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Rick Warren

Rick Warren - We Are Disciples (Part 1)

October 12, 2025 | 27:29

Rick Warren - We Are Disciples (Part 1)
Pastor Rick shares biblical truth and practical tools for living the full life God desires for everyone.
#Disciples #Discipleship #Jesus #IdentityinChrist #SpiritualGrowth #WalkwithGod #Commitment #Dedication/Devotion #Focus #SeekGod #RickWarren

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Rick Warren | Rick Warren - We Are Disciples (Part 1) | October 12, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Pastor rick warren: when jesus was 30 years old, he began his
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  • Public ministry, and the first thing he did was go gather a
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  • Group of guys who he could train.
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  • They are called his disciples.
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  • And many times in scriptures it tells us that he invited people
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  • To become his disciple in matthew 9, verse 9, it says
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  • This, "as jesus was going down the road, he saw matthew sitting
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  • At his tax-collection booth.
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  • 'come, be my disciple.' jesus said.
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  • So matthew got up and followed him."
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  • Now today jesus christ makes this exact same offer to you.
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  • Come be my disciple.
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  • He's asking you this in 2010, come be my disciple.
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  • Now what is a disciple?
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  • The word disciple comes from the latin word "discipulus" or
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  • "discipulus," in the greek it is the word "mathetes" which is in
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  • The bible and it means a student.
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  • It means a learner.
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  • It means a pupil.
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  • A disciple is an apprentice.
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  • When a mentor takes on somebody to train them, they are called
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  • Their disciple.
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  • And the word in the bible is actually used four
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  • Different ways.
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  • First, it's referred to as anybody who's just being trained
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  • By anybody else.
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  • If you're in training, you have a supervisor who's training you,
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  • You are being discipled by that supervisor.
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  • Moses's disciple was joshua.
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  • Elijah's disciple was elisha.
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  • David's disciple was his son solomon.
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  • Elisha had disciples of his own.
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  • John the baptist had disciples.
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  • Paul had a disciple named timothy, and later he talks
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  • About six guys who traveled with him on the road, and one was
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  • Gaius, aristarchus, secundus, epaphroditus.
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  • He tells us who the guys that he was mentoring was.
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  • And a disciple is just somebody who's being mentored by
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  • Somebody else.
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  • So that's the first way it's used in the bible.
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  • The second way it's used in the bible is to refer to the 12
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  • Disciples, specifically the 12 guys that jesus chose, which we
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  • Also call apostles.
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  • The third way it's used is in the book of acts.
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  • The word disciple is just a synonym for christian.
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  • You know, in the bible days, they weren't called christians.
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  • They were called disciples.
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  • In fact, it wasn't until the church had spread completely out
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  • Of israel into antioch where, at that little church, they were
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  • First called christians.
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  • So in the bible times nobody was called a christian; they were
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  • Called disciples.
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  • But what i want us to look at this morning is jesus's use of
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  • The term.
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  • Jesus frequently took a very common word like student, pupil,
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  • Disciple, apprentice, and he adds new meaning to it.
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  • He infuses it, he injects new meaning into it.
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  • And so i want us to look at jesus's definition of what it
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  • Means to be a disciple.
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  • Because about ten times in scripture jesus says, "if you do
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  • This, then you're my disciple.
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  • If you do this, then you can follow me."
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  • And so we wanna look at radical discipleship as we start off
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  • This series on what it means to follow jesus.
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  • Let's get right into it.
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  • Number one, to be a disciple, number one, i must spend time
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  • With jesus.
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  • I must spend time with jesus, a lot of time with him, because
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  • Like any relationship, the more time you invest, the more you're
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  • Gonna get out of it.
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  • You can't be a part time disciple.
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  • You don't have to--you don't fit it into your schedule.
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  • If i'm being trained by somebody, i'm being mentored by
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  • Somebody, i fit myself to their schedule; they don't fit
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  • Themselves to mine.
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  • And you can't be a disciple in just a few minutes a day.
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  • You've got to spend time; you've got to be in
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  • Constant conversation.
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  • It's a full-time responsibility.
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  • You're with your discipler, you're with your mentor, you're
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  • With your teacher, your trainer all the time.
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  • Now here's what jesus said in john chapter 12.
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  • "if you want to be my disciple you must come and follow me,
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  • Because my servants must be where i am.
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  • And if they follow me, the father will honor them."
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  • Now this verse is packed with meaning.
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  • In fact, it teaches us three things about spiritual growth.
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  • And as your pastor, one of my goals is to help you grow
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  • Spiritually, not just this year but for the rest of your life.
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  • So i want you to write these three things down that we notice
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  • From this verse.
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  • Number one, we learn that spiritual growth is a choice.
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  • Spiritual growth is a choice.
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  • Now, god's not gonna force you to grow, he leaves it up to you.
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  • And so i want you to circle he says, "if you want to be my
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  • Disciple," circle the word want.
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  • If you want to be my disciple, then you must make the choice
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  • To grow.
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  • Now at the end of this year you're not gonna be more mature
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  • Unless you choose to be more mature.
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  • Spiritual growth is not automatic.
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  • Spiritual growth is intentional.
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  • It's not just something that just happens.
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  • It's not involuntary.
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  • It's not inevitable.
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  • You have to choose to grow spiritually.
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  • Jesus says, "i'm giving you the choice."
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  • Now, you know that you can grow old without growing up.
