1 00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:04,480 Hey, welcome to the City Point Church podcast. 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,280 Thanks for joining us. Every day is an opportunity to 3 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:10,280 take hold of. So we hope this message inspires 4 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:13,560 you and build your faith that it helps you have more of a God 5 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:15,880 perspective for your day. Enjoy. 6 00:00:18,240 --> 00:00:20,800 Let's pray. Thank you Heavenly Father, we 7 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:23,040 thank you for tonight. We thank you for the words that 8 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:25,640 have been spoken. Father, we pray that you take 9 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,040 them and grow them further into where you got them, Lord. 10 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:30,920 And we just pray for tonight, the word, the message that 11 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:33,520 people are able to receive it Lord, and receive what you are 12 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,000 speaking into their life in Jesus name, Amen. 13 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:43,320 Awesome. Well, I pray that we are 14 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:46,640 posturing ourselves in a place of receiving like we just prayed 15 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,840 and it doesn't matter if you have being in the words studying 16 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:54,480 or this is your very first time. What matters is our heart is 17 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:58,720 open to receive because at the end of the day, this is the word 18 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:03,320 of God word, the Bible, and God speaks through it for the ones 19 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:07,560 that are willing to receive it. So the title of message tonight 20 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:14,720 is called in the world, but not of it, man, I was just spending 21 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:17,440 time with God going what what are you wanting to speak here 22 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,200 tonight? And just this thing, just this 23 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:22,560 phrase popped up in the world, but not of it. 24 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:28,400 And, and to live this type of lifestyle is it's easier saying 25 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:32,240 it, but to step into and walking into it is a whole nother thing. 26 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:36,080 And the world doesn't really help with that as well because 27 00:01:36,080 --> 00:01:40,280 they are often going in the other direction and it can be 28 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,280 tricky. And, but before we dive into 29 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,280 scripture, I just, I've got to get it off my chest. 30 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:47,680 I've struggled. I was struggling. 31 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,240 I'm not going to say anything ridiculous, but I, I struggled 32 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:53,440 with this simple phrase. And I've chatted with people 33 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:54,560 like, should I actually bring it up? 34 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:56,920 But I want to be vulnerable here tonight. 35 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:59,160 Are you guys OK with me being vulnerable here tonight? 36 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:04,200 So there's a phrase called. It is what it is. 37 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:10,919 Has anyone heard this? I generally my wife can. 38 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:15,640 I don't know what that word is attest to the word to my 39 00:02:15,640 --> 00:02:19,960 frustration with that phrase. Every time I hear this, I 40 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:21,480 literally look at the fasno. Uh huh. 41 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,600 OK, cool, cool, cool. All right. 42 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:28,240 And I I want to be a good Christian and I love I love you 43 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:29,560 guys. If you have said it, I 44 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:31,840 absolutely love you. I have nothing against you at 45 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:33,840 all. It literally is the conviction 46 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,160 of myself. So I actually went to God. 47 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:38,720 I literally had to think about what's going on with you, Ryan, 48 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:40,120 like you got some issue going on. 49 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:41,960 Literally something brought up and draw. 50 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,560 I don't know. No, but what it was is there's 51 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:47,960 something in the word of God that I recognize. 52 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:51,160 When I hear this word, I hear a full stop. 53 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,120 I hear a full stop in the conversation that or whatever is 54 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:58,680 going on and what I know in the Word and what it says that there 55 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:03,200 is power in the tongue and what we declare that we speak life 56 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:07,160 and death out of the tongue. So when we speak these things, 57 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:11,880 when we say it is what it is, we put a full stop and we stop what 58 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:17,000 God can do in this moment. And I don't know about you, I 59 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,880 never want to be in a position when I'm holding back from what 60 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:24,120 God can do because I know what the Word says, that God can do 61 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:28,960 all things impossible made possible through Christ Jesus. 62 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,160 When we speak this stuff, when we put a full stop to this 63 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:37,800 situation, to this moment, we can literally withhold what God 64 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,280 can do and we stop it and we go, God, why can't you move? 65 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:44,000 Because you stopped it with the words you spoke. 