I Found Jesus in the Backseat of a Firebird | Romans 10

tell that story. They were just these tell that story. They were just these hippie guys who I was into drugs and hippie guys who I was into drugs and hippie guys who I was into drugs and things and they were like, "Yeah, come things and they were like, "Yeah, come things and they were like, "Yeah, come hang out." And all I remember is they hang out." And all I remember is they hang out." And all I remember is they had a Firebird and uh they just told me had a Firebird and uh they just told me had a Firebird and uh they just told me about Jesus. about Jesus. about Jesus. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I mean it didn't change me >> And I mean it didn't change me >> And I mean it didn't change me necessarily for for a while, but the necessarily for for a while, but the necessarily for for a while, but the seed was planted like you the seed was seed was planted like you the seed was seed was planted like you the seed was planted planted planted >> and then I eventually was like, "Oh >> and then I eventually was like, "Oh >> and then I eventually was like, "Oh yeah, okay." But that's where I that's yeah, okay." But that's where I that's yeah, okay." But that's where I that's where I really heard the gospel. This is where I really heard the gospel. This is where I really heard the gospel. This is the Crossroads Daily. No experts, no the Crossroads Daily. No experts, no the Crossroads Daily. No experts, no perfect people, just honest perfect people, just honest perfect people, just honest conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when the Bible shows up in real life. >> Hey, I'm Chuck. >> Hey, I'm Chuck. >> I'm Jamie. [music] >> I'm Jamie. [music] >> I'm Jamie. [music] >> I'm Josh. >> I'm Josh. >> I'm Josh. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> So, Romans 10, Paul is talking about the >> So, Romans 10, Paul is talking about the >> So, Romans 10, Paul is talking about the gospel, right? Like what does it mean to gospel, right? Like what does it mean to gospel, right? Like what does it mean to receive Jesus? And he has this whole receive Jesus? And he has this whole receive Jesus? And he has this whole thing about like you only receive the thing about like you only receive the thing about like you only receive the gospel if someone shares it with you. gospel if someone shares it with you. gospel if someone shares it with you. Mhm. Mhm. Mhm. >> So, who was the first person to share >> So, who was the first person to share >> So, who was the first person to share the gospel with you and how did that the gospel with you and how did that the gospel with you and how did that shape your faith?

shape your faith? shape your faith? >> I'll go first. >> I'll go first. >> I'll go first. >> Um, it was my dad. >> Um, it was my dad. >> Um, it was my dad. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And it just like I I was fortunate >> And it just like I I was fortunate >> And it just like I I was fortunate enough to grow up in a house where enough to grow up in a house where enough to grow up in a house where >> um my mom was raised in a church and my >> um my mom was raised in a church and my >> um my mom was raised in a church and my dad was raised in a church and it's like dad was raised in a church and it's like dad was raised in a church and it's like kind of the family business. My dad's a kind of the family business. My dad's a kind of the family business. My dad's a minister, my uncles are ministers, my minister, my uncles are ministers, my minister, my uncles are ministers, my aunts. It's just like a thing. So it it aunts. It's just like a thing. So it it aunts. It's just like a thing. So it it didn't feel like a choice. It just was didn't feel like a choice. It just was didn't feel like a choice. It just was like, like, like, >> "Oh, you can read things and you >> "Oh, you can read things and you >> "Oh, you can read things and you understand things. Well, here's the understand things. Well, here's the understand things. Well, here's the Bible. Bible. Bible. >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> we're going to read this together. Do >> we're going to read this together. Do >> we're going to read this together. Do you know why we do this?" And so it just you know why we do this?" And so it just you know why we do this?" And so it just was like like I go back to that as being was like like I go back to that as being was like like I go back to that as being so foundational in who I am and how I so foundational in who I am and how I so foundational in who I am and how I know I should respond and act. And I I know I should respond and act. And I I know I should respond and act. And I I mean I don't always but um yeah it was mean I don't always but um yeah it was mean I don't always but um yeah it was it was my my mom would probably want it was my my mom would probably want it was my my mom would probably want like co authoring credit of like they like co authoring credit of like they like co authoring credit of like they probably both were a part. Um but yeah probably both were a part. Um but yeah probably both were a part. Um but yeah so my parents so my parents so my parents >> can I can I ask a question about that? >> can I can I ask a question about that? >> can I can I ask a question about that? >> Sure. >> Sure. >> Sure. >> When did your faith become your own?

