How (Not) to Save the World | Hosanna Wong

Hey, Saddleback family. I want to Hey, Saddleback family. I want to welcome all of our campuses, extensions, welcome all of our campuses, extensions, welcome all of our campuses, extensions, everyone watching online. everyone watching online. everyone watching online. Um, I want to give a special shout out Um, I want to give a special shout out Um, I want to give a special shout out to our church in Hong Kong. My to our church in Hong Kong. My to our church in Hong Kong. My grandparents are from Hong Kong. So, I grandparents are from Hong Kong. So, I grandparents are from Hong Kong. So, I want to give a special shout out. I was want to give a special shout out. I was want to give a special shout out. I was born and raised in San Francisco, born and raised in San Francisco, born and raised in San Francisco, California. I married a Michigan man. California. I married a Michigan man. California. I married a Michigan man. And, uh, six years ago, we moved to San And, uh, six years ago, we moved to San And, uh, six years ago, we moved to San Diego, California, where I serve as a Diego, California, where I serve as a Diego, California, where I serve as a teaching pastor at East Lake Church. And teaching pastor at East Lake Church. And teaching pastor at East Lake Church. And I've been a a friend of Saddleback I've been a a friend of Saddleback I've been a a friend of Saddleback Church and Pastor Andy and Stacy for Church and Pastor Andy and Stacy for Church and Pastor Andy and Stacy for over a decade. And it is a gift to see over a decade. And it is a gift to see over a decade. And it is a gift to see from afar what God is doing in and from afar what God is doing in and from afar what God is doing in and through this church all around the through this church all around the through this church all around the world. And so if we haven't met before, world. And so if we haven't met before, world. And so if we haven't met before, hello. I'm Hosanna, your Chinese sister. hello. I'm Hosanna, your Chinese sister. hello. I'm Hosanna, your Chinese sister. Today I want to tell you a story of a Today I want to tell you a story of a Today I want to tell you a story of a woman named Mrs. Lee. She was the wife woman named Mrs. Lee. She was the wife woman named Mrs. Lee. She was the wife of a dentist. And one evening, she was of a dentist. And one evening, she was of a dentist. And one evening, she was doing her chores like she did every doing her chores like she did every doing her chores like she did every evening. And she heard a knock at her evening. And she heard a knock at her evening. And she heard a knock at her door. And she went to answer. And there door. And she went to answer. And there door. And she went to answer. And there was a young boy standing there asking if was a young boy standing there asking if was a young boy standing there asking if he could sell her a vacuum cleaner. I he could sell her a vacuum cleaner. I he could sell her a vacuum cleaner. I don't know if you knew this, but back in don't know if you knew this, but back in don't know if you knew this, but back in the day, door-to-d dooror salesmen were the day, door-to-d dooror salesmen were the day, door-to-d dooror salesmen were the original Instagram influencers.

the original Instagram influencers. the original Instagram influencers. Okay? They did it first. They open the Okay? They did it first. They open the Okay? They did it first. They open the box, show you how to use the product. box, show you how to use the product. box, show you how to use the product. They got it done. She did not need a They got it done. She did not need a They got it done. She did not need a vacuum on this day, but she invited him vacuum on this day, but she invited him vacuum on this day, but she invited him into her house anyway. into her house anyway. into her house anyway. Offered him a glass of water, invited Offered him a glass of water, invited Offered him a glass of water, invited him to her dining room table. She him to her dining room table. She him to her dining room table. She started talking a little bit about her started talking a little bit about her started talking a little bit about her life and then asked him about his. And life and then asked him about his. And life and then asked him about his. And he was hesitant at first because this he was hesitant at first because this he was hesitant at first because this wasn't normal on his average soliciting wasn't normal on his average soliciting wasn't normal on his average soliciting Saturday. But then he started to tell Saturday. But then he started to tell Saturday. But then he started to tell her a little bit about himself. He told her a little bit about himself. He told her a little bit about himself. He told her how he had struggled with the drug her how he had struggled with the drug her how he had struggled with the drug addiction for years, how he fought in a addiction for years, how he fought in a addiction for years, how he fought in a gang for years, how he had looked to all gang for years, how he had looked to all gang for years, how he had looked to all the wrong people and all the wrong the wrong people and all the wrong the wrong people and all the wrong places trying to fill a void in his places trying to fill a void in his places trying to fill a void in his life. And his life was now filled with life. And his life was now filled with life. And his life was now filled with regret. And he was pretty sure he could regret. And he was pretty sure he could regret. And he was pretty sure he could never change his life around. And Mrs. never change his life around. And Mrs. never change his life around. And Mrs. Lee responded with no shock. And she Lee responded with no shock. And she Lee responded with no shock. And she spoke with no shame. spoke with no shame. spoke with no shame. And instead of pointing out all the ways And instead of pointing out all the ways And instead of pointing out all the ways that their lives were different, and that their lives were different, and that their lives were different, and there were many, she instead pointed out there were many, she instead pointed out there were many, she instead pointed out what they had in common. And she said, what they had in common. And she said, what they had in common. And she said, "You know what? I've also spent years of "You know what? I've also spent years of "You know what? I've also spent years of my life going to all the wrong people my life going to all the wrong people my life going to all the wrong people and all the wrong things trying to fill and all the wrong things trying to fill and all the wrong things trying to fill this void in my life. But then I found this void in my life. But then I found this void in my life. But then I found Jesus. And Jesus changed everything for Jesus. And Jesus changed everything for Jesus. And Jesus changed everything for me. And now I've never had more peace.

me. And now I've never had more peace. me. And now I've never had more peace. I've never had more joy. I've never felt I've never had more joy. I've never felt I've never had more joy. I've never felt more purpose. I believe Jesus is the more purpose. I believe Jesus is the more purpose. I believe Jesus is the answer to our shared question. Do you answer to our shared question. Do you answer to our shared question. Do you want to put your faith in Jesus today? want to put your faith in Jesus today? want to put your faith in Jesus today? And he said yes. And it wasn't this And he said yes. And it wasn't this And he said yes. And it wasn't this grandiose moment. The ceiling didn't grandiose moment. The ceiling didn't grandiose moment. The ceiling didn't open up with the spotlight. The band open up with the spotlight. The band open up with the spotlight. The band didn't come out. But on a cold dining didn't come out. But on a cold dining didn't come out. But on a cold dining room floor and a salesman on one knee, room floor and a salesman on one knee, room floor and a salesman on one knee, he gave his life to Jesus Christ. And he gave his life to Jesus Christ. And he gave his life to Jesus Christ. And Mrs. Lee did not know that five years Mrs. Lee did not know that five years Mrs. Lee did not know that five years later that boy would grow into a man who later that boy would grow into a man who later that boy would grow into a man who would start an outdoor outreach to would start an outdoor outreach to would start an outdoor outreach to people living without homes and battling people living without homes and battling people living without homes and battling with addictions and see thousands of with addictions and see thousands of with addictions and see thousands of people come to know Jesus for the rest people come to know Jesus for the rest people come to know Jesus for the rest of his life on the streets of San of his life on the streets of San of his life on the streets of San Francisco. And Mrs. Lee did not know Francisco. And Mrs. Lee did not know Francisco. And Mrs. Lee did not know that over 40 years after that I'd get to that over 40 years after that I'd get to that over 40 years after that I'd get to be here at Saddleach Church telling you be here at Saddleach Church telling you be here at Saddleach Church telling you about the day she led my dad to Jesus about the day she led my dad to Jesus about the day she led my dad to Jesus Christ. Christ. Christ. Amen. Jesus is still in the business of Amen. Jesus is still in the business of Amen. Jesus is still in the business of transforming lives.

transforming lives. transforming lives. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] I don't know if Mrs. Lee ever led I don't know if Mrs. Lee ever led I don't know if Mrs. Lee ever led someone to the Lord before that time and someone to the Lord before that time and someone to the Lord before that time and I don't know if she ever did after that, I don't know if she ever did after that, I don't know if she ever did after that, but I know she opened the door for this but I know she opened the door for this but I know she opened the door for this one kid this one time. And my whole life one kid this one time. And my whole life one kid this one time. And my whole life was different because of that. I grew up was different because of that. I grew up was different because of that. I grew up on the streets of San Francisco in an on the streets of San Francisco in an on the streets of San Francisco in an outdoor church where I heard my dad outdoor church where I heard my dad outdoor church where I heard my dad share about the hope of Jesus to his share about the hope of Jesus to his share about the hope of Jesus to his friends that were living in a lifestyle friends that were living in a lifestyle friends that were living in a lifestyle that he used to live in too. And I have that he used to live in too. And I have that he used to live in too. And I have to tell you though that because I was to tell you though that because I was to tell you though that because I was raised in such a unique way and I saw my raised in such a unique way and I saw my raised in such a unique way and I saw my dad with this amazing testimony dad with this amazing testimony dad with this amazing testimony and this amazing ministry, and this amazing ministry, and this amazing ministry, I grew up misunderstanding I grew up misunderstanding I grew up misunderstanding a couple of things about what it would a couple of things about what it would a couple of things about what it would look like for me to follow Jesus for look like for me to follow Jesus for look like for me to follow Jesus for real and misunderstanding what it would real and misunderstanding what it would real and misunderstanding what it would look like for me to share about Jesus look like for me to share about Jesus look like for me to share about Jesus for real. Like I grew up thinking if I for real. Like I grew up thinking if I for real. Like I grew up thinking if I put my faith in Jesus then I have to put my faith in Jesus then I have to put my faith in Jesus then I have to live like him. Then I have to live like live like him. Then I have to live like live like him. Then I have to live like someone else. Like if I put my faith in someone else. Like if I put my faith in someone else. Like if I put my faith in Jesus do I now have to be a morning Jesus do I now have to be a morning Jesus do I now have to be a morning person?

