Dare to Be Ordinary | Hixon Frank

Welcome to Green Acres. Welcome to Green Acres. Uh balcony, of course. I don't have Uh balcony, of course. I don't have Uh balcony, of course. I don't have favorites, but if I did, you would be favorites, but if I did, you would be favorites, but if I did, you would be it. I'm glad you're here. it. I'm glad you're here. it. I'm glad you're here. That's right. We're going to We'll have That's right. We're going to We'll have That's right. We're going to We'll have a good time today. This is uh the last a good time today. This is uh the last a good time today. This is uh the last of 6 weeks uh where our pastor uh has of 6 weeks uh where our pastor uh has of 6 weeks uh where our pastor uh has been out of the pulpit, but Dr. Michael been out of the pulpit, but Dr. Michael been out of the pulpit, but Dr. Michael Gossett is back. He'll be here next week Gossett is back. He'll be here next week Gossett is back. He'll be here next week in the pulpit. in the pulpit. in the pulpit. Uh he Some of you are going to be a part Uh he Some of you are going to be a part Uh he Some of you are going to be a part of Multiply this afternoon, and that's of Multiply this afternoon, and that's of Multiply this afternoon, and that's where he he'll be there as well, where he he'll be there as well, where he he'll be there as well, challenging and encouraging us. Turn challenging and encouraging us. Turn challenging and encouraging us. Turn your in your Bibles. Open your Bibles or your in your Bibles. Open your Bibles or your in your Bibles. Open your Bibles or turn them on or however you do your turn them on or however you do your turn them on or however you do your Bible uh to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. Bible uh to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. Bible uh to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. We're going to do our work in verses 5 We're going to do our work in verses 5 We're going to do our work in verses 5 through 8, but before we do that, through 8, but before we do that, through 8, but before we do that, um I would like um I would like um I would like for you We do this sometimes on for you We do this sometimes on for you We do this sometimes on Wednesday nights, but Wednesday nights, but Wednesday nights, but uh we're going to get the awkward out of uh we're going to get the awkward out of uh we're going to get the awkward out of the way the way the way right off the bat. I want you to look right off the bat. I want you to look right off the bat. I want you to look around. around. around. I want you to find a couple people. I I want you to find a couple people. I I want you to find a couple people. I want you to actually make eye contact want you to actually make eye contact want you to actually make eye contact with a few people. with a few people. with a few people. Yeah, I mean, don't Not a long eye Yeah, I mean, don't Not a long eye Yeah, I mean, don't Not a long eye contact. That would be really weird.

contact. That would be really weird. contact. That would be really weird. But a little bit of contact, little eye But a little bit of contact, little eye But a little bit of contact, little eye contact. You're in a room. Everybody contact. You're in a room. Everybody contact. You're in a room. Everybody that you looked at, they got up and they that you looked at, they got up and they that you looked at, they got up and they presumably showered, right? And they got presumably showered, right? And they got presumably showered, right? And they got ready, and they Most of them, right? And ready, and they Most of them, right? And ready, and they Most of them, right? And they They may have eaten, but they got they They may have eaten, but they got they They may have eaten, but they got up, they came here, up, they came here, up, they came here, and they're here for a lot of different and they're here for a lot of different and they're here for a lot of different reasons, right? Some people are here uh reasons, right? Some people are here uh reasons, right? Some people are here uh because they had to come, you know? because they had to come, you know? because they had to come, you know? Uh some people are here because they Uh some people are here because they Uh some people are here because they were invited. were invited. were invited. Some people here cuz they had Some people here cuz they had Some people here cuz they had responsibilities. responsibilities. responsibilities. Uh some of us are here because it's just Uh some of us are here because it's just Uh some of us are here because it's just expected. We got to check the list, and expected. We got to check the list, and expected. We got to check the list, and some of us are here some of us are here some of us are here uh uh uh because we got deep because we got deep because we got deep deep pain, deep pain, deep pain, and we're coming God, I need another and we're coming God, I need another and we're coming God, I need another day. day. day. Uh some of us have marriages that are on Uh some of us have marriages that are on Uh some of us have marriages that are on the brink, and we're going to give it the brink, and we're going to give it the brink, and we're going to give it one more shot. one more shot. one more shot. Whatever the case is, Whatever the case is, Whatever the case is, everybody that you looked at, you can everybody that you looked at, you can everybody that you looked at, you can quit staring. Quit looking now. You can quit staring. Quit looking now. You can quit staring. Quit looking now. You can quit looking. quit looking. quit looking. Um Um Um everybody has a story. everybody has a story. everybody has a story. Everybody's got something uh and those Everybody's got something uh and those Everybody's got something uh and those of you that know Jesus as your Lord and of you that know Jesus as your Lord and of you that know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, part of your story is you came Savior, part of your story is you came Savior, part of your story is you came to faith in Christ at some point.

to faith in Christ at some point. to faith in Christ at some point. Uh it could have been fifth grade, it Uh it could have been fifth grade, it Uh it could have been fifth grade, it could have been, you know, as a young could have been, you know, as a young could have been, you know, as a young adult or maybe a senior adult, whatever adult or maybe a senior adult, whatever adult or maybe a senior adult, whatever the case is, but you came to faith in the case is, but you came to faith in the case is, but you came to faith in Christ and that's the beginning of your Christ and that's the beginning of your Christ and that's the beginning of your faith story. faith story. faith story. That's the beginning. That's the start, That's the beginning. That's the start, That's the beginning. That's the start, but since then but since then but since then you have also faced a lot. you have also faced a lot. you have also faced a lot. You have faced a lot that some of our You have faced a lot that some of our You have faced a lot that some of our theology really doesn't make room for. theology really doesn't make room for. theology really doesn't make room for. Cuz you faced tough times. You faced Cuz you faced tough times. You faced Cuz you faced tough times. You faced some difficulty. some difficulty. some difficulty. You may have that marriage that's on the You may have that marriage that's on the You may have that marriage that's on the brink. You may have that prodigal. brink. You may have that prodigal. brink. You may have that prodigal. Uh you may have that relationship with a Uh you may have that relationship with a Uh you may have that relationship with a family member that's not how it's family member that's not how it's family member that's not how it's supposed to go. This is how it is, but supposed to go. This is how it is, but supposed to go. This is how it is, but I'm a Christian, so don't even I know I'm a Christian, so don't even I know I'm a Christian, so don't even I know about it. about it. about it. Wh- Whatever the case is, you have the Wh- Whatever the case is, you have the Wh- Whatever the case is, you have the beginning of your faith journey, beginning of your faith journey, beginning of your faith journey, salvation. salvation. salvation. But then you got a whole lot of other But then you got a whole lot of other But then you got a whole lot of other things that went on. things that went on. things that went on. And a whole lot of other things And a whole lot of other things And a whole lot of other things sometimes includes a lot of pain. sometimes includes a lot of pain. sometimes includes a lot of pain. It includes things that you Maybe you're It includes things that you Maybe you're It includes things that you Maybe you're not proud of. not proud of. not proud of. It includes some things you desperately It includes some things you desperately It includes some things you desperately hope nobody ever finds out. hope nobody ever finds out. hope nobody ever finds out. And all of that is part of your story.

And all of that is part of your story. >> [snorts] >> And your story is important to God. >> And your story is important to God. >> And your story is important to God. Not just the good stuff. Not just the good stuff. Not just the good stuff. But again, the stuff that But again, the stuff that But again, the stuff that that we're not all that thrilled to that we're not all that thrilled to that we're not all that thrilled to share. But I want to pose to you this morning, But I want to pose to you this morning, maybe maybe maybe that that stuff that we don't want to that that stuff that we don't want to that that stuff that we don't want to share, that stuff we don't want to talk share, that stuff we don't want to talk share, that stuff we don't want to talk about, other people knowing that is actually other people knowing that is actually part of the reason that you went through part of the reason that you went through part of the reason that you went through it. it. it. Maybe Maybe Maybe our pretend perfection does more to harm our pretend perfection does more to harm our pretend perfection does more to harm our own faith our own faith our own faith than it does to help it. than it does to help it. than it does to help it. Maybe our pretend perfection does more Maybe our pretend perfection does more Maybe our pretend perfection does more to harm other people's faith to harm other people's faith to harm other people's faith than it does to help it, and maybe than it does to help it, and maybe than it does to help it, and maybe that pretend perfection does more harm that pretend perfection does more harm that pretend perfection does more harm to the cause of Christ to the cause of Christ to the cause of Christ than we could possibly imagine because than we could possibly imagine because than we could possibly imagine because the gospel is not for perfect people. It the gospel is not for perfect people. It the gospel is not for perfect people. It is for people who have been broken, is for people who have been broken, is for people who have been broken, who have messed up, who have found who have messed up, who have found who have messed up, who have found redemption. And every one of you that redemption. And every one of you that redemption. And every one of you that names Jesus as Lord and Savior, names Jesus as Lord and Savior, names Jesus as Lord and Savior, at some point you had to begin that at some point you had to begin that at some point you had to begin that relationship, and then that gospel had relationship, and then that gospel had relationship, and then that gospel had to cover you since that time.

