Love and Complexity | A.R. Bernard

good morning family good morning let's good morning family good morning let's go to the Lord in prayer heavenly father go to the Lord in prayer heavenly father go to the Lord in prayer heavenly father thank you for the gift of thank you for the gift of thank you for the gift of access where you said come boldly come access where you said come boldly come access where you said come boldly come confidently not to the throne of confidently not to the throne of confidently not to the throne of judgment but to the throne of judgment but to the throne of judgment but to the throne of grace that we might obtain grace that we might obtain grace that we might obtain Mercy in the time of Mercy in the time of Mercy in the time of need and father in the reality of this need and father in the reality of this need and father in the reality of this human existence the need comes human existence the need comes human existence the need comes often but no matter how many times we often but no matter how many times we often but no matter how many times we come you respond with open arms with come you respond with open arms with come you respond with open arms with your love for us with your care for us your love for us with your care for us your love for us with your care for us knowing everything that we go knowing everything that we go knowing everything that we go through thank you for being a God in through thank you for being a God in through thank you for being a God in touch in a very deep and profound way touch in a very deep and profound way touch in a very deep and profound way with our Human with our Human with our Human Experience thank you for this Community Experience thank you for this Community Experience thank you for this Community of Faith of Faith of Faith the spiritual the spiritual the spiritual family our time of worship and prayer family our time of worship and prayer family our time of worship and prayer and celebration and giving and and celebration and giving and and celebration and giving and fellowship and now father we open our fellowship and now father we open our fellowship and now father we open our hearts and Minds to the wisdom and hearts and Minds to the wisdom and hearts and Minds to the wisdom and instruction of your instruction of your instruction of your word yes Father we pray for our word yes Father we pray for our word yes Father we pray for our [Music] [Music] [Music] nation we pray for our elected officials we pray for those who are Mak officials we pray for those who are Mak making decisions about our quality of making decisions about our quality of making decisions about our quality of life the future of our

life the future of our life the future of our communities that they will be guided by communities that they will be guided by communities that they will be guided by your wisdom influenced by your way of thinking and influenced by your way of thinking and doing and doing and doing and being thank you for those among being thank you for those among being thank you for those among them who call upon your [Music] [Music] name guide us father name guide us father name guide us father strengthen us for the days ahead bring your ahead bring your correction bring your correction bring your correction bring your strength most strength most strength most importantly bring your importantly bring your importantly bring your love we bless you this morning we thank love we bless you this morning we thank love we bless you this morning we thank you in Jesus precious you in Jesus precious you in Jesus precious name amen and amen come on hug three name amen and amen come on hug three name amen and amen come on hug three people before you seated greet them people before you seated greet them people before you seated greet them bless them in the name of the Lord [Music] [Music] so those of you who are here of course so those of you who are here of course so those of you who are here of course those online as well those online as well those online as well welcome you know I I will tell you it is welcome you know I I will tell you it is welcome you know I I will tell you it is a wonderful thing to be able to come a wonderful thing to be able to come a wonderful thing to be able to come here on a Sunday here on a Sunday here on a Sunday as a as a as a refuge from all the stuff that goes on refuge from all the stuff that goes on refuge from all the stuff that goes on all week

all week all week long I mean especially in the social and long I mean especially in the social and long I mean especially in the social and political climate that we're in in our political climate that we're in in our political climate that we're in in our nation it's wonderful to have a place to nation it's wonderful to have a place to nation it's wonderful to have a place to retreat retreat retreat to in the presence of God where we can to in the presence of God where we can to in the presence of God where we can be be be strengthened and prepared to go back out strengthened and prepared to go back out strengthened and prepared to go back out into that world I'm tired of the hate into that world I'm tired of the hate into that world I'm tired of the hate the anger the the anger the the anger the bitterness the personal attacks the attacks the [Music] fear-mongering it's a reality of our fear-mongering it's a reality of our world human existence but thank God that world human existence but thank God that world human existence but thank God that we have a space and a place that we can we have a space and a place that we can we have a space and a place that we can come and find his peace his presence and come and find his peace his presence and come and find his peace his presence and most importantly his love amen amen most importantly his love amen amen most importantly his love amen amen but at the same time reality is that we but at the same time reality is that we but at the same time reality is that we live in a world that's organized in a live in a world that's organized in a live in a world that's organized in a certain way and requires us to work certain way and requires us to work certain way and requires us to work together I was in Washington DC this together I was in Washington DC this together I was in Washington DC this past week uh past week uh past week uh meeting with leaders of major meeting with leaders of major meeting with leaders of major denominations across the denominations across the denominations across the country along with major country along with major country along with major philanthropists across the country and philanthropists across the country and philanthropists across the country and talking about how we can collaborate talking about how we can collaborate talking about how we can collaborate together and form Partnerships together and form Partnerships together and form Partnerships with the church World church leaders with the church World church leaders with the church World church leaders Church organizations not for profit Church organizations not for profit Church organizations not for profit organizations and those who have a lot organizations and those who have a lot

organizations and those who have a lot of of of money because at the end of the day it money because at the end of the day it money because at the end of the day it still still still takes money we don't make a god of money takes money we don't make a god of money takes money we don't make a god of money but we definitely understand its role but we definitely understand its role but we definitely understand its role it's important and its use the important it's important and its use the important it's important and its use the important thing is to have money and not let money thing is to have money and not let money thing is to have money and not let money have have have you can I get Amen on that word praise you can I get Amen on that word praise you can I get Amen on that word praise the the the Lord um and talking about how we can Lord um and talking about how we can Lord um and talking about how we can collaborate so it's very exciting about collaborate so it's very exciting about collaborate so it's very exciting about what can come out of it dealing with what can come out of it dealing with what can come out of it dealing with issues of Health Care Mental Health as issues of Health Care Mental Health as issues of Health Care Mental Health as well dealing with inequities that exists well dealing with inequities that exists well dealing with inequities that exists throughout our our society with certain throughout our our society with certain throughout our our society with certain communities that are communities that are communities that are modalized and it is great to know that modalized and it is great to know that modalized and it is great to know that clergy are at the Forefront of all of clergy are at the Forefront of all of clergy are at the Forefront of all of this to make a difference and it was a this to make a difference and it was a this to make a difference and it was a non-political environment which was even non-political environment which was even non-political environment which was even more refreshing because it seems that more refreshing because it seems that more refreshing because it seems that politics is hijack so much of our politics is hijack so much of our politics is hijack so much of our society so much of our culture there are society so much of our culture there are society so much of our culture there are two things you don't talk about religion two things you don't talk about religion two things you don't talk about religion and politics and that's all we talk and politics and that's all we talk and politics and that's all we talk about is religion and about is religion and about is religion and politics um thank you for your continued politics um thank you for your continued politics um thank you for your continued support and prayers for CCC as we support and prayers for CCC as we support and prayers for CCC as we continue to expand our continue to expand our continue to expand our ministry and um take on greater ministry and um take on greater ministry and um take on greater responsibility to Transforming Our responsibility to Transforming Our responsibility to Transforming Our communities not just here in New York

communities not just here in New York communities not just here in New York but in other parts of the country uh as but in other parts of the country uh as but in other parts of the country uh as well thank you for your faith in all well thank you for your faith in all well thank you for your faith in all that we're doing just an update on our that we're doing just an update on our that we're doing just an update on our construction project we're moving very construction project we're moving very construction project we're moving very quickly ahead and looks like the first quickly ahead and looks like the first quickly ahead and looks like the first four buildings will be up within the four buildings will be up within the four buildings will be up within the next two years next two years next two years so that is exciting I appreciate the 20 so that is exciting I appreciate the 20 so that is exciting I appreciate the 20 people who people who people who appreciate appreciate appreciate uh that uh that uh that reality because we have some incredible reality because we have some incredible reality because we have some incredible plans for community activities you saw plans for community activities you saw plans for community activities you saw the culinary Gathering and we would like the culinary Gathering and we would like the culinary Gathering and we would like to create a space where that can go on to create a space where that can go on to create a space where that can go on that can happen on an ongoing basis that can happen on an ongoing basis that can happen on an ongoing basis where we tap into a multibillion dollar where we tap into a multibillion dollar where we tap into a multibillion dollar industry that many of us are not industry that many of us are not industry that many of us are not participating in and uh you know to participating in and uh you know to participating in and uh you know to invest in our young people so please invest in our young people so please invest in our young people so please keep all of this in your prayers as we keep all of this in your prayers as we keep all of this in your prayers as we move forward one of the things that I move forward one of the things that I move forward one of the things that I have been afforded the opportunity to do have been afforded the opportunity to do have been afforded the opportunity to do is spend greater time in study and is spend greater time in study and is spend greater time in study and preparation I'm writing uh to get our preparation I'm writing uh to get our preparation I'm writing uh to get our theological framework for our Theology theological framework for our Theology theological framework for our Theology of the house here here at CCC to train of the house here here at CCC to train of the house here here at CCC to train our ministers uh our ministers uh our ministers uh Etc Etc Etc and by PJ Pastor Jamal and the team and by PJ Pastor Jamal and the team and by PJ Pastor Jamal and the team really focusing on the programming and

