WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.075 --> 00:00:05.605 Hope its so great to see you. 2 00:00:05.845 --> 00:00:06.845 I hope you, 3 00:00:37.945 --> 00:00:42.405 You For me. 4 00:00:42.835 --> 00:00:47.525 Come on. You're faithful. Your 5 00:00:55.125 --> 00:00:55.485 presence. 6 00:01:02.185 --> 00:01:02.405 The 7 00:01:33.575 --> 00:01:36.285 Jesus who come 8 00:01:38.965 --> 00:01:39.125 worthy 9 00:01:47.025 --> 00:01:47.245 you. 10 00:01:58.045 --> 00:01:59.045 I, 11 00:03:41.595 --> 00:03:42.595 Let's get those. 12 00:05:20.815 --> 00:05:23.755 God, God 13 00:05:31.055 --> 00:05:31.915 opened the 14 00:05:49.015 --> 00:05:49.875 and we won't 15 00:05:49.875 --> 00:05:50.035 Be 16 00:06:16.985 --> 00:06:17.985 Who heals. 17 00:06:18.185 --> 00:06:22.445 We sing to the God who save. We sing to the God, 18 00:06:39.385 --> 00:06:43.845 the, in the of the Lord today. 19 00:06:44.785 --> 00:06:48.165 And we won't be quiet. We shout 20 00:06:51.145 --> 00:06:55.445 The Lord Place. 21 00:06:56.265 --> 00:06:57.405 We won't be quiet. 22 00:07:10.715 --> 00:07:11.735 We the 23 00:07:21.025 --> 00:07:21.375 grace, 24 00:07:33.835 --> 00:07:34.055 the 25 00:07:54.595 --> 00:07:58.215 in the, and we won't. 26 00:08:19.635 --> 00:08:20.635 And 27 00:08:59.125 --> 00:09:01.115 Let's give the Lord a shadow breath. 28 00:09:04.405 --> 00:09:07.545 Church, it is so good to be together today. Amen. 29 00:09:08.915 --> 00:09:11.665 Let's try that again. It is so good to be together today. 30 00:09:12.015 --> 00:09:13.015 Amen. 31 00:09:14.055 --> 00:09:16.385 Okay, Before we continue to worship, 32 00:09:16.525 --> 00:09:18.305 why don't you find a couple of people around you 33 00:09:18.305 --> 00:09:20.665 that you haven't said hello to make them feel welcome. 34 00:09:59.415 --> 00:10:01.885 Psalm 23. This is one of the 35 00:10:03.595 --> 00:10:07.165 most popular passages in all of the Bible. 36 00:10:10.345 --> 00:10:13.485 It says, the Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. 37 00:10:14.945 --> 00:10:17.405 He makes me lie down in green pastures. 38 00:10:18.905 --> 00:10:22.845 He leads me beside stillwaters. He restores my soul. 39 00:10:24.665 --> 00:10:26.205 He leads me in the paths 40 00:10:26.865 --> 00:10:30.325 of consciousness for his name's sake. 41 00:10:32.155 --> 00:10:33.765 Even though I walk through the valley 42 00:10:33.905 --> 00:10:34.925 of the shadow of death. 43 00:10:34.925 --> 00:10:38.365 Listen, church, even though I walk through the valley 44 00:10:38.385 --> 00:10:40.405 of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. 45 00:10:41.145 --> 00:10:44.805 Why? For you are with me, your rod 46 00:10:44.805 --> 00:10:47.205 and your staff that comfort me. 47 00:10:48.465 --> 00:10:51.525 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 48 00:10:51.585 --> 00:10:55.405 You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. 49 00:10:57.025 --> 00:10:58.325 Surely goodness 50 00:10:58.345 --> 00:11:01.885 and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 51 00:11:03.145 --> 00:11:07.885 And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 52 00:11:09.865 --> 00:11:11.365 That's the word of the Lord. Church. 53 00:11:13.385 --> 00:11:16.845 You know, this has been, um, for several reasons, 54 00:11:17.915 --> 00:11:20.805 this has been a, a tough week. 55 00:11:23.505 --> 00:11:26.405 And when things are going 56 00:11:28.545 --> 00:11:31.685 not the way we planned, it's easy to forget some 57 00:11:31.685 --> 00:11:34.845 of these things that King David wrote here in Psalm 23. 58 00:11:37.585 --> 00:11:39.765 The Bible says that we are like sheep. 59 00:11:39.765 --> 00:11:43.325 And when he, when he's talking about God being a shepherd, 60 00:11:43.545 --> 00:11:45.645 that's this connection. 61 00:11:45.995 --> 00:11:49.525 It's weird chic. But he is a good shepherd church. 62 00:11:49.755 --> 00:11:53.645 When I was reading this, I was reminded 63 00:11:55.105 --> 00:11:58.485 during this challenging week, I was reminded that God is a 64 00:11:58.515 --> 00:11:59.885 Good Shepherd. 65 00:12:00.715 --> 00:12:02.645 That he's a faithful shepherd. 66 00:12:02.715 --> 00:12:06.765 That in times when I don't understand what's going on, 67 00:12:08.295 --> 00:12:11.045 times when I feel confused, times when I feel angry, 68 00:12:11.055 --> 00:12:12.445 times when I feel attacked, 69 00:12:15.245 --> 00:12:16.245 I don't have a solution. 70 00:12:18.445 --> 00:12:21.125 I get to remember the promises of God, 71 00:12:21.125 --> 00:12:23.805 that he is always with me. 72 00:12:23.945 --> 00:12:27.685 Church, that's us. Everyone that calls upon the name 73 00:12:27.785 --> 00:12:31.565 of the Lord, we get to rely on the promises 74 00:12:32.305 --> 00:12:33.645 of God and his word. 75 00:12:35.185 --> 00:12:40.165 And I began to thank the Lord 76 00:12:40.305 --> 00:12:42.485 for what I do have. 77 00:12:43.845 --> 00:12:48.365 I began to bless the Lord for what he has given me, 78 00:12:49.875 --> 00:12:52.405 because God has been good to me. 79 00:12:52.825 --> 00:12:54.845 God has been good to you. 80 00:12:56.225 --> 00:12:59.005 God has been good to all of us. Amen. 81 00:13:03.365 --> 00:13:05.205 I was singing this song this afternoon. 82 00:13:08.865 --> 00:13:13.645 You have been so good to me. 83 00:13:14.985 --> 00:13:17.005 Oh God. Can't believe 84 00:13:17.745 --> 00:13:21.925 how you love a friend. 85 00:13:25.345 --> 00:13:29.445 So good to me. Oh God. 86 00:13:29.685 --> 00:13:32.845 I can't believe how you love 87 00:13:33.185 --> 00:13:34.185 Me. 88 00:13:35.075 --> 00:13:38.205 What a friend you have One more time. 89 00:13:39.225 --> 00:13:43.125 So good. Oh God. 90 00:13:43.855 --> 00:13:46.605 Can't believe how you love 91 00:13:46.945 --> 00:13:47.945 Me. 92 00:13:48.795 --> 00:13:51.085 What have 93 00:13:59.185 --> 00:13:59.405 you. 94 00:14:02.635 --> 00:14:03.635 What a 95 00:14:23.695 --> 00:14:24.695 Come church. 96 00:14:25.445 --> 00:14:30.265 All my words for I 97 00:14:53.215 --> 00:14:54.805 every song must 98 00:15:00.115 --> 00:15:01.405 come on church to fill hands. 99 00:15:05.025 --> 00:15:06.245 Praise you again. 100 00:15:23.285 --> 00:15:24.285 I have nothing else. 101 00:16:04.945 --> 00:16:05.945 And praise you. 102 00:16:07.025 --> 00:16:07.245 And 103 00:17:00.745 --> 00:17:01.295 Don't you, 104 00:17:31.475 --> 00:17:33.255 if you got something to be thankful for. 105 00:18:56.015 --> 00:18:56.235 And 106 00:19:38.975 --> 00:19:39.265 Hall, 107 00:19:45.885 --> 00:19:47.945 Father, you have been so good to us. 108 00:19:50.605 --> 00:19:55.425 All we can offer you is our allegiance, our praise, 109 00:19:56.645 --> 00:20:00.705 our worship, our repentance, our our turning away from sin 110 00:20:00.705 --> 00:20:02.505 and running towards you 111 00:20:04.365 --> 00:20:05.705 to see your kingdom come 112 00:20:05.725 --> 00:20:09.905 to see your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. 113 00:20:12.775 --> 00:20:17.345 Your word is spirit. Your word is life. 114 00:20:19.045 --> 00:20:21.385 By the power of your Spirit and your word. 115 00:20:21.685 --> 00:20:24.065 God, speak to us today. 116 00:20:25.975 --> 00:20:29.105 Give life to our mortal bodies today. 