211 00:24:53.805 --> 00:24:57.785 So a couple years ago I signed up for something called the Dopey Challenge. Uh, 212 00:24:57.805 --> 00:25:02.585 the Dopey Challenge is a four day race in Disney property in Orlando. 213 00:25:03.445 --> 00:25:05.625 On Thursday you run a 5K on Friday, 214 00:25:05.725 --> 00:25:08.825 you run a 10 k on Saturday you run a half marathon. 215 00:25:09.285 --> 00:25:13.905 And on Sunday you run a full marathon. And if you complete all of these races, 216 00:25:13.906 --> 00:25:18.665 you are awarded a shirt and a medal with dopey from Snow White on them. Uh, 217 00:25:18.666 --> 00:25:23.025 because you have nearly run 50 miles and you are dopey right 218 00:25:23.725 --> 00:25:25.065 now. I I know what you're thinking. 219 00:25:25.066 --> 00:25:28.625 You were looking at me and you were sizing me up and you were asking yourself 220 00:25:28.645 --> 00:25:31.744 the same question that my kids asked. And to be very clear, 221 00:25:32.465 --> 00:25:36.265 I did not win the dopey challenge. I did not come in first place. Uh, 222 00:25:36.266 --> 00:25:40.865 but I did finish, you know, the colloquial, yeah, . There we go. 223 00:25:41.984 --> 00:25:45.345 Oh, it was ugly. Calm down . 224 00:25:46.285 --> 00:25:49.225 You know the colloquialism, it's not about the destination, 225 00:25:49.695 --> 00:25:53.265 it's about the journey. The dopey challenge was a journey for me. 226 00:25:53.525 --> 00:25:56.345 So leading up to the race, I did all the training, right? 227 00:25:56.645 --> 00:26:01.225 Six months out I'm running several days a week long runs on back to back days. 228 00:26:01.725 --> 00:26:04.945 But then on Christmas Eve, two weeks before the race, 229 00:26:05.325 --> 00:26:10.225 I'm messing around in my backyard in the dark barefoot like rednecks do. 230 00:26:10.525 --> 00:26:14.744 And I stepped on a rusty nail. Yeah, it was bad. 231 00:26:15.965 --> 00:26:20.865 So I showed up on race day, still nursing this deep wound in my foot. 232 00:26:21.725 --> 00:26:25.505 Now during the first race, my hip started to hurt. 233 00:26:25.565 --> 00:26:28.744 Now this was a strange new kind of pain that I hadn't felt before. 234 00:26:28.825 --> 00:26:32.105 I didn't know this uh, until about six weeks later. 235 00:26:32.645 --> 00:26:36.585 But apparently because of the way I was nursing my left foot, 236 00:26:37.045 --> 00:26:40.305 it caused the stress fracture in my right hip. 237 00:26:41.125 --> 00:26:45.805 But I got through the 5K and I got through the 10 K and I got through the half 238 00:26:46.125 --> 00:26:50.365 marathon, the marathon, little bit of a different story. 239 00:26:50.545 --> 00:26:51.885 It was a struggle. 240 00:26:52.605 --> 00:26:57.085 I remember being on mile five into the marathon and I'm pretty confident, 241 00:26:57.325 --> 00:27:01.405 I mean I can bear through this, right? They've got good snacks out here. 242 00:27:03.145 --> 00:27:07.325 And then at mile 5.1 I thought, this has got to end. 243 00:27:07.635 --> 00:27:11.805 This is not going well. And that's when the mind games really started to start, 244 00:27:11.855 --> 00:27:14.125 right? I had coordinated with my wife, 245 00:27:14.244 --> 00:27:17.645 I was gonna see my family out on the course about halfway through. Uh, 246 00:27:17.646 --> 00:27:21.045 because you know, they want to cheer me on and they want to encourage me. 247 00:27:21.185 --> 00:27:22.965 And I've told you guys this before, 248 00:27:23.225 --> 00:27:26.445 she refers to me as hunks and I need to earn that title. 249 00:27:26.515 --> 00:27:29.805 They don't just give that out . Uh, but I wanna also, 250 00:27:29.925 --> 00:27:34.805 I wanna show my boys that I can do hard things and that I'm an athlete and that 251 00:27:34.806 --> 00:27:35.639 I can have fun. 252 00:27:37.045 --> 00:27:41.165 But mile 13 came and went and I never saw not a one of them . 253 00:27:41.465 --> 00:27:44.845 So now I'm hurt and I'm hot and I'm tired and I'm just sad. 254 00:27:45.675 --> 00:27:47.325 Then we made it to mile 19. 255 00:27:48.185 --> 00:27:52.525 Now running along Animal Kingdom through fake Morocco, 256 00:27:52.945 --> 00:27:56.125 the sun is out. It's 85 degrees on a January morning, 257 00:27:56.615 --> 00:28:01.525 which felt like actual Morocco I would imagine. My foot hurts, my hip hurts, 258 00:28:01.585 --> 00:28:05.565 my skin hurts. I keep hoping to see my family. They're nowhere in sight. 259 00:28:05.805 --> 00:28:08.484 And I kind of hit this wall of defeat. You see, 260 00:28:08.485 --> 00:28:11.765 the thing that you need to know about the Disney races is it is not a 261 00:28:11.766 --> 00:28:14.365 competitive environment like whoever won that race, 262 00:28:14.665 --> 00:28:18.645 nobody cares unless you're in this room. Congratulations. 263 00:28:18.945 --> 00:28:21.685 But whoever dressed the best, who was wearing the best costume, 264 00:28:21.984 --> 00:28:24.645 that's who those jokers care about. And let me tell you, 265 00:28:24.825 --> 00:28:28.845 the lowest low for me on this race was when these two individuals passed me at 266 00:28:28.846 --> 00:28:33.445 mile 19. First Captain Jack Sparrow in full costume. 267 00:28:33.765 --> 00:28:37.285 I mean he's bopping and hopping around the crowd of runners, right? 268 00:28:37.286 --> 00:28:40.885 He's got an empty bottle of rum that he's got, he's got, he's in full character. 269 00:28:40.886 --> 00:28:42.645 He is got dreadlocks wearing a leather hat, 270 00:28:42.795 --> 00:28:45.765 like four layers of pirate clothes speaking in an accent. 271 00:28:45.795 --> 00:28:46.685 He's having a great time. 272 00:28:46.945 --> 00:28:50.845 And he passed me right by and it didn't take long for him to get outta my sight. 