1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for being with us today. I know 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: God sees you taking this time to learn more about Him, 3 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: to grow, and to really become all that you've created 4 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: to be. So know today that God is smiling down 5 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: on you. You love your way well, God bless you. 6 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:20,000 Speaker 1: It's a joy to come into your homes. And if 7 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:23,079 Speaker 1: you're ever in our area, please stop buying. Be a 8 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 1: part of one of our services. I promise you we'll 9 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: make you feel right at home. I like to start 10 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: with something funny, and I heard about this burglar that 11 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:34,839 Speaker 1: broke into a home one night. As he was stealing 12 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: the stereo, he heard a voice saying, Jesus is watching you. 13 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: He froze in his tracks, shined his flashlight and saw 14 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 1: a parrot over in the corner. He said, did you 15 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 1: say that to me? The parent said yes, I'm just 16 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: trying to warn you. He said, warn me? What are 17 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: you talking about? Who are you? He said, my name 18 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: is Moses. The burglar laughed, said what kind of crazy 19 00:00:58,760 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 1: people would name a parent Moses? He said, the same 20 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 1: kind of people that would name a one hundred and 21 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 1: fifty pounds rotweler. Jesus say it like you mean it. 22 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,840 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 23 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 24 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 25 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 26 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 27 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:30,479 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 28 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about being vulnerable. It's easy 29 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: to go through life trying to impress people, show them 30 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: that we're strong, that we have it all together, and 31 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 1: it's good to carry ourselves with confidence. But sometimes we 32 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: have a need to keep up our image so much 33 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: that instead of being real, we put on a mask 34 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 1: and start pretending. We can't let people see we have weaknesses. 35 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: We struggle in these areas. We're people of we're supposed 36 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: to have all the answers, But the scripture says God's 37 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:09,920 Speaker 1: power shows up greatest in our weaknesses. But if we 38 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 1: go around pretending acting like we don't have any weaknesses, 39 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: then God's power is not going to show up. God 40 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 1: won't bless who you pretend to be. He looks beyond 41 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: the mass, beyond the superficial. And when you're big enough 42 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: to admit God, I don't have it altogether. I'm struggling 43 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,640 Speaker 1: in these areas. I need your help. Being vulnerable is 44 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: not a weakness, it's a strength. But when we pretend 45 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 1: try to impress people live for our image. That puts 46 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:44,680 Speaker 1: pressure on us. We have to perform, make sure they 47 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 1: think I'm good, I'm strong, I'm talented. Take off the mask. 48 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 1: You can be real, well, Joel, What if they think 49 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:56,519 Speaker 1: less of me? What they think of you doesn't really matter. 50 00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 1: They don't control your destiny. Friends judge you for being real, 51 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 1: they're not true friends. A true friend will accept you 52 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: for who you are. Faults, weaknesses, shortcomings, and all people 53 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: that judge you are not being honest with themselves. They 54 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: have their own issues. They're just wearing their mask hoping 55 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: that you don't notice. Everybody is dealing with something. There 56 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: are no perfect people, but we live in a society 57 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:31,080 Speaker 1: that stresses image. It tells us if we don't have 58 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:34,600 Speaker 1: it all together, if you don't wear the latest, drive 59 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 1: the latest, hang out with the most popular, then you're 60 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: less than. This creates all kinds of pretending. We're in 61 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: masks trying to impress, and that may feel strong, but 62 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: in fact it's weak. If you can't be honest with yourself. 