WEBVTT 00:00:02.080 --> 00:00:05.120 Welcome to the Celebration Church Orlando podcast. 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:06.879 Thank you so much for listening today. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:09.519 We hope it encourages you and inspires you. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:11.359 Here's today's message. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:18.800 Man, if if if you guys were here like as we were wrapping up our worship segment, um Pastor Nate got up here and he was preaching. 00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:20.399 Like, I mean he was fired up. 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:22.800 So Nate, you're up again, brother. 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:25.920 I'm gonna- Matter of fact, can you come and finish the rest of this message for me? 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:28.000 Alright, he said next time, next time. 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:30.879 Man, we're so so glad that you guys are here with us today. 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:37.679 I'm so excited for all the reasons that Pastor Nate had just got finished mentioning, but also um because we're celebrating child dedications. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:47.840 And honestly, when I was looking at those pictures and being over there and just praying over those children, it's like it's it's one of those things where I just the best way for me to put it is just I just I just love our church. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.560 I I love our community, and I love how we all get to come together and partner in community together. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:55.920 So I'm thankful that you would invite us to be a part of this journey with us. 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:00.479 But in addition to that, um, we're in unique November and and we have Mission Sunday. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:03.039 So I got some things I want to unpack with us today. 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:09.120 So if you have your Bibles, uh I want to invite you to join me in Matthew chapter 28. 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:17.439 Um, this is a passage that I come to frequently, and and the reason being is because it it really is the commissioning of the church. 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:22.159 It's it's Jesus' um ultimate, like last word speaking to the church, and so it's it's very powerful. 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:23.760 Our church is built on that. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:33.280 All churches are built in some way off of these words, and so sometimes I just love to come back to the original assignment that God gives us so that we can stay on course. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:42.640 Jesus has been in three and a half years of of earthly ministry and he's been having significant impact, but now he's saying, like, but what I do has to go beyond just me. 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:51.439 And and that's a powerful thought in and of itself, because you would imagine that if anybody, if anybody just wanted to cling on to Jesus, it would have been the disciples. 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:58.480 But but even Jesus understood that the true mark of leadership is making sure that what I do lives on beyond me. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:00.560 That's what we call true legacy. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:07.760 So Jesus is now saying, Man, you've guys seen me do some amazing things over the past couple of years, but I've also taught you how to do those things. 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:11.759 And so now it's time for you to carry on what I had started. 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:14.560 It is time for you to pick up where I left off at. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:21.280 So, starting here at verse number 19, um, I want to read this to us all together um in our community. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:37.840 Here's what it says it says, Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you and remember I am with you always until the end of the age. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:39.439 He says, Go. 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:44.240 You guys have seen me do some things, you guys have hung around me for a while, but it's time for you to go. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:47.199 It's time for you to get to work. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:51.919 Today I want to talk about the importance of living a life that's on mission. 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:55.199 And I've entitled today's message, Let's Go. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:57.439 So let's pray and let's get into it. 00:02:57.599 --> 00:02:59.680 Lord, we thank you so much for your word. 00:02:59.919 --> 00:03:01.599 We thank you for this precious community, God. 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:05.039 And I just ask, um, Lord, that I decrease and that you increase. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:10.080 Lord, I pray over the next few moments that you give us open eyes to see you in areas where maybe we've lost sight. 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:16.080 I pray for open ears to hear your truth above all the chaos and drama that may be waiting for us outside these doors. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:20.319 And Lord, I pray for open hearts that we can receive everything that you want to speak to us today. 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:25.120 Allow it to go deep in such a way that it can be seen in our actions and in our behavior. 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:36.719 Father, I pray that the Holy Spirit comes in this place and that it begins to soften our hearts and begins to lead us and nudge us and challenge us, encourage us, inspire us to do what it is that you're calling us to do. 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:38.879 We pray all these things in Jesus' name. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:41.039 Amen and amen. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:52.960 You know, uh family, I think it's it's probably not hard to look around in our culture and see that we're officially in the tis the season time of the year, as I like to call it. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:55.039 It's the tis the season time of year. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:00.479 There's a couple of indicators that let us know that we're officially in the holiday season. 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:08.960 And and and one of the first ones for me is when I went to the grocery store, quick grocery store run, and when I walk in, I see that they have the eggnog out. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:11.439 Bless the name of the Lord, oh my soul. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:13.120 Like it it it stirred me. 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:17.120 I've been spoken of spirit while I was writing the like I felt the presence of God. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:19.600 I was like, man, yes, it is officially begun. 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:20.639 Now is the time. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:26.560 And but then I I I quickly learned that that there are some people that are haters of eggnog. 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:29.120 Which I just don't understand it. 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:36.639 So so if you if you do not like eggnog, I don't want to single you out, but I really want to single you out from if you're not an eggnog fan, can you please just lift your hands up? 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:37.920 I just I'm just curious. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:42.079 Half half the church. 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:48.319 I I want to see if this is I want to see if there's a connection to this. 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:52.879 If you don't like eggnog, you probably have an android as well, right? 00:04:57.360 --> 00:04:58.800 I'm picking up a rhythm here. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:00.079 I'm picking up a rhythm here. 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:01.439 These are the dissenters. 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:04.240 These are the people that go against the grain for no reason at all. 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:05.839 They're martyrs with no mission. 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:07.360 Like, this is who these people are. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:08.720 This is who these people are. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:09.920 But we're gonna pray for them. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:15.279 We're gonna believe that they're gonna come to the altar, we're gonna lay hands on them, we're gonna see life transformation happen. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:19.360 But I was surprised to see that there were so many eggnog haters out there, but it's okay. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:30.399 But then some of the other indicators that let us know that we're in the holiday season is that whenever you go on, whatever your favorite streaming app is, they're starting to present all of the like Christmas movies now. 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:40.399 Like all of the cheesy Christmas movies, and I feel like they're all the same at this point, where someone who's successful in a big city, but they just need to get a break, so they go off into a small town. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:43.759 Y'all seen that movie before? 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:50.319 All of them are the same, and then they get to a point where I just really need to simplify my life, but yet there's still something bigger calling for you. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:53.759 Yeah, we all seen it like you begin to see those things get presented as well. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:56.079 So we're now officially in that time of year. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:06:01.279 Let me let me ask this question: When is too soon to put up a Christmas tree? 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:03.120 Somebody said never. 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:04.800 They said they never took it down. 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:07.040 They're just holding on to it. 00:06:07.279 --> 00:06:08.319 I I understand that. 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:14.079 I I began to recognize that some of my friends on social media have begun uh to put up their Christmas trees. 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:15.759 I I was I was tempted to do it. 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:17.199 I moved it into a staging area. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:19.519 It was in one side of my garage, now it's on another. 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:22.079 And so now I'm ready, I'm ready to get to put it up. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:25.839 Megan was out of town for Sisterhood in Jacksonville, otherwise, we would have had the tree up. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:27.519 Like it's it's just it's tis the season. 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:32.959 It's something that gets you excited about about having these moments that we have, these relics that can allow us to be inspired. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:39.120 And in fact, right here at OMA, they have an amazing exhibit that they have that takes place every November. 00:06:39.279 --> 00:06:41.040 It's it's uh it's the festival of the trees. 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:43.519 If you have not been, I want to invite you to come and check it out. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:44.079 It's really cool. 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:47.600 Like you get trees and it literally takes over the entire museum. 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:48.560 It's it's beautiful. 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:52.240 When you get you can buy some of them, you can take pictures and be inspired by some of them. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.120 Like these trees are like super, super legit. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:07:02.399 But but when I learned about Festival of the Trees, I didn't have the same joy that I have right now, if I could be honest with you. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:06.720 Because I learned about Festival of the Trees last year around this time. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:15.040 And so for me, as beautiful and as impactful as it is, what I recognized was it was interrupting our ability to come to church as we normally do. 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:17.680 Because it literally takes over the entire building. 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:18.399 It's beautiful. 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:23.839 So I remember that one day I'm sitting at the office and and and and Pastor Vinny calls me. 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:28.959 And I don't want to even offend him by trying to mimic his Brazilian accent, but I'll just try. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:31.519 He said, Hey brother, I'm like, hey man, what's up? 