When You Can't See the Light | What to Do When the World Seems Dark

Hey, welcome to [music] Crossroads. My Hey, welcome to [music] Crossroads. My name is Arturo name is Arturo name is Arturo >> and I'm Jen and summer is officially >> and I'm Jen and summer is officially >> and I'm Jen and summer is officially here. I got to host the [music] here. I got to host the [music] here. I got to host the [music] Crossroads Ignite Women's Conference Crossroads Ignite Women's Conference Crossroads Ignite Women's Conference last weekend and then I jumped in the last weekend and then I jumped in the last weekend and then I jumped in the car and drove to the beach with my car and drove to the beach with my car and drove to the beach with my family and I'm already back. family and I'm already back. family and I'm already back. >> Hey, I've That's amazing. I've been >> Hey, I've That's amazing. I've been >> Hey, I've That's amazing. I've been back. I've been on the couch all summer back. I've been on the couch all summer back. I've been on the couch all summer so far watching USA dominate Parawaii 4 so far watching USA dominate Parawaii 4 so far watching USA dominate Parawaii 4 to one. I saw Nick and five and I got a to one. I saw Nick and five and I got a to one. I saw Nick and five and I got a kitten yesterday. Yes, it has been an kitten yesterday. Yes, it has been an kitten yesterday. Yes, it has been an eventful summer. A kitten. And you know, eventful summer. A kitten. And you know, eventful summer. A kitten. And you know, here [music] we're in the middle of a here [music] we're in the middle of a here [music] we're in the middle of a series called the Jesus exhibit where series called the Jesus exhibit where series called the Jesus exhibit where we're looking at the seven times Jesus we're looking at the seven times Jesus we're looking at the seven times Jesus had made statements about himself. had made statements about himself. had made statements about himself. >> Yeah. And these are identity statements >> Yeah. And these are identity statements >> Yeah. And these are identity statements [music] of Jesus saying who he is, which [music] of Jesus saying who he is, which [music] of Jesus saying who he is, which maybe you are all in on that. Maybe maybe you are all in on that. Maybe maybe you are all in on that. Maybe you're [music] skeptical. Maybe you're you're [music] skeptical. Maybe you're you're [music] skeptical. Maybe you're at the beach on vacation and someone at the beach on vacation and someone at the beach on vacation and someone just turned church on. No matter where just turned church on. No matter where just turned church on. No matter where you are, we're really glad that you're you are, we're really glad that you're you are, we're really glad that you're here. here. here. >> Yeah. And hey, we're going to start this >> Yeah. And hey, we're going to start this >> Yeah. And hey, we're going to start this time off with some worship. And so the time off with some worship. And so the time off with some worship. And so the invitation here is for you to sing along invitation here is for you to sing along invitation here is for you to sing along or just read the words [music] or just read the words [music] or just read the words [music] regardless of what you do. Bring your regardless of what you do. Bring your regardless of what you do. Bring your authentic self to this. There was no way until you made one.

There was no way until you made one. Grace upon [music] grace. Grace upon [music] grace. Grace upon [music] grace. Hallelu. Even though I don't [singing] deserve Even though I don't [singing] deserve it, [music] it, [music] it, [music] you did it. you did it. you did it. And even though I couldn't [music] earn And even though I couldn't [music] earn And even though I couldn't [music] earn it, he gave it. it, he gave it. it, he gave it. [music] [music] [music] Who am I that you keep me on your mind? Who am I that you keep me on your mind? Who am I that you keep me on your mind? God, I'm just grateful [music] for you. God, I'm just grateful [music] for you. God, I'm just grateful [music] for you. And God, I'm just grateful for you. And God, I'm just grateful for you. And God, I'm just grateful for you. [music] Yes, I am. All my life, you've [music] Yes, I am. All my life, you've [music] Yes, I am. All my life, you've been right here by my side. God, I'm been right here by my side. God, I'm been right here by my side. God, I'm just grateful for you. just grateful for you. just grateful for you. God, I'm just grateful [music] for you. [music] There's only one. [music] There's only one. I give you glory I give you glory I give you glory for all that you done.

for all that you done. for all that you done. And even though I don't [music] deserve And even though I don't [music] deserve And even though I don't [music] deserve it, you did it, Lord. it, you did it, Lord. it, you did it, Lord. And even though I [music] couldn't earn And even though I [music] couldn't earn And even though I [music] couldn't earn it, you give it. Come on, we respond to it, you give it. Come on, we respond to it, you give it. Come on, we respond to [music] you. And who am I that you keep [music] you. And who am I that you keep [music] you. And who am I that you keep me on [singing] your mind? God, I'm just me on [singing] your mind? God, I'm just me on [singing] your mind? God, I'm just grateful for you. God, I'm just grateful grateful for you. God, I'm just grateful grateful for you. God, I'm just grateful for you. for you. for you. All my life [music] you've been right All my life [music] you've been right All my life [music] you've been right here by my side. God, I'm just grateful here by my side. God, I'm just grateful here by my side. God, I'm just grateful for you. [music] Yeah. [music] [music] by myself. I'm just grateful for you.

by myself. I'm just grateful for you. by myself. I'm just grateful for you. I'm [music] just grateful for you. Wake me up [music] to your goodness, Wake me up [music] to your goodness, God. Wake me up to your goodness, Lord. God. Wake me up to your goodness, Lord. God. Wake me up to your goodness, Lord. [music] So I So I [music] [music] [music] [singing] I'm lifting both of my hands [singing] I'm lifting both of my hands [singing] I'm lifting both of my hands cuz you gave me [music] chance after cuz you gave me [music] chance after cuz you gave me [music] chance after chance after chance. chance after chance. chance after chance. And I I'm giving [music] all that I am cuz you I'm giving [music] all that I am cuz you gave [singing] me chance after chance gave [singing] me chance after chance gave [singing] me chance after chance after chance. [music] after chance. [music] after chance. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] You keep me on your [music] mind.

[music] [music] Yeah. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. My [music] God. I'm just grateful for My [music] God. I'm just grateful for you. you. you. I'm just [music] grateful for you. I'm just [music] grateful for you. I'm just [music] grateful for you. I'm all right. If they [music] say I'm I'm all right. If they [music] say I'm I'm all right. If they [music] say I'm out of my mind, God, I'm just grateful out of my mind, God, I'm just grateful out of my mind, God, I'm just grateful for you. God, I'm [music] just grateful for you. God, I'm [music] just grateful for you. God, I'm [music] just grateful for you. [singing] >> I see bare ground. You see >> I see bare ground. You see [music and singing] garden.

I see wasted years. You see [music] I see wasted years. You see [music] promise. I see scattered pieces. [music] I see scattered pieces. [music] You see what could be You see what could be You see what could be whole. whole. whole. [music] [music] [music] Ooh, I see falling short. You see [music] I see falling short. You see [music] worthy. I see not [music and singing] enough. I see not [music and singing] enough. You see mercy. Oh, to have your [music and singing] Oh, to have your [music and singing] vision and go beyond what I know. vision and go beyond what I know. vision and go beyond what I know. beyond what I know. beyond what I know. beyond what I know. Show me what it looks like Show me what it looks like Show me what it looks like [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] to give you all my life to give you all my life to give you all my life to lead on [music and singing] the logic to lead on [music and singing] the logic to lead on [music and singing] the logic of heaven. of heaven. of heaven. Follow the path of your presence. Follow the path of your presence. Follow the path of your presence. Even if the whole world [music] Even if the whole world [music] Even if the whole world [music] is saying that it won't work, is saying that it won't work, is saying that it won't work, I'll sink it all your kingom.

I'll sink it all your kingom. I'll sink it all your kingom. I won't let go till I see [music] it. Wisdom far [music and singing] above my Wisdom far [music and singing] above my own perspective. Hope that grows up when I least expect Hope that grows up when I least expect it. Yeah. it. Yeah. it. Yeah. Give me faith that wakes [music] me from Give me faith that wakes [music] me from Give me faith that wakes [music] me from my sleep. Oh, I need it. Yeah. my sleep. Oh, I need it. Yeah. my sleep. Oh, I need it. Yeah. I need [music] [music] you of your of your evening. You can do the impossible.

You can do the impossible. Oh, yes you can. [music] I'll make room Oh, yes you can. [music] I'll make room Oh, yes you can. [music] I'll make room for you. for you. for you. What seems impossible What seems impossible What seems impossible is possible. What seems unbreakable [music] What seems unbreakable [music] is way [music] [music] over. [music] [music] >> Show me what you >> Show me what you >> Show me what you give you. [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I think it >> I think it >> I think it goes goes goes [music] My one of my favorite lyrics to that My one of my favorite lyrics to that song, it's about [music] halfway through

song, it's about [music] halfway through song, it's about [music] halfway through and it says, "What seems impossible is and it says, "What seems impossible is and it says, "What seems impossible is possible for you. What seems unbreakable possible for you. What seems unbreakable possible for you. What seems unbreakable is where you're breaking through cuz is where you're breaking through cuz is where you're breaking through cuz nothing is over until you [music] say nothing is over until you [music] say nothing is over until you [music] say it's over." Those aren't words I just it's over." Those aren't words I just it's over." Those aren't words I just hope are true. hope are true. hope are true. crazy, but those are words I've actually crazy, but those are words I've actually crazy, but those are words I've actually seen come true in my life. I've seen seen come true in my life. I've seen seen come true in my life. I've seen friends be set free from addiction that friends be set free from addiction that friends be set free from addiction that it looked impossible for them to get it looked impossible for them to get it looked impossible for them to get free from. [music] free from. [music] free from. [music] I've seen hope well up in in my heart I've seen hope well up in in my heart I've seen hope well up in in my heart when I've when I've lost people I loved. when I've when I've lost people I loved. when I've when I've lost people I loved. I've seen myself be able to get freedom I've seen myself be able to get freedom I've seen myself be able to get freedom from bitterness. I've seen friends set from bitterness. I've seen friends set from bitterness. I've seen friends set free from bitterness and move towards free from bitterness and move towards free from bitterness and move towards forgiveness. All because of the power in forgiveness. All because of the power in forgiveness. All because of the power in Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. All because of the way of Jesus. And All because of the way of Jesus. And All because of the way of Jesus. And when we say his name, it's saying his when we say his name, it's saying his when we say his name, it's saying his full presence, his ways, and everything full presence, his ways, and everything full presence, his ways, and everything that comes with it. And I've seen it. that comes with it. And I've seen it. that comes with it. And I've seen it. We're about to sing a song that just We're about to sing a song that just We're about to sing a song that just talks over and over again about the talks over and over again about the talks over and over again about the power of the name of Jesus [music] and power of the name of Jesus [music] and power of the name of Jesus [music] and what Jesus actually said about himself, what Jesus actually said about himself, what Jesus actually said about himself, which we've been talking about for which we've been talking about for which we've been talking about for several [music] weeks now. And so, it's several [music] weeks now. And so, it's several [music] weeks now. And so, it's not our idea. It's not the songwriter's not our idea. It's not the songwriter's not our idea. It's not the songwriter's idea. This idea comes right from Jesus idea. This idea comes right from Jesus idea. This idea comes right from Jesus of the power in his name. And it comes of the power in his name. And it comes of the power in his name. And it comes right from scripture. And I just want to right from scripture. And I just want to right from scripture. And I just want to read it for you. A part of where this read it for you. A part of where this read it for you. A part of where this comes from is Philippians comes from is Philippians comes from is Philippians 2:9-11 says, "Therefore, God has highly 2:9-11 says, "Therefore, God has highly 2:9-11 says, "Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name exalted him and bestowed on him the name exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the

that is above every name, so that at the that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in name of Jesus, every knee should bow in name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven [music] and on earth and under heaven [music] and on earth and under heaven [music] and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that the earth, and every tongue confess that the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory [music] [music] [music] of God the Father." of God the Father." of God the Father." There is no name like the name of Jesus There is no name like the name of Jesus There is no name like the name of Jesus who when we speak it, we speak all of who when we speak it, we speak all of who when we speak it, we speak all of his power and all of his love. I could sing I could sing your name for all my life your name for all my life your name for all my life and still and still and still find more to love [singing] each time. find more to love [singing] each time. find more to love [singing] each time. Jesus be the name ever [singing] on my Jesus be the name ever [singing] on my Jesus be the name ever [singing] on my lips. lips. lips. [music] [music] [music] It's sweeter every time [singing] that I It's sweeter every time [singing] that I It's sweeter every time [singing] that I call on it. There's just something about call on it. There's just something about call on it. There's just something about [music] your name.

[music] your name. [music] your name. There's just something about your name. There's just something about your name. There's just something about your name. There's just something [music] about There's just something [music] about There's just something [music] about your name your name your name that makes me cry holy. [music] that makes me cry holy. [music] that makes me cry holy. [music] There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. Jesus, you're worthy. [music] Yes, Yes, you have been you have been you have been the friend the friend the friend to [music] never to [music] never to [music] never left. I won't left. I won't left. I won't forget [music] forget [music] forget [music] your faithfulness. Jesus [music] be the name [singing] of Jesus [music] be the name [singing] of our lives. our lives. our lives. Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. [music] [music] [music] I see you every time that I call I see you every time that I call I see you every time that I call [singing] you. There's just something [singing] you. There's just something [singing] you. There's just something [music] about your [music] about your [music] about your There's just something about your name.