117 00:20:30.285 --> 00:20:32.345 In Jesus' name we pray. 118 00:20:33.085 --> 00:20:36.505 Let the church of God say amen and amen. 119 00:20:36.575 --> 00:20:38.505 Pray, worshiping with you. May 120 00:20:45.325 --> 00:20:46.325 Hasn't. God blessed 121 00:20:46.325 --> 00:20:46.825 us with 122 00:20:46.825 --> 00:20:48.325 An, an amazing worship team. 123 00:20:48.425 --> 00:20:52.845 Can you thank him one more time? Thanks guys. Man. 124 00:20:54.425 --> 00:20:55.765 Um, my name's Jay 125 00:20:55.765 --> 00:20:57.805 and I'm honored to serve here as one of the elders 126 00:20:57.945 --> 00:21:01.085 and reminding us we're, we're singing these songs 127 00:21:01.315 --> 00:21:04.245 that are just, just, they just drip 128 00:21:04.245 --> 00:21:05.645 with truth of God's word. 129 00:21:06.575 --> 00:21:09.085 Especially for those of us who have had a hard week. 130 00:21:09.625 --> 00:21:12.325 Um, first of all, I couldn't think of anywhere else I need 131 00:21:12.325 --> 00:21:13.605 to be today than right here. 132 00:21:14.985 --> 00:21:18.925 Um, and sit reminding myself, 133 00:21:19.705 --> 00:21:22.005 God reminding me through the lyrics of the songs 134 00:21:22.795 --> 00:21:25.285 that my strength, where's my strength come from. 135 00:21:25.305 --> 00:21:27.285 It comes from him. It comes from the joy of the Lord. 136 00:21:27.285 --> 00:21:28.765 The joy of the Lord is my strength. 137 00:21:30.065 --> 00:21:32.005 And when we have a hard week, when, when, 138 00:21:32.075 --> 00:21:36.885 when things are tough as they have been, You know, 139 00:21:37.505 --> 00:21:40.245 our problems start to look really small when we set 'em 140 00:21:40.245 --> 00:21:41.565 right in front of our really big God. 141 00:21:42.305 --> 00:21:45.925 So we're really glad that you've, uh, chosen to be here 142 00:21:46.025 --> 00:21:47.205 and worship with us today. 143 00:21:47.265 --> 00:21:51.165 If you're new, um, please swing by our next steps area. 144 00:21:51.195 --> 00:21:52.765 It's just outside these doors 145 00:21:52.825 --> 00:21:54.285 and it's over on the left hand side. 146 00:21:54.305 --> 00:21:58.125 You can't miss it. It has the big green next steps, letters. 147 00:21:59.025 --> 00:22:01.325 Um, and if you have any questions 148 00:22:01.345 --> 00:22:04.045 or anything else about joining a small group, uh, 149 00:22:04.265 --> 00:22:06.765 or wanting to serve those folks, they're, 150 00:22:06.765 --> 00:22:08.285 they're like the genius bar at hope. 151 00:22:08.285 --> 00:22:09.685 They, they have all the answers. 152 00:22:10.385 --> 00:22:13.285 So, but we're really glad that you've joined us here today. 153 00:22:13.695 --> 00:22:15.525 Great and important message 154 00:22:16.195 --> 00:22:19.805 from Fuke Wave Campus Pastor Matt Curtis. 155 00:22:20.425 --> 00:22:22.245 Yes, Uhhuh. That's right. 156 00:22:23.025 --> 00:22:26.725 Um, sit back, hear God's truth. 157 00:22:27.585 --> 00:22:28.885 We are really glad you're here today. 158 00:22:55.845 --> 00:22:59.025 All right. Hey gang. Uh, my name is Matt from Fuqua. 159 00:22:59.425 --> 00:23:04.025 I got any quarian out here. Oh my gosh, God bless 'em. 160 00:23:04.405 --> 00:23:06.425 Uh, well, lemme tell you a little bit about myself. 161 00:23:06.605 --> 00:23:09.305 Uh, I married my wife Jillian right 162 00:23:09.315 --> 00:23:11.745 after she graduated from college, like the weekend 163 00:23:12.075 --> 00:23:13.745 after she graduated from college. 164 00:23:13.925 --> 00:23:15.505 We were gonna get married on May 12th 165 00:23:15.855 --> 00:23:18.185 because that was our three year date anniversary. 166 00:23:18.665 --> 00:23:20.265 'cause we make up words in our home. 167 00:23:20.565 --> 00:23:23.385 Uh, but it turns out she had to go to graduation. 168 00:23:23.645 --> 00:23:25.785 Her mom wouldn't let her skip graduation 169 00:23:25.785 --> 00:23:27.145 to get married to a bum like me. 170 00:23:27.325 --> 00:23:29.345 Uh, so she graduated from the University 171 00:23:29.345 --> 00:23:33.425 of Texas at San Antonio, meaning she is a proud roadrunner. 172 00:23:34.495 --> 00:23:36.745 Show of hands, if you know, Roadrunner's a real animal. 173 00:23:37.245 --> 00:23:39.345 It is. Yeah. There we go. All right. 174 00:23:39.765 --> 00:23:41.625 Uh, but so we ended up getting married on 175 00:23:41.645 --> 00:23:42.705 May 20th, all right? 176 00:23:42.825 --> 00:23:45.325 A week later. We've been married now for 13 years. 177 00:23:46.025 --> 00:23:49.045 And the thing that we have consistently had disagreements 178 00:23:49.045 --> 00:23:51.765 about in our marriage over that time is 179 00:23:51.765 --> 00:23:53.485 where we spend the holidays. 180 00:23:53.865 --> 00:23:56.245 Not all holidays, not Thanksgiving, not Easter, 181 00:23:56.345 --> 00:23:58.205 not July 4th Christmas. 182 00:23:58.335 --> 00:24:00.005 Where are we gonna spend Christmas? 183 00:24:00.425 --> 00:24:02.005 Uh, and my friend, uh, 184 00:24:02.005 --> 00:24:05.365 pastor Dave Nudie has told me many times, directly 185 00:24:05.545 --> 00:24:08.565 and indirectly that I am the problem in my marriage. 186 00:24:09.145 --> 00:24:10.845 Can I get an amen? Uh, 187 00:24:10.945 --> 00:24:12.885 Taylor Swift has told me that it's me. 188 00:24:13.065 --> 00:24:14.205 I'm the problem. It's fine. 189 00:24:14.325 --> 00:24:18.205 I agree, but, and I'm not trying to be defensive here, 190 00:24:18.205 --> 00:24:19.445 but I can justify, 191 00:24:20.145 --> 00:24:23.085 at least in this case why I am the problem in my marriage. 192 00:24:23.225 --> 00:24:24.645 I'm gonna take you back to our first 193 00:24:25.405 --> 00:24:26.485 Christmas as a married couple. 194 00:24:26.745 --> 00:24:28.605 Uh, we're big Christmas. We love a fun time. 195 00:24:28.625 --> 00:24:30.565 We love a good time. We're big Christmas people. 196 00:24:30.565 --> 00:24:32.845 We put up a tree. My mom bought us a tree from Target 197 00:24:32.845 --> 00:24:34.605 because we were newlyweds. 198 00:24:34.785 --> 00:24:38.365 We still have that tree. It is thin, it is not impressive. 199 00:24:38.625 --> 00:24:41.965 Uh, but we had that tree that first year Santa showed up 200 00:24:42.155 --> 00:24:43.645 that first year that we were married. 201 00:24:43.865 --> 00:24:46.045 Uh, currently we have like six boxes 202 00:24:46.185 --> 00:24:48.365 of Christmas decorations, big old tubs. 203 00:24:48.665 --> 00:24:52.205 The first year we had one whole shoebox full of decorations. 204 00:24:52.625 --> 00:24:54.925 Uh, I'm, I don't know that I'm a good gift giver. 205 00:24:54.985 --> 00:24:56.445 I'm a practical gift giver. 206 00:24:56.545 --> 00:24:59.965 Our first Christmas together, my wife unfortunately, 207 00:25:00.405 --> 00:25:02.525 received a poorly wrapped inkjet printer 208 00:25:02.715 --> 00:25:04.565 that was constantly out of ink. 209 00:25:04.825 --> 00:25:06.605 Uh, but we were having a great time, right? 210 00:25:06.905 --> 00:25:08.685 We spent our Christmas morning together 211 00:25:08.745 --> 00:25:13.405 and then by 5:45 AM we had to be dressed in out of the house 212 00:25:13.465 --> 00:25:15.525 to go to Jillian's parents' home, 213 00:25:15.865 --> 00:25:18.365 to experience Christmas with the family. 214 00:25:18.715 --> 00:25:20.485 Alright? She has three siblings. 215 00:25:20.535 --> 00:25:23.445 She's the oldest of four, and her grandmother was in town. 216 00:25:23.465 --> 00:25:25.405 So we were gonna experience Theo. 217 00:25:25.405 --> 00:25:27.965 That's my in-law's name, Theo's Christmas morning. 218 00:25:28.625 --> 00:25:30.485 So we walk into my in-law's house, 219 00:25:31.185 --> 00:25:33.165 and immediately I'm told to go upstairs 220 00:25:33.555 --> 00:25:38.005 because there is an order to Christmas that I am unfamiliar 221 00:25:38.005 --> 00:25:39.365 with in this family. 222 00:25:39.865 --> 00:25:41.245 See in the Alo family, 223 00:25:41.395 --> 00:25:43.325 they've got a whole schedule worked out 224 00:25:43.325 --> 00:25:44.485 that I didn't know anything about. 225 00:25:44.535 --> 00:25:46.885 First off, before anything happens that morning, 226 00:25:46.985 --> 00:25:51.005 the kids have to line up on the stairs for a a picture. 227 00:25:51.305 --> 00:25:53.525 We gotta, we gotta document that this stuff is happening. 228 00:25:53.825 --> 00:25:57.885 Now, I am married to the oldest daughter in this family. 229 00:25:58.185 --> 00:25:59.805 I'm also a 30-year-old man. 230 00:26:00.035 --> 00:26:02.485 They categorize me as a child 231 00:26:02.585 --> 00:26:04.205 and put me on the top of the stairs. 