Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick - Favor Over Fear (Part 2)

December 18, 2025 | 28:0

Elevation with Steven Furtick focuses on the strength of God in our everyday struggles.

#Favor #Fear #Jesus #WalkwithGod #VirginBirth #Christmas #Savior #Messiah #Faith #TrustGod #IdentityinChrist #StevenFurtick

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Steven Furtick | Steven Furtick - Favor Over Fear (Part 2) | December 18, 2025

An encouraging message
00:00:02.989 --> 00:00:04.024
From pastor steven furtick
00:00:04.124 --> 00:00:05.458
Of elevation church.
00:00:05.558 --> 00:00:06.793
If you're looking
00:00:06.893 --> 00:00:07.527
To strengthen your faith
00:00:07.627 --> 00:00:08.828
And shift your perspective,
00:00:08.928 --> 00:00:10.263
Stay tuned.
00:00:10.363 --> 00:00:10.797
♪ ♪
00:00:11.231 --> 00:00:14.901
>> now, many of us --
00:00:15.602 --> 00:00:16.836
>> now, many of us -- this is not a cotton-candy
00:00:16.903 --> 00:00:17.737
This is not a cotton-candy christmas message --
00:00:17.804 --> 00:00:19.472
Christmas message -- have had to bury a lot
00:00:19.539 --> 00:00:20.774
Have had to bury a lot of things this year.
00:00:20.840 --> 00:00:23.576
Of things this year. you did, too.
00:00:23.643 --> 00:00:25.879
You did, too. what inspired me about the text
00:00:25.945 --> 00:00:27.814
What inspired me about the text was found not in the fact
00:00:27.881 --> 00:00:30.350
Was found not in the fact that it was his favorite wife
00:00:30.417 --> 00:00:31.951
That it was his favorite wife that he buried,
00:00:32.018 --> 00:00:33.486
That he buried, because, you know,
00:00:33.553 --> 00:00:34.921
Because, you know, in that is a sermon.
00:00:34.988 --> 00:00:36.156
In that is a sermon. in that is a sermon.
00:00:36.222 --> 00:00:37.323
In that is a sermon. but what got me about
00:00:37.390 --> 00:00:38.258
But what got me about it that i never saw when
00:00:38.324 --> 00:00:39.826
It that i never saw when i preached it five years ago
00:00:39.893 --> 00:00:41.327
I preached it five years ago -- you ready, christian?
00:00:41.394 --> 00:00:42.762
-- you ready, christian? it says that over her tomb,
00:00:42.829 --> 00:00:45.765
It says that over her tomb, jacob set up a pillar,
00:00:45.832 --> 00:00:47.000
Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day,
00:00:47.067 --> 00:00:48.201
And to this day, that pillar marks rachel's tomb.
00:00:48.268 --> 00:00:50.770
That pillar marks rachel's tomb. but back up to verse 19,
00:00:50.837 --> 00:00:52.238
But back up to verse 19, cause i think this is powerful.
00:00:52.305 --> 00:00:53.973
Cause i think this is powerful. so, rachel died and was buried
00:00:54.040 --> 00:00:56.743
So, rachel died and was buried on the way to ephrath.
00:00:56.810 --> 00:01:00.246
On the way to ephrath. that is bethlehem.
00:01:00.313 --> 00:01:06.286
That is bethlehem. so, i read how rachel,
00:01:06.352 --> 00:01:09.389
So, i read how rachel, the woman that jacob loved,
00:01:09.456 --> 00:01:11.858
The woman that jacob loved, was buried just outside
00:01:11.925 --> 00:01:14.427
Was buried just outside of bethlehem.
00:01:14.494 --> 00:01:17.764
Of bethlehem. and then i read how micah said
00:01:17.831 --> 00:01:19.532
And then i read how micah said that out of bethlehem
00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:22.535
That out of bethlehem will be born a ruler who
00:01:22.602 --> 00:01:25.505
Will be born a ruler who will dash the princes
00:01:25.572 --> 00:01:27.040
Will dash the princes of men into pieces,
00:01:27.107 --> 00:01:29.509
Of men into pieces, and whose kingdom
00:01:29.576 --> 00:01:30.610
And whose kingdom will know no end.
00:01:30.677 --> 00:01:32.745
Will know no end. and then i read about mary,
00:01:32.812 --> 00:01:35.548
And then i read about mary, who was highly favored,
00:01:35.615 --> 00:01:37.851
Who was highly favored, who gave birth through
00:01:37.917 --> 00:01:39.319
Who gave birth through a virgin womb
00:01:39.385 --> 00:01:40.520
A virgin womb to the world's greatest
00:01:40.587 --> 00:01:41.688
To the world's greatest salvation, and it brought
00:01:41.754 --> 00:01:43.723
Salvation, and it brought to me this question.
00:01:43.790 --> 00:01:46.993
To me this question. do we know bethlehem better
00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:49.963
Do we know bethlehem better by what was buried there
00:01:50.029 --> 00:01:55.301
By what was buried there or what was born there?
00:01:55.368 --> 00:01:57.270
Or what was born there? [applause]
00:01:57.337 --> 00:02:02.509
[applause] so i wanna ask this question.
00:02:02.575 --> 00:02:04.744
So i wanna ask this question. i wanna ask this question
00:02:04.811 --> 00:02:05.979
I wanna ask this question about your bethlehem.
00:02:06.045 --> 00:02:06.946
About your bethlehem. remember, we sing, "o little
00:02:07.013 --> 00:02:08.148
Remember, we sing, "o little town of bethlehem,"
00:02:08.214 --> 00:02:09.616
Town of bethlehem," like it's cute.
00:02:09.682 --> 00:02:12.285
Like it's cute. bethlehem was not where mary's
00:02:12.352 --> 00:02:15.188
Bethlehem was not where mary's obgyn was located.
00:02:15.255 --> 00:02:17.423
Obgyn was located. did you know that they weren't
00:02:17.490 --> 00:02:18.358
Did you know that they weren't supposed to be in bethlehem
00:02:18.424 --> 00:02:19.559
Supposed to be in bethlehem when jesus was born?
00:02:19.626 --> 00:02:20.994
When jesus was born? i know this sounds weird.
00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:22.662
I know this sounds weird. jesus picked a bad time
00:02:22.729 --> 00:02:24.030
Jesus picked a bad time to come into the world.
00:02:24.097 --> 00:02:28.301
To come into the world. he picked the worst time
00:02:28.368 --> 00:02:29.669
He picked the worst time to come into the world.
00:02:29.736 --> 00:02:31.704
To come into the world. and we think everything
00:02:31.771 --> 00:02:32.572
And we think everything has to be just right for god
00:02:32.639 --> 00:02:34.073
Has to be just right for god to do something in our life,
00:02:34.140 --> 00:02:35.642
To do something in our life, and we think everything
00:02:35.708 --> 00:02:36.442
And we think everything just has to be just right
00:02:36.509 --> 00:02:37.510
Just has to be just right for god to do it.
00:02:37.577 --> 00:02:38.411
For god to do it. no, no, no.
00:02:38.478 --> 00:02:39.612
No, no, no. they were only in bethlehem
00:02:39.679 --> 00:02:40.713
They were only in bethlehem because joseph's family
00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:42.215
Because joseph's family was from there, and maybe
00:02:42.282 --> 00:02:43.316
Was from there, and maybe they had still some land there.
00:02:43.383 --> 00:02:45.351
They had still some land there. the bible doesn't say.
00:02:45.418 --> 00:02:46.419
The bible doesn't say. but they had to go back
00:02:46.486 --> 00:02:47.353
But they had to go back under caesar augustus
00:02:47.420 --> 00:02:48.721
Under caesar augustus because there was a census
00:02:48.788 --> 00:02:49.556
Because there was a census happening, and everybody had
00:02:49.622 --> 00:02:50.557
Happening, and everybody had to go back to their hometown.
00:02:50.623 --> 00:02:52.125
To go back to their hometown. and while they were on the way,
00:02:52.192 --> 00:02:54.127
And while they were on the way, just trying to get their
00:02:54.194 --> 00:02:54.928
Just trying to get their business done, here comes jesus.
00:02:54.994 --> 00:02:56.996
Business done, here comes jesus. and i found out god
00:02:57.063 --> 00:02:57.897
And i found out god is a lot like that.
