Sunday Service - 7/26/2026 - 11:15 am

Hey, good morning [music] TVC. How are Hey, good morning [music] TVC. How are we doing this morning? we doing this morning? we doing this morning? All right, 11:15 is [music] much more All right, 11:15 is [music] much more All right, 11:15 is [music] much more awake than the nine. Well, hey, we are awake than the nine. Well, hey, we are awake than the nine. Well, hey, we are here for one purpose, one reason, and here for one purpose, one reason, and here for one purpose, one reason, and that's to lift [music] high the name that's to lift [music] high the name that's to lift [music] high the name that is above every name. Would you that is above every name. Would you that is above every name. Would you stand? And as we enter into a time of stand? And as we enter into a time of stand? And as we enter into a time of worship, I want to call to Psalm 126, worship, I want to call to Psalm 126, worship, I want to call to Psalm 126, [music] which says, "The Lord has done [music] which says, "The Lord has done [music] which says, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we're filled great things for us, and we're filled great things for us, and we're filled [music] with joy." So out of the [music] with joy." So out of the [music] with joy." So out of the overflow of the joy that we have because overflow of the joy that we have because overflow of the joy that we have because [music] of what he has done, let's pour [music] of what he has done, let's pour [music] of what he has done, let's pour out our praise and our worship out our praise and our worship out our praise and our worship wholeheartedly, mind, heart, [music] wholeheartedly, mind, heart, [music] wholeheartedly, mind, heart, [music] body, soul, all for his glory. We body, soul, all for his glory. We body, soul, all for his glory. We introduced a new song last week and I'm introduced a new song last week and I'm introduced a new song last week and I'm going to kind of lead you in a call going to kind of lead you in a call going to kind of lead you in a call [music] and response moment. So let's do [music] and response moment. So let's do [music] and response moment. So let's do it again here. Sing with me. Oh, if it again here. Sing with me. Oh, if it again here. Sing with me. Oh, if God's been good to you, sing hallelujah. God's been good to you, sing hallelujah. God's been good to you, sing hallelujah. [music] [music] [music] >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Yeah. [singing] >> Yeah. [singing] >> Yeah. [singing] Oh, if God's been good to you, sing Oh, if God's been good to you, sing Oh, if God's been good to you, sing hallelujah. [music] hallelujah. [music] hallelujah. [music] >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> You sound great. Come on. Oh, if God's >> You sound great. Come on. Oh, if God's >> You sound great. Come on. Oh, if God's been good to you, [music] sing been good to you, [music] sing been good to you, [music] sing hallelujah.

hallelujah. hallelujah. [singing] [singing] [singing] >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Oh, if [music] God's been good to you, >> Oh, if [music] God's been good to you, >> Oh, if [music] God's been good to you, sing [singing] hallelujah. sing [singing] hallelujah. sing [singing] hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> All right, let's put our hands together. >> All right, let's put our hands together. >> All right, let's put our hands together. Come on. [music] Hey, [music] if you're a student in the Hey, [music] if you're a student in the room and you want to come to the front, room and you want to come to the front, room and you want to come to the front, we got some students up here. They're we got some students up here. They're we got some students up here. They're going to lead us in worship. All right, going to lead us in worship. All right, going to lead us in worship. All right, sing this out. I got [music] the joy of sing this out. I got [music] the joy of sing this out. I got [music] the joy of the Lord. Come on. I got the joy of the the Lord. Come on. I got the joy of the the Lord. Come on. I got the joy of the Lord deep down inside of my soul. And I Lord deep down inside of my soul. And I Lord deep down inside of my soul. And I can't hide it no more. I'm going to can't hide it no more. I'm going to can't hide it no more. I'm going to praise you. I've got the joy [music] of praise you. I've got the joy [music] of praise you. I've got the joy [music] of the Lord deep down inside of my soul. the Lord deep down inside of my soul. the Lord deep down inside of my soul. And I can't hide it no more. I've got to And I can't hide it no more. I've got to And I can't hide it no more. I've got to [music] praise the one who broke [music] praise the one who broke [music] praise the one who broke [singing] my chain and bought my free. [singing] my chain and bought my free. [singing] my chain and bought my free. That's what he did. What [music] else That's what he did. What [music] else That's what he did. What [music] else can I say? But thank you, Jesus. [music] can I say? But thank you, Jesus. [music] can I say? But thank you, Jesus. [music] Cuz he's just that good, just that Cuz he's just that good, just that Cuz he's just that good, just that faithful, and he's just that kind. I'm faithful, and he's just that kind. I'm faithful, and he's just that kind. I'm so [music] grateful that you save my so [music] grateful that you save my so [music] grateful that you save my life like you said you would. Hey, this life like you said you would. Hey, this life like you said you would. Hey, this is our response. Come on. With my hands is our response. Come on. With my hands is our response. Come on. With my hands on my heart [music] on my heart [music] on my heart [music] in a faithful life, singing and dancing.

in a faithful life, singing and dancing. in a faithful life, singing and dancing. You save my life [music] You save my life [music] You save my life [music] by you. by you. by you. Could you just Could you just [music] put in my heart I sing with all [music] put in my heart I sing with all [music] that I've got and tell the world who you that I've got and tell the world who you that I've got and tell the world who you are. I'm going to praise you. Put a song are. I'm going to praise you. Put a song are. I'm going to praise you. Put a song in my heart. [music] I sing with all in my heart. [music] I sing with all in my heart. [music] I sing with all that I got. And tell the world who you that I got. And tell the world who you that I got. And tell the world who you are. I'm going to praise you. are. I'm going to praise you. are. I'm going to praise you. You [music and singing] You [music and singing] You [music and singing] broke my she did. Why [music] else can I say thank did. Why [music] else can I say thank you Jesus? [music] Just that just that Just that just that just [music] just [music] just [music] I'm so [music] [music] he [music] [music] endures forever.

endures forever. endures forever. Amen. [music] All right, don't lose it Amen. [music] All right, don't lose it Amen. [music] All right, don't lose it now. Keep those hands together. We're now. Keep those hands together. We're now. Keep those hands together. We're going to sing what we just sang at the going to sing what we just sang at the going to sing what we just sang at the beginning. Let's testify. If God's beginning. Let's testify. If God's beginning. Let's testify. If God's [music] been good to you, sing [music] been good to you, sing [music] been good to you, sing hallelujah. Let's hear you. hallelujah. Let's hear you. hallelujah. Let's hear you. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. Oh, if [music] God's been good to you, Oh, if [music] God's been good to you, Oh, if [music] God's been good to you, sing hallelujah. sing hallelujah. sing hallelujah. [singing] [singing] [singing] >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Oh, if God's [music] been good to you, >> Oh, if God's [music] been good to you, >> Oh, if God's [music] been good to you, sing hallelujah. sing hallelujah. sing hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. [music] >> Hallelujah. [music] >> Hallelujah. [music] >> He deserves it. Oh, if God's been good >> He deserves it. Oh, if God's been good >> He deserves it. Oh, if God's been good to you, sing hallelujah. to you, sing hallelujah. to you, sing hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. Oh, God's been good to you. [music] Sing Oh, God's been good to you. [music] Sing Oh, God's been good to you. [music] Sing hallelujah. hallelujah. hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. God's been good to you. [music] God's been good to you. [music] God's been good to you. [music] Sing hallelujah. Praise [music] the one who broke my Praise [music] the one who broke my chains [singing] chains [singing] chains [singing] and bought my freedom. [music] and bought my freedom. [music] and bought my freedom. [music] What else can I say but thank you Jesus?

What else can I say but thank you Jesus? What else can I say but thank you Jesus? [music] [music] [music] You're the one who broke [singing] my You're the one who broke [singing] my You're the one who broke [singing] my chain and bought my freom. chain and bought my freom. chain and bought my freom. What else can I say? Thank you. [music] What else can I say? Thank you. [music] What else can I say? Thank you. [music] Cuz you're just that good. [music] [music] I'm so grateful that you save my life. I I'm so grateful that you save my life. I I'm so grateful that you save my life. I just He's just He's just praising praising praising [music] your praise. [music] your praise. [music] your praise. We bless his name. We bless his name. We bless his name. [music] We bless your name.

[music] We bless your name. [music] We bless your name. We bless the name of the Lord this We bless the name of the Lord this We bless the name of the Lord this morning. We thank you, Lord. [music] morning. We thank you, Lord. [music] morning. We thank you, Lord. [music] You're worthy of this. Worthy of our You're worthy of this. Worthy of our You're worthy of this. Worthy of our whole hearts. Amen. Amen. Amen. Let's whole hearts. Amen. Amen. Amen. Let's whole hearts. Amen. Amen. Amen. Let's go, y'all. It's early, but not too go, y'all. It's early, but not too go, y'all. It's early, but not too early. They're showing you it's not too early. They're showing you it's not too early. They're showing you it's not too early, right? We serve a God who does early, right? We serve a God who does early, right? We serve a God who does what he says he's going to do, who is what he says he's going to do, who is what he says he's going to do, who is faithful and is good. And that's faithful and is good. And that's faithful and is good. And that's something worth worshiping. Am I right? something worth worshiping. Am I right? something worth worshiping. Am I right? Come on, y'all. Let's get some energy in Come on, y'all. Let's get some energy in Come on, y'all. Let's get some energy in here cuz we get to worship freely in a here cuz we get to worship freely in a here cuz we get to worship freely in a bright building, in a bright room. This bright building, in a bright room. This bright building, in a bright room. This is so bright. I can see you all the way is so bright. I can see you all the way is so bright. I can see you all the way in the back. I didn't used to be able to in the back. I didn't used to be able to in the back. I didn't used to be able to do that, but I'm excited to be here and do that, but I'm excited to be here and do that, but I'm excited to be here and worship alongside y'all. And so, my name worship alongside y'all. And so, my name worship alongside y'all. And so, my name is Nate. It is great to be here. Before is Nate. It is great to be here. Before is Nate. It is great to be here. Before you sit down, if you could look towards you sit down, if you could look towards you sit down, if you could look towards the center of your row and if there's a the center of your row and if there's a the center of your row and if there's a seat between you and the person [music] seat between you and the person [music] seat between you and the person [music] next to you, get a little closer. Say, next to you, get a little closer. Say, next to you, get a little closer. Say, "Hey." Say, "I'm not afraid to sit right "Hey." Say, "I'm not afraid to sit right "Hey." Say, "I'm not afraid to sit right next to you. Rub shoulders and then go next to you. Rub shoulders and then go next to you. Rub shoulders and then go ahead and grab a seat." So, scoot in and ahead and grab a seat." So, scoot in and ahead and grab a seat." So, scoot in and grab a seat.

grab a seat. grab a seat. Scoot in and grab a seat. Y'all, I am Scoot in and grab a seat. Y'all, I am Scoot in and grab a seat. Y'all, I am grateful that you're here. It's a warm grateful that you're here. It's a warm grateful that you're here. It's a warm weekend and the AC's working in here weekend and the AC's working in here weekend and the AC's working in here thankfully. And uh I want to point you thankfully. And uh I want to point you thankfully. And uh I want to point you towards next weekend. Uh you've probably towards next weekend. Uh you've probably towards next weekend. Uh you've probably heard us talk about it. It's called Made heard us talk about it. It's called Made heard us talk about it. It's called Made Alive. There's a lot that's going to be Alive. There's a lot that's going to be Alive. There's a lot that's going to be going on that weekend. Uh that is one of going on that weekend. Uh that is one of going on that weekend. Uh that is one of our catalytic weekends. We had [music] our catalytic weekends. We had [music] our catalytic weekends. We had [music] consecrate, we have made alive, and we consecrate, we have made alive, and we consecrate, we have made alive, and we have neighborhoods to nations. This is have neighborhoods to nations. This is have neighborhoods to nations. This is all about us declaring that we have been all about us declaring that we have been all about us declaring that we have been made alive through the gospel [music] of made alive through the gospel [music] of made alive through the gospel [music] of Jesus Christ. We want to declare that to Jesus Christ. We want to declare that to Jesus Christ. We want to declare that to our community. And so there's some big our community. And so there's some big our community. And so there's some big things. [music] First, our weekend things. [music] First, our weekend things. [music] First, our weekend services, we are going to have a very services, we are going to have a very services, we are going to have a very clear gospel presentation and clear gospel presentation and clear gospel presentation and invitation. Now, we preach the gospel invitation. Now, we preach the gospel invitation. Now, we preach the gospel every weekend, but I know that sometimes every weekend, but I know that sometimes every weekend, but I know that sometimes uh you might be a little hesitant to uh you might be a little hesitant to uh you might be a little hesitant to invite someone because you're like, "Oh, invite someone because you're like, "Oh, invite someone because you're like, "Oh, maybe this won't be the right weekend." maybe this won't be the right weekend." maybe this won't be the right weekend." Well, this coming weekend [music] is the Well, this coming weekend [music] is the Well, this coming weekend [music] is the right weekend to invite your one. If right weekend to invite your one. If right weekend to invite your one. If you've not been with us, we we use that you've not been with us, we we use that you've not been with us, we we use that language, your one is the one person language, your one is the one person language, your one is the one person that you're like, "Here's who I'm that you're like, "Here's who I'm that you're like, "Here's who I'm praying for. Here's who I'm trusting the praying for. Here's who I'm trusting the praying for. Here's who I'm trusting the Lord is going to do a work in [music] Lord is going to do a work in [music] Lord is going to do a work in [music] their life, and I'm going to be praying their life, and I'm going to be praying their life, and I'm going to be praying for them and inviting them until the for them and inviting them until the for them and inviting them until the Lord saves them." And so we're Lord saves them." And so we're Lord saves them." And so we're encouraging you, invite your one next encouraging you, invite your one next encouraging you, invite your one next week. And I know in this big room with week. And I know in this big room with week. And I know in this big room with this many people, when someone says, this many people, when someone says, this many people, when someone says, "Are you inviting your one?" It's easy "Are you inviting your one?" It's easy "Are you inviting your one?" It's easy to like nod even if you don't have a one to like nod even if you don't have a one to like nod even if you don't have a one in your mind, right? And so right now, I in your mind, right? And so right now, I in your mind, right? And so right now, I want you to just think to yourself, who want you to just think to yourself, who want you to just think to yourself, who is the person that the Lord's [music] is the person that the Lord's [music] is the person that the Lord's [music] been putting in my path, putting on my been putting in my path, putting on my been putting in my path, putting on my mind that maybe you could invite next mind that maybe you could invite next mind that maybe you could invite next week? And if you got your phones, you

week? And if you got your phones, you week? And if you got your phones, you can text them right now. whatever walls can text them right now. whatever walls can text them right now. whatever walls you've been building around that person you've been building around that person you've been building around that person of like ah maybe not this I if I invite of like ah maybe not this I if I invite of like ah maybe not this I if I invite them it'd just be uncomfortable and them it'd just be uncomfortable and them it'd just be uncomfortable and that's a lie from the enemy and so I that's a lie from the enemy and so I that's a lie from the enemy and so I want to encourage you to invite your one want to encourage you to invite your one want to encourage you to invite your one next weekend to our made alive services next weekend to our made alive services next weekend to our made alive services so that maybe they can hear the gospel so that maybe they can hear the gospel so that maybe they can hear the gospel for hopefully not the first time because for hopefully not the first time because for hopefully not the first time because you've been saying it to them over and you've been saying it to them over and you've been saying it to them over and over but maybe the first time and over but maybe the first time and over but maybe the first time and they'll get an opportunity to respond they'll get an opportunity to respond they'll get an opportunity to respond next weekend and then Sunday night we next weekend and then Sunday night we next weekend and then Sunday night we have something called one night, one have something called one night, one have something called one night, one name. That's next weekend, Sunday night name. That's next weekend, Sunday night name. That's next weekend, Sunday night at Marcus High School. And I've been in at Marcus High School. And I've been in at Marcus High School. And I've been in youth ministry for about 10 years. And I youth ministry for about 10 years. And I youth ministry for about 10 years. And I have never seen collaboration between have never seen collaboration between have never seen collaboration between churches like I've seen in this [music] churches like I've seen in this [music] churches like I've seen in this [music] community. That's a big deal. We as a as community. That's a big deal. We as a as community. That's a big deal. We as a as a community are gathering together at a community are gathering together at a community are gathering together at Marcus High School for our high Marcus High School for our high Marcus High School for our high schoolers to start off the school year schoolers to start off the school year schoolers to start off the school year worshiping the Lord and proclaiming the worshiping the Lord and proclaiming the worshiping the Lord and proclaiming the gospel. And so if you are a high gospel. And so if you are a high gospel. And so if you are a high schooler, if you know a high schooler, schooler, if you know a high schooler, schooler, if you know a high schooler, or if you see someone that looks like a or if you see someone that looks like a or if you see someone that looks like a high schooler, send them to Marcus High high schooler, send them to Marcus High high schooler, send them to Marcus High School next week from 6:00 to 9:00.

School next week from 6:00 to 9:00. School next week from 6:00 to 9:00. We're going to proclaim the gospel and We're going to proclaim the gospel and We're going to proclaim the gospel and give an invitation. And y'all, last year give an invitation. And y'all, last year give an invitation. And y'all, last year 100 students responded to the gospel. 100 students responded to the gospel. 100 students responded to the gospel. It's crazy. Yeah. And so we're going to It's crazy. Yeah. And so we're going to It's crazy. Yeah. And so we're going to pray for more of that. And while that's pray for more of that. And while that's pray for more of that. And while that's happening over there, right in here, happening over there, right in here, happening over there, right in here, we're going to be gathering together for we're going to be gathering together for we're going to be gathering together for encounter to pray for the Lord to move encounter to pray for the Lord to move encounter to pray for the Lord to move in the lives [music] of those high in the lives [music] of those high in the lives [music] of those high schoolers. And so, if you're a high schoolers. And so, if you're a high schoolers. And so, if you're a high schooler, go to Marcus. If you're not a schooler, go to Marcus. If you're not a schooler, go to Marcus. If you're not a high schooler, come here and pray for high schooler, come here and pray for high schooler, come here and pray for what the Lord's doing over there. All what the Lord's doing over there. All what the Lord's doing over there. All right? And then Monday night, we're right? And then Monday night, we're right? And then Monday night, we're going to come back together to celebrate going to come back together to celebrate going to come back together to celebrate through baptism, [music] worship, and through baptism, [music] worship, and through baptism, [music] worship, and another gospel invitation. And so, we'd another gospel invitation. And so, we'd another gospel invitation. And so, we'd love for you to come out Monday night love for you to come out Monday night love for you to come out Monday night for the conclusion of Made Alive. And for the conclusion of Made Alive. And for the conclusion of Made Alive. And y'all, with baptism, when we see y'all, with baptism, when we see y'all, with baptism, when we see baptism, we're celebrating what the baptism, we're celebrating what the baptism, we're celebrating what the Lord's doing in that person's life, Lord's doing in that person's life, Lord's doing in that person's life, reminded about what he's done in our reminded about what he's done in our reminded about what he's done in our life and encouraged for what he can do life and encouraged for what he can do life and encouraged for what he can do in the lives of those that we've not yet in the lives of those that we've not yet in the lives of those that we've not yet seen come to Christ. And so, [music] seen come to Christ. And so, [music] seen come to Christ. And so, [music] that's what we're going to celebrate on that's what we're going to celebrate on that's what we're going to celebrate on Monday night. And we'd love for you to Monday night. And we'd love for you to Monday night. And we'd love for you to be there. So, in invite your one, come be there. So, in invite your one, come be there. So, in invite your one, come [music] out, be in prayer for that. And [music] out, be in prayer for that. And [music] out, be in prayer for that. And if you're out of town next weekend, if you're out of town next weekend, if you're out of town next weekend, we've got a prayer walk tonight. So, we've got a prayer walk tonight. So, we've got a prayer walk tonight. So, you're not out of town this weekend. And you're not out of town this weekend. And you're not out of town this weekend. And so come to that at Marcus High School.

