1 00:00:00,220 --> 00:00:01,450 Good morning, church. 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:05,680 It's great to be here with all of you. 3 00:00:06,170 --> 00:00:07,130 Uh, it's a treat. 4 00:00:07,150 --> 00:00:12,110 I want to thank the Stephensons, the whole staff, the Willis's for inviting 5 00:00:12,340 --> 00:00:14,380 Michelle and I to be here with you guys. 6 00:00:14,860 --> 00:00:16,930 Um, I love this ministry. 7 00:00:17,300 --> 00:00:22,200 I've only been here really a few times and back when I had the hope hat on and, 8 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,500 uh, and, and, and preaching for the poor. 9 00:00:24,890 --> 00:00:28,769 Um, so many people in this ministry have been so generous. 10 00:00:29,544 --> 00:00:33,855 To hope worldwide and to helping the poor and have signed up and gone all 11 00:00:33,855 --> 00:00:38,214 over the world serving and I'm so grateful for that, but I love you guys. 12 00:00:38,544 --> 00:00:41,055 Great to be here this morning. 13 00:00:41,064 --> 00:00:43,815 Let me see if my slide thingy works. 14 00:00:44,604 --> 00:00:45,985 I don't know if that's the official name. 15 00:00:46,025 --> 00:00:47,124 Okay, slide thingy. 16 00:00:47,605 --> 00:00:48,095 All right. 17 00:00:48,574 --> 00:00:50,635 So first of all, greetings from Metro. 18 00:00:50,755 --> 00:00:51,294 All right. 19 00:00:52,105 --> 00:00:53,205 It's the Metro region. 20 00:00:53,205 --> 00:00:56,955 For those of you who don't know, Metro Uh, my wife and I moved up 21 00:00:56,955 --> 00:00:59,235 here, uh, up here being the L. 22 00:00:59,235 --> 00:00:59,345 A. 23 00:00:59,355 --> 00:01:03,004 area, uh, about four years ago, almost four years ago. 24 00:01:03,515 --> 00:01:07,434 And, uh, uh, to really jump in and help out in Metro. 25 00:01:07,434 --> 00:01:11,264 Metro was going through a very difficult time. 26 00:01:11,825 --> 00:01:18,875 Um, they had gone through a very painful split, division in leadership, uh, 27 00:01:18,884 --> 00:01:21,565 difficult times, a lot of dysfunction. 28 00:01:21,995 --> 00:01:26,975 And, like any church, filled with wonderful, amazing people. 29 00:01:27,505 --> 00:01:31,995 And, uh, we, we were called, as Steve was talking about being called, we were called 30 00:01:32,264 --> 00:01:35,075 to come here and be part of that family. 31 00:01:35,295 --> 00:01:37,805 And we've had such a great time at Metro. 32 00:01:38,045 --> 00:01:39,774 We have, we have recovered. 33 00:01:39,775 --> 00:01:40,714 We have rehealed. 34 00:01:40,965 --> 00:01:45,035 And we've still got a long ways to go, but we're on our way to being 35 00:01:45,035 --> 00:01:51,074 a healthy, happy, Growing dynamic church that God has called us to be. 36 00:01:51,134 --> 00:01:55,244 So please keep us in your prayers, but I also see that we've contributed 37 00:01:55,484 --> 00:02:01,664 here to Sumoge and Sanchez Padillas , and oh, we got some people 38 00:02:01,664 --> 00:02:05,594 here that, uh, uh, you guys have kidnapped and taken away from us. 39 00:02:05,774 --> 00:02:09,255 And I know you want the Keys but you can't have 'em all right. 40 00:02:09,315 --> 00:02:10,214 You can't have 'em. 41 00:02:10,785 --> 00:02:13,464 But no, we, we, we obviously share a bond. 42 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:15,500 We are all family. 43 00:02:15,839 --> 00:02:17,450 Uh, it's great to be here. 44 00:02:17,829 --> 00:02:20,859 Um, I also bring you greetings from the Carrillos. 45 00:02:21,540 --> 00:02:23,369 This is Michelle and I's crew. 46 00:02:23,449 --> 00:02:27,179 Um, our little, uh, our little growing clan. 47 00:02:27,230 --> 00:02:28,829 Our little growing tribe. 48 00:02:28,829 --> 00:02:31,899 We're trying to have kids and, and they're trying to have grandkids. 49 00:02:31,899 --> 00:02:34,209 And, or kids for them and grandkids for us. 50 00:02:34,209 --> 00:02:36,969 And, you know, our, our little, our little tribe is growing. 51 00:02:36,969 --> 00:02:38,989 You know, that's the Mexican retirement plan. 52 00:02:39,119 --> 00:02:39,980 Have lots of kids. 53 00:02:40,949 --> 00:02:42,879 And then they can take care of you, right? 54 00:02:43,470 --> 00:02:44,110 That's the plan. 55 00:02:44,110 --> 00:02:45,590 So we're like, come on, have some more babies. 56 00:02:45,590 --> 00:02:45,970 Let's go. 57 00:02:45,970 --> 00:02:46,930 Let's keep going here. 58 00:02:47,860 --> 00:02:51,140 Uh, well, you know, part of us coming here was really, uh, God's 59 00:02:51,140 --> 00:02:56,719 design, uh, because, uh, I was able to enroll at Fuller Seminary. 60 00:02:57,290 --> 00:03:01,659 And, uh, Michelle and I just completed, we just had spiritual birthdays this year. 61 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:05,360 Michelle turned 42 and I turned 40 as Christians. 62 00:03:05,830 --> 00:03:07,340 Okay, spiritual birthday, right? 63 00:03:07,340 --> 00:03:10,280 Not, not, not years of life. 64 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:11,880 But, um... 65 00:03:12,750 --> 00:03:16,130 And, you know, I've been on a journey, we've been on a journey together 66 00:03:16,140 --> 00:03:18,260 of trying to figure things out. 67 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:20,000 How to be a healthy church. 68 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:21,560 How to be a healthy disciple. 69 00:03:22,060 --> 00:03:23,650 How to be a strong Christian. 70 00:03:23,670 --> 00:03:25,780 How to, how to do it right. 71 00:03:25,930 --> 00:03:27,700 How to learn from our mistakes. 72 00:03:27,970 --> 00:03:30,690 How to grow through the things we've messed up in. 73 00:03:30,950 --> 00:03:34,210 How to change as we get, how to be the best leaders we can be. 74 00:03:34,650 --> 00:03:39,360 Just, how to keep growing and build the church that reflects the kingdom of God. 75 00:03:40,035 --> 00:03:43,435 And that's, that's a great challenge and that's a great, uh, 76 00:03:43,454 --> 00:03:44,875 learning curve, let me tell you. 77 00:03:45,315 --> 00:03:48,985 Um, and I'm, I'm just about to finish my doctorate, Lord willing, I'll be 78 00:03:48,985 --> 00:03:53,684 graduating in March with a doctorate in spirituality and spiritual health. 79 00:03:54,974 --> 00:03:58,043 Um, but you know, we've been at this a long time. 80 00:03:58,674 --> 00:04:02,315 I mean, probably, you know, a good chunk of this room wasn't 81 00:04:02,315 --> 00:04:04,595 even alive 40 years ago, you know. 82 00:04:04,875 --> 00:04:06,234 Probably most of this room. 83 00:04:06,915 --> 00:04:11,575 Um, uh, Steve was just talking about how that song, uh, Men Who Dream, 84 00:04:11,665 --> 00:04:12,925 how many of you were there in Boston? 85 00:04:12,925 --> 00:04:15,755 I said, I'm looking around, most of the people weren't even alive when this 86 00:04:15,755 --> 00:04:19,464 song came out in Boston back in 1989. 87 00:04:19,475 --> 00:04:19,875 Whoa. 88 00:04:20,415 --> 00:04:28,964 Um, you know, I was at, I so appreciate people who've endured 89 00:04:29,004 --> 00:04:32,604 through the decades, who keep serving. 90 00:04:32,614 --> 00:04:36,494 The other day, uh, last week I was in, uh, New York, actually New Jersey. 91 00:04:36,900 --> 00:04:41,460 For the I still see teachers conference and I was sitting there waiting for my 92 00:04:41,460 --> 00:04:47,069 plane to board and of course, you know how they called for those in active 93 00:04:47,069 --> 00:04:52,989 military to please come on board and You saw some soldiers get up there and 94 00:04:52,990 --> 00:04:56,780 I noticed I was sitting right by the gate That when they would check in they 95 00:04:56,780 --> 00:05:01,790 would say thank you for your service to everybody And I thought you know, that's 96 00:05:01,820 --> 00:05:08,170 that's good and right Because these are men and women who put their lives on 97 00:05:08,170 --> 00:05:14,869 the line for us, who serve, who give. 98 00:05:14,870 --> 00:05:17,910 And you know, that's just, God likes that. 99 00:05:17,919 --> 00:05:22,760 That's, God wants us to give honor and respect where it's due. 100 00:05:22,780 --> 00:05:24,250 He calls us to this. 101 00:05:25,220 --> 00:05:26,380 He calls us to this. 102 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:32,075 And I was thinking, you know, I, because of our role now in the MLC and helping 103 00:05:32,075 --> 00:05:37,425 out here, I've been talking to a lot of veterans here, spiritual veterans, 104 00:05:38,345 --> 00:05:45,525 a lot of people who've been here for a very long time, serving and giving. 105 00:05:45,544 --> 00:05:49,284 I'd like everybody who's more than 20 years old in the, let's say 106 00:05:49,284 --> 00:05:51,075 more than 15 years old, stand up. 107 00:05:52,925 --> 00:05:54,495 More than 15 spiritually. 108 00:05:55,185 --> 00:05:57,534 Thank you for your service. 109 00:06:01,265 --> 00:06:05,345 I need to look at everybody else look at these people and tell 110 00:06:05,345 --> 00:06:07,634 them thank you for your service. 111 00:06:10,684 --> 00:06:16,784 I know that sometimes Satan likes to play with our minds and likes to discourage us. 112 00:06:17,624 --> 00:06:19,355 But I want to remind you something. 113 00:06:20,205 --> 00:06:21,805 God is not unjust. 114 00:06:22,835 --> 00:06:23,855 God is not unjust. 115 00:06:23,855 --> 00:06:26,055 He will not forget your work. 116 00:06:26,565 --> 00:06:30,015 And the love you have shown him as you've helped his people 117 00:06:30,435 --> 00:06:32,305 and continue to help them. 118 00:06:32,845 --> 00:06:38,605 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what 119 00:06:38,605 --> 00:06:41,825 you hope for may be fully realized. 120 00:06:42,335 --> 00:06:46,305 We don't want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and 121 00:06:46,305 --> 00:06:49,445 patience inherit what has been promised. 122 00:06:49,985 --> 00:06:54,384 I think sometimes Satan likes to, you know, make us feel bad about our lives. 123 00:06:55,145 --> 00:06:57,085 I think he specializes in that. 124 00:06:58,205 --> 00:07:04,174 You know, I think about if you've been here 15, 20, 30 years, 40 years plus like 125 00:07:04,174 --> 00:07:08,315 us, that's a lot of missions collections. 126 00:07:08,825 --> 00:07:11,184 That's a lot of special contributions. 127 00:07:11,974 --> 00:07:14,114 That is a lot of sacrificing. 128 00:07:14,854 --> 00:07:20,695 That is a lot of times you chose not to buy a bigger TV or a 129 00:07:20,705 --> 00:07:24,344 newer car or a new furniture set. 130 00:07:25,484 --> 00:07:27,434 And you gave the money to the church. 131 00:07:28,505 --> 00:07:32,484 Or you gave the money to hope, to help somebody that you will never 132 00:07:32,484 --> 00:07:34,835 meet, you will maybe never see. 133 00:07:35,914 --> 00:07:38,494 And maybe never get to hear a thank you from them. 134 00:07:39,424 --> 00:07:40,924 But you gave anyways. 135 00:07:41,424 --> 00:07:42,885 And you didn't do it once. 136 00:07:43,375 --> 00:07:46,515 You did it again, and again, and again. 137 00:07:47,125 --> 00:07:49,064 And still you continue doing it. 138 00:07:50,844 --> 00:07:51,724 God is watching. 139 00:07:53,275 --> 00:07:54,854 God sees that. 140 00:07:55,955 --> 00:07:57,745 God acknowledges that. 141 00:07:58,255 --> 00:08:01,685 Satan likes to feel terrible about ourselves. 142 00:08:02,234 --> 00:08:03,825 Man, you realize how much money you get. 143 00:08:03,965 --> 00:08:06,944 By now you could have a bigger, more beautiful house. 144 00:08:07,515 --> 00:08:10,054 By now you could have a 150 square inch TV. 145 00:08:10,495 --> 00:08:12,395 By now you could do this and that. 146 00:08:13,405 --> 00:08:14,175 But let me tell you something. 147 00:08:14,175 --> 00:08:20,145 As somebody who's traveled all over the world and seen many many of our 148 00:08:20,145 --> 00:08:26,945 churches And seeing how grateful all those disciples are for your 149 00:08:26,945 --> 00:08:33,804 sacrifice, for your faithfulness, for your continued giving again and again. 150 00:08:34,345 --> 00:08:36,034 How many lives have been saved? 151 00:08:36,774 --> 00:08:38,605 How many families have been saved? 