Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick - The Pajamas Are A Prophecy (Part 1)

December 24, 2025 | 28:0

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

#Christmas #PersonalStory #Shepherds #Bible #Savior #Messiah #Rejection #Fear #TrustGod #SeekGod #Music #Praise #Worship #StevenFurtick

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Steven Furtick | Steven Furtick - The Pajamas Are A Prophecy (Part 1) | December 24, 2025

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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>> when i think about this
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>> when i think about this christmas announcement
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Christmas announcement to the shepherds
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To the shepherds and the christmas story
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And the christmas story in general,
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In general, it causes me to reflect
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It causes me to reflect and realize how many
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And realize how many times in my life
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Times in my life that rejection
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That rejection or the fear of rejection
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Or the fear of rejection has kept me from receiving
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Has kept me from receiving a gift that god
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A gift that god wanted to give me.
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Wanted to give me. i don't like to admit that
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I don't like to admit that because i would like to
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Because i would like to pretend as if everybody else
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Pretend as if everybody else was to blame for the things
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Was to blame for the things i didn't get in life
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I didn't get in life or that i'm just
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Or that i'm just waiting on the lord for
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Waiting on the lord for everything i've prayed for.
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Everything i've prayed for. but this christmas
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But this christmas in reflecting,
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In reflecting, i thought a lot about
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I thought a lot about how rejection -- and i'll
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How rejection -- and i'll break that down just a little
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Break that down just a little bit for you right now.
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Bit for you right now. but first, let me
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But first, let me tell you a story.
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Tell you a story. on christmas eve,
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On christmas eve, my grandmother on my dad's side
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My grandmother on my dad's side would always come to see us
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Would always come to see us with my uncle, russell.
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With my uncle, russell. and both of them
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And both of them are now in heaven.
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Are now in heaven. they both died within
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They both died within the last couple of years.
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The last couple of years. i wanna tell you
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I wanna tell you about the last time
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About the last time that i saw both of them.
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That i saw both of them. they lived just about 200 yards
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They lived just about 200 yards apart on the same piece of land.
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Apart on the same piece of land. my uncle called me to tell me
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My uncle called me to tell me that he was sick and that
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That he was sick and that he didn't have much time.
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He didn't have much time. he'd kept it a secret.
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He'd kept it a secret. he didn't tell anybody.
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He didn't tell anybody. and i really loved
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And i really loved this uncle too.
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This uncle too. he was my cool uncle.
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He was my cool uncle. he was my cool uncle.
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He was my cool uncle. he didn't make --
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He didn't make -- get me beer or anything
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Get me beer or anything like that when my dad
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Like that when my dad wasn't looking,
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Wasn't looking, but he always had my back.
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But he always had my back. when i call the dj jazzy jeff
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When i call the dj jazzy jeff 900 hotline, the fresh prince
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900 hotline, the fresh prince and jazzy jeff 900 hotline
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And jazzy jeff 900 hotline and ran up a $70 phone bill,
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And ran up a $70 phone bill, he was the one to meet me out
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He was the one to meet me out in the yard and let me know
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In the yard and let me know i was in trouble so i could
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I was in trouble so i could prepare to go face my dad.
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[laughter]
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And he had my back.
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And he had my back. so, i went to see him,
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So, i went to see him, and it was really sad
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And it was really sad because he was
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Because he was already in the bed.
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Already in the bed. "why didn't you tell us sooner?
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"why didn't you tell us sooner? we could've come
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We could've come and seen you sooner."
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And seen you sooner." but he's a very private person.
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But he's a very private person. and going to see him
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And going to see him with my mom,
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With my mom, i figured while we were there,
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I figured while we were there, we would get to see
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We would get to see my grandmother too,
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My grandmother too, who was also pretty sick,
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Who was also pretty sick, but something weird happened.
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But something weird happened. and, y'all, i didn't
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And, y'all, i didn't wanna tell this story
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Wanna tell this story at the start of my sermon
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At the start of my sermon 'cause it's gonna sound heavy,
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'cause it's gonna sound heavy, but it's alright to laugh
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But it's alright to laugh because it's kind of funny,
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Because it's kind of funny, and everybody's family
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And everybody's family is kind of crazy.
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Is kind of crazy. and so, don't feel bad
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And so, don't feel bad laughing at this
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Laughing at this when i tell you
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When i tell you 'cause it's kind of funny.
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'cause it's kind of funny. we're sitting there
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We're sitting there with my uncle
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With my uncle and my grandmama calls,
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And my grandmama calls, and they picked up the phone.
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And they picked up the phone. and we're sitting with my uncle,
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And we're sitting with my uncle, and i hear my grandmama
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And i hear my grandmama on the phone
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On the phone while my uncle's girlfriend
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While my uncle's girlfriend was sitting there.
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Was sitting there. and she says,
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And she says, "hey, hey, grandmama."
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"hey, hey, grandmama." and they had tension
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And they had tension in their relationship too,
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In their relationship too, but, you know,
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But, you know, she was calling because
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She was calling because he was very sick,
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He was very sick, and probably days
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And probably days away from dying.
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Away from dying. and so, she --
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And so, she -- i can't believe
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I can't believe i'm telling y'all this.
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[laughter]
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She goes, "what are
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She goes, "what are y'all doing?"
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Y'all doing?" and sandy says, "well,
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And sandy says, "well, faith and steven are here."
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Faith and steven are here." and grandmama goes,
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And grandmama goes, "faith and steven? oh god."
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[laughter]
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Now, i love my grandmama.
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Now, i love my grandmama. it's not like we had
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It's not like we had some horrible relationship.
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Some horrible relationship. again, she would come
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Every christmas eve.
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Every christmas eve. my grandmama was the one who
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My grandmama was the one who would record the pay per view
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Would record the pay per view wrestlemanias for me
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Wrestlemanias for me when i was a boy,
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When i was a boy, so i owe her a great debt
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So i owe her a great debt of gratitude, love, and honor.
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Of gratitude, love, and honor. anyway, she said,
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Anyway, she said, "faith and steven? oh god."
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Then she goes,
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Then she goes, "are they coming over here?"
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[laughter]
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She know we could hear her.
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She know we could hear her. and sandy said,
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And sandy said, "i don't know, grandmama."
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"i don't know, grandmama." and grandmama goes,
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And grandmama goes, "god, i hope not."
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[laughter]
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I know, it was kinda, like...
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[laughing]
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Wait for pastor steven.
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[laughter]
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And so, it was
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And so, it was the weirdest thing,
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The weirdest thing, and we didn't go see her,
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And we didn't go see her, and i never saw her again.
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And i never saw her again. i never saw her again.
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I never saw her again. and i don't know that
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And i don't know that i regret that necessarily
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I regret that necessarily because i mean,
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Because i mean, it was pretty obvious.
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[laughter]
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We weren't wanted, but,
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We weren't wanted, but, you know, my mom said something,
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You know, my mom said something, and i fact checked this with her
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And i fact checked this with her to make sure she actually
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To make sure she actually said it, this week.
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Said it, this week. when we were driving away,
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When we were driving away, we're like, "wasn't that
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We're like, "wasn't that crazy that we were
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Crazy that we were like these unwanted
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Like these unwanted aliens invading?
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Aliens invading? she didn't wanna see us."
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She didn't wanna see us." and she goes, my mom goes,
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And she goes, my mom goes, "well, maybe it wasn't
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"well, maybe it wasn't that she didn't want to see us.
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That she didn't want to see us. maybe she didn't want us
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Maybe she didn't want us to see her in that state,
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To see her in that state, and the house in that state.
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And the house in that state. and she had raised
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And she had raised another girl --
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Another girl -- after she had raised one
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After she had raised one of her son's daughters
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Of her son's daughters and then those kids were there,
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And then those kids were there, and so the house
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And so the house was always a mess.
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Was always a mess. maybe she was rejecting us.
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Maybe she was rejecting us. maybe she was protecting herself
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Maybe she was protecting herself from being seeing by us."
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From being seeing by us." the reason i mention that,
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The reason i mention that, as embarrassing as the story
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As embarrassing as the story is and as awkward as it is.
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Is and as awkward as it is. merry christmas, everybody.
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[laughter]
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It was a heart-wrenching
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It was a heart-wrenching christmas story
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Christmas story to warm your spirits.
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To warm your spirits. we'll put some hot cocoa
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We'll put some hot cocoa in the communion cups
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In the communion cups at christmas eve
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At christmas eve and make it up to you
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And make it up to you and something like that.
