1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:10,000 [music] 3 00:00:10,000 --> 00:01:07,017 4 00:01:07,017 --> 00:01:08,046 All right, Mars Hill. 5 00:01:08,046 --> 00:01:12,033 We'll be in Luke 8:16-21, little business, 6 00:01:12,033 --> 00:01:14,038 and then a lot of Bible. 7 00:01:14,038 --> 00:01:17,029 This is the end of our fiscal year. 8 00:01:17,029 --> 00:01:19,062 It actually concludes at the end of June, 9 00:01:19,062 --> 00:01:23,054 and so we like to tell you kind of how things are going and what 10 00:01:23,054 --> 00:01:27,092 God's been doing, as well as big plans for our future. 11 00:01:27,092 --> 00:01:30,083 So we want to finish the budget year strong, 12 00:01:30,083 --> 00:01:34,050 and here is a quick report of what God's been doing. 13 00:01:34,050 --> 00:01:37,000 We love church planting, this includes our campuses 14 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,088 of Mars Hill through Acts 29. 15 00:01:39,088 --> 00:01:41,096 And you can see in the last decade 16 00:01:41,096 --> 00:01:43,067 God's been really gracious. 17 00:01:43,067 --> 00:01:47,042 We've gone from 2 churches to more than 300 church plants 18 00:01:47,042 --> 00:01:51,004 just in the U.S, as well as around the world. 19 00:01:51,004 --> 00:01:54,017 In addition to those numbers, we're continually assessing 20 00:01:54,017 --> 00:01:57,083 upwards of 500 church-planting candidates. 21 00:01:57,083 --> 00:02:01,092 We are seeing planted more than a church a week 22 00:02:01,092 --> 00:02:04,000 in the U.S. alone. 23 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,079 And we are really excited about what God is doing. 24 00:02:06,079 --> 00:02:08,096 We're bringing together the pastors and their wives 25 00:02:08,096 --> 00:02:11,071 here in a few weeks in Vail, Colorado, 26 00:02:11,071 --> 00:02:14,012 for a conference and retreat time. 27 00:02:14,012 --> 00:02:16,062 You are covering most of their expenses, 28 00:02:16,062 --> 00:02:19,033 so on their behalf, thank you. 29 00:02:19,033 --> 00:02:21,033 Under the leadership of Scott Thomas, 30 00:02:21,033 --> 00:02:24,029 this is going exceedingly well. 31 00:02:24,029 --> 00:02:28,012 And in about 5 to 6 years, we anticipate, by God's grace, 32 00:02:28,012 --> 00:02:30,017 to be at a thousand churches. 33 00:02:30,017 --> 00:02:33,042 Right now it's almost 80,000 people a week 34 00:02:33,042 --> 00:02:35,029 in Acts 29 churches, 35 00:02:35,029 --> 00:02:37,096 and we anticipate that number to grow to more than 36 00:02:37,096 --> 00:02:41,092 a quarter million in the next 5 or 6 years. 37 00:02:41,092 --> 00:02:43,046 That's the big picture. 38 00:02:43,046 --> 00:02:47,038 We give 10% of all of our dollars to this cause. 39 00:02:47,038 --> 00:02:50,067 Additionally, here's what's been going on at Mars Hill. 40 00:02:50,067 --> 00:02:54,000 In the last decade, we've gone from one campus to ten, 41 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:58,008 with a few more in planning, from just over a thousand people 42 00:02:58,008 --> 00:03:01,083 to a high point at Easter of 13,000 people. 43 00:03:01,083 --> 00:03:04,042 Seattle used to be the least-churched city in America. 44 00:03:04,042 --> 00:03:06,021 It no longer is. 45 00:03:06,021 --> 00:03:08,062 The Northwest used to be the least-churched region 46 00:03:08,062 --> 00:03:11,000 in the country, it no longer is. 47 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:12,092 And there's a lot still left to do, 48 00:03:12,092 --> 00:03:15,075 but there's a lot to rejoice in. 49 00:03:15,075 --> 00:03:18,096 [congregation applauding] 50 00:03:18,096 --> 00:03:20,050 One of these campuses, as well, 51 00:03:20,050 --> 00:03:23,000 is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, under the leadership 52 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,050 of Dave Bruskas, going exceedingly well. 53 00:03:26,050 --> 00:03:30,033 And now we're looking for other opportunities out of state. 54 00:03:30,033 --> 00:03:33,000 There will be at least one that we'll be informing you 55 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,004 of in the coming months. 56 00:03:35,004 --> 00:03:38,008 And as well, Mars Hill has community groups that meet 57 00:03:38,008 --> 00:03:41,092 all over the region, condos, dorms, homes, apartments, 58 00:03:41,092 --> 00:03:44,042 coffee shops, and the like. 59 00:03:44,042 --> 00:03:49,071 We went from a mere 3 groups a decade ago to over 400 today 60 00:03:49,071 --> 00:03:53,017 with those getting ready to replicate and multiply, 61 00:03:53,017 --> 00:03:57,083 500 or 600 should be open to welcome thousands and thousands 62 00:03:57,083 --> 00:04:01,054 of people come this September when we push hard again 63 00:04:01,054 --> 00:04:04,025 and school is back in session. 64 00:04:04,025 --> 00:04:08,012 So we rejoice for all of these connecting points for you to get 65 00:04:08,012 --> 00:04:11,088 involved, to get in community, and to get on mission. 66 00:04:11,088 --> 00:04:14,033 And I'll tell you what else God is doing. 67 00:04:14,033 --> 00:04:19,071 This is a really incredible, busy, fantastic week. 68 00:04:19,071 --> 00:04:21,062 I was so tired. 69 00:04:21,062 --> 00:04:23,088 I went to bed last night at 6 o'clock, 70 00:04:23,088 --> 00:04:26,038 and I slept 12 hours, to the glory of God, 71 00:04:26,038 --> 00:04:27,021 like a Calvinist. 72 00:04:27,021 --> 00:04:29,021 'Cause we have so much left to do, 73 00:04:29,021 --> 00:04:30,071 I just needed some more energy. 74 00:04:30,071 --> 00:04:33,050 Here's what is going on: the campuses are growing, 75 00:04:33,050 --> 00:04:35,004 God is at work. 76 00:04:35,004 --> 00:04:38,083 This is that time of year where we clean up our budget, 77 00:04:38,083 --> 00:04:40,042 and to tell you the truth, 78 00:04:40,042 --> 00:04:42,038 we need to finish our year strong. 79 00:04:42,038 --> 00:04:45,029 We're about a million dollars behind projected giving. 80 00:04:45,029 --> 00:04:48,000 Some people have been exceedingly faithful. 81 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,058 Some are still needing to get on board. 82 00:04:50,058 --> 00:04:54,021 We want to let you know all the good things that have happened, 83 00:04:54,021 --> 00:04:56,075 and we want to finish the budget year strong. 84 00:04:56,075 --> 00:04:59,079 We're asking you to pray, pray, pray, give, give, give, 85 00:04:59,079 --> 00:05:02,017 pray some more, give some more. 86 00:05:02,017 --> 00:05:05,021 Let's finish the year strong, 'cause here's what we've got 87 00:05:05,021 --> 00:05:06,092 on tap as well. 88 00:05:06,092 --> 00:05:09,079 This week, if you can believe this, 89 00:05:09,079 --> 00:05:12,067 we're opening the John Danz Theatre in Bellevue. 90 00:05:12,067 --> 00:05:18,004 The Bellevue Campus will be having an open house. 91 00:05:18,004 --> 00:05:20,050 We're bringing all of that campus in. 92 00:05:20,050 --> 00:05:22,033 They've outgrown their location. 93 00:05:22,033 --> 00:05:24,096 They have grown very, very rapidly, 94 00:05:24,096 --> 00:05:27,054 and so the John Danz Theatre will double their seating 95 00:05:27,054 --> 00:05:29,025 to almost a thousand. 96 00:05:29,025 --> 00:05:33,017 It's downtown right next to the mall right by Rock Bottom 97 00:05:33,017 --> 00:05:36,083 and Barnes & Noble and Starbucks all next door. 98 00:05:36,083 --> 00:05:38,058 Right in the heart of downtown Bellevue, 99 00:05:38,058 --> 00:05:41,000 we'll be able to launch multiple other campuses 100 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,000 around the region from there. 101 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,000 The seating will be upwards of a thousand. 102 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,050 So there'll be an open house at Bellevue to notify 103 00:05:47,050 --> 00:05:50,033 all the people, let them come in and check it out. 104 00:05:50,033 --> 00:05:53,058 In addition, be in prayer for Olympia and Albuquerque. 105 00:05:53,058 --> 00:05:55,012 As they've outgrown their buildings, 106 00:05:55,012 --> 00:05:57,000 they're looking for new space. 107 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:00,083 As well, this week, we are intending to sign the deal 108 00:06:00,083 --> 00:06:04,075 to purchase a Baptist church within walking distance of 109 00:06:04,075 --> 00:06:08,079 the University of Washington, almost 20,000 square feet, 110 00:06:08,079 --> 00:06:12,000 seating 400 in the sanctuary, lots of classroom 111 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,083 and office space to train young and emerging leaders, 112 00:06:14,083 --> 00:06:18,012 2 apartments included therein to house interns, 113 00:06:18,012 --> 00:06:20,000 as that is a very poor campus. 114 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,054 They have been meeting this year. 115 00:06:21,054 --> 00:06:24,017 They've got 400 plus students. 116 00:06:24,017 --> 00:06:27,062 For the first time that I am aware of in my 15 years 117 00:06:27,062 --> 00:06:30,000 of pastoral ministry at Mars Hill Church, 118 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,083 a church building has come for sale in the U District, 119 00:06:32,083 --> 00:06:34,042 and we're grabbing it. 120 00:06:34,042 --> 00:06:37,029 And we'll be able to plant a flag there, and train people, 121 00:06:37,029 --> 00:06:40,042 and reach students, and develop the leadership pipeline 122 00:06:40,042 --> 00:06:42,042 for generations to come. 123 00:06:42,042 --> 00:06:44,050 That's this week as well. 124 00:06:44,050 --> 00:06:47,000 In addition--yeah. 125 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:50,050 [congregation applauding] 126 00:06:50,050 --> 00:06:54,017 In addition, another church is voting to join us 127 00:06:54,017 --> 00:06:57,017 and become Mars Hill by the Zoo, 128 00:06:57,017 --> 00:06:59,067 right across from the Woodland Park Zoo. 129 00:06:59,067 --> 00:07:01,092 We would call it Phinney Ridge, we may still, 130 00:07:01,092 --> 00:07:04,004 but everybody knows where the zoo is. 131 00:07:04,004 --> 00:07:06,042 And so right across from the zoo, 132 00:07:06,042 --> 00:07:09,025 there's a fantastic Bible-believing church. 133 00:07:09,025 --> 00:07:11,083 It is actually where we launched Mars Hill Church, 134 00:07:11,083 --> 00:07:14,021 where I started a college ministry that became 135 00:07:14,021 --> 00:07:15,058 Mars Hill Church. 136 00:07:15,058 --> 00:07:17,075 Our first services were in this building, 137 00:07:17,075 --> 00:07:20,071 and so we're looking at it coming full circle. 138 00:07:20,071 --> 00:07:24,021 Their congregation this week is voting whether or not they want 139 00:07:24,021 --> 00:07:26,096 to become the latest Mars Hill campus. 140 00:07:26,096 --> 00:07:29,017 We hope, trust, pray that they will. 141 00:07:29,017 --> 00:07:31,025 Their pastor is named Darren. 142 00:07:31,025 --> 00:07:33,004 He's a wonderful guy, a dear friend, 143 00:07:33,004 --> 00:07:36,033 and we will be glad to have him as the campus pastor. 144 00:07:36,033 --> 00:07:38,067 The Christians there who love Jesus, 145 00:07:38,067 --> 00:07:40,062 we're glad to welcome them as part of 146 00:07:40,062 --> 00:07:44,017 the extended church family that is Mars Hill. 147 00:07:44,017 --> 00:07:47,046 Their building would be the biggest facility that we have 148 00:07:47,046 --> 00:07:50,083 in all of Mars Hill by sheer square footage. 149 00:07:50,083 --> 00:07:52,083 It has a gym for kids to play, 150 00:07:52,083 --> 00:07:55,000 lots of classrooms and office space. 151 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:56,017 Two homes attached. 152 00:07:56,017 --> 00:07:59,017 They've paid it all off, and we want to get behind them, 153 00:07:59,017 --> 00:08:02,025 work with them as a campus to use that to God's glory 154 00:08:02,025 --> 00:08:03,054 and our city's good. 155 00:08:03,054 --> 00:08:07,062 It is 4 miles to Downtown, 1.2 miles to Ballard. 156 00:08:07,062 --> 00:08:09,096 It is 2 miles to the University campus. 157 00:08:09,096 --> 00:08:12,029 It will allow us to have a regional hub, 158 00:08:12,029 --> 00:08:16,004 lots of space for redemption night, premarital training, 159 00:08:16,004 --> 00:08:19,067 classes, as well as Sunday services, 160 00:08:19,067 --> 00:08:23,058 including services that will be tailored to include and welcome 161 00:08:23,058 --> 00:08:26,096 those who are older with a little more traditional music, 162 00:08:26,096 --> 00:08:29,050 because if you're over 20, Jesus loves you too, 163 00:08:29,050 --> 00:08:33,067 and we'd like to see you bring your friends to Mars Hill. 164 00:08:33,067 --> 00:08:38,058 So that's this week, unless something else comes up, 165 00:08:38,058 --> 00:08:40,004 and we'll do that too. 166 00:08:40,004 --> 00:08:43,004 And so what we're asking you to do is pray, pray, pray, 167 00:08:43,004 --> 00:08:45,088 give, give, give, pray some more, give some more. 168 00:08:45,088 --> 00:08:48,008 If you've been praying and giving, praise God. 169 00:08:48,008 --> 00:08:49,004 Thank you. 170 00:08:49,004 --> 00:08:51,083 Like fishes and loaves handed to Jesus by a little boy, 171 00:08:51,083 --> 00:08:53,083 it's all getting multiplied. 172 00:08:53,083 --> 00:08:56,083 And for those of you that are still looking at your Lunchable, 173 00:08:56,083 --> 00:08:58,000 please share. 174 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:00,017 We've got lots left to do. 175 00:09:00,017 --> 00:09:01,004 It's exciting. 176 00:09:01,004 --> 00:09:02,042 It's an amazing time. 177 00:09:02,042 --> 00:09:05,092 I just can't believe all that's actually happening this week, 178 00:09:05,092 --> 00:09:08,058 and I may have forgot some things but that's how much 179 00:09:08,058 --> 00:09:09,096 is going on. 180 00:09:09,096 --> 00:09:12,012 And so we're gonna open more seats, more opportunities, 181 00:09:12,012 --> 00:09:14,029 and we want to make up the million dollars, 182 00:09:14,029 --> 00:09:18,000 finish this month strong, hit the summer with everything 183 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,050 coming together for an enormous push and the biggest year 184 00:09:21,050 --> 00:09:23,092 we've ever had come fall, Amen? 185 00:09:23,092 --> 00:09:25,079 Very exciting. 