Marcus Mecum - Stepping Into The Impossible

February 16, 2025 | S25:E7

Leaving an eternal legacy through the wisdom and life-changing truths from God’s Word.

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Marcus Mecum | Marcus Mecum - Stepping Into The Impossible | February 16, 2025
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  • >> hebrews 11, hebrews 11.
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  • >> hebrews 11, hebrews 11. i really did feel this morning
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  • I really did feel this morning when i woke up and began
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  • When i woke up and began to prepare for today,
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  • To prepare for today, i do feel like the lord
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  • I do feel like the lord gave me an assignment
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  • Gave me an assignment for this service,
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  • For this service, and specifically,
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  • And specifically, for those of you who
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  • For those of you who feel like you're facing
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  • Feel like you're facing something impossible.
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  • Something impossible. you had --
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  • You had -- you would say in an area
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  • You would say in an area of your life,
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  • Of your life, in a situation
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  • In a situation that you're facing,
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  • That you're facing, that phrase whether you say it
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  • That phrase whether you say it to somebody else or not,
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  • To somebody else or not, that phrase comes to mind.
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  • That phrase comes to mind. maybe it's even in
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  • Maybe it's even in your secret times where
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  • Your secret times where no one's around,
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  • No one's around, you would say,
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  • You would say, "it's impossible."
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  • "it's impossible." maybe it's an emotional thing
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  • Maybe it's an emotional thing that you're facing,
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  • That you're facing, a burden you're carrying.
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  • A burden you're carrying. it could be a family situation,
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  • It could be a family situation, a marital situation.
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  • A marital situation. it could even just be spiritual.
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  • It could even just be spiritual. sometimes, god feels like
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  • Sometimes, god feels like he's so distant and you
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  • He's so distant and you wanna serve him,
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  • Wanna serve him, you wanna love him,
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  • You wanna love him, but you just conclude
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  • But you just conclude in your mind something
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  • In your mind something is impossible.
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  • But i came with an assignment
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  • But i came with an assignment to push against all of that
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  • To push against all of that and i came to say that thing
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  • And i came to say that thing that seems impossible,
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  • That seems impossible, 'cause that's what
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  • 'cause that's what i'm gonna talk about,
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  • I'm gonna talk about, "stepping into
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  • "stepping into the impossibilities."
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  • The impossibilities." i wanna be the voice
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  • I wanna be the voice that helps you look at that
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  • That helps you look at that completely different.
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  • I want you to look at what
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  • I want you to look at what you say is impossible,
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  • You say is impossible, others say is impossible,
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  • Others say is impossible, and instead of joining
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  • And instead of joining the crowd saying, "retreat.
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  • The crowd saying, "retreat. quit.
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  • Quit. back out.
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  • Back out. don't move forward."
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  • Don't move forward." i want to be the one that says,
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  • I want to be the one that says, "you don't know what
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  • "you don't know what you're capable of.
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  • You're capable of. you don't know
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  • You don't know the possibilities that exist.
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  • The possibilities that exist. and really, you never truly know
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  • And really, you never truly know that until you step into that
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  • That until you step into that thing you think is impossible."
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  • So, hebrews 11 gives us
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  • So, hebrews 11 gives us the story of abraham,
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  • The story of abraham, the father of our faith,
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  • The father of our faith, and we'll begin
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  • And we'll begin reading in verse 8.
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  • Reading in verse 8. and give me some time
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  • Because i got several verses
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  • To read here.
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  • It says, "by faith abraham,
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  • When he was called to go
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  • To a place he would later
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  • Receive as his inheritance,
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  • He obeyed and he went,
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  • Even though he did not know
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  • Even though he did not know where he was going.
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  • Where he was going. by faith he made his home in
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  • By faith he made his home in a promised land like a stranger
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  • A promised land like a stranger in a foreign country.
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  • In a foreign country. he lived in tents,
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  • He lived in tents, as did isaac and jacob,
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  • As did isaac and jacob, who were both heirs with him
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  • Who were both heirs with him of the same promise.
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  • Of the same promise. for he was looking forward
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  • For he was looking forward to the city whose foundations,
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  • To the city whose foundations, and whose architect,
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  • And whose architect, and builder is god.
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  • And builder is god. and by faith even sarah,
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  • Who was past childbearing age,
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  • Was enabled to bear children
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  • Because she considered him
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  • Faithful that had promised.
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  • And so, from one man,
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  • As good as dead,
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  • Came descendants as numerous
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  • As the stars are in the sky
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  • And as countless as
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  • The sand on the seashore.
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  • All these people were still
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  • Living by faith when they died.
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  • They did not receive
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  • They did not receive the things promised.
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  • The things promised. they only saw them
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  • They only saw them and welcomed them
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  • And welcomed them from a distance,
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  • From a distance, admitting that they were
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  • Admitting that they were foreigners in a strange earth.
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  • Foreigners in a strange earth. people who say such things
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  • People who say such things should be looking for
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  • Should be looking for a country not their own.
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  • A country not their own. if they had been thinking
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  • If they had been thinking of the country they had left,
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  • Of the country they had left, they would have had
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  • They would have had the opportunity to return."
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  • The opportunity to return." they could have turned back.
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  • They could have turned back. "instead, they were longing
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  • "instead, they were longing for a better country,
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  • A heavenly one.
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  • Therefore, god is not ashamed
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  • To be called their god,
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  • For he has prepared
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  • A city for them."
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  • Amen.
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  • Amen. so, the scripture here
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  • So, the scripture here walks us through
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  • Walks us through the great chapter of faith.
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  • The great chapter of faith. it introduces us to people
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  • It introduces us to people one after another that
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  • One after another that had heard from god.
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  • Had heard from god. they spoke with the lord
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  • They spoke with the lord in some area of their life
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  • In some area of their life or another and he would
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  • Or another and he would challenge them as god does
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  • Challenge them as god does to go beyond where
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  • To go beyond where they had previously been.
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  • They had previously been. he was pushing them
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  • He was pushing them into a new place.
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  • Into a new place. and it's almost as though god
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  • And it's almost as though god considers it a negative thing
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  • Considers it a negative thing when we stay in the same place.
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  • When we stay in the same place. now, i'm not speaking about
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  • Now, i'm not speaking about being uncommitted.
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  • Being uncommitted. a lot of people would
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  • A lot of people would see this as their excuse
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  • See this as their excuse to be uncommitted.
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  • To be uncommitted. i'm not talking about that
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  • I'm not talking about that you should be committed
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  • You should be committed to your family,
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  • To your family, your relationships,
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  • Your relationships, your church.
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  • However, when god speaks
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  • However, when god speaks about moving from
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  • About moving from one place to another,
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  • One place to another, he's really speaking
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  • He's really speaking about levels.
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  • About levels. overused is that word,
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  • Overused is that word, is think of it as a phase.
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  • Is think of it as a phase. that god has you in a phase
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  • That god has you in a phase and the purpose of that phase
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  • And the purpose of that phase is to grow and mature you.
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  • Is to grow and mature you. and then, once you're done
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  • With that phase, or that level,
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  • With that phase, or that level, he moves you to a new one
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  • He moves you to a new one and the idea each
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  • And the idea each and every phase or level
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  • And every phase or level you go through is god
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  • You go through is god is going to meet you there
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  • Is going to meet you there and challenge you there.
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  • And challenge you there. it will be, many times,
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  • It will be, many times, more than you think
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  • More than you think you can bear.
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  • You can bear. he'll help you increase
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  • He'll help you increase your capacity through
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  • Your capacity through great levels of pain,
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  • Great levels of pain, great levels of discomfort,
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  • Great levels of discomfort, because he wants you to grow.
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  • Because he wants you to grow. and when you decide to not
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  • And when you decide to not stay where you're at,
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  • Stay where you're at, when you decide,
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  • When you decide, "okay, i'm ready to move
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  • "okay, i'm ready to move into this new phase,
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  • Into this new phase, to move into this new level,"
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  • That decision is what
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  • The bible calls faith.
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  • Abraham, the bible said,
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  • Had to make a decision,
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  • "i can stay where i am,
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  • I can stay around the people
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  • I have always known,
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  • Or i can make the decision
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  • To leave what i've known,
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  • Leave the relationships
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  • That have kept me where i am
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  • Up to this point,
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  • And i can step out
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  • And i can step out into the unknown."
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  • Into the unknown." and when abraham does that,
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  • And when abraham does that, faith is activated.
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  • Faith is activated. and god says, "if you wanna know
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  • And god says, "if you wanna know what faith looks like,
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  • What faith looks like, instead of just giving you
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  • Instead of just giving you a bland explanation,
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  • A bland explanation, i'm going to give you a person.
