WEBVTT 193 00:25:08.975 --> 00:25:13.505 Well hope. How we doing today? Okay, uh, 194 00:25:14.244 --> 00:25:17.105 it is great to see you. Uh, my name's Dwayne. I'm one of the pastors here. 195 00:25:17.205 --> 00:25:20.545 And let's start with a word of prayer. Uh, to that end, father, 196 00:25:20.595 --> 00:25:23.984 thank you for the day. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Uh, father, 197 00:25:23.994 --> 00:25:26.545 would you today, um, hide me behind you? 198 00:25:27.345 --> 00:25:30.625 I pray that the words in my mouth and the meditation in my heart, 199 00:25:31.015 --> 00:25:34.585 that they would both be acceptable in your sight because none of what I say 200 00:25:34.586 --> 00:25:37.865 today should be by my might nor by my power. 201 00:25:37.885 --> 00:25:42.575 But only by your might and by your power and led by your spirit. 202 00:25:43.395 --> 00:25:43.816 Father, 203 00:25:43.816 --> 00:25:47.935 would you lead us and guide us towards your truth that's found in your word? 204 00:25:48.555 --> 00:25:52.855 In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. You know, I have loved, uh, 205 00:25:52.925 --> 00:25:56.695 this series for the past few weeks on prayer and it's been an interesting 206 00:25:56.696 --> 00:25:59.095 series. Uh, we have seen God answer a lot of prayer. 207 00:25:59.105 --> 00:26:01.175 We've seen God work and move, uh, 208 00:26:01.176 --> 00:26:04.055 through the prayers of his people and through the praise of his people. 209 00:26:04.355 --> 00:26:05.375 And I'm just so thankful. 210 00:26:05.395 --> 00:26:08.215 Can we just give a shout to the Lord for that time over the last few weeks? 211 00:26:08.645 --> 00:26:10.895 Yeah, praise God. 212 00:26:12.155 --> 00:26:14.695 And we've been praying for a lot of things. Uh, 213 00:26:14.755 --> 00:26:18.215 one of the big topics that we've been praying for around here is for the future, 214 00:26:19.055 --> 00:26:21.935 uh, for the future of Hope Community Church. I mean, uh, 215 00:26:21.994 --> 00:26:25.655 all of us have probably had a moment where we have looked to the future and 216 00:26:25.656 --> 00:26:29.734 we've had great hopes for what it can look like or what it can be. Uh, 217 00:26:29.994 --> 00:26:33.375 now when I think about the future, it takes me back to a time and listen, 218 00:26:33.935 --> 00:26:38.015 I know that I'm dating myself here. Um, that was around a time, 219 00:26:38.016 --> 00:26:40.375 that was around the eighties or so, uh, 220 00:26:40.376 --> 00:26:43.605 because one of my favorite shows in the eighties that came on, oh, 221 00:26:43.625 --> 00:26:46.725 was something called the Jetsons. Anybody remember a show called The Jetsons? 222 00:26:47.155 --> 00:26:50.165 Yeah, yeah. We all old. Amen . 223 00:26:51.425 --> 00:26:54.165 It was a great show and they talked a lot about the future. 224 00:26:54.305 --> 00:26:58.125 And what was really cool about the Jetsons is because it was like a whole family 225 00:26:58.355 --> 00:27:01.645 that lived in what they thought the future ought to look like. 226 00:27:01.945 --> 00:27:06.205 And there were these things that they would show in the show that kind of caught 227 00:27:06.206 --> 00:27:09.205 my attention because a lot of them came to life like, 228 00:27:09.525 --> 00:27:11.925 like let me give you a few examples of what I'm talking about. Like, 229 00:27:11.926 --> 00:27:15.765 they had this watch that one of the characters used to wear that had like a TV 230 00:27:15.825 --> 00:27:18.325 on it, right? And if you look at it, 231 00:27:18.345 --> 00:27:23.045 it looks eely similar to the watch that I'm wearing, the Apple Watch , 232 00:27:23.835 --> 00:27:28.005 they called it that long ago. Uh, now I don't know if we can watch TV yet on it, 233 00:27:28.025 --> 00:27:31.525 but man, they called it a while back and it looks amazing. And, 234 00:27:31.526 --> 00:27:34.845 and then there was this other thing they had where Jane, his wife, 235 00:27:34.905 --> 00:27:37.565 as the show used to say it, she would work out from time to time. 236 00:27:37.865 --> 00:27:41.525 And so she had this TV screen that was kind of on the wall. 237 00:27:41.905 --> 00:27:44.605 And if you look at it like she was exercising with the screen, 238 00:27:44.755 --> 00:27:49.565 well a few years back this thing came out called the Tonal that looks exactly 239 00:27:49.795 --> 00:27:54.525 like what they predicted. It's amazing. And every time I look at that thing, 240 00:27:54.545 --> 00:27:56.525 the tonal, I think to myself like, 241 00:27:56.675 --> 00:28:00.325 sure if Planet Fitness being around the corner from our house won't get us to 242 00:28:00.525 --> 00:28:03.845 exercise a TV turned sidewalls will certainly do the trick, right? 243 00:28:03.905 --> 00:28:07.445 So the tonal will be a great thing, but man, they called it that long ago. 244 00:28:07.865 --> 00:28:11.005 And then there's this little thing they had in the house that would sweep the 245 00:28:11.006 --> 00:28:12.045 floors and clean up things. 246 00:28:12.225 --> 00:28:15.965 It was a small robot that used to go around the house and clean. Well, 247 00:28:15.966 --> 00:28:19.765 if you've ever seen a Roomba it, it looks just like that. 248 00:28:19.984 --> 00:28:22.484 The only problem is the Roomba doesn't actually clean anything. Like, 249 00:28:22.485 --> 00:28:26.205 let's just be honest. It just moves dirt from room to room like, but either way, 250 00:28:27.035 --> 00:28:29.845 they called a lot of things when they looked forward to the future. 251 00:28:30.765 --> 00:28:32.085 And here's what I know about the future. 