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  • Everybody know what i'm talking about?
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  • I mean, we all know people who are old but they're still
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  • Spiritually immature or emotionally immature or they're
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  • Very self-centered.
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  • They haven't ever matured in their life.
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  • But he says you must choose, you must choose.
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  • You're as close to god as you choose to be.
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  • Don't blame your boyfriend, don't blame your girlfriend,
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  • Don't blame your parents, don't blame your husband or your wife,
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  • Don't blame your boss.
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  • You're as close to god as you choose to be.
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  • And if you're not close to him, it's 'cause you're choosing not
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  • To be.
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  • And if you moved from far from god, you feel that way,
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  • Well, guess who moved?
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  • God didn't move, you made the choice.
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  • Spiritual growth is a choice.
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  • Number two, this verse teaches that growth is a commitment.
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  • Growth, spiritual growth is a commitment.
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  • You must commit to growth in order to grow.
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  • And you say, this is gonna be the year i really get it
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  • In gear.
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  • This is gonna be the year i take action.
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  • This is the year i stop being a spiritual baby.
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  • I'm gonna grow up.
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  • Notice jesus says, "you must come and follow."
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  • You might circle that.
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  • First he says, you gotta want it, then you gotta come
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  • And follow.
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  • If you wanna grow, you just can't sit there.
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  • You've got to
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  • ♪ move it, move it. ♪♪
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  • [congregation laughing]
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  • You gotta get it in gear.
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  • You don't just sit around on your rear, you gotta get it
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  • In gear.
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  • You gotta take action to grow.
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  • Now, this is true in every area of life.
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  • We grow by making commitments.
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  • Marriage causes you to grow up a lot.
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  • Have you noticed that?
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  • Having kids causes you to grow up.
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  • Anytime you make any kind of commitment, it causes you to
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  • Take a step of growth.
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  • Taking on a new job is a commitment which helps you grow.
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  • Choosing to go to college is a commitment that helps you grow.
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  • Anytime you make a commitment, you grow.
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  • In fact, if you don't make commitments in life, you remain
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  • In perpetual immaturity.
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  • If you have a fear of commitment you will never fully grow up
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  • Because we only grow through our commitments.
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  • No commitment means no maturity.
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  • Your commitments define your life.
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  • You are the sum total of the things that you're committed to.
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  • And here's the problem.
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  • You can't be committed to everything.
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  • And you shouldn't be committed to everything 'cause not
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  • Everything's worth being committed to.
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  • And part of my job as your pastor is to help you sort
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  • Through all of the commitments you've got and give you some
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  • Guidelines which you go, that's a good one, that's a bad one,
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  • That's a good one, that's a bad one.
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  • Because you cannot be committed to everything.
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  • If you're committed to everything, you're committed to
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  • Nothing; selection is the name of the game.
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  • So i have to help you sort through and make
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  • Wise commitments.
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  • Now, the reason why saddleback church is a very spiritually
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  • Mature church--
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  • This church is full of spiritually mature people.
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  • And for 30 years, we have had an intentional process to help
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  • People grow to spiritual maturity by gradually making
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  • Deeper and deeper commitments.
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  • You don't make them all at once.
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  • You don't expect a baby to the next day run out and
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  • Run a marathon.
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  • And you don't expect a brand new believer to act like, you know,
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  • A person who's followed the lord for 30 or 40 years.
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  • But we have an intentional plan to help people grow through
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  • Stages and--of commitment.
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  • And that development process, we call purpose-driven and it's
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  • Based on what i call the invitations of jesus.
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  • A long time ago, i did a study of every time jesus says,
  • 00:09:08.897 --> 00:09:12.968
  • "come," when he says, "come to me."
  • 00:09:12.968 --> 00:09:16.171
  • And over the three and a half years as he worked with his
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  • Disciples his--the trainees that he had, he moved them from no
  • 00:09:18.607 --> 00:09:23.845
  • Commitment to super commitment.
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  • And he kept turning up the heat a little bit at a time.
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  • For instance, the very first words of jesus, public words of
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  • Jesus, when he starts his ministry, john chapter 1, verse
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  • 39, are these, "come and see."
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  • That's the first invitation.
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  • The guy said, "where are you going, lord?"
  • 00:09:40.662 --> 00:09:41.997
  • He said, "come and see."
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  • Now, what is he doing here?
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  • That's about as low a commitment as you can give.
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  • Okay, just come and check it out.
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  • That's what we say to our community about
  • 00:09:49.604 --> 00:09:51.573
  • Saddleback church.
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  • Come and see.
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  • Come on the weekend, check us out.
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  • You don't have to say anything, sign anything, sacrifice
  • 00:09:55.610 --> 00:09:57.212
  • Anything, stand up, just come and check us out.
  • 00:09:57.212 --> 00:10:00.949
  • And that's where jesus starts with people, just check it out.
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  • And then he begins to move them on.
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  • The next commitment he says, "come and follow."
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  • He says, "first come and see," then he says, "come and follow
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  • Me," in matthew 4, and then many of the invitations that he gives
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  • In the early stages of the relationships are invitations
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  • That were promises to meet needs.
  • 00:10:19.334 --> 00:10:21.469
  • In matthew 11 he says, "if you're tired come to me and i'll
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  • Give you rest."
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  • In john 7, he says, "if you're thirsty, come to me and drink."
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  • John 5, he says, "come to me and have life."
