You're Invited | Part 1 | Joel Thomas

Well, hey, good morning. Good morning. Well, hey, good morning. Good morning. Hey, front row, ready to go already. How Hey, front row, ready to go already. How Hey, front row, ready to go already. How y'all doing? 11:00 a.m. Okay. Hey, glad y'all doing? 11:00 a.m. Okay. Hey, glad y'all doing? 11:00 a.m. Okay. Hey, glad you're here. Hey, if it's your first you're here. Hey, if it's your first you're here. Hey, if it's your first time here, I want you to know what this time here, I want you to know what this time here, I want you to know what this whole place is about. We're on a mission whole place is about. We're on a mission whole place is about. We're on a mission around here, and that's to inspire around here, and that's to inspire around here, and that's to inspire people to follow Jesus. And here's the people to follow Jesus. And here's the people to follow Jesus. And here's the best thing about our church. You can best thing about our church. You can best thing about our church. You can belong here before you believe. At least belong here before you believe. At least belong here before you believe. At least that's my story. If we haven't had a that's my story. If we haven't had a that's my story. If we haven't had a chance to meet, my name is Holly. I'm chance to meet, my name is Holly. I'm chance to meet, my name is Holly. I'm the executive pastor around here. And the executive pastor around here. And the executive pastor around here. And I've been coming to our church for a I've been coming to our church for a I've been coming to our church for a while. But years ago, somebody invited while. But years ago, somebody invited while. But years ago, somebody invited me and so I thought, I'll check it out. me and so I thought, I'll check it out. me and so I thought, I'll check it out. I was new to faith. I was new to church I was new to faith. I was new to church I was new to faith. I was new to church for sure. I was new to Alpharetta. And I for sure. I was new to Alpharetta. And I for sure. I was new to Alpharetta. And I came and I've just been coming ever came and I've just been coming ever came and I've just been coming ever since. And here's what I can tell you. since. And here's what I can tell you. since. And here's what I can tell you. You're going to meet some pretty You're going to meet some pretty You're going to meet some pretty fantastic people once you get connected fantastic people once you get connected fantastic people once you get connected around here. In fact, one of the people around here. In fact, one of the people around here. In fact, one of the people I met in one of my very first married I met in one of my very first married I met in one of my very first married small groups, he's in the West this small groups, he's in the West this small groups, he's in the West this morning. Let's give a warm welcome for morning. Let's give a warm welcome for morning. Let's give a warm welcome for Joel Thomas, one of our pastors and my Joel Thomas, one of our pastors and my Joel Thomas, one of our pastors and my former small group leader. former small group leader. former small group leader. Joel's here today. Yeah. Super kind. Joel's here today. Yeah. Super kind. Joel's here today. Yeah. Super kind. >> Hey Joel, how's it going?

>> Hey Joel, how's it going? >> Hey Joel, how's it going? >> That was your first small group that >> That was your first small group that >> That was your first small group that that small group was meaningful for both that small group was meaningful for both that small group was meaningful for both of us. We both had meaningful of us. We both had meaningful of us. We both had meaningful experiences. It's where we met for the experiences. It's where we met for the experiences. It's where we met for the first time. David and Holly have been first time. David and Holly have been first time. David and Holly have been great friends of ours ever since. And great friends of ours ever since. And great friends of ours ever since. And Holly, you got a job out of it. So that Holly, you got a job out of it. So that Holly, you got a job out of it. So that was awesome. was awesome. was awesome. >> Say that. We cannot guarantee that with >> Say that. We cannot guarantee that with >> Say that. We cannot guarantee that with every small group, but uh yeah, thank every small group, but uh yeah, thank every small group, but uh yeah, thank you for that. you for that. you for that. >> That's true. And we're lifers. Just so >> That's true. And we're lifers. Just so >> That's true. And we're lifers. Just so you know, my wife and I, we're in a you know, my wife and I, we're in a you know, my wife and I, we're in a married small group. Uh community is married small group. Uh community is married small group. Uh community is important to us. Uh you may be new uh to important to us. Uh you may be new uh to important to us. Uh you may be new uh to this church or you may have not gotten this church or you may have not gotten this church or you may have not gotten connected before or you haven't been in connected before or you haven't been in connected before or you haven't been in a group in a while. Um it is really the a group in a while. Um it is really the a group in a while. Um it is really the best part of our church and doing life best part of our church and doing life best part of our church and doing life with other people that are in your stage with other people that are in your stage with other people that are in your stage of life that live near you or trying to of life that live near you or trying to of life that live near you or trying to row in their life in the same direction row in their life in the same direction row in their life in the same direction is really what we're all about. We'll is really what we're all about. We'll is really what we're all about. We'll never make a big church small, but we never make a big church small, but we never make a big church small, but we can make it personal. And we would love can make it personal. And we would love can make it personal. And we would love to help you get connected. So after the to help you get connected. So after the to help you get connected. So after the service today, if you're you're new or service today, if you're you're new or service today, if you're you're new or you're looking to get connected, just go you're looking to get connected, just go you're looking to get connected, just go to connections. It's really simple. go to connections. It's really simple. go to connections. It's really simple. go out in the lobby, go to connections. out in the lobby, go to connections. out in the lobby, go to connections. They would love to answer any questions They would love to answer any questions They would love to answer any questions that you have about how to get that you have about how to get that you have about how to get connected. And specifically, if you're connected. And specifically, if you're connected. And specifically, if you're new to faith like Holly was when she new to faith like Holly was when she new to faith like Holly was when she first showed up or um you have questions first showed up or um you have questions first showed up or um you have questions about Jesus, a starting point is the about Jesus, a starting point is the about Jesus, a starting point is the environment for you. We're getting ready environment for you. We're getting ready environment for you. We're getting ready to start some new groups. It's an a to start some new groups. It's an a to start some new groups. It's an a starting point is an 8week conversation starting point is an 8week conversation starting point is an 8week conversation where you can ask honest questions and where you can ask honest questions and where you can ask honest questions and explore faith at your own pace. Uh explore faith at your own pace. Uh explore faith at your own pace. Uh there's um no pressure, no pretending, there's um no pressure, no pretending, there's um no pressure, no pretending, no perfect people are allowed uh in no perfect people are allowed uh in no perfect people are allowed uh in starting point. So, uh we have new starting point. So, uh we have new starting point. So, uh we have new groups starting soon. We'd love to groups starting soon. We'd love to groups starting soon. We'd love to connect you in one of those. Um you'll connect you in one of those. Um you'll connect you in one of those. Um you'll find everything you need to know about find everything you need to know about find everything you need to know about that on the top three. So check that out that on the top three. So check that out that on the top three. So check that out and we'd love to get you connected.

and we'd love to get you connected. and we'd love to get you connected. Holly, there's another important event Holly, there's another important event Holly, there's another important event coming up. Uh that's pretty exciting. coming up. Uh that's pretty exciting. coming up. Uh that's pretty exciting. >> Yeah. On the top three, you're also >> Yeah. On the top three, you're also >> Yeah. On the top three, you're also going to find July 29th empty neester going to find July 29th empty neester going to find July 29th empty neester night. This was such a hit last time and night. This was such a hit last time and night. This was such a hit last time and Shanti Feldhan's going to be here this Shanti Feldhan's going to be here this Shanti Feldhan's going to be here this time. She's a social researcher and time. She's a social researcher and time. She's a social researcher and she's going to talk about how to thrive she's going to talk about how to thrive she's going to talk about how to thrive in the empty nest. And Andy told you in the empty nest. And Andy told you in the empty nest. And Andy told you this last week. We're gonna have a this last week. We're gonna have a this last week. We're gonna have a special guest. And this is one of these special guest. And this is one of these special guest. And this is one of these guests you do not want to miss. Some of guests you do not want to miss. Some of guests you do not want to miss. Some of you have tried to get it out of me you have tried to get it out of me you have tried to get it out of me already. Okay, I'm not going to tell. already. Okay, I'm not going to tell. already. Okay, I'm not going to tell. But you need to buy your ticket because But you need to buy your ticket because But you need to buy your ticket because we've invited our empty nest friends we've invited our empty nest friends we've invited our empty nest friends from Brownsbridge and from Woodstock. from Brownsbridge and from Woodstock. from Brownsbridge and from Woodstock. So, we're going to sell out. But you can So, we're going to sell out. But you can So, we're going to sell out. But you can get your ticket today at the top three get your ticket today at the top three get your ticket today at the top three website. Well, that's everything that's website. Well, that's everything that's website. Well, that's everything that's coming up. But today, we got a great coming up. But today, we got a great coming up. But today, we got a great service for you. Joel is kicking off our service for you. Joel is kicking off our service for you. Joel is kicking off our series called You're Invited. But first, series called You're Invited. But first, series called You're Invited. But first, we're gonna get started by singing we're gonna get started by singing we're gonna get started by singing together. And I've got Allison, Joy, and together. And I've got Allison, Joy, and together. And I've got Allison, Joy, and Mark here in the east with me. And Joel, Mark here in the east with me. And Joel, Mark here in the east with me. And Joel, who's in the west with you? who's in the west with you? who's in the west with you? >> I got Clarissa and Andy and Chase are >> I got Clarissa and Andy and Chase are >> I got Clarissa and Andy and Chase are over here leading with me. And uh we're over here leading with me. And uh we're over here leading with me. And uh we're going to sing a brand new song actually going to sing a brand new song actually going to sing a brand new song actually to start out. Um the song's called Thank to start out. Um the song's called Thank to start out. Um the song's called Thank God I'm Free. And actually, we're going God I'm Free. And actually, we're going God I'm Free. And actually, we're going to touch on this in the message. Um but to touch on this in the message. Um but to touch on this in the message. Um but it's a big part of our lead story and it's a big part of our lead story and it's a big part of our lead story and it's that what Jesus why we're inviting it's that what Jesus why we're inviting it's that what Jesus why we're inviting people to follow Jesus is because it people to follow Jesus is because it people to follow Jesus is because it leads to freedom. It leads to freedom leads to freedom. It leads to freedom leads to freedom. It leads to freedom from sin. It leads to freedom from from sin. It leads to freedom from from sin. It leads to freedom from guilt. leads uh to freedom, not just guilt. leads uh to freedom, not just guilt. leads uh to freedom, not just from the penalty of sin, but oftentimes from the penalty of sin, but oftentimes from the penalty of sin, but oftentimes uh from the the um the control of sin in uh from the the um the control of sin in uh from the the um the control of sin in our lives. And so uh we're going to sing our lives. And so uh we're going to sing our lives. And so uh we're going to sing that song because that's worth that song because that's worth that song because that's worth celebrating today. And I would love to celebrating today. And I would love to celebrating today. And I would love to invite you to join us. So if you're invite you to join us. So if you're invite you to join us. So if you're willing and able, I'd love for you to willing and able, I'd love for you to willing and able, I'd love for you to stand up. Uh maybe greet somebody around stand up. Uh maybe greet somebody around stand up. Uh maybe greet somebody around you and then Joyy's going to lead us in

you and then Joyy's going to lead us in you and then Joyy's going to lead us in this first song together. >> [music] >> [music] >> Good morning, North Point. Who the sun >> Good morning, North Point. Who the sun >> Good morning, North Point. Who the sun sets free is free indeed forever. sets free is free indeed forever. sets free is free indeed forever. [music] [music] [music] There's something to celebrate. Come on. I'm dancing out of [music] my regret. I'm dancing out of [music] my regret. I'm throwing caution to the wind. I'm throwing caution to the wind. I'm throwing caution to the wind. No, I am [music] not ashamed to praise No, I am [music] not ashamed to praise No, I am [music] not ashamed to praise like this. Some say [singing] it's like this. Some say [singing] it's like this. Some say [singing] it's foolishness. foolishness. foolishness. [music] [music] [music] I say it's for I say it's for I say it's for [music] what Jesus did. [music] what Jesus did. [music] what Jesus did. No, I not to die. No, I not to die. No, I not to die. Where [music and singing] are those Where [music and singing] are those Where [music and singing] are those chains that once held me? I'm free. I'm chains that once held me? I'm free. I'm chains that once held me? I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm [music and singing] free. I'm free. I'm [music and singing] free. I'm free. I'm [music and singing] free. My sin is gone. How can it be? I'm free. My sin is gone. How can it be? I'm free. My sin is gone. How can it be? I'm free. I'm free. [music and singing] I'm free. I'm free. [music and singing] I'm free. I'm free. [music and singing] I'm free. I'm free. Look at what the Lord free. I'm free. Look at what the Lord free. I'm free. Look at what the Lord has. I'm never [music] going back to the has. I'm never [music] going back to the has. I'm never [music] going back to the way I was. I way I was. I way I was. I [music] free free [music]

[music] [music] the other way. the other way. the other way. No other love as good as No other love as good as No other love as good as I [music] don't care what you say. I [music] don't care what you say. I [music] don't care what you say. I'll never be ashamed to break. [music] [music] [music] I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. My city [music] is my My city [music] is my My city [music] is my I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. [music] I'm never going back to [music] the way I'm never going back to [music] the way I was. I sing of death. [music] I was. I sing of death. [music] I was. I sing of death. [music] I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. You took I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. You took I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. You took the cross [music] and you broke it. the cross [music] and you broke it. the cross [music] and you broke it. You shed [singing] your blood. Now the You shed [singing] your blood. Now the You shed [singing] your blood. Now the sinner can't [music] see. My debt is sinner can't [music] see. My debt is sinner can't [music] see. My debt is paid and [singing] my record is clean. I paid and [singing] my record is clean. I paid and [singing] my record is clean. I couldn't do it so you did it for couldn't do it so you did it for couldn't do it so you did it for you took the cross and you broke your you took the cross and you broke your you took the cross and you broke your body.

body. body. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> You shed your blood again. >> You shed your blood again. >> You shed your blood again. I [music] couldn't do anything. couldn't do anything. [music] Only Only [music] [music] [music] I can do it. I can do it. [music] [music] Where are those chains that tell me? I'm Where are those chains that tell me? I'm Where are those chains that tell me? I'm free. I'm free. [music] I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. [music] I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. [music] I'm free. I'm free. My sin is gone. Hey, I'll never go back to [music] I'll never go back to [music] see what what Never going back. [music] [music] [music] I'm never going back.

