WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.319 Welcome to the Awakening Courage Podcast. 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:07.040 We pray this message encourages you and provides the hope and the light of Jesus Christ. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:08.560 Thanks for tuning in. 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:20.079 Well, good morning, Awakening. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:21.280 Great to be with you. 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:22.879 You congrat your speed. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:23.600 My name is Ryan. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:25.679 We're thrilled that you join us today. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:30.320 Hey, before we dive in uh to the next message, I want to take a moment. 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:31.920 I have my buddy Christian up here. 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:33.840 Thanks for joining me today. 00:00:34.159 --> 00:00:37.119 We just want to do a little deeper dive into Healing Path. 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:37.600 What is it? 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:41.520 It's something that we launched a year ago in our community. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:44.320 You were part of that first uh group. 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:46.479 What is Healing Path? 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:48.000 Would you just explain what that is? 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:49.759 Good morning, everybody. 00:00:50.560 --> 00:01:10.879 Um Healing Path is a uh a study that we do at Awakening, um, and we partner with a nonprofit, and it's a Bible-based spirit-led group where we bring people into community and equip them with the tools as well as the education to kind of work on some harder things that they may have like dealt with growing up. 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:21.280 Um not really like big T trauma things, but small T trauma of think hardships and relationships or parent relationships or sibling relationships or relationships with yourself. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:31.680 And we really give people a safe um a safe space to kind of process that, to really process the grief, sorrow, or loss that you guys may have experienced. 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:47.519 Um, lots of people kind of go through life not having a space to kind of work through or talk through some of those things, and Healing Path is the perfect opportunity to meet other people who may be experiencing the same things and build community and have a place to talk about those things. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:48.560 That's great. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:49.760 Sounds powerful. 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:52.719 Now you've experienced it, been impacted by it. 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:56.799 Like what personally uh was the impact on your life? 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:04.640 Yeah, so I joined uh the Healing Path group uh last year when the Awakening started this program, and um it's really big for me. 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:06.560 I was going through a hard time with my parents. 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:42.719 I was put in the middle of their relationship as the eldest son, and you know, had to learn how to have a better relationship with my with my parents after that, as well as you know, the pain that I caused for them, as well as the pain they caused for me, and just learning the language and how to deal with the emotions that I had felt, as well as like learning how to rebuild those relationships in a way that was healthy, and a way that I knew I was honoring God and like my myself, you know, and I think I just learned a lot about the things that they had done as parents to me growing up too, and you know, a lot of that plays into the relationships. 00:02:42.800 --> 00:03:08.800 And Healing Path has a lot of really great topics, some of them called the mother wound and the father wound, and like those things are addressed in the program and learning how to learning the things behind those things, learning the things that maybe your parents weren't aware of when they were parenting you when you were kids, and so um a lot of that kind of stuff is what we talk about, and um it's an eight-week course study that that we're doing this semester, and uh it's a really good opportunity. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:15.280 You have some food, get to know some of the people in the community, and you break off into men and women groups, um, so then you can do that. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:24.800 And the impact for me has just been you know a lot of healing in my relationships with my parents, as well as just you know talking through things I I may have been insecure or struggled with. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:25.280 Sure. 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:28.319 Um exactly, exactly. 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:30.560 Developing more of that like emotional literacy. 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:30.879 Yeah. 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:31.840 That's so good. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.120 So healing path is for everyone. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:39.919 Last time around we ran out of space, we ran out of room, had a waiting list. 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:42.800 How does somebody join this time around? 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:51.439 Yeah, so you can go to the you can go to the uh groups page on the website, on the awakening website, and there's a studies button. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:53.759 You can go to that and find the healing path through there. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:55.919 So we have limited spots available. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:57.840 We are starting in the next couple of weeks. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:00.479 So um, we'd love for you if you guys have any questions. 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.319 I'm gonna be hanging out the white tent after. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:05.439 Um, if anybody's interested or has questions, feel free to come up to me. 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:07.840 I'm always able to answer questions for you guys. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:08.960 So and do that. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:13.280 Christian's like one of the most friendly, like approachable guys that I know. 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:14.719 Come say hi to him. 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:15.759 And can we thank him? 