152 00:08:39,004 --> 00:08:40,875 How many marriages have been saved? 153 00:08:41,365 --> 00:08:45,445 How many people have food to eat, clothes to wear, and a school to go 154 00:08:45,445 --> 00:08:48,755 to because of your faithful service? 155 00:08:49,380 --> 00:08:51,100 So thank you for your service. 156 00:08:51,650 --> 00:08:53,290 Thank you for your faithfulness. 157 00:08:53,290 --> 00:08:57,490 And I just wanted to recognize that because I think it's really important. 158 00:08:57,660 --> 00:08:59,819 We gotta be at least as good as Delta Airlines, right? 159 00:09:00,490 --> 00:09:02,460 In giving thanks. 160 00:09:03,620 --> 00:09:07,059 So we're gonna jump in to the scriptures here. 161 00:09:08,209 --> 00:09:10,730 Um, let's go to God and pray. 162 00:09:12,930 --> 00:09:16,399 Father God, we are so grateful to you, God. 163 00:09:17,680 --> 00:09:18,979 You have blessed us. 164 00:09:20,290 --> 00:09:26,340 In so many ways, God, you've blessed us with the health that we enjoy with the 165 00:09:26,340 --> 00:09:33,299 family that we have with the opportunities living in this country in this part of 166 00:09:33,300 --> 00:09:36,890 the world with so many blessings, God. 167 00:09:37,370 --> 00:09:38,899 And we thank you, God. 168 00:09:39,699 --> 00:09:43,170 We know that we have everything we have is because of your 169 00:09:43,170 --> 00:09:45,619 love and your generosity, God. 170 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:48,360 Help us now. 171 00:09:49,105 --> 00:09:54,255 To focus our minds and our hearts on you to set aside the worries 172 00:09:54,255 --> 00:09:56,675 and the distractions of life. 173 00:09:58,085 --> 00:10:02,085 And to just be with you for the next 30 minutes and listen to your scriptures. 174 00:10:03,214 --> 00:10:07,095 To be with you and give you our full attention. 175 00:10:07,885 --> 00:10:11,835 Help us to focus our minds and not multitask. 176 00:10:12,665 --> 00:10:16,865 But to think about you and to think about the words that you've written 177 00:10:16,865 --> 00:10:17,844 down that we're going to read. 178 00:10:18,825 --> 00:10:23,855 And to hear you and to see what you would have us see and to understand 179 00:10:24,075 --> 00:10:25,655 what you want us to understand. 180 00:10:26,215 --> 00:10:29,015 Please bless our time together now. 181 00:10:29,285 --> 00:10:33,615 Bless our Bible study as we study your word in Jesus name we pray. 182 00:10:33,775 --> 00:10:34,145 Amen. 183 00:10:35,565 --> 00:10:36,185 Amen. 184 00:10:36,345 --> 00:10:42,335 Um, some of you know, uh, that Michelle and I are involved here as 185 00:10:42,335 --> 00:10:47,805 well as a number of other leaders basically to help the region. 186 00:10:48,550 --> 00:10:49,570 To help OC. 187 00:10:50,130 --> 00:10:52,800 We were invited and asked by a number of members. 188 00:10:53,260 --> 00:10:55,430 We were invited and asked by the staff. 189 00:10:55,870 --> 00:10:58,680 To come and help you guys through some difficulties. 190 00:10:59,219 --> 00:11:03,109 Through some challenges that your church is facing right now. 191 00:11:03,790 --> 00:11:05,919 And they're pretty significant challenges. 192 00:11:06,249 --> 00:11:07,720 They're pretty intense things. 193 00:11:08,070 --> 00:11:10,670 And I understand and I'm very aware that even this morning 194 00:11:10,670 --> 00:11:12,370 I'm speaking to a wide range. 195 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:15,410 There's some people that are, Man, everything's awesome. 196 00:11:15,420 --> 00:11:15,929 The church is awesome. 197 00:11:15,929 --> 00:11:16,510 The leaders are awesome. 198 00:11:16,540 --> 00:11:17,230 Everything's awesome. 199 00:11:17,510 --> 00:11:18,260 What's the problem? 200 00:11:20,060 --> 00:11:24,980 And then there are some who are working through hurt, who are 201 00:11:24,980 --> 00:11:28,610 working through anger, who are working through frustration. 202 00:11:29,549 --> 00:11:35,370 There are some who feel hopeless and are trying to hang on, 203 00:11:35,390 --> 00:11:36,690 trying to grab on to something. 204 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:42,830 And there are some that feel very hopeful and are excited about the future. 205 00:11:43,830 --> 00:11:45,180 And so we're a mixed crowd. 206 00:11:45,180 --> 00:11:47,680 And so what do you do when you've got a whole bunch of different 207 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:51,860 people in different places, but you focus on Jesus and you focus on God 208 00:11:51,860 --> 00:11:56,019 because God will provide the answer for all of us, wherever we are. 209 00:11:56,020 --> 00:11:59,319 So this message, and I, I've been thinking, I'm praying about this 210 00:11:59,319 --> 00:12:03,250 for a while, and I've got about 12 messages, but we'll only do one. 211 00:12:03,250 --> 00:12:03,590 Don't worry. 212 00:12:03,590 --> 00:12:04,540 We'll only do one today. 213 00:12:09,359 --> 00:12:10,530 God loves his people. 214 00:12:12,510 --> 00:12:14,479 God loves us all warts and all. 215 00:12:15,780 --> 00:12:17,950 And He knows us. 216 00:12:19,380 --> 00:12:20,420 He knows our strengths. 217 00:12:20,420 --> 00:12:22,190 He knows our weaknesses. 218 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:25,790 The title of the sermon today is, uh, what is the title? 219 00:12:25,860 --> 00:12:26,670 It didn't come out there. 220 00:12:26,690 --> 00:12:27,380 Eyes and Ears. 221 00:12:27,380 --> 00:12:27,960 That's the title. 222 00:12:28,500 --> 00:12:29,560 That's the title of the sermon. 223 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:31,860 Eyes and Ears. 224 00:12:31,860 --> 00:12:35,300 And you'll see what I mean and you'll see why. 225 00:12:35,590 --> 00:12:36,740 So Mark chapter 8. 226 00:12:37,610 --> 00:12:39,850 The disciples have forgotten to bring bread. 227 00:12:39,860 --> 00:12:41,820 They just fed the 5, 000. 228 00:12:41,820 --> 00:12:42,540 Remember that scene? 229 00:12:44,630 --> 00:12:47,020 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread except for one loaf 230 00:12:47,020 --> 00:12:48,510 they had with them in the boat. 231 00:12:49,580 --> 00:12:52,770 Be careful, Jesus warned them. 232 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:57,809 Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod. 233 00:12:58,680 --> 00:13:03,040 They discussed this with one another and said, It's because we have no bread. 234 00:13:04,260 --> 00:13:08,210 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them, Why are you 235 00:13:08,210 --> 00:13:10,220 talking about having no bread? 236 00:13:11,090 --> 00:13:13,950 Do you still not see or understand? 237 00:13:14,670 --> 00:13:15,900 Are your hearts hardened? 238 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:20,720 Do you have eyes but fail to see and ears but fail to hear? 239 00:13:23,140 --> 00:13:25,600 This is one of those classic scenes in the scriptures. 240 00:13:26,869 --> 00:13:31,129 And this is, this, and this is quintessential example of Mark's gospel. 241 00:13:31,259 --> 00:13:33,679 Mark's is the raw gospel. 242 00:13:35,540 --> 00:13:38,140 And Mark, yeah, it's, it's, it's the real gospel. 243 00:13:38,140 --> 00:13:42,380 If you like raw and real and authentic, Mark is probably your favorite gospel. 244 00:13:43,550 --> 00:13:46,400 And I remember I was sitting in a class at Pepperdine when I was getting 245 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:47,849 my, my master's divinity there. 246 00:13:47,849 --> 00:13:52,929 And one of the professors was saying, Mark is the idiots gospel. 247 00:13:52,929 --> 00:13:55,040 And I was like, Whoa, can you say that? 248 00:13:55,070 --> 00:13:55,440 You know? 249 00:13:55,960 --> 00:13:59,210 And he says, because the apostles were idiots and Mark doesn't hide it at all. 250 00:14:00,410 --> 00:14:02,020 I was sitting there thinking, dude, you're going to get 251 00:14:02,020 --> 00:14:03,320 struck by lightning, you know. 252 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:07,830 But as I read, as I read through Mark, I'm like, man, he's right 253 00:14:07,830 --> 00:14:09,710 there, just blown it left and right. 254 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:22,579 I mean, here, Jesus sent by God to establish the kingdom of God, to help 255 00:14:22,579 --> 00:14:25,979 us learn, to help the people of God. 256 00:14:26,469 --> 00:14:28,489 He wasn't going to a bunch of non Christians. 257 00:14:29,380 --> 00:14:36,400 He was going to God's people, and it's really important that God's 258 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:38,850 people understand God's will. 259 00:14:40,140 --> 00:14:48,519 And so he was trying to teach God's people what they needed to understand about God. 260 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:50,710 He was trying to help them get God. 261 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:55,240 Trying to help them get good religion versus bad religion. 262 00:14:56,090 --> 00:14:59,620 Trying to help them get love versus legalism. 263 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:05,200 Trying to help them get faith versus worry and doubt and fear. 264 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:09,449 And so he tells them, be careful, Jesus warned them. 265 00:15:09,460 --> 00:15:12,979 Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod. 266 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:18,140 So we all know what the yeast of the Pharisees, hypocrisy. 267 00:15:19,210 --> 00:15:21,430 Making a religion about what's on the outside. 268 00:15:22,369 --> 00:15:23,790 About really understanding. 269 00:15:24,555 --> 00:15:25,885 The nature of God. 270 00:15:26,525 --> 00:15:29,695 About understanding the importance of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. 271 00:15:29,915 --> 00:15:32,065 All those things that Jesus taught. 272 00:15:32,664 --> 00:15:34,114 Understanding God's heart. 273 00:15:34,115 --> 00:15:35,715 It was a heart lesson. 274 00:15:37,265 --> 00:15:38,034 But where were they? 275 00:15:38,034 --> 00:15:40,035 Well, oh no, we forgot the bread. 276 00:15:41,205 --> 00:15:44,004 That's why he's talking to us about this. 277 00:15:44,974 --> 00:15:45,814 Were they getting it? 278 00:15:45,824 --> 00:15:47,314 No, they weren't getting it. 279 00:15:48,014 --> 00:15:49,864 They didn't understand what he was talking about. 280 00:15:50,884 --> 00:15:53,125 They discussed one another and said, It's because we have no bread. 281 00:15:53,695 --> 00:15:56,935 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them, Why are you 282 00:15:56,935 --> 00:15:58,285 talking about having no bread? 283 00:15:58,485 --> 00:16:00,555 And, and, and notice the way I'm reading it. 284 00:16:01,185 --> 00:16:03,145 Why are you talking about having no bread? 285 00:16:03,955 --> 00:16:06,084 Because I think that's probably the way he said it. 286 00:16:06,965 --> 00:16:08,544 He's like, Come on, guys. 287 00:16:09,465 --> 00:16:10,164 Wake up. 288 00:16:10,215 --> 00:16:10,984 Get it. 289 00:16:11,644 --> 00:16:14,614 Understand what's happening here. 290 00:16:15,514 --> 00:16:17,764 Understand the lesson I'm trying to teach. 291 00:16:17,764 --> 00:16:19,604 I'm trying to get you to see. 292 00:16:19,614 --> 00:16:21,644 He says, Are your hearts hardened? 293 00:16:22,125 --> 00:16:28,245 Do you have eyes but fail to see and ears but fail to see, to hear and understand? 294 00:16:29,615 --> 00:16:32,175 And this is a big theme in the scriptures. 295 00:16:33,745 --> 00:16:34,755 Eyes and ears. 296 00:16:36,325 --> 00:16:41,785 Seeing and understanding what God is doing and how He's working. 297 00:16:42,715 --> 00:16:45,375 Huge theme in the scriptures. 298 00:16:45,385 --> 00:16:47,415 I mean, He just lays it out. 299 00:16:47,415 --> 00:16:51,135 Do you have eyes but fail to see and ears? 300 00:16:52,035 --> 00:16:54,775 But fail to hear. 301 00:16:57,135 --> 00:17:03,525 Sometimes, Jesus would teach them, and then he'd put them through a situation. 