Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick - You Don't Have To (Part 1)

December 22, 2025 | 28:0

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

#WordofGod #Gospel #Spirit #VirginBirth #Pride #Testimony #Prophecy #Redemption #StevenFurtick

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Steven Furtick | Steven Furtick - You Don't Have To (Part 1) | December 22, 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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>> there can come a point
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In all of our lives
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In all of our lives where the god who has
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Where the god who has graciously given us
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Graciously given us so many good gifts
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So many good gifts begins to feel to us
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Begins to feel to us either like a silent benefactor
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Either like a silent benefactor that we forget to thank,
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That we forget to thank, or an obligator
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Or an obligator rather than a bringer
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Rather than a bringer of the good news of the gospel
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Of the good news of the gospel who has set us free from
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Who has set us free from the law of sin and death
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The law of sin and death and has graciously given us
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And has graciously given us all things richly to enjoy.
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All things richly to enjoy. for if he gave his own son
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For if he gave his own son for us and did not spare him,
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For us and did not spare him, but gave him up for us,
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But gave him up for us, how will he not much more
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How will he not much more give us all things?
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Give us all things? but a lot of the gifts
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But a lot of the gifts that god gives us
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That god gives us become prisons because
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Become prisons because our perspective is so
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Our perspective is so overwhelmed by the pressure.
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Overwhelmed by the pressure. everybody say, "pressure."
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Everybody say, "pressure." >> congregation: pressure.
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>> congregation: pressure. >> because i know
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>> because i know you got some pressure,
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You got some pressure, i got some pressure,
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I got some pressure, and what we're trying
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And what we're trying to establish in
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To establish in our time together today
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Our time together today in my sermon and what
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In my sermon and what i thought i would try
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I thought i would try to help you to do
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To help you to do before you go into
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Before you go into the next few weeks
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The next few weeks and wrap this year up
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And wrap this year up and see what god has
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And see what god has for you in 2025.
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For you in 2025. look alive in 25.
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Look alive in 25. before you get all that going,
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Before you get all that going, i thought i would try to get you
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I thought i would try to get you back to realizing that
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Back to realizing that you've got a god
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You've got a god who didn't have to give you
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Who didn't have to give you anything that he gave you.
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Anything that he gave you. and it's not good to have
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And it's not good to have a got to spirit
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A got to spirit when you serve a get to god.
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When you serve a get to god. one of the things i love
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One of the things i love about the passage
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About the passage that we read today was
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That we read today was the sense of privilege
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The sense of privilege that mary seemed to receive
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That mary seemed to receive this invitation to carry
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This invitation to carry the son of god with.
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The son of god with. and i know that it must
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And i know that it must have also felt like pressure,
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Have also felt like pressure, but somehow she was able
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But somehow she was able to view the pressure of
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To view the pressure of carrying the sinless
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Carrying the sinless son of god in her virgin womb
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Son of god in her virgin womb as a privilege,
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As a privilege, and so she accepted
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And so she accepted that assignment.
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That assignment. but one of the things that
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But one of the things that pressure will do in your life
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Pressure will do in your life is not only turn things
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Is not only turn things that you used to delight in
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That you used to delight in into things that
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Into things that you actually dread,
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You actually dread, which i could preach
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Which i could preach a whole sermon about that.
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A whole sermon about that. but it could also,
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But it could also, if you're not careful,
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If you're not careful, it can turn things that
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It can turn things that you ought to praise god for
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You ought to praise god for into things that you
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Into things that you feel pride about.
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Feel pride about. that is often when
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That is often when we feel the heaviness
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We feel the heaviness of our responsibility,
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Of our responsibility, you know, somebody's got to put
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You know, somebody's got to put these christmas lights up.
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These christmas lights up. somebody's got to
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Somebody's got to make all the plans.
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Make all the plans. somebody's got to decide
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Somebody's got to decide whose house we're gonna eat at.
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Whose house we're gonna eat at. somebody's got to figure out
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Somebody's got to figure out who's going to bring
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Who's going to bring the macaroni,
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The macaroni, and i don't really want
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And i don't really want susan to bring it
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Susan to bring it 'cause i don't
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'cause i don't like her macaroni,
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Like her macaroni, and i think it's kinda dirty
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And i think it's kinda dirty and it's kind of too --
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And it's kind of too -- a little too cheesy.
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A little too cheesy. somebody has to keep
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Somebody has to keep the cheese ratio
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The cheese ratio in the macaroni together.
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In the macaroni together. i mean, the whole universe
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I mean, the whole universe is kinda hinging on it,
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Is kinda hinging on it, isn't it?
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Isn't it? and then we come
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And then we come to something like this,
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To something like this, and it only takes one
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And it only takes one sentence to shift mary from,
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Sentence to shift mary from, "how in the world?"
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To "let it be."
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To "let it be." and i thought that was
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And i thought that was so powerful when i read it.
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So powerful when i read it. i thought it was --
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I thought it was -- it was so amazing
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It was so amazing and so admirable of mary
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And so admirable of mary to go from,
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To go from, "how are we gonna do this?"
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"how are we gonna do this?" to, "let it be just
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Like you said."
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Like you said." and i think there is
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And i think there is something powerful about
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Something powerful about when you get a real
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When you get a real word from god.
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Word from god. that you can't explain it,
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That you can't explain it, it's subtle,
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It's subtle, it's usually not visible
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It's usually not visible to other people's eyes,
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To other people's eyes, but something shifts
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But something shifts in a moment when god speaks
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In a moment when god speaks and you go from,
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And you go from, "i've got to,"
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"i've got to," to "he's got this,"
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To "he's got this," and you can't even
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And you can't even explain how you got there.
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Explain how you got there. it's an invisible path you take,
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It's an invisible path you take, and you've been there before.
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And you've been there before. you've gone from,
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You've gone from, "there's no way
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"there's no way i'm gonna do this,"
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I'm gonna do this," to, "i don't really know
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To, "i don't really know how i did it, but it's done."
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How i did it, but it's done." you've been in seasons of
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You've been in seasons of your life where you've looked
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Your life where you've looked at your schedule and thought,
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At your schedule and thought, "i'll be dead
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"i'll be dead at the end of this."
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At the end of this." breathe in.
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[inhales sharply]
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Breathe out in the devil's face
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Breathe out in the devil's face just to let him know
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Just to let him know he was a liar for everything
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He was a liar for everything he said you weren't gonna
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He said you weren't gonna make it through in 2024.
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[applause]
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There were some things,
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There were some things, oh, i feel like preaching,
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Oh, i feel like preaching, that you looked at out
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That you looked at out in front of you.
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In front of you. and when they were in front
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And when they were in front of you, you were afraid,
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Of you, you were afraid, but now they're behind you.
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But now they're behind you. if you were afraid when
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If you were afraid when they were in front of you,
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They were in front of you, shouldn't you give god
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Shouldn't you give god praise now that
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Praise now that they're behind you?
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[applause]
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And the truth is you
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And the truth is you wouldn't believe what
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Wouldn't believe what i'm standing on today
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I'm standing on today 'cause i could have
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'cause i could have tripped over it.
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Tripped over it. but somehow god turned
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But somehow god turned what i could have tripped on
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What i could have tripped on into something that
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Into something that i'm standing on,
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I'm standing on, and i have a testimony.
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And i have a testimony. three pentecostal people
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Three pentecostal people give god a tambourine praise.
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[applause]
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'cause i'm saying...
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[applause]
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I'm saying that if
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I'm saying that if jesus came into the world
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Jesus came into the world through a virgin womb,
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Through a virgin womb, there's nothing he can't do.
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There's nothing he can't do. now, it's important,
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Now, it's important, theologically speaking,
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Theologically speaking, for jesus to be
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For jesus to be born of a virgin.
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Born of a virgin. first of all,
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First of all, and you want to take down
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And you want to take down notes to show your friends
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Notes to show your friends that you actually came
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That you actually came to church like a doctor's
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To church like a doctor's excuse or something.
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Excuse or something. write down this.
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Write down this. he came through a virgin
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He came through a virgin because he had to be clean.
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Because he had to be clean. he had to be clean.
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He had to be clean. and if he were born
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And if he were born with a human father,
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With a human father, he would carry the seed
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He would carry the seed of the sin of adam.
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Of the sin of adam. so it had to be a virgin.
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So it had to be a virgin. that's not just
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That's not just a catholic thing,
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A catholic thing, that's a clean thing.
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That's a clean thing. the unclean cannot be
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The unclean cannot be redeemed by the unclean.
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Redeemed by the unclean. the only thing that can
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The only thing that can redeem the unclean,
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Redeem the unclean, that's me, that's you,
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That's me, that's you, is a clean thing.