to cover you since that time. to cover you since that time. So, for some of you it's been a while So, for some of you it's been a while So, for some of you it's been a while since 5th grade. You've lived a lot of since 5th grade. You've lived a lot of since 5th grade. You've lived a lot of life. You've had a lot of things go on. life. You've had a lot of things go on. life. You've had a lot of things go on. That same gospel That same gospel That same gospel is there for you is there for you is there for you during that time. So, I want you to ask yourself this So, I want you to ask yourself this morning, morning, morning, what part of your story do others need what part of your story do others need what part of your story do others need to know to know to know to be encouraged in their faith to be encouraged in their faith to be encouraged in their faith that you could share with them? that you could share with them? that you could share with them? And it can't be just the good stuff. And it can't be just the good stuff. And it can't be just the good stuff. I've said this before, our I've said this before, our I've said this before, our our fake perfection only mutes the our fake perfection only mutes the our fake perfection only mutes the gospel. gospel. gospel. If you got it all together, If you got it all together, If you got it all together, you know what the world is not you know what the world is not you know what the world is not interested in? That. interested in? That. interested in? That. They want to know that somebody broken They want to know that somebody broken They want to know that somebody broken can be redeemed, forgiven, and find hope can be redeemed, forgiven, and find hope can be redeemed, forgiven, and find hope because they're broken. And so, I want to pray for us, and then And so, I want to pray for us, and then we're going to read our passage, 2 we're going to read our passage, 2 we're going to read our passage, 2 Corinthians to us. Thank you for your love, your to us. Thank you for your love, your blessing. blessing. blessing. And Father, thank you for the stories, And Father, thank you for the stories, And Father, thank you for the stories, those stories that we hide, those stories that we hide, those stories that we hide, those things that we may not want other those things that we may not want other those things that we may not want other people to know, people to know, people to know, but thank you so much that you've built but thank you so much that you've built but thank you so much that you've built those things into us. We didn't like those things into us. We didn't like those things into us. We didn't like going through them, going through them, going through them, but Father, you've given us a ministry but Father, you've given us a ministry but Father, you've given us a ministry on the other side of them on the other side of them on the other side of them that we cannot keep quiet about. God that we cannot keep quiet about. God that we cannot keep quiet about. God forbid that we would.

forbid that we would. forbid that we would. And we pray those things in Jesus' name, And we pray those things in Jesus' name, And we pray those things in Jesus' name, and everybody said, and everybody said, and everybody said, "Amen." Well, if you have 2 Corinthians "Amen." Well, if you have 2 Corinthians "Amen." Well, if you have 2 Corinthians chapter 4: 5-8, by the way, if you're chapter 4: 5-8, by the way, if you're chapter 4: 5-8, by the way, if you're using a pew Bible, it's on page 1,024. using a pew Bible, it's on page 1,024. using a pew Bible, it's on page 1,024. And And And if you don't have a Bible, I don't mean if you don't have a Bible, I don't mean if you don't have a Bible, I don't mean you didn't bring one. I mean you don't you didn't bring one. I mean you don't you didn't bring one. I mean you don't have one. It's You don't have three have one. It's You don't have three have one. It's You don't have three collecting dust at home. You don't have collecting dust at home. You don't have collecting dust at home. You don't have a Bible. We want you to take that Bible a Bible. We want you to take that Bible a Bible. We want you to take that Bible as our gift to you. as our gift to you. as our gift to you. But let me set it up and then we'll But let me set it up and then we'll But let me set it up and then we'll stand stand stand and I'll read it together. But if you and I'll read it together. But if you and I'll read it together. But if you get it, say got it. get it, say got it. get it, say got it. Okay. Okay. Okay. This is Paul writing a letter to the This is Paul writing a letter to the This is Paul writing a letter to the Corinthian church. And Corinth was a Corinthian church. And Corinth was a Corinthian church. And Corinth was a growing growing growing church that had a lot of issues of church that had a lot of issues of church that had a lot of issues of problems. But he's writing to the people problems. But he's writing to the people problems. But he's writing to the people in Corinth. And And here's why he's in Corinth. And And here's why he's in Corinth. And And here's why he's writing it. It was full of strong writing it. It was full of strong writing it. It was full of strong personalities. personalities. personalities. Yes, it was. It's full of polished Yes, it was. It's full of polished Yes, it was. It's full of polished speakers. speakers. speakers. They were gaining some outward success. They were gaining some outward success. They were gaining some outward success. They were gaining some wealth They were gaining some wealth They were gaining some wealth and some influence. and some influence. and some influence. Some Well, here's the deal. They didn't Some Well, here's the deal. They didn't Some Well, here's the deal. They didn't They were frustrated with Paul They were frustrated with Paul They were frustrated with Paul because he didn't look the part.

because he didn't look the part. because he didn't look the part. Cuz Paul, if you've read any of the New Cuz Paul, if you've read any of the New Cuz Paul, if you've read any of the New Testament, you know that Paul Testament, you know that Paul Testament, you know that Paul It was accused anyway of not being a It was accused anyway of not being a It was accused anyway of not being a very good public speaker. He wasn't a very good public speaker. He wasn't a very good public speaker. He wasn't a commander of men. commander of men. commander of men. He wasn't the guy that they wanted to He wasn't the guy that they wanted to He wasn't the guy that they wanted to put up front. He had in his body He put up front. He had in his body He put up front. He had in his body He bore the scars of a very difficult life. bore the scars of a very difficult life. bore the scars of a very difficult life. They didn't like that. They didn't like They didn't like that. They didn't like They didn't like that. They didn't like his the appearance that he gave. his the appearance that he gave. his the appearance that he gave. His story is one of struggle His story is one of struggle His story is one of struggle of scars. of scars. of scars. He just didn't look the part. He just didn't look the part. He just didn't look the part. His packaging wasn't right. His packaging wasn't right. His packaging wasn't right. And so the church was frustrated with And so the church was frustrated with And so the church was frustrated with him. him. him. And they let him know it. And they let him know it. And they let him know it. Let him know it in several five several Let him know it in several five several Let him know it in several five several chapters, chapter 5, 10, 11, 12, and chapters, chapter 5, 10, 11, 12, and chapters, chapter 5, 10, 11, 12, and other places they allude to the fact other places they allude to the fact other places they allude to the fact that they weren't crazy about that they weren't crazy about that they weren't crazy about our boy Paul. And so he's writing to our boy Paul. And so he's writing to our boy Paul. And so he's writing to them and he's saying, them and he's saying, them and he's saying, "Well, wait a minute." "Well, wait a minute." "Well, wait a minute." He's saying that He's saying that He's saying that the A the A the A was never supposed to eclipse was never supposed to eclipse was never supposed to eclipse the message.

the message. the message. He's saying that God uses ordinary He's saying that God uses ordinary He's saying that God uses ordinary fragile jars of clay fragile jars of clay fragile jars of clay as a means to get the priceless treasure as a means to get the priceless treasure as a means to get the priceless treasure of his son out to a lost and dying of his son out to a lost and dying of his son out to a lost and dying world. And so he says that world. And so he says that world. And so he says that and he does not want and he does not want and he does not want any confusion about [clears throat] any confusion about [clears throat] any confusion about [clears throat] where the power of God comes from. where the power of God comes from. where the power of God comes from. So, if you're willing and able, stand So, if you're willing and able, stand So, if you're willing and able, stand with me and let's read 2 Corinthians 4 with me and let's read 2 Corinthians 4 with me and let's read 2 Corinthians 4 verses 5 through 8. verses 5 through 8. verses 5 through 8. I'll read it, you follow along. So, we I'll read it, you follow along. So, we I'll read it, you follow along. So, we pick up there and he's explained this to pick up there and he's explained this to pick up there and he's explained this to them and he says, them and he says, them and he says, "For we are not proclaiming ourselves, "For we are not proclaiming ourselves, "For we are not proclaiming ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Christ's sake. as your servants for Christ's sake. as your servants for Christ's sake. For God who said, 'Let light shine out For God who said, 'Let light shine out For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' of darkness,' of darkness,' has shown in our hearts to give the has shown in our hearts to give the has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in light of the knowledge of God's glory in light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face the face the face of Jesus Christ." Verse 7. of Jesus Christ." Verse 7. of Jesus Christ." Verse 7. "Now we have this treasure in clay jars, "Now we have this treasure in clay jars, "Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power so that this extraordinary power so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us." Then may be from God and not from us." Then may be from God and not from us." Then verse 8 goes on to say, "We're afflicted verse 8 goes on to say, "We're afflicted verse 8 goes on to say, "We're afflicted in every way, but not crushed. We are in every way, but not crushed. We are in every way, but not crushed. We are perplexed, but not in despair." Let's perplexed, but not in despair." Let's perplexed, but not in despair." Let's pray again.

