Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick - A Troubled Mind and An Open Door (Part 1)

September 16, 2025 | 28:0

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

#WordofGod #Truth #Respect #WaitingonGod #Patience #Peace #Pride #Temptation

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Steven Furtick | Steven Furtick - A Troubled Mind and An Open Door (Part 1) | September 16, 2025

An encouraging message from
00:00:02.389 --> 00:00:04.157
Pastor steven furtick
00:00:04.257 --> 00:00:05.492
Of elevation church.
00:00:05.592 --> 00:00:06.993
If you're looking
00:00:07.093 --> 00:00:07.627
To strengthen your faith
00:00:07.727 --> 00:00:08.628
And shift your perspective,
00:00:08.728 --> 00:00:10.096
Stay tuned.
00:00:10.196 --> 00:00:10.563
♪ ♪
00:00:10.930 --> 00:00:14.667
>> i want us to go
00:00:15.902 --> 00:00:16.302
>> i want us to go to 2 corinthians 2.
00:00:16.369 --> 00:00:19.539
Remain standing for, like,
00:00:26.346 --> 00:00:28.048
Remain standing for, like, one more minute out
00:00:28.114 --> 00:00:30.150
One more minute out of respect for god's word.
00:00:30.216 --> 00:00:34.521
Of respect for god's word. 2 corinthians 2.
00:00:34.587 --> 00:00:39.726
I've been messing with
00:00:39.826 --> 00:00:40.994
I've been messing with this passage for, like,
00:00:41.061 --> 00:00:41.961
This passage for, like, four months trying to preach
00:00:42.028 --> 00:00:43.096
Four months trying to preach it so today is the today.
00:00:43.163 --> 00:00:44.197
So y'all help me out cause
00:00:48.301 --> 00:00:49.069
So y'all help me out cause i've been looking
00:00:49.135 --> 00:00:49.669
I've been looking forward to this.
00:00:49.736 --> 00:00:51.137
You know, when --
00:00:54.541 --> 00:00:55.942
You know, when -- how many of y'all ever cooked
00:00:56.009 --> 00:00:56.976
How many of y'all ever cooked a big meal for people
00:00:57.043 --> 00:00:58.011
A big meal for people and then they just ate
00:00:58.078 --> 00:00:59.312
And then they just ate it so quick
00:00:59.379 --> 00:00:59.946
It so quick and didn't even -- yeah.
00:01:00.013 --> 00:01:01.714
And didn't even -- yeah. that's what it's like for me
00:01:01.781 --> 00:01:02.449
That's what it's like for me when i spend a long time
00:01:02.515 --> 00:01:03.450
When i spend a long time looking at a passage
00:01:03.516 --> 00:01:04.284
Looking at a passage and y'all just yawn at me.
00:01:04.350 --> 00:01:05.885
Anyway.
00:01:08.021 --> 00:01:08.855
Anyway. it's gon' be good.
00:01:08.922 --> 00:01:10.824
It's gon' be good. 2 corinthians 2:10:
00:01:10.890 --> 00:01:15.061
"anyone you forgive,
00:01:15.161 --> 00:01:17.130
"anyone you forgive, i also forgive.
00:01:17.197 --> 00:01:19.132
I also forgive. and what i have forgiven -
00:01:19.199 --> 00:01:21.034
And what i have forgiven - if there was anything
00:01:21.101 --> 00:01:21.835
If there was anything to forgive -
00:01:21.901 --> 00:01:23.303
To forgive - i have forgiven in the sight
00:01:23.369 --> 00:01:24.504
I have forgiven in the sight of christ for your sake,
00:01:24.571 --> 00:01:26.239
Of christ for your sake, in order that satan
00:01:26.306 --> 00:01:30.210
In order that satan might not outwit us.
00:01:30.276 --> 00:01:34.781
Might not outwit us. for we are not unaware
00:01:34.848 --> 00:01:35.949
For we are not unaware of his schemes.
00:01:36.015 --> 00:01:38.518
Of his schemes. now," verse 12, "when i went
00:01:38.585 --> 00:01:41.254
Now," verse 12, "when i went to troas to preach the gospel
00:01:41.321 --> 00:01:43.389
To troas to preach the gospel of christ and found that
00:01:43.456 --> 00:01:45.625
Of christ and found that the lord had opened
00:01:45.692 --> 00:01:47.260
The lord had opened a door for me,"
00:01:47.327 --> 00:01:49.395
A door for me," i wanna read that scripture
00:01:49.462 --> 00:01:50.630
I wanna read that scripture again cause i've lived it.
00:01:50.697 --> 00:01:52.298
Again cause i've lived it. the door had opened, or --
00:01:52.365 --> 00:01:54.534
The door had opened, or -- excuse me.
00:01:54.601 --> 00:01:55.902
Excuse me. "the lord had opened
00:01:55.969 --> 00:01:57.570
"the lord had opened a door for me."
00:01:57.637 --> 00:02:00.039
A door for me." tell somebody, "it's not
00:02:00.106 --> 00:02:00.773
Tell somebody, "it's not your door, it's my door,
00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:01.674
Your door, it's my door, god gave it to me."
00:02:01.741 --> 00:02:05.378
God gave it to me." paul said, "the lord had
00:02:05.445 --> 00:02:07.180
Paul said, "the lord had opened a door for me."
00:02:07.247 --> 00:02:09.249
Opened a door for me." point to yourself.
00:02:09.315 --> 00:02:10.950
Point to yourself. "the lord - say it.
00:02:11.017 --> 00:02:12.352
"the lord - say it. "the lord..."
00:02:12.418 --> 00:02:13.553
"the lord..." type this, "the lord
00:02:13.620 --> 00:02:15.421
Type this, "the lord opened a door for me."
00:02:15.488 --> 00:02:18.691
"when i found that the lord --"
00:02:20.426 --> 00:02:22.028
"when i found that the lord --" "when i went to troas to preach
00:02:22.095 --> 00:02:23.263
"when i went to troas to preach the gospel of christ
00:02:23.329 --> 00:02:24.230
The gospel of christ and found that the lord had
00:02:24.297 --> 00:02:26.332
And found that the lord had opened a door for me,
00:02:26.399 --> 00:02:28.368
Opened a door for me, i still had no peace of mind,
00:02:28.434 --> 00:02:31.871
I still had no peace of mind, because i did not find
00:02:31.938 --> 00:02:32.906
Because i did not find my brother titus there.
00:02:32.972 --> 00:02:35.341
My brother titus there. so i said goodbye to them
00:02:35.408 --> 00:02:41.114
So i said goodbye to them and went on to macedonia."
00:02:41.181 --> 00:02:43.883
And went on to macedonia." that's the scripture.
00:02:43.950 --> 00:02:45.418
That's the scripture. "the lord had opened
00:02:45.485 --> 00:02:46.352
"the lord had opened a door for me, but i still
00:02:46.419 --> 00:02:48.788
A door for me, but i still had no peace of mind."
00:02:48.855 --> 00:02:50.523
Had no peace of mind." and we're gonna call
00:02:50.590 --> 00:02:51.057
This message,
00:02:51.157 --> 00:02:52.292
This message, "a troubled mind
00:02:52.358 --> 00:02:54.160
"a troubled mind and an open door."
00:02:54.227 --> 00:02:55.428
Last week i shared with you,
00:03:00.700 --> 00:03:03.336
Last week i shared with you, "green light at the red sea."
00:03:03.403 --> 00:03:06.839
"green light at the red sea." you remember?
00:03:06.906 --> 00:03:09.175
You remember? man, y'all forget quick.
00:03:09.242 --> 00:03:11.411
Man, y'all forget quick. cause i've been thinking
00:03:11.477 --> 00:03:12.111
Cause i've been thinking about it all week.
00:03:12.178 --> 00:03:13.179
About it all week. at every traffic light
00:03:13.246 --> 00:03:15.114
At every traffic light i've been thinking about
00:03:15.181 --> 00:03:16.182
I've been thinking about god's goodness
00:03:16.249 --> 00:03:18.918
God's goodness and how he gives us the ability
00:03:18.985 --> 00:03:20.620
And how he gives us the ability to overcome any obstacle.
00:03:20.687 --> 00:03:22.088
To overcome any obstacle. and sometimes the obstacle
00:03:22.155 --> 00:03:23.423
And sometimes the obstacle is the opportunity.
00:03:23.489 --> 00:03:25.758
Is the opportunity. but today we're going
00:03:25.825 --> 00:03:26.459
But today we're going to continue that thought
00:03:26.526 --> 00:03:27.460
To continue that thought from a little different angle
00:03:27.527 --> 00:03:28.428
From a little different angle and we're gonna talk about
00:03:28.494 --> 00:03:29.128
And we're gonna talk about a troubled mind
00:03:29.195 --> 00:03:31.331
A troubled mind and an open door.
00:03:31.397 --> 00:03:33.666
And an open door. "speak, lord,
00:03:33.733 --> 00:03:34.400
"speak, lord, in jesus' name, amen."
00:03:34.467 --> 00:03:35.602
In jesus' name, amen." you may be seated.
00:03:35.668 --> 00:03:36.302
Troubled mind
00:03:42.375 --> 00:03:43.009
Troubled mind and an open door.