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Is a clean thing. that's not me,
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That's not me, that's not you.
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That's not you. so in order for god
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So in order for god to redeem you,
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To redeem you, he had to send a clean
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He had to send a clean thing into the earth.
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Thing into the earth. and the only way for it to be
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And the only way for it to be a clean thing was for it
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A clean thing was for it to not come from joseph,
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To not come from joseph, it had to come from god.
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It had to come from god. jesus, if he had been born
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Jesus, if he had been born through joseph in mary's womb,
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Through joseph in mary's womb, would not have been able
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Would not have been able to pay the price on the cross.
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To pay the price on the cross. so he had to be clean.
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So he had to be clean. and then he also
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And then he also had to be born of a virgin,
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Had to be born of a virgin, not only because it was
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Not only because it was prophesied that he would be,
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Prophesied that he would be, but because he wanted
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But because he wanted to come close.
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To come close. i mean, you do understand
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I mean, you do understand that jesus could
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That jesus could have come repelling
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Have come repelling from the staircase of heaven,
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Gone straight to the cross,
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Gone straight to the cross, and skipped all the storms
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And skipped all the storms on the sea of galilee.
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On the sea of galilee. there was no rule that said god
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There was no rule that said god had to send jesus as a baby.
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Had to send jesus as a baby. but i think one of the reasons
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But i think one of the reasons that he sent jesus as a baby
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That he sent jesus as a baby to a virgin womb is not only
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Because jesus had to be clean
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Because jesus had to be clean and because jesus
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And because jesus wanted to be close,
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Wanted to be close, but because he also wanted
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But because he also wanted jesus to get credit.
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Jesus to get credit. clean, close, credit.
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Clean, close, credit. the three c's of christmas,
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The three c's of christmas, that jesus was clean,
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That jesus was clean, born of a virgin,
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Born of a virgin, not of the seed of a man,
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Not of the seed of a man, but the seed of god.
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But the seed of god. the perfect, spotless
00:07:24.630 --> 00:07:25.631
The perfect, spotless lamb of god who takes away
00:07:25.698 --> 00:07:27.333
Lamb of god who takes away the sin of the world.
00:07:27.400 --> 00:07:28.935
The sin of the world. the lion of the tribe of judah
00:07:29.001 --> 00:07:30.770
The lion of the tribe of judah who rolled back the stone
00:07:30.837 --> 00:07:33.105
Who rolled back the stone and stood up with the keys of
00:07:33.172 --> 00:07:34.273
And stood up with the keys of death, hell and the grave.
00:07:34.340 --> 00:07:36.676
Death, hell and the grave. he was clean, he was close,
00:07:36.742 --> 00:07:40.112
He was clean, he was close, and the thing about a virgin
00:07:40.179 --> 00:07:41.380
And the thing about a virgin having a baby is
00:07:41.447 --> 00:07:44.550
Having a baby is she can't take any credit,
00:07:44.617 --> 00:07:46.819
She can't take any credit, and neither can the man.
00:07:46.886 --> 00:07:49.322
And neither can the man. "why are you taking time
00:07:49.388 --> 00:07:49.956
"why are you taking time to explain about a virgin
00:07:50.022 --> 00:07:51.157
To explain about a virgin having a baby, pastor steven
00:07:51.224 --> 00:07:52.391
Having a baby, pastor steven on christmas?"
00:07:52.458 --> 00:07:53.059
On christmas?" because obviously god
00:07:53.125 --> 00:07:54.160
Because obviously god thought it important enough
00:07:54.227 --> 00:07:55.061
Thought it important enough that he started the entire
00:07:55.127 --> 00:07:57.864
That he started the entire gospel story with it.
00:07:57.930 --> 00:08:00.967
Gospel story with it. and i wonder if it's because
00:08:01.033 --> 00:08:01.968
And i wonder if it's because he wants you to realize
00:08:02.034 --> 00:08:04.203
He wants you to realize that this thing did not
00:08:04.270 --> 00:08:05.338
That this thing did not start with you,
00:08:05.404 --> 00:08:07.173
Start with you, so this thing doesn't
00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:08.374
So this thing doesn't have to be sustained by you.
00:08:08.441 --> 00:08:12.311
Have to be sustained by you. i wonder if why you feel
00:08:12.378 --> 00:08:13.379
I wonder if why you feel so much unnecessary pressure
00:08:13.446 --> 00:08:15.515
So much unnecessary pressure is because you're trying
00:08:15.581 --> 00:08:16.382
Is because you're trying to sustain something
00:08:16.449 --> 00:08:18.484
To sustain something that you didn't even start.
00:08:18.551 --> 00:08:21.320
That you didn't even start. i mean, how much did you have
00:08:21.387 --> 00:08:22.955
I mean, how much did you have with being born the first time?
00:08:23.022 --> 00:08:25.057
With being born the first time? not too much.
00:08:25.124 --> 00:08:27.026
Not too much. i mean, you came on
00:08:27.093 --> 00:08:27.727
I mean, you came on out eventually,
00:08:27.793 --> 00:08:29.762
Out eventually, but you didn't take
00:08:29.829 --> 00:08:30.429
But you didn't take much credit, did you?
00:08:30.496 --> 00:08:31.864
Much credit, did you? i don't even know why
00:08:31.931 --> 00:08:32.565
I don't even know why we're singing
00:08:32.632 --> 00:08:33.099
We're singing happy birthday to you.
00:08:33.165 --> 00:08:34.667
[laughter]
00:08:34.901 --> 00:08:35.268
We should all be singing
00:08:35.868 --> 00:08:36.402
We should all be singing happy birthday to the one
00:08:36.469 --> 00:08:37.436
Happy birthday to the one who pushed you out.
00:08:37.503 --> 00:08:40.139
Who pushed you out. but see, we like to
00:08:40.206 --> 00:08:40.873
But see, we like to take credit for stuff.
00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:43.075
Take credit for stuff. and then that spills
00:08:43.142 --> 00:08:43.809
And then that spills over into our christianity
00:08:43.876 --> 00:08:45.945
Over into our christianity 'cause we didn't have anything
00:08:46.012 --> 00:08:47.213
'cause we didn't have anything to do with being born again
00:08:47.280 --> 00:08:48.147
To do with being born again either if you want to
00:08:48.214 --> 00:08:48.814
Either if you want to get down to it.
00:08:48.881 --> 00:08:51.684
Get down to it. i mean, most of us in here,
00:08:51.751 --> 00:08:52.985
I mean, most of us in here, we tried so hard
00:08:53.052 --> 00:08:54.120
We tried so hard to push god away.
00:08:54.186 --> 00:08:56.389
To push god away. it's not like we had some
00:08:56.455 --> 00:08:58.024
It's not like we had some awesome resume to present
00:08:58.090 --> 00:08:59.926
Awesome resume to present to the redeemer of the universe.
00:08:59.992 --> 00:09:02.762
To the redeemer of the universe. all the reasons why he should
00:09:02.828 --> 00:09:04.130
All the reasons why he should recruit us for his service.
00:09:04.196 --> 00:09:06.098
Recruit us for his service. no, that's not your story.
00:09:06.165 --> 00:09:08.501
No, that's not your story. the matter of the fact is
00:09:08.568 --> 00:09:09.802
The matter of the fact is you were dead in your sin,
00:09:09.869 --> 00:09:11.070
You were dead in your sin, but god.
00:09:11.137 --> 00:09:12.338
[applause]
00:09:12.572 --> 00:09:13.806
And so we come to
00:09:14.307 --> 00:09:14.907
And so we come to the cradle of christmas
00:09:14.974 --> 00:09:16.375
The cradle of christmas realizing that the reason
00:09:16.442 --> 00:09:19.178
Realizing that the reason jesus was born as a baby
00:09:19.245 --> 00:09:21.480
Jesus was born as a baby from the womb of a virgin
00:09:21.547 --> 00:09:23.115
From the womb of a virgin in a place called galilee
00:09:23.182 --> 00:09:24.650
In a place called galilee of the gentiles was so that
00:09:24.717 --> 00:09:26.752
Of the gentiles was so that when god got done doing
00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:28.287
When god got done doing what he was going to do
00:09:28.354 --> 00:09:29.622
What he was going to do through jesus, nobody else
00:09:29.689 --> 00:09:31.824
Through jesus, nobody else would get the glory
00:09:31.891 --> 00:09:33.359
Would get the glory and nobody else would
00:09:33.426 --> 00:09:34.627
And nobody else would get the praise,
00:09:34.694 --> 00:09:35.761
Get the praise, and nobody else
00:09:35.828 --> 00:09:36.729
And nobody else would get the credit.