63 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 1: If you have to hide your struggles, act a certain 64 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: way to keep up your image, that's going to keep 65 00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 1: you from your full potential. God is not looking for 66 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 1: the ideal you, the pretend you, the future you. He's 67 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 1: looking for the real you. And this is what the 68 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 1: apostle Paul did. He said in Philippians three, I count 69 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:18,600 Speaker 1: not myself to have apprehended one version says I'm still 70 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: not everything that I should be now. Paul was one 71 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:26,159 Speaker 1: of the greatest apostles that ever lived. He wrote half 72 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: of the books in the New Testament. He was a scholar, 73 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: a theologian. He spoke five languages. No one was more 74 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: effective than Paul, but he had the humility to admit, 75 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,359 Speaker 1: I don't have it altogether. I'm doing my best, but 76 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 1: I'm not there yet. He could have let pride hide 77 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: his weaknesses, mask his shortcomings, but he was vulnerable. Nobody 78 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: would have argued if he'd have said, hey, I wrote 79 00:04:56,600 --> 00:05:00,559 Speaker 1: half of the scripture, I've attained the highest level. Paul 80 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: was a great man, but as he neared his death, 81 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 1: when he could have impressed people, when he could have 82 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: bolstered his image, instead he took off his mask. He 83 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:16,799 Speaker 1: was real. That's the kind of people God promotes. There's 84 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 1: power in vulnerability. It's okay to say I'm not there yet. 85 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: I'm still struggling with these issues. But I'm not going 86 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 1: to wear a mask. I'm not going around pretending I'm 87 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 1: at peace with not being perfect. If you're not vulnerable, 88 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 1: you'll stop growing. If you can't be honest with yourself 89 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 1: and say, God, I need your help. I'm acting strong, 90 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 1: but God, I'm afraid. I don't know which way to go. 91 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: When you empty yourself out, then God will fill you. 92 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 1: But God cannot fill a vessel that's already full. If 93 00:05:56,920 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 1: you're full of yourself acting said it nice, acting, pretending, 94 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 1: wearing masks, there's no room for God. But when we 95 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 1: humble ourselves and empty out our pride, our doubts, our fears, 96 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: then God will fill us with favor, with strength. He'll 97 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 1: help us get to the next level. Mark chapter nine. 98 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 1: A man had a son that was sick with something 99 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 1: like epilepsy. He brought him to Jesus said, Sir, my 100 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 1: son has all these convulsions. If you can do anything, 101 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 1: please have compassion on us. Jesus said, if you believe 102 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 1: all things are possible. The man said, yes, Lord, I believe, 103 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: but help me in my unbelief. He was honest, he 104 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 1: was being vulnerable. Jesus could have said, I just told 105 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: you I'd do it. What do you mean you have doubts, 106 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:53,080 Speaker 1: you don't believe. I'm gonna go find somebody else. Know. 107 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 1: When we're honest with God, when we're real, he doesn't 108 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 1: judge us, He doesn't turn the other way. He comes 109 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:05,919 Speaker 1: to us. Jesus went and healed this man's son. And 110 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:08,560 Speaker 1: when you take off the masks and get down to 111 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: the real you, maybe the doubting you, the lonely you, 112 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 1: the insecure you, when you're vulnerable, God will begin to 113 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 1: change things. But sometimes we think we have to always 114 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: be strong in faith, strong in courage. We can't admit 115 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 1: we have doubts, we have fears. The scripture says, let 116 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: the weak say I am strong. Doesn't say you should 117 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: never feel weak, never have doubts, never feel discouraged. Now, God, 118 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 1: I feel weak today, but I know in you I'm strong. God. 119 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: I'm concerned about my finances. I don't see how it 120 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 1: could work out. Lord, help me to believe. That's being 121 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: honest before God. That's being vulnerable. The first time John 122 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 1: the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, behold the Lamb of God. 123 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:03,240 Speaker 1: He knew he was Theah. In Matthew chapter three, John 124 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 1: was baptizing Jesus when he came up out of the water. 125 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 1: A dove landed on Jesus. The heavens opened up. A 126 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: voice boomed out, saying, this is my beloved son, in 127 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: whom I am well pleased. If anyone should have been 128 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 1: a man of faith, it would have been John. He 129 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: baptized Jesus, but a few chapters later, in chapter eleven, 130 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 1: when he was in prison, John started having doubts, thinking 131 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: is he really the Messiah? Is he really the son 132 00:08:35,559 --> 00:08:39,679 Speaker 1: of God? John sent two of his disciples to see 133 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 1: if Jesus was who he really said he was. Now 134 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 1: you would think if you saw the heavens opened up, 135 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: if you heard the voice boom out, you would believe. 