00:03:43.076 --> 00:03:45.511
And an open door. that -- it feels like
00:03:45.578 --> 00:03:46.479
That -- it feels like in this text we've stepped
00:03:46.546 --> 00:03:48.581
In this text we've stepped into the middle of something.
00:03:48.648 --> 00:03:50.683
Into the middle of something. i don't know if you felt that
00:03:50.750 --> 00:03:51.551
I don't know if you felt that when i was reading it, but,
00:03:51.618 --> 00:03:53.820
When i was reading it, but, back around verse ten it's kinda
00:03:53.886 --> 00:03:55.555
Back around verse ten it's kinda like one of those tense
00:03:55.622 --> 00:03:57.423
Like one of those tense arguments you sometimes got
00:03:57.490 --> 00:03:59.092
Arguments you sometimes got caught in the middle
00:03:59.158 --> 00:03:59.892
Caught in the middle of an argument that you
00:03:59.959 --> 00:04:01.527
Of an argument that you don't know how it started.
00:04:01.594 --> 00:04:03.363
Don't know how it started. but you know i'ma get --
00:04:03.429 --> 00:04:04.397
But you know i'ma get -- i'ma tip toe out
00:04:04.464 --> 00:04:04.964
I'ma tip toe out real quick, so.
00:04:05.031 --> 00:04:06.833
Real quick, so. we understand in the text
00:04:06.899 --> 00:04:08.735
We understand in the text that we're reading --
00:04:08.801 --> 00:04:09.636
That we're reading -- cause, you know, like,
00:04:09.702 --> 00:04:10.737
Cause, you know, like, when you read bible verses
00:04:10.803 --> 00:04:12.071
When you read bible verses in isolation it doesn't really
00:04:12.138 --> 00:04:13.906
In isolation it doesn't really give you the integrity
00:04:13.973 --> 00:04:14.874
Give you the integrity of the thought,
00:04:14.941 --> 00:04:16.476
Of the thought, so if you just read
00:04:16.542 --> 00:04:17.210
So if you just read one verse that's good.
00:04:17.277 --> 00:04:19.279
One verse that's good. but it's better to read a few,
00:04:19.345 --> 00:04:21.481
But it's better to read a few, so you can understand --
00:04:21.547 --> 00:04:23.883
So you can understand -- they taught us in seminary,
00:04:23.950 --> 00:04:24.951
They taught us in seminary, the text in context.
00:04:25.018 --> 00:04:27.553
The text in context. "because a text without
00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:28.388
"because a text without a context is a pretext."
00:04:28.454 --> 00:04:31.190
A context is a pretext." whatever that means.
00:04:31.257 --> 00:04:31.991
Whatever that means. i spent like $50,000
00:04:32.058 --> 00:04:33.760
I spent like $50,000 to learn it in seminary.
00:04:33.826 --> 00:04:37.263
To learn it in seminary. interestingly enough paul
00:04:37.330 --> 00:04:39.499
Interestingly enough paul is dealing with one of the most
00:04:39.565 --> 00:04:41.734
Is dealing with one of the most important churches that
00:04:41.801 --> 00:04:43.469
Important churches that he ever laid the foundation for,
00:04:43.536 --> 00:04:44.937
He ever laid the foundation for, the church at corinth.
00:04:45.004 --> 00:04:47.140
The church at corinth. the church at corinth
00:04:47.206 --> 00:04:47.840
The church at corinth is responsible for a lot
00:04:47.907 --> 00:04:49.809
Is responsible for a lot of paul's pride as a pastor,
00:04:49.876 --> 00:04:52.912
Of paul's pride as a pastor, and a lot of his problems.
00:04:52.979 --> 00:04:55.682
And a lot of his problems. and it seems in this passage
00:04:55.748 --> 00:04:57.917
And it seems in this passage that we're reading right now
00:04:57.984 --> 00:04:59.252
That we're reading right now to the corinthian church
00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:01.421
To the corinthian church paul finds them very important.
00:05:01.487 --> 00:05:04.590
Paul finds them very important. i don't know if paul,
00:05:04.657 --> 00:05:06.826
I don't know if paul, that dignitary and states man,
00:05:06.893 --> 00:05:09.562
That dignitary and states man, that gospel practitioner who
00:05:09.629 --> 00:05:11.864
That gospel practitioner who erected alters for jesus christ
00:05:11.931 --> 00:05:14.233
Erected alters for jesus christ in all of the known roman world
00:05:14.300 --> 00:05:15.802
In all of the known roman world to the gentiles who were
00:05:15.868 --> 00:05:16.769
To the gentiles who were previously not even considered
00:05:16.836 --> 00:05:18.137
Previously not even considered worthy of the message,
00:05:18.204 --> 00:05:20.673
Worthy of the message, i don't know if he had
00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:21.774
I don't know if he had favorites,
00:05:21.841 --> 00:05:23.309
Favorites, but he certainly understood
00:05:23.376 --> 00:05:24.677
But he certainly understood that some people are
00:05:24.744 --> 00:05:26.946
That some people are more strategic than others.
00:05:27.013 --> 00:05:29.449
More strategic than others. doesn't mean that somebody
00:05:29.515 --> 00:05:30.450
Doesn't mean that somebody is more valuable
00:05:30.516 --> 00:05:31.250
Is more valuable than others or --
00:05:31.317 --> 00:05:32.652
Than others or -- and i was even out here today
00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:34.921
And i was even out here today before church started --
00:05:34.987 --> 00:05:36.089
Before church started -- i don't always to this,
00:05:36.155 --> 00:05:37.090
I don't always to this, but today i came out
00:05:37.156 --> 00:05:38.257
But today i came out in the auditorium and sat down
00:05:38.324 --> 00:05:39.926
In the auditorium and sat down in one of the seats here
00:05:39.992 --> 00:05:41.828
In one of the seats here at this beautiful
00:05:41.894 --> 00:05:42.628
At this beautiful ballantyne campus.
00:05:42.695 --> 00:05:45.498
Ballantyne campus. if i'm not mistaken it was
00:05:45.565 --> 00:05:46.799
If i'm not mistaken it was the fifth row of this section,
00:05:46.866 --> 00:05:50.370
The fifth row of this section, on this side of the isle,
00:05:50.436 --> 00:05:52.004
On this side of the isle, one, two, three, four, five.
00:05:52.071 --> 00:05:53.606
One, two, three, four, five. five seats in.
00:05:53.673 --> 00:05:54.707
Five seats in. so one, two, three, four, five.
00:05:54.774 --> 00:05:56.476
So one, two, three, four, five. so you in the hunter green,
00:05:56.542 --> 00:05:58.244
So you in the hunter green, looks like shirt.
00:05:58.311 --> 00:06:00.079
Looks like shirt. mhm.
00:06:00.146 --> 00:06:00.880
Mhm. i was in your seat preaching --
00:06:00.947 --> 00:06:03.082
I was in your seat preaching -- praying.
00:06:03.149 --> 00:06:04.150
Praying. praying for who i was
00:06:04.217 --> 00:06:05.518
Praying for who i was gonna preach to today.
00:06:05.585 --> 00:06:06.786
Gonna preach to today. preaching to myself to get ready
00:06:06.853 --> 00:06:07.987
Preaching to myself to get ready to preach this morning,
00:06:08.054 --> 00:06:09.789
To preach this morning, before you got here.
00:06:09.856 --> 00:06:11.324
Before you got here. so if you feel a little
00:06:11.391 --> 00:06:12.058
So if you feel a little something extra over
00:06:12.125 --> 00:06:13.025
Something extra over there today...
00:06:13.092 --> 00:06:13.659
There today... [laughter]
00:06:13.726 --> 00:06:18.531
[laughter] but i was thinking how
00:06:18.598 --> 00:06:19.866
But i was thinking how in each seat is somebody whose
00:06:19.932 --> 00:06:22.668
Situation is uniquely difficult
00:06:22.769 --> 00:06:24.570
Situation is uniquely difficult and uniquely wonderful.
00:06:24.637 --> 00:06:27.407
And uniquely wonderful. while we were praising the same
00:06:27.473 --> 00:06:28.741
While we were praising the same god a minute a minute ago
00:06:28.808 --> 00:06:29.942
God a minute a minute ago we were praising the same god
00:06:30.009 --> 00:06:31.010
We were praising the same god for a lot of different things.
00:06:31.077 --> 00:06:34.514
For a lot of different things. somebody was praising god just
00:06:34.580 --> 00:06:36.349
Somebody was praising god just cause you didn't get caught.
00:06:36.416 --> 00:06:37.483
You weren't praising him cause
00:06:43.089 --> 00:06:44.056
You weren't praising him cause you memorized colossians
00:06:44.123 --> 00:06:45.358
You memorized colossians in your men's bible study, okay.
00:06:45.425 --> 00:06:47.293
In your men's bible study, okay. you were praising him just
00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:48.361
You were praising him just cause nobody found out about it.
00:06:48.428 --> 00:06:51.063
Mhm.
00:06:51.164 --> 00:06:52.498
Mhm. mhm.
00:06:52.565 --> 00:06:55.101
Mhm. but as we preach
00:06:55.168 --> 00:06:57.103
But as we preach and teach online --
00:06:57.170 --> 00:06:57.870
And teach online -- and just go ahead and put
00:06:57.937 --> 00:06:58.604
And just go ahead and put your name and your city
00:06:58.671 --> 00:06:59.338
Your name and your city in the chat.