302 00:17:03,675 --> 00:17:05,765 And this is actually right in the middle of what's called a 303 00:17:05,765 --> 00:17:07,575 pericope, a set of teachings. 304 00:17:08,375 --> 00:17:09,924 They're all over the Gospel of Mark. 305 00:17:09,925 --> 00:17:13,364 It's when he teaches something, then he does something, and then 306 00:17:13,364 --> 00:17:17,105 they talk about it, and it's like a little set to, to learn a lesson. 307 00:17:18,345 --> 00:17:21,135 So he teaches, and he talks a lot about eyes and ears. 308 00:17:21,694 --> 00:17:26,194 And then he goes off and he heals people and then he challenges 309 00:17:26,194 --> 00:17:27,665 them about, do you get it? 310 00:17:28,473 --> 00:17:30,215 Do you understand what's happening here? 311 00:17:31,205 --> 00:17:32,225 'cause it's a big deal. 312 00:17:32,225 --> 00:17:36,935 So we keep reading Mark chapter eight, and he tells him, he says, don't you 313 00:17:36,935 --> 00:17:39,365 remember when I broke the five loaves? 314 00:17:39,370 --> 00:17:40,385 Of the 5,000? 315 00:17:40,595 --> 00:17:43,565 How many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? 316 00:17:43,895 --> 00:17:44,285 12. 317 00:17:44,285 --> 00:17:49,075 They replied, And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many 318 00:17:49,105 --> 00:17:51,275 basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? 319 00:17:51,645 --> 00:17:52,865 They answered, seven. 320 00:17:53,375 --> 00:17:56,205 He said to them, do you still not understand? 321 00:17:57,705 --> 00:17:59,215 Do you still not get this? 322 00:17:59,985 --> 00:18:01,905 Do you still not understand what's happening? 323 00:18:02,054 --> 00:18:04,004 And it wasn't because they were dumb. 324 00:18:06,034 --> 00:18:08,375 It's because sometimes it's hard to understand. 325 00:18:09,955 --> 00:18:11,505 Sometimes it's hard to get it. 326 00:18:11,515 --> 00:18:13,205 Wait, what is God doing? 327 00:18:14,165 --> 00:18:15,515 , why is this happening? 328 00:18:15,725 --> 00:18:16,955 What is he saying? 329 00:18:17,315 --> 00:18:18,905 What does he mean by that? 330 00:18:19,685 --> 00:18:21,065 And he had tested them. 331 00:18:21,065 --> 00:18:22,055 You remember the test? 332 00:18:22,595 --> 00:18:24,785 Well, we only got a couple piece of fish and a couple of loaves. 333 00:18:24,875 --> 00:18:27,815 We, we need to go down to Rubio's or Baja Fish tacos. 334 00:18:27,820 --> 00:18:29,165 We gotta get a lot more than this. 335 00:18:31,025 --> 00:18:32,525 And he said, you feed them. 336 00:18:32,765 --> 00:18:34,655 Wait a second, Jesus, come on. 337 00:18:36,005 --> 00:18:36,695 What do you, what do you? 338 00:18:37,865 --> 00:18:42,215 And I love the fact that he made them go and pick up the leftovers and there were. 339 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:43,440 How many baskets? 340 00:18:44,060 --> 00:18:45,950 Twelve baskets of leftovers. 341 00:18:46,310 --> 00:18:49,650 So everybody had to pick up a basket of leftovers. 342 00:18:52,150 --> 00:18:55,070 The lesson of faith. 343 00:18:56,800 --> 00:18:57,990 But they still didn't get it. 344 00:18:58,919 --> 00:19:00,719 They still didn't get it. 345 00:19:01,919 --> 00:19:06,230 Because sometimes, it really is hard to understand. 346 00:19:07,490 --> 00:19:08,590 Why is this happening? 347 00:19:08,610 --> 00:19:12,090 And you need to remember, if you're, you know, if you're If you're in 348 00:19:12,090 --> 00:19:15,020 that state, if you're in the group of everything's awesome, it's great, 349 00:19:15,020 --> 00:19:17,159 love the church, love the leader, I love everything, what's the problem? 350 00:19:17,929 --> 00:19:19,090 Just remember that lesson. 351 00:19:20,419 --> 00:19:21,149 Cause it'll happen. 352 00:19:22,350 --> 00:19:23,069 It'll come around. 353 00:19:25,020 --> 00:19:27,460 And the question is always, do you get it? 354 00:19:28,770 --> 00:19:31,389 Do you understand what's happening? 355 00:19:31,389 --> 00:19:33,559 What about when we're suffering? 356 00:19:34,429 --> 00:19:36,679 When we have to carry our cross? 357 00:19:37,799 --> 00:19:39,999 When we're going through hardship? 358 00:19:41,525 --> 00:19:45,885 When we're being disciplined, do we get it? 359 00:19:46,555 --> 00:19:51,455 When we're in a challenging time, when things are tough, when we're in need, 360 00:19:51,465 --> 00:19:57,004 when we're hungry, when we're thirsty, when we feel challenged, when people get 361 00:19:57,024 --> 00:20:02,795 angry, when people are angry at us, when our wife is angry at us, do we get it? 362 00:20:03,585 --> 00:20:05,424 I remember I was talking to a brother and he said, he said, 363 00:20:05,425 --> 00:20:06,905 why is she always crying? 364 00:20:08,104 --> 00:20:09,445 I said, you know, that's a really good question. 365 00:20:10,614 --> 00:20:11,915 Maybe we should think about that one. 366 00:20:13,475 --> 00:20:14,615 Why is she crying? 367 00:20:15,475 --> 00:20:17,995 Hey, maybe we learned something there. 368 00:20:19,435 --> 00:20:20,164 Do we get it? 369 00:20:21,995 --> 00:20:26,264 When I'm hurt, when I hurt somebody, do I get it? 370 00:20:27,705 --> 00:20:31,475 When my son tells me he's hurt, do I get it? 371 00:20:32,685 --> 00:20:33,825 What that means. 372 00:20:34,735 --> 00:20:38,615 When I'm feeling discouraged, or people are discouraged. 373 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:40,510 Or I see tears. 374 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:43,530 Do I take the time to make sure I get it? 375 00:20:44,610 --> 00:20:46,510 That I learn what I need to learn here? 376 00:20:47,269 --> 00:20:50,310 When there's sadness, when there's frustration, when we're going 377 00:20:50,310 --> 00:20:53,869 through times of testing, which is all over scripture, right? 378 00:20:55,210 --> 00:20:58,860 I mean, if there's anything you see in scriptures, lots of tests, lots of 379 00:20:58,860 --> 00:21:06,800 failures, lots of blow its and lots of grace and lots of mercy and lots of love. 380 00:21:07,710 --> 00:21:08,509 And I can't. 381 00:21:08,970 --> 00:21:10,180 Make other people get it. 382 00:21:10,980 --> 00:21:12,090 I gotta make sure I get it. 383 00:21:13,070 --> 00:21:16,480 I gotta make sure I get what God is trying to show me. 384 00:21:17,130 --> 00:21:18,970 What Jesus is trying to teach me. 385 00:21:19,449 --> 00:21:20,400 I'm a leader. 386 00:21:21,819 --> 00:21:24,370 I'm, I'm held double accountability. 387 00:21:25,500 --> 00:21:27,860 Because what I don't get hurts people. 388 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:31,120 And I gotta get it. 389 00:21:32,510 --> 00:21:36,060 And there's changes that leaders have to be able to get. 390 00:21:37,055 --> 00:21:38,215 So pray for your leaders. 391 00:21:38,215 --> 00:21:40,155 You gotta pray for the staff to get it. 392 00:21:41,245 --> 00:21:42,945 You gotta pray for the MLC to get it. 393 00:21:42,945 --> 00:21:45,635 The MLC is sending in a team to help the region. 394 00:21:45,764 --> 00:21:46,964 We better get it. 395 00:21:48,025 --> 00:21:48,975 I better get it. 396 00:21:50,025 --> 00:21:51,985 God's gonna hold me accountable to getting it. 397 00:21:53,264 --> 00:21:55,775 To seeing and understanding. 398 00:21:55,775 --> 00:22:00,265 To hearing, listening, perceiving, and understanding. 399 00:22:01,605 --> 00:22:03,335 We all have to get it, because you know what? 400 00:22:03,345 --> 00:22:04,085 Here's the crazy thing. 401 00:22:04,315 --> 00:22:06,145 We're all in some position of leadership. 402 00:22:07,185 --> 00:22:08,465 Some of us at work, we're leaders. 403 00:22:08,465 --> 00:22:09,925 Some of us at home, we're the leader. 404 00:22:11,365 --> 00:22:14,004 Some of us, you know, those little people running around, eating all your food. 405 00:22:14,365 --> 00:22:15,525 You're their leader. 406 00:22:18,884 --> 00:22:20,064 And are you getting it? 407 00:22:21,714 --> 00:22:26,004 Do you understand how to do things the right way? 408 00:22:27,205 --> 00:22:30,294 And when you mess up and blow it, do you, are you humble enough? 409 00:22:31,375 --> 00:22:35,764 To stop questioning yourself and get it as leaders, right? 410 00:22:35,764 --> 00:22:39,054 But all of us, you know, as husbands, husbands, do you get it? 411 00:22:40,524 --> 00:22:41,375 Do you get it? 412 00:22:42,595 --> 00:22:43,945 I don't know why she's so grouchy. 413 00:22:44,565 --> 00:22:45,495 Maybe you ought to find out. 414 00:22:47,895 --> 00:22:49,074 Do you get it? 415 00:22:50,804 --> 00:22:54,225 As parents, it's easy to get it when they're little. 416 00:22:54,225 --> 00:22:55,585 You just pick them up and take them. 417 00:22:57,465 --> 00:23:01,695 But when they start becoming as big as you, And they start questioning 418 00:23:01,695 --> 00:23:06,875 you and challenging your authority and questioning your philosophy of 419 00:23:06,875 --> 00:23:08,504 life and your philosophy of family. 420 00:23:09,445 --> 00:23:13,095 Oh, then we get really challenged. 421 00:23:13,975 --> 00:23:14,754 Do we get it? 422 00:23:16,084 --> 00:23:18,084 Yeah, we, we had three kids. 423 00:23:18,225 --> 00:23:19,414 They're adults now. 424 00:23:19,414 --> 00:23:23,524 Thankfully, we're at a pretty cool stage where we just enjoy being together. 425 00:23:23,534 --> 00:23:25,284 But boy, we had some rough years. 426 00:23:27,465 --> 00:23:29,225 And you know who had to grow the most? 427 00:23:30,125 --> 00:23:30,695 Me. 428 00:23:31,845 --> 00:23:32,375 Me. 429 00:23:34,235 --> 00:23:38,415 People say, oh, we're going to do a class on how to help you deal with teenagers. 430 00:23:39,005 --> 00:23:41,875 We're going to do a class on how to help you deal with your parents. 431 00:23:45,745 --> 00:23:47,194 How to help parents get it. 432 00:23:48,754 --> 00:23:49,504 Child. 433 00:23:51,004 --> 00:23:51,794 Child. 434 00:23:52,364 --> 00:23:53,514 Does the child get it? 435 00:23:54,014 --> 00:23:55,804 Usually not when they're children. 436 00:23:55,814 --> 00:23:57,034 Not when they're teens. 437 00:23:57,064 --> 00:23:57,834 Definitely not. 438 00:23:59,725 --> 00:24:04,685 And they begin to get it in their twenties and then they have kids and 439 00:24:04,685 --> 00:24:07,834 then their kids start challenging them and then they start to get it. 440 00:24:08,915 --> 00:24:13,345 They're like, Oh, I guess dad wasn't as stupid as we thought. 441 00:24:16,414 --> 00:24:20,045 We're, we're, we're moving into that stage where our parents, our kids 442 00:24:20,045 --> 00:24:25,105 are, are appreciating us more and more and we're just enjoying it. 443 00:24:25,125 --> 00:24:26,504 But we went through rough times. 444 00:24:26,535 --> 00:24:27,025 Let me tell you. 445 00:24:28,870 --> 00:24:29,610 Rough times. 446 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:30,770 And we had the full spectrum. 447 00:24:30,780 --> 00:24:33,280 We're not one of those families where every kid leads a church that 448 00:24:33,290 --> 00:24:34,870 baptized a thousand people last week. 449 00:24:35,360 --> 00:24:37,260 No, we, we had our ups and downs. 450 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:41,179 We had one kid that became very difficult as a teen. 451 00:24:41,260 --> 00:24:42,110 Extremely difficult. 452 00:24:42,329 --> 00:24:45,980 I was ready to buy a one way ticket to Mexico and send her to my family's ranch. 453 00:24:46,860 --> 00:24:48,290 Say, hey, I'm gonna work it out of her. 454 00:24:51,250 --> 00:24:53,400 And that kid got it. 455 00:24:53,410 --> 00:24:56,600 She's, she's, she's leading a church now. 456 00:24:57,380 --> 00:24:58,960 But boy, was she hard for a while. 457 00:25:00,180 --> 00:25:01,960 We had another one that was the compliant kid. 458 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:02,830 Yeah, okay, great. 459 00:25:02,830 --> 00:25:03,400 Do this, do that. 460 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:04,210 Yeah, okay, I'll go. 461 00:25:04,350 --> 00:25:05,159 Go to that country? 462 00:25:05,160 --> 00:25:05,780 Okay, yeah. 463 00:25:05,970 --> 00:25:06,660 Sign up for that? 464 00:25:06,660 --> 00:25:07,320 Yeah, I'll go. 465 00:25:08,380 --> 00:25:09,460 And then she hit a wall. 466 00:25:11,269 --> 00:25:12,700 And said, Dad, Mom, I'm out. 467 00:25:14,190 --> 00:25:14,930 I don't want to go to church. 