>> What a beautiful reminder this morning >> What a beautiful reminder this morning that there [music] is freedom in Jesus. that there [music] is freedom in Jesus. that there [music] is freedom in Jesus. Come on, let's continue to worship this Come on, let's continue to worship this Come on, let's continue to worship this morning. >> [music] >> [music] >> Come on. Let's all declare this. >> Come on. Let's all declare this. >> Come on. Let's all declare this. It's your breath It's your breath It's your breath in our lungs, [music] in our lungs, [music] in our lungs, [music] so we pour out our praise. [singing] so we pour out our praise. [singing] so we pour out our praise. [singing] Pour out our praise. It's your breath Pour out our praise. It's your breath Pour out our praise. It's your breath in our [music and singing] lungs. in our [music and singing] lungs. in our [music and singing] lungs. So we pour our praise to you, [music] So we pour our praise to you, [music] So we pour our praise to you, [music] holy. [singing] Great [music and singing] are you, Lord. Great [music and singing] are you, Lord. Come on, sing it out. Come on, sing it out. Come on, sing it out. You [music] give light. You [music] give light. You [music] give light. You are love. You are love. You are love. You bring light [music] You bring light [music] You bring light [music] to the darkness.

to the darkness. to the darkness. You give hope. You You give hope. You You give hope. You >> You restore >> You restore >> You restore every [music] every [music] every [music] heart that [singing] is broken. Great [music and singing] Great [music and singing] are you, Lord. are you, Lord. are you, Lord. Come on. Come on. Come on. It's your praise [music and singing] It's your praise [music and singing] It's your praise [music and singing] in our lives. in our lives. in our lives. So we pour out our praise. Pour So we pour out our praise. Pour So we pour out our praise. Pour [music and singing] out our praise. It's [music and singing] out our praise. It's [music and singing] out our praise. It's your bra your bra your bra in our lungs. in our lungs. in our lungs. So [music] we pour out our praise So [music] we pour out our praise So [music] we pour out our praise [singing] to you. Oh, [singing] to you. Oh, [singing] to you. Oh, it's your [music] it's your [music] it's your [music] in our lives. in our lives. in our lives. So we pour our praise So we pour our praise So we pour our praise [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] for our praise is your for our praise is your for our praise is your in our [singing] in our [singing] in our [singing] So we [music] pour our praise to you So we [music] pour our praise to you So we [music] pour our praise to you ally [singing] Let this be our declaration this Let this be our declaration this morning. [music] Sing it out.

morning. [music] Sing it out. morning. [music] Sing it out. All [singing] the earth will shout your All [singing] the earth will shout your All [singing] the earth will shout your praise. Our hearts will cry. praise. Our hearts will cry. praise. Our hearts will cry. [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] These bones will sing. Great These bones will sing. Great These bones will sing. Great [music] are [singing] [music] are [singing] [music] are [singing] you, Lord. [music] [music] Oh, the earth will [singing] shout your Oh, the earth will [singing] shout your Oh, the earth will [singing] shout your praise. Our hearts [music] will cry. praise. Our hearts [music] will cry. praise. Our hearts [music] will cry. [singing] These bones will sing. Great [singing] These bones will sing. Great [singing] These bones will sing. Great are [music and singing] are [music and singing] are [music and singing] you, Lord. you, Lord. you, Lord. All the earth, all the earth, [music] All the earth, all the earth, [music] All the earth, all the earth, [music] sing. All [singing] the earth will shout sing. All [singing] the earth will shout sing. All [singing] the earth will shout your praise. Our [singing] hearts will your praise. Our [singing] hearts will your praise. Our [singing] hearts will cry. These bones will [music] sing. >> [singing] >> [singing] >> Are you in my [singing] in my [singing] So [music] So [music] So [music] you you you praise your [singing] name.

So we So we praise [music] praise [music] praise [music] you. you. you. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [singing] [music] [music] Yeah. Heat. Heat. [music] >> You unravel [music] >> You unravel [music] me me me with a [singing] melody. [music] with a [singing] melody. [music] with a [singing] melody. [music] You surround me with You surround me with You surround me with a song a song a song of deliverance [singing] Till [singing] all my fears, [music] Till [singing] all my fears, [music] they're gone. Come on. I'm no longer they're gone. Come on. I'm no longer they're gone. Come on. I'm no longer [singing] [singing] [singing] slave to fear.

I am [music] a [singing] child of God's I am [music] a [singing] child of God's right. right. right. I'm no longer a slave to fear. I am a child [music] I am a child [music] of God. From my [music and singing] mother's From my [music and singing] mother's womb, womb, womb, you have chosen me. you have chosen me. you have chosen me. Love has [singing] called my [music] Love has [singing] called my [music] Love has [singing] called my [music] name. name. name. I've been born again I've been born again I've been born again into your family. You put flows through [music] my You put flows through [music] my [singing] veins. [singing] veins. [singing] veins. I'm no longer I'm no longer I'm no longer slain to fear [music] as I am. slain to fear [music] as I am. slain to fear [music] as I am. I [singing] am a child I [singing] am a child I [singing] am a child of God. That's right.

of God. That's right. of God. That's right. I'm [music] no longer I'm [music] no longer I'm [music] no longer slain to fear. [music] I am slain to fear. [music] I am slain to fear. [music] I am I am a child [music] I am a child [music] I am a child [music] of God's child. of God's child. of God's child. I'm no longer [music] I'm no longer [music] I'm no longer [music] afraid afraid afraid to fear. [music] [music] >> I'm no longer I am a child [singing] I am a child [singing] of God. Oh. Oh. [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> You split. [singing] >> You split. [singing] >> You split. [singing] [music] I [music] see. So I walk right through I [music] see. So I walk right through [music] [music] [music] you my res.

res. [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> I'm no longer [music] >> I'm no longer [music] a slave to fear. Yes, I am a child Yes, I am a child of God. of God. of God. I'm no longer a slave I'm no longer a slave I'm no longer a slave to fear. Yes, I am a child Yes, I am a child of God. [singing] Father, thank you for being a father.

Father, thank you for being a father. Thank you for your love. Thank you for Thank you for your love. Thank you for Thank you for your love. Thank you for your goodness. Thank you for life. [music] Thank you for life. [music] Thank you for this place. Thank you for this place. Thank you for this place. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for salvation. Thank you that Thank you that your strength is made perfect in our your strength is made perfect in our your strength is made perfect in our weakness. weakness. weakness. And we pray that in that [music] And we pray that in that [music] And we pray that in that [music] strength this morning that you would strength this morning that you would strength this morning that you would teach us through Joel that you would teach us through Joel that you would teach us through Joel that you would [music] teach us. We're here. We're ready [music] We're here. We're ready [music] in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you so much in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you so much in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you so much for being here this morning. You can go for being here this morning. You can go for being here this morning. You can go ahead [music] and have a seat.

Well, I'm thrilled to be kicking off Well, I'm thrilled to be kicking off this brand new series today. And whether this brand new series today. And whether this brand new series today. And whether it's your first time, your first time in it's your first time, your first time in it's your first time, your first time in a long time, or you come all the time, a long time, or you come all the time, a long time, or you come all the time, I'm thrilled you're with us. Uh whether I'm thrilled you're with us. Uh whether I'm thrilled you're with us. Uh whether you're in the room here in the east or you're in the room here in the east or you're in the room here in the east or over in the west, joining us online or over in the west, joining us online or over in the west, joining us online or in another room at another campus. Um in another room at another campus. Um in another room at another campus. Um it's exciting to have a growing church, it's exciting to have a growing church, it's exciting to have a growing church, a growing group of churches, network of a growing group of churches, network of a growing group of churches, network of churches, uh not just across our city, churches, uh not just across our city, churches, uh not just across our city, but across the nation, around the world. but across the nation, around the world. but across the nation, around the world. Um and and if you've been coming for a Um and and if you've been coming for a Um and and if you've been coming for a while, you've heard us talk about that. while, you've heard us talk about that. while, you've heard us talk about that. In fact, every time uh we talk about it, In fact, every time uh we talk about it, In fact, every time uh we talk about it, you think, "Okay, I've heard that you think, "Okay, I've heard that you think, "Okay, I've heard that before. I don't know exactly how this before. I don't know exactly how this before. I don't know exactly how this works or how it all goes, but you've works or how it all goes, but you've works or how it all goes, but you've probably thought this because this is a probably thought this because this is a probably thought this because this is a question I get asked by people all the question I get asked by people all the question I get asked by people all the time. Uh especially leaders, people who time. Uh especially leaders, people who time. Uh especially leaders, people who are looking to grow things. They're are looking to grow things. They're are looking to grow things. They're looking to to grow a business or grow an looking to to grow a business or grow an looking to to grow a business or grow an organization. They're looking to scale organization. They're looking to scale organization. They're looking to scale something. The question that I always something. The question that I always something. The question that I always get asked is how did you get so big? get asked is how did you get so big? get asked is how did you get so big? Like how did how did the church get so Like how did how did the church get so Like how did how did the church get so big? Because there's lots of churches, big? Because there's lots of churches, big? Because there's lots of churches, different sizes. My guess is this is the different sizes. My guess is this is the different sizes. My guess is this is the biggest church you've ever attended. biggest church you've ever attended. biggest church you've ever attended. That's true for me. Um, and um, you may That's true for me. Um, and um, you may That's true for me. Um, and um, you may or may not have thought about why why or may not have thought about why why or may not have thought about why why it's so big or how it got to be so big. it's so big or how it got to be so big. it's so big or how it got to be so big. And if we were to pass the microphone And if we were to pass the microphone And if we were to pass the microphone around to get different input from around to get different input from around to get different input from different people, which we're not going different people, which we're not going different people, which we're not going to do. U, but if we if we were to do to do. U, but if we if we were to do to do. U, but if we if we were to do that, we'd probably get a lot of that, we'd probably get a lot of that, we'd probably get a lot of different answers as uh, to how the different answers as uh, to how the different answers as uh, to how the church got so big. So, I want to take a church got so big. So, I want to take a church got so big. So, I want to take a quick informal poll. Okay? So, I'm going quick informal poll. Okay? So, I'm going quick informal poll. Okay? So, I'm going to put a few things up here on the to put a few things up here on the to put a few things up here on the screen, and if you think it's one of screen, and if you think it's one of screen, and if you think it's one of these things, I want you to raise your these things, I want you to raise your these things, I want you to raise your hand uh, as I acknowledge it. So I as it hand uh, as I acknowledge it. So I as it hand uh, as I acknowledge it. So I as it relates to how we got so big. How many relates to how we got so big. How many relates to how we got so big. How many of you think it's our church facility?

of you think it's our church facility? of you think it's our church facility? Hey, we have this amazing facility or Hey, we have this amazing facility or Hey, we have this amazing facility or the another facility that you may be in. the another facility that you may be in. the another facility that you may be in. Anybody? Not not many takers on the Anybody? Not not many takers on the Anybody? Not not many takers on the church facility. How about the our church facility. How about the our church facility. How about the our location? Our this premier location that location? Our this premier location that location? Our this premier location that we have in Alpharetta in Atlanta growing we have in Alpharetta in Atlanta growing we have in Alpharetta in Atlanta growing city. Anybody? No, you can't even see it city. Anybody? No, you can't even see it city. Anybody? No, you can't even see it when you drive by it on the road. Uh how when you drive by it on the road. Uh how when you drive by it on the road. Uh how about our fantastic volunteers? Come on about our fantastic volunteers? Come on about our fantastic volunteers? Come on people. How about our f So there we go. people. How about our f So there we go. people. How about our f So there we go. Lots of love for our fantastic Lots of love for our fantastic Lots of love for our fantastic volunteers. I mean, I I definitely think volunteers. I mean, I I definitely think volunteers. I mean, I I definitely think that's part of the story. How about our that's part of the story. How about our that's part of the story. How about our focus on the next generation uh and focus on the next generation uh and focus on the next generation uh and influence? Yeah, a lot of a lot of us influence? Yeah, a lot of a lot of us influence? Yeah, a lot of a lot of us are are excited about that. How about are are excited about that. How about are are excited about that. How about the music or production, the things that the music or production, the things that the music or production, the things that happen in services? Okay, that's good. happen in services? Okay, that's good. happen in services? Okay, that's good. That's got to be encouraging. I I mean, That's got to be encouraging. I I mean, That's got to be encouraging. I I mean, I think some of you it's like the same I think some of you it's like the same I think some of you it's like the same handful of people are voting for handful of people are voting for handful of people are voting for multiple things. So, I should have told multiple things. So, I should have told multiple things. So, I should have told you only get one vote. How many of you you only get one vote. How many of you you only get one vote. How many of you think it's this one right here? think it's this one right here? think it's this one right here? >> Anybody? My My hand's probably up for >> Anybody? My My hand's probably up for >> Anybody? My My hand's probably up for that one. Okay. So, really quick, here's that one. Okay. So, really quick, here's that one. Okay. So, really quick, here's what's interesting. Um, did you know what's interesting. Um, did you know what's interesting. Um, did you know that none of these are the primary that none of these are the primary that none of these are the primary reasons we're so big? [clears throat] reasons we're so big? [clears throat] reasons we're so big? [clears throat] It's true. In fact, we know because It's true. In fact, we know because It's true. In fact, we know because we've asked people. In fact, um, other we've asked people. In fact, um, other we've asked people. In fact, um, other than the six people that first started than the six people that first started than the six people that first started this church and a handful others, uh, this church and a handful others, uh, this church and a handful others, uh, the rest of us, for the most part, uh, the rest of us, for the most part, uh, the rest of us, for the most part, uh, got here the same way. And here's how we got here the same way. And here's how we got here the same way. And here's how we got here. Someone invited us. That's how got here. Someone invited us. That's how got here. Someone invited us. That's how you got here. Especially if you're you got here. Especially if you're you got here. Especially if you're somebody who wasn't a church person. You somebody who wasn't a church person. You somebody who wasn't a church person. You weren't looking for a church. You met weren't looking for a church. You met weren't looking for a church. You met somebody, you thought, I mean, I like somebody, you thought, I mean, I like somebody, you thought, I mean, I like them. And if there's something they're them. And if there's something they're them. And if there's something they're into and you you maybe just did it to into and you you maybe just did it to into and you you maybe just did it to oblige them or or maybe they saw oblige them or or maybe they saw oblige them or or maybe they saw something wasn't going well in your life something wasn't going well in your life something wasn't going well in your life and they showed up for you in a hard and they showed up for you in a hard and they showed up for you in a hard moment and they invited you and you moment and they invited you and you moment and they invited you and you came. I mean, this is probably start of came. I mean, this is probably start of came. I mean, this is probably start of your part of your story. In fact, since

your part of your story. In fact, since your part of your story. In fact, since we first started several years ago, we we first started several years ago, we we first started several years ago, we started um asking people, surveying started um asking people, surveying started um asking people, surveying people that were new to our church people that were new to our church people that were new to our church about, hey, how did you find out about about, hey, how did you find out about about, hey, how did you find out about us? How did you get here? And the number us? How did you get here? And the number us? How did you get here? And the number one way by far is personal invitation. one way by far is personal invitation. one way by far is personal invitation. It's been that way for years and years It's been that way for years and years It's been that way for years and years and years. It's not even close. Now, the and years. It's not even close. Now, the and years. It's not even close. Now, the other stuff mattered once people got other stuff mattered once people got other stuff mattered once people got here, but it's not how we originally here, but it's not how we originally here, but it's not how we originally grew. It's not how most of us primarily grew. It's not how most of us primarily grew. It's not how most of us primarily got here. Um, they without an got here. Um, they without an got here. Um, they without an invitation, many or most of us, we invitation, many or most of us, we invitation, many or most of us, we wouldn't be here. And believe it or not, wouldn't be here. And believe it or not, wouldn't be here. And believe it or not, from the very beginning, this was from the very beginning, this was from the very beginning, this was intentional. And and when we we created intentional. And and when we we created intentional. And and when we we created this phrase at the very beginning, if this phrase at the very beginning, if this phrase at the very beginning, if you've been around our church for a you've been around our church for a you've been around our church for a while, this is gonna this won't be new while, this is gonna this won't be new while, this is gonna this won't be new to you. If you're brand new, you may to you. If you're brand new, you may to you. If you're brand new, you may have never heard this before, but for have never heard this before, but for have never heard this before, but for years and years and years, we talked years and years and years, we talked years and years and years, we talked about invest and invite. Invest and about invest and invite. Invest and about invest and invite. Invest and invite. We don't we're not here just for invite. We don't we're not here just for invite. We don't we're not here just for us. Like we want you to invest outside us. Like we want you to invest outside us. Like we want you to invest outside of this place when you're not here. of this place when you're not here. of this place when you're not here. Invest in relationships with people Invest in relationships with people Invest in relationships with people outside of this place. We want to be on outside of this place. We want to be on outside of this place. We want to be on mission and we want to be inviting mission and we want to be inviting mission and we want to be inviting people to take steps uh towards towards people to take steps uh towards towards people to take steps uh towards towards Jesus. And so we want you to invest and Jesus. And so we want you to invest and Jesus. And so we want you to invest and then we want you to invite people when then we want you to invite people when then we want you to invite people when it's when it's the right time to invite it's when it's the right time to invite it's when it's the right time to invite them to come. And believe it or not, it them to come. And believe it or not, it them to come. And believe it or not, it wasn't a church growth strategy. That's wasn't a church growth strategy. That's wasn't a church growth strategy. That's not why we did it. It was about mission.

