The Matter With You | Part 1 | Andy Stanley

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Okay. Okay. Okay. It's one of [music] my kids. It's one of [music] my kids. It's one of [music] my kids. They just got me fired. Finally the the straw that broke the Finally the the straw that broke the camel's back. camel's back. camel's back. Let's just I don't think I'll just read Let's just I don't think I'll just read Let's just I don't think I'll just read this to you. You ready? this to you. You ready? this to you. You ready? Dad, I'm so hungry. Dad, I'm so hungry. Dad, I'm so hungry. Where are the snacks? Where are the snacks? Where are the snacks? I can't find the Takis. I can't find the Takis. I can't find the Takis. I'm so bored in class. I'm so bored in class. I'm so bored in class. Can we go [music] to Chick-fil-A Can we go [music] to Chick-fil-A Can we go [music] to Chick-fil-A [singing] [singing] [singing] after school? after school? after school? Please, please, please. Dad, I need $5. Please, please, please. Dad, I need $5. Please, please, please. Dad, I need $5. >> [singing] [music] [music] >> Dad, you need to give me some money cuz >> Dad, you need to give me some money cuz >> Dad, you need to give me some money cuz your boy is broke. your boy is broke. your boy is broke. >> What are you doing today? >> What are you doing today? >> What are you doing today? >> [music] >> I need to go home. Can you come pick me >> I need to go home. Can you come pick me up? up? up? >> Can we get [music] some Starbucks on the >> Can we get [music] some Starbucks on the >> Can we get [music] some Starbucks on the way home?

>> Um Dad, [music] I think the toilet is >> Um Dad, [music] I think the toilet is running, maybe overflowing. Also, by running, maybe overflowing. Also, by running, maybe overflowing. Also, by chance, would you be willing to make me chance, would you be willing to make me chance, would you be willing to make me a waffle or maybe [music] some French a waffle or maybe [music] some French a waffle or maybe [music] some French toast? Bro, can you help me find the toast? Bro, can you help me find the toast? Bro, can you help me find the remote? Dad, also, my leg [music] hurts. remote? Dad, also, my leg [music] hurts. remote? Dad, also, my leg [music] hurts. Dad, we have to get Chromebook. What is Dad, we have to get Chromebook. What is Dad, we have to get Chromebook. What is the password [music] the password [music] the password [music] for my computer? for my computer? for my computer? Dad, I want Dad, I want Dad, I want >> [music and singing] >> Dad, you need [music] to give me some >> Dad, you need [music] to give me some money cuz your boy is broke. money cuz your boy is broke. money cuz your boy is broke. >> What are you doing today? >> What are you doing today? >> What are you doing today? >> I need to [music] go home. Can you come >> I need to [music] go home. Can you come >> I need to [music] go home. Can you come pick me up? pick me up? pick me up? >> Can we get some Starbucks on the way >> Can we get some Starbucks on the way >> Can we get some Starbucks on the way home? home? home? >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I'm crashing out. >> I'm crashing out. >> I'm crashing out. >> Dad, Dad. >> Dad, Dad. >> Dad, Dad. >> Dad, Dad, I got it >> Dad, Dad, I got it >> Dad, Dad, I got it >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> made. I did Can you put gas in my car? My socks Can you put gas in my car? My socks don't fit anymore. >> Dad, >> Dad, can we get [music] a little bumpy? can we get [music] a little bumpy? can we get [music] a little bumpy? >> Dad. >> Mark, I think you sang that with some

>> Mark, I think you sang that with some conviction. conviction. conviction. So much So much So much much conviction. And by the way, you much conviction. And by the way, you much conviction. And by the way, you heard it first here and you'll never heard it first here and you'll never heard it first here and you'll never hear it anywhere else because our team hear it anywhere else because our team hear it anywhere else because our team wrote it. What if I know? Isn't that wrote it. What if I know? Isn't that wrote it. What if I know? Isn't that Yeah, just for you. Yeah, just for you. Yeah, just for you. Hey, welcome North Point everybody and Hey, welcome North Point everybody and Hey, welcome North Point everybody and happy Father's Day to all of you dads happy Father's Day to all of you dads happy Father's Day to all of you dads who are here in the East with me, those who are here in the East with me, those who are here in the East with me, those of you in the West over there with Holly of you in the West over there with Holly of you in the West over there with Holly and those of you who are watching and those of you who are watching and those of you who are watching online. Um, I hope you enjoyed the song. online. Um, I hope you enjoyed the song. online. Um, I hope you enjoyed the song. If uh um Holly, you got a shout-out If uh um Holly, you got a shout-out If uh um Holly, you got a shout-out there at the end, Mom. there at the end, Mom. there at the end, Mom. >> Yeah, yes, they tend to >> Yeah, yes, they tend to >> Yeah, yes, they tend to >> It always It's always Mom. >> It always It's always Mom. >> It always It's always Mom. >> Yeah, Mom's always in the text thread >> Yeah, Mom's always in the text thread >> Yeah, Mom's always in the text thread somewhere. But hey, we were we're loving somewhere. But hey, we were we're loving somewhere. But hey, we were we're loving that song over here and my favorite line that song over here and my favorite line that song over here and my favorite line is Dad, I'm crashing out. Yeah. Yeah. I is Dad, I'm crashing out. Yeah. Yeah. I is Dad, I'm crashing out. Yeah. Yeah. I know. Yeah, see Gen Z, they have two know. Yeah, see Gen Z, they have two know. Yeah, see Gen Z, they have two modes. They're crashing out or they're modes. They're crashing out or they're modes. They're crashing out or they're nonchalant. No big deal. You know, nonchalant. No big deal. You know, nonchalant. No big deal. You know, whatever. And Andie, you know, one thing whatever. And Andie, you know, one thing whatever. And Andie, you know, one thing that doesn't change though over the that doesn't change though over the that doesn't change though over the generations. generations. generations. >> What's that? >> What's that? >> What's that? >> Asking Dad for money. >> Asking Dad for money. >> Asking Dad for money. >> Yeah, it's always about money. Hey, if >> Yeah, it's always about money. Hey, if >> Yeah, it's always about money. Hey, if you're brand new, if you're first time you're brand new, if you're first time you're brand new, if you're first time with us, if somebody invited you or with us, if somebody invited you or with us, if somebody invited you or you're celebrating Father's Day or, you you're celebrating Father's Day or, you you're celebrating Father's Day or, you know, you don't normally come to church, know, you don't normally come to church, know, you don't normally come to church, Dad, and you decided, hey, I'm I'm going Dad, and you decided, hey, I'm I'm going Dad, and you decided, hey, I'm I'm going to do this. We're so glad you're here.

to do this. We're so glad you're here. to do this. We're so glad you're here. We do have an agenda. It's very We do have an agenda. It's very We do have an agenda. It's very specific. it goes beyond simply being a specific. it goes beyond simply being a specific. it goes beyond simply being a dad. That is to inspire people to follow dad. That is to inspire people to follow dad. That is to inspire people to follow Jesus. That's our mission and we do that Jesus. That's our mission and we do that Jesus. That's our mission and we do that in lots of different ways and one of the in lots of different ways and one of the in lots of different ways and one of the ways we do that is by engaging with the ways we do that is by engaging with the ways we do that is by engaging with the community and last weekend we hosted a community and last weekend we hosted a community and last weekend we hosted a food drive, we do that every year and food drive, we do that every year and food drive, we do that every year and your response is always amazing and last your response is always amazing and last your response is always amazing and last weekend you did not disappoint. Your weekend you did not disappoint. Your weekend you did not disappoint. Your combined the food that you actually combined the food that you actually combined the food that you actually brought and the food that you purchased brought and the food that you purchased brought and the food that you purchased through our Amazon wish list for our through our Amazon wish list for our through our Amazon wish list for our local charities, you provided over 17 local charities, you provided over 17 local charities, you provided over 17 tons of food which get this, wait, wait, tons of food which get this, wait, wait, tons of food which get this, wait, wait, it's the equivalent of feeding 300 it's the equivalent of feeding 300 it's the equivalent of feeding 300 families, not individuals, 300 families families, not individuals, 300 families families, not individuals, 300 families for an entire week. So thank you, thank for an entire week. So thank you, thank for an entire week. So thank you, thank you, thank you for your generosity. you, thank you for your generosity. you, thank you for your generosity. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Incredible. >> Incredible. >> Incredible. >> And again, if this is your first time, >> And again, if this is your first time, >> And again, if this is your first time, you are among a group of people that you are among a group of people that you are among a group of people that doesn't just believe things but we do doesn't just believe things but we do doesn't just believe things but we do something with what we believe and something with what we believe and something with what we believe and that's what we think it means to follow that's what we think it means to follow that's what we think it means to follow Jesus. So anyway, Jesus. So anyway, Jesus. So anyway, lots going on around here. Holly, you lots going on around here. Holly, you lots going on around here. Holly, you want to tell us a little bit about that? want to tell us a little bit about that? want to tell us a little bit about that? >> Yeah, on the top three website, top >> Yeah, on the top three website, top >> Yeah, on the top three website, top three is where you can go to find out three is where you can go to find out three is where you can go to find out all the things happening here and all the things happening here and all the things happening here and parents, we got something for you this parents, we got something for you this parents, we got something for you this summer because it's hard to keep up with summer because it's hard to keep up with summer because it's hard to keep up with our kids lingo but it's even harder to our kids lingo but it's even harder to our kids lingo but it's even harder to keep up with how fast tech changes and keep up with how fast tech changes and keep up with how fast tech changes and so we asked you guys, hey, what do you so we asked you guys, hey, what do you so we asked you guys, hey, what do you want to talk about with parent summit want to talk about with parent summit want to talk about with parent summit online this summer and you said, how to online this summer and you said, how to online this summer and you said, how to raise children in a digital world. So we raise children in a digital world. So we raise children in a digital world. So we pulled in some experts, we had some pulled in some experts, we had some pulled in some experts, we had some conversations, we made some content just conversations, we made some content just conversations, we made some content just for you and Joel Thomas has kind of for you and Joel Thomas has kind of for you and Joel Thomas has kind of becoming an expert at AI around here.

becoming an expert at AI around here. becoming an expert at AI around here. He's been to some conferences, he's He's been to some conferences, he's He's been to some conferences, he's learning all about it. So we sit down learning all about it. So we sit down learning all about it. So we sit down and talk about how we can stay ahead of and talk about how we can stay ahead of and talk about how we can stay ahead of AI as parents. AI as parents. AI as parents. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> At least for now. So >> At least for now. So >> At least for now. So >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> yeah, it keeps changing too. But hey, if >> yeah, it keeps changing too. But hey, if >> yeah, it keeps changing too. But hey, if you want some parenting tips on the go, you want some parenting tips on the go, you want some parenting tips on the go, sign up at the top three website, fill sign up at the top three website, fill sign up at the top three website, fill out the form, we'll send it straight to out the form, we'll send it straight to out the form, we'll send it straight to your inbox. your inbox. your inbox. >> Yep and again, this is free. So if you >> Yep and again, this is free. So if you >> Yep and again, this is free. So if you have friends or family members in have friends or family members in have friends or family members in different parts of the country, different parts of the country, different parts of the country, different parts of the world, you can different parts of the world, you can different parts of the world, you can tell them about it as well and they can tell them about it as well and they can tell them about it as well and they can get get get use this online, uh use this online, uh use this online, uh and this content. Also, if it's your and this content. Also, if it's your and this content. Also, if it's your first time while you're on the top three first time while you're on the top three first time while you're on the top three website, if you'll just click the little website, if you'll just click the little website, if you'll just click the little badge that says connect with us, we badge that says connect with us, we badge that says connect with us, we would love to answer any questions you would love to answer any questions you would love to answer any questions you have about our church or at right after have about our church or at right after have about our church or at right after the service if you'll drop by the service if you'll drop by the service if you'll drop by connections, some of our staff and connections, some of our staff and connections, some of our staff and volunteer are over there volunteer are over there volunteer are over there as well. Also coming up that's as well. Also coming up that's as well. Also coming up that's we're super excited about on July the we're super excited about on July the we're super excited about on July the 26th, that's right, July 26th which 26th, that's right, July 26th which 26th, that's right, July 26th which sounds like a long time from now. We're sounds like a long time from now. We're sounds like a long time from now. We're going to do something we've never done going to do something we've never done going to do something we've never done before. We're going to have a baptism before. We're going to have a baptism before. We're going to have a baptism Sunday. We're going to baptize dozens of Sunday. We're going to baptize dozens of Sunday. We're going to baptize dozens of people. And the reason is we have a people. And the reason is we have a people. And the reason is we have a backlog of adults who want to be backlog of adults who want to be backlog of adults who want to be baptized and it's going to be a very baptized and it's going to be a very baptized and it's going to be a very exciting Sunday and I'm telling you for exciting Sunday and I'm telling you for exciting Sunday and I'm telling you for two reasons. You're not going to want to two reasons. You're not going to want to two reasons. You're not going to want to miss it and if you think oh no, it's miss it and if you think oh no, it's miss it and if you think oh no, it's just a baptism and no sermon. Well, just a baptism and no sermon. Well, just a baptism and no sermon. Well, you're tired of sermons anyway, you just you're tired of sermons anyway, you just you're tired of sermons anyway, you just won't tell me. But anyway, it's going to won't tell me. But anyway, it's going to won't tell me. But anyway, it's going to be it's going to be a fabulous time and be it's going to be a fabulous time and be it's going to be a fabulous time and if you are a Christian and you've never if you are a Christian and you've never if you are a Christian and you've never been baptized, this is your opportunity.