468 00:25:14,930 --> 00:25:15,849 I don't want to do any of this. 469 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:18,030 But she had to work through it. 470 00:25:19,910 --> 00:25:20,730 We had to learn. 471 00:25:22,120 --> 00:25:23,920 Michelle and I had to learn what love is. 472 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:26,410 And she got it. 473 00:25:27,780 --> 00:25:29,510 Still working on her dream, but she got it. 474 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:30,470 She came back to God. 475 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,490 And then right after that, our son, who was the superstar in the church, 476 00:25:35,250 --> 00:25:39,190 baptizing everybody, organizing everything, inspiring everybody, 477 00:25:39,769 --> 00:25:41,320 offered internships everywhere. 478 00:25:42,340 --> 00:25:43,270 And he hit a wall. 479 00:25:43,489 --> 00:25:44,429 He said, Dad, I'm out. 480 00:25:46,309 --> 00:25:47,619 I don't, I don't like this group. 481 00:25:48,649 --> 00:25:49,439 You guys are weird. 482 00:25:53,179 --> 00:25:53,919 And you know what? 483 00:25:53,919 --> 00:25:57,099 We have a fantastic relationship with all our kids. 484 00:25:58,225 --> 00:26:01,405 And he's still on his journey, which, by the way, we're all 485 00:26:01,405 --> 00:26:02,985 still on our journey, right? 486 00:26:03,335 --> 00:26:05,165 Not him, not just him, all of us. 487 00:26:06,305 --> 00:26:07,175 And he's working it out. 488 00:26:08,765 --> 00:26:12,075 But you know, in every one of those situations, Michelle and I had to get it. 489 00:26:13,015 --> 00:26:13,875 We had to learn. 490 00:26:14,674 --> 00:26:15,804 And they had to get it, too. 491 00:26:16,785 --> 00:26:18,395 They had to come to understand some things. 492 00:26:18,945 --> 00:26:22,195 Disciples of Jesus, boy, there's a lot to get. 493 00:26:23,325 --> 00:26:24,255 There's a lot to learn. 494 00:26:25,899 --> 00:26:26,970 There's a lot to discover. 495 00:26:26,970 --> 00:26:27,850 There's a lot to challenge. 496 00:26:27,879 --> 00:26:29,449 There's a lot of challenges to face. 497 00:26:29,470 --> 00:26:31,740 Okay, what, where am I at? 498 00:26:32,379 --> 00:26:33,709 How am I dealing with that verse? 499 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:37,050 It's easy to get it when everything's hunky dory going great. 500 00:26:39,269 --> 00:26:41,159 What happens when you have a conflict with a leader? 501 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:44,149 What happens when your roommate really hurts you? 502 00:26:45,100 --> 00:26:47,699 What happens when somebody blows the confidence you had 503 00:26:48,120 --> 00:26:49,189 in sharing things with them? 504 00:26:50,385 --> 00:26:51,554 And you get deeply here. 505 00:26:51,705 --> 00:26:53,245 Yeah, I've been Christian 40 years. 506 00:26:53,264 --> 00:26:55,574 I got more wounds in the church than outside the church. 507 00:26:59,085 --> 00:27:00,895 So, questions do I get? 508 00:27:00,895 --> 00:27:04,435 I mean, I've had times where I've said, God, what were you thinking? 509 00:27:04,865 --> 00:27:08,025 Creating a church and putting people to run it. 510 00:27:08,025 --> 00:27:09,315 I mean, are you serious? 511 00:27:10,355 --> 00:27:11,555 You know us. 512 00:27:12,440 --> 00:27:14,810 Why not just send angels to run the church? 513 00:27:15,340 --> 00:27:19,110 Then if somebody's really bad and being in trouble, they, bam, zap 514 00:27:19,120 --> 00:27:20,000 them, that's it, they're done. 515 00:27:23,270 --> 00:27:29,190 And yet, he still established the church. 516 00:27:31,390 --> 00:27:33,250 And you think, well, but the church is not supposed to have these problems. 517 00:27:33,510 --> 00:27:35,620 Look at your Bible, read the, read the letters. 518 00:27:36,700 --> 00:27:37,780 Every church was full of problems. 519 00:27:37,820 --> 00:27:40,020 So there must be some lesson in there. 520 00:27:41,255 --> 00:27:43,945 Well, how do I deal with sinful people, which by the way, I'm 521 00:27:43,945 --> 00:27:48,695 one of them, but it's, it's, I'm telling you, it's not easy. 522 00:27:50,025 --> 00:27:50,464 It's hard. 523 00:27:50,464 --> 00:27:53,225 I have a lot of compassion who people feel when people feel fed up. 524 00:27:53,245 --> 00:27:54,104 I get it. 525 00:27:55,775 --> 00:27:56,725 I have a lot of compassion. 526 00:27:57,694 --> 00:28:00,225 Even when people, some people are like, I need to take a break. 527 00:28:00,225 --> 00:28:02,215 I just, all right, dude, you go do that. 528 00:28:02,215 --> 00:28:03,045 Just don't leave the Lord. 529 00:28:03,045 --> 00:28:03,405 Okay. 530 00:28:04,605 --> 00:28:09,545 Just go spend some time with God and rebuild your faith. 531 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:13,999 And do whatever you got to do to thrive spiritually. 532 00:28:15,010 --> 00:28:18,059 But meanwhile, I'm going to do everything I can to help the church get it. 533 00:28:19,530 --> 00:28:23,179 And make the changes that it needs to make. 534 00:28:23,519 --> 00:28:24,489 So we keep reading. 535 00:28:24,530 --> 00:28:25,249 Let's keep reading. 536 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:31,010 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man 537 00:28:31,510 --> 00:28:33,310 and begged Jesus to touch him. 538 00:28:34,229 --> 00:28:37,090 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. 539 00:28:37,659 --> 00:28:40,699 When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, 540 00:28:41,030 --> 00:28:43,679 Jesus asks, Do you see anything? 541 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:45,830 Normally he never asks this, but he did this time. 542 00:28:46,489 --> 00:28:47,350 Do you see anything? 543 00:28:47,870 --> 00:28:52,550 He looked up and said, I see people, but they look like trees walking around. 544 00:28:53,999 --> 00:28:56,329 Once more Jesus put his hand on the man's eyes. 545 00:28:57,139 --> 00:29:02,649 Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 546 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:07,720 I, for years, I was like, what happened there? 547 00:29:08,420 --> 00:29:10,530 Was Jesus having a bad day? 548 00:29:10,810 --> 00:29:14,030 Was he, was he like running on low or running on empty and he didn't 549 00:29:14,030 --> 00:29:15,400 recharge his battery that morning? 550 00:29:15,529 --> 00:29:18,980 Maybe he didn't have a quiet time that morning, you know, what, what, what 551 00:29:18,980 --> 00:29:22,169 happened that it took a second touch? 552 00:29:23,069 --> 00:29:27,560 But as I've gotten older in the faith, I realized, you know, sometimes you 553 00:29:27,560 --> 00:29:28,910 just don't see it the first time. 554 00:29:30,825 --> 00:29:33,185 Sometimes it takes a little more Jesus. 555 00:29:34,875 --> 00:29:37,044 Sometimes it takes a second touch. 556 00:29:37,995 --> 00:29:40,075 Maybe a third, maybe a fourth, maybe a fifth. 557 00:29:41,175 --> 00:29:44,844 Before we begin to see things clearly. 558 00:29:46,905 --> 00:29:47,485 Clearly. 559 00:29:48,454 --> 00:29:50,034 It's hard at first. 560 00:29:51,115 --> 00:29:52,135 It's not easy. 561 00:29:52,855 --> 00:29:56,254 Obviously, it wasn't that Jesus was weak that day. 562 00:29:56,655 --> 00:29:58,044 Or running low on power. 563 00:29:58,855 --> 00:30:02,605 Jesus had the power, and you, and you just, even the fact that he asked 564 00:30:02,605 --> 00:30:06,885 him, what do you see, says that Jesus knew exactly what was happening. 565 00:30:08,535 --> 00:30:11,595 He knew we're not all going to get it the first time. 566 00:30:13,125 --> 00:30:14,335 It's going to take a while. 567 00:30:15,125 --> 00:30:21,285 It's, it's going to take some second, maybe third touches, maybe fourth touches. 568 00:30:21,285 --> 00:30:23,125 And some of us will get it quicker than others. 569 00:30:24,005 --> 00:30:26,065 And some of us won't get it to the last minute. 570 00:30:28,750 --> 00:30:31,630 And it's hard because when we get it quickly, we want everybody else to get it. 571 00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:33,640 Hey you, get it. 572 00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:34,760 I got it. 573 00:30:34,780 --> 00:30:35,580 What's your problem? 574 00:30:40,570 --> 00:30:42,230 That's how we are, right? 575 00:30:44,330 --> 00:30:45,060 That's how we are. 576 00:30:45,240 --> 00:30:45,920 Let's keep reading. 577 00:30:47,060 --> 00:30:51,479 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. 578 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:53,880 On the way, he asked them, who do people say I am? 579 00:30:54,650 --> 00:30:57,250 And they replied, some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and 580 00:30:57,250 --> 00:30:59,260 still others, one of the prophets. 581 00:31:00,495 --> 00:31:01,395 But what about you? 582 00:31:01,405 --> 00:31:02,105 He asked. 583 00:31:02,915 --> 00:31:04,295 Who do you say I am? 584 00:31:05,165 --> 00:31:08,265 And Peter answered, You are the Messiah. 585 00:31:10,025 --> 00:31:13,045 This is one of those very powerful moments. 586 00:31:14,405 --> 00:31:15,625 Very powerful moment. 587 00:31:16,045 --> 00:31:18,755 And the interesting thing is, Mark only tells us a little bit of it. 588 00:31:18,755 --> 00:31:21,835 If you want to know more about what happened, you got to go to Matthew. 589 00:31:22,385 --> 00:31:23,345 He's got more details. 590 00:31:23,355 --> 00:31:25,165 Matthew generally puts more details in there. 591 00:31:27,375 --> 00:31:28,755 Some really important details here. 592 00:31:29,550 --> 00:31:31,140 So they go to Caesarea Philippi. 593 00:31:31,150 --> 00:31:32,670 He says, who do they say I am? 594 00:31:34,020 --> 00:31:35,110 And he says, what about you? 595 00:31:35,390 --> 00:31:36,220 Who do you say I am? 596 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:37,560 Simon Peter. 597 00:31:38,260 --> 00:31:39,220 We're talking about Peter. 598 00:31:39,860 --> 00:31:40,910 You guys know Peter, right? 599 00:31:41,300 --> 00:31:42,150 You saw The Chosen. 600 00:31:42,160 --> 00:31:42,870 You know who Peter is. 601 00:31:45,160 --> 00:31:48,120 He's, he's not always the first to get it. 602 00:31:50,590 --> 00:31:52,800 He's not necessarily the sharpest tool in the shed. 603 00:31:54,410 --> 00:31:57,840 But this time, he got it. 604 00:31:58,900 --> 00:31:59,920 He says, you're the Messiah. 605 00:32:00,450 --> 00:32:03,180 The Son of the Living God. 606 00:32:04,720 --> 00:32:06,530 I bet Jesus took a double take. 607 00:32:06,530 --> 00:32:08,360 He probably like, Peter? 608 00:32:09,660 --> 00:32:11,710 Whoa, you had a good quiet time this morning. 609 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:16,490 He replied, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. 610 00:32:17,490 --> 00:32:20,340 For this was, And I love even that he doesn't call him Peter this time. 611 00:32:21,890 --> 00:32:23,910 He, he, he calls him Simon again. 612 00:32:24,580 --> 00:32:26,120 For this was not revealed to you by my flesh. 613 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:30,540 He's about to give him the name but, So he says, This was not 614 00:32:30,540 --> 00:32:32,860 revealed to you by flesh and blood. 615 00:32:33,950 --> 00:32:35,080 It wasn't your human effort. 616 00:32:36,100 --> 00:32:38,600 But by my Father in Heaven. 617 00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:41,510 And I tell you that you are Peter. 618 00:32:42,950 --> 00:32:46,750 And on this rock, I will build my church and the gates of 619 00:32:46,750 --> 00:32:47,870 Hades will not overcome it. 620 00:32:49,410 --> 00:32:51,530 This is your Peter and you're going to be the first Pope. 621 00:32:51,600 --> 00:32:52,480 No, he didn't say that. 622 00:32:55,180 --> 00:32:56,200 He said on this rock. 623 00:32:56,210 --> 00:32:56,720 What rock? 624 00:32:56,750 --> 00:32:58,030 That Jesus is the Messiah. 625 00:32:59,755 --> 00:33:02,365 That He is the Savior. 