Occupy: Productivity and Fidelity | A.R. Bernard

thank you thank you [Music] [Music] [Music] how many know there's no turning back how many know there's no turning back how many know there's no turning back only forward only forward only forward [Music] [Music] [Music] Jesus said anyone putting their hand to Jesus said anyone putting their hand to Jesus said anyone putting their hand to the plow the plow the plow and turning back and turning back and turning back is not worthy of the kingdom and I love is not worthy of the kingdom and I love is not worthy of the kingdom and I love the way he set this up the way he set this up the way he set this up because it's fully dependent on him because it's fully dependent on him because it's fully dependent on him and his grace and his grace and his grace is sufficient is sufficient is sufficient and makes up for all our deficiencies and makes up for all our deficiencies and makes up for all our deficiencies all of our weaknesses all of our weaknesses all of our weaknesses his grace how many believe and have seen his grace how many believe and have seen his grace how many believe and have seen that Grace at work in your life that Grace at work in your life that Grace at work in your life making up the difference making up the difference making up the difference and that's how much he loves us and that's how much he loves us and that's how much he loves us good morning family good morning family good morning family you look you look you look come on it's a church that I go to come on it's a church that I go to come on it's a church that I go to that's the only way to be that's the only way to be that's the only way to be let's go to the Lord in prayer heavenly let's go to the Lord in prayer heavenly let's go to the Lord in prayer heavenly father thank you father thank you father thank you for this wonderful spirit that is for this wonderful spirit that is for this wonderful spirit that is present present present thank you for your anointing thank you for your anointing thank you for your anointing thank you for your promise and keeping thank you for your promise and keeping thank you for your promise and keeping that promise we're too that promise we're too that promise we're too all three of us are gathered in your all three of us are gathered in your all three of us are gathered in your name name name there you are there you are there you are in the midst in the midst in the midst and truly you are in our midst today

and truly you are in our midst today and truly you are in our midst today thank you for the spiritual family this thank you for the spiritual family this thank you for the spiritual family this Community of Faith Community of Faith Community of Faith as we grow together experience life experience life in you together and remain and remain in Covenant relationship with you in Covenant relationship with you in Covenant relationship with you together together together we bless you today thank you for every we bless you today thank you for every we bless you today thank you for every element of the service so far and now we element of the service so far and now we element of the service so far and now we open our hearts and mind open our hearts and mind open our hearts and mind to the wisdom and instruction of your to the wisdom and instruction of your to the wisdom and instruction of your word word word touch our eyes to see touch our eyes to see touch our eyes to see our ears to hear our ears to hear our ears to hear and our hearts to understand and our hearts to understand and our hearts to understand we ask you and we thank you in advance we ask you and we thank you in advance we ask you and we thank you in advance in Jesus precious name in Jesus precious name in Jesus precious name amen and amen come on greet three people amen and amen come on greet three people amen and amen come on greet three people before you feed it before you feed it before you feed it bless the Lord bless the Lord bless the Lord [Music] so first of all thank you for your so first of all thank you for your prayers prayers prayers um whether you know or not I've been um whether you know or not I've been um whether you know or not I've been traveling speaking to all kinds of traveling speaking to all kinds of traveling speaking to all kinds of audiences and different contexts I was audiences and different contexts I was audiences and different contexts I was in a place called Brunswick Brunswick in a place called Brunswick Brunswick in a place called Brunswick Brunswick Georgia Atlanta Nashville

Georgia Atlanta Nashville Georgia Atlanta Nashville and this week we were doing a town hall and this week we were doing a town hall and this week we were doing a town hall meeting on relationships with I Heart meeting on relationships with I Heart meeting on relationships with I Heart Radio Radio Radio so uh you thank you for sharing your so uh you thank you for sharing your so uh you thank you for sharing your pastor pastor pastor with so many people so that they can be with so many people so that they can be with so many people so that they can be blessed like you blessed like you blessed like you and I want to thank the 20 people that and I want to thank the 20 people that and I want to thank the 20 people that just clapped just clapped just clapped and rebuke the rest of you for being and rebuke the rest of you for being and rebuke the rest of you for being selfish selfish selfish just so selfish but I get all the reports on what's but I get all the reports on what's Happening and God continues to do what Happening and God continues to do what Happening and God continues to do what he does in our midst amen he does in our midst amen he does in our midst amen we have four Timeless fundamentals upon we have four Timeless fundamentals upon we have four Timeless fundamentals upon which this ministry is built number one which this ministry is built number one which this ministry is built number one our core values number two our core our core values number two our core our core values number two our core purposes number three a Relentless drive purposes number three a Relentless drive purposes number three a Relentless drive for progress on number four strength for progress on number four strength for progress on number four strength beyond the presence of any one beyond the presence of any one beyond the presence of any one individual and I point to number four individual and I point to number four individual and I point to number four that it is always forward movement that it is always forward movement that it is always forward movement regardless of who's here or who is not regardless of who's here or who is not regardless of who's here or who is not here so thank you for believing in this here so thank you for believing in this here so thank you for believing in this ministry thank you for believing in the ministry thank you for believing in the ministry thank you for believing in the vision that God has entrusted to our vision that God has entrusted to our vision that God has entrusted to our care and we're excited about the future care and we're excited about the future care and we're excited about the future and in Christ the future is always and in Christ the future is always and in Christ the future is always filled with hope and brightness how many filled with hope and brightness how many filled with hope and brightness how many believe that praise the Lord amen so believe that praise the Lord amen so believe that praise the Lord amen so thank you uh I've been given this little thank you uh I've been given this little thank you uh I've been given this little yellow is when I get these These are yellow is when I get these These are yellow is when I get these These are announcements to make sure that I make announcements to make sure that I make announcements to make sure that I make so uh we have an ICB level up meeting at so uh we have an ICB level up meeting at so uh we have an ICB level up meeting at the Brooklyn campus on Saturday October the Brooklyn campus on Saturday October the Brooklyn campus on Saturday October 14th 8 A.M to 1 p.m and the last day to

14th 8 A.M to 1 p.m and the last day to 14th 8 A.M to 1 p.m and the last day to register is Sunday October 8th which is register is Sunday October 8th which is register is Sunday October 8th which is next week uh I think yeah it's next week next week uh I think yeah it's next week next week uh I think yeah it's next week moving fast of course ICB is our Men's moving fast of course ICB is our Men's moving fast of course ICB is our Men's Ministry and that's a whole nother Ministry and that's a whole nother Ministry and that's a whole nother conversation we'll get to about Men's conversation we'll get to about Men's conversation we'll get to about Men's Ministry and what's happening in our Ministry and what's happening in our Ministry and what's happening in our society and in our world around men and society and in our world around men and society and in our world around men and relationships between men and women and relationships between men and women and relationships between men and women and the institution of marriage we've got a the institution of marriage we've got a the institution of marriage we've got a lot of conversation uh to have around lot of conversation uh to have around lot of conversation uh to have around that and I want to thank you for all of that and I want to thank you for all of that and I want to thank you for all of your anniversary wishes and prayers and your anniversary wishes and prayers and your anniversary wishes and prayers and all of that kind of stuff when I woke up this morning Pastor Karen when I woke up this morning Pastor Karen was already up I looked at her and I was already up I looked at her and I was already up I looked at her and I said it's been 51 years she said um I don't know what that means but I don't know what that means but I guess we will talk about it when I get I guess we will talk about it when I get I guess we will talk about it when I get home home home praise the Lord praise the Lord praise the Lord but it's about adapting and adjusting to but it's about adapting and adjusting to but it's about adapting and adjusting to things that come to you in life and things that come to you in life and things that come to you in life and understanding the change is the only understanding the change is the only understanding the change is the only constant in life and managing change and constant in life and managing change and constant in life and managing change and continuity is the secret to success in continuity is the secret to success in continuity is the secret to success in everything especially long term everything especially long term everything especially long term relationships business no matter what it relationships business no matter what it relationships business no matter what it is Ministry uh as well so I I hear that is Ministry uh as well so I I hear that is Ministry uh as well so I I hear that the word continues to be occupied

