Deciding to Engage | Andy Wood

I want to say welcome to all of our I want to say welcome to all of our campuses and those of you who are campuses and those of you who are campuses and those of you who are joining us online, all of our joining us online, all of our joining us online, all of our international campuses. Today is a very international campuses. Today is a very international campuses. Today is a very significant day and it's been a crazy significant day and it's been a crazy significant day and it's been a crazy week here in our country. Lots of evil, week here in our country. Lots of evil, week here in our country. Lots of evil, lots of hurt and pain and loss and I lots of hurt and pain and loss and I lots of hurt and pain and loss and I don't know what you carry into church don't know what you carry into church don't know what you carry into church today, what space you're coming from, today, what space you're coming from, today, what space you're coming from, but I do feel that it's very important but I do feel that it's very important but I do feel that it's very important for me to share from my heart with you for me to share from my heart with you for me to share from my heart with you before we jump into our new message before we jump into our new message before we jump into our new message series on family. So, I wrote down some series on family. So, I wrote down some series on family. So, I wrote down some things that I wanted you to hear from my things that I wanted you to hear from my things that I wanted you to hear from my heart to you in light of the events that heart to you in light of the events that heart to you in light of the events that happened this week here in the United happened this week here in the United happened this week here in the United States of America. So, let me read this. States of America. So, let me read this. States of America. So, let me read this. I want to begin by saying, first of all, I want to begin by saying, first of all, I want to begin by saying, first of all, I love you. I thank God for you and I am I love you. I thank God for you and I am I love you. I thank God for you and I am so grateful for the honor of being your so grateful for the honor of being your so grateful for the honor of being your pastor. I don't take this role that pastor. I don't take this role that pastor. I don't take this role that God's given me or assignment that he's God's given me or assignment that he's God's given me or assignment that he's given me lightly. And one of the hardest given me lightly. And one of the hardest given me lightly. And one of the hardest parts of my role as your shepherd is parts of my role as your shepherd is parts of my role as your shepherd is knowing which moments in our culture to knowing which moments in our culture to knowing which moments in our culture to lean into. And if I commented on lean into. And if I commented on lean into. And if I commented on everything that happens in culture, I'd everything that happens in culture, I'd everything that happens in culture, I'd never actually preach the Bible. But the never actually preach the Bible. But the never actually preach the Bible. But the events of this week, they're just too events of this week, they're just too events of this week, they're just too heavy to ignore. So this past week, we heavy to ignore. So this past week, we heavy to ignore. So this past week, we witnessed a school shooting, a young witnessed a school shooting, a young witnessed a school shooting, a young woman murdered on a train, and the woman murdered on a train, and the woman murdered on a train, and the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk.

tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. When it comes to this tragedy, I believe When it comes to this tragedy, I believe When it comes to this tragedy, I believe this moment will be remembered for a this moment will be remembered for a this moment will be remembered for a very long time. And some are saying it's very long time. And some are saying it's very long time. And some are saying it's one of the most shocking nationwide one of the most shocking nationwide one of the most shocking nationwide tragedies since September 11th, 2001. tragedies since September 11th, 2001. tragedies since September 11th, 2001. But unlike 9/11, where there was great But unlike 9/11, where there was great But unlike 9/11, where there was great unity, this one has come with immediate unity, this one has come with immediate unity, this one has come with immediate controversy and division. On top of the controversy and division. On top of the controversy and division. On top of the confusion that comes with the tragedy, confusion that comes with the tragedy, confusion that comes with the tragedy, there's a lot of anger. And on top of there's a lot of anger. And on top of there's a lot of anger. And on top of the sorrow, there's division. And my the sorrow, there's division. And my the sorrow, there's division. And my role in the middle of all this as your role in the middle of all this as your role in the middle of all this as your shepherd is to point us as a church to shepherd is to point us as a church to shepherd is to point us as a church to Jesus. So let me address a few groups Jesus. So let me address a few groups Jesus. So let me address a few groups today. First of all, to those of you who today. First of all, to those of you who today. First of all, to those of you who are brokenhearted, many of you are are brokenhearted, many of you are are brokenhearted, many of you are grieving in your heart feels very heavy grieving in your heart feels very heavy grieving in your heart feels very heavy over the loss of life, especially the over the loss of life, especially the over the loss of life, especially the loss of Charlie Kirk's life this week. loss of Charlie Kirk's life this week. loss of Charlie Kirk's life this week. And I want to remind you of Psalm 34:18 And I want to remind you of Psalm 34:18 And I want to remind you of Psalm 34:18 that says, "The Lord is close to the that says, "The Lord is close to the that says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He is near to those who brokenhearted. He is near to those who brokenhearted. He is near to those who are crushed in spirit." So the Lord is are crushed in spirit." So the Lord is are crushed in spirit." So the Lord is near to you. He draws close in your near to you. He draws close in your near to you. He draws close in your pain. So I want to encourage you to pain. So I want to encourage you to pain. So I want to encourage you to respond as he draws you near. And as a respond as he draws you near. And as a respond as he draws you near. And as a church, we we believe that Jesus would church, we we believe that Jesus would church, we we believe that Jesus would long for us and desire for us, as his long for us and desire for us, as his long for us and desire for us, as his word says, to grieve with those who word says, to grieve with those who word says, to grieve with those who grieve. So we grieve in our country with grieve. So we grieve in our country with grieve. So we grieve in our country with those who are hurting, especially with those who are hurting, especially with those who are hurting, especially with Charlie Kirk's wife Erica and their Charlie Kirk's wife Erica and their Charlie Kirk's wife Erica and their family. And for you today, if that's family. And for you today, if that's family. And for you today, if that's where you are, if there's that heavy where you are, if there's that heavy where you are, if there's that heavy grief you're carrying, we want to pray grief you're carrying, we want to pray grief you're carrying, we want to pray with you at the end of our services with you at the end of our services with you at the end of our services today to minister to you in the midst of today to minister to you in the midst of today to minister to you in the midst of it. Now, to those of you who are angry, it. Now, to those of you who are angry, it. Now, to those of you who are angry, anger is powerful. In fact, the Bible

anger is powerful. In fact, the Bible anger is powerful. In fact, the Bible speaks of two responses with anger. One speaks of two responses with anger. One speaks of two responses with anger. One is righteous anger, and then two is is righteous anger, and then two is is righteous anger, and then two is anger that leads to sin. Righteous anger anger that leads to sin. Righteous anger anger that leads to sin. Righteous anger never returns hate for a hate, and it never returns hate for a hate, and it never returns hate for a hate, and it does not repay evil for evil. It stands does not repay evil for evil. It stands does not repay evil for evil. It stands for truth and it leads with love. So let for truth and it leads with love. So let for truth and it leads with love. So let me say this very clearly. Violence is me say this very clearly. Violence is me say this very clearly. Violence is not the answer. As followers of Jesus, not the answer. As followers of Jesus, not the answer. As followers of Jesus, we are called to truth and we are called we are called to truth and we are called we are called to truth and we are called to love. But if we ever lose one of to love. But if we ever lose one of to love. But if we ever lose one of them, we lose both of them. Now to those them, we lose both of them. Now to those them, we lose both of them. Now to those of you who are in the next generation, of you who are in the next generation, of you who are in the next generation, young adults, students in our church, I young adults, students in our church, I young adults, students in our church, I want to speak specifically to you. On want to speak specifically to you. On want to speak specifically to you. On Thursday night, my son Cadman called me Thursday night, my son Cadman called me Thursday night, my son Cadman called me and said, "Hey, some of the guys from and said, "Hey, some of the guys from and said, "Hey, some of the guys from CM, our college ministry, want to come CM, our college ministry, want to come CM, our college ministry, want to come over and talk about Charlie Kirk." It over and talk about Charlie Kirk." It over and talk about Charlie Kirk." It was 10:00 at night, which is way past my was 10:00 at night, which is way past my was 10:00 at night, which is way past my bedtime, but I obliged to the bedtime, but I obliged to the bedtime, but I obliged to the conversation, and 10 young men in their conversation, and 10 young men in their conversation, and 10 young men in their late teens and early 20s crowded into late teens and early 20s crowded into late teens and early 20s crowded into our living room, and we processed this our living room, and we processed this our living room, and we processed this tragedy together. What struck me was the tragedy together. What struck me was the tragedy together. What struck me was the impact that Charlie had on each of them.

impact that Charlie had on each of them. impact that Charlie had on each of them. One by one, we went around the room and One by one, we went around the room and One by one, we went around the room and one said, "He gave me a vision to be a one said, "He gave me a vision to be a one said, "He gave me a vision to be a man of God. He gave me a vision to get man of God. He gave me a vision to get man of God. He gave me a vision to get married, to raise godly children and married, to raise godly children and married, to raise godly children and serve the world around me." Another serve the world around me." Another serve the world around me." Another said, "My faith in God is stronger said, "My faith in God is stronger said, "My faith in God is stronger because of him." Another said, "He because of him." Another said, "He because of him." Another said, "He taught me how to disagree without being taught me how to disagree without being taught me how to disagree without being hateful." And then one simply said, "My hateful." And then one simply said, "My hateful." And then one simply said, "My life is better because of him." Now, life is better because of him." Now, life is better because of him." Now, friends, that kind of legacy cannot be friends, that kind of legacy cannot be friends, that kind of legacy cannot be silenced. In fact, it must live on. And silenced. In fact, it must live on. And silenced. In fact, it must live on. And the call to love Jesus, to build strong the call to love Jesus, to build strong the call to love Jesus, to build strong families and strong homes, to live for families and strong homes, to live for families and strong homes, to live for God, that's a vision that must keep God, that's a vision that must keep God, that's a vision that must keep moving forward, especially in your moving forward, especially in your moving forward, especially in your generation, students. Now, to our whole generation, students. Now, to our whole generation, students. Now, to our whole church family, for all of us, this is a church family, for all of us, this is a church family, for all of us, this is a significant moment for every generation significant moment for every generation significant moment for every generation in our church. And since March of 2020, in our church. And since March of 2020, in our church. And since March of 2020, our world has shifted in profound ways. our world has shifted in profound ways. our world has shifted in profound ways. We feel it. There's division. There's We feel it. There's division. There's We feel it. There's division. There's confusion. There's brokenness, but it's confusion. There's brokenness, but it's confusion. There's brokenness, but it's so important in times like these that so important in times like these that so important in times like these that the people of God do not shrink back.

