Passion with Louie Giglio

Louie Giglio - The Church is Alive and Growing Stronger

April 12, 2026 | 27:29

Messages of hope and redemption from Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, with Louie Giglio.

#WordofGod #Church #Strength #Hell #Prophet/Prophets #Peace #Prophecy #Miracles #Hope #LouieGiglio

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Passion with Louie Giglio | Louie Giglio - The Church is Alive and Growing Stronger | April 12, 2026

♪ ♪
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>> all through this season
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>> all through this season you're gonna hear
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You're gonna hear this phrase,
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This phrase, "the church is alive
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"the church is alive and growing stronger."
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And growing stronger." and that's not hype,
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And that's not hype, that is reality.
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That is reality. i was in a gathering,
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I was in a gathering, brooke ligertwood
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Brooke ligertwood is sitting right there,
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Is sitting right there, we were leading friday night
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We were leading friday night in a session in an arena
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In a session in an arena and 14,000 high school
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And 14,000 high school and middle school students
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And middle school students on fire on a friday night
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On fire on a friday night in birmingham, alabama.
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In birmingham, alabama. i'm telling you,
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I'm telling you, looking out around that arena,
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Looking out around that arena, you're like, okay,
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You're like, okay, it ain't all bad news, okay,
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It ain't all bad news, okay, it's not all going
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It's not all going to hell right now.
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To hell right now. there is a work
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There is a work and a move of god happening
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And a move of god happening in the world right now,
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In the world right now, and i'm telling you,
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And i'm telling you, the church is alive
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The church is alive and growing stronger.
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And growing stronger. i'm looking across this room
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I'm looking across this room right now, 11:45 gathering,
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Right now, 11:45 gathering, i can't see into cumberland,
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I can't see into cumberland, i can't see trilith,
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I can't see trilith, but trilith,
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But trilith, additional seating today,
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Additional seating today, i'm looking across this
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I'm looking across this gathering, jammed out,
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Gathering, jammed out, last gathering, jammed out,
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Last gathering, jammed out, and that's been
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And that's been the story of the church,
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The story of the church, and it's been the story
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And it's been the story of passion city church.
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Of passion city church. all these numbers at
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All these numbers at passion city church are up,
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Passion city church are up, and i'll tell you why
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And i'll tell you why they're up.
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They're up. they're up because
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They're up because our mission is to make space
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Our mission is to make space and to make spaces for people
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And to make spaces for people to come to know jesus.
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To come to know jesus. that's what the prophet
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That's what the prophet was speaking about in isaiah,
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Was speaking about in isaiah, when he said in isaiah 54,
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When he said in isaiah 54, "enlarge the place of your tent,
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"enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide,
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Stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back,
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Do not hold back, lengthen your cords,
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Lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes."
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Strengthen your stakes." this is the heart of the gospel,
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This is the heart of the gospel, this passage, this prophecy,
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This passage, this prophecy, in isaiah is about zion.
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In isaiah is about zion. it's about god's people,
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It's about god's people, and in this particular context,
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And in this particular context, they're not doing super great,
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They're not doing super great, but he says don't lose hope
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But he says don't lose hope and don't shrink back,
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And don't shrink back, and instead do the opposite.
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And instead do the opposite. stretch your curtain wide
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Stretch your curtain wide and watch what i'm going to do,
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And watch what i'm going to do, and the rest of this chapter
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And the rest of this chapter unfolds his promise
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Unfolds his promise to his people and how
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To his people and how he's going to multiply them
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He's going to multiply them and use them in the whole earth.
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And use them in the whole earth. this chapter ends with
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This chapter ends with that famous verse that
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That famous verse that we claim a lot,
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We claim a lot, no weapon formed
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No weapon formed against you will prosper.
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Against you will prosper. he's saying i want you
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He's saying i want you to have vision.
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To have vision. and that's what we want,
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And that's what we want, that's god's church,
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That's god's church, it is a house of vision.
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It is a house of vision. we started 15 years ago downtown
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We started 15 years ago downtown atlanta at the tabernacle,
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Atlanta at the tabernacle, one of the renowned venues
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One of the renowned venues in our city,
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In our city, and it was jammed out,
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And it was jammed out, two gatherings on the very first
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Two gatherings on the very first night of passion city church,
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Night of passion city church, and we could have just said,
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And we could have just said, you know what, this is amazing.
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You know what, this is amazing. the worship was on fire,
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The worship was on fire, god was in the place,
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God was in the place, the holy spirit was moving,
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The holy spirit was moving, the word of god was preached,
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The word of god was preached, it was packed out,
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It was packed out, it was a thing,
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It was a thing, and it was a story,
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And it was a story, and we could have just said,
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And we could have just said, wow, this is good.
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Wow, this is good. but i'm thinking about it,
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But i'm thinking about it, i'm looking around
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I'm looking around the room right now,
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The room right now, how many of you were in
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How many of you were in the tabernacle on night one
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The tabernacle on night one at passion city church?
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At passion city church? can you just, cumberland,
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Can you just, cumberland, trilith, anybody online,
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Trilith, anybody online, can you just
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Can you just raise your hand really,
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Raise your hand really, really high and hold it up
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Really high and hold it up for a moment?
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For a moment? i was there on night one.
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I was there on night one. okay, we got some
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Okay, we got some core team over here,
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Core team over here, so there's two people, 3,
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So there's two people, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, i see somebody
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4, 5, 6, 7, 8, i see somebody pointing somewhere,
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Pointing somewhere, somewhere over there,
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Somewhere over there, i'm not sure where.
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I'm not sure where. but okay, still pointing,
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But okay, still pointing, i'm still going in
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I'm still going in the right direction, okay,
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The right direction, okay, one more, 10 people
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One more, 10 people in this room were
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In this room were there on night one.
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There on night one. don't know how many
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Don't know how many at cumberland, trilith,
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At cumberland, trilith, let's add it all up, 25 people?
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Let's add it all up, 25 people? so if we had said on night one,
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So if we had said on night one, let's just call it done,
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Let's just call it done, we would have missed out
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We would have missed out on all of you.
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On all of you. but in our heart that
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But in our heart that night was to enlarge
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Night was to enlarge the place of our tent,
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The place of our tent, and we couldn't do
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And we couldn't do that right away.
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That right away. we didn't have
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We didn't have a dollar on night one.
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A dollar on night one. we didn't have any staff,
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Hardly, on night one.
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Hardly, on night one. so, we couldn't do a lot
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So, we couldn't do a lot of enlarging on night one.
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Of enlarging on night one. night one was pretty big
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Night one was pretty big for us to pull off.
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For us to pull off. but the heartbeat wasn't,
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But the heartbeat wasn't, let's just keep it here.
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Let's just keep it here. the heartbeat was,
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The heartbeat was, let's make space for people
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To come to know jesus.
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To come to know jesus. in time, we got stronger,
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In time, we got stronger, and in time,
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And in time, in that place that
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In that place that you're sitting in here
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You're sitting in here at 515 in atlanta, georgia,
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At 515 in atlanta, georgia, we knew we could reproduce,
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We knew we could reproduce, and we took a step.
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And we took a step. it wasn't the biggest
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It wasn't the biggest step of all time,
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Step of all time, but we went 9.4 miles up
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But we went 9.4 miles up the road to cumberland,
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The road to cumberland, and we went
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And we went to the waverly hotel,
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To the waverly hotel, had gatherings in there.
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Had gatherings in there. we went to cobb energy center,
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We went to cobb energy center, had gatherings there.
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Had gatherings there. eventually, we landed
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Eventually, we landed at north atlanta high school
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At north atlanta high school for a season of time.
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For a season of time. bryson and emily vogeltans
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Bryson and emily vogeltans were leading the charge,
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Were leading the charge, aaron and carmen for a minute,
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Aaron and carmen for a minute, the coes, now grant and maggie
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The coes, now grant and maggie leading the way in such
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Leading the way in such a powerful way.
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A powerful way. and then, in time,
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And then, in time, moving out of north atlanta
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Moving out of north atlanta high school,
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High school, we bought an
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We bought an old office building.
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Old office building. we retrofitted it into
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We retrofitted it into a beautiful place for babies
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A beautiful place for babies and kids and students and all
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And kids and students and all kinds of things happening.