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  • In john 8, he says, "if you follow me, you won't stumble
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  • In darkness."
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  • In john 10, he says, "those who come to me will be saved."
  • 00:10:37.218 --> 00:10:42.624
  • And so he's inviting them to come and he's going to meet
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  • Needs in their lives.
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  • My favorite one, of course, is john 21:12 after the
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  • Resurrection he says, "come and have breakfast."
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  • I love that one, you know, i thought that was really cool.
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  • That's literally in the bible, "come and have breakfast."
  • 00:10:57.072 --> 00:11:00.341
  • But as time passed jesus began to require more of
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  • His disciples.
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  • He's helping them grow in commitment.
  • 00:11:05.547 --> 00:11:08.283
  • And so in mark chapter 8, he says, "come and deny yourself."
  • 00:11:08.283 --> 00:11:12.921
  • In matthew 8:22, he says, "come follow me and let the dead bury
  • 00:11:12.921 --> 00:11:16.624
  • The dead."
  • 00:11:16.624 --> 00:11:17.992
  • In luke 9, he says, "come and take up your cross."
  • 00:11:17.992 --> 00:11:20.962
  • In luke 14, he says, "you can't be my disciple unless you give
  • 00:11:20.962 --> 00:11:24.599
  • Up everything."
  • 00:11:24.599 --> 00:11:26.167
  • Matthew 19, "give away what you got and come follow me."
  • 00:11:26.167 --> 00:11:29.304
  • See, he's turning up the heat.
  • 00:11:29.304 --> 00:11:30.672
  • He's requiring more and more commitment.
  • 00:11:30.672 --> 00:11:33.241
  • And the bible says that when we get to heaven, there are gonna
  • 00:11:33.241 --> 00:11:35.643
  • Be invitations in heaven.
  • 00:11:35.643 --> 00:11:37.345
  • Matthew 25, he says, he's gonna say to us in heaven, "come and
  • 00:11:37.345 --> 00:11:40.582
  • Share your master's happiness."
  • 00:11:40.582 --> 00:11:42.550
  • In matthew 25:34, "come and receive your inheritance."
  • 00:11:42.550 --> 00:11:46.154
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:11:46.154 --> 00:11:57.665
  • Announcer: do you wanna be happier, healthier, and more
  • 00:11:49.724 --> 00:12:00.735
  • Resistant to stress?
  • 00:12:00.735 --> 00:12:02.270
  • Then you need to develop an attitude of gratitude.
  • 00:12:02.270 --> 00:12:05.840
  • In fact, the bible says "we're to rejoice always, pray
  • 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:09.811
  • Continually and give thanks in all circumstances," but it can
  • 00:12:09.811 --> 00:12:14.749
  • Be difficult to feel grateful.
  • 00:12:14.749 --> 00:12:17.018
  • So to help you, pastor rick hand
  • 00:12:17.018 --> 00:12:19.387
  • Selected 52 verses to bolster
  • 00:12:19.387 --> 00:12:22.257
  • Your sense of gratitude and
  • 00:12:22.257 --> 00:12:24.058
  • Increase your happiness.
  • 00:12:24.058 --> 00:12:26.327
  • This set of beautifully designed
  • 00:12:26.327 --> 00:12:27.962
  • Cards will help you memorize
  • 00:12:27.962 --> 00:12:29.597
  • Scripture so you can recall
  • 00:12:29.597 --> 00:12:31.766
  • God's word when you need it most.
  • 00:12:31.766 --> 00:12:34.235
  • You can also use them to minister to others.
  • 00:12:34.235 --> 00:12:37.205
  • Give one to a friend and write a personalized note of
  • 00:12:37.205 --> 00:12:40.475
  • Encouragement on the back.
  • 00:12:40.475 --> 00:12:42.343
  • If a scripture really speaks to you, frame it, put them in
  • 00:12:42.343 --> 00:12:45.980
  • Places where you can read them during the day
  • 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:48.583
  • For encouragement.
  • 00:12:48.583 --> 00:12:50.118
  • And today, when you give a gift
  • 00:12:50.118 --> 00:12:51.886
  • To help "daily hope" take the
  • 00:12:51.886 --> 00:12:53.421
  • Hope of jesus to a world in
  • 00:12:53.421 --> 00:12:55.523
  • Need, we'll send you the
  • 00:12:55.523 --> 00:12:57.058
  • Gratitude scripture card set
  • 00:12:57.058 --> 00:12:59.027
  • To say thanks.
  • 00:12:59.027 --> 00:13:00.662
  • Pastor rick: now, i took those invitation of jesus and we
  • 00:13:04.833 --> 00:13:08.937
  • Turned them into a process.
  • 00:13:08.937 --> 00:13:10.638
  • You can see it here on the screen; if you've been through
  • 00:13:10.638 --> 00:13:13.041
  • Class 101, you know this; we call it the circles
  • 00:13:13.041 --> 00:13:15.076
  • Of commitment.
  • 00:13:15.076 --> 00:13:16.411
  • And we move people from the community, people around our
  • 00:13:16.411 --> 00:13:19.314
  • Church, into the crowd, that's on sunday morning, in the
  • 00:13:19.314 --> 00:13:23.051
  • Community there's no commitment, just, "hi, how are you?"
  • 00:13:23.051 --> 00:13:25.453
  • And the crowd, it just--show up, come and see.
