WEBVTT 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:21.359 Well, good morning, awakening church. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:22.559 Great to be with you. 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:24.320 Happy Easter. 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:25.839 Thank you. 00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:26.879 Thank you. 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:29.039 If you're new, my name's Ryan. 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.240 We're absolutely thrilled to have you join us today. 00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:42.880 Now, down through the centuries, Christians have this call and response, especially on Easter, but not only on Easter, where one person says, He is risen, and the respondent says, Oh, you know, you know it. 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:43.280 You know it. 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:45.520 Let's let's let's do that all together, human mind. 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:53.600 He is risen! And because he has risen, you and I have real hope. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:54.479 Praise God. 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:55.359 Amen. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:00.399 Um the other day I lost the remote to our TV. 00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:02.560 Yeah, I know. 00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:06.400 Um, it stirred quite the search, mind you. 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:15.359 Um, you know, sofa cushions flipped, kids blamed, our house looked like we had been robbed. 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:16.959 I couldn't find it. 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:18.799 So I ordered a new one. 00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:20.799 It came the next day. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:23.439 And it reminded me of something that we all know. 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:30.640 And it's simply this: when you lose something, the search reveals just how valuable it is. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:36.959 Uh I was doing laundry once, and I remember having this distinct thought. 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:42.079 I was in the middle of laundry, and one of my socks fell behind the washer. 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:46.079 This was literally had this thought. 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:48.560 Well, it's gone forever. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:52.079 I hadn't even lost it. 00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:54.879 It just wasn't worth getting. 00:01:55.599 --> 00:02:05.599 Uh last March, my family and I, we went to the snow uh up to Tahoe to snowboard with family friends, and it was on the weekend. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:08.000 Maybe you remember where the big storm hit. 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:14.159 And like visibility is maybe 50 feet, and so we're up on the mountain. 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:20.000 And if you get off the main, you know, run, you're into snow up to your waist. 00:02:20.080 --> 00:02:24.800 I remember having to take the snowboard off many times, like crawling out, sliding on your belly. 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:25.919 It's miserable. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:31.599 Going down one run, I got you know disconnected from one of my sons, and it's like, all right, not a problem. 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:34.879 We'll um reconnect at the bottom of the mountain. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:38.400 The only problem where we're at was a really big mountain. 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:40.319 I get to the bottom, he's not there. 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:42.719 I'm like, oh, he's probably off with his buddy. 00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:45.120 I'll see him at some point during the day. 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:49.840 I see his friend about you know 30, 40 minutes later, and I go, Oh, have you seen my son? 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:51.840 And uh he goes, No. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:53.840 Like, oh, okay. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:03:00.879 A little bit of worry starts creeping in, you know, he's fine, he's a good snowboarder, it's gonna be great, you know. 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:04.000 And then about an hour or so later, I get a call. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:08.240 It's my son, and I hear his voice. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:14.240 And he got off the main uh run, he's been lost. 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:19.360 He's up to his waist in snow, he's stuck, it's cold. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:21.599 Somehow he lost a glove. 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:24.319 His phone's at one percent. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:28.159 Why are teenagers' phones always at one percent? 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:35.360 His voice on the other line, Dad, help. 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:43.360 I thought some people would be coming, but I've been calling, no one's around, I'm stuck, scared. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:45.840 And then his phone died. 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:50.719 I didn't know the mountain well, but my buddy did. 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:58.159 We alerted snow patrol, and there's three different groups of us going out searching for him. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:03.120 A little while later, I get a call, he's been found. 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:07.199 He's shaken up, but he's okay. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:13.520 When you lose something, the search reveals just how valuable it is. 00:04:14.240 --> 00:04:20.959 We replace what's cheap, we pursue what's cherished. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:28.480 And when something is truly valuable, you don't stop searching until you find it. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:35.199 Uh, truth be told, I gave up very quickly in trying to find that remote. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:39.519 And I would have given my life trying to find my son. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:42.399 Question. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:47.279 How far would God go for you? 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:59.519 I mean, what kind of search would God do for you? 