00:06:59.405 --> 00:07:00.006
In the chat. god has you situated.
00:07:00.072 --> 00:07:02.241
God has you situated. god has you situated.
00:07:02.308 --> 00:07:04.944
God has you situated. now, now, corinth was a city
00:07:05.011 --> 00:07:07.146
Now, now, corinth was a city the was situated --
00:07:07.213 --> 00:07:08.247
The was situated -- it was important because it was
00:07:08.314 --> 00:07:10.349
It was important because it was a cosmopolitan city that also
00:07:10.416 --> 00:07:12.452
A cosmopolitan city that also represented a sea port.
00:07:12.518 --> 00:07:15.121
Represented a sea port. and it was a --
00:07:15.188 --> 00:07:16.589
And it was a -- it was a flourishing place
00:07:16.656 --> 00:07:19.325
It was a flourishing place in terms of culture because
00:07:19.392 --> 00:07:22.094
In terms of culture because you kinda had to go
00:07:22.161 --> 00:07:23.062
You kinda had to go through corinth,
00:07:23.129 --> 00:07:23.529
Through corinth, it was the third largest city
00:07:23.596 --> 00:07:26.432
It was the third largest city by population it's time.
00:07:26.499 --> 00:07:28.367
By population it's time. the only cities that were
00:07:28.434 --> 00:07:29.402
The only cities that were bigger than corinth would
00:07:29.469 --> 00:07:30.770
Bigger than corinth would be rome and alexandria.
00:07:30.837 --> 00:07:33.105
Be rome and alexandria. so corinth is not only
00:07:33.172 --> 00:07:34.874
So corinth is not only populated but it's situated.
00:07:34.941 --> 00:07:36.209
Populated but it's situated. and i want you to think
00:07:36.275 --> 00:07:36.943
And i want you to think about this for a minute,
00:07:37.009 --> 00:07:37.577
About this for a minute, it was a very important city
00:07:37.643 --> 00:07:40.379
It was a very important city because it was a port city.
00:07:40.446 --> 00:07:42.982
Because it was a port city. now that meant that the ships
00:07:43.049 --> 00:07:44.150
Now that meant that the ships came through there and it was
00:07:44.217 --> 00:07:45.518
Came through there and it was situated well enough that
00:07:45.585 --> 00:07:46.719
Situated well enough that distribution could happen
00:07:46.786 --> 00:07:47.820
Distribution could happen and trade could happen,
00:07:47.887 --> 00:07:48.821
And trade could happen, and commerce could happen
00:07:48.888 --> 00:07:49.956
And commerce could happen because of where corinth
00:07:50.022 --> 00:07:51.057
Because of where corinth was situated.
00:07:51.123 --> 00:07:52.725
Was situated. on the other hand corinth was
00:07:52.792 --> 00:07:54.494
On the other hand corinth was a very ungodly city because
00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:58.931
A very ungodly city because the same situation that made
00:07:58.998 --> 00:08:00.233
The same situation that made it so effective for business
00:08:00.299 --> 00:08:01.801
It so effective for business made it susceptible
00:08:01.868 --> 00:08:02.869
Made it susceptible to temptation.
00:08:02.935 --> 00:08:04.971
To temptation. corinth was a city where there
00:08:05.037 --> 00:08:06.305
Corinth was a city where there was a lot of sexual immorality.
00:08:06.372 --> 00:08:08.808
Was a lot of sexual immorality. you know, back in the bible
00:08:08.875 --> 00:08:09.542
You know, back in the bible times they had different
00:08:09.609 --> 00:08:10.610
Times they had different problems than we have today.
00:08:10.676 --> 00:08:12.078
Problems than we have today. they had sexual immorality,
00:08:12.144 --> 00:08:13.613
They had sexual immorality, even in the church.
00:08:13.679 --> 00:08:15.181
Even in the church. some people were messing around
00:08:15.248 --> 00:08:16.549
Some people were messing around in the church at corinth.
00:08:16.616 --> 00:08:17.884
In the church at corinth. can you believe those crazy
00:08:17.950 --> 00:08:19.452
Can you believe those crazy christians at corinth?
00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:20.920
Christians at corinth? and paul spent 18 months with
00:08:20.987 --> 00:08:22.722
And paul spent 18 months with them and he couldn't cast out
00:08:22.788 --> 00:08:24.290
Them and he couldn't cast out all these sexual devils,
00:08:24.357 --> 00:08:26.292
All these sexual devils, he couldn't cast out all
00:08:26.359 --> 00:08:27.727
He couldn't cast out all of these idolatry devils,
00:08:27.793 --> 00:08:29.262
Of these idolatry devils, they were so greed they were
00:08:29.328 --> 00:08:30.630
They were so greed they were getting drunk off the lord's
00:08:30.696 --> 00:08:31.697
Getting drunk off the lord's communion wine in corinth,
00:08:31.764 --> 00:08:33.299
Communion wine in corinth, bunch of crazy christians
00:08:33.366 --> 00:08:34.534
Bunch of crazy christians in corinth.
00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:35.535
In corinth. i used to find it funny
00:08:35.601 --> 00:08:36.669
I used to find it funny when people would say,
00:08:36.736 --> 00:08:37.303
When people would say, "i don't go to elevation."
00:08:37.370 --> 00:08:38.170
"i don't go to elevation." back when we used to start
00:08:38.237 --> 00:08:38.971
Back when we used to start they would say,
00:08:39.038 --> 00:08:39.505
They would say, "i don't go to elevation
00:08:39.572 --> 00:08:40.473
"i don't go to elevation cause some of the people
00:08:40.540 --> 00:08:41.207
Cause some of the people that go there --
00:08:41.274 --> 00:08:41.874
That go there -- some of the people that
00:08:41.941 --> 00:08:42.775
Some of the people that go there aren't very
00:08:42.842 --> 00:08:43.543
Go there aren't very good christians."
00:08:43.609 --> 00:08:45.511
Good christians." and i would always think,
00:08:45.578 --> 00:08:46.746
And i would always think, "that should be your
00:08:46.812 --> 00:08:47.413
"that should be your invitation to join us."
00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:48.781
Invitation to join us." [laughter]
00:08:48.848 --> 00:08:50.750
[laughter] i always wish i could put
00:08:50.816 --> 00:08:51.951
I always wish i could put a close circuit camera in their
00:08:52.018 --> 00:08:53.319
A close circuit camera in their house when they talk like that.
00:08:53.386 --> 00:08:54.720
House when they talk like that. just a little nest cam
00:08:54.787 --> 00:08:55.888
Just a little nest cam so i can catch you in the middle
00:08:55.955 --> 00:08:57.490
So i can catch you in the middle of the night doing the crazy
00:08:57.557 --> 00:08:58.658
Of the night doing the crazy stuff you do.
00:08:58.724 --> 00:08:59.525
Stuff you do. but really --
00:08:59.592 --> 00:09:03.296
But really -- no really, to get to the core
00:09:03.362 --> 00:09:04.764
No really, to get to the core of how crazy you are --
00:09:04.830 --> 00:09:06.132
Of how crazy you are -- i couldn't put the camera
00:09:06.198 --> 00:09:06.999
I couldn't put the camera in a room...
00:09:07.066 --> 00:09:09.201
In a room... i'd have to put it --
00:09:09.268 --> 00:09:12.104
I'd have to put it -- [applause]
00:09:12.171 --> 00:09:14.373
And paul is taking
00:09:15.508 --> 00:09:16.809
And paul is taking to a group of people,
00:09:16.876 --> 00:09:17.643
To a group of people, who are very important to him,
00:09:17.710 --> 00:09:20.813
He's invested a lot in them
00:09:20.913 --> 00:09:21.981
He's invested a lot in them and they've hurt him deeply.
00:09:22.048 --> 00:09:25.718
And they've hurt him deeply. nobody can really hurt you
00:09:25.785 --> 00:09:28.120
Nobody can really hurt you deeply if you haven't
00:09:28.187 --> 00:09:29.822
Deeply if you haven't invested in them, greatly.
00:09:29.889 --> 00:09:34.627
Invested in them, greatly. the proof that i love you
00:09:34.694 --> 00:09:35.661
The proof that i love you is that i have the capacity
00:09:35.728 --> 00:09:36.829
Is that i have the capacity to hate you.
00:09:36.896 --> 00:09:39.398
To hate you. you can't hate somebody
00:09:39.465 --> 00:09:40.299
You can't hate somebody you don't love.
00:09:40.366 --> 00:09:42.101
You don't love. you can ignore them,
00:09:42.168 --> 00:09:43.803
You can ignore them, you can be annoyed by them,
00:09:43.869 --> 00:09:46.105
You can be perturbed by them,
00:09:46.205 --> 00:09:48.574
You can be perturbed by them, then you can pray for them
00:09:48.641 --> 00:09:50.576
Then you can pray for them but you can't hate somebody
00:09:50.643 --> 00:09:51.677
But you can't hate somebody that you don't love.
