WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.185 --> 00:00:01.005
How are you today?

2
00:00:01.915 --> 00:00:04.445
What are to our feet? And we'll give the Lord some

3
00:00:04.445 --> 00:00:06.645
Praise. We're

4
00:00:06.645 --> 00:00:08.205
Worshiping him in the house of

5
00:00:08.205 --> 00:00:08.525
The Lord

6
00:00:18.825 --> 00:00:20.565
The day you may.

7
00:00:22.625 --> 00:00:26.885
So I'll rejoice and be glad. Rejoice and be glad

8
00:00:37.075 --> 00:00:39.445
that you are more than enough.

9
00:00:40.235 --> 00:00:41.285
More than enough.

10
00:00:45.105 --> 00:00:47.805
You're faithful to your promise.

11
00:00:48.465 --> 00:00:53.005
You I standing

12
00:00:53.755 --> 00:00:55.205
your presence.

13
00:00:56.045 --> 00:00:58.685
I have everything I need.

14
00:01:00.145 --> 00:01:04.205
The joy of Lord, the of Lord is my

15
00:01:08.575 --> 00:01:09.575
Lord.

16
00:01:10.175 --> 00:01:10.465
Lord,

17
00:01:21.975 --> 00:01:24.315
the joy, Lord, joy.

18
00:01:24.905 --> 00:01:25.195
Lord,

19
00:01:29.325 --> 00:01:33.755
everything you Jesus,

20
00:01:39.615 --> 00:01:43.195
You're worthy of, worthy of all

21
00:01:43.575 --> 00:01:43.795
My

22
00:01:47.715 --> 00:01:49.435
Faithful promise.

23
00:01:49.815 --> 00:01:54.355
You weak. When

24
00:01:54.455 --> 00:01:57.115
I'm standing in your presence,

25
00:01:57.755 --> 00:02:00.555
I have everything I need.

26
00:02:01.975 --> 00:02:02.515
The joy

27
00:02:55.405 --> 00:02:55.625
and

28
00:03:03.795 --> 00:03:04.355
overflow.

29
00:03:06.945 --> 00:03:07.835
Holy Spirit.

30
00:03:21.265 --> 00:03:22.475
Holy Spirit.

31
00:03:41.025 --> 00:03:41.555
Come on.

32
00:03:56.895 --> 00:03:57.115
Joy.

33
00:04:02.335 --> 00:04:04.355
Joy, the joy,

34
00:04:18.965 --> 00:04:22.785
his name within me.

35
00:04:31.365 --> 00:04:31.585
Joy.

36
00:04:51.845 --> 00:04:53.705
Yes, God, worship your Lord.

37
00:04:56.905 --> 00:04:58.835
Alright, hope. How you doing today?

38
00:05:00.295 --> 00:05:01.755
He is worthy to be praised.

39
00:05:02.055 --> 00:05:03.515
Why don't you turn to your neighbor

40
00:05:03.515 --> 00:05:06.395
and let them know how worthy he is to be praised today.

41
00:05:06.695 --> 00:05:09.075
And if you're online, why don't you send in a comment

42
00:05:09.455 --> 00:05:10.915
and say how thankful you are

43
00:05:11.115 --> 00:05:13.115
for all the wonderful things he's done in your life.

44
00:05:13.305 --> 00:05:14.305
Amen.

45
00:05:37.095 --> 00:05:38.195
We are here for one thing, and

46
00:05:38.195 --> 00:05:39.515
that is lift up the name of Jesus.

47
00:05:40.225 --> 00:05:42.155
Because in Jesus we find our hope.

48
00:05:42.705 --> 00:05:44.355
It's in Jesus that we find our peace,

49
00:05:44.355 --> 00:05:46.795
and it's in Jesus that we have our salvation.

50
00:05:47.655 --> 00:05:49.515
So we're gonna lift his name up today

51
00:05:49.815 --> 00:05:51.955
and every day I pray that you'd be a people

52
00:05:51.955 --> 00:05:53.275
that would lift up the name of Jesus.

53
00:05:53.415 --> 00:05:54.415
God

54
00:06:10.945 --> 00:06:11.405
He knows,

55
00:07:09.265 --> 00:07:09.805
yes he did.

56
00:07:53.995 --> 00:07:56.405
Hall The

57
00:08:03.335 --> 00:08:07.525
glory, glory

58
00:08:14.945 --> 00:08:15.435
freedom.

59
00:08:16.385 --> 00:08:18.555
Your stripes, my

60
00:08:23.725 --> 00:08:24.075
glory,

61
00:08:31.105 --> 00:08:31.395
love,

62
00:08:34.575 --> 00:08:36.315
praise King.

63
00:08:41.865 --> 00:08:43.315
Come your voice.

64
00:09:15.585 --> 00:09:19.535
Glory, glory, glory,

65
00:09:20.705 --> 00:09:23.095
glory forever.

66
00:09:29.545 --> 00:09:30.545
Jesus

67
00:11:27.645 --> 00:11:29.735
Hallelu the

68
00:11:32.505 --> 00:11:33.175
hallelujah

69
00:11:41.125 --> 00:11:43.815
hall, the

70
00:12:04.665 --> 00:12:04.885
the

71
00:14:03.625 --> 00:14:07.535
Jesus, Jesus.

72
00:15:07.015 --> 00:15:08.005
Thank you Jesus.

73
00:15:12.105 --> 00:15:16.165
In the darkness, we without

74
00:15:18.055 --> 00:15:22.845
Light From heaven there

75
00:15:26.555 --> 00:15:29.165
fulfill prophets

76
00:15:33.355 --> 00:15:37.765
from throne glory to C,

77
00:15:40.555 --> 00:15:41.045
lift up

78
00:15:51.225 --> 00:15:51.445
the

79
00:15:55.505 --> 00:15:55.925
Spirit

80
00:16:19.185 --> 00:16:22.805
To reveal and

81
00:16:24.785 --> 00:16:28.965
The To redeem creation.

82
00:16:29.745 --> 00:16:32.525
You did not dep the cross

83
00:16:33.625 --> 00:16:33.845
For

84
00:16:40.115 --> 00:16:44.125
Knowing this salvation, Jesus,

85
00:16:44.625 --> 00:16:45.965
for you

86
00:16:46.875 --> 00:16:51.525
Come let's, we're gonna praise, come praise

87
00:17:26.665 --> 00:17:30.805
The morning that you rose all of heaven.

88
00:17:33.265 --> 00:17:36.925
So that stone was moved for good, for

89
00:17:38.115 --> 00:17:41.205
conquer dead

90
00:17:50.985 --> 00:17:55.725
To the and the church shall

91
00:17:55.825 --> 00:17:57.165
Christ born

92
00:18:01.585 --> 00:18:02.365
now this gospel

93
00:18:12.795 --> 00:18:16.605
free, free the love

94
00:18:17.135 --> 00:18:18.165
Jesus Christ,

95
00:18:32.345 --> 00:18:33.685
Praise the

96
00:19:13.935 --> 00:19:14.155
him.

97
00:19:16.185 --> 00:19:16.595
Tell him

98
00:19:20.885 --> 00:19:24.755
Jesus, father, we love you.

99
00:19:26.965 --> 00:19:30.715
Thank you Lord for the reality that we get to live in

100
00:19:30.715 --> 00:19:32.155
because of your son Jesus,

101
00:19:33.215 --> 00:19:36.595
who sacrificed himself on the cross just for us, so

102
00:19:36.595 --> 00:19:37.675
that we could walk in freedom

103
00:19:37.735 --> 00:19:39.435
and we could live in your love.

104
00:19:39.435 --> 00:19:43.515
Lord, thank you. We love you. This is all for you, Lord.

105
00:19:44.495 --> 00:19:46.595
We honor you in this place, Lord.

106
00:19:47.215 --> 00:19:50.115
And it's in your name, we pray together. Amen.

107
00:19:50.505 --> 00:19:52.195
Come on church, you can take your seat,

108
00:19:54.545 --> 00:19:55.545
Take your seats.

109
00:19:56.415 --> 00:19:58.795
And while we're at it, can we just give the Lord some praise

110
00:19:58.895 --> 00:20:00.475
for our time of worship just now?

111
00:20:00.775 --> 00:20:05.315
Wow. Welcome

112
00:20:05.375 --> 00:20:08.475
to Hope Community Church and how we doing today, church.

113
00:20:09.625 --> 00:20:13.035
Okay. Okay, good, good. Well listen, my name's Dwayne.

114
00:20:13.035 --> 00:20:14.515
I'm one of the pastors here, and I get the

115
00:20:14.515 --> 00:20:15.715
privilege of welcoming you.

116
00:20:15.715 --> 00:20:17.955
So let me just say right up front, welcome

117
00:20:18.095 --> 00:20:19.355
to Hope Community Church.

118
00:20:19.615 --> 00:20:23.035
We are so glad that you are here now at Hope.

119
00:20:23.255 --> 00:20:26.755
We like to say that we are a big part of the family of God.

120
00:20:27.085 --> 00:20:29.875
We're a family who actually loves God, follows Jesus

121
00:20:30.215 --> 00:20:31.315
and shares hope.

122
00:20:31.655 --> 00:20:32.955
And we hope that while you're here today,

123
00:20:32.955 --> 00:20:36.275
that you feel like part of that family.

124
00:20:36.615 --> 00:20:38.755
And if there's anything that we can do to encourage you

125
00:20:38.755 --> 00:20:40.915
or to help you to be more of a part of that family,

126
00:20:40.975 --> 00:20:43.515
let us know and we'll do whatever we can to serve you

127
00:20:43.585 --> 00:20:46.675
with the hopes of connecting you to the leader of

128
00:20:46.675 --> 00:20:48.045
that family, Jesus Christ.

129
00:20:48.625 --> 00:20:49.965
And at the same time, uh,

130
00:20:50.025 --> 00:20:51.885
we really value family around here.

131
00:20:51.945 --> 00:20:53.085
We talk about it a lot.

132
00:20:53.225 --> 00:20:55.965
We try to support the family as much as we possibly can.

133
00:20:56.385 --> 00:20:57.525
Uh, and when there's moments

134
00:20:57.555 --> 00:21:00.365
that are significant in the lives of families, we try

135
00:21:00.365 --> 00:21:01.485
to lift those things up high.

136
00:21:01.825 --> 00:21:03.885
And I'll just give you an example. Like this week at all

137
00:21:03.885 --> 00:21:06.845
of our campuses, we have parents who are going

138
00:21:06.845 --> 00:21:10.005
to dedicate themselves to Jesus, to training their children

139
00:21:10.545 --> 00:21:12.845
in raising them to be followers of Christ.

140
00:21:12.865 --> 00:21:15.205
Now that's something to celebrate, right? Yeah.

141
00:21:19.145 --> 00:21:21.645
And so families are really important around here

142
00:21:22.185 --> 00:21:24.005
and there's different things that come

143
00:21:24.005 --> 00:21:25.445
with being a part of a family.

144
00:21:25.865 --> 00:21:28.725
Uh, there is some joy and some celebration that we get,

145
00:21:28.725 --> 00:21:30.765
but there's also some moments of brokenness

146
00:21:30.765 --> 00:21:32.205
that we all experience.

147
00:21:32.785 --> 00:21:35.325
And when we see areas of brokenness as a church, we like

148
00:21:35.325 --> 00:21:37.365
to step into those areas and offer the love

149
00:21:37.365 --> 00:21:40.085
and support of Christ in any way that we possibly can.

150
00:21:40.705 --> 00:21:44.965
Now, one of those areas is the area of foster care ministry

151
00:21:45.065 --> 00:21:47.445
and those who are affected by foster care.

152
00:21:47.825 --> 00:21:51.445
Now, this month happens to be foster care awareness month,

153
00:21:52.345 --> 00:21:55.325
and this month we celebrate the fact that man, we get

154
00:21:55.325 --> 00:21:58.365
to be a part of the solution when it comes down to

155
00:21:58.365 --> 00:21:59.565
that kind of work.

156
00:22:00.065 --> 00:22:02.525
And I hope there are all kinds of initiatives happening.

157
00:22:02.545 --> 00:22:03.885
We actually have a ministry here

158
00:22:03.885 --> 00:22:06.965
that we call Fostering Hope, where we

159
00:22:06.965 --> 00:22:09.645
as a church pour into the lives of those who are affected

160
00:22:10.265 --> 00:22:11.325
by that reality.

