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How are doing?

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We're so,

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and we,

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this is what freedom feels like.

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This is what heaven, like we,

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this what, this is

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what freedom feels like.

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This siz heaven. Like

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What? Heaven

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You freedom.

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Hope it is so good to see you tonight.

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Um, we're gonna actually, um, continue in worship, but

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before we do, why don't you turn to your neighbor

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and say hello

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And welcome,

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who the hope,

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and in Jesus, he won't

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for

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bless God, bless God in the fields

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of bless God in the dark.

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Every chance I get Bless, bless God.

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Bless God. Praise that. Bless God.

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Yes, he,

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yeah.

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Come on, you can give God some praise today. He's worthy

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Of all of it.

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Amen. I just love that song.

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Um, bless God in the fields of plenty,

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but bless God, when my hands are empty,

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every single chance we get, would we just praise

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His holy name?

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And that's what we're gonna continue to do together today.

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Um, and I just wanna encourage you today, wherever you are,

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if you're in the room today

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or if you're watching online, I just encourage you

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to just close your eyes for a moment.

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I just don't wanna breeze by another moment

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in worship together.

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And I just, I just invite you

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to just make your praise personal today.

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And so, while our eyes are closed,

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just all across the room today, I just invite you

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to begin thinking just about your story.

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What has God brought you out of?

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What are you thankful for today, guys?

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He's worthy of all of our praise

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that we could ever, ever bring.

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And so just with your eyes closed, I just invite you

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to just, to just tell him he's worthy.

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Just tell him you're thankful, but be specific today.

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Lord, I'm just thankful just for the life

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that you've given me.

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The breath, the very breath that's in my lungs today.

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Lord, I'm so thankful for my marriage, Lord,

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I'm so thankful for my family.

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Just begin to tell him, maybe you're thankful for your kids.

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Maybe you're thankful for healing in your life.

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And as we worship together today, just tell him he's worthy,

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Lord God,

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Hallelujah.

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For the Lord. News,

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holy,

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holy, are you

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sing,

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throne

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are

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You,

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Are You

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sing

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you all

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of it, all

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you worthy of it.

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Thank you.

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You deserve the glory.

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Come that He's worthy

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of it all, every situation you see,

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he's worthy of it all.

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All for you

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who deserve one

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More time. Tell him today

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That is worthy of it All.

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It your voice,

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you worthy of

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It all. Thank

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You. Thank

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the for

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hits you, you

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who,

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who? Come on. He

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Deserves the glory church.

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He's worthy.

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Oh, you love me,

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Lord, we love you.

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You are worthy of all of our praise, of all

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of the adoration we could ever bring.

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Lord, we just say thank you today.

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Thank you for your son Jesus,

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and for the sacrifice that he made on the cross, so

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that we could walk and live in your freedom.

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Lord, we just say thank you. We love you, Lord.

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We praise your holy name in this place.

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And the church said, amen. You may be seated today.

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Oh, come on. Let's give God some

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praise for our time in worship.

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Yeah, Listen, welcome

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to Hope Community Church.

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Uh, if you are new to Hope, welcome.

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We're glad that you're here.

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If you've been attending here for any amount

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of time, welcome back.

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Uh, we hope that as you spend time here today,

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worshiping together that you feel like even more of a part

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of the family than when you first showed up.

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And we pray that that family feel is what you experience,

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because I believe that the church was always supposed

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to be the family of God at hope.

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We like to say that we are a family who loves God,

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follows Jesus and shares hope.

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And all three of those things are extremely important

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as a part of that family.

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And so we really do try to genuinely live that way

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as the body of Christ.

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And the way that we do that is by taking steps of faith, one

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by one of following Jesus closely.

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Uh, as we hear songs, we hear the words

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and we sing them out.

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Uh, they remind us of steps of faith.

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As we hear the word of God preached.

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It reminds us to take steps

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of faith in following Jesus each day.

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Now at Hope Community Church, we have an area

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that's been set up and designed at each

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of our campuses just to assist you.

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In doing that, we actually call it the next steps area.

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And before you exit today,

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we would love it if you would be our guest.

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And stop there if you have any questions to ask.

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If you'd like to know how to get connected here at Hope,

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is there anything that we can do to serve you?

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Next steps is your right next step.

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If you're watching at home at Get Hope tv, uh,

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just chime in on the chat, let us know how we can serve you,

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and we will help you in any way we can

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to take your next step as well.

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Now, we have been in a series, uh, since last week.

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Uh, last week we heard from Jason go, our lead pastor,

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and this week we get to hear from him again

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as we explore verse by verse through the Book of Titus.

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So let's all prepare our minds and our hearts to hear

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and respond to the word of God.

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Welcome to hope. We're glad you're here,

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Paul, A servant of God

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and an apostle of Jesus Christ

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to Titus my true Son in our common faith.

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I write to you now with instructions on how to equip

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and establish a local church fueled by God's grace.

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We must strive to be equipped

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and established in sound doctrine, qualified leadership

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and godly living

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Well, what is going on?

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Hope family, glad to be with you this week.

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Man, I don't know what just happened at whatever campus you

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were if you're listening to this online,

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but Maddie, who was leading worship, she just said, Hey,

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just wherever you are, I wanna give you a moment just

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to close your eyes, sitting quiet and,

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and to, to have a personal moment of worship, thanking God

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for what he's done in your life.

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And this led us in this chorus.

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Think you, you deserve the glory from you all.

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All things that threw you are all things

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that I just found myself like undone over here.

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I told Dwayne, I said, you need to buy me a minute, man.

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I don't know I'm gonna go out there.

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Uh, but God is on the move here, thankful for

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to get the time, some time to spend with you all this week.

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Um, turning your Bibles to Titus chapter one.

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Uh, we'll pick up there in a moment.

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Uh, I wanna remind you, so we're in this series,

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we're calling field notes.

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We've got a subtitled, uh, good doctrine,

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leads to Godly living.

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And that can be kind of a big word,

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but we said last week, Hey, theology, it's not really a,

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it's a big word, but all it really is, is the study of God.

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And then our, our theology, our study of God should inform

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our doctrine, which is just about

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how this theology works itself out in our lives personally,

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how it works itself out in the life of the church.

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And really what we're doing in this series

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is we're just walking verse by verse

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through the book of Titus.

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And, uh, I'm telling you, there's things

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that you see when you just walk verse by verse

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through the Bible that you don't pick up if you just do like

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topical sermon series.

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And one thing I'm incredibly proud of, uh,

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with our church right now with our teaching team

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is we've said, Hey, we're gonna move a little bit away from

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just topical teaching.

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Like, hey, this is a series on marriage

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and this is a series on pan parenting,

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and this is a series on finance.

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All that stuff's good. We're gonna continue to do that.

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But when you do that, you miss out on some really rich stuff

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from scripture, uh, that otherwise, uh, you wouldn't catch.

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And I'll tell you, this week is one of those weeks

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because we're moving into Paul's charge

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to Titus, and he's really talking

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to him about the importance for,

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for if a church is gonna be healthy, there's gotta be

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faithful shepherds that are put in place.

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And so you've gotta appoint elders

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and what are the qualifications of, of elders?

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And I'll tell you, I've been in

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and around church for, uh, uh, hope for over 20 years.

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And I can't think of a time

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that we've ever just opened the Bible

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and sat in like, Hey, these are the qualifications

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for an elder, and this is why you need elders.

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And before you tune out

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and say, okay, well, I don't know

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that I'm ever gonna be an elder, and so I don't know

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how this gonna apply to my life.

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Two things I would say to you.

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Um, one, if the church is the family of God, which it is,

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uh, and the church is overseen by spiritual fathers,

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which are elders, uh, you should probably know

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what scripture says, needs to be true

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of those spiritual fathers of those elders.

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Because the reality is whoever you follow in your life is

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going to dictate where you end up and where you're heading.

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That's number one. Number two,

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when we look at qualifications of elders, which we're going

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to, what you're gonna see is these are must haves

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in the life of an elder.

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But as a Christ follower, these are things

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that every single one of us should aspire to in our lives.

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And so, uh, I think I, we're gonna get something out

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of this together, but before we jump in, I do want us

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to reflect just for a moment on an event that took place

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in the history of our country.

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1972, Richard Nixon was reelected the president

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of the United States by one

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of the largest landslides in American history.

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He was brilliant politically unmatched.

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The guy was a master strategist on paper.

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Nixon was one of the most capable leaders

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that our country had ever seen.

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But just two years after being reelected, he was resigned.

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Why? It wasn't because of a lack of talent.

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It wasn't because of a lack of intelligence or gifting, but

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because it, because of a character crisis

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that we know as Watergate.

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Uh, it started with a few men breaking into an office.

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Okay, not a good idea. I don't recommend it.

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Probably not the end of the world, but it started spiraling.

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One coverup led to another,

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and eventually the cracks in his integrity,

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it unraveled his presidency.

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See, skill got him to the top,

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but character brought him down.

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And that gap in character,

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like it didn't just cost him his job,

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it didn't just cost him something.

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It actually shook a nation's trust. And here's the reality.

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Just as we know, the character

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of a leader matters in politics, it's even more

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so true in the household of God.

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And so we've gotta pay attention to this,

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but I want you to know, God cares more about

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obedience than optics.

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Uh, our God is a God

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that cares more about character than charisma.

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And listen, this, this fit,

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this speaks directly to you in your life.

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God cares more about who you are than what you can do,

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because the reality is God can do whatever he wants to do

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through whoever he wants to,

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whenever he wants to do it, period.

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But it's about our heart's posture

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and is our, are we willing to submit

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and to approach God with humility

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and say, God, you know better

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for my life than I know for myself?

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Or do we go before God thinking

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that we actually have all the answers?

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And so what we're gonna see this week is when it comes

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to the household of God, character is the foundation

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for spiritual leadership.

