Everyday Courage | Part 1 | Andy Stanley

What a day. What a day. Good things What a day. What a day. Good things coming my way. What a day. What a day. coming my way. What a day. What a day. coming my way. What a day. What a day. Hey. Hey. Hey. What a day. What a day. Good things What a day. What a day. Good things What a day. What a day. Good things coming my way. What a day. [music] What coming my way. What a day. [music] What coming my way. What a day. [music] What a day. Oh, I got sunshine on the [music] a day. Oh, I got sunshine on the [music] a day. Oh, I got sunshine on the [music] back. I got hands at 1:00. I got all back. I got hands at 1:00. I got all back. I got hands at 1:00. I got all wheels on the track. What a [music] day. wheels on the track. What a [music] day. wheels on the track. What a [music] day. I got coffee in a cup. I got arrows I got coffee in a cup. I got arrows I got coffee in a cup. I got arrows pointed up. I got seven kind of luck. pointed up. I got seven kind of luck. pointed up. I got seven kind of luck. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> What a day. Rolling with my friends. >> What a day. Rolling with my friends. >> What a day. Rolling with my friends. Nights that never end. Do [music] it all Nights that never end. Do [music] it all Nights that never end. Do [music] it all again. What a day. Records getting again. What a day. Records getting again. What a day. Records getting played. [music] Do I just got paid? She played. [music] Do I just got paid? She played. [music] Do I just got paid? She just look my way. What a day. What a just look my way. What a day. What a just look my way. What a day. What a day. What a day. Good things coming my day. What a day. Good things coming my day. What a day. Good things coming my way. What a day. What a day. Hey. Oh, way. What a day. What a day. Hey. Oh, way. What a day. What a day. Hey. Oh, what a day. [music] I'm on my [singing] way. Hey, I'm on my [singing] way. Hey, all I can say. [music] Oh, what a day. Oh, what a day.

Oh, what a day. Oh, what a day. What a day. What [music] a day. What a day. What [music] a day. What a day. What [music] a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a [music] What a day. What a day. What a [music] What a day. What a day. What a [music] day. day. day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. What a day. [music] What a day. What a What a day. [music] What a day. What a What a day. [music] What a day. What a day. day. day. What a day. What a day. [music] What a What a day. What a day. [music] What a What a day. What a day. [music] What a day. >> Wow, what a day. The kids are back at >> Wow, what a day. The kids are back at school. We're cheering for that, aren't school. We're cheering for that, aren't school. We're cheering for that, aren't we? Hey, you guys can go ahead and take we? Hey, you guys can go ahead and take we? Hey, you guys can go ahead and take a seat. School is officially in session a seat. School is officially in session a seat. School is officially in session if you were wondering. And I don't know if you were wondering. And I don't know if you were wondering. And I don't know if you're like me, by the end of the if you're like me, by the end of the if you're like me, by the end of the summertime, our whole family, like I've summertime, our whole family, like I've summertime, our whole family, like I've just lost all control. And we basically just lost all control. And we basically just lost all control. And we basically just eat Pop-Tarts for dinner and and just eat Pop-Tarts for dinner and and just eat Pop-Tarts for dinner and and they put me to bed. I know. So, here we they put me to bed. I know. So, here we they put me to bed. I know. So, here we are. Back to school, back to a little are. Back to school, back to a little are. Back to school, back to a little structure. I'm going to transition from structure. I'm going to transition from structure. I'm going to transition from Pop-Tarts to to probably the crockot. Pop-Tarts to to probably the crockot. Pop-Tarts to to probably the crockot. Uh, but you know what? That's a step in Uh, but you know what? That's a step in Uh, but you know what? That's a step in the right direction. Well, if it is your the right direction. Well, if it is your the right direction. Well, if it is your first time with us, we're so glad that first time with us, we're so glad that first time with us, we're so glad that you joined us. And we got a lot of ways you joined us. And we got a lot of ways you joined us. And we got a lot of ways that you can engage, we're going to tell that you can engage, we're going to tell that you can engage, we're going to tell you about them, especially if you have you about them, especially if you have you about them, especially if you have kids. And to tell you about it is Joel kids. And to tell you about it is Joel kids. And to tell you about it is Joel Thomas. He's in the West this morning.

Thomas. He's in the West this morning. Thomas. He's in the West this morning. Joel, happy school year. And hey, Joel, happy school year. And hey, Joel, happy school year. And hey, >> happy school year to you. Welcome. >> happy school year to you. Welcome. >> happy school year to you. Welcome. Welcome to everybody here in the West. Welcome to everybody here in the West. Welcome to everybody here in the West. Yeah, you got a little bit different Yeah, you got a little bit different Yeah, you got a little bit different situation happening this year with you, situation happening this year with you, situation happening this year with you, don't you? don't you? don't you? >> We do. We do actually. Uh we have two >> We do. We do actually. Uh we have two >> We do. We do actually. Uh we have two going to college this year. Uh we just going to college this year. Uh we just going to college this year. Uh we just moved one in uh this week and then the moved one in uh this week and then the moved one in uh this week and then the other one uh is my only girl and in a other one uh is my only girl and in a other one uh is my only girl and in a week and a half we move her to week and a half we move her to week and a half we move her to Birmingham. Uh she's going off to Birmingham. Uh she's going off to Birmingham. Uh she's going off to college, which I'm I'm not ready to talk college, which I'm I'm not ready to talk college, which I'm I'm not ready to talk about yet. I still got a week and a half about yet. I still got a week and a half about yet. I still got a week and a half left, but we still have two that are left, but we still have two that are left, but we still have two that are here. So I we actually have one in here. So I we actually have one in here. So I we actually have one in elementary and one in middle school. elementary and one in middle school. elementary and one in middle school. We're going to have kids at home We're going to have kids at home We're going to have kids at home forever, so that's okay. We're fine with forever, so that's okay. We're fine with forever, so that's okay. We're fine with that. Um and we love it. and we're that. Um and we love it. and we're that. Um and we love it. and we're trying to start the school year off trying to start the school year off trying to start the school year off right as many of you are. Um, and that's right as many of you are. Um, and that's right as many of you are. Um, and that's why we're here today and our our kids why we're here today and our our kids why we're here today and our our kids are getting plugged in and uh connected are getting plugged in and uh connected are getting plugged in and uh connected with their small groups. And um, if with their small groups. And um, if with their small groups. And um, if you're watching online today and you you're watching online today and you you're watching online today and you didn't make it today, don't miss next didn't make it today, don't miss next didn't make it today, don't miss next week. Next week's actually our back to week. Next week's actually our back to week. Next week's actually our back to school bash. Um, we want to help you school bash. Um, we want to help you school bash. Um, we want to help you start the school year right. Uh, next start the school year right. Uh, next start the school year right. Uh, next week's going to be a lot of fun. In week's going to be a lot of fun. In week's going to be a lot of fun. In addition to some some special surprises, addition to some some special surprises, addition to some some special surprises, it's also a kids stuff Sunday, which if it's also a kids stuff Sunday, which if it's also a kids stuff Sunday, which if you have elementary age kids, you know, you have elementary age kids, you know, you have elementary age kids, you know, is one of the best things we do. Um, if is one of the best things we do. Um, if is one of the best things we do. Um, if you don't know about Kids Stuff, Kids you don't know about Kids Stuff, Kids you don't know about Kids Stuff, Kids Stuff is a show that parents and kids Stuff is a show that parents and kids Stuff is a show that parents and kids experience together that makes the whole experience together that makes the whole experience together that makes the whole family better. And, um, we focus on family better. And, um, we focus on family better. And, um, we focus on specific things, uh, that are actionable specific things, uh, that are actionable specific things, uh, that are actionable for you at home. And, uh, we have a, a for you at home. And, uh, we have a, a for you at home. And, uh, we have a, a takeaway that we give away. Usually takeaway that we give away. Usually takeaway that we give away. Usually there's a giveaway, uh, each show. This there's a giveaway, uh, each show. This there's a giveaway, uh, each show. This time, our whole show is built around uh, time, our whole show is built around uh, time, our whole show is built around uh, some meaningful conversations at home, some meaningful conversations at home, some meaningful conversations at home, specifically in the evening time. If specifically in the evening time. If specifically in the evening time. If you're a parent, you know it evening you're a parent, you know it evening you're a parent, you know it evening time's h hard, but you bet have the best time's h hard, but you bet have the best time's h hard, but you bet have the best conversation with your kids. We have conversation with your kids. We have conversation with your kids. We have this end the night right kit that we're

this end the night right kit that we're this end the night right kit that we're going to give you. We're going to set going to give you. We're going to set going to give you. We're going to set your family up for it to help you finish your family up for it to help you finish your family up for it to help you finish the night uh with meaningful the night uh with meaningful the night uh with meaningful conversations with your kids, but you conversations with your kids, but you conversations with your kids, but you can only get it if you come to Kids can only get it if you come to Kids can only get it if you come to Kids Stuff. So, you're going to want to be at Stuff. So, you're going to want to be at Stuff. So, you're going to want to be at Kids Stuff. In fact, Holly, they told me Kids Stuff. In fact, Holly, they told me Kids Stuff. In fact, Holly, they told me I couldn't even keep this one. I had to I couldn't even keep this one. I had to I couldn't even keep this one. I had to come next week to get it. So, we're come next week to get it. So, we're come next week to get it. So, we're going to be there. And u one of the going to be there. And u one of the going to be there. And u one of the reasons we're going to be there uh is reasons we're going to be there uh is reasons we're going to be there uh is because um I'm not going to miss a because um I'm not going to miss a because um I'm not going to miss a single Kids Stuff this year. This is our single Kids Stuff this year. This is our single Kids Stuff this year. This is our last year with Kids Stuff. I'm feeling last year with Kids Stuff. I'm feeling last year with Kids Stuff. I'm feeling that as well. We have a fifth grader. that as well. We have a fifth grader. that as well. We have a fifth grader. He's our youngest. And next year we're He's our youngest. And next year we're He's our youngest. And next year we're gonna we're going to be out of kids gonna we're going to be out of kids gonna we're going to be out of kids stuff. They're not going to let us in. stuff. They're not going to let us in. stuff. They're not going to let us in. So So So >> I know it's the same for us. I have a >> I know it's the same for us. I have a >> I know it's the same for us. I have a fifth grader, too. It's our last year fifth grader, too. It's our last year fifth grader, too. It's our last year elementary school, last year kids stuff. elementary school, last year kids stuff. elementary school, last year kids stuff. And so we're going to be there as well. And so we're going to be there as well. And so we're going to be there as well. Um the other thing you need to know Um the other thing you need to know Um the other thing you need to know that's happening in August is we are that's happening in August is we are that's happening in August is we are kicking off adult groups. We do this kicking off adult groups. We do this kicking off adult groups. We do this every August. And I've been in so many every August. And I've been in so many every August. And I've been in so many groups. I was in group with Joel and groups. I was in group with Joel and groups. I was in group with Joel and Jim. We're a married group with them at Jim. We're a married group with them at Jim. We're a married group with them at Once Upon a Time. I'm in a women's group Once Upon a Time. I'm in a women's group Once Upon a Time. I'm in a women's group now. I love those ladies. I'll tell you now. I love those ladies. I'll tell you now. I love those ladies. I'll tell you that. Every time I've up here, I am so that. Every time I've up here, I am so that. Every time I've up here, I am so glad I have met the people I've met. And glad I have met the people I've met. And glad I have met the people I've met. And I've met them only because of this I've met them only because of this I've met them only because of this church and because of our group church and because of our group church and because of our group experience and what I experience, what experience and what I experience, what experience and what I experience, what many of you experience too, that happens many of you experience too, that happens many of you experience too, that happens in homes all over our community. And in homes all over our community. And in homes all over our community. And that's because we have a vision for the that's because we have a vision for the that's because we have a vision for the spiritual life. We want to be connected spiritual life. We want to be connected spiritual life. We want to be connected to God and we want to be connected to to God and we want to be connected to to God and we want to be connected to each other. We just believe we do life each other. We just believe we do life each other. We just believe we do life together. That's what we do. That's how together. That's what we do. That's how together. That's what we do. That's how you practice your faith. And we want you practice your faith. And we want you practice your faith. And we want everybody who wants to get in a group, everybody who wants to get in a group, everybody who wants to get in a group, we want them to have a seat. And so to we want them to have a seat. And so to we want them to have a seat. And so to do that, we're going to need some more do that, we're going to need some more do that, we're going to need some more leaders, specifically some married leaders, specifically some married leaders, specifically some married couples or some women leaders. And so if

couples or some women leaders. And so if couples or some women leaders. And so if you've been thinking about it over the you've been thinking about it over the you've been thinking about it over the next few weeks, and um your your husband next few weeks, and um your your husband next few weeks, and um your your husband or your wife's been nudging you, maybe or your wife's been nudging you, maybe or your wife's been nudging you, maybe that's from the Lord. You know, maybe that's from the Lord. You know, maybe that's from the Lord. You know, maybe that nudge from your spouse uh is from that nudge from your spouse uh is from that nudge from your spouse uh is from God. But hey, if you're just interested, God. But hey, if you're just interested, God. But hey, if you're just interested, we want to have you. We want you to step we want to have you. We want you to step we want to have you. We want you to step up and lead with us because we want to up and lead with us because we want to up and lead with us because we want to create space for everybody to be in create space for everybody to be in create space for everybody to be in group. And so we'd love to talk to you group. And so we'd love to talk to you group. And so we'd love to talk to you about it. All you have to do is go to about it. All you have to do is go to about it. All you have to do is go to the top three website, give us a little the top three website, give us a little the top three website, give us a little information, and then we'll start a information, and then we'll start a information, and then we'll start a conversation about leadership. Okay, conversation about leadership. Okay, conversation about leadership. Okay, that's everything coming up. That's a that's everything coming up. That's a that's everything coming up. That's a lot. Joel, tell us what's happening lot. Joel, tell us what's happening lot. Joel, tell us what's happening today. today. today. >> Yep, that is a lot. And just as Holly >> Yep, that is a lot. And just as Holly >> Yep, that is a lot. And just as Holly said, uh all that information is on the said, uh all that information is on the said, uh all that information is on the top three. Uh if you forget all of that, top three. Uh if you forget all of that, top three. Uh if you forget all of that, here's the one thing we want you to know here's the one thing we want you to know here's the one thing we want you to know and what want you to remember is and what want you to remember is and what want you to remember is everything we do uh all the events we do everything we do uh all the events we do everything we do uh all the events we do uh all the Sunday morning experiences, uh all the Sunday morning experiences, uh all the Sunday morning experiences, the small groups for uh every age and the small groups for uh every age and the small groups for uh every age and every environment uh is all to one end. every environment uh is all to one end. every environment uh is all to one end. We want to help inspire people to follow We want to help inspire people to follow We want to help inspire people to follow Jesus. Not just to believe something, Jesus. Not just to believe something, Jesus. Not just to believe something, but to be followers of Jesus. We think but to be followers of Jesus. We think but to be followers of Jesus. We think Jesus came to make sure we could have a Jesus came to make sure we could have a Jesus came to make sure we could have a better life, that we could have a more better life, that we could have a more better life, that we could have a more meaningful life, a more full uh meaningful life, a more full uh meaningful life, a more full uh fulfilling life, and the fullness of fulfilling life, and the fullness of fulfilling life, and the fullness of life that we can't find anywhere else.

