1 00:00:00,001 --> 00:00:05,760 [ Music ] 2 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:08,980 >> I'm so glad that we could put together a trip 3 00:00:08,980 --> 00:00:10,280 for Shari 4 00:00:08,980 --> 00:00:10,280 and her friends. 5 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:15,020 [ Laughter ] 6 00:00:15,020 --> 00:00:17,220 But you know what? 7 00:00:17,220 --> 00:00:22,120 You walk out of those women's retreats with more friends 8 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,980 and with more community, with more insight, with more -- 9 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:30,360 with more, and so I encourage you to sign up. 10 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:32,360 It's going to be a good, good trip. 11 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:34,380 Are you guys ready to get into the word? 12 00:00:34,380 --> 00:00:36,200 Well, I'm not. 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,620 So I was supposed to tell you 14 00:00:39,620 --> 00:00:43,220 that the business collective meets this Tuesday morning. 15 00:00:43,220 --> 00:00:47,040 If you are a business owner or a manager or a leader 16 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:51,700 in your job, entrepreneurs, you are invited, male or female, 17 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:54,960 to be here at 8 o'clock Tuesday morning in the cafe area. 18 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:59,520 We will provide breakfast for you, a word of encouragement 19 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:01,520 for you, and then send you on your way 20 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:03,180 to that job that you love. 21 00:01:03,180 --> 00:01:06,540 So the business collective Tuesday morning. 22 00:01:06,540 --> 00:01:08,900 I hope you will join us for that. 23 00:01:08,900 --> 00:01:12,540 You all -- now then, let's stand up and let's read a passage 24 00:01:12,540 --> 00:01:16,500 of scripture because what we do know is that we always have 25 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:18,120 to start with truth, right? 26 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,160 Let's start with truth. 27 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:20,420 All right. 28 00:01:20,420 --> 00:01:21,780 Let's put up that passage. 29 00:01:21,780 --> 00:01:25,520 And if Pastor Kevin was here, he is on. 30 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:28,240 A mission from God in the words of the Blues Brothers, 31 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:32,160 which means he's just not in the house today. 32 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:33,700 Everything he does, he travels 33 00:01:33,700 --> 00:01:35,820 and he does what the Lord asks him to do. 34 00:01:35,820 --> 00:01:39,080 But if he were here at this moment, he would go, 35 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:41,840 "Let's read this like we mean it, okay? 36 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:43,620 So we're going to read it like we mean it." 37 00:01:43,620 --> 00:01:47,000 They were continually devoting themselves 38 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:51,360 to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking 39 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:53,280 of bread and to prayer. 40 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:58,240 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe and many wonders 41 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:01,400 and signs were taking place through the apostles. 42 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:05,180 And all those who had believed were together 43 00:02:05,180 --> 00:02:07,420 and had all things in common. 44 00:02:07,420 --> 00:02:08,920 Can we say that one more time? 45 00:02:08,920 --> 00:02:13,200 And all those who had believed were together 46 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:15,880 and had all things in common. 47 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:20,080 And they began selling their property and possessions 48 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:24,680 and were sharing them with all as anyone might need. 49 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:30,240 Day by day, continuing with one mind in the temple 50 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:33,180 and breaking bread from the house to house, 51 00:02:33,180 --> 00:02:37,360 they were taking their meals together with gladness 52 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:41,920 and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor 53 00:02:41,920 --> 00:02:43,380 with all the people. 54 00:02:43,380 --> 00:02:48,320 And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those 55 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:49,480 who were being saved. 56 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:54,400 Father God, I thank you so much for the rich soil of your Word. 57 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:56,860 I thank you for the washing of the water of the Word. 58 00:02:56,860 --> 00:03:00,180 I thank you for the power that is found in your Word. 59 00:03:00,180 --> 00:03:03,980 I thank you that it is alive and active and it messes with us, 60 00:03:03,980 --> 00:03:06,200 God, and we are grateful for that. 61 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:10,100 So Father, today I ask that your Word would scratch and awaken 62 00:03:10,100 --> 00:03:13,000 that eternity written on our hearts, Father, 63 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:16,040 so that it comes alive and that your Holy Spirit is able 64 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:20,360 to speak to us and help us to navigate these waters 65 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:22,240 that we find ourselves in these days. 66 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:23,880 You are faithful and good. 67 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:26,640 Father, let them forget my stuff and remember yours. 68 00:03:26,640 --> 00:03:28,540 In Jesus' name, and they said. 69 00:03:28,540 --> 00:03:31,400 Amen. God is so faithful. 70 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:34,160 Hopefully you recognize that passage of scripture. 71 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:38,520 Someone, my glasses, would they be by anyone's chairs 72 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:39,780 down there by chance? 73 00:03:39,780 --> 00:03:41,640 Who is that? 74 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:48,900 Okay, this is going to go a lot better now that I can read. 75 00:03:48,900 --> 00:03:52,320 I was thinking about, you know, this passage 76 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:56,800 of scripture is familiar because we studied from it last week. 77 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:00,880 And Pastor Kevin shared with us the importance of this God 78 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,960 who does miracles and his sovereignty 79 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:08,200 and what our response should be to the Lord if his answer is yes 80 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:12,420 and if his answer is no, regardless to be able to walk 81 00:04:12,420 --> 00:04:15,860 in those places with the Lord and to recognize his sovereignty 82 00:04:15,860 --> 00:04:18,360 and his goodness regardless of the situations 83 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:20,600 that we may find ourselves in. 84 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:24,340 I get tickled with this passage of scripture. 85 00:04:24,340 --> 00:04:26,600 Did you know scripture can make you laugh 86 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:27,920 if you just pay attention? 87 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:30,660 The stories and the scenarios and the things 88 00:04:30,660 --> 00:04:33,460 that you find yourself in are amazing to me. 89 00:04:33,460 --> 00:04:37,100 And the second chapter of Acts is more than a music group 90 00:04:37,380 --> 00:04:39,820 that was around in the '70s, '80s, 91 00:04:39,820 --> 00:04:41,260 before most of you were born. 92 00:04:41,260 --> 00:04:45,800 And, but the second chapter of Acts is really just the 93 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:47,900 foundational portions of scripture 94 00:04:47,900 --> 00:04:49,880 for the Pentecostal church. 