person? person? Do I now have to be super disciplined Do I now have to be super disciplined Do I now have to be super disciplined and an extrovert? What if I'm none of and an extrovert? What if I'm none of and an extrovert? What if I'm none of those things? And it took me a while to those things? And it took me a while to those things? And it took me a while to learn this. In fact, I want to tell you learn this. In fact, I want to tell you learn this. In fact, I want to tell you something I wish I would have known a something I wish I would have known a something I wish I would have known a whole lot earlier. Your relationship whole lot earlier. Your relationship whole lot earlier. Your relationship with Jesus does not have to look like with Jesus does not have to look like with Jesus does not have to look like anyone else's relationship with Jesus. anyone else's relationship with Jesus. anyone else's relationship with Jesus. It just has to be real and honest. An It just has to be real and honest. An It just has to be real and honest. An ongoing one-on-one conversational ongoing one-on-one conversational ongoing one-on-one conversational relationship is what Jesus wants to have relationship is what Jesus wants to have relationship is what Jesus wants to have with you. And I also thought I had to with you. And I also thought I had to with you. And I also thought I had to share about Jesus in a certain way. If I share about Jesus in a certain way. If I share about Jesus in a certain way. If I share about Jesus, do I have to sound share about Jesus, do I have to sound share about Jesus, do I have to sound like a preacher I heard once? Do I have like a preacher I heard once? Do I have like a preacher I heard once? Do I have to know bigger words? Do I have to act to know bigger words? Do I have to act to know bigger words? Do I have to act different than who I am? Do I have to different than who I am? Do I have to different than who I am? Do I have to pretend that I know things that I don't pretend that I know things that I don't pretend that I know things that I don't know? And I realized that this was know? And I realized that this was know? And I realized that this was something that I greatly misunderstood. something that I greatly misunderstood. something that I greatly misunderstood. I believed all of these lies about what I believed all of these lies about what I believed all of these lies about what it looked like to follow Jesus and to it looked like to follow Jesus and to it looked like to follow Jesus and to share about Jesus. Maybe you too have share about Jesus. Maybe you too have share about Jesus. Maybe you too have thought thoughts like this. Maybe you've thought thoughts like this. Maybe you've thought thoughts like this. Maybe you've had thoughts like, "Okay, yes, I want had thoughts like, "Okay, yes, I want had thoughts like, "Okay, yes, I want people in my life to know how loved they people in my life to know how loved they people in my life to know how loved they are, but I'm certainly not the one to are, but I'm certainly not the one to are, but I'm certainly not the one to tell them." Perhaps you've had thoughts tell them." Perhaps you've had thoughts tell them." Perhaps you've had thoughts like, "I don't want to share my story like, "I don't want to share my story like, "I don't want to share my story because my story is too different." Or, because my story is too different." Or, because my story is too different." Or, "My story is not different enough." Or, "My story is not different enough." Or, "My story is not different enough." Or, "My story is a mess. If I told people "My story is a mess. If I told people "My story is a mess. If I told people about Jesus in my life, they would call about Jesus in my life, they would call about Jesus in my life, they would call me a hypocrite because they know how I me a hypocrite because they know how I me a hypocrite because they know how I used to live." Or you ever thought, used to live." Or you ever thought, used to live." Or you ever thought, "Man, some people are more skilled at "Man, some people are more skilled at "Man, some people are more skilled at sharing about Jesus. We should leave it sharing about Jesus. We should leave it sharing about Jesus. We should leave it up to them, but I'm not skilled enough,

up to them, but I'm not skilled enough, up to them, but I'm not skilled enough, smart enough, or spiritual enough to smart enough, or spiritual enough to smart enough, or spiritual enough to seal the deal." Or have you ever seal the deal." Or have you ever seal the deal." Or have you ever thought, "Man, I just don't want to thought, "Man, I just don't want to thought, "Man, I just don't want to share about Jesus." Because what if they share about Jesus." Because what if they share about Jesus." Because what if they start asking me questions that I don't start asking me questions that I don't start asking me questions that I don't have the answers to, and I just don't have the answers to, and I just don't have the answers to, and I just don't want to mess this Jesus thing up. Or want to mess this Jesus thing up. Or want to mess this Jesus thing up. Or maybe like me, there's been people in maybe like me, there's been people in maybe like me, there's been people in your life where you have thought, you your life where you have thought, you your life where you have thought, you know what, there is just no way for that know what, there is just no way for that know what, there is just no way for that one person to ever know God. I've prayed one person to ever know God. I've prayed one person to ever know God. I've prayed for them for a long time. I have fought for them for a long time. I have fought for them for a long time. I have fought for them for a long time. There is some for them for a long time. There is some for them for a long time. There is some people where it's just not possible for people where it's just not possible for people where it's just not possible for them to know how much God loves them. them to know how much God loves them. them to know how much God loves them. And I want you to know that that is a And I want you to know that that is a And I want you to know that that is a lie. lie. lie. That is a lie that the enemy of your That is a lie that the enemy of your That is a lie that the enemy of your soul hopes that you believe so that you soul hopes that you believe so that you soul hopes that you believe so that you dismiss your real relationships. So that dismiss your real relationships. So that dismiss your real relationships. So that you dismiss the power of your real you dismiss the power of your real you dismiss the power of your real relationships. Dismiss the power of your relationships. Dismiss the power of your relationships. Dismiss the power of your real personality. Dismiss the power of real personality. Dismiss the power of real personality. Dismiss the power of your real story. And you don't see the your real story. And you don't see the your real story. And you don't see the value in loving the people in your real value in loving the people in your real value in loving the people in your real life. Well, the enemy of your soul hopes life. Well, the enemy of your soul hopes life. Well, the enemy of your soul hopes that you believe all of these lies that you believe all of these lies that you believe all of these lies because he knows that us believing these because he knows that us believing these because he knows that us believing these lies is the perfect plan of how not to lies is the perfect plan of how not to lies is the perfect plan of how not to share the love of Jesus with the people share the love of Jesus with the people share the love of Jesus with the people in our real lives. So, how can we if we in our real lives. So, how can we if we in our real lives. So, how can we if we have believed lies that have held us have believed lies that have held us have believed lies that have held us back? What is the truth about revealing back? What is the truth about revealing back? What is the truth about revealing God's love to the people right next to God's love to the people right next to God's love to the people right next to us? I remember one day I asked my dad, us? I remember one day I asked my dad, us? I remember one day I asked my dad, "Dad, who led you to Jesus?" I'm "Dad, who led you to Jesus?" I'm "Dad, who led you to Jesus?" I'm thinking this moment is probably thinking this moment is probably thinking this moment is probably spectacular. Some kind of cosmic moment.

spectacular. Some kind of cosmic moment. spectacular. Some kind of cosmic moment. Maybe he went to a conference and the Maybe he went to a conference and the Maybe he went to a conference and the preacher called out his name out of the preacher called out his name out of the preacher called out his name out of the blue. Or maybe it involved something blue. Or maybe it involved something blue. Or maybe it involved something like glitter. like glitter. like glitter. I don't know. Those were the days of I don't know. Those were the days of I don't know. Those were the days of Lisa Frank stickers and Mariah Carey Lisa Frank stickers and Mariah Carey Lisa Frank stickers and Mariah Carey songs. So glitter was big. songs. So glitter was big. songs. So glitter was big. And my dad said to me, you know, it was And my dad said to me, you know, it was And my dad said to me, you know, it was nothing like that. There was a woman nothing like that. There was a woman nothing like that. There was a woman named Mrs. named Mrs. named Mrs. who opened up her door for me. And in who opened up her door for me. And in who opened up her door for me. And in that moment when my dad told me the that moment when my dad told me the that moment when my dad told me the story of this woman, who opened up the story of this woman, who opened up the story of this woman, who opened up the door right where she was, door right where she was, door right where she was, I realized there was a lot of things I I realized there was a lot of things I I realized there was a lot of things I misunderstood misunderstood misunderstood about what it had to look like for me to about what it had to look like for me to about what it had to look like for me to follow Jesus and for me to share about follow Jesus and for me to share about follow Jesus and for me to share about Jesus. And I've been on a journey of Jesus. And I've been on a journey of Jesus. And I've been on a journey of discovering how to do it a little discovering how to do it a little discovering how to do it a little better. And that's what I want to unpack better. And that's what I want to unpack better. And that's what I want to unpack today. I want to unpack the truth about today. I want to unpack the truth about today. I want to unpack the truth about how you can reveal God's love for real how you can reveal God's love for real how you can reveal God's love for real to the people right next to you. And I to the people right next to you. And I to the people right next to you. And I think something we have to acknowledge think something we have to acknowledge think something we have to acknowledge up top whenever we're talking about up top whenever we're talking about up top whenever we're talking about sharing about Jesus to real people in sharing about Jesus to real people in sharing about Jesus to real people in our lives. I think something we have to our lives. I think something we have to our lives. I think something we have to acknowledge up top is that many of us acknowledge up top is that many of us acknowledge up top is that many of us have seen this done really wrong.

have seen this done really wrong. have seen this done really wrong. Many of us have seen people represent Many of us have seen people represent Many of us have seen people represent Jesus or talk about Jesus in a really Jesus or talk about Jesus in a really Jesus or talk about Jesus in a really mean way, in a really aggressive, mean way, in a really aggressive, mean way, in a really aggressive, condescending, impersonal way. And for condescending, impersonal way. And for condescending, impersonal way. And for some of us, if that's the only way we've some of us, if that's the only way we've some of us, if that's the only way we've seen people share about Jesus, we might seen people share about Jesus, we might seen people share about Jesus, we might think, "Man, I know I don't want to do think, "Man, I know I don't want to do think, "Man, I know I don't want to do that." Because first of all, that's not that." Because first of all, that's not that." Because first of all, that's not how Jesus treated people. And second of how Jesus treated people. And second of how Jesus treated people. And second of all, I like having friends. So we might all, I like having friends. So we might all, I like having friends. So we might see people talk about Jesus in a mean, see people talk about Jesus in a mean, see people talk about Jesus in a mean, aggressive way and think, "That's a no aggressive way and think, "That's a no aggressive way and think, "That's a no for me, dog. for me, dog. for me, dog. But just because we've seen it done But just because we've seen it done But just because we've seen it done wrong doesn't mean we can't be the ones wrong doesn't mean we can't be the ones wrong doesn't mean we can't be the ones to do it right. to do it right. to do it right. So, how can we reveal God's love to the So, how can we reveal God's love to the So, how can we reveal God's love to the people right next to us? I took a page people right next to us? I took a page people right next to us? I took a page from Mrs. Lee, one of my heroes, and I from Mrs. Lee, one of my heroes, and I from Mrs. Lee, one of my heroes, and I want to unpack for you three things that want to unpack for you three things that want to unpack for you three things that she did. How can you reveal the truth of she did. How can you reveal the truth of she did. How can you reveal the truth of God's love to the people right next to God's love to the people right next to God's love to the people right next to you? Here's three things. You can make you? Here's three things. You can make you? Here's three things. You can make invitations, invitations, invitations, have conversations, have conversations, have conversations, and share your story. This is how Mrs.