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:18.000 This is a big it's hard to get up, but thanks so much. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:18.959 Appreciate you. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:23.600 Let me pray for us and we'll dive in. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:25.759 Ah, Jesus, thank you for today. 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:27.360 Thank you for your grace. 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:28.800 Thanks for this moment. 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:32.319 And so we said to our souls, we take a moment. 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:41.040 Help us be attentive to what you want to do, what you want to speak, how you want to work in our lives, happy. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:46.399 May we hear from you and respond to you in Jesus' name. 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:47.839 Amen. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:52.240 Uh today we're kicking off a series called Messy Spirituality. 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:53.600 Would you say that with me? 00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:54.639 Messy. 00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:57.920 Life's messy, isn't it? 00:04:58.240 --> 00:04:59.439 Oh boy. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:06.399 It's confusing, it's hard, it's uncertain, filled with questions and doubts. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:13.600 And in the midst of it all, isn't there just an incredible pressure to have it all figured out? 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:17.199 Life perfectly planned? 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:24.879 Always be moving forward, never look like you're lost or have it, don't have it together. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:28.319 I mean, who do you want to be? 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:29.839 Where do you, where are you going? 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:31.040 Who are you becoming? 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:35.279 And why in the world do you still feel so far behind? 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:43.360 Beneath it all, the truth is many of us we just kind of feel like a mess, don't we? 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:54.800 We carry a profound spiritual longing, a soul craving for meaning, belonging, purpose, wholeness, to be fully known, to be fully loved. 00:05:57.120 --> 00:05:57.920 What if? 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:03.279 What if you don't have to have it all figured out? 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:14.240 And what if the mess that you're hiding is actually the very place God wants it to meet? 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:17.120 Messy spirituality. 00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:26.720 What if messy spirituality isn't a problem to fix, but actually the only kind of spirituality that works? 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:32.639 The sermon title today is called Questions in the Dark. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:34.319 Would you say that with me? 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:42.560 Questions often surface in the dark before they ever make it in the light, don't they? 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:48.560 It's in the quiet hours, the lonely spaces, the moments when the noise down, dies down. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:51.839 It's when the questions bubble up. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:55.680 The worries, the doubts, the hurts, the longings. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:02.879 And it's in those questions, those moments, that God wants to meet us. 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:09.759 Which actually brings us to John chapter 3 and one person's midnight encounter with God. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:12.560 If you got your Bibles, would you open them up to John 3? 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:13.519 If not, it's in your notes. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:15.279 It's on the slides behind me. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:18.319 John 3, 1 begins this way. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:25.040 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:27.519 He came to Jesus at night. 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:31.199 If you're taking notes or something, you can even circle that word night. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:33.120 That's important for our conversation. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:42.240 And he said, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the signs you're doing if God were not with them. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:48.000 Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they're born again. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:51.839 Nicodemus, he's like, How can someone be born when they're old? 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:56.639 Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:08:03.279 And then Jesus says, Very true I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they're born of water and the spirit. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:08.879 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to the spirit. 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:15.920 I mean, how do you embrace a spirituality that actually makes a difference in your life? 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:27.839 How do you embrace a spirituality that isn't just a Sunday thing or just a good wishes thing, but actually changes things? 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:33.919 Today I want to give you three confessions of messy spirituality. 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:39.840 Three confessions for us of where God wants to meet us. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:42.720 The first confession is simply this. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:43.679 Confession number one. 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:44.960 You ready for this? 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.840 I am a mess. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:50.159 Would you say that with me? 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:51.919 I am a mess. 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:54.559 Turn to your neighbor and say, you are a mess. 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:55.200 No, I'm kidding. 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:55.840 Don't do that. 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:56.799 Don't do that. 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:59.440 Some of you are so excited. 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:01.679 You're like, I give a second. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:02.879 Are you kidding me? 