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We're in the book of Titus. Uh, we saw last week that Paul

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and his understudy, Titus, they had, uh,

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spent time setting up these churches on the island of Crete.

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And then Paul had gone away

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and he's writing this letter back to Titus

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to help him establish and really

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to give him a survival guide.

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But these field notes for how to establish a healthy church.

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And what we saw last week was he said, Hey, I'm writing this

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to you so that God's elect, so that God's family, the family

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of families that is the church, would have faith,

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that they would have the knowledge of the truth,

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which leads to godliness.

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So it has the ability to transform our lives,

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and so that we could have an eternal hope, so

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that we could have hope and the gospel in our lives in spite

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of whatever situations or circumstances

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that we find ourselves in.

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But this week, he starts out by saying,

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listen, the job's not done.

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We're just getting started. But first things first, you have

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to choose leaders that are actually going to be faithful

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to shepherding the family of God.

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And in a world that tends to flock towards influencers

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and flash and personality,

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what Paul shows us is there should be a different

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playbook inside the church.

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So hopefully by now with that intro,

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you're at Titus chapter one.

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Uh, we're gonna pick up, we ended last week in verse four.

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We're gonna pick right up in verse five.

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This is what Paul says to Titus,

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this is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put

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what remained into order

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and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.

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So Paul's saying, Hey, our responsibility in Crete,

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we're not finished right now.

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These are young churches and they're in a dangerous place.

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Like culture is gonna lie to them.

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They're gonna deceive them, they're gonna pull them away

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from the direction that God would have for them,

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and they need leadership.

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And the first step in doing that is to appoint elders.

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Our first field note this week is healthy churches

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need faithful shepherds.

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And you could hear that word, elder, uh,

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or shepherd for that matter.

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I might be like, okay, uh, am unfamiliar with the word

340
00:27:23.875 --> 00:27:24.965
that could be confusing.

341
00:27:25.435 --> 00:27:28.285
What exactly does an elder do? Like, does an elder preach?

342
00:27:28.945 --> 00:27:32.285
Do they boss people around? Um, are they old?

343
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How elder do they have to be to be an elder?

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Uh, in the Bible, the word elder, the words elder, pastor,

345
00:27:40.085 --> 00:27:43.005
overseer, uh, often used interchangeably, okay?

346
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Different words, same roles and responsibilities.

347
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Now, the people who fill those roles

348
00:27:48.625 --> 00:27:51.365
and responsibilities might do it in different ways based on

349
00:27:51.365 --> 00:27:53.965
their own personal gifting or the needs of the community.

350
00:27:53.965 --> 00:27:56.325
But in the New Testament, elders are spiritual leaders

351
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who care for the church

352
00:27:58.585 --> 00:28:00.685
and their responsibility is to shepherd the church,

353
00:28:01.385 --> 00:28:03.565
the spiritual fathers, they're not just decision makers.

354
00:28:04.025 --> 00:28:05.565
Uh, they're not just figureheads.

355
00:28:05.565 --> 00:28:08.365
They're spiritual fathers who teach lead, protect.

356
00:28:08.365 --> 00:28:11.205
They ensure the care is happening for the family of God.

357
00:28:12.225 --> 00:28:13.765
Now, you all know this on li in life,

358
00:28:13.835 --> 00:28:16.485
like you don't send a tornado through a junkyard

359
00:28:16.505 --> 00:28:18.845
and just an airplane magically appear like you,

360
00:28:18.845 --> 00:28:20.085
you don't drift into health.

361
00:28:20.625 --> 00:28:22.325
You know, healthy things don't just happen.

362
00:28:22.325 --> 00:28:24.565
Healthy churches don't just happen. They're shepherded.

363
00:28:25.105 --> 00:28:26.405
It takes a skillful shepherd.

364
00:28:26.465 --> 00:28:28.885
And Paul's saying, if we're going to be, if they're going

365
00:28:28.885 --> 00:28:29.885
to be shepherded, if the churches

366
00:28:30.025 --> 00:28:31.365
and Crete are going to be shepherded,

367
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it's gonna require leadership.

368
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And so healthy churches need faithful shepherds.

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00:28:36.875 --> 00:28:39.605
Then he says that you should do this in every town,

370
00:28:41.795 --> 00:28:43.165
appoint elders in every town.

371
00:28:43.185 --> 00:28:44.405
Why do you think he says to do this?

372
00:28:45.565 --> 00:28:50.445
I mean, we just have one president for the us, right?

373
00:28:50.445 --> 00:28:53.445
Like, can't can't there just be one elder?

374
00:28:53.615 --> 00:28:54.965
Can't there just be one overseer?

375
00:28:54.965 --> 00:28:56.285
And the answer to that is no,

376
00:28:56.285 --> 00:28:58.405
because the role of elder isn't about being a

377
00:28:58.405 --> 00:28:59.565
totalitarian dictator.

378
00:28:59.565 --> 00:29:02.445
It's not just about getting up on a stage preaching

379
00:29:02.445 --> 00:29:04.445
to a bunch of people, and they're going, that's not

380
00:29:04.445 --> 00:29:06.085
what should happen inside the family of God.

381
00:29:06.085 --> 00:29:08.525
It requires care. And so elders are appointed

382
00:29:08.525 --> 00:29:09.845
because there's a level of care

383
00:29:10.225 --> 00:29:11.405
and oversight that needs

384
00:29:11.525 --> 00:29:12.645
to happen in the life of the church.

385
00:29:12.645 --> 00:29:14.645
And Paul's saying, Hey, we need elders in every town.

386
00:29:15.345 --> 00:29:18.765
We need the elders who are close enough to the family of God

387
00:29:18.765 --> 00:29:20.405
that they can ensure spiritual growth.

388
00:29:20.405 --> 00:29:23.285
They can ensure that care is happening in their lives in

389
00:29:23.285 --> 00:29:25.485
light of what is going on in this unique town,

390
00:29:25.545 --> 00:29:27.005
in this unique community.

391
00:29:28.115 --> 00:29:29.965
I'll give you an example of this at Hope.

392
00:29:30.665 --> 00:29:31.845
Uh, we say that we,

393
00:29:31.945 --> 00:29:34.325
we are one church in multiple communities.

394
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Um, and so within your church family

395
00:29:36.585 --> 00:29:39.445
and that you are a part of, you have multiple campuses.

396
00:29:40.235 --> 00:29:43.445
Well, one elder could not properly el

397
00:29:43.545 --> 00:29:46.045
or shepherd, um, all of those individuals.

398
00:29:46.045 --> 00:29:48.805
And so at your campus, you have a campus pastor,

399
00:29:49.225 --> 00:29:51.725
and we've already said this term, pastor, overseer, elder,

400
00:29:52.075 --> 00:29:54.005
same word, same roles and responsibilities.

401
00:29:54.025 --> 00:29:56.245
And so out of Fuqua, uh, you've got Matt Curtis.

402
00:29:56.345 --> 00:29:57.645
And so if you're Fuqua right now,

403
00:29:57.645 --> 00:29:59.045
you're probably cheering at Garner.

404
00:29:59.045 --> 00:30:01.285
You've got Sean Sullivan, Northwest Kerry,

405
00:30:01.285 --> 00:30:03.285
you've got Eugene, uh, here at Raleigh.

406
00:30:03.285 --> 00:30:04.885
You've got Dwayne Calvin out at Apex.

407
00:30:04.885 --> 00:30:06.685
You've got Doug Stride, you've got Jamie McDonald.

408
00:30:06.785 --> 00:30:08.965
But they are there to actually ensure

409
00:30:08.965 --> 00:30:10.765
that the flock is cared for, to protect,

410
00:30:10.785 --> 00:30:12.005
to lead God to shepherd.

411
00:30:13.915 --> 00:30:16.965
Another thing that we gotta realize is it relates to elders,

412
00:30:17.225 --> 00:30:19.245
uh, that what we see throughout the Bible is

413
00:30:19.245 --> 00:30:21.045
that elders is always plural.

414
00:30:21.595 --> 00:30:23.245
Like it's not a singular leader.

415
00:30:23.355 --> 00:30:25.645
It's not one person that that's doing everything.

416
00:30:25.675 --> 00:30:28.685
It's a team of biblical shepherds that are working together.

417
00:30:28.685 --> 00:30:30.045
They're accountable to one another,

418
00:30:30.475 --> 00:30:32.325
they're accountable to God, they're living lives.

419
00:30:32.325 --> 00:30:35.485
Listen to this word of mutual submission to one another,

420
00:30:36.385 --> 00:30:38.245
to guard both the doctrine of the church

421
00:30:38.465 --> 00:30:40.725
and the health of the church, uh, at hope.

422
00:30:40.755 --> 00:30:43.125
Just to give you some context here, uh, outside

423
00:30:43.125 --> 00:30:44.565
of our pastoral team

424
00:30:44.565 --> 00:30:46.445
and our pastoral staff, we have a team

425
00:30:47.265 --> 00:30:49.245
of eight directional elders.

426
00:30:49.315 --> 00:30:51.805
Okay? So there's eight men on that team, of which I'm one,

427
00:30:52.305 --> 00:30:53.405
and as the lead pastor,

428
00:30:53.625 --> 00:30:56.165
I'm the only paid elder, uh, on that team.

429
00:30:56.225 --> 00:30:59.085
So when it comes to voting, if it comes to anything

430
00:30:59.085 --> 00:31:01.645
that we need to vote on, I get one vote just like

431
00:31:01.645 --> 00:31:02.925
everybody else gets one vote.

432
00:31:03.225 --> 00:31:05.165
Um, these men do not work for me,

433
00:31:05.875 --> 00:31:07.165
that they're not on my payroll.

434
00:31:07.165 --> 00:31:08.645
They're not on the payroll here at Hope.