so come to that at Marcus High School. so come to that at Marcus High School. That's at 6:00. We'd love for you to be That's at 6:00. We'd love for you to be That's at 6:00. We'd love for you to be there to pray over one night, one name, there to pray over one night, one name, there to pray over one night, one name, and made [music] alive. And so as we and made [music] alive. And so as we and made [music] alive. And so as we move back into worship, I want you to move back into worship, I want you to move back into worship, I want you to read this psalm with me. It's Psalm 107, read this psalm with me. It's Psalm 107, read this psalm with me. It's Psalm 107, just the first two verses. And would you just the first two verses. And would you just the first two verses. And would you read this out loud with me? Oh, give read this out loud with me? Oh, give read this out loud with me? Oh, give thanks to the Lord for he [music] is thanks to the Lord for he [music] is thanks to the Lord for he [music] is good. For his steadfast love endures good. For his steadfast love endures good. For his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. If you've been redeemed, [music] say so. If you've been redeemed, [music] say so. If you've been redeemed, [music] if you've been saved, if you've been if you've been saved, if you've been if you've been saved, if you've been made alive, declare it loudly because made alive, declare it loudly because made alive, declare it loudly because there are those in your life that the there are those in your life that the there are those in your life that the Lord's put you around [music] that have Lord's put you around [music] that have Lord's put you around [music] that have not yet moved from death to life. And not yet moved from death to life. And not yet moved from death to life. And when you declare the life you have when you declare the life you have when you declare the life you have through the gospel of Jesus Christ, they through the gospel of Jesus Christ, they through the gospel of Jesus Christ, they can get a taste. They can they can see can get a taste. They can they can see can get a taste. They can they can see there's something different. And I want there's something different. And I want there's something different. And I want that. [music] Let the redeemed of the that. [music] Let the redeemed of the that. [music] Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Okay, let me pray over us. Lord say so. Okay, let me pray over us. Lord say so. Okay, let me pray over us. Lord, I pray for the men and women in Lord, I pray for the men and women in Lord, I pray for the men and women in this room [music] that you give them a this room [music] that you give them a this room [music] that you give them a boldness and a confidence boldness and a confidence boldness and a confidence to declare the life that they've found to declare the life that they've found to declare the life that they've found in Jesus Christ. God, I pray you'd put in Jesus Christ. God, I pray you'd put in Jesus Christ. God, I pray you'd put someone on their mind right now, right someone on their mind right now, right someone on their mind right now, right now that they could reach out to that now that they could reach out to that now that they could reach out to that they can declare the redemption that they can declare the redemption that they can declare the redemption that they found.

they found. they found. God, we pray [music] for what you're God, we pray [music] for what you're God, we pray [music] for what you're going to do next weekend. going to do next weekend. going to do next weekend. Thank you that we can have confidence in Thank you that we can have confidence in Thank you that we can have confidence in the Holy Spirit that this time next the Holy Spirit that this time next the Holy Spirit that this time next week, there will be new brothers and week, there will be new brothers and week, there will be new brothers and sisters sitting amongst us. God, we sisters sitting amongst us. God, we sisters sitting amongst us. God, we believe that. We pray for that. Holy believe that. We pray for that. Holy believe that. We pray for that. Holy Spirit, fill this room. It's in your Spirit, fill this room. It's in your Spirit, fill this room. It's in your name I pray. [music] Amen. name I pray. [music] Amen. name I pray. [music] Amen. Hey, would you all stand so we can Hey, would you all stand so we can Hey, would you all stand so we can worship a little bit more? Um, I said worship a little bit more? Um, I said worship a little bit more? Um, I said this at the nine. I just want to say it this at the nine. I just want to say it this at the nine. I just want to say it again. again. again. I love that students [music] are up here I love that students [music] are up here I love that students [music] are up here leading us in worship because the Bibles leading us in worship because the Bibles leading us in worship because the Bibles and Jesus say, "Come to me [music] with and Jesus say, "Come to me [music] with and Jesus say, "Come to me [music] with a childlike faith." So, when we're a childlike faith." So, when we're a childlike faith." So, when we're dancing and looking crazy up here, dancing and looking crazy up here, dancing and looking crazy up here, that's like for the Lord. Um, [music] that's like for the Lord. Um, [music] that's like for the Lord. Um, [music] and I just I feel like some people in and I just I feel like some people in and I just I feel like some people in this room are holding back and you this room are holding back and you this room are holding back and you literally don't have anywhere else to be literally don't have anywhere else to be literally don't have anywhere else to be right now. So, why [music] would we right now. So, why [music] would we right now. So, why [music] would we waste time and not give God what he's waste time and not give God what he's waste time and not give God what he's worthy of? Um, Matt often says like it's worthy of? Um, Matt often says like it's worthy of? Um, Matt often says like it's all of your life for all of your life.

all of your life for all of your life. all of your life for all of your life. And so, this next song is [music] like 5 And so, this next song is [music] like 5 And so, this next song is [music] like 5 minutes. And so, I just feel like it's minutes. And so, I just feel like it's minutes. And so, I just feel like it's such a waste to stand there with your such a waste to stand there with your such a waste to stand there with your hands in your pockets. hands in your pockets. hands in your pockets. Like if God is in front of you worthy of Like if God is in front of you worthy of Like if God is in front of you worthy of everything, [music] everything, [music] everything, [music] you're not going to be worried about you're not going to be worried about you're not going to be worried about what your neighbor thinks of your what your neighbor thinks of your what your neighbor thinks of your singing. Um so that's my challenge for singing. Um so that's my challenge for singing. Um so that's my challenge for us [music] is let's just worship with us [music] is let's just worship with us [music] is let's just worship with everything you have. Like heart, soul, everything you have. Like heart, soul, everything you have. Like heart, soul, body, dancing, singing, [music] body, dancing, singing, [music] body, dancing, singing, [music] shouting. Like what is he worthy of? shouting. Like what is he worthy of? shouting. Like what is he worthy of? >> Like he saved us from everything. And >> Like he saved us from everything. And >> Like he saved us from everything. And so, can we just like [music] give this so, can we just like [music] give this so, can we just like [music] give this five minutes to the Lord of just what five minutes to the Lord of just what five minutes to the Lord of just what [music] he's worthy of? Um, yeah, that's [music] he's worthy of? Um, yeah, that's [music] he's worthy of? Um, yeah, that's my challenge. So, if you guys would my challenge. So, if you guys would my challenge. So, if you guys would enter that with me, let's just do that enter that with me, let's just do that enter that with me, let's just do that together. [music] All my life you have [music and singing] All my life you have [music and singing] been faithful.

All my life you have been so so All my life you have been so so [music and singing] good. [music and singing] good. [music and singing] good. Every breath that [music] I am able, Every breath that [music] I am able, Every breath that [music] I am able, I will sing of [music] the goodness I will sing of [music] the goodness I will sing of [music] the goodness of God. All my [music] life you have [singing] All my [music] life you have [singing] been faithful. been faithful. been faithful. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. All my life you have [singing] been All my life you have [singing] been All my life you have [singing] been strong, so [music] strong, so [music] strong, so [music] good. good. good. Every breath [singing] that I [music] Every breath [singing] that I [music] Every breath [singing] that I [music] am, I will sing of the goodness of God. I will sing of the goodness of God. [music] We will sing. [music] We will sing your We will sing. [music] We will sing your praise [music] [music] you Lord.

Oh your mercy never fails me. Oh your mercy never fails me. [music] In all my days [music] In all my days [music] In all my days I am held in your hand. I am held in your hand. I am held in your hand. [music] From the moment that I wake [music] From the moment that I wake [music] From the moment that I wake [singing] [singing] [singing] up up up till I lay my head, till I lay my head, till I lay my head, I will [music] sing of the goodness I will [music] sing of the goodness I will [music] sing of the goodness of God. Sing this to him. of God. Sing this to him. of God. Sing this to him. [music] [music] [music] All my life [singing] All my life [singing] All my life [singing] you have been faithful. you have been faithful. you have been faithful. [music] All [singing] my life you [music] have All [singing] my life you [music] have been so so good. been so so good. been so so good. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> And every breath that I [singing] Oh, I will [music] sing of the goodness Oh, I will [music] sing of the goodness of God. of God. of God. [music] You have led me [singing and music] You have led me [singing and music] through the fire through the fire through the fire in the darkest night.

in the darkest night. in the darkest night. You are [music] close like no other. You are [music] close like no other. You are [music] close like no other. I've known you as a father. I've known you as a father. I've known you as a father. I've known you as a friend. I've known you as a friend. I've known you as a friend. And I [music] faith in the goodness. And I [music] faith in the goodness. And I [music] faith in the goodness. >> Yes, we have. We believe that. >> [music] >> [music] >> All my life you [singing] have been >> All my life you [singing] have been >> All my life you [singing] have been faithful. All [music] my life you have been so so All [music] my life you have been so so good. good. good. [music] Every breath [singing] that I [music] Every breath [singing] that I [music] Every breath [singing] that I am. am. am. Oh, I will [music] sing of the goodness Oh, I will [music] sing of the goodness Oh, I will [music] sing of the goodness of God. [music] Your [music] goodness [singing] is Your [music] goodness [singing] is running after. It's running after me.

running after. It's running after me. running after. It's running after me. [music] [music] [music] [singing] This is running This is running [music] after you keep running [music] after me. you keep running [music] after me. >> Surely you could all my life you have been faithful.

all my life you have been faithful. [singing and music] All my life you have been so All my life you have been so [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] so good. so good. so good. Sing it out. Every breath Sing it out. Every breath Sing it out. Every breath [music and singing] that I am able [music and singing] that I am able [music and singing] that I am able I will sing of the goodness. [music] I will sing of the goodness. [music] I will sing of the goodness. [music] >> Let's bless his name. Sing that again. >> Let's bless his name. Sing that again. >> Let's bless his name. Sing that again. Oh my life. Come on. Oh my life. Come on. Oh my life. Come on. All my [music] life you have been All my [music] life you have been All my [music] life you have been faithful. All my life you have been so All my life you have been so [music and singing] good. [music and singing] good. [music and singing] good. Every breath that [singing] I am Every breath that [singing] I am Every breath that [singing] I am I will sing [music] I will sing [music] I will sing [music] of the goodness of the goodness of the goodness of God. of God. of God. [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat.

[music] [music] Heat. Heat. Your goodness is running out. [music] Your goodness is running out. [music] It's running after me. Surely [music] your goodness and mercy. Surely [music] your goodness and mercy. You keep running after me. You keep running after me. You keep running after me. You keep running after [music] me. And maybe you're [music] having a hard And maybe you're [music] having a hard time believing that this morning. time believing that this morning. time believing that this morning. Maybe you are have walked into the space Maybe you are have walked into the space Maybe you are have walked into the space [music] carrying [music] carrying [music] carrying just the burden of living in a fallen just the burden of living in a fallen just the burden of living in a fallen world, experiencing the pain [music] world, experiencing the pain [music] world, experiencing the pain [music] that sin has has brought into this that sin has has brought into this that sin has has brought into this place. place. place. Maybe you're feeling distant from the Maybe you're feeling distant from the Maybe you're feeling distant from the [music] Lord. Maybe you have a [music] Lord. Maybe you have a [music] Lord. Maybe you have a relationship with him. But something relationship with him. But something relationship with him. But something like whether it's like unconfessed sin like whether it's like unconfessed sin like whether it's like unconfessed sin or like unprocessed [music] pain or un or like unprocessed [music] pain or un or like unprocessed [music] pain or un unoffered praise like there's some unoffered praise like there's some unoffered praise like there's some there's something blocking [music] you there's something blocking [music] you there's something blocking [music] you from fully experiencing and tasting and from fully experiencing and tasting and from fully experiencing and tasting and seeing his goodness and his love and his seeing his goodness and his love and his seeing his goodness and his love and his mercy.

mercy. mercy. So we we believe as the people of God So we we believe as the people of God So we we believe as the people of God that that [music] to those who call upon that that [music] to those who call upon that that [music] to those who call upon the name of the Lord, confess with your the name of the Lord, confess with your the name of the Lord, confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead that heart God raised him from the dead that heart God raised him from the dead that you are saved. You are bought with a you are saved. You are bought with a you are saved. You are bought with a price purchased [music] by the precious price purchased [music] by the precious price purchased [music] by the precious blood of Jesus. That Romans 8 says blood of Jesus. That Romans 8 says blood of Jesus. That Romans 8 says there's now therefore no condemnation there's now therefore no condemnation there's now therefore no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. for those that are in Christ Jesus. for those that are in Christ Jesus. That what can come against the people of That what can come against the people of That what can come against the people of God? [music] that nothing can separate God? [music] that nothing can separate God? [music] that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. And so where you are feeling distant, And so where you are feeling distant, And so where you are feeling distant, where you are feeling like the inability where you are feeling like the inability where you are feeling like the inability to to move forward, to approach [music] to to move forward, to approach [music] to to move forward, to approach [music] his throne because you're feeling his throne because you're feeling his throne because you're feeling unworthy, we look to the cross. We look unworthy, we look to the cross. We look unworthy, we look to the cross. We look to [music] his finished work and we to [music] his finished work and we to [music] his finished work and we remember every good thing that he has remember every good thing that he has remember every good thing that he has done for us. done for us. done for us. The wonderworking power of the blood The wonderworking power of the blood The wonderworking power of the blood [music] of Jesus that sets us free. And [music] of Jesus that sets us free. And [music] of Jesus that sets us free. And so we're going to look to the cross and so we're going to look to the cross and so we're going to look to the cross and remember our sin. But even more and even remember our sin. But even more and even remember our sin. But even more and even greater remember that we have a great greater remember that we have a great greater remember that we have a great savior whose power [music] over sin and savior whose power [music] over sin and savior whose power [music] over sin and death death death is fully imagined, is fully imagined, is fully imagined, fully present. [music] fully present. [music] fully present. [music] So let's look to him. Let's lay So let's look to him. Let's lay So let's look to him. Let's lay everything down before him and everything down before him and everything down before him and surrender. Come on. I [music] surrender. Come on. I [music] surrender. Come on. I [music] was a wretch. I remember [singing] who I was a wretch. I remember [singing] who I was a wretch. I remember [singing] who I was. [music] was. [music] was. [music] I was lost. I [singing] was blind. I was

I was lost. I [singing] was blind. I was I was lost. I [singing] was blind. I was running out of time. running out of time. running out of time. [music] [music] [music] Sin Sin Sin separated. [singing] separated. [singing] separated. [singing] The [music] reach was far too wide. The [music] reach was far too wide. The [music] reach was far too wide. But from the far [singing] side of the But from the far [singing] side of the But from the far [singing] side of the chasm, chasm, chasm, you held me in your sight. [music] you held me in your sight. [music] you held me in your sight. [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] So you made a way So you made a way So you made a way across [music and singing] the great across [music and singing] the great across [music and singing] the great divide. divide. divide. Left behind Left behind Left behind heaven's [music and singing] throne heaven's [music and singing] throne heaven's [music and singing] throne to build it here inside. to build it here inside. to build it here inside. [music] And there at the cross, [music] And there at the cross, [music] And there at the cross, you paid [music and singing] the debt. I you paid [music and singing] the debt. I you paid [music and singing] the debt. I owed owed owed broke my chains, freed broke my chains, freed broke my chains, freed [music and singing] my soul for the [music and singing] my soul for the [music and singing] my soul for the first time. I first time. I first time. I >> Thank you Lord. >> Thank you Lord. >> Thank you Lord. >> Thank [music] >> Thank [music] >> Thank [music] you Jesus for the blood you Jesus for the blood you Jesus for the blood [singing] of [singing] of [singing] of [music] Thank you Jesus that has [music] Thank you Jesus that has [music] Thank you Jesus that has [singing] washed me [music] wine.

[singing] washed me [music] wine. [singing] washed me [music] wine. Thank you Jesus. [singing] Thank you Jesus. [singing] Thank you Jesus. [singing] You have saved my life. [music] You have saved my life. [music] You have saved my life. [music] Brought me [singing] from the darkness Brought me [singing] from the darkness Brought me [singing] from the darkness into glorious into glorious into glorious life. life. life. >> This is worth celebrating. Amen. We're >> This is worth celebrating. Amen. We're >> This is worth celebrating. Amen. We're set free from the curse [music] of sin. set free from the curse [music] of sin. set free from the curse [music] of sin. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. >> You took my place, went [music] inside >> You took my place, went [music] inside >> You took my place, went [music] inside my tomb of sin. my tomb of sin. my tomb of sin. You were buried [singing] for 3 days and You were buried [singing] for 3 days and You were buried [singing] for 3 days and then you washed [music] right out again. then you washed [music] right out again. then you washed [music] right out again. [singing] And now death has no sin and [singing] And now death has no sin and [singing] And now death has no sin and life [music and singing] life [music and singing] life [music and singing] has no end. has no end. has no end. For I have been transformed For I have been transformed For I have been transformed by the blood of the by the blood of the by the blood of the [music] Thank you Jesus for the [music] Thank you Jesus for the [music] Thank you Jesus for the [singing] life.

[singing] life. [singing] life. Thank you [music] Jesus. He has washed Thank you [music] Jesus. He has washed Thank you [music] Jesus. He has washed me. me. me. Thank [singing] Thank [singing] Thank [singing] you [music] Jesus. You have saved my you [music] Jesus. You have saved my you [music] Jesus. You have saved my life. life. life. [music] Brought me [singing] from the [music] Brought me [singing] from the [music] Brought me [singing] from the darkness darkness darkness to war. There is nothing stronger There is nothing stronger than the world's [music] awake power of They call the sons and daughters. They call the sons and daughters. [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [singing] >> [music] >> [music] >> They call [music]

[music] Thank you Jesus. You have saved [music] Thank you Jesus. You have saved [music] Thank you Jesus. You have saved [music] my life. Brought me [music and singing] from the Brought me [music and singing] from the darkness darkness darkness into glorious into glorious into glorious light. [music] We thank [singing] you for your cross, We thank [singing] you for your cross, Jesus. We thank you [singing] for your blood, We thank you [singing] for your blood, [music] [music] [music] Jesus. We thank [music] We thank [music] you [singing] for the cross, Jesus. you [singing] for the cross, Jesus. you [singing] for the cross, Jesus. Jesus. [music] Jesus. [music] Jesus. [music] One more time. Thank you, Jesus. One more time. Thank you, Jesus. One more time. Thank you, Jesus. Thank [music and singing] you, Jesus, Thank [music and singing] you, Jesus, Thank [music and singing] you, Jesus, for The blood for The blood for The blood applied. [music] Thank you Jesus [music] Thank you Jesus [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] me.

me. me. [music] Thank you Jesus. [singing] [music] Thank you Jesus. [singing] [music] Thank you Jesus. [singing] You have saved my life. You have saved my life. You have saved my life. Brought [music] me [singing] from the Brought [music] me [singing] from the Brought [music] me [singing] from the darkness darkness darkness to glor. Hey, can we [music] thank him? Can we Hey, can we [music] thank him? Can we thank you, Jesus? We thank you, Lord. thank you, Jesus? We thank you, Lord. thank you, Jesus? We thank you, Lord. Unending praise, wholehearted surrender, Unending praise, wholehearted surrender, Unending praise, wholehearted surrender, [music] wholehearted devotion to the [music] wholehearted devotion to the [music] wholehearted devotion to the king, to the one who brought us from king, to the one who brought us from king, to the one who brought us from death into life. So, we [music] bless death into life. So, we [music] bless death into life. So, we [music] bless your name as long as we live your name as long as we live your name as long as we live because your love is better than life, because your love is better than life, because your love is better than life, Lord. And so draw us nearer to yourself Lord. And so draw us nearer to yourself Lord. And so draw us nearer to yourself through the work of your spirit to know through the work of your spirit to know through the work of your spirit to know and love and love and love and [music] see you [singing] more and [music] see you [singing] more and [music] see you [singing] more clearly. King Jesus, you grow us in a clearly. King Jesus, you grow us in a clearly. King Jesus, you grow us in a knowledge of you and your word that sin knowledge of you and your word that sin knowledge of you and your word that sin might might be tasteless to [music] us, might might be tasteless to [music] us, might might be tasteless to [music] us, might lose its temptation altogether. might lose its temptation altogether. might lose its temptation altogether. Lord, Lord, Lord, you [music] might be high and lifted up you [music] might be high and lifted up you [music] might be high and lifted up above everything else for who you are above everything else for who you are above everything else for who you are and for [music] what you have done.