252 00:28:32.835 --> 00:28:35.845 They weren't the only ones that were looking to the future. As a matter of fact, 253 00:28:35.846 --> 00:28:40.005 there was another guy in the 1980s who created a truck that he thought would be 254 00:28:40.006 --> 00:28:44.005 the best truck ever. And it was this thing. He worked hard on it, 255 00:28:44.165 --> 00:28:47.165 he put a lot of money into it, and he thought it would sell off the rack. 256 00:28:47.225 --> 00:28:48.965 It would be a beautiful thing. Well, 257 00:28:48.966 --> 00:28:52.685 it turned out everybody just thought it was ugly and it went away. 258 00:28:53.385 --> 00:28:57.125 But then fast forward a few years ago and we created a truck that looks just 259 00:28:57.126 --> 00:29:01.925 like it and now we pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for it. 260 00:29:02.425 --> 00:29:06.885 Who knew? It's still ugly . But here's what I know. 261 00:29:07.685 --> 00:29:11.525 I know that the future is something that we all look to. 262 00:29:12.465 --> 00:29:14.765 The point is, is that oftentimes when we look to the future, 263 00:29:14.945 --> 00:29:18.125 we don't know exactly what's gonna happen or exactly what to expect, 264 00:29:18.305 --> 00:29:21.885 but many of the things that we desire actually come to fruition. 265 00:29:22.345 --> 00:29:26.125 And what's important to note is that that coming to fruition doesn't happen 266 00:29:26.275 --> 00:29:28.205 without intentional effort over time. 267 00:29:28.425 --> 00:29:32.885 You don't go from the Jetsons to Tesla without somebody putting in the work 268 00:29:33.235 --> 00:29:35.645 because the future's not some distant idea. 269 00:29:36.325 --> 00:29:40.805 Actually the future is the product of our intentionality, of our decisions, 270 00:29:41.305 --> 00:29:44.765 of our actions. And listen, if you are a young person in this room right now, 271 00:29:45.105 --> 00:29:48.605 let me say this, your life will equal to some of your decisions. 272 00:29:50.195 --> 00:29:53.685 It's not some magical thing that happens when things go awry. 273 00:29:53.795 --> 00:29:58.525 It's usually the result of decision after decision after decision. 274 00:29:59.665 --> 00:30:00.925 So when I think about the future, 275 00:30:01.245 --> 00:30:04.005 and maybe even when you think about the future, the truth is, 276 00:30:04.245 --> 00:30:07.205 is your decisions will tell the story. And when I think about the future, 277 00:30:07.345 --> 00:30:09.605 it prompts me to ask the question like, 278 00:30:09.755 --> 00:30:11.845 what do you think the future will look like? 279 00:30:13.165 --> 00:30:16.765 Let me bring it a little bit closer to home. When you dream about your life, 280 00:30:17.995 --> 00:30:21.845 when you look at the lives of your family and the lives of your children, uh, 281 00:30:21.846 --> 00:30:24.765 when you look at those who you are in relationship with or, 282 00:30:24.766 --> 00:30:28.765 or those you may not know and may be close in proximity to you, 283 00:30:29.235 --> 00:30:31.925 what do you think the future is going to look like? 284 00:30:32.755 --> 00:30:37.555 What are your dreams and your hopes and your aspirations 285 00:30:37.615 --> 00:30:38.448 for yourself? 286 00:30:38.715 --> 00:30:42.275 And what are your dreams and your hopes and your aspirations for your family or 287 00:30:42.295 --> 00:30:45.515 for your community or for your country or for your world? 288 00:30:45.516 --> 00:30:47.995 Like what do you think the future is gonna look like? 289 00:30:48.295 --> 00:30:52.035 And the word that is most closely associated with what we think the future looks 290 00:30:52.036 --> 00:30:56.635 like is a word we're gonna talk a lot about today. Uh, is the word legacy. 291 00:30:58.645 --> 00:30:59.478 Legacy. 292 00:31:00.325 --> 00:31:04.865 The idea of leaving a legacy is something maybe most of us are familiar with. 293 00:31:05.705 --> 00:31:08.785 Uh, is the idea of leaving something that is long lasting, 294 00:31:09.255 --> 00:31:14.225 it's a long lasting impact of particular events or actions or, or decisions, uh, 295 00:31:14.226 --> 00:31:17.705 that lead to something in the future. So lemme just ask, 296 00:31:18.775 --> 00:31:22.185 what do you want your legacy to look like 297 00:31:23.695 --> 00:31:24.825 when it's all said and done, 298 00:31:26.375 --> 00:31:30.785 when your life ends and we move to the next generation when things change and 299 00:31:30.845 --> 00:31:34.545 all of a sudden you realize that the work that you have here on earth is 300 00:31:34.745 --> 00:31:37.905 finished, what do you want your legacy to look like? Uh, 301 00:31:37.935 --> 00:31:39.705 what will your legacy be? Uh, 302 00:31:39.725 --> 00:31:43.545 let me ask it a different question because there's these individual legacies 303 00:31:43.546 --> 00:31:45.225 that each of us leave with our lives, 304 00:31:45.285 --> 00:31:48.385 but then there's this collective legacy that we leave as a church. 305 00:31:48.655 --> 00:31:51.425 What will the legacy of Hope Community Church be 306 00:31:53.335 --> 00:31:54.425 when we get to the future? 307 00:31:56.065 --> 00:32:00.905 And legacy's a tricky thing because most of the time when we talk 308 00:32:00.906 --> 00:32:04.665 about legacy, we associate it with us. 309 00:32:06.045 --> 00:32:09.785 It is usually about us leaving money behind for somebody or us leaving 310 00:32:09.786 --> 00:32:14.465 possessions behind for somebody or us leaving a reputation that speaks to our 311 00:32:14.575 --> 00:32:16.785 name. Most of the time when we think about legacy, 312 00:32:16.965 --> 00:32:20.785 we think about us and we put us in the middle of whatever it is that we wanna 313 00:32:20.786 --> 00:32:21.619 leave behind. 314 00:32:21.775 --> 00:32:25.705 It's usually about making a name for myself or making a name for my family. 315 00:32:25.965 --> 00:32:29.505 But what if the greatest legacy that we would leave wouldn't be about us, 316 00:32:31.185 --> 00:32:33.705 but instead would be about Jesus? 317 00:32:35.495 --> 00:32:37.985 What if our legacy wasn't centered on who we are, 318 00:32:38.165 --> 00:32:41.445 but instead centered on who he is? You know, 319 00:32:41.446 --> 00:32:43.605 there's a great theologian named Billy Grim, 320 00:32:43.606 --> 00:32:46.845 and I love the way that he talks about legacy because when he talks about 321 00:32:46.846 --> 00:32:47.965 legacy, he says this, 322 00:32:48.185 --> 00:32:52.565 the greatest legacy that one can pass on to one's children or one's 323 00:32:52.566 --> 00:32:57.325 grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated over one's life, 324 00:32:57.705 --> 00:33:01.645 but rather a legacy of character and faith. 