273 00:28:51.345 --> 00:28:55.685 But then my left shoulder is brushed by a guy who is dressed up in Hans, 274 00:28:55.686 --> 00:28:59.485 in a costume is Hans Solo, who is frozen in Carbonite. 275 00:28:59.965 --> 00:29:04.845 meaning for four days this man ran with his shoulders 276 00:29:05.125 --> 00:29:07.205 attached to a four foot cardboard box . 277 00:29:08.225 --> 00:29:12.725 And this guy dressed as a fictional character who was supposed to be incapable 278 00:29:12.726 --> 00:29:14.485 of motion passed me. 279 00:29:15.225 --> 00:29:19.765 And my perspective about my journey to finish this race was doomed. 280 00:29:20.155 --> 00:29:22.645 Like what am I doing out here? Mickey Mouse is a rat. 281 00:29:23.225 --> 00:29:27.045 The finish line is too far. Am I even gonna be able to make it? 282 00:29:27.125 --> 00:29:31.525 I just wish this was over. I'm all alone. Nobody sees my pain, nobody cares. 283 00:29:31.545 --> 00:29:36.325 That's where my head was at. It got dark, y'all and I'll come back to that. 284 00:29:36.326 --> 00:29:41.325 But have you ever felt that way about your life at the 285 00:29:41.326 --> 00:29:44.245 finish line is too far. Am I even gonna be able to make it? 286 00:29:44.405 --> 00:29:48.565 I just wish this was over. My circumstances are against me. 287 00:29:48.585 --> 00:29:52.645 My life is too hard. I'm all alone and nobody sees me and nobody cares. 288 00:29:53.715 --> 00:29:56.445 Have you ever been there, ladies? 289 00:29:57.755 --> 00:30:01.405 Have you ever felt like you were the glue that holds everything together And 290 00:30:01.406 --> 00:30:05.725 there's no time for you to do the thing that you need to do for you because you 291 00:30:05.885 --> 00:30:08.845 are holding it all together for everybody else and nobody sees you. 292 00:30:09.225 --> 00:30:10.605 Nobody says thank you. 293 00:30:11.345 --> 00:30:15.125 Nobody knows that your journey is difficult and you just feel alone in it. 294 00:30:16.825 --> 00:30:21.165 Fellas, you ever felt like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? 295 00:30:21.225 --> 00:30:23.965 And if you don't grin and bear it, you will be crushed. 296 00:30:23.966 --> 00:30:27.905 But you would rather be crushed than be seen as weak 297 00:30:29.165 --> 00:30:33.665 and disappoint people. You guys ever been there? I've been there. 298 00:30:34.645 --> 00:30:37.505 I'm there way more often than I would've to admit. Uh, 299 00:30:37.555 --> 00:30:41.985 we're wrapping up this series about the foundations of the faith and we've 300 00:30:41.986 --> 00:30:45.785 learned that we are made in the image of God and that we are broken and we can 301 00:30:45.786 --> 00:30:47.505 be fixed. And last week Dwayne said, 302 00:30:47.555 --> 00:30:50.865 we're heading towards something better and heading towards something better is 303 00:30:50.895 --> 00:30:53.665 abiding in Christ, focusing on Jesus, 304 00:30:53.995 --> 00:30:58.705 which takes some very individual personal intentional time, 305 00:30:58.706 --> 00:30:59.365 right? 306 00:30:59.365 --> 00:31:04.105 Taking a walk with Jesus requires time alone with Jesus. 307 00:31:04.565 --> 00:31:08.265 And today I wanna introduce to you another element into heading towards 308 00:31:08.266 --> 00:31:08.915 something better. 309 00:31:08.915 --> 00:31:13.505 Today we're talking about community because we began the series 310 00:31:13.665 --> 00:31:16.265 talking about being created in the image of God, right? 311 00:31:16.285 --> 00:31:20.785 And God himself a triune God, father, son and Holy Spirit, 312 00:31:21.005 --> 00:31:25.705 one God in three persons we are created in the image of a God who in 313 00:31:25.775 --> 00:31:27.785 himself is community. 314 00:31:28.405 --> 00:31:33.345 And in the creation story God made Adam and he said it is not good 315 00:31:33.645 --> 00:31:34.865 for man to be alone. 316 00:31:34.885 --> 00:31:39.705 So he created Eve and then together with the creation of 317 00:31:39.735 --> 00:31:44.475 community, creation was complete and God rested. 318 00:31:45.455 --> 00:31:48.235 We are designed to be in community, 319 00:31:49.115 --> 00:31:51.515 a collective together as a part of others. 320 00:31:52.735 --> 00:31:54.595 But we are a stubborn bunch, 321 00:31:56.085 --> 00:32:00.115 especially in the American and the western world where individuality is our 322 00:32:00.395 --> 00:32:05.355 priority. Or better yet, my comfort and my ease is my priority. And people, 323 00:32:05.945 --> 00:32:08.395 community with people is not easy, 324 00:32:09.915 --> 00:32:12.935 but God has designed us to be in community. 325 00:32:12.935 --> 00:32:16.375 So let's figure out what the scripture says in Hebrews 10. 326 00:32:16.376 --> 00:32:17.495 We're gonna be in Hebrews. 327 00:32:17.715 --> 00:32:21.735 Now Hebrews is interesting because we do not know who the author of Hebrews is. 328 00:32:22.375 --> 00:32:24.895 Uh, there are a lot of theories out there and there's really little consensus. 329 00:32:24.896 --> 00:32:29.495 But we do know that Hebrews was written to an urban people, all right? 330 00:32:29.515 --> 00:32:34.215 Jewish Christians and Jewish people who knew of Jesus in a city setting. 331 00:32:34.835 --> 00:32:35.505 In fact, 332 00:32:35.505 --> 00:32:39.325 there are more references to city in the book of Hebrews than anywhere else in 333 00:32:39.326 --> 00:32:41.885 the New Testament. Now why does that matter? Well, 334 00:32:42.145 --> 00:32:46.765 the makeup of a biblical city is pretty much what we see here in the triangle. 335 00:32:47.345 --> 00:32:51.285 It was a pluralistic society and we live in a pluralistic society. 