Mike Novotny - The Church Connection

February 3, 2026 | 27:29

Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all.

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - The Church Connection | February 3, 2026

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>> a couple weeks back
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>> a couple weeks back i was feeling kind of insecure
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I was feeling kind of insecure and uncertain about
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And uncertain about my sunday sermon,
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My sunday sermon, so i decided to confess
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So i decided to confess those feelings
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To artificial intelligence.
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To artificial intelligence. on that little
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On that little app on my phone
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App on my phone there was a new voice feature
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There was a new voice feature where it kind of feels --
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Where it kind of feels -- have you experienced this yet,
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Have you experienced this yet, like you're having a real
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Like you're having a real conversation with a real person?
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Conversation with a real person? and i just kind of put it out
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And i just kind of put it out there that i was feeling like my
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There that i was feeling like my sermon was bland, or boring,
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Sermon was bland, or boring, or nothing special.
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Or nothing special. and after i get done talking,
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And after i get done talking, ai started talking back.
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Ai started talking back. and what ai said was so good,
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And what ai said was so good, unexpectedly and
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Unexpectedly and impressively good.
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Impressively good. the response started out
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The response started out with incredible compassion
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With incredible compassion and empathy.
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And empathy. "i'm so sorry you're
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"i'm so sorry you're feeling that way, mike.
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Feeling that way, mike. lots of pastors
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Lots of pastors feel this way, mike."
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Feel this way, mike." and then it got
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And then it got really practical,
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Really practical, and concrete,
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And concrete, and helpful.
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And helpful. "have you thought about this?
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"have you thought about this? or, don't forget that some
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Or, don't forget that some of the best sermons
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Of the best sermons always have that."
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Always have that." and after ai was done with
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And after ai was done with its little spiel,
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Its little spiel, i thought to myself,
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I thought to myself, "i feel better.
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"i feel better. that worked."
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That worked." are any of you guys shocked
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Are any of you guys shocked and impressed as i am at
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And impressed as i am at what's happened in the digital
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What's happened in the digital world that can help
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World that can help our spiritual lives?
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Our spiritual lives? sometimes i step back
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Sometimes i step back and just think what a blessing
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And just think what a blessing it is to be living right now
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It is to be living right now where the technology,
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Where the technology, and the advancements,
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And the advancements, and the innovation is such
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And the innovation is such a gift to the state
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A gift to the state of my soul.
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Of my soul. i wonder if it's been
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I wonder if it's been that way for you too.
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That way for you too. how many of you listen
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How many of you listen to podcasts,
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To podcasts, spiritual conversation
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Spiritual conversation sermon podcasts?
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Sermon podcasts? yeah.
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Yeah. i do too.
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I do too. how many of you listen
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How many of you listen to worship music when
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To worship music when it's not sunday 'cause
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It's not sunday 'cause you have a streaming
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You have a streaming music service,
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Music service, a youtube channel,
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A youtube channel, a radio station you turn on?
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A radio station you turn on? you know, add that together
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You know, add that together with kind of this newest
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With kind of this newest advancement that there's really
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Advancement that there's really like in time counseling,
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Like in time counseling, even pastoral care
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Even pastoral care that we can get,
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That we can get, not after spending
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Not after spending a few hundred dollars
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A few hundred dollars and waiting a few weeks
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And waiting a few weeks to see our counselor,
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To see our counselor, or finding time in our busy
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Or finding time in our busy schedules with our pastor,
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Schedules with our pastor, but just on demand
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But just on demand when we need it.
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When we need it. really good, rich,
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Really good, rich, professionally
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Professionally crafted responses.
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Crafted responses. it's amazing when you
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It's amazing when you put together the podcast
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Put together the podcast and the playlist
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And the playlist and our ability to connect
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And our ability to connect with those kinds of resource
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With those kinds of resource what can happen
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What can happen here in our soul.
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Here in our soul. but all that advancement,
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But all that advancement, if we're being honest about it,
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If we're being honest about it, makes us ask this big question,
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Makes us ask this big question, do we really need the church?
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Do we really need the church? good question.
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Good question. and today i want to wrestle
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And today i want to wrestle with an answer.
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With an answer. because here's something
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Because here's something i've noticed in life.
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I've noticed in life. that very often when we do
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That very often when we do what's easier,
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What's easier, in the long term,
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In the long term, it leaves us lonelier.
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It leaves us lonelier. have you noticed that too?
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Have you noticed that too? i always think about friendships
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I always think about friendships in the digital age.
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In the digital age. it's so much easier not to get
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It's so much easier not to get together with a friend.
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Together with a friend. it's so much easier not
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It's so much easier not to do the work,
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To do the work, to be face to face.
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To be face to face. but with a few clicks with
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But with a few clicks with a device that's in your pocket,
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A device that's in your pocket, you can connect
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You can connect with countless friends.
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With countless friends. but have you noticed
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But have you noticed that the more we do that
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That the more we do that and the less we do the work,
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And the less we do the work, we don't end up more
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We don't end up more relationally rich,
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Relationally rich, but less?
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But less? we don't end up happier
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We don't end up happier and more blessed, but less.
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And more blessed, but less. isn't it true that very often
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Isn't it true that very often what's easier, over time
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What's easier, over time leaves us lonelier?
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Leaves us lonelier? and is it possible that the same
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And is it possible that the same principle applies to our church
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Principle applies to our church experience that this is harder,
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Experience that this is harder, and it is messier,
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And it is messier, and it is more
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And it is more of a roller coaster,
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Of a roller coaster, uncertain thing?
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Uncertain thing? but in the end, the people
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But in the end, the people who root themselves in a healthy
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Who root themselves in a healthy christian congregation
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Christian congregation end up stronger,
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End up stronger, better connected,
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Better connected, closer to god,
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Closer to god, and closer to each other.
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And closer to each other. that's the case i want
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That's the case i want to try to make with you today.
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To try to make with you today. i am going put my cards
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I am going put my cards on the table up front.
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On the table up front. i want to try to convince you
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I want to try to convince you today to become/remain
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Today to become/remain religious about the practice
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Religious about the practice of your religion.
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Of your religion. i want to try to convince some
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I want to try to convince some of you for the first time
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Of you for the first time or continue for those of you
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Or continue for those of you who are already doing this,
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Who are already doing this, that you would be devout in your
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That you would be devout in your commitment to a local church.
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Commitment to a local church. whether it's this one or another
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Whether it's this one or another one that you're connected to,
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One that you're connected to, i want to convince you not
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I want to convince you not because of tradition and not
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Because of tradition and not just because i kind
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Just because i kind of like my job,
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Of like my job, but that for the sake
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But that for the sake of your soul,
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Of your soul, for your relational
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For your relational and spiritual health,
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And spiritual health, one of the best things
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One of the best things that god wants to do for you
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That god wants to do for you is to connect you
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Is to connect you to a local church.
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To a local church. today i want to dig into one
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Today i want to dig into one of my favorite passages about
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Of my favorite passages about the church in the new testament,
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The church in the new testament, where we're going to see that
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Where we're going to see that the three steps that god gives
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The three steps that god gives us to make church
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Us to make church a truly transformational
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A truly transformational and beneficial experience.
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And beneficial experience. so, one passage we're going
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So, one passage we're going to dig into,
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To dig into, three steps we're going
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Three steps we're going to take that god can make
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To take that god can make us lonely less.
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Us lonely less. so, grab a pen,
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So, grab a pen, grab something to write with,
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Grab something to write with, because the first step
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Because the first step that god wants us to take
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That god wants us to take when it comes to church
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When it comes to church is to show up.
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Is to show up. congratulations.
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Congratulations. if you're in the house today,
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If you're in the house today, you did it.
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You did it. if you're watching online,
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If you're watching online, thanks for listening.
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Thanks for listening. show up.
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Show up. that comes in the middle
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That comes in the middle of this famous passage
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Of this famous passage in hebrews 10,
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Which says this,
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Which says this, "let us hold unswervingly
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"let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
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To the hope we profess, for the god who
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For the god who promised is faithful."
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Promised is faithful." we're going to talk about
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We're going to talk about that in a second.
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That in a second. "and let us consider how we may
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"and let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love
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Spur one another on towards love and good deeds."
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And good deeds." we'll talk about
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We'll talk about that in a second.
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That in a second. but here's the point
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But here's the point i want to make.
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I want to make. "not giving up meeting together
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"not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit
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As some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging
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Of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more
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One another and all the more as you see
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As you see the day approaching."
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Which might make
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Which might make a few of you think,
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A few of you think, "well, hold up, pastor mike.
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"well, hold up, pastor mike. if you believe that,
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If you believe that, then what's up with that?
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Then what's up with that? like literally,
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Like literally, we have cameras in church,
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We have cameras in church, so you don't have to show up
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So you don't have to show up to participate in the service.
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To participate in the service. and we're pushing even further,
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And we're pushing even further, digital ministry,
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Digital ministry, and people gathering there,
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And people gathering there, not live here
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Not live here in our church building,
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In our church building, but at home.
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But at home. so, what's up with that?