really focusing on the programming and really focusing on the programming and the operations that has really allowed the operations that has really allowed the operations that has really allowed me space and time to spend with the Lord me space and time to spend with the Lord me space and time to spend with the Lord and to and to and to reflect and it's amazing as you reflect reflect and it's amazing as you reflect reflect and it's amazing as you reflect theologically and when I say that you're theologically and when I say that you're theologically and when I say that you're talking talking talking about God and and and the role of God in about God and and and the role of God in about God and and and the role of God in human society what life is all about human society what life is all about human society what life is all about what the universe is all about meaning what the universe is all about meaning what the universe is all about meaning and purpose and all these things and you and purpose and all these things and you and purpose and all these things and you get to ask some of the deeper questions get to ask some of the deeper questions get to ask some of the deeper questions that you don't get a chance to ask when that you don't get a chance to ask when that you don't get a chance to ask when you're caught up in the busyness of Life you're caught up in the busyness of Life you're caught up in the busyness of Life how many you know about the busyness of how many you know about the busyness of how many you know about the busyness of life and that's why spiritual dis life and that's why spiritual dis life and that's why spiritual dis disciplines are important it's important disciplines are important it's important disciplines are important it's important that you set aside time to spend that you set aside time to spend that you set aside time to spend specifically in devotion in prayer in specifically in devotion in prayer in specifically in devotion in prayer in worship with the Lord not just here on a worship with the Lord not just here on a worship with the Lord not just here on a Sunday but this is something that you Sunday but this is something that you Sunday but this is something that you should be doing as part of your day should be doing as part of your day should be doing as part of your day daily life and there's so many apps and daily life and there's so many apps and daily life and there's so many apps and programs and books and things available programs and books and things available programs and books and things available to help you do that but I thought about to help you do that but I thought about to help you do that but I thought about this and Pastor Karen says yeah you can this and Pastor Karen says yeah you can this and Pastor Karen says yeah you can get deep on get deep on get deep on yourself um but you know I'm a thinker yourself um but you know I'm a thinker yourself um but you know I'm a thinker I'm I'm I'm I ask questions about life I I'm I'm I'm I ask questions about life I I'm I'm I'm I ask questions about life I ask questions about ask questions about ask questions about God and the reality of our faith is that God and the reality of our faith is that God and the reality of our faith is that it is a mixture of certainty and mystery it is a mixture of certainty and mystery it is a mixture of certainty and mystery I'm going to say that again our faith is I'm going to say that again our faith is I'm going to say that again our faith is a mixture of a mixture of a mixture of certainty and mystery there are certain

certainty and mystery there are certain certainty and mystery there are certain things that we are sure about that we're things that we are sure about that we're things that we are sure about that we're certain about that God exists that God certain about that God exists that God certain about that God exists that God loves us that he revealed himself in the loves us that he revealed himself in the loves us that he revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ that there is a person of Jesus Christ that there is a person of Jesus Christ that there is a certain order to the universe that God certain order to the universe that God certain order to the universe that God is stablished and when we work within is stablished and when we work within is stablished and when we work within that order we flourish we have human that order we flourish we have human that order we flourish we have human flourishing it's there certain things flourishing it's there certain things flourishing it's there certain things that we are certain about but then there that we are certain about but then there that we are certain about but then there are also things that we don't know we're are also things that we don't know we're are also things that we don't know we're uncertain about there's uncertain about there's uncertain about there's mystery mystery mystery and uh often we may think that those two and uh often we may think that those two and uh often we may think that those two things are intention but the reality is things are intention but the reality is things are intention but the reality is that they work together certainty and that they work together certainty and that they work together certainty and mystery I had one of our young people mystery I had one of our young people mystery I had one of our young people ask me Pastor what do you love most ask me Pastor what do you love most ask me Pastor what do you love most about the Christian faith and my about the Christian faith and my about the Christian faith and my response was response was response was mystery I love the fact that we are mystery I love the fact that we are mystery I love the fact that we are continually growing and and learning and continually growing and and learning and continually growing and and learning and exploring and coming to know things exploring and coming to know things exploring and coming to know things about God and about about God and about about God and about ourselves but I also like the certainty ourselves but I also like the certainty ourselves but I also like the certainty I like to know that I know that I know I like to know that I know that I know I like to know that I know that I know that God loves me how many know that you that God loves me how many know that you that God loves me how many know that you know that you know that God loves you know that you know that God loves you know that you know that God loves you and that's that's very important amen I and that's that's very important amen I and that's that's very important amen I know that God is love he's life he's know that God is love he's life he's know that God is love he's life he's light that he is all knowing all light that he is all knowing all light that he is all knowing all powerful everywhere present that nothing powerful everywhere present that nothing powerful everywhere present that nothing in the universe that he created escapes in the universe that he created escapes in the universe that he created escapes him not even the smallest part of that

him not even the smallest part of that him not even the smallest part of that Universe Jesus put it this way he said Universe Jesus put it this way he said Universe Jesus put it this way he said he said that the hairs on your head are he said that the hairs on your head are he said that the hairs on your head are numbers and how many know hairs come and numbers and how many know hairs come and numbers and how many know hairs come and go and in some cases they just go he was simply saying that God knows us he was simply saying that God knows us down to the minutest detail of our lives down to the minutest detail of our lives down to the minutest detail of our lives and our existence and I love knowing and our existence and I love knowing and our existence and I love knowing that God knows me like that God knows me like that God knows me like that he cares about us amen and he is that he cares about us amen and he is that he cares about us amen and he is fully involved not only is God present fully involved not only is God present fully involved not only is God present in my life but he's also at work in my in my life but he's also at work in my in my life but he's also at work in my life please understand just because some life please understand just because some life please understand just because some someone's present doesn't mean that someone's present doesn't mean that someone's present doesn't mean that they're involved that they're engaged they're involved that they're engaged they're involved that they're engaged work right but he is both present and work right but he is both present and work right but he is both present and involved present and engaged I love the involved present and engaged I love the involved present and engaged I love the passage where he sent the disciples out passage where he sent the disciples out passage where he sent the disciples out to preach the gospel into all the world to preach the gospel into all the world to preach the gospel into all the world and it says and the Lord worked with and it says and the Lord worked with and it says and the Lord worked with them with them with them with signs following it is a message that I signs following it is a message that I signs following it is a message that I spoke when I was at a Bishop TD Jake's spoke when I was at a Bishop TD Jake's spoke when I was at a Bishop TD Jake's leadership conference this past year leadership conference this past year leadership conference this past year and talked about the fact that God works and talked about the fact that God works and talked about the fact that God works with us how many are glad that he's with us how many are glad that he's with us how many are glad that he's working with you yeah yeah because we working with you yeah yeah because we working with you yeah yeah because we need some work turn your neighbor say need some work turn your neighbor say need some work turn your neighbor say he's talking about you