66 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:47,520 So we got to be wary. And I I don't want to kind of go 67 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:50,680 that you guys like, hey, you know, just think I want you guys 68 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:53,920 to be thinking Pastor Andrew Staggs and Bible college says 69 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:57,560 for us to be thinkers, to be doing is to be thinking about 70 00:03:57,560 --> 00:04:00,600 what we are saying, what we're speaking in our life now. 71 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:04,560 No, I'm not saying it is what it is, is a terrible thing because 72 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,600 you can say it is what it is, like whatever, like ward off a 73 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:12,160 duck's back, like things that actually don't matter. 74 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,280 You can go, it actually doesn't matter. 75 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:16,440 Things to worry about, you don't actually need to worry about. 76 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:19,640 You can say, but in reference to what you're talking about 77 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,600 matters. But when we speak these words, 78 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:27,160 we can speak life and death. And so I just wanted to let you 79 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:32,520 guys know that. So anyway, so I'm glad that you 80 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:34,400 guys received that, which is great. 81 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:38,720 So we're going to dive into the word, the Holy Bible. 82 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:43,120 So if you guys get your Bibles with yourselves, turn to the 83 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:49,800 Galatians 5 verse 16 to 17. We have our youth here tonight, 84 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:52,600 which is amazing. The huge sounds so good. 85 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:57,480 So Galatians 1617 and 2223. While you guys are getting that, 86 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:00,000 I'll give you a bit of back story to what's going on. 87 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,680 This is Paul, mighty Paul. He's awesome. 88 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:06,040 He's a mighty man of God, completely devoted for God and 89 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:10,360 he's having a conversation response back to Galatia. 90 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:14,880 Galatia. So the the we call it the book 91 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:18,200 is called Galatians. So similar to Kabulcha. 92 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,000 It's Kabulians. I don't know. 93 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,240 It's like those who are understanding what it means, why 94 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:24,880 they say Galatia. That's what it means. 95 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:29,640 It's the place. So they were turning away from 96 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:31,560 God and following the worldly influences at the time. 97 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:35,120 And as any great leader like Paul is, he's addressing the 98 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:39,440 issue, which is really good. So the Galatians, they actually 99 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,640 received the good news and witnessed the move of God in 100 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:46,080 their world, but they had become confused by worldly opinions and 101 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:49,440 they were trying to work out their salvation by suggesting 102 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:56,040 they should add rules and legalism of Jewish laws and to 103 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:59,680 the to add to the saving grace in which God offered through 104 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:03,240 Jesus death and resurrection. So Paul reasoned that if 105 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:06,440 believers were required to keep the law and order to be saved, a 106 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:10,720 savior wasn't necessary, which is no really no gospel at all. 107 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:14,000 So they were kind of actually missing the mark. 108 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,640 They're missing it. So they're being LED astray, and 109 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,400 they're being influenced by the world around them. 110 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:24,760 So now going into Galatians, Yeah, 516 Paul writes here. 111 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:29,280 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. 112 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:33,160 Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 113 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:36,840 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is the opposite of 114 00:06:36,840 --> 00:06:40,240 what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires 115 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,600 that are opposite for what the sinful nature desires. 116 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:48,520 These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you're 117 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:51,280 not free to carry out any of your good intentions. 118 00:06:51,280 --> 00:06:54,920 There is a tension between the natural and the spirit. 119 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:58,760 They cannot coexist together. They actually cannot one without 120 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:00,720 the other. It's like you're going, which 121 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,200 are you feeding? Which area you're walking in? 122 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:04,880 And these are the things you got to be aware. 123 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,920 And this is what Paul's addressing to Galatians going, 124 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:10,840 guys, you are operating in the wrong direction. 125 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:15,440 This is what the fruit is. And then he goes to verse 22. 126 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:19,400 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives. 127 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:23,600 Lovejoy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 128 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,760 faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 129 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,840 There is no law against these things. 