232 00:26:04.305 --> 00:26:07.005 And I will tell you my masculinity was challenged. 233 00:26:07.125 --> 00:26:09.165 I was not happy about that. 234 00:26:09.465 --> 00:26:11.005 Uh, and then so we take the picture, 235 00:26:11.075 --> 00:26:13.685 then we get ushered into the, in front of the fireplace 236 00:26:13.745 --> 00:26:15.565 to open Santa's presents, 237 00:26:15.865 --> 00:26:17.765 and then it's time to have breakfast. 238 00:26:17.765 --> 00:26:19.165 But first you gotta make breakfast, 239 00:26:19.185 --> 00:26:21.605 and then you gotta eat breakfast and clean up breakfast. 240 00:26:21.985 --> 00:26:24.605 And then they usher you into the big dining room 241 00:26:24.735 --> 00:26:26.845 where there's a giant tree and all the gifts. 242 00:26:26.845 --> 00:26:28.085 Now, I grew up in a small family. 243 00:26:28.425 --> 00:26:29.725 We didn't have a ton of gifts. 244 00:26:29.895 --> 00:26:32.645 There are nine people in this room that first Christmas, 245 00:26:32.865 --> 00:26:35.205 and they're opening gifts for hours. 246 00:26:35.965 --> 00:26:37.405 I mean hours. My mother-in-law, 247 00:26:37.525 --> 00:26:40.125 I just remembered this today, I'm a bit of a redneck. 248 00:26:40.185 --> 00:26:42.725 My mother-in-law knew that she got me the whole 249 00:26:42.745 --> 00:26:43.805 set of Duck dyna. 250 00:26:43.805 --> 00:26:45.525 This is 2012 Duck Dynasty. 251 00:26:45.565 --> 00:26:49.045 I got A-D-V-D-A cup, I had pajama pants, a sweater, t-shirt, 252 00:26:49.425 --> 00:26:51.365 all with Willie Robertson's face on it. 253 00:26:52.105 --> 00:26:53.965 Uh, but these are generous people, right? 254 00:26:53.965 --> 00:26:55.525 There's a lot of gifts to bigger family 255 00:26:55.525 --> 00:26:56.685 than the one that I grew up in. 256 00:26:56.685 --> 00:26:59.205 And it took forever. I was thrust 257 00:26:59.915 --> 00:27:03.125 into this new family environment that was new to me. 258 00:27:03.755 --> 00:27:06.205 They had traditions, they had a way of doing things. 259 00:27:06.625 --> 00:27:09.805 And about one 30 in the afternoon, we finally got in the car 260 00:27:09.865 --> 00:27:11.245 so we could drive three hours 261 00:27:11.305 --> 00:27:13.645 and go to Texas, go to West Texas to see my family. 262 00:27:13.785 --> 00:27:16.565 So my wife could experience the opposite experience, right? 263 00:27:17.065 --> 00:27:18.805 Uh, but I vividly remember doing this, 264 00:27:18.805 --> 00:27:20.165 like putting on my seatbelt 265 00:27:20.185 --> 00:27:21.485 and like chuckling going, well, 266 00:27:21.945 --> 00:27:23.965 we are never doing Christmas that way again. 267 00:27:24.665 --> 00:27:26.765 Uh, the joke was on me 268 00:27:26.765 --> 00:27:29.085 because the next Christmas was like a carbon copy of 269 00:27:29.085 --> 00:27:30.245 that exact experience. 270 00:27:30.945 --> 00:27:32.605 But that's how relationships, that's 271 00:27:32.605 --> 00:27:33.725 how marriage goes, right? 272 00:27:34.385 --> 00:27:37.525 We, we are blending families, we're blending experiences, 273 00:27:37.725 --> 00:27:41.365 expectations, personalities, traditions, priorities. 274 00:27:41.395 --> 00:27:42.645 It's all this mixed bag. 275 00:27:43.385 --> 00:27:45.045 So today we're gonna be wrapping up. 276 00:27:45.045 --> 00:27:46.965 We're closing this series where we've talked about 277 00:27:46.965 --> 00:27:49.445 what does it look like to be a family of families 278 00:27:49.745 --> 00:27:50.805 and the family of God? 279 00:27:50.805 --> 00:27:53.285 What does it look like to be a family of families? 280 00:27:54.265 --> 00:27:56.965 And this weekend at Hope Community Church, it's not really 281 00:27:57.565 --> 00:28:00.725 business as usual because the Lord has been faithful, 282 00:28:00.755 --> 00:28:02.285 he's been sovereign, he is kind, 283 00:28:02.425 --> 00:28:05.245 and he's leading our church into another type of, 284 00:28:05.465 --> 00:28:09.965 of blending families, of families, blending us all in our, 285 00:28:09.965 --> 00:28:12.245 in our beauty, blending us in our brokenness as 286 00:28:12.315 --> 00:28:13.805 that one family 287 00:28:13.955 --> 00:28:17.005 that loves God follows Jesus and shares hope. 288 00:28:17.105 --> 00:28:19.325 So over the past couple of weeks, hopefully, 289 00:28:19.325 --> 00:28:20.485 hopefully you have heard this, 290 00:28:21.145 --> 00:28:22.765 but we've got some major transitions 291 00:28:22.765 --> 00:28:24.765 that are happening here at Hope Community Church. 292 00:28:25.265 --> 00:28:27.005 Uh, as of next week, 293 00:28:27.585 --> 00:28:30.725 we will only have two gathering locations, the Apex Campus 294 00:28:30.825 --> 00:28:32.525 and here at the Raleigh campus. 295 00:28:32.675 --> 00:28:36.965 That has major implications for our mobile campuses, uh, 296 00:28:36.965 --> 00:28:39.045 for the families that have invested time and, 297 00:28:39.185 --> 00:28:40.485 and poured out blood, sweat, 298 00:28:40.485 --> 00:28:43.445 and tears, uh, not in that order, uh, to serve the kingdom 299 00:28:43.505 --> 00:28:44.565 and make the kingdom grow 300 00:28:44.585 --> 00:28:46.285 and serve one another and love one another. 301 00:28:46.785 --> 00:28:50.485 So those implications, that also means that it's emotional, 302 00:28:51.115 --> 00:28:52.525 it's sad for those of us 303 00:28:52.585 --> 00:28:54.605 who are serving in these communities. 304 00:28:55.425 --> 00:28:57.965 And our mobile campuses at Northwest Kerry, they've been 305 00:28:57.965 --> 00:28:59.605 around for 13, 14 years. 306 00:29:00.065 --> 00:29:02.725 The Garner Campus launched in 2019. 307 00:29:02.865 --> 00:29:05.485 And, and where I spend most of my time in Fuquay, uh, 308 00:29:05.485 --> 00:29:06.565 these are people who have tried, 309 00:29:06.565 --> 00:29:08.765 who have been sent out from the people from Hope Community 310 00:29:08.765 --> 00:29:10.845 Church, from the people at Raleigh, the people at Apex to go 311 00:29:11.125 --> 00:29:14.045 and reach and build the kingdom and serve the community. 312 00:29:15.185 --> 00:29:18.205 But this weekend, next weekend, that won't happen 313 00:29:18.315 --> 00:29:19.845 because this weekend is the last 314 00:29:19.845 --> 00:29:20.925 gathering of those communities. 315 00:29:20.925 --> 00:29:24.925 As we are closing a chapter in that story right now 316 00:29:26.105 --> 00:29:28.165 for the physical campuses, for the folks at Raleigh, 317 00:29:28.225 --> 00:29:32.285 for the folks at Apex, uh, there's again, a mix of emotions. 318 00:29:32.635 --> 00:29:35.485 I've heard from people from the Apex campus person, 319 00:29:35.585 --> 00:29:38.325 at least one person duck stride, who's very excited 320 00:29:38.355 --> 00:29:40.125 that we are gonna be joining back with them 321 00:29:40.305 --> 00:29:41.725 and blending into that family. 322 00:29:42.145 --> 00:29:44.325 Uh, and there's a whole slew of perspectives there. 323 00:29:44.795 --> 00:29:46.725 Some folks, maybe you're even hearing this 324 00:29:46.725 --> 00:29:47.965 for the first time and you're like, oh, 325 00:29:48.005 --> 00:29:50.605 I didn't know we had five campuses, and that's okay. 326 00:29:51.065 --> 00:29:52.445 And I've heard some from some folks 327 00:29:52.505 --> 00:29:55.125 who it's not affecting them really at all, right? 328 00:29:55.355 --> 00:29:57.485 They're just indifferent to it. And I understand that. 329 00:29:58.005 --> 00:29:59.965 I mean, how much can we care? 330 00:30:00.025 --> 00:30:01.805 How much am I supposed to care about something 331 00:30:01.805 --> 00:30:04.165 that doesn't actually affect my personal life? 332 00:30:04.165 --> 00:30:06.245 There's a wide range of perspectives here, 333 00:30:06.245 --> 00:30:07.365 even within our church. 