95 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,540 And if, since we're in the second chapter of Acts, 96 00:04:52,540 --> 00:04:54,820 let me just give you a brief synopsis, okay? 97 00:04:54,820 --> 00:04:58,940 We know that in the beginning, before Jesus ascended 98 00:04:58,940 --> 00:05:00,720 into heaven, he told them that he was going 99 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:01,940 to send a comforter. 100 00:05:01,940 --> 00:05:05,920 And so basically scripture tells us that 120 people, 101 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,460 including the disciples, gathered together 102 00:05:08,460 --> 00:05:10,900 in the upper room and they tarried and they waited 103 00:05:10,900 --> 00:05:14,320 on the Lord and waited on that which had been promised. 104 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:17,080 And the Holy Spirit did descend on them and tongues 105 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,720 of fire began to move through the place. 106 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:24,560 And if you've ever been in one of those services, 107 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:26,100 we know that the people 108 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:29,560 in the place probably understand it a whole lot better 109 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:31,380 than the people who are outside, right? 110 00:05:31,380 --> 00:05:34,860 So this passage talks about that they began to speak 111 00:05:34,860 --> 00:05:37,980 with other tongues and there were people out in the crowd 112 00:05:37,980 --> 00:05:40,740 who heard them speaking in their language 113 00:05:40,740 --> 00:05:42,280 and they were astonished. 114 00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:43,800 But they also thought they were drunk. 115 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,500 So, and that can be the fallout 116 00:05:46,500 --> 00:05:48,500 of a really good service sometimes. 117 00:05:48,500 --> 00:05:52,940 You walk out and you're like, who are these people 118 00:05:52,940 --> 00:05:53,720 and where am I? 119 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:55,260 What just happened? 120 00:05:55,260 --> 00:05:56,960 And those are the good ones, you know? 121 00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:59,560 Those encounters with the Lord. 122 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:03,380 And while it was birthed in that place, we'll call it the fallout 123 00:06:03,380 --> 00:06:06,980 of the baptism of the Holy Spirit into that place. 124 00:06:06,980 --> 00:06:11,460 The cool thing is, is it there were residuals everywhere. 125 00:06:11,460 --> 00:06:17,100 When we have a corporate religious experience together, 126 00:06:17,100 --> 00:06:21,000 not only does it change us individually, it changes us 127 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,600 and impacts us corporately because we are designed 128 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:26,260 to live in community. 129 00:06:26,260 --> 00:06:29,420 That's why the very first thing that God ever looked 130 00:06:29,420 --> 00:06:32,180 on the earth, he made the light and it was good 131 00:06:32,180 --> 00:06:35,020 and he made the oceans and it was good and he made the birds 132 00:06:35,020 --> 00:06:37,240 of the air and the animals in the field 133 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:38,580 and he said all of it was good. 134 00:06:38,580 --> 00:06:42,880 And the first thing he looked at that said it is not good was 135 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:43,960 for us to be alone. 136 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:47,420 We were not intended to make this journey alone. 137 00:06:47,420 --> 00:06:52,140 And how wonderful for us that God provided a way and a model 138 00:06:52,140 --> 00:06:55,020 for us to live in community. 139 00:06:55,020 --> 00:07:00,920 Peter begins when the people in the outside begin to say, 140 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:02,800 well you know what, they're just drunk. 141 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,380 Peter gets the wonderful opportunity 142 00:07:05,380 --> 00:07:07,800 to preach his first message that we know about, 143 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,180 that we're giving-- given-- made privy to. 144 00:07:11,180 --> 00:07:14,540 And he says that Peter stood up with the 11 145 00:07:14,540 --> 00:07:16,580 and raised his voice and he addressed them. 146 00:07:16,580 --> 00:07:19,380 And he says, men of Judea and you live in Jerusalem, 147 00:07:19,380 --> 00:07:22,340 let this be explained and listen closely, pay attention. 148 00:07:22,340 --> 00:07:24,660 These people are not drunk. 149 00:07:24,660 --> 00:07:26,560 I think that would be a good sign 150 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:27,760 for the four year, don't you? 151 00:07:28,300 --> 00:07:31,320 [ Laughter ] 152 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:34,140 These people are not drunk. 153 00:07:34,140 --> 00:07:37,320 Let me explain something. 154 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:41,220 And-- but then he goes on to share his message and he says, 155 00:07:41,220 --> 00:07:43,640 and it shall be in the last days says God. 156 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,060 He begins to quote from the book of Joel that I will pour 157 00:07:47,060 --> 00:07:49,660 out my spirit upon all mankind and your sons 158 00:07:49,660 --> 00:07:52,280 and your daughters shall prophesy. 159 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:54,420 And your young men shall see visions 160 00:07:54,420 --> 00:07:56,240 and your old men shall dream dreams. 161 00:07:56,580 --> 00:07:59,300 Even on my bondservants, both men and women, 162 00:07:59,300 --> 00:08:04,520 I will in those days pour out my spirit and they shall prophesy. 163 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,560 And he gives that message and then he goes on and gets 164 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:11,040 to messing in their business and he starts telling them, well, 165 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,700 you know, the law said this, the prophets prophesied this and all 166 00:08:14,700 --> 00:08:19,200 of these things add up to one thing, all of these things 167 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:23,160 that have been fulfilled in Christ Jesus and it says this. 168 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:28,240 Therefore, let all the house 169 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,280 of Israel recognized beyond all doubt. 170 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:35,300 Let all of the house of Israel recognized beyond a doubt 171 00:08:35,300 --> 00:08:40,480 that God has made him both Lord and Messiah. 172 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:44,180 Your Messiah has come. 173 00:08:44,180 --> 00:08:48,800 Your Messiah has come and it says this Jesus 174 00:08:50,180 --> 00:08:55,700 whom you crucified, you just crucified your Messiah. 175 00:08:55,700 --> 00:09:01,760 You just crucified your Messiah, the one that you had waited for, 176 00:09:01,760 --> 00:09:05,380 the one who had been prophesied that would come. 177 00:09:05,380 --> 00:09:07,480 You just crucified him. 178 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:11,460 And it talks about the people grabbed it, they saw it 179 00:09:11,460 --> 00:09:14,340 and they begin to go, well, what can we do? 180 00:09:14,340 --> 00:09:15,720 What must we do? 181 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:19,040 We've crucified the one that was promised to come to us. 182 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:19,880 What do we do? 183 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:23,060 And then Peter has the wonderful opportunity to go, 184 00:09:23,060 --> 00:09:26,600 you have to repent and be baptized. 