130 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:34,240 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with 131 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:37,120 its passions and desires. They're not operating out of 132 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:40,280 what the sinful nature desire, but they're operating in the 133 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:42,560 Spirit because they've gone. I believe in Jesus. 134 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:45,200 That means they are going to be called to live in this, and I 135 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:48,560 love this. Since we live by the Spirit, let 136 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:54,240 us keep in step with the Spirit. When He says that keeping in 137 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:58,640 step, it means we're, we're walking, we stumble, but what do 138 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,320 you do? You get, you get back up and you 139 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,000 keep walking in step with the Holy Spirit. 140 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:07,520 We're not perfect, we are human, we make mistakes. 141 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:12,120 That's why we have Jesus because we're never going to make it on 142 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,320 our own strengths. And that's what they're trying 143 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:18,200 to do is they were trying to operate out of their own works, 144 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:20,800 their own strengths that are human, where God has given us 145 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:25,000 Jesus, a grace, a gift that is giving out a grace that we did 146 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:29,240 not deserve. And by grace we have been saved 147 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:31,680 and by faith we are able to receive Jesus. 148 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:34,080 And that's what as simple as it is. 149 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,159 But then they twisted and often we can twist things that are 150 00:08:37,159 --> 00:08:41,559 actually quite simple. So it's interesting how the 151 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:45,080 influence is influences of the world is pretty much the 152 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:47,720 opposite of what the fruits of the Spirit are. 153 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:51,160 Often you find the things of this world are literally 154 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:54,280 countercultural to what they the spirit is. 155 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:57,400 And for instance, the world will say you need to place yourself 156 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,560 first above all things and you deserve this. 157 00:09:00,560 --> 00:09:02,560 You deserve this. This is what she deserved. 158 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,920 Whereas the word says seek first the Kingdom of God and his 159 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:10,800 righteousness. See, it is better to give rather 160 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,520 than to be given to, to serve rather be served. 161 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:19,520 And to live this lifestyles is pretty difficult. 162 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:22,600 And I have a story that I'd love to share. 163 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,400 Do you like stories? I love sharing stories that you 164 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,920 used to have so much fun. It's anyway I have a story and 165 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:33,600 anyone that's in a trade type of workplace, they have stories 166 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:37,280 because it's interesting. My trade was painting and 167 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:40,560 renovating, painting, decorating, whichever and I had 168 00:09:40,560 --> 00:09:43,320 a Co worker, let's name him Davo. 169 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:48,360 So Davo was this Co worker. He was a very quick witted, 170 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:51,920 fast-paced fella. He was very quick with his words 171 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,920 and how he communicated and we we worked together for six 172 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,760 years. Through those years, there was 173 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:03,280 continual jokes and try and make me snap or react or deny and 174 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:06,600 reject my faith. So I was very young. 175 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:10,080 I was about 15 when I started. And I was also very quiet. 176 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:12,440 My pastors know they've been on the journey with me. 177 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:16,440 And so it was not the most enjoyable time, I can tell you 178 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:18,680 that. But I'm so grateful for the word 179 00:10:18,680 --> 00:10:21,200 of God. This is your foundation. 180 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:25,120 Live by it. Oh yeah, and he's stormed by the 181 00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:26,160 word of God. Oh yeah. 182 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:29,640 All right. So But during these moments, I 183 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,080 would love to share a part because I am human. 184 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,120 And obviously there is these moments in your life where you 185 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:37,400 were close to breaking. And so I'll share this one 186 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:39,600 moment in this time, which is fun. 187 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:42,760 But this moment happened when I was over in Red Cliff doing a 188 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:45,960 house and it was smoker, which is what we call a break. 189 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:50,040 And what we go, no one smokes or anything, but we go on a break 190 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:55,920 with word anyway. So we go on this break, this 16 191 00:10:55,920 --> 00:11:00,240 year old going on smoker and we go to the Cafe and I get this 192 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:03,640 coffee And I liked coffees during that time as well and got 193 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,400 some food. And this coffee was like $8, 194 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:10,760 like it was expensive. So I got, I'm going back and I 195 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,720 take a sip and I'm like, it's actually pretty good. 196 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:15,880 It's actually really good coffee. 