and for [music] what you have done. and for [music] what you have done. And so we declare the Lord has done And so we declare the Lord has done And so we declare the Lord has done great things for us and we are filled great things for us and we are filled great things for us and we are filled with joy. with joy. with joy. We thank you Lord. We bless your name. We thank you Lord. We bless your name. We thank you Lord. We bless your name. For years I've been circling around the For years I've been circling around the For years I've been circling around the same question in the Christian life. same question in the Christian life. same question in the Christian life. This is the question. How do we become This is the question. How do we become This is the question. How do we become who God wants us to be? who God wants us to be? who God wants us to be? How do we become who God wants us to be? How do we become who God wants us to be? How do we become who God wants us to be? And our passage in second Peter is one And our passage in second Peter is one And our passage in second Peter is one that I keep circling back to because it that I keep circling back to because it that I keep circling back to because it provides a line of thought in the provides a line of thought in the provides a line of thought in the Christian life that helps me when I Christian life that helps me when I Christian life that helps me when I wonder what's the next right thing to do wonder what's the next right thing to do wonder what's the next right thing to do like who am I supposed to become? And like who am I supposed to become? And like who am I supposed to become? And we've said for years here that God is we've said for years here that God is we've said for years here that God is not looking for a future version of you not looking for a future version of you not looking for a future version of you to love. to love. to love. He's not looking for a future version of He's not looking for a future version of He's not looking for a future version of you to love. He loves you now. He loved you to love. He loves you now. He loved you to love. He loves you now. He loved you while you were his enemy. He loves you while you were his enemy. He loves you while you were his enemy. He loves you in your rebellion, in your you in your rebellion, in your you in your rebellion, in your self-centerness, your half-hearted self-centerness, your half-hearted self-centerness, your half-hearted obedience, and he loves you out of it by obedience, and he loves you out of it by obedience, and he loves you out of it by the grace of Jesus. the grace of Jesus. the grace of Jesus. And because he shows you Jesus, and when And because he shows you Jesus, and when And because he shows you Jesus, and when you see Jesus rightly, you respond. Like you see Jesus rightly, you respond. Like you see Jesus rightly, you respond. Like this is this is what happens when the this is this is what happens when the this is this is what happens when the spirit shows you the beauty of Christ, spirit shows you the beauty of Christ, spirit shows you the beauty of Christ, you can't help but want to come to him.

you can't help but want to come to him. you can't help but want to come to him. That's the effectual call of grace. Like That's the effectual call of grace. Like That's the effectual call of grace. Like you see Christ in his glory and beauty, you see Christ in his glory and beauty, you see Christ in his glory and beauty, and you think, I don't want anyone else. and you think, I don't want anyone else. and you think, I don't want anyone else. I don't want anything else. and you I don't want anything else. and you I don't want anything else. and you respond to him. And God's not looking respond to him. And God's not looking respond to him. And God's not looking for a future version of you to love. And for a future version of you to love. And for a future version of you to love. And like any good parent, he has a future like any good parent, he has a future like any good parent, he has a future version of you in mind. version of you in mind. version of you in mind. He knows who he wants you to become in He knows who he wants you to become in He knows who he wants you to become in grace. He wants you and me to mature in grace. He wants you and me to mature in grace. He wants you and me to mature in Christ, to grow into his good design and Christ, to grow into his good design and Christ, to grow into his good design and bear fruit from the overflow of a life bear fruit from the overflow of a life bear fruit from the overflow of a life maturing by grace. God designed life and maturing by grace. God designed life and maturing by grace. God designed life and he knows how we will best experience it. he knows how we will best experience it. he knows how we will best experience it. And he's provided everything we need. And he's provided everything we need. And he's provided everything we need. everything. That's verses three and everything. That's verses three and everything. That's verses three and four. Peter tells us this. He says, "His four. Peter tells us this. He says, "His four. Peter tells us this. He says, "His divine power has given us everything divine power has given us everything divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness." What's required for life and godliness." What's required for life and godliness." What's he given us? he given us? he given us? Everything required for life and Everything required for life and Everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him godliness through the knowledge of him godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and who called us by his own glory and who called us by his own glory and goodness. And by these he has given us goodness. And by these he has given us goodness. And by these he has given us very great and precious promises. That very great and precious promises. That very great and precious promises. That he would never leave you nor forsake he would never leave you nor forsake he would never leave you nor forsake you. That he would care for you and keep you. That he would care for you and keep you. That he would care for you and keep you. That he would put his spirit inside you. That he would put his spirit inside you. That he would put his spirit inside of you. And that you might grow in the of you. And that you might grow in the of you. And that you might grow in the likeness of your savior.

likeness of your savior. likeness of your savior. So that you through them these promises So that you through them these promises So that you through them these promises you may share in the divine nature, you may share in the divine nature, you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the escaping the corruption that is in the escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. world because of evil desire. world because of evil desire. Now I like to read different Now I like to read different Now I like to read different translations of the Bible. It just helps translations of the Bible. It just helps translations of the Bible. It just helps me kind of get around the text. And one me kind of get around the text. And one me kind of get around the text. And one that I've come to be really fond of is a that I've come to be really fond of is a that I've come to be really fond of is a translation from the 1950s by a guy translation from the 1950s by a guy translation from the 1950s by a guy named JB Phillips. And CS Lewis helped named JB Phillips. And CS Lewis helped named JB Phillips. And CS Lewis helped this get published in the 1950s. And he this get published in the 1950s. And he this get published in the 1950s. And he said, "When I read Philip's translation, said, "When I read Philip's translation, said, "When I read Philip's translation, it felt like reading an old friend again it felt like reading an old friend again it felt like reading an old friend again for the first time." If you need a for the first time." If you need a for the first time." If you need a stronger endorsement, we should talk stronger endorsement, we should talk stronger endorsement, we should talk about it, but it's pretty good. Uh, about it, but it's pretty good. Uh, about it, but it's pretty good. Uh, here's two verses for you from Philip's here's two verses for you from Philip's here's two verses for you from Philip's translation. He says this, translation. He says this, translation. He says this, "He has by his own action given us "He has by his own action given us "He has by his own action given us everything that is necessary for living everything that is necessary for living everything that is necessary for living the truly good life in allowing us to the truly good life in allowing us to the truly good life in allowing us to know the one who has called us to him know the one who has called us to him know the one who has called us to him through his own glorious goodness. It is through his own glorious goodness. It is through his own glorious goodness. It is through him that God's greatest and most through him that God's greatest and most through him that God's greatest and most precious promises have become available precious promises have become available precious promises have become available to us, making it possible for you to to us, making it possible for you to to us, making it possible for you to escape the inevitable disintegration escape the inevitable disintegration escape the inevitable disintegration that lust produces in the world and to that lust produces in the world and to that lust produces in the world and to share in God's essential nature.

share in God's essential nature. share in God's essential nature. I was studying reading got to that I was studying reading got to that I was studying reading got to that phrase inevitable disintegration phrase inevitable disintegration phrase inevitable disintegration of the world. And I thought that's what of the world. And I thought that's what of the world. And I thought that's what the world does. That's what sin, Satan, the world does. That's what sin, Satan, the world does. That's what sin, Satan, and the flesh are after is not that you and the flesh are after is not that you and the flesh are after is not that you would be made more whole. is that you would be made more whole. is that you would be made more whole. is that you would be continually disintegrated and would be continually disintegrated and would be continually disintegrated and taken apart. taken apart. taken apart. That you couldn't become who God wants That you couldn't become who God wants That you couldn't become who God wants you to be. And God, I my prayer this you to be. And God, I my prayer this you to be. And God, I my prayer this morning since I got up, I mean all week morning since I got up, I mean all week morning since I got up, I mean all week and then this morning specifically, I and then this morning specifically, I and then this morning specifically, I was praying saying, Lord, would you help was praying saying, Lord, would you help was praying saying, Lord, would you help your children know your love for them? your children know your love for them? your children know your love for them? Your love for them that has a vision for Your love for them that has a vision for Your love for them that has a vision for their life and has provided everything their life and has provided everything their life and has provided everything they need. they need. they need. that we would not doubt his goodness that we would not doubt his goodness that we would not doubt his goodness toward us, but we would actually see his toward us, but we would actually see his toward us, but we would actually see his love in such a way that the tightness of love in such a way that the tightness of love in such a way that the tightness of our hearts where we fight to provide for our hearts where we fight to provide for our hearts where we fight to provide for ourselves, the doubt that we have that ourselves, the doubt that we have that ourselves, the doubt that we have that he actually sees us would diminish he actually sees us would diminish he actually sees us would diminish because we realize that everything because we realize that everything because we realize that everything required for life and godliness, he's required for life and godliness, he's required for life and godliness, he's given to us already in Jesus. You have given to us already in Jesus. You have given to us already in Jesus. You have to try harder. You have to earn things to try harder. You have to earn things to try harder. You have to earn things with God. He's given it to you in Christ with God. He's given it to you in Christ with God. He's given it to you in Christ so that you might escape the so that you might escape the so that you might escape the disintegration that the world produces.

disintegration that the world produces. disintegration that the world produces. And when you escape that disintegration, And when you escape that disintegration, And when you escape that disintegration, what you find in life in Christ is what you find in life in Christ is what you find in life in Christ is actually integration, actually integration, actually integration, wholeness, an eternal quality of life by wholeness, an eternal quality of life by wholeness, an eternal quality of life by sharing in God's essential nature that sharing in God's essential nature that sharing in God's essential nature that you are united to Christ by faith. You you are united to Christ by faith. You you are united to Christ by faith. You are transformed into his likeness. Not are transformed into his likeness. Not are transformed into his likeness. Not to become a little god but become more to become a little god but become more to become a little god but become more human human human to become Christlike to become Christlike to become Christlike because his spirit lives in us. And how because his spirit lives in us. And how because his spirit lives in us. And how does this happen? does this happen? does this happen? Well, it happens by seeing God's beauty. Well, it happens by seeing God's beauty. Well, it happens by seeing God's beauty. By seeing his glory and goodness in the By seeing his glory and goodness in the By seeing his glory and goodness in the face of Jesus Christ and by responding face of Jesus Christ and by responding face of Jesus Christ and by responding in faith and trusting in what he's in faith and trusting in what he's in faith and trusting in what he's provided for you. And again, I've provided for you. And again, I've provided for you. And again, I've already asked you, what has he provided already asked you, what has he provided already asked you, what has he provided for you? for you? for you? Everything required for life and Everything required for life and Everything required for life and godliness. godliness. godliness. everything required. Forgiveness, everything required. Forgiveness, everything required. Forgiveness, reconciliation, his spirit in you to reconciliation, his spirit in you to reconciliation, his spirit in you to never leave you nor forsake you. And a never leave you nor forsake you. And a never leave you nor forsake you. And a love that is beyond your definition and love that is beyond your definition and love that is beyond your definition and conception, which means it's deeper, conception, which means it's deeper, conception, which means it's deeper, stronger, infinitely more patient and stronger, infinitely more patient and stronger, infinitely more patient and providing than any love you have ever providing than any love you have ever providing than any love you have ever known from a human being.

known from a human being. known from a human being. God's love is altogether better. God's love is altogether better. God's love is altogether better. And he has provided for you. And it's And he has provided for you. And it's And he has provided for you. And it's not just for us. It's for all of his not just for us. It's for all of his not just for us. It's for all of his children, including those who don't know children, including those who don't know children, including those who don't know him yet and who need to be gathered to him yet and who need to be gathered to him yet and who need to be gathered to hear the good news. hear the good news. hear the good news. His provision, his vision and provision His provision, his vision and provision His provision, his vision and provision for us is also our assurance when we for us is also our assurance when we for us is also our assurance when we think it's on us to perform. It's on us think it's on us to perform. It's on us think it's on us to perform. It's on us to prove we're worthy, on us to white to prove we're worthy, on us to white to prove we're worthy, on us to white knuckle our way into holiness. And I knuckle our way into holiness. And I knuckle our way into holiness. And I need to tell you, friend, the very need to tell you, friend, the very need to tell you, friend, the very things he asks of us, he equips us to things he asks of us, he equips us to things he asks of us, he equips us to do. He asks nothing of you. That he has do. He asks nothing of you. That he has do. He asks nothing of you. That he has not provided for you. not provided for you. not provided for you. That he might equip you to walk in That he might equip you to walk in That he might equip you to walk in godliness. I told you before, we're all godliness. I told you before, we're all godliness. I told you before, we're all born looking for someone, looking for born looking for someone, looking for born looking for someone, looking for us. Like we come into this world just us. Like we come into this world just us. Like we come into this world just looking around hoping that someone is looking around hoping that someone is looking around hoping that someone is looking towards us. I need to tell you looking towards us. I need to tell you looking towards us. I need to tell you before you knew you needed God, God saw before you knew you needed God, God saw before you knew you needed God, God saw you, you, you, turned his face toward you, and provided turned his face toward you, and provided turned his face toward you, and provided everything required. everything required. everything required. He takes care of his children. And so in He takes care of his children. And so in He takes care of his children. And so in this, our hearts can rest that God has this, our hearts can rest that God has this, our hearts can rest that God has seen us first. He's seen us first and we seen us first. He's seen us first and we seen us first. He's seen us first and we can look at him and our hearts can rest can look at him and our hearts can rest can look at him and our hearts can rest in him because he's come for us. He's in him because he's come for us. He's in him because he's come for us. He's provided what we need through grace. And provided what we need through grace. And provided what we need through grace. And I got to tell you, I was 19 when grace I got to tell you, I was 19 when grace I got to tell you, I was 19 when grace hit me firmly between the eyes. I grew hit me firmly between the eyes. I grew hit me firmly between the eyes. I grew up in church. I was there when church up in church. I was there when church up in church. I was there when church was open. I was there brought by my was open. I was there brought by my was open. I was there brought by my parents. And I'll tell you that it was parents. And I'll tell you that it was parents. And I'll tell you that it was 19 when I realized it wasn't every aisle 19 when I realized it wasn't every aisle 19 when I realized it wasn't every aisle I walked, every rededication I had. I I walked, every rededication I had. I I walked, every rededication I had. I prayed the sinner's prayer for a year

prayed the sinner's prayer for a year prayed the sinner's prayer for a year when I was 13. Every night just to make when I was 13. Every night just to make when I was 13. Every night just to make sure it stuck. Just wanted God to make sure it stuck. Just wanted God to make sure it stuck. Just wanted God to make sure that he knew that I meant it. sure that he knew that I meant it. sure that he knew that I meant it. And I was 19 when it hit me in a way And I was 19 when it hit me in a way And I was 19 when it hit me in a way where it was like it wasn't for all my where it was like it wasn't for all my where it was like it wasn't for all my effort that he saved me. It wasn't for effort that he saved me. It wasn't for effort that he saved me. It wasn't for all my repentance that he kept me. It all my repentance that he kept me. It all my repentance that he kept me. It wasn't for all my like hard discipline wasn't for all my like hard discipline wasn't for all my like hard discipline of 17 years old that he loved me. of 17 years old that he loved me. of 17 years old that he loved me. He provided for me before all that. He provided for me before all that. He provided for me before all that. Before all that, gave me everything I Before all that, gave me everything I Before all that, gave me everything I needed. And he's growing me into someone needed. And he's growing me into someone needed. And he's growing me into someone altogether different than who I would be altogether different than who I would be altogether different than who I would be if it was left up to me to answer the if it was left up to me to answer the if it was left up to me to answer the question, who should I become? question, who should I become? question, who should I become? He's got a vision and provision for your He's got a vision and provision for your He's got a vision and provision for your life. And he has a answer to that life. And he has a answer to that life. And he has a answer to that question like who should you become? question like who should you become? question like who should you become? Because Jesus shows us the character of Because Jesus shows us the character of Because Jesus shows us the character of life that God wants for us. And he life that God wants for us. And he life that God wants for us. And he invites us to experience it with him as invites us to experience it with him as invites us to experience it with him as we grow into who he designed us to be. we grow into who he designed us to be. we grow into who he designed us to be. which is not a cookie cutter, smoothed which is not a cookie cutter, smoothed which is not a cookie cutter, smoothed over, boring but holy version of you. over, boring but holy version of you. over, boring but holy version of you. That's not who God wants you to be. If That's not who God wants you to be. If That's not who God wants you to be. If you think coming to Jesus means you have you think coming to Jesus means you have you think coming to Jesus means you have to be like super boring and put all the to be like super boring and put all the to be like super boring and put all the fun stuff in a drawer and put it away, fun stuff in a drawer and put it away, fun stuff in a drawer and put it away, someone told you wrongly.

someone told you wrongly. someone told you wrongly. Like everything about your personality, Like everything about your personality, Like everything about your personality, like the God-given wiring and talent like the God-given wiring and talent like the God-given wiring and talent hidden in you that God put in you is hidden in you that God put in you is hidden in you that God put in you is meant to be redeemed and to flourish and meant to be redeemed and to flourish and meant to be redeemed and to flourish and to be used in God's kingdom. You are to be used in God's kingdom. You are to be used in God's kingdom. You are meant to flourish as his creation, meant to flourish as his creation, meant to flourish as his creation, beautifully and wonderfully made. And so beautifully and wonderfully made. And so beautifully and wonderfully made. And so many of us think, well, if I come to many of us think, well, if I come to many of us think, well, if I come to Jesus, I just got to like set all the Jesus, I just got to like set all the Jesus, I just got to like set all the fun stuff up. No. Holiness is much more fun stuff up. No. Holiness is much more fun stuff up. No. Holiness is much more fun than you realize. fun than you realize. fun than you realize. An eternal quality of joy in life. An eternal quality of joy in life. An eternal quality of joy in life. Getting to walk in your gifts and use Getting to walk in your gifts and use Getting to walk in your gifts and use them for the Lord's kingdom. Oh my gosh, them for the Lord's kingdom. Oh my gosh, them for the Lord's kingdom. Oh my gosh, that is fun. that is fun. that is fun. And he's calling you into this. And so And he's calling you into this. And so And he's calling you into this. And so my point today, my main point is this, my point today, my main point is this, my point today, my main point is this, that the work of our life, the work of that the work of our life, the work of that the work of our life, the work of my life and yours is to grow in Christ my life and yours is to grow in Christ my life and yours is to grow in Christ and to gather those who need him. and to gather those who need him. and to gather those who need him. To grow in Christ and to gather those To grow in Christ and to gather those To grow in Christ and to gather those who need him. I've been circling around who need him. I've been circling around who need him. I've been circling around those words all week as I've been those words all week as I've been those words all week as I've been prepping the sermon. Just grow and prepping the sermon. Just grow and prepping the sermon. Just grow and gather.

gather. gather. Because the work for us is to become Because the work for us is to become Because the work for us is to become more fully human. And I say that, you more fully human. And I say that, you more fully human. And I say that, you might think, that sounds weird. Here's might think, that sounds weird. Here's might think, that sounds weird. Here's what I mean. what I mean. what I mean. Genesis 1, God creates, calls it good. Genesis 1, God creates, calls it good. Genesis 1, God creates, calls it good. You and I exist on the other side of You and I exist on the other side of You and I exist on the other side of Genesis 3, Genesis 3, Genesis 3, fallen humanity. fallen humanity. fallen humanity. And so our experience of being a human And so our experience of being a human And so our experience of being a human is full of duplicity. It's full of is full of duplicity. It's full of is full of duplicity. It's full of darkness. It's full of sin. It's full of darkness. It's full of sin. It's full of darkness. It's full of sin. It's full of temptation. And so what Christ is doing temptation. And so what Christ is doing temptation. And so what Christ is doing is giving us the ability to actually is giving us the ability to actually is giving us the ability to actually become more human, not less. become more human, not less. become more human, not less. Sin disintegrates, makes you less human. Sin disintegrates, makes you less human. Sin disintegrates, makes you less human. The grace of Christ allows you to walk The grace of Christ allows you to walk The grace of Christ allows you to walk in more full righteous like design that in more full righteous like design that in more full righteous like design that God has for you to escape the God has for you to escape the God has for you to escape the disintegration, the fracturing pain of disintegration, the fracturing pain of disintegration, the fracturing pain of sin in the world and to find real life sin in the world and to find real life sin in the world and to find real life to become who we were designed to be to become who we were designed to be to become who we were designed to be through grace and to then invite others through grace and to then invite others through grace and to then invite others into this life that we found that we into this life that we found that we into this life that we found that we would grow and gather. And God's would grow and gather. And God's would grow and gather. And God's provided for us if we'll show up for provided for us if we'll show up for provided for us if we'll show up for this work.