the word continues to be occupied the word continues to be occupied and I'm going to continue with that and I'm going to continue with that and I'm going to continue with that theme that has arrested US and Pastor theme that has arrested US and Pastor theme that has arrested US and Pastor Jamal has continued with it and um so is Jamal has continued with it and um so is Jamal has continued with it and um so is it okay if I continue with that as well it okay if I continue with that as well it okay if I continue with that as well and I will tell you I I'm amazed at how and I will tell you I I'm amazed at how and I will tell you I I'm amazed at how much is in that idea that Jesus left us much is in that idea that Jesus left us much is in that idea that Jesus left us with to occupy and of course it means to with to occupy and of course it means to with to occupy and of course it means to do business and that is found in the do business and that is found in the do business and that is found in the Gospel of Luke Chapter Gospel of Luke Chapter Gospel of Luke Chapter 19. uh let me make some comments uh you 19. uh let me make some comments uh you 19. uh let me make some comments uh you notice Minister Errol Parker with his notice Minister Errol Parker with his notice Minister Errol Parker with his more house polo shirt in the offering video in the offering video I just took notice of it that's all I just took notice of it that's all I just took notice of it that's all that's all calling attention to it and that's all calling attention to it and that's all calling attention to it and you also notice that our service has you also notice that our service has you also notice that our service has been laced with Spanish and English been laced with Spanish and English been laced with Spanish and English today so we call this our Spanglish today so we call this our Spanglish today so we call this our Spanglish service service service for those of you who understand how that for those of you who understand how that for those of you who understand how that works amen and I'm blessed to have works amen and I'm blessed to have works amen and I'm blessed to have someone uh with us today that I've known someone uh with us today that I've known someone uh with us today that I've known and we work together on the issue of and we work together on the issue of and we work together on the issue of human trafficking and that's Rachel human trafficking and that's Rachel human trafficking and that's Rachel Foster Rachel just stand up for a moment Foster Rachel just stand up for a moment Foster Rachel just stand up for a moment it is good to have you with us working it is good to have you with us working it is good to have you with us working with me thank you for being with us your with me thank you for being with us your with me thank you for being with us your friend Sonia Rachel friend Sonia Rachel friend Sonia Rachel I'll reach out to Ken Thompson myself uh I'll reach out to Ken Thompson myself uh I'll reach out to Ken Thompson myself uh Curtis Martin and others to help support Curtis Martin and others to help support Curtis Martin and others to help support what she was doing and going actually what she was doing and going actually what she was doing and going actually going down to Washington DC to challenge going down to Washington DC to challenge going down to Washington DC to challenge policy uh on uh what's happening with

policy uh on uh what's happening with policy uh on uh what's happening with human trafficking especially with women human trafficking especially with women human trafficking especially with women uh young girls and she is the co-founder uh young girls and she is the co-founder uh young girls and she is the co-founder of uh world without exploitation which of uh world without exploitation which of uh world without exploitation which is the largest anti-human trafficking is the largest anti-human trafficking is the largest anti-human trafficking Coalition in the nation and maybe in the Coalition in the nation and maybe in the Coalition in the nation and maybe in the world so thank you for all that you are world so thank you for all that you are world so thank you for all that you are doing to address that that issue and doing to address that that issue and doing to address that that issue and Sonia it's good to have you with us as Sonia it's good to have you with us as Sonia it's good to have you with us as as as as well as as as well as as as well um um um occupy right I want to make sure I occupy right I want to make sure I occupy right I want to make sure I didn't miss any announcements I looked didn't miss any announcements I looked didn't miss any announcements I looked to see if my staff is looking at me to see if my staff is looking at me to see if my staff is looking at me funny or giving me signals so far so funny or giving me signals so far so funny or giving me signals so far so good good good so so so as I continue to think about occupy and as I continue to think about occupy and as I continue to think about occupy and do business do business do business I try to find ways to to articulate the I try to find ways to to articulate the I try to find ways to to articulate the idea and you know that it comes out of idea and you know that it comes out of idea and you know that it comes out of Luke chapter 19. Luke chapter 19. Luke chapter 19. where where where the disciples are thinking that the the disciples are thinking that the the disciples are thinking that the kingdom of God would be immediately kingdom of God would be immediately kingdom of God would be immediately established on the Earth established on the Earth established on the Earth and Jesus has to respond and Jesus has to respond and Jesus has to respond to let them know that there will be an to let them know that there will be an to let them know that there will be an interval of time where the Kingdom's interval of time where the Kingdom's interval of time where the Kingdom's Activity The Reign and Rule of God's Activity The Reign and Rule of God's Activity The Reign and Rule of God's activity will be present in the earth activity will be present in the earth activity will be present in the earth and there will be a manifestation of and there will be a manifestation of and there will be a manifestation of justice and mercy and compassion and

justice and mercy and compassion and justice and mercy and compassion and righteousness through his Witnesses and righteousness through his Witnesses and righteousness through his Witnesses and his people in the Earth his people in the Earth his people in the Earth and then there will come a time when and then there will come a time when and then there will come a time when Christ will appear again physically on Christ will appear again physically on Christ will appear again physically on Earth this is what we believe and Usher Earth this is what we believe and Usher Earth this is what we believe and Usher in a new age so the kingdom is both in a new age so the kingdom is both in a new age so the kingdom is both present and future I'm going to say that present and future I'm going to say that present and future I'm going to say that again the kingdom is both present and again the kingdom is both present and again the kingdom is both present and future and the word Kingdom means future and the word Kingdom means future and the word Kingdom means Dominion it has to do with the rule of Dominion it has to do with the rule of Dominion it has to do with the rule of God and the reign of God and today that God and the reign of God and today that God and the reign of God and today that rule and Reign is present in the Earth rule and Reign is present in the Earth rule and Reign is present in the Earth by being present in human hearts by being present in human hearts by being present in human hearts that's why the church that's why the church that's why the church and a great church is a church that has and a great church is a church that has and a great church is a church that has Christ at its Center Christ at its Center Christ at its Center a church that has a balance between a church that has a balance between a church that has a balance between grace and truth and a church that grace and truth and a church that grace and truth and a church that infected in an effective way effectively infected in an effective way effectively infected in an effective way effectively engages in the transformation of engages in the transformation of engages in the transformation of individuals individuals individuals communities and societies did you get communities and societies did you get communities and societies did you get all of that all of that all of that all right the church has a prophetic all right the church has a prophetic all right the church has a prophetic voice a moral voice a Redemptive voice voice a moral voice a Redemptive voice voice a moral voice a Redemptive voice and a humanitarian voice speaking into and a humanitarian voice speaking into and a humanitarian voice speaking into the life of society and that's the the life of society and that's the the life of society and that's the church's responsibility unfortunately church's responsibility unfortunately church's responsibility unfortunately along the way certain doctrines came in

along the way certain doctrines came in along the way certain doctrines came in that spoke of Separation but really that spoke of Separation but really that spoke of Separation but really resulted in isolating the church from resulted in isolating the church from resulted in isolating the church from society and its role in effecting society and its role in effecting society and its role in effecting Society no it's a role in which we yes Society no it's a role in which we yes Society no it's a role in which we yes are distinct in our Christian faith and are distinct in our Christian faith and are distinct in our Christian faith and how we live it out but also we are how we live it out but also we are how we live it out but also we are engaged in what's happening in the world engaged in what's happening in the world engaged in what's happening in the world so Jesus put it this way he said we are so Jesus put it this way he said we are so Jesus put it this way he said we are in the world but not in the world but not in the world but not thank you for thank you for thank you for finishing that statement not of the finishing that statement not of the finishing that statement not of the world in other words we're not a product world in other words we're not a product world in other words we're not a product of this world the world its culture does of this world the world its culture does of this world the world its culture does not inform and shape who we are and our not inform and shape who we are and our not inform and shape who we are and our values and our Christian identity values and our Christian identity values and our Christian identity it's the opposite way around our it's the opposite way around our it's the opposite way around our Christian identity should inform the Christian identity should inform the Christian identity should inform the culture in which we live especially on culture in which we live especially on culture in which we live especially on issues of justice issues of compassion issues of justice issues of compassion issues of justice issues of compassion issues of righteousness issues of moral issues of righteousness issues of moral issues of righteousness issues of moral standards and moral responsibility all standards and moral responsibility all standards and moral responsibility all of those things so we are the Church of of those things so we are the Church of of those things so we are the Church of Jesus Christ we are the light in the Jesus Christ we are the light in the Jesus Christ we are the light in the darkness so occupy has a twofold darkness so occupy has a twofold darkness so occupy has a twofold expression and again it means do expression and again it means do expression and again it means do business and that's important business and that's important business and that's important it doesn't mean do Church it doesn't mean do Church it doesn't mean do Church it means do business it means do business it means do business and we can do church and fail to do and we can do church and fail to do and we can do church and fail to do business business business we can do business and fail to do Church

