WEBVTT 177 00:20:29.035 --> 00:20:30.285 Yeah, you guys sound great. 178 00:20:30.345 --> 00:20:33.405 So good to be uh, worship than we this morning, man, I'm 179 00:20:33.405 --> 00:20:36.485 so excited for 2026, you know, we ended 2025 180 00:20:36.915 --> 00:20:38.365 with a bang as a church family. 181 00:20:38.425 --> 00:20:41.925 We had over 11,000 folks gather together across our 182 00:20:41.925 --> 00:20:43.205 11 Christmas Eve services. 183 00:20:43.545 --> 00:20:46.165 It was beautiful. Can we just celebrate that for a moment? 184 00:20:47.115 --> 00:20:50.885 Yeah. And we don't just 185 00:20:50.885 --> 00:20:52.245 celebrate that because it's a number. 186 00:20:52.345 --> 00:20:54.845 We celebrate that because that's people who are searching, 187 00:20:54.845 --> 00:20:56.445 people who are coming back to church 188 00:20:56.465 --> 00:20:58.845 for the first time in years maybe ever at all. 189 00:20:58.905 --> 00:21:00.605 And then those of us crazies that, 190 00:21:00.605 --> 00:21:02.245 that are here just about every week, uh, 191 00:21:02.245 --> 00:21:03.645 that just can't wait to get together 192 00:21:03.785 --> 00:21:05.405 and celebrate the birth of Jesus 193 00:21:05.585 --> 00:21:06.805 and the hope that we have in him. 194 00:21:07.225 --> 00:21:08.445 I'm grateful to God for it, 195 00:21:08.825 --> 00:21:11.285 but now we find ourselves in a new beginning. 196 00:21:11.795 --> 00:21:13.645 Alright, we've got a new year. 197 00:21:14.305 --> 00:21:17.005 How many of you have made New Year's resolutions? 198 00:21:17.755 --> 00:21:21.645 Come on, be honest. Be honest. Alright. No shame here. 199 00:21:22.825 --> 00:21:23.725 How many of you have already 200 00:21:23.805 --> 00:21:24.965 broken your New Year's resolution? 201 00:21:26.075 --> 00:21:27.725 Alright, we know it's possible. 202 00:21:27.725 --> 00:21:30.045 And the the reason why it's possible is 203 00:21:30.045 --> 00:21:33.205 because it's easy in life to have a moment like the start 204 00:21:33.205 --> 00:21:36.525 of a new year or a Christmas Eve service, right? 205 00:21:36.545 --> 00:21:38.725 You get a shot of energy, a moment of focus, 206 00:21:38.725 --> 00:21:40.605 and then when life starts back up, uh, 207 00:21:40.605 --> 00:21:41.965 it's just back to business as usual. 208 00:21:42.345 --> 00:21:44.685 And, and I wanna share something with you that's a concern 209 00:21:44.685 --> 00:21:49.445 that I have as your pastor, we can confuse a powerful moment 210 00:21:49.955 --> 00:21:51.005 with lasting change. 211 00:21:52.025 --> 00:21:54.245 It just happens. I mean, you had like a million people get 212 00:21:54.405 --> 00:21:55.965 together and celebrate in Times Square, 213 00:21:56.025 --> 00:21:57.445 new Year's Eve y 'cause it's a new beginning. 214 00:21:57.445 --> 00:21:58.725 It's a new thing. Like how many 215 00:21:58.725 --> 00:22:00.285 of those a million people were ready 216 00:22:00.285 --> 00:22:02.285 to do anything on New Year's Day, right? 217 00:22:03.425 --> 00:22:05.325 And so we gotta recognize 218 00:22:05.325 --> 00:22:08.165 that we can confuse a crowded room at Christmas 219 00:22:09.235 --> 00:22:10.725 with a rooted life in Jesus. 220 00:22:11.905 --> 00:22:15.005 One feels good because it is, 221 00:22:15.625 --> 00:22:18.125 but the other is what ultimately brings a life of hope 222 00:22:18.225 --> 00:22:21.765 and peace and joy and stability that we've all longed for. 223 00:22:21.785 --> 00:22:23.845 And so since we're at church, alright, uh, 224 00:22:23.845 --> 00:22:25.045 we're not gonna start the year off 225 00:22:25.105 --> 00:22:27.085 by me talking about your new weight loss goal. 226 00:22:27.855 --> 00:22:29.925 We're just not I. And, but that's important to you 227 00:22:29.925 --> 00:22:30.925 and I hope that you stick with it. 228 00:22:30.945 --> 00:22:31.965 I'm all for physical fitness. 229 00:22:32.235 --> 00:22:34.045 What we are gonna talk about is something far deeper. 230 00:22:34.145 --> 00:22:36.165 How we can experience what's possible. 231 00:22:36.165 --> 00:22:38.445 Because Jesus came to this earth, 232 00:22:38.585 --> 00:22:40.085 and here's what I know is a fact. 233 00:22:40.155 --> 00:22:42.085 Most of us, we don't, 234 00:22:42.505 --> 00:22:44.925 we don't intentionally walk away from the life 235 00:22:44.925 --> 00:22:46.525 that Jesus has to offer to us. 236 00:22:47.185 --> 00:22:50.085 We don't do that. We, we actually have a tendency to drift. 237 00:22:50.105 --> 00:22:53.365 We don't rebel. We just slowly drift away. 238 00:22:53.385 --> 00:22:55.205 The calendar fills up, stress climbs, 239 00:22:56.315 --> 00:22:58.005 anxiety sneaks into our life. 240 00:22:58.305 --> 00:23:01.045 And here's what I know, the drift that happens 241 00:23:01.065 --> 00:23:03.285 to us in our lives, it doesn't just make us busy. 242 00:23:05.205 --> 00:23:06.825 It, it tires our soul. 243 00:23:08.305 --> 00:23:10.325 And what I know is po what was true is you, 244 00:23:10.325 --> 00:23:12.085 you can be doing a lot in your life 245 00:23:13.215 --> 00:23:14.275 and you can actually still 246 00:23:14.275 --> 00:23:15.475 feel like you're losing your grip. 247 00:23:15.535 --> 00:23:16.955 Is there anybody that's with me on that 248 00:23:16.985 --> 00:23:18.035 that knows what I'm talking about? 249 00:23:19.015 --> 00:23:21.475 And so I want you to know our vision here at Hope. 250 00:23:22.185 --> 00:23:24.555 It's for our communities, in our world to know 251 00:23:24.655 --> 00:23:27.995 and experience the life that Jesus came to make available. 252 00:23:28.095 --> 00:23:30.195 We want to know and experience the love of God that he has 253 00:23:30.195 --> 00:23:32.475 for us in our life and the life that's available to us 254 00:23:32.475 --> 00:23:34.715 because Jesus came to this earth. 255 00:23:34.735 --> 00:23:37.195 And so I wanna tell you my heart, as your pastor, 256 00:23:37.255 --> 00:23:41.315 as we head into 2026, I don't just want us to be a church 257 00:23:41.315 --> 00:23:45.445 that gathers, I want us to be a church that's strong 258 00:23:45.865 --> 00:23:48.805 and steady and on the mission that Jesus calls us into. 259 00:23:48.805 --> 00:23:51.085 And more importantly than what I want, that's 260 00:23:51.085 --> 00:23:52.485 what scripture calls us into. 261 00:23:52.705 --> 00:23:54.085 And so I want our communities 262 00:23:54.085 --> 00:23:56.685 and I want our lives to experience the life that Jesus came 263 00:23:56.685 --> 00:23:58.605 to make available, not just at a high moment, 264 00:23:58.745 --> 00:24:00.005 not just at a Christmas Eve service, 265 00:24:00.025 --> 00:24:01.525 but in the middle of real life. 266 00:24:01.825 --> 00:24:05.325 And so our theme is we head into thank you Mac for that. 267 00:24:05.325 --> 00:24:06.325 Amen. We're gonna keep 'em coming. 268 00:24:06.705 --> 00:24:09.565 Our theme for 2026 is this, it's very, 269 00:24:09.565 --> 00:24:13.365 very simple rooted in the word communities on mission. 270 00:24:13.985 --> 00:24:15.925 That's what we're heading into in 2026. 271 00:24:16.105 --> 00:24:18.165 And so what we're gonna do is we're gonna kick off this year 272 00:24:18.395 --> 00:24:19.805 with the four week series 273 00:24:19.865 --> 00:24:22.885 and overview of the book of Colossians, the author Paul, 274 00:24:22.905 --> 00:24:24.405 he wrote this letter to a church 275 00:24:24.405 --> 00:24:25.725 that's being pulled off center. 276 00:24:25.725 --> 00:24:28.165 They're being distracted from what's most important 277 00:24:28.905 --> 00:24:31.325 and he encourages them in how to remain steady. 