186 00:09:25,079 --> 00:09:32,079 So, if that doesn't fire you up, your wood's wet. 187 00:09:32,079 --> 00:09:34,092 We're gonna do a little Bible now. 188 00:09:34,092 --> 00:09:37,058 We'll be in Luke 8:16-21. 189 00:09:37,058 --> 00:09:40,058 I'm gonna go ahead and pray, and we're gonna study God's Word. 190 00:09:40,058 --> 00:09:43,017 Father God, thank you that you are a father, 191 00:09:43,017 --> 00:09:46,083 you're a dad who loves the church, your family, 192 00:09:46,083 --> 00:09:50,008 that you love our church and its campuses as part 193 00:09:50,008 --> 00:09:52,092 of your extended family. 194 00:09:52,092 --> 00:09:55,083 Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you're the big brother who came 195 00:09:55,083 --> 00:09:59,062 to take away sin, and give salvation, and allow us 196 00:09:59,062 --> 00:10:03,062 to experience adoption into the family of God. 197 00:10:03,062 --> 00:10:06,054 As we open your Word, please open our hearts and minds 198 00:10:06,054 --> 00:10:10,033 to learn and to receive what you would have for us. 199 00:10:10,033 --> 00:10:13,012 In Jesus' name, Amen. 200 00:10:13,012 --> 00:10:15,067 All right, here's where it's going to go today. 201 00:10:15,067 --> 00:10:18,008 There is a parable told by Jesus, 202 00:10:18,008 --> 00:10:22,092 as well as a teaching moment that we'll enjoy from him. 203 00:10:22,092 --> 00:10:24,029 And in both of these, 204 00:10:24,029 --> 00:10:27,079 he's working from identity to activity. 205 00:10:27,079 --> 00:10:30,083 And this is the reverse of how religion and most people 206 00:10:30,083 --> 00:10:32,046 in our world work. 207 00:10:32,046 --> 00:10:36,071 In our world, including, sadly, in false-teaching churches 208 00:10:36,071 --> 00:10:40,033 and non-Christian religions, it is predicated on 209 00:10:40,033 --> 00:10:43,029 activity establishes identity. 210 00:10:43,029 --> 00:10:46,088 So you do something to become someone. 211 00:10:46,088 --> 00:10:50,012 In religion, this would be you have to give, you have to serve, 212 00:10:50,012 --> 00:10:53,083 you have to pray, you have to go to Mecca, so that God would find 213 00:10:53,083 --> 00:10:55,012 you pleasing in his sight. 214 00:10:55,012 --> 00:10:57,008 You have to reincarnate, you have to suffer, 215 00:10:57,008 --> 00:11:00,083 you have to go to purgatory, so that God would find you pleasing 216 00:11:00,083 --> 00:11:05,033 in his sight, so that you could be in a loving relationship, 217 00:11:05,033 --> 00:11:08,075 or at least a forgiving relationship with him. 218 00:11:08,075 --> 00:11:11,012 So activity creates identity. 219 00:11:11,012 --> 00:11:14,008 The secular version is: you're defined by your appearance, 220 00:11:14,008 --> 00:11:15,083 by your job, by your performance, 221 00:11:15,083 --> 00:11:18,033 by your status in life. 222 00:11:18,033 --> 00:11:20,067 So it's whatever you do or accomplish 223 00:11:20,067 --> 00:11:24,025 that determines your identity. 224 00:11:24,025 --> 00:11:26,075 In Christianity, it's completely the opposite. 225 00:11:26,075 --> 00:11:29,025 Through the grace of God, and the work of Jesus, 226 00:11:29,025 --> 00:11:33,017 and the love of the Father, we receive an identity. 227 00:11:33,017 --> 00:11:36,029 And out of that identity, there is activity, 228 00:11:36,029 --> 00:11:39,096 not so that God would love us, but because he already has, 229 00:11:39,096 --> 00:11:43,050 not so that God would accept us, but because in Christ, 230 00:11:43,050 --> 00:11:45,046 he already does. 231 00:11:45,046 --> 00:11:48,033 So who we are determines what we do. 232 00:11:48,033 --> 00:11:51,025 It is not that what we do determines who we are. 233 00:11:51,025 --> 00:11:54,054 That's the miracle of Christianity. 234 00:11:54,054 --> 00:11:57,021 And so as God commands us to activity, 235 00:11:57,021 --> 00:12:00,033 it is simply the outworking of our identity. 236 00:12:00,033 --> 00:12:04,004 He makes us someone so we can do some things. 237 00:12:04,004 --> 00:12:08,046 And Jesus begins by telling it in this way. 238 00:12:08,046 --> 00:12:15,012 Luke 8:16-18, he says, "In the world be a light." 239 00:12:15,012 --> 00:12:17,096 "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar 240 00:12:17,096 --> 00:12:20,096 "or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, 241 00:12:20,096 --> 00:12:23,012 "so that those who enter may see the light. 242 00:12:23,012 --> 00:12:25,083 "For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, 243 00:12:25,083 --> 00:12:28,042 "nor is anything secret that will not be known 244 00:12:28,042 --> 00:12:29,042 "and come to light. 245 00:12:29,042 --> 00:12:32,042 "Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, 246 00:12:32,042 --> 00:12:35,008 "more will be given, and from the one who has not, 247 00:12:35,008 --> 00:12:37,075 even what he thinks that he has will be taken away." 248 00:12:37,075 --> 00:12:40,004 This is a parable from the Lord Jesus, 249 00:12:40,004 --> 00:12:42,075 and he establishes for the Christian, 250 00:12:42,075 --> 00:12:47,067 us being in identity as light. 251 00:12:47,067 --> 00:12:52,021 So here's the story that Jesus tells in parable form. 252 00:12:52,021 --> 00:12:55,029 The world is filled with darkness. 253 00:12:55,029 --> 00:13:02,000 Sin, temptation, lies, that it is filled with darkness. 254 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:03,038 It doesn't know God. 255 00:13:03,038 --> 00:13:04,038 It doesn't love God. 256 00:13:04,038 --> 00:13:05,079 It doesn't seek God. 257 00:13:05,079 --> 00:13:07,050 It doesn't savor God. 258 00:13:07,050 --> 00:13:11,050 The world is darkness, and Jesus is the light of the world. 259 00:13:11,050 --> 00:13:12,092 That's what he says elsewhere. 260 00:13:12,092 --> 00:13:14,096 And Jesus is our great God and savior, 261 00:13:14,096 --> 00:13:19,038 and he comes as light into the darkness of the world. 262 00:13:19,038 --> 00:13:26,029 And Jesus, where there is sin, he exposes it. 263 00:13:26,029 --> 00:13:28,042 That's part of the function of light. 264 00:13:28,042 --> 00:13:30,017 Where there is error, 265 00:13:30,017 --> 00:13:32,088 he illuminates it as being erroneous. 266 00:13:32,088 --> 00:13:34,079 That's part of the function of light, 267 00:13:34,079 --> 00:13:40,025 is to expose and to illuminate where there is need. 268 00:13:40,025 --> 00:13:45,021 And Jesus dies for our sin, rises for our salvation, and he 269 00:13:45,021 --> 00:13:50,092 places in the child of God, in the Christian, the Holy Spirit, 270 00:13:50,092 --> 00:13:54,033 and the Holy Spirit is the presence of the light, 271 00:13:54,033 --> 00:13:57,021 and life, and love of God. 272 00:13:57,021 --> 00:14:05,004 This absolutely, inextricably, eternally alters our identity. 273 00:14:05,004 --> 00:14:07,083 The Bible says it elsewhere that olds things have passed away, 274 00:14:07,083 --> 00:14:11,096 that all things are made new, that we're made a new creation, 275 00:14:11,096 --> 00:14:15,079 a new person with a new identity in Christ. 276 00:14:15,079 --> 00:14:18,038 That's why many people in the Bible are actually given 277 00:14:18,038 --> 00:14:20,017 a new name. 278 00:14:20,017 --> 00:14:22,050 So Abram becomes Abraham, and Saul becomes Paul, 279 00:14:22,050 --> 00:14:24,033 and Cephas becomes Peter. 280 00:14:24,033 --> 00:14:28,083 It's that you're so radically changed at the core, depth, 281 00:14:28,083 --> 00:14:32,004 seat, sum, center, essence of who you are, 282 00:14:32,004 --> 00:14:34,004 that you get a new identity. 283 00:14:34,004 --> 00:14:36,083 And out of that new identity, there's new activity, 284 00:14:36,083 --> 00:14:38,067 that God does something in you, 285 00:14:38,067 --> 00:14:42,000 and then God does some things through you. 286 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:43,062 That's why the Bible says elsewhere, 287 00:14:43,062 --> 00:14:45,088 "to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 288 00:14:45,088 --> 00:14:49,054 "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do 289 00:14:49,054 --> 00:14:50,083 according to his good pleasure." 290 00:14:50,083 --> 00:14:53,075 God works in you, and then God works through you. 291 00:14:53,075 --> 00:14:57,008 God establishes identity, that leads to activity. 292 00:14:57,008 --> 00:15:00,033 You say, "I used to do this, but I don't do this anymore, 293 00:15:00,033 --> 00:15:01,038 "'cause I met Jesus. 294 00:15:01,038 --> 00:15:04,017 "I used to think that way, I don't think that way anymore, 295 00:15:04,017 --> 00:15:05,017 "'cause I met Jesus. 296 00:15:05,017 --> 00:15:07,033 "And now the presence and the power of God 297 00:15:07,033 --> 00:15:10,000 "is taking residence in my life. 298 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:13,083 "The Holy Spirit is in me as I am in Christ, 299 00:15:13,083 --> 00:15:15,067 "and I get to be a light. 300 00:15:15,067 --> 00:15:19,092 That's my identity, I get to be a light in a dark world." 301 00:15:19,092 --> 00:15:21,083 And so the song isn't that great, 302 00:15:21,083 --> 00:15:23,050 but it's theologically accurate. 303 00:15:23,050 --> 00:15:26,062 "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." 304 00:15:26,062 --> 00:15:30,067 It's theologically accurate, artistically not so phenomenal, 305 00:15:30,067 --> 00:15:33,017 so I will not sing it for you. 306 00:15:33,017 --> 00:15:35,067 But if you sang it as a little kid, 307 00:15:35,067 --> 00:15:37,050 it's actually a pretty good little theological 308 00:15:37,050 --> 00:15:39,000 instruction piece. 309 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:40,046 You want your light to shine. 310 00:15:40,046 --> 00:15:43,083 What that means is where there is truth, or lies rather, 311 00:15:43,083 --> 00:15:45,017 you want to bring truth. 312 00:15:45,017 --> 00:15:49,033 Where there is sin, you want to bring conviction of sin 313 00:15:49,033 --> 00:15:51,033 and repentance of sin. 314 00:15:51,033 --> 00:15:53,017 Where people are enslaved to sin, 315 00:15:53,017 --> 00:15:56,033 you want to bring redemption through the gospel. 316 00:15:56,033 --> 00:15:59,008 Where people are hiding and sinning in secrecy and shame, 317 00:15:59,008 --> 00:16:02,025 you want to shine the light of God's truth and love, 318 00:16:02,025 --> 00:16:04,092 and invite them to repentance in Jesus. 319 00:16:04,092 --> 00:16:07,067 So the picture is as if the whole world is filled 320 00:16:07,067 --> 00:16:13,025 with darkness, and Jesus comes as a torch, as it were, 321 00:16:13,025 --> 00:16:18,004 and that each Christian is like a small candle who's lit 322 00:16:18,004 --> 00:16:20,096 by the torch of Jesus. 323 00:16:20,096 --> 00:16:24,025 By the grace of God, we are to humbly carry our light 324 00:16:24,025 --> 00:16:28,029 into the world, take it to work or school 325 00:16:28,029 --> 00:16:31,054 or wherever it is that we happen to be as missionaries 326 00:16:31,054 --> 00:16:34,004 in a dark world bringing the light of the gospel 327 00:16:34,004 --> 00:16:39,038 and good news, and exposing and illuminating of Jesus Christ. 328 00:16:39,038 --> 00:16:42,067 So my question to you is this: How's it going? 329 00:16:42,067 --> 00:16:44,050 For those of you who are Christian, 330 00:16:44,050 --> 00:16:46,067 or claim to be Christian, how's it going? 331 00:16:46,067 --> 00:16:52,000 Because what Jesus exhorts us is not to hide our light, 332 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:56,067 he uses this analogy that if the Holy Spirit has set his light 333 00:16:56,067 --> 00:17:04,017 aflame in you, you can either illuminate and expose, 334 00:17:04,017 --> 00:17:08,071 or you can conceal and hide that light. 335 00:17:08,071 --> 00:17:11,008 And what this looks like, practically, 336 00:17:11,008 --> 00:17:16,050 is that with your family, you don't really talk about Jesus. 337 00:17:16,050 --> 00:17:18,071 With your friends, you don't really talk about Jesus, 338 00:17:18,071 --> 00:17:20,071 or at least your non-Christian family and friends. 339 00:17:20,071 --> 00:17:23,071 And the whole point of your job is not to annoy people 340 00:17:23,071 --> 00:17:25,062 and talk about God all the time 341 00:17:25,062 --> 00:17:27,021 while you're not doing your job, 342 00:17:27,021 --> 00:17:29,096 but you want to do well at your job. 343 00:17:29,096 --> 00:17:33,017 As part of your light, you want to show up early, stay late, 344 00:17:33,017 --> 00:17:37,017 work hard, be honest, tell the truth, deliver results, 345 00:17:37,017 --> 00:17:39,096 love others, pray for them, serve them, 346 00:17:39,096 --> 00:17:41,096 be gracious and kind. 347 00:17:41,096 --> 00:17:43,083 And as opportunity arises through friendship, 348 00:17:43,083 --> 00:17:46,067 love, and service, to talk to people about Jesus. 349 00:17:46,067 --> 00:17:48,050 Let them know you'll pray for them, 350 00:17:48,050 --> 00:17:51,021 serve them in functional and practical ways. 351 00:17:51,021 --> 00:17:54,000 But what happens is there is a lot of pressure from 352 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,083 the darkness to hide the light. 353 00:17:56,083 --> 00:17:58,071 That's what Jesus is saying. 354 00:17:58,071 --> 00:18:01,062 Some of your family members, they don't want to hear about 355 00:18:01,062 --> 00:18:05,046 Jesus, so you don't say anything, but they need him. 356 00:18:05,046 --> 00:18:09,033 Some of your friends, coworkers, neighbors, roommates, 357 00:18:09,033 --> 00:18:14,042 they don't want to hear about Jesus, but they need him. 358 00:18:14,042 --> 00:18:17,033 And the question is, well, are you going to conceal, to cover, 359 00:18:17,033 --> 00:18:21,029 to hide your light, or will you be open, and honest, 360 00:18:21,029 --> 00:18:24,042 and authentic, and live according to your convictions, 361 00:18:24,042 --> 00:18:25,067 who you truly are? 362 00:18:25,067 --> 00:18:27,083 And the pressure in our culture is this, 363 00:18:27,083 --> 00:18:31,042 there is a distinction between that which is to be public 364 00:18:31,042 --> 00:18:34,042 and that which is to be private, and sadly, 365 00:18:34,042 --> 00:18:37,062 the Western world has decided that spiritual, 366 00:18:37,062 --> 00:18:41,033 religious convictions about God and life are to be 367 00:18:41,033 --> 00:18:46,008 in the private sphere, not in the public sphere. 