we can do business and fail to do Church we can do business and fail to do Church it's both coming together the church as it's both coming together the church as it's both coming together the church as a community and the church as a presence of God and the church as a presence of God within Society within Society within Society so personal transformation so personal transformation so personal transformation because the entire because the entire because the entire theme of scripture is human flourishing theme of scripture is human flourishing theme of scripture is human flourishing it begins with personal transformation it begins with personal transformation it begins with personal transformation it impacts it impacts it impacts the local community and their impact the local community and their impact the local community and their impact Society at large there are two words Society at large there are two words Society at large there are two words that I want you to get and this is a that I want you to get and this is a that I want you to get and this is a Teaching Ministry Teaching Ministry Teaching Ministry and a worship Ministry but here it's about learning it's about but here it's about learning it's about learning learning learning all right we're here to learn grow and all right we're here to learn grow and all right we're here to learn grow and contribute so there are two things I contribute so there are two things I contribute so there are two things I want you to think about when you think want you to think about when you think want you to think about when you think about occupy and Jesus telling his about occupy and Jesus telling his about occupy and Jesus telling his disciples to occupy until he comes to be disciples to occupy until he comes to be disciples to occupy until he comes to be busy to do business rather I'm not be busy to do business rather I'm not be busy to do business rather I'm not be busy I'm sorry because you can be busy busy I'm sorry because you can be busy busy I'm sorry because you can be busy and not accomplishing anything and not accomplishing anything and not accomplishing anything so let me clarify that and I'm going to so let me clarify that and I'm going to so let me clarify that and I'm going to make a distinction between doing make a distinction between doing make a distinction between doing business and being busy not today but I business and being busy not today but I business and being busy not today but I want you to think of two words two words want you to think of two words two words want you to think of two words two words as you live this out because you come to as you live this out because you come to as you live this out because you come to learn how to live out your Christian learn how to live out your Christian learn how to live out your Christian faith how to live it out in your faith how to live it out in your faith how to live it out in your personal life in your community life and personal life in your community life and personal life in your community life and in your contribution to the world in in your contribution to the world in in your contribution to the world in which we live which we live which we live so two words I want you to think of

so two words I want you to think of so two words I want you to think of productivity and and fidelity well done well done good good good and and and faithful faithful faithful servant do you see it servant do you see it servant do you see it well done well done well done good good good productive productive productive but also what but also what but also what faithful faithful faithful it's not one or the other it's both Anne it's not one or the other it's both Anne it's not one or the other it's both Anne in fact you can be productive in fact you can be productive in fact you can be productive and yet unfaithful and yet unfaithful and yet unfaithful and when I think of this word Fidelity and when I think of this word Fidelity and when I think of this word Fidelity we're talking about loyalty to Jesus we're talking about loyalty to Jesus we're talking about loyalty to Jesus Jesus pointed to a group and he said Jesus pointed to a group and he said Jesus pointed to a group and he said you'll say to me we've cast out devils you'll say to me we've cast out devils you'll say to me we've cast out devils in your name we prophesied in your name in your name we prophesied in your name in your name we prophesied in your name we've done all of these wonderful things we've done all of these wonderful things we've done all of these wonderful things we're very spiritually productive and he we're very spiritually productive and he we're very spiritually productive and he says but depart from me because I never says but depart from me because I never says but depart from me because I never knew you so the relationship is critical knew you so the relationship is critical knew you so the relationship is critical loyalty to the relationship is critical loyalty to the relationship is critical loyalty to the relationship is critical it is foundational it is true in a it is foundational it is true in a it is foundational it is true in a marriage if if you know in in a marriage if if you know in in a marriage if if you know in in a relationship one person is providing and relationship one person is providing and relationship one person is providing and providing and providing but they're providing and providing but they're providing and providing but they're unfaithful to unfaithful to unfaithful to their spouse that's a problem

their spouse that's a problem their spouse that's a problem so it requires two things it requires so it requires two things it requires so it requires two things it requires what come on both must work together both must work together so Jesus demands that we be productive so Jesus demands that we be productive so Jesus demands that we be productive do business absolutely increase multiply do business absolutely increase multiply do business absolutely increase multiply but he also demands that in the process but he also demands that in the process but he also demands that in the process of occupying we don't lose our loyalty of occupying we don't lose our loyalty of occupying we don't lose our loyalty to him so what are we loyal to and I I want to so what are we loyal to and I I want to turn to turn to turn to Fidelity first and then we're going to Fidelity first and then we're going to Fidelity first and then we're going to dig into productivity dig into productivity dig into productivity all right all right all right their ear there there are three things their ear there there are three things their ear there there are three things there is and let me put Fidelity back up there is and let me put Fidelity back up there is and let me put Fidelity back up here and I continue to compliment you because and I continue to compliment you because across the country and around the world across the country and around the world across the country and around the world I get comments from other passes and I get comments from other passes and I get comments from other passes and they notice when they see you on the they notice when they see you on the they notice when they see you on the screen say man everybody's taking notes screen say man everybody's taking notes screen say man everybody's taking notes and and and and their computers are out and and and and their computers are out and and and and their computers are out and iPads are out thank you and iPads are out thank you and iPads are out thank you thank you because it signifies that you thank you because it signifies that you thank you because it signifies that you come here to learn to learn and on and come here to learn to learn and on and come here to learn to learn and on and and as we dig into productivity all and as we dig into productivity all and as we dig into productivity all right you'll understand why learning is right you'll understand why learning is right you'll understand why learning is so important so but I wanna I wanna so important so but I wanna I wanna so important so but I wanna I wanna look at this because look at this because look at this because as I watch what's happening as I watch what's happening as I watch what's happening uh in in many

uh in in many uh in in many places places places Christians are losing their fidelity Christians are losing their fidelity Christians are losing their fidelity their loyalty to Jesus their loyalty to Jesus their loyalty to Jesus and they're being lured in other and they're being lured in other and they're being lured in other directions so the question is what are directions so the question is what are directions so the question is what are we to be loyal to we to be loyal to we to be loyal to when it comes to Fidelity to Jesus when it comes to Fidelity to Jesus when it comes to Fidelity to Jesus I'm glad you asked the the doctrine of Jesus these are his teachings these are his teachings there are the there are the there are the works works works of Jesus of Jesus of Jesus this is what he did his life his death his resurrection his life his death his resurrection what it all means the Miracles that he performed the Miracles that he performed the challenges that he made to the the challenges that he made to the the challenges that he made to the status quo status quo status quo how he interacted with people who were how he interacted with people who were how he interacted with people who were marginalized and people were who were in marginalized and people were who were in marginalized and people were who were in power power power all that we examine in the gospels about all that we examine in the gospels about all that we examine in the gospels about Jesus's interaction in the context of Jesus's interaction in the context of Jesus's interaction in the context of his Humanity his Works come into play his Humanity his Works come into play his Humanity his Works come into play and there is the and there is the and there is the person person person of Jesus of Jesus of Jesus who he claimed to be

and who did he claim to be he claimed to and who did he claim to be he claimed to be be be the Incarnation the Incarnation the Incarnation of deity in other words in other words the omnipotent Eternal God the omnipotent Eternal God the omnipotent Eternal God reveals himself fully in the person of reveals himself fully in the person of reveals himself fully in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord Jesus Christ and we live in a world that is and we live in a world that is and we live in a world that is challenging this challenging this challenging this and it's not new because in the early and it's not new because in the early and it's not new because in the early church they had to wrestle through this church they had to wrestle through this church they had to wrestle through this whole idea of the Divinity of Jesus whole idea of the Divinity of Jesus whole idea of the Divinity of Jesus and because we have so much history and and because we have so much history and and because we have so much history and access to archeology archaeological access to archeology archaeological access to archeology archaeological findings historical writings Etc findings historical writings Etc findings historical writings Etc we're leaning more we and the church is we're leaning more we and the church is we're leaning more we and the church is leaning more in the direction of the leaning more in the direction of the leaning more in the direction of the historical Jesus the problem with the historical Jesus is the problem with the historical Jesus is it doesn't he doesn't have the power to it doesn't he doesn't have the power to it doesn't he doesn't have the power to say Because unless he is at scripture Because unless he is at scripture reveals fully Divine and fully human and reveals fully Divine and fully human and reveals fully Divine and fully human and the ultimate offering for our sins he asked the question to his disciples he asked the question to his disciples he asked who do men say that I the son he asked who do men say that I the son he asked who do men say that I the son of man am of man am of man am and they responded with public opinion and they responded with public opinion and they responded with public opinion some say Jeremiah Elijah one of the some say Jeremiah Elijah one of the some say Jeremiah Elijah one of the prophets prophets prophets and then he asks his staff and you know