>> When did your faith become your own? >> When did your faith become your own? When did when did you So When did when did you So When did when did you So >> yeah. No that's a that's a really good >> yeah. No that's a that's a really good >> yeah. No that's a that's a really good question [clears throat] and that is question [clears throat] and that is question [clears throat] and that is something that I I wrestle with very something that I I wrestle with very something that I I wrestle with very regularly. Um, so I want to say regularly. Um, so I want to say regularly. Um, so I want to say I'm a pe like I grew up a people I'm a pe like I grew up a people I'm a pe like I grew up a people pleaser. pleaser. pleaser. >> I grew up a like my brother was a >> I grew up a like my brother was a >> I grew up a like my brother was a Helian. I can say that. I've known him Helian. I can say that. I've known him Helian. I can say that. I've known him for 40ome years of my life. Um, and so I for 40ome years of my life. Um, and so I for 40ome years of my life. Um, and so I was the second child. was the second child. was the second child. >> So, you know, the first child parents >> So, you know, the first child parents >> So, you know, the first child parents are like, "Oh, we don't know what we're are like, "Oh, we don't know what we're are like, "Oh, we don't know what we're doing." The second child like, "We will doing." The second child like, "We will doing." The second child like, "We will not have another one of those in our not have another one of those in our not have another one of those in our household." household." household." >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Um, so there was this thing of like >> Um, so there was this thing of like >> Um, so there was this thing of like perform in school, perform in school, perform in school, >> perform in church. Like we would get >> perform in church. Like we would get >> perform in church. Like we would get like Bible verses every week and then like Bible verses every week and then like Bible verses every week and then the next week you come back and you have the next week you come back and you have the next week you come back and you have to recite if you didn't you didn't get a to recite if you didn't you didn't get a to recite if you didn't you didn't get a candy and they just said hey better next candy and they just said hey better next candy and they just said hey better next time next person kind of a thing. time next person kind of a thing. time next person kind of a thing. >> Um, >> Um, >> Um, >> wow. >> wow. >> wow. >> But then there was this there was this >> But then there was this there was this >> But then there was this there was this moment I think I was like maybe 8 years moment I think I was like maybe 8 years moment I think I was like maybe 8 years old old old >> where um I don't know I'm a challenger >> where um I don't know I'm a challenger >> where um I don't know I'm a challenger so I just didn't like that. I didn't so I just didn't like that. I didn't so I just didn't like that. I didn't like that. You tell me how I know God or like that. You tell me how I know God or like that. You tell me how I know God or you tell me um this is how I have to you tell me um this is how I have to you tell me um this is how I have to perform. And so I feel like there was perform. And so I feel like there was perform. And so I feel like there was like a moment where it was like no, I'm like a moment where it was like no, I'm like a moment where it was like no, I'm going to choose the I'm going to choose going to choose the I'm going to choose going to choose the I'm going to choose to follow God and explore what that to follow God and explore what that to follow God and explore what that means for myself. And I was pretty means for myself. And I was pretty means for myself. And I was pretty young.