been baptized, this is your opportunity. been baptized, this is your opportunity. No video, okay, no long stories. We're No video, okay, no long stories. We're No video, okay, no long stories. We're just going to talk to you a little bit just going to talk to you a little bit just going to talk to you a little bit beforehand, make sure you you understand beforehand, make sure you you understand beforehand, make sure you you understand what you're doing and then we're going what you're doing and then we're going what you're doing and then we're going to baptize you along with dozens of to baptize you along with dozens of to baptize you along with dozens of other people. Um so if you would like to other people. Um so if you would like to other people. Um so if you would like to do that, this is your opportunity. If do that, this is your opportunity. If do that, this is your opportunity. If you'll go to the top three website, it's you'll go to the top three website, it's you'll go to the top three website, it's number two on the top three website. You number two on the top three website. You number two on the top three website. You fill out a form, we're going to call fill out a form, we're going to call fill out a form, we're going to call you, have a conversation with you and you, have a conversation with you and you, have a conversation with you and then we would love to see you here on then we would love to see you here on then we would love to see you here on the 26th with family members. Go ahead the 26th with family members. Go ahead the 26th with family members. Go ahead and plan on inviting them. It's going to and plan on inviting them. It's going to and plan on inviting them. It's going to be a lot of fun. Some of our other be a lot of fun. Some of our other be a lot of fun. Some of our other churches have done this and it's an churches have done this and it's an churches have done this and it's an extraordinary extraordinary opportunity. extraordinary extraordinary opportunity. extraordinary extraordinary opportunity. Uh today we're going to sing as always a Uh today we're going to sing as always a Uh today we're going to sing as always a little bit over here with me. I have little bit over here with me. I have little bit over here with me. I have Mark and Cara and who's over in the west Mark and Cara and who's over in the west Mark and Cara and who's over in the west with you, Holly? with you, Holly? with you, Holly? >> Yeah, in the west we've got Clarissa and >> Yeah, in the west we've got Clarissa and >> Yeah, in the west we've got Clarissa and Erica leading us this morning. And this Erica leading us this morning. And this Erica leading us this morning. And this first song, there's a lyric that says, first song, there's a lyric that says, first song, there's a lyric that says, "Your goodness is running after me." And "Your goodness is running after me." And "Your goodness is running after me." And this line, it reminds me of a verse out this line, it reminds me of a verse out this line, it reminds me of a verse out of Psalm 23 where David, the psalmist, of Psalm 23 where David, the psalmist, of Psalm 23 where David, the psalmist, he's writing his thoughts about God and he's writing his thoughts about God and he's writing his thoughts about God and he describes God as a shepherd. Not as a he describes God as a shepherd. Not as a he describes God as a shepherd. Not as a distant God, not as an angry or distant God, not as an angry or distant God, not as an angry or uninterested God, but as a God that uninterested God, but as a God that uninterested God, but as a God that guides and a God that protects. And then guides and a God that protects. And then guides and a God that protects. And then he pens these words. He says, "Surely he pens these words. He says, "Surely he pens these words. He says, "Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me your goodness and mercy will follow me your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life." That's God's all the days of my life." That's God's all the days of my life." That's God's heart towards you and towards me today.

heart towards you and towards me today. heart towards you and towards me today. If you will, stand up. Let's worship If you will, stand up. Let's worship If you will, stand up. Let's worship together. >> All right. So, since it's Father's Day, >> All right. So, since it's Father's Day, all the fathers are exempt from singing. all the fathers are exempt from singing. all the fathers are exempt from singing. And you know that's not true. So, And you know that's not true. So, And you know that's not true. So, fathers, you can be the loudest in the fathers, you can be the loudest in the fathers, you can be the loudest in the room. Is that okay? room. Is that okay? room. Is that okay? >> Your goodness [music] is running after. >> Your goodness [music] is running after. >> Your goodness [music] is running after. It's running after me. Come on. It's running after me. Come on. It's running after me. Come on. Your goodness [music] Your goodness [music] Your goodness [music] is running after. It's running after me. is running after. It's running after me. is running after. It's running after me. Yeah. Your goodness is running after. It's Your goodness is running after. It's running running running >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> after me. Your goodness is running after. Your goodness is running after. It's running It's running It's running >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> after me. >> after me. >> after me. >> Lift it up. >> Lift it up. >> Lift it up. >> Your goodness >> Your goodness >> Your goodness is running after. It's running after me. >> [music] >> [music] >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> Your goodness is running after. >> Your goodness is running after. >> Your goodness is running after. It's running It's running It's running after me. after me. after me. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> With my life laid down, >> With my life laid down, >> With my life laid down, I surrender I surrender I surrender now.

now. now. I'll give I'll give I'll give you everything. you everything. you everything. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Your goodness is running after. >> Your goodness is running after. >> Your goodness is running after. It's running after me. It's running after me. It's running after me. >> [music] [music] [music] >> I love you, Lord. For [music] your mercy never fails. For [music] your mercy never fails. All my [music] days, All my [music] days, All my [music] days, I am held in your hands. The moment that I wake The moment that I wake [music and singing] up [music and singing] up [music and singing] up till I lay my head, [music] till I lay my head, [music] till I lay my head, [music] I will sing I will sing I will sing of the goodness [singing] of the goodness [singing] of the goodness [singing] of God. of God. of God. Sing it with us. Come on. Sing it with us. Come on. Sing it with us. Come on. All my All my All my life you have [singing and music] been life you have [singing and music] been life you have [singing and music] been faithful. All my [music and singing] life you have All my [music and singing] life you have been so so been so so been so so good. good. good. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Every breath that [singing] I am able, >> Every breath that [singing] I am able, >> Every breath that [singing] I am able, I will sing [music] I will sing [music] I will sing [music] of the goodness of the goodness of the goodness of God.

That's right. That's right. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Your goodness. >> Your goodness. >> Your goodness. You are so good. Come on. Come on. Your goodness. Lift it up. [music] Your goodness. Lift it up. [music] Your goodness. Lift it up. [music] Your goodness is running after, Your goodness is running after, Your goodness is running after, it's running after me. You say. me. You say. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Your goodness >> Your goodness >> Your goodness is running after, is running after, is running after, it's running after With my With my life laid down, I surrender. life laid down, I surrender. life laid down, I surrender. >> [music] >> I give >> I give >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Your goodness is running after, >> Your goodness is running after, >> [music] >> it's running >> it's running >> it's running after >> All my >> All my >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> life you have >> life you have >> life you have been All my [music] life [singing] you have All my [music] life [singing] you have been been been so so so so good. so good. so good. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Every breath [singing] that I am able, >> [music] >> [music] >> I will sing >> I will sing >> I will sing of the goodness of the goodness of the goodness of God.

I will sing I will sing >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> of the goodness of >> [music] >> [music] >> I will sing >> I will sing >> I will sing of the goodness of God. goodness of God. >> [music] >> Worthy [singing] of every song we could >> Worthy [singing] of every song we could ever [music] sing. Worthy [singing] of all the praise we Worthy [singing] of all the praise we could ever bring. [music] Worthy [singing] of every breath we Worthy [singing] of every breath we could [music] ever could [music] ever could [music] ever breathe. We live for [singing] you. breathe. We live for [singing] you. breathe. We live for [singing] you. Oh, we [music] live for you. Jesus, the name above every other Jesus, the name above every other [music] name. Jesus, the [singing] only one who could Jesus, the [singing] only one who could ever save.

>> [music] >> [music] >> Worthy of every breath we could >> Worthy of every breath we could >> Worthy of every breath we could [singing] ever breathe. [singing] ever breathe. [singing] ever breathe. We live for you. We live for you. We live for you. Oh, we [music] live for you. Oh, we [music] live for you. Oh, we [music] live for you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> Holy, [music] >> Holy, [music] >> Holy, [music] there is no one like you. there is no one like you. there is no one like you. There [music] is none beside [singing] There [music] is none beside [singing] There [music] is none beside [singing] you. you. you. Open up my [music] eyes in Open up my [music] eyes in Open up my [music] eyes in >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> wonder. You show >> wonder. You show >> wonder. You show me me me who you [music] are and fill who you [music] are and fill who you [music] are and fill me with [singing] your heart and lead me me with [singing] your heart and lead me me with [singing] your heart and lead me >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> in your love >> in your love >> in your love to those around me. around me. >> [singing] >> I >> I will will will I [singing] will my >> [music] >> [music] >> life >> life >> life upon your upon your upon your >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> love. It is a firm foundation foundation and I and I and I will will will put my put my put my trust trust trust >> [singing and music] >> [singing and music] >> [singing and music] >> in you alone not be shaken.

not be shaken. >> [music] >> I will build my >> I will build my >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> life >> life >> life upon upon upon your love. your love. your love. It is a firm >> [music] >> [music] >> foundation. >> foundation. >> foundation. >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> Oh. Oh. >> I will >> I will >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> not be shaken. >> not be shaken. >> not be shaken. Holy, Holy, Holy, there is there is there is no one no one no one like like like you. you. you. There is none beside There is none beside There is none beside >> [music] >> you. Open up >> you. Open up >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> my eyes in >> my eyes in >> my eyes in wonder and wonder and wonder and show me show me show me who you who you who you >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> are >> are >> are every every every day. Lead me with your day. Lead me with your day. Lead me with your heart and heart and heart and lead me lead me lead me in your in your in your love to those around me. around me. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I will build my >> life [music] >> life [music] upon your upon your upon your love.

love. love. It is a firm It is a firm It is a firm >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> foundation >> foundation >> foundation and I will and I will and I will put my put my put my >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> trust >> trust >> trust in in in >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> you alone >> you alone >> you alone and I will >> [music] >> [music] >> not be shaken. I will I will >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> build my >> build my >> build my life upon life upon life upon your your your love. It [singing] it is a firm love. It [singing] it is a firm love. It [singing] it is a firm foundation. foundation [music] and I foundation. foundation [music] and I foundation. foundation [music] and I will [singing] put my trust [music] in will [singing] put my trust [music] in will [singing] put my trust [music] in you you you alone and I will not be shaken. alone and I will not be shaken. alone and I will not be shaken. >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] [music] that you are the ultimate heavenly that you are the ultimate heavenly father.

father. father. That no matter what today brings for us That no matter what today brings for us That no matter what today brings for us inside of our [music] heart, we know inside of our [music] heart, we know inside of our [music] heart, we know that you pride yourself on being our that you pride yourself on being our that you pride yourself on being our firm [music] foundation. firm [music] foundation. firm [music] foundation. And maybe it hasn't always been a firm And maybe it hasn't always been a firm And maybe it hasn't always been a firm foundation, foundation, foundation, but you start us over but you start us over but you start us over and you [music] build what is right and you [music] build what is right and you [music] build what is right on a solid foundation for us. on a solid foundation for us. on a solid foundation for us. We praise you that [music] we can trust We praise you that [music] we can trust We praise you that [music] we can trust you you you to do that for every single one of us. to do that for every single one of us. to do that for every single one of us. You are the ultimate father. [music] You are the ultimate father. [music] You are the ultimate father. [music] We thank you for that and we praise you We thank you for that and we praise you We thank you for that and we praise you in Jesus' name. in Jesus' name. in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Amen. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> And you guys can have a seat.

