WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:02.399 Welcome to Gateway Churches Podcast. 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:06.879 Wherever you're tuning in from, we hope you're encouraged by today's message. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:09.599 Hey, church family. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:10.960 I hope you're having a wonderful summer. 00:00:11.039 --> 00:00:13.039 I'm so excited about this weekend. 00:00:13.199 --> 00:00:21.679 Not only is it 250 years as a nation, I hope you're finding some time to be with family, to celebrate this moment. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:23.839 And I pray that you'll take a moment to pray. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:27.039 We pray for God's continued blessing over our nation. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:36.079 We pray for favor, and most of all, we pray for revival, that the Spirit of God would move in a fresh way in and through the people of this great nation. 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:41.520 I'm also excited about this weekend because we're doing something very special that I know you're gonna love. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:44.000 And we're calling it Young Communicators Weekend. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:50.799 You know, in our heart, mine and Tammi's have always been to raise up the next generation of leaders and to give ministry away. 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:55.439 We never wanted to stand in the way of what God was doing in the lives of people. 00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:59.840 And so one of the things that we're launching this weekend is Young Communicators. 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:07.120 And here's simply what that means: it means this is that we've taken some of the team who we believe have the gift of communicating God's word. 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:14.799 We've spent months with them helping them develop the message and develop the outline and hear from the Lord and complete their message. 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:20.799 And now this weekend, at every campus, we have different communicators sharing the word of God. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:26.239 And so let me just tell you, for some of them, very first time, they're standing on the platforms they're standing on. 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:42.560 And I told them, I said, our church family is gonna love you, they're gonna cheer you on, they're gonna clap, they're gonna amen more than they normally do to encourage the gift and encourage the step of faith that these communicators are taking as we see God develop a fresh gift on the inside of them. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:43.680 So here's what I want you to do. 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:44.799 I want you to lean in. 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:47.120 I believe God's gonna speak to you today. 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:48.799 And I want you to be encouraging. 00:01:48.959 --> 00:01:49.840 I want you to amen. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:55.120 I want you to open your heart for what God may want to say to you today through his word and through his people. 00:01:55.280 --> 00:02:03.920 So at every location, here's what I want you to do: get up on your feet and put your hands together and welcome to the stage the one who will be communicating God's word today. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:05.760 Come on, celebrate with me. 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:18.080 Thank you. 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:19.520 Thank you. 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:21.039 Y'all can have a seat. 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:29.039 Good morning, KW! Hey family! I am so excited to be with you this morning in a new way. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:32.240 And um, I'm so excited for what the Lord has laid on my heart. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:36.400 I just want to say good morning to everyone who's watching online, our prison campuses. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:38.879 We are so glad that you joined us for church. 00:02:39.039 --> 00:02:42.319 Um, you guys, if I hadn't said it already, I'm so excited. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:48.000 Um okay, well, before I jump in, I want to take a moment and just honor our lead pastors. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:49.759 Pastor Daniel, Pastor Tammy. 00:02:50.319 --> 00:02:52.000 So grateful for you. 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:54.319 So grateful for you. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:59.840 What an incredible um heart that you have to pour into the next generation, pour into this house. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:02.400 Thank you for the way that you love us and the ways that you do. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.400 We are so thankful to be led by you. 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:06.879 Um, and I'm honored to be up here today. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:09.680 And I also want to take a moment and thank Pastor Jelani. 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:13.599 I want to thank you and just honor the intentionality that you have poured into. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:14.719 Yes. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:27.280 Um, the intentionality that you poured into me and the encouragement and the feedback throughout this whole process with me, other people involved, but also the way that you lead our South Lake Campus. 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:28.879 We are honored and we love you. 00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:30.479 So thank you. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:38.240 Um before I jump in, I want to pray and just acknowledge the Holy Spirit in this room. 00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:43.199 Um, worship was incredible, and our God is an incredible God. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:47.439 And so, if you will, let's pray and let's honor his presence, and then we'll jump in. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:52.000 Lord, um, we are so thankful for you. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:57.599 What an honor it is to have woken up today with your breath in our lungs. 00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:04.400 Lord, I thank you for the sunshine, the the day that we get to live in that glorifies you. 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:11.840 Lord, I just pray that over these next couple minutes that you would come and that you would speak through me. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:17.120 Lord, you are the goal, you are the prize, you are the focus. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:18.959 I need you. 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:20.959 We need more of you. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:24.240 And so, Lord, we acknowledge your presence in this room. 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:27.680 We thank you for who you are, and it's your name I pray. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:28.639 Amen. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:30.399 Okay. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:33.120 Okay, I have a question for the room. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:37.519 Um, I, as Pastor Joelani said, I come from youth and kids ministry. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:43.199 And so typically when I'm speaking with them, um, I will ask for a little bit of collaboration from the room. 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:49.439 I'm not gonna do a lot of that today, but I will ask y'all to participate in at least this one question. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:54.079 I want to know by a show of hands, who in here has been the new person? 00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:56.399 Oh, took us a second. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:05:00.720 If you're not raising your hand, I don't believe you because we've definitely all been the new person before. 00:05:00.959 --> 00:05:02.720 Um, okay, some examples. 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:10.959 Maybe you are the new person walking the halls of a high school or middle school or elementary school, but you're in line with all your friends. 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:15.759 Um, maybe you are the new person that just joined a sports team. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:26.800 Maybe you have been working at your workplace for a while, and you have been invited into an important meeting for the first time, and you are the new person in that room. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:35.600 Maybe you're a new mom and you have just joined a new mom's group, and you feel like the less seasoned one in the room. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:44.480 Um, maybe it is your first time here in church today, and you really feel like the new person in the room. 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:56.560 When we are the new people in the room, those times can often bring up moments and feelings of insecurities, inadequacies, um, questioning ourselves and if we should even be there. 00:05:56.720 --> 00:05:59.759 I know that I have felt that before, for sure. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:06.959 Um back when my husband and I, Luke, we've been married for almost five years this November. 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:09.680 Um that's right, that's right. 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:14.240 He's my best friend, truly, truly my best friend and my better half. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:15.680 I'm so thankful to do life with him. 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:18.480 But we started dating whenever we were 16. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:27.439 And I first of all just want to take a moment and thank our parents and our friends and our family that came alongside us whenever we were 16 years old because we were babies. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:35.680 Um, but we were a couple months into dating, and um I had met his parents already, so we'd met we'd met each other. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:38.319 I love them, and they love me. 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:43.279 And we um I just found out that I was gonna meet the entire rest of the family. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:50.319 So, like Luke's cousins, his aunts and uncles, grandparents, all the things, and I was really nervous. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:51.839 I was really nervous. 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:57.279 Um, I knew that I was gonna be the new person walking into that family dinner. 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:03.920 So, leading up to that night, I had all the questions running through my mind, like, are they gonna like me? 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:06.720 Am I gonna say the wrong thing? 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:08.560 Am I gonna do the wrong thing? 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:10.160 Am I gonna wear the wrong thing? 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:11.759 Like, am I gonna show up? 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:12.160 Okay. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:20.639 And leading up to this night, I have remembered something that my parents have always taught me growing up, which was Brie, they call me Brie. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:26.959 Sabrina, you are exactly who are you who you are created to be, so just show up as you. 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:29.199 And you and the Lord will do the rest. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:37.040 And so, something as simple as meeting my boyfriend at the Times family, I decided, okay, I'll be myself. 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:42.560 So I walked in, conversation was going well, I enjoyed meeting them, and we circled up. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:59.040 We were at um his cousin's house, and we circled up around the kitchen, prayed, and after Amen, typically, if you're like new to the party, or maybe not even new, um, you'll wait till other people get in line for dinner, you know? 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:01.920 Be, I don't know, maybe polite, maybe that's modest. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:03.040 I don't I don't know. 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:06.959 As soon as we said amen said amen, I was running for that Mexican food and I was ready. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:08.319 I was ready to eat the food. 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:09.600 I was so much so myself. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:10.959 I'm like, this is who I am. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:13.360 I love food and I love you guys. 00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:21.360 And um it was a great night, and I'm so thankful to be a part of the Osborne family, but um I was the new person. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:26.720 And walking in, I had the questions of am I gonna be enough? 