197 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:17,800 And I was like, this is actually quite nice. 198 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:22,240 So I make it back and what I discovered is my toolbox opened 199 00:11:22,680 --> 00:11:26,640 and all my tools, my, we call it keys and a couple of my stuff 200 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:29,360 were completely sprayed by a spray gun. 201 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:33,560 One of the guys decided to open my stuff and spray it all and I 202 00:11:33,560 --> 00:11:38,040 was like what? I was like I literally was like 203 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:40,120 Oh my goodness. I was like who did this? 204 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,280 And they're like, I don't know. There's literally 2 of them 205 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:45,000 working there and one of them's already holding this. 206 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:49,760 I don't know. How do you respond? 207 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:54,200 So anger started to come in. And with that, you're getting 208 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:59,000 flustered and frustrated. And what happened was I knocked 209 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,960 my coffee over. And the worst part is I drank it 210 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:07,320 and it was amazing and it was expensive and I knocked it over 211 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:13,560 and I was like, I'm a very peaceful and calm person. 212 00:12:13,560 --> 00:12:18,480 I love everyone knows I'm very patient, but there was a moment 213 00:12:18,560 --> 00:12:23,760 when my hands were shaking and I felt my natural flesh taking 214 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:28,920 over and the Spirit was leaving the door and I started feeding 215 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:32,040 the natural by going. Come on man, do one more thing, 216 00:12:32,560 --> 00:12:35,120 see what happens, See what happens. 217 00:12:35,520 --> 00:12:38,120 I'm young, I'm a fastest kid. I've been holding it back. 218 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:50,080 So in all reality, I wouldn't have actually, I would have 219 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,120 snapped, but I would have just grabbed the pole and throw it on 220 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:54,400 the wall and call my boss and go, I'm going to have the day 221 00:12:54,400 --> 00:12:57,720 off. But they didn't do anything and 222 00:12:57,720 --> 00:12:59,720 then they just went away. I think they could tell by my 223 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:03,760 shaking hand, but but most people would have snapped in 224 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:07,080 that moment. But for some reason, during that 225 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:10,240 whole time, I could have snapped and I could have sorted it out 226 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:12,880 with anger or violence like how often people do. 227 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:17,320 But for some reason, I felt led to live a life where I'm showing 228 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:19,640 patience. I'm showing literally that I can 229 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:23,360 control my emotions, that I can control the way I live. 230 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:27,560 And, and through these conversations, through all these 231 00:13:27,560 --> 00:13:30,800 jokes and all these literally like things thrown at whichever 232 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:36,720 ultimately end of all of it, for some reason, this guy Davo for 233 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:41,160 some reason decided to go to church and get his daughter 234 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:44,440 baptized. And I was like, and he told me 235 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:46,920 how they were making fun of it all about the past and 236 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:49,480 everything going on. But in the end, I believe 237 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:53,480 through all the stuff he spoke against me, something shifted, 238 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:57,520 something shifted within. And I, and I hope to believe 239 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,600 that was the lifestyle that I was living through just the 240 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:04,240 steadfast conversations and going, I literally have no idea 241 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:07,640 how to answer that. And all these moments, something 242 00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:11,680 shifting went maybe he's onto something, or maybe they're just 243 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:15,520 maybe because he, he was baptized and his wife was 244 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,680 baptized. And he's like, because I asked 245 00:14:18,680 --> 00:14:20,960 him one time, I was like, what if you're wrong? 246 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:24,120 Because what if you, you die and you're wrong? 247 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:28,120 That would be a bit awkward. And he's like, we chatted in the 248 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:29,240 area and he's saying all those things. 249 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:31,520 But for some reason he baptized his daughter. 250 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:36,320 And, and even though he didn't make a decision to believe in 251 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:40,920 God or that I'm aware about, this was a seed moment in his 252 00:14:40,920 --> 00:14:43,440 life. And I believe he will remember 253 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:47,080 it and carry it and his daughter will remember the moment and the 254 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:51,440 being baptized as well. And you never know, church, you 255 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:54,640 never know how you're going to be a part of someone's life. 256 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:58,640 Maybe you're the first seed or maybe you're the 20th seed that 257 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:02,200 you've spoken as someone's life and maybe you get to see the 258 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:04,960 fruit of it. But the part of a journey of a 259 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:08,080 Christ well is that we obedient through what God has called us 260 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:11,480 to do in the lane. He's called us to walk as well, 261 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,800 that we go, God, you've called me here to just be steadfast and 262 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,320 just long-suffering the whole time. 263 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:21,720 But if this was a seed moment that someone down the track will 264 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,960 speak into his life and he goes, that's right. 