and share your story. This is how Mrs. and share your story. This is how Mrs. Lee led my dad to Jesus, made an Lee led my dad to Jesus, made an Lee led my dad to Jesus, made an invitation, had an honest, real, invitation, had an honest, real, invitation, had an honest, real, authentic conversation, and shared her authentic conversation, and shared her authentic conversation, and shared her story. But Mrs. Lee is not the only story. But Mrs. Lee is not the only story. But Mrs. Lee is not the only person who lived this way. Jesus also person who lived this way. Jesus also person who lived this way. Jesus also lived this way. While Jesus was on earth lived this way. While Jesus was on earth lived this way. While Jesus was on earth living, showing us also how to live, living, showing us also how to live, living, showing us also how to live, Jesus was constantly starting Jesus was constantly starting Jesus was constantly starting friendships with people, even before friendships with people, even before friendships with people, even before they changed their behaviors. they changed their behaviors. they changed their behaviors. Before people chose Jesus, Jesus chose Before people chose Jesus, Jesus chose Before people chose Jesus, Jesus chose them. We see this all throughout the New them. We see this all throughout the New them. We see this all throughout the New Testament. We see this in Luke 19. Jesus Testament. We see this in Luke 19. Jesus Testament. We see this in Luke 19. Jesus sees a man named Zakius up in a tree. sees a man named Zakius up in a tree. sees a man named Zakius up in a tree. It's a whole thing. We don't have time It's a whole thing. We don't have time It's a whole thing. We don't have time to get into it right now. Zakius is up to get into it right now. Zakius is up to get into it right now. Zakius is up in a tree. He's not crazy. He's just a in a tree. He's not crazy. He's just a in a tree. He's not crazy. He's just a little short. Okay. I love how God likes little short. Okay. I love how God likes little short. Okay. I love how God likes to remind us that God loves short to remind us that God loves short to remind us that God loves short people. Can I get an amen? people. Can I get an amen? people. Can I get an amen? Praise God. Praise God. I know I'm 5'3, Praise God. Praise God. I know I'm 5'3, Praise God. Praise God. I know I'm 5'3, but I've got 5'5 energy. Okay, so but I've got 5'5 energy. Okay, so but I've got 5'5 energy. Okay, so waiting for that growth spurt. waiting for that growth spurt. waiting for that growth spurt. Zakius was a tax collector who was Zakius was a tax collector who was Zakius was a tax collector who was actually a snake in a snitch. People actually a snake in a snitch. People actually a snake in a snitch. People didn't trust Zakius. He was shady and didn't trust Zakius. He was shady and didn't trust Zakius. He was shady and shunned by many. He had a bad shunned by many. He had a bad shunned by many. He had a bad reputation. And then Jesus sees Achius reputation. And then Jesus sees Achius reputation. And then Jesus sees Achius and he says, "Get down from there. I'm and he says, "Get down from there. I'm and he says, "Get down from there. I'm going to go over to your house and we're going to go over to your house and we're going to go over to your house and we're going to eat together. We're going to going to eat together. We're going to going to eat together. We're going to have a meal together." We see Jesus have a meal together." We see Jesus have a meal together." We see Jesus doing this over and over again. We see doing this over and over again. We see doing this over and over again. We see in Matthew 9, Jesus goes to a man named in Matthew 9, Jesus goes to a man named in Matthew 9, Jesus goes to a man named Matthew who was also a tax collector, Matthew who was also a tax collector, Matthew who was also a tax collector, but he used to be very trusted in the but he used to be very trusted in the but he used to be very trusted in the community. And then he betrayed a whole community. And then he betrayed a whole community. And then he betrayed a whole bunch of people and they didn't trust

bunch of people and they didn't trust bunch of people and they didn't trust him anymore. He also had a terrible him anymore. He also had a terrible him anymore. He also had a terrible reputation. And Jesus saw Matthew and he reputation. And Jesus saw Matthew and he reputation. And Jesus saw Matthew and he said, "Matthew, I'm going to go to your said, "Matthew, I'm going to go to your said, "Matthew, I'm going to go to your house and we're going to eat together. house and we're going to eat together. house and we're going to eat together. We're going to have a meal together. Did We're going to have a meal together. Did We're going to have a meal together. Did you know that in most of the New you know that in most of the New you know that in most of the New Testament, Jesus is either on his way to Testament, Jesus is either on his way to Testament, Jesus is either on his way to a meal, leaving a meal, or at a meal, a meal, leaving a meal, or at a meal, a meal, leaving a meal, or at a meal, Jesus had an eating ministry. For some Jesus had an eating ministry. For some Jesus had an eating ministry. For some of you, that's a word for you today. of you, that's a word for you today. of you, that's a word for you today. You're like, I wasn't sure if I can You're like, I wasn't sure if I can You're like, I wasn't sure if I can follow the Jesus mission. And now you're follow the Jesus mission. And now you're follow the Jesus mission. And now you're like, oh, but I can eat with people. like, oh, but I can eat with people. like, oh, but I can eat with people. Maybe you need to start a dim sum Maybe you need to start a dim sum Maybe you need to start a dim sum ministry. Maybe that's a word for ministry. Maybe that's a word for ministry. Maybe that's a word for somebody today. Praise God. somebody today. Praise God. somebody today. Praise God. In fact, Jesus was making so many In fact, Jesus was making so many In fact, Jesus was making so many friends that the religious people of friends that the religious people of friends that the religious people of Jesus's day accused him of making too Jesus's day accused him of making too Jesus's day accused him of making too many friends. In fact, in Luke 7, they many friends. In fact, in Luke 7, they many friends. In fact, in Luke 7, they call him a friend of sinners, as if it call him a friend of sinners, as if it call him a friend of sinners, as if it was the world's worst insult. But to was the world's worst insult. But to was the world's worst insult. But to Jesus, it was a sign of success because Jesus, it was a sign of success because Jesus, it was a sign of success because for him, that was exactly what he came for him, that was exactly what he came for him, that was exactly what he came to do. to do. to do. What if the call that comes from God is What if the call that comes from God is What if the call that comes from God is not this mandate to go and aggressively not this mandate to go and aggressively not this mandate to go and aggressively condemn and convert. What if it is a condemn and convert. What if it is a condemn and convert. What if it is a commission to go and actively love commission to go and actively love commission to go and actively love people in your real life to go and start people in your real life to go and start people in your real life to go and start and continue authentic relationships?

and continue authentic relationships? and continue authentic relationships? I believe more people in our real lives I believe more people in our real lives I believe more people in our real lives would know how loved they are. Now, if would know how loved they are. Now, if would know how loved they are. Now, if you're anything like me, you might be you're anything like me, you might be you're anything like me, you might be thinking, "Well, friendships don't lead thinking, "Well, friendships don't lead thinking, "Well, friendships don't lead people to Jesus. We can't just go ye people to Jesus. We can't just go ye people to Jesus. We can't just go ye therefore make a bunch of friends. We therefore make a bunch of friends. We therefore make a bunch of friends. We have to preach the gospel. We have to have to preach the gospel. We have to have to preach the gospel. We have to share scripture. We have to preach the share scripture. We have to preach the share scripture. We have to preach the good news." good news." good news." And that is fair. And that is fair. And that is fair. We will get there. But first, we must We will get there. But first, we must We will get there. But first, we must start here. Because why would people start here. Because why would people start here. Because why would people believe us that the God we're talking believe us that the God we're talking believe us that the God we're talking about wants to know them if we don't about wants to know them if we don't about wants to know them if we don't even want to know them? If we are not even want to know them? If we are not even want to know them? If we are not careful, we will misunderstand the call careful, we will misunderstand the call careful, we will misunderstand the call that comes from God. And we will start that comes from God. And we will start that comes from God. And we will start to think that God has called us to go to think that God has called us to go to think that God has called us to go and save the world while we are skipping and save the world while we are skipping and save the world while we are skipping knowing the exact world that we're knowing the exact world that we're knowing the exact world that we're called to reach. So, what can we do called to reach. So, what can we do called to reach. So, what can we do instead for the people in our real instead for the people in our real instead for the people in our real lives? Because I think that for a lot of lives? Because I think that for a lot of lives? Because I think that for a lot of us, we want everyone in the world to us, we want everyone in the world to us, we want everyone in the world to know how much God loves them. But I know how much God loves them. But I know how much God loves them. But I think for many of us, there's someone in think for many of us, there's someone in think for many of us, there's someone in our specific world. There's someone in our specific world. There's someone in our specific world. There's someone in our own home. There's someone in our own our own home. There's someone in our own our own home. There's someone in our own family. There's someone who is far from family. There's someone who is far from family. There's someone who is far from God or someone who has run from God or God or someone who has run from God or God or someone who has run from God or someone who is in a very bad place and someone who is in a very bad place and someone who is in a very bad place and they're hurting and they need to know they're hurting and they need to know they're hurting and they need to know how much God loves them. There's someone how much God loves them. There's someone how much God loves them. There's someone tender on our heart. Someone we go to tender on our heart. Someone we go to tender on our heart. Someone we go to work with. Someone we go to school with.

work with. Someone we go to school with. work with. Someone we go to school with. Someone on our team. Maybe it's a family Someone on our team. Maybe it's a family Someone on our team. Maybe it's a family member. Maybe it's our own spouse. Maybe member. Maybe it's our own spouse. Maybe member. Maybe it's our own spouse. Maybe it's our own kids. I think there's it's our own kids. I think there's it's our own kids. I think there's someone in our own world that doesn't someone in our own world that doesn't someone in our own world that doesn't know how much God loves them. And some know how much God loves them. And some know how much God loves them. And some of us might start to feel like failures of us might start to feel like failures of us might start to feel like failures when we're not showing the love of God when we're not showing the love of God when we're not showing the love of God to them. We might start to think, man, to them. We might start to think, man, to them. We might start to think, man, everything I'm saying is the wrong everything I'm saying is the wrong everything I'm saying is the wrong thing, and everything I'm doing is the thing, and everything I'm doing is the thing, and everything I'm doing is the wrong thing, and I'm praying for them, wrong thing, and I'm praying for them, wrong thing, and I'm praying for them, and I feel all the weight of the world and I feel all the weight of the world and I feel all the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I feel like I have on my shoulders, and I feel like I have on my shoulders, and I feel like I have to save them, but I feel like I'm doing to save them, but I feel like I'm doing to save them, but I feel like I'm doing a bad job. I have some good news for you a bad job. I have some good news for you a bad job. I have some good news for you today. It is not on you to save the today. It is not on you to save the today. It is not on you to save the world. It is not on you to save your world. It is not on you to save your world. It is not on you to save your family members. It is not on you to save family members. It is not on you to save family members. It is not on you to save your loved ones. Jesus is the savior of your loved ones. Jesus is the savior of your loved ones. Jesus is the savior of the world. Jesus is the one who saves the world. Jesus is the one who saves the world. Jesus is the one who saves lives. Jesus is the one who heals lives. Jesus is the one who heals lives. Jesus is the one who heals relationships. Jesus is the one who relationships. Jesus is the one who relationships. Jesus is the one who makes the impossible possible. Our power makes the impossible possible. Our power makes the impossible possible. Our power cannot compare to his. So the pressure cannot compare to his. So the pressure cannot compare to his. So the pressure to be a savior is off.

