The Surprising Way to Find Your Purpose | Matthew 9:35–38

>> Hey, I'm Chuck. >> Hey, I'm Chuck. >> I'm Chris. [music] >> I'm Chris. [music] >> I'm Chris. [music] >> I'm Danny. >> I'm Danny. >> I'm Danny. >> I'm Ish. >> I'm Ish. >> I'm Ish. >> I I just this is one of the most moving >> I I just this is one of the most moving >> I I just this is one of the most moving things Jesus says to me because he looks things Jesus says to me because he looks things Jesus says to me because he looks at the crowd and you see his heart for at the crowd and you see his heart for at the crowd and you see his heart for people, right? people, right? people, right? >> Jesus looks at the crowd of people and >> Jesus looks at the crowd of people and >> Jesus looks at the crowd of people and he says they're harassed, helpless like he says they're harassed, helpless like he says they're harassed, helpless like sheep without a shepherd. That's what sheep without a shepherd. That's what sheep without a shepherd. That's what the Bible says he sees. [clears throat] the Bible says he sees. [clears throat] the Bible says he sees. [clears throat] >> And then he does the surprising thing of >> And then he does the surprising thing of >> And then he does the surprising thing of not trying to fix it all himself not trying to fix it all himself not trying to fix it all himself but looking at the ragtag 12, 20, but looking at the ragtag 12, 20, but looking at the ragtag 12, 20, however with him group of people saying, however with him group of people saying, however with him group of people saying, "Hey, I've called you to do this." So, "Hey, I've called you to do this." So, "Hey, I've called you to do this." So, I'm going to tell you I have a pet I'm going to tell you I have a pet I'm going to tell you I have a pet peeve. And so, if you've done this to me peeve. And so, if you've done this to me peeve. And so, if you've done this to me at Crossroads or you said this to me at at Crossroads or you said this to me at at Crossroads or you said this to me at Crossroads, hopefully I've corrected you Crossroads, hopefully I've corrected you Crossroads, hopefully I've corrected you cuz it is a pet peeve of mine. It really cuz it is a pet peeve of mine. It really cuz it is a pet peeve of mine. It really is. is. is. >> Uh-oh. >> Uh-oh. >> Uh-oh. >> When someone comes to me >> When someone comes to me >> When someone comes to me and they're a part of our church, you and they're a part of our church, you and they're a part of our church, you are a part of Crossroads and the first are a part of Crossroads and the first are a part of Crossroads and the first thing you say is, "Aw, man, you guys do thing you say is, "Aw, man, you guys do thing you say is, "Aw, man, you guys do such a great job." I'm like, "Whoa, such a great job." I'm like, "Whoa, such a great job." I'm like, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Who is you guys? whoa, whoa, whoa. Who is you guys? whoa, whoa, whoa. Who is you guys? Who is you guys? The church is us. And Who is you guys? The church is us. And Who is you guys? The church is us. And so, unless you just showed up for the so, unless you just showed up for the so, unless you just showed up for the first time, if you if it's your first first time, if you if it's your first first time, if you if it's your first weekend then great, you get to say you weekend then great, you get to say you weekend then great, you get to say you guys cuz you may not feel like you're a guys cuz you may not feel like you're a guys cuz you may not feel like you're a part of it. But if you serve in Kids part of it. But if you serve in Kids part of it. But if you serve in Kids Club, if you help park cars that day, if Club, if you help park cars that day, if Club, if you help park cars that day, if you serve with students, if you help you serve with students, if you help you serve with students, if you help with camps, if you have any role on our with camps, if you have any role on our with camps, if you have any role on our prayer team, you are you guys. You guys prayer team, you are you guys. You guys prayer team, you are you guys. You guys is not something that exists. And so, is not something that exists. And so, is not something that exists. And so, anyway, I just get real passionate about anyway, I just get real passionate about anyway, I just get real passionate about that because that because that because we are the church.

