Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick - God Can Use This Too (Part 1)

July 6, 2026 | 27:29

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

#WordofGod #Kindness #Justice #Change #Mind #Truth #Heart #Music #StevenFurtick

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Steven Furtick | Steven Furtick - God Can Use This Too (Part 1) | July 6, 2026

An encouraging message
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From pastor steven furtick
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Of elevation church.
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If you're looking
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To strengthen your faith
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And shift your perspective,
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Stay tuned.
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♪ ♪
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>> the passage that i wanna
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>> the passage that i wanna share with you from today
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Share with you from today is in acts 28:1-10.
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Is in acts 28:1-10. and after i've shared
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And after i've shared this story with you,
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This story with you, i'll give my thought
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I'll give my thought and break it down today.
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And break it down today. but it's really not
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But it's really not just my thought,
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Just my thought, it is something that the lord
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It is something that the lord wants to speak to you,
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Wants to speak to you, and it's gonna help you
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And it's gonna help you with your perspective.
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With your perspective. so, in acts 28:1-10,
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So, in acts 28:1-10, the bible says,
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The bible says, "once safely on shore,
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"once safely on shore, we found out that
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We found out that the island was called malta.
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The island was called malta. the islanders showed us
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The islanders showed us unusual kindness.
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Unusual kindness. they built a fire
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They built a fire and welcomed us all
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And welcomed us all because it was raining
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Because it was raining and cold.
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And cold. paul gathered a pile
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Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and,
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Of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire,
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As he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat,
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A viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand."
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Fastened itself on his hand." ouch.
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Ouch. "when the islanders
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"when the islanders saw the snake hanging
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Saw the snake hanging from his hand,
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From his hand, they said to each other,
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They said to each other, 'this man must be a murderer;
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'this man must be a murderer; for though he escaped
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For though he escaped from the sea,
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From the sea, the goddess justice
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The goddess justice has not allowed him to live.'
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Has not allowed him to live.' but paul shook the snake off
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But paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered
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Into the fire and suffered no ill effects."
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No ill effects." i thought y'all might be
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I thought y'all might be happy to hear that verse,
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Happy to hear that verse, to know that it bit him,
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To know that it bit him, but it didn't kill him.
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But it didn't kill him. to know that it tried,
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To know that it tried, but it didn't work.
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But it didn't work. because i thought that
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Because i thought that might help you think
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Might help you think about some of the stuff
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About some of the stuff that the devil did to you,
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That the devil did to you, the weapons that he formed
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The weapons that he formed that didn't work.
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That didn't work. but you don't have to
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But you don't have to shout about it.
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Shout about it. i'm just thankful that
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I'm just thankful that everything that bit me
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Everything that bit me didn't kill me.
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[applause]
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Now, let's take it
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Now, let's take it further, verse 6.
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Further, verse 6. "the people expected
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"the people expected him to swell up
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Him to swell up or suddenly fall dead;
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Or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time
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But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing
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And seeing nothing unusual happen to him,
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Unusual happen to him, they changed their mind
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They changed their mind and said he was a god."
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And said he was a god." so, they're kinda
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So, they're kinda flipping real quick.
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Flipping real quick. not that people ever
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Not that people ever flip their opinion
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Flip their opinion or anything like that.
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Or anything like that. but the bible says
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But the bible says something else
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Something else that i wanna read you
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That i wanna read you before i give you
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Before i give you the sermon title.
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The sermon title. it says, "there was
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It says, "there was an estate nearby
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An estate nearby that belonged to publius,
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That belonged to publius, the chief official
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The chief official of the island.
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Of the island. he welcomed us to his home
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He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous
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And showed us generous hospitality for three days.
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Hospitality for three days. his father was sick in bed,
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His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever
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Suffering from fever and dysentery.
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And dysentery. and paul went in to see him
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And paul went in to see him and, after prayer,
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And, after prayer, placed his hands on him
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Placed his hands on him and healed him.
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And healed him. when this had happened,
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When this had happened, the rest of the sick
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The rest of the sick on the island came
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On the island came and were cured.
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And were cured. they honored us
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They honored us in many ways;
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In many ways; and when we were ready
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And when we were ready to sail, they furnished us
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To sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed."
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With the supplies we needed." that's right there
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That's right there where i wanna stop.
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Where i wanna stop. everything you need is
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Everything you need is on this island.
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On this island. god's not gonna send you
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God's not gonna send you from this season of your life
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From this season of your life without what you need.
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Without what you need. but i need you to understand
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But i need you to understand this fundamental truth,
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This fundamental truth, and look at your neighbor
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And look at your neighbor and give 'em my title.
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And give 'em my title. say, "god...
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Say, "god... >> congregation: god...
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>> congregation: god... >> can use this too."
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>> can use this too." >> congregation: can use
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>> congregation: can use this too.
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This too. >> that's it.
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>> that's it. that's the whole thing.
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That's the whole thing. you waiting on the next part?
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You waiting on the next part? i said, look at 'em
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I said, look at 'em again and say,
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Again and say, "god can use this too."
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"god can use this too." >> congregation: god can
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>> congregation: god can use this too.
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Use this too. >> and father, i thank you
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>> and father, i thank you that nothing comes
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That nothing comes to our lives that doesn't
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To our lives that doesn't pass through your hand.
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Pass through your hand. right now, would you speak
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Right now, would you speak a word in season to your people,
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A word in season to your people, in jesus' name, amen.
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In jesus' name, amen. >> congregation: amen.
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>> congregation: amen. >> he can use this too.
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>> he can use this too. be seated.
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Be seated. amen.
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Amen. now, l.j., i'mma set this
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Now, l.j., i'mma set this bible story up with
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Bible story up with a little personal example.
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A little personal example. i don't have any real hobbies
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I don't have any real hobbies so in my free time, i like to
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So in my free time, i like to listen to podcasts about
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Listen to podcasts about people who do have hobbies.
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[laughter]
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I like to listen also to
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I like to listen also to podcasts about people's
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Podcasts about people's creative process.
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Creative process. and i really love to hear
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And i really love to hear especially about song writing.
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Especially about song writing. and i know that's boring
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And i know that's boring to some people,
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To some people, but i love to hear
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But i love to hear what happened, the story
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What happened, the story behind the song
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Behind the song that was written.
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That was written. and so, i kinda collect
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And so, i kinda collect these little stories
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These little stories because it's almost like
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Because it's almost like they're magical to me
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They're magical to me to just see behind the scenes.
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To just see behind the scenes. one song writer that i like to
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One song writer that i like to listen to can tell the stories,
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Listen to can tell the stories, his name is clay mills.
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His name is clay mills. and he said that he went
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And he said that he went in to write with darius rucker
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In to write with darius rucker for the first time.
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For the first time. and he went in to write
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And he went in to write with darius, and he said
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With darius, and he said he really wasn't feeling it.
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He really wasn't feeling it. darius was fine, but clay said
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Darius was fine, but clay said he wasn't really feeling it.
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He wasn't really feeling it. he said he just got broke up
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He said he just got broke up with the day before.
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With the day before. and so, about halfway
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And so, about halfway through the session of
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Through the session of getting to know each other,
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Getting to know each other, he looked at darius and said,
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He looked at darius and said, "i just gotta be honest
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"i just gotta be honest with you man,
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With you man, i'm not in a really
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I'm not in a really good spot today.
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Good spot today. i just had my heart broken
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I just had my heart broken and i'm second guessing
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And i'm second guessing everything, and all
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Everything, and all i could've done and all that."
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I could've done and all that." and darius was like,
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And darius was like, "oh, i get it, man.
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"oh, i get it, man. we all have had
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We all have had our heart broken."
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Our heart broken." he said, "i go back
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He said, "i go back and think about a girl
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And think about a girl that broke up with me
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That broke up with me in fifth grade and wonder
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In fifth grade and wonder what would've happened
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What would've happened if we stayed together."
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If we stayed together." and clay said,
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And clay said, "really? fifth grade?"
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"really? fifth grade?" and darius said, "yeah man,
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And darius said, "yeah man, don't think i don't."
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Don't think i don't." and clay said,
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And clay said, "when he said,
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"when he said, 'don't think i don't,'
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'don't think i don't,' he kinda took this notebook
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He kinda took this notebook and wrote that line down.
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And wrote that line down. don't think i don't."
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Don't think i don't." and he went home that night,
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And he went home that night, and he started to write
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And he started to write a song called,
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A song called, "don't think i don't
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"don't think i don't think about it."
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Think about it." and he took it back
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And he took it back to darius the next day,
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To darius the next day, and they wrote the song,
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And they wrote the song, and it was darius'
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And it was darius' first number one country hit.
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First number one country hit. that's cool, huh?
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That's cool, huh? and so, he heard somebody
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And so, he heard somebody say something and he did
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Say something and he did something with it.
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Something with it. now, you've heard a lot
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Now, you've heard a lot of people say stuff.
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Of people say stuff. did you make a hit it?
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[laughter]
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Here's another example i love.
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Here's another example i love. one pop star, she was writing
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One pop star, she was writing with a swedish producer
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With a swedish producer named max martin.