>> So, and a welcome those of you who are >> So, and a welcome those of you who are joining us at all of our Atlanta area joining us at all of our Atlanta area joining us at all of our Atlanta area churches. Those of you who are watching churches. Those of you who are watching churches. Those of you who are watching from different parts of the country, from different parts of the country, from different parts of the country, different parts of the world. It's so different parts of the world. It's so different parts of the world. It's so exciting, as I say sometimes, to be a exciting, as I say sometimes, to be a exciting, as I say sometimes, to be a part of a growing network of Jesus part of a growing network of Jesus part of a growing network of Jesus followers, not just Christians, but followers, not just Christians, but followers, not just Christians, but Jesus followers. And you're making a Jesus followers. And you're making a Jesus followers. And you're making a difference in your communities, you're difference in your communities, you're difference in your communities, you're making a difference in the world. And of making a difference in the world. And of making a difference in the world. And of course, to all of our Atlanta area course, to all of our Atlanta area course, to all of our Atlanta area churches and our friends on the south churches and our friends on the south churches and our friends on the south side, and those of you at East Cobb side, and those of you at East Cobb side, and those of you at East Cobb Church, your building is looking Church, your building is looking Church, your building is looking amazing. I know you're excited to get in amazing. I know you're excited to get in amazing. I know you're excited to get in there. And thank you to all those of you there. And thank you to all those of you there. And thank you to all those of you who have given to make that possible. who have given to make that possible. who have given to make that possible. So, today I want to talk to just a slice So, today I want to talk to just a slice So, today I want to talk to just a slice of the audience. I hope that's okay. of the audience. I hope that's okay. of the audience. I hope that's okay. This may not apply to you. It may apply This may not apply to you. It may apply This may not apply to you. It may apply to someone you know. Or you may discover to someone you know. Or you may discover to someone you know. Or you may discover by the end of our time together it by the end of our time together it by the end of our time together it applies to you even though you didn't applies to you even though you didn't applies to you even though you didn't think it did. I want to talk to those of think it did. I want to talk to those of think it did. I want to talk to those of you who aren't convinced that God really you who aren't convinced that God really you who aren't convinced that God really loves you. loves you. loves you. I you agree intellectually with the I you agree intellectually with the I you agree intellectually with the whole idea that of God's universal love, whole idea that of God's universal love, whole idea that of God's universal love, that God loves everybody. Most Americans that God loves everybody. Most Americans that God loves everybody. Most Americans believe, "Oh yeah, God loves everybody." believe, "Oh yeah, God loves everybody." believe, "Oh yeah, God loves everybody." And And most Americans would say, "Oh And And most Americans would say, "Oh And And most Americans would say, "Oh yeah, and God, if there is a God, God is yeah, and God, if there is a God, God is yeah, and God, if there is a God, God is love." love." love." But I want to talk to those of you who But I want to talk to those of you who But I want to talk to those of you who kind of have your doubts about God kind of have your doubts about God kind of have your doubts about God loving you as an individual.

loving you as an individual. loving you as an individual. And of course, you would wonder if God And of course, you would wonder if God And of course, you would wonder if God loves you as an individual because after loves you as an individual because after loves you as an individual because after all, right? And then suddenly all the all, right? And then suddenly all the all, right? And then suddenly all the thoughts come flooding in, the memories thoughts come flooding in, the memories thoughts come flooding in, the memories come flooding in, the habits come come flooding in, the habits come come flooding in, the habits come flooding in, the the current habits that flooding in, the the current habits that flooding in, the the current habits that loom kind of large, your your secret, if loom kind of large, your your secret, if loom kind of large, your your secret, if you're a religious person, you you would you're a religious person, you you would you're a religious person, you you would call them your secret sins, take center call them your secret sins, take center call them your secret sins, take center stage in in your thinking. Um maybe stage in in your thinking. Um maybe stage in in your thinking. Um maybe there is an abiding sense of guilt, um there is an abiding sense of guilt, um there is an abiding sense of guilt, um kind of a shadow of shame. And And I And kind of a shadow of shame. And And I And kind of a shadow of shame. And And I And this may be the case, and I've talked to this may be the case, and I've talked to this may be the case, and I've talked to so many people where this is the case. so many people where this is the case. so many people where this is the case. It's an abiding sense of guilt and shame It's an abiding sense of guilt and shame It's an abiding sense of guilt and shame about nothing in particular. It's just about nothing in particular. It's just about nothing in particular. It's just that when you think about God, or even that when you think about God, or even that when you think about God, or even maybe when you come to church or go to maybe when you come to church or go to maybe when you come to church or go to mass, there's just this sense of it's mass, there's just this sense of it's mass, there's just this sense of it's just kind of it's just kind of negative. just kind of it's just kind of negative. just kind of it's just kind of negative. Um it it's as if you just feel like God Um it it's as if you just feel like God Um it it's as if you just feel like God is for some reason just displeased with is for some reason just displeased with is for some reason just displeased with you. And you could point to things that you. And you could point to things that you. And you could point to things that would displease God, but it's kind of would displease God, but it's kind of would displease God, but it's kind of bigger that than that and broader than bigger that than that and broader than bigger that than that and broader than that. And if you were raised in a that. And if you were raised in a that. And if you were raised in a religious environment that dealt in religious environment that dealt in religious environment that dealt in guilt and dealt in shame, of course you guilt and dealt in shame, of course you guilt and dealt in shame, of course you would carry that with you. Um in fact, would carry that with you. Um in fact, would carry that with you. Um in fact, some of you may have been raised in some of you may have been raised in some of you may have been raised in religious environments where guilt and religious environments where guilt and religious environments where guilt and shame was the goal. That was the shame was the goal. That was the shame was the goal. That was the religious experience. The worse you religious experience. The worse you religious experience. The worse you felt, the more religious you felt. It's felt, the more religious you felt. It's felt, the more religious you felt. It's like, "Wow, so you know, the preacher like, "Wow, so you know, the preacher like, "Wow, so you know, the preacher really put me in my place today." Or really put me in my place today." Or really put me in my place today." Or I've I've never felt so bad in my life.

I've I've never felt so bad in my life. I've I've never felt so bad in my life. I must have that must have been God. I must have that must have been God. I must have that must have been God. It's like you've you know, that's the It's like you've you know, that's the It's like you've you know, that's the religious experience. If that's what you religious experience. If that's what you religious experience. If that's what you grew up in or and even as an adult grew up in or and even as an adult grew up in or and even as an adult that's what you were exposed to, then of that's what you were exposed to, then of that's what you were exposed to, then of course, when it comes to God, there course, when it comes to God, there course, when it comes to God, there would be a sense of I don't know where I would be a sense of I don't know where I would be a sense of I don't know where I stand with God. Maybe uh and maybe it's stand with God. Maybe uh and maybe it's stand with God. Maybe uh and maybe it's it's related to your parents. I don't it's related to your parents. I don't it's related to your parents. I don't want to you know, do your family history want to you know, do your family history want to you know, do your family history for you, but if you grew up with a mom for you, but if you grew up with a mom for you, but if you grew up with a mom or dad and you just could never please or dad and you just could never please or dad and you just could never please them, it was never enough, you were them, it was never enough, you were them, it was never enough, you were never good enough, the grades were never never good enough, the grades were never never good enough, the grades were never high enough, you were never obedient high enough, you were never obedient high enough, you were never obedient enough. Your older brother, you know, he enough. Your older brother, you know, he enough. Your older brother, you know, he was the golden child or your older older was the golden child or your older older was the golden child or your older older sister or your younger sister, but you sister or your younger sister, but you sister or your younger sister, but you just never could measure up. It's normal just never could measure up. It's normal just never could measure up. It's normal to transfer those kinds of thoughts and to transfer those kinds of thoughts and to transfer those kinds of thoughts and emotions to God, so maybe that was the emotions to God, so maybe that was the emotions to God, so maybe that was the case. But here's the thing. case. But here's the thing. case. But here's the thing. Whatever the case is, it's been that way Whatever the case is, it's been that way Whatever the case is, it's been that way for so long with you that you've just for so long with you that you've just for so long with you that you've just you've just kind of learned to to live you've just kind of learned to to live you've just kind of learned to to live with it. That that's for you it's just with it. That that's for you it's just with it. That that's for you it's just normal. normal. normal. But what it translates to and now I'm But what it translates to and now I'm But what it translates to and now I'm kind of reading your mind a little bit, kind of reading your mind a little bit, kind of reading your mind a little bit, so bear with me if this isn't true of so bear with me if this isn't true of so bear with me if this isn't true of you, just you know, it's true for some you, just you know, it's true for some you, just you know, it's true for some people. What it translate to it people. What it translate to it people. What it translate to it translate to is a sense of wondering translate to is a sense of wondering translate to is a sense of wondering that you when you think about it, cuz that you when you think about it, cuz that you when you think about it, cuz you don't think about it all the time, you don't think about it all the time, you don't think about it all the time, it you wonder where you actually stand it you wonder where you actually stand it you wonder where you actually stand with God. If God knows you exist, if God with God. If God knows you exist, if God with God. If God knows you exist, if God knows your name, cuz preachers always knows your name, cuz preachers always knows your name, cuz preachers always saying, you know, God knows you as an saying, you know, God knows you as an saying, you know, God knows you as an individual, and you think if that's the individual, and you think if that's the individual, and you think if that's the case, I don't know where I stand with case, I don't know where I stand with case, I don't know where I stand with God. And what happens is this impacts God. And what happens is this impacts God. And what happens is this impacts your confidence in God. This impacts your confidence in God. This impacts your confidence in God. This impacts your assurance when it comes to Does God your assurance when it comes to Does God your assurance when it comes to Does God hear my prayers? Can God be trusted? And

hear my prayers? Can God be trusted? And hear my prayers? Can God be trusted? And again, most days you don't even think again, most days you don't even think again, most days you don't even think about it, but on other days, maybe about it, but on other days, maybe about it, but on other days, maybe Sundays in particular or when you go to Sundays in particular or when you go to Sundays in particular or when you go to mass, it looms large. Now, the reason I mass, it looms large. Now, the reason I mass, it looms large. Now, the reason I wanted to talk about it, even though wanted to talk about it, even though wanted to talk about it, even though maybe it's just a slice of the audience, maybe it's just a slice of the audience, maybe it's just a slice of the audience, is that this is a bigger deal than is that this is a bigger deal than is that this is a bigger deal than perhaps you think it is. And here's why. perhaps you think it is. And here's why. perhaps you think it is. And here's why. And don't leave early or don't be You And don't leave early or don't be You And don't leave early or don't be You can be offended, but stick around. This can be offended, but stick around. This can be offended, but stick around. This may be offensive. may be offensive. may be offensive. You can't fully follow Jesus. You know, You can't fully follow Jesus. You know, You can't fully follow Jesus. You know, that's what we talk about, follow Jesus. that's what we talk about, follow Jesus. that's what we talk about, follow Jesus. Jesus' initial invitation in the in the Jesus' initial invitation in the in the Jesus' initial invitation in the in the Gospels is follow me. Gospels is follow me. Gospels is follow me. You can't be a fully devoted devoted You You can't be a fully devoted devoted You You can't be a fully devoted devoted You can't be a fully devoted follower of can't be a fully devoted follower of can't be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Jesus Jesus until you settle this. And here's here's until you settle this. And here's here's until you settle this. And here's here's why. why. why. Because Because Because God's love for you God's love for you, God's love for you God's love for you, God's love for you God's love for you, we talk about this all the time, is we talk about this all the time, is we talk about this all the time, is supposed to inform and define how you supposed to inform and define how you supposed to inform and define how you love the people love the people love the people around you. That how we love, how we around you. That how we love, how we around you. That how we love, how we treat others is central. How we love and treat others is central. How we love and treat others is central. How we love and how we treat others is central to how we treat others is central to how we treat others is central to following Jesus. Christianity is a one following Jesus. Christianity is a one following Jesus. Christianity is a one another way of life. And here's the another way of life. And here's the another way of life. And here's the thing. You can't give what you haven't thing. You can't give what you haven't thing. You can't give what you haven't received. Or to put it a different way, received. Or to put it a different way, received. Or to put it a different way, you can't give, in this case, what you you can't give, in this case, what you you can't give, in this case, what you haven't yet haven't yet haven't yet accepted.

