1 00:00:01,220 --> 00:00:03,440 Marcel: Good morning, brothers and sisters. 2 00:00:04,560 --> 00:00:06,990 I said good morning, brothers and sisters. 3 00:00:08,070 --> 00:00:08,730 All right. 4 00:00:08,760 --> 00:00:09,920 My name is Marcel Hall. 5 00:00:09,930 --> 00:00:11,430 I want to welcome you to the O. 6 00:00:11,430 --> 00:00:11,700 C. 7 00:00:11,709 --> 00:00:12,420 Church of Christ. 8 00:00:12,420 --> 00:00:13,709 This is our North O. 9 00:00:13,709 --> 00:00:14,020 C. 10 00:00:14,020 --> 00:00:14,560 ministry. 11 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:15,989 And today is a special day. 12 00:00:15,989 --> 00:00:20,460 As most of you know, we have our Christmas kids program today. 13 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:24,060 And we're all excited about that. 14 00:00:24,150 --> 00:00:27,810 And many of the parents are also nervous about that as well. 15 00:00:27,810 --> 00:00:31,395 So, Praying and hoping that they, uh, they do their job there. 16 00:00:31,395 --> 00:00:34,575 And so my name is Marcel Hall and with my wife Corina, we are the 17 00:00:34,575 --> 00:00:38,115 honor and privilege of being able to be ministers here for the church. 18 00:00:38,115 --> 00:00:41,835 And, uh, we're going to, uh, uh, get into the word of God right now. 19 00:00:41,835 --> 00:00:41,956 And so. 20 00:00:42,490 --> 00:00:48,420 This is what we call a Sermunion, in which we, uh, have an extended time in 21 00:00:48,420 --> 00:00:51,210 which we will, uh, for our Communion. 22 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:56,060 Communion is where we remember Jesus death upon the cross for our salvation. 23 00:00:56,060 --> 00:00:59,629 And then, after that, we will have, uh, our Offering, and then 24 00:00:59,629 --> 00:01:02,049 we will have our Kids Program. 25 00:01:02,405 --> 00:01:05,935 And so again, I want to thank all of those who are visiting here with us today, 26 00:01:05,935 --> 00:01:09,155 whether it's your first time or you've been visiting, we're so grateful to have 27 00:01:09,155 --> 00:01:12,615 you here with us, we hope and pray that you will feel like you're part of the 28 00:01:12,615 --> 00:01:15,024 family that we have here in the church. 29 00:01:15,275 --> 00:01:20,324 Um, we started a series several weeks ago, several weeks ago, called Thank God For. 30 00:01:20,735 --> 00:01:25,065 And, uh, we talked about thanking God for, uh, uh, God's Word, 31 00:01:25,075 --> 00:01:26,935 for His Spirit, for the church. 32 00:01:26,935 --> 00:01:31,875 And then as we hit Christmastime, we switched our focus to Jesus, as this is 33 00:01:31,875 --> 00:01:36,864 the time in which we want to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. 34 00:01:36,864 --> 00:01:40,985 And so, we have talked about thanking God for the life of Jesus, and 35 00:01:40,985 --> 00:01:45,515 last week we talked about thanking God for the sacrifice of Jesus. 36 00:01:45,515 --> 00:01:48,265 And today, we're going to be talking about thanking God for the call. 37 00:01:50,155 --> 00:01:52,315 Let's go ahead and let's go to God in prayer. 38 00:01:52,675 --> 00:01:56,285 Father, thank you so much for the chance to worship you, for 39 00:01:56,285 --> 00:02:00,774 the chance to encourage and strengthen one another in the faith. 40 00:02:00,824 --> 00:02:03,495 God, you are worthy of our praise. 41 00:02:03,515 --> 00:02:05,884 You are worthy of our thanksgiving. 42 00:02:05,884 --> 00:02:08,625 You are worthy of our devotion. 43 00:02:08,764 --> 00:02:12,535 And I pray, God, that as we get into your word today that you will 44 00:02:12,535 --> 00:02:18,555 remind us of the blessings that we have In the name of Jesus, amen. 45 00:02:19,015 --> 00:02:25,215 Alright, and so we looked at, again, the idea of thank God for the life of Jesus. 