WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.800 Let's get into it. 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:07.759 So have you ever agreed to something before you really understood how much it costs you? 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:10.880 Like taking your wife to Hobby Lobby. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:15.039 Or going to Target. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:16.960 Right? 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:17.839 Right? 00:00:18.079 --> 00:00:29.519 Or, you know, if you ever ever agreed to help somebody move, and then you find out they live on the third floor of an apartment complex and they have a piano they need to move. 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:33.200 It's like, oh we weren't this good of friends. 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:35.039 I don't know why you asked me, right? 00:00:35.679 --> 00:00:37.359 But I have a truck. 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:38.479 Amen. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:38.960 Right. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:42.719 So, you know, those of you with trucks know everybody, well, you have a truck. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:43.840 Can you help me move? 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:51.200 But the one thing that I didn't know how much it would cost me before I agreed to it was coaching youth sports. 00:00:51.520 --> 00:00:53.600 Anybody ever coached youth sports? 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:56.960 It was the most awful experience of your life, wasn't it? 00:00:57.200 --> 00:00:59.359 And it wasn't because the kids, right? 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:00.880 It's the parents. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:03.039 Because you parents are awful. 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:04.640 I don't know if you know that. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:08.319 Uh, you know, sometimes it's just like, just leave your kid alone. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:10.000 Like, let me coach the kid. 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:11.280 Just leave him alone. 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:15.920 Like, like I I can do without mom on the baseball field holding his hand. 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:17.760 Like, go sit down. 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:18.879 Sit down. 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:20.480 I have to tell my wife too. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:21.760 She's like, oh, they're hurt. 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:22.400 Sit down. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:23.680 Let the coach handle it. 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:24.799 He'll be okay. 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:25.359 Right? 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:26.480 He'll be okay. 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:28.000 Blood on a jersey. 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:30.159 That's that's character building. 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:31.439 Character building. 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:32.000 Okay. 00:01:32.319 --> 00:01:41.200 Uh, and you know, I I didn't realize how much time and frustration that would cost for me. 00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:46.319 Now, Crystal goes, anytime our kids sign up for something, Crystal goes, Well, they're looking for coaches. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:56.640 And I go, Oh, God bless them in their search for coaches, you know, and I I don't, I know we have a bunch of teachers in the room. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:01:58.480 I don't, I don't envy your position. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:00.319 I'd murder the kids every day. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:01.359 Every day. 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:04.319 Say it again, is what I would say. 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:11.039 Get to get to help out at a middle school for about 30 minutes, and that's enough, uh, on a Wednesday. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:17.759 And I'm I walk in there and I'm like, here's a donut. 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:18.800 Leave me alone. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:23.199 But but here's the thing. 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:33.840 Sometimes God shows us, uh, shows us in ways that we agree to something before we ever knew what we signed up for. 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:48.319 I think sometimes this Christian life that we live, sometimes I don't know if many of us would have agreed to do this before we knew what all of this had to had to entail. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:54.879 And so today we're in uh Luke chapter 9, and and this is a little bit of what's happening in Luke chapter 9. 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:59.120 Last week, Peter declared that Jesus is the Christ of God. 00:02:59.360 --> 00:03:06.879 He got the answer right, but now Jesus explains to him what that confession will actually cost him. 00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:13.680 And they expected victory from Jesus, but Jesus talks about suffering. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:20.000 They expected a crown, an earthly ruler, but Jesus talks about the cross. 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:29.759 But listen, I know sometimes this Christian walk seems hard, but Jesus isn't asking to simply be added to our lives. 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:33.520 He's asking us to surrender our lives to him. 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:39.759 So the question isn't just, do you believe in Jesus? 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:43.039 Listen, it's not enough to just believe in Jesus. 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:49.599 If you get to heaven and say, Jesus, I believed in you, he's gonna say, Depart from me, I never knew you. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.280 Because Satan and all the demons believe in Jesus. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:02.319 But the question that Jesus asks today is, are you actually following him? 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:10.000 Because you can't follow Jesus without it costing you something. 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:13.199 And so that's the title of my message today. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:17.600 If you're taking notes, what does following Jesus cost you? 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:20.079 What does following Jesus cost you? 00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:22.879 If you have your Bibles, grab them, go to Luke chapter 9. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:26.000 We're gonna start in verse 23 this morning. 00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:29.199 One announcement before I get there Trunk Retreat is coming. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:31.920 I've heard several have signed up for Trunk Retreat. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:34.800 Uh, if you haven't signed up yet, get on the Church Center app. 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:36.639 Uh, you can sign up for Trunk Retreat. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:43.360 It's one of the most fun nights of the year that we get to be a light during a dark time uh in our community. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:50.959 Uh and it is also one of the biggest, um, biggest resource razors for our food pantry. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:59.360 Uh, one we ask the community, now we don't turn anybody away, but we ask the community to bring a non-perishable food item for our food pantry. 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:04.720 Last year we had two truckloads full of non-perishable items for our food pantry. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:12.560 And so, yes, we get to love on our community, but this is also a way that our community loves on other people uh in our community through the church. 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.240 And so it's it's a great opportunity. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:21.120 So if you haven't signed up yet, uh the people at Crozier Pearson Funeral Home always uh are great hosts with us. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:26.160 Uh and and people always ask, Pastor, why are you having a Halloween event at a funeral home? 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:27.680 And it's a very simple answer. 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:29.439 Uh, they're paying for half of it. 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:32.000 So just kind of a no-brainer, right? 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:36.959 And so in in the church world, sometimes money talks, just like at your house. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:40.480 And so uh I want you to be encouraged to sign up for that. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:48.079 You can also, if you're not able to be there and you'd still like to invest, even if you just want to invest, we have some candy out there, uh, a candy drop out there. 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:50.000 We need all the candy that we can get. 00:05:50.160 --> 00:05:53.279 So, what does following Jesus cost us? 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:57.360 Luke chapter 9, we're gonna start in verse 23 this morning. 00:05:57.519 --> 00:06:08.079 And he said to all, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:16.399 So the first thing it costs you to following Jesus is number one, daily surrender. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:26.240 The biggest thing and the first thing that Jesus says is you must deny yourself daily. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:34.319 Notice Jesus gives us three actions deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:37.680 So let me put it in our context. 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:43.600 Deny yourself, take up your electric chair, and follow me. 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:48.079 Or lethal injection or some other form of execution. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:50.399 I'm not gonna, no, I'm not gonna step in that. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:52.560 I wrote this before what happened this week. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:58.800 I wrote this two weeks ago, and I got to this line and went, ugh, this is a rough illustration, but I'm not changing it. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:07.920 Uh, and so deny yourself, take up your execution device and follow me. 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:13.759 Denying yourself means Jesus gets the final word, not me. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:16.800 Does this ever happen at your house? 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:20.000 I'm sure it doesn't because you guys are more saved than Crystal and I. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:22.800 Do you ever get into a marital discussion? 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:25.040 Not an argument, because we don't argue. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:26.800 We're saved people. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:33.279 Uh do you ever get in a discussion and neither one of you wants to let the other get the last word? 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:43.920 I'm sure that doesn't happen to you guys, but occasionally it happens to us, and you're like, she'll say something like right, I can do better. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:44.399 Uh-uh. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:45.279 I can. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:46.639 Right? 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.720 And usually it's me, it's not ever Crystal. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:50.160 She's so sweet. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:08:01.360 I can't say anything, but uh sometimes, what Amanda did. 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:03.920 Sometimes we do that to God. 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:16.160 God will tell us to do something, but I maybe I'm the only one that does that to God, but sometimes, sometimes God's like, see, I was right. 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:18.160 Whatever. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.160 Tired of listening, right? 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:26.480 But denying yourself means Jesus gets the final word, not you. 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:30.399 And taking up your cross meant something serious. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:34.559 A person carrying a cross was on a one-way journey. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:37.759 And that one-way journey, what does that lead to? 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:38.720 Death. 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:44.159 Jesus is saying your life no longer belongs to you. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:47.039 And Luke adds one important word. 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:49.759 Daily, you are to do this. 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:52.720 Daily, deny yourself. 00:08:54.240 --> 00:09:01.039 Following Jesus isn't just one big decision, it's a daily decision to say yes to Jesus. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:05.759 What I want you to understand is yes, I want you to get saved. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:10.639 Raise your hand, get a Bible, but you have to wake up every morning and go, you know what? 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:12.159 I'm gonna be saved today. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:15.440 I'm gonna live my life for Jesus. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:17.919 Think about it this way. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:20.320 We all own a car. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:25.120 Think about signing over the title of a car. 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:26.639 You're signing your car. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:30.159 Say, I'm giving Jose, I'm giving Jose the title of the car. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.000 Okay, Jose's up here. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.799 And if I say, Jose, here's the keys. 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:40.879 But tomorrow I go to Jose and say, listen, Jose, I know I gave you this car, but I'd like to drive it today. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:42.720 What's Jose gonna say? 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:44.720 Man, why'd you give me this car? 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:47.039 But I go, tomorrow it's yours. 00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:49.919 Today I just want to drive it, but tomorrow's yours. 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:55.120 That's what we do to Jesus sometimes. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:10:04.240 We say, Lord, you can have my life in the altar, but as soon as I get to the parking lot, Jesus, I need the keys. 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:06.000 Can I drive? 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:12.559 But sometimes that's how we treat Jesus. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:18.559 Jesus, I gave you my life, but I still need the keys from time to time. 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:25.519 Following Jesus means ownership of your life has changed. 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:27.759 He is the owner now. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:34.879 So ask yourself, what part of your life are you still trying to control? 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:37.679 Maybe relationships. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:39.039 I know it's difficult. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:44.720 Sometimes in relationships, I just want to say, come on, get this right. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:46.639 Especially with my kids. 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:54.639 My kids are going through the the time where you know I can't, I can only parent them and they have to make the decisions. 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:55.759 And it's hard. 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:58.879 It's like, you want to just slap them upside the head. 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:01.840 But you know they got to go through those hard times. 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:05.440 But I know that I've got to release it to the Lord. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.519 Some of us want to control God with money. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:12.000 Like, Lord, I know you're, I know you're asking me to give. 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:17.360 And Crystal had a great story about a girl that gave everything, but you just don't know how poor I am. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:20.320 That girl gave 60 cents. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:21.919 60 cents. 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:23.600 That was all she had. 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:28.720 She gave everything because the Lord asked her to. 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:32.159 Sometimes we hold tight our future. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:35.360 Let me tell you a little secret. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:46.080 Twenty years ago, if you'd have told Pastor Todd that he was gonna be a pastor in Clebur, I'd have been like, there's only heelbillies in Cleburn. 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:50.480 And you laugh because that's partly true. 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:54.159 They just call them Clea Billlies, right? 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:56.080 It's just a little different. 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:04.399 But if you'd have told me long ago, Todd, this is what you're gonna do, I'd be like, ha ha! No. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:10.559 But now I couldn't imagine being anywhere else in the world. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:16.879 And I found there is hillbillies in Cleaver, but there's also some great people here, too. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:27.919 Sometimes God has already asked you to surrender something, but you're still hanging on to it. 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:34.080 Following Jesus means waking up every day and asking, Jesus, what do you want me to do today? 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:38.159 Listen, I'm a schedule-oriented guy. 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:44.399 And if you're a schedule-oriented person, you're married to somebody that's like, it'll all work out. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:46.320 Right? 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:48.559 Because that's the way, that's the way the Lord works. 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.120 Amen. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:52.879 And I have to do something every day. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:53.360 Okay. 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:56.480 So Monday, like tomorrow's a holiday. 00:12:56.559 --> 00:13:00.960 I'm it's driving me crazy because I've got things I got to do on Monday. 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:01.519 Okay. 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:05.600 And I can't come into the office because my wife says it's a national holiday. 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:06.480 Okay. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:09.679 I'll stay home with my family, who I love very much. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:20.000 Uh and so, but those of you that are schedule-oriented people, everything you have to do on Monday is now on Tuesday. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:22.960 With everything that you have to do on Tuesday. 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:27.600 But here's the thing: sometimes God steps into your schedule and goes, you know what? 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:28.960 I need you today. 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:35.919 Because as a pastor, what I've learned is one phone call can change my whole day. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:40.799 There's sometimes I've woken up to a phone call, and guess what? 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:42.320 I'm at a hospital all day. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.840 I'm not in my office. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.519 And you know what? 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:48.559 That's what Jesus needs from me that day. 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:55.279 So, does Jesus have that much latitude in your life? 00:13:55.679 --> 00:14:01.519 If Jesus said, Hey, I need you to do this today and not do what you planned, would you do it? 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:07.440 Because you can't follow Jesus and demand to still be in charge. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:09.919 Any control freaks in the room? 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:13.039 I feel the anxiety coming up in you, right? 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:16.320 But I have to control everything. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:24.799 But Jesus says, get up every day, die to yourself, and let me be in charge. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.080 Verse 24. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:35.600 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:43.200 The second thing, it costs you to follow Jesus, is number two, you gain when you let go. 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:47.519 You gain when you let go. 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:52.480 Now, this is the upside down nature of the kingdom of God. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:58.080 The world says, protect yourself, promote yourself, put yourself first. 00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:03.919 But Jesus says, give me your life, and you'll finally find what you're looking for. 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:07.919 The world says, hold on to what you can. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.879 Jesus says, let it go. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:17.519 Because sometimes the only way to gain is to surrender. 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:21.440 So think about a seed. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:26.240 You know, a lot of what we eat is from a seed. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:33.200 You can take a seed, you can keep it safe, and it stays a seed. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:35.360 But what do you have to do to make a seed grow? 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:42.639 You have to bury it, and what looks like a loss becomes life. 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:53.360 Sometimes God asks us to sometimes God asks us to surrender something, and we think, God, I'm losing this. 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:58.080 But God says, you're not losing it, you're planting it. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:06.320 Some of us are so exhausted trying to hold on to what Jesus has asked us to surrender. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:11.039 Maybe Jesus has asked you to surrender your plans. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:17.360 Maybe Jesus has asked you to surrender your comfort. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:20.639 Listen, the devil wants us to be comfortable. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.720 God wants us to be uncomfortable. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:27.120 So if you're uncomfortable, you're right where God wants you to be. 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:32.080 Maybe you're worried about your reputation. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:42.320 Maybe you have to control everything around you, but Jesus is saying to you, let it go. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.720 Do I have to sing the frozen song to you? 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.240 Or do you got it? 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.080 Just don't. 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.039 It's the next reviews. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:53.919 I'm gonna keep going. 00:16:54.159 --> 00:17:02.159 Because if following Jesus cost me something, he's still worth it. 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:09.920 Because you'll never give up more for Jesus than you gain in Jesus. 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:13.279 Take that little girl, for instance. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.039 She gave up 60 cents. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:17.359 That's probably all she had for the day. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:23.920 But look how she has blessed you a world apart from her, and she's never even known it. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:28.480 She'll know it when she gets to heaven, but she won't know it now. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:36.319 Imagine all those things that God's asked you to do that you have no idea how many people it's touched. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:43.119 And all you did is just say yes to that one thing Jesus asked you to do. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:48.240 All she had to do is say yes to giving the missionary those four quinsales. 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:52.319 That's that's the only thing God asked her to do. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:18:01.200 But it's those small things that become huge, earth-changing things. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:03.440 Verse 25, let's keep going. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:11.599 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses and loses or forfeits himself? 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:21.839 For whoever's ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes into glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:28.000 The third thing we have to understand when following Jesus is some things cost too much. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:34.880 Some things in our life cost too much to be worth it. 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:38.960 Jesus asked a haunting question in these verses. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:42.799 What if you got everything you ever wanted? 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.960 Think about your life. 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:51.440 What if Jesus said yes to every prayer that you prayed? 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:57.279 For instance, Crystal knows this, so I'm not gonna get in trouble. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:19:02.480 The first prayer that I prayed was for a woman to marry me. 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:05.759 Praise God, he said no to that. 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.960 Because that woman was Pamela Anderson. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:12.559 Young me watching Baywatch back in the day, right? 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:18.160 I don't know if you've seen Pamela Anderson lately, but I won. 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:20.640 Nothing against Pamela Anderson. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:23.440 She's a sweet child of God and God loves her. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:27.279 But I think Crystal's a little prettier than Pamela Anderson now, don't you think? 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:27.759 Right? 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:29.440 I I won that, right? 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:35.039 Praise God that He doesn't say yes to every one of your prayers. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:38.960 But what if you got everything you ever wanted? 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:42.240 What if you got all that money you ever wanted? 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:46.559 What if you got all that success, all those followers you wanted? 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:52.160 What if you got all that recognition and you lost yourself in the process? 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.480 Was it worth it? 