to be a savior is off. to be a savior is off. But that is not just permission to go But that is not just permission to go But that is not just permission to go and do and say nothing. and do and say nothing. and do and say nothing. No, No, No, even better, even better, even better, it's freedom. It's freedom to be it's freedom. It's freedom to be it's freedom. It's freedom to be yourself, yourself, yourself, to make invitations, have conversations, to make invitations, have conversations, to make invitations, have conversations, and share your real story without fear and share your real story without fear and share your real story without fear of what the end result will be. of what the end result will be. of what the end result will be. So, what can we do today for those of us So, what can we do today for those of us So, what can we do today for those of us who know someone who is far from God, who know someone who is far from God, who know someone who is far from God, someone that we love, someone who does someone that we love, someone who does someone that we love, someone who does not yet know how much God loves them, not yet know how much God loves them, not yet know how much God loves them, and we know we're not the savior of the and we know we're not the savior of the and we know we're not the savior of the world. How can we join God on his world. How can we join God on his world. How can we join God on his mission for the people in our lives to mission for the people in our lives to mission for the people in our lives to know how loved they are? And for that know how loved they are? And for that know how loved they are? And for that answer, I want to share with you another answer, I want to share with you another answer, I want to share with you another story. A story that took place a couple story. A story that took place a couple story. A story that took place a couple of decades after Mrs. Lee opened her of decades after Mrs. Lee opened her of decades after Mrs. Lee opened her door. When I was 18 years old, my dad, door. When I was 18 years old, my dad, door. When I was 18 years old, my dad, my hero, got cancer and he passed away.

my hero, got cancer and he passed away. my hero, got cancer and he passed away. And when I was 18 years old, my baby And when I was 18 years old, my baby And when I was 18 years old, my baby brother Elijah was 12. And if you've brother Elijah was 12. And if you've brother Elijah was 12. And if you've ever lost someone, you may be able to ever lost someone, you may be able to ever lost someone, you may be able to relate to this. relate to this. relate to this. Just because Elijah and I lost the same Just because Elijah and I lost the same Just because Elijah and I lost the same person, we did not have the same person, we did not have the same person, we did not have the same experience. experience. experience. We grieved very differently. We We grieved very differently. We We grieved very differently. We processed very differently. And every processed very differently. And every processed very differently. And every time I would want to talk to Elijah time I would want to talk to Elijah time I would want to talk to Elijah about God, about his faith, or even about God, about his faith, or even about God, about his faith, or even about our dad, Elijah would shut down about our dad, Elijah would shut down about our dad, Elijah would shut down emotionally. And I became so frustrated emotionally. And I became so frustrated emotionally. And I became so frustrated at Elijah for not being as healed as I at Elijah for not being as healed as I at Elijah for not being as healed as I needed him to be or processing as fast needed him to be or processing as fast needed him to be or processing as fast as I needed him to process. And I as I needed him to process. And I as I needed him to process. And I ministered at Elijah so badly. I was ministered at Elijah so badly. I was ministered at Elijah so badly. I was very bad at it. I could write the guide very bad at it. I could write the guide very bad at it. I could write the guide of how not to share the love of Jesus of how not to share the love of Jesus of how not to share the love of Jesus with Elijah. I would tell him, "You with Elijah. I would tell him, "You with Elijah. I would tell him, "You can't be sad, Elijah. God doesn't want can't be sad, Elijah. God doesn't want can't be sad, Elijah. God doesn't want you to be sad. You have to have the joy you to be sad. You have to have the joy you to be sad. You have to have the joy of the Lord." I would say, "Think about of the Lord." I would say, "Think about of the Lord." I would say, "Think about what God could do with this. He's going what God could do with this. He's going what God could do with this. He's going to use this for your testimony one day.

to use this for your testimony one day. to use this for your testimony one day. Think of the silver lining." And Elijah Think of the silver lining." And Elijah Think of the silver lining." And Elijah was 12 and he lost his dad. And at one was 12 and he lost his dad. And at one was 12 and he lost his dad. And at one point I realized that every time I would point I realized that every time I would point I realized that every time I would call Elijah because I was about seven call Elijah because I was about seven call Elijah because I was about seven hours away in college at the time, hours away in college at the time, hours away in college at the time, whenever I would call Elijah and want to whenever I would call Elijah and want to whenever I would call Elijah and want to ask him about his faith, Elijah did not ask him about his faith, Elijah did not ask him about his faith, Elijah did not want to talk about anything that I want to talk about anything that I want to talk about anything that I wanted to talk about. All Elijah wanted wanted to talk about. All Elijah wanted wanted to talk about. All Elijah wanted to talk about was superhero comic books. to talk about was superhero comic books. to talk about was superhero comic books. Now listen, I can appreciate the a Now listen, I can appreciate the a Now listen, I can appreciate the a superhero comic book as much as the superhero comic book as much as the superhero comic book as much as the average person, but have you ever known average person, but have you ever known average person, but have you ever known someone who's not just into superheroes, someone who's not just into superheroes, someone who's not just into superheroes, they're like into superheroes? It's a they're like into superheroes? It's a they're like into superheroes? It's a whole other thing. There's all these whole other thing. There's all these whole other thing. There's all these universes and different eras and universes and different eras and universes and different eras and different villains. different villains. different villains. That's all Elijah wanted to talk about. That's all Elijah wanted to talk about. That's all Elijah wanted to talk about. And at one point in my life, I realized And at one point in my life, I realized And at one point in my life, I realized Elijah was not going to step into my Elijah was not going to step into my Elijah was not going to step into my world. If I wanted to have a real world. If I wanted to have a real world. If I wanted to have a real relationship with Elijah, I had to step relationship with Elijah, I had to step relationship with Elijah, I had to step into his. So, I became obsessed with into his. So, I became obsessed with into his. So, I became obsessed with these superhero comic books. It was a these superhero comic books. It was a these superhero comic books. It was a whole thing. I would drive seven hours whole thing. I would drive seven hours whole thing. I would drive seven hours into my hometown of San Francisco. We'd into my hometown of San Francisco. We'd into my hometown of San Francisco. We'd go to thrift stores and look at vintage go to thrift stores and look at vintage go to thrift stores and look at vintage comic books. When Marvel started making comic books. When Marvel started making comic books. When Marvel started making all these movies, I would take Elijah to all these movies, I would take Elijah to all these movies, I would take Elijah to the premieres. We would wear our Marvel the premieres. We would wear our Marvel the premieres. We would wear our Marvel t-shirts, get the biggest popcorn to t-shirts, get the biggest popcorn to t-shirts, get the biggest popcorn to ever popcorn, and watch it on the big ever popcorn, and watch it on the big ever popcorn, and watch it on the big screen. At the time, I told Elijah, "I screen. At the time, I told Elijah, "I screen. At the time, I told Elijah, "I will watch every Marvel movie premiere

will watch every Marvel movie premiere will watch every Marvel movie premiere with you ever." with you ever." with you ever." And I had no idea the commitment that And I had no idea the commitment that And I had no idea the commitment that was going to be. was going to be. was going to be. At the time, there was like one Marvel At the time, there was like one Marvel At the time, there was like one Marvel movie a year. Now it's not just a hobby. movie a year. Now it's not just a hobby. movie a year. Now it's not just a hobby. It's a whole lifestyle. It's a whole lifestyle. It's a whole lifestyle. But Elijah and I now had something in But Elijah and I now had something in But Elijah and I now had something in common. Now we had something to talk common. Now we had something to talk common. Now we had something to talk about. Now I wasn't just forcing Elijah about. Now I wasn't just forcing Elijah about. Now I wasn't just forcing Elijah to see my lens of the world. Now I was to see my lens of the world. Now I was to see my lens of the world. Now I was starting to see the world through his starting to see the world through his starting to see the world through his lens. What can we do if we truly do want lens. What can we do if we truly do want lens. What can we do if we truly do want to connect with people in our lives and to connect with people in our lives and to connect with people in our lives and naturally share the love of Jesus, but naturally share the love of Jesus, but naturally share the love of Jesus, but we're having trouble connecting? The we're having trouble connecting? The we're having trouble connecting? The word of God gives us an interesting word of God gives us an interesting word of God gives us an interesting title. We're called ambassadors. We see title. We're called ambassadors. We see title. We're called ambassadors. We see this in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Therefore, this in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Therefore, this in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. Since God we are ambassadors for Christ. Since God we are ambassadors for Christ. Since God is making his appeal through us, we is making his appeal through us, we is making his appeal through us, we plead on Christ's behalf. be reconciled plead on Christ's behalf. be reconciled plead on Christ's behalf. be reconciled to God.

to God. to God. I grew up hearing this verse about how I grew up hearing this verse about how I grew up hearing this verse about how we're called to be ambassadors, but it we're called to be ambassadors, but it we're called to be ambassadors, but it wasn't until I was a little bit older wasn't until I was a little bit older wasn't until I was a little bit older that I understood what that meant and that I understood what that meant and that I understood what that meant and how that actually impacted how I live how that actually impacted how I live how that actually impacted how I live practically. Ambassadors, we know this practically. Ambassadors, we know this practically. Ambassadors, we know this on a global level. Historically, they on a global level. Historically, they on a global level. Historically, they are someone who represents a kingdom or are someone who represents a kingdom or are someone who represents a kingdom or a land to another kingdom to another a land to another kingdom to another a land to another kingdom to another land. And so something that ambassadors land. And so something that ambassadors land. And so something that ambassadors spend their whole life doing is knowing spend their whole life doing is knowing spend their whole life doing is knowing the kingdom they're from really well. the kingdom they're from really well. the kingdom they're from really well. Knowing the language, knowing their lens Knowing the language, knowing their lens Knowing the language, knowing their lens of the world, knowing the important of the world, knowing the important of the world, knowing the important messages that they want to share. And messages that they want to share. And messages that they want to share. And ambassadors spend their life knowing the ambassadors spend their life knowing the ambassadors spend their life knowing the kingdom they're going to really well kingdom they're going to really well kingdom they're going to really well because this other land might literally because this other land might literally because this other land might literally speak another language. And they might speak another language. And they might speak another language. And they might also have experienced different wars, also have experienced different wars, also have experienced different wars, different traumas. They might have a different traumas. They might have a different traumas. They might have a totally different lens of the world. So totally different lens of the world. So totally different lens of the world. So a good ambassador spends their whole a good ambassador spends their whole a good ambassador spends their whole life knowing both of these kingdoms life knowing both of these kingdoms life knowing both of these kingdoms really well so that an important message really well so that an important message really well so that an important message is never missed or misunderstood.