this work. this work. I want to talk to you about what it I want to talk to you about what it I want to talk to you about what it means to show up for the work. Are you means to show up for the work. Are you means to show up for the work. Are you ready? ready? ready? Okay, five of you are ready. I need you Okay, five of you are ready. I need you Okay, five of you are ready. I need you I need you to lock in as the kids say. I need you to lock in as the kids say. I need you to lock in as the kids say. So So So verse five, for this very reason, make verse five, for this very reason, make verse five, for this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith every effort to supplement your faith every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, with goodness, goodness with knowledge, with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, knowledge with self-control, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance self-control with endurance, endurance self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly with godliness, godliness with brotherly with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with affection, and brotherly affection with affection, and brotherly affection with love. love. love. Make every effort because God has Make every effort because God has Make every effort because God has provided everything required for life provided everything required for life provided everything required for life and godliness. Because he's answered the and godliness. Because he's answered the and godliness. Because he's answered the question of your heart with vision and question of your heart with vision and question of your heart with vision and provision. We are to make every effort provision. We are to make every effort provision. We are to make every effort to supplement our faith with the growth to supplement our faith with the growth to supplement our faith with the growth of Christlike character. of Christlike character. of Christlike character. Philips translates that phrase, make Philips translates that phrase, make Philips translates that phrase, make every effort. Do the utmost from your every effort. Do the utmost from your every effort. Do the utmost from your side. side. side. Just do the utmost from your side. And Just do the utmost from your side. And Just do the utmost from your side. And the New Testament reiterates this charge the New Testament reiterates this charge the New Testament reiterates this charge at every turn because there are loads of at every turn because there are loads of at every turn because there are loads of directions or imperatives for what we directions or imperatives for what we directions or imperatives for what we are to do once we have faith in Christ.

are to do once we have faith in Christ. are to do once we have faith in Christ. And every single one is dependent on the And every single one is dependent on the And every single one is dependent on the promise from Philippians 2. That as you promise from Philippians 2. That as you promise from Philippians 2. That as you work out your own salvation with fear work out your own salvation with fear work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, it is God who is working and trembling, it is God who is working and trembling, it is God who is working in you both to will and to work in you both to will and to work in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. according to his good purpose. according to his good purpose. And the church in Ephesus is later told And the church in Ephesus is later told And the church in Ephesus is later told to take off your former way of life, the to take off your former way of life, the to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful old self that is corrupted by deceitful old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of desires, to be renewed in the spirit of desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, your minds, and to put on the new self, your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God's the one created according to God's the one created according to God's likeness and righteousness and purity of likeness and righteousness and purity of likeness and righteousness and purity of the truth. And all that work of putting the truth. And all that work of putting the truth. And all that work of putting off and putting on, all of it requires off and putting on, all of it requires off and putting on, all of it requires gracedriven effort on our part to grow gracedriven effort on our part to grow gracedriven effort on our part to grow up into him who is our head. Now Peter up into him who is our head. Now Peter up into him who is our head. Now Peter gives eight virtues which begin with gives eight virtues which begin with gives eight virtues which begin with faith and end in love. And along the way faith and end in love. And along the way faith and end in love. And along the way they describe a person who's growing in they describe a person who's growing in they describe a person who's growing in three realms of life. So my outline for three realms of life. So my outline for three realms of life. So my outline for this is it's mine, not Peter's. When I this is it's mine, not Peter's. When I this is it's mine, not Peter's. When I think about these three realms of life, think about these three realms of life, think about these three realms of life, I think about doctrine, I think about doctrine, I think about doctrine, discipline, and Christlike character.

discipline, and Christlike character. discipline, and Christlike character. Doctrine, discipline, Christlike Doctrine, discipline, Christlike Doctrine, discipline, Christlike character. Because to grow into maturity character. Because to grow into maturity character. Because to grow into maturity as a Christian, these three throne these as a Christian, these three throne these as a Christian, these three throne these three realms of life are continually three realms of life are continually three realms of life are continually surrendered to God just again and again surrendered to God just again and again surrendered to God just again and again so that you might grow in the knowledge so that you might grow in the knowledge so that you might grow in the knowledge of Christ, the fruit of the spirit and of Christ, the fruit of the spirit and of Christ, the fruit of the spirit and the good works which God has prepared the good works which God has prepared the good works which God has prepared for you to walk in. You realize like for you to walk in. You realize like for you to walk in. You realize like every day he's pro he's prepared things every day he's pro he's prepared things every day he's pro he's prepared things for you by the power of the spirit to for you by the power of the spirit to for you by the power of the spirit to walk in to do work in his kingdom. And walk in to do work in his kingdom. And walk in to do work in his kingdom. And if you are paying attention and you are if you are paying attention and you are if you are paying attention and you are available, you get to step into those available, you get to step into those available, you get to step into those and partner with him. and partner with him. and partner with him. And it takes learning doctrine to test, And it takes learning doctrine to test, And it takes learning doctrine to test, reject, and fight the false teaching of reject, and fight the false teaching of reject, and fight the false teaching of this world. You have to learn doctrine this world. You have to learn doctrine this world. You have to learn doctrine to fight, test, and reject the false to fight, test, and reject the false to fight, test, and reject the false teaching of this world. You, you know, teaching of this world. You, you know, teaching of this world. You, you know, you spot a lie? You learn truth. you spot a lie? You learn truth. you spot a lie? You learn truth. You learn truth and the lie sticks out. You learn truth and the lie sticks out. You learn truth and the lie sticks out. But here's the thing. So many of us But here's the thing. So many of us But here's the thing. So many of us don't know our faith and our doctrine don't know our faith and our doctrine don't know our faith and our doctrine well enough that things that sound well enough that things that sound well enough that things that sound half-truth seem right.

half-truth seem right. half-truth seem right. And the thing is that now you can just And the thing is that now you can just And the thing is that now you can just open your phone and you step into a open your phone and you step into a open your phone and you step into a buffet of false doctrine. buffet of false doctrine. buffet of false doctrine. And many of you don't make it through And many of you don't make it through And many of you don't make it through the three-minute reel. You just get the the three-minute reel. You just get the the three-minute reel. You just get the 15 seconds of false teaching. You move 15 seconds of false teaching. You move 15 seconds of false teaching. You move on to the next thing. And you do that on to the next thing. And you do that on to the next thing. And you do that enough times that you go to sleep with enough times that you go to sleep with enough times that you go to sleep with all these little bites of unrejected all these little bites of unrejected all these little bites of unrejected doctrine bouncing around in your head doctrine bouncing around in your head doctrine bouncing around in your head and your heart. and you go to sleep and and your heart. and you go to sleep and and your heart. and you go to sleep and you wake up and all of a sudden you you wake up and all of a sudden you you wake up and all of a sudden you think, "Well, I mean it sounds kind of think, "Well, I mean it sounds kind of think, "Well, I mean it sounds kind of true. I guess that's right." And you true. I guess that's right." And you true. I guess that's right." And you just get this weird mix of just get this weird mix of just get this weird mix of untrue belief in your heart untrue belief in your heart untrue belief in your heart and you have to guard against that by and you have to guard against that by and you have to guard against that by devoting yourself to learning what is devoting yourself to learning what is devoting yourself to learning what is true and right because a doctrinally true and right because a doctrinally true and right because a doctrinally sound faith transforms your mind and sound faith transforms your mind and sound faith transforms your mind and gives wisdom for from above for how to gives wisdom for from above for how to gives wisdom for from above for how to live. And it takes effort to get because live. And it takes effort to get because live. And it takes effort to get because you have to study and learn. you have to study and learn. you have to study and learn. And Paul tells Timothy to guard his life And Paul tells Timothy to guard his life And Paul tells Timothy to guard his life and doctrine that it would guard him and and doctrine that it would guard him and and doctrine that it would guard him and his hearers. In first 1 Corinthians 15, his hearers. In first 1 Corinthians 15, his hearers. In first 1 Corinthians 15, we're told that clear doctrine is the we're told that clear doctrine is the we're told that clear doctrine is the grounds of knowledge of salvation. And grounds of knowledge of salvation. And grounds of knowledge of salvation. And every epistle in the New Testament, every epistle in the New Testament, every epistle in the New Testament, every single one warns you about the every single one warns you about the every single one warns you about the impact of false doctrine impact of false doctrine impact of false doctrine and the importance of guarding your and the importance of guarding your and the importance of guarding your doctrine.

doctrine. doctrine. Second Timothy says this. He says, "For Second Timothy says this. He says, "For Second Timothy says this. He says, "For the time will come when people will not the time will come when people will not the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine." it's today. tolerate sound doctrine." it's today. tolerate sound doctrine." it's today. But according to their own desires will But according to their own desires will But according to their own desires will multiply teachers for themselves because multiply teachers for themselves because multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want they have an itch to hear what they want they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from to hear. They will turn away from to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to hearing the truth and will turn aside to hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. myths. myths. I got to tell you, I I got to tell you, I I got to tell you, I I know that every day you have a choice I know that every day you have a choice I know that every day you have a choice of who you're going to listen to. And of who you're going to listen to. And of who you're going to listen to. And you can go, I don't like that guy. I'm you can go, I don't like that guy. I'm you can go, I don't like that guy. I'm going to go listen to this guy. And you going to go listen to this guy. And you going to go listen to this guy. And you can pick anybody you want to listen to. can pick anybody you want to listen to. can pick anybody you want to listen to. In our day and age, you can podcast, you In our day and age, you can podcast, you In our day and age, you can podcast, you can subscribe to, you can read, you can can subscribe to, you can read, you can can subscribe to, you can read, you can watch reals of any teacher you want that watch reals of any teacher you want that watch reals of any teacher you want that affirms what you believe. affirms what you believe. affirms what you believe. And what you need is to be challenged And what you need is to be challenged And what you need is to be challenged with the truth and conform your beliefs with the truth and conform your beliefs with the truth and conform your beliefs to the truth. to the truth. to the truth. >> Not to let not to let yourself go and >> Not to let not to let yourself go and >> Not to let not to let yourself go and go, "What do I want to hear today? Oh, go, "What do I want to hear today? Oh, go, "What do I want to hear today? Oh, that makes me feel good about myself. that makes me feel good about myself. that makes me feel good about myself. All right, I'll listen to that." All right, I'll listen to that." All right, I'll listen to that." You have to learn the teaching of Christ You have to learn the teaching of Christ You have to learn the teaching of Christ and the apostles. and the apostles. and the apostles. and surrender your life to that. That is and surrender your life to that. That is and surrender your life to that. That is ultimate reality.

ultimate reality. ultimate reality. But you have the option. You don't have But you have the option. You don't have But you have the option. You don't have to. You just literally can pull out your to. You just literally can pull out your to. You just literally can pull out your phone, take a digital smoke break, and phone, take a digital smoke break, and phone, take a digital smoke break, and be encouraged by any any teacher you be encouraged by any any teacher you be encouraged by any any teacher you want who will tell you whatever you want want who will tell you whatever you want want who will tell you whatever you want to hear. And it's so easy because it to hear. And it's so easy because it to hear. And it's so easy because it feels right most of the time. feels right most of the time. feels right most of the time. It takes takes effort to guard against It takes takes effort to guard against It takes takes effort to guard against that. Now, for the last decade, I've that. Now, for the last decade, I've that. Now, for the last decade, I've read the state of theology. Uh, it's a read the state of theology. Uh, it's a read the state of theology. Uh, it's a survey, comes out every other year. I've survey, comes out every other year. I've survey, comes out every other year. I've read it. And what it does is it it pulls read it. And what it does is it it pulls read it. And what it does is it it pulls Americans on their grasp of Orthodox Americans on their grasp of Orthodox Americans on their grasp of Orthodox Christian doctrine. Christian doctrine. Christian doctrine. And the trend over the last decade has And the trend over the last decade has And the trend over the last decade has not been great. It's been showing that not been great. It's been showing that not been great. It's been showing that we're not growing more aware of we're not growing more aware of we're not growing more aware of doctrine. We're growing less. doctrine. We're growing less. doctrine. We're growing less. We're not we're not actually growing We're not we're not actually growing We're not we're not actually growing more biblically literate. We're growing more biblically literate. We're growing more biblically literate. We're growing more biblically confused. more biblically confused. more biblically confused. And I have to tell you that Peter says, And I have to tell you that Peter says, And I have to tell you that Peter says, "Supplement your faith with goodness and "Supplement your faith with goodness and "Supplement your faith with goodness and goodness with knowledge." And that goodness with knowledge." And that goodness with knowledge." And that doesn't come through reals or sound doesn't come through reals or sound doesn't come through reals or sound bites. It doesn't come by listening to a bites. It doesn't come by listening to a bites. It doesn't come by listening to a bunch of sermons. It comes by digging a bunch of sermons. It comes by digging a bunch of sermons. It comes by digging a well yourself. well yourself. well yourself. It comes by learning your Bible It comes by learning your Bible It comes by learning your Bible firsthand. So let's talk about digging a firsthand. So let's talk about digging a firsthand. So let's talk about digging a well. I got another picture for you. I well. I got another picture for you. I well. I got another picture for you. I think about if I got to learn this think about if I got to learn this think about if I got to learn this topic. I want to understand the topic. I want to understand the topic. I want to understand the character of God in this way. I'm going character of God in this way. I'm going character of God in this way. I'm going to get out my shovel and I'm going to to get out my shovel and I'm going to to get out my shovel and I'm going to dig. And that digging is me working to dig. And that digging is me working to dig. And that digging is me working to understand that God might fill it with understand that God might fill it with understand that God might fill it with his word and his character, his his word and his character, his his word and his character, his understanding and wisdom. Do you need understanding and wisdom. Do you need understanding and wisdom. Do you need another analogy? It's like you got a big another analogy? It's like you got a big another analogy? It's like you got a big filing cabinet and I'm just going to filing cabinet and I'm just going to filing cabinet and I'm just going to like pull out the drawer and spend my like pull out the drawer and spend my like pull out the drawer and spend my time to fill the drawer with

time to fill the drawer with time to fill the drawer with understanding from God's word so that understanding from God's word so that understanding from God's word so that when the day of suffering comes, I can when the day of suffering comes, I can when the day of suffering comes, I can go take a drink from the well or a go take a drink from the well or a go take a drink from the well or a resource from my drawer and depend upon resource from my drawer and depend upon resource from my drawer and depend upon who God is. I'm not left in that moment who God is. I'm not left in that moment who God is. I'm not left in that moment wondering if God loves me because I know wondering if God loves me because I know wondering if God loves me because I know he does. he does. he does. And I do that to make sure that I am And I do that to make sure that I am And I do that to make sure that I am guarding my life in doctrine by digging guarding my life in doctrine by digging guarding my life in doctrine by digging wells and filling drawers. And it takes wells and filling drawers. And it takes wells and filling drawers. And it takes time and effort to do that. You have to time and effort to do that. You have to time and effort to do that. You have to it comes through the hard work of it comes through the hard work of it comes through the hard work of devoted study. And I say devoted because devoted study. And I say devoted because devoted study. And I say devoted because we all have the same amount of time. we all have the same amount of time. we all have the same amount of time. Nobody has more hours in the day. And Nobody has more hours in the day. And Nobody has more hours in the day. And your time goes towards your loves. your time goes towards your loves. your time goes towards your loves. Your time goes towards your loves or Your time goes towards your loves or Your time goes towards your loves or your comfort. Let's be real. For some of your comfort. Let's be real. For some of your comfort. Let's be real. For some of you, it just goes to your level of you, it just goes to your level of you, it just goes to your level of comfort. comfort. comfort. And I checked a few different nationwide And I checked a few different nationwide And I checked a few different nationwide surveys and I found this. Last year, two surveys and I found this. Last year, two surveys and I found this. Last year, two in five American adults finished zero in five American adults finished zero in five American adults finished zero books. books. books. Two in five finished zero books. So, Two in five finished zero books. So, Two in five finished zero books. So, three in five read a book. And of the three in five read a book. And of the three in five read a book. And of the three in five who read a book and three in five who read a book and three in five who read a book and finished one, they actually only finished one, they actually only finished one, they actually only finished two.

finished two. finished two. So, the average is not awesome. And if So, the average is not awesome. And if So, the average is not awesome. And if you think you're like, "Well, I read you think you're like, "Well, I read you think you're like, "Well, I read nine books last year." Well, you are an nine books last year." Well, you are an nine books last year." Well, you are an outlier and congratulations on your book outlier and congratulations on your book outlier and congratulations on your book of the month club. Like, I'm I'm really of the month club. Like, I'm I'm really of the month club. Like, I'm I'm really happy for you. But there's a difference happy for you. But there's a difference happy for you. But there's a difference in what you read and in how you read. in what you read and in how you read. in what you read and in how you read. There's just a difference. There's just a difference. There's just a difference. And gosh, we are a people of the book. And gosh, we are a people of the book. And gosh, we are a people of the book. We are a people of a book, a sacred book We are a people of a book, a sacred book We are a people of a book, a sacred book given to us that 500 years ago people given to us that 500 years ago people given to us that 500 years ago people didn't have copies of in their home. And didn't have copies of in their home. And didn't have copies of in their home. And you have now on your phone what people you have now on your phone what people you have now on your phone what people bled for to have. And we take it for bled for to have. And we take it for bled for to have. And we take it for granted and we don't learn it. We just granted and we don't learn it. We just granted and we don't learn it. We just let other people tell us about it. But let other people tell us about it. But let other people tell us about it. But it holds in it everything you need for it holds in it everything you need for it holds in it everything you need for life and godliness. life and godliness. life and godliness. It will guard you and keep you from It will guard you and keep you from It will guard you and keep you from stumbling if you will give yourself to stumbling if you will give yourself to stumbling if you will give yourself to the wisdom of God in the word of God. There's so much available if you will There's so much available if you will give our time to it. Let's talk about give our time to it. Let's talk about give our time to it. Let's talk about social media. Want to do that one?

social media. Want to do that one? social media. Want to do that one? Average American last year spent two Average American last year spent two Average American last year spent two hours and nine minutes on social media hours and nine minutes on social media hours and nine minutes on social media daily. daily. daily. Two hours and 9 minutes a day. That's on Two hours and 9 minutes a day. That's on Two hours and 9 minutes a day. That's on the low end. 780 hours a year. 780 hours the low end. 780 hours a year. 780 hours the low end. 780 hours a year. 780 hours a year. And you're like, Mason, I don't a year. And you're like, Mason, I don't a year. And you're like, Mason, I don't do that. I don't get on Tik Tok or do that. I don't get on Tik Tok or do that. I don't get on Tik Tok or Facebook or Instagram and sit there for Facebook or Instagram and sit there for Facebook or Instagram and sit there for three hours at a time and just go like three hours at a time and just go like three hours at a time and just go like this. Like, I know you don't. It's this. Like, I know you don't. It's this. Like, I know you don't. It's because every four minutes you flitter because every four minutes you flitter because every four minutes you flitter away 45 seconds of your life just by away 45 seconds of your life just by away 45 seconds of your life just by checking the same little routine of apps checking the same little routine of apps checking the same little routine of apps to see if anything new is there. And you to see if anything new is there. And you to see if anything new is there. And you do it at every stoplight when you need a do it at every stoplight when you need a do it at every stoplight when you need a break from reality. break from reality. break from reality. You do it in the elevator. You do it You do it in the elevator. You do it You do it in the elevator. You do it because you don't want to be alone because you don't want to be alone because you don't want to be alone because then you're with yourself. because then you're with yourself. because then you're with yourself. Two hours and nine minutes adds up Two hours and nine minutes adds up Two hours and nine minutes adds up because you're doing it in little micro because you're doing it in little micro because you're doing it in little micro moments all throughout your day and your moments all throughout your day and your moments all throughout your day and your week and you're just welcoming in week and you're just welcoming in week and you're just welcoming in content. content. content. Let's go for TV. I'm just going to round Let's go for TV. I'm just going to round Let's go for TV. I'm just going to round all the bases here. You all got real all the bases here. You all got real all the bases here. You all got real quiet. You were quiet anyway. It's like quiet. You were quiet anyway. It's like quiet. You were quiet anyway. It's like a different kind of quiet right now.

a different kind of quiet right now. a different kind of quiet right now. We'll go for TV. We'll go for TV. We'll go for TV. The average American last year watched The average American last year watched The average American last year watched 3.7 hours of TV a day. 3.7 hours. That's 3.7 hours of TV a day. 3.7 hours. That's 3.7 hours of TV a day. 3.7 hours. That's 26 hours a week, which I have to tell 26 hours a week, which I have to tell 26 hours a week, which I have to tell you is a part-time job. you is a part-time job. you is a part-time job. If you wonder where your time goes, you If you wonder where your time goes, you If you wonder where your time goes, you actually welcomed in a part-time job of actually welcomed in a part-time job of actually welcomed in a part-time job of just watching TV. just watching TV. just watching TV. And that's more than 1350 hours a year. And that's more than 1350 hours a year. And that's more than 1350 hours a year. So, I'm not great at math, but all that So, I'm not great at math, but all that So, I'm not great at math, but all that adds up to about 2,000 hours a year that adds up to about 2,000 hours a year that adds up to about 2,000 hours a year that you spend in front of a screen that you spend in front of a screen that you spend in front of a screen that you're not paid to sit in front of. you're not paid to sit in front of. you're not paid to sit in front of. 2,000 hours a year. 2,000 hours a year. 2,000 hours a year. And you want to tell me that's not And you want to tell me that's not And you want to tell me that's not shaping you into somebody? shaping you into somebody? shaping you into somebody? Like you want to tell me that every ad, Like you want to tell me that every ad, Like you want to tell me that every ad, every algorithm, every show, every every algorithm, every show, every every algorithm, every show, every explicit or implicit message that you're explicit or implicit message that you're explicit or implicit message that you're getting, everything that defiles the getting, everything that defiles the getting, everything that defiles the name of God that you watch, that we name of God that you watch, that we name of God that you watch, that we watch, you tell me that's not shaping watch, you tell me that's not shaping watch, you tell me that's not shaping what you love and how you think reality what you love and how you think reality what you love and how you think reality is and how you use your time. is and how you use your time. is and how you use your time. Like we are fooling ourselves and being Like we are fooling ourselves and being Like we are fooling ourselves and being deceived if we think that that is not deceived if we think that that is not deceived if we think that that is not impacting who we become as children of impacting who we become as children of impacting who we become as children of God.