626 00:33:04,175 --> 00:33:06,815 But, hey, it was a very encouraging moment for Peter. 627 00:33:08,575 --> 00:33:09,785 It was a very encouraging moment. 628 00:33:09,785 --> 00:33:10,555 He says, you know what? 629 00:33:11,745 --> 00:33:13,335 You got this from God. 630 00:33:15,195 --> 00:33:16,295 You got it from God. 631 00:33:16,315 --> 00:33:18,835 And that's where we all get it from. 632 00:33:19,975 --> 00:33:20,715 From God. 633 00:33:21,445 --> 00:33:24,485 If we take the time to listen. 634 00:33:25,935 --> 00:33:31,425 If we take the time to look and to perceive, if we put our effort into 635 00:33:31,465 --> 00:33:36,885 understanding, and don't assume we got it already, and don't assume 636 00:33:36,885 --> 00:33:41,045 we understand everything, and don't assume we're, we're, we're okay, 637 00:33:42,055 --> 00:33:48,815 but keep that open, hungry heart, no matter what we may think is going on. 638 00:33:49,315 --> 00:33:50,215 He got it. 639 00:33:51,195 --> 00:33:51,955 Yay, Peter. 640 00:33:52,885 --> 00:33:53,635 Yay, Peter. 641 00:33:56,115 --> 00:33:58,055 This is you, the Messiah, Jesus replied. 642 00:33:58,695 --> 00:34:02,585 It wasn't by human flesh you figured this out, God told you this. 643 00:34:02,645 --> 00:34:03,515 And you were listening. 644 00:34:04,325 --> 00:34:08,965 Verse 21, From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must 645 00:34:08,965 --> 00:34:10,655 go to Jerusalem and suffer many things. 646 00:34:11,005 --> 00:34:13,304 He's trying to get them to understand how this is all going to work. 647 00:34:15,380 --> 00:34:18,500 He says, You must suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief 648 00:34:18,510 --> 00:34:21,909 priests, and the teachers of the law, and then he must be killed, and on 649 00:34:21,909 --> 00:34:23,679 the third day he'd be raised to life. 650 00:34:23,679 --> 00:34:25,409 He's explaining the whole plan. 651 00:34:25,429 --> 00:34:27,239 We always want to know, what's the plan? 652 00:34:28,360 --> 00:34:30,260 And Jesus is explaining the plan. 653 00:34:31,219 --> 00:34:33,540 But Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 654 00:34:33,670 --> 00:34:35,150 Never, Lord, he said. 655 00:34:35,480 --> 00:34:37,310 This shall never happen to you. 656 00:34:37,320 --> 00:34:39,310 Uh oh. 657 00:34:40,310 --> 00:34:42,300 Very dangerous trying to disciple Jesus. 658 00:34:43,639 --> 00:34:46,909 Then Jesus turned and said to Peter, get behind me, Satan. 659 00:34:48,870 --> 00:34:53,510 You are a stumbling block to me, and you do not have in mind the concerns 660 00:34:53,510 --> 00:34:56,020 of God, but merely human concerns. 661 00:34:57,440 --> 00:34:58,030 Whoa. 662 00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:02,060 I don't know how you would feel if Jesus told you that. 663 00:35:02,060 --> 00:35:03,850 I think I would just drop dead right there. 664 00:35:05,160 --> 00:35:06,450 If Jesus called me Satan. 665 00:35:09,845 --> 00:35:13,165 I mean, man, he just got the biggest compliment. 666 00:35:13,275 --> 00:35:15,715 He just got held up in front of everybody. 667 00:35:15,815 --> 00:35:16,935 What a great job. 668 00:35:17,005 --> 00:35:18,165 What a great victory. 669 00:35:20,325 --> 00:35:21,405 And then he blows it. 670 00:35:23,465 --> 00:35:25,295 But it's an understandable blow it. 671 00:35:26,975 --> 00:35:28,725 He loves Jesus. 672 00:35:29,895 --> 00:35:31,525 He's like, Jesus, that can't happen to you. 673 00:35:32,205 --> 00:35:33,995 I'm not gonna let that happen to you. 674 00:35:35,345 --> 00:35:38,135 And, and, you know, Peter's a fairly emotional guy. 675 00:35:39,045 --> 00:35:42,345 No way we'll fight to the end. 676 00:35:42,985 --> 00:35:45,215 You remember, Peter's the one that cut the guy's ear off, right? 677 00:35:48,175 --> 00:35:53,265 Instead of thinking, Is this God's will? 678 00:35:54,615 --> 00:35:55,915 And what is God doing here? 679 00:35:57,795 --> 00:35:59,175 What is God showing me? 680 00:36:01,395 --> 00:36:04,535 That's a very important question. 681 00:36:04,915 --> 00:36:10,335 And he says, You do not have in mind the things of God, But merely 682 00:36:10,740 --> 00:36:18,220 Human concerns, you're thinking like a human, which is natural, right? 683 00:36:18,220 --> 00:36:19,090 Why aren't we humans? 684 00:36:20,020 --> 00:36:26,470 But we're called to think like God to see things from his perspective. 685 00:36:26,490 --> 00:36:30,120 That's what getting it is. 686 00:36:30,120 --> 00:36:31,660 That's the challenge for every one of us. 687 00:36:32,380 --> 00:36:35,340 I'm not preaching at a group or at a person or a few people. 688 00:36:35,360 --> 00:36:38,610 I'm preaching all of us because this is all of our challenge. 689 00:36:39,675 --> 00:36:42,395 To not give in to our human emotion. 690 00:36:43,305 --> 00:36:44,955 To not act like humans. 691 00:36:45,985 --> 00:36:47,825 Act like godly people. 692 00:36:49,385 --> 00:36:52,135 Handle things the way God would handle them. 693 00:36:52,135 --> 00:36:52,595 I mean, they... 694 00:36:53,295 --> 00:36:54,165 It was hard, guys. 695 00:36:54,165 --> 00:36:54,865 It was hard. 696 00:36:54,865 --> 00:36:55,275 Poor Peter. 697 00:36:55,325 --> 00:36:56,405 It was tough. 698 00:36:56,835 --> 00:36:58,185 Walking around with Jesus and 699 00:37:01,225 --> 00:37:01,295 getting it. 700 00:37:01,295 --> 00:37:03,585 Remember when he was washing feet and Peter was like, No, 701 00:37:03,585 --> 00:37:04,845 Lord, don't wash my feet. 702 00:37:06,150 --> 00:37:07,520 And Jesus said, then I have no part with you. 703 00:37:07,580 --> 00:37:09,370 Oh, in that case, wash me, the whole thing. 704 00:37:10,070 --> 00:37:11,320 Give me a full car wash. 705 00:37:13,750 --> 00:37:16,110 And it's, it's just, sometimes it's hard to get it. 706 00:37:16,820 --> 00:37:18,290 And I don't think Peter had a bad heart. 707 00:37:18,290 --> 00:37:21,570 I think Peter was like, oh, I don't deserve to have you wash my feet, Jesus. 708 00:37:21,950 --> 00:37:22,920 So you can't do that. 709 00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:25,530 And Peter's like, there you go, and Jesus was like, there you 710 00:37:25,530 --> 00:37:26,960 go again, thinking like a human. 711 00:37:29,120 --> 00:37:30,280 Think like God. 712 00:37:31,360 --> 00:37:32,650 Dying with Jesus. 713 00:37:33,360 --> 00:37:34,800 Oh, you're not going to die, Jesus. 714 00:37:34,910 --> 00:37:36,230 We're going to all die with you. 715 00:37:36,340 --> 00:37:38,460 And then he denies him three times. 716 00:37:39,530 --> 00:37:40,350 So I don't know the guy. 717 00:37:41,380 --> 00:37:42,340 Never met that dude. 718 00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:44,500 Three times. 719 00:37:46,850 --> 00:37:48,620 And Peter, he doesn't have a bad heart. 720 00:37:48,630 --> 00:37:50,480 He's, he's pretty ashamed. 721 00:37:51,390 --> 00:37:53,280 And Jesus has to come and restore him. 722 00:37:54,970 --> 00:37:58,420 Bring him back in because Peter was feeling pretty lousy. 723 00:38:00,090 --> 00:38:01,050 Because it takes him so long. 724 00:38:01,060 --> 00:38:02,510 Sometimes it's frustrating not getting it. 725 00:38:04,520 --> 00:38:09,910 And you know, Peter, bless his heart, he gets to stand up and 726 00:38:09,930 --> 00:38:12,110 do the Acts 2 sermon, right? 727 00:38:12,630 --> 00:38:16,150 In the last days, quoting Joel, and my spirit will be poured 728 00:38:16,150 --> 00:38:18,570 out on all people, all nations. 729 00:38:19,640 --> 00:38:20,850 In other words, not just Jews. 730 00:38:21,810 --> 00:38:23,890 Men and women, not just males. 731 00:38:24,510 --> 00:38:27,000 Young and old, not just male Jews, over 30. 732 00:38:27,230 --> 00:38:28,120 Everybody! 733 00:38:28,900 --> 00:38:29,850 Everybody! 734 00:38:30,920 --> 00:38:36,210 He opens the door, the universal gospel, the, the talk about, um, diversity. 735 00:38:36,220 --> 00:38:39,610 I mean, this is, this is, Jesus was the original diversity guy. 736 00:38:39,620 --> 00:38:42,930 Just bringing everybody, unleashing the Holy spirit on everybody. 737 00:38:43,090 --> 00:38:44,860 You don't have to be a male Jew over 30. 738 00:38:44,970 --> 00:38:46,760 You can be from any background. 739 00:38:46,810 --> 00:38:48,280 And Oh, what an incredible message. 740 00:38:48,280 --> 00:38:53,170 Gee, Peter preached that message and then wouldn't go in the house of a Gentile. 741 00:38:55,400 --> 00:38:58,830 Jesus told them, you will preach the gospel. 742 00:38:59,490 --> 00:39:03,730 In Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, to the ends of the earth. 743 00:39:04,070 --> 00:39:07,710 Go take this gospel and make disciples of what? 744 00:39:07,750 --> 00:39:08,850 All nations. 745 00:39:08,890 --> 00:39:10,170 Panta ta ethne. 746 00:39:10,170 --> 00:39:11,700 Where we get the word ethnicity. 747 00:39:12,090 --> 00:39:14,490 To all people from every race and background. 748 00:39:14,670 --> 00:39:15,760 What did the apostles do? 749 00:39:15,890 --> 00:39:17,210 They all hung out in Jerusalem. 750 00:39:18,700 --> 00:39:22,030 It took God sending a persecution to get them out of Jerusalem. 751 00:39:22,390 --> 00:39:25,780 And then even then it says everybody went except the leaders. 752 00:39:26,660 --> 00:39:27,280 Like what the? 753 00:39:29,330 --> 00:39:30,330 Still not getting it. 754 00:39:31,030 --> 00:39:33,080 And God had to send visions. 755 00:39:33,550 --> 00:39:36,120 You know, the whole thing with the animals coming down on the sheet and all that. 756 00:39:36,120 --> 00:39:38,540 Just to get Peter to get it. 757 00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:43,160 To understand, Dude, this is for everybody. 758 00:39:44,820 --> 00:39:47,220 And, and Peter is not a bad guy. 759 00:39:48,030 --> 00:39:48,830 He's a good guy. 760 00:39:49,550 --> 00:39:50,390 Just took him a while. 761 00:39:53,150 --> 00:39:53,990 All of us. 762 00:39:54,830 --> 00:39:55,750 It takes us a while. 763 00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:57,440 And some things we get really fast. 764 00:40:00,705 --> 00:40:09,435 It takes us a while and the whole world is waiting for us all to get it, to be 765 00:40:09,435 --> 00:40:12,885 the church that Jesus died for, right? 766 00:40:13,885 --> 00:40:15,355 Getting it is very serious. 767 00:40:15,355 --> 00:40:18,615 It's not, I mean, I say some jokes about it because sometimes 768 00:40:18,615 --> 00:40:19,665 we got to laugh at ourselves. 769 00:40:21,055 --> 00:40:21,425 But. 770 00:40:22,405 --> 00:40:25,415 Jesus said, whoever has will be given more and they will have an abundance. 771 00:40:25,415 --> 00:40:28,685 Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 772 00:40:29,775 --> 00:40:32,005 This is why I speak to them in parables. 773 00:40:32,065 --> 00:40:33,405 Though seeing, they do not see. 774 00:40:33,405 --> 00:40:35,985 Though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 775 00:40:36,845 --> 00:40:39,395 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. 776 00:40:39,845 --> 00:40:42,205 You will be ever hearing, but never understanding. 777 00:40:42,205 --> 00:40:44,715 You will be ever seeing, but never perceiving. 778 00:40:45,245 --> 00:40:47,385 For this, people's hearts has become calloused. 779 00:40:47,405 --> 00:40:50,005 They hardly hear with their ears and they've closed their eyes. 780 00:40:50,035 --> 00:40:50,905 Otherwise... 781 00:40:51,865 --> 00:40:55,365 They might see with their ears, hear with their ears, see with 782 00:40:55,365 --> 00:40:59,665 their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts. 783 00:41:00,665 --> 00:41:01,385 God heal them. 784 00:41:02,705 --> 00:41:03,945 This is his promise. 785 00:41:04,915 --> 00:41:08,785 This is his promise, but Jesus quoted this because he knew a lot 786 00:41:08,785 --> 00:41:10,625 of people are not going to get it. 787 00:41:12,105 --> 00:41:15,265 And you know, you know how many disciples he had at the end of three year ministry? 788 00:41:16,555 --> 00:41:17,325 120. 789 00:41:18,885 --> 00:41:19,455 120. 