Exploring the Depths of God's Mercy and Grace

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.420
When your back's against the wall and you come to the Lord, remind him of his mercy.


00:00:06.420 --> 00:00:08.300
Sing of his mercy.


00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:13.740
Satan may be naming your name to Jesus right now saying, "Mmm."


00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:16.640
And Jesus saying, "I pray for you that your faith fail not.


00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:17.740
Believe in me.


00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:19.580
Believe in the power of my blood.


00:00:19.580 --> 00:00:22.780
Your mistakes and your sin, you think they're so powerful,


00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:26.180
they're not more powerful than my blood."


00:00:26.180 --> 00:00:28.660
Welcome to the City Light Church podcast.


00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:34.100
Thanks for joining us today as we look into God's Word and discover the hope and truth


00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:35.860
that He has for us.


00:00:35.860 --> 00:00:41.700
If you want to connect with City Light Church, feel free to visit us at CityLightNYC.com.


00:00:41.700 --> 00:00:44.900
That's CityLightNYC.com.


00:00:44.900 --> 00:00:50.540
Pastor Boyan Jancic and his team believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is already working


00:00:50.540 --> 00:00:52.780
in our hearts and minds.


00:00:52.780 --> 00:00:57.740
As you listen to today's teaching, remember that you are deeply loved by God, that you


00:00:57.740 --> 00:01:02.540
are surrounded by his grace and that he has a real hope and a future for you.


00:01:02.540 --> 00:01:09.740
I haven't preached in three Sundays. I'm a little unhinged this morning


00:01:09.740 --> 00:01:18.460
and I want to minister to you on the mercy of God, the mercy of God.


00:01:18.460 --> 00:01:26.620
The mercy of God is a subject that's often misunderstood and the word mercy is often


00:01:26.620 --> 00:01:33.660
conflated with grace. People use the terms interchangeably, but they're not the same


00:01:33.660 --> 00:01:41.660
thing. They often are listed together because they flow from the same ever-loving God, but


00:01:41.660 --> 00:01:46.980
there's different benefits to grace and mercy. Now, grace we should be well acquainted with.


00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:55.200
We are a new covenant church. We're a gospel church. We realize we haven't been born B.C.,


00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:57.720
But after Jesus' death, burial and resurrection,


00:01:57.720 --> 00:02:01.240
so we're under the dispensation, the canopy of grace.


00:02:01.240 --> 00:02:02.840
And so what is grace?


00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:10.800
Grace is his undeserved, unmerited favor.


00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:13.940
Grace is the means by which we are saved.


00:02:13.940 --> 00:02:16.920
The Bible says we're saved by grace through faith.


00:02:16.920 --> 00:02:19.680
And we receive our justification.


00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:21.760
That means we're pronounced not guilty,


00:02:21.760 --> 00:02:24.240
not based on what we do,


00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:33.760
based on what he has already done. That is grace. So what's mercy? Well, if grace is you receiving


00:02:33.760 --> 00:02:42.400
that thing that you didn't deserve, total forgiveness, healing in your body, prosperity


00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:47.600
in your finances, intimacy with the Lord, these are all things that in and of ourselves,


00:02:47.600 --> 00:02:56.000
in the natural we don't deserve. By grace we get those things. Mercy is us not getting the things


00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:06.960
that in the natural we do deserve. Judgment, the lightning bolt, the hammer. Mercy is the active


00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:17.280
pity of God. And I don't know about you, but I know that I need both. And it's not one or the other.


00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:23.560
And I want to know how I can posture myself to actively receive the active


00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:29.800
pity of God, to actively receive the mercy of God. Mercy is me not getting the


00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:36.320
thing that in the natural I deserve, the consequences of my decisions. Now


00:03:36.320 --> 00:03:41.440
probably not you, but I'll be the transparent pastor this morning. Please


00:03:41.440 --> 00:03:43.480
Please try to relate with me.


00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:45.840
Sometimes I blow it.


00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:48.320
Sometimes I make mistakes.


00:03:48.320 --> 00:03:51.320
Sometimes I make really, really stupid mistakes.


00:03:51.320 --> 00:03:54.680
I'm not even talking necessarily about sin, but yes, sin.


00:03:54.680 --> 00:03:58.380
But sometimes I just make financial mistakes.


00:03:58.380 --> 00:04:01.080
Sometimes I can make a mistake at work.


00:04:01.080 --> 00:04:04.880
Sometimes I'm looking down the road and I'm going, "I did a stupid thing that's gonna


00:04:04.880 --> 00:04:07.880
hurt, that's gonna have consequences.


00:04:07.880 --> 00:04:08.880
What do I need?


00:04:08.880 --> 00:04:09.880
Mercy.


00:04:09.880 --> 00:04:12.080
I need the active pity of God.


00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:18.280
I need God to come and intervene and that thing that I deserve rightfully so.


00:04:18.280 --> 00:04:20.280
The consequences of my actions.


00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:22.780
I need God to step in with his mercy.


00:04:22.780 --> 00:04:24.780
Amen.


00:04:24.780 --> 00:04:31.980
There is a fascinating exchange between Jesus and Peter that actually I've never ever heard preached on.


00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:38.680
I probably have only preached on it or mentioned it several times in all of silly lights history,


00:04:38.680 --> 00:04:41.680
But it's right before Jesus's crucifixion.


00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:49.680
Jesus turns to Peter and says, Peter, Peter, Satan has desired you.


00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:51.680
He's got his eye on you.


00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:55.680
Jesus says Satan has desired you to sift you like wheat.


00:04:55.680 --> 00:05:02.680
But I have prayed for you that your faith fail not.


00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:12.680
So there is this picture of Satan who is after the believer and he is the accuser of the brethren.


00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:18.680
He's the one constantly going to God and accusing you to God and pointing out all your shortcomings.


00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:21.680
We see a similar picture in the book of Job.


00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:28.680
And just know that Jesus didn't say, "Peter, Peter, Satan has desire to sift you like wheat,


00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:31.680
but don't worry about it because I've gained the ultimate victory."


00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:35.080
Because it doesn't matter that Jesus gained the ultimate victory unless you


00:05:35.080 --> 00:05:36.880
have faith to receive that victory.


00:05:36.880 --> 00:05:38.880
Are you catching this?


00:05:38.880 --> 00:05:42.580
So Jesus says Peter, Satan, he's after you.


00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:47.980
Wants to cut you down like a Reaper going through blades of wheat.


00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:53.080
But I've prayed for you that your faith will not and that you have faith


00:05:53.080 --> 00:05:58.280
in me and who I am and that I'll see you through and that my mercy will


00:05:58.280 --> 00:06:04.280
come and it's new every morning and that it'll endure that even because of some of your stupidity


00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:11.240
I'll come in and I will avert judgment that you in the natural do deserve I will avert it


00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:17.960
and mercy is the very nature of God. I want to just take you through a few verses on the mercy


00:06:17.960 --> 00:06:24.440
of God and then we're going to look at how we can posture ourselves. Hebrews 4 16 it says let us


00:06:24.440 --> 00:06:33.880
therefore come boldly and that's the key word there boldly I got several desires


00:06:33.880 --> 00:06:41.120
for our church one day I'll write them out top ten like who we are our identity


00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:46.220
when we have our values and on the website and all that but one of my


00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:54.660
desires that we don't have a man be pam be Mickey Mouse Church that you know


00:06:54.660 --> 00:07:02.100
Lord you know maybe but that when you know who you are and how you've been


00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:06.140
forgiven and you know the power of the blood of Jesus it's not an arrogance


00:07:06.140 --> 00:07:14.100
it's a Holy Ghost confidence you're not a braggart you're not proud you just


00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:16.940
There's no in whom you have believed.


00:07:16.940 --> 00:07:19.020
And so there is a boldness.


00:07:19.020 --> 00:07:20.740
You come boldly.


00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:24.020
You don't come crawling up like some worm up a rock.


00:07:24.020 --> 00:07:25.620
You come boldly.


00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:28.660
You're coming in the name of Jesus.


00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:30.060
What does that mean?


00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:33.380
People just say, they pray, formulaeically, "Father, in the name of Jesus."


00:07:33.380 --> 00:07:37.340
No, when you say, "In the name of Jesus," you're saying so much.


00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:40.980
You're saying, "I am approaching the holy place.


00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:44.060
I am now in the very abode of God.


00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:47.940
But I'm not sashaying in with my own righteousness.


00:07:47.940 --> 00:07:51.460
I'm coming in the name of Jesus.


00:07:51.460 --> 00:07:57.180
And Father, you're receiving me just as you would Jesus.


00:07:57.180 --> 00:08:03.340
I'm coming in based on everything he has done for me, washed in his blood with the same


00:08:03.340 --> 00:08:07.020
righteousness he has so I can come boldly.


00:08:07.020 --> 00:08:13.020
You say even when I've messed up, especially when you've messed up.


00:08:13.020 --> 00:08:15.340
That's when it actually takes faith.


00:08:15.340 --> 00:08:16.340
Amen.


00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:23.340
When you don't feel like it, you can come boldly to a throne.


00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:29.380
You know, John in Revelation, he said, "I saw the one sitting on the throne."


00:08:29.380 --> 00:08:34.340
I saw the one.


00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:40.580
It was Jesus, and it's a throne of mercy and grace.


00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:50.160
And by the way, the mercy seat under the old covenant, it was always covered with the blood.


00:08:50.160 --> 00:08:55.260
This mercy that we're going to be talking about today, it does not come cheaply.


00:08:55.260 --> 00:09:00.260
When mistakes are made, there has to be a death.


00:09:00.260 --> 00:09:02.100
But thankfully it doesn't have to be your death.


00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:04.380
It doesn't have to be your financial death.


00:09:04.380 --> 00:09:06.180
It doesn't have to be your social death.


00:09:06.180 --> 00:09:08.140
It doesn't have to be your spiritual death.