46 00:02:25,215 --> 00:02:29,344 And the life of Jesus, it's inspiring because Jesus life 47 00:02:29,345 --> 00:02:32,035 serves as the model for imitation. 48 00:02:32,864 --> 00:02:36,915 And then last week, we thanked God for the sacrifice of Jesus 49 00:02:36,935 --> 00:02:40,225 because that leads to our salvation. 50 00:02:40,225 --> 00:02:44,655 And so that motivates, that compels us to live a faithful life. 51 00:02:44,715 --> 00:02:52,435 And as we think about the invitation of Jesus, this call that Jesus has, it 52 00:02:52,435 --> 00:02:58,335 allows us to see that this is a part of, this is something that is of great value, 53 00:02:58,454 --> 00:03:01,774 but it's a high calling for our lives. 54 00:03:02,174 --> 00:03:06,585 And when I think of calls, some movies came to mind and some ideas. 55 00:03:06,585 --> 00:03:08,505 And the first off is Luke Skywalker. 56 00:03:09,505 --> 00:03:10,895 He's called to be a Jedi. 57 00:03:10,925 --> 00:03:12,485 See, we got a Luke Skywalker fan. 58 00:03:12,485 --> 00:03:13,575 She's fired up over here. 59 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:16,970 And so Luke Skywalker's called to be, I guess, the chosen one. 60 00:03:16,970 --> 00:03:20,720 I don't want to get into semantics with, oh, is that really, oh, you know, Anakin. 61 00:03:20,730 --> 00:03:22,250 I'm not going to go there with you, okay? 62 00:03:22,750 --> 00:03:25,599 But we know Luke Skywalker's called to be a Jedi and also 63 00:03:25,599 --> 00:03:28,000 help take down the evil empire. 64 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,919 And then, uh, some of you, I know you're thinking of Frodo 65 00:03:31,530 --> 00:03:33,060 and the Lord of the Rings. 66 00:03:33,370 --> 00:03:37,460 And so Frodo, he decides, you know what, I'll answer that call to go ahead and 67 00:03:37,460 --> 00:03:39,790 take the ring and have it destroyed. 68 00:03:40,130 --> 00:03:42,520 Uh, many of us also think of Neo. 69 00:03:43,195 --> 00:03:46,525 And the red pill and the blue pill, you guys with me there, right? 70 00:03:46,835 --> 00:03:49,895 And so, Neal's called to figure out what's really the matrix. 71 00:03:49,895 --> 00:03:53,964 And let's go ahead and let's destroy the evil powers that made the matrix. 72 00:03:54,165 --> 00:03:57,605 And then we also have Moana and her call. 73 00:03:58,014 --> 00:03:59,444 She's called by the ocean, right? 74 00:03:59,454 --> 00:04:01,475 She's called, and I know the new movie's out. 75 00:04:01,485 --> 00:04:04,385 Haven't seen it yet, but we plan on seeing that as a family. 76 00:04:04,595 --> 00:04:09,245 And I think of these calls, but yet when I think about the call of Jesus, Jesus 77 00:04:09,425 --> 00:04:11,095 call trumps all of these and then some. 78 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,980 Because it's a call to something greater. 79 00:04:15,380 --> 00:04:18,640 It's a call to something that is divine. 80 00:04:18,988 --> 00:04:24,159 And in fact, I believe this call is a call to a divine purpose. 81 00:04:24,780 --> 00:04:28,249 The call of Jesus is not to just an adventure, not to just 82 00:04:28,269 --> 00:04:33,409 a certain lifestyle, but it's a call to a divine purpose. 83 00:04:33,669 --> 00:04:37,369 So let's go ahead, we're going to read two passages here, and understand 84 00:04:37,369 --> 00:04:39,379 this call to a divine purpose. 85 00:04:39,379 --> 00:04:40,604 Church, are you with me? 86 00:04:41,544 --> 00:04:42,344 Let's go ahead. 87 00:04:42,433 --> 00:04:43,914 Matthew chapter 28. 88 00:04:44,064 --> 00:04:46,734 Many of us in our church were very familiar with this passage. 89 00:04:46,765 --> 00:04:47,304 Let's read it. 90 00:04:47,655 --> 00:04:50,114 This is after Jesus had died, he had resurrected. 