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:03.360 No. 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:04.000 Okay. 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:05.840 I am a mess. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:06.879 This is the beginning. 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:08.320 This is the foundation. 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:12.320 This is the starting point of all true spirituality. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.720 I'm a mess. 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:22.399 Now, when we get to Nicodemus, he doesn't strike us as a mess, does he? 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:28.639 In fact, it says Nicodemus, who is a member of the Jewish ruling council, he came to Jesus at night. 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:34.240 In fact, Nicodemus seems like he's the picture of success, not a mess. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:51.679 When we think of a mess, maybe we think of a character we find one chapter later, John chapter 4, is the Samaritan woman who had a complicated story, a trail of relationships and a reputation she can't escape. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.080 But Nicodemus. 00:09:55.279 --> 00:10:00.879 The reason I like Nicodemus is because he's so mere Silicon Valley. 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:07.679 In fact, if we were to modernize him, we would say he's the picture of Silicon Valley success. 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:11.200 He's wealthy, financially free, independent. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:15.759 He's influential, he's a leader, a decision maker, his voice matters. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:19.039 He's highly educated, a teacher of Israel. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:22.159 He's morally disciplined, he's upright, respectable. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.000 People look to him. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:27.519 Yet he comes to Jesus at night. 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:28.559 Why? 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:34.799 You know, in John's gospel, night isn't just a time of day. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:45.519 He uses and weaves it through the entire gospel from night to light as a spiritual condition that Jesus is the light of the world. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:51.360 And so he comes at night as searching this idea of emptiness, of brokenness, of messiness. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:11:06.720 Nicodemus comes at night because he has questions he can't ask publicly, doubts he can't voice aloud, longings he can't explain, and a reputation he feels he has to protect. 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:10.879 I wonder how many of us feel like Nicodemus. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:19.360 Maybe not the whole like Silicon Valley Valley success story, but questions, yeah. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:30.799 Longings, emptiness, brokenness that you're afraid to ever admit. 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:33.039 Because if you did, what would people think? 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:39.360 See, no amount of success can eliminate the questions in the dark, by the way. 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:45.039 There's an inner longing that status success, even religion cannot feel. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:46.559 I like how Anne Lamotte said it. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:51.279 She said, everyone is screwed up, broken, clingy, and scared. 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:58.480 Even people who seem to have it more or less together, they are much more like you than you would believe. 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:03.279 So stop comparing your insides to their outsides. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:07.120 Confession number one. 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:09.600 I'm a mess. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:14.799 But here's the reality, here's the problem, here's what we do with that. 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:19.200 We all try to cover up our imperfections, don't we? 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:23.360 Rather than just what we had was this beautiful confession. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:30.080 It's maybe the first time you've ever said it out loud, because we've tried to present a picture perfect reality to everyone else. 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:46.159 We cover up our mess, we cover up our brokenness, we hide it, we push it down because we're afraid if anyone ever really saw the real me, they wouldn't like me, they wouldn't accept me. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:54.559 That somehow the real true you is unlovable, unworthy, unlikable. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:01.759 I am a mess. 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:05.279 Confession number two. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:09.600 And I can't unmess myself. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:15.919 And I know I made up the word unmess, okay? 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.840 Some of you are like, unmess, is that a word? 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:18.399 No, it's not. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:20.080 I made it up, but I can do that. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:22.320 I guess, I think, I did it. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:25.600 I can't unmess myself. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:30.080 There's nothing I can do to change the messiness about me. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:33.440 And in fact, Jesus leans into this conversation. 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:37.200 He says, No one can see the kingdom of God unless they're born again. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:40.639 Now, the kingdom of God is the natural home of the soul. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:54.720 You're designed to be at home in the presence of God, not striving, achieving, or hiding, but perfectly, fully loved and accepted, not because of anything you do or can do, simply because of who you are, that you're his. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:14:05.519 He says, no one can see the kingdom of God unless something happens that you had no part, like you didn't do yourself, like your physical birth, what did you do? 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.720 You're dead. 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:11.360 Your mom did a lot, you didn't do a whole lot. 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:22.960 He says, unless they're born again, something, something to that nature of new life that has to break forth in a radical new way. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:26.080 And then Nicodemus asked the question that we all ask. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.240 How can someone be born when they're old? 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:33.200 And he's asking this question that we all ask in the dark, is it too late for me? 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:36.320 Am I beyond hope? 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:42.639 What if I've messed my life up so badly? 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:51.360 What are the things done to me or the things I've done are just damaged? 00:14:56.000 --> 00:15:00.320 Notice that Jesus doesn't say try harder. 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.600 Do better. 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:07.440 Stop sucking. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:10.080 Those are the words we tell ourselves. 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:21.039 See, when confronted with the reality, I'm a mess, what we try to do is we work our hardest to unmess ourselves. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:33.279 Psychologist and theologian Gerald May says this the gentlest form of spiritual narcissism is the idea that one can accomplish one's own spiritual growth. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:36.159 I can do it. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:40.080 Messy spirituality, friends. 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:43.840 This is for every single person in this room. 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.919 Begins with this confession. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:49.039 Confession just means to agree with reality. 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:50.320 That's all it means. 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:53.759 I confess, I agree with what's true or reality. 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:55.039 I am a mess. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:58.399 I walked into this room as your pastor, a mess. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:05.519 And in and of myself, I can't unmess it. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.799 Period. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.759 Here's the reason why. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:16.159 We've all done things that we can't undo. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:22.559 We've all said things, we've all done things. 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:28.320 We all look back on areas where we wish we could have a redo, a change, an edit. 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:31.440 Push the delete button. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:36.559 The problem is no amount of good can undo what's been done. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:45.039 Now, the story that comes to my mind that so explains this or helps me understand this is one I've shared before. 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:47.919 So if you heard it before, um you're welcome. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.039 You get around two of it. 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.080 There you go. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:59.840 Um, my son, when he was about four or five, probably four, my wife's dropping off our two kids at school. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:06.640 She's in the parking lot, talking after dropping the kids off uh with some friends. 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:09.599 And my son, he he's in the parking lot. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:14.480 And by the way, this this boy, he just came out strong. 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:16.480 Like he came out with pecs, you know. 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:19.440 He came out, I mean, no lie. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:24.079 Like his, you know, newborn baby, you gotta hold their head, it kind of flops around. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:26.480 Like day one, he like lifted his head. 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.440 He's like, I got it. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:29.839 You know, like, oh, okay, no problem. 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.640 Got it. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.000 Um, that that was him. 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:39.200 And so he picked up this big rock while my wife's talking, and he hopped it as high as he could into the sky. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:44.960 I remember asking him, like, hey man, what what what were you what were you thinking? 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:48.319 And he's like, I was trying to hit the moon. 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:57.519 Well, you missed, and it landed with a thud right onto the hood of a brand new Audi. 00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.759 Yeah, oh no. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:03.759 My wife is the most amazing integral human. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:04.799 She left a note. 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:06.079 I sure hope I would do that. 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:09.200 She left a note and put my number on it. 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:14.480 Um, the guy calls me a little bit later. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:18.799 Um, and I mean, he was so nice about it, guys. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:20.559 So he was like apologizing to me. 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:23.200 He's like, I'm so sorry, Ryan. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:26.400 If it was my other car, it's all dented up, it'd just be one among it. 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.039 It would fit in. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.960 The dent would fit in with the other car. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:31.920 I bought that car last week. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.640 Oh I'm sorry. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.480 Send me the bill. 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:39.839 And he did$722.46. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:46.319 $722.46 for a dent in the Audi. 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:54.880 Now, my four-year-old did not have$722.46. 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.279 That jerk. 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:02.000 Now just imagine. 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.640 Imagine. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.839 He goes to me, Dad. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.839 Dad, I feel awful about the Audi. 