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:28.560 Am I adequate? 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:30.560 Are they gonna like me? 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:36.480 And many of us walk into new spaces feeling those same things. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:42.720 There's someone in the Bible who I know is just as human as you and me. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:51.039 And I truly believe that he had to have felt some of these same things whenever he was walking into the spaces that the Lord led him to. 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:59.360 Yet he emptied himself of all of his self-doubt and his questions and leaned on the Lord's strength. 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:03.120 That is why I'm encouraged by the story of Paul. 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:11.919 Now, if you don't know Paul in the Bible, um, Paul, also known as Saul, was a man who was known to persecute Christians. 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:15.440 Now, Paul himself, he grew up as a Pharisee. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:29.440 He grew up knowing the law, he knew it really well, he was Jewish himself, he knew all of these things, yet when people started believing in Jesus Christ and becoming a Christian themselves, he was, he didn't, he believed that they were in the wrong. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:36.000 And so he was persecuting Christians, believing that he was doing the right thing, which he he truly wasn't. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:48.399 Um but one day, on the road to Damascus, Jesus stopped him on the road, quite literally blinded the man, and was like, Paul, why are you persecuting me? 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:54.720 Paul then realized, oh, this is the Jesus that people are talking about, speaking to me here and now. 00:09:55.039 --> 00:10:00.879 And so Jesus then gave him the instructions, I want you to go into Damascus, and trust that I'll do the rest, basically. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:14.399 And so Paul, blind, went into Damascus, and the Lord spoke to a man named Ananias and told Ananias, I want you to go find Paul, lay your hands on him, and um heal him. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:25.600 And so Ananias, confused, you know, Paul isn't this a man who persecutes Christians, trusted the Lord and went, laid hands on Paul in the place that he was at. 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:31.039 And the Bible says that scales fell from his eyes, and Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:34.559 So now Paul was a new creation. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:42.879 After that encounter, Paul entered the space, pinter entered many spaces as the new person. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:48.720 People knew him before as the man who was the persecutor of Christians. 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:56.639 And honestly, if I had to put myself into Paul's shoes, he was just as human as you and I. 00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:07.360 Um, if I'm putting myself into his shoes, when God had called him to the ministry of being apostle, I can't help but imagine all of the things that he came up with in his mind as excuses. 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:08.799 Lord, why me? 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:10.320 Are people gonna believe me? 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:12.639 Are they gonna listen to what I have to say? 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:15.919 I know who I was, and I'm kind of ashamed that I was in the wrong. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:30.000 Like all of these things as human that he was probably going through in his mind, many distrusting him, being opposing of his message, he could have given in and been paralyzed by shame, insecurity, and feelings of inadequacy. 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:33.600 Yet he led with a Christ-like humility. 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:49.200 Paul ministered with a remarkable humility and confidence, not because he believed in himself, or maybe because he didn't believe in himself, but because he believed in Christ, the one who saved him when he did not deserve the saving. 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:52.159 We are called to do the same. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:57.679 Every single one of you are called to do the same. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:04.159 It is important to remember that our confidence is found only in Christ. 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:08.320 Our confidence is found only in Christ. 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:23.759 This is important to remember because if our confidence comes from our abilities, our accomplishments, or other people's approval, we will find ourselves worn out, exhausted, and not standing in who we are called to be. 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:34.399 But with Christ, we can faithfully step into whatever he calls us to do, representing him in everything that we do. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:38.639 If you will, if you have your Bibles with you, I'd love for you to open them up this morning. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:44.559 And we are gonna read a verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 12, and we'll start in verse 9. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:53.120 This is Paul addressing the Corinthian church, and when he where we're starting out is he's he is telling them about something that God had spoken to him. 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:57.440 So 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 9 says this. 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:02.480 Okay. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:10.559 But he said to me, again, this is God speaking to Paul, my grace is sufficient for you. 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:15.120 For my power is made perfect in weakness. 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:26.000 And then Paul goes on to say, Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:38.320 For the sake of Christ, then I am content in my weaknesses, my hardships, my persecutions, and calamities and insults. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.679 I don't think I said that on. 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:44.000 For when I am weak, then I am strong. 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:47.679 For when I am weak, then I am strong. 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:52.960 Rather than hiding his weakness, he boasts in it. 00:13:54.320 --> 00:14:03.039 Paul knew his identity and strength came from the Lord, and he had discovered that when we are weak, God's strength is exemplified. 