and then he asks his staff and you know and then he asks his staff and you know your staff better know said who do you say that I am said who do you say that I am and then the Revelation comes out Peter and then the Revelation comes out Peter and then the Revelation comes out Peter inspired inspired inspired says you are the Christ says you are the Christ says you are the Christ the son of the living the son of the living the son of the living God God God and Jesus excitingly responds because he and Jesus excitingly responds because he and Jesus excitingly responds because he realizes this is divine inspiration realizes this is divine inspiration realizes this is divine inspiration happening within Peter's mind and he happening within Peter's mind and he happening within Peter's mind and he says and you are Peter Flesh and Blood says and you are Peter Flesh and Blood says and you are Peter Flesh and Blood didn't reveal that to you but my Father didn't reveal that to you but my Father didn't reveal that to you but my Father in heaven and you are Peter and Upon in heaven and you are Peter and Upon in heaven and you are Peter and Upon This Rock not the rock of Peter that's a This Rock not the rock of Peter that's a This Rock not the rock of Peter that's a question of a rock but the rock of question of a rock but the rock of question of a rock but the rock of Revelation that Revelation would be the Revelation that Revelation would be the Revelation that Revelation would be the foundation he said I on this rock I will foundation he said I on this rock I will foundation he said I on this rock I will build my church so the church is built build my church so the church is built build my church so the church is built on his person who he claimed to be and you've got to who he claimed to be and you've got to wrestle with that because you could appreciate his Works because you could appreciate his Works what he accomplished you could what he accomplished you could what he accomplished you could appreciate the things that he taught appreciate the things that he taught appreciate the things that he taught which were filled with with all kind of which were filled with with all kind of which were filled with with all kind of wonderful things like love and Justice wonderful things like love and Justice wonderful things like love and Justice and and and equity and leveling the and and and equity and leveling the and and and equity and leveling the playing field within society and reject playing field within society and reject playing field within society and reject this person that's the first point of wrestling that that's the first point of wrestling that I had to wrestle with when I became a I had to wrestle with when I became a I had to wrestle with when I became a Christian Christian Christian because For Me Jesus was just a prophet because For Me Jesus was just a prophet because For Me Jesus was just a prophet amongst many other prophets but now

amongst many other prophets but now amongst many other prophets but now you're telling me that he is the you're telling me that he is the you're telling me that he is the Incarnation of the Eternal God that God Incarnation of the Eternal God that God Incarnation of the Eternal God that God can take on human form and live among us can take on human form and live among us can take on human form and live among us and dwell Among Us and he had to in and dwell Among Us and he had to in and dwell Among Us and he had to in order to fulfill for a particular plan order to fulfill for a particular plan order to fulfill for a particular plan that would bring me back into that would bring me back into that would bring me back into relationship with God and make me relationship with God and make me relationship with God and make me qualify to be one of his Fidelity to this Fidelity to this because this is what's being challenged because this is what's being challenged because this is what's being challenged on an intellectual level and our faithfulness to that and our faithfulness to that which is foundational to the church which is foundational to the church which is foundational to the church for us for us for us Christ Christ Christ is is is God see there are certain non-negotiables in see there are certain non-negotiables in our faith are you with me our faith are you with me our faith are you with me there's certain non-negotiable certain there's certain non-negotiable certain there's certain non-negotiable certain things that are foundational you know we things that are foundational you know we things that are foundational you know we can argue on the application of certain can argue on the application of certain can argue on the application of certain texts of scripture but there are certain texts of scripture but there are certain texts of scripture but there are certain things that we just things that we just things that we just it's it's non-negotiable it's it's non-negotiable it's it's non-negotiable and the person of Jesus is one of those and the person of Jesus is one of those and the person of Jesus is one of those non non non -negotiables -negotiables -negotiables because if he's not who he said he is because if he's not who he said he is because if he's not who he said he is we've got to be nuts to follow him we've got to see him as a Madman we've got to see him as a Madman come on did you read some of the stuff come on did you read some of the stuff come on did you read some of the stuff he said about himself

he said about himself he said about himself he went around forgiving sins which is he went around forgiving sins which is he went around forgiving sins which is something only God can do so there is no middle ground so there is no middle ground when it comes to his person when it comes to his person when it comes to his person not only that if he is who he says he is not only that if he is who he says he is not only that if he is who he says he is which I believe do you believe right which I believe do you believe right which I believe do you believe right if he is who he says he is it has moral if he is who he says he is it has moral if he is who he says he is it has moral implications spiritual implications implications spiritual implications implications spiritual implications social implications political social implications political social implications political implications implications implications [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] and we need to be aware of those and we need to be aware of those and we need to be aware of those implications implications implications because they extend far beyond what because they extend far beyond what because they extend far beyond what happened two thousand years ago to this person to this person loyalty to what he achieved through his loyalty to what he achieved through his loyalty to what he achieved through his life his death life his death life his death and his resurrection and loyalty and loyalty to his teachings and I will tell you to to his teachings and I will tell you to to his teachings and I will tell you to be perfectly honest with you can I be be perfectly honest with you can I be be perfectly honest with you can I be always I find I find loyalty to his person loyalty to his person loyalty to his person and his works and his works and his works easy easy easy but some of the stuff he taught

Minister Reggie Reggie talked about love Minister Reggie Reggie talked about love and that's not easy and that's not easy and that's not easy it's easy Jesus said to love those who it's easy Jesus said to love those who it's easy Jesus said to love those who love you but he said Sinners do that love you but he said Sinners do that love you but he said Sinners do that what's the difference but when you're talking about loving the but when you're talking about loving the unlovable even loving your enemies what unlovable even loving your enemies what unlovable even loving your enemies what what do you mean because you see loving what do you mean because you see loving what do you mean because you see loving someone means that you're committed to helping them become the best version to helping them become the best version of themselves of themselves of themselves can you imagine trying to do that with can you imagine trying to do that with can you imagine trying to do that with someone who doesn't love themselves because if they don't love themselves because if they don't love themselves it's going to be difficult to embrace it's going to be difficult to embrace it's going to be difficult to embrace your love your love your love not only that love your enemy not only that love your enemy not only that love your enemy did you all read that one yet love listen love listen Trust Trust Trust makes love possible makes love possible makes love possible I don't trust I don't trust I don't trust my enemies my enemies my enemies [Applause] I'm in attention here I got a dilemma I'm in attention here I got a dilemma here anybody else know what I'm talking here anybody else know what I'm talking here anybody else know what I'm talking about come on are you with me are you with me if there's no trust because trust is if there's no trust because trust is if there's no trust because trust is foundational to every relationship in foundational to every relationship in foundational to every relationship in order for it to flourish because trust order for it to flourish because trust order for it to flourish because trust allows for transparency and

allows for transparency and allows for transparency and vulnerability and if a relationship is vulnerability and if a relationship is vulnerability and if a relationship is going to grow going to grow going to grow for real for real for real not fake not fake not fake but for real that requires vulnerability but for real that requires vulnerability but for real that requires vulnerability and transparency trust makes love possible so you're trust makes love possible so you're telling me Love My Enemy which means telling me Love My Enemy which means telling me Love My Enemy which means I've got to trust my enemy and how can I I've got to trust my enemy and how can I I've got to trust my enemy and how can I find some common ground of trust and I find some common ground of trust and I find some common ground of trust and I gotta work through this and say okay I gotta work through this and say okay I gotta work through this and say okay I can trust you can trust you can trust you as long as you're over there come on I'm working through this come on I'm working through this anybody else working through it with me anybody else working through it with me anybody else working through it with me so we we we have to find common ground so we we we have to find common ground so we we we have to find common ground and because I want to I want to be safe so loyalty so loyalty to his person his works and his Doctrine to his person his works and his Doctrine to his person his works and his Doctrine is what he requires and he doesn't get is what he requires and he doesn't get is what he requires and he doesn't get upset with us for wrestling through some upset with us for wrestling through some upset with us for wrestling through some of this stuff of this stuff of this stuff we're supposed to we're supposed to we're supposed to we're we're supposed to question we're we're supposed to question we're we're supposed to question analyze analyze analyze reflect reflect reflect and then debate our conclusions and then debate our conclusions and then debate our conclusions it's called critical thinking and the mind plays a key role in