790 00:41:22,120 --> 00:41:23,320 It's difficult to get it. 791 00:41:24,180 --> 00:41:26,090 It's challenging to get it. 792 00:41:26,500 --> 00:41:29,260 It's easy to miss it. 793 00:41:30,390 --> 00:41:32,280 A key to this is listening. 794 00:41:33,080 --> 00:41:34,260 Paying close attention. 795 00:41:34,930 --> 00:41:35,800 What is God saying? 796 00:41:36,250 --> 00:41:37,560 What is the scripture telling me? 797 00:41:38,340 --> 00:41:39,150 How different am I? 798 00:41:39,150 --> 00:41:43,580 I mean, 46 times in the book of Revelation, He talks about hearing. 799 00:41:44,420 --> 00:41:44,970 Listening. 800 00:41:45,300 --> 00:41:48,610 75 times in the Gospels, Jesus talks about listening. 801 00:41:50,120 --> 00:41:50,850 Listen up! 802 00:41:51,270 --> 00:41:52,460 The classic prayer. 803 00:41:52,460 --> 00:41:55,430 Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad. 804 00:41:56,390 --> 00:41:59,000 It's the prayer that every Orthodox Jew prays every day. 805 00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:00,520 Jews probably pray it every day. 806 00:42:00,630 --> 00:42:01,360 What's it say? 807 00:42:01,550 --> 00:42:07,480 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is God and He is One. 808 00:42:07,480 --> 00:42:09,570 It's the command. 809 00:42:10,140 --> 00:42:11,140 Listen up, people! 810 00:42:12,220 --> 00:42:12,960 That's the command. 811 00:42:13,870 --> 00:42:14,670 We gotta pay attention. 812 00:42:15,170 --> 00:42:17,050 492 times in the New Testament. 813 00:42:17,060 --> 00:42:17,540 References. 814 00:42:18,850 --> 00:42:21,710 Okay, just footnote, I didn't check them all. 815 00:42:21,710 --> 00:42:24,760 I saw this on a Bible study website, so I'll check them. 816 00:42:24,760 --> 00:42:27,080 When I get time, I'll check them, make sure they're all really there. 817 00:42:28,170 --> 00:42:29,750 But the point is, there's a lot. 818 00:42:31,610 --> 00:42:35,930 But we keep reading in that very same scripture, Matthew 13, 16. 819 00:42:35,960 --> 00:42:40,510 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 820 00:42:41,180 --> 00:42:45,450 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people long to see 821 00:42:45,450 --> 00:42:47,510 what you see, but did not see it. 822 00:42:48,035 --> 00:42:50,935 And to hear what you hear, but did not hear it. 823 00:42:53,055 --> 00:42:54,605 We have the Gospels. 824 00:42:55,435 --> 00:42:57,245 We have Jesus. 825 00:42:58,245 --> 00:42:59,315 To listen to. 826 00:42:59,985 --> 00:43:00,955 To read. 827 00:43:01,325 --> 00:43:07,245 And we, among the millions of disciples of Jesus, that have lived 828 00:43:07,245 --> 00:43:09,785 throughout history, are so blessed. 829 00:43:09,785 --> 00:43:12,675 You know, people have only had Bibles for about the last 150 years. 830 00:43:12,675 --> 00:43:14,355 Maybe, maybe 200 years. 831 00:43:16,205 --> 00:43:18,115 They had to memorize scriptures. 832 00:43:18,965 --> 00:43:22,575 They had to look at the pictures on the church walls to figure 833 00:43:22,575 --> 00:43:24,805 out what the message was. 834 00:43:26,625 --> 00:43:27,535 And we're so blessed. 835 00:43:28,745 --> 00:43:33,205 We have it, nice little leather on or fake leather on books. 836 00:43:34,015 --> 00:43:35,825 Audio, video. 837 00:43:37,165 --> 00:43:39,165 We got series to watch, chosen. 838 00:43:40,430 --> 00:43:43,500 We have many ways to hear and see, but the question is, are we hearing and seeing? 839 00:43:43,660 --> 00:43:45,220 You know somebody sat at Kodak. 840 00:43:45,560 --> 00:43:46,740 How many of you guys remember Kodak? 841 00:43:47,140 --> 00:43:47,850 Kodak company. 842 00:43:48,820 --> 00:43:49,550 All the old people. 843 00:43:49,560 --> 00:43:50,450 We all remember Kodak. 844 00:43:52,360 --> 00:43:55,340 Man, there was a time that anything you want to do with pictures was Kodak. 845 00:43:56,360 --> 00:43:59,890 You had to go to a Kodak place to get it printed, to get it developed. 846 00:43:59,890 --> 00:44:01,280 You had to, there were Kodak pictures. 847 00:44:01,380 --> 00:44:03,330 Your pictures in the back said Kodak all over it. 848 00:44:04,530 --> 00:44:06,230 And the, you know, people had Kodak camera. 849 00:44:06,230 --> 00:44:08,220 I mean, they were, they were talking about a monopoly. 850 00:44:08,220 --> 00:44:09,900 They just, they controlled everything. 851 00:44:10,480 --> 00:44:15,260 But one day at some meeting and I'm surmising here, but at some meeting, 852 00:44:15,260 --> 00:44:18,480 somebody said, you know, there's this new thing called digital medias. 853 00:44:18,550 --> 00:44:19,890 I think we should get involved in that. 854 00:44:20,130 --> 00:44:22,370 And some leaders said, nah, it'll never take ground. 855 00:44:22,390 --> 00:44:23,200 It'll never take hold. 856 00:44:25,590 --> 00:44:28,980 And they lost, they lost out. 857 00:44:28,990 --> 00:44:32,980 They pretty much disappeared because they didn't get it. 858 00:44:34,070 --> 00:44:34,740 They didn't get it. 859 00:44:35,160 --> 00:44:36,320 Remember Blockbuster? 860 00:44:37,560 --> 00:44:40,610 If you wanted to see a movie, you had to go to Blockbuster. 861 00:44:42,450 --> 00:44:46,970 And at some point, somebody in a meeting said, Hey, there's this 862 00:44:46,970 --> 00:44:50,410 little group called Netflix, and they're putting these red boxes out. 863 00:44:50,600 --> 00:44:51,720 Do you think we should do that? 864 00:44:51,720 --> 00:44:53,900 And somebody said, Nah, it'll never take hold. 865 00:44:54,310 --> 00:44:56,710 Netflix is a blip on the screen, they'll be gone. 866 00:44:58,670 --> 00:45:00,030 How many of us have Netflix? 867 00:45:01,230 --> 00:45:04,670 Yeah, how many of us have been to a blockbuster in the last five years? 868 00:45:05,860 --> 00:45:07,770 Yeah, no, you all went, nope. 869 00:45:10,670 --> 00:45:11,860 Because they didn't get it. 870 00:45:13,000 --> 00:45:17,130 They didn't get it, they didn't understand, they didn't realize. 871 00:45:17,130 --> 00:45:18,120 And let me tell you something. 872 00:45:19,410 --> 00:45:23,850 I actually started out, before I started spirituality, I was working on a PhD in, 873 00:45:23,900 --> 00:45:26,550 in, in, uh, organizational leadership. 874 00:45:28,035 --> 00:45:30,935 And as I was studying this, I, I, I came across this one article that 875 00:45:30,935 --> 00:45:36,315 talked about how the worst groups to change, guess what groups they are? 876 00:45:37,075 --> 00:45:37,855 Churches. 877 00:45:39,275 --> 00:45:40,015 Churches. 878 00:45:41,335 --> 00:45:44,405 Other organ, I mean, corporate world, they get it because, look, if we 879 00:45:44,405 --> 00:45:47,345 don't change in time, then we lose out, we, we, we lose everything. 880 00:45:48,215 --> 00:45:51,955 And everybody likes to laugh about Blockbuster and Kodak, and nobody wants 881 00:45:51,955 --> 00:45:53,575 to be the next Blockbuster or Kodak. 882 00:45:54,410 --> 00:45:56,790 And they're trying to keep up and trying to make changes as needed. 883 00:45:57,680 --> 00:45:59,680 For churches, it's really hard. 884 00:46:00,850 --> 00:46:05,680 They're the worst at making changes that need to happen. 885 00:46:05,880 --> 00:46:07,190 But there's good reasons. 886 00:46:09,380 --> 00:46:13,120 There's the fact that we don't want to make the wrong changes. 887 00:46:13,690 --> 00:46:16,040 In other words, we don't want to give in to social pressure. 888 00:46:16,620 --> 00:46:18,820 We want to make sure we're following scripture. 889 00:46:19,765 --> 00:46:22,645 We want to make sure we're doing what the Bible says, not what people 890 00:46:22,645 --> 00:46:24,135 are telling us we should be doing. 891 00:46:24,875 --> 00:46:26,355 And that's a good instinct. 892 00:46:26,375 --> 00:46:27,505 That's a right instinct. 893 00:46:27,735 --> 00:46:29,515 Plenty of scriptures about that. 894 00:46:30,605 --> 00:46:33,915 In the last days, there'll be terrible times and on describes basically what's 895 00:46:33,915 --> 00:46:35,105 happening in our world right now. 896 00:46:36,105 --> 00:46:37,745 And that's a good instinct. 897 00:46:39,195 --> 00:46:40,095 You gotta be careful. 898 00:46:41,095 --> 00:46:44,705 Because the second one is we confuse doctrine and culture. 899 00:46:46,795 --> 00:46:47,555 And we don't know the difference between. 900 00:46:48,740 --> 00:46:51,300 What is right because the scripture says it, and what is right because 901 00:46:51,300 --> 00:46:52,340 that's how we've always done it. 902 00:46:53,970 --> 00:46:54,900 And it worked in the past. 903 00:46:54,920 --> 00:46:56,320 Why wouldn't it work now? 904 00:46:58,050 --> 00:46:59,620 And learning to get it 905 00:47:02,810 --> 00:47:03,700 with God. 906 00:47:04,780 --> 00:47:05,990 With the Holy Spirit. 907 00:47:07,000 --> 00:47:08,660 Eyes fixed on Jesus. 908 00:47:09,720 --> 00:47:10,930 Mind on things of above. 909 00:47:11,040 --> 00:47:12,490 That's how we're gonna get it. 910 00:47:14,030 --> 00:47:15,500 That's how we can get it. 911 00:47:15,500 --> 00:47:17,070 That's how we can navigate. 912 00:47:18,000 --> 00:47:24,260 All these challenges of influences and teachings and every wind of teaching and 913 00:47:24,260 --> 00:47:29,010 yet respond appropriately to the wrongs in the world, the wrongs in the church. 914 00:47:29,250 --> 00:47:32,490 Deal with those wrongs the way Jesus would deal with them. 915 00:47:32,500 --> 00:47:37,760 I'm not saying put our heads in the sand and pretend there's no problems. 916 00:47:37,820 --> 00:47:38,850 No, deal with it. 917 00:47:40,090 --> 00:47:41,490 Because we live in the light, right? 918 00:47:42,940 --> 00:47:46,200 Because we live, at least we're trying to live, honest lives. 919 00:47:47,895 --> 00:47:52,355 Churches don't get it all the time, Ephesus. 920 00:47:53,155 --> 00:47:56,185 Jesus said whoever has ears, let him hear what the spirit says with the churches. 921 00:47:56,605 --> 00:47:59,755 Smyrna, whoever has ears, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches, 922 00:47:59,825 --> 00:48:02,755 Pergamum, whoever has ears, let him, let him hear what the spirit says 923 00:48:02,765 --> 00:48:05,595 in the churches, Tiritrea, whoever has ears, let them hear what the 924 00:48:05,595 --> 00:48:09,075 spirit says to the churches, and Sardis and Philadelphia and Laodicea. 925 00:48:09,945 --> 00:48:15,285 With all of these churches, oh, the spirit warned them, and you know the scary. 926 00:48:16,090 --> 00:48:19,560 The scary thing in there is if you don't get it, I'm gonna 927 00:48:19,560 --> 00:48:20,530 take your lampstand away. 928 00:48:22,980 --> 00:48:24,780 And that represented the spirit of God. 929 00:48:26,370 --> 00:48:27,590 We gotta make sure we all get it. 930 00:48:29,210 --> 00:48:33,000 This is why I went to Pepperdine for seven years, driving up 931 00:48:33,010 --> 00:48:34,320 for seven years from San Diego. 932 00:48:34,970 --> 00:48:36,460 To try to learn, to try to get it. 933 00:48:37,215 --> 00:48:38,115 That's why I met Fuller. 934 00:48:38,475 --> 00:48:42,025 That's why a lot of us are digging in, reading our scriptures and praying 935 00:48:42,035 --> 00:48:45,065 about this and trying to figure out what does the church need to change. 936 00:48:45,345 --> 00:48:48,805 Let me tell you something, all churches of all denominations 937 00:48:49,615 --> 00:48:51,135 are going through it right now. 938 00:48:52,035 --> 00:48:54,345 Going through very challenging times. 939 00:48:55,365 --> 00:48:58,875 Some of the Barna and different groups that have studied what's happening in 940 00:48:58,875 --> 00:49:04,740 the religious world, in the Christian world, So 30 percent of church members 941 00:49:04,750 --> 00:49:06,280 stopped going during the pandemic. 942 00:49:06,570 --> 00:49:08,400 And a lot of those people aren't coming back. 943 00:49:10,290 --> 00:49:14,450 And many, many, many churches are shrinking dramatically. 944 00:49:15,370 --> 00:49:16,590 It's not just us. 945 00:49:16,790 --> 00:49:20,440 We like to think we're so special, but we are special because Jesus loves 946 00:49:20,450 --> 00:49:22,880 us, but we're not special because we're better than anybody else. 947 00:49:25,220 --> 00:49:28,840 So when we got the right doctrine on baptism, Amen, let's share about baptism, 948 00:49:28,840 --> 00:49:33,720 but There are other people out there that have incredible faith and love God deeply. 