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:04.800 The sermon title today is The God Who Pursues. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:07.680 Would you say that with me? 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:14.160 If honest, most of us don't feel pursued by God. 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:19.519 Maybe you even feel abandoned or rejected or judged. 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:29.680 Maybe that he's waiting for you to screw up, you feel evaluated, he's watching from a distance with crossed arms, grading your life. 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:34.399 What if God isn't distant or aloof or standing back? 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:40.160 What if he's been moving towards you, pursuing you in love this whole time? 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:45.439 Easter, friends, is the answer to that question. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:50.319 How far would God go for you? 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:57.680 The life of Jesus, by the way, brings into focus the very heart of God. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:02.000 The life of Jesus brings the heart of God into focus. 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:04.639 If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:10.000 And here's the reason why Jesus didn't claim to just be a good man, good teacher, or even God like. 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:12.959 He claimed to be the God man. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:15.600 In theology, we actually have a word for this. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:17.519 I'm gonna teach you a theology word. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:18.480 We good with that? 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:21.360 Better than the last service, I'll take it. 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:24.560 Um it's called the incarnation. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:26.000 Can you say the incarnation? 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:28.800 Yeah, think carne asada. 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:30.399 That'll help you remember it. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:33.199 Literally, carne, flesh, meat, right? 00:06:33.279 --> 00:06:35.759 Uh incarnation in the flesh. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:36.959 That's what it literally means. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:42.639 In the flesh, in Jesus, God became one of us forever. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:48.720 Fully God, fully human, for all time. 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:53.120 And so when you see Jesus, you see God. 00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:58.879 How Jesus responds is exactly how God responds. 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:03.759 How Jesus lived, brought God's heart into focus. 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:09.519 And the question is, why in the world did God go all to all the way, all the trouble to become human? 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:11.360 Why the incarnation? 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:18.720 In the Gospel of Luke, we get a crystal clear picture of the heart of God and why he went to all the trouble. 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:21.040 If you got your Bibles, you can open up to Luke 15. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:23.040 If not, it's in your notes. 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:25.439 Luke 15, 1 begins this way. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:38.639 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus, but the Pharisees and teachers of the law muttered, This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:43.519 It's interesting that the religious group in Jesus' day were the most confused about him. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:45.519 What is he up to? 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:46.560 Why? 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:51.600 Jesus, why do you hang with all the quote wrong type of people? 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:56.959 And Jesus' response, he tells what's called a parable or a story. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:08:13.199 In fact, he tells a collection of parables, three stories that build with an intensity and clarity to reveal the heart of Creator God for his creation, Jesus' purpose for why he came. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:20.639 It begins by telling him a story about a shepherd who had a hundred sheep and he loses one of them. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:22.560 And what does the shepherd do? 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:25.920 Well, he leaves the 99 in pursuit of the one. 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:30.319 When he finds his lost sheep, he picks it up and carries it back. 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:38.000 And instead of scolding that sheep, the shepherd throws a big party, I found my lost sheep. 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:42.080 And then he tells the story of a woman who had 10 gold coins. 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:46.080 This would have been her life savings, and she loses one of them. 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:50.320 She doesn't treat that one like a sock, mind you. 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:57.600 No, she lights a lamp, she sweeps, she searches until she finds the coin. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:00.720 And once she finds it, she throws a celebration. 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:06.159 She tells all of her friends, come celebrate with me. 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:10.480 And then Jesus tells his final story to make his point. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:14.000 Each story, something precious is lost. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:18.879 There's a significant search, and once it's found, there's a great celebration. 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:21.600 This is the climax, the exclamation part. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:26.480 And perhaps Jesus' most famous story or parable ever. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:28.720 It's the story of the lost son. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:32.159 You may know it as the prodigal son. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:33.519 Jesus continues. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:37.919 He says, There was a man who had two sons. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:42.480 The younger one said to his father, Father, give me my share of this state. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:45.360 So he divided his property between them. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:47.519 Now, this is offensive in our day. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:50.240 It's even more offensive in that day. 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:56.080 The son looks at his dad and basically says, Dad, I wish you were dead. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:59.039 I want what's coming to me. 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:02.399 I don't want to live under your roof, under your rules. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:05.519 I want to live life my own way. 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:12.399 Would you give me what's coming to me once you die so I can live life on my own terms? 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:19.679 And the truth is, we all want to live life on our own terms, don't we? 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:27.679 In fact, Isaiah the prophet would say it this way that we all like sheep have gone astray. 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:31.279 Each one of us has wandered and turned our own way. 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:34.000 We're all like that one sheep. 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:37.840 We all want to live life on our own terms. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:39.200 We all wander. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.720 We all think we know what's best. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:47.600 We don't want anyone else telling us what to do. 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:55.039 And the truth is, we find ourselves more lost than we care to admit, don't we? 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:58.720 It's fascinating about the father's response. 00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:01.679 Wasn't it like a lecture? 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:04.879 It wasn't just to kick him out. 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:09.279 Son, if that's what you want, here you go. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:11.039 Jesus continues. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:14.080 Not long after that, the young son got together all he had. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:19.600 He set off for a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth in wild living. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.879 He got what he wanted. 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:26.799 He lived it up, spent it all, and then Jesus tells us there's a severe famine that hit the land. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:30.639 He's broke, no family, no friends, no money, nothing. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:35.600 And so just to get by, he has to work tending pigs. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:41.519 So hungry, he wished he could eat the food, the slop that the pigs were eating. 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:51.279 What he thought would bring freedom, what he thought would bring fulfillment, turn to quiet desperation, a hidden emptiness. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:54.159 He had gotten himself lost. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:59.919 We don't know how long he lived it up, and we don't know how long he was tending pigs. 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:03.679 What we do know is it was long enough to hit rock bottom. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:06.240 Then it says this about the younger son. 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:08.399 When he came to his senses. 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:09.279 I love that line. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.639 Would you say that with me? 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:13.200 When he came to his senses. 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:17.919 There was a moment of clarity in the muck of the pig pen. 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:23.440 The home he'd left, the father he dishonored, just maybe he could come back as a son. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.279 Not as a son, but as a servant. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.120 And so he devises this plan. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:32.000 How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to? 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:37.039 I'll set out and go back to my father and say to him, Father, I've sinned against heaven and against you. 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:39.759 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.720 Make me like one of your hired servants. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:46.399 So he got up and went to his father. 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:53.600 He had a moment of clarity in a place of desperation. 00:12:55.039 --> 00:13:01.279 Friends, this moment may be your moment of clarity. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:08.720 Maybe you've tried everything else to bring purpose in life, but the emptiness is still there. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:12.639 The quiet desperation is still there. 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:15.279 Oh, we're good at covering it up. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:17.039 Put on a good face. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:21.759 People think you have it all together. 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:23.919 But the eggs there. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.279 The longing persists. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:35.679 The son starts the journey home, and the question is what will be the response of the father? 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:42.000 What kind of father will he meet when he gets home? 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:43.360 Will it be rejection? 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:45.679 Will it be arms crossed? 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:48.159 Now, here's what's fascinating. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:55.759 There was something about the father that the son knew even in all that he had done, he could still come home. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.480 Jesus continues. 00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:03.759 But while he was a long way off, this is so good. 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:08.399 His father saw him, filled with compassion for him. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:12.399 He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:21.200 But while he was a long way off, every day since his young son left, the father had his eyes on the horizon looking. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:24.000 Maybe one day his son would return. 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:27.840 Every day he watched, he waited, he'd hope. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:35.360 He'd sit on the porch after a long day's work and look out into that direction to see is there gonna be the silhouette of my son? 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:49.200 And then one day there was that dot on the horizon that turned into the silhouette that he could just begin to notice the gait, the walk of his son, this the shadow, like he's just so he's like only a father can know, and a parent can know. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.480 That's my kid. 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:56.399 And he runs to his son because he's filled with compassion, filled with love for him. 00:14:56.559 --> 00:15:02.399 He runs to him, he picks up his robe and exposes his leg like a little kid. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:08.720 No, this was not what a patriarch was supposed to do. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:14.559 Patriarch, well respected in his community, was to stand there and wait. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:34.960 If the son was to return, he would the son was to do the walk of shame through the village, have the rest of the townspeople, his friends, his neighbors hit, you know, hurl ridicule and insults at him, mutter, gossip about him, and he's supposed to stand there and his son's supposed to grovel and, you know, could I possibly get back? 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.200 And he's supposed to be like this. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:46.080 Yet the father disgraces himself in the eyes of the community to embrace his son. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.559 Don't miss this. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:51.759 The love of the father is greater than the rejection of the son. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:57.600 The love of the father is greater than the rejection of the son. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:00.399 And the father, this is so good. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:05.679 The son would have would have walked back and had this walk of shame. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:16.320 The father runs to him before the voice of shame could even speak and embraces his son and says, Now, the son, think about this. 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:22.480 The son begins in his speech. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.320 Worked on this. 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:28.399 Father, I've sinned against heaven and against you. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:30.720 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:36.960 He's in the middle of this speech, and his father goes, I don't think he's listening. 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:43.360 Quick! Bring the best robe, put it on him, put a ring on his finger, sandals on his feet, bring the fatted calf and kill it. 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:45.200 Let's have a feast and celebrate. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.399 Why? 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:52.080 For the son of mine was dead and is alive again. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:55.759 He was lost and he was found. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:59.279 So they began to celebrate. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:10.720 He lost everything he had left with no robe, no sandals, no ring. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:18.319 And immediately the father covered his son in the best that he had and placed the ring of sonship on his finger. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.000 Do not miss this. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:22.720 The heart of God is to welcome you home. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.880 His arms are open wide. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:27.039 His response was not shame. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:33.920 His response wasn't, well, finally, it wasn't about time. 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:38.640 It wasn't, what were you thinking? 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:42.480 You're such a disgrace to the family. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:45.200 You're such an embarrassment. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:51.200 No, the father's love saw him a long way off and he ran to him, arms open wide. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:56.319 In the kingdom of heaven, there are no second-class citizens. 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.960 He wanted to just simply be a servant. 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:03.359 He says, No, there are not damaged goods. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:07.440 There are no ones who are just servants or barely squeaking in. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:12.960 There are precious, delighted in daughter and sons of the King Most High. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:21.039 And for some, come on. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:24.400 For some of us, we felt like we could never return home. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.880 You've wandered too far. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.599 You've done too much. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:37.440 Or if you did come home, all you would find is shame and rejection. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:40.799 Maybe you used to have a faith. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:49.200 And then you've wandered off, and the question you have is, would God ever want me back again? 00:18:51.680 --> 00:19:04.799 But if it's true, the life of Jesus brings the heart of God into focus, then it answers our biggest questions about coming home and what kind of God is welcoming us. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:10.079 The incarnation answers the question: Does God understand me? 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:19.680 The incarnation reveals that God understands you from the inside of your world because he stepped into your world. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:32.559 He understands rejection, he understands betrayal, he understands suffering, he understands what it's like to be rocked and ridiculed, and he understands pain and suffering and brokenness. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:37.119 He understands you completely. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:44.000 And the God of all eternity left heaven to come find you. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:48.799 The cross answers the question: does God love me? 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:54.160 The cross reveals how far God is willing to go for you. 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:56.799 He'd rather die than live without you. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:03.119 It wasn't Nels that held him to the cross, it was love. 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:13.759 And for all of eternity, his arms stretched open wide for you and for me. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:17.279 And the resurrection. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:25.440 The resurrection answers the question: does God have the power to change me? 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:37.279 You see, if the story ends at the cross, we would know we have a God who loves us, but we wouldn't know if he actually has the power to save us. 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:43.279 The resurrection reveals God's power to bring you home. 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:47.119 Easter, this is a news alert. 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.079 Hang on. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:50.640 Easter is not about a bunny. 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.519 Sorry, kids. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:01.839 Which are they're good. 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:05.839 Easter is about an empty tomb. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:13.039 Easter is about the savior of the world defeating death itself. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:21.519 The resurrection of God is his declaration that death does not get the final word. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:28.240 Sin doesn't win, and your past isn't too big. 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:31.359 When you lose something. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:37.119 Search reveals just how valuable it is. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.759 The truth is, we all wander. 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.680 We all get lost. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:49.200 We all long to find our way. 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:58.079 And the resurrection means there's no place you can go where God cannot bring you home. 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:26.319 I want to share a story with someone who definitely lost an experience and felt found by Jesus. 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.920 Would you take a look at it? 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:39.759 I felt so miserable. 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:54.079 Like I couldn't stop crying because you know it's just easy to show to other people that you look great, you look okay, but they don't really know like how broken my heart is. 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:16.960 So there's always like in my heart like restlessness, no contentment. 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:21.920 It just searching for something, like something to feel you. 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:35.680 I remember that was the time I saw a lot of celebrities who claimed that they uh receive healing or clarity or like they found their purpose in life. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:43.440 It's called ayahuasca, it's a plant-based medicine, and they do it mostly in Latin America. 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:47.359 I thought of myself, oh my god, I can relate. 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:57.279 If this will solve whatever like emptiness or questions about really what's the purpose of life, if this can give me the answer, then be it. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:11.279 When I got there, it it looks so beautiful. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:17.119 Like imagine like a resort in the middle of a secluded jungle. 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:28.880 Basically, they're gonna give you some ayahuasca, and that ceremony there will be like shamans just going to like do the chants. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:38.799 It's really like a spiritual thing, and the first night I truly experienced something I thought was real. 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:51.039 God told me it's okay, whoever I worship, as long as there's love and peace, it felt so light, like there's so much light and so much love. 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:59.519 Second night, I heard this, like I don't know how you would describe it, but like a demonic voice. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:02.720 I just uttered, stop it, stop it. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:12.160 And then when I opened my eyes and I just looked up to the sky, that's when I saw the image of Jesus, his face. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:15.200 He appeared so sad. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:19.279 I actually asked him, like, why he looked so sad. 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:25.200 His image was disappearing, and I really didn't like what's happening. 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:28.880 Like, I didn't want him to be to disappear. 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:35.359 I think my heart was so crushed thinking about his leaving. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:41.680 So that's when I held my hand and I just said, like, for three times, like, I need your Jesus. 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:44.160 I need you Jesus, I need you Jesus. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:52.400 After saying those words, that's when all of a sudden I became sober. 00:25:54.960 --> 00:26:01.519 I was just watching what's going on, like my eyes were so wide open, and I realized it was so dark. 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:12.559 Because I was seeing some people that the shamans they pick up and then they place in the altar, and the shamans just like bowing there, like they're chanting, they were chanting. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:20.240 In that moment, I witnessed what's um like how wicked, how wicked it was. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.240 Back to my hotel. 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:37.680 I had my Bible with me that time, and so when I opened my Bible, the page that I turned, it said there that even Satan can disguise as an angel of light. 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:48.079 That's when it hit me that oh my god, I was in a dark place, and I was crying, I was sobbing. 