not why we did it. It was about mission. not why we did it. It was about mission. It was about all of us together doing It was about all of us together doing It was about all of us together doing something we were all called to do as something we were all called to do as something we were all called to do as opposed to just somebody who stands on opposed to just somebody who stands on opposed to just somebody who stands on stage or is on a staff at a church. It's stage or is on a staff at a church. It's stage or is on a staff at a church. It's like this is our responsibility. This is like this is our responsibility. This is like this is our responsibility. This is what we do. So today I want to talk what we do. So today I want to talk what we do. So today I want to talk about this because this is how it all about this because this is how it all about this because this is how it all started. Not just at our church, this is started. Not just at our church, this is started. Not just at our church, this is how the whole movement started. And how the whole movement started. And how the whole movement started. And whether you're brand new or you've been whether you're brand new or you've been whether you're brand new or you've been coming here a long time, you're not you coming here a long time, you're not you coming here a long time, you're not you not only invited to be a part of that, not only invited to be a part of that, not only invited to be a part of that, you're continually invited to be a part you're continually invited to be a part you're continually invited to be a part of that. And today we're going to look of that. And today we're going to look of that. And today we're going to look at something. We're going to be in the at something. We're going to be in the at something. We're going to be in the the we're going to look in the Gospel of the we're going to look in the Gospel of the we're going to look in the Gospel of John, John's biography of Jesus's life. John, John's biography of Jesus's life. John, John's biography of Jesus's life. We're going to be in chapter 1 and then We're going to be in chapter 1 and then We're going to be in chapter 1 and then chapter 15. If I could do every chapter chapter 15. If I could do every chapter chapter 15. If I could do every chapter in between and we had time, which we in between and we had time, which we in between and we had time, which we don't have a service after this, so if don't have a service after this, so if don't have a service after this, so if y'all want to stick around, I'd be happy y'all want to stick around, I'd be happy y'all want to stick around, I'd be happy to we could just go through it all. No. to we could just go through it all. No. to we could just go through it all. No. Okay. So, so we're going to do John Okay. So, so we're going to do John Okay. So, so we're going to do John chapter 1 and chapter 15. And I'm just chapter 1 and chapter 15. And I'm just chapter 1 and chapter 15. And I'm just going to hit highlights in it because we going to hit highlights in it because we going to hit highlights in it because we don't have time for all of it. Um it's don't have time for all of it. Um it's don't have time for all of it. Um it's really two messages in one. So, parts of really two messages in one. So, parts of really two messages in one. So, parts of it I'm going to speed up. But, um it I'm going to speed up. But, um it I'm going to speed up. But, um there's a there's something that there's a there's something that there's a there's something that connects these two chapters. And if you connects these two chapters. And if you connects these two chapters. And if you could only read two chapters and could only read two chapters and could only read two chapters and understand what Jesus was about, the understand what Jesus was about, the understand what Jesus was about, the movement of Jesus is about, these are movement of Jesus is about, these are movement of Jesus is about, these are two amazing chapters. So, if you want to two amazing chapters. So, if you want to two amazing chapters. So, if you want to follow along uh uh on a device or in follow along uh uh on a device or in follow along uh uh on a device or in your Bible, I I'd love for you to do your Bible, I I'd love for you to do your Bible, I I'd love for you to do that. Um quick context, John chapter 1, that. Um quick context, John chapter 1, that. Um quick context, John chapter 1, uh John the Gospel writer, um he is uh John the Gospel writer, um he is uh John the Gospel writer, um he is trying to um basically give us a picture trying to um basically give us a picture trying to um basically give us a picture of Jesus' life and he goes way back to of Jesus' life and he goes way back to of Jesus' life and he goes way back to the beginning. It's different than the the beginning. It's different than the the beginning. It's different than the other gospels and and he goes to the other gospels and and he goes to the other gospels and and he goes to the very beginning and he tells us about who very beginning and he tells us about who very beginning and he tells us about who Jesus was. says in the beginning was the Jesus was. says in the beginning was the Jesus was. says in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word and the word was with God and the word and the word was with God and the word was God. So Jesus was there in the word was God. So Jesus was there in the word was God. So Jesus was there in the beginning. He was God. He was one with

beginning. He was God. He was one with beginning. He was God. He was one with with uh father God. He was part of with uh father God. He was part of with uh father God. He was part of creation. And he says in him was life creation. And he says in him was life creation. And he says in him was life and that life was the light of all and that life was the light of all and that life was the light of all mankind. And that word it became flesh mankind. And that word it became flesh mankind. And that word it became flesh and it came to dwell among us. It became and it came to dwell among us. It became and it came to dwell among us. It became a part of the world. And then he he he a part of the world. And then he he he a part of the world. And then he he he tells us sort of this big picture of tells us sort of this big picture of tells us sort of this big picture of what happened. And then he backs up and what happened. And then he backs up and what happened. And then he backs up and he says, "Okay, before he came though, he says, "Okay, before he came though, he says, "Okay, before he came though, let me tell you how it happened." And he let me tell you how it happened." And he let me tell you how it happened." And he tells us about another John. John 1:6 tells us about another John. John 1:6 tells us about another John. John 1:6 says this. It says, "There was a man says this. It says, "There was a man says this. It says, "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. John sent from God whose name was John. John sent from God whose name was John. John the Baptizer." This is not John the the Baptizer." This is not John the the Baptizer." This is not John the Apostle. It's John the Baptizer or John Apostle. It's John the Baptizer or John Apostle. It's John the Baptizer or John the Baptist. And he came as a witness to the Baptist. And he came as a witness to the Baptist. And he came as a witness to bear witness about the light, Jesus, the bear witness about the light, Jesus, the bear witness about the light, Jesus, the one who in him was life. And that life one who in him was life. And that life one who in him was life. And that life was the light of all mankind. the life was the light of all mankind. the life was the light of all mankind. the life that the true life that we were meant to that the true life that we were meant to that the true life that we were meant to live that light towards that life was in live that light towards that life was in live that light towards that life was in him that all may believe through him and him that all may believe through him and him that all may believe through him and the hymn that's being talked about is the hymn that's being talked about is the hymn that's being talked about is about John John the apostles tell us about John John the apostles tell us about John John the apostles tell us about John the Baptist that through him about John the Baptist that through him about John the Baptist that through him this movement would get started because this movement would get started because this movement would get started because he was going to do two things and he he he was going to do two things and he he he was going to do two things and he he distinguishes these two things and John distinguishes these two things and John distinguishes these two things and John the Baptizer would tell you his primary the Baptizer would tell you his primary the Baptizer would tell you his primary his primary mission was bearing witness his primary mission was bearing witness his primary mission was bearing witness It was bearing witness to the one that It was bearing witness to the one that It was bearing witness to the one that was greater than him, the one that was was greater than him, the one that was was greater than him, the one that was going to come after him. And so he going to come after him. And so he going to come after him. And so he started telling people about Jesus and started telling people about Jesus and started telling people about Jesus and about how he was coming. But it about how he was coming. But it about how he was coming. But it distinguishes between these two things distinguishes between these two things distinguishes between these two things because being a witness is different because being a witness is different because being a witness is different than bearing witness. But John did both.

than bearing witness. But John did both. than bearing witness. But John did both. He was a witness to Jesus, but he was He was a witness to Jesus, but he was He was a witness to Jesus, but he was also bearing witness. I want to talk a also bearing witness. I want to talk a also bearing witness. I want to talk a little bit about this because there's a little bit about this because there's a little bit about this because there's a there's a a lynch pin that holds these there's a a lynch pin that holds these there's a a lynch pin that holds these two things together. So John the Apostle two things together. So John the Apostle two things together. So John the Apostle tells us this is what what um John the tells us this is what what um John the tells us this is what what um John the Baptist came to do and and you Baptist came to do and and you Baptist came to do and and you understand that the difference between understand that the difference between understand that the difference between these two ideas. One's passive and one's these two ideas. One's passive and one's these two ideas. One's passive and one's active. The passive one is I witnessed active. The passive one is I witnessed active. The passive one is I witnessed something or someone or something something or someone or something something or someone or something happened. We use this in legal terms all happened. We use this in legal terms all happened. We use this in legal terms all the time. You see something and then you the time. You see something and then you the time. You see something and then you bear witness to it or you testify to it. bear witness to it or you testify to it. bear witness to it or you testify to it. This happens in legal context. Sometimes This happens in legal context. Sometimes This happens in legal context. Sometimes it happens when you're managing your it happens when you're managing your it happens when you're managing your kids and it's like one kid tells you the kids and it's like one kid tells you the kids and it's like one kid tells you the story and you go to the other one you go story and you go to the other one you go story and you go to the other one you go did you see what happened? Tell tell me did you see what happened? Tell tell me did you see what happened? Tell tell me what happened. What happened in the what happened. What happened in the what happened. What happened in the situation? So you try to figure that situation? So you try to figure that situation? So you try to figure that out, but there's there's a difference out, but there's there's a difference out, but there's there's a difference between the two. And I want to talk a between the two. And I want to talk a between the two. And I want to talk a little about this because this is little about this because this is little about this because this is critical to the movement that we're a critical to the movement that we're a critical to the movement that we're a part of. So something else is important part of. So something else is important part of. So something else is important that's going on here that's that's a that's going on here that's that's a that's going on here that's that's a backstory. John's doing something very backstory. John's doing something very backstory. John's doing something very strange. He's baptizing people in water. strange. He's baptizing people in water. strange. He's baptizing people in water. Now, they weren't completely unfamiliar Now, they weren't completely unfamiliar Now, they weren't completely unfamiliar with this uh because they in the the with this uh because they in the the with this uh because they in the the Jewish people um they did these Jewish people um they did these Jewish people um they did these ceremonial uh uh cleanings that this ceremonial uh uh cleanings that this ceremonial uh uh cleanings that this these ritual washings. If you're these ritual washings. If you're these ritual washings. If you're familiar with the Jewish tradition, in familiar with the Jewish tradition, in familiar with the Jewish tradition, in fact, if you grew up in the Jew Jewish fact, if you grew up in the Jew Jewish fact, if you grew up in the Jew Jewish tradition, um it's called a mikvah. And tradition, um it's called a mikvah. And tradition, um it's called a mikvah. And they did these washings and it was they did these washings and it was they did these washings and it was something you did symbolically uh as a something you did symbolically uh as a something you did symbolically uh as a sign of purity is after it was part of a sign of purity is after it was part of a sign of purity is after it was part of a whole sacrificial system. You made your whole sacrificial system. You made your whole sacrificial system. You made your sacrifices, you did the things. This is sacrifices, you did the things. This is sacrifices, you did the things. This is how you stayed in right relationship how you stayed in right relationship how you stayed in right relationship with God. This was part of the rituals with God. This was part of the rituals with God. This was part of the rituals of what you would what you did. But John of what you would what you did. But John of what you would what you did. But John was doing something different. This was was doing something different. This was was doing something different. This was new. John wasn't telling people to go

new. John wasn't telling people to go new. John wasn't telling people to go symbolically be washed. He was baptizing symbolically be washed. He was baptizing symbolically be washed. He was baptizing people. And this was a one-time act of people. And this was a one-time act of people. And this was a one-time act of repentance. Repentance meaning just repentance. Repentance meaning just repentance. Repentance meaning just changing direction. I've decided to changing direction. I've decided to changing direction. I've decided to believe something new. And it's a a a believe something new. And it's a a a believe something new. And it's a a a belief in something different. And it belief in something different. And it belief in something different. And it symbolized for John, he's preaching this symbolized for John, he's preaching this symbolized for John, he's preaching this symbolized a moral and a spiritual symbolized a moral and a spiritual symbolized a moral and a spiritual cleansing for you. And so one one day, cleansing for you. And so one one day, cleansing for you. And so one one day, you know, John's telling about this you know, John's telling about this you know, John's telling about this Messiah that's coming. And one day he Messiah that's coming. And one day he Messiah that's coming. And one day he sees him. John's baptizing people. sees him. John's baptizing people. sees him. John's baptizing people. There's a bunch of people who he's There's a bunch of people who he's There's a bunch of people who he's already baptized that believe him that already baptized that believe him that already baptized that believe him that that this this uh savior is coming, the that this this uh savior is coming, the that this this uh savior is coming, the Messiah is coming. And then one day he's Messiah is coming. And then one day he's Messiah is coming. And then one day he's baptizing. He's in the water and he sees baptizing. He's in the water and he sees baptizing. He's in the water and he sees Jesus and he he points at him. HE SAYS, Jesus and he he points at him. HE SAYS, Jesus and he he points at him. HE SAYS, "LOOK, THERE HE IS, the lamb of God who "LOOK, THERE HE IS, the lamb of God who "LOOK, THERE HE IS, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. LOOK, takes away the sin of the world. LOOK, takes away the sin of the world. LOOK, THAT'S THE GUY I'VE BEEN TELLING you THAT'S THE GUY I'VE BEEN TELLING you THAT'S THE GUY I'VE BEEN TELLING you about. He's the Messiah. He's the one. about. He's the Messiah. He's the one. about. He's the Messiah. He's the one. John, boldly declaring.