is never missed or misunderstood. is never missed or misunderstood. In fact, many ambassadors are bilingual. In fact, many ambassadors are bilingual. In fact, many ambassadors are bilingual. They've spent their life sharpening the They've spent their life sharpening the They've spent their life sharpening the tools to know two languages really well. tools to know two languages really well. tools to know two languages really well. What does that look like for us to be What does that look like for us to be What does that look like for us to be Christ ambassadors? Christ ambassadors? Christ ambassadors? How can we know the language of the How can we know the language of the How can we know the language of the kingdom we represent while also knowing kingdom we represent while also knowing kingdom we represent while also knowing the kingdom we're going to really well the kingdom we're going to really well the kingdom we're going to really well so an important message is clearly so an important message is clearly so an important message is clearly communicated to people who desperately communicated to people who desperately communicated to people who desperately need to hear it. I want to give you two need to hear it. I want to give you two need to hear it. I want to give you two practical things today. How can you practical things today. How can you practical things today. How can you reveal God's love to the people right reveal God's love to the people right reveal God's love to the people right next to you? One, you can learn the next to you? One, you can learn the next to you? One, you can learn the words and ways of those around you. words and ways of those around you. words and ways of those around you. Learn the words and ways of those around Learn the words and ways of those around Learn the words and ways of those around you. Learn the language and the lens of you. Learn the language and the lens of you. Learn the language and the lens of the world of the people in your real the world of the people in your real the world of the people in your real life. For some of us, we know God really life. For some of us, we know God really life. For some of us, we know God really well. We've gone to church for a long well. We've gone to church for a long well. We've gone to church for a long time. We know a lot of Bible stories. We time. We know a lot of Bible stories. We time. We know a lot of Bible stories. We love God. Maybe we've followed God for a love God. Maybe we've followed God for a love God. Maybe we've followed God for a long time. We might even know a lot of long time. We might even know a lot of long time. We might even know a lot of God's answers, but we might not know the God's answers, but we might not know the God's answers, but we might not know the questions our friends are asking. Do you questions our friends are asking. Do you questions our friends are asking. Do you know the questions your friends are know the questions your friends are know the questions your friends are asking their questions about God? Do you asking their questions about God? Do you asking their questions about God? Do you know your new neighbors who moved next know your new neighbors who moved next know your new neighbors who moved next door? Do you know where they're from? Do door? Do you know where they're from? Do door? Do you know where they're from? Do you know why they moved? Have you you know why they moved? Have you you know why they moved? Have you invited them over? Have you started your invited them over? Have you started your invited them over? Have you started your dim sum ministry?

dim sum ministry? dim sum ministry? Do you know your coworker who has a kid Do you know your coworker who has a kid Do you know your coworker who has a kid that's always in sports? Do you know that's always in sports? Do you know that's always in sports? Do you know what season they're in now? What sport what season they're in now? What sport what season they're in now? What sport they're playing now? What the team is they're playing now? What the team is they're playing now? What the team is called? Could you go to a game? Do you called? Could you go to a game? Do you called? Could you go to a game? Do you know your baby brother's favorite know your baby brother's favorite know your baby brother's favorite superhero? Knowing the language of the superhero? Knowing the language of the superhero? Knowing the language of the kingdom you're going to, the words and kingdom you're going to, the words and kingdom you're going to, the words and ways of those around you likely won't ways of those around you likely won't ways of those around you likely won't happen overnight. It's likely a happen overnight. It's likely a happen overnight. It's likely a consistent relationship. Sharpening the consistent relationship. Sharpening the consistent relationship. Sharpening the tools of learning this language really tools of learning this language really tools of learning this language really well. The second thing we need to learn well. The second thing we need to learn well. The second thing we need to learn is the words and ways of God. We want to is the words and ways of God. We want to is the words and ways of God. We want to know the words and ways of God. Because know the words and ways of God. Because know the words and ways of God. Because for some of us, we know all the for some of us, we know all the for some of us, we know all the questions our friends are asking. For questions our friends are asking. For questions our friends are asking. For some of us, we have lots of friends who some of us, we have lots of friends who some of us, we have lots of friends who are far from God, close to God, are far from God, close to God, are far from God, close to God, somewhere in the middle. We're like a somewhere in the middle. We're like a somewhere in the middle. We're like a good hang for everybody. But for some of good hang for everybody. But for some of good hang for everybody. But for some of us, we don't know God's answers to their us, we don't know God's answers to their us, we don't know God's answers to their questions. We don't fully know the questions. We don't fully know the questions. We don't fully know the language of God, the words and ways of language of God, the words and ways of language of God, the words and ways of God. If your friends were to ask you, God. If your friends were to ask you, God. If your friends were to ask you, "How can I be resilient? "How can I be resilient? "How can I be resilient? How can I be fearless? How can I have How can I be fearless? How can I have How can I be fearless? How can I have peace? How can I have joy? Why do you go peace? How can I have joy? Why do you go peace? How can I have joy? Why do you go to church most weekends? If I wanted to to church most weekends? If I wanted to to church most weekends? If I wanted to start reading the Bible, where would I start reading the Bible, where would I start reading the Bible, where would I start? Do you have God's answers for start? Do you have God's answers for start? Do you have God's answers for your friends questions?" You can sharpen your friends questions?" You can sharpen your friends questions?" You can sharpen this language. You can get better at this language. You can get better at this language. You can get better at knowing this language when you get into knowing this language when you get into knowing this language when you get into the word of God yourself. When you spend the word of God yourself. When you spend the word of God yourself. When you spend time with God for real yourself, when time with God for real yourself, when time with God for real yourself, when you keep coming to church and hearing you keep coming to church and hearing you keep coming to church and hearing the word of God shared yourself, we will the word of God shared yourself, we will the word of God shared yourself, we will get better at knowing the language of get better at knowing the language of get better at knowing the language of the kingdom that we represent, the

the kingdom that we represent, the the kingdom that we represent, the kingdom that we're from. In many ways, kingdom that we're from. In many ways, kingdom that we're from. In many ways, the call to be Christ ambassadors is a the call to be Christ ambassadors is a the call to be Christ ambassadors is a call to be bilingual, to spend our whole call to be bilingual, to spend our whole call to be bilingual, to spend our whole lives knowing the languages of both of lives knowing the languages of both of lives knowing the languages of both of these kingdoms really well. Here's these kingdoms really well. Here's these kingdoms really well. Here's another way to say it. As you fall more another way to say it. As you fall more another way to say it. As you fall more in love with Jesus for real and fall in love with Jesus for real and fall in love with Jesus for real and fall more in love with the people in your more in love with the people in your more in love with the people in your life for real, it will become more life for real, it will become more life for real, it will become more natural for you to share the love of natural for you to share the love of natural for you to share the love of Jesus to your real friends. As you grow Jesus to your real friends. As you grow Jesus to your real friends. As you grow deeper in your friendship with God, as deeper in your friendship with God, as deeper in your friendship with God, as you grow deeper in your friendship with you grow deeper in your friendship with you grow deeper in your friendship with those in your real life, it will become those in your real life, it will become those in your real life, it will become more natural for you to introduce your more natural for you to introduce your more natural for you to introduce your friend Jesus to your other friends. friend Jesus to your other friends. friend Jesus to your other friends. Sharing the love of Jesus with real Sharing the love of Jesus with real Sharing the love of Jesus with real people in your real life is less like people in your real life is less like people in your real life is less like following a rigid formula. It's more following a rigid formula. It's more following a rigid formula. It's more like falling in love. like falling in love. like falling in love. How can you fall more in love with How can you fall more in love with How can you fall more in love with Jesus? How can you fall more in love Jesus? How can you fall more in love Jesus? How can you fall more in love with the people in your real life? For with the people in your real life? For with the people in your real life? For me, it took a couple years of falling in me, it took a couple years of falling in me, it took a couple years of falling in love with Elijah, of seeing him in a way love with Elijah, of seeing him in a way love with Elijah, of seeing him in a way that I had not seen him before, and that I had not seen him before, and that I had not seen him before, and seeing the world through his lens in seeing the world through his lens in seeing the world through his lens in ways I had not seen before. It was a lot ways I had not seen before. It was a lot ways I had not seen before. It was a lot of me watching a lot of Marvel movies.

of me watching a lot of Marvel movies. of me watching a lot of Marvel movies. And then I remember one day, two years And then I remember one day, two years And then I remember one day, two years after our dad passed, I invited Elijah after our dad passed, I invited Elijah after our dad passed, I invited Elijah to go with me to a San Francisco Giants to go with me to a San Francisco Giants to go with me to a San Francisco Giants baseball game. Well, we didn't really go baseball game. Well, we didn't really go baseball game. Well, we didn't really go into the stadium because we're ballers into the stadium because we're ballers into the stadium because we're ballers on a budget, but we were outside the on a budget, but we were outside the on a budget, but we were outside the stadium hearing the crowd and we were stadium hearing the crowd and we were stadium hearing the crowd and we were listening to the game on the radio. And listening to the game on the radio. And listening to the game on the radio. And as we were looking out in the bay right as we were looking out in the bay right as we were looking out in the bay right next to this stadium, I asked Elijah, next to this stadium, I asked Elijah, next to this stadium, I asked Elijah, "Elijah, what do you feel about God?" "Elijah, what do you feel about God?" "Elijah, what do you feel about God?" And he answered me. And Elijah said, And he answered me. And Elijah said, And he answered me. And Elijah said, "I'm mad." "I'm mad." "I'm mad." And that was a lot of emotion for And that was a lot of emotion for And that was a lot of emotion for Elijah. Elijah. Elijah. And a past version of me would have And a past version of me would have And a past version of me would have wanted to preach at Elijah, tell him not wanted to preach at Elijah, tell him not wanted to preach at Elijah, tell him not to be mad at God, try to like sound like to be mad at God, try to like sound like to be mad at God, try to like sound like a preacher I heard once or quote some a preacher I heard once or quote some a preacher I heard once or quote some phrases I had heard once or send him a phrases I had heard once or send him a phrases I had heard once or send him a sermon clip for him to deal with that. I sermon clip for him to deal with that. I sermon clip for him to deal with that. I used to send Elijah my own sermon clips. used to send Elijah my own sermon clips. used to send Elijah my own sermon clips. I would send him like a YouTube link and I would send him like a YouTube link and I would send him like a YouTube link and be like, "Watch this message. Message be like, "Watch this message. Message be like, "Watch this message. Message minute seven. That part's for you. That minute seven. That part's for you. That minute seven. That part's for you. That part's for you. Watch slowly and pray part's for you. Watch slowly and pray part's for you. Watch slowly and pray about it."