00:02:57.964 --> 00:02:59.399
Is a lot like that. just like, at the worst
00:02:59.465 --> 00:03:00.934
Just like, at the worst possible moment,
00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:02.335
Possible moment, he will give you the greatest
00:03:02.402 --> 00:03:03.169
He will give you the greatest possible opportunity.
00:03:03.236 --> 00:03:05.738
Possible opportunity. and it's almost like this year,
00:03:05.805 --> 00:03:07.607
And it's almost like this year, we're being presented
00:03:07.674 --> 00:03:08.541
We're being presented as a question.
00:03:08.608 --> 00:03:10.243
As a question. are we going to label this year
00:03:10.310 --> 00:03:13.813
Are we going to label this year by what we buried
00:03:13.880 --> 00:03:16.516
By what we buried or by what was born?
00:03:16.583 --> 00:03:20.320
Or by what was born? cause i promise you --
00:03:20.386 --> 00:03:21.588
Cause i promise you -- i should've done it.
00:03:21.654 --> 00:03:22.722
I should've done it. i messed up, but i should've
00:03:22.789 --> 00:03:24.524
I messed up, but i should've said at the beginning
00:03:24.591 --> 00:03:25.225
Said at the beginning of the sermon,
00:03:25.291 --> 00:03:27.961
Of the sermon, "what is bethlehem?"
00:03:28.027 --> 00:03:30.296
"what is bethlehem?" and i guarantee you,
00:03:30.363 --> 00:03:31.130
And i guarantee you, none of you would've said,
00:03:31.197 --> 00:03:31.864
None of you would've said, "the place where rachel died."
00:03:31.931 --> 00:03:37.170
"the place where rachel died." that's how jacob would've
00:03:37.237 --> 00:03:37.904
That's how jacob would've remembered it,
00:03:37.971 --> 00:03:39.505
Remembered it, because he buried her
00:03:39.572 --> 00:03:40.273
Because he buried her on the way to bethlehem,
00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:42.342
On the way to bethlehem, and he renamed his son.
00:03:42.408 --> 00:03:43.743
And he renamed his son. oh by the way, he named his son
00:03:43.810 --> 00:03:45.445
Oh by the way, he named his son benjamin, which doesn't mean,
00:03:45.511 --> 00:03:49.415
Benjamin, which doesn't mean, "son of my trouble."
00:03:49.482 --> 00:03:52.619
It's a play on words,
00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:53.720
It's a play on words, because oni can either mean
00:03:53.786 --> 00:03:55.455
Because oni can either mean trouble or wealth.
00:03:55.521 --> 00:03:59.392
Trouble or wealth. so, instead of naming the child
00:03:59.459 --> 00:04:02.061
So, instead of naming the child after what he lost
00:04:02.128 --> 00:04:03.529
After what he lost in that moment,
00:04:03.596 --> 00:04:05.164
In that moment, he named his son benjamin.
00:04:05.231 --> 00:04:08.134
Benjamin doesn't mean
00:04:08.234 --> 00:04:09.135
Benjamin doesn't mean "son of my trouble" or
00:04:09.202 --> 00:04:10.203
"son of my trouble" or "son of my wealth."
00:04:10.270 --> 00:04:11.137
"son of my wealth." it means "son of my right hand."
00:04:11.204 --> 00:04:15.308
It means "son of my right hand." the right hand
00:04:15.375 --> 00:04:16.576
The right hand is the hand of blessing.
00:04:16.643 --> 00:04:18.911
Is the hand of blessing. the right hand is the hand
00:04:18.978 --> 00:04:20.546
The right hand is the hand of authority.
00:04:20.613 --> 00:04:22.849
Of authority. so, the word god gave me
00:04:22.915 --> 00:04:24.751
So, the word god gave me for you today is don't
00:04:24.817 --> 00:04:26.386
For you today is don't bury your blessing.
00:04:26.452 --> 00:04:29.522
Bury your blessing. what happens to us is as we
00:04:29.589 --> 00:04:32.025
What happens to us is as we journey along the way,
00:04:32.091 --> 00:04:33.226
Journey along the way, we lose a lot of things,
00:04:33.293 --> 00:04:35.194
We lose a lot of things, and the temptation is for us
00:04:35.261 --> 00:04:36.562
And the temptation is for us to identify with what we lost.
00:04:36.629 --> 00:04:39.032
To identify with what we lost. and then we start labeling
00:04:39.098 --> 00:04:40.300
And then we start labeling our lives according
00:04:40.366 --> 00:04:41.467
Our lives according to those losses.
00:04:41.534 --> 00:04:43.069
To those losses. well, that limits us to
00:04:43.136 --> 00:04:44.137
Well, that limits us to what we can receive.
00:04:44.203 --> 00:04:46.172
What we can receive. but if you can make a decision
00:04:46.239 --> 00:04:47.674
But if you can make a decision at this point in the year
00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:50.343
At this point in the year to call his name, jesus --
00:04:50.410 --> 00:04:53.579
To call his name, jesus -- see, jesus came from bethlehem.
00:04:53.646 --> 00:04:57.216
See, jesus came from bethlehem. jesus was born in the place
00:04:57.283 --> 00:04:59.485
Jesus was born in the place where rachel was buried.
00:04:59.552 --> 00:05:02.388
Where rachel was buried. don't you see it?
00:05:02.455 --> 00:05:03.222
Don't you see it? that's the same place david
00:05:03.289 --> 00:05:04.123
That's the same place david came from, from bethlehem.
00:05:04.190 --> 00:05:06.559
Came from, from bethlehem. that little boy
00:05:06.626 --> 00:05:08.061
That little boy with the little rock,
00:05:08.127 --> 00:05:09.362
With the little rock, who took down the big giant.
00:05:09.429 --> 00:05:10.997
Who took down the big giant. that's why micah said,
00:05:11.064 --> 00:05:13.032
That's why micah said, "out of you, bethlehem,
00:05:13.099 --> 00:05:18.004
"out of you, bethlehem, will come the salvation
00:05:18.071 --> 00:05:20.873
Will come the salvation of the world."
00:05:20.940 --> 00:05:22.608
Of the world." the salvation of the world
00:05:22.675 --> 00:05:25.411
The salvation of the world came out of a small,
00:05:25.478 --> 00:05:26.779
Came out of a small, impossible place.
00:05:26.846 --> 00:05:29.682
Impossible place. and that's why i called it
00:05:29.749 --> 00:05:31.050
And that's why i called it the year of the lord's favor.
00:05:31.117 --> 00:05:34.754
The year of the lord's favor. cause god said it was.
00:05:34.821 --> 00:05:38.658
Cause god said it was. but god said, the father said.
00:05:38.725 --> 00:05:45.164
But god said, the father said. she named him ben oni.
00:05:45.231 --> 00:05:49.335
She named him ben oni. your facts are trying to name
00:05:49.402 --> 00:05:50.436
Your facts are trying to name your life right now.
00:05:50.503 --> 00:05:57.477
Your life right now. favor over facts.
00:05:57.543 --> 00:06:01.914
Favor over facts. favor over facts.
00:06:01.981 --> 00:06:04.884
Favor over facts. let me break this down.
00:06:04.951 --> 00:06:06.853
Let me break this down. rachel had a baby.
00:06:06.919 --> 00:06:09.655
Rachel had a baby. she died giving birth to him.
00:06:09.722 --> 00:06:12.258
She died giving birth to him. mary had a baby,
00:06:12.325 --> 00:06:14.527
Mary had a baby, and she never even had
00:06:14.594 --> 00:06:15.661
And she never even had the experience
00:06:15.728 --> 00:06:16.629
The experience of sexual intercourse.
00:06:16.696 --> 00:06:19.198
Of sexual intercourse. but god saw potential in mary
00:06:19.265 --> 00:06:22.268
But god saw potential in mary that was greater
00:06:22.335 --> 00:06:23.069
That was greater than her experience.
00:06:23.136 --> 00:06:25.671
Than her experience. in luke 1, when the bible says
00:06:25.738 --> 00:06:28.141
In luke 1, when the bible says that the angel called her
00:06:28.207 --> 00:06:29.175
That the angel called her highly favored --
00:06:29.242 --> 00:06:31.010
Highly favored -- and on a one to 10,
00:06:31.077 --> 00:06:31.978
And on a one to 10, i want you to know you're
00:06:32.044 --> 00:06:32.912
I want you to know you're a level 10 favored
00:06:32.979 --> 00:06:34.080
A level 10 favored by your father in heaven.