accepted. accepted. And yet that is the essence of following And yet that is the essence of following And yet that is the essence of following Jesus. So, with that in mind, I'm going Jesus. So, with that in mind, I'm going Jesus. So, with that in mind, I'm going to read a verse. I've read this verse so to read a verse. I've read this verse so to read a verse. I've read this verse so many times. I hope it's committed to many times. I hope it's committed to many times. I hope it's committed to memory. You didn't You know that you've memory. You didn't You know that you've memory. You didn't You know that you've memorized it accidentally cuz I keep memorized it accidentally cuz I keep memorized it accidentally cuz I keep coming back to it. Jesus is gathered coming back to it. Jesus is gathered coming back to it. Jesus is gathered with his apostles during the final with his apostles during the final with his apostles during the final Passover and he says to them Passover and he says to them Passover and he says to them in order that he would say that to the in order that he would say that to the in order that he would say that to the next generation of Christians and next generation of Christians and next generation of Christians and eventually to us. He says, "Here's what eventually to us. He says, "Here's what eventually to us. He says, "Here's what I want you to do. Here's the one I want you to do. Here's the one I want you to do. Here's the one command. This is my I'm only giving you command. This is my I'm only giving you command. This is my I'm only giving you one command. Not 10, not 106 613. This one command. Not 10, not 106 613. This one command. Not 10, not 106 613. This is one command. You're to love one is one command. You're to love one is one command. You're to love one another, and here it is, as I have loved another, and here it is, as I have loved another, and here it is, as I have loved you. you. you. That you are to love one another as I That you are to love one another as I That you are to love one another as I have loved you. That you are to take the have loved you. That you are to take the have loved you. That you are to take the love you've experienced from me, this is love you've experienced from me, this is love you've experienced from me, this is Jesus talking to the men he'd spent 3 Jesus talking to the men he'd spent 3 Jesus talking to the men he'd spent 3 and 1/2 years with. You're to take the and 1/2 years with. You're to take the and 1/2 years with. You're to take the love you have experienced from me, and love you have experienced from me, and love you have experienced from me, and you know I love you guys, and you know you know I love you guys, and you know you know I love you guys, and you know how I love you, and you've seen me love how I love you, and you've seen me love how I love you, and you've seen me love my enemies. In fact, tomorrow you're my enemies. In fact, tomorrow you're my enemies. In fact, tomorrow you're going to see a demonstration of love going to see a demonstration of love going to see a demonstration of love that's going to take your breath away that's going to take your breath away that's going to take your breath away because it takes my breath away. So, you because it takes my breath away. So, you because it takes my breath away. So, you know the depth of my love for you. And know the depth of my love for you. And know the depth of my love for you. And as I've loved you, you must love one as I've loved you, you must love one as I've loved you, you must love one another. And here's the thing.

another. And here's the thing. another. And here's the thing. If we haven't, or if you haven't come to If we haven't, or if you haven't come to If we haven't, or if you haven't come to grips with grips with grips with If you haven't accepted and surrendered If you haven't accepted and surrendered If you haven't accepted and surrendered to God's love for you, to God's love for you, to God's love for you, here's the problem. You can't here's the problem. You can't here's the problem. You can't do this. You can't as I have because you do this. You can't as I have because you do this. You can't as I have because you have not yet come to grips with as he have not yet come to grips with as he have not yet come to grips with as he has has has for for for you. This explains something that's true you. This explains something that's true you. This explains something that's true of some of you, not all of you. This of some of you, not all of you. This of some of you, not all of you. This explains why you're quick to agree that explains why you're quick to agree that explains why you're quick to agree that you're not perfect. I mean, well, I'm you're not perfect. I mean, well, I'm you're not perfect. I mean, well, I'm not perfect. I'm not perfect. You're not perfect. I'm not perfect. You're not perfect. I'm not perfect. You're quick to agree that you're not perfect, quick to agree that you're not perfect, quick to agree that you're not perfect, and yet at the same time you are quick and yet at the same time you are quick and yet at the same time you are quick to judge other people for not being to judge other people for not being to judge other people for not being perfect, which is just weird. perfect, which is just weird. perfect, which is just weird. And we all have a tendency to do it. And we all have a tendency to do it. And we all have a tendency to do it. It's like, I'm not perfect. You know, he It's like, I'm not perfect. You know, he It's like, I'm not perfect. You know, he ought to she ought to he ought Why do ought to she ought to he ought Why do ought to she ought to he ought Why do they Why does he Why do I'm not perfect. they Why does he Why do I'm not perfect. they Why does he Why do I'm not perfect. It's like, what's up with you? Here's It's like, what's up with you? Here's It's like, what's up with you? Here's what's up with you. The reason there's what's up with you. The reason there's what's up with you. The reason there's that That's not ambivalence, but the that That's not ambivalence, but the that That's not ambivalence, but the reason there's a built-in contradiction it's not until you come to grips with it's not until you come to grips with God's love for you that you can extend God's love for you that you can extend God's love for you that you can extend that same kind of love and grace and that same kind of love and grace and that same kind of love and grace and mercy to other people the way that God mercy to other people the way that God mercy to other people the way that God has extended it to you. If you haven't has extended it to you. If you haven't has extended it to you. If you haven't received it, received it, received it, if you haven't embraced it, if you haven't embraced it, if you haven't embraced it, it doesn't dwell in you to dish out to it doesn't dwell in you to dish out to it doesn't dwell in you to dish out to other people. And you always, even other people. And you always, even other people. And you always, even though you're not perfect, you will though you're not perfect, you will though you're not perfect, you will always have a thread of judge of of always have a thread of judge of of always have a thread of judge of of unhealthy, toxic, judgmentalism unhealthy, toxic, judgmentalism unhealthy, toxic, judgmentalism in you. So, here's the point.

in you. So, here's the point. in you. So, here's the point. You need to settle this. You need to settle this. You need to settle this. Today. Today. Today. And I'm going to try to help. So, to And I'm going to try to help. So, to And I'm going to try to help. So, to begin with, I guess we can all kind of begin with, I guess we can all kind of begin with, I guess we can all kind of go on this journey together. To begin go on this journey together. To begin go on this journey together. To begin with, if at some point over the next few with, if at some point over the next few with, if at some point over the next few minutes, in fact, for some of you this minutes, in fact, for some of you this minutes, in fact, for some of you this has already happened, all right? At some has already happened, all right? At some has already happened, all right? At some point over the next few minutes, you point over the next few minutes, you point over the next few minutes, you find yourself thinking, "Yeah, Andy, find yourself thinking, "Yeah, Andy, find yourself thinking, "Yeah, Andy, whatever, whatever. You don't know me. whatever, whatever. You don't know me. whatever, whatever. You don't know me. You don't know what I've done. You don't You don't know what I've done. You don't You don't know what I've done. You don't know what I'm up to. You don't know what know what I'm up to. You don't know what know what I'm up to. You don't know what I'm planning this afternoon. You don't I'm planning this afternoon. You don't I'm planning this afternoon. You don't know what I'm planning this week. You know what I'm planning this week. You know what I'm planning this week. You don't know anything about me. You don't don't know anything about me. You don't don't know anything about me. You don't know how I was raised. Okay, so yeah, know how I was raised. Okay, so yeah, know how I was raised. Okay, so yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah. But you don't yeah, blah, blah, blah. But you don't yeah, blah, blah, blah. But you don't know me." Here's This is so important. know me." Here's This is so important. know me." Here's This is so important. If this comes to mind, or any version of If this comes to mind, or any version of If this comes to mind, or any version of this comes to mind, or has already come this comes to mind, or has already come this comes to mind, or has already come to mind, this is important. You have to mind, this is important. You have to mind, this is important. You have just put your finger directly on the just put your finger directly on the just put your finger directly on the issue that needs to be addressed. issue that needs to be addressed. issue that needs to be addressed. For reasons that are completely For reasons that are completely For reasons that are completely understandable, and what I mean by that understandable, and what I mean by that understandable, and what I mean by that is if I heard your story, if I heard is if I heard your story, if I heard is if I heard your story, if I heard your story, if you were to tell me your your story, if you were to tell me your your story, if you were to tell me your story, I would go, "Yeah, no wonder." story, I would go, "Yeah, no wonder." story, I would go, "Yeah, no wonder." So, I'm just I'm you know, I I get this. So, I'm just I'm you know, I I get this. So, I'm just I'm you know, I I get this. For For reasons that are completely For For reasons that are completely For For reasons that are completely understandable, understandable, understandable, you've been led to believe you've been led to believe you've been led to believe that God's love and acceptance of you is that God's love and acceptance of you is that God's love and acceptance of you is contingent upon something to do contingent upon something to do contingent upon something to do with you.

with you. with you. It's not. It's not. It's not. That's some other religion. That's some That's some other religion. That's some That's some other religion. That's some version of Christianity that is a version of Christianity that is a version of Christianity that is a distortion of what Jesus came to distortion of what Jesus came to distortion of what Jesus came to communicate. You remember the angels at communicate. You remember the angels at communicate. You remember the angels at Christmas? We only talk about these Christmas? We only talk about these Christmas? We only talk about these verses at Christmas, which is verses at Christmas, which is verses at Christmas, which is unfortunate. The announcement of the unfortunate. The announcement of the unfortunate. The announcement of the birth of Jesus, think about this. The birth of Jesus, think about this. The birth of Jesus, think about this. The announcement, the big broad for the announcement, the big broad for the announcement, the big broad for the world, the announcement of the birth of world, the announcement of the birth of world, the announcement of the birth of Jesus was this. Jesus was this. Jesus was this. Good news Good news Good news of great joy for all people. of great joy for all people. of great joy for all people. And what made it good news of great joy And what made it good news of great joy And what made it good news of great joy for all people? What made it good news? for all people? What made it good news? for all people? What made it good news? What makes it hard to believe news? What What makes it hard to believe news? What What makes it hard to believe news? What makes it, you know, easy to dismiss good makes it, you know, easy to dismiss good makes it, you know, easy to dismiss good news? Is that God's love for news? Is that God's love for news? Is that God's love for and God's acceptance of you and God's acceptance of you and God's acceptance of you is not contingent upon is not contingent upon is not contingent upon does not depend upon does not depend upon does not depend upon is not diminished by is not thwarted by is not diminished by is not thwarted by is not diminished by is not thwarted by is not thwarted by is not thwarted by is not thwarted by you. you. you. Ready? Ready? Ready? God's love for you God's love for you God's love for you is beyond is beyond is beyond your control.

your control. your control. You don't have a say in the matter. You don't have a say in the matter. You don't have a say in the matter. He decided. He decided. He decided. Take your best shot. Take your best shot. Take your best shot. Crucify his son Crucify his son Crucify his son and he will simply forgive you and he will simply forgive you and he will simply forgive you from the cross. from the cross. from the cross. Now, you shouldn't take my word for it. Now, you shouldn't take my word for it. Now, you shouldn't take my word for it. What do I know, right? Just a preacher, What do I know, right? Just a preacher, What do I know, right? Just a preacher, right? right? right? Let me tell you whose word you should Let me tell you whose word you should Let me tell you whose word you should take from him for take from him for take from him for take [clears throat] this take this take [clears throat] this take this take [clears throat] this take this from. from. from. The Apostle Paul. Let me tell you tell The Apostle Paul. Let me tell you tell The Apostle Paul. Let me tell you tell you tell you why. The Apostle Paul you tell you why. The Apostle Paul you tell you why. The Apostle Paul labeled himself. You know this if you labeled himself. You know this if you labeled himself. You know this if you read the New Testament. He called read the New Testament. He called read the New Testament. He called himself the chief of sinners. In other himself the chief of sinners. In other himself the chief of sinners. In other words, he's like, "You think you're a words, he's like, "You think you're a words, he's like, "You think you're a sinner? You ain't got nothing on me. sinner? You ain't got nothing on me. sinner? You ain't got nothing on me. When you hear my story, you're going to When you hear my story, you're going to When you hear my story, you're going to be like, 'Okay, I bow out. You win the be like, 'Okay, I bow out. You win the be like, 'Okay, I bow out. You win the sinner competition, okay?'" He says, "I sinner competition, okay?'" He says, "I sinner competition, okay?'" He says, "I am the chief of sinners." And because of am the chief of sinners." And because of am the chief of sinners." And because of the Apostle because of when he lived, the Apostle because of when he lived, the Apostle because of when he lived, because of who he knew, because of who because of who he knew, because of who because of who he knew, because of who he met, because of what he did for a he met, because of what he did for a he met, because of what he did for a living, he is the best person to go to living, he is the best person to go to living, he is the best person to go to who knows who has a perspective on this who knows who has a perspective on this who knows who has a perspective on this like no one who has ever lived and no like no one who has ever lived and no like no one who has ever lived and no one who will ever live.