we are the church. we are the church. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> And Jesus makes that abundantly clear. >> And Jesus makes that abundantly clear. >> And Jesus makes that abundantly clear. He's called you to get your jersey He's called you to get your jersey He's called you to get your jersey dirty, not just me cuz I'm a paid dirty, not just me cuz I'm a paid dirty, not just me cuz I'm a paid professional Christian. Like, no. All of professional Christian. Like, no. All of professional Christian. Like, no. All of us get to be a part of this. So, I want us get to be a part of this. So, I want us get to be a part of this. So, I want to ask you guys when is the first time to ask you guys when is the first time to ask you guys when is the first time you got your jersey dirty? What's the you got your jersey dirty? What's the you got your jersey dirty? What's the first time you remember serving and first time you remember serving and first time you remember serving and being a part of this thing called the being a part of this thing called the being a part of this thing called the church? What was that for you? church? What was that for you? church? What was that for you? >> For me it was, gosh, I think it was >> For me it was, gosh, I think it was >> For me it was, gosh, I think it was 2007. 2007. 2007. We had started coming to Crossroads in We had started coming to Crossroads in We had started coming to Crossroads in 2006 2006 2006 and I heard about Whiz Kids. Remember we and I heard about Whiz Kids. Remember we and I heard about Whiz Kids. Remember we used to do Whiz Kids? used to do Whiz Kids? used to do Whiz Kids? >> Tutoring, mentoring. >> Tutoring, mentoring. >> Tutoring, mentoring. >> bus in kids from downtown Cincinnati it >> bus in kids from downtown Cincinnati it >> bus in kids from downtown Cincinnati it to Crossroads on Monday nights. We had a to Crossroads on Monday nights. We had a to Crossroads on Monday nights. We had a a food team that cooked them a a food team that cooked them a a food team that cooked them a home-cooked meal. They would eat and home-cooked meal. They would eat and home-cooked meal. They would eat and then we would do tutoring and all that then we would do tutoring and all that then we would do tutoring and all that stuff. stuff. stuff. And I'm going to tell you what, that And I'm going to tell you what, that And I'm going to tell you what, that changed my entire trajectory. Rolling my changed my entire trajectory. Rolling my changed my entire trajectory. Rolling my sleeves up, serving with a bunch of sleeves up, serving with a bunch of sleeves up, serving with a bunch of people and like getting to know those people and like getting to know those people and like getting to know those people and like people and like people and like Crossroads was great about the we thing.

Crossroads was great about the we thing. Crossroads was great about the we thing. We owned it. Like the volunteers ran We owned it. Like the volunteers ran We owned it. Like the volunteers ran that thing. I was like, oh my gosh, like that thing. I was like, oh my gosh, like that thing. I was like, oh my gosh, like they coordinated the buses. Like we did they coordinated the buses. Like we did they coordinated the buses. Like we did all of it, the food, everything. And I all of it, the food, everything. And I all of it, the food, everything. And I was like, oh my gosh, this is what it was like, oh my gosh, this is what it was like, oh my gosh, this is what it means to be a part of the kingdom. This means to be a part of the kingdom. This means to be a part of the kingdom. This is what the kingdom looks like. All of is what the kingdom looks like. All of is what the kingdom looks like. All of us shoulder to shoulder doing this thing us shoulder to shoulder doing this thing us shoulder to shoulder doing this thing together and the relationships, the together and the relationships, the together and the relationships, the depth of relationships, not just with depth of relationships, not just with depth of relationships, not just with the volunteers, but with the kids. Man, the volunteers, but with the kids. Man, the volunteers, but with the kids. Man, it was powerful. Powerful. it was powerful. Powerful. it was powerful. Powerful. Yeah, changed my life. Yeah, changed my life. Yeah, changed my life. >> Love that. >> Love that. >> Love that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Love that. >> Love that. >> Love that. >> It's proximity for me, too. I used to >> It's proximity for me, too. I used to >> It's proximity for me, too. I used to work in like sports performance and work in like sports performance and work in like sports performance and stuff like that. In the place I worked stuff like that. In the place I worked stuff like that. In the place I worked at, at, at, there was a couple of gyms that we would there was a couple of gyms that we would there was a couple of gyms that we would go serve at. One was called the Lord's go serve at. One was called the Lord's go serve at. One was called the Lord's Gym here in Cincinnati and then was Gym here in Cincinnati and then was Gym here in Cincinnati and then was block with Block Ministries here in block with Block Ministries here in block with Block Ministries here in