185 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:28,460 Repent and be baptized. 186 00:09:28,460 --> 00:09:31,160 The powerful message of the redemptive love 187 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:33,660 of Jesus Christ, he didn't go, well, you've just lost it. 188 00:09:33,660 --> 00:09:35,880 I guess you've just messed up. 189 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:36,980 That's it. 190 00:09:36,980 --> 00:09:40,540 No, you repent, you change your mindset, 191 00:09:40,540 --> 00:09:43,180 you go in the opposite direction, you get baptized 192 00:09:43,180 --> 00:09:45,200 and you sow into something bigger and better. 193 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:49,560 And here, every pastor or every evangelist 194 00:09:49,560 --> 00:09:53,160 or every apostles dream, his first message that we know 195 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:57,160 about with Peter, 3,000 people were saved. 196 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:59,900 I'm just hoping you'll stay awake. 197 00:09:59,900 --> 00:10:01,600 I have got to dream bigger. 198 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:07,520 I'm just hoping you're still with me at the end here. 199 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:11,940 3,000 people, can you even imagine? 200 00:10:11,940 --> 00:10:16,200 And that is where we begin with this passage of scripture. 201 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:20,000 You've got basically, if scripture bears out the way 202 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,940 that it shows, you've got about 3,200 people 203 00:10:22,940 --> 00:10:26,540 who are building a community of faith and believe 204 00:10:26,540 --> 00:10:31,020 and it says they had all things in common. 205 00:10:31,020 --> 00:10:34,060 You can't put three people in a restaurant 206 00:10:34,060 --> 00:10:35,080 and get an order right. 207 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:42,860 And you've got 3,200 people who have this baseline faith 208 00:10:42,860 --> 00:10:46,060 in common, this baseline faith in common. 209 00:10:46,060 --> 00:10:47,020 Can I tell you something? 210 00:10:47,020 --> 00:10:49,900 Corporate experiences change us. 211 00:10:49,900 --> 00:10:51,040 They impact us. 212 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:52,880 They leave their mark on us. 213 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:57,500 And we find ourselves strongly tied to those people 214 00:10:57,500 --> 00:11:00,660 who have experienced those things with us, you know, 215 00:11:00,660 --> 00:11:03,760 this common ground that we find with one another. 216 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:05,700 And I was thinking about this. 217 00:11:05,700 --> 00:11:08,920 It goes on to say that they had all things in common. 218 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:13,720 And so they began to sell their properties and pool their funds. 219 00:11:14,680 --> 00:11:16,900 You know, in the '60s that would have been called a commune. 220 00:11:16,900 --> 00:11:21,520 But it's not that kind of commune and you cannot. 221 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:24,960 But in Israel, it's called the kibbutz. 222 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:28,580 In Israel, communities are built and they are built 223 00:11:28,580 --> 00:11:31,480 on commonality and there are generations 224 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:32,480 that will be a part of that. 225 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,140 It may be 100 people, it may be 1,000 people. 226 00:11:35,140 --> 00:11:38,220 And they build their community together 227 00:11:38,220 --> 00:11:40,440 and it nurtures generations. 228 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:44,280 You've got great grandparents and grandparents and parents 229 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:46,100 and kids and grandchildren. 230 00:11:46,100 --> 00:11:48,380 They are all nurtured in the kibbutz. 231 00:11:48,380 --> 00:11:49,940 They are all provided for. 232 00:11:49,940 --> 00:11:53,620 And in that model, they all take all of their funds. 233 00:11:53,620 --> 00:11:56,180 Still to this day, they'll take their funds 234 00:11:56,180 --> 00:11:57,720 and they put them in a pool. 235 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:00,240 And everybody is treated equally. 236 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,440 Your children get the same education that my children get. 237 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:05,940 You have the same budget that I have. 238 00:12:05,940 --> 00:12:08,360 You have the same dignity conferred to you 239 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:09,760 that everybody else does. 240 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:13,160 And provision is made and everything is in common. 241 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:17,820 And I think about, you know, if we have the main thing, 242 00:12:17,820 --> 00:12:20,940 the main thing, and we have that in common, guys, 243 00:12:20,940 --> 00:12:22,780 we have such a launch pad. 244 00:12:22,780 --> 00:12:25,760 We don't have to have the same opinions. 245 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:27,740 We don't have to have the same ideas. 246 00:12:27,740 --> 00:12:31,120 We don't even have to have, you know, we don't have 247 00:12:31,120 --> 00:12:33,020 to dress alike or look alike or do anything. 248 00:12:33,020 --> 00:12:35,320 But we can have this common ground, 249 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:37,960 this place that we have based our lives, 250 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:40,920 this faith that we have based our lives on, 251 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:45,100 that gives us the opportunity to build a community unlike 252 00:12:45,100 --> 00:12:47,600 anything I think that the world has to offer. 253 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:50,780 This commonality, this commonality of goals 254 00:12:50,780 --> 00:12:54,340 and this thing that we get drawn into. 255 00:12:54,340 --> 00:12:57,120 And I think about, you know, pulling our funds. 256 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:00,460 I know a lot of people are exiting society these days 257 00:13:00,460 --> 00:13:02,120 and they're going to pull their funds. 258 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:04,720 And that is not what I'm asking you to do. 259 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:09,460 However, I'm thinking, you know, a thousand acres in Montana, 260 00:13:10,020 --> 00:13:12,300 you know, nice little property to spread out. 261 00:13:12,300 --> 00:13:14,160 That's not necessarily a bad thing. 262 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:15,860 But that is not what I'm asking. 263 00:13:15,860 --> 00:13:19,200 So all of you guys who are already packing your bags 264 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:22,640 and thinking about riding horses with Kevin Costner, that is not, 265 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,880 that is not what we're talking about. 266 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:27,240 But it would be cool. 267 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:28,200 Let's just say that. 268 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:31,920 But what we do have is a commonality of goal. 269 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:35,480 We all, our faith, we stand in this place of faith. 270 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:37,480 We believe in the same Jesus. 271 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:39,080 We believe in the same God. 272 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,080 We believe in the Holy Spirit. 273 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:42,280 And that changes everything. 274 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:46,600 That gives us a place to function from that is rich and powerful. 275 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:49,200 And these this commonality lends strength. 