265 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:29,320 This young man, he continued just constantly on fire, just 266 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:31,760 focused on God. And he did not waver. 267 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:35,120 He did not shift. Nothing could shake him or break 268 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:37,200 him. And I could not believe it. 269 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:40,680 And for some reason, that moment from that seed to that seed to 270 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:44,560 that seed, that man's life gets transformed and his family gets 271 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:46,840 transformed. And this is the journey that we 272 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:50,000 never know what these steps that we can make and how it can 273 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,880 impact someone else's life because it's not about us. 274 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:55,080 It's about what we are doing for Christ. 275 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:57,800 We are living for God, which is powerful. 276 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:04,520 And so you might think as well, you're too young, you don't know 277 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:07,520 it all and no one will listen or even follow you. 278 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:12,760 But it says here in the Bible that one Timothy 4 verse 12, let 279 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:17,600 no one despise you for your youth, but set the belief as an 280 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:23,480 example in speech, in behaviour, in love, in faith and impurity. 281 00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:26,880 When you position yourself in a place, when you position a place 282 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:30,760 of leaning in leaning into the word, leaning to God because 283 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:35,760 being in the world and not all of it can be tricky, but you can 284 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:39,200 make a lot of difference when you go God, here I am. 285 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:42,240 What do you want me to do in this place? 286 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:45,320 I've got a handful of people that don't know who you are. 287 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:47,280 I don't even know how to communicate to them. 288 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:50,080 I struggle with my words. Doesn't matter. 289 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:53,400 Gods will use you. Use your life, use your words if 290 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:56,440 you just trust them and go, God, give me, give me a moment, give 291 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:59,760 me a question. Give me a door that can open up 292 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:01,960 into someone's life that I can speak into. 293 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:04,319 And this can be powerful in there. 294 00:17:04,319 --> 00:17:09,319 And so there is this wrestle in our spirit and in our flesh. 295 00:17:09,319 --> 00:17:12,880 And often we can think we are operating in our spirit, but we 296 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:18,079 can be misdirected by a decision in our past in a moment, which 297 00:17:18,079 --> 00:17:21,880 happened later on. And so going back to Galatians, 298 00:17:22,839 --> 00:17:25,680 there's a verse that I, I skipped over many years, but 299 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:28,319 God's highlighted this and I was like, oh wow. 300 00:17:28,319 --> 00:17:29,720 I actually didn't really recognize it. 301 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:32,320 And I hope you get a revelation out of it like I have. 302 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:38,280 But we can be operating in our past and where it says here in 303 00:17:38,280 --> 00:17:43,840 Galatians 5, verse 7, you were running a good race, who cut in 304 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:45,840 on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 305 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:51,320 And I remember I had, I literally was like, whoa, hello, 306 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:53,560 hello, verse. I didn't see you there. 307 00:17:53,560 --> 00:18:02,040 And it kind of hit me and you were running a good race who cut 308 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:04,560 in on you from keep you from obeying the truth? 309 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:07,400 You were you were there, you were doing a great job. 310 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:10,000 Who cut in? Was it someone else? 311 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:14,080 Was it yourself? See, sometimes we can be running 312 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:18,080 our life on our past success, yet we can be further from Jesus 313 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:22,560 than we ever have been. This is a life where we can 314 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:26,120 sometimes be deceived what's happening around us, and we can 315 00:18:26,120 --> 00:18:29,680 be operating in what we used to live our life by and what we 316 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:32,440 used to be. I'm a Christian, devoted for 317 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:34,920 God. I've been, people have been 318 00:18:34,920 --> 00:18:38,920 saved, miracles has happened. I've been operating, God's been 319 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:42,000 flowing through me. But are you still in that 320 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,040 position? Are you still with God in the 321 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:46,640 same way you were, or something happening in your life where 322 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:49,960 your life got busy? Have you yourself got in the way 323 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:53,280 of you and allowing God and you've been pushing God