00:09:08.140 --> 00:09:13.500
Jesus who already gave his life for you. His blood is on that mercy seat. And so you can


00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:21.500
come boldly to the throne of grace that you would obtain mercy, the aversion of judgment,


00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:30.180
the aversion of divine wrath, God's active pity and find grace to help in time of need.


00:09:30.180 --> 00:09:34.520
Amen. Micah 7 18.


00:09:34.520 --> 00:09:38.800
One of my responsibilities here is to recognize that I'm preaching to some of you.


00:09:38.800 --> 00:09:46.700
You've been coming for years and some of you, this is your first Sunday and we're in Queens.


00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:48.440
What does that mean?


00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:51.200
That means not everyone has the same mindset.


00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:54.720
You go to some small town down South, everybody thinks the same, walks the same, talks the


00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:55.720
same.


00:09:55.720 --> 00:10:00.600
We have 161 nations here that actively come through our door.


00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:03.280
So people have different mindsets, different mentalities.


00:10:03.280 --> 00:10:05.340
People have different notions of God.


00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:09.460
There's people who've come in and the message that we preach, the emphasis on Jesus, his


00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:15.760
person, his power, his blood, grace, it blows their religious mind.


00:10:15.760 --> 00:10:17.960
They delight in judgment.


00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:21.760
You talk about the judgment of God, they go, "Oh, ooh."


00:10:21.760 --> 00:10:26.240
They see him as a God with, like Zeus, two thunderbolts in each hand, just rated a, he's


00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:32.000
like, "He's looking, mwahahahaha, ooh, I can't wait to punish."


00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:35.840
That's their view of God.


00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:41.240
Here's what Micah, prophet Micah, how he spoke of the nature and character of God.


00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:47.240
Who is a God like you pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant


00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:49.160
of his heritage?


00:10:49.160 --> 00:11:00.160
He does not retain his anger forever because he Yahweh God, Lord God, he delights in mercy.


00:11:00.160 --> 00:11:08.620
So if you need mercy, like I know I do, you can take confidence that you serve a God who


00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:10.420
actually delights in mercy.


00:11:10.420 --> 00:11:13.700
That means it does him good to be merciful to you.


00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:18.980
It pushes his buttons to show his tender mercies toward you.


00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:20.440
Hallelujah.


00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:25.060
And one of the first acts, you see it, I'm just trying to show you the nature of God,


00:11:25.060 --> 00:11:26.060
the character of God.


00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:29.900
It's not like he was a big meaning in the Old Testament.


00:11:29.900 --> 00:11:34.540
And then God got born again in the New and now he's different.


00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:36.900
He's the same God.


00:11:36.900 --> 00:11:38.060
His nature didn't change.


00:11:38.060 --> 00:11:40.960
His character didn't change.


00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:42.940
Just the setup changed.


00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:43.940
God didn't change.


00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:47.340
Just the way he deals with man changed because, you know, something kind of happened in between


00:11:47.340 --> 00:11:50.500
the Old and New Testaments, something pretty significant.


00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:53.260
They changed the course of world history.


00:11:53.260 --> 00:11:55.060
I was just reading.


00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:56.060
Can I take an aside?


00:11:56.060 --> 00:11:57.060
You're the second service.


00:11:57.060 --> 00:11:58.060
We have no end time.


00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:59.060
I'm going to take aside.


00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:01.860
Somebody remember where I was.


00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:05.900
Do you know how few Jewish people there are on the planet?


00:12:05.900 --> 00:12:10.500
Do you know how few Jewish people there were 2000 years ago?


00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:15.180
Do you know how few people understood about the God of Israel?


00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:21.140
99% of the planet was heathen and paganistic and polytheistic.


00:12:21.140 --> 00:12:29.780
did the God of Israel become famous? A man who preached for three, three and a half years,


00:12:29.780 --> 00:12:39.780
changed the course of global history so that today everyone has heard of Elohim. Everyone has heard


00:12:39.780 --> 00:12:46.420
of Genesis and the creation story and the God of Israel. That is powerful. That's who Jesus is.


00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:55.620
Hallelujah. Now, where was I? Please, somebody help me out. Myka. Where are we in Myka?


00:12:55.620 --> 00:13:05.220
I think we finished that. Let's go to Genesis 3 21. Oh, we're talking about God just showing


00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:12.820
his nature, who he is. And this is why Myka prophesied and said what he said, because none


00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:19.120
None of the other heathen religions believed in any of their false gods having a characteristic


00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:20.120
of mercy.


00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:21.120
None of them.


00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:25.360
They were all with swords and hammers and lightning bolts, ready to fry you at the first


00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.620
wrong thing you did.


00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:32.880
But God showed his nature and his character right from the beginning.


00:13:32.880 --> 00:13:35.360
Adam and Eve fell.


00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:40.020
Please let's just understand that God did not owe them anything.


00:13:40.020 --> 00:13:42.760
God does not owe us anything.


00:13:42.760 --> 00:13:46.060
we can have this picture like we're owed something like what he did.


00:13:46.060 --> 00:13:49.060
He had to do he didn't have to do anything.


00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:50.460
He created them.


00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:55.060
He created them perfect in his likeness, put them in a garden where


00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:59.560
they had everything they could possibly need or want and still


00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:04.860
they willingly rebelled against him and then they were excommunicated


00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.460
out of the garden.


00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.460
He could have left them alone.


00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:12.260
But right as early as Genesis 3 21 you see also for Adam and


00:14:12.260 --> 00:14:17.420
his wife because they were naked and they were cold and they were being pushed out of


00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:19.540
the garden.


00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:23.180
The Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed them.


00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:29.220
One that was an act of mercy, an act of his compassion to cover them, to clothe them.


00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:37.060
Two it was one of the earliest, if not the earliest pointings to Jesus because the underside


00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:40.900
of the tunics, I mean, he basically made nice fur coats for them.


00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:44.980
God is a God of style and class.


00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:48.980
And the underside would have been wet with the blood of that animal, freshly killed.


00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:54.180
And it was pointing to the blood of Jesus that would cover.


00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:57.260
Hallelujah.


00:14:57.260 --> 00:15:04.260
Let's go to Hosea six, six, which is a verse that Jesus paraphrased.


00:15:04.260 --> 00:15:08.340
He paraphrased that in John eight, when the woman who was caught in adultery was brought


00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.340
before him.


00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:14.580
know the story to those of you. I'll give you the quick Cliff Notes version. A bunch


00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:20.820
of Pharisees, religious leaders find a woman who is caught in adultery and they say she


00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:25.980
was caught in the very act and they throw her before Jesus and Jesus actually ignores


00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:29.620
them and is just writing in the sand. We don't know what he was writing in the sand, but


00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:36.340
he's just writing in the sand. I like to think that he was writing something like, hey, Moishe,


00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:39.700
How did you know she was in the very act?


00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:47.700
And why were you watching you, Pharisaical peeping Tom you.


00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:50.880
But then he gets up and says, you were without sin.


00:15:50.880 --> 00:15:53.500
You cast the first stone.


00:15:53.500 --> 00:16:01.260
And then he paraphrases, Jose six, six, where God says for I desire mercy and that sacrifice


00:16:01.260 --> 00:16:06.060
and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.


00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:10.540
God is a God who desires mercy and not sacrifice.


00:16:10.540 --> 00:16:15.020
Everything that we read under the old covenant, please know there's a dual application.


00:16:15.020 --> 00:16:18.800
There's how they understood it under the old covenant, which is God saying, rather than


00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:23.720
bring me all these animals as burnt sacrifices, I desire you to receive my mercy and consequently


00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:25.960
be merciful to each other.


00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:32.160
Under the new covenant, what he's saying is, I am a God of mercy and I would much rather


00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:38.760
that you receive truckloads, mega doses of my mercy, then sacrifice.


00:16:38.760 --> 00:16:45.100
What do you sacrifice when you miss it, when you blow up your life, when you make a mistake?


00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:47.020
What does a typical person do?


00:16:47.020 --> 00:16:52.420
They fall under guilt, shame, condemnation, and they sacrifice their personal joy.


00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:54.880
They sacrifice their confidence before the Lord.


00:16:54.880 --> 00:16:56.980
They sacrifice their hope of success.


00:16:56.980 --> 00:17:00.080
They actually anticipate judgment.


00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:07.540
And God is saying, "No, better to receive my mercy than sacrifice."


00:17:07.540 --> 00:17:09.060
Sacrifice your peace.


00:17:09.060 --> 00:17:10.660
Sacrifice your happiness.


00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:14.640
Sacrifice that spring in your step, thinking around, walking around all guiltily, "Oh,


00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:16.980
I deserve whatever's coming, and I know it's coming.


00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.980
I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop."


00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:22.500
No, he's a God who delights in mercy.


00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:26.380
Am I preaching to a bunch of perfect people here this morning with someone who needs the


00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.380
mercy?


00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.380
I know I need it.


00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:32.380
Lord, if there's ever anyone who doesn't need it, let me get their portion, please.


00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:34.820
Lord, I'll take it.


00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:39.920
I need extra.


00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:42.700
My wife and kids were in the first service.


00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:44.220
We got in at 1 a.m. last night.


00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:46.660
You don't want to know where we were.


00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:52.980
Finally, when we were supposed to come back, they changed a flight around and sent us to


00:17:52.980 --> 00:18:00.100
to Turkey, to Istanbul, which why are they sending us two hours east when we need to


00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:04.180
go to Frankfurt, Germany to catch the connecting? But they do. We're like, whatever. But then


00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:09.300
we missed our connecting flight. But then when we got out of it and we always pray when we


00:18:09.300 --> 00:18:14.060
vacation, Lord, sprinkle the day. Just ask God, can you sprinkle the day? That's where


00:18:14.060 --> 00:18:19.380
God just, and always every day they were like these divine surprises. So we're dead tired.