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Kinds of things happening. then we built an auditorium
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Then we built an auditorium that's full of people
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That's full of people right now at cumberland,
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Right now at cumberland, on cumberland parkway,
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On cumberland parkway, where jesus has been exalted.
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Where jesus has been exalted. people have come to know him,
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People have come to know him, and lives have been changed,
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And lives have been changed, empty graves.
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Empty graves. that was stretching the tents.
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That was stretching the tents. a few years later,
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A few years later, we felt like we would take
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We felt like we would take a little bigger stretch,
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A little bigger stretch, and we took a 647-mile
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And we took a 647-mile stretch this way,
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Stretch this way, and we went to d.c.
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And we went to d.c. a little over five years ago,
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A little over five years ago, launched a church
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Launched a church in the nation's capital,
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In the nation's capital, which has been
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Which has been so influential to executives.
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So influential to executives. i preached there when
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I preached there when the vice president of our nation
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The vice president of our nation was sitting on row 10.
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Was sitting on row 10. cabinet members,
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Cabinet members, senators, congressmen,
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Senators, congressmen, all of the young people who
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All of the young people who are in d.c. for career choices
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Are in d.c. for career choices and for a season of time,
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And for a season of time, just preaching the gospel,
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Just preaching the gospel, shining the light of jesus,
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Shining the light of jesus, building community,
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Building community, going through
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Going through the crazy times of covid.
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The crazy times of covid. a light on a hill
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A light on a hill and salt in the earth
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And salt in the earth in the nation's capital.
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In the nation's capital. why?
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Why? because we believed in
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Because we believed in stretching our curtain wide
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Stretching our curtain wide and enlarging our tent.
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And enlarging our tent. then a few years ago,
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Then a few years ago, after several years ago,
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After several years ago, being down in
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Being down in fayette county of all places,
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Fayette county of all places, and someone telling me,
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And someone telling me, i'm going to build a town
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I'm going to build a town in this pasture.
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In this pasture. i was like, okay.
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I was like, okay. it's going to be a hub
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It's going to be a hub of creativity and innovation
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Of creativity and innovation and technology.
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And technology. it's going to be
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It's going to be a walkable community
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A walkable community where people are going
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Where people are going to live and go to school.
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To live and go to school. it's going to just be an amazing
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It's going to just be an amazing place that draws people from
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Place that draws people from all over america to come
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All over america to come to this city, this town.
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To this city, this town. maybe there should be
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Maybe there should be a passion city church here.
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A passion city church here. i thought, okay,
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I thought, okay, well let's build a town first.
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Well let's build a town first. then we'll talk about whether
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Then we'll talk about whether there's going to be a church.
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There's going to be a church. sure enough, they built a town.
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Sure enough, they built a town. sure enough, i needed to use
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Another color because
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Another color because it's just that special.
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It's just that special. thirty-three miles down
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Thirty-three miles down the road at trilith town,
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The road at trilith town, passion city church at
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Passion city church at trilith has been born.
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Trilith has been born. it is thriving under
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It is thriving under the leadership of dan and joe
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And their team down there.
00:07:27.833 --> 00:07:29.235
And their team down there. not just meeting on sundays,
00:07:29.301 --> 00:07:30.569
Not just meeting on sundays, but ministering to people
00:07:30.636 --> 00:07:31.804
But ministering to people all through the week.
00:07:31.871 --> 00:07:33.172
All through the week. a real gathering place for
00:07:33.239 --> 00:07:34.707
A real gathering place for people on the south side of
00:07:34.773 --> 00:07:36.442
People on the south side of atlanta because the heartbeat
00:07:36.509 --> 00:07:38.944
Atlanta because the heartbeat all along has been
00:07:39.011 --> 00:07:40.379
All along has been to enlarge the tent.
00:07:40.446 --> 00:07:42.948
To enlarge the tent. the vision of the church
00:07:43.015 --> 00:07:44.216
The vision of the church is not a few people
00:07:44.283 --> 00:07:45.551
Is not a few people cloistered in a room.
00:07:45.618 --> 00:07:48.420
Cloistered in a room. it is space making
00:07:48.487 --> 00:07:50.656
It is space making and place making so that
00:07:50.723 --> 00:07:52.892
And place making so that people can come to know jesus.
00:07:52.958 --> 00:07:56.562
People can come to know jesus. that's what we're about in
00:07:56.629 --> 00:07:58.697
That's what we're about in the above and beyond season.
00:07:58.764 --> 00:08:00.933
The above and beyond season. things are up and the church
00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.536
Things are up and the church is alive and growing stronger.
00:08:03.602 --> 00:08:06.438
Is alive and growing stronger. except in one number.
00:08:06.505 --> 00:08:09.708
Except in one number. in one important
00:08:09.775 --> 00:08:12.044
In one important critical metric,
00:08:12.111 --> 00:08:14.280
Critical metric, passion city church
00:08:14.346 --> 00:08:15.180
Passion city church is not up this year.
00:08:15.247 --> 00:08:18.250
Is not up this year. that's in our regular giving.
00:08:18.317 --> 00:08:21.353
That's in our regular giving. our giving,
00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:22.521
Our giving, while everything else is up,
00:08:22.588 --> 00:08:25.524
While everything else is up, not only was not flat,
00:08:25.591 --> 00:08:27.693
Not only was not flat, but it was down compared
00:08:27.760 --> 00:08:30.563
But it was down compared to our giving last year.
00:08:30.629 --> 00:08:32.131
To our giving last year. this isn't anything about,
00:08:32.197 --> 00:08:34.033
This isn't anything about, hey, you're here,
00:08:34.099 --> 00:08:34.600
Hey, you're here, you should be giving.
00:08:34.667 --> 00:08:35.200
You should be giving. it's like we're glad
00:08:35.267 --> 00:08:36.068
It's like we're glad you're here.
00:08:36.135 --> 00:08:37.536
You're here. but in time, there has to be
00:08:37.603 --> 00:08:38.971
But in time, there has to be a shift and a change.
00:08:39.038 --> 00:08:40.005
A shift and a change. i think right now,
00:08:40.072 --> 00:08:41.473
I think right now, globally, in church,
00:08:41.540 --> 00:08:43.442
Globally, in church, we're seeing people coming
00:08:43.509 --> 00:08:44.677
We're seeing people coming through the door with a bigger
00:08:44.743 --> 00:08:46.645
Through the door with a bigger thought of, "what am i going
00:08:46.712 --> 00:08:48.614
Thought of, "what am i going to get out of church today?"
00:08:48.681 --> 00:08:51.183
To get out of church today?" than coming through the door
00:08:51.250 --> 00:08:52.685
Than coming through the door going, "what can i contribute
00:08:52.751 --> 00:08:55.020
Going, "what can i contribute to church today?"
00:08:55.087 --> 00:08:57.523
To church today?" and that shift is the big shift
00:08:57.590 --> 00:08:59.358
And that shift is the big shift that we need to see at
00:08:59.425 --> 00:09:00.759
That we need to see at passion city church.
00:09:00.826 --> 00:09:01.994
Passion city church. just to let you know,
00:09:02.061 --> 00:09:03.228
Just to let you know, we're not alone in this.
00:09:03.295 --> 00:09:04.563
We're not alone in this. i don't think there's
00:09:04.630 --> 00:09:05.464
I don't think there's anything terribly wrong
00:09:05.531 --> 00:09:06.565
Anything terribly wrong with passion city.
00:09:06.632 --> 00:09:08.300
With passion city. many great churches that are
00:09:08.367 --> 00:09:09.902
Many great churches that are being powered by the holy spirit
00:09:09.969 --> 00:09:12.004
Being powered by the holy spirit that i know of across the nation
00:09:12.071 --> 00:09:14.006
That i know of across the nation right now are in the same place
00:09:14.073 --> 00:09:16.308
Right now are in the same place we are with flat giving,
00:09:16.375 --> 00:09:17.977
We are with flat giving, or giving is way down,
00:09:18.043 --> 00:09:19.545
Or giving is way down, even more than our giving
00:09:19.612 --> 00:09:20.613
Even more than our giving was down this year.
00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:22.348
Was down this year. you're like, "well,
00:09:22.414 --> 00:09:22.781
You're like, "well, why didn't you tell us?