00:09:51.744 --> 00:09:53.746
That you don't love. it's not that paul hates
00:09:53.813 --> 00:09:55.281
It's not that paul hates the corinthian church,
00:09:55.348 --> 00:09:57.416
The corinthian church, it's that his relationship
00:09:57.483 --> 00:09:58.851
It's that his relationship with them is so important,
00:09:58.918 --> 00:10:02.054
With them is so important, not only to him personally --
00:10:02.121 --> 00:10:03.356
Not only to him personally -- not it's important personally,
00:10:03.422 --> 00:10:04.824
Not it's important personally, we find out more about paul
00:10:04.890 --> 00:10:06.959
We find out more about paul through his writings
00:10:07.026 --> 00:10:07.793
Through his writings to the corinthian church
00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:08.961
To the corinthian church than anything else he wrote
00:10:09.028 --> 00:10:10.162
Than anything else he wrote in the bible!
00:10:10.229 --> 00:10:11.197
In the bible! the book of romans --
00:10:11.263 --> 00:10:12.164
The book of romans -- if you wanna really understand
00:10:12.231 --> 00:10:13.165
If you wanna really understand paul's theological construct
00:10:13.232 --> 00:10:15.034
Paul's theological construct for justification by faith
00:10:15.101 --> 00:10:16.769
For justification by faith in christ not through works
00:10:16.836 --> 00:10:18.404
In christ not through works of the law you should
00:10:18.471 --> 00:10:19.472
Of the law you should go to the book ate romans.
00:10:19.538 --> 00:10:20.706
Go to the book ate romans. but if you wanna see inside
00:10:20.773 --> 00:10:22.775
But if you wanna see inside of paul's mind,
00:10:22.842 --> 00:10:24.443
Of paul's mind, how he thinks not only
00:10:24.510 --> 00:10:25.745
How he thinks not only about our relationship with
00:10:25.811 --> 00:10:27.313
About our relationship with god but his relationship with
00:10:27.380 --> 00:10:29.048
God but his relationship with others you should read
00:10:29.115 --> 00:10:30.383
Others you should read 1st and 2nd corinthians
00:10:30.449 --> 00:10:32.284
1st and 2nd corinthians and it might interest you
00:10:32.351 --> 00:10:33.386
And it might interest you to know that as powerful
00:10:33.452 --> 00:10:35.087
To know that as powerful as paul was with god
00:10:35.154 --> 00:10:37.757
As paul was with god he still had dysfunctional
00:10:37.823 --> 00:10:39.058
He still had dysfunctional relationships with people
00:10:39.125 --> 00:10:41.093
Relationships with people through which god worked
00:10:41.160 --> 00:10:42.361
Through which god worked to get the gospel to the earth.
00:10:42.428 --> 00:10:46.232
To get the gospel to the earth. the church at corinth
00:10:46.298 --> 00:10:46.999
The church at corinth was important for paul,
00:10:47.066 --> 00:10:48.701
Was important for paul, it served as it were
00:10:48.768 --> 00:10:50.302
It served as it were as a hinge for the gospel
00:10:50.369 --> 00:10:51.771
As a hinge for the gospel to go forth into,
00:10:51.837 --> 00:10:54.073
To go forth into, the hither to,
00:10:54.140 --> 00:10:55.107
The hither to, previously un-evangelized
00:10:55.174 --> 00:10:56.809
Previously un-evangelized gentile world.
00:10:56.876 --> 00:10:58.144
Gentile world. this important church in a sea
00:10:58.210 --> 00:11:00.212
This important church in a sea port city the was established
00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:02.014
Port city the was established by the apostle himself
00:11:02.081 --> 00:11:03.749
By the apostle himself and now he's having to write
00:11:03.816 --> 00:11:05.317
And now he's having to write them about a conflict
00:11:05.384 --> 00:11:07.253
Them about a conflict that should have been
00:11:07.319 --> 00:11:07.853
That should have been resolved by now.
00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:11.390
Resolved by now. he said, "i need to forgive you.
00:11:11.457 --> 00:11:14.860
He said, "i need to forgive you. i need to forgive you."
00:11:14.927 --> 00:11:16.762
I need to forgive you." it's not that i'm saying
00:11:16.829 --> 00:11:19.065
It's not that i'm saying you're not important fifth row,
00:11:19.131 --> 00:11:21.734
You're not important fifth row, fifth seat,
00:11:21.801 --> 00:11:22.835
Fifth seat, hunger green golf shirt.
00:11:22.902 --> 00:11:25.938
Hunger green golf shirt. but all seats in this church
00:11:26.005 --> 00:11:28.908
But all seats in this church are not created equal to me.
00:11:28.974 --> 00:11:30.643
Are not created equal to me. i've learned through time
00:11:30.710 --> 00:11:31.844
I've learned through time that this seat --
00:11:31.911 --> 00:11:33.679
That this seat -- and they probably aren't
00:11:33.746 --> 00:11:34.580
And they probably aren't showing it on the camera,
00:11:34.647 --> 00:11:35.314
Showing it on the camera, the one where holly
00:11:35.381 --> 00:11:35.881
The one where holly is sitting right now,
00:11:35.948 --> 00:11:37.416
Is sitting right now, that's the most important
00:11:37.483 --> 00:11:38.350
That's the most important seat in the church to me.
00:11:38.417 --> 00:11:40.920
Seat in the church to me. to me.
00:11:40.986 --> 00:11:41.420
Now, early in my ministry,
00:11:44.090 --> 00:11:47.893
Now, early in my ministry, i thought that having all the
00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:49.261
I thought that having all the seats full was the whole goal,
00:11:49.328 --> 00:11:51.630
Seats full was the whole goal, but now where i'm
00:11:51.697 --> 00:11:52.465
But now where i'm at in my life right now,
00:11:52.531 --> 00:11:54.300
At in my life right now, i think that if every seat
00:11:54.366 --> 00:11:55.501
I think that if every seat in this church was full
00:11:55.568 --> 00:11:57.870
In this church was full but that my wife didn't
00:11:57.937 --> 00:11:59.805
But that my wife didn't respect my life enough
00:11:59.872 --> 00:12:01.006
Respect my life enough to wanna hear me preach,
00:12:01.073 --> 00:12:02.208
To wanna hear me preach, what i had to say because
00:12:02.274 --> 00:12:03.209
What i had to say because of the way i live at home...
00:12:03.275 --> 00:12:04.076
The i would be a hypocrite.
00:12:05.745 --> 00:12:09.515
The i would be a hypocrite. i think that if this seat if --
00:12:09.582 --> 00:12:10.950
I think that if this seat if -- when holly tells me,
00:12:11.016 --> 00:12:13.619
When holly tells me, she told me last week,
00:12:13.686 --> 00:12:14.720
She told me last week, she said, "that spoke to me."
00:12:14.787 --> 00:12:17.156
She said, "that spoke to me." i said, "well, good...
00:12:17.223 --> 00:12:17.923
I said, "well, good... [laughter]
00:12:17.990 --> 00:12:21.327
[laughter] cause i kinda put some
00:12:21.393 --> 00:12:22.061
Cause i kinda put some stuff in there for you."
00:12:22.128 --> 00:12:23.129
Stuff in there for you." [laughter]
00:12:23.195 --> 00:12:25.131
Oh no, i didn't.
00:12:25.231 --> 00:12:27.366
Oh no, i didn't. but what i'm saying is,
00:12:27.433 --> 00:12:29.101
But what i'm saying is, in the eyes of god fifth seat,
00:12:29.168 --> 00:12:31.637
In the eyes of god fifth seat, fifth row is just as important
00:12:31.704 --> 00:12:33.072
Fifth row is just as important as this one, but not in my eyes.
00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:37.109
As this one, but not in my eyes. in the eyes of god there's equal
00:12:37.176 --> 00:12:39.445
In the eyes of god there's equal value to every human being.
00:12:39.512 --> 00:12:40.780
Value to every human being. so if there's a millionaire
00:12:40.846 --> 00:12:41.881
So if there's a millionaire on your row and then somebody
00:12:41.947 --> 00:12:43.482
On your row and then somebody who doesn't even know where
00:12:43.549 --> 00:12:45.684
Who doesn't even know where their next meal is coming from,
00:12:45.751 --> 00:12:46.786
Their next meal is coming from, to god the worth of his children
00:12:46.852 --> 00:12:50.256
To god the worth of his children is not based on something
00:12:50.322 --> 00:12:52.091
Called net worth or occupation
00:12:52.191 --> 00:12:55.861
Called net worth or occupation or any of these opportunistic
00:12:55.928 --> 00:12:57.963
Or any of these opportunistic ways that we see people.
00:12:58.030 --> 00:12:59.231
Ways that we see people. but to us, to us,
00:12:59.298 --> 00:13:02.101
But to us, to us, we have to realize that certain
00:13:02.168 --> 00:13:04.003
We have to realize that certain things we have to learn
00:13:04.069 --> 00:13:04.837
Things we have to learn to prioritize what's really
00:13:04.904 --> 00:13:07.306
To prioritize what's really important in our lives,
00:13:07.373 --> 00:13:09.542
Important in our lives, what opportunities
00:13:09.608 --> 00:13:10.743
What opportunities we give our energy to.
00:13:10.810 --> 00:13:12.178
We give our energy to. some of us are praying for god
00:13:12.244 --> 00:13:13.746
Some of us are praying for god to give us things that he simply
00:13:13.813 --> 00:13:15.447
To give us things that he simply cannot give us the way
00:13:15.514 --> 00:13:16.582
Cannot give us the way we're asking them to come.