325 00:33:04.025 --> 00:33:07.435 What if we've been trying to create a legacy 326 00:33:09.085 --> 00:33:10.605 centered on the wrong things? 327 00:33:12.465 --> 00:33:17.285 So how does a person live a legacy like that? How do we leave a legacy of faith? 328 00:33:17.705 --> 00:33:21.765 How do we leave a legacy that reaches into the future and sets the conditions 329 00:33:21.825 --> 00:33:26.365 for our children or our grandchildren or people we don't even know where they 330 00:33:26.366 --> 00:33:28.805 have the opportunity to step into a life of faith? 331 00:33:29.065 --> 00:33:33.645 How do we as God's church hope community church leave a legacy for our community 332 00:33:33.715 --> 00:33:37.885 that puts it in a better place to receive and respond to the hope that comes 333 00:33:37.886 --> 00:33:42.205 from the gospel of Jesus Christ? I'm talking about legacy. 334 00:33:44.415 --> 00:33:48.085 While the world has this perspective on what legacy looks like, 335 00:33:49.145 --> 00:33:51.445 the Bible tells a much different story. 336 00:33:52.345 --> 00:33:57.005 And so that's where I want us to turn to figure out how we can live legacies of 337 00:33:57.006 --> 00:33:59.845 faith and leave those legacies behind for generations to come. 338 00:33:59.945 --> 00:34:01.125 So if you have your Bibles, 339 00:34:01.165 --> 00:34:05.325 I want you to open up to Mark's gospel and in Mark's gospel, uh, 340 00:34:05.326 --> 00:34:08.005 chapter 14, verses 3 2 9 through nine, 341 00:34:08.215 --> 00:34:10.765 we're gonna look at the legacy of a life of faith. 342 00:34:11.185 --> 00:34:15.645 And hopefully it'll give us some clues and I believe that it will on how we can 343 00:34:15.646 --> 00:34:18.125 leave a similar legacy for generations to come. 344 00:34:18.425 --> 00:34:20.885 And while you're turning to Mark 14 verses 3, 2, 9, 345 00:34:20.965 --> 00:34:25.045 I want you to earmark over in John's gospel because this is captured. 346 00:34:25.235 --> 00:34:29.525 This story is captured in both gospels. It's in John 12, one through three, 347 00:34:29.545 --> 00:34:31.565 but also in Mark 14, three through nine. 348 00:34:32.025 --> 00:34:33.645 And while you're turning to Mark's gospel, 349 00:34:33.864 --> 00:34:36.925 let me just share a little bit of the context of what we're gonna talk about 350 00:34:36.926 --> 00:34:38.005 today. Uh, 351 00:34:38.075 --> 00:34:42.725 this passage is one that points to a woman and it's a woman who left a 352 00:34:42.726 --> 00:34:44.005 lasting legacy of faith. 353 00:34:44.185 --> 00:34:47.525 And this legacy is not something that she even set out to leave. 354 00:34:48.075 --> 00:34:52.965 It's a byproduct that is left behind as a result of her faithfulness to follow 355 00:34:53.025 --> 00:34:53.825 the Lord. 356 00:34:53.825 --> 00:34:58.205 And I wanna be clear in saying that it's not her religious activity that leaves 357 00:34:58.364 --> 00:35:02.645 a legacy, it's her faithfulness. You see, 358 00:35:02.646 --> 00:35:07.645 this woman is a woman who Jesus actually knew personally and she 359 00:35:07.646 --> 00:35:10.325 didn't know Jesus is a great teacher alone. 360 00:35:10.785 --> 00:35:13.405 She knew him as a friend and her name was Mary. 361 00:35:13.465 --> 00:35:17.085 And just know Mary's a very popular name in the Bible, . 362 00:35:17.985 --> 00:35:22.725 And this Mary is very specific because you find her captured all throughout the 363 00:35:22.755 --> 00:35:23.588 gospels. 364 00:35:23.594 --> 00:35:28.445 This Mary is the one who's the sister of Martha and and Lazarus is her brother. 365 00:35:28.864 --> 00:35:32.565 And they have all, all collectively decided to follow Jesus' teaching together. 366 00:35:33.125 --> 00:35:36.765 And number of times throughout the Bible you see them hosting Jesus at their 367 00:35:36.766 --> 00:35:41.445 homes on a number of occasions. And Jesus has changed Mary's life 368 00:35:43.065 --> 00:35:47.565 and the way that she responds is through a life of faith. 369 00:35:48.864 --> 00:35:53.525 And when you get to this passage in Mark, that faith is on full display, uh, 370 00:35:53.685 --> 00:35:55.925 of verse three says this, while he, 371 00:35:55.975 --> 00:36:00.645 Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the leper, 372 00:36:01.165 --> 00:36:05.565 a woman came with an alabaster jar, a very expensive perfume, 373 00:36:06.025 --> 00:36:08.165 and it was made of pure nard. 374 00:36:08.705 --> 00:36:12.645 And she broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 375 00:36:13.645 --> 00:36:16.525 And some of those present were saying indignity to one another. 376 00:36:17.225 --> 00:36:20.045 Why this waste of perfume? It, 377 00:36:20.046 --> 00:36:23.805 it could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the 378 00:36:23.806 --> 00:36:27.925 poor and they rebuked her harshly. Jesus says, 379 00:36:28.015 --> 00:36:32.045 leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? 380 00:36:32.175 --> 00:36:34.405 She's done this beautiful thing to me. 381 00:36:34.705 --> 00:36:38.965 The poor you will always have with you and you can help in them at any time you 382 00:36:38.966 --> 00:36:42.685 want, but you will not always have me. She did what she could. 