John, boldly declaring. John, boldly declaring. This is the first part of bearing This is the first part of bearing This is the first part of bearing witness. Boldly declaring what he witness. Boldly declaring what he witness. Boldly declaring what he believed. I believe he's the one that's believed. I believe he's the one that's believed. I believe he's the one that's been promised. He's the Messiah. To all been promised. He's the Messiah. To all been promised. He's the Messiah. To all the Jewish people, this would have been the Jewish people, this would have been the Jewish people, this would have been a big deal. Now, now, now it would a big deal. Now, now, now it would a big deal. Now, now, now it would divide, it would have divided people divide, it would have divided people divide, it would have divided people because this is interesting. it I if because this is interesting. it I if because this is interesting. it I if this is true he uses this phrase lamb of this is true he uses this phrase lamb of this is true he uses this phrase lamb of God. If this is true, this is the once God. If this is true, this is the once God. If this is true, this is the once and for all sacrifice for all people for and for all sacrifice for all people for and for all sacrifice for all people for all time. This is almost offensive um if all time. This is almost offensive um if all time. This is almost offensive um if for sure offputting because it it for sure offputting because it it for sure offputting because it it renders the whole sacrificial system renders the whole sacrificial system renders the whole sacrificial system obsolete. So this was a big deal. They obsolete. So this was a big deal. They obsolete. So this was a big deal. They they they you got to remember these are they they you got to remember these are they they you got to remember these are people who've been practicing these people who've been practicing these people who've been practicing these sacrifices and these purification sacrifices and these purification sacrifices and these purification rituals for 40 generations. rituals for 40 generations. rituals for 40 generations. 40 generations. This is all they know. 40 generations. This is all they know. 40 generations. This is all they know. This is what their people believe and This is what their people believe and This is what their people believe and this is what their people have followed. this is what their people have followed. this is what their people have followed. And John's saying, "No, no, no. It's all And John's saying, "No, no, no. It's all And John's saying, "No, no, no. It's all changing." changing." changing." There he is. And the next day, John uh There he is. And the next day, John uh There he is. And the next day, John uh was there again with two of his was there again with two of his was there again with two of his disciples. So, these are two people that disciples. So, these are two people that disciples. So, these are two people that John's baptized. They've believed John John's baptized. They've believed John John's baptized. They've believed John about the Messiah. He's there with two about the Messiah. He's there with two about the Messiah. He's there with two of of his disciples. When uh and when he of of his disciples. When uh and when he of of his disciples. When uh and when he saw Jesus passing by, he saw Jesus again saw Jesus passing by, he saw Jesus again saw Jesus passing by, he saw Jesus again passing by. He said, "Look, look, there passing by. He said, "Look, look, there passing by. He said, "Look, look, there he is again. I'm telling you, that's the he is again. I'm telling you, that's the he is again. I'm telling you, that's the lamb of God." He's the first one to say lamb of God." He's the first one to say lamb of God." He's the first one to say this. He's the first one to pronounce this. He's the first one to pronounce this. He's the first one to pronounce this to anyone. And this is so funny.

this to anyone. And this is so funny. this to anyone. And this is so funny. When the other two disciples heard him When the other two disciples heard him When the other two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus, which say this, they followed Jesus, which say this, they followed Jesus, which this is not a good strategy if you're this is not a good strategy if you're this is not a good strategy if you're trying to build your own personal brand trying to build your own personal brand trying to build your own personal brand or build your own personal following. or build your own personal following. or build your own personal following. There were only two of his followers There were only two of his followers There were only two of his followers there. Thank goodness they weren't all there. Thank goodness they weren't all there. Thank goodness they weren't all there. There was two, but the two there. There was two, but the two there. There was two, but the two followers, he's like, "There he IS. followers, he's like, "There he IS. followers, he's like, "There he IS. THAT'S THE GUY I'VE been telling you THAT'S THE GUY I'VE been telling you THAT'S THE GUY I'VE been telling you about him." They're like, "Well, then about him." They're like, "Well, then about him." They're like, "Well, then why are we standing here with you? We're why are we standing here with you? We're why are we standing here with you? We're going to go follow that guy." So, they going to go follow that guy." So, they going to go follow that guy." So, they pick up and they leave and they start pick up and they leave and they start pick up and they leave and they start following Jesus. And Jesus notices them following Jesus. And Jesus notices them following Jesus. And Jesus notices them and turning around he saw them following and turning around he saw them following and turning around he saw them following and he asked them this. He said, "Now and he asked them this. He said, "Now and he asked them this. He said, "Now let me ask you this important question. let me ask you this important question. let me ask you this important question. If you were to die tonight, If you were to die tonight, If you were to die tonight, now nobody laughed at that. But if you now nobody laughed at that. But if you now nobody laughed at that. But if you knew my backstory, because this is how I knew my backstory, because this is how I knew my backstory, because this is how I was taught what it was to follow Jesus, was taught what it was to follow Jesus, was taught what it was to follow Jesus, it was like, listen, if you die tonight, it was like, listen, if you die tonight, it was like, listen, if you die tonight, like where are you going to go?" And like where are you going to go?" And like where are you going to go?" And Jesus has come to offer something so Jesus has come to offer something so Jesus has come to offer something so much bigger than this. In fact, some of much bigger than this. In fact, some of much bigger than this. In fact, some of I I was I was uh trained as a teenager I I was I was uh trained as a teenager I I was I was uh trained as a teenager in this certain system to to sort sort in this certain system to to sort sort in this certain system to to sort sort of share my faith in this way. And we of share my faith in this way. And we of share my faith in this way. And we literally used to go door to door literally used to go door to door literally used to go door to door knocking on people's door in the evening knocking on people's door in the evening knocking on people's door in the evening around dinner time because people get around dinner time because people get around dinner time because people get home home from from work. It guarantees home home from from work. It guarantees home home from from work. It guarantees they're home. So around dinner time, we they're home. So around dinner time, we they're home. So around dinner time, we go knocking on doors. I remember the go knocking on doors. I remember the go knocking on doors. I remember the second door I knocked on. I remember it second door I knocked on. I remember it second door I knocked on. I remember it was the second door because it was the was the second door because it was the was the second door because it was the last door I ever knocked on. The second last door I ever knocked on. The second last door I ever knocked on. The second door I knocked down, a man comes to the door I knocked down, a man comes to the door I knocked down, a man comes to the door and I said, "Hey, you I introduced door and I said, "Hey, you I introduced door and I said, "Hey, you I introduced myself and I said, ' Listen, I'm a myself and I said, ' Listen, I'm a myself and I said, ' Listen, I'm a Christian. Here's a I got a question for Christian. Here's a I got a question for Christian. Here's a I got a question for you. This is probably the most important

you. This is probably the most important you. This is probably the most important question anybody's ever asked you. If question anybody's ever asked you. If question anybody's ever asked you. If you were to die tonight you were to die tonight you were to die tonight and he looked back at me as if like to and he looked back at me as if like to and he looked back at me as if like to say like, if you don't get off my porch, say like, if you don't get off my porch, say like, if you don't get off my porch, you're going to die tonight. We're in you're going to die tonight. We're in you're going to die tonight. We're in the middle of dinner. You're the middle of dinner. You're the middle of dinner. You're interrupting me. You're knocking on my interrupting me. You're knocking on my interrupting me. You're knocking on my door. I don't know who you are." And and door. I don't know who you are." And and door. I don't know who you are." And and and and so I I don't I think people were and and so I I don't I think people were and and so I I don't I think people were well-meaning, but this isn't this isn't well-meaning, but this isn't this isn't well-meaning, but this isn't this isn't what Jesus did. It's not what the what Jesus did. It's not what the what Jesus did. It's not what the disciples did. It's really not how the disciples did. It's really not how the disciples did. It's really not how the movement got started or even began to movement got started or even began to movement got started or even began to move. This is so interesting. Jesus move. This is so interesting. Jesus move. This is so interesting. Jesus turns around and he start they they turns around and he start they they turns around and he start they they start following because of what they're start following because of what they're start following because of what they're curious because of what John said. And curious because of what John said. And curious because of what John said. And what he actually says is what do you what he actually says is what do you what he actually says is what do you want? want? want? What are what are you looking for? What are what are you looking for? What are what are you looking for? What are you searching for? What are you searching for? What are you searching for? What I find interesting is Jesus who's What I find interesting is Jesus who's What I find interesting is Jesus who's perfect. He's not condemning. He's not perfect. He's not condemning. He's not perfect. He's not condemning. He's not going to tell them what's wrong with going to tell them what's wrong with going to tell them what's wrong with them. He's going to tell them what them. He's going to tell them what them. He's going to tell them what they're missing. He knows they're they're missing. He knows they're they're missing. He knows they're searching for something. They're searching for something. They're searching for something. They're searching for something deeper. They're searching for something deeper. They're searching for something deeper. They're looking for meaning. They're looking for looking for meaning. They're looking for looking for meaning. They're looking for purpose. They're looking to make sense purpose. They're looking to make sense purpose. They're looking to make sense of what they're experiencing in the of what they're experiencing in the of what they're experiencing in the world. And he's not condemning. He's world. And he's not condemning. He's world. And he's not condemning. He's curious. He asks him, "Hey, what are you curious. He asks him, "Hey, what are you curious. He asks him, "Hey, what are you looking for?" And this is how they looking for?" And this is how they looking for?" And this is how they responded. They said, "Rabbi," which responded. They said, "Rabbi," which responded. They said, "Rabbi," which means teacher, "Where are you staying?"

means teacher, "Where are you staying?" means teacher, "Where are you staying?" Which is such an interesting answer. He Which is such an interesting answer. He Which is such an interesting answer. He doesn't they don't even really answer doesn't they don't even really answer doesn't they don't even really answer his question. I think they're so caught his question. I think they're so caught his question. I think they're so caught off guard that they don't answer the off guard that they don't answer the off guard that they don't answer the question. In fact, probably like many of question. In fact, probably like many of question. In fact, probably like many of us or many of you, some of you when you us or many of you, some of you when you us or many of you, some of you when you first stepped towards Jesus or you step first stepped towards Jesus or you step first stepped towards Jesus or you step towards a church or something that you towards a church or something that you towards a church or something that you thought would bring meaning or purpose thought would bring meaning or purpose thought would bring meaning or purpose or revelation or understanding to or revelation or understanding to or revelation or understanding to something, you weren't sure of exactly something, you weren't sure of exactly something, you weren't sure of exactly what you were looking for. I think what you were looking for. I think what you were looking for. I think that's the situation that they're in. that's the situation that they're in. that's the situation that they're in. They're not sure and and they're so They're not sure and and they're so They're not sure and and they're so caught off guard that there's this caught off guard that there's this caught off guard that there's this awkward reply of like, "Wait, wait, us? awkward reply of like, "Wait, wait, us? awkward reply of like, "Wait, wait, us? Like, what are we looking for? like Like, what are we looking for? like Like, what are we looking for? like where are you going? Like what what are where are you going? Like what what are where are you going? Like what what are you doing? And Jesus answers their you doing? And Jesus answers their you doing? And Jesus answers their question. And he says, "Well, come." He question. And he says, "Well, come." He question. And he says, "Well, come." He replied and and you'll see replied and and you'll see replied and and you'll see come with me. And and and you can see come with me. And and and you can see come with me. And and and you can see this is important. The movement began this is important. The movement began this is important. The movement began with a declaring but also an inviting. with a declaring but also an inviting. with a declaring but also an inviting. This is part of what it was to bear This is part of what it was to bear This is part of what it was to bear witness is, hey, I want you to come and witness is, hey, I want you to come and witness is, hey, I want you to come and I want you to experience. Not I want you I want you to experience. Not I want you I want you to experience. Not I want you to believe something or I want you to to believe something or I want you to to believe something or I want you to behave a certain way. I want you to come behave a certain way. I want you to come behave a certain way. I want you to come be a witness to something. I want you to be a witness to something. I want you to be a witness to something. I want you to come experience something. No interview, come experience something. No interview, come experience something. No interview, no theology lesson, just an invitation no theology lesson, just an invitation no theology lesson, just an invitation to experience him, to come and spend to experience him, to come and spend to experience him, to come and spend time with him. And then John includes a time with him. And then John includes a time with him. And then John includes a de detail that's so critical. In fact, de detail that's so critical. In fact, de detail that's so critical. In fact, it's hard to understand without looking it's hard to understand without looking it's hard to understand without looking in the original language because this is

in the original language because this is in the original language because this is a this becomes a theme. But he says he a this becomes a theme. But he says he a this becomes a theme. But he says he Jesus invited him to come and see. So Jesus invited him to come and see. So Jesus invited him to come and see. So they went and saw and they saw where he they went and saw and they saw where he they went and saw and they saw where he was staying and they spent the day with was staying and they spent the day with was staying and they spent the day with him. Now this um this is a a Greek word him. Now this um this is a a Greek word him. Now this um this is a a Greek word and don't be impressed because you can and don't be impressed because you can and don't be impressed because you can Google the same thing and find find the Google the same thing and find find the Google the same thing and find find the Greek word um just like I did. I Greek word um just like I did. I Greek word um just like I did. I actually use a a Bible software. But actually use a a Bible software. But actually use a a Bible software. But this this Greek word mayo is is a theme this this Greek word mayo is is a theme this this Greek word mayo is is a theme throughout John's gospel and it shows up throughout John's gospel and it shows up throughout John's gospel and it shows up over and over and it and it means it over and over and it and it means it over and over and it and it means it it's translated here spent the day. If it's translated here spent the day. If it's translated here spent the day. If you're looking at a different you're looking at a different you're looking at a different translation, it might say they remain translation, it might say they remain translation, it might say they remain there with him or uh a different there with him or uh a different there with him or uh a different translation might say they they went to translation might say they they went to translation might say they they went to uh abide with him. So that's it's all uh abide with him. So that's it's all uh abide with him. So that's it's all the same word. And this is a word I if the same word. And this is a word I if the same word. And this is a word I if you know uh John's gospel at all, if you know uh John's gospel at all, if you know uh John's gospel at all, if you've read it all, you've heard this you've read it all, you've heard this you've read it all, you've heard this word remaining or abiding before. Now, word remaining or abiding before. Now, word remaining or abiding before. Now, this is this is just where it's this is this is just where it's this is this is just where it's introduced. This is just the first introduced. This is just the first introduced. This is just the first chapter, but this is an important idea. chapter, but this is an important idea. chapter, but this is an important idea. And here's what's interesting. If they And here's what's interesting. If they And here's what's interesting. If they had had a bad experience, do you think had had a bad experience, do you think had had a bad experience, do you think we would have heard about the story? We we would have heard about the story? We we would have heard about the story? We wouldn't have. But they didn't. And this wouldn't have. But they didn't. And this wouldn't have. But they didn't. And this is what began the movement uh began is what began the movement uh began is what began the movement uh began caused the movement to begin moving. And caused the movement to begin moving. And caused the movement to begin moving. And they experienced something that they experienced something that they experienced something that seemingly changed their lives. In fact, seemingly changed their lives. In fact, seemingly changed their lives. In fact, it changed something significant. And it it changed something significant. And it it changed something significant. And it would change everything for lots of would change everything for lots of would change everything for lots of people. In fact, tons of people that people. In fact, tons of people that people. In fact, tons of people that they cared about and they knew. They they cared about and they knew. They they cared about and they knew. They found what they were searching for and found what they were searching for and found what they were searching for and they wanted to make sure other people they wanted to make sure other people they wanted to make sure other people found it as well. And that's why this is found it as well. And that's why this is found it as well. And that's why this is what we're told. Very next verse, this

what we're told. Very next verse, this what we're told. Very next verse, this is what it says. Andrew, Simon Peter's is what it says. Andrew, Simon Peter's is what it says. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, you remember Simon Peter? brother, you remember Simon Peter? brother, you remember Simon Peter? Peter's brother was one of the two that Peter's brother was one of the two that Peter's brother was one of the two that heard John when he said uh when he said heard John when he said uh when he said heard John when he said uh when he said uh what he said about Jesus and and he uh what he said about Jesus and and he uh what he said about Jesus and and he went and followed Jesus. And so, um, went and followed Jesus. And so, um, went and followed Jesus. And so, um, Andrew, the first thing we're told Andrew, the first thing we're told Andrew, the first thing we're told Andrew does, is he went and found his Andrew does, is he went and found his Andrew does, is he went and found his brother Simon. And he told him, "Hey, we brother Simon. And he told him, "Hey, we brother Simon. And he told him, "Hey, we found the Messiah. That's the Christ, found the Messiah. That's the Christ, found the Messiah. That's the Christ, the king, the the coming king that was the king, the the coming king that was the king, the the coming king that was promised to us. We found him." And he promised to us. We found him." And he promised to us. We found him." And he brought him to Jesus. Notice Andrew brought him to Jesus. Notice Andrew brought him to Jesus. Notice Andrew doesn't try to convince or coers uh doesn't try to convince or coers uh doesn't try to convince or coers uh Peter into believing something. He's Peter into believing something. He's Peter into believing something. He's just saying, same pattern. I found him. just saying, same pattern. I found him. just saying, same pattern. I found him. I believe this this guy, he's the I believe this this guy, he's the I believe this this guy, he's the Messiah. He's the one that's the answer Messiah. He's the one that's the answer Messiah. He's the one that's the answer to to the questions you've been asking to to the questions you've been asking to to the questions you've been asking to what you're searching for. And you to what you're searching for. And you to what you're searching for. And you got to come see this. Come come with me. got to come see this. Come come with me. got to come see this. Come come with me. And the next day, this is interesting. And the next day, this is interesting. And the next day, this is interesting. The next day, Jesus decided to leave for The next day, Jesus decided to leave for The next day, Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Galilee and he found Philillip. Galilee. Galilee and he found Philillip. Galilee. Galilee and he found Philillip. Philip was the other of the two. Andrew Philip was the other of the two. Andrew Philip was the other of the two. Andrew was one. Philip was the other two of the was one. Philip was the other two of the was one. Philip was the other two of the disciples of of John the Baptist that disciples of of John the Baptist that disciples of of John the Baptist that went and followed Jesus and spent the went and followed Jesus and spent the went and followed Jesus and spent the day with Jesus. He found Philillip. He day with Jesus. He found Philillip. He day with Jesus. He found Philillip. He runs into Philillip and he and he said runs into Philillip and he and he said runs into Philillip and he and he said to him, "Hey, listen. I want you to to him, "Hey, listen. I want you to to him, "Hey, listen. I want you to follow me." And not not like this isn't follow me." And not not like this isn't follow me." And not not like this isn't like I just want you to listen to my like I just want you to listen to my like I just want you to listen to my teaching and I want you to spend time.