Cincinnati. They specifically had Block Cincinnati. They specifically had Block Cincinnati. They specifically had Block Sports. And you talk about rubbing Sports. And you talk about rubbing Sports. And you talk about rubbing shoulders to shoulder with people shoulders to shoulder with people shoulders to shoulder with people in the urban core, people who are in the urban core, people who are in the urban core, people who are experiencing all sorts of levels of experiencing all sorts of levels of experiencing all sorts of levels of difficulties that difficulties that difficulties that whether it's like homelessness, whether whether it's like homelessness, whether whether it's like homelessness, whether it's poverty, whether it's food it's poverty, whether it's food it's poverty, whether it's food insecurity or insecurity or insecurity or you know, a number of things. And we you know, a number of things. And we you know, a number of things. And we just got to just got to just got to be with them. Honestly, we just got to be with them. Honestly, we just got to be with them. Honestly, we just got to be with them, work out with them, be with them, work out with them, be with them, work out with them, uh uh uh like ministry to them wasn't just like ministry to them wasn't just like ministry to them wasn't just sitting down reading a Bible and sitting down reading a Bible and sitting down reading a Bible and talking, although we did get to do that.

talking, although we did get to do that. talking, although we did get to do that. It was hearing each other's stories, It was hearing each other's stories, It was hearing each other's stories, getting to know each other and working getting to know each other and working getting to know each other and working out, too. And you get to, you know, we out, too. And you get to, you know, we out, too. And you get to, you know, we also did some like athletic training also did some like athletic training also did some like athletic training type stuff as well, which was super fun. type stuff as well, which was super fun. type stuff as well, which was super fun. But it was that it was that was what But it was that it was that was what But it was that it was that was what felt like getting my hands dirty in real felt like getting my hands dirty in real felt like getting my hands dirty in real ministry work being in proximity with ministry work being in proximity with ministry work being in proximity with people who um people who um people who um not only I got to serve but who served not only I got to serve but who served not only I got to serve but who served me in a different way too just because me in a different way too just because me in a different way too just because they had their own perspectives and they had their own perspectives and they had their own perspectives and upbringings and things like that. upbringings and things like that. upbringings and things like that. >> So true. >> So true. >> So true. >> I remember literally getting my hands >> I remember literally getting my hands >> I remember literally getting my hands dirty when I was dirty when I was dirty when I was I was in middle school and a close I was in middle school and a close I was in middle school and a close family friend of ours was like hey we family friend of ours was like hey we family friend of ours was like hey we need to go help clean up this person's need to go help clean up this person's need to go help clean up this person's house that we know through our church house that we know through our church house that we know through our church and I was like great and I thought it and I was like great and I thought it and I was like great and I thought it was going to be like 20 minutes like was going to be like 20 minutes like was going to be like 20 minutes like just take a broom to the corner and just take a broom to the corner and just take a broom to the corner and we're good and we show up and basically we're good and we show up and basically we're good and we show up and basically this family who had been missionaries this family who had been missionaries this family who had been missionaries overseas for a year had rented out their overseas for a year had rented out their overseas for a year had rented out their house to some folks and they destroyed house to some folks and they destroyed house to some folks and they destroyed it. It is this house is destroyed and it. It is this house is destroyed and it. It is this house is destroyed and they're like all right like we're going they're like all right like we're going they're like all right like we're going to do this and I was like to do this and I was like to do this and I was like I want to go play Xbox like what are we I want to go play Xbox like what are we I want to go play Xbox like what are we [laughter] doing right now and I think [laughter] doing right now and I think [laughter] doing right now and I think it was like a 10-hour just like we are it was like a 10-hour just like we are it was like a 10-hour just like we are gutting this house and cleaning it as gutting this house and cleaning it as gutting this house and cleaning it as best as we can and I think even like I best as we can and I think even like I best as we can and I think even like I didn't even in the moment