Willow Welcomes | Hosanna Wong

Hey, Willow. I am super excited for this Hey, Willow. I am super excited for this weekend because you're about to hear weekend because you're about to hear weekend because you're about to hear from my friend Hosanna Wong. You know, from my friend Hosanna Wong. You know, from my friend Hosanna Wong. You know, the first time I ever heard Hosanna the first time I ever heard Hosanna the first time I ever heard Hosanna speak, it was about 10 years ago. I was speak, it was about 10 years ago. I was speak, it was about 10 years ago. I was serving at a church in Vegas. She shared serving at a church in Vegas. She shared serving at a church in Vegas. She shared one of her spoken word pieces and I will one of her spoken word pieces and I will one of her spoken word pieces and I will never forget it. I was completely never forget it. I was completely never forget it. I was completely captivated, not just because it was captivated, not just because it was captivated, not just because it was creative, though it was, [music] but creative, though it was, [music] but creative, though it was, [music] but because every single word just pointed because every single word just pointed because every single word just pointed people to Jesus. And over the years, people to Jesus. And over the years, people to Jesus. And over the years, Hosanna and her husband Guy have become Hosanna and her husband Guy have become Hosanna and her husband Guy have become really dear friends of Lindsay and me. I really dear friends of Lindsay and me. I really dear friends of Lindsay and me. I mean, they are the real deal. They mean, they are the real deal. They mean, they are the real deal. They [music] love Jesus deeply. They love [music] love Jesus deeply. They love [music] love Jesus deeply. They love people recklessly. They've dedicated people recklessly. They've dedicated people recklessly. They've dedicated their entire lives to helping people their entire lives to helping people their entire lives to helping people discover the hope [music] of the gospel. discover the hope [music] of the gospel. discover the hope [music] of the gospel. And today, they both faithfully serve at And today, they both faithfully serve at And today, they both faithfully serve at a great church in San Diego while a great church in San Diego while a great church in San Diego while continuing to encourage churches all continuing to encourage churches all continuing to encourage churches all over the country. And so, I know today over the country. And so, I know today over the country. And so, I know today you're going to laugh, you're probably you're going to laugh, you're probably you're going to laugh, you're probably going to cry, and most importantly, I going to cry, and most importantly, I going to cry, and most importantly, I believe that God [music] is going to believe that God [music] is going to believe that God [music] is going to speak to your heart today through my speak to your heart today through my speak to your heart today through my friend Hosanna. So, would you please friend Hosanna. So, would you please friend Hosanna. So, would you please give a very special Willow welcome to my give a very special Willow welcome to my give a very special Willow welcome to my friend Hosanna Wong. friend Hosanna Wong. friend Hosanna Wong. >> Hey, Willow Creek Church family. I'm so >> Hey, Willow Creek Church family. I'm so >> Hey, Willow Creek Church family. I'm so blessed to be back with you all. If blessed to be back with you all. If blessed to be back with you all. If we've never met before, hey, my name is we've never met before, hey, my name is we've never met before, hey, my name is Hosanna. Um, if you were raised in Hosanna. Um, if you were raised in Hosanna. Um, if you were raised in church, you might be familiar with the church, you might be familiar with the church, you might be familiar with the name Hosanna. Some of us grew up singing name Hosanna. Some of us grew up singing name Hosanna. Some of us grew up singing songs like Hosanna in the highest. So songs like Hosanna in the highest. So songs like Hosanna in the highest. So you might be here today meeting someone you might be here today meeting someone you might be here today meeting someone named Hosanna Wong and think, "Okay, named Hosanna Wong and think, "Okay, named Hosanna Wong and think, "Okay, Hosanna Wong."

Hosanna Wong." Hosanna Wong." Maybe like a Chinese worship leader is Maybe like a Chinese worship leader is Maybe like a Chinese worship leader is here to sing some tunes. Something here to sing some tunes. Something here to sing some tunes. Something between Lauren Dagel and Mulan is about between Lauren Dagel and Mulan is about between Lauren Dagel and Mulan is about to happen right now. I just want you to to happen right now. I just want you to to happen right now. I just want you to know that's not what's going to happen know that's not what's going to happen know that's not what's going to happen right now. I didn't grow up singing. I right now. I didn't grow up singing. I right now. I didn't grow up singing. I grew up doing spoken word poetry. I grew grew up doing spoken word poetry. I grew grew up doing spoken word poetry. I grew up on the streets of San Francisco. My up on the streets of San Francisco. My up on the streets of San Francisco. My dad battled a heroin addiction for 15 dad battled a heroin addiction for 15 dad battled a heroin addiction for 15 years. He fought in a gang and a woman years. He fought in a gang and a woman years. He fought in a gang and a woman introduced him to Jesus and Jesus introduced him to Jesus and Jesus introduced him to Jesus and Jesus changed his whole life. And my dad ended changed his whole life. And my dad ended changed his whole life. And my dad ended up Yes. Amen. Jesus is still in the up Yes. Amen. Jesus is still in the up Yes. Amen. Jesus is still in the business of transforming lives. My dad business of transforming lives. My dad business of transforming lives. My dad ended up starting an outdoor church to ended up starting an outdoor church to ended up starting an outdoor church to our friends living without homes and our friends living without homes and our friends living without homes and battling with addiction on the streets battling with addiction on the streets battling with addiction on the streets of San Francisco. And that's how I grew of San Francisco. And that's how I grew of San Francisco. And that's how I grew up. We had outdoor church services two up. We had outdoor church services two up. We had outdoor church services two to three days a week every week of my to three days a week every week of my to three days a week every week of my childhood. People brought their drugs. childhood. People brought their drugs. childhood. People brought their drugs. People brought their alcohol bottles. People brought their alcohol bottles. People brought their alcohol bottles. That's how I learned church. By the way, That's how I learned church. By the way, That's how I learned church. By the way, I learned later in life when other I learned later in life when other I learned later in life when other people said they were also raised in people said they were also raised in people said they were also raised in church. We weren't talking about the church. We weren't talking about the church. We weren't talking about the exact same thing. But that's where I exact same thing. But that's where I exact same thing. But that's where I learned that Jesus could save anyone's learned that Jesus could save anyone's learned that Jesus could save anyone's soul and redeem anyone's story and would soul and redeem anyone's story and would soul and redeem anyone's story and would use anyone who would say yes. My dad has use anyone who would say yes. My dad has use anyone who would say yes. My dad has since passed and gone to be with Jesus since passed and gone to be with Jesus since passed and gone to be with Jesus when I was 18 years old. He passed away.

when I was 18 years old. He passed away. when I was 18 years old. He passed away. But what never left me was a desire to But what never left me was a desire to But what never left me was a desire to just know God for real and love people just know God for real and love people just know God for real and love people for real. And I am so blessed when I get for real. And I am so blessed when I get for real. And I am so blessed when I get to be around other people who just love to be around other people who just love to be around other people who just love God for real and love people for real. God for real and love people for real. God for real and love people for real. So that's why I'm so thrilled to be at So that's why I'm so thrilled to be at So that's why I'm so thrilled to be at Willow Creek this Sunday. Hey, would you Willow Creek this Sunday. Hey, would you Willow Creek this Sunday. Hey, would you just join me in honoring all of our just join me in honoring all of our just join me in honoring all of our teams, volunteers, staff, Pastor Sean, teams, volunteers, staff, Pastor Sean, teams, volunteers, staff, Pastor Sean, all the pastors at all our locations and all the pastors at all our locations and all the pastors at all our locations and kids production worship, our ushers. I kids production worship, our ushers. I kids production worship, our ushers. I am so thankful that we are the church in am so thankful that we are the church in am so thankful that we are the church in 2026. Praise God. Today I want to talk 2026. Praise God. Today I want to talk 2026. Praise God. Today I want to talk about how you can know who you really about how you can know who you really about how you can know who you really are are are and live like it every single day. Since and live like it every single day. Since and live like it every single day. Since my last time teaching here, I've had a my last time teaching here, I've had a my last time teaching here, I've had a new addition in my life. I wear glasses new addition in my life. I wear glasses new addition in my life. I wear glasses now. now. now. It's a whole thing. It turns out I was It's a whole thing. It turns out I was It's a whole thing. It turns out I was blind and nobody told me. And I remember blind and nobody told me. And I remember blind and nobody told me. And I remember I went to my doctor. My doctor showed me I went to my doctor. My doctor showed me I went to my doctor. My doctor showed me something and she said, "Josanna, can something and she said, "Josanna, can something and she said, "Josanna, can you see this?" And I said, "No, can you see this?" And I said, "No, can you see this?" And I said, "No, can anybody see this?" And she said, "Yes, anybody see this?" And she said, "Yes, anybody see this?" And she said, "Yes, everybody can see this except people who everybody can see this except people who everybody can see this except people who need glasses."