one who will ever live. one who will ever live. His doubt in terms of God's love for His doubt in terms of God's love for His doubt in terms of God's love for him, his guilt over what he had done, him, his guilt over what he had done, him, his guilt over what he had done, his shame clouds were massive. His shame his shame clouds were massive. His shame his shame clouds were massive. His shame and his guilt and shame clouds were like and his guilt and shame clouds were like and his guilt and shame clouds were like thunderheads. If you know his story, he thunderheads. If you know his story, he thunderheads. If you know his story, he arrested, tortured, and oversaw the arrested, tortured, and oversaw the arrested, tortured, and oversaw the execution of Christians for being execution of Christians for being execution of Christians for being Christians. He was Nero before Nero. Christians. He was Nero before Nero. Christians. He was Nero before Nero. So, Paul is an expert on this topic. And So, Paul is an expert on this topic. And So, Paul is an expert on this topic. And here's what makes him an expert as well. here's what makes him an expert as well. here's what makes him an expert as well. Before he met Jesus, he was a Pharisee. Before he met Jesus, he was a Pharisee. Before he met Jesus, he was a Pharisee. Before he met Jesus, he wasn't just any Before he met Jesus, he wasn't just any Before he met Jesus, he wasn't just any Pharisee. Before he met Jesus, he worked Pharisee. Before he met Jesus, he worked Pharisee. Before he met Jesus, he worked his entire life to earn and deserve a his entire life to earn and deserve a his entire life to earn and deserve a right standing with God. To earn and right standing with God. To earn and right standing with God. To earn and deserve the love of God. Here's what he deserve the love of God. Here's what he deserve the love of God. Here's what he says about himself. This is He's says about himself. This is He's says about himself. This is He's bragging, but he's bragging in order to bragging, but he's bragging in order to bragging, but he's bragging in order to make the point he wants all of us to make the point he wants all of us to make the point he wants all of us to understand. understand. understand. He says this. He says, "If someone else, He says this. He says, "If someone else, He says this. He says, "If someone else, that's you and me, if anybody else, if that's you and me, if anybody else, if that's you and me, if anybody else, if someone else thinks they have reasons to someone else thinks they have reasons to someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh." Meaning, put confidence in the flesh." Meaning, put confidence in the flesh." Meaning, if there's somebody out there that if there's somebody out there that if there's somebody out there that thinks they are so good and they're so thinks they are so good and they're so thinks they are so good and they're so holy and they're so perfect and they're holy and they're so perfect and they're holy and they're so perfect and they're so pure and their performance and their so pure and their performance and their so pure and their performance and their obedience is so outstanding and and obedience is so outstanding and and obedience is so outstanding and and there's there if they think they're like there's there if they think they're like there's there if they think they're like the greatest rule keepers ever, the greatest rule keepers ever, the greatest rule keepers ever, he says, "Huh, you're kidding. You're he says, "Huh, you're kidding. You're he says, "Huh, you're kidding. You're kidding yourself. I have more." He says, kidding yourself. I have more." He says, kidding yourself. I have more." He says, "I would put my obedience to God and my "I would put my obedience to God and my "I would put my obedience to God and my rule keeping at in terms of obeying rule keeping at in terms of obeying rule keeping at in terms of obeying Torah and obeying God, I would put my Torah and obeying God, I would put my Torah and obeying God, I would put my obey obedience to God up against yours obey obedience to God up against yours obey obedience to God up against yours any day and I would win the obedience any day and I would win the obedience any day and I would win the obedience contest."

contest." contest." Then he says some things that don't mean Then he says some things that don't mean Then he says some things that don't mean anything to us, but for his Judean anything to us, but for his Judean anything to us, but for his Judean audience, his first-century audience, audience, his first-century audience, audience, his first-century audience, this was like, "Whoa." He says, "Look, this was like, "Whoa." He says, "Look, this was like, "Whoa." He says, "Look, here's look, I started even before I here's look, I started even before I here's look, I started even before I knew what I was doing. I was circumcised knew what I was doing. I was circumcised knew what I was doing. I was circumcised on the eighth day as Torah commanded. Uh on the eighth day as Torah commanded. Uh on the eighth day as Torah commanded. Uh um I'm of the [clears throat] people of um I'm of the [clears throat] people of um I'm of the [clears throat] people of Israel. Not only that, I'm of the tribe Israel. Not only that, I'm of the tribe Israel. Not only that, I'm of the tribe of Benjamin, which is the exalted tribe. of Benjamin, which is the exalted tribe. of Benjamin, which is the exalted tribe. And I'm a Hebrew of Hebrews, which And I'm a Hebrew of Hebrews, which And I'm a Hebrew of Hebrews, which really means in our vernacular, I can really means in our vernacular, I can really means in our vernacular, I can out-Jew any of the Jews. I'm like the out-Jew any of the Jews. I'm like the out-Jew any of the Jews. I'm like the Jew of all Jews. I mean, good luck Jew of all Jews. I mean, good luck Jew of all Jews. I mean, good luck competing with me, you'll never win. competing with me, you'll never win. competing with me, you'll never win. In regard to the law, again, this In regard to the law, again, this In regard to the law, again, this doesn't mean much to us. He says, "When doesn't mean much to us. He says, "When doesn't mean much to us. He says, "When it comes to Torah, keeping the law, it comes to Torah, keeping the law, it comes to Torah, keeping the law, keeping the rules, let me tell you, I keeping the rules, let me tell you, I keeping the rules, let me tell you, I was a Pharisee. The Pharisees were the was a Pharisee. The Pharisees were the was a Pharisee. The Pharisees were the ones that were the most meticulous rule ones that were the most meticulous rule ones that were the most meticulous rule keepers and the most meticulous law keepers and the most meticulous law keepers and the most meticulous law keepers. They abided by all the minutia keepers. They abided by all the minutia keepers. They abided by all the minutia of the law. It drove people crazy. It of the law. It drove people crazy. It of the law. It drove people crazy. It made people feel like, 'Well, if that's made people feel like, 'Well, if that's made people feel like, 'Well, if that's what we have to do to please God, I'll what we have to do to please God, I'll what we have to do to please God, I'll never please God. And Paul's like, I never please God. And Paul's like, I never please God. And Paul's like, I pulled it off. Perfect pedigree, a pulled it off. Perfect pedigree, a pulled it off. Perfect pedigree, a strict law of God keeper, a rule keeper. strict law of God keeper, a rule keeper. strict law of God keeper, a rule keeper. His words, he says, "As for His words, he says, "As for His words, he says, "As for righteousness or right standing with righteousness or right standing with righteousness or right standing with God, as for righteousness based on the God, as for righteousness based on the God, as for righteousness based on the law, what God told us to do, law, what God told us to do, law, what God told us to do, A plus, faultless."

And then he met And then he met his resurrected king. his resurrected king. his resurrected king. Then he had a conversation with Then he had a conversation with Then he had a conversation with resurrected Jesus, and he realized he resurrected Jesus, and he realized he resurrected Jesus, and he realized he had it all had it all had it all wrong. wrong. wrong. That his flawless rule keeping, that his That his flawless rule keeping, that his That his flawless rule keeping, that his flawless law keeping, didn't earn him flawless law keeping, didn't earn him flawless law keeping, didn't earn him anything. anything. anything. And here's why he said it was amazing. And here's why he said it was amazing. And here's why he said it was amazing. On one hand, his flawless rule keeping On one hand, his flawless rule keeping On one hand, his flawless rule keeping didn't earn God's love, didn't earn God's love, didn't earn God's love, and his merciless persecution and and his merciless persecution and and his merciless persecution and execution of Christians execution of Christians execution of Christians didn't erase didn't erase didn't erase God's love. He says this. He says this. He says, "Whatever He says, "Whatever He says, "Whatever Whatever were gains to me, in other Whatever were gains to me, in other Whatever were gains to me, in other words, all the things I thought I had words, all the things I thought I had words, all the things I thought I had done to earn God's love or right done to earn God's love or right done to earn God's love or right standing with God, that God would stand standing with God, that God would stand standing with God, that God would stand up and applaud me one day when I came to up and applaud me one day when I came to up and applaud me one day when I came to heaven, all the things, whatever were heaven, all the things, whatever were heaven, all the things, whatever were gains to me, I now consider them lost gains to me, I now consider them lost gains to me, I now consider them lost for the sake for the sake for the sake of Christ." of Christ." of Christ." To which somebody reading this would be To which somebody reading this would be To which somebody reading this would be like, "Okay, what do you mean you like, "Okay, what do you mean you like, "Okay, what do you mean you consider them at loss?" He said, "Let me consider them at loss?" He said, "Let me consider them at loss?" He said, "Let me just be graphic.

just be graphic. just be graphic. I consider them garbage." So, "Wait, I consider them garbage." So, "Wait, I consider them garbage." So, "Wait, wait, wait, what?" He goes, "Yeah, I did wait, wait, what?" He goes, "Yeah, I did wait, wait, what?" He goes, "Yeah, I did all that stuff thinking I was earning all that stuff thinking I was earning all that stuff thinking I was earning God's pleasure, that I was earning God's God's pleasure, that I was earning God's God's pleasure, that I was earning God's love, that I was earning that there was love, that I was earning that there was love, that I was earning that there was some kind of massive, you know, cosmic some kind of massive, you know, cosmic some kind of massive, you know, cosmic scorekeeper, and I was I was rated above scorekeeper, and I was I was rated above scorekeeper, and I was I was rated above other people. I was such a good person." other people. I was such a good person." other people. I was such a good person." I look back on that season of my life I look back on that season of my life I look back on that season of my life now, and I'm like, "That was garbage." now, and I'm like, "That was garbage." now, and I'm like, "That was garbage." That every act of obedience to win God's That every act of obedience to win God's That every act of obedience to win God's approval, garbage. approval, garbage. approval, garbage. And then he goes on to say over and over And then he goes on to say over and over And then he goes on to say over and over in his letters because the approval of in his letters because the approval of in his letters because the approval of God God God and the acceptance of God and acceptance and the acceptance of God and acceptance and the acceptance of God and acceptance by God isn't gained by by God isn't gained by by God isn't gained by a righteousness, these are his words, a a righteousness, these are his words, a a righteousness, these are his words, a righteousness of my own that comes from righteousness of my own that comes from righteousness of my own that comes from law keeping. law keeping. law keeping. That's not what God's love That's not what God's love That's not what God's love is contingent upon. Our right standing is contingent upon. Our right standing is contingent upon. Our right standing with God doesn't come with God doesn't come with God doesn't come from from from the law.

the law. the law. It comes, you ready for this? Because It comes, you ready for this? Because It comes, you ready for this? Because then we would ask, okay, well, if that I then we would ask, okay, well, if that I then we would ask, okay, well, if that I mean his audience is like, wait, wait, mean his audience is like, wait, wait, mean his audience is like, wait, wait, wait. And some of you are thinking, wait. And some of you are thinking, wait. And some of you are thinking, wait. wait. wait. I- okay, if if being obedient and being I- okay, if if being obedient and being I- okay, if if being obedient and being a law keeper and a rule follower and a law keeper and a rule follower and a law keeper and a rule follower and doing everything God tells me to do or doing everything God tells me to do or doing everything God tells me to do or Jesus commands us to do, if that doesn't Jesus commands us to do, if that doesn't Jesus commands us to do, if that doesn't gain me brownie points, if that doesn't gain me brownie points, if that doesn't gain me brownie points, if that doesn't gain God's love, if that doesn't keep me gain God's love, if that doesn't keep me gain God's love, if that doesn't keep me in right standing with God, then how do in right standing with God, then how do in right standing with God, then how do we do it? And Paul's like, I'm glad you we do it? And Paul's like, I'm glad you we do it? And Paul's like, I'm glad you asked. asked. asked. Because this is what changed me. Because this is what changed me. Because this is what changed me. Th- This is why I spent the rest of my Th- This is why I spent the rest of my Th- This is why I spent the rest of my life risking my life planting churches life risking my life planting churches life risking my life planting churches around the Mediterranean rim. That God around the Mediterranean rim. That God around the Mediterranean rim. That God had done something for the world and it had done something for the world and it had done something for the world and it was nothing like the pagan gods. It was was nothing like the pagan gods. It was was nothing like the pagan gods. It was nothing like we were raised to believe. nothing like we were raised to believe. nothing like we were raised to believe. You couldn't sacrifice your way into his You couldn't sacrifice your way into his You couldn't sacrifice your way into his good graces. You couldn't slaughter good graces. You couldn't slaughter good graces. You couldn't slaughter enough animals to win your God's good enough animals to win your God's good enough animals to win your God's good favor. You couldn't go to the temple for favor. You couldn't go to the temple for favor. You couldn't go to the temple for long enough. There was This is what long enough. There was This is what long enough. There was This is what changed everything. changed everything. changed everything. So then, how do we So then, how do we So then, how do we find out where we stand with God and how find out where we stand with God and how find out where we stand with God and how do we And he says, I'm I'm going to tell do we And he says, I'm I'm going to tell do we And he says, I'm I'm going to tell you. you. you. He says, it's so simple He says, it's so simple He says, it's so simple that it comes through faith in Christ.