young. young. >> Um and it just like it's a reason I've >> Um and it just like it's a reason I've >> Um and it just like it's a reason I've never gotten baptized as an adult. I never gotten baptized as an adult. I never gotten baptized as an adult. I made that decision at 8 made that decision at 8 made that decision at 8 >> and I I don't see the need to change >> and I I don't see the need to change >> and I I don't see the need to change that. Um, so yeah, I would say kind of that. Um, so yeah, I would say kind of that. Um, so yeah, I would say kind of this like a part of my identity is to this like a part of my identity is to this like a part of my identity is to challenge things and there was just this challenge things and there was just this challenge things and there was just this like moment where I had enough. like moment where I had enough. like moment where I had enough. >> Um, and then I started asking questions >> Um, and then I started asking questions >> Um, and then I started asking questions to the point where like at one point a to the point where like at one point a to the point where like at one point a pastor was like, "Maybe you should pastor was like, "Maybe you should pastor was like, "Maybe you should explore other religions." explore other religions." explore other religions." >> Oh wow. >> Oh wow. >> Oh wow. >> A Christian pastor said that to me. >> A Christian pastor said that to me. >> A Christian pastor said that to me. >> Um, so >> Um, so >> Um, so >> yeah, thank you. >> yeah, thank you. >> yeah, thank you. >> Wow, that was great. >> Wow, that was great. >> Wow, that was great. >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> I have an exact opposite experience. >> I have an exact opposite experience. >> I have an exact opposite experience. Mhm. Mhm. Mhm. >> I grew up in whatever is the opposite of >> I grew up in whatever is the opposite of >> I grew up in whatever is the opposite of a church home. a church home. a church home. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> My first uh presentation of the gospel >> My first uh presentation of the gospel >> My first uh presentation of the gospel was uh my mother was in in a interracial was uh my mother was in in a interracial was uh my mother was in in a interracial marriage and a what I assume is a marriage and a what I assume is a marriage and a what I assume is a doortodoor preacher. I don't whatever doortodoor preacher. I don't whatever doortodoor preacher. I don't whatever came with their tracks and came with their tracks and came with their tracks and >> um for whatever reason they were invited >> um for whatever reason they were invited >> um for whatever reason they were invited in which to this day I don't know why in which to this day I don't know why in which to this day I don't know why >> but they basically condemned my mom and >> but they basically condemned my mom and >> but they basically condemned my mom and the rest of us to hell because she was the rest of us to hell because she was the rest of us to hell because she was in an interracial marriage. That was my in an interracial marriage. That was my in an interracial marriage. That was my first first first >> that was my sort of first foray into the >> that was my sort of first foray into the >> that was my sort of first foray into the into the gospel. M into the gospel. M into the gospel. M >> now that has since been redeemed and I >> now that has since been redeemed and I >> now that has since been redeemed and I came to I came to an understanding of came to I came to an understanding of came to I came to an understanding of Jesus with a couple hippies in the back Jesus with a couple hippies in the back Jesus with a couple hippies in the back of a Firebird who prayed told me about of a Firebird who prayed told me about of a Firebird who prayed told me about the gospel which is another story.

the gospel which is another story. the gospel which is another story. >> The real gospel >> The real gospel >> The real gospel >> the real gospel. >> the real gospel. >> the real gospel. >> Tell that story. >> Tell that story. >> Tell that story. >> They were just these hippie guys who I >> They were just these hippie guys who I >> They were just these hippie guys who I was into drugs and things and they were was into drugs and things and they were was into drugs and things and they were like yeah come hang out. And all I like yeah come hang out. And all I like yeah come hang out. And all I remember is they had a Firebird and uh remember is they had a Firebird and uh remember is they had a Firebird and uh they just told me about Jesus. Yeah. they just told me about Jesus. Yeah. they just told me about Jesus. Yeah. >> And I mean, it didn't change me >> And I mean, it didn't change me >> And I mean, it didn't change me necessarily for for a while, but the necessarily for for a while, but the necessarily for for a while, but the seed was planted. Like you, the seed was seed was planted. Like you, the seed was seed was planted. Like you, the seed was planted planted planted >> and then I eventually was like, "Oh, >> and then I eventually was like, "Oh, >> and then I eventually was like, "Oh, yeah." Okay. But that's where I that's yeah." Okay. But that's where I that's yeah." Okay. But that's where I that's where I really heard the gospel was in where I really heard the gospel was in where I really heard the gospel was in the backseat of a Firebird. Wow. the backseat of a Firebird. Wow. the backseat of a Firebird. Wow. >> Yeah. Wow. >> Yeah. Wow. >> Yeah. Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> With my friend Danny. >> With my friend Danny. >> With my friend Danny. [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] Well, I also I'm like Jamie have Well, I also I'm like Jamie have Well, I also I'm like Jamie have incredible parents who I think are incredible parents who I think are incredible parents who I think are probably the first ones who shared Jesus probably the first ones who shared Jesus probably the first ones who shared Jesus with me because that's that's what I with me because that's that's what I with me because that's that's what I grew grew up in. And I remember so grew grew up in. And I remember so grew grew up in. And I remember so specifically specifically specifically >> saying that I wanted to get baptized and >> saying that I wanted to get baptized and >> saying that I wanted to get baptized and the church that I grew up in had a class the church that I grew up in had a class the church that I grew up in had a class that you went to if you wanted to get that you went to if you wanted to get that you went to if you wanted to get baptized. And I went to that class with baptized. And I went to that class with baptized. And I went to that class with my parents and it was a couple weeks in my parents and it was a couple weeks in my parents and it was a couple weeks in a row. How old are you at this point?