There's just something about your name. There's just something about your name. There's just something about your name There's just something about your name There's just something about your name makes me. makes me. makes me. [music] [music] [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There is no other name. There [music] is no other way. There [music] is no other way. There [music] is no other way. Jesus, you're worthy, Jesus, you're worthy, Jesus, you're worthy, worthy, worthy, worthy, [music] worthy, worthy, worthy, worthy, [music] worthy, worthy, worthy, worthy, [music] worthy, Lord. [singing] Holy, holy, holy Holy, holy, holy Jesus. [singing] Jesus. [singing] Jesus. [singing] Yeah. [music] Jesus, your name is like the [music] Jesus, your name is like the [music] light. The one in the darkness [singing] light. The one in the darkness [singing] light. The one in the darkness [singing] can't deny the resurrection [music] can't deny the resurrection [music] can't deny the resurrection [music] and life. Jesus, and life. Jesus, and life. Jesus, Jesus, [music] your name can save your Jesus, [music] your name can save your Jesus, [music] your name can save your [singing] name and you your name can [singing] name and you your name can [singing] name and you your name can make the stor.

make the stor. make the stor. You'll never [music] fail. [singing] You You'll never [music] fail. [singing] You You'll never [music] fail. [singing] You never will. Jesus. never will. Jesus. never will. Jesus. Jesus. [music and singing] >> [music] >> [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] >> Heat. >> [music] >> [music] [singing] Heat.

Heat. [music] Jesus be [music] the name Jesus be [music] the name of the glory [singing] of the glory [singing] of the glory [singing] we sing Jesus [music] be the name we sing Jesus [music] be the name we sing Jesus [music] be the name Jesus be the name Jesus be the name Jesus be the name Jesus be [music] the name Jesus be [music] the name Jesus be [music] the name that gets all the glory Jesus, to your [music] name be all the Jesus, to your [music] name be all the glory. To your name [music] be all of our love To your name [music] be all of our love and our adoration and our adoration and our adoration and our joy.

To your [music] name be our hearts and To your [music] name be our hearts and our lives. cuz you're worthy of it all. cuz you're worthy of it all. And I love [music] that this song And I love [music] that this song And I love [music] that this song reminds me of that. reminds me of that. reminds me of that. Cuz it's hard. Life [music] is hard. And Cuz it's hard. Life [music] is hard. And Cuz it's hard. Life [music] is hard. And I know lately I have been turning to I know lately I have been turning to I know lately I have been turning to other things other than you, other things other than you, other things other than you, other than [music] your name. other than [music] your name. other than [music] your name. And I just ask for all of us in this And I just ask for all of us in this And I just ask for all of us in this room and myself included room and myself included room and myself included wherever we [music] are, what'sever in wherever we [music] are, what'sever in wherever we [music] are, what'sever in front of us, whether it's good, bad, front of us, whether it's good, bad, front of us, whether it's good, bad, ugly, [music] beautiful, or everything ugly, [music] beautiful, or everything ugly, [music] beautiful, or everything in between, in between, in between, that we call on your name that we call on your name that we call on your name and we turn to [music] you. and we turn to [music] you. and we turn to [music] you. And may your name be given all the glory And may your name be given all the glory And may your name be given all the glory for all of it because of who you are for all of it because of who you are for all of it because of who you are because we love you. Amen.

because we love you. Amen. because we love you. Amen. You guys, good morning. Thank you for You guys, good morning. Thank you for You guys, good morning. Thank you for singing with us. I'm Erica. If you don't singing with us. I'm Erica. If you don't singing with us. I'm Erica. If you don't know each other, do me a favor. Turn to know each other, do me a favor. Turn to know each other, do me a favor. Turn to somebody that you don't know and tell somebody that you don't know and tell somebody that you don't know and tell them how glad you are that they're here. them how glad you are that they're here. them how glad you are that they're here. And have a seat. In November 2024, [music] thousands of In November 2024, [music] thousands of us stepped into something bigger than us stepped into something bigger than us stepped into something bigger than ourselves. We committed to give above ourselves. We committed to give above ourselves. We committed to give above and beyond our regular giving because we and beyond our regular giving because we and beyond our regular giving because we want to see an awakening in our land. want to see an awakening in our land. want to see an awakening in our land. One of the [music] most powerful signs One of the [music] most powerful signs One of the [music] most powerful signs that people are coming to know Jesus is that people are coming to know Jesus is that people are coming to know Jesus is the choice to be baptized. [music] And the choice to be baptized. [music] And the choice to be baptized. [music] And since the 10X push began, we have seen a since the 10X push began, we have seen a since the 10X push began, we have seen a lot of baptisms. lot of baptisms. lot of baptisms. God is [music] changing lives. Not God is [music] changing lives. Not God is [music] changing lives. Not someday, right now. On the weekends, someday, right now. On the weekends, someday, right now. On the weekends, [music] surrounded by friends, family, [music] surrounded by friends, family, [music] surrounded by friends, family, and neighbors, people are stepping into and neighbors, people are stepping into and neighbors, people are stepping into new life.

new life. new life. Experiencing [music] the power of the Experiencing [music] the power of the Experiencing [music] the power of the Holy Spirit at camps and revival. People Holy Spirit at camps and revival. People Holy Spirit at camps and revival. People of all ages are saying yes to Jesus for of all ages are saying yes to Jesus for of all ages are saying yes to Jesus for the very first time, leaving behind who the very first time, leaving behind who the very first time, leaving behind who they were and stepping into who God is they were and stepping into who God is they were and stepping into who God is calling them to be. On trips far from calling them to be. On trips far from calling them to be. On trips far from home, outside of comfort zones all home, outside of comfort zones all home, outside of comfort zones all around the world, God is meeting people around the world, God is meeting people around the world, God is meeting people in powerful [music] personal ways. And in powerful [music] personal ways. And in powerful [music] personal ways. And like our Crossroads Anywhere family in like our Crossroads Anywhere family in like our Crossroads Anywhere family in Bolivia, they are not waiting. We're not Bolivia, they are not waiting. We're not Bolivia, they are not waiting. We're not waiting for someone else. We're not waiting for someone else. We're not waiting for someone else. We're not waiting for a better time. [music] We're waiting for a better time. [music] We're waiting for a better time. [music] We're pushing forward faithfully. Every number pushing forward faithfully. Every number pushing forward faithfully. Every number is a name. And every name [music] has a is a name. And every name [music] has a is a name. And every name [music] has a story. A story known fully and loved story. A story known fully and loved story. A story known fully and loved completely by God. Hey, it is increibly to look back and Hey, it is increibly to look back and see what God has done through our church see what God has done through our church see what God has done through our church over the last year. And a special shout over the last year. And a special shout over the last year. And a special shout out to our anywhere folks in Bolivia out to our anywhere folks in Bolivia out to our anywhere folks in Bolivia where 16 people got baptized. Hey, where 16 people got baptized. Hey, where 16 people got baptized. Hey, Bolivia.

Bolivia. Bolivia. [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] >> If you didn't catch it in the video, it >> If you didn't catch it in the video, it >> If you didn't catch it in the video, it said 3,236 said 3,236 said 3,236 people have made the decision since 2024 people have made the decision since 2024 people have made the decision since 2024 when we started the 10X commitment to when we started the 10X commitment to when we started the 10X commitment to get baptized. Those numbers are people get baptized. Those numbers are people get baptized. Those numbers are people with names and real stories. Those are with names and real stories. Those are with names and real stories. Those are people whose lives have changed because people whose lives have changed because people whose lives have changed because of Jesus. And it is worth celebrating. of Jesus. And it is worth celebrating. of Jesus. And it is worth celebrating. Hey, baptism is all about openly Hey, baptism is all about openly Hey, baptism is all about openly declaring that you are all in on Jesus. declaring that you are all in on Jesus. declaring that you are all in on Jesus. And you if you've maybe accepted Jesus, And you if you've maybe accepted Jesus, And you if you've maybe accepted Jesus, but you [music] haven't been baptized, but you [music] haven't been baptized, but you [music] haven't been baptized, man, this might be time for you to man, this might be time for you to man, this might be time for you to consider the next step. And so, the next consider the next step. And so, the next consider the next step. And so, the next step is baptism. And August 2nd at any step is baptism. And August 2nd at any step is baptism. And August 2nd at any of our sites, you can get baptized. If of our sites, you can get baptized. If of our sites, you can get baptized. If you're interested, if you want to sign you're interested, if you want to sign you're interested, if you want to sign up or you're just asking, is that right up or you're just asking, is that right up or you're just asking, is that right for me right now? Hey, learn more and for me right now? Hey, learn more and for me right now? Hey, learn more and sign up at crossroads.net/baptism. sign up at crossroads.net/baptism. sign up at crossroads.net/baptism. [music] [music] [music] >> That's right. August 2nd, if you live >> That's right. August 2nd, if you live >> That's right. August 2nd, if you live near any of our sites, we'll be doing near any of our sites, we'll be doing near any of our sites, we'll be doing baptisms. And if you're a part of our baptisms. And if you're a part of our baptisms. And if you're a part of our anywhere community, you can make the anywhere community, you can make the anywhere community, you can make the decision to get baptized at any time. decision to get baptized at any time. decision to get baptized at any time. >> Recently, Janice, for example, she lives >> Recently, Janice, for example, she lives >> Recently, Janice, for example, she lives in South [music] Carolina and she got in South [music] Carolina and she got in South [music] Carolina and she got baptized in the Indian Rocks Beach in baptized in the Indian Rocks Beach in baptized in the Indian Rocks Beach in Florida.

Florida. Florida. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> She was vacationing there. And we have >> She was vacationing there. And we have >> She was vacationing there. And we have some people in our anywhere community some people in our anywhere community some people in our anywhere community >> who live in Florida and they drove over, >> who live in Florida and they drove over, >> who live in Florida and they drove over, they met her there, and they baptized they met her there, and they baptized they met her there, and they baptized her in the ocean. her in the ocean. her in the ocean. >> Wow. Come on. >> Wow. Come on. >> Wow. Come on. >> I know. Baptism is so important and we >> I know. Baptism is so important and we >> I know. Baptism is so important and we want to help you take that next step. No want to help you take that next step. No want to help you take that next step. No matter where you are in the world, we do matter where you are in the world, we do matter where you are in the world, we do anything to help you get baptized. anything to help you get baptized. anything to help you get baptized. >> Hey, and this update is not just about >> Hey, and this update is not just about >> Hey, and this update is not just about baptism. It's also a reminder that our baptism. It's also a reminder that our baptism. It's also a reminder that our church a while ago went on what we call church a while ago went on what we call church a while ago went on what we call a 10X journey. This 10X journey was a 10X journey. This 10X journey was a 10X journey. This 10X journey was about giving above and beyond. about giving above and beyond. about giving above and beyond. Yeah. And if you consider yourself a Yeah. And if you consider yourself a Yeah. And if you consider yourself a part of Crossroads, then this next part part of Crossroads, then this next part part of Crossroads, then this next part is for you. [music] Aside from 10X is for you. [music] Aside from 10X is for you. [music] Aside from 10X giving, Crossroads is also a place where giving, Crossroads is also a place where giving, Crossroads is also a place where we practice a regular spiritual we practice a regular spiritual we practice a regular spiritual discipline of giving. [music] Everything discipline of giving. [music] Everything discipline of giving. [music] Everything we do here happens because ordinary we do here happens because ordinary we do here happens because ordinary people choose to sacrifice financially. people choose to sacrifice financially. people choose to sacrifice financially. Yeah. And so, uh, I'm one of those Yeah. And so, uh, I'm one of those Yeah. And so, uh, I'm one of those ordinary people. And, uh, when I trust ordinary people. And, uh, when I trust ordinary people. And, uh, when I trust God with my money and I give him space God with my money and I give him space God with my money and I give him space and say, "You can have all of me and and say, "You can have all of me and and say, "You can have all of me and everything that's mine," Jen, he always everything that's mine," Jen, he always everything that's mine," Jen, he always shows up. shows up. shows up. >> How how it looks practically for me and >> How how it looks practically for me and >> How how it looks practically for me and our family is my husband works on our family is my husband works on our family is my husband works on commission. So, every time a paycheck commission. So, every time a paycheck commission. So, every time a paycheck comes [music] in, we give 10% back to comes [music] in, we give 10% back to comes [music] in, we give 10% back to God to our local church. For us, it's a God to our local church. For us, it's a God to our local church. For us, it's a way of saying, "God, everything that we way of saying, "God, everything that we way of saying, "God, everything that we have comes from you, and we are going to have comes from you, and we are going to have comes from you, and we are going to trust you to provide for our family."

trust you to provide for our family." trust you to provide for our family." And over the years, we have seen his And over the years, we have seen his And over the years, we have seen his faithfulness. So, you can learn more at faithfulness. So, you can learn more at faithfulness. So, you can learn more at crossroads.net/g [music] crossroads.net/g [music] crossroads.net/g [music] or also on our Crossroads Anywhere app. or also on our Crossroads Anywhere app. or also on our Crossroads Anywhere app. >> Hey, we've been in a series called the >> Hey, we've been in a series called the >> Hey, we've been in a series called the Jesus exhibit and we're taking a look at Jesus exhibit and we're taking a look at Jesus exhibit and we're taking a look at the things Jesus says about himself. the things Jesus says about himself. the things Jesus says about himself. Jesus had these seven iconic statements Jesus had these seven iconic statements Jesus had these seven iconic statements and today we're looking at when Jesus and today we're looking at when Jesus and today we're looking at when Jesus says, "I am the light of the world." says, "I am the light of the world." says, "I am the light of the world." >> Yeah. All Patterson is one of our >> Yeah. All Patterson is one of our >> Yeah. All Patterson is one of our teaching pastors and here to help us teaching pastors and here to help us teaching pastors and here to help us understand what that means and what that understand what that means and what that understand what that means and what that looks like. So, thank you for joining looks like. So, thank you for joining looks like. So, thank you for joining us. We're glad you're here. us. We're glad you're here. us. We're glad you're here. >> Where are we in the Bible? We're in the >> Where are we in the Bible? We're in the >> Where are we in the Bible? We're in the New Testament in the Gospel according to New Testament in the Gospel according to New Testament in the Gospel according to John. This is a firsthand biography of John. This is a firsthand biography of John. This is a firsthand biography of Jesus by one of his closest friends. In Jesus by one of his closest friends. In Jesus by one of his closest friends. In it, John records seven iconic I am it, John records seven iconic I am it, John records seven iconic I am statements that Jesus made. Seven statements that Jesus made. Seven statements that Jesus made. Seven metaphors, seven [music] self-portraits metaphors, seven [music] self-portraits metaphors, seven [music] self-portraits of the living God. of the living God. of the living God. This week, Jesus says, "I am the light This week, Jesus says, "I am the light This week, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world." Here's how it goes in the of the world." Here's how it goes in the of the world." Here's how it goes in the book of John, chapter 7 and 8. book of John, chapter 7 and 8. book of John, chapter 7 and 8. Now the Jews feast of booths was at Now the Jews feast of booths was at Now the Jews feast of booths was at hand. So [music] his brothers said to hand. So [music] his brothers said to hand. So [music] his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea that him, "Leave here and go to Judea that him, "Leave here and go to Judea that your disciples [music] also may see the your disciples [music] also may see the your disciples [music] also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in works you are doing. For no one works in works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly.