00:09:36.796 --> 00:09:38.297
Would get the credit. because i'm not clean,
00:09:38.364 --> 00:09:39.932
Because i'm not clean, and i wasn't close,
00:09:39.999 --> 00:09:41.767
And i wasn't close, but here came jesus
00:09:41.834 --> 00:09:44.503
But here came jesus at just the right time.
00:09:44.570 --> 00:09:46.606
At just the right time. this is my christmas devotion.
00:09:46.672 --> 00:09:48.407
This is my christmas devotion. let me preach it like i feel it.
00:09:48.474 --> 00:09:50.676
Let me preach it like i feel it. i'm lost without
00:09:50.743 --> 00:09:51.811
I'm lost without anyone to guide me.
00:09:51.877 --> 00:09:53.779
Anyone to guide me. i was blind and couldn't see.
00:09:53.846 --> 00:09:56.382
I was blind and couldn't see. i was nobody.
00:09:56.449 --> 00:09:58.250
I was nobody. i had nothing to bring
00:09:58.317 --> 00:09:59.652
I had nothing to bring to the king that was of worth.
00:09:59.719 --> 00:10:01.621
I had no crown to
00:10:01.721 --> 00:10:02.788
I had no crown to place on his head.
00:10:02.855 --> 00:10:04.223
Place on his head. and he took a crown of thorns
00:10:04.290 --> 00:10:05.691
And he took a crown of thorns for me for you see,
00:10:05.758 --> 00:10:07.893
For me for you see, he deserves all the credit.
00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:13.566
He deserves all the credit. all the credit.
00:10:13.633 --> 00:10:14.400
[applause]
00:10:14.667 --> 00:10:17.336
By the way, if you start
00:10:18.037 --> 00:10:20.406
By the way, if you start giving god all the credit,
00:10:20.473 --> 00:10:22.074
Giving god all the credit, he'll start taking
00:10:22.141 --> 00:10:22.541
He'll start taking more of the stress.
00:10:22.608 --> 00:10:26.545
More of the stress. all right, let me really
00:10:26.612 --> 00:10:27.313
All right, let me really preach to y'all now.
00:10:27.380 --> 00:10:29.382
Preach to y'all now. there was a group of preachers
00:10:29.448 --> 00:10:30.583
There was a group of preachers who came to visit us
00:10:30.650 --> 00:10:31.717
Who came to visit us about a year ago,
00:10:31.784 --> 00:10:32.852
About a year ago, and one of them wanted to know,
00:10:32.918 --> 00:10:34.286
And one of them wanted to know, what do i do about critics?
00:10:34.353 --> 00:10:36.288
What do i do about critics? what do i do about critics?
00:10:36.355 --> 00:10:37.790
What do i do about critics? what do i do about critics?
00:10:37.857 --> 00:10:39.191
What do i do about critics? i said, "i have no idea.
00:10:39.258 --> 00:10:40.393
I said, "i have no idea. i've never had one.
00:10:40.459 --> 00:10:41.360
I've never had one. what?
00:10:41.427 --> 00:10:42.261
What? what are you speaking of,
00:10:42.328 --> 00:10:42.862
What are you speaking of, these critics?
00:10:42.928 --> 00:10:43.863
These critics? i find people loving
00:10:43.929 --> 00:10:45.498
I find people loving and generous
00:10:45.564 --> 00:10:46.032
And generous in their interpretation
00:10:46.098 --> 00:10:46.899
In their interpretation of all of your," --
00:10:46.966 --> 00:10:48.100
Of all of your," -- no, actually,
00:10:48.167 --> 00:10:48.868
No, actually, what i said is,
00:10:48.934 --> 00:10:51.837
What i said is, "if you want to
00:10:51.904 --> 00:10:53.305
"if you want to survive criticism,
00:10:53.372 --> 00:10:57.443
Survive criticism, you have to change your
00:10:57.510 --> 00:10:58.244
You have to change your relationship with praise."
00:10:58.310 --> 00:11:03.716
Relationship with praise." and he said, "no,
00:11:03.783 --> 00:11:04.650
And he said, "no, i'm not asking about praise,
00:11:04.717 --> 00:11:05.651
I'm not asking about praise, i'm asking about critics."
00:11:05.718 --> 00:11:07.987
I'm asking about critics." i said, "yeah, but if they have
00:11:08.054 --> 00:11:10.122
I said, "yeah, but if they have the power to praise you,
00:11:10.189 --> 00:11:13.025
The power to praise you, then they also have
00:11:13.092 --> 00:11:13.993
Then they also have the power to pull you down."
00:11:14.060 --> 00:11:17.063
The power to pull you down." so when people praise you,
00:11:17.129 --> 00:11:18.798
So when people praise you, don't take it too seriously.
00:11:18.864 --> 00:11:20.766
Don't take it too seriously. they just haven't
00:11:20.833 --> 00:11:21.400
They just haven't got close enough yet.
00:11:21.467 --> 00:11:22.368
[applause]
00:11:22.635 --> 00:11:27.640
When people criticize you,
00:11:28.274 --> 00:11:30.142
When people criticize you, don't take it too personally,
00:11:30.209 --> 00:11:31.610
Don't take it too personally, they just don't want you to see
00:11:31.677 --> 00:11:32.712
They just don't want you to see that big old plank sticking out
00:11:32.778 --> 00:11:34.146
That big old plank sticking out of their right eye
00:11:34.213 --> 00:11:35.448
Of their right eye so they're talking about
00:11:35.514 --> 00:11:36.282
So they're talking about a speck in yours.
00:11:36.348 --> 00:11:37.450
A speck in yours. and either way you slice it,
00:11:37.516 --> 00:11:40.219
And either way you slice it, it's the same principle.
00:11:40.286 --> 00:11:43.456
It's the same principle. "i thought we were
00:11:43.522 --> 00:11:43.989
"i thought we were talking about christmas."
00:11:44.056 --> 00:11:44.924
Talking about christmas." we are.
00:11:44.990 --> 00:11:46.759
We are. remember that what started in
00:11:46.826 --> 00:11:48.227
Remember that what started in the cradle ended on the cross.
00:11:48.294 --> 00:11:50.396
The cradle ended on the cross. and we know so much about mary
00:11:50.463 --> 00:11:53.232
And we know so much about mary that mary doesn't know
00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:53.999
That mary doesn't know about mary yet.
00:11:54.066 --> 00:11:56.469
About mary yet. we know that she initiated
00:11:56.535 --> 00:11:57.570
We know that she initiated jesus' first miracle
00:11:57.636 --> 00:11:58.704
Jesus' first miracle when she said,
00:11:58.771 --> 00:11:59.271
When she said, "get ready and turn
00:11:59.338 --> 00:12:00.773
"get ready and turn this water into wine."
00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:02.975
This water into wine." and jesus said, "woman,
00:12:03.042 --> 00:12:04.176
And jesus said, "woman, my hour has not yet come."
00:12:04.243 --> 00:12:06.779
My hour has not yet come." and she said, "well,
00:12:06.846 --> 00:12:07.413
And she said, "well, you don't have to."
00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:09.849
You don't have to." my title.
00:12:09.915 --> 00:12:10.950
My title. "you don't have to."
00:12:11.016 --> 00:12:12.551
"you don't have to." but she turned to the servants
00:12:12.618 --> 00:12:13.519
But she turned to the servants and said, "do whatever
00:12:13.586 --> 00:12:14.220
And said, "do whatever he tells you."
00:12:14.286 --> 00:12:16.589
He tells you." and man, the wine started
00:12:16.655 --> 00:12:17.723
And man, the wine started flowing when that woman spoke.
00:12:17.790 --> 00:12:19.458
Flowing when that woman spoke. wow.
00:12:19.525 --> 00:12:20.826
Wow. we know about mary,
00:12:20.893 --> 00:12:21.594
We know about mary, that she became frustrated
00:12:21.660 --> 00:12:23.996
That she became frustrated with jesus' popularity
00:12:24.063 --> 00:12:25.464
With jesus' popularity because she felt that it
00:12:25.531 --> 00:12:26.699
Because she felt that it kept him from being intimate
00:12:26.766 --> 00:12:29.001
Kept him from being intimate with his family and stood
00:12:29.068 --> 00:12:30.503
With his family and stood outside the door saying,
00:12:30.569 --> 00:12:31.871
Outside the door saying, "he's going crazy.
00:12:31.937 --> 00:12:33.072
"he's going crazy. go in there and tell him
00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:33.806
Go in there and tell him he's going crazy."