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Named max martin. and it was her first time
00:05:51.704 --> 00:05:52.405
And it was her first time writing with him,
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Writing with him, and she was so excited,
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And she was so excited, and they were working on a song.
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And they were working on a song. and somebody walked in
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And somebody walked in the studio that claimed
00:05:55.942 --> 00:05:56.876
The studio that claimed they knew this pop star.
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They knew this pop star. and so, they claimed to be
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And so, they claimed to be a friend of this pop star's
00:06:00.913 --> 00:06:02.382
A friend of this pop star's ex-boyfriend.
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Ex-boyfriend. and so, they came in the studio
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And so, they came in the studio and they started talking,
00:06:05.184 --> 00:06:06.085
And they started talking, and it was, kind of,
00:06:06.152 --> 00:06:06.886
And it was, kind of, an interruption.
00:06:06.953 --> 00:06:07.787
An interruption. and the dude who had
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And the dude who had busted in the studio,
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Busted in the studio, he says, "yeah.
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He says, "yeah. i hear y'all are
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I hear y'all are gonna get back together."
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Gonna get back together." and so, they kinda got the guy
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And so, they kinda got the guy to leave the studio
00:06:13.292 --> 00:06:13.993
To leave the studio because he was unwelcomed.
00:06:14.060 --> 00:06:15.595
Because he was unwelcomed. and after he left,
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And after he left, the pop star turned
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The pop star turned to max martin and said,
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To max martin and said, "hey, trust me.
00:06:19.799 --> 00:06:21.033
"hey, trust me. we are never getting
00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:23.269
We are never getting back together..."
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[laughter]
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"ever, ever, ever."
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"ever, ever, ever." and max martin turned
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And max martin turned to taylor swift and said,
00:06:30.977 --> 00:06:31.844
To taylor swift and said, "we gotta write that song."
00:06:31.911 --> 00:06:32.979
[laughter]
00:06:33.246 --> 00:06:33.846
So, how many of you in here
00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:36.315
So, how many of you in here have an ex somewhere
00:06:36.382 --> 00:06:38.418
Have an ex somewhere back in your past?
00:06:38.484 --> 00:06:40.520
Back in your past? how many of you made
00:06:40.586 --> 00:06:41.120
How many of you made a hit pop banger out of it
00:06:41.187 --> 00:06:43.589
A hit pop banger out of it and made millions of dollars
00:06:43.656 --> 00:06:44.424
And made millions of dollars out of it and became
00:06:44.490 --> 00:06:45.324
Out of it and became a global pop superstar?
00:06:45.391 --> 00:06:46.859
A global pop superstar? see, here's my point.
00:06:46.926 --> 00:06:47.894
See, here's my point. and you're like, "wow,
00:06:47.960 --> 00:06:48.528
And you're like, "wow, this is really --
00:06:48.594 --> 00:06:49.028
This is really -- you'd had too much time off.
00:06:49.095 --> 00:06:50.062
You'd had too much time off. you've been by
00:06:50.129 --> 00:06:50.730
You've been by yourself too much."
00:06:50.797 --> 00:06:52.799
Yourself too much." creativity is not defined
00:06:52.865 --> 00:06:55.301
Creativity is not defined by how many ideas you have,
00:06:55.368 --> 00:06:58.104
By how many ideas you have, creativity is defined
00:06:58.171 --> 00:06:59.238
Creativity is defined by how you implement
00:06:59.305 --> 00:07:01.040
By how you implement the ideas you have
00:07:01.107 --> 00:07:03.142
The ideas you have so that a great song writer,
00:07:03.209 --> 00:07:04.477
So that a great song writer, a creative songwriter
00:07:04.544 --> 00:07:05.978
A creative songwriter hears somebody say a phrase
00:07:06.045 --> 00:07:08.414
Hears somebody say a phrase that maybe they've said
00:07:08.481 --> 00:07:09.582
That maybe they've said hundreds of times
00:07:09.649 --> 00:07:10.116
Hundreds of times before and go...
00:07:10.183 --> 00:07:10.750
Before and go... [claps]
00:07:10.817 --> 00:07:11.217
[claps] "that's a song, let's write it."
00:07:11.284 --> 00:07:13.719
"that's a song, let's write it." or that a great songwriter
00:07:13.786 --> 00:07:15.087
Or that a great songwriter goes through a heartbreak,
00:07:15.154 --> 00:07:17.056
Goes through a heartbreak, and you know, maybe
00:07:17.123 --> 00:07:18.424
And you know, maybe some people go through
00:07:18.491 --> 00:07:19.258
Some people go through a heartbreak and become
00:07:19.325 --> 00:07:20.059
A heartbreak and become an alcoholic or a drug addict,
00:07:20.126 --> 00:07:21.928
An alcoholic or a drug addict, but they make a hit out
00:07:21.994 --> 00:07:23.429
But they make a hit out of something that happens.
00:07:23.496 --> 00:07:25.465
Of something that happens. they make a hit out of
00:07:25.531 --> 00:07:26.399
They make a hit out of something that they hear.
00:07:26.466 --> 00:07:28.167
Something that they hear. that's creativity.
00:07:28.234 --> 00:07:29.402
That's creativity. now, i would suggest to you
00:07:29.469 --> 00:07:31.971
Now, i would suggest to you that as christians,
00:07:32.038 --> 00:07:33.005
That as christians, what distinguishes
00:07:33.072 --> 00:07:35.007
What distinguishes our christian faith from
00:07:35.074 --> 00:07:35.975
Our christian faith from those who do not have faith
00:07:36.042 --> 00:07:38.144
Those who do not have faith is not necessarily the things
00:07:38.211 --> 00:07:39.445
Is not necessarily the things that happen to us,
00:07:39.512 --> 00:07:41.747
That happen to us, it's not necessarily
00:07:41.814 --> 00:07:42.548
It's not necessarily the things that
00:07:42.615 --> 00:07:43.149
The things that we even hear in church.
00:07:43.216 --> 00:07:45.751
We even hear in church. but it is our ability
00:07:45.818 --> 00:07:46.719
But it is our ability to take those things
00:07:46.786 --> 00:07:47.987
To take those things that happen to us
00:07:48.054 --> 00:07:49.589
That happen to us and do something with them
00:07:49.655 --> 00:07:50.723
And do something with them that will be fruitful
00:07:50.790 --> 00:07:52.058
That will be fruitful and productive.
00:07:52.124 --> 00:07:54.026
And productive. and the more painful
00:07:54.093 --> 00:07:55.027
And the more painful the event is, well,
00:07:55.094 --> 00:07:56.062
The event is, well, the greater the opportunity
00:07:56.128 --> 00:07:57.964
The greater the opportunity for god to show
00:07:58.030 --> 00:07:58.764
For god to show his creative power.
00:07:58.831 --> 00:08:01.234
His creative power. see, god is not creative,
00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:02.935
See, god is not creative, he is creator.
00:08:03.002 --> 00:08:05.438
He is creator. creative people
00:08:05.505 --> 00:08:06.405
Creative people can take something
00:08:06.472 --> 00:08:07.907
Can take something and make it into something.
00:08:07.974 --> 00:08:09.709
And make it into something. god is creator.
00:08:09.775 --> 00:08:11.444
God is creator. he can take nothing
00:08:11.511 --> 00:08:13.045
He can take nothing and make it into something.
00:08:13.112 --> 00:08:14.146
[applause]
00:08:14.447 --> 00:08:14.981
Come on, get my rhythm
00:08:15.481 --> 00:08:16.148
Come on, get my rhythm so i don't have to work
00:08:16.215 --> 00:08:17.049
So i don't have to work too hard today
00:08:17.116 --> 00:08:17.583
[applause]
00:08:17.884 --> 00:08:18.918
Tell your neighbor,
00:08:19.852 --> 00:08:20.386
Tell your neighbor, "god can use it."
00:08:20.453 --> 00:08:21.521
"god can use it." >> congregation: god can use it.
00:08:21.587 --> 00:08:23.055
>> congregation: god can use it. >> i love how he spoke
00:08:23.122 --> 00:08:24.123
>> i love how he spoke into the darkness,
00:08:24.190 --> 00:08:25.825
Into the darkness, but the word that he spoke
00:08:25.892 --> 00:08:27.193
But the word that he spoke into darkness carried
00:08:27.260 --> 00:08:28.895
Into darkness carried the potential energy for light.
00:08:28.961 --> 00:08:31.397
The potential energy for light. so, it became kinetic because
00:08:31.464 --> 00:08:33.065
So, it became kinetic because god called it light
00:08:33.132 --> 00:08:35.201
God called it light when it was darkness.
00:08:35.268 --> 00:08:36.869
When it was darkness. god calls those things that
00:08:36.936 --> 00:08:38.070
God calls those things that be not as though they are.
00:08:38.137 --> 00:08:40.339
Be not as though they are. so, if he calls you forgiven,
00:08:40.406 --> 00:08:41.841
So, if he calls you forgiven, it doesn't matter how many
00:08:41.908 --> 00:08:42.875
It doesn't matter how many times shame calls your name.