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And something like that. the reason i share it
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The reason i share it is because it made me realize
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Is because it made me realize that a lot of times,
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That a lot of times, we reject blessings in our
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We reject blessings in our life because we don't accept
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Life because we don't accept the messes that come with them.
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The messes that come with them. and what i love about luke 2
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And what i love about luke 2 and the way that god
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And the way that god comes to earth
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Comes to earth in the form of a baby
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In the form of a baby born in a barn in bethlehem,
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Born in a barn in bethlehem, is that it lets me know
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Is that it lets me know that god is very comfortable
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That god is very comfortable stepping into my mess.
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Stepping into my mess. i wanna say to somebody
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I wanna say to somebody today whose life is a mess,
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Today whose life is a mess, going into this holiday season.
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Going into this holiday season. house is a mess.
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House is a mess. mind is a mess.
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Mind is a mess. marriage is a mess.
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Marriage is a mess. money is a mess --
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Money is a mess -- if i long look enough,
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If i long look enough, i'll find a mess.
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I'll find a mess. don't make me
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Don't make me get up under the bed.
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Get up under the bed. i will find -- i'll open
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I will find -- i'll open the doors, and the closet,
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The doors, and the closet, and the room you
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And the room you don't let anybody in.
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Don't let anybody in. everybody in here has a mess.
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Everybody in here has a mess. and i think one of the greatest
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And i think one of the greatest sins of the church
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Sins of the church is the cutification
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Is the cutification of christmas.
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Of christmas. i made that word up.
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I made that word up. cutification.
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[laughter]
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Little baby jesus.
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Little baby jesus. you know, babies are only cute
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You know, babies are only cute when you're waving at 'em.
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When you're waving at 'em. they're chaotic
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They're chaotic if you're raising them.
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If you're raising them. i will repeat that again
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I will repeat that again because you are
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A little slow today.
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A little slow today. y'all came in on that dial up
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Y'all came in on that dial up modem spiritual setting, okay?
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Modem spiritual setting, okay? i'mma say it again.
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I'mma say it again. babies are cute
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Babies are cute when you wave.
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When you wave. "oh, look.
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"oh, look. that baby is so cute."
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That baby is so cute." but when you're raising them --
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Jesus christ, the baby,
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Jesus christ, the baby, becomes the perfect symbol
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Becomes the perfect symbol of christmas because
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Of christmas because it teaches us that god
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It teaches us that god is comfortable in our chaos.
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Is comfortable in our chaos. so, don't wait till you get it
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So, don't wait till you get it all together to invite god in.
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All together to invite god in. don't be like grandmama
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Don't be like grandmama and think, "well, if they saw
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And think, "well, if they saw how i was living," --
00:07:19.659 --> 00:07:22.328
How i was living," -- the beauty of the incarnation
00:07:22.395 --> 00:07:23.629
The beauty of the incarnation of jesus christ is that,
00:07:23.696 --> 00:07:26.199
Of jesus christ is that, "while," romans 5:8,
00:07:26.265 --> 00:07:28.868
"while," romans 5:8, "while we were still sinners
00:07:28.935 --> 00:07:31.871
"while we were still sinners christ died for us."
00:07:31.938 --> 00:07:34.207
Christ died for us." and while we were
00:07:34.273 --> 00:07:35.074
And while we were in our lowly state he came.
00:07:35.141 --> 00:07:38.544
In our lowly state he came. notice where he came.
00:07:38.611 --> 00:07:40.246
Notice where he came. he came in a field
00:07:40.313 --> 00:07:43.149
He came in a field to the shepherds.
00:07:43.216 --> 00:07:44.884
To the shepherds. so, it reminds me to know
00:07:44.951 --> 00:07:47.086
So, it reminds me to know that god can reach me
00:07:47.153 --> 00:07:49.989
That god can reach me wherever i am.
00:07:50.056 --> 00:07:52.191
Wherever i am. god can reach me
00:07:52.258 --> 00:07:53.960
God can reach me wherever i am.
00:07:54.026 --> 00:07:54.594
Wherever i am. let's get that
00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:55.127
Let's get that confession going.
00:07:55.194 --> 00:07:55.828
Confession going. say it out loud.
00:07:55.895 --> 00:07:56.395
Say it out loud. "god can reach me...
00:07:56.462 --> 00:07:57.597
"god can reach me... >> congregation: god can
00:07:57.663 --> 00:07:58.130
>> congregation: god can reach me...
00:07:58.197 --> 00:07:59.232
Reach me... >> wherever i am."
00:07:59.298 --> 00:08:00.233
>> wherever i am." >> congregation: wherever i am.
00:08:00.299 --> 00:08:01.801
>> congregation: wherever i am. >> and this is why we sing
00:08:01.868 --> 00:08:02.802
>> and this is why we sing the christmas carol,
00:08:02.869 --> 00:08:04.036
The christmas carol, "i've got friends
00:08:04.103 --> 00:08:04.804
"i've got friends in low places."
00:08:04.871 --> 00:08:05.805
[laughter]
00:08:06.138 --> 00:08:07.006
The christmas carol.
00:08:07.707 --> 00:08:10.309
The christmas carol. because it's good to know that
00:08:10.376 --> 00:08:13.946
Because it's good to know that this season you have some
00:08:14.013 --> 00:08:15.381
This season you have some expectations for great moments,
00:08:15.448 --> 00:08:17.450
Expectations for great moments, and peaceful moments,
00:08:17.517 --> 00:08:18.351
And peaceful moments, and wonderful reunions,
00:08:18.417 --> 00:08:19.552
And wonderful reunions, and wonderful gifts,
00:08:19.619 --> 00:08:20.152
And wonderful gifts, and all of that.
00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:21.587
And all of that. but if you really wanna have
00:08:21.654 --> 00:08:23.322
But if you really wanna have a blessed christmas season,
00:08:23.389 --> 00:08:24.824
A blessed christmas season, might i give you some
00:08:24.891 --> 00:08:26.559
Might i give you some unspiritual-sounding advice.
00:08:26.626 --> 00:08:29.529
Unspiritual-sounding advice. lower your expectations.
00:08:29.595 --> 00:08:34.700
Lower your expectations. right?
00:08:34.767 --> 00:08:36.168
Right? set your expectations low.
00:08:36.235 --> 00:08:40.039
Set your expectations low. and you're like, "but no.
00:08:40.106 --> 00:08:41.073
And you're like, "but no. the bible said, 'fear not,
00:08:41.140 --> 00:08:42.708
The bible said, 'fear not, for behold i bring you
00:08:42.775 --> 00:08:44.544
For behold i bring you good tidings of great joy.'"
00:08:44.610 --> 00:08:45.845
Good tidings of great joy.'" so, in that sense,
00:08:45.912 --> 00:08:47.513
So, in that sense, we expect blessings
00:08:47.580 --> 00:08:49.081
We expect blessings to come into our lives.
00:08:49.148 --> 00:08:50.249
To come into our lives. how many are expecting god
00:08:50.316 --> 00:08:51.951
How many are expecting god to bless you before the year
00:08:52.018 --> 00:08:53.052
To bless you before the year is over in a brand new,
00:08:53.119 --> 00:08:54.620
Is over in a brand new, beautiful way?
00:08:54.687 --> 00:08:55.354
[applause]
00:08:55.688 --> 00:08:56.122
Well, don't be shy about it.
00:08:56.689 --> 00:08:57.857
Well, don't be shy about it. you're not gonna
00:08:57.924 --> 00:08:58.524
You're not gonna get it like that.
00:08:58.591 --> 00:08:59.292
[applause]
00:08:59.625 --> 00:09:00.526
Little timid christian.
00:09:01.794 --> 00:09:03.696
Little timid christian. how many are expecting
00:09:03.763 --> 00:09:05.464
How many are expecting god to bless you?
00:09:05.531 --> 00:09:06.766
[cheering and applause]
00:09:07.033 --> 00:09:08.234
Yeah, i am.
00:09:08.801 --> 00:09:11.137
Yeah, i am. of course, i am.
00:09:11.203 --> 00:09:13.606
Of course, i am. i'm expecting for him
00:09:13.673 --> 00:09:14.674
I'm expecting for him to show up and provide for me.
00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:17.043
To show up and provide for me. i'm expecting for him
00:09:17.109 --> 00:09:18.311
I'm expecting for him to see me through
00:09:18.377 --> 00:09:19.211
To see me through with his peace.
