Back on Track With My Faith | Andy Wood

It's so good to be together, church It's so good to be together, church family. I want to welcome all of you who family. I want to welcome all of you who family. I want to welcome all of you who are joining us online, all of our are joining us online, all of our are joining us online, all of our campuses and extensions spread across campuses and extensions spread across campuses and extensions spread across the world. We're in the first week of a the world. We're in the first week of a the world. We're in the first week of a new series. We're in the first week of a new series. We're in the first week of a new series. We're in the first week of a new year. I love the first week of the new year. I love the first week of the new year. I love the first week of the year with church. It's like the time of year with church. It's like the time of year with church. It's like the time of year that we most believe change is year that we most believe change is year that we most believe change is possible in our lives. And so, we're possible in our lives. And so, we're possible in our lives. And so, we're starting this new series called Back on starting this new series called Back on starting this new series called Back on Track. And in just a moment, we're going Track. And in just a moment, we're going Track. And in just a moment, we're going to get into it. But you know, the other to get into it. But you know, the other to get into it. But you know, the other thing that's really interesting about thing that's really interesting about thing that's really interesting about Christmas and New Year is that no other Christmas and New Year is that no other Christmas and New Year is that no other time in the year does one week feel time in the year does one week feel time in the year does one week feel further apart than Christmas and New further apart than Christmas and New further apart than Christmas and New Year. Am I right? It's like it's this Year. Am I right? It's like it's this Year. Am I right? It's like it's this wall between the years. And sometimes wall between the years. And sometimes wall between the years. And sometimes you can jump into a new year and forget you can jump into a new year and forget you can jump into a new year and forget some of the things that happened in the some of the things that happened in the some of the things that happened in the last year. So many of you uh I didn't last year. So many of you uh I didn't last year. So many of you uh I didn't haven't seen you since Christmas. And I haven't seen you since Christmas. And I haven't seen you since Christmas. And I thought it'd be good for us just to thought it'd be good for us just to thought it'd be good for us just to celebrate what God did in our church celebrate what God did in our church celebrate what God did in our church family this Christmas. Here's some family this Christmas. Here's some family this Christmas. Here's some stories and statistics of what God did stories and statistics of what God did stories and statistics of what God did um this Christmas. So many of you um this Christmas. So many of you um this Christmas. So many of you served, you prayed, you invited your served, you prayed, you invited your served, you prayed, you invited your friends to come. And I would like for friends to come. And I would like for friends to come. And I would like for you to know that there were 1,548 you to know that there were 1,548 you to know that there were 1,548 people that either recommitted or made a people that either recommitted or made a people that either recommitted or made a decision to follow Jesus for the very decision to follow Jesus for the very decision to follow Jesus for the very first time. So, we want to celebrate first time. So, we want to celebrate first time. So, we want to celebrate those decisions.

those decisions. those decisions. There were over 2,230 people that made a There were over 2,230 people that made a There were over 2,230 people that made a decision to come to church for the first decision to come to church for the first decision to come to church for the first time and let us know that they're new time and let us know that they're new time and let us know that they're new here. If you're one of those, we're so here. If you're one of those, we're so here. If you're one of those, we're so glad that you're back with us. Also, glad that you're back with us. Also, glad that you're back with us. Also, that means many of you invited your that means many of you invited your that means many of you invited your friends and family members and and just friends and family members and and just friends and family members and and just a great sign of of your hunger and a great sign of of your hunger and a great sign of of your hunger and desire for people in your life to desire for people in your life to desire for people in your life to encounter what God is doing in you. And encounter what God is doing in you. And encounter what God is doing in you. And then finally, uh we had 50,178 then finally, uh we had 50,178 then finally, uh we had 50,178 people show up for Christmas services. people show up for Christmas services. people show up for Christmas services. So, we want to celebrate all that God So, we want to celebrate all that God So, we want to celebrate all that God did and just say thank you one more time did and just say thank you one more time did and just say thank you one more time for your faithfulness and serving and for your faithfulness and serving and for your faithfulness and serving and praying. You know, the [snorts] other praying. You know, the [snorts] other praying. You know, the [snorts] other thing I I do want to say before we jump thing I I do want to say before we jump thing I I do want to say before we jump into today's message, there are a couple into today's message, there are a couple into today's message, there are a couple big prayer requests that we have as a big prayer requests that we have as a big prayer requests that we have as a staff that I have as a pastor for for staff that I have as a pastor for for staff that I have as a pastor for for you this year that we just really have you this year that we just really have you this year that we just really have been focusing on as we move into the new been focusing on as we move into the new been focusing on as we move into the new year. And the first one is this. We we year. And the first one is this. We we year. And the first one is this. We we want to do our very best as a church want to do our very best as a church want to do our very best as a church family to serve you where you are, to family to serve you where you are, to family to serve you where you are, to help you in your next step in your help you in your next step in your help you in your next step in your journey of faith, to provide resources, journey of faith, to provide resources, journey of faith, to provide resources, come alongside of you. And the reality come alongside of you. And the reality come alongside of you. And the reality is we we can do that the more that we is we we can do that the more that we is we we can do that the more that we know you, the more that we know about know you, the more that we know about know you, the more that we know about your journey and where you are your journey and where you are your journey and where you are spiritually. And sometimes a church like spiritually. And sometimes a church like spiritually. And sometimes a church like Saddleback can feel really big. And our Saddleback can feel really big. And our Saddleback can feel really big. And our goal as a church family is to make it goal as a church family is to make it goal as a church family is to make it feel really small. And that happens as feel really small. And that happens as feel really small. And that happens as we personally connect. That's one big we personally connect. That's one big we personally connect. That's one big prayer request. The other one is that prayer request. The other one is that prayer request. The other one is that this year we've made a commitment. We this year we've made a commitment. We this year we've made a commitment. We want to pray individually for for every want to pray individually for for every want to pray individually for for every person in our church family. Like we we person in our church family. Like we we person in our church family. Like we we want to see miracles of God's work in want to see miracles of God's work in want to see miracles of God's work in our midst this year. that happens out of

our midst this year. that happens out of our midst this year. that happens out of prayer. We believe God does things when prayer. We believe God does things when prayer. We believe God does things when we pray that he doesn't when we don't. we pray that he doesn't when we don't. we pray that he doesn't when we don't. Here's a quick story. So, last service Here's a quick story. So, last service Here's a quick story. So, last service we had a family in the service and there we had a family in the service and there we had a family in the service and there was a mom and she I asked her asked was a mom and she I asked her asked was a mom and she I asked her asked everybody at the end of the service to everybody at the end of the service to everybody at the end of the service to write down a prayer request and that mom write down a prayer request and that mom write down a prayer request and that mom wrote down a prayer request that this wrote down a prayer request that this wrote down a prayer request that this would be the year that her daughter gets would be the year that her daughter gets would be the year that her daughter gets baptized. And right after that service, baptized. And right after that service, baptized. And right after that service, her daughter came up and said, "I want her daughter came up and said, "I want her daughter came up and said, "I want to get baptized." How awesome is that? to get baptized." How awesome is that? to get baptized." How awesome is that? So, as we as we think about that, I want So, as we as we think about that, I want So, as we as we think about that, I want to ask you if you will, here's how we're to ask you if you will, here's how we're to ask you if you will, here's how we're going to do this. We're we're going to going to do this. We're we're going to going to do this. We're we're going to actually this year you you have a card actually this year you you have a card actually this year you you have a card that is around you somewhere. And if you that is around you somewhere. And if you that is around you somewhere. And if you don't, you can raise a hand and one of don't, you can raise a hand and one of don't, you can raise a hand and one of our ushers or volunteers will get you our ushers or volunteers will get you our ushers or volunteers will get you one. But on the front, there's a place one. But on the front, there's a place one. But on the front, there's a place where you can tell us a little bit more where you can tell us a little bit more where you can tell us a little bit more about you. And at some point during the about you. And at some point during the about you. And at some point during the service, feel free to fill that out. But service, feel free to fill that out. But service, feel free to fill that out. But I really do want to emphasize this I really do want to emphasize this I really do want to emphasize this backside as well. The prayer request, backside as well. The prayer request, backside as well. The prayer request, I'm going to walk you through at the end I'm going to walk you through at the end I'm going to walk you through at the end of our time. I'm going to invite you to of our time. I'm going to invite you to of our time. I'm going to invite you to to pray a prayer of faith for God to to to pray a prayer of faith for God to to to pray a prayer of faith for God to to God this year of what you're asking God God this year of what you're asking God God this year of what you're asking God to do in your life. And this will help to do in your life. And this will help to do in your life. And this will help us to serve you better this year. Now, us to serve you better this year. Now, us to serve you better this year. Now, in addition to that, as we start the new in addition to that, as we start the new in addition to that, as we start the new year, this message series is called Back year, this message series is called Back year, this message series is called Back on Track. And I cannot help but think of on Track. And I cannot help but think of on Track. And I cannot help but think of those who grew up in the 1990s and those who grew up in the 1990s and those who grew up in the 1990s and watched Saturday Night Live with Chris watched Saturday Night Live with Chris watched Saturday Night Live with Chris Farley and his famous I'm going to help Farley and his famous I'm going to help Farley and his famous I'm going to help you get back on track. Has anybody seen you get back on track. Has anybody seen you get back on track. Has anybody seen that before? Out of curiosity. Okay, if that before? Out of curiosity. Okay, if that before? Out of curiosity. Okay, if you haven't, go home, watch it. It's you haven't, go home, watch it. It's you haven't, go home, watch it. It's awesome. But you know, the whole idea of

awesome. But you know, the whole idea of awesome. But you know, the whole idea of getting back on track is the reality in getting back on track is the reality in getting back on track is the reality in our lives. We we have a tendency to get our lives. We we have a tendency to get our lives. We we have a tendency to get off track throughout the course of our off track throughout the course of our off track throughout the course of our lives. And I wanted to share this by lives. And I wanted to share this by lives. And I wanted to share this by illustrating it through a story. So illustrating it through a story. So illustrating it through a story. So these two companies that are coming on these two companies that are coming on these two companies that are coming on the screen right now uh are two the screen right now uh are two the screen right now uh are two companies that at one time both of them companies that at one time both of them companies that at one time both of them were dominating their industry. The one were dominating their industry. The one were dominating their industry. The one on the left is Nokia. How many of you on the left is Nokia. How many of you on the left is Nokia. How many of you had a Nokia phone at some point? Out of had a Nokia phone at some point? Out of had a Nokia phone at some point? Out of curiosity, hands going up everywhere. I curiosity, hands going up everywhere. I curiosity, hands going up everywhere. I see those hands. And now Nokia in the see those hands. And now Nokia in the see those hands. And now Nokia in the early 2000s, they were like the leaders early 2000s, they were like the leaders early 2000s, they were like the leaders with phones. And there was something with phones. And there was something with phones. And there was something that was happening with technology. that was happening with technology. that was happening with technology. Things were shifting. Apple was growing. Things were shifting. Apple was growing. Things were shifting. Apple was growing. And Nokia was doubling down on what they And Nokia was doubling down on what they And Nokia was doubling down on what they had been doing for years. Well, in 2007, had been doing for years. Well, in 2007, had been doing for years. Well, in 2007, we all know what happened. Apple came we all know what happened. Apple came we all know what happened. Apple came out with the iPhone and everything out with the iPhone and everything out with the iPhone and everything changed. Nokia missed the window of changed. Nokia missed the window of changed. Nokia missed the window of opportunity, did not shift, did not make opportunity, did not shift, did not make opportunity, did not shift, did not make any changes, and as a result, they own any changes, and as a result, they own any changes, and as a result, they own 1% of the market today. They're like one 1% of the market today. They're like one 1% of the market today. They're like one of the worst phones on planet Earth, and of the worst phones on planet Earth, and of the worst phones on planet Earth, and they're no more because they didn't they're no more because they didn't they're no more because they didn't shift. They didn't adjust in the midst shift. They didn't adjust in the midst shift. They didn't adjust in the midst of a culture that was changing. Now, the of a culture that was changing. Now, the of a culture that was changing. Now, the other company right here, I want you to other company right here, I want you to other company right here, I want you to see these guys again, Garmin. Now, if see these guys again, Garmin. Now, if see these guys again, Garmin. Now, if you look at Garmin, how many of you guys you look at Garmin, how many of you guys you look at Garmin, how many of you guys had one of their navigation systems in had one of their navigation systems in had one of their navigation systems in your car out of curiosity? We're all your car out of curiosity? We're all your car out of curiosity? We're all aging ourselves who raise our hands aging ourselves who raise our hands aging ourselves who raise our hands right now. Nobody under like 30 knows right now. Nobody under like 30 knows right now. Nobody under like 30 knows what that is, but it was it was in the what that is, but it was it was in the what that is, but it was it was in the car. It was like a huge computer and it car. It was like a huge computer and it car. It was like a huge computer and it helped you get to your destination.