need glasses." need glasses." And I said, "You know, I'm really okay. And I said, "You know, I'm really okay. And I said, "You know, I'm really okay. I've lived my whole life this way." And I've lived my whole life this way." And I've lived my whole life this way." And she said, "Just because you've grown she said, "Just because you've grown she said, "Just because you've grown used to it doesn't mean that's what's used to it doesn't mean that's what's used to it doesn't mean that's what's best for you." She said, "You've been best for you." She said, "You've been best for you." She said, "You've been living your whole life with a broken living your whole life with a broken living your whole life with a broken lens." And then she started describing lens." And then she started describing lens." And then she started describing all these situations where it might be all these situations where it might be all these situations where it might be difficult for me to see. She said, ' Do difficult for me to see. She said, ' Do difficult for me to see. She said, ' Do you struggle with any of these things? you struggle with any of these things? you struggle with any of these things? And I said, 'Yes, I struggle with all of And I said, 'Yes, I struggle with all of And I said, 'Yes, I struggle with all of those things. I thought everybody lived those things. I thought everybody lived those things. I thought everybody lived that way. And she said this to me and that way. And she said this to me and that way. And she said this to me and I'll never forget. She said, you have I'll never forget. She said, you have I'll never forget. She said, you have been living your whole life with been living your whole life with been living your whole life with limitations that you don't have to live limitations that you don't have to live limitations that you don't have to live with anymore. with anymore. with anymore. And then she prescribed me these And then she prescribed me these And then she prescribed me these glasses. So, praise God. People are so glasses. So, praise God. People are so glasses. So, praise God. People are so much better looking than I thought they much better looking than I thought they much better looking than I thought they were. were. were. Some of us are living with limitations Some of us are living with limitations Some of us are living with limitations that we don't have to live with anymore. that we don't have to live with anymore. that we don't have to live with anymore. Some of us are seeing ourselves through Some of us are seeing ourselves through Some of us are seeing ourselves through a broken lens. Some of us see ourselves a broken lens. Some of us see ourselves a broken lens. Some of us see ourselves as unworthy, as unworthy, as unworthy, unwanted, unwanted, unwanted, not good enough. Some of us constantly not good enough. Some of us constantly not good enough. Some of us constantly feel like we're always doing all we can, feel like we're always doing all we can, feel like we're always doing all we can, but we're never doing enough. Some of us but we're never doing enough. Some of us but we're never doing enough. Some of us feel like God chose the wrong person.

feel like God chose the wrong person. feel like God chose the wrong person. Some of us feel like we're a mistake. Some of us feel like we're a mistake. Some of us feel like we're a mistake. Some of us feel like our past will Some of us feel like our past will Some of us feel like our past will always define us. Some of us feel like always define us. Some of us feel like always define us. Some of us feel like failures. And this is what I know. What failures. And this is what I know. What failures. And this is what I know. What you believe about yourself will you believe about yourself will you believe about yourself will determine how you live. If you believe determine how you live. If you believe determine how you live. If you believe you're unworthy, you'll start living you're unworthy, you'll start living you're unworthy, you'll start living like you are. If you believe you're a like you are. If you believe you're a like you are. If you believe you're a burden to be loved, you'll start living burden to be loved, you'll start living burden to be loved, you'll start living like you are. If you believe you're a like you are. If you believe you're a like you are. If you believe you're a failure, you'll start living like you failure, you'll start living like you failure, you'll start living like you are. And the enemy of your soul knows are. And the enemy of your soul knows are. And the enemy of your soul knows this. He hopes you believe all of these this. He hopes you believe all of these this. He hopes you believe all of these lies about yourself because he hopes lies about yourself because he hopes lies about yourself because he hopes that you see yourself through a broken that you see yourself through a broken that you see yourself through a broken lens so you answer to lesser names and lens so you answer to lesser names and lens so you answer to lesser names and you live a lesser life because the enemy you live a lesser life because the enemy you live a lesser life because the enemy knows who you really are. He knows that knows who you really are. He knows that knows who you really are. He knows that you are loved by God, chosen by God, and you are loved by God, chosen by God, and you are loved by God, chosen by God, and created with an important purpose to created with an important purpose to created with an important purpose to give lots of glory to God. So, he's on give lots of glory to God. So, he's on give lots of glory to God. So, he's on this whole mission to make sure you this whole mission to make sure you this whole mission to make sure you don't find out, too.

don't find out, too. don't find out, too. If you've ever struggled If you've ever struggled If you've ever struggled with knowing your worth, I want you to with knowing your worth, I want you to with knowing your worth, I want you to know you're not crazy. You've just been know you're not crazy. You've just been know you're not crazy. You've just been told lies your whole life. And I came told lies your whole life. And I came told lies your whole life. And I came here today to tell someone, you are more here today to tell someone, you are more here today to tell someone, you are more than you've been told. than you've been told. than you've been told. I don't know what names other people I don't know what names other people I don't know what names other people have called you or what names you've have called you or what names you've have called you or what names you've told yourself, but God has some other told yourself, but God has some other told yourself, but God has some other names for you. And no one has the power names for you. And no one has the power names for you. And no one has the power to define you, but the one who created to define you, but the one who created to define you, but the one who created you. That's what we're going to unpack you. That's what we're going to unpack you. That's what we're going to unpack today. I want you to know that God knew today. I want you to know that God knew today. I want you to know that God knew that throughout our lives, we would hear that throughout our lives, we would hear that throughout our lives, we would hear all of these lies about ourselves, that all of these lies about ourselves, that all of these lies about ourselves, that we'd get stuck in the wrong patterns of we'd get stuck in the wrong patterns of we'd get stuck in the wrong patterns of thinking and then eventually in the thinking and then eventually in the thinking and then eventually in the wrong patterns of living. So God sent a wrong patterns of living. So God sent a wrong patterns of living. So God sent a solution. He sent his son Jesus to come solution. He sent his son Jesus to come solution. He sent his son Jesus to come and be with us, to die on a cross to pay and be with us, to die on a cross to pay and be with us, to die on a cross to pay for all of our sins and all of our for all of our sins and all of our for all of our sins and all of our shortcomings so that then when we put shortcomings so that then when we put shortcomings so that then when we put our faith in Jesus, we can have a real our faith in Jesus, we can have a real our faith in Jesus, we can have a real relationship with God. And also he sent relationship with God. And also he sent relationship with God. And also he sent Jesus to share in our human experience.

Jesus to share in our human experience. Jesus to share in our human experience. So Jesus would be a living example of So Jesus would be a living example of So Jesus would be a living example of how we too can know who we really are how we too can know who we really are how we too can know who we really are and live like it every single day. I and live like it every single day. I and live like it every single day. I want to unpack for you a story in the want to unpack for you a story in the want to unpack for you a story in the Bible that I grew up reading that I grew Bible that I grew up reading that I grew Bible that I grew up reading that I grew up hearing about. But it wasn't until up hearing about. But it wasn't until up hearing about. But it wasn't until this past season of my life when I saw this past season of my life when I saw this past season of my life when I saw something in it I used to miss. You something in it I used to miss. You something in it I used to miss. You might be familiar with this passage. might be familiar with this passage. might be familiar with this passage. We're going to dive a little bit deeper We're going to dive a little bit deeper We're going to dive a little bit deeper into it today. This is Matthew 4. into it today. This is Matthew 4. into it today. This is Matthew 4. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. called Peter and his brother Andrew. called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, They were casting a net into the sea, They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. for they were fishermen. for they were fishermen. Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. And at once make you fishers of men. And at once make you fishers of men. And at once they left their nets and followed him. they left their nets and followed him. they left their nets and followed him. The one thing about this story that I The one thing about this story that I The one thing about this story that I used to miss is that the place those used to miss is that the place those used to miss is that the place those boys were at in their lives was actually boys were at in their lives was actually boys were at in their lives was actually a place of defeat. They were living with a place of defeat. They were living with a place of defeat. They were living with limitations. They did not know who they limitations. They did not know who they limitations. They did not know who they were, so they did not know how to live.