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So, what's up with that? you're trying to have your cake
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You're trying to have your cake and eat it too?"
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And eat it too?" well, thanks for the push back.
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Well, thanks for the push back. i talked to pastor michael,
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I talked to pastor michael, who is the pastor
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Who is the pastor that's leading the charge
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That's leading the charge with our digital ministry.
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With our digital ministry. he agreed with this statement
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He agreed with this statement that watching our services
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That watching our services by yourself at home is
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By yourself at home is a great supplement,
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A great supplement, a good standby,
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A good standby, but a terrible substitute.
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But a terrible substitute. let me say that again.
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Let me say that again. you watching church by yourself
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You watching church by yourself at home is a great supplement,
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At home is a great supplement, a good standby,
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A good standby, but a terrible substitute.
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But a terrible substitute. it's a great supplement.
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It's a great supplement. so, if you're watching at home
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So, if you're watching at home right now and you have
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Right now and you have a gathering where you gather,
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A gathering where you gather, you have a local church that you
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You have a local church that you attend and we're just the icing
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Attend and we're just the icing on the cake,
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On the cake, that's great.
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That's great. i do that too.
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I do that too. i love listening to sermons,
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I love listening to sermons, other pastors,
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Other pastors, checking out what other
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Checking out what other churches are doing.
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Churches are doing. and so, if you have that
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And so, if you have that gathering and we're
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Gathering and we're just a bonus,
00:07:00.076 --> 00:07:00.943
Just a bonus, we praise god for that.
00:07:01.010 --> 00:07:01.777
We praise god for that. that's great.
00:07:01.844 --> 00:07:03.513
That's great. it's also good if
00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:04.313
It's also good if you're on standby,
00:07:04.380 --> 00:07:05.648
You're on standby, if you're looking for
00:07:05.715 --> 00:07:06.549
If you're looking for that church family,
00:07:06.616 --> 00:07:07.416
That church family, you just haven't found it yet.
00:07:07.483 --> 00:07:09.886
You just haven't found it yet. yeah, if you're checking
00:07:09.952 --> 00:07:10.586
Yeah, if you're checking things out at home,
00:07:10.653 --> 00:07:11.354
Things out at home, or if you just got a new job
00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:13.222
Or if you just got a new job that you transferred,
00:07:13.289 --> 00:07:14.357
That you transferred, or you're off to college
00:07:14.423 --> 00:07:15.791
Or you're off to college and you haven't found
00:07:15.858 --> 00:07:16.425
And you haven't found a good local church just yet.
00:07:16.492 --> 00:07:18.027
A good local church just yet. if we can kind of fill
00:07:18.094 --> 00:07:18.928
If we can kind of fill in the gap until god blesses
00:07:18.995 --> 00:07:20.463
In the gap until god blesses you with that church family,
00:07:20.530 --> 00:07:21.597
You with that church family, that's such a good thing.
00:07:21.664 --> 00:07:24.367
That's such a good thing. but what's the bad thing?
00:07:24.433 --> 00:07:26.736
But what's the bad thing? the bad thing is when being
00:07:26.802 --> 00:07:27.937
The bad thing is when being at home by yourself becomes
00:07:28.004 --> 00:07:30.206
At home by yourself becomes the long-term substitute
00:07:30.273 --> 00:07:32.341
The long-term substitute for a gathering like this.
00:07:32.408 --> 00:07:35.978
For a gathering like this. it's easier, but god knows
00:07:36.045 --> 00:07:38.915
It's easier, but god knows that it will leave you lonelier.
00:07:38.981 --> 00:07:42.251
That it will leave you lonelier. it's kind of like if you never
00:07:42.318 --> 00:07:43.185
It's kind of like if you never got together with friends
00:07:43.252 --> 00:07:44.353
Got together with friends and you would
00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:44.954
And you would only text each other.
00:07:45.021 --> 00:07:46.822
Only text each other. you kind of have friends,
00:07:46.889 --> 00:07:48.457
You kind of have friends, but you'd be missing
00:07:48.524 --> 00:07:49.258
But you'd be missing out on something much,
00:07:49.325 --> 00:07:50.059
Out on something much, much bigger.
00:07:50.126 --> 00:07:51.193
Much bigger. and that's why god,
00:07:51.260 --> 00:07:51.961
And that's why god, even before the technology
00:07:52.028 --> 00:07:52.828
Even before the technology came around,
00:07:52.895 --> 00:07:53.729
Came around, he said to these
00:07:53.796 --> 00:07:54.497
He said to these ancient christian,
00:07:54.564 --> 00:07:55.097
Ancient christian, what he still says to us today,
00:07:55.164 --> 00:07:56.232
What he still says to us today, "let's not give
00:07:56.299 --> 00:07:56.966
"let's not give up meeting together."
00:07:57.033 --> 00:08:02.004
Up meeting together." which then begs
00:08:02.071 --> 00:08:02.672
Which then begs the logical question,
00:08:02.738 --> 00:08:03.306
The logical question, "well, why not?
00:08:03.372 --> 00:08:06.509
"well, why not? what's so good about church?
00:08:06.576 --> 00:08:07.543
What's so good about church? i mean, i can watch at home.
00:08:07.610 --> 00:08:08.878
I mean, i can watch at home. i can be here live.
00:08:08.945 --> 00:08:09.745
I can be here live. what's so much better
00:08:09.812 --> 00:08:10.513
What's so much better about this than that?"
00:08:10.580 --> 00:08:12.481
About this than that?" thanks for asking.
00:08:12.548 --> 00:08:13.182
Thanks for asking. how much time you got?
00:08:13.249 --> 00:08:16.085
How much time you got? a couple sundays ago,
00:08:16.152 --> 00:08:16.886
A couple sundays ago, i was standing in my
00:08:16.953 --> 00:08:17.987
I was standing in my favorite spot there
00:08:18.054 --> 00:08:18.921
Favorite spot there in the front row
00:08:18.988 --> 00:08:19.689
In the front row of the corner of our church,
00:08:19.755 --> 00:08:21.057
Of the corner of our church, and i noticed these two teenage
00:08:21.123 --> 00:08:23.025
And i noticed these two teenage brothers singing praises
00:08:23.092 --> 00:08:25.895
Brothers singing praises to jesus right behind me.
00:08:25.962 --> 00:08:29.098
To jesus right behind me. and i just --
00:08:29.165 --> 00:08:29.732
And i just -- i stopped singing
00:08:29.799 --> 00:08:30.299
I stopped singing in that moment and thought,
00:08:30.366 --> 00:08:31.200
In that moment and thought, "how amazing is it that
00:08:31.267 --> 00:08:34.537
"how amazing is it that young men in this wayward
00:08:34.604 --> 00:08:35.738
Young men in this wayward culture are still
00:08:35.805 --> 00:08:36.706
Culture are still lifting up the holy name
00:08:36.772 --> 00:08:37.840
Lifting up the holy name of jesus?"
00:08:37.907 --> 00:08:40.476
Of jesus?" i compare that to when covid
00:08:40.543 --> 00:08:41.611
I compare that to when covid first hit and i was, like,
00:08:41.677 --> 00:08:42.945
First hit and i was, like, singing by myself
00:08:43.012 --> 00:08:43.980
Singing by myself in my basement.
00:08:44.046 --> 00:08:45.948
In my basement. it was not an enriching,
00:08:46.015 --> 00:08:47.083
It was not an enriching, and uplifting experience.
00:08:47.149 --> 00:08:47.950
[laughing]
00:08:48.384 --> 00:08:49.385
And then as i kept listening
00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:50.820
And then as i kept listening to these brothers,
00:08:50.886 --> 00:08:51.454
To these brothers, i heard the voice
00:08:51.520 --> 00:08:52.121
I heard the voice of their father behind me
00:08:52.188 --> 00:08:54.156
Of their father behind me to my right and the joy
00:08:54.223 --> 00:08:56.926
To my right and the joy of my soul just increased.
00:08:56.993 --> 00:08:58.728
Of my soul just increased. i'm like,
00:08:58.794 --> 00:08:59.261
I'm like, "how beautiful is it when
00:08:59.328 --> 00:09:01.330
"how beautiful is it when men who generally don't like
00:09:01.397 --> 00:09:02.732
Men who generally don't like to sing in public are not
00:09:02.798 --> 00:09:04.600
To sing in public are not ashamed to lift up their voices
00:09:04.667 --> 00:09:05.968
Ashamed to lift up their voices to praise the one who
00:09:06.035 --> 00:09:07.103
To praise the one who is worthy of that praise?"
00:09:07.169 --> 00:09:08.437
Is worthy of that praise?" and their boys listen
00:09:08.504 --> 00:09:09.472
And their boys listen and are sho --
00:09:09.538 --> 00:09:10.272
And are sho -- like training up a child
00:09:10.339 --> 00:09:11.307
Like training up a child in the way that they should go.
00:09:11.374 --> 00:09:12.908
In the way that they should go. just that moment,
00:09:12.975 --> 00:09:13.576
Just that moment, which i would not have
00:09:13.643 --> 00:09:14.210
Which i would not have experienced by myself,
00:09:14.276 --> 00:09:15.211
Experienced by myself, i got to experience.