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:06.639 When we are weak, God's strength is exemplified. 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:14.320 So also keeping in mind, every place that he stepped into, he had every opportunity to come up with excuses as to why he shouldn't. 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:22.559 But he knew that God had called him, and he knew that in his humanness, in his humanity, God was made strong. 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:27.919 So I want to ask the room another question, but you don't have to raise your hand for this one. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:33.519 Um just something I want you to keep in mind as we go throughout the rest of our time this morning together. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:41.039 I want to ask the room, where in our lives do we show up, assuming what others may think of us? 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:44.399 I know I do in a lot of places. 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:56.080 Um where do we allow our insecurities to become more important than showing up with the confidence in the one who called us and qualifies us? 00:14:57.840 --> 00:15:03.759 We cannot strive for the approval of others when we already have the approval of the one who saved us. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:10.399 The title of my message today is an invitation to weakness. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:15.279 An invitation to weakness. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:19.679 God has a plan for your life. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:23.360 He has something specific for each and every one of you. 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:29.200 Sometimes it's stepping into new places, and sometimes it's in the place that you already are. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:34.399 God has a calling on your life, he has a purpose for you. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:38.399 And what does that look like to lean into it? 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:46.320 Letting go of what we think qualifies us and standing true to who actually qualifies us. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:52.000 I have three steps for us today that I believe will help as a guideline as we walk out of here. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:16:02.720 In order to fully discover our confidence in Christ and live according to his plan in our lives, we need to know our God-given identity. 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:06.559 You need to know your God-given identity. 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:11.279 I'm gonna take a drink of water. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:17.919 I feel like the drinking the water part is like the most awkward part. 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.480 Okay. 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:20.639 Um, I'm like, can you hear me swallow? 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.360 I hope not. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:21.840 Okay. 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:27.039 Um, okay, know your God-given identity. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:32.320 Our identity is not in what we do or a title that we hold. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:36.240 It is not in what we do or a title that we hold. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:40.879 It also is not in found in the opinions of what someone else thinks about us. 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:43.600 That is not where our identity is found. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:47.759 It is found in being a son and a daughter of God. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:51.840 You are a son and a daughter of God. 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:56.080 And knowing more of your God-given identity is knowing more of God Himself. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:17:02.799 The more that you know God, the more you dig into your word, the more that you know who he has called you to be. 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:06.000 You have to know your God-given identity in him. 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:09.920 Jesus came so that we could be made new. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:16.000 Die through our old ways, and be made new in the sacrifice that he made for us on the cross. 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:23.119 2 Corinthians 5.17 says, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new creation. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:26.720 The old life is gone and the new life has begun. 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.920 Thank you, Lord. 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.440 Yes, Lord. 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.119 Yes. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:33.039 He is so good. 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:36.640 Paul knew where his identity came from. 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:38.960 He knew where his identity came from. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:43.759 It was not the on-paper education that he had, and we'll talk about that here in a moment. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:48.559 It was not the amount of people who accepted Christ after he brought the word. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:52.880 His identity was not found in the amount of people who told him, Good job. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:56.720 And it was not found in the amount of people who insulted his efforts either. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:04.400 His identity was found in the one who saved him when he did not deserve the saving. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:07.119 Just like you and just like me. 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:11.039 I did not deserve it, yet he freely gave it to me. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:13.200 And for that I am so grateful. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:22.799 There is a point in Philippians 3, though, where Paul goes on to talk about all of the ways that he is qualified: his education, the way he grew up, the people he knew, all the things. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:30.880 And then he punctuates his statement by saying, I used to count this all as such valuable things to be. 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:38.160 I used to count this all as value, yet now I consider it all garbage compared to knowing Christ. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:43.519 All of that, all of his qualifications mean nothing compared to knowing Christ. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:47.839 And when he knows Christ, he knows who he is in Christ. 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:59.599 Knowing Jesus and who we are in him is what gives us the confidence to show up without letting our ideas of success or insecurities be at the forefront. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:02.880 Remembering that we are all sinners saved by grace. 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:12.799 Now, the Lord, as I said a few moments ago, has all called us to something, somewhere, someone, someplace. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:18.720 And yes, there are things that we walk through in life that qualify us. 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:22.559 Education, experience, those things are valuable. 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:26.319 But there are also things, well, let me let me phrase it this way. 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:34.960 In the places that we step into, it can be easy to walk in and let the things that we've accomplished puff us up and we become prideful about those things. 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:38.559 I've done this, I've been here, I've said this, I know this. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:42.480 Again, the Lord prepares us for where he puts us. 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:46.799 So we don't want to come in prideful into new places that he calls us into. 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:57.440 But if you would go with me here for a moment, I want to present the thought that our insecurities are just as prideful as our accomplishments. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:06.720 And I say that because whenever we're talking about our accomplishments and seeing that as what qualifies us to be somewhere, we're looking at ourselves. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:09.920 We're looking at ourselves rather than the one who qualified us. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:18.559 But if we're looking at our insecurities, when God calls us into a new place and he says, I want you to go here, and we say, No, I don't think I can do it. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:22.480 Because I can't this, and I don't do this well, and I don't do this well. 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:28.000 I'm I'm really looking more at myself than I am at the one who's called me. 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:30.640 And so I just want to challenge the room today. 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:34.480 When God calls you, he'll prepare you, he'll equip you, he'll be with you. 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:39.119 But the things that you think hold you back are not the things that the Lord sees that hold you back. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:44.960 And so you need to step into where he's called you, what he's called you to do, and how he's called you to do it with him. 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:49.039 Laying down your insecurities. 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:54.720 Insecurity, in a way, highlights ourselves as the source rather than God as the source. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.400 He is our source. 00:20:56.640 --> 00:21:00.640 I love when Paul mentions Jesus in Philippians 2, 5 through 8. 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:05.200 He says this you must have the same attitude. 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.000 Yeah. 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:09.599 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:15.920 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:24.400 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges, he took the humble position of a slave, and was born as a human being. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:30.960 When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:36.720 Jesus had every reason to walk into those rooms and be like, Do you know who I am? 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:40.400 I mean, Jesus had no reason to be insecure, so we're setting that aside for a second. 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:45.440 He knew who he was and he knew who he belonged to, yet he came as a human. 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:47.599 And as humans, we are weak. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:50.960 And he allowed the Lord to move through him. 00:21:51.920 --> 00:22:01.599 There is a quote from a theologian that I love, and it says, Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of Of yourself less. 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.640 It is not thinking less of yourself. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.240 Remember, you're a child of God. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.599 Remember your identity. 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:09.599 Remember who you are in Him. 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:12.880 Not thinking of yourself less, but just thinking of yourself less. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.240 Thinking less of yourself. 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.279 Yeah, you're with me. 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:15.920 You're there. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.200 You're there. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.039 Moving on. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:31.440 This means that when God asks us to step into a new space, we need to empty ourselves of what we think qualifies us, what we think defines us, and recognize that without Jesus, we would not be a new creation. 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.680 And we need to find our identity in Him. 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:37.759 So after we know our God-given identity, what comes next? 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:42.880 We need to let our weakness produce dependence. 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:48.559 You need to let your weakness produce dependence. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:55.119 Paul talks about being content in his weaknesses, knowing that when he is weak, he is strong. 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:57.200 This feels like an oxymoron. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:03.519 Like the world that we live in today is very much so, I got this. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.799 I know all the answers. 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:09.359 And if I don't know the answers, then I'm not gonna let you know. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:13.279 Because I don't want to look like I don't want to look weak. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:17.200 I don't know about you, but I've definitely been there. 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.960 I've definitely been there. 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:24.960 Weakness is it's unique. 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:27.440 God's kingdom is not a heavenly kingdom. 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:36.880 The way that God reigns and his authority feels opposite to what we might do here on earth, but weakness, weakness is an invitation from the Lord. 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:45.680 Because when we know his, when we know our identity in him, we know who we belong to, then we know that we can't do anything without him. 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:51.200 So I want to just separate out what is the difference between insecurity and weakness for a moment. 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:54.480 Insecurity says, God can't use me. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:00.960 God can't use me in my workplace. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.640 Well, they're not believers around me. 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.359 God can't use me. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:03.680 I don't know. 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:07.359 I don't want to, I don't want to embarrass myself, or I'm not a great communicator. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:09.119 God can't use me in that way. 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.680 Never say never. 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.200 The Lord's funny. 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.640 He's funny. 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:17.839 Umsecurity says, God can't use me. 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:21.839 But weakness says, God, I need you. 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:28.319 God, I need you in this workplace where no one around me is a believer and they're a little crazy. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:34.400 God, I need you in my school that I go to and in the people that I'm talking to in my classroom. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.519 I need you. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:43.680 God, I need you when I'm going into Starbucks and I see the person you want me to talk to and pray with, and I don't want to do it, but I need your strength with me. 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:46.079 I need you. 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:48.880 God, I need your help because I need to do these dishes. 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:51.200 Like, come on, like, we need him in everything. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.559 We need him in everything. 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:55.440 Paul never claimed to be self-sufficient. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:58.240 He never claimed to be self-sufficient. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:03.440 Instead, he constantly openly acknowledged his dependence on God in everything. 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.880 In everything. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:13.200 Many of us, including myself, truly, including myself, because I am so human. 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:19.200 We try to compensate for insecurity by pretending to have everything together. 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:22.319 But scripture paints a different picture. 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:28.079 God's power is the most visible when we admit our need for Him. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:40.720 2 Corinthians 9, when I had mentioned a few moments ago, God had spoken to Paul and said, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:49.039 Now in verse 8, or the the the verses leading up to this one verse, um, Paul's talking about having a thorn in his side. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:54.799 Something that keeps him utterly dependent on God in everything that he does. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.359 That's called being human. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:06.799 This thorn in his side, we don't know exactly what it is, but I truly believe that in everything he did, every space he walked into, it kept him dependent on God. 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:09.200 God, I can't do this without you. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:11.279 I can't walk into this room without you. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.200 I can't do this without you. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.319 I need you. 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:16.079 I need you. 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:21.279 Our weakness and humanity does not disqualify us. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:26.000 It does not disqualify us, especially by kingdom standards. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:28.559 God wants to move through that. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:33.119 Our weakness becomes opportunity for God's strength to be displayed. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:38.240 I also want to acknowledge that Paul had many friends in his missionary journey. 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:44.079 He had people that prayed with him, that celebrated with him, that did ministry alongside him. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:59.599 And this tells me that not only did Paul know that he had to lean on God's strength when he was weak, but it also tells me that he needed people around him to lean on whenever he needed that physical strength around him as well. 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:03.119 The same is for you and for me. 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:05.920 We need people around us. 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:09.759 Going back to a few minutes ago, I think we live in a world where it's like, I got it all together. 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.640 I'm fine. 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:12.079 Don't worry about me. 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:19.920 No, we need people in our lives to come alongside us when we are weak to physically show the strength of God in our lives. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:22.079 We're the body of Christ, y'all. 