WEBVTT 00:00:24.059 --> 00:00:25.980 Good to see you all this morning. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:32.859 I apologize for the rain this past week to make this Sunday feel very gloomy, but we are in the house of God this morning. 00:00:33.019 --> 00:00:35.740 In his presence, we find freedom and joy. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:38.140 And so I'm excited to be with you this morning. 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:41.420 Um thank you for worshiping with us this Memorial Day weekend. 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:45.579 You could have been anywhere else this weekend, but you decided to stay in Bowling Green. 00:00:45.740 --> 00:00:47.659 And God bless you with rain. 00:00:47.899 --> 00:00:49.179 Praise the Lord. 00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:50.700 My name is Derek Spencer. 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:53.579 If we have not met, I'm the student pastor here at Real Life Church. 00:00:53.740 --> 00:00:59.979 And uh over the next couple weeks, you will not get to see Pastor Brandon here, as our pastor is currently on sabbatical. 00:01:00.140 --> 00:01:03.259 And so last week Pastor Chris uh taught an amazing message. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:05.420 This week, hopefully, it's an amazing message. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:10.060 Uh, in the next two weeks, we have an amazing guest speaker of Brandon Gillam that will be speaking as well. 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:15.180 And so uh while Pastor Brandon is on sabbatical, please don't go on sabbatical yourself. 00:01:15.259 --> 00:01:20.939 Uh please keep coming back and worshiping with us because we love having you with us here at Real Life Church. 00:01:21.020 --> 00:01:24.140 Uh, we're gonna continue in our series this morning called One Church. 00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:28.939 If you are taking notes with you this morning, this is part two of our series that we're gonna be doing. 00:01:29.020 --> 00:01:38.620 Uh last week, Pastor Chris talked about the word of God and the importance of the word of God and how it truly shapes our life and it's the foundation of everything that we do in life. 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:45.180 And so we're gonna continue on in this series this morning when it comes to the church, one church. 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:48.460 And I'm excited to uh speak to you all about that this morning. 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:50.699 Before we get into it, I got two quick announcements. 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:57.500 First off, uh, Student Life Church Camp is right around the corner, it is just in a couple weeks. 00:01:57.740 --> 00:02:00.300 This is for our sixth through 12th graders. 00:02:00.539 --> 00:02:06.379 This was our picture of last year from camp, and this year we currently have 43 students signed up for camp. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:08.379 That is a lot of students. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:13.259 So pray for the leaders that are going with these sixth through 12th graders. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:14.860 Six through twelfth graders. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:16.860 And so we're very excited about it. 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:19.819 Uh, the registration opportunity is still open. 00:02:19.900 --> 00:02:26.379 So if you have a student in this age range right here, we encourage you to still sign up uh for camp. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:32.459 I talked to uh so many kids, and a lot of times they're like, I'm not really sure if I want to go to camp. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:33.819 Um, I don't I don't know. 00:02:33.979 --> 00:02:37.099 And then I talk to their parents, and like, oh yeah, they're definitely going. 00:02:37.579 --> 00:02:41.579 So if if your student is in that same boat, just sign your student up. 00:02:41.659 --> 00:02:43.259 They don't know what's best for them. 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:45.419 Let's help them grow in the Lord. 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:47.659 And so we're super excited about this. 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:55.579 If you do have a student that is signed up for this next Sunday after second service, we are going to be having a parent meeting about camp. 00:02:55.659 --> 00:03:00.379 This is gonna go over our packets, the packing list, the expectations, and what we're gonna be doing for that. 00:03:00.459 --> 00:03:05.579 So please make sure you stay after second service next week so we can go over the parent meeting. 00:03:05.739 --> 00:03:08.699 Secondly, today we are previewing life groups. 00:03:08.859 --> 00:03:11.180 How many of you love being a part of life groups? 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:14.699 Well, if you don't, that's kind of what our message is about today. 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:16.620 So hopefully by the end you do. 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:21.739 And so um, life group previews have started up already. 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:26.219 Um, and here in a couple weeks, we're gonna be getting into the swing of this semester. 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:32.060 Um, you can find the life groups in the back wall and against the um the curtains, you can find them up front. 00:03:32.139 --> 00:03:34.379 They're everywhere, they're in the kids' life check-in area. 00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:45.979 Please make sure you check out these life groups this semester because summertime is so busy, and if we don't make this thing a priority, then eventually we're just like feeling all over the place. 00:03:46.060 --> 00:03:48.459 But it's important that we get plugged into the people around us. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:52.139 Uh, I am connected to a life group that happens on Tuesday nights. 00:03:52.299 --> 00:04:01.979 It is a basketball life group, and I absolutely love playing against Andrew Todd in Life Group every single week because I enjoy beating him in basketball. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:04.459 No, it's a good time. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:13.259 So if you're not connected to a life group, find a community, find people that you can get connected with so you can go and make a difference with each other this semester. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:19.819 So, this morning I want to ask you a question before we get into uh the message, and you can write this down if your notes if you'd like. 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:22.620 But what is your mission in life? 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:25.259 What is your mission in life? 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:37.100 You know, a lot of times I feel like from the moment you enter 10th grade until truly like the rest of your life, people are constantly asking this question, and it becomes a very common question. 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:40.139 What are you going to do with your life and what is your mission? 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:41.740 Is it to make a lot of money? 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:43.500 Is it to be a professional athlete? 00:04:43.659 --> 00:04:45.339 Is it to be debt-free? 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:47.980 Is it to be successful with your career? 