about it." about it." And then at one point I realized And then at one point I realized And then at one point I realized Elijah didn't need another preacher. Elijah didn't need another preacher. Elijah didn't need another preacher. Elijah needed a big sister. Elijah needed a big sister. Elijah needed a big sister. So I stopped trying to pretend like I So I stopped trying to pretend like I So I stopped trying to pretend like I had the answers and I told him the truth had the answers and I told him the truth had the answers and I told him the truth and I said, "I'm mad, too." and I said, "I'm mad, too." and I said, "I'm mad, too." And he said, "Why would God let this And he said, "Why would God let this And he said, "Why would God let this happen to us?" And I stopped trying to happen to us?" And I stopped trying to happen to us?" And I stopped trying to search for like the perfect spiritual search for like the perfect spiritual search for like the perfect spiritual answer. And I told the truth and I said, answer. And I told the truth and I said, answer. And I told the truth and I said, "I don't know." "I don't know." "I don't know." You know, it's a lie that you have to You know, it's a lie that you have to You know, it's a lie that you have to have all the answers to everyone's have all the answers to everyone's have all the answers to everyone's questions to even start talking about questions to even start talking about questions to even start talking about Jesus at all. In fact, it's what you Jesus at all. In fact, it's what you Jesus at all. In fact, it's what you know and what you don't know that can be know and what you don't know that can be know and what you don't know that can be some of the greatest catalysts to real some of the greatest catalysts to real some of the greatest catalysts to real conversations. conversations. conversations. I said, Elijah, I don't know, but let's I said, Elijah, I don't know, but let's I said, Elijah, I don't know, but let's figure it out together. Together, let's figure it out together. Together, let's figure it out together. Together, let's figure out God's answer to our figure out God's answer to our figure out God's answer to our questions. And it was nine years after questions. And it was nine years after questions. And it was nine years after that. that. that. 11 years since our dad went to be with 11 years since our dad went to be with 11 years since our dad went to be with Jesus. 11 years of a consistent flawed Jesus. 11 years of a consistent flawed Jesus. 11 years of a consistent flawed but ongoing relationship with my brother but ongoing relationship with my brother but ongoing relationship with my brother when he came over to me and my husband when he came over to me and my husband when he came over to me and my husband Guy's house in San Diego. and we opened Guy's house in San Diego. and we opened Guy's house in San Diego. and we opened the door and he sat at our dining room the door and he sat at our dining room the door and he sat at our dining room table and he looked at me and he said, table and he looked at me and he said, table and he looked at me and he said, "Okay, I'm ready for the peace you have "Okay, I'm ready for the peace you have "Okay, I'm ready for the peace you have and I'm ready for the joy you have and I and I'm ready for the joy you have and I and I'm ready for the joy you have and I know that it's Jesus because you've told know that it's Jesus because you've told know that it's Jesus because you've told me a thousand times and I get it."

me a thousand times and I get it." me a thousand times and I get it." Praise God. God also uses overbearing, Praise God. God also uses overbearing, Praise God. God also uses overbearing, over talkative big sisters. Anything you over talkative big sisters. Anything you over talkative big sisters. Anything you got, he will use. I actually think it got, he will use. I actually think it got, he will use. I actually think it was because me and my brother had a real was because me and my brother had a real was because me and my brother had a real relationship and I wasn't faking it with relationship and I wasn't faking it with relationship and I wasn't faking it with him and I wasn't putting on a show for him and I wasn't putting on a show for him and I wasn't putting on a show for him. It was the power of the proximity him. It was the power of the proximity him. It was the power of the proximity of our real relationship that made of our real relationship that made of our real relationship that made Elijah see as I struggled with my faith Elijah see as I struggled with my faith Elijah see as I struggled with my faith and I told him about it. As I struggled and I told him about it. As I struggled and I told him about it. As I struggled with the church and I told him about it with the church and I told him about it with the church and I told him about it when some of my heroes turned out to not when some of my heroes turned out to not when some of my heroes turned out to not be my heroes and I told him about it be my heroes and I told him about it be my heroes and I told him about it when I struggled with my confidence and when I struggled with my confidence and when I struggled with my confidence and I didn't know who I was and I told him I didn't know who I was and I told him I didn't know who I was and I told him about it. My brother seeing someone about it. My brother seeing someone about it. My brother seeing someone fumble through it made it more real for fumble through it made it more real for fumble through it made it more real for him. And my brother said a simple prayer him. And my brother said a simple prayer him. And my brother said a simple prayer at our dining room table. He said, at our dining room table. He said, at our dining room table. He said, "Jesus, I put my faith in you. I believe "Jesus, I put my faith in you. I believe "Jesus, I put my faith in you. I believe you died and rose again. I turned away you died and rose again. I turned away you died and rose again. I turned away from my sin and my shame. Amen." from my sin and my shame. Amen." from my sin and my shame. Amen." And that was it. And that was it. And that was it. Again, there was no glitter. Again, there was no glitter. Again, there was no glitter. In fact, after we said amen, I didn't In fact, after we said amen, I didn't In fact, after we said amen, I didn't even know what to do next. Like what do even know what to do next. Like what do even know what to do next. Like what do I do with my hands?

Like do we hug? Like do we hug? We're not an affectionate family. Like We're not an affectionate family. Like We're not an affectionate family. Like we're very Asian. So it was more like a we're very Asian. So it was more like a we're very Asian. So it was more like a rub and pat. It was like a This was rub and pat. It was like a This was rub and pat. It was like a This was nice. This was nice. You want some food? nice. This was nice. You want some food? nice. This was nice. You want some food? Let's get some food. Let's get some food. Let's get some food. If you want a guide to how to perfectly If you want a guide to how to perfectly If you want a guide to how to perfectly lead everyone you know to Jesus, I have lead everyone you know to Jesus, I have lead everyone you know to Jesus, I have no idea. no idea. no idea. But what I do know is that there are But what I do know is that there are But what I do know is that there are people in your life who need to know people in your life who need to know people in your life who need to know they're not alone. they're not alone. they're not alone. And why would people believe us that the And why would people believe us that the And why would people believe us that the God we're talking about wants to know God we're talking about wants to know God we're talking about wants to know them if we don't even want to know them? them if we don't even want to know them? them if we don't even want to know them? Why would people believe us that the God Why would people believe us that the God Why would people believe us that the God we're talking about wants to be with we're talking about wants to be with we're talking about wants to be with them if we don't even want to be with them if we don't even want to be with them if we don't even want to be with them? God loved us so much that even them? God loved us so much that even them? God loved us so much that even while we were far away from him, while while we were far away from him, while while we were far away from him, while we were running from him, God sent his we were running from him, God sent his we were running from him, God sent his son Jesus to come be Emmanuel, God with son Jesus to come be Emmanuel, God with son Jesus to come be Emmanuel, God with us. God with us where we really are. And us. God with us where we really are. And us. God with us where we really are. And he calls us to do the same. I want you he calls us to do the same. I want you he calls us to do the same. I want you to know that if you want to reveal God's to know that if you want to reveal God's to know that if you want to reveal God's love to the people right next to you, love to the people right next to you, love to the people right next to you, many times your greatest witness many times your greatest witness many times your greatest witness will be your withness.

will be your withness. will be your withness. How can you come alongside of people and How can you come alongside of people and How can you come alongside of people and be with them where they really are? How be with them where they really are? How be with them where they really are? How is your withness today with your family is your withness today with your family is your withness today with your family members? How is your withness today with members? How is your withness today with members? How is your withness today with your loved ones, with your spouse, with your loved ones, with your spouse, with your loved ones, with your spouse, with your kids, with your co-workers? How is your kids, with your co-workers? How is your kids, with your co-workers? How is your withness your withness your withness today? today? today? I want to give you one more way that we I want to give you one more way that we I want to give you one more way that we can reveal the love of Jesus to the can reveal the love of Jesus to the can reveal the love of Jesus to the people right next to us. Don't give up. people right next to us. Don't give up. people right next to us. Don't give up. Don't believe the enemy's lie Don't believe the enemy's lie Don't believe the enemy's lie that there's no hope for your family that there's no hope for your family that there's no hope for your family members, that you're not the right members, that you're not the right members, that you're not the right person, you don't have the right story. person, you don't have the right story. person, you don't have the right story. Don't believe the enemy's lie that you Don't believe the enemy's lie that you Don't believe the enemy's lie that you should just give up. In fact, as we should just give up. In fact, as we should just give up. In fact, as we close this message, I want to share with close this message, I want to share with close this message, I want to share with you a picture of my baby brother, you a picture of my baby brother, you a picture of my baby brother, Elijah. Can we throw up a picture of Elijah. Can we throw up a picture of Elijah. Can we throw up a picture of him? That's my baby brother, Elijah. him? That's my baby brother, Elijah. him? That's my baby brother, Elijah. Yes, we can cheer for that. Yes, we can cheer for that. Yes, we can cheer for that. I want to show you this picture for a I want to show you this picture for a I want to show you this picture for a couple reasons. one. Yes, we are at a couple reasons. one. Yes, we are at a couple reasons. one. Yes, we are at a premiere for a Marvel movie. Yes, two premiere for a Marvel movie. Yes, two premiere for a Marvel movie. Yes, two months ago. I'm telling you, it's a months ago. I'm telling you, it's a months ago. I'm telling you, it's a lifestyle.