00:13:16.649 --> 00:13:18.284
We're asking them to come. if we're asking god
00:13:18.350 --> 00:13:19.552
If we're asking god to give us peace in our live
00:13:19.618 --> 00:13:21.687
To give us peace in our live but we have no priorities
00:13:21.754 --> 00:13:23.622
But we have no priorities we will never receive
00:13:23.689 --> 00:13:24.857
We will never receive the peace that god gave
00:13:24.924 --> 00:13:26.058
The peace that god gave us through jesus who
00:13:26.125 --> 00:13:27.726
Us through jesus who is our peace when
00:13:27.793 --> 00:13:28.460
Is our peace when he died on the cross.
00:13:28.527 --> 00:13:29.461
So that's the set up.
00:13:32.965 --> 00:13:34.934
So that's the set up. and here's the sermon.
00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:37.269
And here's the sermon. paul said, "when i went
00:13:37.336 --> 00:13:39.939
To preach the gospel of christ
00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:41.674
To preach the gospel of christ in troas and found that
00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.742
In troas and found that the lord had opened
00:13:43.809 --> 00:13:44.777
The lord had opened a door for me,
00:13:44.844 --> 00:13:47.246
A door for me, i still had no peace of mind.
00:13:47.313 --> 00:13:49.882
I still had no peace of mind. this is paul,
00:13:49.949 --> 00:13:51.717
The point guard
00:13:51.817 --> 00:13:53.485
The point guard of the new testament church
00:13:53.552 --> 00:13:54.854
Of the new testament church to the gentiles saying,
00:13:54.920 --> 00:13:58.224
To the gentiles saying, "i had an opportunity --"
00:13:58.290 --> 00:13:59.325
"i had an opportunity --" now, paul has seen god open
00:13:59.391 --> 00:14:01.894
Now, paul has seen god open so many doors and so have you.
00:14:01.961 --> 00:14:04.897
So many doors and so have you. i said, so have you.
00:14:04.964 --> 00:14:07.399
I said, so have you. how many of you,
00:14:07.466 --> 00:14:08.334
How many of you, just wave at me,
00:14:08.400 --> 00:14:09.835
Just wave at me, have seen god put you
00:14:09.902 --> 00:14:11.937
Have seen god put you and situate you and position you
00:14:12.004 --> 00:14:13.672
And situate you and position you in places that you could never
00:14:13.739 --> 00:14:15.374
In places that you could never earn or deserve
00:14:15.441 --> 00:14:16.709
Earn or deserve and don't know how you got here?
00:14:16.775 --> 00:14:19.812
And don't know how you got here? yeah.
00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.113
Yeah. how many of you were smart
00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:22.081
How many of you were smart enough and competent enough
00:14:22.147 --> 00:14:23.482
Enough and competent enough and you did it all by yourself
00:14:23.549 --> 00:14:25.084
And you did it all by yourself and you created your own oxygen
00:14:25.150 --> 00:14:27.019
And you created your own oxygen that your breath into the lungs
00:14:27.086 --> 00:14:28.287
That your breath into the lungs that you formed with your
00:14:28.354 --> 00:14:29.221
That you formed with your hands in your mother's womb.
00:14:29.288 --> 00:14:33.392
Hands in your mother's womb. even -- listen,
00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:34.693
Even -- listen, even your success was because
00:14:34.760 --> 00:14:36.328
Even your success was because of how god situated you.
00:14:36.395 --> 00:14:39.865
Of how god situated you. the reason corinth was important
00:14:39.932 --> 00:14:41.000
The reason corinth was important was because of where
00:14:41.066 --> 00:14:42.067
Was because of where it sat in relation
00:14:42.134 --> 00:14:43.002
It sat in relation to the mediterranean sea.
00:14:43.068 --> 00:14:45.371
To the mediterranean sea. some of us get very
00:14:45.437 --> 00:14:46.272
Some of us get very prideful about things that
00:14:46.338 --> 00:14:47.573
Prideful about things that we accomplished,
00:14:47.640 --> 00:14:48.941
We accomplished, but if god hadn't put
00:14:49.008 --> 00:14:50.175
But if god hadn't put corinth by the sea it wouldn't
00:14:50.242 --> 00:14:51.911
Corinth by the sea it wouldn't have been a port city.
00:14:51.977 --> 00:14:54.747
Have been a port city. so even when god blesses
00:14:54.813 --> 00:14:56.382
So even when god blesses me i understand that
00:14:56.448 --> 00:14:57.783
Me i understand that if he did not give the wisdom,
00:14:57.850 --> 00:15:00.052
If he did not give the wisdom, if he did not give the strength,
00:15:00.119 --> 00:15:01.921
If he did not give the strength, if he did not give
00:15:01.987 --> 00:15:03.155
If he did not give the opportunity --
00:15:03.222 --> 00:15:04.390
The opportunity -- i don't care if you're
00:15:04.456 --> 00:15:05.291
I don't care if you're a professional tennis player,
00:15:05.357 --> 00:15:06.492
A professional tennis player, if somebody didn't give
00:15:06.558 --> 00:15:07.593
If somebody didn't give you a racket,
00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:08.494
You a racket, if somebody didn't give
00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:09.428
If somebody didn't give you a ball
00:15:09.495 --> 00:15:10.496
You a ball you can have all the athletic
00:15:10.562 --> 00:15:12.298
You can have all the athletic ability in the world,
00:15:12.364 --> 00:15:14.433
Ability in the world, but without the opportunity
00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.768
But without the opportunity that god gives,
00:15:15.834 --> 00:15:18.337
That god gives, all of your human ability
00:15:18.404 --> 00:15:19.905
Means nothing.
00:15:20.005 --> 00:15:21.740
Means nothing. even the ability itself
00:15:21.807 --> 00:15:23.108
Even the ability itself comes from god.
00:15:23.175 --> 00:15:25.044
Comes from god. and this is what paul knows
00:15:25.110 --> 00:15:26.211
And this is what paul knows and that's why he uses
00:15:26.278 --> 00:15:27.346
And that's why he uses the phase that we can
00:15:27.413 --> 00:15:28.948
The phase that we can use too sometimes,
00:15:29.014 --> 00:15:29.882
Use too sometimes, we can say,
00:15:29.949 --> 00:15:30.616
We can say, the lord opened a door for me.
00:15:30.683 --> 00:15:32.952
The lord opened a door for me. the lord opened a door for me.
00:15:33.018 --> 00:15:35.087
The lord opened a door for me. so, don't be mad about me
00:15:35.154 --> 00:15:36.622
So, don't be mad about me about the blessings
00:15:36.689 --> 00:15:37.723
About the blessings that i'm waking in,
00:15:37.790 --> 00:15:38.824
That i'm waking in, the lord opened
00:15:38.891 --> 00:15:39.625
The lord opened those doors for me."
00:15:39.692 --> 00:15:42.094
Those doors for me." i remember real early
00:15:42.161 --> 00:15:43.462
I remember real early when i was preaching
00:15:43.529 --> 00:15:44.263
When i was preaching i invited myself to preach
00:15:44.330 --> 00:15:46.398
I invited myself to preach at a church.
00:15:46.465 --> 00:15:47.967
I didn't like it.
00:15:48.067 --> 00:15:49.268
I didn't like it. i didn't like how it felt
00:15:49.335 --> 00:15:50.436
I didn't like how it felt because he said yes,
00:15:50.502 --> 00:15:52.638
Because he said yes, and once i got there i felt
00:15:52.705 --> 00:15:53.706
And once i got there i felt like it was up to me to perform.
00:15:53.772 --> 00:15:56.275
Like it was up to me to perform. i was 17 years old.
00:15:56.342 --> 00:15:57.676
I was 17 years old. spirit of the lord
00:15:57.743 --> 00:15:58.377
Spirit of the lord spoke to me and said,
00:15:58.444 --> 00:15:59.044
Spoke to me and said, "don't ever invite yourself
00:15:59.111 --> 00:15:59.845
"don't ever invite yourself somewhere to preach again.
00:15:59.912 --> 00:16:00.713
Somewhere to preach again. you can put your messages out,
00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:01.780
You can put your messages out, you can put them online,
00:16:01.847 --> 00:16:02.548
You can put them online, you can use all the platforms,
00:16:02.614 --> 00:16:03.415
You can use all the platforms, blah, blah, blah,
00:16:03.482 --> 00:16:04.416
Blah, blah, blah, and social media and all that,
00:16:04.483 --> 00:16:05.417
And social media and all that, you can do everything you can do
00:16:05.484 --> 00:16:06.452
You can do everything you can do to get the gospel but don't
00:16:06.518 --> 00:16:07.886
To get the gospel but don't ever situate yourself
00:16:07.953 --> 00:16:10.556
Ever situate yourself in a position through
00:16:10.622 --> 00:16:11.790
In a position through manipulation because then
00:16:11.857 --> 00:16:13.225
Manipulation because then you will carry the burden
00:16:13.292 --> 00:16:14.259
You will carry the burden of performance."
00:16:14.326 --> 00:16:17.062
Of performance." it's something awesome
00:16:17.129 --> 00:16:17.763
It's something awesome about knowing the lord
00:16:17.830 --> 00:16:19.331
About knowing the lord opened this door.