00:09:15.277 --> 00:09:17.913
I got to experience. isn't that true
00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:18.481
Isn't that true that there's a huge difference
00:09:18.547 --> 00:09:19.582
That there's a huge difference between singing in your kitchen
00:09:19.649 --> 00:09:21.150
Between singing in your kitchen and singing at a concert?
00:09:21.217 --> 00:09:24.387
And singing at a concert? in the same way god knows how
00:09:24.453 --> 00:09:25.354
In the same way god knows how to catapult your spiritual joy
00:09:25.421 --> 00:09:27.056
To catapult your spiritual joy by surrounding you with brothers
00:09:27.123 --> 00:09:28.624
By surrounding you with brothers and sisters lifting
00:09:28.691 --> 00:09:29.458
And sisters lifting up their voices to jesus.
00:09:29.525 --> 00:09:31.560
Up their voices to jesus. that there's something
00:09:31.627 --> 00:09:32.728
That there's something just qualitatively better about
00:09:32.795 --> 00:09:33.896
Just qualitatively better about gathering together with
00:09:33.963 --> 00:09:35.164
Gathering together with god's people.
00:09:35.231 --> 00:09:38.067
God's people. and if that's not enough,
00:09:38.134 --> 00:09:40.703
And if that's not enough, i wonder if you've ever
00:09:40.770 --> 00:09:41.370
I wonder if you've ever thought about this,
00:09:41.437 --> 00:09:42.872
Thought about this, the power of your physical
00:09:42.938 --> 00:09:44.306
The power of your physical presence on the health
00:09:44.373 --> 00:09:46.075
Presence on the health of our church.
00:09:46.142 --> 00:09:49.245
Of our church. when you show up,
00:09:49.311 --> 00:09:51.514
When you show up, even if you're not
00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:52.381
Even if you're not the best singer,
00:09:52.448 --> 00:09:54.383
The best singer, the biggest giver,
00:09:54.450 --> 00:09:55.184
The biggest giver, the most amazing encourager,
00:09:55.251 --> 00:09:56.419
The most amazing encourager, do you know what ha --
00:09:56.485 --> 00:09:57.987
Do you know what ha -- do you know the message that
00:09:58.054 --> 00:09:59.555
Do you know the message that your very presence is sending?
00:09:59.622 --> 00:10:04.226
Your very presence is sending? you are saying to people who
00:10:04.293 --> 00:10:05.428
You are saying to people who might not ever talk to you
00:10:05.494 --> 00:10:06.796
Might not ever talk to you on a sunday morning that people
00:10:06.862 --> 00:10:08.264
On a sunday morning that people like you belong
00:10:08.330 --> 00:10:10.266
Like you belong in a place like this.
00:10:10.332 --> 00:10:12.935
In a place like this. that is a profound truth, right?
00:10:13.002 --> 00:10:14.804
That is a profound truth, right? so if you're a dude
00:10:14.870 --> 00:10:16.439
So if you're a dude and you just show up in church,
00:10:16.505 --> 00:10:17.640
And you just show up in church, when a new dude walks
00:10:17.707 --> 00:10:18.741
When a new dude walks through the doors,
00:10:18.808 --> 00:10:19.341
Through the doors, he thinks,
00:10:19.408 --> 00:10:19.775
He thinks, "oh, dudes belong here."
00:10:19.842 --> 00:10:23.212
"oh, dudes belong here." instead of, "church is
00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:24.046
Instead of, "church is for women and children,"
00:10:24.113 --> 00:10:24.814
For women and children," which some people have
00:10:24.880 --> 00:10:26.816
Which some people have unfortunately thought
00:10:26.882 --> 00:10:27.583
Unfortunately thought throughout the years.
00:10:27.650 --> 00:10:28.684
Throughout the years. but when you're
00:10:28.751 --> 00:10:29.318
But when you're a successful woman and, like,
00:10:29.385 --> 00:10:31.320
A successful woman and, like, you're killing it
00:10:31.387 --> 00:10:31.954
You're killing it out in the world,
00:10:32.021 --> 00:10:33.456
Out in the world, and you're making good pay
00:10:33.522 --> 00:10:34.557
And you're making good pay and advancing up the ladder,
00:10:34.623 --> 00:10:35.891
And advancing up the ladder, but you still come
00:10:35.958 --> 00:10:36.892
But you still come on a sunday morning,
00:10:36.959 --> 00:10:37.626
On a sunday morning, you are preaching.
00:10:37.693 --> 00:10:40.062
You are preaching. you're saying that,
00:10:40.129 --> 00:10:40.629
You're saying that, "as much as this
00:10:40.696 --> 00:10:41.230
"as much as this world can give me,
00:10:41.297 --> 00:10:41.831
World can give me, there is something
00:10:41.897 --> 00:10:42.465
There is something so much better.
00:10:42.531 --> 00:10:43.165
So much better. and i need to come here
00:10:43.232 --> 00:10:44.233
And i need to come here and hear from my god
00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:45.267
And hear from my god and savior because the treasures
00:10:45.334 --> 00:10:46.502
And savior because the treasures of this world are small
00:10:46.569 --> 00:10:47.937
Of this world are small compared to the treasures
00:10:48.003 --> 00:10:48.771
Compared to the treasures of his grace."
00:10:48.838 --> 00:10:51.073
Of his grace." when your home life is amazing,
00:10:51.140 --> 00:10:53.843
When your home life is amazing, when you were
00:10:53.909 --> 00:10:54.510
When you were so busy raising one, two,
00:10:54.577 --> 00:10:56.078
So busy raising one, two, three, however many kids,
00:10:56.145 --> 00:10:58.114
Three, however many kids, but you still prioritize
00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:59.348
But you still prioritize the gathering on sun --
00:10:59.415 --> 00:11:00.116
The gathering on sun -- you are teaching your kids that
00:11:00.182 --> 00:11:01.484
You are teaching your kids that no matter how busy life is,
00:11:01.550 --> 00:11:03.886
No matter how busy life is, there is a blessing when we
00:11:03.953 --> 00:11:05.020
There is a blessing when we gather with the people of god.
00:11:05.087 --> 00:11:07.456
Gather with the people of god. and you don't have to give them
00:11:07.523 --> 00:11:08.324
And you don't have to give them like three points and a poem.
00:11:08.390 --> 00:11:10.426
Like three points and a poem. you don't have to preach.
00:11:10.493 --> 00:11:11.160
You don't have to preach. just your presence
00:11:11.227 --> 00:11:12.728
Just your presence is preaching that to them.
00:11:12.795 --> 00:11:15.464
Is preaching that to them. when your life is a mess,
00:11:15.531 --> 00:11:18.234
When your life is a mess, when the marriage is
00:11:18.300 --> 00:11:18.868
When the marriage is hanging on by a thread,
00:11:18.934 --> 00:11:19.902
Hanging on by a thread, when you relapsed on
00:11:19.969 --> 00:11:21.270
When you relapsed on a saturday night,
00:11:21.337 --> 00:11:22.404
A saturday night, but you show up
00:11:22.471 --> 00:11:23.105
But you show up on sunday morning,
00:11:23.172 --> 00:11:25.174
On sunday morning, you are saying to everyone
00:11:25.241 --> 00:11:26.475
You are saying to everyone in this place that you don't
00:11:26.542 --> 00:11:27.610
In this place that you don't have to have it all together.
00:11:27.676 --> 00:11:30.446
Have to have it all together. you don't have to have
00:11:30.513 --> 00:11:31.180
You don't have to have read the bible cover to cover.
00:11:31.247 --> 00:11:32.314
Read the bible cover to cover. you don't have to be neat,
00:11:32.381 --> 00:11:33.516
You don't have to be neat, and squeaky,
00:11:33.582 --> 00:11:34.550
And squeaky, and clean just like --
00:11:34.617 --> 00:11:35.751
And clean just like -- you can drag all of your baggage
00:11:35.818 --> 00:11:37.720
You can drag all of your baggage into this place and still belong
00:11:37.787 --> 00:11:39.355
Into this place and still belong because the church is a place
00:11:39.421 --> 00:11:40.689
Because the church is a place not for the righteous,
00:11:40.756 --> 00:11:41.457
Not for the righteous, but for sinners who've
00:11:41.524 --> 00:11:43.058
But for sinners who've been called to repentance
00:11:43.125 --> 00:11:43.959
Been called to repentance and forgiven by
00:11:44.026 --> 00:11:44.894
And forgiven by the blood of christ.
00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:46.028
The blood of christ. i love telling 25-year-olds
00:11:46.095 --> 00:11:48.164
I love telling 25-year-olds at our church,
00:11:48.230 --> 00:11:48.898
At our church, "do you know what
00:11:48.964 --> 00:11:49.565
"do you know what your presence does?
