WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.480 We are continuing on in our series on stories of the kingdom today. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:12.699 But listen, I want to give a shout out to the RA camp kids who are here today. 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:16.240 So if you went to RA camp, would you wave at me like this? 00:00:16.980 --> 00:00:17.539 There you go. 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:19.820 Would y'all stand up real quick? 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:21.380 Look, you can handle this. 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:22.899 I'm not putting you on the spot too much. 00:00:23.560 --> 00:00:24.120 There you go. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:26.500 Before we do anything else, is this everybody? 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:28.179 There's Blake. 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:28.880 What's that? 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:33.299 Someone went to children's church. 00:00:33.420 --> 00:00:34.900 Oh, man, we should have done this earlier. 00:00:35.019 --> 00:00:35.579 That's all right. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:36.659 I didn't think about that. 00:00:37.479 --> 00:00:38.659 Well, let's do this. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:41.519 That means y'all who are standing are going to have to do this extra loud. 00:00:41.599 --> 00:00:41.779 Ready? 00:00:42.379 --> 00:00:43.500 One, two, three. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:44.339 He is. 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:46.339 He is. 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:48.159 He is. 00:00:48.759 --> 00:00:49.759 He is. 00:00:50.379 --> 00:00:51.280 There you go. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:51.839 Good job. 00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:52.939 They did that before. 00:00:53.199 --> 00:00:54.539 Yeah, give them a clap for that. 00:00:56.819 --> 00:01:03.299 The speaker, Casey Allen, the leader of Cross Trail Outfitters, the Texas chapter, did that 00:01:03.299 --> 00:01:07.259 before every time he got up there and they were just screaming at the top of their lungs. 00:01:07.260 --> 00:01:07.940 It was awesome. 00:01:07.940 --> 00:01:12.340 And some of those guys, some of the guys even here today gave their life to Jesus or 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:16.100 took a big step in their faith journey with Jesus during that camp time. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:17.240 So that's an exciting thing. 00:01:17.320 --> 00:01:18.160 We celebrate that. 00:01:18.580 --> 00:01:20.420 Matthew chapter 13 is where we are today. 00:01:21.880 --> 00:01:24.080 Matthew chapter 13. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:31.439 Matt, I wore my R.A. t-shirt just for you, but I did have to put something on over it 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:32.299 to be up here, all right? 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:36.519 It just feels weird to be in front of y'all just a t-shirt. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:38.079 But that's okay. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:40.019 Matthew chapter 13. 00:01:40.019 --> 00:01:45.859 While you're turning there, we're continuing on in this series about stories of the kingdom 00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:47.659 or the parables of Jesus. 00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:53.599 These were illustrated stories that Jesus would use to make a valuable point, to leave an impression 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:56.759 on his hearers, to make it stick in their minds. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:00.959 And we've been learning so much from this series. 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:06.659 I figure it's always safe to preach about what Jesus spoke about, right? 00:02:06.780 --> 00:02:11.120 You're not going to go wrong going back to what Jesus himself talked about. 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:16.900 So while you're going to Matthew 13, I want to talk to you about Michaela Ulmer. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:22.680 Does anybody off the top of your head know who Michaela Ulmer is? 00:02:24.819 --> 00:02:26.299 I didn't figure so. 00:02:26.300 --> 00:02:29.980 However, she had her 15 minutes of fame. 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:31.820 All right, what's going on here? 00:02:32.460 --> 00:02:33.060 Is this thing working? 00:02:33.880 --> 00:02:34.460 There we go. 00:02:34.740 --> 00:02:35.340 There she is. 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:37.439 Anybody know what TV show that is? 00:02:38.820 --> 00:02:39.620 Look at y'all. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:41.219 You watch too much TV, don't you? 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:42.640 Shark Tank. 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:43.340 Yes, it is. 00:02:43.400 --> 00:02:45.240 Anybody know who the guy on the left is there? 00:02:46.920 --> 00:02:48.640 I'm seeing if you're a real nerd with Shark Tank. 00:02:48.720 --> 00:02:49.620 He's one of the sharks. 00:02:49.720 --> 00:02:50.980 His name is Damon John. 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:55.040 He started Fubo, the clothing company. 00:02:55.039 --> 00:02:58.719 And he is a very wealthy investor. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:01.659 And he's been on Shark Tank just about from the beginning. 00:03:02.239 --> 00:03:06.399 But he gave this little girl a deal. 00:03:06.519 --> 00:03:11.579 If you know anything about Shark Tank, these entrepreneurs come in to the tank or this set 00:03:11.579 --> 00:03:18.099 of the TV show and they pitch their fledgling company to these investors trying to get them 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:22.759 to make an investment in their company to help it grow and all this. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:23.579 It's on NBC. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:27.780 I think they might be in their last season or just concluded their last season. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:29.959 But they've been on for more than a decade. 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:35.340 And Mark Cuban's on there, the kind of former owner of the Dallas Mavericks. 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:44.420 But they've seen hundreds, if not thousands, of companies come through and pitch them to try 00:03:44.420 --> 00:03:45.300 to make an investment. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:54.040 Well, this girl was nine years old when she walked into Shark Tank to try to pitch her lemonade company. 00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:56.719 Now, there's a back story there. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:04:01.659 This little girl had been stung twice in one week by bees. 00:04:02.819 --> 00:04:04.479 Anybody ever been stung by a bee? 00:04:05.299 --> 00:04:07.219 How about twice in the same week? 00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:10.539 I was going to say, did you really? 