Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick - God's Got The Hard Part (Part 1)

July 15, 2026 | 27:30

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

#KingdomofGod #Sow #Seed #Reap #Parable #WordofGod #Faith #TrustGod #Jesus #Harvest #Salvation #Symbolism #Interpretation #PresenceofGod #Trials-HardTimes #Struggle #Challenges #WalkwithGod #StevenFurtick

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Steven Furtick | Steven Furtick - God's Got The Hard Part (Part 1) | July 15, 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 to
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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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>> look at mark 4:26,
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>> look at mark 4:26, "he also said,
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"he also said, 'this is what the kingdom
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'this is what the kingdom of god is like.
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Of god is like. a man scatters
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A man scatters seed on the ground.
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Seed on the ground. night and day,
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Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up,
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Whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows,
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The seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
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Though he does not know how. all by itself the soil
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All by itself the soil produces grain,
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Produces grain, first the stalk,
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First the stalk, then the head,
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Then the head, and then the full
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And then the full kernel in the head.
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Kernel in the head. as soon as the grain is ripe,
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As soon as the grain is ripe, as soon as the grain is ripe,
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As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it,
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He puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
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Because the harvest has come." tell your neighbor,
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Tell your neighbor, "god has a schedule for this."
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"god has a schedule for this." >> congregation: god has
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>> congregation: god has a schedule for this.
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A schedule for this. >> the schedule that god
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>> the schedule that god has for your life
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Has for your life and for his kingdom is
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And for his kingdom is compared here to a seed.
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Compared here to a seed. so, go back to the first verse.
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So, go back to the first verse. and justin, if you
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And justin, if you can try it out for me.
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Can try it out for me. we got a new thing
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We got a new thing we wanna try,
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We wanna try, to teach you the bible.
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To teach you the bible. just circle the word
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Just circle the word where it says,
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Where it says, "he also said,"
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"he also said," in verse 26.
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In verse 26. circle the word, "also."
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Circle the word, "also." and then where it says,
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And then where it says, "this is what the kingdom
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"this is what the kingdom of god is like,"
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Of god is like," circle the word, "like."
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Circle the word, "like." he's trying to explain
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He's trying to explain something to them,
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Something to them, the kingdom of god.
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The kingdom of god. now, this was an original
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Now, this was an original term with jesus.
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Term with jesus. this wasn't like
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This wasn't like a thing to them.
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A thing to them. it wasn't a thing.
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It wasn't a thing. like, when i said earlier
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Like, when i said earlier in the announcements,
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In the announcements, i didn't plan it,
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I didn't plan it, but i was talking
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But i was talking about cassette tapes.
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About cassette tapes. and some of you were like,
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And some of you were like, "is that a thing?
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"is that a thing? is it still a thing?"
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Is it still a thing?" and actually, cassette tapes
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And actually, cassette tapes are making a comeback
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Are making a comeback in the vintage market,
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In the vintage market, so maybe some of my stuff
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So maybe some of my stuff will be worth money.
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[laughter]
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But if you've never seen one,
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But if you've never seen one, or you didn't listen to one,
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Or you didn't listen to one, or maybe you even
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Or maybe you even have seen one but you
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Have seen one but you don't know how it works,
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Don't know how it works, you're like,
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You're like, "is that even a thing?"
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"is that even a thing?" and the kingdom of god
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And the kingdom of god was not even a thing.
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Was not even a thing. they knew the kingdom of israel,
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They knew the kingdom of israel, but they didn't know
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But they didn't know the kingdom of god.
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The kingdom of god. they knew the law of moses,
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They knew the law of moses, but they didn't know
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But they didn't know the kingdom of god.
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The kingdom of god. so, jesus is trying
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So, jesus is trying to take something
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To take something that they haven't seen
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That they haven't seen and explain it to them,
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And explain it to them, a concept for which
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A concept for which they have no context,
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They have no context, and that's difficult.
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And that's difficult. to understand a concept
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To understand a concept for which you have no context.
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For which you have no context. it's difficult.
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It's difficult. i guess i --
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I guess i -- i guess i would say
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I guess i would say it's difficult to know
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It's difficult to know what something is like
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What something is like when you haven't lived it.
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When you haven't lived it. when you haven't lived it.
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When you haven't lived it. and see, jesus did not
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And see, jesus did not start existing
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Start existing when he came to earth.
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When he came to earth. the bible says,
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The bible says, "in the beginning was the word,
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"in the beginning was the word, and the word was with god,
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And the word was with god, and the word was god."
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And the word was god." now, "the word of god
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Now, "the word of god was made flesh
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Was made flesh and dwelt among us,"
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And dwelt among us," at an appointed time
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At an appointed time in human history.
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In human history. but jesus existed before
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But jesus existed before he appeared in an earthly body.
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He appeared in an earthly body. so, now you've got jesus,
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So, now you've got jesus, who has eternally existed
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Who has eternally existed from the beginning,
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From the beginning, speaking to people
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Speaking to people who are moving through time,
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Who are moving through time, trying to explain to them
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Trying to explain to them what it's like to wait
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What it's like to wait for the promise of god,
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For the promise of god, to see the fulfillment
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To see the fulfillment of the promise of god,
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Of the promise of god, to know that some parts
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To know that some parts of the promise of god
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Of the promise of god will never fully be
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Will never fully be realized on this earth.
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Realized on this earth. some of the things that are
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Some of the things that are wrong with us on this earth
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Wrong with us on this earth will only be righted in heaven.
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Will only be righted in heaven. "but here on this earth,
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"but here on this earth, how do i get them to see
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How do i get them to see what it's like when they've
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What it's like when they've never seen what i saw?"
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Never seen what i saw?" jesus was with god
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Jesus was with god in the beginning
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In the beginning before there was sin,
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Before there was sin, so he knows what sinlessness is.
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So he knows what sinlessness is. jesus was with god in heaven
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Jesus was with god in heaven where nothing is broken,
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Where nothing is broken, so he knows what healing is.
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So he knows what healing is. jesus was with god in heaven
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Jesus was with god in heaven eternally when he was speaking
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Eternally when he was speaking and the world was existing,
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And the world was existing, so the things which are made
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So the things which are made were not made out of things
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Were not made out of things which do appear.
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Which do appear. so, when the word of god
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So, when the word of god shows up in human flesh,
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Shows up in human flesh, he has to bridge
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The two worlds together,
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The two worlds together, the one you can see
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The one you can see and the one you can't see.
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And the one you can't see. and he is reduced to something
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And he is reduced to something that most of us learned
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That most of us learned in the second grade.
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In the second grade. jesus christ has
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Jesus christ has to speak in similes
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'cause, "i can't show you
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'cause, "i can't show you what it's really like
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What it's really like 'cause you never saw it.
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'cause you never saw it. it's kind of like," --
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It's kind of like," -- and he does three stories,
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And he does three stories, and they're all about seeds.
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And they're all about seeds. one he tells us that
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One he tells us that seeds fall in different places.
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Seeds fall in different places. some get choked,
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Some get choked, some get gobbled,
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Some get gobbled, some get scorched,
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Some get scorched, and some grow.
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And some grow. "which one do you wanna be?"
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"which one do you wanna be?" he seems to be saying.
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He seems to be saying. 'cause he's saying,
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'cause he's saying, "i'm teaching,
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"i'm teaching, and my teaching is good,
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And my teaching is good, but it's got to fall
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But it's got to fall on good soil."
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On good soil." and then, after the one
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And then, after the one i read you --
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I read you -- i told you it's a sandwich.
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I told you it's a sandwich. the other piece of bread
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The other piece of bread on the sandwich,
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On the sandwich, is about a small seed
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Is about a small seed called a mustard seed,
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Called a mustard seed, that is the smallest seed
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That is the smallest seed that you can see,
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That you can see, but it becomes the biggest
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But it becomes the biggest tree where the birds branch.
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Tree where the birds branch. that kinda reminds me
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That kinda reminds me of our church, you know.
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Of our church, you know. didn't start big,
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Didn't start big, didn't start big at all.
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Didn't start big at all. nothing that god does, does.
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Nothing that god does, does. i said, nothing god starts,
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I said, nothing god starts, starts any other way than small,
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Starts any other way than small, whether that's your life
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Whether that's your life in the womb
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In the womb or whether that's
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Or whether that's a dream in your heart,
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A dream in your heart, or whatever that's
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Or whatever that's freedom from addiction.
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Freedom from addiction. it will always start small.
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It will always start small. say it,
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Say it, "it always starts small."
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"it always starts small." >> congregation: it always
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>> congregation: it always starts small.
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Starts small. >> now, but touch
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>> now, but touch your neighbor, say,
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Your neighbor, say, "it doesn't have
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"it doesn't have to stay small."