00:11:49.632 --> 00:11:52.301
Your presence does? it tells every 15-year-old who's
00:11:52.368 --> 00:11:53.803
It tells every 15-year-old who's been dragged here by their
00:11:53.869 --> 00:11:54.904
Been dragged here by their mom that there's
00:11:54.970 --> 00:11:56.338
Mom that there's something beautiful --
00:11:56.405 --> 00:11:57.173
Something beautiful -- that this isn't --
00:11:57.239 --> 00:11:58.274
That this isn't -- this isn't just for old people.
00:11:58.340 --> 00:12:00.376
This isn't just for old people. like, this is for people
00:12:00.442 --> 00:12:01.377
Like, this is for people who are seeking something
00:12:01.443 --> 00:12:02.611
Who are seeking something so much better
00:12:02.678 --> 00:12:03.479
So much better than this world.
00:12:03.546 --> 00:12:04.146
Than this world. and the fact that they can look
00:12:04.213 --> 00:12:05.381
And the fact that they can look around and see your face,
00:12:05.447 --> 00:12:07.016
Around and see your face, you're wrinkle free,
00:12:07.082 --> 00:12:08.017
You're wrinkle free, no gray hair yet,
00:12:08.083 --> 00:12:09.718
No gray hair yet, that preaches a sermon."
00:12:09.785 --> 00:12:11.420
That preaches a sermon." when young and old,
00:12:11.487 --> 00:12:12.421
When young and old, and black and white,
00:12:12.488 --> 00:12:13.689
And black and white, and put together and broken,
00:12:13.756 --> 00:12:14.990
And put together and broken, when the rich and the homeless
00:12:15.057 --> 00:12:16.058
When the rich and the homeless gather together
00:12:16.125 --> 00:12:16.759
Gather together in one place,
00:12:16.826 --> 00:12:17.560
In one place, our presence
00:12:17.626 --> 00:12:18.160
Our presence is preaching a message.
00:12:18.227 --> 00:12:19.528
Is preaching a message. and the message is this,
00:12:19.595 --> 00:12:20.563
And the message is this, god loves the world
00:12:20.629 --> 00:12:22.598
God loves the world and he has a plan for the world.
00:12:22.665 --> 00:12:25.167
And he has a plan for the world. and the fact that you come,
00:12:25.234 --> 00:12:26.268
And the fact that you come, it makes this place something
00:12:26.335 --> 00:12:27.536
It makes this place something it could not be without you.
00:12:27.603 --> 00:12:32.308
It could not be without you. and then let me give
00:12:32.374 --> 00:12:33.843
And then let me give you one more application.
00:12:33.909 --> 00:12:35.744
You one more application. did you know that your
00:12:35.811 --> 00:12:36.512
Did you know that your presence changes my sermon?
00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:42.751
Presence changes my sermon? so, i'm not sure if any
00:12:42.818 --> 00:12:43.686
So, i'm not sure if any of you know,
00:12:43.752 --> 00:12:44.053
Of you know, i type out my sermons
00:12:44.119 --> 00:12:45.487
I type out my sermons in a manuscript,
00:12:45.554 --> 00:12:47.857
In a manuscript, but time of grace,
00:12:47.923 --> 00:12:48.691
But time of grace, they come up with a transcript
00:12:48.757 --> 00:12:49.859
They come up with a transcript of what i actually say.
00:12:49.925 --> 00:12:51.527
Of what i actually say. one time i compared
00:12:51.594 --> 00:12:52.795
One time i compared the transcript
00:12:52.862 --> 00:12:53.996
The transcript to the manuscript, fascinating.
00:12:54.063 --> 00:13:01.136
To the manuscript, fascinating. there are things that come
00:13:01.203 --> 00:13:01.871
There are things that come out of my mouth that
00:13:01.937 --> 00:13:03.105
Out of my mouth that i had not planned to say.
00:13:03.172 --> 00:13:04.907
I had not planned to say. some of them i regret,
00:13:04.974 --> 00:13:06.141
Some of them i regret, but some of them
00:13:06.208 --> 00:13:07.142
But some of them i don't and here's why.
00:13:07.209 --> 00:13:09.812
I don't and here's why. because as i'm preaching,
00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.679
Because as i'm preaching, if you are not out of sight
00:13:10.746 --> 00:13:12.481
If you are not out of sight and out of mind,
00:13:12.548 --> 00:13:13.215
And out of mind, if you are in my sight,
00:13:13.282 --> 00:13:15.050
If you are in my sight, something changes in my mind
00:13:15.117 --> 00:13:16.285
Something changes in my mind and often comes out of my mouth.
00:13:16.352 --> 00:13:19.355
And often comes out of my mouth. but i was just going to give
00:13:19.421 --> 00:13:20.256
But i was just going to give two application points,
00:13:20.322 --> 00:13:21.123
Two application points, but then i see you
00:13:21.190 --> 00:13:21.824
But then i see you and i think about you.
00:13:21.891 --> 00:13:23.993
And i think about you. i think about
00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:24.526
I think about the email you sent.
00:13:24.593 --> 00:13:25.227
The email you sent. i think about what
00:13:25.294 --> 00:13:25.761
I think about what you're going through.
00:13:25.828 --> 00:13:26.562
You're going through. i think about the relationship,
00:13:26.629 --> 00:13:27.763
I think about the relationship, the family,
00:13:27.830 --> 00:13:28.464
The family, the breakup,
00:13:28.530 --> 00:13:29.798
The breakup, your desire to conn --
00:13:29.865 --> 00:13:31.800
Your desire to conn -- i think about that
00:13:31.867 --> 00:13:32.801
I think about that and it just triggers something
00:13:32.868 --> 00:13:33.802
And it just triggers something that sends words
00:13:33.869 --> 00:13:34.637
That sends words from the holy spirit,
00:13:34.703 --> 00:13:35.537
From the holy spirit, i think to make church less
00:13:35.604 --> 00:13:38.474
I think to make church less generic and more personal.
00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:42.411
Generic and more personal. maybe i was going
00:13:42.478 --> 00:13:42.978
Maybe i was going to be too soft,
00:13:43.045 --> 00:13:44.413
To be too soft, too warm and fuzzy in sermon,
00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.381
Too warm and fuzzy in sermon, then i see that guy that
00:13:45.447 --> 00:13:46.615
Then i see that guy that i know is not being good
00:13:46.682 --> 00:13:47.750
I know is not being good to his family or his wife,
00:13:47.816 --> 00:13:48.784
To his family or his wife, not being patient or gentle,
00:13:48.851 --> 00:13:50.052
Not being patient or gentle, and god gives me courage
00:13:50.119 --> 00:13:50.920
And god gives me courage to say the things that
00:13:50.986 --> 00:13:52.021
To say the things that need to be said before sin
00:13:52.087 --> 00:13:53.622
Need to be said before sin does more damage.
00:13:53.689 --> 00:13:56.592
Does more damage. or i see that person that
00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:57.426
Or i see that person that i know is just barely making it,
00:13:57.493 --> 00:14:00.429
I know is just barely making it, and i was going to bring
00:14:00.496 --> 00:14:01.163
And i was going to bring the thunder
00:14:01.230 --> 00:14:01.664
The thunder from the word of god.
00:14:01.730 --> 00:14:02.298
From the word of god. and then i say, "no.
00:14:02.364 --> 00:14:03.032
And then i say, "no. what they need right now
00:14:03.098 --> 00:14:03.766
What they need right now is compassion, and gentleness,
00:14:03.832 --> 00:14:05.100
Is compassion, and gentleness, and kindness because
00:14:05.167 --> 00:14:05.901
And kindness because they're doing their best
00:14:05.968 --> 00:14:07.136
They're doing their best and they're struggling
00:14:07.202 --> 00:14:07.736
And they're struggling for the sake of the name."
00:14:07.803 --> 00:14:08.671
For the sake of the name." like your face,
00:14:08.737 --> 00:14:10.506
Like your face, your presence makes
00:14:10.572 --> 00:14:11.740
Your presence makes this different than it would
00:14:11.807 --> 00:14:13.008
This different than it would have been without you.
00:14:13.075 --> 00:14:16.445
Have been without you. and add it all together.
00:14:16.512 --> 00:14:17.746
And add it all together. add the sound of your voice
00:14:17.813 --> 00:14:19.381
Add the sound of your voice as we sing praises to jesus.
00:14:19.448 --> 00:14:21.083
As we sing praises to jesus. add the message that you send
00:14:21.150 --> 00:14:22.351
Add the message that you send by your presence,
00:14:22.418 --> 00:14:23.352
By your presence, what it communicates
00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.153
What it communicates to other people.
00:14:24.219 --> 00:14:24.787
To other people. add how seeing your face brings
00:14:24.853 --> 00:14:26.689
Add how seeing your face brings it into my mind and out
00:14:26.755 --> 00:14:27.823
It into my mind and out of my mouth to make these
00:14:27.890 --> 00:14:28.991
Of my mouth to make these messages stronger
00:14:29.058 --> 00:14:29.959
Messages stronger and more personal.
00:14:30.025 --> 00:14:30.993
And more personal. and maybe you're not shocked
00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.928
And maybe you're not shocked when god would say this to us,
00:14:32.995 --> 00:14:33.896
When god would say this to us, "let's not give up meeting
00:14:33.963 --> 00:14:34.797
"let's not give up meeting together as some are
00:14:34.863 --> 00:14:36.932
Together as some are in the habit of doing."
