How to Get Through a Hard Time

100:00:00.300 --> 00:00:01.860Not everything bad that happens to you is200:00:01.860 --> 00:00:04.680God trying to form himself inside of you.300:00:04.940 --> 00:00:07.560Too many Christians, they're actually just reaping the400:00:07.560 --> 00:00:09.500harvest off of their own bad decisions.500:00:09.880 --> 00:00:11.660No, a lot of stuff that happens to600:00:11.660 --> 00:00:13.080people is not at all from God.700:00:13.240 --> 00:00:15.120It's a consequence of their own decisions, or800:00:15.120 --> 00:00:16.720it's a demonic attack, and that should be900:00:16.720 --> 00:00:17.200withstood.1000:00:17.500 --> 00:00:20.360Not tools that God uses to perfect you.1100:00:20.720 --> 00:00:22.520Heaven is not so bankrupt that it must1200:00:22.520 --> 00:00:24.640rely on the tools and resources of hell1300:00:24.640 --> 00:00:25.820to perfect the saints.1400:00:26.280 --> 00:00:28.120Welcome to the CityLight Church Podcast.1500:00:28.120 --> 00:00:30.760Thanks for joining us today as we look1600:00:30.760 --> 00:00:33.340into God's Word and discover the hope and1700:00:33.340 --> 00:00:35.060truth that he has for us.1800:00:35.720 --> 00:00:37.180If you want to connect with CityLight1900:00:37.180 --> 00:00:40.420Church, feel free to visit us at CityLightNYC2000:00:40.420 --> 00:00:41.160.com.2100:00:41.520 --> 00:00:44.120That's CityLightNYC.com.2200:00:44.800 --> 00:00:47.420Pastor Boyan Jancic and his team believe that2300:00:47.420 --> 00:00:50.040the power of the Holy Spirit is already2400:00:50.040 --> 00:00:51.900working in our hearts and minds.2500:00:52.240 --> 00:00:55.120As you listen to today's teaching, remember that2600:00:55.120 --> 00:00:57.680you are deeply loved by God, that you2700:00:57.680 --> 00:01:00.320are surrounded by his grace, and that he2800:01:00.320 --> 00:01:02.200has a real hope and a future for2900:01:02.200 --> 00:01:02.520you.3000:01:06.440 --> 00:01:08.380I want to just pray for what's happening3100:01:08.380 --> 00:01:10.640in Iran because it's the Christian thing to3200:01:10.640 --> 00:01:10.820do.3300:01:10.960 --> 00:01:12.540It's what we're commanded to do in the3400:01:12.540 --> 00:01:16.160Bible, and so we're to pray.3500:01:16.260 --> 00:01:17.120What does the Bible say?3600:01:17.180 --> 00:01:19.260To pray for kings, for rulers, for all3700:01:19.260 --> 00:01:20.940who are in authority, and there's a reason3800:01:20.940 --> 00:01:22.020why we're supposed to pray.3900:01:22.420 --> 00:01:23.960The Bible says that we could live a4000:01:23.960 --> 00:01:27.940peaceable life, go about in Godliness, and most4100:01:27.940 --> 00:01:30.180importantly, that the Word of God would have4200:01:30.180 --> 00:01:31.140free course.4300:01:35.710 --> 00:01:40.010Hallelujah, but I just got to say that4400:01:40.010 --> 00:01:41.230I don't love that we're there.4500:01:42.490 --> 00:01:43.510He said, why do you got to say4600:01:43.510 --> 00:01:43.650that?4700:01:43.710 --> 00:01:44.930Just preach because I hear this.4800:01:45.250 --> 00:01:46.730You'd be surprised how much gets back to4900:01:46.730 --> 00:01:46.930me.5000:01:48.710 --> 00:01:50.510Why doesn't Pastor just preach the gospel?5100:01:50.610 --> 00:01:54.750That's what he's supposed to do because it's5200:01:54.750 --> 00:01:55.730all intertwined.5300:01:56.350 --> 00:01:57.690You don't want to hear what I have5400:01:57.690 --> 00:01:59.630to say, but you listen to every meme5500:01:59.630 --> 00:02:00.510that Algo feeds you.5600:02:01.310 --> 00:02:03.330You develop your worldview from a bunch of5700:02:03.330 --> 00:02:05.690memes, and that's how you form your opinion5800:02:05.690 --> 00:02:06.330on what's happening.5900:02:06.430 --> 00:02:07.770Some of you don't even have an opinion6000:02:07.770 --> 00:02:10.009until you're told what your opinion should be.6100:02:10.330 --> 00:02:11.070Look what happened.6200:02:11.390 --> 00:02:12.030We're bombing Iran.6300:02:12.510 --> 00:02:13.790Quick, let me see how I should feel6400:02:13.790 --> 00:02:14.350about this.6500:02:15.250 --> 00:02:16.930What does my tribe say I ought to6600:02:16.930 --> 00:02:17.450feel about this?6700:02:17.490 --> 00:02:22.660Come on, you know it's true, and if6800:02:22.660 --> 00:02:24.720we're to go to war, I think it's6900:02:24.720 --> 00:02:26.680a fair question to ask, how does this7000:02:26.680 --> 00:02:27.300benefit me?7100:02:28.280 --> 00:02:29.640How does this benefit the average?7200:02:29.780 --> 00:02:30.740I mean, we're going to war.7300:02:31.240 --> 00:02:32.740Of course, it's not called a formal war,7400:02:32.840 --> 00:02:33.660but you know what I mean.7500:02:34.860 --> 00:02:37.140We've had many wars that weren't called wars7600:02:37.140 --> 00:02:40.480with no formal declaration of war, but how7700:02:40.480 --> 00:02:41.960does this benefit the average citizen?7800:02:43.900 --> 00:02:47.560It doesn't, and then, of course, you should7900:02:47.560 --> 00:02:50.380not like being lied to, and so one8000:02:50.380 --> 00:02:51.800of the main reasons we were told we're8100:02:51.800 --> 00:02:53.400doing this in Iran is because of an8200:02:53.400 --> 00:02:55.540imminent nuclear threat, right?8300:02:56.400 --> 00:02:57.580That wasn't just me who saw that.8400:02:57.600 --> 00:02:59.800It was repeated over and over again, yet8500:02:59.800 --> 00:03:01.200it wasn't even that long ago in the8600:03:01.200 --> 00:03:01.580summertime.8700:03:01.800 --> 00:03:04.280Remember when we sent that bunker buster, and8800:03:04.280 --> 00:03:06.380the next day, all the news and government8900:03:06.380 --> 00:03:08.300officials were reporting that we sent their nuclear9000:03:08.300 --> 00:03:11.560program back decades, but then six months later,9100:03:11.580 --> 00:03:12.460it's an imminent threat.9200:03:15.320 --> 00:03:17.180God, it's either you're wondering what I'm saying9300:03:17.180 --> 00:03:18.280or a lot of people want to go9400:03:18.280 --> 00:03:19.000to war here.9500:03:19.580 --> 00:03:20.400It's so quiet.9600:03:24.660 --> 00:03:28.760Hallelujah, but what we want to pray is9700:03:28.760 --> 00:03:30.640that in the midst of a great mess,9800:03:30.920 --> 00:03:33.340God would still bless, that he would get9900:03:33.340 --> 00:03:35.280in there and somehow behind the scenes work10000:03:35.280 --> 00:03:37.180it out for his glory.10100:03:37.580 --> 00:03:38.000Amen.10200:03:39.600 --> 00:03:41.820Hallelujah, but we shouldn't get excited.10300:03:41.900 --> 00:03:43.220I mean, we're not defending anything.10400:03:44.120 --> 00:03:52.800We're not being invaded, and lives are being10500:03:52.800 --> 00:03:58.500lost, so what's our responsibility?10600:03:58.620 --> 00:04:00.040Our responsibility is to pray.10700:04:00.580 --> 00:04:00.960Hallelujah.10800:04:01.220 --> 00:04:01.700Let's pray.10900:04:02.400 --> 00:04:05.620Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, you11000:04:05.620 --> 00:04:08.260are infinitely wise.11100:04:09.160 --> 00:04:13.360You are altogether mighty, and we pray that11200:04:13.360 --> 00:04:16.040your plans and your purposes would be wrought11300:04:16.040 --> 00:04:21.019forth, that you would arrange it and change11400:04:21.019 --> 00:04:23.320it and organize it so that this is11500:04:23.320 --> 00:04:25.680good for the kingdom, and this is good11600:04:25.680 --> 00:04:28.260for the propagation of the gospel, and this11700:04:28.260 --> 00:04:30.480is good for the king's reign and for11800:04:30.480 --> 00:04:30.980righteousness.11900:04:32.120 --> 00:04:34.240Father, we pray that you would move upon12000:04:34.240 --> 00:04:38.380governmental leaders here and abroad, that they would12100:04:38.380 --> 00:04:40.980be swayed and moved by the Holy Spirit,12200:04:41.360 --> 00:04:43.320and we plead the blood of Jesus.12300:04:45.320 --> 00:04:47.300Father, that we would have a peaceable life,12400:04:47.800 --> 00:04:49.360that we would be able to walk with12500:04:49.360 --> 00:04:50.960you in Godliness, and that the word of12600:04:50.960 --> 00:04:52.420God would have free course.12700:04:53.020 --> 00:04:56.260In Jesus' name, amen.12800:04:58.200 --> 00:04:58.620Hallelujah.12900:05:03.300 --> 00:05:03.720Hallelujah.13000:05:03.720 --> 00:05:05.320I mean, on the bright side, if you13100:05:05.320 --> 00:05:07.320were looking for maybe a little pierre-de13200:05:07.320 --> 00:05:09.880-tierre one-bedroom condo in Dubai, now is13300:05:09.880 --> 00:05:10.300the time.13400:05:11.420 --> 00:05:12.940I've had my eye on one for a13500:05:12.940 --> 00:05:13.200while.13600:05:14.480 --> 00:05:16.660And I hear it's up to 70%13700:05:16.660 --> 00:05:17.480off right now.13800:05:23.370 --> 00:05:26.710So, last week, during that terrible, terrible blizzard,13900:05:29.390 --> 00:05:30.630I was so proud of you.14000:05:30.970 --> 00:05:33.250This place was packed, second service, last week.14100:05:34.070 --> 00:05:35.230Y'all said, blizzard, schmizzard.14200:05:35.330 --> 00:05:36.010I'm going to church.14300:05:37.610 --> 00:05:39.270You know, I was saying, I'm preparing a14400:05:39.270 --> 00:05:43.850message on the sons of Ishakar, who had14500:05:43.850 --> 00:05:46.970an understanding and discernment of the times and14600:05:46.970 --> 00:05:48.230seasons that they lived in.14700:05:49.450 --> 00:05:50.990And I'd like to announce to you this14800:05:50.990 --> 00:05:52.490morning that I'm still preparing it.14900:05:55.570 --> 00:05:57.570And when I finally do preach it one15000:05:57.570 --> 00:05:59.010day, and I pray that day would be15100:05:59.010 --> 00:06:02.790next Sunday, you'll understand why.15200:06:06.480 --> 00:06:08.380Because it will challenge all of us.15300:06:09.260 --> 00:06:11.600And my goal is for us to be15400:06:12.560 --> 00:06:16.460an awakened and alert people, and to know15500:06:16.460 --> 00:06:18.540what's happening in this world around us, to15600:06:18.540 --> 00:06:21.340know what forces are pushing us and manipulating15700:06:21.340 --> 00:06:21.820us.15800:06:22.180 --> 00:06:23.980And the sad reality is that not too15900:06:23.980 --> 00:06:27.720many people are awakened, and they're not alert.16000:06:29.360 --> 00:06:31.020You know, media is lying nonstop.16100:06:31.160 --> 00:06:32.800So, where do you get your news information16200:06:32.800 --> 00:06:33.300from?16300:06:33.440 --> 00:06:34.360Well, it's a lot harder.16400:06:34.980 --> 00:06:36.300You've got to get it from all different16500:06:36.300 --> 00:06:36.760sources.16600:06:36.920 --> 00:06:38.600You have to know the overarching agenda.16700:06:38.840 --> 00:06:40.440And then you've got to take it by16800:06:40.440 --> 00:06:42.140piecemeal and figure it out yourself.16900:06:42.400 --> 00:06:44.340But most people are too passive and lazy,17000:06:44.560 --> 00:06:45.360frankly, to do that.17100:06:45.540 --> 00:06:46.940So, they just go feed me and tell17200:06:46.940 --> 00:06:47.960me what I should know and how I17300:06:47.960 --> 00:06:48.780should feel about it.17400:06:49.280 --> 00:06:50.620And then they wonder why their life is17500:06:50.620 --> 00:06:52.560stuck, and why it seems like they're constantly17600:06:52.560 --> 00:06:54.160in a swirl, and they can't figure out17700:06:54.160 --> 00:06:54.700what's happening.17800:06:54.880 --> 00:06:55.780And they just get angry.17900:06:57.060 --> 00:06:59.280It's for us to know, and to have18000:06:59.280 --> 00:07:01.000an understanding of the times and the seasons18100:07:01.000 --> 00:07:01.540that we're with.18200:07:01.560 --> 00:07:03.680And once again, too many people, they get18300:07:03.680 --> 00:07:06.540their entire global lens, their entire worldview, they18400:07:06.540 --> 00:07:08.240may not even be aware of it from18500:07:08.240 --> 00:07:09.200a collection of memes.18600:07:11.570 --> 00:07:13.290You know why memes are so powerful?18700:07:13.390 --> 00:07:14.750That always was powerful.18800:07:14.890 --> 00:07:16.890If you go back hundreds of years, I18900:07:16.890 --> 00:07:18.770mean, this country used memes, but just not19000:07:18.770 --> 00:07:19.490digital ones.19100:07:19.730 --> 00:07:22.910It was satire cartoons to rebel to form19200:07:22.910 --> 00:07:26.550this nation and to rebel against Britain.19300:07:27.330 --> 00:07:28.990That war was won through memes.19400:07:29.170 --> 00:07:29.290Amen.19500:07:29.770 --> 00:07:31.970So, you can look them up, you can19600:07:31.970 --> 00:07:35.490see little satire cartoons, those illustrators back then.19700:07:38.850 --> 00:07:40.370So, that's my long way of saying I19800:07:40.370 --> 00:07:41.890won't be preaching what I promised I'd be19900:07:41.890 --> 00:07:42.270preaching.20000:07:42.830 --> 00:07:45.830But the good news is, I have a20100:07:45.830 --> 00:07:46.630message for you.20200:07:47.110 --> 00:07:49.470And I was wrestling this week, oh, what20300:07:49.470 --> 00:07:50.090should I do?20400:07:50.250 --> 00:07:53.030And then finally, the Lord spoke through my20500:07:53.030 --> 00:07:53.350wife.20600:07:54.650 --> 00:07:55.350He did.20700:07:55.490 --> 00:07:57.630And she said, you know, people are really20800:07:57.630 --> 00:07:57.950hurting.20900:07:58.930 --> 00:08:00.450And I'm very aware of that.21000:08:00.450 --> 00:08:03.610And I want to minister to those who21100:08:03.610 --> 00:08:04.850are in a place of pain.21200:08:04.970 --> 00:08:06.330Maybe you're hurting so much, you're like, I21300:08:06.330 --> 00:08:07.790don't want to have an understanding of the21400:08:07.790 --> 00:08:10.050times and the seasons and just I'm in21500:08:10.050 --> 00:08:10.470the pit.21600:08:10.770 --> 00:08:12.430And I want some hope that I'm going21700:08:12.430 --> 00:08:13.250to get out of the pit.21800:08:13.750 --> 00:08:15.650Good news, you came to the right Sunday21900:08:15.650 --> 00:08:16.230service.22000:08:16.990 --> 00:08:20.370Because I'm preaching on how to get through22100:08:20.370 --> 00:08:21.190a hard time.22200:08:22.350 --> 00:08:26.670And that's just like my PG version of22300:08:26.670 --> 00:08:27.130the title.22400:08:27.250 --> 00:08:28.490I mean, really, what I should call it22500:08:28.490 --> 00:08:31.350is how to overcome a crisis that feels22600:08:31.350 --> 00:08:32.570like it's gonna kill you.22700:08:33.630 --> 00:08:36.370How to get through a hard time.22800:08:37.350 --> 00:08:38.030Amen.22900:08:39.049 --> 00:08:40.110Number one.23000:08:41.330 --> 00:08:43.790And I got 10 of these with 1023100:08:43.790 --> 00:08:45.110corresponding scriptures.23200:08:46.250 --> 00:08:48.090Number one, here's a starting point.23300:08:48.790 --> 00:08:52.370Accept in your heart that it's part of23400:08:52.370 --> 00:08:53.170your calling.23500:08:53.490 --> 00:08:53.730Amen.23600:08:53.730 --> 00:08:55.090It's part of the call.23700:08:55.990 --> 00:08:59.130First Peter 4.12. We got to stop23800:08:59.130 --> 00:09:01.090being shocked by difficulty.23900:09:02.170 --> 00:09:02.810Amen.24000:09:04.270 --> 00:09:06.250Fire is not foreign to faith.24100:09:07.530 --> 00:09:09.630Fire is formative to faith.24200:09:10.530 --> 00:09:14.610And first Peter, I mean, Peter wrote in24300:09:14.610 --> 00:09:17.850first Peter, not knowing that there would be24400:09:17.850 --> 00:09:21.350a second Peter, but he wrote, Beloved, do24500:09:21.350 --> 00:09:22.790not think it's strange.24600:09:23.210 --> 00:09:24.470I wonder why he said that.24700:09:25.790 --> 00:09:27.750He said that because many of us think24800:09:27.750 --> 00:09:28.410it's