were, so they did not know how to live. were, so they did not know how to live. And to unpack this story, I want to And to unpack this story, I want to And to unpack this story, I want to bring us back to school a little bit. I bring us back to school a little bit. I bring us back to school a little bit. I want to unpack the first century Jewish want to unpack the first century Jewish want to unpack the first century Jewish educational system for us. What school educational system for us. What school educational system for us. What school was like back in the day, back in was like back in the day, back in was like back in the day, back in Jesus's day, which was a little bit Jesus's day, which was a little bit Jesus's day, which was a little bit different than ours. So, I'm going to different than ours. So, I'm going to different than ours. So, I'm going to take us back to school really quick. And take us back to school really quick. And take us back to school really quick. And if you've never had a Chinese teacher if you've never had a Chinese teacher if you've never had a Chinese teacher before, let me tell you, A+'s only. before, let me tell you, A+'s only. before, let me tell you, A+'s only. Okay? Praise the Lord. Just so you know, Okay? Praise the Lord. Just so you know, Okay? Praise the Lord. Just so you know, there were three levels of schooling. there were three levels of schooling. there were three levels of schooling. The first level students would have to The first level students would have to The first level students would have to memorize the first five books of the memorize the first five books of the memorize the first five books of the Bible, what was written at that time. Bible, what was written at that time. Bible, what was written at that time. The second level students would have to The second level students would have to The second level students would have to memorize the rest of the Hebrew memorize the rest of the Hebrew memorize the rest of the Hebrew scriptures and also learn critical scriptures and also learn critical scriptures and also learn critical thinking skills to analyze them and thinking skills to analyze them and thinking skills to analyze them and answer questions about them. And then answer questions about them. And then answer questions about them. And then the third level of schooling was this the third level of schooling was this the third level of schooling was this whole other level of schooling. Not all whole other level of schooling. Not all whole other level of schooling. Not all students made it to this part. And to students made it to this part. And to students made it to this part. And to this part of their schooling, they would this part of their schooling, they would this part of their schooling, they would have to audition for a teacher, audition have to audition for a teacher, audition have to audition for a teacher, audition for a rabbi. This was really hard to get for a rabbi. This was really hard to get for a rabbi. This was really hard to get into. This was like Yale or Harvard into. This was like Yale or Harvard into. This was like Yale or Harvard admissions times 10. And a rabbi, a admissions times 10. And a rabbi, a admissions times 10. And a rabbi, a teacher would grill the student to see teacher would grill the student to see teacher would grill the student to see if they were good enough, if they were if they were good enough, if they were if they were good enough, if they were good enough for this level of schooling, good enough for this level of schooling, good enough for this level of schooling, if they were smart enough, if they had if they were smart enough, if they had if they were smart enough, if they had good teachers, if they had good learning good teachers, if they had good learning good teachers, if they had good learning skills, if they were worthy to follow a skills, if they were worthy to follow a skills, if they were worthy to follow a teacher. And historically, teacher. And historically, teacher. And historically, after the student tried to prove their after the student tried to prove their after the student tried to prove their worth, if after the teacher grilled the worth, if after the teacher grilled the worth, if after the teacher grilled the student to see if they were good enough, student to see if they were good enough, student to see if they were good enough, if they looked at the student and they if they looked at the student and they if they looked at the student and they said, "Man, this kid has what it takes.

said, "Man, this kid has what it takes. said, "Man, this kid has what it takes. They're good enough. They're worthy." They're good enough. They're worthy." They're good enough. They're worthy." This is what the teacher would say to This is what the teacher would say to This is what the teacher would say to the student. Historically, the teacher the student. Historically, the teacher the student. Historically, the teacher would say to the student, "Come and would say to the student, "Come and would say to the student, "Come and follow me." follow me." follow me." And students long to hear those words And students long to hear those words And students long to hear those words because what it meant is that they were because what it meant is that they were because what it meant is that they were good enough. And they would literally good enough. And they would literally good enough. And they would literally leave their hometown and they would leave their hometown and they would leave their hometown and they would literally leave their synagogue and they literally leave their synagogue and they literally leave their synagogue and they would go and follow this teacher, this would go and follow this teacher, this would go and follow this teacher, this rabbi. He they would follow his rabbi. He they would follow his rabbi. He they would follow his lifestyle. They would see how he lived, lifestyle. They would see how he lived, lifestyle. They would see how he lived, how did he have rhythms, how did he have how did he have rhythms, how did he have how did he have rhythms, how did he have relationships, how did he rest. They relationships, how did he rest. They relationships, how did he rest. They would literally see how he lived to would literally see how he lived to would literally see how he lived to learn how they could live, too. But if learn how they could live, too. But if learn how they could live, too. But if the teacher grilled this student and the teacher grilled this student and the teacher grilled this student and discovered they were not good enough, discovered they were not good enough, discovered they were not good enough, perhaps they didn't come from a great perhaps they didn't come from a great perhaps they didn't come from a great family. Perhaps the family couldn't family. Perhaps the family couldn't family. Perhaps the family couldn't afford the best tutor. Perhaps they afford the best tutor. Perhaps they afford the best tutor. Perhaps they didn't have a great community that loved didn't have a great community that loved didn't have a great community that loved them, saw them, and helped them study. them, saw them, and helped them study. them, saw them, and helped them study. Perhaps this kid did not have what it Perhaps this kid did not have what it Perhaps this kid did not have what it took. Then historically, the teacher took. Then historically, the teacher took. Then historically, the teacher would look at the student and say, "Go would look at the student and say, "Go would look at the student and say, "Go home. Imply your trade."

home. Imply your trade." home. Imply your trade." which meant go back to the family which meant go back to the family which meant go back to the family business. Go back home and do what your business. Go back home and do what your business. Go back home and do what your daddy does. Your daddy who also wasn't daddy does. Your daddy who also wasn't daddy does. Your daddy who also wasn't good enough to follow me. Go back to a good enough to follow me. Go back to a good enough to follow me. Go back to a legacy of defeat of people who were not legacy of defeat of people who were not legacy of defeat of people who were not good enough. Go home and ply your trade. good enough. Go home and ply your trade. good enough. Go home and ply your trade. Now, this changes the significance of Now, this changes the significance of Now, this changes the significance of the story a little bit when we realize the story a little bit when we realize the story a little bit when we realize that when Jesus met these boys, he was that when Jesus met these boys, he was that when Jesus met these boys, he was not sitting behind an admissions desk. not sitting behind an admissions desk. not sitting behind an admissions desk. He was not sitting behind an American He was not sitting behind an American He was not sitting behind an American idolike judges desk trying to see who idolike judges desk trying to see who idolike judges desk trying to see who could sing the highest note or perform could sing the highest note or perform could sing the highest note or perform the best. But Jesus instead was going to the best. But Jesus instead was going to the best. But Jesus instead was going to where these boys were. And as he met where these boys were. And as he met where these boys were. And as he met them in their boats holding on to their them in their boats holding on to their them in their boats holding on to their nets, nets, nets, he was meeting them in a place of he was meeting them in a place of he was meeting them in a place of defeat. He met them at their boats. They defeat. He met them at their boats. They defeat. He met them at their boats. They were holding on to their nets because were holding on to their nets because were holding on to their nets because they were fishermen.

they were fishermen. they were fishermen. Why were they fishermen? Why were they fishermen? Why were they fishermen? Because they had already been told they Because they had already been told they Because they had already been told they were not good enough. At the age these were not good enough. At the age these were not good enough. At the age these boys were, they would have already tried boys were, they would have already tried boys were, they would have already tried to go through the school system. The to go through the school system. The to go through the school system. The fact that they were there doing their fact that they were there doing their fact that they were there doing their daddy's trade showed that they had daddy's trade showed that they had daddy's trade showed that they had already done their best and were told already done their best and were told already done their best and were told they were not worthy. And as Jesus meets they were not worthy. And as Jesus meets they were not worthy. And as Jesus meets them at their boats, he invites them to them at their boats, he invites them to them at their boats, he invites them to do three things that I believe he's do three things that I believe he's do three things that I believe he's inviting all of us to do today. And the inviting all of us to do today. And the inviting all of us to do today. And the first thing is this. Drop the old name. first thing is this. Drop the old name. first thing is this. Drop the old name. As he meets them at their boats, they're As he meets them at their boats, they're As he meets them at their boats, they're holding on to these nets, these symbols holding on to these nets, these symbols holding on to these nets, these symbols of defeat. They've heard names like not of defeat. They've heard names like not of defeat. They've heard names like not enough, unworthy, unloved. They've enough, unworthy, unloved. They've enough, unworthy, unloved. They've already accepted what they've been told already accepted what they've been told already accepted what they've been told from other people is the ceiling for from other people is the ceiling for from other people is the ceiling for their life. And as Jesus meets them, their life. And as Jesus meets them, their life. And as Jesus meets them, he's saying to them, "Drop the thing he's saying to them, "Drop the thing he's saying to them, "Drop the thing that you have held on to as a symbol of that you have held on to as a symbol of that you have held on to as a symbol of disappointment." disappointment." disappointment." He was saying, "Drop the story that He was saying, "Drop the story that He was saying, "Drop the story that someone told you, that you accepted and someone told you, that you accepted and someone told you, that you accepted and you've repeated of why you'll never be you've repeated of why you'll never be you've repeated of why you'll never be good enough." He was saying, "Drop the good enough." He was saying, "Drop the good enough." He was saying, "Drop the narrative that you've hold tight to, of narrative that you've hold tight to, of narrative that you've hold tight to, of why you'll never be good enough, why why you'll never be good enough, why why you'll never be good enough, why your mistakes will always define you, your mistakes will always define you, your mistakes will always define you, why God can never be glorified in your why God can never be glorified in your why God can never be glorified in your life." Jesus was saying to them the same life." Jesus was saying to them the same life." Jesus was saying to them the same thing he's saying to us today. He's thing he's saying to us today. He's thing he's saying to us today. He's saying, "You may have been told that saying, "You may have been told that saying, "You may have been told that you're not enough. that your life is not you're not enough. that your life is not you're not enough. that your life is not as important as other people's lives,