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:34.399 He's like, I don't know if we're gonna be able to have church this Sunday. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:37.199 And I'm like, the devil is a liar. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:39.600 We don't cancel church, we cancel the enemy. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:40.480 What are you talking about, Vin? 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:47.120 So we're we're talking and we're laughing and joking, but he's walking me through the museum and saying, like, man, the trees are are everywhere. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:51.279 Man, we're not gonna we're not gonna be able to have church in the way that we typically do, man. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:53.519 Like, we we weren't anticipating that. 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:58.639 So this joyful, beautiful thing was now disrupting our rhythm. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:02.639 And and so now we had to pivot, we had to figure out what are we going to do. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:05.680 Because for me, I I love when we get a chance to gather. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:14.560 I love every opportunity that we come together and worship and and serve together, but but now we have something that is interrupting our comfort. 00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:17.519 So now we had to get creative. 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:20.399 And so what we said is okay, so so what can we do? 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:21.920 What what difference can we make? 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:24.879 Like we we don't want to not do anything at all, so we gotta figure something out. 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:31.279 So we said, well, what if we what if we got together and what if we decided to serve instead of gathering like we traditionally do? 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:39.360 We began to look all around and say, like, who could we partner with so that we could potentially go out and serve because we still believe in the value of us coming together. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:41.200 We we found a partnership with U.S. 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:57.840 Hunger, and we were able to get about 150 people that are part of our community to come there with us, and we were able to package over 20,000 meals that fed people here in our community in the name of Jesus, but also on the burden of our discomfort. 00:08:58.080 --> 00:09:01.279 But oddly enough, our discomfort fed people. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:05.519 We we began to then say, okay, what are we what are we gonna do the the next week? 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:12.000 Because we were gonna be concluding this this series called Signs, and and we were preaching through the varying miracles of what God was gonna do. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:18.159 And so I was really fired up to conclude this series, but then I realized that we couldn't we couldn't gather here, so so where are we gonna go? 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:26.879 Then then Vinny said, Well, you know, our our Brazilian friends over at Vita Church, they said that we could use their facility and and maybe maybe we can go there for a night service. 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:29.919 But like, man, it's in Winter Garden, and it's gonna be at night, man. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:32.080 Like no one, no one's gonna go. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:35.360 But but we have no other option, so so so let's give it a shot. 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:38.480 So in faith we did it, and it was really uncomfortable. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:43.519 And you're standing there hoping and wishing that people are gonna show up, but lo and behold, people showed up. 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:50.320 And and and as and as the gospel was preached and worship was powerful, we even had people experience baptism that night that we did not anticipate. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:57.360 And it was and it was all because something disrupted our comfort. 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:04.720 We we even heard stories of of of last year on that last Sunday, which we typically do reserve that for church at home. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:09.840 Because as Pastor Nate mentioned, we know that people are traveling, we know that you may have folks in town, you may be out of town. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:14.000 So we wanted to create an environment where you can bring church into your home. 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:21.519 And and even in that, I was concerned because now church at home was only gonna be the last Sunday of the of the month. 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:28.720 Now we've had six consecutive Sundays where we didn't gather, so I'm like, well, maybe we should gather, but but it was too late because the the venue wasn't available. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.720 So we said, let's let's just go ahead and keep it out there. 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:45.360 But man, that's gonna be three weeks in a row that we're not gathering in our traditional way, but then we started getting testimonies of people who were sharing church at home with family members who were in town and they were away from God, and God used it, and people got saved, and and relationships got healed, and we started seeing life transformation tack happen. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:50.799 All because our rhythms were disrupted. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:56.320 It's amazing to see what God will do in our interruptions. 00:10:56.960 --> 00:11:05.840 Maybe some of our biggest complaints about being thrown off of our regularly scheduled program are actually divine appointments of God wanting to do something beyond all we could ask or think. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:11.679 Unique November has once was this moment of something that we had to do out of reaction. 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:21.279 Now it's something that we intentionally embrace and look forward to because we are able to see the impact that it's able to do in our community and so much further. 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:28.559 I now know I'm not the only person that has been at a place where sometimes those moments of discomfort are the very thing that activates calling. 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:32.720 Those moments of discomfort can be the very things that activates purpose in your life. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:38.399 I I've talked with so many people that it's as a result of them getting laid off they started their business and now they're doing well. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:45.440 I've I've seen many people that as a result of losing that relationship that was taking up their time, they actually ended up finding the spouse that they were supposed to be. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:50.320 And now they look back in the rearview mirror and say, Thank you, God, for allowing me to dodge that bullet. 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:52.960 I'm the only one that prayed that prayer. 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:56.080 Y'all better tell the truth to me in church today. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:12:03.679 Those those moments were things that you wanted that resulted in heartbreak, but you didn't realize that God was working behind the scenes the entire time. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:09.600 The word of God declares that he works all things together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:15.360 Even when we look at the idea of bringing a child into fruition, we recognize there's moments of discomfort. 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:21.360 But there's a moment when that child can no longer be contained in that environment and it begins to say, I can't stay here anymore. 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:29.039 And even though it's going to require some discomfort, it's going to require some stretching, but there's something that needs to be delivered that's going to be able to reproduce the kingdom of God. 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:34.559 What I'm saying is, maybe there's something on the inside of you, and you're experiencing a little bit of discomfort right now. 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:38.879 Maybe there's something on the inside of you that you don't understand while you're being stretched the way that you are. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:47.279 Maybe God is trying to give birth to destiny, maybe God is trying to give birth to calling, maybe he's trying to give birth to an anointing in you, but you got to go through the discomfort. 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:58.879 What the Bible says about the early church is that when the early church was birthed, when Jesus speaks these words over the disciples, he expands on them in Acts chapter 1, verse number 8. 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:04.399 And what he says to them is like, not only do I want you to go out unto all the nations, but let me break down a strategy for it. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:09.840 I want you to do it in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.679 Jerusalem. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:12.559 Wait a minute. 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:15.519 Jerusalem is a place that you just got killed at Jesus. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:17.120 Judea. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:19.919 Judea is the place where they rejected you, Jesus. 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:28.080 Samaria, Samaria is the place where the outcasts are at Jesus, the ends of the earth, that's where the Gentiles are, and they're all unclean, Jesus. 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:32.879 Everything that you just told us to do, Jesus, is incredibly uncomfortable. 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:37.440 But then Jesus says, But the Holy Spirit is going to come. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:40.559 He's going to strengthen you, He's going to empower you. 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:44.559 He's going to encourage you, and He's going to mobilize you to do what you're called to do. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:48.480 So they said, Okay, Jerusalem, this is a this is an environment I'm comfortable with. 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:50.080 So they get to work in Jerusalem. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:57.519 In fact, when you read Acts chapter, when you read Acts chapter 1 through 7, it's literally talking about the ministry that takes place in Jerusalem. 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:58.799 It's right in their own backyard. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:02.799 They're first, they're they're hiding off in like this attic space called the upper room. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:11.840 And then a revival breaks out, and then thousands of people get saved, and then it begins to get bigger and bigger, but it's still contained, it's still contained inside of Jerusalem. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:20.639 And if we're all honest, if we're looking at our modern lens, when you start having success, as they say in Greek, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:23.120 Like why would we go beyond this? 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:24.320 Like we're having revival. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:26.159 Everywhere we go, people are getting healed. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:28.960 Everywhere we go, we're experiencing significant breakthrough. 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:33.200 So Jesus, we'll just ride this wave right here in Jerusalem. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:41.600 But it makes me it makes me understand now why in the animal kingdom that birds are often pushed out of the net to recognize that they have wings and they can fly. 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:48.320 While they were in Jerusalem from Acts 1 through 7, there was still another aspect of the world that God wanted them to reach. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:51.840 And so, what was the tool that was used in order to motivate movement? 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:54.240 Unfortunately, it was persecution. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:57.200 Because as they were preaching, people were a little frustrated. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:15:07.440 And then there was this one man named Stephen who was bold enough to stand in front of the very people that were responsible for killing Jesus, and he literally told them they were wrong. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:11.200 As if he was going to get a different response. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:13.120 But he did it anyway. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:16.960 I'm literally thinking as a communicator, know your audience. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:18.399 These are the people that killed Jesus. 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:19.279 I'm gonna say this. 