a row. How old are you at this point? a row. How old are you at this point? I'm probably like eight I'm probably like eight I'm probably like eight >> and so like do I really understand? I >> and so like do I really understand? I >> and so like do I really understand? I don't know. But I remember watching this don't know. But I remember watching this don't know. But I remember watching this video about the cross and you know all video about the cross and you know all video about the cross and you know all the things. the things. the things. >> So I'm sure that's where it was >> So I'm sure that's where it was >> So I'm sure that's where it was presented to me where it became real for presented to me where it became real for presented to me where it became real for me. Mhm. me. Mhm. me. Mhm. >> I think was probably more in high school >> I think was probably more in high school >> I think was probably more in high school >> and um I had an incredible youth pastor >> and um I had an incredible youth pastor >> and um I had an incredible youth pastor um in middle school and high school who um in middle school and high school who um in middle school and high school who since passed away and is one of the since passed away and is one of the since passed away and is one of the reasons I'm I'm in ministry. I do reasons I'm I'm in ministry. I do reasons I'm I'm in ministry. I do full-time ministry and he's one of the full-time ministry and he's one of the full-time ministry and he's one of the reasons. And I think because he was able reasons. And I think because he was able reasons. And I think because he was able to explain the gospel in a way that was to explain the gospel in a way that was to explain the gospel in a way that was actually actionable because we can all actually actionable because we can all actually actionable because we can all have good intentions and we can believe have good intentions and we can believe have good intentions and we can believe the gospel is is true but if we don't do the gospel is is true but if we don't do the gospel is is true but if we don't do anything about it then what's it anything about it then what's it anything about it then what's it actually for? actually for? actually for? >> And I think [snorts] he's the one who >> And I think [snorts] he's the one who >> And I think [snorts] he's the one who challenged me in that to actually go challenged me in that to actually go challenged me in that to actually go share it with my friends and I did that share it with my friends and I did that share it with my friends and I did that and that started when I was in high and that started when I was in high and that started when I was in high school.

school. school. >> I love that. It makes me think of Paul >> I love that. It makes me think of Paul >> I love that. It makes me think of Paul Paul says um how then will they call on Paul says um how then will they call on Paul says um how then will they call on him Jesus and whom they have not him Jesus and whom they have not him Jesus and whom they have not believed and how are they to believe in believed and how are they to believe in believed and how are they to believe in him whom they've never heard and how are him whom they've never heard and how are him whom they've never heard and how are they to hear without someone preaching they to hear without someone preaching they to hear without someone preaching and how are they to preach unless they and how are they to preach unless they and how are they to preach unless they are sent are sent are sent >> and so I I just think it's really >> and so I I just think it's really >> and so I I just think it's really awesome to think about your parents awesome to think about your parents awesome to think about your parents >> think about two dudes in the back of >> think about two dudes in the back of >> think about two dudes in the back of Firebird that's right Firebird that's right Firebird that's right >> thinking about your parents and that >> thinking about your parents and that >> thinking about your parents and that youth pastor like they were sent youth pastor like they were sent youth pastor like they were sent >> and they may not have worn preacher >> and they may not have worn preacher >> and they may not have worn preacher guard uh they didn't didn't sound like guard uh they didn't didn't sound like guard uh they didn't didn't sound like any of those cases, but they preached to any of those cases, but they preached to any of those cases, but they preached to you. They proclaimed the good news of you. They proclaimed the good news of you. They proclaimed the good news of Jesus to you. Jesus to you. Jesus to you. >> And I think it's really important for us >> And I think it's really important for us >> And I think it's really important for us to remember no matter where you find to remember no matter where you find to remember no matter where you find yourself, I don't know, there's a range yourself, I don't