368 00:18:46,008 --> 00:18:50,029 But the truth is, we're supposed to have freedom of religion, 369 00:18:50,029 --> 00:18:55,033 not freedom from religion, that we are to be able to worship God 370 00:18:55,033 --> 00:19:00,033 freely and publicly, and it was never intended that our faith 371 00:19:00,033 --> 00:19:03,054 would not have anything to do with our life. 372 00:19:03,054 --> 00:19:06,054 See, this is a false dichotomy. 373 00:19:06,054 --> 00:19:09,054 See, if we believe God created the world and we're to be 374 00:19:09,054 --> 00:19:13,029 stewards of it, that affects how we view stewardship, recycling, 375 00:19:13,029 --> 00:19:16,029 environmentalism, and care of the earth. 376 00:19:16,029 --> 00:19:19,012 If we believe that men and women are created equal, 377 00:19:19,012 --> 00:19:20,083 that determines how we view gender 378 00:19:20,083 --> 00:19:22,067 and the equality of women. 379 00:19:22,067 --> 00:19:24,083 If we believe that human life is sacred, 380 00:19:24,083 --> 00:19:28,004 that affects how we view such things as abortion or murder. 381 00:19:28,004 --> 00:19:31,067 If we believe that all races are created equal in the image 382 00:19:31,067 --> 00:19:36,000 of God, that changes how we view racism and slavery. 383 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:39,092 If we believe that, ultimately, those who are being abused 384 00:19:39,092 --> 00:19:43,058 need justice because our God is a God of justice, 385 00:19:43,058 --> 00:19:46,000 then we'll work for justice. 386 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:49,000 If we believe that God cares for the widow, and the poor, 387 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:51,096 and the orphan, then we will give generously and we'll be 388 00:19:51,096 --> 00:19:55,000 involved in foster care, and we'll adopt children. 389 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:56,088 And we'll serve single mothers. 390 00:19:56,088 --> 00:19:59,062 And we'll have redemption groups for rape victims. 391 00:19:59,062 --> 00:20:00,029 Why? 392 00:20:00,029 --> 00:20:02,071 Because it works out of our faith. 393 00:20:02,071 --> 00:20:06,000 It works out of our deep convictions about who the God 394 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:11,033 of the Bible is, why he made the world, and our place in it. 395 00:20:11,033 --> 00:20:13,083 And so if you're one of those people who says, 396 00:20:13,083 --> 00:20:15,079 "Well, it works for me, not for you. 397 00:20:15,079 --> 00:20:18,079 "My faith is a private thing, not a public thing, 398 00:20:18,079 --> 00:20:22,067 and I only talk about Jesus with people who already know him." 399 00:20:22,067 --> 00:20:26,008 Jesus says, "Hey, please don't hide that light. 400 00:20:26,008 --> 00:20:29,058 "I lit your candle so you could go out into the dark world 401 00:20:29,058 --> 00:20:33,079 "and others could be attracted to who I am and what I do. 402 00:20:33,079 --> 00:20:36,062 "And if you cover your candle, you're not helping the cause, 403 00:20:36,062 --> 00:20:38,042 "in fact, you're ashamed of me, 404 00:20:38,042 --> 00:20:40,096 "and you're not wanting to suffer for me. 405 00:20:40,096 --> 00:20:43,046 "And the truth is, I should be ashamed of you, 406 00:20:43,046 --> 00:20:45,079 "and I've already suffered for you. 407 00:20:45,079 --> 00:20:51,050 "So if you want to follow me, live as live, speak as I spoke, 408 00:20:51,050 --> 00:20:54,067 do as I did, and don't be ashamed of me." 409 00:20:54,067 --> 00:20:57,017 Some of you say, "But the darkness will push back. 410 00:20:57,017 --> 00:20:58,050 "My family will be upset. 411 00:20:58,050 --> 00:20:59,067 "I will lose my job. 412 00:20:59,067 --> 00:21:01,050 My grade point will go down." 413 00:21:01,050 --> 00:21:03,042 To the glory of God, yes. 414 00:21:03,042 --> 00:21:05,042 You worship someone who was murdered. 415 00:21:05,042 --> 00:21:07,071 Lean over the plate, take one for the team. 416 00:21:07,071 --> 00:21:12,038 That's the big idea. That's the big idea. 417 00:21:12,038 --> 00:21:15,067 Because the truth is as much as some in the darkness will push 418 00:21:15,067 --> 00:21:19,067 back, there are others who will be attracted and compelled. 419 00:21:19,067 --> 00:21:21,000 They'll say, "You know what? 420 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:22,050 "I'm interested. 421 00:21:22,050 --> 00:21:23,083 "Could you pray for me? 422 00:21:23,083 --> 00:21:25,017 "Could you talk to me? 423 00:21:25,017 --> 00:21:27,083 "You're the one person who doesn't seem to be using me, 424 00:21:27,083 --> 00:21:29,004 "taking advantage of me. 425 00:21:29,004 --> 00:21:31,062 "You're not perfect, but you're not a total hypocrite, 426 00:21:31,062 --> 00:21:33,042 "you practice what you preach, 427 00:21:33,042 --> 00:21:35,062 and you preach what you practice." 428 00:21:35,062 --> 00:21:38,017 And see for some of you, it's shame. 429 00:21:38,017 --> 00:21:40,067 For others of you, it will be hypocrisy. 430 00:21:40,067 --> 00:21:42,067 I'm not gonna tell him I'm a Christian, 431 00:21:42,067 --> 00:21:45,025 look what I'm doing with him. 432 00:21:45,025 --> 00:21:47,050 And your hypocrisy is that with your Christian friends, 433 00:21:47,050 --> 00:21:49,025 your language, your behavior, your activity, 434 00:21:49,025 --> 00:21:52,000 or, ladies, even your wardrobe, is a certain way, 435 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:53,058 and then with your non-Christian friends, 436 00:21:53,058 --> 00:21:57,075 that all changes and is altered. 437 00:21:57,075 --> 00:21:59,096 And your non-Christian friends then will realize that you 438 00:21:59,096 --> 00:22:02,000 ultimately are a hypocrite, 439 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,008 that you have two different parallel worlds. 440 00:22:04,008 --> 00:22:06,083 You conduct yourself in community group in a way that is 441 00:22:06,083 --> 00:22:09,083 different than other social scenes, and settings, 442 00:22:09,083 --> 00:22:11,083 and relationships. 443 00:22:11,083 --> 00:22:15,067 And Jesus here is calling for authenticity, for consistency. 444 00:22:15,067 --> 00:22:18,042 He's preaching against hypocrisy, and he's saying, 445 00:22:18,042 --> 00:22:21,083 "I came into the world and it was dark and I brought light. 446 00:22:21,083 --> 00:22:23,079 "And my torch has lit your candle, 447 00:22:23,079 --> 00:22:27,067 "and I expect you to live openly, publicly, authentically, 448 00:22:27,067 --> 00:22:32,092 "honestly, serve in love, speak in truth. 449 00:22:32,092 --> 00:22:38,012 The world needs me and you are the means." 450 00:22:38,012 --> 00:22:43,050 So go, and as you go, let your light shine. 451 00:22:43,050 --> 00:22:46,067 So my question to you is: How's it going? 452 00:22:46,067 --> 00:22:49,054 Who are you hiding your light from? 453 00:22:49,054 --> 00:22:51,050 Who have you not talked to about Jesus? 454 00:22:51,050 --> 00:22:53,000 Who are you not serving? 455 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:55,000 Where is there hypocrisy? 456 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:58,062 Who are you not inviting to community group or church? 457 00:22:58,062 --> 00:23:02,025 'Cause see, identity determines activity. 458 00:23:02,025 --> 00:23:05,033 If you're a light, you need to shine. 459 00:23:05,033 --> 00:23:08,012 If Jesus has set your heart aflame, 460 00:23:08,012 --> 00:23:11,079 others need to come to know him. 461 00:23:11,079 --> 00:23:14,083 And see this is very important at Mars Hill because we stress 462 00:23:14,083 --> 00:23:17,075 so much that you're not saved by what you do, 463 00:23:17,075 --> 00:23:19,042 but rather what Jesus does. 464 00:23:19,042 --> 00:23:21,042 Some people get very lazy and they say, 465 00:23:21,042 --> 00:23:23,017 "So I don't have to do anything?" 466 00:23:23,017 --> 00:23:26,067 You don't do anything to become a Christian, but as a Christian, 467 00:23:26,067 --> 00:23:29,017 there are certain expectations. 468 00:23:29,017 --> 00:23:31,083 Identity determines activity. 469 00:23:31,083 --> 00:23:34,017 Activity doesn't determine identity. 470 00:23:34,017 --> 00:23:36,050 You're not gonna do anything to become a Christian. 471 00:23:36,050 --> 00:23:38,000 Jesus did it all. 472 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:39,017 Jesus said, "It's finished." 473 00:23:39,017 --> 00:23:40,062 Jesus died in your place. 474 00:23:40,062 --> 00:23:42,088 Jesus rose for your salvation. 475 00:23:42,088 --> 00:23:45,083 The work of salvation is done by Jesus, 476 00:23:45,083 --> 00:23:49,046 received by us through faith, by grace, trusting him. 477 00:23:49,046 --> 00:23:53,000 But once our identities change, our activities change. 478 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:55,083 Your sex life is different 'cause you met Jesus. 479 00:23:55,083 --> 00:23:58,033 Your financial life is different 'cause you met Jesus. 480 00:23:58,033 --> 00:24:01,008 Your friendships are different 'cause you met Jesus. 481 00:24:01,008 --> 00:24:03,050 The way you view and treat people is different 482 00:24:03,050 --> 00:24:05,083 'cause you met Jesus. 483 00:24:05,083 --> 00:24:11,017 And Jesus says that not only are we to allow others to see 484 00:24:11,017 --> 00:24:16,000 open, authentic, real faith, and hear true, 485 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:19,046 biblical doctrine and exposition, 486 00:24:19,046 --> 00:24:22,042 but we want our light to continue to grow brighter. 487 00:24:22,042 --> 00:24:24,088 And this is maturing or sanctifying as a Christian, 488 00:24:24,088 --> 00:24:28,050 this is growing in Christlikeness. 489 00:24:28,050 --> 00:24:34,004 And so what he tells us to do in light of that is this: 490 00:24:34,004 --> 00:24:38,071 consider carefully how you listen. 491 00:24:38,071 --> 00:24:42,021 One of your activities is to listen, 492 00:24:42,021 --> 00:24:44,017 and we live in a world where listening 493 00:24:44,017 --> 00:24:46,046 is not really encouraged. 494 00:24:46,046 --> 00:24:49,004 From cell phones, to blogs, to e-mails, to Facebook, 495 00:24:49,004 --> 00:24:52,067 to Twitter, to conversations, it's all about speaking. 496 00:24:52,067 --> 00:24:55,004 It's not about listening. 497 00:24:55,004 --> 00:24:56,029 Right? 498 00:24:56,029 --> 00:24:58,042 There's degrees in speech communication. 499 00:24:58,042 --> 00:24:59,067 I have one. 500 00:24:59,067 --> 00:25:02,050 There's no degree in listening. 501 00:25:02,050 --> 00:25:04,017 There's not even a class in listening. 502 00:25:04,017 --> 00:25:06,000 I have a Bachelor's degree in communication. 503 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:08,004 I didn't take a class on listening. 504 00:25:08,004 --> 00:25:11,050 You can go to a bookstore, Barnes & Noble, B. Dalton, 505 00:25:11,050 --> 00:25:13,083 what have you, there's a whole section on communication. 506 00:25:13,083 --> 00:25:17,038 There's no corresponding section on listening. 507 00:25:17,038 --> 00:25:20,029 People in our world like to speak. 508 00:25:20,029 --> 00:25:24,033 People are not trained to listen, or as Jesus says, 509 00:25:24,033 --> 00:25:28,033 to listen carefully, to listen. 510 00:25:28,033 --> 00:25:31,050 And so some of you may wonder, "Why do I come to church, 511 00:25:31,050 --> 00:25:33,067 "and why do I sit here for an hour, 512 00:25:33,067 --> 00:25:35,042 and why do I have to listen?" 513 00:25:35,042 --> 00:25:37,000 'Cause it's an act of worship. 514 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:38,033 It's an act of worship. 515 00:25:38,033 --> 00:25:41,071 It's actually an act of humility to say, "He may--" 516 00:25:41,071 --> 00:25:47,017 not gonna overstate my case, "say something that is helpful. 517 00:25:47,017 --> 00:25:48,092 "So I'm going to listen. 518 00:25:48,092 --> 00:25:53,012 "And he says a lot, so I'm gonna have to listen very carefully to 519 00:25:53,012 --> 00:25:58,096 get that potential thing that could conceivably be helpful," 520 00:25:58,096 --> 00:26:04,042 and it's an act of worship, to listen carefully, 521 00:26:04,042 --> 00:26:05,054 to listen carefully. 522 00:26:05,054 --> 00:26:08,029 Because see, some churches are all about activity, go, go, go, 523 00:26:08,029 --> 00:26:09,071 do, do, do. 524 00:26:09,071 --> 00:26:13,067 Jesus says, "First, listen, listen, listen." 525 00:26:13,067 --> 00:26:16,067 Once you listen, then you'll learn. 526 00:26:16,067 --> 00:26:20,017 Once you learn, then you can do, but you need to listen before 527 00:26:20,017 --> 00:26:23,017 you do, otherwise you're gonna make great mistakes in your life 528 00:26:23,017 --> 00:26:25,075 and in your ministry. 529 00:26:25,075 --> 00:26:29,004 And so listening is this skill that we are to hone. 530 00:26:29,004 --> 00:26:32,071 Jesus says, "Listen carefully." 531 00:26:32,071 --> 00:26:35,021 Once you become a Christian, what this means is 532 00:26:35,021 --> 00:26:37,092 you've gotta be a student. 533 00:26:37,092 --> 00:26:39,079 You've gotta be a student. 534 00:26:39,079 --> 00:26:42,050 This includes reading your Bible, Christian books, 535 00:26:42,050 --> 00:26:47,000 downloading classes, sermons on the Internet, listening. 536 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,004 We live in this amazing world where there's 537 00:26:49,004 --> 00:26:51,071 so much information that's made available. 538 00:26:51,071 --> 00:26:54,046 This is listening to the Bible on your way to work. 539 00:26:54,046 --> 00:26:58,033 This is listening to God's Word being taught and preached. 