00:09:22.848 --> 00:09:23.449
Why didn't you tell us? we had that big kick last year
00:09:23.515 --> 00:09:24.650
We had that big kick last year and we made up for it
00:09:24.717 --> 00:09:25.417
And we made up for it and we shot through
00:09:25.484 --> 00:09:26.452
And we shot through the finish line at
00:09:26.518 --> 00:09:27.286
The finish line at the end of the day and it was
00:09:27.353 --> 00:09:28.787
The end of the day and it was a big, you know, celebration
00:09:28.854 --> 00:09:29.955
A big, you know, celebration moment for our church.
00:09:30.022 --> 00:09:30.856
Moment for our church. why didn't you tell us we
00:09:30.923 --> 00:09:31.757
Why didn't you tell us we were going to be down
00:09:31.824 --> 00:09:32.424
Were going to be down again this year?"
00:09:32.491 --> 00:09:33.292
Again this year?" because i don't want to come
00:09:33.359 --> 00:09:34.760
Because i don't want to come at the end of every year
00:09:34.827 --> 00:09:35.861
At the end of every year and tell us we're going to be
00:09:35.928 --> 00:09:37.162
And tell us we're going to be down at the end of that year.
00:09:37.229 --> 00:09:39.398
Down at the end of that year. especially when every story
00:09:39.465 --> 00:09:40.899
Especially when every story i was hearing in april
00:09:40.966 --> 00:09:42.234
I was hearing in april and may was "god is moving.
00:09:42.301 --> 00:09:43.869
And may was "god is moving. i am loving this
00:09:43.936 --> 00:09:45.070
I am loving this revelation series.
00:09:45.137 --> 00:09:46.105
Revelation series. my neighbor just got saved.
00:09:46.171 --> 00:09:47.640
My neighbor just got saved. my kids got saved at
00:09:47.706 --> 00:09:48.774
My kids got saved at winter weekend.
00:09:48.841 --> 00:09:49.675
Winter weekend. this is the most phenomenal
00:09:49.742 --> 00:09:51.176
This is the most phenomenal season our family's been in.
00:09:51.243 --> 00:09:52.578
Season our family's been in. church for us has never
00:09:52.645 --> 00:09:54.179
Church for us has never been like this before.
00:09:54.246 --> 00:09:55.581
Been like this before. the spirit is in our gatherings.
00:09:55.648 --> 00:09:57.149
The spirit is in our gatherings. god is moving."
00:09:57.216 --> 00:09:58.050
God is moving." i don't want to go, "oh,
00:09:58.117 --> 00:09:59.018
I don't want to go, "oh, and by the way, we have to do
00:09:59.084 --> 00:10:00.686
And by the way, we have to do that kick thing again."
00:10:00.753 --> 00:10:01.987
Our house needs to get
00:10:02.087 --> 00:10:03.589
Our house needs to get to the place where
00:10:03.656 --> 00:10:04.657
To the place where we don't need a kick.
00:10:04.723 --> 00:10:06.492
We don't need a kick. where our kick
00:10:06.558 --> 00:10:07.126
Where our kick is consistent giving,
00:10:07.192 --> 00:10:09.728
Is consistent giving, week by week, day by day,
00:10:09.795 --> 00:10:11.130
Week by week, day by day, month by month, year by year,
00:10:11.196 --> 00:10:13.365
Month by month, year by year, and that shift happens from,
00:10:13.432 --> 00:10:15.434
And that shift happens from, "what do i get out
00:10:15.501 --> 00:10:16.468
"what do i get out of church today?"
00:10:16.535 --> 00:10:18.337
Of church today?" to, "what can i contribute
00:10:18.404 --> 00:10:20.005
To church today?"
00:10:20.105 --> 00:10:22.107
To church today?" and when that shift happens,
00:10:22.174 --> 00:10:23.442
And when that shift happens, we don't have kicks,
00:10:23.509 --> 00:10:24.443
We don't have kicks, we don't have shortage,
00:10:24.510 --> 00:10:26.445
We don't have shortage, we are able to do what
00:10:26.512 --> 00:10:28.313
We are able to do what god wants us to do.
00:10:28.380 --> 00:10:30.649
God wants us to do. but in this global economy
00:10:30.716 --> 00:10:32.985
But in this global economy and this repopulation of church,
00:10:33.052 --> 00:10:34.687
And this repopulation of church, what has that meant to us?
00:10:34.753 --> 00:10:37.456
What has that meant to us? it's meant that we've had
00:10:37.523 --> 00:10:38.490
It's meant that we've had to whittle down our reserves.
00:10:38.557 --> 00:10:42.661
To whittle down our reserves. we've had to eat into our margin
00:10:42.728 --> 00:10:45.431
We've had to eat into our margin to continue to do the ministry
00:10:45.497 --> 00:10:48.033
To continue to do the ministry that we feel like god
00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:49.635
That we feel like god has called us to do.
00:10:49.702 --> 00:10:50.369
Has called us to do. and that's why i believe
00:10:50.436 --> 00:10:51.336
And that's why i believe this next few weeks,
00:10:51.403 --> 00:10:53.439
This next few weeks, this above and beyond season
00:10:53.505 --> 00:10:54.940
This above and beyond season is an inflection point
00:10:55.007 --> 00:10:57.109
Is an inflection point for our house.
00:10:57.176 --> 00:10:58.510
For our house. it is a critical inflection
00:10:58.577 --> 00:11:00.646
It is a critical inflection point and an amazing opportunity
00:11:00.713 --> 00:11:04.349
Point and an amazing opportunity for passion city church,
00:11:04.416 --> 00:11:05.651
For passion city church, and i'm pumped and excited
00:11:05.718 --> 00:11:07.186
And i'm pumped and excited about giving above so that
00:11:07.252 --> 00:11:09.621
About giving above so that we can go beyond.
00:11:09.688 --> 00:11:11.390
We can go beyond. the amens have
00:11:11.457 --> 00:11:11.957
The amens have dried up completely.
00:11:12.024 --> 00:11:14.493
Dried up completely. it's just me now,
00:11:14.560 --> 00:11:15.227
It's just me now, and i'm fine with that.
00:11:15.294 --> 00:11:16.662
And i'm fine with that. i'm good leading the charge
00:11:16.729 --> 00:11:17.930
I'm good leading the charge and taking the wind.
00:11:17.996 --> 00:11:20.699
And taking the wind. but any amens
00:11:20.766 --> 00:11:22.501
But any amens anybody feels up to,
00:11:22.568 --> 00:11:23.836
Anybody feels up to, by all means,
00:11:23.902 --> 00:11:24.536
By all means, i'm excited about
00:11:24.603 --> 00:11:26.305
I'm excited about moving into this season.
00:11:26.371 --> 00:11:27.606
Moving into this season. now, what are we doing,
00:11:27.673 --> 00:11:29.241
Now, what are we doing, by the way?
00:11:29.308 --> 00:11:29.875
By the way? because i just said a lot.
00:11:29.942 --> 00:11:30.709
Because i just said a lot. i just dropped sort of some
00:11:30.776 --> 00:11:31.744
I just dropped sort of some big news on the house.
00:11:31.810 --> 00:11:32.911
Big news on the house. what are we doing?
00:11:32.978 --> 00:11:33.479
What are we doing? number one,
00:11:33.545 --> 00:11:34.146
Number one, we're tightening our belt.
00:11:34.213 --> 00:11:35.247
We're tightening our belt. so, that's our job.
00:11:35.314 --> 00:11:36.348
So, that's our job. stewardship is our job.
00:11:36.415 --> 00:11:38.117
Stewardship is our job. we want to do well
00:11:38.183 --> 00:11:39.718
We want to do well with your investment in
00:11:39.785 --> 00:11:41.220
With your investment in this house before god.
00:11:41.286 --> 00:11:43.021
This house before god. so, once again this year,
00:11:43.088 --> 00:11:43.889
So, once again this year, the belt's being tightened.
00:11:43.956 --> 00:11:45.057
The belt's being tightened. that's going to probably
00:11:45.124 --> 00:11:46.325
That's going to probably affect staffing.
00:11:46.391 --> 00:11:48.060
Affect staffing. it's going to affect ministry.