435
00:31:08.705 --> 00:31:11.925
So their responsibility is to oversee, um, with a,

436
00:31:12.005 --> 00:31:13.525
a different level of accountability.

437
00:31:13.665 --> 00:31:14.925
In fact, our shared leadership

438
00:31:15.185 --> 00:31:17.405
and shepherding is marked by mutual submission.

439
00:31:17.625 --> 00:31:20.965
Um, I am, uh, I am accountable to each one

440
00:31:20.965 --> 00:31:22.005
of these men individually

441
00:31:22.025 --> 00:31:24.205
and collectively as any one of them would be

442
00:31:24.225 --> 00:31:25.725
to me as an individual.

443
00:31:26.585 --> 00:31:30.045
Um, I will tell you at hope over the years, like

444
00:31:30.045 --> 00:31:32.965
what elders has looked like here has changed quite a bit.

445
00:31:32.985 --> 00:31:35.045
And I've, you know, I first started coming

446
00:31:35.045 --> 00:31:36.525
to Hope in like 1997.

447
00:31:36.685 --> 00:31:38.525
I think I was the first college student, uh,

448
00:31:38.525 --> 00:31:39.725
that ever showed up around here.

449
00:31:39.745 --> 00:31:43.565
But, uh, we, uh, back then we had elders that I would argue

450
00:31:44.085 --> 00:31:45.685
probably shepherded that church.

451
00:31:45.765 --> 00:31:47.005
I mean, it was probably only about 200 people.

452
00:31:47.025 --> 00:31:48.165
And so we had elders in place,

453
00:31:48.165 --> 00:31:49.405
everybody knew everybody's names.

454
00:31:49.585 --> 00:31:51.165
And then over the years, what happened,

455
00:31:51.165 --> 00:31:52.885
this explosive growth happened

456
00:31:53.105 --> 00:31:53.965
and quite honestly

457
00:31:58.145 --> 00:31:59.805
Wanted to save your ears there for a minute.

458
00:32:00.105 --> 00:32:03.485
Uh, quite honestly, uh, it grew so fast faster

459
00:32:03.555 --> 00:32:06.565
that we than Hope was able to actually develop other leaders

460
00:32:06.625 --> 00:32:08.085
and to raise up other elders.

461
00:32:08.345 --> 00:32:09.925
And so over time,

462
00:32:09.945 --> 00:32:11.805
and our, our current elders would agree with this,

463
00:32:11.865 --> 00:32:14.165
I'm not throwing anybody under the rug in any way, shape,

464
00:32:14.165 --> 00:32:17.445
or form, probably shifted to a little bit more like a board.

465
00:32:18.265 --> 00:32:20.165
Um, hey, we're here to make decisions.

466
00:32:20.165 --> 00:32:22.685
We're here to approve a budget, but you know, we pay pastors

467
00:32:22.685 --> 00:32:24.405
and you know, they kind of go and do the thing.

468
00:32:25.345 --> 00:32:27.565
Uh, and that led to some challenges.

469
00:32:27.805 --> 00:32:29.645
I mean, it led to some disconnections in areas

470
00:32:29.645 --> 00:32:31.405
where we probably needed to be more disconnected.

471
00:32:31.605 --> 00:32:33.605
I would argue that it probably had a little bit to do

472
00:32:33.605 --> 00:32:35.245
with our church family as a whole, not being

473
00:32:35.245 --> 00:32:37.085
as mature as it should be.

474
00:32:37.245 --> 00:32:40.325
I mean, one day the Bible says one day, as elders we're our,

475
00:32:40.335 --> 00:32:42.725
we're gonna have to present the body of Christ

476
00:32:42.725 --> 00:32:44.965
that God has entrusted us with back to Jesus

477
00:32:45.105 --> 00:32:46.885
and say, Hey, look where we are.

478
00:32:46.955 --> 00:32:48.085
Look how beautiful we are.

479
00:32:48.705 --> 00:32:50.925
And, um, we're gonna be held accountable to that.

480
00:32:51.865 --> 00:32:53.085
That's a heavy weight.

481
00:32:53.865 --> 00:32:56.365
And so for the last three really four years, myself

482
00:32:56.365 --> 00:32:58.325
and the elders and a couple

483
00:32:58.325 --> 00:33:01.205
of other pastors on staff have been going through scripture

484
00:33:01.385 --> 00:33:02.885
and really seeking goddess to

485
00:33:03.235 --> 00:33:06.565
what should an elder look like in today's world in,

486
00:33:06.905 --> 00:33:09.445
in this body called Hope Community Church.

487
00:33:09.445 --> 00:33:10.845
And how in the world do we get there?

488
00:33:10.905 --> 00:33:12.445
And I'm telling you, we've moved to a place like men,

489
00:33:12.465 --> 00:33:13.805
we gotta up the game a little bit.

490
00:33:14.265 --> 00:33:16.125
And this group of eight isn't gonna be enough.

491
00:33:16.205 --> 00:33:17.405
We have to raise up other leaders.

492
00:33:17.465 --> 00:33:19.245
And so, um, we,

493
00:33:19.245 --> 00:33:21.765
there's this preferred future out on the horizon

494
00:33:21.995 --> 00:33:25.325
that we would have community elders at every single campus

495
00:33:25.355 --> 00:33:27.685
that kinda serve under the alongside of,

496
00:33:27.705 --> 00:33:29.205
and the, the, the headship

497
00:33:29.205 --> 00:33:30.765
of the campus pastor at that campus.

498
00:33:30.865 --> 00:33:33.445
And so energy needs to put in, needs

499
00:33:33.445 --> 00:33:34.685
to be put in this direction

500
00:33:34.685 --> 00:33:38.405
because healthy churches need faithful shepherds.

501
00:33:38.405 --> 00:33:39.565
And so you're gonna see some changes,

502
00:33:39.785 --> 00:33:41.445
you'll be hearing about stuff along the way.

503
00:33:41.705 --> 00:33:44.165
So Paul says, appoint elders in every town.

504
00:33:45.185 --> 00:33:47.325
So the next question would be, okay, that sounds great.

505
00:33:47.665 --> 00:33:49.645
How do we do that, Paul? And

506
00:33:49.645 --> 00:33:52.325
so I'm gonna read a couple verses, um, just straight

507
00:33:52.325 --> 00:33:54.125
through, and then we'll come back and we'll unpack it.

508
00:33:54.125 --> 00:33:55.645
But I want us to hear all of it together.

509
00:33:56.145 --> 00:33:57.845
So, so how do we, uh, appoint an elder?

510
00:33:57.865 --> 00:34:01.365
He says, if anyone is above reproach, the husband

511
00:34:01.505 --> 00:34:04.005
of one wife and his children are believers

512
00:34:04.005 --> 00:34:06.885
and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

513
00:34:07.905 --> 00:34:11.645
For an overseer is God's steward. He must be above reproach.

514
00:34:11.645 --> 00:34:13.565
There's that word again, must be above reproach.

515
00:34:13.565 --> 00:34:16.525
We'll talk about that in a second. He must not be arrogant,

516
00:34:16.575 --> 00:34:20.045
quick tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

517
00:34:20.785 --> 00:34:23.125
but he must be hospitable.

518
00:34:23.485 --> 00:34:26.325
A lover of good, self-controlled, upright,

519
00:34:26.915 --> 00:34:28.325
holy and disciplined.

520
00:34:29.755 --> 00:34:31.325
I'll probably mention this again later,

521
00:34:31.345 --> 00:34:33.685
but I want you to know that I had to sit in this text

522
00:34:33.785 --> 00:34:36.725
for over a week, and this is one of the most, this is one

523
00:34:36.725 --> 00:34:38.125
of the most humbling list

524
00:34:38.125 --> 00:34:40.485
of qualifications I've ever read in my entire life.

525
00:34:42.465 --> 00:34:45.365
That's a big list. It's incredibly important.

526
00:34:45.545 --> 00:34:48.925
But I want you to note this. There is nothing on

527
00:34:48.925 --> 00:34:50.405
that list about talent.

528
00:34:52.625 --> 00:34:54.755
There's nothing on that list about gifting.

529
00:34:56.235 --> 00:34:58.515
Remember the Nixon story? Like talent got him in the role,

530
00:34:59.575 --> 00:35:00.995
but his character brought him down.

531
00:35:01.015 --> 00:35:03.715
So our field note here is godly character is

532
00:35:03.715 --> 00:35:06.155
what qualifies leadership within the church.

533
00:35:07.865 --> 00:35:11.875
It's godly character two times. Paul says above reproach.

534
00:35:12.105 --> 00:35:14.675
Just to be clear, that does not mean perfection.

535
00:35:15.495 --> 00:35:18.355
The reality is there is no human on this side of eternity

536
00:35:18.355 --> 00:35:19.795
that's actually gonna be able to say, Hey,

537
00:35:19.835 --> 00:35:21.315
I got all my stuff together all the time.

538
00:35:21.655 --> 00:35:24.195
Uh, the Greek word here, it literally means blameless.

539
00:35:24.265 --> 00:35:27.035
It's like not open to accusation, uh,

540
00:35:27.215 --> 00:35:28.315
not open to accusation.

541
00:35:28.455 --> 00:35:31.075
Cannot be called into an account regularly.

542
00:35:31.375 --> 00:35:34.435
Uh, no charge can stick consistently.

543
00:35:34.705 --> 00:35:36.675
This is really about consistency and integrity.

544
00:35:37.075 --> 00:35:38.445
It's saying there is nothing

545
00:35:38.515 --> 00:35:42.365
that defines their character in their everyday, regular life

546
00:35:42.365 --> 00:35:44.965
that goes against the life that they should be instructing

547
00:35:45.105 --> 00:35:46.525
and shepherding the church towards.

548
00:35:47.395 --> 00:35:48.525
Must be above reproach.