helped you get to your destination. helped you get to your destination. Sometimes when you go to get a rental Sometimes when you go to get a rental Sometimes when you go to get a rental car today, they still ask you, "Do you car today, they still ask you, "Do you car today, they still ask you, "Do you want a garment?" You're like, "No, want a garment?" You're like, "No, want a garment?" You're like, "No, genius. This is this is 2026, okay? I genius. This is this is 2026, okay? I genius. This is this is 2026, okay? I don't need a garment." But Garmin in the don't need a garment." But Garmin in the don't need a garment." But Garmin in the midst of this whole shift, they were a midst of this whole shift, they were a midst of this whole shift, they were a navigation company. So they had a navigation company. So they had a navigation company. So they had a technology that would help cars and technology that would help cars and technology that would help cars and airplanes and ships navigate. And they airplanes and ships navigate. And they airplanes and ships navigate. And they noticed that their technology could noticed that their technology could noticed that their technology could could work inside of watches. And so could work inside of watches. And so could work inside of watches. And so they said, "Hey, what if what if we they said, "Hey, what if what if we they said, "Hey, what if what if we actually put our technology inside of actually put our technology inside of actually put our technology inside of watches for people that like to run and watches for people that like to run and watches for people that like to run and hike and and that they're outside all hike and and that they're outside all hike and and that they're outside all the time? What if we do that?" So they the time? What if we do that?" So they the time? What if we do that?" So they started experimenting. They started started experimenting. They started started experimenting. They started making adjustments. And as a result, now making adjustments. And as a result, now making adjustments. And as a result, now they are dominating the sports watch they are dominating the sports watch they are dominating the sports watch industry. Show of hands, how many of you industry. Show of hands, how many of you industry. Show of hands, how many of you have a Garmin watch? Raise your hand up have a Garmin watch? Raise your hand up have a Garmin watch? Raise your hand up high. So, we have lots of people that high. So, we have lots of people that high. So, we have lots of people that wear these watches. They dominate the wear these watches. They dominate the wear these watches. They dominate the industry because they adjusted. They industry because they adjusted. They industry because they adjusted. They made course corrections. They changed. made course corrections. They changed. made course corrections. They changed. And as a result, they stepped into a And as a result, they stepped into a And as a result, they stepped into a different reality. Now, many of us in different reality. Now, many of us in different reality. Now, many of us in our lives will find things that are off. our lives will find things that are off. our lives will find things that are off. But our natural tendency is when those But our natural tendency is when those But our natural tendency is when those things hit us in the face, we think that things hit us in the face, we think that things hit us in the face, we think that maybe if we just double down, maybe if maybe if we just double down, maybe if maybe if we just double down, maybe if we just stay the trajectory, somehow we just stay the trajectory, somehow we just stay the trajectory, somehow we'll get a different outcome. But this we'll get a different outcome. But this we'll get a different outcome. But this is very important. I want to invite you is very important. I want to invite you is very important. I want to invite you to write this down. You don't change to write this down. You don't change to write this down. You don't change destination without changing direction.

destination without changing direction. destination without changing direction. So if at the end of this year, I want a So if at the end of this year, I want a So if at the end of this year, I want a different destination than the end of different destination than the end of different destination than the end of last year. If if you want your marriage last year. If if you want your marriage last year. If if you want your marriage to be healthier next year, if you want to be healthier next year, if you want to be healthier next year, if you want your kids and your relationship with your kids and your relationship with your kids and your relationship with them to grow, or if you want to have a them to grow, or if you want to have a them to grow, or if you want to have a deeper faith, you don't just end up at a deeper faith, you don't just end up at a deeper faith, you don't just end up at a different destination without shifting different destination without shifting different destination without shifting your direction. A new destination comes your direction. A new destination comes your direction. A new destination comes from a new direction. So, we're going to from a new direction. So, we're going to from a new direction. So, we're going to talk for the next five weeks how how do talk for the next five weeks how how do talk for the next five weeks how how do you shift and get your life back on you shift and get your life back on you shift and get your life back on track with the core areas that track with the core areas that track with the core areas that ultimately God invites you to steward ultimately God invites you to steward ultimately God invites you to steward your your whole life coming back on your your whole life coming back on your your whole life coming back on track with God's help. Now, I want you track with God's help. Now, I want you track with God's help. Now, I want you in your notes to see there's a little in your notes to see there's a little in your notes to see there's a little diagram there that will highlight these diagram there that will highlight these diagram there that will highlight these main areas of our life that we'll focus main areas of our life that we'll focus main areas of our life that we'll focus on over these next few weeks. And the on over these next few weeks. And the on over these next few weeks. And the first one is our faith. So we'll start first one is our faith. So we'll start first one is our faith. So we'll start with recognizing everything flows out of with recognizing everything flows out of with recognizing everything flows out of relationship with God. And then we'll relationship with God. And then we'll relationship with God. And then we'll talk next week about our health both talk next week about our health both talk next week about our health both spiritually, mentally, physically, how spiritually, mentally, physically, how spiritually, mentally, physically, how our bodies are a vessel to be stewarded our bodies are a vessel to be stewarded our bodies are a vessel to be stewarded to honor God. And then in the third to honor God. And then in the third to honor God. And then in the third week, we'll talk about finances and and week, we'll talk about finances and and week, we'll talk about finances and and how to get back on track. Maybe you how to get back on track. Maybe you how to get back on track. Maybe you spent a little bit too much at Christmas spent a little bit too much at Christmas spent a little bit too much at Christmas and you're like, I need to get back on and you're like, I need to get back on and you're like, I need to get back on track with my finances. So we'll talk track with my finances. So we'll talk track with my finances. So we'll talk about that. And then we'll talk about about that. And then we'll talk about about that. And then we'll talk about relationships and ultimately our work.

relationships and ultimately our work. relationships and ultimately our work. So, how do you get back on track? Now, So, how do you get back on track? Now, So, how do you get back on track? Now, we could stop right now and and this we could stop right now and and this we could stop right now and and this could be like a seminar at a business could be like a seminar at a business could be like a seminar at a business meeting, but I want to just say before I meeting, but I want to just say before I meeting, but I want to just say before I go in any further in this whole series, go in any further in this whole series, go in any further in this whole series, this whole year, th this is not like an this whole year, th this is not like an this whole year, th this is not like an exercise of us conjuring up human wisdom exercise of us conjuring up human wisdom exercise of us conjuring up human wisdom and knowledge to make our lives better. and knowledge to make our lives better. and knowledge to make our lives better. that the reality that that when it comes that the reality that that when it comes that the reality that that when it comes to your life changing, there is a truth to your life changing, there is a truth to your life changing, there is a truth that is so powerful and fundamental that that is so powerful and fundamental that that is so powerful and fundamental that if we can grasp it at the beginning of if we can grasp it at the beginning of if we can grasp it at the beginning of the year, the beginning of this series, the year, the beginning of this series, the year, the beginning of this series, it changes everything. And it's found in it changes everything. And it's found in it changes everything. And it's found in Lamentations 3:22 through 24. And I want Lamentations 3:22 through 24. And I want Lamentations 3:22 through 24. And I want to invite you, all of our campuses, if to invite you, all of our campuses, if to invite you, all of our campuses, if we can read these few verses aloud we can read these few verses aloud we can read these few verses aloud together with a big hearty voice. We together with a big hearty voice. We together with a big hearty voice. We start and it says, "The faithful love of start and it says, "The faithful love of start and it says, "The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never the Lord never ends. His mercies never the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness. His cease. Great is his faithfulness. His cease. Great is his faithfulness. His mercies begin aresh each morning. So I mercies begin aresh each morning. So I mercies begin aresh each morning. So I will say to myself, the Lord is my will say to myself, the Lord is my will say to myself, the Lord is my inheritance. Therefore, I will hope in inheritance. Therefore, I will hope in inheritance. Therefore, I will hope in him." Now, here's the truth here. Here's him." Now, here's the truth here. Here's him." Now, here's the truth here. Here's the very important truth about the front the very important truth about the front the very important truth about the front end of your year. What is true about end of your year. What is true about end of your year. What is true about January 1st and the very sense of energy January 1st and the very sense of energy January 1st and the very sense of energy and optimism that you feel the first day and optimism that you feel the first day and optimism that you feel the first day of the year? What's true once a year of the year? What's true once a year of the year? What's true once a year with the calendar is true every day with with the calendar is true every day with with the calendar is true every day with God. That there is an opportunity for a

God. That there is an opportunity for a God. That there is an opportunity for a fresh start with God every single day of fresh start with God every single day of fresh start with God every single day of your life. So in front of you with this your life. So in front of you with this your life. So in front of you with this year, there are 365 year, there are 365 year, there are 365 opportunities to have a fresh start with opportunities to have a fresh start with opportunities to have a fresh start with God. So, how do you get that fresh God. So, how do you get that fresh God. So, how do you get that fresh start? I thought that was great news start? I thought that was great news start? I thought that was great news that somebody would say, "Amen. Thank that somebody would say, "Amen. Thank that somebody would say, "Amen. Thank God for a fresh start every single day." God for a fresh start every single day." God for a fresh start every single day." Because on January 1st, I woke up and my Because on January 1st, I woke up and my Because on January 1st, I woke up and my first interaction with my son for the first interaction with my son for the first interaction with my son for the new year was horrible. And I said, new year was horrible. And I said, new year was horrible. And I said, "Thank God, January 2nd's coming and "Thank God, January 2nd's coming and "Thank God, January 2nd's coming and mercy will be new tomorrow." There is mercy will be new tomorrow." There is mercy will be new tomorrow." There is fresh mercy, fresh faithfulness, fresh mercy, fresh faithfulness, fresh mercy, fresh faithfulness, goodness from God. So in this new year, goodness from God. So in this new year, goodness from God. So in this new year, I believe there are going to be so many I believe there are going to be so many I believe there are going to be so many moments of God's faithfulness and his moments of God's faithfulness and his moments of God's faithfulness and his miracles and his healing that show up in miracles and his healing that show up in miracles and his healing that show up in your life. And so in this moment, what I your life. And so in this moment, what I your life. And so in this moment, what I want to do is is stir up inside of you want to do is is stir up inside of you want to do is is stir up inside of you of faith to believe that God can do of faith to believe that God can do of faith to believe that God can do great things in your life and to renew great things in your life and to renew great things in your life and to renew your faith as you look at the new year. your faith as you look at the new year. your faith as you look at the new year. So here's a definition of faith for our So here's a definition of faith for our So here's a definition of faith for our time today. My faith equals my active time today. My faith equals my active time today. My faith equals my active trust in God. So, how how do we renew trust in God. So, how how do we renew trust in God. So, how how do we renew that active trust in God and putting our that active trust in God and putting our that active trust in God and putting our life into God's hands? Now, what I love life into God's hands? Now, what I love life into God's hands? Now, what I love about our churches, we have people all about our churches, we have people all about our churches, we have people all different places in their journey different places in their journey different places in their journey spiritually. Some of you, this putting spiritually. Some of you, this putting spiritually. Some of you, this putting your life into God's hands going to be your life into God's hands going to be your life into God's hands going to be the first time now in this season.