161
00:22:11.945 --> 00:22:14.525
And so God is doing some tremendous things all

162
00:22:14.525 --> 00:22:16.605
around the globe, but he's certainly doing some tremendous

163
00:22:16.605 --> 00:22:18.525
things here as a part of this church.

164
00:22:18.525 --> 00:22:20.685
And these are things that you may not be aware of.

165
00:22:20.705 --> 00:22:23.285
And so we'd like to share stories from time to time

166
00:22:23.385 --> 00:22:25.445
to help you know what God is already doing

167
00:22:25.745 --> 00:22:29.485
and maybe just maybe for you to see how you can be a part of

168
00:22:29.485 --> 00:22:30.565
that same solution.

169
00:22:31.065 --> 00:22:34.325
So for a little bit more information about fostering hope

170
00:22:34.325 --> 00:22:36.885
and about God was what God is doing through that ministry,

171
00:22:37.405 --> 00:22:39.645
I want you to take a moment and check out the story.

172
00:22:44.345 --> 00:22:47.125
Hi, I am Christina and I am a volunteer on the youth in

173
00:22:47.125 --> 00:22:48.605
the building team for Fostering Hope.

174
00:22:48.785 --> 00:22:51.405
And what that means is that we really support the staff

175
00:22:51.545 --> 00:22:54.885
and the social workers that are at the Wake County Health

176
00:22:54.885 --> 00:22:56.405
and Human Services building the

177
00:22:56.405 --> 00:22:57.765
Swine Burn Building in Raleigh.

178
00:22:58.145 --> 00:22:59.605
So there are kids that are there

179
00:22:59.715 --> 00:23:01.725
that are living in the office building.

180
00:23:01.905 --> 00:23:03.765
Um, they are not able to be placed right now

181
00:23:03.765 --> 00:23:06.485
for different reasons, or we're quickly removed from

182
00:23:06.485 --> 00:23:07.525
the home for certain reasons.

183
00:23:07.985 --> 00:23:10.245
And so they actually live in the office buildings.

184
00:23:10.245 --> 00:23:13.445
And so our team, as a part of kind of a different groups

185
00:23:13.445 --> 00:23:15.645
that come together, we do their laundry.

186
00:23:15.945 --> 00:23:17.725
So they don't have a laundry facility there.

187
00:23:17.785 --> 00:23:20.565
So we're able to pick up their clothes, provide care in

188
00:23:20.565 --> 00:23:21.805
that way, and then return it.

189
00:23:21.805 --> 00:23:24.325
So these kids have clothes they can wear to school

190
00:23:24.425 --> 00:23:26.645
or throughout the day that are clean and ready to go.

191
00:23:26.985 --> 00:23:29.605
Uh, it's very vulnerable to receive a child's clothing.

192
00:23:29.945 --> 00:23:32.405
Um, when you know they've been taken from their homes

193
00:23:32.585 --> 00:23:35.725
or they're in crisis again, they just, for whatever reason,

194
00:23:35.795 --> 00:23:37.005
just don't have somebody

195
00:23:37.675 --> 00:23:40.485
that can even just do their laundry.

196
00:23:40.825 --> 00:23:44.685
And so I think, um, for us, it's been really eye-opening.

197
00:23:45.145 --> 00:23:46.885
Um, it's been very humbling

198
00:23:46.985 --> 00:23:49.845
and it's been amazing to see my little daughters who are six

199
00:23:49.845 --> 00:23:53.205
and four take part in it and be a part as a family with this

200
00:23:53.225 --> 00:23:54.365
and really understand

201
00:23:54.825 --> 00:23:56.885
and just do this little thing that

202
00:23:56.945 --> 00:23:58.485
to us has been way more impactful.

203
00:23:58.945 --> 00:24:00.285
Um, but a way for us to love

204
00:24:00.285 --> 00:24:02.805
and serve these kids that so deserve our love.

205
00:24:03.225 --> 00:24:05.525
So the last thing I'll say about fostering hope is

206
00:24:05.525 --> 00:24:08.845
that everybody plays a part, but I really am amazed

207
00:24:08.905 --> 00:24:11.165
and in awe of the social workers in the building,

208
00:24:11.625 --> 00:24:13.525
the youth in the building staff, the health

209
00:24:13.525 --> 00:24:16.565
and human services staff, security teams, uh,

210
00:24:16.565 --> 00:24:17.685
volunteers from other churches

211
00:24:17.715 --> 00:24:19.965
that are stepping in in other ways that our church is not.

212
00:24:20.345 --> 00:24:21.925
So it does take a village

213
00:24:22.145 --> 00:24:24.885
and it's just a beautiful thing to be a piece of it, knowing

214
00:24:24.885 --> 00:24:27.285
that you don't have to do all the things you get

215
00:24:27.285 --> 00:24:29.365
to do the thing that God is asking you to do

216
00:24:29.425 --> 00:24:30.565
and has gifted you to do.

217
00:24:30.985 --> 00:24:33.445
But being able to really fully appreciate the people

218
00:24:33.445 --> 00:24:34.885
that do it day in and day out

219
00:24:35.025 --> 00:24:36.325
and loving them where they're at.

220
00:24:36.505 --> 00:24:39.885
So I think the program is a beautiful thing from Hope,

221
00:24:40.265 --> 00:24:43.805
but it also shows how community is so powerful as a whole.

222
00:24:45.745 --> 00:24:47.605
Our foster care system is home

223
00:24:47.625 --> 00:24:50.445
to over 450 children in Wake County.

224
00:24:51.575 --> 00:24:52.725
These children are some

225
00:24:52.725 --> 00:24:54.565
of the most vulnerable in our communities.

226
00:24:55.315 --> 00:24:58.525
They live with uncertainty moved from place to place,

227
00:24:59.315 --> 00:25:00.885
lacking the stability of home

228
00:25:01.145 --> 00:25:03.125
and the true safety of community.

229
00:25:03.635 --> 00:25:05.725
Some of you may one day be called to foster.

230
00:25:06.625 --> 00:25:09.445
We have several families in our church already doing so,

231
00:25:09.505 --> 00:25:11.725
and we are so thankful for the hearts

232
00:25:11.905 --> 00:25:13.325
and dedication that they have.

233
00:25:13.675 --> 00:25:16.765
However, that's not everyone's path, and that's okay,

234
00:25:18.185 --> 00:25:19.525
but there's something you can do.

235
00:25:20.825 --> 00:25:24.005
We just heard Christina share how God used her yes,

236
00:25:24.545 --> 00:25:25.925
to such a simple task

237
00:25:26.265 --> 00:25:29.045
and turned it into something so much more impactful,

238
00:25:29.745 --> 00:25:32.325
not only to the children in care and the social workers,

239
00:25:32.825 --> 00:25:35.005
but also for Christina and her family.

240
00:25:35.505 --> 00:25:37.365
In a moment, our pastors are going

241
00:25:37.365 --> 00:25:40.605
to lead us in prayer together, we're going to pray

242
00:25:40.705 --> 00:25:43.285
for the social workers with our foster care system

243
00:25:43.465 --> 00:25:45.205
and also our school social workers.

244
00:25:45.625 --> 00:25:48.925
The weight of their work is heavy and they are tired.

245
00:25:50.065 --> 00:25:53.095
We're going to pray for the courageous foster families

246
00:25:53.115 --> 00:25:56.335
who open their homes and hearts to provide refuge

247
00:25:56.835 --> 00:25:57.975
for vulnerable children.

248
00:25:58.385 --> 00:26:02.095
We're going to pray for the biological parents, many

249
00:26:02.235 --> 00:26:05.575
who are working tirelessly to heal, grow,

250
00:26:05.715 --> 00:26:09.695
and reunite with their children, their own stories full

251
00:26:09.695 --> 00:26:13.415
of pain, yes, but also resilience and hope.

252
00:26:13.965 --> 00:26:16.615
Last but not least, we are going to pray for the children

253
00:26:16.875 --> 00:26:20.375
who through no fault of their own, are caught in the middle

254
00:26:20.395 --> 00:26:23.775
of what must be a very scary situation

255
00:26:24.445 --> 00:26:26.575
that often leaves them feeling hopeless.

256
00:26:27.475 --> 00:26:30.175
Yet church, we have hope

257
00:26:31.045 --> 00:26:33.495
because God is a father to the fatherless

258
00:26:34.075 --> 00:26:36.455
and he knows them by name and loves them.

259
00:26:37.755 --> 00:26:40.735
So I ask, what's something you can do?

260
00:26:42.355 --> 00:26:45.285
If you're not sure, that's okay. We're here to help.

261
00:26:45.955 --> 00:26:49.005
Just text Foster to 7 2 9 8 9,

262
00:26:49.675 --> 00:26:51.005
fill out the connection form

263
00:26:51.385 --> 00:26:54.685
and a member of our Fostering Hope team is eager to connect

264
00:26:54.685 --> 00:26:56.445
with you to help you learn more.

265
00:26:59.275 --> 00:27:00.725
Well, let's take a moment to pray together.

266
00:27:01.425 --> 00:27:03.285
Father, we thank you for the day.

267
00:27:04.385 --> 00:27:05.525
We thank you for your grace

268
00:27:05.705 --> 00:27:08.925
and mercy, uh, that extends to us all.

269
00:27:09.825 --> 00:27:13.645
And Father, as we take time this month to both

270
00:27:14.255 --> 00:27:19.005
bring awareness and to pray on behalf of those

271
00:27:19.185 --> 00:27:23.165
who are affected by the foster care system, we pray

272
00:27:24.185 --> 00:27:25.805
for Father God, your power

273
00:27:26.505 --> 00:27:28.765
to be experienced in all that we do.

274
00:27:29.585 --> 00:27:31.245
Father, we lift up social workers

275
00:27:32.385 --> 00:27:35.205
who have a monumental task in front of them.

276
00:27:36.025 --> 00:27:39.165
Uh, we lift up both, uh, foster families

277
00:27:39.165 --> 00:27:40.845
that are currently serving in that role

278
00:27:41.585 --> 00:27:44.165
and those who would potentially be called into

279
00:27:44.165 --> 00:27:46.765
foster new children.

280
00:27:47.565 --> 00:27:48.845
I mean, even today, father God,

281
00:27:48.845 --> 00:27:51.365
as we were walking into this room, we heard of 11

282
00:27:51.945 --> 00:27:55.645
new children that showed up today who have that need.

283
00:27:57.305 --> 00:28:00.325
And so Father, as a church, we lift them up

284
00:28:00.325 --> 00:28:01.365
before you today.

285
00:28:02.345 --> 00:28:06.365
Uh, we lift up the children who are impacted in the midst

286
00:28:06.465 --> 00:28:09.125
of decisions that oftentimes have nothing

287
00:28:09.265 --> 00:28:11.845
to do with who they are.

288
00:28:13.665 --> 00:28:14.845
And Father, we just pray.

289
00:28:16.305 --> 00:28:19.405
We pray for everyone affected by

290
00:28:19.405 --> 00:28:21.445
what goes on in foster care.

291
00:28:22.225 --> 00:28:23.925
We pray that we would be the kind of church

292
00:28:23.955 --> 00:28:25.405
that doesn't just bring awareness,

293
00:28:27.225 --> 00:28:31.725
but that continues to be a part of solutions and support

294
00:28:32.825 --> 00:28:33.925
and the love of Christ.

295
00:28:35.505 --> 00:28:39.125
And Father. Well, we know that there is a need

296
00:28:39.465 --> 00:28:41.925
for every child involved in foster care

297
00:28:41.985 --> 00:28:44.085
to be known and to be loved.

298
00:28:44.345 --> 00:28:46.765
We also know that there's a need for every child

299
00:28:47.665 --> 00:28:48.765
to experience the hope

300
00:28:49.965 --> 00:28:52.775
that comes from knowing they're loved by God.

301
00:28:53.955 --> 00:28:58.855
So help us to share that kind of hope in Jesus' name. Amen.

302
00:28:59.965 --> 00:29:02.695
Amen. Listen, one of the ways

303
00:29:02.725 --> 00:29:06.895
that we experience time together as the family of God is

304
00:29:06.955 --> 00:29:10.135
by hearing the word of God, is by applying it to

305
00:29:10.155 --> 00:29:11.255
how we live our lives.

306
00:29:11.315 --> 00:29:14.455
And so in just a moment, we're gonna hear the word of God,

307
00:29:14.635 --> 00:29:16.335
uh, from my good friend Aaron Nelson.