00:09:19.278 --> 00:09:20.546
With his peace. i'm expecting for him
00:09:20.613 --> 00:09:21.881
I'm expecting for him to create moments
00:09:21.948 --> 00:09:23.149
To create moments i'll remember.
00:09:23.215 --> 00:09:24.450
I'll remember. i'm expecting him
00:09:24.517 --> 00:09:25.451
I'm expecting him to visit in my life.
00:09:25.518 --> 00:09:26.419
To visit in my life. and i need to stop screaming
00:09:26.485 --> 00:09:27.887
And i need to stop screaming 'cause it's hitting
00:09:27.954 --> 00:09:28.454
'cause it's hitting the best part of my sermon.
00:09:28.521 --> 00:09:29.722
[laughter]
00:09:30.056 --> 00:09:30.489
But god promised,
00:09:30.823 --> 00:09:31.591
But god promised, number one,
00:09:31.657 --> 00:09:32.458
Number one, he will reach you.
00:09:32.525 --> 00:09:34.493
He will reach you. notice that the angels
00:09:34.560 --> 00:09:35.761
Notice that the angels came to the shepherds.
00:09:35.828 --> 00:09:38.130
Came to the shepherds. and the reason i mentioned
00:09:38.197 --> 00:09:39.498
And the reason i mentioned saint garth brooks is because --
00:09:39.565 --> 00:09:42.468
Saint garth brooks is because -- look at this verse.
00:09:42.535 --> 00:09:43.135
Look at this verse. you've never seen this before
00:09:43.202 --> 00:09:44.236
You've never seen this before in the christmas story.
00:09:44.303 --> 00:09:45.438
In the christmas story. it said, "and, lo,
00:09:45.504 --> 00:09:47.707
It said, "and, lo, the angel of the lord
00:09:47.773 --> 00:09:48.608
The angel of the lord came upon them."
00:09:48.674 --> 00:09:50.843
Came upon them." you missed it.
00:09:50.910 --> 00:09:51.577
[laughter]
00:09:51.944 --> 00:09:52.878
While we're so busy
00:09:53.312 --> 00:09:54.347
While we're so busy looking for god
00:09:54.413 --> 00:09:56.015
Looking for god to come from up here,
00:09:56.082 --> 00:09:58.884
To come from up here, from a high experience,
00:09:58.951 --> 00:10:01.153
From a high experience, while we're so busy waiting
00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:02.588
While we're so busy waiting for god to come up here,
00:10:02.655 --> 00:10:03.923
For god to come up here, the angel of the lord
00:10:03.990 --> 00:10:05.358
The angel of the lord came upon them.
00:10:05.424 --> 00:10:06.058
Came upon them. the bible says,
00:10:06.125 --> 00:10:07.393
The bible says, "and, lo, the angel
00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:09.996
"and, lo, the angel of the lord came upon them."
00:10:10.062 --> 00:10:12.798
Of the lord came upon them." so, if you're looking for
00:10:12.865 --> 00:10:14.200
So, if you're looking for god in your life right now,
00:10:14.266 --> 00:10:16.435
God in your life right now, looking for provision
00:10:16.502 --> 00:10:18.170
Looking for provision and protection
00:10:18.237 --> 00:10:18.804
And protection in your life right now,
00:10:18.871 --> 00:10:20.606
I got a piece of advice,
00:10:20.706 --> 00:10:22.575
I got a piece of advice, look low.
00:10:22.642 --> 00:10:23.042
[applause]
00:10:23.442 --> 00:10:24.744
Imagine heaven wanting
00:10:25.311 --> 00:10:27.480
Imagine heaven wanting to get the word out
00:10:27.546 --> 00:10:28.781
To get the word out that the savior
00:10:28.848 --> 00:10:29.815
That the savior of the world is born,
00:10:29.882 --> 00:10:31.584
Of the world is born, and so heaven puts together
00:10:31.651 --> 00:10:33.619
An advertising agency,
00:10:33.719 --> 00:10:35.788
An advertising agency, a marketing team.
00:10:35.855 --> 00:10:37.323
A marketing team. "we gotta get the word out
00:10:37.390 --> 00:10:39.058
"we gotta get the word out and let everybody know
00:10:39.125 --> 00:10:40.526
And let everybody know that the savior is born,
00:10:40.593 --> 00:10:42.361
That the savior is born, that the one who
00:10:42.428 --> 00:10:43.129
That the one who was prophesied is coming,
00:10:43.195 --> 00:10:45.197
Was prophesied is coming, that the one who was spoken of
00:10:45.264 --> 00:10:46.599
That the one who was spoken of by the prophet isaiah
00:10:46.666 --> 00:10:48.167
By the prophet isaiah is here right now.
00:10:48.234 --> 00:10:49.969
Is here right now. 'today is born to you
00:10:50.036 --> 00:10:51.771
'today is born to you in the city of david a savior,
00:10:51.837 --> 00:10:53.973
In the city of david a savior, which is christ the lord.'
00:10:54.040 --> 00:10:56.008
Which is christ the lord.' who will we assemble
00:10:56.075 --> 00:10:57.043
Who will we assemble to be the influencers
00:10:57.109 --> 00:10:58.911
To be the influencers that will spread
00:10:58.978 --> 00:10:59.578
That will spread this heavenly message?"
00:10:59.645 --> 00:11:01.614
This heavenly message?" and so, god looks
00:11:01.681 --> 00:11:02.548
And so, god looks at silicon valley
00:11:02.615 --> 00:11:04.016
At silicon valley and finds some
00:11:04.083 --> 00:11:04.684
And finds some tech start-up billionaires,
00:11:04.750 --> 00:11:06.686
Tech start-up billionaires, but he can't give them
00:11:06.752 --> 00:11:07.553
But he can't give them the message 'cause
00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:09.021
The message 'cause they're too high for it.
00:11:09.088 --> 00:11:11.190
They're too high for it. and god looks at somebody else
00:11:11.257 --> 00:11:13.125
And god looks at somebody else who has a perfect standing
00:11:13.192 --> 00:11:14.393
Who has a perfect standing in society, some socialite
00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:16.962
In society, some socialite who is accepted by all,
00:11:17.029 --> 00:11:18.831
Who is accepted by all, who has entree
00:11:18.898 --> 00:11:19.699
Who has entree into every environment,
00:11:19.765 --> 00:11:21.367
Into every environment, but he can't give them
00:11:21.434 --> 00:11:22.334
But he can't give them the message because
00:11:22.401 --> 00:11:23.836
The message because they're too high for it.
00:11:23.903 --> 00:11:26.105
They're too high for it. and god puts together
00:11:26.172 --> 00:11:27.640
And god puts together a search committee.
00:11:27.707 --> 00:11:28.841
A search committee. "we need to give
00:11:28.908 --> 00:11:29.575
"we need to give somebody the message
00:11:29.642 --> 00:11:31.110
Somebody the message that the savior is born,
00:11:31.177 --> 00:11:33.279
That the savior is born, and we can't find anybody
00:11:33.345 --> 00:11:34.980
And we can't find anybody except these shepherds."
00:11:35.047 --> 00:11:36.749
Except these shepherds." you gotta understand
00:11:36.816 --> 00:11:38.284
You gotta understand something about the shepherds.
00:11:38.350 --> 00:11:39.618
Something about the shepherds. the shepherds were
00:11:39.685 --> 00:11:40.986
The shepherds were the lowest people
00:11:41.053 --> 00:11:42.555
The lowest people in the society of the day.
00:11:42.621 --> 00:11:45.191
In the society of the day. so, when god,
00:11:45.257 --> 00:11:46.258
So, when god, get ready to shout,
00:11:46.325 --> 00:11:47.426
Get ready to shout, got ready to give
00:11:47.493 --> 00:11:48.661
Got ready to give the highest announcement,
00:11:48.728 --> 00:11:50.596
The highest announcement, he picked the lowest people
00:11:50.663 --> 00:11:53.065
He picked the lowest people to give the highest
00:11:53.132 --> 00:11:54.033
To give the highest announcement.
00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.501
Announcement. and i wonder, is he looking
00:11:55.568 --> 00:11:57.303
And i wonder, is he looking for somebody today
00:11:57.369 --> 00:11:59.271
For somebody today who's been really low
00:11:59.338 --> 00:12:01.474
Who's been really low 'cause he wants to
00:12:01.540 --> 00:12:02.341
'cause he wants to show you something?
00:12:02.408 --> 00:12:03.676
[applause]
00:12:03.909 --> 00:12:05.911
I had to learn this,
00:12:06.078 --> 00:12:08.681
I had to learn this, that the lord looks low.