the first time now in this season. the first time now in this season. Others of you, it's a renewal of that Others of you, it's a renewal of that Others of you, it's a renewal of that active trust in God. And so, today to active trust in God. And so, today to active trust in God. And so, today to help us, we're going to go to Genesis 4 help us, we're going to go to Genesis 4 help us, we're going to go to Genesis 4 in the Old Testament. Now, this story, in the Old Testament. Now, this story, in the Old Testament. Now, this story, I've got to give a little bit of a I've got to give a little bit of a I've got to give a little bit of a pre-warning. This is this is kind of a pre-warning. This is this is kind of a pre-warning. This is this is kind of a sad story. It's not really a chipper way sad story. It's not really a chipper way sad story. It's not really a chipper way to start a new year, but I love this to start a new year, but I love this to start a new year, but I love this passage of scripture in Genesis 4:es 1 passage of scripture in Genesis 4:es 1 passage of scripture in Genesis 4:es 1 through8. We're going to see the story through8. We're going to see the story through8. We're going to see the story of two brothers, Cain and Abel. Now, of two brothers, Cain and Abel. Now, of two brothers, Cain and Abel. Now, these are these are Adam and Eve's two these are these are Adam and Eve's two these are these are Adam and Eve's two sons, the first four human beings on the sons, the first four human beings on the sons, the first four human beings on the face of the planet. It it only takes a face of the planet. It it only takes a face of the planet. It it only takes a couple of people to have problems and couple of people to have problems and couple of people to have problems and immediately there's dysfunction in the immediately there's dysfunction in the immediately there's dysfunction in the family and it always makes me feel a family and it always makes me feel a family and it always makes me feel a little bit better when I read the Bible little bit better when I read the Bible little bit better when I read the Bible and realize like God's kids had problems and realize like God's kids had problems and realize like God's kids had problems too. It started right away in Genesis too. It started right away in Genesis too. It started right away in Genesis chapter 4. So let's look at it now. Adam chapter 4. So let's look at it now. Adam chapter 4. So let's look at it now. Adam had sexual relations with his wife Eve had sexual relations with his wife Eve had sexual relations with his wife Eve and she became pregnant. So this is the and she became pregnant. So this is the and she became pregnant. So this is the first time a human being has been first time a human being has been first time a human being has been pregnant. So, uh, Eve is pregnant and it pregnant. So, uh, Eve is pregnant and it pregnant. So, uh, Eve is pregnant and it says, 'When she gave birth to Cain, she says, 'When she gave birth to Cain, she says, 'When she gave birth to Cain, she said, with the Lord's help, I've said, with the Lord's help, I've said, with the Lord's help, I've produced a man. Here's here's a child produced a man. Here's here's a child produced a man. Here's here's a child that came out of my womb. She's saying, that came out of my womb. She's saying, that came out of my womb. She's saying, and and because of this being the first and and because of this being the first and and because of this being the first child, it's like, wow, here's a another child, it's like, wow, here's a another child, it's like, wow, here's a another human being that I produced with the human being that I produced with the human being that I produced with the Lord's help, she says. So, later then Lord's help, she says. So, later then Lord's help, she says. So, later then she gave birth to his brother named she gave birth to his brother named she gave birth to his brother named Abel. So, Cain and Abel grew up and Abel. So, Cain and Abel grew up and Abel. So, Cain and Abel grew up and Abel, he became a shepherd or a rancher.

Abel, he became a shepherd or a rancher. Abel, he became a shepherd or a rancher. And while Cain cultivated the ground and And while Cain cultivated the ground and And while Cain cultivated the ground and became a farmer. So you've got a rancher became a farmer. So you've got a rancher became a farmer. So you've got a rancher and a farmer. This is a true story at and a farmer. This is a true story at and a farmer. This is a true story at the beginning of time. So Cain and Abel, the beginning of time. So Cain and Abel, the beginning of time. So Cain and Abel, these two brothers, Adam and Eve's two these two brothers, Adam and Eve's two these two brothers, Adam and Eve's two sons are going to have a moment between sons are going to have a moment between sons are going to have a moment between them and God where they both come to God them and God where they both come to God them and God where they both come to God with something, but God's going to find with something, but God's going to find with something, but God's going to find favor with one thing that's brought or favor with one thing that's brought or favor with one thing that's brought or with one person and not with the other. with one person and not with the other. with one person and not with the other. So let's look what what happens. It So let's look what what happens. It So let's look what what happens. It says, "When it was time for the harvest, says, "When it was time for the harvest, says, "When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops." You Cain presented some of his crops." You Cain presented some of his crops." You might circle that phrase. It says, "Some might circle that phrase. It says, "Some might circle that phrase. It says, "Some of his crops as a gift to the Lord." of his crops as a gift to the Lord." of his crops as a gift to the Lord." Now, Abel also brought a gift and it was Now, Abel also brought a gift and it was Now, Abel also brought a gift and it was the best portion of the firstborn lamb the best portion of the firstborn lamb the best portion of the firstborn lamb from his flock. You might circle that from his flock. You might circle that from his flock. You might circle that phrase that says best portion. And the phrase that says best portion. And the phrase that says best portion. And the Lord accepted Abel in his gift, but he Lord accepted Abel in his gift, but he Lord accepted Abel in his gift, but he did not accept Cain in his gift. And did not accept Cain in his gift. And did not accept Cain in his gift. And this made Cain very angry and he looked this made Cain very angry and he looked this made Cain very angry and he looked dejected. Now this is significant. Cain dejected. Now this is significant. Cain dejected. Now this is significant. Cain is being disobedient or even having this is being disobedient or even having this is being disobedient or even having this the reserved spirit with God. And now the reserved spirit with God. And now the reserved spirit with God. And now he's mad at God because he's not giving he's mad at God because he's not giving he's mad at God because he's not giving God his whole heart. And now that anger God his whole heart. And now that anger God his whole heart. And now that anger is going to be transferred to his is going to be transferred to his is going to be transferred to his brother Abel. And it says God comes to brother Abel. And it says God comes to brother Abel. And it says God comes to Cain and asks a question. Why? Why are Cain and asks a question. Why? Why are Cain and asks a question. Why? Why are you so angry? The Lord asked. God has you so angry? The Lord asked. God has you so angry? The Lord asked. God has some very good questions in the Bible.

some very good questions in the Bible. some very good questions in the Bible. This might be a good question for some This might be a good question for some This might be a good question for some of us today. Like, why is there so much of us today. Like, why is there so much of us today. Like, why is there so much anger in you? So, Cain, he he looks at anger in you? So, Cain, he he looks at anger in you? So, Cain, he he looks at God and God again says, why do you look God and God again says, why do you look God and God again says, why do you look so dejected? Will you accept? If you so dejected? Will you accept? If you so dejected? Will you accept? If you will accept, you will be accepted if you will accept, you will be accepted if you will accept, you will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out. Sin is do what is right, then watch out. Sin is do what is right, then watch out. Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control crouching at the door, eager to control crouching at the door, eager to control you, to destroy you. The book of James you, to destroy you. The book of James you, to destroy you. The book of James talks about this cycle of death that talks about this cycle of death that talks about this cycle of death that comes from sin. So God is saying it's comes from sin. So God is saying it's comes from sin. So God is saying it's after you. It's it's a force that wants after you. It's it's a force that wants after you. It's it's a force that wants to dominate and destroy you, but you to dominate and destroy you, but you to dominate and destroy you, but you must subdue it and master it. The Bible must subdue it and master it. The Bible must subdue it and master it. The Bible talks about this is the mortification or talks about this is the mortification or talks about this is the mortification or the crucifixion of sin that we can do the crucifixion of sin that we can do the crucifixion of sin that we can do with the power of God with his help to with the power of God with his help to with the power of God with his help to to crucify those desires that war to crucify those desires that war to crucify those desires that war against God's best. So God here is against God's best. So God here is against God's best. So God here is giving a pre precursor to the power of giving a pre precursor to the power of giving a pre precursor to the power of sin. Now, we we know there's going to be sin. Now, we we know there's going to be sin. Now, we we know there's going to be a savior that's going to deal ultimately a savior that's going to deal ultimately a savior that's going to deal ultimately with sin so that we can be forgiven. But with sin so that we can be forgiven. But with sin so that we can be forgiven. But God is trying to help Cain understand God is trying to help Cain understand God is trying to help Cain understand there's a different path. There's a there's a different path. There's a there's a different path. There's a better way to do it. So, one day Cain better way to do it. So, one day Cain better way to do it. So, one day Cain after this whole conversation, he after this whole conversation, he after this whole conversation, he suggests to his brother, "Let's go out suggests to his brother, "Let's go out suggests to his brother, "Let's go out into the field." And while they were in into the field." And while they were in into the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother the field, Cain attacked his brother the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and he killed him. He's done with Abel and he killed him. He's done with Abel and he killed him. He's done with him. Like, you you are gone, Abel. So him. Like, you you are gone, Abel. So him. Like, you you are gone, Abel. So Cain in his anger because he doesn't Cain in his anger because he doesn't Cain in his anger because he doesn't bring to God a gift that's favorable, he bring to God a gift that's favorable, he bring to God a gift that's favorable, he gets jealous and now he murders his gets jealous and now he murders his gets jealous and now he murders his brother Abel. So this story, happy new

brother Abel. So this story, happy new brother Abel. So this story, happy new year everybody. Great way to start the year everybody. Great way to start the year everybody. Great way to start the new year. This story gives us so much of new year. This story gives us so much of new year. This story gives us so much of a picture of our response to God and the a picture of our response to God and the a picture of our response to God and the significance of our faith back to him. significance of our faith back to him. significance of our faith back to him. Now when you and I look at this story, Now when you and I look at this story, Now when you and I look at this story, the Bible actually only tells us what the Bible actually only tells us what the Bible actually only tells us what was in their hands. The Bible does not was in their hands. The Bible does not was in their hands. The Bible does not tell us what was in their heart. But tell us what was in their heart. But tell us what was in their heart. But what we know about God throughout the what we know about God throughout the what we know about God throughout the course of the scripture is that the course of the scripture is that the course of the scripture is that the Bible tells us that God actually sees Bible tells us that God actually sees Bible tells us that God actually sees what's on the inside in the heart. So what's on the inside in the heart. So what's on the inside in the heart. So what they brought with their hands was what they brought with their hands was what they brought with their hands was evidence or expression of what was in evidence or expression of what was in evidence or expression of what was in their heart. Both of them understood their heart. Both of them understood their heart. Both of them understood that they should bring something to God. that they should bring something to God. that they should bring something to God. Now this is before the tithe. This is Now this is before the tithe. This is Now this is before the tithe. This is before any teaching in the scripture on before any teaching in the scripture on before any teaching in the scripture on honoring God with with the first of what honoring God with with the first of what honoring God with with the first of what you produce. They they just implicitly you produce. They they just implicitly you produce. They they just implicitly understood they should give something understood they should give something understood they should give something back to God. So they come with their back to God. So they come with their back to God. So they come with their gifts from what they've produced. And gifts from what they've produced. And gifts from what they've produced. And Cain, he comes with some of his fruit. Cain, he comes with some of his fruit. Cain, he comes with some of his fruit. And Abel comes with the firstborn of his And Abel comes with the firstborn of his And Abel comes with the firstborn of his flock. And there's a principle in here flock. And there's a principle in here flock. And there's a principle in here that is so important. So I want to look that is so important. So I want to look that is so important. So I want to look back at that verse one more time. I want back at that verse one more time. I want back at that verse one more time. I want you to see it and underline these phrase you to see it and underline these phrase you to see it and underline these phrase if you phrases if you didn't already.