308
00:29:16.405 --> 00:29:18.975
Does anybody know Aaron Nelson? Yeah. Praise God.

309
00:29:21.595 --> 00:29:23.775
And we're gonna continue to be that same family.

310
00:29:23.875 --> 00:29:25.735
So let's prepare our hearts for the word of God.

311
00:29:26.155 --> 00:29:27.975
And welcome to Hope Community Church.

312
00:29:28.225 --> 00:29:29.225
We're glad you're here.

313
00:30:01.835 --> 00:30:05.685
Well, hey everybody, um, hey, we're gonna, Hey, thank you.

314
00:30:06.585 --> 00:30:09.285
Um, we're gonna go ahead and get rolling here.

315
00:30:09.365 --> 00:30:11.365
I just want to kind of give you this precursor upfront.

316
00:30:11.545 --> 00:30:15.765
Uh, if you are, uh, a Bible reader, a note taker, buckle up.

317
00:30:15.985 --> 00:30:18.725
Uh, we are gonna be speed reading through the Bible today.

318
00:30:18.725 --> 00:30:20.605
So unless you grew up Baptist and you're really good at your

319
00:30:20.605 --> 00:30:23.005
speed drills, uh, today might be a day

320
00:30:23.215 --> 00:30:25.125
where you just write down the references

321
00:30:25.145 --> 00:30:26.845
and we'll kind of go back and revisit those later.

322
00:30:26.845 --> 00:30:29.565
And hopefully this feeds you, uh, over the coming weeks.

323
00:30:29.705 --> 00:30:33.445
But, um, back in 2019, I proposed to my wife Morgan.

324
00:30:34.145 --> 00:30:35.805
Uh, I proposed to her in Disney World,

325
00:30:35.805 --> 00:30:37.325
but she didn't know I was gonna do it.

326
00:30:37.445 --> 00:30:39.485
I was, I was actually very proud of the fact

327
00:30:39.485 --> 00:30:40.605
that I was able to pull this off.

328
00:30:40.665 --> 00:30:44.045
But leading up to the big day, uh, I had her do something.

329
00:30:44.265 --> 00:30:46.005
We would post pictures to social media

330
00:30:46.425 --> 00:30:49.685
of us in the parks at Walt Disney World and uh,

331
00:30:49.685 --> 00:30:52.125
and every single time we would put the hashtag hashtag

332
00:30:52.395 --> 00:30:53.445
Best Week of our Lives.

333
00:30:53.585 --> 00:30:55.525
But what she didn't realize was I was kind

334
00:30:55.525 --> 00:30:58.205
of feeding into it because I knew on the last day we were

335
00:30:58.205 --> 00:31:00.205
gonna post a picture of the proposal with the hashtag

336
00:31:01.155 --> 00:31:02.325
Best Week of Our Lives.

337
00:31:02.355 --> 00:31:03.725
Here it is. You can check that out.

338
00:31:04.585 --> 00:31:06.125
And I was really excited about it.

339
00:31:06.385 --> 00:31:07.725
And, uh, some of y'all, you see that

340
00:31:07.725 --> 00:31:08.645
and you're like, oh, that's so

341
00:31:08.645 --> 00:31:09.405
sweet, and all this other stuff.

342
00:31:09.405 --> 00:31:10.805
But some of you are looking at that

343
00:31:10.805 --> 00:31:12.805
and you, the only thing you've been asking this whole time

344
00:31:13.225 --> 00:31:17.045
is how in the world did you have the best week

345
00:31:17.045 --> 00:31:18.805
of your life in Walt Disney World?

346
00:31:20.705 --> 00:31:23.005
And I know you're there, you're a very vocal minority

347
00:31:23.005 --> 00:31:25.085
because you're very outspoken about

348
00:31:25.225 --> 00:31:28.085
how much you don't enjoy going to the self-professed,

349
00:31:28.275 --> 00:31:29.645
most magical place on earth.

350
00:31:30.385 --> 00:31:32.365
You get there and you're like, man, it's hot,

351
00:31:32.635 --> 00:31:34.885
it's expensive, I gotta wait in lines all day.

352
00:31:34.885 --> 00:31:37.525
And I'll concede to you that all of those things are true.

353
00:31:38.185 --> 00:31:41.645
But there's a reason why 50 million people a year continue

354
00:31:41.645 --> 00:31:43.765
to visit the most magical place on earth.

355
00:31:43.825 --> 00:31:45.965
And it's something called the Disney bubble.

356
00:31:46.985 --> 00:31:48.805
If you don't know what the Disney bubble is, it's

357
00:31:48.805 --> 00:31:52.165
what happens when you land at MCO when you land at Orlando

358
00:31:52.165 --> 00:31:55.565
International Airport, and then you go into Disney property.

359
00:31:55.565 --> 00:31:59.165
It's about a 40 square mile property of all things Disney.

360
00:31:59.265 --> 00:32:00.845
And you get there and it feels really nice.

361
00:32:01.395 --> 00:32:03.205
There's transportation whenever you need to get

362
00:32:03.205 --> 00:32:04.325
around somewhere, there's plenty

363
00:32:04.325 --> 00:32:06.165
of food options everywhere that you look.

364
00:32:06.355 --> 00:32:08.165
Kids have a smile on their face.

365
00:32:08.345 --> 00:32:10.845
Adults are filled with this sense of nostalgia.

366
00:32:11.025 --> 00:32:13.445
And if you don't believe that the Disney bubble bubble is a

367
00:32:13.445 --> 00:32:14.845
real thing, you tell me

368
00:32:14.845 --> 00:32:17.005
where else you can see a six foot rat running around

369
00:32:17.005 --> 00:32:18.085
and you get excited about it.

370
00:32:18.155 --> 00:32:20.805
Okay? Disney is a unique place.

371
00:32:21.065 --> 00:32:22.965
The thing that people love is kind

372
00:32:22.965 --> 00:32:24.365
of this sense of escapism.

373
00:32:25.285 --> 00:32:27.805
I can go to this place where there's never any chipped paint

374
00:32:28.025 --> 00:32:30.165
and there's no gum that's stuck on the floor,

375
00:32:30.345 --> 00:32:33.925
but even in the Disney bubble, there are certain signs

376
00:32:33.925 --> 00:32:35.685
that will quickly bring you back to reality.

377
00:32:36.505 --> 00:32:39.005
We were walking around and, uh, we were kind

378
00:32:39.085 --> 00:32:41.085
of resort hopping, going all the different places,

379
00:32:41.105 --> 00:32:42.365
taking the different methods of

380
00:32:42.365 --> 00:32:43.445
transportation and stuff like that.

381
00:32:43.505 --> 00:32:46.565
And, uh, well, we walk next to kinda like this little pond,

382
00:32:46.825 --> 00:32:49.245
and next to the pond, we see this sign

383
00:32:51.885 --> 00:32:54.745
danger alligators and snakes in the area.

384
00:32:55.885 --> 00:32:57.625
So my Morgan, she's talking to me

385
00:32:57.865 --> 00:32:59.505
and I'm oohing and ah, and all that stuff.

386
00:32:59.505 --> 00:33:00.545
And then I see that sign.

387
00:33:00.565 --> 00:33:02.545
And you know what, if you listen closely in the distance,

388
00:33:02.545 --> 00:33:06.265
you can hear it's the sound of the bubble popping

389
00:33:07.135 --> 00:33:10.545
because in just a moment, I was transported from this place

390
00:33:10.545 --> 00:33:12.505
of bliss back into central Florida

391
00:33:12.505 --> 00:33:13.825
where everything is trying to kill you.

392
00:33:14.325 --> 00:33:16.705
And just a moment, I saw this sign

393
00:33:16.725 --> 00:33:17.825
and now like I can't even,

394
00:33:17.965 --> 00:33:19.985
I'm not getting distracted the way that I was before.

395
00:33:20.015 --> 00:33:21.945
Like, I'm still enjoying myself and having a good time,

396
00:33:21.945 --> 00:33:23.745
but I got one eye on the ground

397
00:33:24.005 --> 00:33:26.345
to make sure there's nothing slithering or crawling my way.

398
00:33:26.345 --> 00:33:30.025
Right? Listen, a warning sign can take you out of this place

399
00:33:30.025 --> 00:33:31.505
of bliss really quick.

400
00:33:32.205 --> 00:33:34.345
And the Bible is full of them.

401
00:33:35.565 --> 00:33:37.945
The Bible is full of warning signs.

402
00:33:37.975 --> 00:33:41.905
Over the course of this, uh, uh, uh, series, we have been,

403
00:33:41.965 --> 00:33:44.025
um, celebrating the resurrection

404
00:33:44.205 --> 00:33:47.185
and the, the effects that that has on our life here today.

405
00:33:47.365 --> 00:33:50.105
In 2025, we have been talking, uh, Matt Curtis,

406
00:33:50.285 --> 00:33:53.745
he kicked off this series talking about Jesus on the road

407
00:33:53.845 --> 00:33:56.785
to Emmaus and how we can be assured that we walk

408
00:33:56.785 --> 00:33:59.425
with a messiah even through our disappointment.

409
00:33:59.665 --> 00:34:01.305
A couple of weeks ago I talked about how,

410
00:34:01.375 --> 00:34:03.385
because the grave is empty now,

411
00:34:03.405 --> 00:34:05.185
we are ambassadors for heaven.

412
00:34:05.325 --> 00:34:07.505
We are, uh, ministers of reconciliation.

413
00:34:08.295 --> 00:34:10.505
Last week, Heather, uh, she talked about

414
00:34:10.605 --> 00:34:14.105
how we are now invited into this God-centered community.

415
00:34:14.105 --> 00:34:16.345
This, this new family of God

416
00:34:16.345 --> 00:34:19.105
that we celebrate here week in and week out.

417
00:34:19.105 --> 00:34:21.225
And if you're not careful, you can celebrate the

418
00:34:21.385 --> 00:34:22.625
resurrection and you can think about Jesus

419
00:34:22.725 --> 00:34:24.065
and all these things can give you the warm

420
00:34:24.065 --> 00:34:25.145
and fuzzies in your tum tum.

421
00:34:25.285 --> 00:34:26.665
You can show up to church every week

422
00:34:26.665 --> 00:34:27.865
and you say, man, this is so great.

423
00:34:28.205 --> 00:34:31.425
God is so good. The sun is shining, the rainbows are out.

424
00:34:31.605 --> 00:34:34.185
All these great amazing things are happening.

425
00:34:34.405 --> 00:34:36.105
But then you start reading the Bible

426
00:34:38.155 --> 00:34:41.415
and you start to come across some of these warning signs.

427
00:34:41.425 --> 00:34:43.055
Let's take a look at a couple of them.

428
00:34:43.165 --> 00:34:44.495
They come from the apostles.

429
00:34:44.495 --> 00:34:46.535
The first one that we're gonna look at is from the apostle

430
00:34:46.535 --> 00:34:48.815
Paul, Galatians six, verse nine.

431
00:34:48.915 --> 00:34:51.855
He says, let us not grow weary of doing good.

432
00:34:53.445 --> 00:34:56.205
And maybe you see that and you go, well, I

433
00:34:56.765 --> 00:34:58.325
I wasn't planning on growing weary.

434
00:35:00.945 --> 00:35:03.915
Then you see James, the brother of Jesus in James one 12.

435
00:35:04.055 --> 00:35:06.395
He says, blessed is the man who remains

436
00:35:06.995 --> 00:35:09.755
steadfast under trial like trials.

437
00:35:11.185 --> 00:35:13.585
I said yes to Jesus. I didn't expect any trials.

438
00:35:13.585 --> 00:35:15.505
What did I sign up for? The author of Hebrews,

439
00:35:15.505 --> 00:35:19.025
Hebrews 10 23, let us hold fast the confession

440
00:35:19.085 --> 00:35:21.265
of our hope without wavering.

441
00:35:21.465 --> 00:35:24.105
I wasn't planning to waver. What are we talking about?

442
00:35:24.115 --> 00:35:28.065
Peter, one of Jesus's 12 disciples and two Peter three 17.

443
00:35:28.125 --> 00:35:29.665
He says, therefore dear friends,

444
00:35:29.955 --> 00:35:33.105
since you have been forewarned, be on guard so

445
00:35:33.105 --> 00:35:37.485
that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless

446
00:35:37.705 --> 00:35:40.365
and fall from your secure position.