00:12:08.748 --> 00:12:11.617
That the lord looks low. did you know that?
00:12:11.684 --> 00:12:12.485
Did you know that? the lord looks low.
00:12:12.551 --> 00:12:14.954
The lord looks low. jesus said,
00:12:15.020 --> 00:12:15.454
Jesus said, "i am lowly in heart."
00:12:15.521 --> 00:12:18.557
"i am lowly in heart." for all of those who are
00:12:18.624 --> 00:12:19.792
For all of those who are in a spiritual low today,
00:12:19.859 --> 00:12:21.727
In a spiritual low today, he's looking for you.
00:12:21.794 --> 00:12:23.996
He's looking for you. tell your neighbor in case
00:12:24.063 --> 00:12:24.897
Tell your neighbor in case they're going through it.
00:12:24.964 --> 00:12:25.765
They're going through it. say, "he's looking for you."
00:12:25.831 --> 00:12:26.699
Say, "he's looking for you." >> congregation: he's looking
00:12:26.766 --> 00:12:27.333
>> congregation: he's looking for you.
00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:27.666
For you. >> he's looking for you.
00:12:27.733 --> 00:12:28.901
>> he's looking for you. "hey, angels, over here.
00:12:28.968 --> 00:12:30.069
"hey, angels, over here. we're important."
00:12:30.136 --> 00:12:30.669
We're important." "no, i'm not looking for you."
00:12:30.736 --> 00:12:32.037
"no, i'm not looking for you." "hey, angels, over here.
00:12:32.104 --> 00:12:33.405
"hey, angels, over here. i'm really smart."
00:12:33.472 --> 00:12:34.140
I'm really smart." "i'm not looking for you."
00:12:34.206 --> 00:12:35.241
"i'm not looking for you." "hey, angels, over here.
00:12:35.307 --> 00:12:36.542
"hey, angels, over here. i'm accepted by everybody."
00:12:36.609 --> 00:12:38.077
I'm accepted by everybody." "i'm not looking for you.
00:12:38.144 --> 00:12:39.378
"i'm not looking for you. i'm looking for a low person."
00:12:39.445 --> 00:12:44.650
I'm looking for a low person." you say, "well, does that mean
00:12:44.717 --> 00:12:45.451
You say, "well, does that mean if my life is going good
00:12:45.518 --> 00:12:46.385
If my life is going good that god won't bless me?"
00:12:46.452 --> 00:12:49.021
That god won't bless me?" it doesn't mean that at all.
00:12:49.088 --> 00:12:51.157
It doesn't mean that at all. it just means the only reason
00:12:51.223 --> 00:12:52.725
It just means the only reason your life is going good,
00:12:52.792 --> 00:12:55.027
Your life is going good, is because he reached down
00:12:55.094 --> 00:12:58.297
Is because he reached down when you were low.
00:12:58.364 --> 00:12:58.931
[applause]
00:12:59.231 --> 00:12:59.999
And some of us have forgotten.
00:13:00.499 --> 00:13:04.136
And some of us have forgotten. i'm gonna give you
00:13:04.203 --> 00:13:05.137
I'm gonna give you 23 seconds to remember
00:13:05.204 --> 00:13:08.073
23 seconds to remember how he reached down low.
00:13:08.140 --> 00:13:10.609
[applause]
00:13:10.910 --> 00:13:11.343
How you didn't deserve
00:13:12.178 --> 00:13:14.013
How you didn't deserve for him to answer your prayer.
00:13:14.079 --> 00:13:16.816
For him to answer your prayer. how you had to pray for him
00:13:16.882 --> 00:13:18.250
How you had to pray for him to get you out of a situation
00:13:18.317 --> 00:13:20.553
To get you out of a situation that you got yourself into.
00:13:20.619 --> 00:13:22.354
[applause]
00:13:22.655 --> 00:13:24.056
Fake people on christmas.
00:13:25.057 --> 00:13:26.458
Fake people on christmas. that's cute christmas praise.
00:13:26.525 --> 00:13:28.561
I'm talking about
00:13:28.661 --> 00:13:29.728
I'm talking about he reached down low.
00:13:29.795 --> 00:13:33.265
He reached down low. he reached way down low.
00:13:33.332 --> 00:13:36.836
[cheering and applause]
00:13:37.336 --> 00:13:38.871
And the bible said,
00:13:39.672 --> 00:13:40.573
And the bible said, "lo, the angel of the lord."
00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:43.342
Everybody, shout, "lo...
00:13:43.442 --> 00:13:44.777
Everybody, shout, "lo... >> congregation: lo...
00:13:44.844 --> 00:13:45.711
>> congregation: lo... >> lo."
00:13:45.778 --> 00:13:46.378
>> lo." >> congregation: lo.
00:13:46.445 --> 00:13:47.346
>> congregation: lo. >> i got a friend in low places.
00:13:47.413 --> 00:13:52.284
>> i got a friend in low places. that encouraged me.
00:13:52.351 --> 00:13:54.286
That encouraged me. look for god in the lows
00:13:54.353 --> 00:13:56.088
Look for god in the lows over the next 20 days.
00:13:56.155 --> 00:13:58.824
Over the next 20 days. look for the lessons
00:13:58.891 --> 00:13:59.758
Look for the lessons he wants you to learn
00:13:59.825 --> 00:14:00.860
He wants you to learn in the lows.
00:14:00.926 --> 00:14:02.995
In the lows. after all,
00:14:03.062 --> 00:14:04.363
After all, if he chose lowly shepherds
00:14:04.430 --> 00:14:05.731
If he chose lowly shepherds to reveal his son to,
00:14:05.798 --> 00:14:07.399
To reveal his son to, maybe he will choose
00:14:07.466 --> 00:14:08.634
Maybe he will choose your low moment
00:14:08.701 --> 00:14:09.668
Your low moment to reveal the greatest...
00:14:09.735 --> 00:14:10.803
[applause]
00:14:11.170 --> 00:14:12.905
Lessons of your life.
00:14:13.272 --> 00:14:15.608
[applause]
00:14:15.875 --> 00:14:17.142
Now, i'm on a clock today,
00:14:18.077 --> 00:14:20.946
Now, i'm on a clock today, but that's not the only thing
00:14:21.013 --> 00:14:21.680
But that's not the only thing i wanted to tell you about.
00:14:21.747 --> 00:14:23.582
I wanted to tell you about. that's just one thing.
00:14:23.649 --> 00:14:25.684
That's just one thing. the first thing i noticed is
00:14:25.751 --> 00:14:26.719
The first thing i noticed is that god promises to reach you.
00:14:26.785 --> 00:14:29.421
That god promises to reach you. there are three points
00:14:29.488 --> 00:14:29.955
There are three points in this sermon
00:14:30.022 --> 00:14:30.956
In this sermon if you choose
00:14:31.023 --> 00:14:31.490
If you choose to write them down.
00:14:31.557 --> 00:14:33.392
To write them down. he will reach you.
00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:36.161
He will reach you. and then the second thing,
00:14:36.228 --> 00:14:38.731
And then the second thing, what really got my attention --
00:14:38.797 --> 00:14:41.066
What really got my attention -- and, y'all, i don't get
00:14:41.133 --> 00:14:42.234
And, y'all, i don't get tired of preaching
00:14:42.301 --> 00:14:43.168
Tired of preaching the christmas story.
00:14:43.235 --> 00:14:44.136
The christmas story. i don't know why.
00:14:44.203 --> 00:14:45.537
I don't know why. it's the same every time
00:14:45.604 --> 00:14:46.472
It's the same every time i read it, but i'm not.
00:14:46.538 --> 00:14:49.208
[applause]
00:14:49.708 --> 00:14:53.045
That's why we come
00:14:53.646 --> 00:14:54.179
That's why we come back around to this again.
00:14:54.246 --> 00:14:56.749
Back around to this again. it's the same, but i'm not.
00:14:56.815 --> 00:15:00.786
It's the same, but i'm not. i'm growing.
00:15:00.853 --> 00:15:02.388
I'm growing. i'm changing.
00:15:02.454 --> 00:15:04.556
I'm changing. i'm not staying a baby.
00:15:04.623 --> 00:15:08.160
I'm not staying a baby. jesus didn't, and he's in me.
00:15:08.227 --> 00:15:12.097
Jesus didn't, and he's in me. and so, it's interesting,
00:15:12.164 --> 00:15:14.466
And so, it's interesting, isn't it?