  • 00:13:25.453 --> 00:13:28.756
  • And in the congregation, it's come and be a member.
  • 00:13:28.756 --> 00:13:32.026
  • And then in the congreg--in the committed, it's come and develop
  • 00:13:32.026 --> 00:13:36.030
  • The habits for spiritual growth.
  • 00:13:36.030 --> 00:13:38.233
  • And in the core, it's come and serve.
  • 00:13:38.233 --> 00:13:40.935
  • And even there's another circle called the commission, come
  • 00:13:40.935 --> 00:13:43.838
  • And go.
  • 00:13:43.838 --> 00:13:45.473
  • And we've been taking people through these circles for 30
  • 00:13:45.473 --> 00:13:48.276
  • Years, moving people to deeper and deeper levels of commitment.
  • 00:13:48.276 --> 00:13:53.081
  • Another tool we have are the covenants; in our church we have
  • 00:13:53.081 --> 00:13:56.184
  • A membership covenant you sign when you join the church.
  • 00:13:56.184 --> 00:13:58.987
  • We have a maturity covenant to to grow in spiritual habits.
  • 00:13:58.987 --> 00:14:03.324
  • We have a ministry covenant to grow and serve.
  • 00:14:03.324 --> 00:14:05.760
  • And we have a mission covenant to go and serve your mission in
  • 00:14:05.760 --> 00:14:09.564
  • The world.
  • 00:14:09.564 --> 00:14:10.932
  • Now, this is not new to saddleback.
  • 00:14:10.932 --> 00:14:12.467
  • For 2000 years churches have used covenants all along.
  • 00:14:12.467 --> 00:14:16.838
  • Covenants and commitments and things like that.
  • 00:14:16.838 --> 00:14:20.408
  • Now, the bible says we must spend time with jesus because
  • 00:14:20.408 --> 00:14:24.545
  • It's a choice, it's a commitment.
  • 00:14:24.545 --> 00:14:26.814
  • There's a third thing this verse teaches us is that spiritual
  • 00:14:26.814 --> 00:14:29.150
  • Growth--you might write this down--is a relationship.
  • 00:14:29.150 --> 00:14:32.654
  • Spiritual growth is a relationship.
  • 00:14:32.654 --> 00:14:36.991
  • It's not about rules, it's not about rituals, it's not about
  • 00:14:36.991 --> 00:14:40.929
  • A formula.
  • 00:14:40.929 --> 00:14:42.597
  • It's not about a bunch of expectations.
  • 00:14:42.597 --> 00:14:45.300
  • It's about being with jesus.
  • 00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:49.037
  • There on your outline i want you to circle the phrase in that
  • 00:14:49.037 --> 00:14:51.439
  • First verse.
  • 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.874
  • "my servants must be where i am," circle that, "be where
  • 00:14:52.874 --> 00:14:57.111
  • I am."
  • 00:14:57.111 --> 00:14:58.446
  • Spiritual growth is about being with jesus.
  • 00:14:58.446 --> 00:15:01.983
  • Be where i am.
  • 00:15:01.983 --> 00:15:03.318
  • This is his plan all along.
  • 00:15:03.318 --> 00:15:05.119
  • And his plan in mark chapter 3 says, "the plan was that they
  • 00:15:05.119 --> 00:15:09.724
  • Would be with him," there's the word again, spend time with
  • 00:15:09.724 --> 00:15:12.694
  • Jesus, "and then he would send them out to proclaim the word."
  • 00:15:12.694 --> 00:15:17.298
  • So what does it mean to be a disciple today?
  • 00:15:17.298 --> 00:15:19.000
  • Obviously jesus isn't here physically.
  • 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:21.035
  • How do you be with jesus today?
  • 00:15:21.035 --> 00:15:22.537
  • You talk to him all the time.
  • 00:15:22.537 --> 00:15:24.973
  • You have a running conversation with jesus christ.
  • 00:15:24.973 --> 00:15:28.176
  • I talk to him all the time.
  • 00:15:28.176 --> 00:15:30.311
  • In fact, i can talk to you and talk to him at the same time.
  • 00:15:30.311 --> 00:15:33.414
  • Many times, i'll be out on the patio and somebody's talking to
  • 00:15:33.414 --> 00:15:35.483
  • Me and asks me a question.
  • 00:15:35.483 --> 00:15:36.818
  • I'm saying, "lord, tell me what to say 'cause i haven't the
  • 00:15:36.818 --> 00:15:38.419
  • Slightest idea of how to answer this."
  • 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:41.356
  • Or if it's an interview or something like that,
  • 00:15:41.356 --> 00:15:43.658
  • I talk to god when i'm watching tv.
  • 00:15:43.658 --> 00:15:45.393
  • I talk to him when i'm cleaning the garage, when i'm driving,
  • 00:15:45.393 --> 00:15:49.230
  • When i'm sitting in the backyard just like i'm talking to you.
  • 00:15:49.230 --> 00:15:52.867
  • And when i first started conversations with god 40 years
  • 00:15:52.867 --> 00:15:56.070
  • Ago, it felt like it was pretty much just one way.
  • 00:15:56.070 --> 00:15:58.473
  • I could never hear god speak to me.
  • 00:15:58.473 --> 00:16:00.742
  • And if i ever got a thought in my mind, i thought, is that
  • 00:16:00.742 --> 00:16:03.478
  • Really from god or did i just make that up?
