1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:04,230 Gregg Marutzky: And today it just so happens I love preaching series 2 00:00:04,230 --> 00:00:10,470 because you end up preaching the perfect topic for the perfect day. 3 00:00:11,609 --> 00:00:12,449 You do. 4 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:15,149 What are we gonna talk about today? 5 00:00:15,330 --> 00:00:19,530 We're gonna talk about Peter going to Cornelius's House. 6 00:00:20,355 --> 00:00:22,755 The slide says Grace to, to the pagans. 7 00:00:22,755 --> 00:00:24,974 I'm sorry I didn't give you the last version. 8 00:00:24,974 --> 00:00:25,845 I changed that. 9 00:00:25,845 --> 00:00:30,105 That's what they thought of corn and his household in the first century. 10 00:00:30,105 --> 00:00:37,365 A bunch of pagans, but now I changed it to grace to the seekers, those that don't 11 00:00:37,365 --> 00:00:39,855 know the whole truth yet, but are seeking. 12 00:00:40,335 --> 00:00:41,865 I like that title better. 13 00:00:42,195 --> 00:00:44,355 It goes with my prayer a little bit better too. 14 00:00:45,225 --> 00:00:46,515 Of being a peacemaker. 15 00:00:46,575 --> 00:00:47,175 Amen. 16 00:00:47,835 --> 00:00:52,275 And so we're going to dive into Acts chapter six. 17 00:00:52,335 --> 00:00:54,735 Please turn your Bible there with me. 18 00:00:55,005 --> 00:00:58,185 And, uh, I, uh, always bring my Bible. 19 00:00:58,185 --> 00:01:01,695 I have the, the slides up on, uh, the screen. 20 00:01:01,695 --> 00:01:04,599 And yet we believe in the book, don't we? 21 00:01:04,724 --> 00:01:05,205 Amen. 22 00:01:05,310 --> 00:01:05,600 Amen. 23 00:01:06,255 --> 00:01:11,685 And I also do not use my phone to preach, if you notice that. 24 00:01:11,715 --> 00:01:12,315 All right. 25 00:01:12,705 --> 00:01:14,324 Because it's small. 26 00:01:16,154 --> 00:01:19,484 And they taught me at Toastmasters, and they taught me at preaching 27 00:01:19,484 --> 00:01:24,945 school to project and not look at the little bitty screen and not hold 28 00:01:24,945 --> 00:01:26,535 the screen in front of my mouth. 29 00:01:26,535 --> 00:01:30,824 And so that's why I use a big, big, beautiful iPad. 30 00:01:30,914 --> 00:01:31,574 Amen. 31 00:01:32,445 --> 00:01:38,475 But I also get the black covering so it's not distracting to you. 32 00:01:38,684 --> 00:01:39,225 All right. 33 00:01:39,854 --> 00:01:43,815 And wouldn't that be a bummer if I was reflecting it off of the lights? 34 00:01:44,325 --> 00:01:46,035 Yeah, that wouldn't be any fun. 35 00:01:46,725 --> 00:01:48,255 All right, let's go here. 36 00:01:48,945 --> 00:01:52,155 So first, what does a seeker look like? 37 00:01:53,085 --> 00:01:58,215 A seeker is somebody who prays to God, someone who gives to the poor. 38 00:01:58,245 --> 00:01:59,895 That's what Cornelius was doing. 39 00:02:00,405 --> 00:02:04,365 Someone who helps their neighbor, someone that goes to church, probably 40 00:02:04,905 --> 00:02:09,794 who obeys the law, who maintains their home, and you wanna live by 'em. 41 00:02:10,305 --> 00:02:12,790 They work hard at their job and they carry their weight. 42 00:02:13,649 --> 00:02:17,070 They read their Bible, they probably pay their taxes. 43 00:02:17,070 --> 00:02:18,869 They're faithful to their spouse. 44 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:21,059 They care for their parents. 45 00:02:21,510 --> 00:02:22,829 They love their kids. 46 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:24,329 This is a good one for us. 47 00:02:24,329 --> 00:02:28,170 Motorcycle rider riders, they're defensive drivers. 48 00:02:28,709 --> 00:02:30,269 They're looking out for us. 49 00:02:30,959 --> 00:02:33,899 They love their animals. 50 00:02:34,649 --> 00:02:35,730 I have to imagine. 51 00:02:35,730 --> 00:02:41,160 That's what Cornelius, I think, was probably like just a good guy. 52 00:02:42,345 --> 00:02:45,525 And sometimes Christians are so self-righteous. 53 00:02:45,525 --> 00:02:49,185 If you don't believe exactly what I believe, then you're lost. 54 00:02:49,185 --> 00:02:50,415 You're going to hell. 55 00:02:50,865 --> 00:02:51,765 You're a pagan. 56 00:02:53,234 --> 00:02:56,625 And I'll try not to be overly exuberant. 57 00:02:56,625 --> 00:03:01,755 I I, I trigger some people with my loud voice, so I, excuse me in advance. 58 00:03:02,385 --> 00:03:02,925 All right? 59 00:03:03,975 --> 00:03:09,045 But we've gotta, we've gotta have our first move towards people Love. 60 00:03:10,185 --> 00:03:11,084 Our first move. 61 00:03:11,355 --> 00:03:12,345 Acceptance. 62 00:03:13,215 --> 00:03:15,704 First move, unconditional. 63 00:03:15,704 --> 00:03:18,015 Love our first move. 64 00:03:18,045 --> 00:03:19,575 This is a safe place. 65 00:03:20,234 --> 00:03:21,375 I won't yell at you. 66 00:03:21,855 --> 00:03:25,815 Alright, we'll make this secure and safe. 67 00:03:26,685 --> 00:03:30,165 You know, today I'm gonna tell you where we're going before we even get there. 68 00:03:30,614 --> 00:03:32,114 Greg, why are you doing that? 69 00:03:32,325 --> 00:03:34,364 Well, because sometimes I fly around. 70 00:03:34,364 --> 00:03:36,525 I wanna make sure we land in the right place. 71 00:03:36,584 --> 00:03:36,945 All right. 72 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:39,660 But this is exciting. 73 00:03:39,690 --> 00:03:43,350 This is the morals of this story that we're getting ready to read. 74 00:03:43,620 --> 00:03:47,400 So if you know the structure of it, if you know the threads that are running through 75 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:49,710 it, you'll get so much more out of it. 76 00:03:50,340 --> 00:03:51,060 All right? 77 00:03:51,510 --> 00:03:54,480 Seven things because seven's the perfect number. 78 00:03:55,020 --> 00:04:01,525 Number one, God does new things, new things. 79 00:04:02,429 --> 00:04:03,600 Things he is never done. 80 00:04:03,660 --> 00:04:05,640 You can't put God in a box. 81 00:04:05,790 --> 00:04:09,269 You can't describe him according to a formula. 