447
00:35:40.365 --> 00:35:41.845
Wait a minute, forewarned,

448
00:35:44.745 --> 00:35:46.845
if we've been celebrating the resurrection,

449
00:35:48.275 --> 00:35:50.975
if the tomb being empty is the greatest thing

450
00:35:50.975 --> 00:35:52.535
that could ever happen to me,

451
00:35:54.455 --> 00:35:57.035
why do the New Testament authors keep

452
00:35:57.035 --> 00:35:58.115
telling me to watch out?

453
00:35:59.955 --> 00:36:01.815
Why do they keep telling me not to give up?

454
00:36:03.115 --> 00:36:05.815
Why do they keep telling me to press on this is supposed

455
00:36:05.815 --> 00:36:07.295
to be good news, right?

456
00:36:08.115 --> 00:36:11.825
Why is it that they keep telling me to watch out?

457
00:36:11.825 --> 00:36:14.185
And and as you read through the, the pages of scripture,

458
00:36:14.205 --> 00:36:16.465
and as you start to live this life of following Jesus,

459
00:36:16.565 --> 00:36:21.395
if you listen closely, that idea

460
00:36:21.395 --> 00:36:24.755
that this whole thing is supposed to be easy starts to fall

461
00:36:25.425 --> 00:36:27.835
away, it's the sound of the bubble popping.

462
00:36:27.905 --> 00:36:32.475
It's the reality setting in of the cost of following Jesus.

463
00:36:33.875 --> 00:36:36.485
It's coming through the realization that making the decision

464
00:36:36.545 --> 00:36:39.005
to follow Jesus is not the finish line.

465
00:36:39.195 --> 00:36:40.725
It's actually the starting block.

466
00:36:43.025 --> 00:36:47.365
Morgan, uh, invited me to go to Burn Bootcamp

467
00:36:47.365 --> 00:36:51.125
with her one time, and uh, I was, yeah, sure.

468
00:36:51.145 --> 00:36:53.165
She went every day like five times a week.

469
00:36:53.165 --> 00:36:54.765
She was crushing it, doing a great job.

470
00:36:54.765 --> 00:36:56.325
And so she said, Hey, I got a visitor's pass.

471
00:36:56.345 --> 00:36:57.645
You should, you should come with me to go

472
00:36:57.645 --> 00:36:58.765
and work out at Burn Bootcamp.

473
00:36:58.765 --> 00:37:00.165
And I said, yeah, burn bootcamp

474
00:37:00.265 --> 00:37:01.445
one day, whatever, let's go do it.

475
00:37:01.445 --> 00:37:03.885
Right? So we get there and we show up to the place

476
00:37:03.885 --> 00:37:06.445
and they're doing these like circuit cardio things.

477
00:37:06.465 --> 00:37:08.165
So it's like six different stations

478
00:37:08.385 --> 00:37:09.765
and it's like burpees this

479
00:37:09.765 --> 00:37:11.685
and hit the back of your head with your ankle.

480
00:37:11.685 --> 00:37:13.405
That and all these things that

481
00:37:14.125 --> 00:37:15.765
I did not wanna do on a Saturday morning,

482
00:37:15.865 --> 00:37:18.245
but we start going, and at this time, Morgan

483
00:37:18.265 --> 00:37:20.365
and I weren't dating yet, so I still had something to prove.

484
00:37:20.465 --> 00:37:21.805
So I said I can't give up.

485
00:37:22.625 --> 00:37:24.605
So I start working out, I'm doing the burpees

486
00:37:24.605 --> 00:37:25.805
and I'm doing the things and halfway

487
00:37:25.805 --> 00:37:27.365
through I'm like, y'all, I'm not gonna make it.

488
00:37:28.605 --> 00:37:30.965
I can't do this. But there's six circuits

489
00:37:30.965 --> 00:37:32.045
and we're on like number four.

490
00:37:32.145 --> 00:37:33.085
I'm like, okay, I'm gonna keep going.

491
00:37:33.145 --> 00:37:34.205
I'm gonna keep trying really hard.

492
00:37:34.305 --> 00:37:36.565
So we keep going, we keep going, we get through circuit the,

493
00:37:36.585 --> 00:37:37.685
the sixth workout

494
00:37:37.945 --> 00:37:40.005
and the coach who's been cheering us on the whole time

495
00:37:40.005 --> 00:37:41.045
saying, you can do it.

496
00:37:41.145 --> 00:37:42.405
Who wasn't doing anything,

497
00:37:42.585 --> 00:37:44.085
by the way, she's not working out.

498
00:37:44.295 --> 00:37:45.365
She's just telling us, come

499
00:37:45.365 --> 00:37:46.565
on guys, you can do better than that.

500
00:37:46.755 --> 00:37:51.485
Yeah, okay, whatever. Sixth e exercise comes around,

501
00:37:51.985 --> 00:37:54.445
I'm like, thank God I made it out alive from that.

502
00:37:54.505 --> 00:37:56.365
She goes, all right, 45 second break.

503
00:37:56.365 --> 00:37:57.925
And then we're getting started with a round two.

504
00:38:00.975 --> 00:38:02.245
Lemme tell you what Aaron did.

505
00:38:03.695 --> 00:38:07.445
Aaron went to the bathroom, locked the door

506
00:38:07.825 --> 00:38:10.125
and put his cheek on the cold floor

507
00:38:10.145 --> 00:38:11.525
to keep himself from puking

508
00:38:12.205 --> 00:38:13.845
because I didn't think I was gonna make it.

509
00:38:14.025 --> 00:38:18.245
And I hid in there until the class was over. Why did I quit?

510
00:38:19.195 --> 00:38:21.365
Because I didn't realize what I signed up for.

511
00:38:22.885 --> 00:38:24.165
I didn't know it was gonna be harder

512
00:38:24.165 --> 00:38:25.405
than I originally anticipated.

513
00:38:26.425 --> 00:38:29.525
And the truth is that there are so many disillusioned

514
00:38:30.435 --> 00:38:34.005
followers of Jesus who have crisis of faith

515
00:38:34.745 --> 00:38:38.005
and ultimately end up walking away from the way of Jesus

516
00:38:38.005 --> 00:38:40.925
because they're saying, this is more than I signed up for.

517
00:38:41.265 --> 00:38:43.365
Let me ask you, this is not a rhetorical question

518
00:38:43.365 --> 00:38:44.405
at all of our campuses.

519
00:38:44.445 --> 00:38:47.125
I want you to do this. Raise your hand if you know someone

520
00:38:47.305 --> 00:38:49.005
who has walked away from following Jesus.

521
00:38:51.045 --> 00:38:55.315
Yeah, it feels like almost all of us do, right?

522
00:38:56.775 --> 00:38:58.195
And I don't want to try to assume,

523
00:38:58.215 --> 00:39:00.715
and I don't wanna try to make up reasons

524
00:39:00.815 --> 00:39:02.595
or think for that person why they

525
00:39:02.595 --> 00:39:04.435
didn't continue following Jesus.

526
00:39:04.575 --> 00:39:08.075
But my guess is it probably got really hard,

527
00:39:10.355 --> 00:39:12.435
I don't know anyone who walked away from the Christian

528
00:39:12.435 --> 00:39:13.555
faith because they're like, oh, you know what?

529
00:39:13.575 --> 00:39:15.355
I'm just, I'm just having too much fun.

530
00:39:16.545 --> 00:39:17.555
It's just too much joy.

531
00:39:17.715 --> 00:39:20.195
I really enjoy this whole like, picking up my cross

532
00:39:20.215 --> 00:39:21.355
to follow Jesus thing.

533
00:39:21.355 --> 00:39:22.795
It's, it's not costing me anything.

534
00:39:22.795 --> 00:39:24.915
It hasn't really changed my life in any sort of way.

535
00:39:24.975 --> 00:39:26.755
No, most people who decide

536
00:39:26.755 --> 00:39:28.875
to walk away from Jesus is because they've hit a wall.

537
00:39:29.305 --> 00:39:31.605
They deconstruct

538
00:39:31.605 --> 00:39:34.445
because they can't find answers to tough questions.

539
00:39:34.665 --> 00:39:36.245
Or they experience too many,

540
00:39:36.385 --> 00:39:38.365
too much hurt from too many church people

541
00:39:38.505 --> 00:39:39.845
and they say it's not worth it anymore.

542
00:39:39.905 --> 00:39:43.005
Or they, they pray a prayer that doesn't get answered.

543
00:39:43.065 --> 00:39:45.525
But, but listen, if you, if you read the book

544
00:39:46.705 --> 00:39:48.955
like this is, it's a part of it.

545
00:39:50.345 --> 00:39:52.485
The tough journey, the the, the hard work.

546
00:39:52.515 --> 00:39:54.885
It's all a part of it.

547
00:39:54.905 --> 00:39:57.925
And, and the reason why the New Testament authors spend

548
00:39:58.105 --> 00:40:01.885
so much time giving us these warning signs is

549
00:40:01.885 --> 00:40:03.725
because they've experienced it firsthand

550
00:40:03.945 --> 00:40:05.045
and they've lived it.

551
00:40:06.035 --> 00:40:07.885
Last week Heather talked about how uh,

552
00:40:07.885 --> 00:40:10.405
after the crucifixion there was this new formed Jesus

553
00:40:10.595 --> 00:40:12.325
community that started sprouting up.

554
00:40:12.425 --> 00:40:16.525
But shortly after that, they start experiencing persecution.

555
00:40:17.305 --> 00:40:19.925
Almost immediately you start reading about

556
00:40:19.925 --> 00:40:22.565
how the apostles would go out and preach into the streets,

557
00:40:22.665 --> 00:40:23.965
and as they were doing

558
00:40:24.065 --> 00:40:26.525
so they would be immediately captured and beaten.

559
00:40:27.925 --> 00:40:29.345
And you know what the response was?

560
00:40:30.695 --> 00:40:33.385
There's a story in the Bible where it says that two

561
00:40:33.385 --> 00:40:34.385
of the apostles were beaten.

562
00:40:34.445 --> 00:40:37.825
And when they were let go, they had walked away rejoicing

563
00:40:38.095 --> 00:40:40.145
because they had been considered worthy

564
00:40:40.485 --> 00:40:41.985
of being beaten for the gospel.

565
00:40:43.255 --> 00:40:45.115
You keep reading, we get to Acts chapter seven,

566
00:40:45.115 --> 00:40:47.395
and there's a guy named Steven who he was appointed

567
00:40:47.455 --> 00:40:50.315
by the apostles to handle the food distribution

568
00:40:50.375 --> 00:40:52.115
of this new Jesus community.

569
00:40:52.295 --> 00:40:53.915
And Stephen is stoned

570
00:40:54.175 --> 00:40:58.155
and killed as a result of living his faith out loud.

571
00:40:58.155 --> 00:40:59.835
Around this time, there's a man named

572
00:41:00.105 --> 00:41:01.315
Nero who comes to power.

573
00:41:01.505 --> 00:41:03.995
He's the, uh, Roman emperor. And you know what he does?

574
00:41:04.775 --> 00:41:07.835
He views Christians as a threat to the Roman way of life.

575
00:41:08.055 --> 00:41:10.475
So he starts crucifying them

576
00:41:12.475 --> 00:41:14.295
and he kidnaps them and,

577
00:41:14.395 --> 00:41:16.895
and puts them in animal clothing so

578
00:41:16.895 --> 00:41:19.295
that the dogs will attack them and eat them alive.

579
00:41:19.475 --> 00:41:21.575
He covers them in wax

580
00:41:21.715 --> 00:41:24.215
and uses them as candles for his courtyard.

581
00:41:26.875 --> 00:41:30.875
But we still have a church. They didn't give up.

582
00:41:32.735 --> 00:41:37.315
They kept going. Churchillian, he's an early church father.

583
00:41:37.415 --> 00:41:39.955
He says that, that the, the blood

584
00:41:40.015 --> 00:41:42.795
of the martyrs is the seed of the church.

585
00:41:44.535 --> 00:41:47.515
How is it they kept going? Why didn't they stop?

586
00:41:49.015 --> 00:41:50.735
I think it's 'cause they weren't caught off guard.

587
00:41:51.335 --> 00:41:54.495
I think it's because they knew the words of Jesus

588
00:41:55.005 --> 00:41:58.255
when he said in John 15, 18 through 20, uh,

589
00:41:58.315 --> 00:42:01.455
if the world hates, you know that it hated me.

590
00:42:01.795 --> 00:42:02.935
Before it hated you.

591
00:42:03.715 --> 00:42:04.815
If you were of the world,

592
00:42:04.955 --> 00:42:06.495
the world would love you as its own.