91 00:04:50,114 --> 00:04:51,294 Now he's about to ascend. 92 00:04:51,314 --> 00:04:56,554 So now he's giving his followers a call and direction for their 93 00:04:56,554 --> 00:04:57,874 lives and for the church. 94 00:04:58,183 --> 00:05:01,534 And it says, then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven 95 00:05:01,534 --> 00:05:03,395 and on earth has been given to me. 96 00:05:04,275 --> 00:05:07,744 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations. 97 00:05:18,565 --> 00:05:24,465 He says go and make disciples of all nations, disciple meaning follower, 98 00:05:24,465 --> 00:05:28,624 student, but really that context, especially in that time, meant 99 00:05:28,654 --> 00:05:30,594 to be one who would imitate them. 100 00:05:31,244 --> 00:05:32,775 The rabbi or the teacher. 101 00:05:33,164 --> 00:05:35,234 So it was a call for imitation. 102 00:05:35,234 --> 00:05:40,124 It wasn't just to study out and agree with some, some doctrine or some teachings. 103 00:05:40,244 --> 00:05:45,854 It was to become a follower in the sense that you imitated your leader, 104 00:05:46,454 --> 00:05:49,764 and he says this, I want you to go make disciples of all nations. 105 00:05:51,479 --> 00:05:53,054 Now think about this for a second. 106 00:05:53,414 --> 00:05:57,944 The son of God has called people to be his disciple. 107 00:05:59,479 --> 00:06:02,780 A mini me version of Jesus. 108 00:06:03,849 --> 00:06:05,989 Now when you think about that, that's incredible. 109 00:06:06,390 --> 00:06:12,089 Because let's say you were a, someone who was trying to be successful financially, 110 00:06:12,090 --> 00:06:16,190 and Warren Buffet or Elon Musk said, Hey, I'd love for you to be my disciple. 111 00:06:17,409 --> 00:06:18,869 That would be an honor, wouldn't it? 112 00:06:19,389 --> 00:06:20,179 You'd be fired up. 113 00:06:20,189 --> 00:06:21,619 Let me learn some things then. 114 00:06:21,869 --> 00:06:27,579 Or let's say it was music and Taylor Swift or, you know, I don't know, Elton 115 00:06:27,579 --> 00:06:29,659 John or Prince or somebody, right? 116 00:06:29,749 --> 00:06:31,829 Said, I want you to be my disciple. 117 00:06:32,599 --> 00:06:33,889 You'd be fired up about that. 118 00:06:34,719 --> 00:06:37,109 I know my daughter would be fired up about Taylor Swift. 119 00:06:38,009 --> 00:06:41,839 If it's sports or Tom Brady or, uh, LeBron James. 120 00:06:41,909 --> 00:06:42,589 No, let's scratch that. 121 00:06:42,590 --> 00:06:43,606 Michael Jordan. 122 00:06:43,606 --> 00:06:47,669 Said, I want you to be my disciple. 123 00:06:48,220 --> 00:06:50,390 And if you're into sports, you would be what? 124 00:06:50,460 --> 00:06:51,430 You would be honored. 125 00:06:51,430 --> 00:06:54,670 You would be, Whoa, I can't get a better teacher than this. 126 00:06:55,290 --> 00:06:56,090 You would be incredible. 127 00:06:56,090 --> 00:06:57,039 Now, let's think about this. 128 00:06:57,340 --> 00:07:03,120 The Son of God calls you to be His disciple. 129 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:10,489 To be not just a student, not just a learner, but an imitator 130 00:07:11,129 --> 00:07:14,600 of who He is and how He lives. 131 00:07:15,275 --> 00:07:18,405 And this call isn't just for a few. 132 00:07:18,705 --> 00:07:27,235 No, the Lord, the creator, the author of life, calls everyone to be his disciple. 133 00:07:27,875 --> 00:07:29,984 It says he wants all nations. 134 00:07:30,024 --> 00:07:33,835 That means you, me, your mama, and your cousin too. 135 00:07:34,555 --> 00:07:37,435 In fact, tell your neighbor to your right and left, the call is 136 00:07:37,435 --> 00:07:39,165 for your mama and your cousin too. 137 00:07:41,344 --> 00:07:45,005 You see, this call is not just for a few, it's for all. 138 00:07:45,340 --> 00:07:46,190 To be what? 139 00:07:46,849 --> 00:07:49,799 To be disciples of Jesus. 