00:06:34.147 --> 00:06:36.949
By your father in heaven. you don't have to clap for it.
00:06:37.016 --> 00:06:37.950
You don't have to clap for it. i still believe it about you.
00:06:38.017 --> 00:06:40.286
I still believe it about you. i still believe it about you.
00:06:40.353 --> 00:06:43.623
I still believe it about you. in fact, look at somebody
00:06:43.689 --> 00:06:44.457
In fact, look at somebody and say, "i see favor
00:06:44.524 --> 00:06:45.358
And say, "i see favor in your future.
00:06:45.425 --> 00:06:46.359
In your future. i see favor in your future."
00:06:46.426 --> 00:06:48.528
I see favor in your future." i like that kind of stuff.
00:06:48.594 --> 00:06:49.595
I like that kind of stuff. i like saying that kind
00:06:49.662 --> 00:06:50.496
I like saying that kind of stuff to people.
00:06:50.563 --> 00:06:51.364
Of stuff to people. i see favor in your future.
00:06:51.431 --> 00:06:54.000
I see favor in your future. you remember when you prophesied
00:06:54.066 --> 00:06:55.034
You remember when you prophesied to that girl before we wrote
00:06:55.101 --> 00:06:56.002
To that girl before we wrote that song in february,
00:06:56.068 --> 00:06:57.270
That song in february, and then god gave us a song?
00:06:57.336 --> 00:06:58.671
And then god gave us a song? yeah, i'm telling you.
00:06:58.738 --> 00:06:59.705
Yeah, i'm telling you. i like to believe things that
00:06:59.772 --> 00:07:01.374
I like to believe things that my eyes can't see right now.
00:07:01.441 --> 00:07:03.376
My eyes can't see right now. that's why i need one of those
00:07:03.443 --> 00:07:04.644
That's why i need one of those machines like
00:07:04.710 --> 00:07:05.611
Machines like that cardiologist had.
00:07:05.678 --> 00:07:07.346
That cardiologist had. cause you're looking at me like,
00:07:07.413 --> 00:07:08.281
Cause you're looking at me like, "i don't feel very
00:07:08.347 --> 00:07:09.282
"i don't feel very highly favored.
00:07:09.348 --> 00:07:12.251
Highly favored. i don't feel pregnant.
00:07:12.318 --> 00:07:14.253
I don't feel pregnant. i feel fat, but i don't
00:07:14.320 --> 00:07:15.521
I feel fat, but i don't feel pregnant."
00:07:15.588 --> 00:07:18.257
Feel pregnant." let me tell you
00:07:18.324 --> 00:07:18.991
Let me tell you something right now.
00:07:19.058 --> 00:07:19.926
Something right now. out of bethlehem came
00:07:19.992 --> 00:07:23.496
Out of bethlehem came jacob's greatest pain.
00:07:23.563 --> 00:07:26.566
Out of bethlehem came
00:07:26.666 --> 00:07:29.936
Out of bethlehem came god's greatest purpose.
00:07:30.002 --> 00:07:35.007
God's greatest purpose. so what are you gonna get
00:07:35.074 --> 00:07:35.808
So what are you gonna get out of it?
00:07:35.875 --> 00:07:38.578
Out of it? this is not only a year for us
00:07:38.644 --> 00:07:39.645
To decide what we're gonna give
00:07:39.745 --> 00:07:40.680
To decide what we're gonna give to this ministry.
00:07:40.746 --> 00:07:42.615
To this ministry. yeah, we're giving an offering
00:07:42.682 --> 00:07:43.516
Yeah, we're giving an offering this weekend,
00:07:43.583 --> 00:07:45.184
This weekend, and god's gonna use that
00:07:45.251 --> 00:07:46.018
And god's gonna use that to take the gospel all over
00:07:46.085 --> 00:07:46.953
To take the gospel all over the world, and it's a privilege
00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:47.820
The world, and it's a privilege to do it.
00:07:47.887 --> 00:07:50.456
To do it. but what are you gonna
00:07:50.523 --> 00:07:51.123
But what are you gonna get out of it?
00:07:51.190 --> 00:07:53.326
Get out of it? he said, "out of bethlehem
00:07:53.392 --> 00:07:54.360
He said, "out of bethlehem will come for me a great king."
00:07:54.427 --> 00:07:58.831
Will come for me a great king." a great king.
00:07:58.898 --> 00:08:01.634
A great king. and mary had to believe that.
00:08:01.701 --> 00:08:04.770
And mary had to believe that. and i think this is the tension.
00:08:04.837 --> 00:08:06.005
And i think this is the tension. i think this is why we struggle
00:08:06.072 --> 00:08:06.973
I think this is why we struggle to believe it.
00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:08.074
To believe it. i think this is what blocks us
00:08:08.140 --> 00:08:09.342
I think this is what blocks us from believing that the favor
00:08:09.408 --> 00:08:11.177
From believing that the favor of god is on our lives,
00:08:11.244 --> 00:08:14.981
Of god is on our lives, and that purpose of god
00:08:15.047 --> 00:08:15.748
And that purpose of god is working in our lives.
00:08:15.815 --> 00:08:16.549
Is working in our lives. cause how many struggle
00:08:16.616 --> 00:08:17.350
Cause how many struggle to believe that sometimes?
00:08:17.416 --> 00:08:22.722
To believe that sometimes? mary experienced favor and fear,
00:08:22.788 --> 00:08:27.493
Mary experienced favor and fear, favor and fear.
00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.762
Favor and fear. favor over fear.
00:08:29.829 --> 00:08:32.198
Favor over fear. and then look at verse 34.
00:08:32.265 --> 00:08:33.399
And then look at verse 34. i didn't read you this verse.
00:08:33.466 --> 00:08:35.368
I didn't read you this verse. "how will this be,
00:08:35.434 --> 00:08:38.404
"how will this be, since i am a virgin?"
00:08:38.471 --> 00:08:42.041
Since i am a virgin?" and as i read that verse,
00:08:42.108 --> 00:08:43.142
And as i read that verse, i realized that we don't
00:08:43.209 --> 00:08:45.311
I realized that we don't give birth to christ
00:08:45.378 --> 00:08:46.412
Give birth to christ in the same way mary did.
00:08:46.479 --> 00:08:48.548
In the same way mary did. all right, this has only
00:08:48.614 --> 00:08:49.348
All right, this has only happened once.
00:08:49.415 --> 00:08:51.484
Happened once. all right, so, if your girl
00:08:51.551 --> 00:08:53.119
All right, so, if your girl tries to pull this bible verse
00:08:53.185 --> 00:08:54.487
Tries to pull this bible verse on you, you probably
00:08:54.554 --> 00:08:56.022
On you, you probably shouldn't marry her.
00:08:56.088 --> 00:08:57.290
Shouldn't marry her. cause this is just
00:08:57.356 --> 00:08:58.057
Cause this is just a one-time thing.
00:08:58.124 --> 00:08:59.292
A one-time thing. but christ is being birthed
00:08:59.358 --> 00:09:02.528
But christ is being birthed in all of us,
00:09:02.595 --> 00:09:05.565
In all of us, and so is his purpose,
00:09:05.631 --> 00:09:08.067
And so is his purpose, and so is the fruit
00:09:08.134 --> 00:09:08.868
And so is the fruit of the spirit.
00:09:08.935 --> 00:09:10.703
Of the spirit. and when mary said,
00:09:10.770 --> 00:09:13.673
And when mary said, "since i am a virgin,"
00:09:13.739 --> 00:09:15.174
"since i am a virgin," i realized all we have to
00:09:15.241 --> 00:09:16.509
I realized all we have to do to really understand
00:09:16.576 --> 00:09:17.743
Do to really understand the power of choosing favor
00:09:17.810 --> 00:09:19.145
The power of choosing favor over fear, favor over facts,
00:09:19.211 --> 00:09:22.181
Over fear, favor over facts, is to put whatever limits
00:09:22.248 --> 00:09:24.016
Is to put whatever limits us right there where
00:09:24.083 --> 00:09:27.086
Us right there where she said, "a virgin."
00:09:27.153 --> 00:09:29.155
She said, "a virgin." put the verse back on.
00:09:29.221 --> 00:09:30.723
Put the verse back on. since i am an addict.
00:09:30.790 --> 00:09:35.861
Since i am an addict. since i am divorced.
00:09:35.928 --> 00:09:39.498
Since i am divorced. since i am an orphan.