336 00:32:52.015 --> 00:32:54.365 We're in communities no matter where you are in this area, 337 00:32:54.505 --> 00:32:58.565 all of our communities include a pretty high level of diversity of thought, 338 00:32:58.915 --> 00:33:03.565 diversity of ideology and experiences, races, heritage, culture, 339 00:33:04.105 --> 00:33:08.525 values, right? And all of that influences social norms. 340 00:33:08.526 --> 00:33:12.645 And that is the experience of the recipients of the book of Hebrews. You see, 341 00:33:12.646 --> 00:33:14.485 there were so many different belief systems. 342 00:33:15.365 --> 00:33:19.645 A Jewish Christian's commitment brought a level of marginalization, 343 00:33:20.155 --> 00:33:21.845 brought a level of hostility, 344 00:33:22.345 --> 00:33:26.805 and the audience of the book of Hebrews is suffering in persecution 345 00:33:27.145 --> 00:33:29.045 and they're struggling to keep the faith. 346 00:33:29.225 --> 00:33:33.845 So the question that is being addressed in Hebrews is if God is so good 347 00:33:34.185 --> 00:33:38.605 and he is for me so much, then why is my life so hard? 348 00:33:39.705 --> 00:33:43.245 Can we get a retweet on that? Life is difficult. 349 00:33:44.105 --> 00:33:49.005 We don't respond well to difficulty. We want comfort and ease at all costs. 350 00:33:49.745 --> 00:33:51.285 So because of this hardship, 351 00:33:51.915 --> 00:33:54.525 some of these Jewish Christians have left the faith. 352 00:33:55.355 --> 00:33:57.525 Some of these Jewish Christians have hidden their faith. 353 00:33:57.545 --> 00:34:02.205 And the author of Hebrews is attempting to remind the group of Jewish Christians 354 00:34:02.355 --> 00:34:06.845 that life is a journey. It is a slow drip. 355 00:34:07.595 --> 00:34:09.245 It's a marathon, not a sprint. 356 00:34:10.015 --> 00:34:12.825 It's a journey from weariness into rest. 357 00:34:12.935 --> 00:34:15.945 It's a journey from loneliness into togetherness. 358 00:34:16.415 --> 00:34:19.385 It's a journey from isolation into the presence of God. 359 00:34:19.525 --> 00:34:23.545 And the only way we are going to get home as the author of Hebrew says, 360 00:34:23.546 --> 00:34:28.065 and Dwayne reminded us last week, is if we fix our eyes on Jesus. 361 00:34:28.165 --> 00:34:32.665 So the author attempts to answer that question by these two themes that are 362 00:34:32.825 --> 00:34:36.465 woven throughout the book of Hebrews. The number one theme, right? 363 00:34:36.765 --> 00:34:40.585 The supremacy of Jesus. Jesus is the true and better. Moses, 364 00:34:40.775 --> 00:34:43.945 he's the true and better high priest. He's better than the angels. 365 00:34:43.946 --> 00:34:46.825 He's better than the old covenant. He's better than old traditions. 366 00:34:46.826 --> 00:34:49.945 He's better than the law. He's the true and better offering. 367 00:34:49.946 --> 00:34:53.545 And he's the true and better sacrifice. It's the first theme. 368 00:34:53.605 --> 00:34:57.864 The second theme that is woven throughout this book is a challenge to the 369 00:34:57.865 --> 00:35:01.745 readers to remain faithful to Jesus despite the distractions, 370 00:35:02.055 --> 00:35:03.505 despite the persecutions. 371 00:35:04.125 --> 00:35:07.825 So the scripture we're looking at today is gonna capture both of those themes. 372 00:35:08.155 --> 00:35:09.385 We're gonna break it up a little bit. 373 00:35:09.405 --> 00:35:13.585 Let me show you Hebrews 10 19 is where we're starting. Therefore brothers, 374 00:35:14.155 --> 00:35:18.344 since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 375 00:35:19.045 --> 00:35:22.105 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, 376 00:35:22.215 --> 00:35:23.545 that is through his flesh. 377 00:35:24.005 --> 00:35:27.505 And since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 378 00:35:27.565 --> 00:35:32.545 you get that Jesus is the curtain, he's the doorway into the presence of God. 379 00:35:32.546 --> 00:35:37.205 And he's also the great priest over the house of God and continues let us 380 00:35:37.395 --> 00:35:42.125 draw near with the true heart. In full assurance of faith, 381 00:35:42.705 --> 00:35:47.605 our assurance that we have access to the presence of 382 00:35:47.745 --> 00:35:52.364 God is by our faith and through faith we have grace. 383 00:35:52.465 --> 00:35:53.805 And then it aligns with this, 384 00:35:53.806 --> 00:35:58.405 with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience in our bodies 385 00:35:58.555 --> 00:36:02.765 wash with pure water. So through Jesus' life and his crucifixion, 386 00:36:03.225 --> 00:36:04.645 the resurrected Jesus Christ, 387 00:36:04.705 --> 00:36:08.525 the name that is above all names made for us. 388 00:36:08.685 --> 00:36:12.364 A way to enter into the presence of God. Amen. 389 00:36:13.545 --> 00:36:16.364 The second theme is a challenge, right? 390 00:36:16.945 --> 00:36:21.285 The challenge to the readers to remain faithful to Jesus despite the suffering, 391 00:36:21.315 --> 00:36:24.645 despite the persecution, the marginalization or the distraction. 392 00:36:24.646 --> 00:36:27.125 He says stay focused. Verse 23, 393 00:36:27.945 --> 00:36:32.925 let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he 394 00:36:32.945 --> 00:36:34.364 who promised is faithful. 395 00:36:34.505 --> 00:36:38.965 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. 396 00:36:39.665 --> 00:36:42.605 Not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, 397 00:36:42.625 --> 00:36:47.565 but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 398 00:36:47.625 --> 00:36:49.605 And that's the challenge. Remain faithful. 399 00:36:50.265 --> 00:36:52.645 Remain faithful to Jesus despite distraction. 