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:21.519 Hey guys, what happened with Jesus? 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:22.879 Not cool, but I'm praying for you. 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.440 I'm leaving. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:26.639 Like I would have kept it as such a simple message. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:36.000 But he stood before them and not only broke it down biblically and theologically, but he also confronted them with the truth, and then the result was he ended up getting killed as well. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:45.120 What happens after that is the Bible says in Acts chapter 8 is that the church was then scattered because great persecution came upon the church. 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:54.879 But what it says in Acts 8, verse number 4, is the thing that we need to hold into our hearts, and that those who were scattered preached the gospel everywhere they went. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:16:00.559 Those that were scattered preached the gospel everywhere they went. 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:05.919 They said, Okay, we're moving from Jerusalem, but now we have to go out to Judea. 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:09.200 So since we're here, let's begin to declare the gospel. 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:12.000 When they went from Judea, then they went to Samaria. 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:15.279 Well, since we're here, let us start preaching the gospel. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:22.080 And literally everywhere they went, there was power, there was anointing, there was breakthrough, and there was miracles. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:34.879 I I'm of the mindset to believe that if they were not persecuted, they probably would have stayed in their comfortable little bubble and would have felt and would have launched a three-year strategy to finally get to Judea and another five-year strategy in order for them to get to Samaria. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:39.360 But when God begins to motivate you, sometimes it's going to come at the cost of your comfort. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.039 They were scattered. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:46.159 See, when you look at the word scattered, another Old Testament term for that is that they were exiled. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.559 They were removed. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:53.840 Begin to think about the influence and impact that happened with the people of God when they were exiled. 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:58.320 That means that I'm being moved from my native territory, but I'm still anointed where I'm at. 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:00.399 I don't know if somebody caught that. 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:04.480 I may not be where I want to be, but it doesn't mean I'm not anointed to be where I am. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:10.640 I may not be at the place of comfort, but it doesn't mean that I'm not called with power and authority where I am at. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:16.480 We are able to look at the life of Joseph and see when he was sold into slavery and then he ends up in Egypt. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:22.559 But if we understood, the anointing was never with proximity of a geographic location, it was on his life. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:27.519 So no matter where he went, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:30.319 So even when he was in a prison cell, he was anointed. 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:33.039 Even when he was falsely accused, he was anointed. 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:38.079 That even when he got promoted to standing next to the head man inside of Egypt, he was anointed. 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:44.240 And he was able to use that influence to save two compared nations because he was anointed to do the job. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:51.039 It required him to go through something very uncomfortable to end up in a place where he could bring restoration and to an entire people group. 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:53.279 It's amazing to see what God can do. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:58.079 That even when we're disrupted and we're scattered, we go with a missionary mindset. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:03.759 Having a missional mindset, it means understanding that I'm here on purpose for purpose. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:08.000 It means understanding that I'm anointed for such a time as this. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:13.279 It's understanding that I'm called to do something to make an impact in the name of Jesus. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:25.039 I've had the incredible privilege of going on several missions trips and serving in local ministries and outreaches throughout the course of my life, and I've had the privilege of doing that alongside of my family. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:30.319 And I remember when we first started doing it, I said, okay, let me give my family a pep talk. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:33.359 Let me allow them to be prepared for what we're about to go into. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:41.839 Our first one is we we serve missions in the inner city in Jacksonville, and we would go out to this community and we would play with the kids and we would we try to clean up the food pantries. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:43.359 We would do a lot of amazing work there. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:46.160 But as I'm coming there with my children, I'm preparing them for it. 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:51.200 Hey guys, we're we're going into the mission field and we have to have a different mindset while we're here. 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:55.680 We have to have a focus while we're here, we have to have a perspective shift while we're here. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:58.319 I've been able to go to Costa Rica with my oldest son. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:00.559 I've been able to go to Northern Ireland with my daughter. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:03.119 We went to Dominican Republic with Megan and Caleb. 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:07.599 And each time we went, you we had to talk a little bit about having a missional mindset. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:14.000 Because it's possible that if you don't have a mindset shift, you can bring your privilege into other people's pain and you can't relate to them. 