00:08:42.942 --> 00:08:45.278
Times shame calls your name. god can speak into nothing
00:08:45.344 --> 00:08:46.679
God can speak into nothing and create something.
00:08:46.746 --> 00:08:48.915
And create something. the hebrew word
00:08:48.981 --> 00:08:49.649
The hebrew word for this is bara.
00:08:49.715 --> 00:08:51.450
For this is bara. when it talks about god
00:08:51.517 --> 00:08:52.318
When it talks about god created the heavens
00:08:52.385 --> 00:08:53.219
Created the heavens and the earth in the beginning.
00:08:53.286 --> 00:08:55.154
And the earth in the beginning. there was nothing there,
00:08:55.221 --> 00:08:56.055
There was nothing there, but it didn't stop god
00:08:56.122 --> 00:08:57.323
But it didn't stop god because he is creator,
00:08:57.390 --> 00:08:59.825
Because he is creator, not just creative.
00:08:59.892 --> 00:09:01.894
Not just creative. if you ask a creative genius,
00:09:01.961 --> 00:09:03.963
If you ask a creative genius, "where do you get
00:09:04.030 --> 00:09:04.730
"where do you get your ideas from?"
00:09:04.797 --> 00:09:05.698
Your ideas from?" they'll honestly tell you,
00:09:05.765 --> 00:09:07.433
They'll honestly tell you, "well, i get them
00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.568
"well, i get them from everyday life.
00:09:08.634 --> 00:09:10.202
From everyday life. i get them from something
00:09:10.269 --> 00:09:11.571
I get them from something i hear someone say.
00:09:11.637 --> 00:09:13.339
I hear someone say. i get them from something
00:09:13.406 --> 00:09:14.740
I get them from something that i live through.
00:09:14.807 --> 00:09:16.275
That i live through. god didn't have to live
00:09:16.342 --> 00:09:17.543
God didn't have to live through anything
00:09:17.610 --> 00:09:18.244
Through anything because he always was.
00:09:18.311 --> 00:09:20.646
Because he always was. god didn't have to respond to
00:09:20.713 --> 00:09:22.148
God didn't have to respond to anything because when he spoke,
00:09:22.214 --> 00:09:24.016
Anything because when he spoke, the light was the response
00:09:24.083 --> 00:09:25.418
The light was the response to his word.
00:09:25.484 --> 00:09:27.019
To his word. i'm trying to set this
00:09:27.086 --> 00:09:28.521
I'm trying to set this framework for this sermon
00:09:28.588 --> 00:09:29.755
Framework for this sermon around the idea that
00:09:29.822 --> 00:09:31.424
Around the idea that the creator, god,
00:09:31.490 --> 00:09:33.125
The creator, god, lives inside of you.
00:09:33.192 --> 00:09:35.161
Lives inside of you. and so, if the god who can
00:09:35.227 --> 00:09:36.696
And so, if the god who can make something out of nothing
00:09:36.762 --> 00:09:38.097
Make something out of nothing lives inside of you,
00:09:38.164 --> 00:09:39.732
Lives inside of you, it stands to reason
00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:40.633
It stands to reason that the god with
00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:41.400
That the god with this kind of power,
00:09:41.467 --> 00:09:42.868
This kind of power, bara, is the hebrew word,
00:09:42.935 --> 00:09:44.870
Bara, is the hebrew word, can also take something
00:09:44.937 --> 00:09:46.639
Can also take something in your life that does not
00:09:46.706 --> 00:09:48.507
In your life that does not resemble what you prayed for,
00:09:48.574 --> 00:09:50.710
Resemble what you prayed for, hoped for, or preferred,
00:09:50.776 --> 00:09:52.945
Hoped for, or preferred, and turn it into exactly
00:09:53.012 --> 00:09:54.780
And turn it into exactly what you need at the moment
00:09:54.847 --> 00:09:56.616
What you need at the moment you need it the most.
00:09:56.682 --> 00:09:58.150
You need it the most. because he's god like that.
00:09:58.217 --> 00:10:00.219
Because he's god like that. because he's good at that.
00:10:00.286 --> 00:10:02.054
Because he's good at that. because god doesn't have to hear
00:10:02.121 --> 00:10:03.623
Because god doesn't have to hear anything to do something.
00:10:03.689 --> 00:10:05.524
Anything to do something. god doesn't have to have
00:10:05.591 --> 00:10:06.993
God doesn't have to have anything to do something.
00:10:07.059 --> 00:10:08.728
Anything to do something. in fact, god can take something
00:10:08.794 --> 00:10:10.162
In fact, god can take something so silly as a dumb decision
00:10:10.229 --> 00:10:13.332
So silly as a dumb decision that you make and turn it
00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:15.201
That you make and turn it into great wisdom
00:10:15.267 --> 00:10:16.302
Into great wisdom for your future.
00:10:16.369 --> 00:10:18.037
For your future. god can use this too.
00:10:18.104 --> 00:10:20.506
God can use this too. i read in the bible
00:10:20.573 --> 00:10:21.340
I read in the bible about a king called solomon.
00:10:21.407 --> 00:10:23.776
About a king called solomon. he was the wisest king
00:10:23.843 --> 00:10:25.544
He was the wisest king that ever lived.
00:10:25.611 --> 00:10:27.046
That ever lived. but what surprised me
00:10:27.113 --> 00:10:28.047
But what surprised me about solomon's wisdom,
00:10:28.114 --> 00:10:29.448
About solomon's wisdom, church, was that his birth
00:10:29.515 --> 00:10:31.651
Church, was that his birth was actually the result of
00:10:31.717 --> 00:10:35.087
Was actually the result of a bad decision that
00:10:35.154 --> 00:10:35.988
A bad decision that his father, david, made.
00:10:36.055 --> 00:10:38.658
His father, david, made. and if i teach you this,
00:10:38.724 --> 00:10:39.725
And if i teach you this, maybe it'll help you feel
00:10:39.792 --> 00:10:40.926
Maybe it'll help you feel not so bad about
00:10:40.993 --> 00:10:41.627
Not so bad about your dumb decisions.
00:10:41.694 --> 00:10:43.496
Your dumb decisions. not that you made any
00:10:43.562 --> 00:10:44.363
Not that you made any in the last three years,
00:10:44.430 --> 00:10:46.265
In the last three years, but you know,
00:10:46.332 --> 00:10:46.666
But you know, back when you were young,
00:10:46.732 --> 00:10:47.466
Back when you were young, and you used to do dumb stuff.
00:10:47.533 --> 00:10:49.602
And you used to do dumb stuff. back before you were
00:10:49.669 --> 00:10:50.670
Back before you were so smart as you are now,
00:10:50.736 --> 00:10:51.971
So smart as you are now, and you always get it right.
00:10:52.038 --> 00:10:53.906
And you always get it right. just to let you know
00:10:53.973 --> 00:10:54.607
Just to let you know that god prefers that
00:10:54.674 --> 00:10:56.842
That god prefers that you use wisdom as
00:10:56.909 --> 00:10:58.177
You use wisdom as you're living your life.
00:10:58.244 --> 00:11:01.180
You're living your life. but if you don't use wisdom,
00:11:01.247 --> 00:11:03.949
But if you don't use wisdom, god is so big, and so good,
00:11:04.016 --> 00:11:07.687
God is so big, and so good, and so amazing that
00:11:07.753 --> 00:11:08.921
And so amazing that when you don't use wisdom,
00:11:08.988 --> 00:11:10.389
When you don't use wisdom, god will use stupid.
00:11:10.456 --> 00:11:12.024
[laughter]
00:11:12.324 --> 00:11:15.494
That's a place to praise him
00:11:16.529 --> 00:11:17.596
That's a place to praise him right there, you missed it.
00:11:17.663 --> 00:11:18.664
[applause]
00:11:18.931 --> 00:11:20.366
I know you can't clap
00:11:21.067 --> 00:11:21.867
I know you can't clap 'cause you might be
00:11:21.934 --> 00:11:22.501
'cause you might be sitting next to 'em.
00:11:22.568 --> 00:11:23.402
Sitting next to 'em. [clapping]
00:11:23.469 --> 00:11:26.072
[clapping] i talked to one woman,
00:11:26.138 --> 00:11:26.972
I talked to one woman, she said, "i never
00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:28.174
She said, "i never should've married him."
00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.809
Should've married him." well, they were married
00:11:29.875 --> 00:11:30.476
Well, they were married 32 years, they had 3 kids.
00:11:30.543 --> 00:11:34.180
32 years, they had 3 kids. she said, "i was so stupid,
00:11:34.246 --> 00:11:35.715
She said, "i was so stupid, stupid, stupid."
00:11:35.781 --> 00:11:37.016
Stupid, stupid." she started hitting her head.
00:11:37.083 --> 00:11:38.117
She started hitting her head. i'm not gonna do it
00:11:38.184 --> 00:11:38.784
I'm not gonna do it up here for you.
00:11:38.851 --> 00:11:41.620
Up here for you. just a little bit.
00:11:41.687 --> 00:11:42.154
Just a little bit. stupid, stupid, stupid.
00:11:42.221 --> 00:11:43.856
Stupid, stupid, stupid. she smacked herself hard.