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To stay small." >> congregation: it doesn't
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>> congregation: it doesn't have to stay small...
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Have to stay small... >> that's up to you."
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>> that's up to you." >> congregation: that's up
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>> congregation: that's up to you.
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To you. >> that's up to you.
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>> that's up to you. and so, we see in this parable,
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And so, we see in this parable, i don't know if you noticed,
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I don't know if you noticed, a partnership.
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A partnership. we've got a man
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We've got a man who is sowing seed,
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Who is sowing seed, or the niv says, "scattering."
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Or the niv says, "scattering." i like that word scatter better,
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I like that word scatter better, 'cause it gets the point across
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'cause it gets the point across that you have to do a lot of it
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That you have to do a lot of it for any of it to work.
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For any of it to work. some of y'all just give up
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Some of y'all just give up the first time something
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The first time something doesn't work.
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Doesn't work. the first girl that rejects you,
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The first girl that rejects you, you don't ask another one
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You don't ask another one for a date,
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For a date, and now you wanna
00:06:01.546 --> 00:06:02.080
And now you wanna join the monastery
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Join the monastery 'cause the first one
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'cause the first one didn't work.
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[laughter]
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But scattered, that --
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But scattered, that -- i mean, that's how a lot
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I mean, that's how a lot of us feel, right?
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Of us feel, right? "like, i'm trying
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"like, i'm trying a bunch of stuff,
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A bunch of stuff, and i don't know
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And i don't know which one is gonna work."
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Which one is gonna work." let me come to this side.
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Let me come to this side. "i'm trying a bunch of stuff."
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[applause]
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"come on, i really don't know
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"come on, i really don't know which one is gonna work.
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Which one is gonna work. i got this going on."
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I got this going on." some of y'all got
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Some of y'all got so many side hustles,
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So many side hustles, and back hustles,
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And back hustles, and forward hustles,
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And forward hustles, and top hustles.
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And top hustles. and man, it gets kinda crazy,
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And man, it gets kinda crazy, but you have to feel
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But you have to feel for jesus and the disciples.
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For jesus and the disciples. because in their
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Because in their unique situation,
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Unique situation, jesus is trying to teach
00:06:34.413 --> 00:06:36.081
Jesus is trying to teach them about something
00:06:36.148 --> 00:06:37.115
Them about something they've never seen,
00:06:37.182 --> 00:06:38.984
They've never seen, and they are trying
00:06:39.050 --> 00:06:39.918
And they are trying to receive something
00:06:39.985 --> 00:06:41.253
For which they have
00:06:41.353 --> 00:06:41.920
For which they have no frame of reference.
00:06:41.987 --> 00:06:43.922
No frame of reference. i don't know
00:06:43.989 --> 00:06:44.289
I don't know which one is harder.
00:06:44.356 --> 00:06:45.991
Which one is harder. jesus breaks it down
00:06:46.057 --> 00:06:47.192
Jesus breaks it down to a level they
00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:48.026
To a level they can understand.
00:06:48.093 --> 00:06:48.527
Can understand. he does what any
00:06:48.593 --> 00:06:49.795
He does what any great teacher will do.
00:06:49.861 --> 00:06:52.464
Great teacher will do. is that -- to introduce you
00:06:52.531 --> 00:06:53.999
To something foreign,
00:06:54.099 --> 00:06:56.134
To something foreign, he speaks of something familiar.
00:06:56.201 --> 00:06:59.337
He speaks of something familiar. "the kingdom of god is
00:06:59.404 --> 00:07:02.541
"the kingdom of god is like a man scattering seed."
00:07:02.607 --> 00:07:07.045
Like a man scattering seed." but they don't come from
00:07:07.112 --> 00:07:07.646
But they don't come from where he comes from.
00:07:07.712 --> 00:07:09.381
Where he comes from. they come from
00:07:09.448 --> 00:07:09.781
They come from where they come from.
00:07:09.848 --> 00:07:11.650
Where they come from. they have their background,
00:07:11.716 --> 00:07:12.517
They have their background, he has his.
00:07:12.584 --> 00:07:14.252
He has his. you think he's gonna
00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:15.086
You think he's gonna come down to their level?
00:07:15.153 --> 00:07:16.488
Come down to their level? well, in one sense he does.
00:07:16.555 --> 00:07:17.389
Well, in one sense he does. he comes in flesh.
00:07:17.456 --> 00:07:19.124
He comes in flesh. but he wants you to know,
00:07:19.191 --> 00:07:20.459
But he wants you to know, "i came down to your level,
00:07:20.525 --> 00:07:22.928
"i came down to your level, so i could raise you
00:07:22.994 --> 00:07:23.795
So i could raise you up to mine."
00:07:23.862 --> 00:07:25.831
Up to mine." oh, god,
00:07:25.897 --> 00:07:26.364
Oh, god, i feel the holy spirit
00:07:26.431 --> 00:07:27.899
I feel the holy spirit all over my body
00:07:27.966 --> 00:07:29.100
All over my body right now running up
00:07:29.167 --> 00:07:30.902
Right now running up and down my neck,
00:07:30.969 --> 00:07:32.070
And down my neck, to let you know,
00:07:32.137 --> 00:07:33.104
To let you know, "you're not staying
00:07:33.171 --> 00:07:33.939
"you're not staying down here in this.
00:07:34.005 --> 00:07:35.674
Down here in this. you're not staying down here
00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:36.908
You're not staying down here in what was handed to you.
00:07:36.975 --> 00:07:38.577
In what was handed to you. you're not staying down here in
00:07:38.643 --> 00:07:40.178
You're not staying down here in your grandmother's addiction.
00:07:40.245 --> 00:07:41.880
Your grandmother's addiction. you're not staying down here in
00:07:41.947 --> 00:07:43.448
You're not staying down here in your daddy's way of thinking.
00:07:43.515 --> 00:07:45.250
Your daddy's way of thinking. you're not staying down here
00:07:45.317 --> 00:07:46.518
You're not staying down here in the last three years
00:07:46.585 --> 00:07:47.686
In the last three years that you wasted.
00:07:47.752 --> 00:07:48.854
That you wasted. you're not staying down here."
00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:50.989
You're not staying down here." he came down so i could come up.
00:07:51.056 --> 00:07:53.792
[applause]
00:07:54.092 --> 00:07:54.893
Shout, "come up!"
00:07:55.460 --> 00:07:56.561
Shout, "come up!" >> congregation: come up!
00:07:56.628 --> 00:07:57.596
>> congregation: come up! >> you're not commanding
00:07:57.662 --> 00:07:58.296
>> you're not commanding anybody but yourself.
00:07:58.363 --> 00:07:59.898
Anybody but yourself. "bless the lord, o my soul,
00:07:59.965 --> 00:08:01.733
"bless the lord, o my soul, and all that is within me,
00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:02.934
And all that is within me, bless his holy name."
00:08:03.001 --> 00:08:04.269
Bless his holy name." come up and praise him.
00:08:04.336 --> 00:08:05.737
[applause]
00:08:06.037 --> 00:08:12.944
And it's hard to explain
00:08:13.645 --> 00:08:15.046
And it's hard to explain what it's like
00:08:15.113 --> 00:08:17.582
What it's like if you've never
00:08:17.649 --> 00:08:18.083
If you've never lived with it.
00:08:18.149 --> 00:08:19.951
Lived with it. so, is -- you -- okay.
00:08:20.018 --> 00:08:21.453
So, is -- you -- okay. example.
00:08:21.520 --> 00:08:22.587
Example. me and graham were having
00:08:22.654 --> 00:08:23.188
Me and graham were having a friendly debate
00:08:23.255 --> 00:08:23.788
A friendly debate the other day.
00:08:23.855 --> 00:08:24.422
The other day. it wasn't a heated argument.
00:08:24.489 --> 00:08:25.357
It wasn't a heated argument. he wasn't being disrespectful,
00:08:25.423 --> 00:08:26.958
He wasn't being disrespectful, but i was right.
00:08:27.025 --> 00:08:27.959
[laughter]
00:08:28.260 --> 00:08:29.261
After about three or
00:08:29.794 --> 00:08:30.262
After about three or four times back and forth,
00:08:30.328 --> 00:08:31.363
Four times back and forth, i don't even remember
00:08:31.429 --> 00:08:31.963
I don't even remember what we were arguing about,
00:08:32.030 --> 00:08:33.832
What we were arguing about, but it was something factual.
00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:34.966
But it was something factual. it wasn't an opinion.
00:08:35.033 --> 00:08:36.868
It wasn't an opinion. so, we went where you always
00:08:36.935 --> 00:08:38.036
So, we went where you always can go to get the truth, online.
00:08:38.103 --> 00:08:39.504
[laughter]
00:08:39.838 --> 00:08:43.742
And after about two or three
00:08:43.909 --> 00:08:44.876
And after about two or three times back and forth,
00:08:44.943 --> 00:08:45.744
Times back and forth, i said, "well, look it up."