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:19.680 We gotta have to change of our mindset. 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.960 We have to change our perspective. 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:33.519 See, on a day-to-day basis, if I can be quite candid with you, there's never um there's never a version of my life where I prefer to be somewhere where there's not air conditioning. 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:37.359 I never sign up for that. 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:41.039 Like if the temperature gets one degree too hot, I'm like, what is going on? 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:43.680 It's the power out, like I'm about to have a meltdown. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:48.880 But there's but there's something about uh a missional mindset with my son. 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:57.200 Man, if we lose Wi-Fi for 30 seconds, we can't get him to do the dishes, take trash out, we can't get him to do anything. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:20:02.960 The moment the Wi-Fi even flashes for a second, you would think that the house is falling apart. 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:06.640 He's running down like, Dad, I think something's wrong with the wife, like I don't, I don't know what we're gonna do. 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:15.519 But that's but somehow I can go into a country and be disconnected for two weeks and not even think about it because I've changed my mindset. 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:17.680 Would you understand you have a missional mindset? 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:20.000 You recognize it's about calling and not about comfort. 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:26.559 You understand that there's something that I'm called to do, and my comfort is not something that determines me to fulfill my calling. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:30.880 See, I think that there's ABCs when it comes to the missional mindset. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:35.519 And I believe that all of us need to have this mindset if we're going to be effectively on mission. 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:40.079 Here's here's the first thing I want you to write down you have to be available. 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:43.680 You have to have a mindset that says I'm available. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:50.559 You have to consider for a moment that God has called me for such a time as this, and I am absolutely available. 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:56.640 I want to read a passage of scripture to you really quick that's found here in Isaiah chapter 6, verse number 8. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:59.279 Then I heard the Lord, this is God speaking. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:02.640 Whom shall I send as a messenger to this people? 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.319 Who will go for us? 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:08.720 And I, just being Isaiah, said, Here I am, send me. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:13.599 To be available means to be present and ready for use. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:21.440 It means to recognize that there is a need, and I understand that there's something inside of me that can help meet that need. 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:23.599 Here I am, send me. 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:26.079 I know that there's some people that you want to reach. 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:28.000 Here I am, send me. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:32.000 I know that there's a deficit in what some folks are experiencing, and I have an abundance. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:33.839 So here I am, send me. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:39.039 I I recognize that there's some folks over here that are struggling with discouragement, but you've given me the words of encouragement. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.720 So here I am, send me. 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:47.200 I see over here that there are some people that are struggling with their resources, and and I know that I may not be rich, but I got something that can make a difference. 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:49.440 So so here I am, send me. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:58.079 Uh a missional mindset is understanding that I am available to do whatever is necessary to ensure that people can have an experience with God. 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.359 I'm available. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:04.160 I love the story of Elisha because Elisha was just minding his own business. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.200 He had his own business. 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.480 He was very successful. 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:09.200 But he was available for what God wanted him to do. 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:14.319 And what scripture says is that Elijah, his mentor, came to him and put the mantle on him. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:17.920 I don't have the time to get into all the theology, but says, hey man, you're up next. 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:19.759 It's up to you. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:22.000 And he had a moment where he could make a decision. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:24.319 He could say, Man, like this isn't a good time. 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:26.079 Well, come back next year. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:31.920 But what he said is, Hey, let me let me conclude my businesses and then I'm going to come and I'm going to follow you. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.119 He made himself available. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:40.480 And what scripture says is that because he was available and he fulfilled what God called him to do, that there was a double portion of anointing on his life. 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:44.880 In the kingdom of God, an empty vessel often leads to overflow. 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:56.960 When you say that you're available, it simply means that God, I am an empty vessel, and I want to be poured out upon the people that you've called me to go to because I know that what you put in me is not just for me. 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.640 Here I am, send me. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:02.799 The second thing that we need to have when we have a missional mindset is we need to be bold. 