00:11:43.923 --> 00:11:44.724
She smacked herself hard. i said, "stop."
00:11:44.790 --> 00:11:45.725
I said, "stop." i grabbed her hand,
00:11:45.791 --> 00:11:46.392
I grabbed her hand, i said, "are you glad
00:11:46.459 --> 00:11:47.727
I said, "are you glad you have those kids?"
00:11:47.793 --> 00:11:50.362
You have those kids?" she said, "yeah, i wouldn't
00:11:50.429 --> 00:11:50.963
She said, "yeah, i wouldn't trade my kids for anything."
00:11:51.030 --> 00:11:52.765
Trade my kids for anything." i said, "you had 'em with him?"
00:11:52.832 --> 00:11:54.500
[laughter]
00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:55.601
She said, "yeah,
00:11:56.435 --> 00:11:56.802
She said, "yeah, all three of 'em."
00:11:56.869 --> 00:11:57.937
All three of 'em." i was just checking.
00:11:58.003 --> 00:11:58.637
I was just checking. you know, i didn't pull out
00:11:58.704 --> 00:11:59.872
You know, i didn't pull out a maury povich paternity test
00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:02.074
A maury povich paternity test or anything like that.
00:12:02.141 --> 00:12:04.009
Or anything like that. boy, that's a flashback.
00:12:04.076 --> 00:12:04.944
[laughter]
00:12:05.211 --> 00:12:06.011
But she said, "yeah.
00:12:07.046 --> 00:12:07.913
But she said, "yeah. we had 'em all together."
00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:09.181
We had 'em all together." i said, "huh.
00:12:09.248 --> 00:12:10.783
I said, "huh. isn't that crazy
00:12:10.850 --> 00:12:12.418
Isn't that crazy that god gave you
00:12:12.485 --> 00:12:13.185
That god gave you what you just called
00:12:13.252 --> 00:12:14.053
What you just called your greatest gifts through
00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.287
Your greatest gifts through your stupidest decision."
00:12:15.354 --> 00:12:17.690
Your stupidest decision." stupid, stupid, stupid.
00:12:17.757 --> 00:12:21.427
Stupid, stupid, stupid. so, before you take your hand
00:12:21.494 --> 00:12:23.362
So, before you take your hand and hit yourself
00:12:23.429 --> 00:12:24.363
And hit yourself like i'm doing up here.
00:12:24.430 --> 00:12:25.431
Like i'm doing up here. i'm not doing it
00:12:25.498 --> 00:12:26.031
I'm not doing it any harder than that.
00:12:26.098 --> 00:12:27.399
Any harder than that. stop for a minute and think
00:12:27.466 --> 00:12:28.734
Stop for a minute and think about the things that god
00:12:28.801 --> 00:12:29.935
About the things that god gave you in spite of stupid.
00:12:30.002 --> 00:12:34.473
Gave you in spite of stupid. i'll take it a step further,
00:12:34.540 --> 00:12:35.808
I'll take it a step further, and all the pharisees
00:12:35.875 --> 00:12:36.809
And all the pharisees can just walk right out
00:12:36.876 --> 00:12:37.576
Can just walk right out the church on this one.
00:12:37.643 --> 00:12:39.044
The church on this one. not just in spite of stupid,
00:12:39.111 --> 00:12:41.280
Not just in spite of stupid, but through stupid.
00:12:41.347 --> 00:12:44.984
But through stupid. god can do more through
00:12:45.050 --> 00:12:46.485
God can do more through stupid than humans
00:12:46.552 --> 00:12:48.454
Stupid than humans can do through
00:12:48.521 --> 00:12:49.155
Can do through wisdom without him.
00:12:49.221 --> 00:12:51.290
Wisdom without him. this is how great god is.
00:12:51.357 --> 00:12:52.424
This is how great god is. "boy, are you telling me
00:12:52.491 --> 00:12:53.359
"boy, are you telling me to go out and do dumb stuff?
00:12:53.425 --> 00:12:54.960
To go out and do dumb stuff? you telling me to drive drunk?
00:12:55.027 --> 00:12:55.928
You telling me to drive drunk? you telling me to
00:12:55.995 --> 00:12:57.329
You telling me to make bad decisions?
00:12:57.396 --> 00:12:58.330
Make bad decisions? marry the wrong people?"
00:12:58.397 --> 00:12:59.165
Marry the wrong people?" i'm not saying any of that,
00:12:59.231 --> 00:13:00.566
I'm not saying any of that, but the fact of the matter is
00:13:00.633 --> 00:13:02.535
But the fact of the matter is we start this sermon
00:13:02.601 --> 00:13:03.602
We start this sermon in acts 28 where paul
00:13:03.669 --> 00:13:06.572
In acts 28 where paul does a great miracle,
00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:08.574
Does a great miracle, but it started with something
00:13:08.641 --> 00:13:10.276
But it started with something stupid that could've been
00:13:10.342 --> 00:13:12.678
Stupid that could've been avoided, but wasn't.
00:13:12.745 --> 00:13:15.748
Avoided, but wasn't. and i believe that what keeps
00:13:15.815 --> 00:13:16.582
And i believe that what keeps a lot of people from believing
00:13:16.649 --> 00:13:17.883
A lot of people from believing that god can use their life
00:13:17.950 --> 00:13:19.985
That god can use their life or use their situation
00:13:20.052 --> 00:13:22.354
Or use their situation is that you know necessarily
00:13:22.421 --> 00:13:24.223
Is that you know necessarily some of the things that
00:13:24.290 --> 00:13:25.991
Some of the things that put you in the problem state
00:13:26.058 --> 00:13:27.526
Put you in the problem state to begin with,
00:13:27.593 --> 00:13:29.728
To begin with, and it's hard for me
00:13:29.795 --> 00:13:30.462
And it's hard for me to believe for god to get me
00:13:30.529 --> 00:13:31.530
To believe for god to get me out of what i got myself into.
00:13:31.597 --> 00:13:34.667
Out of what i got myself into. but i wanna remind you
00:13:34.733 --> 00:13:35.367
But i wanna remind you from david's life
00:13:35.434 --> 00:13:37.169
From david's life that when you don't use wisdom,
00:13:37.236 --> 00:13:40.906
That when you don't use wisdom, god will use stupid.
00:13:40.973 --> 00:13:45.144
God will use stupid. touch your neighbor again
00:13:45.211 --> 00:13:45.711
Touch your neighbor again and say, "he's gonna use you.
00:13:45.778 --> 00:13:47.112
And say, "he's gonna use you. pastor steven just said it."
00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:48.080
[laughter]
00:13:48.347 --> 00:13:51.383
David slept with bathsheba.
00:13:51.951 --> 00:13:54.386
David slept with bathsheba. stupid.
00:13:54.453 --> 00:13:55.654
Stupid. killed her husband
00:13:55.721 --> 00:13:56.455
Killed her husband who was fighting for him.
00:13:56.522 --> 00:13:58.057
Who was fighting for him. stupid.
00:13:58.123 --> 00:13:59.158
Stupid. tried to cover it all up.
00:13:59.225 --> 00:14:00.793
Tried to cover it all up. stupid.
00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:02.061
Stupid. went in and repented before
00:14:02.127 --> 00:14:03.462
Went in and repented before the lord when the prophet nathan
00:14:03.529 --> 00:14:04.864
The lord when the prophet nathan confronted him.
00:14:04.930 --> 00:14:06.131
Confronted him. when he finished repenting,
00:14:06.198 --> 00:14:07.533
When he finished repenting, he went into his wife,
00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.667
He went into his wife, bathsheba, and made
00:14:08.734 --> 00:14:09.602
Bathsheba, and made love to her again.
00:14:09.668 --> 00:14:11.270
Love to her again. she conceived and gave birth
00:14:11.337 --> 00:14:12.404
She conceived and gave birth to a son, his name was solomon.
00:14:12.471 --> 00:14:14.907
To a son, his name was solomon. he was the wisest king
00:14:14.974 --> 00:14:16.275
He was the wisest king that ever lived.
00:14:16.342 --> 00:14:17.810
That ever lived. how could god make
00:14:17.877 --> 00:14:18.911
How could god make something so splendid
00:14:18.978 --> 00:14:20.880
Something so splendid out of something so stupid?
00:14:20.946 --> 00:14:22.948
Out of something so stupid? that's called grace.
00:14:23.015 --> 00:14:25.050
That's called grace. you want a definition of grace?
00:14:25.117 --> 00:14:26.619
You want a definition of grace? alright, i got one for you.
00:14:26.685 --> 00:14:27.686
[applause]
00:14:27.987 --> 00:14:28.287
When you don't wisdom,
00:14:28.587 --> 00:14:30.656
When you don't wisdom, so god used stupid.
00:14:30.723 --> 00:14:33.392
So god used stupid. when you choose the wrong thing,
00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:35.060
When you choose the wrong thing, but god uses it anyway.
00:14:35.127 --> 00:14:37.062
But god uses it anyway. now, we would like to eliminate
00:14:37.129 --> 00:14:38.564
Now, we would like to eliminate the number of times in your life
00:14:38.631 --> 00:14:39.765
The number of times in your life that god has to use stupid.