00:08:45.810 --> 00:08:47.946
I said, "well, look it up." and he looked it up.
00:08:48.013 --> 00:08:48.780
And he looked it up. and i don't remember
00:08:48.847 --> 00:08:49.748
And i don't remember who was right.
00:08:49.814 --> 00:08:50.215
Who was right. i just remember the conversation
00:08:50.282 --> 00:08:51.449
I just remember the conversation we had after, okay?
00:08:51.516 --> 00:08:53.385
We had after, okay? i said, "look it up."
00:08:53.451 --> 00:08:54.152
I said, "look it up." he looked it up,
00:08:54.219 --> 00:08:54.653
He looked it up, and we were done.
00:08:54.719 --> 00:08:56.187
And we were done. it was hard for me
00:08:56.254 --> 00:08:56.988
It was hard for me to explain to him
00:08:57.055 --> 00:08:59.224
To explain to him what it was like to have a time
00:08:59.291 --> 00:09:02.494
What it was like to have a time when you couldn't do that.
00:09:02.561 --> 00:09:05.664
When you couldn't do that. in many ways,
00:09:05.730 --> 00:09:07.365
In many ways, it was so much better,
00:09:07.432 --> 00:09:10.201
It was so much better, 'cause when they
00:09:10.268 --> 00:09:10.735
'cause when they couldn't look it up,
00:09:10.802 --> 00:09:12.604
Couldn't look it up, you could make it up.
00:09:12.671 --> 00:09:13.638
[laughter]
00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:17.642
And it was whoever
00:09:18.143 --> 00:09:19.311
And it was whoever that was the most confident
00:09:19.377 --> 00:09:20.712
That was the most confident about it that would win.
00:09:20.779 --> 00:09:23.648
About it that would win. you can't ask siri.
00:09:23.715 --> 00:09:25.550
You can't ask siri. you can't ask chatgpt.
00:09:25.617 --> 00:09:27.786
You can't ask chatgpt. you just ask and you know,
00:09:27.852 --> 00:09:30.655
You just ask and you know, just -- well, here's really
00:09:30.722 --> 00:09:32.023
Just -- well, here's really what i told him about it.
00:09:32.090 --> 00:09:33.258
What i told him about it. "i can't even explain it to you,
00:09:33.325 --> 00:09:35.460
"i can't even explain it to you, because you have never
00:09:35.527 --> 00:09:36.561
Because you have never experienced a time
00:09:36.628 --> 00:09:40.031
Experienced a time when you just had
00:09:40.098 --> 00:09:40.665
When you just had to agree to disagree."
00:09:40.732 --> 00:09:44.436
To agree to disagree." and somebody might go home
00:09:44.502 --> 00:09:45.637
And somebody might go home and look it up in
00:09:45.704 --> 00:09:47.839
And look it up in the encyclopedia brittanica.
00:09:47.906 --> 00:09:51.142
The encyclopedia brittanica. this is a throwback sunday.
00:09:51.209 --> 00:09:52.644
This is a throwback sunday. this is turning into a real
00:09:52.711 --> 00:09:54.045
This is turning into a real old-fashioned church
00:09:54.112 --> 00:09:54.779
Old-fashioned church service today.
00:09:54.846 --> 00:09:56.047
Service today. we're getting
00:09:56.114 --> 00:09:56.615
We're getting old-fashioned today.
00:09:56.681 --> 00:09:58.350
Old-fashioned today. we've got that old-time
00:09:58.416 --> 00:10:00.085
We've got that old-time religion today.
00:10:00.151 --> 00:10:01.519
Religion today. it's good for paul and silas.
00:10:01.586 --> 00:10:03.154
[applause]
00:10:03.555 --> 00:10:04.055
It's good enough for me.
00:10:04.756 --> 00:10:06.057
It's good enough for me. so, listen to this.
00:10:06.124 --> 00:10:07.459
So, listen to this. i said, "i can't tell you
00:10:07.525 --> 00:10:09.861
I said, "i can't tell you really what it was like,
00:10:09.928 --> 00:10:12.030
'cause you didn't live it.
00:10:12.130 --> 00:10:14.399
'cause you didn't live it. you didn't live it.
00:10:14.466 --> 00:10:16.534
You didn't live it. don't judge what people
00:10:16.601 --> 00:10:18.269
Don't judge what people are like if you
00:10:18.336 --> 00:10:19.738
Are like if you haven't lived it."
00:10:19.804 --> 00:10:21.039
[applause]
00:10:21.306 --> 00:10:21.973
I'm just talking about
00:10:22.374 --> 00:10:23.041
I'm just talking about some things that i know about.
00:10:23.108 --> 00:10:24.943
Some things that i know about. for all of you who talk
00:10:25.010 --> 00:10:26.211
About pastors real bad,
00:10:26.311 --> 00:10:27.846
About pastors real bad, come be one.
00:10:27.912 --> 00:10:28.546
[applause]
00:10:28.913 --> 00:10:29.914
Come be one 28 days.
00:10:30.715 --> 00:10:33.385
Come be one 28 days. come be one for 28 minutes
00:10:33.451 --> 00:10:36.087
Come be one for 28 minutes and talk to me about it.
00:10:36.154 --> 00:10:37.489
And talk to me about it. and i would say
00:10:37.555 --> 00:10:38.023
And i would say the same about you.
00:10:38.089 --> 00:10:39.324
The same about you. i don't preach down to you.
00:10:39.391 --> 00:10:41.793
I don't preach down to you. i never preach down to you.
00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.962
I never preach down to you. i never pretend like
00:10:44.029 --> 00:10:45.030
I never pretend like you're life isn't harder
00:10:45.096 --> 00:10:46.531
You're life isn't harder than mine because --
00:10:46.598 --> 00:10:47.899
Than mine because -- or that you're not holy like me.
00:10:47.966 --> 00:10:50.201
Or that you're not holy like me. i don't do that
00:10:50.268 --> 00:10:50.902
I don't do that 'cause i don't believe that
00:10:50.969 --> 00:10:52.137
'cause i don't believe that because my king doesn't.
00:10:52.203 --> 00:10:53.371
[applause]
00:10:53.738 --> 00:10:56.508
He's relatable.
00:10:57.108 --> 00:10:58.710
He's relatable. he sees me in my struggles.
00:10:58.777 --> 00:11:01.046
He sees me in my struggles. he sees me in the sickness
00:11:01.112 --> 00:11:02.847
He sees me in the sickness of the cycles of my sin.
00:11:02.914 --> 00:11:05.083
Of the cycles of my sin. he doesn't stand up there
00:11:05.150 --> 00:11:06.651
He doesn't stand up there and talk down to me.
00:11:06.718 --> 00:11:08.653
And talk down to me. he comes down there
00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:09.954
He comes down there and brings me up with him.
00:11:10.021 --> 00:11:12.090
And brings me up with him. and i am seated
00:11:12.157 --> 00:11:13.324
And i am seated in heavenly places with jesus.
00:11:13.391 --> 00:11:16.227
In heavenly places with jesus. high five your neighbor
00:11:16.294 --> 00:11:17.562
High five your neighbor and say, "god's got this."
00:11:17.629 --> 00:11:19.230
[applause]
00:11:19.564 --> 00:11:20.265
Alright.
00:11:20.665 --> 00:11:21.966
[applause]
00:11:22.233 --> 00:11:23.068
So, it's hard to know
00:11:23.668 --> 00:11:27.505
So, it's hard to know what mental illness is like
00:11:27.572 --> 00:11:29.007
What mental illness is like if you haven't lived it.
00:11:29.074 --> 00:11:33.378
If you haven't lived it. it's hard to know
00:11:33.445 --> 00:11:33.878
It's hard to know what abandonment issues
00:11:33.945 --> 00:11:34.813
What abandonment issues are like if you don't have them.
00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:36.915
Are like if you don't have them. "well, why do they
00:11:36.981 --> 00:11:37.449
"well, why do they keep pushing people away?"
00:11:37.515 --> 00:11:38.917
Keep pushing people away?" they learned to.
00:11:38.983 --> 00:11:41.086
They learned to. it was a survival instinct
00:11:41.152 --> 00:11:43.054
It was a survival instinct that was corrupted
00:11:43.121 --> 00:11:45.957
That was corrupted and prolonged.
00:11:46.024 --> 00:11:49.194
And prolonged. that's why i thank god for jesus
00:11:49.260 --> 00:11:52.030
That's why i thank god for jesus teaching me about the seed
00:11:52.097 --> 00:11:54.399
Teaching me about the seed to let me know --
00:11:54.466 --> 00:11:54.999
To let me know -- give me my camera, y'all,
00:11:55.066 --> 00:11:56.568
Give me my camera, y'all, it doesn't have
00:11:56.634 --> 00:11:57.902
It doesn't have to stay this way.