lifestyle. lifestyle. We have our Marvel t-shirts on. We got We have our Marvel t-shirts on. We got We have our Marvel t-shirts on. We got the biggest popcorn ever. And I just the biggest popcorn ever. And I just the biggest popcorn ever. And I just wanted to show you this picture for a wanted to show you this picture for a wanted to show you this picture for a couple reasons. I wanted to show you couple reasons. I wanted to show you couple reasons. I wanted to show you this picture. One, to put a face to the this picture. One, to put a face to the this picture. One, to put a face to the story because this is a real story about story because this is a real story about story because this is a real story about someone very tender in my life. And my someone very tender in my life. And my someone very tender in my life. And my guess is that there's faces that come to guess is that there's faces that come to guess is that there's faces that come to your mind, too, of people in your real your mind, too, of people in your real your mind, too, of people in your real life. We're talking about the real life. We're talking about the real life. We're talking about the real people in our lives. The second reason I people in our lives. The second reason I people in our lives. The second reason I want to show you this picture is because want to show you this picture is because want to show you this picture is because Elijah is single. Elijah is single. Elijah is single. And okay, I saw some late 20some cuties And okay, I saw some late 20some cuties And okay, I saw some late 20some cuties walk in a little bit earlier and I know walk in a little bit earlier and I know walk in a little bit earlier and I know we're streaming worldwide right now and we're streaming worldwide right now and we're streaming worldwide right now and I'm on the look for a sisterin-law. I'm on the look for a sisterin-law. I'm on the look for a sisterin-law. Okay, so there's a picture of Elijah. Okay, so there's a picture of Elijah. Okay, so there's a picture of Elijah. Take a picture, pray about it. If you Take a picture, pray about it. If you Take a picture, pray about it. If you are willing to watch a lot of Marvel are willing to watch a lot of Marvel are willing to watch a lot of Marvel movies and watch a lot of Golden State movies and watch a lot of Golden State movies and watch a lot of Golden State Warriors and have a very overbearing Warriors and have a very overbearing Warriors and have a very overbearing sisterin-law, please send in your sisterin-law, please send in your sisterin-law, please send in your resume. I would love to meet you. Thank resume. I would love to meet you. Thank resume. I would love to meet you. Thank you. you. you. The other reason why I wanted to share The other reason why I wanted to share The other reason why I wanted to share this picture with you is because I this picture with you is because I this picture with you is because I wanted to tell you the truth, which is wanted to tell you the truth, which is wanted to tell you the truth, which is that I almost gave up on Elijah. I that I almost gave up on Elijah. I that I almost gave up on Elijah. I almost gave up praying for Elijah. I was almost gave up praying for Elijah. I was almost gave up praying for Elijah. I was tired of feeling like my prayers were tired of feeling like my prayers were tired of feeling like my prayers were going to voicemail. I was tired of going to voicemail. I was tired of going to voicemail. I was tired of telling my same group of friends, "Oh telling my same group of friends, "Oh telling my same group of friends, "Oh yeah, my prayer request, same one. Can yeah, my prayer request, same one. Can yeah, my prayer request, same one. Can we all pray for Elijah?" I was tired of we all pray for Elijah?" I was tired of we all pray for Elijah?" I was tired of trying all these things and constantly trying all these things and constantly trying all these things and constantly feeling like I was failing because I did feeling like I was failing because I did feeling like I was failing because I did feel like all the weight of the world feel like all the weight of the world feel like all the weight of the world was on my shoulders and I had to save was on my shoulders and I had to save was on my shoulders and I had to save him. And I almost gave up on Elijah.

him. And I almost gave up on Elijah. him. And I almost gave up on Elijah. And you know, when Mrs. Lee opened the And you know, when Mrs. Lee opened the And you know, when Mrs. Lee opened the door for my dad and he sat at her table. door for my dad and he sat at her table. door for my dad and he sat at her table. When she made an invitation, had a When she made an invitation, had a When she made an invitation, had a conversation, shared her story, he conversation, shared her story, he conversation, shared her story, he changed his life in a minute. And changed his life in a minute. And changed his life in a minute. And sometimes God does it that way. My dad sometimes God does it that way. My dad sometimes God does it that way. My dad was living proof that that's somehow how was living proof that that's somehow how was living proof that that's somehow how sometimes how God does it. sometimes how God does it. sometimes how God does it. But sometimes it's 11 years or more of a But sometimes it's 11 years or more of a But sometimes it's 11 years or more of a consistent relationship fighting for consistent relationship fighting for consistent relationship fighting for someone who's not fighting for you. And someone who's not fighting for you. And someone who's not fighting for you. And that can make you feel tired and weary. that can make you feel tired and weary. that can make you feel tired and weary. And if that's you today, if you have And if that's you today, if you have And if that's you today, if you have anyone in your life who doesn't yet know anyone in your life who doesn't yet know anyone in your life who doesn't yet know God, I want to give you some hope today God, I want to give you some hope today God, I want to give you some hope today by giving you some truth today. by giving you some truth today. by giving you some truth today. Galatians 6:9 says this. So, let's not Galatians 6:9 says this. So, let's not Galatians 6:9 says this. So, let's not get tired of doing what is good. at just get tired of doing what is good. at just get tired of doing what is good. at just the right time. We will reap a harvest the right time. We will reap a harvest the right time. We will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. I came of blessing if we don't give up. I came of blessing if we don't give up. I came here today to tell someone this. Don't here today to tell someone this. Don't here today to tell someone this. Don't believe the enemy's lie that your believe the enemy's lie that your believe the enemy's lie that your prayers don't matter. Keep on praying.

prayers don't matter. Keep on praying. prayers don't matter. Keep on praying. Don't give up. Don't believe the enemy's Don't give up. Don't believe the enemy's Don't give up. Don't believe the enemy's lie that your consistent relationships lie that your consistent relationships lie that your consistent relationships don't matter. Keep fighting for the don't matter. Keep fighting for the don't matter. Keep fighting for the people you love. Don't give up. Don't people you love. Don't give up. Don't people you love. Don't give up. Don't believe the enemy's lie that the ways believe the enemy's lie that the ways believe the enemy's lie that the ways you've been showing up for the people in you've been showing up for the people in you've been showing up for the people in your life are just a waste of time. Keep your life are just a waste of time. Keep your life are just a waste of time. Keep loving the people in your life. Well, loving the people in your life. Well, loving the people in your life. Well, don't give up because there is hope for don't give up because there is hope for don't give up because there is hope for your family members. There is hope for your family members. There is hope for your family members. There is hope for your friends. There is hope for your your friends. There is hope for your your friends. There is hope for your co-workers. There's hope for your co-workers. There's hope for your co-workers. There's hope for your friends. There's hope for your city. friends. There's hope for your city. friends. There's hope for your city. There is hope for our world. There is There is hope for our world. There is There is hope for our world. There is hope in Jesus Christ. Do not give up. hope in Jesus Christ. Do not give up. hope in Jesus Christ. Do not give up. The enemy of our souls wants us to stop The enemy of our souls wants us to stop The enemy of our souls wants us to stop praying. The enemy of our souls wants us praying. The enemy of our souls wants us praying. The enemy of our souls wants us to think someone else is more equipped to think someone else is more equipped to think someone else is more equipped to do it. The enemy of our souls wants to do it. The enemy of our souls wants to do it. The enemy of our souls wants us to dismiss the power of our stories us to dismiss the power of our stories us to dismiss the power of our stories and dismiss the power of our and dismiss the power of our and dismiss the power of our relationships and dismiss the power of relationships and dismiss the power of relationships and dismiss the power of our positions. You are perfectly our positions. You are perfectly our positions. You are perfectly positioned. positioned. positioned. And the people who are in your life in And the people who are in your life in And the people who are in your life in their real lives to share the love of their real lives to share the love of their real lives to share the love of Jesus with them.

Jesus with them. Jesus with them. Don't give up. Don't give up. Don't give up. You will never regret it if you keep on You will never regret it if you keep on You will never regret it if you keep on fighting for the people you love. I want fighting for the people you love. I want fighting for the people you love. I want to pray today for two groups of people. to pray today for two groups of people. to pray today for two groups of people. I want to pray today for a group of I want to pray today for a group of I want to pray today for a group of people who's saying, "I'm not giving up people who's saying, "I'm not giving up people who's saying, "I'm not giving up on myself." We just had an awesome on myself." We just had an awesome on myself." We just had an awesome series about having an identity crisis series about having an identity crisis series about having an identity crisis where we heard that we're chosen and where we heard that we're chosen and where we heard that we're chosen and we're a masterpiece. And if you're here we're a masterpiece. And if you're here we're a masterpiece. And if you're here today and you're saying, "I'm not giving today and you're saying, "I'm not giving today and you're saying, "I'm not giving up on myself." I'm going to pray that up on myself." I'm going to pray that up on myself." I'm going to pray that God reignites dreams. I'm going to pray God reignites dreams. I'm going to pray God reignites dreams. I'm going to pray that God reminds me who I am. That I that God reminds me who I am. That I that God reminds me who I am. That I keep knowing who I am and living the keep knowing who I am and living the keep knowing who I am and living the life I've been called to live. not life I've been called to live. not life I've been called to live. not giving up on myself. I want to pray for giving up on myself. I want to pray for giving up on myself. I want to pray for you. And then I want to pray for a you. And then I want to pray for a you. And then I want to pray for a second group of people that's saying, second group of people that's saying, second group of people that's saying, "I'm not giving up on someone that I "I'm not giving up on someone that I "I'm not giving up on someone that I know. There's someone I know who doesn't know. There's someone I know who doesn't know. There's someone I know who doesn't yet know how much God loves them. And yet know how much God loves them. And yet know how much God loves them. And I'm not going to stop praying for them. I'm not going to stop praying for them. I'm not going to stop praying for them. I'm not going to stop loving them. God, I'm not going to stop loving them. God, I'm not going to stop loving them. God, I'm not giving up on that person." And I I'm not giving up on that person." And I I'm not giving up on that person." And I want to pray for those two groups today. want to pray for those two groups today. want to pray for those two groups today. So, would you all bow your heads with So, would you all bow your heads with So, would you all bow your heads with me? everyone online, all of our me? everyone online, all of our me? everyone online, all of our campuses, extensions, everyone here with campuses, extensions, everyone here with campuses, extensions, everyone here with us. On the count of three, if you're in us. On the count of three, if you're in us. On the count of three, if you're in either of these groups, if you're in a either of these groups, if you're in a either of these groups, if you're in a group saying, "I'm not giving up on group saying, "I'm not giving up on group saying, "I'm not giving up on myself." Or you're in a group saying, myself." Or you're in a group saying, myself." Or you're in a group saying, "I'm not giving up on someone I know."