00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:21.380
We don't want to be in Istanbul.


00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:23.380
We asked the Lord to sprinkle the day.


00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:29.380
And so we get 24 hours paid for in Istanbul.


00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:36.380
So now we can go and we see all of the sites of Istanbul


00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:38.380
and see the Blue Mosque.


00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:40.380
And we're looking at thousand year old pillars


00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:44.380
and really, you can feel the energy of objects.


00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:46.380
I'm not trying to be like new age or anything,


00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:49.080
It's just a fact that stuff has an energy.


00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:53.080
You ever grab an old DVD?


00:18:53.080 --> 00:18:58.880
Pastor James has.


00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.780
I went to his house.


00:18:59.780 --> 00:19:03.480
He likes to collect some of the old stuff and old record album


00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:07.280
and all the memories flood in and you remember like you were


00:19:07.280 --> 00:19:07.480
listening.


00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:10.780
I was listening to this with my dad and now everything is digital.


00:19:10.780 --> 00:19:14.380
You can't but when you touch things, this is really a rabbit


00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:14.980
trail, isn't it?


00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.780
Here was my point.


00:19:15.780 --> 00:19:18.280
Anybody tuning in?


00:19:18.280 --> 00:19:19.980
You're like, what kind of a church is this?


00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.380
Hang on.


00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:27.380
I had the vacation of a lifetime and a major part of the reason was


00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:31.680
Pastor James and Pastor Mo and the staff that kept all the stresses


00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:33.480
of day-to-day church life away from me.


00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:36.880
They protected me and you guys showed up and showed out and it really


00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:40.180
gave me three weeks of, of bliss.


00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:50.300
While I was on vacation, often as my kids would come and we would laugh and hug and I looked at


00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:57.020
my wife's face glowing, I would remember what it was like being divorced as a preacher. That's like


00:19:57.020 --> 00:20:04.220
the scarlet letter. I remember feeling like, will I ever see the sunshine on my life again?


00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:09.500
Will I even have kids? Will I ever find true love? Will I ever, you feel the weight of that


00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:14.300
and the fear of that. And then I see what the Lord has done and I just break down and go,


00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:21.100
"God, thank you for your mercy." And I'm here talking about this this morning, because I want


00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:29.020
you to taste of his mercy. I'm hunting for that person who's written himself off, that person who's


00:20:29.020 --> 00:20:33.820
written herself off. I say, "Oh, you know, Lord, I'll just settle for the crumbs that fall from


00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:46.060
from your table. No! His mercy is big. His mercy is great. Hallelujah. Let's look at


00:20:46.060 --> 00:20:54.320
five ways that we can position and posture ourselves to receive the mercy of God. Amen?


00:20:54.320 --> 00:21:01.800
This is not a transaction. This is not if you do A, God will do B. Everything has already


00:21:01.800 --> 00:21:08.280
been bought and paid for with the blood of Jesus. But yes, there are things that empowered


00:21:08.280 --> 00:21:15.340
by the Holy Spirit. When we do them, we position ourselves, we posture ourselves to be under


00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:22.340
the spout from which the mercy flows out. Amen. So here's five things to receive truckloads,


00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:25.260
second doses of the mercy of God.


00:21:25.260 --> 00:21:26.100
You ready?


00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:28.260
Number one,


00:21:28.260 --> 00:21:32.060
be merciful.


00:21:32.060 --> 00:21:33.260
Hey, how about that?


00:21:33.260 --> 00:21:41.340
Number one, be merciful found in Luke six and verse 35,


00:21:41.340 --> 00:21:47.940
every preacher's favorite offering passage.


00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:51.420
Yet we'll see now in context,


00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:54.420
that Jesus isn't talking about money.


00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:57.420
He's talking about a principle of sowing and reaping.


00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:59.420
Yes, it can apply to money.


00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:01.420
It can apply to a lot of things.


00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:04.420
Have I used it in an offering message? Yes.


00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:07.420
But if you want to get technical,


00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:09.420
it's not about money.


00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:12.420
Jesus is talking specifically about mercy.


00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:15.420
That when you're merciful to people,


00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:18.420
then you can expect to receive the mercy of God.


00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:27.420
But love your enemies, do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward will be great.


00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:33.420
And you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the unthankful and evil.


00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:41.420
Therefore, being merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.


00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:45.420
Let's pause right there. What does it mean to be merciful?


00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:56.140
because that can easily be conflated and confused with this new religion of woke


00:22:56.140 --> 00:23:00.700
ism and their first commandment which is thou shalt not judge the greatest sin


00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:06.300
under woke ism is don't judge what's the difference well number one Jesus said


00:23:06.300 --> 00:23:10.820
judge with righteous judgment that means if his word says it's wrong it's wrong I


00:23:10.820 --> 00:23:12.620
I won't partake of it.


00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:15.220
I won't put my seal of approval on it.


00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:20.220
If you want to get all into pronouns and believe that you're the great arbiter of what is truth,


00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:25.220
when the Bible clearly says he made the male and female, I'm not going to get into that.


00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:28.420
But I can be merciful.


00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:31.220
I can be merciful as I take a stand on truth.


00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:33.620
That means I'm not looking at you with disgust.


00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:36.820
That means I'm not looking at you like I think I'm better than you.


00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:41.820
That means I'm not looking at you like that could never happen to me.


00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:48.820
One thing that we all have to agree on is that any sin we see anybody else committing, that could be you.


00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:54.820
It was all murder that could never be me. You just think that because the ingredients around you weren't right.


00:23:54.820 --> 00:23:58.820
I could never commit a murder. Really?


00:23:58.820 --> 00:24:05.820
Maybe you're on a cruise, something hits the cruise, you become a castaway, you're on an island, there's only six of you.


00:24:05.820 --> 00:24:08.720
Six of you resources are limited.


00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:12.000
One weekend we find you and it's Lord of the Flies.


00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:18.220
You're swinging from a tree with a bone acting like ahhhh.


00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:21.640
There are 18 works of the flesh.


00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.640
They're in you.


00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:26.460
I mean, as a Christian, your flesh has been done away with it, has been crucified.


00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:28.300
And so you live out of your spirit.


00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:32.780
But if you forget that and your flesh comes alive, you're capable of anything.


00:24:32.780 --> 00:24:34.180
You look at a sexual program.


00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.780
Oh, no, that's so I could never.


00:24:35.780 --> 00:24:36.780
Yes, you could.


00:24:36.780 --> 00:24:42.280
Hey, I've pastored people who came that whole trope, you know,


00:24:42.280 --> 00:24:45.780
the Greyhound bus and she's going to be an actress and going to be


00:24:45.780 --> 00:24:46.280
a star.


00:24:46.280 --> 00:24:47.680
You don't make it in the big city.


00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:51.480
I've lived out a million times pastoring in the East Village and


00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:54.680
then 10 years later, I can't believe what I got myself into.


00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.680
I never thought it could.


00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.280
Yeah.


00:24:56.280 --> 00:24:59.980
Back in Kansas, the ingredients weren't right.


00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:01.880
Now you're in New York City and.


00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:11.800
So we should be merciful. Amen. And when we're merciful, then we receive mercy. Let's keep


00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:17.600
reading judge not and you shall not be judged, condemned not, and you shall not be condemned,


00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:26.080
forgive and you will be forgiven. So what's Jesus talking about mercy. And then he says Luke 6 38,


00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:34.520
which is the most quoted or one of top three in every pastor's arsenal when it's offering time


00:25:34.520 --> 00:25:44.920
give and it will be given to you right but what's Jesus talking about mercy give mercy and it will


00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:52.560
be given to you good measure press down shaken together and running over will be put into your


00:25:52.560 --> 00:26:00.240
bosom for with the same measure that you use that you give out mercy it will be measured back to you.


00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:07.840
Amen. So in today's world have you ever noticed how culture tries to get you to think in only


00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:14.720
one of two ways? I look at arguments on social media and it's like do you not know how to walk


00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:20.320
and chew gum at the same time? It's either I'm going to tolerate everything or I'm an absolute


00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:22.560
bigot and nothing in between.


00:26:22.560 --> 00:26:26.160
That's the trick.


00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:30.880
That's why so many well-meaning people have been duped in tolerating everything.


00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:35.280
Like if you tolerate everything, then what is sexual perversion?


00:26:35.280 --> 00:26:38.320
Then there is no such a thing as sexual perversion.


00:26:38.320 --> 00:26:39.520
Where do we draw the line?


00:26:39.520 --> 00:26:45.440
At what point does it become hurtful and harmful to people, to society, to the family union,


00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:47.360
which is the cell of the body of a nation?


00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:53.040
So let's erase that line. But then if you raise that line, now you're an intolerant bigot who


00:26:53.040 --> 00:27:01.280
hates everyone. No, actually I can love you. Actually, I can be merciful and I think that


00:27:01.280 --> 00:27:06.000
I'm better than you. But at the same time, I can, as Jesus said, judge with righteous judgment and


00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:10.400
say, according to the word of God, this is wrong. And I will not align my life with that.


00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:16.080
So we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Amen. And don't fall for that trick where you're


00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:39.720
one or the other. Hallelujah. Psalm 18 25. Every time. Let me just, I'm just, I'm just,


00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:43.680
because there's a difference between people pondering a truth and resistance.


00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:49.360
and I actually feel waves of both.


00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:58.880
But when you come against the prevailing spirit of the age, oh, it'll meet your back.


00:27:58.880 --> 00:28:06.920
And the prevailing spirit of today is this sex religion of Wokism, because it includes


00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:10.520
so many tentacles has wrapped around so many minds.


00:28:10.520 --> 00:28:20.120
Psalm 1825 with the merciful, you will show yourself merciful.


00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:26.520
So how to posture and position yourself to receive the mercy of God.


00:28:26.520 --> 00:28:28.820
You'd be merciful to others with a blameless man.


00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:30.420
You will show yourself blameless.