82 00:04:09,420 --> 00:04:14,699 Hermeneutics have tried to do that, that this is a way God always is. 83 00:04:14,699 --> 00:04:20,610 God is not always, he is always good, always faithful and always 84 00:04:20,610 --> 00:04:22,079 changing and meeting the needs. 85 00:04:22,079 --> 00:04:23,640 So God does new things. 86 00:04:23,940 --> 00:04:27,690 God shows no favoritism. 87 00:04:28,650 --> 00:04:31,590 That's why we're gonna be a church that shows no favoritism. 88 00:04:32,175 --> 00:04:33,105 Can I get Amen. 89 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:33,690 Amen. 90 00:04:33,975 --> 00:04:35,205 We're gonna love everybody. 91 00:04:36,045 --> 00:04:37,784 We don't care what you look like. 92 00:04:37,935 --> 00:04:39,435 We don't care what you believe. 93 00:04:39,435 --> 00:04:41,235 We don't care where you're coming from. 94 00:04:41,235 --> 00:04:42,825 We don't care your accent. 95 00:04:42,885 --> 00:04:44,175 We don't care your dress. 96 00:04:44,175 --> 00:04:46,995 We don't care your socioeconomic status. 97 00:04:47,115 --> 00:04:50,955 We want to be like Jesus. 98 00:04:50,985 --> 00:04:51,525 Amen. 99 00:04:52,545 --> 00:04:54,765 So God chose no Favoritisms three. 100 00:04:55,125 --> 00:05:00,435 God will surprise you just when you think you got him figured out. 101 00:05:01,620 --> 00:05:02,760 He's gonna trick you. 102 00:05:04,260 --> 00:05:05,700 He's gonna have to show you. 103 00:05:05,700 --> 00:05:08,580 No, you don't know as much as you think you do, Greg. 104 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:10,620 Yeah. 105 00:05:11,010 --> 00:05:12,780 You know God will surprise you. 106 00:05:12,780 --> 00:05:17,790 Number four, God includes untouchables. 107 00:05:18,810 --> 00:05:20,430 Do we need to hear that this morning? 108 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:21,210 Yes. 109 00:05:21,900 --> 00:05:24,810 And if you've ever felt like you're an untouchable, you're gonna 110 00:05:24,810 --> 00:05:26,310 get excited about this sermon. 111 00:05:26,310 --> 00:05:26,430 Amen. 112 00:05:27,690 --> 00:05:28,770 And, and you. 113 00:05:28,830 --> 00:05:32,640 If you think God doesn't care for Untouchables mercy, 114 00:05:32,670 --> 00:05:33,750 you need this sermon too. 115 00:05:34,710 --> 00:05:35,310 All right. 116 00:05:35,670 --> 00:05:38,909 See how my voice rises when I'm pleading? 117 00:05:39,150 --> 00:05:39,720 Amen. 118 00:05:41,130 --> 00:05:43,560 Number five, God speaks spiritually. 119 00:05:44,100 --> 00:05:52,830 Number six, God opens new doors and seven God wants at times to shift the paradigm. 120 00:05:53,610 --> 00:05:56,880 The whole world beneath our feet shifts. 121 00:05:57,900 --> 00:06:01,620 Let's look at this story together, beginning in Acts chapter 122 00:06:01,620 --> 00:06:03,990 10, beginning in verse 27. 123 00:06:04,530 --> 00:06:09,750 While talking with them, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 124 00:06:10,020 --> 00:06:13,620 He said to them, you are well aware that this is against our 125 00:06:13,620 --> 00:06:19,590 law for a Jew to associate or to visit a Gentile, but God has shown 126 00:06:19,590 --> 00:06:21,990 me that I should not call anyone. 127 00:06:24,675 --> 00:06:26,055 Impure or unclean. 128 00:06:26,055 --> 00:06:28,275 You can still ca call some food. 129 00:06:28,275 --> 00:06:29,145 Not good. 130 00:06:29,205 --> 00:06:29,805 All right. 131 00:06:29,985 --> 00:06:31,305 Wanted to add that. 132 00:06:31,365 --> 00:06:31,905 All right. 133 00:06:32,415 --> 00:06:34,515 The murky version, verse 29. 134 00:06:35,115 --> 00:06:38,985 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. 135 00:06:39,615 --> 00:06:43,875 May I ask why you sent for me corn's answer. 136 00:06:43,875 --> 00:06:47,055 Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour. 137 00:06:47,055 --> 00:06:50,715 You know this story, but we need to reread it at three in the afternoon. 138 00:06:50,715 --> 00:06:53,025 Suddenly a man in shining clothes. 139 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:55,200 Stood before him. 140 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:56,159 Was it Jesus? 141 00:06:57,030 --> 00:06:57,990 Was it Michael? 142 00:06:58,830 --> 00:07:00,150 Was it Gabriel? 143 00:07:00,210 --> 00:07:00,930 Who was it? 144 00:07:01,020 --> 00:07:01,620 I don't know. 145 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:07,920 Verse 31 and said, Cornelius, God has heard your prayer. 146 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:09,540 Wow. 147 00:07:09,900 --> 00:07:14,580 Pharisees didn't think God heard anybody's prayer, but a Jew and a 148 00:07:14,580 --> 00:07:20,160 very faithful, devout Jew, and he has remembered your gifts to the poor. 149 00:07:20,805 --> 00:07:23,295 Send a JOA for Simon, who is called Peter. 150 00:07:23,295 --> 00:07:29,595 He is a guest in the home of Simon the Tanner who lives by the sea. 151 00:07:29,595 --> 00:07:32,955 So I sent for you immediately and it was good of you to come. 152 00:07:33,225 --> 00:07:37,185 Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the 153 00:07:37,185 --> 00:07:40,185 Lord has commanded you to tell us. 154 00:07:40,635 --> 00:07:43,275 Then Peter began to speak this a great sermon. 155 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:48,030 In, uh, academic terms, this is called one of the primas of 156 00:07:48,030 --> 00:07:52,050 the Bible, one of the preaching lessons, the sermons of the Bible. 157 00:07:52,290 --> 00:07:58,620 He says, I now realize how true it is that God does not show. 158 00:07:58,620 --> 00:08:00,840 What favor, favoritism. 159 00:08:02,670 --> 00:08:03,480 Let's say it again. 160 00:08:03,810 --> 00:08:06,030 God does not show sistance. 161 00:08:08,010 --> 00:08:09,210 Let that sink in. 162 00:08:10,890 --> 00:08:13,170 We've gotta relax things. 163 00:08:14,100 --> 00:08:19,020 Create bias in us and prejudice in us and withdrawal. 164 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:23,730 We gotta be very careful what we post on social media. 