secret if he seeks to be known openly. secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do [music] these things, show If you do [music] these things, show If you do [music] these things, show yourself to the world." Jesus said to yourself to the world." Jesus said to yourself to the world." Jesus said to them, "You go up to the feast. I am not them, "You go up to the feast. I am not them, "You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, [music] for my going up to this feast, [music] for my going up to this feast, [music] for my time has not yet fully come." But after time has not yet fully come." But after time has not yet fully come." But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, his brothers had gone up to the feast, his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up [music] not then he also went up [music] not then he also went up [music] not publicly but in private, the Jews were publicly but in private, the Jews were publicly but in private, the Jews were looking for him at the feast and saying, looking for him at the feast and saying, looking for him at the feast and saying, "Where is he?" And there was much "Where is he?" And there was much "Where is he?" And there was much muttering about him among the people. muttering about him among the people. muttering about him among the people. While some said, "He is a good man." While some said, "He is a good man." While some said, "He is a good man." Others said, "No, he is leading the Others said, "No, he is leading the Others said, "No, he is leading the [music] people astray." Yet for fear of [music] people astray." Yet for fear of [music] people astray." Yet for fear of the Jews, no one spoke openly of him. the Jews, no one spoke openly of him. the Jews, no one spoke openly of him. About the middle of the feast, Jesus About the middle of the feast, Jesus About the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and began went up into the temple and began went up into the temple and began teaching. On the last day of the feast, teaching. On the last day of the feast, teaching. On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood [music] up the great day, Jesus stood [music] up the great day, Jesus stood [music] up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink." Again, Jesus him come to me and drink." Again, Jesus him come to me and drink." Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light spoke to them, saying, "I am the light spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will of the world. Whoever follows me will of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the not walk in darkness, but will have the not walk in darkness, but will have the light [music] of life."

Hey everyone, I am Ally and I'm one of Hey everyone, I am Ally and I'm one of the teaching pastors here at Crossroads. the teaching pastors here at Crossroads. the teaching pastors here at Crossroads. if you're joining us new this weekend. if you're joining us new this weekend. if you're joining us new this weekend. And we have been getting to know Jesus And we have been getting to know Jesus And we have been getting to know Jesus in these things that he said about in these things that he said about in these things that he said about himself, these seven statements. And if himself, these seven statements. And if himself, these seven statements. And if you haven't noticed, we're doing it in you haven't noticed, we're doing it in you haven't noticed, we're doing it in the setting of a museum. Now, I'm going the setting of a museum. Now, I'm going the setting of a museum. Now, I'm going to just be totally honest with you. When to just be totally honest with you. When to just be totally honest with you. When the creative team brought this museum the creative team brought this museum the creative team brought this museum idea for what we're, you know, idea for what we're, you know, idea for what we're, you know, creatively going to be in for this creatively going to be in for this creatively going to be in for this series, I thought, uh, okay, head series, I thought, uh, okay, head series, I thought, uh, okay, head scratch. I just paused and went, "Guys, scratch. I just paused and went, "Guys, scratch. I just paused and went, "Guys, I'm the kind of person that jogs a I'm the kind of person that jogs a I'm the kind of person that jogs a museum in about 30 minutes and then hits museum in about 30 minutes and then hits museum in about 30 minutes and then hits the gift shop on the way out. It just the gift shop on the way out. It just the gift shop on the way out. It just wasn't completely clicking for me." And wasn't completely clicking for me." And wasn't completely clicking for me." And I I don't know if that's you, but I I I I don't know if that's you, but I I I I don't know if that's you, but I I do. I go through the rooms. I'm like, do. I go through the rooms. I'm like, do. I go through the rooms. I'm like, "Amazing, beautiful. Wow. Done." Like, "Amazing, beautiful. Wow. Done." Like, "Amazing, beautiful. Wow. Done." Like, I'm out. So, we're I can tell there's I'm out. So, we're I can tell there's I'm out. So, we're I can tell there's some more people here that feel that way some more people here that feel that way some more people here that feel that way about museums. But but the idea was about museums. But but the idea was about museums. But but the idea was actually what the rest of you have actually what the rest of you have actually what the rest of you have figured out is that museums preserve figured out is that museums preserve figured out is that museums preserve things that are life-giving that are things that are life-giving that are things that are life-giving that are worth coming back to considering and worth coming back to considering and worth coming back to considering and receiving again and again and again. And receiving again and again and again. And receiving again and again and again. And that's exactly what these statements that's exactly what these statements that's exactly what these statements that Jesus said about himself are for that Jesus said about himself are for that Jesus said about himself are for us. So the one we're going to be looking us. So the one we're going to be looking us. So the one we're going to be looking at today is I am the light of the world.

at today is I am the light of the world. at today is I am the light of the world. So let me pray for us that we can So let me pray for us that we can So let me pray for us that we can receive what is in that name for us receive what is in that name for us receive what is in that name for us today. Lord, um, be with us here. Help today. Lord, um, be with us here. Help today. Lord, um, be with us here. Help us to hear your word clearly and to be us to hear your word clearly and to be us to hear your word clearly and to be able to somehow receive this truth again able to somehow receive this truth again able to somehow receive this truth again in our life. It's in Jesus deep, good, in our life. It's in Jesus deep, good, in our life. It's in Jesus deep, good, mighty name that I pray. Amen. Well, mighty name that I pray. Amen. Well, mighty name that I pray. Amen. Well, light is a funny thing because it can light is a funny thing because it can light is a funny thing because it can take all different forms. I mean, if you take all different forms. I mean, if you take all different forms. I mean, if you think about this as a metaphor, it could think about this as a metaphor, it could think about this as a metaphor, it could mean, I don't know, a hundred different mean, I don't know, a hundred different mean, I don't know, a hundred different things. I was downtown um after the Reds things. I was downtown um after the Reds things. I was downtown um after the Reds game, ready to watch the Friday game, ready to watch the Friday game, ready to watch the Friday fireworks a couple of days ago. And um I fireworks a couple of days ago. And um I fireworks a couple of days ago. And um I also got treated to a new form of light also got treated to a new form of light also got treated to a new form of light I didn't know existed. Did you guys know I didn't know existed. Did you guys know I didn't know existed. Did you guys know there's drone shows? Who's seen a drone there's drone shows? Who's seen a drone there's drone shows? Who's seen a drone show? Like coordinated, choreographed show? Like coordinated, choreographed show? Like coordinated, choreographed hundreds of drones in the sky making hundreds of drones in the sky making hundreds of drones in the sky making shapes and doing all kinds of shapes and doing all kinds of shapes and doing all kinds of choreography. It was amazing. I didn't choreography. It was amazing. I didn't choreography. It was amazing. I didn't even know that that existed until Friday even know that that existed until Friday even know that that existed until Friday night. I was just there for the night. I was just there for the night. I was just there for the fireworks, which are historically my fireworks, which are historically my fireworks, which are historically my favorite form of light. But light can favorite form of light. But light can favorite form of light. But light can take all these different forms. We take all these different forms. We take all these different forms. We actually think about light a lot here at actually think about light a lot here at actually think about light a lot here at Crossroads. If you are gathered in one Crossroads. If you are gathered in one Crossroads. If you are gathered in one of our buildings, in one of our spaces of our buildings, in one of our spaces of our buildings, in one of our spaces today, and you're in our community, today, and you're in our community, today, and you're in our community, you're probably used to it being pretty you're probably used to it being pretty you're probably used to it being pretty dark. We do that on purpose because we dark. We do that on purpose because we dark. We do that on purpose because we want Crossroads to feel like a place want Crossroads to feel like a place want Crossroads to feel like a place that you can come and seek God at your that you can come and seek God at your that you can come and seek God at your own pace, where you don't feel like own pace, where you don't feel like own pace, where you don't feel like you're on display, where people aren't you're on display, where people aren't you're on display, where people aren't staring at you. They don't have staring at you. They don't have staring at you. They don't have expectations of you. You can just feel expectations of you. You can just feel expectations of you. You can just feel safe receiving from God in this place.

safe receiving from God in this place. safe receiving from God in this place. If you're anything like me, you probably If you're anything like me, you probably If you're anything like me, you probably maybe some of you spent the first five maybe some of you spent the first five maybe some of you spent the first five times you came here in the back row times you came here in the back row times you came here in the back row crying. That's what I did. I was glad crying. That's what I did. I was glad crying. That's what I did. I was glad the lights were out. But this is what the lights were out. But this is what the lights were out. But this is what makes Jesus's words so interesting, makes Jesus's words so interesting, makes Jesus's words so interesting, right? right? right? So weird. Same service, same setting, So weird. Same service, same setting, So weird. Same service, same setting, same people, totally different reality. same people, totally different reality. same people, totally different reality. Totally different reality. Some of you Totally different reality. Some of you Totally different reality. Some of you are like, "Okay, that's my neighbor. are like, "Okay, that's my neighbor. are like, "Okay, that's my neighbor. That's my friend. I didn't even know That's my friend. I didn't even know That's my friend. I didn't even know they were here. they were here. they were here. And some of you are like, I mean, And some of you are like, I mean, And some of you are like, I mean, seriously, have mercy on these people. seriously, have mercy on these people. seriously, have mercy on these people. You can turn the lights back out. But You can turn the lights back out. But You can turn the lights back out. But some of you are like, no, no, no. That I some of you are like, no, no, no. That I some of you are like, no, no, no. That I was good the other way. This is not what was good the other way. This is not what was good the other way. This is not what I want. And we we do we think about the I want. And we we do we think about the I want. And we we do we think about the reality that light creates all the time. reality that light creates all the time. reality that light creates all the time. That's what makes Jesus's words so very That's what makes Jesus's words so very That's what makes Jesus's words so very interesting because we need to dig into interesting because we need to dig into interesting because we need to dig into the actual meaning that he meant with the actual meaning that he meant with the actual meaning that he meant with the word light with this thing that he the word light with this thing that he the word light with this thing that he called himself. And to do that, we need called himself. And to do that, we need called himself. And to do that, we need more than just the verse where it more than just the verse where it more than just the verse where it appeared. But I'm going to start there.

appeared. But I'm going to start there. appeared. But I'm going to start there. John 8:12 says this. When Jesus spoke John 8:12 says this. When Jesus spoke John 8:12 says this. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the again to the people, he said, "I am the again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me light of the world. Whoever follows me light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will will never walk in darkness but will will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. Now we can have the light of life. Now we can have the light of life. Now we can understand some really good things from understand some really good things from understand some really good things from just that verse. But if we go back a just that verse. But if we go back a just that verse. But if we go back a chapter in the book of John, we get the chapter in the book of John, we get the chapter in the book of John, we get the bigger context where Jesus was saying bigger context where Jesus was saying bigger context where Jesus was saying these words. It was in John chapter 7 these words. It was in John chapter 7 these words. It was in John chapter 7 that we learned and you heard that Jesus that we learned and you heard that Jesus that we learned and you heard that Jesus was in the city of Jerusalem at a was in the city of Jerusalem at a was in the city of Jerusalem at a festival. It was called the feast of festival. It was called the feast of festival. It was called the feast of booths or the feast of tabernacles. And booths or the feast of tabernacles. And booths or the feast of tabernacles. And this was an annual festival in the life this was an annual festival in the life this was an annual festival in the life of the Jewish people. And what they did of the Jewish people. And what they did of the Jewish people. And what they did is they gathered to remember a period of is they gathered to remember a period of is they gathered to remember a period of time just after Israel was delivered out time just after Israel was delivered out time just after Israel was delivered out of slavery in Egypt many generations of slavery in Egypt many generations of slavery in Egypt many generations before where God himself led them before where God himself led them before where God himself led them through the wilderness for 40 years. And through the wilderness for 40 years. And through the wilderness for 40 years. And the whole idea of this feast of booths the whole idea of this feast of booths the whole idea of this feast of booths or feast of tabernacles, same same or feast of tabernacles, same same or feast of tabernacles, same same thing, is that they would live in thing, is that they would live in thing, is that they would live in temporary shelters because this was temporary shelters because this was temporary shelters because this was essentially an entire generation in essentially an entire generation in essentially an entire generation in their nation's history where they were their nation's history where they were their nation's history where they were homeless. They were living in temporary homeless. They were living in temporary homeless. They were living in temporary dwellings and it was God who sustained dwellings and it was God who sustained dwellings and it was God who sustained them during that time. So they would them during that time. So they would them during that time. So they would actually leave their permanent houses actually leave their permanent houses actually leave their permanent houses and live in booths or tabernacles while and live in booths or tabernacles while and live in booths or tabernacles while the festival was going on in remembrance the festival was going on in remembrance the festival was going on in remembrance of this God who had delivered them and of this God who had delivered them and of this God who had delivered them and then sustained them while they were then sustained them while they were then sustained them while they were homeless wanderers in the wilderness of homeless wanderers in the wilderness of homeless wanderers in the wilderness of a desert for 40 years. And so that's

a desert for 40 years. And so that's a desert for 40 years. And so that's essentially what was going on. But not essentially what was going on. But not essentially what was going on. But not just that, it was also a celebration of just that, it was also a celebration of just that, it was also a celebration of how they remembered experiencing God how they remembered experiencing God how they remembered experiencing God during that time. Like in what form during that time. Like in what form during that time. Like in what form exactly did they experience God? Because exactly did they experience God? Because exactly did they experience God? Because he was there. He was leading and he was there. He was leading and he was there. He was leading and guiding. And that's what they were guiding. And that's what they were guiding. And that's what they were celebrating. And here is how they celebrating. And here is how they celebrating. And here is how they experienced God. Straight from the book experienced God. Straight from the book experienced God. Straight from the book of Exodus recorded during this time in of Exodus recorded during this time in of Exodus recorded during this time in the wilderness. It says, "By day the the wilderness. It says, "By day the the wilderness. It says, "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by cloud to guide them on their way and by cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them night in a pillar of fire to give them night in a pillar of fire to give them light so they could travel by day or light so they could travel by day or light so they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left day nor the pillar of fire by night left day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." its place in front of the people." its place in front of the people." So think about that. So think about that. So think about that. This is the celebration that Jesus says This is the celebration that Jesus says This is the celebration that Jesus says this in. Think about what what is this in. Think about what what is this in. Think about what what is actually being experienced. When Israel actually being experienced. When Israel actually being experienced. When Israel was homeless, who was the light? was homeless, who was the light? was homeless, who was the light? When the when the sun was beating When the when the sun was beating When the when the sun was beating overhead and they needed shelter from overhead and they needed shelter from overhead and they needed shelter from the heat, who was filtering that light?