00:14:36.999 --> 00:14:37.800
In the habit of doing." no, let's show up sunday
00:14:37.866 --> 00:14:40.336
No, let's show up sunday after sunday after sunday
00:14:40.402 --> 00:14:42.304
After sunday after sunday for the sake of our souls.
00:14:42.371 --> 00:14:50.045
For the sake of our souls. but let's not stop there.
00:14:50.112 --> 00:14:53.649
But let's not stop there. the truth is,
00:14:53.716 --> 00:14:54.717
The truth is, a bunch of you,
00:14:54.783 --> 00:14:55.284
A bunch of you, when you were growing up,
00:14:55.351 --> 00:14:55.884
When you were growing up, you showed up.
00:14:55.951 --> 00:14:57.152
You showed up. you had to,
00:14:57.219 --> 00:14:59.154
You had to, week after week
00:14:59.221 --> 00:14:59.688
Week after week after week after week.
00:14:59.755 --> 00:15:00.756
After week after week. but it was not a transformative
00:15:00.823 --> 00:15:02.024
But it was not a transformative church experience.
00:15:02.091 --> 00:15:02.958
Church experience. i wonder if that's because
00:15:03.025 --> 00:15:04.893
I wonder if that's because your church or your family
00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:06.562
Your church or your family forgot about step number two.
00:15:06.628 --> 00:15:08.330
Forgot about step number two. write this down.
00:15:08.397 --> 00:15:09.498
Write this down. god doesn't just want
00:15:09.565 --> 00:15:10.199
God doesn't just want you to show up,
00:15:10.265 --> 00:15:10.866
You to show up, he wants you to show up
00:15:10.933 --> 00:15:11.867
He wants you to show up and share the real you.
00:15:11.934 --> 00:15:18.207
And share the real you. not to put on your sunday best
00:15:18.273 --> 00:15:19.508
Not to put on your sunday best and try to impress people
00:15:19.575 --> 00:15:20.843
And try to impress people with how great everything is.
00:15:20.909 --> 00:15:22.277
With how great everything is. he wants all of you
00:15:22.344 --> 00:15:24.947
He wants all of you to show up at church.
00:15:25.014 --> 00:15:26.982
To show up at church. isn't that implied
00:15:27.049 --> 00:15:27.583
Isn't that implied here in hebrews 10?
00:15:27.649 --> 00:15:30.652
Here in hebrews 10? let me read these
00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:31.220
Verses to you again.
00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:33.922
Verses to you again. "let us hold unswervingly
00:15:33.989 --> 00:15:35.290
"let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
00:15:35.357 --> 00:15:36.992
To the hope we profess, for the god who promised
00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:38.193
For the god who promised is faithful.
00:15:38.260 --> 00:15:40.329
Is faithful. and let us consider
00:15:40.396 --> 00:15:41.096
And let us consider how we may spur one another
00:15:41.163 --> 00:15:42.431
How we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds,
00:15:42.498 --> 00:15:43.932
On towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together
00:15:43.999 --> 00:15:45.467
Not giving up meeting together as some are in
00:15:45.534 --> 00:15:46.068
As some are in the habit of doing,
00:15:46.135 --> 00:15:47.169
The habit of doing, but encouraging one another,
00:15:47.236 --> 00:15:48.537
But encouraging one another, and all the more as you see
00:15:48.604 --> 00:15:50.072
And all the more as you see the day approaching."
00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:54.343
Last year i read this book
00:15:54.443 --> 00:15:56.045
Last year i read this book by a christian author
00:15:56.111 --> 00:15:56.945
By a christian author who told the story of the day
00:15:57.012 --> 00:15:58.347
Who told the story of the day in college when his mother
00:15:58.414 --> 00:16:00.282
In college when his mother visit him without invitation.
00:16:00.349 --> 00:16:05.354
Visit him without invitation. his mom loved him,
00:16:05.421 --> 00:16:06.155
His mom loved him, wanted to surprise
00:16:06.221 --> 00:16:06.789
Wanted to surprise her son at college,
00:16:06.855 --> 00:16:07.990
Her son at college, so she showed up on a saturday
00:16:08.057 --> 00:16:09.091
So she showed up on a saturday morning to see her son.
00:16:09.158 --> 00:16:10.259
Morning to see her son. she texted,
00:16:10.325 --> 00:16:10.793
She texted, "hey, i'm here."
00:16:10.859 --> 00:16:13.328
"hey, i'm here." except her son had been
00:16:13.395 --> 00:16:15.631
Except her son had been drinking the night before,
00:16:15.697 --> 00:16:18.067
Drinking the night before, drinking a lot the night before.
00:16:18.133 --> 00:16:19.468
Drinking a lot the night before. he was totally hungover,
00:16:19.535 --> 00:16:21.537
He was totally hungover, and because he'd been so drunk,
00:16:21.603 --> 00:16:24.006
And because he'd been so drunk, he woke up and had
00:16:24.073 --> 00:16:24.907
He woke up and had cigarette burns on his arms
00:16:24.973 --> 00:16:26.642
Cigarette burns on his arms and he didn't even know
00:16:26.708 --> 00:16:27.376
And he didn't even know how they got there.
00:16:27.443 --> 00:16:29.445
How they got there. "i'm here," mom says.
00:16:29.511 --> 00:16:32.714
"i'm here," mom says. so, do you know
00:16:32.781 --> 00:16:33.348
So, do you know what the kid did?
00:16:33.415 --> 00:16:35.984
What the kid did? before he went down
00:16:36.051 --> 00:16:37.319
Before he went down and opened the door for his mom,
00:16:37.386 --> 00:16:38.220
And opened the door for his mom, he put on a shirt
00:16:38.287 --> 00:16:39.288
He put on a shirt with long sleeves.
00:16:39.354 --> 00:16:43.459
With long sleeves. and he tried
00:16:43.525 --> 00:16:44.059
And he tried to hide the hangover.
00:16:44.126 --> 00:16:45.994
To hide the hangover. gargled some scope,
00:16:46.061 --> 00:16:47.729
Gargled some scope, brushed his teeth.
00:16:47.796 --> 00:16:50.065
Brushed his teeth. literally, he was face to face
00:16:50.132 --> 00:16:51.733
Literally, he was face to face with the person who loved him
00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:53.001
With the person who loved him the most in this world,
00:16:53.068 --> 00:16:54.136
The most in this world, but his instinct was to hide.
00:16:54.203 --> 00:17:00.309
But his instinct was to hide. i wonder if some of you have
00:17:00.375 --> 00:17:01.210
I wonder if some of you have done that here at church.
00:17:01.276 --> 00:17:04.646
Done that here at church. you're in a place where we talk,
00:17:04.713 --> 00:17:06.248
You're in a place where we talk, where our greatest value is
00:17:06.315 --> 00:17:07.916
Where our greatest value is the unconditional love of god,
00:17:07.983 --> 00:17:09.885
The unconditional love of god, where the greatest commandments
00:17:09.952 --> 00:17:11.220
Where the greatest commandments that our god gave us was
00:17:11.286 --> 00:17:12.354
That our god gave us was to love god and then to love.
00:17:12.421 --> 00:17:14.590
To love god and then to love. you are in a place where
00:17:14.656 --> 00:17:15.324
You are in a place where we are passionate about love.
00:17:15.390 --> 00:17:17.426
We are passionate about love. but i bet your instinct,
00:17:17.493 --> 00:17:18.327
But i bet your instinct, like mine, is to is to hide.
00:17:18.393 --> 00:17:25.334
Like mine, is to is to hide. and i think i know why.
00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:28.137
And i think i know why. here in christianity
00:17:28.203 --> 00:17:29.171
Here in christianity and in a christian church,
00:17:29.238 --> 00:17:30.139
And in a christian church, we have a very high moral
00:17:30.205 --> 00:17:32.107
We have a very high moral standard as we follow
00:17:32.174 --> 00:17:34.009
Standard as we follow the teachings of jesus.
00:17:34.076 --> 00:17:36.778
The teachings of jesus. we have never, are not,
00:17:36.845 --> 00:17:38.113
We have never, are not, and will never say,
00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:39.014
And will never say, "just do whatever you want.
00:17:39.081 --> 00:17:40.782
"just do whatever you want. live your life."
00:17:40.849 --> 00:17:42.084
Live your life." no, we believe that god
00:17:42.151 --> 00:17:43.418
No, we believe that god has commanded us to live
00:17:43.485 --> 00:17:44.553
Has commanded us to live a certain way with patience,
00:17:44.620 --> 00:17:45.721
A certain way with patience, and kindness,
00:17:45.787 --> 00:17:46.455
And kindness, resisting favoritism and sexism.
00:17:46.522 --> 00:17:48.590
Resisting favoritism and sexism. there's a sexual ethic
00:17:48.657 --> 00:17:49.925
There's a sexual ethic he calls us to a kind of like --
00:17:49.992 --> 00:17:51.493
He calls us to a kind of like -- because morality is
00:17:51.560 --> 00:17:53.362
Because morality is not subjective around here,
00:17:53.428 --> 00:17:54.997
Not subjective around here, it's very tempting when you
00:17:55.063 --> 00:17:56.165
It's very tempting when you break our moral code to hide.