400 00:36:52.915 --> 00:36:57.085 Stay focused on the hope that we have and encourage each other. Look, church, 401 00:36:57.425 --> 00:37:01.685 if we are going to endure the journey, if we're gonna endure the sufferings, 402 00:37:01.686 --> 00:37:05.605 if we're gonna endure marginalization or distractions of society, 403 00:37:05.745 --> 00:37:10.125 if we are going to remain faithful to Jesus, we must do it together. 404 00:37:11.305 --> 00:37:15.285 So I ask you, do you have community? 405 00:37:17.225 --> 00:37:20.685 Do you have people that you can call on in a time of want or need? 406 00:37:21.965 --> 00:37:23.245 Do you have people that will check on you? 407 00:37:24.065 --> 00:37:28.565 Do you have people that will satisfy the idea of belonging that Bill mentioned 408 00:37:28.685 --> 00:37:31.685 in his video? Because those are, those are actually tricky questions. 409 00:37:32.445 --> 00:37:35.965 I think most of us will nod our heads and feel pretty good with the surface 410 00:37:36.094 --> 00:37:38.925 level idea of community that we have. 411 00:37:40.145 --> 00:37:43.645 But I also think that the vast majority of our relationships, 412 00:37:43.665 --> 00:37:48.605 the vast majority of our security in our community is superficial. 413 00:37:48.745 --> 00:37:52.765 And this is why I say that the data's out there and it's a little bit wild. Uh, 414 00:37:52.825 --> 00:37:53.685 the surgeon general. 415 00:37:54.005 --> 00:37:59.005 So the same authority who in 1966 said that all tobacco products are in need 416 00:37:59.006 --> 00:38:03.725 of a health risk advisory. He has sent out a loneliness health risk advisory. 417 00:38:04.685 --> 00:38:09.125 Alright, we are in an epidemic of loneliness. He writes in 2023, 418 00:38:09.295 --> 00:38:12.364 loneliness is far more than a bad feeling. 419 00:38:13.585 --> 00:38:15.765 It harms individual and societal health. 420 00:38:15.815 --> 00:38:20.165 Loneliness is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, 421 00:38:20.765 --> 00:38:25.605 dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. He says, 422 00:38:25.655 --> 00:38:30.525 being lonely is worse on your body than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 423 00:38:30.526 --> 00:38:33.005 Being obese and being physically inactive. 424 00:38:33.075 --> 00:38:36.685 This report says that you can be at home, home sucking down a pack of heaters, 425 00:38:36.705 --> 00:38:40.765 eating Burger King binge watching all 97 episodes of iCarly. 426 00:38:40.985 --> 00:38:44.165 And your physical body would be less, 427 00:38:44.335 --> 00:38:46.364 would be healthier than if you're lonely. 428 00:38:47.145 --> 00:38:51.765 It continues the harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection 429 00:38:51.864 --> 00:38:53.565 can be felt in our schools 430 00:38:56.415 --> 00:38:59.455 and our places of work or civic organizations where performance, 431 00:38:59.456 --> 00:39:03.295 productivity and engagement are diminished for the last 20 years. 432 00:39:03.315 --> 00:39:06.415 Social isolation has continually increased. 433 00:39:07.315 --> 00:39:09.295 And household family engagement, 434 00:39:09.405 --> 00:39:12.655 general companionship has dramatically decreased. 435 00:39:13.515 --> 00:39:18.135 We are either taking steps to fight against loneliness or we are suffering in 436 00:39:18.185 --> 00:39:23.175 loneliness. But perhaps you're like, this guy is dopey, 437 00:39:23.395 --> 00:39:26.335 I'm not lonely, I'm fine. That might be you. Listen, 438 00:39:26.594 --> 00:39:30.295 I'm not trying to shame or guilt anyone and to convincing yourself that you're 439 00:39:30.296 --> 00:39:33.855 lonely. And I know the different types of community. 440 00:39:33.925 --> 00:39:37.775 There's different relationships, certainly different personality dynamics, 441 00:39:37.776 --> 00:39:38.495 right? 442 00:39:38.495 --> 00:39:43.055 I know that the introverts of which I am what the introvert is sitting here 443 00:39:43.056 --> 00:39:46.415 thinking, I'm not lonely. I'm happy the introvert. 444 00:39:46.515 --> 00:39:51.455 We are a self-sufficient people. We don't need anything from anybody. 445 00:39:51.795 --> 00:39:56.335 We don't need help. We don't need somebody to tell me to go out and find myself. 446 00:39:56.995 --> 00:40:00.575 We don't need help identifying boundaries. 'cause guess what? We got 'em. 447 00:40:00.675 --> 00:40:05.535 And our boundaries are firmly between me and everybody else because 448 00:40:05.536 --> 00:40:07.055 we sure don't need the drama. 449 00:40:07.915 --> 00:40:12.295 We don't need the energy or the ideas or the karaoke nights or the board games. 450 00:40:12.445 --> 00:40:13.855 Just let me be. 451 00:40:15.815 --> 00:40:19.335 I personally identify with some of that, although I do love a karaoke night. 452 00:40:21.155 --> 00:40:24.655 But that doesn't make it right and it doesn't make it good. 453 00:40:24.755 --> 00:40:28.815 And it's certainly not in line with our design, fighting, 454 00:40:28.816 --> 00:40:32.775 comfort and ease for this person is just showing up and engaging. 455 00:40:33.515 --> 00:40:35.135 And I'm telling you that is difficult. 456 00:40:36.275 --> 00:40:39.255 It is easier to hide than to be healed. 457 00:40:40.745 --> 00:40:44.515 Then you got this other group, maybe there's a loneliness epidemic. 458 00:40:44.855 --> 00:40:48.395 But I can't be lonely. I got more people than I know what to do with. 459 00:40:49.015 --> 00:40:52.395 My schedule is slammed. I'm in re-engage on Monday, 460 00:40:52.835 --> 00:40:56.235 coaching baseball on Tuesday, hanging out with A and B on Wednesday, 461 00:40:56.475 --> 00:41:00.475 c and d on Thursday and A to Z on the weekend between soccer games. 