593
00:42:06.495 --> 00:42:07.895
But because you are not of the world,

594
00:42:08.155 --> 00:42:09.935
but I chose you out of the world.

595
00:42:09.935 --> 00:42:11.775
Therefore the world hates you.

596
00:42:12.815 --> 00:42:15.105
Remember the word that I have said to you?

597
00:42:15.345 --> 00:42:17.425
A servant is not greater than his master.

598
00:42:17.765 --> 00:42:20.745
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

599
00:42:22.195 --> 00:42:24.755
I was talking to, to Jason a few weeks ago.

600
00:42:24.895 --> 00:42:26.635
We knew this message was coming up and,

601
00:42:26.635 --> 00:42:29.435
and he shared with me this image, uh, that I wanna show you.

602
00:42:29.505 --> 00:42:33.915
This is, this is how each of the 12 apostles died,

603
00:42:35.395 --> 00:42:39.085
crucified, upside down, multiple of them crucified, skinned,

604
00:42:39.095 --> 00:42:41.725
alive, slain by a spear.

605
00:42:44.195 --> 00:42:46.655
And then you have John who died naturally.

606
00:42:46.755 --> 00:42:47.655
I'm sure he's still trying to sit

607
00:42:47.655 --> 00:42:48.655
at the cool kids' table in heaven.

608
00:42:48.655 --> 00:42:50.335
He'd be like, guys, I promise it was pretty bad.

609
00:42:52.715 --> 00:42:56.655
But all of them experienced brutal deaths

610
00:42:57.645 --> 00:42:59.825
for a message that they knew was worth it

611
00:42:59.845 --> 00:43:02.985
and that they were determined to see reach us here in 2025.

612
00:43:04.785 --> 00:43:06.475
They endured this persecution

613
00:43:06.475 --> 00:43:09.115
because they knew it was coming and they expected it.

614
00:43:09.855 --> 00:43:12.115
And this isn't just a back then problem,

615
00:43:12.185 --> 00:43:13.835
like this is a today thing.

616
00:43:14.555 --> 00:43:16.475
I read a stat earlier this week

617
00:43:16.475 --> 00:43:18.515
that I was genuinely shocked to learn.

618
00:43:18.595 --> 00:43:19.915
I did a lot of deep research

619
00:43:20.115 --> 00:43:21.595
'cause I thought, there's no way this is right.

620
00:43:22.055 --> 00:43:23.475
Did you know that in the 19th,

621
00:43:23.495 --> 00:43:26.035
or I'm sorry in the 20th, in the 21st century,

622
00:43:26.285 --> 00:43:28.275
there have been more Christians killed

623
00:43:28.455 --> 00:43:32.235
for their faith than in the previous 19th centuries combined

624
00:43:34.065 --> 00:43:35.215
since the start of the church.

625
00:43:35.795 --> 00:43:37.735
If you're like me and you get confused by centuries,

626
00:43:37.735 --> 00:43:41.055
that means since 1901 across the world,

627
00:43:41.055 --> 00:43:43.255
there have been more Christians killed

628
00:43:43.315 --> 00:43:47.335
for their faith than in the previous 1900 years combined.

629
00:43:49.275 --> 00:43:52.885
Just in, in February of this past year, there was a story

630
00:43:53.035 --> 00:43:54.725
that didn't get a ton of media coverage.

631
00:43:54.725 --> 00:43:58.085
But in the, uh, democratic Republic of Congo, uh, the bodies

632
00:43:58.225 --> 00:44:00.965
of 70 Christians were found in a church.

633
00:44:00.985 --> 00:44:02.885
And I'm specific about saying their bodies

634
00:44:02.955 --> 00:44:04.445
because their heads weren't there.

635
00:44:04.445 --> 00:44:06.925
They had been decapitated for their faith.

636
00:44:08.115 --> 00:44:10.605
I've been to South Asia and I've met men

637
00:44:10.665 --> 00:44:14.365
and women who have clear deformities all across their body

638
00:44:14.425 --> 00:44:15.845
who have major health issues.

639
00:44:15.865 --> 00:44:17.565
And when I ask them, Hey, what, what?

640
00:44:17.565 --> 00:44:18.765
You know, what's up with it?

641
00:44:18.765 --> 00:44:20.045
Why is this such a common thing?

642
00:44:20.225 --> 00:44:22.085
The reason they don't go to the hospitals is

643
00:44:22.085 --> 00:44:23.845
because they're denied service,

644
00:44:23.845 --> 00:44:26.445
because they're converts to Christianity.

645
00:44:26.605 --> 00:44:29.765
I was talking to somebody who's on our, our team, uh,

646
00:44:29.905 --> 00:44:31.965
who uh, got to take um, one

647
00:44:31.965 --> 00:44:33.765
of these trips back in, uh, October.

648
00:44:34.305 --> 00:44:37.405
And they mentioned that they had met a young lady, uh,

649
00:44:37.465 --> 00:44:39.645
who had just kind of found safety.

650
00:44:40.225 --> 00:44:41.765
She ran away from her home

651
00:44:41.765 --> 00:44:44.685
after her parents were killed, put inside of the house,

652
00:44:44.685 --> 00:44:45.765
and the house was burned.

653
00:44:45.985 --> 00:44:48.205
She had to escape through the woods, all

654
00:44:48.205 --> 00:44:50.565
because they were converts to Christianity.

655
00:44:52.655 --> 00:44:54.875
And you know, what's astounding about these people is

656
00:44:54.875 --> 00:44:56.835
that when you meet them and when you have conversations

657
00:44:56.835 --> 00:44:58.195
with them, you know what they, you

658
00:44:58.195 --> 00:44:59.235
know how the conversations go.

659
00:44:59.575 --> 00:45:02.235
Not once have they ever said, why me?

660
00:45:04.035 --> 00:45:07.365
Instead they think, well, well, why not me? You know why?

661
00:45:08.205 --> 00:45:11.125
'cause they read their bibles and

662
00:45:11.125 --> 00:45:14.685
because they know Jesus, they don't have to ask, man,

663
00:45:14.705 --> 00:45:16.485
why is this persecution happening to me?

664
00:45:16.555 --> 00:45:17.805
They know why it happened.

665
00:45:17.835 --> 00:45:20.165
It's because they hitched their wagon to the savior

666
00:45:20.225 --> 00:45:22.005
of the world and he promised

667
00:45:22.005 --> 00:45:23.925
that there would be consequences of it.

668
00:45:26.105 --> 00:45:30.505
And so for us, why don't we see this?

669
00:45:30.625 --> 00:45:32.465
I mean, Jesus, he promises it, right?

670
00:45:32.495 --> 00:45:35.545
John 1633, he says, I have said these things to you

671
00:45:35.815 --> 00:45:37.345
that in me, you may have peace.

672
00:45:37.605 --> 00:45:40.465
Really, I'm not really feeling peace

673
00:45:41.015 --> 00:45:42.705
knowing there's gonna be persecution.

674
00:45:42.805 --> 00:45:45.225
Here's why. Because in the world you will have tribulation.

675
00:45:45.225 --> 00:45:48.865
But take heart, I have overcome the world.

676
00:45:50.735 --> 00:45:52.705
This is the beauty about the empty grave.

677
00:45:53.445 --> 00:45:56.385
The absolute worst thing that anyone can ever do

678
00:45:56.385 --> 00:45:57.505
to you is kill you.

679
00:45:57.685 --> 00:46:00.105
And Jesus proved that that is no match for him,

680
00:46:01.075 --> 00:46:02.645
that our death isn't the end,

681
00:46:02.645 --> 00:46:04.325
but that there's actually an eternal reward,

682
00:46:04.325 --> 00:46:08.205
something waiting for us in eternity if we just continue

683
00:46:08.305 --> 00:46:09.365
to run our race.

684
00:46:09.505 --> 00:46:12.725
But by this point, is anybody asking?

685
00:46:13.835 --> 00:46:18.115
Yeah, but what about me? Like, let me ask realistically,

686
00:46:18.775 --> 00:46:20.195
do you face persecution?

687
00:46:20.785 --> 00:46:24.335
Like some of the things we just talked about? No, we don't.

688
00:46:24.335 --> 00:46:28.375
Right? And in prepping for this, I, I genuinely had

689
00:46:28.375 --> 00:46:30.775
to ask like, man, God, why don't, why don't we fear

690
00:46:30.835 --> 00:46:32.935
for our lives in America?

691
00:46:33.235 --> 00:46:35.855
And I genuinely think the reason why we don't have

692
00:46:35.855 --> 00:46:38.515
to be afraid of the sword is

693
00:46:38.515 --> 00:46:43.125
because we have TikTok, we have sleep number beds

694
00:46:43.465 --> 00:46:44.485
and same day delivery.

695
00:46:46.225 --> 00:46:47.925
We have all of these pleasures

696
00:46:48.005 --> 00:46:50.925
and these comforts, we have 4 0 1 ks and a two party system

697
00:46:50.985 --> 00:46:53.805
and whatever on earth subway tile is,

698
00:46:53.805 --> 00:46:55.845
and some woman I've never met named Joanna Gaines,

699
00:46:55.845 --> 00:46:57.485
who keeps telling me I need it for some reason.

700
00:46:59.225 --> 00:47:01.805
We have Instagram reels, we have pornography,

701
00:47:01.825 --> 00:47:04.565
we have FanDuel, we have deadlines and meetings

702
00:47:04.585 --> 00:47:08.045
and all these things that are for the past month,

703
00:47:08.385 --> 00:47:11.045
the internet has debate been debating who would win

704
00:47:11.045 --> 00:47:13.245
between a hundred, a hundred men in a gorilla.

705
00:47:14.145 --> 00:47:16.445
And it has encapsulated our society.

706
00:47:17.185 --> 00:47:18.885
So why is it that Satan doesn't

707
00:47:18.885 --> 00:47:20.005
have to threaten us with a sword?

708
00:47:20.005 --> 00:47:21.525
Well, it's because we're already distracted

709
00:47:21.525 --> 00:47:22.765
and we're already too busy.

710
00:47:23.025 --> 00:47:26.045
But here's the thing, whether your life is being threatened

711
00:47:26.185 --> 00:47:28.365
or your soul is being threatened, guess what?

712
00:47:28.365 --> 00:47:30.165
They both require endurance.

713
00:47:31.415 --> 00:47:34.145
They both require a resolve to say, no matter

714
00:47:34.145 --> 00:47:36.065
what gets in my way, no matter what tries

715
00:47:36.085 --> 00:47:38.505
to separate me from Jesus, I'm going to endure.

716
00:47:38.845 --> 00:47:39.945
I'm going to persevere.

717
00:47:40.205 --> 00:47:42.465
I'm going to keep my eyes fixed on him

718
00:47:42.465 --> 00:47:44.105
because he is worth it.

719
00:47:45.265 --> 00:47:48.235
It's the same thing that motivates a believer on the other

720
00:47:48.235 --> 00:47:49.955
side of the world to continue

721
00:47:49.975 --> 00:47:52.155
to face persecution in order to worship.

722
00:47:52.815 --> 00:47:56.635
And it's the same reason why we need Jesus every single day

723
00:47:56.735 --> 00:47:59.195
to make it through a world that is desperately trying

724
00:47:59.195 --> 00:48:02.115
to pull you away from him in very covert ways.

725
00:48:03.515 --> 00:48:06.035
I saw, uh, a message from, uh, Matt Chandler.

726
00:48:06.035 --> 00:48:07.955
He's a pastor out in Texas and he wrote it this way.

727
00:48:07.955 --> 00:48:08.955
It's a long quote, so we're gonna

728
00:48:08.955 --> 00:48:09.955
throw it up on the screen for you.

729
00:48:10.775 --> 00:48:13.795
But he says, one of the ways I've tried to orient my life is

730
00:48:13.795 --> 00:48:15.875
to pay attention and ask two questions.

731
00:48:17.045 --> 00:48:19.495
What stirs my affections for Jesus Christ?

732
00:48:19.995 --> 00:48:21.775
And what robs me of my affections?

733
00:48:22.895 --> 00:48:24.675
The thing that's gonna steal my affections

734
00:48:24.675 --> 00:48:28.155
for Jesus is not black tar heroin, it's Netflix.

735
00:48:29.655 --> 00:48:31.115
What's gonna steal my affections

736
00:48:31.115 --> 00:48:33.475
for Jesus is not some scantily clad woman

737
00:48:33.505 --> 00:48:34.835
that tries to seduce me.