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  • I'm going to give you a person. i'm gonna give you a man.
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  • I'm gonna give you a man. i'm gonna put some flesh
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  • I'm gonna put some flesh on this idea of faith."
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  • On this idea of faith." and god said,
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  • And god said, "so, when you wanna know
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  • "so, when you wanna know what faith is like,
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  • What faith is like, i want you to go to abraham,"
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  • I want you to go to abraham," because he's the father
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  • Because he's the father of our faith,
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  • Of our faith, he's the father of this idea,
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  • He's the father of this idea, and watch how god worked
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  • And watch how god worked in his life.
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  • In his life. many times, god will put
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  • Many times, god will put a dream in your heart.
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  • A dream in your heart. god will put something in you
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  • God will put something in you where you know you have
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  • Where you know you have to move forward,
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  • To move forward, but in order to get there,
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  • But in order to get there, you have to move and you
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  • You have to move and you have to decide,
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  • Have to decide, "i cannot hang on to
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  • "i cannot hang on to what i've always known
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  • What i've always known up to this point."
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  • Up to this point." and when you make that move,
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  • And when you make that move, it's what the bible calls faith.
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  • It's what the bible calls faith. now, abraham was not perfect.
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  • Now, abraham was not perfect. abraham made a lot of mistakes.
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  • Abraham made a lot of mistakes. abraham's life was filled with
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  • Failures, but yet, god said,
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  • Failures, but yet, god said, "i want to use abraham to show
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  • "i want to use abraham to show you what faith looks like."
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  • You what faith looks like." the first thing that it says
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  • The first thing that it says about abraham is that,
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  • About abraham is that, "he obeyed and went
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  • "he obeyed and went to a place of inheritance
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  • To a place of inheritance not knowing where he was going."
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  • So, the first thing
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  • So, the first thing you'll experience when
  • 00:08:03.690 --> 00:08:04.858
  • You'll experience when you step out in faith
  • 00:08:04.924 --> 00:08:06.993
  • You step out in faith is you will step into
  • 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:08.461
  • Is you will step into the realm of the unknown.
  • 00:08:08.528 --> 00:08:11.965
  • The realm of the unknown. you will step into something
  • 00:08:12.031 --> 00:08:13.833
  • You will step into something you have no previous experience
  • 00:08:13.900 --> 00:08:17.170
  • You have no previous experience on how to handle what it is
  • 00:08:17.237 --> 00:08:19.839
  • On how to handle what it is that god is asking you to do.
  • 00:08:19.906 --> 00:08:21.741
  • That god is asking you to do. "i can remember
  • 00:08:21.808 --> 00:08:23.076
  • "i can remember it's 20 years ago now.
  • 00:08:23.142 --> 00:08:25.478
  • It's 20 years ago now. sarah and i got in our car,
  • 00:08:25.545 --> 00:08:27.981
  • Sarah and i got in our car, and we had our two little girls,
  • 00:08:28.047 --> 00:08:29.582
  • And we had our two little girls, and we drove into this city,
  • 00:08:29.649 --> 00:08:32.652
  • And we drove into this city, 29 years old.
  • 00:08:32.719 --> 00:08:34.454
  • 29 years old. you've heard this story,
  • 00:08:34.521 --> 00:08:35.188
  • You've heard this story, many of you before,
  • 00:08:35.255 --> 00:08:36.222
  • Many of you before, with the idea of moving
  • 00:08:36.289 --> 00:08:38.324
  • With the idea of moving our family to a city that
  • 00:08:38.391 --> 00:08:40.960
  • Our family to a city that we had never been to before
  • 00:08:41.027 --> 00:08:43.763
  • We had never been to before to pastor people we had
  • 00:08:43.830 --> 00:08:44.964
  • To pastor people we had never met before.
  • 00:08:45.031 --> 00:08:46.900
  • Never met before. and i can remember
  • 00:08:46.966 --> 00:08:48.368
  • And i can remember the sense of not knowing
  • 00:08:48.434 --> 00:08:50.870
  • The sense of not knowing what was going to happen.
  • 00:08:50.937 --> 00:08:52.639
  • I can remember
  • 00:08:52.739 --> 00:08:53.973
  • I can remember the feeling of the unknown,
  • 00:08:54.040 --> 00:08:55.942
  • The feeling of the unknown, but i can remember
  • 00:08:56.009 --> 00:08:56.743
  • But i can remember telling sarah,
  • 00:08:56.809 --> 00:08:57.944
  • Telling sarah, as we crossed the bridge
  • 00:08:58.011 --> 00:08:59.646
  • As we crossed the bridge into northern kentucky,
  • 00:08:59.712 --> 00:09:02.115
  • Into northern kentucky, i can remember saying to her,
  • 00:09:02.181 --> 00:09:03.683
  • I can remember saying to her, "you know if we do this,
  • 00:09:03.750 --> 00:09:06.486
  • "you know if we do this, that we're going to have
  • 00:09:06.553 --> 00:09:07.987
  • That we're going to have to make the decision
  • 00:09:08.054 --> 00:09:09.355
  • To make the decision to give this city our life."
  • 00:09:09.422 --> 00:09:11.391
  • To give this city our life." we believe that when
  • 00:09:11.457 --> 00:09:13.626
  • We believe that when god calls you to a city,
  • 00:09:13.693 --> 00:09:16.296
  • God calls you to a city, one place is not the stepping
  • 00:09:16.362 --> 00:09:17.630
  • One place is not the stepping stone to another place.
  • 00:09:17.697 --> 00:09:20.066
  • We believe you have to give
  • 00:09:20.166 --> 00:09:22.001
  • We believe you have to give your life to that city
  • 00:09:22.068 --> 00:09:24.571
  • Your life to that city to see god do something.
  • 00:09:24.637 --> 00:09:25.805
  • To see god do something. because not only is it
  • 00:09:25.872 --> 00:09:27.273
  • Because not only is it going to take a lifetime,
  • 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:29.075
  • Going to take a lifetime, but really, your life should
  • 00:09:29.142 --> 00:09:31.010
  • But really, your life should just be the platform,
  • 00:09:31.077 --> 00:09:33.112
  • Just be the platform, the foundation for
  • 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:34.581
  • The foundation for future generations to build on.
  • 00:09:34.647 --> 00:09:37.717
  • Future generations to build on. and so, we said we're going
  • 00:09:37.784 --> 00:09:38.818
  • And so, we said we're going to show up.
  • 00:09:38.885 --> 00:09:40.453
  • To show up. now, again,
  • 00:09:40.520 --> 00:09:40.987
  • Now, again, we had no idea the challenges
  • 00:09:41.054 --> 00:09:42.322
  • We had no idea the challenges that would await us.
  • 00:09:42.388 --> 00:09:43.690
  • That would await us. we had no idea the threats
  • 00:09:43.756 --> 00:09:46.559
  • We had no idea the threats that would exist.
  • 00:09:46.626 --> 00:09:47.694
  • That would exist. we had no idea that there would
  • 00:09:47.760 --> 00:09:49.162
  • We had no idea that there would be times where on the inside
  • 00:09:49.228 --> 00:09:51.531
  • Be times where on the inside we looked at it and said,
  • 00:09:51.598 --> 00:09:53.466
  • We looked at it and said, "it's impossible,"
  • 00:09:53.533 --> 00:09:55.168
  • "it's impossible," looked at our abilities,
  • 00:09:55.234 --> 00:09:56.402
  • Looked at our abilities, looked at what we were made of,
  • 00:09:56.469 --> 00:09:58.271
  • Looked at what we were made of, and just concluded,
  • 00:09:58.338 --> 00:09:59.606
  • And just concluded, "we don't have what it takes."
  • 00:09:59.672 --> 00:10:02.141
  • "we don't have what it takes." i could tell you stories.
  • 00:10:02.208 --> 00:10:03.476
  • I could tell you stories. at some point, right now,
  • 00:10:03.543 --> 00:10:05.345
  • At some point, right now, i probably can't.
  • 00:10:05.411 --> 00:10:07.013
  • I probably can't. but if i could give you
  • 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:07.981
  • But if i could give you the details of some
  • 00:10:08.047 --> 00:10:09.115
  • The details of some of the stories,
  • 00:10:09.182 --> 00:10:09.949
  • Of the stories, and what the threats were like,
  • 00:10:10.016 --> 00:10:12.185
  • And what the threats were like, and how at time it felt like all
  • 00:10:12.251 --> 00:10:13.519
  • And how at time it felt like all hell had ganged up and showed up
  • 00:10:13.586 --> 00:10:15.888
  • Hell had ganged up and showed up on our front doorstep.