00:16:19.398 --> 00:16:22.101
Opened this door. it's just something
00:16:22.167 --> 00:16:22.701
It's just something freeing about knowing
00:16:22.768 --> 00:16:23.602
Freeing about knowing the lord opened this door.
00:16:23.669 --> 00:16:25.704
The lord opened this door. it's something great about
00:16:25.771 --> 00:16:26.605
It's something great about knowing that god brought
00:16:26.672 --> 00:16:28.007
Knowing that god brought me into this relationship,
00:16:28.073 --> 00:16:29.975
Me into this relationship, because see,
00:16:30.042 --> 00:16:30.609
Because see, you can get into a relationship
00:16:30.676 --> 00:16:32.277
You can get into a relationship and really god not want you
00:16:32.344 --> 00:16:34.246
And really god not want you in it and then you have
00:16:34.313 --> 00:16:35.214
In it and then you have to spend the rest
00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:35.914
To spend the rest of the relationship trying
00:16:35.981 --> 00:16:37.750
Of the relationship trying to get somebody to like
00:16:37.816 --> 00:16:39.184
To get somebody to like a pretend version of you
00:16:39.251 --> 00:16:41.086
A pretend version of you that you had to put on like
00:16:41.153 --> 00:16:42.354
That you had to put on like a costume to get them
00:16:42.421 --> 00:16:43.555
A costume to get them to accept you.
00:16:43.622 --> 00:16:46.158
To accept you. but if you had to compromise
00:16:46.225 --> 00:16:47.326
But if you had to compromise yourself to gain their
00:16:47.393 --> 00:16:48.527
Yourself to gain their acceptance what did
00:16:48.594 --> 00:16:49.395
Acceptance what did you really get?
00:16:49.461 --> 00:16:53.165
You really get? something awesome about
00:16:53.232 --> 00:16:53.966
Something awesome about the lord opening doors.
00:16:54.033 --> 00:16:56.468
The lord opening doors. there's something awesome
00:16:56.535 --> 00:16:57.069
There's something awesome about the lord closing doors.
00:16:57.136 --> 00:17:02.041
About the lord closing doors. i need... both.
00:17:02.107 --> 00:17:05.277
I need... both. last week we talked about
00:17:05.344 --> 00:17:06.145
Last week we talked about the red light
00:17:06.211 --> 00:17:06.812
The red light and the green light.
00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:08.280
And the green light. praising god for one and not
00:17:08.347 --> 00:17:09.648
Praising god for one and not the other, kinda foolish.
00:17:09.715 --> 00:17:12.651
The other, kinda foolish. you know, the green light
00:17:12.718 --> 00:17:13.385
You know, the green light is only as effective
00:17:13.452 --> 00:17:14.153
Is only as effective as the red light.
00:17:14.219 --> 00:17:16.588
As the red light. y'all want all green lights
00:17:16.655 --> 00:17:17.423
Y'all want all green lights in the city of charlotte where
00:17:17.489 --> 00:17:18.457
In the city of charlotte where everybody just smashing into
00:17:18.524 --> 00:17:19.625
Everybody just smashing into each other all the time?
00:17:19.691 --> 00:17:20.726
Each other all the time? so why do we want all
00:17:20.793 --> 00:17:21.627
So why do we want all green lights from god?
00:17:21.693 --> 00:17:24.596
Green lights from god? just to be crashing into stuff
00:17:24.663 --> 00:17:25.731
Just to be crashing into stuff that we could have avoided
00:17:25.798 --> 00:17:26.765
That we could have avoided if we would have heard his...
00:17:26.832 --> 00:17:28.467
If we would have heard his... voice.
00:17:28.534 --> 00:17:30.803
Voice. pray this, “lord...
00:17:30.869 --> 00:17:32.538
Pray this, “lord... open the door.”
00:17:32.604 --> 00:17:35.107
Open the door.” now pray this, “lord...
00:17:35.174 --> 00:17:37.109
Now pray this, “lord... close the door.”
00:17:37.176 --> 00:17:40.412
Close the door.” cause either way i want
00:17:40.479 --> 00:17:41.280
Cause either way i want your hand on the now.
00:17:41.346 --> 00:17:43.015
Your hand on the now. [applause]
00:17:43.082 --> 00:17:46.885
[applause] everybody over 25 ought
00:17:46.952 --> 00:17:48.387
Everybody over 25 ought to give god a shout of praise.
00:17:48.454 --> 00:17:49.788
To give god a shout of praise. [shouting]
00:17:49.855 --> 00:17:51.690
[shouting] you don't know to shout
00:17:51.757 --> 00:17:52.558
You don't know to shout over that closed door till
00:17:52.624 --> 00:17:54.526
Over that closed door till at least 25.
00:17:54.593 --> 00:17:56.061
At least 25. [applause]
00:17:56.128 --> 00:17:58.831
What's interesting
00:18:00.199 --> 00:18:00.899
What's interesting about this text to me,
00:18:00.966 --> 00:18:03.268
About this text to me, is that we could argue
00:18:03.335 --> 00:18:04.503
Is that we could argue the most important figure
00:18:04.570 --> 00:18:05.704
The most important figure in the new testament
00:18:05.771 --> 00:18:06.605
In the new testament other than jesus,
00:18:06.672 --> 00:18:08.474
Other than jesus, who roughly over a third
00:18:08.540 --> 00:18:09.308
Who roughly over a third of the new testament
00:18:09.374 --> 00:18:10.075
Is devoted to either
00:18:10.175 --> 00:18:11.176
Is devoted to either his letters or his life, paul,
00:18:11.243 --> 00:18:13.412
His letters or his life, paul, formerly saul of tarsus,
00:18:13.479 --> 00:18:15.814
Formerly saul of tarsus, the one who got knocked off
00:18:15.881 --> 00:18:17.116
The one who got knocked off of his horse on his way
00:18:17.182 --> 00:18:19.218
Of his horse on his way to kill christians,
00:18:19.284 --> 00:18:21.453
To kill christians, and god closed his eyes
00:18:21.520 --> 00:18:22.821
And god closed his eyes and blinded him,
00:18:22.888 --> 00:18:23.989
And blinded him, sent him to ananias in acts 9
00:18:24.056 --> 00:18:26.725
Sent him to ananias in acts 9 to receive his sight
00:18:26.792 --> 00:18:27.926
To receive his sight and he spent the rest of his
00:18:27.993 --> 00:18:29.361
And he spent the rest of his life taking the gospel
00:18:29.428 --> 00:18:31.296
Life taking the gospel to the known world.
00:18:31.363 --> 00:18:33.198
To the known world. he started at least 14 churches.
00:18:33.265 --> 00:18:35.901
He started at least 14 churches. and he stated out
00:18:35.968 --> 00:18:37.369
And he stated out as a christian killer.
00:18:37.436 --> 00:18:39.438
God used him to multiply
00:18:39.538 --> 00:18:41.039
God used him to multiply in the earth the thing that he
00:18:41.106 --> 00:18:43.008
In the earth the thing that he tried to uproot in one season.
00:18:43.075 --> 00:18:45.611
Tried to uproot in one season. only god could do that.
00:18:45.677 --> 00:18:47.379
Only god could do that. only god could take somebody
00:18:47.446 --> 00:18:48.780
Only god could take somebody trained under gamaliel
00:18:48.847 --> 00:18:50.616
Trained under gamaliel and get him to let go of all
00:18:50.682 --> 00:18:51.950
And get him to let go of all of the traditions of men
00:18:52.017 --> 00:18:53.018
Of the traditions of men and call it rubbish.
00:18:53.085 --> 00:18:54.186
And call it rubbish. he said, “the things that
00:18:54.253 --> 00:18:55.053
He said, “the things that i once counted as gain
00:18:55.120 --> 00:18:56.255
I once counted as gain i now count as loss.
00:18:56.321 --> 00:18:57.489
I now count as loss. god has completely reversed
00:18:57.556 --> 00:18:58.957
God has completely reversed my understanding of my value
00:18:59.024 --> 00:19:01.093
My understanding of my value system of what's important.
00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:03.795
System of what's important. and what was once gain to me
00:19:03.862 --> 00:19:05.097
And what was once gain to me i now count as loss and what
00:19:05.164 --> 00:19:06.899
I now count as loss and what was once loss i now count
00:19:06.965 --> 00:19:08.367
Was once loss i now count as the ultimate gain.
00:19:08.433 --> 00:19:09.501
As the ultimate gain. and all i wanna
00:19:09.568 --> 00:19:10.402
And all i wanna do is know christ.
00:19:10.469 --> 00:19:12.104
Do is know christ. and all i wanna do is make
00:19:12.171 --> 00:19:13.639
And all i wanna do is make him known as i come
00:19:13.705 --> 00:19:14.706
Him known as i come to know him better.
00:19:14.773 --> 00:19:15.874
To know him better. now i know what's important.”
00:19:15.941 --> 00:19:18.310
Now i know what's important.” [applause]
00:19:18.377 --> 00:19:20.746
[applause] and of all the churches
00:19:20.812 --> 00:19:21.647
And of all the churches he establishes
00:19:21.713 --> 00:19:22.714
He establishes and he started at least 14,
00:19:22.781 --> 00:19:25.384
And he started at least 14, at least 14 that we know about.
