WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:10.500 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.540 --> 00:00:16.980 That song was released in 1966 and made popular by Jimmy Ruffin. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:22.480 What becomes of the brokenhearted deals with the struggle to overcome sadness, 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:25.339 especially after a broken relationship. 00:00:25.339 --> 00:00:27.760 But fast forward to present day. 00:00:28.760 --> 00:00:35.719 Perhaps it's a perfect description of what we're all holding deep inside as we walk in this world. 00:00:36.439 --> 00:00:42.079 Sad, confused, brokenhearted, hurt by relationships, 00:00:43.079 --> 00:00:46.880 just trying to find some kind of peace of mind, maybe. 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:48.500 But how? 00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:52.740 We've been challenged by Bill Nash recently to listen to hear. 00:00:52.740 --> 00:00:54.100 What do you hear in the lyrics? 00:00:55.000 --> 00:00:56.680 If that were someone talking to you. 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:58.340 Can you name some specifics? 00:00:59.399 --> 00:01:00.259 Just call it out. 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:02.039 Pain? 00:01:04.260 --> 00:01:04.900 Grief? 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:06.900 Yeah. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:10.739 Do you hear hope? 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:13.159 Hope? 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:18.379 More of an endless hope. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:18.920 Like, I don't know. 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:26.500 I'm just going to keep walking on this gerbil wheel and hope I fall into hope in a hole or something like that. 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:27.840 Maybe I'll trip over it. 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:29.820 But I'm longing. 00:01:30.740 --> 00:01:32.120 Longing for something more. 00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:41.960 And that's what people are saying all around us every day and including in here. 00:01:41.959 --> 00:01:43.619 They say it with their words. 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:45.439 They say it with their anger. 00:01:46.479 --> 00:01:51.619 They say it with the tattoos on their arms, crying out, listen to my story. 00:01:52.780 --> 00:01:55.319 They say it with the scars that they bring into the church. 00:01:55.419 --> 00:01:58.139 They say it with the smiling faces that say, how are you doing? 00:01:58.219 --> 00:01:58.539 Great. 00:02:00.019 --> 00:02:00.419 Great. 00:02:00.539 --> 00:02:01.039 How are you? 00:02:01.119 --> 00:02:01.439 Great. 00:02:01.839 --> 00:02:02.199 All right. 00:02:02.419 --> 00:02:03.219 Let's keep walking. 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:06.519 But what becomes of the brokenhearted? 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:11.659 These lyrics capture the heart of brokenness and searching so very well. 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:17.039 And they remind me of a particular time of brokenness in my own life. 00:02:20.180 --> 00:02:24.300 Where are all the juniors and seniors, Derek? 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:27.599 Where are all the juniors and seniors? 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:30.300 That's what he says. 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:33.860 His fist was hidden on the table. 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:35.680 I'll never forget it. 00:02:36.160 --> 00:02:43.460 And there I was sitting across the table from my boss at a barbecue restaurant in Tennessee. 00:02:44.580 --> 00:02:52.600 A seasoned youth pastor, recently promoted to associate pastor at a prominent church by God's grace. 00:02:53.720 --> 00:02:58.900 Having had more experience in youth ministry success on my resume than most across the country. 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:08.219 Having been blessed by the Lord to rebuild and turn around two failing youth ministries at two previous prominent churches. 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:12.980 And having devoted at least 13 years of my life towards those two endeavors. 00:03:14.460 --> 00:03:16.640 Having done the same thing I'd always done. 00:03:17.480 --> 00:03:18.120 Love people. 00:03:18.659 --> 00:03:19.840 And do my best to do it. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:21.879 It was going well. 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:27.379 And now four years into one of the hardest callings from God. 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:28.840 Hardest turnarounds. 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:33.879 Called to rebuild one of the most broken systems of ministry that I'd ever seen in my life. 00:03:35.079 --> 00:03:36.099 But he continued. 00:03:36.659 --> 00:03:39.039 And he lunged his body at me. 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:40.319 His teeth were showing. 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:43.139 He raised the volume of his voice. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:45.439 He was throwing expletives at me. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:47.639 And he was making threats. 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:55.120 And he was detailing numbers and percentages and a rap sheet of ministry performance conviction charges. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:04:02.479 To show me just how worthless and meaningless and useless that I was to the church right then and right there. 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:07.280 And because there was a number on a spreadsheet. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:11.680 That in his mind needed to be just a little bit higher. 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:17.839 And if it was then his overbearing boss would remove the pressure from him. 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:23.519 The pressure from being under his Darth Vader like crushing and suffocating grip. 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:26.399 Yet there I sat. 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:30.000 Knowing that he had never understand. 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:34.879 Having seen and heard and witnessed things behind the scenes. 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:38.180 Of this church that would make your stomach turn. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:41.180 But there I was powerless. 00:04:41.779 --> 00:04:42.759 And scared. 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:46.379 And at that moment the fear set in. 00:04:47.219 --> 00:04:48.699 The overwhelming panic. 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:51.100 And the fear of loss. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:53.920 If I do what I'm supposed to do. 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:57.600 If I say what I know that I need to say. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:00.920 Then what will that mean for my job. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:02.680 And for my family. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:04.379 And for my future. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:06.519 I was tired. 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:08.100 Of pretending. 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:11.480 And I was tired of trying to make it work. 00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:15.360 When I knew that it was also very very wrong. 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:18.620 Why am I here God? 00:05:18.719 --> 00:05:19.480 I was asking. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:22.699 Why do you have me sitting in this seat right now? 00:05:23.339 --> 00:05:24.639 I hate what I see. 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:26.980 I'm just so scared. 00:05:27.219 --> 00:05:28.019 Right now. 00:05:28.019 --> 00:05:28.620 I'm just so scared. 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:30.819 So there I sat. 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:33.899 As he spouted meaningless numbers. 00:05:34.299 --> 00:05:35.019 Percentages. 00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:36.620 And glaring inconsistencies. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:38.879 Between what ministry was. 00:05:39.299 --> 00:05:41.219 And what I thought it would be. 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:44.879 And my mind just drifted to the fear. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:47.719 And my spiritual eyes. 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:50.240 They started to search for help. 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:51.439 Anywhere. 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:54.560 While he continued to mutter nonsense. 00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:58.600 And all the sorts of things that you hear about. 00:05:58.600 --> 00:06:00.240 On the podcasts. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:01.220 And the news articles. 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:03.120 That highlight what's wrong with leadership. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:04.260 And churches today. 00:06:04.260 --> 00:06:05.100 As they. 00:06:06.200 --> 00:06:08.080 Look back on the mega churches. 00:06:09.080 --> 00:06:10.000 That have fallen. 00:06:10.400 --> 00:06:11.879 Into corporate corruption. 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:14.200 And there I was. 00:06:14.760 --> 00:06:17.200 Wandering in a land of broken dreams. 00:06:18.200 --> 00:06:21.040 Where it seemed that happiness was just an illusion. 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:23.620 Filled with sadness. 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:25.160 And confusion. 00:06:26.280 --> 00:06:27.540 There I was broken hearted. 00:06:28.400 --> 00:06:29.420 In the church. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:31.879 What about you? 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:34.280 What table. 00:06:35.140 --> 00:06:36.840 Are you sitting at right now? 00:06:37.640 --> 00:06:38.640 In the church. 00:06:39.720 --> 00:06:41.820 What loss might you be fearing? 00:06:42.580 --> 00:06:44.360 And where do you find help? 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:46.800 For me. 00:06:47.020 --> 00:06:48.220 I didn't know where to go. 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:51.020 And I didn't know who I could. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:51.600 Talk to. 00:06:52.140 --> 00:06:53.520 Because this is happening to me. 00:06:53.520 --> 00:06:54.480 Within the church. 00:06:56.180 --> 00:06:57.520 I felt trapped. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:06:59.280 Almost like being trapped. 00:06:59.280 --> 00:07:00.819 Inside a conspiracy theory. 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:02.100 Or a building that's falling. 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:03.180 That you can't get out of. 00:07:04.260 --> 00:07:06.060 And I was unable to sleep at night. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:07.879 I would wake up. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:08.580 In the middle of the night. 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:09.160 And ask. 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:11.120 What is my family going to do? 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:12.580 I feared the loss of money. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:14.240 I feared the loss of friendships. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:15.620 And everything else. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:17.000 That I'd given my life to in ministry. 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:19.580 And I began to realize. 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:20.000 That I. 00:07:20.200 --> 00:07:20.860 The process. 00:07:20.860 --> 00:07:23.199 I'd grown so very far away from Jesus. 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:25.360 But I didn't even mean to. 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:26.960 Because I was busy serving. 00:07:27.520 --> 00:07:28.060 The people. 00:07:28.460 --> 00:07:29.379 Telling me what to do. 00:07:29.460 --> 00:07:30.939 Who I trusted within the church. 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:33.600 And I needed help. 00:07:34.980 --> 00:07:36.420 And maybe some of you. 00:07:36.420 --> 00:07:37.600 Have had that feeling before. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:38.860 Maybe within the church. 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:40.259 You're not alone. 00:07:41.400 --> 00:07:43.100 It's not all that way though. 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:47.420 The fear of a future loss. 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:48.260 That owns you. 00:07:48.340 --> 00:07:49.000 You had that. 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:50.439 It's called anxiety. 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:51.780 Okay. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.080 In his book. 00:07:54.320 --> 00:07:56.220 The Anxiety Opportunity. 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:57.840 Author Curtis Chang. 00:07:57.980 --> 00:07:58.360 Writes. 00:07:59.060 --> 00:07:59.300 That. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:02.500 All humans exist. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.600 I'm going to read this quote here in a minute. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:05.920 That all humans exist. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.500 Somewhere on the anxiety spectrum. 00:08:08.260 --> 00:08:09.620 Consider this quote here. 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:13.860 Anxiety has become the most common mental illness in the U.S. 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:15.560 In 2018. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:19.540 63% of American college students reported overwhelming anxiety. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.180 Since the pandemic. 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:26.459 A recent study reported that depression rose 28% globally above pre-pandemic levels. 00:08:27.340 --> 00:08:28.840 Some seek help through their churches. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:32.620 But only 30% of pastors feel well equipped to help congregations. 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:37.200 Congregants deal with matters of mental or emotional health. 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:45.060 Only 36.9% of those afflicted with anxiety seek assistance through medication and professionals. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:49.500 Which means that the vast majority are isolated and confused. 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:51.860 That was me. 00:08:53.320 --> 00:08:55.360 Isolated and confused. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:57.960 Inside the church. 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:00.879 What about you right now? 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:03.600 Where do you look for help? 00:09:04.040 --> 00:09:05.520 What table are you sitting at? 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:06.879 If we're honest, right? 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:09.360 Many times we find our help in the wrong places. 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:11.299 It could be Netflix. 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:13.639 Listening to podcasts. 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:15.659 Scrolling through social media. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.220 Staring at our iPads. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:19.199 Eating more than we should. 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:20.539 Drinking more than we should. 00:09:20.659 --> 00:09:22.600 Maybe we'll just go trade on the stock market. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:24.919 Playing our favorite video game. 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.799 Thinking about our favorite sports teams. 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:31.679 Putting ridiculous expectations on our spouses or significant others. 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:36.719 Gossiping about somebody else to remind ourselves that we're not as bad as we think we are. 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:38.659 Someone else has it worse off than we do. 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.259 Checking out. 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:41.199 Disengaging. 