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.319 Yep, that's fantastic. 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:08.960 I'm glad. 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.519 Okay. 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:14.559 I'm gonna clean my room every day for the next month. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.599 That's amazing. 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.880 That would be fantastic. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.920 That's great. 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:22.319 The problem is, no amount of cleaning your room will pay for the Audi. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:25.039 It doesn't give me$722.46. 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:27.519 Well, Dad, I'm gonna clean the car. 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.880 That would be fantastic. 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:31.920 And that's a great thing, that's a good thing, that's awesome. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:37.920 The problem is, is I still need$722.46. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:39.680 Why? 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:44.880 Because at four years of age, he could do something that he was not able to undo. 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:50.559 He had did not have the ability to make or to pay$722.46. 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.240 So what did he need? 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:57.200 He needed a mom or a dad to whip out their checkbook. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.680 We don't even have checkbooks anymore. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:02.880 Like half of you are like, what is a checkbook? 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.319 Right in the middle of this story. 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:06.079 Okay, get on with it, Ryan. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:09.119 To pay for the Audi. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.519 Romans 5 would say it this way. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:20.319 You see, at just the right time, when we were powerless. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:26.640 You see, at just the right time when we were a mess and we couldn't unmess ourselves. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:33.519 When we had done things that we can't undo, and it doesn't mean the things that we're doing now aren't good. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.400 They certainly are. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.920 That's wonderful and it's amazing. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.799 Keep doing it. 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:40.160 It just doesn't pay for what's been done. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:54.640 See, at the right time when we're powerless, Christ died for the ungodly, for the messy, for the broken, for the hurting, for those that are honest to say, I need help. 00:20:56.319 --> 00:21:01.839 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:08.400 But God demonstrates his love for you, his disposition towards you, his care for you. 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:14.480 He reveals it in this way that Christ died for you. 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:19.599 Messy spirituality is just simply this. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.799 I'm a mess. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:24.000 I can't unmess myself. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.799 Only Jesus can. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:41.200 You know, and A, they talk about I need a power greater than myself. 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:49.599 It's it's I need someone, something outside myself to fix it because I can't do it in and of myself. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:53.119 Only Jesus can. 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:59.680 He says, Very true, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.960 Of God. 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:04.319 Unless they're born of water and of spirit. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.000 Flesh gives birth to flesh. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:08.960 We're living, be breathing. 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:12.000 But spirit gives birth to spirit. 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:17.039 Just as you're physically born, you need a spiritual birth. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:19.279 And here's the reason why. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:24.640 We cannot solve a spiritual problem with a physical solution. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.759 We keep trying. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:35.920 If only I was more successful, more attractive, had more money, had more discipline, had more control. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:42.079 If only I were more, then I could unmess myself. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.960 I'm a mess. 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:55.920 Only Jesus can. 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:13.680 For God so loved the world. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:28.559 That God's disposition and heart towards you is not one of anger, one of apathy, but one of love. 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:47.920 That he gave his one and only Son, that He would do whatever it takes for you to bring you home that you might experience life. 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:55.039 And whoever believes, it's that confession. 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:59.680 Whoever gets to the point where we finally go, I'm stop going to trust myself. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:03.359 I'm gonna stop gonna try to just, you know, fake it till I make it. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:05.759 I finally go, God, I need help. 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:10.400 Shall not perish, but have eternal life. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:20.880 That's life now and forevermore, true life, that wholeness, that that peace, that purpose, that belonging that we are searching for. 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.079 My mess. 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.480 Your mess. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:34.720 Isn't too big for Jesus' Christ. 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:40.559 What what what what mess did you walk in with? 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:53.359 What's the things that you push down, that you hide, that you keep you awake at night? 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:56.240 So you stay busy. 