strange.24900:09:29.710 --> 00:09:31.370Whenever it's not easy street.25000:09:32.470 --> 00:09:36.370Whenever we don't feel like we're on vacation25100:09:36.370 --> 00:09:37.270when it's difficult.25200:09:38.670 --> 00:09:40.190We go, I wonder why, you know, and25300:09:40.190 --> 00:09:41.610that's right then where you go on social25400:09:41.610 --> 00:09:44.170media and everybody's throwing their top picks.25500:09:44.170 --> 00:09:46.470You go, man, everybody's got it so easy25600:09:46.470 --> 00:09:50.090and nobody's hurting and nobody's suffering by me.25700:09:50.170 --> 00:09:51.350I can barely get up out of the25800:09:51.350 --> 00:09:51.650morning.25900:09:51.810 --> 00:09:52.790And what's wrong.26000:09:53.730 --> 00:09:55.090Don't think it's strange.26100:09:55.710 --> 00:09:57.430And don't believe the hype you see on26200:09:57.430 --> 00:09:58.090social media.26300:09:58.270 --> 00:09:59.570All that glitters is not gold.26400:10:00.250 --> 00:10:02.690In fact, the more positive someone's social media26500:10:02.690 --> 00:10:04.550is, the more I get concerned, right?26600:10:04.590 --> 00:10:05.150Pastor Mo.26700:10:05.330 --> 00:10:07.850Cause it's usually the couple that's incessantly posting.26800:10:07.990 --> 00:10:08.610Oh, we're here.26900:10:08.810 --> 00:10:09.170We're here.27000:10:09.230 --> 00:10:10.290Oh, now we're here.27100:10:10.410 --> 00:10:10.950Look at us.27200:10:10.990 --> 00:10:12.550We're just having a, and then we got27300:10:12.550 --> 00:10:12.810a call.27400:10:12.810 --> 00:10:13.530We're getting divorced.27500:10:15.710 --> 00:10:16.150Amen.27600:10:18.470 --> 00:10:20.630But anyway, keep your eyes off of others.27700:10:24.970 --> 00:10:26.890Someone's like, pastor, your social media is pretty27800:10:26.890 --> 00:10:27.270positive.27900:10:27.490 --> 00:10:29.110I know I'm crying out for help.28000:10:30.270 --> 00:10:31.950Somebody come and minister to me.28100:10:33.450 --> 00:10:35.130You don't know what we're going through.28200:10:38.990 --> 00:10:42.510Do not think it's strange concerning the fiery28300:10:42.510 --> 00:10:44.750trial, which is to try you as though28400:10:44.750 --> 00:10:48.230some strange thing happened to you.28500:10:48.570 --> 00:10:51.290Now, very important to distinguish.28600:10:52.490 --> 00:10:54.750Most suffering is not from God.28700:10:55.830 --> 00:10:58.470We got, not everything bad that happens to28800:10:58.470 --> 00:11:01.210you is God trying to form himself inside28900:11:01.210 --> 00:11:01.530of you.29000:11:01.530 --> 00:11:02.650That's reality.29100:11:03.290 --> 00:11:06.510And too many Christians, they're actually just reaping29200:11:06.510 --> 00:11:08.650the harvest off of their own bad decisions.29300:11:08.910 --> 00:11:10.030And then they go, God is, you know,29400:11:10.050 --> 00:11:11.690pushing me through the fire to get me29500:11:11.690 --> 00:11:12.510refined as gold.29600:11:12.870 --> 00:11:15.170No, a lot of stuff that happens to29700:11:15.170 --> 00:11:16.570people is not at all from God.29800:11:16.750 --> 00:11:18.610It's the consequence of their own decisions or29900:11:18.610 --> 00:11:19.590it's a demonic attack.30000:11:19.690 --> 00:11:20.710And that should be withstood.30100:11:21.990 --> 00:11:22.390Amen.30200:11:22.690 --> 00:11:26.050Sickness, disease, not tools that God uses, freak30300:11:26.050 --> 00:11:30.670accidents, devastation, not tools that God uses to30400:11:30.670 --> 00:11:31.470perfect you.30500:11:32.230 --> 00:11:32.510Amen.30600:11:33.170 --> 00:11:35.090Heaven is not so bankrupt that it must30700:11:35.090 --> 00:11:37.210rely on the tools and resources of hell30800:11:37.210 --> 00:11:38.390to perfect the saints.30900:11:39.150 --> 00:11:41.690But there are trials.31000:11:42.170 --> 00:11:43.350There are tribulations.31100:11:43.570 --> 00:11:45.270There are difficult times.31200:11:45.730 --> 00:11:48.370Jesus said in this world, you will have31300:11:48.370 --> 00:11:52.590tribulations, but fear not for I have overcome31400:11:52.590 --> 00:11:53.250the world.31500:11:53.750 --> 00:11:55.330So at times we will feel like we're31600:11:55.330 --> 00:11:56.230getting squeezed.31700:11:56.690 --> 00:11:58.810At times we will feel like it's just31800:11:58.810 --> 00:12:00.510difficult to put one foot in front of31900:12:00.510 --> 00:12:00.850the other.32000:12:01.270 --> 00:12:03.410And when that happens, number one, don't think32100:12:03.410 --> 00:12:04.370it's strange.32200:12:05.630 --> 00:12:08.210Don't think that you're weird.32300:12:08.690 --> 00:12:10.190What did you do to deserve this?32400:12:12.110 --> 00:12:14.270But understand that there is a formation from32500:12:14.270 --> 00:12:17.510the Lord and you really will come out32600:12:17.510 --> 00:12:18.990better once you get through it.32700:12:20.170 --> 00:12:22.730Probably the most difficult season of my life,32800:12:22.790 --> 00:12:24.490at least top three, was the first five32900:12:24.490 --> 00:12:26.410to seven years of CityLight Church.33000:12:27.290 --> 00:12:29.430So we're going over 24 years ago.33100:12:31.650 --> 00:12:33.070Actually, it'll only be 24.33200:12:33.210 --> 00:12:34.990I keep rounding up to 25 because quarter33300:12:34.990 --> 00:12:36.290of a century has a nice ring to33400:12:36.290 --> 00:12:36.510it.33500:12:37.310 --> 00:12:39.210But I've been in full-time ministry nearly33600:12:39.210 --> 00:12:41.85026 years, 25 years presently, but CityLight33700:12:41.850 --> 00:12:45.570will be 24 March the 17th.33800:12:45.670 --> 00:12:46.810We'll be 24.33900:12:47.590 --> 00:12:50.530That means like in human terms, we just34000:12:50.530 --> 00:12:52.710came out of college and are wondering like34100:12:52.710 --> 00:12:54.150how to make sense of this world.34200:12:54.350 --> 00:12:56.930Just trying to get our bearings at 24.34300:12:58.190 --> 00:12:59.690But that was a difficult season.34400:13:01.510 --> 00:13:02.470You say, how did you feel?34500:13:02.570 --> 00:13:03.610This is what I tell people.34600:13:03.870 --> 00:13:07.370I felt all the time like my intestines34700:13:07.370 --> 00:13:08.910were coming out of my nostrils.34800:13:09.610 --> 00:13:10.650That's how I felt.34900:13:11.470 --> 00:13:13.190I felt like I was pressed on every35000:13:13.190 --> 00:13:13.650side.35100:13:14.070 --> 00:13:15.750And did I still find pleasure in some35200:13:15.750 --> 00:13:15.930situations?35300:13:16.530 --> 00:13:18.210Yeah, I had those times.35400:13:18.310 --> 00:13:22.890But my default state was, God help me35500:13:23.450 --> 00:13:25.390because I feel like I'm perishing.35600:13:26.490 --> 00:13:27.590Very uncomfortable.35700:13:28.790 --> 00:13:32.870But now I've learned so much through that35800:13:32.870 --> 00:13:33.930agonizing season.35900:13:34.770 --> 00:13:37.670And I've allowed him through that season to36000:13:37.670 --> 00:13:41.530do a spiritual formation in me that now36100:13:41.530 --> 00:13:43.530certain things that would normally bother me don't36200:13:43.530 --> 00:13:44.290bother me at all.36300:13:44.850 --> 00:13:47.270And he uses these seasons to get you36400:13:47.270 --> 00:13:49.210to a place where you can actually grow36500:13:49.210 --> 00:13:51.330and withstand the magnitude of the blessing that36600:13:51.330 --> 00:13:52.410he wants to put on you.36700:13:53.630 --> 00:13:54.110Hallelujah.36800:13:57.010 --> 00:13:57.490Hallelujah.36900:14:00.470 --> 00:14:01.410Thank you, Lord.37000:14:02.250 --> 00:14:03.970You know his way is glory to glory.37100:14:04.950 --> 00:14:07.250His way is promotion to promotion.37200:14:09.490 --> 00:14:10.450God is…37300:14:10.450 --> 00:14:11.910Can we just agree on that?37400:14:12.150 --> 00:14:13.390There's a lot of people who think that37500:14:13.390 --> 00:14:14.730God is just like…37600:14:14.730 --> 00:14:16.210He's content to put a seedling in the37700:14:16.210 --> 00:14:18.410ground and then just watch it stand still.37800:14:18.690 --> 00:14:20.210That's not how he built this earth.37900:14:20.270 --> 00:14:21.690That's not how he built this universe.38000:14:22.210 --> 00:14:24.890That seedling will grow and grow and out38100:14:24.890 --> 00:14:26.430of an acorn will become a mighty oak38200:14:26.430 --> 00:14:26.690tree.38300:14:26.770 --> 00:14:26.990Amen.38400:14:27.630 --> 00:14:28.950His way is progress.38500:14:29.210 --> 00:14:30.250His way is growth.38600:14:30.390 --> 00:14:32.190His way is abundance and prosperity.38700:14:33.150 --> 00:14:34.970He wants you growing.38800:14:35.610 --> 00:14:37.090He wants you expanding.38900:14:37.770 --> 00:14:38.970There's just one problem.39000:14:40.650 --> 00:14:44.870A wise philosopher, an ancient man by the39100:14:44.870 --> 00:14:48.470name of Biggie Smalls, he really hit the39200:14:48.470 --> 00:14:52.370bullseye when he said, "'Mo' money, mo' problems.'"39300:14:52.370 --> 00:14:55.830I found that to be true.39400:14:56.930 --> 00:14:58.590Mo' fame, mo' problems.39500:14:59.590 --> 00:15:01.570Mo' influence, mo' problems.39600:15:03.250 --> 00:15:04.850Mo' of anything, mo' problems.39700:15:06.410 --> 00:15:08.570So, what is a Christian to do?39800:15:08.970 --> 00:15:12.450When you embrace the process, it won't be39900:15:12.450 --> 00:15:13.150mo' problems.40000:15:14.130 --> 00:15:16.650He will work himself out in you so40100:15:16.650 --> 00:15:19.310that you can withstand and carry the magnitude40200:15:19.310 --> 00:15:21.130of the blessing he wants to bring your40300:15:21.130 --> 00:15:21.450way.40400:15:21.910 --> 00:15:22.270Hallelujah.40500:15:22.830 --> 00:15:23.690How many of you…40600:15:23.690 --> 00:15:24.830You know what I'm talking about.40700:15:26.090 --> 00:15:27.930Look back on a past trial.40800:15:28.030 --> 00:15:28.690Now you're through.40900:15:28.690 --> 00:15:30.230If I asked you, hey, if you could41000:15:30.230 --> 00:15:32.030hit a button and make that trial never41100:15:32.030 --> 00:15:33.330to have happened, would you hit that button?41200:15:34.410 --> 00:15:35.250Say louder.41300:15:35.690 --> 00:15:38.550You wouldn't hit that button because you know41400:15:38.550 --> 00:15:39.910you're better having come through.41500:15:41.050 --> 00:15:42.310Your capacity is larger.41600:15:42.650 --> 00:15:44.090Capacity is an important thing.41700:15:45.430 --> 00:15:46.390Solomon is…41800:15:46.390 --> 00:15:48.170I don't preach about Solomon as enough.41900:15:48.310 --> 00:15:49.190Solomon is awesome.42000:15:49.910 --> 00:15:52.750Solomon did great things for the Lord, but42100:15:52.750 --> 00:15:54.350before he did any of those things, the42200:15:54.350 --> 00:15:57.670Bible says that God gave him largeness of42300:15:57.670 --> 00:15:58.070heart.42400:15:58.370 --> 00:15:59.150What is that?42500:15:59.870 --> 00:16:01.150His internal capacity.42600:16:01.670 --> 00:16:02.910You know, some people don't have a big42700:16:02.910 --> 00:16:03.390capacity.42800:16:03.990 --> 00:16:06.030They're content to just go sit in a42900:16:06.030 --> 00:16:07.930cubicle and say, don't overwhelm me with anything43000:16:07.930 --> 00:16:08.210more.43100:16:08.750 --> 00:16:10.590But God wants to stretch your capacity so43200:16:10.590 --> 00:16:11.950he can give you more and do more43300:16:11.950 --> 00:16:12.590through you.43400:16:13.290 --> 00:16:15.570And so, before Solomon went on and became43500:16:15.570 --> 00:16:18.290king and built a temple and his empire43600:16:18.290 --> 00:16:21.570was vast, God gave him largeness of heart.43700:16:21.670 --> 00:16:23.470He stretched out his inward capacity.43800:16:24.010 --> 00:16:24.870You look at…43900:16:24.870 --> 00:16:27.550Maybe you have heroes who are entrepreneurs and44000:16:27.550 --> 00:16:28.190billionaires.44100:16:28.450 --> 00:16:31.370You know, they're not chilling out playing Xbox44200:16:31.370 --> 00:16:31.990all day.44300:16:32.690 --> 00:16:34.530They're like living the life of eight people44400:16:34.530 --> 00:16:35.170in one life.44500:16:35.770 --> 00:16:37.470They have a huge inward capacity.44600:16:38.410 --> 00:16:39.450And you're not going to get that from44700:16:39.450 --> 00:16:39.810a book.44800:16:39.950 --> 00:16:41.010You're going to get it from the Lord.44900:16:42.110 --> 00:16:42.510Amen.45000:16:42.910 --> 00:16:44.090You can pray that prayer.45100:16:44.170 --> 00:16:45.650Lord, what you did in Solomon, do in45200:16:45.650 --> 00:16:45.810me.45300:16:46.130 --> 00:16:47.750Give me largeness of heart.45400:16:49.050 --> 00:16:49.450Hallelujah.45500:16:49.450 --> 00:16:51.990Number two, you've got to fix your eyes.45600:16:52.650 --> 00:16:54.250You can't fix your circumstances.45700:16:54.910 --> 00:16:56.250You've got to fix your eyes.45800:16:56.330 --> 00:17:02.870Hebrews 12.12. Hebrews 12.12.2, excuse45900:17:02.870 --> 00:17:03.250me.46000:17:04.030 --> 00:17:09.130Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of46100:17:09.130 --> 00:17:12.270our faith, who for the joy that was46200:17:12.270 --> 00:17:15.310said before him endured the cross, despising the46300:17:15.310 --> 00:17:17.670shame, and has sat down at the right46400:17:17.670 --> 00:17:19.030hand of the throne of God.46500:17:19.030 --> 00:17:21.849The key part of that verse in this46600:17:21.849 --> 00:17:26.869context is looking unto Jesus, because what you46700:17:26.869 --> 00:17:28.430behold, you will become.46800:17:31.040 --> 00:17:33.540And I've been around the world now, over46900:17:33.540 --> 00:17:34.36050 nations.47000:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.800And I've heard this when I was in47100:17:35.800 --> 00:17:36.220Bible school.47200:17:36.260 --> 00:17:37.360And I thought, I wonder if that's true.47300:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.400And I found it to be true.47400:17:38.900 --> 00:17:40.740That people groups, like we were just up47500:17:40.740 --> 00:17:44.340in the Mayan mountains, not normal Guatemala, indigenous,47600:17:44.620 --> 00:17:47.800direct descendants of the Mayans, Yeshiel people, they47700:17:47.800 --> 00:17:48.920have a different physiognomy.47800:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.820They look different.47900:17:51.220 --> 00:17:54.160I heard it said that people who worship48000:17:54.160 --> 00:17:57.120idols, who worship false Gods over time, they48100:17:57.120 --> 00:17:59.160begin to actually look and resemble like the48200:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.000idols that they worship.48300:18:00.720 --> 00:18:02.940And if you look at Mayan idols, they48400:18:02.940 --> 00:18:07.060look a lot square heads, short in stature.48500:18:12.580 --> 00:18:14.880I just say things like it's 1982.48600:18:15.160 --> 00:18:15.580I don't care.48700:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.600But it'll help you.48800:18:20.580 --> 00:18:23.220You become like what you behold.48900:18:25.800 --> 00:18:28.080And so Satan's job is to get you49000:18:28.080 --> 00:18:29.220to look at the circumstances.49100:18:30.940 --> 00:18:33.700When Jesus was walking on the water, Peter,49200:18:34.440 --> 00:18:36.000he was the only one so bold.49300:18:36.060 --> 00:18:37.920He said, I want to walk on water.49400:18:38.800 --> 00:18:40.020Master, tell me to.49500:18:40.320 --> 00:18:40.900Peter was smart.49600:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.220He knew that if you got the word49700:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.340of the Lord, he could stand on the49800:18:43.340 --> 