00:11:57.969 --> 00:12:01.306
To stay this way. it doesn't have
00:12:01.372 --> 00:12:02.907
It doesn't have to stay this way.
00:12:02.974 --> 00:12:05.844
To stay this way. and i know it's hard,
00:12:05.910 --> 00:12:07.145
And i know it's hard, and i don't know what
00:12:07.212 --> 00:12:07.846
And i don't know what your, "hard," is.
00:12:07.912 --> 00:12:08.980
Your, "hard," is. and i don't think
00:12:09.047 --> 00:12:09.581
And i don't think we should just start
00:12:09.647 --> 00:12:10.515
We should just start comparing different
00:12:10.582 --> 00:12:11.349
Comparing different degrees of hardness.
00:12:11.416 --> 00:12:12.484
Degrees of hardness. i don't think that
00:12:12.550 --> 00:12:13.184
I don't think that gets us anywhere.
00:12:13.251 --> 00:12:14.819
Gets us anywhere. so, whether it's hospital
00:12:14.886 --> 00:12:16.187
So, whether it's hospital visits that you're making,
00:12:16.254 --> 00:12:17.589
Visits that you're making, whether it's doctor's
00:12:17.655 --> 00:12:18.490
Whether it's doctor's appointments that
00:12:18.556 --> 00:12:19.157
Appointments that you're keeping,
00:12:19.224 --> 00:12:20.091
You're keeping, whether it's racism
00:12:20.158 --> 00:12:21.292
Whether it's racism that you're battling,
00:12:21.359 --> 00:12:22.494
That you're battling, whether it's classism
00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:23.895
Whether it's classism that you're battling,
00:12:23.962 --> 00:12:24.863
That you're battling, whether it's your own
00:12:24.929 --> 00:12:26.097
Whether it's your own stupid stories that you tell
00:12:26.164 --> 00:12:27.699
Stupid stories that you tell yourself that you're battling,
00:12:27.766 --> 00:12:29.434
Yourself that you're battling, we all come to this place
00:12:29.501 --> 00:12:30.902
We all come to this place to know that god is good,
00:12:30.969 --> 00:12:32.604
To know that god is good, but life is hard.
00:12:32.670 --> 00:12:41.446
But life is hard. and jesus is so high,
00:12:41.513 --> 00:12:45.416
And jesus is so high, but he came down
00:12:45.483 --> 00:12:46.117
But he came down and did something so hard.
00:12:46.184 --> 00:12:48.586
And did something so hard. what a savior.
00:12:48.653 --> 00:12:50.088
[applause]
00:12:50.388 --> 00:12:52.257
I feel like you already
00:12:52.524 --> 00:12:53.124
I feel like you already got your gas money's worth.
00:12:53.191 --> 00:12:54.259
[applause]
00:12:54.592 --> 00:12:55.527
I do.
00:12:56.427 --> 00:12:56.661
I do. i feel like
00:12:56.728 --> 00:12:57.061
I feel like you already got it
00:12:57.128 --> 00:12:57.595
You already got it just to know that
00:12:57.662 --> 00:12:59.764
Just to know that he's not so high that
00:12:59.831 --> 00:13:00.698
He's not so high that he doesn't see
00:13:00.765 --> 00:13:01.232
He doesn't see how hard it is for you.
00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:04.769
How hard it is for you. and you ever wondered,
00:13:04.836 --> 00:13:06.070
And you ever wondered, this is something
00:13:06.137 --> 00:13:06.471
This is something i think sometimes,
00:13:06.538 --> 00:13:07.772
I think sometimes, "is it as hard
00:13:07.839 --> 00:13:08.306
"is it as hard for everybody else
00:13:08.373 --> 00:13:09.140
For everybody else as it is for me?"
00:13:09.207 --> 00:13:13.778
As it is for me?" like, is everybody else
00:13:13.845 --> 00:13:15.747
Like, is everybody else dealing with the same
00:13:15.814 --> 00:13:16.381
Dealing with the same level of distraction,
00:13:16.447 --> 00:13:18.316
Level of distraction, where i pick up my phone
00:13:18.383 --> 00:13:19.951
Where i pick up my phone to send a text and end up
00:13:20.018 --> 00:13:22.120
To send a text and end up ordering a dress?
00:13:22.187 --> 00:13:23.321
[laughter]
00:13:23.688 --> 00:13:24.923
And i'm a man.
00:13:25.523 --> 00:13:27.458
And i'm a man. what happened?
00:13:27.525 --> 00:13:29.260
What happened? it's hard to stay
00:13:29.327 --> 00:13:29.761
It's hard to stay focused right now.
00:13:29.828 --> 00:13:33.631
Focused right now. and he's high and holy,
00:13:33.698 --> 00:13:34.833
And he's high and holy, but he's humble,
00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:35.433
But he's humble, and meek, and lowly.
00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.434
And meek, and lowly. and he sent me by to remind
00:13:36.501 --> 00:13:37.502
And he sent me by to remind somebody today that he knows
00:13:37.569 --> 00:13:39.671
Somebody today that he knows how hard it is for you.
00:13:39.737 --> 00:13:42.707
How hard it is for you. he knows how hard it is
00:13:42.774 --> 00:13:44.876
He knows how hard it is when nobody else sees
00:13:44.943 --> 00:13:45.643
Because you smile.
00:13:45.743 --> 00:13:48.780
Because you smile. and i love him because
00:13:48.847 --> 00:13:49.814
And i love him because he sees beneath the surface.
00:13:49.881 --> 00:13:51.382
He sees beneath the surface. this is why he gave us
00:13:51.449 --> 00:13:52.250
This is why he gave us the parable of the seed.
00:13:52.317 --> 00:13:53.885
The parable of the seed. "that this is what the kingdom
00:13:53.952 --> 00:13:55.820
"that this is what the kingdom of god is like."
00:13:55.887 --> 00:13:58.723
Of god is like." it's what happens underneath.
00:13:58.790 --> 00:14:02.727
Now, in this parable,
00:14:02.827 --> 00:14:04.429
Now, in this parable, it's kind of hard for us
00:14:04.495 --> 00:14:05.463
It's kind of hard for us to get the full
00:14:05.530 --> 00:14:05.964
To get the full appreciation for it.
00:14:06.030 --> 00:14:07.298
Appreciation for it. number one, because not only
00:14:07.365 --> 00:14:09.133
Number one, because not only do we not know what
00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:10.034
Do we not know what cassette tapes are,
00:14:10.101 --> 00:14:12.804
Cassette tapes are, or dial-up modems,
00:14:12.871 --> 00:14:14.772
Or dial-up modems, or when gas was
00:14:14.839 --> 00:14:15.840
Or when gas was 98 cents a gallon --
00:14:15.907 --> 00:14:17.976
98 cents a gallon -- i was telling graham
00:14:18.042 --> 00:14:18.643
I was telling graham about that the other day.
00:14:18.710 --> 00:14:19.577
About that the other day. he said, "what was it like?"
00:14:19.644 --> 00:14:20.945
He said, "what was it like?" i was like, "it was amazing.
00:14:21.012 --> 00:14:22.580
I was like, "it was amazing. gas was less than a dollar."
00:14:22.647 --> 00:14:26.117
Gas was less than a dollar." there was no caller id,
00:14:26.184 --> 00:14:27.352
There was no caller id, so it was kind of like
00:14:27.418 --> 00:14:28.253
So it was kind of like russian roulette
00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:28.987
Russian roulette to pick up the phone.
00:14:29.053 --> 00:14:29.888
[laughter]
00:14:30.188 --> 00:14:30.788
But he never lived it,
00:14:31.456 --> 00:14:32.223
But he never lived it, so i was trying to tell him
00:14:32.290 --> 00:14:33.091
So i was trying to tell him what it was like, you know.
00:14:33.157 --> 00:14:36.361
What it was like, you know. and when we pray to jesus,
00:14:36.427 --> 00:14:38.263
And when we pray to jesus, he knows what it's like
00:14:38.329 --> 00:14:39.230
He knows what it's like because he prayed.
00:14:39.297 --> 00:14:41.799
Because he prayed. when we are insulted by people,
00:14:41.866 --> 00:14:43.268
When we are insulted by people, he knows what it's like
00:14:43.334 --> 00:14:44.135
He knows what it's like because he was insulted.
00:14:44.202 --> 00:14:46.905
Because he was insulted. when we need healing,
00:14:46.971 --> 00:14:47.972
When we need healing, he knows what it's like
00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:48.873
He knows what it's like because he hurt.