738
00:48:34.865 --> 00:48:36.875
It's going to be scrolling through Instagram

739
00:48:37.135 --> 00:48:38.755
and coming across something I should

740
00:48:38.755 --> 00:48:39.995
scroll more quickly past.

741
00:48:40.135 --> 00:48:41.675
But I linger for a couple of seconds.

742
00:48:43.385 --> 00:48:45.565
The thing that robs me of my affections

743
00:48:45.565 --> 00:48:48.645
for Jesus are almost always morally neutral.

744
00:48:48.645 --> 00:48:51.365
Now, after 30 years of following Jesus, he says,

745
00:48:51.485 --> 00:48:53.885
I have tried to give no provision to the flesh.

746
00:48:53.945 --> 00:48:56.045
As Paul writes in Romans, we'll talk about that next week.

747
00:48:56.225 --> 00:48:59.125
He says, I'm serious about putting those things to death,

748
00:48:59.225 --> 00:49:02.885
but these morally neutral things, they're sneaky,

749
00:49:03.595 --> 00:49:05.845
they're not wrong, they're not right.

750
00:49:06.195 --> 00:49:08.885
They're morally neutral, and yet they will satiate

751
00:49:08.945 --> 00:49:11.165
and make me lack hunger for the thing

752
00:49:11.165 --> 00:49:12.965
that I should be most hungry for.

753
00:49:14.775 --> 00:49:16.115
And I think that's true of all of us.

754
00:49:17.225 --> 00:49:19.695
We've all run to empty wells and we've all found

755
00:49:19.915 --> 00:49:21.735
or been disappointed by something,

756
00:49:21.755 --> 00:49:23.455
but still try to hold onto it

757
00:49:23.475 --> 00:49:25.935
and be like, man, why doesn't this thing satisfy me?

758
00:49:25.935 --> 00:49:27.415
It's because it was never designed to.

759
00:49:28.475 --> 00:49:31.495
Our pleasure was always to be in Christ.

760
00:49:31.515 --> 00:49:33.855
And so, um, I just want to take a moment here

761
00:49:33.855 --> 00:49:34.895
before we go any further.

762
00:49:34.955 --> 00:49:37.135
And I just want to encourage you, I'm

763
00:49:37.315 --> 00:49:38.415
so glad that you were here.

764
00:49:40.345 --> 00:49:44.165
Listen, it is no small task to still hold on

765
00:49:44.165 --> 00:49:45.405
to Jesus in 2025.

766
00:49:46.675 --> 00:49:47.905
There are people in this room

767
00:49:48.445 --> 00:49:51.625
and there are stories in this room who, man, there are

768
00:49:51.625 --> 00:49:52.865
so many distractions

769
00:49:53.285 --> 00:49:55.505
and so many other things you can give your time to

770
00:49:55.885 --> 00:49:57.625
so many other things you can give your life to.

771
00:49:57.875 --> 00:49:59.465
There are some of you that if I sat down

772
00:49:59.485 --> 00:50:00.985
and asked you, Hey, what's your story?

773
00:50:01.125 --> 00:50:04.395
I'd be like, are you still trusting Jesus?

774
00:50:05.855 --> 00:50:08.635
And man, I thank God for his grace that he does that.

775
00:50:08.635 --> 00:50:11.155
And I just want to tell you as we continue on today, man,

776
00:50:11.415 --> 00:50:12.795
do not give up.

777
00:50:13.145 --> 00:50:15.475
Keep going. Keep running the fight

778
00:50:15.475 --> 00:50:17.675
because we know that God is

779
00:50:17.695 --> 00:50:19.955
so good even when we don't feel it.

780
00:50:21.355 --> 00:50:22.495
Here's one of the things that,

781
00:50:22.495 --> 00:50:24.895
that honestly kinda like boils my blood.

782
00:50:24.895 --> 00:50:27.015
It's when I talk to people to like unbelievers

783
00:50:27.145 --> 00:50:29.005
and they're like, oh, you only, you're only a Christian

784
00:50:29.005 --> 00:50:31.455
because it's a crutch, a crutch.

785
00:50:32.775 --> 00:50:36.105
This isn't a crutch, it's a cross that I have

786
00:50:36.105 --> 00:50:37.385
to carry every day.

787
00:50:37.445 --> 00:50:39.185
And do you know that like my decision

788
00:50:39.185 --> 00:50:40.545
to follow Jesus, it doesn't make life easier.

789
00:50:40.545 --> 00:50:41.745
It actually makes some things harder.

790
00:50:42.735 --> 00:50:46.695
Like, do you know that I have to wake up every single day

791
00:50:46.835 --> 00:50:49.975
and like, you know, they're like, I can't go

792
00:50:49.975 --> 00:50:51.455
to certain websites on my phone

793
00:50:51.455 --> 00:50:53.935
because I have so many block that like, it's like, hey,

794
00:50:53.935 --> 00:50:55.135
this one might be problematic.

795
00:50:55.155 --> 00:50:56.895
So like, I can't even use half the internet

796
00:50:57.845 --> 00:51:00.055
because I'm so passionate about

797
00:51:00.055 --> 00:51:01.575
following and pursuing after Jesus.

798
00:51:01.665 --> 00:51:03.815
Let's be real. Like when, when we feel pain,

799
00:51:04.815 --> 00:51:06.895
I actually think like, if we can just be honest

800
00:51:06.955 --> 00:51:09.785
for a minute, I actually think

801
00:51:10.175 --> 00:51:14.145
that being a Christian can sometimes make pain hurt more.

802
00:51:15.165 --> 00:51:17.695
Because not only am I dealing with the weight

803
00:51:17.695 --> 00:51:18.935
of whatever it's I'm going through,

804
00:51:18.955 --> 00:51:21.655
but I have to ask, man, why would God allow this?

805
00:51:23.645 --> 00:51:25.345
You know, easy would be to throw him to the side

806
00:51:25.345 --> 00:51:27.305
and just be like, oh, well I guess things happen.

807
00:51:29.145 --> 00:51:30.725
Do you know how hard it's to trust the God?

808
00:51:30.745 --> 00:51:34.315
You can't see, this is not a crutch,

809
00:51:35.025 --> 00:51:38.075
this is a cross and we follow it

810
00:51:38.185 --> 00:51:40.475
because Jesus is worth it.

811
00:51:41.465 --> 00:51:43.875
Some of you are at a crossroad right now where you're,

812
00:51:43.875 --> 00:51:45.875
you're genuinely asking yourself, man, I don't know

813
00:51:45.875 --> 00:51:48.915
how long I want to hitch my wagon to Jesus.

814
00:51:51.305 --> 00:51:54.005
And some of you are still going despite everything

815
00:51:54.005 --> 00:51:55.405
that has fallen down around you,

816
00:51:56.055 --> 00:51:58.185
because there's a genuine question in your heart,

817
00:51:58.395 --> 00:51:59.745
where, where else will I go?

818
00:52:00.375 --> 00:52:02.805
What other option is there?

819
00:52:03.465 --> 00:52:05.845
It reminds me in John chapter six, there's a story

820
00:52:05.845 --> 00:52:08.045
where Jesus, he feeds 5,000 people,

821
00:52:08.145 --> 00:52:09.605
and you've probably heard it before,

822
00:52:09.625 --> 00:52:12.245
but he takes a few pieces of fish, a few pieces of bread,

823
00:52:12.245 --> 00:52:14.565
and he multiplies it and he shares it with all the people

824
00:52:14.665 --> 00:52:15.965
and they're like, Jesus is great.

825
00:52:16.625 --> 00:52:19.485
And he uses that miracle as a sign to tell them, Hey,

826
00:52:19.765 --> 00:52:21.045
actually I want to be your king.

827
00:52:21.505 --> 00:52:22.845
And look at how it res,

828
00:52:22.845 --> 00:52:25.965
how they respond when Jesus stops performing a miracle

829
00:52:26.425 --> 00:52:28.005
and invites them to follow him.

830
00:52:28.795 --> 00:52:31.445
John six 60, it says that when many of his disciples,

831
00:52:31.495 --> 00:52:32.965
these aren't bums off the street,

832
00:52:34.165 --> 00:52:36.075
these aren't just the people who happen to be around.

833
00:52:36.075 --> 00:52:37.315
They were following Jesus.

834
00:52:37.655 --> 00:52:39.595
It says, many of his disciples heard this

835
00:52:39.595 --> 00:52:43.275
and they said, this is a hard saying who can listen to it?

836
00:52:43.295 --> 00:52:45.915
And that wasn't just like, oh, I can't understand

837
00:52:45.915 --> 00:52:47.035
what Jesus is saying.

838
00:52:47.035 --> 00:52:49.155
It's saying no, there's a weight to this.

839
00:52:50.685 --> 00:52:52.355
Who's actually willing to do that?

840
00:52:55.395 --> 00:52:57.255
And in first 66 it says that

841
00:52:57.255 --> 00:53:00.455
after this, many of his disciples turned back

842
00:53:00.955 --> 00:53:02.615
and no longer walked with him.

843
00:53:04.275 --> 00:53:07.975
So Jesus, he looks at the 12, the 12 that we know, right?

844
00:53:07.975 --> 00:53:09.255
The ones we talk about all the time.

845
00:53:11.625 --> 00:53:14.405
Verses 67 through 69 says, Jesus said to the 12,

846
00:53:15.185 --> 00:53:16.405
do you want to go away as well?

847
00:53:17.585 --> 00:53:19.685
And Simon Peter answered him, Lord,

848
00:53:22.425 --> 00:53:23.525
To whom shall we go?

849
00:53:26.025 --> 00:53:28.805
You alone have the words of eternal life.

850
00:53:28.825 --> 00:53:31.045
And we've believed, we have come to know

851
00:53:31.045 --> 00:53:32.725
that you are the holy one of God.

852
00:53:32.725 --> 00:53:35.085
Peter is saying, Jesus, we've seen too much.

853
00:53:36.105 --> 00:53:39.605
You've been too good. We've seen what you're capable of.

854
00:53:39.605 --> 00:53:42.045
We've heard you speak and it has changed our lives

855
00:53:42.105 --> 00:53:45.365
and we've applied it, man, where I've tried everything else

856
00:53:45.505 --> 00:53:49.085
and it's not good enough, it's not gonna work.

857
00:53:49.545 --> 00:53:52.285
But let me ask you, just like the people in this story,

858
00:53:52.755 --> 00:53:54.325
what do you do when the bread stops coming?

859
00:53:58.075 --> 00:53:59.335
And I love that. That word kind

860
00:53:59.335 --> 00:54:01.535
of has a double entendre in our culture.

861
00:54:01.565 --> 00:54:02.535
What do you do when you don't

862
00:54:02.535 --> 00:54:03.415
have the money to pay the bills?

863
00:54:04.705 --> 00:54:06.835
What do you do when you pray for a loved one

864
00:54:06.855 --> 00:54:08.155
and they still pass away?

865
00:54:08.155 --> 00:54:09.515
What do you do when the person

866
00:54:09.515 --> 00:54:11.595
that you thought was your soulmate ends things

867
00:54:11.595 --> 00:54:14.115
and breaks up with you or the house gets foreclosed?

868
00:54:14.115 --> 00:54:16.115
Listen, some of you are at that crossroad

869
00:54:16.135 --> 00:54:17.435
and you have a decision to make,

870
00:54:17.435 --> 00:54:20.395
and I just wanna encourage you, keep going.

871
00:54:22.345 --> 00:54:24.565
We endure for one reason

872
00:54:25.355 --> 00:54:27.605
because Jesus is worth it.

873
00:54:29.055 --> 00:54:32.665
He's so worth it. He's better than every other alternative.

874
00:54:33.325 --> 00:54:35.345
And all of these things, all of these warnings

875
00:54:35.345 --> 00:54:37.185
that we talked about earlier, lemme tell you something,

876
00:54:37.215 --> 00:54:39.065
yeah, they are warnings given to us,

877
00:54:39.285 --> 00:54:42.505
but each of those warnings also comes with a promise.

878
00:54:42.595 --> 00:54:44.865
Let's revisit those verses that we looked at earlier

879
00:54:44.865 --> 00:54:46.185
because I didn't read the whole thing.

880
00:54:46.415 --> 00:54:47.825
Galatians six, nine, it says,

881
00:54:47.825 --> 00:54:49.305
let us not grow weary of doing good.