00:11:48.127 --> 00:11:50.596
It's going to affect ministry. and it's in some way
00:11:50.662 --> 00:11:51.830
And it's in some way going to affect probably
00:11:51.897 --> 00:11:52.631
Going to affect probably everything we do.
00:11:52.698 --> 00:11:54.099
Everything we do. but we're still going
00:11:54.166 --> 00:11:54.733
But we're still going to keep preaching jesus.
00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:55.534
To keep preaching jesus. we're still going to build
00:11:55.601 --> 00:11:57.002
We're still going to build into people's lives.
00:11:57.069 --> 00:11:58.337
Into people's lives. but we've got to tighten
00:11:58.403 --> 00:11:59.004
But we've got to tighten our belt again this year after
00:11:59.071 --> 00:12:00.706
Our belt again this year after tightening our belt last year.
00:12:00.773 --> 00:12:03.242
Tightening our belt last year. but also, it means that
00:12:03.308 --> 00:12:05.043
But also, it means that we have an opportunity
00:12:05.110 --> 00:12:05.978
We have an opportunity to inspire generosity.
00:12:06.044 --> 00:12:08.914
To inspire generosity. that's what today and this
00:12:08.981 --> 00:12:10.682
That's what today and this season is all about.
00:12:10.749 --> 00:12:13.085
Season is all about. it's about inspiring generosity.
00:12:13.152 --> 00:12:15.187
It's about inspiring generosity. now, to clarify, generosity is
00:12:15.254 --> 00:12:17.856
Now, to clarify, generosity is giving above.
00:12:17.923 --> 00:12:19.391
Giving above. it's not the tithe.
00:12:19.458 --> 00:12:21.527
It's not the tithe. tithe is not generosity.
00:12:21.593 --> 00:12:23.328
Tithe is not generosity. tithing, if you haven't
00:12:23.395 --> 00:12:24.663
Tithing, if you haven't been around church,
00:12:24.730 --> 00:12:25.364
Been around church, is god encouraging us
00:12:25.430 --> 00:12:26.632
Is god encouraging us to give the first fruit of
00:12:26.698 --> 00:12:27.933
To give the first fruit of everything he puts in our hands
00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.568
Everything he puts in our hands back into his kingdom.
00:12:29.635 --> 00:12:30.936
Back into his kingdom. that's tithing.
00:12:31.003 --> 00:12:32.771
That's tithing. typically a tenth,
00:12:32.838 --> 00:12:33.972
Typically a tenth, a 10%, the tithe.
00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:36.108
A 10%, the tithe. and that's not generosity,
00:12:36.175 --> 00:12:37.743
And that's not generosity, by the way.
00:12:37.810 --> 00:12:38.177
By the way. so if you're tithing,
00:12:38.243 --> 00:12:39.178
So if you're tithing, that's beautiful.
00:12:39.244 --> 00:12:40.546
That's beautiful. you should be.
00:12:40.612 --> 00:12:42.314
You should be. but that's not generosity.
00:12:42.381 --> 00:12:43.415
But that's not generosity. that's obedience.
00:12:43.482 --> 00:12:44.750
That's obedience. that's just simply obeying
00:12:44.817 --> 00:12:46.518
That's just simply obeying god when he says to us,
00:12:46.585 --> 00:12:49.154
God when he says to us, bring the first fruit
00:12:49.221 --> 00:12:49.922
Bring the first fruit into the storehouse.
00:12:49.988 --> 00:12:50.689
Into the storehouse. malachi was saying
00:12:50.756 --> 00:12:51.590
Malachi was saying that, the prophet.
00:12:51.657 --> 00:12:53.358
He said, "will a man rob god?"
00:12:53.458 --> 00:12:55.594
He said, "will a man rob god?" now, you don't want to get into
00:12:55.661 --> 00:12:56.495
Now, you don't want to get into trying to rob god, by the way.
00:12:56.562 --> 00:12:58.630
Trying to rob god, by the way. and you say, and he says,
00:12:58.697 --> 00:12:59.932
And you say, and he says, "yet you rob me.
00:12:59.998 --> 00:13:00.999
"yet you rob me. but you ask, how do we rob you?"
00:13:01.066 --> 00:13:03.101
But you ask, how do we rob you?" how are we robbing god?
00:13:03.168 --> 00:13:03.769
How are we robbing god? i'm not robbing god.
00:13:03.836 --> 00:13:05.804
I'm not robbing god. i'm not holding god up.
00:13:05.871 --> 00:13:07.639
I'm not holding god up. he says, "you're robbing me
00:13:07.706 --> 00:13:09.141
He says, "you're robbing me in tithes and offerings.
00:13:09.208 --> 00:13:12.244
In tithes and offerings. and you're under a curse,
00:13:12.311 --> 00:13:13.312
And you're under a curse, the whole nation,
00:13:13.378 --> 00:13:14.479
The whole nation, because you're robbing me."
00:13:14.546 --> 00:13:16.081
Because you're robbing me." and then he gives us
00:13:16.148 --> 00:13:17.716
And then he gives us a challenge.
00:13:17.783 --> 00:13:18.817
A challenge. this is so powerful.
00:13:18.884 --> 00:13:20.919
This is so powerful. god is saying,
00:13:20.986 --> 00:13:21.720
God is saying, bring the whole tithe.
00:13:21.787 --> 00:13:22.754
Bring the whole tithe. so i'm blessing you.
00:13:22.821 --> 00:13:25.290
So i'm blessing you. you're like, "well, god really
00:13:25.357 --> 00:13:26.191
You're like, "well, god really didn't bless me, louie.
00:13:26.258 --> 00:13:27.059
Didn't bless me, louie. i actually earned
00:13:27.125 --> 00:13:27.926
The money i make.
00:13:28.026 --> 00:13:29.428
The money i make. and i work hard for my money."
00:13:29.494 --> 00:13:30.929
And i work hard for my money." and i get that, because i work
00:13:30.996 --> 00:13:32.664
And i get that, because i work hard for my money also.
00:13:32.731 --> 00:13:34.600
Hard for my money also. but i work hard for my money.
00:13:34.666 --> 00:13:35.901
But i work hard for my money. you know how i do it?
00:13:35.968 --> 00:13:36.969
You know how i do it? i do it with the brain
00:13:37.035 --> 00:13:38.270
I do it with the brain that god gave me,
00:13:38.337 --> 00:13:39.104
That god gave me, and the gift that god
00:13:39.171 --> 00:13:40.105
And the gift that god gave me to do what
00:13:40.172 --> 00:13:40.973
Gave me to do what i'm doing right now,
00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:42.174
I'm doing right now, with the strength
00:13:42.241 --> 00:13:42.774
With the strength that god gives me,
00:13:42.841 --> 00:13:43.642
That god gives me, with the breath
00:13:43.709 --> 00:13:44.443
With the breath that god gives me,
00:13:44.509 --> 00:13:45.377
That god gives me, with the opportunity
00:13:45.444 --> 00:13:46.345
With the opportunity that god has given me.
00:13:46.411 --> 00:13:47.613
That god has given me. that's how i work hard
00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:48.747
That's how i work hard for my money.
00:13:48.814 --> 00:13:50.682
For my money. and so when i get that resource,
00:13:50.749 --> 00:13:53.752
And so when i get that resource, he's saying,
00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.753
He's saying, "bring the whole tithe,
00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:56.188
"bring the whole tithe, that whole first fruit,
00:13:56.255 --> 00:13:57.623
That whole first fruit, that whole ten percent,
00:13:57.689 --> 00:13:59.258
That whole ten percent, bring that," he says,
00:13:59.324 --> 00:14:00.792
"into the storehouse."
00:14:00.893 --> 00:14:05.297
"into the storehouse." now, a lot of people
00:14:05.364 --> 00:14:05.898
Now, a lot of people are going to ask,
00:14:05.964 --> 00:14:06.431
Are going to ask, but i think the storehouse
00:14:06.498 --> 00:14:07.366
But i think the storehouse is your community of faith.
00:14:07.432 --> 00:14:09.935
Is your community of faith. there are a lot of things
00:14:10.002 --> 00:14:10.702
There are a lot of things to give to on planet earth.
00:14:10.769 --> 00:14:12.738
But the tithe, he says,
00:14:12.838 --> 00:14:15.374
But the tithe, he says, bring it into the storehouse
00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:16.642
Bring it into the storehouse that there may be food
00:14:16.708 --> 00:14:18.010
That there may be food in my house.
