1 00:00:01,920 --> 00:00:05,000 Speaker 1: Hey, this is Stephen Ferdeck. I'm the pastor of Elevation Church, 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: and this is our podcast. I wanted to thank you 3 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: for joining us today. Hope this inspires you. Hope it 4 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,559 Speaker 1: builds your faith. Hope it gives your perspective to see 5 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:16,800 Speaker 1: God is moving in your life. Enjoy the message. Well, 6 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: we're gonna get to the message in just a moment, 7 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 1: but I wanted to make sure you knew about Elevation Nights. 8 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: It's gonna be amazing eight cities October twenty sixth through 9 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: November fourth. You got to go to Elevation Nights dot 10 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:32,599 Speaker 1: com to see if we're coming to a city near you. 11 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:37,560 Speaker 1: It's gonna be me, Elevation Worship, a few friends, and you. 12 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: I want to see you there. I want to see 13 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:41,199 Speaker 1: you and everybody that you know there. Go to Elevation 14 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:43,880 Speaker 1: Nights dot com. I can't wait to see you soon. 15 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: Here's the message. I'm happy. Do I look happy? I 16 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: had a great week. You know why my kids are 17 00:00:54,200 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: back in school? Feels good. I kind of feel like 18 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: a hypocrite when I drop my kids off at school 19 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:05,839 Speaker 1: because I'm like, I love you have a great day. 20 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: Learning is fun, And I never really like school, and 21 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:13,480 Speaker 1: you know, there are some things about being an adult 22 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 1: that you know aren't so great. But I really think, 23 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 1: by far the greatest thing about being an adult is 24 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:22,759 Speaker 1: that I don't ever have to go to school again 25 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: unless I want to. Amen. Okay, have you ever thought 26 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 1: about all the hypocritical things though, that we do as parents? 27 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: I am the I really think I'm the most hypocritical 28 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: parent ever. All three of my kids are sitting on 29 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 1: the front row, and they're gonna use everything that I'm 30 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:41,679 Speaker 1: about to tell you. But I was just thinking about 31 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: all the things that I do, and like how I 32 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 1: tell them not to eat before dinner, but I'm like 33 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: taste testing while I'm cooking. I tell Graham in particular, 34 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 1: he's the worst in our house about having clothes all 35 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 1: over the floor in his room. I don't think that 36 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: Graham has ever noticed that I have this chair that's 37 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 1: for my not quite dirty, not quite clean clothes, and 38 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: it's usually so full you can't even sit in that chair. 39 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 1: But they're not on the floor. My clothes are not 40 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: on the floor. Recently, the kids and I were getting 41 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 1: in the car, and some of us were will bit 42 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 1: angry because some of us were not in the car yet, 43 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 1: and they were making us late. And then others of 44 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 1: us were angry because their phone had less percentage than 45 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 1: someone else and they needed the charger, and voices started 46 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: rising and people were yelling, and then somebody stepped on 47 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 1: my purse and I started yell, and then all of 48 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:49,360 Speaker 1: a sudden, I just yelled. Everyone stopped yelling. They're looking 49 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 1: at me like they've never done that before. We've all 50 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 1: done that before. But I think the craziest, most hypocritical 51 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: thing that we expect our kids to do is when 52 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: we drop them off at a new place where they 53 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: don't know anyone, and we'd tell them, We're like, go on, 54 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 1: make some friends. Now. I know that this is a 55 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: natural part of life, but have you ever really thought 56 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 1: about how we do this to our kids. Last summer, 57 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 1: I signed Abby up for a softball camp and we 58 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 1: did not know anyone. We didn't know a coach, we 59 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 1: didn't we just sign up for the camp. No friends 60 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:25,639 Speaker 1: that she knew were going. And when the camp came around, 61 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: she didn't really want to go, and I'm like, well, 62 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 1: we paid for you to go to this camp, And 63 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:33,079 Speaker 1: I was like, you're gonna have a great time. You're 64 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 1: gonna make friends. And as we pulled up that first 65 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: morning and she got out of the car and she 66 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: walked away, I thought to myself, I was like, make 67 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 1: some friends. Like when was the last time I walked 68 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: into a place full of strangers and decided that I 69 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 1: would make some friends? Why I was making friends so 70 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: hard for most of us? I mean, all the super 71 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: extroverted people are in there, were like, I like making friends? 72 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 1: Don't you like talking to people. I'm not talking about 73 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: talking to people. I'm talking about connecting with people and 74 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: letting people into your life. And I have some bad 75 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: news for all the kids out there who are watching 76 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:20,279 Speaker 1: and struggling to fit in as you started a new 77 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: school year. Unfortunately, I have to tell you it doesn't 78 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:27,920 Speaker 1: really get easier. It just gets different. And really, the 79 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: only difference between being a kid and being lonely and 80 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 1: being an adult and being lonely is that adults have 81 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:40,480 Speaker 1: learned how to hide it better. Loneliness is an absolute 82 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: epidemic in our world today, and technology, I think has 83 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: given us a false sense of connection. And it's so 84 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: easy and so addicting to just scroll through feeds and 85 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: then we look up and we feel even lonelier than ever, 86 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:03,359 Speaker 1: lonely because you actually live alone, or you could be 87 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: lonely inside of a marriage. You could be lonely because 88 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 1: you're old, or lonely because you're divorced, lonely because you 89 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: moved to a new town or started a new job, 90 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: or went away to college. And I think that over 91 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: time we just get tired of trying to get to 92 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: know people. It's easier to just go through life alone 93 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 1: than taking the risk of letting people in. It's hard 94 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 1: to let people in. Some of us have tried fitting 95 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: in our entire lives. We just gave up. Some of 96 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:42,279 Speaker 1: us have been hurt one too many times, and so 97 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: we put up walls to protect ourselves because you know, 98 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: people are complicated. But guess what, you're complicated. And today 99 00:05:54,000 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 1: I want to call you back to meaningful connection, real connection, 100 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: face to face connection. This this phone This is not connection. 