540 00:26:58,033 --> 00:27:01,079 And this includes and centers around as well, 541 00:27:01,079 --> 00:27:04,004 reading the Bible to your children, 542 00:27:04,004 --> 00:27:06,054 letting your children read the Bible out loud to you 543 00:27:06,054 --> 00:27:07,092 in an age-appropriate version 544 00:27:07,092 --> 00:27:10,033 when they're of age to be able to read. 545 00:27:10,033 --> 00:27:14,017 This is as well, you reading the Bible for yourself, 546 00:27:14,017 --> 00:27:15,071 reading the Bible aloud. 547 00:27:15,071 --> 00:27:19,079 This is you hearing carefully, listening carefully, 548 00:27:19,079 --> 00:27:23,000 considering carefully what the Bible has to say, 549 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:27,000 what God would have to say to you through his Word. 550 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:30,092 So let me ask, how's your listening? 551 00:27:30,092 --> 00:27:33,042 How's your listening? 552 00:27:33,042 --> 00:27:39,042 Are you listening carefully as Jesus would instruct 553 00:27:39,042 --> 00:27:43,062 and admonish you? 554 00:27:43,062 --> 00:27:46,038 I'll give you something that I hope will be helpful. 555 00:27:46,038 --> 00:27:48,067 George Whitefield was an amazing preacher, 556 00:27:48,067 --> 00:27:51,092 preached to enormous crowds, upwards of 10,000 plus 557 00:27:51,092 --> 00:27:55,004 at a time, in open air, was this amazing evangelist, 558 00:27:55,004 --> 00:27:57,029 part of one of the Great Awakenings, 559 00:27:57,029 --> 00:28:01,017 unbelievably used of God. 560 00:28:01,017 --> 00:28:08,050 And he was studying Luke 8:18, exactly where we find ourselves. 561 00:28:08,050 --> 00:28:11,033 And a few hundred years ago, he put together six points 562 00:28:11,033 --> 00:28:16,012 for people to learn to listen to sermons better. 563 00:28:16,012 --> 00:28:18,017 And here's what he had to say. 564 00:28:18,017 --> 00:28:22,012 He lived from 1714 to 1770. 565 00:28:22,012 --> 00:28:25,033 His first point was: "Come to hear them," the preacher, 566 00:28:25,033 --> 00:28:27,083 "not of curiosity, but from a sincere desire 567 00:28:27,083 --> 00:28:29,042 to know and do your duty." 568 00:28:29,042 --> 00:28:32,033 So what he says is when you come to hear a sermon, 569 00:28:32,033 --> 00:28:35,000 some of you are new to church, new to Christ, say, 570 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:36,071 "I don't know what this--what is this? 571 00:28:36,071 --> 00:28:38,067 "Is this like a concert? There's a band." 572 00:28:38,067 --> 00:28:39,088 No, it's not a concert. 573 00:28:39,088 --> 00:28:42,004 "Is this like a movie, we have a screen?" 574 00:28:42,004 --> 00:28:43,033 No, it's not a movie. 575 00:28:43,033 --> 00:28:45,033 "Well, is this like a lecture in school?" 576 00:28:45,033 --> 00:28:47,021 No, not really because, ultimately, 577 00:28:47,021 --> 00:28:50,067 it's not just for information, but transformation. 578 00:28:50,067 --> 00:28:53,000 "Well, is this a stand-up comic, 'cause occasionally Mark 579 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,033 says something that, at least, he finds funny." 580 00:28:55,033 --> 00:28:58,029 No, it's not a stand-up comic. 581 00:28:58,029 --> 00:29:00,083 "Well, is this a politician, are we getting on board 582 00:29:00,083 --> 00:29:01,062 with some cause?" 583 00:29:01,062 --> 00:29:03,075 No, it's about Christ, not some cause. 584 00:29:03,075 --> 00:29:04,088 "Well, what is this?" 585 00:29:04,088 --> 00:29:07,000 This is church. 586 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:11,046 And you come to listen to the Word of God, so that you might 587 00:29:11,046 --> 00:29:15,046 learn to obey God, okay? 588 00:29:15,046 --> 00:29:18,050 So he says you've gotta know why you're coming to church, 589 00:29:18,050 --> 00:29:21,029 and why you're listening, and hearing. 590 00:29:21,029 --> 00:29:23,038 Come to listen, not out of curiosity, 591 00:29:23,038 --> 00:29:25,050 not 'cause they're funny, or entertaining, or cool, 592 00:29:25,050 --> 00:29:30,083 or whatever it is, just come to listen, to hear God's Word. 593 00:29:30,083 --> 00:29:33,083 See, we live in this day when it can become all about 594 00:29:33,083 --> 00:29:36,042 the personality, and he's saying it should be 595 00:29:36,042 --> 00:29:38,067 primarily about the content. 596 00:29:38,067 --> 00:29:40,083 Is God's Word being taught? 597 00:29:40,083 --> 00:29:42,038 Are God's people being fed? 598 00:29:42,038 --> 00:29:45,008 Is God's conviction coming to you? 599 00:29:45,008 --> 00:29:47,025 That's really the big idea. 600 00:29:47,025 --> 00:29:49,071 So don't come, he says, just out of curiosity, 601 00:29:49,071 --> 00:29:52,071 but a sincere desire to seek of the Lord and ask, 602 00:29:52,071 --> 00:29:55,017 "Okay, I'm not coming to be entertained. 603 00:29:55,017 --> 00:29:56,050 "I'm coming to obey. 604 00:29:56,050 --> 00:29:59,075 "I'm coming to get marching orders from God through his Word 605 00:29:59,075 --> 00:30:03,042 "via the preacher, and I want to walk away knowing who God is, 606 00:30:03,042 --> 00:30:05,025 "and how he wants me to respond. 607 00:30:05,025 --> 00:30:06,075 "That's why I'm going to church. 608 00:30:06,075 --> 00:30:08,025 "That's why I'm gonna sit there. 609 00:30:08,025 --> 00:30:10,075 That's why I'm going to listen." 610 00:30:10,075 --> 00:30:13,046 Number two: "Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken 611 00:30:13,046 --> 00:30:15,021 from the Word of God." 612 00:30:15,021 --> 00:30:18,046 That's exactly what Jesus says, listen carefully, 613 00:30:18,046 --> 00:30:20,008 listen carefully. 614 00:30:20,008 --> 00:30:22,067 I'll give you a couple examples. 615 00:30:22,067 --> 00:30:27,075 Have a Bible, and a notebook, and a pen, okay? 616 00:30:27,075 --> 00:30:30,096 If you're under 20, this is a pen. 617 00:30:30,096 --> 00:30:34,075 You can find these at a store next to modified trees 618 00:30:34,075 --> 00:30:37,050 in something called notebooks. 619 00:30:37,050 --> 00:30:38,029 Okay? 620 00:30:38,029 --> 00:30:41,000 Now some of you, you use technology. 621 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:43,067 You say, "Well, can I not bring my phone? 622 00:30:43,067 --> 00:30:45,050 "Can I not bring my iPad? 623 00:30:45,050 --> 00:30:47,012 "Can I not bring my laptop? 624 00:30:47,012 --> 00:30:49,017 "Because I've got a Bible on there, program, 625 00:30:49,017 --> 00:30:50,046 and I can take notes." 626 00:30:50,046 --> 00:30:53,029 That's totally fine, but you can't get distracted, 627 00:30:53,029 --> 00:30:55,012 'cause if you're like me, it's like, 628 00:30:55,012 --> 00:30:58,012 "Oh, did the Mariners pick up anyone who could hit a ball?" 629 00:30:58,012 --> 00:31:00,067 I'm always checking something. 630 00:31:00,067 --> 00:31:01,067 "No, they didn't. 631 00:31:01,067 --> 00:31:04,012 Oh, darn." 632 00:31:04,012 --> 00:31:05,025 Okay? 633 00:31:05,025 --> 00:31:09,083 Because what happens is if your note-taking capacity plugs in, 634 00:31:09,083 --> 00:31:11,067 you're gonna be distracted. 635 00:31:11,067 --> 00:31:13,000 You're gonna be totally distracted. 636 00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:14,033 You're gonna go somewhere else. 637 00:31:14,033 --> 00:31:16,071 You're gonna absolutely lose focus. 638 00:31:16,071 --> 00:31:18,071 So for me, I do it old school. 639 00:31:18,071 --> 00:31:21,033 When I'm not preaching, I come to Mars Hill to listen 640 00:31:21,033 --> 00:31:22,042 to the campus pastors. 641 00:31:22,042 --> 00:31:25,050 I travel and lecture a lot, and I'm in a lot of conferences, 642 00:31:25,050 --> 00:31:27,050 and there there's other preachers, and I bring 643 00:31:27,050 --> 00:31:30,008 my notebook, and my pen, and my Bible. 644 00:31:30,008 --> 00:31:31,092 I do it old school, okay? 645 00:31:31,092 --> 00:31:33,092 Is it a sin to have a laptop? 646 00:31:33,092 --> 00:31:35,092 No, if you got a laptop, bring it, 647 00:31:35,092 --> 00:31:38,042 but don't be on the Internet like Facebooking and Twittering 648 00:31:38,042 --> 00:31:41,008 and checking your websites, and organizing your schedule, 649 00:31:41,008 --> 00:31:44,042 and, you know, competing for something on eBay. 650 00:31:44,042 --> 00:31:46,038 All right, and you're like, how was church? 651 00:31:46,038 --> 00:31:47,071 "I got a lot done. 652 00:31:47,071 --> 00:31:49,071 "I don't know what he was talking about, 653 00:31:49,071 --> 00:31:54,038 but I got an afghan for only 12 bucks," you know? 654 00:31:54,038 --> 00:31:55,083 That's not the point. 655 00:31:55,083 --> 00:31:57,033 Designate that time. 656 00:31:57,033 --> 00:31:58,029 It's sacred time. 657 00:31:58,029 --> 00:32:00,088 Time to listen. Time to listen. 658 00:32:00,088 --> 00:32:04,050 So be careful you're not just distracted by the technology. 659 00:32:04,050 --> 00:32:07,067 And if you're like me, I just have a hard time not dinking 660 00:32:07,067 --> 00:32:10,092 around on my technology, you gotta go old school. 661 00:32:10,092 --> 00:32:15,025 Bible, notebook, pen, old school. 662 00:32:15,025 --> 00:32:17,042 Okay, but that's what he's talking about is not 663 00:32:17,042 --> 00:32:19,088 being distracted, and give diligent heed. 664 00:32:19,088 --> 00:32:22,033 Listen, pay attention to what's being said. 665 00:32:22,033 --> 00:32:24,033 And then find a way to organize this. 666 00:32:24,033 --> 00:32:26,033 For my daughter, Ashley, she brings her Moleskine, 667 00:32:26,033 --> 00:32:28,054 and her--well, she uses the Bible on her phone. 668 00:32:28,054 --> 00:32:30,038 She brings her Moleskine to church, 669 00:32:30,038 --> 00:32:34,021 and she keeps her notes every week, and so it's all organized. 670 00:32:34,021 --> 00:32:38,021 She's got this organizational system to keep everything tidy. 671 00:32:38,021 --> 00:32:40,021 That's what we're talking about, otherwise it's like, 672 00:32:40,021 --> 00:32:42,062 "I remember that one sermon and they hit that thing, 673 00:32:42,062 --> 00:32:43,071 "and I don't know. 674 00:32:43,071 --> 00:32:45,017 "I lost it, it's gone. 675 00:32:45,017 --> 00:32:47,088 I wasn't paying attention, but I got an afghan." 676 00:32:47,088 --> 00:32:51,058 No, you gotta pay attention, and then you flag certain things, 677 00:32:51,058 --> 00:32:53,029 you say, "Oh, this is for me. 678 00:32:53,029 --> 00:32:54,050 "I gotta memorize that verse. 679 00:32:54,050 --> 00:32:56,000 "I gotta repent of this sin. 680 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:57,033 "I gotta call that person. 681 00:32:57,033 --> 00:32:58,050 I gotta pray for this." 682 00:32:58,050 --> 00:33:00,042 All the way through you're actively engaging, 683 00:33:00,042 --> 00:33:02,029 not by speaking but by hearing, 684 00:33:02,029 --> 00:33:04,083 and then planning out your obedience. 685 00:33:04,083 --> 00:33:06,033 "Ah, that one was for me. 686 00:33:06,033 --> 00:33:08,038 I definitely need to pay attention to that." 687 00:33:08,038 --> 00:33:11,029 Number three, he says, "Do not entertain even the least 688 00:33:11,029 --> 00:33:13,079 prejudice against the minister." 689 00:33:13,079 --> 00:33:15,096 What he says is, "Don't be offended." 690 00:33:15,096 --> 00:33:18,096 Yes, I love this point. 691 00:33:18,096 --> 00:33:21,046 What he's saying is that the preacher is a sinner, 692 00:33:21,046 --> 00:33:22,054 and he's imperfect, 693 00:33:22,054 --> 00:33:25,067 and sometimes he'll say things he shouldn't, hypothetically. 694 00:33:25,067 --> 00:33:31,096 And, sometimes he'll say something that offends you, 695 00:33:31,096 --> 00:33:34,050 but you shouldn't be offended he just got ya. 696 00:33:34,050 --> 00:33:36,042 And there's other times that he offends you, 697 00:33:36,042 --> 00:33:38,000 and he shouldn't have said that, 698 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:41,058 and so in advance, hypothetically, he's sorry. 699 00:33:41,058 --> 00:33:47,000 So in this, what can happen is though you get so offended by 700 00:33:47,000 --> 00:33:50,075 the messenger that you don't avail yourself to the message. 701 00:33:50,075 --> 00:33:53,050 See, and the deal is he's kind of saying, 702 00:33:53,050 --> 00:33:56,017 does it really matter who cooked the meal? 703 00:33:56,017 --> 00:33:58,075 If it's edible, why don't you eat it? 704 00:33:58,075 --> 00:34:01,046 All right, if the food's good, right, 705 00:34:01,046 --> 00:34:05,000 even if you got a few bones to spit out, take the nourishment, 706 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:07,038 feed your soul from the preacher, 707 00:34:07,038 --> 00:34:11,038 spit out the bones, and don't obsess over the cook. 708 00:34:11,038 --> 00:34:13,067 Just enjoy the meal. 709 00:34:13,067 --> 00:34:14,067 And that can happen. 710 00:34:14,067 --> 00:34:17,017 Some of you are like, "I don't like his personality. 711 00:34:17,017 --> 00:34:18,088 "I don't like his sense of humor. 712 00:34:18,088 --> 00:34:20,021 "I don't like his dress. 713 00:34:20,021 --> 00:34:24,062 I don't like his huge head," hypothetically. 714 00:34:24,062 --> 00:34:27,029 And you can easily get offended, right? 715 00:34:27,029 --> 00:34:30,096 And part of the reason I offend you is 'cause I just want to 716 00:34:30,096 --> 00:34:33,096 sort of crack a bit of the religion in all of us. 717 00:34:33,096 --> 00:34:36,012 Sometimes the religious people are so stuffy, so devout, 718 00:34:36,012 --> 00:34:37,083 so tidy, so serious. 719 00:34:37,083 --> 00:34:40,046 They just--they need a wedgie, they just do. 720 00:34:40,046 --> 00:34:44,012 And we're glad to serve. 721 00:34:44,012 --> 00:34:47,054 So make sure you're not easily offended, 722 00:34:47,054 --> 00:34:49,083 and don't, if you do take offense, at least 723 00:34:49,083 --> 00:34:51,067 take whatever's helpful, 'cause here's the deal, 724 00:34:51,067 --> 00:34:53,067 if you're gonna sit there for an hour, 725 00:34:53,067 --> 00:34:55,088 get what you can, take what there is, 726 00:34:55,088 --> 00:35:00,054 please, please, please, make whatever is helpful 727 00:35:00,054 --> 00:35:01,088 available to you. 728 00:35:01,088 --> 00:35:04,088 He goes on, number four, "Be careful not to depend too much 729 00:35:04,088 --> 00:35:07,021 "on a preacher, or think more highly of him 730 00:35:07,021 --> 00:35:08,067 than you ought to think." 