00:14:18.076 --> 00:14:23.282
In my house. in other words,
00:14:23.348 --> 00:14:23.782
In other words, that the community of faith
00:14:23.849 --> 00:14:25.717
That the community of faith where you're receiving
00:14:25.784 --> 00:14:26.985
Where you're receiving will be able to continue
00:14:27.052 --> 00:14:28.287
Will be able to continue to feed the flock.
00:14:28.353 --> 00:14:32.157
To feed the flock. and so, the tithe, i believe,
00:14:32.224 --> 00:14:33.525
And so, the tithe, i believe, is connected to your
00:14:33.592 --> 00:14:35.294
Is connected to your local community of faith,
00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:37.429
Local community of faith, the place where
00:14:37.496 --> 00:14:38.263
The place where you are fed most,
00:14:38.330 --> 00:14:39.932
You are fed most, where you're connected most,
00:14:39.998 --> 00:14:41.433
Where you're connected most, and for most everyone
00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:43.435
And for most everyone in the room right now,
00:14:43.502 --> 00:14:44.169
In the room right now, that's our local church.
00:14:44.236 --> 00:14:47.739
That's our local church. and then, god is saying,
00:14:47.806 --> 00:14:48.507
And then, god is saying, and if you're
00:14:48.573 --> 00:14:49.041
Freaked out about that,
00:14:49.141 --> 00:14:50.142
Freaked out about that, or somehow the enemy's gotten
00:14:50.208 --> 00:14:51.476
Or somehow the enemy's gotten in there and deceived you
00:14:51.543 --> 00:14:52.611
In there and deceived you and twisted the message like,
00:14:52.678 --> 00:14:54.680
Louie, we can't give 10%
00:14:54.780 --> 00:14:56.615
Louie, we can't give 10% of our paycheck right now,
00:14:56.682 --> 00:14:57.683
Of our paycheck right now, we'd go broke if we did that.
00:14:57.749 --> 00:15:01.053
We'd go broke if we did that. god said, let me
00:15:01.119 --> 00:15:01.586
God said, let me rewrite that for you.
00:15:01.653 --> 00:15:03.622
He said, "test me in this."
00:15:03.722 --> 00:15:05.958
He said, "test me in this." man, when god says, test me,
00:15:06.024 --> 00:15:08.393
Man, when god says, test me, you should test him.
00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:10.495
You should test him. when he says, try me,
00:15:10.562 --> 00:15:12.331
When he says, try me, you should try him.
00:15:12.397 --> 00:15:14.533
You should try him. not me, not passion city,
00:15:14.599 --> 00:15:16.268
Not any church,
00:15:16.368 --> 00:15:17.336
Not any church, not any local church,
00:15:17.402 --> 00:15:18.303
Not any local church, you should try god.
00:15:18.370 --> 00:15:19.671
You should try god. you should take him at his word.
00:15:19.738 --> 00:15:22.207
"test me in this,"
00:15:22.307 --> 00:15:23.342
"test me in this," says the lord almighty,
00:15:23.408 --> 00:15:24.643
Says the lord almighty, "and see," here is a huge
00:15:24.710 --> 00:15:27.713
"and see," here is a huge promise for us today,
00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:29.448
Promise for us today, "see if i will not throw open
00:15:29.514 --> 00:15:31.416
"see if i will not throw open the floodgates of heaven
00:15:31.483 --> 00:15:33.018
The floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing
00:15:33.085 --> 00:15:35.153
And pour out so much blessing that you will not have
00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:37.823
That you will not have room enough for it."
00:15:37.889 --> 00:15:42.694
The world is probably saying,
00:15:42.794 --> 00:15:44.763
The world is probably saying, hang on to all of it.
00:15:44.830 --> 00:15:46.365
Hang on to all of it. if you give 10% of it,
00:15:46.431 --> 00:15:49.134
If you give 10% of it, you can't function on
00:15:49.201 --> 00:15:49.801
You can't function on 90% of it,
00:15:49.868 --> 00:15:51.136
90% of it, and god is saying,
00:15:51.203 --> 00:15:52.270
And god is saying, "if you give 10% of it,
00:15:52.337 --> 00:15:53.672
"if you give 10% of it, i'll turn the 90% of it
00:15:53.739 --> 00:15:55.207
I'll turn the 90% of it into 190% of it.
00:15:55.273 --> 00:15:57.409
Into 190% of it. i will throw open
00:15:57.476 --> 00:15:58.377
I will throw open the windows of heaven.
00:15:58.443 --> 00:15:59.277
The windows of heaven. i will pour out a blessing in
00:15:59.344 --> 00:16:00.545
I will pour out a blessing in your life if you will just be
00:16:00.612 --> 00:16:03.548
Your life if you will just be obedient to bring the whole
00:16:03.615 --> 00:16:06.418
Obedient to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse."
00:16:06.485 --> 00:16:09.354
Tithe into the storehouse." you know, shelley and i's
00:16:09.421 --> 00:16:10.389
You know, shelley and i's families grew up differently.
00:16:10.455 --> 00:16:11.490
Families grew up differently. her family is financially a lot
00:16:11.556 --> 00:16:13.625
More successful than ours.
00:16:13.725 --> 00:16:15.394
More successful than ours. i don't know if successful
00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:16.328
I don't know if successful wasn't the right word there,
00:16:16.395 --> 00:16:17.295
Wasn't the right word there, but they were in a different
00:16:17.362 --> 00:16:18.296
But they were in a different category financially
00:16:18.363 --> 00:16:19.297
Category financially than our family was.
00:16:19.364 --> 00:16:21.466
Than our family was. our family was
00:16:21.533 --> 00:16:22.267
Our family was lower middle class.
00:16:22.334 --> 00:16:23.068
Lower middle class. we were a debt family.
00:16:23.135 --> 00:16:26.204
We were a debt family. we didn't have any extra
00:16:26.271 --> 00:16:27.172
We didn't have any extra or margin in our family.
00:16:27.239 --> 00:16:29.307
My parents both passed away.
00:16:29.408 --> 00:16:30.442
My parents both passed away. there was no inheritances.
00:16:30.509 --> 00:16:31.510
There was no inheritances. there was no money coming down.
00:16:31.576 --> 00:16:32.944
There was no money coming down. there was no properties.
00:16:33.011 --> 00:16:34.479
There was no properties. and when shelley
00:16:34.546 --> 00:16:35.347
And when shelley and i got married,
00:16:35.414 --> 00:16:36.048
And i got married, we were legitimately poor.
00:16:36.114 --> 00:16:38.116
We were legitimately poor. her family had money,
00:16:38.183 --> 00:16:38.950
Her family had money, but they were
00:16:39.017 --> 00:16:39.384
But they were very financially wise,
00:16:39.451 --> 00:16:40.919
Very financially wise, and so it wasn't like,
00:16:40.986 --> 00:16:41.787
And so it wasn't like, "hey, here's a bunch of money.
00:16:41.853 --> 00:16:42.821
"hey, here's a bunch of money. y'all can start
00:16:42.888 --> 00:16:43.455
Y'all can start your life together."
00:16:43.522 --> 00:16:44.156
Your life together." it was like, "hey, good luck.
00:16:44.222 --> 00:16:44.923
It was like, "hey, good luck. god bless you.
00:16:44.990 --> 00:16:45.557
God bless you. we're here.
00:16:45.624 --> 00:16:46.625
We're here. we believe in you, but you know,
00:16:46.691 --> 00:16:48.060
We believe in you, but you know, you're on your own."
00:16:48.126 --> 00:16:48.593
You're on your own." and like a lot of couples
00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.428
And like a lot of couples in these gatherings today,
00:16:49.494 --> 00:16:50.729
In these gatherings today, we were legitimately poor.
00:16:50.796 --> 00:16:54.533
We were legitimately poor. we were doing ministry,
00:16:54.599 --> 00:16:56.701
We were doing ministry, and shelley was working
00:16:56.768 --> 00:16:57.436
And shelley was working a secular job in central texas.