out of 324 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:56,120 the wind, out of your life and you don't even realize it. 325 00:18:56,120 --> 00:18:58,600 And that's deception. You don't realize it until 326 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:02,920 something or someone reveals it. And you're like, oh, this is not 327 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:05,880 good. And to help unpack it a bit 328 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:11,360 more, I've been, we call it inspired by our pastor, Pastor 329 00:19:11,360 --> 00:19:14,720 Graham. And he's been doing push ups, 330 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:21,200 which has been amazing. I was inspired and to use this 331 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:27,560 as an example, we're not doing push ups. 332 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:30,280 That's all. I don't know, I will probably 333 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:34,880 lose, but to use an example I used to actually, and this is 334 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:37,680 true. I used to do 100 push ups in a 335 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:40,520 minute and my life group boys can testify that because they 336 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,360 were there. But this was when I was had my 337 00:19:43,360 --> 00:19:46,120 life group boys, which was 10 years ago. 338 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:49,200 Sheesh. It's actually better go. 339 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:52,760 So I used to do it in the mail. I used to boast about and I used 340 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:54,160 to actually keep boasting about it. 341 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:58,080 But did it ever occur to me, could I still do it? 342 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:03,680 Until my pasta started doing pushups and I was like, Oh yeah, 343 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:07,000 I could do some pushups. I start to do pushups. 344 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:13,440 I only got to five. I was like, Oh no, my pasta. 345 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,080 I can do more push ups than me right now and I'm younger and 346 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:18,440 I'm like, this is not really good. 347 00:20:19,120 --> 00:20:20,840 I can't boast about this anymore. 348 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:25,040 And here we go. Going back to that verse. 349 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:29,640 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you from keeping 350 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:33,800 you obeying the truth? And I in that moment I've 351 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:38,080 realized somewhere on that line I missed the moment. 352 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:40,720 And I used to be doing a lot of push ups. 353 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:44,560 I used to nail it, but some lot in my life I got busy or 354 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,560 something happened and I was still operating in that mindset, 355 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:53,360 but my body wasn't there and it was drifting further and weaker 356 00:20:53,360 --> 00:20:56,520 and weaker away. Now let's look at in our 357 00:20:56,520 --> 00:21:00,160 relationship with Christ. Now when we live our life with 358 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:04,880 God, we can be living a life that we are devoted to Christ. 359 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,160 We're operating in it and we've gone. 360 00:21:07,160 --> 00:21:10,680 Look at what I used to do. Look at what I've achieved, the 361 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:13,640 fruit of my life. Yes, you were running a good 362 00:21:13,640 --> 00:21:19,280 race, but what has happened? What has taken you out from 363 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:22,400 where you were? Because you could be feeding 364 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,120 your body, You could be feeding these things like you could be 365 00:21:26,120 --> 00:21:28,440 going to the gym and you're like, look at my muscles. 366 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:31,640 I'm so strong, but you've forgotten to feed your spirit. 367 00:21:33,120 --> 00:21:34,480 But you're like, I used to be good. 368 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:40,480 Well, cool, that's good. But it's now weak because where 369 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:42,800 are you right now? Where? 370 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:45,160 Where? Where is your spirit right now 371 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:48,960 with Christ? Because I've had to have these 372 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:52,480 revelational moments in my life multiple times. 373 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:55,640 I am human. I literally have gone, oh, I'm 374 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,200 doing all great, I'm great. But then there's these moments 375 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,120 in my life where I'm like, hold up. 376 00:22:01,120 --> 00:22:03,120 Yes, I used to know all this stuff. 377 00:22:03,120 --> 00:22:06,760 Yes, I have the knowledge here, but am I actioning it right now 378 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:08,720 in my life? Am I actually putting it to the 379 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:12,680 ground and I'm actually moving it and seeing fruit going out? 380 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:16,240 Or am I just got it all up here because there's no point having 381 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:18,640 all this knowledge yet. You're not using it and you're 382 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:23,040 not activating it in your life. We can read a book, a good book, 383 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:26,120 but if we do not action in our life like the word of God, we 384 00:22:26,120 --> 00:22:30,360 can read it all we want, but if we do not apply it in our life, 385 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:33,760 we're not going to see fruit. We're not going to see the 100 386 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:35,640 push ups. We're not going to see that 387 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:38,600 stuff. So this is the what happens is 388 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:41,600 you've got to actually recognize where you're at. 389 00:22:42,320 --> 00:22:44,440 So if we want to be in this world, we got to recognize where 390 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:47,320 we're at and we got to go, OK, I'm here right now. 391 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,560 I'm up to 1 scripture a day. Let's do it. 392 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:56,040 I'm up to one minute of just silence, just quietness. 