731 00:35:08,067 --> 00:35:11,062 And here in his statement, and I'll put this whole blog-- 732 00:35:11,062 --> 00:35:14,012 it's a list of things with commentary from Whitefield on 733 00:35:14,012 --> 00:35:17,029 the Mars Hill Church blog so you can read the rest for yourself. 734 00:35:17,029 --> 00:35:19,096 But in this section, he goes through a portion of Corinthians 735 00:35:19,096 --> 00:35:22,012 where the church is divided saying, "I'm with Cephas." 736 00:35:22,012 --> 00:35:23,075 "I'm with Apollos." "I'm with Paul." 737 00:35:23,075 --> 00:35:27,008 They've all got their favorite preacher, right? 738 00:35:27,008 --> 00:35:29,029 And they're all like, "My preacher's better than yours." 739 00:35:29,029 --> 00:35:30,079 "No, my preacher's better than yours." 740 00:35:30,079 --> 00:35:33,029 "Your preacher's terrible, and he bores me, 741 00:35:33,029 --> 00:35:34,046 but my preacher's funny." 742 00:35:34,046 --> 00:35:37,000 And they're making criticisms of one another. 743 00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:41,092 And what he says is, "Hey, Paul, and Peter, and Apollos, 744 00:35:41,092 --> 00:35:46,004 "we all love Jesus, and we're all talking about the same guy, 745 00:35:46,004 --> 00:35:47,017 "and we're all friends, 746 00:35:47,017 --> 00:35:51,025 so quit dividing into teams unnecessarily." 747 00:35:51,025 --> 00:35:55,012 Learn and listen and be humble and wherever there's wisdom 748 00:35:55,012 --> 00:35:59,042 and truth from God's Word, receive it and welcome it. 749 00:35:59,042 --> 00:36:03,067 Be very careful you don't so preference one preacher that you 750 00:36:03,067 --> 00:36:07,025 only read their books, you only RSS feed their blogs, 751 00:36:07,025 --> 00:36:09,083 you only follow them on Twitter and Facebook. 752 00:36:09,083 --> 00:36:12,029 You only listen to people who graduated 753 00:36:12,029 --> 00:36:14,008 from the same school as them. 754 00:36:14,008 --> 00:36:17,075 You only listen to people who they are close friends with. 755 00:36:17,075 --> 00:36:20,050 You only download sermons that have their name on it. 756 00:36:20,050 --> 00:36:22,088 Be very careful. 757 00:36:22,088 --> 00:36:27,004 Be very careful to not, at the enjoyment of one, 758 00:36:27,004 --> 00:36:32,046 be exclusive of all who would serve Christ faithfully. 759 00:36:32,046 --> 00:36:35,012 Now, it's okay to say, "This person's a specialist 760 00:36:35,012 --> 00:36:38,000 in this area, and I feel really well served by them." 761 00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:41,033 Praise be to God, but then don't become negative against 762 00:36:41,033 --> 00:36:46,050 everyone else, and don't become overly dependent on them. 763 00:36:46,050 --> 00:36:48,025 People would come to church and say, 764 00:36:48,025 --> 00:36:50,000 "I don't feel like I'm being fed." 765 00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:53,033 Part of it is, as a preacher, my job is to feed the sheep, 766 00:36:53,033 --> 00:36:55,033 along with the other pastors, elders, and leaders, 767 00:36:55,033 --> 00:36:57,033 to be sure that's what Jesus tells Peter. 768 00:36:57,033 --> 00:36:59,000 After his resurrection, feed the sheep. 769 00:36:59,000 --> 00:37:00,038 That's part of the job. 770 00:37:00,038 --> 00:37:02,092 Open the Bible, teach the Bible, feed the sheep. 771 00:37:02,092 --> 00:37:05,092 But also, you need to feed yourself. 772 00:37:05,092 --> 00:37:07,096 You need to read the Bible, feed yourself. 773 00:37:07,096 --> 00:37:09,017 Pray, feed yourself. 774 00:37:09,017 --> 00:37:10,067 Go to community group, feed yourself. 775 00:37:10,067 --> 00:37:14,029 Avail yourself to training opportunities, activities, 776 00:37:14,029 --> 00:37:16,071 including membership at the church, feed yourself. 777 00:37:16,071 --> 00:37:19,046 Subscribe to good podcasts, vodcasts, classes, 778 00:37:19,046 --> 00:37:20,062 feed yourself. 779 00:37:20,062 --> 00:37:23,029 Listen to the Bible on your way to and from work, 780 00:37:23,029 --> 00:37:24,029 or redeem your workout. 781 00:37:24,029 --> 00:37:26,088 Listen carefully, feed yourself. 782 00:37:26,088 --> 00:37:30,088 It has to be both. It has to be both. 783 00:37:30,088 --> 00:37:33,096 Who's your favorite preacher or teacher? 784 00:37:33,096 --> 00:37:34,096 Who do you love? 785 00:37:34,096 --> 00:37:35,075 Who's your author? 786 00:37:35,075 --> 00:37:39,033 Who, if you met them that'd be a big deal? 787 00:37:39,033 --> 00:37:41,050 Who do you really appreciate? 788 00:37:41,050 --> 00:37:43,017 Who do you really enjoy? 789 00:37:43,017 --> 00:37:48,017 And what he says is, be careful that it doesn't become idolatry. 790 00:37:48,017 --> 00:37:50,075 Be careful that this person isn't made into the mediator 791 00:37:50,075 --> 00:37:53,067 between you and God, that you're closer to God, 'cause you read 792 00:37:53,067 --> 00:37:56,033 their books, and listen to their sermons, and take their counsel. 793 00:37:56,033 --> 00:37:58,083 Be careful that Jesus is the only mediator between you 794 00:37:58,083 --> 00:38:00,062 and God, and these are just servants. 795 00:38:00,062 --> 00:38:02,038 So keep them at the right level. 796 00:38:02,038 --> 00:38:05,000 Keep them in their place, and expand your horizons to learn 797 00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:09,000 from lots of good, faithful Bible teachers and preachers. 798 00:38:09,000 --> 00:38:10,000 You get the point? 799 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:14,050 Some of you, too much of one person. 800 00:38:14,050 --> 00:38:15,083 Too much of one teacher. 801 00:38:15,083 --> 00:38:17,038 Too much of one author. 802 00:38:17,038 --> 00:38:19,004 Too much of one seminary. 803 00:38:19,004 --> 00:38:21,017 Too much of one systematic. 804 00:38:21,017 --> 00:38:26,050 Be careful, 'cause then you're not listening carefully, 805 00:38:26,050 --> 00:38:27,083 you're listening critically. 806 00:38:27,083 --> 00:38:30,033 "Ooh, so and so wouldn't have said it like that. 807 00:38:30,033 --> 00:38:32,083 "Ooh, so and so wouldn't have done it like that. 808 00:38:32,083 --> 00:38:36,021 Ooh, so and so, they do it better." 809 00:38:36,021 --> 00:38:39,038 You're not listening carefully, you're listening critically. 810 00:38:39,038 --> 00:38:42,054 Now, there is a sense in which you want to be discerning and 811 00:38:42,054 --> 00:38:46,012 not believe everything you hear, but the standard by which 812 00:38:46,012 --> 00:38:49,096 you listen in a discerning way is the Bible, 813 00:38:49,096 --> 00:38:54,000 not some teacher of the Bible. 814 00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:59,067 Goes on to say, number five, "Make particular application 815 00:38:59,067 --> 00:39:01,092 to your own hearts of everything that is delivered." 816 00:39:01,092 --> 00:39:03,075 So as you're listening to this sermon, 817 00:39:03,075 --> 00:39:05,075 don't do like religious people do and say, 818 00:39:05,075 --> 00:39:08,050 "Oh, they totally need to hear that. 819 00:39:08,050 --> 00:39:11,021 "Oh, and I'm gonna send them that link, 'cause they're nasty, 820 00:39:11,021 --> 00:39:13,000 and that'll fix it." 821 00:39:13,000 --> 00:39:15,083 All right, you're not thinking about all the other people that 822 00:39:15,083 --> 00:39:18,000 need these truths and points. 823 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:19,096 Maybe secondarily, someone you love, 824 00:39:19,096 --> 00:39:21,075 you're gonna follow up with them, 825 00:39:21,075 --> 00:39:24,092 but your primary motivation in listening to a sermon is, 826 00:39:24,092 --> 00:39:29,067 "God, I'm listening carefully for your Word to talk to me. 827 00:39:29,067 --> 00:39:32,033 "What do you have for me? 828 00:39:32,033 --> 00:39:33,083 "What are you saying to me? 829 00:39:33,083 --> 00:39:36,000 "Oh, that's a sin I need to repent of, 830 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:37,071 "that's a truth I need to believe, 831 00:39:37,071 --> 00:39:39,071 "that's a person I need to pray for, 832 00:39:39,071 --> 00:39:41,046 that's a place I need to serve?" 833 00:39:41,046 --> 00:39:44,012 You're listening into the sermon for the Holy Spirit to highlight 834 00:39:44,012 --> 00:39:46,050 something for you and you go, "That's mine. 835 00:39:46,050 --> 00:39:48,071 "Gotta take notes on that, gotta write that down, 836 00:39:48,071 --> 00:39:50,083 gotta remember that," 'cause you will forget. 837 00:39:50,083 --> 00:39:53,075 As soon as the service is over, you're immediately thinking, 838 00:39:53,075 --> 00:39:55,008 "What am I gonna eat?" 839 00:39:55,008 --> 00:39:57,075 And whatever God said to you during the sermon is secondary 840 00:39:57,075 --> 00:39:59,050 to the burger, fries, and a shake, 841 00:39:59,050 --> 00:40:02,000 to the glory of God, and I would recommend it. 842 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:05,092 But first, write down what it is that God and the sermon told you 843 00:40:05,092 --> 00:40:09,021 that you should apply for yourself. 844 00:40:09,021 --> 00:40:12,067 And this isn't selfish, this is submissive. 845 00:40:12,067 --> 00:40:17,067 This is, "God, your Word's true, your servant teaches, 846 00:40:17,067 --> 00:40:19,042 "what do you want me to hear? 847 00:40:19,042 --> 00:40:21,017 "What do you want me to do? 848 00:40:21,017 --> 00:40:22,088 "Who do you want me to serve? 849 00:40:22,088 --> 00:40:24,071 "Where do you want me to give? 850 00:40:24,071 --> 00:40:25,054 "What? 851 00:40:25,054 --> 00:40:27,054 What are you trying to say to me?" 852 00:40:27,054 --> 00:40:30,021 You should have in every sermon at least one big idea, 853 00:40:30,021 --> 00:40:33,067 one takeaway, one application, one implication of what was said 854 00:40:33,067 --> 00:40:35,033 through God's Word. 855 00:40:35,033 --> 00:40:38,067 And then you should talk about it and work it out with your 856 00:40:38,067 --> 00:40:41,054 family and your community group. 857 00:40:41,054 --> 00:40:43,038 Okay, that's why we do community groups, 858 00:40:43,038 --> 00:40:45,038 most of them following the sermon. 859 00:40:45,038 --> 00:40:46,038 I preach. 860 00:40:46,038 --> 00:40:48,038 People get together, "Okay, what did you hear? 861 00:40:48,038 --> 00:40:49,058 "What did God tell you? 862 00:40:49,058 --> 00:40:51,075 "What are we supposed do, repent of, learn? 863 00:40:51,075 --> 00:40:54,058 "How do we pray for one another, hold one another accountable? 864 00:40:54,058 --> 00:40:55,058 "What is our mission? 865 00:40:55,058 --> 00:40:57,008 "How do we reach our neighborhood? 866 00:40:57,008 --> 00:40:58,075 "How does this apply to our city? 867 00:40:58,075 --> 00:41:00,050 "What does this mean for our church? 868 00:41:00,050 --> 00:41:01,092 "How does this affect our lives? 869 00:41:01,092 --> 00:41:04,092 "What else do we need to read, study, pray for, pursue, learn, 870 00:41:04,092 --> 00:41:06,092 embrace, apply, what now?" 871 00:41:06,092 --> 00:41:09,042 'Cause what can happen is it's just sermon, after sermon, 872 00:41:09,042 --> 00:41:11,042 after sermon, after sermon. 873 00:41:11,042 --> 00:41:12,083 There's no application. 874 00:41:12,083 --> 00:41:17,071 There's no personal adoption of those truths and application 875 00:41:17,071 --> 00:41:20,025 of those insights. 876 00:41:20,025 --> 00:41:23,004 And all you have is information, not transformation. 877 00:41:23,004 --> 00:41:25,058 You're not growing spiritually, 878 00:41:25,058 --> 00:41:27,042 and that's what Jesus is saying here. 879 00:41:27,042 --> 00:41:30,033 He's saying, "If you want your light to grow brighter, 880 00:41:30,033 --> 00:41:32,033 "you've gotta learn more carefully, 881 00:41:32,033 --> 00:41:36,025 "listen more attentively, and apply more vigorously 882 00:41:36,025 --> 00:41:39,033 that which God gives to you." 883 00:41:39,033 --> 00:41:40,096 And lastly, "pray to the Lord, 884 00:41:40,096 --> 00:41:44,050 before, during, and after every sermon." 885 00:41:44,050 --> 00:41:46,050 Pray before you come to church. 886 00:41:46,050 --> 00:41:49,092 Pray during the week as myself or others are preparing 887 00:41:49,092 --> 00:41:51,092 the sermons, or the lectures, or the classes, 888 00:41:51,092 --> 00:41:54,050 or the teaching opportunities, whatever they are. 889 00:41:54,050 --> 00:41:56,029 Pray for us. 890 00:41:56,029 --> 00:41:59,021 What that'll do as well, that'll incline your heart to at least 891 00:41:59,021 --> 00:42:02,062 give us the benefit of the doubt and have open ears. 892 00:42:02,062 --> 00:42:06,000 As you pray, pray for those who would come to hear in person. 893 00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:09,075 Pray for the millions who download online, 894 00:42:09,075 --> 00:42:13,008 that they would hear something from God through the Scriptures, 895 00:42:13,008 --> 00:42:17,000 and that God would serve them through our ministry. 896 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:19,017 Pray as well for the non-Christians who would come, 897 00:42:19,017 --> 00:42:22,017 that they would learn about Jesus and come to know him as 898 00:42:22,017 --> 00:42:23,054 Savior, Lord, God, and Christ. 899 00:42:23,054 --> 00:42:26,033 Pray for the community groups as they discuss what's going 900 00:42:26,033 --> 00:42:28,050 to be taught in God's Word. 901 00:42:28,050 --> 00:42:31,050 For yourself as well, pray that you'd have a teachable heart. 902 00:42:31,050 --> 00:42:33,000 Pray you'd have a discerning heart. 903 00:42:33,000 --> 00:42:34,050 Pray you'd have a humble heart. 904 00:42:34,050 --> 00:42:37,017 As you look around and people are dinking on their phone, 905 00:42:37,017 --> 00:42:39,067 and texting, and Twittering, pray for them as well that 906 00:42:39,067 --> 00:42:42,050 the Holy Spirit would remind them to listen carefully, 907 00:42:42,050 --> 00:42:45,083 like Jesus says, so they don't waste an opportunity to let 908 00:42:45,083 --> 00:42:47,088 their light shine a little brighter, 909 00:42:47,088 --> 00:42:50,050 and to get their torch relit every week. 910 00:42:50,050 --> 00:42:53,029 And you can also prayerfully read the Bible in advance. 