00:09:39.565 --> 00:09:43.169
Since i am an orphan. since i am -- you know,
00:09:43.235 --> 00:09:45.037
Since i am -- you know, little things that we get
00:09:45.104 --> 00:09:46.372
Little things that we get caught up on, like how much
00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:47.373
Caught up on, like how much money we have in the bank,
00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:48.307
Money we have in the bank, cause they call that
00:09:48.374 --> 00:09:48.975
Cause they call that our net worth.
00:09:49.041 --> 00:09:49.909
Our net worth. it's not really your worth,
00:09:49.976 --> 00:09:50.876
It's not really your worth, but since they call it that,
00:09:50.943 --> 00:09:51.611
But since they call it that, you start to believe that.
00:09:51.677 --> 00:09:52.745
You start to believe that. since i am broke.
00:09:52.812 --> 00:09:55.815
Since i am broke. and then you put an event
00:09:55.881 --> 00:09:57.049
And then you put an event and make it an identity.
00:09:57.116 --> 00:09:58.217
And make it an identity. since i am a failure.
00:09:58.284 --> 00:10:01.087
That's what happens when you
00:10:01.187 --> 00:10:02.254
That's what happens when you focus too much on what you
00:10:02.321 --> 00:10:03.689
Focus too much on what you buried to see what is
00:10:03.756 --> 00:10:06.559
Buried to see what is being born.
00:10:06.626 --> 00:10:10.229
Being born. and i was telling my oldest
00:10:10.296 --> 00:10:11.297
And i was telling my oldest the other day, i said,
00:10:11.364 --> 00:10:12.798
The other day, i said, "isn't it interesting
00:10:12.865 --> 00:10:14.600
"isn't it interesting how she's limited
00:10:14.667 --> 00:10:15.668
To her experience,
00:10:15.768 --> 00:10:17.870
To her experience, but god speaks according
00:10:17.937 --> 00:10:19.038
But god speaks according to her potential?"
00:10:19.105 --> 00:10:22.108
To her potential?" if we experienced this year
00:10:22.174 --> 00:10:23.909
If we experienced this year so much pain, so much fear,
00:10:23.976 --> 00:10:26.178
So much pain, so much fear, so much loss,
00:10:26.245 --> 00:10:27.279
So much loss, so much uncertainty,
00:10:27.346 --> 00:10:28.314
So much uncertainty, so many times where we bumped
00:10:28.381 --> 00:10:29.515
So many times where we bumped our head right up against
00:10:29.582 --> 00:10:30.850
Our head right up against the thing that we thought
00:10:30.916 --> 00:10:31.851
The thing that we thought wasn't gonna happen and
00:10:31.917 --> 00:10:32.618
Wasn't gonna happen and it did happen, or we thought
00:10:32.685 --> 00:10:33.352
It did happen, or we thought it was gonna happen --
00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:34.320
It was gonna happen -- when we bump our heads too
00:10:34.387 --> 00:10:35.221
When we bump our heads too many times, one too many times
00:10:35.287 --> 00:10:36.555
Many times, one too many times after disappointment,
00:10:36.622 --> 00:10:38.791
After disappointment, we begin to call our lives
00:10:38.858 --> 00:10:42.194
We begin to call our lives whatever we buried.
00:10:42.261 --> 00:10:46.365
Whatever we buried. because all we can focus on
00:10:46.432 --> 00:10:47.867
Because all we can focus on right now is what we
00:10:47.933 --> 00:10:49.535
Right now is what we buried this year.
00:10:49.602 --> 00:10:52.238
Buried this year. but we don't yet know
00:10:52.304 --> 00:10:56.142
But we don't yet know what is gonna be born
00:10:56.208 --> 00:10:59.378
What is gonna be born from what we buried.
00:10:59.445 --> 00:11:02.181
From what we buried. there might be a better job
00:11:02.248 --> 00:11:03.416
There might be a better job on the other side
00:11:03.482 --> 00:11:04.417
On the other side of this for you.
00:11:04.483 --> 00:11:05.751
Of this for you. you hear me?
00:11:05.818 --> 00:11:06.886
You hear me? there might be more peace
00:11:06.952 --> 00:11:08.888
There might be more peace on the other side of this.
00:11:08.954 --> 00:11:10.723
On the other side of this. so god shut down some systems,
00:11:10.790 --> 00:11:13.526
So god shut down some systems, and some things,
00:11:13.592 --> 00:11:14.760
And some things, to get you focused
00:11:14.827 --> 00:11:15.995
To get you focused on your father.
00:11:16.062 --> 00:11:19.632
On your father. i love jacob.
00:11:19.699 --> 00:11:20.833
I love jacob. jacob's like, "god changed
00:11:20.900 --> 00:11:22.501
Jacob's like, "god changed my name, and i'm gonna change
00:11:22.568 --> 00:11:24.737
My name, and i'm gonna change the name of this thing
00:11:24.804 --> 00:11:26.439
The name of this thing that was born in pain,
00:11:26.505 --> 00:11:29.208
That was born in pain, but it was born on purpose."
00:11:29.275 --> 00:11:31.544
But it was born on purpose." don't bury your blessing.
00:11:31.610 --> 00:11:33.245
Don't bury your blessing. [applause]
00:11:33.312 --> 00:11:37.149
[applause] you shove it down,
00:11:37.216 --> 00:11:38.117
You shove it down, and you force it down.
00:11:38.184 --> 00:11:39.719
And you force it down. you got disappointed,
00:11:39.785 --> 00:11:40.820
You got disappointed, so now you just bury that,
00:11:40.886 --> 00:11:43.222
So now you just bury that, but the problem is you are
00:11:43.289 --> 00:11:44.623
But the problem is you are burying the blessing
00:11:44.690 --> 00:11:45.925
Burying the blessing along with it.
00:11:45.991 --> 00:11:49.462
Along with it. son of my right hand.
00:11:49.528 --> 00:11:52.098
Son of my right hand. i'm naming my season according
00:11:52.164 --> 00:11:56.335
I'm naming my season according to what god is bringing
00:11:56.402 --> 00:11:59.271
To what god is bringing out of it.
00:11:59.338 --> 00:12:02.208
Out of it. i got a lot out of it.
00:12:02.274 --> 00:12:04.610
I got a lot out of it. i learned some things
00:12:04.677 --> 00:12:05.478
I learned some things about myself that i didn't
00:12:05.544 --> 00:12:06.645
About myself that i didn't like, that i had to
00:12:06.712 --> 00:12:08.414
Like, that i had to confront them.
00:12:08.481 --> 00:12:09.749
Confront them. and guess what happened
00:12:09.815 --> 00:12:10.616
And guess what happened when i confront them.
00:12:10.683 --> 00:12:12.251
When i confront them. god gave me grace for them,
00:12:12.318 --> 00:12:13.753
God gave me grace for them, and he showed me
00:12:13.819 --> 00:12:14.520
And he showed me that he loves me even
00:12:14.587 --> 00:12:15.788
That he loves me even through all that.
00:12:15.855 --> 00:12:17.456
Through all that. even some of the stuff
00:12:17.523 --> 00:12:18.257
Even some of the stuff that i don't like,
00:12:18.324 --> 00:12:19.558
That i don't like, that's what he wants to use.
00:12:19.625 --> 00:12:20.760
That's what he wants to use. i got a lot out of it.
00:12:20.826 --> 00:12:23.729
I got a lot out of it. i know that sounds funny
00:12:23.796 --> 00:12:25.164
I know that sounds funny to say that,
00:12:25.231 --> 00:12:26.132
To say that, because we did lose a lot.
00:12:26.198 --> 00:12:27.666
Because we did lose a lot. and maybe you lost
00:12:27.733 --> 00:12:28.434
And maybe you lost more than me.
00:12:28.501 --> 00:12:29.268
More than me. and i'm not saying this
00:12:29.335 --> 00:12:30.369
And i'm not saying this in some little pretty
00:12:30.436 --> 00:12:31.237
In some little pretty preacher way, prancing up
00:12:31.303 --> 00:12:32.204
Preacher way, prancing up here in the pulpit,
00:12:32.271 --> 00:12:33.639
Here in the pulpit, talking about these little,
00:12:33.706 --> 00:12:35.407
Talking about these little, you know, these little things
00:12:35.474 --> 00:12:36.542
You know, these little things that preachers say.