278 00:24:31.745 --> 00:24:33.085 And so this week what we're gonna do, 279 00:24:33.085 --> 00:24:35.005 we're gonna be primarily in chapter one. 280 00:24:35.185 --> 00:24:36.925 Uh, it's gonna set the stage for this series 281 00:24:36.945 --> 00:24:38.125 and really ultimately the year. 282 00:24:38.385 --> 00:24:40.405 But I'm gonna share a bit about what it is 283 00:24:40.405 --> 00:24:43.485 that God's calling us into as we head into 2026. 284 00:24:43.785 --> 00:24:46.965 How do we remain rooted in Jesus in a world 285 00:24:46.965 --> 00:24:49.645 that is constantly and consistently feeling chaotic? 286 00:24:50.465 --> 00:24:52.245 And so if you have your Bibles, I want you to turn 287 00:24:52.265 --> 00:24:53.725 to Colossians chapter one. 288 00:24:54.385 --> 00:24:56.205 And uh, while you're turning there, uh, 289 00:24:56.245 --> 00:24:57.485 I want to challenge you with a few things. 290 00:24:57.485 --> 00:25:00.645 Number one, read along during this series. 291 00:25:01.105 --> 00:25:02.485 And I don't just mean like when you're here. 292 00:25:02.485 --> 00:25:04.525 Yes, bring your bibles and read along while you're here, 293 00:25:04.745 --> 00:25:06.845 but like read along throughout the month, okay? 294 00:25:06.845 --> 00:25:09.885 There's four chapters in this letter to the Church of Colos. 295 00:25:10.145 --> 00:25:11.925 Uh, we're gonna be in the series for four weeks. 296 00:25:11.925 --> 00:25:13.045 So that's one chapter week. 297 00:25:13.045 --> 00:25:15.765 So this week read chapter one every day. It's not that long. 298 00:25:15.875 --> 00:25:18.485 Chapter two, next week, chapter three, chapter four. 299 00:25:18.485 --> 00:25:21.765 So read along number two, I want you to be here every week. 300 00:25:22.555 --> 00:25:24.885 This series is setting the stage for what it is 301 00:25:24.885 --> 00:25:27.325 that God's calling us into as a church family. 302 00:25:27.385 --> 00:25:29.045 So let's be committed to being here. 303 00:25:29.045 --> 00:25:30.965 And then lastly, I wanna encourage you, 304 00:25:30.985 --> 00:25:33.005 invite, invite other people. 305 00:25:33.975 --> 00:25:35.925 We're covering the basics in this series of 306 00:25:36.045 --> 00:25:37.485 what it really means to follow Jesus. 307 00:25:37.625 --> 00:25:40.405 And you never know who actually needs this in their lives. 308 00:25:41.065 --> 00:25:42.405 So let's invite those around us. 309 00:25:42.665 --> 00:25:44.565 Uh, the text this morning, we're gonna start, uh, 310 00:25:44.565 --> 00:25:46.645 in Colossians chapter one, verse nine. 311 00:25:46.865 --> 00:25:49.685 As a heads up, we're not gonna read every verse in every 312 00:25:49.685 --> 00:25:51.245 chapter throughout this series. 313 00:25:51.365 --> 00:25:52.285 I would encourage you to do that 314 00:25:52.285 --> 00:25:53.405 on your own as you're reading. 315 00:25:53.465 --> 00:25:55.525 If you have any questions, we'd love to answer those. 316 00:25:55.705 --> 00:25:59.325 Uh, you can email Aaron Nelson at Aaron m@gethope.net. 317 00:25:59.325 --> 00:26:01.045 He would love to answer those questions for you. 318 00:26:01.295 --> 00:26:02.845 We're gonna start out today in verse nine. 319 00:26:02.845 --> 00:26:05.085 And what I love is Paul is not writing 320 00:26:05.145 --> 00:26:06.565 to a church that's rejected Jesus. 321 00:26:06.925 --> 00:26:08.565 Remember, we don't necessarily reject 322 00:26:08.585 --> 00:26:09.805 the life that Jesus has for us. 323 00:26:09.905 --> 00:26:11.045 We just drift away because 324 00:26:11.065 --> 00:26:12.445 of the things sneak into our lives. 325 00:26:12.825 --> 00:26:15.125 But he starts out not just by telling him what to do, 326 00:26:15.945 --> 00:26:18.125 he starts out by showing his shepherd's heart for him. 327 00:26:18.225 --> 00:26:20.045 And in verse nine he says, 328 00:26:20.145 --> 00:26:23.565 and so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray 329 00:26:23.565 --> 00:26:27.885 for you that shepherding language that's a pastor's heart, 330 00:26:27.885 --> 00:26:29.205 he's saying, you're on my mind. 331 00:26:29.205 --> 00:26:31.165 You're on my heart. And so I'm taking you 332 00:26:31.165 --> 00:26:32.765 before the throne room of God. 333 00:26:33.875 --> 00:26:35.965 What does he pray for them? He says, I'm asking 334 00:26:35.965 --> 00:26:38.205 that you may be filled with the knowledge 335 00:26:38.205 --> 00:26:41.445 of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 336 00:26:41.625 --> 00:26:42.925 In other words, he's saying, I don't 337 00:26:42.925 --> 00:26:43.965 want you to be confused. 338 00:26:44.645 --> 00:26:47.005 I want you to be clear. I want you to be steady in the midst 339 00:26:47.005 --> 00:26:49.165 of life's ups and downs, in the midst of the, 340 00:26:49.225 --> 00:26:50.365 the potential to drift. 341 00:26:50.765 --> 00:26:54.565 I want you to be rooted verse 10, so as 342 00:26:54.565 --> 00:26:57.005 to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord 343 00:26:57.385 --> 00:26:59.085 that's fully pleasing to him. 344 00:27:01.265 --> 00:27:04.045 Now be clear. This is not to say to earn God's love. 345 00:27:04.715 --> 00:27:05.805 He's saying live in a way 346 00:27:05.805 --> 00:27:07.805 that appropriately responds to the gospel. 347 00:27:08.185 --> 00:27:09.725 If you understand the gospel, 348 00:27:09.865 --> 00:27:11.765 if you understand the good news of who Jesus is 349 00:27:11.765 --> 00:27:13.925 and what he's done for us, then let's walk in a way 350 00:27:13.925 --> 00:27:15.165 that's worthy of that. 351 00:27:15.385 --> 00:27:17.845 And then Paul goes on to describe what that life looks like. 352 00:27:18.105 --> 00:27:20.645 He says, bearing fruit in every good work 353 00:27:21.185 --> 00:27:24.845 and increasing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened 354 00:27:24.845 --> 00:27:28.085 with all power according to his glorious might 355 00:27:28.545 --> 00:27:31.725 for all endurance and patience with joy. 356 00:27:32.785 --> 00:27:34.765 And when we talk about what's the life that's available 357 00:27:34.785 --> 00:27:37.605 to us because of Jesus, that's what Paul's saying, 358 00:27:37.655 --> 00:27:39.485 stand a life filled with Jesus is a life 359 00:27:39.485 --> 00:27:40.965 of fruitfulness, bearing fruit. 360 00:27:41.025 --> 00:27:43.485 In every good work we're having an impact in our life. 361 00:27:44.225 --> 00:27:46.685 Growth, increasing in the knowledge of God. 362 00:27:46.685 --> 00:27:48.285 We can't love God if we don't know God. 363 00:27:48.285 --> 00:27:49.685 We can't live the life that God has 364 00:27:49.685 --> 00:27:51.485 for us if we don't spend time in his word. 365 00:27:51.665 --> 00:27:53.765 How about strength being strengthened according 366 00:27:53.765 --> 00:27:54.925 to his glorious mind? 367 00:27:54.925 --> 00:27:56.645 Isn't it good news that we don't have to go 368 00:27:56.645 --> 00:27:58.325 through life on our own strength? 369 00:28:00.165 --> 00:28:02.025 And he said, no, I want you to experience this. 370 00:28:02.025 --> 00:28:05.865 That's my prayer. And then endurance and patience with joy. 371 00:28:07.045 --> 00:28:09.625 How with with those still up, up on the screen, how many 372 00:28:09.625 --> 00:28:11.385 of us would love to say that we would love 373 00:28:11.385 --> 00:28:12.825 to live a life marked by those things? 374 00:28:15.365 --> 00:28:17.705 And if you, if you sit in those for a second, you realize 375 00:28:17.705 --> 00:28:20.825 that's not hype, that's not adrenaline. 376 00:28:21.335 --> 00:28:24.705 Like that's deep roots that can stand steady in the midst of 377 00:28:24.705 --> 00:28:25.705 what life throws at us. 378 00:28:26.845 --> 00:28:29.745 He goes on verse 12, giving thanks to the father 379 00:28:30.325 --> 00:28:32.865 who has qualified you to share in the inheritance 380 00:28:32.965 --> 00:28:34.585 of the saints in light. 