the heat, who was filtering that light? the heat, who was filtering that light? When it was pitch black When it was pitch black When it was pitch black and they needed to move somewhere in the and they needed to move somewhere in the and they needed to move somewhere in the dark, who was the light? dark, who was the light? dark, who was the light? this festival that Jesus was this festival that Jesus was this festival that Jesus was celebrating, he he knew that they were celebrating, he he knew that they were celebrating, he he knew that they were celebrating God celebrating God celebrating God as that light, not not as a metaphor for as that light, not not as a metaphor for as that light, not not as a metaphor for it, not as the God who brought it, but it, not as the God who brought it, but it, not as the God who brought it, but as the presence of God himself, the as the presence of God himself, the as the presence of God himself, the feast of booths remembered what it felt feast of booths remembered what it felt feast of booths remembered what it felt like to experience the presence of God like to experience the presence of God like to experience the presence of God as light itself. In fact, the key visual as light itself. In fact, the key visual as light itself. In fact, the key visual feature had you been in Jerusalem at the feature had you been in Jerusalem at the feature had you been in Jerusalem at the time would have been these massive time would have been these massive time would have been these massive pillars of light all around the temple pillars of light all around the temple pillars of light all around the temple courts. Like, and I'm talking massive, courts. Like, and I'm talking massive, courts. Like, and I'm talking massive, you know, there's these these are kind you know, there's these these are kind you know, there's these these are kind of I mean renditions of what would have of I mean renditions of what would have of I mean renditions of what would have been experienced. And they're probably been experienced. And they're probably been experienced. And they're probably four or five of me stacked on top of four or five of me stacked on top of four or five of me stacked on top of each other. and a number of them all each other. and a number of them all each other. and a number of them all over the temple courts over the temple courts over the temple courts lighting not not just the temple not lighting not not just the temple not lighting not not just the temple not just for the Jewish people but lighting just for the Jewish people but lighting just for the Jewish people but lighting the city all around them for a solid the city all around them for a solid the city all around them for a solid week. Now I know that you know this but week. Now I know that you know this but week. Now I know that you know this but I feel like I have to say it out loud.

I feel like I have to say it out loud. I feel like I have to say it out loud. There was no electricity There was no electricity There was no electricity in the city. So think about that. An in the city. So think about that. An in the city. So think about that. An entire week of light entire week of light entire week of light was what they were experiencing was what they were experiencing was what they were experiencing during this festival. How unusual. A during this festival. How unusual. A during this festival. How unusual. A reminder of the God whose glory, whose reminder of the God whose glory, whose reminder of the God whose glory, whose presence appeared to them as light. presence appeared to them as light. presence appeared to them as light. Imagine the stories they would tell. Imagine the stories they would tell. Imagine the stories they would tell. Imagine the remembrances that would have Imagine the remembrances that would have Imagine the remembrances that would have come from their ancestors. He was come from their ancestors. He was come from their ancestors. He was essentially saying, "The God you essentially saying, "The God you essentially saying, "The God you remember, the God you're celebrating, remember, the God you're celebrating, remember, the God you're celebrating, the one who appeared as light, the one the one who appeared as light, the one the one who appeared as light, the one who guided and filtered and was constant who guided and filtered and was constant who guided and filtered and was constant and lit up the darkness. and lit up the darkness. and lit up the darkness. I'm him. I'm him. I'm him. That's me." This declaration, I am the That's me." This declaration, I am the That's me." This declaration, I am the light of the world, was a declaration light of the world, was a declaration light of the world, was a declaration that was really big in the middle of a that was really big in the middle of a that was really big in the middle of a festival that they were very clear what festival that they were very clear what festival that they were very clear what he was saying. Jesus was saying, "I am he was saying. Jesus was saying, "I am he was saying. Jesus was saying, "I am the one that you remember. I am the one the one that you remember. I am the one the one that you remember. I am the one that you celebrate right here before you that you celebrate right here before you that you celebrate right here before you as a man named Jesus." Now, I've got to as a man named Jesus." Now, I've got to as a man named Jesus." Now, I've got to tell you, as a teacher, I I look at that tell you, as a teacher, I I look at that tell you, as a teacher, I I look at that setting and I'm like, "Brilliant, setting and I'm like, "Brilliant, setting and I'm like, "Brilliant, amazing. Torches, fire, light amazing. Torches, fire, light amazing. Torches, fire, light everywhere. What better setting could everywhere. What better setting could everywhere. What better setting could there have been to announce himself, to there have been to announce himself, to there have been to announce himself, to declare his identity to a city, by the declare his identity to a city, by the declare his identity to a city, by the way, that had been talking about him?

way, that had been talking about him? way, that had been talking about him? His brothers wanted him to say who he His brothers wanted him to say who he His brothers wanted him to say who he was. The Pharisees had already decided was. The Pharisees had already decided was. The Pharisees had already decided he's from Satan. We need to get rid of he's from Satan. We need to get rid of he's from Satan. We need to get rid of him. The people, they were mumbling him. The people, they were mumbling him. The people, they were mumbling about who is this? Who's this guy? Is he about who is this? Who's this guy? Is he about who is this? Who's this guy? Is he good? Is he bad? You know, it makes it good? Is he bad? You know, it makes it good? Is he bad? You know, it makes it clear that that's the context. That's clear that that's the context. That's clear that that's the context. That's what's happening in the festival. and he what's happening in the festival. and he what's happening in the festival. and he steps up and he declares himself in this steps up and he declares himself in this steps up and he declares himself in this way and I just think man brilliance way and I just think man brilliance way and I just think man brilliance Jesus was not just God he was also an Jesus was not just God he was also an Jesus was not just God he was also an awesome teacher you know what a perfect awesome teacher you know what a perfect awesome teacher you know what a perfect moment except that's that's actually not moment except that's that's actually not moment except that's that's actually not what happened because in John 7:37 if what happened because in John 7:37 if what happened because in John 7:37 if you keep reading the chapter right you keep reading the chapter right you keep reading the chapter right before this happens you learn that this before this happens you learn that this before this happens you learn that this was the last day of that feast that's was the last day of that feast that's was the last day of that feast that's what it tells us and interestingly on what it tells us and interestingly on what it tells us and interestingly on the last day of that feast feast. the last day of that feast feast. the last day of that feast feast. Something very unusual takes place in Something very unusual takes place in Something very unusual takes place in the nation of Israel at that time. There the nation of Israel at that time. There the nation of Israel at that time. There was one final day of the feast where was one final day of the feast where was one final day of the feast where they would extinguish they would extinguish they would extinguish all the torches of light, where all the torches of light, where all the torches of light, where everything would go dark.

everything would go dark. everything would go dark. It was in the moment of darkness It was in the moment of darkness It was in the moment of darkness that Jesus stepped up and announced that Jesus stepped up and announced that Jesus stepped up and announced himself as the light of the world. He himself as the light of the world. He himself as the light of the world. He actually chose the day of this feast actually chose the day of this feast actually chose the day of this feast where they were actually acknowledging where they were actually acknowledging where they were actually acknowledging the current reality of their nation. It the current reality of their nation. It the current reality of their nation. It had been 400 had been 400 had been 400 years since God had appeared to any of years since God had appeared to any of years since God had appeared to any of them in any form. Generation after them in any form. Generation after them in any form. Generation after generation had gone by. Not a prophet generation had gone by. Not a prophet generation had gone by. Not a prophet was speaking. No appearance of God in was speaking. No appearance of God in was speaking. No appearance of God in any form. No light at all. All they were any form. No light at all. All they were any form. No light at all. All they were doing was remembering the God that could doing was remembering the God that could doing was remembering the God that could be light. The God that had been light. be light. The God that had been light. be light. The God that had been light. The God they hoped would be light. And The God they hoped would be light. And The God they hoped would be light. And then on the final day of the feast, they then on the final day of the feast, they then on the final day of the feast, they recognized their current reality, which recognized their current reality, which recognized their current reality, which was was was he just wasn't. And this is the moment And this is the moment after a week after a week after a week of fiery torches lighting up the city in of fiery torches lighting up the city in of fiery torches lighting up the city in celebration of the God of light. Jesus celebration of the God of light. Jesus celebration of the God of light. Jesus waits for the moment of darkness. The waits for the moment of darkness. The waits for the moment of darkness. The moment where they recognized where they moment where they recognized where they moment where they recognized where they actually were.

actually were. actually were. And he got up in front of the And he got up in front of the And he got up in front of the extinguished torches and he said, "I am extinguished torches and he said, "I am extinguished torches and he said, "I am the light of the world. the light of the world. the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in Whoever follows me will never walk in Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness. If anything, the light wasn't darkness. If anything, the light wasn't darkness. If anything, the light wasn't the object lesson. The darkness was. And the object lesson. The darkness was. And the object lesson. The darkness was. And he and he stepped into that darkness and he and he stepped into that darkness and he and he stepped into that darkness and declared himself God declared himself God declared himself God when they were going to have the hardest when they were going to have the hardest when they were going to have the hardest time receiving it. When they were time receiving it. When they were time receiving it. When they were wrestling with the fact that God hadn't wrestling with the fact that God hadn't wrestling with the fact that God hadn't shown up, that God left them in the shown up, that God left them in the shown up, that God left them in the dark, that he hadn't sent his word or dark, that he hadn't sent his word or dark, that he hadn't sent his word or his prophet or anything else that looked his prophet or anything else that looked his prophet or anything else that looked like his glory or his light to his like his glory or his light to his like his glory or his light to his people for hundreds of years. I'll bet people for hundreds of years. I'll bet people for hundreds of years. I'll bet each of us has some kind of place like each of us has some kind of place like each of us has some kind of place like that in our life. The place that you you that in our life. The place that you you that in our life. The place that you you kind of believe in theory that God could kind of believe in theory that God could kind of believe in theory that God could be light there. Maybe you've experienced be light there. Maybe you've experienced be light there. Maybe you've experienced in the past that he was actually light in the past that he was actually light in the past that he was actually light there and for whatever reason there and for whatever reason there and for whatever reason he's just not right now. he's just not right now. he's just not right now. Maybe it's been months, maybe it's been Maybe it's been months, maybe it's been Maybe it's been months, maybe it's been years. Maybe you can look back in your years. Maybe you can look back in your years. Maybe you can look back in your family tree and you can see that kind of family tree and you can see that kind of family tree and you can see that kind of darkness has been present over and over darkness has been present over and over darkness has been present over and over for generations like like the Jewish for generations like like the Jewish for generations like like the Jewish people would have been acknowledging on people would have been acknowledging on people would have been acknowledging on that day. I was thinking about um one of that day. I was thinking about um one of that day. I was thinking about um one of those places in my life. It's been going those places in my life. It's been going those places in my life. It's been going on for a really long time. And I I on for a really long time. And I I on for a really long time. And I I promise you, I'm driving here this promise you, I'm driving here this promise you, I'm driving here this morning and I'm like, how do I even put morning and I'm like, how do I even put morning and I'm like, how do I even put this into the right words? It's that this into the right words? It's that this into the right words? It's that kind of place. It's a relationship with kind of place. It's a relationship with kind of place. It's a relationship with one of my brothers. I don't talk about

one of my brothers. I don't talk about one of my brothers. I don't talk about my brothers for some different reasons. my brothers for some different reasons. my brothers for some different reasons. This one of them I have an extremely This one of them I have an extremely This one of them I have an extremely strained relationship with. And even strained relationship with. And even strained relationship with. And even even on my way here, I'm thinking, how even on my way here, I'm thinking, how even on my way here, I'm thinking, how do I explain this? do I explain this? do I explain this? You can only understand if you have one You can only understand if you have one You can only understand if you have one of these relationships in your life of these relationships in your life of these relationships in your life where like the darkness kind of crept in where like the darkness kind of crept in where like the darkness kind of crept in as kids like before you even really knew as kids like before you even really knew as kids like before you even really knew and dysfunctional things happened and and dysfunctional things happened and and dysfunctional things happened and patterns happened and and then absence patterns happened and and then absence patterns happened and and then absence total absence for many years. We now total absence for many years. We now total absence for many years. We now live on different um sides of the world. live on different um sides of the world. live on different um sides of the world. We live in different countries and we We live in different countries and we We live in different countries and we don't understand each other and we can't don't understand each other and we can't don't understand each other and we can't connect at all. And it feels like every connect at all. And it feels like every connect at all. And it feels like every interaction for year after year after interaction for year after year after interaction for year after year after year was just walking into a wall in the year was just walking into a wall in the year was just walking into a wall in the middle of the dark. And finally our last middle of the dark. And finally our last middle of the dark. And finally our last communication um he called me a name I communication um he called me a name I communication um he called me a name I can't say out loud and then insulted my can't say out loud and then insulted my can't say out loud and then insulted my faith, my family, my work. And I just faith, my family, my work. And I just faith, my family, my work. And I just went, I'm done. went, I'm done. went, I'm done. I'm done.