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:58.799 Guys, there's nothing wrong with success. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.920 Hear me this morning. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.839 There's nothing wrong with being successful. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:06.480 The problem is what you have to sacrifice to get it. 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:13.599 I talk to a lot of people that have dreams of being in ministry. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:23.359 In fact, Crystal, Crystal just thought, she always tells me, I thought everybody loved pastors. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:27.759 She thought everybody thought pastors were the greatest thing on the planet. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:31.359 What she found out is not everybody loves pastors, right? 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:40.720 And here's the thing: a lot of people want all the acclaim of being a pastor, but they don't want to put in the work that it takes to get here. 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:51.440 Listen, let me tell you, if I if I had, I don't have enough time to tell you what me and my family have had to give up the last 14 years to get Hope Church to where it is today. 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:54.720 Now, listen, we do it all over again. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:21:01.759 But sometimes you want all this success, but you aren't willing to put in the work that it takes to get there. 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:12.160 Are you willing to get up and preach when there's 20 people there and you have to set up a stage, set up sound, set up the nursery? 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:14.960 Some of the people were still here when we did that. 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:26.400 But what I tell you is, if you get all these success in the world and you lose yourself in the process, you've gained nothing. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:30.960 Our culture measures success by what you have. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:34.480 Jesus measures it by who has you. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:42.480 You know, one thing we say in our house is from time to time, things go wrong with our cars. 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:47.359 And I always remind my wife listen, we own the car, the car doesn't own us. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:54.319 If there's a dent or scratch on the car, okay, cool. 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:57.359 I own the car, it doesn't owe me. 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:59.759 I own the house, it doesn't own me. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:05.599 The problem is, a lot of us, our stuff owns us, and that's all we ever think about. 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:15.359 But imagine being offered everything you ever wanted at the price of your soul. 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:18.640 We'd say, it's not worth it. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:23.039 But we rarely lose ourselves all at once. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:26.880 It happens one compromise at a time. 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:32.799 You know, I say to people, people don't wake up one morning to destroy their lives. 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:38.160 They destroy their lives with one bad decision after another. 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:47.119 One conversation turns into another, turns into another, and you wake up and your whole life is falling apart. 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:55.680 But Jesus warns in verse 26 about being ashamed of him and his words. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:23:01.519 Eventually we have to decide whose approval matters the most to us. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:04.480 The world's approval or Jesus'. 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:08.880 You have to ask yourself, what are you chasing? 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:11.200 What is it costing you? 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:15.039 Is success costing you your family? 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:23.119 Listen, I don't want to pastor the greatest church in America and my family hate me. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:33.759 Some of us can spend so much time trying to please people that aren't our own family. 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:42.480 And we lose everything because we're so worried about what everybody else thinks. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:52.960 Instead of just investing in the people that matter the most, is comfort costing you your obedience? 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:58.480 Don't just measure what you're gaining, count what it costs you. 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:06.079 Guys, don't lose what matters, chasing what doesn't. 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:10.799 Because let me tell you, this world pushes you to chase what doesn't matter. 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.359 Money. 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.960 Acclaim. 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:22.640 Listen, as a pastor, I get the honor to sit at the bedside of people when they're passing. 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:25.599 You know what nobody ever says on their deathbed? 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:28.480 I wish I'd gone to work when I was sick. 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:33.440 Nobody ever says, I wish I wouldn't have gone on those vacations. 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:36.240 Nobody ever says that. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:41.200 Everybody always says, I wish I would have had more time with the people that mattered the most. 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:47.200 Listen, there's nothing wrong with chasing success. 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:49.759 There's nothing wrong with providing for your family. 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:51.440 Those are all good things. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:57.440 But if you lose what matters the most while you're chasing those things, it amounts to nothing. 00:24:57.680 --> 00:25:00.000 And that's what Jesus is telling you. 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:02.160 Let's keep reading. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:05.920 Verse 27 Jesus lands the plane with the disciples right here. 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:15.279 But I tell you, truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.119 The fourth thing. 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:37.359 Doing something for Jesus is the only thing that no matter how much you give, you cannot outgive God. 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:48.720 Because eight days later, and we'll talk about this next week, Peter, James, and John see Jesus transfigured into glory. 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:50.799 It's a glimpse of what is coming. 