276 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:52,960 One of the most powerful moments, I believe, 277 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,040 that I've experienced in this body. 278 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:57,640 Howlin and I came here in '92. Was that right? 279 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:01,840 And I'm glad one of us can remember stuff. 280 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:08,620 We came in 1992 and the Lord has just blessed us here. 281 00:14:08,620 --> 00:14:10,920 This has been our home. 282 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:13,260 There was a moment that happened. 283 00:14:13,260 --> 00:14:16,520 I don't know how many of you were here when 9/11 took place. 284 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:20,900 And as a nation, we went into such a place of grief 285 00:14:20,900 --> 00:14:24,000 and we went into a place of fear and 286 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:27,000 it just shook us. 287 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,480 But one of the things that I think impacted me so much 288 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:34,580 is the way that God can bring beauty from ashes, 289 00:14:34,580 --> 00:14:38,180 is the way that God can bring something beautiful out of the most 290 00:14:38,180 --> 00:14:43,080 horrific places and people just started showing up here. 291 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,980 In honor of Justin, it was an ordinary Tuesday. 292 00:14:46,980 --> 00:14:49,060 It really was a Tuesday. 293 00:14:49,060 --> 00:14:51,560 And it was just an ordinary one until it wasn't. 294 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:55,700 People just started coming through the doors here. 295 00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:57,660 We unlocked everything. 296 00:14:57,660 --> 00:14:59,760 We didn't put out an invitation. 297 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:04,640 People just started showing up here, just coming through the doors. 298 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:07,200 They came through the the doors that some were weeping. 299 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:08,940 Some were afraid. 300 00:15:08,940 --> 00:15:10,380 Someone in prayer. 301 00:15:10,380 --> 00:15:12,420 Someone had just to be with family. 302 00:15:12,420 --> 00:15:16,280 And I can remember that day so clear because we gathered over there 303 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:21,080 in the old sanctuary and I just remember holding a friend and her just weeping. 304 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:25,300 And I remember just the covering of the Holy Spirit 305 00:15:25,300 --> 00:15:29,000 and that cementing on the inside of me to go, you know what? 306 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:33,300 God has built something here that is for the comfort of his people. 307 00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:37,240 It's for the encouragement and the nurturing of the body of Christ. 308 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:39,300 It is a community. 309 00:15:39,300 --> 00:15:40,940 It is a family. 310 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:44,580 And we talk about healthy family and all of this and we can talk about it. 311 00:15:44,580 --> 00:15:48,720 But what really is the clarifier is the moment that you need it. 312 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:53,380 The moment that you need family and they are there. 313 00:15:53,380 --> 00:15:58,160 And that's the way we were designed that that corporate experience changed us. 314 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:02,360 Pastor Ronnie has always been such a strong proponent. 315 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:06,600 One of the one of his great gifts and he has many one of his great gifts 316 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:12,580 was nurturing unity in this in this house, covering this house, 317 00:16:12,580 --> 00:16:15,680 praying that we would be unified in our pursuit of him 318 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:19,180 and that we wouldn't let the small things become major things, 319 00:16:19,180 --> 00:16:22,820 but that the major thing would stay the main thing. 320 00:16:22,820 --> 00:16:27,520 So we have always valued unity as a church body. 321 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:31,020 Why? Why is unity important? 322 00:16:31,020 --> 00:16:33,100 Why is unity important in your family? 323 00:16:33,700 --> 00:16:38,640 The word tell the scripture tells us that how good and pleasant it is for believers, 324 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:41,100 brothers and sisters, to be dwelling in unity. 325 00:16:41,100 --> 00:16:43,800 It is as the oil. 326 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:48,340 I told Aaron, I almost almost grabbed a bottle of oil there 327 00:16:48,340 --> 00:16:50,080 and you were almost in trouble. 328 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:53,280 And I thought he doesn't have a change of clothes. 329 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:54,780 So I probably ought to do that. 330 00:16:54,780 --> 00:16:59,860 But I'm like the imagery that unity has is oil 331 00:17:00,180 --> 00:17:03,860 being poured over, it says, over the head of Aaron. 332 00:17:03,860 --> 00:17:08,600 It drips down into his beard and so that it drips down into his robes 333 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:10,940 and it begins to encompass those around. 334 00:17:10,940 --> 00:17:13,560 That's what unity does in the body of Christ. 335 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:18,300 There is a commanded blessing in unity as we walk together. 336 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:20,800 It doesn't mean that we all agree on everything. 337 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,340 It just means we can still walk together 338 00:17:23,340 --> 00:17:27,020 and there won't be division and there will not be strife because of it. 339 00:17:27,220 --> 00:17:32,260 That unity also goes on to say it is as the dew of Mount Hermon. 340 00:17:32,260 --> 00:17:36,260 Mount Hermon is the highest peak in Israel 341 00:17:36,260 --> 00:17:40,060 and everything about around it, the mountains beneath it 342 00:17:40,060 --> 00:17:44,740 and the grounds and desert spaces beneath it can be as dry as bone. 343 00:17:44,740 --> 00:17:48,380 But Mount Hermon has ice caps 344 00:17:48,380 --> 00:17:53,220 and there is a continual flow, a continual melting 345 00:17:53,220 --> 00:17:55,680 that nourishes all that is around it. 346 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:59,220 That's what unity does in the body of Christ. 347 00:17:59,220 --> 00:18:02,520 And that's why it has always been so important to this house. 348 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:04,760 We want the commanded blessing. 349 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:07,360 We want the blessing of the Lord in the house. 350 00:18:07,360 --> 00:18:13,640 Conversely, on the other side of that, the word tells us that where there is strife, 351 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:16,940 every evil work abounds. 352 00:18:16,940 --> 00:18:20,400 Every evil work abounds. 353 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:24,800 We do not do strife here. 354 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:30,080 We do everything we can to move away from it, to resolve it, 355 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:35,560 to bring peace to the situations because we don't want the door kicked open to the enemy. 356 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:38,120 Do you want the door kicked open at your house? 357 00:18:38,120 --> 00:18:40,760 See, this isn't just about church. 358 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:44,860 This is in your home when the enemy tries to come in and sow things 359 00:18:44,860 --> 00:18:49,740 and create misunderstandings and cause strife in your family. 