  • 00:10:15.955 --> 00:10:17.557
  • On our front doorstep. but if i could go back
  • 00:10:17.624 --> 00:10:18.424
  • But if i could go back into some of those stories,
  • 00:10:18.491 --> 00:10:19.959
  • Into some of those stories, your hair would stand up
  • 00:10:20.026 --> 00:10:21.728
  • Your hair would stand up on the back of your neck.
  • 00:10:21.794 --> 00:10:25.632
  • On the back of your neck. the fears were extremely real,
  • 00:10:25.698 --> 00:10:27.900
  • The fears were extremely real, the loneliness was very real,
  • 00:10:27.967 --> 00:10:30.903
  • The loneliness was very real, the --
  • 00:10:30.970 --> 00:10:34.107
  • That, "it was impossible,"
  • 00:10:34.207 --> 00:10:36.075
  • That, "it was impossible," was something that
  • 00:10:36.142 --> 00:10:37.410
  • Was something that i said all the time.
  • 00:10:37.477 --> 00:10:40.713
  • I said all the time. "will we make it?
  • 00:10:40.780 --> 00:10:42.448
  • "will we make it? will we survive?
  • 00:10:42.515 --> 00:10:43.783
  • Will we survive? what will it look like?
  • 00:10:43.850 --> 00:10:45.518
  • What will it look like? can we make it?"
  • 00:10:45.585 --> 00:10:46.953
  • Can we make it?" the line of people that would
  • 00:10:47.020 --> 00:10:50.690
  • The line of people that would have jumped in and said
  • 00:10:50.757 --> 00:10:52.458
  • Have jumped in and said we could not,
  • 00:10:52.525 --> 00:10:53.426
  • We could not, would go around this
  • 00:10:53.493 --> 00:10:54.627
  • Would go around this building a thousand times.
  • 00:10:54.694 --> 00:10:57.463
  • I can still see their faces.
  • 00:10:57.563 --> 00:10:58.931
  • I can still see their faces. i can still hear the phrases.
  • 00:10:58.998 --> 00:11:00.900
  • I can still hear the phrases. i can still --
  • 00:11:00.967 --> 00:11:01.768
  • I can still -- i can still look at
  • 00:11:01.834 --> 00:11:03.536
  • I can still look at the arrogance on their face
  • 00:11:03.603 --> 00:11:05.805
  • The arrogance on their face as they look down and our --
  • 00:11:05.872 --> 00:11:07.640
  • As they look down and our -- told me what i already knew,
  • 00:11:07.707 --> 00:11:09.075
  • Told me what i already knew, and that was, "it's impossible."
  • 00:11:09.142 --> 00:11:13.846
  • And that was, "it's impossible." but yet, somehow,
  • 00:11:13.913 --> 00:11:15.281
  • But yet, somehow, we stepped into the unknown.
  • 00:11:15.348 --> 00:11:18.418
  • We stepped into the unknown. we stepped into the impossible.
  • 00:11:18.484 --> 00:11:21.688
  • We stepped into the impossible. we had no idea we would make it.
  • 00:11:21.754 --> 00:11:24.023
  • We had no idea we would make it. we had no idea we would survive.
  • 00:11:24.090 --> 00:11:26.225
  • We had no idea we would survive. we had no idea we would have
  • 00:11:26.292 --> 00:11:27.827
  • We had no idea we would have the opportunities that
  • 00:11:27.894 --> 00:11:29.529
  • The opportunities that we have today,
  • 00:11:29.595 --> 00:11:32.198
  • We have today, but that's faith.
  • 00:11:32.265 --> 00:11:34.834
  • [applause]
  • 00:11:35.168 --> 00:11:39.572
  • And so, abraham had no clue
  • 00:11:40.073 --> 00:11:42.809
  • And so, abraham had no clue what was ahead of him.
  • 00:11:42.875 --> 00:11:45.511
  • He had no idea
  • 00:11:45.611 --> 00:11:46.412
  • He had no idea where he was going,
  • 00:11:46.479 --> 00:11:48.414
  • Where he was going, but faith was working.
  • 00:11:48.481 --> 00:11:51.017
  • But faith was working. when there's a chance
  • 00:11:51.084 --> 00:11:51.751
  • When there's a chance you can't make it,
  • 00:11:51.818 --> 00:11:53.419
  • You can't make it, when there's a chance
  • 00:11:53.486 --> 00:11:54.887
  • When there's a chance that you'll fail,
  • 00:11:54.954 --> 00:11:56.823
  • That you'll fail, when you're looking at
  • 00:11:56.889 --> 00:11:58.357
  • When you're looking at the possibility of failure
  • 00:11:58.424 --> 00:12:00.093
  • The possibility of failure and it's not just an option,
  • 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:01.961
  • And it's not just an option, it's probably very, very
  • 00:12:02.028 --> 00:12:05.331
  • It's probably very, very prominent as what will happen,
  • 00:12:05.398 --> 00:12:07.467
  • Prominent as what will happen, but yet you say,
  • 00:12:07.533 --> 00:12:08.601
  • "i'm going for it anyhow,"
  • 00:12:08.701 --> 00:12:10.603
  • "i'm going for it anyhow," that is faith.
  • 00:12:10.670 --> 00:12:14.540
  • That is faith. when i go into the unknown,
  • 00:12:14.607 --> 00:12:17.376
  • When i go into the unknown, when i say, "i don't know how
  • 00:12:17.443 --> 00:12:18.344
  • When i say, "i don't know how i'm going to do it,"
  • 00:12:18.411 --> 00:12:19.712
  • I'm going to do it," when i think, "maybe i'm wrong,
  • 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:21.781
  • When i think, "maybe i'm wrong, maybe i missed god,
  • 00:12:21.848 --> 00:12:22.782
  • Maybe i missed god, maybe i didn't hear from god,"
  • 00:12:22.849 --> 00:12:25.084
  • Maybe i didn't hear from god," but yet i go anyhow,
  • 00:12:25.151 --> 00:12:27.453
  • But yet i go anyhow, that is faith.
  • 00:12:27.520 --> 00:12:33.593
  • That is faith. think about how many christians
  • 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:35.828
  • Think about how many christians believe the opposite of that.
  • 00:12:35.895 --> 00:12:38.498
  • Believe the opposite of that. they believe that god is in
  • 00:12:38.564 --> 00:12:41.134
  • They believe that god is in their life to make them
  • 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:42.702
  • Their life to make them as comfortable as possible,
  • 00:12:42.769 --> 00:12:45.505
  • As comfortable as possible, to make sure that life
  • 00:12:45.571 --> 00:12:46.939
  • To make sure that life is as easy as possible,
  • 00:12:47.006 --> 00:12:49.776
  • To make sure that
  • 00:12:49.876 --> 00:12:50.643
  • To make sure that everything surrounds them
  • 00:12:50.710 --> 00:12:52.478
  • Everything surrounds them is the elimination of any risk,
  • 00:12:52.545 --> 00:12:55.281
  • Is the elimination of any risk, the elimination of any struggle,
  • 00:12:55.348 --> 00:12:59.252
  • The elimination of any struggle, "god, if you love me,
  • 00:12:59.318 --> 00:13:00.186
  • "god, if you love me, you're gonna just make
  • 00:13:00.253 --> 00:13:01.420
  • You're gonna just make my life comfortable,
  • 00:13:01.487 --> 00:13:03.823
  • My life comfortable, and plush, and posh.
  • 00:13:03.890 --> 00:13:05.992
  • And plush, and posh. is that even a word?
  • 00:13:06.058 --> 00:13:07.093
  • Is that even a word? i don't know.
  • 00:13:07.160 --> 00:13:11.197
  • I don't know. but god says,
  • 00:13:11.264 --> 00:13:11.898
  • "no, i want to see you step
  • 00:13:11.998 --> 00:13:13.699
  • "no, i want to see you step into the impossibilities."
  • 00:13:13.766 --> 00:13:18.204
  • Into the impossibilities." the next thing is
  • 00:13:18.271 --> 00:13:18.871
  • The next thing is it says that by faith,
  • 00:13:18.938 --> 00:13:20.940
  • It says that by faith, sarah conceived being past
  • 00:13:21.007 --> 00:13:23.342
  • Sarah conceived being past the childbearing age and that
  • 00:13:23.409 --> 00:13:27.947
  • The childbearing age and that abraham was as good as dead.