949 00:49:34,200 --> 00:49:35,020 Let's learn from them. 950 00:49:37,250 --> 00:49:38,700 I like Jesus definition. 951 00:49:39,150 --> 00:49:43,520 Whoever does my Father's will is my mother, brother, and sister. 952 00:49:45,610 --> 00:49:47,210 And we gotta pray for each other. 953 00:49:48,300 --> 00:49:49,360 Because everybody's struggling. 954 00:49:49,360 --> 00:49:51,980 Christianity is struggling right now. 955 00:49:53,550 --> 00:49:54,420 And I think it's great. 956 00:49:55,680 --> 00:49:58,200 Because it's making us question ourselves. 957 00:49:59,910 --> 00:50:04,510 You know, the Hollywood paints us as being this legalistic, self righteous, 958 00:50:05,090 --> 00:50:06,770 condemning, judgmental people. 959 00:50:09,320 --> 00:50:12,010 Stephen King has really got something against Christianity. 960 00:50:12,790 --> 00:50:15,560 Every bad guy in his movie is some Christian. 961 00:50:17,220 --> 00:50:20,500 I know that's not who I am. 962 00:50:21,500 --> 00:50:23,280 But I do know I have that in me. 963 00:50:24,100 --> 00:50:25,220 And I gotta watch it. 964 00:50:26,270 --> 00:50:27,490 And I gotta crucify it. 965 00:50:28,795 --> 00:50:30,105 Because I know I can be judgmental. 966 00:50:30,105 --> 00:50:31,895 My kids showed me that. 967 00:50:32,525 --> 00:50:34,225 They're like, Dad, it's in your eyes. 968 00:50:36,235 --> 00:50:37,395 Dad, it's in your voice. 969 00:50:37,445 --> 00:50:38,345 You're judging me. 970 00:50:41,455 --> 00:50:45,125 And I have to learn to not be that guy. 971 00:50:46,475 --> 00:50:48,645 But entire churches have to figure that out. 972 00:50:48,875 --> 00:50:49,405 And guess what? 973 00:50:49,405 --> 00:50:51,185 You guys are in a challenge as a church. 974 00:50:52,175 --> 00:50:53,395 You gotta figure out some things. 975 00:50:53,405 --> 00:50:54,095 You gotta grow. 976 00:50:55,005 --> 00:50:56,075 But Jesus is here. 977 00:50:56,870 --> 00:50:57,440 It's hard. 978 00:50:57,620 --> 00:51:00,300 Jesus said, Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad 979 00:51:00,300 --> 00:51:01,860 is the road that leads to destruction. 980 00:51:02,090 --> 00:51:06,920 And many enter through it, but small is the gate, and narrow the 981 00:51:06,920 --> 00:51:09,080 road that leads to life and only... 982 00:51:10,200 --> 00:51:10,680 How many? 983 00:51:11,560 --> 00:51:12,710 A few find it. 984 00:51:13,020 --> 00:51:14,280 That's a scary scripture. 985 00:51:15,730 --> 00:51:16,790 That's a scary one. 986 00:51:18,390 --> 00:51:21,210 I mean, I'm dying to ask Jesus, Okay, Jesus, what do you mean by few? 987 00:51:21,940 --> 00:51:23,150 Are we talking a handful? 988 00:51:23,800 --> 00:51:25,340 Are we talking a couple of million? 989 00:51:25,340 --> 00:51:27,260 Are we talking about one billion out of eight billion? 990 00:51:27,870 --> 00:51:29,390 What is a few exactly? 991 00:51:30,130 --> 00:51:31,250 And you know, I know what Jesus said. 992 00:51:31,260 --> 00:51:32,050 You don't need to worry about it. 993 00:51:32,050 --> 00:51:35,810 You need to make sure that you are doing what you need to be doing. 994 00:51:36,320 --> 00:51:38,390 You don't need to be judging other people's faith. 995 00:51:39,570 --> 00:51:42,440 You don't need to be judging the Lord's servants. 996 00:51:44,980 --> 00:51:45,910 Check your own heart. 997 00:51:48,570 --> 00:51:50,570 Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 998 00:51:51,640 --> 00:51:52,570 Not your neighbor's. 999 00:51:53,680 --> 00:51:54,500 Love your neighbor. 1000 00:51:55,160 --> 00:51:57,050 Be an example of God to your neighbor. 1001 00:51:58,470 --> 00:51:59,200 Well, who's my neighbor? 1002 00:51:59,620 --> 00:52:01,220 Well, in case there's any doubt, how about your enemies? 1003 00:52:01,220 --> 00:52:02,040 Love your neighbors, too. 1004 00:52:02,070 --> 00:52:03,030 You love your enemies, too. 1005 00:52:04,230 --> 00:52:05,570 Oh, do I really have to love him? 1006 00:52:05,680 --> 00:52:06,500 That guy's a jerk. 1007 00:52:08,130 --> 00:52:09,160 Yeah, you really gotta love him. 1008 00:52:10,560 --> 00:52:11,920 That brother doesn't get it! 1009 00:52:13,680 --> 00:52:14,890 Probably gonna need some more love. 1010 00:52:17,260 --> 00:52:19,520 Probably gonna have to be like Jesus to help him get it. 1011 00:52:20,860 --> 00:52:21,940 Leaders must get it. 1012 00:52:22,040 --> 00:52:23,080 Pray for your leaders. 1013 00:52:23,740 --> 00:52:24,630 Pray for the MLC. 1014 00:52:24,910 --> 00:52:25,770 Pray for your staff. 1015 00:52:26,150 --> 00:52:27,090 Pray for the elders. 1016 00:52:27,500 --> 00:52:28,840 Pray for your Bible talk leaders. 1017 00:52:31,000 --> 00:52:31,870 They have to get it. 1018 00:52:31,880 --> 00:52:35,030 If they don't get it, people get hurt. 1019 00:52:36,250 --> 00:52:37,460 So pray for us. 1020 00:52:38,850 --> 00:52:40,070 And remember, you're a leader too. 1021 00:52:41,410 --> 00:52:42,270 You're a leader at home. 1022 00:52:43,280 --> 00:52:44,390 You're a leader with your family. 1023 00:52:45,520 --> 00:52:47,880 And some, many of you have other leadership roles. 1024 00:52:48,450 --> 00:52:49,610 Spouses must get it. 1025 00:52:49,920 --> 00:52:50,770 Parents must get it. 1026 00:52:50,800 --> 00:52:51,820 Disciples must get it. 1027 00:52:51,820 --> 00:52:54,290 Followers must get it. 1028 00:52:54,915 --> 00:53:01,245 And everyone is a leader and everyone is a follower as well. 1029 00:53:01,965 --> 00:53:02,915 What do we gotta get? 1030 00:53:04,025 --> 00:53:05,045 We gotta get humility. 1031 00:53:06,345 --> 00:53:07,295 Real humility. 1032 00:53:08,985 --> 00:53:11,205 Be able to face where we blow it. 1033 00:53:12,445 --> 00:53:14,335 Be able to understand our blind spots. 1034 00:53:14,975 --> 00:53:16,385 Allow that to humble us. 1035 00:53:17,025 --> 00:53:18,345 Realize how much we need each other. 1036 00:53:18,345 --> 00:53:19,965 How much, first of all, how much we need God. 1037 00:53:21,465 --> 00:53:22,645 How much we need each other. 1038 00:53:23,290 --> 00:53:24,500 How much we all need help. 1039 00:53:25,510 --> 00:53:27,440 We need radical honesty. 1040 00:53:28,280 --> 00:53:30,750 I won't see my issues if I'm not honest. 1041 00:53:31,500 --> 00:53:34,460 I won't recognize where I need help if I'm not honest. 1042 00:53:35,700 --> 00:53:36,710 Gotta be honest. 1043 00:53:36,990 --> 00:53:37,630 Forgiveness. 1044 00:53:37,630 --> 00:53:39,910 Oh man, does this require a lot of forgiveness. 1045 00:53:40,560 --> 00:53:42,560 God does not treat us according to our sins. 1046 00:53:43,290 --> 00:53:44,140 Thank God. 1047 00:53:45,860 --> 00:53:47,030 He continually forgives. 1048 00:53:47,030 --> 00:53:48,150 He's very gracious. 1049 00:53:48,550 --> 00:53:49,650 He's very merciful. 1050 00:53:50,750 --> 00:53:52,210 And he always gives people... 1051 00:53:52,795 --> 00:53:53,875 time to change. 1052 00:53:54,065 --> 00:53:56,615 And in my opinion, oftentimes I feel like it's too much time. 1053 00:53:58,195 --> 00:53:59,495 That brother should have got it by now. 1054 00:54:00,855 --> 00:54:03,185 That's just your, it's overdue for getting it. 1055 00:54:04,885 --> 00:54:07,775 But it's usually, that's very subjective. 1056 00:54:08,385 --> 00:54:09,755 God knows hearts. 1057 00:54:11,125 --> 00:54:11,815 God knows. 1058 00:54:12,995 --> 00:54:15,805 And we have to practice compassion. 1059 00:54:16,035 --> 00:54:17,215 It's the only way we're gonna get there. 1060 00:54:18,475 --> 00:54:22,970 You know, in any organization, an organizational truism, Any group 1061 00:54:22,970 --> 00:54:26,900 you join, join a car club, join a, a crew team, join, whatever. 1062 00:54:27,050 --> 00:54:31,100 It's always starts out wonder, woo, awesome, everything's great, and then 1063 00:54:31,100 --> 00:54:34,370 you start having conflicts, and then you see problems with people and then 1064 00:54:34,370 --> 00:54:35,780 you don't like the way this happens. 1065 00:54:36,320 --> 00:54:41,990 And then that's the real test of love and faith Then, then it kicks 1066 00:54:41,990 --> 00:54:47,300 in, man, I thought everybody walked on water when I joined the church, 1067 00:54:48,800 --> 00:54:49,970 and then I saw people sinking. 1068 00:54:51,710 --> 00:54:55,060 And then I saw people sinful, even leaders sinful. 1069 00:54:56,760 --> 00:55:00,900 And it's like, whoa, wait, this isn't what I thought I was joining. 1070 00:55:01,810 --> 00:55:02,890 Actually, it is. 1071 00:55:03,470 --> 00:55:04,630 It's the real church. 1072 00:55:05,130 --> 00:55:06,920 Again, look at our Bibles, right? 1073 00:55:07,990 --> 00:55:11,750 It's, the only way this works is with a lot of love and compassion. 1074 00:55:12,870 --> 00:55:14,750 A lot of mercy and forgiveness. 1075 00:55:15,510 --> 00:55:17,840 It takes a lot of authentic spirituality. 1076 00:55:18,525 --> 00:55:21,625 To be able to discover the kingdom of God. 1077 00:55:22,435 --> 00:55:23,445 And to live in that. 1078 00:55:24,045 --> 00:55:25,075 No rock throwing. 1079 00:55:26,805 --> 00:55:27,895 So tempting, isn't it? 1080 00:55:28,395 --> 00:55:30,335 Especially when somebody throws a rock at you, you just want to pick 1081 00:55:30,335 --> 00:55:31,275 one up and throw it right back. 1082 00:55:32,505 --> 00:55:34,265 I remember me and my friends, whenever we got in this big 1083 00:55:34,275 --> 00:55:35,595 field, we'd have rock fights. 1084 00:55:35,975 --> 00:55:37,925 It's the kind of stupid thing boys do, you know? 1085 00:55:39,155 --> 00:55:42,955 And then somebody would get hit, and have to go get stitches, and our parents 1086 00:55:42,955 --> 00:55:44,595 were like, What were you thinking? 1087 00:55:45,995 --> 00:55:46,815 But we do that. 1088 00:55:48,070 --> 00:55:50,590 When people attack us and hurt us, we want to pick up a rock 1089 00:55:50,590 --> 00:55:51,530 and throw it right at them. 1090 00:55:52,790 --> 00:55:55,360 Jesus said, let him who's without sin throw the first rock. 1091 00:55:58,270 --> 00:55:59,680 That's the upside down kingdom. 1092 00:56:00,770 --> 00:56:01,600 No judging. 1093 00:56:03,350 --> 00:56:04,180 No judging. 1094 00:56:05,090 --> 00:56:06,350 Whoa, that's a really hard one. 1095 00:56:06,680 --> 00:56:09,380 Guys, we have judgmentalism deep in our DNA. 1096 00:56:11,800 --> 00:56:13,950 And we're not going to detox that in one decision. 1097 00:56:14,660 --> 00:56:16,450 But by practicing and practicing. 1098 00:56:17,625 --> 00:56:20,855 I remember one of my kids when he was, well I gave away who it is, 1099 00:56:21,135 --> 00:56:24,315 he, he, he said I hate that region. 1100 00:56:24,315 --> 00:56:25,285 It was another region. 1101 00:56:25,855 --> 00:56:27,195 I was like, dude, why? 1102 00:56:27,845 --> 00:56:30,535 He goes, because they're so judgmental and self righteous. 1103 00:56:31,675 --> 00:56:32,615 And I said, wow. 1104 00:56:33,005 --> 00:56:37,895 So you just decided everybody in that region is judgmental and self righteous, 1105 00:56:38,075 --> 00:56:39,585 that's quite a judgment you got there. 1106 00:56:41,645 --> 00:56:44,115 And he was like, all right, dad. 1107 00:56:46,585 --> 00:56:47,315 But we do that. 1108 00:56:48,695 --> 00:56:49,255 We do that. 1109 00:56:50,285 --> 00:56:51,505 I would never do that. 1110 00:56:51,515 --> 00:56:52,445 How do you know? 1111 00:56:53,585 --> 00:56:55,365 Have you walked a mile in his moccasins? 1112 00:56:56,465 --> 00:56:57,915 Have you lived in her house? 1113 00:56:59,585 --> 00:57:01,945 And, and, and the worst is when leaders are judgmental. 1114 00:57:02,645 --> 00:57:07,165 Because their judgment is accepted as the truth. 1115 00:57:08,705 --> 00:57:11,085 We gotta be really careful. 1116 00:57:12,015 --> 00:57:13,195 No defensiveness. 1117 00:57:13,975 --> 00:57:15,165 No defensiveness. 