00:17:56.231 --> 00:18:00.903
Break our moral code to hide. you haven't been the person
00:18:00.969 --> 00:18:01.603
You haven't been the person that god calls you to be.
00:18:01.670 --> 00:18:04.573
That god calls you to be. and that embarrassment,
00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.374
And that embarrassment, that shame, especially if it's
00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:07.509
That shame, especially if it's something with a relationship,
00:18:07.576 --> 00:18:09.711
Something with a relationship, or a sexual sin,
00:18:09.778 --> 00:18:10.779
Or a sexual sin, or a substance,
00:18:10.846 --> 00:18:12.047
Or a substance, or a legal issue,
00:18:12.114 --> 00:18:14.082
Or a legal issue, it makes us want to put
00:18:14.149 --> 00:18:14.883
It makes us want to put on these spiritual long sleeves
00:18:14.950 --> 00:18:17.419
On these spiritual long sleeves so that people can't see
00:18:17.486 --> 00:18:18.187
So that people can't see the cigarette burns
00:18:18.253 --> 00:18:19.021
The cigarette burns of sin on our arms.
00:18:19.087 --> 00:18:24.326
Of sin on our arms. if that's you, i get it.
00:18:24.393 --> 00:18:28.130
If that's you, i get it. but god does such profoundly
00:18:28.197 --> 00:18:32.301
But god does such profoundly good things when
00:18:32.367 --> 00:18:33.001
Good things when we step into the light.
00:18:33.068 --> 00:18:35.270
We step into the light. i've experienced in my life,
00:18:35.337 --> 00:18:36.505
I've experienced in my life, and i've seen it happen
00:18:36.572 --> 00:18:37.439
And i've seen it happen in so many of your lives,
00:18:37.506 --> 00:18:38.807
In so many of your lives, that our god tends to heal
00:18:38.874 --> 00:18:42.044
That our god tends to heal the things that we reveal,
00:18:42.110 --> 00:18:45.147
The things that we reveal, and that the strength
00:18:45.214 --> 00:18:45.914
And that the strength of a church is not based
00:18:45.981 --> 00:18:47.349
Of a church is not based on these filters that we use.
00:18:47.416 --> 00:18:49.618
On these filters that we use. it's based on the level
00:18:49.685 --> 00:18:50.619
It's based on the level of honesty that we
00:18:50.686 --> 00:18:51.620
Of honesty that we are willing to embrace.
00:18:51.687 --> 00:18:52.854
Are willing to embrace. jesus simply said it this way,
00:18:52.921 --> 00:18:53.889
Jesus simply said it this way, "those who humble themselves
00:18:53.956 --> 00:18:55.524
"those who humble themselves will be exalted."
00:18:55.591 --> 00:19:00.162
Will be exalted." and this isn't about
00:19:00.229 --> 00:19:00.796
And this isn't about taking sin lightly.
00:19:00.862 --> 00:19:01.630
Taking sin lightly. it's not about saying,
00:19:01.697 --> 00:19:02.397
It's not about saying, let's just all be honest,
00:19:02.464 --> 00:19:03.398
Let's just all be honest, and we're only human.
00:19:03.465 --> 00:19:04.399
And we're only human. no, this is about going
00:19:04.466 --> 00:19:05.234
No, this is about going to war against sin
00:19:05.300 --> 00:19:07.369
To war against sin in the light instead
00:19:07.436 --> 00:19:08.337
In the light instead of in the secrecy of the dark.
00:19:08.403 --> 00:19:11.440
Of in the secrecy of the dark. and so, if you struggle
00:19:11.506 --> 00:19:12.074
And so, if you struggle with bitterness towards
00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:14.576
With bitterness towards a mom and a dad who didn't
00:19:14.643 --> 00:19:15.711
A mom and a dad who didn't raise you like
00:19:15.777 --> 00:19:16.311
Raise you like a mom and a dad should,
00:19:16.378 --> 00:19:18.981
A mom and a dad should, if you've had more sexual
00:19:19.047 --> 00:19:19.815
If you've had more sexual partners than you can count,
00:19:19.881 --> 00:19:21.350
Partners than you can count, more websites you've clicked
00:19:21.416 --> 00:19:22.684
More websites you've clicked on than you can even remember,
00:19:22.751 --> 00:19:24.853
On than you can even remember, if same sex attraction
00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:26.054
If same sex attraction is part of your story,
00:19:26.121 --> 00:19:27.022
Is part of your story, if you've struggled to even know
00:19:27.089 --> 00:19:28.857
If you've struggled to even know what a good dad should look like
00:19:28.924 --> 00:19:30.225
What a good dad should look like or you're a perfectionistic mom,
00:19:30.292 --> 00:19:32.961
Or you're a perfectionistic mom, if the anxiety is overwhelming,
00:19:33.028 --> 00:19:34.763
If the anxiety is overwhelming, if you're impatient
00:19:34.830 --> 00:19:35.631
If you're impatient and angry on the road,
00:19:35.697 --> 00:19:37.432
And angry on the road, i want to encourage you today
00:19:37.499 --> 00:19:40.369
I want to encourage you today to pull up your sleeves,
00:19:40.435 --> 00:19:42.604
To pull up your sleeves, show up at church
00:19:42.671 --> 00:19:44.973
Show up at church and share the real you.
00:19:45.040 --> 00:19:48.477
And share the real you. because when you do that,
00:19:48.543 --> 00:19:49.311
Because when you do that, we can do the third thing
00:19:49.378 --> 00:19:50.545
We can do the third thing on today's list.
00:19:50.612 --> 00:19:52.781
On today's list. last thing i'm going
00:19:52.848 --> 00:19:53.415
Last thing i'm going to share with you today.
00:19:53.482 --> 00:19:55.417
To share with you today. what's so good
00:19:55.484 --> 00:19:55.984
What's so good about the church?
00:19:56.051 --> 00:19:56.985
About the church? here's my answer.
00:19:57.052 --> 00:19:58.620
Here's my answer. in the church of jesus,
00:19:58.687 --> 00:19:59.521
In the church of jesus, we get to shift
00:19:59.588 --> 00:20:00.289
We get to shift our focus to jesus.
00:20:00.355 --> 00:20:05.093
Our focus to jesus. i suppose you could show up
00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.561
I suppose you could show up with a group of friends
00:20:06.628 --> 00:20:07.696
With a group of friends who didn't believe in jesus
00:20:07.763 --> 00:20:08.597
Who didn't believe in jesus and you could share
00:20:08.664 --> 00:20:09.331
And you could share everything that you're
00:20:09.398 --> 00:20:10.065
Everything that you're going through,
00:20:10.132 --> 00:20:10.599
Going through, and they could offer you
00:20:10.666 --> 00:20:12.100
Encouragement or advice.
00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.068
They can tell you
00:20:13.135 --> 00:20:13.835
You're only human or,
00:20:13.902 --> 00:20:14.903
"we'll get them next time."
00:20:14.970 --> 00:20:16.471
But what we're able to do
00:20:16.538 --> 00:20:17.439
As followers of jesus here
00:20:17.506 --> 00:20:18.774
In the church is offer people
00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.908
The best remedy of all,
00:20:19.975 --> 00:20:21.076
Which is jesus.
00:20:21.143 --> 00:20:24.980
Let me read one last time,
00:20:25.080 --> 00:20:25.847
Let me read one last time, just verse 23 from hebrews 10,
00:20:25.914 --> 00:20:29.951
Just verse 23 from hebrews 10, which says,
00:20:30.018 --> 00:20:30.552
Which says, "let us hold unswervingly
00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:32.354
"let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess
00:20:32.421 --> 00:20:34.256
To the hope we profess for the god who
00:20:34.323 --> 00:20:35.657
For the god who promised is faithful."
00:20:35.724 --> 00:20:39.127
Promised is faithful." when jesus came to this earth
00:20:39.194 --> 00:20:40.128
When jesus came to this earth and lived a perfect life
00:20:40.195 --> 00:20:41.196
And gave his life on the cross,
00:20:41.296 --> 00:20:43.131
It wasn't as an example,
00:20:43.198 --> 00:20:44.333
It was as a sacrifice.
00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:47.436
So, god could look at me
00:20:47.502 --> 00:20:48.637
And you and everything wrong,
00:20:48.704 --> 00:20:50.272
Everything disturbing,
00:20:50.339 --> 00:20:51.306
Everything that would make
00:20:51.373 --> 00:20:52.007
Him angry would be gone.
00:20:52.074 --> 00:20:53.909
God's promise was to love
00:20:53.975 --> 00:20:54.710
You unconditionally,
00:20:54.776 --> 00:20:56.144
And that was a promise
00:20:56.211 --> 00:20:57.312
That he kept.