360 00:18:49,740 --> 00:18:52,340 Get him out of there. Get him out of there. 361 00:18:52,340 --> 00:18:57,080 It is literally as if the picture that that passage of scripture paints 362 00:18:57,080 --> 00:19:00,580 is that it's as if the door gets kicked open 363 00:19:00,580 --> 00:19:04,880 and all of the minions come in with strife. 364 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:09,020 So we will always, always be a unity family. 365 00:19:09,020 --> 00:19:12,220 We will always be trying to address anything 366 00:19:12,220 --> 00:19:15,900 that challenges the unity within this household. 367 00:19:15,900 --> 00:19:19,360 There the Lord commands a blessing. 368 00:19:19,860 --> 00:19:24,840 You know, Rodney Boyd was one of our gifted teachers 369 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:29,780 for a very long time in this house and probably at least 20 years ago. 370 00:19:29,780 --> 00:19:32,680 I remember him saying he was teaching and he said, 371 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:40,780 he said, "Humans," or I'm sorry, "Christians are the only two-legged species 372 00:19:40,780 --> 00:19:43,960 who eat and devour their wounded." 373 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:48,200 I never forgot that. 374 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:51,600 Now, I know in the physical that's not true, 375 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:57,640 but in the spiritual, man, we can sure tear some people up 376 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:01,740 if we think their lives aren't going the way we think they should 377 00:20:01,740 --> 00:20:06,180 or we can start stirring things up that have nothing to do with us, 378 00:20:06,180 --> 00:20:08,020 nothing to do with us. 379 00:20:08,020 --> 00:20:10,060 And God is going, "Can you keep unity? 380 00:20:10,060 --> 00:20:13,560 Can you respond differently than the world responds 381 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:16,160 when somebody is broken, when they're wounded, 382 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:18,420 when they're struggling, when they're in sin? 383 00:20:18,420 --> 00:20:22,000 Can you respond differently as the body of Christ?" 384 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:23,940 Because we're supposed to. 385 00:20:23,940 --> 00:20:25,100 We're supposed to. 386 00:20:25,100 --> 00:20:28,140 You know, the word tells us there are so many things in the scriptures 387 00:20:28,140 --> 00:20:30,840 that the Lord tells us, you know, that that he would like us to do. 388 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:35,140 He gives us the Ten Commandments and he and he pours out his heart 389 00:20:35,140 --> 00:20:37,680 in order for us to grab hold of his heart. 390 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:41,120 And but one of the things that struck me and impacted me 391 00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:44,460 and has continued to impact me for so long 392 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:47,920 is this passage of scripture. 393 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:50,760 Let me pull it up here. Proverbs 6. 394 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:57,700 Why do we keep unity in this house? 395 00:20:57,700 --> 00:21:00,940 Why do we care about the blessing? 396 00:21:00,940 --> 00:21:04,580 Proverbs 6, 397 00:21:04,580 --> 00:21:07,680 beginning with verse 16. 398 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:10,240 Guys, this is not the list I thought the Lord would give 399 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:13,480 because we all form our opinions about the things the Lord accepts 400 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:15,080 and likes and doesn't like. 401 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:18,060 You know, we all it must be that that must be the worst sin. 402 00:21:18,060 --> 00:21:20,200 Oh, no, that's the one we want to point out. 403 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:22,320 That one can't really. 404 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:26,660 And we point to these things that really have nothing to do 405 00:21:26,660 --> 00:21:28,400 with what the scripture says. 406 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:33,000 And this passage of scripture has been a guard to me for so long 407 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,300 because it says you want to pay attention to this. 408 00:21:35,300 --> 00:21:37,140 I want to pay attention to this. 409 00:21:37,140 --> 00:21:41,340 It says these six things the Lord hates. 410 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:46,880 These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are repulsive 411 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:49,420 or detestable to him. 412 00:21:49,420 --> 00:21:51,580 Don't you want to know what he hates? 413 00:21:51,580 --> 00:21:56,660 The very first thing it says is a haughty look. 414 00:21:56,660 --> 00:22:00,500 The very first thing it says is this haughty look, 415 00:22:00,500 --> 00:22:04,460 this prideful, arrogant thing, like I don't need anybody but me. 416 00:22:04,460 --> 00:22:09,040 I mean, I know I've got an erratic eyebrow that looks haughty from time to time. 417 00:22:09,980 --> 00:22:12,940 But hopefully my heart does not match my eyebrows. 418 00:22:12,940 --> 00:22:17,240 A haughty look. 419 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:20,040 What? What? 420 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:23,160 I can't take pride in all of this stuff that I'm not sure you can. 421 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:24,460 But you know what? 422 00:22:24,460 --> 00:22:29,820 We have become such a a a culture of competition. 423 00:22:29,820 --> 00:22:34,460 It's like we are against one another all of the time when we're supposed to. 424 00:22:34,460 --> 00:22:36,160 You be the best. 425 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:38,000 You win it. Run faster. 426 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:40,160 Jump higher. Climb that ladder. 427 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:42,400 You be the prettiest. You be the smartest. 428 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:44,380 You do this. You get the trophies. 429 00:22:44,380 --> 00:22:46,700 And all the while God is going. 430 00:22:46,700 --> 00:22:49,080 You're supposed to be brothers and sisters. 431 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:51,540 You are not my competition. 432 00:22:51,540 --> 00:22:53,540 I am not your competition. 433 00:22:53,540 --> 00:22:58,360 We are supposed to be walking in tandem with one another as the body of Christ, 434 00:22:58,360 --> 00:23:02,220 building a community that looks like the community that we will one day 435 00:23:02,220 --> 00:23:07,660 be a part of if we ever get the opportunity to cross over and stand in his presence. 436 00:23:07,660 --> 00:23:11,200 We get to model that now. 437 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:13,200 A haughty look. 438 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:17,700 Pride should not be a part of what we do in this place. 439 00:23:17,700 --> 00:23:19,700 If it is, there's a problem. 440 00:23:19,700 --> 00:23:24,740 The second thing it says is that a mouth that lies. 441 00:23:24,740 --> 00:23:26,740 Pride and liars. 442 00:23:26,740 --> 00:23:29,240 Tongues that lie. 443 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:32,820 It says hands that shed innocent blood. 444 00:23:32,820 --> 00:23:35,320 And it's not just killing somebody. 445 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:37,320 It's destroying somebody. 446 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:40,320 That you have no business destroying. 447 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:45,320 It says a heart that devises wicked plans. 448 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:48,860 A heart that thinks about, "Oh, I think I'm going to go do that. 449 00:23:48,860 --> 00:23:51,360 Oh, I think I'm just going to tell them this. 450 00:23:51,360 --> 00:23:53,360 I really think dot dot dot." 451 00:23:53,360 --> 00:23:55,700 And a heart that devises wicked plans. 