462 00:41:01.475 --> 00:41:04.835 Now the extroverts are social people. They love a party. 463 00:41:04.836 --> 00:41:07.915 They live a group project. They love a group chat. 464 00:41:08.655 --> 00:41:13.275 But the threat to the social people is we might have a lot of 465 00:41:13.276 --> 00:41:14.109 relationships, 466 00:41:15.094 --> 00:41:18.995 but are they depth relationships of depth and care? 467 00:41:20.175 --> 00:41:22.275 Are they relationships where you are truly known? 468 00:41:23.415 --> 00:41:27.995 Or is your community a social club that enables the pursuit of 469 00:41:28.275 --> 00:41:33.005 distraction or the pursuit of apathy or the pursuit of sin 470 00:41:34.125 --> 00:41:34.835 fighting comfort. 471 00:41:34.835 --> 00:41:39.325 Comfort and ease with this bunch might be having a conversation about 472 00:41:39.405 --> 00:41:42.965 feelings or identity or rest. 473 00:41:43.315 --> 00:41:46.045 Because if the scripture says, let us hold fast, 474 00:41:46.065 --> 00:41:51.045 the confession of our hope without wavering faithfully for he who is 475 00:41:51.364 --> 00:41:52.445 promised is faithful. 476 00:41:52.705 --> 00:41:56.565 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. 477 00:41:56.705 --> 00:41:59.485 Not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another. 478 00:41:59.705 --> 00:42:01.885 The question isn't, do you have community? 479 00:42:02.075 --> 00:42:06.565 It's do you have gospel community and gospel community? 480 00:42:06.625 --> 00:42:07.458 Simply put, 481 00:42:07.475 --> 00:42:12.364 it's a group of people who are honest and self-aware about our sin and 482 00:42:12.415 --> 00:42:17.005 brokenness and acknowledge the dependence that we have on Jesus. 483 00:42:17.985 --> 00:42:21.165 Gospel community applies the Bible for life change. 484 00:42:21.265 --> 00:42:24.925 Gospel community prays together and for one another, right? 485 00:42:24.926 --> 00:42:29.565 They're committed to servanthood of others and they spend time together 'cause 486 00:42:29.566 --> 00:42:34.325 their lives are interwoven around Jesus. A gospel community says, 487 00:42:34.565 --> 00:42:36.165 I can't fix my brokenness. 488 00:42:36.485 --> 00:42:40.045 I can't head towards something better without Jesus and without you. 489 00:42:42.075 --> 00:42:43.535 So do you have gospel community? 490 00:42:45.435 --> 00:42:49.975 You have a safe space to fall to fail. 491 00:42:50.075 --> 00:42:53.735 Do you have someone you trust with your pain or your sin? 492 00:42:54.475 --> 00:42:56.535 Not just someone you trust the sin with. 493 00:42:59.275 --> 00:43:03.935 You have people in your life who will stir you up towards love and good works to 494 00:43:03.936 --> 00:43:05.775 compel you towards the finish line. 495 00:43:06.355 --> 00:43:11.295 Do you have someone in your life that you trust with your pursuit of abiding in 496 00:43:11.296 --> 00:43:14.765 Christ? And for the past six years, 497 00:43:15.195 --> 00:43:18.645 I've had a group of men that I meet with and we simply ask two questions. 498 00:43:19.965 --> 00:43:23.565 How are you close to Christ this week? And how did you deny discipleship? 499 00:43:23.665 --> 00:43:27.205 How did you deny Jesus? We meet every week sort of, 500 00:43:28.175 --> 00:43:31.525 y'all know how life is. We didn't meet this week . 501 00:43:32.805 --> 00:43:36.805 And there've been some tough conversations at that table. Brutal honesty. 502 00:43:36.806 --> 00:43:41.645 And the most helpful element of that gospel community for me is self-awareness. 503 00:43:43.405 --> 00:43:46.525 And am I being honest with myself about myself? 504 00:43:46.635 --> 00:43:50.485 Because James talks about confessing sin. James says, therefore, 505 00:43:50.555 --> 00:43:55.405 confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you 506 00:43:55.505 --> 00:43:56.338 may be healed. 507 00:43:56.945 --> 00:44:01.885 And when I say out loud to these men who love me that I have been apathetically 508 00:44:02.475 --> 00:44:04.844 denying abiding in Jesus, 509 00:44:06.065 --> 00:44:08.405 or that I'm stuck in a habit of eating too much, 510 00:44:08.545 --> 00:44:11.045 or that I haven't been paying enough attention to my wife, 511 00:44:13.895 --> 00:44:17.885 there is no hiding in that confession. There is healing in that confession. 512 00:44:19.185 --> 00:44:22.685 And Paul says, watch carefully how you are walking. 513 00:44:23.075 --> 00:44:27.165 Ephesians five 13. But when anything is exposed by the light, 514 00:44:27.985 --> 00:44:31.260 it becomes visible for anything that becomes visible is light. 515 00:44:31.261 --> 00:44:33.325 Therefore it says Awake, 516 00:44:33.725 --> 00:44:37.765 oh sleeper and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you. 517 00:44:37.795 --> 00:44:41.805 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise. 518 00:44:42.235 --> 00:44:44.125 That is what gospel community looks like. 519 00:44:44.825 --> 00:44:48.245 Gospel community is an awakened church. And listen, church, family, 520 00:44:48.505 --> 00:44:52.844 if God is calling us to anything collectively here at Hope Community Church, 521 00:44:53.145 --> 00:44:54.765 he is calling us to wake up. 522 00:44:55.955 --> 00:44:59.045 He's calling us to wake up because Christ is alive. 523 00:44:59.235 --> 00:45:01.005 Wake up because Jesus is king. 524 00:45:01.475 --> 00:45:05.844 Wake up because we are not alone and we are not designed to be alone. 525 00:45:06.265 --> 00:45:07.525 We are designed by a creator. 526 00:45:07.765 --> 00:45:12.605 We are sculpted by him himself for community to 527 00:45:12.606 --> 00:45:13.439 be together. 