  • 00:16:03.478 --> 00:16:06.147
  • But after you've been walking with the lord for about 40
  • 00:16:06.147 --> 00:16:08.716
  • Years, it gets better, and all of a sudden i know that's me
  • 00:16:08.716 --> 00:16:11.686
  • Talking to myself, that's the lord putting that idea in my
  • 00:16:11.686 --> 00:16:14.789
  • Mind, and it gets clearer and clearer.
  • 00:16:14.789 --> 00:16:17.125
  • That's what spiritual growth is.
  • 00:16:17.125 --> 00:16:19.193
  • The more you grow spiritually, the more you're able to hear god
  • 00:16:19.193 --> 00:16:22.764
  • Speak back to you in your mind.
  • 00:16:22.764 --> 00:16:24.399
  • I didn't know to do it audibly; i've never heard a voice.
  • 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:27.568
  • In fact, if you hear voices, you need to see a psychiatrist.
  • 00:16:27.568 --> 00:16:30.538
  • Okay, okay?
  • 00:16:30.538 --> 00:16:31.873
  • 'cause god doesn't speak that way.
  • 00:16:31.873 --> 00:16:34.442
  • He'll put an idea in your mind.
  • 00:16:34.442 --> 00:16:36.277
  • When the devil puts an idea in your mind,
  • 00:16:36.277 --> 00:16:37.845
  • We call it temptation.
  • 00:16:37.845 --> 00:16:40.048
  • When the--when god puts an idea in your mind, we call
  • 00:16:40.048 --> 00:16:42.183
  • It inspiration.
  • 00:16:42.183 --> 00:16:44.052
  • When you put an idea in your own mind, we call that dumb.
  • 00:16:44.052 --> 00:16:48.890
  • And you gotta distinguish whether it's the devil's idea,
  • 00:16:48.890 --> 00:16:51.426
  • God's idea, or if it's you talking to you.
  • 00:16:51.426 --> 00:16:54.095
  • But the truth is you gotta be with him, and the more time you
  • 00:16:54.095 --> 00:16:57.465
  • Spend with god, the more you talk to the lord, the more
  • 00:16:57.465 --> 00:17:00.201
  • You're gonna grow.
  • 00:17:00.201 --> 00:17:01.569
  • If you only have a little quiet time every day, you're gonna
  • 00:17:01.569 --> 00:17:03.805
  • Grow a little bit.
  • 00:17:03.805 --> 00:17:05.173
  • If you only have talked to the lord on the weekends at church,
  • 00:17:05.173 --> 00:17:08.810
  • You're not gonna grow much at all.
  • 00:17:08.810 --> 00:17:10.511
  • But if you learn to talk to the lord all the time, just have a
  • 00:17:10.511 --> 00:17:13.047
  • Conversation about whatever is on your mind, you're gonna
  • 00:17:13.047 --> 00:17:16.684
  • Really start growing because it's a relationship.
  • 00:17:16.684 --> 00:17:19.821
  • Jesus said i got to spend time with him if i want to be
  • 00:17:19.821 --> 00:17:21.989
  • A disciple.
  • 00:17:21.989 --> 00:17:23.357
  • Number two, if i wanna be a disciple, to be a disciple, i
  • 00:17:23.357 --> 00:17:26.561
  • Must love jesus supremely.
  • 00:17:26.561 --> 00:17:30.364
  • I must love jesus supremely.
  • 00:17:30.364 --> 00:17:34.402
  • And this is the second definition jesus gives.
  • 00:17:34.402 --> 00:17:37.105
  • In luke chapter 14, he says this, "if you want to be my
  • 00:17:37.105 --> 00:17:41.709
  • Follower you must love me.
  • 00:17:41.709 --> 00:17:45.113
  • You must love me more than your own father and mother, your wife
  • 00:17:45.113 --> 00:17:48.049
  • And children, your brothers and sisters--yes, more than your
  • 00:17:48.049 --> 00:17:51.152
  • Own life.
  • 00:17:51.152 --> 00:17:53.221
  • Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple."
  • 00:17:53.221 --> 00:17:57.391
  • What's he saying here?
  • 00:17:57.391 --> 00:17:58.726
  • He's saying that your love for god is to be so intense
  • 00:17:58.726 --> 00:18:02.563
  • Everything else pales in comparison.
  • 00:18:02.563 --> 00:18:04.999
  • That doesn't mean you don't love the other people; actually the
  • 00:18:04.999 --> 00:18:07.535
  • More you love god, the more you're gonna love other people.
  • 00:18:07.535 --> 00:18:10.004
  • But he's saying exclusivity, supremacy belongs to god 'cause
  • 00:18:10.004 --> 00:18:15.843
  • You wouldn't have your family, you wouldn't have your kids, you
  • 00:18:15.843 --> 00:18:18.179
  • Wouldn't have the people you love, your friends, without god.
  • 00:18:18.179 --> 00:18:21.215
  • So he says you are to love god more than anything else.
  • 00:18:21.215 --> 00:18:24.719
  • And that's called worship.
  • 00:18:24.719 --> 00:18:26.621
  • By the way, guys, let me talk to the men for just a minute.
  • 00:18:26.621 --> 00:18:29.790
  • If you're a dad or you are a husband, the greatest gift you
  • 00:18:29.790 --> 00:18:34.862
  • Can give your wife and the greatest gift you can give your
  • 00:18:34.862 --> 00:18:39.600
  • Children is to love god supremely, why?