00:09:42.079 --> 00:09:42.599 Distracting. 00:09:43.239 --> 00:09:45.419 Staring at the numbers in our bank account. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.719 Feeling sorry for ourselves. 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:49.819 Spending money on things that we shouldn't. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:52.899 But they're all temporary helps. 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:56.220 They make the pain go away for a little bit. 00:09:56.679 --> 00:09:57.879 But they come right back. 00:09:58.559 --> 00:09:59.519 Just like a drug. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:01.100 You need a bigger hit. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:02.439 Why? 00:10:03.100 --> 00:10:07.939 Because there's absolutely only one place that we're supposed to go and designed to look for our help. 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:12.360 And thank God for the words of Psalm 121. 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:42.340 Psalm 121. 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:45.879 The Lord will keep you from all evil. 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:47.580 He will keep your life. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:49.259 The Lord will keep your going out. 00:10:49.680 --> 00:10:54.240 And you're coming in from this time forth and forevermore. 00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:57.700 This is a psalm of ascents. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:10:59.240 Okay. 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:02.259 We see the picture of a person walking a path. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.379 Maybe broken dreams. 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:07.139 They're on a life journey. 00:11:07.939 --> 00:11:13.840 And the Old Testament audience would have most likely interpreted this as a psalm to instill confidence. 00:11:15.019 --> 00:11:19.240 To those who are making this journey to Jerusalem to worship in the temple. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:21.120 So they sing a song of ascents. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:25.159 And when they worry, they try to redirect their heart to what really matters. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:26.360 The things of God. 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:29.000 So they say it out loud and they sing it. 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:33.759 But also they would have known it as a parable for our entire lives. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:44.740 And in this life, because of these words, we can be confident in God's ultimate protection and his provision and his care for us in every single situation. 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:45.139 Okay. 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.120 Because God gets us. 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:50.279 He starts by saying, I lift my eyes to the hills. 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:53.000 From where does my help come? 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:57.639 My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. 00:11:58.939 --> 00:12:07.980 One commentator writes that the question where security can be found could originally have been prompted by any number of situations. 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:18.539 But in its present pilgrim or journey context, it pictures an anxious gaze at hills which could shelter marauders. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:22.200 Or a longing gaze at the far off hills of Zion. 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:29.879 How shall I escape the dangers of the way and arrive within the hills of home? 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:35.399 Perhaps that's what you may feel where you are right now. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:43.579 Charles Spurgeon writes that help comes to the saints only from above. 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:45.139 They look elsewhere in vain. 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:51.559 Let us lift up our eyes with hope, expectancy, desire, and confidence. 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:52.759 Why? 00:12:53.439 --> 00:12:59.759 Because Satan will endeavor to keep our eyes upon our sorrows. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:09.220 That we may be disquieted and discouraged, be it ours firmly to resolve that we will look out and look up. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:12.120 For there is good cheer for the eyes. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:19.519 And they that lift up their eyes to the eternal hills shall soon have their hearts lifted up also. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:26.079 So, where do you look for security right now? 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.960 If you're honest, okay? 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:30.379 Where do you set your gaze? 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:31.639 I want you to think about that. 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:40.279 On the journey of life, the Lord says that we're called when we look to those hills and we worry, we're to look to Him. 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:40.679 Okay? 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:49.519 Though the hills are far off and the danger may await, they remind us of the true home that awaits us at the end of life's journey. 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:51.240 Zion or heaven itself. 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:51.600 Okay? 00:13:51.959 --> 00:13:53.139 That's rest too. 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.279 Rest with Jesus. 00:13:54.819 --> 00:13:58.399 Complete satisfaction and safety and happiness. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:02.019 And that's what we're longing for as human beings. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:05.819 That's what we're looking for in everything bad that we go do. 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:06.260 Okay? 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:11.560 The same one who made heaven and earth, though, cares for the brokenhearted. 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:15.620 Walking in this land of broken dreams. 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:21.300 I have this walking path I go to and this is where I meet with God. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:26.720 I went there this morning and it runs by the Flint River. 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:30.280 But then when you walk out, you actually see the hills. 00:14:31.020 --> 00:14:33.720 There's nothing like studying this verse and looking at those hills. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:35.560 Or you can look out there in Jones Valley. 00:14:35.660 --> 00:14:36.680 It's right across the street. 00:14:37.540 --> 00:14:39.420 When you look to the hills, what do you see? 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.500 Do you get worried? 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.300 Or do you see God? 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:45.139 This morning I went there and just prayed. 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:48.500 And then when I got up, I started to trip. 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:52.320 And there was this root that kind of made a little hoop. 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:54.279 And you could get your foot in it. 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.680 And it was a really cool picture. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:01.580 God promises when His roots are strong and He'll hold our foot in place. 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:03.259 To keep us from slipping. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:08.980 And that's exactly what this verse says here. 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.900 He will not let your foot be moved. 00:15:12.020 --> 00:15:13.580 He who keeps you will not slumber. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:17.259 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 00:15:18.020 --> 00:15:19.200 The Lord is your keeper. 