140 00:07:50,310 --> 00:07:55,760 So this call is for you today and going forward. 141 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:59,269 And so we also look in Ephesians chapter 2. 142 00:07:59,270 --> 00:08:02,739 This is a letter written to the church that met in the city of Ephesus by 143 00:08:02,739 --> 00:08:06,830 a guy named Paul, who Paul was a leader in the first century church. 144 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:11,989 And he says here, after talking about the riches that we have in and through 145 00:08:12,010 --> 00:08:14,320 Christ, he goes on and he says this. 146 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:19,810 For it is by grace you have been saved, hallelujah for that, through faith. 147 00:08:19,810 --> 00:08:25,490 And this gift, this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not 148 00:08:25,510 --> 00:08:27,679 by works, so that no one can boast. 149 00:08:27,890 --> 00:08:33,909 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which 150 00:08:33,969 --> 00:08:37,110 God prepared in advance for us to do. 151 00:08:38,095 --> 00:08:42,565 You see, Jesus says in the Scriptures revealed that after salvation, through 152 00:08:42,565 --> 00:08:48,775 his sacrifice, what Jesus calls you and me to is to now live a life of good works. 153 00:08:50,215 --> 00:08:55,935 As disciples of his, we will engage and live a life of good works. 154 00:08:56,075 --> 00:08:57,525 And these aren't just any works. 155 00:08:57,535 --> 00:08:59,635 This isn't, can you take out the trash? 156 00:08:59,635 --> 00:09:01,345 Can you wash some dishes? 157 00:09:02,345 --> 00:09:04,725 These are God ordained works. 158 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:10,670 These are divine works of good that are designed to be a 159 00:09:10,690 --> 00:09:14,250 blessing to those around you. 160 00:09:14,890 --> 00:09:20,199 That are designed to be great contributions to society. 161 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:23,410 This is the call of Jesus. 162 00:09:23,439 --> 00:09:28,259 Again, this call is a call of something greater for our lives. 163 00:09:28,269 --> 00:09:30,860 It's a call to a divine purpose. 164 00:09:30,860 --> 00:09:36,175 For And I believe it's a call to be divine agents of God. 165 00:09:37,005 --> 00:09:39,195 Divine agents of God. 166 00:09:39,365 --> 00:09:43,844 Meaning that we are called to become like the divine, and then to 167 00:09:43,844 --> 00:09:46,615 engage and join in divine good work. 168 00:09:48,054 --> 00:09:53,035 And so we get a chance to work and be worked in and through the divine. 169 00:09:53,440 --> 00:10:00,430 So that good works can take place and then also we will become like the divine You 170 00:10:00,430 --> 00:10:06,219 know when we follow Jesus call we become a person of divine virtue and character 171 00:10:07,229 --> 00:10:13,270 Because when you start following Jesus his lifestyle his teachings Guess what 172 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:16,410 happens to your character and your nature? 173 00:10:17,130 --> 00:10:22,850 You become like the one you are following My son, the other 174 00:10:22,850 --> 00:10:27,610 day, I looked on, uh, uh, on our phone, and my son had this video. 175 00:10:27,610 --> 00:10:28,960 I actually, I should have showed you the video. 176 00:10:29,850 --> 00:10:32,500 And he had this video, and to my surprise, I hadn't seen it. 177 00:10:32,500 --> 00:10:33,909 I don't know if Karina had already saw it. 178 00:10:34,110 --> 00:10:40,430 But I'm showing Karina the video, and my son, he's doing like he is an influencer, 179 00:10:40,460 --> 00:10:44,330 and he's doing like his own version of, uh, uh, uh, of, uh, uh, some type 180 00:10:44,330 --> 00:10:46,700 of, uh, uh, uh, promotion, if you will. 181 00:10:47,695 --> 00:10:50,775 And so he's talking, and he's just going on, and he starts 182 00:10:50,785 --> 00:10:52,535 trying to do some rap lyrics. 