WEBVTT 00:00:02.640 --> 00:00:05.519 You are listening to the Gateway Franklin Church podcast. 00:00:05.599 --> 00:00:13.279 To learn more about Gateway Franklin Church, including our service times here in Franklin, Tennessee, visit us online at gatewayfranklin.com. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:16.000 And now, here is this week's message. 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:23.519 Well, good morning, Church. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:26.399 You thought he was preaching. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:28.559 He was very kind to help me. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:29.920 Thank you, Pastor Charlie. 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:31.679 Well, good morning, Gateway. 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:32.880 How are you doing today? 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:34.479 Good. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:38.479 Isn't it so good to worship with our kids and our students in the room? 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:40.479 It just feels alive. 00:00:40.880 --> 00:00:41.520 So good. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:44.799 That's a glimpse of what Sunday morning looks like for me every week. 00:00:44.960 --> 00:00:45.520 So good. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:48.479 If you haven't met me yet, I'm Pastor Bruno. 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:57.840 I have the honor and the privilege and the pleasure of being uh the Gateway Kids pastor here at Gateway for the past five and a half years. 00:00:58.159 --> 00:00:59.920 It's been quite some time. 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:00.960 Thank you. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:03.200 You know, these kids, it's been tough. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:04.239 Just kidding. 00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:05.840 It's been so wonderful. 00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:06.959 It's such a joy. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:21.680 Um, if you have a kid that has been through our elementary kids program for the past three three years, I am so pleased to tell you that your kids have finished the Bible cover to cover in 140 Sundays. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:22.879 Isn't that amazing? 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:24.079 Give them a hand. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:28.719 They know, they know more of the Bible than a lot of us. 00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:37.040 But here's the fun thing is that 80% of the sixth graders that are moving up to the student ministry, they have been a part of this program. 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:39.519 So, you know, Pastor Christian, you're welcome. 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:41.599 They have tons of Bible knowledge now. 00:01:41.840 --> 00:01:42.480 Just kidding. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:43.359 Oh, glory to God. 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:44.319 He's awesome. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:51.760 Um, but I I just love sharing the word of God with kids because kids are so fun and they engage. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:53.920 The first service, they did me dirty. 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:56.319 But kids in this service, I count on you. 00:01:56.480 --> 00:01:57.359 You know who you are. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:01.120 Um, but kids are so excited all the time to learn about the word. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:02.959 They don't get offended by the word of God. 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:03.519 Do you know that? 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:05.120 We get offended, they don't get offended. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:06.159 They get excited. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:12.159 When we were learning about the Israelites in the desert, they were asking me any question that I would say, like, who did this? 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:14.159 And they're like, Jesus! And I'm like, not yet. 00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:17.360 He hasn't been even born, but yes, he is coming. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:23.759 They're just so excited because they know that the God that they serve is a God of rescuing. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:25.360 They know it from the garden. 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:28.479 And when we fell short, that there was a rescuer. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:33.039 And man, I can't tell you how many times I asked a question, they're like, Jesus, and I'm like, not yet. 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:34.000 Jesus, not yet. 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:35.840 He's coming, he's coming. 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:36.879 But they're excited. 00:02:37.039 --> 00:02:41.039 So today we're gonna talk about the life of the apostle Paul. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:44.719 And the kids have a lot of knowledge on that because we just went through it. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:46.719 Yes, kids, one more lesson on Saul. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:47.599 I promise. 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:49.599 Um, this one is gonna be so fun. 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:55.759 Um, but what I love about this message is that Jesus himself came to rescue him, right? 00:02:56.080 --> 00:03:03.680 Um, the so I'm gonna give you a little bit of a background story on him because his first name was Saul, and then he turns into Paul. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:12.159 And listen, if I flip Saul and Paul, you'd just forgive me because I learned the Bible in Portuguese and the names are the same, but let's just use that as an excuse. 00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:24.960 Um, but if you've never heard the story of the Apostle Paul, the Paul that we hear from so much who learned who uh wrote letters that turned into books that now fill the New Testament of the Bible. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:29.199 Uh, that Paul started out as Saul, and that was his original name. 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:31.120 And Saul was a Pharisee. 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:39.039 The best way I can explain it to kids is a Pharisee was the OG influencer, minus the TikTok dances. 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:43.680 I don't believe they were like, praise you, you know, like the whole shebang. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:45.919 I knew somebody would be interesting. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:46.560 Thank you. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:48.800 Uh I rehearsed for that. 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:52.479 Um, but he was an OG influencer in Jesus' time. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:54.240 He would be, he was very respected. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:57.759 People would give him ears, like they wanted to know what's Saul about? 00:03:57.919 --> 00:03:58.560 What is he doing? 00:03:58.639 --> 00:03:59.759 Where is he going next? 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:01.120 Who's he arresting next? 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:01.439 Right? 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:03.520 They were they were all about Saul. 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:09.840 And because he was a Pharisee, that meant that he had the highest training of a Jewish person. 00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:11.759 So think about this. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:19.360 By the age of six, uh, Saul went on to a local teacher, a local rabbi, which in our situation would be Pastor Charlie. 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:20.720 You can send your kids here. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:21.759 He would teach them. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:26.240 Uh, he would go to a local rabbi, a teacher, and then he would learn the word of God. 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:31.759 By the age of 10, he had the entire first books of the Torah memorized. 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:37.759 That would be Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy memorized. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:43.279 Then, if you think about this, it's about 80,000 words. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:47.360 For us, it would be like two-thirds of Homer's Iliad. 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:49.040 Okay, that's a lot. 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:54.079 So then, because he was really smart and really good, he would move up to the next level. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:59.759 And by the age 13, Saul had the entire Old Testament memorized. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:06.959 That is 39 books of the Bible, approximately 620,000 words. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:14.800 This would equal for you guys who like to read, not me, uh, the entire Lord of the Rings book series. 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:16.399 This is how thick it is, okay? 00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:24.399 But um, so he went on after that, and he learned from another respected rabbi, which was like Gamaliel. 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:25.839 It was like the top of the top. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:28.959 And he learned from him, and Gamaliel would grill these students. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:34.560 He grilled Saul to make sure that he knew that he could do what Gamaliel was doing. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:39.040 He didn't grow up to be a rabbi, but he had all the training. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:39.519 Okay. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:42.319 So, what would that look like for us today? 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:45.600 Think of someone today who has memorized the U.S. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:55.439 Constitution, every Supreme Court landmark case, several text law uh law textbooks, and could quote them instantly on a debate. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:57.040 It's quite a lot, right? 00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:00.800 So any of my 13-year-olds feel up for the challenge? 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:01.439 Let me know. 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:02.800 We meet on Mondays. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:05.680 But that's a crazy Bible training, isn't it? 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:06.720 It's incredible. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:09.360 And it was a very intense process. 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:15.279 But Saul, he was not only extremely smart, he was also like this well-known, influential guy, right? 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:20.879 So now we we see that he was a passionate man for the word of God. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:27.839 We sometimes hear about Saul persecuting the Christians as Saul was this evil man who hated the Christians. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:28.879 But why? 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:31.439 He was zealous for the word of God. 00:06:31.680 --> 00:06:32.720 He had passion. 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:37.680 Like you and I have passion, and sometimes we go a little bit too far, right? 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:39.120 But we have passion. 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:40.959 He had zeal for the word of God. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:42.319 He wanted to protect it. 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:53.360 So at the glimpse of these Christians and this Jesus breaking whatever this that we have that's good, I'm gonna protect it at all costs. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:07:01.600 He took it upon himself because he saw that the Christians and Jesus were a threat to the word of God itself. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:04.399 It makes a lot of sense when you think that way. 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:09.040 So now Saul will become Paul, not like this, I promise. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:10.560 Like, but we're gonna tell a story. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:12.240 But he's gonna become Paul. 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:21.600 And Paul is gonna go out and he's gonna teach about the risen Messiah, the one who came for you, the one who came for the Jews and to the Gentiles. 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:27.040 The Gentiles were the people that didn't deserve God's grace, love, mercy, nothing. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:33.439 But Saul goes out as Paul and he charges at them and he's after them, and he's excited. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:36.800 And now he gets arrested one too many times. 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:47.199 And in one of these times, he goes into court in front of the governor, and he goes into court in front of the king, and he's gonna tell them this story. 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:50.959 And we're gonna find it in Acts chapter 26. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:54.399 And so here's what the text reads. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:08:04.879 It said, one day, he's telling the king, one day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission for the leading priests. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:20.399 This means he had a piece of paper that said, I, we priests, authorize you to do whatever it takes, arrest these Christians by our authority, because they are threat, they're a threat to the word of God. 