165 00:08:23,730 --> 00:08:26,280 We need to represent Jesus always. 166 00:08:27,150 --> 00:08:27,720 You know? 167 00:08:28,380 --> 00:08:30,300 I mean, I read some things this week. 168 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:32,188 Would Jesus have said that? 169 00:08:34,740 --> 00:08:35,669 Would he have said that? 170 00:08:36,990 --> 00:08:38,159 Mercy. 171 00:08:39,330 --> 00:08:40,080 Mercy. 172 00:08:42,299 --> 00:08:43,859 Let's always be like Jesus. 173 00:08:43,859 --> 00:08:44,310 Amen. 174 00:08:46,379 --> 00:08:48,599 I now realize God shows no favoritism. 175 00:08:48,599 --> 00:08:54,269 Verse 35, buddy accepts every nation, the one from every nation, the one 176 00:08:54,269 --> 00:08:59,129 who fears him and does what is right. 177 00:09:00,180 --> 00:09:00,810 Amen. 178 00:09:02,609 --> 00:09:04,439 So let's keep going in the story, 179 00:09:06,629 --> 00:09:07,619 my screen. 180 00:09:08,969 --> 00:09:09,569 Died on me. 181 00:09:09,569 --> 00:09:10,050 Sorry. 182 00:09:10,109 --> 00:09:10,920 They'll get it back. 183 00:09:11,759 --> 00:09:14,609 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel 184 00:09:14,639 --> 00:09:16,379 announcing the good news of what? 185 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:17,790 Peace. 186 00:09:21,239 --> 00:09:21,719 Sorry, 187 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:26,579 that's not what it says. 188 00:09:28,109 --> 00:09:29,790 I get a little excited sometimes. 189 00:09:32,114 --> 00:09:33,359 It says peace. 190 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:35,219 Peace. 191 00:09:36,915 --> 00:09:40,485 Announcing the Good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who 192 00:09:40,485 --> 00:09:42,135 is our Lord, the Lord of all. 193 00:09:42,555 --> 00:09:47,655 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in G Galilee 194 00:09:47,685 --> 00:09:52,485 after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with 195 00:09:52,485 --> 00:09:57,945 the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went around doing good and healing 196 00:09:57,975 --> 00:10:00,945 all who were under the power of who? 197 00:10:01,305 --> 00:10:04,215 The devil, the devil is at work. 198 00:10:05,265 --> 00:10:07,635 Love people hate the devil. 199 00:10:09,614 --> 00:10:14,354 Love people hate sin because God was with him. 200 00:10:14,385 --> 00:10:19,275 We are witnesses in everything he did in the country and in Jerusalem and what they 201 00:10:19,275 --> 00:10:22,125 do, this is what the world always does. 202 00:10:22,125 --> 00:10:25,755 They killed him by hanging him on a cross. 203 00:10:26,474 --> 00:10:33,464 Verse 44, okay, it says God raised him from the dead. 204 00:10:34,319 --> 00:10:36,630 Okay, let's see here. 205 00:10:37,410 --> 00:10:41,099 Raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 206 00:10:41,339 --> 00:10:45,300 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God has already 207 00:10:45,300 --> 00:10:50,099 chosen by us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 208 00:10:50,415 --> 00:10:52,094 Spirits don't eat and drink. 209 00:10:52,094 --> 00:10:53,025 You can't touch 'em. 210 00:10:53,234 --> 00:10:56,535 Jesus asked them to touch him to know it was real. 211 00:10:56,834 --> 00:11:01,334 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he was the one whom 212 00:11:01,334 --> 00:11:06,615 God appointed as judge, not you and me, but him of the living and the dead. 213 00:11:06,615 --> 00:11:10,935 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes receives 214 00:11:10,935 --> 00:11:14,115 forgiveness of sins through his what? 215 00:11:14,805 --> 00:11:15,405 Name. 216 00:11:15,405 --> 00:11:16,964 There's power in the name. 217 00:11:16,964 --> 00:11:19,005 That's why we pray in his name. 218 00:11:19,305 --> 00:11:22,275 Ooh, don't take the shortcut at the end of the prayer. 219 00:11:22,334 --> 00:11:23,025 Amen. 220 00:11:23,415 --> 00:11:27,645 Say in Jesus' name, in the power of the holy one. 221 00:11:27,675 --> 00:11:28,275 Amen. 222 00:11:28,425 --> 00:11:30,464 In the power of the resurrected one. 223 00:11:30,615 --> 00:11:31,365 Amen. 224 00:11:31,425 --> 00:11:32,115 Don't pray. 225 00:11:32,115 --> 00:11:33,675 You just pray into God. 226 00:11:33,704 --> 00:11:37,604 Pray knowing it will be answered because the mediator is going 227 00:11:37,604 --> 00:11:40,064 before you and sharing it for you. 228 00:11:40,064 --> 00:11:40,665 Amen. 229 00:11:40,665 --> 00:11:40,814 Amen. 230 00:11:42,165 --> 00:11:42,555 Oh yeah. 231 00:11:43,305 --> 00:11:50,265 Verse 44, while Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all. 232 00:11:50,295 --> 00:11:51,975 Who heard the message? 233 00:11:51,975 --> 00:11:52,395 What? 234 00:11:53,415 --> 00:11:55,245 Holy Spirit wasn't for them yet? 235 00:11:56,145 --> 00:11:58,064 That's not according to the formula. 236 00:11:59,595 --> 00:12:01,515 They're supposed to get baptized first. 237 00:12:02,445 --> 00:12:02,985 All right? 238 00:12:03,645 --> 00:12:07,785 But God was doing a new thing to show he had opened the door. 239 00:12:07,785 --> 00:12:09,135 He built a bridge. 240 00:12:09,555 --> 00:12:11,354 To the Gentiles. 241 00:12:11,354 --> 00:12:12,795 Praise God for that. 242 00:12:13,905 --> 00:12:17,055 I don't know if you have any Jewish blood in you, but I 243 00:12:17,055 --> 00:12:18,555 don't think there's any in me. 244 00:12:19,364 --> 00:12:19,935 All right. 245 00:12:20,444 --> 00:12:23,234 Except for way, way back to Adam and Eve. 246 00:12:23,415 --> 00:12:23,954 All right. 247 00:12:25,334 --> 00:12:28,214 I mean, praise God that Gentiles are saved. 248 00:12:29,055 --> 00:12:31,364 Most of you look like Gentiles to me. 249 00:12:32,415 --> 00:12:32,775 All right? 250 00:12:33,135 --> 00:12:36,314 I don't want to judge, but I think we're gentiles. 