God. God. And I say this because the glowing And I say this because the glowing And I say this because the glowing rectangle is catechizing you into a rectangle is catechizing you into a rectangle is catechizing you into a post-Christian culture. post-Christian culture. post-Christian culture. It is not looking out for your doctrinal It is not looking out for your doctrinal It is not looking out for your doctrinal integrity. It is actually looking to integrity. It is actually looking to integrity. It is actually looking to disintegrate your doctrinal integrity by disintegrate your doctrinal integrity by disintegrate your doctrinal integrity by shaping your loves towards the world. shaping your loves towards the world. shaping your loves towards the world. And by sheer volume of time, it's going And by sheer volume of time, it's going And by sheer volume of time, it's going to win. Just sheer volume of time and to win. Just sheer volume of time and to win. Just sheer volume of time and influence. Unless you start to fight influence. Unless you start to fight influence. Unless you start to fight back, it's going to win. Peter says, back, it's going to win. Peter says, back, it's going to win. Peter says, "Supplement your faith with goodness and "Supplement your faith with goodness and "Supplement your faith with goodness and goodness with knowledge. So fight for goodness with knowledge. So fight for goodness with knowledge. So fight for doctrine to be increasingly in your doctrine to be increasingly in your doctrine to be increasingly in your heart and on your mind. Proactively heart and on your mind. Proactively heart and on your mind. Proactively guard it because by doing so you will guard it because by doing so you will guard it because by doing so you will find real life. Just find real life. find real life. Just find real life. find real life. Just find real life. So I want you to learn your Bible So I want you to learn your Bible So I want you to learn your Bible firsthand. firsthand. firsthand. You can listen to people like me talk. You can listen to people like me talk. You can listen to people like me talk. That's fine. I want you to learn your That's fine. I want you to learn your That's fine. I want you to learn your Bible firsthand. Bible firsthand. Bible firsthand. I want you to learn the history of your I want you to learn the history of your I want you to learn the history of your faith. Like so many times we find faith. Like so many times we find faith. Like so many times we find problems where it's like I can't believe problems where it's like I can't believe problems where it's like I can't believe this thing is here. What do I do about this thing is here. What do I do about this thing is here. What do I do about this problem? And I would tell you as a this problem? And I would tell you as a this problem? And I would tell you as a church historian, that problem is that church historian, that problem is that church historian, that problem is that was settled a thousand years ago by the was settled a thousand years ago by the was settled a thousand years ago by the church. That was settled 1500 years ago church. That was settled 1500 years ago church. That was settled 1500 years ago by the church. It's just an old problem by the church. It's just an old problem by the church. It's just an old problem in new clothes. But you don't have the in new clothes. But you don't have the in new clothes. But you don't have the perspective of going, we've already perspective of going, we've already perspective of going, we've already talked about it. So if you would learn talked about it. So if you would learn talked about it. So if you would learn your Bible firsthand, learn the history your Bible firsthand, learn the history your Bible firsthand, learn the history of your faith, live by what you've been of your faith, live by what you've been of your faith, live by what you've been given, which is the teaching of Christ given, which is the teaching of Christ given, which is the teaching of Christ and the apostles. So many times people and the apostles. So many times people and the apostles. So many times people will show me a real and be like, "What will show me a real and be like, "What will show me a real and be like, "What do you think about this?" I say, "Oh, do you think about this?" I say, "Oh, do you think about this?" I say, "Oh, okay. Well, there's that's an okay. Well, there's that's an okay. Well, there's that's an interesting interpretation of the text.

interesting interpretation of the text. interesting interpretation of the text. My first question always if you send it My first question always if you send it My first question always if you send it to me is how old is it? Not the real, to me is how old is it? Not the real, to me is how old is it? Not the real, it's how old is the thought behind it. it's how old is the thought behind it. it's how old is the thought behind it. It's like, oh, I think that's from like It's like, oh, I think that's from like It's like, oh, I think that's from like the 1960s. I'm like, cool. That's not the 1960s. I'm like, cool. That's not the 1960s. I'm like, cool. That's not old. I I don't know if we old. I I don't know if we old. I I don't know if we like I Let me take you to the 4th like I Let me take you to the 4th like I Let me take you to the 4th century century century where the creeds of the church were put where the creeds of the church were put where the creeds of the church were put together. Let me take you to the first together. Let me take you to the first together. Let me take you to the first century where the early church was century where the early church was century where the early church was writing the letters you're reading now. writing the letters you're reading now. writing the letters you're reading now. We can talk about development of We can talk about development of We can talk about development of doctrine. But let me let me take you to doctrine. But let me let me take you to doctrine. But let me let me take you to the teaching of Christ and the apostles. the teaching of Christ and the apostles. the teaching of Christ and the apostles. You want to base your life on something. You want to base your life on something. You want to base your life on something. I don't want the latest guy. I don't want the latest guy. I don't want the latest guy. Novelty in theology is bad. Novelty in theology is bad. Novelty in theology is bad. I want what Christ has said. So you want I want what Christ has said. So you want I want what Christ has said. So you want to give your time to learning that. So to give your time to learning that. So to give your time to learning that. So doctrine. Second one, discipline. The doctrine. Second one, discipline. The doctrine. Second one, discipline. The Proverbs say that a person who doesn't Proverbs say that a person who doesn't Proverbs say that a person who doesn't control their temper is like a city control their temper is like a city control their temper is like a city whose wall is broken down. whose wall is broken down. whose wall is broken down. Peter sets this up where your doctrine Peter sets this up where your doctrine Peter sets this up where your doctrine equips you with not just right knowledge equips you with not just right knowledge equips you with not just right knowledge but insight into right practice because but insight into right practice because but insight into right practice because virtues build off each other. Faith, virtues build off each other. Faith, virtues build off each other. Faith, goodness, and knowledge support goodness, and knowledge support goodness, and knowledge support self-control, endurance, godliness.

self-control, endurance, godliness. self-control, endurance, godliness. Godliness supports brotherly affection Godliness supports brotherly affection Godliness supports brotherly affection and love. But you cannot get to and love. But you cannot get to and love. But you cannot get to godliness, brotherly affection and love godliness, brotherly affection and love godliness, brotherly affection and love without self-control. without self-control. without self-control. You can't get there. It's like a rung on You can't get there. It's like a rung on You can't get there. It's like a rung on the ladder is missing because the fruit the ladder is missing because the fruit the ladder is missing because the fruit of the spirit, self-control, is a means of the spirit, self-control, is a means of the spirit, self-control, is a means to take all of the freedom you have and to take all of the freedom you have and to take all of the freedom you have and to constrain it and then to point it in to constrain it and then to point it in to constrain it and then to point it in the direction of what's most important. the direction of what's most important. the direction of what's most important. You with me? This it like self-control You with me? This it like self-control You with me? This it like self-control is to take every option and yes you is to take every option and yes you is to take every option and yes you could give and to constrain it and then could give and to constrain it and then could give and to constrain it and then point it where you're going this is point it where you're going this is point it where you're going this is right. right. right. I fight to tell myself no a thousand I fight to tell myself no a thousand I fight to tell myself no a thousand times a day. so that I can protect the times a day. so that I can protect the times a day. so that I can protect the precious few yeses that I cannot lose. precious few yeses that I cannot lose. precious few yeses that I cannot lose. Like I tell myself and my kids that Like I tell myself and my kids that Like I tell myself and my kids that everything we want is on the other side everything we want is on the other side everything we want is on the other side of hard. Everything we want is on the of hard. Everything we want is on the of hard. Everything we want is on the other side of the heart. And the hardest other side of the heart. And the hardest other side of the heart. And the hardest thing many of us will do each day is to thing many of us will do each day is to thing many of us will do each day is to tell ourselves no for the sake of tell ourselves no for the sake of tell ourselves no for the sake of godliness. godliness. godliness. to deny our flesh, our impulses, our to deny our flesh, our impulses, our to deny our flesh, our impulses, our urges, our consumerism, our hunger for urges, our consumerism, our hunger for urges, our consumerism, our hunger for comfort, our desire to be accepted, our comfort, our desire to be accepted, our comfort, our desire to be accepted, our fear of being rejected, to tell fear of being rejected, to tell fear of being rejected, to tell ourselves no for the sake of godliness, ourselves no for the sake of godliness, ourselves no for the sake of godliness, that our inner character might be tested that our inner character might be tested that our inner character might be tested and tried, and tried, and tried, that we might mature and know that we that we might mature and know that we that we might mature and know that we can withstand the winds of culture and can withstand the winds of culture and can withstand the winds of culture and the storm of our hearts.

the storm of our hearts. the storm of our hearts. This discipline is not an iron will. I'm This discipline is not an iron will. I'm This discipline is not an iron will. I'm not telling you like, hey, really like not telling you like, hey, really like not telling you like, hey, really like try harder. try harder. try harder. This discipline comes from a right love. This discipline comes from a right love. This discipline comes from a right love. Comes from a right love. We lack Comes from a right love. We lack Comes from a right love. We lack discipline because our loves are discipline because our loves are discipline because our loves are disordered. disordered. disordered. We say yes to too much because we're We say yes to too much because we're We say yes to too much because we're distracted. We're unsure. We're distracted. We're unsure. We're distracted. We're unsure. We're codependent. We're insecure. We're codependent. We're insecure. We're codependent. We're insecure. We're needy. We're looking for somebody needy. We're looking for somebody needy. We're looking for somebody looking for us. looking for us. looking for us. Or we're looking horizontally looking Or we're looking horizontally looking Or we're looking horizontally looking for somebody looking for us. And we can for somebody looking for us. And we can for somebody looking for us. And we can be very disciplined on the things that be very disciplined on the things that be very disciplined on the things that we tie our loves and our identity to. we tie our loves and our identity to. we tie our loves and our identity to. Because I know some of you, some of you Because I know some of you, some of you Because I know some of you, some of you are cold plunging, sauna sweating, 68° are cold plunging, sauna sweating, 68° are cold plunging, sauna sweating, 68° sleeping, life optimizing, supplement sleeping, life optimizing, supplement sleeping, life optimizing, supplement taking people. taking people. taking people. I know because I'm among you. I know because I'm among you. I know because I'm among you. And you will lift until you injure And you will lift until you injure And you will lift until you injure yourself. And then once you're ready, yourself. And then once you're ready, yourself. And then once you're ready, you're back for more. Just happens. Our you're back for more. Just happens. Our you're back for more. Just happens. Our age is obsessed with longevity. And we age is obsessed with longevity. And we age is obsessed with longevity. And we are life hacking away. aging one are life hacking away. aging one are life hacking away. aging one purchase at a time. And we will do all purchase at a time. And we will do all purchase at a time. And we will do all this to live longer, but we ignore the this to live longer, but we ignore the this to live longer, but we ignore the quality of person we will be in our old quality of person we will be in our old quality of person we will be in our old age.

age. age. We are building our bodies and starving We are building our bodies and starving We are building our bodies and starving our character. our character. our character. And Paul says, have nothing to do with And Paul says, have nothing to do with And Paul says, have nothing to do with pointlessness and silly myths. Rather, pointlessness and silly myths. Rather, pointlessness and silly myths. Rather, train yourself for godliness. For the train yourself for godliness. For the train yourself for godliness. For the training of the body has limited training of the body has limited training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in benefit, but godliness is beneficial in benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way since it holds promise for the every way since it holds promise for the every way since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to present life and also for the life to present life and also for the life to come. come. come. We discipline ourselves to run the race We discipline ourselves to run the race We discipline ourselves to run the race that God has given us. Like I want to be that God has given us. Like I want to be that God has given us. Like I want to be a vessel fit for service a vessel fit for service a vessel fit for service to abide in Christ. And Romans 5 says to abide in Christ. And Romans 5 says to abide in Christ. And Romans 5 says it's the spirit's work in us helping us it's the spirit's work in us helping us it's the spirit's work in us helping us love rightly even in trial because our love rightly even in trial because our love rightly even in trial because our discipline produces endurance which discipline produces endurance which discipline produces endurance which produces proven character which produces produces proven character which produces produces proven character which produces hope. hope. hope. And that hope is the love of God in our And that hope is the love of God in our And that hope is the love of God in our hearts and it won't disappoint us. So my hearts and it won't disappoint us. So my hearts and it won't disappoint us. So my encouragement to you is to fight for encouragement to you is to fight for encouragement to you is to fight for discipline and godliness in every area discipline and godliness in every area discipline and godliness in every area of your life. Just every area. It helps of your life. Just every area. It helps of your life. Just every area. It helps set the guard rails for your reactions set the guard rails for your reactions set the guard rails for your reactions when life comes at you. And because God when life comes at you. And because God when life comes at you. And because God has provided everything we need, our has provided everything we need, our has provided everything we need, our response is to work out what he's worked response is to work out what he's worked response is to work out what he's worked into us to grow by giving ourselves to into us to grow by giving ourselves to into us to grow by giving ourselves to doctrine, discipline, and Christlike doctrine, discipline, and Christlike doctrine, discipline, and Christlike character. That's the third one. Because character. That's the third one. Because character. That's the third one. Because becoming like Jesus is the lifelong work becoming like Jesus is the lifelong work becoming like Jesus is the lifelong work of growing in Christlike character. is of growing in Christlike character. is of growing in Christlike character. is to pay attention to who you're becoming to pay attention to who you're becoming to pay attention to who you're becoming and enter into deep work over time in and enter into deep work over time in and enter into deep work over time in community. It's to mature as a person, community. It's to mature as a person, community. It's to mature as a person, not becoming more serious, but more not becoming more serious, but more not becoming more serious, but more godly.

godly. godly. to become more Christlike, more full of to become more Christlike, more full of to become more Christlike, more full of assurance of brotherly affection and assurance of brotherly affection and assurance of brotherly affection and love, to be increasingly healed from the love, to be increasingly healed from the love, to be increasingly healed from the disintegration of the world, to learn to disintegration of the world, to learn to disintegration of the world, to learn to live with your whole heart, to come out live with your whole heart, to come out live with your whole heart, to come out of hiding, of hiding, of hiding, and to trust that what God says and to trust that what God says and to trust that what God says is true. is true. is true. What he says that he who he says that he What he says that he who he says that he What he says that he who he says that he is is true. What he says about you is is is true. What he says about you is is is true. What he says about you is true. to be transformed by the renewing true. to be transformed by the renewing true. to be transformed by the renewing of your mind and have your heart of your mind and have your heart of your mind and have your heart reoriented towards God's good design for reoriented towards God's good design for reoriented towards God's good design for life. And this, like we talked about a life. And this, like we talked about a life. And this, like we talked about a month ago in Psalm 92, this is where the month ago in Psalm 92, this is where the month ago in Psalm 92, this is where the tree of your life grows into an oak or a tree of your life grows into an oak or a tree of your life grows into an oak or a cedar or a palm. cedar or a palm. cedar or a palm. Just strong, Just strong, Just strong, mighty, planted in the house of the Lord mighty, planted in the house of the Lord mighty, planted in the house of the Lord by grace. by grace. by grace. And we learn not just to guard our And we learn not just to guard our And we learn not just to guard our hearts, but to see them grow, to see hearts, but to see them grow, to see hearts, but to see them grow, to see them grow through gracefilled them grow through gracefilled them grow through gracefilled relationships in the body of Christ. relationships in the body of Christ. relationships in the body of Christ. Because we have this learned fear-based Because we have this learned fear-based Because we have this learned fear-based self-protective reaction and it has to self-protective reaction and it has to self-protective reaction and it has to give way to living rooted and grounded give way to living rooted and grounded give way to living rooted and grounded interdependently in the body interdependently in the body interdependently in the body that we would know the height, the that we would know the height, the that we would know the height, the depth, the breadth and the width of the depth, the breadth and the width of the depth, the breadth and the width of the love of God for you in Christ Jesus and love of God for you in Christ Jesus and love of God for you in Christ Jesus and that you would be healed in community.

that you would be healed in community. that you would be healed in community. And all that spirit-driven, grace-driven And all that spirit-driven, grace-driven And all that spirit-driven, grace-driven work forms a heart that moves from its work forms a heart that moves from its work forms a heart that moves from its inward bent to an outward love of God inward bent to an outward love of God inward bent to an outward love of God and those whom he loves. Takes our eyes and those whom he loves. Takes our eyes and those whom he loves. Takes our eyes off of ourselves, our inward curve, off of ourselves, our inward curve, off of ourselves, our inward curve, curves us outward and up to God and curves us outward and up to God and curves us outward and up to God and those whom he loves. And that's those whom he loves. And that's those whom he loves. And that's brotherly affection and love. That's brotherly affection and love. That's brotherly affection and love. That's where that comes from. That you realize where that comes from. That you realize where that comes from. That you realize all you have and all you need has been all you have and all you need has been all you have and all you need has been given to you before you've done a thing. given to you before you've done a thing. given to you before you've done a thing. and you can't help but want others to and you can't help but want others to and you can't help but want others to get the same great deal that you got. get the same great deal that you got. get the same great deal that you got. You want them to know who he is. You want them to know who he is. You want them to know who he is. So, doctrine, discipline, Christlike So, doctrine, discipline, Christlike So, doctrine, discipline, Christlike character. All of these take character. All of these take character. All of these take grace-driven effort to grow. You have to grace-driven effort to grow. You have to grace-driven effort to grow. You have to invest in yourself here. And Peter is invest in yourself here. And Peter is invest in yourself here. And Peter is calling you to grow your inner calling you to grow your inner calling you to grow your inner character, to discipline yourself across character, to discipline yourself across character, to discipline yourself across your life for the sake of godliness your life for the sake of godliness your life for the sake of godliness instructed by right doctrine. Peter instructed by right doctrine. Peter instructed by right doctrine. Peter tells us to make every effort. He said, tells us to make every effort. He said, tells us to make every effort. He said, and in fact, he actually says it twice. and in fact, he actually says it twice. and in fact, he actually says it twice. And so many of us make every effort in And so many of us make every effort in And so many of us make every effort in our chosen area of life, but we give our chosen area of life, but we give our chosen area of life, but we give Christ a half-hearted effort.