life that we can't find anywhere else. life that we can't find anywhere else. And we're trying, we're on a mission to And we're trying, we're on a mission to And we're trying, we're on a mission to help everybody discover that. Uh part of help everybody discover that. Uh part of help everybody discover that. Uh part of that today, we're kicking off a brand that today, we're kicking off a brand that today, we're kicking off a brand new series called Everyday Courage, new series called Everyday Courage, new series called Everyday Courage, which is right in alignment with that which is right in alignment with that which is right in alignment with that mission. Uh Andy's kicking off that mission. Uh Andy's kicking off that mission. Uh Andy's kicking off that series for us today, really for all of series for us today, really for all of series for us today, really for all of our campuses. And we're going to do our campuses. And we're going to do our campuses. And we're going to do something that we love doing around something that we love doing around something that we love doing around here. If you're new to our church, we here. If you're new to our church, we here. If you're new to our church, we love to celebrate and specifically we love to celebrate and specifically we love to celebrate and specifically we love to celebrate people taking steps of love to celebrate people taking steps of love to celebrate people taking steps of faith. Today, we're going to celebrate faith. Today, we're going to celebrate faith. Today, we're going to celebrate baptism with Andrew. We just, by the baptism with Andrew. We just, by the baptism with Andrew. We just, by the way, a couple weeks ago, celebrated 140 way, a couple weeks ago, celebrated 140 way, a couple weeks ago, celebrated 140 baptisms on a Sunday morning, which was baptisms on a Sunday morning, which was baptisms on a Sunday morning, which was incredibly exciting. Yeah, you can clap incredibly exciting. Yeah, you can clap incredibly exciting. Yeah, you can clap for that. That was it was unbelievable. for that. That was it was unbelievable. for that. That was it was unbelievable. And yes, we still have people who are And yes, we still have people who are And yes, we still have people who are wanting to get baptized that weren't we wanting to get baptized that weren't we wanting to get baptized that weren't we weren't able to baptize uh on that week. weren't able to baptize uh on that week. weren't able to baptize uh on that week. Um and here's what's cool. Uh this first Um and here's what's cool. Uh this first Um and here's what's cool. Uh this first song we're about to sing, Joyy's going song we're about to sing, Joyy's going song we're about to sing, Joyy's going to lead us from the East auditorium over to lead us from the East auditorium over to lead us from the East auditorium over there. This is this song is exactly what there. This is this song is exactly what there. This is this song is exactly what we're going to celebrate in this baptism we're going to celebrate in this baptism we're going to celebrate in this baptism today. It's about the freedom that we today. It's about the freedom that we today. It's about the freedom that we find in Jesus. that Jesus leads us to find in Jesus. that Jesus leads us to find in Jesus. that Jesus leads us to freedom from our past, uh freedom from freedom from our past, uh freedom from freedom from our past, uh freedom from pain, freedom from our struggles, pain, freedom from our struggles, pain, freedom from our struggles, freedom from our mistakes, uh freedom freedom from our mistakes, uh freedom freedom from our mistakes, uh freedom from guilt, freedom from shame, and um from guilt, freedom from shame, and um from guilt, freedom from shame, and um that's worth celebrating. So, we're that's worth celebrating. So, we're that's worth celebrating. So, we're going to start out celebrating [music] going to start out celebrating [music] going to start out celebrating [music] that this morning. If you're brand new that this morning. If you're brand new that this morning. If you're brand new to church, our church, we're glad you're to church, our church, we're glad you're to church, our church, we're glad you're here. We'd love for you to meet somebody here. We'd love for you to meet somebody here. We'd love for you to meet somebody quick. So, please stand up, welcome quick. So, please stand up, welcome quick. So, please stand up, welcome somebody around you, and then Joyy's somebody around you, and then Joyy's somebody around you, and then Joyy's going to lead us as [music] we sing going to lead us as [music] we sing going to lead us as [music] we sing together.

>> So good to see you this morning. Let's >> So good to see you this morning. Let's celebrate the freedom that we have celebrate the freedom that we have celebrate the freedom that we have because [music] of Jesus Christ. He's so because [music] of Jesus Christ. He's so because [music] of Jesus Christ. He's so good to us. Come on. good to us. Come on. good to us. Come on. [music] [music] [music] I'm sitting out the heaviness. [singing] I'm sitting out the heaviness. [singing] I'm sitting out the heaviness. [singing] I'm dancing out [music] of my regret. I'm dancing out [music] of my regret. I'm dancing out [music] of my regret. I'm throwing caution to the wind. I'm throwing caution to the wind. I'm throwing caution to the wind. No, I [singing] am not ashamed [music] No, I [singing] am not ashamed [music] No, I [singing] am not ashamed [music] to praise like this. Oh, some say it's to praise like this. Oh, some say it's to praise like this. Oh, some say it's foolishness, [singing] but I'm saying for glory. but I'm saying for glory. I can't give what [music] Jesus did. I can't give what [music] Jesus did. I can't give what [music] Jesus did. No, I am [singing] not ashamed to praise No, I am [singing] not ashamed to praise No, I am [singing] not ashamed to praise like this. Where are [music and singing] like this. Where are [music and singing] like this. Where are [music and singing] those chains that once held me? I'm those chains that once held me? I'm those chains that once held me? I'm free. I'm free. free. I'm free. free. I'm free. >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> I'm free. I'm free. My sin is gone. How >> I'm free. I'm free. My sin is gone. How >> I'm free. I'm free. My sin is gone. How can [music] can [music] can [music] you me? I'm free. [singing] I'm free. you me? I'm free. [singing] I'm free. you me? I'm free. [singing] I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. [music] I'm free. I'm free. [music] I'm free. I'm free. [music] Look at what the Lord has done. I'm Look at what the Lord has done. I'm Look at what the Lord has done. I'm never going back to the way [music] I never going back to the way [music] I never going back to the way [music] I was. I'll sing. I'll dance cuz [singing] was. I'll sing. I'll dance cuz [singing] was. I'll sing. I'll dance cuz [singing] I believe. I'm free. I'm free. [music] I believe. I'm free. I'm free. [music] I believe. I'm free. I'm free. [music] Thank God I'm free.

I found a [music] friend that never I found a [music] friend that never quits. quits. quits. No other love as good as this. No other love as good as this. No other love as good as this. And I [music] don't care what it will And I [music] don't care what it will And I [music] don't care what it will say. say. say. I'll never be ashamed to break your I'll never be ashamed to break your I'll never be ashamed to break your faith. Where [music] are those chains faith. Where [music] are those chains faith. Where [music] are those chains that once? that once? that once? I'm [singing] free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm [singing] free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm [singing] free. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. [music] My sin is gone. I'm I'm free. [music] My sin is gone. I'm I'm free. [music] My sin is gone. I'm heading. I'm free. [music and singing] heading. I'm free. [music and singing] heading. I'm free. [music and singing] I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. You look I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. You look I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. You look at what the Lord has done. I'm [music] at what the Lord has done. I'm [music] at what the Lord has done. I'm [music] never going back to the way I was. I'll never going back to the way I was. I'll never going back to the way I was. I'll sing. [music and singing] I'll dance cuz sing. [music and singing] I'll dance cuz sing. [music and singing] I'll dance cuz I'm I'm I'm free. I'm free. Hey, [music] free. I'm free. Hey, [music] free. I'm free. Hey, [music] [singing] I'm free. You took the cross [singing] I'm free. You took the cross [singing] I'm free. You took the cross and you broke your [music] blood. and you broke your [music] blood. and you broke your [music] blood. You shed your blood. Now the sinner You shed your blood. Now the sinner You shed your blood. Now the sinner can't see. My debt [music] is paid and can't see. My debt [music] is paid and can't see. My debt [music] is paid and my record is weak. I couldn't do it so my record is weak. I couldn't do it so my record is weak. I couldn't do it so you did [music] it for me. You took the you did [music] it for me. You took the you did [music] it for me. You took the cross and you broke your body. My God.

cross and you broke your body. My God. cross and you broke your body. My God. You shed your blood. [music] Now the You shed your blood. [music] Now the You shed your blood. [music] Now the sinner can't see. My de [singing] is sinner can't see. My de [singing] is sinner can't see. My de [singing] is paid. However, paid. However, paid. However, I [music] couldn't do your cross. I [music] couldn't do your cross. I [music] couldn't do your cross. [music] God God [music] [music] [music] only can do it. only can do it. only can do it. Only God can do [music] it. where [music] are those sh where [music] are those sh I'm free I'm free I'm free my sin I'm free I'm free I'm free my sin I'm free I'm free I'm free my sin [music] is gone [music] is gone [music] is gone I'm [singing] free I'm [singing] free I'm [singing] free [music] [music] [music] look at what the Lord has done I'm never look at what the Lord has done I'm never look at what the Lord has done I'm never [music] going back to the way I [music] going back to the way I [music] going back to the way I How [singing] of How [singing] of How [singing] of [music] [music] [music] free look at what [music] the Lord [singing] look at what [music] the Lord [singing] has done. I'm never going has done. I'm never going has done. I'm never going away. [music] away. [music] away. [music] Look at what the Lord has done. I'm Look at what the Lord has done. I'm Look at what the Lord has done. I'm never going [music] back the way I was never going [music] back the way I was never going [music] back the way I was [music]

[music] [music] because Jesus [music] [music] hes hes hes Jesus. All [music and singing] All [music and singing] hail hail hail of heaven and earth. of heaven and earth. of heaven and earth. All [music] hail All [music] hail All [music] hail Jesus. [singing] All [music] hail savior All [music] hail savior [singing] of power. [music] [singing] of power. [music] [singing] of power. [music] All hail All hail All hail Jesus Jesus Jesus is over you. All [music] is over you. All [music] is over you. All [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] your [music] [music] havior havior havior of the world. of the world. of the world. [singing] bow before the king of kings [music] bow before the king of kings [music] every [music] [music] [singing] [music] [music] single [singing]

[music] [music] [singing] >> [music] >> [music] >> All [singing] hell >> All [singing] hell >> All [singing] hell Jesus Jesus Jesus you all [singing and music] you all [singing and music] you all [singing and music] savior savior savior of the world. [music] North Point, thank you so much [music] North Point, thank you so much [music] for singing. Y'all can go ahead and take for singing. Y'all can go ahead and take for singing. Y'all can go ahead and take a seat. Like Joel mentioned earlier, we a seat. Like Joel mentioned earlier, we a seat. Like Joel mentioned earlier, we get to do one of our favorite things, get to do one of our favorite things, get to do one of our favorite things, and that's to celebrate life change and that's to celebrate life change and that's to celebrate life change within [music] the family of our church. within [music] the family of our church. within [music] the family of our church. So, let's take a look at Andrew's story So, let's take a look at Andrew's story So, let's take a look at Andrew's story today. >> My name is Andrew Spearman, and growing >> My name is Andrew Spearman, and growing up, I had two brothers, uh, one older, up, I had two brothers, uh, one older, up, I had two brothers, uh, one older, one younger. Uh, both of my parents, my one younger. Uh, both of my parents, my one younger. Uh, both of my parents, my mother and father, um, had a drug mother and father, um, had a drug mother and father, um, had a drug addiction, so we were raised by my addiction, so we were raised by my addiction, so we were raised by my grandmother. seeing so much um grandmother. seeing so much um grandmother. seeing so much um destruction from drugs and and you know destruction from drugs and and you know destruction from drugs and and you know just violence and stuff like that.

