WEBVTT 00:00:04.320 --> 00:00:06.879 Well, it is great to see everybody this morning. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:08.720 Um it it good morning. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:10.400 Uh welcome to Church at the Grove. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:12.240 I want to welcome everyone. 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:21.679 Um we tend to have more guests at our other services, um, but I always want to make sure if there's a guest here, we're excited you're here. 00:00:21.760 --> 00:00:25.760 And we want to make sure you more than anything experience the love of Jesus. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:28.559 My name's Russ, and uh excited that you're with us. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:31.519 I want you to I did did it did you get one of these coming in? 00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:33.520 Did everybody everybody's got one? 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:39.119 Um I'm gonna ask you to do something with me, and and and so I want you to put your hand on this. 00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:58.719 This is we're talking about obedience to God's call to build the kingdom of God, to advance the kingdom and and and to mission and share our faith with our friends and sharing with even global partners, people around the world. 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:14.959 And so um we have you see five opportunities for us, four that are in another country, and one that is in New York City, for people to join and go together and serve. 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:18.159 And so you say, well, I don't know if I can go. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:25.359 And so here's my encouragement: you can take part, whether it's going or giving. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:32.079 And so we, you know, there's money that needs to be raised with the people, and so I want you to pray. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:35.760 What, God, what is it you want me to do with this? 00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:42.480 And I want you to open your heart and consider going, going with us. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:46.000 But but if not, how can you take part? 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:49.439 And so just put your hand on this and would you pray with me? 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:55.599 Father, you've called us to be obedient to your great commission. 00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:04.400 You've called us to be obedient, to share our faith, and to join with you in building and advancing the kingdom of God. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:20.639 God, we trust you through the power of your Holy Spirit to lead us, to speak to us and how we are to take part in this, whether it be through going or whether it be through giving and supporting. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:39.599 And so my prayer is that the Holy Spirit would speak and that God, you would, you would, you would awaken us, you would prick our hearts, you would um, God, do something deep inside of us this morning as we uh study your word and we lean in to your Holy Spirit. 00:02:39.759 --> 00:02:41.199 So in Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:42.080 Amen. 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:42.800 Amen. 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:49.360 So we're gonna we're gonna come back to this, but I want I want I I'm gonna ask you to to lean in this morning. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:03:00.800 And so um, my my wife, her background is teaching and education, and so she's she's you know, she's always kind of, I've said, I've watched her and her example. 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:10.319 So when she's with a group of kids, and sometimes our own children, and you're trying to get them to focus, you know, you don't you don't raise your voice. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:12.800 Sometimes you lower your voice. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:31.120 And so I'm I'm you know, my my prayer this morning, I'm I'm a bit expressive, but I just felt like the Holy Spirit said, you know what, Russ, just just just share what God's put on your heart and trust that the Holy Spirit will do a work if we lean in. 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:32.000 Amen. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:33.280 Amen. 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:36.879 So so we we want to lean in because we we want to focus. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:37.919 We want to focus. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:48.080 I I came, I read an article a couple weeks ago about sports psychology and the psychology of momentum in sports. 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:49.919 And so I'm a sports fan. 00:03:50.080 --> 00:04:06.319 And so we've all seen sometimes sporting events, whether it be football, American football, or soccer, baseball, basketball, other Olympic sports, tennis. 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:16.240 The article had extensive research on even how individuals in golf and tennis, how how momentum can change. 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:27.920 And they talked about that one of the key ingredients in those momentum shifts was the ability for the athletes to focus even in the midst of adversity. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:40.160 And so that's why sometimes you see, you see it, you'll see one play, one hit, one goal block, a three-pointer, or an interception. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:43.279 You'll see one play shift. 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:51.279 One point in tennis, you know, one shot in golf, and the momentum shifts. 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:58.240 And so the um Jack Llewellyn was a sports psychologist that helped John Smoltz in the early 1990s. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:04.079 He's so talented baseball player, pitcher, but he but he struggled with the mental aspects of the game. 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:04.879 And so Dr. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:17.680 Jack Llewellyn was was hired by the Atlanta Braves and helping um Smoltz learn how to train his mental capacity to focus. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:19.759 And I believe that's something we need. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:26.399 We, the church, we can learn a little bit from this because I feel like that God is working. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:41.040 I hear how God is working in other countries, and it's a little bit um it's a little bit depressing to see statistically how the church is declining, but we still trust that God is going to work, that God is going to refresh, and God is going to renew. 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:44.639 He can bring revival to his church. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:49.839 And so we we we need to lean in and focus. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:55.519 There's so many distractions in our world that cause us to lose focus. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:02.319 And so we're we're in this series, Adventure Awaits, and we've been we've been walking through our discipleship pathway. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:04.399 And we've talked about the steps. 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:12.800 First step is to believe in Jesus and what he did on the cross and through the um his bodily resurrection. 00:06:12.959 --> 00:06:18.720 Um, and and you take that step and put your belief and trust wholly upon Jesus. 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:26.160 And the the second is belonging, belonging and through relationships, belonging in the family of God. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:32.079 The third um uh path and third step is to become. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:41.360 Last week we talked about how important it is for us to remain abiding in Christ, to remain attached to Jesus. 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:44.959 He said, I am the vine and you are the branches. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:46.319 You must remain in me. 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:59.519 We must remain attached to Jesus and begin to see our character transformed into the character that he modeled and that he promises us through the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:02.319 And so we we we know these verses. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:07.439 The Great Commission, Matthew 28, 18, 19, and 20, he says, go. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.600 Um, go and make disciples. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:14.720 It says Jesus came and told his disciples, I've been given all authority, which is important. 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:18.319 I've been given all authority in heaven and earth. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:24.560 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:29.600 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:34.720 And be sure of this, that I am with you always, even to the end of this age. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:40.639 And so I want you to notice that Jesus says, all authority has been given to him. 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:43.120 He says, I'm with you always. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:51.360 And so this is the beginning point of us building the kingdom, is understanding that he has given us authority. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:54.319 He has given us what we need. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:59.600 And he will build the kingdom as we lean in and obey. 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:03.279 And so it doesn't begin with our talent or our ability. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.319 It doesn't begin with how eloquent we speak. 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:10.079 It begins with his authority and his power. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:11.279 Amen. 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:13.279 And so let's dig in. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:23.040 We're gonna, our main passage this morning is Acts chapter 1, 1 through 8, looking at another version of the Great Commission. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:32.639 And this is Luke writing, verse 1 says, in my first book, I told you, he's talking about his gospel called Luke, the gospel of Luke. 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:43.840 I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instruction through the Holy Spirit. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:52.480 During the 40 days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:55.679 And he talked to them about the kingdom of God. 00:08:56.639 --> 00:09:06.159 Once when he was eating with him, he commanded them, do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift that I promised. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:13.840 As I told you before, John baptized you with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:22.480 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom? 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:30.080 You notice they keep, we all I think it's just kind of ingrained in us to always want to know how's it gonna, how's it gonna end? 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:33.039 You know, how how what's what's it gonna be like, you know? 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:39.840 And he says, he says, listen, the Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:54.720 And they are not for you to know, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses telling people about me everywhere, in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:10:01.039 And so here's here's what I think Luke would want us to see, maybe focus on this morning. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:06.879 First thought is that our mission continues simply the work that Jesus began. 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:10.000 Our mission continues the work Jesus began. 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:25.279 He said, in the first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach, until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instruction through the Holy Spirit. 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:42.960 So Jesus, we know that Jesus has finished the work of redemption, providing this new life through his crucifixion and his resurrection. 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:47.200 So this is his work, his ministry, his proclamation. 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:55.519 Um it it is it is finished, it is done, but in another sense, it was just beginning. 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:59.679 And it says Jesus began to do and teach. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:03.919 All that Jesus began to do and teach during his life on earth. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:09.039 And so he's referring to what is going to be recorded through the rest of the New Testament. 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:21.279 And to continue 2,000 years later, plus 2023, how he will work through us until he returns. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:28.639 And so Christ's work of redemption is completed, but the work of the church was just beginning. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:38.559 And so the book of Acts records and shares all of the these unbelievable events and how the this new family was formed called the church. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:55.679 People from all nations, all languages, all, I mean, all countries come together to be a part of this great commission, fulfilling God's commandment, loving God with all of our heart, and loving people as ourselves. 00:11:55.919 --> 00:12:00.399 So we continue Jesus' work with good deeds and good news. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:01.519 Say that with me. 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:02.639 Good deeds and good news. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:03.759 Let's say it together. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:06.159 Good deeds and good news. 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:09.840 And so we we point people to Jesus. 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:18.320 We tell them, but we also model in front of them. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:25.919 We tell them, we we we use words, we proclaim, but we also demonstrate. 