383 00:36:42.785 --> 00:36:47.364 She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly, 384 00:36:47.525 --> 00:36:50.445 I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, 385 00:36:51.594 --> 00:36:56.125 what she has done will also be told in memory of her 386 00:36:56.945 --> 00:36:59.645 legacy. And that same story, 387 00:36:59.705 --> 00:37:03.565 if you flip over to John chapter 12 is shared as well. Verse one says, 388 00:37:03.825 --> 00:37:07.565 six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus lived, 389 00:37:08.155 --> 00:37:10.245 whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 390 00:37:10.785 --> 00:37:13.364 And here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor, 391 00:37:13.625 --> 00:37:17.885 Martha served while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 392 00:37:18.105 --> 00:37:23.045 And then Mary took about a pint of pure ard and expensive perfume and she poured 393 00:37:23.046 --> 00:37:28.005 it on Jesus's feet and she wiped his feet with her hair and the 394 00:37:28.125 --> 00:37:31.605 house was filled with the fragrance of perfume. 395 00:37:33.105 --> 00:37:34.285 You know, I love this story 396 00:37:35.985 --> 00:37:40.645 and I love it because it details an act, a sacrifice. 397 00:37:41.385 --> 00:37:43.645 And we're gonna unpack that sacrifice in just a moment. 398 00:37:44.025 --> 00:37:48.605 But it details away that this woman decided to leave a legacy of faith. 399 00:37:48.785 --> 00:37:50.405 And it wasn't because she wanted a legacy, 400 00:37:50.705 --> 00:37:53.364 it was just because she wanted to be faithful. 401 00:37:53.625 --> 00:37:55.325 And I just wanna wanna start by saying, 402 00:37:55.344 --> 00:37:57.285 and kind of setting the tone for our conversation, 403 00:37:57.475 --> 00:38:01.685 that legacies of faith require a life of sacrifice. 404 00:38:04.025 --> 00:38:08.965 She sacrifices something here and we're gonna unpack that. 405 00:38:09.745 --> 00:38:12.565 But you need to know that this was no ordinary act. 406 00:38:13.245 --> 00:38:16.005 That that it was an act of sacrifice. And, 407 00:38:16.205 --> 00:38:19.525 and this shouldn't come as a surprise to us because the Bible talks about this 408 00:38:19.526 --> 00:38:22.525 kind of sacrifice all throughout the New Testament. I mean, 409 00:38:22.526 --> 00:38:27.485 we see Jesus calling us over and over again in the Bible to a life of sacrifice 410 00:38:27.665 --> 00:38:31.364 and a life of worship, choosing instead of doing what we want to do, 411 00:38:31.375 --> 00:38:34.965 doing what he wants to do. Lemme give you an example of what I mean. If you, 412 00:38:34.966 --> 00:38:37.965 you were to flip over to Romans chapter 12 verses one through two, 413 00:38:38.225 --> 00:38:42.285 the very words that are contained there is that we need to offer our bodies as 414 00:38:42.286 --> 00:38:46.085 living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. 415 00:38:47.435 --> 00:38:47.955 Because. 416 00:38:47.955 --> 00:38:52.885 This is what a life of proper worship looks like. 417 00:38:54.505 --> 00:38:55.725 It looks like sacrifice. 418 00:38:56.825 --> 00:39:00.205 It goes on to say that we shouldn't be conformed to the patterns of this world, 419 00:39:00.344 --> 00:39:03.925 but we should be transformed instead by the renewing of your mind. 420 00:39:04.185 --> 00:39:07.405 And that way we can test and approve what is God's perfect will, 421 00:39:07.585 --> 00:39:10.445 his good pleasing and perfect will for our lives. 422 00:39:10.705 --> 00:39:15.445 And what Paul is alluding to here and what Mary is living out in the text, 423 00:39:16.585 --> 00:39:19.844 is that Jesus calls us to a life 424 00:39:21.385 --> 00:39:22.325 of sacrifice, 425 00:39:24.364 --> 00:39:27.665 to a life of giving up our will for his. 426 00:39:28.945 --> 00:39:30.525 And when Romans 12 says, 427 00:39:30.526 --> 00:39:34.725 to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God is saying that we need to be 428 00:39:34.726 --> 00:39:38.765 the kind of people who submit our whole selves to the purpose of following 429 00:39:38.766 --> 00:39:41.485 Jesus. Every single part of us, even our bodies, 430 00:39:41.665 --> 00:39:44.805 is meant to follow God and to worship him fully. 431 00:39:46.795 --> 00:39:47.285 There's. 432 00:39:47.285 --> 00:39:50.335 Value and following him. 433 00:39:51.935 --> 00:39:56.655 And we choose the value of following him versus the value that the world tries 434 00:39:56.656 --> 00:39:57.735 to assign to our lives. 435 00:39:59.565 --> 00:40:03.775 Mary is so committed to following Jesus and that she's willing to sacrifice for 436 00:40:03.776 --> 00:40:06.975 it. And I believe that if we are committed to leaving that kind of legacy, 437 00:40:07.085 --> 00:40:09.695 then as we examine a merry sacrifice, 438 00:40:09.795 --> 00:40:13.415 it can give us some tips and some tools on how we can live similar lives of 439 00:40:13.735 --> 00:40:15.375 sacrifice. Uh, let me show you what I mean. 440 00:40:15.376 --> 00:40:19.495 There's some observations that we can just get from the text that shows us how 441 00:40:19.496 --> 00:40:21.335 to live our lives in a sacrificial way. 442 00:40:21.515 --> 00:40:24.935 And the first one is that sacrifice is costly. 443 00:40:26.915 --> 00:40:29.735 To live a life that leaves a legacy, 444 00:40:31.075 --> 00:40:35.975 it is gonna cost us something. I mean, 445 00:40:35.995 --> 00:40:39.655 it could cost us our very lives here on earth. 446 00:40:40.875 --> 00:40:45.455 The cost of her sacrifice, this, uh, perfume that she uses, 447 00:40:46.135 --> 00:40:48.535 uh, this would've cost about 300 denari. 448 00:40:48.875 --> 00:40:52.215 Now one denari is equal to one day's wages. 449 00:40:52.395 --> 00:40:55.655 And so this would've cost her almost a year of wages. 450 00:40:57.165 --> 00:40:58.815 This was no ordinary perfume. 451 00:41:00.035 --> 00:41:03.655 It was imported from Jerusalem and there was no Amazon at the time. 452 00:41:04.515 --> 00:41:06.495 You couldn't get a cheap version from Tamu. 453 00:41:09.805 --> 00:41:13.255 This was real perfume. It was a year's salary. 454 00:41:13.875 --> 00:41:15.295 It was in an alabaster jar. 455 00:41:15.355 --> 00:41:19.015 And at the time there were no resealable ways to close the jar up. 456 00:41:19.016 --> 00:41:22.655 So if you opened it and used it, you had to use the whole thing. 457 00:41:22.955 --> 00:41:25.575 You couldn't push it to the side and save some for later. 