00:04:48.379 --> 00:05:00.860 And so often we look in the mirror and evaluate what we are good at and not good at, and we try to figure out what we want to do as a kid as so that we can be set up for success when we're 30, 40 plus years old. 00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:08.620 And some of us even go to college, get a degree, and most likely the thing that you went to college for, you're not even doing anymore. 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:10.779 Is that anybody's story in here? 00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:14.459 I went to school to be an engineer and somehow I became a youth pastor. 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:16.699 Can't explain it but the will of God. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:25.180 You know, and when we open up the word of God, we start to realize that there is a very clear mission for each and every one of us when we call ourselves believers. 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:28.939 And if you've been around here long enough, you should be very aware of that mission. 00:05:29.099 --> 00:05:34.139 And the mission of the Bible is simple: it's go and make disciples. 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:35.899 Go and make disciples. 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:43.579 And the thing that's important here to point out is disciples are not a what, but rather a who. 00:05:44.219 --> 00:05:47.099 Disciples are not a what, but rather a who. 00:05:47.579 --> 00:06:01.819 And when you get saved and you read through the word, you start to experience something where you become so passionate for a mission for the disciples around you, so that you can go and make disciples rather than a specific thing that you're supposed to be doing along the way. 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:05.019 So instead of asking the question, what is your mission in life? 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:09.420 You should ask the question, who is your mission in life? 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:11.500 Who is your mission in life? 00:06:11.659 --> 00:06:22.860 And I feel like it confuses us so often in this world that we live in because unfortunately, people expect us to do a specific thing rather than seeing a specific person. 00:06:23.980 --> 00:06:25.259 Who is your mission in life? 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:27.980 Is it the college student who's struggling to get by? 00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:49.899 The single mom who's just trying to make it one more day, the young boy with no father figure in their life, the co-worker that is struggling just to get out of bed, the retired neighbor that just needs cared for, the kids you're trying to raise, the person you see every day on your way to work, the teacher who teaches your kids throughout the year. 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:57.980 See, when you follow the mission of the Bible, it's not about what you are doing, but rather who you are seeing. 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:08.139 And far too often we get so caught up in what we are doing rather than who we are seeing and the people that God has placed in front of us in our everyday life. 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:14.540 See, I believe that your purpose in life, church, is to know God and to make him known. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:19.500 Your purpose in life is to know God and make him known. 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:30.620 It's not to go get a specific career, it's not a it's not specifically to go achieve a specific thing, but your very specific purpose in life is to know God and make him known. 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:38.379 And your calling and your mission in life is wherever God places you and whoever is in front of you or next to you. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:42.540 Can I tell you that the person next to you right now is your mission in life? 00:07:42.779 --> 00:07:45.899 You can go and slap them on the leg, nut, give them a little nudge. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:51.819 And if my wife was up here with me, she would hit me so hard and say, Yes, you are my mission in life. 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:54.540 The person next to you is your mission in life. 00:07:54.779 --> 00:07:57.019 The person across the room is your mission in life. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:08:00.620 The people in next service are your mission in life. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:06.060 If you have kids, the kids in the kids' life area are your mission in life. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:08.860 Your coworkers, your mission in life. 00:08:09.099 --> 00:08:14.620 Every person you encounter, God has placed in your life as a mission. 00:08:15.099 --> 00:08:20.139 Your purpose and calling was never about you, church, but other people around you. 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:26.620 Your purpose and calling was never about you, but the people around you. 00:08:27.099 --> 00:08:31.819 So, what can God do through you for others? 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:38.940 This morning we are talking about community, and I believe that you are going to find your community through your mission. 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:41.580 What's your mission in life? 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:44.620 Rather, who is your mission in life? 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:51.100 And once you see the who that's around you, it'll easily clarify what your mission is in your everyday life. 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:56.300 Everyone, I believe, in my personal opinion, wants to be a part of some type of community. 00:08:56.700 --> 00:09:01.340 Everyone wants to be loved, everyone wants to be seen, and everyone wants to be known. 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:08.620 And in a godly community, I believe that you can receive that and also give that as well. 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:11.100 Community is mission-minded. 00:09:11.260 --> 00:09:22.300 When you are doing things intentionally, working out, eating healthy, enjoying certain sports, kids are doing activities, you naturally find people who are doing similar things. 00:09:22.540 --> 00:09:24.860 The person that goes to the gym at 4 a.m. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:27.660 does not find someone who doesn't enjoy working out. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:30.940 They find someone who enjoys working out that early. 00:09:31.180 --> 00:09:40.620 And when you're mission-minded for Christ, when you're pursuing making disciples, can I tell you, you find a community that's also doing the same thing? 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:48.460 When you are pursuing God and going to make disciples, you naturally find people that are doing the same mission. 00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:54.140 And unfortunately, I think when we talk about joining a life group, I've been in church my entire life. 00:09:54.300 --> 00:09:58.460 Since I was a kid, as long as I can remember, I've been in church my entire life. 00:09:58.620 --> 00:10:08.620 And unfortunately, when talking about joining a life group or being a part of a community, I think we know we should be a part of one, but man, it can be a lot of work. 00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:10.060 Right? 00:10:10.540 --> 00:10:16.940 We're busy, we're afraid to open up, or simply it's just not a priority in our life. 00:10:17.180 --> 00:10:22.460 Can I tell you that's something that I find very similar when it comes to being a part of godly community? 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:24.060 That's flossing. 