00:18:43.880word of the Lord.49900:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.620He said, bid me to come.50000:18:46.480 --> 00:18:48.520And Jesus, he just gave him one word.50100:18:49.520 --> 00:18:51.560And Peter leaps out of the boat.50200:18:51.640 --> 00:18:52.840I know in the paintings, they showed like50300:18:52.840 --> 00:18:54.480a little canoe, all 12 of them.50400:18:54.620 --> 00:18:56.920It wasn't a canoe on that giant lake,50500:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.900which is really a sea.50600:18:58.280 --> 00:18:59.700It was a large boat.50700:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.560It was high.50800:19:00.900 --> 00:19:02.300Peter could have jumped anywhere from 10 to50900:19:02.300 --> 00:19:04.22015 feet off to land on the water.51000:19:04.360 --> 00:19:05.900And he didn't think he stood.51100:19:06.100 --> 00:19:07.140What was he standing on?51200:19:07.140 --> 00:19:08.240Not really the water.51300:19:08.580 --> 00:19:10.420He was standing on Jesus's word.51400:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.060Come.51500:19:11.880 --> 00:19:13.940And whenever you do something, whenever you're standing51600:19:13.940 --> 00:19:16.280supernaturally, you'll be standing on the word of51700:19:16.280 --> 00:19:17.100the Lord for your life.51800:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.600That's why the word of the Lord is51900:19:18.600 --> 00:19:18.920key.52000:19:19.320 --> 00:19:21.420That's why we got scriptures for every single52100:19:21.420 --> 00:19:21.780point.52200:19:21.860 --> 00:19:23.840That's why we admonish you to know the52300:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.100word.52400:19:24.280 --> 00:19:26.560Be biblically literate because the word is what52500:19:26.560 --> 00:19:27.860upholds you and sustains you.52600:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.080Amen.52700:19:28.620 --> 00:19:30.840Nothing to really do with this sermon, but52800:19:30.840 --> 00:19:32.600it's a good thing to interject anytime.52900:19:34.400 --> 00:19:36.080But Peter is now standing, right?53000:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.200There's a storm.53100:19:37.540 --> 00:19:40.180Peter's standing on the word, Jesus come.53200:19:41.100 --> 00:19:42.520So he's walking on water.53300:19:43.480 --> 00:19:45.200And then the Bible says something interesting.53400:19:45.320 --> 00:19:47.200It says that when he saw the wind53500:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.080boisterous.53600:19:48.540 --> 00:19:52.500So you picture Jesus and Peter and Peter's53700:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.680walking toward Jesus.53800:19:54.020 --> 00:19:55.540And as long as he's looking at Jesus53900:19:55.540 --> 00:19:57.800walking towards him, he's walking supernaturally on water.54000:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.620But then the wind started to whip past54100:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.060his head.54200:20:00.800 --> 00:20:02.040It started to howl.54300:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.920And he saw the height of the waves54400:20:03.920 --> 00:20:06.220and he took his eyes off of Jesus.54500:20:06.500 --> 00:20:08.020And he saw the wind boisterous.54600:20:08.220 --> 00:20:10.280And instantly he began to sink because he54700:20:10.280 --> 00:20:11.660took his eyes off of Jesus.54800:20:12.880 --> 00:20:14.960And Jesus being Jesus, of course, so loving54900:20:15.760 --> 00:20:18.580grabbed his arm, hoisted him back up.55000:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.680But the lesson in there is to look55100:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.320at Jesus.55200:20:24.410 --> 00:20:25.930And the devil will try to get you55300:20:25.930 --> 00:20:26.870to look at the problem.55400:20:27.030 --> 00:20:27.770Look at the problem.55500:20:28.110 --> 00:20:29.030What is anxiety?55600:20:29.590 --> 00:20:32.550It is a constant meditation on the problem.55700:20:33.890 --> 00:20:34.790But look at Jesus.55800:20:34.990 --> 00:20:36.090So how do you do that?55900:20:36.870 --> 00:20:38.290You got to figure out for yourself how56000:20:38.290 --> 00:20:39.090that works for you.56100:20:39.330 --> 00:20:41.650I can share what works for me.56200:20:42.030 --> 00:20:43.270There's several things that work for me.56300:20:43.330 --> 00:20:45.250One thing that I found is when I'm56400:20:45.250 --> 00:20:46.650going through it, we're not talking about your56500:20:46.650 --> 00:20:48.070normal walk with the Lord.56600:20:48.410 --> 00:20:49.610We're talking about when you feel like your56700:20:49.610 --> 00:20:50.750back is against the wall.56800:20:51.490 --> 00:20:53.570I will come and I will just be56900:20:53.570 --> 00:20:55.290before the Lord for 5-10 minutes.57000:20:57.630 --> 00:20:59.230If you can go longer, congratulations.57100:20:59.530 --> 00:21:00.210I can go longer.57200:21:00.310 --> 00:21:01.430I'm just saying 5-10 minutes.57300:21:01.570 --> 00:21:03.450You can do many of those sets.57400:21:04.570 --> 00:21:06.270You can do in a day 10 sets57500:21:06.270 --> 00:21:06.670of 10.57600:21:10.770 --> 00:21:13.150You go to pray and you just behold57700:21:13.150 --> 00:21:13.490him.57800:21:13.490 --> 00:21:14.270Yeah.57900:21:14.650 --> 00:21:15.610Just behold him.58000:21:15.690 --> 00:21:16.770Just look at him.58100:21:17.110 --> 00:21:19.510Now when I say look at him, I'm58200:21:19.510 --> 00:21:22.190not imagining, I'm not picturing Catholic Jesus.58300:21:22.930 --> 00:21:25.190I'm not imagining a white man with a58400:21:25.190 --> 00:21:27.990brown beard, long flowing hair.58500:21:29.110 --> 00:21:29.930Who are you imagining?58600:21:30.090 --> 00:21:30.570I don't know.58700:21:30.630 --> 00:21:31.930I don't know what he looked like.58800:21:32.830 --> 00:21:34.550But you know what I'm talking about if58900:21:34.550 --> 00:21:35.070you've done it.59000:21:35.150 --> 00:21:36.770You're still beholding him.59100:21:37.150 --> 00:21:38.510You're beholding his beauty.59200:21:38.610 --> 00:21:40.430You're beholding his history with you.59300:21:40.430 --> 00:21:42.670His nature is revealed in the scriptures.59400:21:42.850 --> 00:21:44.790His character is revealed in the scriptures.59500:21:45.210 --> 00:21:46.570You just go to pray and you're thinking59600:21:46.570 --> 00:21:47.870to him.59700:21:48.330 --> 00:21:49.250You're meditating on him.59800:21:49.450 --> 00:21:51.110You're the one who saved me.59900:21:51.810 --> 00:21:53.330You're the one who came from heaven to60000:21:53.330 --> 00:21:53.690earth.60100:21:53.830 --> 00:21:55.010You're the one who bled for me.60200:21:55.410 --> 00:21:56.890You're the one who made all these promises60300:21:56.890 --> 00:21:59.130in the Old Testament and then fulfilled every60400:21:59.130 --> 00:21:59.710single one.60500:21:59.810 --> 00:22:01.570Not one of your words has fallen to60600:22:01.570 --> 00:22:02.050the ground.60700:22:02.390 --> 00:22:04.790You are faithful and you'll be faithful to60800:22:04.790 --> 00:22:04.930me.60900:22:05.190 --> 00:22:06.110Yes, you're that one.61000:22:06.170 --> 00:22:07.330You're the one who knows the end from61100:22:07.330 --> 00:22:07.750the beginning.61200:22:08.110 --> 00:22:09.710You're the one who holds the universe in61300:22:09.710 --> 00:22:10.910your hand and you hold me in your61400:22:10.910 --> 00:22:11.030hand.61500:22:11.330 --> 00:22:12.350Oh, I behold you.61600:22:12.410 --> 00:22:12.990I look at you.61700:22:13.050 --> 00:22:13.670I behold you.61800:22:13.930 --> 00:22:16.730I'm looking unto Jesus, the author and the61900:22:16.730 --> 00:22:17.610finisher of my faith.62000:22:17.690 --> 00:22:18.370Can you do that?62100:22:18.630 --> 00:22:19.650Yes, you can.62200:22:20.290 --> 00:22:20.730Hallelujah.62300:22:22.130 --> 00:22:22.570Hallelujah.62400:22:23.330 --> 00:22:24.090Beholding him.62500:22:26.150 --> 00:22:27.510Glance at your problems.62600:22:27.970 --> 00:22:28.630Stare at him.62700:22:28.930 --> 00:22:29.350Hallelujah.62800:22:29.350 --> 00:22:32.290Number three.62900:22:32.950 --> 00:22:33.930This is important.63000:22:34.370 --> 00:22:37.410Guard your mind ruthlessly.63100:22:38.910 --> 00:22:41.470Your mind is where the battle is.63200:22:42.090 --> 00:22:44.390Consequently, your mind has to become like a63300:22:44.390 --> 00:22:45.170steel trap.63400:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.740You ever seen a bear trap?63500:22:52.520 --> 00:22:53.360You know the word…63600:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.420Anyway, I won't get into that.63700:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.400It's another sermon.63800:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.040You see a bear trap.63900:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.700That's how your mind has to be.64000:23:01.400 --> 00:23:04.440Like a steel trap because truly the battle64100:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.120is in the mind.64200:23:06.440 --> 00:23:10.480Isaiah 26.3. Peace is not random.64300:23:11.800 --> 00:23:13.480It is guarded focus.64400:23:16.720 --> 00:23:19.000Your mind cannot be parked on fear all64500:23:19.000 --> 00:23:21.220week and expect peace on Sunday.64600:23:23.180 --> 00:23:25.060So, you got to discipline your thoughts or64700:23:25.060 --> 00:23:26.080they will dominate you.64800:23:26.300 --> 00:23:27.760The Bible says, you will keep him in64900:23:27.760 --> 00:23:30.600perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you65000:23:30.600 --> 00:23:32.940because he trusts in you.65100:23:34.180 --> 00:23:37.500So, it was exactly two years ago, two65200:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.480years ago and a month ago.65300:23:38.600 --> 00:23:41.920It was January going into early February, right65400:23:41.920 --> 00:23:44.520before Guatemala, but all of January of 2024.65500:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.740I've shared this before.65600:23:49.520 --> 00:23:51.300I'm amazed at how much I share and65700:23:51.300 --> 00:23:53.400people keep coming and the church keeps growing.65800:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.280Isn't that amazing?65900:23:59.320 --> 00:24:00.900They still care about what I have to66000:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.240preach.66100:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.220It's amazing.66200:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.740But I shared two years ago.66300:24:04.800 --> 00:24:06.860I started getting hit in my mind and66400:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.520in my emotions.66500:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.980I don't mean a little.66600:24:09.360 --> 00:24:10.900I mean a lot.66700:24:11.560 --> 00:24:12.980How many of you remember where for the66800:24:12.980 --> 00:24:15.220whole month of January, Nathaniel, three weeks, three66900:24:15.220 --> 00:24:17.700Sundays in a row, Nathaniel was preaching here?67000:24:17.940 --> 00:24:19.800I got to say this with love.67100:24:20.430 --> 00:24:22.000He did that not because I love to67200:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.560hear him preach three Sundays in a row.67300:24:24.560 --> 00:24:26.400He did that because in my brain, it67400:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.400was jambalaya soup.67500:24:28.100 --> 00:24:31.620Because all I heard like an incessant broken67600:24:31.620 --> 00:24:33.980record on repeat was, you're going to fail,67700:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.780you're going to fail.67800:24:35.220 --> 00:24:37.700And what was happening was, you guys know67900:24:37.700 --> 00:24:39.900this investment that I had gotten heavily in.68000:24:40.620 --> 00:24:43.460I was down 50% on it.68100:24:43.760 --> 00:24:45.840And all I kept hearing in my head68200:24:45.840 --> 00:24:47.940was, you are going to wreck your whole68300:24:47.940 --> 00:24:49.000family financially.68400:24:50.400 --> 00:24:52.820So it was so incessant that as Nathaniel68500:24:52.820 --> 00:24:54.100was preaching, and I told him this.68600:24:54.280 --> 00:24:55.200As soon as he was done, I said,68700:24:55.260 --> 00:24:56.260this is what I was thinking about the68800:24:56.260 --> 00:24:56.560whole time.68900:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.780I'm trying to get it out of my69000:24:57.780 --> 00:24:57.960head.69100:24:58.720 --> 00:25:00.540All I was doing was math in my69200:25:00.540 --> 00:25:00.820head.69300:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.500Literally, you know how they in the movies,69400:25:02.600 --> 00:25:05.200they show the genius, except I'm not a69500:25:05.200 --> 00:25:05.500genius.69600:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.340And I was doing that.69700:25:06.580 --> 00:25:08.000I was going, okay, I can make it69800:25:08.000 --> 00:25:10.160to March and then April.69900:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.900And then by May, all right, that's when70000:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.540it's going to get ugly.70100:25:12.940 --> 00:25:14.340And then I started thinking, I'll have to70200:25:14.340 --> 00:25:15.700give up the house in Long Island.70300:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.800So we'll go to the cabin in the70400:25:17.800 --> 00:25:19.240woods that we have in the Poconos.70500:25:20.080 --> 00:25:21.460And then half an hour away from there70600:25:21.460 --> 00:25:23.000in the town of Homesdale is a super70700:25:23.000 --> 00:25:25.320Walmart, and I'll work in the Walmart.70800:25:27.040 --> 00:25:28.400I'm so glad you're laughing.70900:25:29.140 --> 00:25:31.040So that was Satan's idea, right?71000:25:31.460 --> 00:25:33.320And it's hilarious, but for me, it was71100:25:33.320 --> 00:25:33.900a good idea.71200:25:33.980 --> 00:25:35.080Come on, anybody can relate.71300:25:35.320 --> 00:25:37.480For me, it was a good idea at71400:25:37.480 --> 00:25:37.960the time.71500:25:38.040 --> 00:25:40.120I thought I actually was thinking that.71600:25:43.220 --> 00:25:45.480By the way, two months after that, I71700:25:45.480 --> 00:25:47.000wasn't down minus 50%.71800:25:47.000 --> 00:25:49.300It had gone into the multiple seven figures.71900:25:49.800 --> 00:25:51.920God completely, completely redeemed it.72000:25:52.720 --> 00:25:54.020But amen.72100:25:54.780 --> 00:25:56.660But I was going for, we would go72200:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.500on many walks.72300:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.920That was one, because I can't sit still.72400:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.080Right?72500:26:00.080 --> 00:26:01.420If you sit still, if you're not, you72600:26:01.420 --> 00:26:03.480got to move when the enemy's attacking your72700:26:03.480 --> 00:26:03.800mind.72800:26:04.060 --> 00:26:05.860You don't want to be ruminating.72900:26:06.360 --> 00:26:07.820You don't want, you know what a ruminating73000:26:07.820 --> 00:26:08.240thought is?73100:26:08.260 --> 00:26:09.460It's a thought that just goes around and73200:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.100around in a circle.73300:26:10.100 --> 00:26:11.800And comes back to you, doesn't go anywhere.73400:26:12.100 --> 00:26:13.700So I had to keep moving and thank73500:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.900God