I leave I'm didn't even in the moment I leave I'm didn't even in the moment I leave I'm not even like oh that felt so good to not even like oh that felt so good to not even like oh that felt so good to do. I was just like no like I could have do. I was just like no like I could have do. I was just like no like I could have been doing so many other things with been doing so many other things with been doing so many other things with this day and but looking back I'm like this day and but looking back I'm like this day and but looking back I'm like that probably changed that family's life that probably changed that family's life that probably changed that family's life like to be able to come back and not like to be able to come back and not like to be able to come back and not have to deal with that nightmare but have to deal with that nightmare but have to deal with that nightmare but also also also I feel like it was a probably a notch of I feel like it was a probably a notch of I feel like it was a probably a notch of like like like compounding interest of a bunch of compounding interest of a bunch of compounding interest of a bunch of things of the Lord showing me like you

things of the Lord showing me like you things of the Lord showing me like you can do hard things and that's often that can do hard things and that's often that can do hard things and that's often that can be a lot of doing ministry and can be a lot of doing ministry and can be a lot of doing ministry and serving others is like you're going to serving others is like you're going to serving others is like you're going to do a hard thing and you may not see even do a hard thing and you may not see even do a hard thing and you may not see even the fruit in that moment like I never the fruit in that moment like I never the fruit in that moment like I never saw I don't even know who that family saw I don't even know who that family saw I don't even know who that family is. I just showed up that day and but is. I just showed up that day and but is. I just showed up that day and but I'm glad those moments like that I'm glad those moments like that I'm glad those moments like that happened for me otherwise I don't know happened for me otherwise I don't know happened for me otherwise I don't know if I would have learned that kind of if I would have learned that kind of if I would have learned that kind of lesson. lesson. lesson. >> That's so good. That's so good. I I just >> That's so good. That's so good. I I just >> That's so good. That's so good. I I just love first of all love first of all love first of all your faces lighting up as you told your your faces lighting up as you told your your faces lighting up as you told your stories. It was like I was there. stories. It was like I was there. stories. It was like I was there. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> I was in that kitchen with the food >> I was in that kitchen with the food >> I was in that kitchen with the food being cooked for whiskey. I was in that being cooked for whiskey. I was in that being cooked for whiskey. I was in that gym you know I need to probably be in gym you know I need to probably be in gym you know I need to probably be in that gym that gym that gym >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> more >> more >> more but I was in that gym and even for you but I was in that gym and even for you but I was in that gym and even for you even though it wasn't I love what you even though it wasn't I love what you even though it wasn't I love what you said like it's not oh there's my said like it's not oh there's my said like it's not oh there's my wonderful ending to the story but like wonderful ending to the story but like wonderful ending to the story but like what you did that day was profound. And what you did that day was profound. And what you did that day was profound. And it made a difference. And I love what it made a difference. And I love what it made a difference. And I love what you said, like you don't know that you said, like you don't know that you said, like you don't know that family, but that family knows you today. family, but that family knows you today. family, but that family knows you today. You better put They might not know you You better put They might not know you You better put They might not know you by name, but they know what it looked by name, but they know what it looked by name, but they know what it looked like when the body of Christ showed up like when the body of Christ showed up like when the body of Christ showed up for them. And and here's the thing. I for them. And and here's the thing. I for them. And and here's the thing. I think about discipline and one of one of think about discipline and one of one of think about discipline and one of one of my friends before I was a dad, or maybe my friends before I was a dad, or maybe my friends before I was a dad, or maybe I was a young dad, he said something I was a young dad, he said something I was a young dad, he said something about discipline that I always go back about discipline that I always go back about discipline that I always go back to. He said, "Hey Chuck, discipline is to. He said, "Hey Chuck, discipline is to. He said, "Hey Chuck, discipline is not something you do to your children.