pray again. pray again. Father, use the reading of your word Father, use the reading of your word Father, use the reading of your word to quicken your people, to challenge to quicken your people, to challenge to quicken your people, to challenge your people, and we pray that in Jesus' your people, and we pray that in Jesus' your people, and we pray that in Jesus' name. name. name. Amen. You may be seated. Amen. You may be seated. Amen. You may be seated. Our culture, we value packaging, don't Our culture, we value packaging, don't Our culture, we value packaging, don't we? I mean, packaging You all know this we? I mean, packaging You all know this we? I mean, packaging You all know this if you've ever been out of the country if you've ever been out of the country if you've ever been out of the country and then you've come back, you realize and then you've come back, you realize and then you've come back, you realize even going to the grocery store, our even going to the grocery store, our even going to the grocery store, our food food food our food just looks better. our food just looks better. our food just looks better. I mean, the packaging is brighter, the I mean, the packaging is brighter, the I mean, the packaging is brighter, the colors are more vibrant. It just looks colors are more vibrant. It just looks colors are more vibrant. It just looks better. better. better. Okay? Okay? Okay? We know this. We know clever titles sell We know this. We know clever titles sell We know this. We know clever titles sell books. Doesn't matter what the content books. Doesn't matter what the content books. Doesn't matter what the content is. is. is. Um a beautiful front porch sells homes. Um a beautiful front porch sells homes. Um a beautiful front porch sells homes. And nothing wrong with any of this. And nothing wrong with any of this. And nothing wrong with any of this. I'm a die hard capitalist, but marketing I'm a die hard capitalist, but marketing I'm a die hard capitalist, but marketing has trained us has trained us has trained us to look at the outside and almost to look at the outside and almost to look at the outside and almost disregard the inside. disregard the inside. disregard the inside. And what's true for groceries and houses And what's true for groceries and houses And what's true for groceries and houses can be true, if we're not careful, can be true, if we're not careful, can be true, if we're not careful, with people. with people. with people. We start valuing people. We We mistake We start valuing people. We We mistake We start valuing people. We We mistake charisma.

charisma. charisma. We love Hey, that guy's got charisma, We love Hey, that guy's got charisma, We love Hey, that guy's got charisma, but does he have character? but does he have character? but does he have character? But that person has influence. But that person has influence. But that person has influence. Do they have significance? Do they have significance? Do they have significance? That person has a great appearance, but That person has a great appearance, but That person has a great appearance, but do they have substance? do they have substance? do they have substance? And before long, church family, And before long, church family, And before long, church family, we spend all of our time making sure the we spend all of our time making sure the we spend all of our time making sure the appearance is proper appearance is proper appearance is proper and we disregard and we disregard and we disregard what's inside. what's inside. what's inside. Well, we know that that is not how God Well, we know that that is not how God Well, we know that that is not how God works and works and works and any casual reading of TikTok or social any casual reading of TikTok or social any casual reading of TikTok or social media, if you get on a a Christian site, media, if you get on a a Christian site, media, if you get on a a Christian site, they'll start naming some of these they'll start naming some of these they'll start naming some of these things and they'll remind us, as I will things and they'll remind us, as I will things and they'll remind us, as I will remind you, remind you, remind you, that God chooses and chose flawed, weak that God chooses and chose flawed, weak that God chooses and chose flawed, weak people to highlight the priceless nature people to highlight the priceless nature people to highlight the priceless nature of God, okay? of God, okay? of God, okay? And we are all that way. And we are all that way. And we are all that way. He's chosen us, those of you that know He's chosen us, those of you that know He's chosen us, those of you that know Jesus, and Jesus, and Jesus, and when the prophet Samuel went to look for when the prophet Samuel went to look for when the prophet Samuel went to look for Israel's next king, remember that? Israel's next king, remember that? Israel's next king, remember that? He got the sons of Jesse and, you know He got the sons of Jesse and, you know He got the sons of Jesse and, you know what? God said, "Give me the runt.

what? God said, "Give me the runt. what? God said, "Give me the runt. Give me the runt, David, cuz no one's Give me the runt, David, cuz no one's Give me the runt, David, cuz no one's impressed with David." impressed with David." impressed with David." Even when Jesus assembled the disciples, Even when Jesus assembled the disciples, Even when Jesus assembled the disciples, you know who he got? He didn't get the you know who he got? He didn't get the you know who he got? He didn't get the religious elite. He got the fishermen. religious elite. He got the fishermen. religious elite. He got the fishermen. He got the people that were looked down He got the people that were looked down He got the people that were looked down on. He got ordinary men on. He got ordinary men on. He got ordinary men who just were available. who just were available. who just were available. They were uneducated. They were They were uneducated. They were They were uneducated. They were untrained. untrained. untrained. And God chose them anyway. And God chose them anyway. And God chose them anyway. The illustrations are pretty countless. The illustrations are pretty countless. The illustrations are pretty countless. I'll give you a few more. Moses, in I'll give you a few more. Moses, in I'll give you a few more. Moses, in spite of how he's portrayed in the spite of how he's portrayed in the spite of how he's portrayed in the movie, couldn't speak very well. movie, couldn't speak very well. movie, couldn't speak very well. Gideon believed he was the weakest man Gideon believed he was the weakest man Gideon believed he was the weakest man from the weakest clan. from the weakest clan. from the weakest clan. Well, let's choose him. Well, let's choose him. Well, let's choose him. Ruth was a foreign widow. Ruth was a foreign widow. Ruth was a foreign widow. Mary was an unknown teenage girl from an Mary was an unknown teenage girl from an Mary was an unknown teenage girl from an insignificant village. I hope this is insignificant village. I hope this is insignificant village. I hope this is encouraging to you cuz it's encouraging encouraging to you cuz it's encouraging encouraging to you cuz it's encouraging to me. to me. to me. Again and again, God God bypasses Again and again, God God bypasses Again and again, God God bypasses packaging. packaging. packaging. All the things that the world celebrates All the things that the world celebrates All the things that the world celebrates and says, kind of wage through and says, kind of wage through and says, kind of wage through all of our all of our all of our all of our prettiness and he picks the all of our prettiness and he picks the all of our prettiness and he picks the substance. substance. substance. He picks the one willing.

He picks the one willing. He picks the one willing. He picks the one who says, "Choose me. He picks the one who says, "Choose me. He picks the one who says, "Choose me. I got nothing to offer, I got nothing to offer, I got nothing to offer, but I'm willing." And when God sent his greatest treasure, And when God sent his greatest treasure, we know this. I would remind you he sent we know this. I would remind you he sent we know this. I would remind you he sent Jesus. No palace, Jesus. No palace, Jesus. No palace, no royal procession, no army, no royal procession, no army, no royal procession, no army, no throne. no throne. no throne. He entered the world and He entered the world and He entered the world and first first first first bit of existence was in a feeding first bit of existence was in a feeding first bit of existence was in a feeding trough. trough. trough. The world could have would have chosen a The world could have would have chosen a The world could have would have chosen a palace. God chose a manger. Here's the palace. God chose a manger. Here's the palace. God chose a manger. Here's the point. point. point. God intentionally placed God intentionally placed God intentionally placed his greatest treasure his greatest treasure his greatest treasure in ordinary, fragile, in ordinary, fragile, in ordinary, fragile, imperfect people. imperfect people. imperfect people. Did it gladly, but we struggle with that Did it gladly, but we struggle with that Did it gladly, but we struggle with that sometimes, don't we? sometimes, don't we? sometimes, don't we? We struggle with that. I know I do. We struggle with that. I know I do. We struggle with that. I know I do. Maybe you do, too. Maybe you do, too. Maybe you do, too. I'm a pretty simple guy, so I broke I'm a pretty simple guy, so I broke I'm a pretty simple guy, so I broke today's message up today's message up today's message up into something that start, stop, into something that start, stop, into something that start, stop, continue. continue. continue. Hey, if you've been a part of a company Hey, if you've been a part of a company Hey, if you've been a part of a company that you got your yearly evaluation, that you got your yearly evaluation, that you got your yearly evaluation, those are fun, aren't they? And it's those are fun, aren't they? And it's those are fun, aren't they? And it's like, "Hey, you need to stop doing this.

like, "Hey, you need to stop doing this. like, "Hey, you need to stop doing this. You need to start doing this. You need to start doing this. You need to start doing this. And this stuff over here, you can you And this stuff over here, you can you And this stuff over here, you can you can keep doing it if you want to." can keep doing it if you want to." can keep doing it if you want to." Stop, start, continue. We're going to do Stop, start, continue. We're going to do Stop, start, continue. We're going to do that this morning. And this is for those that this morning. And this is for those that this morning. And this is for those of us of us of us who want to be ordinary people that are who want to be ordinary people that are who want to be ordinary people that are mightily used of God. The first one is this, stop The first one is this, stop demanding attention. There, I said it. There, I said it. Stop demanding attention. Christian, Stop demanding attention. Christian, Stop demanding attention. Christian, stop demanding attention. stop demanding attention. stop demanding attention. Stop begging God for attention. Stop Stop begging God for attention. Stop Stop begging God for attention. Stop begging the world to give you attention. begging the world to give you attention. begging the world to give you attention. Stop having the fish on your car to get Stop having the fish on your car to get Stop having the fish on your car to get attention. attention. attention. Now, not that you think I'm you think Now, not that you think I'm you think Now, not that you think I'm you think I'm all worked up about it and upset, I'm all worked up about it and upset, I'm all worked up about it and upset, you will always be disappointed in the you will always be disappointed in the you will always be disappointed in the level of attention you receive when that level of attention you receive when that level of attention you receive when that is your goal. is your goal. is your goal. You will always be disappointed. You will always be disappointed. You will always be disappointed. I take it from someone who knows. I take it from someone who knows. I take it from someone who knows. Man, I'm going to do these things and Man, I'm going to do these things and Man, I'm going to do these things and I'm going to I'm going to lead a Bible I'm going to I'm going to lead a Bible I'm going to I'm going to lead a Bible study and man, I sure hope somebody study and man, I sure hope somebody study and man, I sure hope somebody whatever, okay? Had a great lesson in whatever, okay? Had a great lesson in whatever, okay? Had a great lesson in this. Some of you know that my brother this. Some of you know that my brother this. Some of you know that my brother Bruce was here, okay? Yeah, big deal, Bruce was here, okay? Yeah, big deal, Bruce was here, okay? Yeah, big deal, right?