136 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: You wouldn't change your mind. But even John had doubts. 137 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: Even he didn't have it all figured out. He was vulnerable. 138 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 1: He could I baptized the man. I told people he 139 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: was the Lamb of God. I can't let anyone know that. 140 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: I'm not sure. Now I have to keep up my image. 141 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:15,320 Speaker 1: I have to wear this mask. John's attitude was I'm 142 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 1: not a pretender. I'm not trying to impress people. Go 143 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: ask him if he's the son of God. What's interesting 144 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: is Jesus didn't get upset. He didn't say, tell John 145 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 1: he needs to have more faith, I'm disappointed in him. 146 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 1: Jesus understood. He said, tell John the blind, sea, the 147 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: crippled walk, the lepers are cure. Tell him, Yes, I 148 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: am the Messiah. So when you have doubts, things you 149 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 1: don't understand, don't be down on yourself. You didn't see 150 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:50,600 Speaker 1: the heavens open up. You didn't hear the voice boom out. 151 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:55,559 Speaker 1: John had all these signs, but it didn't disqualify him. 152 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:59,840 Speaker 1: God was not disappointed in John, and he's not disappointed 153 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 1: you. You may not be where you think you should be. 154 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 1: You have these questions. It's okay to say, like Paul, 155 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:11,680 Speaker 1: I haven't apprehended it all just yet. I'm on a journey. 156 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:16,160 Speaker 1: I'm growing. God's still working on me. But so often 157 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 1: we think we have to hide our struggles. We can't 158 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:21,920 Speaker 1: let God know our fears. That wouldn't be a person 159 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 1: of faith. But you can't overcome a weakness if you 160 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: don't get it out in the open, when you're honest 161 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 1: with yourself and honest with God and say, God, help 162 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 1: me break this addiction. I can't do it on my own. God, 163 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: help me to not be jealous. I'm a coworker. Help 164 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: me to be more disciplined in what I watch. That's 165 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:48,200 Speaker 1: the first step to getting better. But sometimes religion has 166 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: taught us that God will condemn us, make us feel guilty. 167 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:56,559 Speaker 1: That's not the way God is. Like with John the Baptist, 168 00:10:56,960 --> 00:11:02,319 Speaker 1: God understands our doubts, our weaknesses, our failures when we 169 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 1: humble ourselves and ask Him for his health. When we're vulnerable, 170 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:12,200 Speaker 1: we say, like Paul, I don't have it altogether. We say, 171 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 1: like John, I have these doubts. We say like the 172 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 1: man and his son, Lord, help me to believe. That's 173 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:23,319 Speaker 1: when the creator of the universe will help you overcome 174 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 1: what you could not overcome. Are you wearing a mask, 175 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 1: pretending trying to protect your image in front of people 176 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:35,200 Speaker 1: and in front of God. I'm asking us to take 177 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:39,679 Speaker 1: off the mask. Let's be real. Sometimes we think, when 178 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:42,680 Speaker 1: we get it all together, we'll be honest when we 179 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:46,959 Speaker 1: break the addiction, when we overcome the temptation, then God 180 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,679 Speaker 1: will accept us. Then he'll be pleased with me. But 181 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:54,160 Speaker 1: God is not waiting for the perfect you, for the 182 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 1: cleaned up you, for the no doubt you. He's waiting 183 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:04,319 Speaker 1: for the real you, the honest you. God already knows 184 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:09,440 Speaker 1: everything about us. There is a freedom when you can 185 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: come to God open and honest, knowing that he doesn't 186 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:18,439 Speaker 1: condemn you. He's not finding fault. He has mercy for 187 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:23,320 Speaker 1: every mistake, grace for every weakness, faith for every fear. 188 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 1: Our attitude should be God. My life is an open book. 189 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: I have nothing to hide. You know everything I am, 190 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 1: everything that I'm not. Make me, mold me, help me 191 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:40,720 Speaker 1: to become who you've created me to be. John Chapter four. 192 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:45,080 Speaker 1: Jesus was at a well in Samaria. This woman came 193 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:48,720 Speaker 1: out to get some water. Jesus asked her for something 194 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 1: to drink. She was surprised. She said, Sir, you're a Jew, 195 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: I'm a Samaritan. We don't have anything to do with 196 