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:54.240 The cross is coming, but so is glory. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:58.160 Suffering is coming, but so is the kingdom. 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:05.759 Jesus reminds them and us what you see right now isn't the whole story. 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:10.880 Anybody that's ever remodeled a house knows this. 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:17.279 When we, if you've ever been here at church, we've and gone through some of our remodeling processes. 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:21.440 Sometimes things have to get really bad before they ever get really good. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:23.200 You got holes in walls. 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:27.920 What I hate about uh construction is there's always dust everywhere. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:34.559 And those of you that have ever done construction, you know somehow sheetrock dust gets in everything and all over everything. 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:44.400 Walls are torn out, dust is everywhere, but you have to have the vision to know what is coming. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:27:00.079 And I always remember the day when I walked into this room, finally, all the dust was gone, the paint was fresh, and I saw it for the first time, and it was exactly the picture that I had in my mind. 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:08.880 And it's amazing to see sometimes you have to go through the dust, sometimes you have to go through the holes in the wall. 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:15.839 But if you keep the vision of what is to come when you get to it, it's amazing. 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:20.000 Sometimes following Jesus feels the same way. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:23.200 We say to God, God, I oh, I obeyed you. 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:27.119 Why do things still keep getting hard in my life? 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:31.039 But listen, guys, God sees what you can't. 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:35.279 The kingdom is bigger than the moment than you're in right now. 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:39.440 Don't judge obedience by today's circumstances. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:45.279 You may not see what your yes to Jesus is producing in the days to come. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:48.960 Keep following him, keep praying, keep obeying him. 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:54.160 Remember, the cross isn't the destination, the kingdom is. 00:27:55.440 --> 00:28:00.799 And Jesus never asked us to go somewhere that he has not gone first. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:06.319 He carried the cross before he asked us to carry ours. 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:12.799 But the cross wasn't the end for Jesus, and it won't be the end for us. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:22.480 Because I want to encourage you today, whatever the cross costs, the kingdom of God is worth more. 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:39.119 Whatever Jesus asks you to do, whatever emotions, whatever pain, whatever frustration it costs you, the reward that God has for you is even more worth it. 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:52.240 Because let me tell you, on some of my most frustrating days at past as a pastor, I think back to the lives being changed in the baptism tank. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:59.519 I look at pictures of little girls holding up the doll like it's the greatest thing they've ever seen. 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:06.160 It was a few weeks ago. 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:11.359 I got the privilege and honor of preaching in Guatemala City. 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:15.279 And there's a couple, their name is Melvin and Sidey. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:17.920 They travel all over with Kenny. 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:24.480 Now they're the type of people that one day I hope to be as good a Christian as they are. 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:29.920 Like, they've given up their whole life and all they do is travel and minister to kids. 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:34.799 Like, when I when I grow up one day I want to be like them. 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.359 Okay? 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:37.039 You you get what I'm saying? 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:50.880 They've they've had the they've been offered by the Guatemalan assemblies of God to be the kids' leaders over the whole nation, and they've turned it down multiple times to keep working with Kenny because they love what childhood does. 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:58.240 So I heard they were coming to hear me preach in Guatemala City. 00:29:58.400 --> 00:30:01.839 And I'm sitting there going, well, I don't know what I can offer these people. 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:04.240 So I preached my message. 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:07.920 It was the same message y'all heard the Sunday before. 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:12.160 Remember when I talked about some of you bring 15 pairs of underwear for a three-day trip? 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:13.359 Y'all remember that message? 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.079 Yeah. 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:23.599 I preached that same message in Guatemala City, but I had to adjust that part uh because Guatemala don't bring 15 pairs of underwear, they just don't bring any underwear. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:26.079 Like they don't plan for any trips. 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:29.279 They just show up and go, Lord, figure it out. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:32.160 The amount of stress that would have for me, right? 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.559 Okay. 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:35.440 So I had to adjust that portion for the crowd. 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:41.519 So I made fun of us Americans, and they thought it was funny that you Americans bring 15 pairs of underwear because they don't even bring one. 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:53.680 Uh so but Melvin and Sidey came to me afterwards and said to me, Pastor, that was the most amazing message I've ever heard. 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.880 I'm like, Oh. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:59.920 They said, You confirmed in our hearts to keep going. 00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:06.160 We were very frustrated at what we were doing in ministry, but your message has encouraged us to keep going. 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:08.720 And I was blown away. 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:15.519 Because it's like, what do I have to offer these people who I think are the most amazing Christians on the planet? 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:19.440