549
00:35:49.025 --> 00:35:50.885
He goes on the husband of one wife,

550
00:35:52.065 --> 00:35:53.565
and his children are believers.

551
00:35:55.105 --> 00:35:57.405
So husband of one wife literally translates

552
00:35:57.485 --> 00:35:58.565
a, a one woman man.

553
00:35:58.865 --> 00:36:00.965
That's what that means. Uh, in the first century,

554
00:36:01.195 --> 00:36:04.725
Greco-Roman world, sexual immorality was a big thing.

555
00:36:04.845 --> 00:36:08.645
Polygamy, concubines, uh, casual affairs normalize.

556
00:36:08.645 --> 00:36:10.125
And Paul saying, Hey, not so in the church.

557
00:36:10.125 --> 00:36:14.005
That's not how things operate inside the family of God.

558
00:36:14.145 --> 00:36:16.845
Period, end of discussion. That's not how God created us.

559
00:36:16.905 --> 00:36:18.245
That's not what he calls us into.

560
00:36:18.245 --> 00:36:20.205
You go all the way back to Genesis, God created Adam.

561
00:36:20.545 --> 00:36:22.085
It took him about two minutes to be like,

562
00:36:22.085 --> 00:36:23.405
it's not good for that guy to be alone.

563
00:36:24.465 --> 00:36:27.565
And so then out of Adam takes a rib, he creates eve,

564
00:36:27.565 --> 00:36:29.205
and he says, okay, no, no, no, no, this is very good.

565
00:36:29.225 --> 00:36:31.245
Now you guys be fruitful and multiply.

566
00:36:31.245 --> 00:36:32.725
But you go all the way through scripture,

567
00:36:32.795 --> 00:36:34.525
like God's heart is for man

568
00:36:34.525 --> 00:36:36.285
and woman to be together for one family.

569
00:36:38.025 --> 00:36:41.325
It says, children are believers. This is a big one.

570
00:36:41.325 --> 00:36:44.045
Believe it or not, there is some theological, um,

571
00:36:44.765 --> 00:36:46.205
disagreement out here in the world

572
00:36:46.205 --> 00:36:47.405
around us about what this means.

573
00:36:47.465 --> 00:36:50.045
But the word for believers, uh,

574
00:36:50.045 --> 00:36:53.125
that was used in the Greek was this word, um, pasta.

575
00:36:53.785 --> 00:36:55.325
And it's debated.

576
00:36:55.385 --> 00:36:57.925
You know, some people say, Hey, believer, like that means,

577
00:36:58.385 --> 00:36:59.685
uh, a follower of Christ.

578
00:37:01.025 --> 00:37:02.325
So they need to be a follower of Christ.

579
00:37:02.325 --> 00:37:05.005
They need to be baptized. But another translation is really

580
00:37:05.365 --> 00:37:07.165
faithful or trustworthy.

581
00:37:07.585 --> 00:37:10.245
And so if you take that interpretation, uh,

582
00:37:10.245 --> 00:37:13.485
that really reads, children must be faithful, um,

583
00:37:13.865 --> 00:37:14.925
or well-behaved.

584
00:37:15.345 --> 00:37:18.805
And this is, in my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

585
00:37:19.845 --> 00:37:23.085
I think this is more likely, uh, a faithful interpretation

586
00:37:23.085 --> 00:37:26.525
because Paul immediately clarifies by saying, uh, not open

587
00:37:26.525 --> 00:37:29.165
to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

588
00:37:29.665 --> 00:37:32.205
So he's pointing here to behavior, uh,

589
00:37:32.225 --> 00:37:34.565
to character, not belief alone.

590
00:37:34.785 --> 00:37:38.565
So this is about, is the man leading his household

591
00:37:38.625 --> 00:37:40.685
and leading his family in a biblically sound

592
00:37:40.825 --> 00:37:42.325
gospel centered manner?

593
00:37:42.325 --> 00:37:43.685
Like, do his children follow him?

594
00:37:43.705 --> 00:37:44.925
Do his children respect him?

595
00:37:45.345 --> 00:37:46.405
So here's the field note here,

596
00:37:46.405 --> 00:37:49.925
and this is a big one, um, leadership in the church.

597
00:37:50.785 --> 00:37:54.685
It starts in the living room, not on the platform,

598
00:37:55.785 --> 00:37:57.765
not in the spotlight within the family of God.

599
00:37:57.765 --> 00:37:59.165
Everything starts in the home.

600
00:37:59.345 --> 00:38:01.365
And these two qualifications are important all throughout

601
00:38:01.485 --> 00:38:04.525
scripture because you see throughout scripture, God's desire

602
00:38:04.545 --> 00:38:06.085
for healthy, thriving families

603
00:38:06.085 --> 00:38:07.885
to be the foundation for his people.

604
00:38:07.885 --> 00:38:11.605
And not only that, there are incredibly strong parallels all

605
00:38:11.605 --> 00:38:12.605
the way through scripture for

606
00:38:12.605 --> 00:38:14.845
how our household should operate underneath our roof,

607
00:38:15.025 --> 00:38:16.045
and then how the household

608
00:38:16.045 --> 00:38:18.165
of God should operate the family of families.

609
00:38:18.165 --> 00:38:19.405
It is the church. It's really

610
00:38:19.405 --> 00:38:20.565
the same way all the way through.

611
00:38:20.785 --> 00:38:21.965
So Paul's saying, listen,

612
00:38:22.145 --> 00:38:25.005
if a man isn't faithfully loving his wife

613
00:38:25.305 --> 00:38:28.445
or intentionally raising his kids in the way of the gospel,

614
00:38:28.865 --> 00:38:30.765
how can he be trusted to shepherd God's family?

615
00:38:32.515 --> 00:38:33.925
Because that's what it's about.

616
00:38:34.155 --> 00:38:35.885
It's about saying it the same way that you would love

617
00:38:35.885 --> 00:38:36.965
and care for your family,

618
00:38:37.195 --> 00:38:40.165
like you are now a spiritual father for this church.

619
00:38:40.385 --> 00:38:41.805
And you look out in the world right now,

620
00:38:41.805 --> 00:38:43.845
and the world needs shepherding.

621
00:38:44.465 --> 00:38:45.965
And so if you're not gonna do it in your home,

622
00:38:45.985 --> 00:38:47.805
how in the world can we trust you to do it

623
00:38:47.915 --> 00:38:49.245
with the bride of Jesus Christ?

624
00:38:52.105 --> 00:38:54.405
And I told you I had to sit in this thing for a whole week,

625
00:38:55.345 --> 00:38:57.445
but you're looking for a man whose family respects him

626
00:38:57.445 --> 00:38:58.725
because he's been faithful for

627
00:38:58.725 --> 00:39:01.165
how he loves them, for how he leads them.

628
00:39:02.585 --> 00:39:05.765
And man, I wanna say this, men, men,

629
00:39:05.925 --> 00:39:07.045
I, I wanna talk to you for a minute.

630
00:39:07.065 --> 00:39:08.445
Uh, by the way, next week, it's Father's Day.

631
00:39:08.445 --> 00:39:10.165
If you're a father, um, I want you to be here.

632
00:39:10.665 --> 00:39:14.645
Uh, and I'll say it like, uh, my wrestling coach used to say

633
00:39:14.645 --> 00:39:17.245
to me in college, um, this is a voluntary workout.

634
00:39:17.325 --> 00:39:20.125
I can't make you be here, but you better be here. Okay?

635
00:39:20.125 --> 00:39:21.765
So we want you here on Father's Day.

636
00:39:22.105 --> 00:39:24.445
Uh, if you're, if you're dad, if you're any man,

637
00:39:24.445 --> 00:39:26.125
we want you here, but especially for Father's Day,

638
00:39:26.985 --> 00:39:28.765
go golfing on Saturday or take Monday off.

639
00:39:28.845 --> 00:39:30.085
I gave you permission. Um,

640
00:39:31.065 --> 00:39:33.245
but listen, I say what I'm about to say, just

641
00:39:33.245 --> 00:39:35.925
as Paul opened this letter at the beginning, he said, Paul,

642
00:39:36.285 --> 00:39:38.845
a servant of the living God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.

643
00:39:38.905 --> 00:39:40.245
I'm not an apostle of Jesus Christ,

644
00:39:40.385 --> 00:39:42.685
but as a servant of God, I'm sharing this with you.

645
00:39:42.955 --> 00:39:45.325
From God's word is a slave to the word of God,

646
00:39:45.465 --> 00:39:46.645
not my personal opinion,

647
00:39:47.025 --> 00:39:50.005
but sound doctrine, which this series is about, says

648
00:39:50.005 --> 00:39:51.085
that whether you are an elder

649
00:39:51.145 --> 00:39:54.125
or not, you have a God-given responsibility

650
00:39:54.125 --> 00:39:55.485
that nobody else can do

651
00:39:55.745 --> 00:39:57.965
but you, for which you will be held accountable for,

652
00:39:58.465 --> 00:40:00.925
to love your wife and to be faithful to your wife,

653
00:40:01.385 --> 00:40:02.485
and to shepherd your children

654
00:40:02.545 --> 00:40:03.605
and to point them towards Jesus.

655
00:40:05.665 --> 00:40:07.045
And I know that can be intimidating,

656
00:40:08.025 --> 00:40:11.085
and I know that could, um, in today's world,

657
00:40:11.085 --> 00:40:12.645
that could not sound politically correct.

658
00:40:12.905 --> 00:40:14.605
Um, that's not my job to worry about that.

659
00:40:14.705 --> 00:40:16.405
It could be incredibly tough to balance, man.

660
00:40:16.525 --> 00:40:17.885
I know what it's like. I feel like, hey,

661
00:40:17.885 --> 00:40:18.925
we gotta put food on the table.