Christ a half-hearted effort. Christ a half-hearted effort. We make every effort towards what we We make every effort towards what we We make every effort towards what we really are focused on and are tied to, really are focused on and are tied to, really are focused on and are tied to, but then we will bring a partial effort but then we will bring a partial effort but then we will bring a partial effort to Jesus. And one of my favorite to Jesus. And one of my favorite to Jesus. And one of my favorite theologians asked this. He says, "How theologians asked this. He says, "How theologians asked this. He says, "How much are you willing to invest in much are you willing to invest in much are you willing to invest in yourself?" yourself?" yourself?" People think they can look like giant People think they can look like giant People think they can look like giant oaks without putting down deep roots. oaks without putting down deep roots. oaks without putting down deep roots. When they realize how much effort it When they realize how much effort it When they realize how much effort it takes to put down deep roots, they takes to put down deep roots, they takes to put down deep roots, they settle for being bramble bushes. settle for being bramble bushes. settle for being bramble bushes. People often complain they are not who People often complain they are not who People often complain they are not who they should be, but they take no action they should be, but they take no action they should be, but they take no action to change. Like, will you be yourself? to change. Like, will you be yourself? to change. Like, will you be yourself? Not just any self, but the self you Not just any self, but the self you Not just any self, but the self you should be, the one you were created to should be, the one you were created to should be, the one you were created to be. Will you give attention to yourself? be. Will you give attention to yourself? be. Will you give attention to yourself? Think about yourself. Be honest with Think about yourself. Be honest with Think about yourself. Be honest with yourself. and take action with God's yourself. and take action with God's yourself. and take action with God's help and in dialogue with others to help and in dialogue with others to help and in dialogue with others to change. change. change. Now, in a few weeks, all of our fall Now, in a few weeks, all of our fall Now, in a few weeks, all of our fall environments are going to open up and we environments are going to open up and we environments are going to open up and we have set the table for you to grow in have set the table for you to grow in have set the table for you to grow in doctrine, discipline, and Christlike doctrine, discipline, and Christlike doctrine, discipline, and Christlike character. We set the table with spaces character. We set the table with spaces character. We set the table with spaces like men and women's Bible study, like men and women's Bible study, like men and women's Bible study, the training program, outreach training, the training program, outreach training, the training program, outreach training, the art of care, women's disciplehip the art of care, women's disciplehip the art of care, women's disciplehip groups, recovery, and then care groups, groups, recovery, and then care groups, groups, recovery, and then care groups, a few of which are marriage a few of which are marriage a few of which are marriage reconciliation, divorce care, men's reconciliation, divorce care, men's reconciliation, divorce care, men's sexual integrity, grief support, and men sexual integrity, grief support, and men sexual integrity, grief support, and men of peace.

of peace. of peace. And these places all take effort. You And these places all take effort. You And these places all take effort. You know why? Because you have to show up. know why? Because you have to show up. know why? Because you have to show up. But you don't just have to show up. You But you don't just have to show up. You But you don't just have to show up. You have to show up. You know what I mean? have to show up. You know what I mean? have to show up. You know what I mean? Like you can you can be there physically Like you can you can be there physically Like you can you can be there physically and then not let a single person into and then not let a single person into and then not let a single person into what's going on in your world. But to what's going on in your world. But to what's going on in your world. But to show up and then to be vulnerable and show up and then to be vulnerable and show up and then to be vulnerable and let the spirit work. That's what you let the spirit work. That's what you let the spirit work. That's what you need. need. need. Now it's not to ask this question. Will Now it's not to ask this question. Will Now it's not to ask this question. Will you give attention to yourself? Think you give attention to yourself? Think you give attention to yourself? Think about yourself. Be honest with yourself about yourself. Be honest with yourself about yourself. Be honest with yourself and take action with God's help and in and take action with God's help and in and take action with God's help and in dialogue with others to change. Will you dialogue with others to change. Will you dialogue with others to change. Will you pursue growth in Christ? pursue growth in Christ? pursue growth in Christ? So often I meet with people and they'll So often I meet with people and they'll So often I meet with people and they'll share and I just listen. They share share and I just listen. They share share and I just listen. They share about an issue in their life or a need about an issue in their life or a need about an issue in their life or a need that they have and they're like, "Yeah, that they have and they're like, "Yeah, that they have and they're like, "Yeah, I really should get into Bible study. I I really should get into Bible study. I I really should get into Bible study. I just want to learn the Bible." I'm like, just want to learn the Bible." I'm like, just want to learn the Bible." I'm like, "Okay, great. Registration's open." They "Okay, great. Registration's open." They "Okay, great. Registration's open." They don't register. They're like, "Oh, I don't register. They're like, "Oh, I don't register. They're like, "Oh, I really I'm interested in this year-long really I'm interested in this year-long really I'm interested in this year-long thing where you teach the story of the thing where you teach the story of the thing where you teach the story of the Bible and you teach me doctrine and work Bible and you teach me doctrine and work Bible and you teach me doctrine and work through it. I've heard it's great."

through it. I've heard it's great." through it. I've heard it's great." Yeah, it's a training program. When does Yeah, it's a training program. When does Yeah, it's a training program. When does it start? August. Okay. All right. it start? August. Okay. All right. it start? August. Okay. All right. Great. Never show up. Great. Never show up. Great. Never show up. Or someone says, "Hey, I I think I need Or someone says, "Hey, I I think I need Or someone says, "Hey, I I think I need to go to counseling. Like, I think I to go to counseling. Like, I think I to go to counseling. Like, I think I need some help working through this hard need some help working through this hard need some help working through this hard thing. I can't this a hang up. I can't thing. I can't this a hang up. I can't thing. I can't this a hang up. I can't get past or this thing that happened to get past or this thing that happened to get past or this thing that happened to me. This thing I did." I'm like, "Oh, me. This thing I did." I'm like, "Oh, me. This thing I did." I'm like, "Oh, yeah. I think a counselor might really yeah. I think a counselor might really yeah. I think a counselor might really help you with that. Do you want a name?" help you with that. Do you want a name?" help you with that. Do you want a name?" And they're like, "Yeah, it's great." And they're like, "Yeah, it's great." And they're like, "Yeah, it's great." And I'll ask them later, "Did you make And I'll ask them later, "Did you make And I'll ask them later, "Did you make an appointment?" Like, "Oh, no. It was an appointment?" Like, "Oh, no. It was an appointment?" Like, "Oh, no. It was right. Timing was off. I was not sure. right. Timing was off. I was not sure. right. Timing was off. I was not sure. I've just learned you can only help I've just learned you can only help I've just learned you can only help people as much as they want to be people as much as they want to be people as much as they want to be helped." helped." helped." And so I am trying to help you this And so I am trying to help you this And so I am trying to help you this morning by asking you the question. Are morning by asking you the question. Are morning by asking you the question. Are you willing to invest in yourself? you willing to invest in yourself? you willing to invest in yourself? Are you willing to invest in yourself to Are you willing to invest in yourself to Are you willing to invest in yourself to become who God wants you to be? Me let become who God wants you to be? Me let become who God wants you to be? Me let me tell you what happens when you do. me tell you what happens when you do. me tell you what happens when you do. For if you possess this verse eight for For if you possess this verse eight for For if you possess this verse eight for if you possess these qualities in if you possess these qualities in if you possess these qualities in increasing measure they will keep you increasing measure they will keep you increasing measure they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the from being useless or unfruitful in the from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like you live out of overflow. you live out of overflow. you live out of overflow. You live out of overflow. You gather out You live out of overflow. You gather out You live out of overflow. You gather out of overflow. When you grow a Christlike of overflow. When you grow a Christlike of overflow. When you grow a Christlike character, you are useful and fruitful character, you are useful and fruitful character, you are useful and fruitful in the work of the kingdom. And if you in the work of the kingdom. And if you in the work of the kingdom. And if you don't, you are barren and fruitless.

Like, you can't give what you don't Like, you can't give what you don't have. have. have. You cannot give what you don't have. And You cannot give what you don't have. And You cannot give what you don't have. And no amount of good intention and wishing no amount of good intention and wishing no amount of good intention and wishing for growth is going to get you there. for growth is going to get you there. for growth is going to get you there. grace-driven effort through God-given grace-driven effort through God-given grace-driven effort through God-given means helps you sew toward a life where means helps you sew toward a life where means helps you sew toward a life where you reap out of the overflow of your you reap out of the overflow of your you reap out of the overflow of your heart and the fruit of the spirit just heart and the fruit of the spirit just heart and the fruit of the spirit just pours out of you. pours out of you. pours out of you. But if you don't, But if you don't, But if you don't, if you say yes to your impulses, you if you say yes to your impulses, you if you say yes to your impulses, you live like a city without walls, you live like a city without walls, you live like a city without walls, you build your outer life instead of your build your outer life instead of your build your outer life instead of your inner one, you may look fruitful, inner one, you may look fruitful, inner one, you may look fruitful, but again with Psalm 92, you won't be a but again with Psalm 92, you won't be a but again with Psalm 92, you won't be a cedar or a palm or an oak planted by cedar or a palm or an oak planted by cedar or a palm or an oak planted by grace in the house of God. grace in the house of God. grace in the house of God. So many of us have everything on the So many of us have everything on the So many of us have everything on the outside looking right. outside looking right. outside looking right. We've worked hard. We've bought the We've worked hard. We've bought the We've worked hard. We've bought the right things. We wear the right things. right things. We wear the right things. right things. We wear the right things. We know the code words. And we're just We know the code words. And we're just We know the code words. And we're just kind of skimming through with a good kind of skimming through with a good kind of skimming through with a good facade while the inside has been left facade while the inside has been left facade while the inside has been left unattended to and underdeveloped. unattended to and underdeveloped. unattended to and underdeveloped. We are actually immature in grace when We are actually immature in grace when We are actually immature in grace when everything we need to become mature has everything we need to become mature has everything we need to become mature has been provided for us in Jesus.

If this happens to you, you're going to If this happens to you, you're going to lack the inner strength of character lack the inner strength of character lack the inner strength of character that can be grown by the spirit. And the that can be grown by the spirit. And the that can be grown by the spirit. And the cost is what Peter says next. The person cost is what Peter says next. The person cost is what Peter says next. The person who lacks these things is blind and who lacks these things is blind and who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the shortsighted and has forgotten the shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. cleansing from his past sins. cleansing from his past sins. If you're not actively putting off the If you're not actively putting off the If you're not actively putting off the old man and putting on the new, being old man and putting on the new, being old man and putting on the new, being transformed in the renewing of your transformed in the renewing of your transformed in the renewing of your mind, walking in love, and being renewed mind, walking in love, and being renewed mind, walking in love, and being renewed in the image of your maker, you are in the image of your maker, you are in the image of your maker, you are being disintegrated by the world. being disintegrated by the world. being disintegrated by the world. There's no neutrality. If you are not There's no neutrality. If you are not There's no neutrality. If you are not moving towards Christ, you are being moving towards Christ, you are being moving towards Christ, you are being pulled away from him by the world. And pulled away from him by the world. And pulled away from him by the world. And the scriptures would call you blind, the scriptures would call you blind, the scriptures would call you blind, unfruitful, useless, and shortsighted. unfruitful, useless, and shortsighted. unfruitful, useless, and shortsighted. Like you're nearsighted. Like you're nearsighted. Like you're nearsighted. You're worried about what you're going You're worried about what you're going You're worried about what you're going to eat, drink, and wear. You're to eat, drink, and wear. You're to eat, drink, and wear. You're forgetting God's vision and provision forgetting God's vision and provision forgetting God's vision and provision for life. You are turned inward, not for life. You are turned inward, not for life. You are turned inward, not outward. which is ironic at this point outward. which is ironic at this point outward. which is ironic at this point because the inner self is the one who because the inner self is the one who because the inner self is the one who has to mature for your outer life to has to mature for your outer life to has to mature for your outer life to flourish in God's economy. flourish in God's economy. flourish in God's economy. Which is why verses three and four are Which is why verses three and four are Which is why verses three and four are so key for this conversation because so key for this conversation because so key for this conversation because everything we need and everything we everything we need and everything we everything we need and everything we really want out of life has been given really want out of life has been given really want out of life has been given to us, provided for us in Jesus out of to us, provided for us in Jesus out of to us, provided for us in Jesus out of the depths of the riches of God's grace.

the depths of the riches of God's grace. the depths of the riches of God's grace. But if we won't discipline ourselves to But if we won't discipline ourselves to But if we won't discipline ourselves to grow in godliness, we will grow in grow in godliness, we will grow in grow in godliness, we will grow in worldliness. worldliness. worldliness. And the glory of Christ will not be as And the glory of Christ will not be as And the glory of Christ will not be as bright to us, we will lose our hold on bright to us, we will lose our hold on bright to us, we will lose our hold on the beauty of Jesus. And the only thing the beauty of Jesus. And the only thing the beauty of Jesus. And the only thing at that point that we will gather people at that point that we will gather people at that point that we will gather people to is ourselves. to is ourselves. to is ourselves. It's just as insufficient. It's just as insufficient. It's just as insufficient. And nobody wants to be useless and And nobody wants to be useless and And nobody wants to be useless and unfruitful in the Christian life. Like I unfruitful in the Christian life. Like I unfruitful in the Christian life. Like I think about Thomas the train. think about Thomas the train. think about Thomas the train. Thomas just wants to be a useful engine. Thomas just wants to be a useful engine. Thomas just wants to be a useful engine. That's what he wants. That's what he wants. That's what he wants. That's what I want. I want to be useful That's what I want. I want to be useful That's what I want. I want to be useful to Jesus. I want to be a vessel fit for to Jesus. I want to be a vessel fit for to Jesus. I want to be a vessel fit for service by the power of grace. And this service by the power of grace. And this service by the power of grace. And this isn't a worksbased thing. Like if you isn't a worksbased thing. Like if you isn't a worksbased thing. Like if you discipline yourself hard enough that discipline yourself hard enough that discipline yourself hard enough that God's going to love you and save you. God's going to love you and save you. God's going to love you and save you. You actually discipline yourself because You actually discipline yourself because You actually discipline yourself because God has loved you and has saved you. God has loved you and has saved you. God has loved you and has saved you. Your response is to say, "Yes, Lord. Your response is to say, "Yes, Lord. Your response is to say, "Yes, Lord. Then who do you want me to be?" because Then who do you want me to be?" because Then who do you want me to be?" because he's shown you life. He wants you to he's shown you life. He wants you to he's shown you life. He wants you to become more human, not less.

become more human, not less. become more human, not less. And this is really good news, especially And this is really good news, especially And this is really good news, especially for those who are consistently for those who are consistently for those who are consistently inconsistent inconsistent inconsistent like me. Just consistently inconsistent. like me. Just consistently inconsistent. like me. Just consistently inconsistent. And I need to be reminded, encouraged, And I need to be reminded, encouraged, And I need to be reminded, encouraged, and giving grace daily. and giving grace daily. and giving grace daily. When we are useful and fruitful, when we When we are useful and fruitful, when we When we are useful and fruitful, when we live by what Christ did in cleansing us, live by what Christ did in cleansing us, live by what Christ did in cleansing us, we grow and we gather. we grow and we gather. we grow and we gather. That's the call. We turn outward with That's the call. We turn outward with That's the call. We turn outward with the hope and share the good news of the hope and share the good news of the hope and share the good news of verses three and four because grace has verses three and four because grace has verses three and four because grace has changed our lives. We can't forget changed our lives. We can't forget changed our lives. We can't forget Jesus. We can't get over him. We want Jesus. We can't get over him. We want Jesus. We can't get over him. We want the world to know. So we share the the world to know. So we share the the world to know. So we share the overflow of our hearts. We gather those overflow of our hearts. We gather those overflow of our hearts. We gather those who need the hope we have in Christ. who need the hope we have in Christ. who need the hope we have in Christ. Which is why we have been encouraging Which is why we have been encouraging Which is why we have been encouraging over the last year of just who is the over the last year of just who is the over the last year of just who is the person in your sphere of influence that person in your sphere of influence that person in your sphere of influence that you want to prayerfully engage and you want to prayerfully engage and you want to prayerfully engage and boldly proclaim the gospel to? Who's boldly proclaim the gospel to? Who's boldly proclaim the gospel to? Who's your one? And then we're talking about your one? And then we're talking about your one? And then we're talking about next weekend that you might gather that next weekend that you might gather that next weekend that you might gather that those individuals who need the joy of those individuals who need the joy of those individuals who need the joy of Christ, the life of Christ, and bring Christ, the life of Christ, and bring Christ, the life of Christ, and bring them here that they might hear just a them here that they might hear just a them here that they might hear just a very concerted message, like a very concerted message, like a very concerted message, like a considered message of the gospel considered message of the gospel considered message of the gospel because Christ is the answer to our because Christ is the answer to our because Christ is the answer to our heart's cries. He is all that we need.

heart's cries. He is all that we need. heart's cries. He is all that we need. And our work is to grow and gather. And And our work is to grow and gather. And And our work is to grow and gather. And it's the spirit who works in all it's the spirit who works in all it's the spirit who works in all enabling new life through Christ. It's enabling new life through Christ. It's enabling new life through Christ. It's the spirit who gives grace. So we talked the spirit who gives grace. So we talked the spirit who gives grace. So we talked about this weekend. Sometimes some of about this weekend. Sometimes some of about this weekend. Sometimes some of you kind of like get like a little you kind of like get like a little you kind of like get like a little flutter in your heart. You're like, uh, flutter in your heart. You're like, uh, flutter in your heart. You're like, uh, I I don't have the gift of evangelism. I I don't have the gift of evangelism. I I don't have the gift of evangelism. Like I work with some of these people Like I work with some of these people Like I work with some of these people and they are incredibly frustrating. and they are incredibly frustrating. and they are incredibly frustrating. It's a joke. It's a joke. It's a joke. Oh, thank you. Uh, they're frustrating Oh, thank you. Uh, they're frustrating Oh, thank you. Uh, they're frustrating because they just go and they share the because they just go and they share the because they just go and they share the gospel and all of a sudden it's like gospel and all of a sudden it's like gospel and all of a sudden it's like everybody falls out. They're like, "Yes, everybody falls out. They're like, "Yes, everybody falls out. They're like, "Yes, teacher, tell us how to come to Jesus." teacher, tell us how to come to Jesus." teacher, tell us how to come to Jesus." You're like, "That never happens for You're like, "That never happens for You're like, "That never happens for me." I share the gospel. I'm like, and me." I share the gospel. I'm like, and me." I share the gospel. I'm like, and they're like, "Cool. Thank you." Like, they're like, "Cool. Thank you." Like, they're like, "Cool. Thank you." Like, "Okay, all right. Cool. Okay. Hope that "Okay, all right. Cool. Okay. Hope that "Okay, all right. Cool. Okay. Hope that was okay." And but there are some people was okay." And but there are some people was okay." And but there are some people who just they have the gift who just they have the gift who just they have the gift where they can share openly and people where they can share openly and people where they can share openly and people respond in a way it's like yes I want to respond in a way it's like yes I want to respond in a way it's like yes I want to know him. Some of you have that as a know him. Some of you have that as a know him. Some of you have that as a gift given by the spirit. For those of gift given by the spirit. For those of gift given by the spirit. For those of you who don't have the gift it then you who don't have the gift it then you who don't have the gift it then becomes a discipline. becomes a discipline. becomes a discipline. It becomes a discipline that we It becomes a discipline that we It becomes a discipline that we practice.

practice. practice. And we practice it because what it does And we practice it because what it does And we practice it because what it does is when we speak about the good news of is when we speak about the good news of is when we speak about the good news of Jesus, it overcomes the fears and the Jesus, it overcomes the fears and the Jesus, it overcomes the fears and the whispers in our hearts of being rejected whispers in our hearts of being rejected whispers in our hearts of being rejected or maybe we're an idiot or maybe it's or maybe we're an idiot or maybe it's or maybe we're an idiot or maybe it's not true or what they're going to think not true or what they're going to think not true or what they're going to think of us or it's going to be awkward and of us or it's going to be awkward and of us or it's going to be awkward and you you get past those things and you you you get past those things and you you you get past those things and you turn the volume down on those and then turn the volume down on those and then turn the volume down on those and then you're reminded that the effect of you're reminded that the effect of you're reminded that the effect of coming to Jesus like that's not on you coming to Jesus like that's not on you coming to Jesus like that's not on you anyway. You're just called to gather. anyway. You're just called to gather. anyway. You're just called to gather. The spirit saves. The spirit saves. The spirit saves. You're just called to share. let the You're just called to share. let the You're just called to share. let the spirit do the work. And so it's a spirit do the work. And so it's a spirit do the work. And so it's a discipline for us who don't like I'm I discipline for us who don't like I'm I discipline for us who don't like I'm I am not a gifted evangelist. Like yeah, am not a gifted evangelist. Like yeah, am not a gifted evangelist. Like yeah, me neither. But we're going to practice me neither. But we're going to practice me neither. But we're going to practice the discipline of sharing the good news the discipline of sharing the good news the discipline of sharing the good news of inviting people towards joy. And of inviting people towards joy. And of inviting people towards joy. And that's why we prayerfully engage and that's why we prayerfully engage and that's why we prayerfully engage and boldly proclaim because we're sharing boldly proclaim because we're sharing boldly proclaim because we're sharing who we love and what he's done for us. who we love and what he's done for us. who we love and what he's done for us. Last two verses, Peter says, "Therefore, Last two verses, Peter says, "Therefore, Last two verses, Peter says, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort brothers and sisters, make every effort brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election to confirm your calling and election to confirm your calling and election because if you do these things, you will because if you do these things, you will because if you do these things, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry never stumble. For in this way, entry never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord into the eternal kingdom of our Lord into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will Jesus, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will Jesus, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you. He says, be richly provided for you. He says, be richly provided for you. He says, "Make every effort. Do everything you "Make every effort. Do everything you "Make every effort. Do everything you can to confirm your hope in Christ.