00:12:33.873 --> 00:12:35.641
He's going crazy." we know that although
00:12:35.708 --> 00:12:36.709
We know that although mary was frustrated, though,
00:12:36.776 --> 00:12:37.877
Mary was frustrated, though, she would not forsake jesus,
00:12:37.943 --> 00:12:39.512
She would not forsake jesus, for she was there
00:12:39.578 --> 00:12:40.346
For she was there at the foot of the cross
00:12:40.412 --> 00:12:42.715
At the foot of the cross with one disciple named
00:12:42.782 --> 00:12:43.516
With one disciple named john, when her son died.
00:12:43.582 --> 00:12:46.752
John, when her son died. there are some things about mary
00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:47.820
There are some things about mary that mary doesn't know yet,
00:12:47.887 --> 00:12:50.322
That mary doesn't know yet, and yet she accepts.
00:12:50.389 --> 00:12:52.158
And yet she accepts. oh, this was beautiful
00:12:52.224 --> 00:12:52.758
Oh, this was beautiful for me to see,
00:12:52.825 --> 00:12:54.627
For me to see, the promise of god
00:12:54.693 --> 00:12:56.762
The promise of god to her virgin womb.
00:12:56.829 --> 00:12:57.997
To her virgin womb. now, i don't know what you
00:12:58.063 --> 00:12:59.398
Now, i don't know what you noticed when we read,
00:12:59.465 --> 00:13:00.566
Noticed when we read, and i don't know how close
00:13:00.633 --> 00:13:01.500
And i don't know how close you pay attention
00:13:01.567 --> 00:13:02.968
You pay attention when i read the scripture.
00:13:03.035 --> 00:13:04.103
When i read the scripture. i notice sometimes
00:13:04.170 --> 00:13:04.737
I notice sometimes we have to go back to it
00:13:04.804 --> 00:13:05.838
We have to go back to it because when i'm reading
00:13:05.905 --> 00:13:06.672
Because when i'm reading it the first time,
00:13:06.739 --> 00:13:07.540
It the first time, you're kind of getting oriented.
00:13:07.606 --> 00:13:09.341
Go back to verse 26
00:13:09.441 --> 00:13:10.776
Go back to verse 26 for a moment.
00:13:10.843 --> 00:13:11.443
For a moment. can we study?
00:13:11.510 --> 00:13:13.679
Can we study? we're gonna do a lot
00:13:13.746 --> 00:13:14.280
We're gonna do a lot of singing next sunday,
00:13:14.346 --> 00:13:15.314
Of singing next sunday, so i'mma get all the study
00:13:15.381 --> 00:13:16.782
So i'mma get all the study part in this sunday
00:13:16.849 --> 00:13:17.917
Part in this sunday so you'll be ready.
00:13:17.983 --> 00:13:19.218
So you'll be ready. this word's gonna help
00:13:19.285 --> 00:13:20.052
This word's gonna help you get ready for everything
00:13:20.119 --> 00:13:21.420
You get ready for everything you got coming up this week.
00:13:21.487 --> 00:13:23.622
You got coming up this week. elbow your neighbor and say,
00:13:23.689 --> 00:13:24.657
Elbow your neighbor and say, "you don't look ready yet."
00:13:24.723 --> 00:13:25.858
>> congregation: you don't
00:13:25.958 --> 00:13:26.458
>> congregation: you don't look ready yet.
00:13:26.525 --> 00:13:27.226
Look ready yet. this word's gonna
00:13:27.293 --> 00:13:27.693
This word's gonna get you ready, though.
00:13:27.760 --> 00:13:29.428
"now in the sixth month,
00:13:29.528 --> 00:13:32.331
"now in the sixth month, in the sixth month
00:13:32.398 --> 00:13:33.499
In the sixth month of elizabeth's pregnancy,"
00:13:33.566 --> 00:13:34.767
Of elizabeth's pregnancy," verse 26, "god sent
00:13:34.834 --> 00:13:36.535
Verse 26, "god sent the angel gabriel to nazareth,
00:13:36.602 --> 00:13:39.271
The angel gabriel to nazareth, a town in galilee."
00:13:39.338 --> 00:13:40.906
A town in galilee." we need to talk about
00:13:40.973 --> 00:13:41.707
We need to talk about two things in this passage.
00:13:41.774 --> 00:13:43.843
Two things in this passage. we need to talk
00:13:43.909 --> 00:13:44.443
We need to talk about who is gabriel,
00:13:44.510 --> 00:13:46.946
About who is gabriel, and what is galilee?
00:13:47.012 --> 00:13:49.381
And what is galilee? i'll do it in reverse order.
00:13:49.448 --> 00:13:51.517
Galilee is the place
00:13:51.617 --> 00:13:53.352
Galilee is the place where jesus is going to do
00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.753
Where jesus is going to do the majority of his ministry.
00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:57.122
The majority of his ministry. he will not die in galilee,
00:13:57.189 --> 00:13:58.591
He will not die in galilee, he will die in jerusalem,
00:13:58.657 --> 00:14:00.392
He will die in jerusalem, but he will minister
00:14:00.459 --> 00:14:01.193
But he will minister and base his operations
00:14:01.260 --> 00:14:03.395
And base his operations 30 years from now
00:14:03.462 --> 00:14:04.630
30 years from now out of galilee.
00:14:04.697 --> 00:14:06.732
Out of galilee. he will calm storms
00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.766
He will calm storms on the sea of galilee.
00:14:07.833 --> 00:14:09.602
On the sea of galilee. he will heal the blind eyes
00:14:09.668 --> 00:14:11.437
He will heal the blind eyes in the region of galilee.
00:14:11.503 --> 00:14:12.972
In the region of galilee. it's going down in galilee
00:14:13.038 --> 00:14:14.473
It's going down in galilee in just about 30 years.
00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:16.575
In just about 30 years. and god is setting all of this
00:14:16.642 --> 00:14:18.177
And god is setting all of this up through a girl,
00:14:18.244 --> 00:14:20.112
Up through a girl, and he sends an angel
00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:21.714
And he sends an angel named gabriel.
00:14:21.780 --> 00:14:23.949
Named gabriel. gabriel is not
00:14:24.016 --> 00:14:26.485
Gabriel is not a minimum wage angel.
00:14:26.552 --> 00:14:30.956
A minimum wage angel. there's only two angels
00:14:31.023 --> 00:14:31.924
There's only two angels in the whole bible
00:14:31.991 --> 00:14:33.125
In the whole bible that we know the names of.
00:14:33.192 --> 00:14:35.194
That we know the names of. michael, michael is
00:14:35.261 --> 00:14:38.364
Michael, michael is the fighting angel.
00:14:38.430 --> 00:14:40.299
The fighting angel. michael is the mma angel.
00:14:40.366 --> 00:14:43.135
Michael is the mma angel. michael will choke you out.
00:14:43.202 --> 00:14:44.136
Michael will choke you out. michael's the cauliflower
00:14:44.203 --> 00:14:45.070
Michael's the cauliflower ear angel.
00:14:45.137 --> 00:14:46.105
Ear angel. michael's a guy
00:14:46.171 --> 00:14:46.972
Michael's a guy you don't want to mess with.
00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:49.875
You don't want to mess with. and gabriel, he's not
00:14:49.942 --> 00:14:52.711
And gabriel, he's not the fighting angel,
00:14:52.778 --> 00:14:53.612
The fighting angel, he's the fill you in angel.
00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:56.849
He's the fill you in angel. he's the angel,
00:14:56.916 --> 00:14:58.150
He's the angel, you'll remember this,
00:14:58.217 --> 00:14:59.018
You'll remember this, who came to daniel
00:14:59.084 --> 00:15:00.586
Who came to daniel and explained to him
00:15:00.653 --> 00:15:01.487
And explained to him about the prophecies.
00:15:01.553 --> 00:15:02.321
About the prophecies. he brought him clarity
00:15:02.388 --> 00:15:03.455
He brought him clarity in daniel 8 and 9.
00:15:03.522 --> 00:15:05.624
In daniel 8 and 9. and then we don't see him
00:15:05.691 --> 00:15:06.358
And then we don't see him again for a long time,
00:15:06.425 --> 00:15:09.528
Again for a long time, and we see him go to galilee,
00:15:09.595 --> 00:15:11.830
And we see him go to galilee, which is strange.
00:15:11.897 --> 00:15:13.432
Which is strange. but before he goes to galilee,
00:15:13.499 --> 00:15:15.901
But before he goes to galilee, he goes to jerusalem.
00:15:15.968 --> 00:15:17.136
He goes to jerusalem. that's why i read you
00:15:17.202 --> 00:15:17.836
That's why i read you the verse where it said,
00:15:17.903 --> 00:15:19.238
The verse where it said, "it was the sixth month
00:15:19.305 --> 00:15:20.339
"it was the sixth month of elizabeth's pregnancy."