if you phrases if you didn't already. if you phrases if you didn't already. When it was time for the harvest, Cain When it was time for the harvest, Cain When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to presented some of his crops as a gift to presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. And Abel brought a gift, the the Lord. And Abel brought a gift, the the Lord. And Abel brought a gift, the best portions of the firstborn lamb from best portions of the firstborn lamb from best portions of the firstborn lamb from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. Now, some of you maybe during his gift. Now, some of you maybe during his gift. Now, some of you maybe during Christmas, like my family, you ate way Christmas, like my family, you ate way Christmas, like my family, you ate way too much food. And that food starts to too much food. And that food starts to too much food. And that food starts to stack up. And sometimes you get stack up. And sometimes you get stack up. And sometimes you get leftovers in the fridge and those leftovers in the fridge and those leftovers in the fridge and those leftovers stay and there's always a leftovers stay and there's always a leftovers stay and there's always a system of like how many days you eat the system of like how many days you eat the system of like how many days you eat the leftovers and then finally after a few leftovers and then finally after a few leftovers and then finally after a few days if they're still there eventually days if they're still there eventually days if they're still there eventually you either throw them away or give them you either throw them away or give them you either throw them away or give them to the dog. You do not give them to the to the dog. You do not give them to the to the dog. You do not give them to the cat. You would not want to bless the cat cat. You would not want to bless the cat cat. You would not want to bless the cat that way. Just bless the dog and start that way. Just bless the dog and start that way. Just bless the dog and start the new year with a cat joke. So you you the new year with a cat joke. So you you the new year with a cat joke. So you you would you would give those those those would you would give those those those would you would give those those those uh those leftovers. You don't take and uh those leftovers. You don't take and uh those leftovers. You don't take and eat them after a period of time. And eat them after a period of time. And eat them after a period of time. And it's almost as if for Cain, what he's it's almost as if for Cain, what he's it's almost as if for Cain, what he's doing in this moment is he's coming with doing in this moment is he's coming with doing in this moment is he's coming with his leftovers to God. Some of his some his leftovers to God. Some of his some his leftovers to God. Some of his some of his crops he's giving to God. But for of his crops he's giving to God. But for of his crops he's giving to God. But for Abel, there's this part of what he's Abel, there's this part of what he's Abel, there's this part of what he's doing where he is taking the first and doing where he is taking the first and doing where he is taking the first and the best of what he's produced and he's the best of what he's produced and he's the best of what he's produced and he's giving it back as a as an act of worship giving it back as a as an act of worship giving it back as a as an act of worship to God. So God, here's a very important to God. So God, here's a very important to God. So God, here's a very important principle and truth about renewing your principle and truth about renewing your principle and truth about renewing your faith. God, what he wants is he wants my faith. God, what he wants is he wants my faith. God, what he wants is he wants my whole heart. He He wants every bit of

whole heart. He He wants every bit of whole heart. He He wants every bit of who I am. God wants every room in my who I am. God wants every room in my who I am. God wants every room in my life. God wants every thought that goes life. God wants every thought that goes life. God wants every thought that goes through my head. God God wants me to through my head. God God wants me to through my head. God God wants me to worship him with everything that I am. worship him with everything that I am. worship him with everything that I am. God wants your whole heart. So God is God wants your whole heart. So God is God wants your whole heart. So God is not after your discipline. God's not not after your discipline. God's not not after your discipline. God's not after your hustle and grind. God's not after your hustle and grind. God's not after your hustle and grind. God's not after your ability to create some list after your ability to create some list after your ability to create some list that you keep to somehow religiously that you keep to somehow religiously that you keep to somehow religiously obtain favor with him. God wants your obtain favor with him. God wants your obtain favor with him. God wants your adoration and worship that flows from a adoration and worship that flows from a adoration and worship that flows from a heart of faith. And what we know about heart of faith. And what we know about heart of faith. And what we know about Hebrews, what we know about Abel from Hebrews, what we know about Abel from Hebrews, what we know about Abel from Hebrews is that Abel came through a Hebrews is that Abel came through a Hebrews is that Abel came through a filter or through a heart of faith. filter or through a heart of faith. filter or through a heart of faith. Hebrews 11:4 says, "Faith by faith, Abel Hebrews 11:4 says, "Faith by faith, Abel Hebrews 11:4 says, "Faith by faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than offered to God a better sacrifice than offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain through which he was commended as Cain through which he was commended as Cain through which he was commended as righteous. And God commended him by righteous. And God commended him by righteous. And God commended him by accepting his gifts. And through his accepting his gifts. And through his accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." faith, though he died, he still speaks." faith, though he died, he still speaks." So there was a faith component to Abel So there was a faith component to Abel So there was a faith component to Abel coming and bringing his whole heart, his coming and bringing his whole heart, his coming and bringing his whole heart, his whole worship to God. Now in our whole worship to God. Now in our whole worship to God. Now in our culture, it's hard for us to understand culture, it's hard for us to understand culture, it's hard for us to understand fully the concept of first fruits. Like fully the concept of first fruits. Like fully the concept of first fruits. Like in many cultures all over the world, in many cultures all over the world, in many cultures all over the world, they they produce a crop and that first they they produce a crop and that first they they produce a crop and that first pro produce is like it's not like going pro produce is like it's not like going pro produce is like it's not like going to Whole Foods and getting your, you to Whole Foods and getting your, you to Whole Foods and getting your, you know, your first grape. It's like it is know, your first grape. It's like it is know, your first grape. It's like it is a whole commitment of what comes into a whole commitment of what comes into a whole commitment of what comes into your hands. And you don't always know your hands. And you don't always know your hands. And you don't always know with your first fruit how much more is with your first fruit how much more is with your first fruit how much more is coming. So I'll explain it like this. In coming. So I'll explain it like this. In coming. So I'll explain it like this. In the Bible, there's 22 times the phrase the Bible, there's 22 times the phrase the Bible, there's 22 times the phrase first fruit shows up. And I had a moment

first fruit shows up. And I had a moment first fruit shows up. And I had a moment that kind of helped me understand this a that kind of helped me understand this a that kind of helped me understand this a little bit more. So one day I'm at the little bit more. So one day I'm at the little bit more. So one day I'm at the house. I go out to the front porch and house. I go out to the front porch and house. I go out to the front porch and there's this little blue bag on on my there's this little blue bag on on my there's this little blue bag on on my front doorstep on the threshold. So I go front doorstep on the threshold. So I go front doorstep on the threshold. So I go out, I pick up this little blue bag and out, I pick up this little blue bag and out, I pick up this little blue bag and I pull it out and on the inside there's I pull it out and on the inside there's I pull it out and on the inside there's a letter written from somebody who a letter written from somebody who a letter written from somebody who attends Saddleback. He knows where I attends Saddleback. He knows where I attends Saddleback. He knows where I live. So he attends Saddleback and he live. So he attends Saddleback and he live. So he attends Saddleback and he writes this letter and he says, "Hey, we writes this letter and he says, "Hey, we writes this letter and he says, "Hey, we bought some chickens and for the last bought some chickens and for the last bought some chickens and for the last few months we've been trying to get our few months we've been trying to get our few months we've been trying to get our first egg. We have been like praying and first egg. We have been like praying and first egg. We have been like praying and we have been hoping that the the the we have been hoping that the the the we have been hoping that the the the coyotes don't eat our chickens and we coyotes don't eat our chickens and we coyotes don't eat our chickens and we have been hoping and this is our first have been hoping and this is our first have been hoping and this is our first egg ever from our chickens and we are egg ever from our chickens and we are egg ever from our chickens and we are offering this back just as a way of offering this back just as a way of offering this back just as a way of saying God we're trusting in you with saying God we're trusting in you with saying God we're trusting in you with some kind of a a harvest or produce that some kind of a a harvest or produce that some kind of a a harvest or produce that comes from these chickens. That was the comes from these chickens. That was the comes from these chickens. That was the one egg the first egg without any other one egg the first egg without any other one egg the first egg without any other eggs that had come forth. That's what a eggs that had come forth. That's what a eggs that had come forth. That's what a first fruit or a first offering is. Is first fruit or a first offering is. Is first fruit or a first offering is. Is it's saying I I'm bringing something it's saying I I'm bringing something it's saying I I'm bringing something before anything else. Now, I thought before anything else. Now, I thought before anything else. Now, I thought that was pretty cool, but I did not know that was pretty cool, but I did not know that was pretty cool, but I did not know what to do with the egg. Like, do I eat what to do with the egg. Like, do I eat what to do with the egg. Like, do I eat the egg? Do I, you know, boil it and the egg? Do I, you know, boil it and the egg? Do I, you know, boil it and paint it? I don't know what I do. What paint it? I don't know what I do. What paint it? I don't know what I do. What do you guys think? Should I eat it? I do you guys think? Should I eat it? I do you guys think? Should I eat it? I had to eat it. Or like David in the Old had to eat it. Or like David in the Old had to eat it. Or like David in the Old Testament where he dumps it out. I don't Testament where he dumps it out. I don't Testament where he dumps it out. I don't know. It's like, but anyways, here's a know. It's like, but anyways, here's a know. It's like, but anyways, here's a picture of the egg. I just thought you picture of the egg. I just thought you picture of the egg. I just thought you should see it. So, should see it. So, should see it. So, but if that's you, if you brought me but if that's you, if you brought me but if that's you, if you brought me that egg, thank you very much. I'm sorry that egg, thank you very much. I'm sorry that egg, thank you very much. I'm sorry I didn't ask for your permission to