he's talking about you he's talking about you already yeah we need some work life is complex how many figured work life is complex how many figured that part that part that part out yeah life is complex it's it's a out yeah life is complex it's it's a out yeah life is complex it's it's a whole whole whole with a lot of complicated with a lot of complicated with a lot of complicated Parts it's a whole Parts it's a whole Parts it's a whole life but it's a hole with a lot of life but it's a hole with a lot of life but it's a hole with a lot of complicated Parts life is complex now is complicated Parts life is complex now is complicated Parts life is complex now is it me or is it cool in it me or is it cool in it me or is it cool in here see it depends on who you ask see the older you get the cooler it ask see the older you get the cooler it gets gets gets [Laughter] [Laughter] [Laughter] see now Elder Shaw got that hint he's on see now Elder Shaw got that hint he's on see now Elder Shaw got that hint he's on his his his way to warm it up a little bit for you way to warm it up a little bit for you way to warm it up a little bit for you we don't want it up Elder Shaw you see we don't want it up Elder Shaw you see we don't want it up Elder Shaw you see you you can't ask questions like that you you can't ask questions like that you you can't ask questions like that he's gone he's gone he's gone anyway yeah heat equals sleep so we try anyway yeah heat equals sleep so we try anyway yeah heat equals sleep so we try to keep it cool in to keep it cool in to keep it cool in here so that you stay awake and in here so that you stay awake and in here so that you stay awake and in tune life is tune life is tune life is complex and uh complex and uh complex and uh there's something called a focused there's something called a focused there's something called a focused response you just write that down response you just write that down response you just write that down focused response there are times when focused response there are times when focused response there are times when things need a very focused

things need a very focused things need a very focused response if you know that there's very response if you know that there's very response if you know that there's very specific area that's a problem in a specific area that's a problem in a specific area that's a problem in a relationship or in your business or in relationship or in your business or in relationship or in your business or in Ministry or in a Ministry or in a Ministry or in a project then you create what a focus project then you create what a focus project then you create what a focus focused focused focused response response response right a focused response must be right a focused response must be right a focused response must be deliberate concentrated action it has to be action it has to be targeted to a particular situation targeted to a particular situation targeted to a particular situation challenge or challenge or challenge or issue and a focused response implies issue and a focused response implies issue and a focused response implies that the response is going to be that the response is going to be that the response is going to be intentional strategic and it's going to resolve all of the and it's going to resolve all of the problem of a particular situation situation now with that said Adam and Eve sin and what is sin said Adam and Eve sin and what is sin I'm glad you asked sin and I'm going to simplify sin and I'm going to simplify this is this is this is essentially Rebellion against divine essentially Rebellion against divine essentially Rebellion against divine order and divine order and divine order and divine Authority I'll say it

again sin is essentially Rebellion again sin is essentially Rebellion against divine order and divine Authority we can get all yeah we won't Authority we can get all yeah we won't do that get into the manifestations of do that get into the manifestations of do that get into the manifestations of sin how sin manifest it manifested in a sin how sin manifest it manifested in a sin how sin manifest it manifested in a multiplicity of multiplicity of multiplicity of ways but ways but ways but essentially sin essentially sin essentially sin occurs when we break occurs when we break occurs when we break ranks with God's order in other words ranks with God's order in other words ranks with God's order in other words God ordered the universe when he created God ordered the universe when he created God ordered the universe when he created it he ordered it to be fruitful to it he ordered it to be fruitful to it he ordered it to be fruitful to function function function efficiently and effectively how many efficiently and effectively how many efficiently and effectively how many believe that not only did he order the believe that not only did he order the believe that not only did he order the physical world but he ordered Humanity physical world but he ordered Humanity physical world but he ordered Humanity yes to function in a certain way towards yes to function in a certain way towards yes to function in a certain way towards human flourishing when Adam and Eve human flourishing when Adam and Eve human flourishing when Adam and Eve sinned essentially they rebelled against sinned essentially they rebelled against sinned essentially they rebelled against his order of his order of his order of things they rebelled against his things they rebelled against his things they rebelled against his authority and within five chapters authority and within five chapters authority and within five chapters if Earth was filled with if Earth was filled with if Earth was filled with violence and the imaginations of men's violence and the imaginations of men's violence and the imaginations of men's Hearts were evil continually how many Hearts were evil continually how many Hearts were evil continually how many got that far in the Bible it's called got that far in the Bible it's called got that far in the Bible it's called Genesis the Genesis the Genesis the beginning the story of how it started beginning the story of how it started beginning the story of how it started and how it got messed

up up and as I think about God and I think and as I think about God and I think and as I think about God and I think about about about where Humanity landed as a result of sin and sin and how things have played how things have played how things have played out of course it resulted in one out of course it resulted in one out of course it resulted in one judgment which was the flood right and judgment which was the flood right and judgment which was the flood right and God spared a human God spared a human God spared a human family and then started things over again but as I thought about this I said again but as I thought about this I said okay okay okay if I were God and I don't want that if I were God and I don't want that if I were God and I don't want that job some people do you have no idea what job some people do you have no idea what job some people do you have no idea what you're asking for I would have to for I would have to respond to the problem of The Human respond to the problem of The Human respond to the problem of The Human Condition Humanity became Condition Humanity became Condition Humanity became broken and broken and broken and wounded wounded wounded right and and and a mixture a a paradox right and and and a mixture a a paradox right and and and a mixture a a paradox a contradiction life became both threat contradiction life became both threat and you know it and you know it and you know it promise right opportunity right opportunity and opposition opposition freedom and

responsibility life became a responsibility life became a a a a paradox because of the Human paradox because of the Human paradox because of the Human Condition so I'm thinking okay if God is Condition so I'm thinking okay if God is Condition so I'm thinking okay if God is going to respond to our going to respond to our going to respond to our condition and it has had thousands of condition and it has had thousands of condition and it has had thousands of years to play out War violence years to play out War violence years to play out War violence famine I mean on and on and on in terms famine I mean on and on and on in terms famine I mean on and on and on in terms of the ugliness of human society and yet of the ugliness of human society and yet of the ugliness of human society and yet the beauty the beauty the beauty yes God would have yes God would have yes God would have to have a to have a to have a focused focused focused response are you with me Amen in other response are you with me Amen in other response are you with me Amen in other words he'd have to be words he'd have to be words he'd have to be intentional intentional intentional strategic and directed toward resolving strategic and directed toward resolving strategic and directed toward resolving the issue once in for all done deal the issue once in for all done deal the issue once in for all done deal right he he he couldn't do something and right he he he couldn't do something and right he he he couldn't do something and then have to come back a few then have to come back a few then have to come back a few times what he did whatever he would do times what he did whatever he would do times what he did whatever he would do had to be had to be had to be decisive and complete yes and how do I decisive and complete yes and how do I decisive and complete yes and how do I know it was complete because the one he know it was complete because the one he know it was complete because the one he sent to do it said it is sent to do it said it is sent to do it said it is finished it is finished how many got finished it is finished how many got finished it is finished how many got that far in your Bible when Jesus that far in your Bible when Jesus that far in your Bible when Jesus said it is said it is said it is finished those words meant the response finished those words meant the response finished those words meant the response the necessary response to The Human

the necessary response to The Human the necessary response to The Human Condition was fulfilled it was satisfied Condition was fulfilled it was satisfied Condition was fulfilled it was satisfied in other words humans now have in other words humans now have in other words humans now have everything that they need walk with me need walk with me here they have everything that they here they have everything that they here they have everything that they need in response to their condition yes need in response to their condition yes need in response to their condition yes I'm going to try that one more time it's I'm going to try that one more time it's I'm going to try that one more time it's that maybe it's too early and it's that maybe it's too early and it's that maybe it's too early and it's Sunday on Sunday on Sunday on come on when he said it is finished how come on when he said it is finished how come on when he said it is finished how many believe that Jesus was God's many believe that Jesus was God's many believe that Jesus was God's response to a broken Fallen wounded response to a broken Fallen wounded response to a broken Fallen wounded Humanity he was God's response to some Humanity he was God's response to some Humanity he was God's response to some sick sick sick people we found the sick people J us how many of you believe that you see us how many of you believe that you see this is Central to our this is Central to our this is Central to our Christianity because because if we think Christianity because because if we think Christianity because because if we think that he's got to do that he's got to do that he's got to do more if he's got to do something more if he's got to do something more if he's got to do something else then he wasn't finished this is important this is finished this is important this is important yes because if we don't if we important yes because if we don't if we important yes because if we don't if we don't believe that everything you don't believe that everything you don't believe that everything you scripture says now are you scripture says now are you scripture says now are you complete in him yes meaning Jesus amen so God's response to The Human Condition