right? right? Don't get me started because even this Don't get me started because even this Don't get me started because even this morning as I'm getting ready to preach morning as I'm getting ready to preach morning as I'm getting ready to preach up here, up here, up here, someone said, "Hey, I just want you to someone said, "Hey, I just want you to someone said, "Hey, I just want you to know, your brother's a remarkable know, your brother's a remarkable know, your brother's a remarkable preacher." And I'm like, "Okay, that's preacher." And I'm like, "Okay, that's preacher." And I'm like, "Okay, that's fine." I'm like I'm my brother's I'm fine." I'm like I'm my brother's I'm fine." I'm like I'm my brother's I'm like Bruce's brother in my own church. like Bruce's brother in my own church. like Bruce's brother in my own church. Like give me a give me a break. Like give me a give me a break. Like give me a give me a break. I'm fine. Everything's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Stop demanding attention. Stop demanding attention. Stop demanding attention. And demand faithfulness of yourself. And demand faithfulness of yourself. And demand faithfulness of yourself. Just be faithful. Just be faithful. Just be faithful. Just be faithful. Just be faithful. Just be faithful. Do you notice in 1st 5 he says, "For we Do you notice in 1st 5 he says, "For we Do you notice in 1st 5 he says, "For we are not proclaiming ourselves, but Jesus are not proclaiming ourselves, but Jesus are not proclaiming ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your Christ as Lord and ourselves as your Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants servants servants for Jesus' sake." Your servants for for Jesus' sake." Your servants for for Jesus' sake." Your servants for Jesus' sake. Understand when he writes Jesus' sake. Understand when he writes Jesus' sake. Understand when he writes this, this isn't like we say it in this, this isn't like we say it in this, this isn't like we say it in church now. This isn't like, "Hey, I'm a church now. This isn't like, "Hey, I'm a church now. This isn't like, "Hey, I'm a servant. Hey, I'm just here to serve." servant. Hey, I'm just here to serve." servant. Hey, I'm just here to serve." No, this was like No, this was like No, this was like we are the lowest of the low. we are the lowest of the low. we are the lowest of the low. We're the lowest of the low, which We're the lowest of the low, which We're the lowest of the low, which matches beautifully when he says later matches beautifully when he says later matches beautifully when he says later he says, "Jars of clay, the lowest of he says, "Jars of clay, the lowest of he says, "Jars of clay, the lowest of the low.

the low. the low. We're the lowest of the low." We're the lowest of the low." We're the lowest of the low." He said, "Listen." He goes, "We're not He said, "Listen." He goes, "We're not He said, "Listen." He goes, "We're not proclaiming ourselves, we're proclaiming proclaiming ourselves, we're proclaiming proclaiming ourselves, we're proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord. And we're your servants." And we're your servants." Jesus is Lord, we're your servants. Jesus is Lord, we're your servants. Jesus is Lord, we're your servants. Jesus is preeminent, we're nothing. Jesus is preeminent, we're nothing. Jesus is preeminent, we're nothing. That's what he's saying. That's what he's saying. That's what he's saying. You think, "Okay, it sounds very churchy You think, "Okay, it sounds very churchy You think, "Okay, it sounds very churchy so far." It's not churchy. so far." It's not churchy. so far." It's not churchy. It is your call in life. It is your call in life. It is your call in life. You will always be frustrated by You will always be frustrated by You will always be frustrated by demanding attention in your faith, demanding attention in your faith, demanding attention in your faith, always. always. always. There's no getting around it. Our There's no getting around it. Our There's no getting around it. Our tendency is to make much of ourselves. tendency is to make much of ourselves. tendency is to make much of ourselves. My tendency is to make much of myself. My tendency is to make much of myself. My tendency is to make much of myself. I don't think I'm alone in that. I don't think I'm alone in that. I don't think I'm alone in that. My tendency is to protect my reputation My tendency is to protect my reputation My tendency is to protect my reputation instead of follow his lead. My tendency instead of follow his lead. My tendency instead of follow his lead. My tendency is to build a platform. Hey, look at me. is to build a platform. Hey, look at me. is to build a platform. Hey, look at me. My tendency is to measure success My tendency is to measure success My tendency is to measure success by visibility by visibility by visibility instead of faithfulness. I know there are current age of social I know there are current age of social media and celebrity preachers and media and celebrity preachers and media and celebrity preachers and product placement and product placement and product placement and and all of the things and all of the things and all of the things uh influencers, all of that stuff. Paul uh influencers, all of that stuff. Paul uh influencers, all of that stuff. Paul says this, "We preach Christ, not says this, "We preach Christ, not says this, "We preach Christ, not ourselves. We preach Christ, not ourselves. We preach Christ, not ourselves. We preach Christ, not ourselves."

ourselves." ourselves." Balcony, you know this in Galatians Balcony, you know this in Galatians Balcony, you know this in Galatians 2:20. 2:20. 2:20. It says, "I've been crucified with It says, "I've been crucified with It says, "I've been crucified with Christ. Christ. Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ It is no longer I who live, but Christ It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Really? who lives in me." Really? who lives in me." Really? Is it really Is it really Is it really no longer you? no longer you? no longer you? Is it really no longer me? The life I now live in the body I live The life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me by faith in the Son of God who loved me by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. Really? Church family, really? Church family, really? I live my life in the body, I live my life in the body, I live my life in the body, but I live it by faith in the Son of God but I live it by faith in the Son of God but I live it by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. who loved me and gave himself up for me. who loved me and gave himself up for me. Our struggle is we live it because we've Our struggle is we live it because we've Our struggle is we live it because we've attached to Jesus somehow to a bunch of attached to Jesus somehow to a bunch of attached to Jesus somehow to a bunch of things that we do things that we do things that we do and yet we're still living for and yet we're still living for and yet we're still living for recognition. We're still living so that recognition. We're still living so that recognition. We're still living so that we might be seen. we might be seen. we might be seen. And what we've done is we've created in And what we've done is we've created in And what we've done is we've created in Jesus not a savior, but a life coach. Jesus not a savior, but a life coach. Jesus not a savior, but a life coach. We've created in Jesus a great big We've created in Jesus a great big We've created in Jesus a great big brother. brother. brother. And I'll call you when I need you, but But if the life I now live in the body I But if the life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who live by faith in the Son of God who live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me, loved me and gave himself up for me, loved me and gave himself up for me, that changes everything. Christian that changes everything. Christian that changes everything. Christian parents, if you want to raise children if you want to raise children and your goal is and your goal is and your goal is the life that I now live in the body I the life that I now live in the body I the life that I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who live by faith in the Son of God who live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me, loved me and gave himself up for me, loved me and gave himself up for me, then your greatest calling isn't to then your greatest calling isn't to then your greatest calling isn't to raise good citizens.

raise good citizens. raise good citizens. I mean, I hope they're great citizens, I mean, I hope they're great citizens, I mean, I hope they're great citizens, right? Please, be good citizens. It's not It's not to raise responsible adults, though I'm to raise responsible adults, though I'm to raise responsible adults, though I'm sure there's a correlation there. It's sure there's a correlation there. It's sure there's a correlation there. It's not to raise kids who admire you. not to raise kids who admire you. not to raise kids who admire you. Those are fine, but it's not the Those are fine, but it's not the Those are fine, but it's not the ultimate goal. Your ultimate goal is to ultimate goal. Your ultimate goal is to ultimate goal. Your ultimate goal is to raise kids who see Jesus in you raise kids who see Jesus in you raise kids who see Jesus in you and are so drawn to your character and are so drawn to your character and are so drawn to your character because of that faith in Jesus because of that faith in Jesus because of that faith in Jesus and because of that peace that seems to and because of that peace that seems to and because of that peace that seems to pass all understanding and because in pass all understanding and because in pass all understanding and because in the midst of chaos when everybody's the midst of chaos when everybody's the midst of chaos when everybody's losing their heads, you're calm because losing their heads, you're calm because losing their heads, you're calm because your faith is in Christ. your faith is in Christ. your faith is in Christ. And they see that and they're drawn to And they see that and they're drawn to And they see that and they're drawn to it. That's your goal. it. That's your goal. it. That's your goal. That's your goal. Is it hard? Sure, it's That's your goal. Is it hard? Sure, it's That's your goal. Is it hard? Sure, it's hard. hard. hard. But that's the goal. But that's the goal. But that's the goal. To have an authentic faith. To have an authentic faith. To have an authentic faith. If our commitment is to have a family If our commitment is to have a family If our commitment is to have a family devotion, devotion, devotion, that's awesome. that's awesome. that's awesome. But if that family devotion isn't But if that family devotion isn't But if that family devotion isn't followed up by being devoted, followed up by being devoted, followed up by being devoted, then you are stirring hypocrisy into then you are stirring hypocrisy into then you are stirring hypocrisy into your home.