teaching and I want you to spend time. teaching and I want you to spend time. Yes, this was about more spending more Yes, this was about more spending more Yes, this was about more spending more time. He's like, "I want to [snorts] time. He's like, "I want to [snorts] time. He's like, "I want to [snorts] invite you to come follow my way." Jesus invite you to come follow my way." Jesus invite you to come follow my way." Jesus was a rabbi and he was teaching a new was a rabbi and he was teaching a new was a rabbi and he was teaching a new way to life and a new way to live life. way to life and a new way to live life. way to life and a new way to live life. And he says, "I I want you to come And he says, "I I want you to come And he says, "I I want you to come follow in my way." And this was about uh follow in my way." And this was about uh follow in my way." And this was about uh inviting him to experience him, but it inviting him to experience him, but it inviting him to experience him, but it was about following. And these these are was about following. And these these are was about following. And these these are the same three things that happen over the same three things that happen over the same three things that happen over and over. If you follow the the New and over. If you follow the the New and over. If you follow the the New Testament, you follow the gospels, Testament, you follow the gospels, Testament, you follow the gospels, there's people declaring their beliefs, there's people declaring their beliefs, there's people declaring their beliefs, inviting other people to investigate and inviting other people to investigate and inviting other people to investigate and to experience and then in inviting other to experience and then in inviting other to experience and then in inviting other people to come and follow. This is how people to come and follow. This is how people to come and follow. This is how it happened over and over and over. And it happened over and over and over. And it happened over and over and over. And this was about this following was about this was about this following was about this was about this following was about um understanding Jesus as Lord, not just um understanding Jesus as Lord, not just um understanding Jesus as Lord, not just as as teacher. And so look how Philip as as teacher. And so look how Philip as as teacher. And so look how Philip responds. Philillip after Jesus invites responds. Philillip after Jesus invites responds. Philillip after Jesus invites him to follow him, he's like, "Well, I him to follow him, he's like, "Well, I him to follow him, he's like, "Well, I don't want to go by myself. Like I'm don't want to go by myself. Like I'm don't want to go by myself. Like I'm going to go get Nathaniel. I mean, this going to go get Nathaniel. I mean, this going to go get Nathaniel. I mean, this is amazing. This guy's inviting me to is amazing. This guy's inviting me to is amazing. This guy's inviting me to come with him and to follow him and and come with him and to follow him and and come with him and to follow him and and to learn from him and follow in his to learn from him and follow in his to learn from him and follow in his way." So he found Nathaniel and he told way." So he found Nathaniel and he told way." So he found Nathaniel and he told him, "Same thing. We found the one. the him, "Same thing. We found the one. the him, "Same thing. We found the one. the one that Moses wrote about in the law one that Moses wrote about in the law one that Moses wrote about in the law and about whom the prophets also wrote.

and about whom the prophets also wrote. and about whom the prophets also wrote. Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, he's the one. He's, as John the Baptizer he's the one. He's, as John the Baptizer he's the one. He's, as John the Baptizer said, he's the lamb of God who takes said, he's the lamb of God who takes said, he's the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He's the away the sin of the world. He's the away the sin of the world. He's the Messiah. He's the coming king. We found Messiah. He's the coming king. We found Messiah. He's the coming king. We found him. him. him. And Nathaniel's not so sure. And Nathaniel's not so sure. And Nathaniel's not so sure. Nathaniel's a bit of a skeptic. Nathaniel's a bit of a skeptic. Nathaniel's a bit of a skeptic. And Nathaniel And Nathaniel And Nathaniel parsing his words, he's like, "Nazareth? parsing his words, he's like, "Nazareth? parsing his words, he's like, "Nazareth? Wait, what? Wait, what? Wait, what? Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Nathaniel asked. Now, I don't know if Nathaniel asked. Now, I don't know if Nathaniel asked. Now, I don't know if Nathaniel had a bad experience with a Nathaniel had a bad experience with a Nathaniel had a bad experience with a Nazarene. Nazarene. Nazarene. Like maybe some of you, you might be Like maybe some of you, you might be Like maybe some of you, you might be here today and somebody invited you and here today and somebody invited you and here today and somebody invited you and you've been skeptical, but maybe it's you've been skeptical, but maybe it's you've been skeptical, but maybe it's because you had a bad experience with a because you had a bad experience with a because you had a bad experience with a Christian, somebody who claimed to be a Christian, somebody who claimed to be a Christian, somebody who claimed to be a follower of Jesus. But here's what's follower of Jesus. But here's what's follower of Jesus. But here's what's wild. Philip's response, he he doesn't wild. Philip's response, he he doesn't wild. Philip's response, he he doesn't try to defend. He doesn't try to argue try to defend. He doesn't try to argue try to defend. He doesn't try to argue with with Nathaniel. Um, he doesn't try with with Nathaniel. Um, he doesn't try with with Nathaniel. Um, he doesn't try to convince him of what he believes. to convince him of what he believes. to convince him of what he believes. He's like, I I don't know the answer to He's like, I I don't know the answer to He's like, I I don't know the answer to your question. I don't know any I don't your question. I don't know any I don't your question. I don't know any I don't I don't have any experience with I don't have any experience with I don't have any experience with Nazareth, but you need to come and see.

Nazareth, but you need to come and see. Nazareth, but you need to come and see. This is what I believe. This is what I believe. This is what I believe. I want you to invite I want to invite I want you to invite I want to invite I want you to invite I want to invite you to come and I want you to learn and you to come and I want you to learn and you to come and I want you to learn and I want you to follow with me. And this I want you to follow with me. And this I want you to follow with me. And this is how it happened over and over and is how it happened over and over and is how it happened over and over and over. And it wasn't just Andrew and over. And it wasn't just Andrew and over. And it wasn't just Andrew and Philip. This movement started with a few Philip. This movement started with a few Philip. This movement started with a few and then it moved to a few dozen to a and then it moved to a few dozen to a and then it moved to a few dozen to a few hundred to a few few thousand and few hundred to a few few thousand and few hundred to a few few thousand and down through history millions. Billions down through history millions. Billions down through history millions. Billions of people became followers the same way of people became followers the same way of people became followers the same way as somebody invited them. Somebody as somebody invited them. Somebody as somebody invited them. Somebody declared here's what I believe. I want declared here's what I believe. I want declared here's what I believe. I want you to come investigate it. Come you to come investigate it. Come you to come investigate it. Come experience it. Come and follow in this experience it. Come and follow in this experience it. Come and follow in this way. and and and experience Jesus. Now, way. and and and experience Jesus. Now, way. and and and experience Jesus. Now, they weren't trying, again, they're not they weren't trying, again, they're not they weren't trying, again, they're not trying to convince or coersse anybody or trying to convince or coersse anybody or trying to convince or coersse anybody or even to convict. That's another thing. even to convict. That's another thing. even to convict. That's another thing. That's not your job. It's not your job That's not your job. It's not your job That's not your job. It's not your job to convict somebody. It's simply to to convict somebody. It's simply to to convict somebody. It's simply to invite people to come and see. The goal invite people to come and see. The goal invite people to come and see. The goal wasn't to explain something, which I'll wasn't to explain something, which I'll wasn't to explain something, which I'll just tell you, for some of you, that's just tell you, for some of you, that's just tell you, for some of you, that's that's the hangup. Some of you, your that's the hangup. Some of you, your that's the hangup. Some of you, your hang-up is that that you've got friends hang-up is that that you've got friends hang-up is that that you've got friends that have questions. If you start that have questions. If you start that have questions. If you start talking about your faith or what you talking about your faith or what you talking about your faith or what you believe, you're afraid like, I I don't believe, you're afraid like, I I don't believe, you're afraid like, I I don't think I can answer all their questions.

think I can answer all their questions. think I can answer all their questions. That's not your job. Your job isn't, That's not your job. Your job isn't, That's not your job. Your job isn't, excuse me, [clears throat] to explain excuse me, [clears throat] to explain excuse me, [clears throat] to explain something. It's to help them experience. Not explain something. Experience Not explain something. Experience someone. And here's the thing, that was someone. And here's the thing, that was someone. And here's the thing, that was much easier when it was tangible. Jesus much easier when it was tangible. Jesus much easier when it was tangible. Jesus is here. Hey, come meet this guy. But is here. Hey, come meet this guy. But is here. Hey, come meet this guy. But they knew something important, and it's they knew something important, and it's they knew something important, and it's something that still exists today. is something that still exists today. is something that still exists today. is that some things, man, they're hard to that some things, man, they're hard to that some things, man, they're hard to explain. explain. explain. They have to be experienced. But when They have to be experienced. But when They have to be experienced. But when you encounter them, it changes you encounter them, it changes you encounter them, it changes everything that you think about that everything that you think about that everything that you think about that experience. You you've had this. You you experience. You you've had this. You you experience. You you've had this. You you you went to a new restaurant or you had you went to a new restaurant or you had you went to a new restaurant or you had a new experience or you traveled to a a new experience or you traveled to a a new experience or you traveled to a new destination or you stayed at a new new destination or you stayed at a new new destination or you stayed at a new resort or or uh you've you're binging a resort or or uh you've you're binging a resort or or uh you've you're binging a new Netflix series or whatever it is. new Netflix series or whatever it is. new Netflix series or whatever it is. And it's like, no, no, I forget it. I And it's like, no, no, I forget it. I And it's like, no, no, I forget it. I don't tell you. Just you need to watch don't tell you. Just you need to watch don't tell you. Just you need to watch it. You need to come. You need to it. You need to come. You need to it. You need to come. You need to experience. I remember when they first experience. I remember when they first experience. I remember when they first opened Top Golf here in Alfreda. You opened Top Golf here in Alfreda. You opened Top Golf here in Alfreda. You hear people all the time who they're hear people all the time who they're hear people all the time who they're like, "Oh, I don't even like golf, but like, "Oh, I don't even like golf, but like, "Oh, I don't even like golf, but this is fun. Like, you should come to this is fun. Like, you should come to this is fun. Like, you should come to this." Like, you you can't explain it.

this." Like, you you can't explain it. this." Like, you you can't explain it. There's nothing like it. You just got to There's nothing like it. You just got to There's nothing like it. You just got to come experience it. Now, I'm about to come experience it. Now, I'm about to come experience it. Now, I'm about to tell you something that might discredit tell you something that might discredit tell you something that might discredit me uh for a lot of you. Um and I'm going me uh for a lot of you. Um and I'm going me uh for a lot of you. Um and I'm going to ask you to reserve judgment till the to ask you to reserve judgment till the to ask you to reserve judgment till the end of the story. And not to bark at me, end of the story. And not to bark at me, end of the story. And not to bark at me, okay? If if if I can just ask of that. okay? If if if I can just ask of that. okay? If if if I can just ask of that. All the boys in my family cheer for All the boys in my family cheer for All the boys in my family cheer for Auburn and the girls cheer for Georgia, Auburn and the girls cheer for Georgia, Auburn and the girls cheer for Georgia, which I understand the girls are smarter which I understand the girls are smarter which I understand the girls are smarter than we are because the records have than we are because the records have than we are because the records have borne that out over the last several borne that out over the last several borne that out over the last several years. But um so as our little guys were years. But um so as our little guys were years. But um so as our little guys were growing up, we some of you know we we growing up, we some of you know we we growing up, we some of you know we we moved to Arizona for several years and moved to Arizona for several years and moved to Arizona for several years and so we were out on the West Coast and so so we were out on the West Coast and so so we were out on the West Coast and so um our our number three was one when we um our our number three was one when we um our our number three was one when we moved out there and we we had our fourth moved out there and we we had our fourth moved out there and we we had our fourth out there. Um, so they had never been to out there. Um, so they had never been to out there. Um, so they had never been to a game and we watch on TV and I would a game and we watch on TV and I would a game and we watch on TV and I would tell them about all the tradition and tell them about all the tradition and tell them about all the tradition and and and so um when we moved back they and and so um when we moved back they and and so um when we moved back they had their first opportunity to go to a had their first opportunity to go to a had their first opportunity to go to a game. They had never been to a game game. They had never been to a game game. They had never been to a game before. Never been to Jordan Air. And I before. Never been to Jordan Air. And I before. Never been to Jordan Air. And I whatever you think I mean there's great whatever you think I mean there's great whatever you think I mean there's great tradition everywhere. Auburn has amazing tradition everywhere. Auburn has amazing tradition everywhere. Auburn has amazing tradition. And you know tell I was tradition. And you know tell I was tradition. And you know tell I was telling them about Tiger Walk and I was telling them about Tiger Walk and I was telling them about Tiger Walk and I was telling them about um about four telling them about um about four telling them about um about four corners. Like I never you never have corners. Like I never you never have corners. Like I never you never have I've never seen a pep rally before a I've never seen a pep rally before a I've never seen a pep rally before a game uh with a guy on a ladder game uh with a guy on a ladder game uh with a guy on a ladder underneath a a a a traffic light. Like underneath a a a a traffic light. Like underneath a a a a traffic light. Like it just so you you can't explain that.

it just so you you can't explain that. it just so you you can't explain that. It's so interesting. And I understand I It's so interesting. And I understand I It's so interesting. And I understand I I can't explain to you War Eagle with a I can't explain to you War Eagle with a I can't explain to you War Eagle with a tiger. It takes above average intellect. tiger. It takes above average intellect. tiger. It takes above average intellect. So I I'll So I I'll So I I'll just kidding. So anyway, the the point just kidding. So anyway, the the point just kidding. So anyway, the the point is the point is this. We we go to the is the point is this. We we go to the is the point is this. We we go to the game and and my daughter was actually game and and my daughter was actually game and and my daughter was actually with us as well. She was not in this with us as well. She was not in this with us as well. She was not in this picture, but we go to the game and these picture, but we go to the game and these picture, but we go to the game and these are the two guys that had never been to are the two guys that had never been to are the two guys that had never been to the game before. And so I was telling the game before. And so I was telling the game before. And so I was telling them, "Hey, we got to get in the stadium them, "Hey, we got to get in the stadium them, "Hey, we got to get in the stadium early because um the Eagles going to fly early because um the Eagles going to fly early because um the Eagles going to fly and and you know they want to see the and and you know they want to see the and and you know they want to see the Eagles. There's just something about it Eagles. There's just something about it Eagles. There's just something about it when it flies right over your head." And when it flies right over your head." And when it flies right over your head." And and I was like, "And the band, you're and I was like, "And the band, you're and I was like, "And the band, you're going to want to be there in the band." going to want to be there in the band." going to want to be there in the band." They're looking at me like the band. They're looking at me like the band. They're looking at me like the band. Like I'm like just trust me, it's cool. Like I'm like just trust me, it's cool. Like I'm like just trust me, it's cool. Like it's amazing. Like the the the Like it's amazing. Like the the the Like it's amazing. Like the the the tradition and the things that they do tradition and the things that they do tradition and the things that they do and and then at some point God Bless and and then at some point God Bless and and then at some point God Bless America starts and it goes into the America starts and it goes into the America starts and it goes into the national anthem. And I knew what was national anthem. And I knew what was national anthem. And I knew what was coming next. They didn't know it was coming next. They didn't know it was coming next. They didn't know it was coming, but I knew it was coming next. coming, but I knew it was coming next. coming, but I knew it was coming next. And just as the national anthem is And just as the national anthem is And just as the national anthem is ending, this is what happened next.