00:14:48.940 --> 00:14:51.276
Because he hurt. when we need sustenance,
00:14:51.342 --> 00:14:52.443
When we need sustenance, he knows what it's like
00:14:52.510 --> 00:14:53.411
He knows what it's like because he hungered.
00:14:53.478 --> 00:14:55.280
Because he hungered. when we're exhausted and weary,
00:14:55.346 --> 00:14:56.681
When we're exhausted and weary, he knows what it's like
00:14:56.748 --> 00:14:57.682
He knows what it's like because he got tired.
00:14:57.749 --> 00:14:59.951
Because he got tired. god could not do that
00:15:00.018 --> 00:15:01.119
God could not do that without a body.
00:15:01.185 --> 00:15:03.521
Without a body. he came in a body
00:15:03.588 --> 00:15:05.390
He came in a body to get to you.
00:15:05.456 --> 00:15:07.492
To get to you. he reigns in power
00:15:07.558 --> 00:15:08.526
He reigns in power to get you to him.
00:15:08.593 --> 00:15:10.728
To get you to him. and this is the paradox
00:15:10.795 --> 00:15:12.030
And this is the paradox of the gospel of jesus christ.
00:15:12.096 --> 00:15:13.298
[applause]
00:15:13.598 --> 00:15:14.699
And this is why i love
00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.833
And this is why i love to preach about him and why
00:15:15.900 --> 00:15:16.868
To preach about him and why i love to talk about him.
00:15:16.935 --> 00:15:18.269
[applause]
00:15:18.770 --> 00:15:19.470
But it's hard for us to get
00:15:20.171 --> 00:15:21.639
But it's hard for us to get with this because he is
00:15:21.706 --> 00:15:23.141
With this because he is preaching about agriculture,
00:15:23.207 --> 00:15:26.978
Preaching about agriculture, and we all have microwaves.
00:15:27.045 --> 00:15:29.881
And we all have microwaves. can i preach a little bit?
00:15:29.948 --> 00:15:31.249
Can i preach a little bit? >> congregation: yes.
00:15:31.316 --> 00:15:32.750
>> congregation: yes. >> about how to deal with
00:15:32.817 --> 00:15:33.918
>> about how to deal with a god who talks about
00:15:33.985 --> 00:15:35.253
A god who talks about farming principles
00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:37.922
Farming principles when we just go in
00:15:37.989 --> 00:15:38.756
When we just go in a bakery to get bread?
00:15:38.823 --> 00:15:41.259
A bakery to get bread? so, now, imagine this.
00:15:41.326 --> 00:15:42.260
So, now, imagine this. we're like generations removed.
00:15:42.327 --> 00:15:44.429
We're like generations removed. jesus teaches his disciples,
00:15:44.495 --> 00:15:45.797
Jesus teaches his disciples, "this is what the kingdom
00:15:45.863 --> 00:15:46.698
"this is what the kingdom of god is like,"
00:15:46.764 --> 00:15:47.498
Of god is like," something they saw every day.
00:15:47.565 --> 00:15:49.701
Something they saw every day. something that they
00:15:49.767 --> 00:15:50.335
Something that they saw every day.
00:15:50.401 --> 00:15:51.269
Saw every day. "oh, yeah.
00:15:51.336 --> 00:15:51.536
"oh, yeah. i've seen seeds scattered.
00:15:51.602 --> 00:15:53.571
I've seen seeds scattered. i've seen wheat reaped.
00:15:53.638 --> 00:15:55.707
I've seen wheat reaped. i've seen wheat milled,
00:15:55.773 --> 00:15:57.809
I've seen wheat milled, turned into flour,
00:15:57.875 --> 00:15:59.177
Turned into flour, and then i've seen the flour
00:15:59.243 --> 00:15:59.911
And then i've seen the flour mixed with the water
00:15:59.978 --> 00:16:00.778
Mixed with the water and turned into bread.
00:16:00.845 --> 00:16:01.713
And turned into bread. like, i've seen that before."
00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.981
Like, i've seen that before." but many of us haven't.
00:16:03.047 --> 00:16:04.749
But many of us haven't. let me ask a question.
00:16:04.816 --> 00:16:05.583
Let me ask a question. how many of you make
00:16:05.650 --> 00:16:06.184
How many of you make your own bread?
00:16:06.250 --> 00:16:09.053
[laughter]
00:16:09.287 --> 00:16:09.487
So, all of you are in
00:16:09.654 --> 00:16:12.023
So, all of you are in the advanced class...
00:16:12.090 --> 00:16:13.491
[laughter]
00:16:13.725 --> 00:16:13.925
And the rest of us have
00:16:14.392 --> 00:16:15.560
And the rest of us have to do remedial work
00:16:15.626 --> 00:16:16.928
To do remedial work to even get to this level.
00:16:16.995 --> 00:16:19.864
To even get to this level. because we only
00:16:19.931 --> 00:16:21.032
Because we only understand fath -- fast,
00:16:21.099 --> 00:16:23.735
Understand fath -- fast, fath -- i was gonna say,
00:16:23.801 --> 00:16:26.004
Fath -- i was gonna say, "we only understand fast
00:16:26.070 --> 00:16:27.372
"we only understand fast so how can we
00:16:27.438 --> 00:16:28.072
So how can we understand faith?"
00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.907
Understand faith?" but maybe i said it
00:16:29.974 --> 00:16:30.575
But maybe i said it wrong on purpose.
00:16:30.641 --> 00:16:31.542
[laughter]
00:16:31.976 --> 00:16:32.276
We want it fath.
00:16:32.643 --> 00:16:33.578
[laughter]
00:16:33.878 --> 00:16:34.545
We want it fath.
00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.981
We want it fath. i wanna have faith,
00:16:37.048 --> 00:16:38.383
I wanna have faith, and i want it fast.
00:16:38.449 --> 00:16:39.917
And i want it fast. i wanna have a job,
00:16:39.984 --> 00:16:41.486
I wanna have a job, and i want it fath.
00:16:41.552 --> 00:16:42.920
And i want it fath. i wanna have a breakthrough,
00:16:42.987 --> 00:16:44.422
I wanna have a breakthrough, and i want it fath.
00:16:44.489 --> 00:16:45.923
And i want it fath. i wanna have six-pack abs,
00:16:45.990 --> 00:16:47.458
I wanna have six-pack abs, not the --
00:16:47.525 --> 00:16:48.826
Not the -- i want it fath.
00:16:48.893 --> 00:16:50.261
I want it fath. i want it fath.
00:16:50.328 --> 00:16:51.162
I want it fath. tell your neighbor,
00:16:51.229 --> 00:16:51.696
Tell your neighbor, "i want it fath."
00:16:51.763 --> 00:16:52.730
"i want it fath." >> congregation: i want it fath.
00:16:52.797 --> 00:16:54.165
>> congregation: i want it fath. >> but we are not coming
00:16:54.232 --> 00:16:55.166
>> but we are not coming to a god who gives it fath.
00:16:55.233 --> 00:16:57.402
[cheering and applause]
00:16:57.769 --> 00:17:00.772
And it takes faith.
00:17:01.205 --> 00:17:06.911
And it takes faith. so, i thought we would
00:17:06.978 --> 00:17:08.246
So, i thought we would celebrate the man
00:17:08.312 --> 00:17:09.680
Celebrate the man who jesus talked about.
00:17:09.747 --> 00:17:10.448
He's not a real man.
00:17:10.548 --> 00:17:11.282
He's not a real man. that's why he didn't
00:17:11.349 --> 00:17:11.783
That's why he didn't give him a name.
00:17:11.849 --> 00:17:12.316
Give him a name. he says, "like a man
00:17:12.383 --> 00:17:14.285
He says, "like a man who sows the seed."
00:17:14.352 --> 00:17:15.086
Who sows the seed." so, we don't know this man,
00:17:15.153 --> 00:17:16.587
So, we don't know this man, but we applaud him,
00:17:16.654 --> 00:17:17.455
But we applaud him, and we celebrate him,
00:17:17.522 --> 00:17:18.689
And we celebrate him, because he's sowing,
00:17:18.756 --> 00:17:21.726
Because he's sowing, he's sowing, he's sowing.
00:17:21.793 --> 00:17:22.293
He's sowing, he's sowing. i admire people who are sowers.
00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:26.431
I admire people who don't have
00:17:26.531 --> 00:17:28.066
I admire people who don't have to post everything they sow.
00:17:28.132 --> 00:17:29.700
[applause]
00:17:30.134 --> 00:17:31.836
I admire people --
00:17:32.537 --> 00:17:33.604
[applause]
00:17:33.871 --> 00:17:35.139
Look, you don't have
00:17:35.573 --> 00:17:36.007
Look, you don't have to post your workout.
00:17:36.074 --> 00:17:37.141
To post your workout. if you do enough of 'em,
00:17:37.208 --> 00:17:37.975
If you do enough of 'em, we'll be able to tell.