458 00:41:25.955 --> 00:41:28.735 She knows that when she opens this, it's gonna be costly. 459 00:41:28.925 --> 00:41:33.015 It's gonna cost her something and yet she chooses to sacrifice it anyway, 460 00:41:33.985 --> 00:41:36.245 to show honor to Jesus. 461 00:41:37.885 --> 00:41:41.245 And her sacrifice is a testimony of how she valued Jesus. 462 00:41:41.585 --> 00:41:45.805 She was willing to pay what it cost for year's salary just to honor him. 463 00:41:45.905 --> 00:41:48.645 And if we are gonna be the kind of church family that leaves a legacy, 464 00:41:48.795 --> 00:41:50.485 it's important for us to know. 465 00:41:50.625 --> 00:41:55.205 And we must understand that there is a cost that comes with following 466 00:41:55.495 --> 00:41:59.864 Jesus. It's gonna cost us something. 467 00:42:01.835 --> 00:42:04.835 And where this normally hits home for us when we talk about the cost of 468 00:42:04.836 --> 00:42:05.495 following Jesus, 469 00:42:05.495 --> 00:42:10.395 is that in church we normally talk about time and talent and treasure and those 470 00:42:10.396 --> 00:42:11.715 things are really important. 471 00:42:12.055 --> 00:42:15.835 But what I've found is that those are not normally the things that trip us up 472 00:42:15.864 --> 00:42:18.835 when we talk about this cost of following Jesus. Here's the truth. 473 00:42:19.135 --> 00:42:21.675 The deeper you grow in your relationship with God, 474 00:42:21.935 --> 00:42:25.155 the more likely you are to respond in ways of worship. 475 00:42:25.335 --> 00:42:29.395 So the more likely you are and willing you are to give your time and your talent 476 00:42:29.655 --> 00:42:33.555 and your treasure. And if those things are really difficult for you to share, 477 00:42:35.335 --> 00:42:37.475 you gotta ask a question about your relationship. 478 00:42:39.105 --> 00:42:41.835 Because the deeper we go the Lord, 479 00:42:43.035 --> 00:42:47.035 the more easy it is for us to share of our time and our talent and our treasure. 480 00:42:47.895 --> 00:42:51.355 But I can tell you the place where we normally get tripped up when it comes to 481 00:42:51.356 --> 00:42:54.715 this life of sacrifice, it's not our time or our talent and our treasure. 482 00:42:55.235 --> 00:42:59.795 I believe it is our hearts. It's when we have to make difficult decisions. 483 00:43:00.065 --> 00:43:02.435 It's when we have to decide to stand for Jesus. 484 00:43:02.695 --> 00:43:04.795 Let me give you some examples of what I mean. Uh, 485 00:43:04.796 --> 00:43:08.555 the place where we struggle when it comes down to us submitting ourselves fully 486 00:43:08.575 --> 00:43:12.915 to the Lord is when we have to decide between the world's way or God's way. 487 00:43:16.195 --> 00:43:20.455 It is when we have to decide between our priorities or his priorities. 488 00:43:21.125 --> 00:43:25.895 It's when we have to decide between our resources or our hearts, 489 00:43:28.415 --> 00:43:31.805 it costs us something. And when we get to that place, 490 00:43:33.344 --> 00:43:35.525 the truth is, is we have to ask the question, 491 00:43:36.965 --> 00:43:41.585 are we willing to pay the cost? You see, 492 00:43:41.586 --> 00:43:44.305 there's all these moments in our lives. You, 493 00:43:44.325 --> 00:43:48.864 we have to decide between whether we're going to embrace Jesus 494 00:43:49.405 --> 00:43:51.225 or we're gonna choose the world's way. 495 00:43:51.864 --> 00:43:54.705 And Mary's sacrifice wasn't just costly in one way. Uh, 496 00:43:54.706 --> 00:43:57.625 there was all kinds of cost to her because truthfully, 497 00:43:57.835 --> 00:44:01.945 she's trying to figure out how to do this. She knows 498 00:44:03.885 --> 00:44:07.105 she don't have much of what she has. 499 00:44:08.605 --> 00:44:13.525 She's willing to give it to Jesus. You know, 500 00:44:13.555 --> 00:44:17.844 following Jesus is going to cost us something. And we have to ask the question, 501 00:44:18.185 --> 00:44:20.844 are we willing, willing to pay the cost? 502 00:44:22.675 --> 00:44:25.125 Mary sacrifice costs her something. 503 00:44:25.425 --> 00:44:29.205 And one of the things that it costs her is actually her reputation. 504 00:44:29.235 --> 00:44:32.925 Because what she's doing in this moment is very counter-cultural. 505 00:44:33.105 --> 00:44:37.325 And if we're gonna follow Jesus, we need to be people who are counter-cultural. 506 00:44:37.465 --> 00:44:41.485 We will have to do things that go against the grain and that but the culture. 507 00:44:41.555 --> 00:44:45.925 Because here's what I know is that leaving a legacy of faith will require us 508 00:44:46.825 --> 00:44:47.658 to do things 509 00:44:49.145 --> 00:44:52.355 that the culture doesn't believe that we should do. 510 00:44:54.555 --> 00:44:55.388 Mary's sacrifice, 511 00:44:56.675 --> 00:45:01.094 she steps into this moment and all of the things that she does in this moment 512 00:45:01.735 --> 00:45:04.614 kind of go against the culture. Uh, lemme tell you what I mean. 513 00:45:04.645 --> 00:45:08.975 Like she was in a room full of men and that wouldn't have normally been a space 514 00:45:08.985 --> 00:45:12.415 where Mary would've been invited to unless she was there to serve food. 515 00:45:12.594 --> 00:45:14.455 She wouldn't have been able to go into that room. 516 00:45:14.895 --> 00:45:18.775 And she goes across that goes against the culture of the day and decides, 517 00:45:18.776 --> 00:45:22.614 still I need to show honor to Jesus. Uh, 518 00:45:22.615 --> 00:45:25.735 it wouldn't have been proper for Mary to wipe the feet of Jesus. 519 00:45:26.195 --> 00:45:30.295 Nobody would've done that unless they absolutely adored him. 520 00:45:32.425 --> 00:45:33.705 It wouldn't have been common to the day. 521 00:45:34.965 --> 00:45:39.905 But yet she goes across this cultural line to honor 522 00:45:40.045 --> 00:45:44.925 God. She would've been outta place and the culture would've scolded her. 523 00:45:44.945 --> 00:45:48.125 As a matter of fact, they did just a bit. And Judas asks her, 524 00:45:48.605 --> 00:45:52.005 why are you spending this much money? Because this is counter-cultural, 525 00:45:52.145 --> 00:45:55.364 but she's willing to do it because she's not focused on the culture, 526 00:45:55.614 --> 00:45:56.925 she's focused on Jesus. 