00:10:25.020 --> 00:10:27.340 Does anybody like to floss around here? 00:10:27.900 --> 00:10:30.300 We got one person who likes to floss in here. 00:10:31.180 --> 00:10:33.660 We don't have any dental hygienists in here, do we? 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:34.620 Praise God. 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:35.900 Just kidding. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:40.860 I feel like going to the dentist is like an exam I'm going to fail every single time. 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:46.780 Every time I go to the dentist, I make sure I floss and brush my teeth right before they give me a cleaning for my teeth. 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:48.300 I want to pass the exam. 00:10:48.540 --> 00:10:51.340 Is anybody else do that or am I by myself here? 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:54.940 And I feel like a godly community is similar to flossing. 00:10:55.340 --> 00:11:01.500 We know we should be doing this and we know we should be a part of one, but sometimes it feels like a hassle. 00:11:01.660 --> 00:11:10.140 It seems unnecessary, it seems tedious until you have decay built up and you realize you have a big problem. 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:13.660 You haven't been doing the things that you were supposed to be doing. 00:11:13.900 --> 00:11:17.900 You didn't do the things necessary to have a community. 00:11:18.140 --> 00:11:21.580 So when hard times come, you don't know who to turn to. 00:11:21.900 --> 00:11:23.900 You start blaming people around you. 00:11:24.140 --> 00:11:26.460 You blame the church for not looking out for you. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:33.340 And ultimately blame God when in all reality you didn't do the necessary things to stop the decay. 00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:40.780 So this morning, I want to talk to you about the importance of godly community and flossing. 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:42.780 Just kidding. 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:44.860 That's my only point about flossing. 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:49.820 In Acts chapter 2, Pastor Chris talked on this last week. 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:51.980 This is kind of our theme scripture we're doing. 00:11:52.220 --> 00:12:05.340 In Acts chapter 2, verse 42, it says, All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings and to fellowship and to sharing in meals, including the Lord's Lord's Supper, and to prayer. 00:12:06.300 --> 00:12:15.420 When I read something like this, this sounds like an amazing opportunity that people are getting together to learn, that they're coming together from all different types of backgrounds. 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.700 They're eating together. 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:25.500 I don't know about you, but I love to have food with people because some people are really good cooks, and sometimes it just breaks the ice on what even to talk about. 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.940 Man, this food's so good. 00:12:27.020 --> 00:12:28.379 Yeah, I agree. 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:33.580 And this is kind of how I would love to be a part of a community as well. 00:12:33.900 --> 00:12:38.780 But you have to ask the question how do you become a part of a community like this? 00:12:39.020 --> 00:12:43.340 How can we get on this mission with other believers in Jesus? 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:50.860 And thankfully, the Bible is so relatable that there was someone actually there actually asked the same question. 00:12:51.180 --> 00:13:01.340 See, after Peter spoke a message about Jesus and inspired by the Holy Spirit, he stepped up and gave an amazing message of salvation. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.700 And this is what happened. 00:13:02.780 --> 00:13:03.660 You ready for this? 00:13:03.900 --> 00:13:15.180 It says in Acts chapter 2, verse 37, Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to other apostles, brothers, what should we do? 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:23.500 Thank you for telling us the message of salvation, but I want to take that next step and I need to know what do I do? 00:13:23.900 --> 00:13:29.900 And I believe there's people around us when we tell the message of salvation are actually asking that question as well. 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:37.180 And we need to be prepared on what it means to truly be a part of the godly community that God has for each and every ever each and every one of us. 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:39.420 What should we do to be a part of this? 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:44.060 And to be a part of a godly community, I believe it starts with repentance. 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:46.140 It starts inwardly. 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:52.060 And I'm sorry because a couple weeks ago I also preached a message about repentance, but you know, we're here for it. 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:55.100 It's a pretty common thing in the Bible, you know. 00:13:56.060 --> 00:14:11.260 It starts with repentance, it starts inwardly, not looking around us to the people around us and asking all the questions about everybody else, but looking inwardly and saying, God, how can I be more like you and less like myself truly? 00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:15.660 In Acts chapter 37, after this man asked, What should we do? 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:22.540 Peter replied simply by saying, Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God. 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:27.580 I believe that true repentance does not end with words of confession. 00:14:27.900 --> 00:14:33.100 It must lead to changed attitude and a correct, corrected behavior. 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:45.180 If we are going to be people of God in a godly community, chasing after the mission of making disciples, then we must repent of our actions and fully surrender our desires and motives to God. 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:52.620 When we turn to God, the heart posture gets our eyes off ourselves and fully on God. 00:14:52.780 --> 00:15:02.860 And when God starts to call on us to do certain things, we're no longer looking at our own desires and our own needs, but we start looking at what God's desire is for our everyday life. 00:15:03.180 --> 00:15:15.660 God, whatever you call us to, and to whoever you want us to speak to, that we would be mission and community-minded to make a difference in the people around us in our everyday life. 00:15:16.140 --> 00:15:23.020 And that we would think of Jesus more than ourselves and more than other people. 00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:31.020 That's why I believe in the scriptures in John chapter 3 it says he must increase so I may increase, decrease. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:35.500 Less of me and more of Jesus in my everyday life. 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:41.500 Forgive us for our motives, for always trying to look out for our own needs rather than the people around us. 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:47.420 Forgive us for constantly thinking other people need to step up in the community rather than ourselves. 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:55.260 What a privilege it is to be a part of a godly community and the gift that repentance brings into the mission. 00:15:55.580 --> 00:16:03.580 That we would no longer wait for others to be in charge, but we would take a look in the mirror and be the change that we want to see in the world. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:08.940 Now, there was a popular artist, you may or may not have heard of him a couple years ago named Michael Jackson. 00:16:09.020 --> 00:16:14.540 There's a movie that's out of him right now, and I'm pretty sure he wrote a song about this as well. 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:18.860 And I think it goes like this I'm starting with the man in the mirror. 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:24.620 I'm asking him to change his ways, and no message could it be any clearer. 00:16:24.780 --> 00:16:30.060 If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change. 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:45.980 We got to take a look in the mirror and say, who do we want to see in our society? 00:16:46.140 --> 00:16:49.740 And if we want to see the change, then we gotta start with ourselves. 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:53.180 And this is exactly what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 5. 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:58.780 Why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? 00:16:59.020 --> 00:17:05.660 How can you think of saying to your friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye when you can't get past the log in your own eye? 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.859 Hypocrites. 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:13.180 First get rid of the log in your own eye, then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:19.500 Church, we must stop looking at everyone else's sin and repent of our own. 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.299 Can I tell you? 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:26.779 You and I are both aware that there's a lot of sin in our world. 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:33.819 But there is also sin inside of us that we must repent of. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:40.619 Romans chapter 3 says, For everyone has sinned, we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:45.659 Yet God in his grace freely makes us right in his sight. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:55.980 The very first thing we got to do to make a difference in the godly community is that we got to repent. 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.740 We have to look inwardly. 00:17:57.980 --> 00:18:03.500 God, that I would get my eyes off of everything else around me, all the people around me, and say, you know what? 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:06.779 I want to surrender my heart to you, God. 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.460 If you call me here, I'll do it. 00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:10.539 If you call me to talk to this person, I'll do it. 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:16.059 God, I repent of my selfish motives so I can be more like you and less like me. 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:25.819 If we want to make a difference in the godly community and be mission-minded with and for the people around us, then we must repent. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:29.659 It's a simple phrase, right? 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:39.419 But it's an everyday battle that we would pick up our cross daily and be more like Him and say, God, remove all the sin that's in my life. 00:18:39.659 --> 00:18:45.500 Number two, Godly community doesn't just start inwardly, it starts outwardly with effort. 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:47.419 You gotta put in some effort. 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:49.099 You gotta put in some effort. 00:18:49.179 --> 00:18:59.819 In godly community, it's not just repenting inwardly, but then once God cleans you from the inside, it should naturally go to the outside. 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:05.819 The rest of the scripture continues that Peter was replying when he the man asked, What should we do? 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:16.220 Peter replied, Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:18.859 How many of you love baptism around here? 00:19:19.179 --> 00:19:19.659 How many? 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.819 We got a couple people. 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:25.339 How many love baptism around here? 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.539 That's better. 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:27.659 We're waking up now. 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:29.259 We're getting there, church. 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:40.700 See, I believe that disciples were to baptize people because baptism unites believers with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and resurrection to life. 00:19:40.939 --> 00:19:49.740 Baptism symbolizes submission to Jesus as Lord, a willingness to live God's way and to identify with God's people. 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:58.220 That I'm gonna go public and say, you know what, my life's been changed from the inside out, and I got to share it with the world. 00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:22.460 But here's the thing, church, if you've been baptized before, you may have realized this quickly after you get baptized and you have a sincere heart surrender to God, God is going to continue to work on you, on those things that are hidden and pain points that are inside because he wants to heal you from the inside out. 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:24.779 This is called sanctification. 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:38.700 When we are in godly community and mission-minded for and with the people around us, can I tell you, church, we need to be fully surrendered to a holy lifestyle that we do not create on our own. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:43.019 We don't create the standard, the word of God does. 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:46.700 And we learned about that last week with Pastor Chris's message. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:49.099 We don't create the standard, the word of God does. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:51.740 We don't lead the way, the Holy Spirit does. 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:56.059 Wherever the wind blows of the Holy Spirit, we will follow and be in submission. 00:20:56.700 --> 00:21:01.819 And when we take control of the lead, it leads to disobedience. 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:05.740 Are you noticing a pattern with the Bible, church? 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:17.659 If you've been reading the Bible long enough, you realize that all throughout the Bible, men and women fall into selfish motives when God is trying to do something through them and for the people around them. 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:22.139 Church, we are our worst enemy. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:25.099 We are our own biggest problem. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:31.500 And can I tell you, if self is the problem, self can't be the solution. 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:35.980 We need someone outside of ourself and his name is Jesus. 00:21:37.419 --> 00:21:40.299 If we're the problem, you can't be the solution. 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:43.099 You gotta change something in your everyday life. 00:21:43.419 --> 00:21:46.460 You need someone outside of yourself, and his name is Jesus. 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:54.859 And when we come to Jesus, it seems like we think we have to clean ourselves up on the outside first. 