00:15:19.780 --> 00:15:21.700 The Lord is your shade on your right hand. 00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:26.720 The sun shall not strike you by day nor the moon by night. 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:30.960 See, in the Middle East, a journey is day and night. 00:15:31.800 --> 00:15:33.639 It's filled with all kinds of dangers. 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:36.160 And the heat at times is completely unbearable. 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:38.080 I think you understand the heat. 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:38.980 It's unbearable. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:39.980 Right? 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.980 You might have thought that yesterday. 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:43.440 But it's even worse. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.700 In the desert climates. 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:51.139 And in the ancient Near East, it was also believed that too much exposure to the moon 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:53.300 could pose a threat to your health. 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:57.759 This is where we get modern day words like moonstruck and lunatic. 00:15:58.959 --> 00:15:59.159 Okay? 00:15:59.479 --> 00:16:02.500 So God's people aren't free from the dangers of the world. 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:04.799 Don't believe that trash wherever you hear it. 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.419 It's trash. 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:08.819 God's people are not free from the dangers of the world. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:12.899 But they are free from the ultimate harm of dangers. 00:16:13.859 --> 00:16:15.159 The final product. 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.279 Okay? 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:17.959 And why is that? 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.899 That's because of the shield that we possess. 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:22.899 And that shield is the Lord himself. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:29.939 And this is why we see all over the Psalms repeated the steadfast love of the Lord. 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:30.360 Right? 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:31.179 It's strong. 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.519 It will not break. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:36.240 The thought of taking refuge in the shadow of wings. 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.639 He is our shield. 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.659 He's our protector. 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:42.360 And it's an ultimate protection that will not go away. 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.500 You can't wash it off. 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:46.059 And you can't accidentally lose it by something you do. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.559 It's an ultimate security. 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:51.559 And the temporary distractions and hopes that we look to in our world. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:54.959 They're going to fade away like snowflakes that you hold in your hand. 00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:59.359 But when you look to God for ultimate guidance and hope and direction. 00:16:59.959 --> 00:17:01.259 You're going to be blessed. 00:17:01.959 --> 00:17:02.859 The scriptures say. 00:17:02.939 --> 00:17:04.619 Do you know what blessed also means? 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.839 It means happy. 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.179 Okay? 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:12.900 Happy is he whose help is in the God of Jacob. 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:16.660 Whose hope is in the Lord his God. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:19.560 Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that's in them. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.779 Who keeps faith forever. 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:23.060 Who executes justice for the oppressed. 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.799 Who gives food to the hungry. 00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:28.060 The Lord sets the prisoner free. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:32.140 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:34.920 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.640 The Lord loves the righteous. 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:38.800 The Lord watches over the sojourners. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.620 Those traveling in life. 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:43.060 Just like Psalm 121 says. 00:17:43.300 --> 00:17:44.480 He upholds the widow. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:46.000 If you're here and you're a widow. 00:17:47.020 --> 00:17:48.840 He loves you right where you are. 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:50.880 And I know it's lonely. 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:51.860 Okay? 00:17:53.080 --> 00:17:54.560 But he knows it's lonely too. 00:17:54.800 --> 00:17:56.220 He's going to send people to help you. 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.580 It's okay. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.480 Right? 00:17:59.140 --> 00:18:00.880 He upholds the fatherless. 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:04.120 But the way of the wicked. 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:06.500 He brings to ruin. 00:18:08.760 --> 00:18:09.280 Right? 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:11.540 You're not going to be touched by Satan. 00:18:12.540 --> 00:18:16.020 In the words of the great 1990s prophet MC Hammer. 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.260 You can't touch this. 00:18:19.260 --> 00:18:19.820 Alright? 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.800 Name it and claim it y'all. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:25.220 Where the spirit of the Lord is. 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.639 There's freedom. 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.599 And protection. 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.599 You can't touch this. 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.819 John Calvin writes. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:36.899 And as amidst the many dangers which every moment threaten us. 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:41.480 It's difficult for us though to get rid of all anxiety and fear. 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:49.039 The prophet at the same time testifies that God keeps watch unceasingly over our safety. 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:51.640 So though you will never escape your anxiety. 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:53.759 God will never leave you in it. 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:54.960 Okay? 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:57.819 He's going to hold it with you and for you. 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:58.920 Okay? 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:05.740 The Lord will keep you from all evil. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.500 It continues. 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.940 He will keep your life. 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:13.920 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:16.320 This is a parable ultimately about our lives. 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.600 Okay? 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:24.220 A song of ascent that cries out to God for hope and for help in the midst of trouble. 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:27.200 Crying out to him while knowing that he cares. 00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:27.880 He listens. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:32.480 He's going to keep us in safety until our final destination. 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:35.320 Which is home with him. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.920 And how was this accomplished? 