00:15:14.533 --> 00:15:15.501
Isn't it? that god would reveal himself
00:15:15.567 --> 00:15:16.835
That god would reveal himself to lowly people and reach them.
00:15:16.902 --> 00:15:19.471
To lowly people and reach them. what a strategy.
00:15:19.538 --> 00:15:21.173
What a strategy. the an -- i gotta
00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.441
The an -- i gotta point this out.
00:15:22.508 --> 00:15:23.309
Point this out. the angel could have told
00:15:23.375 --> 00:15:24.310
The angel could have told everybody jesus was born.
00:15:24.376 --> 00:15:25.611
Everybody jesus was born. he didn't.
00:15:25.678 --> 00:15:26.912
He didn't. he told the shepherds.
00:15:26.979 --> 00:15:28.580
He told the shepherds. they went to bethlehem
00:15:28.647 --> 00:15:29.615
They went to bethlehem and saw it,
00:15:29.682 --> 00:15:30.182
And saw it, and they told everybody.
00:15:30.249 --> 00:15:32.651
And they told everybody. because god wanted people
00:15:32.718 --> 00:15:33.953
Because god wanted people to receive the word of his son
00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:35.354
To receive the word of his son through messy messengers.
00:15:35.421 --> 00:15:39.458
Through messy messengers. and that's a lot of
00:15:39.525 --> 00:15:40.092
And that's a lot of what's going on
00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.659
What's going on in your life right now.
00:15:40.726 --> 00:15:41.527
In your life right now. god is speaking to you
00:15:41.593 --> 00:15:42.628
God is speaking to you through messy messengers.
00:15:42.695 --> 00:15:46.832
Through messy messengers. but if you don't
00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.333
But if you don't accept the mess,
00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:49.535
Accept the mess, you reject the blessing.
00:15:49.601 --> 00:15:50.970
[applause]
00:15:51.437 --> 00:15:54.373
So, he promises to reach you.
00:15:55.607 --> 00:15:59.244
So, he promises to reach you. and it's a contrast, isn't it?
00:15:59.311 --> 00:16:01.113
And it's a contrast, isn't it? i wrote this in my notes.
00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:02.514
I wrote this in my notes. see if this makes sense to you.
00:16:02.581 --> 00:16:04.316
See if this makes sense to you. jesus is in the juxtaposition.
00:16:04.383 --> 00:16:09.722
Jesus is in the juxtaposition. jesus is in the juxtaposition.
00:16:09.788 --> 00:16:12.524
Jesus is in the juxtaposition. because on one hand,
00:16:12.591 --> 00:16:14.159
Because on one hand, i'm given a promise
00:16:14.226 --> 00:16:16.261
I'm given a promise of great joy.
00:16:16.328 --> 00:16:18.597
Of great joy. on the other hand,
00:16:18.664 --> 00:16:19.465
On the other hand, i am told to look
00:16:19.531 --> 00:16:21.700
I am told to look in a manger for a baby.
00:16:21.767 --> 00:16:25.437
In a manger for a baby. there's nothing great
00:16:25.504 --> 00:16:26.805
There's nothing great about a baby,
00:16:26.872 --> 00:16:27.506
About a baby, physically speaking.
00:16:27.573 --> 00:16:29.208
Physically speaking. now, i wanna teach
00:16:29.274 --> 00:16:29.975
Now, i wanna teach a little bit
00:16:30.042 --> 00:16:30.909
A little bit so we don't just have
00:16:30.976 --> 00:16:31.643
So we don't just have a sentimental christmas.
00:16:31.710 --> 00:16:32.411
A sentimental christmas. let's really --
00:16:32.478 --> 00:16:33.278
Let's really -- let's really dig into this.
00:16:33.345 --> 00:16:35.581
Let's really dig into this. the smallness of the body
00:16:35.647 --> 00:16:37.916
The smallness of the body that god chose to inhabit
00:16:37.983 --> 00:16:40.052
Says something about the way
00:16:40.152 --> 00:16:41.320
Says something about the way he works in our lives.
00:16:41.387 --> 00:16:44.790
He works in our lives. if god being god
00:16:44.857 --> 00:16:46.225
If god being god could be born
00:16:46.291 --> 00:16:47.026
Could be born of a virgin, right?
00:16:47.092 --> 00:16:49.628
Of a virgin, right? then he could have skipped
00:16:49.695 --> 00:16:51.697
Then he could have skipped to the highest version
00:16:51.764 --> 00:16:52.631
To the highest version of humanity to come to earth.
00:16:52.698 --> 00:16:55.667
That would have been
00:16:55.768 --> 00:16:56.468
That would have been more efficient.
00:16:56.535 --> 00:17:00.139
More efficient. god chooses the least
00:17:00.205 --> 00:17:01.874
God chooses the least efficient way possible
00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:04.276
Efficient way possible to save the world.
00:17:04.343 --> 00:17:06.011
To save the world. and the only way
00:17:06.078 --> 00:17:06.779
And the only way i can explain this to you
00:17:06.845 --> 00:17:09.181
I can explain this to you is to tell you that god
00:17:09.248 --> 00:17:11.350
Is to tell you that god does not always work
00:17:11.417 --> 00:17:13.419
Does not always work in the way that makes
00:17:13.485 --> 00:17:14.520
In the way that makes the least mess
00:17:14.586 --> 00:17:17.356
The least mess or takes the least time.
00:17:17.423 --> 00:17:20.325
Or takes the least time. he works in the way
00:17:20.392 --> 00:17:21.360
He works in the way that brings him the most glory.
00:17:21.427 --> 00:17:24.663
That brings him the most glory. y'all better help me preach.
00:17:24.730 --> 00:17:25.998
[applause]
00:17:26.265 --> 00:17:26.465
You better help me preach.
00:17:27.032 --> 00:17:28.534
You better help me preach. this is a christmas sermon.
00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:31.470
This is a christmas sermon. he looks for a shepherd.
00:17:31.537 --> 00:17:33.205
He looks for a shepherd. they're messy.
00:17:33.272 --> 00:17:33.772
They're messy. they're in the fields.
00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.174
They're in the fields. when they go to see the baby,
00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.608
When they go to see the baby, they didn't even get
00:17:36.675 --> 00:17:37.676
They didn't even get to wash their hands.
00:17:37.743 --> 00:17:40.546
To wash their hands. they were in the middle
00:17:40.612 --> 00:17:42.081
They were in the middle of their mess
00:17:42.147 --> 00:17:43.916
Of their mess and god shows up.
00:17:43.982 --> 00:17:45.751
And god shows up. you are in the middle of
00:17:45.818 --> 00:17:47.786
You are in the middle of a mess and god will show up.
00:17:47.853 --> 00:17:50.155
A mess and god will show up. but how will he show up?
00:17:50.222 --> 00:17:51.623
But how will he show up? small.
00:17:51.690 --> 00:17:53.559
Small. small.
00:17:53.625 --> 00:17:55.327
Small. you will find a babe
00:17:55.394 --> 00:17:57.830
You will find a babe wrapped in cloths
00:17:57.896 --> 00:17:59.531
Wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger,
00:17:59.598 --> 00:18:02.701
And lying in a manger, big enough to save the world,
00:18:02.768 --> 00:18:05.137
Big enough to save the world, small enough to fit in a cradle.
00:18:05.204 --> 00:18:08.874
Small enough to fit in a cradle. this is the juxtaposition
00:18:08.941 --> 00:18:10.075
This is the juxtaposition of jesus.
00:18:10.142 --> 00:18:11.844
Of jesus. in the book of zechariah 4:10,
00:18:11.910 --> 00:18:14.813
In the book of zechariah 4:10, the prophet says,
00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.948
The prophet says, "despise not the day
00:18:16.014 --> 00:18:17.449
"despise not the day of small beginnings."
00:18:17.516 --> 00:18:19.885
Of small beginnings." and this christmas,
00:18:19.952 --> 00:18:20.552
And this christmas, you have to understand
00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:22.154
You have to understand that some of the things
00:18:22.221 --> 00:18:23.288
That some of the things that god gives you
00:18:23.355 --> 00:18:24.089
That god gives you in your life
00:18:24.156 --> 00:18:25.724
In your life are under wraps right now.
00:18:25.791 --> 00:18:28.961
Are under wraps right now. they're big,
00:18:29.027 --> 00:18:30.629
They're big, but they're in
00:18:30.696 --> 00:18:30.996
But they're in a little package.