334 00:30:08.625 --> 00:30:09.645 In addition to that, 335 00:30:10.825 --> 00:30:12.965 and many of you may have experienced this in your own 336 00:30:12.965 --> 00:30:15.005 professional lives, but, but this week some 337 00:30:15.005 --> 00:30:18.765 of our church staff, uh, men and women who are faithful 338 00:30:18.785 --> 00:30:21.365 and kind and diligent, who had a job 339 00:30:21.745 --> 00:30:24.325 and they had medical insurance and vacation plans and, 340 00:30:24.385 --> 00:30:27.045 and dental coverage, who more importantly, 341 00:30:27.045 --> 00:30:29.125 they had a calling and they were commissioned out 342 00:30:29.305 --> 00:30:30.765 by our church to go and, 343 00:30:30.865 --> 00:30:33.005 and equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. 344 00:30:34.145 --> 00:30:36.325 But some of them have been released of those duties 345 00:30:37.055 --> 00:30:39.045 based on a strong commitment that we have 346 00:30:39.045 --> 00:30:40.325 to biblical stewardship. 347 00:30:40.595 --> 00:30:42.525 Like there's a lot going on, 348 00:30:42.585 --> 00:30:44.805 and that's just in the walls of this church. 349 00:30:46.385 --> 00:30:48.445 So I don't even know the details of what's going, 350 00:30:48.445 --> 00:30:49.805 what you're bringing into this space, 351 00:30:49.865 --> 00:30:51.405 what's going on in your life. 352 00:30:51.925 --> 00:30:54.645 I know the spectrum of hardships of the people 353 00:30:54.645 --> 00:30:57.365 that are close to me and the people who I know well. 354 00:30:58.905 --> 00:31:00.965 And then there's the external, right? 355 00:31:00.965 --> 00:31:03.285 Then there's the news, there's the noise, 356 00:31:03.285 --> 00:31:05.885 there's the government shutdown, the wars and division 357 00:31:05.985 --> 00:31:08.325 and anger and suffering and pain. 358 00:31:08.425 --> 00:31:11.365 So with all of this going on in the world, in the life 359 00:31:11.365 --> 00:31:13.805 of your church, in your own personal life, 360 00:31:14.595 --> 00:31:16.165 this might be the time where you think 361 00:31:17.125 --> 00:31:19.525 somebody should just stand up and say, Hey, don't be upset. 362 00:31:20.535 --> 00:31:24.445 Don't be worried. Don't be sad. Don't ask hard questions. 363 00:31:25.235 --> 00:31:27.125 Just keep showing up. But I'm not gonna do that. 364 00:31:28.305 --> 00:31:29.605 I'm not gonna tell you how to feel. 365 00:31:29.785 --> 00:31:31.165 I'm not gonna tell you what to feel 366 00:31:31.635 --> 00:31:35.805 because this is church, this is family. 367 00:31:35.835 --> 00:31:38.685 This is the supernatural family of God, brothers 368 00:31:38.705 --> 00:31:39.965 and sisters, sons 369 00:31:39.965 --> 00:31:42.045 and daughters of God Almighty, 370 00:31:42.045 --> 00:31:43.445 who holds all things together. 371 00:31:43.745 --> 00:31:47.445 And this is different. We're allowed 372 00:31:47.445 --> 00:31:49.005 to feel feelings. 373 00:31:49.145 --> 00:31:50.565 In fact, we must, the family 374 00:31:50.825 --> 00:31:53.925 of God must be honest about our emotions, 375 00:31:54.825 --> 00:31:58.765 and at the same time, we must remember who is on the throne. 376 00:31:59.955 --> 00:32:04.165 King Jesus. Amen. So today, I just want to help. 377 00:32:04.405 --> 00:32:05.765 I just want to help with some perspective. 378 00:32:05.805 --> 00:32:09.925 I just want to help us remember who is on the throne. 379 00:32:09.925 --> 00:32:12.445 Because the gospel truth is this hope in Jesus 380 00:32:12.555 --> 00:32:13.965 doesn't erase our pain. 381 00:32:13.985 --> 00:32:17.845 It doesn't erase conflict or the disruption in our life, 382 00:32:17.945 --> 00:32:20.805 but it does anchor us in what is to come. 383 00:32:20.855 --> 00:32:22.845 We're gonna be in the Book of Revelation. 384 00:32:23.225 --> 00:32:24.405 That's the very last one. 385 00:32:24.475 --> 00:32:25.925 It's exciting stuff in there, Adam. 386 00:32:26.535 --> 00:32:28.605 We're gonna be in chapter 21. 387 00:32:29.225 --> 00:32:31.205 Uh, the interesting thing you need to know about the Book 388 00:32:31.205 --> 00:32:33.765 of Revelation is written by the Apostle John 389 00:32:33.985 --> 00:32:35.925 and the book of Revelation outside of every, 390 00:32:35.925 --> 00:32:38.485 all 66 books in the Bible, it is the only one 391 00:32:38.595 --> 00:32:40.765 that these are not things that have happened yet. 392 00:32:41.155 --> 00:32:43.445 This is a vision that God has given John 393 00:32:43.505 --> 00:32:44.565 and he has written it. 394 00:32:44.705 --> 00:32:48.205 And here we are reading through Revelation chapter 21. 395 00:32:48.205 --> 00:32:51.605 We're gonna start in verse one, where John's vision is this. 396 00:32:51.625 --> 00:32:54.405 He says, then I saw a new heaven 397 00:32:54.545 --> 00:32:56.885 and new earth for the first heaven, 398 00:32:56.945 --> 00:33:00.525 and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. 399 00:33:01.225 --> 00:33:04.605 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down out 400 00:33:04.605 --> 00:33:08.605 of heaven from God prepared as a bride adorned 401 00:33:09.105 --> 00:33:10.205 for her husband. 402 00:33:10.785 --> 00:33:14.405 So the imagery in that text, the imagery of the first heaven 403 00:33:14.585 --> 00:33:18.085 and earth passing away, that signifies the end 404 00:33:18.085 --> 00:33:19.845 of the brokenness, end of sin 405 00:33:19.845 --> 00:33:23.805 and suffering that mar creation, this idea 406 00:33:23.805 --> 00:33:26.885 of new Jerusalem is, is a geographical place. 407 00:33:26.955 --> 00:33:28.045 When you think about heaven, 408 00:33:28.275 --> 00:33:29.525 this is what you are thinking about. 409 00:33:29.525 --> 00:33:31.405 This is the place and has been prepared. 410 00:33:31.515 --> 00:33:35.605 Come down from heaven, gifted by God as a bride, 411 00:33:35.685 --> 00:33:38.125 prepares herself for her wedding day. 412 00:33:38.985 --> 00:33:42.245 We go on to verse three where he says this, 413 00:33:42.625 --> 00:33:46.685 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 414 00:33:46.825 --> 00:33:49.485 behold the dwelling place of God is with man. 415 00:33:50.185 --> 00:33:53.085 He will dwell with them and they will be his people. 416 00:33:53.345 --> 00:33:58.005 And God himself will be with them as their God. 417 00:33:58.705 --> 00:34:00.165 He will dwell with them. 418 00:34:00.195 --> 00:34:02.925 That that's echoes from what happened in the garden. 419 00:34:03.035 --> 00:34:04.965 Adam and Eve walked with God. 420 00:34:05.865 --> 00:34:07.965 And here we are at the end of the Book of Revelation. 421 00:34:08.185 --> 00:34:10.365 And there's imagery going back even to 422 00:34:10.365 --> 00:34:12.005 what was going on in Genesis. 423 00:34:12.705 --> 00:34:15.245 So in the beginning, God walked with man and woman, 424 00:34:15.505 --> 00:34:17.725 and in the end, God is reconciling us to him. 425 00:34:17.745 --> 00:34:20.645 And everything in between is a story, is a story 426 00:34:20.665 --> 00:34:22.765 of God redeeming this relationship. 427 00:34:23.145 --> 00:34:25.525 Not because we are good, not because we are worthy, 428 00:34:25.525 --> 00:34:27.125 because God takes the initiative 429 00:34:27.345 --> 00:34:29.685 to pour his grace out on his children 430 00:34:29.875 --> 00:34:32.365 because he wants to have a healthy family. 431 00:34:32.705 --> 00:34:36.125 He wants to have sons and daughters who love and trust 432 00:34:36.265 --> 00:34:38.245 and know him and walk with him intimately. 433 00:34:39.935 --> 00:34:43.885 Verse four says this continued for that promise. 434 00:34:44.025 --> 00:34:46.685 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 435 00:34:47.465 --> 00:34:48.965 And death shall be no more. 436 00:34:49.315 --> 00:34:51.965 Neither shall be, neither shall there be mourning 437 00:34:52.385 --> 00:34:54.165 nor crying, nor pain anymore. 438 00:34:54.545 --> 00:34:57.165 For the former things have passed away. 439 00:34:58.915 --> 00:35:02.245 Look, Christian hope is not, it's not wishful thinking. 440 00:35:03.155 --> 00:35:04.485 It's not just optimism. 