that it comes through faith in Christ. that it comes through faith in Christ. The righteousness, the right standing The righteousness, the right standing The righteousness, the right standing with God that comes from Pause, this is with God that comes from Pause, this is with God that comes from Pause, this is important. important. important. This is a little offensive. This is a little offensive. This is a little offensive. This may hurt your feelings. In fact, This may hurt your feelings. In fact, This may hurt your feelings. In fact, the better you are, the more of your the better you are, the more of your the better you are, the more of your feelings this is going to hurt. feelings this is going to hurt. feelings this is going to hurt. Because Paul did everything right Because Paul did everything right Because Paul did everything right according to Torah. And when he according to Torah. And when he according to Torah. And when he discovered that discovered that discovered that his whole, the way he was measuring life his whole, the way he was measuring life his whole, the way he was measuring life and evaluating his life was all wrong and evaluating his life was all wrong and evaluating his life was all wrong and I'm sure more than hurt his and I'm sure more than hurt his and I'm sure more than hurt his feelings. feelings. feelings. Okay, look up here. If you think you Okay, look up here. If you think you Okay, look up here. If you think you have a say in the matter regarding God's have a say in the matter regarding God's have a say in the matter regarding God's love for you, love for you, love for you, that somehow you determine that somehow you determine that somehow you determine God's love for you, God's love for you, God's love for you, you overestimate yourself. And you vastly underestimate the love And you vastly underestimate the love and the grace and the mercy and the grace and the mercy and the grace and the mercy of God. of God. of God. And when that goes from here to here, And when that goes from here to here, And when that goes from here to here, you will change. you will change. you will change. You It's almost as if you won't have a You It's almost as if you won't have a You It's almost as if you won't have a choice because it changes choice because it changes choice because it changes you. Our right standing with God, here you. Our right standing with God, here you. Our right standing with God, here it is, comes from it is, comes from it is, comes from God. How? On the basis of or in response God. How? On the basis of or in response God. How? On the basis of or in response to. And this is the reorientation.

to. And this is the reorientation. to. And this is the reorientation. This is the change. This is the This is the change. This is the This is the change. This is the mind-boggling thing. This is the thing mind-boggling thing. This is the thing mind-boggling thing. This is the thing that when Once you you that when Once you you that when Once you you you're going to have to let go of some you're going to have to let go of some you're going to have to let go of some things. This is the thing that it things. This is the thing that it things. This is the thing that it doesn't even feel like it's right to do doesn't even feel like it's right to do doesn't even feel like it's right to do emotionally, maybe because of the way emotionally, maybe because of the way emotionally, maybe because of the way you were raised or perhaps because of you were raised or perhaps because of you were raised or perhaps because of what you heard from people like me who what you heard from people like me who what you heard from people like me who do what I do in places like this. This do what I do in places like this. This do what I do in places like this. This is the reorientation that removes, ready is the reorientation that removes, ready is the reorientation that removes, ready for this? for this? for this? This is what hurts our feelings. This is what hurts our feelings. This is what hurts our feelings. It removes us from the equation. It removes us from the equation. It removes us from the equation. Because God's love isn't earned. It is Because God's love isn't earned. It is Because God's love isn't earned. It is unearnable. unearnable. unearnable. It's a gift. It's a gift. It's a gift. And it's a gift that has already been And it's a gift that has already been And it's a gift that has already been given to given to given to you. you. you. But, this is why we're talking about it. But, this is why we're talking about it. But, this is why we're talking about it. It's a gift that isn't experienced. It's a gift that isn't experienced. It's a gift that isn't experienced. It's a gift that doesn't impact our It's a gift that doesn't impact our It's a gift that doesn't impact our behavior. It's a gift that doesn't behavior. It's a gift that doesn't behavior. It's a gift that doesn't impact our our tendency to be impact our our tendency to be impact our our tendency to be judgemental. It's a gift that isn't judgemental. It's a gift that isn't judgemental. It's a gift that isn't experienced until it's recognized and experienced until it's recognized and experienced until it's recognized and received, here's the key, by faith. received, here's the key, by faith. received, here's the key, by faith. Now, this is so important. If you're Now, this is so important. If you're Now, this is so important. If you're playing with your phone at home, please playing with your phone at home, please playing with your phone at home, please just give me your undivided attention.

just give me your undivided attention. just give me your undivided attention. This is so important. Why faith? This is so important. Why faith? This is so important. Why faith? Throughout the ministry of Jesus, the Throughout the ministry of Jesus, the Throughout the ministry of Jesus, the teaching of Jesus, it's by faith. It's teaching of Jesus, it's by faith. It's teaching of Jesus, it's by faith. It's believe, believe in, believe in, believe believe, believe in, believe in, believe believe, believe in, believe in, believe in, which means trust in, trust in, in, which means trust in, trust in, in, which means trust in, trust in, trust in. trust in. trust in. The reason it's by faith, this is so The reason it's by faith, this is so The reason it's by faith, this is so important, is because it's true. important, is because it's true. important, is because it's true. Now, here's the thing. In some branches Now, here's the thing. In some branches Now, here's the thing. In some branches of Christianity, I don't know what kind of Christianity, I don't know what kind of Christianity, I don't know what kind of church you were raised in or what of church you were raised in or what of church you were raised in or what kind of faith system, you got the kind of faith system, you got the kind of faith system, you got the feeling that in order to that the way feeling that in order to that the way feeling that in order to that the way you make something true is by believing you make something true is by believing you make something true is by believing it. If you believe it, it'll become it. If you believe it, it'll become it. If you believe it, it'll become true. You kind of believe it into true. You kind of believe it into true. You kind of believe it into existence. That's magic. That is not existence. That's magic. That is not existence. That's magic. That is not Christianity. Christianity. Christianity. That's some other religion. That's some That's some other religion. That's some That's some other religion. That's some distortion of Christianity. Read the distortion of Christianity. Read the distortion of Christianity. Read the gospels. The reason we are called to gospels. The reason we are called to gospels. The reason we are called to believe believe believe is because it's already true. It's is because it's already true. It's is because it's already true. It's already happened. You aren't making already happened. You aren't making already happened. You aren't making something happen. You aren't creating something happen. You aren't creating something happen. You aren't creating something new. You're not changing something new. You're not changing something new. You're not changing anything. Believe it, isn't it true if anything. Believe it, isn't it true if anything. Believe it, isn't it true if you just take get out of the religious you just take get out of the religious you just take get out of the religious context for a second and think about context for a second and think about context for a second and think about something you believe is true or you something you believe is true or you something you believe is true or you didn't believe it was true and then you didn't believe it was true and then you didn't believe it was true and then you did believe it was true. You began did believe it was true. You began did believe it was true. You began believing it was true because you were believing it was true because you were believing it was true because you were convinced it's real. You didn't make it convinced it's real. You didn't make it convinced it's real. You didn't make it true by believing.

true by believing. true by believing. You embraced it by believing. And this You embraced it by believing. And this You embraced it by believing. And this is Paul's message and this is Jesus' is Paul's message and this is Jesus' is Paul's message and this is Jesus' message and this is the invitation to message and this is the invitation to message and this is the invitation to the whole world. the whole world. the whole world. That it's true. It is happened. It is That it's true. It is happened. It is That it's true. It is happened. It is done. It is a reality. done. It is a reality. done. It is a reality. And your role And your role And your role and my role and my role and my role is simple. is simple. is simple. Because it's true, we simply believe it we simply believe it and receive it. And then here's the life and receive it. And then here's the life and receive it. And then here's the life change. change. change. And rest in it. Ready for this? Ready for this? This is amazing. This is amazing. This is amazing. And if you refuse, Here's Here's Paul's version of God loves you anyway. Paul's version of God loves you anyway. Paul's version of God loves you anyway. Mine is short, his is long, okay? Mine Mine is short, his is long, okay? Mine Mine is short, his is long, okay? Mine is simple, his is complicated because is simple, his is complicated because is simple, his is complicated because he's the Apostle Paul, okay? But listen he's the Apostle Paul, okay? But listen he's the Apostle Paul, okay? But listen to these words. Now, let me tell you who to these words. Now, let me tell you who to these words. Now, let me tell you who he's writing to. This is so important. he's writing to. This is so important. he's writing to. This is so important. If you're from a different faith If you're from a different faith If you're from a different faith tradition or used to be a Christian and tradition or used to be a Christian and tradition or used to be a Christian and you walked away, uh uh you know, if you you walked away, uh uh you know, if you you walked away, uh uh you know, if you walked away from Christianity, I just walked away from Christianity, I just walked away from Christianity, I just want to believe you had good reason to.

want to believe you had good reason to. want to believe you had good reason to. You wouldn't do that otherwise, right? You wouldn't do that otherwise, right? You wouldn't do that otherwise, right? You met somebody, experienced something, You met somebody, experienced something, You met somebody, experienced something, somebody mistreated your mom. I I get somebody mistreated your mom. I I get somebody mistreated your mom. I I get that, but I just just listen to this that, but I just just listen to this that, but I just just listen to this second. Paul is The words I'm about to second. Paul is The words I'm about to second. Paul is The words I'm about to to read come from a first-century to read come from a first-century to read come from a first-century document. We call it the Book of Romans. document. We call it the Book of Romans. document. We call it the Book of Romans. It's not really a book, it's a letter to It's not really a book, it's a letter to It's not really a book, it's a letter to Christians, Jewish and Gentile Christians, Jewish and Gentile Christians, Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome. Now, here's the Christians in Rome. Now, here's the Christians in Rome. Now, here's the kicker. He'd never been to Rome. kicker. He'd never been to Rome. kicker. He'd never been to Rome. He doesn't know who's going to read He doesn't know who's going to read He doesn't know who's going to read this. this. this. He doesn't know who this is for. He has He doesn't know who this is for. He has He doesn't know who this is for. He has a few names. a few names. a few names. But this is a This is a letter that's But this is a This is a letter that's But this is a This is a letter that's going to be delivered and read to anyone going to be delivered and read to anyone going to be delivered and read to anyone who can gather and listen to it. And it who can gather and listen to it. And it who can gather and listen to it. And it was so important, again, it was copied was so important, again, it was copied was so important, again, it was copied and eventually survived the first and eventually survived the first and eventually survived the first century and ended up in our New century and ended up in our New century and ended up in our New Testament. But listen, he is saying the Testament. But listen, he is saying the Testament. But listen, he is saying the following words to people he hasn't met, following words to people he hasn't met, following words to people he hasn't met, which means which means which means what he's about to say is not what he's about to say is not what he's about to say is not conditioned on anything they've done or conditioned on anything they've done or conditioned on anything they've done or haven't done. haven't done. haven't done. He's writing this to you. And I'm Before we put it up, here's how And I'm Before we put it up, here's how he begins. he begins. he begins. "For I am convinced "For I am convinced "For I am convinced Once upon a time, I was not convinced, Once upon a time, I was not convinced, Once upon a time, I was not convinced, but I am convinced. What convinced you, but I am convinced. What convinced you, but I am convinced. What convinced you, Paul?" I'm telling you what convinced Paul?" I'm telling you what convinced Paul?" I'm telling you what convinced me. I was the best, I was the worst. One me. I was the best, I was the worst. One me. I was the best, I was the worst. One didn't win me favor and one didn't knock didn't win me favor and one didn't knock didn't win me favor and one didn't knock me out of favor because I am not a me out of favor because I am not a me out of favor because I am not a factor in the love of God.

Tell us, Paul. Tell us, Paul. "For I'm convinced that neither "For I'm convinced that neither "For I'm convinced that neither death death death nor life nor life nor life Even death? Even death. Even death? Even death. Even death? Even death. Neither angels nor demons. Let's go from Neither angels nor demons. Let's go from Neither angels nor demons. Let's go from one extreme to the other. one extreme to the other. one extreme to the other. Neither the present what you're doing Neither the present what you're doing Neither the present what you're doing now, what's going on right now, or what now, what's going on right now, or what now, what's going on right now, or what you do, or what happens in the future. you do, or what happens in the future. you do, or what happens in the future. What? What? Whoa, wait, Paul, we got to What? What? Whoa, wait, Paul, we got to What? What? Whoa, wait, Paul, we got to hit the brakes right here. The future, hit the brakes right here. The future, hit the brakes right here. The future, whoa, whoa, whoa. whoa, whoa, whoa. whoa, whoa, whoa. In other words, In other words, In other words, what you're about to say isn't impacted what you're about to say isn't impacted what you're about to say isn't impacted by anything that happens in the future. by anything that happens in the future. by anything that happens in the future. Paul's like, I'm convinced it's not. Paul's like, I'm convinced it's not. Paul's like, I'm convinced it's not. Because you're not a factor Because you're not a factor Because you're not a factor in determining God's love for you. in determining God's love for you. in determining God's love for you. Nor the future, nor any powers, Nor the future, nor any powers, Nor the future, nor any powers, including your power, my power, my including your power, my power, my including your power, my power, my performance. performance. performance. Neither, he goes on, neither height Neither, he goes on, neither height Neither, he goes on, neither height nor depth nor depth nor depth nor anything else in all creation. Did I nor anything else in all creation. Did I nor anything else in all creation. Did I miss anything? Just This is kind of the miss anything? Just This is kind of the miss anything? Just This is kind of the catch-all. Anything in all creation catch-all. Anything in all creation catch-all. Anything in all creation will be able to separate will be able to separate will be able to separate us. Paul, who are you talking to?