so God's response to The Human Condition had to be had to be had to be total it had to be strategic it had to total it had to be strategic it had to total it had to be strategic it had to be intentional it had to be be intentional it had to be be intentional it had to be complete it had to be everything we complete it had to be everything we complete it had to be everything we would need would need would need amen and Jesus says it is what come on amen and Jesus says it is what come on amen and Jesus says it is what come on he said what it is finished it's done he said what it is finished it's done he said what it is finished it's done everything that they everything that they everything that they need is need is need is done and I love it because not only did done and I love it because not only did done and I love it because not only did he completed on the he completed on the he completed on the cross rise from the dead came back to cross rise from the dead came back to cross rise from the dead came back to help us live help us live help us live it to help us work it out so get this Paradox life is complex out so get this Paradox life is complex right there is if we were were to make a right there is if we were were to make a right there is if we were were to make a list of life's complexity and I'm introducing this complexity and I'm introducing this today life is today life is today life is complex it's complex it's complex it's complicated if you don't believe me just complicated if you don't believe me just complicated if you don't believe me just keep living is biological living is biological complexity what do I mean by that we complexity what do I mean by that we complexity what do I mean by that we subject to the laws of

nature we are vulnerable to illness nature we are vulnerable to illness sickness and sickness and sickness and disease we subject to certain EXT internal things subject to certain EXT internal things in order to sustain Our Lives how many have ever heard the term Lives how many have ever heard the term when Nature when Nature when Nature Calls how many have ever Calls how many have ever Calls how many have ever [Laughter] [Laughter] [Laughter] refused you can't cuz even if you can't cuz even if you argue you're going to lose that argument but think about argument but think about it we're subject to that not only it we're subject to that not only it we're subject to that not only biological biological biological complexity there is make sure I spell it is make sure I spell it right there's psychological complexity how we think how we process complexity how we think how we process information all the influences that come information all the influences that come information all the influences that come into our mind how many have ever heard into our mind how many have ever heard into our mind how many have ever heard the battlefield is the the battlefield is the the battlefield is the mind and we've got a lot of focus on mind and we've got a lot of focus on mind and we've got a lot of focus on Mental Health in our Mental Health in our Mental Health in our nation and the

nation and the nation and the problems at one time in church you know problems at one time in church you know problems at one time in church you know we didn't we didn't deal with that we we we didn't we didn't deal with that we we we didn't we didn't deal with that we we wouldn't allow that to be a part of our wouldn't allow that to be a part of our wouldn't allow that to be a part of our conversation because because we felt conversation because because we felt conversation because because we felt well if you had mental problems you well if you had mental problems you well if you had mental problems you weren't having faith in God read the Bible there was some people God read the Bible there was some people in there who had a lot of faith in God in there who had a lot of faith in God in there who had a lot of faith in God in fact they're very close close to him in fact they're very close close to him in fact they're very close close to him while he was on the planet and they had while he was on the planet and they had while he was on the planet and they had some issues there issues there is social is social is social complexity we're social beings We Exist because of relationships beings We Exist because of relationships with other people and guess what with other people and guess what with other people and guess what relationships with other people is complicated a few of you still don't complicated a few of you still don't don't don't don't believe how many how many discovered believe how many how many discovered believe how many how many discovered that human that human that human relationships are complex they can be relationships are complex they can be relationships are complex they can be very complicated and think about it it it complicated and think about it it it they could be good today oh you all going to finish today oh you all going to finish preaching for preaching for preaching for [Applause] me could be family relationships me could be family relationships community community community neighborhood co-workers I mean on and on neighborhood co-workers I mean on and on neighborhood co-workers I mean on and on and on human relationships human and on human relationships human and on human relationships human interaction can be very

complicated their life is filled with complicated their life is filled with moral and ethical complexity sometimes you you you can get complexity sometimes you you you can get caught in trying to do what's caught in trying to do what's caught in trying to do what's right sometimes you you have a hard time right sometimes you you have a hard time right sometimes you you have a hard time figuring figuring figuring out what's right and what's wrong have out what's right and what's wrong have out what's right and what's wrong have you ever been faced with a situation you ever been faced with a situation you ever been faced with a situation where you're not sure where this where you're not sure where this where you're not sure where this falls on the scale of Good and Evil falls on the scale of Good and Evil falls on the scale of Good and Evil right and wrong conduct you cannot live life here on the conduct you cannot live life here on the planet without facing moral dilemma you get caught and and and dilemma you get caught and and and you're trying to figure out it's you're trying to figure out it's you're trying to figure out it's especially if you're a moral especially if you're a moral especially if you're a moral person if you're aoral but if you're a moral person if aoral but if you're a moral person if you believe that that that you know life you believe that that that you know life you believe that that that you know life is about right and wrong conduct there is about right and wrong conduct there is about right and wrong conduct there are times when you are faced with are times when you are faced with are times when you are faced with decisions that you have to ask am I decisions that you have to ask am I decisions that you have to ask am I doing the right thing here and as people of faith we pray we here and as people of faith we pray we we ask for God's help and of course we we ask for God's help and of course we we ask for God's help and of course we read the Bible because we want scripture read the Bible because we want scripture read the Bible because we want scripture to to inform us to guide us to to inform us to guide us to to inform us to guide us amen scripture is clear lean not to your

amen scripture is clear lean not to your amen scripture is clear lean not to your own understanding but trust in the Lord own understanding but trust in the Lord own understanding but trust in the Lord with all your with all your with all your heart turn to heart turn to heart turn to him there's spiritual complexity and that's that has to do with meaning and that's that has to do with meaning and and and purpose why am I here is this what I'm purpose why am I here is this what I'm purpose why am I here is this what I'm supposed to be supposed to be supposed to be doing how many have ever asked that doing how many have ever asked that doing how many have ever asked that question am I doing what I'm supposed to question am I doing what I'm supposed to question am I doing what I'm supposed to be doing here on this planet because be doing here on this planet because be doing here on this planet because we're we're wired in a way that we think we're we're wired in a way that we think we're we're wired in a way that we think transcendently we think about meaning transcendently we think about meaning transcendently we think about meaning and and and purpose and here's a big one purpose and here's a big one purpose and here's a big one the complexity of identity and boy are we wrestling identity and boy are we wrestling through that our children are wrestling through that our children are wrestling through that our children are wrestling through that adults are wrestling through that adults are wrestling through that adults are wrestling through that at every age and stage of through that at every age and stage of through that at every age and stage of life trying to figure out who am I it is a it's influencing polies policy I it is a it's influencing polies policy decisions decisions decisions legislation all because of the identity legislation all because of the identity legislation all because of the identity crisis that is common to all human crisis that is common to all human crisis that is common to all human beings but especially at a time like beings but especially at a time like beings but especially at a time like this that we're we we we've seen in our on and all we're trying to do is get

on and all we're trying to do is get home at the end of the home at the end of the home at the end of the day raise our children the right day raise our children the right day raise our children the right way have a good marriage have a happy way have a good marriage have a happy way have a good marriage have a happy life but all of this life but all of this life but all of this stuff is going stuff is going stuff is going on I shared with you that human on I shared with you that human on I shared with you that human existence is marked by paradoxes which existence is marked by paradoxes which existence is marked by paradoxes which are contradictions threat and promise are contradictions threat and promise are contradictions threat and promise opportunity and opposition freedom and opportunity and opposition freedom and opportunity and opposition freedom and responsibility joy and responsibility joy and responsibility joy and suffering love and loss loss meaning and of meaning and of meaning and of absurdity cuz some things can make a lot absurdity cuz some things can make a lot absurdity cuz some things can make a lot of sense and then other things like of sense and then other things like of sense and then other things like that's crazy as I prepare crazy as I prepare this I want you to know that attitude is everything everything attitude your disposition of mind your attitude your disposition of mind your attitude your disposition of mind your intellectual and emotional disposition intellectual and emotional disposition intellectual and emotional disposition is everything when it comes to dealing is everything when it comes to dealing is everything when it comes to dealing with the complexities of with the complexities of with the complexities of life it's everything I'm going to make a statement everything I'm going to make a statement you ready are you people criticize