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:39.120 So he had it written, he had the command, and he said, I was armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests, and about noon, your majesty, I was on the road, and a light came from heaven, brighter than the sun, and shone down on me and my companions, and we all fell down. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:48.240 And I heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:53.840 It is useless for you to fight against my will. 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:58.320 Saul said, Who are you, Lord? 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:03.840 And the Lord replied, I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:08.000 Now get to your feet, for I have appeared to you. 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:11.120 And listen, we listen to this, very excited, okay? 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:14.000 So, kids, if you're here two VBSs ago, I count on you. 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:16.559 If you don't remember, I will it's fine. 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:17.360 I can do this. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:30.000 But he said, Now get to your feet, for I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and my and I will rescue you. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:32.559 Thank you, Lincoln, and I will rescue. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:42.399 Yes, I am to send their eyes so they may turn from thank give it up. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:46.240 I knew I couldn't count on a friend today. 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:47.600 Proud of you. 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:49.600 Extra treats next week. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:50.799 It was all rehearsed. 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:51.919 I'm just kidding, it wasn't. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:53.120 So good. 00:09:53.279 --> 00:10:01.600 He said, I am sending you, he said, to both your no, sorry, hold on, go back. 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:06.240 I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and my witness. 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:22.000 And then he says this, that we didn't do this last year, but he says, Tell people that you have seen me and tell them what I will show you in the future, and I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:33.759 Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power and the grip of Satan to God. 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:44.639 Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people who are set apart by faith in me. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:52.799 I love this passage so much because I've read it over and over, and I've read it in different ways, and I saw it in different ways. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:56.639 At first, I saw it as this charge like, let's go get him, people. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:11:03.360 Now get to your feet, for I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and my witness. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:10.799 Yes, I'm gonna rescue you, and I'm sending you to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.639 Come on, somebody, right? 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:19.759 He's like, Let's go, right, and then I was thinking about this. 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:29.279 He is sending you, Saul, and he says, Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:33.120 Saul probably didn't want to go to the Gentiles. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:41.840 He was, he, he, Saul thought the Gentiles were the lowest of the low. 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:47.759 These people, they don't deserve the crumbs, they don't deserve the crumbs of the word of God. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:54.399 The holy word that I have vowed to protect and to keep, they don't deserve that. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:12:05.919 And I love that Jesus is talking to him and he says, It is useless for you to fight against my will. 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:10.480 And then he says, Who are you, Lord? 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:15.679 For Saul, he was blinded, first of all. 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:17.120 He was like, Who are you, Lord? 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:18.399 He was terrified. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:26.320 But for him to recognize the authority and the power that came from that voice. 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:39.679 When we say that Jesus is the name above all names, that he is the everlasting peace of Prince of Peace, the one that was and is to come, there is power in his name. 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:42.240 And Saul recognized that immediately. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:44.399 He didn't say, Who are you, stranger? 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:47.440 He says, Who are you, Lord? 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:52.879 There was a weight to the voice of the Lord. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:13:00.720 When I thought and prayed about today, the word that kept coming to my mind in this passage was sent. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.720 You're being sent. 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:04.000 I'm being sent. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.440 That sounds so beautiful. 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.720 Let's send them. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:12.480 And it comes with so much depth of responsibility. 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:16.080 Kids and students, the summer is ending. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:21.360 Soon you're going back to school, but guess what? 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.639 You are being sent. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:24.480 It's exciting. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:33.600 You're being sent with the same power and authority and responsibilities that Jesus sent Saul who became Paul. 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.919 You two are being sent. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:41.759 There is more to your school than your grades, your clubs, your friends. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:43.679 There's so much more. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:55.039 As ambassadors for Christ, which all of us are, kids, students, it is your call to bring his word with you everywhere you go. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:14:00.000 You are created in the image of the most high God. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:01.759 What an honor. 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.120 What an honor. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:11.600 This means that uh you were created to reflect God's love and kindness and mercy and his light where you go. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:18.240 When you walk into a room, Christ should be reflected through you. 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:22.879 So whether you're going to a private, public, or homeschool, you're sent. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.559 Represent Christ. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:26.399 Be a light in the darkness. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:30.480 Yes, in your small Christian school, they're gonna need a light. 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.759 Trust me. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:39.679 In your homeschool, your parents are carrying the weight and the responsibility of your education. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:42.559 Pray for them, be a light for them. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:48.480 In your public school, you need to be a light. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:15:05.279 You don't know what culture is throwing at you this year, but I can promise you that no matter what it is, you have everything in you to represent Christ and all that you need, your father has already provided. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:13.440 The spirit that lives in you of power, love, and the sound mind is in you, and you let that out. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:15.600 So exciting, so good. 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:19.519 If you're not a student in the room today, tomorrow is Monday. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:22.000 And so it all starts again. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:24.399 You two are being sent. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:29.919 Maybe to a job that you despise, but you need to show up to every day. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:41.279 Or maybe to a place that you have been a part of for quite some time that doesn't feel dark, it doesn't feel sad, it doesn't feel dry, but it feels stale. 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.919 You need to be the light. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:48.639 You are called to show up and be the light. 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:52.639 Maybe it's a new season that you're stepping in or that you just did. 00:15:53.440 --> 00:16:02.240 And maybe it's something thrilling and exciting, but it comes with responsibilities, and you are called to be a carrier of his love and grace into it. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:05.840 No matter what the season is for you, maybe you are already in it. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:11.600 You are being sent to bring Jesus into those places with you. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:14.799 You might not be living in darkness yourself. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:21.360 We all once were in darkness and now we know the light, but you might not be living in that darkness right now. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:29.200 But I am sure that there is somebody around you that is in that darkness, and they are counting on somebody to show up for them. 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.559 And that is you. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:03.519 Being sent is not a choice when you are a follower of Christ. 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:08.720 Jesus said himself, it is useless for you to fight against my will. 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:18.160 We were made and created in his image, so wherever we go, Christ goes with us. 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:21.839 The spirit of the Most High God goes with us. 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:38.160 If you are starting school or in a transition or even just in this season that you can't really call anything, know that there are a lot of unknowns, and it may be a mix of joy and grief for the season that comes and the season that goes. 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:42.079 And maybe it's a fear of the what-ifs. 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:49.519 I'm here to tell you that when God sends us, He also provides for us and he rescues us. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:59.440 Before Jesus told Saul, I am sending you to the Gentiles, He said, I will rescue you. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.839 How beautiful. 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:06.640 Before He sends us, He provides the rescuing. 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:14.559 We serve a God that time and time again has rescued its own people. 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:22.160 So I was thinking about today, and um the Lord gave me a story that I haven't thought about in a long time. 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:25.680 And I'm like, okay, I'm gonna tell the story, and they're gonna laugh a lot. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:28.720 So you just bear with me because it's a rescuing story. 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:34.960 And uh when I was about eight years old, my mom had just gotten back home from the hospital with my dad. 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:37.359 My dad was sick, don't remember what it was. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:43.279 But at the time he had a fever and they needed prescriptions, and my mom said, I need to watch him because he has a fever. 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.960 You go to the pharmacy. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:46.079 We lived in a building. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:50.240 Think about New York City that's similar to where we lived, but by the beach. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:53.519 So we lived like, you know, tall buildings and such. 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:58.400 And um, she said, I'm gonna send you to the pharmacy to pick up the prescriptions for your dad. 00:18:58.559 --> 00:19:05.759 So I was armed with my own, you know, power by my mother to go get the prescription. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:13.759 And um she says, Because you're eight, obviously in Brazil we still, you know, think about the safety of the children. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:19.599 Um, she said, I'm gonna send my 80, your 78-year-old grandpa with you. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:26.960 Now, my grandpa grew up in a farm, didn't have a phone, knew nothing about what would be to live in New York City. 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.480 He was just there to visit. 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:34.880 She bestowed it upon me, an eight-year-old, to lead the way, to be sent. 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:37.200 And so she said, You know where it is, right? 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.759 Uh-huh, uh-huh. 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:38.160 Yeah, I know. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:38.559 Uh-huh. 