From the love From the love of God of God of God that is recognized in that is recognized in that is recognized in demonstrated demonstrated demonstrated by by by Matthew. I want you to follow me. I want you to follow me. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. He's a tax collector. He's a tax collector. He's a tax collector. I know. Matthew. I know. Matthew. I know. Matthew. I want you to Jesus, nobody likes him. I want you to Jesus, nobody likes him. I want you to Jesus, nobody likes him. He's a traitor. He's a traitor. He's a traitor. Okay, if he follows us, Okay, if he follows us, Okay, if he follows us, it's going to destroy our reputation. it's going to destroy our reputation. it's going to destroy our reputation. Shh. Matthew. Just read the gospels. Just read the gospels. Us. Us. Us. Will be able to separate us from the Will be able to separate us from the Will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in demonstrated love of God that is in demonstrated love of God that is in demonstrated by King Jesus by King Jesus by King Jesus our Lord. Here's our Lord. Here's our Lord. Here's the point. the point. the point. Like me as a kid, you may have accepted Like me as a kid, you may have accepted Like me as a kid, you may have accepted Jesus as your savior. Jesus as your savior. Jesus as your savior. I mean, who wouldn't? I mean, I was 6 I mean, who wouldn't? I mean, I was 6 I mean, who wouldn't? I mean, I was 6 years old. years old. years old. And it was like, do you want to go to And it was like, do you want to go to And it was like, do you want to go to heaven or hell?

Pray this prayer. How many times? Pray this prayer. How many times? Every year at the end of camp, I prayed Every year at the end of camp, I prayed Every year at the end of camp, I prayed it again cuz I mean I want to end, you it again cuz I mean I want to end, you it again cuz I mean I want to end, you know. know. know. Some of you understand that? Some of you understand that? Some of you understand that? Yep. All the Baptist, yes, yep, yep. Yep. All the Baptist, yes, yep, yep. Yep. All the Baptist, yes, yep, yep. Evangelist comes along, makes you doubt Evangelist comes along, makes you doubt Evangelist comes along, makes you doubt your salvation. If you've done this, if your salvation. If you've done this, if your salvation. If you've done this, if you've done this, if you've done this, you've done this, if you've done this, you've done this, if you've done this, you can't really be a Christian. Even you can't really be a Christian. Even you can't really be a Christian. Even the Satan him say even the devil the Satan him say even the devil the Satan him say even the devil believes. It's like, oh my gosh. Paul says, Paul says, No. No. No. You may have accepted Jesus as your You may have accepted Jesus as your You may have accepted Jesus as your savior. I hope you have. Place your savior. I hope you have. Place your savior. I hope you have. Place your faith in Christ's death on the cross for faith in Christ's death on the cross for faith in Christ's death on the cross for your sins. But have you ever said yes your sins. But have you ever said yes your sins. But have you ever said yes to God's permanent, to God's permanent, to God's permanent, fixed, fixed, fixed, immutable, immutable, immutable, endurable, endurable, endurable, unrelenting, unrelenting, unrelenting, unchanging, unchanging, unchanging, it doesn't matter what you do, love it doesn't matter what you do, love it doesn't matter what you do, love for you? for you? for you? That That That is life-changing. And here's why. Don't is life-changing. And here's why. Don't is life-changing. And here's why. Don't Don't miss this. It's so important.

Don't miss this. It's so important. Don't miss this. It's so important. It's life-changing because ultimately it It's life-changing because ultimately it It's life-changing because ultimately it is his unconditional, undeserved love is his unconditional, undeserved love is his unconditional, undeserved love for you. for you. for you. Not his demands. Not his demands. Not his demands. If his demands could change your life, If his demands could change your life, If his demands could change your life, your life would be permanently changed your life would be permanently changed your life would be permanently changed if you grew up in church. But that's not if you grew up in church. But that's not if you grew up in church. But that's not enough, is it? Cuz you tried. enough, is it? Cuz you tried. enough, is it? Cuz you tried. It is not It's his immutable, It is not It's his immutable, It is not It's his immutable, unchangeable love for you, not his unchangeable love for you, not his unchangeable love for you, not his demands that melts our resistance. And bends our wills to his. And bends our wills to his. This is what empowers you to put away This is what empowers you to put away This is what empowers you to put away your unnecessary, your unnecessary, your unnecessary, toxic, judgmental heart. toxic, judgmental heart. toxic, judgmental heart. When you accept and understand what God When you accept and understand what God When you accept and understand what God has done for has done for has done for you. This is what empowers you to love you. This is what empowers you to love you. This is what empowers you to love as he loved, which is the essence of as he loved, which is the essence of as he loved, which is the essence of what it means to follow Jesus. Again, what it means to follow Jesus. Again, what it means to follow Jesus. Again, you can't fully follow, you can't be a you can't fully follow, you can't be a you can't fully follow, you can't be a fully devoted follower of Jesus until fully devoted follower of Jesus until fully devoted follower of Jesus until you come to terms with the Father's love you come to terms with the Father's love you come to terms with the Father's love for you. Until you come to terms with for you. Until you come to terms with for you. Until you come to terms with the fact that his love for you the fact that his love for you the fact that his love for you does not depend on you.

does not depend on you. does not depend on you. That you have no choice in the matter. So, to drive this home, I want to read So, to drive this home, I want to read some lyrics to a song. It's an older some lyrics to a song. It's an older some lyrics to a song. It's an older song. We used to sing it at our song. We used to sing it at our song. We used to sing it at our churches. It's been a while. Um churches. It's been a while. Um churches. It's been a while. Um and the lyrics to this song, I chose and the lyrics to this song, I chose and the lyrics to this song, I chose this song because I don't know of any this song because I don't know of any this song because I don't know of any other song that brings the energy and other song that brings the energy and other song that brings the energy and the grit and of God's unrelenting love the grit and of God's unrelenting love the grit and of God's unrelenting love for us. It the title is actually How He for us. It the title is actually How He for us. It the title is actually How He Loves, which this will be a familiar Loves, which this will be a familiar Loves, which this will be a familiar song from some of you. song from some of you. song from some of you. By John Mark McMillan. John Mark By John Mark McMillan. John Mark By John Mark McMillan. John Mark McMillan John wrote this song the lyrics McMillan John wrote this song the lyrics McMillan John wrote this song the lyrics to this song right after he found out to this song right after he found out to this song right after he found out about his best friend about his best friend about his best friend um dying in a multi-car um dying in a multi-car um dying in a multi-car crash. crash. crash. And he was angry, had all the, you know, And he was angry, had all the, you know, And he was angry, had all the, you know, the normal feelings and emotions and he the normal feelings and emotions and he the normal feelings and emotions and he began to journal and he began to journal began to journal and he began to journal began to journal and he began to journal and he was super honest with God and his and he was super honest with God and his and he was super honest with God and his journaling eventually led to the lyrics journaling eventually led to the lyrics journaling eventually led to the lyrics of this song. He said the lyrics just of this song. He said the lyrics just of this song. He said the lyrics just poured out of him and I hope as they poured out of him and I hope as they poured out of him and I hope as they poured out of him onto paper that they poured out of him onto paper that they poured out of him onto paper that they will pour out will pour out will pour out from this screen from this screen from this screen into you. Ready?

into you. Ready? into you. Ready? >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Excuse me. He, God, He, God, is jealous for me. is jealous for me. is jealous for me. These lines. These lines. These lines. He loves like a hurricane and I am just He loves like a hurricane and I am just He loves like a hurricane and I am just the tree. the tree. the tree. That you are a victim in every positive That you are a victim in every positive That you are a victim in every positive sense of the word sense of the word sense of the word of God's love. He loves you without your of God's love. He loves you without your of God's love. He loves you without your permission and he loves you without your permission and he loves you without your permission and he loves you without your cooperation. He is the hurricane cooperation. He is the hurricane cooperation. He is the hurricane and you and you and you are simply the tree are simply the tree are simply the tree bending beneath the weight of his wind bending beneath the weight of his wind bending beneath the weight of his wind of his wind and mercy. That is yielding of his wind and mercy. That is yielding of his wind and mercy. That is yielding surrendering to his love. surrendering to his love. surrendering to his love. Have you done that? Have you done that? Have you done that? Have you yielded? Have you yielded? Have you yielded? And here it is. When all of a sudden out And here it is. When all of a sudden out And here it is. When all of a sudden out of nowhere, maybe today is all of a of nowhere, maybe today is all of a of nowhere, maybe today is all of a sudden out of nowhere for you. When all sudden out of nowhere for you. When all sudden out of nowhere for you. When all of a sudden I am unaware of these of a sudden I am unaware of these of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory. I love afflictions eclipsed by glory. I love afflictions eclipsed by glory. I love this line. Here's what he's saying. He's this line. Here's what he's saying. He's this line. Here's what he's saying. He's like, "Look, we have all these excuses, like, "Look, we have all these excuses, like, "Look, we have all these excuses, all the things I've done, I haven't all the things I've done, I haven't all the things I've done, I haven't done, I haven't been perfect, blah, done, I haven't been perfect, blah, done, I haven't been perfect, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." And suddenly I blah, blah, blah, blah." And suddenly I blah, blah, blah, blah." And suddenly I am I'm overwhelmed. All of my excuses, am I'm overwhelmed. All of my excuses, am I'm overwhelmed. All of my excuses, all of my yeah, buts, all of my there's all of my yeah, buts, all of my there's all of my yeah, buts, all of my there's no way, they're eclipsed no way, they're eclipsed no way, they're eclipsed by the revelation of the nature of God's by the revelation of the nature of God's by the revelation of the nature of God's love. They're eclipsed by glory. All of love. They're eclipsed by glory. All of love. They're eclipsed by glory. All of those things are irrelevant. They're not those things are irrelevant. They're not those things are irrelevant. They're not a factor.

a factor. a factor. And then he writes, "And then I realize And then he writes, "And then I realize And then he writes, "And then I realize in that moment, I realize just how in that moment, I realize just how in that moment, I realize just how beautiful you are beautiful you are beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me and how great your affections are for me and how great your affections are for me and I could not receive and understand and I could not receive and understand and I could not receive and understand your love for me because I I was your love for me because I I was your love for me because I I was operating off the wrong system. I operating off the wrong system. I operating off the wrong system. I thought somehow there's a little bit of thought somehow there's a little bit of thought somehow there's a little bit of earn, there's a little bit of deserve, earn, there's a little bit of deserve, earn, there's a little bit of deserve, there's a little bit and I realize there's a little bit and I realize there's a little bit and I realize I'm not a factor. I'm not a factor. I'm not a factor. It is all you for me." It is all you for me." It is all you for me." So he writes, "So we are his portion and So he writes, "So we are his portion and So he writes, "So we are his portion and he is our prize." I love this. "Drawn to he is our prize." I love this. "Drawn to he is our prize." I love this. "Drawn to redemption, not goaded, not threatened, redemption, not goaded, not threatened, redemption, not goaded, not threatened, not you better or else, drawn to not you better or else, drawn to not you better or else, drawn to redemption by the grace redemption by the grace redemption by the grace in his eyes. in his eyes. in his eyes. Change from the inside out by Change from the inside out by Change from the inside out by recognizing and receiving what has been recognizing and receiving what has been recognizing and receiving what has been there all along. there all along. there all along. And if grace is an ocean And if grace is an ocean And if grace is an ocean it is so vast, it is so deep. It is so it is so vast, it is so deep. It is so it is so vast, it is so deep. It is so wide. We all are just sinking.