can to confirm your hope in Christ. can to confirm your hope in Christ. Because if you do, it will keep your Because if you do, it will keep your Because if you do, it will keep your feet out of the trap. feet out of the trap. feet out of the trap. You'll confirm grace has taken root in You'll confirm grace has taken root in You'll confirm grace has taken root in your heart and that you belong to God." your heart and that you belong to God." your heart and that you belong to God." And Peter's not promising sinful or And Peter's not promising sinful or And Peter's not promising sinful or sinless perfection. He's not saying if sinless perfection. He's not saying if sinless perfection. He's not saying if you practice these things, you'll never you practice these things, you'll never you practice these things, you'll never sin again. He's saying you'll be on the sin again. He's saying you'll be on the sin again. He's saying you'll be on the right trajectory. right trajectory. right trajectory. you'll be on the right trajectory you'll be on the right trajectory you'll be on the right trajectory because doctrine, discipline, and because doctrine, discipline, and because doctrine, discipline, and Christlike character will keep you from Christlike character will keep you from Christlike character will keep you from a whole lot of foolishness. a whole lot of foolishness. a whole lot of foolishness. They'll just keep you out of doing dumb They'll just keep you out of doing dumb They'll just keep you out of doing dumb stuff. stuff. stuff. But when you do slip, when sin gets the But when you do slip, when sin gets the But when you do slip, when sin gets the better of you, if you have filled the better of you, if you have filled the better of you, if you have filled the drawers and dug the wells, drawers and dug the wells, drawers and dug the wells, then you know who you are and you know then you know who you are and you know then you know who you are and you know who's you are. who's you are. who's you are. Like in those moments, we are I've been Like in those moments, we are I've been Like in those moments, we are I've been telling you this, in those moments when telling you this, in those moments when telling you this, in those moments when we sin, we experience our sin in real we sin, we experience our sin in real we sin, we experience our sin in real time. And it is such a shock to us. time. And it is such a shock to us. time. And it is such a shock to us. We're like, I can't believe I'm still a We're like, I can't believe I'm still a We're like, I can't believe I'm still a sinner. It's like, yes, you're just sinner. It's like, yes, you're just sinner. It's like, yes, you're just realizing it in new in real time again. realizing it in new in real time again. realizing it in new in real time again. And Jesus is going, "Yeah, that's just And Jesus is going, "Yeah, that's just And Jesus is going, "Yeah, that's just Tuesday.

Tuesday. Tuesday. Just Tuesday. I knew that was going to Just Tuesday. I knew that was going to Just Tuesday. I knew that was going to happen. And I paid for it. I covered it. happen. And I paid for it. I covered it. happen. And I paid for it. I covered it. It's surprise to you. It's no shock to It's surprise to you. It's no shock to It's surprise to you. It's no shock to him him him because he's given you grace for all of because he's given you grace for all of because he's given you grace for all of your life. And he's calling you forward your life. And he's calling you forward your life. And he's calling you forward to grow." to grow." to grow." And so we're allowed to be in process And so we're allowed to be in process And so we're allowed to be in process and we're allowed to say, "Thank you for and we're allowed to say, "Thank you for and we're allowed to say, "Thank you for your grace." And when we live this way, your grace." And when we live this way, your grace." And when we live this way, the eternal quality of life that Christ the eternal quality of life that Christ the eternal quality of life that Christ came to give us, how he wants you to came to give us, how he wants you to came to give us, how he wants you to live with a wholehearted joy, it is live with a wholehearted joy, it is live with a wholehearted joy, it is yours in increasing degrees until he yours in increasing degrees until he yours in increasing degrees until he comes and we're with him. He lets us comes and we're with him. He lets us comes and we're with him. He lets us live with freedom and joy unlike live with freedom and joy unlike live with freedom and joy unlike anything the world can give you. So we anything the world can give you. So we anything the world can give you. So we grow and we gather out of joy. Well, to grow and we gather out of joy. Well, to grow and we gather out of joy. Well, to close, I got three questions for you. close, I got three questions for you. close, I got three questions for you. You're like, "Oh, I thought I made it You're like, "Oh, I thought I made it You're like, "Oh, I thought I made it out. There were none in the sermon. out. There were none in the sermon. out. There were none in the sermon. Gotcha. They're here. So, first one, who Gotcha. They're here. So, first one, who Gotcha. They're here. So, first one, who can you gather to hear the good news of can you gather to hear the good news of can you gather to hear the good news of Christ? Who's coming with you next Christ? Who's coming with you next Christ? Who's coming with you next weekend? weekend? weekend? Who's your one? Who can you gather? The Who's your one? Who can you gather? The Who's your one? Who can you gather? The second one, [music] what dimension of second one, [music] what dimension of second one, [music] what dimension of life landed most heavily with you?

life landed most heavily with you? life landed most heavily with you? Doctrine, discipline, or Christlike Doctrine, discipline, or Christlike Doctrine, discipline, or Christlike character? character? character? And the the real sleeper question is And the the real sleeper question is And the the real sleeper question is why? Don't just name it. Why? why? Don't just name it. Why? why? Don't just name it. Why? And then third, what's the next right And then third, what's the next right And then third, what's the next right step for you to invest in your growth as step for you to invest in your growth as step for you to invest in your growth as a Christian? Maybe what space do you a Christian? Maybe what space do you a Christian? Maybe what space do you need to commit to this fall? Training need to commit to this fall? Training need to commit to this fall? Training program, Bible study, outreach training, program, Bible study, outreach training, program, Bible study, outreach training, recovery group, recovery group, recovery group, women's disciplehip group. What space women's disciplehip group. What space women's disciplehip group. What space can you use to invest in yourself to can you use to invest in yourself to can you use to invest in yourself to become who God wants you to be? Now, a become who God wants you to be? Now, a become who God wants you to be? Now, a couple things before I close. I know I'm couple things before I close. I know I'm couple things before I close. I know I'm over and you're being you've been very over and you're being you've been very over and you're being you've been very patient. patient. patient. If you heard me and you were like, "Man, If you heard me and you were like, "Man, If you heard me and you were like, "Man, I I am trying all the things and I keep I I am trying all the things and I keep I I am trying all the things and I keep failing and I'm really discouraged," failing and I'm really discouraged," failing and I'm really discouraged," let me encourage you that Jesus will let me encourage you that Jesus will let me encourage you that Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you. He never leave you nor forsake you. He never leave you nor forsake you. He gives you what you need and he's for gives you what you need and he's for gives you what you need and he's for you. He does not shame you. So stop you. He does not shame you. So stop you. He does not shame you. So stop shaming yourself. That's not the voice shaming yourself. That's not the voice shaming yourself. That's not the voice of the Holy Spirit. What you can do is of the Holy Spirit. What you can do is of the Holy Spirit. What you can do is you can keep going. You can keep going. you can keep going. You can keep going. you can keep going. You can keep going. He's for you. If you're like, "Man, He's for you. If you're like, "Man, He's for you. If you're like, "Man, you're talking about living out of you're talking about living out of you're talking about living out of overflow. My heart feels dry and overflow. My heart feels dry and overflow. My heart feels dry and shriveled and I'm not happy about it. If shriveled and I'm not happy about it. If shriveled and I'm not happy about it. If I want to know the joy of the Lord, I I want to know the joy of the Lord, I I want to know the joy of the Lord, I used to know it. I don't know him now.

used to know it. I don't know him now. used to know it. I don't know him now. What do I do? And I would say, keep What do I do? And I would say, keep What do I do? And I would say, keep going. Keep sewing towards going. Keep sewing towards going. Keep sewing towards righteousness. righteousness. righteousness. Keep pleading and praying and opening Keep pleading and praying and opening Keep pleading and praying and opening your heart to the Lord and those around your heart to the Lord and those around your heart to the Lord and those around you and just pleading with him because you and just pleading with him because you and just pleading with him because the day will come, he has not turned the day will come, he has not turned the day will come, he has not turned from you. The day will come when the from you. The day will come when the from you. The day will come when the spirit just opens it up and you see spirit just opens it up and you see spirit just opens it up and you see Christ and your heart is filled. Do not Christ and your heart is filled. Do not Christ and your heart is filled. Do not give up. If you're listening to me talk give up. If you're listening to me talk give up. If you're listening to me talk and you're not a Christian, you're like, and you're not a Christian, you're like, and you're not a Christian, you're like, "That's weird. That whole thing you're "That's weird. That whole thing you're "That's weird. That whole thing you're talking about Jesus and he's provided talking about Jesus and he's provided talking about Jesus and he's provided things for me, but there's something things for me, but there's something things for me, but there's something inside of you." It's like you're inside of you." It's like you're inside of you." It's like you're curious. curious. curious. That's the Holy Spirit That's the Holy Spirit That's the Holy Spirit telling you that there's something for telling you that there's something for telling you that there's something for you here. you here. you here. And I would tell you it's more fun and And I would tell you it's more fun and And I would tell you it's more fun and more joyful and more true life than more joyful and more true life than more joyful and more true life than you've ever known because Christ is for you've ever known because Christ is for you've ever known because Christ is for you. And you can come to him today. So you. And you can come to him today. So you. And you can come to him today. So in a second [music] I'm going to pray. in a second [music] I'm going to pray. in a second [music] I'm going to pray. Men and women will be up here. And if Men and women will be up here. And if Men and women will be up here. And if you're like, man, I am struggling. I you're like, man, I am struggling. I you're like, man, I am struggling. I feel in a drought or I want to know who feel in a drought or I want to know who feel in a drought or I want to know who Jesus is or any other reason. Come up Jesus is or any other reason. Come up Jesus is or any other reason. Come up here and pray. Be prayed for. If you here and pray. Be prayed for. If you here and pray. Be prayed for. If you want to get baptized, we'll get you in want to get baptized, we'll get you in want to get baptized, we'll get you in the water and baptize you in just a the water and baptize you in just a the water and baptize you in just a second. Now let's pray. Heavenly Father, second. Now let's pray. Heavenly Father, second. Now let's pray. Heavenly Father, we love you. We thank you that you've we love you. We thank you that you've we love you. We thank you that you've given us everything required for life given us everything required for life given us everything required for life and godliness. We thank you for your and godliness. We thank you for your and godliness. We thank you for your kindness, for your mercy, for your love.

kindness, for your mercy, for your love. kindness, for your mercy, for your love. Would you, Gosh, would you lead us and Would you, Gosh, would you lead us and Would you, Gosh, would you lead us and help us to invest in ourselves to grow help us to invest in ourselves to grow help us to invest in ourselves to grow in doctrine, discipline, and Christlike in doctrine, discipline, and Christlike in doctrine, discipline, and Christlike character that we might grow and gather character that we might grow and gather character that we might grow and gather for your name and your renown. We pray for your name and your renown. We pray for your name and your renown. We pray in Christ's name. Amen. in Christ's name. Amen. in Christ's name. Amen. >> Amen. Would you stand as we respond? >> Amen. Would you stand as we respond? >> Amen. Would you stand as we respond? We're going to call our hearts to We're going to call our hearts to We're going to call our hearts to wholeheartedly surrender to what the wholeheartedly surrender to what the wholeheartedly surrender to what the Lord is calling us into to walk [music] Lord is calling us into to walk [music] Lord is calling us into to walk [music] according to his word to live lives of according to his word to live lives of according to his word to live lives of holiness pleasing to him for his glory holiness pleasing to him for his glory holiness pleasing to him for his glory and his glory alone. So we're reminded and his glory alone. So we're reminded and his glory alone. So we're reminded of that. Come on. of that. Come on. of that. Come on. You're turning [music and singing] over You're turning [music and singing] over You're turning [music and singing] over tables and calling for return to our tables and calling for return to our tables and calling for return to our lives [singing] upon the altar. [music] lives [singing] upon the altar. [music] lives [singing] upon the altar. [music] the things we did at first. the things we did at first. the things we did at first. You're clearing [singing] out the You're clearing [singing] out the You're clearing [singing] out the temple. [music] temple. [music] temple. [music] You're cleaning out the dirt. For You're cleaning out the dirt. For You're cleaning out the dirt. For [singing] we are your territory, [singing] we are your territory, [singing] we are your territory, Lord. [music] We are your church.

We [music] are your [singing] people. We [music] are your [singing] people. You are our [music] God. You are our [music] God. You are our [music] God. We are [singing] your temple. We are [singing] your temple. We are [singing] your temple. Make us holy [music] Make us holy [music] Make us holy [music] like you. It's the [music] cry of our heart that's It's the [music] cry of our heart that's our prayer. Make us holy as you are our prayer. Make us holy as you are our prayer. Make us holy as you are holy. Lord, you see [music] a hearty [singing] you see [music] a hearty [singing] nation, a thought to consecrate, nation, a thought to consecrate, nation, a thought to consecrate, a chosen [music and singing] a chosen [music and singing] a chosen [music and singing] generation, generation, generation, a people called to pray. a people called to pray. a people called to pray. So help [music and singing] us God to So help [music and singing] us God to So help [music and singing] us God to please you where only you can see please you where only you can see please you where only you can see for every moment [singing and music] for every moment [singing and music] for every moment [singing and music] matters in eternity. [music] [music] We are your people. We are your people. We are your people. You are [singing] our God. You are [singing] our God. You are [singing] our God. [music] We are your temple.

[music] We are your temple. [music] We are your temple. Make us [singing] holy like you [music] Make us [singing] holy like you [music] Make us [singing] holy like you [music] are. We are your [singing] children. are. We are your [singing] children. are. We are your [singing] children. You set [music] us aart, You set [music] us aart, You set [music] us aart, God for your [singing] glory. God for your [singing] glory. God for your [singing] glory. Make us [music] holy like you are. Do what you can [music] do. Lord, Do what you can [music] do. Lord, Holy Spirit, [singing] have your way. Holy Spirit, [singing] have your way. Holy Spirit, [singing] have your way. Mark your people Mark your people Mark your people [music] with your [singing] [music] with your [singing] [music] with your [singing] presence. presence. presence. Make us a place where you delight Make us a place where you delight Make us a place where you delight to dwell. to dwell. to dwell. May [music] May [music] May [music] we heed your [singing] correction. Oh Lord our shepherd, [music] Oh Lord our shepherd, [music] you do all things [singing] well. Your you do all things [singing] well. Your you do all things [singing] well. Your love [music] as far as love [music] as far as love [music] as far as [singing] your perfect [music] to your your perfect [music] to your true true true we we we [music] will restore what we return [music] will restore what we return [music] to you.

to you. to you. You are restoring [music] You are restoring [music] You are restoring [music] [singing] as we [music] are here. [music] are here. You are [singing] our God. You are [singing] our God. You are [singing] our God. [music] We are your children. [music] We are your children. [music] We are your children. Make us [singing] holy like you are. Make us [singing] holy like you are. Make us [singing] holy like you are. [music] We are your children. [music] We are your children. [music] We are your children. You set us [singing] aart. You set us [singing] aart. You set us [singing] aart. God for [music] your glory. God for [music] your glory. God for [music] your glory. Bring the [singing] glory. >> This is what we're resolved to do. We're >> This is what we're resolved to do. We're chasing after him. Sing it out.

chasing after him. Sing it out. chasing after him. Sing it out. We're coming. We're not walking. We're We're coming. We're not walking. We're We're coming. We're not walking. We're running. running. running. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> God, we need res. >> God, we need res. >> God, we need res. So [music] we [singing] surrender. So [music] we [singing] surrender. So [music] we [singing] surrender. You're calling. We're coming. We're not You're calling. We're coming. We're not You're calling. We're coming. We're not walking. [singing] We're running. walking. [singing] We're running. walking. [singing] We're running. God, we need reser. God, we need reser. God, we need reser. So we [music] So we [music] So we [music] sing it again. You're calling. We're sing it again. You're calling. We're sing it again. You're calling. We're coming. [singing] coming. [singing] coming. [singing] We're not [music] walking. We're We're not [music] walking. We're We're not [music] walking. We're running. running. running. God, we need [singing] reser. God, we need [singing] reser. God, we need [singing] reser. So we surrender. [music] So we surrender. [music] So we surrender. [music] You're calling. [singing] You're calling. [singing] You're calling. [singing] We're coming. We're not walking. We're We're coming. We're not walking. We're We're coming. We're not walking. We're running after you, [music] God. We need running after you, [music] God. We need running after you, [music] God. We need reser. reser. reser. So we surrender. [music] So we surrender. [music] So we surrender. [music] You're calling. We're coming. We're not You're calling. We're coming. We're not You're calling. We're coming. We're not walking. [singing] We walking. [singing] We walking. [singing] We got we [music] surrender.

got we [music] surrender. got we [music] surrender. So we surrender. So we surrender. So we surrender. You're calling. We're coming. You're calling. We're coming. You're calling. We're coming. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> We're [singing] running. We are your children. We are your children. [music] Set us aart. [music] Set us aart. [music] Set us aart. God for your glory. God for your glory. God for your glory. Make us home. Make us home. Make us home. You're [music] calling. We're coming.