as important as other people's lives, as important as other people's lives, that your past will always define you, that your past will always define you, that your past will always define you, that you have to work harder, impress that you have to work harder, impress that you have to work harder, impress more people, or overextend yourself to more people, or overextend yourself to more people, or overextend yourself to prove your value. But you are more than prove your value. But you are more than prove your value. But you are more than you've been told. And perhaps nobody you've been told. And perhaps nobody you've been told. And perhaps nobody told you this, but you are valuable. told you this, but you are valuable. told you this, but you are valuable. Perhaps nobody told you this, but your Perhaps nobody told you this, but your Perhaps nobody told you this, but your life is important. Perhaps nobody told life is important. Perhaps nobody told life is important. Perhaps nobody told you this, but you don't have to stay you this, but you don't have to stay you this, but you don't have to stay stuck in your past. You can live a life stuck in your past. You can live a life stuck in your past. You can live a life that is healed and whole and filled with that is healed and whole and filled with that is healed and whole and filled with purpose. Come and follow me and I'm purpose. Come and follow me and I'm purpose. Come and follow me and I'm going to show you the truth of who you going to show you the truth of who you going to show you the truth of who you really are. And Jesus is saying this really are. And Jesus is saying this really are. And Jesus is saying this same thing to all of us today. He said, same thing to all of us today. He said, same thing to all of us today. He said, "Drop the old name." And then he said, "Drop the old name." And then he said, "Drop the old name." And then he said, "Now come and follow me." The second "Now come and follow me." The second "Now come and follow me." The second invitation we have is this. Follow Jesus invitation we have is this. Follow Jesus invitation we have is this. Follow Jesus for real. for real. for real. What does it mean to follow Jesus for What does it mean to follow Jesus for What does it mean to follow Jesus for real in 2026? real in 2026? real in 2026? Not as a concept, not as something Not as a concept, not as something Not as a concept, not as something theoretical. theoretical. theoretical. What does it literally mean for you to What does it literally mean for you to What does it literally mean for you to live your life following Jesus for real live your life following Jesus for real live your life following Jesus for real today in your real world? You know, my today in your real world? You know, my today in your real world? You know, my husband Guy is here with me today and husband Guy is here with me today and husband Guy is here with me today and we're about to celebrate 12 years we're about to celebrate 12 years we're about to celebrate 12 years married coming up here. Oh, thank you.

married coming up here. Oh, thank you. married coming up here. Oh, thank you. Thanks. Thank you. It has truly been the Thanks. Thank you. It has truly been the Thanks. Thank you. It has truly been the best 12 years of his life. So, praise best 12 years of his life. So, praise best 12 years of his life. So, praise God. Thank you for clapping. We actually God. Thank you for clapping. We actually God. Thank you for clapping. We actually met um in Las Vegas last weekend. You met um in Las Vegas last weekend. You met um in Las Vegas last weekend. You heard from Pastor Jud Wilhigh. My heard from Pastor Jud Wilhigh. My heard from Pastor Jud Wilhigh. My husband Guy served with Pastor Jud for husband Guy served with Pastor Jud for husband Guy served with Pastor Jud for eight years. And so, Pastor Jud and Lori eight years. And so, Pastor Jud and Lori eight years. And so, Pastor Jud and Lori Willilhigh are some of our dearest Willilhigh are some of our dearest Willilhigh are some of our dearest friends, just like Pastor Shawn and friends, just like Pastor Shawn and friends, just like Pastor Shawn and Lindsay. And we met at this church in Lindsay. And we met at this church in Lindsay. And we met at this church in Vegas. And now I still teach there every Vegas. And now I still teach there every Vegas. And now I still teach there every so often. And so one year our so often. And so one year our so often. And so one year our anniversary lined up exactly with the anniversary lined up exactly with the anniversary lined up exactly with the weekend I was teaching and so my husband weekend I was teaching and so my husband weekend I was teaching and so my husband got us tickets to a circle show and I got us tickets to a circle show and I got us tickets to a circle show and I did not know what it was. So just in did not know what it was. So just in did not know what it was. So just in case you don't know what it is, it's case you don't know what it is, it's case you don't know what it is, it's like an athletic acrobatic experience like an athletic acrobatic experience like an athletic acrobatic experience with people flying through the air doing with people flying through the air doing with people flying through the air doing flips and there's pirates and glitter. flips and there's pirates and glitter. flips and there's pirates and glitter. It's amazing. And I remember after It's amazing. And I remember after It's amazing. And I remember after seeing this experience, we're walking seeing this experience, we're walking seeing this experience, we're walking out of the amphitheater and I turned out of the amphitheater and I turned out of the amphitheater and I turned back into the room and I looked at my back into the room and I looked at my back into the room and I looked at my husband guy and I said, husband guy and I said, husband guy and I said, "I want to do that."

"I want to do that." "I want to do that." I looked at him and I said, "Do you I looked at him and I said, "Do you I looked at him and I said, "Do you think think think do you think I could do that?" And do you think I could do that?" And do you think I could do that?" And because he wants a happy life, he wants because he wants a happy life, he wants because he wants a happy life, he wants a happy wife. And so he said, "Yeah, my a happy wife. And so he said, "Yeah, my a happy wife. And so he said, "Yeah, my love, I'm sure you could do that." And love, I'm sure you could do that." And love, I'm sure you could do that." And tries to pull me away. And I doubled tries to pull me away. And I doubled tries to pull me away. And I doubled down and I walked back into the room and down and I walked back into the room and down and I walked back into the room and I said, "Do you think do you think I I said, "Do you think do you think I I said, "Do you think do you think I could do that right now?" could do that right now?" could do that right now?" And he looked at me and he said, "No." And he looked at me and he said, "No." And he looked at me and he said, "No." He said, "You would have to train. He said, "You would have to train. He said, "You would have to train. You would have to practice." You would have to practice." You would have to practice." He said, "They weren't able to do all of He said, "They weren't able to do all of He said, "They weren't able to do all of that because they just tried really hard that because they just tried really hard that because they just tried really hard in a moment." in a moment." in a moment." He said, "You know, they have a whole He said, "You know, they have a whole He said, "You know, they have a whole lifestyle leading up to that moment." He lifestyle leading up to that moment." He lifestyle leading up to that moment." He said, "The only reason you were able to said, "The only reason you were able to said, "The only reason you were able to see them do all of that in public is see them do all of that in public is see them do all of that in public is because of the lifestyle they live in because of the lifestyle they live in because of the lifestyle they live in private." private." private." And you know, the same is true when it And you know, the same is true when it And you know, the same is true when it comes to following Jesus for real.

comes to following Jesus for real. comes to following Jesus for real. Jesus does not expect us to put our Jesus does not expect us to put our Jesus does not expect us to put our faith in him and then all of a sudden we faith in him and then all of a sudden we faith in him and then all of a sudden we know exactly what to do in every single know exactly what to do in every single know exactly what to do in every single situation. No, Jesus said, "Come and situation. No, Jesus said, "Come and situation. No, Jesus said, "Come and follow me follow me follow me and come see my rhythms. and come see my rhythms. and come see my rhythms. Come spend time with me. You're going to Come spend time with me. You're going to Come spend time with me. You're going to see how I live. I'm going to show you see how I live. I'm going to show you see how I live. I'm going to show you how I have relationships. I'm going to how I have relationships. I'm going to how I have relationships. I'm going to show you how I plan my weeks. I'm going show you how I plan my weeks. I'm going show you how I plan my weeks. I'm going to show you how I rest. I'm going to to show you how I rest. I'm going to to show you how I rest. I'm going to show you how I live and how you can live show you how I live and how you can live show you how I live and how you can live as well." That was his invitation to his as well." That was his invitation to his as well." That was his invitation to his students then and it's his invitation to students then and it's his invitation to students then and it's his invitation to us, his students, his disciples now. And us, his students, his disciples now. And us, his students, his disciples now. And I just want to unpack for you really I just want to unpack for you really I just want to unpack for you really quickly two rhythms of Jesus that we can quickly two rhythms of Jesus that we can quickly two rhythms of Jesus that we can follow this month if we want to follow follow this month if we want to follow follow this month if we want to follow Jesus for real. There's many rhythms of Jesus for real. There's many rhythms of Jesus for real. There's many rhythms of Jesus. I'm just going to unpack two. Jesus. I'm just going to unpack two. Jesus. I'm just going to unpack two. Here's one. One is closeness with God. I Here's one. One is closeness with God. I Here's one. One is closeness with God. I put some scripture references for you as put some scripture references for you as put some scripture references for you as well. You can take a picture of the well. You can take a picture of the well. You can take a picture of the screen, write it in your notes, read screen, write it in your notes, read screen, write it in your notes, read these passages. Jesus had a rhythm of these passages. Jesus had a rhythm of these passages. Jesus had a rhythm of going out of his way to engage with going out of his way to engage with going out of his way to engage with God's word, to know what God said about God's word, to know what God said about God's word, to know what God said about God and about him. Jesus had a rhythm of God and about him. Jesus had a rhythm of God and about him. Jesus had a rhythm of going out of his way to talk to God, to going out of his way to talk to God, to going out of his way to talk to God, to be in prayer. He had a rhythm of being be in prayer. He had a rhythm of being be in prayer. He had a rhythm of being close to God throughout his life. The close to God throughout his life. The close to God throughout his life. The second rhythm was closeness with people.