00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 1: each other. Why are you asking me for something? Jesus said, 197 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: if you knew who I was, you would ask me 198 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: and I would give you living water. She said, please 199 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 1: give me some of that water. Jesus said, I will, 200 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:15,239 Speaker 1: but go call your husband. I can imagine time stopped 201 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 1: for this woman. She had had five husbands, was living 202 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 1: with a man she wasn't married too. Life had been 203 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 1: rough for this lady. No doubt she had been mistreated, 204 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 1: taken advantage of. She knew she had made mistakes. She 205 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: felt bad enough about herself. She didn't need any more guilt. 206 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 1: In town, everyone knew her, she was looked down on, 207 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 1: made fun of. But out here at the well, alone, 208 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:46,720 Speaker 1: just her in Jesus, she could have thought, I'm not 209 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 1: telling this man my past. I'm going to put on 210 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 1: my mask and pretend everything is fine. She could have said, Okay, 211 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: I'll go get my husband. Wait for me. I'll be 212 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 1: back in thirty minutes. Everything in her her said hide 213 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 1: your hurts, hide your failures, turn and leave, take the 214 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 1: easy way out. She could have walked away and it 215 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 1: would be the end of this story. But after years 216 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 1: of wearing a mask, years of pretending, she said, no, 217 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:21,560 Speaker 1: this is a new day. I'm not making excuses, I'm 218 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: not covering it up. I'm going to be honest. She 219 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 1: said to Jesus, I don't have a husband. The first thing, 220 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:33,560 Speaker 1: Jesus said, was you have answered? Well, he was saying, 221 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: now you're being honest with yourself, and you're being honest 222 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: with me. Jesus went on to tell her how she 223 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: had five husbands and was living with this other man. 224 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 1: She said, sir, you must be a prophet. We know 225 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:53,560 Speaker 1: one day the Messiah will come. Jesus looked at her 226 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 1: and said, I am the Messiah. The first person Jesus 227 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:04,240 Speaker 1: ever wrot revealed himself too as the Messiah was this woman. 228 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: A woman who was vulnerable, a woman who was willing 229 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 1: to take off the mask and not pretend everything was okay. 230 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 1: You may have made mistakes. You're not where you think 231 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:21,160 Speaker 1: you should be. God is not displeased with where you are. 232 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:26,480 Speaker 1: He's only displeased if you get stuck there. When Jesus 233 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:29,600 Speaker 1: asked this woman to go get her husband, he already 234 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 1: knew she didn't have a husband. He was waiting to 235 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 1: see what she would do. Would she be vulnerable, would 236 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 1: she take off the mask? God already knows our struggles, 237 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: our failures, our weaknesses. When we live open and honest 238 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:52,000 Speaker 1: before God, not guilty because of past mistakes, beating ourselves 239 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 1: up for weaknesses, pretending that everything's okay, but saying God, 240 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: I need you help me to overcome, Strengthen me in 241 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: my weaknesses, give me faith to do the right thing. 242 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 1: That's when God will do for you what he did 243 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 1: for this woman. He will break bondages that have held 244 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: you back. He will make more out of your life 245 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 1: than you've ever even dreamed. What am I saying today? 246 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: It's okay to be vulnerable. You don't have to have 247 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:25,880 Speaker 1: it altogether. You're a work in progress. God is not 248 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 1: finished with you. Even Abraham, the father of our faith, 249 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: was vulnerable. He even admitted that he didn't have all 250 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 1: the answers. God told him to take his son Isaac 251 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 1: out to the mountains and sacrifice him. God was going 252 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:46,640 Speaker 1: to show him where to go. I can imagine Isaac said, Dad, 253 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:51,359 Speaker 1: where are we going? Surely Abraham would be strong, confident, 254 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: But I hear Abraham saying, son, I don't know where. 255 00:16:55,680 --> 00:17:00,200 Speaker 1: I don't have clear direction. Isaac must have thought, that's 256 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 1: my father, that's my hero, the man I look up to. 257 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:08,520 Speaker 1: You mean he doesn't have everything figured out. It's okay 258 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 1: to be vulnerable to your children. You don't have to 259 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:17,639 Speaker 1: hide your weaknesses, hide your struggles, take off your Superman outfit. 