the people of God do not shrink back. the people of God do not shrink back. So, we are called to live in accordance So, we are called to live in accordance So, we are called to live in accordance with the truth, to embody the love of with the truth, to embody the love of with the truth, to embody the love of God, to model God's vision for family God, to model God's vision for family God, to model God's vision for family and invite the whole world into the hope and invite the whole world into the hope and invite the whole world into the hope that only comes through Jesus' death, that only comes through Jesus' death, that only comes through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. So even before burial, and resurrection. So even before burial, and resurrection. So even before this week's events, we had already this week's events, we had already this week's events, we had already planned to begin a new message series on planned to begin a new message series on planned to begin a new message series on God's vision for the family. And now God's vision for the family. And now God's vision for the family. And now looking at where we stand today, the looking at where we stand today, the looking at where we stand today, the timing feels even more urgent. So my timing feels even more urgent. So my timing feels even more urgent. So my prayer for you as a church and our prayer for you as a church and our prayer for you as a church and our family is this, that God will use this family is this, that God will use this family is this, that God will use this next message series, this next season to next message series, this next season to next message series, this next season to stretch our vision beyond ourselves, stretch our vision beyond ourselves, stretch our vision beyond ourselves, beyond today into generations to come. beyond today into generations to come. beyond today into generations to come. And God is building something beautiful And God is building something beautiful And God is building something beautiful in us. God is building something that is in us. God is building something that is in us. God is building something that is rooted in his design for the home. rooted in his design for the home. rooted in his design for the home. Something that is shaped by his kingdom Something that is shaped by his kingdom Something that is shaped by his kingdom values and something that is driven by values and something that is driven by values and something that is driven by his vision for family. And if we remain his vision for family. And if we remain his vision for family. And if we remain faithful, it won't stop with our faithful, it won't stop with our faithful, it won't stop with our generation. It will ripple through generation. It will ripple through generation. It will ripple through generations to come. So I want to remind generations to come. So I want to remind generations to come. So I want to remind you that this is a moment for us to live you that this is a moment for us to live you that this is a moment for us to live by faith with boldness and courage. I by faith with boldness and courage. I by faith with boldness and courage. I love you. I'm grateful for you. I'm love you. I'm grateful for you. I'm love you. I'm grateful for you. I'm honored to walk with you through the honored to walk with you through the honored to walk with you through the hardest days in life and through the hardest days in life and through the hardest days in life and through the brightest ones. But I'm not just brightest ones. But I'm not just brightest ones. But I'm not just honored. I'm hopeful. I believe I honored. I'm hopeful. I believe I honored. I'm hopeful. I believe I believe that we could be living in one believe that we could be living in one believe that we could be living in one of the greatest seasons of global

of the greatest seasons of global of the greatest seasons of global revival and kingdom growth in modern revival and kingdom growth in modern revival and kingdom growth in modern history. The pain The pain and the brokenness around us are so and the brokenness around us are so and the brokenness around us are so real, but so is the opportunity for the real, but so is the opportunity for the real, but so is the opportunity for the gospel message of Jesus to go forth. So gospel message of Jesus to go forth. So gospel message of Jesus to go forth. So if we stay faithful to Jesus, if we live if we stay faithful to Jesus, if we live if we stay faithful to Jesus, if we live with truth and love, I believe that we with truth and love, I believe that we with truth and love, I believe that we will see God move in ways that we only will see God move in ways that we only will see God move in ways that we only dreamed of. So let's hold fast together. dreamed of. So let's hold fast together. dreamed of. So let's hold fast together. Let's be bold together. And let's trust Let's be bold together. And let's trust Let's be bold together. And let's trust that God is writing a story that reaches that God is writing a story that reaches that God is writing a story that reaches far beyond us. a story that can impact far beyond us. a story that can impact far beyond us. a story that can impact the nations and generations to come. And the nations and generations to come. And the nations and generations to come. And that's my prayer for us as a church that's my prayer for us as a church that's my prayer for us as a church family. family. family. So I want to pray before we jump into So I want to pray before we jump into So I want to pray before we jump into this message, this series, and just ask this message, this series, and just ask this message, this series, and just ask God to meet us in this moment. So Lord, God to meet us in this moment. So Lord, God to meet us in this moment. So Lord, I just ask of you to be gracious on our I just ask of you to be gracious on our I just ask of you to be gracious on our nation, to be gracious on our world. nation, to be gracious on our world. nation, to be gracious on our world. Lord, I pray that you would lift up the Lord, I pray that you would lift up the Lord, I pray that you would lift up the vision of family and the call that vision of family and the call that vision of family and the call that you've placed on our lives to live in you've placed on our lives to live in you've placed on our lives to live in accordance with your design and the hope accordance with your design and the hope accordance with your design and the hope that comes from your word. I pray that that comes from your word. I pray that that comes from your word. I pray that you would equip us over these next four you would equip us over these next four you would equip us over these next four weeks with this brand new message series weeks with this brand new message series weeks with this brand new message series on family to to live a different kind of on family to to live a different kind of on family to to live a different kind of life in our homes. Bless this message. I life in our homes. Bless this message. I life in our homes. Bless this message. I pray in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.

pray in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. pray in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. I want to start my message today with I want to start my message today with I want to start my message today with two things that I know to be true about two things that I know to be true about two things that I know to be true about you. All of our campuses, those of you you. All of our campuses, those of you you. All of our campuses, those of you international, online extensions, international, online extensions, international, online extensions, there's a couple things that are true there's a couple things that are true there's a couple things that are true about you. First of all, you are a part about you. First of all, you are a part about you. First of all, you are a part of a family. Now, you're here in our of a family. Now, you're here in our of a family. Now, you're here in our church family. You're part of a bigger church family. You're part of a bigger church family. You're part of a bigger church family, but also you're a part of church family, but also you're a part of church family, but also you're a part of a family. And not every family is the a family. And not every family is the a family. And not every family is the same. We come from different same. We come from different same. We come from different backgrounds, have different challenges. backgrounds, have different challenges. backgrounds, have different challenges. And Stacy and I when we met in college, And Stacy and I when we met in college, And Stacy and I when we met in college, I went to her parents house for the very I went to her parents house for the very I went to her parents house for the very first time and I realized like her first time and I realized like her first time and I realized like her family is about as close to perfect as family is about as close to perfect as family is about as close to perfect as it gets. Her dad was a pastor. Uh her it gets. Her dad was a pastor. Uh her it gets. Her dad was a pastor. Uh her mom is an amazing woman of God. She they mom is an amazing woman of God. She they mom is an amazing woman of God. She they sit around the dinner table and sit around the dinner table and sit around the dinner table and everybody encourages each other. And my everybody encourages each other. And my everybody encourages each other. And my family, I love them deeply. Um my mom family, I love them deeply. Um my mom family, I love them deeply. Um my mom and dad both love Jesus, love me, and dad both love Jesus, love me, and dad both love Jesus, love me, encourage me. I I'm so thankful. But encourage me. I I'm so thankful. But encourage me. I I'm so thankful. But they divorced when I was young. And I they divorced when I was young. And I they divorced when I was young. And I remember when my dad remarried, my remember when my dad remarried, my remember when my dad remarried, my stepmom, whom I also love. Um, we had a stepmom, whom I also love. Um, we had a stepmom, whom I also love. Um, we had a time where somebody came over our house time where somebody came over our house time where somebody came over our house for dinner and uh, my stepsister invited for dinner and uh, my stepsister invited for dinner and uh, my stepsister invited a boyfriend over the house and in the a boyfriend over the house and in the a boyfriend over the house and in the middle of dinner there was a fight over middle of dinner there was a fight over middle of dinner there was a fight over over sour cream and that sour cream over sour cream and that sour cream over sour cream and that sour cream ended up on the wall behind the guy who ended up on the wall behind the guy who ended up on the wall behind the guy who was a guest in our home. So that's the was a guest in our home. So that's the was a guest in our home. So that's the home I grew up in. Maybe your home is a home I grew up in. Maybe your home is a home I grew up in. Maybe your home is a little bit like that. like there it's little bit like that. like there it's little bit like that. like there it's just a little bit more broken and things just a little bit more broken and things just a little bit more broken and things kind of don't seem to fit together as kind of don't seem to fit together as kind of don't seem to fit together as well as some families. And whatever your well as some families. And whatever your well as some families. And whatever your background is, your family certainly background is, your family certainly background is, your family certainly plays into how you see the world and how

plays into how you see the world and how plays into how you see the world and how you see a call to fight for your family. you see a call to fight for your family. you see a call to fight for your family. When we start a series called fight for When we start a series called fight for When we start a series called fight for your family, it's impacted by your your family, it's impacted by your your family, it's impacted by your vision of the home. But what I want to vision of the home. But what I want to vision of the home. But what I want to do with this series is I don't want in do with this series is I don't want in do with this series is I don't want in the midst of the brokenness to diminish the midst of the brokenness to diminish the midst of the brokenness to diminish God's design. I don't want to diminish God's design. I don't want to diminish God's design. I don't want to diminish the reality that God set this thing up the reality that God set this thing up the reality that God set this thing up called family and has a heart and a called family and has a heart and a called family and has a heart and a vision for it. And the family is the vision for it. And the family is the vision for it. And the family is the primary place that God intends for the primary place that God intends for the primary place that God intends for the world to be transformed. God has world to be transformed. God has world to be transformed. God has designed. He has a perfect design for designed. He has a perfect design for designed. He has a perfect design for the family. I want to encourage you to the family. I want to encourage you to the family. I want to encourage you to write that down. God has a good perfect write that down. God has a good perfect write that down. God has a good perfect design. And when we live in accordance design. And when we live in accordance design. And when we live in accordance with it, we're blessed. God's design with it, we're blessed. God's design with it, we're blessed. God's design from Genesis chapter 1 is he put Adam from Genesis chapter 1 is he put Adam from Genesis chapter 1 is he put Adam and Eve in the garden. And Adam and Eve, and Eve in the garden. And Adam and Eve, and Eve in the garden. And Adam and Eve, they were in a covenant relationship they were in a covenant relationship they were in a covenant relationship with God. The Bible says that a man with God. The Bible says that a man with God. The Bible says that a man shall leave his father and mother and shall leave his father and mother and shall leave his father and mother and join his wife, and the two shall become join his wife, and the two shall become join his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. What God puts together, let one flesh. What God puts together, let one flesh. What God puts together, let no man separate. So God's intention is no man separate. So God's intention is no man separate. So God's intention is that there would be a home where father that there would be a home where father that there would be a home where father and mother love one another in covenant and mother love one another in covenant and mother love one another in covenant relationship and they have sons and relationship and they have sons and relationship and they have sons and daughters and they raise up those sons daughters and they raise up those sons daughters and they raise up those sons and daughters to walk in the ways of God and daughters to walk in the ways of God and daughters to walk in the ways of God to live in accordance with the values of to live in accordance with the values of to live in accordance with the values of God's kingdom to train to equip to help God's kingdom to train to equip to help God's kingdom to train to equip to help them flourish in society to make a them flourish in society to make a them flourish in society to make a difference and then that grandparents difference and then that grandparents difference and then that grandparents would be connected to kids and grandkids would be connected to kids and grandkids would be connected to kids and grandkids and there would be a multi-generational and there would be a multi-generational and there would be a multi-generational transfer of faith from one generation to transfer of faith from one generation to transfer of faith from one generation to the next. In Deuteronomy chapter 6, we

the next. In Deuteronomy chapter 6, we the next. In Deuteronomy chapter 6, we see these words of Moses and he's see these words of Moses and he's see these words of Moses and he's speaking the law. And after giving the speaking the law. And after giving the speaking the law. And after giving the ten commandments, he gives these words ten commandments, he gives these words ten commandments, he gives these words in Deuteronomy 6. And they might sign in Deuteronomy 6. And they might sign in Deuteronomy 6. And they might sign sound familiar to the great commandment sound familiar to the great commandment sound familiar to the great commandment that Jesus gives to us to love God and that Jesus gives to us to love God and that Jesus gives to us to love God and love one another. Listen to this here. O love one another. Listen to this here. O love one another. Listen to this here. O Israel, this is called the Shama for the Israel, this is called the Shama for the Israel, this is called the Shama for the Israelites. The Lord our God, the Lord Israelites. The Lord our God, the Lord Israelites. The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all is one. Love the Lord your God with all is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your heart, with all your soul, and with your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments I all your strength. These commandments I all your strength. These commandments I give to you today, and they're to be on give to you today, and they're to be on give to you today, and they're to be on your heart. Impress them on your your heart. Impress them on your your heart. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit children. Talk about them when you sit children. Talk about them when you sit down at home and when you walk along the down at home and when you walk along the down at home and when you walk along the road, and when you lie down and when you road, and when you lie down and when you road, and when you lie down and when you get up and tie them as symbols on your get up and tie them as symbols on your get up and tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. hands and bind them on your foreheads. hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your Write them on the doorframes of your Write them on the doorframes of your house and on your gates. So God is house and on your gates. So God is house and on your gates. So God is speaking through his word and he is speaking through his word and he is speaking through his word and he is saying the the primary place of saying the the primary place of saying the the primary place of transformation, the primary place of transformation, the primary place of transformation, the primary place of disciplehip is the home. Now this might disciplehip is the home. Now this might disciplehip is the home. Now this might be different than your vision growing be different than your vision growing be different than your vision growing up. You might have believed growing up up. You might have believed growing up up. You might have believed growing up that like you could just go to church that like you could just go to church that like you could just go to church and that's where you would grow and that's where you would grow and that's where you would grow spiritually. And church is awesome and spiritually. And church is awesome and spiritually. And church is awesome and it helps us grow spiritually. But it helps us grow spiritually. But it helps us grow spiritually. But families are given a responsibility and families are given a responsibility and families are given a responsibility and authority before God to love, to train, authority before God to love, to train, authority before God to love, to train, to disciple the people in our home. So to disciple the people in our home. So to disciple the people in our home. So with that being said, I don't know your with that being said, I don't know your with that being said, I don't know your background. I don't know if it aligns background. I don't know if it aligns background. I don't know if it aligns with that, but here's what I do know.