00:15:20.406 --> 00:15:21.640
Of elizabeth's pregnancy." now, elizabeth was
00:15:21.707 --> 00:15:22.775
Now, elizabeth was a relative of mary,
00:15:22.841 --> 00:15:24.376
A relative of mary, and her husband
00:15:24.443 --> 00:15:24.810
And her husband was named zechariah,
00:15:24.877 --> 00:15:25.611
Was named zechariah, and zechariah was a priest.
00:15:25.678 --> 00:15:26.946
And zechariah was a priest. and one day, zechariah,
00:15:27.012 --> 00:15:28.414
And one day, zechariah, the priest, who was very old,
00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.882
The priest, who was very old, went into the temple
00:15:29.949 --> 00:15:30.416
Went into the temple to burn incense,
00:15:30.482 --> 00:15:31.417
To burn incense, as it was his duty to do
00:15:31.483 --> 00:15:33.085
As it was his duty to do by the lots that were cast.
00:15:33.152 --> 00:15:34.086
By the lots that were cast. and as he's there
00:15:34.153 --> 00:15:34.586
And as he's there burning incense,
00:15:34.653 --> 00:15:36.388
Burning incense, an angel shows up
00:15:36.455 --> 00:15:37.523
An angel shows up right there by the altar
00:15:37.589 --> 00:15:39.325
Right there by the altar and said, "zechariah,
00:15:39.391 --> 00:15:41.593
And said, "zechariah, i know you hadn't felt
00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:44.630
I know you hadn't felt like your old self
00:15:44.697 --> 00:15:45.431
Like your old self in quite some time,
00:15:45.497 --> 00:15:46.632
In quite some time, buddy, but get ready.
00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:48.667
Buddy, but get ready. you're about to have a baby."
00:15:48.734 --> 00:15:50.903
You're about to have a baby." and zechariah said,
00:15:50.970 --> 00:15:51.904
And zechariah said, "but i'm old."
00:15:51.971 --> 00:15:53.939
"but i'm old." and gabriel said,
00:15:54.006 --> 00:15:54.840
And gabriel said, "but i'm gabriel."
00:15:54.907 --> 00:15:58.110
"but i'm gabriel." oh, i felt that on my spinal
00:15:58.177 --> 00:16:00.279
Oh, i felt that on my spinal column when i said it.
00:16:00.346 --> 00:16:02.147
Column when i said it. "but i'm gabriel.
00:16:02.214 --> 00:16:03.849
"but i'm gabriel. i stand in the presence of god
00:16:03.916 --> 00:16:06.485
I stand in the presence of god and i don't care
00:16:06.552 --> 00:16:07.019
And i don't care how old you are,
00:16:07.086 --> 00:16:08.587
How old you are, and i don't care if you put
00:16:08.654 --> 00:16:09.655
And i don't care if you put all the baby clothes away
00:16:09.722 --> 00:16:11.123
All the baby clothes away from all the times
00:16:11.190 --> 00:16:11.690
From all the times you tried before."
00:16:11.757 --> 00:16:13.025
You tried before." see, zechariah and elizabeth
00:16:13.092 --> 00:16:13.859
See, zechariah and elizabeth had never had a baby.
00:16:13.926 --> 00:16:15.761
Had never had a baby. her womb was barren.
00:16:15.828 --> 00:16:16.795
Her womb was barren. she was advanced in age,
00:16:16.862 --> 00:16:18.297
She was advanced in age, even though she was of
00:16:18.364 --> 00:16:19.531
Even though she was of the line of aaron,
00:16:19.598 --> 00:16:20.833
The line of aaron, even though she was
00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.567
A very significant person.
00:16:21.667 --> 00:16:23.535
A very significant person. as her husband stood in
00:16:23.602 --> 00:16:25.204
As her husband stood in jerusalem burning incense,
00:16:25.270 --> 00:16:26.972
Jerusalem burning incense, the angel gabriel
00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.107
The angel gabriel showed up to say,
00:16:28.173 --> 00:16:29.241
Showed up to say, "you're about to
00:16:29.308 --> 00:16:30.009
"you're about to have a baby."
00:16:30.075 --> 00:16:30.609
Have a baby." zechariah said,
00:16:30.676 --> 00:16:31.777
Zechariah said, "it cannot be, i'm old."
00:16:31.844 --> 00:16:33.912
"it cannot be, i'm old." and he said,
00:16:33.979 --> 00:16:34.546
And he said, "because you said that
00:16:34.613 --> 00:16:35.814
"because you said that and because i'm gabriel,
00:16:35.881 --> 00:16:36.915
And because i stand in
00:16:37.016 --> 00:16:37.816
And because i stand in the presence of god
00:16:37.883 --> 00:16:39.084
The presence of god and you don't, and because
00:16:39.151 --> 00:16:40.319
And you don't, and because i come from heaven
00:16:40.386 --> 00:16:41.320
I come from heaven and you don't, shut your mouth,
00:16:41.387 --> 00:16:43.322
And you don't, shut your mouth, you're not speaking again
00:16:43.389 --> 00:16:44.123
You're not speaking again until the baby is born.
00:16:44.189 --> 00:16:45.324
Until the baby is born. and when the baby's born,
00:16:45.391 --> 00:16:46.225
And when the baby's born, you're gonna name him john.
00:16:46.291 --> 00:16:46.992
You're gonna name him john. and when everybody ask you,
00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.593
And when everybody ask you, 'why john?'
00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.027
'why john?' say 'cause i'm gabriel
00:16:48.093 --> 00:16:50.362
Say 'cause i'm gabriel and i came with
00:16:50.429 --> 00:16:51.030
And i came with a message from god."
00:16:51.096 --> 00:16:53.032
A message from god." and zechariah came out
00:16:53.098 --> 00:16:54.066
And zechariah came out of the temple smelling
00:16:54.133 --> 00:16:54.900
Of the temple smelling like incense smoke,
00:16:54.967 --> 00:16:56.602
Like incense smoke, but not able to say very much.
00:16:56.668 --> 00:16:59.571
But not able to say very much. and zechariah had to learn
00:16:59.638 --> 00:17:00.472
And zechariah had to learn sign language real quick
00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:01.640
Sign language real quick coming out of that temple
00:17:01.707 --> 00:17:03.075
Coming out of that temple because everybody wanted
00:17:03.142 --> 00:17:03.976
Because everybody wanted to know what happened
00:17:04.043 --> 00:17:04.643
To know what happened and why were you
00:17:04.710 --> 00:17:05.244
And why were you in there so long?
00:17:05.310 --> 00:17:07.079
In there so long? kind of weird.
00:17:07.146 --> 00:17:07.479
Kind of weird. you were in there
00:17:07.546 --> 00:17:07.980
You were in there a long time, zechariah.
00:17:08.047 --> 00:17:09.081
A long time, zechariah. don't take that long
00:17:09.148 --> 00:17:09.715
Don't take that long to light incense.
00:17:09.782 --> 00:17:10.749
To light incense. what was going on in there?
00:17:10.816 --> 00:17:12.484
What was going on in there? zechariah...
00:17:12.551 --> 00:17:12.951
[laughter]
00:17:15.054 --> 00:17:16.822
But that's been six months ago.
00:17:17.322 --> 00:17:20.192
But that's been six months ago. and that makes sense because
00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.628
And that makes sense because of course the angel gabriel,
00:17:22.694 --> 00:17:25.464
Of course the angel gabriel, the messenger gabriel,
00:17:25.531 --> 00:17:27.066
The messenger gabriel, the clarifying angel gabriel,
00:17:27.132 --> 00:17:29.368
The clarifying angel gabriel, the fill you in
00:17:29.435 --> 00:17:30.269
The fill you in and tell you what god's
00:17:30.335 --> 00:17:31.103
And tell you what god's about to do angel.
00:17:31.170 --> 00:17:32.938
About to do angel. of course he would show up
00:17:33.005 --> 00:17:34.373
Of course he would show up to a priest in a place
00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:36.341
To a priest in a place like jerusalem.
00:17:36.408 --> 00:17:38.410
Like jerusalem. why?
00:17:38.477 --> 00:17:39.144
Why? jerusalem was the center
00:17:39.211 --> 00:17:40.446
Jerusalem was the center point of jewish worship.
00:17:40.512 --> 00:17:43.715
Point of jewish worship. i expect to see gabriel
00:17:43.782 --> 00:17:45.751
I expect to see gabriel at the temple in jerusalem
00:17:45.818 --> 00:17:47.820
At the temple in jerusalem speaking to a priest.