know, there's a range yourself, I don't know, there's a range of people. Some of us who are watching of people. Some of us who are watching of people. Some of us who are watching right now are um blueco collar workers. right now are um blueco collar workers. right now are um blueco collar workers. Some of us are incarcerated. Some of us Some of us are incarcerated. Some of us Some of us are incarcerated. Some of us um work on Wall Street. All the things um work on Wall Street. All the things um work on Wall Street. All the things in between. Uh some of us are at home in between. Uh some of us are at home in between. Uh some of us are at home raising children. All those things. I raising children. All those things. I raising children. All those things. I just want to remind you and me, myself, just want to remind you and me, myself, just want to remind you and me, myself, that we are sent Mhm. that we are sent Mhm. that we are sent Mhm. >> that you might be the only Jesus someone >> that you might be the only Jesus someone >> that you might be the only Jesus someone ever meets. You might be. And as much as ever meets. You might be. And as much as ever meets. You might be. And as much as you might, I don't know how I'm have the you might, I don't know how I'm have the you might, I don't know how I'm have the right words and all that, but like right words and all that, but like right words and all that, but like >> I I don't I don't gather that you guys >> I I don't I don't gather that you guys >> I I don't I don't gather that you guys could recite all the words that those could recite all the words that those could recite all the words that those people told you.

people told you. people told you. >> Don't remember a single one. >> Don't remember a single one. >> Don't remember a single one. >> It was the spirit of what they shared >> It was the spirit of what they shared >> It was the spirit of what they shared with you that planted the seed, right? with you that planted the seed, right? with you that planted the seed, right? >> And so I just want to encourage >> And so I just want to encourage >> And so I just want to encourage >> all of us like, man, we're we're part of >> all of us like, man, we're we're part of >> all of us like, man, we're we're part of that, you know? And and and it's funny that, you know? And and and it's funny that, you know? And and and it's funny because like my mine was also a because like my mine was also a because like my mine was also a childhood story. My parents were childhood story. My parents were childhood story. My parents were certainly the first ones to preach the certainly the first ones to preach the certainly the first ones to preach the gospel to me. I grew up in church, so I gospel to me. I grew up in church, so I gospel to me. I grew up in church, so I I got to thankfully hear the gospel I got to thankfully hear the gospel I got to thankfully hear the gospel >> often, and that was really valuable for >> often, and that was really valuable for >> often, and that was really valuable for me. But I also love what Paul says in me. But I also love what Paul says in me. But I also love what Paul says in Romans 10:9 and 10. He says, "Because if Romans 10:9 and 10. He says, "Because if Romans 10:9 and 10. He says, "Because if you confess with your mouth you confess with your mouth you confess with your mouth >> that Jesus is Lord and believe in your >> that Jesus is Lord and believe in your >> that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, heart that God raised him from the dead, heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." you will be saved." you will be saved." >> And what I will say is, I love the >> And what I will say is, I love the >> And what I will say is, I love the simplicity of faith required for the simplicity of faith required for the simplicity of faith required for the gospel. gospel. gospel. >> You can confess that at 8. >> You can confess that at 8. >> You can confess that at 8. >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> that's right. >> that's right. >> that's right. >> You can believe that at 8. Mhm. >> You can believe that at 8. Mhm. >> You can believe that at 8. Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Depending on the kid, you know, 6 7 10 >> Depending on the kid, you know, 6 7 10 >> Depending on the kid, you know, 6 7 10 whatever it is. And so I [clears throat] whatever it is. And so I [clears throat] whatever it is. And so I [clears throat] just love the simplicity of the gospel just love the simplicity of the gospel just love the simplicity of the gospel that that's Oh god, I did say six that that's Oh god, I did say six that that's Oh god, I did say six [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] conditioned by my conditioned by my conditioned by my >> I I saw it happen and I thought, please >> I I saw it happen and I thought, please >> I I saw it happen and I thought, please don't please don't acknowledge it.