381 00:28:34.685 --> 00:28:35.945 In other words, he's saying, I want you 382 00:28:35.945 --> 00:28:38.465 to regularly recognize and thank God for who he is 383 00:28:38.465 --> 00:28:40.905 and what he's done, what he saved you from what he saved you 384 00:28:40.905 --> 00:28:42.105 to and the life that's possible. 385 00:28:42.205 --> 00:28:43.425 He said, I don't want you to go through life 386 00:28:43.425 --> 00:28:44.465 bitter and angry. 387 00:28:45.485 --> 00:28:46.985 You recognize one of the best ways 388 00:28:46.985 --> 00:28:48.385 that we can combat bitterness 389 00:28:48.385 --> 00:28:50.425 and anger in our lives is through a life of gratitude. 390 00:28:51.125 --> 00:28:53.025 He said, I'm praying that you just remember how God, 391 00:28:53.125 --> 00:28:55.105 how good God is to you in your life. 392 00:28:56.915 --> 00:28:58.825 Verse 13 and 14, he says, here's why. 393 00:28:58.825 --> 00:29:02.265 Don't forget because he has delivered us from the domain 394 00:29:02.325 --> 00:29:05.625 of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom 395 00:29:05.805 --> 00:29:07.065 of his beloved son 396 00:29:07.245 --> 00:29:10.785 and whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 397 00:29:11.405 --> 00:29:12.545 Here's the foundation. 398 00:29:13.005 --> 00:29:15.385 I'm praying that you are rooted in the truth. 399 00:29:15.385 --> 00:29:18.065 That God has delivered you, has transferred you, 400 00:29:18.285 --> 00:29:20.385 has redeemed you and has forgiven you. 401 00:29:22.475 --> 00:29:25.095 And just for a minute, d does anyone in here need 402 00:29:25.095 --> 00:29:26.295 to be reminded of that this morning? 403 00:29:28.025 --> 00:29:32.155 Like if you have placed your trust in your hope in Jesus 404 00:29:32.245 --> 00:29:34.875 going to the cross and paying the penalty for your sins 405 00:29:35.175 --> 00:29:37.915 and that he rose from the grave three days later overcoming 406 00:29:37.975 --> 00:29:40.195 sin to death, your sins are forgiven. 407 00:29:40.665 --> 00:29:42.605 Amen. Paul said, I don't want you to forget that. 408 00:29:42.755 --> 00:29:43.765 Like don't go through life 409 00:29:43.785 --> 00:29:45.285 and get caught up in all the turmoil 410 00:29:45.285 --> 00:29:47.285 and like lose sight of what's most important. 411 00:29:47.685 --> 00:29:49.405 I had the privilege this past week 412 00:29:50.065 --> 00:29:52.045 and I will try hard not to get emotional about this. 413 00:29:52.425 --> 00:29:56.605 Um, to go sit bedside by a man that I deeply respect 414 00:29:56.605 --> 00:29:59.125 and he's been on this earth far more years than I have. 415 00:29:59.665 --> 00:30:02.525 And um, he has an incurable disease. 416 00:30:03.265 --> 00:30:05.605 And the reality is, and I don't wanna sound cold like it 417 00:30:05.605 --> 00:30:07.645 could be six days, it could be six months. 418 00:30:08.305 --> 00:30:10.565 And um, he shared with his wife, 419 00:30:10.665 --> 00:30:12.005 and this is a guy, listen, this is a 420 00:30:12.005 --> 00:30:13.085 guy who's been faithful to his wife. 421 00:30:13.085 --> 00:30:14.565 They've been married almost 50 years, 422 00:30:15.355 --> 00:30:17.365 he's retired the United States Navy. 423 00:30:18.025 --> 00:30:19.605 He spent time serving as a pastor. 424 00:30:21.195 --> 00:30:23.805 He's raised godly children who are raising godly children. 425 00:30:24.345 --> 00:30:26.765 And he said to her with tears in his eyes, I'm just afraid 426 00:30:27.965 --> 00:30:30.525 'cause I'm, I'm what if I let God down? 427 00:30:31.695 --> 00:30:33.995 And so I had the privilege to go sit bedside 428 00:30:34.495 --> 00:30:36.355 and open up God's word 429 00:30:37.535 --> 00:30:40.675 and remind him that he has delivered us from the domain 430 00:30:40.675 --> 00:30:42.635 of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom 431 00:30:42.695 --> 00:30:43.715 of his beloved son 432 00:30:43.895 --> 00:30:46.915 and whom we have redemption for the forgiveness of sins. 433 00:30:47.035 --> 00:30:48.595 I had the privilege to open God's word 434 00:30:48.595 --> 00:30:50.355 and get back rooted in the truth that man, 435 00:30:50.355 --> 00:30:51.835 if we have called on the name of Jesus, 436 00:30:52.785 --> 00:30:54.515 that we will have life and have it eternal. 437 00:30:54.515 --> 00:30:56.515 That Jesus not only came one and went to a cross, 438 00:30:56.655 --> 00:30:58.915 but he's coming back and one day he's gonna put all this 439 00:30:58.915 --> 00:31:00.075 brokenness back together again 440 00:31:00.135 --> 00:31:02.195 and wipe all these tears away from our eyes. 441 00:31:02.215 --> 00:31:04.555 And then with tears in his eyes, he just looked at me 442 00:31:04.555 --> 00:31:06.395 and he said, thank you. 443 00:31:07.935 --> 00:31:10.315 We need to be reminded of these truths. 444 00:31:10.975 --> 00:31:13.355 And so Paul's heart, he's saying with a shepherding heart, 445 00:31:13.595 --> 00:31:14.955 I don't want you to live a thin, 446 00:31:15.635 --> 00:31:17.355 distracted, exhausted faith. 447 00:31:17.475 --> 00:31:20.075 I want you full and fruitful and strong and steady 448 00:31:20.375 --> 00:31:23.715 and joyful because you know what you have in Jesus. 449 00:31:24.215 --> 00:31:27.675 And hope that is my prayer for us as we head into 2026. 450 00:31:28.185 --> 00:31:29.995 It's not, it's not about numbers. Alright? 451 00:31:30.375 --> 00:31:32.755 Yes, we wanna have more people in our gatherings 452 00:31:32.755 --> 00:31:34.035 and more problems in the parking 453 00:31:34.035 --> 00:31:35.115 lot and all that kind of stuff. 454 00:31:35.255 --> 00:31:37.755 Yes. But it's about remaining steady 455 00:31:37.895 --> 00:31:40.715 and remembering who Jesus is and what he calls us into. 456 00:31:40.935 --> 00:31:43.635 But Paul knows that the real way drift gets solved. 457 00:31:44.425 --> 00:31:45.915 It's not to tell people to try harder. 458 00:31:47.775 --> 00:31:49.755 The real way drift gets solved is 459 00:31:49.755 --> 00:31:51.635 by giving people a bigger Jesus. 460 00:31:52.855 --> 00:31:56.715 And so we're gonna read Colossians chapter one, verse 15 461 00:31:57.065 --> 00:31:58.115 through 23. 462 00:31:58.655 --> 00:32:00.835 And what Paul does is he lifts their eyes 463 00:32:01.775 --> 00:32:05.075 and he says, let me remind you about our king. 464 00:32:06.095 --> 00:32:08.235 Let me get your eyes off of all the other stuff 465 00:32:08.235 --> 00:32:09.675 that you might be distracted by. 466 00:32:09.775 --> 00:32:12.235 And so we started doing something towards the end of 2025 467 00:32:12.255 --> 00:32:13.795 and we just stood when we read scripture, 468 00:32:13.795 --> 00:32:14.955 especially large chunks. 469 00:32:15.095 --> 00:32:17.275 And so just out of reverence for the word of God, 470 00:32:17.295 --> 00:32:20.635 can I have you all stand across both of our campuses, 471 00:32:20.695 --> 00:32:22.115 you two over at Apex by the way, 472 00:32:22.115 --> 00:32:23.235 happy New Year too well as well. 473 00:32:26.255 --> 00:32:30.355 And I want you to hear these words in the midst 474 00:32:30.375 --> 00:32:31.555 of your potential drift. 475 00:32:31.875 --> 00:32:33.315 I don't know what 2025 is like. 476 00:32:33.715 --> 00:32:35.435 I don't know what New Year's resolutions you already 477 00:32:35.435 --> 00:32:36.555 made that you probably already broke. 478 00:32:37.235 --> 00:32:38.875 I don't know what those are. But in the midst of that, 479 00:32:38.875 --> 00:32:42.085 in the midst of your pain, your shame, your fear, I want you 480 00:32:42.085 --> 00:32:44.325 to hear this reminder about your savior 481 00:32:44.705 --> 00:32:48.605 and King Colossians chapter one, verse 15, he is the image 482 00:32:48.605 --> 00:32:52.285 of the invisible God, the firstborn 483 00:32:52.705 --> 00:32:53.725 of all creation. 