00:14:39.832 --> 00:14:41.934
That god has to use stupid. we don't wanna give god
00:14:42.001 --> 00:14:42.768
We don't wanna give god raw materials to work
00:14:42.835 --> 00:14:43.936
Raw materials to work with unnecessarily.
00:14:44.003 --> 00:14:45.271
With unnecessarily. shall we continue in sin
00:14:45.337 --> 00:14:46.238
Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
00:14:46.305 --> 00:14:47.873
That grace may abound? god forbid.
00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:49.008
God forbid. but yet i know that this
00:14:49.074 --> 00:14:53.279
But yet i know that this storm we read about
00:14:53.345 --> 00:14:54.980
Storm we read about in acts 28 --
00:14:55.047 --> 00:14:56.315
In acts 28 -- now, there's nothing
00:14:56.382 --> 00:14:57.082
Now, there's nothing about the storm in acts 28,
00:14:57.149 --> 00:14:59.151
About the storm in acts 28, so you might be confused.
00:14:59.218 --> 00:15:01.086
So you might be confused. because acts 28:1,
00:15:01.153 --> 00:15:02.755
Because acts 28:1, put that on the screen
00:15:02.821 --> 00:15:03.422
Put that on the screen again, please.
00:15:03.489 --> 00:15:04.023
Again, please. whoo, i love this part.
00:15:04.089 --> 00:15:05.658
Whoo, i love this part. it says, "once safely on shore,
00:15:05.724 --> 00:15:08.594
It says, "once safely on shore, we found out that the island
00:15:08.661 --> 00:15:10.029
We found out that the island was called malta."
00:15:10.095 --> 00:15:11.363
Was called malta." if you didn't have
00:15:11.430 --> 00:15:12.197
If you didn't have context for the bible,
00:15:12.264 --> 00:15:13.332
Context for the bible, you might think paul
00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.133
You might think paul was going on vacation.
00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:15.868
Was going on vacation. some much needed r&r
00:15:15.935 --> 00:15:17.102
Some much needed r&r after being stoned in lystra.
00:15:17.169 --> 00:15:19.305
After being stoned in lystra. you know, like trying to get
00:15:19.371 --> 00:15:20.172
You know, like trying to get away from the crazy
00:15:20.239 --> 00:15:21.674
Away from the crazy church at corinth,
00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.841
Church at corinth, and turn off his phone
00:15:22.908 --> 00:15:23.842
And turn off his phone for a few days.
00:15:23.909 --> 00:15:25.511
For a few days. but in acts 27, in fact,
00:15:25.577 --> 00:15:28.113
But in acts 27, in fact, he has just spent
00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:28.948
He has just spent the last two weeks being
00:15:29.014 --> 00:15:30.749
The last two weeks being blown by a hurricane
00:15:30.816 --> 00:15:32.418
Blown by a hurricane force wind,
00:15:32.484 --> 00:15:34.153
Force wind, which is bad enough.
00:15:34.219 --> 00:15:36.355
Which is bad enough. but before the wind
00:15:36.422 --> 00:15:37.222
But before the wind ever started blowing,
00:15:37.289 --> 00:15:38.524
Ever started blowing, paul tried to warn
00:15:38.590 --> 00:15:39.858
Paul tried to warn the other people on board.
00:15:39.925 --> 00:15:41.961
The other people on board. he said, "this is not
00:15:42.027 --> 00:15:42.661
He said, "this is not the time for us to sail.
00:15:42.728 --> 00:15:43.862
The time for us to sail. trust me.
00:15:43.929 --> 00:15:44.930
Trust me. you know sailing,
00:15:44.997 --> 00:15:46.332
You know sailing, but i know the savior,
00:15:46.398 --> 00:15:47.866
But i know the savior, and i heard from god
00:15:47.933 --> 00:15:50.135
And i heard from god and i can sense
00:15:50.202 --> 00:15:51.170
And i can sense that this is bad."
00:15:51.236 --> 00:15:52.371
That this is bad." and they did it anyway,
00:15:52.438 --> 00:15:53.672
And they did it anyway, and paul was on board with
00:15:53.739 --> 00:15:55.341
And paul was on board with somebody else's bad decision.
00:15:55.407 --> 00:15:58.143
Somebody else's bad decision. and i think this is one of
00:15:58.210 --> 00:15:59.011
And i think this is one of the toughest places to be.
00:15:59.078 --> 00:16:01.680
The toughest places to be. it's one thing when
00:16:01.747 --> 00:16:02.247
It's one thing when you do stupid,
00:16:02.314 --> 00:16:04.083
You do stupid, and to believe
00:16:04.149 --> 00:16:04.650
And to believe that god can use it.
00:16:04.717 --> 00:16:06.552
That god can use it. but what about
00:16:06.618 --> 00:16:06.986
But what about when they do stupid,
00:16:07.052 --> 00:16:09.054
When they do stupid, and they won't stop
00:16:09.121 --> 00:16:09.755
And they won't stop doing stupid?
00:16:09.822 --> 00:16:11.690
Doing stupid? and they wouldn't
00:16:11.757 --> 00:16:12.124
And they wouldn't even come to church
00:16:12.191 --> 00:16:12.658
Even come to church with you today.
00:16:12.725 --> 00:16:14.693
With you today. and now, you're living
00:16:14.760 --> 00:16:15.327
And now, you're living in somebody else's stupid.
00:16:15.394 --> 00:16:17.763
In somebody else's stupid. now, this is not
00:16:17.830 --> 00:16:18.263
Now, this is not a parenting class...
00:16:18.330 --> 00:16:19.231
[laughter]
00:16:19.631 --> 00:16:21.700
But one of the things
00:16:24.803 --> 00:16:25.337
But one of the things that we have to learn
00:16:25.404 --> 00:16:26.105
That we have to learn in our lives
00:16:26.171 --> 00:16:27.940
In our lives when we find ourselves
00:16:28.007 --> 00:16:28.640
When we find ourselves in situations that
00:16:28.707 --> 00:16:29.541
In situations that we didn't ask for,
00:16:29.608 --> 00:16:31.610
We didn't ask for, or when somebody else's
00:16:31.677 --> 00:16:32.644
Or when somebody else's bad decision backfires
00:16:32.711 --> 00:16:35.047
Bad decision backfires and we catch some of it
00:16:35.114 --> 00:16:36.648
And we catch some of it in our own circumstance,
00:16:36.715 --> 00:16:38.817
In our own circumstance, is that when
00:16:38.884 --> 00:16:39.351
Is that when we don't use wisdom,
00:16:39.418 --> 00:16:43.389
We don't use wisdom, god can still use stupid.
00:16:43.455 --> 00:16:47.826
God can still use stupid. i'll prove this to you
00:16:47.893 --> 00:16:48.861
I'll prove this to you in a couple of different ways
00:16:48.927 --> 00:16:49.762
In a couple of different ways from the text.
00:16:49.828 --> 00:16:50.629
From the text. number one, the storm
00:16:50.696 --> 00:16:52.231
Number one, the storm that they went through
00:16:52.297 --> 00:16:53.499
That they went through was a stupid storm.
00:16:53.565 --> 00:16:55.667
Was a stupid storm. they could've easily --
00:16:55.734 --> 00:16:56.635
They could've easily -- not every storm can be avoided.
00:16:56.702 --> 00:16:57.903
Not every storm can be avoided. they could've easily
00:16:57.970 --> 00:16:58.670
They could've easily avoided this storm,
00:16:58.737 --> 00:16:59.238
Avoided this storm, they didn't because of
00:16:59.304 --> 00:17:00.839
They didn't because of the advice that
00:17:00.906 --> 00:17:01.373
The advice that they failed to heed.
00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:03.108
They failed to heed. so, that's number one.
00:17:03.175 --> 00:17:04.576
So, that's number one. but number two, i don't know
00:17:04.643 --> 00:17:05.344
But number two, i don't know if you noticed this.
00:17:05.411 --> 00:17:07.146
If you noticed this. after they crashed,
00:17:07.212 --> 00:17:08.547
After they crashed, and i really do apologize that
00:17:08.614 --> 00:17:10.749
And i really do apologize that i can't do this story justice.
00:17:10.816 --> 00:17:12.418
I can't do this story justice. i wish i could
00:17:12.484 --> 00:17:12.918
I wish i could give you the prequel.
00:17:12.985 --> 00:17:14.353
Give you the prequel. but since we just picked up
00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.254
But since we just picked up in chapter 28:1,
00:17:15.320 --> 00:17:17.222
In chapter 28:1, where they landed on
00:17:17.289 --> 00:17:18.457
Where they landed on an island called malta --
00:17:18.524 --> 00:17:19.558
An island called malta -- isn't that crazy they didn't
00:17:19.625 --> 00:17:20.426
Isn't that crazy they didn't even know what it was
00:17:20.492 --> 00:17:21.093
Even know what it was called till they got there?
00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:23.228
Called till they got there? isn't like kinda like that?
00:17:23.295 --> 00:17:25.764
Isn't like kinda like that? you don't really know what
00:17:25.831 --> 00:17:27.199
You don't really know what to call it until you get there.