don't please don't acknowledge it. don't please don't acknowledge it. >> Oh my goodness. >> Oh my goodness. >> Oh my goodness. [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] >> Oh my gosh. Yes. >> Oh my gosh. Yes. >> Oh my gosh. Yes. >> The gospel applied to 67. Look at that. >> The gospel applied to 67. Look at that. >> The gospel applied to 67. Look at that. So maybe there's a redemptive anyway. So maybe there's a redemptive anyway. So maybe there's a redemptive anyway. Never mind. But like there is beauty in Never mind. But like there is beauty in Never mind. But like there is beauty in knowing that the gospel is that simple. knowing that the gospel is that simple. knowing that the gospel is that simple. And I would also say this, you can as And I would also say this, you can as And I would also say this, you can as simple as it is, you can attend a church simple as it is, you can attend a church simple as it is, you can attend a church >> for a really long time and not have made >> for a really long time and not have made >> for a really long time and not have made that confession. that confession. that confession. >> So what's what's the I mean Paul >> So what's what's the I mean Paul >> So what's what's the I mean Paul connects confessing and believing connects confessing and believing connects confessing and believing >> here? What what do we need to know about >> here? What what do we need to know about >> here? What what do we need to know about that? The connection between those two. that? The connection between those two. that? The connection between those two. How's that play out in your life? How's that play out in your life? How's that play out in your life? Because it's it's it's that combination Because it's it's it's that combination Because it's it's it's that combination of a confess, a believe and a confess of a confess, a believe and a confess of a confess, a believe and a confess >> that really produces faith. What What do >> that really produces faith. What What do >> that really produces faith. What What do you make of that? I think it's the you make of that? I think it's the you make of that? I think it's the action step from knowledge. Like I can action step from knowledge. Like I can action step from knowledge. Like I can know a lot of things. I can read through know a lot of things. I can read through know a lot of things. I can read through the Bible and know the things. But the Bible and know the things. But the Bible and know the things. But >> um there's an action or an intervention >> um there's an action or an intervention >> um there's an action or an intervention that tests that knowledge that tests that knowledge that tests that knowledge >> which then produces belief >> which then produces belief >> which then produces belief >> like or like how I know I believe. Um, >> like or like how I know I believe. Um, >> like or like how I know I believe. Um, and so then I think the confession steps and so then I think the confession steps and so then I think the confession steps in of like, okay, this is going to go in of like, okay, this is going to go in of like, okay, this is going to go from being just a head thing, God, from being just a head thing, God, from being just a head thing, God, >> to an acknowledgment in a heart belief >> to an acknowledgment in a heart belief >> to an acknowledgment in a heart belief like I like I like I >> I understand um as much as I can, as >> I understand um as much as I can, as >> I understand um as much as I can, as much as you've revealed um and I'm much as you've revealed um and I'm much as you've revealed um and I'm choosing to believe this and I'm choosing to believe this and I'm choosing to believe this and I'm choosing choosing choosing >> to turn my life towards you.