There's some things that can't be There's some things that can't be explained. They have to be experienced. explained. They have to be experienced. explained. They have to be experienced. The best things, the most extraordinary The best things, the most extraordinary The best things, the most extraordinary things are beyond explanation. things are beyond explanation. things are beyond explanation. Don't miss this. Jesus needs to be Don't miss this. Jesus needs to be Don't miss this. Jesus needs to be experienced, experienced, experienced, not explained. I If if somebody's not explained. I If if somebody's not explained. I If if somebody's preached at you and didn't show you who preached at you and didn't show you who preached at you and didn't show you who Jesus was and you didn't experience uh Jesus was and you didn't experience uh Jesus was and you didn't experience uh the person of Jesus and the person of the person of Jesus and the person of the person of Jesus and the person of grace and mercy and love that he is in grace and mercy and love that he is in grace and mercy and love that he is in somebody's life, I just I just want to somebody's life, I just I just want to somebody's life, I just I just want to apologize to you because that wasn't the apologize to you because that wasn't the apologize to you because that wasn't the point in the beginning. The movement point in the beginning. The movement point in the beginning. The movement began to move. Yes. Because of the began to move. Yes. Because of the began to move. Yes. Because of the declaring and the inviting and the declaring and the inviting and the declaring and the inviting and the following, but it's because people following, but it's because people following, but it's because people experienced Jesus. And it didn't depend experienced Jesus. And it didn't depend experienced Jesus. And it didn't depend on this like this. Thank God, by the on this like this. Thank God, by the on this like this. Thank God, by the way, because we would have messed it up. way, because we would have messed it up. way, because we would have messed it up. This is our part. And this is an This is our part. And this is an This is our part. And this is an important part of the process. But the important part of the process. But the important part of the process. But the movement didn't depend on this. As a movement didn't depend on this. As a movement didn't depend on this. As a matter of fact, there was something matter of fact, there was something matter of fact, there was something else. There was one behavior that held else. There was one behavior that held else. There was one behavior that held the movement together that's held this the movement together that's held this the movement together that's held this movement together since the very movement together since the very movement together since the very beginning. and it's kept it moving. It beginning. and it's kept it moving. It beginning. and it's kept it moving. It It's actually um some of you have how It's actually um some of you have how It's actually um some of you have how many of you ever heard of Seth Goden?

many of you ever heard of Seth Goden? many of you ever heard of Seth Goden? Seth Goden, he's a business writer. Some Seth Goden, he's a business writer. Some Seth Goden, he's a business writer. Some of you have experienced him. He's a he's of you have experienced him. He's a he's of you have experienced him. He's a he's a business leader and he wrote a book a business leader and he wrote a book a business leader and he wrote a book called lynchpin. And he talks about this called lynchpin. And he talks about this called lynchpin. And he talks about this um if you don't know the idea of a um if you don't know the idea of a um if you don't know the idea of a lynchpin. The lynchpin uh comes from an lynchpin. The lynchpin uh comes from an lynchpin. The lynchpin uh comes from an old English word uh linus and um it old English word uh linus and um it old English word uh linus and um it describes it's basically uh the old describes it's basically uh the old describes it's basically uh the old English idea of a of a carriage uh wagon English idea of a of a carriage uh wagon English idea of a of a carriage uh wagon wheel and um the lynch pin was something wheel and um the lynch pin was something wheel and um the lynch pin was something that held it all together. And so um that held it all together. And so um that held it all together. And so um Seth Goden wrote this book and and the Seth Goden wrote this book and and the Seth Goden wrote this book and and the basically the concept in the book is basically the concept in the book is basically the concept in the book is that um there are certain not not all that um there are certain not not all that um there are certain not not all behaviors are equal that there are behaviors are equal that there are behaviors are equal that there are certain things in your enterprise and certain things in your enterprise and certain things in your enterprise and again remember he's lead re uh speaking again remember he's lead re uh speaking again remember he's lead re uh speaking to organizational leaders in your to organizational leaders in your to organizational leaders in your business or your enterprise there's business or your enterprise there's business or your enterprise there's certain things there's there's certain certain things there's there's certain certain things there's there's certain behaviors that stand out amongst behaviors that stand out amongst behaviors that stand out amongst everything else. In fact, they're the everything else. In fact, they're the everything else. In fact, they're the most significant behaviors. And these most significant behaviors. And these most significant behaviors. And these behaviors are sort of what he calls a behaviors are sort of what he calls a behaviors are sort of what he calls a lynch pin. Now, a lynch pin on a lynch pin. Now, a lynch pin on a lynch pin. Now, a lynch pin on a carriage wheel was the thing that held carriage wheel was the thing that held carriage wheel was the thing that held the wheel together. It's it it kind of the wheel together. It's it it kind of the wheel together. It's it it kind of this thing that went right in here that this thing that went right in here that this thing that went right in here that if if this comes out or if you don't if if this comes out or if you don't if if this comes out or if you don't have this lynch pin, the wheels fall off have this lynch pin, the wheels fall off have this lynch pin, the wheels fall off the carriage like they it it doesn't the carriage like they it it doesn't the carriage like they it it doesn't exist. Sorry, this is this is not the exist. Sorry, this is this is not the exist. Sorry, this is this is not the best drawing. So, I have to I have to best drawing. So, I have to I have to best drawing. So, I have to I have to You guys expect more than this at this You guys expect more than this at this You guys expect more than this at this point. So I I feel the pressure all the point. So I I feel the pressure all the point. So I I feel the pressure all the time. So but but this is this is time. So but but this is this is time. So but but this is this is basically the idea is that that there's basically the idea is that that there's basically the idea is that that there's this this lynch pin that holds this this this lynch pin that holds this this this lynch pin that holds this whole thing together. And Jesus is about whole thing together. And Jesus is about whole thing together. And Jesus is about to tell us what the lynch pin is, what

to tell us what the lynch pin is, what to tell us what the lynch pin is, what the thing is that holds this this the thing is that holds this this the thing is that holds this this together. And without it, the wheels together. And without it, the wheels together. And without it, the wheels fall off. And this is important because fall off. And this is important because fall off. And this is important because what you're trying to do is find the what you're trying to do is find the what you're trying to do is find the activity that's indispensable to and activity that's indispensable to and activity that's indispensable to and again this is Seth Goden's idea to the again this is Seth Goden's idea to the again this is Seth Goden's idea to the enterprise or to to the movement or uh enterprise or to to the movement or uh enterprise or to to the movement or uh to the growth of what's happening. And to the growth of what's happening. And to the growth of what's happening. And the goal is to find the smallest the goal is to find the smallest the goal is to find the smallest simplest thing you can find that has the simplest thing you can find that has the simplest thing you can find that has the biggest impact. That's the lynch pin and biggest impact. That's the lynch pin and biggest impact. That's the lynch pin and that's what Jesus is about to tell us that's what Jesus is about to tell us that's what Jesus is about to tell us about. So fast forward to John chapter about. So fast forward to John chapter about. So fast forward to John chapter 15. I told you we're get chapter 15. 15. I told you we're get chapter 15. 15. I told you we're get chapter 15. We're going to have to economize on it a We're going to have to economize on it a We're going to have to economize on it a little bit. I told too many details little bit. I told too many details little bit. I told too many details about the Auburn story but but it was a about the Auburn story but but it was a about the Auburn story but but it was a good story. So the lynch pin this this good story. So the lynch pin this this good story. So the lynch pin this this lynch pin Jesus identifies he starts lynch pin Jesus identifies he starts lynch pin Jesus identifies he starts with himself and this is what he says. with himself and this is what he says. with himself and this is what he says. He says I am the vine. Some of you He says I am the vine. Some of you He says I am the vine. Some of you remember these. I am the vine and you remember these. I am the vine and you remember these. I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me are the branches. If you remain in me are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. and I in you, you will bear much fruit. and I in you, you will bear much fruit. This is the same word. This is this word This is the same word. This is this word This is the same word. This is this word mayo right here. This word that means to mayo right here. This word that means to mayo right here. This word that means to remain or some of you have heard this remain or some of you have heard this remain or some of you have heard this concept or this idea. This is about concept or this idea. This is about concept or this idea. This is about abiding.

abiding. abiding. This is about remaining in staying with This is about remaining in staying with This is about remaining in staying with staying connected. This is what he what staying connected. This is what he what staying connected. This is what he what he's talking about when he talks about he's talking about when he talks about he's talking about when he talks about the vine. It's staying connected to the the vine. It's staying connected to the the vine. It's staying connected to the vine. If you remain in me, if you stay vine. If you remain in me, if you stay vine. If you remain in me, if you stay connected to me, not if you attend connected to me, not if you attend connected to me, not if you attend church once a week. That could be part church once a week. That could be part church once a week. That could be part of it. Not if you read your Bible once of it. Not if you read your Bible once of it. Not if you read your Bible once in a while. Not if you give some money in a while. Not if you give some money in a while. Not if you give some money every once in a while. Not if you get every once in a while. Not if you get every once in a while. Not if you get connected or not if you serve in the connected or not if you serve in the connected or not if you serve in the community. Maybe it's a bunch of those community. Maybe it's a bunch of those community. Maybe it's a bunch of those things. But but the lynch pin is is if things. But but the lynch pin is is if things. But but the lynch pin is is if you abide, if you stay not not to you abide, if you stay not not to you abide, if you stay not not to connected to the church, if you stay connected to the church, if you stay connected to the church, if you stay connected to me, Jesus says, you're connected to me, Jesus says, you're connected to me, Jesus says, you're going to bear fruit, this movement is going to bear fruit, this movement is going to bear fruit, this movement is going to move forward. And then he says going to move forward. And then he says going to move forward. And then he says this. He said, but apart from me, this. He said, but apart from me, this. He said, but apart from me, you can do nothing. you can do nothing. you can do nothing. There will be no fruit. Nothing good There will be no fruit. Nothing good There will be no fruit. Nothing good will come from that. will come from that. will come from that. In fact, you can bear witness all you In fact, you can bear witness all you In fact, you can bear witness all you want. You can do all the declaring, all want. You can do all the declaring, all want. You can do all the declaring, all the inviting, and all the following. But the inviting, and all the following. But the inviting, and all the following. But if you don't abide in me, if you don't abide in me, if you don't abide in me, you will bear no fruit. You won't have you will bear no fruit. You won't have you will bear no fruit. You won't have any impact. And then he gets very any impact. And then he gets very any impact. And then he gets very practical as to how this works. He says, practical as to how this works. He says, practical as to how this works. He says, look, as the father has loved me, so I look, as the father has loved me, so I look, as the father has loved me, so I have loved you. Still John chapter 15.

have loved you. Still John chapter 15. have loved you. Still John chapter 15. AS THE FATHER, HE DIDN'T CHANGE. He used AS THE FATHER, HE DIDN'T CHANGE. He used AS THE FATHER, HE DIDN'T CHANGE. He used the metaphor of staying connected to the the metaphor of staying connected to the the metaphor of staying connected to the vine. He's going to tell you how. As the vine. He's going to tell you how. As the vine. He's going to tell you how. As the father loved me, so I've loved you. Now father loved me, so I've loved you. Now father loved me, so I've loved you. Now remain in my love. The father had a love remain in my love. The father had a love remain in my love. The father had a love for me. And I've expressed that love to for me. And I've expressed that love to for me. And I've expressed that love to you. When you live in that love, when you. When you live in that love, when you. When you live in that love, when you operate your life with a daily you operate your life with a daily you operate your life with a daily conscience of I'm loved. I'm accepted. conscience of I'm loved. I'm accepted. conscience of I'm loved. I'm accepted. I'm enough. God God is not looking not I'm enough. God God is not looking not I'm enough. God God is not looking not is not disappointed in me. He's not is not disappointed in me. He's not is not disappointed in me. He's not looking down uh wanting to to bring looking down uh wanting to to bring looking down uh wanting to to bring consequences and and bring ruin to my consequences and and bring ruin to my consequences and and bring ruin to my life like he loves me. He wants the best life like he loves me. He wants the best life like he loves me. He wants the best for you. When you live in that love and for you. When you live in that love and for you. When you live in that love and you go, I want to understand the you go, I want to understand the you go, I want to understand the direction you want me to go and the way direction you want me to go and the way direction you want me to go and the way you want me to live my life because you you want me to live my life because you you want me to live my life because you love me. love me. love me. He said, when you do that, that's how He said, when you do that, that's how He said, when you do that, that's how you remain in me. And if you keep my you remain in me. And if you keep my you remain in me. And if you keep my commands, he goes on, if you keep my commands, he goes on, if you keep my commands, he goes on, if you keep my commands, you remain in my love just as commands, you remain in my love just as commands, you remain in my love just as I kept my father's commands and remain I kept my father's commands and remain I kept my father's commands and remain in his love. Now, this is easy to take in his love. Now, this is easy to take in his love. Now, this is easy to take out of context. This is not you continue out of context. This is not you continue out of context. This is not you continue to be loved as you keep the commands. to be loved as you keep the commands. to be loved as you keep the commands. That's not what he's saying. What he's That's not what he's saying. What he's That's not what he's saying. What he's saying is if you keep my commands, you saying is if you keep my commands, you saying is if you keep my commands, you remain in my love. You remain in the remain in my love. You remain in the remain in my love. You remain in the flow of my love, in the protection of my flow of my love, in the protection of my flow of my love, in the protection of my love, in the path of my love. Because love, in the path of my love. Because love, in the path of my love. Because all of the things that I share with you, all of the things that I share with you, all of the things that I share with you, all of the things that I teach you, all all of the things that I teach you, all all of the things that I teach you, all the things that I instruct you to do are the things that I instruct you to do are the things that I instruct you to do are motivated by my love for you and wanting motivated by my love for you and wanting motivated by my love for you and wanting what's best for you. And when you what's best for you. And when you what's best for you. And when you remain, when you keep those commands and remain, when you keep those commands and remain, when you keep those commands and you follow in my way, you follow in my way, you follow in my way, that's how you experience my love. You that's how you experience my love. You that's how you experience my love. You experience the love of the father that

experience the love of the father that experience the love of the father that way. The father who sent me, his son, way. The father who sent me, his son, way. The father who sent me, his son, into the world to give his life. He into the world to give his life. He into the world to give his life. He didn't just sacrifice me. He sent Jesus didn't just sacrifice me. He sent Jesus didn't just sacrifice me. He sent Jesus saying, I he sent me into the world. And saying, I he sent me into the world. And saying, I he sent me into the world. And then Jesus willingly sacrificed himself then Jesus willingly sacrificed himself then Jesus willingly sacrificed himself for you and for me as the lamb of God to for you and for me as the lamb of God to for you and for me as the lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. take away the sins of the world. take away the sins of the world. to demonstrate the love that the father to demonstrate the love that the father to demonstrate the love that the father has for you and for me. That's what he has for you and for me. That's what he has for you and for me. That's what he came to bear witness of is the love of came to bear witness of is the love of came to bear witness of is the love of the father for you that would go to the the father for you that would go to the the father for you that would go to the greatest of lengths greatest of lengths greatest of lengths to show you his love for you. And then to show you his love for you. And then to show you his love for you. And then Jesus said, "You you if you follow my Jesus said, "You you if you follow my Jesus said, "You you if you follow my way, you follow my commands, you follow way, you follow my commands, you follow way, you follow my commands, you follow the way in which I'm guiding you and the way in which I'm guiding you and the way in which I'm guiding you and teaching you, you will experience God's teaching you, you will experience God's teaching you, you will experience God's love, his loving instruction, his loving love, his loving instruction, his loving love, his loving instruction, his loving rebuke, his loving correction to lead rebuke, his loving correction to lead rebuke, his loving correction to lead you in the way to the maximum amount of you in the way to the maximum amount of you in the way to the maximum amount of life." Jesus said, "I came that you have life." Jesus said, "I came that you have life." Jesus said, "I came that you have life to the full." He was the light that life to the full." He was the light that life to the full." He was the light that illuminated that life through his illuminated that life through his illuminated that life through his teaching. This isn't about earning. It's teaching. This isn't about earning. It's teaching. This isn't about earning. It's about resting in the love of the father.