00:17:47.886 --> 00:17:49.588
Speaking to a priest. i expect to see gabriel
00:17:49.655 --> 00:17:51.757
I expect to see gabriel standing at the threshold
00:17:51.824 --> 00:17:52.991
Standing at the threshold of the place where the offerings
00:17:53.058 --> 00:17:54.726
Of the place where the offerings and the sacrifices were made.
00:17:54.793 --> 00:17:56.261
And the sacrifices were made. you expect to see gabriel
00:17:56.328 --> 00:17:57.863
You expect to see gabriel in a place like that?
00:17:57.930 --> 00:17:59.331
In a place like that? what i didn't expect
00:17:59.398 --> 00:18:01.433
What i didn't expect was six months later,
00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:03.001
Was six months later, to see that same gabriel,
00:18:03.068 --> 00:18:05.671
To see that same gabriel, one of only two angels whose
00:18:05.737 --> 00:18:07.940
One of only two angels whose names we know in scripture,
00:18:08.006 --> 00:18:10.075
Names we know in scripture, one of the archangels
00:18:10.142 --> 00:18:11.477
One of the archangels in scripture.
00:18:11.543 --> 00:18:12.611
In scripture. what i didn't expect
00:18:12.678 --> 00:18:14.179
What i didn't expect was to see gabriel show up
00:18:14.246 --> 00:18:16.281
Was to see gabriel show up in a place like galilee.
00:18:16.348 --> 00:18:18.851
In a place like galilee. let's talk about galilee.
00:18:18.917 --> 00:18:21.120
Let's talk about galilee. galilee is 70 miles
00:18:21.186 --> 00:18:23.122
Galilee is 70 miles from jerusalem.
00:18:23.188 --> 00:18:24.223
From jerusalem. galilee is not considered
00:18:24.289 --> 00:18:25.624
Galilee is not considered very significant by the people
00:18:25.691 --> 00:18:27.426
Very significant by the people who live in jerusalem.
00:18:27.493 --> 00:18:28.827
Who live in jerusalem. galilee is mixed with
00:18:28.894 --> 00:18:30.596
Galilee is mixed with jews and gentiles,
00:18:30.662 --> 00:18:31.563
Jews and gentiles, so the religious customs
00:18:31.630 --> 00:18:32.731
So the religious customs are questionable at best.
00:18:32.798 --> 00:18:35.134
Are questionable at best. it was referred to
00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.101
It was referred to as the land of darkness.
00:18:36.168 --> 00:18:38.937
As the land of darkness. i'm not surprised to see
00:18:39.004 --> 00:18:40.572
I'm not surprised to see gabriel show up in the temple
00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:42.007
Gabriel show up in the temple where the priest
00:18:42.074 --> 00:18:42.541
Where the priest is burning incense.
00:18:42.608 --> 00:18:44.176
Is burning incense. that seems like something
00:18:44.243 --> 00:18:45.310
That seems like something worthy of gabriel's time.
00:18:45.377 --> 00:18:47.546
Worthy of gabriel's time. but i am surprised to see
00:18:47.613 --> 00:18:49.081
But i am surprised to see gabriel show up six months
00:18:49.148 --> 00:18:50.749
Gabriel show up six months later for a special appointment
00:18:50.816 --> 00:18:53.485
Later for a special appointment with a girl whose name
00:18:53.552 --> 00:18:55.587
With a girl whose name would not even be known
00:18:55.654 --> 00:18:57.422
Would not even be known had gabriel not shown up
00:18:57.489 --> 00:18:59.491
Had gabriel not shown up to tell her what she was
00:18:59.558 --> 00:19:00.692
To tell her what she was carrying in a place called
00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.694
Carrying in a place called galilee where nobody even
00:19:02.761 --> 00:19:04.930
Galilee where nobody even found worth putting on
00:19:04.997 --> 00:19:06.098
Found worth putting on their itinerary when
00:19:06.165 --> 00:19:07.733
Their itinerary when planning an important trip.
00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:09.635
Planning an important trip. all that i said to say this.
00:19:09.701 --> 00:19:11.770
All that i said to say this. god's gonna show up
00:19:11.837 --> 00:19:12.604
God's gonna show up in some unexpected places
00:19:12.671 --> 00:19:15.340
In some unexpected places in your life in this season,
00:19:15.407 --> 00:19:16.575
In your life in this season, and don't be too surprised
00:19:16.642 --> 00:19:18.644
And don't be too surprised because god is not bound
00:19:18.710 --> 00:19:20.012
Because god is not bound to the customs and traditions
00:19:20.078 --> 00:19:21.613
To the customs and traditions that people are bound to.
00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:23.615
That people are bound to. and god doesn't just show up
00:19:23.682 --> 00:19:24.883
And god doesn't just show up in holy families and oh,
00:19:24.950 --> 00:19:27.452
In holy families and oh, holy nights and silent nights.
00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:30.556
Holy nights and silent nights. for the king that we serve,
00:19:30.622 --> 00:19:32.224
For the king that we serve, before he went to a throne,
00:19:32.291 --> 00:19:34.059
Before he went to a throne, he stopped by a manger.
00:19:34.126 --> 00:19:36.161
He stopped by a manger. and i wanna speak to somebody
00:19:36.228 --> 00:19:37.729
And i wanna speak to somebody this christmas season
00:19:37.796 --> 00:19:39.131
This christmas season who is going through
00:19:39.198 --> 00:19:40.399
Who is going through a galilee in your family.
00:19:40.465 --> 00:19:43.168
A galilee in your family. i don't know exactly
00:19:43.235 --> 00:19:44.336
I don't know exactly what that means to you,
00:19:44.403 --> 00:19:45.137
What that means to you, but perhaps you do.
00:19:45.204 --> 00:19:46.805
But perhaps you do. maybe it's a galilee
00:19:46.872 --> 00:19:48.040
Maybe it's a galilee in your relationship
00:19:48.106 --> 00:19:49.074
In your relationship with your children.
00:19:49.141 --> 00:19:50.409
Maybe it's a galilee
00:19:50.509 --> 00:19:51.476
Maybe it's a galilee in your relationship
00:19:51.543 --> 00:19:52.611
In your relationship with your wife.
00:19:52.678 --> 00:19:53.845
With your wife. maybe it's a galilee
00:19:53.912 --> 00:19:54.880
Maybe it's a galilee in your own
00:19:54.947 --> 00:19:55.547
In your own emotional despondency.
00:19:55.614 --> 00:19:57.683
Emotional despondency. galilee can be a dark place.
00:19:57.749 --> 00:19:59.885
Galilee can be a dark place. galilee can seem like
00:19:59.952 --> 00:20:01.019
Galilee can seem like an insignificant place.
00:20:01.086 --> 00:20:02.788
An insignificant place. galilee can become
00:20:02.854 --> 00:20:03.855
An insecurity so that you begin
00:20:03.956 --> 00:20:05.824
An insecurity so that you begin to think that no one
00:20:05.891 --> 00:20:07.259
To think that no one as important as god
00:20:07.326 --> 00:20:09.661
As important as god would have time for someone
00:20:09.728 --> 00:20:11.763
Would have time for someone as insignificant as me,
00:20:11.830 --> 00:20:14.466
As insignificant as me, which is why i read you
00:20:14.533 --> 00:20:15.534
Which is why i read you luke 1:26.
00:20:15.601 --> 00:20:18.070
Luke 1:26. now god sent an angel
00:20:18.136 --> 00:20:21.373
Now god sent an angel named gabriel to
00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:23.208
Named gabriel to a place called nazareth
00:20:23.275 --> 00:20:24.943
A place called nazareth in a region called galilee.
00:20:25.010 --> 00:20:27.512
In a region called galilee. i announce to you this day
00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:29.948
I announce to you this day gabriel is coming to galilee.
00:20:30.015 --> 00:20:33.118
[applause]
00:20:33.418 --> 00:20:36.955
You hear me at dove's nest?
00:20:38.290 --> 00:20:41.093
You hear me at dove's nest? you hear me?
00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:41.727
You hear me? you can't be with your
00:20:41.793 --> 00:20:42.361
You can't be with your children this christmas
00:20:42.427 --> 00:20:43.328
Children this christmas because you're in recovery.
00:20:43.395 --> 00:20:44.896
Because you're in recovery. gabriel is coming to galilee.
00:20:44.963 --> 00:20:48.267
[applause]
00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:50.269
You hear the voice
00:20:52.037 --> 00:20:52.537
You hear the voice of the lord now.
00:20:52.604 --> 00:20:53.171
Of the lord now. don't listen to my voice,
00:20:53.238 --> 00:20:53.972
Don't listen to my voice, listen to the voice of the lord.
00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.474
Listen to the voice of the lord. some of you are
00:20:55.540 --> 00:20:56.675
Some of you are bereaved this season.