and the mind plays a key role in transformation because the Bible says transformation because the Bible says transformation because the Bible says you will be transformed by going to you will be transformed by going to you will be transformed by going to church on Sunday you will be transformed by knowing the you will be transformed by knowing the word later the words to to Israel's word later the words to to Israel's word later the words to to Israel's latest song you'll be transformed Romans chapter 12 you'll be transformed Romans chapter 12 says by the renewing of your mind and says by the renewing of your mind and says by the renewing of your mind and let me let me let me Empower that word let me let me let me Empower that word let me let me let me Empower that word renew me because I want you to know what renew me because I want you to know what renew me because I want you to know what it means in the original greed it means your mind needs to be renovated it means your mind needs to be renovated and I don't know if you've ever dealt and I don't know if you've ever dealt and I don't know if you've ever dealt with renovation new construction is easier than new construction is easier than reconstruction reconstruction reconstruction are y'all hearing me are y'all hearing me are y'all hearing me because you look at the job everything's because you look at the job everything's because you look at the job everything's covered up then you start removing some covered up then you start removing some covered up then you start removing some walls walls walls and you find and you find and you find all kinds of things you can go downstairs into the basement you can go downstairs into the basement and find cracks in the foundation I'm telling you renovation is a process I'm telling you renovation is a process of discovery of discovery of discovery so the renewing of your mind also so the renewing of your mind also so the renewing of your mind also includes you discovering things about includes you discovering things about includes you discovering things about yourself

you renovating a building you may need a you renovating a building you may need a whole new Plumbing whole new Plumbing whole new Plumbing all new wiring and usually when you renovate you don't and usually when you renovate you don't plan it on it costing that much come on come on come on you're catching the metaphor come on you're catching the metaphor come on you're catching the metaphor here folks the renovation of your mind the renovation of your mind in order to be transformed into the in order to be transformed into the in order to be transformed into the image of Jesus image of Jesus image of Jesus renovation renovation renovation can be challenging especially if you thought you had a especially if you thought you had a budget for it um um [Music] [Music] [Music] and it's a long-term process and it's a long-term process and it's a long-term process because you haven't arrived because you haven't arrived because you haven't arrived and that's that's the beautiful thing and that's that's the beautiful thing and that's that's the beautiful thing about a mirror about a mirror about a mirror every time you go to it something needs every time you go to it something needs every time you go to it something needs to be fixed to be fixed to be fixed tell your neighbors they talking to you tell your neighbors they talking to you tell your neighbors they talking to you it's all over your face did you notice that yet did you notice that yet you just left it you come back oh Fidelity loyalty to the process Fidelity loyalty to the process Fidelity to the process and and and and Fidelity to the process and and and and Fidelity to the process and and and and let me let me just say this to you if if let me let me just say this to you if if let me let me just say this to you if if I may I may I may it remain it means remaining

it remain it means remaining it remain it means remaining committed in in the midst the midst the midst of the passing the passing of time it means remaining steadfast it means remaining steadfast committed in the midst of what in the midst of what challenges challenges challenges come on uncertainties come on uncertainties come on uncertainties and the passing of time and the passing of time and the passing of time that's real folks that's real folks that's real folks time brings with it so many challenges time brings with it so many challenges time brings with it so many challenges life is filled with uncertainty life is filled with uncertainty life is filled with uncertainty and in the midst of that and in the midst of that and in the midst of that right we right we right we are responsible to remain are responsible to remain are responsible to remain lawyer lawyer lawyer and there are times when challenges can and there are times when challenges can and there are times when challenges can challenge our loyalty uncertain

challenge our loyalty uncertain challenge our loyalty uncertain uncertainties can challenge our loyalty you see when I first read you see when I first read see time is I'm challenged with time see time is I'm challenged with time see time is I'm challenged with time every Sunday here I just and you know it every Sunday here I just and you know it every Sunday here I just and you know it doesn't matter what church I preach in doesn't matter what church I preach in doesn't matter what church I preach in on a Sunday it seems like they have the on a Sunday it seems like they have the on a Sunday it seems like they have the same clock this is real folks you know when I first this is real folks you know when I first read in the gospel of Mark about the read in the gospel of Mark about the read in the gospel of Mark about the soul or Souls of the word how many read soul or Souls of the word how many read soul or Souls of the word how many read the the parable of the sower right he's the the parable of the sower right he's the the parable of the sower right he's sowing seed and it's falling on sowing seed and it's falling on sowing seed and it's falling on different ground right in the gospel of different ground right in the gospel of different ground right in the gospel of of Matthew which has the same Parable of Matthew which has the same Parable of Matthew which has the same Parable however it's speaking to the receptivity however it's speaking to the receptivity however it's speaking to the receptivity of the messes of the Gospel by Society of the messes of the Gospel by Society of the messes of the Gospel by Society over time in the gospel of Mark is over time in the gospel of Mark is over time in the gospel of Mark is speaking specific to the individual speaking specific to the individual speaking specific to the individual so in the gospel of Mark so in the gospel of Mark so in the gospel of Mark there is typical ground but to be there is typical ground but to be there is typical ground but to be understood a little differently in terms understood a little differently in terms understood a little differently in terms of its application but some seed fell of its application but some seed fell of its application but some seed fell on Rocky ground on Rocky ground on Rocky ground how many got that remember that Parable how many got that remember that Parable how many got that remember that Parable it fell on Stony ground some seed fell it fell on Stony ground some seed fell it fell on Stony ground some seed fell amongst thorns amongst thorns amongst thorns some fell on some fell on some fell on good good good ground good soil and bore fruit some 30 ground good soil and bore fruit some 30 ground good soil and bore fruit some 30 some 60 some 100 folk and one of the

some 60 some 100 folk and one of the some 60 some 100 folk and one of the important things that you must apply to important things that you must apply to important things that you must apply to those Parables is the the passing of those Parables is the the passing of those Parables is the the passing of time time time so you don't know so you don't know so you don't know immediately immediately immediately what kind of soil the seed fell into you don't know if that's you don't know if that's Stony ground Stony ground Stony ground Wayside well Wayside you can quickly Wayside well Wayside you can quickly Wayside well Wayside you can quickly discover I have to say that but Stony discover I have to say that but Stony discover I have to say that but Stony ground thorny ground even good ground ground thorny ground even good ground ground thorny ground even good ground you don't know because it takes what because a person remember the Stony because a person remember the Stony ground is one who received the word with ground is one who received the word with ground is one who received the word with Joy gets excited but when pressure comes Joy gets excited but when pressure comes Joy gets excited but when pressure comes because of that word they fall away because of that word they fall away because of that word they fall away we don't know how long that takes we we don't know how long that takes we we don't know how long that takes we don't know how much pressure it takes so you you you can assume that a person so you you you can assume that a person now they got it they're in there and now they got it they're in there and now they got it they're in there and through the passing of time through the passing of time through the passing of time it begins to show up it begins to show up it begins to show up and the parable doesn't say how much and the parable doesn't say how much and the parable doesn't say how much time is it five years is it ten years is time is it five years is it ten years is time is it five years is it ten years is it 20 years is it 30 years I don't know it 20 years is it 30 years I don't know it 20 years is it 30 years I don't know and that's why Fidelity is important and that's why Fidelity is important and that's why Fidelity is important loyalty even during the passing of time loyalty even during the passing of time loyalty even during the passing of time in spite of uncertainties and challenges in spite of uncertainties and challenges in spite of uncertainties and challenges that come your way that speaks of

that come your way that speaks of that come your way that speaks of commitment to Jesus and loyalty to Jesus commitment to Jesus and loyalty to Jesus commitment to Jesus and loyalty to Jesus how many understand what I'm talking how many understand what I'm talking how many understand what I'm talking about about about the second soil was what thorns the second soil was what thorns the second soil was what thorns right and that's where the deceitfulness right and that's where the deceitfulness right and that's where the deceitfulness of riches and power and and and and and of riches and power and and and and and of riches and power and and and and and the deceitfulness of the world and as the deceitfulness of the world and as the deceitfulness of the world and as counterfeit values in counterfeit loves counterfeit values in counterfeit loves counterfeit values in counterfeit loves all of those things come into play and all of those things come into play and all of those things come into play and begin to choke the word so that the word begin to choke the word so that the word begin to choke the word so that the word becomes unfruitful well how long does it becomes unfruitful well how long does it becomes unfruitful well how long does it take for the influence of the culture to take for the influence of the culture to take for the influence of the culture to disrupt the work of the word in your disrupt the work of the word in your disrupt the work of the word in your life life life and what elements of cultures influence and what elements of cultures influence and what elements of cultures influence produces that kind of result produces that kind of result produces that kind of result when it comes to the word in your life when it comes to the word in your life when it comes to the word in your life so a person can go for many many years so a person can go for many many years so a person can go for many many years committed and all of a sudden they end committed and all of a sudden they end committed and all of a sudden they end up committing political idolatry up committing political idolatry up committing political idolatry I'm going to behave well they must May install some other well they must May install some other thing to worship other than Jesus thing to worship other than Jesus thing to worship other than Jesus so the believer has to continue so the believer has to continue so the believer has to continue regardless of the cultural influences regardless of the cultural influences regardless of the cultural influences and the shift in Norms within Society we and the shift in Norms within Society we and the shift in Norms within Society we have to have a foundational constant have to have a foundational constant have to have a foundational constant that no matter what happens around us that no matter what happens around us that no matter what happens around us there's certain foundational things must there's certain foundational things must there's certain foundational things must remain the same