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:30.240 We carry his presence with us, we carry his strength within us whenever we allow him to move through us, and so we need community. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:32.240 You need community. 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:42.559 I know that community in my life has been so valuable, has been so humbling, has been so grounding to remind me of who I am in Christ. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:46.480 We need that around us, and I think Paul did that beautifully. 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:48.319 So get in a group. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.920 You guys hear me? 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:51.839 Find a group of friends, you guys. 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:56.880 Find somebody that you can just connect with, that you can have fun with and get real with. 00:27:57.200 --> 00:28:01.680 Truly, it is such a blessing, and it has it has impacted and changed my life. 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.559 It truly has. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:04.640 And my people know who my people are. 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.920 So I love y'all. 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:09.920 Um weakness is God's invitation to us. 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:16.000 The places where we feel least capable are often the places where we learn to depend on Him the most. 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:19.200 I love how Jonathan Pakluda says it. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:25.599 He says, if dependency is your goal, then weakness is your advantage. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.240 Philippians 3.3. 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:30.480 For it is we who are the circumcision. 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:33.920 We, you, me, us, we are the set apart. 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:41.039 We who serve God by his spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh. 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.240 One more participation. 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.440 What confidence? 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.799 No confidence. 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.359 Thank you. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:47.200 I feel a little bit at home. 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:51.680 Um our weakness is God's vessel for greatness. 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:54.720 And I do not just mean whenever we're walking through something hard. 00:28:54.880 --> 00:29:01.680 I mean that it takes us laying down our insecurities, our accomplishments, and everything in between at the feet of Jesus daily. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:04.880 Daily, so that he can move through us. 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:12.000 When we stop trying to be strong and have it all together, we stop exalting ourselves and we start exalting the Savior. 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:14.000 And isn't that the goal of life? 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:17.839 Isn't it the goal just to have everything actually point back to him? 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:20.880 That's my goal, and I hope that's your goal. 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:30.319 Remember, even Jesus had every opportunity to come in strength, yet he came as a human and he allowed God to move through his weakness. 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:34.880 It was simply through his weakness that God worked miraculously through him. 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:44.799 So after we know our God-given identity, and also these steps are something that I have to practice every day. 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:49.599 Every day, I need to wake up and remember who I am in Christ. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:51.039 Lord, what is my identity? 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.319 Who have you called me to be? 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.200 A child of God. 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.559 Okay, okay. 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:57.279 Lord, make me weak before you. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:30:03.119 I admit that I'm weak and I need your strength, so I need to let my weakness produce dependence on you. 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:07.279 So once we know our God-given identity, let our weakness produce dependence. 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:10.079 We then need to move forward in faith. 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:14.000 We need to move forward in faith. 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:18.400 Again, those places that the Lord has called you to. 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:25.599 New, maybe not new, there is a reason that you are in the season that you are in. 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.599 There is a purpose in it. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.839 The Lord has something for you in it. 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:32.480 The Lord wants to do something through you in it. 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:38.960 You need to know your God-given identity, allow him to move through your weakness, and then you need to move forward in faith. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:44.160 Knowing your identity and depending on God must ultimately lead to action. 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:51.119 He has a plan for each and every one of us, and the biggest one is this it is the Great Commission. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:56.720 Matthew 28, 18, 18, 18, 18 through 20. 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:58.480 Sorry, I'm making fun of myself. 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:01.279 18 through 20 says this. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:09.039 Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:14.000 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations. 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:18.880 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:23.759 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you and be sure of this. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:26.400 I am with you always. 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:28.559 Even to the end of the age. 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.960 Do any of you do them with your kids? 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:37.839 I bet you do. 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.119