>> to turn my life towards you. >> to turn my life towards you. >> Yeah. Um, but if I just leave it at >> Yeah. Um, but if I just leave it at >> Yeah. Um, but if I just leave it at knowledge, then I can recite a lot of knowledge, then I can recite a lot of knowledge, then I can recite a lot of stuff back, but it it's not taking root. stuff back, but it it's not taking root. stuff back, but it it's not taking root. >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> that's well said. >> that's well said. >> that's well said. >> It's really well said. >> It's really well said. >> It's really well said. >> I think I've always struggled with like >> I think I've always struggled with like >> I think I've always struggled with like it says if you believe, but then there's it says if you believe, but then there's it says if you believe, but then there's faith and right faith and right faith and right >> and I think faith precedes belief. >> and I think faith precedes belief. >> and I think faith precedes belief. >> So faith is what allows me to have this >> So faith is what allows me to have this >> So faith is what allows me to have this >> eight-year-old belief. Like I believe in >> eight-year-old belief. Like I believe in >> eight-year-old belief. Like I believe in Santa at 8. Of course you do. Of course Santa at 8. Of course you do. Of course Santa at 8. Of course you do. Of course you do. like you believe it and I think you do. like you believe it and I think you do. like you believe it and I think >> um >> um >> um I know that faith is what saves me and I know that faith is what saves me and I know that faith is what saves me and it's the belief that changes me. You it's the belief that changes me. You it's the belief that changes me. You said it like belief is action. said it like belief is action. said it like belief is action. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I think we are we are required to >> And I think we are we are required to >> And I think we are we are required to act on our faith. act on our faith. act on our faith. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um and that makes it belief. I think I >> Um and that makes it belief. I think I >> Um and that makes it belief. I think I think that makes it belief. think that makes it belief. think that makes it belief. >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, well, it's kind of like >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, well, it's kind of like >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, well, it's kind of like I was saying. I mean, Steve, my youth I was saying. I mean, Steve, my youth I was saying. I mean, Steve, my youth pastor, that's it was like what made it pastor, that's it was like what made it pastor, that's it was like what made it actionable for me. I mean, I can intend actionable for me. I mean, I can intend actionable for me. I mean, I can intend or believe anything. I can believe that or believe anything. I can believe that or believe anything. I can believe that I need food and intend to go to the I need food and intend to go to the I need food and intend to go to the grocery store to get it, but if I don't grocery store to get it, but if I don't grocery store to get it, but if I don't actually get in my car and go, I'm not actually get in my car and go, I'm not actually get in my car and go, I'm not going to get the food. And so, you have going to get the food. And so, you have going to get the food. And so, you have to not only confess with your mouth, I'm to not only confess with your mouth, I'm to not only confess with your mouth, I'm going to the grocery store. like I do going to the grocery store. like I do going to the grocery store. like I do believe this thing. I believe that Jesus believe this thing. I believe that Jesus believe this thing. I believe that Jesus is is Lord. I confess it with my mouth is is Lord. I confess it with my mouth is is Lord. I confess it with my mouth and then I go and I share that with

and then I go and I share that with and then I go and I share that with others and I actually let my life act others and I actually let my life act others and I actually let my life act like it. like it. like it. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. I love that. >> Yes. I love that. >> Yes. I love that. >> I want to reframe if we have time. I >> I want to reframe if we have time. I >> I want to reframe if we have time. I want to reframe the confess with your want to reframe the confess with your want to reframe the confess with your mouth. So that idea I think confess with mouth. So that idea I think confess with mouth. So that idea I think confess with your mouth in in in culture nowadays your mouth in in in culture nowadays your mouth in in in culture nowadays maybe may look like a guy on a corner maybe may look like a guy on a corner maybe may look like a guy on a corner >> or a lady on a corner with a bullhorn >> or a lady on a corner with a bullhorn >> or a lady on a corner with a bullhorn yelling shouting scripture verses or yelling shouting scripture verses or yelling shouting scripture verses or even condemnation that sure even condemnation that sure even condemnation that sure >> that may be our but I think confessing >> that may be our but I think confessing >> that may be our but I think confessing the the way I think about it is I love the the way I think about it is I love the the way I think about it is I love my wife and if I never say it my wife and if I never say it my wife and if I never say it >> if I I do I do >> if I I do I do >> if I I do I do >> sure >> sure >> sure >> she will never know it >> she will never know it >> she will never know it >> if If I never say it, she will never >> if If I never say it, she will never >> if If I never say it, she will never know it. know it. know it. >> And I think that's what I think that's >> And I think that's what I think that's >> And I think that's what I think that's what that means, that confession. It's what that means, that confession. It's what that means, that confession. It's I'm I'm going to say that I love you, I'm I'm going to say that I love you, I'm I'm going to say that I love you, Lord, and that I'm Lord, and that I'm Lord, and that I'm >> and I I I don't I don't think it's a >> and I I I don't I don't think it's a >> and I I I don't I don't think it's a religious practice. I think it's religious practice. I think it's religious practice. I think it's >> it's a life it's a relation. Yes. It's >> it's a life it's a relation. Yes. It's >> it's a life it's a relation. Yes. It's how you know. Yes. It's how you know. how you know. Yes. It's how you know. how you know. Yes. It's how you know. >> And not only will your wife not know it, >> And not only will your wife not know it, >> And not only will your wife not know it, but but but >> no one else.