with that, but here's what I do know. with that, but here's what I do know. God can bring redemption to less than God can bring redemption to less than God can bring redemption to less than perfect situations. perfect situations. perfect situations. Amen. That God God can take brokenness Amen. That God God can take brokenness Amen. That God God can take brokenness and bring healing. God can bring beauty and bring healing. God can bring beauty and bring healing. God can bring beauty out of the ashes. So when you hear fight out of the ashes. So when you hear fight out of the ashes. So when you hear fight for your family, you might be single. for your family, you might be single. for your family, you might be single. You might be walking through a divorce. You might be walking through a divorce. You might be walking through a divorce. You you might be in a really difficult You you might be in a really difficult You you might be in a really difficult marriage place right now. And God wants marriage place right now. And God wants marriage place right now. And God wants to give you hope. God wants to give you to give you hope. God wants to give you to give you hope. God wants to give you a vision for a different, better kind of a vision for a different, better kind of a vision for a different, better kind of home. So here's the big idea today. God home. So here's the big idea today. God home. So here's the big idea today. God has a plan for your home. God has a plan has a plan for your home. God has a plan has a plan for your home. God has a plan for your family, for the home that you for your family, for the home that you for your family, for the home that you live in, but it requires your full live in, but it requires your full live in, but it requires your full engagement. engagement. engagement. It requires you to be fully present. It It requires you to be fully present. It It requires you to be fully present. It requires your whole heart. And today, I requires your whole heart. And today, I requires your whole heart. And today, I want to challenge you to decide to fight want to challenge you to decide to fight want to challenge you to decide to fight for your family, to fight for your home. for your family, to fight for your home. for your family, to fight for your home. And we're going to look at Nehemiah And we're going to look at Nehemiah And we're going to look at Nehemiah chapter 4. We're going to start in chapter 4. We're going to start in chapter 4. We're going to start in Nehemiah 4:3.

Nehemiah 4:3. Nehemiah 4:3. And we're going to journey through a And we're going to journey through a And we're going to journey through a story. I'm going to read this in just a story. I'm going to read this in just a story. I'm going to read this in just a moment, but it's good to know. So moment, but it's good to know. So moment, but it's good to know. So Nehemiah, he is rebuilding the wall Nehemiah, he is rebuilding the wall Nehemiah, he is rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. So he is actually around Jerusalem. So he is actually around Jerusalem. So he is actually commissioned to go back to Jerusalem. commissioned to go back to Jerusalem. commissioned to go back to Jerusalem. The Israelites have been in exile for 70 The Israelites have been in exile for 70 The Israelites have been in exile for 70 years. Nehemiah is the cup bearer to the years. Nehemiah is the cup bearer to the years. Nehemiah is the cup bearer to the Babylonian king. So he's sent back. He's Babylonian king. So he's sent back. He's Babylonian king. So he's sent back. He's a leader. He pulls the people and the a leader. He pulls the people and the a leader. He pulls the people and the resources together to start building the resources together to start building the resources together to start building the wall around Jerusalem. Now the wall wall around Jerusalem. Now the wall wall around Jerusalem. Now the wall represented the protection of the people represented the protection of the people represented the protection of the people of God. the strength of the people of of God. the strength of the people of of God. the strength of the people of God. Within the walls would be the God. Within the walls would be the God. Within the walls would be the temple. It represented the worship of temple. It represented the worship of temple. It represented the worship of God. So this moment where the Israelites God. So this moment where the Israelites God. So this moment where the Israelites are rebuilding the wall around are rebuilding the wall around are rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, this is very significant for Jerusalem, this is very significant for Jerusalem, this is very significant for the people of God. And Nehemiah is the people of God. And Nehemiah is the people of God. And Nehemiah is making a lot of progress. And in the making a lot of progress. And in the making a lot of progress. And in the midst of the progress, there are there midst of the progress, there are there midst of the progress, there are there are some internet trolls that keep are some internet trolls that keep are some internet trolls that keep coming after Nehemiah. Sandbalot and coming after Nehemiah. Sandbalot and coming after Nehemiah. Sandbalot and Tobaya. And they are like on a mission Tobaya. And they are like on a mission Tobaya. And they are like on a mission to destroy the work of God through to destroy the work of God through to destroy the work of God through Nehemiah. And that's where we pick up Nehemiah. And that's where we pick up Nehemiah. And that's where we pick up the story. Nehemiah chapter 4:3. It the story. Nehemiah chapter 4:3. It the story. Nehemiah chapter 4:3. It says, "Tobaya, the Ammonite, who was at says, "Tobaya, the Ammonite, who was at says, "Tobaya, the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, "What are they building?

his side, said, "What are they building? his side, said, "What are they building? Even if a fox climbed up on it, he would Even if a fox climbed up on it, he would Even if a fox climbed up on it, he would break down the wall of their stones. break down the wall of their stones. break down the wall of their stones. Hear us, oh our God." Now Nehemiah is Hear us, oh our God." Now Nehemiah is Hear us, oh our God." Now Nehemiah is going to speak, and he says this, "For going to speak, and he says this, "For going to speak, and he says this, "For we are despised. Turn their insults back we are despised. Turn their insults back we are despised. Turn their insults back on them on their own heads. Give them on them on their own heads. Give them on them on their own heads. Give them over to plunder in a land of captivity. over to plunder in a land of captivity. over to plunder in a land of captivity. Do not give up or and cover up their Do not give up or and cover up their Do not give up or and cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your guilt or blot out their sins from your guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in sight, for they have thrown insults in sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. Now, I I love the face of the builders. Now, I I love the face of the builders. Now, I I love Nehemiah's honesty and clarity of how he Nehemiah's honesty and clarity of how he Nehemiah's honesty and clarity of how he feels like he is not mincing words here. feels like he is not mincing words here. feels like he is not mincing words here. And it says then as a result of ex And it says then as a result of ex And it says then as a result of ex experiencing this resistance, Nehemiah experiencing this resistance, Nehemiah experiencing this resistance, Nehemiah just puts his head back down and keeps just puts his head back down and keeps just puts his head back down and keeps building the wall. He says this, "So we building the wall. He says this, "So we building the wall. He says this, "So we rebuilt the wall till it reached half of rebuilt the wall till it reached half of rebuilt the wall till it reached half of its height. For the people worked with its height. For the people worked with its height. For the people worked with all their heart. But when Sambalot and all their heart. But when Sambalot and all their heart. But when Sambalot and Tobaya, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and Tobaya, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and Tobaya, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the men of Ashd heard that the repairs the men of Ashd heard that the repairs the men of Ashd heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they that the gaps were being closed, they that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They were mad. They were very angry. They were mad. They were very angry. They were mad. They wanted to do whatever they could to stop wanted to do whatever they could to stop wanted to do whatever they could to stop the work. And their criticism, their the work. And their criticism, their the work. And their criticism, their their judgment, they're trying to do all their judgment, they're trying to do all their judgment, they're trying to do all these things and finally it's not these things and finally it's not these things and finally it's not working. So they're they're like, "We're working. So they're they're like, "We're working. So they're they're like, "We're going we've got to do something else. we going we've got to do something else. we going we've got to do something else. we have to resort to some way of stopping have to resort to some way of stopping have to resort to some way of stopping them from moving ahead. So it says they them from moving ahead. So it says they them from moving ahead. So it says they plotted together to come and fight plotted together to come and fight plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and against it. But we prayed to our God and against it. But we prayed to our God and we posted a guard day and night to meet we posted a guard day and night to meet we posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Now let me be very clear as

this threat. Now let me be very clear as this threat. Now let me be very clear as we're walking through a story that we're walking through a story that we're walking through a story that includes examples of warfare. Fight for includes examples of warfare. Fight for includes examples of warfare. Fight for your family is not about physical your family is not about physical your family is not about physical warfare. It's not about getting in a warfare. It's not about getting in a warfare. It's not about getting in a fight with the world around us. Fight fight with the world around us. Fight fight with the world around us. Fight for your family is a metaphor to lift for your family is a metaphor to lift for your family is a metaphor to lift our vision for the kind of urgency that our vision for the kind of urgency that our vision for the kind of urgency that God wants us to have. And for the God wants us to have. And for the God wants us to have. And for the Israelites, it was physical in this Israelites, it was physical in this Israelites, it was physical in this moment. They found themselves at a place moment. They found themselves at a place moment. They found themselves at a place that they did not expect to be. There that they did not expect to be. There that they did not expect to be. There was a battle that had washed up on their was a battle that had washed up on their was a battle that had washed up on their shore. There was a group of people shore. There was a group of people shore. There was a group of people trying to stop the work of God. And trying to stop the work of God. And trying to stop the work of God. And Nehemiah in this moment has to make a Nehemiah in this moment has to make a Nehemiah in this moment has to make a decision. Like what is he going to do? decision. Like what is he going to do? decision. Like what is he going to do? Is he going to just stop? Is he going to Is he going to just stop? Is he going to Is he going to just stop? Is he going to be like, "Okay, yeah, Samalot and be like, "Okay, yeah, Samalot and be like, "Okay, yeah, Samalot and Tobaya, you're right. We should stop. Tobaya, you're right. We should stop. Tobaya, you're right. We should stop. You can you can have your way. We'll You can you can have your way. We'll You can you can have your way. We'll we'll knock down the wall." Or should he we'll knock down the wall." Or should he we'll knock down the wall." Or should he engage and stay in the battle for the engage and stay in the battle for the engage and stay in the battle for the people of God? So, listen to what it people of God? So, listen to what it people of God? So, listen to what it says. So, we prayed to our God and we says. So, we prayed to our God and we says. So, we prayed to our God and we posted a guard day and night to meet posted a guard day and night to meet posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. I want you to circle the this threat. I want you to circle the this threat. I want you to circle the word pray and post. So, there are two word pray and post. So, there are two word pray and post. So, there are two words that Nehemiah says. We prayed to words that Nehemiah says. We prayed to words that Nehemiah says. We prayed to God and we posted a guard. So we God and we posted a guard. So we God and we posted a guard. So we recognize there was a physical and a recognize there was a physical and a recognize there was a physical and a spiritual reality to this criticism and spiritual reality to this criticism and spiritual reality to this criticism and what they were trying to accomplish what they were trying to accomplish what they were trying to accomplish against us. Meanwhile, the people in against us. Meanwhile, the people in against us. Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of our labor Judah said, "The strength of our labor Judah said, "The strength of our labor is giving out and there is so much is giving out and there is so much is giving out and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."

rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." Now, I want you to just underline that Now, I want you to just underline that Now, I want you to just underline that phrase. The strength of the labor is phrase. The strength of the labor is phrase. The strength of the labor is giving out. And look at that word giving out. And look at that word giving out. And look at that word rubble. Circle that word rubble. We're rubble. Circle that word rubble. We're rubble. Circle that word rubble. We're going to come back to that in just a few going to come back to that in just a few going to come back to that in just a few moments. But I want you to see the moments. But I want you to see the moments. But I want you to see the laborers are getting exhausted. And also laborers are getting exhausted. And also laborers are getting exhausted. And also he says to God, "Our enemies said before he says to God, "Our enemies said before he says to God, "Our enemies said before they know it or see us, we will be right they know it or see us, we will be right they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and there among them and will kill them and there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work." So they're put an end to the work." So they're put an end to the work." So they're they're now going to try to stop this they're now going to try to stop this they're now going to try to stop this through physical force. So Nehemiah through physical force. So Nehemiah through physical force. So Nehemiah says, "Therefore, I stationed some of says, "Therefore, I stationed some of says, "Therefore, I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the people behind the lowest points of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places. I posted the wall at the exposed places. I posted the wall at the exposed places. I posted them how? By families with their swords, them how? By families with their swords, them how? By families with their swords, spears, and bows. And after I looked spears, and bows. And after I looked spears, and bows. And after I looked over these things, I stood up and said over these things, I stood up and said over these things, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the to the nobles, the officials, and the to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and them. Remember the Lord who is great and them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, awesome, and fight for your brothers, awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your your sons, and your daughters, your your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your home. stand up with a wives, and your home. stand up with a wives, and your home. stand up with a kind of courage and confidence and and kind of courage and confidence and and kind of courage and confidence and and for your family. Fight the good fight for your family. Fight the good fight for your family. Fight the good fight for the sake of their strength, for the for the sake of their strength, for the for the sake of their strength, for the sake of future generations. That's what sake of future generations. That's what sake of future generations. That's what Nehemiah calls them to do. Now, as he Nehemiah calls them to do. Now, as he Nehemiah calls them to do. Now, as he does this, it says, "Our enemies heard does this, it says, "Our enemies heard does this, it says, "Our enemies heard this and they were aware of the plot this and they were aware of the plot this and they were aware of the plot that God had frustrated it. We all that God had frustrated it. We all that God had frustrated it. We all returned to the wall, each to his own returned to the wall, each to his own returned to the wall, each to his own work. And from that day on, half of my work. And from that day on, half of my work. And from that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half men did the work, while the other half men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, were equipped with spears, shields, were equipped with spears, shields, bows, and armor." And the officer posted bows, and armor." And the officer posted bows, and armor." And the officer posted themselves behind the people who were

themselves behind the people who were themselves behind the people who were building the wall. Those who carried the building the wall. Those who carried the building the wall. Those who carried the materials did their work. With one hand materials did their work. With one hand materials did their work. With one hand they held a weapon and in the other they they held a weapon and in the other they they held a weapon and in the other they had a sword. In one hand they had a had a sword. In one hand they had a had a sword. In one hand they had a weapon and the other one they had a weapon and the other one they had a weapon and the other one they had a trial. But the man who sounded the trial. But the man who sounded the trial. But the man who sounded the trumpet set stayed with me. And then I trumpet set stayed with me. And then I trumpet set stayed with me. And then I said to the nobles, the officials and said to the nobles, the officials and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, the work is the rest of the people, the work is the rest of the people, the work is extensive and spread out. We are widely extensive and spread out. We are widely extensive and spread out. We are widely separated from each other along the separated from each other along the separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there and our God will trumpet, join us there and our God will trumpet, join us there and our God will fight for us. This is the word of God fight for us. This is the word of God fight for us. This is the word of God and it gives us a picture of a kind of and it gives us a picture of a kind of and it gives us a picture of a kind of urgency that the people in that moment urgency that the people in that moment urgency that the people in that moment felt. It's a metaphor for us of building felt. It's a metaphor for us of building felt. It's a metaphor for us of building the walls of our lives and fighting for the walls of our lives and fighting for the walls of our lives and fighting for what matters most. So, let's just pause what matters most. So, let's just pause what matters most. So, let's just pause and recognize there are metaphors that and recognize there are metaphors that and recognize there are metaphors that carry a lot of meaning to them and they carry a lot of meaning to them and they carry a lot of meaning to them and they shape our perspective. And you may have shape our perspective. And you may have shape our perspective. And you may have said some of them before. So, let me said some of them before. So, let me said some of them before. So, let me just call out a couple of them. Let's just call out a couple of them. Let's just call out a couple of them. Let's try this together. Stop and smell the try this together. Stop and smell the try this together. Stop and smell the what? what? what? Roses. Yes. Got it. Okay. Here's another Roses. Yes. Got it. Okay. Here's another Roses. Yes. Got it. Okay. Here's another one. The night is still in one. The night is still in one. The night is still in You don't know it because it's from You don't know it because it's from You don't know it because it's from Argentina where our Buenosarees campus Argentina where our Buenosarees campus Argentina where our Buenosarees campus is. And the word is diapers. The night is. And the word is diapers. The night is. And the word is diapers. The night is in diapers. So, what it means is if is in diapers. So, what it means is if is in diapers. So, what it means is if you're at a night service at Saddleach you're at a night service at Saddleach you're at a night service at Saddleach Church, the night is young. It's still Church, the night is young. It's still Church, the night is young. It's still in diapers, baby.

in diapers, baby. in diapers, baby. Okay, here's another one. This is from Okay, here's another one. This is from Okay, here's another one. This is from our Berlin campus. I only understand our Berlin campus. I only understand our Berlin campus. I only understand train station, train station, train station, which means I'm very stupid. That's what which means I'm very stupid. That's what which means I'm very stupid. That's what that means. Okay, how about this one? that means. Okay, how about this one? that means. Okay, how about this one? Don't hate the player, hate the game. Don't hate the player, hate the game. Don't hate the player, hate the game. All of our teenagers know that one. All All of our teenagers know that one. All All of our teenagers know that one. All right, last one. Pick your battles. So, right, last one. Pick your battles. So, right, last one. Pick your battles. So, there are some times where you back off there are some times where you back off there are some times where you back off and you don't engage, and there are and you don't engage, and there are and you don't engage, and there are times when you do engage. So, how do you times when you do engage. So, how do you times when you do engage. So, how do you engage? When do you engage? And we're engage? When do you engage? And we're engage? When do you engage? And we're going to look for just a few moments at going to look for just a few moments at going to look for just a few moments at the decision to engage when it comes to the decision to engage when it comes to the decision to engage when it comes to our families. I want to encourage you to our families. I want to encourage you to our families. I want to encourage you to write this down. The first part of the write this down. The first part of the write this down. The first part of the decision from this passage, we'll see is decision from this passage, we'll see is decision from this passage, we'll see is to wake up to the battle. It's to wake to wake up to the battle. It's to wake to wake up to the battle. It's to wake up to the reality that there are forces up to the reality that there are forces up to the reality that there are forces in the physical and spiritual realms in the physical and spiritual realms in the physical and spiritual realms that are working against God's design that are working against God's design that are working against God's design for your home. And if you're living in for your home. And if you're living in for your home. And if you're living in such a way that it's almost as if it such a way that it's almost as if it such a way that it's almost as if it does not exist, there's a kind of does not exist, there's a kind of does not exist, there's a kind of ignorance that so many people walk ignorance that so many people walk ignorance that so many people walk around with, not not seeing the battle around with, not not seeing the battle around with, not not seeing the battle for what it is. There is a war for the for what it is. There is a war for the for what it is. There is a war for the attention, for the heart, for the life attention, for the heart, for the life attention, for the heart, for the life of those in our homes. And God gives us of those in our homes. And God gives us of those in our homes. And God gives us an a decision that we have to make. Will an a decision that we have to make. Will an a decision that we have to make. Will we engage and wake up to the reality of we engage and wake up to the reality of we engage and wake up to the reality of what's around us? Nehemiah had to wake what's around us? Nehemiah had to wake what's around us? Nehemiah had to wake up to the fact that Sandbalot Tobaya and up to the fact that Sandbalot Tobaya and up to the fact that Sandbalot Tobaya and this group of people were coming at him this group of people were coming at him this group of people were coming at him and he could make a decision. Oh, I can and he could make a decision. Oh, I can and he could make a decision. Oh, I can I can just ignore it and act like it's

I can just ignore it and act like it's I can just ignore it and act like it's not here or I can stand and engage with not here or I can stand and engage with not here or I can stand and engage with courage for the sake of my family, for courage for the sake of my family, for courage for the sake of my family, for the sake of the people of God. Some of the sake of the people of God. Some of the sake of the people of God. Some of you today, you're you're living and just you today, you're you're living and just you today, you're you're living and just kind of floating through life. And it kind of floating through life. And it kind of floating through life. And it reminds me of just this recurring reminds me of just this recurring reminds me of just this recurring nightmare that I have. The nightmare nightmare that I have. The nightmare nightmare that I have. The nightmare goes like this. I'm in a car and I'm goes like this. I'm in a car and I'm goes like this. I'm in a car and I'm driving and I'm falling asleep. In fact, driving and I'm falling asleep. In fact, driving and I'm falling asleep. In fact, it's like I can barely keep myself it's like I can barely keep myself it's like I can barely keep myself awake. And then I realize that Stacy and awake. And then I realize that Stacy and awake. And then I realize that Stacy and the kids are in the car and I am just so the kids are in the car and I am just so the kids are in the car and I am just so messed up because I realize me at the messed up because I realize me at the messed up because I realize me at the wheel asleep is is ruining them and wheel asleep is is ruining them and wheel asleep is is ruining them and could destroy our lives. And in that could destroy our lives. And in that could destroy our lives. And in that moment, it's like I'm I I wake up and moment, it's like I'm I I wake up and moment, it's like I'm I I wake up and it's a it's an image of how a lot of it's a it's an image of how a lot of it's a it's an image of how a lot of people live their lives. They're asleep people live their lives. They're asleep people live their lives. They're asleep at the wheel. And I want to encourage at the wheel. And I want to encourage at the wheel. And I want to encourage you today. There is a battle. And the you today. There is a battle. And the you today. There is a battle. And the battle is for hearts. It's for the battle is for hearts. It's for the battle is for hearts. It's for the hearts of your son and daughter. It's hearts of your son and daughter. It's hearts of your son and daughter. It's for the hearts of your grandchildren. for the hearts of your grandchildren. for the hearts of your grandchildren. It's for the hearts of future It's for the hearts of future It's for the hearts of future generations to know the love of God. And generations to know the love of God. And generations to know the love of God. And the battle is for the heart, but it's the battle is for the heart, but it's the battle is for the heart, but it's also against evil. So there are evil also against evil. So there are evil also against evil. So there are evil forces waring against the kingdom of forces waring against the kingdom of forces waring against the kingdom of God. And some Christians live naively as God. And some Christians live naively as God. And some Christians live naively as though there there is not this enemy though there there is not this enemy though there there is not this enemy that is trying to destroy the work of that is trying to destroy the work of that is trying to destroy the work of God. So he works in very predictable God. So he works in very predictable God. So he works in very predictable ways throughout scripture and we see it ways throughout scripture and we see it ways throughout scripture and we see it in our own lives. He starts with in our own lives. He starts with in our own lives. He starts with distraction. So if he can get you distraction. So if he can get you distraction. So if he can get you focused on the wrong things, if he can

focused on the wrong things, if he can focused on the wrong things, if he can get you over overwhelmed by all your get you over overwhelmed by all your get you over overwhelmed by all your responsibilities and so compulsive about responsibilities and so compulsive about responsibilities and so compulsive about your kids' grades and being in 14 sports your kids' grades and being in 14 sports your kids' grades and being in 14 sports and seven immersion languages and all and seven immersion languages and all and seven immersion languages and all these things that your life is just these things that your life is just these things that your life is just constantly distracted, not focused on constantly distracted, not focused on constantly distracted, not focused on the most important thing, then he can the most important thing, then he can the most important thing, then he can deceive us. So then he gets us deceived deceive us. So then he gets us deceived deceive us. So then he gets us deceived to believe lies about ourselves, about to believe lies about ourselves, about to believe lies about ourselves, about our families, about God. And that our families, about God. And that our families, about God. And that deception leads to a kind of division. deception leads to a kind of division. deception leads to a kind of division. So have you ever noticed how the enemy So have you ever noticed how the enemy So have you ever noticed how the enemy will drive a wedge between spouses or will drive a wedge between spouses or will drive a wedge between spouses or drive a wedge between generations of drive a wedge between generations of drive a wedge between generations of families? Maybe a child's moved out and families? Maybe a child's moved out and families? Maybe a child's moved out and there's a division that's growing there's a division that's growing there's a division that's growing between the parents and the child. between the parents and the child. between the parents and the child. That's the enemy's strategy. Whenever That's the enemy's strategy. Whenever That's the enemy's strategy. Whenever you see it, recognize it for what it is. you see it, recognize it for what it is. you see it, recognize it for what it is. It's demonic. And what the enemy will do It's demonic. And what the enemy will do It's demonic. And what the enemy will do when he divides is eventually he will when he divides is eventually he will when he divides is eventually he will destroy. So his whole attempt is to destroy. So his whole attempt is to destroy. So his whole attempt is to steal, kill and destroy the work of God steal, kill and destroy the work of God steal, kill and destroy the work of God in our families. He he is not playing in our families. He he is not playing in our families. He he is not playing safe, fair uh with rules. He is doing safe, fair uh with rules. He is doing safe, fair uh with rules. He is doing everything he can to take out the work everything he can to take out the work everything he can to take out the work of God, the good work of God in your of God, the good work of God in your of God, the good work of God in your home. So it requires us to wake up. And home. So it requires us to wake up. And home. So it requires us to wake up. And there are some of you, I want to speak there are some of you, I want to speak there are some of you, I want to speak just for a moment to those of you who just for a moment to those of you who just for a moment to those of you who are just coasting through life. You're are just coasting through life. You're are just coasting through life. You're like in and out. And there are some of like in and out. And there are some of like in and out. And there are some of you men that you're like you're in your you men that you're like you're in your you men that you're like you're in your 30s and maybe your kids are young and 30s and maybe your kids are young and 30s and maybe your kids are young and it's like you're just kind of trying to it's like you're just kind of trying to it's like you're just kind of trying to get ahead with your career and you're