remain the same remain the same our challenge is how do we take those our challenge is how do we take those our challenge is how do we take those foundational things and relate them and foundational things and relate them and foundational things and relate them and apply them to a changing culture and apply them to a changing culture and apply them to a changing culture and changing norms things are different things are different I was reading about beaches and protocol I was reading about beaches and protocol I was reading about beaches and protocol on the beach on the beach on the beach back in the 19 back in the 19 back in the 19 00s 00s 00s here here here in the United States in the United States in the United States women women women were not allowed on the beach unless were not allowed on the beach unless were not allowed on the beach unless they were fully clothed that was it I mean that was it I mean fully fully fully covered up covered up covered up that's right that's right that's right there were certain laws that were in there were certain laws that were in there were certain laws that were in place and if women were were exposed all place and if women were were exposed all place and if women were were exposed all right right right it was unlawful it was unlawful it was unlawful they could be arrested they could be arrested they could be arrested I remember when when I was uh in I remember when when I was uh in I remember when when I was uh in Indonesia Indonesia Indonesia this goes back about 10 years this goes back about 10 years this goes back about 10 years and the Muslims started to really push and the Muslims started to really push and the Muslims started to really push back back back on some of the uh on some of the uh on some of the uh slackness when it came to certain moral slackness when it came to certain moral slackness when it came to certain moral laws and codes laws and codes laws and codes right and they were arresting people on right and they were arresting people on right and they were arresting people on the beach the beach the beach so a hundred years ago 110 years ago all so a hundred years ago 110 years ago all so a hundred years ago 110 years ago all right a woman had to be fully covered up

right a woman had to be fully covered up right a woman had to be fully covered up and then over time you don't have to have much on to be on you don't have to have much on to be on the beach a couple of shoestrings you're good a couple of shoestrings you're good [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] I'm just saying I'm observing here I'm just saying I'm observing here I'm just saying I'm observing here I'm not judging I'm just observing I'm not judging I'm just observing I'm not judging I'm just observing [Applause] how do we how do we who carry a certain connection to who carry a certain connection to who carry a certain connection to modesty and dignity for the human person modesty and dignity for the human person modesty and dignity for the human person created a name as if God how do we now created a name as if God how do we now created a name as if God how do we now adjust and respond to the changing Norms adjust and respond to the changing Norms adjust and respond to the changing Norms within Society without losing our own without losing our own values and and beliefs values and and beliefs values and and beliefs it's challenging it's challenging it's challenging so when we talk about productivity all so when we talk about productivity all so when we talk about productivity all right in occupy we must also consider right in occupy we must also consider right in occupy we must also consider Fidelity because while we occupy we have Fidelity because while we occupy we have Fidelity because while we occupy we have to maintain our loyalty to Jesus and to maintain our loyalty to Jesus and to maintain our loyalty to Jesus and sometimes in the course of doing sometimes in the course of doing sometimes in the course of doing business that loyalty is challenged in a world that does not in a world that does not necessarily subscribe to the same values necessarily subscribe to the same values necessarily subscribe to the same values or had values that are antithetical or had values that are antithetical or had values that are antithetical and yet we got to do business

and yet we got to do business and yet we got to do business you don't have a choice you don't have a choice you don't have a choice you know what happened to the the man you know what happened to the the man you know what happened to the the man who buried his one Talent who buried his one Talent who buried his one Talent he was rebuked by the master he was rebuked by the master he was rebuked by the master why because he allowed fear instead of why because he allowed fear instead of why because he allowed fear instead of Faith to rule him Faith to rule him Faith to rule him and even if he didn't know what to do and even if he didn't know what to do and even if he didn't know what to do with it he could have outsourced it with it he could have outsourced it with it he could have outsourced it but simply when he turned it over to but simply when he turned it over to but simply when he turned it over to someone who did know what to do with it someone who did know what to do with it someone who did know what to do with it so everybody couldn't win and why was Jesus so hard on that one and why was Jesus so hard on that one man who buried his talent because the man who buried his talent because the man who buried his talent because the kingdom is what it was about he said he kingdom is what it was about he said he kingdom is what it was about he said he gave the parable because he said how can gave the parable because he said how can gave the parable because he said how can I illustrate the kingdom for you and I illustrate the kingdom for you and I illustrate the kingdom for you and then he spoke a parable then he spoke a parable then he spoke a parable so the kingdom runs on faith not fear so fear had to be rebuked so fear had to be rebuked again and again he said why to his again and again he said why to his again and again he said why to his disciples why are you so fearful oh you disciples why are you so fearful oh you disciples why are you so fearful oh you of little faith in the face of mundane things like in the face of mundane things like forgetting to take bread forgetting to take bread forgetting to take bread on a journey on a journey on a journey he had to challenge him he had to rebuke he had to challenge him he had to rebuke he had to challenge him he had to rebuke them them them so in as much as we are to remain what so in as much as we are to remain what so in as much as we are to remain what what what what Pro productive we must also remain what Pro productive we must also remain what Pro productive we must also remain what faithful faithful faithful well done and what

and what faithful doesn't look so good because I'm not doesn't look so good because I'm not left-handed this way left-handed this way left-handed this way good and faithful servant Fidelity and good and faithful servant Fidelity and good and faithful servant Fidelity and productivity turn your neighbor's a productivity turn your neighbor's a productivity turn your neighbor's a neighbor neighbor neighbor occupy occupy occupy requires productivity and fidelity okay okay and productivity oh all right all right how much time are you giving me I'm Gonna Take Five I'm Gonna Take Five then we're close so now we get into The Parables and so now we get into The Parables and productivity productivity productivity what does that mean what does that look what does that mean what does that look what does that mean what does that look like well I shared with you before all like well I shared with you before all like well I shared with you before all right doing business being productive right doing business being productive right doing business being productive means means means making making making maximum use maximum use maximum use of your let me write it on the board let of your let me write it on the board let of your let me write it on the board let me get on the board make maximum use what kind of use make maximum use what kind of use maximum use of your maximum use of your maximum use of your time time time come on come on come on Talent Talent Talent come on Treasury

time talents abilities I'm sorry talents time talents abilities I'm sorry talents ability skills all of that fall on the ability skills all of that fall on the ability skills all of that fall on the talent so God gives us a gift what does talent so God gives us a gift what does talent so God gives us a gift what does he give us he gives us a gift of what he give us he gives us a gift of what he give us he gives us a gift of what time we don't know how much we have time we don't know how much we have time we don't know how much we have he doesn't tell us he doesn't tell us he doesn't tell us but we do know there's an expiration but we do know there's an expiration but we do know there's an expiration date and I will tell you not telling us is a and I will tell you not telling us is a gift you may not appreciate it you may not appreciate it but not telling you when you're going to but not telling you when you're going to but not telling you when you're going to die is a gift die is a gift die is a gift because there's some people who will because there's some people who will because there's some people who will simply sit there and wait simply sit there and wait simply sit there and wait turn your neighbor say he's talking turn your neighbor say he's talking turn your neighbor say he's talking about somebody you know it's called a productivity it's called a productivity show productivity doing business means show productivity doing business means show productivity doing business means making maximum use of the time that making maximum use of the time that making maximum use of the time that we're given we're given we're given and I love time because when it comes to and I love time because when it comes to and I love time because when it comes to time all people are created equal time all people are created equal time all people are created equal we all get 24.