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:30.399 We do the work of the ministry. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:39.200 At Church of the Grove, we say our mission is this: that we exist to reach people far from God and to lead them to become followers of Jesus. 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:55.600 And our you know, our pathway, leading people to believe in Jesus, leading people to belong through relationships, leading people to become like Jesus in their character, lead people to build the kingdom of God through God building his church. 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:58.799 And so it's it's it's your family. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:01.519 We're all called a mission. 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:13.840 As a matter of fact, one of my mentors told me years ago, he said, basically, you're you're either you're either a missionary or you're a mission field. 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:16.240 I mean, you're you're either a missionary. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:25.360 All of us are called to the work of the ministry, to to share and proclaim and demonstrate the gospel of Jesus. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:33.039 And so so Jesus began his work, but also our mission depends on Jesus' resurrection. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.960 Look here, verse 3. 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:43.440 During the 40 days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:46.080 And he talked to them about the kingdom of God. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:54.799 And so faith in his crucifixion, but also the empty tomb, it matters what you believe. 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:59.039 That's where, that's the that's that's the that's where our power comes from. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:10.399 The same power that raised Jesus up out of that grave, that breathed life into his body, is the power that indwells in us to fulfill his mission. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:13.360 And so that is so important. 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:22.240 Um, if Jesus were dead and he had not been resurrected, we would have nothing to say. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:29.759 And we would not have any power to say it and to proclaim and to demonstrate it. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:38.639 And so believers were, some believers were chosen to be special witnesses of his bodily resurrection. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:46.639 And that was the emphasis in their ministry, proclaimed he died, but he rose again. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:49.840 And it's it's our same proclamation. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:15:00.159 Warren Weirsby says this, he says, by their words, their walk, and their mighty works, the believers in the early church told the world that Jesus was alive. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:10.240 This was the sign of Jonah, that Jesus had promised to the nation his death, burial, and resurrection. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:15.759 Paul speaks of this important Corinthians 15, 17 through 19. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:22.080 He says, if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, useless, it's futile. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.960 You're still guilty of all your sins. 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:32.879 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ would be lost if there's not a resurrection. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:41.759 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we're more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:47.200 And so Jesus was raised from the dead, literally raised from the dead. 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:49.519 And that's where our power comes from. 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:52.000 We're called to live on mission. 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.639 We're sent. 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:57.840 John says in 17, he says, as the Father has sent me, I am sending you. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.200 We're called to live sent. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:04.240 We're called to build the kingdom of God one relationship at a time. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:06.960 And so our mission is empowered. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.679 Listen to this. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:13.120 Our mission is empowered by the Spirit's power, not our own. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:49.360 We have bought in, this is where our momentum, we've lost focus, and we bought into the lie that we shouldn't share our faith because of fear of rejection, fear of what people are going to say, the idea that we're not supposed to mix, you know, certain things in the workplace or in the marketplace, or, you know, and I understand there's some there's some boundaries and I understand all that, but we we should, we should, we're called to proclaim the gospel and to demonstrate the gospel. 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:52.720 Good news and good deeds. 00:16:53.279 --> 00:17:03.120 And so verse 4, he says, Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:08.960 John baptized you with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.799 So verse 8. 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.680 Read part of that verse again. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:19.039 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.880 This is important. 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:39.839 Depending on what tradition you've grown up in, there's been maybe a certain kind of emphasis in the character of God, how we see God, how we view, you know, scripture. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:52.160 And so one of the traditions that was heavily influenced me, they kind of believed the Trinity was God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Bible. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:59.519 I mean, which the Bible is huge, but we we we didn't emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:03.200 And so the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary. 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:08.960 The Spirit had not indwelled at this time in every person. 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:22.160 It was, you saw, you saw individuals who were given the power of the Holy Spirit for specific events and times and works. 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:37.759 But this was monumental because the whole church is receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, the empowering of the Holy Spirit, walking in the Holy Spirit. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:48.079 Jesus told his disciples, don't begin the work, don't begin the work until the time was ready for the Holy Spirit to come. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:19:03.279 And sometimes we struggle with obedience and dependence because we go out in our own power rather than depending on the power that God wants to provide through the Holy Spirit. 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:15.839 And so the needed power that God has provided came through this Pentecost experience, this Pentecost event. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:22.079 If you have come to faith in Jesus, you have access to that power. 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:27.759 When we come to faith in Jesus, we are baptized into the Holy Spirit. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:34.480 But we we see as we read through scriptures that people have many fillings. 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:37.440 One baptism, but many fillings. 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:43.119 As we empty ourselves, God has to come fill us back. 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.640 That's dependence. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:49.359 That's why it's important to be in fellowship with the church, important to be in the word. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:57.839 The Spirit gives you the power, the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:20:09.759 We see this, and the evidence of that is how they preached and proclaimed the word, the proclamation of the word, and the demonstration of the word. 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:11.680 Proclamation of Jesus. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:15.839 He preached repentance, he repreached, he preached the good news. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.920 He said, Hey, repent and believe in the good news, the gospel. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:22.079 But he didn't stop there. 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:24.319 He also demonstrated. 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:30.400 He demonstrated through through casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:34.240 And it proved that the kingdom of God had come. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:46.559 And so that verse 8 is a key verse that explains to us that the church is empowered by the Holy Spirit. 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:51.839 It's not through our own strength that we do the work of mission. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:21:00.400 God's church and kingdom is not built on the backs of a few, a few gifted people. 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:21.279 His church comes and the Holy Spirit works through men and women who are just ordinary followers of Jesus that have decided to obey and to depend on the Holy Spirit. 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:30.559 Warren Weirse again, he says, ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because the Spirit of God was at work in their lives. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:35.279 The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:43.759 And so we need the Holy Spirit to fill us and to give us boldness. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:49.359 And so finally, our mission is in front of us today. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:54.400 We are still called to the mission that Jesus began. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:58.240 The disciples wanted to fix everything. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:14.319 The other religious leaders, they they the Messiah's gonna come, he's gonna be a political political or a military leader, and we're gonna we're gonna conquer all the nations around us. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:17.759 But Jesus says, I've got a different plan. 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:30.480 I'm gonna come, I'm gonna give my life, and through my giving my life and my bodily resurrection, I'm gonna empower ordinary people. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:43.440 And he started with these 12 not good enough fishermen and men and women that followed him, 12 apostles, but there were more that were following him. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:50.799 We know he sent out 70, 72, he sent out multiple times groups of people. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:52.319 Our mission is in front of us. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:54.559 Verse 6, Acts 1, 6, and 7. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:23:03.440 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom? 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:10.480 He replied, The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.920 So what does he say? 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:22.480 Jesus says several times in the Gospels, Jesus tells us, do not worry about tomorrow. 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:25.200 Focus on today. 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.960 Focus on today. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.599 And pray. 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:38.880 Jesus, teach us to pray. 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:41.119 Teach us to pray. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:46.400 Your kingdom come, your will be done. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.000 What? 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:51.119 On earth as it is in heaven. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:55.359 So God wants to do his work on this earth. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:04.160 The question is whether or not we're going to be the vessels through which he does his work. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.680 Through obedience and dependence. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:12.480 And so the follower of Jesus is to rely on the power of the Spirit. 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:16.480 The kingdom of God comes and reigns in our lives and our hearts. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:23.200 And through us, his kingdom is manifested in the earth. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:32.160 Through his proclamation and his demonstration, through his good news and good deeds, we speak it. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:41.279 We have the hands and the feet of Jesus to demonstrate it to a lost and dying world. 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:51.839 We live in a culture where the church is becoming farther and farther marginalized. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:58.799 And people are doing whatever they can to reduce the influence of the gospel. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:01.759 But people can do whatever they want to do. 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:11.039 What we've got to do is stop trying to do it in our own power and lean into what God has for us. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:16.319 He wants to work in us, in our community, your family. 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:20.319 He wants to work in our local context. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:26.640 He wants to work in our city, in our state, in our country. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:32.240 But he calls us also to the uttermost parts of the world. 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:36.000 He calls us to go to other nations. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:45.200 They're still unreached people groups that have yet to have the gospel preached to them, that have yet to have the word translated in their language. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.680 And so he's called us. 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:50.400 And so we we we lost momentum. 