second rhythm was closeness with people. second rhythm was closeness with people. Jesus had a rhythm of being in real Jesus had a rhythm of being in real Jesus had a rhythm of being in real community with people, inviting people community with people, inviting people community with people, inviting people into his life for the small moments and into his life for the small moments and into his life for the small moments and the big moments. And we see Jesus the big moments. And we see Jesus the big moments. And we see Jesus demonstrate this specifically demonstrate this specifically demonstrate this specifically through confession and celebration. Now through confession and celebration. Now through confession and celebration. Now certainly Jesus didn't have to confess certainly Jesus didn't have to confess certainly Jesus didn't have to confess sin the way we do, but Jesus does show sin the way we do, but Jesus does show sin the way we do, but Jesus does show us a rhythm of these two things. us a rhythm of these two things. us a rhythm of these two things. Confession and celebration. getting real Confession and celebration. getting real Confession and celebration. getting real with other people about what you're with other people about what you're with other people about what you're really going through and celebrating really going through and celebrating really going through and celebrating what God is already doing. his what God is already doing. his what God is already doing. his disciples, his students would have seen disciples, his students would have seen disciples, his students would have seen him have these rhythms and then be able him have these rhythms and then be able him have these rhythms and then be able to know who he really was and live like to know who he really was and live like to know who he really was and live like it every single day because Jesus knew it every single day because Jesus knew it every single day because Jesus knew that when hard things in life happened that when hard things in life happened that when hard things in life happened to us. to us. to us. If we wanted to truly follow Jesus and If we wanted to truly follow Jesus and If we wanted to truly follow Jesus and live the lives we say we want to live in live the lives we say we want to live in live the lives we say we want to live in public, it will take changing the way we public, it will take changing the way we public, it will take changing the way we actually live in private. Jesus was actually live in private. Jesus was actually live in private. Jesus was demonstrating these rhythms to us. And demonstrating these rhythms to us. And demonstrating these rhythms to us. And this is what I just want to say to our this is what I just want to say to our this is what I just want to say to our church family today. The fight for your church family today. The fight for your church family today. The fight for your life, if you're struggling with knowing life, if you're struggling with knowing life, if you're struggling with knowing who you are, your worth, your value, who you are, your worth, your value, who you are, your worth, your value, what God has called you to do, the fight what God has called you to do, the fight what God has called you to do, the fight for your life might look like fighting for your life might look like fighting for your life might look like fighting to spend real time with God.

to spend real time with God. to spend real time with God. The fight for your life might look like The fight for your life might look like The fight for your life might look like fighting for your schedule. Looking at fighting for your schedule. Looking at fighting for your schedule. Looking at your real month this month, taking the your real month this month, taking the your real month this month, taking the time to say, "Okay, how will I follow time to say, "Okay, how will I follow time to say, "Okay, how will I follow Jesus for real? When am I going to plan Jesus for real? When am I going to plan Jesus for real? When am I going to plan closess with God and actually being in closess with God and actually being in closess with God and actually being in God's word and actually praying? When am God's word and actually praying? When am God's word and actually praying? When am I going to plan closess with other I going to plan closess with other I going to plan closess with other people, doing life with people, people, doing life with people, people, doing life with people, confessing to people, and celebrating confessing to people, and celebrating confessing to people, and celebrating with people?" The fight for your life with people?" The fight for your life with people?" The fight for your life might look like fighting for your might look like fighting for your might look like fighting for your schedule. And you might say, "What does schedule. And you might say, "What does schedule. And you might say, "What does following Jesus have to do with knowing following Jesus have to do with knowing following Jesus have to do with knowing who I am and how to live?" who I am and how to live?" who I am and how to live?" Everything. Everything. Everything. It has everything to do with it. Because It has everything to do with it. Because It has everything to do with it. Because here's what I know. You will know who here's what I know. You will know who here's what I know. You will know who you really are when you spend real time you really are when you spend real time you really are when you spend real time with the one who knows you the best. with the one who knows you the best. with the one who knows you the best. A real relationship with God is the key A real relationship with God is the key A real relationship with God is the key to knowing who you really are. Jesus to knowing who you really are. Jesus to knowing who you really are. Jesus says to them, he says, "Drop the old says to them, he says, "Drop the old says to them, he says, "Drop the old name. Follow me for real." And then he name. Follow me for real." And then he name. Follow me for real." And then he says, "I'm going to make you fishers of says, "I'm going to make you fishers of says, "I'm going to make you fishers of men." Other translations say, "Fishers men." Other translations say, "Fishers men." Other translations say, "Fishers of people." And I used to understand of people." And I used to understand of people." And I used to understand this as meaning, "Now we're going to go this as meaning, "Now we're going to go this as meaning, "Now we're going to go make more disciples of Jesus." I used to make more disciples of Jesus." I used to make more disciples of Jesus." I used to understand this as now we're going to understand this as now we're going to understand this as now we're going to catch people. Now we're going to tell catch people. Now we're going to tell catch people. Now we're going to tell more people how much God loves them.

more people how much God loves them. more people how much God loves them. And that is true. That is 100% what this And that is true. That is 100% what this And that is true. That is 100% what this means. means. means. And also as Jesus made it a point to And also as Jesus made it a point to And also as Jesus made it a point to say, I'm going to make you fishers of say, I'm going to make you fishers of say, I'm going to make you fishers of men. As Jesus made a specific point to men. As Jesus made a specific point to men. As Jesus made a specific point to say, I'm going to make you fishers of say, I'm going to make you fishers of say, I'm going to make you fishers of people. Jesus was saying, "I am going to people. Jesus was saying, "I am going to people. Jesus was saying, "I am going to use the thing that other people used to use the thing that other people used to use the thing that other people used to point at when they told you you were point at when they told you you were point at when they told you you were disqualified." disqualified." disqualified." Jesus was saying, "I'm going to use the Jesus was saying, "I'm going to use the Jesus was saying, "I'm going to use the thing that you used to point at as a thing that you used to point at as a thing that you used to point at as a reason for why you're a little too reason for why you're a little too reason for why you're a little too different." Jesus was saying, "I want to different." Jesus was saying, "I want to different." Jesus was saying, "I want to use the thing that other people used to use the thing that other people used to use the thing that other people used to use to tell you you're out. That's use to tell you you're out. That's use to tell you you're out. That's exactly what I want to use to tell other exactly what I want to use to tell other exactly what I want to use to tell other people that they're in. Jesus was saying people that they're in. Jesus was saying people that they're in. Jesus was saying other people tore you down saying you other people tore you down saying you other people tore you down saying you were just a fisherman. I am saying thank were just a fisherman. I am saying thank were just a fisherman. I am saying thank God you're a fisherman. I've been God you're a fisherman. I've been God you're a fisherman. I've been looking for a fisherman. I want to use looking for a fisherman. I want to use looking for a fisherman. I want to use what being a fisherman has taught you. I what being a fisherman has taught you. I what being a fisherman has taught you. I want to use what your background has want to use what your background has want to use what your background has taught you. I want to use what your taught you. I want to use what your taught you. I want to use what your daddy's trade has taught you. And this daddy's trade has taught you. And this daddy's trade has taught you. And this is exactly what God is saying to each is exactly what God is saying to each is exactly what God is saying to each and every one of us today. God is and every one of us today. God is and every one of us today. God is saying, "Nothing that life has thrown at saying, "Nothing that life has thrown at saying, "Nothing that life has thrown at you will be wasted. If you surrender it you will be wasted. If you surrender it you will be wasted. If you surrender it to me, you give it to me, I will use it to me, you give it to me, I will use it to me, you give it to me, I will use it all for my glory and for your good and all for my glory and for your good and all for my glory and for your good and for the good of many." God is saying, "I for the good of many." God is saying, "I for the good of many." God is saying, "I will use the resilience that came from