00:17:27.266 --> 00:17:30.169
To call it until you get there. you know what it looks like
00:17:30.235 --> 00:17:31.070
You know what it looks like on other people's instagram.
00:17:31.136 --> 00:17:33.405
On other people's instagram. you don't really know what
00:17:33.472 --> 00:17:34.540
You don't really know what to call it until you get there.
00:17:34.606 --> 00:17:37.176
To call it until you get there. and what i love about god
00:17:37.242 --> 00:17:38.277
And what i love about god is that one hand,
00:17:38.343 --> 00:17:39.978
Is that one hand, they crashed.
00:17:40.045 --> 00:17:41.380
They crashed. but on another hand,
00:17:41.447 --> 00:17:42.981
But on another hand, they were called to help
00:17:43.048 --> 00:17:44.383
They were called to help the people on that island.
00:17:44.450 --> 00:17:46.785
The people on that island. because we read about how paul
00:17:46.852 --> 00:17:48.787
Because we read about how paul ended up healing every
00:17:48.854 --> 00:17:49.888
Ended up healing every sick person on the island.
00:17:49.955 --> 00:17:52.357
Sick person on the island. how many believe that god
00:17:52.424 --> 00:17:53.325
How many believe that god was calling paul
00:17:53.392 --> 00:17:54.293
Was calling paul to that island to help
00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.127
To that island to help those sick people?
00:17:55.194 --> 00:17:56.929
Those sick people? come on, clap your hands
00:17:56.995 --> 00:17:57.963
Come on, clap your hands if you believe god was
00:17:58.030 --> 00:17:58.697
If you believe god was calling to paul to that island.
00:17:58.764 --> 00:17:59.665
[applause]
00:17:59.932 --> 00:18:03.368
How many of you believe
00:18:03.936 --> 00:18:04.903
How many of you believe that paul crashed because
00:18:04.970 --> 00:18:06.839
That paul crashed because the sailors didn't
00:18:06.905 --> 00:18:07.473
The sailors didn't take his advice?
00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.273
Take his advice? clap your hands
00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:08.974
Clap your hands if you believe he crashed.
00:18:09.041 --> 00:18:09.842
[applause]
00:18:10.175 --> 00:18:12.911
How many of you are confused
00:18:13.278 --> 00:18:14.146
How many of you are confused and you're just clapping
00:18:14.213 --> 00:18:14.947
And you're just clapping to be polite to me?
00:18:15.013 --> 00:18:16.448
To be polite to me? 'cause it's pastor
00:18:16.515 --> 00:18:16.982
'cause it's pastor appreciation month.
00:18:17.049 --> 00:18:17.916
[applause]
00:18:18.183 --> 00:18:19.551
Say, "i'm confused."
00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.720
[laughter]
00:18:22.054 --> 00:18:22.254
Is it a crash or a calling?
00:18:22.788 --> 00:18:30.129
Is it a crash or a calling? i'm confused.
00:18:30.195 --> 00:18:32.131
I'm confused. did he crash
00:18:32.197 --> 00:18:33.932
Did he crash or was he called?
00:18:33.999 --> 00:18:35.734
Or was he called? and it possible that sometimes
00:18:35.801 --> 00:18:37.035
And it possible that sometimes god uses a crash
00:18:37.102 --> 00:18:39.071
God uses a crash as a cover for a calling?
00:18:39.138 --> 00:18:40.806
[applause]
00:18:41.073 --> 00:18:41.874
And is it possible
00:18:42.274 --> 00:18:45.010
And is it possible that what you have called
00:18:45.077 --> 00:18:46.145
That what you have called a crash in your life,
00:18:46.211 --> 00:18:48.547
A crash in your life, a crash in your relationship,
00:18:48.614 --> 00:18:50.949
A crash in your relationship, a crash in your finances,
00:18:51.016 --> 00:18:53.118
A crash in your finances, a crash -- i'm so glad
00:18:53.185 --> 00:18:54.219
A crash -- i'm so glad you're still here.
00:18:54.286 --> 00:18:54.686
You're still here. i was watching a sermon
00:18:54.753 --> 00:18:55.687
I was watching a sermon from 2016 the other day
00:18:55.754 --> 00:18:57.389
From 2016 the other day and i saw you.
00:18:57.456 --> 00:18:58.090
And i saw you. when you used to sit down there,
00:18:58.157 --> 00:18:59.491
When you used to sit down there, and i was wondering
00:18:59.558 --> 00:19:00.192
And i was wondering if you were still around.
00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.426
If you were still around. and i'm so glad you made it.
00:19:01.493 --> 00:19:02.494
And i'm so glad you made it. it's good to see you, brother.
00:19:02.561 --> 00:19:04.229
It's good to see you, brother. seriously, i was watching you.
00:19:04.296 --> 00:19:05.430
[applause]
00:19:05.697 --> 00:19:06.098
And the reason i -- the reason
00:19:06.732 --> 00:19:08.066
And the reason i -- the reason i noticed in the video,
00:19:08.133 --> 00:19:09.001
I noticed in the video, you were crying.
00:19:09.067 --> 00:19:11.003
You were crying. you were crying.
00:19:11.069 --> 00:19:11.703
You were crying. and you aren't gon'
00:19:11.770 --> 00:19:12.237
And you aren't gon' believe this,
00:19:12.304 --> 00:19:13.472
Believe this, i was preaching on acts 28.
00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:16.708
I was preaching on acts 28. i'm not making this up.
00:19:16.775 --> 00:19:17.809
I'm not making this up. y'all are like,
00:19:17.876 --> 00:19:18.510
Y'all are like, "this sounds kinda staged."
00:19:18.577 --> 00:19:19.511
"this sounds kinda staged." this is not staged.
00:19:19.578 --> 00:19:20.445
This is not staged. i literally just looked.
00:19:20.512 --> 00:19:21.780
I literally just looked. and what a way
00:19:21.847 --> 00:19:22.381
And what a way to confirm a word.
00:19:22.447 --> 00:19:24.550
To confirm a word. huh?
00:19:24.616 --> 00:19:24.850
[applause]
00:19:25.150 --> 00:19:25.350
I was preaching
00:19:25.517 --> 00:19:26.118
I was preaching the same passage.
00:19:26.185 --> 00:19:26.852
[applause]
00:19:27.152 --> 00:19:28.320
And i bet since that day,
00:19:28.954 --> 00:19:30.822
And i bet since that day, i bet you've been
00:19:30.889 --> 00:19:31.356
I bet you've been through some crashes,
00:19:31.423 --> 00:19:33.592
Through some crashes, and i bet you've been
00:19:33.659 --> 00:19:34.359
And i bet you've been through some things.
00:19:34.426 --> 00:19:34.993
Through some things. but what blesses about
00:19:35.060 --> 00:19:36.929
But what blesses about some of you in the church
00:19:36.995 --> 00:19:38.664
Some of you in the church is that you keep coming,
00:19:38.730 --> 00:19:40.699
Is that you keep coming, even after the crash.
00:19:40.766 --> 00:19:42.134
[applause]
00:19:42.401 --> 00:19:42.601
Come on, come on.
00:19:43.068 --> 00:19:44.670
[applause]
00:19:44.970 --> 00:19:47.873
No, no, no, no, no.
00:19:48.407 --> 00:19:49.708
No, no, no, no, no. don't try to trick me
00:19:49.775 --> 00:19:50.676
Don't try to trick me looking like you didn't.
00:19:50.742 --> 00:19:52.244
Looking like you didn't. some of y'all crashed out
00:19:52.311 --> 00:19:53.345
Some of y'all crashed out on the way to church in the car.
00:19:53.412 --> 00:19:54.613
[laughter]
00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.547
Some of y'all were calling
00:19:55.914 --> 00:19:56.915
Some of y'all were calling each other everything,
00:19:56.982 --> 00:19:58.150
Each other everything, but child of god
00:19:58.217 --> 00:19:59.151
But child of god on the way to church
00:19:59.218 --> 00:19:59.918
On the way to church in the car this morning.
00:19:59.985 --> 00:20:01.820
In the car this morning. but you came, you came,
00:20:01.887 --> 00:20:03.155
But you came, you came, you came, you came,
00:20:03.222 --> 00:20:04.423
You came, you came, you came, you came.
00:20:04.489 --> 00:20:05.891
[applause]
00:20:06.158 --> 00:20:06.358
And they arrived safely,
00:20:06.692 --> 00:20:07.960
And they arrived safely, everybody say, "safely...
00:20:08.026 --> 00:20:09.728
Everybody say, "safely... >> congregation: safely...
00:20:09.795 --> 00:20:10.696
>> congregation: safely... >> on shore."
00:20:10.762 --> 00:20:11.563
>> on shore." >> congregation: on shore.
00:20:11.630 --> 00:20:12.664
>> congregation: on shore. >> now say, "unsure."
00:20:12.731 --> 00:20:14.166
>> now say, "unsure." >> congregation: unsure.
00:20:14.233 --> 00:20:15.000
>> congregation: unsure. >> now say, "on shore."
00:20:15.067 --> 00:20:16.401
>> now say, "on shore." >> congregation: on shore.