00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:30.920
Amen.


00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:36.800
Number two on how to receive the mercy of God. Faith.


00:28:36.800 --> 00:28:42.640
Like everything you've ever gotten from God, you do it by faith.


00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:50.640
Again, even in the first service, whenever I say faith several times in a row, I hear George Michael


00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:56.000
faith, the faith, the faith. And isn't this true in Montenegro? All they play is 80s music.


00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:58.160
It's like an 80s music heaven.


00:28:58.160 --> 00:29:02.880
Or, you know, folk, you know, really loud accordions.


00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:04.880
But where I was, it was mainly 80.


00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:08.400
In fact, this morning, because the refrigerator was empty,


00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:10.240
we showed up at 1am last night.


00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:13.440
Wife and kids were here and then they just, not my wife,


00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.480
but the kids conked out.


00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:17.600
They got like three hours of sleep and were artificially full of energy


00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:19.360
because of the time change towards the end.


00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:20.880
The children's church just conked out.


00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:24.880
But we had breakfast just down the road.


00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:29.880
and for the first time in over 20 days, I heard autotune.


00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:31.880
(audience laughing)


00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:34.080
'Cause it was only 80s music.


00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:35.880
And I heard autotune.


00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:38.080
And I realized what was missing from my life


00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:39.080
and it was wonderful.


00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:42.080
(audience laughing)


00:29:42.080 --> 00:29:46.680
It's not just 80s music, but that autotune.


00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.880
It's been too long.


00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:49.880
(audience laughing)


00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:51.880
I wanna hear people's voices.


00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:56.520
It was 2009, Jay-Z rapped about death of auto-tune. He lied.


00:29:56.520 --> 00:30:01.800
He was a false prophet. They kept on going. They never listened. Why didn't they listen?


00:30:01.800 --> 00:30:13.240
It takes faith. Psalm 86.5, mercy like everything is appropriated by faith.


00:30:16.040 --> 00:30:23.800
For you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you.


00:30:23.800 --> 00:30:32.360
Now, you look at the Old Testament, you will see the people of God, the children of Israel,


00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:38.680
and you know what you're going to see? They're messing up frequently, oftentimes very,


00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:45.720
very stupidly and at the time very, very intentionally. And so, what comes? Consequences.


00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:51.040
judgment and then there is this one thing that you see repeated throughout


00:30:51.040 --> 00:30:56.880
the Old Testament is this one phrase and they cried out to the Lord their God and


00:30:56.880 --> 00:31:04.080
they cried out to the Lord their God and then God would come and be merciful


00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:10.520
some people you got to get your cry back you got to get your cry on if you've


00:31:10.520 --> 00:31:14.720
messed up if you're expecting judgment if you expect when I say messed up it


00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:23.760
could be something in your business, at your place of work, in investments, whatever social


00:31:23.760 --> 00:31:31.760
interactions. And you did wrong. Cry out to God. When you mess up, every time you mess up,


00:31:31.760 --> 00:31:38.560
you're going to stand at a fork in the road. On the one side, you can take this road to the left,


00:31:38.560 --> 00:31:46.540
my left, your right. This road is where you feel ashamed so you cower. You avoid


00:31:46.540 --> 00:31:52.440
prayer, you avoid God, you hide under a rock, you stick yourself in a bush until


00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:56.980
that feeling of unease just kind of goes away. Probably the next time you're in


00:31:56.980 --> 00:32:06.320
church and you feel it. On the other side is you in faith despite what you feel


00:32:06.320 --> 00:32:15.760
like crying out to God. God, I believe even in spite my stupidity, despite my stupidity,


00:32:15.760 --> 00:32:22.240
my mistakes, I believe you are God of mercy. That means that that thing that I deserve,


00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:26.720
that bad thing that I deserve, you're going to withhold from me and you're going to change it


00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:33.680
around. Some of you at work, you don't even know there's a hammer coming down on you. You feel it,


00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:42.320
cry out to God and you won't just survive, you'll thrive. Hallelujah.


00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:50.880
You know when you find out that a preacher fell and you hear the first wave of reports


00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:55.200
and soul over the media, TMZ, you find out a preacher fell because he did XYZ.


00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:05.120
And over some time you find out, oh, it wasn't that he did XYZ once and got busted.


00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:12.320
He was doing XYZ for years. All right. The first service really resonated with this. Are you all


00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:19.440
first city light church, right? Did you know sometimes preachers fall? Just wave your hand,


00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:23.600
you know, have you ever wondered? I know I have when I first got in the biz,


00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:29.920
You start hearing about preachers falling and you go, but he was so anointed. He was so great. He was so


00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:35.280
how did that happen? And by the way, if they fall, it doesn't discount that they were anointed.


00:33:35.280 --> 00:33:40.640
It doesn't discount that God used them. Don't ever, ever, don't ever condemn someone you haven't


00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:45.680
walked in their shoes for five minutes. But you can have the question in the back of your mind,


00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:50.160
hey, why weren't they obliterated back in the day when they began this bad walk?


00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:54.640
Haven't you had that question? Is it just me? Am I the only curious person who wonders?


00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:57.440
You have, right? Yeah, you have.


00:33:57.440 --> 00:34:04.080
Like they go off the path, shouldn't God zap them right away? Just blow their life up just to


00:34:04.080 --> 00:34:12.320
teach them and protect the other. No, they have learned how to... pastors, preachers, ministers


00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:18.400
have learned how to tap into the mercy of God by faith.


00:34:20.560 --> 00:34:26.560
So they get a much lighter sentence until they've now pressed and pressed and pressed.


00:34:26.560 --> 00:34:32.240
And now God, because he's so merciful and because he so loves them and he would rather their flesh


00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:37.360
be destroyed and their spirit saved in the day of Jesus Christ, then he finally comes and says,


00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:41.440
look, it's over for you. You're going to take a 10 year hiatus until you learn how to just love


00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:48.400
me for me and serve me apart from ministry and all that stuff. Why am I bringing that up?


00:34:49.520 --> 00:34:51.120
Because this isn't just in the negative.


00:34:51.120 --> 00:34:56.240
I wish sometimes it wasn't just ministers who were in the biz,


00:34:56.240 --> 00:35:02.080
but that laity believers learned how to tap into the mercy of God using their faith.


00:35:02.080 --> 00:35:06.880
Hezekiah, he got a judgment on him. You're gonna die.


00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:12.080
Lights out. Say bye-bye. Time to wrap things up, Hezekiah.


00:35:12.080 --> 00:35:15.360
You know what he did? He cried out.


00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:21.200
God, read the prayer. He just appeals to God emotionally and appeals to his mercy.


00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:29.600
God, just give me like 15 more years." And God's like, "Okay. I've got 15 more years.


00:35:29.600 --> 00:35:33.280
You changed my mind." Why? Because you cried out in faith.


00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:42.640
This is so important. Some of you need to cry. What am I saying? I'm saying,


00:35:42.640 --> 00:35:46.960
You got to open your mouth and be a little foolish. You can do it in the privacy of your own home.


00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:51.920
You can do it on the subway. Everyone's insane anyway these days. Do it in the subway.


00:35:51.920 --> 00:36:01.840
Lose your dignity. Lose your coolness. Open up your mouth and just say, "Lord, I am trusting you


00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:11.200
for mercy. You're a God who delights in mercy. Now in the natural, I deserve terrible consequences,


00:36:11.200 --> 00:36:17.680
But you're a God. The Bible says that you delight in mercy, that your mercies are new every morning,


00:36:17.680 --> 00:36:22.800
that I can come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain this beautiful thing called mercy.


00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:28.160
And it is the aversion of divine wrath. It is your active pity. And I believe in Jesus' name,


00:36:28.160 --> 00:36:36.400
that it's mine now. Hallelujah. And trust me, when you've encountered the mercy of God, yes,


00:36:37.200 --> 00:36:40.400
Yes, you can abuse the mercy of God.


00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:43.360
People go, "See, no, I don't like this message.


00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:45.040
You can abuse the mercy of God."


00:36:45.040 --> 00:36:49.040
Did you know you can abuse all of God's gifts?


00:36:49.040 --> 00:36:51.920
Did you know everything God gives you, you can abuse.


00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:52.960
It doesn't mean you should.


00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:56.320
It doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.


00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:59.520
But when God gives, he doesn't give with strings attached.


00:36:59.520 --> 00:37:01.040
When God gives, he gives freely.


00:37:01.040 --> 00:37:04.960
And any system like that lends itself to abuse.


00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:13.180
So we trust in the outworking of the Holy Spirit within us that we're not abusing the mercy of God,


00:37:13.180 --> 00:37:18.320
but should you need it, it's there. And I highly recommend that you take it. Amen.


00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:27.000
Number three. Number one is be merciful. Number two is you receive his mercy by faith.


00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:29.000
Number three is humility.


00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:33.320
Humility is so important.


00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:38.680
Humility is defined as can somebody shout it out who wasn't in the first service?


00:37:38.680 --> 00:37:42.480
What?


00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:48.720
No, Chris Power you always call out and you always get it right and now I mean everyone except Chris Power.


00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:55.840
He's done that to me the last five times.


00:37:55.840 --> 00:38:01.840
He even corrected me on the wood that's used in the ark.


00:38:01.840 --> 00:38:07.840
So, in the back.


00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:09.840
Say it again, Chris.


00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:13.840
Your dependence on God.


00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:14.840
This is important.


00:38:14.840 --> 00:38:17.840
There's too many people don't know what humility is.


00:38:17.840 --> 00:38:20.840
They think that it's how you behave.


00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:23.840
Like, how loud you are, or how you dress,


00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:30.160
or how much money you have. It's none of those things. It is your dependence, your neediness on God.


00:38:30.160 --> 00:38:36.040
So you can be all be dazzled out, have 36 pieces of flair.


00:38:36.040 --> 00:38:41.960
You can have money. You can have some bass in your voice, and it doesn't mean you're not humble.