00:12:36.609 --> 00:12:37.843
That preachers say. but if you have faith to know
00:12:37.910 --> 00:12:40.346
But if you have faith to know that what is being born
00:12:40.412 --> 00:12:42.114
That what is being born is greater than what
00:12:42.181 --> 00:12:43.115
Is greater than what you're burying,
00:12:43.182 --> 00:12:44.216
You're burying, then say it right now.
00:12:44.283 --> 00:12:45.618
Then say it right now. i got a lot out of it.
00:12:45.684 --> 00:12:48.988
I got a lot out of it. i appreciate you.
00:12:49.054 --> 00:12:52.091
I appreciate you. you gave me my sight back.
00:12:52.158 --> 00:12:56.428
You gave me my sight back. you taught me how to seek
00:12:56.495 --> 00:12:57.229
You taught me how to seek the kingdom.
00:12:57.296 --> 00:13:01.267
The kingdom. you taught me how to walk
00:13:01.333 --> 00:13:02.034
You taught me how to walk by faith.
00:13:02.101 --> 00:13:03.936
By faith. i got a lot out of it.
00:13:04.003 --> 00:13:06.172
I got a lot out of it. i got a lot out of it.
00:13:06.238 --> 00:13:08.440
Bethlehem isn't the place
00:13:08.541 --> 00:13:09.575
Bethlehem isn't the place where i buried rachel.
00:13:09.642 --> 00:13:11.710
Where i buried rachel. it's the place where
00:13:11.777 --> 00:13:12.678
It's the place where my savior was born.
00:13:12.745 --> 00:13:15.881
My savior was born. and with this bold faith,
00:13:15.948 --> 00:13:20.452
And with this bold faith, i want us to do what mary did.
00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:23.823
And in just a moment,
00:13:23.923 --> 00:13:24.723
And in just a moment, our worship team is gonna sing
00:13:24.790 --> 00:13:25.558
Our worship team is gonna sing "the blessing" over you,
00:13:25.624 --> 00:13:26.725
"the blessing" over you, cause i think that's what
00:13:26.792 --> 00:13:27.660
Cause i think that's what we need to sing as we focus
00:13:27.726 --> 00:13:30.062
We need to sing as we focus on the favor of god this year.
00:13:30.129 --> 00:13:33.632
On the favor of god this year. but my wife's favorite
00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:35.768
But my wife's favorite bible verse comes from luke 1.
00:13:35.835 --> 00:13:41.207
Bible verse comes from luke 1. and he says that after
00:13:41.273 --> 00:13:45.044
And he says that after the objection rises up in mary
00:13:45.110 --> 00:13:48.080
The objection rises up in mary and she said,
00:13:48.147 --> 00:13:48.781
And she said, "how will this be?"
00:13:48.848 --> 00:13:50.549
"how will this be?" cause that's the part
00:13:50.616 --> 00:13:51.250
Cause that's the part we don't know.
00:13:51.317 --> 00:13:53.419
We don't know. "since i am a virgin."
00:13:53.485 --> 00:13:56.255
"since i am a virgin." the angel answered, "the holy
00:13:56.322 --> 00:13:58.424
The angel answered, "the holy spirit will come on you."
00:13:58.490 --> 00:14:00.092
Spirit will come on you." now i want you to notice here
00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:02.361
Now i want you to notice here that mary asks how,
00:14:02.428 --> 00:14:04.964
That mary asks how, and the angel answers who.
00:14:05.030 --> 00:14:12.004
And the angel answers who. but god said it's a blessing.
00:14:12.071 --> 00:14:17.076
But god said it's a blessing. mary said, "how?"
00:14:17.142 --> 00:14:19.578
Mary said, "how?" the angel said who.
00:14:19.645 --> 00:14:22.815
The angel said who. if nothing else this year,
00:14:22.882 --> 00:14:24.984
If nothing else this year, maybe i'm not gonna get
00:14:25.050 --> 00:14:25.851
Maybe i'm not gonna get some promotion, or maybe it's
00:14:25.918 --> 00:14:27.186
Some promotion, or maybe it's been the hardest year ever
00:14:27.253 --> 00:14:28.554
Been the hardest year ever to try to lead people,
00:14:28.621 --> 00:14:30.089
To try to lead people, and yes, it's been challenging,
00:14:30.155 --> 00:14:33.492
And yes, it's been challenging, but i found out who i was
00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:36.128
But i found out who i was this year.
00:14:36.195 --> 00:14:39.164
This year. i found out he was enough.
00:14:39.231 --> 00:14:43.535
I found out he was enough. i found out who i was this year.
00:14:43.602 --> 00:14:48.607
I found out who i was this year. i found out i don't preach
00:14:48.674 --> 00:14:49.475
I found out i don't preach for crowds this year.
00:14:49.541 --> 00:14:53.145
For crowds this year. i got a lot out of it.
00:14:53.212 --> 00:14:57.082
I got a lot out of it. i found out a lot of things
00:14:57.149 --> 00:14:58.384
I found out a lot of things that were just keeping me busy.
00:14:58.450 --> 00:15:02.187
That were just keeping me busy. a lot of the things that were
00:15:02.254 --> 00:15:05.624
A lot of the things that were cluttering up my schedule
00:15:05.691 --> 00:15:07.826
Cluttering up my schedule weren't making me fruitful.
00:15:07.893 --> 00:15:10.462
Weren't making me fruitful. i got to reorder some things.
00:15:10.529 --> 00:15:12.364
I got to reorder some things. oh, don't think i'm not praying
00:15:12.431 --> 00:15:13.632
Oh, don't think i'm not praying for you if you lost something
00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:14.800
For you if you lost something significant this year.
00:15:14.867 --> 00:15:16.769
Significant this year. we pray for you all the time.
00:15:16.835 --> 00:15:18.570
We pray for you all the time. that's why i come up here
00:15:18.637 --> 00:15:19.505
That's why i come up here and preach, so that you
00:15:19.571 --> 00:15:20.773
And preach, so that you can have some air to breathe,
00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:22.007
Can have some air to breathe, as you try to navigate
00:15:22.074 --> 00:15:23.242
As you try to navigate what it's like to live
00:15:23.309 --> 00:15:24.209
What it's like to live without your rachel.
00:15:24.276 --> 00:15:26.278
Without your rachel. i don't take that for granted.
00:15:26.345 --> 00:15:29.048
I don't take that for granted. but i know that something
00:15:29.114 --> 00:15:29.949
But i know that something greater is always born
00:15:30.015 --> 00:15:33.252
Greater is always born in the painful place where
00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:34.353
In the painful place where something that you love
00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:35.087
Something that you love was buried.
00:15:35.154 --> 00:15:36.288
Was buried. [applause]
00:15:36.355 --> 00:15:43.262
[applause] so, now i hear mary saying
00:15:43.329 --> 00:15:44.296
So, now i hear mary saying in verse 38,
00:15:44.363 --> 00:15:46.332
In verse 38, holly's favorite bible verse,
00:15:46.398 --> 00:15:49.268
Holly's favorite bible verse, where she said,
00:15:49.335 --> 00:15:50.002
Where she said, "i am the lord's servant.
00:15:50.069 --> 00:15:52.738
"i am the lord's servant. may your word to me
00:15:52.805 --> 00:15:55.274
May your word to me be fulfilled."
00:15:55.341 --> 00:15:58.744
Be fulfilled." she said the first time,
00:15:58.811 --> 00:16:01.647
She said the first time, "i am a virgin."
00:16:01.714 --> 00:16:03.916
"i am a virgin." that's the facts.
00:16:03.983 --> 00:16:06.919
That's the facts. she said the second time,
00:16:06.986 --> 00:16:08.921
She said the second time, "i am the lord's servant."
00:16:08.988 --> 00:16:11.323
"i am the lord's servant." that's the favor.
00:16:11.390 --> 00:16:12.358
[applause]
00:16:12.958 --> 00:16:17.229
Hey, church, the facts are bad.
00:16:17.730 --> 00:16:20.099
Hey, church, the facts are bad. right?
00:16:20.165 --> 00:16:21.400
Right? the facts are bad,
00:16:21.467 --> 00:16:23.535
But the favor is greater.
00:16:23.635 --> 00:16:27.439
But the favor is greater. the favor is greater.
00:16:27.506 --> 00:16:32.077
The favor is greater. when i was getting
00:16:32.144 --> 00:16:32.845
When i was getting my offering ready,
00:16:32.911 --> 00:16:34.580
My offering ready, i went over to one
00:16:34.646 --> 00:16:36.382
I went over to one of our campuses where i used to
00:16:36.448 --> 00:16:37.750
Preach live, over there at
00:16:37.850 --> 00:16:38.884
Preach live, over there at the blakeney campus.