00:20:16.468 --> 00:20:17.436
>> congregation: on shore. >> you can be on shore,
00:20:17.502 --> 00:20:18.604
>> you can be on shore, but unsure.
00:20:18.670 --> 00:20:20.806
But unsure. which means that
00:20:20.872 --> 00:20:22.474
Which means that i'm not sure yet
00:20:22.541 --> 00:20:24.343
I'm not sure yet whether this thing that
00:20:24.409 --> 00:20:25.377
Whether this thing that happened in my life
00:20:25.444 --> 00:20:27.512
Happened in my life is something is gonna turn out
00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.814
Is something is gonna turn out for my good, or whether
00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:30.449
For my good, or whether it's going to be my bitter end.
00:20:30.515 --> 00:20:32.751
It's going to be my bitter end. i'm not sure yet whether
00:20:32.818 --> 00:20:34.186
I'm not sure yet whether this person leaving my life
00:20:34.253 --> 00:20:36.121
This person leaving my life was a good thing or whether
00:20:36.188 --> 00:20:37.689
Was a good thing or whether it was a bad thing.
00:20:37.756 --> 00:20:39.191
It was a bad thing. i'm not sure yet whether
00:20:39.258 --> 00:20:40.859
I'm not sure yet whether losing that job was opening
00:20:40.926 --> 00:20:42.327
Losing that job was opening another opportunity
00:20:42.394 --> 00:20:43.929
Another opportunity or if it's just draining
00:20:43.996 --> 00:20:44.896
Or if it's just draining my bank account.
00:20:44.963 --> 00:20:46.298
My bank account. i'm not sure yet.
00:20:46.365 --> 00:20:47.599
I'm not sure yet. i'm on shore, but i'm unsure.
00:20:47.666 --> 00:20:50.836
I'm on shore, but i'm unsure. and what i love about god
00:20:50.902 --> 00:20:52.871
And what i love about god is that no matter whether
00:20:52.938 --> 00:20:54.072
Is that no matter whether you call it a crash,
00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:56.041
You call it a crash, whether you call it an accident,
00:20:56.108 --> 00:20:58.076
Whether you call it an accident, whether you call it a mistake.
00:20:58.143 --> 00:21:00.178
Whether you call it a mistake. whatever you call it,
00:21:00.245 --> 00:21:02.114
Whatever you call it, god looks at it and says,
00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:04.182
God looks at it and says, "don't think i don't know how
00:21:04.249 --> 00:21:08.287
"don't think i don't know how to make something amazing
00:21:08.353 --> 00:21:12.024
To make something amazing and brilliant out of
00:21:12.090 --> 00:21:14.426
And brilliant out of a broken heart."
00:21:14.493 --> 00:21:15.093
[applause]
00:21:15.394 --> 00:21:15.727
Now, high five somebody
00:21:16.161 --> 00:21:18.063
Now, high five somebody and say, "he can do it.
00:21:18.130 --> 00:21:18.797
And say, "he can do it. he can do it.
00:21:18.864 --> 00:21:19.298
He can do it. he can do it.
00:21:19.364 --> 00:21:19.798
He can do it. he can do it."
00:21:19.865 --> 00:21:20.999
He can do it." they need to hear you say that.
00:21:21.066 --> 00:21:23.435
They need to hear you say that. because when we find ourselves
00:21:23.502 --> 00:21:25.570
Because when we find ourselves crashed out on islands
00:21:25.637 --> 00:21:26.972
Crashed out on islands where people don't even
00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.173
Where people don't even speak our same language --
00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.708
Speak our same language -- the version i put up there
00:21:29.775 --> 00:21:31.209
The version i put up there was the politically correct
00:21:31.276 --> 00:21:32.544
Was the politically correct version of the bible,
00:21:32.611 --> 00:21:33.845
Version of the bible, the niv, it's more modern.
00:21:33.912 --> 00:21:35.514
The niv, it's more modern. so, when it talks about
00:21:35.580 --> 00:21:36.615
So, when it talks about these people, it calls them
00:21:36.682 --> 00:21:37.849
These people, it calls them "islanders."
00:21:37.916 --> 00:21:40.085
"islanders." but in the original language,
00:21:40.152 --> 00:21:41.453
But in the original language, it called them barbarians.
00:21:41.520 --> 00:21:44.823
It called them barbarians. because to paul
00:21:44.890 --> 00:21:46.091
Because to paul and the 276 prisoners --
00:21:46.158 --> 00:21:48.493
And the 276 prisoners -- not even tell you this part yet.
00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:49.928
Not even tell you this part yet. the reason paul is on the ship
00:21:49.995 --> 00:21:51.396
The reason paul is on the ship is because he's going to stand
00:21:51.463 --> 00:21:52.831
Is because he's going to stand trial before caesar in rome.
00:21:52.898 --> 00:21:56.301
Trial before caesar in rome. so, he is a preacher disguised
00:21:56.368 --> 00:21:58.303
So, he is a preacher disguised as a prisoner heading toward
00:21:58.370 --> 00:22:01.073
As a prisoner heading toward a calling disguised as a crash.
00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:03.008
[applause]
00:22:03.375 --> 00:22:06.478
Looking at some people
00:22:07.312 --> 00:22:08.613
Looking at some people who are building him a fire,
00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:10.949
Who are building him a fire, but don't speak
00:22:11.016 --> 00:22:11.516
But don't speak his same language.
00:22:11.583 --> 00:22:13.452
His same language. can i work on this
00:22:13.518 --> 00:22:14.419
Can i work on this for a minute?
00:22:14.486 --> 00:22:16.755
For a minute? i wonder, have you landed
00:22:16.822 --> 00:22:17.923
I wonder, have you landed in a strange place today?
00:22:17.989 --> 00:22:20.926
In a strange place today? strange place in your life,
00:22:20.992 --> 00:22:22.994
Strange place in your life, strange place in your emotions,
00:22:23.061 --> 00:22:25.330
Strange place in your emotions, strange place at
00:22:25.397 --> 00:22:26.031
Strange place at your particular season.
00:22:26.098 --> 00:22:29.601
Your particular season. and if you have,
00:22:29.668 --> 00:22:31.336
And if you have, i believe you have every
00:22:31.403 --> 00:22:32.104
I believe you have every reason to expect that
00:22:32.170 --> 00:22:34.806
Reason to expect that god will use a barbarian,
00:22:34.873 --> 00:22:38.443
God will use a barbarian, which simply means something
00:22:38.510 --> 00:22:39.511
Which simply means something you're not familiar with.
00:22:39.578 --> 00:22:41.680
You're not familiar with. everything in the text points
00:22:41.747 --> 00:22:43.382
Everything in the text points in the same direction,
00:22:43.448 --> 00:22:44.549
In the same direction, that god can use this too, okay?
00:22:44.616 --> 00:22:49.755
That god can use this too, okay? when they get there,
00:22:49.821 --> 00:22:51.723
When they get there, they meet barbarians,
00:22:51.790 --> 00:22:53.425
They meet barbarians, people that they're afraid of.
00:22:53.492 --> 00:22:54.559
People that they're afraid of. but the barbarians
00:22:54.626 --> 00:22:55.127
But the barbarians are building them a fire.
00:22:55.193 --> 00:22:56.795
Are building them a fire. that's the favor of god.
00:22:56.862 --> 00:22:59.164
That's the favor of god. when god uses something
00:22:59.231 --> 00:23:00.332
When god uses something that you think is barbaric
00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:01.600
That you think is barbaric to build something,
00:23:01.666 --> 00:23:03.702
To build something, to keep you alive.
00:23:03.769 --> 00:23:05.704
To keep you alive. when god uses somebody
00:23:05.771 --> 00:23:06.705
When god uses somebody you don't even like
00:23:06.772 --> 00:23:08.640
You don't even like to tell you something
00:23:08.707 --> 00:23:09.307
To tell you something that you need to know.
00:23:09.374 --> 00:23:11.176
That you need to know. when god uses a process
00:23:11.243 --> 00:23:12.444
When god uses a process that you resist,
00:23:12.511 --> 00:23:13.445
That you resist, that is the strange
00:23:13.512 --> 00:23:14.513
That is the strange grace of god.
00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.347
>> today, we have an exciting
00:23:16.281 --> 00:23:17.182
>> today, we have an exciting offer just for you.
00:23:17.249 --> 00:23:18.984
Offer just for you. when my husband, steven,
00:23:19.050 --> 00:23:20.085
When my husband, steven, preached the series,
00:23:20.152 --> 00:23:21.319
Preached the series, "when faith fights back,"
00:23:21.386 --> 00:23:23.054
"when faith fights back," it was exactly
00:23:23.121 --> 00:23:24.356
It was exactly what i needed to hear,
00:23:24.423 --> 00:23:25.690
What i needed to hear, and i truly believe
00:23:25.757 --> 00:23:27.125
And i truly believe that it's gonna help you too.
00:23:27.192 --> 00:23:28.760
That it's gonna help you too. we all face challenges
00:23:28.827 --> 00:23:29.961
We all face challenges and situations that
00:23:30.028 --> 00:23:31.263
And situations that can feel hopeless.