will use the resilience that came from will use the resilience that came from that one season you thought you wouldn't that one season you thought you wouldn't that one season you thought you wouldn't survive, but you did." God is saying, "I survive, but you did." God is saying, "I survive, but you did." God is saying, "I will use the character that came from will use the character that came from will use the character that came from that one season when you fought for that one season when you fought for that one season when you fought for people who did not fight for you and you people who did not fight for you and you people who did not fight for you and you had integrity when nobody else was had integrity when nobody else was had integrity when nobody else was looking." And God is saying, "I will use looking." And God is saying, "I will use looking." And God is saying, "I will use the humility that came from that one the humility that came from that one the humility that came from that one season when nothing went the way you season when nothing went the way you season when nothing went the way you wanted, but you surrendered to God and wanted, but you surrendered to God and wanted, but you surrendered to God and you trusted God and you relied on God's you trusted God and you relied on God's you trusted God and you relied on God's power and not your own." God is saying, power and not your own." God is saying, power and not your own." God is saying, "Everything the enemy wanted to use to "Everything the enemy wanted to use to "Everything the enemy wanted to use to hold you back is exactly what I want to hold you back is exactly what I want to hold you back is exactly what I want to use to propel you forward." God is use to propel you forward." God is use to propel you forward." God is saying, "It's actually where you're saying, "It's actually where you're saying, "It's actually where you're from. It's actually what you've from. It's actually what you've from. It's actually what you've overcome. You might think you're overcome. You might think you're overcome. You might think you're disqualified, but you're exactly who disqualified, but you're exactly who disqualified, but you're exactly who I've been looking for for the most I've been looking for for the most I've been looking for for the most important mission in the world. He important mission in the world. He important mission in the world. He invites us to do the same. Drop the old invites us to do the same. Drop the old invites us to do the same. Drop the old name that came from people who had no name that came from people who had no name that came from people who had no power to define you. Follow Jesus for power to define you. Follow Jesus for power to define you. Follow Jesus for real, not as a concept, but as something real, not as a concept, but as something real, not as a concept, but as something you planned for. And finally, answer to you planned for. And finally, answer to you planned for. And finally, answer to a new name. Hey, would it be okay as we a new name. Hey, would it be okay as we a new name. Hey, would it be okay as we close this service if I ended with a close this service if I ended with a close this service if I ended with a spoken word poem? Would that be okay?

spoken word poem? Would that be okay? spoken word poem? Would that be okay? I'm going to invite the band up. Would I'm going to invite the band up. Would I'm going to invite the band up. Would you join me in giving it up for the you join me in giving it up for the you join me in giving it up for the band? [applause] If you're new to this church and you're If you're new to this church and you're wondering, is this normal that they do wondering, is this normal that they do wondering, is this normal that they do spoken word poetry in the messages? Do spoken word poetry in the messages? Do spoken word poetry in the messages? Do all the preachers do poetry? I want you all the preachers do poetry? I want you all the preachers do poetry? I want you to know the answer is yes. Next time to know the answer is yes. Next time to know the answer is yes. Next time Pastor Sean comes, he's going to drop Pastor Sean comes, he's going to drop Pastor Sean comes, he's going to drop some rhymes for you. Next week, my some rhymes for you. Next week, my some rhymes for you. Next week, my friend Megan's going to do some friend Megan's going to do some friend Megan's going to do some freestyling. So, come back. It's going freestyling. So, come back. It's going freestyling. So, come back. It's going to be awesome. [laughter] to be awesome. [laughter] to be awesome. [laughter] I wanted to share with you a spoken word I wanted to share with you a spoken word I wanted to share with you a spoken word poem that came out of a season of poem that came out of a season of poem that came out of a season of defeat. defeat. defeat. My husband and I would say it was the My husband and I would say it was the My husband and I would say it was the most difficult season of our lives. We most difficult season of our lives. We most difficult season of our lives. We had so much loss physically, had so much loss physically, had so much loss physically, financially, relationally. [music] The financially, relationally. [music] The financially, relationally. [music] The people we thought would stay didn't. The people we thought would stay didn't. The people we thought would stay didn't. The people we thought would defend us people we thought would defend us people we thought would defend us didn't. And I lost who I was. And I was didn't. And I lost who I was. And I was didn't. And I lost who I was. And I was living with limitations that I didn't living with limitations that I didn't living with limitations that I didn't have to live with. And I want you to have to live with. And I want you to have to live with. And I want you to know that the fight for my life was not know that the fight for my life was not know that the fight for my life was not public. It was not cute. It was me public. It was not cute. It was me public. It was not cute. It was me fighting to spend real time with God and fighting to spend real time with God and fighting to spend real time with God and fighting to be close to other people, fighting to be close to other people, fighting to be close to other people, getting real with people through getting real with people through getting real with people through confession and celebration. It was confession and celebration. It was confession and celebration. It was fighting to be close to God through fighting to be close to God through fighting to be close to God through getting real with him in prayer and getting real with him in prayer and getting real with him in prayer and having real time in his word. And during having real time in his word. And during having real time in his word. And during those days, those difficult days, just those days, those difficult days, just those days, those difficult days, just fighting for time in God's word, I fighting for time in God's word, I fighting for time in God's word, I realized God had some other names for realized God had some other names for realized God had some other names for me. And I started memorizing names God me. And I started memorizing names God me. And I started memorizing names God calls me, making his voice the loudest

calls me, making his voice the loudest calls me, making his voice the loudest voice in my life. And I want to give you voice in my life. And I want to give you voice in my life. And I want to give you a sneak preview of what God says about a sneak preview of what God says about a sneak preview of what God says about you, and what you will discover when you you, and what you will discover when you you, and what you will discover when you fight for time and his word as well. fight for time and his word as well. fight for time and his word as well. Thank you so much for allowing me to Thank you so much for allowing me to Thank you so much for allowing me to share this spoken word poem that came share this spoken word poem that came share this spoken word poem that came out of that season. This one is called I out of that season. This one is called I out of that season. This one is called I have a new name. God God spends a lot of time in the Bible spends a lot of time in the Bible spends a lot of time in the Bible telling us who we are. It's almost as if telling us who we are. It's almost as if telling us who we are. It's almost as if he knew that we would doubt who that was he knew that we would doubt who that was he knew that we would doubt who that was from time to time. It's as if he saw it from time to time. It's as if he saw it from time to time. It's as if he saw it coming. that we'd spend our whole lives coming. that we'd spend our whole lives coming. that we'd spend our whole lives searching for what our identity, what searching for what our identity, what searching for what our identity, what our real name was, and that there'd be our real name was, and that there'd be our real name was, and that there'd be many moments in our lives where we'd let many moments in our lives where we'd let many moments in our lives where we'd let different kinds of names define us. When different kinds of names define us. When different kinds of names define us. When we've looked in the mirror, compared we've looked in the mirror, compared we've looked in the mirror, compared ourselves to pictures and [music] heard ourselves to pictures and [music] heard ourselves to pictures and [music] heard the name ugly. When we've been left by the name ugly. When we've been left by the name ugly. When we've been left by loved ones, people we trusted once, and loved ones, people we trusted once, and loved ones, people we trusted once, and heard the name unworthy.

heard the name unworthy. heard the name unworthy. When we've been drowning in When we've been drowning in When we've been drowning in discouragement, living in a seemingly discouragement, living in a seemingly discouragement, living in a seemingly neverending crisis and heard the name neverending crisis and heard the name neverending crisis and heard the name forgotten. When we've had our hopes up forgotten. When we've had our hopes up forgotten. When we've had our hopes up and our hearts open only to be brought and our hearts open only to be brought and our hearts open only to be brought down by closed doors and we've heard down by closed doors and we've heard down by closed doors and we've heard rejected. When we've looked for infinite rejected. When we've looked for infinite rejected. When we've looked for infinite affirming love through lesser physical affirming love through lesser physical affirming love through lesser physical fleshly versions. When we gave it away fleshly versions. When we gave it away fleshly versions. When we gave it away or when it was stolen and we heard or when it was stolen and we heard or when it was stolen and we heard impure, we heard garbage. when we go to impure, we heard garbage. when we go to impure, we heard garbage. when we go to other vices to ease our pain. And we other vices to ease our pain. And we other vices to ease our pain. And we hear addict. We hear [music] forever hear addict. We hear [music] forever hear addict. We hear [music] forever broken. When we feel like we're living broken. When we feel like we're living broken. When we feel like we're living in the shadow of someone else's calling. in the shadow of someone else's calling. in the shadow of someone else's calling. [music] And we hear second place. When [music] And we hear second place. When [music] And we hear second place. When our pain cripples us to a point where we our pain cripples us to a point where we our pain cripples us to a point where we don't even know how to let others in. don't even know how to let others in. don't even know how to let others in. And we hear lonely. When our past seems And we hear lonely. When our past seems And we hear lonely. When our past seems too gross for others to forgive. And we too gross for others to forgive. And we too gross for others to forgive. And we hear disgusting. It's overwhelming these hear disgusting. It's overwhelming these hear disgusting. It's overwhelming these voices we're constantly hearing. It's voices we're constantly hearing. It's voices we're constantly hearing. It's suffocating suffocating suffocating this air of constant critique and this air of constant critique and this air of constant critique and comparing. [music] comparing. [music] comparing. [music] And it's sort of amazing the people And it's sort of amazing the people And it's sort of amazing the people whose voices I've allowed to name me.