get ahead with your career and you're get ahead with your career and you're stretched financially and you're tempted stretched financially and you're tempted stretched financially and you're tempted to just kind of go with the flow. And to just kind of go with the flow. And to just kind of go with the flow. And what God wants to do is to to wake you what God wants to do is to to wake you what God wants to do is to to wake you up today to say there is something so up today to say there is something so up today to say there is something so much greater at stake with your life much greater at stake with your life much greater at stake with your life that your obedience and responsiveness that your obedience and responsiveness that your obedience and responsiveness to God will have a ripple effect across to God will have a ripple effect across to God will have a ripple effect across generations. I cannot tell you how many generations. I cannot tell you how many generations. I cannot tell you how many couples over the last 25 years of doing couples over the last 25 years of doing couples over the last 25 years of doing ministry that Stacy and I have sat down ministry that Stacy and I have sat down ministry that Stacy and I have sat down and I'm I'm sitting in a conversation and I'm I'm sitting in a conversation and I'm I'm sitting in a conversation with some dude that Stacy's talking to with some dude that Stacy's talking to with some dude that Stacy's talking to that dude's wife and I'm trying once that dude's wife and I'm trying once that dude's wife and I'm trying once again to convince the man to go back again to convince the man to go back again to convince the man to go back home to his wife. I mean, just time and home to his wife. I mean, just time and home to his wife. I mean, just time and time again, she's on the phone. the wife time again, she's on the phone. the wife time again, she's on the phone. the wife is crying and it it puts such a deep is crying and it it puts such a deep is crying and it it puts such a deep sense of urgency in me for the men of sense of urgency in me for the men of sense of urgency in me for the men of Saddleback Church to say what if that Saddleback Church to say what if that Saddleback Church to say what if that was not your story like what if you was not your story like what if you was not your story like what if you could stop the story early on. It could stop the story early on. It could stop the story early on. It requires you to be awake. It requires requires you to be awake. It requires requires you to be awake. It requires you to have a sense of resolve that as a you to have a sense of resolve that as a you to have a sense of resolve that as a man you will stand for the spiritual man you will stand for the spiritual man you will stand for the spiritual health of your home and you will say not health of your home and you will say not health of your home and you will say not in my house not in my generation I will in my house not in my generation I will in my house not in my generation I will wake up to the battle that's in front of wake up to the battle that's in front of wake up to the battle that's in front of me. Now here's me. Now here's me. Now here's here's the good news. You're not doing here's the good news. You're not doing here's the good news. You're not doing it alone. And the second truth is that it alone. And the second truth is that it alone. And the second truth is that we we we can turn to God for help. So we we we can turn to God for help. So we we we can turn to God for help. So God, God through the power of the Holy God, God through the power of the Holy God, God through the power of the Holy Spirit is on your side. When you are

Spirit is on your side. When you are Spirit is on your side. When you are trying to build a home that honors and trying to build a home that honors and trying to build a home that honors and pleases God, the spirit of God, the pleases God, the spirit of God, the pleases God, the spirit of God, the power of God, the word of God is on your power of God, the word of God is on your power of God, the word of God is on your side. And the question is, where do we side. And the question is, where do we side. And the question is, where do we go for help? Like we look so many go for help? Like we look so many go for help? Like we look so many different places. I love this. Nehemiah different places. I love this. Nehemiah different places. I love this. Nehemiah 4:4. Let's come back to what he says. 4:4. Let's come back to what he says. 4:4. Let's come back to what he says. Hear us, oh God. hear us in this moment Hear us, oh God. hear us in this moment Hear us, oh God. hear us in this moment and recognize that we are despised. and recognize that we are despised. and recognize that we are despised. These people hate us. So following Jesus These people hate us. So following Jesus These people hate us. So following Jesus is not a popularity contest. The reality is not a popularity contest. The reality is not a popularity contest. The reality is the more bold you are for your faith, is the more bold you are for your faith, is the more bold you are for your faith, the more you follow Jesus, there is a the more you follow Jesus, there is a the more you follow Jesus, there is a sense in which you may be despised by sense in which you may be despised by sense in which you may be despised by the world around you over and over the world around you over and over the world around you over and over again. And Nehemiah in this being again. And Nehemiah in this being again. And Nehemiah in this being despised turns his attention back to God despised turns his attention back to God despised turns his attention back to God and says, "Hear me, God. I need your and says, "Hear me, God. I need your and says, "Hear me, God. I need your help. I cry out to you. In verse 9, it help. I cry out to you. In verse 9, it help. I cry out to you. In verse 9, it says, "We prayed to our God and we says, "We prayed to our God and we says, "We prayed to our God and we posted day and night." So, we recognize posted day and night." So, we recognize posted day and night." So, we recognize we need God's help. If you are a parent we need God's help. If you are a parent we need God's help. If you are a parent or a grandparent, one of the best things or a grandparent, one of the best things or a grandparent, one of the best things that you can do for your kids and that you can do for your kids and that you can do for your kids and grandkids is to pray for them. Is to ask grandkids is to pray for them. Is to ask grandkids is to pray for them. Is to ask God to intervene in their hearts on a God to intervene in their hearts on a God to intervene in their hearts on a daily basis. Now, in this moment for our daily basis. Now, in this moment for our daily basis. Now, in this moment for our church family, we are rolling out a big church family, we are rolling out a big church family, we are rolling out a big vision that we talked about way back vision that we talked about way back vision that we talked about way back earlier this year called Dream Now. And earlier this year called Dream Now. And earlier this year called Dream Now. And we just started dreaming saying we we we just started dreaming saying we we we just started dreaming saying we we want to be upstream on the problems in want to be upstream on the problems in want to be upstream on the problems in our society. We want to have better, our society. We want to have better, our society. We want to have better, stronger homes at Saddleback Church. We

stronger homes at Saddleback Church. We stronger homes at Saddleback Church. We want to do everything that we can to want to do everything that we can to want to do everything that we can to support, strengthen, and resource support, strengthen, and resource support, strengthen, and resource husbands, fathers, mothers, uh, husbands, fathers, mothers, uh, husbands, fathers, mothers, uh, grandparents, teenagers, singles to grandparents, teenagers, singles to grandparents, teenagers, singles to build stronger homes. So, we're rolling build stronger homes. So, we're rolling build stronger homes. So, we're rolling out this vision called Stronger Homes. out this vision called Stronger Homes. out this vision called Stronger Homes. There's a website called There's a website called There's a website called strongerhomes.com. strongerhomes.com. strongerhomes.com. And the vision that we have long term is And the vision that we have long term is And the vision that we have long term is that whenever you're in any kind of that whenever you're in any kind of that whenever you're in any kind of situation in family, you think, I have a situation in family, you think, I have a situation in family, you think, I have a need, you you go to stronger homes and need, you you go to stronger homes and need, you you go to stronger homes and we're there to support and give you we're there to support and give you we're there to support and give you resources to help you. And one of the resources to help you. And one of the resources to help you. And one of the resources that the team put together resources that the team put together resources that the team put together that I want to share with you is that I want to share with you is that I want to share with you is specific prayer prompts that you can specific prayer prompts that you can specific prayer prompts that you can pray over your family. I want you to pray over your family. I want you to pray over your family. I want you to watch these. Jesus, Jesus, we recognize that our own strength is we recognize that our own strength is we recognize that our own strength is not enough to protect our families. We not enough to protect our families. We not enough to protect our families. We need you. need you. need you. You are powerful You are powerful You are powerful and you protect and provide for us.

and you protect and provide for us. and you protect and provide for us. So please surround us, So please surround us, So please surround us, cover us with your peace and give us cover us with your peace and give us cover us with your peace and give us unity and wisdom as we trust in you. Before leaving this space, reflect on Before leaving this space, reflect on what God's been showing you. Then repeat what God's been showing you. Then repeat what God's been showing you. Then repeat these words and commit to living them these words and commit to living them these words and commit to living them out. out. out. God, today I choose to fight for my God, today I choose to fight for my God, today I choose to fight for my family with prayer. I want to encourage you this week to to I want to encourage you this week to to check that out, to let that be a prayer check that out, to let that be a prayer check that out, to let that be a prayer prompt for you as you're praying for prompt for you as you're praying for prompt for you as you're praying for your home, for your family, for your your home, for your family, for your your home, for your family, for your parents. And I I would like to also parents. And I I would like to also parents. And I I would like to also encourage you when I when I look at my encourage you when I when I look at my encourage you when I when I look at my own prayer life, one of the best ways to own prayer life, one of the best ways to own prayer life, one of the best ways to ensure that I pray for my family is to ensure that I pray for my family is to ensure that I pray for my family is to put it in my calendar to say, "This is put it in my calendar to say, "This is put it in my calendar to say, "This is the time that I'm going to pray." So I I the time that I'm going to pray." So I I the time that I'm going to pray." So I I just want to ask you, when when is that just want to ask you, when when is that just want to ask you, when when is that time for you? It might be before you go time for you? It might be before you go time for you? It might be before you go to bed. It might be when you wake up, to bed. It might be when you wake up, to bed. It might be when you wake up, but it's to say, "I will dedicate myself but it's to say, "I will dedicate myself but it's to say, "I will dedicate myself to pray for my family, to pray by name to pray for my family, to pray by name to pray for my family, to pray by name for specific needs." And God wants to for specific needs." And God wants to for specific needs." And God wants to help you. He wants to resource you. And help you. He wants to resource you. And help you. He wants to resource you. And this is tied into the other truth that this is tied into the other truth that this is tied into the other truth that I'd like for you to hear today. And it's I'd like for you to hear today. And it's I'd like for you to hear today. And it's that we have to address both fronts, that we have to address both fronts, that we have to address both fronts, both physical and spiritual. So if you both physical and spiritual. So if you both physical and spiritual. So if you look at Ephesians 6:12, it says, "Our look at Ephesians 6:12, it says, "Our look at Ephesians 6:12, it says, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood.