00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:48.680
This is important. You don't know how many times I've heard, "Oh, you know, I don't want the prosperity of God.


00:38:48.680 --> 00:38:53.440
I'd rather be humble." What? What does one have to do with the other?


00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:58.440
That is, that is always comes along with poverty thinking.


00:38:58.440 --> 00:39:00.440
It's all I'd rather be humble.


00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:03.440
Most of the poor people I know are so proud.


00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:06.440
That's why they're poor.


00:39:06.440 --> 00:39:08.440
You see that a Montenegro.


00:39:08.440 --> 00:39:13.440
I still want to know where a 25 year old Montenegro gets his confidence from.


00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:17.440
Doesn't have a job, never built anything, never accomplished anything.


00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:20.440
Takes up three seats in a cafe.


00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:21.700
(audience laughing)


00:39:21.700 --> 00:39:22.700
Spread out!


00:39:22.700 --> 00:39:25.700
(audience laughing)


00:39:25.700 --> 00:39:34.620
And they're dirt poor.


00:39:34.620 --> 00:39:36.660
And there's people I know that are so poor,


00:39:36.660 --> 00:39:38.820
but when you try to help them out,


00:39:38.820 --> 00:39:40.620
oh no, they know everything.


00:39:40.620 --> 00:39:41.620
They don't want any help.


00:39:41.620 --> 00:39:43.660
They, 'cause of all that pride.


00:39:43.660 --> 00:39:46.520
And you know, most of the wealthy people that I know,


00:39:46.520 --> 00:39:48.320
they're always looking to learn.


00:39:48.320 --> 00:39:50.100
They ask lots of questions.


00:39:50.100 --> 00:39:51.400
There's a neediness.


00:39:51.400 --> 00:39:53.300
They're not afraid to be wrong.


00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:55.500
They're not afraid to admit when they've been wrong.


00:39:55.500 --> 00:40:03.500
So there's nothing to do being well-dressed or being loud or your financial


00:40:03.500 --> 00:40:07.200
status. Your humility is one thing and one thing only.


00:40:07.200 --> 00:40:10.900
Your dependence on God, your neediness.


00:40:10.900 --> 00:40:15.600
Jesus talked about in Revelation when he rebuked the people.


00:40:15.600 --> 00:40:18.500
He said you have need of nothing.


00:40:19.200 --> 00:40:21.640
You're well-dressed and you have need of nothing.


00:40:21.640 --> 00:40:25.920
You don't realize you're naked and poor and destitute.


00:40:25.920 --> 00:40:27.640
The problem was they felt in their heart


00:40:27.640 --> 00:40:28.480
they had need of nothing.


00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:30.160
No, I wanna be needy.


00:40:30.160 --> 00:40:31.560
I wanna be like Solomon who says,


00:40:31.560 --> 00:40:33.120
I don't know how to come in or grow out, Lord,


00:40:33.120 --> 00:40:35.720
unless you take me by the hand and guide me.


00:40:35.720 --> 00:40:39.360
So let's look at this in the context of mercy


00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:42.440
in Luke chapter 18, which I love the way it begins


00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:46.660
because it sounds like Jesus is telling a joke.


00:40:46.660 --> 00:40:50.760
Also, he spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves.


00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:52.060
See, that was the problem.


00:40:52.060 --> 00:40:53.260
They weren't needy.


00:40:53.260 --> 00:40:57.860
They trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.


00:40:57.860 --> 00:41:00.960
And this is the part that kind of begins like a joke, right?


00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:03.360
Two men went up to the temple to pray.


00:41:03.360 --> 00:41:04.260
Hey, listen to this one.


00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:06.760
Two men went up to the temple to pray.


00:41:06.760 --> 00:41:10.760
One a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.


00:41:10.760 --> 00:41:15.160
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself.


00:41:15.560 --> 00:41:20.540
God, I thank you that I'm not like other men, extortioners, unjust,


00:41:20.540 --> 00:41:23.660
adulterers, or even as this tax collector.


00:41:23.660 --> 00:41:25.040
Awkward.


00:41:25.040 --> 00:41:27.860
Could you imagine that prayer meeting?


00:41:27.860 --> 00:41:36.700
And then of course, when you're proud, you always get into the resume.


00:41:36.700 --> 00:41:39.860
You always got to list all your accomplishments.


00:41:39.860 --> 00:41:42.380
Four one one.


00:41:42.380 --> 00:41:43.700
He's not impressed.


00:41:43.700 --> 00:41:45.500
He's not impressed.


00:41:45.500 --> 00:41:47.500
with your accomplishments, with your resume.


00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:49.500
And this is a theme throughout the New Testament.


00:41:49.500 --> 00:41:51.500
The rich young ruler.


00:41:51.500 --> 00:41:53.500
Lord Jesus, tell me what I must do.


00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:55.500
See, he doesn't even know grace.


00:41:55.500 --> 00:41:57.500
What do I do? What do I have to do, do, do?


00:41:57.500 --> 00:41:59.500
Covered with do, do.


00:41:59.500 --> 00:42:01.500
Trying to do, do.


00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:03.500
What do I have to do to


00:42:03.500 --> 00:42:05.500
inherit eternal life? And then he goes into the resume.


00:42:05.500 --> 00:42:07.500
The rich young ruler. Same thing with this guy.


00:42:07.500 --> 00:42:09.500
The resume.


00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:16.000
I fast twice a week.


00:42:16.000 --> 00:42:22.600
I give tides of all that I possess and the tax collector standing


00:42:22.600 --> 00:42:27.100
afar off would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven but beat


00:42:27.100 --> 00:42:34.200
his breath saying God be merciful to me a sinner and Jesus


00:42:34.200 --> 00:42:37.600
says I tell you this man went down to his house justified.


00:42:37.600 --> 00:42:39.500
He received mercy.


00:42:39.500 --> 00:42:39.700
Why?


00:42:39.700 --> 00:42:41.300
He was needy.


00:42:41.300 --> 00:42:43.300
He was humble.


00:42:43.300 --> 00:42:47.300
And so my prayer is as the Lord takes you up.


00:42:47.300 --> 00:42:52.300
And as he takes you from glory to glory and gives you breakthrough after breakthrough.


00:42:52.300 --> 00:42:57.300
My prayer is the same for me or church that we go lower.


00:42:57.300 --> 00:43:02.300
And that the more success we gain, the more it's Lord, this isn't me.


00:43:02.300 --> 00:43:03.300
This is you, Lord.


00:43:03.300 --> 00:43:05.300
I don't take credit.


00:43:05.300 --> 00:43:06.300
This is you doing it.


00:43:06.300 --> 00:43:07.300
I'm still so desperate.


00:43:07.300 --> 00:43:09.300
I'm like a little child.


00:43:09.300 --> 00:43:10.300
I need you, Lord.


00:43:10.300 --> 00:43:16.140
Lord, I need you. Guide me. Teach me. Speak to me, Lord. I'm nothing without you. That


00:43:16.140 --> 00:43:22.020
humility of the heart. I'm telling you when you're that way, an angel comes and paints


00:43:22.020 --> 00:43:28.540
a giant bullseye on your head. And it's a direct target for the blessing, the favor


00:43:28.540 --> 00:43:35.740
and the tender mercies of the Lord. Amen. I've seen it over and over again. I tell you


00:43:35.740 --> 00:43:41.660
this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for everyone who exalts


00:43:41.660 --> 00:43:50.780
himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Amen. Number four,


00:43:50.780 --> 00:43:57.340
imposturing yourself to receive the mercy of God is praise and worship.


00:43:58.700 --> 00:44:02.060
Second Chronicles 20 verses 19 through 22


00:44:02.060 --> 00:44:12.340
Here's the bottom line you're all up with me, okay, I'm wondering if I should just kick it into fifth


00:44:12.340 --> 00:44:19.620
Then the Levites of the children of


00:44:19.620 --> 00:44:26.560
The coethites and the children of the coretite stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel of voices loud and high


00:44:26.560 --> 00:44:33.280
What's happening here? The children of Israel messed up again. And so judgment was coming upon them


00:44:33.280 --> 00:44:38.560
again. And the judgment took the form of an army that was bigger than them,


00:44:38.560 --> 00:44:43.600
stronger than them, and was going to take them out.


00:44:43.600 --> 00:44:48.320
Maybe I'm preaching to a lot of people. You're just in the right place right now.


00:44:48.320 --> 00:44:54.000
You're not in a valley or you're in a season of mountaintop. Happy for you.


00:44:55.920 --> 00:45:03.360
Me too right now actually it's awesome. But I know how life goes. It's not doubting unbelief


00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:07.760
to just realize that when you go from one mountain top to another mountain top that's even higher.


00:45:07.760 --> 00:45:13.040
Oh what's in between is a valley and you want to know this when you're in a valley.


00:45:13.040 --> 00:45:17.600
There's two kinds of people in a church. Those that praise and worship only when the praise


00:45:17.600 --> 00:45:22.240
and worship team is leading them and there are those who do it outside of church.


00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:25.920
And it makes all the difference.


00:45:25.920 --> 00:45:32.320
When you're somebody who will have that time, even if it's for 30 seconds,


00:45:32.320 --> 00:45:33.920
I'm not raising the bar low.


00:45:33.920 --> 00:45:36.960
I'm trying to get some of you who on the outskirts who've never ever thought in


00:45:36.960 --> 00:45:39.520
your minds that you could actually praise them.


00:45:39.520 --> 00:45:41.360
There's you might be shocked.


00:45:41.360 --> 00:45:42.360
There's people like that.


00:45:42.360 --> 00:45:43.520
It never occurred to them.


00:45:43.520 --> 00:45:48.040
Oh, I can actually do that thing we do in church on Sundays in my house.


00:45:48.040 --> 00:45:50.040
I can shut myself in a room.