393 00:22:56,640 --> 00:23:00,840 One minute I can do this and it recognizing that man. 394 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:05,520 And what you do is you recognize and you start to retrain, you 395 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:08,360 start to grow and you start to develop your journey. 396 00:23:08,360 --> 00:23:11,520 And before you know it, you start to build these muscles, 397 00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:14,360 these spiritual muscles that you once had. 398 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:17,240 And believe it or not, it grows stronger and stronger because 399 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:20,640 now you are where where you are at, because what can happen is 400 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:22,360 we can lose sight of what's happening. 401 00:23:22,360 --> 00:23:28,440 And and I love this verse in Matthew, this paragraph in 402 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:31,360 Matthew 26. It's a part where they talk 403 00:23:31,360 --> 00:23:34,560 about Peter. He was one of Jesus 12 404 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:38,560 disciples. And Jesus told him that he would 405 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:43,920 actually Peter would deny him three times before the rooster 406 00:23:43,920 --> 00:23:46,400 cries. And this is Peter. 407 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:48,400 And he said to him, he's like, I would go to prison. 408 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,880 I would even die for you. Jesus, I love you like you are. 409 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:54,400 I'm on fire for you. I'm completely devoted for you. 410 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:58,200 But when the moment came when Jesus was taken away away by the 411 00:23:58,200 --> 00:24:01,400 Pharisees, Peter followed from a distance. 412 00:24:01,840 --> 00:24:05,640 And this was one of the first moments. 413 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,920 See those steps in our life. And there could be good steps 414 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:11,880 and there can be bad steps. And when we take these steps, 415 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:14,640 these steps ultimately, even even if they can be a small 416 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:18,360 steps, each small steps lead to a big impact in the future. 417 00:24:18,360 --> 00:24:20,640 And so we got to be wary where we're stepping. 418 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:23,600 And what happened was Peter followed from a distance and 419 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:28,160 distance from fellowship with the Lord is at heart of every 4 420 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:30,560 is that heart of where we fall there. 421 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:32,680 And Peter was still falling from a distance. 422 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:35,080 And even though some of the disciples, they weren't even 423 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:39,160 there, but he was still away. But when you fall at a distance, 424 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:43,160 you increase your vulnerability. Now think about it. 425 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:46,640 If the devil sees everyone moving together, if we are 426 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:49,360 together gone, God, we're all for you. 427 00:24:49,360 --> 00:24:52,840 We're side arm by arm, our brothers and sisters in Christ 428 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,400 lifting each other. When we fall, whichever we're 429 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:59,080 strong, we're held together. But when we separate ourselves 430 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:03,760 from a distance, it can be hard, it can be separating. 431 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:06,600 And what can happen is the things around you can get you. 432 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:10,240 And pity is the one who falls down and has no one to lift them 433 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:16,000 back up. And the next step he did is he 434 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:20,440 joined the enemy's fire, the these guys, he joined this fire 435 00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:24,400 while I was having a little, little fire pit going on. 436 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:27,480 And what was happening, he was he in the wrong place at the 437 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:29,680 wrong time? He said, Jesus, I'm with you, 438 00:25:29,680 --> 00:25:31,240 I'm with you. But now he's away. 439 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,680 He's hanging out with the wrong crowd of people. 440 00:25:34,360 --> 00:25:36,800 And when you hang out with the wrong people in the wrong 441 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:39,480 places, it's just a matter of time before you do the wrong 442 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:41,600 thing. And that's what happened. 443 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,400 There was moment after moment someone's like, hey, you look 444 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:45,160 like one of those. Sorry. 445 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:47,400 It's like, bro, no, no, no, no, no, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not, 446 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:49,200 I'm not. I was like, hey, you got it was 447 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:51,880 like, no, I'm not. And then the third time he said 448 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:53,400 no. And just as you're saying, the 449 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:58,120 rooster crowed anyway, no, how did this happen? 450 00:25:58,760 --> 00:26:02,480 Each one of our steps, each one of our choices that we have make 451 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:07,560 an impact in our life. And I look at Peter and go, bro, 452 00:26:07,560 --> 00:26:10,120 why'd you like literally why you're with Jesus? 453 00:26:10,120 --> 00:26:13,960 Like, why are you afraid? But fear can creep in and lead 454 00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:16,040 us away. When and I thought about it, I 455 00:26:16,040 --> 00:26:20,160 was like, there's these moments where I've lived my life where 456 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:24,240 I've had these opportunities and to speak into someone's life and 457 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:27,560 fear crept in where I've missed an opportunity. 