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:54.799 We lost momentum in our mission, in our in our mission partnerships. 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:59.440 COVID robbed us of some of that momentum. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:09.519 And so it's time for us to step out in faith and to regain the momentum that I believe Jesus wants us to have. 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:32.480 And as we lean into Him, as we trust in the power of the Holy Spirit, as we pray about opportunities, whether it's somebody that sits next to you at work, or whether it's somebody that's in Honduras or the Dominican or Nicaragua, New York City, or Ecuador, we have opportunities. 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:35.279 So what do we do? 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.640 What do we do? 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.559 I want you to pray. 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.799 But you don't have a lot of time. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.319 You've got to pray fast. 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:53.920 And you know, especially for for like the Honduras trip, you've got to get like if you want to go with us, you've got to get a passport. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:56.400 If you don't have one, some of you may already have a passport. 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.759 There's some practical things. 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:59.359 We've got to get a deposit. 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:01.039 You've got to reserve a spot. 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:03.119 There are limited spots. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:08.640 And so we've got to take some steps pretty quickly. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:11.440 And if you you say, Russ, I can't. 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:20.000 If you can't, you know, because of work, because of schedules, because of your family and the season of life you're in, we understand. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:21.279 That's where you say, you know what? 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:23.279 I'm going to pray and I'm going to give. 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:26.160 I'm going to support some other people as they go. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:31.680 People that may be in a season where they can, they have the opportunity to go. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:40.000 And I know some of you are going to kind of like say, you're just kind of you're going to walk out of here and kind of blow this off. 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:41.839 That's our tendency. 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:44.160 That wasn't for me. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:49.680 That was for the super special spiritual people. 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.920 That's what we think. 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.640 I'm yelling. 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:58.400 It's what, that's what, you know, that's our response. 00:27:58.640 --> 00:28:01.519 It's the people that have a certain call on their life. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:04.799 It's for people that are ordained. 00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:08.799 So if you think that it's only for the ordained, I'm going to do something really fast. 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:17.200 So, Father, I pray that you would ordain every person that is here this morning. 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:19.920 Every person in the building on the property. 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:23.200 God, they are ordained into the gospel ministry. 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.640 Amen. 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.920 You're ordained. 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.799 You're ordained. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.079 Everybody's ordained. 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.680 Isn't that awesome? 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:35.599 Just pray with us. 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:40.160 Pray about what God's called you to in this season. 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:42.079 Give or go. 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.000 Give or go. 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:47.599 You're either a missionary or you're a mission field. 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:56.240 That's, I believe, God's calling us to engage in the building of his kingdom. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:29:07.680 And he empowers us and he promises us that he will build his church for the work that he's called us to do. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:09.839 So he's going to build his church. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:15.519 The question is whether we're going to obey and join him in what he's doing. 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:16.480 Amen. 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.759 Would you pray with me? 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:20.799 Let's pray together this morning. 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:22.960 We're going to spend some time. 00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:24.400 We've got some time. 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:37.039 Father, I just pray that you would speak to us, lead us, bring us to a place of reckoning. 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:43.839 God, a place of trust that you are going to build your kingdom. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:30:04.240 And this conviction that I just don't want to miss out on what you're doing in this community, through this church, in our city, in our state, in our country, but also in our partnerships and our mission trips and our mission opportunities that you've given us. 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:20.559 I pray for us to see ourselves as ordained to share the good news and to do good deeds, to be the hands and the feet of Jesus to our community and to those that we're partnering with around the world. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:26.079 Father God, would you work in us and speak to us and lead us? 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:35.759 I want to encourage you as we sing this powerful, powerful song, build your church. 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:38.799 I want to encourage you maybe to come pray at the altar. 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:47.119 Maybe pray with your spouse or maybe with somebody that's sitting close to you that you feel comfortable praying with. 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:53.359 And really lean into what God may be speaking into your heart. 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:57.519 What you're supposed to do in this season. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:00.720 Father, would you use this time? 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:03.440 Empower us through your Holy Spirit. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.960 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:05.759 Amen.