wide. We all are just sinking. wide. We all are just sinking. And then, this next line This next line And then, this next line This next line And then, this next line This next line was so bothersome to some people that was so bothersome to some people that was so bothersome to some people that several artists who recorded the song several artists who recorded the song several artists who recorded the song changed it. changed it. changed it. It might be my favorite line in the It might be my favorite line in the It might be my favorite line in the whole song. whole song. whole song. And let me explain it. In ancient times, And let me explain it. In ancient times, And let me explain it. In ancient times, there were temples and there were you go there were temples and there were you go there were temples and there were you go to the Roman Forum to the Forum in Rome to the Roman Forum to the Forum in Rome to the Roman Forum to the Forum in Rome today. There's temples that are still to today. There's temples that are still to today. There's temples that are still to to the the buildings left over temples to the the buildings left over temples to the the buildings left over temples all kind of gods Greek gods in in Greece all kind of gods Greek gods in in Greece all kind of gods Greek gods in in Greece and Macedonia and all over the world. and Macedonia and all over the world. and Macedonia and all over the world. Wherever you went, there were temples. Wherever you went, there were temples. Wherever you went, there were temples. You go to Jerusalem, there's the temple You go to Jerusalem, there's the temple You go to Jerusalem, there's the temple to Yahweh. The temple was considered the to Yahweh. The temple was considered the to Yahweh. The temple was considered the place where heaven place where heaven place where heaven met earth. met earth. met earth. That if the closest you could get to the That if the closest you could get to the That if the closest you could get to the God, to Jupiter, to whichever God, to God, to Jupiter, to whichever God, to God, to Jupiter, to whichever God, to Zeus, if you're Greek, ancient Greece, Zeus, if you're Greek, ancient Greece, Zeus, if you're Greek, ancient Greece, you went to the temple. you went to the temple. you went to the temple. In Jerusalem, the closest you could get In Jerusalem, the closest you could get In Jerusalem, the closest you could get to Yahweh, you brought your sacrifice, to Yahweh, you brought your sacrifice, to Yahweh, you brought your sacrifice, was the temple. But not until Jesus arrived, did heaven But not until Jesus arrived, did heaven actually meet earth. Not until the king actually meet earth. Not until the king actually meet earth. Not until the king arrived. So, listen to these lyrics.

arrived. So, listen to these lyrics. arrived. So, listen to these lyrics. So, heaven meets earth So, heaven meets earth So, heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss. like a sloppy wet kiss. like a sloppy wet kiss. Didn't see it coming. Didn't see it coming. Didn't see it coming. Wasn't planned for. It wasn't all Wasn't planned for. It wasn't all Wasn't planned for. It wasn't all buttoned up. It was a surprise and it buttoned up. It was a surprise and it buttoned up. It was a surprise and it was messy and it was glorious. was messy and it was glorious. was messy and it was glorious. And my heart turned violently like, And my heart turned violently like, And my heart turned violently like, what? what? what? Inside of my chest. Inside of my chest. Inside of my chest. And I don't have time And I don't have time And I don't have time to maintain to maintain to maintain these regrets these regrets these regrets when I think about the way when I think about the way when I think about the way he loves us. When we had When we had Sorry. [snorts] Sorry. [snorts] Sorry. [snorts] When we [clears throat] had our first When we [clears throat] had our first When we [clears throat] had our first child, Andrew, child, Andrew, child, Andrew, we live in a condominium we live in a condominium we live in a condominium And the what I'm about to share I wrote And the what I'm about to share I wrote And the what I'm about to share I wrote down. That's why I remember in detail down. That's why I remember in detail down. That's why I remember in detail though I don't think I could ever forget though I don't think I could ever forget though I don't think I could ever forget it. it. it. And I'm holding him And I'm holding him And I'm holding him and two thoughts ran through my mind. and two thoughts ran through my mind. and two thoughts ran through my mind. You know how this is. You unplanned You know how this is. You unplanned You know how this is. You unplanned thoughts. thoughts. thoughts. One was I'm holding little Andrew all One was I'm holding little Andrew all One was I'm holding little Andrew all bundled up, little face, you know.

I thought I thought could is it possible that my dad felt could is it possible that my dad felt could is it possible that my dad felt this way about me? this way about me? this way about me? Is it Is it Is it possible that my dad still feels this possible that my dad still feels this possible that my dad still feels this cuz I never had a child before. cuz I never had a child before. cuz I never had a child before. Is it possible that he feels this way Is it possible that he feels this way Is it possible that he feels this way about me? about me? about me? I couldn't imagine. I mean in my head I couldn't imagine. I mean in my head I couldn't imagine. I mean in my head I'm like I'm sure he does. I'm sure he I'm like I'm sure he does. I'm sure he I'm like I'm sure he does. I'm sure he did. I know but because it was because it was I just couldn't fathom that anyone could I just couldn't fathom that anyone could I just couldn't fathom that anyone could love me the way I loved this 6-lb 8-oz love me the way I loved this 6-lb 8-oz love me the way I loved this 6-lb 8-oz bundle that had never done anything for bundle that had never done anything for bundle that had never done anything for me, couldn't do anything for me, didn't me, couldn't do anything for me, didn't me, couldn't do anything for me, didn't even know who I was. Second thought. Second thought. Is it possible that God that God loves me loves me loves me like this? No way. like this? No way. like this? No way. And then I thought do I do I have a greater capacity for love have a greater capacity for love have a greater capacity for love than God?

than God? than God? No. No. No. My capacity for love comes from My capacity for love comes from My capacity for love comes from God. God. God. Your capacity for love is from God. If Your capacity for love is from God. If Your capacity for love is from God. If you're a parent, if you're a father you're a parent, if you're a father you're a parent, if you're a father and you held your son or your daughter and you held your son or your daughter and you held your son or your daughter for the first time for the first time for the first time a new category of love was born. And you do not have a greater capacity And you do not have a greater capacity for love than God, your heavenly father. for love than God, your heavenly father. for love than God, your heavenly father. And I wrote in my journal And I wrote in my journal And I wrote in my journal that if that reality that if that reality that if that reality ever went from my head to my heart, it ever went from my head to my heart, it ever went from my head to my heart, it would change me. And it did. And I want would change me. And it did. And I want would change me. And it did. And I want that for that for that for you. you. you. And men, And men, And men, I want that particularly for you. I want that particularly for you. I want that particularly for you. So, we're going to sing this song. So, we're going to sing this song. So, we're going to sing this song. And I ask that you not leave early or And I ask that you not leave early or And I ask that you not leave early or leave.

And this is an invitation. And this is an invitation. This is an invitation to embrace what's This is an invitation to embrace what's This is an invitation to embrace what's been true all along. been true all along. been true all along. And I ask and I I this is personal, And I ask and I I this is personal, And I ask and I I this is personal, okay? And if you were somebody were okay? And if you were somebody were okay? And if you were somebody were saying this to me, I don't know that I saying this to me, I don't know that I saying this to me, I don't know that I would like it, but I'll say it any would like it, but I'll say it any would like it, but I'll say it any anyway. I don't want you to fight back anyway. I don't want you to fight back anyway. I don't want you to fight back your tears. your tears. your tears. Because your tears may be evidence Because your tears may be evidence Because your tears may be evidence that God is moving what intellectually that God is moving what intellectually that God is moving what intellectually you probably would agree with. you probably would agree with. you probably would agree with. From here From here From here to here. And when that happens, to here. And when that happens, to here. And when that happens, we change. we change. we change. Because everything else is eclipsed Because everything else is eclipsed Because everything else is eclipsed by his grace by his grace by his grace and his mercy. and his mercy. and his mercy. And his love is almost And his love is almost And his love is almost irresistible irresistible irresistible because of the grace because of the grace because of the grace in his eyes. Heavenly Father, thank you. Heavenly Father, thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to talk Thank you for the opportunity to talk Thank you for the opportunity to talk about this today. Thank you for our churches.

Thank you for our churches. Thanks for what you allow us to be a Thanks for what you allow us to be a Thanks for what you allow us to be a part of. Most of us are Christians. part of. Most of us are Christians. part of. Most of us are Christians. Father, I don't know if most of us Father, I don't know if most of us Father, I don't know if most of us have been have allowed or invited you to have been have allowed or invited you to have been have allowed or invited you to impact us from top to bottom, height and impact us from top to bottom, height and impact us from top to bottom, height and depth and left and right, present and future, life and death. present and future, life and death. I don't know that we've all invited I don't know that we've all invited I don't know that we've all invited and received and believed and began to and received and believed and began to and received and believed and began to rest in your love for us. So, whatever rest in your love for us. So, whatever rest in your love for us. So, whatever this this this feels like, whatever this looks like, feels like, whatever this looks like, feels like, whatever this looks like, would you give us the would you give us the would you give us the courage to step into it? Father, for the courage to step into it? Father, for the courage to step into it? Father, for the man or woman here or student, they're man or woman here or student, they're man or woman here or student, they're from a different faith tradition from a different faith tradition from a different faith tradition completely and it's like, "Whoa, I don't completely and it's like, "Whoa, I don't completely and it's like, "Whoa, I don't know." know." know." I just pray if even if they don't I just pray if even if they don't I just pray if even if they don't take the Jesus part seriously, that they take the Jesus part seriously, that they take the Jesus part seriously, that they would be open to the fact that there's a would be open to the fact that there's a would be open to the fact that there's a God who loves them like this. God who loves them like this. God who loves them like this. Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for sending Jesus. Not to preach it and teach it only, but Not to preach it and teach it only, but Not to preach it and teach it only, but to demonstrate it. to demonstrate it. to demonstrate it. Thank you for his conversation with the Thank you for his conversation with the Thank you for his conversation with the woman at the well. Thank you for his woman at the well. Thank you for his woman at the well. Thank you for his coming to the defense of the woman who coming to the defense of the woman who coming to the defense of the woman who was about to be stoned for her adultery.

was about to be stoned for her adultery. was about to be stoned for her adultery. Thank you for the fact that he called a Thank you for the fact that he called a Thank you for the fact that he called a zealot and he called Matthew and zealot and he called Matthew and zealot and he called Matthew and that after Peter denied even knowing that after Peter denied even knowing that after Peter denied even knowing him, he put him in charge. him, he put him in charge. him, he put him in charge. We don't understand that kind of grace We don't understand that kind of grace We don't understand that kind of grace and mercy, but there it is. and mercy, but there it is. and mercy, but there it is. An invitation to all of us. An invitation to all of us. An invitation to all of us. So, show each of us how to step into it So, show each of us how to step into it So, show each of us how to step into it in these next few moments, I pray, in in these next few moments, I pray, in in these next few moments, I pray, in Jesus' name. Jesus' name. Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Amen. If you would, let's stand and let's sing If you would, let's stand and let's sing If you would, let's stand and let's sing this together. He loves [music] like a hurricane. I am He loves [music] like a hurricane. I am a tree a tree a tree bending beneath bending beneath bending beneath the weight of his wind [music] and the weight of his wind [music] and the weight of his wind [music] and >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> mercy.

When all of a [singing] sudden When all of a [singing] sudden I am unaware of these afflictions, I am unaware of these afflictions, I am unaware of these afflictions, eclipsed by glory. eclipsed by glory. eclipsed by glory. And I realize [music and singing] And I realize [music and singing] And I realize [music and singing] just how beautiful you are and how great just how beautiful you are and how great just how beautiful you are and how great your affections your affections your affections are for me. are for me. are for me. And oh, And oh, And oh, how he [singing] loves us [music] all. Oh, Oh, how he [singing] loves [music] us. how he [singing] loves [music] us. how he [singing] loves [music] us. How he How he How he loves us. >> Yeah, he >> Yeah, he loves us. loves us. loves us. Oh, how Oh, how Oh, how >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> he loves us.

Oh, how Oh, how >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> he loves [music] us. Oh, Oh, how he loves >> [music] >> [music] >> And we are his portion and he is our >> And we are his portion and he is our >> And we are his portion and he is our prize, [music] prize, [music] prize, [music] washed in redemption by the greatest in washed in redemption by the greatest in washed in redemption by the greatest in his eyes. his eyes. his eyes. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> If grace >> If grace >> If grace is an is an is an >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> ocean, >> ocean, >> ocean, we're we're we're >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> all sinking. And heaven [music] And heaven [music] meets our eyes like a flood of mercy, meets our eyes like a flood of mercy, meets our eyes like a flood of mercy, kissing my kissing my kissing my >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> hard >> hard >> hard times goodbye times goodbye times goodbye as they fall out of my chest. as they fall out of my chest. as they fall out of my chest. I don't have I don't have I don't have time to make time to make time to make any [music] regrets when any [music] regrets when any [music] regrets when I think about you. I think about you. I think about you. You. [music]

[music] >> What an honor to be here with you today. >> [music] >> [music] >> I hope that you can go home >> I hope that you can go home >> I hope that you can go home and find exceeding rest and love and and find exceeding rest and love and and find exceeding rest and love and trust [music] in the Father's arms. trust [music] in the Father's arms. trust [music] in the Father's arms. Happy Father's Day. Go fire up those Happy Father's Day. Go fire up those Happy Father's Day. Go fire up those grills. We'll see you next Sunday. grills. We'll see you next Sunday. grills. We'll see you next Sunday. [music]