458 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:29,960 I'm like, God, no, how did I do this? 459 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:35,640 And that's where it's going. God help to continue sowing into 460 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:38,720 me to give me boldness. Give me the spirit of boldness 461 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:42,120 that I can trust you and trust you that you will speak through 462 00:26:42,120 --> 00:26:49,560 me and and the past can't be changed, but our response to it 463 00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:54,040 can be. See, God can take what we 464 00:26:54,040 --> 00:26:57,480 believe is our end and turn it into a new beginning. 465 00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:01,280 He can turn all things into a newer beginning. 466 00:27:01,280 --> 00:27:05,760 What we, what Peter thought was the end, Jesus took it to a new 467 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:09,120 beginning and revealed to him the fear that he had. 468 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:12,080 Sometimes these things and challenges in our life can be 469 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:17,280 just a stepping stone for us to revelation, for us to reveal to 470 00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:18,840 us an area that we've got to grow in. 471 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:21,800 That can be fear. That can be doubts. 472 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:25,320 That can be these areas and what it grew for me in the six years 473 00:27:25,320 --> 00:27:29,160 of trade was developing my foundation and confidence 474 00:27:29,160 --> 00:27:31,920 through Christ. And then with that as well going 475 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:34,280 God, I just trust you. I'm not going to know the 476 00:27:34,280 --> 00:27:37,600 answers, but I'm going to continue pursuing you and God 477 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:39,880 had that moment like why is this happening? 478 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,560 Why do I have to go through this, but God was revealing the 479 00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:45,800 strength that he's growing and equipping me for my season ahead 480 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:48,280 and the continual to the next and the next. 481 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:54,200 See, we need to be spiritually aware of our walk with Jesus and 482 00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:57,320 Romans 12 verse 2 says do not be conformed to this world, but be 483 00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:01,200 transformed by the renewal of your mind that by the testing 484 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:05,600 you may discern what the will, what is the will of God, what is 485 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:10,200 good and acceptable and perfect. Our church vision is to 486 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:14,320 unmistakably influence our world for good and for God. 487 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:19,160 This happens by living our life, which is countercultural from 488 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:22,040 the world. But to be in the world around 489 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:26,160 people who are yet to know Jesus, yet to be free from the 490 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:29,960 things that only through Jesus they could be set free. 491 00:28:30,360 --> 00:28:32,440 We get to be a part of this mission. 492 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:35,080 We get to be in the world, but not of it. 493 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:38,320 But we get to be a part of the mission of God, to see people 494 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:43,280 come to Jesus, to be a witness and to go, God, use me right 495 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:46,160 now, partner with me. I want to partner with you, God, 496 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:49,760 to see people's lives be transformed, to just direct them 497 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:53,080 to Jesus and keep going. Where do you call me right now? 498 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:55,440 Because we're a part of this mission altogether in all 499 00:28:55,440 --> 00:28:58,280 different areas. We're called in all different 500 00:28:58,280 --> 00:29:01,160 areas, and we're all gifted in different ways to speak 501 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:03,440 directly. And so God, what have you called 502 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:05,680 me into? What have you called me to do? 503 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:07,880 How do you want me to speak into this person? 504 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:09,600 Is it the first seed? Is it the last seed? 505 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:12,560 What are you wanting to do? And by living that life, God 506 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:16,800 will move through those. And, and because the world can 507 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:20,400 easily be LED away from the truth and often people are left 508 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:24,480 being confused and not confident in what the truth is anymore. 509 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:28,360 So if you're here tonight and you're seeking what the truth 510 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:34,960 is, I want to let you know. In John 1416, Jesus told him, I 511 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:40,080 am the way, I am the truth. I am the life. 512 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:43,200 No one can come to the Father except through me. 513 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:46,720 That's the truth. It's as simple as that. 514 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:50,760 It is as simple as that. That is the answer that we are 515 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:52,600 looking. That is the answer that we can 516 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:57,600 give, that we can direct them to Jesus, not through, not to us by 517 00:29:57,600 --> 00:30:00,320 God. Help them help use me as a 518 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:04,280 vessel for them to receive Jesus, not receive me in my 519 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:06,960 words and how great I, but how great you are God. 520 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:11,400 And when we make that decision to follow Jesus and we give our 521 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:14,240 heart to God, we have already separated ourselves from the 522 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:17,080 world and now we get to be in a relationship with our heavenly 523 00:30:17,080 --> 00:30:18,760 Father. And I just pray.