183 00:10:53,975 --> 00:10:57,874 My son's really big into rap music, and we, we play, you know, Christian rap music 184 00:10:57,875 --> 00:10:59,744 all the time, and so he's really into it. 185 00:10:59,764 --> 00:11:01,465 He's like, Papa, he has his own list. 186 00:11:01,465 --> 00:11:04,914 It's called the Dominique playlist on Spotify. 187 00:11:04,914 --> 00:11:07,545 And so he takes all these songs, like, Papa, I almost caught you. 188 00:11:07,555 --> 00:11:08,295 You know, I'm almost there. 189 00:11:08,295 --> 00:11:10,735 I'm like, no, you got about 2, 000 more songs to get to me. 190 00:11:11,735 --> 00:11:14,494 But he goes, and he's doing this thing, and he's like, yeah, and 191 00:11:14,495 --> 00:11:15,755 he goes on for several minutes. 192 00:11:16,380 --> 00:11:19,110 It's the funniest, coolest, cutest thing in the world. 193 00:11:19,410 --> 00:11:21,360 And Karina's like, that's you. 194 00:11:23,830 --> 00:11:25,030 And I'm like, you're right. 195 00:11:26,010 --> 00:11:29,809 Cause I'll randomly at the house and somebody says something, a rap lyric will 196 00:11:29,809 --> 00:11:33,620 come to my mind and I'll start going off on the rap verse for a couple of seconds. 197 00:11:33,670 --> 00:11:35,660 Or I'll just randomly start saying stuff. 198 00:11:35,660 --> 00:11:39,510 And so when my son started doing this, guess who he was being like? 199 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:43,100 He didn't even realize he was being like me, but he was being like his father. 200 00:11:43,995 --> 00:11:46,925 And when you and I do good works, guess who we're being like? 201 00:11:48,545 --> 00:11:50,435 We're being like Jesus. 202 00:11:51,185 --> 00:11:55,395 You see, when we embark and when we embrace and when we fulfill 203 00:11:55,395 --> 00:11:59,925 this divine calling, we start doing good works and we start looking and 204 00:11:59,944 --> 00:12:02,935 imitating the divine Son of God. 205 00:12:04,165 --> 00:12:06,405 We look and resemble Jesus. 206 00:12:06,405 --> 00:12:10,135 We become a blessing to those around us. 207 00:12:10,905 --> 00:12:12,415 You know, we all want to be good. 208 00:12:12,835 --> 00:12:15,205 But when we follow the call of Jesus, guess what? 209 00:12:15,435 --> 00:12:20,675 We start doing good things and we become good because we become good like Him. 210 00:12:21,585 --> 00:12:23,725 We become people of upstanding character. 211 00:12:23,865 --> 00:12:27,515 We're a blessing to people and to the places that we go. 212 00:12:28,145 --> 00:12:31,595 There's no guilt, no shame, and we're not full of regrets. 213 00:12:31,665 --> 00:12:35,565 We're not perfect, but we're being perfected for God's glory. 214 00:12:36,925 --> 00:12:38,975 When we follow this call of Jesus. 215 00:12:39,665 --> 00:12:42,574 We also, as we can see, we help people. 216 00:12:43,854 --> 00:12:47,495 Like Jesus, He served and met needs practically. 217 00:12:47,495 --> 00:12:52,574 He healed, He provided food, He provided hope and encouragement and help. 218 00:12:52,854 --> 00:12:55,574 And He called His followers to do the same. 219 00:12:56,094 --> 00:13:01,324 And so when we follow the call to be divine agents of God, we do good and 220 00:13:01,334 --> 00:13:03,435 we practically serve and bless people. 221 00:13:03,785 --> 00:13:06,775 So grateful for our church and the good work that we do through 222 00:13:06,775 --> 00:13:08,244 our Hope Saturday Academy. 