You're [music] calling. We're coming. You're [music] calling. We're coming. Not walking. We're [music] running. Not walking. We're [music] running. Not walking. We're [music] running. God [singing] reser. God [singing] reser. God [singing] reser. So we surrender [music] So we surrender [music] So we surrender [music] your call. We're calling your call. We're calling your call. We're calling not walking. We're [music and singing] not walking. We're [music and singing] not walking. We're [music and singing] running. running. running. >> God, we need reser. >> God, we need reser. >> God, we need reser. So we [singing] surrender. So we [singing] surrender. So we [singing] surrender. >> Amen. You can have a seat. I love that song because how we define a I love that song because how we define a disciple here is it's a follower of disciple here is it's a follower of disciple here is it's a follower of Jesus who continually surreners all of Jesus who continually surreners all of Jesus who continually surreners all of life to God's good design. It's our way life to God's good design. It's our way life to God's good design. It's our way of just saying like, "Hey, all of life of just saying like, "Hey, all of life of just saying like, "Hey, all of life is repentance. We're just growing by is repentance. We're just growing by is repentance. We're just growing by giving things over and being made giving things over and being made giving things over and being made [music] new." It's really encouraging. [music] new." It's really encouraging. [music] new." It's really encouraging. This point in our service, we take the This point in our service, we take the This point in our service, we take the Lord's supper together and we serve the Lord's supper together and we serve the Lord's supper together and we serve the Lord's Supper primarily for our members. Lord's Supper primarily for our members. Lord's Supper primarily for our members. But if you are a believer in Christ in But if you are a believer in Christ in But if you are a believer in Christ in good standing with the church you're good standing with the church you're good standing with the church you're visiting from mean you're welcome to visiting from mean you're welcome to visiting from mean you're welcome to [music] join us. If you're not a [music] join us. If you're not a [music] join us. If you're not a believer in Christ, if you're here, believer in Christ, if you're here, believer in Christ, if you're here, gosh, I'm so glad you're here. My gosh, I'm so glad you're here. My gosh, I'm so glad you're here. My invitation for you would be to not take invitation for you would be to not take invitation for you would be to not take this, but to read the Gospel of John. To this, but to read the Gospel of John. To this, but to read the Gospel of John. To read the Gospel of John, you can pray a read the Gospel of John, you can pray a read the Gospel of John, you can pray a really dangerous prayer, which be to ask really dangerous prayer, which be to ask really dangerous prayer, which be to ask Jesus [music] to tell you who he is as Jesus [music] to tell you who he is as Jesus [music] to tell you who he is as you read what he says about himself. He you read what he says about himself. He you read what he says about himself. He might reveal himself to you. And if you might reveal himself to you. And if you might reveal himself to you. And if you want to know about him, man, come and want to know about him, man, come and want to know about him, man, come and talk to us. But this is given for the talk to us. But this is given for the talk to us. But this is given for the people of God. And the night that Christ people of God. And the night that Christ people of God. And the night that Christ was betrayed, he was having a meal with was betrayed, he was having a meal with was betrayed, he was having a meal with his friends. They were celebrating the his friends. They were celebrating the his friends. They were celebrating the Passover, the Lord's deliverance of Passover, the Lord's deliverance of Passover, the Lord's deliverance of Israel and looking to his coming

Israel and looking to his coming Israel and looking to his coming deliverance of Israel. And they've done deliverance of Israel. And they've done deliverance of Israel. And they've done this every year of their life. And so this every year of their life. And so this every year of their life. And so Jesus is with his friends. They're going Jesus is with his friends. They're going Jesus is with his friends. They're going through this meal. They know kind of through this meal. They know kind of through this meal. They know kind of know the ropes. And [music] he takes the know the ropes. And [music] he takes the know the ropes. And [music] he takes the meal and it's almost like a record meal and it's almost like a record meal and it's almost like a record scratch for him because he says, "What scratch for him because he says, "What scratch for him because he says, "What you're looking for is here. you're looking for is here. you're looking for is here. It's me. It's me. It's me. I'm the one." He says, "This is my body I'm the one." He says, "This is my body I'm the one." He says, "This is my body broken for you. Take a knee. Same way later in the meal he takes the Same way later in the meal he takes the cup and he blesses it and he says this cup and he blesses it and he says this cup and he blesses it and he says this is my blood the blood of the new is my blood the blood of the new is my blood the blood of the new covenant covenant covenant shed for you. So bride of Christ is the shed for you. So bride of Christ is the shed for you. So bride of Christ is the blood of Christ shed for you. Take and blood of Christ shed for you. Take and blood of Christ shed for you. Take and drink >> Hi church family. We're the Kongs. My >> Hi church family. We're the Kongs. My name is Filson and Sean and I are here name is Filson and Sean and I are here name is Filson and Sean and I are here today to baptize our children Ethan and today to baptize our children Ethan and today to baptize our children Ethan and Caleb. About 12 years ago, Sean and I came to About 12 years ago, Sean and I came to the Village Church just really hungry the Village Church just really hungry the Village Church just really hungry for the gospel and for gospel community.

for the gospel and for gospel community. for the gospel and for gospel community. And not only did we find such amazing And not only did we find such amazing And not only did we find such amazing homegroup family members, um the kids homegroup family members, um the kids homegroup family members, um the kids village, little village, and the student village, little village, and the student village, little village, and the student ministry um partnered with Sean and I to ministry um partnered with Sean and I to ministry um partnered with Sean and I to put kindlings around our boys and put kindlings around our boys and put kindlings around our boys and [music] we saw the Holy Spirit ignite [music] we saw the Holy Spirit ignite [music] we saw the Holy Spirit ignite the fire. And today they're here to the fire. And today they're here to the fire. And today they're here to confess and to be bapt baptized. confess and to be bapt baptized. confess and to be bapt baptized. >> [applause and cheering] >> There was a time in my life where shame >> There was a time in my life where shame of my repetitive mistakes and the fear of my repetitive mistakes and the fear of my repetitive mistakes and the fear of man controlled my life. [music] There of man controlled my life. [music] There of man controlled my life. [music] There was a time in my life where I thought I was a time in my life where I thought I was a time in my life where I thought I had to earn my way to my salvation and had to earn my way to my salvation and had to earn my way to my salvation and that God would never love me. There was that God would never love me. There was that God would never love me. There was a time in my life where those thoughts a time in my life where those thoughts a time in my life where those thoughts and lies would make me run away from him and lies would make me run away from him and lies would make me run away from him rather than toward him. Romans 5:8 says, rather than toward him. Romans 5:8 says, rather than toward him. Romans 5:8 says, "But God shows his love for us, and "But God shows his love for us, and "But God shows his love for us, and while we were still sinners, Christ died while we were still sinners, Christ died while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Through an encounter with for us. Through an encounter with for us. Through an encounter with Christ, he has shown his love and mercy Christ, he has shown his love and mercy Christ, he has shown his love and mercy for me and has given me freedom through for me and has given me freedom through for me and has given me freedom through his grace." There was a time in my life his grace." There was a time in my life his grace." There was a time in my life where I was unsure of the answer to the where I was unsure of the answer to the where I was unsure of the answer to the question, "How sure are you that you question, "How sure are you that you question, "How sure are you that you would go to heaven?" Today, I want to would go to heaven?" Today, I want to would go to heaven?" Today, I want to confess that Jesus is my savior, and I'm confess that Jesus is my savior, and I'm confess that Jesus is my savior, and I'm 100% sure that I'm going to heaven 100% sure that I'm going to heaven 100% sure that I'm going to heaven because of what he has done for me and because of what he has done for me and because of what he has done for me and continues to do on the cross.

continues to do on the cross. continues to do on the cross. [applause and cheering] >> When I was little, I always knew all the >> When I was little, I always knew all the answers to Sunday school. Um, but I answers to Sunday school. Um, but I answers to Sunday school. Um, but I never really knew what it meant to have never really knew what it meant to have never really knew what it meant to have a relationship with Christ. a relationship with Christ. a relationship with Christ. When I went to a camp called City Camp, When I went to a camp called City Camp, When I went to a camp called City Camp, I met a leader named Spencer. And on the I met a leader named Spencer. And on the I met a leader named Spencer. And on the last day, I talked to him and I said I last day, I talked to him and I said I last day, I talked to him and I said I wanted to know who Christ was and have a wanted to know who Christ was and have a wanted to know who Christ was and have a relationship with him. That he told me relationship with him. That he told me relationship with him. That he told me what it meant to be a believer and he what it meant to be a believer and he what it meant to be a believer and he prayed for me. Later, I talked to my prayed for me. Later, I talked to my prayed for me. Later, I talked to my parents and I started taking communion. parents and I started taking communion. parents and I started taking communion. But throughout middle school, it was a But throughout middle school, it was a But throughout middle school, it was a very hard time for me. A lot of anxiety very hard time for me. A lot of anxiety very hard time for me. A lot of anxiety and a lot of doubt. I was afraid that and a lot of doubt. I was afraid that and a lot of doubt. I was afraid that God wasn't real. And if that God wasn't God wasn't real. And if that God wasn't God wasn't real. And if that God wasn't real, that one heaven wasn't real. And real, that one heaven wasn't real. And real, that one heaven wasn't real. And that what if another religion was real. that what if another religion was real. that what if another religion was real. The biggest thing that scared me was The biggest thing that scared me was The biggest thing that scared me was death because I was afraid that I death because I was afraid that I death because I was afraid that I wouldn't go to heaven. Uh for a while, I wouldn't go to heaven. Uh for a while, I wouldn't go to heaven. Uh for a while, I stopped taking communion thinking that stopped taking communion thinking that stopped taking communion thinking that [music] I didn't trust the Lord or at [music] I didn't trust the Lord or at [music] I didn't trust the Lord or at least I didn't trust him enough. And least I didn't trust him enough. And least I didn't trust him enough. And then going into my freshman year of high then going into my freshman year of high then going into my freshman year of high school, I went to student night on school, I went to student night on school, I went to student night on September 3rd of 25. And that's when my September 3rd of 25. And that's when my September 3rd of 25. And that's when my entire prayer had changed. [music] My entire prayer had changed. [music] My entire prayer had changed. [music] My prayer had always been, "Lord, I don't prayer had always been, "Lord, I don't prayer had always been, "Lord, I don't know how I want to give this to you, but know how I want to give this to you, but know how I want to give this to you, but I don't know how." But that night, my I don't know how." But that night, my I don't know how." But that night, my prayer changed to Lord, I can't do this, prayer changed to Lord, I can't do this, prayer changed to Lord, I can't do this, but I know you can, so I want to [music] but I know you can, so I want to [music] but I know you can, so I want to [music] give this to you. That [applause] that night I read the Bible with my dad that night I read the Bible with my dad and I read Psalm chapter 6 verse9 and I read Psalm chapter 6 verse9 and I read Psalm chapter 6 verse9 [music] which had said the Lord heard my [music] which had said the Lord heard my [music] which had said the Lord heard my plea and he answered my prayer. I knew plea and he answered my prayer. I knew plea and he answered my prayer. I knew that that wasn't that wasn't a coinc

that that wasn't that wasn't a coinc that that wasn't that wasn't a coinc coincidence reading it that night. I coincidence reading it that night. I coincidence reading it that night. I knew that was God telling me that he had knew that was God telling me that he had knew that was God telling me that he had never forsaken me and he will never never forsaken me and he will never never forsaken me and he will never forsake me. And in Romans 3:23 it says, forsake me. And in Romans 3:23 it says, forsake me. And in Romans 3:23 it says, "For all have sinned and fallen short of "For all have sinned and fallen short of "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." This verse helped me the glory of God." This verse helped me the glory of God." This verse helped me truly realize that I can't do this truly realize that I can't do this truly realize that I can't do this alone. My mom always tells me that she alone. My mom always tells me that she alone. My mom always tells me that she loves me not because of what I do, but loves me not because of what I do, but loves me not because of what I do, but because of who I am. And that's the same because of who I am. And that's the same because of who I am. And that's the same with God. with God. with God. [applause] So recently, I I went to Korea and I So recently, I I went to Korea and I made this family ring. Um, and of course made this family ring. Um, and of course made this family ring. Um, and of course once I get baptized today, my family once I get baptized today, my family once I get baptized today, my family will still be my family. But now I have will still be my family. But now I have will still be my family. But now I have over 1,400 brothers and sisters in over 1,400 brothers and sisters in over 1,400 brothers and sisters in Christ. and I'm so grateful for that. Christ. and I'm so grateful for that. Christ. and I'm so grateful for that. And today I'm ready to profess my my And today I'm ready to profess my my And today I'm ready to profess my my acceptance and belief in Christ. acceptance and belief in Christ. acceptance and belief in Christ. [applause] >> Um we're assuming that everyone knows >> Um we're assuming that everyone knows the words we're going to say. So we're the words we're going to say. So we're the words we're going to say. So we're going to baptize our boys in our native going to baptize our boys in our native going to baptize our boys in our native tongue, Korean. tongue, Korean. tongue, Korean. [applause] speech.

speech. [clears throat] [music] [music] [applause] >> What a gift. >> What a gift. >> What a gift. Every week we recite the >> What a gift. Every week we recite the >> What a gift. Every week we recite the generosity prayer. Uh not just to have generosity prayer. Uh not just to have generosity prayer. Uh not just to have something to do at the end of our something to do at the end of our something to do at the end of our service, but that God might make us a service, but that God might make us a service, but that God might make us a certain type of people. We be certain type of people. We be certain type of people. We be open-handed and openhearted, but how God open-handed and openhearted, but how God open-handed and openhearted, but how God has been generous to us. We're just has been generous to us. We're just has been generous to us. We're just stewards of his generosity. So, if you stewards of his generosity. So, if you stewards of his generosity. So, if you would stand with me, we will recite this would stand with me, we will recite this would stand with me, we will recite this prayer. And I got one announcement for prayer. And I got one announcement for prayer. And I got one announcement for you. you. you. Holy Father, there is nothing we have Holy Father, there is nothing we have Holy Father, there is nothing we have that you have not given us. All we have that you have not given us. All we have that you have not given us. All we have and all we are belong to you, bought and all we are belong to you, bought and all we are belong to you, bought with the blood of Jesus. To spend with the blood of Jesus. To spend with the blood of Jesus. To spend selfishly and [music] to give without selfishly and [music] to give without selfishly and [music] to give without sacrifice is the way of the world, but sacrifice is the way of the world, but sacrifice is the way of the world, but generosity is the way of those who call generosity is the way of those who call generosity is the way of those who call [music] Christ their Lord. So help us to [music] Christ their Lord. So help us to [music] Christ their Lord. So help us to increase in generosity [music] until it increase in generosity [music] until it increase in generosity [music] until it can be said that there is no needy can be said that there is no needy can be said that there is no needy person among us. Help us to be person among us. Help us to be person among us. Help us to be trustworthy with such a little thing as

trustworthy with such a little thing as trustworthy with such a little thing as money that you may trust us with true money that you may trust us with true money that you may trust us with true riches. Above all, help us to be riches. Above all, help us to be riches. Above all, help us to be generous because you, Father, are generous because you, Father, are generous because you, Father, are generous. May we show what you are like generous. May we show what you are like generous. May we show what you are like to all the world. One announcement for to all the world. One announcement for to all the world. One announcement for you and we've talked about it all day. you and we've talked about it all day. you and we've talked about it all day. is the next weekend is our made alive is the next weekend is our made alive is the next weekend is our made alive services. That's what we have like services. That's what we have like services. That's what we have like Saturday and Sunday we will have a guest Saturday and Sunday we will have a guest Saturday and Sunday we will have a guest speaker coming and proclaiming the speaker coming and proclaiming the speaker coming and proclaiming the gospel [music] for you to gather your gospel [music] for you to gather your gospel [music] for you to gather your ones and to bring them that the spirit ones and to bring them that the spirit ones and to bring them that the spirit might Lord willing bring them to Christ. might Lord willing bring them to Christ. might Lord willing bring them to Christ. Sunday night at the counter we'll be Sunday night at the counter we'll be Sunday night at the counter we'll be praying for for one night one name as praying for for one night one name as praying for for one night one name as it's happening in Marcus. Monday night it's happening in Marcus. Monday night it's happening in Marcus. Monday night we'll have a baptism celebration service we'll have a baptism celebration service we'll have a baptism celebration service where those who have made decisions or where those who have made decisions or where those who have made decisions or those who are wanting to get baptized to those who are wanting to get baptized to those who are wanting to get baptized to come and be baptized. We have another come and be baptized. We have another come and be baptized. We have another guest speaker that evening be just guest speaker that evening be just guest speaker that evening be just celebrating the work of the Lord. Rumor celebrating the work of the Lord. Rumor celebrating the work of the Lord. Rumor has it, it's not a rumor because I has it, it's not a rumor because I has it, it's not a rumor because I approve the order, is that we're going approve the order, is that we're going approve the order, is that we're going to have some frozen treats and drinks to have some frozen treats and drinks to have some frozen treats and drinks afterwards to be able to hang out and afterwards to be able to hang out and afterwards to be able to hang out and linger and celebrate God's goodness linger and celebrate God's goodness linger and celebrate God's goodness together on Monday night. So, we'd love together on Monday night. So, we'd love together on Monday night. So, we'd love to have you come and join us. All right, to have you come and join us. All right, to have you come and join us. All right, let's sing the doxology. You'll be let's sing the doxology. You'll be let's sing the doxology. You'll be dismissed.

>> Praise God [music] >> Praise God [music] from whom all [singing] blessings from whom all [singing] blessings from whom all [singing] blessings flow. Praise [music] him [singing] all Praise [music] him [singing] all creatures creatures creatures [music] here we love. [music] here we love. [music] here we love. Praise [music and singing] Praise [music and singing] Praise [music and singing] him him him above the heavenly above the heavenly above the heavenly host. Praise Father, [music and singing] Praise Father, [music and singing] Son, and Holy Son, and Holy Son, and Holy Ghost. Ghost. Ghost. >> [music] [music] [music] >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. Church, you're dismissed. And >> Amen. Church, you're dismissed. And >> Amen. Church, you're dismissed. And there are men and women at the front who there are men and women at the front who there are men and women at the front who would love [music] to pray for you. Have would love [music] to pray for you. Have would love [music] to pray for you. Have a good week.

>> [music] >> [music] >> I may not understand. >> I may not understand. >> I may not understand. I can understand I can understand I can understand your presence your presence your presence to my knees. Let my heart Let my heart be a [singing and music] heart be a [singing and music] heart be a [singing and music] heart surrender. surrender. surrender. Let my whole life sing. Let my whole life sing. Let my whole life sing. I love you. When my [music] words fall I love you. When my [music] words fall I love you. When my [music] words fall short, I have nothing [singing] short, I have nothing [singing] short, I have nothing [singing] more. When my whole life see how I love more. When my whole life see how I love more. When my whole life see how I love [music] [music] [music] I love you.

Nothing I can see. Nothing I can see. There's nothing left to brea. [music] There's nothing left to brea. [music] There's nothing left to brea. [music] It's your spirit. Christ. Christ. Let my heart [music] be Let my heart [music] be Let my heart [music] be [singing] [singing] [singing] a heart surrender. a heart surrender. a heart surrender. My [music] whole life sing [singing] how My [music] whole life sing [singing] how My [music] whole life sing [singing] how I love you. I [music] love you in my I love you. I [music] love you in my I love you. I [music] love you in my words fall [singing] short. I [music] words fall [singing] short. I [music] words fall [singing] short. I [music] have nothing have nothing have nothing more. Spent my [singing] whole life sing more. Spent my [singing] whole life sing more. Spent my [singing] whole life sing I [music] love I [music] love I [music] love I love you.

You can have all my [music and singing] You can have all my [music and singing] moments, moments, moments, all my days. I give you all all my days. I give you all all my days. I give you all [music and singing] my worship. Jesus, [music and singing] my worship. Jesus, [music and singing] my worship. Jesus, [music] [music] [music] you can have all [singing] my moments, you can have all [singing] my moments, you can have all [singing] my moments, all [music] all [music] all [music] my days. I give you all my days. I give you all my days. I give you all [music and singing] my worship. Jesus, you can have all [singing] you can have all [singing] my [music] moments, my [music] moments, my [music] moments, all my days. all my days. all my days. I give you all [singing] my worship. I give you all [singing] my worship. I give you all [singing] my worship. Jesus Jesus Jesus [music] all my [singing] moments, all my [singing] moments, all my days. I give you all my all my days. I give you all my all my days. I give you all my [singing and music] worship. Jesus, you can have [music and singing] all my you can have [music and singing] all my moments, moments, moments, all my days. I give [singing and music] all my days. I give [singing and music] all my days. I give [singing and music] you all my worship. Jesus, you all my worship. Jesus, you all my worship. Jesus, [music] [music] [music] let my hallelujah.

let my hallelujah. let my hallelujah. [singing] [singing] [singing] Be your heart surrender. [music] Be your heart surrender. [music] Be your heart surrender. [music] My [singing] whole life sing My [singing] whole life sing My [singing] whole life sing love. I love you when my words [music] love. I love you when my words [music] love. I love you when my words [music] fall short. I have nothing. fall short. I have nothing. fall short. I have nothing. [music] Lord, let my whole life sing. [music] Lord, let my whole life sing. [music] Lord, let my whole life sing. How I love How I love How I love I love [music] I love [music] I love [music] you in my [singing] you in my [singing] you in my [singing] liant liant liant [music] when my whole life seen your love. when my whole life seen your love. I love [music] I love [music] I love [music] you when my [singing] words fall short. you when my [singing] words fall short. you when my [singing] words fall short. I have nothing [music] I have nothing [music] I have nothing [music] more than my whole life. Sing how I more than my whole life. Sing how I more than my whole life. Sing how I love. love. love. I love you. [music and singing] You can I love you. [music and singing] You can I love you. [music and singing] You can have all my moments, all have all my moments, all have all my moments, all [music and singing] my days. I give you [music and singing] my days. I give you [music and singing] my days. I give you all my worship. Jesus, [music] you can have all [singing] you can have all [singing] my moments, my moments, my moments, all my days. I give you all all my days. I give you all all my days. I give you all [music and singing] my worship. Jesusl.

Hallelujah. Be a heart to Hallelujah. Be a heart to my [music and singing] whole life. my [music and singing] whole life. my [music and singing] whole life. I love I love I love I love you when [music] my words fall I love you when [music] my words fall I love you when [music] my words fall [singing] [singing] [singing] short. I have [music] nothing short. I have [music] nothing short. I have [music] nothing more. more. more. [singing] [music] I love [music] I love I love you.