"I'm not giving up on someone I know." "I'm not giving up on someone I know." On the count of three all over the On the count of three all over the On the count of three all over the world, I'm going to ask you to shoot world, I'm going to ask you to shoot world, I'm going to ask you to shoot your hand up in the air and keep it your hand up in the air and keep it your hand up in the air and keep it raised because I'm going to include you raised because I'm going to include you raised because I'm going to include you and your loved ones is in this prayer and your loved ones is in this prayer and your loved ones is in this prayer and I want to pray in faith for you. So, and I want to pray in faith for you. So, and I want to pray in faith for you. So, if you're in either one of those groups, if you're in either one of those groups, if you're in either one of those groups, on the count of three, will you shoot on the count of three, will you shoot on the count of three, will you shoot your hands up in the air? 1 2 3. Hands your hands up in the air? 1 2 3. Hands your hands up in the air? 1 2 3. Hands in the air. If you're saying, "I'm not in the air. If you're saying, "I'm not in the air. If you're saying, "I'm not giving up." Would you keep your hands giving up." Would you keep your hands giving up." Would you keep your hands raised? I'm raising my hand with you. raised? I'm raising my hand with you. raised? I'm raising my hand with you. Will you raise your hands if you're Will you raise your hands if you're Will you raise your hands if you're saying, "I'm not giving up." Keep them saying, "I'm not giving up." Keep them saying, "I'm not giving up." Keep them raised. And I'm going to pray for us raised. And I'm going to pray for us raised. And I'm going to pray for us today. God, you see all of our hands today. God, you see all of our hands today. God, you see all of our hands raised high. Those of us who are saying, raised high. Those of us who are saying, raised high. Those of us who are saying, "I'm not giving up on myself." God, "I'm not giving up on myself." God, "I'm not giving up on myself." God, would you reignite dreams, passions? would you reignite dreams, passions? would you reignite dreams, passions? Would you open doors no man can open and Would you open doors no man can open and Would you open doors no man can open and no man can shut? We're not giving up on no man can shut? We're not giving up on no man can shut? We're not giving up on ourselves, God. We want to follow you ourselves, God. We want to follow you ourselves, God. We want to follow you for real with our personalities in our for real with our personalities in our for real with our personalities in our own unique way and we want to share the own unique way and we want to share the own unique way and we want to share the love of Jesus in our real lives. God, love of Jesus in our real lives. God, love of Jesus in our real lives. God, we're not giving up. Show us, God, what we're not giving up. Show us, God, what we're not giving up. Show us, God, what to do next. And God, I'm also praying to do next. And God, I'm also praying to do next. And God, I'm also praying for everyone who's raising their hand for everyone who's raising their hand for everyone who's raising their hand because they're representing someone who because they're representing someone who because they're representing someone who doesn't know God. God, you know, the doesn't know God. God, you know, the doesn't know God. God, you know, the people that are tender in our lives, the people that are tender in our lives, the people that are tender in our lives, the people that we're praying for, God, people that we're praying for, God, people that we're praying for, God, we're saying we're not giving up praying we're saying we're not giving up praying we're saying we're not giving up praying for them. We're not going to give up for them. We're not going to give up for them. We're not going to give up loving them. God, would you give us new loving them. God, would you give us new loving them. God, would you give us new ideas? Would you give us new ideas of ideas? Would you give us new ideas of ideas? Would you give us new ideas of ways to connect with them? Would you ways to connect with them? Would you ways to connect with them? Would you give us your wisdom? Would you give us give us your wisdom? Would you give us give us your wisdom? Would you give us open doors, God, and the courage to walk open doors, God, and the courage to walk open doors, God, and the courage to walk through them? We pray for all of our through them? We pray for all of our through them? We pray for all of our loved ones who don't know, God. Would loved ones who don't know, God. Would loved ones who don't know, God. Would you whisper to them even now, God, you whisper to them even now, God, you whisper to them even now, God, wherever they are, how much you love wherever they are, how much you love wherever they are, how much you love them. Would you have the kids call back them. Would you have the kids call back them. Would you have the kids call back their parents, the parents call back their parents, the parents call back their parents, the parents call back their kids? Would you have relationships their kids? Would you have relationships their kids? Would you have relationships be restored where people have said there be restored where people have said there be restored where people have said there can be no restoration? God, we believe can be no restoration? God, we believe can be no restoration? God, we believe in faith today for the glory of God and in faith today for the glory of God and in faith today for the glory of God and the saving of souls. And if you agree

the saving of souls. And if you agree the saving of souls. And if you agree with me, will you say, "Amen." with me, will you say, "Amen." with me, will you say, "Amen." >> Amen. Amen. We're not giving up. and I >> Amen. Amen. We're not giving up. and I >> Amen. Amen. We're not giving up. and I have faith with you today. >> Come on church, let's stand together. >> Come on church, let's stand together. Let's respond to that message. We are Let's respond to that message. We are Let's respond to that message. We are not giving up. Come on, let's sing this. not giving up. Come on, let's sing this. not giving up. Come on, let's sing this. And I will make room for you to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want to do. do. do. Come on. I will make room for you Come on. I will make room for you Come on. I will make room for you [Music] [Music] [Music] to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want. Come on, let's to do whatever you want. Come on, let's to do whatever you want. Come on, let's respond and surrender. Oh, I will make respond and surrender. Oh, I will make respond and surrender. Oh, I will make room for you to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want. Oh, I will make to do whatever you want. Oh, I will make to do whatever you want. Oh, I will make room. Oh, I will make room for you.

room. Oh, I will make room for you. room. Oh, I will make room for you. For you. Yes. To do whatever you want For you. Yes. To do whatever you want For you. Yes. To do whatever you want to. to. to. To do whatever you want to, Jesus. Find your way Jesus Find your way Jesus in our minds, in our trust. Sing it up, in our minds, in our trust. Sing it up, in our minds, in our trust. Sing it up, shake it up. shake it up. shake it up. Sink of the ground with all my Sink of the ground with all my Sink of the ground with all my tradition. Break down the wall with all tradition. Break down the wall with all tradition. Break down the wall with all my religion. Your way is better. my religion. Your way is better. my religion. Your way is better. Your way is better. Your way is better. Your way is better. Stay on the ground with all my Come on. Stay on the ground with all my Come on. Stay on the ground with all my Come on. I'll break down the wall with all my I'll break down the wall with all my I'll break down the wall with all my religion. Your way is better. religion. Your way is better. religion. Your way is better. [Music] [Music] [Music] Your way is better. Come on. Sing it up. Your way is better. Come on. Sing it up. Your way is better. Come on. Sing it up. Take it up. Take it up. Take it up. Who you are?

Who you are? Who you are? Oh my. Oh, your way is better. Oh my. Oh, your way is better. Oh my. Oh, your way is better. Oh, your way is better. Sing it out. Oh, your way is better. Sing it out. Oh, your way is better. Sing it out. Sing it out. Sing it out. Sing it out. Oh, Oh, Oh, [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] you're always there. you're always there. You're always there. You're always there. You're always there. And I will make room for you. And I will make room for you. And I will make room for you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. To do whatever you want to. To do whatever you want to. To do whatever you want to. to do whatever you want to do, Lord. Oh, to do whatever you want to do, Lord. Oh, to do whatever you want to do, Lord. Oh, I will make room for you. I will make room for you. I will make room for you. For you, God, to do whatever you want to For you, God, to do whatever you want to For you, God, to do whatever you want to do whatever you want to. Oh, I will make do whatever you want to. Oh, I will make do whatever you want to. Oh, I will make room. Oh, I will make room for you. room. Oh, I will make room for you. room. Oh, I will make room for you. Come on, let's sing it to the father. To Come on, let's sing it to the father. To Come on, let's sing it to the father. To do whatever you want to do whatever you want to do whatever you want to do.

Oh, I will make room for you Oh, I will make room for you [Music] [Music] [Music] to do whatever you want to. to do whatever you want to. to do whatever you want to. To do whatever you want to, Jesus. Well, what a powerful message, an Well, what a powerful message, an incredible message from Hosanna Wong. We incredible message from Hosanna Wong. We incredible message from Hosanna Wong. We are so grateful that we got to hear from are so grateful that we got to hear from are so grateful that we got to hear from her today. And I want to encourage you her today. And I want to encourage you her today. And I want to encourage you just as Hosanna said, if there is just as Hosanna said, if there is just as Hosanna said, if there is something that you need hope for or something that you need hope for or something that you need hope for or maybe somebody else that you are hoping maybe somebody else that you are hoping maybe somebody else that you are hoping and praying comes to know the love of and praying comes to know the love of and praying comes to know the love of Christ, we would love to be praying with Christ, we would love to be praying with Christ, we would love to be praying with you. If there's something that you are you. If there's something that you are you. If there's something that you are searching for hope in that you just feel searching for hope in that you just feel searching for hope in that you just feel at your wits end of like what is at your wits end of like what is at your wits end of like what is happening? I just need God right now. We happening? I just need God right now. We happening? I just need God right now. We would love to join you and partner with would love to join you and partner with would love to join you and partner with you in praying for you. And we'd also you in praying for you. And we'd also you in praying for you. And we'd also love to join you in partnering in love to join you in partnering in love to join you in partnering in praying for whoever may be on your heart praying for whoever may be on your heart praying for whoever may be on your heart that you want and know needs to know the that you want and know needs to know the that you want and know needs to know the love of Christ. So you can let us know love of Christ. So you can let us know love of Christ. So you can let us know how we can be praying for you by opening how we can be praying for you by opening how we can be praying for you by opening the Saddleback app or if you're watching the Saddleback app or if you're watching the Saddleback app or if you're watching on YouTube, click that link in the on YouTube, click that link in the on YouTube, click that link in the description as well. But if you want to description as well. But if you want to description as well. But if you want to find out more about Hosanna and read her find out more about Hosanna and read her find out more about Hosanna and read her book, How Not to Save the World, you can book, How Not to Save the World, you can book, How Not to Save the World, you can do so by scanning the QR code and buying do so by scanning the QR code and buying do so by scanning the QR code and buying her book that way. But like I said, she her book that way. But like I said, she her book that way. But like I said, she is an incredible author and you is an incredible author and you is an incredible author and you witnessed she's incredible speaker today witnessed she's incredible speaker today witnessed she's incredible speaker today as well. But next week, we're so excited as well. But next week, we're so excited as well. But next week, we're so excited to have Lee Strobble join us as our next

to have Lee Strobble join us as our next to have Lee Strobble join us as our next guest speaker. He is an atheist turned guest speaker. He is an atheist turned guest speaker. He is an atheist turned Christian and he has a powerful message Christian and he has a powerful message Christian and he has a powerful message to share with us. So, you're not going to share with us. So, you're not going to share with us. So, you're not going to want to miss out on it. Maybe next to want to miss out on it. Maybe next to want to miss out on it. Maybe next week is a perfect opportunity for that week is a perfect opportunity for that week is a perfect opportunity for that person that you have been praying for to person that you have been praying for to person that you have been praying for to invite them to watch service with you. invite them to watch service with you. invite them to watch service with you. Church family, we love you so much and Church family, we love you so much and Church family, we love you so much and we can't wait to see you again next we can't wait to see you again next we can't wait to see you again next weekend. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Music]