00:16:57.502 --> 00:16:59.404
A secular job in central texas. we didn't have money
00:16:59.471 --> 00:17:00.205
We didn't have money the first christmas
00:17:00.272 --> 00:17:00.872
The first christmas we got married to go
00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.907
We got married to go to houston to see her family.
00:17:01.973 --> 00:17:07.779
To houston to see her family. we cut our first christmas tree
00:17:07.846 --> 00:17:08.713
We cut our first christmas tree down off some people's property
00:17:08.780 --> 00:17:10.282
Down off some people's property in central texas,
00:17:10.348 --> 00:17:11.750
In central texas, and i just want to admit
00:17:11.817 --> 00:17:12.484
And i just want to admit that out loud today
00:17:12.551 --> 00:17:13.452
That out loud today and get that out.
00:17:13.518 --> 00:17:15.554
And get that out. it was a very small tree,
00:17:15.620 --> 00:17:16.888
It was a very small tree, and they had hundreds
00:17:16.955 --> 00:17:18.223
And they had hundreds of acres of land,
00:17:18.290 --> 00:17:19.391
Of acres of land, and i'm sure that
00:17:19.458 --> 00:17:20.125
And i'm sure that they didn't miss it,
00:17:20.192 --> 00:17:20.859
They didn't miss it, but i still feel
00:17:20.926 --> 00:17:22.194
But i still feel an obligation to say
00:17:22.260 --> 00:17:24.529
An obligation to say that out loud today.
00:17:24.596 --> 00:17:26.198
That out loud today. but we committed,
00:17:26.264 --> 00:17:27.499
But we committed, shelley and i did,
00:17:27.566 --> 00:17:29.701
Shelley and i did, that even though
00:17:29.768 --> 00:17:30.302
That even though we don't have anything,
00:17:30.368 --> 00:17:32.003
We don't have anything, 10% of whatever
00:17:32.070 --> 00:17:34.639
10% of whatever we do have,
00:17:34.706 --> 00:17:38.143
We do have, we're putting it
00:17:38.210 --> 00:17:38.977
We're putting it in the hands of god.
00:17:39.044 --> 00:17:42.414
In the hands of god. and so, i can tell you,
00:17:42.481 --> 00:17:43.715
And so, i can tell you, not as a theologian or a pastor
00:17:43.782 --> 00:17:47.152
Not as a theologian or a pastor or a professional christian,
00:17:47.219 --> 00:17:49.154
Or a professional christian, i can tell you as a human being,
00:17:49.221 --> 00:17:52.724
I can tell you as a human being, if you test god,
00:17:52.791 --> 00:17:54.326
If you test god, you will see that he will
00:17:54.392 --> 00:17:56.828
You will see that he will open the windows of heaven,
00:17:56.895 --> 00:17:58.130
Open the windows of heaven, and he will pour out more than
00:17:58.196 --> 00:18:00.765
And he will pour out more than you ever dreamed or imagined.
00:18:00.832 --> 00:18:05.170
You ever dreamed or imagined. and for some of you,
00:18:05.237 --> 00:18:06.037
And for some of you, i'm just being pastoral today,
00:18:06.104 --> 00:18:07.939
I'm just being pastoral today, above and beyond for you
00:18:08.006 --> 00:18:09.608
Above and beyond for you isn't going to be about filling
00:18:09.674 --> 00:18:10.876
Isn't going to be about filling out this card and saying,
00:18:10.942 --> 00:18:11.943
Out this card and saying, we want to give above
00:18:12.010 --> 00:18:12.711
We want to give above and beyond x amount of money
00:18:12.777 --> 00:18:14.179
And beyond x amount of money into these kingdom causes of god
00:18:14.246 --> 00:18:16.314
Into these kingdom causes of god that our church is going
00:18:16.381 --> 00:18:17.115
That our church is going to rally around.
00:18:17.182 --> 00:18:17.849
To rally around. for you, above and beyond is
00:18:17.916 --> 00:18:19.718
For you, above and beyond is going to be a step of obedience,
00:18:19.784 --> 00:18:21.486
Going to be a step of obedience, because right now you're living
00:18:21.553 --> 00:18:23.121
Because right now you're living in disobedience to god.
00:18:23.188 --> 00:18:26.992
In disobedience to god. if you are not tithing,
00:18:27.058 --> 00:18:29.027
If you are not tithing, you're not being
00:18:29.094 --> 00:18:29.728
You're not being obedient to god.
00:18:29.794 --> 00:18:33.665
Obedient to god. and the step for you
00:18:33.732 --> 00:18:35.167
And the step for you is to write on that card,
00:18:35.233 --> 00:18:37.002
Is to write on that card, i've never tithed,
00:18:37.068 --> 00:18:41.239
I've never tithed, and i'm going to start tithing.
00:18:41.306 --> 00:18:45.076
And i'm going to start tithing. i'm going to start giving
00:18:45.143 --> 00:18:46.011
I'm going to start giving so that next year i can be
00:18:46.077 --> 00:18:48.446
So that next year i can be in a position to give above
00:18:48.513 --> 00:18:49.981
In a position to give above what i normally give,
00:18:50.048 --> 00:18:51.216
What i normally give, because i'm going
00:18:51.283 --> 00:18:52.017
Because i'm going to start normally giving.
00:18:52.083 --> 00:18:55.687
To start normally giving. generosity is what happens
00:18:55.754 --> 00:18:57.322
Generosity is what happens on top of this.
00:18:57.389 --> 00:18:59.491
On top of this. we see it in a different
00:18:59.558 --> 00:19:00.692
We see it in a different text in leviticus.
00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.060
Text in leviticus. i love this.
00:19:02.127 --> 00:19:02.861
I love this. "when you reap
00:19:02.928 --> 00:19:03.395
"when you reap the harvest of your land,
00:19:03.461 --> 00:19:05.630
The harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges
00:19:05.697 --> 00:19:07.098
Do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather
00:19:07.165 --> 00:19:08.500
Of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.
00:19:08.567 --> 00:19:11.469
The gleanings of your harvest. leave them for the poor
00:19:11.536 --> 00:19:12.804
Leave them for the poor and the alien.
00:19:12.871 --> 00:19:15.440
And the alien. i am the lord, your god."
00:19:15.507 --> 00:19:18.443
I am the lord, your god." when you reap
00:19:18.510 --> 00:19:20.212
When you reap the harvest of your land,
00:19:20.278 --> 00:19:21.546
The harvest of your land, don't reap it all the way
00:19:21.613 --> 00:19:23.582
Don't reap it all the way to the edge and squeeze
00:19:23.648 --> 00:19:25.417
To the edge and squeeze every bit of it out for you.
00:19:25.483 --> 00:19:29.287
Every bit of it out for you. or in america, more likely,
00:19:29.354 --> 00:19:33.091
Or in america, more likely, don't get that credit card that
00:19:33.158 --> 00:19:34.993
Don't get that credit card that they sent you in the mail,
00:19:35.060 --> 00:19:36.561
They sent you in the mail, the application for,
00:19:36.628 --> 00:19:37.929
The application for, that you get
00:19:37.996 --> 00:19:38.496
That you get 60,000 bonus points on x-y-z.
00:19:38.563 --> 00:19:42.901
60,000 bonus points on x-y-z. and in your mind you're like,
00:19:42.968 --> 00:19:43.802
And in your mind you're like, this is free bonus points
00:19:43.868 --> 00:19:45.303
This is free bonus points because we're never
00:19:45.370 --> 00:19:46.104
Because we're never using the card,
00:19:46.171 --> 00:19:47.038
Using the card, but we're signing up
00:19:47.105 --> 00:19:47.839
But we're signing up and getting the bonus.
00:19:47.906 --> 00:19:49.374
And getting the bonus. and so, we didn't not only
00:19:49.441 --> 00:19:51.109
And so, we didn't not only go to the edges of our crops,
00:19:51.176 --> 00:19:52.677
Go to the edges of our crops, we went a little beyond
00:19:52.744 --> 00:19:54.145
We went a little beyond our crop and, you know,
00:19:54.212 --> 00:19:55.480
Our crop and, you know, we told ourselves we're never
00:19:55.547 --> 00:19:56.414
We told ourselves we're never going to use that card.