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:06.640 There needs to be a measure of boldness that's on the inside of us. 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:10.960 We can't serve the people of God from a posture of fear. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:16.400 We understand that when we function with a with a bold mindset, that means to be willing to act. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:19.359 That means that I'm confident that God has sent me there. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.240 I have courage. 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:26.000 To be bold means to move forward, empowered by the Holy Spirit, motivated by Jesus. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:30.640 Empowered by the Spirit, motivated by Jesus. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:33.519 Those two things have to be married together. 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:37.279 Because unfortunately, we have people being bold but they're not doing it in godly ways. 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:43.839 So if you're doing something for God and it doesn't look like God, mathematics says it ain't God. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:48.640 If it's God, it will look like God. 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.480 It will have the impact of God. 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:53.920 It will challenge people, but it will also encourage people like God does. 00:23:54.160 --> 00:24:01.599 Having boldness means that I'm not going to shrink back in fear, but I'm not going to confront my obstacles as if it's an enemy because we wrestle not against flesh and blood. 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:09.359 It's understanding that I'm anointed to be here and I'm willing to do what God's calling me to do, but I'm going to do it empowered by the Spirit and with the words of Christ. 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:18.240 I love in Acts chapter 3, as the early church is beginning to get out into the community and declare the name of Jesus, that very name that resulted in people being killed. 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:20.559 But there's a moment when they go to the temple. 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:26.720 This is to the religious people's territory, and there's a there's a man who looks at them and says, Man, like can you can you give me some money? 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:29.279 And there's this powerful statement that Peter makes. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:35.599 He says, Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.880 Get up and walk. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:48.880 To be bold means this this was at an inconvenient time, at an inconvenient moment, and certainly at an inconvenient location in front of the temple where all the Pharisees and Sadducees are going to be walking and watching. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:53.920 But there was a boldness on the inside of them that said that the right time to do the right thing is right now. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:25:01.039 And I may not be able to resolve every situation that's there, but what I can do is present Jesus in a way that's going to move you forward. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:06.480 Being bold doesn't mean that you can solve every problem, it simply means I'm going to presence Jesus in the midst of every problem. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:11.519 Being bold, knowing who I am, whose I am, and what I am called to do. 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:14.960 To be bold means to move with confidence and pivot with grace. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:17.920 That's what it means to be a person that is bold. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:23.519 And then here's the last thing that we need to have as people that are called to be in the mission field is we have to have compassion. 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:29.759 We have to have availability, we have to be bold, but we absolutely have to have compassion. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:34.160 Compassion simply means to show kindness and mercy to someone else. 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.519 Compassion. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:39.359 The ministry of Jesus was marked with compassion. 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:42.720 In fact, here's a little uh background for you. 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:47.519 When you read the gospels, each gospel has its own lens and emphasis and things that it zeroes in on. 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:53.200 When you read the gospel of Mark, Mark deals more so with the emotions of Jesus than any of the other gospels. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:57.759 So you will see phrases and adjectives that describes his motivations. 00:25:57.920 --> 00:26:01.440 You'll see that there are moments where he he says something out of frustration. 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:04.240 You'll see that he does other things out of conviction. 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:11.599 But one of the most consistent things that you see in Mark's gospel is that when Jesus does something, he does it because he has compassion. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:19.839 Mark chapter 1, verse 41 says this moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him and said, I am willing, be healed. 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:27.759 Jesus saw this man who had leprosy that everyone else was running away from, and this man said, Lord, if you're willing, can you heal me? 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:33.839 Because he had compassion on him, he said, I'm absolutely willing, and he touched him and healed him. 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.680 How powerful is that? 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:41.279 That Jesus says to these example, that we don't look down on people, we look up to God. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:48.960 That when I see someone that is experiencing oppression or suffering or struggle, I am filled with compassion. 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:50.160 I don't look down on them. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.440 I don't see myself as man. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:53.920 Look at how blessed I am and how not blessed you are. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:55.920 That's a completely unhealthy perspective. 00:26:56.160 --> 00:27:02.000 But what Jesus does is he sees that whenever there's inequality, my job is to bring people up so they have equal dignity. 