260 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 1: Sometimes you just need to be Clark Kent. Just be real. 261 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: Your children will learn more from how they see you 262 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:31,399 Speaker 1: handle your struggles than they will from your successes. You 263 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 1: don't have to be strong all the time. Let them 264 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:39,439 Speaker 1: see your humanity. One time in my early twenties, I 265 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:42,920 Speaker 1: was in the TV control area after a church service 266 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 1: at the other location. My father had just finished ministering. 267 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:50,520 Speaker 1: Myself and some of the crew members were laughing and 268 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:53,560 Speaker 1: having fun as we were putting up the equipment and 269 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 1: turning everything off. My father came in for some reason. 270 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:01,159 Speaker 1: He thought we were making fun something that had happened 271 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 1: in the service. We weren't. We were laughing at something 272 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 1: totally different. I tried to tell him it didn't have 273 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:11,040 Speaker 1: anything to do with that, but my father wouldn't hear it. 274 00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: He let us have it, told us how we should 275 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: be more respectful, and how we should make fun, on 276 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 1: and on. A couple hours later, my father called. He said, Joel, 277 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:25,399 Speaker 1: I blew it tonight. I knew when you told me 278 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: it wasn't what I thought, but I was uptight about 279 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:31,240 Speaker 1: some other things, and I want to ask you to 280 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:34,719 Speaker 1: forgive me. I'm sorry. Then he asked me for the 281 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:38,120 Speaker 1: phone numbers of everyone else in the room. There were 282 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:42,080 Speaker 1: seven or eight people. He couldn't sleep until he made 283 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:44,320 Speaker 1: things right. I said, Daddy, you can take care of 284 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: it tomorrow. Nobody's gonna mind. He said, no, I need 285 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:50,720 Speaker 1: to do it right now. Eleven o'clock at night, this 286 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 1: well respected minister called all these young men to apologize 287 00:18:56,480 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: to them. Now as a son, that spoke to me 288 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:05,400 Speaker 1: than my father's accomplishments, to see him swallow his pride 289 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 1: and admit that he was wrong, that it's huge impressing 290 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:13,920 Speaker 1: on me. He could have tried to protect his image 291 00:19:13,960 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 1: and convince himself he was right, but he was vulnerable. 292 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: He was honest, not just with me, but with himself. 293 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:27,280 Speaker 1: When you can be honest with yourself, when you're big enough, 294 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:30,919 Speaker 1: secure enough to take off the mask, not live for 295 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:34,160 Speaker 1: your image, but you do the right thing when it's hard, 296 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: apologize when it's not your fault, Show your children you're 297 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 1: big enough to admit that you were wrong. When you 298 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:45,639 Speaker 1: live transparent before God, not the fake you to pretend you, 299 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 1: the wanna be you, but the real you. When you're vulnerable, 300 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 1: you're pliable. God will make you and mould you into 301 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: the vessel of honor that He created you to be. 302 00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 1: That's what these hero It was a faith there, Abraham, John, 303 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:07,160 Speaker 1: the Baptist, Paul. They were real. They had doubts, they 304 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: had questions, They made mistakes, but they didn't pretend to 305 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 1: be superhuman like they had it all together. They knew 306 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 1: the power of vulnerability. They knew in their weaknesses, God's 307 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:23,679 Speaker 1: power shows up the greatest. Are you down on yourself 308 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:28,479 Speaker 1: because you have doubts, fears, things you don't understand. Are 309 00:20:28,520 --> 00:20:32,359 Speaker 1: you trying to perform perfectly, to protect your image, to 310 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:35,880 Speaker 1: impress your friends, to show your children how strong you are. 311 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:39,359 Speaker 1: Why don't you take the pressure off. There is a 312 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:43,800 Speaker 1: freedom when you can be at peace with not being perfect, 313 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,360 Speaker 1: when you can say, like Paul, I'm doing my best, 314 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:51,879 Speaker 1: I'm improving, but I'm not there yet. Joel, with my temper, 315 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:54,480 Speaker 1: I'm better than I was five years ago, but I'm 316 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 1: not there yet. That's okay, You're making progress. God said 317 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:03,400 Speaker 1: about the Baptists, there was no one any greater than him. 318 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 1: This was about a man that doubted he was the Messiah, 319 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:12,000 Speaker 1: a men that had questions. Why are you beating yourself 320 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:15,359 Speaker 1: up over your weaknesses? Why are you trying to hide 321 00:21:15,359 --> 00:21:20,760 Speaker 1: your struggles, thinking that it's disqualifying you. The accuser whispers, 322 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 1: you still have that addiction. You should be ashamed of yourself. 