struggle is not against flesh and blood. struggle is not against flesh and blood. It's against the rulers, against It's against the rulers, against It's against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this authorities, against the powers of this authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against spiritual forces dark world, and against spiritual forces dark world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. There of evil in the heavenly realms. There of evil in the heavenly realms. There are unseen realms that you and I run are unseen realms that you and I run are unseen realms that you and I run into on a day-to-day basis that war into on a day-to-day basis that war into on a day-to-day basis that war against the kingdom of God. And I I love against the kingdom of God. And I I love against the kingdom of God. And I I love how Nehemiah in his leadership, he gives how Nehemiah in his leadership, he gives how Nehemiah in his leadership, he gives a vision for physical and spiritual, for a vision for physical and spiritual, for a vision for physical and spiritual, for seen and unseen. And as Paul says in seen and unseen. And as Paul says in seen and unseen. And as Paul says in Ephesians chapter 6 that we are to put Ephesians chapter 6 that we are to put Ephesians chapter 6 that we are to put on the full armor of God, not a physical on the full armor of God, not a physical on the full armor of God, not a physical armor, but a spiritual dependency upon armor, but a spiritual dependency upon armor, but a spiritual dependency upon him. And he tells us to take up the him. And he tells us to take up the him. And he tells us to take up the sword of the spirit which is the word of sword of the spirit which is the word of sword of the spirit which is the word of God. It's this offensive weapon to go God. It's this offensive weapon to go God. It's this offensive weapon to go after in a good way the heart of future after in a good way the heart of future after in a good way the heart of future generations. And that sword Nehemiah generations. And that sword Nehemiah generations. And that sword Nehemiah also gives that image to hit the people. also gives that image to hit the people. also gives that image to hit the people. It says that he called them to pick up a It says that he called them to pick up a It says that he called them to pick up a sword and then he also called them to sword and then he also called them to sword and then he also called them to pick up a trowel. So the unseen realm is pick up a trowel. So the unseen realm is pick up a trowel. So the unseen realm is the sword of the spirit and the seen the sword of the spirit and the seen the sword of the spirit and the seen realm he talks about the trowel which is realm he talks about the trowel which is realm he talks about the trowel which is the day-to-day building the day-to-day the day-to-day building the day-to-day the day-to-day building the day-to-day reality of running a home leading a reality of running a home leading a reality of running a home leading a family investing in your children your family investing in your children your family investing in your children your grandchildren is to say my my life will grandchildren is to say my my life will grandchildren is to say my my life will be about investing in future generations be about investing in future generations be about investing in future generations and there are se several verses that and there are se several verses that and there are se several verses that help us understand what this means 2 help us understand what this means 2 help us understand what this means 2 Corinthians 10:4 says the weapons we Corinthians 10:4 says the weapons we Corinthians 10:4 says the weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world fight with are not weapons of the world fight with are not weapons of the world in fact they power to demolish and tear in fact they power to demolish and tear in fact they power to demolish and tear down strongholds. And then in down strongholds. And then in down strongholds. And then in Deuteronomy chapter 6, it talks more Deuteronomy chapter 6, it talks more Deuteronomy chapter 6, it talks more about how do we actually work in the

about how do we actually work in the about how do we actually work in the mindset of our children. It says that mindset of our children. It says that mindset of our children. It says that we're to get God speaks. He says, "I we're to get God speaks. He says, "I we're to get God speaks. He says, "I give you these commandments today. Put give you these commandments today. Put give you these commandments today. Put them on your hearts and press them on them on your hearts and press them on them on your hearts and press them on your children. Talk about them when you your children. Talk about them when you your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, when you drive in the sit at home, when you drive in the sit at home, when you drive in the minivan, when you lie down, and when you minivan, when you lie down, and when you minivan, when you lie down, and when you get up." Like, let it be a part of your get up." Like, let it be a part of your get up." Like, let it be a part of your day-to-day routine. So the scene realm day-to-day routine. So the scene realm day-to-day routine. So the scene realm is how does it flesh its way out in the is how does it flesh its way out in the is how does it flesh its way out in the way that we love and disciple the people way that we love and disciple the people way that we love and disciple the people in our lives that live within our home. in our lives that live within our home. in our lives that live within our home. So you have a kitchen table that you sit So you have a kitchen table that you sit So you have a kitchen table that you sit at. And sometimes when you're around at. And sometimes when you're around at. And sometimes when you're around that kitchen table, you want to talk that kitchen table, you want to talk that kitchen table, you want to talk about your favorite sports team, which about your favorite sports team, which about your favorite sports team, which is awesome. It's great. My favorite is awesome. It's great. My favorite is awesome. It's great. My favorite sports team in football, they lost the sports team in football, they lost the sports team in football, they lost the first week. It looks like it's going to first week. It looks like it's going to first week. It looks like it's going to be a bad year for them. So we're going be a bad year for them. So we're going be a bad year for them. So we're going to be talking more about Jesus around to be talking more about Jesus around to be talking more about Jesus around the dinner table in our family. And the dinner table in our family. And the dinner table in our family. And there there's something so sacred about there there's something so sacred about there there's something so sacred about the table being a place that you can the table being a place that you can the table being a place that you can invest and talk and and what we're doing invest and talk and and what we're doing invest and talk and and what we're doing there's two things we're doing. We want there's two things we're doing. We want there's two things we're doing. We want to bring the word of God and the works to bring the word of God and the works to bring the word of God and the works of God to the conversations in our of God to the conversations in our of God to the conversations in our family. So we want to bring the word family. So we want to bring the word family. So we want to bring the word that God inspires in our hearts. And that God inspires in our hearts. And that God inspires in our hearts. And this requires if you're a parent, this this requires if you're a parent, this this requires if you're a parent, this requires for you to have your own requires for you to have your own requires for you to have your own journey of following Jesus. One of the journey of following Jesus. One of the journey of following Jesus. One of the greatest gifts you can give to your greatest gifts you can give to your greatest gifts you can give to your children, parents, is them seeing you children, parents, is them seeing you children, parents, is them seeing you with the Bible open, reading it, and with the Bible open, reading it, and with the Bible open, reading it, and getting the word of God into your heart getting the word of God into your heart getting the word of God into your heart and then bringing that word to and then bringing that word to and then bringing that word to conversations and then taking the works conversations and then taking the works conversations and then taking the works of God and the places where God is of God and the places where God is of God and the places where God is moving in your family and moving in our moving in your family and moving in our moving in your family and moving in our community and sharing those stories.

community and sharing those stories. community and sharing those stories. There there should be some stories in There there should be some stories in There there should be some stories in our families that our kids are like, you our families that our kids are like, you our families that our kids are like, you start to tell it and you're like, "Dad, start to tell it and you're like, "Dad, start to tell it and you're like, "Dad, you've told that story 25 times." And you've told that story 25 times." And you've told that story 25 times." And it's like, yeah, but God showed up in it's like, yeah, but God showed up in it's like, yeah, but God showed up in our family. And I want to make sure you our family. And I want to make sure you our family. And I want to make sure you never forget it because what Psalm 78 never forget it because what Psalm 78 never forget it because what Psalm 78 says is so important. It says, "We will says is so important. It says, "We will says is so important. It says, "We will tell the next generation the tell the next generation the tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power and the wonders that he's done, so power and the wonders that he's done, so power and the wonders that he's done, so that the next generation would know that the next generation would know that the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born. them, even the children yet to be born. them, even the children yet to be born. and they in turn would tell their and they in turn would tell their and they in turn would tell their children that the faith might go from children that the faith might go from children that the faith might go from generation to generation. So God has generation to generation. So God has generation to generation. So God has given you an assignment. He's given you given you an assignment. He's given you given you an assignment. He's given you an assignment to pass on his word and an assignment to pass on his word and an assignment to pass on his word and his works to the next next generation. his works to the next next generation. his works to the next next generation. If you're single right now, you're not If you're single right now, you're not If you're single right now, you're not married. You don't have kids. One of the married. You don't have kids. One of the married. You don't have kids. One of the best ways that you can pass on the best ways that you can pass on the best ways that you can pass on the goodness of God to the next generation goodness of God to the next generation goodness of God to the next generation is through our NextGen ministry. If is through our NextGen ministry. If is through our NextGen ministry. If you're invested in the lives of students you're invested in the lives of students you're invested in the lives of students and kids, one, you're getting great and kids, one, you're getting great and kids, one, you're getting great experience for future kids. Two, though, experience for future kids. Two, though, experience for future kids. Two, though, you're pouring out your life into future you're pouring out your life into future you're pouring out your life into future generations. And God God gives us this generations. And God God gives us this generations. And God God gives us this invitation to build physically and invitation to build physically and invitation to build physically and spiritually. So, I want to just ask you spiritually. So, I want to just ask you spiritually. So, I want to just ask you like, what does this look like for you?

like, what does this look like for you? like, what does this look like for you? It might look like in the car, you're It might look like in the car, you're It might look like in the car, you're having intentional conversations. It having intentional conversations. It having intentional conversations. It might look like on a date night as a might look like on a date night as a might look like on a date night as a husband, you're sharing what God's doing husband, you're sharing what God's doing husband, you're sharing what God's doing in your heart. It might be reaching over in your heart. It might be reaching over in your heart. It might be reaching over at night, right before you go to bed, at night, right before you go to bed, at night, right before you go to bed, and grabbing your spouse's hand and and grabbing your spouse's hand and and grabbing your spouse's hand and praying together. It might be right praying together. It might be right praying together. It might be right before a child walks out the door, you before a child walks out the door, you before a child walks out the door, you as a mother or a father, place your as a mother or a father, place your as a mother or a father, place your hands on their head, and you pray a hands on their head, and you pray a hands on their head, and you pray a prayer of blessing over them before they prayer of blessing over them before they prayer of blessing over them before they walk out the door. You kiss them on the walk out the door. You kiss them on the walk out the door. You kiss them on the head and you send them into the day. But head and you send them into the day. But head and you send them into the day. But your intentionality your intentionality your intentionality has a ripple effect. And the stakes are has a ripple effect. And the stakes are has a ripple effect. And the stakes are so high with your full engagement in the so high with your full engagement in the so high with your full engagement in the lives of those around you. So finally, I lives of those around you. So finally, I lives of those around you. So finally, I want to finish with this. If you are at want to finish with this. If you are at want to finish with this. If you are at a place where you just feel like, man, I a place where you just feel like, man, I a place where you just feel like, man, I don't know how to do this. Well, good don't know how to do this. Well, good don't know how to do this. Well, good news is we want to help you. And we as a news is we want to help you. And we as a news is we want to help you. And we as a church family are here to come alongside church family are here to come alongside church family are here to come alongside of you in that journey. So the fourth of you in that journey. So the fourth of you in that journey. So the fourth point is to find your tribe. It's to point is to find your tribe. It's to point is to find your tribe. It's to find a group of people that you can do find a group of people that you can do find a group of people that you can do this with. So in Nehemiah 4:19, Nehemiah this with. So in Nehemiah 4:19, Nehemiah this with. So in Nehemiah 4:19, Nehemiah says this. He says, 'The work is says this. He says, 'The work is says this. He says, 'The work is extensive and spread out and widely you extensive and spread out and widely you extensive and spread out and widely you are widely separated from one another are widely separated from one another are widely separated from one another along the wall. But whenever you hear along the wall. But whenever you hear along the wall. But whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, come join us the sound of the trumpet, come join us the sound of the trumpet, come join us there and our God will fight for us." So there and our God will fight for us." So there and our God will fight for us." So Nehemiah is saying, you you are not Nehemiah is saying, you you are not Nehemiah is saying, you you are not intended to battle alone. You're not intended to battle alone. You're not intended to battle alone. You're not intended to fight in this journey by intended to fight in this journey by intended to fight in this journey by yourself. You need a tribe of people

yourself. You need a tribe of people yourself. You need a tribe of people that can support you and encourage you. that can support you and encourage you. that can support you and encourage you. Part of God's design is grandparents and Part of God's design is grandparents and Part of God's design is grandparents and parents working together with their parents working together with their parents working together with their children. Part of God's design is being children. Part of God's design is being children. Part of God's design is being in a church family and connected to in a church family and connected to in a church family and connected to community. And God wants us to have a community. And God wants us to have a community. And God wants us to have a tribe of people that when it comes to tribe of people that when it comes to tribe of people that when it comes to the kingdom values, we can work the kingdom values, we can work the kingdom values, we can work together. So, there are conversations together. So, there are conversations together. So, there are conversations that men in our church have had with my that men in our church have had with my that men in our church have had with my sons that I have had dozens of times and sons that I have had dozens of times and sons that I have had dozens of times and they come home from a conversation and they come home from a conversation and they come home from a conversation and say, "Dad, let me tell you what my small say, "Dad, let me tell you what my small say, "Dad, let me tell you what my small group leader said." And I'm like, I've group leader said." And I'm like, I've group leader said." And I'm like, I've said that a thousand times, but somehow said that a thousand times, but somehow said that a thousand times, but somehow the small group leader got through to the small group leader got through to the small group leader got through to him. It It's because we do it in a him. It It's because we do it in a him. It It's because we do it in a tribe. So, this last week, Stacy and I tribe. So, this last week, Stacy and I tribe. So, this last week, Stacy and I celebrated three years since stepping celebrated three years since stepping celebrated three years since stepping into our role here at Saddleback. Thank you. Thank you. And one of the greatest gifts this And one of the greatest gifts this And one of the greatest gifts this church has given to our family is the church has given to our family is the church has given to our family is the community that exists in next generation community that exists in next generation community that exists in next generation ministries here at Saddleback. I I am so ministries here at Saddleback. I I am so ministries here at Saddleback. I I am so thankful and especially all of the small thankful and especially all of the small thankful and especially all of the small groups. There are kids small groups, groups. There are kids small groups, groups. There are kids small groups, there are middle school, high school, there are middle school, high school, there are middle school, high school, college age small groups. And I have college age small groups. And I have college age small groups. And I have watched God grow my children. In fact, watched God grow my children. In fact, watched God grow my children. In fact, on Thursday night when there was a group on Thursday night when there was a group on Thursday night when there was a group of kids, college students in my home, of kids, college students in my home, of kids, college students in my home, these were kids that my son is connected these were kids that my son is connected these were kids that my son is connected to because he was in a small group and to because he was in a small group and to because he was in a small group and they support and encourage one another.