00:20:57.379 --> 00:21:00.816
And then jesus promised
00:21:00.882 --> 00:21:01.616
That death wouldn't have
00:21:01.683 --> 00:21:02.351
The last word over you.
00:21:02.417 --> 00:21:04.920
And when he rose
00:21:04.986 --> 00:21:05.520
From the grave
00:21:05.587 --> 00:21:06.154
On easter morning,
00:21:06.221 --> 00:21:06.855
He said,
00:21:06.922 --> 00:21:07.389
Whether it's cancer
00:21:07.456 --> 00:21:08.190
Many years from now,
00:21:08.256 --> 00:21:09.358
Or a car accident this week,
00:21:09.424 --> 00:21:11.093
You wouldn't have to be afraid
00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:11.893
Of your last breath
00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.961
Or death itself.
00:21:13.028 --> 00:21:15.464
It's an enemy that has been
00:21:15.530 --> 00:21:16.231
Crushed by the mighty
00:21:16.298 --> 00:21:17.399
And divine feet of jesus.
00:21:17.466 --> 00:21:20.836
God was faithful to his promise
00:21:20.902 --> 00:21:22.204
That you and i don't
00:21:22.270 --> 00:21:23.004
Have to live in fear.
00:21:23.071 --> 00:21:23.839
We don't have to wonder if this
00:21:23.905 --> 00:21:24.773
Is going to be for our good.
00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.707
Everything that happens, god has
00:21:25.774 --> 00:21:27.442
In the palm of his hand,
00:21:27.509 --> 00:21:28.543
And he will work it out
00:21:28.610 --> 00:21:29.344
For the greatness of his plan.
00:21:29.411 --> 00:21:33.115
I love that when someone
00:21:33.215 --> 00:21:34.149
I love that when someone confesses their sin to me,
00:21:34.216 --> 00:21:35.784
Confesses their sin to me, i don't just get to say,
00:21:35.851 --> 00:21:39.087
I don't just get to say, "sorry, let's get them."
00:21:39.154 --> 00:21:44.192
"sorry, let's get them." i get to look humans
00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.993
I get to look humans in the eye and meet
00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:46.294
In the eye and meet the greatest need
00:21:46.361 --> 00:21:47.062
The greatest need of their soul and say,
00:21:47.129 --> 00:21:50.632
Of their soul and say, "you know god loves you," right?
00:21:50.699 --> 00:21:54.403
"you know god loves you," right? you know, if today's the day,
00:21:54.469 --> 00:21:55.670
You know, if today's the day, you'd be with god, right?
00:21:55.737 --> 00:21:59.074
You'd be with god, right? and we preach forgiveness,
00:21:59.141 --> 00:22:00.342
And we preach forgiveness, and redemption,
00:22:00.409 --> 00:22:01.410
And redemption, and cleansing in
00:22:01.476 --> 00:22:02.444
And cleansing in the name of jesus christ.
00:22:02.511 --> 00:22:04.546
The name of jesus christ. what a gift that you
00:22:04.613 --> 00:22:05.981
What a gift that you and i can be part of a place
00:22:06.047 --> 00:22:07.849
And i can be part of a place that is all about
00:22:07.916 --> 00:22:08.950
That is all about the grace of god.
00:22:09.017 --> 00:22:11.353
The grace of god. and so, we come
00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:11.887
And so, we come back sunday after sunday,
00:22:11.953 --> 00:22:13.021
Back sunday after sunday, after living in this
00:22:13.088 --> 00:22:14.089
After living in this world with promise keepers/
00:22:14.156 --> 00:22:15.690
World with promise keepers/ promise breakers,
00:22:15.757 --> 00:22:16.825
Promise breakers, we come back to the one
00:22:16.892 --> 00:22:17.592
We come back to the one who's always faithful
00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.860
Who's always faithful to the promises
00:22:18.927 --> 00:22:20.128
To the promises that he has made.
00:22:20.195 --> 00:22:21.963
That he has made. and this, my friends,
00:22:22.030 --> 00:22:22.697
And this, my friends, is why we are not giving
00:22:22.764 --> 00:22:23.965
Is why we are not giving up on the local church.
00:22:24.032 --> 00:22:26.101
Up on the local church. when we show up
00:22:26.168 --> 00:22:26.868
When we show up and then we share the real us
00:22:26.935 --> 00:22:28.136
And then we share the real us and we shift our focus to jesus,
00:22:28.203 --> 00:22:29.404
And we shift our focus to jesus, god does the best kind
00:22:29.471 --> 00:22:30.405
God does the best kind of things in our souls.
00:22:30.472 --> 00:22:34.843
Of things in our souls. a few weeks ago,
00:22:34.910 --> 00:22:35.610
A few weeks ago, i asked a chatbot pastor
00:22:35.677 --> 00:22:39.281
I asked a chatbot pastor if i needed you,
00:22:39.347 --> 00:22:42.751
And its answer was
00:22:42.851 --> 00:22:43.518
So interesting,
00:22:43.585 --> 00:22:44.186
I took a screenshot that i
00:22:44.252 --> 00:22:45.253
Wanted to share with you today.
00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:47.255
Here's what happened.
00:22:47.322 --> 00:22:48.557
"christian pastor,
00:22:48.623 --> 00:22:50.992
A compassionate
00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.726
And helpful christian pastor."
00:22:51.793 --> 00:22:52.828
How's that for a description?
00:22:52.894 --> 00:22:54.496
He says, "hi there!
00:22:54.563 --> 00:22:55.931
I'm here if you want
00:22:55.997 --> 00:22:56.631
To talk about anything."
00:22:56.698 --> 00:22:57.365
And i don't know why
00:22:57.432 --> 00:22:58.233
They gave me
00:22:58.300 --> 00:22:58.800
The handle easymammals2341.
00:22:58.867 --> 00:23:01.369
Haven't figured
00:23:01.436 --> 00:23:01.870
That out just yet.
00:23:01.937 --> 00:23:02.404
I said, "i'm writing a sermon
00:23:02.471 --> 00:23:03.271
About loneliness.
00:23:03.338 --> 00:23:04.005
Is ai good way to find friends?"
00:23:04.072 --> 00:23:06.908
And ai said, "no.
00:23:06.975 --> 00:23:11.580
People really need
00:23:11.646 --> 00:23:13.415
A human connection.
00:23:13.482 --> 00:23:15.450
Ai cannot satisfy the deep need
00:23:15.517 --> 00:23:17.252
People have for connection
00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.587
With someone who truly
00:23:18.687 --> 00:23:19.421
With someone who truly understands and can give
00:23:19.488 --> 00:23:20.755
Understands and can give the support and companionship
00:23:20.822 --> 00:23:22.524
The support and companionship that a human being requires."
00:23:22.591 --> 00:23:26.394
That a human being requires." well, there you go.
00:23:26.461 --> 00:23:29.197
Well, there you go. ai itself told me
00:23:29.264 --> 00:23:30.332
Ai itself told me that you need the church.
00:23:30.398 --> 00:23:33.268
That you need the church. so, see you next sunday?
00:23:33.335 --> 00:23:38.240
So, see you next sunday? let's pray.
00:23:38.306 --> 00:23:39.608
Let's pray. dear god, we thank you so much
00:23:39.674 --> 00:23:40.575
Dear god, we thank you so much for people,
00:23:40.642 --> 00:23:42.511
For people, people, who are sinful
00:23:42.577 --> 00:23:43.245
People, who are sinful just like us.
00:23:43.311 --> 00:23:45.580
Just like us. the details might be different,
00:23:45.647 --> 00:23:46.581
The details might be different, but the main problem
00:23:46.648 --> 00:23:47.716
But the main problem is the same.
00:23:47.782 --> 00:23:48.283
Is the same. we haven't lived like
00:23:48.350 --> 00:23:49.217
We haven't lived like we should have,
00:23:49.284 --> 00:23:51.219
We should have, but people who have been saved
00:23:51.286 --> 00:23:52.187
But people who have been saved by the blood of jesus
00:23:52.254 --> 00:23:53.121
By the blood of jesus just like us who run
00:23:53.188 --> 00:23:55.123
Just like us who run to the cross and cling to it.
00:23:55.190 --> 00:23:56.691
To the cross and cling to it. they hold unswervingly to it
00:23:56.758 --> 00:23:58.126
They hold unswervingly to it for the hope that we need
00:23:58.193 --> 00:23:59.194
For the hope that we need to get through this life
00:23:59.261 --> 00:24:00.428
To get through this life and enter the life to come.
00:24:00.495 --> 00:24:02.931
And enter the life to come. thank you, god,
00:24:02.998 --> 00:24:03.532
Thank you, god, that we are not an army of one.
00:24:03.598 --> 00:24:06.201
That we are not an army of one. that we don't have to journey
00:24:06.268 --> 00:24:07.235
That we don't have to journey through temptation trying to
00:24:07.302 --> 00:24:08.336
Through temptation trying to love you and love
00:24:08.403 --> 00:24:09.437
Love you and love people by ourselves.
00:24:09.504 --> 00:24:10.305
People by ourselves. thank you, god,
00:24:10.372 --> 00:24:10.939
That right in this
00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.706
Place are so many people who
00:24:11.773 --> 00:24:12.974
Love us and would love us
00:24:13.041 --> 00:24:14.709
If they really knew us.