  • 00:13:28.014 --> 00:13:32.885
  • But god said to both of them,
  • 00:13:32.985 --> 00:13:33.953
  • But god said to both of them, "i want you to have a child."
  • 00:13:34.020 --> 00:13:37.256
  • "i want you to have a child." they could not have a child.
  • 00:13:37.323 --> 00:13:38.724
  • They could not have a child. there was no natural reason
  • 00:13:38.791 --> 00:13:41.427
  • There was no natural reason they should even be
  • 00:13:41.494 --> 00:13:42.528
  • They should even be talking about it.
  • 00:13:42.595 --> 00:13:43.696
  • Talking about it. but i like this second point
  • 00:13:43.763 --> 00:13:45.198
  • But i like this second point because it means god wants to do
  • 00:13:45.264 --> 00:13:46.799
  • Because it means god wants to do a new thing with an old soul.
  • 00:13:46.866 --> 00:13:50.303
  • A new thing with an old soul. what i love about this church is
  • 00:13:50.369 --> 00:13:52.271
  • What i love about this church is that i could stand up and say,
  • 00:13:52.338 --> 00:13:54.907
  • "when you look at the properties
  • 00:13:55.007 --> 00:13:56.776
  • "when you look at the properties god's given us, it just means
  • 00:13:56.843 --> 00:13:59.245
  • God's given us, it just means god's not done with us."
  • 00:13:59.312 --> 00:14:01.747
  • God's not done with us." and we're not talking about
  • 00:14:01.814 --> 00:14:02.949
  • And we're not talking about doing a new thing
  • 00:14:03.015 --> 00:14:04.016
  • Doing a new thing to be a new thing.
  • 00:14:04.083 --> 00:14:05.918
  • To be a new thing. we're talking about trusting
  • 00:14:05.985 --> 00:14:07.820
  • We're talking about trusting that god can use an old soul,
  • 00:14:07.887 --> 00:14:09.956
  • That god can use an old soul, 'cause really,
  • 00:14:10.022 --> 00:14:11.023
  • 'cause really, 7 hills is an old soul.
  • 00:14:11.090 --> 00:14:13.993
  • 7 hills is an old soul. we're not trying to be new,
  • 00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:15.494
  • We're not trying to be new, and fresh, and relevant.
  • 00:14:15.561 --> 00:14:17.496
  • And fresh, and relevant. we still wanna preach
  • 00:14:17.563 --> 00:14:18.898
  • We still wanna preach the uncompromising word of god.
  • 00:14:18.965 --> 00:14:22.034
  • [applause]
  • 00:14:22.335 --> 00:14:23.536
  • We wanna be a church
  • 00:14:23.803 --> 00:14:24.503
  • We wanna be a church that claps, and shouts,
  • 00:14:24.570 --> 00:14:26.038
  • That claps, and shouts, and praises god.
  • 00:14:26.105 --> 00:14:27.773
  • And praises god. we wanna be a church that prays
  • 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:30.343
  • We wanna be a church that prays and believes when they pray
  • 00:14:30.409 --> 00:14:31.677
  • And believes when they pray it move mountains.
  • 00:14:31.744 --> 00:14:32.945
  • It move mountains. we wanna be a church that fast
  • 00:14:33.012 --> 00:14:35.047
  • We wanna be a church that fast because this kind only comes out
  • 00:14:35.114 --> 00:14:37.483
  • Because this kind only comes out through prayer and fasting.
  • 00:14:37.550 --> 00:14:39.252
  • Through prayer and fasting. i don't care about
  • 00:14:39.318 --> 00:14:40.653
  • I don't care about the new stuff.
  • 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.587
  • The new stuff. i just wanna make sure
  • 00:14:41.654 --> 00:14:42.722
  • I just wanna make sure we don't let go of the old stuff
  • 00:14:42.788 --> 00:14:44.757
  • We don't let go of the old stuff that got us to where we are.
  • 00:14:44.824 --> 00:14:46.392
  • [applause]
  • 00:14:46.726 --> 00:14:47.393
  • I thank god for his mercy.
  • 00:14:47.927 --> 00:14:49.395
  • I thank god for his mercy. i thank god for his grace.
  • 00:14:49.462 --> 00:14:51.163
  • I thank god for his grace. i thank god for the cross.
  • 00:14:51.230 --> 00:14:52.765
  • I thank god for the cross. but i also think every now
  • 00:14:52.832 --> 00:14:54.300
  • But i also think every now and then we have to be reminded
  • 00:14:54.367 --> 00:14:55.868
  • And then we have to be reminded that there is the old too.
  • 00:14:55.935 --> 00:14:57.536
  • That there is the old too. the old is the standard.
  • 00:14:57.603 --> 00:14:59.805
  • The old is the standard. the old is
  • 00:14:59.872 --> 00:15:00.339
  • The old is the commandments of god,
  • 00:15:00.406 --> 00:15:01.507
  • The commandments of god, the law of god.
  • 00:15:01.574 --> 00:15:02.675
  • The law of god. that there is still such thing
  • 00:15:02.742 --> 00:15:04.377
  • That there is still such thing as right and wrong,
  • 00:15:04.443 --> 00:15:06.679
  • Good and evil.
  • 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.881
  • Good and evil. god, do a new thing but
  • 00:15:08.948 --> 00:15:10.616
  • God, do a new thing but let us keep holding on to what
  • 00:15:10.683 --> 00:15:13.853
  • Let us keep holding on to what got us to where we are.
  • 00:15:13.920 --> 00:15:18.124
  • Got us to where we are. and so, age, god said,
  • 00:15:18.190 --> 00:15:20.726
  • And so, age, god said, should never be a limit.
  • 00:15:20.793 --> 00:15:23.062
  • Should never be a limit. your lack is not a limit.
  • 00:15:23.129 --> 00:15:26.165
  • Your personal situation
  • 00:15:26.265 --> 00:15:28.100
  • Your personal situation is not a limit.
  • 00:15:28.167 --> 00:15:30.036
  • Is not a limit. human inadequacy is not a limit.
  • 00:15:30.102 --> 00:15:33.339
  • Human inadequacy is not a limit. being as good as dead,
  • 00:15:33.406 --> 00:15:35.207
  • Being as good as dead, abraham, that's not a limit.
  • 00:15:35.274 --> 00:15:38.344
  • Abraham, that's not a limit. if it's impossible in your mind,
  • 00:15:38.411 --> 00:15:41.747
  • If it's impossible in your mind, "this is impossible.
  • 00:15:41.814 --> 00:15:43.749
  • "this is impossible. i can't do it."
  • 00:15:43.816 --> 00:15:45.384
  • I can't do it." faith says,
  • 00:15:45.451 --> 00:15:46.319
  • Faith says, "get up and do it anyhow.
  • 00:15:46.385 --> 00:15:48.988
  • I know it's scary.
  • 00:15:49.088 --> 00:15:50.556
  • I know it's scary. i know it doesn't make sense.
  • 00:15:50.623 --> 00:15:52.558
  • I know it doesn't make sense. i know in your mind
  • 00:15:52.625 --> 00:15:54.060
  • I know in your mind it feels crazy."
  • 00:15:54.126 --> 00:15:56.095
  • It feels crazy." it's called faith.
  • 00:15:56.162 --> 00:15:58.230
  • It's called faith. it's called, "i'm gonna step out
  • 00:15:58.297 --> 00:16:00.066
  • It's called, "i'm gonna step out into the impossibility."
  • 00:16:00.132 --> 00:16:02.568
  • Into the impossibility." charles spurgeon actually
  • 00:16:02.635 --> 00:16:03.602
  • Charles spurgeon actually says that god delights
  • 00:16:03.669 --> 00:16:05.371
  • Says that god delights in the impossibilities.
  • 00:16:05.438 --> 00:16:08.007
  • So, if you wanna know
  • 00:16:08.107 --> 00:16:08.674
  • So, if you wanna know what gets god excited,
  • 00:16:08.741 --> 00:16:09.909
  • What gets god excited, the second that you
  • 00:16:09.976 --> 00:16:11.143
  • The second that you utter those words,
  • 00:16:11.210 --> 00:16:12.111
  • Utter those words, "it's impossible,"
  • 00:16:12.178 --> 00:16:13.279
  • "it's impossible," now all of sudden,
  • 00:16:13.346 --> 00:16:14.213
  • Now all of sudden, god's saying,
  • 00:16:14.280 --> 00:16:15.047
  • God's saying, "you're right where i want you.