about resting in the love of the father. about resting in the love of the father. And resting means I can't do this and And resting means I can't do this and And resting means I can't do this and you can. So I'm gonna follow your lead. you can. So I'm gonna follow your lead. you can. So I'm gonna follow your lead. I'm gonna follow your word. I'm gonna I'm gonna follow your word. I'm gonna I'm gonna follow your word. I'm gonna follow your will. I'm gonna follow your follow your will. I'm gonna follow your follow your will. I'm gonna follow your way. That's how I remain in the love of way. That's how I remain in the love of way. That's how I remain in the love of the father by following the instructions the father by following the instructions the father by following the instructions of the son. And then he elevates one of the son. And then he elevates one of the son. And then he elevates one command right here in this chapter. He command right here in this chapter. He command right here in this chapter. He elevates this one command. He said, elevates this one command. He said, elevates this one command. He said, "Look, my command is this. There's lots "Look, my command is this. There's lots "Look, my command is this. There's lots of commands. If you want to know what of commands. If you want to know what of commands. If you want to know what the commands are to remain in my love, the commands are to remain in my love, the commands are to remain in my love, this is it. I want you to pass it on in this is it. I want you to pass it on in this is it. I want you to pass it on in the same way the father passed it on to the same way the father passed it on to the same way the father passed it on to me. I WANT YOU TO PASS it on to other me. I WANT YOU TO PASS it on to other me. I WANT YOU TO PASS it on to other people. My command is that you love each people. My command is that you love each people. My command is that you love each other as I have loved you. You see the other as I have loved you. You see the other as I have loved you. You see the flow down from the father to the son to flow down from the father to the son to flow down from the father to the son to you you you for that to be shared with others. That for that to be shared with others. That for that to be shared with others. That was that was what the movement was was that was what the movement was was that was what the movement was about. And here's the great part is about. And here's the great part is about. And here's the great part is you're not on your own. Th this is this you're not on your own. Th this is this you're not on your own. Th this is this is this is something that Jesus knew we is this is something that Jesus knew we is this is something that Jesus knew we would screw up on our own. And so he he would screw up on our own. And so he he would screw up on our own. And so he he told his disciples, "Look, I'm leaving told his disciples, "Look, I'm leaving told his disciples, "Look, I'm leaving and I'm going away." But but here's the and I'm going away." But but here's the and I'm going away." But but here's the thing. When the helper comes, he will thing. When the helper comes, he will thing. When the helper comes, he will bear witness about me. He will by in bear witness about me. He will by in bear witness about me. He will by in your spirit, you will connect with my your spirit, you will connect with my your spirit, you will connect with my spirit. Now, this is important. Your spirit. Now, this is important. Your spirit. Now, this is important. Your body, soul, spirit. I don't have time to body, soul, spirit. I don't have time to body, soul, spirit. I don't have time to draw don't have enough space on the draw don't have enough space on the draw don't have enough space on the board. I don't have time to draw this board. I don't have time to draw this board. I don't have time to draw this in. But some of you see this before.

in. But some of you see this before. in. But some of you see this before. There's three parts to you. And the way There's three parts to you. And the way There's three parts to you. And the way in which you connect personally with God in which you connect personally with God in which you connect personally with God is in your spirit. God's spirit connects is in your spirit. God's spirit connects is in your spirit. God's spirit connects with your spirit. That's how God speaks with your spirit. That's how God speaks with your spirit. That's how God speaks to us. That's how God illuminates things to us. That's how God illuminates things to us. That's how God illuminates things to us. That's how he guides us and to us. That's how he guides us and to us. That's how he guides us and directs us through his word. He teaches directs us through his word. He teaches directs us through his word. He teaches us your God's word doesn't address every us your God's word doesn't address every us your God's word doesn't address every issue in life. And so, how do you take issue in life. And so, how do you take issue in life. And so, how do you take that and figure out what should I do to that and figure out what should I do to that and figure out what should I do to honor God? What does it look like for me honor God? What does it look like for me honor God? What does it look like for me to love people in a way that honors God to love people in a way that honors God to love people in a way that honors God and rest in his love and find the life and rest in his love and find the life and rest in his love and find the life that he's designed for me? Here's how that he's designed for me? Here's how that he's designed for me? Here's how the helper is going to come and he's the helper is going to come and he's the helper is going to come and he's going to bear witness and he's going to going to bear witness and he's going to going to bear witness and he's going to lead you in my way. And then he says lead you in my way. And then he says lead you in my way. And then he says this. So, so he he doesn't leave it out. this. So, so he he doesn't leave it out. this. So, so he he doesn't leave it out. He says like this is this is the spirit He says like this is this is the spirit He says like this is this is the spirit coming to to guide us. And he he goes on coming to to guide us. And he he goes on coming to to guide us. And he he goes on and he says this. He says, "And then you and he says this. He says, "And then you and he says this. He says, "And then you will also bear witness. You're you're will also bear witness. You're you're will also bear witness. You're you're you're going to be a witness to my love. you're going to be a witness to my love. you're going to be a witness to my love. You're going to experience my love. You're going to experience my love. You're going to experience my love. You're going to experience my grace and You're going to experience my grace and You're going to experience my grace and my mercy. And when you mess it up, my mercy. And when you mess it up, my mercy. And when you mess it up, you're going to come back to my love you're going to come back to my love you're going to come back to my love that forgives and that has grace that that forgives and that has grace that that forgives and that has grace that catches you when you fall, that lifts catches you when you fall, that lifts catches you when you fall, that lifts you up when you when you're when you're you up when you when you're when you're you up when you when you're when you're falling down, that mends you when you're falling down, that mends you when you're falling down, that mends you when you're broken, that heals you when you're broken, that heals you when you're broken, that heals you when you're hurting, hurting, hurting, and when you experience me and you and when you experience me and you and when you experience me and you follow my way, you'll have something to follow my way, you'll have something to follow my way, you'll have something to bear witness of.

bear witness of. bear witness of. Let me ask a question. This is in my Let me ask a question. This is in my Let me ask a question. This is in my notes, but when's the last time you notes, but when's the last time you notes, but when's the last time you experienced experienced experienced Jesus? Jesus? Jesus? Now, now when's the last time you came Now, now when's the last time you came Now, now when's the last time you came and sung songs or listened to a message? and sung songs or listened to a message? and sung songs or listened to a message? When's the last time you sat and When's the last time you sat and When's the last time you sat and experienced the love of the father experienced the love of the father experienced the love of the father through the sacrifice of the son and through the sacrifice of the son and through the sacrifice of the son and allowed the spirit to just speak to your allowed the spirit to just speak to your allowed the spirit to just speak to your heart heart heart and let you know that God loves you. He and let you know that God loves you. He and let you know that God loves you. He cares about you. cares about you. cares about you. This is about abiding in the love of a This is about abiding in the love of a This is about abiding in the love of a perfect heavenly father which broken, perfect heavenly father which broken, perfect heavenly father which broken, insufficient, insufficient, insufficient, inadequate earthly fathers like we all inadequate earthly fathers like we all inadequate earthly fathers like we all are are not don't have the ability to to are are not don't have the ability to to are are not don't have the ability to to paint a picture of that. But Jesus came paint a picture of that. But Jesus came paint a picture of that. But Jesus came to demonstrate to us what the love of a to demonstrate to us what the love of a to demonstrate to us what the love of a perfect heavenly father was like. And he perfect heavenly father was like. And he perfect heavenly father was like. And he sacrificed for us. And he said, "I want sacrificed for us. And he said, "I want sacrificed for us. And he said, "I want you to remain in me by abiding in my you to remain in me by abiding in my you to remain in me by abiding in my way. And I'm not going to leave you by way. And I'm not going to leave you by way. And I'm not going to leave you by yourself. I I I I want you to experience yourself. I I I I want you to experience yourself. I I I I want you to experience the love of the father through following the love of the father through following the love of the father through following my way. And you don't have to do it on my way. And you don't have to do it on my way. And you don't have to do it on your own. My spirit will guide you. And your own. My spirit will guide you. And your own. My spirit will guide you. And then you'll be able to declare, you'll then you'll be able to declare, you'll then you'll be able to declare, you'll be able to invite, you'll be able to be able to invite, you'll be able to be able to invite, you'll be able to encourage others to follow as you're encourage others to follow as you're encourage others to follow as you're following because you'll have following because you'll have following because you'll have experienced experienced experienced me. Anybody remember Show and Tell, by me. Anybody remember Show and Tell, by me. Anybody remember Show and Tell, by the way? Remember Show and Tell? Do they

the way? Remember Show and Tell? Do they the way? Remember Show and Tell? Do they still I don't think they still do Show still I don't think they still do Show still I don't think they still do Show and Tell. Like, I don't hear about it. and Tell. Like, I don't hear about it. and Tell. Like, I don't hear about it. At least my kids don't tell me about it. At least my kids don't tell me about it. At least my kids don't tell me about it. When I was a kid, showand tell was When I was a kid, showand tell was When I was a kid, showand tell was amazing. It was It was You growing up in amazing. It was It was You growing up in amazing. It was It was You growing up in the 80s, by the way, if you grew up the 80s, by the way, if you grew up the 80s, by the way, if you grew up after the 80s, I apologize, but growing after the 80s, I apologize, but growing after the 80s, I apologize, but growing up in the 80s was unbelievable. like the up in the 80s was unbelievable. like the up in the 80s was unbelievable. like the things you couldn't give. I remember I things you couldn't give. I remember I things you couldn't give. I remember I was in the fifth grade and in the fifth was in the fifth grade and in the fifth was in the fifth grade and in the fifth grade we had showand tell one day and um grade we had showand tell one day and um grade we had showand tell one day and um there was a kid that uh that was in our there was a kid that uh that was in our there was a kid that uh that was in our um that was in our class who had a boa um that was in our class who had a boa um that was in our class who had a boa constrictor and he started telling our constrictor and he started telling our constrictor and he started telling our class about his boa constrictor and two class about his boa constrictor and two class about his boa constrictor and two minutes in his presentation two grown minutes in his presentation two grown minutes in his presentation two grown men I assume one was his dad it didn't men I assume one was his dad it didn't men I assume one was his dad it didn't matter to me he they're bringing in a matter to me he they're bringing in a matter to me he they're bringing in a tank with a boa constrictor in it tank with a boa constrictor in it tank with a boa constrictor in it gigantic this gigantic tank they bring gigantic this gigantic tank they bring gigantic this gigantic tank they bring it in to the boa constrictor and they it in to the boa constrictor and they it in to the boa constrictor and they set it up set up on the desk and we're set it up set up on the desk and we're set it up set up on the desk and we're all like, "Oh my good, that's the all like, "Oh my good, that's the all like, "Oh my good, that's the biggest snake I've ever seen in my life. biggest snake I've ever seen in my life. biggest snake I've ever seen in my life. That thing's massive." The kid keeps That thing's massive." The kid keeps That thing's massive." The kid keeps talking and we're like, talking and we're like, talking and we're like, and then his dad, no lie, out of a box, and then his dad, no lie, out of a box, and then his dad, no lie, out of a box, he pulls a bunny.

Shame on us. Shame on us. He puts the bunny in the case. He puts the bunny in the case. He puts the bunny in the case. I learned everything I needed to know I learned everything I needed to know I learned everything I needed to know about a boa constructor that day just by about a boa constructor that day just by about a boa constructor that day just by what I watched. Now, okay, now some of what I watched. Now, okay, now some of what I watched. Now, okay, now some of you are bothered. You're going to email you are bothered. You're going to email you are bothered. You're going to email me about that. Don't do it because I me about that. Don't do it because I me about that. Don't do it because I won't read it. So, but here's the thing. won't read it. So, but here's the thing. won't read it. So, but here's the thing. Listen, listen, listen. This is so Listen, listen, listen. This is so Listen, listen, listen. This is so important, especially when it comes to important, especially when it comes to important, especially when it comes to the good news. This is so important. the good news. This is so important. the good news. This is so important. This is the lynch pin. You have to This is the lynch pin. You have to This is the lynch pin. You have to experience Jesus experience Jesus experience Jesus in order for you to bear witness. In in order for you to bear witness. In in order for you to bear witness. In order for you to to share with other order for you to to share with other order for you to to share with other people, you have to continually people, you have to continually people, you have to continually experience Jesus yourself. You have to experience Jesus yourself. You have to experience Jesus yourself. You have to experience his love. Not not just sing experience his love. Not not just sing experience his love. Not not just sing songs and not just attend services and songs and not just attend services and songs and not just attend services and not just group up with other people. All not just group up with other people. All not just group up with other people. All those are important. Those are ways in those are important. Those are ways in those are important. Those are ways in which we can experience Jesus. But for which we can experience Jesus. But for which we can experience Jesus. But for you personally, you personally, you personally, for every one of us, this is this is for every one of us, this is this is for every one of us, this is this is what the movement depends on. Not one what the movement depends on. Not one what the movement depends on. Not one person but each one of us choosing to person but each one of us choosing to person but each one of us choosing to abide. In fact, that is what Jesus would abide. In fact, that is what Jesus would abide. In fact, that is what Jesus would have said. That's the lynch pin. That's have said. That's the lynch pin. That's have said. That's the lynch pin. That's the lynch pin to the movement is each the lynch pin to the movement is each the lynch pin to the movement is each one of us choosing on a regular basis to one of us choosing on a regular basis to one of us choosing on a regular basis to abide, to find rest, to inhabit, to live abide, to find rest, to inhabit, to live abide, to find rest, to inhabit, to live our lives in the way of Jesus. Abiding our lives in the way of Jesus. Abiding our lives in the way of Jesus. Abiding in his way, abiding in his path and with in his way, abiding in his path and with in his way, abiding in his path and with him. And here's the thing. When it comes him. And here's the thing. When it comes him. And here's the thing. When it comes to the good news or sharing the truth, to the good news or sharing the truth, to the good news or sharing the truth, you're going to hear people I you hear you're going to hear people I you hear you're going to hear people I you hear this on Instagram. I hear this all the