whose voices I've allowed to name me. whose voices I've allowed to name me. The power [music] I've given to my past, The power [music] I've given to my past, The power [music] I've given to my past, to my mirror, and to my surroundings and to my mirror, and to my surroundings and to my mirror, and to my surroundings and enabled them to identify me. the amount enabled them to identify me. the amount enabled them to identify me. the amount of years I've spent living up to of years I've spent living up to of years I've spent living up to whatever others say about me. whatever others say about me. whatever others say about me. But God says something else about But God says something else about But God says something else about [music] me. It's like he knew there [music] me. It's like he knew there [music] me. It's like he knew there would be other voices. So he wrote his would be other voices. So he wrote his would be other voices. So he wrote his voice down in a timeless book of truths voice down in a timeless book of truths voice down in a timeless book of truths that would remind us over and over again that would remind us over and over again that would remind us over and over again in the moments when lies would block his in the moments when lies would block his in the moments when lies would block his truths [music] and somehow make us truths [music] and somehow make us truths [music] and somehow make us forget. So, I'm going back to the forget. So, I'm going back to the forget. So, I'm going back to the source, not the people I've allowed to source, not the people I've allowed to source, not the people I've allowed to represent God to me, but the actual represent God to me, but the actual represent God to me, but the actual literal tangible words that he has literal tangible words that he has literal tangible words that he has written down for me. And there's some written down for me. And there's some written down for me. And there's some other names he's given to me. John other names he's given to me. John other names he's given to me. John [music] 15:15, he calls me friend. [music] 15:15, he calls me friend. [music] 15:15, he calls me friend. First Thessalonians 1:4, he calls me First Thessalonians 1:4, he calls me First Thessalonians 1:4, he calls me chosen. Ephesians 2:10, he calls me his chosen. Ephesians 2:10, he calls me his chosen. Ephesians 2:10, he calls me his masterpiece. He calls me his art. He masterpiece. He calls me his art. He masterpiece. He calls me his art. He calls me handmade. He calls me purposed calls me handmade. He calls me purposed calls me handmade. He calls me purposed and fashioned for good things. 1 and fashioned for good things. 1 and fashioned for good things. 1 Corinthians 6:19, he calls my body a Corinthians 6:19, he calls my body a Corinthians 6:19, he calls my body a temple. He calls it the residence of the temple. He calls it the residence of the temple. He calls it the residence of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8, he calls me his Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8, he calls me his Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8, he calls me his messenger [music] to the world.

messenger [music] to the world. messenger [music] to the world. Galatians 3:26, he calls me his child. Galatians 3:26, he calls me his child. Galatians 3:26, he calls me his child. Romans 5'8, he calls me greatly loved. Romans 5'8, he calls me greatly loved. Romans 5'8, he calls me greatly loved. John 8:36, he calls me free. free John 8:36, he calls me free. free John 8:36, he calls me free. free indeed. 2 Corinthians 5:17, he calls me indeed. 2 Corinthians 5:17, he calls me indeed. 2 Corinthians 5:17, he calls me brand new. And it's amazing how brand new. And it's amazing how brand new. And it's amazing how different these names are from the names different these names are from the names different these names are from the names I'm used to listening to. And in my I'm used to listening to. And in my I'm used to listening to. And in my journey to discover who I really am in journey to discover who I really am in journey to discover who I really am in my battle [music] to uncover the truths my battle [music] to uncover the truths my battle [music] to uncover the truths of myself, I have learned something new of myself, I have learned something new of myself, I have learned something new about my name. And now, this is what I about my name. And now, this is what I about my name. And now, this is what I am certain of. My [music] name is not am certain of. My [music] name is not am certain of. My [music] name is not the name the world calls me. My name is the name the world calls me. My name is the name the world calls me. My name is not the name my past calls me. My name not the name my past calls me. My name not the name my past calls me. My name is not even the name my own mirror calls is not even the name my own mirror calls is not even the name my own mirror calls me. But my name, my name is the name I me. But my name, my name is the name I me. But my name, my name is the name I choose to answer to. And I can choose choose to answer to. And I can choose choose to answer to. And I can choose today from this moment forward to answer today from this moment forward to answer today from this moment forward to answer to a new name. When I hear lonely, to a new name. When I hear lonely, to a new name. When I hear lonely, that's not me. When I hear disgusting, that's not me. When I hear disgusting, that's not me. When I hear disgusting, that's not me. When I hear unworthy, I that's not me. When I hear unworthy, I that's not me. When I hear unworthy, I don't even look over my shoulder. When I don't even look over my shoulder. When I don't even look over my shoulder. When I hear broken, they must have confused me.

hear broken, they must have confused me. hear broken, they must have confused me. Please look elsewhere. When I hear ugly, Please look elsewhere. When I hear ugly, Please look elsewhere. When I hear ugly, abandoned, useless, forgotten, I figure abandoned, useless, forgotten, I figure abandoned, useless, forgotten, I figure someone just has to remind them. Maybe someone just has to remind them. Maybe someone just has to remind them. Maybe those were my old names, but they're no those were my old names, but they're no those were my old names, but they're no longer the names that I will respond to. longer the names that I will respond to. longer the names that I will respond to. [music] My name is the name I have [music] My name is the name I have [music] My name is the name I have chosen to spend my days living up to. chosen to spend my days living up to. chosen to spend my days living up to. And if these other voices are not saying And if these other voices are not saying And if these other voices are not saying the same thing that the truth is, I look the same thing that the truth is, I look the same thing that the truth is, I look in my mirror and I repeat this. They in my mirror and I repeat this. They in my mirror and I repeat this. They have no right to be speaking to you. have no right to be speaking to you. have no right to be speaking to you. When you stop answering to your old When you stop answering to your old When you stop answering to your old names, they will stop having power over names, they will stop having power over names, they will stop having power over you. you. you. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> The names that my father, eternity's >> The names that my father, eternity's >> The names that my father, eternity's author, the world's creator has called author, the world's creator has called author, the world's creator has called me are the only names that I answered me are the only names that I answered me are the only names that I answered to. So when I hear friend of God, that's to. So when I hear friend of God, that's to. So when I hear friend of God, that's my name. Chosen, that's my name. Love, my name. Chosen, that's my name. Love, my name. Chosen, that's my name. Love, wanted, created with a purpose, that's wanted, created with a purpose, that's wanted, created with a purpose, that's my name. God's messenger, that's my my name. God's messenger, that's my my name. God's messenger, that's my name. God's masterpiece, that's my name.

name. God's masterpiece, that's my name. name. God's masterpiece, that's my name. Child of God, you must be looking for Child of God, you must be looking for Child of God, you must be looking for me. greatly loved. You must be calling me. greatly loved. You must be calling me. greatly loved. You must be calling for me. Brand new. That is my name. So for me. Brand new. That is my name. So for me. Brand new. That is my name. So that is a name that I will respond to that is a name that I will respond to that is a name that I will respond to because the enemy has no power here. because the enemy has no power here. because the enemy has no power here. Perfect love cast out all our fears. And Perfect love cast out all our fears. And Perfect love cast out all our fears. And perfect love has named me and you. So perfect love has named me and you. So perfect love has named me and you. So what is your new name? What is stirring what is your new name? What is stirring what is your new name? What is stirring up inside of you when you hear these up inside of you when you hear these up inside of you when you hear these words that his word that the word has words that his word that the word has words that his word that the word has proclaimed? What do you know is the name proclaimed? What do you know is the name proclaimed? What do you know is the name God is calling you? Maybe it's not the God is calling you? Maybe it's not the God is calling you? Maybe it's not the name you grew up with. Maybe it's not name you grew up with. Maybe it's not name you grew up with. Maybe it's not the name your old friends associate you the name your old friends associate you the name your old friends associate you with. Maybe it's not the name that your with. Maybe it's not the name that your with. Maybe it's not the name that your whole life you were used to [music] whole life you were used to [music] whole life you were used to [music] identifying with, but it's the name you identifying with, but it's the name you identifying with, but it's the name you now answer to. So when the enemy tries now answer to. So when the enemy tries now answer to. So when the enemy tries to get to you, it's just the name you to get to you, it's just the name you to get to you, it's just the name you introduce yourself with. As for me, my introduce yourself with. As for me, my introduce yourself with. As for me, my name is forgiven. My name is free. My name is forgiven. My name is free. My name is forgiven. My name is free. My name is brand new, loved, wanted child name is brand new, loved, wanted child name is brand new, loved, wanted child of God, created with a purpose. [music] of God, created with a purpose. [music] of God, created with a purpose. [music] And it's been a pleasure to meet you.