527 00:45:59.245 --> 00:46:01.585 And I think we spend so much time focusing on the culture, 528 00:46:03.344 --> 00:46:05.425 but often Jesus becomes this distant idea. 529 00:46:07.075 --> 00:46:10.375 And I don't know if this is challenging you maybe right now in your life, 530 00:46:10.395 --> 00:46:14.735 but I have a few ideas of where these cultural decisions and these pathways are 531 00:46:14.855 --> 00:46:18.135 starting to trip us up. Uh, maybe for you it's happening at school. 532 00:46:18.425 --> 00:46:21.335 Maybe you got a professor or a teacher who's teaching something that goes 533 00:46:21.336 --> 00:46:22.375 against the word of God. 534 00:46:22.555 --> 00:46:25.055 And rather than stand as though you don't believe the Lord, 535 00:46:25.315 --> 00:46:28.094 you know you have to fight. You have to fight for God. 536 00:46:29.515 --> 00:46:34.175 And it's costing you something because you're being counter-cultural. 537 00:46:34.855 --> 00:46:38.495 Uh, maybe it's happening at work where there's some language being utilized and 538 00:46:38.496 --> 00:46:39.695 you're not comfortable with it 539 00:46:42.515 --> 00:46:44.125 because you're a follower of Christ. 540 00:46:46.895 --> 00:46:51.325 Maybe it's happening amongst your friend group, but you got a group of folks 541 00:46:52.844 --> 00:46:55.975 that don't seem to want anything to do with God. 542 00:46:55.976 --> 00:46:57.815 And I'm not telling you leave your friend group, 543 00:46:59.035 --> 00:47:03.895 but just know that you don't have to go with everything the culture tells you 544 00:47:03.896 --> 00:47:04.729 to do. 545 00:47:06.795 --> 00:47:11.375 The courage that you need to find is the courage that Mary has to cross the 546 00:47:11.535 --> 00:47:14.215 cultural line. And can I just encourage you with two things? 547 00:47:14.275 --> 00:47:16.695 If you find yourself in a position like that, uh, one, 548 00:47:16.975 --> 00:47:20.775 the courage that you need to be counter-cultural and following Jesus can be 549 00:47:20.776 --> 00:47:23.695 found through prayer and through a deep trust in God, 550 00:47:23.875 --> 00:47:28.094 he will give you the power that you need to be able to walk away or to stand 551 00:47:28.095 --> 00:47:32.125 firm. And second, Jesus was also counter-cultural. Amen. 552 00:47:35.155 --> 00:47:37.255 And then following him with a life of sacrifice, 553 00:47:38.555 --> 00:47:43.455 it will mean that sometimes we have to be called a cultural as well. You see, 554 00:47:43.456 --> 00:47:45.775 if we wanna live lives and legacies of faith, 555 00:47:46.975 --> 00:47:50.815 and we will have to at times live lives that are counter-cultural, uh, 556 00:47:50.816 --> 00:47:53.935 can I just say that a life of following Jesus can be that kind of life. 557 00:47:53.936 --> 00:47:57.655 Like it's, it's always feeling like you're going against the grain. Uh, 558 00:47:57.656 --> 00:48:01.975 because a life of worship is not a normal thing for our culture, uh, 559 00:48:02.005 --> 00:48:05.295 it's not something that everybody does. It's not something that it's the norm. 560 00:48:05.395 --> 00:48:08.935 And so when you begin to live a life of worship and following Jesus, 561 00:48:09.155 --> 00:48:13.535 it will look a little bit different from the norm. And, 562 00:48:13.735 --> 00:48:17.295 and that's okay. The Bible calls us a peculiar people. That's who we are. 563 00:48:18.535 --> 00:48:21.155 You're gonna face opposition. Things are gonna be difficult. 564 00:48:21.255 --> 00:48:26.114 And Mary faces opposition. Judas calls her on it. 565 00:48:26.335 --> 00:48:26.975 He says, 566 00:48:26.975 --> 00:48:30.155 why would you decide to spend this much money on this kind of sacrifice? 567 00:48:30.335 --> 00:48:33.675 Now here's the truth. Judas used to help himself to the money bags. 568 00:48:35.055 --> 00:48:38.675 And what he knows is that the money that comes in will probably end up in his 569 00:48:38.676 --> 00:48:43.635 pocket. And so he becomes a naser pretty quickly. You don't need to do that. 570 00:48:44.175 --> 00:48:45.915 You need to sell it and make some money. 571 00:48:46.175 --> 00:48:50.594 Can I just say that there will always be somebody who has some words when you 572 00:48:50.595 --> 00:48:51.635 decide to follow Jesus. 573 00:48:53.695 --> 00:48:57.955 And not all of those words are gonna serve to point you towards him. 574 00:48:59.185 --> 00:49:02.515 Some of those words are gonna be there to point you away from him. 575 00:49:03.455 --> 00:49:07.835 But choosing to go against the culture and align with the Lord will never, 576 00:49:08.205 --> 00:49:09.355 never leave you void. 577 00:49:11.265 --> 00:49:14.995 It's a life of worship that allows us to sacrifice. 578 00:49:15.555 --> 00:49:19.755 And this kind of leads me to the next thing that we see reflected in the text is 579 00:49:19.756 --> 00:49:23.675 that her sacrifice is a real act of worship. 580 00:49:23.815 --> 00:49:27.235 And if we're gonna be the kind of people who leave a legacy of faith through our 581 00:49:27.555 --> 00:49:31.594 sacrifice, then we need to live lives of sacrificial worship. 582 00:49:33.395 --> 00:49:38.235 We need to live lives of worship. You know, that jar of perfume was expensive. 583 00:49:39.435 --> 00:49:42.835 Uh, it came from the Himalayan mountains and in her very own way, uh, 584 00:49:42.855 --> 00:49:47.235 she has this opportunity where she has a chance to try to show Jesus what he 585 00:49:47.236 --> 00:49:48.315 really means to her. 586 00:49:48.655 --> 00:49:52.955 And so the only way that she knew in that moment how to worship was to take this 587 00:49:52.956 --> 00:49:56.075 thing that would've amounted a treasure and to pour on Jesus. 