00:16:38.951 --> 00:16:40.019
The blakeney campus. i went over there,
00:16:40.085 --> 00:16:41.053
I went over there, and i went in my old green room,
00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.654
And i went in my old green room, and i remembered how god made
00:16:42.721 --> 00:16:44.189
And i remembered how god made a way for us to get
00:16:44.256 --> 00:16:44.923
A way for us to get that building.
00:16:44.990 --> 00:16:45.791
That building. it was a great memory for me.
00:16:45.858 --> 00:16:47.926
It was a great memory for me. it was a favor flashback.
00:16:47.993 --> 00:16:49.161
It was a favor flashback. you know?
00:16:49.228 --> 00:16:50.329
You know? for what's out ahead of me.
00:16:50.396 --> 00:16:52.798
For what's out ahead of me. cause i've really been
00:16:52.865 --> 00:16:53.599
Cause i've really been struggling in this season.
00:16:53.665 --> 00:16:54.600
Struggling in this season. what is church even gonna look
00:16:54.666 --> 00:16:55.667
What is church even gonna look like on the other
00:16:55.734 --> 00:16:56.502
Like on the other side of this?
00:16:56.568 --> 00:16:57.703
Side of this? and yet god keeps making ways,
00:16:57.770 --> 00:16:59.204
And yet god keeps making ways, and we reach more people
00:16:59.271 --> 00:17:00.239
And we reach more people than ever,
00:17:00.305 --> 00:17:01.073
Than ever, and i'm grateful for that.
00:17:01.140 --> 00:17:03.042
And i'm grateful for that. but the thing about it is,
00:17:03.108 --> 00:17:04.309
But the thing about it is, you're always having a funeral
00:17:04.376 --> 00:17:07.379
You're always having a funeral at the same time that you're
00:17:07.446 --> 00:17:08.447
At the same time that you're receiving favor.
00:17:08.514 --> 00:17:13.752
Receiving favor. rachel is dying,
00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.387
Rachel is dying, while benjamin is being born.
00:17:15.454 --> 00:17:20.893
While benjamin is being born. and you know, i started thinking
00:17:20.959 --> 00:17:23.962
And you know, i started thinking about a lot of things.
00:17:24.029 --> 00:17:25.864
About a lot of things. i flashbacked so many things
00:17:25.931 --> 00:17:27.032
I flashbacked so many things through my life when
00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.067
Through my life when i was writing my offering
00:17:28.133 --> 00:17:29.001
I was writing my offering check and preparing
00:17:29.068 --> 00:17:29.835
Check and preparing to speak to you today,
00:17:29.902 --> 00:17:31.136
To speak to you today, cause i wanted to tell you
00:17:31.203 --> 00:17:31.870
Cause i wanted to tell you to finish with favor.
00:17:31.937 --> 00:17:34.106
To finish with favor. but i don't wanna tell you that,
00:17:34.173 --> 00:17:36.842
But i don't wanna tell you that, and then not go back
00:17:36.909 --> 00:17:37.810
And then not go back to the beginning and realize
00:17:37.876 --> 00:17:39.912
To the beginning and realize how far god has brought us.
00:17:39.978 --> 00:17:42.648
How far god has brought us. and for some reason,
00:17:42.714 --> 00:17:43.882
And for some reason, i ended up in this weird
00:17:43.949 --> 00:17:44.883
I ended up in this weird mental space, where in my mind,
00:17:44.950 --> 00:17:48.454
Mental space, where in my mind, i just closed my eyes,
00:17:48.520 --> 00:17:49.521
I just closed my eyes, and i was flashing back,
00:17:49.588 --> 00:17:50.722
And i was flashing back, and god was bringing all these
00:17:50.789 --> 00:17:51.890
And god was bringing all these different things to my mind.
00:17:51.957 --> 00:17:53.725
Different things to my mind. and some of them were really
00:17:53.792 --> 00:17:54.493
And some of them were really big moments in my life,
00:17:54.560 --> 00:17:56.295
Big moments in my life, and all of that.
00:17:56.361 --> 00:17:57.663
And all of that. and then this one little weird
00:17:57.729 --> 00:17:58.864
And then this one little weird thing came in to this song
00:17:58.931 --> 00:18:00.999
Thing came in to this song that i wrote in shelby,
00:18:01.066 --> 00:18:03.435
That i wrote in shelby, north carolina, of all places,
00:18:03.502 --> 00:18:08.340
North carolina, of all places, that i wrote called
00:18:08.407 --> 00:18:13.345
That i wrote called "i am the righteousness of god."
00:18:13.412 --> 00:18:16.782
"i am the righteousness of god." "made holy by his sacrifice,
00:18:16.849 --> 00:18:18.817
"made holy by his sacrifice, perfected by his blood,
00:18:18.884 --> 00:18:20.486
Perfected by his blood, i'm a brand-new creation
00:18:20.552 --> 00:18:22.187
I'm a brand-new creation remade by his hand,
00:18:22.254 --> 00:18:23.689
Remade by his hand, and i know who i am."
00:18:23.755 --> 00:18:25.157
And i know who i am." now, when i tell you that song
00:18:25.224 --> 00:18:26.024
Now, when i tell you that song was twangy, it was twangy,
00:18:26.091 --> 00:18:27.926
Was twangy, it was twangy, cause it was shelby.
00:18:27.993 --> 00:18:31.296
Cause it was shelby. it was twangy.
00:18:31.363 --> 00:18:33.699
It was twangy. but the flashback i got was
00:18:33.765 --> 00:18:36.301
But the flashback i got was when mulley mccraw
00:18:36.368 --> 00:18:37.402
When mulley mccraw came up to me after i finished
00:18:37.469 --> 00:18:39.271
Came up to me after i finished singing it one sunday,
00:18:39.338 --> 00:18:40.472
Singing it one sunday, the first sunday i taught
00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.340
The first sunday i taught it to the church.
00:18:41.406 --> 00:18:42.107
It to the church. i wrote it, i sang it,
00:18:42.174 --> 00:18:43.342
I wrote it, i sang it, same day, and this song
00:18:43.408 --> 00:18:45.844
Same day, and this song was never nominated
00:18:45.911 --> 00:18:46.812
Was never nominated for a grammy, but i sang it.
00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:50.082
For a grammy, but i sang it. and i was proud of it.
00:18:50.149 --> 00:18:51.416
And i was proud of it. and the song said,
00:18:51.483 --> 00:18:52.317
And the song said, "i know who i am."
00:18:52.384 --> 00:18:53.118
"i know who i am." holly remembers it.
00:18:53.185 --> 00:18:53.852
Holly remembers it. amy remembers it.
00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:54.553
Amy remembers it. chunks remembers it.
00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.387
Chunks remembers it. eric remembers it.
00:18:55.454 --> 00:18:56.255
Eric remembers it. it said, "i know who i am."
00:18:56.321 --> 00:18:57.923
It said, "i know who i am." this was the bridge.
00:18:57.990 --> 00:18:59.391
This was the bridge. "i am a child of my father
00:18:59.458 --> 00:19:00.425
"i am a child of my father most high.
00:19:00.492 --> 00:19:01.160
Most high. i'm a part of his plan.
00:19:01.226 --> 00:19:02.060
I'm a part of his plan. i will not fall for the enemy's
00:19:02.127 --> 00:19:03.762
I will not fall for the enemy's lies, cause i am who god
00:19:03.829 --> 00:19:05.731
Lies, cause i am who god says i am."
00:19:05.797 --> 00:19:07.432
Says i am." remember it, lb?
00:19:07.499 --> 00:19:08.400
Remember it, lb? it was good.
00:19:08.467 --> 00:19:10.335
It was good. mulley comes charging the stage
00:19:10.402 --> 00:19:13.105
Mulley comes charging the stage after i finish the service.
00:19:13.172 --> 00:19:15.407
After i finish the service. i say the little invitation
00:19:15.474 --> 00:19:16.308
I say the little invitation song, you know,
00:19:16.375 --> 00:19:17.009
Song, you know, whatever, and we're
00:19:17.075 --> 00:19:17.609
Whatever, and we're singing it, and he comes
00:19:17.676 --> 00:19:18.744
Singing it, and he comes up to the stage.