662
00:40:18.985 --> 00:40:21.045
We gotta work hard, and we gotta go and we gotta grind.

663
00:40:21.185 --> 00:40:22.405
And how many people wanna sit around

664
00:40:22.405 --> 00:40:23.445
and hear a man complain about

665
00:40:23.445 --> 00:40:24.885
how tired they are or how they're feelings are?

666
00:40:24.885 --> 00:40:26.805
Nobody, they don't, they don't wanna do that.

667
00:40:26.805 --> 00:40:28.205
So we feel like we carry this weight,

668
00:40:30.985 --> 00:40:33.885
but I want you to know that as your church family, we want

669
00:40:33.885 --> 00:40:35.845
to be here to encourage you if you need help.

670
00:40:36.265 --> 00:40:38.325
And the reality is you need other men

671
00:40:38.325 --> 00:40:39.485
in your life to encourage you.

672
00:40:40.585 --> 00:40:44.205
And so if that's you, I want to, I wanna encourage you, go

673
00:40:44.205 --> 00:40:45.845
to your campus pastor this weekend

674
00:40:46.025 --> 00:40:47.045
and let 'em know you need help.

675
00:40:47.425 --> 00:40:49.245
Go to one of your men's gatherings, man, I've been

676
00:40:49.245 --> 00:40:50.685
to the men's gatherings out at the Fuqua

677
00:40:50.685 --> 00:40:51.845
campus, out at the Apex campus.

678
00:40:52.015 --> 00:40:54.605
There are men there that would love to come alongside of you

679
00:40:54.785 --> 00:40:56.005
and to encourage you in the roles

680
00:40:56.005 --> 00:40:57.685
and responsibilities that God's given to you.

681
00:40:58.075 --> 00:41:01.445
Okay? I'm gonna step off that soapbox now, by the way,

682
00:41:01.565 --> 00:41:02.685
I say that looking in the mirror.

683
00:41:03.185 --> 00:41:04.605
And I'll tell you, you know what I, I'll,

684
00:41:04.605 --> 00:41:06.005
I'll be very transparent with you.

685
00:41:06.385 --> 00:41:11.085
Um, my wife told me this week, she said, I love

686
00:41:11.275 --> 00:41:13.125
that you are so intentional about praying

687
00:41:13.515 --> 00:41:16.525
with our children every morning before they go to school

688
00:41:17.465 --> 00:41:18.925
and every night before they go to bed.

689
00:41:19.125 --> 00:41:20.405
I mean, I'm on this thing, she said,

690
00:41:20.405 --> 00:41:23.565
but can I be honest with you outside

691
00:41:23.565 --> 00:41:25.205
of like praying at dinner, I can't remember

692
00:41:25.205 --> 00:41:26.365
the last time we prayed together.

693
00:41:27.645 --> 00:41:32.425
I was like, it wasn't that long ago, but it,

694
00:41:32.605 --> 00:41:34.765
but it's too long like that.

695
00:41:34.785 --> 00:41:37.285
That's not me shepherding my family the way

696
00:41:37.285 --> 00:41:39.005
that God's called me to shepherd my family.

697
00:41:40.625 --> 00:41:43.285
Um, okay, what else? Where are we going?

698
00:41:43.365 --> 00:41:44.965
I don't even know where the heck I was. Verse seven.

699
00:41:45.155 --> 00:41:48.085
Okay, for an overseer as God steward must be

700
00:41:48.085 --> 00:41:50.245
above reproach the word, again, he must not be arrogant

701
00:41:50.245 --> 00:41:52.285
or quick tempered or a drunkard or violent

702
00:41:52.385 --> 00:41:53.965
or greedy for gain,

703
00:41:54.225 --> 00:41:56.645
but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled,

704
00:41:56.645 --> 00:41:57.845
upright, holy and disciplined.

705
00:41:57.945 --> 00:42:00.445
So what Paul does there is he gives five things

706
00:42:00.445 --> 00:42:01.965
that elders must not be.

707
00:42:02.305 --> 00:42:04.765
And then he gives us six things that elders must be.

708
00:42:04.985 --> 00:42:06.965
And because it's in the text, we're gonna talk about it.

709
00:42:06.965 --> 00:42:07.965
We're not gonna talk about it

710
00:42:07.965 --> 00:42:08.885
long, we're gonna go through them.

711
00:42:09.065 --> 00:42:12.005
So five things that elders must not be.

712
00:42:12.385 --> 00:42:14.005
One must not be arrogant.

713
00:42:15.415 --> 00:42:17.685
We've all known that person that thinks

714
00:42:18.675 --> 00:42:21.635
they know everything, right?

715
00:42:21.665 --> 00:42:23.955
Like an elder should not be the person

716
00:42:23.955 --> 00:42:25.875
that thinks they have the answer to everything that thinks

717
00:42:25.875 --> 00:42:27.155
that if people don't do exactly

718
00:42:27.155 --> 00:42:28.155
what they think they should do,

719
00:42:28.185 --> 00:42:30.075
when they think they should do it, like, oh,

720
00:42:30.485 --> 00:42:31.635
doing the dumb thing again.

721
00:42:31.635 --> 00:42:35.875
Like, that's not the posture of an elder. Quick tempered.

722
00:42:36.465 --> 00:42:37.675
Does anger control them?

723
00:42:37.985 --> 00:42:40.595
Like, are they quickly triggered into anger?

724
00:42:40.935 --> 00:42:45.035
Um, a drunkard does, does one escape through alcohol,

725
00:42:45.035 --> 00:42:46.995
through substance abuse, through excess?

726
00:42:47.535 --> 00:42:51.435
Um, John Stot,

727
00:42:51.915 --> 00:42:55.395
a theologian and pastor, uh, he's quoted as saying, um,

728
00:42:55.735 --> 00:42:57.915
not all must abstain, okay?

729
00:42:57.975 --> 00:43:00.315
Not all must stay completely away from alcohol.

730
00:43:00.695 --> 00:43:02.555
Um, but all must use in moderation.

731
00:43:03.415 --> 00:43:04.755
And what this is really about is,

732
00:43:04.775 --> 00:43:07.995
is there something else in our life that is controlling us

733
00:43:07.995 --> 00:43:10.475
that we have to turn to regularly outside

734
00:43:10.475 --> 00:43:12.435
of being controlled by the spirit of the living God?

735
00:43:12.435 --> 00:43:15.355
If so, that's an issue. Violent. Is he harsh?

736
00:43:15.655 --> 00:43:18.355
Is he domineering? Um, it, uh,

737
00:43:18.945 --> 00:43:21.195
this could be translated into the word ignatious.

738
00:43:22.095 --> 00:43:24.035
If you're really smart, if you're a journalist, you,

739
00:43:24.035 --> 00:43:25.635
you might use that word, but you could

740
00:43:25.635 --> 00:43:26.915
translate, is he a brawler?

741
00:43:27.135 --> 00:43:29.235
Uh, if, if the kids were saying this, they would say like,

742
00:43:29.235 --> 00:43:30.355
is he quick to throw hands?

743
00:43:31.055 --> 00:43:32.235
That's literally what it means.

744
00:43:32.235 --> 00:43:34.395
Like, is, does he, does he, is he looking for a fight?

745
00:43:35.295 --> 00:43:37.875
Greedy for gain? Can't be greedy for gain.

746
00:43:37.875 --> 00:43:40.955
Does one have a tendency to, to use ministry

747
00:43:41.455 --> 00:43:45.475
and their platform for power, for influence,

748
00:43:46.295 --> 00:43:48.195
for game, financially or otherwise?

749
00:43:48.215 --> 00:43:50.915
And the reality is, if we find ourselves in leadership

750
00:43:50.915 --> 00:43:54.315
and we're already tempted by those things, being in a,

751
00:43:54.415 --> 00:43:57.275
in a place or in a role of responsibility of leadership,

752
00:43:57.695 --> 00:43:59.755
you're just gonna have an opportunity for that to grow.

753
00:44:00.445 --> 00:44:02.115
These aren't red flags.

754
00:44:02.965 --> 00:44:05.035
God's word says, these are disqualifiers.

755
00:44:06.815 --> 00:44:09.255
I mean, could you imagine someone marked by those things

756
00:44:09.315 --> 00:44:10.415
as a regular part of their

757
00:44:10.415 --> 00:44:11.695
character trying to lead their family?

758
00:44:11.805 --> 00:44:15.535
It's gonna show up. If he can't lead his family towards

759
00:44:15.535 --> 00:44:18.615
health, how can he lead in the context of the church?

760
00:44:20.195 --> 00:44:22.695
And you get to verse eight, what elders must be six things

761
00:44:22.695 --> 00:44:26.095
Here, let me just say this before we move on.

762
00:44:26.155 --> 00:44:27.815
That's not saying that someone can't

763
00:44:27.815 --> 00:44:29.015
lose their temper, okay?

764
00:44:30.075 --> 00:44:31.725
All of us lose our temper every now

765
00:44:31.725 --> 00:44:33.405
and then, especially if we have kids.

766
00:44:33.825 --> 00:44:36.165
Um, but how quickly are they to repent?

767
00:44:36.185 --> 00:44:38.285
How quickly are they willing to own it without turning

768
00:44:38.285 --> 00:44:40.325
around and saying, well, yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, I'm sorry,

769
00:44:40.445 --> 00:44:41.765
I shouldn't have done this, but, and then

770
00:44:41.765 --> 00:44:42.925
turn around and blame someone else.

771
00:44:43.105 --> 00:44:44.285
That's what we're talking about here.

772
00:44:44.305 --> 00:44:48.405
Is there a repentant humble heart? Okay, six things.

773
00:44:48.425 --> 00:44:49.965
Elders must be hospitable.

774
00:44:50.035 --> 00:44:51.405
Does he invite others into his home?

775
00:44:51.515 --> 00:44:53.765
Does he love other people as followers of Christ?