00:19:25.450 --> 00:19:27.653
At least 14 that we know about. that doesn't count all
00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:28.587
That doesn't count all the spin off churches,
00:19:28.654 --> 00:19:30.289
The spin off churches, that doesn't count all
00:19:30.355 --> 00:19:31.056
That doesn't count all the churches that had baby
00:19:31.123 --> 00:19:32.124
The churches that had baby churches of baby churches
00:19:32.191 --> 00:19:33.525
Churches of baby churches and the grandbaby churches
00:19:33.592 --> 00:19:34.693
And the grandbaby churches that paul started.
00:19:34.760 --> 00:19:35.761
That paul started. every gospel drop that
00:19:35.827 --> 00:19:38.263
Every gospel drop that entered the gentile world...
00:19:38.330 --> 00:19:40.632
Entered the gentile world... paul had a part in it.
00:19:40.699 --> 00:19:43.435
Paul had a part in it. sometime sowing in tears
00:19:43.502 --> 00:19:44.469
Sometime sowing in tears and pain but that's paul...
00:19:44.536 --> 00:19:48.774
And pain but that's paul... who god opened a door for.
00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:51.243
Who god opened a door for. and i wanna say one more thing
00:19:51.310 --> 00:19:52.311
And i wanna say one more thing about that before i move on
00:19:52.377 --> 00:19:53.478
About that before i move on to the other that that i'm gonna
00:19:53.545 --> 00:19:55.047
To the other that that i'm gonna say after i say this about that.
00:19:55.113 --> 00:19:56.882
Say after i say this about that. [laughter]
00:19:56.949 --> 00:19:58.217
The whole reason that paul took
00:20:01.987 --> 00:20:03.121
The whole reason that paul took the gospel to the gentiles
00:20:03.188 --> 00:20:04.089
The gospel to the gentiles was because the jewish
00:20:04.156 --> 00:20:05.090
Was because the jewish people rejected him.
00:20:05.157 --> 00:20:05.958
You know, sometimes rejection
00:20:10.762 --> 00:20:13.131
You know, sometimes rejection is one of god's greatest doors.
00:20:13.198 --> 00:20:18.036
Is one of god's greatest doors. while paul was preaching
00:20:18.103 --> 00:20:18.804
While paul was preaching in judea they didn't wanna
00:20:18.870 --> 00:20:19.838
In judea they didn't wanna give up the customs
00:20:19.905 --> 00:20:21.306
Give up the customs and the rights of judaism,
00:20:21.373 --> 00:20:23.842
And the rights of judaism, so god said,
00:20:23.909 --> 00:20:24.276
So god said, “that's fine, i'll open a door
00:20:24.343 --> 00:20:26.211
“that's fine, i'll open a door for you somewhere else.”
00:20:26.278 --> 00:20:29.114
For you somewhere else.” when god opens a door,
00:20:29.181 --> 00:20:31.350
When god opens a door, nobody can shut it.
00:20:31.416 --> 00:20:32.951
Nobody can shut it. [applause]
00:20:33.018 --> 00:20:38.657
[applause] and, if the door
00:20:38.724 --> 00:20:40.692
And, if the door you're standing in front
00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.560
You're standing in front of right now won't open,
00:20:41.627 --> 00:20:43.428
Of right now won't open, it's not yours.
00:20:43.495 --> 00:20:47.466
It's not yours. god will open a door
00:20:47.532 --> 00:20:48.433
God will open a door in the desert.
00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.868
In the desert. we found out last week he'll
00:20:49.935 --> 00:20:51.336
We found out last week he'll put a green light at a red sea.
00:20:51.403 --> 00:20:54.606
Put a green light at a red sea. he will lead you through --
00:20:54.673 --> 00:20:55.540
He will lead you through -- and one of the greatest ways
00:20:55.607 --> 00:20:57.276
And one of the greatest ways that god will lead you in your
00:20:57.342 --> 00:20:58.744
Life is through people who don't
00:20:58.844 --> 00:20:59.945
Life is through people who don't like you leave your life,
00:21:00.012 --> 00:21:02.381
Like you leave your life, to bring you to something else.
00:21:02.447 --> 00:21:04.182
To bring you to something else. i'm preaching to three people.
00:21:04.249 --> 00:21:05.417
I'm preaching to three people. it's only three, lord,
00:21:05.484 --> 00:21:06.285
It's only three, lord, but i'm gonna do it.
00:21:06.351 --> 00:21:08.553
But i'm gonna do it. i'm gonna do it.
00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.254
I'm gonna do it. [applause]
00:21:09.321 --> 00:21:11.156
So it's been some conflict
00:21:12.391 --> 00:21:14.459
So it's been some conflict with the church at corinth
00:21:14.526 --> 00:21:16.595
With the church at corinth and paul has spent a lot of time
00:21:16.662 --> 00:21:19.097
And paul has spent a lot of time trying to defend himself
00:21:19.164 --> 00:21:21.266
Trying to defend himself to the people who honestly
00:21:21.333 --> 00:21:23.335
To the people who honestly should have come to his defense.
00:21:23.402 --> 00:21:26.071
At certain points he must
00:21:26.171 --> 00:21:27.205
At certain points he must have struggled with
00:21:27.272 --> 00:21:27.973
Have struggled with bitterness about that.
00:21:28.040 --> 00:21:30.609
Bitterness about that. have you ever struggled about
00:21:30.676 --> 00:21:31.576
Have you ever struggled about bitterness for people who
00:21:31.643 --> 00:21:33.111
Bitterness for people who should have taken up for you?
00:21:33.178 --> 00:21:36.315
Should have taken up for you? or is this just only
00:21:36.381 --> 00:21:36.982
Or is this just only a preacher problem?
00:21:37.049 --> 00:21:40.018
A preacher problem? sometimes i don't know
00:21:40.085 --> 00:21:40.652
Sometimes i don't know if you go through
00:21:40.719 --> 00:21:41.186
If you go through the same things.
00:21:41.253 --> 00:21:41.653
The same things. somebody who should
00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.621
Somebody who should have defended you,
00:21:42.688 --> 00:21:46.291
Have defended you, somebody who --
00:21:46.358 --> 00:21:47.125
Somebody who -- he spent 18 months
00:21:47.192 --> 00:21:50.862
He spent 18 months with these jokers,
00:21:50.929 --> 00:21:55.200
With these jokers, and now he's had
00:21:55.267 --> 00:21:55.701
And now he's had to write several letters --
00:21:55.767 --> 00:21:59.104
To write several letters -- you know, we've got
00:21:59.171 --> 00:21:59.604
You know, we've got 1 corinthians and 2 corinthians.
00:21:59.671 --> 00:22:01.106
1 corinthians and 2 corinthians. let me give you as little
00:22:01.173 --> 00:22:01.840
Let me give you as little textual background cause
00:22:01.907 --> 00:22:03.075
Textual background cause this is really good.
00:22:03.141 --> 00:22:04.309
This is really good. there's a lost letter
00:22:04.376 --> 00:22:05.711
There's a lost letter that we don't have
00:22:05.777 --> 00:22:07.245
That we don't have that paul references
00:22:07.312 --> 00:22:08.146
That paul references and he calls it,
00:22:08.213 --> 00:22:08.914
And he calls it, my tearful letter.
00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:12.217
My tearful letter. they got so crazy in corinth,
00:22:12.284 --> 00:22:14.853
They got so crazy in corinth, turning up on communion wine
00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:17.789
Turning up on communion wine and things like this,
00:22:17.856 --> 00:22:19.491
And things like this, there was incest
00:22:19.558 --> 00:22:20.225
There was incest in the church at corinth.
00:22:20.292 --> 00:22:21.660
In the church at corinth. paul's like, “are y'all
00:22:21.727 --> 00:22:22.461
Paul's like, “are y'all absolutely crazy?”
00:22:22.527 --> 00:22:24.162
Absolutely crazy?” but then they had the audacity
00:22:24.229 --> 00:22:26.131
But then they had the audacity to accuse paul and say
00:22:26.198 --> 00:22:28.266
To accuse paul and say he wasn't a real apostle.
00:22:28.333 --> 00:22:32.404
He wasn't a real apostle. and so rather than validate
00:22:32.471 --> 00:22:33.772
And so rather than validate himself he makes a decision
00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:37.542
Himself he makes a decision in 2 corinthians 2, he says,
00:22:37.609 --> 00:22:40.812
In 2 corinthians 2, he says, “i'm letting it go.”
00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:43.315
“i'm letting it go.” ain't that amazing?
00:22:43.382 --> 00:22:45.150
Ain't that amazing? he says, “that one who said
00:22:45.217 --> 00:22:46.051
He says, “that one who said all this about me,
00:22:46.118 --> 00:22:47.018
All this about me, the one -- i know,
00:22:47.085 --> 00:22:47.719
The one -- i know, i saw it, i heard about it.
00:22:47.786 --> 00:22:51.423
I saw it, i heard about it. i'm forgiving and i'm moving
00:22:51.490 --> 00:22:53.925
I'm forgiving and i'm moving forward and y'all need
00:22:53.992 --> 00:22:55.460
Forward and y'all need to let it go too,
00:22:55.527 --> 00:23:00.532
To let it go too, cause i refuse to let
00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:02.834
Cause i refuse to let unforgiveness in my heart
00:23:02.901 --> 00:23:06.571
Unforgiveness in my heart block the future
00:23:06.638 --> 00:23:08.840
Block the future that god has for me.”