00:45:50.040 --> 00:45:51.000
Oh, you have roommates.


00:45:51.000 --> 00:45:53.040
I'll wait for them to be gone.


00:45:53.240 --> 00:46:00.600
I'll take a walk in the park. I will open my mouth and I will sing to him. And it will


00:46:00.600 --> 00:46:06.600
put you smack dab in the overflow of the mercy of God.


00:46:06.600 --> 00:46:11.000
Let's read the next verse, please.


00:46:11.000 --> 00:46:18.760
I kind of went through what was happening here. Verse 21, please.


00:46:21.240 --> 00:46:26.280
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord.


00:46:26.280 --> 00:46:29.320
So the supposing army, the judgment of God is coming.


00:46:29.320 --> 00:46:34.520
And who should praise the beauty of holiness as they went out before the army and were saying,


00:46:34.520 --> 00:46:39.880
praise the Lord. What was the song they were singing? What was the subject matter?


00:46:39.880 --> 00:46:41.560
It was the mercy of God.


00:46:45.240 --> 00:46:51.360
So Sean is going to sing a song on the mercy of God after service.


00:46:51.360 --> 00:46:51.960
Sing that one.


00:46:51.960 --> 00:46:58.800
When you finish singing that one, Google another one, or here's an idea.


00:46:58.800 --> 00:46:59.880
You just make one up.


00:46:59.880 --> 00:47:01.880
Lord loves that stuff.


00:47:01.880 --> 00:47:04.320
Satan won't tell you you're being silly and goofy.


00:47:04.320 --> 00:47:05.240
The Lord loves it.


00:47:05.240 --> 00:47:07.360
Pick up a song, freestyle.


00:47:07.360 --> 00:47:08.640
It could be like anything.


00:47:08.640 --> 00:47:12.480
Lord, here I am coming to you again.


00:47:12.480 --> 00:47:14.520
I did some stupid things.


00:47:14.960 --> 00:47:23.920
I'm so sorry, but I heard it said in your word, you're merciful, even though I'm absurd.


00:47:23.920 --> 00:47:30.640
So Lord, I receive that which I don't deserve and just sing it.


00:47:30.640 --> 00:47:32.880
Let it just come out of your spirit.


00:47:32.880 --> 00:47:33.880
Amen.


00:47:33.880 --> 00:47:37.080
That was really by accident.


00:47:37.080 --> 00:47:40.200
Amen.


00:47:40.200 --> 00:47:43.640
For his mercies endure forever.


00:47:43.640 --> 00:47:48.900
Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord said, "Ambushes against the people


00:47:48.900 --> 00:47:55.840
of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated."


00:47:55.840 --> 00:48:02.400
When your back's against the wall and you come to the Lord in light of His mercy, talk


00:48:02.400 --> 00:48:04.980
to Him about His mercy.


00:48:04.980 --> 00:48:06.720
Remind Him of His mercy.


00:48:06.720 --> 00:48:08.920
Sing of His mercy.


00:48:08.920 --> 00:48:11.720
There might be consequences,


00:48:11.720 --> 00:48:14.720
there might be judgment coming your way.


00:48:14.720 --> 00:48:18.880
In Jesus' name, the Lord will set ambushes for those things.


00:48:18.880 --> 00:48:24.520
Satan may be naming your name to Jesus right now,


00:48:24.520 --> 00:48:27.860
saying, "Mmm, I want that one."


00:48:27.860 --> 00:48:28.860
And the Lord's saying, "Why?"


00:48:28.860 --> 00:48:30.420
Well, they've done this, and they've done that,


00:48:30.420 --> 00:48:31.260
and they've thought this,


00:48:31.260 --> 00:48:33.460
and they really aren't who they claim to be.


00:48:33.460 --> 00:48:37.420
And Satan wants to sift you, like through wheat.


00:48:37.420 --> 00:48:42.700
Jesus saying, "I pray for you that your faith fail not. Believe in me. Believe what I've done for you.


00:48:42.700 --> 00:48:47.820
Believe in the power of my blood." Your mistakes and your sin, you think they're so powerful,


00:48:47.820 --> 00:48:57.100
they're not more powerful than my blood. Hallelujah. So receive mercy. Amen.


00:48:59.180 --> 00:49:10.220
And now number five. Whom remembers what number one is? Be merciful. Number two, by faith. Number


00:49:10.220 --> 00:49:22.700
three, humility. Number four, praise and worship. Number five, this always instigates the demon of


00:49:22.700 --> 00:49:32.180
cheapskateism. But you'll see it in the scriptures. You cannot doubt it. That


00:49:32.180 --> 00:49:38.080
generosity and being a giver, again this isn't a transaction. You don't buy the


00:49:38.080 --> 00:49:45.380
mercy of God. But there is something about the heart of a giver that just


00:49:45.380 --> 00:49:51.740
causes you to stand out. No, God doesn't love you more. No, you don't get to heaven


00:49:51.740 --> 00:49:56.020
before, the stingy-mingy, tightwad Christian.


00:49:56.020 --> 00:49:58.620
But you do live a vastly different life while on Earth.


00:49:58.620 --> 00:50:06.140
Let's look at Malachi chapter 3.


00:50:06.140 --> 00:50:15.180
When I was growing up in the Lord, every Sunday,


00:50:15.180 --> 00:50:16.300
we'd hear Malachi 3.


00:50:20.140 --> 00:50:22.140
I think I bring it up once or twice a year.


00:50:22.140 --> 00:50:25.140
So I'm going to take my time.


00:50:25.140 --> 00:50:29.140
Cause you haven't gotten it enough.


00:50:29.140 --> 00:50:34.340
Let's enjoy Malachi 3.


00:50:34.340 --> 00:50:39.840
I'm too happy right now for Malachi 3.


00:50:39.840 --> 00:50:41.340
Let me get a little more serious.


00:50:41.340 --> 00:50:43.940
Let me get my Malachi 3 on.


00:50:43.940 --> 00:50:47.140
I got to be angry.


00:50:47.140 --> 00:50:49.340
We're behind budget.


00:50:49.340 --> 00:50:52.780
(audience laughing)


00:50:52.780 --> 00:50:54.300
Staff hasn't been paid.


00:50:54.300 --> 00:50:58.800
Building fun, not where it should be.


00:50:58.800 --> 00:51:03.380
(audience laughing)


00:51:03.380 --> 00:51:07.800
All right, because of the jokes,


00:51:07.800 --> 00:51:10.300
let me just, let me say this part first.


00:51:10.300 --> 00:51:14.320
No, you know what, we'll take it one verse at a time.


00:51:14.320 --> 00:51:17.260
Will a man rob God?


00:51:18.300 --> 00:51:25.220
Yet you have robbed me, but you say in what way have we robbed you in tithes and offerings?


00:51:25.220 --> 00:51:26.220
What is a tithe?


00:51:26.220 --> 00:51:28.580
It's the first tenth of our income.


00:51:28.580 --> 00:51:29.660
What is an offering?


00:51:29.660 --> 00:51:32.220
It's something that's in addition to the tithe.


00:51:32.220 --> 00:51:33.220
Where does the tithe belong?


00:51:33.220 --> 00:51:36.380
Well, it belongs in the storehouse.


00:51:36.380 --> 00:51:40.060
That is a type of the local church today.


00:51:40.060 --> 00:51:44.980
You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed me, even this whole nation.


00:51:44.980 --> 00:51:47.860
I pause right now.


00:51:47.860 --> 00:51:51.320
This is under the old covenant.


00:51:51.320 --> 00:51:56.100
You are cursed with a curse that was on them under the new covenant.


00:51:56.100 --> 00:52:00.660
You you cannot be both cursed and blessed at the same time.


00:52:00.660 --> 00:52:02.160
Do you get that?


00:52:02.160 --> 00:52:08.180
So nine out of 10 preachers, even more really, they have used this scripture, not in light


00:52:08.180 --> 00:52:12.380
of the new covenant, but under the old covenant saying you're cursed.


00:52:12.380 --> 00:52:14.140
I've heard preachers say, I don't even hear you.


00:52:14.140 --> 00:52:15.820
I won't even meet with you for counseling.


00:52:15.820 --> 00:52:16.980
If you don't tie, what's the point?


00:52:16.980 --> 00:52:21.440
already cursed. Come on. You've never heard you have to have heard something


00:52:21.440 --> 00:52:27.840
like that. Some variation of that. Now under the new covenant, you are blessed.


00:52:27.840 --> 00:52:37.320
You are blessed. You, you're person. Jesus has blessed you. Jesus has redeemed you.


00:52:37.320 --> 00:52:44.820
But it doesn't mean your finances are blessed. I tithe. I tithe since I was 16


00:52:44.820 --> 00:52:48.660
years old, the people who call City Light Church their home,


00:52:48.660 --> 00:52:53.940
tie not to avoid a curse, but to show their love for God and


00:52:53.940 --> 00:52:57.740
they give a tie and then they believe their finances are blessed.


00:52:57.740 --> 00:52:58.900
Do you see the difference?


00:52:58.900 --> 00:53:02.660
Now, this has been the message.


00:53:02.660 --> 00:53:03.940
We were just talking about this earlier.


00:53:03.940 --> 00:53:05.700
This has been the message for City Light.


00:53:05.700 --> 00:53:10.700
So I don't come and try to manipulate people and say you need to tie the


00:53:10.700 --> 00:53:17.500
Otherwise the God father, I mean, father, God is going to smite you and destroy you and break your kneecaps.


00:53:17.500 --> 00:53:19.500
I've always presented it this way.


00:53:19.500 --> 00:53:21.200
And do you know what our giving looks like?


00:53:21.200 --> 00:53:26.100
Our giving is three times the amount of it for church our size.


00:53:26.100 --> 00:53:36.700
Even the fact that it's a rainy, nasty day and the place is full and I never stand here and go, you know, you have to come in every Sunday.