323 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 1: You lost your temper again. Go sit on the sidelines. 324 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,960 Speaker 1: Don't believe those lies. You may not have attained it all. 325 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:35,320 Speaker 1: You're not there yet. The good news is you're on 326 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:39,160 Speaker 1: the way. God's still working on you. What he started 327 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 1: in your life, He's going to finish. Genesis twenty five, 328 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:48,720 Speaker 1: Esau and Jacob were born. They were twins. Esau came 329 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 1: out first, but Jacob was grabbing at his heels. Jacob 330 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:56,200 Speaker 1: grew up doing everything he could to get ahead. He 331 00:21:56,280 --> 00:22:00,440 Speaker 1: was dishonest. He went around deceiving people. When his brother 332 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:03,960 Speaker 1: was hungry, instead of giving him something to eat, he 333 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: traded Esau a pot of stew for his birthright. This 334 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:13,359 Speaker 1: was significant, the firstborn son received a double portion of 335 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:18,560 Speaker 1: the family inheritance. When Jacob's father, Isaac, was near death 336 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 1: and couldn't see Jacob dressed up like his brother, he 337 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 1: pretended to be Esau and tricked his father into giving 338 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 1: him the blessing that belonged to the firstborn son. But 339 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 1: when we don't do things God's way what should be 340 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:39,360 Speaker 1: a blessing is not a blessing. When we deceive and manipulate, 341 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:41,919 Speaker 1: we may get to where we want to be, but 342 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,440 Speaker 1: it won't be what we thought. Jacob got the blessing, 343 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 1: but for the next twenty one years his life was 344 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:52,680 Speaker 1: a struggle. He had to live in exile. He worked 345 00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 1: for his uncle Laban to get one of his daughters 346 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:59,920 Speaker 1: for his wife. But Laban was a bigger trickster than Jacob. 347 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:03,240 Speaker 1: He kept making excuses why he had to work longer. 348 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 1: Jacob was reaping from all those seeds that he had sown. 349 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 1: I'm sure Jacob didn't like who he was. Deep down, 350 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 1: he thought, look who I've become. I'm a con man, 351 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:20,400 Speaker 1: I'm a deceiver. After years, he decided to go back 352 00:23:20,440 --> 00:23:24,520 Speaker 1: home and make peace with Esau. The night before they 353 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 1: were going to meet, Jacob was camped out alone. This 354 00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 1: stranger showed up and started wrestling with Jacob. The man 355 00:23:33,119 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 1: was actually an angel. They wrestled all night. Jacob must 356 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 1: have known there was something special because he said to 357 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 1: the man, I'm not going to let you leave until 358 00:23:44,040 --> 00:23:47,000 Speaker 1: you bless me. The angel looked at him and said, 359 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 1: what is your name. Jacob had spent his whole life, deceiving, pretending. 360 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:58,400 Speaker 1: Years earlier, when he was trying to steal his brother's blessing, 361 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:02,320 Speaker 1: his father asked him the same question, What is your name? 362 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 1: He said, I am Esaul. This moment, Jacob had to decide, 363 00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:12,159 Speaker 1: am I going to keep pretending? Am I going to 364 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:16,240 Speaker 1: keep wearing the mask, hiding my weaknesses? Or am I 365 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:19,960 Speaker 1: going to be real? I can imagine this debate took 366 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 1: place a long time in his mind. He finally said 367 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:28,120 Speaker 1: to the man, I am Jacob. The name Jacob literally 368 00:24:28,240 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 1: means deceiver. For the first time, he didn't try to 369 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:37,920 Speaker 1: hide his weaknesses. He was honest with himself. This man, 370 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:41,359 Speaker 1: the angel who represents God, didn't say, yeah, I know 371 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:44,040 Speaker 1: who you are. You're a con man. He should be 372 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:47,479 Speaker 1: ashamed of yourself. Know. When Jacob took off the mask, 373 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:52,639 Speaker 1: when he got real, the angel said, that's your old name. 374 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:56,960 Speaker 1: I'm giving you a new name. You are no longer Jacob. 375 00:24:57,320 --> 00:25:04,480 Speaker 1: Now you are Israel prince with God. When Jacob God honest, 376 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:09,640 Speaker 1: God showed him his true identity. He wasn't a deceiver, 377 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:13,879 Speaker 1: he was a prince. At times, we've all warned a 378 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:17,640 Speaker 1: mask going to run, pretending, trying to hide our faults. 