452 00:23:55,700 --> 00:23:59,280 It says feet that are quick to run to things that they shouldn't run to. 453 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:01,280 Being in places. Going things. 454 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:03,280 And being quick about it. 455 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:06,280 Getting to those places that you shouldn't even be. 456 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:09,280 Now listen to the last two. 457 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:13,280 A false witness who breathes out lies. 458 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,280 Somebody who talks about others. Who gossips. 459 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:17,280 Whom aligns. Whom slanders. 460 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:20,280 What? These are all behavioral things, Father. 461 00:24:20,280 --> 00:24:24,280 We wanted open sins that we could easily mark. 462 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:27,280 But what if God just wants to check our hearts? 463 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:30,280 What if God just wants to go, "You need to deal with this. 464 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:34,280 I need to deal with this because I can fall into these." 465 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:38,280 Sometimes we just need to hush. 466 00:24:38,280 --> 00:24:41,280 But the last thing. 467 00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:47,280 One who spreads strife among the brethren. 468 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:50,280 It says it's detestable to him. 469 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:53,280 It is abhorrent to him. 470 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:56,280 Why? Because I have three children. 471 00:24:56,280 --> 00:25:00,280 And I have three children-in-laws. 472 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:02,280 And I have eleven grandchildren. 473 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:04,280 I want them to love each other. 474 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:07,280 I want them to be kind to one another. 475 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:10,280 I want them to speak lovingly of one another. 476 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:13,280 Even when the other one's not in the room. 477 00:25:13,280 --> 00:25:15,280 Especially when they... 478 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:18,280 That is what I want for my family. 479 00:25:18,280 --> 00:25:21,280 How much more does God want that for us? 480 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:23,280 That we could walk in unity. 481 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:25,280 That we could be kind to one another. 482 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:28,280 And Kevin's word has struck me the other day when he said, 483 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:36,280 "Love is my name protected in your mouth." 484 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:41,280 That could render some of us mute for a long time. 485 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:45,280 When I used the word "us" I didn't say "you" I said "us." 486 00:25:45,280 --> 00:25:50,280 Love is your brother's name protected in your mouth. 487 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,280 Love is your brother's name protected in your mouth. 488 00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:57,280 Why do we value unity? Because God loves it. 489 00:25:57,280 --> 00:26:00,280 And because God hates strife. 490 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:03,280 So what does authentic Christian community look like? 491 00:26:03,280 --> 00:26:07,280 In my world, what it looks like is... 492 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:10,280 Ten years ago when my mom passed. 493 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:12,280 My mom lives two and a half hours away. 494 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:15,280 And my sisters didn't... 495 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:19,280 When you are a pastor, it is all automatically assumed 496 00:26:19,280 --> 00:26:22,280 that you are going to be the one to do the service 497 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:26,280 regardless of whether you want to do the service or not. 498 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:28,280 And that kind of fell to me. 499 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:31,280 And it was an honor and a privilege to put that together. 500 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:34,280 But on the day of the service, 501 00:26:34,280 --> 00:26:38,280 I just remember feeling so weighted. 502 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:41,280 And so overwhelmed. 503 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:43,280 And the place was packed. 504 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:46,280 My mom's influence and the blessing of her life 505 00:26:46,280 --> 00:26:48,280 was evident in the room. 506 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:51,280 But they were all people that were her church and all this stuff. 507 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:54,280 And I'm standing to the side and I'm thinking about God. 508 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:56,280 And I'm thinking, "Lord, you've got to help me. 509 00:26:56,280 --> 00:27:00,280 You've got to help me." 510 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:02,280 And the doors opened in the back. 511 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:07,280 And carloads, carloads of people from this house 512 00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:12,280 had carpooled to get there and to be there and to support. 513 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:16,280 And it felt like that dew of Herman. 514 00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:20,280 It felt the blessing when they walked through the door. 515 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:24,280 It felt like I could breathe because my family was there. 516 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:30,280 My family was there, but now my family was there. 517 00:27:30,280 --> 00:27:38,280 And they made the mistake of going, "How can I help you?" 518 00:27:38,280 --> 00:27:40,280 And I went, "Well, you're speaking. 519 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:44,280 And I'm going to need you to lead three or four songs in worship. 520 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:46,280 And I'm going to..." 521 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:49,280 And man, they did it because they loved us. 522 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:52,280 They were instant in season and out of season. 523 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:55,280 And they came and they ministered to that body. 524 00:27:55,280 --> 00:27:59,280 My family ministered to my family. 525 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:02,280 Because that's the community God had built. 526 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:06,280 My son Matthew got married about four hours away. 527 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:10,280 And I thought, "Well, it'll be sweet. I'll have all the..." 528 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:12,280 Guys, you showed up. 529 00:28:12,280 --> 00:28:14,280 I mean, I look out, it's rainy. 530 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:17,280 And Anna and Ernie, your eyes are out there wiping down chairs. 531 00:28:17,280 --> 00:28:20,280 And Pastor Bruce and Jill are helping in the kitchen. 532 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:24,280 And I'm like, "God! 533 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:28,280 Lord, some of us won't cross the room to hug somebody." 534 00:28:28,280 --> 00:28:33,280 And I've got people that are driving hours just to be there. 535 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:36,280 Guys, we need to be that family. 