101 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 1: This is clicking. And what I want to show you 102 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:22,360 Speaker 1: today is that your connection to others is directly related 103 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 1: to your connection to Christ. Turn your Bibles to John 104 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 1: chapter twenty if you've got a Bible. If not, it's okay, 105 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 1: we're gonna put it up on the screens. John chapter 106 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:39,960 Speaker 1: twenty verse nineteen. And in this passage we find the 107 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 1: disciples just after Jesus's death, says this, on the evening 108 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 1: of that first day of the week, when the disciples 109 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 1: were together with the doors locked for fear of the 110 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 111 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 1: peace be with you. After this, he showed them his 112 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 1: hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw 113 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 1: the Lord. Today. I want to tell you that you 114 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 1: were not meant to do this alone. Let's pray. Lord, 115 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 1: would you use me today? Would you speak through me? 116 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 1: There are so many people who are lonely today right now, 117 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 1: even in this room full of people, and even people 118 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:36,080 Speaker 1: who are watching online. God, we want to hear from 119 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:39,760 Speaker 1: you today. Would you challenge us, would you encourage us? 120 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 1: Would you speak to us? We are listening as in 121 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: Jesus name, I pray Amen. So you were created for relationship. 122 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: You were created to experience closeness with God and with others. 123 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 1: They go together, And in this passage of scripture, so 124 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,360 Speaker 1: much has happened leading up to this moment. The disciples 125 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: have been following Jesus for three years, and they've been 126 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 1: under the impression that Jesus is going to lead the 127 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: Jewish people in a rebellion against the oppressive Roman government, 128 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 1: even though Jesus told them on multiple occasions that that 129 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 1: was not what he was here to do. And he 130 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 1: warned them, and he told them that he would be 131 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: crucified somehow. In all of the fun and the miracles 132 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: and all of the amazing things that they saw Jesus do, 133 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: they missed that point. And Jesus, their leader, their friend, 134 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 1: their lord, is dead. He was crucified on Friday night. 135 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 1: And now it's Sunday night, and not only has Jesus 136 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:52,959 Speaker 1: been crucified, but his body is missing. And they're afraid 137 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 1: that the Jewish leaders are coming for them next. So 138 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:02,200 Speaker 1: they're together with the doors locked, and Jesus comes and 139 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: he appears to them. And when I read this passage 140 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: and I saw that they were together, I wondered, how 141 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: did they all end up back in this place, because 142 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:18,439 Speaker 1: just three days before they were all in that same 143 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 1: room taking passover together. That's the part you remember in 144 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 1: the Bible, when Jesus washed their feet and he served 145 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: them bread and wine. We call it the Last Supper. 146 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 1: And they sat at the table and Jesus predicted Judas's betrayal, 147 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 1: and he predicted Peter's denial, and then that night they 148 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 1: went to the garden of Gesseimone to pray, and then 149 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: Jesus is arrested, and then later that night Peter denies 150 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:46,560 Speaker 1: ever knowing Christ three times and just like Jesus said, 151 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:49,199 Speaker 1: And then the next day Jesus goes to the cross, 152 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 1: and there at the foot of the cross, the only 153 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 1: disciple out of twelve is John. And then by Friday night, 154 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 1: Jesus is died, and he's laid in a tomb, not 155 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: by anyone of the twelve people that he had spent 156 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:09,959 Speaker 1: the last three years with. He's buried by Joseph of 157 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:15,080 Speaker 1: Arimathea and Nicodemus. The disciples are scattered because they're they're 158 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:19,239 Speaker 1: confused and they're afraid. They're like, if I get associated 159 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: with him, they're gonna come for me next. This isn't 160 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,679 Speaker 1: the way that they expected it to turn out. And 161 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: everything that they have been working toward for the past 162 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: three years building what they thought was the Kingdom of 163 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 1: God was it just pretty much exploded and it was gone. 164 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 1: And so their instinct in that moment was to flee. 165 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:41,840 Speaker 1: It was every man for himself, and for about twenty 166 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 1: four hours, we have no idea where that Jesus's disciples 167 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:50,079 Speaker 1: are now. One of the Gospels mentions them until Sunday, 168 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:55,120 Speaker 1: and now we have them back together in that same room. 169 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 1: Rumor is that Jesus is risen from the dead, but 170 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 1: all they've seen is an empty tomb. What drew them 171 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 1: back together. The sense of belonging is a core need 172 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:13,320 Speaker 1: for everyone, and I think that friendship is one of 173 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: the greatest gifts that God has given us. But most 174 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: of the time we don't know how to use it, 175 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:23,320 Speaker 1: and so we invite the wrong people into our lives 176 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:25,960 Speaker 1: who lead us down the wrong path. Can I get 177 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: an amen from all the parents of teenagers out there, 178 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: because I speak from experience and I know there's a 179 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:34,440 Speaker 1: lot of people here who raise their hand and say amen. 180 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 1: That's true. The wrong people can absolutely ruin your life. 181 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: But the right people, the right people, the people who 182 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 1: believe in you and who cheer for you and support you, 183 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:52,000 Speaker 1: and who are there for you. The right people can 184 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: talk you down from fear. The right people can tell 185 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 1: you you're not a bad mom. The right people can 186 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 1: tell you you're doing a good job. No no, no, no, no, 187 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: it's okay. Connection with the right people can help you 188 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 1: accomplish everything that God has called you to do, even 189 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:13,959 Speaker 1: when you feel like giving up, even when you feel 190 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: like everything has fallen apart. And if you've ever experienced that, 191 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 1: you know. I think even the word connection, though, has 192 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 1: lost its value because most of the time when we 193 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: think of connection, we think about Wi fi right like, 194 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,959 Speaker 1: the minute your feed won't load, what do you do? 195 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 1: Check your connection? And some of us, I'm afraid, are 196 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:47,040 Speaker 1: so much more concerned about our phone's connection than we 197 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:51,480 Speaker 1: are about our soul's connection. That's what I want to 198 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: talk about today. When you feel anxious, when you feel afraid, 199 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 1: when you feel like you're lacking joy in your life, 200 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:08,199 Speaker 1: you've got to check your connection. So today the message 201 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 1: is simple, very simple, just the heads up. There's no 202 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:15,320 Speaker 1: twists and turns coming in this message. We're gonna leave 203 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 1: all of the aha moments for pastor Stephen, because today 204 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:26,559 Speaker 1: I simply want to ask you to check your connection. 205 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 1: If you feel anxious, if you feel lonely, if you 206 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 1: feel afraid, check your connection. The first connection that you 207 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 1: have to check is your connection to Christ. I told 208 00:13:36,679 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 1: you this was simple. In Matthew chapter five, Jesus calls 209 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 1: four fishermen to be his disciples. They also have him 210 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 1: to be two pairs of brothers, Andrew and Peter and 211 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 1: James and John. And the next Jesus picks up Philip 212 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 1: and Nathaniel, who also live in Galilee. And then later 213 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 1: Jesus calls Matthew, the tax collector, And by the time 214 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 1: we get halfway through the Book of Matthew, we have 215 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:06,320 Speaker 1: all twelve of the disciples listed. These men came from 216 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 1: different jobs, they came from different backgrounds, different towns. Jesus 217 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 1: didn't choose them based on age, or qualifications or abilities. 218 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 1: The one thing that they all had in common was Jesus. 219 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 1: And for three years they sat under his teaching and 220 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: they watched him perform miracle after miracle. But they each 221 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 1: had a deep personal connection to Jesus. And when he 222 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 1: was crucified, they thought that their world was crashing down, 223 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: but really their ministry was just getting started. These are 224 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 1: the men that would essentially take the Gospel to the world. 225 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 1: But right now, in John chapter twenty, they are huddled 226 00:14:55,720 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 1: in this room with the doors locked for fear, and 227 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 1: in this moment they needed each other and I got 228 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 1: to tell you, God did not intend for you to 229 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: go through this life alone. And I'm not talking about marriage, 230 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: I'm talking about friendship. Just to be clear, you were 231 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 1: not created to muscle through life alone. You were meant 232 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 1: to have meaningful connection with others. However, your connection to 233 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 1: others can only be as stable as your connection to Christ. 234 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: And I think that the reason why relationships turn out 235 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 1: to be so disappointing to us is because we're trying 236 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: to connect to others before we've connected to Christ. And 237 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 1: some of us are placing expectations and burdens on people 238 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 1: that we were supposed to be giving to God first. 239 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: Rarely do you find someone asked to serve God alone. 240 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 1: In the Bible. Think about it. Moses had Aaron, David 241 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 1: had Jonathan, Paul had Silence, even Jesus he had twelve disciples, 242 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:17,040 Speaker 1: but there was always a period of time where God 243 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: would draw them out alone. Moses spent forty days on 244 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: Mount Sinai while he received the Ten Commandments from God. 245 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: David was a shepherd away from his family, away from 246 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:35,840 Speaker 1: town before he became king. Jesus, even Jesus spent forty 247 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: days in the desert just after he was baptized. God 248 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 1: does not intend for you to go through this life alone, 249 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 1: but sometimes he has to pull you into a period 250 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:51,600 Speaker 1: of solitude to help you realize that He is your 251 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 1: true source. He is the one who gives peace and 252 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:01,960 Speaker 1: joy and direction and fulfillment. And if you're trying to 253 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:06,360 Speaker 1: find that in others, you might be frustrated because no 254 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: one can take the place of your own personal, living, 255 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:18,480 Speaker 1: breathing relationship, walking with God, talking to Jesus. When you 256 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:21,480 Speaker 1: go through a season where you feel isolated from others, 257 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 1: you need to ask yourself a few questions, like why 258 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:29,960 Speaker 1: am I here? Because God will pull you aside when 259 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 1: he needs you to know that He is your source 260 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:35,439 Speaker 1: and he has something he's trying to get to you. 261 00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:38,679 Speaker 1: And if your life is so full of other people 262 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:42,840 Speaker 1: and other people's drama, how in the world are you 263 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 1: going to be able to hear from God for yourself. 