251 00:12:36,405 --> 00:12:36,944 Okay. 252 00:12:37,035 --> 00:12:39,584 Yes, so praise God for this. 253 00:12:40,305 --> 00:12:41,175 Are you with me? 254 00:12:41,295 --> 00:12:41,385 Yes. 255 00:12:41,925 --> 00:12:43,035 Verse 45. 256 00:12:43,725 --> 00:12:44,145 He go. 257 00:12:44,175 --> 00:12:49,005 Going on here, he says, the circumcised believers who came with Peter were 258 00:12:49,005 --> 00:12:55,005 astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit have been poured out even, even on 259 00:12:55,005 --> 00:12:57,915 Gentiles, the Untouchables at that time. 260 00:12:58,635 --> 00:13:01,455 For, they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. 261 00:13:01,455 --> 00:13:04,845 Then Peter said, surely no one can stand in the way of their 262 00:13:04,845 --> 00:13:06,405 being baptized with water. 263 00:13:06,645 --> 00:13:08,895 They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. 264 00:13:08,895 --> 00:13:12,855 So he ordered them to be baptized in what the name again? 265 00:13:12,855 --> 00:13:16,515 The importance of invoking the spiritual cosmic power of the 266 00:13:16,545 --> 00:13:18,615 universe, the name of Jesus Christ. 267 00:13:18,975 --> 00:13:24,195 Then they ask Peter, stay with them for a few days. 268 00:13:25,215 --> 00:13:26,085 Verse 27. 269 00:13:27,060 --> 00:13:27,900 Let's go back. 270 00:13:28,319 --> 00:13:30,300 Let's learn some things from this story. 271 00:13:30,510 --> 00:13:31,140 Are you with me? 272 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,160 I think you are, because this is a good story. 273 00:13:36,089 --> 00:13:37,350 This is a paradigm shifter. 274 00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:41,250 This is one of the most important stories in all the New Testament. 275 00:13:41,250 --> 00:13:45,930 Guys, we gotta have this one down and we learn first. 276 00:13:46,020 --> 00:13:47,459 Let the Holy Spirit lead. 277 00:13:47,459 --> 00:13:50,189 You wait on the Spirit. 278 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:54,120 They told them at the beginning of Acts to wait on the Spirit, and then the 279 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:56,130 Spirit came, and then Acts two happened. 280 00:13:56,820 --> 00:13:59,340 They prayed for boldness in Acts chapter five. 281 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:01,830 The Spirit moved them and scattered them. 282 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:05,160 The spirit should always be leading the church. 283 00:14:05,490 --> 00:14:07,650 We don't want men leading the church. 284 00:14:07,650 --> 00:14:09,840 We want the spirit leading the church. 285 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:10,439 Amen. 286 00:14:10,830 --> 00:14:13,260 Because all of us men are fallible. 287 00:14:13,470 --> 00:14:15,780 All of us are men are finite. 288 00:14:15,780 --> 00:14:16,920 We're limited. 289 00:14:17,550 --> 00:14:19,439 We can be filled with the Holy Spirit. 290 00:14:19,439 --> 00:14:20,670 We can hear the spirit. 291 00:14:20,670 --> 00:14:22,740 We can go the right direction. 292 00:14:23,189 --> 00:14:25,619 But we gotta let the spirit lead. 293 00:14:25,619 --> 00:14:26,280 Amen. 294 00:14:27,540 --> 00:14:30,660 And the Spirit led Peter to this house and he walked in. 295 00:14:30,660 --> 00:14:34,439 He thought, whoa, I thought it was just gonna be Cornelius. 296 00:14:35,550 --> 00:14:37,439 There's a lot of witnesses here. 297 00:14:37,439 --> 00:14:39,660 I'm gonna get cooked for this. 298 00:14:40,589 --> 00:14:43,139 I'm not supposed to be eating with these people. 299 00:14:43,139 --> 00:14:44,129 I'm not supposed to be. 300 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:46,650 I thought I could do this undercover. 301 00:14:49,020 --> 00:14:51,060 You can't be undercover for the Lord. 302 00:14:51,180 --> 00:14:51,689 All right. 303 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:55,320 There's a power in crowds. 304 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:56,310 It's a good thing. 305 00:14:56,310 --> 00:14:57,630 It's an all right thing. 306 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:04,530 And then verse 28 says, well, I, uh, you know the law, you know I'm breaking it. 307 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,560 I am a barrier crosser. 308 00:15:07,710 --> 00:15:10,470 We got any barrier crossers in here? 309 00:15:11,610 --> 00:15:13,110 Yeah, we got some innovators. 310 00:15:14,070 --> 00:15:16,980 I mean, we got, I mean, I'm always, at least once a week 311 00:15:16,980 --> 00:15:19,290 gonna get a new idea from Kyle. 312 00:15:19,365 --> 00:15:23,685 Yeah, I mean, he's, he's got the pulse of you young people, and 313 00:15:23,685 --> 00:15:25,995 you've got a better new perspective. 314 00:15:25,995 --> 00:15:29,445 You're the spiritual life of, uh, uh, for the future. 315 00:15:29,475 --> 00:15:31,995 And he's always saying, Dr. 316 00:15:31,995 --> 00:15:34,395 Greg, why don't we do this? 317 00:15:35,145 --> 00:15:36,675 Well, that's pretty good idea. 318 00:15:36,675 --> 00:15:38,505 I wished I'd have thought of it myself. 319 00:15:39,675 --> 00:15:39,765 Right? 320 00:15:40,545 --> 00:15:46,485 And we talk about it and we refine it, and we usually do it all right. 321 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:48,810 It's good to have barrier breakers. 322 00:15:48,810 --> 00:15:50,160 It's good to have innovators. 323 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:55,769 It's good to have young people that have new ideas and creativity and imagination. 324 00:15:56,430 --> 00:16:01,349 And then it's good to have guardians, you know? 325 00:16:01,469 --> 00:16:05,280 And who did God use to break the barrier? 326 00:16:05,369 --> 00:16:06,180 A guardian. 327 00:16:06,660 --> 00:16:08,519 Peter was one of the old dudes. 328 00:16:09,540 --> 00:16:12,899 I mean, he was one of the guys that learned everything the hard way, even. 329 00:16:14,069 --> 00:16:17,069 But he'd learned to listen to the spirit. 