people criticize God for God for God for putting thorns putting thorns putting thorns on roses how may you ever seen a rose roses how may you ever seen a rose yes in order to get to the Rose there yes in order to get to the Rose there yes in order to get to the Rose there are what th Thorns turn your neighbors are what th Thorns turn your neighbors are what th Thorns turn your neighbors say neighbor neighbor some people some say neighbor neighbor some people some say neighbor neighbor some people some people criticize God criticize God for people criticize God criticize God for people criticize God criticize God for putting thorns on roses he give you the rest of the roses he give you the rest of the statement statement statement while some while some while some people thank God for putting people thank God for putting people thank God for putting roses on perspective the Thorns represents the perspective the Thorns represents the the hardships the problems the the the hardships the problems the the the hardships the problems the the challenges the suffering and as the challenges the suffering and as the challenges the suffering and as the inevitable parts of inevitable parts of inevitable parts of life even in situations life even in situations life even in situations that seem otherwise beautiful and that seem otherwise beautiful and that seem otherwise beautiful and positive the positive the positive the Thorns are Thorns are Thorns are there and of course the roses represent there and of course the roses represent there and of course the roses represent the beauty the fragrance the blessings the beauty the fragrance the blessings the beauty the fragrance the blessings in in in life despite the existence of hardships turn to your neighbor say hardships turn to your neighbor say neighbor which one are you

do you complain and criticize God for do you complain and criticize God for putting thorns on putting thorns on putting thorns on roses or do you thank Roses what do you focus on the Roses what do you focus on the Thorns or the Roses because that will determine your because that will determine your attitude and attitude determines attitude and attitude determines attitude and attitude determines success or success or success or failure life is failure life is failure life is complex but having the right complex but having the right complex but having the right attitude is critical you can be a fragrance in Life critical you can be a fragrance in Life or an odor and people with a bad attitude ude odor and people with a bad attitude ude I call that an something you want to get away from something you want to get away from it I'm just it I'm just it I'm just saying amen amen I think God wants us to be thankful amen I think God wants us to be thankful in everything in all in everything in all in everything in all things give thanks than notice the text things give thanks than notice the text things give thanks than notice the text it doesn't say for all things it says in

it doesn't say for all things it says in it doesn't say for all things it says in all things give thanks cuz there things all things give thanks cuz there things all things give thanks cuz there things I'm not thankful I'm not thankful I'm not thankful for but I can be thankful for but I can be thankful for but I can be thankful in while I'm dealing with it while I'm in while I'm dealing with it while I'm in while I'm dealing with it while I'm going through with it because God is going through with it because God is going through with it because God is present I want to talk to you about how present I want to talk to you about how present I want to talk to you about how do we do we do we navigate the navigate the navigate the complexities of Life can we have this conversation essentially the purpose of conversation essentially the purpose of the law of Moses was to the law of Moses was to the law of Moses was to regulate human behavior in relationship regulate human behavior in relationship regulate human behavior in relationship to God and to each other I'm going say to God and to each other I'm going say to God and to each other I'm going say that again essentially the law of that again essentially the law of that again essentially the law of Moses was about regulating human Moses was about regulating human Moses was about regulating human behavior in relationship to God and to behavior in relationship to God and to behavior in relationship to God and to Moses that's why you may see some things Moses that's why you may see some things Moses that's why you may see some things in the law of in the law of in the law of Moses that you have to be careful how Moses that you have to be careful how Moses that you have to be careful how you interpret because the law of Moses you interpret because the law of Moses you interpret because the law of Moses has regulations concerning has regulations concerning has regulations concerning slavery that doesn't mean that God slavery that doesn't mean that God slavery that doesn't mean that God endorsed endorsed endorsed slavery it meant it was common to the slavery it meant it was common to the slavery it meant it was common to the social construct of the time that he was social construct of the time that he was social construct of the time that he was giving the law to the children of giving the law to the children of giving the law to the children of Israel and he regulated it in a way so Israel and he regulated it in a way so Israel and he regulated it in a way so that it would not be harsh and violent that it would not be harsh and violent that it would not be harsh and violent and disrespectful of the life and

and disrespectful of the life and and disrespectful of the life and dignity of the human person I hope you heard what I just said person I hope you heard what I just said because there are those who will point because there are those who will point because there are those who will point to that and say see God is not against to that and say see God is not against to that and say see God is not against slavery he had laws for slavery no slavery he had laws for slavery no slavery he had laws for slavery no that's what is called a concession that's what is called a concession that's what is called a concession because of people wow it's like wow it's like when Jesus was talking about when Jesus was talking about when Jesus was talking about marriage and they had brought up the marriage and they had brought up the marriage and they had brought up the issue of issue of issue of divorce and what did Jesus say to them divorce and what did Jesus say to them divorce and what did Jesus say to them he said have you not read in the he said have you not read in the he said have you not read in the beginning God made male and female said beginning God made male and female said beginning God made male and female said for this cause shall a man leave his for this cause shall a man leave his for this cause shall a man leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife mother and father and cleave to his wife mother and father and cleave to his wife and the two shall become one and they and the two shall become one and they and the two shall become one and they responded well why did Moses give a responded well why did Moses give a responded well why did Moses give a writing of writing of writing of divorcement and Jesus said because of divorcement and Jesus said because of divorcement and Jesus said because of the hardness of your heart because of because of your poor spiritual understanding God gave a concession but understanding God gave a concession but in the beginning it was not so in other in the beginning it was not so in other in the beginning it was not so in other words it was never the words it was never the words it was never the intention so you will find from time to intention so you will find from time to intention so you will find from time to time where God will regulate something time where God will regulate something time where God will regulate something because of the context in which it's because of the context in which it's because of the context in which it's being experienced being experienced being experienced the purpose essentially of the law of the purpose essentially of the law of the purpose essentially of the law of Moses was to regulate their behavior Moses was to regulate their behavior Moses was to regulate their behavior towards God and towards each other all

towards God and towards each other all towards God and towards each other all with the objective of moving them in the with the objective of moving them in the with the objective of moving them in the direction of human direction of human direction of human flourishing when Jesus was asked well flourishing when Jesus was asked well flourishing when Jesus was asked well what's the greatest commandment there's what's the greatest commandment there's what's the greatest commandment there's 613 of them what's the greatest 613 of them what's the greatest 613 of them what's the greatest commandment they were asking him to sum commandment they were asking him to sum commandment they were asking him to sum them all up because if he would have them all up because if he would have them all up because if he would have chosen one over the other they would chosen one over the other they would chosen one over the other they would have argued with him right but he have argued with him right but he have argued with him right but he brilliantly of course how many know God brilliantly of course how many know God brilliantly of course how many know God is brilliant he brilliantly said love is brilliant he brilliantly said love is brilliant he brilliantly said love God with all your heart soul mind and God with all your heart soul mind and God with all your heart soul mind and strength love your neighbor as yourself strength love your neighbor as yourself strength love your neighbor as yourself vertical and horizontal he covered them vertical and horizontal he covered them vertical and horizontal he covered them both and he said upon these hang all the both and he said upon these hang all the both and he said upon these hang all the law and the prophets if you fulfill law and the prophets if you fulfill law and the prophets if you fulfill these two you have fulfilled all these two you have fulfilled all these two you have fulfilled all 613 which mean intrinsic in each of the 613 which mean intrinsic in each of the 613 which mean intrinsic in each of the 613 is one word and this is where I wanted to get word and this is where I wanted to get you to you to you to today human today human today human complexity broken complexity broken complexity broken wounded violence anger war in wounded violence anger war in wounded violence anger war in fact what we see in our society is a fact what we see in our society is a fact what we see in our society is a violence and aggression that's rooted in violence and aggression that's rooted in violence and aggression that's rooted in alienation from God alienation from God alienation from God that's why God was in Christ that's why God was in Christ that's why God was in Christ reconciling are y'all with me the world reconciling are y'all with me the world reconciling are y'all with me the world unto himself why because the break and