00:18:31.063 --> 00:18:33.031
A little package. the fact that jesus came
00:18:33.098 --> 00:18:34.166
The fact that jesus came as a baby lets us know that
00:18:34.233 --> 00:18:36.869
As a baby lets us know that there is a development
00:18:36.935 --> 00:18:38.003
There is a development process to everything
00:18:38.070 --> 00:18:39.538
Process to everything that god does in your life.
00:18:39.605 --> 00:18:42.241
That god does in your life. so, you pray for something
00:18:42.307 --> 00:18:44.009
So, you pray for something and get frustrated,
00:18:44.076 --> 00:18:45.944
And get frustrated, because what god gave you
00:18:46.011 --> 00:18:47.679
Because what god gave you doesn't match
00:18:47.746 --> 00:18:48.180
Doesn't match what you asked for.
00:18:48.247 --> 00:18:50.415
What you asked for. the fact that he came as a baby
00:18:50.482 --> 00:18:52.851
The fact that he came as a baby lets me know there is a part
00:18:52.918 --> 00:18:54.820
Lets me know there is a part of god that i must grow into.
00:18:54.887 --> 00:18:58.557
Of god that i must grow into. i feel so anointed to preach
00:18:58.624 --> 00:18:59.992
I feel so anointed to preach this to somebody
00:19:00.058 --> 00:19:01.260
This to somebody who has been frustrated.
00:19:01.326 --> 00:19:03.495
Who has been frustrated. you have been frustrated
00:19:03.562 --> 00:19:04.730
You have been frustrated because you have been
00:19:04.796 --> 00:19:05.831
Because you have been comparing your starting place
00:19:05.898 --> 00:19:08.167
Comparing your starting place to somebody else's
00:19:08.233 --> 00:19:08.934
To somebody else's finished product.
00:19:09.001 --> 00:19:10.235
[applause]
00:19:10.602 --> 00:19:12.671
But god says,
00:19:13.105 --> 00:19:13.605
But god says, "if you look for me,
00:19:13.672 --> 00:19:15.541
"if you look for me, you'll find me as a baby."
00:19:15.607 --> 00:19:17.709
You'll find me as a baby." just a small thing.
00:19:17.776 --> 00:19:19.378
Just a small thing. just a small prayer.
00:19:19.444 --> 00:19:21.246
Just a small prayer. holly, the other day
00:19:21.313 --> 00:19:22.181
Holly, the other day one of the men i met
00:19:22.247 --> 00:19:23.715
One of the men i met at the wrestling match said,
00:19:23.782 --> 00:19:25.584
At the wrestling match said, "i got a question to ask you.
00:19:25.651 --> 00:19:27.986
"i got a question to ask you. elevation church, right?"
00:19:28.053 --> 00:19:30.289
Elevation church, right?" i said...
00:19:30.355 --> 00:19:32.591
I said... 'cause that could go either way.
00:19:32.658 --> 00:19:33.358
[laughter]
00:19:33.659 --> 00:19:34.693
He could say,
00:19:35.093 --> 00:19:35.427
He could say, "my whole family
00:19:35.494 --> 00:19:36.094
"my whole family got saved there,"
00:19:36.161 --> 00:19:37.563
Got saved there," or he could say,
00:19:37.629 --> 00:19:38.597
Or he could say, "i heard y'all pass out
00:19:38.664 --> 00:19:40.499
"i heard y'all pass out marijuana instead of
00:19:40.566 --> 00:19:42.167
Marijuana instead of communion bread.
00:19:42.234 --> 00:19:43.302
Communion bread. is that true?"
00:19:43.368 --> 00:19:44.203
Is that true?" i mean, people say
00:19:44.269 --> 00:19:44.803
I mean, people say all kinds of crazy stuff
00:19:44.870 --> 00:19:45.771
All kinds of crazy stuff about our church.
00:19:45.837 --> 00:19:46.738
About our church. i've heard everything
00:19:46.805 --> 00:19:47.806
I've heard everything about our church.
00:19:47.873 --> 00:19:48.540
About our church. how many people have heard
00:19:48.607 --> 00:19:49.341
How many people have heard crazy stuff about
00:19:49.408 --> 00:19:49.908
Crazy stuff about our church before?
00:19:49.975 --> 00:19:51.109
Our church before? i'm not looking 'cause
00:19:51.176 --> 00:19:51.743
I'm not looking 'cause you'll hurt my feelings.
00:19:51.810 --> 00:19:52.344
You'll hurt my feelings. i'm closing my eyes.
00:19:52.411 --> 00:19:52.945
[laughter]
00:19:53.245 --> 00:19:54.813
"that big church.
00:19:56.281 --> 00:19:57.449
"that big church. that megachurch."
00:19:57.516 --> 00:19:58.150
That megachurch." but here's what he said
00:19:58.217 --> 00:19:59.084
But here's what he said that blessed me.
00:19:59.151 --> 00:20:00.118
That blessed me. he said, "i got a question
00:20:00.185 --> 00:20:01.920
He said, "i got a question i always wanted to ask you.
00:20:01.987 --> 00:20:02.721
I always wanted to ask you. elevation church, right?"
00:20:02.788 --> 00:20:04.056
Elevation church, right?" and obviously, i'm kidding.
00:20:04.122 --> 00:20:05.190
And obviously, i'm kidding. i'm proud to pastor this church.
00:20:05.257 --> 00:20:06.258
I'm proud to pastor this church. i'm proud to pastor a church
00:20:06.325 --> 00:20:08.126
I'm proud to pastor a church that would give
00:20:08.193 --> 00:20:09.061
That would give millions of dollars,
00:20:09.127 --> 00:20:10.629
Millions of dollars, and reach millions of souls,
00:20:10.696 --> 00:20:12.564
And reach millions of souls, and do amazing things,
00:20:12.631 --> 00:20:14.433
And do amazing things, and stand, and serve,
00:20:14.499 --> 00:20:16.568
And stand, and serve, and drive back darkness,
00:20:16.635 --> 00:20:18.470
And drive back darkness, and shatter stereotypes,
00:20:18.537 --> 00:20:20.606
And shatter stereotypes, and clothe the orphan,
00:20:20.672 --> 00:20:22.307
And clothe the orphan, and clothe the naked,
00:20:22.374 --> 00:20:24.076
And clothe the naked, and feed the hungry,
00:20:24.142 --> 00:20:25.477
And feed the hungry, and visit those in prison,
00:20:25.544 --> 00:20:27.212
And visit those in prison, and proclaim the acceptable
00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.780
And proclaim the acceptable year of the lord's favor.
00:20:28.847 --> 00:20:30.882
[applause]
00:20:31.283 --> 00:20:33.518
I said, "yeah, elevation church.
00:20:33.919 --> 00:20:36.455
I said, "yeah, elevation church. what?"
00:20:36.521 --> 00:20:36.755
[laughter]
00:20:37.055 --> 00:20:37.823
A little edgy.
00:20:38.490 --> 00:20:39.791
A little edgy. he said, "didn't y'all used
00:20:39.858 --> 00:20:41.994
He said, "didn't y'all used to meet in a basement?"
00:20:42.060 --> 00:20:44.596
To meet in a basement?" and i had to think about it,
00:20:44.663 --> 00:20:46.898
Because i barely remember
00:20:46.999 --> 00:20:48.233
Because i barely remember that basement.
00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:50.535
That basement. but i said, "yeah.
00:20:50.602 --> 00:20:53.005
But i said, "yeah. actually, we did.
00:20:53.071 --> 00:20:54.473
Actually, we did. in the basement of
00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.941
In the basement of the matthews community center."
00:20:56.008 --> 00:20:58.243
The matthews community center." give me my handheld mic.
00:20:58.310 --> 00:20:59.244
Give me my handheld mic. the lord must want me
00:20:59.311 --> 00:20:59.878
The lord must want me to preach preach.
00:20:59.945 --> 00:21:00.612
[laughter]
00:21:00.912 --> 00:21:01.546
This is my teaching mic.
00:21:02.214 --> 00:21:03.715
This is my teaching mic. let's go ahead
00:21:03.782 --> 00:21:04.316
Let's go ahead and make the switch.
00:21:04.383 --> 00:21:04.983
And make the switch. something's wrong.
00:21:05.050 --> 00:21:07.519
Something's wrong. i will not let
00:21:07.586 --> 00:21:08.186
I will not let a microphone stop me
00:21:08.253 --> 00:21:09.554
A microphone stop me from releasing this message.
00:21:09.621 --> 00:21:10.656
[applause]
00:21:10.956 --> 00:21:11.523
Get this off me, jared, come on.
00:21:11.790 --> 00:21:13.558
Get this off me, jared, come on. jared, jared.