264 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:50,520 Speaker 1: Like imagine if Moses had tried to receive the Ten 265 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:55,119 Speaker 1: Commandments while in his tent, the Israelites would have been 266 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 1: knocking on his flap twenty four seven with their drama. 267 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 1: And so sometimes what seems like isolation is really just 268 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:10,399 Speaker 1: a needed season of solitude. But you don't have to 269 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: stay there. God doesn't intend for us to stay in isolation. 270 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: And I think those sometimes because of our own choices 271 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:21,400 Speaker 1: though we I mean, we all make mistakes, we all 272 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 1: say things and make choices that regret, regret, and so 273 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:31,359 Speaker 1: sometimes there's a period of solitude, but other times there's 274 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 1: a period of isolation that we bring on ourselves. And 275 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 1: you know what can make you feel isolated faster than anything, shame? 276 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 1: Why was Peter alone by the fire when he denied 277 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: Christ three times? He said, I don't know Jesus. People 278 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 1: kept asking him, aren't you the one that was? He's like, no, no, no, no, no, 279 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:59,399 Speaker 1: that's not me. And a few hours later Peter is 280 00:18:59,880 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 1: nowhere to be seen at the foot of the cross 281 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 1: of his Lord. I think it's because he was ashamed. 282 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:11,160 Speaker 1: He couldn't face anyone. And nothing will draw you into 283 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 1: isolation faster than shame. Well will people think about me? 284 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,879 Speaker 1: I'm the only one who struggles with this. If anyone 285 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 1: finds out that my marriage is falling apart, people won't 286 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: respect me. Something in Peter knew that he had to 287 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 1: get back to the disciples, no matter what he had done, 288 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:37,680 Speaker 1: and he risked their rejection because he knew that he 289 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:40,639 Speaker 1: needed to draw from their strength. And what did they do? 290 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 1: They accepted him. Don't let your shame keep you away 291 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 1: from the people that God has placed in your life. 292 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: If you have the right people in your life, you 293 00:19:55,880 --> 00:20:01,439 Speaker 1: should feel less shame, not more. There was a period 294 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:05,200 Speaker 1: in my dad's life several years ago where because of shame, 295 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,679 Speaker 1: he had a really difficult time figuring out where he 296 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:15,120 Speaker 1: belonged in church. But during that season, he regularly met 297 00:20:15,160 --> 00:20:18,359 Speaker 1: with a group of men, and I think those men 298 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:24,159 Speaker 1: helped him find his place again. And today my dad 299 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 1: right now is serving on the parking team, connected in 300 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:32,720 Speaker 1: any group at our Greendale campus, and I think about 301 00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: how thankful I am for those men who helped him 302 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:47,600 Speaker 1: through that season. Shame only grows in isolation, and shame 303 00:20:48,119 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 1: does not come from your father. Jesus never shamed Peter 304 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 1: for denying him. You know what Jesus did when he 305 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:59,760 Speaker 1: saw Peter, He cooked him a meal and he challenged him. 306 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,920 Speaker 1: Happens just one chapter over in John chapter twenty one. 307 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:07,159 Speaker 1: Three times Jesus said to Peter, Peter, do you love me? 308 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: Feed my sheep? He challenged him because Jesus knew what 309 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:15,720 Speaker 1: was to come in Peter's life. He didn't need to 310 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:19,919 Speaker 1: bring up Peter's mistakes. Peter was well aware of his mistakes. 311 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 1: Jesus knew that Peter's greatest ministry was to come. What 312 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:29,640 Speaker 1: if Peter had allowed his shame to keep him from 313 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 1: coming back to the place where he belonged? And the 314 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 1: first step to releasing the weight of loneliness on your 315 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 1: life is to realize that true belonging and security and 316 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 1: self worth only come from your heavenly father. The Disciples 317 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 1: were each personally connected to Jesus. But then the next 318 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: step is for you to get back around the right people. 319 00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: And something in Peter knew John and Andrew and James 320 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:07,359 Speaker 1: and Matthew that they were his people, and he was 321 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:10,960 Speaker 1: willing to risk a few moments of awkward to be 322 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:16,400 Speaker 1: back with the people he belonged with, and they accepted him. 323 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 1: There's acceptance when you're among the right people. They were 324 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:25,159 Speaker 1: connected to each other because of Jesus. So first we 325 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:29,120 Speaker 1: check our connection to Christ, but then we check our 326 00:22:29,119 --> 00:22:32,600 Speaker 1: connection to others. Are you connected to the right people, 327 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:38,600 Speaker 1: people who are walking the same path as you? Have 328 00:22:38,680 --> 00:22:43,439 Speaker 1: you ever thought about all that the Disciples experienced together 329 00:22:43,520 --> 00:22:46,399 Speaker 1: like the amazing things that they saw Jesus do, Like 330 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:49,320 Speaker 1: when they saw him heal the woman who had the 331 00:22:49,359 --> 00:22:52,159 Speaker 1: issue of blood, who simply got healed because she touched 332 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 1: his garment, but Jesus knew that she had touched his garment, 333 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 1: Or when we just sing about it today when he 334 00:22:57,520 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 1: raised Lazarus from the death, like they saw while Jesus 335 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:05,360 Speaker 1: raised a dead man back to life, Or when Jesus 336 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:09,280 Speaker 1: told them to feed the five thousand. He told them 337 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:12,399 Speaker 1: to give them something to eat, and they were like 338 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:17,959 Speaker 1: when we have five loaves and a few fish and 339 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 1: the miracle actually passed through, they were passing out. They 340 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:25,159 Speaker 1: were the ones that knew how little it was and 341 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:27,840 Speaker 1: how much it became in Jesus's hands. And I keep thinking, 342 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:30,679 Speaker 1: like what was it like when they were going home 343 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:40,440 Speaker 1: after some of those days, they're like, did that just happen? What? 344 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:45,040 Speaker 1: But you know, there were some times where they were 345 00:23:45,080 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 1: also really confused by Jesus. Like there's this one time 346 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:52,639 Speaker 1: in John chapter four, which is the story of Jesus 347 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 1: with the woman at the well, and Jesus sends the 348 