330 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:20,400 And so he did. 331 00:16:20,609 --> 00:16:22,349 Was willing to risk. 332 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:26,729 He was willing to risk, and he went and he crossed the spirit. 333 00:16:26,729 --> 00:16:29,280 Verse 29, let's keep going here. 334 00:16:29,489 --> 00:16:30,930 What are we gonna learn from this? 335 00:16:31,290 --> 00:16:34,920 You've got to have a curiosity to learn anything new. 336 00:16:35,939 --> 00:16:39,420 You've gotta have a curiosity to see what God is doing. 337 00:16:39,449 --> 00:16:40,410 That is new. 338 00:16:40,469 --> 00:16:40,560 Right. 339 00:16:41,430 --> 00:16:44,729 Don't be stuck into old patterns. 340 00:16:45,269 --> 00:16:51,479 You gotta constantly be refreshing your mind rebooting, learning new programs. 341 00:16:51,479 --> 00:16:53,189 I'm gonna learn ai. 342 00:16:53,219 --> 00:16:54,180 Can you believe it? 343 00:16:54,660 --> 00:16:55,560 Right? 344 00:16:56,040 --> 00:17:01,314 I mean, for years I was saying there's nothing in this sermon from AI and 345 00:17:01,319 --> 00:17:04,979 there's nothing in this sermon from ai 'cause I haven't learned it yet. 346 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:11,159 But I saw this week what a AI program could do to my slides. 347 00:17:11,159 --> 00:17:15,060 I thought, Hey, in three seconds it did that. 348 00:17:16,409 --> 00:17:21,388 Okay, I think I'll learn that in, in five seconds. 349 00:17:21,388 --> 00:17:24,240 It made a study guide for a whole book. 350 00:17:26,220 --> 00:17:26,760 All right. 351 00:17:26,819 --> 00:17:28,378 I think I, I'm, I'm in. 352 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:29,100 I'm in. 353 00:17:30,210 --> 00:17:33,030 But unless you're curious, you won't learn anything new. 354 00:17:34,334 --> 00:17:36,644 And you're gonna miss what God does. 355 00:17:36,854 --> 00:17:37,725 That's new. 356 00:17:38,534 --> 00:17:39,735 We don't wanna miss it, do we? 357 00:17:40,634 --> 00:17:43,215 We we want to be on the boat when it leaves. 358 00:17:44,054 --> 00:17:46,965 We want to be on the train, headed up the mountain. 359 00:17:46,995 --> 00:17:48,314 We want to do it right. 360 00:17:48,705 --> 00:17:53,475 And so now verse 29 is, so when he was sent for, what did he do? 361 00:17:54,495 --> 00:17:58,485 He came, this needs to be the year of Yes. 362 00:17:59,745 --> 00:18:01,725 Too many churches are saying no. 363 00:18:01,784 --> 00:18:03,344 You can't do that? 364 00:18:04,094 --> 00:18:04,364 No. 365 00:18:05,475 --> 00:18:06,735 Don't have the money for that. 366 00:18:07,304 --> 00:18:07,814 Nope. 367 00:18:07,874 --> 00:18:08,294 Nobody. 368 00:18:08,294 --> 00:18:09,675 I volunteered for that. 369 00:18:10,245 --> 00:18:10,425 Nope. 370 00:18:11,415 --> 00:18:12,404 That's never worked. 371 00:18:13,394 --> 00:18:13,634 Nope. 372 00:18:14,054 --> 00:18:15,014 We tried that once. 373 00:18:16,274 --> 00:18:16,544 Nope. 374 00:18:18,374 --> 00:18:20,475 You know, you wanna be my friend. 375 00:18:21,165 --> 00:18:22,394 Say yes. 376 00:18:23,624 --> 00:18:24,584 Say yes. 377 00:18:26,324 --> 00:18:27,465 Our home. 378 00:18:27,554 --> 00:18:31,124 I shouldn't even tell you this, but I'm going to just don't tell anybody else. 379 00:18:31,949 --> 00:18:32,250 Okay. 380 00:18:33,389 --> 00:18:37,709 Our home password is the year of yes. 381 00:18:39,120 --> 00:18:42,179 Just to remind us that God is good. 382 00:18:42,540 --> 00:18:45,959 All God's promises come true in Christ. 383 00:18:45,990 --> 00:18:48,540 The answer's yes in Jesus Christ. 384 00:18:48,659 --> 00:18:48,929 Amen. 385 00:18:50,189 --> 00:18:53,250 There's a little more to that in my son-in-law would not want me 386 00:18:53,250 --> 00:18:54,810 to tell you the rest of the code. 387 00:18:54,810 --> 00:18:55,139 All right. 388 00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:56,580 Amen. 389 00:18:57,149 --> 00:18:58,080 In verse 30. 390 00:18:58,860 --> 00:18:59,850 Cornelius answered. 391 00:18:59,850 --> 00:19:00,600 Three days ago. 392 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:06,810 I was at my house praying, and then I got this vision, the power of prayer. 393 00:19:06,810 --> 00:19:08,279 Have you got any visions lately? 394 00:19:09,629 --> 00:19:11,489 I mean, it will transcend you. 395 00:19:12,120 --> 00:19:13,259 I am an engineer. 396 00:19:13,259 --> 00:19:14,729 I'm so practical. 397 00:19:14,729 --> 00:19:16,289 I'm nuts and bolts. 398 00:19:16,289 --> 00:19:17,850 I was a civil engineer. 399 00:19:17,939 --> 00:19:23,699 All we did is work in in the dirt and rocks and cement and steel. 400 00:19:24,225 --> 00:19:27,344 You know, I wasn't into electrical engineering. 401 00:19:27,344 --> 00:19:30,195 My brother was 10 times smarter than me, and he was an electrical engineer. 402 00:19:30,195 --> 00:19:31,874 I said, I think I'll stay in the dirt. 403 00:19:33,014 --> 00:19:36,675 Never could get the right hand rule right until my senior year. 404 00:19:37,304 --> 00:19:42,225 And then somebody said, it's just like water fluid flowing through a pipe. 405 00:19:42,284 --> 00:19:43,215 Oh, okay. 406 00:19:43,274 --> 00:19:44,594 I can get that. 407 00:19:44,985 --> 00:19:45,435 All right. 408 00:19:46,245 --> 00:19:49,995 Some things you just need a good teacher, you know. 409 00:19:51,060 --> 00:19:52,260 Anyway, that's an aside. 410 00:19:52,260 --> 00:19:53,639 Let's get back to the verse. 411 00:19:53,700 --> 00:20:00,389 All right, next point, verse 31, prayer for guidance. 412 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:04,350 Guys, we all have opinions, don't we? 413 00:20:05,580 --> 00:20:09,689 And we all have opinions about the thing we love the most, the church. 414 00:20:10,770 --> 00:20:11,669 But you know what? 415 00:20:11,700 --> 00:20:13,679 We all just need to pray for guidance. 416 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:16,530 I've been doing this a long time. 417 00:20:17,370 --> 00:20:23,189 I have two doctorates in leadership in organizational structure, and guess what? 418 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:25,080 I don't have all the answers. 