00:21:13.625 --> 00:21:15.761
[applause]
00:21:16.094 --> 00:21:16.795
Everybody, say, "jared...
00:21:17.162 --> 00:21:18.230
Everybody, say, "jared... >> congregation: jared...
00:21:18.297 --> 00:21:19.364
>> congregation: jared... >> take off the grave clothes...
00:21:19.431 --> 00:21:20.899
>> take off the grave clothes... >> congregation: take off
00:21:20.966 --> 00:21:21.433
>> congregation: take off the grave clothes...
00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.301
The grave clothes... >> and let him go."
00:21:22.367 --> 00:21:23.268
>> and let him go." >> congregation: and let him go.
00:21:23.335 --> 00:21:24.403
>> congregation: and let him go. >> alright, so, he said,
00:21:24.469 --> 00:21:26.605
>> alright, so, he said, "did you meet in a basement?"
00:21:26.672 --> 00:21:28.974
"did you meet in a basement?" i said, "yeah.
00:21:29.041 --> 00:21:30.542
I said, "yeah. we actually did
00:21:30.609 --> 00:21:31.209
We actually did for a few weeks.
00:21:31.276 --> 00:21:32.878
For a few weeks. that's where we started,
00:21:32.944 --> 00:21:34.680
That's where we started, at the matthews
00:21:34.746 --> 00:21:35.514
At the matthews community center basement."
00:21:35.580 --> 00:21:37.916
Community center basement." he said, "how long
00:21:37.983 --> 00:21:38.884
He said, "how long did you meet there?"
00:21:38.950 --> 00:21:39.885
Did you meet there?" i said, "not long,
00:21:39.951 --> 00:21:40.752
I said, "not long, but it was the longest
00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:42.821
But it was the longest six weeks of my life."
00:21:42.888 --> 00:21:45.090
[laughter]
00:21:45.557 --> 00:21:45.757
I used to go in the bathroom
00:21:46.625 --> 00:21:48.627
I used to go in the bathroom in the basement of
00:21:48.694 --> 00:21:49.461
In the basement of the matthews community center
00:21:49.528 --> 00:21:51.530
The matthews community center and i would stand
00:21:51.596 --> 00:21:52.230
And i would stand over the toilet
00:21:52.297 --> 00:21:53.498
Over the toilet because every week
00:21:53.565 --> 00:21:54.933
Because every week i felt like i would throw up
00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:57.469
I felt like i would throw up 'cause i was pregnant.
00:21:57.536 --> 00:21:58.303
[applause]
00:21:58.737 --> 00:22:05.477
You ever had morning sickness
00:22:06.044 --> 00:22:07.813
You ever had morning sickness for something god was
00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.613
For something god was doing in your life?
00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:11.249
Doing in your life? no offense.
00:22:11.316 --> 00:22:12.017
No offense. i know it's just a metaphor,
00:22:12.084 --> 00:22:13.719
I know it's just a metaphor, but i felt like that.
00:22:13.785 --> 00:22:15.187
But i felt like that. i felt like i was carrying
00:22:15.253 --> 00:22:16.755
I felt like i was carrying something big.
00:22:16.822 --> 00:22:18.156
Something big. maybe that's why i wanted
00:22:18.223 --> 00:22:19.358
Maybe that's why i wanted to preach about mary.
00:22:19.424 --> 00:22:21.126
To preach about mary. 'cause maybe i was standing
00:22:21.193 --> 00:22:22.894
'cause maybe i was standing over the toilet feeling like
00:22:22.961 --> 00:22:24.863
Over the toilet feeling like i was carrying something,
00:22:24.930 --> 00:22:26.765
I was carrying something, but i'm scared of something,
00:22:26.832 --> 00:22:28.734
But i'm scared of something, but i'm carrying something,
00:22:28.800 --> 00:22:30.969
But i'm carrying something, but i'm scared of something.
00:22:31.036 --> 00:22:32.971
But i'm scared of something. and in that juxtaposition --
00:22:33.038 --> 00:22:34.806
And in that juxtaposition -- are you there right now?
00:22:34.873 --> 00:22:36.341
Are you there right now? you know god has
00:22:36.408 --> 00:22:37.442
You know god has given you a word.
00:22:37.509 --> 00:22:38.710
Given you a word. you know god has called
00:22:38.777 --> 00:22:39.978
You know god has called you to do something.
00:22:40.045 --> 00:22:41.313
You to do something. you know god has
00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:42.314
You know god has made you a promise.
00:22:42.381 --> 00:22:43.915
Made you a promise. you know he reached out
00:22:43.982 --> 00:22:45.117
You know he reached out and saved you.
00:22:45.183 --> 00:22:46.551
And saved you. you know he's giving
00:22:46.618 --> 00:22:47.419
You know he's giving you a testimony.
00:22:47.486 --> 00:22:48.854
You a testimony. you know he brought
00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.821
You know he brought you out of a miry pit.
00:22:49.888 --> 00:22:51.757
You out of a miry pit. you know he set your feet
00:22:51.823 --> 00:22:53.425
You know he set your feet on the rock.
00:22:53.492 --> 00:22:54.025
[applause]
00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:57.496
But in that basement
00:22:58.196 --> 00:22:58.997
But in that basement behind the closed door
00:22:59.064 --> 00:23:00.165
Behind the closed door of a bathroom stall,
00:23:00.232 --> 00:23:02.634
Of a bathroom stall, i was privately petrified.
00:23:02.701 --> 00:23:05.837
I was privately petrified. yeah.
00:23:05.904 --> 00:23:07.139
Yeah. and i didn't think
00:23:07.205 --> 00:23:07.639
And i didn't think it'd be good if i threw up
00:23:07.706 --> 00:23:09.574
It'd be good if i threw up in front of my team.
00:23:09.641 --> 00:23:12.277
In front of my team. i didn't think that would be
00:23:12.344 --> 00:23:13.211
I didn't think that would be a good look for leadership.
00:23:13.278 --> 00:23:16.148
A good look for leadership. and yet, somehow,
00:23:16.214 --> 00:23:19.785
And yet, somehow, from that basement --
00:23:19.851 --> 00:23:20.819
From that basement -- now, i'm preaching about
00:23:20.886 --> 00:23:22.988
Now, i'm preaching about a barn in bethlehem
00:23:23.054 --> 00:23:25.457
A barn in bethlehem in a basement in matthews.
00:23:25.524 --> 00:23:28.460
In a basement in matthews. but i'm really preaching
00:23:28.527 --> 00:23:29.561
But i'm really preaching about the low place
00:23:29.628 --> 00:23:30.595
About the low place in your life today,
00:23:30.662 --> 00:23:32.597
In your life today, whatever it is,
00:23:32.664 --> 00:23:34.766
Whatever it is, the small beginning
00:23:34.833 --> 00:23:35.967
The small beginning in your life today.
00:23:36.034 --> 00:23:38.570
In your life today. because god said,
00:23:38.637 --> 00:23:39.404
Because god said, "not only will
00:23:39.471 --> 00:23:40.639
"not only will i reach you,
00:23:40.705 --> 00:23:42.307
I reach you, i will wrap you."
00:23:42.374 --> 00:23:44.009
[applause]
00:23:44.810 --> 00:23:46.044
>> thank you so much for
00:23:47.512 --> 00:23:48.313
>> thank you so much for joining us today.
00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.448
Joining us today. to find more messages like
00:23:49.514 --> 00:23:50.882
To find more messages like the one you just heard
00:23:50.949 --> 00:23:52.017
The one you just heard from pastor steven,
00:23:52.083 --> 00:23:53.285
From pastor steven, i want to encourage you
00:23:53.351 --> 00:23:54.352
I want to encourage you to visit the steven furtick
00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:55.720
To visit the steven furtick youtube channel or
00:23:55.787 --> 00:23:57.255
Youtube channel or just scan the qr code on your
00:23:57.322 --> 00:23:59.157
Just scan the qr code on your screen to subscribe.
00:23:59.224 --> 00:24:00.592
Screen to subscribe. and then you'll get access
00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.726
And then you'll get access to new videos that are
00:24:01.793 --> 00:24:02.828
To new videos that are uploaded weekly.
00:24:02.894 --> 00:24:04.696
Uploaded weekly. now, if today's message
00:24:04.763 --> 00:24:05.630
Now, if today's message spoke to your heart
00:24:05.697 --> 00:24:07.065
Spoke to your heart i also want to invite you
00:24:07.132 --> 00:24:08.166
I also want to invite you to partner with us
00:24:08.233 --> 00:24:09.534
To partner with us and make it possible
00:24:09.601 --> 00:24:10.802
And make it possible for someone else to hear
00:24:10.869 --> 00:24:12.237
For someone else to hear the message too.