00:19:18.810 --> 00:19:20.279
Up to the stage. and mulley always had something
00:19:20.345 --> 00:19:21.346
And mulley always had something to tell me after church,
00:19:21.413 --> 00:19:22.781
To tell me after church, and usually it was positive.
00:19:22.848 --> 00:19:24.616
And usually it was positive. but he said, "i like that new
00:19:24.683 --> 00:19:25.684
But he said, "i like that new song, but i got a suggestion."
00:19:25.751 --> 00:19:28.420
Song, but i got a suggestion." i was like,
00:19:28.487 --> 00:19:29.154
I was like, "all right, mulley.
00:19:29.221 --> 00:19:31.623
"all right, mulley. let's collaborate.
00:19:31.690 --> 00:19:33.025
Let's collaborate. let's co-write.
00:19:33.091 --> 00:19:33.725
Let's co-write. what you got?"
00:19:33.792 --> 00:19:34.726
What you got?" mulley's not a musician.
00:19:34.793 --> 00:19:35.694
Mulley's not a musician. mulley's a carpenter.
00:19:35.761 --> 00:19:38.297
Mulley's a carpenter. but he goes -- hey,
00:19:38.363 --> 00:19:40.499
But he goes -- hey, jesus was a carpenter.
00:19:40.566 --> 00:19:41.900
Jesus was a carpenter. but mulley goes, "when you say
00:19:41.967 --> 00:19:43.602
But mulley goes, "when you say it the last time, you know
00:19:43.669 --> 00:19:45.204
It the last time, you know you say, i know who i am,"
00:19:45.270 --> 00:19:48.240
You say, i know who i am," and he says this.
00:19:48.307 --> 00:19:49.608
He looks at me so serious.
00:19:49.708 --> 00:19:51.210
He looks at me so serious. he goes, "last time, say,
00:19:51.276 --> 00:19:52.644
He goes, "last time, say, i know whose i am."
00:19:52.711 --> 00:19:55.447
I know whose i am." and he walks off,
00:19:55.514 --> 00:19:56.515
And he walks off, like drops the mic on me.
00:19:56.582 --> 00:19:58.016
Like drops the mic on me. he just walks off and goes
00:19:58.083 --> 00:19:59.952
He just walks off and goes to the chinese buffet.
00:20:00.018 --> 00:20:01.753
To the chinese buffet. mulley just drops the mic
00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.955
Mulley just drops the mic and walks off.
00:20:03.021 --> 00:20:06.625
And i'm like,
00:20:06.725 --> 00:20:07.526
And i'm like, "lord, this is weird.
00:20:07.593 --> 00:20:08.493
"lord, this is weird. i'm thinking about mulley,
00:20:08.560 --> 00:20:09.828
I'm thinking about mulley, and shelby, and bethlehem,
00:20:09.895 --> 00:20:12.764
And shelby, and bethlehem, and mary, and mary, and mulley,
00:20:12.831 --> 00:20:14.666
And mary, and mary, and mulley, and favor, and this weird
00:20:14.733 --> 00:20:16.335
And favor, and this weird year we've had.
00:20:16.401 --> 00:20:17.336
Year we've had. why am i thinking about this?"
00:20:17.402 --> 00:20:19.638
Why am i thinking about this?" and so then i saw the verses.
00:20:19.705 --> 00:20:21.506
And so then i saw the verses. and i wanted to thank mulley.
00:20:21.573 --> 00:20:22.674
And i wanted to thank mulley. if you ever watch me preach
00:20:22.741 --> 00:20:23.508
If you ever watch me preach on youtube, thank you mulley,
00:20:23.575 --> 00:20:25.177
On youtube, thank you mulley, because mary said in verse 34,
00:20:25.244 --> 00:20:29.081
Because mary said in verse 34, "i am a virgin,"
00:20:29.147 --> 00:20:31.083
"i am a virgin," and that's who she was,
00:20:31.149 --> 00:20:33.385
And that's who she was, according to her experience.
00:20:33.452 --> 00:20:35.954
According to her experience. but in verse 38, she said,
00:20:36.021 --> 00:20:38.457
But in verse 38, she said, "i am the lord's."
00:20:38.523 --> 00:20:42.427
"i am the lord's." that's whose she was.
00:20:42.494 --> 00:20:45.797
That's whose she was. [applause]
00:20:45.864 --> 00:20:48.066
[applause] so, we need to remember
00:20:48.133 --> 00:20:49.635
So, we need to remember this year that the world
00:20:49.701 --> 00:20:52.404
This year that the world can call you ben oni,
00:20:52.471 --> 00:20:55.374
Can call you ben oni, and your emotions can call
00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.775
And your emotions can call this year a waste,
00:20:56.842 --> 00:21:00.479
This year a waste, but his father named him,
00:21:00.545 --> 00:21:06.351
But his father named him, son of my right hand.
00:21:06.418 --> 00:21:11.957
Son of my right hand. now, if you receive this word,
00:21:12.024 --> 00:21:14.293
Now, if you receive this word, i want you to stand up
00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:16.795
I want you to stand up on your feet, clap your hands,
00:21:16.862 --> 00:21:18.263
On your feet, clap your hands, and give god the greatest
00:21:18.330 --> 00:21:19.164
And give god the greatest praise that you gave
00:21:19.231 --> 00:21:20.966
Praise that you gave him since december 31st.
00:21:21.033 --> 00:21:22.401
Him since december 31st. [applause]
00:21:22.467 --> 00:21:29.074
[applause] let's do this, and then they're
00:21:29.141 --> 00:21:32.878
Let's do this, and then they're gonna sing "the blessing,"
00:21:32.944 --> 00:21:33.912
Gonna sing "the blessing," and we're gonna worship god.
00:21:33.979 --> 00:21:35.681
And we're gonna worship god. but let's look at micah 5:2
00:21:35.747 --> 00:21:39.618
But let's look at micah 5:2 one more time.
00:21:39.685 --> 00:21:41.653
One more time. "but you, bethlehem."
00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:45.924
"but you, bethlehem." but you, small place.
00:21:45.991 --> 00:21:48.994
But you, small place. but you, painful place.
00:21:49.061 --> 00:21:51.530
But you, painful place. but you, where rachel died.
00:21:51.596 --> 00:21:54.533
But you, where rachel died. "though you are small among
00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:56.168
"though you are small among the clans of judah,"
00:21:56.234 --> 00:21:58.537
The clans of judah," though the womb
00:21:58.603 --> 00:21:59.304
Though the womb is a virgin womb,
00:21:59.371 --> 00:22:01.306
Is a virgin womb, though bethlehem is not even
00:22:01.373 --> 00:22:03.308
Though bethlehem is not even the place you intended
00:22:03.375 --> 00:22:04.776
The place you intended to give birth,
00:22:04.843 --> 00:22:06.545
To give birth, "out of you will come for me."
00:22:06.611 --> 00:22:11.650
"out of you will come for me." thank you for your glory, lord.
00:22:11.717 --> 00:22:14.386
Thank you for your glory, lord. and we confess that
00:22:14.453 --> 00:22:16.121
And we confess that the sufferings of this present
00:22:16.188 --> 00:22:17.422
The sufferings of this present time are not even worthy
00:22:17.489 --> 00:22:20.592
Time are not even worthy to be compared with the glory
00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:22.661
To be compared with the glory that will be revealed
00:22:22.728 --> 00:22:24.096
That will be revealed in your people.
00:22:24.162 --> 00:22:25.864
In your people. we are your servants,
00:22:25.931 --> 00:22:28.333
We are your servants, your people, your sons,
00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:32.504
Your people, your sons, your daughters.
00:22:32.571 --> 00:22:33.004
>> thank you so much for
00:22:34.673 --> 00:22:35.474
>> thank you so much for joining us today.
00:22:35.540 --> 00:22:36.608
Joining us today. to find more messages like
00:22:36.675 --> 00:22:38.043
To find more messages like the one you just heard
00:22:38.110 --> 00:22:39.177
The one you just heard from pastor steven,
00:22:39.244 --> 00:22:40.445
From pastor steven, i want to encourage you
00:22:40.512 --> 00:22:41.513
I want to encourage you to visit the steven furtick
00:22:41.580 --> 00:22:42.881
To visit the steven furtick youtube channel or
00:22:42.948 --> 00:22:44.416
Youtube channel or just scan the qr code on your
00:22:44.483 --> 00:22:46.318
Just scan the qr code on your screen to subscribe.