  • 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:46.107
  • Because when a dad or a husband loves god supremely, it creates
  • 00:18:46.107 --> 00:18:51.712
  • Enormous security in the minds of your children and in
  • 00:18:51.712 --> 00:18:56.017
  • Your wife.
  • 00:18:56.017 --> 00:18:57.718
  • Because they're thinking, "he's not doing this on his own.
  • 00:18:57.718 --> 00:19:01.956
  • He's out--he's depending on god.
  • 00:19:01.956 --> 00:19:03.524
  • He's not gonna steer us in the wrong direction.
  • 00:19:03.524 --> 00:19:05.426
  • He's gonna put our needs first because that's what god says
  • 00:19:05.426 --> 00:19:07.862
  • To do."
  • 00:19:07.862 --> 00:19:09.430
  • The bible says christ gave-- "just as jesus gave his life for
  • 00:19:09.430 --> 00:19:12.099
  • The church, husbands are to lay down their lives for
  • 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:14.535
  • Their wives."
  • 00:19:14.535 --> 00:19:15.870
  • The more you love god, the more you're gonna serve your wife and
  • 00:19:15.870 --> 00:19:18.839
  • Your kids.
  • 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.208
  • The greatest security you can give your family is to let them
  • 00:19:20.208 --> 00:19:23.844
  • Know that you love god more than anything else.
  • 00:19:23.844 --> 00:19:27.748
  • Now, i want you to write this down.
  • 00:19:27.748 --> 00:19:30.985
  • Jesus said, "you must love me more than anything else."
  • 00:19:30.985 --> 00:19:33.354
  • Spiritual growth is measured by love.
  • 00:19:33.354 --> 00:19:36.757
  • Would you write that down?
  • 00:19:36.757 --> 00:19:38.092
  • Spiritual growth is measured by how much you love.
  • 00:19:38.092 --> 00:19:42.330
  • It's not measured by how much you know, it's not measured by
  • 00:19:42.330 --> 00:19:46.000
  • Your bible knowledge.
  • 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.368
  • It's not measured by your skills, it's not measured by the
  • 00:19:47.368 --> 00:19:51.172
  • Words you say, it's not measured by how much you attend church.
  • 00:19:51.172 --> 00:19:56.711
  • We never measure anybody's spiritual maturity at saddleback
  • 00:19:56.711 --> 00:20:00.648
  • By how much they attend.
  • 00:20:00.648 --> 00:20:02.283
  • 'cause you can go to everything the church offers every time the
  • 00:20:02.283 --> 00:20:05.820
  • Doors are open and still be spiritually immature.
  • 00:20:05.820 --> 00:20:09.257
  • Maybe it just means you don't have anything to do in
  • 00:20:09.257 --> 00:20:10.725
  • Your life.
  • 00:20:10.725 --> 00:20:12.360
  • So it has nothing to do with that.
  • 00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:14.562
  • The--your spiritual maturity is measured by how much you love,
  • 00:20:14.562 --> 00:20:19.166
  • How much you love god, and how much you love others.
  • 00:20:19.166 --> 00:20:22.870
  • In fact, look at this next verse.
  • 00:20:22.870 --> 00:20:25.206
  • The bible says in mark chapter 12, jesus said, "the most
  • 00:20:25.206 --> 00:20:30.044
  • Important command," out of all of them in the bible, "the most
  • 00:20:30.044 --> 00:20:33.180
  • Important command is this: you must love the lord your
  • 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:37.952
  • God--" he said that's the top thing before anything else.
  • 00:20:37.952 --> 00:20:40.888
  • "love god with all your heart, with all your soul, with all
  • 00:20:40.888 --> 00:20:45.526
  • Your mind, and with all your strength."
  • 00:20:45.526 --> 00:20:47.862
  • Now, friends, this is called radical devotion.
  • 00:20:47.862 --> 00:20:51.065
  • When you love god with all your heart and all your soul, and all
  • 00:20:51.065 --> 00:20:53.868
  • Your mind, and all your strength, you're loving
  • 00:20:53.868 --> 00:20:55.603
  • God radically.
  • 00:20:55.603 --> 00:20:56.971
  • It means i love god more than anything or anyone else.
  • 00:20:56.971 --> 00:21:00.775
  • And there's a word for that in the bible.
  • 00:21:00.775 --> 00:21:03.344
  • Do you know what it--it's called when you love something more
  • 00:21:03.344 --> 00:21:06.247
  • Than anything else?
  • 00:21:06.247 --> 00:21:07.581
  • It's called worship.
  • 00:21:07.581 --> 00:21:09.650
  • Whatever you love the most, you worship.
  • 00:21:09.650 --> 00:21:13.554
  • If you love your boat the most, you worship your boat.
  • 00:21:13.554 --> 00:21:17.391
  • If you love your job the most, you worship your job.
  • 00:21:17.391 --> 00:21:21.896
  • If you love your own body the most, you worship yourself.
  • 00:21:21.896 --> 00:21:26.100
  • Worship is whatever you give your best love to.
  • 00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:29.970
  • Do you know the word worship in the bible, "proskuneo,"
  • 00:21:29.970 --> 00:21:33.674
  • You know what that word literally means?
  • 00:21:33.674 --> 00:21:35.042
  • It means to kiss.
  • 00:21:35.042 --> 00:21:37.411
  • That's what it means, to kiss.