I didn't ask for your permission to I didn't ask for your permission to share this story with the whole church, share this story with the whole church, share this story with the whole church, but hopefully you get over it. You but hopefully you get over it. You but hopefully you get over it. You blessed thousands of people. Thank you blessed thousands of people. Thank you blessed thousands of people. Thank you very much. I love that example very much. I love that example very much. I love that example because it it symbolizes what is because it it symbolizes what is because it it symbolizes what is happening with the first fruit. So, happening with the first fruit. So, happening with the first fruit. So, Proverbs 3:9 says, "Honor the Lord with Proverbs 3:9 says, "Honor the Lord with Proverbs 3:9 says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with your first fruit of your wealth, with your first fruit of your wealth, with your first fruit of all your crops." all your crops." all your crops." So it's it's not just simply a a a So it's it's not just simply a a a So it's it's not just simply a a a financial aspect of our lives. It's it's financial aspect of our lives. It's it's financial aspect of our lives. It's it's the allencompassing reality of your the allencompassing reality of your the allencompassing reality of your time, your energy, your attention, your time, your energy, your attention, your time, your energy, your attention, your money. It's saying, God, you you will money. It's saying, God, you you will money. It's saying, God, you you will get first. You will get best. So the get first. You will get best. So the get first. You will get best. So the question I I want to encourage you to question I I want to encourage you to question I I want to encourage you to wrestle through is who or what is wrestle through is who or what is wrestle through is who or what is getting first and best in your life? getting first and best in your life? getting first and best in your life? See, see, your first fruit is going See, see, your first fruit is going See, see, your first fruit is going somewhere. somewhere. somewhere. No matter what you do with your life, No matter what you do with your life, No matter what you do with your life, when you when you get a paycheck, when when you when you get a paycheck, when when you when you get a paycheck, when you have a day, it it goes somewhere. you have a day, it it goes somewhere. you have a day, it it goes somewhere. So, the question is, who or what is So, the question is, who or what is So, the question is, who or what is getting first in your life? And are you getting first in your life? And are you getting first in your life? And are you giving your first fruit to secondass giving your first fruit to secondass giving your first fruit to secondass pursuits? And the invitation from God is pursuits? And the invitation from God is pursuits? And the invitation from God is your whole heart. It's like this year, your whole heart. It's like this year, your whole heart. It's like this year, God, I want you to have my whole heart.

God, I want you to have my whole heart. God, I want you to have my whole heart. I want to start my day with you. I want I want to start my day with you. I want I want to start my day with you. I want to open your word and hear your voice. I to open your word and hear your voice. I to open your word and hear your voice. I want to pray and seek your heart. I want want to pray and seek your heart. I want want to pray and seek your heart. I want to be in church and prioritize you in to be in church and prioritize you in to be in church and prioritize you in first day of my week. I want to put you first day of my week. I want to put you first day of my week. I want to put you first place. And and if we're honest first place. And and if we're honest first place. And and if we're honest with ourselves, some of us last year with ourselves, some of us last year with ourselves, some of us last year gave God our leftovers. We said, "God, gave God our leftovers. We said, "God, gave God our leftovers. We said, "God, I'm I'm just going to kind of casually I'm I'm just going to kind of casually I'm I'm just going to kind of casually do this journey with you." But friend, do this journey with you." But friend, do this journey with you." But friend, might I say, he's worthy of your whole might I say, he's worthy of your whole might I say, he's worthy of your whole heart. He's worthy of your whole life. heart. He's worthy of your whole life. heart. He's worthy of your whole life. And there there's nothing on planet And there there's nothing on planet And there there's nothing on planet earth that you could give yourself to earth that you could give yourself to earth that you could give yourself to that's that's better and greater than that's that's better and greater than that's that's better and greater than giving yourself to God. So today you can giving yourself to God. So today you can giving yourself to God. So today you can make a commitment to say God this year I make a commitment to say God this year I make a commitment to say God this year I want to give you my whole heart. Now want to give you my whole heart. Now want to give you my whole heart. Now this principle ties into another very this principle ties into another very this principle ties into another very important truth with your whole heart important truth with your whole heart important truth with your whole heart coming to God. God responds to hungry coming to God. God responds to hungry coming to God. God responds to hungry people. people. people. God responds to people who get to a God responds to people who get to a God responds to people who get to a place of desperation in their journey place of desperation in their journey place of desperation in their journey and their need for him. And I think a and their need for him. And I think a and their need for him. And I think a lot of the the challenge that we face, lot of the the challenge that we face, lot of the the challenge that we face, especially knowing we have international especially knowing we have international especially knowing we have international audiences. One of the big challenges we audiences. One of the big challenges we audiences. One of the big challenges we face here in North America is we have face here in North America is we have face here in North America is we have all of our needs met. You know, you all of our needs met. You know, you all of our needs met. You know, you don't have to worry about going to get don't have to worry about going to get don't have to worry about going to get your crop. You can click a button on your crop. You can click a button on your crop. You can click a button on Amazon and it's there within 45 minutes.

Amazon and it's there within 45 minutes. Amazon and it's there within 45 minutes. And if it's not, you're very angry about And if it's not, you're very angry about And if it's not, you're very angry about it. You're going to give a one-star it. You're going to give a one-star it. You're going to give a one-star review for a 45 minute wait for review for a 45 minute wait for review for a 45 minute wait for blueberries. You know, it's like and and blueberries. You know, it's like and and blueberries. You know, it's like and and that natural tendency is when all of our that natural tendency is when all of our that natural tendency is when all of our needs are met. There there's often times needs are met. There there's often times needs are met. There there's often times in us a lack of desperation for God in in us a lack of desperation for God in in us a lack of desperation for God in our lives until we hit something like our lives until we hit something like our lives until we hit something like cancer or until you hit a divorce, your cancer or until you hit a divorce, your cancer or until you hit a divorce, your spouse walks out on you. And and what if spouse walks out on you. And and what if spouse walks out on you. And and what if what if what if now before you're in a what if what if now before you're in a what if what if now before you're in a crisis, you could stir up your heart in crisis, you could stir up your heart in crisis, you could stir up your heart in such a way that you say, "God, I want such a way that you say, "God, I want such a way that you say, "God, I want more of you in my life this year. I I more of you in my life this year. I I more of you in my life this year. I I want you to be the thing above every want you to be the thing above every want you to be the thing above every other thing that deep in my soul, I other thing that deep in my soul, I other thing that deep in my soul, I would hunger and thirst for your would hunger and thirst for your would hunger and thirst for your presence. That I would hunger and thirst presence. That I would hunger and thirst presence. That I would hunger and thirst to be near you and to know you and to to be near you and to know you and to to be near you and to know you and to accomplish your will. God, help me to accomplish your will. God, help me to accomplish your will. God, help me to feed that appetite deep within my soul feed that appetite deep within my soul feed that appetite deep within my soul for more of you. See, the reality is the for more of you. See, the reality is the for more of you. See, the reality is the appetite I feed is the appetite that appetite I feed is the appetite that appetite I feed is the appetite that grows. We We know this like Christmas, grows. We We know this like Christmas, grows. We We know this like Christmas, little little secret about Christmas.

little little secret about Christmas. little little secret about Christmas. Church family gives us lots of sweets Church family gives us lots of sweets Church family gives us lots of sweets during Christmas. So, I started doing during Christmas. So, I started doing during Christmas. So, I started doing the math on the calories that were the math on the calories that were the math on the calories that were coming through the door. And next year, coming through the door. And next year, coming through the door. And next year, I'm going to start earlier and count all I'm going to start earlier and count all I'm going to start earlier and count all season how many calories come. I am season how many calories come. I am season how many calories come. I am confident we had more calories and confident we had more calories and confident we had more calories and sweets come as gifts this Christmas than sweets come as gifts this Christmas than sweets come as gifts this Christmas than people that came to church. I am people that came to church. I am people that came to church. I am confident there were over 50,000 confident there were over 50,000 confident there were over 50,000 calories that came through our doors. It calories that came through our doors. It calories that came through our doors. It it was enough to make everybody in our it was enough to make everybody in our it was enough to make everybody in our family put on 10 to 15 pounds. It was it family put on 10 to 15 pounds. It was it family put on 10 to 15 pounds. It was it was unbelievable. Now, we fed that was unbelievable. Now, we fed that was unbelievable. Now, we fed that appetite. And have you noticed like when appetite. And have you noticed like when appetite. And have you noticed like when you feed that sugar dragon, that sugar you feed that sugar dragon, that sugar you feed that sugar dragon, that sugar dragon grows, and then January comes and dragon grows, and then January comes and dragon grows, and then January comes and you decide to do like a sugar fast, you decide to do like a sugar fast, you decide to do like a sugar fast, sweet fast, and now all of a sudden that sweet fast, and now all of a sudden that sweet fast, and now all of a sudden that dragon is screaming, "Give me a cookie. dragon is screaming, "Give me a cookie. dragon is screaming, "Give me a cookie. Give me chocolate." It's because that Give me chocolate." It's because that Give me chocolate." It's because that appetite has been fed. So, how do you appetite has been fed. So, how do you appetite has been fed. So, how do you get your desire for God to grow? So, get your desire for God to grow? So, get your desire for God to grow? So, it's like a flame on the inside of you it's like a flame on the inside of you it's like a flame on the inside of you that burns deep within your soul. Well, that burns deep within your soul. Well, that burns deep within your soul. Well, in Joel chapter 2:12, listen to these in Joel chapter 2:12, listen to these in Joel chapter 2:12, listen to these words. The Lord says this, "Turn to me words. The Lord says this, "Turn to me words. The Lord says this, "Turn to me now while there's time. Give me your now while there's time. Give me your now while there's time. Give me your heart." And he says this, "Come with heart." And he says this, "Come with heart." And he says this, "Come with fasting, with weeping and mourning." So fasting, with weeping and mourning." So fasting, with weeping and mourning." So there's there's something about this there's there's something about this there's there's something about this this dedicated season on the front end this dedicated season on the front end this dedicated season on the front end of a year when you're like, "God, I'm of a year when you're like, "God, I'm of a year when you're like, "God, I'm I'm going to pursue you with prayer. I'm I'm going to pursue you with prayer. I'm I'm going to pursue you with prayer. I'm going to let go of some things in my

going to let go of some things in my going to let go of some things in my life. be it sugar or be it time or be it life. be it sugar or be it time or be it life. be it sugar or be it time or be it food for a day or two or a season or a food for a day or two or a season or a food for a day or two or a season or a meal for a season, a period of time that meal for a season, a period of time that meal for a season, a period of time that I'm I'm going to come before you with I'm I'm going to come before you with I'm I'm going to come before you with fasting, weeping and mourning as a fasting, weeping and mourning as a fasting, weeping and mourning as a symbol to you, God, to say, I want you symbol to you, God, to say, I want you symbol to you, God, to say, I want you more than anything else in this world. I more than anything else in this world. I more than anything else in this world. I want to know you. I want you to be the want to know you. I want you to be the want to know you. I want you to be the priority of my life. See, the the priority of my life. See, the the priority of my life. See, the the reality about the ministry, I could reality about the ministry, I could reality about the ministry, I could preach on this one point for a really preach on this one point for a really preach on this one point for a really long period of time, and I might until I long period of time, and I might until I long period of time, and I might until I feel like you got it. The there there is feel like you got it. The there there is feel like you got it. The there there is so much in the ministry of Jesus that so much in the ministry of Jesus that so much in the ministry of Jesus that when Jesus touches people, it's not when Jesus touches people, it's not when Jesus touches people, it's not people that are like, "Oh, there's people that are like, "Oh, there's people that are like, "Oh, there's there's a teacher. He's cool. He's all there's a teacher. He's cool. He's all there's a teacher. He's cool. He's all No, it's it's a mom who is crying out to No, it's it's a mom who is crying out to No, it's it's a mom who is crying out to God to say, Jesus, I I need I will be a God to say, Jesus, I I need I will be a God to say, Jesus, I I need I will be a dog that will take a piece of of bread dog that will take a piece of of bread dog that will take a piece of of bread that falls from your table if you will that falls from your table if you will that falls from your table if you will heal my daughter." That that's how heal my daughter." That that's how heal my daughter." That that's how desperate. It's a dad crying out for his desperate. It's a dad crying out for his desperate. It's a dad crying out for his daughter who's dying. It's a woman daughter who's dying. It's a woman daughter who's dying. It's a woman touching the edge of his garment saying, touching the edge of his garment saying, touching the edge of his garment saying, "I am desperate for one touch from God."