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:05.519 That's what it means to be moved with compassion. 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:08.240 Compassion means to bring people up. 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:12.480 I love this quote here when it refers to what does it mean to have a missional mindset. 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:20.640 It says that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to him, the more intensely missionary we become. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:29.759 In other words, as we draw closer to God, it is hard to have an authentic walk with God and not at some point say, I'm available. 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:34.319 I will be bold enough to declare God wherever you have me, and I have compassion on God's people. 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:37.359 That's what it means to have a missional mindset. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:46.960 And so for us as a church and as a community, we have a lot of opportunities to take what we do and hear and take it out into the world where God has called us to be. 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:50.480 Over the next few weeks, let me share a couple of the things we have going on. 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:58.640 On November 12th, that's this upcoming Saturday, we have our partnership with Orlando's Children's Church that you're welcome to come and participate in. 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:00.559 I'll give you some more information on that in just a moment. 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:07.359 As we heard Pastor Nate say on November 13th, that's next Sunday, we're gonna be gathering at Bill Frederick Park, and it's a serve day. 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.799 But here's the beautiful thing about it. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:21.839 Not only are we gonna be serving our community, but we're gonna come together, we're gonna have a worship song, we're gonna share a quick word of devotional, and then we're gonna take the things that we preach about, the things that we sing about, and we're actually going to do something with it. 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:24.079 See, we gather to scatter. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:29.519 We don't just gather to stay here and come back here from week after week, but we're not actually doing anything with it. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:32.240 In the name of Jesus, we gather to scatter. 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:36.400 And the environments that God takes us to go into, we scatter with that anointing. 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:44.160 We scatter with grace, we scatter with wisdom, we scatter with impact, we scatter with authority, we scatter with life-changing anointing and calling on our lives. 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:46.240 We gather so that we can scatter. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:50.640 Then we have on November 20th, we have our joint service with Vita. 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:56.000 You see, Vita Church has grown to be dear friends of Megan and I. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:58.319 The pastors there are wonderful people. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:08.720 But you know, when I met them for the first time, it's after they made their church available for us to have a service there because we couldn't have service here one year ago. 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:17.759 And that one year, that sparked a covenantal relationship not only with us as pastors, but us also as a church. 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:25.920 Being able to demonstrate uh a diverse community that looks like heaven, that that is willing to come together in this joint service. 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:36.319 It's not about one name or another name, it's not about my church or another church, it's about the church coming together to demonstrate what heaven on earth is supposed to look like. 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:42.079 And it never would have happened if we weren't moved out of our comfort zone. 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:46.480 Then we have on November 27th, our church at home experience. 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:49.279 Here's what I want you to do: invite someone over. 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:52.640 If you're traveling, this is not something that you just put on in the background. 00:29:52.799 --> 00:30:00.319 It's a short message, it's just it's a short thing, but it's intentional with helping us to create an atmosphere of love and grace and peace. 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:07.599 And you'd be amazed at what God can do when you simply put on a message that's about, I mean, it's me preaching, so it's about 30 minutes. 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:15.839 Um, but but it's good, but but we get together and how people can create discussions in their home and are recognizing I can do this in my home. 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:19.359 That means I could do this with my family, I could speak words of life over my children. 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:24.000 That means I could do this with my co-workers at my work, and this is what taking ground in the kingdom looks like. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:27.279 Church's home is meant to demonstrate that you don't have to come here. 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.720 We gather to scatter. 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:33.920 And when we go into the environments that call God has called us to go into, there's authority and anointing there. 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:39.599 Let me give you some background on some of the local missions that we have that's meeting that's waiting for you guys that's out in the foyer. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:43.200 We have OCC, which I mentioned, Orlando's Children's Church. 00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:50.720 They serve a they serve a Saturday program that is meant to pastor children from kindergarten to 12th grade. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:57.759 And what they look for is churches and missional partners that can come in and just be a presence of the goodness of God in people's lives. 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:59.759 There's some things that we just take for granted. 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:05.599 Being in an environment where maybe you hear the words, I love you, being in environments where simply their your basic needs are met. 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:14.799