  • 00:16:15.114 --> 00:16:17.116
  • "you're right where i want you. you're right in the place
  • 00:16:17.183 --> 00:16:18.517
  • You're right in the place that i'm uniquely qualified
  • 00:16:18.584 --> 00:16:20.987
  • That i'm uniquely qualified to jump in and do
  • 00:16:21.053 --> 00:16:22.722
  • To jump in and do what you can't do."
  • 00:16:22.788 --> 00:16:25.591
  • What you can't do." so, abraham goes
  • 00:16:25.658 --> 00:16:28.160
  • To sarah and says,
  • 00:16:28.260 --> 00:16:29.295
  • To sarah and says, "hey, i wanna have
  • 00:16:29.362 --> 00:16:30.029
  • "hey, i wanna have some kids.
  • 00:16:30.096 --> 00:16:30.696
  • Some kids. god's talked to me about it.
  • 00:16:30.763 --> 00:16:31.764
  • God's talked to me about it. i wanna have some kids.
  • 00:16:31.831 --> 00:16:34.834
  • I wanna have some kids. just wondering what you think."
  • 00:16:34.900 --> 00:16:37.470
  • Just wondering what you think." and sarah does
  • 00:16:37.536 --> 00:16:39.138
  • And sarah does what you're doing,
  • 00:16:39.205 --> 00:16:40.506
  • What you're doing, she starts to laugh at abraham,
  • 00:16:40.573 --> 00:16:43.843
  • Because sarah knows abraham
  • 00:16:43.943 --> 00:16:46.912
  • Because sarah knows abraham as good as anybody.
  • 00:16:46.979 --> 00:16:48.814
  • As good as anybody. and she knows abraham can't do
  • 00:16:48.881 --> 00:16:51.550
  • And she knows abraham can't do the things he's talking about.
  • 00:16:51.617 --> 00:16:57.390
  • The things he's talking about. i'm not trying to be graphic.
  • 00:16:57.456 --> 00:16:58.224
  • I'm not trying to be graphic. this is how your bible helps us
  • 00:16:58.290 --> 00:17:01.660
  • Understand faith is abraham
  • 00:17:01.761 --> 00:17:05.331
  • Understand faith is abraham is as good as dead.
  • 00:17:05.398 --> 00:17:08.868
  • Is as good as dead. so, part of the miracle
  • 00:17:08.934 --> 00:17:10.002
  • So, part of the miracle of the story is that the person
  • 00:17:10.069 --> 00:17:14.140
  • Of the story is that the person that's supposed to support
  • 00:17:14.206 --> 00:17:15.508
  • That's supposed to support abraham is mocking him,
  • 00:17:15.574 --> 00:17:19.245
  • Abraham is mocking him, is laughing at him,
  • 00:17:19.311 --> 00:17:20.579
  • Is laughing at him, is bringing up the realities,
  • 00:17:20.646 --> 00:17:24.016
  • The natural limitations.
  • 00:17:24.116 --> 00:17:25.618
  • The natural limitations. she's bringing up,
  • 00:17:25.684 --> 00:17:27.019
  • She's bringing up, "what you're saying
  • 00:17:27.086 --> 00:17:28.220
  • "what you're saying is not only impossible,
  • 00:17:28.287 --> 00:17:29.455
  • Is not only impossible, it's laughable.
  • 00:17:29.522 --> 00:17:31.123
  • It's laughable. it's laughable that you think
  • 00:17:31.190 --> 00:17:32.825
  • It's laughable that you think you can do the thing.
  • 00:17:32.892 --> 00:17:34.193
  • You can do the thing. i --
  • 00:17:34.260 --> 00:17:34.593
  • I -- it doesn't matter
  • 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.428
  • It doesn't matter if god's told you, abraham.
  • 00:17:35.494 --> 00:17:37.196
  • If god's told you, abraham. there is no way that you can do
  • 00:17:37.263 --> 00:17:40.399
  • There is no way that you can do what you're talking about."
  • 00:17:40.466 --> 00:17:42.334
  • What you're talking about." and she is so convinced of it,
  • 00:17:42.401 --> 00:17:46.172
  • And she is so convinced of it, it is laughable that
  • 00:17:46.238 --> 00:17:47.706
  • It is laughable that he's even bringing it up.
  • 00:17:47.773 --> 00:17:51.610
  • He's even bringing it up. abraham, i love this, says,
  • 00:17:51.677 --> 00:17:55.848
  • Abraham, i love this, says, "you can laugh at me.
  • 00:17:55.915 --> 00:17:57.516
  • "you can laugh at me. you can mock me.
  • 00:17:57.583 --> 00:17:58.851
  • You can mock me. you can look at me
  • 00:17:58.918 --> 00:17:59.919
  • You can look at me and say everything
  • 00:17:59.985 --> 00:18:01.554
  • And say everything i believe god's told me
  • 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.455
  • I believe god's told me to do is impossible,
  • 00:18:02.521 --> 00:18:04.156
  • To do is impossible, but faith is going to speak up.
  • 00:18:04.223 --> 00:18:06.125
  • But faith is going to speak up. and, girl, get in the bedroom.
  • 00:18:06.192 --> 00:18:08.727
  • And, girl, get in the bedroom. i'm gonna show you who
  • 00:18:08.794 --> 00:18:10.930
  • I'm gonna show you who the father of our faith is."
  • 00:18:10.996 --> 00:18:13.365
  • [laughter]
  • 00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:14.600
  • Now, don't get religious
  • 00:18:15.034 --> 00:18:16.135
  • Now, don't get religious and don't get mad at me.
  • 00:18:16.202 --> 00:18:18.437
  • And don't get mad at me. that's your bible.
  • 00:18:18.504 --> 00:18:19.772
  • [laughter]
  • 00:18:20.106 --> 00:18:21.474
  • Abraham says,
  • 00:18:21.807 --> 00:18:22.441
  • Abraham says, "laugh if you want."
  • 00:18:22.508 --> 00:18:26.412
  • [laughter]
  • 00:18:27.012 --> 00:18:28.681
  • "god's not done with me yet."
  • 00:18:29.582 --> 00:18:32.918
  • "god's not done with me yet." he's an old soul but he's going
  • 00:18:32.985 --> 00:18:34.587
  • To do a new thing.
  • 00:18:34.687 --> 00:18:38.557
  • To do a new thing. you see, this is the point.
  • 00:18:38.624 --> 00:18:40.159
  • You see, this is the point. you can get to this place where
  • 00:18:40.226 --> 00:18:42.294
  • You can get to this place where you feel so safe and secure,
  • 00:18:42.361 --> 00:18:44.363
  • You feel so safe and secure, where you feel like even,
  • 00:18:44.430 --> 00:18:47.600
  • Where you feel like even, really, you don't need god.
  • 00:18:47.666 --> 00:18:50.069
  • Really, you don't need god. you don't need his anointing.
  • 00:18:50.136 --> 00:18:52.738
  • You don't need his anointing. and in that place is the most
  • 00:18:52.805 --> 00:18:56.041
  • And in that place is the most dangerous place to be.
  • 00:18:56.108 --> 00:18:59.545
  • Dangerous place to be. so, the safest place you can be,
  • 00:18:59.612 --> 00:19:03.549
  • So, the safest place you can be, sometimes, is in
  • 00:19:03.616 --> 00:19:04.216
  • Sometimes, is in the impossible because you --
  • 00:19:04.283 --> 00:19:07.786
  • The impossible because you -- he's gotta come through there.
  • 00:19:07.853 --> 00:19:10.389
  • He's gotta come through there. you don't have a choice.
  • 00:19:10.456 --> 00:19:13.259
  • Number three, it's because god
  • 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.793
  • Number three, it's because god wants to know this is
  • 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:15.594
  • Wants to know this is the question that faith asks,
  • 00:19:15.661 --> 00:19:18.797
  • The question that faith asks, "do i please god?"
  • 00:19:18.864 --> 00:19:22.168
  • "do i please god?" i know he loves me.
  • 00:19:22.234 --> 00:19:23.669
  • I know he loves me. that's not the question.
  • 00:19:23.736 --> 00:19:26.605
  • That's not the question. the question is,
  • 00:19:26.672 --> 00:19:27.473
  • The question is, "do i please him?"
  • 00:19:27.540 --> 00:19:30.643
  • Hebrews 11:6,
  • 00:19:30.743 --> 00:19:31.944
  • "without faith it is
  • 00:19:32.011 --> 00:19:34.213
  • Impossible to please god."
  • 00:19:34.280 --> 00:19:39.852
  • I'm not asking,
  • 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:40.486
  • Does he love you?
  • 00:19:40.553 --> 00:19:42.888
  • I'm asking, do you please him?