484 00:32:53.825 --> 00:32:56.685 For by him all things were created in heaven 485 00:32:56.825 --> 00:32:58.845 and on earth, visible and invisible. 486 00:32:58.845 --> 00:33:00.965 Whether thrones or dominions or rulers 487 00:33:00.965 --> 00:33:03.245 or authorities, all things were created 488 00:33:03.275 --> 00:33:04.925 through him and for him. 489 00:33:05.385 --> 00:33:07.245 And he is before all things. 490 00:33:08.225 --> 00:33:11.445 And in him all things hold together. 491 00:33:12.065 --> 00:33:13.925 And he's the head of the body, the church, 492 00:33:14.195 --> 00:33:17.045 he's the beginning, the firstborn from the dead 493 00:33:17.045 --> 00:33:19.645 that in everything he might be preeminent. 494 00:33:19.675 --> 00:33:23.645 That means with him there is no rival for in Him. 495 00:33:23.785 --> 00:33:25.845 All the fullness of God was pleased to dwell 496 00:33:25.905 --> 00:33:28.765 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, 497 00:33:28.835 --> 00:33:29.885 whether on earth 498 00:33:30.225 --> 00:33:33.965 or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 499 00:33:34.355 --> 00:33:37.605 This is the word of the Lord. Amen. Thanks sweet to God. 500 00:33:37.605 --> 00:33:39.525 Yeah, you gotta celebrate that. That's true. 501 00:33:40.625 --> 00:33:41.885 You can go ahead and have a seat 502 00:33:41.885 --> 00:33:43.005 and I'm just gonna unpack it. 503 00:33:43.005 --> 00:33:44.325 But this is one of the biggest 504 00:33:44.645 --> 00:33:45.765 portraits of Jesus in the Bible. 505 00:33:45.945 --> 00:33:47.885 And it's here because when Jesus is small, 506 00:33:47.935 --> 00:33:49.285 everything else seems big. 507 00:33:50.025 --> 00:33:52.165 That's just a reality. But when Jesus is big, 508 00:33:52.255 --> 00:33:54.325 everything else starts finding his place. 509 00:33:54.515 --> 00:33:57.685 When we see Jesus for who he is, we don't drift away. 510 00:33:58.535 --> 00:33:59.925 We're actually drawn back to him. 511 00:34:01.305 --> 00:34:02.805 And so that's what this text is all about. 512 00:34:02.805 --> 00:34:04.925 Verse 15, he's the image of the invisible God, 513 00:34:04.925 --> 00:34:06.205 the firstborn, overall creation. 514 00:34:06.205 --> 00:34:07.885 Paul's saying, if you wanna know God, his heart, 515 00:34:07.985 --> 00:34:10.605 his character look no further than the person of Jesus. 516 00:34:10.875 --> 00:34:11.925 Look to the one who, 517 00:34:11.935 --> 00:34:13.965 whose birth we actually celebrated in a 518 00:34:13.965 --> 00:34:15.165 manger just a couple weeks back. 519 00:34:16.925 --> 00:34:19.005 A small theological caveat here 520 00:34:19.005 --> 00:34:20.765 that actually has significant implications. 521 00:34:21.315 --> 00:34:23.285 When Paul says first born, he's actually, 522 00:34:23.685 --> 00:34:25.485 actually doesn't mean that Jesus was created. 523 00:34:26.195 --> 00:34:28.405 What he means is that Jesus is supreme. 524 00:34:28.515 --> 00:34:30.725 He's first in rank, first in authority, 525 00:34:30.745 --> 00:34:32.525 the rightful error over all creation. 526 00:34:32.745 --> 00:34:33.885 That's who Jesus is. 527 00:34:33.935 --> 00:34:38.165 Verse 16, for by him all things were created. You know what? 528 00:34:38.165 --> 00:34:41.445 All things actually translates to all thanks. 529 00:34:42.155 --> 00:34:45.325 Literally means all. Thanks. Jesus isn't part of your world. 530 00:34:45.325 --> 00:34:46.805 Listen, Jesus isn't part of our world. 531 00:34:47.035 --> 00:34:51.005 He's the creator of our world. Amen. Verse 17. 532 00:34:51.185 --> 00:34:52.645 And he's before all things. 533 00:34:53.065 --> 00:34:55.085 And in him all things hold together. 534 00:34:55.115 --> 00:34:57.445 This is my wife's favorite verse in, in all of scripture. 535 00:34:57.945 --> 00:35:02.625 And I just wanna allow us to, to be reminded of this 536 00:35:03.085 --> 00:35:06.905 or accept it for the first time in the midst 537 00:35:06.905 --> 00:35:09.425 of whatever seems to be falling apart in our lives. 538 00:35:09.585 --> 00:35:11.785 I just want us to publicly remind each other of this. 539 00:35:12.045 --> 00:35:14.465 So we're actually gonna say it together out loud 540 00:35:14.465 --> 00:35:16.345 because some of us need to hear this out loud. 541 00:35:16.645 --> 00:35:19.625 So across both of our campuses, in the midst of your pain, 542 00:35:19.935 --> 00:35:22.585 your doubt, your shame, your fear, your drift. 543 00:35:22.585 --> 00:35:24.545 And I'm trusting that the communications team is gonna have 544 00:35:24.545 --> 00:35:25.585 verse 17 on stream. 545 00:35:25.785 --> 00:35:27.185 'cause I know we don't all have it memorized. 546 00:35:27.315 --> 00:35:30.105 There we go all together, we're gonna read it twice. 547 00:35:30.525 --> 00:35:32.545 And he is before all things. 548 00:35:33.245 --> 00:35:36.905 And in him all things hold together again. 549 00:35:37.465 --> 00:35:39.485 And he is before all things. 550 00:35:40.145 --> 00:35:42.885 And in him all things hold together. 551 00:35:46.465 --> 00:35:49.085 Can we just recognize that some of us are tempted to try 552 00:35:49.085 --> 00:35:53.775 to be the glue in our own lives, holding it together, work, 553 00:35:54.695 --> 00:35:57.075 school, our marriage, 554 00:35:58.185 --> 00:36:00.155 Kids sports, 555 00:36:02.305 --> 00:36:03.345 Pressure, our emotions. 556 00:36:03.345 --> 00:36:08.175 And Paul's saying, Hey, it's not your job, it's in him 557 00:36:08.175 --> 00:36:09.335 that all things hold together. 558 00:36:09.785 --> 00:36:10.935 Don't lose sight of it. We don't, 559 00:36:10.935 --> 00:36:13.695 we don't need smaller problems in our lives. 560 00:36:13.915 --> 00:36:16.175 We need to be reminded of the strength of our savior. 561 00:36:17.915 --> 00:36:20.255 And that's not, that's not to to shortchange anything 562 00:36:20.255 --> 00:36:22.935 that any of us are going through, but he created it all. 563 00:36:22.955 --> 00:36:25.535 He has authority over it all and he holds it all together. 564 00:36:25.945 --> 00:36:27.495 We've gotta be rooted in that truth. 565 00:36:29.505 --> 00:36:32.575 Verse 18, I gotta speed up. 566 00:36:34.045 --> 00:36:35.095 He's the head of the body. 567 00:36:35.315 --> 00:36:37.695 The church hope doesn't center this church. 568 00:36:37.695 --> 00:36:40.575 When I say hope, I mean like our local tiny expression 569 00:36:40.635 --> 00:36:41.935 of God's global church. 570 00:36:42.165 --> 00:36:44.135 Hope doesn't center around preferences, 571 00:36:44.245 --> 00:36:46.095 personalities, or platforms. 572 00:36:47.305 --> 00:36:50.845 It doesn't center around where the best preacher is. 573 00:36:53.655 --> 00:36:56.035 It doesn't even center around where the live preacher is. 574 00:36:57.295 --> 00:36:58.715 And we hear that from time to time. 575 00:36:58.715 --> 00:37:01.675 Like where's the no no, Jesus is the head. 576 00:37:02.255 --> 00:37:05.595 He sets the agenda, he's the focus always has 577 00:37:05.595 --> 00:37:07.115 been, always will be. 578 00:37:07.985 --> 00:37:09.515 Then you get to verse 19 and 20. 579 00:37:09.515 --> 00:37:11.915 And most importantly he says, to reconcile 580 00:37:12.135 --> 00:37:14.515 to himself all things, whether on earth 581 00:37:14.815 --> 00:37:18.955 or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 582 00:37:21.675 --> 00:37:23.015 That's why Jesus is enough. 583 00:37:24.735 --> 00:37:28.405 He doesn't just inspire you, he saves you. 584 00:37:29.375 --> 00:37:33.115 He Doesn't just guide you, he reconciles you. 585 00:37:34.595 --> 00:37:38.215 He makes peace with God through his blood on a cross. 