419 00:20:26,250 --> 00:20:28,139 We need God for the answers, don't we? 420 00:20:28,740 --> 00:20:30,899 We've never been this way before. 421 00:20:30,899 --> 00:20:33,240 That was a theme of my high school prom. 422 00:20:34,139 --> 00:20:39,600 Never been this way before or never going this way again, or I don't. 423 00:20:39,929 --> 00:20:41,340 It was so long ago. 424 00:20:41,730 --> 00:20:42,570 All right. 425 00:20:44,129 --> 00:20:45,419 Shouldn't have gone there. 426 00:20:49,919 --> 00:20:54,269 But Cornelius was hurt because he was humble. 427 00:20:54,779 --> 00:20:56,370 Look at all these verses, John. 428 00:20:56,370 --> 00:20:56,729 Nine. 429 00:20:56,729 --> 00:20:58,679 We know that God doesn't listen to sinners. 430 00:20:58,709 --> 00:21:04,169 Psalm 66, if I had cherry sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened to me. 431 00:21:04,559 --> 00:21:07,139 But look at Jeremiah 29 13. 432 00:21:07,499 --> 00:21:10,829 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 433 00:21:11,070 --> 00:21:12,959 Psalms 34 15. 434 00:21:13,199 --> 00:21:18,060 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his eyes are attentive to their cry. 435 00:21:18,540 --> 00:21:21,600 Why did God answer Cornelius's cry? 436 00:21:21,659 --> 00:21:24,389 Because he gives grace to the seekers. 437 00:21:25,139 --> 00:21:27,360 All you gotta do is be seeking God. 438 00:21:27,419 --> 00:21:28,709 Lead me God. 439 00:21:28,770 --> 00:21:29,760 Teach me God. 440 00:21:29,790 --> 00:21:31,500 I will obey God. 441 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:32,639 Yes. 442 00:21:33,629 --> 00:21:35,490 God, yes I will. 443 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:37,489 No, I don't know if I want to do that. 444 00:21:37,489 --> 00:21:37,645 God. 445 00:21:38,384 --> 00:21:42,764 Don't debate God, don't bargain with God. 446 00:21:42,915 --> 00:21:45,735 You won't win bargaining with God. 447 00:21:45,735 --> 00:21:47,655 God, let's make a deal. 448 00:21:49,699 --> 00:21:51,134 No, that ain't gonna work. 449 00:21:51,134 --> 00:21:53,054 I tried that a few times in my life. 450 00:21:53,925 --> 00:21:55,905 He always says, no, 451 00:21:58,965 --> 00:21:59,715 I am serious. 452 00:22:00,764 --> 00:22:04,274 He always says no until I just say yes. 453 00:22:05,384 --> 00:22:06,189 Whatever you want, God. 454 00:22:07,245 --> 00:22:08,504 I'm on the altar for you. 455 00:22:09,524 --> 00:22:10,784 Jesus is my Lord. 456 00:22:10,935 --> 00:22:11,804 Whatever you want. 457 00:22:13,185 --> 00:22:14,114 And then yes. 458 00:22:14,114 --> 00:22:18,314 Becomes yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. 459 00:22:18,644 --> 00:22:19,185 Amen. 460 00:22:20,144 --> 00:22:22,245 You can live a no life if you want. 461 00:22:23,054 --> 00:22:24,519 This can be your year of, no, 462 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:26,779 no. 463 00:22:28,185 --> 00:22:29,235 I'm gonna be grumpy. 464 00:22:31,304 --> 00:22:32,024 Nope. 465 00:22:32,414 --> 00:22:33,735 I'm not gonna try anything new. 466 00:22:34,814 --> 00:22:35,504 Nope. 467 00:22:35,564 --> 00:22:37,064 I like my steak and potato. 468 00:22:37,754 --> 00:22:38,445 Nope. 469 00:22:39,914 --> 00:22:40,634 How about the year? 470 00:22:40,634 --> 00:22:41,235 Yes. 471 00:22:41,594 --> 00:22:42,584 Are you with me there? 472 00:22:43,634 --> 00:22:43,725 Yes. 473 00:22:43,784 --> 00:22:45,735 Prayer of sincerity. 474 00:22:45,764 --> 00:22:47,144 That's why he was heard. 475 00:22:47,504 --> 00:22:49,664 And then verse 32, let's keep going. 476 00:22:49,995 --> 00:22:50,894 Wrap this up. 477 00:22:50,894 --> 00:22:53,144 Sin to Jo of for Simon. 478 00:22:54,344 --> 00:22:55,185 He's called Peter. 479 00:22:55,185 --> 00:22:57,509 Now, that's a story, isn't it? 480 00:22:58,274 --> 00:23:01,364 And he went, he, he was obedience. 481 00:23:01,364 --> 00:23:02,445 He asked for Peter. 482 00:23:02,789 --> 00:23:04,859 Peter came, there's a lesson there. 483 00:23:04,859 --> 00:23:05,969 Obey your calling. 484 00:23:06,209 --> 00:23:07,709 Next verse 33. 485 00:23:08,039 --> 00:23:13,859 So even, even Peter had to find more truth. 486 00:23:14,669 --> 00:23:19,679 So he goes to Cornelius's house and he is surrendered. 487 00:23:19,679 --> 00:23:21,059 He goes into the house. 488 00:23:21,179 --> 00:23:23,639 He shouldn't do it, but he breaks that barrier. 489 00:23:23,909 --> 00:23:25,889 And then Peter, all of a sudden. 490 00:23:26,205 --> 00:23:31,365 Graphs, the lesson that we need, our world needs right now, 491 00:23:31,695 --> 00:23:33,495 that there's power in learning. 492 00:23:33,495 --> 00:23:38,325 I now realize what's true, that God chose no favoritism. 493 00:23:39,465 --> 00:23:42,465 See, the truth is before that, Peter thought only Jews could 494 00:23:42,465 --> 00:23:47,335 be saved and only really, really legalistic Jews could be said. 495 00:23:47,519 --> 00:23:52,709 Saved only people on the Sanhedrin, only people that were Pharisees. 496 00:23:52,709 --> 00:23:57,959 Only people that had memorized all of the Talmud and the Torah. 497 00:23:59,249 --> 00:24:03,089 Those were the only ones that could be saved. 498 00:24:03,659 --> 00:24:03,959 Nope. 499 00:24:05,339 --> 00:24:07,349 Even a sinner like me. 500 00:24:09,899 --> 00:24:12,329 Even a sinner like you. 501 00:24:15,029 --> 00:24:15,659 Amen. 502 00:24:15,869 --> 00:24:16,744 The power of learning. 503 00:24:18,104 --> 00:24:19,634 This is, this is good stuff. 504 00:24:19,634 --> 00:24:27,074 This is a paradigm shift, verse 35, but he accepts people from every nation. 505 00:24:27,254 --> 00:24:29,504 This is the power of inclusion. 506 00:24:30,944 --> 00:24:39,854 What if, because Ashley hadn't, uh, was, was struggling and she, she, 507 00:24:39,854 --> 00:24:42,464 uh, hadn't become a Christian yet. 508 00:24:43,634 --> 00:24:46,784 What if her parents said, Ashley. 