00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:58.379 Working with students, that seems to be the common thing a lot. 00:21:58.460 --> 00:22:01.579 And I think talking with adults, it's also the same thing. 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:09.819 And when we come to godly, when we come to God boldly, just as we are, He will clean us from the inside out. 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:11.259 Aren't you thankful for that? 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:13.179 That you don't have to clean up your life. 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:14.859 We see it, but guess what? 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:17.419 God wants to clean it from the inside out. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:21.980 So we're gonna we're gonna be in a community with you while we work through that with you. 00:22:22.139 --> 00:22:22.779 Amen. 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:31.899 2 Peter 1 3 says, by his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:37.500 He's given us everything we need for a godly life. 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:39.579 We have received all of this. 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.220 How? 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.740 This is the important part. 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.579 By coming to know God. 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:46.700 How have we received the divine power? 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:48.539 By coming to know God. 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:50.619 You know what this scripture means to me, church? 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:53.579 It means that you don't need a new life to live godly right now. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:56.939 You don't need a new family to live godly right now. 00:22:57.179 --> 00:23:01.339 You don't need to move to a different city to live godly right now. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:03.099 You don't need a different job. 00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:05.579 You simply need to know God. 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:12.700 Because once you start to know who God is, you really start to understand your identity and your mission in life. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:19.339 Once you know God, you then realize the person that God has made you to be. 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:22.859 It starts inward and reflects outward. 00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:24.539 So here's the hard part. 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:27.019 There's the question I think all of us have, though. 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:30.220 How do we treat people inside of our community that still mess up? 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:43.500 I think the biggest reason, in my personal opinion, people don't want to be a part of a godly community these days is because I think most people, unfortunately, have been burnt by a godly community. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:51.899 You go to church, you join a life group, you become vulnerable with people, and then people begin to gossip. 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:59.019 You go to church, you open up about a struggle with a pastor, and suddenly you're kicked out of a church. 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:10.779 See, I do believe godly communities should have a holy and godly standard to strive for and very clear expectations. 00:24:11.179 --> 00:24:24.779 But as leaders and Christians inside of the godly community, we should always make it a goal to do it in a godly way, which is godly communities do not give up on each other when we mess up or stumble. 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.659 Aren't you thankful for that? 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:32.220 Isn't it unfortunate that we don't see that very often in our world? 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:36.619 I believe that's one of our hopes and desires here at Real Life Church. 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:43.819 That when we mess up, any of us, that you would realize that we're not gonna give up on you at all. 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:46.139 And why should we be like this? 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:51.899 Because godly communities are mission-minded for people around them. 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:54.379 Is that not God's heart for you? 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:57.819 Is that not what we saw in the story of Jonah? 00:24:57.980 --> 00:25:04.059 When Jonah ran to the exact opposite city and he still showed mercy and he didn't give up on Jonah. 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:20.539 And I believe today, church, if you're in here today and you've been a part of a godly community and you've messed up and you've been kicked out or you've been shamed or in any type of way, I believe here is a place of grace, and we want to see you right where you are, be clean from the inside out, so you can make a difference in the godly community as well. 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:28.859 God wants to restore everything inside of you, and I believe it starts inwardly and then it goes outwardly. 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:36.460 Matthew chapter 7, it says, Do to others, do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:38.859 Church, do you want to stone? 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:41.419 Want to be stoned when you're caught in sin? 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.500 I hope not. 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:47.980 And if not, then why are you hurting your own people? 00:25:48.939 --> 00:25:52.460 Do you want to be looked down upon when you mess up? 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:57.500 If not, then why do we do that instead of lifting people up? 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.899 George, aren't you glad? 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:04.859 Maybe not all of you, but some of you, but aren't you glad you didn't have social media when you were a kid? 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:11.579 I was on like that borderline of Snapchat and stuff, and I'm like, man, those are dangerous for me. 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:16.059 These kids, man, they can get themselves in trouble just by posting stuff. 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:19.819 What if everything you did was recorded and posted online? 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:23.419 And it was still on the internet to this day. 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:32.700 May we look at people around us with the same lens as Christ looks at us and put in effort to lift people up rather than tear them down. 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:43.179 And if you want to be making a difference in a godly community and be mission-minded with and for the people around you, then church, you must put in the effort. 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:45.179 We gotta put in the effort. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:51.819 We gotta repent of our sin inwardly, and then we gotta put in the effort of whatever God has for us next. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.500 We're gonna try again. 00:26:54.059 --> 00:27:00.460 You know those people that you thought hurt you along the way, maybe God's wanting to heal you through different people. 