528 00:45:13.585 --> 00:45:17.965 And we must wake up because there is a sleeping world around us that has no 529 00:45:17.966 --> 00:45:22.485 chance of waking up if we are not holding fast to the confession of our hope 530 00:45:22.495 --> 00:45:26.925 faithfully and stirring up one another to love and good works faithfully 531 00:45:27.344 --> 00:45:30.685 and refusing to neglect meeting together faithfully, 532 00:45:31.145 --> 00:45:34.175 but encouraging one another faithfully. 533 00:45:35.915 --> 00:45:37.655 So do you have gospel community? 534 00:45:39.395 --> 00:45:41.094 Do you desire gospel community? 535 00:45:42.915 --> 00:45:46.055 Are you intentionally running from gospel community? 536 00:45:49.065 --> 00:45:52.445 So there I was mile 19, 537 00:45:54.105 --> 00:45:54.938 you with me 538 00:45:56.795 --> 00:45:59.285 back in the dopey challenge mile 19. 539 00:45:59.585 --> 00:46:03.285 And I was completely defeated because Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford just passed 540 00:46:03.286 --> 00:46:05.925 me. And I'm shuffling along man. 541 00:46:06.585 --> 00:46:09.085 I'm living in complete doubt that I will ever finish this, 542 00:46:09.086 --> 00:46:11.205 that I'm even worthy to be on the journey. 543 00:46:11.225 --> 00:46:12.885 And it was at this point that I met the most, 544 00:46:13.025 --> 00:46:16.485 met the most impactful stranger that I have actually never met. 545 00:46:16.645 --> 00:46:17.478 I don't know this guy, 546 00:46:17.905 --> 00:46:21.165 but I come up behind him and he has two individuals adjacent to him, 547 00:46:21.225 --> 00:46:23.125 one on his left and one on his right. 548 00:46:23.205 --> 00:46:26.925 I only noticed this group because the two individuals on the outside are wearing 549 00:46:26.926 --> 00:46:29.525 these bright yellow jerseys that say support athlete. 550 00:46:29.755 --> 00:46:32.885 They were there to help the man in the middle get to the finish line. 551 00:46:33.065 --> 00:46:34.405 And my brother needed some help. 552 00:46:34.864 --> 00:46:38.085 He was a six foot four giant solid rock of a man. 553 00:46:38.145 --> 00:46:42.085 And he's on day four of the dopey challenge. He's 43 miles in, 554 00:46:42.285 --> 00:46:45.605 out 48 miles and he's paraplegic. 555 00:46:47.205 --> 00:46:51.505 He was there running on carbon fiber, legs attached somewhere below his waist. 556 00:46:51.506 --> 00:46:55.305 And as I saw him moving each prosthetic leg, left leg forward, 557 00:46:55.515 --> 00:46:58.425 right leg forward, as I witnessed this, my paradigm shifted 558 00:47:00.005 --> 00:47:03.695 because this man was there on the same course that I was on. 559 00:47:04.165 --> 00:47:05.975 He's running in the same race that I'm running. 560 00:47:06.005 --> 00:47:08.935 He's headed to the same finish line that I'm headed toward. 561 00:47:08.995 --> 00:47:10.815 But from a completely different background. 562 00:47:11.435 --> 00:47:13.415 And I don't know if he's a wounded warrior. 563 00:47:13.575 --> 00:47:15.695 I don't know if he was in an accident, if he was born this way. 564 00:47:15.935 --> 00:47:20.415 I know he is working with a completely different set of circumstances and I'm 565 00:47:20.614 --> 00:47:23.495 positive that he's been through more hardship than I have ever known. 566 00:47:23.755 --> 00:47:28.175 And I watched as he endured the journey, left leg forward, 567 00:47:28.385 --> 00:47:31.205 right leg forward. And because he was there, 568 00:47:32.415 --> 00:47:33.735 I knew he could finish the race. 569 00:47:34.395 --> 00:47:37.935 And in that it emboldened me to know that I could finish my own race. 570 00:47:38.235 --> 00:47:41.815 And let me be clear, this was not a sense of superiority. 571 00:47:42.235 --> 00:47:44.614 It wasn't because I have legs and you don't. 572 00:47:45.085 --> 00:47:48.575 It's because it wasn't because I think I can make it because you shouldn't be 573 00:47:48.576 --> 00:47:49.165 able to make this. 574 00:47:49.165 --> 00:47:52.935 It's not I'm better than you or my body is in better shape than yours. No, 575 00:47:52.936 --> 00:47:57.655 this moment was a moment of inspiration compelled my purpose 576 00:47:57.835 --> 00:48:00.455 and my motivation, my perspective changed. 577 00:48:00.995 --> 00:48:04.175 My foot still had a hole in it and my hip still had a crack in it. But my, 578 00:48:04.195 --> 00:48:07.695 in my mind, I said, I am here with you brother. 579 00:48:08.395 --> 00:48:11.375 And because you are here, I can get to the finish line. 580 00:48:11.525 --> 00:48:16.295 Your presence in this race, in this journey gives me hope, 581 00:48:17.205 --> 00:48:21.315 makes me a recipient of hope. And that makes you a conduit of hope for me. 582 00:48:21.335 --> 00:48:23.035 And my presence in this race, 583 00:48:23.315 --> 00:48:27.915 in this journey makes me a hope giver and that and an ambassador for you 584 00:48:28.735 --> 00:48:32.195 and for Jack Sparrow and Hans and all these other knuckleheads at the Dopey 585 00:48:32.196 --> 00:48:32.614 Challenge. 586 00:48:32.614 --> 00:48:37.155 Now I know that's a strange revelation to have at the Dopey Challenge, 587 00:48:37.575 --> 00:48:42.555 but in that moment I understood more clearly that this is what being made 588 00:48:42.815 --> 00:48:44.035 for community is. 589 00:48:45.445 --> 00:48:47.895 This is what being part of the body of Christ is. 590 00:48:47.896 --> 00:48:52.215 This is what church is a place where we are free to be who we are 591 00:48:52.645 --> 00:48:54.335 from whatever background we have, 592 00:48:54.485 --> 00:48:56.975 with whatever circumstances we are suffering through, 593 00:48:57.155 --> 00:49:01.375 and be a recipient of hope and also a conduit of hope for others. 