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 1: disciples to go get food, and he has this conversation 349 00:23:59,040 --> 00:24:01,840 Speaker 1: with this woman while they're gone, and the disciples come 350 00:24:01,880 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 1: back with the food, but Jesus won't eat it, and 351 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:06,720 Speaker 1: he tells them that he had food to eat that 352 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:10,520 Speaker 1: they knew not of, and they're so confused. Like they 353 00:24:10,560 --> 00:24:13,919 Speaker 1: come together and they're like, does someone else bring him food? 354 00:24:17,680 --> 00:24:21,159 Speaker 1: You see, when you're connected to the right people, you 355 00:24:21,200 --> 00:24:25,000 Speaker 1: have a place to celebrate what God has done, and 356 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 1: you have a space, a safe space to process your 357 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 1: doubt and your confusion. Like I think God said this, 358 00:24:32,119 --> 00:24:35,439 Speaker 1: but I'm not really sure what it means. There's no 359 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 1: substitute for that. Otherwise you're just stuck in your head 360 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 1: all the time, and then you wonder why you have 361 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:44,720 Speaker 1: no joy, why you feel anxious. I love to teach 362 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:47,119 Speaker 1: about friendship. The women of our church know that. I 363 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:49,720 Speaker 1: preach it to them all the time, about the importance 364 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:52,200 Speaker 1: of having the right people in your life. I even 365 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:56,280 Speaker 1: wrote a Bible study called BFF plug. You can do it. 366 00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:59,880 Speaker 1: You can just go get it. It's online somewhere. But friendship, 367 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:04,560 Speaker 1: it's not just something for women because women like to talk. 368 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:12,720 Speaker 1: Friendship is something that we all need. Friendships don't just 369 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:20,680 Speaker 1: magically happen. Friendships are formed, not found. You might meet 370 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:23,959 Speaker 1: by chance, but if you are going to have a 371 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:29,920 Speaker 1: true relationship with someone, it's going to require one main ingredient, 372 00:25:30,520 --> 00:25:40,280 Speaker 1: and that is spelled t ime time talking time, laughing time, 373 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 1: fishing or hunting time, crying, whatever you want to do, 374 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:49,440 Speaker 1: it's okay time having hard conversations. Some of us are 375 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:53,520 Speaker 1: lonely because the minute someone gets annoying, you're just on 376 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 1: to the next person. And then you wonder why you 377 00:25:56,280 --> 00:26:01,120 Speaker 1: feel lonely. Yes, there are toxic that you don't need 378 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,600 Speaker 1: to spend time around, but you were meant to experience 379 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:10,119 Speaker 1: life with people, real human beings, not pictures behind a 380 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:12,480 Speaker 1: screen where you type comments back and forth. Because I 381 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:14,840 Speaker 1: don't know about you. I don't want a friend who comments. 382 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:18,080 Speaker 1: I want a friend who listens and a friend who understands. 383 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:20,760 Speaker 1: I want a friend who is there. And when you 384 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 1: get connected to the right people, I don't know how 385 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:30,919 Speaker 1: it happens, but your faith grows. Nineteen years ago, just 386 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:34,720 Speaker 1: before Steven and I got married, a mutual friend of 387 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:39,800 Speaker 1: ours introduced us to Chunks and Amy Corbett. Chunks was 388 00:26:39,840 --> 00:26:43,320 Speaker 1: a physical therapist. You've heard Stephen talk about him many times, 389 00:26:43,359 --> 00:26:47,920 Speaker 1: and Amy actually was an engineer, and over the next 390 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:51,119 Speaker 1: two years we just developed a friendship with them. We 391 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:56,760 Speaker 1: sort of learned how to be adults together. And when 392 00:26:56,760 --> 00:26:59,560 Speaker 1: Stephen and I felt God calling us to start this church, 393 00:26:59,600 --> 00:27:02,320 Speaker 1: we knew that we wanted Chunks and Amy to do 394 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 1: it with us, and they prayed about it, and they 395 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:08,399 Speaker 1: finally they took a really long time, if you ask me, 396 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 1: but they finally agreed that they would go anywhere that 397 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,399 Speaker 1: we felt God calling us to go. This is a 398 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:17,800 Speaker 1: picture of us, the four of us in Charleston, before 399 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:21,119 Speaker 1: we had even decided where we were going to plant 400 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:23,400 Speaker 1: our church. I know the picture is not the best, 401 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:27,560 Speaker 1: but you see, back then you couldn't check your picture. 402 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:31,879 Speaker 1: You got one click, and you don't want to waste 403 00:27:31,880 --> 00:27:35,600 Speaker 1: the film, you know, So that's that's all we got. Okay, 404 00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:37,119 Speaker 1: I got another picture. I got a better one to 405 00:27:37,119 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 1: show you. This is us in twenty eighteen, so you know, 406 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:44,679 Speaker 1: fifteen years almost fifteen years later and in the same spot. 407 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:47,199 Speaker 1: So now you can see we got to check our 408 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:49,840 Speaker 1: picture and make sure it was good that time. It 409 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:55,080 Speaker 1: is a good win. I remember one particular night we 410 00:27:55,080 --> 00:27:58,080 Speaker 1: were eating at our favorite restaurant. It was called me Publito, 411 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:06,000 Speaker 1: and back then, even in chunks eight chips and so 412 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:09,840 Speaker 1: we're eating chips and we were talking about where we 413 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:14,840 Speaker 1: would plant our church, and Stephen, who always does stuff 414 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:18,960 Speaker 1: like this, he said, Oh, let's drive to Raleigh tonight 415 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:22,200 Speaker 1: and we can just get a hotel and then spend 416 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:24,760 Speaker 1: the day tomorrow just exploring the city and see if 417 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:27,239 Speaker 1: God is speaking to us. And I was like, no, 418 00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:33,560 Speaker 1: we need to make plans. Let's go home. We'll make 419 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:36,560 Speaker 1: plans and then we'll go next weekend. And everybody else 420 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:38,480 Speaker 1: was like, oh no, that'd be fun. Let's go tonight. 