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:05.899 And I hope and I pray that you see this with this godly community here at Real Life Church. 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:10.939 Number three, godly community start with responsibility. 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:18.139 It doesn't just go inward, but then it goes outward and then it goes to others. 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.819 This is the process. 00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:21.740 Inward, outward, others. 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.819 You have a responsibility, church. 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:27.659 After this man asked, what should we do? 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:29.500 Peter gave a very clear answer. 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:34.859 Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sin. 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:38.779 Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.379 Whoo, buddy. 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:44.539 Given the Pentecostal up here, the scripture about the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:48.139 I mean, we were having a shout down this morning during practice. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:53.339 We really did, guys. 00:27:53.579 --> 00:28:05.659 The Holy Spirit is a free gift given to us when coming to salvation that produces fruit and spiritual gifts inside of us so that you can give it to the people around you. 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:09.179 The fruit is not for you to keep. 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:13.579 Wow, God, thank you so much for giving me the fruit of love. 00:28:13.659 --> 00:28:15.659 I can just really love myself now. 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:19.500 Gee, I'm just so thankful I have so much joy for me. 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:23.500 It's not for you, it's for the people around you. 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:31.980 The gifts and the fruit of the Spirit are supposed to be produced in you so they can be used through you for other people. 00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:35.339 What good is a gift? 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:39.099 What good is a free gift from God if we don't give it to others? 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:44.859 Have you ever thought the gifts God has given you weren't just for you? 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:50.139 God has placed gifts in each and every one of you in this room right now. 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:55.099 And have you ever thought they weren't just for you but for other people? 00:28:55.419 --> 00:28:59.500 Where do your gifts overlap with the community and the world's needs? 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:03.259 Because can I tell you you are needed in the community that you're in? 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:18.379 And most likely, if you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit, God has placed you exactly where you are with the gifts and abilities because someone around you needs to be blessed with your God-given gifts. 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:24.700 Far too often we hold back our gifts, though, because it's not our preference. 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:29.099 Well, I don't like the style of music, so why would I be a part of that? 00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:32.779 I don't like the way the pastor preaches, so I'm not really interested. 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:36.220 I don't like how the kids' rooms are even set up for kids' life. 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.659 I just I'm not interested. 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:41.500 I don't like the food that they serve, and if you feel that way, you're crazy. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:46.460 I don't really like the way that they take photos and post it on social media. 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:49.579 Church, use your gifts. 00:29:49.899 --> 00:29:52.859 God has given you to be the change in the world. 00:29:53.419 --> 00:30:00.139 That's why God's given you gifts, not so you can sit there and have it to yourself, but that you can be the change you want to see in the world. 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:05.659 Most of the time, the people of part of something see the problem as well. 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.619 And guess what? 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:08.299 They're trying to make a difference. 00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:13.099 If you want to be a difference, God's already put the gifts inside of you. 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:16.619 You just have to put in the effort and see the responsibility that you actually have. 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:20.379 Because if you don't see it as responsibility, it's actually disobedience. 00:30:21.179 --> 00:30:26.700 Because God wants to use you right where you are to make a difference in the world around you. 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:34.299 Romans chapter 2, or I'm sorry, Romans chapter 12 says, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:40.539 So if God has given you ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:43.419 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:45.659 If you're a teacher, teach well. 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:48.939 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. 00:30:49.179 --> 00:30:51.419 If it's giving, give generously. 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:55.740 If God has given you leadership abilities, take the responsibility seriously. 00:30:55.819 --> 00:31:00.539 And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 00:31:00.939 --> 00:31:09.500 When you are a part of a godly community church, you have a role in making a difference for the mission because your gift is different than others. 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:11.899 Not better, not worse. 00:31:12.139 --> 00:31:12.859 It's different. 00:31:12.939 --> 00:31:13.819 You know why? 00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:18.619 Because you are needed for this mission to reach people around you. 00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:20.139 You are needed. 00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:25.980 And the gift God has placed inside of you and how you see the world, you are needed. 00:31:26.939 --> 00:31:29.019 I love how Francis Chan says it. 00:31:29.179 --> 00:31:36.700 He says, the church is a living, breathing community of broken people centered on Jesus. 00:31:37.659 --> 00:31:41.500 Aren't you thankful that this is the community we're in? 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:46.619 It's living, it's breathing, it's alive, and it's centered on Jesus. 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:50.220 Church, we're just a bunch of broken pieces in the hands of greatness. 00:31:51.019 --> 00:32:02.859 A bunch of broken pieces in the hands of greatness, and God wants to use each and every one of our pain points, all of our problems, all of our struggles along the way so that God can make a difference in you. 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:10.859 He takes into consideration all of our shortcomings we have had and still empowers us for the mission that God has for you. 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:17.659 His mission is so much better than any mission we could ever accomplish on our own. 