588 00:49:56.535 --> 00:49:59.555 And so she does this as an act of worship. 589 00:50:00.625 --> 00:50:03.875 It's a way of her saying that God is above all things. 590 00:50:05.375 --> 00:50:09.255 She takes this beautiful bottle and she pours it. 591 00:50:10.755 --> 00:50:12.135 And Jesus himself says, 592 00:50:12.835 --> 00:50:16.135 she has done this beautiful thing to me. 593 00:50:17.935 --> 00:50:20.535 And her gift didn't make Jesus beautiful. He was already beautiful, 594 00:50:21.995 --> 00:50:26.295 but it was an act of extravagant worship. 595 00:50:28.425 --> 00:50:30.735 Can I just say worship 596 00:50:32.315 --> 00:50:37.155 is much more than the 15 or 20 minutes before the sermon 597 00:50:37.255 --> 00:50:41.885 on Sunday. Worship is the posture, uh, 598 00:50:41.886 --> 00:50:45.245 of our lives. Uh, it is a lifestyle. Uh, Miriam, 599 00:50:45.445 --> 00:50:50.285 we describes a lifestyle as the typical way of life for an individual or a 600 00:50:50.286 --> 00:50:53.045 group or for a culture. And for the Christian, 601 00:50:53.185 --> 00:50:56.685 the life of worship is supposed to be our lifestyle. 602 00:50:56.945 --> 00:51:01.605 We choose to worship God both because of what he has done and because of who he 603 00:51:01.825 --> 00:51:05.445 is and who we are. We are made to worship. 604 00:51:05.785 --> 00:51:09.125 And just because we stop worshiping God doesn't mean we stop worshiping. 605 00:51:09.185 --> 00:51:12.205 We usually take the object of our worship and put it on somebody else. 606 00:51:14.775 --> 00:51:17.135 And we were made to worship. 607 00:51:19.085 --> 00:51:21.465 We were designed to worship. 608 00:51:23.905 --> 00:51:27.855 'cause worship is our purpose. Uh, it's our human purpose, 609 00:51:28.725 --> 00:51:32.215 it's our wiring. I love the way Colossians explains, uh, 610 00:51:32.364 --> 00:51:36.575 life of worship because it talks about this idea that we were made to worship 611 00:51:36.755 --> 00:51:41.094 God. And her act of sacrifice is this kind of worship. Can I just ask, 612 00:51:41.235 --> 00:51:42.335 can I just ask like, like, 613 00:51:42.395 --> 00:51:46.535 are you willing to sacrifice in a way that demonstrates a heart of worship? 614 00:51:46.875 --> 00:51:47.708 Can I just ask, 615 00:51:47.885 --> 00:51:52.495 what does your willingness to sacrifice say about your heart of worship? 616 00:51:56.065 --> 00:51:59.795 Because if we're not willing to sacrifice 617 00:52:02.975 --> 00:52:05.975 that maybe we aren't sincere about our worship, 618 00:52:07.935 --> 00:52:12.935 a legacy of faith is connected closely to a heart of worship. 619 00:52:14.915 --> 00:52:19.675 And Mary understood this and because she understood it, we hear 620 00:52:21.364 --> 00:52:23.575 even this day talking about her legacy 621 00:52:25.835 --> 00:52:26.935 and her sacrifice 622 00:52:28.525 --> 00:52:32.325 left a legacy because sacrifice always 623 00:52:33.385 --> 00:52:38.364 leaves a legacy. You know, we talked a bit earlier about the idea, uh, 624 00:52:38.365 --> 00:52:43.165 of leaving a legacy is something of value that is handed down from generation to 625 00:52:43.166 --> 00:52:47.085 generation. And in her case it was this beautiful, costly act of worship. 626 00:52:47.505 --> 00:52:50.085 And that act left a legacy for her. I mean, 627 00:52:50.086 --> 00:52:53.765 here we are thousands of years later, and we're still talking about her story. 628 00:52:53.895 --> 00:52:55.844 We're still talking about her sacrifice. 629 00:52:56.105 --> 00:52:59.925 Her story has been passed down through children and grandchildren and nieces and 630 00:52:59.926 --> 00:53:04.085 nephews. And she has become known for this sacrifice. Yeah, 631 00:53:04.145 --> 00:53:06.605 it wasn't her motivation to make her known, 632 00:53:07.505 --> 00:53:09.525 it was just her desire to be faithful. 633 00:53:09.555 --> 00:53:12.285 That left a legacy that we're all still talking about. 634 00:53:14.485 --> 00:53:17.965 And she didn't know it. But that act of worship, 635 00:53:21.364 --> 00:53:25.015 it was a gift not just to Jesus 636 00:53:26.625 --> 00:53:27.458 but to us. 637 00:53:29.755 --> 00:53:30.265 Because. 638 00:53:30.265 --> 00:53:34.205 In it, this beautiful story is told. 639 00:53:36.765 --> 00:53:39.045 And it's a story that's been told for generations to come. 640 00:53:40.945 --> 00:53:42.605 And I think if we were honest, we all, 641 00:53:43.305 --> 00:53:47.364 we all wanna live in a way that the story of our faithfulness is told for 642 00:53:47.365 --> 00:53:48.364 generations to come. 643 00:53:50.344 --> 00:53:55.045 We all wanna live in a way that God gets the most glory from how we live our 644 00:53:55.046 --> 00:53:59.325 lives. You know, I love how Jesus says it in verse nine. He he says, 645 00:53:59.326 --> 00:54:02.844 truly I tell you that we, wherever the gospels preached throughout the world, 646 00:54:03.594 --> 00:54:06.805 what she has done will also be told 647 00:54:08.485 --> 00:54:13.485 in memory of her, her sacrifice, her gift, 648 00:54:14.525 --> 00:54:19.005 uh, this moment, this is an example 649 00:54:20.505 --> 00:54:25.005 of sacrificial living. You see, she knows 650 00:54:27.265 --> 00:54:29.685 the sacrifice and worship 651 00:54:31.605 --> 00:54:34.245 will let Jesus know what she really thinks of him. 652 00:54:35.905 --> 00:54:36.765 And I would submit 653 00:54:38.364 --> 00:54:43.045 and our sacrifice what we're willing to sacrifice. And our worship 654 00:54:44.594 --> 00:54:49.205 will also let Jesus know what we really think of him. 655 00:54:50.594 --> 00:54:54.085 Whether we believe that he is who he says he is. 656 00:54:56.905 --> 00:55:00.995 Because the only rightful response to a loving God 657 00:55:03.015 --> 00:55:06.945 is a life of worship. You know, 658 00:55:06.946 --> 00:55:09.645 how does this look practically? Well, 659 00:55:09.646 --> 00:55:13.045 there's a couple of areas that I believe that this kind of shows up in. 660 00:55:13.385 --> 00:55:17.525 And so I wanna leave you with some practical opportunities to practice a life of 661 00:55:17.526 --> 00:55:21.245 worship and a life of sacrifice. And, and I believe that if we were willing to, 662 00:55:21.525 --> 00:55:22.565 to, to live this way, 663 00:55:22.594 --> 00:55:26.445 that it would leave a legacy and not a legacy that points to our name as a 664 00:55:26.446 --> 00:55:28.285 church or us as individuals, 665 00:55:28.425 --> 00:55:32.285 but a legacy that points to the faithfulness of following Jesus Christ. 