just violence and stuff like that. just violence and stuff like that. [music] I really didn't believe that [music] I really didn't believe that [music] I really didn't believe that there was a good God. Um how can a good there was a good God. Um how can a good there was a good God. Um how can a good God let children see as much as we my God let children see as much as we my God let children see as much as we my brothers and I saw and grew up in such a brothers and I saw and grew up in such a brothers and I saw and grew up in such a dysfunctional home. So in [music] 2013 I dysfunctional home. So in [music] 2013 I dysfunctional home. So in [music] 2013 I went through a divorce. Uh about uh 9 went through a divorce. Uh about uh 9 went through a divorce. Uh about uh 9 years ago 201 years ago 201 years ago 201 remarried and [music] throughout that we remarried and [music] throughout that we remarried and [music] throughout that we were on a on a faith journey. We were were on a on a faith journey. We were were on a on a faith journey. We were looking for something. We started looking for something. We started looking for something. We started watching videos. We started, you know, watching videos. We started, you know, watching videos. We started, you know, just praying, just trying to find just praying, just trying to find just praying, just trying to find something to guide us into a better something to guide us into a better something to guide us into a better marriage and a better place. And two marriage and a better place. And two marriage and a better place. And two years ago, we found North Point. Um, years ago, we found North Point. Um, years ago, we found North Point. Um, after coming to North Point, we after coming to North Point, we after coming to North Point, we discovered our community that not only discovered our community that not only discovered our community that not only felt like church, but it felt like home. felt like church, but it felt like home. felt like church, but it felt like home. I was um I was pushing God away. Uh, I I was um I was pushing God away. Uh, I I was um I was pushing God away. Uh, I thought that me living my wife my life thought that me living my wife my life thought that me living my wife my life the way I wanted to live it was more the way I wanted to live it was more the way I wanted to live it was more important than following Christ. important than following Christ. important than following Christ. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Uh, and what that kind of did for me is >> Uh, and what that kind of did for me is >> Uh, and what that kind of did for me is just made me not feel whole. So, a year just made me not feel whole. So, a year just made me not feel whole. So, a year and a half ago, I stopped running and I and a half ago, I stopped running and I and a half ago, I stopped running and I wanted [music] to place my my faith in wanted [music] to place my my faith in wanted [music] to place my my faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ paid for my I know that Jesus Christ paid for my I know that Jesus Christ paid for my sins and that he washed my sins away so sins and that he washed my sins away so sins and that he washed my sins away so that I can have eternal life. I'm a part that I can have eternal life. I'm a part that I can have eternal life. I'm a part of a a men's group. Uh, we meet um for of a a men's group. Uh, we meet um for of a a men's group. Uh, we meet um for breakfast on Thursday mornings and it's breakfast on Thursday mornings and it's breakfast on Thursday mornings and it's just I can call them, I can text them. just I can call them, I can text them. just I can call them, I can text them. We have a group text and it's really We have a group text and it's really We have a group text and it's really kind of made my faith even stronger. So, kind of made my faith even stronger. So, kind of made my faith even stronger. So, I'm getting baptized today to [music] to I'm getting baptized today to [music] to I'm getting baptized today to [music] to proclaim that Jesus Christ is my Lord proclaim that Jesus Christ is my Lord proclaim that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Andrew, it's an honor to be standing Andrew, it's an honor to be standing here with you today as you go public here with you today as you go public here with you today as you go public with your faith in Jesus. And thank you with your faith in Jesus. And thank you with your faith in Jesus. And thank you for the reminder that God is not a God for the reminder that God is not a God for the reminder that God is not a God of destruction, but of healing, of love, of destruction, but of healing, of love, of destruction, but of healing, of love, and through Jesus salvation. And it's and through Jesus salvation. And it's and through Jesus salvation. And it's because of Jesus and your public because of Jesus and your public because of Jesus and your public profession of faith in him as your Lord profession of faith in him as your Lord profession of faith in him as your Lord and Savior and your decision to follow and Savior and your decision to follow and Savior and your decision to follow him that I baptize you in the name of him that I baptize you in the name of him that I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy the Father, the Son, and the Holy the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

So good. Will you pray with [music] me So good. Will you pray with [music] me this morning? this morning? this morning? Heavenly Father, we praise you for Heavenly Father, we praise you for Heavenly Father, we praise you for Andrew's story. God, thank you that Andrew's story. God, thank you that Andrew's story. God, thank you that you're a God that enters into messes, you're a God that enters into messes, you're a God that enters into messes, Lord. Because the truth is, every single Lord. Because the truth is, every single Lord. Because the truth is, every single one of us here today, [music] we are a one of us here today, [music] we are a one of us here today, [music] we are a mess. we would make a mess of our life. mess. we would make a mess of our life. mess. we would make a mess of our life. And we confess our biggest tendency is And we confess our biggest tendency is And we confess our biggest tendency is to want [music] to be independent and do to want [music] to be independent and do to want [music] to be independent and do it our way. But Lord, we know and we it our way. But Lord, we know and we it our way. But Lord, we know and we believe your ways, they're higher. Your believe your ways, they're higher. Your believe your ways, they're higher. Your [music] ways are better. And so Lord, [music] ways are better. And so Lord, [music] ways are better. And so Lord, for the person that's here today for the person that's here today for the person that's here today and they're wondering, could you enter and they're wondering, could you enter and they're wondering, could you enter into their [music] mess? Will you do into their [music] mess? Will you do into their [music] mess? Will you do what only you can do? Will you give them what only you can do? Will you give them what only you can do? Will you give them a glimpse of your goodness? Will you a glimpse of your goodness? Will you a glimpse of your goodness? Will you just put it on their heart that you are just put it on their heart that you are just put it on their heart that you are a good God that restores and redeems? a good God that restores and redeems? a good God that restores and redeems? [music] We love you. We trust you. And [music] We love you. We trust you. And [music] We love you. We trust you. And we pray all these things in Jesus name. we pray all these things in Jesus name. we pray all these things in Jesus name. Amen. Hey, thanks so much for praying Amen. Hey, thanks so much for praying Amen. Hey, thanks so much for praying with me. At this time, if you will turn with me. At this time, if you will turn with me. At this time, if you will turn your attention to the screen and we will your attention to the screen and we will your attention to the screen and we will continue our service.

So, I want to welcome all of our partner So, I want to welcome all of our partner churches around the country who are churches around the country who are churches around the country who are joining us, people who are following us joining us, people who are following us joining us, people who are following us and watching really from all over the and watching really from all over the and watching really from all over the world. It's really amazing. Our Atlanta world. It's really amazing. Our Atlanta world. It's really amazing. Our Atlanta area churches and a special shout out to area churches and a special shout out to area churches and a special shout out to our friends in Chat Hills and Nunan, our friends in Chat Hills and Nunan, our friends in Chat Hills and Nunan, Fagatville, Peach Tree City. Uh there Fagatville, Peach Tree City. Uh there Fagatville, Peach Tree City. Uh there are four campuses, four churches down are four campuses, four churches down are four campuses, four churches down there on the south side of the city. If there on the south side of the city. If there on the south side of the city. If you have friends or neighbors or or you have friends or neighbors or or you have friends or neighbors or or former neighbors who live in those former neighbors who live in those former neighbors who live in those areas, uh you'd love for you to tell areas, uh you'd love for you to tell areas, uh you'd love for you to tell them about what we're doing on the south them about what we're doing on the south them about what we're doing on the south side of the city. It's it's so very side of the city. It's it's so very side of the city. It's it's so very exciting and an incredible leadership exciting and an incredible leadership exciting and an incredible leadership down there. So today, uh, we're down there. So today, uh, we're down there. So today, uh, we're beginning a a brand new four-part series beginning a a brand new four-part series beginning a a brand new four-part series entitled Everyday Courage. And to get us entitled Everyday Courage. And to get us entitled Everyday Courage. And to get us started, I want us to do a little, um, a started, I want us to do a little, um, a started, I want us to do a little, um, a little exercise or a little trip down little exercise or a little trip down little exercise or a little trip down memory lane. I want you to think for a memory lane. I want you to think for a memory lane. I want you to think for a moment about or to answer the question, moment about or to answer the question, moment about or to answer the question, uh, what is the most, and I'm going to uh, what is the most, and I'm going to uh, what is the most, and I'm going to contextualize this for you. What is the contextualize this for you. What is the contextualize this for you. What is the most courageous thing you've ever done? most courageous thing you've ever done? most courageous thing you've ever done? And I don't mean bungee jumping or scuba And I don't mean bungee jumping or scuba And I don't mean bungee jumping or scuba diving or swimming with sharks or rock diving or swimming with sharks or rock diving or swimming with sharks or rock climbing. Not not that kind of of of climbing. Not not that kind of of of climbing. Not not that kind of of of courageous. um the kind of courageous or courageous. um the kind of courageous or courageous. um the kind of courageous or that's related to a decision you made that's related to a decision you made that's related to a decision you made that had the potential to change the that had the potential to change the that had the potential to change the direction of your life. In fact, maybe direction of your life. In fact, maybe direction of your life. In fact, maybe that decision did change the direction that decision did change the direction that decision did change the direction of your life, but um you tried to talk of your life, but um you tried to talk of your life, but um you tried to talk yourself out of it. Maybe other people yourself out of it. Maybe other people yourself out of it. Maybe other people tried to talk you out of it. There was tried to talk you out of it. There was tried to talk you out of it. There was no guarantee that it was going to work no guarantee that it was going to work no guarantee that it was going to work out. There was no way to know if there out. There was no way to know if there out. There was no way to know if there would be a bow. You know, what is the would be a bow. You know, what is the would be a bow. You know, what is the what is the bravest decision you made what is the bravest decision you made what is the bravest decision you made maybe professionally? um you left maybe professionally? um you left maybe professionally? um you left something to go to something else and something to go to something else and something to go to something else and you weren't so sure and there's no you weren't so sure and there's no you weren't so sure and there's no guarantee. Uh the bravest decision you guarantee. Uh the bravest decision you guarantee. Uh the bravest decision you made maybe even academically um maybe made maybe even academically um maybe made maybe even academically um maybe relationally getting in a relationship,

relationally getting in a relationship, relationally getting in a relationship, leaving a relationship, choosing to leaving a relationship, choosing to leaving a relationship, choosing to stay, whatever it might be. The one of stay, whatever it might be. The one of stay, whatever it might be. The one of those decisions that you were there was those decisions that you were there was those decisions that you were there was fear, but you did it and you're glad you fear, but you did it and you're glad you fear, but you did it and you're glad you did it. In fact, it was such a big did it. In fact, it was such a big did it. In fact, it was such a big decision when you think back it kind of decision when you think back it kind of decision when you think back it kind of scares you to think about where you'd be scares you to think about where you'd be scares you to think about where you'd be today if you hadn't made that decision. today if you hadn't made that decision. today if you hadn't made that decision. We all have one or two of those in our We all have one or two of those in our We all have one or two of those in our background. And the longer you live, background. And the longer you live, background. And the longer you live, there there's going to be more. Um there there's going to be more. Um there there's going to be more. Um Sandra would tell you that, my wife Sandra would tell you that, my wife Sandra would tell you that, my wife Sandra would tell you that the bravest Sandra would tell you that the bravest Sandra would tell you that the bravest thing I ever did was ask her to marry thing I ever did was ask her to marry thing I ever did was ask her to marry me. Um she says, and I quote, that I was me. Um she says, and I quote, that I was me. Um she says, and I quote, that I was pale and [clears throat] she thought pale and [clears throat] she thought pale and [clears throat] she thought that I might actually pass out. that I might actually pass out. that I might actually pass out. Apparently, this is no exaggeration. Apparently, this is no exaggeration. Apparently, this is no exaggeration. Apparently, I would I looked so scared Apparently, I would I looked so scared Apparently, I would I looked so scared when I proposed to her. Um, when I said, when I proposed to her. Um, when I said, when I proposed to her. Um, when I said, "Will you," I got on down on one knee "Will you," I got on down on one knee "Will you," I got on down on one knee and I said, "Will you marry me?" And she and I said, "Will you marry me?" And she and I said, "Will you marry me?" And she said, and I quote, "You don't have to do said, and I quote, "You don't have to do said, and I quote, "You don't have to do this, you know."