00:17:38.042 --> 00:17:38.876
[laughter]
00:17:39.177 --> 00:17:40.211
I admire people
00:17:40.912 --> 00:17:43.214
I admire people who show up and sow,
00:17:43.281 --> 00:17:44.749
Who show up and sow, and show up and sow,
00:17:44.816 --> 00:17:46.417
And show up and sow, and show up and sow.
00:17:46.484 --> 00:17:47.985
And show up and sow. every ekidz volunteer
00:17:48.052 --> 00:17:49.987
Every ekidz volunteer that's trying to cast that
00:17:50.054 --> 00:17:51.122
That's trying to cast that demon out of your
00:17:51.189 --> 00:17:51.989
Demon out of your kid right now...
00:17:52.056 --> 00:17:52.824
[applause]
00:17:53.124 --> 00:17:53.558
That has been driving
00:17:54.058 --> 00:17:54.725
That has been driving you crazy all week long.
00:17:54.792 --> 00:17:56.727
You crazy all week long. i celebrate sowers.
00:17:56.794 --> 00:17:58.129
I celebrate sowers. let's celebrate every sower,
00:17:58.196 --> 00:17:59.831
Let's celebrate every sower, every giver, everybody
00:17:59.897 --> 00:18:02.033
Every giver, everybody who makes it possible,
00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.534
Who makes it possible, everybody who speaks
00:18:03.601 --> 00:18:04.669
Everybody who speaks words of encouragement,
00:18:04.735 --> 00:18:05.970
Words of encouragement, everybody who sows.
00:18:06.037 --> 00:18:07.171
[applause]
00:18:07.505 --> 00:18:10.775
Everybody who sows.
00:18:11.342 --> 00:18:13.644
Everybody who sows. and then, of course,
00:18:13.711 --> 00:18:14.145
And then, of course, there's the fact
00:18:14.212 --> 00:18:16.013
There's the fact that he reaps too.
00:18:16.080 --> 00:18:18.316
That he reaps too. let's do it like a sandwich.
00:18:18.382 --> 00:18:20.084
Let's do it like a sandwich. in verse 26 it says,
00:18:20.151 --> 00:18:23.287
In verse 26 it says, "a man scatters seed
00:18:23.354 --> 00:18:25.123
"a man scatters seed on the ground."
00:18:25.189 --> 00:18:26.224
On the ground." okay?
00:18:26.290 --> 00:18:26.824
Okay? and then in verse 29
00:18:26.891 --> 00:18:31.229
And then in verse 29 it says,
00:18:31.295 --> 00:18:32.029
It says, "as soon as the grain is ripe,
00:18:32.096 --> 00:18:33.931
"as soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it,
00:18:33.998 --> 00:18:35.399
He puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
00:18:35.466 --> 00:18:37.034
Because the harvest has come." so, in both of these verses
00:18:37.101 --> 00:18:39.937
So, in both of these verses we see that this is
00:18:40.004 --> 00:18:41.706
We see that this is someone who will work.
00:18:41.772 --> 00:18:44.842
Someone who will work. he's willing to work.
00:18:44.909 --> 00:18:45.843
He's willing to work. yeah, that's what
00:18:45.910 --> 00:18:46.377
Yeah, that's what i meant to say.
00:18:46.444 --> 00:18:47.378
I meant to say. he's willing to work for it.
00:18:47.445 --> 00:18:48.646
He's willing to work for it. and you gotta be for anything
00:18:48.713 --> 00:18:51.816
And you gotta be for anything worth having in your life.
00:18:51.883 --> 00:18:55.086
Worth having in your life. you've got to work for anything
00:18:55.153 --> 00:18:58.589
You've got to work for anything that is worthwhile in your life.
00:18:58.656 --> 00:19:01.859
That is worthwhile in your life. and, you know, how remedial
00:19:01.926 --> 00:19:04.562
And, you know, how remedial could i be that i read
00:19:04.629 --> 00:19:06.731
Could i be that i read this text for so many years,
00:19:06.797 --> 00:19:08.966
This text for so many years, thinking that the star
00:19:09.033 --> 00:19:11.636
Thinking that the star of this story was the sower.
00:19:11.702 --> 00:19:16.941
Of this story was the sower. i thought, "well, maybe,
00:19:17.008 --> 00:19:18.576
I thought, "well, maybe, you know, this is a parable.
00:19:18.643 --> 00:19:19.977
You know, this is a parable. it's kind of a metaphor.
00:19:20.044 --> 00:19:21.345
It's kind of a metaphor. maybe what jesus means," --
00:19:21.412 --> 00:19:23.514
Maybe what jesus means," -- i mean, i'm digging into it.
00:19:23.581 --> 00:19:24.382
I mean, i'm digging into it. i'm studying it.
00:19:24.448 --> 00:19:25.283
I'm studying it. i'm like, "maybe jesus
00:19:25.349 --> 00:19:26.851
I'm like, "maybe jesus is always sowing into our life.
00:19:26.918 --> 00:19:29.253
Is always sowing into our life. and since he's talking about
00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:30.721
And since he's talking about the end of the age here,
00:19:30.788 --> 00:19:32.590
The end of the age here, he's maybe talking about
00:19:32.657 --> 00:19:33.491
He's maybe talking about the harvest that he's gonna
00:19:33.558 --> 00:19:34.625
The harvest that he's gonna bring in the harvest.
00:19:34.692 --> 00:19:35.393
Bring in the harvest. and, you know, those who are
00:19:35.459 --> 00:19:36.661
And, you know, those who are saved will be brought in."
00:19:36.727 --> 00:19:37.929
Saved will be brought in." and i thought that
00:19:37.995 --> 00:19:39.497
And i thought that we should talk this morning
00:19:39.564 --> 00:19:40.932
We should talk this morning about the sower.
00:19:40.998 --> 00:19:43.401
About the sower. upon further examination --
00:19:43.467 --> 00:19:45.169
Upon further examination -- and i, you know, i told you
00:19:45.236 --> 00:19:46.037
And i, you know, i told you i went to bed,
00:19:46.103 --> 00:19:47.505
I went to bed, and i thought it was one thing.
00:19:47.572 --> 00:19:48.439
And i thought it was one thing. i had so much good stuff
00:19:48.506 --> 00:19:50.074
I had so much good stuff to say to you
00:19:50.141 --> 00:19:51.242
About the value of sowing,
00:19:51.342 --> 00:19:53.477
About the value of sowing, and i still will teach that,
00:19:53.544 --> 00:19:55.379
And i still will teach that, and should teach that.
00:19:55.446 --> 00:19:57.048
And should teach that. and it's important
00:19:57.114 --> 00:19:57.748
And it's important to have discipline,
00:19:57.815 --> 00:19:58.950
To have discipline, and it's important to keep
00:19:59.016 --> 00:20:00.051
And it's important to keep yourself accountable,
00:20:00.117 --> 00:20:01.118
Yourself accountable, and it's important for you
00:20:01.185 --> 00:20:02.186
And it's important for you to make an effort,
00:20:02.253 --> 00:20:02.687
To make an effort, and it's important for you
00:20:02.753 --> 00:20:03.821
And it's important for you to show up in those places.
00:20:03.888 --> 00:20:05.423
I'm not discounting any of that,
00:20:05.523 --> 00:20:07.325
I'm not discounting any of that, but in this story,
00:20:07.391 --> 00:20:10.628
But in this story, the sower is not the star.
00:20:10.695 --> 00:20:15.066
The sower is not the star. and that challenges us,
00:20:15.132 --> 00:20:17.034
And that challenges us, because i think that
00:20:17.101 --> 00:20:18.236
Because i think that we think god ought to bless us
00:20:18.302 --> 00:20:19.837
We think god ought to bless us because of how good we were.
00:20:19.904 --> 00:20:23.574
Because of how good we were. we think that people
00:20:23.641 --> 00:20:24.675
We think that people ought to appreciate us
00:20:24.742 --> 00:20:25.676
Ought to appreciate us because of how much we gave.
00:20:25.743 --> 00:20:28.613
Because of how much we gave. we think that people
00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.313
We think that people ought to promote us
00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:30.715
Ought to promote us because of how talented we are.
00:20:30.781 --> 00:20:33.150
Because of how talented we are. and all of that has a place.
00:20:33.217 --> 00:20:34.719
And all of that has a place. don't get me wrong.
00:20:34.785 --> 00:20:36.120
Don't get me wrong. but it is not the center
00:20:36.187 --> 00:20:37.622
But it is not the center of this story.
00:20:37.688 --> 00:20:39.590
Of this story. so, what is?
00:20:39.657 --> 00:20:41.792
So, what is? you say, "jesus."
00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:43.561
You say, "jesus." okay, okay.