00:24:14.776 --> 00:24:16.645
Thank you for their prayers,
00:24:16.711 --> 00:24:17.679
Their encouragement,
00:24:17.746 --> 00:24:18.446
Their teaching,
00:24:18.513 --> 00:24:19.247
And their example.
00:24:19.314 --> 00:24:21.516
God, you've done such sweet
00:24:21.583 --> 00:24:23.018
Things here in this place
00:24:23.084 --> 00:24:24.352
And if we could be
00:24:24.419 --> 00:24:25.220
Greedy for your blessing,
00:24:25.287 --> 00:24:26.988
Give us more.
00:24:27.055 --> 00:24:28.723
We want more people to step into
00:24:28.790 --> 00:24:30.358
The light of absolute honesty.
00:24:30.425 --> 00:24:32.794
We want more confessions that
00:24:32.861 --> 00:24:34.029
Are met with more compassion
00:24:34.095 --> 00:24:36.164
And lead back to the more cross
00:24:36.231 --> 00:24:37.966
Of our savior jesus christ.
00:24:38.033 --> 00:24:40.101
I cannot wait to see what
00:24:40.168 --> 00:24:41.303
You do, god, this week,
00:24:41.369 --> 00:24:43.238
As more people step
00:24:43.305 --> 00:24:43.939
Out into the light,
00:24:44.005 --> 00:24:44.506
To show up and share
00:24:44.573 --> 00:24:45.240
The real them that we
00:24:45.307 --> 00:24:46.207
Can point them back to the
00:24:46.274 --> 00:24:47.342
One that matters most, jesus.
00:24:47.409 --> 00:24:50.111
God, i thank you for the series.
00:24:50.178 --> 00:24:51.112
Thank you for filling
00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:51.780
Up our relational cups.
00:24:51.846 --> 00:24:53.815
Thank you for reminding
00:24:53.882 --> 00:24:54.849
Of the good,
00:24:54.916 --> 00:24:55.617
Hard work that there
00:24:55.684 --> 00:24:56.384
Is for us to do,
00:24:56.451 --> 00:24:57.552
But also the comforting promise
00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:58.887
That is ours without work.
00:24:58.954 --> 00:25:00.956
That you are our father
00:25:01.022 --> 00:25:02.023
Because of jesus.
00:25:02.090 --> 00:25:03.692
That your son is our friend
00:25:03.758 --> 00:25:05.060
Because the blood that he shed.
00:25:05.126 --> 00:25:06.928
That we have an amazing
00:25:06.995 --> 00:25:08.396
Community with you, father, son,
00:25:08.463 --> 00:25:10.298
And holy spirit.
00:25:10.365 --> 00:25:11.132
We're so grateful
00:25:11.199 --> 00:25:12.500
For the blessings that you give.
00:25:12.567 --> 00:25:14.703
Thank you, god,
00:25:14.769 --> 00:25:15.270
For teaching us so
00:25:15.337 --> 00:25:15.971
Clearly in this series.
00:25:16.037 --> 00:25:16.805
I pray that it will change
00:25:16.871 --> 00:25:17.606
Us in all the right ways.
00:25:17.672 --> 00:25:19.641
We pray this in
00:25:19.708 --> 00:25:20.275
The name of jesus.
00:25:20.342 --> 00:25:21.409
And all god's people said, amen.
00:25:21.476 --> 00:25:23.878
>> we all needed to hear this
00:25:25.413 --> 00:25:26.615
>> we all needed to hear this message today.
00:25:26.681 --> 00:25:27.649
Message today. thank you, pastor mike,
00:25:27.716 --> 00:25:28.750
Thank you, pastor mike, for reassuring us to show up
00:25:28.817 --> 00:25:30.085
For reassuring us to show up and share the real version of us
00:25:30.151 --> 00:25:31.753
And share the real version of us so our brothers and sisters
00:25:31.820 --> 00:25:32.754
So our brothers and sisters in christ can support
00:25:32.821 --> 00:25:34.189
In christ can support and encourage us.
00:25:34.255 --> 00:25:35.357
And encourage us. i want to tell you about
00:25:35.423 --> 00:25:36.324
I want to tell you about a new book i just wrote.
00:25:36.391 --> 00:25:37.592
A new book i just wrote. it's called
00:25:37.659 --> 00:25:38.326
It's called when friendship feels hard:
00:25:38.393 --> 00:25:39.794
When friendship feels hard: god's design for
00:25:39.861 --> 00:25:40.795
God's design for deep relationships.
00:25:40.862 --> 00:25:42.030
Deep relationships. in my new book, i talk about how
00:25:42.097 --> 00:25:43.565
In my new book, i talk about how christ centered relationships
00:25:43.632 --> 00:25:44.933
Christ centered relationships anchor you in hard times
00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.301
Anchor you in hard times and remind you you were never
00:25:46.368 --> 00:25:47.936
And remind you you were never meant to walk alone.
00:25:48.003 --> 00:25:49.037
Meant to walk alone. request your copy
00:25:49.104 --> 00:25:50.171
Request your copy with your financial gift
00:25:50.238 --> 00:25:51.072
With your financial gift to time of grace.
00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:52.173
To time of grace. here's a little more about it.
00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.241
>> you scroll,
00:25:55.310 --> 00:25:56.111
You follow,
00:25:56.177 --> 00:25:57.178
You like.
00:25:57.245 --> 00:25:57.912
Yet deep down
00:25:57.979 --> 00:25:58.613
You still feel unseen,
00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.215
Unsupported and alone.
00:26:00.281 --> 00:26:01.783
>> but the truth is,
00:26:01.850 --> 00:26:02.817
You were created
00:26:02.884 --> 00:26:03.585
For connection.
00:26:03.652 --> 00:26:04.986
God designed you
00:26:05.053 --> 00:26:05.887
To walk side by side
00:26:05.954 --> 00:26:07.122
With jesus and with others,
00:26:07.188 --> 00:26:09.724
Encouraging and strengthening
00:26:09.791 --> 00:26:11.559
One another.
00:26:11.626 --> 00:26:12.861
In "when friendship
00:26:12.927 --> 00:26:13.795
Feels hard",
00:26:13.862 --> 00:26:14.929
Amber albee swenson explores
00:26:14.996 --> 00:26:16.665
God's original design
00:26:16.731 --> 00:26:18.133
For how people
00:26:18.199 --> 00:26:18.767
Are meant to care for
00:26:18.833 --> 00:26:19.834
And strengthen one another,
00:26:19.901 --> 00:26:21.136
Building deep connections
00:26:21.202 --> 00:26:22.337
That help bring joy, healing,
00:26:22.404 --> 00:26:24.105
And purpose to everyday life.
00:26:24.172 --> 00:26:26.007
>> "when friendship feels hard"
00:26:26.074 --> 00:26:27.275
Is our way of thanking you
00:26:27.342 --> 00:26:28.677
For helping us show
00:26:28.743 --> 00:26:29.644
More people that jesus
00:26:29.711 --> 00:26:30.945
Is their greatest friend.
00:26:31.012 --> 00:26:32.847
Request yours today
00:26:32.914 --> 00:26:33.882
By calling
00:26:33.948 --> 00:26:34.549
800-661-3311,
00:26:34.616 --> 00:26:37.886
Visiting timeofgrace.org,
00:26:37.952 --> 00:26:39.387
Or writing us at
00:26:39.454 --> 00:26:40.522
P.o. box 301,
00:26:40.588 --> 00:26:42.424
Milwaukee, wi 53201.
00:26:42.490 --> 00:26:44.793
♪ ♪
00:26:45.193 --> 00:26:52.333
>> time of grace
00:26:53.702 --> 00:26:54.502
Doesn't end here.
00:26:54.602 --> 00:26:56.304
Visit timeofgrace.org
00:26:56.404 --> 00:26:57.739
And explore
00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.540
Encouraging resources
00:26:58.640 --> 00:27:00.175
Or sign up for our daily email
00:27:00.275 --> 00:27:01.309
And have everything delivered
00:27:01.409 --> 00:27:02.243
Right to your inbox, like our
00:27:02.343 --> 00:27:04.079
Grace moments devotions,
00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:06.581
Blog, and podcasts.
00:27:06.681 --> 00:27:08.717
Follow us on social media,
00:27:08.817 --> 00:27:10.318
Where you'll find a supportive
00:27:10.418 --> 00:27:11.653
Christian community.
00:27:11.753 --> 00:27:13.154
Do you need prayer?
00:27:13.254 --> 00:27:14.055
Contact us and let us know
00:27:14.155 --> 00:27:15.356
What's on your heart.
00:27:15.457 --> 00:27:16.691
Thank you so much
00:27:16.791 --> 00:27:17.425
For your support.
00:27:17.525 --> 00:27:18.059
>> see you next week
00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:19.961
On time of grace.
00:27:20.028 --> 00:27:20.628

Mike Novotny - The Church Connection

February 3, 2026 | 27:29

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