00:20:56.742 --> 00:20:58.577
Bereaved this season. gabriel is coming
00:20:58.644 --> 00:21:00.012
Gabriel is coming to your grieving.
00:21:00.078 --> 00:21:03.348
To your grieving. some of you have been betrayed
00:21:03.415 --> 00:21:04.683
Some of you have been betrayed in this season of your life.
00:21:04.750 --> 00:21:06.285
In this season of your life. gabriel is coming into
00:21:06.351 --> 00:21:08.520
Gabriel is coming into the betrayal because
00:21:08.587 --> 00:21:11.189
The betrayal because god is sending him.
00:21:11.256 --> 00:21:13.225
God is sending him. and when god sends gabriel,
00:21:13.292 --> 00:21:15.594
And when god sends gabriel, gabriel has got to go.
00:21:15.661 --> 00:21:18.764
Gabriel has got to go. see, i want you to understand
00:21:18.830 --> 00:21:20.032
See, i want you to understand that when god speaks a word,
00:21:20.098 --> 00:21:22.000
That when god speaks a word, he does not
00:21:22.067 --> 00:21:22.501
He does not consult circumstances.
00:21:22.567 --> 00:21:25.103
Consult circumstances. when god speaks a word,
00:21:25.170 --> 00:21:27.039
When god speaks a word, he does not
00:21:27.105 --> 00:21:27.539
He does not consult circumstances.
00:21:27.606 --> 00:21:29.708
Consult circumstances. i'mma say it again
00:21:29.775 --> 00:21:30.575
I'mma say it again for the lady in
00:21:30.642 --> 00:21:31.310
For the lady in the back of the room.
00:21:31.376 --> 00:21:33.178
The back of the room. when god speaks a word
00:21:33.245 --> 00:21:34.613
When god speaks a word over your life,
00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.981
Over your life, when god speaks a word
00:21:36.048 --> 00:21:37.182
When god speaks a word over your destiny,
00:21:37.249 --> 00:21:38.817
Over your destiny, when god speaks a word
00:21:38.884 --> 00:21:39.851
When god speaks a word over your future,
00:21:39.918 --> 00:21:41.186
Over your future, when god speaks a word
00:21:41.253 --> 00:21:42.421
When god speaks a word over your relationship,
00:21:42.487 --> 00:21:44.056
Over your relationship, when god speaks a word
00:21:44.122 --> 00:21:45.357
When god speaks a word over your baby,
00:21:45.424 --> 00:21:46.658
Over your baby, when god speaks a word
00:21:46.725 --> 00:21:47.859
When god speaks a word over your lifespan,
00:21:47.926 --> 00:21:49.261
Over your lifespan, when god speaks a word
00:21:49.328 --> 00:21:50.595
When god speaks a word over your generational impact,
00:21:50.662 --> 00:21:52.864
Over your generational impact, when god says, "gabriel go,"
00:21:52.931 --> 00:21:55.233
When god says, "gabriel go," gabriel doesn't get
00:21:55.300 --> 00:21:56.301
Gabriel doesn't get to say to god,
00:21:56.368 --> 00:21:57.436
To say to god, "i'm not going to galilee."
00:21:57.502 --> 00:21:59.171
"i'm not going to galilee." that's only humans that do that.
00:21:59.237 --> 00:22:03.208
That's only humans that do that. that's only humans that do that.
00:22:03.275 --> 00:22:05.410
That's only humans that do that. we disobey, we get stubborn.
00:22:05.477 --> 00:22:07.946
We disobey, we get stubborn. we don't want to forgive
00:22:08.013 --> 00:22:09.014
We don't want to forgive because we've been hurt.
00:22:09.081 --> 00:22:10.282
Because we've been hurt. gabriel goes where
00:22:10.349 --> 00:22:11.216
Gabriel goes where god says to go.
00:22:11.283 --> 00:22:13.618
God says to go. so what i'm trying
00:22:13.685 --> 00:22:14.419
So what i'm trying to get you to see is that
00:22:14.486 --> 00:22:16.455
To get you to see is that the miracle of christmas
00:22:16.521 --> 00:22:18.657
The miracle of christmas is that i could not get to god.
00:22:18.724 --> 00:22:21.927
Is that i could not get to god. my sin was great.
00:22:21.993 --> 00:22:24.529
My sin was great. christmas is not
00:22:24.596 --> 00:22:25.364
Christmas is not just sentimental for me,
00:22:25.430 --> 00:22:27.466
Just sentimental for me, it is salvation to me.
00:22:27.532 --> 00:22:30.402
It is salvation to me. my life is on the line.
00:22:30.469 --> 00:22:32.738
My life is on the line. i cannot walk straight,
00:22:32.804 --> 00:22:34.973
I cannot walk straight, i cannot be clean,
00:22:35.040 --> 00:22:36.975
I cannot be clean, i cannot come close.
00:22:37.042 --> 00:22:39.144
I cannot come close. i cannot take credit
00:22:39.211 --> 00:22:41.079
I cannot take credit for my righteousness
00:22:41.146 --> 00:22:42.214
For my righteousness was as filthy rags.
00:22:42.280 --> 00:22:44.683
Was as filthy rags. so you cannot get to god.
00:22:44.750 --> 00:22:46.485
So you cannot get to god. you say, "how is that good news
00:22:46.551 --> 00:22:49.087
You say, "how is that good news that i can't get to god?"
00:22:49.154 --> 00:22:50.122
You don't have to.
00:22:51.523 --> 00:22:55.727
You don't have to. that's what makes it good news.
00:22:55.794 --> 00:22:58.730
That's what makes it good news. and the more you realize that,
00:22:58.797 --> 00:23:00.932
And the more you realize that, you're going to start praying
00:23:00.999 --> 00:23:02.367
You're going to start praying faster when you mess up.
00:23:02.434 --> 00:23:04.302
Faster when you mess up. 'cause i don't have to get it
00:23:04.369 --> 00:23:05.504
'cause i don't have to get it right to come to god.
00:23:05.570 --> 00:23:07.038
Right to come to god. i don't have to be clean,
00:23:07.105 --> 00:23:08.440
I don't have to be clean, he was clean.
00:23:08.507 --> 00:23:09.674
He was clean. i don't have to be clean
00:23:09.741 --> 00:23:10.909
I don't have to be clean to come close.
00:23:10.976 --> 00:23:12.010
To come close. he was clean,
00:23:12.077 --> 00:23:13.111
He was clean, he came close.
00:23:13.178 --> 00:23:14.413
He came close. he gets the glory,
00:23:14.479 --> 00:23:15.781
He gets the glory, and i feel like giving him
00:23:15.847 --> 00:23:17.449
And i feel like giving him 24 seconds of christmas praise.
00:23:17.516 --> 00:23:20.118
[applause]
00:23:20.385 --> 00:23:22.788
>> suppose that god brought
00:23:23.388 --> 00:23:24.556
>> suppose that god brought you here today to have
00:23:24.623 --> 00:23:26.358
You here today to have a funeral for the way
00:23:26.425 --> 00:23:28.794
A funeral for the way you thought it was
00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:29.394
You thought it was supposed to go.
00:23:29.461 --> 00:23:31.096
Supposed to go. when you have a funeral
00:23:31.163 --> 00:23:32.564
When you have a funeral for your expectations,
00:23:32.631 --> 00:23:34.866
For your expectations, god replaces them with grace.
00:23:34.933 --> 00:23:37.402
God replaces them with grace. when you have a funeral
00:23:37.469 --> 00:23:38.403
When you have a funeral for your expectations of how
00:23:38.470 --> 00:23:40.872
For your expectations of how your kids need to turn out,
00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:43.308
Your kids need to turn out, god will give you grace
00:23:43.375 --> 00:23:44.443
God will give you grace to raise them and stop
00:23:44.509 --> 00:23:45.544
To raise them and stop comparing to others.
00:23:45.610 --> 00:23:47.612
Comparing to others. when you have a funeral
00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:48.914
When you have a funeral for your expectations
00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.015
For your expectations of where you're supposed to be
00:23:50.081 --> 00:23:51.249
Of where you're supposed to be at this point in your life,
00:23:51.316 --> 00:23:53.018
At this point in your life, god will give you grace to
00:23:53.084 --> 00:23:54.252
God will give you grace to accept where you are
00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.987
Accept where you are on the way
00:23:56.054 --> 00:23:56.488
On the way to where you're going.
00:23:56.555 --> 00:23:57.289
>> when life doesn't go the way
00:23:59.024 --> 00:23:59.991
You thought it would,
00:24:00.091 --> 00:24:01.226
Disappointment can feel
00:24:01.326 --> 00:24:02.127
Like the end.