586 00:37:38.685 --> 00:37:40.895 Amen. What does that mean? 587 00:37:40.895 --> 00:37:43.415 Because I know there's gotta be some people around that 588 00:37:43.415 --> 00:37:46.975 that don't understand that The Bible tells us 589 00:37:47.165 --> 00:37:49.455 that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 590 00:37:50.515 --> 00:37:54.175 The Bible also tells us that the wages of sin is death. 591 00:37:54.195 --> 00:37:56.175 So it was a result of us not living the life 592 00:37:56.175 --> 00:37:57.175 that God created us to live. 593 00:37:57.175 --> 00:37:58.655 And and by the way, we'll cover this in a minute. 594 00:37:58.655 --> 00:38:00.575 That's you, that's me, that's all of us. Alright? 595 00:38:01.035 --> 00:38:04.615 Um, as a result of that, we deserve separation from God. 596 00:38:04.885 --> 00:38:06.855 Hebrews tells us that for the forgiveness of sins, 597 00:38:06.855 --> 00:38:08.015 there has to be shedding of blood. 598 00:38:08.015 --> 00:38:09.695 That's why if you read the Old Testament, 599 00:38:09.695 --> 00:38:11.695 you read about all these sacrifices that 600 00:38:11.815 --> 00:38:13.215 that God's people were making. 601 00:38:13.525 --> 00:38:16.495 It's because, because of their sins, something actually had 602 00:38:16.495 --> 00:38:18.655 to die to pay the price for that sin. 603 00:38:18.885 --> 00:38:20.695 Well, there's prophecies in the Old Testament 604 00:38:20.695 --> 00:38:23.015 that says one day a savior will come 605 00:38:23.315 --> 00:38:25.255 to take on the sins of all the world. 606 00:38:27.565 --> 00:38:29.955 Jesus was that savior whose birth 607 00:38:29.955 --> 00:38:31.715 that we just celebrated on Christmas. 608 00:38:31.895 --> 00:38:34.115 But he didn't stay a baby. He grew into a man. 609 00:38:34.295 --> 00:38:36.845 He healed the sick. He he preached good news. 610 00:38:37.305 --> 00:38:39.245 He, he showed people this is 611 00:38:39.245 --> 00:38:41.405 what a life following God is all about. 612 00:38:41.705 --> 00:38:46.005 But then he unjustly at the end of his life, went to a cross 613 00:38:47.105 --> 00:38:48.125 in his perfection. 614 00:38:48.225 --> 00:38:51.245 He went to a cross and paid the price for our sins. 615 00:38:51.265 --> 00:38:54.085 He died the death that we deserved to die. 616 00:38:54.865 --> 00:38:57.365 And the Bible says that whosoever would believe in that 617 00:38:57.505 --> 00:38:59.365 and that he rose again three days later 618 00:38:59.835 --> 00:39:02.965 that would call on the name of Jesus would have new life. 619 00:39:03.705 --> 00:39:08.645 That's what Paul's talking about. We'll see if that'll stay. 620 00:39:10.225 --> 00:39:11.485 And then he makes it personal. 621 00:39:12.695 --> 00:39:14.425 Look at what he says in verse 21. 622 00:39:15.885 --> 00:39:18.945 He says, and you who were once alienated 623 00:39:19.045 --> 00:39:21.425 and hostile in mind doing evil deeds. 624 00:39:21.565 --> 00:39:23.705 So again, that's you and that's me. 625 00:39:23.835 --> 00:39:25.585 Level playing field here at the foot of the cross. 626 00:39:25.885 --> 00:39:27.385 And you who are once alienated 627 00:39:27.385 --> 00:39:29.985 and hostile in mind doing evil deeds. 628 00:39:30.125 --> 00:39:32.785 He is now reconciled in his body of flesh 629 00:39:33.325 --> 00:39:37.225 by his death in order to present you holy and blameless 630 00:39:37.525 --> 00:39:39.745 and above reproach before God. 631 00:39:42.865 --> 00:39:45.085 If indeed you continue in the faith, stable 632 00:39:45.105 --> 00:39:47.365 and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel 633 00:39:47.365 --> 00:39:49.405 that you heard, which has been proclaimed 634 00:39:49.625 --> 00:39:52.165 and all creation under heaven, of which I Paul 635 00:39:52.905 --> 00:39:54.045 became a minister. 636 00:39:54.045 --> 00:39:56.645 Paul reminds us of the gospel that we were once alienated, 637 00:39:56.645 --> 00:39:57.965 that we were separated from God, 638 00:39:58.145 --> 00:39:59.885 but now we've been given a life of hope. 639 00:40:00.095 --> 00:40:01.365 We've now been reconciled. 640 00:40:01.365 --> 00:40:04.925 And in verse 23, he calls us to, to this big if 641 00:40:05.705 --> 00:40:07.245 to gives us this big if, 642 00:40:07.985 --> 00:40:11.405 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable 643 00:40:11.665 --> 00:40:14.605 and steadfast, not shifting from the hope 644 00:40:14.605 --> 00:40:16.005 of the gospel that you heard. 645 00:40:16.435 --> 00:40:18.685 He's recognizing the temptation is to drift. 646 00:40:20.755 --> 00:40:24.095 And that word, if it should grab us like that says, 647 00:40:24.095 --> 00:40:27.515 there's a contingency on what will experience. 648 00:40:27.535 --> 00:40:29.395 And so we have a role to play. 649 00:40:29.575 --> 00:40:31.275 So how do we continue stable 650 00:40:31.375 --> 00:40:33.715 and steadfast in a world that constantly 651 00:40:34.095 --> 00:40:35.915 and consistently pulls us off center? 652 00:40:36.975 --> 00:40:38.475 That's what this series is all about. 653 00:40:39.215 --> 00:40:40.315 How do we remain rooted? 654 00:40:41.935 --> 00:40:44.875 And so I wanna show you really our theme verse for the year. 655 00:40:44.975 --> 00:40:46.555 And so I want you to highlight this, 656 00:40:46.605 --> 00:40:48.315 write it down in your journal, uh, 657 00:40:48.375 --> 00:40:50.315 put it up on your refrigerator, put it on your visor. 658 00:40:50.315 --> 00:40:51.875 Parents read it to your kids on the way 659 00:40:51.875 --> 00:40:53.195 to school, college students. 660 00:40:53.255 --> 00:40:55.115 Put it up in your dorm room. If you're a professional 661 00:40:55.115 --> 00:40:57.875 and you have a desk job, if people do that anymore, uh, 662 00:40:58.155 --> 00:41:00.035 I want you to frame it and put it up on your desk. 663 00:41:00.155 --> 00:41:02.115 I know everybody, a lot of people work remote, 664 00:41:02.455 --> 00:41:04.275 but man, we've gotta remind ourselves 665 00:41:04.275 --> 00:41:07.275 of this Colossians chapter two verse six and seven. 666 00:41:08.785 --> 00:41:12.315 Therefore, as you received Christ, Jesus the Lord, 667 00:41:13.415 --> 00:41:17.515 so walk in him rooted and built up in him 668 00:41:17.615 --> 00:41:20.755 and established in the faith just as you were taught 669 00:41:21.505 --> 00:41:23.315 abounding in Thanksgiving. 670 00:41:24.895 --> 00:41:26.915 The way that you started is the way that you grow 671 00:41:26.935 --> 00:41:30.675 as you've received Christ, walk with Jesus, remain 672 00:41:30.675 --> 00:41:33.205 with Jesus, become rooted and built up in him. 673 00:41:33.205 --> 00:41:34.325 And so here's the theme again, 674 00:41:34.325 --> 00:41:36.645 rooted in the word community's on mission. 675 00:41:37.305 --> 00:41:39.085 And that's not because it just sounds good. 676 00:41:39.185 --> 00:41:41.605 That's because we've gotta keep Jesus at the center. 677 00:41:41.745 --> 00:41:42.845 And so throughout this letter, 678 00:41:42.865 --> 00:41:44.405 Paul's gonna remind us of a few things. 679 00:41:44.665 --> 00:41:46.965 Uh, this is how we've got the rest of the series mapped out. 680 00:41:47.555 --> 00:41:50.005 Next week we're gonna look at Colossians chapter three, 681 00:41:50.005 --> 00:41:52.005 verse 16, rooted in the word. 682 00:41:52.005 --> 00:41:53.685 Paul says, let the word of Christ 683 00:41:54.255 --> 00:41:58.165 dwell in you richly not visit, dwell, 684 00:41:59.865 --> 00:42:02.565 not skim, but soak. 685 00:42:02.585 --> 00:42:04.885 He says, let the word make a home in you 686 00:42:04.885 --> 00:42:08.715 because what dwells in you will shape you week 687 00:42:08.715 --> 00:42:09.875 after that will look at what it means 688 00:42:09.875 --> 00:42:11.075 to be rooted in prayer. 689 00:42:11.825 --> 00:42:13.395 Paul says in Colossians, chapter four, 690 00:42:13.395 --> 00:42:15.635 to continue steadfastly in prayer. 691 00:42:15.815 --> 00:42:17.395 Prayer is how we start living. 