If you have a place like that, one that If you have a place like that, one that you don't have an answer for, you can't you don't have an answer for, you can't you don't have an answer for, you can't wrap it up. I don't even know what to wrap it up. I don't even know what to wrap it up. I don't even know what to say. It just is what it is right now. say. It just is what it is right now. say. It just is what it is right now. That's the kind of place that Jesus That's the kind of place that Jesus That's the kind of place that Jesus stepped into for the nation of Israel. stepped into for the nation of Israel. stepped into for the nation of Israel. That's the kind of darkness. That's the That's the kind of darkness. That's the That's the kind of darkness. That's the persistent and personal darkness that persistent and personal darkness that persistent and personal darkness that they were wrestling with on this last they were wrestling with on this last they were wrestling with on this last day of the feast. Where are the lights day of the feast. Where are the lights day of the feast. Where are the lights out for you like that? Maybe maybe it out for you like that? Maybe maybe it out for you like that? Maybe maybe it feels a little hopeless like I was just feels a little hopeless like I was just feels a little hopeless like I was just describing like how in the world how do describing like how in the world how do describing like how in the world how do you go back now? How do you how do you you go back now? How do you how do you you go back now? How do you how do you rewind this? How do you put the rewind this? How do you put the rewind this? How do you put the toothpaste back in the tube? toothpaste back in the tube? toothpaste back in the tube? Maybe yours is a little bit different. Maybe yours is a little bit different. Maybe yours is a little bit different. You're disoriented. But I know that You're disoriented. But I know that You're disoriented. But I know that you've probably stopped praying about you've probably stopped praying about you've probably stopped praying about it. It's that place where you you don't it. It's that place where you you don't it. It's that place where you you don't really even talk about it anymore really even talk about it anymore really even talk about it anymore because it just is. because it just is. because it just is. Now, I want you to imagine that place. Now, I want you to imagine that place. Now, I want you to imagine that place. And I want you to imagine um Jesus And I want you to imagine um Jesus And I want you to imagine um Jesus walking up to you and he's referencing walking up to you and he's referencing walking up to you and he's referencing that place in your life, that that place in your life, that that place in your life, that relationship, that issue, that kind of relationship, that issue, that kind of relationship, that issue, that kind of darkness. And he points right at it, darkness. And he points right at it, darkness. And he points right at it, right, right in your face. And he says, right, right in your face. And he says, right, right in your face. And he says, "I'm the light of the world.

"I'm the light of the world. "I'm the light of the world. There's life waiting for you there." I know how that feels to me. I know how that feels to me. It feels It feels It feels a little crazy. Would you laugh? Would a little crazy. Would you laugh? Would a little crazy. Would you laugh? Would you walk away from him? Would you take you walk away from him? Would you take you walk away from him? Would you take him seriously? Would you be angry? Would him seriously? Would you be angry? Would him seriously? Would you be angry? Would you say, "What took you so long?" I I you say, "What took you so long?" I I you say, "What took you so long?" I I don't know. What would your reaction be don't know. What would your reaction be don't know. What would your reaction be honestly to that comment about that honestly to that comment about that honestly to that comment about that place? That's how it felt when he said place? That's how it felt when he said place? That's how it felt when he said this. I am the light of the world. this. I am the light of the world. this. I am the light of the world. The God that after 400 years in slavery The God that after 400 years in slavery The God that after 400 years in slavery showed up and rescued you and led you showed up and rescued you and led you showed up and rescued you and led you out through the wilderness. The God that out through the wilderness. The God that out through the wilderness. The God that after 400 years of darkness in Israel after 400 years of darkness in Israel after 400 years of darkness in Israel has shown up before you, saying, "If has shown up before you, saying, "If has shown up before you, saying, "If you'll follow me, you'll follow me, you'll follow me, you won't walk in darkness." you won't walk in darkness." you won't walk in darkness." Jesus picked the moment, the place, the Jesus picked the moment, the place, the Jesus picked the moment, the place, the thing, the time, the people who would thing, the time, the people who would thing, the time, the people who would have had the hardest time receiving have had the hardest time receiving have had the hardest time receiving this. When you're in the dark like that, this. When you're in the dark like that, this. When you're in the dark like that, the question really quickly becomes the question really quickly becomes the question really quickly becomes really simple. Do you believe?

really simple. Do you believe? really simple. Do you believe? Do you believe? Because here's what we Do you believe? Because here's what we Do you believe? Because here's what we don't do. If we don't believe, don't do. If we don't believe, don't do. If we don't believe, we don't follow. we don't follow. we don't follow. If we don't believe, we don't move. If If we don't believe, we don't move. If If we don't believe, we don't move. If we don't believe, we don't act. And what we don't believe, we don't act. And what we don't believe, we don't act. And what what did Jesus say? Let me read these what did Jesus say? Let me read these what did Jesus say? Let me read these words again. He said, "I am the light of words again. He said, "I am the light of words again. He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not the world. Whoever follows me will not the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness. Whoever follows me. Whoever follows me. John 20:31 tells us that John the John 20:31 tells us that John the John 20:31 tells us that John the apostle that wrote this gospel, he wrote apostle that wrote this gospel, he wrote apostle that wrote this gospel, he wrote the entire gospel [snorts] with this the entire gospel [snorts] with this the entire gospel [snorts] with this question in mind. Do you believe? I wish question in mind. Do you believe? I wish question in mind. Do you believe? I wish every book of the Bible had a verse like every book of the Bible had a verse like every book of the Bible had a verse like John 20:31. Here's what he says. But John 20:31. Here's what he says. But John 20:31. Here's what he says. But these are written that you may believe these are written that you may believe these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, and that by believing you may have God, and that by believing you may have God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John says life in his name. John says life in his name. John says these what does he mean these are these what does he mean these are these what does he mean these are written? His whole gospel is seven written? His whole gospel is seven written? His whole gospel is seven miracles that validate these seven miracles that validate these seven miracles that validate these seven statements that Jesus made about statements that Jesus made about statements that Jesus made about himself. That's the whole organization himself. That's the whole organization himself. That's the whole organization of the book of John. And he said, "I of the book of John. And he said, "I of the book of John. And he said, "I picked these I picked [snorts] these picked these I picked [snorts] these picked these I picked [snorts] these statements and these associated miracles statements and these associated miracles statements and these associated miracles so that you would wrestle with the so that you would wrestle with the so that you would wrestle with the question, do you believe?"

question, do you believe?" question, do you believe?" Because if you don't, you're not going Because if you don't, you're not going Because if you don't, you're not going to follow. to follow. to follow. The [clears throat] picture of faith in The [clears throat] picture of faith in The [clears throat] picture of faith in the Bible is a little bit more like this the Bible is a little bit more like this the Bible is a little bit more like this chair. Like if I don't believe this chair. Like if I don't believe this chair. Like if I don't believe this chair is going to hold me, there's no chair is going to hold me, there's no chair is going to hold me, there's no chance I'm going to sit on it. Right? chance I'm going to sit on it. Right? chance I'm going to sit on it. Right? This is the picture of biblical faith. This is the picture of biblical faith. This is the picture of biblical faith. It's not that we believe in our minds It's not that we believe in our minds It's not that we believe in our minds that that thing is the truth. I think we that that thing is the truth. I think we that that thing is the truth. I think we can most of us get there. Jesus is the can most of us get there. Jesus is the can most of us get there. Jesus is the light of the world. Okay, sounds good. light of the world. Okay, sounds good. light of the world. Okay, sounds good. Son of God, thumbs up. You know, we we Son of God, thumbs up. You know, we we Son of God, thumbs up. You know, we we might mentally agree with that might mentally agree with that might mentally agree with that statement, but we're not going to sit on statement, but we're not going to sit on statement, but we're not going to sit on the stool the stool the stool unless we actually unless we actually unless we actually believe. John knew, I think, that everyone would John knew, I think, that everyone would eventually have to wrestle with this eventually have to wrestle with this eventually have to wrestle with this question. Who is this guy? question. Who is this guy? question. Who is this guy? And do I actually believe him? And do I actually believe him? And do I actually believe him? It's the same question the crowds had It's the same question the crowds had It's the same question the crowds had that day. Who are you? Do I believe you?

that day. Who are you? Do I believe you? that day. Who are you? Do I believe you? They were split on it. The Pharisees had They were split on it. The Pharisees had They were split on it. The Pharisees had come to an answer. They did not believe come to an answer. They did not believe come to an answer. They did not believe him. His own brothers were wrestling him. His own brothers were wrestling him. His own brothers were wrestling with like, who exactly are you here? with like, who exactly are you here? with like, who exactly are you here? You're going to need to say something You're going to need to say something You're going to need to say something so that we can figure out whether we so that we can figure out whether we so that we can figure out whether we believe you. And the same question is believe you. And the same question is believe you. And the same question is actually embedded in John 8:21 when actually embedded in John 8:21 when actually embedded in John 8:21 when Jesus says the words, "If you follow me, Jesus says the words, "If you follow me, Jesus says the words, "If you follow me, those who follow me." There's a question those who follow me." There's a question those who follow me." There's a question embedded in there because we don't embedded in there because we don't embedded in there because we don't follow what we don't believe. We won't follow what we don't believe. We won't follow what we don't believe. We won't move. We might say we agree, but we're move. We might say we agree, but we're move. We might say we agree, but we're not going to actually do anything if we not going to actually do anything if we not going to actually do anything if we don't actually believe him. So, let me say this another way. Will So, let me say this another way. Will you take a step you take a step you take a step toward Jesus toward Jesus toward Jesus when you're still completely in the when you're still completely in the when you're still completely in the dark? dark? dark? That's the question that this verse That's the question that this verse That's the question that this verse poses to us. And it's also um poses to us. And it's also um poses to us. And it's also um interestingly a part of a story that I interestingly a part of a story that I interestingly a part of a story that I want to share with you. And this is a want to share with you. And this is a want to share with you. And this is a pretty amazing story. It's a guy in our pretty amazing story. It's a guy in our pretty amazing story. It's a guy in our community. As a matter of fact, I just community. As a matter of fact, I just community. As a matter of fact, I just worked with him last week. He was worked with him last week. He was worked with him last week. He was running sound at the Ignite conference running sound at the Ignite conference running sound at the Ignite conference for me. I wish I had seen in depth his for me. I wish I had seen in depth his for me. I wish I had seen in depth his story before last weekend, but when I story before last weekend, but when I story before last weekend, but when I saw it this week, I thought, "This is saw it this week, I thought, "This is saw it this week, I thought, "This is amazing." And it is intense. It's raw, amazing." And it is intense. It's raw, amazing." And it is intense. It's raw, and it's also filled with hope. Meet and it's also filled with hope. Meet and it's also filled with hope. Meet Josh.

My brother, my older brother died. My brother, my older brother died. He was 17. I was 13. And then and that's He was 17. I was 13. And then and that's He was 17. I was 13. And then and that's when my understanding of God that there when my understanding of God that there when my understanding of God that there was no God or if there was a God, he was was no God or if there was a God, he was was no God or if there was a God, he was just not to be trusted. When I was just not to be trusted. When I was just not to be trusted. When I was making music, I [music] didn't think as making music, I [music] didn't think as making music, I [music] didn't think as much. I didn't like spending time with much. I didn't like spending time with much. I didn't like spending time with myself. People around me who love me are myself. People around me who love me are myself. People around me who love me are like, "Think you're drinking too much." like, "Think you're drinking too much." like, "Think you're drinking too much." And then I would just kind of avoid And then I would just kind of avoid And then I would just kind of avoid those people. And at this point, the those people. And at this point, the those people. And at this point, the more I was drinking, the less I had to more I was drinking, the less I had to more I was drinking, the less I had to keep quieting any thought of God, keep quieting any thought of God, keep quieting any thought of God, [music] any thought of a moral compass. [music] any thought of a moral compass. [music] any thought of a moral compass. And I hated thinking about my behavior. And I hated thinking about my behavior. And I hated thinking about my behavior. I was consumed with darkness. And then I I was consumed with darkness. And then I I was consumed with darkness. And then I met my current wife. I was sober almost met my current wife. I was sober almost met my current wife. I was sober almost a year when I met her. And that was like a year when I met her. And that was like a year when I met her. And that was like the first time I started to feel the first time I started to feel the first time I started to feel somewhat hopeful and happy. guy I used somewhat hopeful and happy. guy I used somewhat hopeful and happy. guy I used to tour with calls me. My wife was like, to tour with calls me. My wife was like, to tour with calls me. My wife was like, "You said that touring and traveling was "You said that touring and traveling was "You said that touring and traveling was a struggle." I'm like, "It's perfectly a struggle." I'm like, "It's perfectly a struggle." I'm like, "It's perfectly fine. I'm good." But as soon as they fine. I'm good." But as soon as they fine. I'm good." But as soon as they sent me my flight details, [music] I sent me my flight details, [music] I sent me my flight details, [music] I started plotting. I can drink as long as started plotting. I can drink as long as started plotting. I can drink as long as I'm not around her. I can drink as long I'm not around her. I can drink as long I'm not around her. I can drink as long as I'm not I can't hurt people if I'm as I'm not I can't hurt people if I'm as I'm not I can't hurt people if I'm not drinking in front of them.