223 00:13:08,625 --> 00:13:11,745 And which is the mentoring program for at risk youth in Santa Ana. 224 00:13:11,895 --> 00:13:13,944 And so that's just one of the things and every time I go I'm 225 00:13:13,955 --> 00:13:16,955 like, wow, this feels so good. 226 00:13:17,965 --> 00:13:21,205 Because we're engaging in divine good work. 227 00:13:21,895 --> 00:13:24,494 And so we help one another in the church. 228 00:13:24,685 --> 00:13:25,775 We provide strength. 229 00:13:25,775 --> 00:13:29,064 I'm so grateful for all the advice and help whether it's marriage 230 00:13:29,064 --> 00:13:30,444 or parenting that we receive. 231 00:13:30,655 --> 00:13:34,515 This is the recipient of people being divine agents of good. 232 00:13:35,335 --> 00:13:36,895 And then we also help people. 233 00:13:37,290 --> 00:13:42,579 spiritually and help them not only for the momentary, but for eternity. 234 00:13:44,479 --> 00:13:49,509 When we are divine agents of good, we help people for eternity. 235 00:13:50,389 --> 00:13:55,429 They get a chance at eternal life, not just a life for the moment that's 236 00:13:55,429 --> 00:13:58,819 good, and hallelujah, the life in Christ on earth is awesome, but 237 00:13:58,819 --> 00:14:03,729 it's awesome now and it continues to the afterlife when we transition. 238 00:14:04,420 --> 00:14:09,579 And so this call to good works, it's an opportunity to join God in having 239 00:14:09,630 --> 00:14:13,140 an eternal impact upon this world. 240 00:14:14,930 --> 00:14:18,640 And so we can say, thank God for the call of Jesus. 241 00:14:19,390 --> 00:14:23,260 And when I think about this, I think about the incredible impact that the 242 00:14:23,269 --> 00:14:25,689 calling of Jesus can have on our lives. 243 00:14:25,929 --> 00:14:29,949 It can really change our perspective on day to day life. 244 00:14:31,489 --> 00:14:32,669 Just think about this. 245 00:14:33,220 --> 00:14:40,140 When we realize, and when we hone in, and we decide to pursue this call of 246 00:14:40,140 --> 00:14:46,889 Jesus, this divine call, this call to a divine purpose, it changes your 247 00:14:46,889 --> 00:14:48,710 perspective about the day to day life. 248 00:14:49,559 --> 00:14:51,369 You approach things differently. 249 00:14:52,629 --> 00:14:56,560 Because you see that you have a bigger purpose and mission in life than 250 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:58,400 just the mundane and the routine. 251 00:14:59,254 --> 00:15:03,634 So you can approach the mundane and the routine with a different perspective. 252 00:15:04,074 --> 00:15:09,114 A greater joy, a motivation, a sense of purpose to the things you're doing. 253 00:15:09,874 --> 00:15:11,514 So you can go to that class. 254 00:15:11,514 --> 00:15:14,964 You can go to work with a different attitude. 255 00:15:15,444 --> 00:15:19,904 With a different mindset that will produce different results. 256 00:15:22,564 --> 00:15:26,084 And be a divine agent of good. 257 00:15:26,544 --> 00:15:28,584 Imagine the opportunities. 258 00:15:30,590 --> 00:15:38,620 If you pursue the call to a divine purpose, imagine all the opportunities 259 00:15:38,630 --> 00:15:46,020 that present themselves to you if you fulfill the call to a divine purpose. 260 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:48,189 Think about this. 261 00:15:48,189 --> 00:15:50,640 How would it affect your life going forward? 262 00:15:53,100 --> 00:15:57,950 How would it affect your relationships in your family? 263 00:15:58,925 --> 00:16:00,954 Your roommates, your neighborhood. 264 00:16:01,974 --> 00:16:06,645 How would it affect your current challenges? 265 00:16:08,795 --> 00:16:14,595 How would it affect your approach to school or to work just this week? 266 00:16:16,135 --> 00:16:18,895 Now let me ask you this, or let me call you to this. 267 00:16:19,135 --> 00:16:26,985 Imagine all the opportunities we may lose by not pursuing the call of Jesus. 