they support and encourage one another. they support and encourage one another. All three of my kids have greatly All three of my kids have greatly All three of my kids have greatly benefited from the tribe that comes here benefited from the tribe that comes here benefited from the tribe that comes here at Saddleback with small groups and at Saddleback with small groups and at Saddleback with small groups and being a part of a church family. And being a part of a church family. And being a part of a church family. And some of you, you're you're going at it some of you, you're you're going at it some of you, you're you're going at it alone. And there's so much more that God alone. And there's so much more that God alone. And there's so much more that God has for you in this church that you can has for you in this church that you can has for you in this church that you can receive these resources. So, if you're receive these resources. So, if you're receive these resources. So, if you're new here or you've never taken the step new here or you've never taken the step new here or you've never taken the step to make this your home church, there's to make this your home church, there's to make this your home church, there's something about your decision to anchor something about your decision to anchor something about your decision to anchor in a local church and saying, "This is in a local church and saying, "This is in a local church and saying, "This is my place of worship. This is where my my place of worship. This is where my my place of worship. This is where my family goes to church. I'm not jumping family goes to church. I'm not jumping family goes to church. I'm not jumping around and going once a year. I'm going around and going once a year. I'm going around and going once a year. I'm going to commit myself to lead to be in church to commit myself to lead to be in church to commit myself to lead to be in church regularly and to make a home church my regularly and to make a home church my regularly and to make a home church my home church." Well, here at Saddleach, home church." Well, here at Saddleach, home church." Well, here at Saddleach, we do activate and it happens throughout we do activate and it happens throughout we do activate and it happens throughout the course of the year about 10 times the course of the year about 10 times the course of the year about 10 times and we have one happening uh right now and we have one happening uh right now and we have one happening uh right now this weekend at our Lake Forest campus this weekend at our Lake Forest campus this weekend at our Lake Forest campus and your campus uh if you're not at Lake and your campus uh if you're not at Lake and your campus uh if you're not at Lake Forest will tell you when yours is. But Forest will tell you when yours is. But Forest will tell you when yours is. But activate is really that first step to activate is really that first step to activate is really that first step to get connected to hear about all that we get connected to hear about all that we get connected to hear about all that we have to offer to help you in your have to offer to help you in your have to offer to help you in your journey spiritually. And the other part journey spiritually. And the other part journey spiritually. And the other part of activate that we talk about is of activate that we talk about is of activate that we talk about is getting connected into a small group.

getting connected into a small group. getting connected into a small group. And some of you, you heard last week And some of you, you heard last week And some of you, you heard last week about small groups and you're about small groups and you're about small groups and you're like,"Yeah, but you know, I'm too busy like,"Yeah, but you know, I'm too busy like,"Yeah, but you know, I'm too busy or there wasn't a group that you wanted or there wasn't a group that you wanted or there wasn't a group that you wanted and it's like, man, you missed the and it's like, man, you missed the and it's like, man, you missed the moment." Well, you didn't actually miss. moment." Well, you didn't actually miss. moment." Well, you didn't actually miss. There is still an opportunity to get There is still an opportunity to get There is still an opportunity to get into small groups. And with Stronger into small groups. And with Stronger into small groups. And with Stronger Homes, I'm so excited about the various Homes, I'm so excited about the various Homes, I'm so excited about the various groups that have been put together by groups that have been put together by groups that have been put together by the team. We've got men's groups, we've the team. We've got men's groups, we've the team. We've got men's groups, we've got women's groups, we have groups for got women's groups, we have groups for got women's groups, we have groups for married couples, we have groups for married couples, we have groups for married couples, we have groups for singles. We have designed literally singles. We have designed literally singles. We have designed literally hundreds and hundreds of small groups to hundreds and hundreds of small groups to hundreds and hundreds of small groups to help you go deeper in your journey and help you go deeper in your journey and help you go deeper in your journey and build a stronger home. And all build a stronger home. And all build a stronger home. And all throughout the next couple of months, throughout the next couple of months, throughout the next couple of months, we're going to have events for men's, we're going to have events for men's, we're going to have events for men's, women's, marrieds. We've got groups women's, marrieds. We've got groups women's, marrieds. We've got groups rolling out. There is a tribe to support rolling out. There is a tribe to support rolling out. There is a tribe to support you. And I want to encourage you. All of you. And I want to encourage you. All of you. And I want to encourage you. All of this is at the app. So, if you go to our this is at the app. So, if you go to our this is at the app. So, if you go to our Saddleback app, you download it. You can Saddleback app, you download it. You can Saddleback app, you download it. You can sign up for groups. You can sign up for sign up for groups. You can sign up for sign up for groups. You can sign up for activate. But you don't have to go activate. But you don't have to go activate. But you don't have to go alone. You and I need a tribe of people alone. You and I need a tribe of people alone. You and I need a tribe of people to support us and the church can become to support us and the church can become to support us and the church can become that. Now, one last verse I want to call that. Now, one last verse I want to call that. Now, one last verse I want to call your attention to before we finish and I your attention to before we finish and I your attention to before we finish and I want to go back to the statement that want to go back to the statement that want to go back to the statement that Nehemiah had said about the people. It Nehemiah had said about the people. It Nehemiah had said about the people. It says, "The strength of the labors is says, "The strength of the labors is says, "The strength of the labors is giving out and there is so much rubble giving out and there is so much rubble giving out and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." And I that we cannot rebuild the wall." And I that we cannot rebuild the wall." And I wonder for some of you today as you wonder for some of you today as you wonder for some of you today as you think about your family and the call, think about your family and the call, think about your family and the call, the vision to build a stronger home, to the vision to build a stronger home, to the vision to build a stronger home, to engage, to fight for your family, if

engage, to fight for your family, if engage, to fight for your family, if you're honest with yourself, it's like you're honest with yourself, it's like you're honest with yourself, it's like there's a lot of rubble and the pieces there's a lot of rubble and the pieces there's a lot of rubble and the pieces are just kind of laying there and your are just kind of laying there and your are just kind of laying there and your strength is given out and you feel like, strength is given out and you feel like, strength is given out and you feel like, man, there there's no hope for me. But man, there there's no hope for me. But man, there there's no hope for me. But one of the things I love about this one of the things I love about this one of the things I love about this story in Nehemiah is the wall that God story in Nehemiah is the wall that God story in Nehemiah is the wall that God built around the city of Jerusalem. You built around the city of Jerusalem. You built around the city of Jerusalem. You know where it was built from? It was know where it was built from? It was know where it was built from? It was built from the rubble. The stones of the built from the rubble. The stones of the built from the rubble. The stones of the wall were built with rubble. They were wall were built with rubble. They were wall were built with rubble. They were built with little pieces on the ground built with little pieces on the ground built with little pieces on the ground that in the hand of God built this great that in the hand of God built this great that in the hand of God built this great wall around the city of Jerusalem. And wall around the city of Jerusalem. And wall around the city of Jerusalem. And the same is true for your life. There the same is true for your life. There the same is true for your life. There are pieces in your life and you're like, are pieces in your life and you're like, are pieces in your life and you're like, I have no idea how this is ever going to I have no idea how this is ever going to I have no idea how this is ever going to come together. But what God wants to do come together. But what God wants to do come together. But what God wants to do today is to give you hope that that today is to give you hope that that today is to give you hope that that rubble, those pieces with his help and rubble, those pieces with his help and rubble, those pieces with his help and his strength, he can begin to put the his strength, he can begin to put the his strength, he can begin to put the pieces back together. So for some of pieces back together. So for some of pieces back together. So for some of you, it might be a recommmitment to your you, it might be a recommmitment to your you, it might be a recommmitment to your marriage. Others of you, it might be marriage. Others of you, it might be marriage. Others of you, it might be today as a single that you are sexually today as a single that you are sexually today as a single that you are sexually going to live pure and you're going to going to live pure and you're going to going to live pure and you're going to protect your purity till you get to the protect your purity till you get to the protect your purity till you get to the place of marriage and then enjoy the place of marriage and then enjoy the place of marriage and then enjoy the fullness of God's design. Some of you fullness of God's design. Some of you fullness of God's design. Some of you who are young and maybe in a who are young and maybe in a who are young and maybe in a relationship and you're living together relationship and you're living together relationship and you're living together and you're like just kind of doing the and you're like just kind of doing the and you're like just kind of doing the thing, it's time to put a ring on it.

thing, it's time to put a ring on it. thing, it's time to put a ring on it. And there there are some of you today And there there are some of you today And there there are some of you today that your decision is like, "No, I'm that your decision is like, "No, I'm that your decision is like, "No, I'm gonna man up and I'm going to get a ring gonna man up and I'm going to get a ring gonna man up and I'm going to get a ring and I'm going to ask her to marry me. and I'm going to ask her to marry me. and I'm going to ask her to marry me. I'm going to apologize for not leading I'm going to apologize for not leading I'm going to apologize for not leading her and I'm going to assume her and I'm going to assume her and I'm going to assume responsibility for future generations in responsibility for future generations in responsibility for future generations in our family. And I'm going to do it now." our family. And I'm going to do it now." our family. And I'm going to do it now." I want to encourage you today can be a I want to encourage you today can be a I want to encourage you today can be a defining moment that with God's power defining moment that with God's power defining moment that with God's power and God's grace that your home can and God's grace that your home can and God's grace that your home can change. And I want to encourage you to change. And I want to encourage you to change. And I want to encourage you to bring your pieces of rubble to the God bring your pieces of rubble to the God bring your pieces of rubble to the God who takes brokenness, broken pieces from who takes brokenness, broken pieces from who takes brokenness, broken pieces from our lives and builds something beautiful our lives and builds something beautiful our lives and builds something beautiful out of our mess God can redeem. There is out of our mess God can redeem. There is out of our mess God can redeem. There is no life, there is no situation that God no life, there is no situation that God no life, there is no situation that God cannot redeem. But it requires your full cannot redeem. But it requires your full cannot redeem. But it requires your full engagement. It requires your engagement. It requires your engagement. It requires your wholehearted wholehearted wholehearted yes. yes. yes. And so today, I want to challenge you to And so today, I want to challenge you to And so today, I want to challenge you to give your yes to God. Some of you, your give your yes to God. Some of you, your give your yes to God. Some of you, your yes to God is God, I surrender my whole yes to God is God, I surrender my whole yes to God is God, I surrender my whole heart to you to receive the gift of heart to you to receive the gift of heart to you to receive the gift of salvation. The greatest news ever is salvation. The greatest news ever is salvation. The greatest news ever is that Jesus Christ, the son of God, lived that Jesus Christ, the son of God, lived that Jesus Christ, the son of God, lived a perfect sinless life. And at the end a perfect sinless life. And at the end a perfect sinless life. And at the end of that life, he was crucified on a of that life, he was crucified on a of that life, he was crucified on a rugged Roman cross for the sins of the rugged Roman cross for the sins of the rugged Roman cross for the sins of the world so that you can be forgiven and world so that you can be forgiven and world so that you can be forgiven and stand holy and righteous before God. And stand holy and righteous before God. And stand holy and righteous before God. And the tomb that Jesus was placed into is the tomb that Jesus was placed into is the tomb that Jesus was placed into is empty because his physical body on the empty because his physical body on the empty because his physical body on the third day came back from death to life.