not drinking in front of them. not drinking in front of them. That led to a full-blown That led to a full-blown That led to a full-blown um relapse um relapse um relapse to where my wife for the very first to where my wife for the very first to where my wife for the very first [music] time saw me drinking. It's like [music] time saw me drinking. It's like [music] time saw me drinking. It's like she finally got to see that part of me she finally got to see that part of me she finally got to see that part of me that I've been hiding. She's like, that I've been hiding. She's like, that I've been hiding. She's like, "Okay, I don't want you intoxicated "Okay, I don't want you intoxicated "Okay, I don't want you intoxicated around [music] the kids." That was the around [music] the kids." That was the around [music] the kids." That was the day that I took my work knife and cut my day that I took my work knife and cut my day that I took my work knife and cut my wrist. wrist. wrist. So when I got back from the hospital, it So when I got back from the hospital, it So when I got back from the hospital, it was like, "You have assault charges on was like, "You have assault charges on was like, "You have assault charges on police. It's a felony." And I'm like, police. It's a felony." And I'm like, police. It's a felony." And I'm like, "What? Felonies [music] are for like bad "What? Felonies [music] are for like bad "What? Felonies [music] are for like bad people." I found out that charges were people." I found out that charges were people." I found out that charges were filed against me for assaulting police filed against me for assaulting police filed against me for assaulting police as they were putting as the firefighters as they were putting as the firefighters as they were putting as the firefighters were [music] putting a tourniquet on my were [music] putting a tourniquet on my were [music] putting a tourniquet on my arm. I wasn't even happy. I woke up. arm. I wasn't even happy. I woke up. arm. I wasn't even happy. I woke up. I woke up and immediately just started I woke up and immediately just started I woke up and immediately just started thinking about how ashamed I was or thinking about how ashamed I was or thinking about how ashamed I was or fantasized about I just need to get into fantasized about I just need to get into fantasized about I just need to get into a place where I could go back to a place where I could go back to a place where I could go back to drinking inside of a hotel room by drinking inside of a hotel room by drinking inside of a hotel room by myself. It'll all be fine. My wife was myself. It'll all be fine. My wife was myself. It'll all be fine. My wife was like, "You have to go into a rehab. If like, "You have to go into a rehab. If like, "You have to go into a rehab. If you don't go into a rehab, we just can't you don't go into a rehab, we just can't you don't go into a rehab, we just can't just can't be. You're killing yourself."

just can't be. You're killing yourself." just can't be. You're killing yourself." I was supposed to go into treatment on I was supposed to go into treatment on I was supposed to go into treatment on March 8th. So March 7th, [music] I came March 8th. So March 7th, [music] I came March 8th. So March 7th, [music] I came home and was like, I'm just going to home and was like, I'm just going to home and was like, I'm just going to have one last hurrah of drinking. I have one last hurrah of drinking. I have one last hurrah of drinking. I blacked out and then I woke up in jail blacked out and then I woke up in jail blacked out and then I woke up in jail again. I was pissed cuz I'm supposed to again. I was pissed cuz I'm supposed to again. I was pissed cuz I'm supposed to be rehab. be rehab. be rehab. Now I have another disorderly conduct. Now I have another disorderly conduct. Now I have another disorderly conduct. And then they told me that I had And then they told me that I had And then they told me that I had assaulted my wife. And And that was like the that was like the that was like the I didn't care if I hurted hurt myself. I didn't care if I died, I didn't care if I died, but to know that I hurt her. So, I was in jail, So, I was in jail, plead guilty to domestic violence. plead guilty to domestic violence. plead guilty to domestic violence. They put me in another drug and alcohol They put me in another drug and alcohol They put me in another drug and alcohol program. During that time I was in that program. During that time I was in that program. During that time I was in that program, I went to trial for the assault program, I went to trial for the assault program, I went to trial for the assault on police. So then they sent me to on police. So then they sent me to on police. So then they sent me to prison.

prison. prison. The time in jail into [music] prison, I The time in jail into [music] prison, I The time in jail into [music] prison, I started reading the Bible for the first started reading the Bible for the first started reading the Bible for the first time. I wasn't reading for any other time. I wasn't reading for any other time. I wasn't reading for any other reason other than to know him. Why did reason other than to know him. Why did reason other than to know him. Why did you make me you make me you make me if all I was going to do is become if all I was going to do is become if all I was going to do is become nothing? I started listening nothing? I started listening nothing? I started listening and I started hearing and I started hearing and I started hearing God speak to me and I wasn't afraid. I God speak to me and I wasn't afraid. I God speak to me and I wasn't afraid. I still had shame but I didn't feel shamed still had shame but I didn't feel shamed still had shame but I didn't feel shamed by him and I had peace for the first by him and I had peace for the first by him and I had peace for the first time since [music] I was a kid. time since [music] I was a kid. time since [music] I was a kid. I left prison, went to a halfway house, I left prison, went to a halfway house, I left prison, went to a halfway house, which is way worse than prison. Uh, we which is way worse than prison. Uh, we which is way worse than prison. Uh, we were all out back and this [music] guy were all out back and this [music] guy were all out back and this [music] guy walked up and came up and eat a water walked up and came up and eat a water walked up and came up and eat a water bottle full of vodka. He was like, bottle full of vodka. He was like, bottle full of vodka. He was like, "Here, bro. You [music] want a drink?" I "Here, bro. You [music] want a drink?" I "Here, bro. You [music] want a drink?" I said, "No, I'm good." Even though I said, "No, I'm good." Even though I said, "No, I'm good." Even though I want, my whole body was like, "No, this want, my whole body was like, "No, this want, my whole body was like, "No, this is yours." I [snorts] was like, "No, I'm is yours." I [snorts] was like, "No, I'm is yours." I [snorts] was like, "No, I'm good." [music] And then I went to bed good." [music] And then I went to bed good." [music] And then I went to bed and I woke up the next day. The and I woke up the next day. The and I woke up the next day. The self-sabotage voice was gone. The voice self-sabotage voice was gone. The voice self-sabotage voice was gone. The voice of, "But look what you've done. Look at of, "But look what you've done. Look at of, "But look what you've done. Look at all the destruction [music] that you've all the destruction [music] that you've all the destruction [music] that you've created. Your entire is gone. I trusted created. Your entire is gone. I trusted created. Your entire is gone. I trusted him just by refusing what my body him just by refusing what my body him just by refusing what my body wanted. [music] And my marriage has been wanted. [music] And my marriage has been wanted. [music] And my marriage has been healed from that time. I have peace healed from that time. I have peace healed from that time. I have peace because I'm not fighting anymore. And because I'm not fighting anymore. And because I'm not fighting anymore. And it's great. I love waking up every day.

it's great. I love waking up every day. it's great. I love waking up every day. I love going to sleep every [music] day. I love going to sleep every [music] day. I love going to sleep every [music] day. And I no longer have an obsession. My And I no longer have an obsession. My And I no longer have an obsession. My obsession is just looking around me and obsession is just looking around me and obsession is just looking around me and realizing realizing realizing what God has [music] blessed me with. I what God has [music] blessed me with. I what God has [music] blessed me with. I do sound at Eastside Crossroads. That do sound at Eastside Crossroads. That do sound at Eastside Crossroads. That passion, my love for sound that I had passion, my love for sound that I had passion, my love for sound that I had came back to life. Now I get to do what came back to life. Now I get to do what came back to life. Now I get to do what I've always loved. I've always loved. I've always loved. There was darkness, but now there's There was darkness, but now there's There was darkness, but now there's [music] light. When I listened to Josh's story, you When I listened to Josh's story, you know what I saw was? It was the moment. know what I saw was? It was the moment. know what I saw was? It was the moment. It was the same moment. It was the It was the same moment. It was the It was the same moment. It was the moment where he was totally in the dark moment where he was totally in the dark moment where he was totally in the dark and he reached out for God. Before he and he reached out for God. Before he and he reached out for God. Before he could see anything, before he knew could see anything, before he knew could see anything, before he knew anything about where his life would go, anything about where his life would go, anything about where his life would go, he was in prison. And I don't want you he was in prison. And I don't want you he was in prison. And I don't want you to miss it because it's so critically to miss it because it's so critically to miss it because it's so critically important that we understand this. He important that we understand this. He important that we understand this. He reached out at the darkest moment and reached out at the darkest moment and reached out at the darkest moment and all he said, he said it really simply. I all he said, he said it really simply. I all he said, he said it really simply. I read the Bible.

read the Bible. read the Bible. That's it. He took his question to God. That's it. He took his question to God. That's it. He took his question to God. Why did you make me if it was going to Why did you make me if it was going to Why did you make me if it was going to be like this? I promise you, when he be like this? I promise you, when he be like this? I promise you, when he closed his Bible, the first time he read closed his Bible, the first time he read closed his Bible, the first time he read it, nothing felt any different. But do it, nothing felt any different. But do it, nothing felt any different. But do you know something? The human eye can you know something? The human eye can you know something? The human eye can only take in 0.0035% of the full light spectrum. That's like of the full light spectrum. That's like nothing. nothing. nothing. What if the same is true spiritually? What if the same is true spiritually? What if the same is true spiritually? What if one day God brings him back to What if one day God brings him back to What if one day God brings him back to that moment and he says, "You know, when that moment and he says, "You know, when that moment and he says, "You know, when you did that, the light just exploded you did that, the light just exploded you did that, the light just exploded around you. You know, when you reached around you. You know, when you reached around you. You know, when you reached out for me in the dark, I was already out for me in the dark, I was already out for me in the dark, I was already there. All the light was already there. there. All the light was already there. there. All the light was already there. You just couldn't see it yet." You just couldn't see it yet." You just couldn't see it yet." >> He reached out in the dark and he took >> He reached out in the dark and he took >> He reached out in the dark and he took one tiny step with God. And I promise one tiny step with God. And I promise one tiny step with God. And I promise you on the moment he did it, it didn't you on the moment he did it, it didn't you on the moment he did it, it didn't feel like much of anything. And yet when feel like much of anything. And yet when feel like much of anything. And yet when you hear him tell his story, that's the you hear him tell his story, that's the you hear him tell his story, that's the turning point. That's the turning point.

turning point. That's the turning point. turning point. That's the turning point. And I just wonder if Jesus will point at And I just wonder if Jesus will point at And I just wonder if Jesus will point at that one day and go, "Everything changed that one day and go, "Everything changed that one day and go, "Everything changed there. Every single thing changed." So I there. Every single thing changed." So I there. Every single thing changed." So I want to take you through these three want to take you through these three want to take you through these three kind of I I don't calling them steps is kind of I I don't calling them steps is kind of I I don't calling them steps is way too organized. these three ideas way too organized. these three ideas way too organized. these three ideas that I think allow us to reach out to that I think allow us to reach out to that I think allow us to reach out to God in the dark. And they're actually God in the dark. And they're actually God in the dark. And they're actually written also by the Apostle John in one written also by the Apostle John in one written also by the Apostle John in one of his letters. He wrote the Gospel of of his letters. He wrote the Gospel of of his letters. He wrote the Gospel of John and he also wrote these three John and he also wrote these three John and he also wrote these three little letters way in the back of your little letters way in the back of your little letters way in the back of your Bible. 1 John, 2 John, Third John. So Bible. 1 John, 2 John, Third John. So Bible. 1 John, 2 John, Third John. So these come from the first chapter of these come from the first chapter of these come from the first chapter of First John. And he again talks about God First John. And he again talks about God First John. And he again talks about God as light. And he says a little bit more as light. And he says a little bit more as light. And he says a little bit more about how you come out of the darkness. about how you come out of the darkness. about how you come out of the darkness. And that's what I want to spend a few And that's what I want to spend a few And that's what I want to spend a few minutes talking about for the rest of minutes talking about for the rest of minutes talking about for the rest of our time. It says, "This is the message our time. It says, "This is the message our time. It says, "This is the message we have heard from him and that we we have heard from him and that we we have heard from him and that we proclaim to you that God is light and in proclaim to you that God is light and in proclaim to you that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we him there is no darkness at all. If we him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we say we have fellowship with him while we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not walk in darkness, we lie and do not walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in practice the truth. But if we walk in practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have the light as he is in the light, we have the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the fellowship with one another and the fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his son cleanses us from blood of Jesus his son cleanses us from blood of Jesus his son cleanses us from all sin. The first thing implicit in all sin. The first thing implicit in all sin. The first thing implicit in these words is that we have to admit the these words is that we have to admit the these words is that we have to admit the darkness.

darkness. darkness. We have to be able to say there is a We have to be able to say there is a We have to be able to say there is a place of darkness. He says if we if place of darkness. He says if we if place of darkness. He says if we if we're walking, what are his words? If we we're walking, what are his words? If we we're walking, what are his words? If we say we have fellowship with God while we say we have fellowship with God while we say we have fellowship with God while we walk in darkness, we're lying. We're walk in darkness, we're lying. We're walk in darkness, we're lying. We're lying to ourselves at the very least. lying to ourselves at the very least. lying to ourselves at the very least. So the question for Jesus, the very So the question for Jesus, the very So the question for Jesus, the very first question is, will you show me first question is, will you show me first question is, will you show me where the lights have gone out? A lot of where the lights have gone out? A lot of where the lights have gone out? A lot of us already know. us already know. us already know. A lot of us are thinking about a a A lot of us are thinking about a a A lot of us are thinking about a a situation or a darkness in our life, and situation or a darkness in our life, and situation or a darkness in our life, and we have been for the last 15 minutes. But the question is, where have the But the question is, where have the lights gone out? If something comes to lights gone out? If something comes to lights gone out? If something comes to mind, don't rush past it. I had one of mind, don't rush past it. I had one of mind, don't rush past it. I had one of these recently because it was almost these recently because it was almost these recently because it was almost like my eyes had adjusted to this like my eyes had adjusted to this like my eyes had adjusted to this darkness slowly and I didn't even really darkness slowly and I didn't even really darkness slowly and I didn't even really realize, oh, I'm I'm kind of walking in realize, oh, I'm I'm kind of walking in realize, oh, I'm I'm kind of walking in this darkness. I didn't really even this darkness. I didn't really even this darkness. I didn't really even realize it until I put it in these realize it until I put it in these realize it until I put it in these terms. You know, preach a message about terms. You know, preach a message about terms. You know, preach a message about something and see what you find out.