not something you do to your children. not something you do to your children. Discipline is something you do for your Discipline is something you do for your Discipline is something you do for your children." children." children." And I think this invitation Jesus gives And I think this invitation Jesus gives And I think this invitation Jesus gives us to be a part of the harvest is the us to be a part of the harvest is the us to be a part of the harvest is the same thing. Jesus could have met all the same thing. Jesus could have met all the same thing. Jesus could have met all the needs of the people around him. He needs of the people around him. He needs of the people around him. He didn't invite his disciples into it to didn't invite his disciples into it to didn't invite his disciples into it to the to do something to them. He was the to do something to them. He was the to do something to them. He was wanting to give them something. And you wanting to give them something. And you wanting to give them something. And you know, I mean, just thinking about the know, I mean, just thinking about the know, I mean, just thinking about the the way the story goes, the disciples the way the story goes, the disciples the way the story goes, the disciples get their jerseys dirty. get their jerseys dirty. get their jerseys dirty. And then they come back and they talk to And then they come back and they talk to And then they come back and they talk to Jesus and they're like, "Man, even the Jesus and they're like, "Man, even the Jesus and they're like, "Man, even the demons tremble at our name and we got to demons tremble at our name and we got to demons tremble at our name and we got to cast out demons. We got to heal people." cast out demons. We got to heal people." cast out demons. We got to heal people." Like and Jesus is celebrating with them Like and Jesus is celebrating with them Like and Jesus is celebrating with them because they actually were part of the because they actually were part of the because they actually were part of the harvest. And so, I think for us as a harvest. And so, I think for us as a harvest. And so, I think for us as a church, church, church, particularly being a larger church, it's particularly being a larger church, it's particularly being a larger church, it's easy to look around Crossroads and say, easy to look around Crossroads and say, easy to look around Crossroads and say, "You guys got it." Whoever you guys is "You guys got it." Whoever you guys is "You guys got it." Whoever you guys is and whatever the you guys ministry and whatever the you guys ministry and whatever the you guys ministry you're looking for. So, it's really easy you're looking for. So, it's really easy you're looking for. So, it's really easy to drop your kid off at Kids Club and to drop your kid off at Kids Club and to drop your kid off at Kids Club and say, "They got it." It's easy to send say, "They got it." It's easy to send say, "They got it." It's easy to send your kid to camp and say, "They got it."

your kid to camp and say, "They got it." your kid to camp and say, "They got it." It's easy to see people going on go It's easy to see people going on go It's easy to see people going on go trips and say, "They got it." It's easy trips and say, "They got it." It's easy trips and say, "They got it." It's easy to think about the music and the to think about the music and the to think about the music and the creativity and the teaching and say, creativity and the teaching and say, creativity and the teaching and say, "They got it." And the truth is there's "They got it." And the truth is there's "They got it." And the truth is there's an invitation that God has for us, for an invitation that God has for us, for an invitation that God has for us, for me, me, me, to serve. to serve. to serve. To actually get my jersey dirty dirty to To actually get my jersey dirty dirty to To actually get my jersey dirty dirty to be a part of the harvest that he's be a part of the harvest that he's be a part of the harvest that he's building. Harvest is plentiful, Jesus building. Harvest is plentiful, Jesus building. Harvest is plentiful, Jesus says. The laborers are few. says. The laborers are few. says. The laborers are few. So, he says, "Pray to the Lord that he So, he says, "Pray to the Lord that he So, he says, "Pray to the Lord that he would send laborers into the harvest would send laborers into the harvest would send laborers into the harvest field." Um I I just love Jesus' vision field." Um I I just love Jesus' vision field." Um I I just love Jesus' vision for that. I think it's something we can for that. I think it's something we can for that. I think it's something we can never lose as followers of Jesus that we never lose as followers of Jesus that we never lose as followers of Jesus that we are called to be harvesters. We're are called to be harvesters. We're are called to be harvesters. We're called to take a rake and whatever else called to take a rake and whatever else called to take a rake and whatever else Whatever other tools you use. I didn't Whatever other tools you use. I didn't Whatever other tools you use. I didn't grow up on a farm, but whatever other grow up on a farm, but whatever other grow up on a farm, but whatever other tools you use when it's harvest time, tools you use when it's harvest time, tools you use when it's harvest time, it's for us to do that. it's for us to do that. it's for us to do that. >> You know which um >> You know which um >> You know which um sports phrase, I don't know if that's sports phrase, I don't know if that's sports phrase, I don't know if that's the right terminology, the Seahawks. the right terminology, the Seahawks. the right terminology, the Seahawks. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> They have this idea of the 12th man, >> They have this idea of the 12th man, >> They have this idea of the 12th man, right? Where if you're a fan of the right? Where if you're a fan of the right? Where if you're a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, you're the 12th man. Seattle Seahawks, you're the 12th man. Seattle Seahawks, you're the 12th man. Essentially, what they're saying is if Essentially, what they're saying is if Essentially, what they're saying is if you're a fan, you're part of this team.