421 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:42,320 Speaker 1: So we went. I went, and we got in the 422 00:28:42,360 --> 00:28:46,360 Speaker 1: car and we drove three hours to Raleigh only to 423 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:50,240 Speaker 1: find that there was a massive basketball conference and there 424 00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:54,160 Speaker 1: were no hotel rooms available anywhere. And I'm not even 425 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,560 Speaker 1: talking about like there weren't even bad hotel rooms available. Also, 426 00:28:57,680 --> 00:29:00,680 Speaker 1: back then you could not book a hotel on your phone, 427 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:04,920 Speaker 1: like you had to drive to them. And so finally 428 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 1: at two am we found a hotel that would that 429 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:11,959 Speaker 1: would give us a room, and the next morning we 430 00:29:12,080 --> 00:29:15,720 Speaker 1: drove around all day and I mean, I think you 431 00:29:15,800 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 1: know the end of this story. We didn't feel like 432 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:21,360 Speaker 1: it was Raleigh, and we drove around, we were like, 433 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:24,320 Speaker 1: I don't know this isn't. I don't know, Let's go home. 434 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:27,920 Speaker 1: So the trip kind of seemed unsuccessful. But on the 435 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:35,440 Speaker 1: way home, we drove through Charlotte and something happened in 436 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 1: the car. We were driving for eighty five and I 437 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 1: don't I don't know what it was, but we just 438 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:46,200 Speaker 1: we just knew. It was like something stirred in each 439 00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: of our spirits and we knew that this was the 440 00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:52,400 Speaker 1: place where we would start our church. We stopped for 441 00:29:52,440 --> 00:29:56,120 Speaker 1: dinner by Carolina place small, and we all looked around 442 00:29:56,120 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 1: the table. I remember it so vividly, and we were like, 443 00:29:58,760 --> 00:30:01,920 Speaker 1: do you think yeah, I think yeah, this is it. 444 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:04,200 Speaker 1: This is the place, and we all agreed. And there's 445 00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:06,800 Speaker 1: just nothing like having a group of people where you 446 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 1: can you can test out. I think God is saying this, 447 00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 1: So you think God is saying this, Let's do this. 448 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:18,600 Speaker 1: And together we have seen God do so much in 449 00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:23,280 Speaker 1: the last nineteen years. When the church that said they 450 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:26,200 Speaker 1: were gonna help us support us financially backed out right 451 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:29,880 Speaker 1: after we moved to Charlotte, we were together in our 452 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:33,560 Speaker 1: fear when the lease for the building that we were 453 00:30:33,680 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 1: so sure, I mean, we told everyone, this is the 454 00:30:36,400 --> 00:30:38,960 Speaker 1: building that we're gonna have our first permanent campus. The 455 00:30:39,040 --> 00:30:45,360 Speaker 1: lease fell through. We were confused together. I have another 456 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:48,760 Speaker 1: picture to show you. This is another vivid memory. This 457 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:51,719 Speaker 1: is me and Amy. You might not know this, but 458 00:30:52,040 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 1: we were the first background vocalists Elevation Worship. I got 459 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:02,800 Speaker 1: replaced as soon as possible, and I've never been asked 460 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:08,400 Speaker 1: to sing again. I'm okay with it, but I it was. 461 00:31:08,560 --> 00:31:13,520 Speaker 1: I clearly remember. Uh. Every time that we would do 462 00:31:13,600 --> 00:31:17,560 Speaker 1: something new, whether it was at a new service or 463 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 1: open up a new campus, we were always unsure, like 464 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:24,680 Speaker 1: are people gonna come? And and Amy and I would 465 00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:28,800 Speaker 1: peek out from behind the curtain. And I remember one 466 00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:31,040 Speaker 1: time Amy was peaking out. She was like, oh, well, 467 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:38,840 Speaker 1: look look they're coming. And we were so excited together. 468 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:45,280 Speaker 1: And when Stephen's father was in his last days of life, 469 00:31:45,320 --> 00:31:49,600 Speaker 1: I remember coming out of the bedroom and finding Junks 470 00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:54,240 Speaker 1: and Amy and others of our friends just there waiting 471 00:31:55,720 --> 00:32:00,720 Speaker 1: together in our time of sadness, saying where like the 472 00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:04,040 Speaker 1: Twelve Disciples or anything, or that all my friendships last forever, 473 00:32:04,240 --> 00:32:07,200 Speaker 1: you know. And I'm not saying that, but I'm saying 474 00:32:07,240 --> 00:32:12,280 Speaker 1: that together we have seen God do some amazing things. 475 00:32:13,520 --> 00:32:17,280 Speaker 1: We've seen people's lives healed. We've seen people's marriages restored. 476 00:32:17,520 --> 00:32:22,320 Speaker 1: We have seen God work through us together together, enjoy, 477 00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:27,560 Speaker 1: together in fear, together in doubt, because God's intentions are 478 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:32,680 Speaker 1: never for us to struggle alone. And here's the thing 479 00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:35,160 Speaker 1: that you have to remember about friendship, because not only 480 00:32:35,240 --> 00:32:38,400 Speaker 1: are they formed over time, but they must be formed 481 00:32:38,640 --> 00:32:43,320 Speaker 1: before the crisis. In order for you to feel like 482 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:46,840 Speaker 1: people are there for you in your dark season, you 483 00:32:47,000 --> 00:32:53,680 Speaker 1: have to spend time developing your relationship with them before that. Okay, 484 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:56,400 Speaker 1: we got to get back to our story. The Disciples, 485 00:32:56,480 --> 00:33:00,920 Speaker 1: they spent three years following Jesus and now their leader 486 00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:04,360 Speaker 1: is dead and they're scattered. Yet something in them knows 487 00:33:05,200 --> 00:33:09,560 Speaker 1: that they need to get back together. And I can't help, 488 00:33:09,600 --> 00:33:12,920 Speaker 1: but wondering if maybe I don't know. Andrew thought back 489 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 1: to the time where they were fishing all night and 490 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:20,360 Speaker 1: they caught nothing. They were together, and then Jesus told 491 00:33:20,440 --> 00:33:22,120 Speaker 1: them cast your nets on the other side, and they 492 00:33:22,120 --> 00:33:24,680 Speaker 1: got so many fish that their nets began to break. 493 00:33:24,840 --> 00:33:26,800 Speaker 1: Or the time that they thought they were going to 494 00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:29,800 Speaker 1: die in the boat in the storm, and Jesus came 495 00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:32,440 Speaker 1: walking out on the water. It's them, and he calmed 496 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:34,840 Speaker 1: the storm and it just made me think about how 497 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:39,280 Speaker 1: friendships are formed. In the boat. You got to get 498 00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:44,800 Speaker 1: in the boat with some people. And yes, friendship is messy, 499 00:33:44,840 --> 00:33:49,600 Speaker 1: and yes people can hurt you, and yes, some friendships 500 00:33:49,640 --> 00:33:53,360 Speaker 1: they come and go or they ebb and flow. And 501 00:33:53,640 --> 00:33:57,959 Speaker 1: just because someone is meaningful in your life in one season, 502 00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:00,600 Speaker 1: it doesn't necessarily mean that they're you're going to be 503 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:05,000 Speaker 1: best friends for life, because life happens, and jobs change, 504 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:10,240 Speaker 1: and people move away, and people get sick, and seasons change, 505 00:34:10,239 --> 00:34:13,279 Speaker 1: and so if a friendship ends, it doesn't necessarily mean 506 00:34:13,280 --> 00:34:15,160 Speaker 1: that you're a terrible person and no one wants to 507 00:34:15,160 --> 00:34:18,000 Speaker 1: be friends with you. That just means that life is happening, 508 00:34:18,400 --> 00:34:22,759 Speaker 1: and it's complicated, and it's messy, and it is painful sometimes. 509 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:25,560 Speaker 1: But I don't want you to miss out on the 510 00:34:25,600 --> 00:34:31,680 Speaker 1: beauty of friendship just because one or two went bad. 511 00:34:32,400 --> 00:34:37,239 Speaker 1: You're a different person now. And when you align yourself 512 00:34:37,480 --> 00:34:40,400 Speaker 1: with the people that God is placing on your path, 513 00:34:41,080 --> 00:34:45,120 Speaker 1: and you release your shame and you decide to truly 514 00:34:45,560 --> 00:34:48,960 Speaker 1: connect with people, you will find that your faith in 515 00:34:49,080 --> 00:34:52,719 Speaker 1: God grows. Have you ever noticed how much scary things 516 00:34:52,800 --> 00:34:57,840 Speaker 1: are when you're alone. The disciples were afraid that what 517 00:34:58,040 --> 00:35:01,879 Speaker 1: had been done to Jesus. He just died a horrific 518 00:35:02,239 --> 00:35:05,719 Speaker 1: death on a cross, and they were afraid that that 519 00:35:05,920 --> 00:35:08,400 Speaker 1: was what was going to be done to them. But 520 00:35:08,600 --> 00:35:12,680 Speaker 1: somehow they knew that they needed to get back together. 