00:53:36.700 --> 00:53:37.900
It's your duty.


00:53:37.900 --> 00:53:38.600
It's your job.


00:53:38.700 --> 00:53:41.580
I've never guilted and manipulated people,


00:53:41.580 --> 00:53:43.180
and yet people come.


00:53:43.180 --> 00:53:45.380
And I don't guilt and manipulate people into tithing,


00:53:45.380 --> 00:53:46.220
yet people tithe.


00:53:46.220 --> 00:53:48.660
Isn't it amazing how the gospel is set up?


00:53:48.660 --> 00:53:50.380
You think what Jesus said was true.


00:53:50.380 --> 00:53:53.740
(audience laughing)


00:53:53.740 --> 00:53:55.260
Amen.


00:53:55.260 --> 00:53:57.540
And yet I know right now there's some people,


00:53:57.540 --> 00:54:00.700
they're not tithers and they have every reason,


00:54:00.700 --> 00:54:03.020
and you need to just grow up,


00:54:03.020 --> 00:54:06.260
come into that place of faith and maturity.


00:54:06.260 --> 00:54:08.460
I just, I say that with love,


00:54:08.460 --> 00:54:12.020
But I don't know how else to say it, grow up.


00:54:12.020 --> 00:54:16.060
How do you trust God with your eternal soul


00:54:16.060 --> 00:54:18.280
and then can't trust them with your finances?


00:54:18.280 --> 00:54:22.140
Oh, I trust that he's gonna save me on that day,


00:54:22.140 --> 00:54:24.780
but that thing about tithing and him actually giving me


00:54:24.780 --> 00:54:28.980
more back than what I gave, oh, that's just preacher magic.


00:54:28.980 --> 00:54:33.800
But here's, none of that had to do with point number five,


00:54:33.800 --> 00:54:36.280
I just wanted to share.


00:54:36.280 --> 00:54:38.480
'Cause we don't get enough Malachi three.


00:54:38.480 --> 00:54:40.560
Hallelujah.


00:54:40.560 --> 00:54:43.560
Hallelujah.


00:54:43.560 --> 00:54:48.600
You are cursed with a curse


00:54:48.600 --> 00:54:50.800
for you have robbed me even this whole nation.


00:54:50.800 --> 00:54:54.440
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse


00:54:54.440 --> 00:54:56.680
that they may be food in my house.


00:54:56.680 --> 00:55:00.480
That means your tithe can't go to Aunt Susie.


00:55:00.480 --> 00:55:03.520
Your tithe can't go to somebody else.


00:55:03.520 --> 00:55:06.240
The tithe belongs in the local church, amen.


00:55:06.240 --> 00:55:09.920
that there may be food in my house and try me now in this,


00:55:09.920 --> 00:55:12.560
as the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you


00:55:12.560 --> 00:55:15.840
the windows of heaven and pour out for you such a blessing


00:55:15.840 --> 00:55:18.240
that there will not be room enough to receive it


00:55:18.240 --> 00:55:19.760
and I'll rebuke the devour."


00:55:19.760 --> 00:55:21.360
You know what the devour is originally there


00:55:21.360 --> 00:55:24.000
in the Hebrew is seed eater, the locust.


00:55:24.000 --> 00:55:29.280
People who don't tithe, it goes away anyway.


00:55:29.280 --> 00:55:31.960
Your car will break down, your refrigerator will break down,


00:55:31.960 --> 00:55:33.200
something will happen.


00:55:34.120 --> 00:55:39.800
arrest will audit you. All these things happen and you take it and put it in a bag with holes in it.


00:55:39.800 --> 00:55:46.760
So many people like me just 10 minutes ago, Pastor Mo. And now, that's all right.


00:55:46.760 --> 00:55:48.920
I say this because I love you.


00:55:48.920 --> 00:55:57.240
"The seed eater, the devourer will be rebuked so that he will not destroy the fruit of your


00:55:57.240 --> 00:56:02.600
ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the fields, as the Lord of hosts and all


00:56:02.600 --> 00:56:06.940
nations will call you blessed for you will be a delightful land says the Lord


00:56:06.940 --> 00:56:11.480
of hosts okay this is the standard passage on tithing I want to show you


00:56:11.480 --> 00:56:16.400
how giving is connected to mercy let's go to verse 17 there is something about


00:56:16.400 --> 00:56:26.280
giving the Lord does not ignore in the book of Acts chapter 10 God shows


00:56:26.280 --> 00:56:31.440
Cornelius Cornelius was like why the angel said you're praying and you're


00:56:31.440 --> 00:56:40.620
giving has come up as a memorial before God.


00:56:40.620 --> 00:56:44.120
I'm free in this.


00:56:44.120 --> 00:56:46.080
I know where my money comes from.


00:56:46.080 --> 00:56:48.680
I know what my motives are.


00:56:48.680 --> 00:56:51.560
I know how many millions this church has given away.


00:56:51.560 --> 00:56:53.960
I know what I've personally given away.


00:56:53.960 --> 00:56:57.400
So I'm free.


00:56:57.400 --> 00:56:59.400
I can look you in the eye.


00:56:59.400 --> 00:57:01.880
And by the way, I don't know who ties.


00:57:01.880 --> 00:57:03.800
I don't know when I say I can look you in the eye.


00:57:03.800 --> 00:57:06.320
People would, no, I don't know.


00:57:06.320 --> 00:57:09.440
I treat when I come across you, I'm looking at you


00:57:09.440 --> 00:57:12.400
like you're the top giver in the church.


00:57:12.400 --> 00:57:13.600
Let me just clarify that.


00:57:13.600 --> 00:57:16.040
Sometimes I do know who gives, 'cause they highlight


00:57:16.040 --> 00:57:18.600
when they send me the financials report.


00:57:18.600 --> 00:57:19.920
If anyone, I don't wanna say what they,


00:57:19.920 --> 00:57:22.160
if anybody gives big, they'll let me know.


00:57:22.160 --> 00:57:23.320
It's like, okay, cool.


00:57:23.320 --> 00:57:26.540
But I treat everybody the same.


00:57:26.540 --> 00:57:29.280
I'm just saying, when I minister this message,


00:57:29.280 --> 00:57:30.560
I know that it works.


00:57:30.560 --> 00:57:32.400
I know that it's true.


00:57:32.400 --> 00:57:34.280
And if you don't want to give,


00:57:34.280 --> 00:57:36.120
that's between you and God, don't give.


00:57:36.120 --> 00:57:36.960
That's fine.


00:57:36.960 --> 00:57:39.400
I mean, it's not fine, but you know what I mean.


00:57:39.400 --> 00:57:42.320
No one's gonna hear, twist your arm or anything,


00:57:42.320 --> 00:57:45.320
but just know you're the one who's missing out.


00:57:45.320 --> 00:57:50.160
We don't need another giver.


00:57:50.160 --> 00:57:51.440
We have a big vision.


00:57:51.440 --> 00:57:53.400
We want to see New York City shaken,


00:57:53.400 --> 00:57:55.000
but we're not here going, ah.


00:57:55.000 --> 00:57:58.320
The Lord has always provided for us.


00:57:58.320 --> 00:58:03.140
I'm not here saying, you know, Montenegro is just a developing nation, but the money


00:58:03.140 --> 00:58:04.140
goes quick.


00:58:04.140 --> 00:58:10.120
And I had a vacation there and Victor's feet, they grow so big, you know, he needs new shoes


00:58:10.120 --> 00:58:11.720
every several months.


00:58:11.720 --> 00:58:16.160
If you could please just give me a Pentecostal handshake on your way out of the church.


00:58:16.160 --> 00:58:20.440
You sure would help me.


00:58:20.440 --> 00:58:25.480
Here's what the Lord says for tithers, givers, generous people.


00:58:25.480 --> 00:58:32.580
The Bible says the liberal, the generous soul, liberal means generous in the Hebrew.


00:58:32.580 --> 00:58:35.040
Don't confuse the two.


00:58:35.040 --> 00:58:43.040
The generous soul shall be made fat.


00:58:43.040 --> 00:58:45.440
The generous soul shall be made fat.


00:58:45.440 --> 00:58:46.480
That means prosperous.


00:58:46.480 --> 00:58:50.360
Don't confuse my with that word.


00:58:50.360 --> 00:58:54.560
And he who waters shall also be watered himself.


00:58:54.560 --> 00:58:59.160
He says, "They shall be mine," says the Lord of hosts, "on the day that I make them my


00:58:59.160 --> 00:59:02.440
jewels, and I will spare them."


00:59:02.440 --> 00:59:04.440
You look in the Hebrew there.


00:59:04.440 --> 00:59:11.760
It means I will spoil them as a man spoils his own son who serves him.


00:59:11.760 --> 00:59:17.880
When you're a giver, when your heart is open, when you hold material things loosely, when


00:59:17.880 --> 00:59:23.000
you see yourself as a vessel that God will bring me, all these things to get them through


00:59:23.000 --> 00:59:32.760
me and I get to enjoy them and enjoy this ride also. He will spoil you. And I have sometimes


00:59:32.760 --> 00:59:38.360
and I always, I don't want you, I don't want to, I don't want to, I feel bad for some people who


00:59:38.360 --> 00:59:44.600
are in a Valley right now. I feel bad in the sense that you might misread what I'm about to say.


00:59:44.600 --> 00:59:49.320
I feel good that I know that he's your God. I've been in the Valley, but he's going to get you out.


00:59:49.960 --> 00:59:54.920
But right now I'm not in the valley. I've been in the valley. Right now I feel spoiled like an only son.


00:59:54.920 --> 01:00:02.920
I feel spoiled. I mean, even financially, it's just it's hitting from every way.


01:00:02.920 --> 01:00:09.480
He'll bring different avenues of revenue. It's hitting. I feel the increase of God,


01:00:09.480 --> 01:00:16.520
the blessing of God. When I was gone on vacation, my home at a condo flooded again.