"I am desperate for one touch from God." "I am desperate for one touch from God." And some of us are we we live our lives And some of us are we we live our lives And some of us are we we live our lives in this leftover version of faith. And in this leftover version of faith. And in this leftover version of faith. And and might I just say, could we become a and might I just say, could we become a and might I just say, could we become a church this year that stirs up a hunger church this year that stirs up a hunger church this year that stirs up a hunger on the inside for more of God to say, on the inside for more of God to say, on the inside for more of God to say, "God, I want more of you. I want more of "God, I want more of you. I want more of "God, I want more of you. I want more of you in my life. So, let me tell you a you in my life. So, let me tell you a you in my life. So, let me tell you a couple things that we're going to do couple things that we're going to do couple things that we're going to do this year to kind of stir that up this year to kind of stir that up this year to kind of stir that up together. First of all, we're going to together. First of all, we're going to together. First of all, we're going to do a season of prayer for our whole do a season of prayer for our whole do a season of prayer for our whole church starting in just a few weeks. church starting in just a few weeks. church starting in just a few weeks. You're going to see the dates come on You're going to see the dates come on You're going to see the dates come on the screen. 21 days of prayer and many the screen. 21 days of prayer and many the screen. 21 days of prayer and many of us will do fasting from January 26 to of us will do fasting from January 26 to of us will do fasting from January 26 to February 15th. We're going to do February 15th. We're going to do February 15th. We're going to do something we haven't done since Stacy something we haven't done since Stacy something we haven't done since Stacy and I have been here and I don't know of and I have been here and I don't know of and I have been here and I don't know of a period of time in recent history where a period of time in recent history where a period of time in recent history where this has been done. We're going to call this has been done. We're going to call this has been done. We're going to call on the whole church to come and pray. on the whole church to come and pray. on the whole church to come and pray. Now, if you if you grew up in Now, if you if you grew up in Now, if you if you grew up in international church, this is normal. If international church, this is normal. If international church, this is normal. If you grew up in white upper middle class you grew up in white upper middle class you grew up in white upper middle class church America, this is not normal. This church America, this is not normal. This church America, this is not normal. This is not what what what we normally do. is not what what what we normally do. is not what what what we normally do. And it's like, no, we're going to say, And it's like, no, we're going to say, And it's like, no, we're going to say, "God, we need you." And for 21 days, "God, we need you." And for 21 days, "God, we need you." And for 21 days, we're going to gather early in the we're going to gather early in the we're going to gather early in the morning with our church family, 7 a.m., morning with our church family, 7 a.m., morning with our church family, 7 a.m., and we're going to seek God. I'm going and we're going to seek God. I'm going and we're going to seek God. I'm going to invite you to come. Now, we're going to invite you to come. Now, we're going to invite you to come. Now, we're going to stream it. Some of you parents, one to stream it. Some of you parents, one to stream it. Some of you parents, one has to stay home, one can come. But I'm has to stay home, one can come. But I'm has to stay home, one can come. But I'm going to ask you to commit to a season going to ask you to commit to a season going to ask you to commit to a season as a church family to say, God, first as a church family to say, God, first as a church family to say, God, first thing this year, we we are not after a thing this year, we we are not after a thing this year, we we are not after a year that we can accomplish with human year that we can accomplish with human year that we can accomplish with human wisdom and human power. We're after you wisdom and human power. We're after you wisdom and human power. We're after you moving. We're in we're in desperation

moving. We're in we're in desperation moving. We're in we're in desperation mode for our generation and our nation. mode for our generation and our nation. mode for our generation and our nation. We're coming before you, God, with a We're coming before you, God, with a We're coming before you, God, with a hunger for you to move in our lives. So hunger for you to move in our lives. So hunger for you to move in our lives. So that starts in a few weeks. We'll keep that starts in a few weeks. We'll keep that starts in a few weeks. We'll keep talking more about that, but that will talking more about that, but that will talking more about that, but that will lead into a sacred assembly with our lead into a sacred assembly with our lead into a sacred assembly with our whole church family called the return whole church family called the return whole church family called the return gathering. We did this last year, gathering. We did this last year, gathering. We did this last year, February 18th to 20th are the dates. I'm February 18th to 20th are the dates. I'm February 18th to 20th are the dates. I'm going to tell you more in the coming going to tell you more in the coming going to tell you more in the coming weeks how you can sign up, but that's weeks how you can sign up, but that's weeks how you can sign up, but that's going to be one location stateside and going to be one location stateside and going to be one location stateside and then all of our international campuses. then all of our international campuses. then all of our international campuses. We'll together do one at their We'll together do one at their We'll together do one at their locations. But it's a a moment for us to locations. But it's a a moment for us to locations. But it's a a moment for us to wholeheartedly as a church family return wholeheartedly as a church family return wholeheartedly as a church family return to God and cry out to him for our to God and cry out to him for our to God and cry out to him for our generation to be saved with his love and generation to be saved with his love and generation to be saved with his love and his power. Now, last year when we did his power. Now, last year when we did his power. Now, last year when we did this, there were stories of of radical this, there were stories of of radical this, there were stories of of radical change. People got healed. There were change. People got healed. There were change. People got healed. There were marriages transformed. There were marriages transformed. There were marriages transformed. There were parents and kids that were reconciled. parents and kids that were reconciled. parents and kids that were reconciled. There were salvation stories. It was There were salvation stories. It was There were salvation stories. It was unbelievable. It was one of the most unbelievable. It was one of the most unbelievable. It was one of the most amounts of transformation I've seen in amounts of transformation I've seen in amounts of transformation I've seen in people's lives in three days in my my people's lives in three days in my my people's lives in three days in my my entire ministry. And I believe God's entire ministry. And I believe God's entire ministry. And I believe God's going to do it again. I believe he's going to do it again. I believe he's going to do it again. I believe he's going to exceed our expectation. So, we going to exceed our expectation. So, we going to exceed our expectation. So, we want to stir up that hunger and come want to stir up that hunger and come want to stir up that hunger and come desperate for more of God and asking desperate for more of God and asking desperate for more of God and asking him, "God, will you do what only you can him, "God, will you do what only you can him, "God, will you do what only you can do in our midst?" God responds to a kind do in our midst?" God responds to a kind do in our midst?" God responds to a kind of holy hunger in us. So, let me let me of holy hunger in us. So, let me let me of holy hunger in us. So, let me let me give you one question to think about give you one question to think about give you one question to think about with this. When it comes to your life, with this. When it comes to your life, with this. When it comes to your life, what appetite has your attention right what appetite has your attention right what appetite has your attention right now? What appetite are you feeding? And now? What appetite are you feeding? And now? What appetite are you feeding? And my encouragement to you is to feed that

my encouragement to you is to feed that my encouragement to you is to feed that hunger for more of God. It looks like hunger for more of God. It looks like hunger for more of God. It looks like you on your face before God. It It looks you on your face before God. It It looks you on your face before God. It It looks like you pacing in your living room like you pacing in your living room like you pacing in your living room crying out to him. It It looks like you crying out to him. It It looks like you crying out to him. It It looks like you opening a journal and writing, "God, I I opening a journal and writing, "God, I I opening a journal and writing, "God, I I need you." And that leads me to this need you." And that leads me to this need you." And that leads me to this last point. God loves to help the last point. God loves to help the last point. God loves to help the humble. God loves to help people who humble. God loves to help people who humble. God loves to help people who recognize their need for his grace. See, recognize their need for his grace. See, recognize their need for his grace. See, friends, this is the difference between friends, this is the difference between friends, this is the difference between Jesus and every other world religion. He Jesus and every other world religion. He Jesus and every other world religion. He He's a God that gives help to people He's a God that gives help to people He's a God that gives help to people that don't deserve it. Like, I I don't that don't deserve it. Like, I I don't that don't deserve it. Like, I I don't deserve God's mercy and grace. And yet, deserve God's mercy and grace. And yet, deserve God's mercy and grace. And yet, he looks not at your perfection. He he looks not at your perfection. He he looks not at your perfection. He looks not at your performance. He looks looks not at your performance. He looks looks not at your performance. He looks at your humility. He looks at your heart at your humility. He looks at your heart at your humility. He looks at your heart to say, "Will you humble yourself before to say, "Will you humble yourself before to say, "Will you humble yourself before me and say, "I need you, God." James 4:6 me and say, "I need you, God." James 4:6 me and say, "I need you, God." James 4:6 says this, "But he gives us more grace." says this, "But he gives us more grace." says this, "But he gives us more grace." And this is why the scripture says, "God And this is why the scripture says, "God And this is why the scripture says, "God opposes the proud. He opposes the proud, opposes the proud. He opposes the proud, opposes the proud. He opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble." And but he gives grace to the humble." And but he gives grace to the humble." And God is looking for contrite, humble God is looking for contrite, humble God is looking for contrite, humble hearts of people that just say, "God, hearts of people that just say, "God, hearts of people that just say, "God, I need you. I need you. I I I'm done I need you. I need you. I I I'm done I need you. I need you. I I I'm done doing it in my own power. I'm done doing doing it in my own power. I'm done doing doing it in my own power. I'm done doing it my own way." And you know, you you it my own way." And you know, you you it my own way." And you know, you you don't have to get to this place where don't have to get to this place where don't have to get to this place where everything is unraveling in your life to everything is unraveling in your life to everything is unraveling in your life to be desperate for God and to humble be desperate for God and to humble be desperate for God and to humble yourself before him and say, "God, I

yourself before him and say, "God, I yourself before him and say, "God, I cannot do this without you. I cannot do cannot do this without you. I cannot do cannot do this without you. I cannot do another year without you leading my another year without you leading my another year without you leading my life." And I I want to ask you this life." And I I want to ask you this life." And I I want to ask you this year, I want to ask you to give God your year, I want to ask you to give God your year, I want to ask you to give God your whole heart. I I want to ask you to say whole heart. I I want to ask you to say whole heart. I I want to ask you to say to God, I I will take a leap of faith to God, I I will take a leap of faith to God, I I will take a leap of faith unlike I ever have before. And I will unlike I ever have before. And I will unlike I ever have before. And I will trust you with my life at levels that I trust you with my life at levels that I trust you with my life at levels that I never have my whole life. And that what never have my whole life. And that what never have my whole life. And that what that means is may maybe for you, some of that means is may maybe for you, some of that means is may maybe for you, some of you, that's that first step to say, God, you, that's that first step to say, God, you, that's that first step to say, God, I'm putting my trust in you for I'm putting my trust in you for I'm putting my trust in you for forgiveness to receive the gift of forgiveness to receive the gift of forgiveness to receive the gift of salvation. Others of you, it it might salvation. Others of you, it it might salvation. Others of you, it it might just simply be, I'm I'm going to join in just simply be, I'm I'm going to join in just simply be, I'm I'm going to join in with what God is doing in my church with what God is doing in my church with what God is doing in my church family and to say, "I'm going to give a family and to say, "I'm going to give a family and to say, "I'm going to give a year to Saddleback Church and plant year to Saddleback Church and plant year to Saddleback Church and plant myself here, and when there's a call for myself here, and when there's a call for myself here, and when there's a call for small groups, I'm going to go to small small groups, I'm going to go to small small groups, I'm going to go to small groups. And when there's a call to groups. And when there's a call to groups. And when there's a call to serve, I'm going to serve. And when serve, I'm going to serve. And when serve, I'm going to serve. And when there's an invitation to get connected, there's an invitation to get connected, there's an invitation to get connected, I will." So, one great way you can step I will." So, one great way you can step I will." So, one great way you can step into that is next week with activate to into that is next week with activate to into that is next week with activate to say, "I'm going to take a step to get say, "I'm going to take a step to get say, "I'm going to take a step to get connected into community." But my connected into community." But my connected into community." But my challenge for you, here's my challenge.