00:23:08.907 --> 00:23:10.409
That god has for me.” [applause]
00:23:10.475 --> 00:23:16.081
[applause] he said, “so, i want you
00:23:16.148 --> 00:23:17.783
He said, “so, i want you to forgive cause
00:23:17.849 --> 00:23:19.551
To forgive cause i'm forgiving and we gotta
00:23:19.618 --> 00:23:21.987
I'm forgiving and we gotta get our mind right.”
00:23:22.053 --> 00:23:24.289
>> the enemy fights you
00:23:25.957 --> 00:23:26.691
>> the enemy fights you the hardest
00:23:26.758 --> 00:23:27.225
The hardest when you're on the verge
00:23:27.292 --> 00:23:29.194
When you're on the verge of a horizon of a greater,
00:23:29.261 --> 00:23:31.296
Of a horizon of a greater, truer, newer version
00:23:31.363 --> 00:23:32.397
Truer, newer version of you that god
00:23:32.464 --> 00:23:33.265
Of you that god has seen all along.
00:23:33.331 --> 00:23:34.332
Has seen all along. that's what i mean
00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:35.267
That's what i mean by a green light
00:23:35.333 --> 00:23:36.401
By a green light at the red sea.
00:23:36.468 --> 00:23:37.235
At the red sea. when god enables you
00:23:37.302 --> 00:23:38.503
When god enables you to do something
00:23:38.570 --> 00:23:39.571
To do something that you could never do
00:23:39.638 --> 00:23:41.573
That you could never do apart from him.
00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.274
Apart from him. "apart from me
00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.508
"apart from me you can do nothing."
00:23:43.575 --> 00:23:45.210
You can do nothing." but i can do all things
00:23:45.277 --> 00:23:46.378
But i can do all things through christ
00:23:46.445 --> 00:23:46.812
Through christ who strengthens me,
00:23:46.878 --> 00:23:48.547
Who strengthens me, and i can do this too.
00:23:48.613 --> 00:23:49.915
>> are you limiting yourself
00:23:50.982 --> 00:23:52.083
Based on fear
00:23:52.184 --> 00:23:52.851
Or past experiences while god
00:23:52.951 --> 00:23:54.319
Is making a way for you?
00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:55.954
In this series
00:23:56.054 --> 00:23:56.655
From pastor steven furtick
00:23:56.755 --> 00:23:58.089
You will learn to look past
00:23:58.190 --> 00:23:59.491
What seems insurmountable
00:23:59.591 --> 00:24:01.193
And focus on god's provision.
00:24:01.293 --> 00:24:02.994
Call or go online
00:24:03.094 --> 00:24:04.196
To request your copy of
00:24:04.296 --> 00:24:05.430
"god has given you
00:24:05.530 --> 00:24:06.331
The green light"
00:24:06.431 --> 00:24:07.098
And step forward in faith today.
00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:08.700
♪ ♪
00:24:09.034 --> 00:24:09.668
>> if today's message
00:24:10.268 --> 00:24:10.869
>> if today's message from pastor steven
00:24:10.936 --> 00:24:11.870
From pastor steven encouraged you,
00:24:11.937 --> 00:24:12.804
Encouraged you, i wanna invite you to call
00:24:12.871 --> 00:24:14.473
I wanna invite you to call or go online right now
00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.907
Or go online right now to request your copy
00:24:15.974 --> 00:24:17.409
To request your copy of this sermon.
00:24:17.476 --> 00:24:18.510
Of this sermon. it's part of pastor steven's
00:24:18.577 --> 00:24:19.811
It's part of pastor steven's series called,
00:24:19.878 --> 00:24:20.612
Series called, "god has given you
00:24:20.679 --> 00:24:22.013
"god has given you the green light",
00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:23.114
The green light", and it's available
00:24:23.181 --> 00:24:23.882
And it's available for your gift of any amount.
00:24:23.949 --> 00:24:25.717
For your gift of any amount. this series is for anyone
00:24:25.784 --> 00:24:27.152
This series is for anyone facing resistance,
00:24:27.219 --> 00:24:28.386
Facing resistance, anyone who might be
00:24:28.453 --> 00:24:29.721
Anyone who might be tempted to quit.
00:24:29.788 --> 00:24:31.256
Tempted to quit. god did not bring
00:24:31.323 --> 00:24:32.224
God did not bring you this far to give up.
00:24:32.290 --> 00:24:33.692
You this far to give up. he didn't bring you through
00:24:33.758 --> 00:24:35.060
He didn't bring you through past trials to just stop now,
00:24:35.126 --> 00:24:37.562
Past trials to just stop now, and this series is gonna
00:24:37.629 --> 00:24:38.830
And this series is gonna help you see the opportunities
00:24:38.897 --> 00:24:40.665
Help you see the opportunities that are still before you
00:24:40.732 --> 00:24:41.967
That are still before you and remind you that your have
00:24:42.033 --> 00:24:43.869
And remind you that your have the strength that you need
00:24:43.935 --> 00:24:45.170
The strength that you need to keep moving forward.
00:24:45.237 --> 00:24:47.205
To keep moving forward. i know what it's like to feel
00:24:47.272 --> 00:24:48.306
I know what it's like to feel like you've hit a wall
00:24:48.373 --> 00:24:50.041
Like you've hit a wall and all you wanna do is stop.
00:24:50.108 --> 00:24:51.710
And all you wanna do is stop. this series is such
00:24:51.776 --> 00:24:52.611
This series is such a powerful reminder
00:24:52.677 --> 00:24:54.045
A powerful reminder that even in those moments,
00:24:54.112 --> 00:24:55.747
That even in those moments, god is telling us to keep going.
00:24:55.814 --> 00:24:58.083
God is telling us to keep going. he's already given us
00:24:58.149 --> 00:24:59.484
He's already given us what we need to take
00:24:59.551 --> 00:25:01.119
What we need to take that next step.
00:25:01.186 --> 00:25:02.153
That next step. so, please don't wait,
00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.855
So, please don't wait, call the number on your screen
00:25:03.922 --> 00:25:05.090
Call the number on your screen or visit us online
00:25:05.156 --> 00:25:06.391
Or visit us online to request your copy of
00:25:06.458 --> 00:25:07.959
To request your copy of "god has given you
00:25:08.026 --> 00:25:09.160
"god has given you the green light".
00:25:09.227 --> 00:25:10.095
The green light". it's available for
00:25:10.161 --> 00:25:10.929
It's available for your gift of any amount.
00:25:10.996 --> 00:25:12.797
Your gift of any amount. and thank you for your giving,
00:25:12.864 --> 00:25:14.366
And thank you for your giving, your support helps us share
00:25:14.432 --> 00:25:16.401
Your support helps us share these messages of hope
00:25:16.468 --> 00:25:17.502
These messages of hope with people everywhere.
00:25:17.569 --> 00:25:19.204
>> ♪ call the name ♪
00:25:20.705 --> 00:25:22.941
♪ call the name ♪
00:25:23.008 --> 00:25:25.343
♪ jehovah ♪
00:25:25.410 --> 00:25:30.115
♪ all our praise ♪
00:25:30.181 --> 00:25:32.517
♪ belongs to him ♪
00:25:32.584 --> 00:25:41.927
>> ♪ all the praise is his ♪
00:25:41.993 --> 00:25:46.498
♪ let's go ♪
00:25:46.565 --> 00:25:48.033
♪ his foes will be silenced ♪
00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:52.671
♪ he's fighting for zion ♪
00:25:52.737 --> 00:25:56.541
♪ ooh ♪
00:25:56.608 --> 00:25:58.610
♪ there's no other god like ♪
00:25:58.677 --> 00:26:02.247
♪ jehovah ♪
00:26:02.314 --> 00:26:04.616
♪ his arm never tires ♪
00:26:04.683 --> 00:26:11.856
♪ his eyes are like fire ♪
00:26:11.923 --> 00:26:15.594
♪ oh ♪
00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:17.862
♪ there's no other god like ♪
00:26:17.929 --> 00:26:21.466
♪ jehovah ♪
00:26:21.533 --> 00:26:23.835
♪ call the name ♪
00:26:23.902 --> 00:26:30.141
♪ jehovah ♪
00:26:30.208 --> 00:26:37.315
♪ all our praise ♪
00:26:37.382 --> 00:26:39.718
♪ belongs to him ♪
00:26:39.784 --> 00:26:45.757
>> ♪ call the name ♪
00:26:45.824 --> 00:26:47.025
>> ♪ oh call the name ♪
00:26:47.092 --> 00:26:49.394
>> ♪ call the name ♪
00:26:49.461 --> 00:26:51.162
>> ♪ yeah call the name ♪
00:26:51.229 --> 00:26:53.765
♪ jehovah ♪
00:26:53.832 --> 00:26:55.400
>> ♪ all our praise ♪
00:26:55.467 --> 00:26:56.601
>> ♪ yes all our praise ♪
00:26:56.668 --> 00:26:58.269
>> ♪ oh my god ♪
00:27:23.862 --> 00:27:25.130
♪ you've sure ♪
00:27:25.196 --> 00:27:25.930
♪ been good to me ♪
00:27:25.997 --> 00:27:28.633

Steven Furtick - A Troubled Mind and An Open Door (Part 1)

September 16, 2025 | 28:0

Closed captions

Share