Not yes, not no, Not yes, not no, you don't have to do this. You know, you don't have to do this. You know, you don't have to do this. You know, that is a direct quote I'm sharing with that is a direct quote I'm sharing with that is a direct quote I'm sharing with her permission. It was such a romantic her permission. It was such a romantic her permission. It was such a romantic moment. moment. moment. Anyway, bravest thing I did here. And um Anyway, bravest thing I did here. And um Anyway, bravest thing I did here. And um it scares me honestly to think about it scares me honestly to think about it scares me honestly to think about where I would be or where I wouldn't be where I would be or where I wouldn't be where I would be or where I wouldn't be if I had not asked her to marry me. And if I had not asked her to marry me. And if I had not asked her to marry me. And especially if she had said if she hadn't especially if she had said if she hadn't especially if she had said if she hadn't said yes. Now here's something we've all said yes. Now here's something we've all said yes. Now here's something we've all observed. This isn't a religious thing. observed. This isn't a religious thing. observed. This isn't a religious thing. You may have no religion, no faith, or a You may have no religion, no faith, or a You may have no religion, no faith, or a different faith tradition. This is just different faith tradition. This is just different faith tradition. This is just kind of human experience. We've all kind of human experience. We've all kind of human experience. We've all observed um we've certainly all read observed um we've certainly all read observed um we've certainly all read about or studied in school and perhaps about or studied in school and perhaps about or studied in school and perhaps you may have even experienced personally you may have even experienced personally you may have even experienced personally this this truth that a single act of this this truth that a single act of this this truth that a single act of courage a single act of courage is often courage a single act of courage is often courage a single act of courage is often is often the catalyst for extraordinary. is often the catalyst for extraordinary. is often the catalyst for extraordinary. That a single act of courage is often That a single act of courage is often That a single act of courage is often the catalyst for extraordinary. In fact, the catalyst for extraordinary. In fact, the catalyst for extraordinary. In fact, some of your favorite moments in history some of your favorite moments in history some of your favorite moments in history when that the ones you read about or when that the ones you read about or when that the ones you read about or read about, the ones movies are made read about, the ones movies are made read about, the ones movies are made about or novels are written about or about or novels are written about or about or novels are written about or historical fiction are written around th historical fiction are written around th historical fiction are written around th those moments in history um somebody those moments in history um somebody those moments in history um somebody stepped up or stepped in and the world stepped up or stepped in and the world stepped up or stepped in and the world changed or the world moved in a changed or the world moved in a changed or the world moved in a different direction or a family that different direction or a family that different direction or a family that influenced families moved in a d influenced families moved in a d influenced families moved in a d different direction and historically different direction and historically different direction and historically when it's some big epic thing like that when it's some big epic thing like that when it's some big epic thing like that it rarely happens in a vacuum. I mean it rarely happens in a vacuum. I mean it rarely happens in a vacuum. I mean there's a historical context the table there's a historical context the table there's a historical context the table is set you know circumstances are in is set you know circumstances are in is set you know circumstances are in place there's fear there's tension you

place there's fear there's tension you place there's fear there's tension you know and then someone acts someone goes know and then someone acts someone goes know and then someone acts someone goes first and when they go first it set first and when they go first it set first and when they go first it set things in it sets things in motion that things in it sets things in motion that things in it sets things in motion that you know on an epic grand scale impact you know on an epic grand scale impact you know on an epic grand scale impact nations impact the world um one of my nations impact the world um one of my nations impact the world um one of my favorites because perhaps what I do is favorites because perhaps what I do is favorites because perhaps what I do is in 1517 in 1517 in 1517 Martin Luther Martin Luther Martin Luther nailing 95 objections to church practice nailing 95 objections to church practice nailing 95 objections to church practice to the door of the castle church in to the door of the castle church in to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. You know, we call Wittenberg, Germany. You know, we call Wittenberg, Germany. You know, we call it his 95 thesis, but it's basically 95 it his 95 thesis, but it's basically 95 it his 95 thesis, but it's basically 95 complaints to the church. And so many complaints to the church. And so many complaints to the church. And so many historians would say this was kind of historians would say this was kind of historians would say this was kind of the epic moment that kicked off the the epic moment that kicked off the the epic moment that kicked off the Protestant Reformation, but he had no Protestant Reformation, but he had no Protestant Reformation, but he had no idea. He was just one of many people idea. He was just one of many people idea. He was just one of many people doing what he did. But he was finally doing what he did. But he was finally doing what he did. But he was finally fed up and he risked his life. in fact fed up and he risked his life. in fact fed up and he risked his life. in fact spent many years of his life in hiding spent many years of his life in hiding spent many years of his life in hiding because he went to war with the church because he went to war with the church because he went to war with the church but he said the church is so has drifted but he said the church is so has drifted but he said the church is so has drifted so far away from what Jesus originally so far away from what Jesus originally so far away from what Jesus originally intended and he set in motion things intended and he set in motion things intended and he set in motion things that continue to impact us today. Or that continue to impact us today. Or that continue to impact us today. Or what about the signers of the what about the signers of the what about the signers of the Declaration of Independence when they Declaration of Independence when they Declaration of Independence when they signed that document? They signed their signed that document? They signed their signed that document? They signed their lives away. They basically essentially lives away. They basically essentially lives away. They basically essentially for all they knew they signed their own for all they knew they signed their own for all they knew they signed their own death warrants by putting their names on death warrants by putting their names on death warrants by putting their names on a document that would be distributed a document that would be distributed a document that would be distributed about our you know the colonies breaking about our you know the colonies breaking about our you know the colonies breaking away from England epic courage or or away from England epic courage or or away from England epic courage or or Rosa Parks just another day in her life

Rosa Parks just another day in her life Rosa Parks just another day in her life sits down on the bus and she's asked to sits down on the bus and she's asked to sits down on the bus and she's asked to move and she decided on that day move and she decided on that day move and she decided on that day I'm not moving and she had no idea what I'm not moving and she had no idea what I'm not moving and she had no idea what hung in the balance balance of that hung in the balance balance of that hung in the balance balance of that decision. She had no idea. She was just decision. She had no idea. She was just decision. She had no idea. She was just the average person who decided, "I'm the average person who decided, "I'm the average person who decided, "I'm going to do what I know I need to do, going to do what I know I need to do, going to do what I know I need to do, and whatever the consequences are, the and whatever the consequences are, the and whatever the consequences are, the consequences are." Now, here's the consequences are." Now, here's the consequences are." Now, here's the thing. While it is tempting, it's a thing. While it is tempting, it's a thing. While it is tempting, it's a mistake to discount these epic mistake to discount these epic mistake to discount these epic narratives as exceptions to a rule. They narratives as exceptions to a rule. They narratives as exceptions to a rule. They are not. These were ordinary people. In are not. These were ordinary people. In are not. These were ordinary people. In fact, it's always an ordinary person. fact, it's always an ordinary person. fact, it's always an ordinary person. These are ordinary people who didn't These are ordinary people who didn't These are ordinary people who didn't know how their single act of courage know how their single act of courage know how their single act of courage would play out. But we know their would play out. But we know their would play out. But we know their stories. We know their stories. And stories. We know their stories. And stories. We know their stories. And since we know their stories, of course, since we know their stories, of course, since we know their stories, of course, they're heroes. But they didn't know they're heroes. But they didn't know they're heroes. But they didn't know their story because in the moment there their story because in the moment there their story because in the moment there wasn't a story. They wouldn't have a wasn't a story. They wouldn't have a wasn't a story. They wouldn't have a story to know apart from a single act of story to know apart from a single act of story to know apart from a single act of courage. A a a single decision in many courage. A a a single decision in many courage. A a a single decision in many instances that set in motion things that instances that set in motion things that instances that set in motion things that would impact and continue to impact for would impact and continue to impact for would impact and continue to impact for generations. And this same principle, generations. And this same principle, generations. And this same principle, this same principle plays out in your this same principle plays out in your this same principle plays out in your life and plays out in my life. That's life and plays out in my life. That's life and plays out in my life. That's where we're why we're going to talk where we're why we're going to talk where we're why we're going to talk about it for the next few weeks. This about it for the next few weeks. This about it for the next few weeks. This this simple principle plays out on an this simple principle plays out on an this simple principle plays out on an epic the same principle that has played epic the same principle that has played epic the same principle that has played out on an epic scale in history will out on an epic scale in history will out on an epic scale in history will continue to play out in our less than continue to play out in our less than continue to play out in our less than epic lives with our less than epic epic lives with our less than epic epic lives with our less than epic challenges and our less than epic

challenges and our less than epic challenges and our less than epic opportunities and our less than epic opportunities and our less than epic opportunities and our less than epic temptations. Now, here's the thing to temptations. Now, here's the thing to temptations. Now, here's the thing to kind of dial it down into the context of kind of dial it down into the context of kind of dial it down into the context of the real world. Many of you, many of us, the real world. Many of you, many of us, the real world. Many of you, many of us, I would put myself in this category. I would put myself in this category. I would put myself in this category. Many of us have actually benefited Many of us have actually benefited Many of us have actually benefited personally because someone whose name personally because someone whose name personally because someone whose name will never be known for the most part will never be known for the most part will never be known for the most part outside a very small circle of people. outside a very small circle of people. outside a very small circle of people. Many of us have benefited because Many of us have benefited because Many of us have benefited because somebody stepped up and did the somebody stepped up and did the somebody stepped up and did the courageous thing, did the act, stepped courageous thing, did the act, stepped courageous thing, did the act, stepped into the gap. Um, perhaps for you it was into the gap. Um, perhaps for you it was into the gap. Um, perhaps for you it was your parents deciding not to split up your parents deciding not to split up your parents deciding not to split up when you were a child. Even though when you were a child. Even though when you were a child. Even though circumstances said split up and people circumstances said split up and people circumstances said split up and people encouraged them to split up and the encouraged them to split up and the encouraged them to split up and the average couple would have split up, but average couple would have split up, but average couple would have split up, but because they loved you and because of because they loved you and because of because they loved you and because of the kids, they deci they decided to stay the kids, they deci they decided to stay the kids, they deci they decided to stay together. And looking back now that together. And looking back now that together. And looking back now that you're an adult, you can understand how you're an adult, you can understand how you're an adult, you can understand how what a difference that made in your what a difference that made in your what a difference that made in your life, but they decided we're going to do life, but they decided we're going to do life, but they decided we're going to do the unusual thing and you have benefited the unusual thing and you have benefited the unusual thing and you have benefited from it. Or maybe from it. Or maybe from it. Or maybe it was your mother's decision, your it was your mother's decision, your it was your mother's decision, your mother's choice to have you when mother's choice to have you when mother's choice to have you when circumstances were against that when circumstances were against that when circumstances were against that when people urged her not to and she decided people urged her not to and she decided people urged her not to and she decided to do it anyway. That was an epic act of to do it anyway. That was an epic act of to do it anyway. That was an epic act of courage as it relates to your life. Or courage as it relates to your life. Or courage as it relates to your life. Or maybe your grandparents stepped in and maybe your grandparents stepped in and maybe your grandparents stepped in and raised you. Even after they'd raised the raised you. Even after they'd raised the raised you. Even after they'd raised the kids and moved on, they decided because kids and moved on, they decided because kids and moved on, they decided because of what was happening with your parents, of what was happening with your parents, of what was happening with your parents, they stepped in and they rescued you.

they stepped in and they rescued you. they stepped in and they rescued you. That was an act of courage that was a That was an act of courage that was a That was an act of courage that was a catalyst for change and a catalyst for catalyst for change and a catalyst for catalyst for change and a catalyst for extraordinary in your childhood extraordinary in your childhood extraordinary in your childhood experience. Or maybe it was as simple as experience. Or maybe it was as simple as experience. Or maybe it was as simple as a coach or a boss who gave you a second a coach or a boss who gave you a second a coach or a boss who gave you a second chance that you didn't deserve. They chance that you didn't deserve. They chance that you didn't deserve. They took a chance on you. They took a risk took a chance on you. They took a risk took a chance on you. They took a risk on you with no guaranteed outcome. And on you with no guaranteed outcome. And on you with no guaranteed outcome. And yet it was epic in terms of how it yet it was epic in terms of how it yet it was epic in terms of how it impacted the direction of your life and impacted the direction of your life and impacted the direction of your life and the health of your life as time went by. the health of your life as time went by. the health of your life as time went by. But here's the thing, and you know this, But here's the thing, and you know this, But here's the thing, and you know this, but it's we got to say it. If we knew if but it's we got to say it. If we knew if but it's we got to say it. If we knew if we knew in the moment how things were we knew in the moment how things were we knew in the moment how things were going to work out, right? If we knew going to work out, right? If we knew going to work out, right? If we knew that a single decision was going to be that a single decision was going to be that a single decision was going to be the tipping point for something the tipping point for something the tipping point for something extraordinary, extraordinary, extraordinary, we wouldn't hesitate. We would act we wouldn't hesitate. We would act we wouldn't hesitate. We would act immediately. If we knew that the end of immediately. If we knew that the end of immediately. If we knew that the end of the story would be worth the struggle the story would be worth the struggle the story would be worth the struggle during the story, this is easy. But we during the story, this is easy. But we during the story, this is easy. But we don't because courage, the reason don't because courage, the reason don't because courage, the reason there's the need for courage is that there's the need for courage is that there's the need for courage is that courage always entails risk and courage always entails risk and courage always entails risk and sacrifice and endurance through the sacrifice and endurance through the sacrifice and endurance through the episode with no promise of a bow, with episode with no promise of a bow, with episode with no promise of a bow, with no promise of a happy ending or a happy no promise of a happy ending or a happy no promise of a happy ending or a happy landing. And if that doesn't convince landing. And if that doesn't convince landing. And if that doesn't convince you that this lands and applies to your you that this lands and applies to your you that this lands and applies to your life, let's look at it the other way. A life, let's look at it the other way. A life, let's look at it the other way. A lack of courage, a lack of courage, a lack of courage, a lack of courage, a lack of courage, a lack of courage, a failure of nerve, a failure to act can failure of nerve, a failure to act can failure of nerve, a failure to act can set things in motion for generations as set things in motion for generations as set things in motion for generations as well. Right? In fact, perhaps you can't well. Right? In fact, perhaps you can't well. Right? In fact, perhaps you can't imagine how much better your life would imagine how much better your life would imagine how much better your life would have been if your mom or dad hadn't have been if your mom or dad hadn't have been if your mom or dad hadn't lacked the courage to get help or to ask