your home. your home. And it will do more to harm the cause of And it will do more to harm the cause of And it will do more to harm the cause of Christ Christ Christ than that devotion was intended to. must outshine must outshine devotionals. Your home needs to be where grace and Your home needs to be where grace and love permeate love permeate love permeate where honesty is a part of everything. where honesty is a part of everything. where honesty is a part of everything. How about Christian teachers? How about Christian teachers? How about Christian teachers? Your greatest calling isn't to be Your greatest calling isn't to be Your greatest calling isn't to be remembered as someone's favorite remembered as someone's favorite remembered as someone's favorite teacher, teacher, teacher, but to treat students and parents but to treat students and parents but to treat students and parents like Jesus would treat them. like Jesus would treat them. like Jesus would treat them. Which requires incredible patience. I Which requires incredible patience. I Which requires incredible patience. I think it's one of the hardest jobs on think it's one of the hardest jobs on think it's one of the hardest jobs on the planet. the planet. the planet. Being a teacher, you kidding me? Being a teacher, you kidding me? Being a teacher, you kidding me? But that call of the Christian teacher But that call of the Christian teacher But that call of the Christian teacher is to do just that. is to do just that. is to do just that. Is to go into a staff meeting where Is to go into a staff meeting where Is to go into a staff meeting where everyone else is complaining everyone else is complaining everyone else is complaining and you simply trust Jesus. and you simply trust Jesus. and you simply trust Jesus. Christian business owner, Christian business owner, Christian business owner, your business isn't so that you can have your business isn't so that you can have your business isn't so that you can have ex- could be ex- could be ex- could be for that extra income, but at some point for that extra income, but at some point for that extra income, but at some point it's enough. Those things are great.

it's enough. Those things are great. it's enough. Those things are great. It's wonderful, but you use your It's wonderful, but you use your It's wonderful, but you use your business for God's glory. Use your business for God's glory. I'm Use your business for God's glory. I'm married to a business woman married to a business woman married to a business woman and more times than I can shake a stick and more times than I can shake a stick and more times than I can shake a stick at someone has at someone has at someone has don't get me started, but someone hasn't don't get me started, but someone hasn't don't get me started, but someone hasn't always done what they they said and so always done what they they said and so always done what they they said and so I'm like, let's go. I'm like, let's go. I'm like, let's go. I'm about to go over there, you know, I'm about to go over there, you know, I'm about to go over there, you know, it's always good to get your husband it's always good to get your husband it's always good to get your husband involved in a business. involved in a business. involved in a business. It's a joke, it's not. Please don't do It's a joke, it's not. Please don't do It's a joke, it's not. Please don't do that. And you know what? But what what my wife And you know what? But what what my wife knows is, you know what her job is? Her knows is, you know what her job is? Her knows is, you know what her job is? Her job is to do a good job, to be honest, job is to do a good job, to be honest, job is to do a good job, to be honest, have integrity, and to reflect Christ. have integrity, and to reflect Christ. have integrity, and to reflect Christ. It isn't to go, oh, It isn't to go, oh, It isn't to go, oh, you mess me around, well, it's time, you mess me around, well, it's time, you mess me around, well, it's time, let's go, you know, that's not. It is to let's go, you know, that's not. It is to let's go, you know, that's not. It is to treat like Christ. Now, does she have treat like Christ. Now, does she have treat like Christ. Now, does she have the conversation? Of course she does. the conversation? Of course she does. the conversation? Of course she does. Of course she does. But that's when we're tested, isn't it? But that's when we're tested, isn't it? Christian students, Christian students, Christian students, your job is not to be an influencer your job is not to be an influencer your job is not to be an influencer or popular. or popular. or popular. It's to live in such a way that your It's to live in such a way that your It's to live in such a way that your classmates are not confused classmates are not confused classmates are not confused by what your mouth professes and what by what your mouth professes and what by what your mouth professes and what your life shows.

That's the call. That's the same for all That's the call. That's the same for all of us. of us. of us. We cannot confuse a lost and dying world We cannot confuse a lost and dying world We cannot confuse a lost and dying world because our mouth says one thing and our because our mouth says one thing and our because our mouth says one thing and our lives say another. We can't. lives say another. We can't. lives say another. We can't. We can't. We can't. We can't. And by demanding attention, And by demanding attention, And by demanding attention, it's already started cuz we will never it's already started cuz we will never it's already started cuz we will never get the attention we crave get the attention we crave get the attention we crave from a world that is antithetical to the from a world that is antithetical to the from a world that is antithetical to the things of Christ. We just won't. things of Christ. We just won't. things of Christ. We just won't. We just won't. We just won't. We just won't. Our assignment is to make Jesus Our assignment is to make Jesus Our assignment is to make Jesus impossible to miss. impossible to miss. impossible to miss. That's for every Christian in here. That's for every Christian in here. That's for every Christian in here. You may be saying, "Well, I'm not that You may be saying, "Well, I'm not that You may be saying, "Well, I'm not that kind of Christian." There's only one kind of Christian." There's only one kind of Christian." There's only one kind of Christian. kind of Christian. kind of Christian. Our assignment is to make Jesus Our assignment is to make Jesus Our assignment is to make Jesus impossible to miss. There's a great impossible to miss. There's a great impossible to miss. There's a great illustration in the book of John. Let's illustration in the book of John. Let's illustration in the book of John. Let's jump over there real quick. If you got jump over there real quick. If you got jump over there real quick. If you got to John chapter 3, I'll read through to John chapter 3, I'll read through to John chapter 3, I'll read through this and this and this and and we'll we'll keep moving. My word. and we'll we'll keep moving. My word. and we'll we'll keep moving. My word. Um Um Um John chapter 3. This it's a great John chapter 3. This it's a great John chapter 3. This it's a great passage. It's actually pretty stunning passage. It's actually pretty stunning passage. It's actually pretty stunning to me, but it tells the story of John to me, but it tells the story of John to me, but it tells the story of John uh the Baptist. Uh verse 22, it may be uh the Baptist. Uh verse 22, it may be uh the Baptist. Uh verse 22, it may be on the screen. There it is.

on the screen. There it is. on the screen. There it is. It says, "After this, Jesus and his It says, "After this, Jesus and his It says, "After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside disciples went to the Judean countryside disciples went to the Judean countryside where they spent time with them and where they spent time with them and where they spent time with them and where he spent time with them and where he spent time with them and where he spent time with them and baptized." So, Jesus is out baptizing, baptized." So, Jesus is out baptizing, baptized." So, Jesus is out baptizing, right? How cool would that have been? right? How cool would that have been? right? How cool would that have been? Get baptized by Jesus. John was also Get baptized by Jesus. John was also Get baptized by Jesus. John was also baptizing in Ainon near Salim because baptizing in Ainon near Salim because baptizing in Ainon near Salim because there was plenty of water there. Makes there was plenty of water there. Makes there was plenty of water there. Makes perfect sense. People were coming and perfect sense. People were coming and perfect sense. People were coming and being baptized since John had not been being baptized since John had not been being baptized since John had not been thrown in prison." Then verse 25, it thrown in prison." Then verse 25, it thrown in prison." Then verse 25, it starts getting a little spicy. Uh then a starts getting a little spicy. Uh then a starts getting a little spicy. Uh then a dispute arose between John's disciples dispute arose between John's disciples dispute arose between John's disciples and the Jews about purification. and the Jews about purification. and the Jews about purification. So, they came to John and told him, So, they came to John and told him, So, they came to John and told him, "Rabbi, the one you testified about" "Rabbi, the one you testified about" "Rabbi, the one you testified about" They don't even use Jesus' name. "The They don't even use Jesus' name. "The They don't even use Jesus' name. "The one you testified about" Let's make him one you testified about" Let's make him one you testified about" Let's make him anonymous. "The one you testified about anonymous. "The one you testified about anonymous. "The one you testified about and who was with you across the Jordan and who was with you across the Jordan and who was with you across the Jordan is baptizing and listen to the is baptizing and listen to the is baptizing and listen to the complaint. It's already started. complaint. It's already started. complaint. It's already started. And everybody's going to him. And everybody's going to him. And everybody's going to him. So these disciples of John are So these disciples of John are So these disciples of John are complaining that everybody's going to complaining that everybody's going to complaining that everybody's going to Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Okay? That's not a very firm argument. Okay? That's not a very firm argument. Okay? That's not a very firm argument. Verse 27, John responds, "No one can Verse 27, John responds, "No one can Verse 27, John responds, "No one can receive anything unless it has been receive anything unless it has been receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven."