this on Instagram. I hear this all the this on Instagram. I hear this all the place. People are like, "You just need place. People are like, "You just need place. People are like, "You just need to tell them the truth. Just preach the to tell them the truth. Just preach the to tell them the truth. Just preach the truth." Lots of people, you hear lots of truth." Lots of people, you hear lots of truth." Lots of people, you hear lots of people these days is telling just tell people these days is telling just tell people these days is telling just tell them the truth. You know who didn't say them the truth. You know who didn't say them the truth. You know who didn't say that? Jesus. that? Jesus. that? Jesus. That's never what Jesus said. Jesus That's never what Jesus said. Jesus That's never what Jesus said. Jesus said, "Come, come, come experience me. said, "Come, come, come experience me. said, "Come, come, come experience me. Come follow in my way. Come follow in my way. Come follow in my way. come and and and see for yourself come and and and see for yourself come and and and see for yourself because when you experience the love of because when you experience the love of because when you experience the love of Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, it's like unlike anything else in the it's like unlike anything else in the it's like unlike anything else in the world. It transforms your life. Telling world. It transforms your life. Telling world. It transforms your life. Telling without showing without showing without showing hasn't done our world any good. It's not hasn't done our world any good. It's not hasn't done our world any good. It's not working. It's not currently working. working. It's not currently working. working. It's not currently working. It'll never work. It's how the wheels It'll never work. It's how the wheels It'll never work. It's how the wheels come off is when people aren't sharing come off is when people aren't sharing come off is when people aren't sharing their own experience. So, so this is the their own experience. So, so this is the their own experience. So, so this is the question. I it's not enough to just be question. I it's not enough to just be question. I it's not enough to just be telling. We have to be showing people, telling. We have to be showing people, telling. We have to be showing people, showing the transformation that's showing the transformation that's showing the transformation that's happening in our lives. How are you happening in our lives. How are you happening in our lives. How are you allowing God's loving instruction, allowing God's loving instruction, allowing God's loving instruction, his loving correction to transform and his loving correction to transform and his loving correction to transform and change your life? It needs to and it change your life? It needs to and it change your life? It needs to and it needs to be evident. People need to needs to be evident. People need to needs to be evident. People need to experience it. People need to see it.

experience it. People need to see it. experience it. People need to see it. So, here's the thing. I'm going to give So, here's the thing. I'm going to give So, here's the thing. I'm going to give you some homework. And I mean this you some homework. And I mean this you some homework. And I mean this genuinely. You you're got homework. genuinely. You you're got homework. genuinely. You you're got homework. You're going to walk away with homework You're going to walk away with homework You're going to walk away with homework today. Some of you haven't had homework today. Some of you haven't had homework today. Some of you haven't had homework since you were in school. You're getting since you were in school. You're getting since you were in school. You're getting homework today. And Andy's going to be homework today. And Andy's going to be homework today. And Andy's going to be back next week and he's checking the back next week and he's checking the back next week and he's checking the homework, just so you know. So, um, next homework, just so you know. So, um, next homework, just so you know. So, um, next week's going to be the homework week's going to be the homework week's going to be the homework checking. And here's what I want you to checking. And here's what I want you to checking. And here's what I want you to do. If Jesus's one command was to love do. If Jesus's one command was to love do. If Jesus's one command was to love one another, I I'm not going to give you one another, I I'm not going to give you one another, I I'm not going to give you a a list of things you have to do. I a a list of things you have to do. I a a list of things you have to do. I want to provide a benchmark, a mirror. 1 want to provide a benchmark, a mirror. 1 want to provide a benchmark, a mirror. 1 Corinthians 13, it's not just a wedding Corinthians 13, it's not just a wedding Corinthians 13, it's not just a wedding verse. It gives us a description of what verse. It gives us a description of what verse. It gives us a description of what love looks like in action. And here's love looks like in action. And here's love looks like in action. And here's what I want you to do. I want you to what I want you to do. I want you to what I want you to do. I want you to read uh uh 1 Corinthians 13:es 4-7. read uh uh 1 Corinthians 13:es 4-7. read uh uh 1 Corinthians 13:es 4-7. And I want you to personalize it. And I want you to personalize it. And I want you to personalize it. Instead of love is patient, love is Instead of love is patient, love is Instead of love is patient, love is kind. I want you to insert your name or kind. I want you to insert your name or kind. I want you to insert your name or insert I. Here's what this would sound insert I. Here's what this would sound insert I. Here's what this would sound like. Imagine if this was our witness. like. Imagine if this was our witness. like. Imagine if this was our witness. If this was the measure of our witness If this was the measure of our witness If this was the measure of our witness is Joel is patient. is Joel is patient. is Joel is patient. Man, when I run into Joel, he's just Man, when I run into Joel, he's just Man, when I run into Joel, he's just patient. My kids would be like, "Hold patient. My kids would be like, "Hold patient. My kids would be like, "Hold on, time out. You need to take you need on, time out. You need to take you need on, time out. You need to take you need to check that out, Dad." But to check that out, Dad." But to check that out, Dad." But what if what if we were people that were what if what if we were people that were what if what if we were people that were known as patient? Joel is patient and known as patient? Joel is patient and known as patient? Joel is patient and Joel is kind. He doesn't envy. He Joel is kind. He doesn't envy. He Joel is kind. He doesn't envy. He doesn't boast. He's not prideful.

doesn't boast. He's not prideful. doesn't boast. He's not prideful. Joel doesn't dishonor others. He's not Joel doesn't dishonor others. He's not Joel doesn't dishonor others. He's not self-seeking. He's not easily angered. self-seeking. He's not easily angered. self-seeking. He's not easily angered. He keeps no record of wrongs. He keeps no record of wrongs. He keeps no record of wrongs. Joel does not delight in evil. And he Joel does not delight in evil. And he Joel does not delight in evil. And he rejoices with the truth. rejoices with the truth. rejoices with the truth. Joel always protects and he always Joel always protects and he always Joel always protects and he always trusts and he always hopes and Joel trusts and he always hopes and Joel trusts and he always hopes and Joel always always always perseveres. I fall I fall far short from that. far short from that. far short from that. What if we were to use it as a What if we were to use it as a What if we were to use it as a benchmark? benchmark? benchmark? And each time you run into something And each time you run into something And each time you run into something that you fall short of, you just say, that you fall short of, you just say, that you fall short of, you just say, "God, I want to I want to I want to "God, I want to I want to I want to "God, I want to I want to I want to experience your love. Transform me by experience your love. Transform me by experience your love. Transform me by the power of your love. Help me to be the power of your love. Help me to be the power of your love. Help me to be more patient with others the way you more patient with others the way you more patient with others the way you were patient with me. Help me to be more were patient with me. Help me to be more were patient with me. Help me to be more kind towards others the way you were kind towards others the way you were kind towards others the way you were kind with me." kind with me." kind with me." What if you or each of us were to go on What if you or each of us were to go on What if you or each of us were to go on a journey to become more loving in the a journey to become more loving in the a journey to become more loving in the way that Jesus wanted us to represent way that Jesus wanted us to represent way that Jesus wanted us to represent him in this world? I'll tell you what him in this world? I'll tell you what him in this world? I'll tell you what happened.

happened. happened. It would transform the world and we It would transform the world and we It would transform the world and we would not have enough seats in the would not have enough seats in the would not have enough seats in the building. building. building. When's the last time you invited When's the last time you invited When's the last time you invited somebody to come experience Jesus in somebody to come experience Jesus in somebody to come experience Jesus in your home? When's the last time you your home? When's the last time you your home? When's the last time you invited somebody to come experience invited somebody to come experience invited somebody to come experience Jesus in your group at at an event that Jesus in your group at at an event that Jesus in your group at at an event that that we're a part of the way you've that we're a part of the way you've that we're a part of the way you've lived that out on your team? When when's lived that out on your team? When when's lived that out on your team? When when's the last time you you're sort of like I the last time you you're sort of like I the last time you you're sort of like I said, you just got to come and see. I said, you just got to come and see. I said, you just got to come and see. I want you to come experience. Come be want you to come experience. Come be want you to come experience. Come be around us. Come join me at church. This around us. Come join me at church. This around us. Come join me at church. This is different. is different. is different. See, our bearing witness hinges on us See, our bearing witness hinges on us See, our bearing witness hinges on us being a witness. And we have to live being a witness. And we have to live being a witness. And we have to live that out. And the more we live that out, that out. And the more we live that out, that out. And the more we live that out, the more our invitations matter in the the more our invitations matter in the the more our invitations matter in the world. And that's how the movement world. And that's how the movement world. And that's how the movement moves. moves. moves. Let me pray for you. Let me pray for you. Let me pray for you. God, I pray this would be true of us. God, I pray this would be true of us. God, I pray this would be true of us. um to a person in this room that what we um to a person in this room that what we um to a person in this room that what we would walk out with today is not I got a would walk out with today is not I got a would walk out with today is not I got a list of things to do or I got to I got list of things to do or I got to I got list of things to do or I got to I got to I got to measure up to these this to I got to measure up to these this to I got to measure up to these this list, list, list, but we'd walk out with today of like God, I just need to be with you.

God, I just need to be with you. I need more daily, regular reminders of I need more daily, regular reminders of I need more daily, regular reminders of your love for me, of your instructions your love for me, of your instructions your love for me, of your instructions that flow from your love for me. that flow from your love for me. that flow from your love for me. And then where I can't, where I fall And then where I can't, where I fall And then where I can't, where I fall short, empower me beyond my ability by short, empower me beyond my ability by short, empower me beyond my ability by the power of your spirit. I want to rest the power of your spirit. I want to rest the power of your spirit. I want to rest on you and rely on your the power of on you and rely on your the power of on you and rely on your the power of your spirit. So teach me and guide me in your spirit. So teach me and guide me in your spirit. So teach me and guide me in the way that I need to go. God, I pray the way that I need to go. God, I pray the way that I need to go. God, I pray that that that that would be the pursuit for us. That that would be the pursuit for us. That that would be the pursuit for us. That we might be people who resemble you more we might be people who resemble you more we might be people who resemble you more so that when we go to bear witness about so that when we go to bear witness about so that when we go to bear witness about you, you, you, there's a lot for people to witness in there's a lot for people to witness in there's a lot for people to witness in our lives about you. our lives about you. our lives about you. We pray it in your name. Amen. We pray it in your name. Amen. We pray it in your name. Amen. Now, before you leave, I got to tell you Now, before you leave, I got to tell you Now, before you leave, I got to tell you about something really important. In two about something really important. In two about something really important. In two weeks, we're going to have an amazing weeks, we're going to have an amazing weeks, we're going to have an amazing service where people are going to service where people are going to service where people are going to declare their faith. We have, are you declare their faith. We have, are you declare their faith. We have, are you ready for this? We have over a hundred ready for this? We have over a hundred ready for this? We have over a hundred people who have signed up to be baptized people who have signed up to be baptized people who have signed up to be baptized in our service in two weeks. Isn't that in our service in two weeks. Isn't that in our service in two weeks. Isn't that incredible?

incredible? incredible? It's going to be in a unique way. It's going to be in a unique way. It's going to be in a unique way. There's no videos, but we're going to There's no videos, but we're going to There's no videos, but we're going to we're going to show they're they're we're going to show they're they're we're going to show they're they're going to get to tell their stories in a going to get to tell their stories in a going to get to tell their stories in a unique way. You're going to want to come unique way. You're going to want to come unique way. You're going to want to come experience this. This is something I experience this. This is something I experience this. This is something I can't explain to you. You're going to can't explain to you. You're going to can't explain to you. You're going to want to be in the building. You're going want to be in the building. You're going want to be in the building. You're going to want to be a part of this. And some to want to be a part of this. And some to want to be a part of this. And some of you need to participate in it. It's a of you need to participate in it. It's a of you need to participate in it. It's a great opportunity for some of you to great opportunity for some of you to great opportunity for some of you to invite people to come see what's invite people to come see what's invite people to come see what's happening and see pe real people's lives happening and see pe real people's lives happening and see pe real people's lives who've been transformed by Jesus. But who've been transformed by Jesus. But who've been transformed by Jesus. But some of you, you've never taken this some of you, you've never taken this some of you, you've never taken this step of obedience to declare your faith step of obedience to declare your faith step of obedience to declare your faith publicly the way Jesus asked us to do publicly the way Jesus asked us to do publicly the way Jesus asked us to do and to invite other people that are and to invite other people that are and to invite other people that are significant in your life. Maybe family significant in your life. Maybe family significant in your life. Maybe family members who haven't met Jesus, maybe members who haven't met Jesus, maybe members who haven't met Jesus, maybe parents, maybe kids, maybe co-workers parents, maybe kids, maybe co-workers parents, maybe kids, maybe co-workers that you could invite to come follow that you could invite to come follow that you could invite to come follow along with you. So, um, I want to invite along with you. So, um, I want to invite along with you. So, um, I want to invite all of you to be here in two weeks and all of you to be here in two weeks and all of you to be here in two weeks and and participate with us. It's going to and participate with us. It's going to and participate with us. It's going to be an amazing celebration. And if you've be an amazing celebration. And if you've be an amazing celebration. And if you've never been baptized as a believer and never been baptized as a believer and never been baptized as a believer and you've chosen to follow Jesus, this is you've chosen to follow Jesus, this is you've chosen to follow Jesus, this is the easiest opportunity and it's going the easiest opportunity and it's going the easiest opportunity and it's going to be an experience you'll never forget. to be an experience you'll never forget. to be an experience you'll never forget. And I would love for you to enjoy us. And I would love for you to enjoy us. And I would love for you to enjoy us. Today is literally the last day. So, we Today is literally the last day. So, we Today is literally the last day. So, we we're going to we've got to close it off we're going to we've got to close it off we're going to we've got to close it off just because we got to program the just because we got to program the just because we got to program the service and and make sure we fit service and and make sure we fit service and and make sure we fit everybody in. But if you want to scan everybody in. But if you want to scan everybody in. But if you want to scan this QR code to the top three, go down this QR code to the top three, go down this QR code to the top three, go down to the number three on top three. Click to the number three on top three. Click to the number three on top three. Click on it. You'll fill out a quick form. And on it. You'll fill out a quick form. And on it. You'll fill out a quick form. And it's not committing you to anything.

it's not committing you to anything. it's not committing you to anything. It's just starting a conversation with It's just starting a conversation with It's just starting a conversation with someone on our staff that will talk to someone on our staff that will talk to someone on our staff that will talk to you about if this is the best best time you about if this is the best best time you about if this is the best best time for you to be baptized. We would love for you to be baptized. We would love for you to be baptized. We would love for you to join uh us in that for you to join uh us in that for you to join uh us in that celebration. We'd love to celebrate uh celebration. We'd love to celebrate uh celebration. We'd love to celebrate uh your decision to follow Jesus with you. your decision to follow Jesus with you. your decision to follow Jesus with you. So don't miss that. Do your homework and So don't miss that. Do your homework and So don't miss that. Do your homework and you'll be back next week. We'll see you you'll be back next week. We'll see you you'll be back next week. We'll see you next Sunday right back here at North next Sunday right back here at North next Sunday right back here at North Point. Have a great week.