lacked the courage to get help or to ask lacked the courage to get help or to ask for help to address a a an addiction or for help to address a a an addiction or for help to address a a an addiction or to get out of a toxic relationship. to get out of a toxic relationship. to get out of a toxic relationship. Perhaps you can imagine if you'd had the Perhaps you can imagine if you'd had the Perhaps you can imagine if you'd had the courage to say no to that invitation courage to say no to that invitation courage to say no to that invitation that led you in a direction that you that led you in a direction that you that led you in a direction that you regret and will always regret. Perhaps regret and will always regret. Perhaps regret and will always regret. Perhaps you can imagine how much different your you can imagine how much different your you can imagine how much different your life would have been if you had had the life would have been if you had had the life would have been if you had had the courage to walk away from something or courage to walk away from something or courage to walk away from something or to walk away to walk away to walk away from somebody. from somebody. from somebody. Basically, you can we can all think Basically, you can we can all think Basically, you can we can all think about how different our lives might have about how different our lives might have about how different our lives might have been if we had just simply had the been if we had just simply had the been if we had just simply had the courage in a moment to do the right courage in a moment to do the right courage in a moment to do the right thing. So, this is a big deal even thing. So, this is a big deal even thing. So, this is a big deal even though you're not a big deal. This is a though you're not a big deal. This is a though you're not a big deal. This is a big deal even though I'm not a big deal. big deal even though I'm not a big deal. big deal even though I'm not a big deal. This is a big deal regardless of the This is a big deal regardless of the This is a big deal regardless of the fact that none of us are big deals. But fact that none of us are big deals. But fact that none of us are big deals. But it is a principle that operates in the it is a principle that operates in the it is a principle that operates in the background of our lives in some cases as background of our lives in some cases as background of our lives in some cases as we're going to see in the next few weeks we're going to see in the next few weeks we're going to see in the next few weeks every single day because we and the every single day because we and the every single day because we and the reason it's a big deal is we don't know reason it's a big deal is we don't know reason it's a big deal is we don't know we don't know what or who hangs in the we don't know what or who hangs in the we don't know what or who hangs in the balance of our decision to do the right balance of our decision to do the right balance of our decision to do the right thing regardless of what it's going to thing regardless of what it's going to thing regardless of what it's going to cost us when we don't know what it's cost us when we don't know what it's cost us when we don't know what it's going to cost us. And the thing that going to cost us. And the thing that going to cost us. And the thing that pushes us back and the thing that holds pushes us back and the thing that holds pushes us back and the thing that holds us back, if we're honest, even though us back, if we're honest, even though us back, if we're honest, even though it's difficult to admit, that's why it's difficult to admit, that's why it's difficult to admit, that's why we're talking about this for a few weeks we're talking about this for a few weeks we're talking about this for a few weeks oftentimes is fear. It's a big deal oftentimes is fear. It's a big deal oftentimes is fear. It's a big deal because we don't know what or who hangs because we don't know what or who hangs because we don't know what or who hangs in the balance of that single act of in the balance of that single act of in the balance of that single act of courage that is often the catalyst for courage that is often the catalyst for courage that is often the catalyst for extraordinary. Now, if you're not a

extraordinary. Now, if you're not a extraordinary. Now, if you're not a person of faith or maybe you're of a person of faith or maybe you're of a person of faith or maybe you're of a different faith tradition and again, different faith tradition and again, different faith tradition and again, you're not going to agree with you're not going to agree with you're not going to agree with everything in this message. Um, everything in this message. Um, everything in this message. Um, everything I've said so far is probably everything I've said so far is probably everything I've said so far is probably something you can get on board with something you can get on board with something you can get on board with this. In fact, I may have described your this. In fact, I may have described your this. In fact, I may have described your experience growing up. All of us have experience growing up. All of us have experience growing up. All of us have regrets. All of us have, you know, we regrets. All of us have, you know, we regrets. All of us have, you know, we failure of nerve, failure to act. And failure of nerve, failure to act. And failure of nerve, failure to act. And so, you [snorts] know, so far so good. so, you [snorts] know, so far so good. so, you [snorts] know, so far so good. Um, I imagine you agree with most of Um, I imagine you agree with most of Um, I imagine you agree with most of that. Um, but here's what I know about that. Um, but here's what I know about that. Um, but here's what I know about you. If you're not a person of faith or you. If you're not a person of faith or you. If you're not a person of faith or you're not a person of Christian faith, you're not a person of Christian faith, you're not a person of Christian faith, you have some sort of riskreward you have some sort of riskreward you have some sort of riskreward decision-making grid that works for you. decision-making grid that works for you. decision-making grid that works for you. I mean, you've navigated these things I mean, you've navigated these things I mean, you've navigated these things before. Um, so what comes next as we before. Um, so what comes next as we before. Um, so what comes next as we move forward with this message and this move forward with this message and this move forward with this message and this series, what comes next? You may not series, what comes next? You may not series, what comes next? You may not feel like it's applicable or applicable feel like it's applicable or applicable feel like it's applicable or applicable to your life. But if you are considering to your life. But if you are considering to your life. But if you are considering becoming a Jesus follower, if you are becoming a Jesus follower, if you are becoming a Jesus follower, if you are curious at all, I think what follows curious at all, I think what follows curious at all, I think what follows would be good for you to know. So here would be good for you to know. So here would be good for you to know. So here we go. as Jesus followers, as those of we go. as Jesus followers, as those of we go. as Jesus followers, as those of us not simply believers and not simply us not simply believers and not simply us not simply believers and not simply Christians, those of us who have decided Christians, those of us who have decided Christians, those of us who have decided to the best of our ability we want to to the best of our ability we want to to the best of our ability we want to follow Jesus, there is an additional follow Jesus, there is an additional follow Jesus, there is an additional facet to all of this. And that is facet to all of this. And that is facet to all of this. And that is evident from the fact that um catalytic evident from the fact that um catalytic evident from the fact that um catalytic um expressions of courage are throughout um expressions of courage are throughout um expressions of courage are throughout the story of our faith beginning through the story of our faith beginning through the story of our faith beginning through all throughout Judaism and all all throughout Judaism and all all throughout Judaism and all throughout Christianity that there that throughout Christianity that there that throughout Christianity that there that that um that throughout the history of that um that throughout the history of that um that throughout the history of our faith again beginning with the our faith again beginning with the our faith again beginning with the beginning of Judaism there have been men beginning of Judaism there have been men beginning of Judaism there have been men and women who have responded to the and women who have responded to the and women who have responded to the prompings of God and their decisions

prompings of God and their decisions prompings of God and their decisions again dot the landscape of our history. again dot the landscape of our history. again dot the landscape of our history. the history of our faith beginning with the history of our faith beginning with the history of our faith beginning with Abraham. If you grew up in church or you Abraham. If you grew up in church or you Abraham. If you grew up in church or you grew up in synagogue, you know the story grew up in synagogue, you know the story grew up in synagogue, you know the story of Abraham who left the security of home of Abraham who left the security of home of Abraham who left the security of home and family to go. He did not know where. and family to go. He did not know where. and family to go. He did not know where. God just said go and I will show you. Or God just said go and I will show you. Or God just said go and I will show you. Or the story of Joseph in the Old Testament the story of Joseph in the Old Testament the story of Joseph in the Old Testament forgiving. If you know the story, forgi forgiving. If you know the story, forgi forgiving. If you know the story, forgi the courage to forgive. The courage to the courage to forgive. The courage to the courage to forgive. The courage to rescue rather than execute his brothers rescue rather than execute his brothers rescue rather than execute his brothers who sold him into slavery. The courage who sold him into slavery. The courage who sold him into slavery. The courage to do the opposite of what anybody else to do the opposite of what anybody else to do the opposite of what anybody else in his circumstances would have done. in his circumstances would have done. in his circumstances would have done. the story of Moses who left Egypt as a the story of Moses who left Egypt as a the story of Moses who left Egypt as a fugitive from the law because he'd fugitive from the law because he'd fugitive from the law because he'd murdered a man who decides because of murdered a man who decides because of murdered a man who decides because of God's prompings to go back into Egypt God's prompings to go back into Egypt God's prompings to go back into Egypt and not simply go back into Egypt, but and not simply go back into Egypt, but and not simply go back into Egypt, but to face down the most powerful man in to face down the most powerful man in to face down the most powerful man in the world and say, "By the way, I want the world and say, "By the way, I want the world and say, "By the way, I want you to wreck your economy by freeing all you to wreck your economy by freeing all you to wreck your economy by freeing all the slave labor in your entire kingdom."

the slave labor in your entire kingdom." the slave labor in your entire kingdom." I mean, that is absurd. Why would I mean, that is absurd. Why would I mean, that is absurd. Why would somebody have the courage to do somebody have the courage to do somebody have the courage to do something like that? Or the story of something like that? Or the story of something like that? Or the story of Joshua. Joshua who led the nation of Joshua. Joshua who led the nation of Joshua. Joshua who led the nation of Israel across the Jordan River into Israel across the Jordan River into Israel across the Jordan River into hostile territory. A group of people who hostile territory. A group of people who hostile territory. A group of people who had no military experience with no had no military experience with no had no military experience with no guarantee it seemed of what was going to guarantee it seemed of what was going to guarantee it seemed of what was going to happen on the other side of the river. happen on the other side of the river. happen on the other side of the river. But he said, "This is what we're going But he said, "This is what we're going But he said, "This is what we're going to do because this is what God has urged to do because this is what God has urged to do because this is what God has urged me and led me to do." or the familiar me and led me to do." or the familiar me and led me to do." or the familiar story of David, the probably 10 or 11, story of David, the probably 10 or 11, story of David, the probably 10 or 11, maybe 12 years old, who stood out and maybe 12 years old, who stood out and maybe 12 years old, who stood out and listened to Goliath taunt the nation of listened to Goliath taunt the nation of listened to Goliath taunt the nation of Israel, the armies of Israel from the Israel, the armies of Israel from the Israel, the armies of Israel from the other side of the valley of Elah. And other side of the valley of Elah. And other side of the valley of Elah. And somehow in that moment, little David saw somehow in that moment, little David saw somehow in that moment, little David saw it and heard it different than anybody it and heard it different than anybody it and heard it different than anybody else. He saw this as an offense to else. He saw this as an offense to else. He saw this as an offense to Yahweh, offense to God. and he decided Yahweh, offense to God. and he decided Yahweh, offense to God. and he decided even as a kid that their god was more even as a kid that their god was more even as a kid that their god was more powerful than the other people's god and powerful than the other people's god and powerful than the other people's god and felt the urge to walk down into the felt the urge to walk down into the felt the urge to walk down into the valley of a lie and face a giant or the valley of a lie and face a giant or the valley of a lie and face a giant or the story of New Testament Joseph the one we story of New Testament Joseph the one we story of New Testament Joseph the one we all know about as we celebrate Christmas all know about as we celebrate Christmas all know about as we celebrate Christmas risking so much to take Mary as his risking so much to take Mary as his risking so much to take Mary as his wife. Now I do need to make one comment wife. Now I do need to make one comment wife. Now I do need to make one comment about this one.

about this one. about this one. If an angel appears to you and gives you If an angel appears to you and gives you If an angel appears to you and gives you specific instructions that certainly specific instructions that certainly specific instructions that certainly helps. Okay. Anyway, moving on. helps. Okay. Anyway, moving on. helps. Okay. Anyway, moving on. [clears throat] Or or this just the [clears throat] Or or this just the [clears throat] Or or this just the story of Jesus, the the the grand epic story of Jesus, the the the grand epic story of Jesus, the the the grand epic narrative of Jesus that I was never narrative of Jesus that I was never narrative of Jesus that I was never taught as a child. I was never even taught as a child. I was never even taught as a child. I was never even taught this in church. And yet, it's taught this in church. And yet, it's taught this in church. And yet, it's it's the it's the most catalytic moment it's the it's the most catalytic moment it's the it's the most catalytic moment that Jesus is safe way up north in that Jesus is safe way up north in that Jesus is safe way up north in Galilee. and he decides to go to Galilee. and he decides to go to Galilee. and he decides to go to Jerusalem when he knows what's going to Jerusalem when he knows what's going to Jerusalem when he knows what's going to happen to him because this is God's will happen to him because this is God's will happen to him because this is God's will for him, his date with fate. And he knew for him, his date with fate. And he knew for him, his date with fate. And he knew he would be beaten and crucified and he he would be beaten and crucified and he he would be beaten and crucified and he goes anyway walking through the gates of goes anyway walking through the gates of goes anyway walking through the gates of Jerusalem knowing what was about to Jerusalem knowing what was about to Jerusalem knowing what was about to happen. Or some years later, the Apostle happen. Or some years later, the Apostle happen. Or some years later, the Apostle Paul doing basically the same thing Paul doing basically the same thing Paul doing basically the same thing after planting churches all around the after planting churches all around the after planting churches all around the Mediterranean rim and risking his life. Mediterranean rim and risking his life. Mediterranean rim and risking his life. over and over and over and over because over and over and over and over because over and over and over and over because God called him to do it with no God called him to do it with no God called him to do it with no guarantee of success. And then he guarantee of success. And then he guarantee of success. And then he decides to leave and to go back to decides to leave and to go back to decides to leave and to go back to Jerusalem. And all along the way, if you Jerusalem. And all along the way, if you Jerusalem. And all along the way, if you read his story in the book of Acts, all read his story in the book of Acts, all read his story in the book of Acts, all along the way, he's warned, "When you along the way, he's warned, "When you along the way, he's warned, "When you get to Jerusalem, things are not going get to Jerusalem, things are not going get to Jerusalem, things are not going to go well for you." And he's like, to go well for you." And he's like, to go well for you." And he's like, "Yeah, but this is what God has for me "Yeah, but this is what God has for me "Yeah, but this is what God has for me to do." Okay, here's the thing. I want to do." Okay, here's the thing. I want to do." Okay, here's the thing. I want you to get the dynamic that sets these you to get the dynamic that sets these you to get the dynamic that sets these expressions of courage apart. that d the expressions of courage apart. that d the expressions of courage apart. that d the dynamic that connects all of their dynamic that connects all of their dynamic that connects all of their stories that connects all of their dots.