unto himself why because the break and unto himself why because the break and the alienation resulted in all of the the alienation resulted in all of the the alienation resulted in all of the stuff that we see going on in human stuff that we see going on in human stuff that we see going on in human society so how do you fix that bring society so how do you fix that bring society so how do you fix that bring them back them back them back reconnect if the break caus all the reconnect if the break caus all the reconnect if the break caus all the problems then the answer is what reconnecting and I love the text John reconnecting and I love the text John 3:16 so you now know what what verse 3:16 so you now know what what verse 3:16 so you now know what what verse I've been meditating on for God I've been meditating on for God I've been meditating on for God so I can't hear so I can't hear so I can't hear you God so loved the world that he gave you God so loved the world that he gave you God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son I stood back and I his only begotten son I stood back and I his only begotten son I stood back and I said whoa wait a minute you mean to tell said whoa wait a minute you mean to tell said whoa wait a minute you mean to tell me the focused response the Strategic me the focused response the Strategic me the focused response the Strategic intentional TG Ed response to The Human intentional TG Ed response to The Human intentional TG Ed response to The Human Condition is this that was God's decision all they this that was God's decision all they need is and look at some of the doubters like is and look at some of the doubters like wait what if God is all knowing and all what if God is all knowing and all powerful especially all knowing right powerful especially all knowing right powerful especially all knowing right that he knows exactly what we need to that he knows exactly what we need to that he knows exactly what we need to solve The Human Condition and I cannot tell you how many Condition and I cannot tell you how many stories I've encountered where someone

stories I've encountered where someone stories I've encountered where someone has experienced genuine has experienced genuine has experienced genuine authentic authentic authentic love and it lifted them love and it lifted them love and it lifted them out of the struggles that they were out of the struggles that they were out of the struggles that they were going going going through I was at Union Theological through I was at Union Theological through I was at Union Theological Seminary to visit a dear friend who was Seminary to visit a dear friend who was Seminary to visit a dear friend who was speaking speaking speaking Professor Cornell West invited me said Professor Cornell West invited me said Professor Cornell West invited me said come on up I want you to hear him speak come on up I want you to hear him speak come on up I want you to hear him speak now you know you even know Dr westes now you know you even know Dr westes now you know you even know Dr westes he's out there he's out there he's out there but but a brilliant mind a brilliant but but a brilliant mind a brilliant but but a brilliant mind a brilliant man but he opened up his talk he said he man but he opened up his talk he said he man but he opened up his talk he said he said he said this he said we said he said this he said we said he said this he said we suffer suffer suffer from an inability to from an inability to from an inability to love and be loved love and be loved love and be loved that's deep that's deep that's deep folks if love is the answer and we folks if love is the answer and we folks if love is the answer and we suffer from an inability to love and be suffer from an inability to love and be suffer from an inability to love and be love then the answer is going to have to love then the answer is going to have to love then the answer is going to have to get through get through get through that in order to reach us to heal us cuz if I suffer from an inability to us cuz if I suffer from an inability to be loved it means that when love shows be loved it means that when love shows be loved it means that when love shows St I may reject St I may reject St I may reject it wait wait what are you it wait wait what are you it wait wait what are you doing stop doing stop doing stop that I'm telling you someone can love that I'm telling you someone can love that I'm telling you someone can love you authentically and genuinely and it

you authentically and genuinely and it you authentically and genuinely and it can scare you because you don't know how can scare you because you don't know how can scare you because you don't know how to handle it you don't know how to to handle it you don't know how to to handle it you don't know how to respond to it because something foreign respond to it because something foreign respond to it because something foreign is coming at you and the crazy thing is coming at you and the crazy thing is coming at you and the crazy thing here's a paradox I told you a here's a paradox I told you a here's a paradox I told you a contradiction the very thing that you contradiction the very thing that you contradiction the very thing that you are rejecting is the very thing that are rejecting is the very thing that are rejecting is the very thing that you're looking for what so if he boil it all down to this what so if he boil it all down to this then maybe there's some things about then maybe there's some things about then maybe there's some things about this that I don't understand and I began to explore it understand and I began to explore it in a different way and it blew me away 1 in a different way and it blew me away 1 in a different way and it blew me away 1 Corinthians chapter thing first Corinthians 1 Corinthians thing first Corinthians 1 Corinthians chapter chapter chapter [Music] [Music] [Music] 13 thank you for your permission thank 13 thank you for your permission thank 13 thank you for your permission thank you are you are you there verse four love is patient and there verse four love is patient and there verse four love is patient and kind love is not jealous or boastful or

kind love is not jealous or boastful or kind love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude it does not demand its own proud or rude it does not demand its own proud or rude it does not demand its own way I'm reading from the New Living way I'm reading from the New Living way I'm reading from the New Living Translation it is not irritable and it Translation it is not irritable and it Translation it is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wronged it does keeps no record of being wronged it does keeps no record of being wronged it does not rejoice about Injustice but rejoices not rejoice about Injustice but rejoices not rejoice about Injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out verse seven whenever the truth wins out verse seven whenever the truth wins out verse seven I want you to pay attention to verse S I want you to pay attention to verse S I want you to pay attention to verse S love never gives up never loses faith is love never gives up never loses faith is love never gives up never loses faith is always hopeful and I want you to capture always hopeful and I want you to capture always hopeful and I want you to capture this part here this part here this part here love love love endures through endures through endures through every every every circumstance wait a minute if the complexities of minute if the complexities of Life trouble us and challenge Life trouble us and challenge Life trouble us and challenge us but love is endures through all of us but love is endures through all of us but love is endures through all of those those those challenges then maybe love is the only challenges then maybe love is the only challenges then maybe love is the only thing that I thing that I thing that I have in order to successfully have in order to successfully have in order to successfully navigate the navigate the navigate the complexities of turn your neighbor say neighbor neighbor turn your neighbor say neighbor neighbor love endures love end through love endures love end through love endures love end through every every I said every circumstance every every I said every circumstance every every I said every circumstance circumstance is that

circumstance is that circumstance is that [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] possible you mean no matter what I'm possible you mean no matter what I'm possible you mean no matter what I'm challenged with no matter what I'm going challenged with no matter what I'm going challenged with no matter what I'm going through no matter what complexity I may through no matter what complexity I may through no matter what complexity I may be dealing with in the lists of complex be dealing with in the lists of complex be dealing with in the lists of complex ities of it you mean it you mean love can successfully navigate the love can successfully navigate the love can successfully navigate the complexities of life and the answer According To life and the answer According To Jesus is Jesus is Jesus is yes so what do I need to know about love as I as I navigate navigate navigate life I'm glad you ask these questions life I'm glad you ask these questions life I'm glad you ask these questions today CU I want so badly to tell today CU I want so badly to tell today CU I want so badly to tell you to go through my you to go through my you to go through my notes and share with you what I notes and share with you what I notes and share with you what I discovered that challenge me that that discovered that challenge me that that discovered that challenge me that that that that with such profound simplicity this is where I land that this is what this is where I land that this is what can change it all that this is what was can change it all that this is what was can change it all that this is what was finished that this was God's finished that this was God's finished that this was God's brilliant

brilliant brilliant response to a fallen broken wounded response to a fallen broken wounded response to a fallen broken wounded humanity and guess what humans don't humanity and guess what humans don't humanity and guess what humans don't believe and and inability to inability to inability to love and love and love and to be to be to be loved we loved we loved we struggle we're so negative by Nature struggle we're so negative by Nature struggle we're so negative by Nature because of our fallen Human Condition because of our fallen Human Condition because of our fallen Human Condition but even when someone genuinely loves us but even when someone genuinely loves us but even when someone genuinely loves us they're suspect oh come on suspect oh come on on somebody comes on I just love on somebody comes on I just love on somebody comes on I just love you say what you've heard me teach this for what you've heard me teach this for years when you go through relationships years when you go through relationships years when you go through relationships relationships have to go through a relationships have to go through a relationships have to go through a process introduction acquaintance process introduction acquaintance process introduction acquaintance building a friendship and then you get building a friendship and then you get building a friendship and then you get to levels of intimacy within a certain to levels of intimacy within a certain to levels of intimacy within a certain context but if you don't go through the context but if you don't go through the context but if you don't go through the process the process is to protect you process the process is to protect you process the process is to protect you the process is to help you find out if the process is to help you find out if the process is to help you find out if that person really does do but we're do but we're Suspect come on isn't it