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.440 That's the important piece. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:43.080 If you think about it, God took a journey, didn't he? 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:44.039 He took a journey here. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.340 He didn't have to. 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:49.559 And he took it from heaven to earth for us. 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:53.779 And he didn't come here to prevent us from having any pain. 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:56.600 That's trash theology if you hear it anywhere. 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:58.900 It's a complete lie from the pit of hell. 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:04.580 God didn't come here so that you never experience pain. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.039 Okay? 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.859 That's not why he came to earth. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:13.960 He didn't come here to prevent us from having pain or avoiding loss or to give us the perfect house. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:20.599 He didn't come here to give us the largest bank account or the perfect vacation or the best award. 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:24.319 He didn't come here so we could be the greatest athlete on our team. 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:32.980 He didn't come here so that you can have the best grades in the nicest car or go to the best school or be the most beautiful. 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:38.779 He didn't come here so that you can have the best kids or so that you'll never be sick. 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:42.500 He didn't come here so that you can eat at the fanciest restaurants either. 00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:45.899 He didn't come here so you can have the most successful business. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:50.759 He didn't come here so that you can be admired as the smartest person in the room. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:55.900 He came here to tell us that we're sick and we're dying. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.480 We didn't like it. 00:20:58.660 --> 00:21:03.599 And he told us that we're going to lose everything on earth that we have right now. 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.740 Everything. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:12.620 And everything that you look to besides God will kill you quicker. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.279 Sin is decaying your body. 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.599 And sin is decaying this world. 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:20.680 And sin is decaying souls. 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:25.259 And the only cure is to get a new heart. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:29.660 And the only way to get a new heart is to kill the old heart. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.359 Okay? 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:34.160 And so God did what you and I could never do. 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:37.339 To give you and I what we could never buy. 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.799 New hearts. 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:43.680 Hearts that are forgiven and they beat with the blood of the love of God. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:48.680 The love that the wandering, brokenhearted needs so very desperately. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:55.680 There was this TV show called WandaVision about a superhero that she was so sad 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:59.359 and wanted to avoid the loss of her children so very much 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:02.940 that she created a fantasy world where everything was perfect. 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:08.920 Just to avoid and distract her from dealing with the grief that she didn't want to walk into. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.920 We're not so different, are we? 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:16.059 We may not be superheroes, but we try to buy our paradises. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:19.039 We try to avoid the inevitable. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:26.460 But Christianity is not just a blueprint for avoiding loss during our lifetimes. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:32.019 A blueprint for creating safe places where we can hide from the world around us. 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:34.639 That would be a lie to live that way. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:37.339 It would be profane to God if we were to live that way. 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:41.559 Author Curtis Chang wrote, 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:46.879 We experience anxiety as the uncertainty surrounding loss. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:51.419 But in actuality, all loss is absolutely certain. 00:22:51.959 --> 00:22:53.399 That's the irony of anxiety. 00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:57.079 But right now, in the now, this moment here, 00:22:57.079 --> 00:23:00.339 we're going to continue to be vulnerable to loss, 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:02.539 no matter how much we do. 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:03.599 Okay? 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:07.539 We will suffer pain, and it is absolutely unavoidable. 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:11.579 So to try to avoid it is to actually only increase anxiety. 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:14.779 When we distract ourselves, we actually make it worse. 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:19.099 The best thing you can do is run at it and embrace it. 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:21.579 But we don't just have to stay there. 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:22.319 Right? 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:25.539 We got to look to the hills, but there's something more. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.740 There's the Lord. 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:33.559 There's a world where all of our losses will be restored, 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:37.379 and all of our death will be undone. 00:23:37.919 --> 00:23:43.779 The resurrection of all things and the creation of the new heavens and the new earth. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:46.720 Now, we didn't like it when Jesus told us about it, 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:48.299 so we killed him. 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:54.619 And the reason we didn't like it is because it got in the way of our plans. 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:59.180 So we got rid of the problem. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:01.980 We killed Jesus, and we went back to our plans 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:05.299 so that we could go back to our lives and back to our power. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:11.180 But little did we know that he planned to be killed so that we could live. 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:14.419 And this is why Jesus died on the cross. 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.619 And where did he die? 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:16.659 Why? 00:24:17.479 --> 00:24:18.219 On a hill. 00:24:19.239 --> 00:24:22.819 When you look your eyes to the hills, remember Jesus on the hill. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.059 Okay? 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:26.559 This is why Jesus was raised from the dead. 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.439 And where was he raised? 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.039 In a garden tomb. 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:34.219 He didn't die for us to go and try to recreate our own paradises. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:37.500 He died so that we could be with him and his. 