911 00:42:53,029 --> 00:42:56,083 We generally go through books of the Bible, 912 00:42:56,083 --> 00:43:00,042 so if we end at chapter 8:21 this week, 913 00:43:00,042 --> 00:43:03,054 I'll give you two guesses where we're gonna be next week. 914 00:43:03,054 --> 00:43:07,054 We're gonna be chapter 8:22, that's what we're gonna do. 915 00:43:07,054 --> 00:43:09,038 "I don't know where we're gonna be." 916 00:43:09,038 --> 00:43:12,050 Well, whatever's next, that's where we're going to be. 917 00:43:12,050 --> 00:43:14,075 So you can read in advance, study in advance, 918 00:43:14,075 --> 00:43:17,058 prayerfully consider in advance, come with a heart prepared. 919 00:43:17,058 --> 00:43:19,058 And if you don't know where we're going, 920 00:43:19,058 --> 00:43:22,008 on the preaching and speaking calendar on the main website, 921 00:43:22,008 --> 00:43:24,000 the preaching schedule is laid out there. 922 00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:26,050 You can find out exactly what we'll be talking about 923 00:43:26,050 --> 00:43:29,025 on that Sunday, the text of the Bible to read. 924 00:43:29,025 --> 00:43:31,071 Honestly, I've got the preaching schedule set up, 925 00:43:31,071 --> 00:43:34,071 up until the summer of 2012. 926 00:43:34,071 --> 00:43:37,038 I could tell you every week the text and the topic, 927 00:43:37,038 --> 00:43:39,083 and what we'll be covering, 'cause I have ADD, 928 00:43:39,083 --> 00:43:42,000 to the glory of God, and it's all organized. 929 00:43:42,000 --> 00:43:44,067 And if you would just get a Bible and say, 930 00:43:44,067 --> 00:43:46,067 "Well, I guess I'm gonna read, and pray, 931 00:43:46,067 --> 00:43:49,017 "and study a little bit, and get ready for church, 932 00:43:49,017 --> 00:43:51,033 "and pray for the preacher, pray for the congregation, 933 00:43:51,033 --> 00:43:53,050 "pray for my community group, pray for my family. 934 00:43:53,050 --> 00:43:55,067 "I'm gonna go there, listen, learn, take notes, interact, 935 00:43:55,067 --> 00:43:58,017 "pray, obey, meet with my group, meet with my family. 936 00:43:58,017 --> 00:43:59,083 "God, what do you have for me? 937 00:43:59,083 --> 00:44:01,058 "God, what do you have for us? 938 00:44:01,058 --> 00:44:02,083 What do we do next?" 939 00:44:02,083 --> 00:44:03,067 You know what? 940 00:44:03,067 --> 00:44:05,067 All of a sudden, a sermon is helpful. 941 00:44:05,067 --> 00:44:09,021 A sermon is helpful, because you're using it, 942 00:44:09,021 --> 00:44:12,025 not just observing it. 943 00:44:12,025 --> 00:44:15,075 So Jesus says, "Listen carefully." 944 00:44:15,075 --> 00:44:17,008 Let's go back to it. 945 00:44:17,008 --> 00:44:19,075 "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar 946 00:44:19,075 --> 00:44:21,025 or puts it under a bed." 947 00:44:21,025 --> 00:44:22,025 You're a light. 948 00:44:22,025 --> 00:44:23,075 "But puts it on a stand--" 949 00:44:23,075 --> 00:44:25,075 Get out there where people can see you. 950 00:44:25,075 --> 00:44:27,092 Lots of other people with their beliefs and causes, 951 00:44:27,092 --> 00:44:28,092 they're public. 952 00:44:28,092 --> 00:44:30,025 They have parades, and bumper stickers, 953 00:44:30,025 --> 00:44:32,075 and come out of the closet, just do it. 954 00:44:32,075 --> 00:44:34,075 "So that those who enter may see the light. 955 00:44:34,075 --> 00:44:37,025 "For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, 956 00:44:37,025 --> 00:44:40,042 nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light." 957 00:44:40,042 --> 00:44:42,092 Here's what Jesus is saying: whatever's in darkness in your 958 00:44:42,092 --> 00:44:45,058 life, whatever sin, secrecy, shame, is hidden, 959 00:44:45,058 --> 00:44:48,025 if you're trying to cover it, not let people see it, 960 00:44:48,025 --> 00:44:51,025 not let Christians get too close, the truth is in the end, 961 00:44:51,025 --> 00:44:52,079 Jesus sees, knows all. 962 00:44:52,079 --> 00:44:55,067 You're not hiding anything, so just bring it out in the open. 963 00:44:55,067 --> 00:44:56,071 Let us know. 964 00:44:56,071 --> 00:44:58,004 Let your community group know. 965 00:44:58,004 --> 00:44:59,079 Get some help, get it cleaned up. 966 00:44:59,079 --> 00:45:01,033 Jesus died for it. 967 00:45:01,033 --> 00:45:03,075 Let's move on. 968 00:45:03,075 --> 00:45:06,096 And let's serve Christ and see the world changed, 969 00:45:06,096 --> 00:45:08,067 not just stuck in our little sin, 970 00:45:08,067 --> 00:45:11,004 in our fear of man, in our own folly, 971 00:45:11,004 --> 00:45:16,021 and, "I don't want anybody to identify me with Jesus." 972 00:45:16,021 --> 00:45:19,021 "Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, 973 00:45:19,021 --> 00:45:21,088 "more will be given, and from the one who has not, 974 00:45:21,088 --> 00:45:24,071 even what he thinks that he has will be taken away from him." 975 00:45:24,071 --> 00:45:27,054 He says, "There is no such thing as neutral in spiritual life." 976 00:45:27,054 --> 00:45:28,092 It's backward or forward, 977 00:45:28,092 --> 00:45:33,021 growing in maturity, or growing in immaturity. 978 00:45:33,021 --> 00:45:37,038 There is no stasis, those who stop listening, 979 00:45:37,038 --> 00:45:39,050 start retreating. 980 00:45:39,050 --> 00:45:43,008 Those who stop listening, start atrophying. 981 00:45:43,008 --> 00:45:45,000 That's the way that it works. 982 00:45:45,000 --> 00:45:47,092 So keep listening to understand your identity, 983 00:45:47,092 --> 00:45:50,038 and then that fuels your activity. 984 00:45:50,038 --> 00:45:51,067 Pick it up again. 985 00:45:51,067 --> 00:45:56,000 The next section is in Luke 8:19-21. 986 00:45:56,000 --> 00:46:00,017 He's already told us in the world, be a light. 987 00:46:00,017 --> 00:46:03,075 Don't sin with your friends, bring light into darkness, 988 00:46:03,075 --> 00:46:07,008 and in the church, serve like family. 989 00:46:07,008 --> 00:46:09,050 "Then his mother and his brothers came to him," 990 00:46:09,050 --> 00:46:12,000 Luke 8:19-21, "But they could not reach him 991 00:46:12,000 --> 00:46:13,012 "because of the crowd. 992 00:46:13,012 --> 00:46:15,079 "And he was told, 'Your mother and your brothers are standing 993 00:46:15,079 --> 00:46:17,004 "'outside, desiring to see you.' 994 00:46:17,004 --> 00:46:19,088 "But he answered them, 'My mother and my brothers are those 995 00:46:19,088 --> 00:46:21,088 who hear the word of God,'" 996 00:46:21,088 --> 00:46:25,088 and Nike stole this, "'Do it.'" 997 00:46:25,088 --> 00:46:28,004 That's what Jesus has to say. 998 00:46:28,004 --> 00:46:30,050 So what's our identity here? 999 00:46:30,050 --> 00:46:32,021 Family. 1000 00:46:32,021 --> 00:46:35,079 Our activity is acting like a member of the family. 1001 00:46:35,079 --> 00:46:40,029 Let me give you a few preface observations before we launch 1002 00:46:40,029 --> 00:46:42,042 into the identity and activity. 1003 00:46:42,042 --> 00:46:48,042 The first is that the Catholics are wrong. 1004 00:46:48,042 --> 00:46:51,075 They would say that not only was Mary a virgin, 1005 00:46:51,075 --> 00:46:53,071 when by the power of the Holy Spirit 1006 00:46:53,071 --> 00:46:55,096 she conceived Jesus, 1007 00:46:55,096 --> 00:47:01,012 that she remained a virgin throughout her whole life, okay? 1008 00:47:01,012 --> 00:47:04,096 That she never consummated her marriage with Joseph. 1009 00:47:04,096 --> 00:47:11,012 And here we find that Jesus had brothers. 1010 00:47:11,012 --> 00:47:15,067 What that tells you is his mother and his father had 1011 00:47:15,067 --> 00:47:23,000 a normal, healthy, enjoyable marital relationship, okay? 1012 00:47:23,000 --> 00:47:27,088 We read as well, I made a note here in Mark 6:3, they say, 1013 00:47:27,088 --> 00:47:31,092 "Hey, Jesus had brothers and sisters." 1014 00:47:31,092 --> 00:47:33,088 So Jesus came from a family. 1015 00:47:33,088 --> 00:47:37,012 He was the oldest child, but then through 1016 00:47:37,012 --> 00:47:39,004 the natural relations of Mary and Joseph, 1017 00:47:39,004 --> 00:47:41,092 there were other sons and daughters. 1018 00:47:41,092 --> 00:47:44,038 So this just shows us that marital intimacy, 1019 00:47:44,038 --> 00:47:47,004 and joy, and offspring, and the blessing of children, 1020 00:47:47,004 --> 00:47:50,004 it's all part of God's plan, and that's how it was in 1021 00:47:50,004 --> 00:47:53,017 Jesus' family and it's perfectly healthy and good. 1022 00:47:53,017 --> 00:47:57,071 Another thing that I like in this is that Jesus was 1023 00:47:57,071 --> 00:48:01,000 very busy, and you couldn't get a meeting with him. 1024 00:48:01,000 --> 00:48:03,096 This is one of my favorite sermons, 'cause I get to tell 1025 00:48:03,096 --> 00:48:06,042 you, you listen poorly, and you can't meet with me. 1026 00:48:06,042 --> 00:48:10,096 That's awesome, because what happens is as a pastor, 1027 00:48:10,096 --> 00:48:13,012 people just love to make you feel guilty, like, 1028 00:48:13,012 --> 00:48:15,033 "You're not very accessible like Jesus was." 1029 00:48:15,033 --> 00:48:17,096 His own mother could not get an appointment. 1030 00:48:17,096 --> 00:48:20,033 That's a very busy guy. 1031 00:48:20,033 --> 00:48:21,038 "Jesus, your mother's here." 1032 00:48:21,038 --> 00:48:26,067 "She's not on the calendar." 1033 00:48:26,067 --> 00:48:29,083 And see, the myth is, and this powerful myth is that Jesus was 1034 00:48:29,083 --> 00:48:31,004 just always available. 1035 00:48:31,004 --> 00:48:34,004 People just walk right up and take as much time as they 1036 00:48:34,004 --> 00:48:36,046 wanted, and he was just infinitely accessible. 1037 00:48:36,046 --> 00:48:37,046 He wasn't. 1038 00:48:37,046 --> 00:48:39,062 Large crowds around Jesus, his mother and his brothers, 1039 00:48:39,062 --> 00:48:42,000 his family are like, "We can't even get in, 1040 00:48:42,000 --> 00:48:43,088 the crowd is so tight." 1041 00:48:43,088 --> 00:48:47,029 We've already learned in Luke on a few occasions he says this, 1042 00:48:47,029 --> 00:48:49,050 Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to be alone 1043 00:48:49,050 --> 00:48:50,054 with the Father. 1044 00:48:50,054 --> 00:48:52,096 That's 'cause the crowds would press in on him. 1045 00:48:52,096 --> 00:48:55,033 And the crowds would demand of him, 1046 00:48:55,033 --> 00:48:57,033 and sometimes he just needed a break, 1047 00:48:57,033 --> 00:49:00,021 just needed a break, and some silence, and solitude, 1048 00:49:00,021 --> 00:49:03,054 and a day off, and a place to take a nap. 1049 00:49:03,054 --> 00:49:06,000 And here we see that Jesus wasn't accessible 1050 00:49:06,000 --> 00:49:07,071 continually to everybody. 1051 00:49:07,071 --> 00:49:10,033 His own mother and brothers don't have access to him, 1052 00:49:10,033 --> 00:49:13,021 but does it seem like he's being rude? 1053 00:49:13,021 --> 00:49:15,050 Be honest. 1054 00:49:15,050 --> 00:49:20,017 If you heard that I said this to my mom who goes to Mars Hill-- 1055 00:49:20,017 --> 00:49:22,054 I give her a hug every Sunday and my dad. 1056 00:49:22,054 --> 00:49:23,058 It's awesome. 1057 00:49:23,058 --> 00:49:27,046 But if I was like, "Tell mom, I'm busy, 1058 00:49:27,046 --> 00:49:30,017 and today she doesn't get her hug." 1059 00:49:30,017 --> 00:49:33,025 You'd go, "Oh, that's not good. 1060 00:49:33,025 --> 00:49:36,017 "She gave birth to you. 1061 00:49:36,017 --> 00:49:39,017 She should at least get a hug," okay? 1062 00:49:39,017 --> 00:49:40,021 What's going on here? 1063 00:49:40,021 --> 00:49:44,025 See, it almost looks like Jesus is being rude to his mom. 1064 00:49:44,025 --> 00:49:49,021 Let me say this, Jesus loved his mom without being a mama's boy. 1065 00:49:49,021 --> 00:49:50,046 He loved his mom. 1066 00:49:50,046 --> 00:49:52,096 You see this on the cross where he's being crucified. 1067 00:49:52,096 --> 00:49:54,067 He looks down at his mother, Mary, 1068 00:49:54,067 --> 00:49:57,017 who's at the foot of the cross, John, his friend, 1069 00:49:57,017 --> 00:49:58,092 is next to Mary and he says, 1070 00:49:58,092 --> 00:50:00,092 "John, I want you to look after mom." 1071 00:50:00,092 --> 00:50:03,033 So he loved his mom without being a mama's boy. 1072 00:50:03,033 --> 00:50:05,021 Here's what I think is going on here. 1073 00:50:05,021 --> 00:50:06,067 I don't think Jesus is sinning. 1074 00:50:06,067 --> 00:50:08,017 I don't think he's being rude. 1075 00:50:08,017 --> 00:50:10,033 I don't think he's being negligent toward his mom, 1076 00:50:10,033 --> 00:50:12,025 but I think he's focused on his activity. 1077 00:50:12,025 --> 00:50:15,033 He knows his identity is God, and his activity is 1078 00:50:15,033 --> 00:50:17,050 preaching, teaching, casting out demons, 1079 00:50:17,050 --> 00:50:19,067 and atoning for the sin of the world. 1080 00:50:19,067 --> 00:50:21,000 His identity is God. 1081 00:50:21,000 --> 00:50:23,021 His activity is clear, and his mother, 1082 00:50:23,021 --> 00:50:25,050 at this point, along with his brothers, 1083 00:50:25,050 --> 00:50:27,062 doesn't yet agree with his identity, 1084 00:50:27,062 --> 00:50:30,062 and doesn't understand his activity. 1085 00:50:30,062 --> 00:50:33,071 We read elsewhere like in, I've got it here, 1086 00:50:33,071 --> 00:50:36,046 Mark 3:21 that on a similar occasion, 1087 00:50:36,046 --> 00:50:40,012 Jesus' family came to him, and tried to take him away, 1088 00:50:40,012 --> 00:50:42,079 thinking he had gone coo-coo for cocoa puffs, 1089 00:50:42,079 --> 00:50:45,079 had totally lost his mind, right? 1090 00:50:45,079 --> 00:50:47,046 And you can fathom that, right? 1091 00:50:47,046 --> 00:50:51,004 If your brother said, "Hi, I'm God, Lord, Savior, and Christ. 1092 00:50:51,004 --> 00:50:54,046 "I'm here to atone for the sins of the world, and on the side, 1093 00:50:54,046 --> 00:50:56,046 I like to water ski without a boat." 1094 00:50:56,046 --> 00:51:00,042 You'd be like, "You know, you need to come home, 1095 00:51:00,042 --> 00:51:05,000 "drink chamomile tea, and not say these things to anyone else. 1096 00:51:05,000 --> 00:51:07,008 "We're gonna get you some help. 1097 00:51:07,008 --> 00:51:08,012 "You need help. 1098 00:51:08,012 --> 00:51:10,012 You're not well." 1099 00:51:10,012 --> 00:51:13,029 That's where Jesus' family started with him. 1100 00:51:13,029 --> 00:51:17,012 They didn't immediately say, "Oh yes, of course he's God." 1101 00:51:17,012 --> 00:51:18,075 They were convinced over time, 1102 00:51:18,075 --> 00:51:21,067 particularly by the resurrection. 