882
00:54:49.405 --> 00:54:53.025
Why for in due season we will reap if we don't give up.

883
00:54:54.375 --> 00:54:56.405
James one 12 says, blessed is the man

884
00:54:56.405 --> 00:54:58.125
who remains steadfast under trial

885
00:54:58.345 --> 00:55:01.605
for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown

886
00:55:01.605 --> 00:55:04.725
of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

887
00:55:04.825 --> 00:55:07.965
Two Peter three 17, we read that when it says you

888
00:55:07.965 --> 00:55:10.925
therefore beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care

889
00:55:10.925 --> 00:55:12.725
that you are not carried away with the error

890
00:55:12.785 --> 00:55:14.765
of lawless people and lose your own stability.

891
00:55:14.765 --> 00:55:17.285
But verse 18, but grow in the grace

892
00:55:17.465 --> 00:55:18.885
and knowledge of our Lord

893
00:55:18.905 --> 00:55:22.645
and Savior Jesus Christ, to him be the glory both now

894
00:55:22.905 --> 00:55:26.165
and to the day that we all look forward to of eternity.

895
00:55:26.635 --> 00:55:30.125
Amen. Hebrews 10 23 says, let us hold fast the confession

896
00:55:30.125 --> 00:55:31.285
of our hope without wavering.

897
00:55:31.345 --> 00:55:33.885
Why? Because he who made

898
00:55:33.885 --> 00:55:37.405
that promise is faithful in Jesus himself.

899
00:55:37.435 --> 00:55:38.765
This is red letter, so you know,

900
00:55:38.765 --> 00:55:39.805
you could take it to the bank.

901
00:55:39.805 --> 00:55:41.885
Matthew chapter five, verses 10 through 12.

902
00:55:42.305 --> 00:55:44.845
He says, blessed are those who are persecuted

903
00:55:44.845 --> 00:55:48.085
for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

904
00:55:48.955 --> 00:55:52.605
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you

905
00:55:52.625 --> 00:55:54.445
and utter all kinds of evil things against you

906
00:55:54.445 --> 00:55:55.645
falsely on my account.

907
00:55:56.325 --> 00:56:00.605
Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven for

908
00:56:00.665 --> 00:56:03.205
so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

909
00:56:03.205 --> 00:56:05.685
And let me tell you something, the same Jesus who told you

910
00:56:05.685 --> 00:56:07.005
that is waiting for you.

911
00:56:07.025 --> 00:56:08.365
And here's the beautiful thing, church,

912
00:56:08.745 --> 00:56:11.085
not only is he waiting at the finish line,

913
00:56:11.785 --> 00:56:12.885
he is the finish line.

914
00:56:14.265 --> 00:56:15.755
He's the one who meant when you,

915
00:56:17.235 --> 00:56:18.675
I wasn't planning on, I gotta tell this story.

916
00:56:18.715 --> 00:56:21.875
I wasn't planning on telling this. I ran a race one time.

917
00:56:22.735 --> 00:56:25.525
It was a 5K, somebody invited me to it 12 hours

918
00:56:25.585 --> 00:56:28.885
before we were at church on a Saturday or on a Sunday night.

919
00:56:28.995 --> 00:56:31.365
They said, Hey, wake up at 6:00 AM I got an extra ticket.

920
00:56:31.445 --> 00:56:33.045
I want you to run in this thing. Okay, cool, whatever.

921
00:56:33.105 --> 00:56:35.125
I'm like ready to break records, you know what I mean?

922
00:56:35.185 --> 00:56:36.885
I'm like, what's 5K? What is that anyway?

923
00:56:36.885 --> 00:56:39.205
And they're like, oh, it's it's three point whatever miles.

924
00:56:39.345 --> 00:56:41.245
Here's the problem. That's three point whatever miles more

925
00:56:41.245 --> 00:56:42.525
than I had run in a month.

926
00:56:42.835 --> 00:56:44.965
Okay? So they send us out there

927
00:56:45.065 --> 00:56:49.605
and man, I, when you realize that you're in a tough race,

928
00:56:49.635 --> 00:56:52.405
your goal is not to win, it's to finish.

929
00:56:53.625 --> 00:56:56.285
And I cramped up and I hobbled over that line,

930
00:56:56.285 --> 00:56:58.365
and as soon as I got over that line, I collapsed.

931
00:56:58.385 --> 00:57:02.085
But man, how beautiful is it that one day when we hobble

932
00:57:02.225 --> 00:57:05.005
and we, we limp our waves over that finish line,

933
00:57:05.065 --> 00:57:08.965
we will fall into the arms of Jesus whose hands are pierced,

934
00:57:08.965 --> 00:57:10.205
where the nail holes were.

935
00:57:10.265 --> 00:57:13.085
And he says, you've done it. And he says, well done.

936
00:57:13.145 --> 00:57:14.605
We are not running in vain, y'all.

937
00:57:14.625 --> 00:57:19.405
We are people who are running towards well done your pain.

938
00:57:19.985 --> 00:57:23.765
Listen, the things that you are enduring

939
00:57:25.785 --> 00:57:27.325
it, it's not purposeless.

940
00:57:28.015 --> 00:57:30.885
Those things are actually shaping you and molding you

941
00:57:30.905 --> 00:57:34.365
and preparing you for the day that we feel so much gratitude

942
00:57:34.515 --> 00:57:37.205
that we get to rest and the arms of our savior.

943
00:57:37.655 --> 00:57:39.765
Jesus. You are not in this alone.

944
00:57:39.765 --> 00:57:43.405
There's a verse in Hebrews that is absolutely astounding

945
00:57:43.405 --> 00:57:45.765
to me and genuinely blows my mind.

946
00:57:46.315 --> 00:57:48.085
Hebrews 12, one through three says this,

947
00:57:48.085 --> 00:57:51.765
therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud

948
00:57:51.765 --> 00:57:55.965
of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight in sin

949
00:57:55.965 --> 00:57:57.565
which clings so closely

950
00:57:58.185 --> 00:58:01.285
and let us run with endurance the race that is set

951
00:58:01.285 --> 00:58:04.685
before us looking to Jesus, the founder

952
00:58:04.785 --> 00:58:07.565
and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy that was set

953
00:58:07.565 --> 00:58:10.205
before him, he guess what endured,

954
00:58:11.665 --> 00:58:14.485
he endured the cross, despising the shame,

955
00:58:14.705 --> 00:58:17.765
and he's seated at the right hand of the throne of God,

956
00:58:18.165 --> 00:58:21.725
consider him, who endured from sinners such hostility

957
00:58:21.725 --> 00:58:24.645
against himself so that you may not grow weary

958
00:58:24.905 --> 00:58:28.105
or fainthearted, you know how we can finish our race.

959
00:58:29.125 --> 00:58:32.775
We look at the one who already finished, the one

960
00:58:32.775 --> 00:58:34.975
who hung up on the cross with arms out

961
00:58:34.975 --> 00:58:37.135
and said, it is finished.

962
00:58:38.495 --> 00:58:42.115
And he rose again to say, no matter what happens to you,

963
00:58:42.175 --> 00:58:45.075
man, there is new life that I offer to you.

964
00:58:46.245 --> 00:58:49.855
Just keep going. It says, we're surrounded by this cloud

965
00:58:49.855 --> 00:58:52.815
of witnesses, this all of the saints of old

966
00:58:52.815 --> 00:58:54.375
who went on before us.

967
00:58:54.555 --> 00:58:56.855
And they look at us with anticipation saying, man,

968
00:58:56.855 --> 00:58:58.415
you can make it, you can do it.

969
00:58:58.415 --> 00:58:59.935
And we stand on their shoulders

970
00:59:00.675 --> 00:59:02.775
and we persist the same way they did

971
00:59:02.775 --> 00:59:07.135
through their persecution to make God known to everybody

972
00:59:08.035 --> 00:59:12.255
so that we can all stand before him and hear well done.

973
00:59:14.725 --> 00:59:18.865
And listen, I know there are some of you who are like,

974
00:59:20.705 --> 00:59:22.365
I, I don't know if I can do that.

975
00:59:25.355 --> 00:59:28.545
I feel like I'm at the end of my rope. I feel like I'm done.

976
00:59:29.545 --> 00:59:32.505
I feel like I wanna walk away. I feel like I want to quit.

977
00:59:33.405 --> 00:59:35.625
And man, can I tell you, this is the reason why this is

978
00:59:35.685 --> 00:59:36.785
so important

979
00:59:39.055 --> 00:59:41.985
because while there is a, a cloud of witnesses

980
00:59:43.535 --> 00:59:46.425
from church going by in the angels of heaven

981
00:59:46.525 --> 00:59:48.385
who are watching you and cheering you on

982
00:59:48.405 --> 00:59:51.185
and waiting for you to, to reach eternity, man,

983
00:59:51.205 --> 00:59:54.145
we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses right here

984
00:59:55.285 --> 00:59:58.825
who want nothing more than to see you

985
01:00:00.125 --> 01:00:03.025
follow Jesus well to love God.

986
01:00:03.025 --> 01:00:05.905
Well, we're a family who shares hope in here.

987
01:00:06.855 --> 01:00:09.745
It's what we do. Hey, listen, I know it's been tough, man,

988
01:00:09.745 --> 01:00:11.305
but please can I, can I help

989
01:00:13.095 --> 01:00:15.265
even when God doesn't answer the prayer,

990
01:00:15.265 --> 01:00:16.705
at least the way we think he should,

991
01:00:17.055 --> 01:00:19.625
just like we talked about with fostering hope, man, there's,

992
01:00:19.625 --> 01:00:22.265
there's a family here who wants to help step into the gap

993
01:00:22.265 --> 01:00:24.625
that says, Hey, listen, we're not at heaven yet,

994
01:00:24.625 --> 01:00:25.745
but can I just give you a glimpse?

995
01:00:27.005 --> 01:00:29.025
Can we live into that together right now?

996
01:00:29.095 --> 01:00:31.145
Like I know this isn't, listen here, here's a few bucks.

997
01:00:31.145 --> 01:00:33.305
Hopefully it helps you out. I know it's not like much, but,

998
01:00:33.605 --> 01:00:35.705
but man, it's just a glimpse that one day

999
01:00:36.795 --> 01:00:38.265
we're not gonna have to worry about this anymore.

1000
01:00:39.045 --> 01:00:41.185
And until then, let's lock arms,

1001
01:00:41.395 --> 01:00:42.745
let's run this race together.

1002
01:00:43.075 --> 01:00:44.825
Let's continue to endure.

1003
01:00:50.745 --> 01:00:51.825
I don't know where we're at in our notes.

1004
01:00:54.405 --> 01:00:56.265
The tech team is probably freaking out right now.

1005
01:00:56.265 --> 01:00:58.465
They're like, he didn't say any of the stuff that he planned

1006
01:00:58.465 --> 01:01:01.665
to say, but, but I want us to close

1007
01:01:01.665 --> 01:01:04.665
with this two verses from Colossians Colossians two chapter,

1008
01:01:04.845 --> 01:01:06.145
uh, verses six and seven.

1009
01:01:10.455 --> 01:01:14.545
Paul gives us what I believe to be a blueprint for a life

1010
01:01:14.545 --> 01:01:17.545
of longevity when it comes to following Jesus.

1011
01:01:19.005 --> 01:01:23.105
He says, therefore, as you received Christ, Jesus the Lord.

1012
01:01:24.125 --> 01:01:25.425
So walk in him.

1013
01:01:26.665 --> 01:01:29.225
Remember that zeal, remember that excitement.

1014
01:01:30.385 --> 01:01:32.705
Remember the day you first put your faith in Jesus?

1015
01:01:34.005 --> 01:01:35.465
It says the thing that got you started.

1016
01:01:35.485 --> 01:01:38.345
That's actually the way that you keep going, just

1017
01:01:38.405 --> 01:01:40.145
as you receive Christ Jesus the Lord.

1018
01:01:40.485 --> 01:01:42.385
So walk in him and then he explains what that looks like,

1019
01:01:42.515 --> 01:01:45.065
being rooted and built up in him

1020
01:01:45.205 --> 01:01:48.305
and established in the faith just as you were taught

1021
01:01:48.815 --> 01:01:50.825
abounding in Thanksgiving.

1022
01:01:50.855 --> 01:01:53.625
There's four, uh, imperatives that he gives us there.

1023
01:01:53.685 --> 01:01:55.265
The first one is this, to be rooted.