1118 00:57:15,655 --> 00:57:17,225 Oh, that's a hard one. 1119 00:57:17,930 --> 00:57:21,450 Boy, I have, I have wrestled and riled on the floor like a demon 1120 00:57:21,450 --> 00:57:22,680 possessed dude with that one. 1121 00:57:24,080 --> 00:57:26,170 Wanting to defend myself. 1122 00:57:27,610 --> 00:57:30,830 But you don't understand, I serve, I sacrifice, I give. 1123 00:57:30,870 --> 00:57:32,540 You know how much I've done for the church? 1124 00:57:33,190 --> 00:57:36,080 Because I've made one little mistake, now you're crucifying me. 1125 00:57:38,340 --> 00:57:39,860 And that's all perspective, right? 1126 00:57:42,390 --> 00:57:43,840 Instead of just trusting God. 1127 00:57:47,580 --> 00:57:48,150 What does he say? 1128 00:57:48,330 --> 00:57:49,680 Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord. 1129 00:57:50,120 --> 00:57:51,900 And He will lift you up. 1130 00:57:52,580 --> 00:57:53,150 What does it say? 1131 00:57:53,160 --> 00:57:55,450 He will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun. 1132 00:57:55,870 --> 00:57:57,760 Even though you're not really righteous, but you're trying. 1133 00:57:59,560 --> 00:58:00,440 He'll make you shine. 1134 00:58:01,290 --> 00:58:01,900 He'll help you out. 1135 00:58:01,920 --> 00:58:03,450 No self righteousness. 1136 00:58:03,850 --> 00:58:07,190 Those people, that leader, that Bible talk, that brother, that 1137 00:58:07,210 --> 00:58:09,420 sister, you see how sinful she is? 1138 00:58:11,010 --> 00:58:11,990 Yeah, but so does God. 1139 00:58:13,240 --> 00:58:14,660 And Jesus died on a cross for her. 1140 00:58:16,810 --> 00:58:18,240 So I take the warning serious. 1141 00:58:18,480 --> 00:58:19,310 Who are you to judge? 1142 00:58:19,815 --> 00:58:20,535 Lord's servant. 1143 00:58:22,035 --> 00:58:23,705 So, well, so what's the answer? 1144 00:58:23,705 --> 00:58:25,525 Well, we got to really love each other. 1145 00:58:25,525 --> 00:58:29,785 Jesus turned to Peter and said, Get behind me, Satan, because you don't 1146 00:58:29,785 --> 00:58:31,125 have the things of God in mind. 1147 00:58:31,165 --> 00:58:31,935 So what do we got to do? 1148 00:58:32,195 --> 00:58:33,705 Have the things of God in mind. 1149 00:58:34,285 --> 00:58:35,755 God can get us through this. 1150 00:58:36,975 --> 00:58:39,445 God can help anybody change. 1151 00:58:39,755 --> 00:58:40,635 And here's my experience. 1152 00:58:40,635 --> 00:58:42,035 If they don't change, God takes them out. 1153 00:58:43,115 --> 00:58:43,635 I've seen it. 1154 00:58:44,435 --> 00:58:45,105 Again and again. 1155 00:58:46,855 --> 00:58:48,865 Have in mind the concerns of God. 1156 00:58:49,635 --> 00:58:52,015 Merely human concerns, not merely human concerns. 1157 00:58:52,795 --> 00:58:57,605 And have the prayer, May your kingdom come, and your will be 1158 00:58:57,605 --> 00:58:59,545 done on earth as it is in heaven. 1159 00:59:00,175 --> 00:59:02,385 So many times I want to say, No, I want it this way. 1160 00:59:03,515 --> 00:59:04,985 I think it should be like this. 1161 00:59:06,135 --> 00:59:07,625 I think the church should do this. 1162 00:59:07,645 --> 00:59:08,495 Why do we sing that? 1163 00:59:08,585 --> 00:59:09,885 Why did they change that song? 1164 00:59:09,905 --> 00:59:11,225 I love that song the way it was. 1165 00:59:13,115 --> 00:59:15,515 And we have sometimes too many opinions. 1166 00:59:17,025 --> 00:59:22,065 We have to remember to pray, your kingdom come, your will be done. 1167 00:59:23,085 --> 00:59:25,445 And we're going to have to keep seeking the kingdom of God. 1168 00:59:26,255 --> 00:59:28,505 First, priority. 1169 00:59:29,705 --> 00:59:33,725 And there are many important, there are serious things we've got to deal with. 1170 00:59:33,725 --> 00:59:35,015 I'm not trying to lighten those up. 1171 00:59:36,365 --> 00:59:38,855 There are serious things, there are hearts involved. 1172 00:59:40,185 --> 00:59:42,765 But we must do it spiritually. 1173 00:59:43,760 --> 00:59:46,470 Not all churches survive these kind of changes. 1174 00:59:46,990 --> 00:59:48,510 Some of them self destruct. 1175 00:59:49,640 --> 00:59:52,220 It depends on how many godly people are in the room. 1176 00:59:53,240 --> 00:59:56,580 It depends on how many people love God more than themselves. 1177 00:59:57,405 --> 01:00:00,825 Who are willing to do things God's way, even when it hurts. 1178 01:00:01,825 --> 01:00:03,745 Even when it's so difficult. 1179 01:00:03,745 --> 01:00:06,065 But to do it the way Jesus would do it. 1180 01:00:07,295 --> 01:00:08,815 And keep our eyes fixed on Him. 1181 01:00:08,825 --> 01:00:10,715 In this world, He said, you will have trouble. 1182 01:00:11,335 --> 01:00:12,085 But take heart. 1183 01:00:13,395 --> 01:00:14,425 I've overcome the world. 1184 01:00:15,495 --> 01:00:17,795 He did it. 1185 01:00:17,795 --> 01:00:18,445 He overcame. 1186 01:00:20,435 --> 01:00:23,735 Sometimes, you know, I remember one time I thought, This is not fair. 1187 01:00:24,415 --> 01:00:26,055 Jesus never came to church. 1188 01:00:27,185 --> 01:00:30,265 You realize he ascended into heaven before the church even started? 1189 01:00:32,295 --> 01:00:33,415 Like, why didn't he come to church? 1190 01:00:33,445 --> 01:00:35,805 Why couldn't we watch how he handled the church? 1191 01:00:36,865 --> 01:00:38,495 Oh no, he had to leave. 1192 01:00:42,645 --> 01:00:43,955 Actually, he answered that question. 1193 01:00:44,925 --> 01:00:48,245 He said, it's better for me to leave so I can send you the Holy Spirit. 1194 01:00:49,125 --> 01:00:51,855 Because I can only be in one place at one time with a few people. 1195 01:00:52,295 --> 01:00:55,675 But the Holy Spirit can be with everybody, all the time, everywhere. 1196 01:00:56,245 --> 01:00:57,315 He can be with you. 1197 01:00:59,835 --> 01:01:01,345 So did Jesus have a solution? 1198 01:01:01,395 --> 01:01:02,155 Absolutely. 1199 01:01:03,645 --> 01:01:05,115 But we need to hear the spirit. 1200 01:01:05,875 --> 01:01:07,855 We need to see what the spirit is telling us. 1201 01:01:07,925 --> 01:01:11,365 We need to listen and see, hear and understand, seek first God's 1202 01:01:11,365 --> 01:01:13,225 kingdom, and do God's will. 1203 01:01:13,225 --> 01:01:15,565 We need to get Jesus. 1204 01:01:15,605 --> 01:01:16,725 I want to close out with this. 1205 01:01:16,725 --> 01:01:21,465 You know, in Metro, we went through a really difficult time. 1206 01:01:21,895 --> 01:01:23,035 Really painful time. 1207 01:01:23,045 --> 01:01:27,685 A lot of division, a lot of dysfunction, a lot of hurt, a lot of anger. 1208 01:01:28,875 --> 01:01:31,695 It was, it was rough and these, these guys would know they were there. 1209 01:01:31,695 --> 01:01:33,175 They were just kids, but they were watching it. 1210 01:01:36,485 --> 01:01:37,295 It was tough. 1211 01:01:38,915 --> 01:01:41,825 So we had to deal with all that stuff. 1212 01:01:42,685 --> 01:01:43,305 We had to get real. 1213 01:01:43,305 --> 01:01:44,005 We had to get honest. 1214 01:01:44,005 --> 01:01:44,705 We had to face things. 1215 01:01:44,705 --> 01:01:45,375 We had to work through it. 1216 01:01:45,415 --> 01:01:47,335 We had to do it in a godly way. 1217 01:01:49,065 --> 01:01:55,905 And as we dealt with the elephants in the room, went after the sacred cows, restored 1218 01:01:55,915 --> 01:01:57,995 relationships, reconciled conflicts. 1219 01:01:59,360 --> 01:02:02,890 We sat down we wrote a vision for who we want to be and this was our vision of 1220 01:02:02,890 --> 01:02:07,360 who the Metro Church will be We're not there yet, but who we're gonna be a church 1221 01:02:07,370 --> 01:02:12,600 in love with God led by Jesus empowered by the Holy Spirit where leadership is 1222 01:02:12,610 --> 01:02:17,750 humble spiritual and strong a Church with great worship where the members all 1223 01:02:17,760 --> 01:02:22,920 walk with God and are driven by faith and unified by purpose Where mutual respect 1224 01:02:22,950 --> 01:02:28,080 permeates the fellowship as we help each other get to heaven Where love is supreme 1225 01:02:28,100 --> 01:02:30,980 and easily seen, felt, and experienced. 1226 01:02:31,310 --> 01:02:35,150 A church where personal conviction is high and grace is abundant. 1227 01:02:35,690 --> 01:02:39,930 Where renewal and formation is constant and conflicts are resolved spiritually. 1228 01:02:40,400 --> 01:02:43,820 A church where everyone serves, gives generously, and is fruitful. 1229 01:02:44,100 --> 01:02:47,940 A church that has a great Kingdom Kids ministry, giving all children hope. 1230 01:02:48,200 --> 01:02:51,040 A church where there's great dating, great, great teens, 1231 01:02:51,050 --> 01:02:52,540 great Kingdom Kids ministry. 1232 01:02:52,935 --> 01:02:55,875 Great campus, great singles ministry where marriages and 1233 01:02:55,875 --> 01:02:58,225 families can thrive and shine. 1234 01:02:58,525 --> 01:03:01,245 A church that serves the community and takes care of each other, 1235 01:03:01,595 --> 01:03:03,515 having no needy among ourselves. 1236 01:03:03,855 --> 01:03:07,395 A church where our children become Christians and feel proud of this family. 1237 01:03:07,865 --> 01:03:10,405 A church with strong women's and men's ministries. 1238 01:03:10,675 --> 01:03:15,045 A church that continually raises up new, young, and older leaders. 1239 01:03:15,455 --> 01:03:19,405 And is able to send out trained leaders to start new churches and new ministries. 1240 01:03:19,890 --> 01:03:23,720 A church that welcomes everybody from every race and ethnicity and background. 1241 01:03:24,030 --> 01:03:27,990 A church that is family, abundant in faith, fruit, and fun. 1242 01:03:29,440 --> 01:03:31,630 That's the church Jesus died for. 1243 01:03:33,000 --> 01:03:36,160 That's the church we signed up for, isn't it? 1244 01:03:37,460 --> 01:03:40,940 That's the church we keep giving for and sacrificing. 1245 01:03:41,420 --> 01:03:43,870 That's the church why we're here, but you know what? 1246 01:03:44,100 --> 01:03:45,820 It doesn't just happen. 1247 01:03:47,935 --> 01:03:50,895 We're not there yet in Metro, but we're on our way. 1248 01:03:51,555 --> 01:03:54,305 We're marching along, and we're pretty excited about it. 1249 01:03:54,985 --> 01:03:58,305 But we had to go through some pretty painful stuff to get there. 1250 01:03:59,065 --> 01:04:01,935 So, let's keep our eyes on Jesus. 1251 01:04:03,085 --> 01:04:04,985 Let's seek the kingdom first. 1252 01:04:05,805 --> 01:04:07,885 Let's be rich in grace and mercy. 1253 01:04:07,885 --> 01:04:10,885 Let's love each other, even our enemies. 1254 01:04:12,265 --> 01:04:13,445 And we'll get through this. 1255 01:04:14,915 --> 01:04:17,835 Can't fix everybody else, but I can fix what I'm doing. 1256 01:04:18,375 --> 01:04:20,965 I can fix my eyes on Jesus. 1257 01:04:21,125 --> 01:04:22,325 God bless you all. 1258 01:04:24,565 --> 01:04:24,715 Oh, 1259 01:04:31,395 --> 01:04:35,945 I think we really, really need to fix our eyes on Jesus. 1260 01:04:36,325 --> 01:04:40,025 I brought a couple of books that I think will help us, that I want to recommend. 1261 01:04:40,055 --> 01:04:41,735 I know some of these you guys have already read. 1262 01:04:42,295 --> 01:04:44,945 But this one, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. 1263 01:04:45,465 --> 01:04:46,875 It's actually a really easy read. 1264 01:04:46,875 --> 01:04:50,795 Looks thick and ominous, but it's actually an easy book to read. 1265 01:04:51,825 --> 01:04:53,665 And, and there's no hidden agenda here. 1266 01:04:53,705 --> 01:04:56,305 It's not so that we can set up everybody to think a certain way, 1267 01:04:56,885 --> 01:04:59,595 other than just fix your eyes on Jesus. 1268 01:05:00,085 --> 01:05:07,325 And it's called The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Homer. 1269 01:05:08,625 --> 01:05:10,885 And then the other one is Life with God. 1270 01:05:11,075 --> 01:05:13,535 And this one's deeper, richer. 1271 01:05:13,975 --> 01:05:18,175 And you'll have to move slower through this, but boy, is it powerful for 1272 01:05:18,175 --> 01:05:20,865 helping us focus on God and on Jesus. 1273 01:05:21,185 --> 01:05:24,085 Life with God, by Richard Foster. 1274 01:05:24,195 --> 01:05:24,865 God bless you all.