776
00:44:53.785 --> 00:44:55.805
We should love other people. This doesn't mean that you have

777
00:44:55.805 --> 00:44:57.125
to be extroverted, okay?

778
00:44:57.465 --> 00:44:59.485
Um, you can be introverted and still love people.

779
00:44:59.505 --> 00:45:01.165
Do you invite people in your home? If you're not gonna be

780
00:45:01.165 --> 00:45:03.085
hospitable at your home, how in the world are you gonna be

781
00:45:03.085 --> 00:45:05.325
hospitable and welcoming people into the family of God?

782
00:45:05.655 --> 00:45:09.605
Lover of good? Does he genuinely enjoy what is right?

783
00:45:09.825 --> 00:45:12.525
And what is life giving? Do we love that in our life?

784
00:45:12.615 --> 00:45:13.885
God's word tells us what's good

785
00:45:13.885 --> 00:45:14.965
and what's right and what's pure.

786
00:45:15.265 --> 00:45:16.565
Do we love those things? Do we,

787
00:45:16.665 --> 00:45:17.885
do we encourage those things?

788
00:45:17.945 --> 00:45:20.565
Do we, do we, do we call other people into things

789
00:45:20.565 --> 00:45:22.045
that are good self-control?

790
00:45:23.105 --> 00:45:26.205
Uh, do we lead ourselves before we try to lead others?

791
00:45:27.475 --> 00:45:30.365
John Maxwell, uh, he wasn't a disciple of

792
00:45:30.365 --> 00:45:32.405
of Jesus in biblical times, though lovers

793
00:45:32.405 --> 00:45:34.765
of John Maxwell might, would think that you'd think

794
00:45:34.765 --> 00:45:36.845
that they thought he was, when you hear him talk about him.

795
00:45:36.865 --> 00:45:40.805
But, um, he said, Hey, look, all of us are leaders, okay?

796
00:45:40.805 --> 00:45:42.205
Leadership is influence,

797
00:45:42.505 --> 00:45:46.805
but the most difficult person to lead is ourselves.

798
00:45:48.945 --> 00:45:50.805
Are we self controlled? Are we upright?

799
00:45:50.905 --> 00:45:53.605
Is he fair, honest, dependable in his relationships?

800
00:45:53.865 --> 00:45:55.205
Is someone upright? That just means,

801
00:45:55.355 --> 00:45:57.365
does this person ask the question regularly?

802
00:45:57.995 --> 00:46:00.125
What is the right decision?

803
00:46:00.425 --> 00:46:02.085
Not what's the most cost effective decision?

804
00:46:02.085 --> 00:46:04.485
Which decision take saves us the most time?

805
00:46:04.615 --> 00:46:06.885
Which decision is gonna benefit me the most? No. No.

806
00:46:06.885 --> 00:46:08.565
What is the right decision in my

807
00:46:08.565 --> 00:46:09.885
relationships with other people?

808
00:46:10.635 --> 00:46:13.165
Holy, this is a word that man, man, when you want

809
00:46:13.165 --> 00:46:14.205
to talk bad about somebody

810
00:46:14.205 --> 00:46:16.085
that's a little bit snobby, oh, he's a holy roller.

811
00:46:16.755 --> 00:46:19.085
Like this word has a negative connotation.

812
00:46:19.145 --> 00:46:22.365
We are called to holiness. It means set apart.

813
00:46:22.385 --> 00:46:25.605
And where upright might be talking about like our

814
00:46:25.605 --> 00:46:28.205
relationships and how we interact with others around us,

815
00:46:28.485 --> 00:46:30.525
holiness has to do with how we interact.

816
00:46:31.025 --> 00:46:32.285
Um, our heavenly Father.

817
00:46:34.305 --> 00:46:37.965
I'm just telling you like, it would be a blessing someday.

818
00:46:38.205 --> 00:46:40.365
I don't want it to be tomorrow, okay? Or for a long time.

819
00:46:40.365 --> 00:46:42.525
But on some day when I step over into the other side

820
00:46:42.525 --> 00:46:44.365
of eternity that maybe my wife

821
00:46:44.365 --> 00:46:49.165
and kids would say, um, man, he was, he was holy.

822
00:46:50.475 --> 00:46:52.805
Like he didn't carry himself arrogantly or snobby,

823
00:46:52.805 --> 00:46:54.325
but like you can just tell he's had an

824
00:46:54.325 --> 00:46:55.565
encounter with God in his life.

825
00:46:55.825 --> 00:46:57.205
And then the last one is discipline.

826
00:46:57.205 --> 00:46:59.445
Does he does, does one pursue what matters?

827
00:46:59.715 --> 00:47:02.045
Even when it's hard? Well, what areas are you looking

828
00:47:02.045 --> 00:47:04.645
for discipline in all of them.

829
00:47:06.505 --> 00:47:08.205
And that doesn't mean perfection,

830
00:47:08.205 --> 00:47:10.205
but you know, you're not disciplined if you do

831
00:47:10.205 --> 00:47:11.285
what you're supposed to do in the areas

832
00:47:11.285 --> 00:47:12.525
that are easy for you, right?

833
00:47:13.235 --> 00:47:14.885
Like, and we know this stuff spills over.

834
00:47:14.915 --> 00:47:18.245
Like, do, do you eat the foods that you should eat?

835
00:47:20.415 --> 00:47:21.555
Do you not eat the foods

836
00:47:21.615 --> 00:47:23.275
or drink the things that you shouldn't drink?

837
00:47:23.295 --> 00:47:24.395
Do you take care of your temple?

838
00:47:24.455 --> 00:47:26.475
Do you take care of the body that God has given to you?

839
00:47:26.815 --> 00:47:29.845
Do you, do you maximize the minutes that God has given

840
00:47:29.845 --> 00:47:31.645
to you in every day to accomplish the things

841
00:47:31.645 --> 00:47:32.845
that he is set in front of you?

842
00:47:32.845 --> 00:47:33.965
Does your yes mean yes

843
00:47:34.385 --> 00:47:36.765
and people know that your no means no?

844
00:47:37.665 --> 00:47:39.165
Are you dependable? Are you disciplined?

845
00:47:39.315 --> 00:47:41.645
Character's the first qualification, it's not charisma,

846
00:47:41.795 --> 00:47:44.365
it's not clout, it's not content creation.

847
00:47:46.355 --> 00:47:49.605
It's, it is possible to have impressive theology,

848
00:47:50.265 --> 00:47:53.645
to have multiple doctorate degrees, to have wild gifting,

849
00:47:53.645 --> 00:47:55.805
be able to preach the paint off the walls.

850
00:47:55.805 --> 00:47:57.725
Listen, it's even possible to be able to be able to,

851
00:47:58.105 --> 00:48:00.485
to fill an auditorium with the words that you can say

852
00:48:01.715 --> 00:48:06.685
and have rotten fruit what's going on on the inside.

853
00:48:06.805 --> 00:48:09.205
And God's word says it's not how the church is to be led

854
00:48:09.425 --> 00:48:12.525
and shepherded, godly character qualifies leaders.

855
00:48:13.265 --> 00:48:17.415
Um, I'll

856
00:48:17.415 --> 00:48:18.695
give you an illustration here.

857
00:48:18.835 --> 00:48:20.615
Um, I was working on this this week

858
00:48:20.615 --> 00:48:23.415
and I just had this visual in my head of, of an iceberg.

859
00:48:23.755 --> 00:48:26.095
And you, you've probably heard people say like, 90%

860
00:48:26.095 --> 00:48:28.135
of the iceberg is underwater.

861
00:48:30.125 --> 00:48:33.575
What sinks ships isn't usually what's visible.

862
00:48:34.925 --> 00:48:36.055
It's what's beneath the surface.

863
00:48:37.765 --> 00:48:40.335
Character is the part of our lives that very few,

864
00:48:40.835 --> 00:48:42.055
if anyone ever sees,

865
00:48:42.675 --> 00:48:45.455
but it impacts every aspect of our life.

866
00:48:46.915 --> 00:48:49.655
Um, godly character qualifies a leader.

867
00:48:50.555 --> 00:48:52.175
Uh, we're gonna wrap up here with verse nine.

868
00:48:52.175 --> 00:48:55.375
Kind of brings it home. It says, he must hold firm

869
00:48:55.475 --> 00:48:58.055
to the trustworthy word as taught.

870
00:48:58.055 --> 00:48:58.935
He's talking about the, the

871
00:48:58.935 --> 00:49:00.295
apostles teaching the word of God.

872
00:49:00.295 --> 00:49:03.895
He must, he must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught

873
00:49:04.275 --> 00:49:06.855
so that he may be able to give instruction

874
00:49:07.195 --> 00:49:08.335
and sound doctrine

875
00:49:09.235 --> 00:49:13.655
and also to rebuke those who contradict it, to hold firm

876
00:49:13.675 --> 00:49:15.095
and to clinging to the word of God.

877
00:49:15.095 --> 00:49:17.055
It's how elder shepherd, how do elder shepherd

878
00:49:17.275 --> 00:49:20.055
by holding tightly to and clinging to the word of God?

879
00:49:20.055 --> 00:49:22.255
Because it's through the word of God that we shepherd.

880
00:49:22.565 --> 00:49:25.375
It's not personal opinions, it's not even through gifting.

881
00:49:29.095 --> 00:49:32.535
I will say though, this is, this is the only skill that

882
00:49:32.535 --> 00:49:33.815
that Paul highlights here,

883
00:49:34.435 --> 00:49:37.855
and it is rooted in, um, in, in conviction.

884
00:49:37.855 --> 00:49:40.575
He says that an elder must be able to give instruction.

885
00:49:41.975 --> 00:49:43.375
I mean, that is a skill. How, how

886
00:49:43.375 --> 00:49:45.735
to speak the truth to someone in love.