509 00:24:47,955 --> 00:24:51,435 We're a good Christian family and you don't have the faith yet. 510 00:24:51,945 --> 00:24:54,614 Maybe you should live with one of your cousins or something 511 00:24:55,034 --> 00:24:56,084 until you become a Christian. 512 00:24:57,644 --> 00:25:02,144 Her parents, I know her parents, you know Jordan and Terry would've never done that. 513 00:25:03,164 --> 00:25:04,424 They love their kids. 514 00:25:04,424 --> 00:25:05,475 They love all you. 515 00:25:05,475 --> 00:25:07,874 Including older people. 516 00:25:07,874 --> 00:25:07,935 Yeah. 517 00:25:09,104 --> 00:25:09,344 Yeah. 518 00:25:10,514 --> 00:25:14,114 Aren't you glad that I include younger people? 519 00:25:14,985 --> 00:25:15,314 Yeah. 520 00:25:15,705 --> 00:25:15,855 Amen. 521 00:25:16,514 --> 00:25:22,995 Aren't you glad that we include those other people, not old or young? 522 00:25:23,115 --> 00:25:23,835 Right? 523 00:25:25,125 --> 00:25:26,235 We're having a little fun. 524 00:25:26,235 --> 00:25:27,495 That's all we're doing here. 525 00:25:27,585 --> 00:25:28,125 All right. 526 00:25:28,845 --> 00:25:33,885 The power of good news, verse 36, the Power of Good News. 527 00:25:34,725 --> 00:25:38,175 Since God shows no favoritism, I can worship a God like that. 528 00:25:39,945 --> 00:25:43,845 I can worship a God that includes everybody. 529 00:25:44,249 --> 00:25:54,090 I don't wanna worship a God that only takes Indians, Russians, Africans, 530 00:25:57,360 --> 00:26:00,179 Asians, Americans. 531 00:26:02,519 --> 00:26:08,699 I can, I can love and worship and trust a God that shows no. 532 00:26:09,330 --> 00:26:10,050 Favoritism. 533 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:10,680 Amen. 534 00:26:11,220 --> 00:26:16,020 If you get nothing out of the sermon, but that, that's worth the price of admission. 535 00:26:16,050 --> 00:26:17,790 'cause it was free to come on in. 536 00:26:18,090 --> 00:26:18,450 Right? 537 00:26:20,010 --> 00:26:25,950 And then verse 37, Paul, I mean, Peter looks back and he says, there's there 538 00:26:26,010 --> 00:26:27,720 we gotta learn from history here. 539 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,409 We gotta learn this lesson and not make this mistake ever again. 540 00:26:31,409 --> 00:26:33,120 And there's power and insight. 541 00:26:33,690 --> 00:26:37,860 And so it says that, uh, he starts preaching about Jesus. 542 00:26:38,219 --> 00:26:44,280 And then verse 38, how God anointed Jesus and, you know, and he gave us all free 543 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:50,820 will, free will choices, and then faces the fact that, you know, the Jews hung 544 00:26:50,820 --> 00:26:53,610 him on the cross and, and Peter's a Jew. 545 00:26:53,610 --> 00:26:57,959 And so that's pretty humble right there, saying that it's 546 00:26:58,169 --> 00:27:00,179 us who killed the Messiah. 547 00:27:00,629 --> 00:27:05,370 And then he, they, he, he starts sharing his own story about being 548 00:27:05,370 --> 00:27:06,870 a witness of the resurrection. 549 00:27:07,590 --> 00:27:15,030 You know, and, and Peter, I mean, he, he, he was so changed by the resurrection. 550 00:27:15,030 --> 00:27:21,990 He was just a brash, cruel, harsh, misogynistic old dude. 551 00:27:22,050 --> 00:27:26,010 And then he was converted and he just became a lover of people. 552 00:27:26,790 --> 00:27:31,649 And all of a sudden, at Pentecost, even learned about 15 languages with the 553 00:27:31,649 --> 00:27:33,750 power of the spirit, all of a sudden too. 554 00:27:34,199 --> 00:27:35,129 That's pretty cool. 555 00:27:35,129 --> 00:27:37,620 He had, he had a willingness to change. 556 00:27:37,620 --> 00:27:38,189 Amen. 557 00:27:38,639 --> 00:27:39,810 And then talk. 558 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:43,350 It's all about reconciliation and forgiveness. 559 00:27:43,350 --> 00:27:45,929 See how this is so applicable today? 560 00:27:45,990 --> 00:27:52,530 Instead of stoking the fires of hate and anger and discord and division, 561 00:27:52,590 --> 00:27:57,449 we're gonna be the people of peace and kindness and love and mercy. 562 00:27:57,480 --> 00:27:58,530 Are you with me there, sir? 563 00:27:59,520 --> 00:28:00,240 Amen. 564 00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:02,429 So read the signs. 565 00:28:02,834 --> 00:28:04,094 That's what Peter's saying. 566 00:28:04,154 --> 00:28:06,764 Anybody gonna stop these people from being baptized? 567 00:28:07,455 --> 00:28:08,415 Read your sign. 568 00:28:09,344 --> 00:28:10,965 I mean, this is a sign from heaven. 569 00:28:11,415 --> 00:28:14,475 God is telling us we need to do something different. 570 00:28:14,685 --> 00:28:16,064 Let's listen to God. 571 00:28:16,274 --> 00:28:17,685 Read your sign. 572 00:28:17,894 --> 00:28:20,834 And then verse 40, I'm, I'm moving right along. 573 00:28:20,834 --> 00:28:26,624 Verse 45, the power of a paradigm shift. 574 00:28:27,165 --> 00:28:31,574 This is the power of conversion, is the power of a. 575 00:28:32,504 --> 00:28:33,854 Paradigm shift. 576 00:28:34,125 --> 00:28:38,264 And boy, when Peter thought about that, he didn't back down in Acts 577 00:28:38,264 --> 00:28:39,824 11, he tells this same story. 578 00:28:41,084 --> 00:28:47,235 His mindset changed because of his encounter with Cornelius. 579 00:28:48,044 --> 00:28:52,425 Your encounter with the one non-Christian could change your whole outlook. 580 00:28:52,679 --> 00:28:52,899 Wow. 581 00:28:55,155 --> 00:28:57,885 You sitting down and cheering your faith and opening up 582 00:28:57,885 --> 00:28:59,294 your life and they opening up. 583 00:28:59,729 --> 00:29:02,340 Their life can change your whole outlook. 584 00:29:02,340 --> 00:29:03,810 That's why we have testimonies. 585 00:29:03,989 --> 00:29:05,939 I hope it changed you this morning. 586 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:11,070 What Ashley said, she came from a great family. 587 00:29:12,149 --> 00:29:14,310 That doesn't mean Satan didn't get in there. 