challenge for you, here's my challenge. challenge for you, here's my challenge. My challenge is to give God and saddle My challenge is to give God and saddle My challenge is to give God and saddle back one full year of your life. And at back one full year of your life. And at back one full year of your life. And at the end of it, if if it doesn't work out the end of it, if if it doesn't work out the end of it, if if it doesn't work out and it's it's like miserable and and it's it's like miserable and and it's it's like miserable and everything's worse off, good news is you everything's worse off, good news is you everything's worse off, good news is you got the rest of your life to do what you got the rest of your life to do what you got the rest of your life to do what you were doing before. So now in this were doing before. So now in this were doing before. So now in this moment, my challenge is that you would moment, my challenge is that you would moment, my challenge is that you would give God your very best this year. So in give God your very best this year. So in give God your very best this year. So in 2026, will I give God my best or will I 2026, will I give God my best or will I 2026, will I give God my best or will I give God my leftovers? give God my leftovers? give God my leftovers? And what you can know for certain about And what you can know for certain about And what you can know for certain about God is that God is a God who does not God is that God is a God who does not God is that God is a God who does not give his leftovers to us. In fact, that give his leftovers to us. In fact, that give his leftovers to us. In fact, that the very word that was used about Jesus the very word that was used about Jesus the very word that was used about Jesus is that he was the firstborn of God that is that he was the firstborn of God that is that he was the firstborn of God that he came as the son of God as a sacrifice he came as the son of God as a sacrifice he came as the son of God as a sacrifice for us. God's very best to us. And now for us. God's very best to us. And now for us. God's very best to us. And now that invitation from him is out of what that invitation from him is out of what that invitation from him is out of what Jesus did in his death on a cross and Jesus did in his death on a cross and Jesus did in his death on a cross and his resurrection from the dead. He his resurrection from the dead. He his resurrection from the dead. He invites us to respond and give our very invites us to respond and give our very invites us to respond and give our very best to him. And what he does is the best to him. And what he does is the best to him. And what he does is the moment you turn to God wholeheartedly, moment you turn to God wholeheartedly, moment you turn to God wholeheartedly, he's there waiting. You You may have he's there waiting. You You may have he's there waiting. You You may have been running for years and decades and been running for years and decades and been running for years and decades and he's right there. And God can do more in he's right there. And God can do more in he's right there. And God can do more in your marriage and a weekend than you can your marriage and a weekend than you can your marriage and a weekend than you can accomplish in 10 years of counseling.

accomplish in 10 years of counseling. accomplish in 10 years of counseling. God can do more in your body physically God can do more in your body physically God can do more in your body physically than a doctor can do in years of trying than a doctor can do in years of trying than a doctor can do in years of trying to fix problems. God has the ability to to fix problems. God has the ability to to fix problems. God has the ability to solve every problem in your life with solve every problem in your life with solve every problem in your life with his grace, including the ability to give his grace, including the ability to give his grace, including the ability to give you the power to endure when it's really you the power to endure when it's really you the power to endure when it's really hard. And I love these verses because hard. And I love these verses because hard. And I love these verses because they give us hope for a new year. Joel they give us hope for a new year. Joel they give us hope for a new year. Joel 2:12 or 2:24, look at these verses. It 2:12 or 2:24, look at these verses. It 2:12 or 2:24, look at these verses. It says, "The threshing floors will be says, "The threshing floors will be says, "The threshing floors will be piled high again with grain." This is piled high again with grain." This is piled high again with grain." This is Joel speaking to a nation that has been Joel speaking to a nation that has been Joel speaking to a nation that has been without crop. And he's saying there without crop. And he's saying there without crop. And he's saying there there's a moment of of God's his grace there's a moment of of God's his grace there's a moment of of God's his grace and his power and mercy of fresh to the and his power and mercy of fresh to the and his power and mercy of fresh to the people of God as they return people of God as they return people of God as they return wholeheartedly. And he says the floors wholeheartedly. And he says the floors wholeheartedly. And he says the floors again will be piled high with grain. The again will be piled high with grain. The again will be piled high with grain. The presses will overflow with new wine and presses will overflow with new wine and presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil. And the Lord says, I will olive oil. And the Lord says, I will olive oil. And the Lord says, I will give you back what you lost. what the give you back what you lost. what the give you back what you lost. what the swarming lo locust with the hopping swarming lo locust with the hopping swarming lo locust with the hopping locust and the stripping locust and the locust and the stripping locust and the locust and the stripping locust and the cutting locust have take. I will I will cutting locust have take. I will I will cutting locust have take. I will I will give you what the locust have eaten. The give you what the locust have eaten. The give you what the locust have eaten. The good news is that God can restore. What good news is that God can restore. What good news is that God can restore. What if this was your year to return to God if this was your year to return to God if this was your year to return to God and God's year to restore you? And I and God's year to restore you? And I and God's year to restore you? And I believe that there there's restoration believe that there there's restoration believe that there there's restoration that God wants to do in your life this that God wants to do in your life this that God wants to do in your life this year. Do you believe that there's year. Do you believe that there's year. Do you believe that there's restoration that God wants to bring to restoration that God wants to bring to restoration that God wants to bring to marriages this year? There are some of marriages this year? There are some of marriages this year? There are some of you, this is your year that you get you, this is your year that you get you, this is your year that you get confidence back and you break through confidence back and you break through confidence back and you break through that addiction with God's power. This is that addiction with God's power. This is that addiction with God's power. This is your year to stand in victory with God's your year to stand in victory with God's your year to stand in victory with God's grace and his power, not based on human

grace and his power, not based on human grace and his power, not based on human effort, but by fresh mercy from God, by effort, but by fresh mercy from God, by effort, but by fresh mercy from God, by fresh faithfulness from God into your fresh faithfulness from God into your fresh faithfulness from God into your life. Every one of these 365 days, life. Every one of these 365 days, life. Every one of these 365 days, there's new mercy from God. There's new there's new mercy from God. There's new there's new mercy from God. There's new faithfulness from God for you on an faithfulness from God for you on an faithfulness from God for you on an individual level. So, here's what I want individual level. So, here's what I want individual level. So, here's what I want to ask of you one more time. To return to ask of you one more time. To return to ask of you one more time. To return to him with your heart today and to say, to him with your heart today and to say, to him with your heart today and to say, "God, I I need you." And there might be "God, I I need you." And there might be "God, I I need you." And there might be some area in your life that you're some area in your life that you're some area in your life that you're thinking, "Ah, I've been trying and it's thinking, "Ah, I've been trying and it's thinking, "Ah, I've been trying and it's not fixing the problem." Right now, I not fixing the problem." Right now, I not fixing the problem." Right now, I want to ask you to pull out this card want to ask you to pull out this card want to ask you to pull out this card and on the back where it says, "How can and on the back where it says, "How can and on the back where it says, "How can we pray for you?" We're going to pray we pray for you?" We're going to pray we pray for you?" We're going to pray bold prayers that God would do miracles bold prayers that God would do miracles bold prayers that God would do miracles in our midst this year. And we're going in our midst this year. And we're going in our midst this year. And we're going to look back. Everybody pull this card to look back. Everybody pull this card to look back. Everybody pull this card up and I'm going to ask you right now to up and I'm going to ask you right now to up and I'm going to ask you right now to write down a prayer request that you're write down a prayer request that you're write down a prayer request that you're asking God for this year. It might be asking God for this year. It might be asking God for this year. It might be for God to heal your marriage. It might for God to heal your marriage. It might for God to heal your marriage. It might be for your son or daughter to come be for your son or daughter to come be for your son or daughter to come home. It might be for your parents who home. It might be for your parents who home. It might be for your parents who are who who are still not following are who who are still not following are who who are still not following Jesus. It might be for God to do Jesus. It might be for God to do Jesus. It might be for God to do something in your career. It might be something in your career. It might be something in your career. It might be for your ministry. But there's something for your ministry. But there's something for your ministry. But there's something on your heart that you're just saying, on your heart that you're just saying, on your heart that you're just saying, "God, I need you." And in an act of "God, I need you." And in an act of "God, I need you." And in an act of faith between you and the living God, I faith between you and the living God, I faith between you and the living God, I want to invite you to write on this a want to invite you to write on this a want to invite you to write on this a prayer request. Now, in just a moment, prayer request. Now, in just a moment, prayer request. Now, in just a moment, I'm going to give you about 30 seconds I'm going to give you about 30 seconds I'm going to give you about 30 seconds to write down a prayer request on this to write down a prayer request on this to write down a prayer request on this card. And then I'm going to ask you to card. And then I'm going to ask you to card. And then I'm going to ask you to turn these in. But as we as we go there, turn these in. But as we as we go there, turn these in. But as we as we go there, I just want one more time to read this I just want one more time to read this I just want one more time to read this verse over you. Lamentations 3:22,

verse over you. Lamentations 3:22, verse over you. Lamentations 3:22, the faithful love of the Lord never ends the faithful love of the Lord never ends the faithful love of the Lord never ends and his mercies never cease. Great is and his mercies never cease. Great is and his mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness. His mercies begin his faithfulness. His mercies begin his faithfulness. His mercies begin aresh each morning. So I say to myself, aresh each morning. So I say to myself, aresh each morning. So I say to myself, the Lord is my her inheritance. So the Lord is my her inheritance. So the Lord is my her inheritance. So therefore, I will hope in him. So right therefore, I will hope in him. So right therefore, I will hope in him. So right now in this moment, if you will just now in this moment, if you will just now in this moment, if you will just take about 30 seconds to write on that take about 30 seconds to write on that take about 30 seconds to write on that card a bold prayer request between you card a bold prayer request between you card a bold prayer request between you and God. Might be like that woman in the and God. Might be like that woman in the and God. Might be like that woman in the last service that wrote down, "I want to last service that wrote down, "I want to last service that wrote down, "I want to see my daughter get baptized." Something see my daughter get baptized." Something see my daughter get baptized." Something in your life that you're saying, "Oh in your life that you're saying, "Oh in your life that you're saying, "Oh God, I need you." Let's write it down. God, I need you." Let's write it down. God, I need you." Let's write it down. And I'll give you about 30 seconds now.