my wife was always game.73600:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.940Babe can go for a walk.73700:26:16.040 --> 00:26:17.040It's the 17th walk today.73800:26:17.180 --> 00:26:17.380Sure.73900:26:17.800 --> 00:26:19.060Just go walk and pray.74000:26:19.280 --> 00:26:20.560Lord, thank you that you're with me.74100:26:20.800 --> 00:26:21.220Lord, thank you.74200:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.860I won't fail.74300:26:22.020 --> 00:26:23.420Lord, you're going to see this out for74400:26:23.420 --> 00:26:23.740the good.74500:26:24.060 --> 00:26:26.860But as I'm walking, I'm picturing myself with74600:26:26.860 --> 00:26:30.220the vest, you know, the yellow vest and74700:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.000Walmart vest.74800:26:31.320 --> 00:26:33.740Cause I'm thinking, and I'm thinking to myself,74900:26:33.800 --> 00:26:35.360I'm not, you know, I'm getting up in75000:26:35.360 --> 00:26:35.540years.75100:26:35.600 --> 00:26:36.880I'm not going to be a stock guy.75200:26:37.580 --> 00:26:39.760I'm a pastor, but I can be the75300:26:39.760 --> 00:26:40.140greeter.75400:26:40.360 --> 00:26:42.760I'll be pastor Walmart and I'll be, I'll75500:26:42.760 --> 00:26:44.540be extra like kind.75600:26:44.680 --> 00:26:46.520And I'll just wish everybody a happy Tuesday.75700:26:46.520 --> 00:26:48.540And maybe I'll get in with some, I75800:26:48.540 --> 00:26:49.780can share the gospel, but I'm going to75900:26:49.780 --> 00:26:50.480give him my all.76000:26:50.920 --> 00:26:52.980And that's just the final season.76100:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.440That's, that's what God had in mind when76200:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.260he created me.76300:26:56.440 --> 00:26:57.500It sounds ridiculous.76400:26:57.500 --> 00:26:59.540But in that moment, that was my reality.76500:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.880What did I have to do?76600:27:02.360 --> 00:27:05.420I had to train my mind, focus my76700:27:05.420 --> 00:27:05.880mind.76800:27:06.900 --> 00:27:08.880How do you stop these negative thoughts?76900:27:09.020 --> 00:27:10.520Why did I go for walks?77000:27:11.920 --> 00:27:15.780You cannot stop a negative thought with a77100:27:15.780 --> 00:27:18.280positive thought impossible.77200:27:19.540 --> 00:27:21.400If I can get one thing concerning guarding77300:27:21.400 --> 00:27:23.600your mind, knowing the battlefield is in the77400:27:23.600 --> 00:27:23.900mind.77500:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.700If I can get one truth to you,77600:27:25.760 --> 00:27:28.380it's that so many people think if I77700:27:28.380 --> 00:27:30.240have a negative thought, I'll have a one77800:27:30.240 --> 00:27:32.94080 of that positive thought you're losing.77900:27:33.040 --> 00:27:33.440Aren't you?78000:27:33.560 --> 00:27:34.580It's impossible.78100:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.520What works?78200:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.560I'll show you what works.78300:27:37.620 --> 00:27:39.480Count to 10 in your head.78400:27:39.600 --> 00:27:44.760Starting now, go now say your name out78500:27:44.760 --> 00:27:45.000loud.78600:27:45.080 --> 00:27:45.660What's your name?78700:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.820What happened to your account?78800:27:49.520 --> 00:27:51.020It got messed up.78900:27:51.700 --> 00:27:56.180You cannot stop negative thoughts with positive thoughts.79000:27:56.180 --> 00:27:59.620You can only stop negative thoughts with the79100:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.900words that come out of your mouth.79200:28:01.060 --> 00:28:03.440You have to start speaking.79300:28:03.440 --> 00:28:06.480You have to start speaking God's truth because79400:28:06.480 --> 00:28:08.880the negative thought is actually Satan's lie.79500:28:09.540 --> 00:28:12.000How do you combat Satan's lie with God's79600:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.280truth?79700:28:12.680 --> 00:28:14.100Satan came lying to Jesus.79800:28:14.200 --> 00:28:16.020Jesus' response was, it is written.79900:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.720It is written.80000:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.400It is written.80100:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.200Hallelujah.80200:28:19.840 --> 00:28:22.720And your life will go in the direction80300:28:22.720 --> 00:28:24.040of your most dominant thought.80400:28:24.260 --> 00:28:24.900I'll say it again.80500:28:25.020 --> 00:28:26.900Your life, even where you are right now,80600:28:26.980 --> 00:28:29.160is pretty much going in direction with your80700:28:29.160 --> 00:28:30.120most dominant thought.80800:28:31.880 --> 00:28:33.800And so your mind has to become like80900:28:33.800 --> 00:28:35.360a steel trap and you've got to be81000:28:35.360 --> 00:28:35.940speaking.81100:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.500Hallelujah.81200:28:41.800 --> 00:28:42.360Four.81300:28:42.700 --> 00:28:44.120I kind of went into my fourth point81400:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.500early.81500:28:45.660 --> 00:28:49.480Speak before fear finishes its sentence.81600:28:52.340 --> 00:28:53.720Psalm 107 too.81700:28:54.620 --> 00:28:56.820The Bible says, let the redeemed of the81800:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.180Lord.81900:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.140All right.82000:29:00.140 --> 00:29:00.720One more time.82100:29:00.720 --> 00:29:02.640Let the redeemed of the Lord.82200:29:03.700 --> 00:29:05.320Yeah, that's the exhortation.82300:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.240Say something.82400:29:07.540 --> 00:29:09.020That's why we sing that song.82500:29:09.160 --> 00:29:12.680Let the poor say, amen.82600:29:14.540 --> 00:29:19.060Let the weak say, let the ugly say.82700:29:24.040 --> 00:29:25.960He shouted, I look like Pastor Mo.82800:29:26.120 --> 00:29:27.860That's actually, I don't know if you got82900:29:27.860 --> 00:29:29.140that by the gift of the spirit, but83000:29:29.140 --> 00:29:30.520that is my confession in the mornings.83100:29:32.440 --> 00:29:34.300I will look more like Pastor Mo.83200:29:34.780 --> 00:29:35.400I will look.83300:29:38.120 --> 00:29:38.560Hallelujah.83400:29:43.590 --> 00:29:46.430Sometimes I repeat some things so much in83500:29:46.430 --> 00:29:46.950my mind.83600:29:47.190 --> 00:29:49.230I think, boy, people must be tired of83700:29:49.230 --> 00:29:49.730hearing this.83800:29:50.530 --> 00:29:53.790But then, then I talked to you guys83900:29:53.790 --> 00:29:55.330and I realized you haven't really heard me.84000:29:55.650 --> 00:29:57.110So I should keep repeating myself.84100:29:57.430 --> 00:29:59.230And Paul said to repeat myself is not84200:29:59.230 --> 00:30:00.710burdensome, but for you it is necessary.84300:30:01.310 --> 00:30:02.710And this is the thing that I've repeated84400:30:02.710 --> 00:30:04.830so many times with illustrations, with this is84500:30:04.830 --> 00:30:05.150the thing.84600:30:05.930 --> 00:30:09.790It's this crazy glue demon, the gorilla glue,84700:30:09.950 --> 00:30:11.790crazy glue, super glue, whatever kind of glue84800:30:11.790 --> 00:30:12.630you use at home.84900:30:12.710 --> 00:30:13.790The one that really works.85000:30:15.030 --> 00:30:16.670There is a demon with that kind of85100:30:16.670 --> 00:30:16.910glue.85200:30:17.070 --> 00:30:19.530And you'll notice whenever you get hit, whenever85300:30:19.530 --> 00:30:21.270you're going through a hard time, he likes85400:30:21.270 --> 00:30:22.530to put that on your lips and say,85500:30:22.830 --> 00:30:23.650why?85600:30:24.890 --> 00:30:27.550Because the power is in your mouth and85700:30:27.550 --> 00:30:28.110on your tongue.85800:30:28.970 --> 00:30:31.490The Bible says death and life are in85900:30:31.490 --> 00:30:32.550the power of the tongue.86000:30:33.070 --> 00:30:34.490And they that love it will eat the86100:30:34.490 --> 00:30:34.970fruit of it.86200:30:35.790 --> 00:30:40.530Your very salvation is voice activated.86300:30:42.930 --> 00:30:45.210It's half in your heart, half in your86400:30:45.210 --> 00:30:45.470mouth.86500:30:45.610 --> 00:30:48.850Even the prescription for how to receive salvation.86600:30:49.330 --> 00:30:51.810It's that if you believe in your heart86700:30:51.810 --> 00:30:54.510and confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus,86800:30:54.670 --> 00:30:55.470you will be saved.86900:30:55.670 --> 00:30:57.410So you have to be speaking.87000:30:57.850 --> 00:30:59.530But when people are going through it, what's87100:30:59.530 --> 00:31:00.450the first thing you notice?87200:31:00.690 --> 00:31:01.530They're downcast.87300:31:01.630 --> 00:31:02.290They're morose.87400:31:02.770 --> 00:31:03.410Hey, what's wrong?87500:31:04.450 --> 00:31:06.470Well, how do you feel?87600:31:07.710 --> 00:31:09.130They're not saying anything.87700:31:09.370 --> 00:31:11.410And if you're not saying, you're not creating87800:31:11.410 --> 00:31:13.090because you're not agreeing with the word of87900:31:13.090 --> 00:31:13.290God.88000:31:13.470 --> 00:31:15.310You have to start speaking.88100:31:15.770 --> 00:31:18.610You have to, you'll feel like you're crazy.88200:31:19.530 --> 00:31:21.150The enemy will tell you you're being silly88300:31:21.150 --> 00:31:23.810and crazy, but you're going to do it88400:31:23.810 --> 00:31:25.310and you're going to make it through.88500:31:26.010 --> 00:31:27.330The good news is you live in New88600:31:27.330 --> 00:31:27.690York City.88700:31:27.750 --> 00:31:30.690So if you're muttering on the subway, there's88800:31:30.690 --> 00:31:31.650enough crazy people.88900:31:31.810 --> 00:31:33.210They'll just think you're part of the NYC.89000:31:33.370 --> 00:31:33.470Amen.89100:31:33.590 --> 00:31:34.370No one's going to look at you.89200:31:34.470 --> 00:31:36.690Strangely, you might have half the car all89300:31:36.690 --> 00:31:37.210to yourself.89400:31:37.330 --> 00:31:39.050There's benefits to talking to yourself.89500:31:45.640 --> 00:31:47.280But when I'm going through it, I am89600:31:47.280 --> 00:31:47.980not quiet.89700:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.980And you know what a secret is, is89800:31:50.980 --> 00:31:52.300that when you're not going through it, still89900:31:52.300 --> 00:31:53.080don't be quiet.90000:31:53.360 --> 00:31:55.080But now, now you're not defensive.90100:31:55.080 --> 00:31:57.140Now you're actually offensive and you're speaking and90200:31:57.140 --> 00:31:58.260actually making headway.90300:31:59.640 --> 00:32:01.380But you got to be like David who90400:32:01.380 --> 00:32:03.580encouraged himself in the Lord when they were90500:32:03.580 --> 00:32:05.080about to stone him.90600:32:06.260 --> 00:32:08.480Now this is something I got to, this90700:32:08.480 --> 00:32:13.460is something that practically I don't see too90800:32:13.460 --> 00:32:16.300many Christians doing, but you got to be90900:32:16.300 --> 00:32:17.200one of those that does.91000:32:18.020 --> 00:32:19.700You got to be a speaking spirit.91100:32:21.260 --> 00:32:21.660Hallelujah.91200:32:23.500 --> 00:32:25.680You know why I said specifically speaking spirit?91300:32:25.760 --> 00:32:27.100Because when you look into the Hebrew, when91400:32:27.100 --> 00:32:29.980God made Adam and the Bible says he91500:32:29.980 --> 00:32:32.180made him a living soul in the Hebrew,91600:32:32.300 --> 00:32:36.040there's the connotation speaking spirit because God is91700:32:36.040 --> 00:32:36.980a speaking spirit.91800:32:37.080 --> 00:32:40.140And he created the entire universe with God91900:32:40.140 --> 00:32:43.280said, God said, God said he created with92000:32:43.280 --> 00:32:43.780his words.92100:32:43.960 --> 00:32:45.260And then he didn't do it this with92200:32:45.260 --> 00:32:47.540any of the animals or the angels, but92300:32:47.540 --> 00:32:51.020he made man a speaking spirit with the92400:32:51.020 --> 00:32:54.080divine image on him and the divine ability92500:32:54.080 --> 00:32:55.840to co-create with him with the words92600:32:55.840 --> 00:32:56.380of his mouth.92700:32:58.280 --> 00:33:00.620So don't start, don't stop speaking.92800:33:01.600 --> 00:33:07.020Number five, do not refuse isolation.92900:33:08.340 --> 00:33:10.820Ecclesiastes chapter four, verse nine through 10.93000:33:12.660 --> 00:33:14.480And I think it doesn't matter whether you're93100:33:14.480 --> 00:33:16.460an introvert or an extrovert when the going93200:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.400really gets tough.93300:33:17.740 --> 00:33:22.700People like to isolate like a fox or93400:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.140a cat.93500:33:23.300 --> 00:33:24.960There's other animals, but I know a fox93600:33:24.960 --> 00:33:27.500or a cat in particular, when they're wounded,93700:33:27.560 --> 00:33:30.560when they're hurting, they just move away.93800:33:30.600 --> 00:33:32.920They isolate, they go into a bush, lie93900:33:32.920 --> 00:33:34.980down, either heal up or pass.94000:33:35.620 --> 00:33:37.100And people are a lot of times like94100:33:37.100 --> 00:33:37.400that.94200:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.780You know, you guys, those of you who94300:33:40.780 --> 00:33:43.160aren't actually Christians and involved in other Christians94400:33:43.160 --> 00:33:43.540lives.94500:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.640And you'll notice when somebody starts going through94600:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.860it, all of a sudden, we're so-and94700:33:48.860 --> 00:33:49.480-so I don't know.94800:33:50.340 --> 00:33:51.360Well, they missed a Sunday.94900:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.120Oh, it could be nothing.95000:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.200Then they missed two Sundays.95100:33:53.400 --> 00:33:54.480Then are they, did they come to life95200:33:54.480 --> 00:33:54.700group?95300:33:54.800 --> 00:33:54.940No.95400:33:55.240 --> 00:33:56.240Oh, what's going on?95500:33:56.460 --> 00:33:58.340And then, and then, and then it's always95600:33:58.340 --> 00:33:59.560the weirdest answer.95700:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.460The same answer.95800:34:01.020 --> 00:34:02.780Well, I was really going through it.95900:34:03.020 --> 00:34:04.120So I just wanted to be alone.96000:34:05.100 --> 00:34:06.340Well, how did that work out for you?96100:34:06.380 --> 00:34:07.219Well, not so good.96200:34:07.300 --> 00:34:08.960That's why I'm back telling you about the96300:34:08.960 --> 00:34:12.440decision of how it doesn't work.96400:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.840I'm an only child.96500:34:16.860 --> 00:34:18.880That would explain a lot of my personality.96600:34:20.480 --> 00:34:22.120You're like, I knew there was something there.96700:34:22.120 --> 00:34:22.860Now I know.96800:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.980So I'm used to going at it alone.96900:34:26.260 --> 00:34:28.159Not only I'm an only child, but raised97000:34:28.159 --> 00:34:29.020in Forest Hills, Queens.97100:34:29.100 --> 00:34:30.620And by second grade, I was a latchkey97200:34:30.620 --> 00:34:31.620kid with my own keys.97300:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.219I'd come in.97400:34:33.080 --> 00:34:35.420I was hours alone before my parents came.97500:34:36.760 --> 00:34:38.440So I'm used to being alone.97600:34:40.360 --> 00:34:41.880I have no problem being alone.97700:34:42.540 --> 00:34:43.580Then I became a Christian.97800:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.600And when I would go through it, I97900:34:44.600 --> 00:34:45.920would try to do it alone.98000:34:47.159 --> 00:34:48.800Secretly, there was pride there.98100:34:49.920 --> 00:34:52.880Because, you know, my teenage mind, I kind98200:34:52.880 --> 00:34:55.360of saw myself probably with this pride, like,98300:34:55.860 --> 00:34:57.920I'm like another Moses.98400:34:59.040 --> 00:35:01.020I'm going to ascend the mountain of the98500:35:01.020 --> 00:35:01.980Lord by myself.98600:35:03.880 --> 00:35:07.240And when I come off that mountain, of98700:35:07.240 --> 00:35:09.540course, God, you'll get all the glory, but98800:35:09.540 --> 00:35:11.100I'm going to get some too.98900:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.740It'll be me and you.99000:35:14.680 --> 00:35:17.540I helped you out, but it never worked.99100:35:18.460 --> 00:35:20.300Every single one of my, I came through99200:35:20.300 --> 00:35:20.840it stories.99300:35:21.000 --> 00:35:23.060There's a whole cast of characters, whether you99400:35:23.060 --> 00:35:25.740hear about a whole cast of characters that99500:35:25.740 --> 00:35:26.940helped me get through it.99600:35:27.900 --> 00:35:29.720Do not isolate yourself.99700:35:29.820 --> 00:35:32.080We saw what isolation does back in 2020,99800:35:32.080 --> 00:35:35.740when people became very mentally and emotionally unhealthy99900:35:35.740 --> 00:35:37.940when they were isolating during COVID.100000:35:38.620 --> 00:35:40.960And I say that, that's my pastoral polite100100:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.200way.100200:35:41.300 --> 00:35:44.480They became emotionally and mentally unhealthy.100300:35:44.900 --> 00:35:46.820What really happened is they done lost their100400:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.320minds.100500:35:53.800 --> 00:35:55.760Do not disappear when you're bleeding.100600:35:57.420 --> 00:35:59.320A lot of times people disappear because they100700:35:59.320 --> 00:36:00.300feel unlovely.100800:36:03.240 --> 00:36:05.680Just get around people, the right kind of100900:36:05.680 --> 00:36:08.320people, though, not the unsaved people.101000:36:09.140 --> 00:36:11.800The Bible says that you won't prosper.101100:36:12.220 --> 00:36:13.520You won't be blessed when you're in the101200:36:13.520 --> 00:36:16.500council of the unGodly, but get around people101300:36:16.500 --> 00:36:18.240who believe that Jesus is Lord.101400:36:18.540 --> 00:36:20.200People who've given their lives to him.101500:36:20.380 --> 00:36:22.080You're not going to find quote unquote perfect101600:36:22.080 --> 00:36:24.800people, but they're people who named the name101700:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.380of Christ.101800:36:25.900 --> 00:36:28.220Get around them, just being around them.101900:36:28.660 --> 00:36:29.800It'll strengthen you.102000:36:30.100 --> 00:36:32.340That's why we have these home groups, these102100:36:32.340 --> 00:36:33.880life groups that have just begun.102200:36:34.040 --> 00:36:35.620If you're not a part of a life102300:36:35.620 --> 00:36:37.420group, you have to make, be a part102400:36:37.420 --> 00:36:37.880of one.102500:36:41.320 --> 00:36:41.800Hallelujah.102600:36:46.420 --> 00:36:47.620Learn to love people.102700:36:48.940 --> 00:36:49.660All right.102800:36:49.720 --> 00:36:53.180We all have different personalities and we all102900:36:53.180 --> 00:36:55.960know, this is okay to say, we all103000:36:55.960 --> 00:36:57.940know some Christians are weird.103100:37:00.380 --> 00:37:01.680Church is a hospital.103200:37:02.120 --> 00:37:02.880All right.103300:37:04.220 --> 00:37:05.760And so you can't get upset.103400:37:05.880 --> 00:37:08.140Hey, there's some patients in the hospital.103500:37:09.040 --> 00:37:11.220There's some like people who still seem like103600:37:11.220 --> 00:37:13.000they're work in progress in the hospital.103700:37:13.520 --> 00:37:13.620Yeah.103800:37:15.120 --> 00:37:17.540So not only, but listen to this though,103900:37:17.640 --> 00:37:20.120not only are we a church of weirdos,104000:37:20.680 --> 00:37:25.340but we've got over 50 nations represented at104100:37:25.340 --> 00:37:26.180CityLight Church.104200:37:26.640 --> 00:37:29.280So we got people from different cultures, different104300:37:29.280 --> 00:37:32.660countries, different jobs, all.104400:37:33.260 --> 00:37:36.080So you're not going to instantly be besties104500:37:36.080 --> 00:37:37.800with every single person in your life group104600:37:37.800 --> 00:37:38.580is what I'm saying.104700:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.920That shouldn't matter.104800:37:41.480 --> 00:37:42.700Will there be some weird people?104900:37:42.820 --> 00:37:44.180It wouldn't be a life group if they're105000:37:44.180 --> 00:37:44.440not.105100:37:46.200 --> 00:37:47.400And that, no, but I'm saying this because105200:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.500that used to bother me.105300:37:48.640 --> 00:37:49.000Right.105400:37:49.080 --> 00:37:50.240I used to be like, Oh Lord, how105500:37:50.240 --> 00:37:51.000are we going to grow?105600:37:52.720 --> 00:37:54.660When in this life group, there's so-and105700:37:54.660 --> 00:37:55.940-so in that life group, they're going to105800:37:55.940 --> 00:37:57.840like everybody that I pray for days for105900:37:57.840 --> 00:37:59.320you to bring to us five new people106000:37:59.320 --> 00:38:01.660and they run them out faster than you're106100:38:01.660 --> 00:38:02.340bringing them in.106200:38:03.180 --> 00:38:04.720Lord heal that person, please.106300:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.640Or I will.106400:38:08.220 --> 00:38:09.700And the Lord, the Lord had to just,106500:38:10.100 --> 00:38:12.360I got, I got, don't worry about the106600:38:12.360 --> 00:38:12.880cosmetics.106700:38:13.140 --> 00:38:14.500Don't worry about how you appear.106800:38:14.700 --> 00:38:16.620And you just love people.106900:38:16.860 --> 00:38:19.460You love them where they're at and actually107000:38:19.460 --> 00:38:20.400accept people.107100:38:20.540 --> 00:38:23.140So you're not going to get perfection anywhere107200:38:23.140 --> 00:38:25.140you go, but what you're going to get107300:38:25.140 --> 00:38:27.180at least nine out of 10 times is107400:38:27.180 --> 00:38:27.780a Christian.107500:38:29.900 --> 00:38:31.740Cause not everybody who comes to CityLight,107600:38:31.800 --> 00:38:32.800by the way, is a Christian.107700:38:32.800 --> 00:38:35.000It would be terrible if everybody was, how107800:38:35.000 --> 00:38:37.560would we get everybody saved or anybody saved?107900:38:37.900 --> 00:38:40.020A healthy church has people who are looking,108000:38:40.180 --> 00:38:40.920who are lost.108100:38:41.400 --> 00:38:42.580We're trying to figure it out.108200:38:42.700 --> 00:38:43.760They'll be at life group too.108300:38:44.160 --> 00:38:45.340You're welcome to come.108400:38:45.420 --> 00:38:49.180You should come, but be around believers.108500:38:49.360 --> 00:38:50.120They will strengthen you.108600:38:50.180 --> 00:38:50.860Don't do it alone.108700:38:50.960 --> 00:38:51.160Amen.108800:38:52.460 --> 00:38:57.420Number six, surrender control completely.108900:38:58.820 --> 00:39:00.240This is a big step.109000:39:01.020 --> 00:39:05.580Proverbs 16, nine, stop focusing on just the109100:39:05.580 --> 00:39:06.060outcome.109200:39:06.720 --> 00:39:08.820You're not responsible for the outcome.109300:39:08.960 --> 00:39:12.940You're responsible to be obedient, not the outcome.109400:39:14.100 --> 00:39:15.840Part of the reason why you may be109500:39:15.840 --> 00:39:18.380exhausted is that control is very exhausting.109600:39:18.960 --> 00:39:25.700If you're fatigued, can I, can I do109700:39:25.700 --> 00:39:28.220a little confession here as is my custom?109800:39:28.980 --> 00:39:30.920Cause it seems like the more I say109900:39:30.920 --> 00:39:33.480things that are embarrassing to me, the better110000:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.160the church does.110100:39:34.420 --> 00:39:40.080So I am naturally prone to control because110200:39:40.080 --> 00:39:41.280I was an only child.110300:39:41.740 --> 00:39:43.020I watch how my kids are growing up.110400:39:43.080 --> 00:39:43.820You know what I used to do?110500:39:43.880 --> 00:39:44.960I used to have Star Wars figures.110600:39:45.500 --> 00:39:46.460I liked Star Wars.110700:39:47.280 --> 00:39:48.760I GI Joe figures didn't like him as110800:39:48.760 --> 00:39:51.540much, but Star Wars, Transformers, later Legos.110900:39:52.140 --> 00:39:54.400And when I would play with them, you111000:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.800know, I'd create a story in my head.111100:39:56.400 --> 00:39:57.740My parents still remind me of this and111200:39:57.740 --> 00:39:58.340tease me about it.111300:39:58.360 --> 00:40:00.060I'd create, you know, a story and then111400:40:00.060 --> 00:40:00.680I would leave them.111500:40:00.700 --> 00:40:01.800Let's say I'm being called for lunch.111600:40:02.040 --> 00:40:03.820I would leave them and go for hours111700:40:03.820 --> 00:40:05.960and come back and then continue the story.111800:40:06.800 --> 00:40:08.440Like there was a commercial break.111900:40:10.160 --> 00:40:12.160Sometimes I would leave them for days and112000:40:12.160 --> 00:40:13.480come back and they were just there.112100:40:13.540 --> 00:40:15.600But what I'm saying is the figures were112200:40:15.600 --> 00:40:17.000just how I left them.112300:40:17.820 --> 00:40:18.480You know why?112400:40:18.900 --> 00:40:20.380Cause I didn't have a brother or sister112500:40:20.380 --> 00:40:23.340to come and go, or just start playing112600:40:23.340 --> 00:40:25.020and continue my story.112700:40:27.120 --> 00:40:28.880And I look at my kids, even though112800:40:28.880 --> 00:40:30.580they're four years apart, one's a boy, one's112900:40:30.580 --> 00:40:30.860a girl.113000:40:31.180 --> 00:40:32.360There's no way they're doing that.113100:40:32.900 --> 00:40:34.260And I didn't even have my own.113200:40:34.360 --> 00:40:35.780I didn't have my own room till the113300:40:35.780 --> 00:40:36.280fifth grade.113400:40:36.880 --> 00:40:38.580Slept on the floor on a mattress next113500:40:38.580 --> 00:40:39.240to my parents.113600:40:40.440 --> 00:40:41.500But I still had that.113700:40:41.560 --> 00:40:42.440I'd find a corner in the house.113800:40:42.500 --> 00:40:43.180They have their own rooms.113900:40:43.240 --> 00:40:43.760Doesn't matter.114000:40:44.080 --> 00:40:45.300And kids, you got to respect each other.114100:40:45.320 --> 00:40:45.720It doesn't matter.114200:40:45.820 --> 00:40:46.500One is playing the other one.114300:40:46.620 --> 00:40:50.380And they will mess up the story.114400:40:51.040 --> 00:40:53.440So because of that, because I had this114500:40:53.440 --> 00:40:57.520control over my environment, I've been told by114600:40:57.520 --> 00:41:02.960some that I could, I could tend, tend114700:41:02.960 --> 00:41:04.840to be a little controlling.114800:41:05.740 --> 00:41:08.020You know, I'm just, I like, I like114900:41:08.020 --> 00:41:10.820my T's not just crossed, but crossed how115000:41:10.820 --> 00:41:11.820I like to cross them.115100:41:13.420 --> 00:41:15.180And early on, you know, the Lord came115200:41:15.180 --> 00:41:16.420to me and said, you can, you can115300:41:16.420 --> 00:41:18.800have a church where you have total control.115400:41:18.800 --> 00:41:20.400It'll be very, very small and you'll have115500:41:20.400 --> 00:41:21.080total control.115600:41:21.440 --> 00:41:23.360Or you can have a large growing church115700:41:23.360 --> 00:41:24.480and be out of control pick.115800:41:24.620 --> 00:41:26.860And I went, ah, okay.115900:41:29.100 --> 00:41:30.400But it's this way.116000:41:31.940 --> 00:41:33.240It's this way in life.116100:41:33.340 --> 00:41:34.980There has to be a part where you116200:41:34.980 --> 00:41:36.060give up control.116300:41:36.520 --> 00:41:37.440You start small.116400:41:37.720 --> 00:41:38.860You got to start small because you don't116500:41:38.860 --> 00:41:40.080trust him enough to do it all at116600:41:40.080 --> 00:41:40.380once.116700:41:40.380 --> 00:41:44.280But as you see that he's trustworthy, you116800:41:44.280 --> 00:41:47.660will then give more and more control over116900:41:47.660 --> 00:41:48.120to him.117000:41:48.300 --> 00:41:48.740Hallelujah.117100:41:50.240 --> 00:41:50.680Hallelujah.117200:41:52.380 --> 00:41:52.820Hallelujah.117300:41:53.060 --> 00:41:53.860And he did this work.117400:41:53.960 --> 00:41:55.240That's why when we went through COVID, I117500:41:55.240 --> 00:41:56.580was able to make it through COVID with117600:41:56.580 --> 00:41:57.060a smile.117700:41:57.560 --> 00:41:59.780Because if you were like bent on controlling117800:41:59.780 --> 00:42:01.740everything, you ended up in a mental asylum117900:42:01.740 --> 00:42:02.380during COVID.118000:42:03.020 --> 00:42:04.000You had no control.118100:42:05.580 --> 00:42:08.380Especially as I'm speaking specifically in New York118200:42:08.380 --> 00:42:08.640city.118300:42:10.420 --> 00:42:12.840I could elaborate more on that, but let's118400:42:12.840 --> 00:42:14.160not go there again.118500:42:15.700 --> 00:42:18.840Control is exhausting, but trust is stabilizing.118600:42:18.900 --> 00:42:20.600And when you, when you release the focus118700:42:20.600 --> 00:42:25.020on the outcome, that anxiety, it loses its118800:42:25.020 --> 00:42:25.580oxygen.118900:42:25.980 --> 00:42:27.720Number seven, this is important.119000:42:28.300 --> 00:42:30.280Remember who you are.119100:42:30.840 --> 00:42:31.300Yes.119200:42:32.840 --> 00:42:39.860Second Corinthians 4.16. In 2009, November of119300:42:39.860 --> 00:42:42.0202009, I went through one of the most119400:42:42.020 --> 00:42:43.960difficult seasons of my life.119500:42:44.680 --> 00:42:48.840My former pastor, Pastor Tom Hollahan, the pastor119600:42:48.840 --> 00:42:50.020I had while I was in college in119700:42:50.020 --> 00:42:52.660Long Island, he came and lived with me119800:42:52.660 --> 00:42:53.460for a month.119900:42:53.920 --> 00:42:55.120It was very, very difficult.120000:42:55.280 --> 00:42:56.480I could not preach.120100:42:57.280 --> 00:42:58.500You say, it seems like you always like120200:42:58.500 --> 00:43:00.180take off when you're having a difficult time.120300:43:00.620 --> 00:43:02.480You have no idea how many times I've120400:43:02.480 --> 00:43:04.720preached during difficult times.120500:43:05.180 --> 00:43:05.420Amen.120600:43:05.840 --> 00:43:07.400But I mean, I could not preach.120700:43:07.500 --> 00:43:08.320I could not eat.120800:43:08.740 --> 00:43:09.880I could not anything.120900:43:10.020 --> 00:43:11.660I was flatlining.121000:43:13.020 --> 00:43:16.380And he spent, he loved me enough to121100:43:16.380 --> 00:43:18.900live with me during the saddest, sorriest state121200:43:18.900 --> 00:43:19.520of my life.121300:43:19.880 --> 00:43:21.800And he's just like a natural encourager.121400:43:21.900 --> 00:43:23.700And on the 30th day, when he had121500:43:23.700 --> 00:43:27.260to go back to Florida, he called me121600:43:27.260 --> 00:43:27.700broski.121700:43:28.040 --> 00:43:29.440That's why now, I just thought it was121800:43:29.440 --> 00:43:33.260like, you know, I'm like in my early121900:43:33.260 --> 00:43:33.680thirties.122000:43:33.760 --> 00:43:35.840He's in his mid fifties and he's from122100:43:35.840 --> 00:43:36.480Long Island.122200:43:36.640 --> 00:43:36.800Right.122300:43:37.100 --> 00:43:38.060And he calls me broski.122400:43:38.140 --> 00:43:39.660I thought it was the weirdest, most antiquated122500:43:39.660 --> 00:43:40.800thing to call someone.122600:43:41.500 --> 00:43:42.980So now if I ever call you broski,122700:43:43.080 --> 00:43:44.420it's because I really like you, because I122800:43:44.420 --> 00:43:45.760think it's such a hilarious term.122900:43:47.280 --> 00:43:48.420And he puts his hand on my shoulder123000:43:48.420 --> 00:43:53.340and says, listen, broski, you're forgetting who you123100:43:53.340 --> 00:43:53.680are.123200:43:53.880 --> 00:43:55.180Don't forget who you are.123300:43:55.980 --> 00:43:56.640And it's true.123400:43:56.700 --> 00:43:59.780Cause I could just see myself in light123500:43:59.780 --> 00:44:00.560of my failure.123600:44:00.720 --> 00:44:02.380I could just see myself in light of123700:44:02.380 --> 00:44:03.540my present situation.123800:44:04.080 --> 00:44:05.520And he, he saw it.123900:44:05.740 --> 00:44:08.440He, he would pump me up all the124000:44:08.440 --> 00:44:08.840time.124100:44:09.420 --> 00:44:10.900I thought, you know, he'd be like, you124200:44:10.900 --> 00:44:11.440are anointed.124300:44:11.740 --> 00:44:13.240You got a gift to preach.124400:44:13.500 --> 00:44:14.920You got, you know, God has done a124500:44:14.920 --> 00:44:15.640deep work in you.124600:44:15.840 --> 00:44:17.340I thought, you know how, when you have124700:44:17.340 --> 00:44:20.140kids, and sometimes, you know, you give them124800:44:20.140 --> 00:44:22.120a compliment, but you know, you're hamming it124900:44:22.120 --> 00:44:22.740up a little bit.125000:44:23.340 --> 00:44:24.800Are we allowed to say that we should125100:44:24.800 --> 00:44:26.500be allowed to, you know, like they draw125200:44:26.500 --> 00:44:28.720something and it's, it's a good drawing, but125300:44:28.720 --> 00:44:29.880you act like it's a Rembrandt.125400:44:29.960 --> 00:44:33.340Oh, this is, this is going right on125500:44:33.340 --> 00:44:34.700my refrigerator forever.125600:44:35.300 --> 00:44:35.940This is awesome.125700:44:36.020 --> 00:44:37.340I thought he was doing that to me,125800:44:37.500 --> 00:44:40.660but he was actually now in retrospect, he125900:44:40.660 --> 00:44:42.600was serious, but I couldn't see it.126000:44:42.640 --> 00:44:44.020I could just see myself in light of126100:44:44.020 --> 00:44:44.840my situation.126200:44:45.680 --> 00:44:47.340And then when he left, that's what echoed126300:44:47.340 --> 00:44:47.720in my head.126400:44:47.720 --> 00:44:49.020Don't forget who you are.126500:44:49.240 --> 00:44:50.360What did he mean by that?126600:44:50.420 --> 00:44:51.100I know who I am.126700:44:51.160 --> 00:44:52.540I didn't forget who I am, but I126800:44:52.540 --> 00:44:52.820did.126900:44:53.680 --> 00:44:55.820I did not even my accomplishments.127000:44:55.860 --> 00:44:59.520That's nothing, but who we are something we127100:44:59.520 --> 00:45:00.460all share in common.127200:45:00.560 --> 00:45:03.140When you're going through it, you tend to127300:45:03.140 --> 00:45:05.840see yourself in light of your situation, in127400:45:05.840 --> 00:45:08.840light of the crisis, your crisis, your situation,127500:45:08.920 --> 00:45:10.620your hard time does not define you.127600:45:10.760 --> 00:45:12.160It is not who you are.127700:45:12.340 --> 00:45:14.340You are a child of God.127800:45:14.380 --> 00:45:17.040First and foremost, you are beloved of the127900:45:17.040 --> 00:45:17.500father.128000:45:17.980 --> 00:45:20.620You are holy and accepted in the beloved.128100:45:20.980 --> 00:45:22.680You have been made perfect in him.128200:45:23.400 --> 00:45:25.020You are a saint of God.128300:45:25.240 --> 00:45:27.320You have an inheritance with God.128400:45:28.200 --> 00:45:30.740Remind yourself who you are and don't forget128500:45:30.740 --> 00:45:31.540who you are.128600:45:31.820 --> 00:45:33.200It's the same way when you fall in128700:45:33.200 --> 00:45:33.500sin.128800:45:34.120 --> 00:45:35.000Oh, I lied.128900:45:35.560 --> 00:45:36.600The devil says you're a liar.129000:45:36.720 --> 00:45:37.680No, I'm not a liar.129100:45:37.780 --> 00:45:38.920I'm a Christian who lied.129200:45:41.750 --> 00:45:43.490You can apply that with any sin.129300:45:43.790 --> 00:45:46.070You are not, don't make your identity around129400:45:46.070 --> 00:45:46.510the sin.129500:45:46.850 --> 00:45:48.590Don't make your identity around the crisis.129600:45:50.250 --> 00:45:50.690Hallelujah.129700:45:51.090 --> 00:45:52.870Therefore, we do not lose heart even though129800:45:52.870 --> 00:45:55.870our outward man is perishing, yet the inward129900:45:55.870 --> 00:45:59.090man is being renewed day by day.130000:45:59.290 --> 00:46:02.210So hard seasons will attack your identity, but130100:46:02.210 --> 00:46:03.590you are not your fatigue.130200:46:04.350 --> 00:46:05.870You are not your setback.130300:46:06.330 --> 00:46:08.130You are not your current weakness.130400:46:08.630 --> 00:46:11.290The inward man can still thrive and be130500:46:11.290 --> 00:46:14.110strong while the outward situation shakes.130600:46:14.230 --> 00:46:14.970Can you say amen?130700:46:16.290 --> 00:46:16.830Amen.130800:46:17.350 --> 00:46:18.330Number eight.130900:46:20.150 --> 00:46:23.610The point is found in James chapters 1131000:46:23.610 --> 00:46:25.010verses 2 through 3.131100:46:25.790 --> 00:46:28.370Now let me just say this and confess131200:46:28.370 --> 00:46:31.170to you that of all the encouraging things131300:46:31.170 --> 00:46:33.010that Christians tell you when you're really going131400:46:33.010 --> 00:46:35.490through it and suffering, this one was my131500:46:35.490 --> 00:46:36.110least favorite.131600:46:36.290 --> 00:46:37.790In fact, this one would make me angry131700:46:40.260 --> 00:46:42.020because it starts off good, right?131800:46:42.240 --> 00:46:44.320My brethren, count it all joy when you131900:46:44.320 --> 00:46:46.300fall into various trials and you're like, yeah,132000:46:46.740 --> 00:46:47.020yeah.132100:46:47.700 --> 00:46:50.000What good thing am I going to get132200:46:50.000 --> 00:46:53.980out of this dump truck fest of excrement132300:46:53.980 --> 00:46:55.660that I'm going through right now?132400:46:57.400 --> 00:46:58.100Count it all joy.132500:46:58.120 --> 00:46:58.300Really?132600:46:58.360 --> 00:46:59.100What do I get out of it?132700:46:59.180 --> 00:46:59.920Show me.132800:47:01.020 --> 00:47:01.840What's in verse three?132900:47:03.360 --> 00:47:07.600Knowing that the testing of your faith produces133000:47:07.600 --> 00:47:08.220what?133100:47:10.380 --> 00:47:11.060Patience.133200:47:11.860 --> 00:47:13.720That never got me excited.133300:47:13.900 --> 00:47:15.580If it got you excited, congratulations.133400:47:15.780 --> 00:47:20.760You're a very holy, very, very just eternity133500:47:20.760 --> 00:47:21.980minded individual.133600:47:22.800 --> 00:47:26.080But when you feel like your intestines are133700:47:26.080 --> 00:47:28.540coming out of your nostrils and the promises,133800:47:28.540 --> 00:47:30.300hey, you'll have more patience afterwards.133900:47:30.520 --> 00:47:32.340That was never that exciting for me.134000:47:33.400 --> 00:47:36.320But that's because I didn't understand what biblical134100:47:36.320 --> 00:47:37.320patience is.134200:47:38.060 --> 00:47:40.140Because my only introduction to the word patience134300:47:40.140 --> 00:47:41.700was like, I'm like, mom, are the cookies134400:47:41.700 --> 00:47:42.000ready?134500:47:42.240 --> 00:47:42.680Patience.134600:47:42.960 --> 00:47:43.780Are the cookies ready?134700:47:43.980 --> 00:47:44.460Patience.134800:47:45.860 --> 00:47:48.720Patience, biblical patience is not the ability to134900:47:48.720 --> 00:47:49.180wait.135000:47:50.760 --> 00:47:51.240Hallelujah.135100:47:52.280 --> 00:47:58.380Patience equals a steady, immovable endurance under pressure.135200:47:59.460 --> 00:48:03.020Patience is the spirit, the Holy Spirit formed135300:48:03.020 --> 00:48:08.960ability to remain steady, faithful, and unshaken under135400:48:08.960 --> 00:48:14.900prolonged pressure without quitting, collapsing, or compromising.135500:48:15.480 --> 00:48:18.940So why does one need this supernatural ability135600:48:18.940 --> 00:48:20.820to not compromise, not cave in?135700:48:21.040 --> 00:48:23.420Because what God wants to get to you135800:48:23.420 --> 00:48:25.700will require broad shoulders.135900:48:28.080 --> 00:48:28.560Hallelujah.136000:48:28.560 --> 00:48:30.580I feel CityLight is alive.136100:48:31.160 --> 00:48:32.800I feel the anointing right now.136200:48:32.900 --> 00:48:34.580I see him moving in our church.136300:48:34.940 --> 00:48:37.400I know he has plans for us.136400:48:38.080 --> 00:48:39.400What's he waiting on?136500:48:40.040 --> 00:48:42.440For something else to be formed in us.136600:48:43.160 --> 00:48:44.480Our job is not to just be like,136700:48:44.560 --> 00:48:45.700okay, we're waiting on you, Lord.136800:48:45.760 --> 00:48:47.120No, he's waiting on us to get with136900:48:47.120 --> 00:48:47.900the program.137000:48:48.260 --> 00:48:50.520And as we give way to his molding,137100:48:50.620 --> 00:48:52.060his shaping, we're going to enter more and137200:48:52.060 --> 00:48:53.020more into our destiny.137300:48:53.380 --> 00:48:55.200But I've never been as convinced as I137400:48:55.200 --> 00:48:56.220am right now that we are in the137500:48:56.220 --> 00:48:58.120perfect center of his perfect will.137600:48:58.320 --> 00:48:59.660And there's going to be some things that137700:48:59.660 --> 00:49:02.220he does that really surprise us, but we're137800:49:02.220 --> 00:49:03.060right on schedule.137900:49:03.260 --> 00:49:03.500Amen.138000:49:04.800 --> 00:49:06.380That's not really how I say schedule.138100:49:06.460 --> 00:49:07.480I felt extra fancy.138200:49:10.890 --> 00:49:11.370Hallelujah.138300:49:17.600 --> 00:49:26.900So embrace, embrace the trial and embrace what138400:49:26.900 --> 00:49:27.960he's forming in you.138500:49:30.540 --> 00:49:32.240If you're going through it right now, you138600:49:32.240 --> 00:49:33.660probably want to throw your shoe at me.138700:49:35.420 --> 00:49:37.660You're half encouraged and half angry at this138800:49:37.660 --> 00:49:37.920point.138900:49:39.920 --> 00:49:41.840But you'll know what I mean once you're139000:49:41.840 --> 00:49:42.060out.139100:49:42.220 --> 00:49:42.400Amen.139200:49:43.860 --> 00:49:46.520Number nine, this is a very important point.139300:49:46.520 --> 00:49:49.200I say that like the other eight weren't139400:49:49.200 --> 00:49:49.520really.139500:49:50.860 --> 00:49:57.940Number nine is found in Ephesians 6, verse139600:49:57.940 --> 00:49:58.40013.139700:50:00.560 --> 00:50:01.800Here's the number nine.139800:50:03.260 --> 00:50:04.560Just stand.139900:50:05.340 --> 00:50:07.560Yes, God is a God of movement.140000:50:07.960 --> 00:50:09.160God is a God of promotion.140100:50:09.620 --> 00:50:10.760God is a God of increase.140200:50:11.900 --> 00:50:13.380That's what he wants to do in your140300:50:13.380 --> 00:50:13.660life.140400:50:13.760 --> 00:50:15.540But there are seasons when you're under the140500:50:15.540 --> 00:50:18.180gun, when you're suffering, where you're not going140600:50:18.180 --> 00:50:19.200to make any progress.140700:50:19.380 --> 00:50:20.360So what's the victory?140800:50:20.700 --> 00:50:22.420The victory in those times is just to140900:50:22.420 --> 00:50:25.720not regress, not to retreat, not to go141000:50:25.720 --> 00:50:26.160backwards.141100:50:26.600 --> 00:50:28.200Just stand.141200:50:28.780 --> 00:50:29.180Hallelujah.141300:50:30.020 --> 00:50:31.600So if you're going through and you're like,141400:50:31.620 --> 00:50:32.980I don't feel like anything's happening.141500:50:33.060 --> 00:50:34.360My question to you is, are you standing?141600:50:34.500 --> 00:50:35.640Yes, you're winning.141700:50:36.340 --> 00:50:38.320You're winning in that you're not retreating.141800:50:38.540 --> 00:50:39.560Just stand.141900:50:40.020 --> 00:50:41.920Therefore take up the whole armor of God142000:50:41.920 --> 00:50:43.580that you may be able to withstand an142100:50:43.580 --> 00:50:44.240evil day.142200:50:44.760 --> 00:50:47.480And having done all just stand.142300:50:47.700 --> 00:50:47.860Amen.142400:50:48.900 --> 00:50:50.840Sometimes victory is not advancing.142500:50:51.020 --> 00:50:53.200It's just not moving backward.142600:50:54.200 --> 00:50:54.600Hallelujah.142700:50:55.200 --> 00:50:55.980And number 10.142800:50:57.120 --> 00:50:58.600And we're going to be closing up and142900:50:58.600 --> 00:51:01.680receiving communion shortly after this.143000:51:03.320 --> 00:51:06.460Number 10 is believe that glory is on143100:51:06.460 --> 00:51:07.360the other side.143200:51:07.920 --> 00:51:11.660Romans 8.18. Here's what the Apostle Paul143300:51:11.660 --> 00:51:12.160says.143400:51:12.320 --> 00:51:15.240For I consider that the sufferings of this143500:51:15.240 --> 00:51:19.960present time are not worthy to be compared143600:51:19.960 --> 00:51:23.180with the glory which shall be revealed in143700:51:23.180 --> 00:51:23.480us.143800:51:23.800 --> 00:51:25.980We also read in Hebrews, we just read143900:51:25.980 --> 00:51:29.220that as point number one, that Jesus endured144000:51:29.220 --> 00:51:31.500the cross for the joy that was set144100:51:31.500 --> 00:51:32.080before him.144200:51:32.660 --> 00:51:34.480What was the pain of the cross?144300:51:35.200 --> 00:51:36.640Have you ever read one of those medical144400:51:36.640 --> 00:51:37.840accounts of crucifixion?144500:51:37.940 --> 00:51:38.280You should.144600:51:39.420 --> 00:51:41.640I read those, you know, when you were144700:51:41.640 --> 00:51:44.480a teenager in the faith in the 90s,144800:51:44.520 --> 00:51:46.120at some point in youth group, some youth144900:51:46.120 --> 00:51:47.460pastor was going to go through the whole145000:51:47.460 --> 00:51:49.220crucifixion from a physical perspective.145100:51:49.680 --> 00:51:52.520And from a physical perspective, it's one of145200:51:52.520 --> 00:51:54.300the most gruesome.145300:51:55.900 --> 00:51:57.900All right, guys, just when I said that,145400:51:57.920 --> 00:51:59.720I didn't mean like, right, you're scaring me.145500:51:59.720 --> 00:52:03.000I feel like the end time soldiers are145600:52:03.000 --> 00:52:06.460going, oh, I appreciate the militancy.145700:52:06.680 --> 00:52:08.020Man, you guys are good and efficient.145800:52:08.180 --> 00:52:08.700Just hang on.145900:52:09.960 --> 00:52:10.840Communion was ready.146000:52:14.740 --> 00:52:16.140I wasn't even prepping you.146100:52:16.200 --> 00:52:18.500I was just letting the people know like146200:52:18.500 --> 00:52:19.780there's going to be communion.146300:52:23.820 --> 00:52:25.380Thank you, Jesus.146400:52:25.580 --> 00:52:26.180Where was I?146500:52:27.520 --> 00:52:35.000The crucifixion, the crucifixion, the physical pain is146600:52:35.000 --> 00:52:35.600immense.146700:52:38.000 --> 00:52:40.840Jesus was never, I believe, concerned about the146800:52:40.840 --> 00:52:43.560physical pain when he actually, the moment had146900:52:43.560 --> 00:52:44.880anxiety about it.147000:52:45.000 --> 00:52:46.780And he cried out, if it's possible, let147100:52:46.780 --> 00:52:47.860this cup pass for me.147200:52:48.500 --> 00:52:51.920Because the spiritual pain was way greater than147300:52:51.920 --> 00:52:52.760the physical pain.147400:52:52.860 --> 00:52:54.220You say, what spiritual pain?147500:52:55.820 --> 00:52:57.920That he would, for the first time in147600:52:57.920 --> 00:53:00.380history, be separated from God the Father.147700:53:00.460 --> 00:53:02.080You say he was separated from God the147800:53:02.080 --> 00:53:02.260Father?147900:53:02.400 --> 00:53:02.620Yes.148000:53:03.020 --> 00:53:06.240He who knew no sin was made sin148100:53:06.240 --> 00:53:07.160for us.148200:53:08.080 --> 00:53:10.640God the Son, Jesus Christ was made into148300:53:10.640 --> 00:53:11.040sin.148400:53:11.580 --> 00:53:13.280He took on the nature of Satan.148500:53:13.720 --> 00:53:15.260He took on the nature of sin.148600:53:15.260 --> 00:53:17.060He became a cursed thing.148700:53:17.300 --> 00:53:19.000You know, I've had people go, how could148800:53:19.000 --> 00:53:21.260you call my Lord, really, Lord and Savior148900:53:21.260 --> 00:53:21.800cursed?149000:53:22.980 --> 00:53:24.320I'm not calling him that.149100:53:24.500 --> 00:53:26.480The Bible says cursed is anyone who hangs149200:53:26.480 --> 00:53:26.940on a tree.149300:53:27.400 --> 00:53:29.580He became a curse so you could be149400:53:29.580 --> 00:53:29.760blessed.149500:53:29.840 --> 00:53:32.780Some people, they view everything through emotions.149600:53:33.460 --> 00:53:34.800Oh, that makes me feel uncomfortable.149700:53:36.360 --> 00:53:38.160I'm so glad the Bible really doesn't care149800:53:38.160 --> 00:53:38.780how you feel.149900:53:39.240 --> 00:53:41.040The Bible cares about what's true.150000:53:41.920 --> 00:53:43.920This emotional person, how could you call my150100:53:43.920 --> 00:53:45.620Lord and Savior a curse?150200:53:45.720 --> 00:53:46.960I'm not saying present day.150300:53:47.040 --> 00:53:47.860He became that.150400:53:48.420 --> 00:53:49.540He became a curse.150500:53:50.460 --> 00:53:52.140And he cried out, my God, my God,150600:53:52.180 --> 00:53:53.540why have you forsaken me?150700:53:55.100 --> 00:53:57.300He's not forsaken now, but in that moment150800:53:57.300 --> 00:54:02.540as he became sin, what was previously consistent150900:54:02.540 --> 00:54:05.660fellowship, consistent connection to the Father was severed151000:54:06.720 --> 00:54:09.460so that your connection to the Father would151100:54:09.460 --> 00:54:10.260never be severed.151200:54:11.300 --> 00:54:12.840He became cursed so you could be blessed.151300:54:12.940 --> 00:54:14.280He became sin so you could be the151400:54:14.280 --> 00:54:15.380righteousness of God.151500:54:15.860 --> 00:54:16.300Hallelujah.151600:54:17.420 --> 00:54:19.120But that's what the pain was.151700:54:19.960 --> 00:54:21.760That's what he dreaded in that moment in151800:54:21.760 --> 00:54:22.200the garden.151900:54:22.680 --> 00:54:24.620But the Bible says for the joy set152000:54:24.620 --> 00:54:26.500before him, he endured the cross.152100:54:26.620 --> 00:54:28.620So he saw, you know what he saw?152200:54:28.800 --> 00:54:29.780He saw you.152300:54:30.380 --> 00:54:31.580He saw your face.152400:54:32.020 --> 00:54:33.520He knew that you would come to the152500:54:33.520 --> 00:54:36.240faith, that you would be born again, that152600:54:36.240 --> 00:54:37.380you would join him in heaven.152700:54:37.700 --> 00:54:40.300And for the joy of the family of152800:54:40.300 --> 00:54:43.220God being drawn from all four corners of152900:54:43.220 --> 00:54:45.620the earth, he gave his life a ransom153000:54:45.620 --> 00:54:46.140for many.153100:54:46.680 --> 00:54:47.080Hallelujah.153200:54:47.520 --> 00:54:50.180So know that what you're going through, there153300:54:50.180 --> 00:54:52.060actually is a prize at the end.153400:54:52.840 --> 00:54:53.060Amen.153500:54:54.200 --> 00:54:54.860There is.153600:55:05.300 --> 00:55:06.780There is a light at the end of153700:55:06.780 --> 00:55:07.140the tunnel.153800:55:08.540 --> 00:55:10.140And you must know that it's not a153900:55:10.140 --> 00:55:10.580freight train.154000:55:12.460 --> 00:55:13.440It's sunshine.154100:55:16.510 --> 00:55:16.930Hallelujah.154200:55:22.810 --> 00:55:23.250Hallelujah.154300:55:23.250 --> 00:55:23.690Hallelujah.154400:55:26.570 --> 00:55:27.010Hallelujah.154500:55:28.850 --> 00:55:30.770I just like every head bowed, every eye154600:55:30.770 --> 00:55:31.170closed.154700:55:33.390 --> 00:55:35.350I want you to know the present pain154800:55:35.970 --> 00:55:37.030what you're going through.154900:55:37.090 --> 00:55:38.710It may not feel like it's temporary, but155000:55:38.710 --> 00:55:39.350it's temporary.155100:55:40.850 --> 00:55:43.470And your future assured glory is permanent.155200:55:45.810 --> 00:55:47.390This hard time is just a chapter in155300:55:47.390 --> 00:55:49.510your book, but victory is your destiny.155400:55:52.150 --> 00:55:54.050But right now with every head bowed, every155500:55:54.050 --> 00:55:55.690eye closed, I want to give everyone an155600:55:55.690 --> 00:55:59.670opportunity to receive Jesus as their Lord and155700:55:59.670 --> 00:55:59.970Savior.155800:56:00.150 --> 00:56:01.290I want to ask you a question.155900:56:01.550 --> 00:56:03.570If you were to die today, God forbid,156000:56:03.770 --> 00:56:04.710but if you were to die, do you156100:56:04.710 --> 00:56:07.050know for certain, beyond a shadow of a156200:56:07.050 --> 00:56:08.090doubt, that you would go to heaven?156300:56:09.410 --> 00:56:10.910The Bible says you can know.156400:56:11.830 --> 00:56:13.250I want to lead you in a prayer156500:56:13.250 --> 00:56:15.170where you make Jesus your Lord and Savior.156600:56:15.570 --> 00:56:18.790You trust in him for his righteousness and156700:56:18.790 --> 00:56:20.270you ask him to forgive you your sins.156800:56:23.390 --> 00:56:27.030The can't answer with a resounding, confident yes,156900:56:27.350 --> 00:56:29.810I want you to lift your hand up157000:56:29.810 --> 00:56:30.670at the count of three.157100:56:31.110 --> 00:56:32.390So the question is, do you know for157200:56:32.390 --> 00:56:34.310certain if you were to die today that157300:56:34.310 --> 00:56:35.010you would go to heaven?157400:56:36.170 --> 00:56:37.990If you want your sins forgiven and you157500:56:37.990 --> 00:56:40.050want to know Jesus on the count of157600:56:40.050 --> 00:56:41.070three, raise your hand.157700:56:41.210 --> 00:56:43.850One, two, three, lift up your hand.157800:56:44.030 --> 00:56:44.550Thank you.157900:56:44.730 --> 00:56:45.250Thank you.158000:56:45.650 --> 00:56:46.230Thank you.158100:56:46.350 --> 00:56:46.790Thank you.158200:56:46.950 --> 00:56:47.850Thank you, sir.158300:56:47.970 --> 00:56:48.530Who else?158400:56:50.450 --> 00:56:50.930Yeah.158500:56:51.070 --> 00:56:52.030Thank you, Jesus.158600:56:53.690 --> 00:56:54.290Thank you.158700:56:54.370 --> 00:56:55.210Anybody else?158800:56:56.850 --> 00:56:57.330All right.158900:56:57.350 --> 00:56:58.750We're all going to pray together now.159000:56:59.590 --> 00:57:02.930What we're going to pray is a prayer159100:57:02.930 --> 00:57:05.870where you acknowledge his Lordship over your life159200:57:05.870 --> 00:57:11.630and you acknowledge his crucifixion and resurrection and159300:57:11.630 --> 00:57:13.050eternal life is your portion.159400:57:13.050 --> 00:57:14.170You say, what must I do?159500:57:14.230 --> 00:57:15.050What must I do?159600:57:15.370 --> 00:57:16.450It's not, what must I do?159700:57:16.510 --> 00:57:17.970It's what I must believe.159800:57:19.510 --> 00:57:21.370So let's all pray this prayer together.159900:57:22.170 --> 00:57:23.670Those of you who raised your hands, though,160000:57:23.690 --> 00:57:25.010I want you to be extra loud.160100:57:25.150 --> 00:57:26.590Sometimes people who raise their hands are really160200:57:26.590 --> 00:57:28.130feeling it and then they're silent.160300:57:28.750 --> 00:57:29.470Say it extra loud.160400:57:29.570 --> 00:57:33.130Say this, dear Lord Jesus, I believe in160500:57:33.130 --> 00:57:33.390you.160600:57:34.110 --> 00:57:37.230I believe you died on the cross in160700:57:37.230 --> 00:57:38.290my place.160800:57:38.930 --> 00:57:40.630I repent of my sin.160900:57:41.150 --> 00:57:43.570I receive you as my Lord and Savior.161000:57:44.830 --> 00:57:48.050I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus.161100:57:49.090 --> 00:57:53.490I'm adopted into the family of God and161200:57:53.490 --> 00:57:54.710I am a friend of God.161300:57:55.570 --> 00:57:57.090Fill me with your Holy Spirit.161400:57:57.830 --> 00:58:00.670Be my Lord and lead me in the161500:58:00.670 --> 00:58:01.530way I should go.161600:58:01.530 --> 00:58:05.750In Jesus name, amen.161700:58:07.170 --> 00:58:07.610Hallelujah.161800:58:12.390 --> 00:58:12.830Hallelujah.161900:58:12.830 --> 00:58:15.310Now, those of you who raised your hands,162000:58:15.870 --> 00:58:17.790fill out a connection card and let us162100:58:17.790 --> 00:58:18.130know.162200:58:18.250 --> 00:58:19.530You say, I was coming back to the162300:58:19.530 --> 00:58:19.690Lord.162400:58:19.850 --> 00:58:20.530Let us know.162500:58:20.930 --> 00:58:21.990Ask some questions.162600:58:22.650 --> 00:58:24.110We don't have, we're not Jehovah's witnesses.162700:58:24.390 --> 00:58:26.590We don't have a team of unpaid elders162800:58:26.590 --> 00:58:27.730that we're going to send to your house162900:58:27.730 --> 00:58:28.150now.163000:58:31.030 --> 00:58:32.790Because they have to work 20 hours a163100:58:32.790 --> 00:58:33.790week or they don't make heaven.163200:58:35.170 --> 00:58:35.890So great.163300:58:36.050 --> 00:58:37.890I got to tell you, our staff budget163400:58:37.890 --> 00:58:40.030would be halved if we had that system.163500:58:40.110 --> 00:58:42.630Really nice system to save money.163600:58:43.090 --> 00:58:44.830But no, we have a biblical system.163700:58:46.370 --> 00:58:48.010And so, and also we don't believe in163800:58:48.010 --> 00:58:48.890control and manipulation.163900:58:49.270 --> 00:58:51.590So, in other words, we can't run after164000:58:51.590 --> 00:58:51.870you.164100:58:52.350 --> 00:58:53.970You have to meet us halfway.164200:58:54.450 --> 00:58:55.750You have to let us know, hey, I164300:58:55.750 --> 00:58:56.070exist.164400:58:56.250 --> 00:58:56.710I'm alive.164500:58:56.790 --> 00:58:57.950My name is Susie and I was in164600:58:57.950 --> 00:58:58.510that service.164700:58:58.810 --> 00:59:00.050And then we can reach out.164800:59:00.450 --> 00:59:02.370And we're not going to, we're actually almost164900:59:02.370 --> 00:59:04.210too careful to not invade your life.165000:59:04.730 --> 00:59:06.230We'll reach out to how much you open165100:59:06.230 --> 00:59:06.630the door.165200:59:07.030 --> 00:59:08.670So, if you want us to help, open165300:59:08.670 --> 00:59:09.390the door wide.165400:59:09.770 --> 00:59:10.890If you want us to help a little,165500:59:11.310 --> 00:59:12.350you know, you keep the chain on the165600:59:12.350 --> 00:59:12.470door.165700:59:12.530 --> 00:59:14.110You'll be like, hey, I have two questions,165800:59:14.190 --> 00:59:14.750then that's it.165900:59:15.730 --> 00:59:17.390Keep the granny chain on the door, you166000:59:17.390 --> 00:59:17.570know.166100:59:19.450 --> 00:59:20.630But fill out a card.166200:59:20.750 --> 00:59:21.750You say, what should I do next?166300:59:21.830 --> 00:59:22.950Be a part of a life group.166400:59:23.170 --> 00:59:24.310Keep coming every Sunday.166500:59:24.650 --> 00:59:25.890Make some Christian friends.166600:59:26.230 --> 00:59:28.510May the second, get baptized.166700:59:28.850 --> 00:59:30.170I'm already excited about May.166800:59:30.250 --> 00:59:31.770That's the first Saturday in May.166900:59:31.950 --> 00:59:33.190We're having baptisms.167000:59:33.370 --> 00:59:35.770I'm excited about our baby girl who at167100:59:35.770 --> 00:59:37.970just seven years old can't stop talking about167200:59:37.970 --> 00:59:38.550baptisms.167300:59:40.290 --> 00:59:42.090She loves Jesus so much.167400:59:43.830 --> 00:59:45.730So, make a decision to get baptized.167500:59:46.050 --> 00:59:47.170You say, but I just got saved.167600:59:47.270 --> 00:59:47.710Exactly.167700:59:47.850 --> 00:59:49.490You're late to get baptized if you're getting167800:59:49.490 --> 00:59:50.550baptized May the second.167900:59:50.770 --> 00:59:51.970Sorry, pardon our lateness.168000:59:53.470 --> 00:59:54.490Let's hand out communion.168100:59:56.630 --> 01:00:00.070When you receive communion, hang on to the168201:00:00.070 --> 01:00:04.410elements and we'll all receive the elements together.168301:00:08.300 --> 01:00:11.940I'm going to do my 1990s and 2000s168401:00:11.940 --> 01:00:12.520talk show.168501:00:13.380 --> 01:00:15.080How you do that, I'm going to record168601:00:15.080 --> 01:00:15.900it and that's going to be in a168701:00:15.900 --> 01:00:18.280training video for all communion handing out.168801:00:19.360 --> 01:00:22.900All right, somebody tell me what happens during168901:00:22.900 --> 01:00:23.340communion.169001:00:24.580 --> 01:00:25.800What should be happening?169101:00:26.640 --> 01:00:27.400Any takers?169201:00:28.480 --> 01:00:29.760Like what are we thinking about?169301:00:29.840 --> 01:00:30.720What is the point?169401:00:31.760 --> 01:00:33.340You can just say a sentence or shout169501:00:33.340 --> 01:00:34.280it out if you don't want me to169601:00:34.280 --> 01:00:35.600shove a microphone in your face.169701:00:35.780 --> 01:00:38.720The blood of Jesus.169801:00:39.480 --> 01:00:41.500We're focusing on the blood of Jesus.169901:00:41.820 --> 01:00:42.400What else?170001:00:42.520 --> 01:00:43.540What is the benefit?170101:00:43.540 --> 01:00:47.160You know, that song, I think it's from170201:00:47.160 --> 01:00:47.760the 80s.170301:00:48.600 --> 01:00:50.300What have you done for me lately?170401:00:56.260 --> 01:00:59.560Seems like an ugly, carnal, selfish song, but170501:00:59.560 --> 01:01:01.220it is a fair question to ask.170601:01:02.640 --> 01:01:04.460Since secretly, that's what you're all thinking about.170701:01:04.960 --> 01:01:05.740Like I need to teach.170801:01:05.760 --> 01:01:07.320I haven't taught on finances in ages.170901:01:08.600 --> 01:01:10.900I need to teach on finances and there's171001:01:10.900 --> 01:01:12.220always one or two people who get upset.171101:01:12.220 --> 01:01:13.280Why do you talk about money?171201:01:13.500 --> 01:01:14.100Well, I'm sorry.171301:01:14.700 --> 01:01:17.060You spend 99% of your time chasing171401:01:17.060 --> 01:01:19.060this thing so you cannot die on planet171501:01:19.060 --> 01:01:19.340earth.171601:01:19.700 --> 01:01:20.540This thing called money.171701:01:20.900 --> 01:01:22.060And I want to give you a biblical171801:01:22.060 --> 01:01:22.680perspective.171901:01:22.820 --> 01:01:23.480You get upset.172001:01:23.940 --> 01:01:25.760Yet you spend 99% of your life172101:01:25.760 --> 01:01:27.560chasing it in one form or another.172201:01:27.600 --> 01:01:27.840Amen.172301:01:28.260 --> 01:01:29.180So it's important.172401:01:29.880 --> 01:01:32.220So what else is important is understanding what172501:01:32.220 --> 01:01:33.220is the benefit.172601:01:33.400 --> 01:01:33.940You