stories that connects all of their dots. stories that connects all of their dots. The dynamic that connects their stories The dynamic that connects their stories The dynamic that connects their stories to our stories as Jesus followers. The to our stories as Jesus followers. The to our stories as Jesus followers. The dynamic that connects all of that is the dynamic that connects all of that is the dynamic that connects all of that is the differentiator. This is important. The differentiator. This is important. The differentiator. This is important. The differentiator is a different differentiator is a different differentiator is a different understanding of what it means to win. understanding of what it means to win. understanding of what it means to win. The reason they did what they did and The reason they did what they did and The reason they did what they did and the reason you will be called to do what the reason you will be called to do what the reason you will be called to do what you will be called to do as a Jesus you will be called to do as a Jesus you will be called to do as a Jesus follower isn't isn't what happens on the follower isn't isn't what happens on the follower isn't isn't what happens on the other side of the decision. It's a other side of the decision. It's a other side of the decision. It's a different definition of the win for different definition of the win for different definition of the win for Jesus followers. For Jesus followers, Jesus followers. For Jesus followers, Jesus followers. For Jesus followers, the win is not the outcome. The win is the win is not the outcome. The win is the win is not the outcome. The win is the decision the decision the decision to act. The win is the decision to obey. to act. The win is the decision to obey. to act. The win is the decision to obey. The when is the decision to say yes to The when is the decision to say yes to The when is the decision to say yes to God's will for you. A yes that often God's will for you. A yes that often God's will for you. A yes that often defies common sense. A yes that often defies common sense. A yes that often defies common sense. A yes that often defies common wisdom or conventional defies common wisdom or conventional defies common wisdom or conventional wisdom. And a yes that causes bystanders wisdom. And a yes that causes bystanders wisdom. And a yes that causes bystanders to look at you and wonder what's wrong to look at you and wonder what's wrong to look at you and wonder what's wrong with you because there's nothing in it with you because there's nothing in it with you because there's nothing in it for you. The win for Jesus followers for you. The win for Jesus followers for you. The win for Jesus followers is the follow is the follow is the follow regardless of the outcome, regardless of regardless of the outcome, regardless of regardless of the outcome, regardless of the potential outcome because Jesus the potential outcome because Jesus the potential outcome because Jesus followers because Jesus followers don't followers because Jesus followers don't followers because Jesus followers don't assume responsibility assume responsibility assume responsibility for outcomes. Our responsibility, this for outcomes. Our responsibility, this for outcomes. Our responsibility, this is the difference between followers and

is the difference between followers and is the difference between followers and simply believers and Christians. our our simply believers and Christians. our our simply believers and Christians. our our responsibility. The only thing we can responsibility. The only thing we can responsibility. The only thing we can control is our decision to say yes, our control is our decision to say yes, our control is our decision to say yes, our response to our king. And then once response to our king. And then once response to our king. And then once we've said yes and once we've done the we've said yes and once we've done the we've said yes and once we've done the thing, we go to bed with a clear thing, we go to bed with a clear thing, we go to bed with a clear conscience and we willingly accept the conscience and we willingly accept the conscience and we willingly accept the outcomes as coming from the hands of our outcomes as coming from the hands of our outcomes as coming from the hands of our heavenly father. We win when we follow. heavenly father. We win when we follow. heavenly father. We win when we follow. We win the moment we oy. That is the We win the moment we oy. That is the We win the moment we oy. That is the win. Outcomes are in God's hands. This win. Outcomes are in God's hands. This win. Outcomes are in God's hands. This is why Jesus said, and I'm going to read is why Jesus said, and I'm going to read is why Jesus said, and I'm going to read you a statement Jesus said made. And if you a statement Jesus said made. And if you a statement Jesus said made. And if you grew up in church or around church, you grew up in church or around church, you grew up in church or around church, um you may have loved this when you were um you may have loved this when you were um you may have loved this when you were young and as you got older and became an young and as you got older and became an young and as you got older and became an adult and experienced, you know, life adult and experienced, you know, life adult and experienced, you know, life the way life is, you may look at this the way life is, you may look at this the way life is, you may look at this statement from Jesus and go, I don't statement from Jesus and go, I don't statement from Jesus and go, I don't know about that one. In fact, I don't know about that one. In fact, I don't know about that one. In fact, I don't even know how you said such a thing not even know how you said such a thing not even know how you said such a thing not knowing my circumstances. God, you know, knowing my circumstances. God, you know, knowing my circumstances. God, you know, Jesus, you know, God, are you really is Jesus, you know, God, are you really is Jesus, you know, God, are you really is this really relevant to me? Are you this really relevant to me? Are you this really relevant to me? Are you paying attention to what's going on in paying attention to what's going on in paying attention to what's going on in my life? And the reason this statement my life? And the reason this statement my life? And the reason this statement actually it's a command by Jesus. The actually it's a command by Jesus. The actually it's a command by Jesus. The reason it is very difficult for some of reason it is very difficult for some of reason it is very difficult for some of us to digest this is that Jesus was us to digest this is that Jesus was us to digest this is that Jesus was making this comment to a made this making this comment to a made this making this comment to a made this command to a very specific group of command to a very specific group of command to a very specific group of people here. This is why everything I've people here. This is why everything I've people here. This is why everything I've said so far, this is why Jesus had the said so far, this is why Jesus had the said so far, this is why Jesus had the audacity to say, and it's so offensive audacity to say, and it's so offensive audacity to say, and it's so offensive to some extent. He said, "Therefore, do

to some extent. He said, "Therefore, do to some extent. He said, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow." To which not worry about tomorrow." To which not worry about tomorrow." To which we're going to go, "Okay, time out. Do we're going to go, "Okay, time out. Do we're going to go, "Okay, time out. Do you know what's on my schedule tomorrow? you know what's on my schedule tomorrow? you know what's on my schedule tomorrow? Do you know who I have to talk to Do you know who I have to talk to Do you know who I have to talk to tomorrow? Do you know what's coming up tomorrow? Do you know what's coming up tomorrow? Do you know what's coming up tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? Do tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? Do tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? Do you know what's coming up next week? Do you know what's coming up next week? Do you know what's coming up next week? Do you know what's coming up next? Do you you know what's coming up next? Do you you know what's coming up next? Do you know what is hanging in the balance that know what is hanging in the balance that know what is hanging in the balance that I have no control over? How dare you I have no control over? How dare you I have no control over? How dare you just say to me, "Do not worry about just say to me, "Do not worry about just say to me, "Do not worry about tomorrow." But this imperative tomorrow." But this imperative tomorrow." But this imperative was directed to a very specific was directed to a very specific was directed to a very specific audience. The word therefore is what audience. The word therefore is what audience. The word therefore is what tips us off to that. This imperative, tips us off to that. This imperative, tips us off to that. This imperative, this imperative was based on what came this imperative was based on what came this imperative was based on what came before. do not worry is an application before. do not worry is an application before. do not worry is an application of what he had just said, namely, of what he had just said, namely, of what he had just said, namely, but seek first but seek first but seek first his kingdom, my father's kingdom, and his kingdom, my father's kingdom, and his kingdom, my father's kingdom, and his his father's righteousness. Seek his his father's righteousness. Seek his his father's righteousness. Seek first, prioritize, wrap your life first, prioritize, wrap your life first, prioritize, wrap your life around, organize your life around the around, organize your life around the around, organize your life around the agenda of the king, the agenda of the agenda of the king, the agenda of the agenda of the king, the agenda of the kingdom of God. Seek first the kingdom kingdom of God. Seek first the kingdom kingdom of God. Seek first the kingdom of God and his understanding of the of God and his understanding of the of God and his understanding of the right way to live. His understanding of right way to live. His understanding of right way to live. His understanding of justice for you and the people in this justice for you and the people in this justice for you and the people in this world. Seek first his kingdom. Seek world. Seek first his kingdom. Seek world. Seek first his kingdom. Seek first the justice associated with his first the justice associated with his first the justice associated with his kingdom. That do not worry. Do not worry kingdom. That do not worry. Do not worry kingdom. That do not worry. Do not worry was directed to men and women who had was directed to men and women who had was directed to men and women who had predecided who had preddecided to predecided who had preddecided to predecided who had preddecided to embrace the priorities embrace the priorities embrace the priorities and the kingdom agenda and the kingdom agenda and the kingdom agenda of Jesus. those who had already already

of Jesus. those who had already already of Jesus. those who had already already decided to say yes to his invitation to decided to say yes to his invitation to decided to say yes to his invitation to follow me. And then he says, "And trust follow me. And then he says, "And trust follow me. And then he says, "And trust me with the outcomes. You do not need to me with the outcomes. You do not need to me with the outcomes. You do not need to worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow is none worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow is none worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow is none of your business." Those people, those of your business." Those people, those of your business." Those people, those who choose to follow Jesus, do not, this who choose to follow Jesus, do not, this who choose to follow Jesus, do not, this is hard, but this is the invitation. is hard, but this is the invitation. is hard, but this is the invitation. Those of us who are choosing and doing Those of us who are choosing and doing Those of us who are choosing and doing our best to choose to follow Jesus, we our best to choose to follow Jesus, we our best to choose to follow Jesus, we don't evaluate our decisions by what don't evaluate our decisions by what don't evaluate our decisions by what transpires transpires transpires tomorrow. tomorrow. tomorrow. Yes. Is the win. Your single act of Yes. Is the win. Your single act of Yes. Is the win. Your single act of courage is the win. courage is the win. courage is the win. Now, this is a big deal to me for a Now, this is a big deal to me for a Now, this is a big deal to me for a couple of reasons, and this is why I couple of reasons, and this is why I couple of reasons, and this is why I wanted to spread this out over four wanted to spread this out over four wanted to spread this out over four weeks so this can settle in on us. One weeks so this can settle in on us. One weeks so this can settle in on us. One one reason this is a big deal to me is I one reason this is a big deal to me is I one reason this is a big deal to me is I have seen this principle play out for have seen this principle play out for have seen this principle play out for decades, literally decades, is I get to decades, literally decades, is I get to decades, literally decades, is I get to sit and listen to the stories of men and sit and listen to the stories of men and sit and listen to the stories of men and women who decided to follow Jesus and women who decided to follow Jesus and women who decided to follow Jesus and said yes to God's prompting and did said yes to God's prompting and did said yes to God's prompting and did things that were just, you know, things that were just, you know, things that were just, you know, unexpected, things that were unusual, unexpected, things that were unusual, unexpected, things that were unusual, things that people kind of said, I there things that people kind of said, I there things that people kind of said, I there really is nothing in that for you. Why really is nothing in that for you. Why really is nothing in that for you. Why would you leave this to go to that? Why would you leave this to go to that? Why would you leave this to go to that? Why would you move in that direction? And to would you move in that direction? And to would you move in that direction? And to see this play out over and over and over see this play out over and over and over see this play out over and over and over through the years. These are men and through the years. These are men and through the years. These are men and women who felt an internal nudge to women who felt an internal nudge to women who felt an internal nudge to leave something, to go to something to leave something, to go to something to leave something, to go to something to where there was no guarantee that it was where there was no guarantee that it was where there was no guarantee that it was going to be better. Men and women and

going to be better. Men and women and going to be better. Men and women and students who felt the nudge to commit to students who felt the nudge to commit to students who felt the nudge to commit to something to just say, "I'm going to something to just say, "I'm going to something to just say, "I'm going to commit to it without any guaranteed commit to it without any guaranteed commit to it without any guaranteed outcome." Men and women who felt the outcome." Men and women who felt the outcome." Men and women who felt the nudge to go start something. Men and nudge to go start something. Men and nudge to go start something. Men and women who had the courage to say yes women who had the courage to say yes women who had the courage to say yes when they felt the nudge to confess when they felt the nudge to confess when they felt the nudge to confess something. Even they even though they something. Even they even though they something. Even they even though they knew their confession would create knew their confession would create knew their confession would create chaos, but they decided tomorrow is not chaos, but they decided tomorrow is not chaos, but they decided tomorrow is not my responsibility. My responsibility is my responsibility. My responsibility is my responsibility. My responsibility is yes and to follow. Who had the courage yes and to follow. Who had the courage yes and to follow. Who had the courage to seek help for something even though to seek help for something even though to seek help for something even though it embarrassed them, put them at odds it embarrassed them, put them at odds it embarrassed them, put them at odds with people they worked with, with with people they worked with, with with people they worked with, with people they lived with. People had the people they lived with. People had the people they lived with. People had the courage to stand up and say something courage to stand up and say something courage to stand up and say something because nobody was saying what needed to because nobody was saying what needed to because nobody was saying what needed to be said. men and women and students who be said. men and women and students who be said. men and women and students who had the the courage to interrupt had the the courage to interrupt had the the courage to interrupt something because that's what they felt something because that's what they felt something because that's what they felt prompted to do, to confront something prompted to do, to confront something prompted to do, to confront something that needed to be confronted, to refuse that needed to be confronted, to refuse that needed to be confronted, to refuse something because it was the thing they something because it was the thing they something because it was the thing they needed to refuse. These are just average needed to refuse. These are just average needed to refuse. These are just average people. average people who were nudged people. average people who were nudged people. average people who were nudged out of their comfort zone, who always out of their comfort zone, who always out of their comfort zone, who always paid a price, but their story when they paid a price, but their story when they paid a price, but their story when they tell their story, tell their story, tell their story, their story is a story of peace because their story is a story of peace because their story is a story of peace because they go to bed that night with a clear they go to bed that night with a clear they go to bed that night with a clear conscience, confident that tomorrow, conscience, confident that tomorrow, conscience, confident that tomorrow, the next week, the next month, the next the next week, the next month, the next the next week, the next month, the next year is in the capable hands of their year is in the capable hands of their year is in the capable hands of their heavenly father. And they predecided I heavenly father. And they predecided I heavenly father. And they predecided I will accept what comes as coming from will accept what comes as coming from will accept what comes as coming from the hands of from coming from my the hands of from coming from my the hands of from coming from my heavenly father because I chose to