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:25.899 Anything that you ever strived for, anything that you ever wanted in life, can I tell you that mission is not better than the mission of the gospel? 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:31.579 Godly community is active and engaged with the world around them. 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:43.579 So if you want to make a difference in the godly community and be mission-minded with and for the people around you, then you must embrace the responsibility. 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:56.859 Church, you, I, all of us have a responsibility to use the gifts inside of us to make a difference to the people around you. 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.939 Don't you want to make a difference? 00:32:59.179 --> 00:33:04.700 I don't think anybody wakes up in the morning and they're like, eh, I just don't want to do anything important today. 00:33:04.939 --> 00:33:06.700 I think all of us want to do something important. 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:15.179 And can I tell you, this right here is the most important thing that you'll ever do because you'll realize the person that God has made you the entire time. 00:33:15.419 --> 00:33:32.220 Instead of trying to strive to achieve something and become someone, you can go to God and He'll clean you up from the inside out, and you'll realize the responsibility you have because you'll realize your true identity is founded Him, not in anything that you get or don't get. 00:33:32.939 --> 00:33:36.299 God sees you and He wants you to be a part. 00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:39.579 Can I tell you, church, life group is such an easy opportunity for that? 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:43.740 You're gonna meet people in your group that probably you won't really like. 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:46.220 Because people are people. 00:33:47.419 --> 00:33:56.619 And can I tell you though, God has placed them in your life so that they can make a difference in yours and you can make a difference in them as well. 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:59.339 Serving here is such an easy opportunity. 00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:05.500 Can I tell you, you probably won't like every little thing about every place that you try to serve at? 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.740 But that's the point. 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:15.019 Because God's put a gift inside of you so that you can make a difference and go with the mission of making disciples. 00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:20.940 A godly community has room for your gift, whether you realize it's even a gift or not. 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:36.700 There's some so there's so creative people that I know that sometimes they look at the gifts that they have and they don't even think that it can be used for the gospel of Jesus, and they just don't realize the responsibility that they have and the way that they see the world. 00:34:37.100 --> 00:34:42.700 So the question that I have for you, church, this morning is who will go if you don't? 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:50.059 Who will go if you don't? 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:53.820 Who will start the life group if you don't? 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:57.180 Who will go to life group if you don't? 00:34:57.660 --> 00:35:00.539 Church, if you sign up for a life group, just go. 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:06.140 Who will preach the gospel to your coworkers if you don't? 00:35:06.620 --> 00:35:08.860 Who will start the business if you don't? 00:35:09.180 --> 00:35:13.340 Who will serve the local church if you don't? 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.740 Who will go if you don't? 00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:26.059 You know, I'm in my uh I'm in my Pixar and Disney era with my three kids, and uh this is kind of my closing point. 00:35:26.220 --> 00:35:29.019 Um you know, side thought actually. 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:34.220 Uh isn't it crazy how like streaming services just make you flip through movies so much nowadays? 00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:39.180 Like when I was a kid, I felt like I just watched one movie, and now I'm just watching hundreds of kids' movies. 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:42.059 Anyways, um, we're watching this movie. 00:35:42.140 --> 00:35:43.820 We watched this movie called Finding Nemo. 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:45.980 How many big fans around here finding Nemo? 00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:48.460 Yes, finding Nemo is great. 00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:53.260 I love finding Nemo, and if you don't know the story, I'm sorry I'm about to spoil it for you. 00:35:53.500 --> 00:36:01.420 Um but Nemo is lost, he gets captured and taken by these fishermen, and Marlon is on a mission to go find his son. 00:36:01.580 --> 00:36:05.100 Marlon's his the the dad fish in this story. 00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:11.900 And eventually, along the journey, they ended up meeting together again, and they found themselves heading back to home. 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:17.980 And when they were heading home, they came across this net that was full of fish. 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:24.780 And all of a sudden, inside of this net, they were swimming in all sorts of different directions. 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:28.300 Okay, and Nemo realized something. 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:33.260 He's like, Dad, they gotta swim down, they gotta work together. 00:36:33.820 --> 00:36:38.220 And Nemo just swims in, and Marlon's like, no, son, you can't do it, it's too dangerous. 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:42.539 He's like, No, people gotta realize they gotta swim down. 00:36:42.780 --> 00:36:52.780 So Nemo and Dory go into this net and they find themselves at the top of this net, and they're telling everybody, you gotta tell everybody, swim down, swim down. 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:57.500 Marlon starts chanting to everybody, guys, swim down, swim down. 00:36:57.900 --> 00:37:05.100 And unfortunately, Nemo and Dory are at the very top of this net now, and the net begins to get out of the water a little bit. 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:11.260 And at the very top of the water, I'm sure they were panicking because, man, they got us. 00:37:12.059 --> 00:37:27.100 But what happened was in the net was the people at the bottom of the net started to realize their responsibility for the people on the top, and they started to work together and they started switch, they literally started chanting in the movie. 00:37:27.260 --> 00:37:32.220 Keep swimming, keep swimming, keep swimming. 00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:42.220 And what happened was the fish that were at the top that were started to get above the water got pulled down back into the water, and they realized what was happening with the community around them. 00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:47.420 They realized that they were working together to get out of the mess that we're in. 00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:51.500 Is that not the story of a good community? 00:37:52.860 --> 00:38:04.140 And unfortunately, I think we're kind of like at the very beginning of that scene where a lot of us believers are starting to swim in all different types of ways, trying to accomplish all different types of things. 