594 00:49:02.364 --> 00:49:06.495 Because in the same way that the Father sent the Son who is the hope of the 595 00:49:06.496 --> 00:49:10.015 world, and Jesus has invited us into community with him, 596 00:49:11.235 --> 00:49:15.175 and I have an obligation to invite others into me, 597 00:49:15.685 --> 00:49:19.935 into community with Jesus. Because in Jesus' physical absence, 598 00:49:20.114 --> 00:49:22.775 he sends us out to be people of hope. 599 00:49:23.635 --> 00:49:26.575 He commissions us as hands and feet. 600 00:49:27.195 --> 00:49:31.735 He entrusts us to use these gifts that he has given us for the purpose of 601 00:49:31.935 --> 00:49:36.335 building up one another and being a mere reflection of the goodness of God. 602 00:49:36.695 --> 00:49:39.735 And church, we aren't building up one another enough. 603 00:49:41.475 --> 00:49:43.295 We let distractions creep in. 604 00:49:44.005 --> 00:49:48.575 Some of us have fixed our eyes on our flesh and not the torn flesh 605 00:49:48.835 --> 00:49:49.668 of Jesus. 606 00:49:50.275 --> 00:49:54.935 And we've lost sight of our purpose that God has given us our gospel 607 00:49:55.535 --> 00:49:57.175 presence in this world. 608 00:49:58.515 --> 00:50:03.215 Be it in this room or online or at work or at school or in your home. 609 00:50:03.594 --> 00:50:07.815 Our gospel presence impacts the ability for those around us. 610 00:50:07.915 --> 00:50:12.535 To endure sufferings allows others to deny distractions, 611 00:50:12.536 --> 00:50:15.614 allows others to stay focused and fix their eyes on Jesus. 612 00:50:16.035 --> 00:50:20.655 And the marginalization of this world cannot stand up against an awakened 613 00:50:20.656 --> 00:50:25.655 church. Amen. Amen. So Hebrews goes on chapter 12, 614 00:50:25.975 --> 00:50:26.815 verse three says this, 615 00:50:28.805 --> 00:50:33.285 consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself 616 00:50:34.145 --> 00:50:38.525 so that you may not grow weary or faint hearted in your struggle against sin. 617 00:50:38.545 --> 00:50:41.725 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 618 00:50:43.185 --> 00:50:47.805 The author has given perspective on what the supremacy of Jesus has done for us, 619 00:50:48.475 --> 00:50:53.364 that we would be compelled to come alongside another in fixing our eyes 620 00:50:53.505 --> 00:50:54.338 on Jesus. 621 00:50:55.005 --> 00:50:59.925 'cause Jesus endured hostility and he turned the other cheek and Jesus endured 622 00:51:00.035 --> 00:51:02.725 hostility and he carried his own cross up a hill. 623 00:51:03.945 --> 00:51:05.725 And Jesus endured hostility. 624 00:51:05.825 --> 00:51:10.565 And he allowed men whom he created to thrust nails into his 625 00:51:10.755 --> 00:51:15.645 body and hang him to die so that we might be in community 626 00:51:15.795 --> 00:51:18.125 with him and the Father who sent him. 627 00:51:19.735 --> 00:51:22.565 Being a gospel community, a hope giver 628 00:51:25.114 --> 00:51:28.594 means we, we must step into a life of sacrifice. 629 00:51:30.094 --> 00:51:34.035 And sacrifice always comes with a high level of risk and exposure. 630 00:51:35.895 --> 00:51:40.715 The reality is people will let you down and they will disappoint 631 00:51:41.135 --> 00:51:42.315 and they will offend. 632 00:51:44.315 --> 00:51:46.855 But I remind you that Jesus denied himself. 633 00:51:48.785 --> 00:51:53.495 Jesus was left alone on the cross so that you and 634 00:51:53.695 --> 00:51:58.135 I will never be, he will never let you down. Hebrews 13, 635 00:51:58.695 --> 00:52:01.455 I will never leave nor forsake you. 636 00:52:02.395 --> 00:52:05.415 So we can confidently say that the Lord is my helper. 637 00:52:05.614 --> 00:52:09.135 I will not fear what can man do to me. 638 00:52:10.395 --> 00:52:13.465 Jesus was separated from the Father in his death, 639 00:52:13.975 --> 00:52:17.185 whom he had always been in community with eternally. 640 00:52:18.165 --> 00:52:21.545 And in his resurrection. We are welcomed into community, 641 00:52:21.815 --> 00:52:23.905 into relationship with God. 642 00:52:23.935 --> 00:52:28.425 Community is at the core of our identity as a new creation in Christ. 643 00:52:30.495 --> 00:52:31.895 It's the church being the church. 644 00:52:32.535 --> 00:52:37.215 It's who and how we are designed to be together with him in 645 00:52:37.216 --> 00:52:41.935 community. And there's so many different opportunities for gospel community. 646 00:52:43.055 --> 00:52:46.375 I mean, just even here in our ministry programs, right? 647 00:52:46.385 --> 00:52:49.575 We've got small groups and mission teams and serve teams. 648 00:52:50.915 --> 00:52:51.614 And I mean, 649 00:52:51.614 --> 00:52:56.535 serving in Kid City and initiating a gospel community for our children would 650 00:52:56.536 --> 00:52:57.855 be a great place to start. 651 00:52:58.395 --> 00:53:02.255 And all of those environments are designed so that you might experience gospel 652 00:53:02.256 --> 00:53:02.844 community. 653 00:53:02.844 --> 00:53:07.415 That you might be a hope carrier and a hope receiver into somebody else's life. 654 00:53:07.955 --> 00:53:12.895 But I wanna simplify this and back it way up because 655 00:53:12.955 --> 00:53:15.295 gospel community takes some intentionality. 656 00:53:15.555 --> 00:53:19.255 I'm gonna challenge you to a little exercise. Um, no marathons. 657 00:53:19.575 --> 00:53:22.575 We're we're good on that. I'm not doing one. Uh, 658 00:53:23.015 --> 00:53:26.725 I was introduced to this exercise a few years ago by a friend of mine named Don 659 00:53:26.755 --> 00:53:28.965 Ross, uh, who's actually a mission partner here. 660 00:53:29.545 --> 00:53:33.205 And it requires vulnerability and it requires intentionality. 