1024
01:01:56.325 --> 01:02:00.505
Be rooted in Christ, be rooted in truth.

1025
01:02:02.565 --> 01:02:04.305
Listen to, to my young people in the room,

1026
01:02:05.605 --> 01:02:06.865
get rooted in truth.

1027
01:02:08.855 --> 01:02:10.465
There's so many lies out there

1028
01:02:10.485 --> 01:02:13.025
and so many things that try to pull you away from this

1029
01:02:13.165 --> 01:02:14.785
and tell you this isn't good enough,

1030
01:02:14.855 --> 01:02:16.705
that it's old, it's antiquated.

1031
01:02:16.705 --> 01:02:20.125
Listen, get rooted in the one sure thing.

1032
01:02:20.125 --> 01:02:21.925
We have the word of God.

1033
01:02:23.465 --> 01:02:25.965
And over the course of this, uh, uh, this summer,

1034
01:02:26.695 --> 01:02:28.765
we're actually gonna be doing this together as a community.

1035
01:02:28.765 --> 01:02:30.005
We're gonna be in a series,

1036
01:02:30.005 --> 01:02:31.205
it's gonna start two weeks from now.

1037
01:02:31.205 --> 01:02:32.365
Next week we're gonna wrap up this one,

1038
01:02:32.365 --> 01:02:34.805
but starting in two weeks and then going the entire summer.

1039
01:02:34.945 --> 01:02:37.005
We are gonna journey middle school through adults.

1040
01:02:37.225 --> 01:02:38.965
We are all gonna journey through the book

1041
01:02:38.965 --> 01:02:41.205
of Tightest together in a series called Field Notes.

1042
01:02:42.225 --> 01:02:44.365
And the purpose of this is that we all want to have

1043
01:02:44.795 --> 01:02:47.485
what we call a good doctrine for godly living.

1044
01:02:48.585 --> 01:02:51.245
It starts with being rooted in the truth of God's word.

1045
01:02:51.265 --> 01:02:53.365
So please, I know you're gonna be traveling,

1046
01:02:53.365 --> 01:02:54.805
you have vacations and stuff, man,

1047
01:02:54.995 --> 01:02:57.165
lock in if you gotta watch online, watch online.

1048
01:02:57.165 --> 01:02:58.285
But if you're able to be here,

1049
01:02:58.735 --> 01:03:00.325
we're doing this all together.

1050
01:03:02.175 --> 01:03:03.285
We're gonna be rooted in Christ,

1051
01:03:03.285 --> 01:03:04.165
we're gonna be rooted in truth,

1052
01:03:04.165 --> 01:03:05.325
we're gonna be rooted in community.

1053
01:03:05.345 --> 01:03:07.845
The second thing is that we're gonna be built up.

1054
01:03:09.345 --> 01:03:11.165
And to be built up means to build a habit

1055
01:03:11.185 --> 01:03:12.925
of running to the cross.

1056
01:03:13.875 --> 01:03:15.365
It's not saying, I made a decision one

1057
01:03:15.365 --> 01:03:16.405
time and everything's gonna be easy.

1058
01:03:16.545 --> 01:03:19.365
No, it's gonna be hard, but it's gonna be worth it.

1059
01:03:19.705 --> 01:03:21.485
But it's the reason why we need to allow God

1060
01:03:21.505 --> 01:03:22.805
to build up our faith.

1061
01:03:22.825 --> 01:03:25.325
We spend up that time building ourselves up

1062
01:03:25.325 --> 01:03:26.605
and fortifying ourselves.

1063
01:03:28.065 --> 01:03:30.365
And when you allow the Holy Spirit to do that in you,

1064
01:03:30.755 --> 01:03:34.685
when the storm comes, when things get difficult,

1065
01:03:35.425 --> 01:03:37.965
you reach the third step, which is to be established.

1066
01:03:38.875 --> 01:03:40.205
It's that unshakeable faith

1067
01:03:40.235 --> 01:03:43.565
that I know people in this room have where they say, despite

1068
01:03:43.565 --> 01:03:45.085
what I've been through, despite

1069
01:03:45.085 --> 01:03:47.685
what I've seen, man, where else am I gonna go?

1070
01:03:49.315 --> 01:03:52.085
This is where Peter was, he was established.

1071
01:03:52.275 --> 01:03:55.445
He's like, I don't, I couldn't move if I wanted to Jesus,

1072
01:03:55.595 --> 01:03:56.965
because you're just that good.

1073
01:03:59.225 --> 01:04:00.885
And through all of this, we're told

1074
01:04:00.885 --> 01:04:03.365
to abound in Thanksgiving.

1075
01:04:03.545 --> 01:04:07.365
And the only way that we live this sort of life, you know

1076
01:04:07.365 --> 01:04:10.205
where gratitude comes from, abounding in thanksgiving,

1077
01:04:10.435 --> 01:04:15.165
gratitude comes from remembering, remembering what Jesus did

1078
01:04:15.165 --> 01:04:18.525
for us, remembering the way the Holy Spirit is working

1079
01:04:18.525 --> 01:04:23.285
inside of us now, and ultimately remembering that man,

1080
01:04:23.285 --> 01:04:26.605
if I endure, if I keep going, if I don't quit,

1081
01:04:26.945 --> 01:04:29.445
if I stay loyal to my first love, I will get

1082
01:04:29.445 --> 01:04:33.565
to spend eternity in the one who with, with the one

1083
01:04:33.665 --> 01:04:34.965
who walked out of the grave.

1084
01:04:35.945 --> 01:04:39.525
And we get to celebrate and live in this new life together.

1085
01:04:39.625 --> 01:04:44.205
Church, keep going. I love you and I need you.

1086
01:04:44.825 --> 01:04:47.685
And I'm so grateful that my eight month old daughter gets

1087
01:04:47.685 --> 01:04:50.445
to grow up around believers who keep going

1088
01:04:50.745 --> 01:04:53.125
and who will encourage her to keep going.

1089
01:04:54.185 --> 01:04:57.365
I'm grateful for the people in our church who are,

1090
01:04:57.465 --> 01:04:58.925
who are closer to eternity.

1091
01:05:00.135 --> 01:05:02.485
Those of you who may maybe you feel like you're on the last

1092
01:05:02.585 --> 01:05:04.525
leg already for, for the older men

1093
01:05:04.525 --> 01:05:06.325
and women, those, those our, our,

1094
01:05:06.345 --> 01:05:08.445
our front runners in the faith, thank you

1095
01:05:08.445 --> 01:05:11.445
for your faithfulness and thank you for setting an example

1096
01:05:12.105 --> 01:05:14.725
for the young heads like me that say, say, man,

1097
01:05:14.725 --> 01:05:17.525
it can be done if we lean on each other

1098
01:05:17.905 --> 01:05:20.085
and if we deeply depend on Jesus.

1099
01:05:20.185 --> 01:05:22.245
So let's pray that that would be true in all of our lives.

1100
01:05:22.245 --> 01:05:24.325
Father, we love you Jesus.

1101
01:05:24.345 --> 01:05:26.365
You're so good and you're

1102
01:05:26.365 --> 01:05:28.085
so better than anything else we can imagine

1103
01:05:32.105 --> 01:05:37.085
God, right now with every eye closed, we just,

1104
01:05:37.145 --> 01:05:38.445
we we imagine you,

1105
01:05:40.785 --> 01:05:45.765
we fix our eyes on you, we focus on you.

1106
01:05:47.815 --> 01:05:49.685
Every other ground is sinking sand.

1107
01:05:52.185 --> 01:05:55.325
God, we fix our eyes on you, the author

1108
01:05:55.425 --> 01:05:57.925
and the perfecter of our faith.

1109
01:05:57.945 --> 01:06:01.245
And Lord, we are a people running to well done.

1110
01:06:01.335 --> 01:06:03.805
Jesus, thank you for making the path.

1111
01:06:04.655 --> 01:06:06.125
Thank you for making the way.

1112
01:06:06.225 --> 01:06:09.205
God thank you for your spirit, that that energizes us and,

1113
01:06:09.205 --> 01:06:12.765
and pushes us forward and propels us towards eternity.

1114
01:06:14.225 --> 01:06:16.125
God, thank you for reconciling us to yourself

1115
01:06:16.125 --> 01:06:18.645
that while we were yet sinners, you sent Jesus

1116
01:06:18.705 --> 01:06:19.965
to die on the cross for us.

1117
01:06:23.235 --> 01:06:26.645
Lord, you endured, you told us

1118
01:06:26.645 --> 01:06:27.965
to hold on and you gave us a promise.

1119
01:06:27.985 --> 01:06:30.005
And that promise was you and God, I pray

1120
01:06:30.005 --> 01:06:33.565
that nothing else would distract us from that

1121
01:06:34.345 --> 01:06:35.365
all the days of our life.

1122
01:06:35.395 --> 01:06:38.485
Lord, we love you. Thank you for your church.

1123
01:06:38.655 --> 01:06:43.125
Thank you for your love. It's in Jesus' name we pray.

1124
01:06:43.755 --> 01:06:44.755
Amen.

1125
01:06:49.555 --> 01:06:52.045
Amen. Come on y'all let him hear it. Praise God.

1126
01:06:53.355 --> 01:06:58.205
Wonderful word. You know,

1127
01:06:58.205 --> 01:07:01.245
there is a word, uh, that describes the kind of living

1128
01:07:01.315 --> 01:07:02.525
that Aaron just talked about.

1129
01:07:02.905 --> 01:07:05.285
Uh, it's the idea of perseverance.

1130
01:07:06.305 --> 01:07:09.765
Um, and we persevere because as he shared earlier,

1131
01:07:10.395 --> 01:07:12.925
because Jesus is worth it.

1132
01:07:13.395 --> 01:07:18.365
Amen. Now the good news that God has given us is that, uh,

1133
01:07:18.365 --> 01:07:20.405
even if you get to Matthew Chapter 28

1134
01:07:20.405 --> 01:07:22.045
and you look, he says that he will be

1135
01:07:22.045 --> 01:07:23.525
with us even to the end of the age.

1136
01:07:24.745 --> 01:07:26.965
And so we know that he will walk with us

1137
01:07:27.905 --> 01:07:29.325
so we don't have to do it alone.

1138
01:07:30.105 --> 01:07:32.605
But we also know that he has given us a body

1139
01:07:32.605 --> 01:07:34.765
that will walk alongside us called the church.

1140
01:07:35.745 --> 01:07:38.325
And as a church, we want to be that kind of body

1141
01:07:38.515 --> 01:07:40.365
that helps you to take steps of faith

1142
01:07:40.745 --> 01:07:42.485
and walks alongside you.

1143
01:07:43.105 --> 01:07:44.125
And so if you're new to hope

1144
01:07:44.125 --> 01:07:45.725
or if you've been coming for a while,

1145
01:07:45.785 --> 01:07:48.685
if there's a desire in your heart as you have heard the word

1146
01:07:48.685 --> 01:07:52.005
of God, to take steps of faith towards following him

1147
01:07:52.065 --> 01:07:55.245
and persevering, then there's an area here at Hope

1148
01:07:55.275 --> 01:07:56.885
that we call the next steps area

1149
01:07:56.885 --> 01:07:58.445
that I'd like to invite you to.

1150
01:07:58.945 --> 01:08:01.125
Uh, as you leave today from this facility,

1151
01:08:01.295 --> 01:08:03.445
it'll be just out your doors, these doors into the left.

1152
01:08:04.065 --> 01:08:06.125
And if you're watching online, uh, listen,

1153
01:08:06.385 --> 01:08:08.605
let someone know in the chat there's a way

1154
01:08:08.605 --> 01:08:09.925
that you can connect as well.

1155
01:08:10.345 --> 01:08:14.325
And what that'll do is give us ways that we can serve

1156
01:08:14.325 --> 01:08:16.805
and support you and walk alongside you

1157
01:08:16.985 --> 01:08:18.805
as you persevere in following Jesus.

1158
01:08:19.665 --> 01:08:23.405
Listen, the word of God today, uh, just spoke to our hearts.

1159
01:08:23.625 --> 01:08:25.205
And so now we have a great opportunity

1160
01:08:25.225 --> 01:08:26.485
to go and live it out.

1161
01:08:27.105 --> 01:08:31.605
So as we exit this time together, man, let's persevere

1162
01:08:31.605 --> 01:08:33.965
for Jesus Christ because he's worth it.

1163
01:08:34.505 --> 01:08:36.165
God bless you all. We'll see you soon.