441 00:35:04.795 --> 00:35:06.325 It's not toxic positivity, 442 00:35:06.325 --> 00:35:08.365 which I think I might have sometimes. 443 00:35:09.265 --> 00:35:11.605 But Christian hope is this confident expectation 444 00:35:11.605 --> 00:35:14.765 that is rooted in the character of the faithful God 445 00:35:15.105 --> 00:35:16.925 who keeps his promises. 446 00:35:17.105 --> 00:35:18.205 And he's promising. 447 00:35:18.255 --> 00:35:20.725 There will come a day where there is no more grief, 448 00:35:20.975 --> 00:35:22.565 there is no more loneliness. 449 00:35:22.835 --> 00:35:26.565 There's no more pain, there's no more crying, no more sin, 450 00:35:27.105 --> 00:35:31.525 no shame, no abuse, no oppression, no suicidal ideation. 451 00:35:34.725 --> 00:35:37.845 A day will come when there's no more anxiety or depression. 452 00:35:38.095 --> 00:35:41.285 Those things will be put to death once and for all. 453 00:35:41.435 --> 00:35:42.845 Amen, church. Amen. 454 00:35:43.855 --> 00:35:46.605 Verse five, I'm gonna read five, six, and seven. 455 00:35:48.905 --> 00:35:52.405 And he who was seated on the throne said, behold, 456 00:35:52.565 --> 00:35:53.965 I am making all things new. 457 00:35:54.655 --> 00:35:57.965 Write this down. For these words are trustworthy and true. 458 00:35:58.985 --> 00:36:02.725 It is done. I am the alpha and the omega. 459 00:36:03.065 --> 00:36:05.485 The beginning and the end to the thirsty. 460 00:36:05.845 --> 00:36:07.645 I will give from the spring of the water 461 00:36:07.705 --> 00:36:09.845 of life without payment, the one 462 00:36:09.845 --> 00:36:13.845 who conquers will have this heritage and I will be his God. 463 00:36:14.145 --> 00:36:17.725 And he will be my son. Now come on church. 464 00:36:19.075 --> 00:36:22.365 That is the hope that we live with in every single moment 465 00:36:22.585 --> 00:36:23.645 of every single day. 466 00:36:24.315 --> 00:36:27.885 That is the hope that this church was named on 31 years ago. 467 00:36:28.635 --> 00:36:30.925 It's the hope that unites all of us in this room. 468 00:36:30.925 --> 00:36:32.525 Brothers and sisters of the faith. 469 00:36:33.225 --> 00:36:34.845 It is the hope that every man, woman, 470 00:36:34.905 --> 00:36:37.685 and child outside of these walls in our communities 471 00:36:37.685 --> 00:36:39.045 and all over the world needs 472 00:36:40.155 --> 00:36:42.045 that hope is the thing that unites us. 473 00:36:42.345 --> 00:36:46.285 The family of God is united in his hope. 474 00:36:47.035 --> 00:36:50.365 Sometimes in our world, words like hope get taken, 475 00:36:50.555 --> 00:36:51.845 captive and minimized. 476 00:36:51.905 --> 00:36:53.645 We have to remember exactly what hope is. 477 00:36:53.645 --> 00:36:56.565 There's a book, uh, called Fighting Shadows, uh, 478 00:36:56.565 --> 00:36:59.365 where the authors define hope as this they say hope 479 00:36:59.905 --> 00:37:02.245 is at its essence about expectation. 480 00:37:02.785 --> 00:37:05.205 The reason so many people think they don't have any control 481 00:37:05.205 --> 00:37:06.885 over their present is 482 00:37:06.885 --> 00:37:10.485 because they do not have any expectation about their future. 483 00:37:11.155 --> 00:37:12.925 They, they see that life is something 484 00:37:12.925 --> 00:37:14.045 that is happening to them. 485 00:37:14.865 --> 00:37:16.765 And when you live without expectation, 486 00:37:17.995 --> 00:37:19.245 despair is around the corner. 487 00:37:19.305 --> 00:37:20.325 And despair is evil. 488 00:37:20.425 --> 00:37:23.205 It is from the enemy, it's poison, and you have to go 489 00:37:23.205 --> 00:37:25.005 after it or it will kill you. 490 00:37:25.825 --> 00:37:28.845 The family of God is united in hope, 491 00:37:29.545 --> 00:37:32.405 united in expectation that the God we serve, 492 00:37:32.465 --> 00:37:35.365 the God we love, the God who loves us is one 493 00:37:35.385 --> 00:37:37.205 who fulfills his promises. 494 00:37:37.745 --> 00:37:42.605 The hope unified, that hope unified we can declare. 495 00:37:43.065 --> 00:37:45.445 And we see it throughout scripture, the work 496 00:37:45.445 --> 00:37:46.925 of Jesus on the cross, 497 00:37:46.925 --> 00:37:49.325 certainly the resurrection over death. 498 00:37:50.225 --> 00:37:53.845 We have this eternal promise that he will sustain us 499 00:37:53.845 --> 00:37:55.725 through disruptions in our life, 500 00:37:55.725 --> 00:37:57.645 through circumstances in our lives. 501 00:37:59.225 --> 00:38:02.645 But what happens on this side 502 00:38:02.645 --> 00:38:06.805 of eternity when we lose perspective on that hope? 503 00:38:08.725 --> 00:38:11.255 What happens when we're struggling to see the big picture 504 00:38:11.315 --> 00:38:12.455 of the promise of God 505 00:38:12.515 --> 00:38:15.895 and hope fulfilled in the tyranny of this life? 506 00:38:16.755 --> 00:38:19.215 That's unrelenting, that's heavy, 507 00:38:19.215 --> 00:38:21.015 that's unavoidable, that's overwhelming. 508 00:38:22.965 --> 00:38:25.735 Well, the family of God is united in hope, 509 00:38:25.735 --> 00:38:30.695 but we must also be anchored in his promise, the promise 510 00:38:30.755 --> 00:38:34.895 of him dwelling with us, the promise of Him walking with us. 511 00:38:35.075 --> 00:38:38.445 Last week, clay Burgess talked about personal holiness 512 00:38:38.745 --> 00:38:40.085 and intimacy with Christ. 513 00:38:40.225 --> 00:38:43.045 We have access to the throne room now. 514 00:38:43.105 --> 00:38:46.885 We can pray, we can walk in the spirit, we can grow. 515 00:38:46.905 --> 00:38:48.245 We can read the word of God 516 00:38:48.245 --> 00:38:49.925 because the the promise is still true. 517 00:38:50.265 --> 00:38:54.765 And from verse two, we are his people and he is our God. 518 00:38:55.005 --> 00:38:56.325 I pray those words often. 519 00:38:56.445 --> 00:38:59.205 I pray those words probably every time that I pray 520 00:38:59.225 --> 00:39:00.685 for our church as a whole. 521 00:39:01.035 --> 00:39:02.965 Because I pray it as a declaration. 522 00:39:03.985 --> 00:39:07.685 We are your people and you are our God. It's an anchor. 523 00:39:08.235 --> 00:39:10.165 It's an anchor for my identity as an individual. 524 00:39:10.195 --> 00:39:12.445 It's an anchor for our collective 525 00:39:12.685 --> 00:39:13.805 identity as a church family. 526 00:39:13.915 --> 00:39:17.805 It's an anchor for every single new beginning that we have. 527 00:39:19.355 --> 00:39:20.925 It's an anchor for job loss. 528 00:39:21.835 --> 00:39:25.605 It's an anchor for a medical diagnosis. It's an anchor. 529 00:39:25.875 --> 00:39:28.365 Even while we grieve, the family 530 00:39:28.465 --> 00:39:31.925 of God is anchored in his promise. 531 00:39:33.065 --> 00:39:34.445 So just take a minute 532 00:39:34.445 --> 00:39:36.885 and think about what an anchor is used for. 533 00:39:36.885 --> 00:39:40.925 Right? An anchor for a vessel on water provides steadiness. 534 00:39:40.945 --> 00:39:43.165 It provides grounding stability. 535 00:39:43.265 --> 00:39:46.405 It provides security, uh, in the art world 536 00:39:46.545 --> 00:39:48.165 and maybe just in tattoo shops, 537 00:39:48.165 --> 00:39:50.005 but I think largely in the art world, 538 00:39:50.235 --> 00:39:52.285 anchors are representative of hope, 539 00:39:52.665 --> 00:39:54.445 of perseverance, of commitment. 540 00:39:54.865 --> 00:39:57.845 And here's the good news, church. We are not the anchor. 541 00:39:58.875 --> 00:40:01.245 He's the anchor. When I was a, when I was a young man, 542 00:40:01.845 --> 00:40:03.045 I was probably 19 years old. 543 00:40:03.365 --> 00:40:06.165 I was at, uh, one of my buddies' houses at the lake. 544 00:40:06.665 --> 00:40:09.685 And uh, we made some mistakes this day. 545 00:40:09.735 --> 00:40:12.125 First it was super windy. It's like 40 mile per hour. 546 00:40:12.185 --> 00:40:13.845 Gus of wind. I remember this vividly 547 00:40:13.845 --> 00:40:15.245 because I'm not a good golfer, 548 00:40:15.245 --> 00:40:16.765 but we were golfing earlier that day 549 00:40:17.065 --> 00:40:18.365 and I put pretty straight. 