887
00:49:45.735 --> 00:49:47.295
And he says that we do it in two ways.

888
00:49:48.715 --> 00:49:49.935
One, by teaching what is true,

889
00:49:51.155 --> 00:49:53.735
and then secondly, by correcting what's false.

890
00:49:55.515 --> 00:49:58.975
But elders must be able to instruct through the word of God.

891
00:50:00.755 --> 00:50:02.935
And I started this, this whole time by saying this, like,

892
00:50:02.955 --> 00:50:04.495
why, how does this impact you?

893
00:50:06.475 --> 00:50:08.415
You know that that's what elders are supposed to do.

894
00:50:08.415 --> 00:50:09.495
Thanks for letting me know.

895
00:50:11.035 --> 00:50:12.895
But again, it's because the kind of leader

896
00:50:12.895 --> 00:50:15.535
that you follow will shape where you end up in life.

897
00:50:16.515 --> 00:50:17.975
And we talked last week about, Hey,

898
00:50:17.975 --> 00:50:19.255
what kind of map are you following?

899
00:50:20.115 --> 00:50:23.775
And God's word says, within the family of families, this is

900
00:50:23.775 --> 00:50:26.295
how the family is to be shepherded and cared for.

901
00:50:27.385 --> 00:50:30.085
And the church needs elders who can rightly divide the word

902
00:50:30.085 --> 00:50:32.605
of God and to teach and to lead and to correct

903
00:50:33.145 --> 00:50:36.325
and to care for the flock through the word of God,

904
00:50:36.325 --> 00:50:38.965
through sound doctrine, which leads to godly living.

905
00:50:39.895 --> 00:50:41.245
Which by the way, if you don't know, like

906
00:50:41.245 --> 00:50:42.485
that godly living is important

907
00:50:42.645 --> 00:50:44.565
'cause that's how we were created to live.

908
00:50:44.575 --> 00:50:46.325
Jesus said, I, I came

909
00:50:46.325 --> 00:50:48.325
that they would have life and have it abundantly.

910
00:50:48.325 --> 00:50:50.445
There's an abundant life that is available to us

911
00:50:50.715 --> 00:50:52.525
that we will not experience

912
00:50:52.665 --> 00:50:54.765
unless we're trusting in the word of God.

913
00:50:57.185 --> 00:50:59.805
And so, what does this mean for us? Um, three things.

914
00:51:00.545 --> 00:51:02.645
Uh, three things I would ask for, for all of us

915
00:51:02.665 --> 00:51:04.605
who call hope, community, church, home.

916
00:51:05.025 --> 00:51:08.085
Um, one, I would say pray for your elders.

917
00:51:09.905 --> 00:51:11.205
The task is weighty.

918
00:51:12.395 --> 00:51:14.325
I've told you this has been one of the heaviest weeks,

919
00:51:14.355 --> 00:51:17.445
like spiritually for me, um, in my life, like having

920
00:51:17.465 --> 00:51:18.965
to look in the mirror and study this stuff

921
00:51:18.965 --> 00:51:20.685
and say, man, how in the world do I match up

922
00:51:20.875 --> 00:51:21.885
against these things?

923
00:51:21.955 --> 00:51:23.285
Knowing my own heart

924
00:51:23.425 --> 00:51:27.125
and my own proneness of what I'm, what I could be, uh, prone

925
00:51:27.705 --> 00:51:28.925
to chase after in life.

926
00:51:30.615 --> 00:51:31.835
But pray for your elders.

927
00:51:31.835 --> 00:51:35.635
They will answer to God for how they lead that.

928
00:51:35.635 --> 00:51:37.115
That's a weighty responsibility.

929
00:51:37.115 --> 00:51:39.795
Pray for their families, for their humility,

930
00:51:41.295 --> 00:51:42.435
for their perseverance.

931
00:51:45.255 --> 00:51:46.635
Uh, and you might say, I don't,

932
00:51:46.635 --> 00:51:48.315
I don't know all the elders that you mentioned.

933
00:51:48.315 --> 00:51:51.275
That's okay. I I you most likely know your campus pastor.

934
00:51:51.385 --> 00:51:52.635
Pray for them by name.

935
00:51:52.825 --> 00:51:55.755
Good gosh, pray for me, pray for my family.

936
00:51:57.695 --> 00:52:00.195
And you can pray for them and not know their name as well.

937
00:52:00.255 --> 00:52:02.075
But your campus pastors, they, they,

938
00:52:02.105 --> 00:52:05.315
they know the elders, but pray for them.

939
00:52:06.375 --> 00:52:09.795
Uh, secondly, I would say pursue this kind of life.

940
00:52:10.985 --> 00:52:13.835
This is not a life that's just for pastors and elders.

941
00:52:13.835 --> 00:52:15.195
It, these are qualifications

942
00:52:15.195 --> 00:52:18.835
that must be present in the life of an elder.

943
00:52:18.985 --> 00:52:21.875
It's a high standard. They must be present again,

944
00:52:21.875 --> 00:52:24.195
doesn't mean perfection, but they must be.

945
00:52:25.375 --> 00:52:30.135
But they're, it's also a pretty good picture

946
00:52:30.875 --> 00:52:32.615
of what all of us as followers

947
00:52:32.615 --> 00:52:35.335
of Christ should be aspiring to in our lives.

948
00:52:36.965 --> 00:52:40.695
Like the knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness

949
00:52:41.635 --> 00:52:43.775
so that we can have an eternal hope in the life

950
00:52:44.525 --> 00:52:45.935
that we're in right now.

951
00:52:48.995 --> 00:52:51.735
Not perfection, a life marked by repentance

952
00:52:52.195 --> 00:52:56.015
and integrity, Dependency on the Holy Spirit.

953
00:52:57.475 --> 00:52:58.975
And then lastly, I would say follow

954
00:52:59.295 --> 00:53:00.535
leader's worth following.

955
00:53:02.385 --> 00:53:06.615
Don't be impressed by flash. Um, look for fruit.

956
00:53:07.995 --> 00:53:10.815
Ask. Is this, is this person, uh, shepherding

957
00:53:10.815 --> 00:53:12.495
or are they self-promoting?

958
00:53:13.365 --> 00:53:15.015
Does this leader live like Jesus?

959
00:53:16.455 --> 00:53:19.455
'cause I'm telling you, the leaders, the shepherds

960
00:53:19.455 --> 00:53:21.375
that you follow, it is going to dictate

961
00:53:21.755 --> 00:53:23.655
and have an impact on where you end up in life.

962
00:53:25.545 --> 00:53:27.845
Uh, we live in a time where,

963
00:53:27.845 --> 00:53:29.405
where church scandals make headlines.

964
00:53:29.595 --> 00:53:32.925
Okay? Um, spiritual abuse has left deep wounds.

965
00:53:32.965 --> 00:53:34.285
I want you to know if that is you.

966
00:53:34.885 --> 00:53:36.085
I am very well aware

967
00:53:36.085 --> 00:53:38.245
that any talk on church leadership can be

968
00:53:38.245 --> 00:53:39.325
incredibly triggering.

969
00:53:39.465 --> 00:53:42.085
And there's probably like 10 plus things in this message.

970
00:53:42.185 --> 00:53:43.205
It can be like, ah,

971
00:53:45.345 --> 00:53:47.765
but I, I want you to hear me say, I, I understand.

972
00:53:48.465 --> 00:53:51.765
Um, you name it, I've probably experienced it.

973
00:53:51.945 --> 00:53:54.445
Um, I was in middle school when I found out

974
00:53:54.445 --> 00:53:57.005
that my pastor at my church was having an affair

975
00:53:57.075 --> 00:53:59.125
with my dad's wife, with my stepmom.

976
00:54:00.105 --> 00:54:02.325
And, um, that's like the start.

977
00:54:02.965 --> 00:54:04.645
I would love to say that's the only thing

978
00:54:04.875 --> 00:54:09.405
that I've experienced from unhealthy unbiblical leadership.

979
00:54:10.305 --> 00:54:15.085
Um, but I can tell you as one who somehow by God's grace

980
00:54:15.085 --> 00:54:16.365
and mercy managed to stay in the game.

981
00:54:16.585 --> 00:54:17.685
It doesn't have to be that way.

982
00:54:17.875 --> 00:54:19.405
It's not supposed to be that way.

983
00:54:20.575 --> 00:54:22.965
Those are, those are men

984
00:54:22.965 --> 00:54:26.695
and women just like all of us who

985
00:54:27.315 --> 00:54:29.575
are prone to step off the path

986
00:54:29.575 --> 00:54:30.895
that God's laid in front of us.

987
00:54:30.955 --> 00:54:32.895
But that does not mean that God's word is not true.

988
00:54:32.895 --> 00:54:34.575
That does not mean that God's word is not right.

989
00:54:34.575 --> 00:54:36.215
That does not mean that God's word is

990
00:54:36.215 --> 00:54:37.335
not, is not best for us.

991
00:54:37.745 --> 00:54:39.615
God's word says in a chaotic world,

992
00:54:39.615 --> 00:54:40.655
this plan hasn't changed.

993
00:54:40.905 --> 00:54:43.495
Godly churches are led by godly leaders.

994
00:54:44.875 --> 00:54:47.855
And so my prayer is that would we as Hope Community Church,

995
00:54:47.855 --> 00:54:50.655
would we be a people that that study and honor

996
00:54:50.715 --> 00:54:51.895
and live the word of God?

997
00:54:53.235 --> 00:54:55.375
I'd encourage you go through this book of Titus every day,

998
00:54:55.375 --> 00:54:58.055
let's study and honor and live out the word of God.

999
00:54:58.225 --> 00:55:01.055
Would it be be a people that uphold godly leadership?