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:07.039 Your mess and my mess is not too big, too great for Jesus. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:11.119 Jesus didn't come for the put together, the polished, or those who have it all figured out. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:13.200 He came for messy people like me. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:23.359 Jesus loves messy people, he forgives messy people, he saves messy people. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:27.839 He came for the weary, the wounded, the doubting, the broken. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:33.759 He came for people with questions in the dark. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:44.319 The good news is your mess isn't a barrier to God's grace. 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:54.960 The shame that we carry, and that's the reason we stay in hiding, isn't a barrier to God's grace. 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.480 Your past. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:03.279 It isn't a barrier to God's grace. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:08.319 The only thing that keeps us from his grace is pretending we don't need it. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:16.000 Jesus doesn't wait for us to fix up our lives or have it all together. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:20.400 He meets us in the dark while we were still powerless. 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.799 Still messy. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:25.440 We still have questions. 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:29.839 Questions we didn't think we could ask out loud. 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:32.079 He meets us right there. 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:39.119 This is messy spirituality. 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:46.079 This is what your heart is longing for. 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:56.319 Let me ask you, would you bring your whole self to Jesus today? 00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:00.240 I think there's so many of us. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:04.079 We have parts of ourselves that we keep, like this compartment we hide. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:09.359 We don't want anybody to see, and we try to ignore it in this moment where Jesus is like, I see it all anyways. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.079 I love you all. 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:13.519 I want you to bring that out so I can bring healing. 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:23.680 The invitation is not to clean yourself up, but embrace a new confession for life. 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.599 I'm a mess. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.000 Welcome to the club. 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:34.240 I can't amess myself. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.920 Only Jesus can. 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:56.559 I think for Sim today is the moment where you, for the first time, have heard that Jesus loves you, came for you, died for you, that that you can experience life and awakening a spiritual new birth. 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:59.759 And I want to invite you to respond to that. 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:03.200 In fact, if you wouldn't mind, just pray with me. 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:06.319 And a prayer is just a conversation with God. 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:14.720 If you're in this place of, gosh, I need that wholeness. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:19.359 I'm tired of trying to do better and fix myself. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.799 I'm ready. 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.319 I invite Jesus. 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:26.319 Would you just pray after me? 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:29.119 Jesus, I'm a mess. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.440 I can't unmess myself. 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:39.119 I'm tired of trying harder. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.799 I'm tired of hiding. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:50.640 So right now, in this moment, I invite you into the middle of my life, into the middle of my mess. 00:28:53.519 --> 00:29:01.519 I long for the brand new life you offer to be born again, like spiritual new life. 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.680 I believe you love me. 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:07.039 You came for me. 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:09.039 You gave your life for me. 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:12.480 You rose again to give me new life. 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:21.440 And right now, even though I don't understand it all, I put my trust in you. 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:28.240 Would you be the leader and the rescuer of my life? 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:37.039 If we can just stay in prayer and keep your eyes closed and heads bowed. 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:44.000 If you prayed that prayer with me, I just would love to know and be able to pray for you if you wouldn't mind just raising your hand. 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.960 Just raise it up high. 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.440 Amen. 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.160 Amen. 00:29:52.960 --> 00:30:00.720 Scripture says that when we confess with our mouth and believe with our heart that Jesus is Lord, you are saved. 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:02.799 You step into new life. 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:10.240 You are born again, and the Spirit of God comes to fill you with new life. 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:20.160 God thank you for the new life that's erupting in this room. 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:36.400 And thank you for those that you know have walked with you and have wandered, but have fallen into the trap of trying harder, and today they have returned to you or have been hiding parts that have come fully out with you. 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:41.920 Thank you that you are the God of life. 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:46.960 Thank you for Jesus. 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:50.000 We hope you are blessed by this message. 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:54.559 Please subscribe to our podcast for access to every episode as they're uploaded. 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:56.799 And hey, we'd love to connect with you. 00:30:57.039 --> 00:31:10.160 Take a next step by filling out our virtual connection card at awakeningchurch.com slash cards.