1103 00:51:21,067 --> 00:51:23,067 Once he rises from death, they're like, 1104 00:51:23,067 --> 00:51:27,075 "Well, that we were not expecting. 1105 00:51:27,075 --> 00:51:30,000 "Some of that God stuff he was talking about, 1106 00:51:30,000 --> 00:51:32,088 now it takes on a whole new credibility." 1107 00:51:32,088 --> 00:51:36,021 So Jesus rises from death and then what we do see is his 1108 00:51:36,021 --> 00:51:39,083 mother numbered among the 120 that constitute the early church 1109 00:51:39,083 --> 00:51:42,000 in the upper room before the day of Pentecost. 1110 00:51:42,000 --> 00:51:44,050 And Mary is there, numbered among them, praying to, 1111 00:51:44,050 --> 00:51:48,025 worshiping her resurrected and then ascended back into heaven, 1112 00:51:48,025 --> 00:51:51,067 son, Jesus, as God. 1113 00:51:51,067 --> 00:51:54,038 And we see his own brothers, James and Jude, 1114 00:51:54,038 --> 00:51:57,038 who went on to pen books of the Bible bearing their name, 1115 00:51:57,038 --> 00:52:00,008 becoming Christian pastors, proclaiming boldly, 1116 00:52:00,008 --> 00:52:03,054 "Our big brother is sinless, Lord, God, Savior, 1117 00:52:03,054 --> 00:52:06,075 "and Christ and he conquered Satan, sin, and death 1118 00:52:06,075 --> 00:52:09,033 through the cross and the resurrection." 1119 00:52:09,033 --> 00:52:11,075 It's one of greatest arguments we have for Christianity. 1120 00:52:11,075 --> 00:52:14,071 If you can get your kid brothers, plural, 1121 00:52:14,071 --> 00:52:17,038 to worship you as God, that's pretty impressive. 1122 00:52:17,038 --> 00:52:21,058 You know, it's hard to get your kid brothers to just like you, 1123 00:52:21,058 --> 00:52:25,062 let alone to worship you as devout Jews who knew if they 1124 00:52:25,062 --> 00:52:28,071 were wrong, they would be sentencing their soul 1125 00:52:28,071 --> 00:52:32,000 to the conscious, eternal torments of hell. 1126 00:52:32,000 --> 00:52:34,004 You don't just worship someone casually 1127 00:52:34,004 --> 00:52:38,038 if you have their convictions. 1128 00:52:38,038 --> 00:52:42,012 That being said, what is the identity issue here, 1129 00:52:42,012 --> 00:52:44,029 not just for Jesus but his family? 1130 00:52:44,029 --> 00:52:46,092 Well, his family is saying, "We're not sure you're God, 1131 00:52:46,092 --> 00:52:49,058 and would you stop preaching and teaching?" 1132 00:52:49,058 --> 00:52:51,046 And Jesus is essentially saying, 1133 00:52:51,046 --> 00:52:54,021 "I'm not going to meet with you now. 1134 00:52:54,021 --> 00:52:57,079 I have activity to do." 1135 00:52:57,079 --> 00:53:00,046 It's not that Jesus doesn't love his family, 1136 00:53:00,046 --> 00:53:02,083 but he's committed to the calling that the Father 1137 00:53:02,083 --> 00:53:04,062 has on his life. 1138 00:53:04,062 --> 00:53:07,012 See, his family wants to meet with him, I think, 1139 00:53:07,012 --> 00:53:09,050 in light of Mark's insight, to quit ministry, 1140 00:53:09,050 --> 00:53:12,004 go home, and be quiet. 1141 00:53:12,004 --> 00:53:13,083 And Jesus says, "No. 1142 00:53:13,083 --> 00:53:17,075 "Tell them family is not just by birth, but new birth, 1143 00:53:17,075 --> 00:53:20,000 "not just blood, but my blood. 1144 00:53:20,000 --> 00:53:23,029 "And tell them if they think they're family to act like 1145 00:53:23,029 --> 00:53:26,096 "family and help me do ministry, serve the Father, 1146 00:53:26,096 --> 00:53:29,054 "don't come to get me off of my mission, 1147 00:53:29,054 --> 00:53:32,017 come to help me on my mission." 1148 00:53:32,017 --> 00:53:35,088 This is an invitation for his brothers and his mother to obey 1149 00:53:35,088 --> 00:53:39,096 God, to worship him as God, and to serve alongside of him 1150 00:53:39,096 --> 00:53:42,062 because he is God. 1151 00:53:42,062 --> 00:53:45,062 In the same way, some of you will have this experience where 1152 00:53:45,062 --> 00:53:47,096 you love your family, but they're not Christians, 1153 00:53:47,096 --> 00:53:49,071 and they're gonna give you counsel 1154 00:53:49,071 --> 00:53:51,071 that you just can't take. 1155 00:53:51,071 --> 00:53:53,071 "I don't think you should go to church. 1156 00:53:53,071 --> 00:53:55,071 "I don't think you should marry a Christian. 1157 00:53:55,071 --> 00:53:57,046 "I don't think you should give money. 1158 00:53:57,046 --> 00:53:58,096 "I don't think you should serve. 1159 00:53:58,096 --> 00:54:01,067 "I don't think you should be talking to people about Jesus. 1160 00:54:01,067 --> 00:54:03,083 "I don't think you should be praying like that. 1161 00:54:03,083 --> 00:54:06,058 I don't think you should want other people to get saved." 1162 00:54:06,058 --> 00:54:08,033 "I'm sorry, I love you, you're family, 1163 00:54:08,033 --> 00:54:10,083 "but my identity is Christian, and my activity is Christian. 1164 00:54:10,083 --> 00:54:14,021 "And though I love you, I need to obey God, and I can't obey 1165 00:54:14,021 --> 00:54:16,038 you because you're conflicting with his commands." 1166 00:54:16,038 --> 00:54:18,046 That's what's going on here. 1167 00:54:18,046 --> 00:54:20,038 We get this a lot at Mars Hill. 1168 00:54:20,038 --> 00:54:22,012 I've dealt with a few couples recently. 1169 00:54:22,012 --> 00:54:24,067 Someone loves Jesus, they want to marry someone who loves 1170 00:54:24,067 --> 00:54:27,012 Jesus, the family doesn't love Jesus, and says, 1171 00:54:27,012 --> 00:54:28,062 "Can't you guys just live together?" 1172 00:54:28,062 --> 00:54:29,096 No. 1173 00:54:29,096 --> 00:54:32,062 "Well, do you guys have to marry someone who's a Christian?" 1174 00:54:32,062 --> 00:54:37,096 Yes Identity determines activity, 1175 00:54:37,096 --> 00:54:41,079 and sometimes family wants to determine activity. 1176 00:54:41,079 --> 00:54:46,000 Family can't determine activity, identity determines activity, 1177 00:54:46,000 --> 00:54:47,025 and if you're a Christian, 1178 00:54:47,025 --> 00:54:48,075 your ultimate allegiance is to Christ. 1179 00:54:48,075 --> 00:54:50,050 It doesn't mean you hate your family. 1180 00:54:50,050 --> 00:54:52,067 The Bible says to honor your mother and father. 1181 00:54:52,067 --> 00:54:55,004 And some of you are really blessed because your family's 1182 00:54:55,004 --> 00:54:57,046 Christian, and so they're also part of your church family. 1183 00:54:57,046 --> 00:55:00,067 Like for me, my mom and dad are Christians, go to Mars Hill. 1184 00:55:00,067 --> 00:55:03,017 Grace's mom and dad are Christians, go to Mars Hill. 1185 00:55:03,017 --> 00:55:05,067 Two of my sisters, my brother go to Mars Hill. 1186 00:55:05,067 --> 00:55:08,021 See, I have biological family by birth, 1187 00:55:08,021 --> 00:55:10,021 and I have spiritual family by new birth, 1188 00:55:10,021 --> 00:55:11,050 all in the same church. 1189 00:55:11,050 --> 00:55:13,017 It's amazing. It's wonderful. 1190 00:55:13,017 --> 00:55:15,033 We rejoice in it and praise God for it. 1191 00:55:15,033 --> 00:55:16,083 But some you don't have that. 1192 00:55:16,083 --> 00:55:20,067 Your biological family is not also spiritual family. 1193 00:55:20,067 --> 00:55:23,033 You love them, and you love Jesus, and they love you, 1194 00:55:23,033 --> 00:55:25,083 but they don't love Jesus, and that's what's going on. 1195 00:55:25,083 --> 00:55:29,029 At this point, they don't acknowledge him as God, 1196 00:55:29,029 --> 00:55:31,096 and he loves them, but he won't get off his mission. 1197 00:55:31,096 --> 00:55:33,050 He needs to obey God first. 1198 00:55:33,050 --> 00:55:39,062 But what he says is this, "Our identity is family." 1199 00:55:39,062 --> 00:55:43,046 This is great, that God's a father, loving, perfect, 1200 00:55:43,046 --> 00:55:46,096 gracious, merciful, amazing father. 1201 00:55:46,096 --> 00:55:49,050 If you had a bad father, don't take that word 1202 00:55:49,050 --> 00:55:51,050 and define it by your dad. 1203 00:55:51,050 --> 00:55:55,000 Take the Bible and define it by Scripture. 1204 00:55:55,000 --> 00:55:58,033 The Bible tells us who God the Father is. 1205 00:55:58,033 --> 00:56:01,042 And we judge all fathers in light of what the Bible says 1206 00:56:01,042 --> 00:56:04,088 about God the Father, that God the Father's an amazing, 1207 00:56:04,088 --> 00:56:09,038 wonderful, perfect, loving, protecting, providing dad. 1208 00:56:09,038 --> 00:56:10,054 That's who he is. 1209 00:56:10,054 --> 00:56:13,092 "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name." 1210 00:56:13,092 --> 00:56:18,088 That's our dad, and that he views us as kids. 1211 00:56:18,088 --> 00:56:21,075 And we are sinners, and rebels, and lawbreakers, 1212 00:56:21,075 --> 00:56:25,029 every one of us, and we've fled from his goodness. 1213 00:56:25,029 --> 00:56:28,017 We've turned our back on his provision, 1214 00:56:28,017 --> 00:56:32,050 and so Jesus came on a mission as the big brother. 1215 00:56:32,050 --> 00:56:37,067 Jesus is the big brother, and Jesus comes to live without sin. 1216 00:56:37,067 --> 00:56:41,079 He knows his identity is God, his activity is obedience that 1217 00:56:41,079 --> 00:56:45,058 ultimately leads to death and resurrection for salvation. 1218 00:56:45,058 --> 00:56:48,088 And Jesus atones for our sins, and you know what he does? 1219 00:56:48,088 --> 00:56:54,012 He gives us this new identity as light and adopted children, 1220 00:56:54,012 --> 00:56:56,067 these metaphors of identity. 1221 00:56:56,067 --> 00:57:01,046 And as an adoptive child through Jesus' grace, by faith in him, 1222 00:57:01,046 --> 00:57:04,017 we're adopted into the family of God. 1223 00:57:04,017 --> 00:57:06,083 God's our Father, Jesus is our big brother, 1224 00:57:06,083 --> 00:57:09,033 our whole identity changes. 1225 00:57:09,033 --> 00:57:11,067 This is why Christians love foster care and adoption, 1226 00:57:11,067 --> 00:57:14,058 'cause it's all demonstrating the gospel, 1227 00:57:14,058 --> 00:57:19,067 that God takes us and brings us into his family, the church, 1228 00:57:19,067 --> 00:57:23,017 and then we get to share in his name, Christian. 1229 00:57:23,017 --> 00:57:27,017 And we get access to all of his blessing, and his provision, 1230 00:57:27,017 --> 00:57:29,075 and his kingdom, and our God is a lavish, 1231 00:57:29,075 --> 00:57:32,008 generous, amazing giver. 1232 00:57:32,008 --> 00:57:34,050 And so now we're adopted into the family of God. 1233 00:57:34,050 --> 00:57:36,033 What that means is, as the church, 1234 00:57:36,033 --> 00:57:38,071 we're brothers and sisters. 1235 00:57:38,071 --> 00:57:42,033 That's exactly what Paul tells a younger man some years later. 1236 00:57:42,033 --> 00:57:45,004 He's wondering, "What kind of relationship should I have 1237 00:57:45,004 --> 00:57:47,083 with these other single women in my church?" 1238 00:57:47,083 --> 00:57:49,088 Paul says, "Treat them as," what? 1239 00:57:49,088 --> 00:57:51,017 "Sisters." 1240 00:57:51,017 --> 00:57:54,029 And it's this whole new category of male/female relationship. 1241 00:57:54,029 --> 00:57:57,075 It's wonderful 'cause in the world everything is sexual, 1242 00:57:57,075 --> 00:57:59,092 but in the Bible it's familial. 1243 00:57:59,092 --> 00:58:02,096 In the world, men and women, if they have any sort of 1244 00:58:02,096 --> 00:58:05,088 relationship, it's usually going to some sinful place. 1245 00:58:05,088 --> 00:58:08,058 But in the Bible, you can love your sister. 1246 00:58:08,058 --> 00:58:09,083 You can love your brother. 1247 00:58:09,083 --> 00:58:11,038 You can care for one another. 1248 00:58:11,038 --> 00:58:12,083 You can enjoy one another. 1249 00:58:12,083 --> 00:58:14,017 You can have fun together. 1250 00:58:14,017 --> 00:58:16,029 You can serve God together 'cause you're family, 1251 00:58:16,029 --> 00:58:18,050 and it's a category of relationship that the world 1252 00:58:18,050 --> 00:58:22,033 knows nothing about, knows nothing about. 1253 00:58:22,033 --> 00:58:24,033 And see, everybody, Facebook, Twitter, "I've got friends. 1254 00:58:24,033 --> 00:58:25,083 I've got friends. I've got friends." 1255 00:58:25,083 --> 00:58:27,033 You know what's better than friends? 1256 00:58:27,033 --> 00:58:28,042 Family. 1257 00:58:28,042 --> 00:58:31,033 And God, through Christ, gives family, and God's the Father 1258 00:58:31,033 --> 00:58:33,038 of our church family. 1259 00:58:33,038 --> 00:58:36,071 And Jesus is the big brother in our church family, 1260 00:58:36,071 --> 00:58:39,054 and we're brothers and sisters in the church family. 1261 00:58:39,054 --> 00:58:43,029 Some of you would say, "Yeah, but you know, Mars Hill's hard. 1262 00:58:43,029 --> 00:58:44,088 "I don't feel like I'm connected. 1263 00:58:44,088 --> 00:58:46,038 "I don't feel like I'm close. 1264 00:58:46,038 --> 00:58:48,054 "You know, some people here annoyed me, bothered me. 1265 00:58:48,054 --> 00:58:49,054 We don't get along." 1266 00:58:49,054 --> 00:58:51,033 Welcome to family! 1267 00:58:51,033 --> 00:58:53,058 Welcome to that's what a family is! 1268 00:58:53,058 --> 00:58:56,029 It's a huge, painful annoying mess! 1269 00:58:56,029 --> 00:58:59,096 That's the definition of a family! 1270 00:58:59,096 --> 00:59:03,000 Actually, everything was awesome until you came and then it all 1271 00:59:03,000 --> 00:59:05,071 just got very difficult. 1272 00:59:05,071 --> 00:59:08,088 We've all been talking about that. 1273 00:59:08,088 --> 00:59:10,000 And you know what? 1274 00:59:10,000 --> 00:59:12,029 Family's awkward, and family's hard, and family's complicated, 1275 00:59:12,029 --> 00:59:14,029 and family's trying, but you love the family, 1276 00:59:14,029 --> 00:59:15,046 you serve the family. 1277 00:59:15,046 --> 00:59:18,058 You don't give up on the family, and if you have family, 1278 00:59:18,058 --> 00:59:20,075 you love them, but church is family, 1279 00:59:20,075 --> 00:59:24,083 and church is first family, 'cause this is a family 1280 00:59:24,083 --> 00:59:26,012 you're gonna be with forever. 