00:20:43.628 --> 00:20:46.230
Okay, okay. yeah, i mean,
00:20:46.297 --> 00:20:47.098
Yeah, i mean, he's the star
00:20:47.164 --> 00:20:47.498
He's the star of every story.
00:20:47.565 --> 00:20:49.066
Of every story. but did you notice there
00:20:49.133 --> 00:20:51.335
But did you notice there was not a mention of god
00:20:51.402 --> 00:20:53.704
Was not a mention of god in the story that jesus told?
00:20:53.771 --> 00:20:56.774
In the story that jesus told? there was a process by which
00:20:56.841 --> 00:21:00.044
There was a process by which a seed became grain,
00:21:00.111 --> 00:21:02.046
A seed became grain, but there was no mention of god.
00:21:02.113 --> 00:21:04.382
But there was no mention of god. and i actually wanna use
00:21:04.448 --> 00:21:05.650
And i actually wanna use that to teach you something.
00:21:05.716 --> 00:21:07.184
That to teach you something. just because you're not
00:21:07.251 --> 00:21:08.586
Just because you're not aware of him doesn't
00:21:08.653 --> 00:21:09.954
Aware of him doesn't mean he's not there.
00:21:10.021 --> 00:21:11.322
[applause]
00:21:11.622 --> 00:21:13.024
Doesn't mean he's not there.
00:21:13.891 --> 00:21:15.660
Doesn't mean he's not there. just because you can't see,
00:21:15.726 --> 00:21:16.994
Just because you can't see, or prove, or sense, or feel,
00:21:17.061 --> 00:21:18.596
Or prove, or sense, or feel, or deduce, how god is working
00:21:18.663 --> 00:21:20.765
Or deduce, how god is working in this situation in your life
00:21:20.831 --> 00:21:22.199
In this situation in your life doesn't mean he's not there.
00:21:22.266 --> 00:21:24.902
Doesn't mean he's not there. and this is a parable.
00:21:24.969 --> 00:21:25.636
And this is a parable. see, if jesus is using the sower
00:21:25.703 --> 00:21:28.839
See, if jesus is using the sower to represent god, well,
00:21:28.906 --> 00:21:30.107
To represent god, well, that doesn't make sense.
00:21:30.174 --> 00:21:30.808
That doesn't make sense. and i'll prove it to you.
00:21:30.875 --> 00:21:31.709
And i'll prove it to you. watch this.
00:21:31.776 --> 00:21:32.777
Watch this. it says in verse 27
00:21:32.843 --> 00:21:34.312
It says in verse 27 about the sower,
00:21:34.378 --> 00:21:35.413
About the sower, "night and day,
00:21:35.479 --> 00:21:36.580
"night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up,
00:21:36.647 --> 00:21:38.849
Whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows,
00:21:38.916 --> 00:21:41.018
The seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."
00:21:41.085 --> 00:21:43.988
Though he does not know how." justin, circle,
00:21:44.055 --> 00:21:44.622
Justin, circle, "he does not know how."
00:21:44.689 --> 00:21:46.924
"he does not know how." everybody, say,
00:21:46.991 --> 00:21:47.358
Everybody, say, "he does not know how."
00:21:47.425 --> 00:21:48.759
"he does not know how." >> congregation: he does
00:21:48.826 --> 00:21:49.427
>> congregation: he does not know how.
00:21:49.493 --> 00:21:50.227
Not know how. >> you will never find that
00:21:50.294 --> 00:21:51.395
>> you will never find that sentence associated with god.
00:21:51.462 --> 00:21:55.399
Sentence associated with god. so, this cannot be that
00:21:55.466 --> 00:21:56.667
So, this cannot be that the sower represents god.
00:21:56.734 --> 00:22:00.204
The sower represents god. it cannot be.
00:22:00.271 --> 00:22:00.838
It cannot be. as much as god has given us,
00:22:00.905 --> 00:22:03.207
As much as god has given us, this is not a parable about how,
00:22:03.274 --> 00:22:04.475
This is not a parable about how, "hey, god has given
00:22:04.542 --> 00:22:05.142
"hey, god has given you a lot of seeds.
00:22:05.209 --> 00:22:06.110
You a lot of seeds. make sure that you
00:22:06.177 --> 00:22:06.811
Make sure that you develop them."
00:22:06.877 --> 00:22:08.279
Develop them." because it says,
00:22:08.346 --> 00:22:09.113
Because it says, "he does not know how."
00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:11.982
"he does not know how." so, obviously,
00:22:12.049 --> 00:22:12.783
So, obviously, if he does not know how,
00:22:12.850 --> 00:22:15.119
If he does not know how, we're not talking
00:22:15.186 --> 00:22:15.753
We're not talking about god here.
00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:17.621
About god here. so, i came to ask
00:22:17.688 --> 00:22:18.356
So, i came to ask a question today,
00:22:18.422 --> 00:22:20.091
A question today, "where is god in this?
00:22:20.157 --> 00:22:23.427
"where is god in this? where is god in this?
00:22:23.494 --> 00:22:25.429
Where is god in this? 'cause i've been sowing,
00:22:25.496 --> 00:22:27.531
'cause i've been sowing, i've been weeping,
00:22:27.598 --> 00:22:29.300
I've been weeping, but i'm not reaping yet.
00:22:29.367 --> 00:22:31.602
But i'm not reaping yet. where is god in this?
00:22:31.669 --> 00:22:33.604
Where is god in this? you tell me he's here,
00:22:33.671 --> 00:22:35.272
You tell me he's here, but it's still hard.
00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.907
But it's still hard. you tell me he's here,
00:22:36.974 --> 00:22:38.275
You tell me he's here, but i'm still --
00:22:38.342 --> 00:22:39.276
But i'm still -- i'm still not over the things
00:22:39.343 --> 00:22:41.112
I'm still not over the things that you say he died
00:22:41.178 --> 00:22:42.546
That you say he died to save me from.
00:22:42.613 --> 00:22:44.081
To save me from. where is god in this?"
00:22:44.148 --> 00:22:46.751
Where is god in this?" and jesus said,
00:22:46.817 --> 00:22:47.752
And jesus said, "this is what the kingdom
00:22:47.818 --> 00:22:49.387
"this is what the kingdom of god is like."
00:22:49.453 --> 00:22:51.622
Of god is like." a man scatters seed,"
00:22:51.689 --> 00:22:53.657
A man scatters seed," this can't be god,
00:22:53.724 --> 00:22:55.059
This can't be god, "on the ground.
00:22:55.126 --> 00:22:56.260
"on the ground. night and day,
00:22:56.327 --> 00:22:57.128
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up."
00:22:57.194 --> 00:22:59.263
Whether he sleeps or gets up." evidence number two
00:22:59.330 --> 00:23:00.531
Evidence number two that it can't be god,
00:23:00.598 --> 00:23:01.432
That it can't be god, "he sleeps."
00:23:01.499 --> 00:23:03.834
"he sleeps." my bible says,
00:23:03.901 --> 00:23:04.702
My bible says, "god never sleeps
00:23:04.769 --> 00:23:05.503
"god never sleeps nor slumbers."
00:23:05.569 --> 00:23:07.271
Nor slumbers." so, this can't be god
00:23:07.338 --> 00:23:08.706
So, this can't be god we're talking about
00:23:08.773 --> 00:23:09.540
We're talking about in this passage,
00:23:09.607 --> 00:23:10.708
In this passage, because god is watching
00:23:10.775 --> 00:23:11.942
Because god is watching over you even as you sleep.
00:23:12.009 --> 00:23:14.278
Over you even as you sleep. god works the night shift.
00:23:14.345 --> 00:23:16.414
God works the night shift. god will sit by your bed
00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:18.015
God will sit by your bed and sit there with you
00:23:18.082 --> 00:23:19.550
And sit there with you in the most hard
00:23:19.617 --> 00:23:20.751
In the most hard emotional place.
00:23:20.818 --> 00:23:21.952
>> today, we have an exciting
00:23:22.453 --> 00:23:23.554
>> today, we have an exciting offer just for you.
00:23:23.621 --> 00:23:25.256
Offer just for you. when my husband, steven,
00:23:25.322 --> 00:23:26.390
When my husband, steven, preached the series,
00:23:26.457 --> 00:23:27.525
Preached the series, "when faith fights back,"
00:23:27.591 --> 00:23:29.293
"when faith fights back," it was exactly what
00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:31.128
It was exactly what i needed to hear,
00:23:31.195 --> 00:23:32.029
I needed to hear, and i truly believe that
00:23:32.096 --> 00:23:33.664
It's gonna help you too.
00:23:33.764 --> 00:23:34.799
It's gonna help you too. we all face challenges
00:23:34.865 --> 00:23:36.200
We all face challenges and situations that
00:23:36.267 --> 00:23:37.568
And situations that can feel hopeless.