521 00:35:13,560 --> 00:35:17,200 Speaker 1: They were connected to Jesus, they were connected to each other, 522 00:35:17,239 --> 00:35:20,560 Speaker 1: and you know what else, they were connected to a place. 523 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:25,840 Speaker 1: Most scholars agree that this room that they were huddled 524 00:35:25,880 --> 00:35:29,200 Speaker 1: up in it was the same room that they had 525 00:35:29,239 --> 00:35:34,480 Speaker 1: celebrated passover just days before, and many believe that it's 526 00:35:34,520 --> 00:35:38,960 Speaker 1: the same place that they would gather again in Acts 527 00:35:39,040 --> 00:35:43,239 Speaker 1: chapter one. So for all intents and purposes, this room 528 00:35:43,239 --> 00:35:46,640 Speaker 1: that they're huddled up in is the birthplace of the 529 00:35:46,719 --> 00:35:56,200 Speaker 1: early Church. Look again at our scripture. On the evening 530 00:35:56,640 --> 00:35:59,880 Speaker 1: of that first day of the week, when the disciples 531 00:36:00,120 --> 00:36:03,680 Speaker 1: were together with the doors locked for fear of the 532 00:36:03,719 --> 00:36:09,279 Speaker 1: Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them, and he said, 533 00:36:09,360 --> 00:36:11,839 Speaker 1: peace be with you. And after this he showed them 534 00:36:11,880 --> 00:36:15,359 Speaker 1: his hands on his side. The disciples were overjoyed when 535 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:19,880 Speaker 1: they saw the Lord. And Jesus said again, peace be 536 00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:23,839 Speaker 1: with you. As the Father has sent me, I am 537 00:36:23,920 --> 00:36:27,600 Speaker 1: sending you. And he breathed on them, and he said 538 00:36:27,680 --> 00:36:34,480 Speaker 1: receive the Holy Spirit. When the disciples were together, Jesus 539 00:36:34,520 --> 00:36:37,680 Speaker 1: came and stood among them, and he brought peace in 540 00:36:37,760 --> 00:36:40,840 Speaker 1: the midst of their greatest fear, and he brought joy 541 00:36:41,239 --> 00:36:45,520 Speaker 1: in the middle of their greatest disappointment. And he breathed 542 00:36:45,600 --> 00:36:48,760 Speaker 1: on them, and he gave them the Spirit, the comforter 543 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:54,759 Speaker 1: when they were together. And today I want to tell 544 00:36:54,800 --> 00:36:59,239 Speaker 1: you to get back to the place. You see, they 545 00:36:59,400 --> 00:37:05,120 Speaker 1: returned to the place where their faith was connected. And 546 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:09,880 Speaker 1: I just can't help but think about all of the 547 00:37:09,960 --> 00:37:14,920 Speaker 1: people of God's Church who are scattered right now because 548 00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:18,040 Speaker 1: of their fear. It's a scary time in our world 549 00:37:18,080 --> 00:37:21,040 Speaker 1: right now, and I get that, But the number one 550 00:37:21,120 --> 00:37:24,040 Speaker 1: tool I think that the enemy has on us right 551 00:37:24,080 --> 00:37:30,520 Speaker 1: now is isolation. He wants to keep you away from 552 00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:35,160 Speaker 1: the place. He wants to keep you from connecting with 553 00:37:35,320 --> 00:37:39,760 Speaker 1: people who are on the same journey as you. People 554 00:37:39,800 --> 00:37:42,640 Speaker 1: who are trying to have integrity in their job, people 555 00:37:42,640 --> 00:37:45,880 Speaker 1: who are trying to raise godly kids in this incredibly 556 00:37:45,960 --> 00:37:50,760 Speaker 1: dangerous world, people who are intent on growing their own 557 00:37:50,840 --> 00:37:54,799 Speaker 1: relationship with Jesus. And you are missing out on what 558 00:37:54,920 --> 00:37:58,560 Speaker 1: God wants to do in your life by not being 559 00:37:58,600 --> 00:38:02,560 Speaker 1: a part of a unity of a body of believers. 560 00:38:04,360 --> 00:38:08,520 Speaker 1: Hebrews ten twenty three says this, let us hold unswervingly 561 00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:12,200 Speaker 1: to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 562 00:38:12,520 --> 00:38:14,920 Speaker 1: And let us consider how we may spur one another 563 00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:20,160 Speaker 1: on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, 564 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:23,400 Speaker 1: as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging 565 00:38:23,400 --> 00:38:26,200 Speaker 1: one another all the more. The Bible is so amazing. 566 00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:29,759 Speaker 1: This was written two thousand years ago, and it could 567 00:38:29,760 --> 00:38:35,440 Speaker 1: not be more true today. We cannot give up meeting together. 568 00:38:36,280 --> 00:38:39,480 Speaker 1: I know you're busy. I know your kids have soccer, 569 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:45,200 Speaker 1: but Jesus said, we're two or three were gathered there. 570 00:38:45,440 --> 00:38:49,840 Speaker 1: He is with us, and it's time for us to gather, 571 00:38:50,320 --> 00:38:54,759 Speaker 1: because when we gather, our faith grows. I can't tell 572 00:38:54,840 --> 00:38:59,200 Speaker 1: you how many times I have come into this place 573 00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:04,680 Speaker 1: feeling tired, feeling overwhelmed. I know I'm the pastor's wife, 574 00:39:04,719 --> 00:39:06,480 Speaker 1: and I'm not supposed to feel that way, but I do, 575 00:39:07,200 --> 00:39:12,759 Speaker 1: feeling worried about a situation. And I come here and 576 00:39:12,840 --> 00:39:16,840 Speaker 1: the band starts playing, and people around me start lifting 577 00:39:16,840 --> 00:39:20,360 Speaker 1: their hands, so I do it too, and I close 578 00:39:20,440 --> 00:39:26,080 Speaker 1: my eyes and I start worshiping God. And then our 579 00:39:26,120 --> 00:39:29,319 Speaker 1: pastor gets up on the stage and he opens up 580 00:39:29,360 --> 00:39:32,880 Speaker 1: the Word of God, Oh God. When Steven starts preaching, 581 00:39:33,120 --> 00:39:36,160 Speaker 1: and he starts telling us stuff like how owning your 582 00:39:36,200 --> 00:39:38,960 Speaker 1: own doubts does not disqualify your faith. And I'm like 583 00:39:39,280 --> 00:39:43,200 Speaker 1: furiously writing these things down so maybe I won't forget. 584 00:39:43,320 --> 00:39:47,520 Speaker 1: And then he tells me to copy that if by God, 585 00:39:47,560 --> 00:39:50,520 Speaker 1: I go out of here, and I'm so full of 586 00:39:50,640 --> 00:39:52,880 Speaker 1: faith that I feel like I just might burst, because 587 00:39:52,880 --> 00:39:58,640 Speaker 1: there is nothing like gathering together with other believers in 588 00:39:58,719 --> 00:40:09,320 Speaker 1: Christ and this place. What God is building, the global 589 00:40:09,480 --> 00:40:14,319 Speaker 1: church that God is building is special. It's just as 590 00:40:14,360 --> 00:40:16,880 Speaker 1: special as it's ever been, maybe more if you ask me. 591 00:40:17,680 --> 00:40:22,160 Speaker 1: And it is time for you to get back. Some 592 00:40:22,200 --> 00:40:24,799 Speaker 1: of you have an elevation campus in your backyard, and 593 00:40:24,840 --> 00:40:27,440 Speaker 1: you have no idea how much you take that for granted. 594 00:40:28,719 --> 00:40:33,960 Speaker 1: Some of you you live somewhere else and you can't 595 00:40:33,960 --> 00:40:36,879 Speaker 1: get to a campus, and so you watch online every week. 596 00:40:36,920 --> 00:40:39,120 Speaker 1: And what I want to say to you is, maybe 597 00:40:39,160 --> 00:40:42,080 Speaker 1: you could get to a watch party, or maybe you 598 00:40:42,120 --> 00:40:46,800 Speaker 1: could start a watch party, or go to your local church. 599 00:40:47,440 --> 00:40:50,280 Speaker 1: You know, if you have to watch alone, it's better 600 00:40:50,320 --> 00:40:53,200 Speaker 1: than nothing. And we're always going to be here for you. 601 00:40:54,680 --> 00:40:56,719 Speaker 1: Maybe you can invite someone to watch at the same 602 00:40:56,800 --> 00:41:01,360 Speaker 1: time as you, because we have got to get back 603 00:41:01,800 --> 00:41:06,000 Speaker 1: to a place where we look people in the eyes. 604 00:41:08,320 --> 00:41:12,640 Speaker 1: You feel like something's missing in your life. Might I 605 00:41:12,719 --> 00:41:17,560 Speaker 1: suggest that it is your connection. Your peace and your 606 00:41:17,680 --> 00:41:23,200 Speaker 1: joy are directly connected to the people that you align 607 00:41:23,280 --> 00:41:28,759 Speaker 1: yourself with in this season of your life. So we 608 00:41:28,800 --> 00:41:33,319 Speaker 1: started our time together in John chapter twenty, and the 609 00:41:33,360 --> 00:41:39,440 Speaker 1: disciples are together afraid for their lives. And then we 610 00:41:39,520 --> 00:41:43,080 Speaker 1: get to Acts chapter one and Jesus is giving them 611 00:41:43,120 --> 00:41:46,520 Speaker 1: his last instructions. He tells them wait for the Holy Spirit, 612 00:41:46,920 --> 00:41:49,120 Speaker 1: who's going to come, and he's going to empower you, 613 00:41:49,960 --> 00:41:52,759 Speaker 1: and you're going to take the gospel to the ends 614 00:41:52,840 --> 00:41:57,440 Speaker 1: of the earth. And then Jesus ascends to heaven. And 615 00:41:57,480 --> 00:42:00,960 Speaker 1: so the Bible tells us that they retire learned to 616 00:42:01,080 --> 00:42:08,880 Speaker 1: Jerusalem to gather together once again. Many people believe that 617 00:42:08,960 --> 00:42:12,920 Speaker 1: it's the same room where they were with Jesus just 618 00:42:13,000 --> 00:42:16,840 Speaker 1: days before. While they're waiting, how many of you know 619 00:42:16,920 --> 00:42:22,319 Speaker 1: sometimes we have to wait. While they're waiting together, they 620 00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:24,680 Speaker 1: decide to do the next thing that they think they 621 00:42:24,680 --> 00:42:27,960 Speaker 1: should do. So, led by Peter, they take a vote. 622 00:42:28,600 --> 00:42:31,720 Speaker 1: It's the first Church, they take a vote to replace Judas, 623 00:42:32,719 --> 00:42:38,000 Speaker 1: and then look at what happens in Acts chapter two. 624 00:42:38,160 --> 00:42:43,360 Speaker 1: When the day of Pentecost came. They were where all 625 00:42:43,760 --> 00:42:47,160 Speaker 1: together in one place, and suddenly a sound like a 626 00:42:47,160 --> 00:42:51,040 Speaker 1: blowing of a violent wind came in from heaven and 627 00:42:51,120 --> 00:42:54,200 Speaker 1: filled the whole house where they were sitting. And they 628 00:42:54,200 --> 00:42:56,520 Speaker 1: saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated 629 00:42:56,680 --> 00:42:58,880 Speaker 1: and came to rest on each of them. All of 630 00:42:58,880 --> 00:43:01,440 Speaker 1: them were filled with the Holy Spirit began to speak 631 00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:07,120 Speaker 1: in tongues as the Spirit enabled them. When they were 632 00:43:08,040 --> 00:43:16,680 Speaker 1: all together, the spirit came, it's time for you to 633 00:43:16,760 --> 00:43:23,799 Speaker 1: come back together this fall. Our message to those of 634 00:43:23,840 --> 00:43:27,360 Speaker 1: you who call Elevation Church your home is very simple. 