550 00:40:18.465 --> 00:40:20.765 My, everything else is terrible. My short game's real good. 551 00:40:20.905 --> 00:40:22.125 Uh, but I put very straight 552 00:40:22.145 --> 00:40:25.205 and it, the wind blows it like 90 degrees off of the green. 553 00:40:25.305 --> 00:40:28.165 So it was a very windy day. That's my one memory there. 554 00:40:28.425 --> 00:40:31.245 Uh, we got done or quit golfing 'cause it was so bad. 555 00:40:31.505 --> 00:40:35.045 And we end up taking a canoe from this family's lake house 556 00:40:35.385 --> 00:40:37.565 and we take some fishing gear, fishing poles. 557 00:40:37.565 --> 00:40:39.925 We've got, uh, one of the big tackle boxes. 558 00:40:40.065 --> 00:40:41.685 So like hundreds of dollars worth of gear 559 00:40:41.685 --> 00:40:42.845 that was not either of ours. 560 00:40:43.065 --> 00:40:45.725 And we go out on the lake where there are, uh, 561 00:40:45.725 --> 00:40:46.925 there are gusts of wind. 562 00:40:47.065 --> 00:40:50.965 And uh, it did not take long. We had very good intentions. 563 00:40:50.965 --> 00:40:53.445 But we're out there for six, seven minutes 564 00:40:53.745 --> 00:40:56.445 and all of a sudden we make the decision we need to go back 565 00:40:56.865 --> 00:40:57.885 and we don't have an anchor. 566 00:40:57.885 --> 00:40:59.405 There's nothing to stabilize us. 567 00:40:59.425 --> 00:41:02.085 We start to turn this canoe, him rowing on this side, 568 00:41:02.085 --> 00:41:03.485 and me rowing on that side. 569 00:41:03.825 --> 00:41:07.205 We get hit by a wave. Our bodies overreact. 570 00:41:07.465 --> 00:41:09.765 The lip of the canoe goes underwater. 571 00:41:09.785 --> 00:41:11.205 And it never saw air again. 572 00:41:11.505 --> 00:41:13.325 The whole thing, it went under the 573 00:41:13.375 --> 00:41:14.725 poles, the tackle, everything. 574 00:41:14.725 --> 00:41:17.725 We lost it. All. The vessel sunk to the bottom of that lake, 575 00:41:18.505 --> 00:41:21.405 the vessel that was hit by waves that was un anchored. 576 00:41:21.465 --> 00:41:26.365 And our overreaction. We lost everything. In God's family. 577 00:41:26.545 --> 00:41:30.765 We must be anchored to God's promise that we are his people 578 00:41:31.145 --> 00:41:32.645 and he is our God. 579 00:41:32.675 --> 00:41:35.845 That idea comes up 17 times throughout scripture. 580 00:41:36.385 --> 00:41:40.765 It speaks of a future hope. Faith is always future focused. 581 00:41:40.875 --> 00:41:42.805 Hope is always future focused. 582 00:41:42.805 --> 00:41:46.005 In the Old Testament, the prophet, uh, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, 583 00:41:46.035 --> 00:41:47.725 Zachariah, all speak to this idea. 584 00:41:48.305 --> 00:41:50.005 The prophet Jeremiah actually uses 585 00:41:50.005 --> 00:41:51.605 that phrase seven different times. 586 00:41:51.705 --> 00:41:54.325 And every time it's mentioned, it serves 587 00:41:54.585 --> 00:41:56.525 as reassurance of that God. 588 00:41:56.525 --> 00:41:58.485 That we are God's people. 589 00:41:59.315 --> 00:42:03.485 Despite uncertainty, despite our rebellion, despite failure, 590 00:42:03.675 --> 00:42:07.165 despite storms that may hit us, the end is always the same. 591 00:42:07.705 --> 00:42:11.445 He is our God and we are his people 592 00:42:11.915 --> 00:42:15.205 because the family of God is united in hope 593 00:42:16.585 --> 00:42:18.405 and anchored in his promise. 594 00:42:18.505 --> 00:42:21.405 Church, we must hold to this promise. 595 00:42:22.665 --> 00:42:25.045 It was given to the Israelites, it's reiterated throughout 596 00:42:26.065 --> 00:42:28.565 the New Testament and the early church. 597 00:42:31.065 --> 00:42:32.525 It was just restated over 598 00:42:32.585 --> 00:42:34.245 and over again throughout scripture. 599 00:42:34.345 --> 00:42:35.725 And today I share it with you 600 00:42:35.725 --> 00:42:37.445 because one day the family 601 00:42:37.505 --> 00:42:39.765 of God will be perfect, will be unified. 602 00:42:40.465 --> 00:42:43.405 And despite the roadblocks, despite the obstacles, 603 00:42:43.405 --> 00:42:46.845 despite the failures, the disruptions, the detours, 604 00:42:47.465 --> 00:42:49.525 the crashing ways coming alongside us, 605 00:42:49.625 --> 00:42:52.725 we are moving towards God's ultimate desire. 606 00:42:53.795 --> 00:42:57.405 Each and every single one of us united in hope with him, 607 00:42:58.485 --> 00:42:59.765 anchored in his promise. 608 00:42:59.905 --> 00:43:03.765 And then and only then can we be free to live bold lives 609 00:43:03.865 --> 00:43:07.965 for his glory, united in hope, anchored in his promise, 610 00:43:08.065 --> 00:43:11.325 and free to live bold lives for his glory. 611 00:43:11.565 --> 00:43:12.845 I have spent, um, 612 00:43:13.475 --> 00:43:15.445 I've spent nearly zero time at the 613 00:43:15.605 --> 00:43:16.765 campuses outside of Fuquay. 614 00:43:16.765 --> 00:43:19.005 Over the last few years I've been humble. 615 00:43:20.525 --> 00:43:23.725 I have been very, very humble to serve the people in Fuquay. 616 00:43:24.465 --> 00:43:26.925 Uh, I love him. Ooh, I love him very much. 617 00:43:28.025 --> 00:43:30.085 And I assure you that I am sad. 618 00:43:31.065 --> 00:43:34.725 I'm sad that next weekend I won't be driving up 619 00:43:34.725 --> 00:43:37.205 to Herbert Akins Middle School at six 30 in the morning 620 00:43:37.545 --> 00:43:39.325 to move cases and hang drapes 621 00:43:39.325 --> 00:43:41.005 with a guy named Dustin Burlock. 622 00:43:41.345 --> 00:43:43.365 And while we're doing this stuff, I'm talking 623 00:43:43.385 --> 00:43:46.245 to Dustin about his wife and his job and his kids, 624 00:43:46.265 --> 00:43:48.765 and he's telling me how bad the Cowboys are 625 00:43:48.825 --> 00:43:50.445 and how good the Vikings are. 626 00:43:52.425 --> 00:43:55.085 Dustin has shown up nearly every single weekend 627 00:43:56.265 --> 00:43:57.645 before anybody else shows up. 628 00:43:57.945 --> 00:43:59.565 He comes in, he pushes cases, 629 00:43:59.745 --> 00:44:03.245 he hangs drapes, he starts sweating. 630 00:44:03.545 --> 00:44:05.485 He goes home, brings his family back 631 00:44:05.485 --> 00:44:07.045 to worship at church together. 632 00:44:07.065 --> 00:44:09.605 And I'm going to miss doing that with Dustin. 633 00:44:11.665 --> 00:44:12.725 But this is what I know 634 00:44:13.955 --> 00:44:15.565 that Hope Community Church will be 635 00:44:15.805 --> 00:44:16.845 strengthened after this weekend. 636 00:44:18.115 --> 00:44:21.685 This disruption will lead us to being a family 637 00:44:21.685 --> 00:44:25.085 that is united in hope and anchored in the promise of God 638 00:44:25.265 --> 00:44:28.205 and free to live bold lives for his glory. 639 00:44:29.115 --> 00:44:31.365 Because this disruption is just that. 640 00:44:31.435 --> 00:44:32.525 It's just circumstance. 641 00:44:33.785 --> 00:44:35.805 The Father did not send the son 642 00:44:35.805 --> 00:44:39.125 because he liked what I was doing at Herbert Aikens 643 00:44:39.125 --> 00:44:40.565 with Dustin on Sunday mornings. 644 00:44:40.565 --> 00:44:43.485 Jesus didn't die on the cross so that we could go 645 00:44:43.505 --> 00:44:46.485 and plant flags and build buildings and build brands 646 00:44:46.705 --> 00:44:48.565 and be the kings of our own kingdom. 647 00:44:48.625 --> 00:44:50.285 That's not what the church is for. 648 00:44:51.415 --> 00:44:56.165 Jesus didn't defeat death so that my personal preferences 649 00:44:56.225 --> 00:44:59.445 and Sunday rhythms would be steady for God, soul 650 00:44:59.465 --> 00:45:02.085 of the world, that he gave his one 651 00:45:02.105 --> 00:45:03.525 and only son so that 652 00:45:03.525 --> 00:45:05.605 who would ever believe in him would not perish, 653 00:45:05.745 --> 00:45:07.765 but have everlasting life. 654 00:45:08.275 --> 00:45:12.805 Amen. Church, Jesus was crucified for my sins, 655 00:45:13.105 --> 00:45:16.805 for my selfishness, for my self-righteousness, for the pride 656 00:45:16.805 --> 00:45:17.805 that is in my heart. 