  • 00:21:37.411 --> 00:21:38.946
  • It means to show affection, to shower with affection.
  • 00:21:38.946 --> 00:21:43.250
  • When you worship something, you don't care what other people
  • 00:21:43.250 --> 00:21:46.087
  • Think; you're just--you're totally involved in showing
  • 00:21:46.087 --> 00:21:51.592
  • Affection and love, and you don't care how it looks to
  • 00:21:51.592 --> 00:21:54.628
  • Other people.
  • 00:21:54.628 --> 00:21:56.063
  • You know, when you worship god, some of you are worried about
  • 00:21:56.063 --> 00:21:58.999
  • How do i look?
  • 00:21:58.999 --> 00:22:00.334
  • I don't wanna raise my hand too much.
  • 00:22:00.334 --> 00:22:01.702
  • I might look like a fanatic.
  • 00:22:01.702 --> 00:22:03.037
  • I don't wanna get emotional.
  • 00:22:03.037 --> 00:22:04.405
  • I wanna keep my little countenance here and, you
  • 00:22:04.405 --> 00:22:07.241
  • Know, dignity.
  • 00:22:07.241 --> 00:22:08.642
  • Then you're not worshiping.
  • 00:22:08.642 --> 00:22:10.211
  • If you're worried about what other people think, you're
  • 00:22:10.211 --> 00:22:11.846
  • Not worshiping.
  • 00:22:11.846 --> 00:22:13.214
  • Worshiping is when you are so much in love with god you don't
  • 00:22:13.214 --> 00:22:16.384
  • Care what other people think.
  • 00:22:16.384 --> 00:22:18.052
  • You're just gonna express your love to him.
  • 00:22:18.052 --> 00:22:19.820
  • How many of you have a dog?
  • 00:22:19.820 --> 00:22:21.222
  • Can i see your hands?
  • 00:22:21.222 --> 00:22:22.590
  • You have a dog, okay.
  • 00:22:22.590 --> 00:22:24.024
  • When your dog comes and licks your hand,
  • 00:22:24.024 --> 00:22:28.362
  • Is your dog expressing fear, anger, resentment, or love?
  • 00:22:28.362 --> 00:22:35.069
  • Love.
  • 00:22:35.069 --> 00:22:36.404
  • Now, that dog is not going, "i wonder what other people think."
  • 00:22:36.404 --> 00:22:41.509
  • At that moment, your dog is worshiping you--
  • 00:22:41.509 --> 00:22:46.080
  • When your dog is licking your hand.
  • 00:22:46.080 --> 00:22:48.315
  • He's--your dog he or she is "saying, i couldn't care less
  • 00:22:48.315 --> 00:22:51.519
  • What anybody else think; my master is here, and i love
  • 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:55.890
  • My master."
  • 00:22:55.890 --> 00:22:57.858
  • Did you know that the word for when a dog licks his master's
  • 00:22:57.858 --> 00:23:02.363
  • Hand in greek is the word "proskuneo"?
  • 00:23:02.363 --> 00:23:06.333
  • It's the word "worship."
  • 00:23:06.333 --> 00:23:08.302
  • It's the exact same word.
  • 00:23:08.302 --> 00:23:10.204
  • It is the word "worship," which means, i love god so much
  • 00:23:10.204 --> 00:23:13.741
  • I don't care what other people think.
  • 00:23:13.741 --> 00:23:17.011
  • The third key, if i wanna be a disciple, if i wanna grow
  • 00:23:17.011 --> 00:23:20.247
  • Spiritually, i must love every other disciple.
  • 00:23:20.247 --> 00:23:24.018
  • Uh-oh.
  • 00:23:24.018 --> 00:23:26.120
  • Now we're getting a little bit harder.
  • 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:28.222
  • You see, it's easy to love god because he's perfect but you're
  • 00:23:28.222 --> 00:23:32.693
  • Not and i'm not.
  • 00:23:32.693 --> 00:23:34.995
  • And sometimes we're irritating, and sometimes we're obnoxious,
  • 00:23:34.995 --> 00:23:37.698
  • And sometimes we show our imperfections and our
  • 00:23:37.698 --> 00:23:40.534
  • Insecurities, and yet jesus says, "if you're gonna be my
  • 00:23:40.534 --> 00:23:44.038
  • Disciple, you can't just love me; you have to love everybody
  • 00:23:44.038 --> 00:23:48.642
  • In my family."
  • 00:23:48.642 --> 00:23:50.010
  • What is the family of god?
  • 00:23:50.010 --> 00:23:51.345
  • It's the church.
  • 00:23:51.345 --> 00:23:52.980
  • It is the people of god.
  • 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:55.015
  • You have to love every other believer, every other christian,
  • 00:23:55.015 --> 00:23:58.385
  • Every other follower of jesus, every other disciple.
  • 00:23:58.385 --> 00:24:01.422
  • Here's what jesus says, john chapter 13.
  • 00:24:01.422 --> 00:24:05.559
  • "if--" by the way, did you notice every one of these
  • 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:07.561
  • Sentences start with an "if" when he defines discipleship?
  • 00:24:07.561 --> 00:24:10.631
  • It's conditional.
  • 00:24:10.631 --> 00:24:11.999
  • He says, "if you have love for one another, then everybody will
  • 00:24:11.999 --> 00:24:17.671
  • Know that you are my disciples."
  • 00:24:17.671 --> 00:24:20.441
  • Not just love for me, but you love each other.