Suspect come on isn't it Suspect come on isn't it true the first thing we think of is what true the first thing we think of is what true the first thing we think of is what do they want I love my kids and my grandkids but want I love my kids and my grandkids but when they call when they call when they call [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] me especially after they tell me they me especially after they tell me they love love love me I just love you me I just love you me I just love you Papa I know something's coming I just Papa I know something's coming I just Papa I know something's coming I just can feel it which goes to show how we use this it which goes to show how we use this and abuse It It Love Actually empowers you to Love Actually empowers you to Love Actually empowers you to deal with the deal with the deal with the complexities of Life all aspects all circumstances Life all aspects all circumstances because it love because it love because it love endures through every endures through every endures through every circumstance and I'm tell you when you circumstance and I'm tell you when you circumstance and I'm tell you when you begin to adjust your lens and you think begin to adjust your lens and you think begin to adjust your lens and you think that Way Through The Eyes Of Love that Way Through The Eyes Of Love that Way Through The Eyes Of Love Everything Everything Everything Changes Everything Changes but it's Changes Everything Changes but it's Changes Everything Changes but it's challenging folks it's not challenging folks it's not challenging folks it's not easy I think about God who expresses easy I think about God who expresses easy I think about God who expresses emotion even though he's not emotional

emotion even though he's not emotional emotion even though he's not emotional and for it to say for God so loved the and for it to say for God so loved the and for it to say for God so loved the world I can world I can world I can imagine myself in that position that's imagine myself in that position that's imagine myself in that position that's not easy not easy not easy when you look at the world when you look when you look at the world when you look when you look at the world when you look at at at people their drives their Ambitions people their drives their Ambitions people their drives their Ambitions their fears their concerns on and on and their fears their concerns on and on and their fears their concerns on and on and on you know and then Jesus says love on you know and then Jesus says love on you know and then Jesus says love your enemy wait what I'm having a hard time loving my what I'm having a hard time loving my friends and you going to throw my friends and you going to throw my friends and you going to throw my enemies in the mix and boy can you imagine if that word mix and boy can you imagine if that word ruled everything we did we said we ruled everything we did we said we ruled everything we did we said we thought we thought we thought we experienced are we respond and boy we missing that in our respond and boy we missing that in our society and when I say worship I'm talking about and when I say worship I'm talking about what you're devoted what you're devoted what you're devoted to what you to what you to what you worship you're worship you're worship you're prioritized and there's a lot that we prioritized and there's a lot that we prioritized and there's a lot that we worship that has higher priority than worship that has higher priority than worship that has higher priority than this yeah re yeah preacher yes Pastor this yeah re yeah preacher yes Pastor this yeah re yeah preacher yes Pastor love we got to love love love love love

love we got to love love love love love love we got to love love love love love we'll get to that and until you get to that all the other and until you get to that all the other things that you're trying to deal with things that you're trying to deal with things that you're trying to deal with are going to be are going to be are going to be unsuccessful or the success unsuccessful or the success unsuccessful or the success shortlived I'm grateful that Jesus shortlived I'm grateful that Jesus shortlived I'm grateful that Jesus created something called The Church a created something called The Church a created something called The Church a community in which we can practice and community in which we can practice and community in which we can practice and learn how to because at least we all agree that he to because at least we all agree that he is is is foundational as God's response to The foundational as God's response to The foundational as God's response to The Human Condition yes amen we're going to Human Condition yes amen we're going to Human Condition yes amen we're going to explore explore explore this unpack this unpack this unpack it and learn how to walk in [Applause] [Applause] it and make some surprising discoveries it and make some surprising discoveries it and make some surprising discoveries said reev no no no people don't need said reev no no no people don't need said reev no no no people don't need love they need the truth cuz the truth love they need the truth cuz the truth love they need the truth cuz the truth will set them free Hallelujah but if they read a little further but if they read a little further they'll discover that the truth Works through that's why truth alone didn't through that's why truth alone didn't come by Jesus Christ but Grace and Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ was Truth came by Jesus Christ was Truth came by Jesus Christ was love I thought about my grandchildren love I thought about my grandchildren love I thought about my grandchildren and my

and my and my children and I realized that I raised my children and I realized that I raised my children and I realized that I raised my sons under the sons under the sons under the law and I'm raising my law and I'm raising my law and I'm raising my grandchildren under complaining about complaining about Grace turn to your neighbor say neighbor Grace turn to your neighbor say neighbor Grace turn to your neighbor say neighbor neighbor he just finished the neighbor he just finished the neighbor he just finished the introduction did you get anything out of introduction did you get anything out of introduction did you get anything out of that today life is life is complex but love can decomplex it I just complex but love can decomplex it I just complex but love can decomplex it I just made up a new word I made up a new word I made up a new word I [Laughter] [Laughter] [Laughter] think but I'm not talking about human think but I'm not talking about human think but I'm not talking about human love I'm talking about God's love I'm talking about God's love I'm talking about God's love when that love is effectually at love when that love is effectually at love when that love is effectually at work in us it's amazing and I will tell work in us it's amazing and I will tell work in us it's amazing and I will tell you as I as I at this stage and season you as I as I at this stage and season you as I as I at this stage and season of my spiritual growth and development of my spiritual growth and development of my spiritual growth and development and and and Leadership that word has come into play Leadership that word has come into play Leadership that word has come into play more often but at the same time I become more often but at the same time I become more often but at the same time I become more more more aware of how aware of how aware of how judgmental harsh judgmental harsh judgmental harsh Pharisee Pharisee Pharisee legalistic many Christians

are and they wonder why they are are and they wonder why they are struggling in their own lives and struggling in their own lives and struggling in their own lives and relationship with relationship with relationship with Jesus love begets more Jesus love begets more Jesus love begets more [Music] [Music] [Music] love and that's the place that I want to love and that's the place that I want to love and that's the place that I want to walk walk walk in that's where I want to in that's where I want to in that's where I want to be thank you for be thank you for be thank you for [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] listening now I bring the fire to the listening now I bring the fire to the love God and I do love you I love you love God and I do love you I love you love God and I do love you I love you too I believe thank too I believe thank too I believe thank you you you my prayer Minister Pastor Karen and I I my prayer Minister Pastor Karen and I I my prayer Minister Pastor Karen and I I say it again and again for say it again and again for say it again and again for 44 44 44 years she years she years she Faithfully prayed for my wife and I Faithfully prayed for my wife and I Faithfully prayed for my wife and I thank you thank you Pastor it's so good to Pastor it's so good to know that we have a word in know that we have a word in know that we have a word in season that tells and instructs us how season that tells and instructs us how season that tells and instructs us how to to to navigate through the complexities of and if you have not made a decision

and if you have not made a decision today to today to today to embrace the person who is love today is embrace the person who is love today is embrace the person who is love today is a good a good a good [Music] relationship today with love relationship today with love that will help you navigate through that will help you navigate through that will help you navigate through every complexity through every up every complexity through every up every complexity through every up through every down through every disappointment God wants you to know I disappointment God wants you to know I can love you through Christ the one who is Christ the one who is love and the pardon of your sins it is a love and the pardon of your sins it is a love and the pardon of your sins it is a good good good day to become in become in relationship with the man Jesus and I want you to know this is a Jesus and I want you to know this is a good time for you to say yes to love yes good time for you to say yes to love yes good time for you to say yes to love yes to his will his plan and his purpose for to his will his plan and his purpose for to his will his plan and his purpose for you so if I'm talking to you and you've you so if I'm talking to you and you've you so if I'm talking to you and you've allowed hurt allowed hurt allowed hurt disappointment disappointment disappointment [Music]