635 00:43:28,000 --> 00:43:31,480 Speaker 1: We want you to join us for church and then 636 00:43:31,520 --> 00:43:33,960 Speaker 1: be a part of an E group where you can 637 00:43:34,000 --> 00:43:37,600 Speaker 1: be together with people who are on the same faith 638 00:43:37,719 --> 00:43:39,879 Speaker 1: journey as you. And all we want you to do 639 00:43:40,040 --> 00:43:43,040 Speaker 1: is discuss the things that God is teaching you here 640 00:43:43,560 --> 00:43:48,120 Speaker 1: each week. And so today we have an opportunity for 641 00:43:48,239 --> 00:43:53,239 Speaker 1: you wherever you are, however you're watching, I want you 642 00:43:54,080 --> 00:43:59,880 Speaker 1: to join an E group. Okay, at Elevation we have 643 00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:03,959 Speaker 1: I've created the most amazing community of people who gather 644 00:44:04,080 --> 00:44:06,759 Speaker 1: together on a regular basis. Listen to this. We have 645 00:44:06,840 --> 00:44:12,919 Speaker 1: over thirteen thousand people who already regularly attend an E group, 646 00:44:12,960 --> 00:44:18,280 Speaker 1: whether on person or in person or online. Thirteen thousand people. Okay, 647 00:44:19,200 --> 00:44:23,680 Speaker 1: in fact, now this is incredible. We have groups that 648 00:44:23,840 --> 00:44:30,000 Speaker 1: meet across fifteen different time zones and in eleven different languages, 649 00:44:30,640 --> 00:44:32,400 Speaker 1: which goes to show you you don't have to be 650 00:44:32,440 --> 00:44:35,640 Speaker 1: in Charlotte. WAE. We started in Charlotte, but our walls 651 00:44:35,640 --> 00:44:40,640 Speaker 1: of this church have gone far beyond the city of Charlotte. 652 00:44:40,800 --> 00:44:44,720 Speaker 1: And I promise you, if thirteen thousand people are already 653 00:44:44,760 --> 00:44:47,200 Speaker 1: doing it, which, by the way, good job. If you're 654 00:44:47,239 --> 00:44:50,040 Speaker 1: already doing it, maybe invite someone to join your group. 655 00:44:50,640 --> 00:44:52,799 Speaker 1: I promised you. We're not gonna bite. We're even gonna 656 00:44:52,800 --> 00:44:56,080 Speaker 1: make you do homework. We simply want you to join 657 00:44:56,120 --> 00:44:58,239 Speaker 1: a group where you can discuss the things that God 658 00:44:58,320 --> 00:45:02,640 Speaker 1: is teaching you each week. So in just a second, 659 00:45:02,640 --> 00:45:04,680 Speaker 1: if you're at one of our locations, when you walked in, 660 00:45:04,719 --> 00:45:06,279 Speaker 1: you were given a card to think of. Got one 661 00:45:06,320 --> 00:45:08,600 Speaker 1: it looks like this. All we want you to do 662 00:45:08,680 --> 00:45:10,640 Speaker 1: is fill it out and take it to the E 663 00:45:10,680 --> 00:45:13,279 Speaker 1: group's area at your campus to join a group, and 664 00:45:14,160 --> 00:45:17,000 Speaker 1: when I close, somebody's going to come give you more directions. 665 00:45:17,000 --> 00:45:19,600 Speaker 1: If you're part of our EPAM you're watching online, don't worry. 666 00:45:20,080 --> 00:45:21,960 Speaker 1: Our team is going to come. They're going to give 667 00:45:21,960 --> 00:45:27,200 Speaker 1: you instructions. Even if you're watching this later on YouTube, 668 00:45:27,520 --> 00:45:30,080 Speaker 1: there's going to be a little link in the comments. 669 00:45:30,320 --> 00:45:33,839 Speaker 1: If you want to join an e group, it's time 670 00:45:33,880 --> 00:45:37,320 Speaker 1: to check your connection. Go ahead and do it today. 671 00:45:37,360 --> 00:45:39,719 Speaker 1: Don't go out of here and say, oh yeah, maybe 672 00:45:39,719 --> 00:45:42,000 Speaker 1: we should do that. Go ahead and do it today. 673 00:45:42,000 --> 00:45:48,719 Speaker 1: Would you stand with me? I want to close this 674 00:45:48,800 --> 00:45:53,359 Speaker 1: in prayer. Before I do that, I want to give 675 00:45:53,400 --> 00:45:56,040 Speaker 1: an opportunity to those of you who need to come 676 00:45:56,120 --> 00:45:59,400 Speaker 1: to faith in Jesus. Maybe you need to come back 677 00:45:59,800 --> 00:46:02,880 Speaker 1: to faith in Him. You need to get connected to 678 00:46:02,960 --> 00:46:06,719 Speaker 1: the source before you get connected to a group, and 679 00:46:06,760 --> 00:46:10,200 Speaker 1: I want to give you that opportunity right now. Romans 680 00:46:10,200 --> 00:46:12,480 Speaker 1: ten nine says if you confess with your mouth that 681 00:46:12,600 --> 00:46:15,560 Speaker 1: Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God 682 00:46:15,640 --> 00:46:20,160 Speaker 1: raised him from the dead, you will be saved. If 683 00:46:20,200 --> 00:46:21,960 Speaker 1: you would like to come to faith in Christ, We're 684 00:46:22,000 --> 00:46:24,719 Speaker 1: all going to pray this prayer together for you. We're 685 00:46:24,719 --> 00:46:28,319 Speaker 1: all going to pray this prayer together, but for you, 686 00:46:28,520 --> 00:46:32,120 Speaker 1: this is your moment, So would you pray this prayer 687 00:46:32,120 --> 00:46:38,440 Speaker 1: with me? Heavenly Father, I believe that you are the 688 00:46:38,480 --> 00:46:42,239 Speaker 1: savior of the world and that you died on the 689 00:46:42,320 --> 00:46:49,680 Speaker 1: cross for my sins. Right now I place my faith 690 00:46:49,719 --> 00:46:57,360 Speaker 1: in you. This is my new beginning in Jesus' name. Amen. 691 00:46:58,520 --> 00:47:00,440 Speaker 1: If you just prayed that prayer and the caunt of three, 692 00:47:00,440 --> 00:47:02,160 Speaker 1: I'm gonna get you to raise your hand or maybe 693 00:47:02,200 --> 00:47:04,320 Speaker 1: type it in the chat let us know, because we 694 00:47:04,360 --> 00:47:08,200 Speaker 1: want to celebrate with you. One, two, three. Would you 695 00:47:08,280 --> 00:47:10,279 Speaker 1: raise your hand. You've got a Bible that may want 696 00:47:10,280 --> 00:47:20,160 Speaker 1: to give you, type it in the chat. We're gonna 697 00:47:20,200 --> 00:47:23,600 Speaker 1: reach out to you online. If you just accepted Jesus, 698 00:47:25,200 --> 00:47:28,440 Speaker 1: it's amazing. It's amazing what God can do when you 699 00:47:28,480 --> 00:47:31,279 Speaker 1: get among his people. I wish I could tell you 700 00:47:31,320 --> 00:47:34,000 Speaker 1: to join hands through the person next to you. It 701 00:47:34,160 --> 00:47:36,080 Speaker 1: just feels like it's what we should do. But unless 702 00:47:36,080 --> 00:47:38,799 Speaker 1: you're your family member, we'll just join our hearts and 703 00:47:38,840 --> 00:47:42,360 Speaker 1: our faith together and let's pray. God, we come to 704 00:47:42,440 --> 00:47:49,279 Speaker 1: you with full hearts. We're just so grateful that you 705 00:47:49,480 --> 00:47:55,000 Speaker 1: provide people to go with us on this journey of 706 00:47:55,040 --> 00:47:59,080 Speaker 1: life and then always you are with us as well. 707 00:47:59,680 --> 00:48:03,160 Speaker 1: Thank you, Thank God. Thank you that you are still 708 00:48:03,719 --> 00:48:09,120 Speaker 1: building your church. The gates of hell cannot prevail. That 709 00:48:09,200 --> 00:48:12,480 Speaker 1: you are doing an amazing thing in your church in 710 00:48:12,560 --> 00:48:14,759 Speaker 1: this world, and God, we want to be a part 711 00:48:14,800 --> 00:48:18,160 Speaker 1: of that. We want to grow in our faith. Thank 712 00:48:18,200 --> 00:48:21,480 Speaker 1: you that in your presence there is no shame, and 713 00:48:21,520 --> 00:48:26,120 Speaker 1: among your people we find peace and joy and belonging God. 714 00:48:26,160 --> 00:48:28,160 Speaker 1: I just asked that you would give us the courage 715 00:48:28,640 --> 00:48:33,280 Speaker 1: to step out and get back to the place of connection. 716 00:48:34,080 --> 00:48:38,240 Speaker 1: We love you so in Jesus nay I pray Amen. 717 00:48:46,480 --> 00:48:49,040 Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us. Special thanks to those of 718 00:48:49,080 --> 00:48:52,080 Speaker 1: you who give generously to this ministry. Is because of 719 00:48:52,120 --> 00:48:55,040 Speaker 1: you that this ministry is possible. You can click the 720 00:48:55,080 --> 00:48:58,320 Speaker 1: link in the description to give now or visit Elevation 721 00:48:58,520 --> 00:49:02,120 Speaker 1: Church dot org slash podcast for more information and if 722 00:49:02,160 --> 00:49:05,439 Speaker 1: you enjoyed the podcast, you can subscribe. You can share 723 00:49:05,440 --> 00:49:07,680 Speaker 1: it with your friends. You can click the share button, 724 00:49:07,719 --> 00:49:10,160 Speaker 1: take a screenshot and share it on your social stories 725 00:49:10,160 --> 00:49:12,920 Speaker 1: and tag us at Elevation Church. Thanks again for listening. 726 00:49:12,960 --> 00:49:18,640 Speaker 1: God bless you