I don't care where you are on the planet I don't care where you are on the planet you get 24. you get 24. you get 24. if you know a place that gives a little if you know a place that gives a little if you know a place that gives a little bit more let me know bit more let me know bit more let me know you can't save it Bank it you can only you can't save it Bank it you can only you can't save it Bank it you can only use it use it use it let me know what I'm talking about you let me know what I'm talking about you let me know what I'm talking about you yeah we can save some time no you can't yeah we can save some time no you can't yeah we can save some time no you can't if the car keeps kicking it doesn't stop if the car keeps kicking it doesn't stop if the car keeps kicking it doesn't stop while you're trying to save it tell your neighbors a neighbor you never tell your neighbors a neighbor you never get a chance a second chance to spend get a chance a second chance to spend get a chance a second chance to spend today before you know it today becomes before you know it today becomes tomorrow which then becomes today maximizing the use of our what time maximizing the use of our what time Talent Treasury and opportunities I remove relationships because those are I remove relationships because those are also a gift from God but to say also a gift from God but to say also a gift from God but to say maximizing the use of a relationship can maximizing the use of a relationship can maximizing the use of a relationship can be very transactional and insensitive to be very transactional and insensitive to be very transactional and insensitive to the quality of relationships and how the quality of relationships and how the quality of relationships and how they should exist in your life and how they should exist in your life and how they should exist in your life and how you should interact you should interact you should interact some relationships are purely some relationships are purely some relationships are purely transactional but not all so I don't transactional but not all so I don't transactional but not all so I don't want a blanket statement around that want a blanket statement around that want a blanket statement around that word and that's why I said No Time word and that's why I said No Time word and that's why I said No Time Talent Treasury and opportunities Talent Treasury and opportunities Talent Treasury and opportunities even though it's true that relationships even though it's true that relationships even though it's true that relationships take us in to the next season of our take us in to the next season of our take us in to the next season of our life levels in life and stages in life

so occupy means to make maximum use of so occupy means to make maximum use of your what and we believe they're all given by God and we believe they're all given by God I want you to see this before I let you I want you to see this before I let you I want you to see this before I let you go today all right go today all right go today all right have a captive audience have a captive audience have a captive audience all the doors are locked I want you to notice something very I want you to notice something very important important important especially in a world where especially in a world where especially in a world where we're caught in political conflict over we're caught in political conflict over we're caught in political conflict over economic systems and what should govern economic systems and what should govern economic systems and what should govern and there are people who try to make it and there are people who try to make it and there are people who try to make it seem like only one should rule the seem like only one should rule the seem like only one should rule the reality is is that America has been reality is is that America has been reality is is that America has been historically a dual economic system historically a dual economic system historically a dual economic system you know you know you know so we we have free enterprise at the so we we have free enterprise at the so we we have free enterprise at the same time we have social programs to same time we have social programs to same time we have social programs to help those in need and we you know wow help those in need and we you know wow help those in need and we you know wow we can't let this take over listen we can't let this take over listen we can't let this take over listen listen to how Jesus put it beautifully listen to how Jesus put it beautifully listen to how Jesus put it beautifully in the Gospel of Luke in the Gospel of Luke in the Gospel of Luke the parable of the pounds or the miners the parable of the pounds or the miners the parable of the pounds or the miners and a minor was simply the equivalent of and a minor was simply the equivalent of and a minor was simply the equivalent of three months wages three months wages three months wages all right all right all right there were 10 servants there were 10 servants there were 10 servants and There Were Ten and There Were Ten and There Were Ten minor or pound distributed minor or pound distributed minor or pound distributed which means everyone which means everyone which means everyone received one because if anyone received received one because if anyone received received one because if anyone received more than one someone else didn't get more than one someone else didn't get more than one someone else didn't get so it's safe for us to say everyone

so it's safe for us to say everyone so it's safe for us to say everyone received one received one received one so what does that represent I'm glad you so what does that represent I'm glad you so what does that represent I'm glad you asked in one Parable in asked in one Parable in asked in one Parable in Luke chapter 19 there is the equal Luke chapter 19 there is the equal Luke chapter 19 there is the equal distribution distribution distribution of wealth are you hearing me are you thinking with are you hearing me are you thinking with me me me that has social and political that has social and political that has social and political implications that has economic implications that has economic implications that has economic implications implications implications the equal distribution of wealth each the equal distribution of wealth each the equal distribution of wealth each man got man got man got one one one that's in the parable in Luke 19 but in that's in the parable in Luke 19 but in that's in the parable in Luke 19 but in the the the how about that but in the parable in how about that but in the parable in how about that but in the parable in Matthew 25 Matthew 25 Matthew 25 where the talents are distributed right where the talents are distributed right where the talents are distributed right each one was given according to their each one was given according to their each one was given according to their capacity capacity capacity or ability however you want whatever or ability however you want whatever or ability however you want whatever word you want to use word you want to use word you want to use one man one man one man receive what receive what receive what the other the other the other and one and one and one each according to their capacity to use each according to their capacity to use each according to their capacity to use it it it and even though the one had a problem it and even though the one had a problem it and even though the one had a problem it started out with a capacity started out with a capacity started out with a capacity and that's why the master was upset with and that's why the master was upset with and that's why the master was upset with him because he had the capacity to do him because he had the capacity to do him because he had the capacity to do more with it but he chose not to more with it but he chose not to more with it but he chose not to and he gave fear as a reason and the and he gave fear as a reason and the and he gave fear as a reason and the master said it was laziness

I love these things I love these things there is the equal distribution of there is the equal distribution of there is the equal distribution of wealth wealth wealth and in the other parable and in the other parable and in the other parable there is distribution of wealth based there is distribution of wealth based there is distribution of wealth based upon capacity upon capacity upon capacity got it got it got it essentially the man who had five had essentially the man who had five had essentially the man who had five had already proven or merited five the other already proven or merited five the other already proven or merited five the other one meritied to the other one only one meritied to the other one only one meritied to the other one only merited one so we have a merit-based economy so we have a merit-based economy presented and we have an economy that is presented and we have an economy that is presented and we have an economy that is based around equal distribution of based around equal distribution of based around equal distribution of wealth Jesus was not trying to propose wealth Jesus was not trying to propose wealth Jesus was not trying to propose or promote any economic system or promote any economic system or promote any economic system he was not promoting socialism he was he was not promoting socialism he was he was not promoting socialism he was not promoting capitalism all right make not promoting capitalism all right make not promoting capitalism all right make sure that you understand but the sure that you understand but the sure that you understand but the Parables do present two different Parables do present two different Parables do present two different methods of Distributing wealth and he doesn't point one over the other and he doesn't point one over the other and here's the beauty of it what he's and here's the beauty of it what he's and here's the beauty of it what he's saying is regardless of the economic saying is regardless of the economic saying is regardless of the economic system you find yourself in you will be system you find yourself in you will be system you find yourself in you will be judged by what you do with what you got judged by what you do with what you got judged by what you do with what you got [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] he examined each of them and judged them he examined each of them and judged them he examined each of them and judged them based upon what they did with it

each each was based on the effective use was based on the effective use was based on the effective use of resources of resources of resources the effective management the effective management the effective management of resources are you hearing me Church so you can't complain about so you can't complain about who's in power who's in power who's in power so doggone Republicans so doggone Republicans so doggone Republicans if it wasn't for those Democrats if it wasn't for those Democrats if it wasn't for those Democrats boy the left is going crazy boy the left is going crazy boy the left is going crazy and the right is to that how many and the right is to that how many and the right is to that how many understand what I'm talking about understand what I'm talking about understand what I'm talking about he was distinguishing his relationship he was distinguishing his relationship he was distinguishing his relationship with us with us with us in whatever context we may find in whatever context we may find in whatever context we may find ourselves he is still able he God is ourselves he is still able he God is ourselves he is still able he God is still able to do exceeding abundantly still able to do exceeding abundantly still able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or imagine a man above all that we ask or imagine a man above all that we ask or imagine a man talking to any believers in here in both cases in both cases productivity productivity productivity is what is is what is is what is rewarded rewarded rewarded so here's a statement so here's a statement so here's a statement this is why this is real this is why this is real this is why this is real Jesus said the poor you have with you Jesus said the poor you have with you Jesus said the poor you have with you always he wasn't being cynical the always he wasn't being cynical the always he wasn't being cynical the context of it was speaking of the time context of it was speaking of the time context of it was speaking of the time that they had with him which was limited that they had with him which was limited that they had with him which was limited as opposed to the time that they wanted as opposed to the time that they wanted as opposed to the time that they wanted to deal with issues of poverty he said to deal with issues of poverty he said to deal with issues of poverty he said you always have issues of poverty but it you always have issues of poverty but it you always have issues of poverty but it was also a statement of Truth was also a statement of Truth was also a statement of Truth in fact nations are classified by the