something and see what you find out. something and see what you find out. It's interesting. God will God will show It's interesting. God will God will show It's interesting. God will God will show you all kinds of interesting things. So, you all kinds of interesting things. So, you all kinds of interesting things. So, here's one of mine. I realized like here's one of mine. I realized like here's one of mine. I realized like about a year ago there were a couple of about a year ago there were a couple of about a year ago there were a couple of writing opportunities that I really writing opportunities that I really writing opportunities that I really wanted. I I love to write and um they wanted. I I love to write and um they wanted. I I love to write and um they didn't happen and I just felt like a didn't happen and I just felt like a didn't happen and I just felt like a couple of professional opportunities couple of professional opportunities couple of professional opportunities kept getting wiped away and the the kept getting wiped away and the the kept getting wiped away and the the thing out here, you know, I know what thing out here, you know, I know what thing out here, you know, I know what I'm doing today and then the thing that I'm doing today and then the thing that I'm doing today and then the thing that that's out here that I thought, oh, I'm that's out here that I thought, oh, I'm that's out here that I thought, oh, I'm I'm kind of looking at that into the I'm kind of looking at that into the I'm kind of looking at that into the future, it it began to get blurred. It future, it it began to get blurred. It future, it it began to get blurred. It just wasn't very clear anymore. And I just wasn't very clear anymore. And I just wasn't very clear anymore. And I was pretty disappointed. But, you know, was pretty disappointed. But, you know, was pretty disappointed. But, you know, you just keep moving. Life happens, you just keep moving. Life happens, you just keep moving. Life happens, whatever. But I didn't realize until whatever. But I didn't realize until whatever. But I didn't realize until recently that I had taken on a sense of recently that I had taken on a sense of recently that I had taken on a sense of like hopelessness or something about like hopelessness or something about like hopelessness or something about that that that and that I had somehow begun to walk in and that I had somehow begun to walk in and that I had somehow begun to walk in this agreement that maybe God just this agreement that maybe God just this agreement that maybe God just doesn't have any more plans for me. doesn't have any more plans for me. doesn't have any more plans for me. Subtle, right? Like this little darkness Subtle, right? Like this little darkness Subtle, right? Like this little darkness that I just started to agree with. Like that I just started to agree with. Like that I just started to agree with. Like I I guess I guess not. Okay, cool, I I I guess I guess not. Okay, cool, I I I guess I guess not. Okay, cool, I guess. And I just started to take on guess. And I just started to take on guess. And I just started to take on this sense of like, I can't quite muster this sense of like, I can't quite muster this sense of like, I can't quite muster up the same energy.

up the same energy. up the same energy. And over the last week, God has pointed And over the last week, God has pointed And over the last week, God has pointed out, you know, you started to walk in out, you know, you started to walk in out, you know, you started to walk in darkness there. You know, you started to darkness there. You know, you started to darkness there. You know, you started to believe something and then just you just believe something and then just you just believe something and then just you just kept believing it. You just kept walking kept believing it. You just kept walking kept believing it. You just kept walking in it. That's not what I say. That's in it. That's not what I say. That's in it. That's not what I say. That's darkness. You're walking in it. darkness. You're walking in it. darkness. You're walking in it. Sometimes it's really subtle like that Sometimes it's really subtle like that Sometimes it's really subtle like that and we just begin to move in it. and we just begin to move in it. and we just begin to move in it. So ask him, is there a place? So ask him, is there a place? So ask him, is there a place? And we have to admit it because the And we have to admit it because the And we have to admit it because the second thing we have to do is also on second thing we have to do is also on second thing we have to do is also on purpose. Wherever that place is, we're purpose. Wherever that place is, we're purpose. Wherever that place is, we're going to expose it. John's John's words going to expose it. John's John's words going to expose it. John's John's words are um if we walk in the light as he is are um if we walk in the light as he is are um if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with in the light, we have fellowship with in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus his one another. And the blood of Jesus his one another. And the blood of Jesus his son cleanses us. It cleanses us. We can son cleanses us. It cleanses us. We can son cleanses us. It cleanses us. We can not only connect with other people about not only connect with other people about not only connect with other people about it. We have fellowship with one another it. We have fellowship with one another it. We have fellowship with one another if we expose it in the light. We can we if we expose it in the light. We can we if we expose it in the light. We can we can talk about it and it also begins to can talk about it and it also begins to can talk about it and it also begins to cleanse us. Light I don't know if you cleanse us. Light I don't know if you cleanse us. Light I don't know if you know this has a cleansing property. I know this has a cleansing property. I know this has a cleansing property. I learned I learned this in I don't know learned I learned this in I don't know learned I learned this in I don't know like eighth grade science class or like eighth grade science class or like eighth grade science class or something like yucky stuff grows in the something like yucky stuff grows in the something like yucky stuff grows in the dark. That's about what I took away from dark. That's about what I took away from dark. That's about what I took away from eighth grade science. We had to grow eighth grade science. We had to grow eighth grade science. We had to grow mold in our desk. Little little piece of mold in our desk. Little little piece of mold in our desk. Little little piece of bread sprinkle it with a little bread sprinkle it with a little bread sprinkle it with a little moisture. seal up the bag, put it in our moisture. seal up the bag, put it in our moisture. seal up the bag, put it in our desk. And actually, bummer for me, that desk. And actually, bummer for me, that desk. And actually, bummer for me, that project um revealed that I'm allergic to project um revealed that I'm allergic to project um revealed that I'm allergic to mold.

mold. mold. Really stung for me. But I got the Really stung for me. But I got the Really stung for me. But I got the point. I got the point. There's really point. I got the point. There's really point. I got the point. There's really gross stuff that grows in the dark, gross stuff that grows in the dark, gross stuff that grows in the dark, things you don't want. Bacteria and mold things you don't want. Bacteria and mold things you don't want. Bacteria and mold and germs and all the things that you're and germs and all the things that you're and germs and all the things that you're not looking for. And also, that's what not looking for. And also, that's what not looking for. And also, that's what happens to us spiritually as well. So happens to us spiritually as well. So happens to us spiritually as well. So when we take this place and we expose it when we take this place and we expose it when we take this place and we expose it and we expose it to Jesus, we expose it and we expose it to Jesus, we expose it and we expose it to Jesus, we expose it to other people, then light begins to do to other people, then light begins to do to other people, then light begins to do its work, actual light, like in in the its work, actual light, like in in the its work, actual light, like in in the real physical natural realm. It boosts real physical natural realm. It boosts real physical natural realm. It boosts immunity and mood. It kills bacteria. It immunity and mood. It kills bacteria. It immunity and mood. It kills bacteria. It it begins to have cleansing properties. it begins to have cleansing properties. it begins to have cleansing properties. And that's exactly what John is implying And that's exactly what John is implying And that's exactly what John is implying that there's a light that comes in that that there's a light that comes in that that there's a light that comes in that begins to cleanse. Psalm 139, my begins to cleanse. Psalm 139, my begins to cleanse. Psalm 139, my favorite personal psalm, highly favorite personal psalm, highly favorite personal psalm, highly recommend, has a line in it that says, recommend, has a line in it that says, recommend, has a line in it that says, um, "Darkness is as light to him, to um, "Darkness is as light to him, to um, "Darkness is as light to him, to God." He's not having trouble seeing. We God." He's not having trouble seeing. We God." He's not having trouble seeing. We are. He doesn't He doesn't not see are. He doesn't He doesn't not see are. He doesn't He doesn't not see through your darkness. You don't. And so through your darkness. You don't. And so through your darkness. You don't. And so when we expose it, we begin to see when we expose it, we begin to see when we expose it, we begin to see things. I did this with my particular things. I did this with my particular things. I did this with my particular little spot that he was exposing to me little spot that he was exposing to me little spot that he was exposing to me just this last Monday morning. I'm just this last Monday morning. I'm just this last Monday morning. I'm telling you, he'll do it. You know, you telling you, he'll do it. You know, you telling you, he'll do it. You know, you admit a a darkness and he will meet you admit a a darkness and he will meet you admit a a darkness and he will meet you in that place. I just got this idea. I in that place. I just got this idea. I in that place. I just got this idea. I wasn't thinking about it in these terms wasn't thinking about it in these terms wasn't thinking about it in these terms at all. I just got this idea that I at all. I just got this idea that I at all. I just got this idea that I should write down should write down should write down all the opportunities that I was all the opportunities that I was all the opportunities that I was thinking of that had either passed me by thinking of that had either passed me by thinking of that had either passed me by or I'd been disappointed to miss or I'd

or I'd been disappointed to miss or I'd or I'd been disappointed to miss or I'd failed to, you know, to be able to do or failed to, you know, to be able to do or failed to, you know, to be able to do or whatever. Just make that list. And I was whatever. Just make that list. And I was whatever. Just make that list. And I was like, that sounds terrible. like, that sounds terrible. like, that sounds terrible. That's definitely not how anybody wants That's definitely not how anybody wants That's definitely not how anybody wants to spend their time. Write down the list to spend their time. Write down the list to spend their time. Write down the list of all the things you missed out on or of all the things you missed out on or of all the things you missed out on or failed on. That sounds great, you know. failed on. That sounds great, you know. failed on. That sounds great, you know. But I made the list on Monday morning But I made the list on Monday morning But I made the list on Monday morning because they're all rolling around in because they're all rolling around in because they're all rolling around in there anyway. there anyway. there anyway. And later I realized, oh, I did this. And later I realized, oh, I did this. And later I realized, oh, I did this. I exposed it. when I had to put it into I exposed it. when I had to put it into I exposed it. when I had to put it into words, I had to put it into words. I had words, I had to put it into words. I had words, I had to put it into words. I had to actually say what was bouncing around to actually say what was bouncing around to actually say what was bouncing around in the dark, growing mold on it. So, I in the dark, growing mold on it. So, I in the dark, growing mold on it. So, I made this list and a few of them, made this list and a few of them, made this list and a few of them, honestly, they just almost like honestly, they just almost like honestly, they just almost like dissolved in my hands. I was like, "Oh, dissolved in my hands. I was like, "Oh, dissolved in my hands. I was like, "Oh, that now that I'm trying to say that, I that now that I'm trying to say that, I that now that I'm trying to say that, I guess that really wasn't that thing." guess that really wasn't that thing." guess that really wasn't that thing." And now that I'm trying to put that one And now that I'm trying to put that one And now that I'm trying to put that one into words, I guess that one actually into words, I guess that one actually into words, I guess that one actually kind of sounds a little silly. I'm not kind of sounds a little silly. I'm not kind of sounds a little silly. I'm not even sure it belongs on the list. And even sure it belongs on the list. And even sure it belongs on the list. And some of them just dropped away. There's some of them just dropped away. There's some of them just dropped away. There's a few of them I'm still wrestling with.

a few of them I'm still wrestling with. a few of them I'm still wrestling with. But there's there was an exposure that But there's there was an exposure that But there's there was an exposure that took place that kind of cleansed some of took place that kind of cleansed some of took place that kind of cleansed some of the gross stuff that when we leave it the gross stuff that when we leave it the gross stuff that when we leave it inside, it just rots. So, wherever this place is in your life, So, wherever this place is in your life, I would encourage you, say it out loud, I would encourage you, say it out loud, I would encourage you, say it out loud, tell somebody else, put it on a piece of tell somebody else, put it on a piece of tell somebody else, put it on a piece of paper, whatever it looks like to expose paper, whatever it looks like to expose paper, whatever it looks like to expose that place, expose it that place, expose it that place, expose it because then light can begin to do its because then light can begin to do its because then light can begin to do its job. And the last thing John says pretty job. And the last thing John says pretty job. And the last thing John says pretty clearly here is if we walk. clearly here is if we walk. clearly here is if we walk. The third thing is we actually have to The third thing is we actually have to The third thing is we actually have to move. We have to walk in the light. What move. We have to walk in the light. What move. We have to walk in the light. What is one tiny step that you could take is one tiny step that you could take is one tiny step that you could take from that place? Not when it gets from that place? Not when it gets from that place? Not when it gets better. Not when not when it gets better. Not when not when it gets better. Not when not when it gets cleaned up. Not when you feel good about cleaned up. Not when you feel good about cleaned up. Not when you feel good about it, but like when you're still it, but like when you're still it, but like when you're still completely in the dark about it. Just completely in the dark about it. Just completely in the dark about it. Just just a tiny step. What did Josh do in just a tiny step. What did Josh do in just a tiny step. What did Josh do in the story? He He just picked up a Bible the story? He He just picked up a Bible the story? He He just picked up a Bible and read it. Most people who do that, and read it. Most people who do that, and read it. Most people who do that, they don't even know what they're they don't even know what they're they don't even know what they're reading. I don't know what his history reading. I don't know what his history reading. I don't know what his history is with the Bible, but I actually is with the Bible, but I actually is with the Bible, but I actually remember a moment in my life when I did remember a moment in my life when I did remember a moment in my life when I did that. It's just a little move, just a that. It's just a little move, just a that. It's just a little move, just a little move toward God. And I'm little move toward God. And I'm little move toward God. And I'm wondering if the light doesn't start to wondering if the light doesn't start to wondering if the light doesn't start to shine in a way that we just can't fully shine in a way that we just can't fully shine in a way that we just can't fully see yet. We have to move in the dark. So see yet. We have to move in the dark. So see yet. We have to move in the dark. So let me ask you, what might you do from let me ask you, what might you do from let me ask you, what might you do from that place that place that place if you actually believed that Jesus had if you actually believed that Jesus had if you actually believed that Jesus had life for you there?