588 00:29:15,570 --> 00:29:18,449 Through the internet and through social media and through her mind 589 00:29:18,449 --> 00:29:22,800 and through school and through other things, there's so much bullying. 590 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:24,239 There's so much meanness. 591 00:29:24,239 --> 00:29:25,665 There's so much evil, isn't there? 592 00:29:26,895 --> 00:29:27,495 Wow. 593 00:29:27,584 --> 00:29:31,665 Do we need to love each other and open up and help each other? 594 00:29:32,114 --> 00:29:35,895 And then the next thought, the power of transformation 595 00:29:36,284 --> 00:29:40,125 evidence, demands a, a response. 596 00:29:40,125 --> 00:29:41,864 And they started speaking in tongues. 597 00:29:41,864 --> 00:29:43,965 And so they accepted this new thing. 598 00:29:43,965 --> 00:29:49,064 They got baptized and the power of his, his name in Jesus' name. 599 00:29:49,455 --> 00:29:53,685 And so what do we do with all of this? 600 00:29:55,665 --> 00:29:57,375 You're always gonna hear me say, God, 601 00:29:59,745 --> 00:30:01,215 what should we do with this sermon? 602 00:30:01,304 --> 00:30:04,095 This story, it's not a myth. 603 00:30:04,575 --> 00:30:09,315 It really happened, and this is one of 'em that God wants us to learn. 604 00:30:09,975 --> 00:30:13,754 And so what do we get out of the message from God this morning? 605 00:30:14,325 --> 00:30:17,745 God does new things get on board. 606 00:30:18,554 --> 00:30:21,375 Number two, God shows no favoritism. 607 00:30:21,405 --> 00:30:22,240 Praise God to that. 608 00:30:23,474 --> 00:30:25,724 Number three, God will surprise us. 609 00:30:25,724 --> 00:30:29,204 God includes us and all untouchables. 610 00:30:29,204 --> 00:30:30,944 God speaks spiritually. 611 00:30:30,944 --> 00:30:38,864 We just have to listen and God opens new doors and we can have 612 00:30:38,924 --> 00:30:41,984 our paradigm shifted if we need to. 613 00:30:42,044 --> 00:30:42,674 Amen. 614 00:30:42,819 --> 00:30:43,109 Amen. 615 00:30:43,154 --> 00:30:46,634 So what do I want us to do? 616 00:30:47,204 --> 00:30:50,384 I want us to open our hearts to a new thing. 617 00:30:51,749 --> 00:30:53,189 I don't want to hear a lot of nos. 618 00:30:53,189 --> 00:30:55,889 Now you can fill in the blanks, Greg. 619 00:30:55,889 --> 00:30:59,159 That's a great big idea, but we gotta do all these things. 620 00:30:59,579 --> 00:31:00,749 That's fair. 621 00:31:00,809 --> 00:31:01,350 Okay. 622 00:31:01,889 --> 00:31:07,620 Just say yes first, and then tell me all the hurdles. 623 00:31:07,860 --> 00:31:08,519 Okay? 624 00:31:08,879 --> 00:31:09,959 All the challenges. 625 00:31:09,959 --> 00:31:11,819 I don't mind, but I want to hear. 626 00:31:11,819 --> 00:31:12,419 Yes. 627 00:31:12,419 --> 00:31:14,549 First, I want to hear faith first. 628 00:31:14,549 --> 00:31:15,090 Amen. 629 00:31:15,719 --> 00:31:18,539 And then give yourself grace. 630 00:31:19,754 --> 00:31:20,954 And give it to others. 631 00:31:20,954 --> 00:31:21,074 Amen. 632 00:31:22,454 --> 00:31:27,434 You're gonna, you, you, the world's gonna make you hard and mean, and angry 633 00:31:27,434 --> 00:31:29,894 and cynical if you don't fight it. 634 00:31:30,644 --> 00:31:34,214 And the only way to stay soft is to take grace from God 635 00:31:34,274 --> 00:31:35,534 and give it to other people. 636 00:31:35,534 --> 00:31:36,014 Amen. 637 00:31:36,824 --> 00:31:40,454 Embrace the unity of the Orange County Church. 638 00:31:41,384 --> 00:31:43,485 I'm naming the, the elephant in the room. 639 00:31:44,084 --> 00:31:46,154 All right, let's get United. 640 00:31:46,394 --> 00:31:46,574 All right. 641 00:31:47,654 --> 00:31:51,614 Let's have the spirit that we have, and let's build on it. 642 00:31:51,824 --> 00:31:55,695 Speak life with positive words of faith. 643 00:31:56,384 --> 00:31:57,074 Amen. 644 00:31:57,314 --> 00:32:01,814 Renew your commitment to the basic building block of this ministry, 645 00:32:01,814 --> 00:32:03,195 and it's our family groups. 646 00:32:03,195 --> 00:32:03,705 All right? 647 00:32:04,274 --> 00:32:05,354 They're geographic. 648 00:32:05,354 --> 00:32:06,195 They're local. 649 00:32:06,195 --> 00:32:06,914 We need 'em. 650 00:32:06,914 --> 00:32:08,174 We need each other. 651 00:32:08,205 --> 00:32:11,594 Recommit yourself to 'em and help your friends heal. 652 00:32:11,594 --> 00:32:11,715 Amen. 653 00:32:12,884 --> 00:32:13,820 There's people that have been hurt. 654 00:32:14,954 --> 00:32:17,444 And church hurt hurts the most. 655 00:32:18,584 --> 00:32:24,824 So let's help people heal and please be a bridge builder and a peacemaker. 656 00:32:26,774 --> 00:32:28,574 Don't stoke the chaos. 657 00:32:30,464 --> 00:32:30,914 All right? 658 00:32:31,244 --> 00:32:32,954 Be a peacemaker like our Lord. 659 00:32:34,064 --> 00:32:39,854 And then finally, I'm gonna ask you to go outside after this sermon, and 660 00:32:39,854 --> 00:32:43,694 we got some tables set up, and I want you to sign your name, put your name. 661 00:32:45,149 --> 00:32:50,340 Your phone number and your email address, we're not gonna make you put your address. 662 00:32:51,209 --> 00:32:53,100 We're not gonna come by, all right? 663 00:32:54,149 --> 00:32:56,669 Just gonna connect electronically, okay? 664 00:32:57,959 --> 00:33:00,899 But we want you to do that 'cause we've got a lot of work to do in the 665 00:33:00,899 --> 00:33:05,730 next few months, a hundred some days before we move back in our building. 666 00:33:06,209 --> 00:33:09,149 And we all need to get to work, put our hand to the plow. 667 00:33:09,209 --> 00:33:09,689 Amen. 668 00:33:10,260 --> 00:33:12,300 So we're gonna have signups, so please. 669 00:33:12,629 --> 00:33:13,500 Sign up. 670 00:33:13,709 --> 00:33:15,629 There's a lot of different things you can do. 671 00:33:15,629 --> 00:33:17,729 I'm sure you can help us somewhere. 672 00:33:18,179 --> 00:33:26,189 Uh, and let's close for now with giving Grace to one another. 673 00:33:26,459 --> 00:33:26,909 Amen.