00:19:56.481 --> 00:19:57.916
Going to use that card. but then we got this other one
00:19:57.983 --> 00:19:59.117
But then we got this other one and they were giving
00:19:59.184 --> 00:19:59.751
And they were giving an even bigger bonus
00:19:59.818 --> 00:20:00.652
An even bigger bonus for that card and we
00:20:00.719 --> 00:20:01.853
For that card and we signed up for that card
00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.255
Signed up for that card and we were never going
00:20:03.321 --> 00:20:04.155
To use that card.
00:20:04.256 --> 00:20:05.824
To use that card. we just were going to get
00:20:05.890 --> 00:20:06.558
We just were going to get the bonus from that card
00:20:06.625 --> 00:20:09.160
The bonus from that card and then we got that other card.
00:20:09.227 --> 00:20:16.034
And then we got that other card. and we did use that card
00:20:16.101 --> 00:20:18.570
And we did use that card actually because we needed to,
00:20:18.637 --> 00:20:19.838
Actually because we needed to, but not a lot, but we used
00:20:19.904 --> 00:20:23.508
But not a lot, but we used that one a little bit.
00:20:23.575 --> 00:20:31.016
That one a little bit. that's america.
00:20:31.082 --> 00:20:34.586
That's america. and so, it's hard to think
00:20:34.653 --> 00:20:36.788
And so, it's hard to think about what god's inviting us to,
00:20:36.855 --> 00:20:41.960
Because what he's inviting us
00:20:42.060 --> 00:20:43.128
Because what he's inviting us to looks more like this.
00:20:43.194 --> 00:20:44.896
To looks more like this. wouldn't it be great
00:20:44.963 --> 00:20:45.764
Wouldn't it be great if you could just erase
00:20:45.830 --> 00:20:46.364
If you could just erase all those cards like that?
00:20:46.431 --> 00:20:48.833
All those cards like that? he's inviting us to a lifestyle
00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:50.602
He's inviting us to a lifestyle that looks like this.
00:20:50.669 --> 00:20:56.775
That looks like this. and that, my friend,
00:20:56.841 --> 00:20:57.475
And that, my friend, is a word that is
00:20:57.542 --> 00:20:58.510
Is a word that is very rapidly disappearing from
00:20:58.576 --> 00:21:00.745
Very rapidly disappearing from our lifestyles on every level
00:21:00.812 --> 00:21:02.747
And that is the word...
00:21:02.847 --> 00:21:10.055
God's kingdom is a kingdom
00:21:10.855 --> 00:21:12.490
God's kingdom is a kingdom that says, i've got plenty.
00:21:12.557 --> 00:21:14.259
That says, i've got plenty. you can take all of this
00:21:14.326 --> 00:21:14.993
You can take all of this if you need it.
00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:16.361
If you need it. i've got plenty.
00:21:16.428 --> 00:21:17.395
I've got plenty. please, your family,
00:21:17.462 --> 00:21:18.430
Please, your family, you all take that.
00:21:18.496 --> 00:21:20.565
You all take that. we're good.
00:21:20.632 --> 00:21:21.900
We're good. you just got here,
00:21:21.966 --> 00:21:23.535
You just got here, here, take all that.
00:21:23.601 --> 00:21:26.037
Here, take all that. i see an opportunity.
00:21:26.104 --> 00:21:27.005
I see an opportunity. i wasn't expecting that today.
00:21:27.072 --> 00:21:28.340
I wasn't expecting that today. it's like that good samaritan
00:21:28.406 --> 00:21:29.174
It's like that good samaritan and that story jesus was telling
00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.575
About who's your neighbor.
00:21:30.675 --> 00:21:31.776
About who's your neighbor. first guy passed the guy that
00:21:31.843 --> 00:21:33.211
First guy passed the guy that got beat up and robbed.
00:21:33.278 --> 00:21:34.245
Got beat up and robbed. the second guy passed him.
00:21:34.312 --> 00:21:35.213
The second guy passed him. the third guy said,
00:21:35.280 --> 00:21:36.247
The third guy said, "i'll help you even though
00:21:36.314 --> 00:21:37.115
"i'll help you even though ethnically we don't like
00:21:37.182 --> 00:21:38.283
Ethnically we don't like each other and i don't know
00:21:38.350 --> 00:21:40.151
Each other and i don't know who you are and i don't know
00:21:40.218 --> 00:21:41.319
Who you are and i don't know how much it's going to cost
00:21:41.386 --> 00:21:42.153
How much it's going to cost to take care of you.
00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.188
To take care of you. let me put you on my horse.
00:21:43.254 --> 00:21:44.055
Let me put you on my horse. let me take you to the inn.
00:21:44.122 --> 00:21:44.989
Let me take you to the inn. let me check you in.
00:21:45.056 --> 00:21:45.724
Let me check you in. let me tell the guy
00:21:45.790 --> 00:21:46.391
Let me tell the guy i'm good for this.
00:21:46.458 --> 00:21:47.092
I'm good for this. here's some money.
00:21:47.158 --> 00:21:47.892
Here's some money. i'll be back in a few days.
00:21:47.959 --> 00:21:48.860
I'll be back in a few days. i'll bring the rest
00:21:48.927 --> 00:21:49.561
I'll bring the rest of the money.
00:21:49.627 --> 00:21:50.128
Of the money. whatever this guy
00:21:50.195 --> 00:21:51.096
Whatever this guy needs to get better,
00:21:51.162 --> 00:21:52.731
Needs to get better, i'll take care of it."
00:21:52.797 --> 00:21:54.265
I'll take care of it." why he did that is because he
00:21:54.332 --> 00:21:55.667
Why he did that is because he was a picture of the gospel.
00:21:55.734 --> 00:21:57.602
Was a picture of the gospel. god loved us that way
00:21:57.669 --> 00:21:58.603
God loved us that way so he wants us to love
00:21:58.670 --> 00:21:59.504
So he wants us to love our neighbor that way.
00:21:59.571 --> 00:22:00.772
Our neighbor that way. but how did he do it?
00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.975
But how did he do it? i don't think he pulled
00:22:04.042 --> 00:22:05.477
I don't think he pulled one of the extra nine cards
00:22:05.543 --> 00:22:06.444
One of the extra nine cards out of his bag and said,
00:22:06.511 --> 00:22:08.012
Out of his bag and said, "hadn't used this one lately."
00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:10.548
"hadn't used this one lately." i think he did it because
00:22:10.615 --> 00:22:11.282
I think he did it because he had margin.
00:22:11.349 --> 00:22:12.717
He had margin. and i doubt when he woke up
00:22:12.784 --> 00:22:13.852
And i doubt when he woke up that morning that somehow
00:22:13.918 --> 00:22:15.920
That morning that somehow we got a memo that said
00:22:15.987 --> 00:22:17.856
We got a memo that said there's going to be a guy
00:22:17.922 --> 00:22:18.690
There's going to be a guy beat up on the side
00:22:18.757 --> 00:22:19.391
Beat up on the side of the road today
00:22:19.457 --> 00:22:19.958
Of the road today going down to jericho.
00:22:20.024 --> 00:22:23.094
Going down to jericho. he just happened on the guy.
00:22:23.161 --> 00:22:26.398
He just happened on the guy. but when he happened on him,
00:22:26.464 --> 00:22:27.699
But when he happened on him, he had margin.
00:22:27.766 --> 00:22:30.068
He had margin. god wants to lead us into
00:22:30.135 --> 00:22:33.872
God wants to lead us into margin because margin,
00:22:33.938 --> 00:22:36.741
Margin because margin, no ceiling thinking,
00:22:36.808 --> 00:22:38.176
No ceiling thinking, puts us in a position
00:22:38.243 --> 00:22:39.744
Puts us in a position to be agents
00:22:39.811 --> 00:22:40.478
To be agents of the kingdom of god.
00:22:40.545 --> 00:22:43.148
Of the kingdom of god. and this is what
00:22:43.214 --> 00:22:44.015
And this is what above and beyond is all about.
00:22:44.082 --> 00:22:46.184
Above and beyond is all about. it's about one, tithing,
00:22:46.251 --> 00:22:48.686
Regular giving,
00:22:48.787 --> 00:22:50.321
Regular giving, and it's about two,
00:22:50.388 --> 00:22:52.257
And it's about two, generosity, which is giving
00:22:52.323 --> 00:22:54.192
Generosity, which is giving above our normal giving so that
00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:57.595
Above our normal giving so that the kingdom can expand beyond
00:22:57.662 --> 00:23:00.698
The kingdom can expand beyond where it normally goes.