life for you there? life for you there? What would you behave like? What would you behave like? What would you behave like? Maybe turn that into one tiny little Maybe turn that into one tiny little Maybe turn that into one tiny little step this week. Mine was tiny, and I do step this week. Mine was tiny, and I do step this week. Mine was tiny, and I do mean tiny. That's okay. Just taking mean tiny. That's okay. Just taking mean tiny. That's okay. Just taking little steps out of the dark here. So, little steps out of the dark here. So, little steps out of the dark here. So, I'm reading in our Bible in a year plan I'm reading in our Bible in a year plan I'm reading in our Bible in a year plan inside the Crossroads app. And we were inside the Crossroads app. And we were inside the Crossroads app. And we were in the book of Proverbs earlier this in the book of Proverbs earlier this in the book of Proverbs earlier this last week. And so I'm just reading the last week. And so I'm just reading the last week. And so I'm just reading the daily reading. Not again, not thinking daily reading. Not again, not thinking daily reading. Not again, not thinking about this, but God will break light in about this, but God will break light in about this, but God will break light in wherever he can. And here's the proverb wherever he can. And here's the proverb wherever he can. And here's the proverb that I read. The heart of a man plans that I read. The heart of a man plans that I read. The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his his way, but the Lord establishes his his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. I stopped on that one. You know, steps. I stopped on that one. You know, steps. I stopped on that one. You know, you're if you've ever read the book of you're if you've ever read the book of you're if you've ever read the book of Proverbs, you know it's like Proverbs, you know it's like Proverbs, you know it's like and they a lot of them aren't even and they a lot of them aren't even and they a lot of them aren't even connected to the one before. So your connected to the one before. So your connected to the one before. So your eyes can kind of glaze over a little eyes can kind of glaze over a little eyes can kind of glaze over a little bit. Oh, interesting. Wise. Yes. Good. bit. Oh, interesting. Wise. Yes. Good. bit. Oh, interesting. Wise. Yes. Good. And I just sort of stopped on that one And I just sort of stopped on that one And I just sort of stopped on that one and I went, "Oh, that's mine." and I went, "Oh, that's mine." and I went, "Oh, that's mine." So, I decided that's what I'm going to So, I decided that's what I'm going to So, I decided that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to tell God, I'm trying to do. I'm going to tell God, I'm trying to do. I'm going to tell God, I'm trying to believe you. So, I'm going to memorize believe you. So, I'm going to memorize believe you. So, I'm going to memorize this. And anytime I feel that sense of this. And anytime I feel that sense of this. And anytime I feel that sense of like maybe you don't have anything left like maybe you don't have anything left like maybe you don't have anything left for me, I'm going to say, "The heart of for me, I'm going to say, "The heart of for me, I'm going to say, "The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord a man plans his way, but the Lord a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. I believe that establishes his steps. I believe that establishes his steps. I believe that you're establishing my steps. I know you're establishing my steps. I know you're establishing my steps. I know that my heart wants some things, but that my heart wants some things, but that my heart wants some things, but you're the one that's planning the steps you're the one that's planning the steps you're the one that's planning the steps ahead of me of just my tiny little ahead of me of just my tiny little ahead of me of just my tiny little acknowledgement.

acknowledgement. acknowledgement. Tiny little acknowledgement Tiny little acknowledgement Tiny little acknowledgement that I want to try to step out of the that I want to try to step out of the that I want to try to step out of the darkness that I had been living in. So, darkness that I had been living in. So, darkness that I had been living in. So, what is it for you? What's the one tiny what is it for you? What's the one tiny what is it for you? What's the one tiny move? Is it Josh's to read the Bible move? Is it Josh's to read the Bible move? Is it Josh's to read the Bible again? again? again? Is it mine? Is it is it a phone call you Is it mine? Is it is it a phone call you Is it mine? Is it is it a phone call you need to make? Is it an invitation you need to make? Is it an invitation you need to make? Is it an invitation you need to make? Is it a prayer you need to need to make? Is it a prayer you need to need to make? Is it a prayer you need to say? say? say? What is the move while you're still in What is the move while you're still in What is the move while you're still in the dark? That's the thing. But the the dark? That's the thing. But the the dark? That's the thing. But the Bible says something amazing. It's what Bible says something amazing. It's what Bible says something amazing. It's what Joshua's story is. Says something Joshua's story is. Says something Joshua's story is. Says something amazing is going to happen. That light amazing is going to happen. That light amazing is going to happen. That light does start to break in whether we can does start to break in whether we can does start to break in whether we can fully take it in or not. One of my fully take it in or not. One of my fully take it in or not. One of my favorite proverbs is this. Proverbs 4:18 favorite proverbs is this. Proverbs 4:18 favorite proverbs is this. Proverbs 4:18 says, "The path of the righteous is like says, "The path of the righteous is like says, "The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn which shines brighter the light of dawn which shines brighter the light of dawn which shines brighter and brighter until the full light of and brighter until the full light of and brighter until the full light of day." Proverbs, the wisdom of Proverbs day." Proverbs, the wisdom of Proverbs day." Proverbs, the wisdom of Proverbs says there's going to be a moment when says there's going to be a moment when says there's going to be a moment when the dawn breaks. And guess what? You the dawn breaks. And guess what? You the dawn breaks. And guess what? You keep moving, you keep following, then keep moving, you keep following, then keep moving, you keep following, then your life, your path, your story, it your life, your path, your story, it your life, your path, your story, it will get brighter and brighter and will get brighter and brighter and will get brighter and brighter and brighter and brighter until you're brighter and brighter until you're brighter and brighter until you're standing in the full light of day. Now, standing in the full light of day. Now, standing in the full light of day. Now, this isn't a promise of timing. It's not this isn't a promise of timing. It's not this isn't a promise of timing. It's not a promise of specific action. It is just a promise of specific action. It is just a promise of specific action. It is just a guarantee of what happens in the a guarantee of what happens in the a guarantee of what happens in the heavenly realms when you begin to move heavenly realms when you begin to move heavenly realms when you begin to move toward Jesus while you're still in the toward Jesus while you're still in the toward Jesus while you're still in the dark. It says, "The light breaks in and dark. It says, "The light breaks in and dark. It says, "The light breaks in and your path will get brighter and brighter

your path will get brighter and brighter your path will get brighter and brighter until the full light of day." John until the full light of day." John until the full light of day." John started his gospel with some really started his gospel with some really started his gospel with some really interesting words. You know, not all of interesting words. You know, not all of interesting words. You know, not all of these I am statements have to do with these I am statements have to do with these I am statements have to do with light. Only this one when Jesus says, "I light. Only this one when Jesus says, "I light. Only this one when Jesus says, "I am the light of the world." But this is am the light of the world." But this is am the light of the world." But this is so important. So important. He starts so important. So important. He starts so important. So important. He starts and ends his gospel with this idea. his and ends his gospel with this idea. his and ends his gospel with this idea. his his first chapter, it says, "The light his first chapter, it says, "The light his first chapter, it says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shines in the darkness, and the darkness shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Let me just fast has not overcome it." Let me just fast has not overcome it." Let me just fast forward to the end. The darkness doesn't forward to the end. The darkness doesn't forward to the end. The darkness doesn't win. The light beats it every time. win. The light beats it every time. win. The light beats it every time. Every single time you make a move in the Every single time you make a move in the Every single time you make a move in the dark, he's bringing the light in. And dark, he's bringing the light in. And dark, he's bringing the light in. And your life is going to get brighter. your life is going to get brighter. your life is going to get brighter. You're the one that gets the better You're the one that gets the better You're the one that gets the better story because he's the one that beats story because he's the one that beats story because he's the one that beats any kind of darkness every day of the any kind of darkness every day of the any kind of darkness every day of the week. full beauty, full exposure, full week. full beauty, full exposure, full week. full beauty, full exposure, full truth, full grace. And one day you get truth, full grace. And one day you get truth, full grace. And one day you get to walk in to a city that is described to walk in to a city that is described to walk in to a city that is described in the book of Revelation for the rest in the book of Revelation for the rest in the book of Revelation for the rest of eternity. It says the city has no of eternity. It says the city has no of eternity. It says the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it. For need of sun or moon to shine on it. For need of sun or moon to shine on it. For the glory of God gives it light and its the glory of God gives it light and its the glory of God gives it light and its lamp is the lamb. The same God, the one lamp is the lamb. The same God, the one lamp is the lamb. The same God, the one who showed up as a fire in the dark in who showed up as a fire in the dark in who showed up as a fire in the dark in the desert, the one who guided and the desert, the one who guided and the desert, the one who guided and provided over and over and over again, provided over and over and over again, provided over and over and over again, is the same one whose glory will light is the same one whose glory will light is the same one whose glory will light your life for all of eternity. And Jesus your life for all of eternity. And Jesus your life for all of eternity. And Jesus is the lamb, the lamp, the son of God, is the lamb, the lamp, the son of God, is the lamb, the lamp, the son of God, the Messiah, the light of the world who the Messiah, the light of the world who the Messiah, the light of the world who beats every single kind of darkness. Let

beats every single kind of darkness. Let beats every single kind of darkness. Let me pray for yours. me pray for yours. me pray for yours. Lord, Lord, Lord, we are desperately trying to believe we are desperately trying to believe we are desperately trying to believe you. We want to believe that you are the you. We want to believe that you are the you. We want to believe that you are the light of the world. Help us to sit on light of the world. Help us to sit on light of the world. Help us to sit on the stool. Help us to actually move like the stool. Help us to actually move like the stool. Help us to actually move like that's true. We want to believe you. that's true. We want to believe you. that's true. We want to believe you. Will you help us believe? We believe. Will you help us believe? We believe. Will you help us believe? We believe. Help us believe. Lord, would you put Help us believe. Lord, would you put Help us believe. Lord, would you put ideas in our minds and hearts this week ideas in our minds and hearts this week ideas in our minds and hearts this week of how we can make a move that shows we of how we can make a move that shows we of how we can make a move that shows we trust your word? You are the light of trust your word? You are the light of trust your word? You are the light of the world. It's in your name that I the world. It's in your name that I the world. It's in your name that I pray. Amen. pray. Amen. pray. Amen. >> Hey, Jesus didn't just claim to bring >> Hey, Jesus didn't just claim to bring >> Hey, Jesus didn't just claim to bring light. He claimed to be the light that light. He claimed to be the light that light. He claimed to be the light that is able to penetrate through any is able to penetrate through any is able to penetrate through any darkness. And so, the question really darkness. And so, the question really darkness. And so, the question really is, where do we need his light right is, where do we need his light right is, where do we need his light right now? I mean, what feels uncertain, now? I mean, what feels uncertain, now? I mean, what feels uncertain, hidden, broken, hopeless. Hey, don't hidden, broken, hopeless. Hey, don't hidden, broken, hopeless. Hey, don't leave that place in the dark. Bring it leave that place in the dark. Bring it leave that place in the dark. Bring it to him. to him. to him. >> Yes, [music] absolutely. We actually >> Yes, [music] absolutely. We actually >> Yes, [music] absolutely. We actually have people at crosswoods.net who will have people at crosswoods.net who will have people at crosswoods.net who will pray for you. You can chat in with us pray for you. You can chat in with us pray for you. You can chat in with us and someone would [music] love to pray and someone would [music] love to pray and someone would [music] love to pray for you. And also today at 11:30, if for you. And also today at 11:30, if for you. And also today at 11:30, if you're a part of our Anywhere community, you're a part of our Anywhere community, you're a part of our Anywhere community, you would have gotten a text from 30301 you would have gotten a text from 30301 you would have gotten a text from 30301 this week and an email with a link to this week and an email with a link to this week and an email with a link to Zoom. At 11:30 today, our Anywhere team Zoom. At 11:30 today, our Anywhere team Zoom. At 11:30 today, our Anywhere team is going to be on there and we [music] is going to be on there and we [music] is going to be on there and we [music] just want to pray for people. We know just want to pray for people. We know just want to pray for people. We know that Ignite the conference stirred up that Ignite the conference stirred up that Ignite the conference stirred up some things in people last weekend. We some things in people last weekend. We some things in people last weekend. We had our prayer experience online and at had our prayer experience online and at had our prayer experience online and at sites and God is moving and speaking to sites and God is moving and speaking to sites and God is moving and speaking to us and we want to help you whether us and we want to help you whether us and we want to help you whether you're processing that or pray for you you're processing that or pray for you you're processing that or pray for you in that process. So [music] if you're

in that process. So [music] if you're in that process. So [music] if you're like what are you talking about? I want like what are you talking about? I want like what are you talking about? I want prayer. You can go online at prayer. You can go online at prayer. You can go online at crosses.net. You can also text anywhere crosses.net. You can also text anywhere crosses.net. You can also text anywhere to 301301 and we'll make sure that in to 301301 and we'll make sure that in to 301301 and we'll make sure that in the [music] future you're up to date on the [music] future you're up to date on the [music] future you're up to date on opportunities for our anywhere community opportunities for our anywhere community opportunities for our anywhere community to meet up online. That is texting to meet up online. That is texting to meet up online. That is texting anywhere to 301301. And we hope you have anywhere to 301301. And we hope you have anywhere to 301301. And we hope you have a great rest of your week.