00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:15.340 But what would happen if we all realize if we just swim down, then this mess that we're in right now, it can break us free and it can change the world around us. 00:38:16.380 --> 00:38:18.380 That's my hope for a godly community. 00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:24.380 And I hope that you have the same thing that you would realize that your mission is not a what, but it's a who. 00:38:24.620 --> 00:38:31.660 And the people that are next to you, across from you, beside you, the people that you work with are your mission in life. 00:38:32.140 --> 00:38:35.019 So, church, keep swimming, please. 00:38:35.260 --> 00:38:37.740 Not for your own sake, but for my sake. 00:38:38.059 --> 00:38:40.940 Because I might be on the one on the top of the net at some point. 00:38:41.100 --> 00:38:45.260 And I'm gonna need you if you're at the bottom of the net to swim down. 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:50.860 And I hope your desire is the same for me, because maybe at some point you might be at the top of the net as well. 00:38:51.100 --> 00:39:02.700 And you might need some brothers and sisters in Christ who are at the bottom of the net just swimming, not swimming in their own direction, but swimming for the sake of the people around you. 00:39:03.019 --> 00:39:23.900 Church, we must repent of our selfish motives, lack of effort, and forsaking our responsibilities and truly surrender inwardly so our actions will change outwardly and make a difference in the world around us for the mission of making disciples in Jesus' name. 00:39:24.780 --> 00:39:27.019 I know this is kind of a tough message this morning. 00:39:27.100 --> 00:39:32.140 It's supposed to be, you know, Pastor Brandon's on sabbatical, you know, the guest speakers are of, you know. 00:39:32.620 --> 00:39:40.780 But I wanted to more than anything encourage and equip you to realize that if you want to truly be a part of a community, you have to put an effort. 00:39:41.100 --> 00:39:43.019 It's the same way with having friendships. 00:39:43.180 --> 00:39:45.980 If you want to have a friend, you need to be a great friend. 00:39:46.140 --> 00:39:48.940 What are you giving rather than receiving? 00:39:49.180 --> 00:39:58.300 And then once that happens, you'll realize that God's placed gifts inside of you for other people around you, and there's gifts inside of them that are also for you. 00:39:58.460 --> 00:39:59.660 That's the body of Christ. 00:39:59.740 --> 00:40:01.260 That's how we build each other up. 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:05.100 Because at the end of the day, we truly need one another, church. 00:40:05.260 --> 00:40:07.340 Do you want to see a change in the world? 00:40:07.580 --> 00:40:08.940 I hope you do. 00:40:09.340 --> 00:40:15.019 Do you want to see a change in the schools, in the workplace, in your family? 00:40:15.900 --> 00:40:19.100 It doesn't, it's it's not a one-person thing. 00:40:19.180 --> 00:40:25.260 It's all of us coming together for the mission of Jesus Christ, which is to make disciples. 00:40:25.580 --> 00:40:29.500 It's not about what you are doing, but rather who you are seeing. 00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:32.460 Church, you can always see people more. 00:40:32.940 --> 00:40:39.820 You can always see people more because there's a community in a world around us that desperately is desiring to be seen. 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:48.300 You sit there and ask questions about somebody, about their life, their story, their family, they're gonna want to tell you because no one in the world is telling anybody. 00:40:48.460 --> 00:40:54.300 What if we, church, as a community were intentional about seeing people around us to say, you know what? 00:40:54.539 --> 00:40:57.900 I see that there's life groups and I see that they've never done it before. 00:40:58.059 --> 00:40:59.260 So you know what I'm gonna do? 00:40:59.420 --> 00:41:01.340 I'm gonna put an effort and encourage them. 00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:03.820 Hey, that's amazing that you're doing the life group. 00:41:03.900 --> 00:41:07.500 And then maybe next semester you do the same thing and they'll do the same thing back to you. 00:41:07.660 --> 00:41:09.100 That's what it's about. 00:41:09.900 --> 00:41:17.420 That we would put our schedules, that we would put our priorities aside and start to realize that when God looks at you, he sees you as a priority. 00:41:17.580 --> 00:41:20.860 So, shouldn't we do the same thing for the people around us? 00:41:21.900 --> 00:41:30.780 Church, if we want to be a godly community, it starts inwardly, goes outwardly, and it goes to others naturally. 00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:33.019 Let's pray this morning, church. 00:41:35.420 --> 00:41:37.180 Dear God, thank you so much for this morning. 00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:42.620 Thank you for your word that's encouraging and piercing and challenging all the same times. 00:41:43.180 --> 00:42:15.900 Lord, we just ask this morning for anybody who's in here right now, God, if they're seeking a godly community, that they would realize that they would find their community when they start to look for the people around them, that their purpose was never about them, but for the people around them, that the gifts that you have placed inside of them, Lord, are specifically for the people around them so that they can be encouraging, that they can be full of life for the people around them, that they would inspire them to be disciples of Jesus in every area of their life, not just some parts, but every area of their life, God. 00:42:16.539 --> 00:42:19.260 So, Lord, we thank you that you created the local church. 00:42:19.420 --> 00:42:24.460 We thank you that you have equipped us, you have given us your word, Lord. 00:42:24.780 --> 00:42:31.740 God, may we not take it for granted, may we not put our busy schedule ahead of the godly community that we desperately need. 00:42:32.700 --> 00:42:34.700 So, Holy Spirit, I thank you for your word. 00:42:34.780 --> 00:42:37.180 I thank you for your time and your presence. 00:42:37.420 --> 00:42:43.340 Holy Spirit, I just pray that we change to look more like you so that we can go and be the difference we want to see in our world. 00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:50.059 That we wouldn't wait for anybody else, but that we would sit here and be like Isaiah and say, Send me, God, here I am. 00:42:50.620 --> 00:42:55.660 May we take the responsibility seriously because God has placed that in each and every one of us. 00:42:55.820 --> 00:42:57.340 In Jesus' mighty name. 00:42:57.660 --> 00:42:58.300 Amen. 00:42:58.620 --> 00:43:01.180 Will you stand on your feet this morning, church? 00:43:01.660 --> 00:43:05.019 We're gonna sing one more song called How Great Is Our God. 00:43:05.500 --> 00:43:17.260 It's a simple song, but if you want to take that next step and you want to come to the altar and repent of something in your own life, I ask that you don't wait, that you come boldly to God because He's waiting for you right now. 00:43:17.500 --> 00:43:21.500 Maybe you're in here and you're realizing that you haven't made godly communities a priority. 00:43:21.580 --> 00:43:23.100 It's kind of like flossing. 00:43:23.260 --> 00:43:26.539 Maybe tonight when you get home, before you go to bed, you'll floss. 00:43:26.860 --> 00:43:33.900 And maybe before you leave church today, you'll sign up for a life group because you'll realize if you don't, decay will eventually happen. 00:43:34.059 --> 00:43:48.380 And so I pray that you today you take some next step, whether it's praying up here, you pray with the prayer team, you sign up with the life group, that you would find your godly community, not so that you can receive something, but so that you can give something to the people around you. 00:43:48.539 --> 00:43:52.220 Let's go ahead and worship with this last song, church, and then we'll be dismissed.