00:23:00.765 --> 00:23:03.301
Everyone who identifies
00:23:03.401 --> 00:23:04.769
Everyone who identifies that this is a place,
00:23:04.836 --> 00:23:05.770
That this is a place, this is my community of faith.
00:23:05.837 --> 00:23:07.138
This is my community of faith. i haven't said that,
00:23:07.205 --> 00:23:08.139
I haven't said that, i'm not a member,
00:23:08.206 --> 00:23:10.041
I'm not a member, but this is where i show up.
00:23:10.108 --> 00:23:12.210
But this is where i show up. this is where i get fed.
00:23:12.277 --> 00:23:13.278
This is where i get fed. this is where i get encouraged.
00:23:13.344 --> 00:23:14.379
This is where i get encouraged. this is where i see god.
00:23:14.446 --> 00:23:16.681
This is where i see god. this is where i hear
00:23:16.748 --> 00:23:17.615
This is where i hear the word of god.
00:23:17.682 --> 00:23:18.383
The word of god. this is where i express
00:23:18.450 --> 00:23:19.751
This is where i express my worship to god.
00:23:19.818 --> 00:23:21.386
My worship to god. this is where i see
00:23:21.453 --> 00:23:22.353
This is where i see my kids being impacted,
00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.521
My kids being impacted, my neighbor being impacted,
00:23:23.588 --> 00:23:24.656
My neighbor being impacted, my family being impacted.
00:23:24.722 --> 00:23:26.391
Let's all, let's all lean in.
00:23:26.491 --> 00:23:34.332
Let's all, let's all lean in. let's all call.
00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:38.303
Let's all, let's blow the 80-20
00:23:40.872 --> 00:23:47.345
Let's all, let's blow the 80-20 rule out of the water.
00:23:47.412 --> 00:23:50.415
20% of the people give
00:23:50.515 --> 00:23:51.683
20% of the people give 80% of the resource.
00:23:51.749 --> 00:23:53.985
80% of the resource. that's true across almost
00:23:54.052 --> 00:23:55.520
That's true across almost every organization.
00:23:55.587 --> 00:23:58.423
Every organization. let's blow that up.
00:23:58.490 --> 00:24:00.391
Let's blow that up. let's all give,
00:24:00.458 --> 00:24:01.860
And let's all believe.
00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:09.200
Believe what?
00:24:09.834 --> 00:24:10.735
Believe what? that we're going
00:24:10.802 --> 00:24:11.402
That we're going to celebrate a miracle
00:24:11.469 --> 00:24:12.470
To celebrate a miracle in a few weeks from now.
00:24:12.537 --> 00:24:17.809
Let's all believe.
00:24:17.909 --> 00:24:19.944
Let's all believe. let's not only
00:24:20.011 --> 00:24:21.513
Let's not only stretch out in our giving,
00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:23.147
Stretch out in our giving, but let's stretch out
00:24:23.214 --> 00:24:24.182
But let's stretch out in our faith,
00:24:24.249 --> 00:24:25.984
In our faith, and let's all believe.
00:24:26.050 --> 00:24:27.752
And let's all believe. all this is possible.
00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:31.256
All this is possible. all of it is possible
00:24:31.322 --> 00:24:35.260
Because god is a god
00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:38.363
Because god is a god who has never done anything
00:24:38.429 --> 00:24:41.299
Who has never done anything but go above and beyond.
00:24:41.366 --> 00:24:48.773
He didn't have to do
00:24:48.873 --> 00:24:49.407
He didn't have to do anything to rescue the rebels,
00:24:49.474 --> 00:24:54.279
Anything to rescue the rebels, but he not only did something,
00:24:54.345 --> 00:25:01.319
But he not only did something, he gave everything.
00:25:01.386 --> 00:25:05.423
He gave everything. he didn't say,
00:25:05.490 --> 00:25:06.758
He didn't say, "trapped in sin and death?
00:25:06.824 --> 00:25:08.459
"trapped in sin and death? let me see what i got.
00:25:08.526 --> 00:25:11.396
There you go.
00:25:12.730 --> 00:25:15.466
There you go. he gave everything.
00:25:15.533 --> 00:25:18.169
He gave everything. god has always
00:25:18.236 --> 00:25:20.238
God has always gone above and beyond.
00:25:20.305 --> 00:25:25.009
Gone above and beyond. when he created the universe,
00:25:25.076 --> 00:25:27.512
When he created the universe, he could have just
00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.546
He could have just made macon, georgia.
00:25:28.613 --> 00:25:30.582
Made macon, georgia. there you go.
00:25:30.648 --> 00:25:33.651
There you go. a couple hundred thousand of you
00:25:33.718 --> 00:25:34.519
A couple hundred thousand of you can fit in there.
00:25:34.586 --> 00:25:35.753
Can fit in there. it's cool.
00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:37.622
It's cool. but he made galaxies,
00:25:37.689 --> 00:25:40.425
But he made galaxies, and firmament, and atmosphere,
00:25:40.491 --> 00:25:44.996
And firmament, and atmosphere, and a cosmos.
00:25:45.063 --> 00:25:47.799
And a cosmos. he went above.
00:25:47.865 --> 00:25:51.002
He went above. when he created you,
00:25:51.069 --> 00:25:53.571
When he created you, he could have made you
00:25:53.638 --> 00:25:54.339
He could have made you a higher version of some
00:25:54.405 --> 00:25:56.574
A higher version of some other animal on planet earth,
00:25:56.641 --> 00:25:58.042
Other animal on planet earth, but he wove into you
00:25:58.109 --> 00:26:03.047
But he wove into you his very dna,
00:26:03.114 --> 00:26:05.083
His very dna, and breathed into you
00:26:05.149 --> 00:26:06.217
And breathed into you the breath of life,
00:26:06.284 --> 00:26:07.285
The breath of life, so that you are the imago dei.
00:26:07.352 --> 00:26:09.320
So that you are the imago dei. you are walking on earth
00:26:09.387 --> 00:26:11.456
You are walking on earth as the image bearer
00:26:11.522 --> 00:26:13.091
As the image bearer of the living god.
00:26:13.157 --> 00:26:15.393
Of the living god. he went above and beyond,
00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:17.595
He went above and beyond, and when we turned away,
00:26:17.662 --> 00:26:20.465
And when we turned away, he sent his most precious gift.
00:26:20.531 --> 00:26:32.644
He sent his most precious gift. in the spirit of that,
00:26:32.710 --> 00:26:34.545
In the spirit of that, we live, and breathe,
00:26:34.612 --> 00:26:37.215
We live, and breathe, and have our being.
00:26:37.281 --> 00:26:40.251
And have our being. we are in the above
00:26:40.318 --> 00:26:41.853
We are in the above and beyond spirit.
00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:43.388
And beyond spirit. we are not in the less
00:26:43.454 --> 00:26:45.256
We are not in the less and below spirit.
00:26:45.323 --> 00:26:48.493
And below spirit. we were not created
00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.661
We were not created in the less and the below.
00:26:49.727 --> 00:26:52.196
In the less and the below. we were created in the above
00:26:52.263 --> 00:26:54.065
We were created in the above and the beyond.
00:26:54.132 --> 00:26:56.267
And the beyond. our home is above,
00:26:56.334 --> 00:26:58.936
Our home is above, and our home is beyond.
00:26:59.003 --> 00:27:02.306
And our home is beyond. praise god.
00:27:02.373 --> 00:27:04.042
We are in the above and beyond.
00:27:04.142 --> 00:27:06.978
We are in the above and beyond. no, passion city church,
00:27:07.045 --> 00:27:08.279
No, passion city church, give praise to god today,
00:27:08.346 --> 00:27:10.848
Give praise to god today, because we are living in
00:27:10.915 --> 00:27:13.785
Because we are living in the above and beyond.
00:27:13.851 --> 00:27:16.821
The above and beyond. father, thank you.
00:27:16.888 --> 00:27:17.722
♪ ♪
00:27:19.424 --> 00:27:29.999

Louie Giglio - The Church is Alive and Growing Stronger

April 12, 2026 | 27:29

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