  • 00:19:42.955 --> 00:19:46.458
  • His love is unconditional.
  • 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:48.160
  • His love is unconditional. his love is set.
  • 00:19:48.227 --> 00:19:49.528
  • His love is set. his love is secure.
  • 00:19:49.595 --> 00:19:51.130
  • His love is secure. his love is unchanging.
  • 00:19:51.197 --> 00:19:52.631
  • His love is unchanging. that is set.
  • 00:19:52.698 --> 00:19:55.601
  • That is set. but faith requires something.
  • 00:19:55.668 --> 00:19:58.804
  • But faith requires something. faith is a decision
  • 00:19:58.871 --> 00:20:01.106
  • Faith is a decision that you make.
  • 00:20:01.173 --> 00:20:02.074
  • That you make. it's a choice you make
  • 00:20:02.141 --> 00:20:03.909
  • It's a choice you make to move forward into territory
  • 00:20:03.976 --> 00:20:07.213
  • To move forward into territory that in your mind is impossible.
  • 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:10.849
  • That in your mind is impossible. and it's concluding that i don't
  • 00:20:10.916 --> 00:20:13.185
  • And it's concluding that i don't have to take this step.
  • 00:20:13.252 --> 00:20:15.254
  • Have to take this step. no one's --
  • 00:20:15.321 --> 00:20:15.854
  • No one's -- this is not a heaven
  • 00:20:15.921 --> 00:20:16.689
  • This is not a heaven or hell issue.
  • 00:20:16.755 --> 00:20:18.090
  • Or hell issue. this is --
  • 00:20:18.157 --> 00:20:18.691
  • This is -- this is not, "does he love me?"
  • 00:20:18.757 --> 00:20:20.359
  • This is not, "does he love me?" because i already know
  • 00:20:20.426 --> 00:20:21.393
  • Because i already know if i fail, he loves me.
  • 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:23.028
  • If i fail, he loves me. if i miss it, he loves me.
  • 00:20:23.095 --> 00:20:24.630
  • If i miss it, he loves me. if i drop the ball, he loves me.
  • 00:20:24.697 --> 00:20:26.532
  • If i play it safe my whole life,
  • 00:20:26.632 --> 00:20:28.400
  • If i play it safe my whole life, he loves me.
  • 00:20:28.467 --> 00:20:29.134
  • He loves me. if i never step into
  • 00:20:29.201 --> 00:20:30.536
  • If i never step into the impossible, he loves me.
  • 00:20:30.603 --> 00:20:32.004
  • The impossible, he loves me. if i never experience
  • 00:20:32.071 --> 00:20:33.505
  • If i never experience the push of faith, he loves me.
  • 00:20:33.572 --> 00:20:35.741
  • The push of faith, he loves me. that's not the question.
  • 00:20:35.808 --> 00:20:36.842
  • That's not the question. the question is,
  • 00:20:36.909 --> 00:20:38.544
  • The question is, do i please him?
  • 00:20:38.611 --> 00:20:41.914
  • Do i please him? and faith looks a whole lot
  • 00:20:41.981 --> 00:20:43.649
  • And faith looks a whole lot different than love.
  • 00:20:43.716 --> 00:20:47.286
  • For example,
  • 00:20:47.386 --> 00:20:48.420
  • For example, simon --
  • 00:20:48.487 --> 00:20:49.788
  • Simon -- i'm sorry.
  • 00:20:49.855 --> 00:20:50.189
  • I'm sorry. the apostle paul,
  • 00:20:50.256 --> 00:20:52.391
  • The apostle paul, he's preaching in a city.
  • 00:20:52.458 --> 00:20:53.525
  • He's preaching in a city. they don't like what
  • 00:20:53.592 --> 00:20:54.226
  • They don't like what he's saying.
  • 00:20:54.293 --> 00:20:56.829
  • He's saying. they dragged him
  • 00:20:56.895 --> 00:20:57.496
  • They dragged him outside the city.
  • 00:20:57.563 --> 00:20:58.797
  • Outside the city. they're throwing stones at him.
  • 00:20:58.864 --> 00:21:01.467
  • They're throwing stones at him. in their mind, he's gone.
  • 00:21:01.533 --> 00:21:03.569
  • In their mind, he's gone. they reach down,
  • 00:21:03.636 --> 00:21:04.169
  • They reach down, feel for the pulse.
  • 00:21:04.236 --> 00:21:05.571
  • Feel for the pulse. there's no heartbeat.
  • 00:21:05.638 --> 00:21:07.806
  • They leave the great
  • 00:21:07.906 --> 00:21:09.041
  • They leave the great apostle paul dead
  • 00:21:09.108 --> 00:21:11.977
  • Apostle paul dead on the side of the road.
  • 00:21:12.044 --> 00:21:14.780
  • On the side of the road. somehow or another,
  • 00:21:14.847 --> 00:21:15.914
  • Somehow or another, god jumps starts
  • 00:21:15.981 --> 00:21:17.349
  • God jumps starts his heart again,
  • 00:21:17.416 --> 00:21:19.084
  • His heart again, breath comes back,
  • 00:21:19.151 --> 00:21:20.452
  • Breath comes back, eyes pop open,
  • 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:22.955
  • Eyes pop open, pulls himself to his feet,
  • 00:21:23.022 --> 00:21:24.690
  • Pulls himself to his feet, body beaten, face bloodied
  • 00:21:24.757 --> 00:21:28.327
  • Body beaten, face bloodied and broken.
  • 00:21:28.394 --> 00:21:31.130
  • And broken. and god says to paul,
  • 00:21:31.196 --> 00:21:33.299
  • And god says to paul, "i want you to go back
  • 00:21:33.365 --> 00:21:34.967
  • "i want you to go back to the same city and preach
  • 00:21:35.034 --> 00:21:37.670
  • To the same people that
  • 00:21:37.770 --> 00:21:40.539
  • To the same people that just tried to kill you."
  • 00:21:40.606 --> 00:21:43.976
  • Just tried to kill you." now, if all he's focused on
  • 00:21:44.043 --> 00:21:47.746
  • Now, if all he's focused on is does god love him
  • 00:21:47.813 --> 00:21:49.915
  • Is does god love him he would probably conclude
  • 00:21:49.982 --> 00:21:51.784
  • He would probably conclude something like this.
  • 00:21:51.850 --> 00:21:52.885
  • Something like this. "god loves me.
  • 00:21:52.951 --> 00:21:54.420
  • "god loves me. he would never want me
  • 00:21:54.486 --> 00:21:55.621
  • He would never want me to go back into that.
  • 00:21:55.688 --> 00:21:58.857
  • To go back into that. he would never want me to face
  • 00:21:58.924 --> 00:22:00.025
  • He would never want me to face that kind of sacrifice.
  • 00:22:00.092 --> 00:22:02.294
  • That kind of sacrifice. he would never want me to lean
  • 00:22:02.361 --> 00:22:04.129
  • He would never want me to lean into that kind of pain."
  • 00:22:04.196 --> 00:22:06.332
  • Into that kind of pain." because he was a man
  • 00:22:06.398 --> 00:22:07.766
  • Because he was a man like you and i are and there
  • 00:22:07.833 --> 00:22:09.635
  • Like you and i are and there is no way he just,
  • 00:22:09.702 --> 00:22:11.670
  • Is no way he just, you know, skipped back
  • 00:22:11.737 --> 00:22:12.738
  • You know, skipped back into the face of death.
  • 00:22:12.805 --> 00:22:17.443
  • He had every reason
  • 00:22:17.543 --> 00:22:18.677
  • He had every reason to pull back.
  • 00:22:18.744 --> 00:22:21.547
  • To pull back. but the question isn't,
  • 00:22:21.613 --> 00:22:23.182
  • But the question isn't, does god love him?
  • 00:22:23.248 --> 00:22:23.916
  • Does god love him? the question is,
  • 00:22:23.982 --> 00:22:25.651
  • The question is, what's god asking him to do?
  • 00:22:25.718 --> 00:22:28.387
  • What's god asking him to do? and faith said,
  • 00:22:28.454 --> 00:22:30.456
  • And faith said, "broken, and bloody,
  • 00:22:30.522 --> 00:22:32.124
  • "broken, and bloody, and hurting, and scared,
  • 00:22:32.191 --> 00:22:34.626
  • And hurting, and scared, and afraid, i want you to go
  • 00:22:34.693 --> 00:22:37.329
  • Step back into the impossible."