No one can receive anything unless it's No one can receive anything unless it's been given to him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, You yourselves can testify that I said, "I'm not the Messiah, but I have been "I'm not the Messiah, but I have been "I'm not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him." sent ahead of him." sent ahead of him." He who has the bride is He who has the He who has the bride is He who has the He who has the bride is He who has the bride is the groom, but the groom's bride is the groom, but the groom's bride is the groom, but the groom's friend, he's calling himself the groom's friend, he's calling himself the groom's friend, he's calling himself the groom's friend, who stands by and listens for friend, who stands by and listens for friend, who stands by and listens for him rejoices greatly him rejoices greatly him rejoices greatly at the groom's voice. at the groom's voice. at the groom's voice. So listen. So here's his response, his So listen. So here's his response, his So listen. So here's his response, his bottom line response. bottom line response. bottom line response. So this joy of mine is complete and then So this joy of mine is complete and then So this joy of mine is complete and then he says, he says, he says, "I think one of the most important "I think one of the most important "I think one of the most important prayers in scripture." He's just saying prayers in scripture." He's just saying prayers in scripture." He's just saying it. I think we it. I think we it. I think we need to pray it. need to pray it. need to pray it. "He must increase and I must decrease." "He must increase and I must decrease." "He must increase and I must decrease." He must increase and I must decrease. He must increase and I must decrease. He must increase and I must decrease. That's really what we boil discipleship That's really what we boil discipleship That's really what we boil discipleship down to. down to. down to. Him increasing, us decreasing. Him Him increasing, us decreasing. Him Him increasing, us decreasing. Him increasing, us decreasing. They were not increasing, us decreasing. They were not increasing, us decreasing. They were not happy with that response. They were happy with that response. They were happy with that response. They were defensive for John. But he says, "He must increase and I But he says, "He must increase and I must decrease." That seems to be at must decrease." That seems to be at must decrease." That seems to be at times the forgotten prayer times the forgotten prayer times the forgotten prayer of believers.

I would say that if you remember I would say that if you remember anything, on the off chance that you anything, on the off chance that you anything, on the off chance that you remember anything about today's message, remember anything about today's message, remember anything about today's message, you remember John 3:30. you remember John 3:30. you remember John 3:30. "He must increase. "He must increase. "He must increase. I must decrease." The more Jesus is I must decrease." The more Jesus is I must decrease." The more Jesus is increasing in our lives, increasing in our lives, increasing in our lives, here the you know the payoff is, first here the you know the payoff is, first here the you know the payoff is, first of all, you honor Christ more, of all, you honor Christ more, of all, you honor Christ more, but your satisfaction with your faith but your satisfaction with your faith but your satisfaction with your faith will dramatically increase. will dramatically increase. will dramatically increase. Some of us are here today, we are this Some of us are here today, we are this Some of us are here today, we are this close to walking away. close to walking away. close to walking away. We're this close to walking away. And the problem isn't that Jesus has And the problem isn't that Jesus has gone anywhere. The problem is that we gone anywhere. The problem is that we gone anywhere. The problem is that we have never yet allowed him to increase have never yet allowed him to increase have never yet allowed him to increase and us to decrease. We hate the us and us to decrease. We hate the us and us to decrease. We hate the us decreasing part. decreasing part. decreasing part. He increases, we decrease. Loving to He increases, we decrease. Loving to He increases, we decrease. Loving to sing about Jesus sing about Jesus sing about Jesus and loving Jesus, the Jesus we sing and loving Jesus, the Jesus we sing and loving Jesus, the Jesus we sing about, about, about, are two different things. This, by the way, this is the key to This, by the way, this is the key to every church dispute that has ever been, every church dispute that has ever been, every church dispute that has ever been, every frustration that you've ever had.

every frustration that you've ever had. every frustration that you've ever had. Maybe not every frustration, but a lot Maybe not every frustration, but a lot Maybe not every frustration, but a lot of them. of them. of them. We got to know the difference We got to know the difference We got to know the difference between loving to sing about Jesus and between loving to sing about Jesus and between loving to sing about Jesus and loving the Jesus we sing about. loving the Jesus we sing about. loving the Jesus we sing about. Loving to sing about Jesus could be full Loving to sing about Jesus could be full Loving to sing about Jesus could be full of nostalgia and full of good uh music of nostalgia and full of good uh music of nostalgia and full of good uh music and and and an emotional response, and all of that an emotional response, and all of that an emotional response, and all of that is good, great, and grand. But if we don't love the Jesus we're But if we don't love the Jesus we're singing about, then what we're doing is we're grading then what we're doing is we're grading the worship. If we don't love the Jesus that's being If we don't love the Jesus that's being preached about, all we're doing preached about, all we're doing preached about, all we're doing is grading the preaching. One is satisfied when people applaud the One is satisfied when people applaud the sermon sermon sermon or the music has perfect transitions or the music has perfect transitions or the music has perfect transitions and everybody hit their spots. and everybody hit their spots. and everybody hit their spots. The other is satisfied when people leave The other is satisfied when people leave The other is satisfied when people leave talking about the savior or singing talking about the savior or singing talking about the savior or singing about him, about him, about him, singing to him.

singing to him. singing to him. We have to know the difference. We have to know the difference. We have to know the difference. Do we love Jesus or do we just love Do we love Jesus or do we just love Do we love Jesus or do we just love being about the things of Jesus? being about the things of Jesus? being about the things of Jesus? Do we love ministry or do we love the Do we love ministry or do we love the Do we love ministry or do we love the master? Okay? master? Okay? master? Okay? That's actually just the first point, That's actually just the first point, That's actually just the first point, but I'll button up the next two. Okay? but I'll button up the next two. Okay? but I'll button up the next two. Okay? You'll get to lunch at some point today. You'll get to lunch at some point today. You'll get to lunch at some point today. At some point today. At some point today. At some point today. Well, the messenger was never meant to Well, the messenger was never meant to Well, the messenger was never meant to to eclipse the message. to eclipse the message. to eclipse the message. So, we stop demanding to be the center So, we stop demanding to be the center So, we stop demanding to be the center of our own faith. This just causes of our own faith. This just causes of our own faith. This just causes trouble and it causes us to have anxiety trouble and it causes us to have anxiety trouble and it causes us to have anxiety and it causes us to be up and down in and it causes us to be up and down in and it causes us to be up and down in our faith. So, what do we We stop doing our faith. So, what do we We stop doing our faith. So, what do we We stop doing that? What do we start doing? We start I that? What do we start doing? We start I that? What do we start doing? We start I did this myself. Treasuring the did this myself. Treasuring the did this myself. Treasuring the treasure. treasure. treasure. We start treasuring the treasure. Let me We start treasuring the treasure. Let me We start treasuring the treasure. Let me read in verse six. For God, the God who read in verse six. For God, the God who read in verse six. For God, the God who said, listen, let the light shine out of said, listen, let the light shine out of said, listen, let the light shine out of darkness. Remember creation? darkness. Remember creation? darkness. Remember creation? Has shown in our hearts to give the Has shown in our hearts to give the Has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory light of the knowledge of God's glory light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus. What he's saying in the face of Jesus. What he's saying in the face of Jesus. What he's saying is, hey, the creation of the world is is, hey, the creation of the world is is, hey, the creation of the world is one thing, one thing, one thing, but moving from death to life is but moving from death to life is but moving from death to life is another.

another. another. So, we created the world and then he So, we created the world and then he So, we created the world and then he moved people spiritually from death into moved people spiritually from death into moved people spiritually from death into life. By the way, we all know this. It's life. By the way, we all know this. It's life. By the way, we all know this. It's almost uh a truism, but God did not come almost uh a truism, but God did not come almost uh a truism, but God did not come to make bad people good. to make bad people good. to make bad people good. He took us from death He took us from death He took us from death into life and and we we can, into life and and we we can, into life and and we we can, if we're not careful, if we're not careful, if we're not careful, we can forget that. we can forget that. we can forget that. He says this, to give the light of the He says this, to give the light of the He says this, to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face in knowledge of God's glory in the face in knowledge of God's glory in the face in the face of Jesus Christ. There it is. the face of Jesus Christ. There it is. the face of Jesus Christ. There it is. That's the treasure. That's the treasure. That's the treasure. That's the treasure. It's not our gifts, That's the treasure. It's not our gifts, That's the treasure. It's not our gifts, not our abilities, not our ministry not our abilities, not our ministry not our abilities, not our ministry success. success. success. The treasure is Christ Jesus himself. We The treasure is Christ Jesus himself. We The treasure is Christ Jesus himself. We cannot forget that. cannot forget that. cannot forget that. We cannot forget that. Paul never forgot We cannot forget that. Paul never forgot We cannot forget that. Paul never forgot it. Listen to what he says in it. Listen to what he says in it. Listen to what he says in Philippians 3. I think Will read it Philippians 3. I think Will read it Philippians 3. I think Will read it earlier, but I want to read it again. earlier, but I want to read it again. earlier, but I want to read it again. Christian, is this true? Christian, is this true? Christian, is this true? It is true. Is it true for you? It is true. Is it true for you? It is true. Is it true for you? Everything that was gained to me Everything that was gained to me Everything that was gained to me I've considered to be lost.

