WEBVTT

00:00:11.490 --> 00:00:16.769
<v SPEAKER_00>But something that we're so excited about is that we have a bunch uh a bunch.

00:00:16.929 --> 00:00:19.490
<v SPEAKER_00>I six six students in Innsday?

00:00:19.730 --> 00:00:28.450
<v SPEAKER_00>Uh we have we have six students that are going through this discipleship program, and many of them their goal is to eventually become credentialed ministers.

00:00:28.689 --> 00:00:39.810
<v SPEAKER_00>And one of the things that we believe as a church body, and I don't think that's necessarily your goal, Mary, but uh one of the things we believe as a church body is that we want to help them work out their calling.

00:00:40.210 --> 00:01:00.210
<v SPEAKER_00>And so we we give them opportunity, we train them, and we help lead them into the next steps of teaching, preaching, and I wasn't sure she would ever want to do it, but Mary expressed a desire to also give a five-minute message.

00:01:00.449 --> 00:01:13.650
<v SPEAKER_00>And Heidi has been working with her in this, and I've got a chance to read over it, and I can say that she has not only conveyed what the Lord has revealed to her, but she has also brought her heart into the message.

00:01:13.730 --> 00:01:18.530
<v SPEAKER_00>And so we're gonna welcome Mary this morning as she gives her five-minute message.

00:01:23.409 --> 00:01:25.250
<v SPEAKER_01>I did practice doing that.

00:01:30.049 --> 00:01:30.929
<v SPEAKER_01>Is it on?

00:01:31.170 --> 00:01:31.489
<v SPEAKER_01>Okay.

00:01:32.929 --> 00:01:34.370
<v SPEAKER_01>Good morning, everyone.

00:01:34.689 --> 00:01:41.730
<v SPEAKER_01>You're in for a real treat today because not only am I speaking, that wonderful man my husband is as well.

00:01:41.969 --> 00:01:48.929
<v SPEAKER_01>So after service, we will be taking a poll on whose message is better because who is worse has to put the kids to bed tonight.

00:01:49.090 --> 00:01:50.609
<v SPEAKER_01>And I'm a tired mom, you guys.

00:01:51.010 --> 00:01:52.450
<v SPEAKER_01>I need to win this.

00:01:54.129 --> 00:02:01.890
<v SPEAKER_01>But in truth, God is good because Nathan and I did not talk about what we were preaching today.

00:02:02.129 --> 00:02:07.010
<v SPEAKER_01>And our messages go so well together that it is uncanny.

00:02:07.409 --> 00:02:13.090
<v SPEAKER_01>Um, so today my message is titled Letting Go to Truly Live.

00:02:13.330 --> 00:02:16.370
<v SPEAKER_01>The scripture I'll be reading is Matthew 10, 39.

00:02:17.090 --> 00:02:19.570
<v SPEAKER_01>If you cling to your life, you will lose it.

00:02:19.730 --> 00:02:23.650
<v SPEAKER_01>But if you give your life for me, you will find it.

00:02:23.890 --> 00:02:25.650
<v SPEAKER_01>Easier said than done, right?

00:02:26.130 --> 00:02:29.730
<v SPEAKER_01>Especially when we live in a world that pushes us to be independent.

00:02:29.890 --> 00:02:32.690
<v SPEAKER_01>If you want something, you have to make it happen.

00:02:32.930 --> 00:02:35.330
<v SPEAKER_01>Success is the only thing that matters.

00:02:35.570 --> 00:02:40.530
<v SPEAKER_01>Or if I have this shiny new car or this beautiful house, I've made it in life.

00:02:40.850 --> 00:02:44.450
<v SPEAKER_01>Or on the flip side, we don't like being uncomfortable.

00:02:44.610 --> 00:02:51.490
<v SPEAKER_01>We want to stay in our nice, comfortable bubble where we don't have to feel weird and different.

00:02:53.250 --> 00:03:01.330
<v SPEAKER_01>This causes us to be so hyper-focused on what we want that we lose what God wants for us.