536 00:28:36,280 --> 00:28:38,280 That is what God is calling us to. 537 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:41,280 I think it is one of the richest things we can do 538 00:28:41,280 --> 00:28:46,280 is be part of a godly community that shows up. 539 00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:48,280 That is there for one another. 540 00:28:48,280 --> 00:28:51,280 And I know many of you have the same testimony. 541 00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:54,280 We have stood beside graves together. 542 00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:57,280 We have stood in hospital rooms together. 543 00:28:57,280 --> 00:29:00,280 We have held noon-born babies together. 544 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,280 We have experienced the weddings. 545 00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:04,280 I've done some of your weddings. 546 00:29:04,280 --> 00:29:09,280 I've been able to be a part of God family. 547 00:29:09,280 --> 00:29:11,280 God community. 548 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:13,280 And that's what He's calling us to. 549 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:15,280 I believe we need that. 550 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:17,280 We need to be surrounded today, guys. 551 00:29:17,280 --> 00:29:21,280 We are not called to make this journey alone. 552 00:29:21,280 --> 00:29:23,280 We're just not called to. 553 00:29:23,280 --> 00:29:25,280 And I know that there's some going, "Well, I want that, 554 00:29:25,280 --> 00:29:27,280 and I don't know how to get that." 555 00:29:27,280 --> 00:29:29,280 Stay. 556 00:29:29,280 --> 00:29:30,280 Stay. 557 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:32,280 Stay. 558 00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:37,280 Plant deep. Allow the Lord to do something. 559 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:41,280 You know, family to me is... 560 00:29:41,280 --> 00:29:44,280 I have been so blessed. 561 00:29:44,280 --> 00:29:46,280 Guys, I have been so blessed. 562 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:49,280 Hal and I have been able to walk in this community. 563 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:50,280 There are people in this... 564 00:29:50,280 --> 00:29:54,280 I mean, the Meeks, the Kobles, the Berries, 565 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:58,280 the Hutchisons, the Gibsons, the Montgomerys, 566 00:29:58,280 --> 00:30:02,280 the people that we have walked with and done life with. 567 00:30:02,280 --> 00:30:04,280 This is our kibbutz. 568 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:06,280 This is our family. 569 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:08,280 This is the strength that we draw from. 570 00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:12,280 These are the wells that have nourished, nourished my mom, 571 00:30:12,280 --> 00:30:14,280 nourished my husband and myself, 572 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:16,280 that has nourished our kids, 573 00:30:16,280 --> 00:30:19,280 that has nourished our grandchildren. 574 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:23,280 We are a body that can minister to generations 575 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:25,280 and love generations. 576 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:28,280 And I believe that that is what God is calling us 577 00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:31,280 as the body of Christ to do. 578 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:35,280 Jesus. 579 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:38,280 Here's my admonition. 580 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:39,280 I'm going to get the worship team. 581 00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:41,280 I know it's a little bit early. 582 00:30:41,280 --> 00:30:43,280 But see, God can minister in two words. 583 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:45,280 I could have walked up here and said, "Jesus wept," 584 00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:47,280 and I would have brought a message. 585 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:49,280 It doesn't take Him long. 586 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:52,280 But here's the thing. 587 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:57,280 If this seems like an unrealistic prospect for you, 588 00:30:57,280 --> 00:30:59,280 it's not. 589 00:30:59,280 --> 00:31:03,280 You are here for a reason, and I believe with all of my heart 590 00:31:03,280 --> 00:31:07,280 that God wants to surround you with family, with community, 591 00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:10,280 to give you something stable and sure to stand in. 592 00:31:10,280 --> 00:31:12,280 So this is my admonition. 593 00:31:12,280 --> 00:31:16,280 Older people in this room, that means everybody older than me. 594 00:31:16,280 --> 00:31:21,280 I know there's only two of you, but... 595 00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:28,280 Older people, so into the next generation. 596 00:31:28,280 --> 00:31:29,280 Don't be afraid of them. 597 00:31:29,280 --> 00:31:31,280 I know they're scary. 598 00:31:31,280 --> 00:31:33,280 So into them. 599 00:31:33,280 --> 00:31:36,280 Pour into those generations. 600 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:38,280 Let them know who God is in your life. 601 00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:42,280 Let them know the things that He has done in your experience. 602 00:31:42,280 --> 00:31:45,280 Young people, you're not, you don't know it all. 603 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:48,280 You don't know it all yet. 604 00:31:48,280 --> 00:31:50,280 Yet. Yet. 605 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:52,280 Glean from those fields. 606 00:31:52,280 --> 00:31:54,280 Allow people to speak into your life. 607 00:31:54,280 --> 00:31:57,280 Look friendly when they approach you. 608 00:31:57,280 --> 00:32:00,280 'Cause we are a bit frightened. 609 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:06,280 Glean from those fields. 610 00:32:06,280 --> 00:32:11,280 Young families, find a church and stay. 611 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:14,280 Find a place and stay. 612 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:16,280 Plant your roots deep. 613 00:32:16,280 --> 00:32:18,280 It doesn't have to be Springhouse. 614 00:32:18,280 --> 00:32:19,280 I would love it if it is. 615 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:24,280 You find the church that you are supposed to be a part of and stop running. 616 00:32:24,280 --> 00:32:28,280 You stay and you plant roots so that your children can have roots 617 00:32:28,280 --> 00:32:30,280 and your grandchildren can have roots 618 00:32:30,280 --> 00:32:33,280 and they can have a community that will support them and surround them 619 00:32:33,280 --> 00:32:36,280 when they go through trials, when they go through difficult places 620 00:32:36,280 --> 00:32:40,280 and they need somebody to just go, "You're gonna be okay." 621 00:32:40,280 --> 00:32:42,280 Give them that. 622 00:32:42,280 --> 00:32:48,280 Give them a place to grow, a place to flourish, a place to be nurtured. 623 00:32:48,280 --> 00:32:54,280 See, we have all things in common. 624 00:32:54,280 --> 00:32:59,280 Because we have the most important thing in common. 625 00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:07,280 We have a Savior who gave all to give us access to the Holy of Holies. 626 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:11,280 We have a Savior who died to cleanse us of the sins, 627 00:33:11,280 --> 00:33:14,280 to heal us of the broken places. 628 00:33:14,280 --> 00:33:17,280 And part of our role and part of our job as the body of Christ 629 00:33:17,280 --> 00:33:21,280 is that we would extend those hands when somebody is broken, 630 00:33:21,280 --> 00:33:25,280 when somebody is struggling, when somebody is having a really hard time. 631 00:33:25,280 --> 00:33:28,280 Don't leave a gaping wound just standing there. 632 00:33:28,280 --> 00:33:32,280 Minister the love of God. 633 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:38,280 This is our family. 