268 00:16:30,770 --> 00:16:31,790 So we have a choice. 269 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:33,480 We have a red pill and a blue pill. 270 00:16:35,110 --> 00:16:40,719 We could decide not to follow the call of Jesus and miss out 271 00:16:40,719 --> 00:16:42,130 on all those opportunities. 272 00:16:42,870 --> 00:16:51,339 Or we can decide to take that pill of Christ's call and see and experience the 273 00:16:51,359 --> 00:16:55,999 treasures from pursuing the call of Jesus. 274 00:16:57,180 --> 00:17:02,339 And so I believe, as we think about all these blessings, the potential treasures 275 00:17:02,339 --> 00:17:07,750 that are available for you and for me, not only should we thank God for this 276 00:17:07,750 --> 00:17:12,888 call of Jesus, but I believe it calls us to action in this regard, that we 277 00:17:12,888 --> 00:17:16,020 should pursue the calling of Jesus. 278 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:20,848 Pursue the calling by deciding and committing to live out the 279 00:17:20,868 --> 00:17:23,469 call to be a divine agent of God. 280 00:17:24,118 --> 00:17:27,949 And on some of us, we might not know exactly what all that means, and I 281 00:17:27,949 --> 00:17:32,189 would encourage you, first off, to discover what is the call of Jesus? 282 00:17:32,219 --> 00:17:33,310 Who was Jesus? 283 00:17:33,539 --> 00:17:36,259 What is all this about His sacrifice and His birth? 284 00:17:36,300 --> 00:17:38,669 How does that apply to me and my daily life? 285 00:17:39,479 --> 00:17:44,699 And I encourage you today to make a decision to pursue by just getting 286 00:17:44,699 --> 00:17:46,779 help and going through the Scriptures. 287 00:17:47,749 --> 00:17:49,919 And setting up a Bible study today. 288 00:17:50,479 --> 00:17:52,989 And say, you know what, I want to learn some more. 289 00:17:53,310 --> 00:17:55,620 About this whole call in Jesus' life. 290 00:17:56,100 --> 00:18:01,379 For others, we can pursue the calling by rediscovering Jesus' call for our 291 00:18:01,379 --> 00:18:04,680 life by examining, doing assessment. 292 00:18:04,950 --> 00:18:09,240 Hey, those treasures that were mentioned, am I experiencing that today? 293 00:18:10,470 --> 00:18:11,580 If not, why not? 294 00:18:12,750 --> 00:18:13,320 What is it? 295 00:18:14,129 --> 00:18:19,350 Am I making some choices that have in me veer from the call of Jesus? 296 00:18:19,980 --> 00:18:22,530 Are there some things in my life that are distracting me? 297 00:18:22,965 --> 00:18:25,604 from this call of Jesus and living it out. 298 00:18:26,364 --> 00:18:28,384 And be honest with that assessment. 299 00:18:28,735 --> 00:18:31,674 Not guilty or down, but be honest. 300 00:18:32,084 --> 00:18:36,175 If it's not the case, then seek help from a brother or sister in Christ. 301 00:18:36,684 --> 00:18:38,844 Seek help to get back to pursuing. 302 00:18:39,370 --> 00:18:44,330 This call of Jesus and for some of us, it's just recommitting to living out the 303 00:18:44,330 --> 00:18:49,850 call of Jesus in our day to day life, not just on a Sunday, not just when we feel 304 00:18:49,850 --> 00:18:55,049 it, but when we don't feel it, when it's just our lives that we take steps every 305 00:18:55,049 --> 00:19:01,620 day in that call of Jesus and for others. 306 00:19:02,980 --> 00:19:05,740 As we assess, we can go, man, I'm experiencing it. 307 00:19:05,750 --> 00:19:06,860 This is awesome. 308 00:19:06,860 --> 00:19:07,810 Hallelujah. 309 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:12,100 We'll continue to praise the Father for the call of Jesus. 