692 00:42:17.425 --> 00:42:20.155 Like life doesn't actually depend on us. 693 00:42:21.575 --> 00:42:22.755 That's where we find peace. 694 00:42:22.935 --> 00:42:24.315 And then Paul ties prayer to mission. 695 00:42:24.315 --> 00:42:26.835 He says, pray for the door to be open for the word. 696 00:42:27.255 --> 00:42:29.875 So prayer doesn't just calm us, it actually orients us 697 00:42:29.895 --> 00:42:32.275 and it sends us out in Jesus's mission on 698 00:42:32.275 --> 00:42:33.675 Jesus's mission to the world around us. 699 00:42:33.855 --> 00:42:35.635 And then we'll close out the series by looking at 700 00:42:35.635 --> 00:42:39.075 what it means to be rooted in community on mission. 701 00:42:39.285 --> 00:42:41.435 We're gonna see our call Paul, the way Paul says it is 702 00:42:41.435 --> 00:42:43.955 to walk in wisdom towards outsiders. 703 00:42:45.295 --> 00:42:48.635 See a Jesus centered a Jesus' mission oriented church. 704 00:42:48.775 --> 00:42:53.635 It lives outward, wise and gracious and intentional. 705 00:42:55.105 --> 00:42:56.845 See Rose that we're in right now, this, 706 00:42:57.115 --> 00:42:58.445 this can inspire people 707 00:42:59.505 --> 00:43:01.725 but life together, it it sustains us. 708 00:43:01.785 --> 00:43:03.805 It gives us purpose. It it's where we get formed. 709 00:43:04.315 --> 00:43:05.525 It's where we're cared for. 710 00:43:06.995 --> 00:43:08.655 And it's what we're actually sent out from 711 00:43:09.835 --> 00:43:12.335 rooted in the word communities on mission. 712 00:43:13.135 --> 00:43:15.855 I want you to know we are so committed to what this means. 713 00:43:16.235 --> 00:43:19.935 Uh, we're launching a new effort here at Hope this year, uh, 714 00:43:20.005 --> 00:43:22.415 that we're calling Rooted very appropriately named. 715 00:43:22.475 --> 00:43:23.615 We didn't come up with it. Um, 716 00:43:23.615 --> 00:43:25.975 it's actually been used all over the world, uh, 717 00:43:26.075 --> 00:43:29.055 as a discipleship environment, uh, for God's people. 718 00:43:29.115 --> 00:43:32.295 So rooted is a 12 week discipleship experience. 719 00:43:32.875 --> 00:43:35.455 And the best description that I've heard of it 720 00:43:35.455 --> 00:43:36.895 and I've gone through it, um, 721 00:43:37.115 --> 00:43:39.255 is it's a discipleship bootcamp, okay? 722 00:43:39.605 --> 00:43:41.375 Without the pushups and the burpees. 723 00:43:41.475 --> 00:43:43.215 So you don't have to worry about that though. 724 00:43:43.215 --> 00:43:45.215 It would help you with your fitness goal if you have those. 725 00:43:45.555 --> 00:43:47.855 Um, but you wanna find the strength 726 00:43:47.875 --> 00:43:49.655 and stability that Paul's talking about 727 00:43:49.915 --> 00:43:52.335 and discover the life that Jesus came to make available. 728 00:43:53.285 --> 00:43:55.895 This is foundational. You're gonna learn how 729 00:43:55.895 --> 00:43:57.375 to engage God through reading your Bible. 730 00:43:58.035 --> 00:43:59.255 You're gonna learn how to pray. 731 00:43:59.255 --> 00:44:00.335 You're gonna learn how the spirit 732 00:44:00.335 --> 00:44:03.575 of God can free you from addiction and shame. 733 00:44:03.955 --> 00:44:06.775 And you're gonna actually learn what it means to live life 734 00:44:06.795 --> 00:44:08.575 as a part of a community experiencing 735 00:44:08.605 --> 00:44:10.215 belonging and purpose together. 736 00:44:10.235 --> 00:44:11.415 And so when you're talking about 737 00:44:11.415 --> 00:44:12.455 12 weeks, what does that look like? 738 00:44:12.485 --> 00:44:14.335 It's not really a bootcamp where you like go away 739 00:44:14.335 --> 00:44:17.295 for 12 weeks, but it's one night a week for 12 weeks 740 00:44:17.295 --> 00:44:19.375 and you're thinking, man, 12 weeks is a long time. 741 00:44:19.855 --> 00:44:21.975 I know it's a long time. It's worth it. Okay? 742 00:44:22.335 --> 00:44:24.455 Remember the drift, the things that that can happen. 743 00:44:24.795 --> 00:44:26.255 And so it's one night a week 744 00:44:26.595 --> 00:44:29.935 and uh, our pastors have already gone through this. 745 00:44:30.825 --> 00:44:32.365 We've had our staff go through it. 746 00:44:32.365 --> 00:44:35.325 We've had 40 to 50 key leaders here at Hope kind of go 747 00:44:35.325 --> 00:44:38.045 through what we call rooted underground to experience 748 00:44:38.045 --> 00:44:40.085 what it's, and so for 12 weeks you get together, 749 00:44:40.505 --> 00:44:41.845 you have daily devotions. 750 00:44:41.845 --> 00:44:44.005 When you come together, you actually have a group of people 751 00:44:44.005 --> 00:44:46.125 that you share what it is that God's doing in your life. 752 00:44:46.345 --> 00:44:49.445 You talk through what it means to be rooted in your faith, 753 00:44:50.185 --> 00:44:51.965 and I'm telling you, it's life changing. 754 00:44:53.705 --> 00:44:54.885 And so we'll be talking about 755 00:44:54.885 --> 00:44:57.165 that quite a bit over the next, uh, few weeks. 756 00:44:57.385 --> 00:44:58.925 Uh, it's gonna launch in February. 757 00:44:58.985 --> 00:45:01.485 If you're interested in this, which I hope you are, 758 00:45:01.505 --> 00:45:03.405 if this is your church, I'm telling you you need to go 759 00:45:03.405 --> 00:45:06.885 through this text, the word rooted to 7 2 9 8 9. 760 00:45:06.885 --> 00:45:08.125 You're gonna be hearing that a 761 00:45:08.125 --> 00:45:09.205 lot over the next couple weeks. 762 00:45:09.225 --> 00:45:12.325 But you just text Rudy to 7 2 9 8 9 a link's gonna be sent 763 00:45:12.325 --> 00:45:15.325 to your phone and you can go through, uh, and jump in, uh, 764 00:45:15.385 --> 00:45:16.765 and get all your questions answered. 765 00:45:16.905 --> 00:45:19.365 If we can answer some questions that you might have 766 00:45:19.365 --> 00:45:21.045 before you do that, you can just head to next steps. 767 00:45:21.075 --> 00:45:22.405 We'd love to help you out there. Um, 768 00:45:22.505 --> 00:45:24.885 but listen, as we head into 2026, 769 00:45:25.035 --> 00:45:26.165 what does it look like for us? 770 00:45:26.285 --> 00:45:27.685 What are we trusting God for 771 00:45:27.745 --> 00:45:30.685 as we put our roots down into the foundation of the gospel? 772 00:45:30.865 --> 00:45:32.245 I'm gonna share a few things here with you. 773 00:45:32.585 --> 00:45:35.645 Um, this is what we're asking God for in 2026. 774 00:45:35.745 --> 00:45:38.365 Number one, we wanna see 800 men and women 775 00:45:38.385 --> 00:45:40.485 and students go through the rooted experience. 776 00:45:40.935 --> 00:45:44.245 800 you think, well, I thought we had like five, six, 777 00:45:44.415 --> 00:45:46.205 7,000 people who call Hope Home. 778 00:45:46.205 --> 00:45:48.605 Yeah, we do, but we can't do it with everyone at one time. 779 00:45:48.625 --> 00:45:50.565 And so we're starting, uh, with 800. 780 00:45:50.785 --> 00:45:53.525 So, uh, that's gonna be 400 in February. 781 00:45:53.545 --> 00:45:56.845 So 200 at the Apex campus, 200 at the Raleigh campus, 782 00:45:56.905 --> 00:45:59.285 and then again in the fall, 200 at the Apex campus, 783 00:45:59.545 --> 00:46:01.765 200 at the Raleigh campus. 784 00:46:01.985 --> 00:46:03.325 But that's not just to fill a room, 785 00:46:03.525 --> 00:46:04.805 it's, it's to form a people. 786 00:46:04.835 --> 00:46:08.525 It's to bring deep, strong roots to, to men and women 787 00:46:08.625 --> 00:46:11.085 and students so that they can fully experience the life 788 00:46:11.085 --> 00:46:13.925 that Jesus came to make available and to be able to go out 789 00:46:13.925 --> 00:46:15.925 and share that hope with the world around them. 790 00:46:16.105 --> 00:46:17.485 So that's rooted number two. 791 00:46:17.705 --> 00:46:19.725 We want to have see community group leaders 792 00:46:20.155 --> 00:46:22.765 that are equipped to shepherd and disciple 793 00:46:23.065 --> 00:46:24.925 and to lead their communities on mission. 