634 00:33:38,280 --> 00:33:40,280 This is your family. 635 00:33:40,280 --> 00:33:44,280 It's been our family for more than three decades. 636 00:33:44,280 --> 00:33:49,280 And I would not trade it for anything. 637 00:33:49,280 --> 00:33:51,280 For anything. 638 00:33:51,280 --> 00:33:53,280 God has met me here. 639 00:33:53,280 --> 00:33:56,280 And God has met you here. 640 00:33:56,280 --> 00:33:58,280 And it is my prayer. 641 00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:00,280 I need that book, Anna. 642 00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:03,280 Are you sitting on it? 643 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:09,280 Is there a book there? 644 00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:12,280 Thank you. 645 00:34:12,280 --> 00:34:13,280 Could you sign it? 646 00:34:13,280 --> 00:34:15,280 No kidding. 647 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:20,280 I ran across this the other day. 648 00:34:22,280 --> 00:34:26,280 And I thought, "Lord, this is so true in my life." 649 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:28,280 I had a marker in it. 650 00:34:28,280 --> 00:34:31,280 But obviously Anna has done something with that. 651 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:37,280 Talk amongst yourselves. 652 00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:43,280 It says, and I had just left a service here. 653 00:34:43,280 --> 00:34:46,280 And I'm just going to read it to you. 654 00:34:46,280 --> 00:34:50,280 Because it so perfectly encapsulates this body 655 00:34:50,280 --> 00:34:52,280 and how I feel in this body. 656 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:57,280 I just walked in from a wonderful program service at church. 657 00:34:57,280 --> 00:34:59,280 I think pretty much all of you were there. 658 00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:02,280 If not, you better start being faithful in your attendance 659 00:35:02,280 --> 00:35:04,280 because someone has now taken your seat. 660 00:35:04,280 --> 00:35:08,280 The house was full and the family was in rare form. 661 00:35:08,280 --> 00:35:11,280 What a wonderful exclamation point. 662 00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:14,280 As the orchestra struck the first strains 663 00:35:14,280 --> 00:35:16,280 and the choir began to swell, 664 00:35:16,280 --> 00:35:18,280 I snuggled into my seat. 665 00:35:18,280 --> 00:35:20,280 I took a deep breath. 666 00:35:20,280 --> 00:35:27,280 And I relaxed for the first time in what seemed like forever. 667 00:35:27,280 --> 00:35:30,280 I looked around the shadowed room 668 00:35:30,280 --> 00:35:33,280 and glimpsed the profiles of many that I hold dear 669 00:35:33,280 --> 00:35:35,280 and that would include each of you. 670 00:35:35,280 --> 00:35:39,280 I watched as babies crawled over their weary mothers 671 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:41,280 who continued to sing. 672 00:35:41,280 --> 00:35:45,280 I watched sleeping infants drool on their father's shoulders 673 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:48,280 as rich baritone voices filled the air. 674 00:35:48,280 --> 00:35:51,280 I saw mothers and daughters sitting close together 675 00:35:51,280 --> 00:35:54,280 and fathers and sons nudging one another 676 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:57,280 as if to say, "That's pretty cool." 677 00:35:57,280 --> 00:35:59,280 In a very manly way. 678 00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:02,280 The sights and sounds surrounded me 679 00:36:02,280 --> 00:36:04,280 and it wasn't the ones from the stage, 680 00:36:04,280 --> 00:36:05,280 though they were wondrous indeed, 681 00:36:05,280 --> 00:36:08,280 but the ones in the seats around me. 682 00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:11,280 What I heard was the laughter of hearts 683 00:36:11,280 --> 00:36:13,280 that were content and full. 684 00:36:14,280 --> 00:36:16,280 The camaraderie of strangers and friends 685 00:36:16,280 --> 00:36:20,280 that have slowly and perfectly, without notice, 686 00:36:20,280 --> 00:36:22,280 turned into family. 687 00:36:22,280 --> 00:36:27,280 In our midst there was a bustling quiet of peace restored 688 00:36:27,280 --> 00:36:30,280 and the unspoken gratitude of outcasts 689 00:36:30,280 --> 00:36:33,280 having finally found their place. 690 00:36:33,280 --> 00:36:37,280 We were home folk, doing what home folk do. 691 00:36:37,280 --> 00:36:41,280 We were loving, extending, welcoming, accepting, nourishing, 692 00:36:41,280 --> 00:36:44,280 and making room for each other. 693 00:36:44,280 --> 00:36:50,280 And this, I believe, is where the truth can overtake us. 694 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:56,280 So today, I say thank you. 695 00:36:56,280 --> 00:36:59,280 Thank you for allowing me to experience 696 00:36:59,280 --> 00:37:01,280 a night in the heart of family, 697 00:37:01,280 --> 00:37:04,280 though my relatives live far away. 698 00:37:04,280 --> 00:37:07,280 Thank you for scooting over and patting the seat next to you 699 00:37:07,280 --> 00:37:10,280 and offering me a place close by. 700 00:37:10,280 --> 00:37:14,280 Thank you for sharing your lives, your laughter, 701 00:37:14,280 --> 00:37:18,280 your tears, and your joy with me. 702 00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:23,280 Thank you for showing me how completely blessed I am 703 00:37:23,280 --> 00:37:28,280 and how generously God lavishes his love on the earth today. 704 00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:31,280 Thank you for being kind. 705 00:37:31,280 --> 00:37:33,280 Thank you for being tender-hearted. 706 00:37:33,280 --> 00:37:35,280 Thank you for being compassionate 707 00:37:35,280 --> 00:37:37,280 and faithful to one another. 708 00:37:37,280 --> 00:37:43,280 But most of all, today, I thank you 709 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:50,280 that you are a family that always makes room. 710 00:37:50,280 --> 00:37:57,280 You are a family that makes room for one another. 711 00:37:57,280 --> 00:38:02,280 We're getting ready to do the song. 712 00:38:02,280 --> 00:38:04,280 What a coincidence. Make room. 713 00:38:06,280 --> 00:38:08,280 I'm going to ask our elders 714 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:10,280 and those who have been asked to pray 715 00:38:10,280 --> 00:38:12,280 to come forward. 716 00:38:12,280 --> 00:38:15,280 And the specific charge today, 717 00:38:15,280 --> 00:38:18,280 I believe the specific anointing 718 00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:22,280 in this house today, though you may need prayer for something else, 719 00:38:22,280 --> 00:38:27,280 there is an anointing for connection. 720 00:38:27,280 --> 00:38:30,280 There's an anointing for doors to open 721 00:38:30,280 --> 00:38:32,280 and family to be created. 722 00:38:32,280 --> 00:38:35,280 If you are someone who's gone, "I don't know how to connect. 723 00:38:35,280 --> 00:38:38,280 I don't know how to become involved and be a part of this." 724 00:38:38,280 --> 00:38:41,280 Would you be vulnerable enough 725 00:38:41,280 --> 00:38:44,280 to come forward and let somebody pray with you? 726 00:38:44,280 --> 00:38:46,280 Would you come and go, "That's what I want. 727 00:38:46,280 --> 00:38:48,280 I want to plant deep. 728 00:38:48,280 --> 00:38:50,280 I want my family to know fellowship. 729 00:38:50,280 --> 00:38:53,280 I want to be a part of something bigger 730 00:38:53,280 --> 00:38:55,280 than what I am on my own." 731 00:38:55,280 --> 00:38:57,280 Would you stand? We're going to sing. 732 00:38:57,280 --> 00:39:00,280 Father, I'm asking that your Holy Spirit 733 00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:02,280 would fill this space. 734 00:39:02,280 --> 00:39:05,280 Father, that we could lay down the walls 735 00:39:05,280 --> 00:39:08,280 that separate us from one another 736 00:39:08,280 --> 00:39:13,280 and invite family into the innermost places of our lives. 737 00:39:13,280 --> 00:39:15,280 Surround us, Father. 738 00:39:15,280 --> 00:39:18,280 Make us transparent, Father, I ask. 739 00:39:18,280 --> 00:39:21,280 In Jesus' name. Amen. 740 00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:23,280 [Music]