00:23:31.329 --> 00:23:33.064
Can feel hopeless. moments when we don't know
00:23:33.131 --> 00:23:34.533
Moments when we don't know what to do next.
00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.801
What to do next. but in this series,
00:23:35.867 --> 00:23:37.169
But in this series, pastor steven shares four
00:23:37.235 --> 00:23:39.004
Pastor steven shares four incredibly practical tools
00:23:39.070 --> 00:23:41.273
Incredibly practical tools and phrases to help you
00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:43.241
And phrases to help you find faith in the middle
00:23:43.308 --> 00:23:44.776
Find faith in the middle of a struggle.
00:23:44.843 --> 00:23:45.877
Of a struggle. phrases like,
00:23:45.944 --> 00:23:46.812
Phrases like, "god's got the hard part."
00:23:46.878 --> 00:23:48.413
"god's got the hard part." and "god can use this too."
00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:50.282
And "god can use this too." and one thing that he said
00:23:50.348 --> 00:23:51.416
And one thing that he said that really stuck with me is,
00:23:51.483 --> 00:23:53.151
That really stuck with me is, "god is freeing you for
00:23:53.218 --> 00:23:54.786
"god is freeing you for the fight not from the fight."
00:23:54.853 --> 00:23:57.322
The fight not from the fight." and i realize that while
00:23:57.389 --> 00:23:58.590
And i realize that while i can't avoid every challenge,
00:23:58.657 --> 00:24:01.493
I can't avoid every challenge, god is gonna be with me
00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:03.495
God is gonna be with me through them all.
00:24:03.562 --> 00:24:05.230
Through them all. you've got to call
00:24:05.297 --> 00:24:06.431
You've got to call and get this series.
00:24:06.498 --> 00:24:07.699
And get this series. call or go online
00:24:07.766 --> 00:24:08.867
Call or go online right now and request,
00:24:08.934 --> 00:24:10.502
Right now and request, "when faith fights back."
00:24:10.569 --> 00:24:12.304
"when faith fights back." it's available for your
00:24:12.370 --> 00:24:13.338
It's available for your gift of any amount,
00:24:13.405 --> 00:24:14.739
Gift of any amount, and i cannot wait for you
00:24:14.806 --> 00:24:16.775
And i cannot wait for you to experience it.
00:24:16.842 --> 00:24:17.909
To experience it. let's strengthen our faith
00:24:17.976 --> 00:24:19.478
Let's strengthen our faith for the fight together.
00:24:19.544 --> 00:24:21.012
For the fight together. call or go online right now
00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.848
Call or go online right now and i'll see you back
00:24:22.914 --> 00:24:23.582
And i'll see you back here next time.
00:24:23.648 --> 00:24:25.183
>> "when faith fights back"
00:24:25.484 --> 00:24:26.351
Is a brand-new series
00:24:26.451 --> 00:24:27.219
From pastor steven furtick
00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:28.854
Where he shares four
00:24:28.954 --> 00:24:29.721
Faith-filled statements
00:24:29.821 --> 00:24:30.722
To help you face any
00:24:30.822 --> 00:24:31.656
Battle with confidence.
00:24:31.756 --> 00:24:33.124
Pastor steven walks you
00:24:33.225 --> 00:24:34.259
Through each statement,
00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.694
"god can use this too,
00:24:35.794 --> 00:24:37.229
God will work it in,
00:24:37.329 --> 00:24:38.497
God's got the hard part,
00:24:38.597 --> 00:24:39.831
And god gave it to me."
00:24:39.931 --> 00:24:41.566
And shows you how to
00:24:41.666 --> 00:24:42.334
Practically live them out.
00:24:42.434 --> 00:24:44.135
These powerful truths will
00:24:44.236 --> 00:24:45.270
Strengthen your faith
00:24:45.370 --> 00:24:46.137
And shift your perspective.
00:24:46.238 --> 00:24:47.606
This dvd series is available
00:24:47.706 --> 00:24:49.040
Today for your gift
00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.008
Of any amount.
00:24:50.108 --> 00:24:51.142
To get your copy, just call
00:24:51.243 --> 00:24:52.611
Or visit us online now.
00:24:52.711 --> 00:24:53.979
>> there are places in the world
00:24:55.780 --> 00:24:56.681
>> there are places in the world where people feel forgotten,
00:24:56.748 --> 00:24:59.084
Where people feel forgotten, and our job as church is
00:24:59.150 --> 00:25:00.585
And our job as church is to do everything that
00:25:00.652 --> 00:25:01.386
To do everything that we can to remind them
00:25:01.453 --> 00:25:03.355
We can to remind them that they are loved
00:25:03.421 --> 00:25:04.489
That they are loved and seen by god.
00:25:04.556 --> 00:25:06.324
Together, with
00:25:06.424 --> 00:25:07.058
Elevation worship,
00:25:07.125 --> 00:25:08.159
We gathered with more than
00:25:08.226 --> 00:25:09.194
2,000 inmates to have church
00:25:09.261 --> 00:25:11.930
In angola prison in louisianna,
00:25:11.997 --> 00:25:13.865
The largest maximum security
00:25:13.932 --> 00:25:15.634
Prison in the country.
00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:17.335
These men sang their hearts out.
00:25:17.402 --> 00:25:20.305
They knew every word
00:25:20.372 --> 00:25:21.339
To every song,
00:25:21.406 --> 00:25:22.707
And hearing their praise fill
00:25:22.774 --> 00:25:24.276
The arena was deeply powerful.
00:25:24.342 --> 00:25:27.279
Over 100 men gave
00:25:27.345 --> 00:25:28.613
Their lives to christ,
00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.648
And 65 were baptized,
00:25:29.714 --> 00:25:31.249
Declaring their new
00:25:31.316 --> 00:25:32.851
Life in jesus.
00:25:32.918 --> 00:25:33.919
And the impact doesn't just
00:25:33.985 --> 00:25:35.120
Stop when the service ends.
00:25:35.186 --> 00:25:36.922
Because of your generosity,
00:25:36.988 --> 00:25:38.557
God behind bars provides those
00:25:38.623 --> 00:25:40.392
Incarcerated with access
00:25:40.458 --> 00:25:42.093
To elevation sermons
00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.328
And music on demand.
00:25:43.395 --> 00:25:44.663
This makes it possible
00:25:44.729 --> 00:25:46.097
For inmates all over the country
00:25:46.164 --> 00:25:48.199
To experience christ's
00:25:48.266 --> 00:25:49.634
Love through life-changing
00:25:49.701 --> 00:25:51.436
Content right where they are.
00:25:51.503 --> 00:25:54.439
This is why your
00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.373
This is why your generosity matters.
00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.741
Because of you,
00:25:56.841 --> 00:25:57.642
Hope is showing up
00:25:57.709 --> 00:25:59.377
In the darkest places.
00:25:59.444 --> 00:26:00.712
Because of you,
00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.680
The forgotten are being seen.
00:26:01.746 --> 00:26:03.982
Because of you,
00:26:04.049 --> 00:26:05.016
True freedom is being
00:26:05.083 --> 00:26:06.818
Found in jesus.
00:26:06.885 --> 00:26:08.353
>> ♪ to th one on the throne ♪
00:26:12.691 --> 00:26:14.492
♪ who cannot be overthrown ♪
00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:16.261
♪ sing hallelujah ♪
00:26:16.328 --> 00:26:20.131
♪ to the last and the first ♪
00:26:20.198 --> 00:26:21.967
♪ ruler of the universe ♪
00:26:22.033 --> 00:26:23.835
♪ sing hallelujah ♪
00:26:23.902 --> 00:26:27.539
♪ to the alpha omega ♪
00:26:27.606 --> 00:26:29.874
♪ the master the maker ♪
00:26:29.941 --> 00:26:31.843
♪ the name above ♪
00:26:31.910 --> 00:26:34.913
♪ every other name ♪
00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:36.648
♪ give him all the praise ♪
00:26:36.715 --> 00:26:38.383
♪ he's holy ♪
00:26:38.450 --> 00:26:41.386
♪ the lamb of god has overcome ♪
00:26:41.453 --> 00:26:45.190
♪ my testimony is his blood ♪
00:26:45.256 --> 00:26:48.760
♪ and if he said ♪
00:26:48.827 --> 00:26:50.562
♪ that it is done ♪
00:26:50.629 --> 00:26:51.529
♪ it is done ♪
00:26:51.596 --> 00:26:53.298
♪ so be it god ♪
00:26:53.365 --> 00:26:56.701
♪ the weapons of the enemy ♪
00:26:56.768 --> 00:26:59.971
♪ they have no power over me ♪
00:27:00.038 --> 00:27:03.775
♪ the one with all authority ♪
00:27:03.842 --> 00:27:06.678
♪ covers me ♪
00:27:06.745 --> 00:27:08.213
♪ so be it god ♪
00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:12.050
[cheering and applause]
00:27:19.924 --> 00:27:24.129
♪ from a throne to a cross ♪
00:27:24.529 --> 00:27:27.999
♪ who would pay such a price ♪
00:27:28.066 --> 00:27:30.000

Steven Furtick - God Can Use This Too (Part 1)

July 6, 2026 | 27:29

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