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:45.180 And in this decaying world, we can hold his hand now in making everything brand new 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:51.240 by reversing the curse of decay one person and relationship at a time 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:55.720 until he comes back and makes it all brand new. 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.680 Do you believe this? 00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:01.599 Church, if you do believe this, 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:04.539 the Bible promises you will be saved. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:09.740 Saved for a purpose now and saved for a future home in the hills of Zion where Jesus is. 00:25:09.939 --> 00:25:14.679 But the journey has to take you to your knees before him first, 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:16.579 before he lifts you up and sends you. 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.139 Okay? 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:22.219 Where you let him in, you let him go on the journey into the dark corners of your soul 00:25:22.219 --> 00:25:23.740 and say, save me. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:25.900 Now, here's why this matters. 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:29.420 When we over-focus on our worries in the now, 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:34.039 we tend to overlook the love and the power of God in the now and the not yet. 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:37.500 And this is why anxiety is such a great tool of Satan. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.099 Okay? 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:40.759 You're not sinning if you deal with anxiety. 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.319 Okay? 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:45.819 But Satan loves to use something to get you away from God. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.500 And here's what he does. 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:49.579 He hijacks your ability to see the good in the now. 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:54.960 And then he gives you the ability to focus on future worry that does not yet exist. 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:59.419 Thereby destroying your happiness in the moment and in the future. 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:01.919 And when you get trapped in that, it's awful. 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:02.839 Okay? 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:05.019 But what does God do? 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:08.299 His power gives you the ability to see him in the now 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:12.259 and look ahead to the power of Jesus Christ in the not yet. 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:13.839 And both matter now. 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.899 You see the battle? 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:17.799 Satan just takes everything good God does and reverses it. 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:19.519 Go read all of your verses in reverse. 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:22.359 Like, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:23.359 Just reverse all those. 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.599 That's what Satan does. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:29.019 Approach the throne of grace with confidence to find help in your time of need. 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.519 He wants you to not approach it. 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.919 He wants you to think it's judgment. 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.659 He wants you to not find help. 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.159 He's a stupid idiot. 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:35.819 Okay? 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.599 But he's very smart. 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:41.740 I want to beat him down, yet I got to respect his game. 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.960 But the bag's out. 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:44.440 Okay? 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:46.139 You can't touch this. 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:47.640 And he can't touch you. 00:26:48.300 --> 00:26:48.480 Okay? 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:54.440 See his plan by shining the light of God on it. 00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:56.420 But is he getting you in it right now? 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.420 Is he reversing it? 00:26:57.440 --> 00:27:02.180 Because I think that's where he likes the church to stay so that we are humdrum and sad, sad. 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:05.980 What the world wants to see is those who are redeemed. 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:08.140 And those who are redeemed are blessed and happy. 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.920 That doesn't mean you can't experience sadness. 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:12.440 But don't let Satan trap you. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.620 He's a liar. 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:15.699 And he's really good at what he does. 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.939 He's done it for a long time. 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:23.739 But I want you to know the love of God and the power of his love in your daily life. 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.939 Like right now. 00:27:25.639 --> 00:27:32.579 But our fear of loss and our anxieties, they're the greatest opportunities for us to know the love of God. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:38.559 Because he holds us in our anxieties and in his safe refuge. 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:40.199 And that's the dashboard light. 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:46.019 That thing you're fearing the most, that's the biggest door ray to feel the love of God right now. 00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:55.079 And just like he touched that leper in the peak of his sickness, he accepts us in the midst of our weakness. 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:57.039 What a beautiful Savior. 00:27:57.039 --> 00:28:00.220 He likes us when we're sick. 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.119 That's amazing. 00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:03.779 He holds us. 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:05.559 We don't have to avoid sicknesses. 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:07.519 We don't have to hide weaknesses. 00:28:07.879 --> 00:28:10.339 Because they are the doorways to approach him. 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:14.200 If you look in the scriptures, everybody's bringing something to him to fix. 00:28:14.639 --> 00:28:15.659 And what do they find? 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.559 Jesus. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:20.200 But the reason they went to him was because there's something wrong with him. 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:22.000 And there's something wrong with you and me. 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:23.000 And that's okay. 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:26.859 Hey, it's the biggest doorway for you to run to Jesus. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:28.099 So don't hide it. 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:28.880 Okay? 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:33.980 What becomes of the brokenhearted searching everywhere just to find someone to care? 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:36.079 Maybe that's you right now. 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:43.660 Are you overfocused on your worries to the point where life in Christ has been hijacked by the fear of a future loss? 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:52.259 When we overfocus on those worries in the now, we tend to overlook the love and the power of God in the now and the not yet. 