00:03:02.130 --> 00:03:08.290
<v SPEAKER_01>When we cling so tightly to our own selfish tendencies, we not only lose peace, but we lose purpose.

00:03:09.330 --> 00:03:14.530
<v SPEAKER_01>So let me ask you have you ever tried to control everything in your life and still felt empty?

00:03:15.490 --> 00:03:27.170
<v SPEAKER_01>Because I have for the longest time, I would stress myself out on everything that I had to do, or I need to get this new house so my kids will be happy that it took the enjoyment out of everything we did in life.

00:03:27.410 --> 00:03:32.290
<v SPEAKER_01>And after a while, it just starts to eat at you and it turns into a never-ending cycle.

00:03:33.090 --> 00:03:34.530
<v SPEAKER_01>So, how do we live for him?

00:03:34.850 --> 00:03:37.170
<v SPEAKER_01>This doesn't mean we stop living our lives.

00:03:37.330 --> 00:03:39.410
<v SPEAKER_01>It just means we start living differently.

00:03:39.650 --> 00:03:49.250
<v SPEAKER_01>It means we let go of control, trust God, and choose obedience over comfort by surrendering our plans and saying, God, may your will be done.

00:03:50.290 --> 00:04:00.850
<v SPEAKER_01>In Romans 12, 2, it says, Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

00:04:01.410 --> 00:04:07.090
<v SPEAKER_01>Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

00:04:07.490 --> 00:04:21.889
<v SPEAKER_01>This verse really hits home for me, not because it's the only verse I've ever said on the stage because Aaron made me, but because if I wouldn't have given my life for God, I would have not experienced all the blessings that have come from it.

00:04:22.449 --> 00:04:31.250
<v SPEAKER_01>For example, when Kelly and Heidi asked Nathan and I if we would do the young adults group, every part of me wanted to say no.

00:04:31.329 --> 00:04:33.409
<v SPEAKER_01>It was just too much for me to handle.

00:04:34.609 --> 00:04:41.649
<v SPEAKER_01>But God shut that down real quick because I felt him tug at my heart and say, Hey, you remember a while back when you said you'd listen for my call?

00:04:41.969 --> 00:04:43.250
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, that's now.

00:04:43.729 --> 00:04:51.169
<v SPEAKER_01>And I'm so grateful I listened because I gained so many genuine relationships that I didn't know that I needed.

00:04:58.129 --> 00:04:58.930
<v SPEAKER_01>Sorry.

00:05:01.250 --> 00:05:03.569
<v SPEAKER_01>It's not only a one-time thing either.

00:05:04.129 --> 00:05:05.810
<v SPEAKER_01>It's a constant choice.

00:05:06.050 --> 00:05:09.089
<v SPEAKER_01>And sometimes it's really uncomfortable and you don't want to do it.

00:05:10.289 --> 00:05:14.289
<v SPEAKER_01>But the sense of peace that you get after is worth more its weight and gold.

00:05:14.529 --> 00:05:16.449
<v SPEAKER_01>Am I currently having a panic attack?

00:05:16.689 --> 00:05:22.289
<v SPEAKER_01>Yeah, especially when I walked in today and didn't realize it was gonna be so busy because of this baptism.

00:05:27.649 --> 00:05:33.649
<v SPEAKER_01>But that's because Jesus' life he gives us is not shallow, it's full.

00:05:33.810 --> 00:05:37.729
<v SPEAKER_01>We end up with so much joy, more peace, and more purpose.

00:05:37.969 --> 00:05:45.089
<v SPEAKER_01>It's like keeping a tiny plant in a pot where its roots are cramped and it stays small and never really thrives.

00:05:45.250 --> 00:05:52.769
<v SPEAKER_01>But when you move it into good soil with room to grow, it begins to stretch and strengthen and flourish into what it's meant to be.

00:05:53.009 --> 00:05:54.689
<v SPEAKER_01>Because that's what surrendering does.

00:05:54.769 --> 00:05:57.009
<v SPEAKER_01>It opens our lives for God to fill.

00:05:57.329 --> 00:06:00.609
<v SPEAKER_01>So I ask you will you start living your life for God?