you're a fan, you're part of this team. you're a fan, you're part of this team. And I know like even the Packers, like And I know like even the Packers, like And I know like even the Packers, like you can literally like most of that you can literally like most of that you can literally like most of that stadium has part ownership of the stadium has part ownership of the stadium has part ownership of the Packers. They literally are part of the Packers. They literally are part of the Packers. They literally are part of the team. But I love that analogy like why team. But I love that analogy like why team. But I love that analogy like why they do that stuff. It's like, "No, no, they do that stuff. It's like, "No, no, they do that stuff. It's like, "No, no, this isn't just about us. It's not just this isn't just about us. It's not just this isn't just about us. It's not just our players who are playing on the field our players who are playing on the field our players who are playing on the field that we are all in this together. We are that we are all in this together. We are that we are all in this together. We are all all all God has called your number. If you're God has called your number. If you're God has called your number. If you're God has put a jersey on you, he's called God has put a jersey on you, he's called God has put a jersey on you, he's called your number your number your number to harvest the field. to harvest the field. to harvest the field. >> Amen. Amen. >> Amen. Amen. >> Amen. Amen. So, hey, if you're if you're listening So, hey, if you're if you're listening So, hey, if you're if you're listening to this and you're part of Crossroads, to this and you're part of Crossroads, to this and you're part of Crossroads, as of today, which is July 10th, as of today, which is July 10th, as of today, which is July 10th, there have been over 2,000 people at there have been over 2,000 people at there have been over 2,000 people at Crossroads who've been baptized this Crossroads who've been baptized this Crossroads who've been baptized this year alone. year alone. year alone. Which is unbelievable. Which is unbelievable. Which is unbelievable. >> That's insane. >> That's insane. >> That's insane. >> And here's what I want you to know. >> And here's what I want you to know. >> And here's what I want you to know. Wherever you serve, whatever you're a Wherever you serve, whatever you're a Wherever you serve, whatever you're a part of, whatever you're doing around part of, whatever you're doing around part of, whatever you're doing around here, you have a stake and a role in all here, you have a stake and a role in all here, you have a stake and a role in all 2,000 of those stories of life change. 2,000 of those stories of life change. 2,000 of those stories of life change. Now, maybe you might not have been the Now, maybe you might not have been the Now, maybe you might not have been the person dumping them in the in the water person dumping them in the in the water person dumping them in the in the water and raising them up, but I want to tell and raising them up, but I want to tell and raising them up, but I want to tell you no matter what you do, if you clean, you no matter what you do, if you clean, you no matter what you do, if you clean, whatever it is that you do at our whatever it is that you do at our whatever it is that you do at our church, you are part of the harvest. And church, you are part of the harvest. And church, you are part of the harvest. And I believe God has more for us. And I I believe God has more for us. And I I believe God has more for us. And I think the invitation is not because you think the invitation is not because you think the invitation is not because you have to, but honestly, you get to be a have to, but honestly, you get to be a have to, but honestly, you get to be a part of what God is doing in the body of part of what God is doing in the body of part of what God is doing in the body of Christ. And maybe for some of you that Christ. And maybe for some of you that Christ. And maybe for some of you that call is outside of the context of call is outside of the context of call is outside of the context of Crossroads. Great, great, great. Go Crossroads. Great, great, great. Go Crossroads. Great, great, great. Go where the harvest is and participate.

where the harvest is and participate. where the harvest is and participate. Get your jersey dirty. Because in that, Get your jersey dirty. Because in that, Get your jersey dirty. Because in that, there is something for you.