794 00:46:25.905 --> 00:46:27.165 We wanna see men and women 795 00:46:27.185 --> 00:46:28.205 and students who are equipped 796 00:46:28.305 --> 00:46:30.285 to lead communities on mission in their neighborhoods, 797 00:46:30.545 --> 00:46:32.685 in their workplaces, in their schools, 798 00:46:33.145 --> 00:46:34.485 on their college campuses. 799 00:46:35.525 --> 00:46:37.805 I mean, if you could just imagine thousands 800 00:46:37.805 --> 00:46:39.005 and thousands of men, women 801 00:46:39.025 --> 00:46:41.205 and students who are equipped with the gospel, 802 00:46:41.345 --> 00:46:44.125 who are rooted deeply in their faith, who can go out 803 00:46:44.125 --> 00:46:46.365 and share that faith with the world around them. 804 00:46:48.995 --> 00:46:52.005 This is a big one. Um, we're trusting God 805 00:46:52.025 --> 00:46:54.245 for 500 baptisms in 2026. 806 00:46:55.305 --> 00:46:56.485 Men, women, and students. 807 00:46:56.545 --> 00:46:58.325 And listen, this is not a goal, okay? 808 00:46:58.705 --> 00:47:02.485 But this is a prayer we saw over 300 809 00:47:02.685 --> 00:47:04.085 baptisms in 2025. 810 00:47:04.585 --> 00:47:07.245 Uh, and that's more than we've seen dating back 811 00:47:07.245 --> 00:47:08.725 to 20 18, 20 19. 812 00:47:09.825 --> 00:47:13.125 We wanna trust God for more, more new life in Christ. 813 00:47:13.905 --> 00:47:16.325 The Bible says that God can do immeasurably more than we can 814 00:47:16.325 --> 00:47:18.565 think to imagine or ask in the Book of Acts, 815 00:47:18.585 --> 00:47:21.565 you see a picture that was devoted to the apostles teaching 816 00:47:21.565 --> 00:47:23.005 to the breaking of bread and prayer. 817 00:47:23.155 --> 00:47:24.445 They had all things in common. 818 00:47:24.465 --> 00:47:25.525 And you know what the Lord did, 819 00:47:25.625 --> 00:47:27.365 the Lord added to their number daily. 820 00:47:27.905 --> 00:47:30.085 We want to trust God to be that type of church. 821 00:47:34.545 --> 00:47:36.885 We want the water stirred all year. Okay? 822 00:47:37.285 --> 00:47:38.965 I am praying that God would bless us 823 00:47:38.965 --> 00:47:40.125 with a bigger water bill. 824 00:47:41.505 --> 00:47:43.125 I'm also praying that he would give us the means 825 00:47:43.125 --> 00:47:44.445 to be able to pay that water bill. 826 00:47:46.115 --> 00:47:48.565 It's a whole nother message, but it's 827 00:47:48.565 --> 00:47:49.845 not for the sake of a number. 828 00:47:50.675 --> 00:47:53.205 It's because each one of those that were baptized has a name 829 00:47:53.225 --> 00:47:54.525 and each name has a soul. 830 00:47:54.545 --> 00:47:56.045 And they have a life of belonging 831 00:47:56.045 --> 00:47:58.405 and purpose that Jesus wants them to experience 832 00:47:58.405 --> 00:48:00.085 and created them to experience in life. 833 00:48:00.945 --> 00:48:02.805 We want to trust God for it. We want to grow. 834 00:48:03.385 --> 00:48:05.365 We impact locally and globally. 835 00:48:05.825 --> 00:48:07.805 Um, if you've been around here for any length 836 00:48:07.805 --> 00:48:09.765 of time at all, you know that we're involved in meeting 837 00:48:10.045 --> 00:48:11.165 tangible needs for the sake of 838 00:48:11.165 --> 00:48:12.205 the gospel all over the place. 839 00:48:12.205 --> 00:48:13.765 And we don't have time to get into it right now, 840 00:48:13.785 --> 00:48:16.005 but it happens probably as a result 841 00:48:16.005 --> 00:48:17.125 of you right in your backyard. 842 00:48:17.225 --> 00:48:18.605 It happens in schools, 843 00:48:18.985 --> 00:48:21.285 it happens in the foster care system, the food insecure. 844 00:48:21.695 --> 00:48:24.485 We're meeting needs for the sake of the gospel in Haiti, 845 00:48:24.555 --> 00:48:27.485 Nicaragua, Costa Rica, India, Uganda, uh, 846 00:48:27.545 --> 00:48:28.885 I'm probably missing some France. 847 00:48:29.185 --> 00:48:32.005 Um, but this church is continuing to make an impact 848 00:48:32.005 --> 00:48:33.765 and will, and you're gonna hear a little bit about 849 00:48:33.765 --> 00:48:35.005 that in a few weeks when we get 850 00:48:35.005 --> 00:48:36.205 into our next series of the year. 851 00:48:36.505 --> 00:48:39.245 Uh, and then lastly, this is a big one 852 00:48:39.245 --> 00:48:41.245 and it could seem like it's outta nowhere and it's not. 853 00:48:42.425 --> 00:48:45.525 But I believe that God wants hope Community Church 854 00:48:45.785 --> 00:48:48.085 to be known as a wildly generous church. 855 00:48:49.515 --> 00:48:51.175 And you know, we celebrated earlier at the beginning 856 00:48:51.175 --> 00:48:54.695 of our service, $65,000 for a Christmas e offering 857 00:48:54.765 --> 00:48:56.135 that goes back into the community. 858 00:48:56.135 --> 00:48:57.575 That's phenomenal. But here's what I know. 859 00:48:57.575 --> 00:48:58.695 When Jesus is at the center 860 00:48:58.995 --> 00:49:02.815 and we understand how good God is, our hands open 861 00:49:04.795 --> 00:49:06.975 and this is my conviction, the world needs Jesus. 862 00:49:08.395 --> 00:49:10.615 We know that that happens through a church 863 00:49:10.725 --> 00:49:11.895 that makes disciples. 864 00:49:13.075 --> 00:49:15.055 We are trusting God to be that type of church. 865 00:49:17.395 --> 00:49:18.855 We also live in one 866 00:49:18.855 --> 00:49:21.895 of the most affluent in areas in the history 867 00:49:21.895 --> 00:49:23.135 of the world, in the triangle. 868 00:49:23.135 --> 00:49:24.335 What does that mean? We live in one 869 00:49:24.335 --> 00:49:26.615 of the most wealthiest areas in the history 870 00:49:26.615 --> 00:49:28.215 of the world here in the triangle. 871 00:49:29.075 --> 00:49:30.815 And look, I'm not knocking anybody, okay? 872 00:49:30.855 --> 00:49:32.495 I drive a nice truck, I love my truck. 873 00:49:33.635 --> 00:49:35.175 But if you go through the parking lot 874 00:49:35.175 --> 00:49:36.615 and look when you go to your vehicle at the end of service, 875 00:49:36.695 --> 00:49:37.855 I don't want you to be in shame, okay? 876 00:49:38.075 --> 00:49:39.855 I'm glad you got your vehicle. But when you go 877 00:49:40.055 --> 00:49:42.695 through our parking lot at Hope Community Church on Sunday 878 00:49:42.695 --> 00:49:44.735 morning, and I know this isn't the case for everybody, 879 00:49:45.035 --> 00:49:49.455 but for a lot of us, you see, we don't have a money problem. 880 00:49:51.235 --> 00:49:54.295 We may have a desire problem in our life, 881 00:49:54.295 --> 00:49:55.375 we just want more and more. 882 00:49:55.375 --> 00:49:57.015 We all struggle with that, I struggle with that. 883 00:49:58.955 --> 00:50:03.535 But if we truly become rooted in Jesus, the author 884 00:50:03.595 --> 00:50:07.575 and sustainer of life, we have the means 885 00:50:07.595 --> 00:50:09.055 to see the gospel go forward 886 00:50:09.055 --> 00:50:10.375 and make an impact in a way 887 00:50:10.375 --> 00:50:13.735 that I believe we've never even began to actually trust God 888 00:50:13.735 --> 00:50:17.775 for Got Landon Fuqua. 889 00:50:17.795 --> 00:50:18.895 We want to see developed. 890 00:50:18.895 --> 00:50:20.015 We gotta start planning that, 891 00:50:20.515 --> 00:50:22.415 get those Fuqua folks outta Apex 892 00:50:22.415 --> 00:50:23.855 and get 'em back out in their community. 893 00:50:23.855 --> 00:50:27.165 There. There's, listen, there's 30 women in Haiti right now 894 00:50:27.385 --> 00:50:29.285 who are looking to join Suave Bond. 895 00:50:29.355 --> 00:50:32.005 It's a, a ministry that we actually helped create, 896 00:50:32.215 --> 00:50:34.525 which helps vulnerable women get back on their feet, 897 00:50:34.585 --> 00:50:35.685 get rooted in the gospel 898 00:50:36.025 --> 00:50:37.965 and equipped to be leaders in their community 899 00:50:38.705 --> 00:50:39.765 across resources. 