00:22:46.385 --> 00:22:47.753
Screen to subscribe. and then you'll get access
00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.887
And then you'll get access to new videos that are
00:22:48.954 --> 00:22:49.988
To new videos that are uploaded weekly.
00:22:50.055 --> 00:22:51.857
Uploaded weekly. now, if today's message
00:22:51.923 --> 00:22:52.791
Now, if today's message spoke to your heart
00:22:52.858 --> 00:22:54.226
Spoke to your heart i also want to invite you
00:22:54.292 --> 00:22:55.327
I also want to invite you to partner with us
00:22:55.394 --> 00:22:56.695
To partner with us and make it possible
00:22:56.762 --> 00:22:57.963
And make it possible for someone else to hear
00:22:58.029 --> 00:22:59.398
For someone else to hear the message too.
00:22:59.464 --> 00:23:00.665
The message too. your generosity really
00:23:00.732 --> 00:23:02.167
Your generosity really does make a difference.
00:23:02.234 --> 00:23:03.769
Does make a difference. every time you give you're
00:23:03.835 --> 00:23:05.170
Every time you give you're helping us take the gospel
00:23:05.237 --> 00:23:06.638
Helping us take the gospel further and get god's word
00:23:06.705 --> 00:23:08.573
Further and get god's word into someone's heart.
00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.142
Into someone's heart. this ministry exists so that
00:23:10.208 --> 00:23:11.810
This ministry exists so that people far from god will
00:23:11.877 --> 00:23:13.412
People far from god will be raised to life in christ
00:23:13.478 --> 00:23:15.013
Be raised to life in christ and you're a part of that story.
00:23:15.080 --> 00:23:17.616
And you're a part of that story. because of you,
00:23:17.682 --> 00:23:18.483
Because of you, messages just like the one
00:23:18.550 --> 00:23:19.951
Messages just like the one you heard today will go out
00:23:20.018 --> 00:23:21.353
You heard today will go out to people who need hope.
00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:23.188
To people who need hope. people who are wrestling
00:23:23.255 --> 00:23:24.256
People who are wrestling with anxiety and disappointment,
00:23:24.322 --> 00:23:26.558
With anxiety and disappointment, or the weight of wrong
00:23:26.625 --> 00:23:27.793
Or the weight of wrong assumptions about their future,
00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:29.060
Assumptions about their future, even wrong assumptions
00:23:29.127 --> 00:23:30.529
Even wrong assumptions about god.
00:23:30.595 --> 00:23:31.663
About god. through broadcasts,
00:23:31.730 --> 00:23:32.831
Through broadcasts, online outreach,
00:23:32.898 --> 00:23:34.232
Online outreach, and ministry partners
00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.300
And ministry partners all over the world,
00:23:35.367 --> 00:23:36.268
All over the world, your support is opening
00:23:36.334 --> 00:23:37.969
Your support is opening the door for them to hear
00:23:38.036 --> 00:23:39.871
The door for them to hear the truth that can
00:23:39.938 --> 00:23:41.206
The truth that can change everything.
00:23:41.273 --> 00:23:42.874
Change everything. so, please, call the number
00:23:42.941 --> 00:23:44.242
So, please, call the number on your screen or go online
00:23:44.309 --> 00:23:45.977
On your screen or go online right now to give.
00:23:46.044 --> 00:23:47.546
Right now to give. your gift of any amount
00:23:47.612 --> 00:23:49.548
Your gift of any amount makes a difference.
00:23:49.614 --> 00:23:50.482
Makes a difference. thank you for being a part
00:23:50.549 --> 00:23:52.050
Thank you for being a part of what god is doing.
00:23:52.117 --> 00:23:53.952
Of what god is doing. we are so grateful for you.
00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:56.121
>> if you love watching sermons
00:24:26.551 --> 00:24:27.752
>> if you love watching sermons from pastor steven furtick,
00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:29.221
From pastor steven furtick, there's more for you.
00:24:29.287 --> 00:24:30.455
There's more for you. you can join us sundays
00:24:30.522 --> 00:24:31.890
You can join us sundays live online where you can
00:24:31.957 --> 00:24:33.358
Live online where you can watch the sermon
00:24:33.425 --> 00:24:34.292
Watch the sermon and also worship with us
00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.760
And also worship with us and find a community
00:24:35.827 --> 00:24:37.062
And find a community of believers.
00:24:37.128 --> 00:24:37.996
Of believers. go to stevenfurtick.com/live
00:24:38.063 --> 00:24:40.565
Go to stevenfurtick.com/live for times.
00:24:40.632 --> 00:24:41.500
>> ♪ he shames every idol ♪
00:25:03.955 --> 00:25:08.627
♪ he reigns without rival ♪
00:25:08.693 --> 00:25:14.666
♪ he goes by the name of ♪
00:25:14.733 --> 00:25:18.270
♪ jehovah ♪
00:25:18.336 --> 00:25:20.739
♪ he speaks into nothing ♪
00:25:20.805 --> 00:25:27.846
♪ and darkness goes running ♪
00:25:27.913 --> 00:25:34.019
♪ he goes by the name of ♪
00:25:34.085 --> 00:25:37.522
♪ jehovah ♪
00:25:37.589 --> 00:25:39.858
♪ call the name ♪
00:25:39.925 --> 00:25:46.164
♪ call the name ♪
00:25:46.231 --> 00:25:48.567
♪ call the name ♪
00:25:48.633 --> 00:25:50.669
♪ jehovah ♪
00:25:50.735 --> 00:25:53.371
♪ all our praise ♪
00:25:53.438 --> 00:25:55.774
♪ all our praise ♪
00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:58.143
♪ all our praise ♪
00:25:58.209 --> 00:26:00.211
♪ belongs to him ♪
00:26:00.278 --> 00:26:05.383
♪ all the praise is his ♪
00:26:05.450 --> 00:26:09.788
♪ let's go ♪
00:26:09.854 --> 00:26:11.089
♪ his foes will be silenced ♪
00:26:11.156 --> 00:26:16.061
♪ he's fighting for zion ♪
00:26:16.127 --> 00:26:19.931
♪ ooh ♪
00:26:19.998 --> 00:26:21.866
♪ there's no other god like ♪
00:26:21.933 --> 00:26:25.470
♪ jehovah ♪
00:26:25.537 --> 00:26:27.806
♪ his arm never tires ♪
00:26:27.872 --> 00:26:35.046
♪ his eyes are like fire ♪
00:26:35.113 --> 00:26:38.950
♪ oh ♪
00:26:39.017 --> 00:26:41.019
♪ there's no other god like ♪
00:26:41.086 --> 00:26:44.656
♪ jehovah ♪
00:26:44.723 --> 00:26:47.225
♪ call the name ♪
00:26:47.292 --> 00:26:53.398
♪ call the name ♪
00:26:53.465 --> 00:26:55.834
♪ call the name ♪
00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:57.969
♪ jehovah ♪
00:26:58.036 --> 00:27:00.538
♪ all our praise ♪
00:27:00.605 --> 00:27:02.941
♪ all our praise ♪
00:27:03.008 --> 00:27:05.310
♪ all our praise ♪
00:27:05.377 --> 00:27:07.445
♪ belongs to him ♪
00:27:07.512 --> 00:27:09.114
♪ call the name ♪
00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.248
♪ call the name ♪
00:27:10.315 --> 00:27:11.149
♪ oh call the name ♪
00:27:11.216 --> 00:27:12.584
♪ call the name ♪
00:27:12.651 --> 00:27:13.818
♪ yeah ♪
00:27:13.885 --> 00:27:14.986
♪ call the name ♪
00:27:15.053 --> 00:27:17.055
♪ jehovah ♪
00:27:17.122 --> 00:27:18.723
♪ all our praise ♪
00:27:18.790 --> 00:27:19.791
♪ all our praise ♪
00:27:19.858 --> 00:27:21.059
♪ yes all our praise ♪
00:27:21.126 --> 00:27:22.193
♪ all our praise ♪
00:27:22.260 --> 00:27:23.361
♪ all our praise ♪
00:27:23.428 --> 00:27:24.529
♪ all our praise ♪
00:27:24.596 --> 00:27:26.631
♪ oh belongs to him ♪
00:27:26.698 --> 00:27:29.934

Steven Furtick - Favor Over Fear (Part 2)

December 18, 2025 | 28:0

Closed captions

Share