I've considered to be lost. I've considered to be lost. Really? Because of Christ Jesus. More than that, Because of Christ Jesus. More than that, I consider everything to be lost. I consider everything to be lost. I consider everything to be lost. Really? Really? Really? If you're the surpassing value of If you're the surpassing value of If you're the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, do we? knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, do we? knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, do we? Do we? Do we? Do we? If we don't If we don't If we don't we get it. we get it. we get it. But if we don't your faith will always But if we don't your faith will always But if we don't your faith will always be a struggle. be a struggle. be a struggle. It'll always be a struggle. It'll always be a struggle. It'll always be a struggle. Until we give in to the idea Until we give in to the idea Until we give in to the idea that I consider everything lost in view that I consider everything lost in view that I consider everything lost in view of the surpassing value of knowing of the surpassing value of knowing of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Church family, I'm Christ Jesus my Lord. Church family, I'm Christ Jesus my Lord. Church family, I'm just trying to get us ready for the fall just trying to get us ready for the fall just trying to get us ready for the fall because here at Green Acres there's because here at Green Acres there's because here at Green Acres there's going to be a lot going on this fall. going to be a lot going on this fall. going to be a lot going on this fall. And if we are ready And if we are ready And if we are ready to view everything to view everything to view everything as lost as lost as lost compared to the surpassing value of compared to the surpassing value of compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord, then we knowing Christ Jesus our Lord, then we knowing Christ Jesus our Lord, then we will have an army of people will have an army of people will have an army of people that are ready to change the very fabric that are ready to change the very fabric that are ready to change the very fabric of Tyler, Texas. I believe that with all of Tyler, Texas. I believe that with all of Tyler, Texas. I believe that with all my heart. my heart. my heart. I believe that. I believe that. I believe that. Um Um Um Let me move forward with this. I'll try Let me move forward with this. I'll try Let me move forward with this. I'll try to to to try to be succinct. Uh three semesters try to be succinct. Uh three semesters try to be succinct. Uh three semesters ago, uh my wife and I do something ago, uh my wife and I do something ago, uh my wife and I do something called re-engage.

called re-engage. called re-engage. Three semesters ago, we uh and by the Three semesters ago, we uh and by the Three semesters ago, we uh and by the way, we start on uh way, we start on uh way, we start on uh uh August 19th. It's not too late to uh August 19th. It's not too late to uh August 19th. It's not too late to sign up. sign up. sign up. www.org whatever. Yeah, go sign up. www.org whatever. Yeah, go sign up. www.org whatever. Yeah, go sign up. Okay. Okay. Okay. It's re-engage and uh after class it It's re-engage and uh after class it It's re-engage and uh after class it wasn't even after class. Margie and I wasn't even after class. Margie and I wasn't even after class. Margie and I just got done talking on the law of just got done talking on the law of just got done talking on the law of pursuit. It's a marriage principle, pursuit. It's a marriage principle, pursuit. It's a marriage principle, whatever. We just did it. It was good whatever. We just did it. It was good whatever. We just did it. It was good and it was like, okay, we're done. It's and it was like, okay, we're done. It's and it was like, okay, we're done. It's just the very first part. And a guy came just the very first part. And a guy came just the very first part. And a guy came up to me, a man, a guy at a marriage up to me, a man, a guy at a marriage up to me, a man, a guy at a marriage class, go figure. In fact, we call class, go figure. In fact, we call class, go figure. In fact, we call re-engage marriage enrichment for people re-engage marriage enrichment for people re-engage marriage enrichment for people that don't like marriage enrichment. that don't like marriage enrichment. that don't like marriage enrichment. Okay. So, for guys in particular. So, he Okay. So, for guys in particular. So, he Okay. So, for guys in particular. So, he came up after class and and uh after our came up after class and and uh after our came up after class and and uh after our teaching time and he said, "Hey, um can teaching time and he said, "Hey, um can teaching time and he said, "Hey, um can I talk to you?" And I said, "Sure." And I talk to you?" And I said, "Sure." And I talk to you?" And I said, "Sure." And he goes, "Well, it's going to take a he goes, "Well, it's going to take a he goes, "Well, it's going to take a little bit of time." I said, "Well, how little bit of time." I said, "Well, how little bit of time." I said, "Well, how about we It's Wednesday night." I said, about we It's Wednesday night." I said, about we It's Wednesday night." I said, "I think I can do something next "I think I can do something next "I think I can do something next Tuesday." Tuesday." Tuesday." Thinking, I'm exhausted. He goes, "How Thinking, I'm exhausted. He goes, "How Thinking, I'm exhausted. He goes, "How about tomorrow morning?" about tomorrow morning?" about tomorrow morning?" And I thought, "Okay." And I thought, "Okay." And I thought, "Okay." So, tomorrow morning. And he goes like So, tomorrow morning. And he goes like So, tomorrow morning. And he goes like 6:45. I was like, "In the morning?

6:45. I was like, "In the morning? 6:45. I was like, "In the morning? You kidding me?" You kidding me?" You kidding me?" I'm not ready to talk about your I'm not ready to talk about your I'm not ready to talk about your marriage. It's like Anyway, but I did. marriage. It's like Anyway, but I did. marriage. It's like Anyway, but I did. We met. It was awesome. It was good. And We met. It was awesome. It was good. And We met. It was awesome. It was good. And and I went to bed that night. I thought, and I went to bed that night. I thought, and I went to bed that night. I thought, "Well, I know what he's going to tell "Well, I know what he's going to tell "Well, I know what he's going to tell me." Because when a man is desperate, I me." Because when a man is desperate, I me." Because when a man is desperate, I know I know what he's going to talk to know I know what he's going to talk to know I know what he's going to talk to me about. You know, it's it's going to me about. You know, it's it's going to me about. You know, it's it's going to be It's just going to be one of four or be It's just going to be one of four or be It's just going to be one of four or five different things. I was I was five different things. I was I was five different things. I was I was completely ready for that. What I wasn't completely ready for that. What I wasn't completely ready for that. What I wasn't ready for is what he told me. ready for is what he told me. ready for is what he told me. What I wasn't wasn't ready for is is he What I wasn't wasn't ready for is is he What I wasn't wasn't ready for is is he started off started off started off uh, uh, uh, coffee which became breakfast. coffee which became breakfast. coffee which became breakfast. He started off by saying, He started off by saying, He started off by saying, um, um, um, "I've been married 12 years "I've been married 12 years "I've been married 12 years and I've wrecked our marriage." and I've wrecked our marriage." and I've wrecked our marriage." I thought, I thought, I thought, "Okay, I know what's coming." "Okay, I know what's coming." "Okay, I know what's coming." But then he said this. He said, "We've drifted apart. "We've drifted apart. I think we still love each other, I think we still love each other, I think we still love each other, but we just don't connect anymore." He said, "All of my enthusiasm for our He said, "All of my enthusiasm for our marriage marriage marriage just evaporated. just evaporated. just evaporated. It's gone." Well, that wasn't what I thought he Well, that wasn't what I thought he would tell me about.

would tell me about. would tell me about. But he proceeded to unpack it. It's like But he proceeded to unpack it. It's like But he proceeded to unpack it. It's like there wasn't another person. there wasn't another person. there wasn't another person. There wasn't a dramatic betrayal. There wasn't a dramatic betrayal. There wasn't a dramatic betrayal. There wasn't one catastrophic moment There wasn't one catastrophic moment There wasn't one catastrophic moment where everything fell apart. where everything fell apart. where everything fell apart. It was just years of busyness. It was just years of busyness. It was just years of busyness. Neglect. Neglect. Neglect. Years of living beside each other Years of living beside each other Years of living beside each other instead of living with one another. And God got a hold of him and he was And God got a hold of him and he was broken. He was broken because he still loved He was broken because he still loved her, her, her, but he no longer treasured her. >> And there's a difference. >> And there's a difference. We love Jesus. We love Jesus. We love Jesus. Do we treasure him? We still do all the things, We still do all the things, but our heart's not in it. So, we had a conversation that lasted So, we had a conversation that lasted till for a while.

And he left with a commitment And he left with a commitment to keep loving his wife, to keep loving his wife, to keep loving his wife, but to treasure her. but to treasure her. but to treasure her. So, he started doing the little things So, he started doing the little things So, he started doing the little things again. again. again. He started trying to look at her with He started trying to look at her with He started trying to look at her with renewed wonder. I'm not even sure to renewed wonder. I'm not even sure to renewed wonder. I'm not even sure to this day if she knows we met. this day if she knows we met. this day if she knows we met. I hope she doesn't put it together three I hope she doesn't put it together three I hope she doesn't put it together three semesters ago. I'll have the semesters ago. I'll have the semesters ago. I'll have the conversation. But but he met her with renewed wonder. but he met her with renewed wonder. Nothing about her changed, Nothing about her changed, Nothing about her changed, but his eyes changed. but his eyes changed. but his eyes changed. He remembered why he fell in love. He remembered why he fell in love. He remembered why he fell in love. He began to pursue He began to pursue He began to pursue instead of assuming. instead of assuming. instead of assuming. He Here's one, guys. He listened He Here's one, guys. He listened He Here's one, guys. He listened instead of just nodding in agreement. instead of just nodding in agreement. instead of just nodding in agreement. He cherished instead of coexisting. He cherished instead of coexisting. He cherished instead of coexisting. And their marriage by the end of the And their marriage by the end of the And their marriage by the end of the semester was dramatically different. semester was dramatically different. semester was dramatically different. So much so that they gave a little So much so that they gave a little So much so that they gave a little testimony towards the end of the testimony towards the end of the testimony towards the end of the semester. semester. semester. It was remarkable. He still loved her, It was remarkable. He still loved her, It was remarkable. He still loved her, but he quit treasuring her, so their but he quit treasuring her, so their but he quit treasuring her, so their marriage was on the brink. I would put marriage was on the brink. I would put marriage was on the brink. I would put it to you, it to you, it to you, some of us still love Jesus.