900 00:50:40.995 --> 00:50:42.925 There's foster children that don't have a home. 901 00:50:43.215 --> 00:50:44.965 God's positioned us to make an impact 902 00:50:45.435 --> 00:50:46.525 like we've never believed. 903 00:50:47.305 --> 00:50:49.445 God wants to grow us as a wildly generous church, 904 00:50:49.465 --> 00:50:51.765 but it starts with centering on Jesus 905 00:50:52.745 --> 00:50:55.685 and us as a church family, being committed to loving God, 906 00:50:56.075 --> 00:50:58.245 following Jesus and sharing hope. 907 00:51:00.025 --> 00:51:02.925 Rooted In the word, a community on mission. 908 00:51:04.705 --> 00:51:07.725 And don't miss this, we are not trying to manufacture fruit. 909 00:51:09.295 --> 00:51:10.765 We're trying to cultivate roots 910 00:51:11.395 --> 00:51:13.645 deep into the gospel by centering on Jesus. 911 00:51:15.905 --> 00:51:19.565 And so as we wrap things up, um, 912 00:51:19.895 --> 00:51:21.805 we're not gonna start this year as a church 913 00:51:22.435 --> 00:51:23.485 with a resolution. 914 00:51:23.545 --> 00:51:25.245 And you know, we, we've kind of mapped this out 915 00:51:25.245 --> 00:51:27.445 as like week one of the years, a big vision message. 916 00:51:27.465 --> 00:51:28.605 And you, you heard some vision. 917 00:51:29.595 --> 00:51:32.645 What I really wanted us to do was to get centered on Jesus. 918 00:51:33.685 --> 00:51:36.725 I think we did that. And I think one of the best things 919 00:51:36.725 --> 00:51:38.645 that we can do is not to make a resolution 920 00:51:38.665 --> 00:51:39.765 but to come back to the cross. 921 00:51:39.785 --> 00:51:41.965 We saw in Colossians chapter one verse 20, 922 00:51:42.155 --> 00:51:44.565 that Jesus made peace by the blood of his cross. 923 00:51:44.565 --> 00:51:46.565 That's not a metaphor, that's our foundation. 924 00:51:48.265 --> 00:51:49.925 And so what we're gonna do to kick off our year, 925 00:51:50.005 --> 00:51:52.445 I don't believe there's a better way to remember what it is 926 00:51:52.445 --> 00:51:53.925 that we're actually rooted in than 927 00:51:53.925 --> 00:51:55.965 by celebrating communion together as a church family. 928 00:51:56.905 --> 00:51:58.765 And so we're gonna do that if you don't 929 00:51:58.765 --> 00:51:59.805 know what communion is. 930 00:52:00.545 --> 00:52:03.085 Uh, communion is a time that Jesus actually 931 00:52:03.085 --> 00:52:04.445 before, uh, the night 932 00:52:04.445 --> 00:52:08.125 before his crucifixion, he got together with his disciples 933 00:52:08.125 --> 00:52:10.245 and they shared a meal and he passed around some bread 934 00:52:10.245 --> 00:52:13.205 and he said, listen, this, this bread is representative 935 00:52:13.265 --> 00:52:15.045 of my body that's gonna be broken for you. 936 00:52:15.585 --> 00:52:19.065 And then he passed around a cup afterwards 937 00:52:20.125 --> 00:52:23.025 and he says, this is representative of my blood 938 00:52:23.025 --> 00:52:24.185 that's gonna be poured out for you 939 00:52:24.245 --> 00:52:25.425 for the forgiveness of the sins. 940 00:52:25.425 --> 00:52:29.425 And so as often as you do this, do so in remembrance of me. 941 00:52:29.605 --> 00:52:30.785 And so if you've placed your hope 942 00:52:30.785 --> 00:52:32.305 and your trust in Jesus, this is a time 943 00:52:32.305 --> 00:52:33.305 where we remember together. 944 00:52:33.565 --> 00:52:35.865 And if you've never made that decision, I invite you to make 945 00:52:35.865 --> 00:52:36.985 that decision right now 946 00:52:37.725 --> 00:52:39.545 and enjoy this with the family of God. 947 00:52:41.125 --> 00:52:44.065 But before we take it, I do want to give you just, 948 00:52:45.365 --> 00:52:48.575 Just about a minute, maybe some space with God. 949 00:52:49.795 --> 00:52:54.575 If you felt drift throughout 2025 950 00:52:54.675 --> 00:52:56.135 or maybe in the brief start 951 00:52:56.155 --> 00:52:58.735 to 2026, I want you to confess it. 952 00:53:00.755 --> 00:53:04.255 If you've been carrying something, whether it's sin or shame 953 00:53:05.075 --> 00:53:05.695 or guilt, 954 00:53:06.845 --> 00:53:10.645 disappointment, I want you to confess it. 955 00:53:13.825 --> 00:53:17.405 And if you're tired, I just want you to come to Jesus. 956 00:53:18.505 --> 00:53:19.805 So I'm gonna give you a moment now 957 00:53:19.905 --> 00:53:21.245 before God to do just that. 958 00:53:42.565 --> 00:53:44.925 I know most of you received the elements when you came in. 959 00:53:44.925 --> 00:53:46.365 If you didn't, you can just raise your hand 960 00:53:46.365 --> 00:53:47.685 and someone can bring it down to you. 961 00:53:48.825 --> 00:53:53.045 But in one Corinthians chapter 11 says, the Lord Jesus, on 962 00:53:53.045 --> 00:53:54.925 that night when he was betrayed, he took bread. 963 00:53:56.025 --> 00:53:57.605 And when he had given thanks, he broke it. 964 00:53:58.745 --> 00:54:00.925 And he said, this is my body, which is for you. 965 00:54:03.065 --> 00:54:06.445 Do this in remembrance of me. Church, family. 966 00:54:06.545 --> 00:54:09.085 May we remember Jesus' body that was broken 967 00:54:09.185 --> 00:54:12.005 for us can take and eat. 968 00:54:27.645 --> 00:54:30.795 Verse 25, 1 Corinthians 11, it says, in the same way, 969 00:54:30.855 --> 00:54:31.955 he also took the cup 970 00:54:31.955 --> 00:54:34.315 after supper saying this cup is the 971 00:54:34.315 --> 00:54:35.355 new covenant of my blood. 972 00:54:36.215 --> 00:54:39.795 Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. 973 00:54:40.905 --> 00:54:42.405 For as often as you eat the bread 974 00:54:42.585 --> 00:54:45.205 and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death 975 00:54:46.535 --> 00:54:49.525 Until he comes church. 976 00:54:50.625 --> 00:54:53.565 May we remember Jesus's blood that was poured out 977 00:54:53.565 --> 00:54:58.365 for the forgiveness of our sins may take and drink. 978 00:55:12.375 --> 00:55:16.365 Let's Pray together. Lord Jesus, 979 00:55:16.505 --> 00:55:21.395 as we head into 2026, may this not be a year 980 00:55:22.975 --> 00:55:24.275 of short resolutions. 981 00:55:27.765 --> 00:55:30.555 Would this not be a year where we put goals up on the wall 982 00:55:31.775 --> 00:55:33.555 and forget about 'em in a week, in a month? 983 00:55:34.045 --> 00:55:36.675 Would this be a year of newfound, steadiness 984 00:55:36.735 --> 00:55:38.635 and steadfastness and following you? 985 00:55:39.375 --> 00:55:41.275 God, I pray that you would root us in your word, 986 00:55:41.825 --> 00:55:43.435 that you would teach us to pray, 987 00:55:43.435 --> 00:55:45.835 that you would form us into the communities on mission, 988 00:55:45.835 --> 00:55:46.835 that you would have us to be 989 00:55:46.835 --> 00:55:49.435 and you would let the fruit of changed lives 990 00:55:49.435 --> 00:55:52.555 through the power of the gospel overflow in 2026. 991 00:55:54.265 --> 00:55:57.315 Lord, we love you and we pray these things in Jesus' name 992 00:55:57.735 --> 00:55:58.835 and everyone said together. 993 00:55:59.865 --> 00:56:00.955 Amen. Church, 994 00:56:01.045 --> 00:56:03.515 don't let Christmas be a moment that you attend. 995 00:56:03.525 --> 00:56:05.955 Don't let New Year just be a a moment 996 00:56:05.955 --> 00:56:07.475 that you attend this first service of the year. 997 00:56:07.575 --> 00:56:09.075 Let it be a direction that we take. 998 00:56:09.095 --> 00:56:11.635 May we as a church family be rooted in God's Word, 999 00:56:11.855 --> 00:56:13.435 be rooted in prayer 1000 00:56:13.735 --> 00:56:16.475 and be sent out on the mission that Jesus calls us into. 1001 00:56:16.625 --> 00:56:18.075 Love you guys. We'll see you next week