  • 00:22:37.429 --> 00:22:39.865
  • Step back into the impossible." and revival broke out
  • 00:22:39.932 --> 00:22:41.467
  • And revival broke out in that city not because
  • 00:22:41.533 --> 00:22:43.602
  • In that city not because he was playing it safe.
  • 00:22:43.669 --> 00:22:45.304
  • He was playing it safe. revival broke out because
  • 00:22:45.371 --> 00:22:46.739
  • Revival broke out because he was willing to step into
  • 00:22:46.805 --> 00:22:49.908
  • He was willing to step into the impossibility.
  • 00:22:49.975 --> 00:22:50.843
  • [applause]
  • 00:22:51.176 --> 00:22:56.682
  • And so, i know he loves us.
  • 00:22:58.183 --> 00:23:00.886
  • That's been settled when you
  • 00:23:00.986 --> 00:23:02.187
  • That's been settled when you look at calvary and you
  • 00:23:02.254 --> 00:23:03.355
  • Look at calvary and you look at the cross,
  • 00:23:03.422 --> 00:23:05.057
  • Look at the cross, but the question
  • 00:23:05.124 --> 00:23:06.759
  • But the question that i need to ask is,
  • 00:23:06.825 --> 00:23:08.026
  • That i need to ask is, do i please him?
  • 00:23:08.093 --> 00:23:10.662
  • Do i please him? and i please him when i step
  • 00:23:10.729 --> 00:23:12.931
  • And i please him when i step into the impossibility.
  • 00:23:12.998 --> 00:23:16.468
  • Into the impossibility. the next question is,
  • 00:23:16.535 --> 00:23:17.970
  • The next question is, number three, is what if i fail?
  • 00:23:18.036 --> 00:23:21.173
  • When you cross the line,
  • 00:23:21.273 --> 00:23:21.840
  • When you cross the line, you're going to hear a lot
  • 00:23:21.907 --> 00:23:22.674
  • You're going to hear a lot of people jump in and say,
  • 00:23:22.741 --> 00:23:24.810
  • Of people jump in and say, "it's not going to work.
  • 00:23:24.877 --> 00:23:27.279
  • "it's not going to work. be careful.
  • 00:23:27.346 --> 00:23:28.847
  • Be careful. you're going too far.
  • 00:23:28.914 --> 00:23:30.549
  • You're going too far. others have tried this
  • 00:23:30.616 --> 00:23:32.217
  • Others have tried this and failed.
  • 00:23:32.284 --> 00:23:33.118
  • And failed. your motives are wrong."
  • 00:23:33.185 --> 00:23:36.355
  • Your motives are wrong." but there's nothing
  • 00:23:36.422 --> 00:23:37.356
  • But there's nothing wrong with saying,
  • 00:23:37.423 --> 00:23:39.224
  • Wrong with saying, "god, as much as i know
  • 00:23:39.291 --> 00:23:40.826
  • "god, as much as i know this is what you're calling me
  • 00:23:40.893 --> 00:23:41.627
  • This is what you're calling me to do and i'm gonna step out,"
  • 00:23:41.693 --> 00:23:45.197
  • To do and i'm gonna step out," you say, "well, what if i fail?"
  • 00:23:45.264 --> 00:23:46.365
  • You say, "well, what if i fail?" well, simon peter stepped out
  • 00:23:46.432 --> 00:23:47.733
  • Well, simon peter stepped out on the water.
  • 00:23:47.800 --> 00:23:49.401
  • On the water. everyone said,
  • 00:23:49.468 --> 00:23:50.269
  • Everyone said, "you're probably not qualified
  • 00:23:50.335 --> 00:23:51.737
  • "you're probably not qualified to do what it is that
  • 00:23:51.804 --> 00:23:53.338
  • You're trying to do."
  • 00:23:53.439 --> 00:23:54.706
  • You're trying to do." and you know what he did?
  • 00:23:54.773 --> 00:23:56.508
  • And you know what he did? he got on the water,
  • 00:23:56.575 --> 00:23:57.176
  • He got on the water, and he started to sink.
  • 00:23:57.242 --> 00:23:59.344
  • And he started to sink. and jesus didn't turn
  • 00:23:59.411 --> 00:23:59.978
  • And jesus didn't turn his back on him.
  • 00:24:00.045 --> 00:24:01.013
  • His back on him. jesus didn't say,
  • 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.947
  • Jesus didn't say, "how dare you try
  • 00:24:02.014 --> 00:24:02.848
  • "how dare you try to get out of the water?
  • 00:24:02.915 --> 00:24:03.582
  • To get out of the water? who do you think that you are?"
  • 00:24:03.649 --> 00:24:05.918
  • No, jesus reaches his hand down.
  • 00:24:06.018 --> 00:24:08.654
  • No, jesus reaches his hand down. jesus never one time said,
  • 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:11.723
  • Jesus never one time said, "simon peter, you tried,
  • 00:24:11.790 --> 00:24:13.325
  • "simon peter, you tried, and you failed.
  • 00:24:13.392 --> 00:24:14.359
  • And you failed. you dirty dog,
  • 00:24:14.426 --> 00:24:15.594
  • You dirty dog, who do you think that you are?
  • 00:24:15.661 --> 00:24:17.129
  • Who do you think that you are? what kinda --
  • 00:24:17.196 --> 00:24:18.263
  • What kinda -- no, he just lifts him up.
  • 00:24:18.330 --> 00:24:20.933
  • No, he just lifts him up. and the same way with us
  • 00:24:20.999 --> 00:24:21.800
  • And the same way with us when we step out in faith
  • 00:24:21.867 --> 00:24:23.669
  • When we step out in faith the possibility is that we fail,
  • 00:24:23.735 --> 00:24:26.705
  • The possibility is that we fail, but the biggest mistake
  • 00:24:26.772 --> 00:24:28.040
  • But the biggest mistake you can make is not to try.
  • 00:24:28.106 --> 00:24:30.876
  • You can make is not to try. and learning faith
  • 00:24:30.943 --> 00:24:31.743
  • And learning faith is learning there are times
  • 00:24:31.810 --> 00:24:34.079
  • Is learning there are times when i will fail.
  • 00:24:34.146 --> 00:24:36.181
  • When i will fail. i cannot tell you how many times
  • 00:24:36.248 --> 00:24:37.616
  • I cannot tell you how many times my faith has failed.
  • 00:24:37.683 --> 00:24:39.551
  • My faith has failed. i cannot tell you
  • 00:24:39.618 --> 00:24:40.219
  • I cannot tell you how many times i've been
  • 00:24:40.285 --> 00:24:41.820
  • How many times i've been in a place where
  • 00:24:41.887 --> 00:24:42.754
  • In a place where i've thought to myself,
  • 00:24:42.821 --> 00:24:44.423
  • I've thought to myself, i am the worst pastor
  • 00:24:44.490 --> 00:24:45.958
  • I am the worst pastor on the planet, i've missed it --
  • 00:24:46.024 --> 00:24:48.327
  • On the planet, i've missed it -- i've messed up.
  • 00:24:48.393 --> 00:24:50.229
  • I've messed up. but every single time,
  • 00:24:50.295 --> 00:24:51.897
  • But every single time, i found that i can trust god,
  • 00:24:51.964 --> 00:24:53.899
  • I found that i can trust god, every single time i found
  • 00:24:53.966 --> 00:24:55.400
  • Every single time i found that god's faithful even
  • 00:24:55.467 --> 00:24:57.135
  • That god's faithful even in the midst of my failures.
  • 00:24:57.202 --> 00:24:59.271
  • And there are even times
  • 00:24:59.371 --> 00:25:00.305
  • And there are even times like this where i,
  • 00:25:00.372 --> 00:25:02.174
  • Like this where i, in my personal time,
  • 00:25:02.241 --> 00:25:03.642
  • In my personal time, i've told god,
  • 00:25:03.709 --> 00:25:04.243
  • I've told god, "i don't wanna push through
  • 00:25:04.309 --> 00:25:05.744
  • "i don't wanna push through into this next thing.
  • 00:25:05.811 --> 00:25:06.912
  • Into this next thing. i think it's crazy.
  • 00:25:06.979 --> 00:25:08.413
  • I think it's crazy. i think it's ridiculous.
  • 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.982
  • I think it's ridiculous. i think there's
  • 00:25:10.048 --> 00:25:11.016
  • I think there's too much pressure.
  • 00:25:11.083 --> 00:25:12.384
  • And i'm afraid that
  • 00:25:12.484 --> 00:25:13.151
  • And i'm afraid that i'm gonna mess things up.
