to stand knows, maybe just maybe you get to stand knows, maybe just maybe you get to stand next to one of those tubs baptizing them next to one of those tubs baptizing them next to one of those tubs baptizing them at some point this year. at some point this year. at some point this year. It's been a good day at church, hasn't It's been a good day at church, hasn't It's been a good day at church, hasn't it been? It's been a good day here at it been? It's been a good day here at it been? It's been a good day here at church. church. church. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> We bless you. We love you. You're sent >> We bless you. We love you. You're sent >> We bless you. We love you. You're sent out for God is good out for God is good out for God is good and all the time.

and all the time. and all the time. Have a great week in the Lord.