310 00:19:12,450 --> 00:19:14,730 Continue to thank and praise Him. 311 00:19:14,940 --> 00:19:19,019 But remember to continue in pursuing by living it out. 312 00:19:20,120 --> 00:19:24,160 And in calling your friends and neighbors to go along with you. 313 00:19:25,110 --> 00:19:30,000 And to call upon Jesus and to live out this call of Jesus. 314 00:19:31,315 --> 00:19:33,965 Thank God for the life of Jesus. 315 00:19:35,365 --> 00:19:39,434 Thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus. 316 00:19:40,205 --> 00:19:44,394 And thank God for the call of Jesus. 317 00:19:46,304 --> 00:19:50,655 And as we have this Christmas season, we want to thank God for the birth 318 00:19:50,655 --> 00:19:52,775 of Jesus that leads to all of this. 319 00:19:53,655 --> 00:19:56,605 And the opportunities that you and I have. 320 00:19:57,394 --> 00:19:59,744 It's humbling and honoring. 321 00:20:00,460 --> 00:20:08,909 To be called, to be a disciple of Jesus, and to be a divine agent of good. 322 00:20:09,879 --> 00:20:11,639 Right now we're going to take communion. 323 00:20:12,539 --> 00:20:15,649 Again, this is where we celebrate. 324 00:20:15,700 --> 00:20:21,149 We remember, we reflect upon Jesus's sacrifice for our opportunity to 325 00:20:21,149 --> 00:20:26,209 have salvation, to have eternal life, and we take the bread and the juice 326 00:20:26,209 --> 00:20:30,470 representing his body and blood that was It says, sacrifice for you and I, 327 00:20:31,190 --> 00:20:36,010 and as we do this, I want us to read in Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 4. 328 00:20:36,120 --> 00:20:38,040 Brothers and sisters, are you still with me here? 329 00:20:38,910 --> 00:20:44,340 Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 4, we'll read, it says, because of his great 330 00:20:44,340 --> 00:20:54,050 love for us, because of his great love for you, God, who is rich in 331 00:20:54,050 --> 00:21:00,375 mercy, Made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. 332 00:21:00,764 --> 00:21:02,294 It is by grace. 333 00:21:02,595 --> 00:21:07,695 You have been saved and God raised us up with Christ and seeded us with him 334 00:21:08,085 --> 00:21:10,185 in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. 335 00:21:10,185 --> 00:21:15,824 In order that in the coming ages, he might show the incomparable riches of 336 00:21:15,824 --> 00:21:23,865 his grace expressed in his kindness to us, to you and me in Christ Jesus. 337 00:21:24,445 --> 00:21:27,395 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. 338 00:21:27,745 --> 00:21:29,105 This is not from yourselves. 339 00:21:29,145 --> 00:21:31,785 It is the gift of God. 340 00:21:32,585 --> 00:21:35,525 Not by works, so that no one can boast. 341 00:21:35,865 --> 00:21:39,455 For you and me, we are God's handiwork, created in Christ 342 00:21:39,464 --> 00:21:45,795 Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 343 00:21:45,845 --> 00:21:46,975 Let's pray. 344 00:21:47,575 --> 00:21:50,534 Father, thank you so much for your scriptures and a 345 00:21:50,535 --> 00:21:53,405 divine call, a divine purpose. 346 00:21:53,805 --> 00:21:58,025 The opportunity to become like you in our character and our nature. 347 00:21:58,425 --> 00:22:03,175 The opportunity to do your good works and to imitate and emulate you. 348 00:22:03,465 --> 00:22:05,264 God, what an honor that is. 349 00:22:05,264 --> 00:22:07,234 I'm humbled and I'm grateful. 350 00:22:07,564 --> 00:22:11,995 And I know I'm unworthy, but for some reason you deem us to be worthy. 351 00:22:12,425 --> 00:22:15,905 And you deem us not only worthy to the call, but worthy to 352 00:22:15,905 --> 00:22:18,375 sacrifice your life for us. 353 00:22:18,875 --> 00:22:22,105 We are humbled, we are grateful, and we are honored. 354 00:22:22,575 --> 00:22:26,475 In the name of Jesus, we say hallelujah, praise you. 355 00:22:26,475 --> 00:22:39,914 All