heavenly father because I chose to heavenly father because I chose to follow. I won. They won because they follow. I won. They won because they follow. I won. They won because they obeyed because they chose to follow obeyed because they chose to follow obeyed because they chose to follow because they sought first the kingdom because they sought first the kingdom because they sought first the kingdom agenda of their savior and left the agenda of their savior and left the agenda of their savior and left the outcome to the one who controls outcome. outcome to the one who controls outcome. outcome to the one who controls outcome. But there's another reason this is a big But there's another reason this is a big But there's another reason this is a big deal to me. This is also a big deal, and deal to me. This is also a big deal, and deal to me. This is also a big deal, and maybe this is the primary reason this is maybe this is the primary reason this is maybe this is the primary reason this is so important to me, is I saw this play so important to me, is I saw this play so important to me, is I saw this play out in a dramatic way. When I was out in a dramatic way. When I was out in a dramatic way. When I was growing up, and I've told you some of growing up, and I've told you some of growing up, and I've told you some of this story before, and it's too long of this story before, and it's too long of this story before, and it's too long of a story to tell. I've written about it a story to tell. I've written about it a story to tell. I've written about it and talked about it in other places, but and talked about it in other places, but and talked about it in other places, but when I was in the eighth grade, I when I was in the eighth grade, I when I was in the eighth grade, I watched my dad who was a pastor say yes watched my dad who was a pastor say yes watched my dad who was a pastor say yes to the inner prompings of God, to say to the inner prompings of God, to say to the inner prompings of God, to say yes to his king, and in doing so risked yes to his king, and in doing so risked yes to his king, and in doing so risked his career, his reputation, and his career, his reputation, and his career, his reputation, and certainly risk his job. And again, certainly risk his job. And again, certainly risk his job. And again, without all the details, it was a big without all the details, it was a big without all the details, it was a big big deal. There was a great deal of big deal. There was a great deal of big deal. There was a great deal of fear. There was a great deal of fear. There was a great deal of fear. There was a great deal of uncertainty. In the midst of all the uncertainty. In the midst of all the uncertainty. In the midst of all the chaos of those circumstances, he was chaos of those circumstances, he was chaos of those circumstances, he was actually physically assaulted by a actually physically assaulted by a actually physically assaulted by a deacon standing in the pulpit on a deacon standing in the pulpit on a deacon standing in the pulpit on a Wednesday night at church. So this Wednesday night at church. So this Wednesday night at church. So this deacon was given an announcement. My dad deacon was given an announcement. My dad deacon was given an announcement. My dad was sitting back here in the chair. You was sitting back here in the chair. You was sitting back here in the chair. You know, in the Baptist church, other know, in the Baptist church, other know, in the Baptist church, other churches too, they have like the little churches too, they have like the little churches too, they have like the little the thrones that were back here behind the thrones that were back here behind the thrones that were back here behind the preacher. I don't know anything else the preacher. I don't know anything else the preacher. I don't know anything else to call them. There was two big ones and to call them. There was two big ones and to call them. There was two big ones and two small ones. Anyway, anyway, they two small ones. Anyway, anyway, they two small ones. Anyway, anyway, they still have those somewhere. I don't still have those somewhere. I don't still have those somewhere. I don't understand why anybody would want to sit understand why anybody would want to sit understand why anybody would want to sit up here and watch the back of the up here and watch the back of the up here and watch the back of the preacher preach. But anyway, anyway, so

preacher preach. But anyway, anyway, so preacher preach. But anyway, anyway, so my dad was back here. This guy was my dad was back here. This guy was my dad was back here. This guy was giving an announcement and he used a giving an announcement and he used a giving an announcement and he used a little bit of profanity in the Baptist little bit of profanity in the Baptist little bit of profanity in the Baptist church in the se late 70s, you know, and church in the se late 70s, you know, and church in the se late 70s, you know, and my dad walked up beside him and he said my dad walked up beside him and he said my dad walked up beside him and he said his name, I still remember his name. I'm his name, I still remember his name. I'm his name, I still remember his name. I'm the eighth grade. I'm on the third pew the eighth grade. I'm on the third pew the eighth grade. I'm on the third pew on the aisle right there. And he said, on the aisle right there. And he said, on the aisle right there. And he said, "So and so, we're not going to have that "So and so, we're not going to have that "So and so, we're not going to have that kind of language." And he said, "You kind of language." And he said, "You kind of language." And he said, "You better sit down or you might get better sit down or you might get better sit down or you might get punched." And he turned around and hit punched." And he turned around and hit punched." And he turned around and hit my dad in the jaw in church. Nobody my dad in the jaw in church. Nobody my dad in the jaw in church. Nobody missed church in those days. It was so missed church in those days. It was so missed church in those days. It was so exciting. I was in the eighth grade. I exciting. I was in the eighth grade. I exciting. I was in the eighth grade. I was I was crying. But I came away from was I was crying. But I came away from was I was crying. But I came away from that. You realize there are some things that. You realize there are some things that. You realize there are some things that are worth suffering for. And the that are worth suffering for. And the that are worth suffering for. And the church is one of those. And there are church is one of those. And there are church is one of those. And there are moments in time and there are moments in moments in time and there are moments in moments in time and there are moments in life where you just have to do what you life where you just have to do what you life where you just have to do what you know God wants you to do. and you can't know God wants you to do. and you can't know God wants you to do. and you can't control outcomes, but you have to be control outcomes, but you have to be control outcomes, but you have to be willing to accept the outcomes as coming willing to accept the outcomes as coming willing to accept the outcomes as coming from the hands of your heavenly from the hands of your heavenly from the hands of your heavenly father. During that season is when he father. During that season is when he father. During that season is when he crafted the statement that marked my crafted the statement that marked my crafted the statement that marked my life and I have I've quoted it to you so life and I have I've quoted it to you so life and I have I've quoted it to you so many times. It was in that same season many times. It was in that same season many times. It was in that same season he began to say, Andy, you have to obey he began to say, Andy, you have to obey he began to say, Andy, you have to obey God and you leave all the consequences God and you leave all the consequences God and you leave all the consequences to him. You obey God. That is the win.

to him. You obey God. That is the win. to him. You obey God. That is the win. Once you have obeyed, once you've Once you have obeyed, once you've Once you have obeyed, once you've followed, once you've said yes, once followed, once you've said yes, once followed, once you've said yes, once you've stepped into the gap, once you've you've stepped into the gap, once you've you've stepped into the gap, once you've stepped up, once you stepped in, once stepped up, once you stepped in, once stepped up, once you stepped in, once you spoke up, then you've won. And the you spoke up, then you've won. And the you spoke up, then you've won. And the consequences are not up to you. Obey God consequences are not up to you. Obey God consequences are not up to you. Obey God and leave all the consequences to him. and leave all the consequences to him. and leave all the consequences to him. Many years later, I sat in an interview Many years later, I sat in an interview Many years later, I sat in an interview where he was sitting across the table where he was sitting across the table where he was sitting across the table from someone who really didn't like him. from someone who really didn't like him. from someone who really didn't like him. This again had to do with the Southern This again had to do with the Southern This again had to do with the Southern Baptist Convention and my dad had been Baptist Convention and my dad had been Baptist Convention and my dad had been nominated to be the president. The nominated to be the president. The nominated to be the president. The person across the table was adamantly person across the table was adamantly person across the table was adamantly against my dad being elected and there against my dad being elected and there against my dad being elected and there were reporters everywhere and I'm were reporters everywhere and I'm were reporters everywhere and I'm standing against the wall. I was in in standing against the wall. I was in in standing against the wall. I was in in graduate school at the time and the graduate school at the time and the graduate school at the time and the reporter, I still remember her name, reporter, I still remember her name, reporter, I still remember her name, Peggy Waymire from Channel 8 in Dallas Peggy Waymire from Channel 8 in Dallas Peggy Waymire from Channel 8 in Dallas and in um Dallas, Texas. There was all and in um Dallas, Texas. There was all and in um Dallas, Texas. There was all this commotion and back and forth and this commotion and back and forth and this commotion and back and forth and she p shoved a microphone across the she p shoved a microphone across the she p shoved a microphone across the table. They were all those little table. They were all those little table. They were all those little stansions on this big table and she stansions on this big table and she stansions on this big table and she said, "Dr. Stanley," she said, "Do you said, "Dr. Stanley," she said, "Do you said, "Dr. Stanley," she said, "Do you think you'll win tomorrow?" The next day think you'll win tomorrow?" The next day think you'll win tomorrow?" The next day was the election for president of was the election for president of was the election for president of Southern Baptist Conf. Do you think Southern Baptist Conf. Do you think Southern Baptist Conf. Do you think you'll win tomorrow? The room got quiet. you'll win tomorrow? The room got quiet. you'll win tomorrow? The room got quiet. Here's what he said. He had he looked Here's what he said. He had he looked Here's what he said. He had he looked like he just had all the peace in the like he just had all the peace in the like he just had all the peace in the world. He said, "Well, Peggy, if I win, world. He said, "Well, Peggy, if I win, world. He said, "Well, Peggy, if I win, I win. And if I lose, I win because my I win. And if I lose, I win because my I win. And if I lose, I win because my responsibility is to obey God. It's that responsibility is to obey God. It's that responsibility is to obey God. It's that simple. I'm not responsible for simple. I'm not responsible for simple. I'm not responsible for consequences. I'm responsible to say consequences. I'm responsible to say consequences. I'm responsible to say yes." Now, somebody in the room or in yes." Now, somebody in the room or in yes." Now, somebody in the room or in the other room, somebody watching or the other room, somebody watching or the other room, somebody watching or listening, you feel like I'm talking listening, you feel like I'm talking listening, you feel like I'm talking directly to you because one of these has

directly to you because one of these has directly to you because one of these has your name on it. This is where you are your name on it. This is where you are your name on it. This is where you are right now. You You know what or who you right now. You You know what or who you right now. You You know what or who you need to leave. You know what you need to need to leave. You know what you need to need to leave. You know what you need to just cut ties and commit to. You know just cut ties and commit to. You know just cut ties and commit to. You know there's something you need to start. You there's something you need to start. You there's something you need to start. You know there's something you need to know there's something you need to know there's something you need to confess and when you confess it, it is confess and when you confess it, it is confess and when you confess it, it is going to create chaos perhaps in your going to create chaos perhaps in your going to create chaos perhaps in your family or with the people you work with, family or with the people you work with, family or with the people you work with, but you know that's what you need to do. but you know that's what you need to do. but you know that's what you need to do. You know you need help, but your pride You know you need help, but your pride You know you need help, but your pride has not allowed you to ask for help. Do has not allowed you to ask for help. Do has not allowed you to ask for help. Do you know what else has not allowed you you know what else has not allowed you you know what else has not allowed you to ask for help? You're afraid. to ask for help? You're afraid. to ask for help? You're afraid. And that's absolutely understandable And that's absolutely understandable And that's absolutely understandable because once you ask for help, you're because once you ask for help, you're because once you ask for help, you're confessing something nobody else knows confessing something nobody else knows confessing something nobody else knows about. Of course, you're afraid, but you about. Of course, you're afraid, but you about. Of course, you're afraid, but you know you need to do it. know you need to do it. know you need to do it. Or perhaps there's something you need to Or perhaps there's something you need to Or perhaps there's something you need to say that needs saying, and you've been say that needs saying, and you've been say that needs saying, and you've been afraid of the relational consequences if afraid of the relational consequences if afraid of the relational consequences if you say it. Or maybe there's something you say it. Or maybe there's something you say it. Or maybe there's something you need to interrupt or confront or you need to interrupt or confront or you need to interrupt or confront or begin refusing, and your friends won't begin refusing, and your friends won't begin refusing, and your friends won't understand because it's part of the understand because it's part of the understand because it's part of the rhythm of their life. It's been part of rhythm of their life. It's been part of rhythm of their life. It's been part of the rhythm of your life. But it's time the rhythm of your life. But it's time the rhythm of your life. But it's time for something to change in the rhythm of for something to change in the rhythm of for something to change in the rhythm of your life. And when you think about the your life. And when you think about the your life. And when you think about the potential consequences, when you think potential consequences, when you think potential consequences, when you think about the outcome, the only word I can about the outcome, the only word I can about the outcome, the only word I can put on that is it's terrifying, put on that is it's terrifying, put on that is it's terrifying, but it's tomorrow. When you think about but it's tomorrow. When you think about but it's tomorrow. When you think about it, it's terrifying because of the hurt it, it's terrifying because of the hurt it, it's terrifying because of the hurt and the confusion you know you're going and the confusion you know you're going and the confusion you know you're going to cause with people you love. But the

to cause with people you love. But the to cause with people you love. But the hurt and the confusion, that's tomorrow. hurt and the confusion, that's tomorrow. hurt and the confusion, that's tomorrow. You think if I do this, Andy, you don't You think if I do this, Andy, you don't You think if I do this, Andy, you don't understand. I'm like, and I would say to understand. I'm like, and I would say to understand. I'm like, and I would say to you, of course, I don't understand. In you, of course, I don't understand. In you, of course, I don't understand. In fact, if I heard your story, I might fact, if I heard your story, I might fact, if I heard your story, I might say, you know what, you get a pass. So, say, you know what, you get a pass. So, say, you know what, you get a pass. So, you go sit over there in the past you go sit over there in the past you go sit over there in the past section because there ain't no way Jesus section because there ain't no way Jesus section because there ain't no way Jesus even was talking to you, right? But I even was talking to you, right? But I even was talking to you, right? But I can't do that can't do that can't do that because you say, "You don't understand because you say, "You don't understand because you say, "You don't understand the influence I'm going to lose. You the influence I'm going to lose. You the influence I'm going to lose. You don't understand the income I'm going to don't understand the income I'm going to don't understand the income I'm going to lose. You don't understand the lose. You don't understand the lose. You don't understand the opportunity I'm going to lose. You don't opportunity I'm going to lose. You don't opportunity I'm going to lose. You don't understand the reputation I'm going to understand the reputation I'm going to understand the reputation I'm going to lose." lose." lose." So, of course, you hesitate So, of course, you hesitate So, of course, you hesitate because you are appropriately because you are appropriately because you are appropriately afraid. And I get it. In fact, the truth afraid. And I get it. In fact, the truth afraid. And I get it. In fact, the truth of it is the outcome may be worse than of it is the outcome may be worse than of it is the outcome may be worse than you're imagining. you're imagining. you're imagining. [snorts] But if that's you, [snorts] But if that's you, [snorts] But if that's you, I just want to encourage you between now I just want to encourage you between now I just want to encourage you between now and next time we're together to spend and next time we're together to spend and next time we're together to spend some time with this question. What is the win? What's the win? Is What is the win? What's the win? Is safety and security and status quo?