>> no one else. >> no one else. >> Nobody else will know it. Nobody else >> Nobody else will know it. Nobody else >> Nobody else will know it. Nobody else will. Everyone in my life who knows me will. Everyone in my life who knows me will. Everyone in my life who knows me knows how much I love my wife. And she knows how much I love my wife. And she knows how much I love my wife. And she never has to say a word. never has to say a word. never has to say a word. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> She will never have to say a word. >> She will never have to say a word. >> She will never have to say a word. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's really good. I I I think there's >> That's really good. I I I think there's >> That's really good. I I I think there's something rich in this something rich in this something rich in this >> for us today as we think about these >> for us today as we think about these >> for us today as we think about these words. And you know, I I would actually words. And you know, I I would actually words. And you know, I I would actually say I do believe that once you make a say I do believe that once you make a say I do believe that once you make a decision to follow Jesus, because it's decision to follow Jesus, because it's decision to follow Jesus, because it's not based on your works, but the work of not based on your works, but the work of not based on your works, but the work of Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. >> That's a permanent thing. I I agree with >> That's a permanent thing. I I agree with >> That's a permanent thing. I I agree with that. And I will also tell you I think that. And I will also tell you I think that. And I will also tell you I think the confessing and believing is part of the confessing and believing is part of the confessing and believing is part of your spiritual growth journey, too. your spiritual growth journey, too. your spiritual growth journey, too. there are new things that I am there are new things that I am there are new things that I am understanding about God that give me a understanding about God that give me a understanding about God that give me a new opportunity to confess and believe new opportunity to confess and believe new opportunity to confess and believe once again, right? You know, um we once again, right? You know, um we once again, right? You know, um we talked about one like just the fact of talked about one like just the fact of talked about one like just the fact of like God is actually like God is actually like God is actually >> not waiting for me to deal with all my >> not waiting for me to deal with all my >> not waiting for me to deal with all my crap before I come to him. He's a loving crap before I come to him. He's a loving crap before I come to him. He's a loving father. Like I I've got to confess that father. Like I I've got to confess that father. Like I I've got to confess that >> and I need to believe that by going to >> and I need to believe that by going to >> and I need to believe that by going to God as the Bible says boldly when I need God as the Bible says boldly when I need God as the Bible says boldly when I need his mercy, which is usually when I mess his mercy, which is usually when I mess his mercy, which is usually when I mess up. So I think there are things like up. So I think there are things like up. So I think there are things like that over time that also become part of that over time that also become part of that over time that also become part of our confession and belief and our growth our confession and belief and our growth our confession and belief and our growth journey. So if you've never made that journey. So if you've never made that journey. So if you've never made that decision, decision, decision, >> there's no better decision you can make.

>> there's no better decision you can make. >> there's no better decision you can make. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> No better decision you can make. And no >> No better decision you can make. And no >> No better decision you can make. And no matter how you're engaging us, there is matter how you're engaging us, there is matter how you're engaging us, there is an action step you can take right now. an action step you can take right now. an action step you can take right now. Whether it's clicking a button and Whether it's clicking a button and Whether it's clicking a button and talking to somebody, sending in a prayer talking to somebody, sending in a prayer talking to somebody, sending in a prayer request, um whatever it is there, this request, um whatever it is there, this request, um whatever it is there, this is something that we as a community want is something that we as a community want is something that we as a community want to be with you in if you're making that to be with you in if you're making that to be with you in if you're making that first step. And let's all be on a first step. And let's all be on a first step. And let's all be on a journey of continuing to confess [music] journey of continuing to confess [music] journey of continuing to confess [music] and believe um because that's where life and believe um because that's where life and believe um because that's where life comes from.