657 00:45:18.545 --> 00:45:20.525 And he was placed in a borrowed tomb 658 00:45:23.145 --> 00:45:24.245 and he defeated death. 659 00:45:25.145 --> 00:45:29.205 And then he began to build his church, his family, 660 00:45:29.355 --> 00:45:33.045 John 16 says, uh, Jesus actually says this is the promise 661 00:45:33.045 --> 00:45:34.405 that we don't want to hear sometimes. 662 00:45:34.785 --> 00:45:36.885 He says, you will have tribulation, 663 00:45:37.825 --> 00:45:40.165 you will have disruption, you will have hard times. 664 00:45:40.305 --> 00:45:41.325 It will be difficult. 665 00:45:41.505 --> 00:45:46.205 And he also says, and I have overcome the world right 666 00:45:46.205 --> 00:45:48.925 after that, in John 17, Jesus is praying 667 00:45:48.945 --> 00:45:50.325 and he's praying for his church. 668 00:45:50.795 --> 00:45:53.325 It's his longest recorded prayer that we have in scripture. 669 00:45:53.745 --> 00:45:56.645 And he says to the very father that sent him, he is praying 670 00:45:56.665 --> 00:45:59.485 to him, the father that he's united to, the Father 671 00:45:59.485 --> 00:46:04.085 that he's anchored to, he prays that those 672 00:46:04.105 --> 00:46:07.085 who would believe in him, that we would be one, 673 00:46:07.435 --> 00:46:10.245 that we'd be united, that we'd be one body, 674 00:46:10.245 --> 00:46:13.765 that we would be a family that is united in hope 675 00:46:13.825 --> 00:46:15.325 and anchored to his promises. 676 00:46:15.425 --> 00:46:18.445 And then John 20, after the crucifixion, 677 00:46:19.175 --> 00:46:20.525 after the resurrection, but 678 00:46:20.525 --> 00:46:24.045 before his ascension, Jesus says, just 679 00:46:24.065 --> 00:46:26.925 as the Father is sending me, I am sending you. 680 00:46:27.825 --> 00:46:30.405 Go now. Go and be one family. 681 00:46:30.665 --> 00:46:33.165 Go and love each other so well that the people 682 00:46:33.225 --> 00:46:35.645 who do not know you, know that you are from me 683 00:46:35.645 --> 00:46:37.525 because you care for each other so well. 684 00:46:37.525 --> 00:46:38.525 That's John 13. 685 00:46:38.625 --> 00:46:41.885 He said, go and serve the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick. 686 00:46:41.885 --> 00:46:45.285 And those who are imprisoned, he says, go and do justice 687 00:46:45.465 --> 00:46:47.365 and love mercy and walk humbly. 688 00:46:47.365 --> 00:46:50.085 Because here's the deal, church, regardless 689 00:46:50.185 --> 00:46:52.285 of our disruptions or our circumstances, 690 00:46:52.935 --> 00:46:55.525 there is this promise from the creator of the universe 691 00:46:55.665 --> 00:46:57.485 who holds all things together. 692 00:46:57.865 --> 00:47:00.445 And he is promising a day where there is no pain, 693 00:47:00.655 --> 00:47:03.205 there is no tears, there is no death. 694 00:47:04.985 --> 00:47:06.765 And today we're gonna leave this building 695 00:47:08.025 --> 00:47:11.005 and we're gonna go into a world that is traumatized 696 00:47:11.105 --> 00:47:12.685 by the sins of the world. 697 00:47:12.905 --> 00:47:16.725 People who can't rest, can't sleep, some can't breathe. 698 00:47:18.585 --> 00:47:21.885 And some of us, even within the church, are minimizing that. 699 00:47:21.905 --> 00:47:23.685 And we're experiencing the same thing. 700 00:47:24.745 --> 00:47:27.045 And we start to become numb to 701 00:47:27.045 --> 00:47:28.965 what God's call is on our life. 702 00:47:29.855 --> 00:47:31.085 We're not living as people 703 00:47:31.145 --> 00:47:33.725 who have hope anchored to his promises. 704 00:47:35.465 --> 00:47:39.845 But there's another promise in numbers number six. 705 00:47:41.395 --> 00:47:45.285 This is the brother of Moses, Aaron, the Lord speaks to him 706 00:47:45.385 --> 00:47:47.565 and he writes down this promise. 707 00:47:49.945 --> 00:47:52.645 And it's as if the Lord is saying, this is who he is 708 00:47:52.645 --> 00:47:54.165 and who he's going to be over us. 709 00:47:54.185 --> 00:47:57.925 Here's the promise. May the Lord bless you and keep you. 710 00:47:58.865 --> 00:48:01.805 May the Lord make his face to shine upon you 711 00:48:01.805 --> 00:48:02.845 and be gracious to you. 712 00:48:04.505 --> 00:48:06.925 May the Lord lift up his countenance, his approval, 713 00:48:07.065 --> 00:48:09.085 his affection upon you 714 00:48:09.105 --> 00:48:13.955 and give you peace even in disruption. 715 00:48:14.015 --> 00:48:15.075 We can have peace 716 00:48:15.075 --> 00:48:18.195 because God draws near, he comforts those 717 00:48:18.195 --> 00:48:19.275 who need to be comforted. 718 00:48:20.935 --> 00:48:24.595 You know, sometimes we, uh, we're moving 719 00:48:24.895 --> 00:48:26.475 so fast we just push through. 720 00:48:26.485 --> 00:48:27.595 Maybe that's just me. 721 00:48:28.175 --> 00:48:30.235 You just keep pushing through, just trying to get 722 00:48:30.235 --> 00:48:32.235 to the next day, just trying to persevere. 723 00:48:33.295 --> 00:48:37.075 Or maybe we've even just become numb survivors to the world 724 00:48:37.075 --> 00:48:39.075 around us where we're just trying to show up 725 00:48:39.615 --> 00:48:42.355 and we're constantly living in some posture of fight, 726 00:48:42.415 --> 00:48:43.515 flight, or freeze. 727 00:48:45.125 --> 00:48:47.865 But there's disruptions all over, all around us. 728 00:48:49.405 --> 00:48:52.065 And every single one of those disruptions is an opportunity 729 00:48:52.205 --> 00:48:54.745 to come to the throne room of God. 730 00:48:55.295 --> 00:48:58.065 What Peter says, cast your cares upon him. 731 00:48:58.365 --> 00:49:00.705 Who cares for you affectionately. 732 00:49:03.045 --> 00:49:05.465 So here's what we're gonna do to close out our time tonight. 733 00:49:06.715 --> 00:49:09.865 We're gonna pray together. We're gonna pray for one another. 734 00:49:09.875 --> 00:49:11.185 We're gonna pray for our church. 735 00:49:11.195 --> 00:49:13.465 We're gonna pray that the gospel message gets out 736 00:49:13.765 --> 00:49:16.185 to every corner of this community across the world. 737 00:49:17.165 --> 00:49:18.465 So I'm gonna ask you to go ahead 738 00:49:18.465 --> 00:49:20.425 and stand up as a sign of unity. 739 00:49:22.005 --> 00:49:23.625 And I'm gonna read one more thing 740 00:49:27.815 --> 00:49:30.195 before you get into groups for praying together. 741 00:49:30.905 --> 00:49:32.035 This is Paul's writing 742 00:49:32.095 --> 00:49:34.035 to the church in Rome where he says this. 743 00:49:37.145 --> 00:49:39.875 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, 744 00:49:41.495 --> 00:49:44.635 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 745 00:49:44.635 --> 00:49:47.555 through him, we have also obtained access 746 00:49:47.695 --> 00:49:51.435 by faith into his grace in which we stand Church right now, 747 00:49:51.435 --> 00:49:52.595 we are standing in his grace 748 00:49:52.975 --> 00:49:55.635 and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 749 00:49:56.175 --> 00:49:59.435 Not only that, we rejoice in our sufferings, 750 00:49:59.695 --> 00:50:03.515 in our disruptions, in our circumstances, knowing 751 00:50:03.515 --> 00:50:05.315 that suffering produces endurance. 752 00:50:05.375 --> 00:50:07.115 And endurance produces character. 