00:24:12.304 --> 00:24:13.505
The message too. your generosity really
00:24:13.572 --> 00:24:15.006
Your generosity really does make a difference.
00:24:15.073 --> 00:24:16.608
Does make a difference. every time you give you're
00:24:16.675 --> 00:24:18.009
Every time you give you're helping us take the gospel
00:24:18.076 --> 00:24:19.478
Helping us take the gospel further and get god's word
00:24:19.544 --> 00:24:21.413
Further and get god's word into someone's heart.
00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.981
Into someone's heart. this ministry exists so that
00:24:23.048 --> 00:24:24.649
This ministry exists so that people far from god will
00:24:24.716 --> 00:24:26.251
People far from god will be raised to life in christ
00:24:26.318 --> 00:24:27.853
Be raised to life in christ and you're a part of that story.
00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:30.455
And you're a part of that story. because of you,
00:24:30.522 --> 00:24:31.323
Because of you, messages just like the one
00:24:31.389 --> 00:24:32.791
Messages just like the one you heard today will go out
00:24:32.858 --> 00:24:34.192
You heard today will go out to people who need hope.
00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:36.027
To people who need hope. people who are wrestling
00:24:36.094 --> 00:24:37.095
People who are wrestling with anxiety and disappointment,
00:24:37.162 --> 00:24:39.397
With anxiety and disappointment, or the weight of wrong
00:24:39.464 --> 00:24:40.632
Or the weight of wrong assumptions about their future,
00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:41.900
Assumptions about their future, even wrong assumptions
00:24:41.967 --> 00:24:43.368
Even wrong assumptions about god.
00:24:43.435 --> 00:24:44.503
About god. through broadcasts,
00:24:44.569 --> 00:24:45.670
Through broadcasts, online outreach,
00:24:45.737 --> 00:24:47.072
Online outreach, and ministry partners
00:24:47.138 --> 00:24:48.139
And ministry partners all over the world,
00:24:48.206 --> 00:24:49.107
All over the world, your support is opening
00:24:49.174 --> 00:24:50.809
Your support is opening the door for them to hear
00:24:50.876 --> 00:24:52.711
The door for them to hear the truth that can
00:24:52.777 --> 00:24:54.045
The truth that can change everything.
00:24:54.112 --> 00:24:55.714
Change everything. so, please, call the number
00:24:55.780 --> 00:24:57.082
So, please, call the number on your screen or go online
00:24:57.148 --> 00:24:58.817
On your screen or go online right now to give.
00:24:58.884 --> 00:25:00.385
Right now to give. your gift of any amount
00:25:00.452 --> 00:25:02.387
Your gift of any amount makes a difference.
00:25:02.454 --> 00:25:03.321
Makes a difference. thank you for being a part
00:25:03.388 --> 00:25:04.890
Thank you for being a part of what god is doing.
00:25:04.956 --> 00:25:06.791
Of what god is doing. we are so grateful for you.
00:25:06.858 --> 00:25:08.660
>> this christmas,
00:25:09.361 --> 00:25:10.028
>> this christmas, your generosity
00:25:10.095 --> 00:25:10.862
Your generosity is changing lives.
00:25:10.929 --> 00:25:12.497
Is changing lives. because of your giving to
00:25:12.564 --> 00:25:13.632
Because of your giving to steven furtick ministries
00:25:13.698 --> 00:25:14.933
Steven furtick ministries and our partnership
00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.700
And our partnership with samaritan's purse,
00:25:15.767 --> 00:25:16.868
With samaritan's purse, children are receiving gifts
00:25:16.935 --> 00:25:18.436
Children are receiving gifts and experiencing the love
00:25:18.503 --> 00:25:19.538
And experiencing the love of jesus in real, tangible ways.
00:25:19.604 --> 00:25:22.407
Of jesus in real, tangible ways. here's a special message
00:25:22.474 --> 00:25:23.441
Here's a special message about the impact you're making.
00:25:23.508 --> 00:25:24.876
>> this is franklin graham,
00:25:25.443 --> 00:25:27.012
>> this is franklin graham, and i'd like to thank
00:25:27.078 --> 00:25:28.580
And i'd like to thank the elevation church family
00:25:28.647 --> 00:25:30.448
The elevation church family for your partnership with
00:25:30.515 --> 00:25:31.616
For your partnership with samaritan's purse
00:25:31.683 --> 00:25:33.318
Samaritan's purse and operation christmas child.
00:25:33.385 --> 00:25:35.587
Operation christmas child
00:25:35.687 --> 00:25:37.055
Is a tremendous opportunity
00:25:37.122 --> 00:25:39.057
To reach millions of children
00:25:39.124 --> 00:25:40.825
Around the world.
00:25:40.892 --> 00:25:41.860
Every shoe box
00:25:41.927 --> 00:25:43.328
Is an opportunity
00:25:43.395 --> 00:25:44.396
To reach one child
00:25:44.462 --> 00:25:45.897
With the good news of
00:25:45.964 --> 00:25:46.998
The gospel of jesus christ.
00:25:47.065 --> 00:25:48.166
But it's not just
00:25:48.233 --> 00:25:48.667
That one child.
00:25:48.733 --> 00:25:49.901
It's the family,
00:25:49.968 --> 00:25:50.869
Maybe ten-fold or more
00:25:50.936 --> 00:25:52.404
Are reached by
00:25:52.470 --> 00:25:53.338
This one simple box,
00:25:53.405 --> 00:25:55.707
And it gives us an opportunity,
00:25:55.807 --> 00:25:57.342
And it gives us an opportunity, not only to go into parts
00:25:57.409 --> 00:25:59.477
Not only to go into parts of the world with
00:25:59.544 --> 00:26:00.145
Of the world with these unreached people groups
00:26:00.211 --> 00:26:01.713
These unreached people groups like the south pacific
00:26:01.780 --> 00:26:03.148
Like the south pacific and some of these islands
00:26:03.214 --> 00:26:04.015
And some of these islands where we've been working,
00:26:04.082 --> 00:26:05.317
Where we've been working, churches in more than
00:26:05.383 --> 00:26:06.484
Churches in more than a hundred countries
00:26:06.551 --> 00:26:08.086
A hundred countries are getting these shoe boxes,
00:26:08.153 --> 00:26:10.255
Are getting these shoe boxes, and we do it in the name
00:26:10.322 --> 00:26:11.222
And we do it in the name of the lord jesus christ.
00:26:11.289 --> 00:26:12.624
Of the lord jesus christ. i want every child
00:26:12.691 --> 00:26:13.258
I want every child that gets a box to know
00:26:13.325 --> 00:26:14.826
That gets a box to know that god loves them,
00:26:14.893 --> 00:26:15.794
That god loves them, that he cares for them
00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:17.429
That he cares for them and that christ died
00:26:17.495 --> 00:26:18.263
And that christ died for their sins.
00:26:18.330 --> 00:26:19.130
♪ ♪
00:26:19.497 --> 00:26:23.935
>> ♪ infant holy ♪
00:26:26.771 --> 00:26:29.474
♪ infant lowly ♪
00:26:29.541 --> 00:26:32.277
♪ for his bed ♪
00:26:32.344 --> 00:26:34.379
♪ a cattle stall ♪
00:26:34.446 --> 00:26:42.020
>> ♪ oxen lowing ♪
00:26:42.087 --> 00:26:44.389
♪ little knowing ♪
00:26:44.456 --> 00:26:47.258
♪ christ the babe ♪
00:26:47.325 --> 00:26:49.094
♪ is lord of all ♪
00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:56.735
>> ♪ swift are winging ♪
00:26:56.801 --> 00:27:01.206
♪ angels singing ♪
00:27:01.272 --> 00:27:04.909
♪ noels ringing ♪
00:27:04.976 --> 00:27:08.913
♪ tidings bringing ♪
00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:14.619
♪ christ the babe ♪
00:27:15.387 --> 00:27:17.222
♪ is lord of all ♪
00:27:17.288 --> 00:27:23.628
♪ christ the babe ♪
00:27:24.062 --> 00:27:26.097
♪ is lord of all ♪
00:27:26.164 --> 00:27:29.999

Steven Furtick - The Pajamas Are A Prophecy (Part 1)

December 24, 2025 | 28:0

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