00:24:02.227 --> 00:24:03.728
But what if god is inviting you
00:24:03.829 --> 00:24:05.130
To have a funeral
00:24:05.230 --> 00:24:06.064
For your expectations
00:24:06.164 --> 00:24:07.566
And replace them
00:24:07.666 --> 00:24:08.366
With his grace?
00:24:08.467 --> 00:24:10.001
In pastor steven furtick's
00:24:10.101 --> 00:24:11.369
Newest series,
00:24:11.470 --> 00:24:12.571
"it's not over,"
00:24:12.671 --> 00:24:14.272
You'll discover how to let go
00:24:14.372 --> 00:24:15.373
Of what you thought
00:24:15.474 --> 00:24:16.641
Should be and step into
00:24:16.741 --> 00:24:17.876
What god has for you.
00:24:17.976 --> 00:24:19.511
"it's not over" is available
00:24:19.611 --> 00:24:21.213
For your gift of any amount.
00:24:21.313 --> 00:24:23.215
Just call or visit us online
00:24:23.315 --> 00:24:25.150
To get your copy today.
00:24:25.250 --> 00:24:26.384
>> if you like the message
00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.353
>> if you like the message that you heard from
00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.187
That you heard from pastor steven today,
00:24:29.254 --> 00:24:30.655
Pastor steven today, i wanna invite you
00:24:30.722 --> 00:24:31.556
I wanna invite you to request a copy of it,
00:24:31.623 --> 00:24:33.225
To request a copy of it, it's part of his new series,
00:24:33.291 --> 00:24:34.993
It's part of his new series, "it's not over"
00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:36.361
"it's not over" and it's available
00:24:36.428 --> 00:24:37.028
And it's available for your gift of any amount.
00:24:37.095 --> 00:24:39.297
For your gift of any amount. but even more than getting
00:24:39.364 --> 00:24:40.699
But even more than getting a resource for yourself
00:24:40.765 --> 00:24:42.167
A resource for yourself your gift helps us
00:24:42.234 --> 00:24:43.502
Your gift helps us get god's words
00:24:43.568 --> 00:24:44.836
Get god's words into other's hearts.
00:24:44.903 --> 00:24:46.771
Into other's hearts. this ministry exists so that
00:24:46.838 --> 00:24:48.473
This ministry exists so that people far from god can be
00:24:48.540 --> 00:24:49.975
People far from god can be raised to life in christ.
00:24:50.041 --> 00:24:52.177
Raised to life in christ. your support helps us
00:24:52.244 --> 00:24:53.778
Your support helps us share messages like this one
00:24:53.845 --> 00:24:55.547
Share messages like this one through broadcasts
00:24:55.614 --> 00:24:56.648
Through broadcasts and online outreach,
00:24:56.715 --> 00:24:58.250
And online outreach, and our ministry partners
00:24:58.316 --> 00:24:59.484
And our ministry partners around the world.
00:24:59.551 --> 00:25:00.952
Around the world. maybe you've had
00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.653
Maybe you've had a year filled with
00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.420
A year filled with unmet expectations
00:25:02.487 --> 00:25:04.189
Unmet expectations and you've been looking
00:25:04.256 --> 00:25:05.123
And you've been looking for some encouragement,
00:25:05.190 --> 00:25:06.758
For some encouragement, your gift helps us reach
00:25:06.825 --> 00:25:08.426
Your gift helps us reach someone who feels
00:25:08.493 --> 00:25:10.028
Someone who feels the exact same way.
00:25:10.095 --> 00:25:11.530
The exact same way. it helps them find hope
00:25:11.596 --> 00:25:12.931
It helps them find hope and a new perspective
00:25:12.998 --> 00:25:14.132
And a new perspective and it shows them
00:25:14.199 --> 00:25:15.200
And it shows them that even in the chaos
00:25:15.267 --> 00:25:16.601
That even in the chaos god has them covered.
00:25:16.668 --> 00:25:18.970
God has them covered. so please, call the number
00:25:19.037 --> 00:25:20.505
So please, call the number on your screen or visit us
00:25:20.572 --> 00:25:21.573
On your screen or visit us online today to give.
00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:23.675
Online today to give. every gift of
00:25:23.742 --> 00:25:24.509
Every gift of any amount matters.
00:25:24.576 --> 00:25:25.810
Any amount matters. your support is making
00:25:25.877 --> 00:25:27.345
Your support is making a difference.
00:25:27.412 --> 00:25:28.346
A difference. thank you for partnering with us
00:25:28.413 --> 00:25:29.814
Thank you for partnering with us in what god is doing.
00:25:29.881 --> 00:25:31.149
In what god is doing. we are so grateful for you.
00:25:31.216 --> 00:25:33.184
>> ♪ you turn bones ♪
00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:35.620
♪ into armies ♪
00:25:35.687 --> 00:25:39.457
♪ you turn seas ♪
00:25:39.524 --> 00:25:40.725
♪ into highways ♪
00:25:40.792 --> 00:25:43.328
♪ you're the only ♪
00:25:43.395 --> 00:25:45.463
♪ one who can ♪
00:25:45.530 --> 00:25:48.466
♪ you're the only ♪
00:25:48.533 --> 00:25:50.602
♪ one who can ♪
00:25:50.669 --> 00:25:56.241
♪ oh there's nothing ♪
00:25:56.308 --> 00:25:58.176
>> ♪ come on choir ♪
00:25:58.243 --> 00:25:59.644
>> ♪ better than you ♪
00:25:59.711 --> 00:26:01.446
>> ♪ oh there's nothing ♪
00:26:01.513 --> 00:26:04.749
♪ better than you ♪
00:26:04.816 --> 00:26:06.484
♪ lord there's nothing ♪
00:26:06.551 --> 00:26:09.921
♪ nothing is better than you ♪
00:26:09.988 --> 00:26:14.759
>> ♪ i've searched ♪
00:26:14.826 --> 00:26:15.393
♪ and not found ♪
00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.728
>> ♪ oh there's nothing ♪
00:26:16.795 --> 00:26:20.231
♪ better than you ♪
00:26:20.298 --> 00:26:21.900
♪ oh there's nothing ♪
00:26:21.967 --> 00:26:23.868
>> ♪ there's nothing ♪
00:26:23.935 --> 00:26:25.236
>> ♪ better than you ♪
00:26:25.303 --> 00:26:26.972
♪ lord there's nothing ♪
00:26:27.038 --> 00:26:30.442
♪ nothing is better than you ♪
00:26:30.508 --> 00:26:33.545
>> ♪ oh come on ♪
00:26:33.612 --> 00:26:34.279
♪ if he turned your ♪
00:26:34.346 --> 00:26:35.013
♪ grave into a garden say ♪
00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:38.583
>> ♪ you turn graves ♪
00:26:38.650 --> 00:26:39.884
♪ into gardens ♪
00:26:39.951 --> 00:26:43.822
♪ you turn bones ♪
00:26:43.888 --> 00:26:45.023
♪ into armies ♪
00:26:45.090 --> 00:26:48.793
♪ you turn seas ♪
00:26:48.860 --> 00:26:50.161
♪ into highways ♪
00:26:50.228 --> 00:26:52.864
♪ you're the only ♪
00:26:52.931 --> 00:26:54.866
♪ one who can ♪
00:26:54.933 --> 00:26:57.669
>> ♪ turning graves ♪
00:26:57.736 --> 00:26:59.304
>> ♪ you turn graves ♪
00:26:59.371 --> 00:27:00.605
♪ into gardens ♪
00:27:00.672 --> 00:27:02.040
>> ♪ he's turning bones ♪
00:27:02.107 --> 00:27:03.274
♪ into an army ♪
00:27:03.341 --> 00:27:04.376
>> ♪ you turn bones ♪
00:27:04.442 --> 00:27:05.577
♪ into armies ♪
00:27:05.644 --> 00:27:07.012
>> ♪ he's makin' ways ♪
00:27:07.078 --> 00:27:08.446
♪ through the seas ♪
00:27:08.513 --> 00:27:09.781
>> ♪ you turn seas ♪
00:27:09.848 --> 00:27:10.749
♪ into highways ♪
00:27:10.815 --> 00:27:13.351
♪ you're the only ♪
00:27:13.418 --> 00:27:15.453
♪ one who can ♪
00:27:15.520 --> 00:27:18.390
♪ you're the only ♪
00:27:18.456 --> 00:27:20.558
♪ one who can ♪
00:27:20.625 --> 00:27:23.561
♪ you're the only ♪
00:27:23.628 --> 00:27:25.830
♪ one who can ♪
00:27:25.897 --> 00:27:29.734

Steven Furtick - You Don't Have To (Part 1)

December 22, 2025 | 28:0

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