Thank you, Willow Creek family. Hey, we Thank you, Willow Creek family. Hey, we want to do something a little bit want to do something a little bit want to do something a little bit different. We're going to put all nine different. We're going to put all nine different. We're going to put all nine names from the word of God up on the names from the word of God up on the names from the word of God up on the screens. You can take a picture of it, screens. You can take a picture of it, screens. You can take a picture of it, factch checkck me later. And hey, for factch checkck me later. And hey, for factch checkck me later. And hey, for this next portion, I'm going to invite this next portion, I'm going to invite this next portion, I'm going to invite you to all our locations to take your you to all our locations to take your you to all our locations to take your seat. And here's what we're going to do. seat. And here's what we're going to do. seat. And here's what we're going to do. When you put your faith in Jesus, he When you put your faith in Jesus, he When you put your faith in Jesus, he calls you all of these names. But I calls you all of these names. But I calls you all of these names. But I believe that sometimes there's a believe that sometimes there's a believe that sometimes there's a specific lie [music] that we need to specific lie [music] that we need to specific lie [music] that we need to speak a specific truth to. So here's speak a specific truth to. So here's speak a specific truth to. So here's what we're going to do before the end of what we're going to do before the end of what we're going to do before the end of this service. I'm going to say all nine this service. I'm going to say all nine this service. I'm going to say all nine of these names [music] again. I'm going of these names [music] again. I'm going of these names [music] again. I'm going to start with friend and I'm going to to start with friend and I'm going to to start with friend and I'm going to end with child of God. And when you hear end with child of God. And when you hear end with child of God. And when you hear the name you want to answer to today, the name you want to answer to today, the name you want to answer to today, the truth you want to speak to the lie. the truth you want to speak to the lie. the truth you want to speak to the lie. In that moment, I'm going to invite you In that moment, I'm going to invite you In that moment, I'm going to invite you at all of our locations. In that moment, at all of our locations. In that moment, at all of our locations. In that moment, when you hear that name, I'm going to when you hear that name, I'm going to when you hear that name, I'm going to invite you to stand to [music] your feet invite you to stand to [music] your feet invite you to stand to [music] your feet and stay standing as your brothers and and stay standing as your brothers and and stay standing as your brothers and sisters are going to join you and sisters are going to join you and sisters are going to join you and answering to their new names. And if you answering to their new names. And if you answering to their new names. And if you got to answer to a couple of new names, got to answer to a couple of new names, got to answer to a couple of new names, that's cool. I want to invite you to as that's cool. I want to invite you to as that's cool. I want to invite you to as you're standing raise your hand and you're standing raise your hand and you're standing raise your hand and agree to every single new name you need agree to every single new name you need agree to every single new name you need to answer to today. If you're here today to answer to today. If you're here today to answer to today. If you're here today and you need to answer to John 15:15, he and you need to answer to John 15:15, he and you need to answer to John 15:15, he calls you his friend. Would you stand to calls you his friend. Would you stand to calls you his friend. Would you stand to your feet and stay standing if you're your feet and stay standing if you're your feet and stay standing if you're answering a friend? I see you, my answering a friend? I see you, my answering a friend? I see you, my friend. All our locations, stand to your friend. All our locations, stand to your friend. All our locations, stand to your feet if you're answering a friend. I see feet if you're answering a friend. I see feet if you're answering a friend. I see you, sir. And to sort of friend, stand you, sir. And to sort of friend, stand you, sir. And to sort of friend, stand to your feet. I want to call up the to your feet. I want to call up the to your feet. I want to call up the chosen. Will you join us, chosen? 1 chosen. Will you join us, chosen? 1 chosen. Will you join us, chosen? 1 Thessalonians 1:4. Who here needs to Thessalonians 1:4. Who here needs to Thessalonians 1:4. Who here needs to stand and raise your hand if you're stand and raise your hand if you're stand and raise your hand if you're answering to chosen? Stay standing. I'm answering to chosen? Stay standing. I'm answering to chosen? Stay standing. I'm going to call up the temples. Who here

going to call up the temples. Who here going to call up the temples. Who here needs to stand and raise your hand if needs to stand and raise your hand if needs to stand and raise your hand if you're answering to temple? Who here you're answering to temple? Who here you're answering to temple? Who here needs to stand? Raise your hand if needs to stand? Raise your hand if needs to stand? Raise your hand if you're answering Acts 18. He calls you you're answering Acts 18. He calls you you're answering Acts 18. He calls you his messenger to the world. Will you his messenger to the world. Will you his messenger to the world. Will you stand and raise your hand? Who here stand and raise your hand? Who here stand and raise your hand? Who here needs to answer to Romans 5'8? He calls needs to answer to Romans 5'8? He calls needs to answer to Romans 5'8? He calls you greatly loved. Will you stand at you greatly loved. Will you stand at you greatly loved. Will you stand at your feet and raise your hand if you're your feet and raise your hand if you're your feet and raise your hand if you're answering a greatly loved masterpiece? answering a greatly loved masterpiece? answering a greatly loved masterpiece? [music] [music] [music] Who here needs to stand and answer to Who here needs to stand and answer to Who here needs to stand and answer to Masterpiece today? All our locations, Masterpiece today? All our locations, Masterpiece today? All our locations, nice to meet you, Masterpiece. Who here nice to meet you, Masterpiece. Who here nice to meet you, Masterpiece. Who here needs to stand and answer to free? John needs to stand and answer to free? John needs to stand and answer to free? John 8:36, he calls you free. Free indeed. 8:36, he calls you free. Free indeed. 8:36, he calls you free. Free indeed. Stand to your feet all occasions. If Stand to your feet all occasions. If Stand to your feet all occasions. If you're answering to free, who here needs you're answering to free, who here needs you're answering to free, who here needs to answer to brand new? 2 Corinthians to answer to brand new? 2 Corinthians to answer to brand new? 2 Corinthians 5:17, he calls you brand new. You have a 5:17, he calls you brand new. You have a 5:17, he calls you brand new. You have a new life. You have a new focus. [music] new life. You have a new focus. [music] new life. You have a new focus. [music] You have a new lens. And who here needs You have a new lens. And who here needs You have a new lens. And who here needs to answer to child of God. Would you to answer to child of God. Would you to answer to child of God. Would you stand to your feet and raise your hand stand to your feet and raise your hand stand to your feet and raise your hand if you're answering to Galatians 3:26? if you're answering to Galatians 3:26? if you're answering to Galatians 3:26? He calls you his child. He calls you his child. He calls you his child. as we're all standing at all locations. as we're all standing at all locations. as we're all standing at all locations. If you have never put your faith in If you have never put your faith in If you have never put your faith in Jesus for real before, I want to give Jesus for real before, I want to give Jesus for real before, I want to give you an opportunity to do that today. So, you an opportunity to do that today. So, you an opportunity to do that today. So, here's what we're going to do. I'm going here's what we're going to do. I'm going here's what we're going to do. I'm going to lead you in a prayer. All you have to to lead you in a prayer. All you have to to lead you in a prayer. All you have to do is mean it in your heart. And I'm do is mean it in your heart. And I'm do is mean it in your heart. And I'm going to invite you to say this prayer going to invite you to say this prayer going to invite you to say this prayer out loud with me. But you're not going out loud with me. But you're not going out loud with me. But you're not going to be alone. I'm going to invite to be alone. I'm going to invite to be alone. I'm going to invite everyone who's already put your faith in everyone who's already put your faith in everyone who's already put your faith in Jesus at all our locations to join us in Jesus at all our locations to join us in Jesus at all our locations to join us in this prayer to say it out loud with our this prayer to say it out loud with our this prayer to say it out loud with our friends to add on to their faith so that friends to add on to their faith so that friends to add on to their faith so that everyone who's already put your faith in everyone who's already put your faith in everyone who's already put your faith in Jesus and all of you who are doing that Jesus and all of you who are doing that Jesus and all of you who are doing that today we're all going to say this prayer today we're all going to say this prayer today we're all going to say this prayer together. So let's mean it with our

together. So let's mean it with our together. So let's mean it with our heart and come to God. Will you repeat heart and come to God. Will you repeat heart and come to God. Will you repeat after me? Say Jesus after me? Say Jesus after me? Say Jesus I believe in you. I believe in you. I believe in you. I believe you died I believe you died I believe you died and rose again. and rose again. and rose again. I turn away from my sin. I turn away from my sin. I turn away from my sin. I turn away from my shame. I turn away from my shame. I turn away from my shame. I want a new life I want a new life I want a new life and a new name in the name of Jesus. And and a new name in the name of Jesus. And and a new name in the name of Jesus. And if you agree with me, will you say amen? if you agree with me, will you say amen? if you agree with me, will you say amen? >> Amen. And amen.