safety and security and status quo? safety and security and status quo? Is that the win? Or let me ask it Is that the win? Or let me ask it Is that the win? Or let me ask it another way. Don't push back to let me another way. Don't push back to let me another way. Don't push back to let me finish. Is safe is safety and security finish. Is safe is safety and security finish. Is safe is safety and security is that the boss of you? is that the boss of you? is that the boss of you? Is that your Lord? Is that your Lord? Is that your Lord? To get all religious on you, is that To get all religious on you, is that To get all religious on you, is that what you worship? Because whatever you what you worship? Because whatever you what you worship? Because whatever you prioritize above everything else, that prioritize above everything else, that prioritize above everything else, that is what you worship. Is that what you is what you worship. Is that what you is what you worship. Is that what you have submitted your life to? the have submitted your life to? the have submitted your life to? the preservation of reputation, the preservation of reputation, the preservation of reputation, the preservation of what you have. That if preservation of what you have. That if preservation of what you have. That if you're a Jesus follower, you know, you're a Jesus follower, you know, you're a Jesus follower, you know, everything comes from God ultimately. everything comes from God ultimately. everything comes from God ultimately. Everything in the heavens and the earth Everything in the heavens and the earth Everything in the heavens and the earth is yours, oh Lord. Anything that comes is yours, oh Lord. Anything that comes is yours, oh Lord. Anything that comes into my hands. I'm a steward. I'm not an into my hands. I'm a steward. I'm not an into my hands. I'm a steward. I'm not an owner. Is is the Lord of your life to owner. Is is the Lord of your life to owner. Is is the Lord of your life to preserve and to hang on and to somehow preserve and to hang on and to somehow preserve and to hang on and to somehow think you can control think you can control think you can control outcomes? outcomes? outcomes? to ask it a different way. When you're to ask it a different way. When you're to ask it a different way. When you're looking back on this season of your looking back on this season of your looking back on this season of your life, when you're looking back on this life, when you're looking back on this life, when you're looking back on this season of your life, what do you want to season of your life, what do you want to season of your life, what do you want to look back on? Or the question I ask look back on? Or the question I ask look back on? Or the question I ask people all the time, I ask my kids people all the time, I ask my kids people all the time, I ask my kids growing up, what story do you want to growing up, what story do you want to growing up, what story do you want to tell? Do you realize that what you're tell? Do you realize that what you're tell? Do you realize that what you're wrestling with right now? What you're wrestling with right now? What you're wrestling with right now? What you're wrestling with right now, what what I've wrestling with right now, what what I've wrestling with right now, what what I've just put my finger on without even just put my finger on without even just put my finger on without even knowing your story, one day it's nothing knowing your story, one day it's nothing knowing your story, one day it's nothing more than a story you tell. That's it.

more than a story you tell. That's it. more than a story you tell. That's it. So, what story do you want to tell? What So, what story do you want to tell? What So, what story do you want to tell? What story do you want to tell your children story do you want to tell your children story do you want to tell your children or your future children? What story do or your future children? What story do or your future children? What story do you want told about you? You are you want told about you? You are you want told about you? You are determining that. And your heavenly determining that. And your heavenly determining that. And your heavenly father is asking you to step out into father is asking you to step out into father is asking you to step out into the unknown and to understand that the the unknown and to understand that the the unknown and to understand that the moment you do as a if you're obeying God moment you do as a if you're obeying God moment you do as a if you're obeying God and responding to the prompting of God and responding to the prompting of God and responding to the prompting of God through your conscience or something through your conscience or something through your conscience or something else, in that moment you have already else, in that moment you have already else, in that moment you have already won won won because you're trusting God with because you're trusting God with because you're trusting God with tomorrow. Seek first the kingdom agenda tomorrow. Seek first the kingdom agenda tomorrow. Seek first the kingdom agenda of God and don't worry about tomorrow. of God and don't worry about tomorrow. of God and don't worry about tomorrow. That's the invitation and that's the That's the invitation and that's the That's the invitation and that's the promise. So what's the win? promise. So what's the win? promise. So what's the win? Is it preservation Is it preservation Is it preservation or or or is the win look up here? is the win is the win look up here? is the win is the win look up here? is the win knowing that you are in the center of knowing that you are in the center of knowing that you are in the center of God's will for you which by the way is God's will for you which by the way is God's will for you which by the way is the safest most secure place you can be the safest most secure place you can be the safest most secure place you can be because another one of my dad's because another one of my dad's because another one of my dad's statements God takes full responsibility statements God takes full responsibility statements God takes full responsibility God takes full responsibility for the God takes full responsibility for the God takes full responsibility for the life that is wholly devoted to him life that is wholly devoted to him life that is wholly devoted to him what's the win if You will change your what's the win if You will change your what's the win if You will change your definition of the win. You will find the definition of the win. You will find the definition of the win. You will find the courage to do what you know you need to courage to do what you know you need to courage to do what you know you need to do. A single act of courage is often the

do. A single act of courage is often the do. A single act of courage is often the catalyst for extraordinary. catalyst for extraordinary. catalyst for extraordinary. Everyday courage, just average person, Everyday courage, just average person, Everyday courage, just average person, ordinary person, everyday courage is ordinary person, everyday courage is ordinary person, everyday courage is what makes ordinary what makes ordinary what makes ordinary extraordinary. extraordinary. extraordinary. So, if you know it's time to go, So, if you know it's time to go, So, if you know it's time to go, then it's time for you to press go. If then it's time for you to press go. If then it's time for you to press go. If you know if today you're sitting here, you know if today you're sitting here, you know if today you're sitting here, you're like, "Oh my goodness." You know, you're like, "Oh my goodness." You know, you're like, "Oh my goodness." You know, then what are you waiting for? Redefine then what are you waiting for? Redefine then what are you waiting for? Redefine the win and do the thing with the the win and do the thing with the the win and do the thing with the assurance that you don't go alone. That assurance that you don't go alone. That assurance that you don't go alone. That God is with you. What is God is with you. What is God is with you. What is the win? the win? the win? And don't miss part two of everyday And don't miss part two of everyday And don't miss part two of everyday courage. courage. courage. Let's pray together. Father, thank you.

Let's pray together. Father, thank you. Let's pray together. Father, thank you. Thanks for the legacy that my father Thanks for the legacy that my father Thanks for the legacy that my father left me and my sister and so many left me and my sister and so many left me and my sister and so many others. others. others. Thank you for the precipice. The Thank you for the precipice. The Thank you for the precipice. The multiple times I've stood on a precipice multiple times I've stood on a precipice multiple times I've stood on a precipice and had to decide, okay, and had to decide, okay, and had to decide, okay, am I going to try to control tomorrow or am I going to try to control tomorrow or am I going to try to control tomorrow or am I going to trust the only one who am I going to trust the only one who am I going to trust the only one who knows tomorrow? knows tomorrow? knows tomorrow? So, Father, wherever this lands with us, So, Father, wherever this lands with us, So, Father, wherever this lands with us, I know this is tricky. I know there I I know this is tricky. I know there I I know this is tricky. I know there I just want to pray for everybody right just want to pray for everybody right just want to pray for everybody right now who in their mind they're saying, now who in their mind they're saying, now who in their mind they're saying, "Yeah, but it's complicated. Yeah, but "Yeah, but it's complicated. Yeah, but "Yeah, but it's complicated. Yeah, but it's complicated. Yeah, but it's it's complicated. Yeah, but it's it's complicated. Yeah, but it's complicated." complicated." complicated." just assure them, you know, it's just assure them, you know, it's just assure them, you know, it's complicated, complicated, complicated, but it's not going to get any less it's but it's not going to get any less it's but it's not going to get any less it's not going to get any less complicated by not going to get any less complicated by not going to get any less complicated by waiting. waiting. waiting. So, please give us wisdom to know what So, please give us wisdom to know what So, please give us wisdom to know what to do with what we've just heard. And to do with what we've just heard. And to do with what we've just heard. And please give us the courage to do it in please give us the courage to do it in please give us the courage to do it in Jesus name. Amen.

I'm calling [singing and music] on the I'm calling [singing and music] on the God of Jacob, whose [music] love endures [singing] whose [music] love endures [singing] through generations. I know that [music and singing] you will I know that [music and singing] you will keep your covenant. I'm calling [music and singing] on the I'm calling [music and singing] on the God of Moses, the one who [singing and music] opened the one who [singing and music] opened up the ocean. [music] I need you now [singing] to do [music] I need you now [singing] to do the same. the same. the same. [music] Oh God, [music] my God, I need you. Oh Oh God, [music] my God, I need you. Oh God, my God, I [singing] need you now. God, my God, I [singing] need you now. God, my God, I [singing] need you now. How I [music] need you now. Oh rock, [singing] oh rock of ages. I'm Oh rock, [singing] oh rock of ages. I'm standing [music] on your faithfulness.

I'm calling on [singing] the God of men. I'm calling on [singing] the God of men. [music] Let his favor rest upon [singing] the Let his favor rest upon [singing] the Lord. I [music] know with you all things are I [music] know with you all things are high. I [music] calling on the [singing] God I [music] calling on the [singing] God of Jesus. [music] [music] I may not face the lion, but I've got my I may not face the lion, but I've got my I may not face the lion, but I've got my own [music] child. Oh God, [singing] my own [music] child. Oh God, [singing] my own [music] child. Oh God, [singing] my God, I need you. Oh God, my God, I need God, I need you. Oh God, my God, I need God, I need you. Oh God, my God, I need you now. you now. you now. How I [music and singing] need you now. How I [music and singing] need you now. How I [music and singing] need you now. Yes, I do. Oh, rock [music and singing] Yes, I do. Oh, rock [music and singing] Yes, I do. Oh, rock [music and singing] for rock of I'm standing on your for rock of I'm standing on your for rock of I'm standing on your faithfulness. faithfulness. faithfulness. [music] [music] [music] Standing on your faithfulness.

You [music] heard your children. You [music] heard your children. You hear your children. You hear your children. You hear your children. You [music] are the same God. You You [music] are the same God. You You [music] are the same God. You [singing] are the same God. You answered [singing] are the same God. You answered [singing] are the same God. You answered [music] prayers back then and [singing] [music] prayers back then and [singing] [music] prayers back then and [singing] you will answer. Now you [music] are you will answer. Now you [music] are you will answer. Now you [music] are save God. You are [singing] the same save God. You are [singing] the same save God. You are [singing] the same God. You [music] are proiding. God. You [music] are proiding. God. You [music] are proiding. [singing] You are abiding. Now you are [singing] You are abiding. Now you are [singing] You are abiding. Now you are the same. [music and singing] the same. [music and singing] the same. [music and singing] God, you are the same God. You moved in God, you are the same God. You moved in God, you are the same God. You moved in power. [singing] Then God moved in power. [singing] Then God moved in power. [singing] Then God moved in power. Now you are saved. power. Now you are saved. power. Now you are saved. [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] You are saved. You are saved. You are saved. You are a healer. Then You are a healer. Then You are a healer. Then [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] you are a healer. Now you are saved. you are a healer. Now you are saved. you are a healer. Now you are saved. [music] You are saved.

[music] You are saved. [music] You are saved. You are a savior. You are a savior. You are a savior. You are a savior. [music and singing] You are a savior. [music and singing] You are a savior. [music and singing] Now you are. Now you are. Now you are. You are. You are. You are. Oh [music] God, my God, [singing] I need Oh [music] God, my God, [singing] I need Oh [music] God, my God, [singing] I need you. Oh God, my God, [music] I need you you. Oh God, my God, [music] I need you you. Oh God, my God, [music] I need you now. [singing] now. [singing] now. [singing] I need you every hour. [music] I need you every hour. [music] I need you every hour. [music] Oh, [singing] I'm the Oh, [singing] I'm the Oh, [singing] I'm the stand up on your stand up on your stand up on your head. head. head. We stand [music and singing] on your We stand [music and singing] on your We stand [music and singing] on your face. Amen. Amen. So grateful to have a faithful God. So grateful to have a faithful God. So grateful to have a faithful God. [music] It's been an honor to serve with [music] It's been an honor to serve with [music] It's been an honor to serve with you today and to sing with you today and you today and to sing with you today and you today and to sing with you today and to be in service with you today. God to be in service with you today. God to be in service with you today. God bless [music] you. Have an amazing week bless [music] you. Have an amazing week bless [music] you. Have an amazing week and we'll see you next week.