666 00:55:34.645 --> 00:55:39.005 And the first one is, I believe that we need to make a sacrifice of service. 667 00:55:40.145 --> 00:55:40.446 You know, 668 00:55:40.446 --> 00:55:44.165 one of the hardest things for me as a pastor is to know that we have people who 669 00:55:44.166 --> 00:55:48.885 have been gifted by God, who are not willing to sacrifice and serve. 670 00:55:49.675 --> 00:55:54.045 Because serving not just changes you, it changes everybody around you. 671 00:55:54.605 --> 00:55:57.285 You know, oftentimes I hear like I wanna serve, 672 00:55:57.625 --> 00:56:01.765 but I got so many other things to do, can I just share? 673 00:56:05.195 --> 00:56:06.028 Serving, 674 00:56:07.515 --> 00:56:12.285 serving is this beautiful thing that when we step into it with our whole 675 00:56:12.344 --> 00:56:16.505 hearts, God changes us from the inside out. 676 00:56:16.506 --> 00:56:20.545 Because for just a moment when we're serving, we get our eyes off of ourselves 677 00:56:22.785 --> 00:56:27.114 and we put it on other people. You know, 678 00:56:27.115 --> 00:56:30.715 in his passage he says that the poor will always be with us. 679 00:56:32.795 --> 00:56:33.475 The truth is, 680 00:56:33.475 --> 00:56:38.335 is that we have so many opportunities to serve inside the walls of our church 681 00:56:38.535 --> 00:56:41.695 buildings at outside of the walls of our churches. 682 00:56:42.495 --> 00:56:44.455 And can I just say the area that I see this the most, 683 00:56:44.505 --> 00:56:49.215 where we need the most help most of the time is with our children. You know, 684 00:56:49.216 --> 00:56:52.815 when I was growing up that same timeframe in the 1980s, uh, Whitney Houston, 685 00:56:52.995 --> 00:56:55.695 the great singer and great theologian sin, I, 686 00:56:56.135 --> 00:56:59.415 I believe that the children are our future. We should teach them well and, 687 00:57:00.055 --> 00:57:03.015 and let them lead the way. I don't know that we've done a great job of either. 688 00:57:05.955 --> 00:57:09.935 And I think a lot of it draws back to just our hearts 689 00:57:11.685 --> 00:57:14.665 to serve and prepare the next generation to follow Jesus. 690 00:57:16.675 --> 00:57:18.105 There are so many environments 691 00:57:20.145 --> 00:57:22.785 where we can sacrifice through service. 692 00:57:24.005 --> 00:57:26.785 And if you aren't already serving somewhere, I want to encourage you, 693 00:57:28.075 --> 00:57:29.045 take a step of faith. 694 00:57:30.325 --> 00:57:34.635 Begin to commit to a sacrifice of service. Uh, lemme give you another one. Uh, 695 00:57:34.636 --> 00:57:35.795 it's our sacrifice of time. 696 00:57:35.935 --> 00:57:40.395 And our sacrifice of time is the one that we tend to want to not part with the 697 00:57:40.396 --> 00:57:42.035 most. Let me ask, 698 00:57:43.025 --> 00:57:47.435 does the way that you spend your time right now demonstrate a life of sacrifice, 699 00:57:47.675 --> 00:57:51.875 a life of worship, a life that will leave a legacy of faith? Because it isn't. 700 00:57:51.876 --> 00:57:55.555 If it doesn't, and maybe we need to examine how we spend our time. 701 00:58:00.045 --> 00:58:02.505 You know, there are a few things on this earth 702 00:58:04.935 --> 00:58:06.265 that will stand the test of time. 703 00:58:08.165 --> 00:58:10.665 And one of them is our faith. 704 00:58:12.385 --> 00:58:12.895 Because. 705 00:58:12.895 --> 00:58:13.728 It leaves 706 00:58:15.065 --> 00:58:18.755 this place and extends into eternity 707 00:58:20.305 --> 00:58:25.005 and how we spend our time matters. And then the last one 708 00:58:26.665 --> 00:58:30.945 is our sacrifice of worship. You see, Jesus was not just a friend to Mary, 709 00:58:31.205 --> 00:58:35.305 he changed her life. Her sacrifice was this beautiful expression of worship. 710 00:58:36.245 --> 00:58:38.305 It was a moment of thanksgiving for her savior. 711 00:58:38.765 --> 00:58:43.425 And if Jesus has changed our lives in the same way that he has changed Mary's 712 00:58:43.426 --> 00:58:45.465 life, and if you have placed your trust in Jesus, 713 00:58:45.765 --> 00:58:49.585 he has the power to change your life. And if that has been true, 714 00:58:51.905 --> 00:58:56.795 then our rightful response is a life of worship. 715 00:59:00.125 --> 00:59:02.945 And I know it's a sacrifice 716 00:59:04.925 --> 00:59:07.665 and I know the cost us something. 717 00:59:09.365 --> 00:59:10.198 But I would ask. 718 00:59:11.995 --> 00:59:16.885 Are we willing to pay the cost? Are we willing to pay the cost 719 00:59:19.455 --> 00:59:23.565 and give the sacrifice that leaves a legacy of faith? 720 00:59:26.005 --> 00:59:29.045 She, Mary was my prayer 721 00:59:30.775 --> 00:59:34.315 is that we will too. You know, 722 00:59:34.316 --> 00:59:38.515 one of the things that is wonderful about being a part of Hope Community Church 723 00:59:38.855 --> 00:59:40.035 is because, uh, 724 00:59:40.095 --> 00:59:43.955 we aren't just one church out here sacrificing 725 00:59:45.125 --> 00:59:49.075 alone. Uh, God has made us a part of his body and we, 726 00:59:49.215 --> 00:59:51.915 we are a huge part of this kingdom of God. 727 00:59:51.975 --> 00:59:54.755 And it's not just one Little Sea Church Hope Community Church. 728 00:59:55.155 --> 00:59:59.835 And we are a part of the Bigger Sea Church and we get to 729 01:00:00.065 --> 01:00:04.715 participate in this idea of living by faith and watching God move in ways that 730 01:00:04.716 --> 01:00:05.555 we could never imagine.