  • 00:24:20.441 --> 00:24:23.110
  • He says that the hallmark of being a follower of jesus is not
  • 00:24:23.110 --> 00:24:27.548
  • A bumper sticker.
  • 00:24:27.548 --> 00:24:29.884
  • It is not a little christian pen.
  • 00:24:29.884 --> 00:24:32.686
  • It is not gospel witness wear, some shirt or clothes that
  • 00:24:32.686 --> 00:24:37.191
  • You wear.
  • 00:24:37.191 --> 00:24:38.526
  • He says, "the proof that you are my disciple is you love every
  • 00:24:38.526 --> 00:24:43.097
  • Other disciple."
  • 00:24:43.097 --> 00:24:44.932
  • You love every other believer.
  • 00:24:44.932 --> 00:24:46.467
  • You love the church of god.
  • 00:24:46.467 --> 00:24:48.903
  • Have you ever heard anybody say this?
  • 00:24:48.903 --> 00:24:50.271
  • "you know, i love jesus; i just don't like the church.
  • 00:24:50.271 --> 00:24:54.108
  • I love jesus; i just can't stand the church."
  • 00:24:54.108 --> 00:24:57.077
  • Then let me tell you something: you're not a disciple.
  • 00:24:57.077 --> 00:25:00.447
  • Because with all of its imperfections, all of its
  • 00:25:00.447 --> 00:25:02.583
  • Faults, all of its faux pas and failures, because it's made up
  • 00:25:02.583 --> 00:25:06.053
  • Of normal, ordinary, imperfect people,
  • 00:25:06.053 --> 00:25:09.723
  • Jesus says the church matters.
  • 00:25:09.723 --> 00:25:12.393
  • Christ died for the church.
  • 00:25:12.393 --> 00:25:13.761
  • In fact, it's the only thing that's gonna last on
  • 00:25:13.761 --> 00:25:15.963
  • This planet.
  • 00:25:15.963 --> 00:25:17.331
  • Microsoft isn't gonna last.
  • 00:25:17.331 --> 00:25:19.333
  • The democratic and republican parties aren't gonna last.
  • 00:25:19.333 --> 00:25:22.069
  • The united states of america isn't gonna last.
  • 00:25:22.069 --> 00:25:24.338
  • No empire lasts forever.
  • 00:25:24.338 --> 00:25:26.273
  • There's only one thing that's gonna last for eternity--
  • 00:25:26.273 --> 00:25:28.776
  • That is, god's family, the church.
  • 00:25:28.776 --> 00:25:30.811
  • You're in it.
  • 00:25:30.811 --> 00:25:32.146
  • It's the only thing that's gonna last.
  • 00:25:32.146 --> 00:25:33.614
  • It's more important than everything else put together
  • 00:25:33.614 --> 00:25:35.950
  • Because god created the universe 'cause he wanted a family.
  • 00:25:35.950 --> 00:25:38.485
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:25:39.687 --> 00:25:51.532
  • Announcer: do you wanna be happier, healthier, and more
  • 00:25:46.527 --> 00:25:54.602
  • Resistant to stress?
  • 00:25:54.602 --> 00:25:56.136
  • Then you need to develop an attitude of gratitude.
  • 00:25:56.136 --> 00:25:59.707
  • In fact, the bible says "we're to rejoice always, pray
  • 00:25:59.707 --> 00:26:03.677
  • Continually and give thanks in all circumstances," but it can
  • 00:26:03.677 --> 00:26:08.616
  • Be difficult to feel grateful.
  • 00:26:08.616 --> 00:26:10.884
  • So to help you, pastor rick hand
  • 00:26:10.884 --> 00:26:13.253
  • Selected 52 verses to bolster
  • 00:26:13.253 --> 00:26:16.123
  • Your sense of gratitude and
  • 00:26:16.123 --> 00:26:17.925
  • Increase your happiness.
  • 00:26:17.925 --> 00:26:20.194
  • This set of beautifully designed
  • 00:26:20.194 --> 00:26:21.829
  • Cards will help you memorize
  • 00:26:21.829 --> 00:26:23.464
  • Scripture so you can recall
  • 00:26:23.464 --> 00:26:25.633
  • God's word when you need it most.
  • 00:26:25.633 --> 00:26:28.102
  • You can also use them to minister to others.
  • 00:26:28.102 --> 00:26:31.071
  • Give one to a friend and write a personalized note of
  • 00:26:31.071 --> 00:26:34.341
  • Encouragement on the back.
  • 00:26:34.341 --> 00:26:36.210
  • If a scripture really speaks to you, frame it, put them in
  • 00:26:36.210 --> 00:26:39.847
  • Places where you can read them during the day
  • 00:26:39.847 --> 00:26:42.449
  • For encouragement.
  • 00:26:42.449 --> 00:26:43.984
  • And today, when you give a gift
  • 00:26:43.984 --> 00:26:45.753
  • To help "daily hope" take the
  • 00:26:45.753 --> 00:26:47.287
  • Hope of jesus to a world in
  • 00:26:47.287 --> 00:26:49.390
  • Need, we'll send you the
  • 00:26:49.390 --> 00:26:50.924
  • Gratitude scripture card set
  • 00:26:50.924 --> 00:26:52.893
  • To say thanks.
  • 00:26:52.893 --> 00:26:56.397
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:59.733 --> 00:26:59.733