in fact nations are classified by the in fact nations are classified by the degree of poverty that they're degree of poverty that they're degree of poverty that they're experiencing and they're classified as underdeveloped and they're classified as underdeveloped developing developed countries it's all developing developed countries it's all developing developed countries it's all based upon issues of poverty and and based upon issues of poverty and and based upon issues of poverty and and wealth wealth wealth and here's the real deal with me it is said and I believe it if we take it is said and I believe it if we take all of the well all of the well all of the well and equally distributed amongst all the and equally distributed amongst all the and equally distributed amongst all the citizens of this planet citizens of this planet citizens of this planet it will end up eventually back in the it will end up eventually back in the it will end up eventually back in the hands of those who know what to do with hands of those who know what to do with hands of those who know what to do with it it it in other words it always comes back to in other words it always comes back to in other words it always comes back to the management effective management of the management effective management of the management effective management of resources that's real folks that's real folks that's real folks that's real folks that's real folks and that's why Financial illiteracy Financial illiteracy like any form of illiteracy is dangerous if if there's a poor quality of Education there's a poor quality of Education there's a poor quality of Education it's going to have poor economic outcome oh I want to continue but I went over

oh I want to continue but I went over time time time we're going to pick up on this we're going to pick up on this we're going to pick up on this did you get anything out of this today Jesus is going to ask one question what Jesus is going to ask one question what did you do did you do did you do with what you had and that's the pattern and that's the pattern he's raising up a man he's raising up a man he's raising up a man to deliver one million people out of to deliver one million people out of to deliver one million people out of bondage in Egypt bondage in Egypt bondage in Egypt and the man asked him Moses of course and the man asked him Moses of course and the man asked him Moses of course well how are we going to do that well how are we going to do that well how are we going to do that and what's God's response what's in your and what's God's response what's in your and what's God's response what's in your hand never mind what you don't have never mind what you don't have let's start let's start let's start stop with what you got stop with what you got stop with what you got and I'm gonna show you what happens to and I'm gonna show you what happens to and I'm gonna show you what happens to what you got when I'm involved in it what you got when I'm involved in it what you got when I'm involved in it come on let's all stand come on let's all stand come on let's all stand [Applause] we think differently we think differently we think differently scripture in forms and shapes the way we scripture in forms and shapes the way we think and the way we understand it think and the way we understand it think and the way we understand it and that's why teaching is so important and that's why teaching is so important and that's why teaching is so important and in the face of unbelief what did and in the face of unbelief what did and in the face of unbelief what did Jesus do in the Samaritan Village he Jesus do in the Samaritan Village he Jesus do in the Samaritan Village he taught the people taught the people taught the people he couldn't do many miracles there so

he couldn't do many miracles there so he couldn't do many miracles there so what did he do he taught the people what did he do he taught the people what did he do he taught the people and once you educate the mind and once you educate the mind and once you educate the mind things begin to explode in the heart things begin to explode in the heart things begin to explode in the heart anything begins to change anything begins to change anything begins to change well slap high five with three people well slap high five with three people well slap high five with three people tell them I got that word today and we have access to so much and we have access to so much information today information today information today so much so much so much so much so much so much that the excuses are reduced I didn't that the excuses are reduced I didn't that the excuses are reduced I didn't say they're no longer any excuses say they're no longer any excuses say they're no longer any excuses there's still some yeah there's still there's still some yeah there's still there's still some yeah there's still some reasons and excuses out there some reasons and excuses out there some reasons and excuses out there but but but God is not bound God is not bound God is not bound [Music] [Music] [Music] by systems structures and contexts and by systems structures and contexts and by systems structures and contexts and he wants to show himself strong on he wants to show himself strong on he wants to show himself strong on behalf of those who are willing to trust behalf of those who are willing to trust behalf of those who are willing to trust him him him am I talking about you today come on am I talking about you today come on am I talking about you today come on give God a good hand clap offering if give God a good hand clap offering if give God a good hand clap offering if you got a word today give God some you got a word today give God some you got a word today give God some praise for that word that you got today praise for that word that you got today praise for that word that you got today if something just changed your life if something just changed your life if something just changed your life today today today [Music] [Music] [Music] Hallelujah can I pray over you can I pray over you father thank you father thank you father thank you for the hungry hearts for the hungry hearts for the hungry hearts for wisdom knowledge and understanding for wisdom knowledge and understanding for wisdom knowledge and understanding that are present here today

that are present here today that are present here today thank you for the time thank you for the time thank you for the time thank you for the patience thank you for the patience thank you for the patience thank you thank you thank you that whoever trusts in you will never be that whoever trusts in you will never be that whoever trusts in you will never be put to shame thank you thank you [Music] [Music] [Music] for never giving up for never giving up for never giving up on the work of your hands and we are the on the work of your hands and we are the on the work of your hands and we are the work of your hands work of your hands work of your hands and you will complete when she started and you will complete when she started and you will complete when she started in each of us in each of us in each of us so we've bless you today we thank you so we've bless you today we thank you so we've bless you today we thank you today and we're going to get and we're going to get busy doing business doing business occupy occupy occupy until you come to us or until we go to until you come to us or until we go to until you come to us or until we go to you and we're going to glorify your name and we're going to glorify your name we bless you and thank you I pray your we bless you and thank you I pray your we bless you and thank you I pray your blessings upon every individual father I blessings upon every individual father I blessings upon every individual father I pray that this word which was ministered pray that this word which was ministered pray that this word which was ministered in seed form will take root in their in seed form will take root in their in seed form will take root in their hearts and minds and grow into the most hearts and minds and grow into the most hearts and minds and grow into the most incredible experience of human incredible experience of human incredible experience of human flourishing they could ever imagine flourishing they could ever imagine flourishing they could ever imagine this is my prayer and I pray that this is my prayer and I pray that this is my prayer and I pray that they'll give you all the credit they'll give you all the credit they'll give you all the credit all the glory in Jesus name all the glory in Jesus name all the glory in Jesus name amen and a man amen and a man amen and a man if you've been watching from home across

if you've been watching from home across if you've been watching from home across the country around the world all across the country around the world all across the country around the world all across the street the street the street thank you for being with us today thank thank you for being with us today thank thank you for being with us today thank you for being part of our community our you for being part of our community our you for being part of our community our service our experience with God this service our experience with God this service our experience with God this Sunday we're blessed we're blessed and we're blessed to be a blessing come and we're blessed to be a blessing come and we're blessed to be a blessing come on let's say something good has really on let's say something good has really on let's say something good has really this place but never God's presence this place but never God's presence this place but never God's presence Jesus is Lord period we believe it we Jesus is Lord period we believe it we Jesus is Lord period we believe it we Proclaim it and we're seeing it come to Proclaim it and we're seeing it come to Proclaim it and we're seeing it come to pass God bless you I love you have a pass God bless you I love you have a pass God bless you I love you have a wonderful week in the Lord occupy wonderful week in the Lord occupy wonderful week in the Lord occupy family thank you so much for watching family thank you so much for watching family thank you so much for watching ccc's YouTube channel if you feel what ccc's YouTube channel if you feel what ccc's YouTube channel if you feel what you just experienced impacted your life you just experienced impacted your life you just experienced impacted your life in any way we encourage you to like in any way we encourage you to like in any way we encourage you to like subscribe and share this video with subscribe and share this video with subscribe and share this video with others so we can fulfill our mission in others so we can fulfill our mission in others so we can fulfill our mission in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world we welcome you to check out the world we welcome you to check out the world we welcome you to check out some of our other videos also make sure some of our other videos also make sure some of our other videos also make sure to click the notification Bell so you to click the notification Bell so you to click the notification Bell so you are the first to know when we post a new are the first to know when we post a new are the first to know when we post a new one our praise and worship team brings one our praise and worship team brings one our praise and worship team brings us a powerful and dynamic live worship us a powerful and dynamic live worship us a powerful and dynamic live worship experience every Sunday and trust me and experience every Sunday and trust me and experience every Sunday and trust me and Cameron when I say you do not want to Cameron when I say you do not want to Cameron when I say you do not want to miss it streaming times are in the miss it streaming times are in the miss it streaming times are in the description box below and if you are description box below and if you are description box below and if you are looking for any other information about looking for any other information about looking for any other information about what's happening here at CCC visit what's happening here at CCC visit what's happening here at CCC visit www.cccinfo.org we hope to see you next www.cccinfo.org we hope to see you next www.cccinfo.org we hope to see you next Sunday but for now continue to have a Sunday but for now continue to have a Sunday but for now continue to have a blessed week in the Lord