I want to ask you to take this card and I want to ask you to take this card and just hold it in your hands. And maybe just hold it in your hands. And maybe just hold it in your hands. And maybe even for some of you, you might snap a even for some of you, you might snap a even for some of you, you might snap a picture of it so that later in this year picture of it so that later in this year picture of it so that later in this year when God answers that prayer, you can when God answers that prayer, you can when God answers that prayer, you can look back and see the faithfulness of look back and see the faithfulness of look back and see the faithfulness of God. God. God. And in an act of adoration, worship, and And in an act of adoration, worship, and And in an act of adoration, worship, and faith, I'm going to ask you just to say, faith, I'm going to ask you just to say, faith, I'm going to ask you just to say, "This is my prayer request." We want to "This is my prayer request." We want to "This is my prayer request." We want to pray over every one of these. I'm asking pray over every one of these. I'm asking pray over every one of these. I'm asking every person in our church family to every person in our church family to every person in our church family to turn in a card that just says, "This is turn in a card that just says, "This is turn in a card that just says, "This is my bold prayer request before you, God." my bold prayer request before you, God." my bold prayer request before you, God." And in just a moment at all of our And in just a moment at all of our And in just a moment at all of our campuses, there's going to be a host campuses, there's going to be a host campuses, there's going to be a host that's going to come out and kind of that's going to come out and kind of that's going to come out and kind of walk you through the rest of this card. walk you through the rest of this card. walk you through the rest of this card. But I I just I want to say one more But I I just I want to say one more But I I just I want to say one more time, if I can just get your eyes on the time, if I can just get your eyes on the time, if I can just get your eyes on the screen just for a moment. Just for a screen just for a moment. Just for a screen just for a moment. Just for a moment, I I want to speak over your life moment, I I want to speak over your life moment, I I want to speak over your life faith right now. I want to speak over faith right now. I want to speak over faith right now. I want to speak over your life. The same power of God that your life. The same power of God that your life. The same power of God that brought Jesus from death to life is brought Jesus from death to life is brought Jesus from death to life is alive on the inside of those of us who alive on the inside of those of us who alive on the inside of those of us who follow him and put our trust in him. And follow him and put our trust in him. And follow him and put our trust in him. And the same power and mercy of God that has the same power and mercy of God that has the same power and mercy of God that has been displayed for saint to saints for been displayed for saint to saints for been displayed for saint to saints for generations is available to you today.

generations is available to you today. generations is available to you today. And God wants this new year to be a year And God wants this new year to be a year And God wants this new year to be a year not of leftovers but your whole heart. not of leftovers but your whole heart. not of leftovers but your whole heart. And I believe I just speak over your And I believe I just speak over your And I believe I just speak over your life, God's blessing this year. I speak life, God's blessing this year. I speak life, God's blessing this year. I speak over your family, God's blessing, over your family, God's blessing, over your family, God's blessing, healing in your marriage, blessing on healing in your marriage, blessing on healing in your marriage, blessing on your children, a year of faith that you your children, a year of faith that you your children, a year of faith that you put your trust in God wholeheartedly and put your trust in God wholeheartedly and put your trust in God wholeheartedly and your hunger for him grows and there's a your hunger for him grows and there's a your hunger for him grows and there's a power to overcome sin that's unleashed power to overcome sin that's unleashed power to overcome sin that's unleashed in your life. That this is a year of in your life. That this is a year of in your life. That this is a year of God's favor upon your life and God's God's favor upon your life and God's God's favor upon your life and God's favor upon our church to say there's favor upon our church to say there's favor upon our church to say there's going to be thousands of people who come going to be thousands of people who come going to be thousands of people who come to faith in Jesus this year. There's to faith in Jesus this year. There's to faith in Jesus this year. There's going to be so much generational going to be so much generational going to be so much generational transformation in our church, in our transformation in our church, in our transformation in our church, in our cities. We by faith believe the same cities. We by faith believe the same cities. We by faith believe the same God. He's ruling and reigning as the God. He's ruling and reigning as the God. He's ruling and reigning as the high king of heaven. He's not dead. He's high king of heaven. He's not dead. He's high king of heaven. He's not dead. He's not in a grave anymore. He is alive. He not in a grave anymore. He is alive. He not in a grave anymore. He is alive. He is powerful. And he wants to move in our is powerful. And he wants to move in our is powerful. And he wants to move in our day. Do you do you believe that today? day. Do you do you believe that today? day. Do you do you believe that today? He wants to move in your life. He wants He wants to move in your life. He wants He wants to move in your life. He wants to move in our church. So, in an act of to move in our church. So, in an act of to move in our church. So, in an act of faith, all of our campuses, let's grab faith, all of our campuses, let's grab faith, all of our campuses, let's grab these cards and a symbol of faith, God, these cards and a symbol of faith, God, these cards and a symbol of faith, God, we believe, we believe, God, that there we believe, we believe, God, that there we believe, we believe, God, that there are great things in store this year.

are great things in store this year. are great things in store this year. We're coming with a with a sense of We're coming with a with a sense of We're coming with a with a sense of expectation, God, that you would stir up expectation, God, that you would stir up expectation, God, that you would stir up in us a hunger, God. We believe you're in us a hunger, God. We believe you're in us a hunger, God. We believe you're moving in our day. You're moving in our moving in our day. You're moving in our moving in our day. You're moving in our generation. You're moving in our nation, generation. You're moving in our nation, generation. You're moving in our nation, God. And we don't want to be passed by. God. And we don't want to be passed by. God. And we don't want to be passed by. when you look, would you see a holy, when you look, would you see a holy, when you look, would you see a holy, hungry, humble group of people that are hungry, humble group of people that are hungry, humble group of people that are crying out for more of you, God? More of crying out for more of you, God? More of crying out for more of you, God? More of your power and presence. God, I pray for your power and presence. God, I pray for your power and presence. God, I pray for miracles in these prayer requests, God. miracles in these prayer requests, God. miracles in these prayer requests, God. That out of what we put before you, God, That out of what we put before you, God, That out of what we put before you, God, we would see you do the unthinkable in we would see you do the unthinkable in we would see you do the unthinkable in our lives. Oh, how we need you, God. How our lives. Oh, how we need you, God. How our lives. Oh, how we need you, God. How we need you. We pray these things in we need you. We pray these things in we need you. We pray these things in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Well, amen and amen. God can do great Well, amen and amen. God can do great Well, amen and amen. God can do great things [music] in our lives when we things [music] in our lives when we things [music] in our lives when we prioritize him and we put him first. And prioritize him and we put him first. And prioritize him and we put him first. And just as Pastor [music] Andy mentioned, just as Pastor [music] Andy mentioned, just as Pastor [music] Andy mentioned, we want to know how we can be praying we want to know how we can be praying we want to know how we can be praying for you as we step into this new year for you as we step into this new year for you as we step into this new year together. So, you can fill out one of together. So, you can fill out one of together. So, you can fill out one of those get to know you cards by going to those get to know you cards by going to those get to know you cards by going to the Saddleback app. [music] And we'd the Saddleback app. [music] And we'd the Saddleback app. [music] And we'd love to be praying for you. In just a love to be praying for you. In just a love to be praying for you. In just a moment, we are going to continue to moment, we are going to continue to moment, we are going to continue to worship through singing and through worship through singing and through worship through singing and through song. [music] And we're also going to song. [music] And we're also going to song. [music] And we're also going to get the opportunity to worship through get the opportunity to worship through get the opportunity to worship through giving our tithes and our offerings.

giving our tithes and our offerings. giving our tithes and our offerings. Just as when we sing, we get to worship Just as when we sing, we get to worship Just as when we sing, we get to worship God in praise, [music] when we give, God in praise, [music] when we give, God in praise, [music] when we give, it's a form of worship, too. It's a way it's a form of worship, too. It's a way it's a form of worship, too. It's a way of saying, "God, I trust you. I put you of saying, "God, I trust you. I put you of saying, "God, I trust you. I put you first. I thank [music] you. And I honor first. I thank [music] you. And I honor first. I thank [music] you. And I honor you." Just as Pastor Andy talked about you." Just as Pastor Andy talked about you." Just as Pastor Andy talked about the first fruits in our message, that is the first fruits in our message, that is the first fruits in our message, that is what tithing is. [music] Tithing is what tithing is. [music] Tithing is what tithing is. [music] Tithing is giving the first 10% back to God. And so giving the first 10% back to God. And so giving the first 10% back to God. And so the first 10% [music] of our paychecks, the first 10% [music] of our paychecks, the first 10% [music] of our paychecks, the first 10% of what we earn, we give the first 10% of what we earn, we give the first 10% of what we earn, we give it back to God [music] and we say, "God, it back to God [music] and we say, "God, it back to God [music] and we say, "God, I honor you and I put you first in all I honor you and I put you first in all I honor you and I put you first in all areas of our lives, [music] including areas of our lives, [music] including areas of our lives, [music] including our finances." And so we want to invite our finances." And so we want to invite our finances." And so we want to invite you to give today. You can give by you to give today. You can give by you to give today. You can give by texting the word [music] give to 83,000. texting the word [music] give to 83,000. texting the word [music] give to 83,000. You can open the Saddleback app or you You can open the Saddleback app or you You can open the Saddleback app or you can give by scanning the QR code [music] can give by scanning the QR code [music] can give by scanning the QR code [music] that you see on the screen. Well, church that you see on the screen. Well, church that you see on the screen. Well, church family, let's continue to worship right family, let's continue to worship right family, let's continue to worship right now. now. now. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Oh God, my God, I need you. Oh God, my >> Oh God, my God, I need you. Oh God, my >> Oh God, my God, I need you. Oh God, my God, I need you [music] God, I need you [music] God, I need you [music] now. How I [singing] need you now.

Oh rock, [music] oh rock of ages. I'm Oh rock, [music] oh rock of ages. I'm standing on your faithfulness. [music] On your faithfulness, [music] On your faithfulness, [music] we sing. Oh God, my God, I need you. Oh we sing. Oh God, my God, I need you. Oh we sing. Oh God, my God, I need you. Oh [singing] God, my God, [music] I need [singing] God, my God, [music] I need [singing] God, my God, [music] I need you now. How I need you now. [music] Oh rock of wages. [singing] Oh rock of wages. [singing] I'm standing [music] on your I'm standing [music] on your I'm standing [music] on your faithfulness. You heard [singing] your children then You heard [singing] your children then and you hear [music] your children now. and you hear [music] your children now. and you hear [music] your children now. You are the same [singing] You are the same [singing] You are the same [singing] God. You are the same [music] God. You are the same [music] God. You are the same [music] God. You answered prayers back then and God. You answered prayers back then and God. You answered prayers back then and you [music] will answer now. You are the you [music] will answer now. You are the you [music] will answer now. You are the same [singing] God. You are you are you same [singing] God. You are you are you same [singing] God. You are you are you are [music] are [music] are [music] you are providing you are providing you are providing you are providing [music] you are providing [music] you are providing [music] now you are the same God you are the now you are the same God you are the now you are the same God you are the same [singing] God you [music] move in same [singing] God you [music] move in same [singing] God you [music] move in power then God move in power power then God move in power power then God move in power you are [music] you can do we can you are [music] you can do we can you are [music] you can do we can Heat. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] You are the same [music] You are the same [music] God. You are the same God. Oh God, God. You are the same God. Oh God, God. You are the same God. Oh God, [music] my God, I need you. Oh, I need [music] my God, I need you. Oh, I need [music] my God, I need you. Oh, I need you forever and ever [music] ages. Oh, rock of ages. [music] ages. Oh, rock of ages. [music] I'm standing on your faithfulness, I'm standing on your faithfulness, I'm standing on your faithfulness, [music] [music] [music] on your faithfulness. on your faithfulness. on your faithfulness. [music]