01:00:17.240 --> 01:00:22.680
Pastor James Pastor Mo, thank you. They came in and made sure that we didn't return to a swamp


01:00:22.680 --> 01:00:29.960
But while I'm there wondering what what else is being destroyed I'm thinking we're about to close


01:00:29.960 --> 01:00:35.960
on a brand new home in Long Island. The Lord did that. Amen. The Lord I feel


01:00:35.960 --> 01:00:40.680
and he will do that to you.


01:00:43.480 --> 01:00:51.040
You get what the script spoil you spare you make you stick out show so much mercy that you almost get embarrassed


01:00:51.040 --> 01:00:55.080
Keyword almost


01:00:55.080 --> 01:00:58.280
Let's look at his final verse in second Corinthians


01:00:58.280 --> 01:01:02.360
I'm glad I'm taking my time with this because some of you you don't even know you've been bound up


01:01:02.360 --> 01:01:10.680
By a nasty lack mentality that's afflicted you since your mom said no more for you. We have to have some for tomorrow


01:01:10.680 --> 01:01:17.400
That was a joke, but you received it seriously.


01:01:17.400 --> 01:01:21.480
If the shoe fits.


01:01:21.480 --> 01:01:26.680
That's when these poverty spirits and lack mentalities, that's when they take root.


01:01:26.680 --> 01:01:30.600
I'm teaching my kids to have an abundance mentality.


01:01:30.600 --> 01:01:36.780
And it's a challenge to teach them hard work, personal responsibility, but daddy doesn't


01:01:36.780 --> 01:01:38.460
just make it rain abundance on you.


01:01:38.460 --> 01:01:43.060
You have to do your part and be responsible and get A's and do well and do right.


01:01:43.060 --> 01:01:47.100
And at the same time, don't have limitations.


01:01:47.100 --> 01:01:48.460
God is a big God.


01:01:48.460 --> 01:01:49.820
God is an abundant God.


01:01:49.820 --> 01:01:54.780
Don't expect to scrape through life, but expect an overflowing cup.


01:01:54.780 --> 01:01:56.420
Amen.


01:01:56.420 --> 01:02:02.700
Second Corinthians 9-7 in the Amplified, "Let each one give as he has made up his own mind


01:02:02.700 --> 01:02:09.820
and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God


01:02:09.820 --> 01:02:10.820
loves."


01:02:10.820 --> 01:02:16.420
Now the amplified opens up and unpacks what that word loves there means.


01:02:16.420 --> 01:02:24.900
He takes pleasure in the giver, the generous person, prizes above other things and is unwilling


01:02:24.900 --> 01:02:34.580
to abandon or to do without a cheerful, joyous, prom to do it giver whose heart is in his giving.


01:02:34.580 --> 01:02:43.540
One more time. God is unwilling to abandon or to do without a cheerful, joyous, prom to do it giver


01:02:43.540 --> 01:02:51.060
whose heart is in his giving. I want to be that guy. I want to be that guy. I know there's many


01:02:51.060 --> 01:02:57.500
many of you here, you want to be that person. I wanted this church to be that church. There


01:02:57.500 --> 01:03:02.340
were times when I say I want to be that guy pause. I want to, I want, I want to be that


01:03:02.340 --> 01:03:08.820
guy that when God's eyes scan there, if he goes, that guy, my son, they're going to keep


01:03:08.820 --> 01:03:13.340
them around because everything I get to him, he gives away whenever I tell him to give


01:03:13.340 --> 01:03:17.820
it away. I can entrust him. I didn't have to tell him twice. I don't got to have my Holy


01:03:17.820 --> 01:03:21.580
spirit, ride him for nights and nights and give him dreams and confirmations.


01:03:21.580 --> 01:03:28.540
And I just, I just breathe, give, and he gives it away. I want to be that guy. Because God,


01:03:28.540 --> 01:03:33.420
God wants to keep that guy around. And one of the things in the early years of city light,


01:03:33.420 --> 01:03:39.100
when it looked like we were going to get wiped out every week was a miracle that we were still


01:03:39.100 --> 01:03:46.060
around. In case you don't know, New York city is the hardest ground in America. They say California,


01:03:47.100 --> 01:03:51.340
California still got tons of Christians and it's tough in some areas, but


01:03:51.340 --> 01:03:55.140
New York City is the only place known as the preacher's graveyard.


01:03:55.140 --> 01:03:59.060
And where you see major churches come in with millions of dollars and still


01:03:59.060 --> 01:04:00.580
pack it out after 18 months.


01:04:00.580 --> 01:04:05.980
And we did it with no denominational support, no anything.


01:04:05.980 --> 01:04:11.940
One of the tricks that I used was I quickly got into missions and I said,


01:04:11.940 --> 01:04:14.660
we need an orphanage in Ethiopia.


01:04:15.540 --> 01:04:19.740
And then we need to help out in Guatemala since 2009, the orphanage in Guatemala.


01:04:19.740 --> 01:04:21.340
Let's build a church a year.


01:04:21.340 --> 01:04:23.540
It ended up sometimes being five, six churches a year.


01:04:23.540 --> 01:04:25.240
Let's get into Liberia.


01:04:25.240 --> 01:04:26.540
Let's help in Montenegro.


01:04:26.540 --> 01:04:27.040
Why?


01:04:27.040 --> 01:04:31.540
Because I want to be indispensable to God.


01:04:31.540 --> 01:04:35.840
Now you've heard sometimes maybe saying, Oh God doesn't need you.


01:04:35.840 --> 01:04:36.640
I get it.


01:04:36.640 --> 01:04:37.340
He doesn't need you.


01:04:37.340 --> 01:04:38.040
He doesn't need me.


01:04:38.040 --> 01:04:39.340
He can make a thousand of me like this.


01:04:39.340 --> 01:04:39.940
I get it.


01:04:39.940 --> 01:04:41.640
But at the same time,


01:04:43.840 --> 01:04:49.040
He's unwilling to abandon or to do without a church in New York City


01:04:49.040 --> 01:04:52.400
that is the primary sponsor of an orphanage in Ethiopia.


01:04:52.400 --> 01:04:55.760
He's unwilling to abandon or do without a church in New York City


01:04:55.760 --> 01:04:59.120
that's built over 40 churches/community centers in Guatemala.


01:04:59.120 --> 01:05:00.720
Are you catching what I'm saying here?


01:05:00.720 --> 01:05:04.320
So very early on, I set us up this way, and there were times when it seemed like


01:05:04.320 --> 01:05:08.640
we weren't going to make it, and I'd say, "Lord, you know, just so you know,


01:05:08.640 --> 01:05:11.680
if we get taken out, then we can't support all these other places."


01:05:13.440 --> 01:05:17.520
I would. I get calls from the office saying, "We don't know where the money is going to come from.


01:05:17.520 --> 01:05:22.320
Do we send our support this month?" Do you know, since day one, we have never, ever not sent support


01:05:22.320 --> 01:05:27.120
ever, no matter how tight it got. Because I knew if we can keep sending the support, we're going to


01:05:27.120 --> 01:05:36.720
make it. Thankfully, those years are over. Thankfully, now there's an overflow. Amen.


01:05:36.720 --> 01:05:41.520
And on that note, you know, we needed to raise $15,000 for Montenegro.


01:05:41.520 --> 01:05:46.800
That goal was met without again, without us pushing or pressing. We met that goal. I say


01:05:46.800 --> 01:05:51.920
for Montenegro, because that's where Pastor Jovitz is, but he's starting a church in Novi Sad, Serbia.


01:05:51.920 --> 01:05:58.480
And within three months, just from the overflow, you guys met that. And join me in applause for


01:05:58.480 --> 01:06:05.360
yourselves and your generous hearts. Amen. Thank you. Worship team, come on up.


01:06:05.360 --> 01:06:16.480
If you would lift your hands, say this out loud, Lord Jesus, you are God.


01:06:16.480 --> 01:06:19.480
You delight in mercy.


01:06:19.480 --> 01:06:21.600
I have made mistakes.


01:06:21.600 --> 01:06:23.640
I've committed sins.


01:06:23.640 --> 01:06:30.420
There's some consequences that may be coming my way, but I trust you, Lord.


01:06:30.420 --> 01:06:39.320
Number one, for your grace, because of your grace, I'm forgiven because of your grace.


01:06:39.320 --> 01:06:49.560
I receive undeserved favor, but also thank you for your mercy.


01:06:49.560 --> 01:06:57.760
Because of your mercy, I don't receive deserved judgment.


01:06:57.760 --> 01:07:00.400
So thank you, Lord Jesus.


01:07:00.400 --> 01:07:02.840
Shout a big hallelujah.


01:07:02.840 --> 01:07:03.840
Amen.


01:07:03.840 --> 01:07:09.280
This is the City Light Church Podcast.


01:07:09.280 --> 01:07:13.200
If you've missed any part of today's message, or if you would like to find out more about


01:07:13.200 --> 01:07:19.040
Pastor Boyan Jancic in City Light Church, visit us at CityLightNYC.com.


01:07:19.040 --> 01:07:22.160
That's CityLightNYC.com.


01:07:22.160 --> 01:07:25.580
Feel free to visit us online or in person any time.


01:07:25.580 --> 01:07:28.060
We would love to connect with you.


01:07:28.060 --> 01:07:32.660
We pray that you have been encouraged today, that you have been reminded how much God loves


01:07:32.660 --> 01:07:36.380
you and that you are surrounded by grace.


01:07:36.380 --> 01:07:37.920
Thank you for listening.


01:07:37.920 --> 01:07:41.860
Make sure that you subscribe to City Light Church Podcast wherever you find your favorite


01:07:41.860 --> 01:07:43.340
podcasts worldwide.


01:07:43.340 --> 01:07:45.920
(upbeat music)


01:07:45.920 --> 01:07:55.920
[MUSIC]