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:52.940 Okay? 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:56.500 But God's here right now by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:28:56.700 --> 00:29:03.960 And he's also alive in the not yet, reigning and ruling and seated on that throne of grace that he says, come on up. 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.880 Come on over. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:11.260 Where you can run at all times and you can receive mercy and help to find your time of need. 00:29:13.520 --> 00:29:16.000 But where are all the juniors and seniors, Derek? 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.640 Where are they? 00:29:18.280 --> 00:29:19.100 Where are they? 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:21.480 Tell me right now. 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.620 He was yelling. 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:26.400 What do I do? 00:29:26.800 --> 00:29:27.820 What was I supposed to do? 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:31.820 I know that he's under pressure, right? 00:29:32.820 --> 00:29:34.600 I know he won't accept the truth. 00:29:35.760 --> 00:29:38.500 The truth that they hadn't been there ever. 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:42.200 They'd quit coming to church in the fourth grade. 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:48.300 But they kept their names on the roll sheet so they could keep their tuition discount at the Christian school. 00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:50.360 He's not going to hear that. 00:29:52.580 --> 00:29:55.580 His monologue came then to an angry silence. 00:29:57.320 --> 00:29:59.840 A man who had more money than I will ever know. 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:03.400 More houses than I'll ever buy. 00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:08.920 He had served in more powerful positions at well-known corporations than I'll ever set foot in. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:14.240 A man who I knew if I stood up to him had the power to make me and my family suffer. 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:26.339 So, as my anxiety took over, the fear of future loss, and then the fear in that current moment, I remembered Jesus. 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:32.139 And I could listen to my breath in that moment. 00:30:32.140 --> 00:30:43.460 And I could remember the power of the Holy Spirit that he breathed on the disciples when he appeared to them after being resurrected while they were hiding behind closed doors in fear. 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:47.460 So, I stopped and I prayed. 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:50.759 And I said, Jesus, I need you right now. 00:30:51.460 --> 00:31:02.360 And I looked over my boss's shoulder to those hills where I was worried about the marauders and what's ahead and how am I going to get up there. 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:05.219 And I cried out in my soul to the God who made heaven and earth. 00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:09.259 And in my mind's eye, I pictured Jesus standing there. 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.279 I could still see him. 00:31:10.419 --> 00:31:11.699 And he was just smiling. 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.359 And he said, it's time. 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.439 Do it. 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:18.639 So, I looked back at my boss like this. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:23.240 I stared him straight in the eyes. 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:29.020 I collated my papers of numbers in red and green arrows and plans and strategies. 00:31:29.020 --> 00:31:33.920 And I put him right down in front of him and said, you are out of line. 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:37.420 And you will never talk to me that way ever again. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.580 Do you understand me? 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:40.180 This conversation is over. 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:45.820 And we just sat there staring at each other. 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:49.379 It felt like an eternity. 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:55.599 And as you can imagine, the ride back to the office was awkward. 00:31:58.279 --> 00:32:00.139 Remember to take your own car next time. 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:04.139 And from there, life got worse. 00:32:05.179 --> 00:32:13.299 But I knew that my help would come because I stood on the steadfast love of God, the maker of heaven and earth. 00:32:13.919 --> 00:32:15.720 And that's where my help comes from. 00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.419 That's the only place. 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.839 And he sets prisoners free. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:22.460 And he will not let my foot be moved. 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:28.139 And he will not sleep or take a break from his care for me or for his church. 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:32.059 And he will not let the sun scorch me or the night leave me sick. 00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:35.220 And he will keep me from all evil. 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.259 And he will keep my life. 00:32:37.339 --> 00:32:41.859 And he will keep my going out and my coming in from this time forward and forevermore. 00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:44.779 But loss was necessary for my journey. 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:50.039 And his loss on the cross, I knew, was more than I could ever give. 00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:53.180 But in those moments, he held me in my pain. 00:32:54.139 --> 00:32:56.079 And he kept my tears in his bottle. 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:58.039 And he smiled at me. 00:32:58.039 --> 00:33:00.519 And I called on my God. 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:02.299 And he saved me. 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:07.019 And he sent me the ark of Southwood Presbyterian Church. 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:09.299 Thank you. 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:12.240 Thank you. 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.240 Thank you. 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:21.740 These past months, it was published in the news that over 40 people, I was not one of them, 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:28.180 after my time and had worked at the same place, had left under similar circumstances, 00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:32.220 wrote a letter to the leadership detailing the horrific and toxic work environment that 00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:34.059 I also experienced for so many years. 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:34.859 It was abusive. 00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:39.039 and the senior pastor since has been removed from his role 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:41.219 with the goal of healing and reconciliation 00:33:41.219 --> 00:33:44.439 and the process of healing has begun 00:33:44.439 --> 00:33:48.299 and I consider him and my boss a friend 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:53.019 and I pray for them to be restored to ministry in time 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:57.299 but through you, these past six years 00:33:57.299 --> 00:34:00.379 God has given me a place to heal 00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:03.459 and to remember that I'm not a failure 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:06.799 and you know what, you're not either 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:10.039 and whatever you're going through on your journey 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:11.800 God is there for you too 00:34:11.800 --> 00:34:14.619 and he gave me the strength through you 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:16.639 and by his spirit to go back there 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:18.720 and have the hard conversations with the leaders 00:34:18.720 --> 00:34:21.099 and he granted me the power to forgive them 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:24.500 and I was the one who was truly set free 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:28.079 and now I don't have to hide my story in shame anymore 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:31.400 because I can tell of how God delivered me 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:34.480 and how God has restored my losses 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:39.500 and one day he will restore all losses in heaven 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:42.079 because that's what the world needs to hear 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:43.079 the truth 00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:49.039 and I can only do it because Jesus is alive in me right now 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:50.800 and his power holds me up 00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:54.820 and I know the man who's going to fix it all 00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:56.360 and so do you 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.220 his name is Jesus 00:34:57.220 --> 00:35:01.140 and the power that he has will hold you up 00:35:01.140 --> 00:35:03.220 wherever you are in your journey right now 00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:04.680 so you got to keep your eyes 00:35:04.680 --> 00:35:08.960 on the only place where true help comes from 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:10.640 and that's God himself 00:35:10.640 --> 00:35:13.420 what becomes of the brokenhearted 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:16.420 my prayer is that they get new hearts 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:20.220 and the church is a place to help others 00:35:20.219 --> 00:35:21.619 hold their pain 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:24.099 as together we take it to Jesus 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:27.439 as we express grace to one another 00:35:27.439 --> 00:35:30.379 in the context of our broken relationships 00:35:30.379 --> 00:35:33.219 that's why here we call them grace groups 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:35.599 they're really just messed up people groups 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.659 who need Jesus groups 00:35:36.659 --> 00:35:39.799 who love each other in the midst of their messed upness groups 00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:41.980 okay so if that's you 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:43.779 great it's okay 00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:46.679 they're not a go dress up and act like everything's okay group 00:35:46.679 --> 00:35:49.319 if they are then that's like a really bad group 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:50.719 don't do that 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:53.539 it's okay to not be okay right 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:56.819 and so don't be afraid to talk about it 00:35:56.819 --> 00:35:57.699 if there's any takeaway 00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:59.159 whatever you're carrying 00:35:59.159 --> 00:36:01.119 don't be afraid to talk about it 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:03.199 it doesn't mean you have to talk to everybody about it 00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:04.480 I realize that can be scary 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:07.059 but don't be afraid to talk about it 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:09.099 with God first 00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:10.619 maybe you got to get away 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.980 and talk to him 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:14.899 with us 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:18.099 there are people here that want to hear your pain 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:19.579 with each other 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:21.940 but when you talk to each other 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.880 I challenge you 00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:24.559 and Satan doesn't want you to do it 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:26.019 so just do it 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.519 just to tick him off 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.500 okay 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:31.340 but watch how he will use your story 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:34.240 to change someone's heart 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:36.139 it's amazing 00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:37.940 just try it sometime 00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:40.599 you got to take a step of faith to do it though 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:42.340 with that 00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:44.019 I'm going to close with some prayer 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:46.400 Father 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:48.719 we are a bunch of broken hearted 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.599 mess ups 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:51.539 who you redeem 00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:52.440 and make whole 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:54.320 and you love us 00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:55.780 in the midst of our pain 00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:57.500 and thank you 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:58.940 that you send us true help 00:36:58.940 --> 00:37:01.340 and thank you Lord Jesus 00:37:01.340 --> 00:37:03.199 that you redeem 00:37:03.199 --> 00:37:05.539 thank you for redeeming me 00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:07.300 and thank you for redeeming this church 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:09.139 and I pray by the power of your Holy Spirit 00:37:09.139 --> 00:37:10.400 you'd rest on this place 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:11.219 and start something 00:37:11.219 --> 00:37:13.599 that just blows this city up with love 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:16.219 and it goes all over the world 00:37:16.219 --> 00:37:19.899 but may it start by us knowing that we're accepted in our weaknesses 00:37:19.899 --> 00:37:21.480 and while we are still sinners 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.599 you died for us 00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:24.239 even though we thought we were killing you 00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:26.799 you were killing our hearts to give us new ones 00:37:26.799 --> 00:37:27.919 on the cross 00:37:27.919 --> 00:37:29.879 thanks for touching us lepers 00:37:29.879 --> 00:37:31.419 and saying you love us 00:37:31.419 --> 00:37:33.639 thank you for holding us in our pain 00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:36.679 and thank you that you're doing that for every single person here 00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:38.219 may they take that with them now 00:37:38.219 --> 00:37:40.179 and every single moment of the day 00:37:40.179 --> 00:37:42.099 and may it impact and redefine 00:37:42.099 --> 00:37:43.719 how they see life itself 00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:45.639 and relationships with other people 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:48.000 because you are calling them to change this world 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:49.940 one relationship at a time 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:53.559 and it starts by telling their stories of pain 00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:56.419 and how you are walking with them 00:37:56.419 --> 00:37:57.460 in that pain 00:37:57.460 --> 00:37:58.319 and holding us up 00:37:58.319 --> 00:37:59.299 praise the Lord 00:37:59.299 --> 00:38:01.699 that you are who you say you are 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.259 hallelujah 00:38:02.259 --> 00:38:04.099 I pray this in Jesus name 00:38:04.099 --> 00:38:04.679 amen 00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:06.899 for more information 00:38:06.899 --> 00:38:09.239 visit us online at southwood.org