third day came back from death to life. third day came back from death to life. He is ruling and reigning as the king of He is ruling and reigning as the king of He is ruling and reigning as the king of heaven, the king of all kings and the heaven, the king of all kings and the heaven, the king of all kings and the lord of all lords wants you to know his lord of all lords wants you to know his lord of all lords wants you to know his heart. And today can be the day that you heart. And today can be the day that you heart. And today can be the day that you open your heart to him for the very open your heart to him for the very open your heart to him for the very first time just to surrender and say, first time just to surrender and say, first time just to surrender and say, "God, I give you my life. I choose to "God, I give you my life. I choose to "God, I give you my life. I choose to follow you. I want to do life with you, follow you. I want to do life with you, follow you. I want to do life with you, not apart from you. Make me a better not apart from you. Make me a better not apart from you. Make me a better man. Make me a better woman. My life is man. Make me a better woman. My life is man. Make me a better woman. My life is yours." And in just a moment, I'm going yours." And in just a moment, I'm going yours." And in just a moment, I'm going to give you an opportunity to respond to to give you an opportunity to respond to to give you an opportunity to respond to that. And others of you, today is a that. And others of you, today is a that. And others of you, today is a wakeup call. You're asleep at the wheel. wakeup call. You're asleep at the wheel. wakeup call. You're asleep at the wheel. You hear the strips on the tires on the You hear the strips on the tires on the You hear the strips on the tires on the side of the road going off and God is side of the road going off and God is side of the road going off and God is saying, "Wake up. Today is a day for you saying, "Wake up. Today is a day for you saying, "Wake up. Today is a day for you to fully engage with your whole heart to to fully engage with your whole heart to to fully engage with your whole heart to build a stronger home and fight for your build a stronger home and fight for your build a stronger home and fight for your family." There is a ripple effect across family." There is a ripple effect across family." There is a ripple effect across generations with your decisions. And generations with your decisions. And generations with your decisions. And there are some of you dads that like there are some of you dads that like there are some of you dads that like you, you are heading towards leaving you, you are heading towards leaving you, you are heading towards leaving your family and leaving your wife to your family and leaving your wife to your family and leaving your wife to raise your children. Don't you want to raise your children. Don't you want to raise your children. Don't you want to walk your daughter down the aisle? Don't walk your daughter down the aisle? Don't walk your daughter down the aisle? Don't you want to be the man that she looks at you want to be the man that she looks at you want to be the man that she looks at and respects and is the model for the and respects and is the model for the and respects and is the model for the kind of man that she will one day marry?

kind of man that she will one day marry? kind of man that she will one day marry? Get in the game, sir. Own up and say, Get in the game, sir. Own up and say, Get in the game, sir. Own up and say, "Yes, God. My life is yours, and I will "Yes, God. My life is yours, and I will "Yes, God. My life is yours, and I will assume responsibility to be a man of assume responsibility to be a man of assume responsibility to be a man of God, to love, to serve my family." So I God, to love, to serve my family." So I God, to love, to serve my family." So I want to invite you all of our campuses want to invite you all of our campuses want to invite you all of our campuses with your eyes closed just in this with your eyes closed just in this with your eyes closed just in this moment if today is your day of salvation moment if today is your day of salvation moment if today is your day of salvation that you need to put your trust in that you need to put your trust in that you need to put your trust in Jesus. Just tell them Jesus I need you. Jesus. Just tell them Jesus I need you. Jesus. Just tell them Jesus I need you. I turn to you with my whole heart in I turn to you with my whole heart in I turn to you with my whole heart in this moment. And as you do just say, this moment. And as you do just say, this moment. And as you do just say, "Forgive me of my sins. I'm choosing to "Forgive me of my sins. I'm choosing to "Forgive me of my sins. I'm choosing to walk with you. I want to give you my walk with you. I want to give you my walk with you. I want to give you my life." And as you do, the spirit of the life." And as you do, the spirit of the life." And as you do, the spirit of the living God is stirring and moving and living God is stirring and moving and living God is stirring and moving and wants to help you in this new journey. wants to help you in this new journey. wants to help you in this new journey. Others of you today saying,"I want to Others of you today saying,"I want to Others of you today saying,"I want to engage with my whole heart. I'm done engage with my whole heart. I'm done engage with my whole heart. I'm done playing games. I want to give my whole playing games. I want to give my whole playing games. I want to give my whole heart to build a stronger home and fight heart to build a stronger home and fight heart to build a stronger home and fight for my family." If that's you on account for my family." If that's you on account for my family." If that's you on account of three, you're saying, "Today, I'm of three, you're saying, "Today, I'm of three, you're saying, "Today, I'm going to engage." It could be sons. It going to engage." It could be sons. It going to engage." It could be sons. It could be daughters. It could be singles. could be daughters. It could be singles. could be daughters. It could be singles. It could be married couples. I'm going It could be married couples. I'm going It could be married couples. I'm going to engage with my whole heart to fight to engage with my whole heart to fight to engage with my whole heart to fight for my family. On a count of three, just for my family. On a count of three, just for my family. On a count of three, just stand up. saying this is my commitment stand up. saying this is my commitment stand up. saying this is my commitment today. One, two, three, just stand up today. One, two, three, just stand up today. One, two, three, just stand up all of our campuses today. If you are all of our campuses today. If you are all of our campuses today. If you are going to engage and saying I am going to going to engage and saying I am going to going to engage and saying I am going to fight for the hearts of my family, God, fight for the hearts of my family, God, fight for the hearts of my family, God, we thank you today for your goodness, we thank you today for your goodness, we thank you today for your goodness, your power, your glory. Lord, that you your power, your glory. Lord, that you your power, your glory. Lord, that you give us a vision for a different kind of give us a vision for a different kind of give us a vision for a different kind of life and a better home. God, I pray that life and a better home. God, I pray that life and a better home. God, I pray that you would raise up more men and women you would raise up more men and women you would raise up more men and women that understand the significance of this

that understand the significance of this that understand the significance of this and that we would be a light to the and that we would be a light to the and that we would be a light to the world around us. that we would be a world around us. that we would be a world around us. that we would be a place where people see what we are for, place where people see what we are for, place where people see what we are for, not what we're against, but what we're not what we're against, but what we're not what we're against, but what we're for. And that it would ripple from here for. And that it would ripple from here for. And that it would ripple from here to the ends of the earth. And we give to the ends of the earth. And we give to the ends of the earth. And we give you glory for it in Jesus name. Amen. you glory for it in Jesus name. Amen. you glory for it in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Amen. If you're not standing yet, Amen. Amen. If you're not standing yet, Amen. Amen. If you're not standing yet, will you stand with me as we seal this will you stand with me as we seal this will you stand with me as we seal this moment with a song? moment with a song? moment with a song? You take what the enemy meant for evil You take what the enemy meant for evil You take what the enemy meant for evil and you turn it for good. and you turn it for good. and you turn it for good. You turn it for good. You turn it for good. You turn it for good. Come on, let's sing it together. Come on, let's sing it together. Come on, let's sing it together. >> You take what the enemy meant for evil >> You take what the enemy meant for evil >> You take what the enemy meant for evil and you turn it for good. and you turn it for good. and you turn it for good. You turn it for good. You turn it for good. You turn it for good. Say, Say, Say, you take what the enemy meant for evil you take what the enemy meant for evil you take what the enemy meant for evil and you turn it for good. and you turn it for good. and you turn it for good. You turn it for good. You turn it for good. You turn it for good. Oh, Oh, Oh, you take what the enemy meant for evil you take what the enemy meant for evil you take what the enemy meant for evil and you turn it for good.

and you turn it for good. and you turn it for good. You turn it for good. You turn it for good. You turn it for good. >> I'm going to see I'm going to see a >> I'm going to see I'm going to see a >> I'm going to see I'm going to see a victory. victory. victory. I'm going to see your victory. I'm going to see your victory. I'm going to see your victory. >> For the battle, >> For the battle, >> For the battle, >> the battle belongs to you, Lord. I'm >> the battle belongs to you, Lord. I'm >> the battle belongs to you, Lord. I'm going to see I'm going to see a victory. going to see I'm going to see a victory. going to see I'm going to see a victory. I'm going to see your victory I'm going to see your victory I'm going to see your victory for the battle belongs to you. I'm going for the battle belongs to you. I'm going for the battle belongs to you. I'm going to see I'm going to see your victory. to see I'm going to see your victory. to see I'm going to see your victory. I'm going to see your victory I'm going to see your victory I'm going to see your victory for the battle belong to you. for the battle belong to you. for the battle belong to you. I'm going to see your I'm going to see your I'm going to see your [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] battle. battle. battle. One more time. You take what the enemy One more time. You take what the enemy One more time. You take what the enemy You take what the enemy You take what the enemy You take what the enemy and turn for.

and turn for. and turn for. You take Yes, you do. Yes, you do. You think what the enemy did for real You think what the enemy did for real You think what the enemy did for real and you turn it for and you turn it for and you turn it for you. you. you. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] We believe. We believe. >> I'm going to see I'm going to see a >> I'm going to see I'm going to see a victory. victory. victory. I'm going to see victory I'm going to see victory I'm going to see victory for the battle belongs to you, Lord. for the battle belongs to you, Lord. for the battle belongs to you, Lord. I'm going to see the victory. I'm going to see the victory. I'm going to see the victory. I'm going to sing victory. I'm going to sing victory. I'm going to sing victory. >> For the battle belongs to you, Lord. [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] Well, what a great and powerful message Well, what a great and powerful message Well, what a great and powerful message from Pastor Andy today. And I'm so from Pastor Andy today. And I'm so from Pastor Andy today. And I'm so grateful that you were with us as we got grateful that you were with us as we got grateful that you were with us as we got to listen to that. And I want to invite to listen to that. And I want to invite to listen to that. And I want to invite you, if you were one of those people you, if you were one of those people you, if you were one of those people that said yes and accepted the challenge that said yes and accepted the challenge that said yes and accepted the challenge that Pastor Andy gave today of fighting that Pastor Andy gave today of fighting that Pastor Andy gave today of fighting for our families, of fighting for the for our families, of fighting for the for our families, of fighting for the next generation, I want to encourage you next generation, I want to encourage you next generation, I want to encourage you and invite you to join us for the next and invite you to join us for the next and invite you to join us for the next three weeks as we continue this fight three weeks as we continue this fight three weeks as we continue this fight for your family series to invest into for your family series to invest into for your family series to invest into your homes, to take the time each your homes, to take the time each your homes, to take the time each weekend to join us for church, and to

weekend to join us for church, and to weekend to join us for church, and to hear how we can continue to grow our hear how we can continue to grow our hear how we can continue to grow our families and make them Christ centered. families and make them Christ centered. families and make them Christ centered. And if there's another next step that And if there's another next step that And if there's another next step that you want to take or maybe a prayer that you want to take or maybe a prayer that you want to take or maybe a prayer that you need, I want to invite you to let us you need, I want to invite you to let us you need, I want to invite you to let us know through our Saddleback app as well. know through our Saddleback app as well. know through our Saddleback app as well. There you can send in prayer requests. There you can send in prayer requests. There you can send in prayer requests. You can stay up to date with what events You can stay up to date with what events You can stay up to date with what events are going on. And you can also check out are going on. And you can also check out are going on. And you can also check out our strongerhomes.com our strongerhomes.com our strongerhomes.com website. Church family, we're so website. Church family, we're so website. Church family, we're so grateful for you and we hope to see you grateful for you and we hope to see you grateful for you and we hope to see you again next weekend as we continue this again next weekend as we continue this again next weekend as we continue this powerful series together. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]