[Music] [Music] misunderstanding to literally misunderstanding to literally misunderstanding to literally Cloud your Cloud your Cloud your judgment literally Blindside you and judgment literally Blindside you and judgment literally Blindside you and cause you to walk in anything other than cause you to walk in anything other than cause you to walk in anything other than love I'm offering you an love I'm offering you an love I'm offering you an opportunity to get it right opportunity to get it right opportunity to get it right and begin to walk in and begin to walk in and begin to walk in love and that is if you want to accept love and that is if you want to accept love and that is if you want to accept Jesus Christ Jesus Christ Jesus Christ today as your personal Lord and Savior I today as your personal Lord and Savior I today as your personal Lord and Savior I want you to stand to your feet and come want you to stand to your feet and come want you to stand to your feet and come to this altar right now and I'm going to to this altar right now and I'm going to to this altar right now and I'm going to pray with pray with pray with you we're going to get it right we are going to allow the Lord God right we are going to allow the Lord God him him him s to empower s to empower s to empower us with his us with his us with his love that can help us to love the love that can help us to love the love that can help us to love the unlovable that will help us to unlovable that will help us to unlovable that will help us to literally walk away from those things literally walk away from those things literally walk away from those things that hurt us those people that wronged that hurt us those people that wronged that hurt us those people that wronged us and then we can just love the hell us and then we can just love the hell us and then we can just love the hell out of them about so I'm talking to you you're about so I'm talking to you you're coming and as they're coming we want to

coming and as they're coming we want to coming and as they're coming we want to pray that God would not only pray that God would not only pray that God would not only touch but touch but touch but [Music] [Music] [Music] deliver family members friends because when you walk in friends because when you walk in anything other than love the door is anything other than love the door is anything other than love the door is open for sickness and disease when you walk in anything other disease when you walk in anything other than love the enemy captivates your than love the enemy captivates your than love the enemy captivates your mind and distracts mind and distracts mind and distracts you from becoming everything that God you from becoming everything that God you from becoming everything that God would have you to would have you to would have you to become I for you for me I love thank God become I for you for me I love thank God become I for you for me I love thank God for those that are coming and those of for those that are coming and those of for those that are coming and those of you who are online you who are online you who are online viewing I want you to know if you walked viewing I want you to know if you walked viewing I want you to know if you walked away from Love And if you away from Love And if you away from Love And if you have held something in your heart have held something in your heart have held something in your heart because of hurt because of because of hurt because of because of hurt because of disappointment today is a good disappointment today is a good disappointment today is a good day to release it turning the day to release it turning the day to release it turning the loose so if I'm talking to you type in loose so if I'm talking to you type in loose so if I'm talking to you type in the chat there's a number on the screen the chat there's a number on the screen the chat there's a number on the screen you can text or you can call and you you can text or you can call and you you can text or you can call and you want to say I'm coming back home or I'm want to say I'm coming back home or I'm want to say I'm coming back home or I'm walking out walking out walking out of disappointment and hurt into

of disappointment and hurt into of disappointment and hurt into [Music] [Music] [Music] love those of you who are in the sanctuary I just want you to repeat sanctuary I just want you to repeat something after me as you're coming something after me as you're coming something after me as you're coming I want you to lay aside every I want you to lay aside every I want you to lay aside every weight and the weight and the weight and the SC that have hurt you and Disturbed and SC that have hurt you and Disturbed and SC that have hurt you and Disturbed and robbed your robbed your robbed your peace today is the peace today is the peace today is the day you going to allow day you going to allow day you going to allow love to take over and take charge congregation just repeat it with charge congregation just repeat it with me on with them dear Jesus dear Jesus me on with them dear Jesus dear Jesus me on with them dear Jesus dear Jesus today today I make a today today I make a today today I make a decision Deion and that is that is to decision Deion and that is that is to decision Deion and that is that is to walk to Walk in love in love I know I walk to Walk in love in love I know I walk to Walk in love in love I know I know that I have not that I have not know that I have not that I have not know that I have not that I have not been been obedient obedient to your will been been obedient obedient to your will been been obedient obedient to your will to your will and your plan and your plan to your will and your plan and your plan to your will and your plan and your plan for my life for my life but today but for my life for my life but today but for my life for my life but today but today I make a decision I make a today I make a decision I make a today I make a decision I make a decision and that decision is that decision and that decision is that decision and that decision is that decision is to fall in love fall in love decision is to fall in love fall in love decision is to fall in love fall in love with you with you all over all over with you with you all over all over with you with you all over all over again again I denounce I denounce my

again again I denounce I denounce my again again I denounce I denounce my plan my plan I denounce I denounce the plan my plan I denounce I denounce the plan my plan I denounce I denounce the provision the provision that I have made provision the provision that I have made provision the provision that I have made that I have made and I embrace I embrace that I have made and I embrace I embrace that I have made and I embrace I embrace you you today today as my Lord as my you you today today as my Lord as my you you today today as my Lord as my Lord and Savior Andi and I thank you and Lord and Savior Andi and I thank you and Lord and Savior Andi and I thank you and I thank you for loving me for loving me I thank you for loving me for loving me I thank you for loving me for loving me I thank you I thank you for caring for I thank you I thank you for caring for I thank you I thank you for caring for me caring for me in Jesus name in Jesus me caring for me in Jesus name in Jesus me caring for me in Jesus name in Jesus [Music] [Music] [Music] amen let's praise God for them amen let's praise God for them amen let's praise God for them family those of you online type in the family those of you online type in the family those of you online type in the chat I can't came home I fell in love chat I can't came home I fell in love chat I can't came home I fell in love with with with Jesus congregation let's welcome them to Jesus congregation let's welcome them to Jesus congregation let's welcome them to the body of Christ the body of Christ the body of Christ Hallelujah glory to the name of God if you are in agreement with God if you are in agreement with this I want you to get into a church this I want you to get into a church this I want you to get into a church family return home to where God has family return home to where God has family return home to where God has rooted you grounded you and planted you rooted you grounded you and planted you rooted you grounded you and planted you get a get a get a Bible that you can read read God's Bible that you can read read God's Bible that you can read read God's word John is a great book to start for word John is a great book to start for word John is a great book to start for God so loved the world that you and I

God so loved the world that you and I God so loved the world that you and I that he that he that he gave whatever you need today you can gave whatever you need today you can gave whatever you need today you can find it in the word get into a church find it in the word get into a church find it in the word get into a church family that will help you grow mature family that will help you grow mature family that will help you grow mature and develop and become everything that and develop and become everything that and develop and become everything that God would have you to become welcome to God would have you to become welcome to God would have you to become welcome to the family of God let's welcome them as the family of God let's welcome them as the family of God let's welcome them as they return to their they return to their they return to their [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] seats praise God hallelujah we thank God for the addition hallelujah we thank God for the addition to the body of Christ let's give them to the body of Christ let's give them to the body of Christ let's give them another hand as you stand to your feet another hand as you stand to your feet another hand as you stand to your feet Glory Hallelujah we thank you Holy Spirit father God right now in the name Spirit father God right now in the name of Jesus we glorify your name we magnify of Jesus we glorify your name we magnify of Jesus we glorify your name we magnify you we thank you for loving us so much you we thank you for loving us so much you we thank you for loving us so much that you that you that you gave and father because you loved gave and father because you loved gave and father because you loved us and you gave us the opportunity to us and you gave us the opportunity to us and you gave us the opportunity to love cause us to walk in your love on a love cause us to walk in your love on a love cause us to walk in your love on a daytoday basis even when The Hil hounds daytoday basis even when The Hil hounds daytoday basis even when The Hil hounds are acting up give us to walk in are acting up give us to walk in are acting up give us to walk in love and as we do that continue to love and as we do that continue to love and as we do that continue to strengthen us help us to navigate

strengthen us help us to navigate strengthen us help us to navigate through the complexities of Life Through through the complexities of Life Through through the complexities of Life Through Your Love we ask this and we believe it Your Love we ask this and we believe it Your Love we ask this and we believe it and we call it done in Jesus name and we call it done in Jesus name and we call it done in Jesus name amen if you're in agreement say amen if you're in agreement say amen if you're in agreement say Amen now let's say something good full Amen now let's say something good full Amen now let's say something good full of faith and power Jesus is of faith and power Jesus is of faith and power Jesus is Lord we believe it s it come to Lord we believe it s it come to Lord we believe it s it come to pass family thank you so much for pass family thank you so much for pass family thank you so much for watching ccc's YouTube channel if you watching ccc's YouTube channel if you watching ccc's YouTube channel if you feel what you just experienced impacted feel what you just experienced impacted feel what you just experienced impacted your life in any way we encourage you to your life in any way we encourage you to your life in any way we encourage you to like subscribe and share this video with like subscribe and share this video with like 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 www what's happening here at CCC visit www what's happening here at CCC visit www cccinfo.org we hope to see you next cccinfo.org we hope to see you next 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