1000
00:55:01.315 --> 00:55:03.975
And would we be the kind, uh, of followers

1001
00:55:03.975 --> 00:55:06.375
of Christ whose character preaches louder

1002
00:55:08.245 --> 00:55:10.735
than any sermon on any stage could ever preach?

1003
00:55:12.465 --> 00:55:14.535
Let's pray together. Father, uh, I thank you for your word.

1004
00:55:14.695 --> 00:55:16.375
I thank you that we can open it up

1005
00:55:16.375 --> 00:55:18.095
and just walk through verse by verse

1006
00:55:18.095 --> 00:55:19.135
and that it can come to life

1007
00:55:19.135 --> 00:55:20.735
and help us see how you designed us

1008
00:55:20.735 --> 00:55:22.255
to live life and experience life.

1009
00:55:22.805 --> 00:55:25.935
Lord, I thank you that you have shown us a clear picture of

1010
00:55:25.965 --> 00:55:29.175
what shepherding the church and what leadership looks like.

1011
00:55:29.245 --> 00:55:31.895
Your way. Father, my prayer would be

1012
00:55:31.895 --> 00:55:34.135
that we would be a church that would take seriously the

1013
00:55:34.455 --> 00:55:37.095
calls that you have placed on our lives,

1014
00:55:37.765 --> 00:55:39.775
that we would stand strong on the foundation

1015
00:55:39.835 --> 00:55:42.335
and the theology and the sound doctrine that you have said.

1016
00:55:42.335 --> 00:55:45.575
This is how the church should be shepherded, Lord,

1017
00:55:45.575 --> 00:55:49.215
that our elders here would continue to step into the roles

1018
00:55:49.245 --> 00:55:51.695
that you have set, uh, in front of them.

1019
00:55:51.755 --> 00:55:53.855
And Lord, I know there's some that have said, you know what?

1020
00:55:53.995 --> 00:55:55.135
That's the right way to go.

1021
00:55:55.195 --> 00:55:57.975
But I don't know if I can give everything that

1022
00:55:57.975 --> 00:55:59.375
that takes in this moment.

1023
00:55:59.435 --> 00:56:01.295
And Lord, when that's the case for them in their lives,

1024
00:56:01.375 --> 00:56:03.295
I feel that they would experience grace and peace

1025
00:56:03.915 --> 00:56:08.615
and for the new men that are coming on, Lord, I thank you

1026
00:56:08.615 --> 00:56:11.975
for them, father, um, I pray that you would protect them.

1027
00:56:12.155 --> 00:56:14.455
And for the men that are in, uh, going

1028
00:56:14.455 --> 00:56:16.175
through training right now, Lord, I pray

1029
00:56:16.175 --> 00:56:17.375
that you would watch over their lives,

1030
00:56:18.005 --> 00:56:19.095
that you would protect them.

1031
00:56:19.115 --> 00:56:20.135
We know that when we're chasing

1032
00:56:20.135 --> 00:56:21.815
after the things of God, we have an enemy.

1033
00:56:21.955 --> 00:56:23.365
And Lord, I pray for the men and women

1034
00:56:23.365 --> 00:56:25.245
and students who call hope community Church home.

1035
00:56:25.515 --> 00:56:28.525
Lord, this is not just a call, um, for the spiritual elite.

1036
00:56:28.525 --> 00:56:31.925
This is a call for the followers of Christ, um, that,

1037
00:56:32.115 --> 00:56:35.965
that you have called your elect, that you desire to come

1038
00:56:35.965 --> 00:56:38.605
to know the knowledge of truth, which accords with God,

1039
00:56:38.715 --> 00:56:40.685
godliness and leads to the hope of eternal life.

1040
00:56:40.905 --> 00:56:42.845
We love you. We pray these things in Jesus name.

1041
00:56:43.145 --> 00:56:45.085
And everyone said, amen.

1042
00:56:45.185 --> 00:56:47.285
Hey, I wanna say one thing before we turn the cameras off.

1043
00:56:47.365 --> 00:56:48.605
I was supposed to say this in the message.

1044
00:56:48.905 --> 00:56:52.925
Um, right now across all of our campuses, we have 15 men

1045
00:56:53.345 --> 00:56:54.765
who have said, Hey, I want

1046
00:56:54.765 --> 00:56:57.485
to jump into this elder training program that's 18

1047
00:56:57.825 --> 00:57:00.045
to 24 months long, where they're going

1048
00:57:00.045 --> 00:57:01.725
through hundreds and hundreds of pages.

1049
00:57:01.725 --> 00:57:04.005
They're, uh, going through the accountability, sharing

1050
00:57:04.005 --> 00:57:05.085
what it's doing in their lives.

1051
00:57:05.255 --> 00:57:07.365
We're having conversations with them and their wives

1052
00:57:07.365 --> 00:57:10.325
because they've said, I want to be a, a shepherd

1053
00:57:10.945 --> 00:57:12.045
at Hope Community Church.

1054
00:57:12.245 --> 00:57:14.045
I love this church and I wanna invest in this church.

1055
00:57:14.045 --> 00:57:15.245
We've got three men who are about

1056
00:57:15.245 --> 00:57:16.645
to roll on of what you all will get to.

1057
00:57:16.795 --> 00:57:19.005
They'll be presented before you soon.

1058
00:57:19.005 --> 00:57:21.045
And then we've got another 15 that are in that 18

1059
00:57:21.045 --> 00:57:23.765
to 24 month pipeline, which I think is a beautiful thing.

1060
00:57:23.825 --> 00:57:24.925
Can we just celebrate that

1061
00:57:25.345 --> 00:57:27.325
and thank them for what it's that you're putting in?

1062
00:57:28.515 --> 00:57:30.605
Yeah. Okay.

1063
00:57:31.115 --> 00:57:32.885
Love you guys. Father's Day next weekend.

1064
00:57:33.905 --> 00:57:35.805
We wanna see you there. I know you're gonna hear

1065
00:57:35.805 --> 00:57:37.805
from your campus pastor now. See you next week.

1066
00:57:38.665 --> 00:57:39.805
Hey, Jason, don't head out yet.

1067
00:57:39.805 --> 00:57:40.925
Come on back over here with me.

1068
00:57:42.065 --> 00:57:43.165
Hey, can we just take a moment

1069
00:57:43.385 --> 00:57:46.525
and, uh, lift one of our elders up before the Lord?

1070
00:57:46.665 --> 00:57:50.485
Um, this guy, um, I've seen him go

1071
00:57:50.485 --> 00:57:52.205
through a lot over the last few years

1072
00:57:52.745 --> 00:57:54.285
and I'm thankful for his leadership.

1073
00:57:54.785 --> 00:57:57.165
And so I just wanna take a moment to pray for him right now.

1074
00:57:57.585 --> 00:58:00.485
And so if we would, as a church, let's just lift our hearts

1075
00:58:00.485 --> 00:58:02.765
and our, and lift him up before the Lord.

1076
00:58:02.765 --> 00:58:05.885
Father, I thank you for, uh, my brother in Christ.

1077
00:58:07.205 --> 00:58:11.325
I thank you for a man who desires, um, to shepherd well,

1078
00:58:12.345 --> 00:58:16.405
to follow you closely, to be an elder in your church,

1079
00:58:17.905 --> 00:58:19.765
and not of a sense of haughtiness,

1080
00:58:19.765 --> 00:58:23.805
but not of a sense of duty, uh, a sense of honor

1081
00:58:25.305 --> 00:58:26.525
and a sense of obedience.

1082
00:58:27.745 --> 00:58:31.285
And so, father, God, I pray. I pray for our lead.

1083
00:58:31.285 --> 00:58:34.765
Pastor, I pray that you would help him

1084
00:58:34.825 --> 00:58:36.445
and strengthen him for the road ahead.

1085
00:58:38.325 --> 00:58:43.205
I pray that you would help him to follow you and you alone.

1086
00:58:44.545 --> 00:58:47.445
In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.

1087
00:58:47.445 --> 00:58:48.485
Come on, y'all, give him some love.

1088
00:58:54.745 --> 00:58:57.965
Listen, as we close out our time today, um,

1089
00:58:58.465 --> 00:59:00.285
we talk about steps of faith here at hope

1090
00:59:01.105 --> 00:59:03.085
and the steps that we take, come

1091
00:59:03.085 --> 00:59:04.645
through the decisions that we make.

1092
00:59:05.225 --> 00:59:06.685
You know, it's one thing to talk about

1093
00:59:06.785 --> 00:59:07.925
taking steps of faith.

1094
00:59:07.955 --> 00:59:11.725
It's a whole nother thing to move foot to pavement.

1095
00:59:12.465 --> 00:59:14.045
And God is ordering those steps.

1096
00:59:14.065 --> 00:59:16.325
And so if he's encouraged your heart through the word of God

1097
00:59:16.325 --> 00:59:18.845
or through worship today, uh, to take a step of faith,

1098
00:59:18.845 --> 00:59:21.325
again, I wanna remind you about the next steps area.

1099
00:59:21.425 --> 00:59:24.685
And if you're watching online, make sure you chime in

1100
00:59:24.685 --> 00:59:27.165
and if you have questions to ask, ask those questions.

1101
00:59:27.865 --> 00:59:29.605
Uh, we are all supposed to be walking

1102
00:59:29.785 --> 00:59:31.605
by faith and not by sight.

1103
00:59:31.985 --> 00:59:34.965
And the steps of the journey are ordered by God.

1104
00:59:35.345 --> 00:59:37.525
And so I want to encourage you as we end our time together

1105
00:59:38.225 --> 00:59:39.525
to be the kind of church

1106
00:59:40.995 --> 00:59:43.845
that loves God follows Jesus.

1107
00:59:44.465 --> 00:59:46.365
And I also want to encourage you to share hope.

1108
00:59:46.665 --> 00:59:48.085
God bless y'all. We'll see you next week.