got it.172701:01:33.960 --> 01:01:34.640It's not selfish.172801:01:35.020 --> 01:01:37.080The scripture says, bless the Lord.172901:01:37.120 --> 01:01:37.860Oh, my soul.173001:01:38.200 --> 01:01:39.840And don't forget about any of benefits.173101:01:41.080 --> 01:01:43.400And when you see a Christian struggling, oftentimes173201:01:43.400 --> 01:01:44.880they haven't read the fine print.173301:01:45.000 --> 01:01:46.300They don't know the Benny package.173401:01:47.040 --> 01:01:48.440You get a job, you check out those173501:01:48.440 --> 01:01:48.800benefits.173601:01:49.000 --> 01:01:51.080Ooh, look, they pay for my gym membership.173701:01:51.260 --> 01:01:52.720Ooh, health insurance.173801:01:52.860 --> 01:01:53.260Wow.173901:01:53.820 --> 01:01:55.620And so many people don't know the benefits174001:01:55.620 --> 01:01:56.400of Christianity.174101:01:56.520 --> 01:01:58.060They don't know the benefits of communion.174201:01:58.700 --> 01:01:59.840There is a purpose.174301:02:00.580 --> 01:02:02.860That's why Satan has attacked communion and oftentimes174401:02:02.860 --> 01:02:05.000made it the most depressing time during a174501:02:05.000 --> 01:02:05.640church service.174601:02:06.130 --> 01:02:08.520But it's not supposed to bring depression and174701:02:08.520 --> 01:02:08.900sadness.174801:02:09.340 --> 01:02:10.900This is God's medicine.174901:02:11.840 --> 01:02:13.080This is God's victory.175001:02:14.900 --> 01:02:18.220Communion is us partaking is the phrase Paul175101:02:18.220 --> 01:02:18.460used.175201:02:18.860 --> 01:02:20.260We're partaking of Christ.175301:02:20.440 --> 01:02:20.980What does that mean?175401:02:21.320 --> 01:02:23.380We're partaking of his victory.175501:02:24.720 --> 01:02:29.500We're reaffirming the covenant and the covenant says175601:02:30.120 --> 01:02:31.240he is with you.175701:02:31.600 --> 01:02:33.920The covenant says all your sins are forgiven.175801:02:34.320 --> 01:02:36.060The covenant says you have victory.175901:02:36.420 --> 01:02:38.240The covenant says you are healed.176001:02:38.340 --> 01:02:40.320You're not the sick trying to get healed.176101:02:40.480 --> 01:02:42.020You are the healed of the Lord.176201:02:42.480 --> 01:02:44.680You are the prosperous of the Lord.176301:02:45.160 --> 01:02:46.960So examine yourself.176401:02:47.840 --> 01:02:48.960What do I examine myself?176501:02:49.380 --> 01:02:52.340What part of your life does not look176601:02:52.340 --> 01:02:55.300like the reality of what Jesus did for176701:02:55.300 --> 01:02:55.840your life?176801:02:55.840 --> 01:02:58.960So the reality is your cup is so176901:02:58.960 --> 01:02:59.720overflowing.177001:03:00.520 --> 01:03:01.220You're blessed.177101:03:01.760 --> 01:03:02.500You're healthy.177201:03:02.940 --> 01:03:03.540You're whole.177301:03:03.740 --> 01:03:05.540That's what your life should look like.177401:03:05.900 --> 01:03:07.980And if it doesn't examine yourself.177501:03:08.380 --> 01:03:10.440Oh, look, there's a gap between where I'm177601:03:10.440 --> 01:03:12.400at right now and what the Lord promised177701:03:12.400 --> 01:03:12.620me.177801:03:12.920 --> 01:03:15.900And trust as you receive communion, he closes177901:03:15.900 --> 01:03:16.640that gap.178001:03:16.740 --> 01:03:17.640Is this making sense?178101:03:18.420 --> 01:03:18.980Hallelujah.178201:03:19.940 --> 01:03:22.540He will fill up whatever is lacking on178301:03:22.540 --> 01:03:23.100your part.178401:03:24.600 --> 01:03:26.260So if you need healing in your body,178501:03:26.400 --> 01:03:27.820go ahead and eat to your healing.178601:03:28.240 --> 01:03:29.540If you need healing in your bank account,178701:03:29.660 --> 01:03:31.360go ahead and eat to your prosperity.178801:03:31.660 --> 01:03:32.980You need healing in your emotions.178901:03:33.320 --> 01:03:36.600Receive soul restoration as you partake of Jesus.179001:03:36.900 --> 01:03:39.880This is not an empty rote religious thing.179101:03:40.440 --> 01:03:41.920This is the power of God.179201:03:42.760 --> 01:03:44.560So go ahead and partake of the body179301:03:44.560 --> 01:03:46.480of Jesus that was bruised for you.179401:03:47.220 --> 01:03:49.120And go ahead and partake of the blood179501:03:49.120 --> 01:03:52.580of Jesus that was shed for you and179601:03:52.580 --> 01:03:56.100receive all of the benefits of the cross179701:03:56.100 --> 01:03:57.840and resurrection of Jesus Christ.179801:04:09.840 --> 01:04:10.520Hallelujah.179901:04:21.680 --> 01:04:22.360Hallelujah.180001:04:24.850 --> 01:04:25.490Hallelujah.180101:04:28.940 --> 01:04:30.860Man, he has made me glad.180201:04:31.320 --> 01:04:32.400He has made me glad.180301:04:33.680 --> 01:04:37.100I will rejoice for he has made me180401:04:37.100 --> 01:04:37.480glad.180501:04:39.140 --> 01:04:40.060Thank you, Lord.180601:04:43.280 --> 01:04:44.200Thank you, Jesus.180701:04:46.360 --> 01:04:46.700Hallelujah.180801:04:49.510 --> 01:04:49.990Hallelujah.180901:04:52.370 --> 01:04:53.230Thank you, Lord.181001:04:54.770 --> 01:04:56.410Well, we're going to honor the Lord with181101:04:56.410 --> 01:04:57.470our tithes and offerings.181201:04:59.110 --> 01:05:00.190Thank you, Jesus.181301:05:03.140 --> 01:05:07.900I was just watching a service where I181401:05:07.900 --> 01:05:09.700saw something I haven't seen in many years.181501:05:09.840 --> 01:05:11.360The buckets were being passed out.181601:05:13.440 --> 01:05:15.340And it's only been like six, seven years181701:05:15.340 --> 01:05:16.400that we haven't had buckets.181801:05:16.400 --> 01:05:19.200But it reminded me of, wow, we used181901:05:19.200 --> 01:05:20.080to do the bucket thing.182001:05:23.040 --> 01:05:24.860And I guess the bucket thing is for182101:05:24.860 --> 01:05:26.320people who want to give cash because most182201:05:26.320 --> 01:05:27.920people give digitally now.182301:05:28.760 --> 01:05:31.660Of course, COVID expedited that with contactless giving.182401:05:32.840 --> 01:05:34.320But then I thought about how funny that182501:05:34.320 --> 01:05:34.540was.182601:05:34.680 --> 01:05:36.300I told my dad, by the way, who182701:05:36.300 --> 01:05:37.020hates the offering.182801:05:39.820 --> 01:05:40.780He's got a long way to go.182901:05:40.780 --> 01:05:42.760But my dad was the offering.183001:05:42.840 --> 01:05:43.560He was like the demons.183101:05:47.240 --> 01:05:48.820I said, we got rid of the buckets.183201:05:48.960 --> 01:05:49.560Oh, good.183301:05:49.600 --> 01:05:50.780I always hated those buckets.183401:05:53.960 --> 01:05:54.180Right?183501:05:54.220 --> 01:05:55.440Because it is a weird thing.183601:05:55.540 --> 01:05:57.280And then, like, let's say you're giving digitally.183701:05:58.880 --> 01:06:00.340People set up automatic giving.183801:06:01.500 --> 01:06:03.660People have given on the way to service183901:06:03.660 --> 01:06:05.100because you can give at any time, really,184001:06:05.860 --> 01:06:06.940now that it's so easy.184101:06:07.340 --> 01:06:08.900And then maybe you don't, you always pass184201:06:08.900 --> 01:06:09.340the bucket.184301:06:09.680 --> 01:06:11.180And you're like, man, maybe everyone thinks, maybe184401:06:11.180 --> 01:06:13.660pastors staring right at me, thinking I never184501:06:13.660 --> 01:06:13.980give.184601:06:14.100 --> 01:06:15.400Meanwhile, I'm one of the biggest givers in184701:06:15.400 --> 01:06:17.480the church, but I give anonymously and digitally.184801:06:19.960 --> 01:06:21.620What's the point of anything that I'm saying?184901:06:21.800 --> 01:06:23.400My point is that you're giving unto the185001:06:23.400 --> 01:06:23.680Lord.185101:06:25.900 --> 01:06:28.600And you're giving with no strings attached.185201:06:30.160 --> 01:06:33.560But always have your faith that your harvest185301:06:33.560 --> 01:06:37.480is coming and that your giving creates prosperity185401:06:37.480 --> 01:06:38.100in your life.185501:06:40.140 --> 01:06:42.120I feel like that old psalmist who said,185601:06:42.200 --> 01:06:43.580I once was young and now I'm old,185701:06:43.720 --> 01:06:46.060but I've never seen the righteous forsaken or185801:06:46.060 --> 01:06:47.240their seed begging bread.185901:06:47.900 --> 01:06:49.100It's fun being 50.186001:06:49.240 --> 01:06:50.540You have a lot more history to draw186101:06:50.540 --> 01:06:50.800from.186201:06:51.740 --> 01:06:53.040Now I'm 50 and I can go back.186301:06:53.080 --> 01:06:56.740Oh, nearly four decades of serving the Lord.186401:06:57.560 --> 01:06:58.680And so what have I learned?186501:06:58.760 --> 01:06:59.980Well, here's what I've learned, that the most186601:06:59.980 --> 01:07:02.580generous people I know are the most blessed186701:07:02.580 --> 01:07:03.240people I know.186801:07:03.660 --> 01:07:05.380They're the most alive people I know.186901:07:05.480 --> 01:07:07.080They have the most of the Zoe abundant187001:07:07.080 --> 01:07:07.840life of God.187101:07:08.960 --> 01:07:10.480I've shared with you my testimony.187201:07:10.720 --> 01:07:12.360Oh, for those of you willing and who187301:07:12.360 --> 01:07:14.780care enough to listen over and over again,187401:07:18.180 --> 01:07:20.740I've given things that at the time I187501:07:20.740 --> 01:07:21.700thought I was insane.187601:07:21.720 --> 01:07:23.860I should be locked up for giving only187701:07:23.860 --> 01:07:25.540to have the Lord show me that I187801:07:25.540 --> 01:07:28.240cannot give him that he will always get187901:07:28.240 --> 01:07:28.740me back.188001:07:32.050 --> 01:07:33.590So I just, because I love you.188101:07:33.610 --> 01:07:34.450I want to say this.188201:07:34.950 --> 01:07:36.910Don't be a scrawny Christian.188301:07:37.330 --> 01:07:40.050Don't be someone who's as a scrawny spirit188401:07:40.050 --> 01:07:42.410was always looking to see what they can188501:07:42.410 --> 01:07:42.690get.188601:07:43.190 --> 01:07:45.070When you start looking to see who you188701:07:45.070 --> 01:07:48.630can bless and how you can give, there'll188801:07:48.630 --> 01:07:56.600be such, such an overwhelming, overwhelming harvest.188901:07:58.240 --> 01:07:58.600Hallelujah.189001:08:05.460 --> 01:08:08.020You know, it was actually for me, I189101:08:08.020 --> 01:08:09.080had to shake this off for me.189201:08:09.140 --> 01:08:10.480It was getting a little embarrassing in the189301:08:10.480 --> 01:08:13.140last few months because for me, in my189401:08:13.140 --> 01:08:15.580head, there was always gifts for me here.189501:08:16.460 --> 01:08:17.260I was walking away.189601:08:17.340 --> 01:08:18.740I felt like, well, this is like one189701:08:18.740 --> 01:08:19.359of those weird church.189801:08:19.399 --> 01:08:22.180I'm always going with boxes and bags and,189901:08:23.060 --> 01:08:25.840and then I thought for the first 20190001:08:25.840 --> 01:08:29.840years, I never got any gifts, never got190101:08:29.840 --> 01:08:33.220a bag, hardly a card, nothing never talked190201:08:33.220 --> 01:08:35.479about it, but I didn't even notice it190301:08:35.479 --> 01:08:36.939until I started going back to my car190401:08:36.939 --> 01:08:38.840with bags and boxes to her.190501:08:38.880 --> 01:08:40.560Mom was thinking, man, Pastor Mo, can you190601:08:40.560 --> 01:08:42.140get me an armor bearer to carry the190701:08:42.140 --> 01:08:42.500bags?190801:08:44.970 --> 01:08:46.189Right, babe, you were a part of that.190901:08:46.250 --> 01:08:48.029It was just hardly a slap on the191001:08:48.029 --> 01:08:48.350back.191101:08:51.300 --> 01:08:54.779And then without me saying a word, people191201:08:54.779 --> 01:08:55.979just started blessing me.191301:08:58.439 --> 01:08:59.600And I went to the Lord about it.191401:08:59.620 --> 01:09:01.560And he said, well, you've sown when you191501:09:01.560 --> 01:09:03.720were getting no bags, no cards, no gifts,191601:09:04.500 --> 01:09:07.740no Pentecostal handshakes, you kept giving, you kept191701:09:07.740 --> 01:09:08.080giving.191801:09:09.560 --> 01:09:10.819And now your harvest is here.191901:09:12.520 --> 01:09:13.000Hallelujah.192001:09:14.310 --> 01:09:14.790Hallelujah.192101:09:15.470 --> 01:09:16.630And I just say that as just as192201:09:16.630 --> 01:09:17.630an anecdotal thing.192301:09:20.250 --> 01:09:22.370I pray for you that God will multiply192401:09:22.370 --> 01:09:27.290every seed sown, that your cup would overflow.192501:09:28.670 --> 01:09:30.330And that no matter what happens in the192601:09:30.330 --> 01:09:33.029world, you would financially increase more and more192701:09:33.029 --> 01:09:33.350and more.192801:09:34.870 --> 01:09:37.109And if you want prayer for anything at192901:09:37.109 --> 01:09:39.250all, the ministry team is in that blue193001:09:39.250 --> 01:09:40.090lit section.193101:09:41.450 --> 01:09:42.890And they would love to pray with you193201:09:42.890 --> 01:09:43.490and for you.193301:09:46.899 --> 01:09:48.479We're going to worship God with one more193401:09:48.479 --> 01:09:48.819song.193501:09:48.920 --> 01:09:49.620Let's all stand.193601:09:49.720 --> 01:09:51.500And if you want prayer, once again, go193701:09:51.500 --> 01:09:53.040now to that blue lit section.193801:09:54.600 --> 01:09:58.620And the ministry team will love on you.193901:09:58.720 --> 01:10:00.160They will pray with you and for you.194001:10:00.200 --> 01:10:01.700The whole process can just take a couple194101:10:01.700 --> 01:10:02.160of minutes.194201:10:02.780 --> 01:10:04.300You might be, well, what should I expect?194301:10:05.600 --> 01:10:06.640I'm going for it.194401:10:06.660 --> 01:10:07.920Not the regular customers.194501:10:08.080 --> 01:10:09.820Now I'm going for that person who's heard194601:10:09.820 --> 01:10:11.960about this ministry team four times and has194701:10:11.960 --> 01:10:12.880never gone over there.194801:10:13.480 --> 01:10:13.980Go.194901:10:14.780 --> 01:10:15.900You won't regret it.195001:10:16.540 --> 01:10:18.780Go and have somebody else just lay hands195101:10:18.780 --> 01:10:19.820on you and pray with you.195201:10:20.240 --> 01:10:22.500There's an anointing and a power released through195301:10:22.500 --> 01:10:23.440the laying out of hands.195401:10:24.420 --> 01:10:25.780Have a blessed week.195501:10:25.980 --> 01:10:27.260Shout one more time with me a big195601:10:27.260 --> 01:10:28.280hallelujah to Jesus.195701:10:28.600 --> 01:10:29.120Hallelujah.195801:10:30.860 --> 01:10:32.420Be blessed CityLight.195901:10:33.280 --> 01:10:35.460This is the CityLight Church podcast.196001:10:36.060 --> 01:10:38.140If you've missed any part of today's message,196101:10:38.140 --> 01:10:39.540or if you would like to find out196201:10:39.540 --> 01:10:42.060more about Pastor Boyan Jancic and CityLight196301:10:42.060 --> 01:10:45.500Church, visit us at CityLightNYC.com.196401:10:45.740 --> 01:10:48.480That's CityLightNYC.com.196501:10:48.860 --> 01:10:50.940Feel free to visit us online or in196601:10:50.940 --> 01:10:51.720person anytime.196701:10:52.400 --> 01:10:54.020We would love to connect with you.196801:10:54.500 --> 01:10:56.800We pray that you have been encouraged today,196901:10:57.400 --> 01:10:59.300that you have been reminded how much God197001:10:59.300 --> 01:11:02.080loves you and that you are surrounded by197101:11:02.080 --> 01:11:02.520grace.197201:11:03.240 --> 01:11:04.060Thank you for listening.197301:11:04.620 --> 01:11:06.500Make sure that you subscribe to CityLight197401:11:06.500 --> 01:11:09.380Church podcast, wherever you find your favorite podcasts197501:11:09.380 --> 01:11:09.880worldwide.