661 00:53:33.545 --> 00:53:36.725 But it's a great way to initiate gospel community. 662 00:53:37.355 --> 00:53:40.565 It's called 4 3 2 1 hope. All right? 663 00:53:41.185 --> 00:53:43.405 You can rename it if you'd like. Uh, 664 00:53:43.545 --> 00:53:46.525 but this week take some time and identify these things. 665 00:53:48.445 --> 00:53:52.485 Identify four people who have impacted your life positively or negatively. 666 00:53:54.685 --> 00:53:57.605 Identify three communities that you have been a part of that have impacted you 667 00:53:58.565 --> 00:53:59.565 positively or negatively. 668 00:54:01.864 --> 00:54:05.545 Identify two spiritual moments that you have experienced. 669 00:54:08.344 --> 00:54:12.395 Identify one wound that you carry and a hope, 670 00:54:13.155 --> 00:54:14.114 a goal for your life, 671 00:54:14.315 --> 00:54:17.594 a hope that you have for your life that will benefit others. 672 00:54:19.005 --> 00:54:21.805 I want you to think through those things and maybe journal them down. 673 00:54:21.975 --> 00:54:24.844 Write 'em in your notes. But here's the challenge. 674 00:54:25.705 --> 00:54:30.645 The call is to share it with someone. Share it with the spouse, with a friend, 675 00:54:30.765 --> 00:54:35.364 a roommate, someone from your small group, someone you serve with family. 676 00:54:35.505 --> 00:54:38.165 Sit down at dinner and share your story with your kids. 677 00:54:39.685 --> 00:54:41.425 Ask your kids these same questions. 678 00:54:42.385 --> 00:54:46.545 'cause gospel community starts in the home and it requires intentionality 679 00:54:47.844 --> 00:54:51.344 and focus. And look, 680 00:54:51.345 --> 00:54:54.864 there's no greater expression of intentional community than when Jesus, 681 00:54:55.565 --> 00:54:56.665 the creator of all things, 682 00:54:57.025 --> 00:55:01.985 relinquished his authority over all things and humbled himself to death on 683 00:55:02.025 --> 00:55:06.864 a cross. We love because he first loved. 684 00:55:06.965 --> 00:55:10.745 We serve because he first served. We give because he first gave. 685 00:55:12.555 --> 00:55:14.735 So we're gonna move into a time of communion, 686 00:55:15.235 --> 00:55:19.695 of reflection and remembering the supremacy of Jesus, 687 00:55:19.875 --> 00:55:21.655 the true and better sacrifice. 688 00:55:23.555 --> 00:55:26.695 And as we reflect and acknowledge, 689 00:55:27.665 --> 00:55:30.555 acknowledge our suffering, acknowledge our sin, 690 00:55:32.805 --> 00:55:33.655 also ask God, 691 00:55:34.735 --> 00:55:38.495 who is he calling you to compel towards the finish line? 692 00:55:39.114 --> 00:55:41.255 Who is he calling you to compel towards him? 693 00:55:43.305 --> 00:55:46.055 Where is he calling you to give of yourself, 694 00:55:46.475 --> 00:55:49.255 to be a conduit of hope for another? 695 00:55:51.395 --> 00:55:53.255 So if you'll collect your elements, 696 00:55:55.335 --> 00:56:00.325 we're gonna do this as one church together across our 697 00:56:00.605 --> 00:56:03.965 campuses As one gospel community. 698 00:56:04.735 --> 00:56:07.765 First I'll read Hebrews 12 says, therefore, 699 00:56:07.855 --> 00:56:11.565 since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 700 00:56:11.566 --> 00:56:15.525 let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely. 701 00:56:16.344 --> 00:56:20.765 And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus, 702 00:56:20.985 --> 00:56:23.364 the founder and perfecter of our faith, 703 00:56:23.864 --> 00:56:27.485 who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, 704 00:56:28.275 --> 00:56:33.165 despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 705 00:56:33.166 --> 00:56:34.485 Church, will you pray with me? Father, 706 00:56:35.585 --> 00:56:39.645 we thank you that you are our God and we are your people. 707 00:56:40.985 --> 00:56:44.605 God, I lift up those individuals who are lonely, 708 00:56:45.225 --> 00:56:48.525 who are unknown God, that you would break into their lives, 709 00:56:48.635 --> 00:56:51.844 into their hearts and let them know that you are the Father, 710 00:56:52.195 --> 00:56:55.844 that you are the good shepherd. Lord, 711 00:56:55.925 --> 00:57:00.205 I pray that we would be a people that would slow down enough to have 712 00:57:00.206 --> 00:57:02.565 relationships among ourselves, God, 713 00:57:02.566 --> 00:57:05.525 that we'd be willing to pray for one another. 714 00:57:06.555 --> 00:57:11.045 We'd be willing to see ourselves as hope carriers 715 00:57:11.344 --> 00:57:15.525 for others. And God that there would be resurrection of new life. 716 00:57:19.185 --> 00:57:23.765 We are your people, you are our God and all these things we say. 717 00:57:24.155 --> 00:57:24.988 Amen. 718 00:57:26.425 --> 00:57:30.365 I'm gonna remind you that on the night before Jesus was crucified, 719 00:57:32.305 --> 00:57:36.125 he sat with his disciples, he pulled out the bread, he and he broke it. 720 00:57:40.345 --> 00:57:44.245 And he said, this is my body and it's been broken for you. He said, 721 00:57:44.246 --> 00:57:46.845 take it and eat it and do this in remembrance of me. 722 00:57:56.825 --> 00:58:00.165 And then he picked up the cup and he said, 723 00:58:00.166 --> 00:58:02.645 this cup is the new covenant. 724 00:58:02.785 --> 00:58:05.685 It is my blood that has been poured out for you. 725 00:58:07.025 --> 00:58:09.645 And I will never leave you and I will never forsake you. 726 00:58:10.945 --> 00:58:15.565 You will never be lonely in Christ. He said, 727 00:58:15.566 --> 00:58:16.965 drink this in remembrance of me. 728 00:58:21.695 --> 00:58:24.525 Thank you Jesus. Love you church. Let's worship.