some of us still love Jesus. some of us still love Jesus. We don't treasure him anymore. We don't treasure him anymore. We don't treasure him anymore. We don't. We don't. We don't. But we can. But we can. But we can. And we can start doing that today. And I would encourage you And I would encourage you to do to do just that. to do to do just that. to do to do just that. Well, we Well, we Well, we we stopped demanding attention. we stopped demanding attention. we stopped demanding attention. We start treasuring the treasure and We start treasuring the treasure and We start treasuring the treasure and then quickly then quickly then quickly we continue. we continue. we continue. This is all I had. We continue shining This is all I had. We continue shining This is all I had. We continue shining the light. the light. the light. Let me read this to you and then I want Let me read this to you and then I want Let me read this to you and then I want to give you one challenge and we'll be to give you one challenge and we'll be to give you one challenge and we'll be done. Bible says we have this in treasures Bible says we have this in treasures have this treasure have this treasure have this treasure in clay jars, jars of clay. in clay jars, jars of clay. in clay jars, jars of clay. So that this extraordinary power may be So that this extraordinary power may be So that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We're from God and not from us. We're from God and not from us. We're afflicted in every way, not crushed, afflicted in every way, not crushed, afflicted in every way, not crushed, we're perplexed and we're not in we're perplexed and we're not in we're perplexed and we're not in despair. despair. despair. Do you wonder why God chose Do you wonder why God chose Do you wonder why God chose clay jars? I mean, now clay jars can get clay jars? I mean, now clay jars can get clay jars? I mean, now clay jars can get pretty expensive. Back then, they were pretty expensive. Back then, they were pretty expensive. Back then, they were not. You had you could put food in them, not. You had you could put food in them, not. You had you could put food in them, you could also put refuse in them, you you could also put refuse in them, you you could also put refuse in them, you could put dung in them. They just could put dung in them. They just could put dung in them. They just carried all kind of things. When they carried all kind of things. When they carried all kind of things. When they broke, you didn't replace them, you just broke, you didn't replace them, you just broke, you didn't replace them, you just threw them away. But for some reason, he threw them away. But for some reason, he threw them away. But for some reason, he chose chooses to call us, you and me, chose chooses to call us, you and me, chose chooses to call us, you and me, jars of clay.

jars of clay. jars of clay. I love what Tony Evans says. He says, I love what Tony Evans says. He says, I love what Tony Evans says. He says, "On our best days, this will this will "On our best days, this will this will "On our best days, this will this will bless you. On our best days, we're just bless you. On our best days, we're just bless you. On our best days, we're just dignified dirt." dignified dirt." dignified dirt." It's like, "Thanks, Tony." It's like, "Thanks, Tony." It's like, "Thanks, Tony." It's pretty nice. Ordinary clay large clay jars. Ordinary clay large clay jars. Here's what I want to encourage those of Here's what I want to encourage those of Here's what I want to encourage those of you that have been beaten up. You have things that you are You have things that you are you'd rather not share about. You've you'd rather not share about. You've you'd rather not share about. You've gone through pain that some of us can't gone through pain that some of us can't gone through pain that some of us can't even imagine. even imagine. even imagine. Blessed be 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Blessed Blessed be 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Blessed Blessed be 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Christ, Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all the Father of mercies and the God of all the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. comfort. comfort. He comforts us, listen, He comforts us, listen, He comforts us, listen, in all of our afflictions. So that we may be able to comfort those So that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction who are in any kind of affliction who are in any kind of affliction through the comfort we ourselves through the comfort we ourselves through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Do you know that the point of your Do you know that the point of your deepest pain could very well be the deepest pain could very well be the deepest pain could very well be the beginning of a ministry beginning of a ministry beginning of a ministry to people that are going through exactly to people that are going through exactly to people that are going through exactly what you've gone through? God never ever wastes God never ever wastes pain. pain. pain. Our suffering is never meaningless in Our suffering is never meaningless in Our suffering is never meaningless in his hands. his hands. his hands. And that is why And that is why And that is why you need to tell your story. you need to tell your story. you need to tell your story. Whatever your story is. Whatever your story is. Whatever your story is. If you're a senior in high school, talk If you're a senior in high school, talk If you're a senior in high school, talk to a freshman about what it's like to to a freshman about what it's like to to a freshman about what it's like to get through clinging to faith in Christ. get through clinging to faith in Christ. get through clinging to faith in Christ. If you're a business owner and you have If you're a business owner and you have If you're a business owner and you have failed, talk to somebody whose business failed, talk to somebody whose business failed, talk to somebody whose business just failed. just failed. just failed. And how Christ took you through it. People will admire People will admire the ones who they only see as the ones who they only see as the ones who they only see as successful. successful. successful. But they'll never have their lives But they'll never have their lives But they'll never have their lives changed by them. There is pain that some of you have There is pain that some of you have walked through. If you've ever had your walked through. If you've ever had your walked through. If you've ever had your marriage restored.

Let somebody know the pain you went Let somebody know the pain you went through to get there. through to get there. through to get there. A prodigal. A prodigal. A prodigal. Or you've been addicted. The point has never been us. The point The point has never been us. The point is not us. It's Jesus. is not us. It's Jesus. is not us. It's Jesus. We're a jar of clay. We're a jar of clay. We're a jar of clay. I'll tell you a quick story and then if I'll tell you a quick story and then if I'll tell you a quick story and then if I can get through it, we'll wrap up. I can get through it, we'll wrap up. I can get through it, we'll wrap up. Okay? Okay? Okay? Uh not long ago, uh there's some there's Uh not long ago, uh there's some there's Uh not long ago, uh there's some there's some people in this room. Some of you some people in this room. Some of you some people in this room. Some of you ladies have been heartbroken. ladies have been heartbroken. ladies have been heartbroken. Because you've had a miscarriage. Because you've had a miscarriage. Because you've had a miscarriage. Okay? Okay? Okay? I I will never know what that's like. I I will never know what that's like. I I will never know what that's like. Uh I can only be empathetic, but some of Uh I can only be empathetic, but some of Uh I can only be empathetic, but some of you know how dramatic and painful that you know how dramatic and painful that you know how dramatic and painful that can be. Okay? can be. Okay? can be. Okay? Um and I have known about it. Um and I have known about it. Um and I have known about it. But I've never experienced it obviously. But I've never experienced it obviously. But I've never experienced it obviously. But over the last couple of months, it's But over the last couple of months, it's But over the last couple of months, it's been very clear as my daughter went been very clear as my daughter went been very clear as my daughter went through a miscarriage. Church family, she went through a Church family, she went through a miscarriage and she had some of the most miscarriage and she had some of the most miscarriage and she had some of the most godly, kind women godly, kind women godly, kind women speaking to her life.

speaking to her life. speaking to her life. I couldn't. I really wanted to. I really wanted to. I wanted to make it all go away. I wanted to make it all go away. I wanted to make it all go away. But the pain that those women had, But the pain that those women had, But the pain that those women had, all they did was they just shared how all they did was they just shared how all they did was they just shared how God brought them through it. God brought them through it. God brought them through it. And all of a sudden, I've got my smiling And all of a sudden, I've got my smiling And all of a sudden, I've got my smiling daughter back. daughter back. daughter back. I asked her before I shared this, to be I asked her before I shared this, to be I asked her before I shared this, to be clear, clear, clear, and her husband. and her husband. and her husband. Tell your story. Tell your story. Tell your story. In this room, there's unimaginable pain. In this room, there's unimaginable pain. In this room, there's unimaginable pain. And someone needs to hear how God took And someone needs to hear how God took And someone needs to hear how God took you through that same pain. Tell your you through that same pain. Tell your you through that same pain. Tell your story. story. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> God will use you. >> God will use you. >> God will use you. Stop demanding attention. Stop demanding attention. Stop demanding attention. Treasure the treasure. Treasure the treasure. Treasure the treasure. And tell [snorts] your story. Shine your And tell [snorts] your story. Shine your And tell [snorts] your story. Shine your light. light. light. Y'all pray with me.

Father, would you give us courage Father, would you give us courage to take you at your word? Would you give to take you at your word? Would you give to take you at your word? Would you give us boldness to pray that you must us boldness to pray that you must us boldness to pray that you must increase and we must decrease? increase and we must decrease? increase and we must decrease? Father, would you help us be the kind of Father, would you help us be the kind of Father, would you help us be the kind of people that know to live is you, is people that know to live is you, is people that know to live is you, is Christ, to die is gain? Father, forgive Christ, to die is gain? Father, forgive Christ, to die is gain? Father, forgive us for just playing around us for just playing around us for just playing around some of us with our faith. some of us with our faith. some of us with our faith. Where it's been an add-on. You've been a Where it's been an add-on. You've been a Where it's been an add-on. You've been a wonderful coach. Father, we have been inconsistent. Lord, Father, we have been inconsistent. Lord, as we move into the fall, as we prepare as we move into the fall, as we prepare as we move into the fall, as we prepare for thousands of people, Lord, would you for thousands of people, Lord, would you for thousands of people, Lord, would you remind us that your gospel not only remind us that your gospel not only remind us that your gospel not only saves us, but it sustains us. saves us, but it sustains us. saves us, but it sustains us. So, Father, would you move in a way I So, Father, would you move in a way I So, Father, would you move in a way I can't explain, you we can't explain. can't explain, you we can't explain. can't explain, you we can't explain. Would you touch the lives Would you touch the lives Would you touch the lives and give boldness to people that have a and give boldness to people that have a and give boldness to people that have a story that needs to be told. I pray that in Jesus' name. I pray that in Jesus' name. Everybody said, Everybody said, Everybody said, amen.