  • 00:25:13.218 --> 00:25:14.453
  • I'm gonna mess things up. and i'm afraid i'm gonna
  • 00:25:14.520 --> 00:25:15.287
  • And i'm afraid i'm gonna put things at risk.
  • 00:25:15.354 --> 00:25:16.722
  • Put things at risk. and i'm afraid i'm gonna
  • 00:25:16.788 --> 00:25:17.489
  • And i'm afraid i'm gonna miss you because i never
  • 00:25:17.556 --> 00:25:19.558
  • Miss you because i never hear god audibly.
  • 00:25:19.625 --> 00:25:21.593
  • Hear god audibly. i've never had angels show up
  • 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:23.161
  • I've never had angels show up in the middle of my night
  • 00:25:23.228 --> 00:25:24.496
  • In the middle of my night telling me exactly what to do,
  • 00:25:24.563 --> 00:25:26.765
  • Telling me exactly what to do, "thus sayeth the lord,"
  • 00:25:26.832 --> 00:25:27.733
  • "thus sayeth the lord," you know, like,
  • 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.367
  • You know, like, a 15-foot angel with big wings
  • 00:25:28.433 --> 00:25:30.068
  • A 15-foot angel with big wings and all kinds of stuff.
  • 00:25:30.135 --> 00:25:31.436
  • And all kinds of stuff. "god, wants you."
  • 00:25:31.503 --> 00:25:32.638
  • "god, wants you." i'd never had that.
  • 00:25:32.704 --> 00:25:36.742
  • I'd never had that. so, you wonder at times when god
  • 00:25:36.808 --> 00:25:38.677
  • So, you wonder at times when god tells you to do something,
  • 00:25:38.744 --> 00:25:39.845
  • Tells you to do something, will you miss it?
  • 00:25:39.912 --> 00:25:43.448
  • Will you miss it? but i believe god
  • 00:25:43.515 --> 00:25:44.116
  • But i believe god every time says,
  • 00:25:44.182 --> 00:25:45.017
  • Every time says, "if you miss it,
  • 00:25:45.083 --> 00:25:46.919
  • "if you miss it, i'll find you.
  • 00:25:46.985 --> 00:25:48.854
  • I'll find you. i'll find you where you're at."
  • 00:25:48.921 --> 00:25:50.289
  • I'll find you where you're at." and when you know that,
  • 00:25:50.355 --> 00:25:52.424
  • And when you know that, you get stirred up
  • 00:25:52.491 --> 00:25:54.259
  • You get stirred up on the inside to say,
  • 00:25:54.326 --> 00:25:55.527
  • On the inside to say, "you know what, i'm going to go
  • 00:25:55.594 --> 00:25:56.795
  • "you know what, i'm going to go forth and if i fail, i fail.
  • 00:25:56.862 --> 00:25:59.498
  • Forth and if i fail, i fail. if i miss it, i miss it."
  • 00:25:59.565 --> 00:26:01.400
  • If i miss it, i miss it." i'm not talking about
  • 00:26:01.466 --> 00:26:02.167
  • I'm not talking about being unwise.
  • 00:26:02.234 --> 00:26:03.035
  • Being unwise. i'm not talking about
  • 00:26:03.101 --> 00:26:04.002
  • I'm not talking about not using godly council,
  • 00:26:04.069 --> 00:26:05.904
  • Not using godly council, and insight,
  • 00:26:05.971 --> 00:26:06.972
  • And insight, and being irresponsible.
  • 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.407
  • And being irresponsible. i'm saying there are times
  • 00:26:08.473 --> 00:26:09.274
  • I'm saying there are times when you have to decide,
  • 00:26:09.341 --> 00:26:10.976
  • When you have to decide, "i might miss god in this.
  • 00:26:11.043 --> 00:26:13.245
  • I might fail, but i can trust
  • 00:26:13.345 --> 00:26:15.981
  • I might fail, but i can trust that god knows how to find me
  • 00:26:16.048 --> 00:26:18.350
  • That god knows how to find me even when i fail.
  • 00:26:18.417 --> 00:26:20.485
  • Even when i fail. i have to step into
  • 00:26:20.552 --> 00:26:22.187
  • I have to step into the impossibility
  • 00:26:22.254 --> 00:26:23.021
  • The impossibility and learn that jesus
  • 00:26:23.088 --> 00:26:24.890
  • And learn that jesus is not a worried jesus.
  • 00:26:24.957 --> 00:26:27.359
  • Is not a worried jesus. he's not afraid.
  • 00:26:27.426 --> 00:26:28.360
  • He's not afraid. he's not intimidated
  • 00:26:28.427 --> 00:26:29.461
  • He's not intimidated by my failure.
  • 00:26:29.528 --> 00:26:30.529
  • I've gotta get out on faith.
  • 00:26:30.629 --> 00:26:33.231
  • I've gotta get out on faith. i've gotta step into
  • 00:26:33.298 --> 00:26:34.266
  • I've gotta step into the impossibilities,"
  • 00:26:34.333 --> 00:26:35.300
  • The impossibilities," because that's where
  • 00:26:35.367 --> 00:26:36.768
  • Because that's where god wraps himself.
  • 00:26:36.835 --> 00:26:38.470
  • God wraps himself. god wraps himself in faith.
  • 00:26:38.537 --> 00:26:40.739
  • God wraps himself in faith. god wraps himself
  • 00:26:40.806 --> 00:26:41.840
  • God wraps himself in the impossibility.
  • 00:26:41.907 --> 00:26:43.041
  • In the impossibility. and until you step into it,
  • 00:26:43.108 --> 00:26:44.676
  • And until you step into it, you never experience him
  • 00:26:44.743 --> 00:26:46.078
  • You never experience him like you're longing
  • 00:26:46.144 --> 00:26:47.579
  • Like you're longing to experience him.
  • 00:26:47.646 --> 00:26:48.380
  • ♪ ♪
  • 00:26:48.747 --> 00:26:49.081
  • >> thank you so much
  • 00:26:49.214 --> 00:26:49.982
  • >> thank you so much for spending some time
  • 00:26:50.048 --> 00:26:50.949
  • For spending some time with us today.
  • 00:26:51.016 --> 00:26:52.150
  • With us today. we're trusting that
  • 00:26:52.217 --> 00:26:52.884
  • We're trusting that god's word, as it does,
  • 00:26:52.951 --> 00:26:54.152
  • God's word, as it does, made a difference
  • 00:26:54.219 --> 00:26:55.187
  • Made a difference in your life today.
  • 00:26:55.253 --> 00:26:57.189
  • In your life today. and we're just here
  • 00:26:57.255 --> 00:26:57.956
  • And we're just here to be a blessing to you.
  • 00:26:58.023 --> 00:26:59.124
  • To be a blessing to you. we're here to serve
  • 00:26:59.191 --> 00:26:59.758
  • We're here to serve however we can.
  • 00:26:59.825 --> 00:27:01.259
  • However we can. if we can pray with you,
  • 00:27:01.326 --> 00:27:02.227
  • If we can pray with you, they'll communicate that.
  • 00:27:02.294 --> 00:27:03.462
  • They'll communicate that. if you wanna share with us
  • 00:27:03.528 --> 00:27:04.363
  • If you wanna share with us your story.
  • 00:27:04.429 --> 00:27:06.732
  • Your story. it always means so much
  • 00:27:06.798 --> 00:27:08.000
  • It always means so much when we get the letters,
  • 00:27:08.066 --> 00:27:09.201
  • When we get the letters, when we hear about what
  • 00:27:09.267 --> 00:27:10.736
  • When we hear about what god's doing in your life
  • 00:27:10.802 --> 00:27:12.170
  • God's doing in your life so we can begin to think about
  • 00:27:12.237 --> 00:27:13.505
  • So we can begin to think about you and pray with you,
  • 00:27:13.572 --> 00:27:14.539
  • You and pray with you, more specifically.
  • 00:27:14.606 --> 00:27:16.174
  • More specifically. and so, please, call us
  • 00:27:16.241 --> 00:27:17.442
  • And so, please, call us if you need prayer today,
  • 00:27:17.509 --> 00:27:18.677
  • If you need prayer today, and know that you are
  • 00:27:18.744 --> 00:27:20.412
  • And know that you are very important to us.
  • 00:27:20.479 --> 00:27:21.613
  • Very important to us. more importantly,
  • 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.648
  • More importantly, you matter to god.
  • 00:27:22.714 --> 00:27:23.815
  • You matter to god. we'll see you next time.
  • 00:27:23.882 --> 00:27:24.416
  • ♪ ♪
  • 00:27:24.950 --> 00:27:29.655