753 00:50:07.295 --> 00:50:09.315 And character produces hope. 754 00:50:09.575 --> 00:50:11.555 And hope does not put us to shame 755 00:50:11.555 --> 00:50:15.195 because God's love has been poured into our hearts 756 00:50:15.225 --> 00:50:17.875 through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 757 00:50:19.855 --> 00:50:23.435 Father, I pray, Lord, I pray that tonight, God, 758 00:50:23.435 --> 00:50:25.235 even in this moment, that you would just, 759 00:50:25.255 --> 00:50:26.995 you would fill our hearts with your love. 760 00:50:27.465 --> 00:50:29.365 God, you would fill our hearts with the hope 761 00:50:29.365 --> 00:50:30.605 that only comes from you. 762 00:50:31.105 --> 00:50:33.405 God, I pray that you would, God, 763 00:50:33.405 --> 00:50:35.725 that you would commission this time of prayer, 764 00:50:36.315 --> 00:50:38.445 that husbands would take the hands of wives, 765 00:50:38.445 --> 00:50:40.245 that children would take the hands of parents. 766 00:50:40.465 --> 00:50:41.965 And we would circle up and we would come 767 00:50:41.965 --> 00:50:43.085 into the throne room, God. 768 00:50:43.465 --> 00:50:45.525 And we would posture ourselves knowing 769 00:50:45.875 --> 00:50:47.445 that we submit ourselves to you, 770 00:50:48.355 --> 00:50:51.885 that you are our God and we are your people. 771 00:50:53.315 --> 00:50:57.805 Amen. Alright, find two or three people. 772 00:50:58.075 --> 00:51:01.565 Grab a hand. We're gonna take six, seven minutes and pray. 773 00:54:15.785 --> 00:54:19.685 As we wrap up this time of prayer, we're going to, 774 00:54:20.625 --> 00:54:22.285 um, move into 775 00:54:24.275 --> 00:54:26.205 what we call the Lord's Supper or communion. 776 00:54:26.225 --> 00:54:29.805 If you didn't have, if you didn't grab one 777 00:54:29.805 --> 00:54:31.765 of these when you came in, I'm sure one of the ushers will 778 00:54:32.575 --> 00:54:34.165 bring one to you if you raise your hand. 779 00:54:34.785 --> 00:54:37.645 Um, 'cause we wanna do this together. 780 00:54:40.225 --> 00:54:43.885 It seems appropriate that we are doing this together today. 781 00:54:44.425 --> 00:54:47.285 Um, 'cause when I was reading 782 00:54:47.815 --> 00:54:52.405 those passages in the gospels about that night, 783 00:54:53.025 --> 00:54:54.525 uh, it was a Thursday night. 784 00:54:55.505 --> 00:54:59.925 Uh, Jesus was gathered with his team, the 12th. 785 00:55:01.765 --> 00:55:05.425 And it was, they were confused. They were upset. 786 00:55:05.425 --> 00:55:06.545 They didn't know what was going on. 787 00:55:06.565 --> 00:55:09.705 The, the Jerusalem was buzzing, that Jesus was in town. 788 00:55:09.725 --> 00:55:14.025 But he's been talking all week about, I'm gonna be betrayed. 789 00:55:14.725 --> 00:55:17.065 I'm gonna be handed into the 790 00:55:19.605 --> 00:55:22.105 handed in the religious leader's hands 791 00:55:22.245 --> 00:55:24.825 and, um, and crucified. 792 00:55:25.295 --> 00:55:28.025 They're like, what's, what's going on? 793 00:55:28.695 --> 00:55:33.475 What are you talking about? And one 794 00:55:33.475 --> 00:55:37.115 of the things he did to try to give them a lens for which 795 00:55:37.215 --> 00:55:42.155 to, to see what was gonna happen, not just in the, 796 00:55:42.175 --> 00:55:44.955 in the next day, but in the coming days 797 00:55:45.335 --> 00:55:50.115 and weeks, He took a piece of bread. 798 00:55:51.215 --> 00:55:54.795 So let's take the bread. And he took 799 00:55:54.795 --> 00:55:56.435 it and he broke it. 800 00:55:56.455 --> 00:55:58.075 So let's just break your bread. 801 00:56:00.535 --> 00:56:03.235 He said, this is my body which is broken for you. 802 00:56:07.945 --> 00:56:10.555 Take eat, do this in remembrance of me. 803 00:56:19.145 --> 00:56:23.765 Then he took a cup of wine, he blessed it, 804 00:56:23.795 --> 00:56:25.125 thanked his father for it, 805 00:56:27.305 --> 00:56:31.725 and he said, this is my blood of new covenant, 806 00:56:32.635 --> 00:56:36.485 this new commitment of I'm never gonna let you go. 807 00:56:36.985 --> 00:56:40.565 No matter what's gonna happen, no matter what you face, 808 00:56:40.925 --> 00:56:42.285 I will never let you go. 809 00:56:42.285 --> 00:56:43.605 That's what a covenant is. 810 00:56:43.645 --> 00:56:45.805 A is a commitment of never letting go. 811 00:56:47.065 --> 00:56:49.205 He says, this is the blood 812 00:56:49.205 --> 00:56:51.165 of my new covenant, of our new covenant. 813 00:56:51.695 --> 00:56:52.525 Let's drink together. 814 00:56:57.105 --> 00:57:01.125 And he said an amazing thing at the end that he said, 815 00:57:02.825 --> 00:57:06.725 and each time you do this, you're proclaiming 816 00:57:06.865 --> 00:57:08.325 to every other follower 817 00:57:09.265 --> 00:57:11.925 and to the world that I'm coming back, 818 00:57:13.795 --> 00:57:16.565 that I'm coming back just like Matt was reading out a 819 00:57:16.565 --> 00:57:18.925 revelation that he's coming back. 820 00:57:19.465 --> 00:57:21.285 And that is something that we can celebrate. 821 00:57:21.865 --> 00:57:25.565 So let's pray together. Father, 822 00:57:25.585 --> 00:57:26.765 we thank you for who you are. 823 00:57:26.825 --> 00:57:28.485 We, we thank you for sending your son 824 00:57:28.745 --> 00:57:31.325 to live the perfect life that we failed to live, to die, 825 00:57:31.345 --> 00:57:32.605 the death that we should have died, 826 00:57:32.985 --> 00:57:35.205 and to rise to a new raise, to a new life 827 00:57:35.555 --> 00:57:37.365 that we do not deserve. 828 00:57:38.585 --> 00:57:39.885 We celebrate that here. 829 00:57:43.185 --> 00:57:44.725 And I just wanna pray this over for you. 830 00:57:47.105 --> 00:57:51.725 As Matt was reading from numbers earlier, 831 00:57:53.875 --> 00:57:56.245 take this personally, individually. 832 00:57:57.065 --> 00:58:01.125 May the Lord bless you and keep you. 833 00:58:03.025 --> 00:58:05.805 May the Lord make his face shine upon you 834 00:58:05.905 --> 00:58:07.405 and be gracious to you. 835 00:58:09.385 --> 00:58:11.205 May the Lord lift his face upon you 836 00:58:12.825 --> 00:58:16.085 and give you his peace. 837 00:58:42.955 --> 00:58:46.645 Lord bless You and 838 00:58:53.665 --> 00:58:54.845 Be gracious. 839 00:59:09.755 --> 00:59:11.045 Come On to that again. 840 00:59:24.585 --> 00:59:25.685 Be gracious. 841 00:59:40.425 --> 00:59:42.645 So let it be John Church. Amen. 842 00:59:50.615 --> 00:59:55.545 Amen. We declare 843 00:59:55.545 --> 00:59:56.745 this promise of our faith. 844 01:00:08.895 --> 01:00:09.835 The Lord bless you, 845 01:00:54.415 --> 01:00:54.905 declare 846 01:01:16.985 --> 01:01:17.275 Amen, 847 01:02:01.905 --> 01:02:02.125 And 848 01:02:18.935 --> 01:02:21.965 Going before you and behind you 849 01:02:22.505 --> 01:02:25.525 and beside you, all the, around you 850 01:02:29.875 --> 01:02:32.845 with and, 851 01:02:34.345 --> 01:02:37.325 and you call and you go away 852 01:02:41.465 --> 01:02:42.445 is for you. 853 01:02:43.195 --> 01:02:47.565 He's for you. He's for you. He's for you. 854 01:02:48.265 --> 01:02:52.645 He for you. He's for, he's for you. 855 01:03:56.975 --> 01:03:59.795 You call me. Can you call me? 856 01:04:10.415 --> 01:04:11.415 Is 857 01:04:35.225 --> 01:04:36.445 We serve a good God? 858 01:04:36.465 --> 01:04:37.465 Church, 859 01:04:47.645 --> 01:04:51.585 He Is for you, he's for you. 860 01:04:52.215 --> 01:04:55.225 He's for you. He's for you. He's for you. 861 01:04:56.295 --> 01:04:57.905 What a great truth to be able 862 01:04:57.905 --> 01:04:59.385 to walk out of here with tonight. 863 01:05:01.115 --> 01:05:02.225 Thank you for joining us. 864 01:05:02.605 --> 01:05:05.345 And I have a special word for those of you 865 01:05:05.345 --> 01:05:07.145 who join us regularly online. 866 01:05:08.485 --> 01:05:13.425 Please, please, please make a point of if you can to be 867 01:05:13.425 --> 01:05:17.845 with us in person on Sunday at either Apex 868 01:05:17.985 --> 01:05:22.925 or Raleigh as we celebrate as hope together. 869 01:05:23.395 --> 01:05:27.965 Because remember, we are a family who loves God, 870 01:05:28.745 --> 01:05:31.645 who follows Jesus and shares hope. 871 01:05:32.825 --> 01:05:34.205 Thanks for worshiping with us.