1281 00:59:26,012 --> 00:59:28,062 Now, I hope that your whole biological family meets Jesus 1282 00:59:28,062 --> 00:59:31,058 and is also a part of our spiritual family, 1283 00:59:31,058 --> 00:59:35,017 but how many of you, truthfully, if you have or were to have 1284 00:59:35,017 --> 00:59:37,029 children and you're having to write out 1285 00:59:37,029 --> 00:59:40,004 your last will and testament, decide, "Should something happen 1286 00:59:40,004 --> 00:59:42,033 to me or us, who will get our children?" 1287 00:59:42,033 --> 00:59:45,000 Your first choice is church family. 1288 00:59:45,000 --> 00:59:47,050 Say, "You know my biological family, they don't love Jesus. 1289 00:59:47,050 --> 00:59:49,050 "They're not gonna read the Bible with them. 1290 00:59:49,050 --> 00:59:51,000 "They don't understand what they're doing. 1291 00:59:51,000 --> 00:59:53,067 "Somebody in the church is gonna go on the last will 1292 00:59:53,067 --> 00:59:55,083 "and testament 'cause you know what matters to me? 1293 00:59:55,083 --> 00:59:57,017 My kids meeting Jesus." 1294 00:59:57,017 --> 00:59:59,083 See, some of you have two families, and some of you, 1295 00:59:59,083 --> 01:00:01,033 because your biological family loves Jesus, 1296 01:00:01,033 --> 01:00:04,058 you just got one big extended family in church family. 1297 01:00:04,058 --> 01:00:06,088 But church family's incredibly important, 1298 01:00:06,088 --> 01:00:09,012 and here's what Jesus is saying. 1299 01:00:09,012 --> 01:00:12,021 Those who are really members of the family, they do two things: 1300 01:00:12,021 --> 01:00:15,000 listen and obey. 1301 01:00:15,000 --> 01:00:17,075 They do what they're supposed to do after hearing what they're 1302 01:00:17,075 --> 01:00:20,017 supposed to hear. 1303 01:00:20,017 --> 01:00:21,096 That's their activity. 1304 01:00:21,096 --> 01:00:23,025 So here's the big idea. 1305 01:00:23,025 --> 01:00:27,092 If Mars Hill doesn't feel like home, serve. 1306 01:00:27,092 --> 01:00:29,067 You know the difference between a restaurant 1307 01:00:29,067 --> 01:00:31,021 and a family dinner? 1308 01:00:31,021 --> 01:00:33,021 You go to a restaurant, you sit down, 1309 01:00:33,021 --> 01:00:35,025 somebody takes care of everything. 1310 01:00:35,025 --> 01:00:37,004 And you can even complain about it. 1311 01:00:37,004 --> 01:00:39,038 "I did not like the mashed potatoes. 1312 01:00:39,038 --> 01:00:41,088 "The gravy was too salty. 1313 01:00:41,088 --> 01:00:44,038 I would like a comment card." 1314 01:00:44,038 --> 01:00:46,017 If you do that to your mother, 1315 01:00:46,017 --> 01:00:51,050 your father will do something to you. 1316 01:00:51,050 --> 01:00:55,000 If you go to your mom's house, your dad's house, and you just 1317 01:00:55,000 --> 01:00:58,067 sit down, just say, "Hey, what are you doing sitting down? 1318 01:00:58,067 --> 01:01:01,004 "You need to set the table. 1319 01:01:01,004 --> 01:01:03,000 "Hey, get up, set the table. 1320 01:01:03,000 --> 01:01:05,000 You're part of the family." 1321 01:01:05,000 --> 01:01:07,062 "I would like dessert." 1322 01:01:07,062 --> 01:01:10,054 "Oh, really? 1323 01:01:10,054 --> 01:01:13,008 No." 1324 01:01:13,008 --> 01:01:15,042 This is family--you want something out of the fridge, 1325 01:01:15,042 --> 01:01:17,017 go get it out of the fridge. 1326 01:01:17,017 --> 01:01:19,062 You need to set the table, hey, when dinner's done, 1327 01:01:19,062 --> 01:01:21,062 don't just leave your plate and walk away. 1328 01:01:21,062 --> 01:01:24,046 You gotta bring it to the sink, you gotta scrape it out, 1329 01:01:24,046 --> 01:01:25,046 you gotta clean it. 1330 01:01:25,046 --> 01:01:26,050 Why? 1331 01:01:26,050 --> 01:01:29,029 'Cause this is a family and in the family you do something. 1332 01:01:29,029 --> 01:01:31,046 The difference between a restaurant and a family is 1333 01:01:31,046 --> 01:01:35,000 whether or not you do something. 1334 01:01:35,000 --> 01:01:36,067 That's the difference, 1335 01:01:36,067 --> 01:01:38,083 and some of you treat Mars Hill as family. 1336 01:01:38,083 --> 01:01:40,012 You're like, "You know what? 1337 01:01:40,012 --> 01:01:41,042 "I'm coming early to serve. 1338 01:01:41,042 --> 01:01:43,004 "I'm gonna pick up my trash. 1339 01:01:43,004 --> 01:01:44,004 "I'm gonna tithe. 1340 01:01:44,004 --> 01:01:45,083 "I'm gonna be in a serving group. 1341 01:01:45,083 --> 01:01:47,050 "I'm gonna be in a community group. 1342 01:01:47,050 --> 01:01:48,071 "I'm gonna help some people. 1343 01:01:48,071 --> 01:01:49,046 "This is family. 1344 01:01:49,046 --> 01:01:50,067 "I know it's a mess. 1345 01:01:50,067 --> 01:01:51,083 "It's a big, crazy family, 1346 01:01:51,083 --> 01:01:55,008 "but it's my family, so give me a chore. 1347 01:01:55,008 --> 01:01:56,042 "Give me something to do. 1348 01:01:56,042 --> 01:01:58,008 Help me be part of the family." 1349 01:01:58,008 --> 01:02:00,083 Some of you are like, "I did not like the band. 1350 01:02:00,083 --> 01:02:02,004 "The sermon was very long. 1351 01:02:02,004 --> 01:02:03,012 It was very hot." 1352 01:02:03,012 --> 01:02:05,071 Tell you why it's hot, right, 'cause most of our campuses, 1353 01:02:05,071 --> 01:02:10,008 nobody gives enough money to get air-conditioning, so-- 1354 01:02:10,008 --> 01:02:13,025 And see what's different is in a family, if you see a need, 1355 01:02:13,025 --> 01:02:15,050 you meet it, but in a business, you don't. 1356 01:02:15,050 --> 01:02:17,050 You don't walk into a business and say, 1357 01:02:17,050 --> 01:02:20,054 "Are there any non-met needs that can I give above and beyond 1358 01:02:20,054 --> 01:02:23,050 "the cost of the meal and sacrifice so that you can get 1359 01:02:23,050 --> 01:02:28,000 "new signage or chairs or maybe, I don't know, new linens. 1360 01:02:28,000 --> 01:02:31,000 "Because, you know, I want to go above and beyond the cost 1361 01:02:31,000 --> 01:02:33,062 "of the meal because I'm personally invested deeply 1362 01:02:33,062 --> 01:02:36,017 in this restaurant." 1363 01:02:36,017 --> 01:02:41,025 They'd be like, "Call 911, we got a crazy." 1364 01:02:41,025 --> 01:02:43,025 But in the church that's what it is. 1365 01:02:43,025 --> 01:02:45,025 You walk in, it's, "Where can I serve? 1366 01:02:45,025 --> 01:02:47,025 "Where am I needed? Where I can give? 1367 01:02:47,025 --> 01:02:49,058 This is my family. I'm part of the family. 1368 01:02:49,058 --> 01:02:50,058 Plug me in. 1369 01:02:50,058 --> 01:02:52,075 Give me something to do. Give me a chore." 1370 01:02:52,075 --> 01:02:55,025 And the truth is this, if you're not plugged in, 1371 01:02:55,025 --> 01:02:57,075 if you're not in a group, if you're not serving, 1372 01:02:57,075 --> 01:03:00,021 if you're not connected, it's not gonna feel like family, 1373 01:03:00,021 --> 01:03:03,033 and you'll be gone in less than a year, because you'll just stop 1374 01:03:03,033 --> 01:03:05,054 going to church, or go to another church, 1375 01:03:05,054 --> 01:03:07,071 or just complain about other churches, 1376 01:03:07,071 --> 01:03:09,054 or long for the ideal church, 1377 01:03:09,054 --> 01:03:11,029 rather than just saying, "You know what? 1378 01:03:11,029 --> 01:03:13,046 "It's family, I'm gonna love it, serve it, 1379 01:03:13,046 --> 01:03:15,017 make it better, beginning where it's at." 1380 01:03:15,017 --> 01:03:18,000 I want that for you, 'cause that's what this guy 1381 01:03:18,000 --> 01:03:19,008 named Jesus said. 1382 01:03:19,008 --> 01:03:21,096 "My mother and brothers are those who hear the Word of God 1383 01:03:21,096 --> 01:03:23,029 and do it." 1384 01:03:23,029 --> 01:03:27,029 Those who are really the family of God, they're doing things. 1385 01:03:27,029 --> 01:03:28,079 They're picking up chores. 1386 01:03:28,079 --> 01:03:29,083 They're owning the mission. 1387 01:03:29,083 --> 01:03:31,083 He says it elsewhere, where your treasure is, 1388 01:03:31,083 --> 01:03:34,000 your heart is, so wherever you give your money, 1389 01:03:34,000 --> 01:03:36,050 that's ultimately where your passion is going to reside. 1390 01:03:36,050 --> 01:03:38,071 So I'll close with a story of a guy. 1391 01:03:38,071 --> 01:03:42,000 It's at the point now, it's in a grocery store, coffee shop, 1392 01:03:42,000 --> 01:03:44,038 wherever I go, somebody comes up, "Oh Pastor Mark, 1393 01:03:44,038 --> 01:03:47,038 let me tell you about my whole life, and I need counseling." 1394 01:03:47,038 --> 01:03:52,021 So I was at the-- Man, it's interesting. 1395 01:03:52,021 --> 01:03:54,038 I don't even go out anymore. 1396 01:03:54,038 --> 01:03:57,050 So, you know, I'm at the store and this guy comes, he goes, 1397 01:03:57,050 --> 01:03:59,038 "Oh, I've always wanted to talk to you, 1398 01:03:59,038 --> 01:04:01,062 "and, you know, Mars Hill doesn't feel like home, 1399 01:04:01,062 --> 01:04:03,062 "and I just don't feel like I'm connected. 1400 01:04:03,062 --> 01:04:05,012 "I don't feel like I'm close. 1401 01:04:05,012 --> 01:04:06,079 I don't feel like anybody loves me." 1402 01:04:06,079 --> 01:04:09,029 I'm like, it could have something to do with this 1403 01:04:09,029 --> 01:04:10,029 radiating, inviting personality. 1404 01:04:10,029 --> 01:04:12,012 I said, "Okay so what do you want?" 1405 01:04:12,012 --> 01:04:14,046 He said, "Well, I just need somebody to talk to." 1406 01:04:14,046 --> 01:04:16,079 I said, "Well, have you been in a community group?" 1407 01:04:16,079 --> 01:04:18,046 "I don't really have a community group, 1408 01:04:18,046 --> 01:04:20,012 and I'm not really plugged in." 1409 01:04:20,012 --> 01:04:21,012 Okay, okay, okay. 1410 01:04:21,012 --> 01:04:23,012 I said, "Look here, rather than being nice, 1411 01:04:23,012 --> 01:04:25,033 "can I be fast, 'cause I'm looking for cereal? 1412 01:04:25,033 --> 01:04:27,033 "I'm gonna ask you two questions, number one, 1413 01:04:27,033 --> 01:04:28,092 "what did you give last year? 1414 01:04:28,092 --> 01:04:32,000 Number two, where have you ever served at Mars Hill?" 1415 01:04:32,000 --> 01:04:34,079 He said, "Well, you know, that's kind of between me 1416 01:04:34,079 --> 01:04:36,096 and the Lord," which means jack squat. 1417 01:04:36,096 --> 01:04:40,083 That's what that means. That's what that means. 1418 01:04:40,083 --> 01:04:42,033 "Well, it's none of your business." 1419 01:04:42,033 --> 01:04:43,033 "Well, guess what? 1420 01:04:43,033 --> 01:04:46,033 "I'm taking my cereal and I'm gonna eat it by myself, 1421 01:04:46,033 --> 01:04:47,058 'cause you're not helping, right?" 1422 01:04:47,058 --> 01:04:52,092 And here's the big idea: where you serve feels like family. 1423 01:04:52,092 --> 01:04:56,042 In your history, in your life, look back. 1424 01:04:56,042 --> 01:04:59,025 The people you felt closest to, that you knew the best, 1425 01:04:59,025 --> 01:05:01,088 that you knew the best, that you were connected to, 1426 01:05:01,088 --> 01:05:03,096 those relationships that were helpful, 1427 01:05:03,096 --> 01:05:06,033 and enduring, and endearing. 1428 01:05:06,033 --> 01:05:11,012 You weren't a consumer. You weren't a consumer. 1429 01:05:11,012 --> 01:05:14,033 You were a servant. 1430 01:05:14,033 --> 01:05:17,033 You did something with people, and you know what? 1431 01:05:17,033 --> 01:05:20,096 Here's what's amazing, there are some amazingly faithful people 1432 01:05:20,096 --> 01:05:23,092 that have made this into a vibrant, growing, 1433 01:05:23,092 --> 01:05:26,025 explosive family. 1434 01:05:26,025 --> 01:05:28,021 New campuses, new people meeting Jesus, 1435 01:05:28,021 --> 01:05:30,058 new churches getting planted, new couples getting married, 1436 01:05:30,058 --> 01:05:33,000 new babies being born, new community groups getting 1437 01:05:33,000 --> 01:05:35,083 launched, new technology being innovated. 1438 01:05:35,083 --> 01:05:37,096 Absolutely, unbelievable, 1439 01:05:37,096 --> 01:05:40,021 how many people are getting how much done. 1440 01:05:40,021 --> 01:05:42,079 And here's what I'd invite you to do, get involved. 1441 01:05:42,079 --> 01:05:43,083 Get plugged in. 1442 01:05:43,083 --> 01:05:45,017 See what God's doing. 1443 01:05:45,017 --> 01:05:49,083 Don't waste your life, invest it in God and his people. 1444 01:05:49,083 --> 01:05:53,017 Identity, then what? 1445 01:05:53,017 --> 01:05:54,083 Boy, nobody listened at all. 1446 01:05:54,083 --> 01:05:57,000 That was one of my points! 1447 01:05:57,000 --> 01:05:59,038 Ah! 1448 01:05:59,038 --> 01:06:03,033 I'm gonna pray. 1449 01:06:03,033 --> 01:06:05,025 Father God, I love this family. 1450 01:06:05,025 --> 01:06:06,067 Thank you for this family. 1451 01:06:06,067 --> 01:06:08,067 This family needs work, Lord. 1452 01:06:08,067 --> 01:06:09,096 It's a good family. 1453 01:06:09,096 --> 01:06:12,000 We got some good brothers, some good sisters. 1454 01:06:12,000 --> 01:06:14,038 We got some others that need some work. 1455 01:06:14,038 --> 01:06:16,038 Thank you, Father, that you're a loving Father, 1456 01:06:16,038 --> 01:06:19,038 a gracious Father, a patient Father, a compassionate Father, 1457 01:06:19,038 --> 01:06:21,004 a generous Father. 1458 01:06:21,004 --> 01:06:22,079 We thank you for thousands of people. 1459 01:06:22,079 --> 01:06:24,088 We thank you for hundreds of churches. 1460 01:06:24,088 --> 01:06:26,079 We thank you for hundreds of weddings. 1461 01:06:26,079 --> 01:06:29,021 We thank you for thousands of new Christians. 1462 01:06:29,021 --> 01:06:32,067 We thank you for thousands of children born. 1463 01:06:32,067 --> 01:06:34,054 We thank you for new real estate. 1464 01:06:34,054 --> 01:06:38,033 We thank you for millions of dollars of gifts. 1465 01:06:38,033 --> 01:06:40,042 May we hear. 1466 01:06:40,042 --> 01:06:44,004 Out of our hearing, may we understand our identity. 1467 01:06:44,004 --> 01:06:49,000 Out of our identity, may there be activity for your glory, 1468 01:06:49,000 --> 01:06:53,067 others' good, and our joy, in Jesus' name, Amen. 1469 01:06:53,067 --> 01:06:54,017 1470 01:06:54,017 --> 00:00:00,000