379 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 1: But when we do like Jacob, when we get honest 380 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:25,400 Speaker 1: with ourselves, when we're vulnerable enough to admit, I am Jacob, 381 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:30,240 Speaker 1: I have weaknesses. I'm struggling in these areas. God doesn't 382 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:34,960 Speaker 1: condemn you. That's when he'll give you your new name. The 383 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:39,000 Speaker 1: accuser will tell you you'll never change. Just keep pretending, keep 384 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 1: living guilty. That is not your true identity. God knows 385 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:48,320 Speaker 1: who you really are. Your new name is waiting for you. 386 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 1: You are not Jacob. You are Israel. You are a 387 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:55,840 Speaker 1: prince with God. You are royalty, you are forgiven, you 388 00:25:55,920 --> 00:26:00,639 Speaker 1: are redeemed. When the accuser whispers, hey Jacob, just say no, thanks, 389 00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:04,159 Speaker 1: you have the wrong person. I am Israel. I'm not 390 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:08,600 Speaker 1: who I used to be. I am a new creation. Friens, 391 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 1: this is a new day. I'm asking us to take 392 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:14,800 Speaker 1: off the mask, quit pretending, and let's go get our 393 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:18,440 Speaker 1: new names. If you'll do this, I believe and declare. 394 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:22,359 Speaker 1: Every force that's trying to stop you is being broken. 395 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:25,280 Speaker 1: Right now. God is going to mold you into a 396 00:26:25,359 --> 00:26:28,960 Speaker 1: vessel of honor in Jesus' name. If you receive it, 397 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:33,080 Speaker 1: Can you say amen? Today I'd like to give you 398 00:26:33,119 --> 00:26:36,200 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 399 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:41,359 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me, Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 400 00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:46,480 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I'll make 401 00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:50,240 Speaker 1: you my lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 402 00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:53,639 Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 403 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:56,879 Speaker 1: a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 404 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:02,080 Speaker 2: When God created the world, he did it specifically with 405 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:06,679 Speaker 2: you in mind. He used his words. He spoke everything 406 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:16,399 Speaker 2: into existence, light, oceans and dry land, plants, sun and stars, animals, 407 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 2: man and woman. Your words have that same creative power. 408 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:24,879 Speaker 1: If you want to know what you're going to be 409 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:27,919 Speaker 1: like five years from now, listen to what you're saying 410 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:32,280 Speaker 1: about yourself. You are prophesying your future, and too often 411 00:27:32,359 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 1: we don't realize we're defeating ourselves with our words. I'll 412 00:27:36,520 --> 00:27:40,959 Speaker 1: never get healthy, I'm not attractive, this dreams impossible. Instead 413 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:44,240 Speaker 1: of limiting your future, why don't you start blessing your future. 414 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:47,359 Speaker 1: If you'll change your words, you can change your world. 415 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:50,879 Speaker 1: I have a new book called Speak the Blessing. It 416 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:54,000 Speaker 1: want to help you to speak positive, faith filled words. 417 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:56,920 Speaker 1: There are declarations in it that you can make over 418 00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:01,120 Speaker 1: your family, your health, your finances and your future. When 419 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:04,200 Speaker 1: you get your words aligned with what God says, you'll 420 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:06,159 Speaker 1: see His favor in greater ways. 421 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:09,240 Speaker 2: As our thank you for your gift of any amount 422 00:28:09,280 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 2: to the ministry this month, we want to send you 423 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:15,239 Speaker 2: Speak the Blessing. Send your words in the direction you 424 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:18,359 Speaker 2: want your life to go. You can begin to enjoy 425 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:23,760 Speaker 2: a life filled with freedom, joy, health, success, and creativity 426 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:28,800 Speaker 2: as you discover the authority and power of speaking God's word. Yes, 427 00:28:29,119 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 2: Speak the Blessing will unlock life changing possibilities that are unlimited. 428 00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: When you declare what God says about you, I'm strong, 429 00:28:37,560 --> 00:28:41,160 Speaker 1: I'm healthy, I'm favored. You are blessing your life. I 430 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:44,360 Speaker 1: hope you'll request your copy to day. Remember you can 431 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 1: watch the services live online every Sunday, download our daily podcast, 432 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 1: watch on YouTube, listen on Serious exam. We'll keep you 433 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 1: encouraged and inspired. 434 00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:58,080 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Speak the Blessing today. 435 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:02,440 Speaker 2: Visit Joelosne dot com or call eighty eight five six 436 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:03,440 Speaker 2: seven Joel. 437 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:08,520 Speaker 1: Our homecoming weekend is this Saturday and Sunday. Some of 438 00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:11,680 Speaker 1: you have never been to Lakewood. This is a perfect time. 439 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:14,080 Speaker 1: We'd love to meet you. We'd be honored to have 440 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:15,360 Speaker 1: you and your family