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:53.200 That was the moment that I truly asked repentance to the Lord. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.799 Like, what did I do, Lord? 00:26:54.960 --> 00:27:05.279 Forgive me, and I just remembered all the bad stuff that I did in my life, and I know that was the first time I ever talked to him like that. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:09.599 Like, it was so raw and it was so real. 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:19.599 I suddenly remembered the verse that was being taught when I was a kid I am the only way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:27.440 So I just uttered those words and then um I declared that Lord lead my life. 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:29.680 You are my Lord and Savior. 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:36.400 I suddenly felt this overwhelming peace, love, and joy. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:43.759 That very moment, I just knew that I'm a different person. 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:59.680 I think the biggest revelation that night that I'm so sure of my salvation that no one is too far gone. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:07.599 And even when I was in a wrong place, he still rescued me, and he still found me. 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:56.160 That's why Jesus that he has the power to bring you. 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:03.039 You may feel like you just have one percent. 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:06.960 Maybe you may even feel like your phone's dead a little bit. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:15.119 And like Leilani's story, it can happen out in the middle of a jungle, or it can happen in the middle of a cafeteria. 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:18.000 Jesus, I need you. 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:20.160 Dad, help. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.759 That's it. 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:24.960 He responds to that. 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:34.319 You may have walked in here feeling far from God, but God is not far from you. 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:39.759 And he longs to meet you. 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:44.799 He longs to rescue you. 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:52.400 He longs to offer the great exchange, his life for yours. 00:30:54.799 --> 00:31:01.920 And it's just simply the cry of your heart, the same cry, Jesus, I need you. 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:04.400 Jesus, I need you. 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:09.680 I've been wandering, I'm lost, I'm stuck. 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:19.680 I've tried so many things that I thought would bring life and hope and purpose, and I'm just aching. 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:40.960 If that's you, I just want to give us a moment as before we begin in worship, for you to accept the invitation of Jesus that he says, I long to save you, I long to bring healing and wholeness and purpose. 00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:45.200 And so would you pray with me? 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:48.799 And prayer is just a conversation with God, it's just talking to God. 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:50.000 That's all prayer is. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:32:00.720 And if you long to experience his rescuing new life, just pray after me. 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:03.200 Jesus, I need you. 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.759 I feel lost. 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:13.119 I've been wandering, I'm stuck. 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:30.640 I believe you came for me and you died for me, and you defeated the grave that I might have life in you. 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:37.039 Would you come into my life and make me new? 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:40.319 Would you forgive me and heal me? 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:47.599 Jesus, would you be the leader and rescuer of my life? 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:57.039 If we can just stay in a moment of prayer, and if you prayed that that, would you mind just raising your hand so I could see? 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.319 I just would love to pray for you. 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:00.160 No, just raise your hand nice and high. 00:33:00.880 --> 00:33:02.000 Awesome, amazing. 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.920 Yeah, keep them up, amazing. 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.160 Very cool. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.440 Very cool, thank you. 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:15.440 Something lost was found. 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:19.359 A significant search took place. 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:23.839 Once found, a great celebration was thrown. 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:30.720 Those who have stepped into life or have wandered back home. 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:36.400 Your father is celebrating. 00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:39.599 Heaven is rejoicing. 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.759 Welcome home. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:43.680 Welcome home. 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:45.759 Welcome home. 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:52.799 Jesus, thank you for your rescuing love, your grace, your kindness, your healing. 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:57.200 Thank you that you went all the way to the cross for us. 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:08.239 And so now as we continue in worship, we just simply say one and big thank you in return. 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.599 In your name we pray. 00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:11.679 And all God's people said, Amen. 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.760 Why don't you stand and we continue? 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:16.639 We hope you are blessed by this message. 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:21.199 Please subscribe to our podcast for access to every episode as they're uploaded. 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:23.519 And hey, we'd love to connect with you. 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:29.599 Take a next step by filling out our virtual connection card at awakeningchurch.com slash card.