00:23:37.635 --> 00:23:39.370
Can feel hopeless. moments when we don't know
00:23:39.437 --> 00:23:40.871
Moments when we don't know what to do next.
00:23:40.938 --> 00:23:42.173
What to do next. but in this series,
00:23:42.239 --> 00:23:43.574
But in this series, pastor steven shares four
00:23:43.641 --> 00:23:45.142
Pastor steven shares four incredibly practical tools
00:23:45.209 --> 00:23:47.445
Incredibly practical tools and phrases to help you
00:23:47.511 --> 00:23:49.580
And phrases to help you find faith in the middle
00:23:49.647 --> 00:23:51.182
Find faith in the middle of a struggle.
00:23:51.248 --> 00:23:52.516
Of a struggle. phrases like,
00:23:52.583 --> 00:23:53.384
Phrases like, "god's got the hard part."
00:23:53.451 --> 00:23:54.618
"god's got the hard part." and, "god can use this too."
00:23:54.685 --> 00:23:56.420
And, "god can use this too." and one thing that he said
00:23:56.487 --> 00:23:57.755
And one thing that he said that really stuck with me was,
00:23:57.822 --> 00:23:59.523
That really stuck with me was, "god is freeing you for
00:23:59.590 --> 00:24:01.192
"god is freeing you for the fight not from the fight."
00:24:01.258 --> 00:24:03.461
The fight not from the fight." and i realize that while
00:24:03.527 --> 00:24:04.929
And i realize that while i can't avoid every challenge,
00:24:04.995 --> 00:24:07.565
I can't avoid every challenge, god is gonna be with me
00:24:07.631 --> 00:24:10.034
God is gonna be with me through them all.
00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:11.435
Through them all. you've got to call
00:24:11.502 --> 00:24:13.003
You've got to call and get this series.
00:24:13.070 --> 00:24:14.004
And get this series. call or go online
00:24:14.071 --> 00:24:15.072
Call or go online right now and request,
00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:16.507
Right now and request, "when faith fights back."
00:24:16.574 --> 00:24:18.809
"when faith fights back." it's available for your
00:24:18.876 --> 00:24:19.577
It's available for your gift of any amount,
00:24:19.643 --> 00:24:21.111
Gift of any amount, and i cannot wait for you
00:24:21.178 --> 00:24:23.113
And i cannot wait for you to experience it.
00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.248
To experience it. let's strengthen our faith
00:24:24.315 --> 00:24:25.649
Let's strengthen our faith for the fight together.
00:24:25.716 --> 00:24:27.585
For the fight together. call or go online right now,
00:24:27.651 --> 00:24:29.019
Call or go online right now, and i'll see you back here
00:24:29.086 --> 00:24:30.387
And i'll see you back here next time.
00:24:30.454 --> 00:24:31.222
>> "when faith fights back"
00:24:31.655 --> 00:24:32.323
Is a brand new series from
00:24:32.423 --> 00:24:33.524
Pastor steven furtick,
00:24:33.624 --> 00:24:34.658
Where he shares
00:24:34.758 --> 00:24:35.326
Four faith-filled statements
00:24:35.426 --> 00:24:36.594
To help you face any battle
00:24:36.694 --> 00:24:38.095
With confidence.
00:24:38.195 --> 00:24:39.063
Pastor steven walks you
00:24:39.163 --> 00:24:40.431
Through each statement,
00:24:40.531 --> 00:24:41.465
"god can use this too,
00:24:41.565 --> 00:24:43.167
God will work it in,
00:24:43.267 --> 00:24:44.502
God's got the hard part,
00:24:44.602 --> 00:24:45.936
And god gave it to me,"
00:24:46.036 --> 00:24:47.705
And shows you how
00:24:47.805 --> 00:24:48.472
To practically live them out.
00:24:48.572 --> 00:24:50.007
These powerful truths
00:24:50.107 --> 00:24:51.208
Will strengthen your faith
00:24:51.308 --> 00:24:52.176
And shift your perspective.
00:24:52.276 --> 00:24:53.544
This dvd series is available
00:24:53.644 --> 00:24:55.012
Today for your gift
00:24:55.112 --> 00:24:55.946
Of any amount.
00:24:56.046 --> 00:24:57.081
To get your copy, just call
00:24:57.181 --> 00:24:58.382
Or visit us online now.
00:24:58.482 --> 00:25:00.050
>> for more than a decade,
00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.987
>> for more than a decade, our partnership
00:25:03.053 --> 00:25:03.721
Our partnership with rise against hunger
00:25:03.787 --> 00:25:04.722
With rise against hunger has turned compassion
00:25:04.788 --> 00:25:05.589
Has turned compassion into action.
00:25:05.656 --> 00:25:06.724
Into action. and together,
00:25:06.790 --> 00:25:07.424
And together, thousands of volunteers
00:25:07.491 --> 00:25:08.392
Thousands of volunteers from elevation church have
00:25:08.459 --> 00:25:09.493
From elevation church have packed over 5 million meals
00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:11.695
Packed over 5 million meals for children and families
00:25:11.762 --> 00:25:12.930
For children and families facing hunger around the world.
00:25:12.997 --> 00:25:14.965
Facing hunger around the world. and for many who've received
00:25:15.032 --> 00:25:16.000
And for many who've received these meals, it's the only meal
00:25:16.066 --> 00:25:17.668
These meals, it's the only meal they'll eat that day.
00:25:17.735 --> 00:25:18.903
They'll eat that day. every box packed
00:25:18.969 --> 00:25:20.204
Every box packed is more than food,
00:25:20.271 --> 00:25:21.205
Is more than food, it's hope, it's dignity,
00:25:21.272 --> 00:25:22.806
It's hope, it's dignity, and the love of jesus in action.
00:25:22.873 --> 00:25:25.009
And the love of jesus in action. and together, we're helping
00:25:25.075 --> 00:25:26.510
And together, we're helping ensure that no one goes hungry.
00:25:26.577 --> 00:25:28.078
♪ ♪
00:25:28.479 --> 00:25:31.415
>> ever since the day ♪
00:25:31.949 --> 00:25:34.418
♪ that i got saved ♪
00:25:34.485 --> 00:25:37.288
♪ set free ♪
00:25:37.354 --> 00:25:38.722
♪ and delivered ♪
00:25:38.789 --> 00:25:40.591
♪ washed clean ♪
00:25:40.658 --> 00:25:42.726
♪ my sin forgiven ♪
00:25:42.793 --> 00:25:44.962
♪ glory to his holy name ♪
00:25:45.029 --> 00:25:49.333
♪ when i called on jesus ♪
00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:52.603
♪ i got saved ♪
00:25:52.670 --> 00:25:57.007
♪ i was bought ♪
00:26:02.713 --> 00:26:04.181
♪ with blood on calvary ♪
00:26:04.248 --> 00:26:07.184
♪ ♪
00:26:07.518 --> 00:26:10.988
♪ and i know this story ♪
00:26:11.455 --> 00:26:13.424
♪ ends in victory ♪
00:26:13.490 --> 00:26:15.993
♪ ♪
00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:19.797
♪ buried with him ♪
00:26:20.264 --> 00:26:22.266
♪ with him i am raised ♪
00:26:22.333 --> 00:26:28.339
♪ oh ever since the day ♪
00:26:28.405 --> 00:26:31.575
♪ that i got saved ♪
00:26:31.642 --> 00:26:34.345
♪ set free and delivered ♪
00:26:34.411 --> 00:26:38.048
♪ washed clean ♪
00:26:38.115 --> 00:26:39.750
♪ my sin forgiven ♪
00:26:39.817 --> 00:26:42.052
♪ glory to his holy name ♪
00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:46.423
♪ when i called on jesus ♪
00:26:46.490 --> 00:26:49.727
♪ i got saved ♪
00:26:49.793 --> 00:26:53.998
♪ hallelujah ♪
00:26:59.670 --> 00:27:01.772
♪ since that day ♪
00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:04.041
♪ when i called on jesus ♪
00:27:04.108 --> 00:27:07.277
♪ i got saved ♪
00:27:07.344 --> 00:27:11.682
♪ ♪
00:27:17.021 --> 00:27:17.621
♪ not who i used to be ♪
00:27:17.921 --> 00:27:20.457
♪ i got the ♪
00:27:20.524 --> 00:27:21.825
♪ holy spirit ♪
00:27:21.892 --> 00:27:24.061
♪ down inside of me ♪
00:27:24.128 --> 00:27:26.296
♪ my god calls me ♪
00:27:26.363 --> 00:27:28.465
♪ by a brand new name ♪
00:27:28.532 --> 00:27:29.999

Steven Furtick - God's Got The Hard Part (Part 1)

July 15, 2026 | 27:30

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