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:41.440 I was probably more excited about spending that money than anything else. 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.720 And she said, You know the way? 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.759 Yes, yes, I know the way. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.400 I know the way. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:44.799 Okay. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:46.480 She said, it's right around the corner. 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.279 I said, Okay. 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:50.720 So I go down the building and grandpa said, Where is it? 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.920 I said, round around the corner. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.359 So we turned a corner. 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:56.000 And he said, Where's that pharmacy? 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:58.000 Uh, it's not in this corner, it's in the other corner. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:59.359 So we turn another corner. 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:01.519 So he said, Where's that pharmacy? 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.799 It's around the corner, Grandpa. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.839 Didn't you hear mom saying? 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:05.119 So we turn another corner. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:13.119 By the time we turn so many corners, I'm starting to feel this anxiety inside of me of like, where's that pharmacy? 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.400 Why is that pharmacy not here? 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.759 Why what am I missing? 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:17.680 And grandpa's like, Bruna, we just need to call your mom. 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.480 We just need to call your mom. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:20.720 I'm like, Grandpa, I know where I'm going. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:25.519 Clearly, I did not, because I have it on the map, proof to show you. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:27.200 Can you please show the first? 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.559 That's me, right there. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.599 That's where I lived. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.319 Right there. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.400 And then the green, you see the green? 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.920 That's where I was supposed to go. 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.480 Okay. 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:37.279 That's where I went. 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:41.440 I know it's hilarious because I lived there my whole life. 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:44.000 My parents still live right there, just down the street. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:46.960 My parents still live there, and I turned so many corners. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:50.319 And by this time, my 78-year-old grandpa is so tired. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:56.640 30 minutes we've walked inland at night, 8 p.m. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:00.319 So I did what every person would do. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:04.240 I called my mama, and I didn't have a phone because I was eight. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:06.160 My grandpa didn't have a phone because he grew up in a farm. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.960 He didn't have a phone. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.400 He had a landline, maybe. 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:12.000 And so I went to this place as a payphone. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:14.400 For those who don't know, if you're I'm I'm that old. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:16.240 There's that's a payphone in Brazil. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:17.920 And I didn't have the coins for it. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:21.440 So you have to do the shame call, which is 9090. 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.720 That's your charged call. 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:25.359 That's gonna charge the landline that's gonna answer it. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:34.000 So I I dial 9090, and as soon as it rings, my mom hears on the phone, this is a charged call. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:41.839 And she just goes, Bruna! And I said, Mom! And she said, Where are you? 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:45.279 Because my mom was expecting me to be on the green and I was on the red. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:47.519 And I said, Mom, I'm sorry. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.720 We're lost. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:50.160 She said, Where are you? 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:52.720 And I and I gave her the directions. 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:54.960 And she came within five minutes. 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:59.759 She plopped my sick dad in the car and drove as quick as she could to my restaurant. 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:03.200 I was so nervous because I'm crying. 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.960 I'm thinking I'm getting spinky. 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.319 I'm getting time out. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.920 I'm never gonna go out again. 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:10.079 It's over, my life is over. 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:15.200 And as soon as I hope it's in the car, my mom is cracking. 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:38.400 Do you know how many times I went to that pharmacy? 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.359 Way too many times. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:41.920 Way too much candy and ice cream in that pharmacy. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.839 I knew it was somehow. 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:47.200 I don't know if it was the rush of coming out or the responsibility. 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:50.720 Maybe the responsibility of leading my 70-year-old grandpa. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.759 Thank you, Mom. 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.079 But she was laughing. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:23:00.160 And the reason why I remember the story so vividly is because one too many times my times my mom has shared the story. 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.720 And she will laugh every time. 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:07.039 She said, have gotten along. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:09.599 She knew where she was going. 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:14.799 Never punished me for being wrong. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:17.519 She never punished me for turning the wrong corner. 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:21.279 How dare you not know where you were going? 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:35.359 She knew that my government with Jesus wasn't for someone. 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:53.039 My mum sent me, but she was ready to pick me up. 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:58.319 She was ready to roll me. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.519 She got there so fast. 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:02.319 My dad was not second stuff, but you know. 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.880 He was there to rescue me. 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:13.920 Yes, he benefits from it because he turned from darkness to light. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.119 Why am I here? 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.799 We need to be certain. 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.720 We need to be certain. 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:45.599 Jesus made it very evident, even if he doubted it. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:50.000 Appointed and is anointed as a servant and a witness. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:55.279 He said, Tell people that you have seen me and tell them what I will show you. 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.920 Have no doubt. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:00.880 He says, Yes, I am sending it to the Gentiles. 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.079 Make no mistakes. 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.839 But I will rescue you. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:06.160 No matter what happens. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:09.680 Have no doubt of who you are in this season. 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:15.359 Every weekend, kids will repeat the same things because I want it to be ingrained in their brains. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:19.039 I am a child of God, and Jesus is my Lord and Savior. 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:22.640 I hear the voice of the good shepherd. 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:25.039 I do not hear the voice of a stranger. 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:30.480 I was created with a purpose, and God is working in me today. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:35.440 The second thing is be committed. 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:54.319 I didn't do anything, God that it wasn't for your glory. 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:57.759 And even when times got tough, I pushed through it. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:27:08.880 Because I knew the final part of that verse is so that then they who have faith in me will have a place in God's family. 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.680 Be committed. 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:18.319 Be bound to a promise. 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:21.039 Be bound to the purpose. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:23.200 Be bound to your calling. 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:31.279 Be committed to see your season to look at everything through the lenses of Christ that is within you. 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:35.359 And if you can't see the Lord, help me see it. 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:38.240 Recognize the authority in his voice. 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:42.240 I know the seasons sometimes can feel daunting. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.359 It feels daunting. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:45.440 Sending your kids to school, terrifying. 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.640 I've done that last year. 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.319 It's hard. 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:56.799 But don't allow the circumstances or the culture or your own desires or fears to get in the way. 00:27:57.200 --> 00:28:01.359 Because God has sent you, and guess what? 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.960 He sent your child. 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:05.680 He sent these kids. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:08.799 And it's not for when, it's for now. 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:13.119 It's not for when they grow up, it's for now that they're young. 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:19.920 The most important title that we hold is children of God. 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:22.160 It's not adults of God. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:24.000 It's children of God. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:27.599 He's called us into his family. 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:45.200 The verse that this church is standing on this year is Galatians 6 9 that it says, I uh let us not grow weary of doing good, because in due season we will reap a harvest. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:54.720 If we do not lose heart, the harvest is actually standing right around you. 00:28:55.599 --> 00:29:01.039 Some of you here know the Lord very well, and maybe some of you are just now getting to know him. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:12.720 There is a harvest out there, and for you, young and elders, there is a place in God's family, there is a calling, there is a charge. 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.720 I am sending you. 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:21.599 I know that it comes with a lot of responsibility to obey God's vision. 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:26.960 It comes with opposition, but we're prepared for it. 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:31.839 Saul, Paul, endured countless darkness, opposition, and suffering. 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:39.119 Um, he had countless imprisonments, beatings, frequent, frequent brushes with death, five Jewish floggings. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:42.720 Those were 39 lashes, five times. 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:59.599 Three beatings with rods, one stoning, three shipwrecks, a day and a night adrift at sea, hunger and thirst, cold exposures, sleepless nights, and the most important one for Saul, Paul, the daily responsibility to care for the churches that he started to plant. 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:08.079 He cared, he had zeal for the Word of God, but he had even more zeal for the Lord Himself, for His people. 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:12.480 Friend, you may never be flogged, praise Jesus. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:14.079 We don't do that. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:20.960