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:11.579 That's amazing. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:14.259 Well, you should have started a lemonade company. 00:04:14.259 --> 00:04:22.639 No, were you scared of bees after you were stung twice in the same week? 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:24.439 That's because you're a boy. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:25.500 You can handle it, right? 00:04:27.099 --> 00:04:31.819 Look, I don't mean to draw any gender lines there, but Michaela was scared, all right? 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:36.139 I think even though I'm a boy also, I would be a little hesitant to be around bees after 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:39.539 being stung twice in one week, especially when you're four years old. 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:45.000 Anything that she heard buzzing, her parents said, she would run terrified. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:50.460 So her parents wanted to help her have a healthy understanding of bees. 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:58.060 So as she grew up, they had her go and research what bees are all about, why they're important, 00:04:59.820 --> 00:05:03.920 why bee conservation is important, why they're necessary for our environment. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:06.000 So she learned all about bees. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:13.399 And in doing so, she decided to try to help bees and help prevent misunderstandings and 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:15.360 unhealthy fear of bees and all this. 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:22.540 And so as a little girl, she found an old recipe of her grandmother's for flax lemonade, 00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:27.360 and she decided to add honey to it to represent the bees. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:31.839 And so she started selling this around, and it started catching on. 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:37.179 And it started, of course, around the neighborhood, and then farmer's markets, and then local grocery 00:05:37.179 --> 00:05:37.679 stores. 00:05:37.859 --> 00:05:44.599 And then all of a sudden, down in near Waco, Austin, kind of central Texas area, her lemonade 00:05:44.599 --> 00:05:47.779 started selling like wildfire. 00:05:47.919 --> 00:05:51.139 And she got on Shark Tank as a nine-year-old girl. 00:05:52.339 --> 00:05:57.199 She got that day a deal with Damon John, one of the sharks. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:02.539 He gave her $60,000 in exchange for 25% of her company. 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:12.039 Two years later, at age 11, Michaela Ulmer did an $11 million deal with Whole Foods. 00:06:12.040 --> 00:06:23.140 So what started as getting stung by bees and selling lemonade to help educate people about bees ended 00:06:23.140 --> 00:06:28.939 up with her becoming a multimillionaire very young in her life. 00:06:29.200 --> 00:06:30.879 Now she's 20 years old. 00:06:31.320 --> 00:06:32.520 She's written a book. 00:06:33.320 --> 00:06:35.960 She's a national speaker to young entrepreneurs. 00:06:37.020 --> 00:06:41.080 And Michaela Ulmer is very, very successful at a young age. 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:46.759 Can I tell you that big things often have small beginnings? 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:52.259 Big things often have small beginnings. 00:06:52.779 --> 00:06:54.399 And there's another side to that. 00:06:55.379 --> 00:06:57.560 Big things take time. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:06.279 From the time she was four to the time she was 20, 16 years there, 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:15.239 how long of a road and how much changed over that time in her life. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:24.639 She never could have predicted as a child what would eventually happen with this little lemonade stand that she started. 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:29.399 So if you want to try her lemonade, I don't know where we can find it around here. 00:07:29.599 --> 00:07:32.060 You might have to go up to Wichita or maybe even Dallas. 00:07:32.159 --> 00:07:32.639 I don't know. 00:07:33.019 --> 00:07:36.879 But she is around and I kind of want to try her lemonade. 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:41.399 But as we dive into the scriptures this morning, 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:49.399 let's take with us that principle of big things often have small beginnings and big things take time. 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:55.139 So Matthew chapter 13, would you go with me and let's look at verse 31. 00:07:56.859 --> 00:07:59.500 We're going to talk about seeds and trees this morning. 00:08:00.099 --> 00:08:03.179 We're also going to talk about bread and leaven, yeast. 00:08:04.219 --> 00:08:07.759 But seeds and trees rhymed so well I wanted to keep us there for the title. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:12.799 So seeds and trees, Matthew chapter 13, verse 31. 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:16.020 He presented another parable to them. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:21.699 The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:29.379 It's the smallest of all the seeds, but when it's grown, it's taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:33.039 so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches. 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:34.360 Verse 33. 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.759 He told them another parable. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:46.819 The kingdom of heaven is like leaven or yeast that a woman took and mixed into 50 pounds of flour until all of it was leavened. 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:53.319 At first glance, you're probably looking at this like, what is Jesus saying here? 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:55.779 What is his big point? 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:57.340 What is his big takeaway? 00:08:57.340 --> 00:09:03.700 Because the very next verse says Jesus told the crowd all these things in parables, 00:09:04.040 --> 00:09:06.340 and he didn't tell them anything without a parable. 00:09:08.040 --> 00:09:10.700 He didn't want to make it just easy for them. 00:09:10.780 --> 00:09:12.160 He wanted to think about it. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.980 He wanted them to ponder it. 00:09:14.280 --> 00:09:16.300 He wanted them to turn it over in their brains, 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:20.379 put it in context of the scriptures that they already knew, 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:23.360 and start to understand little by little. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:26.920 He couldn't reveal it all at once, all about his kingdom. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:28.740 He had to reveal it bit by bit. 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:35.379 His time was coming, but it wasn't there yet when he would give his life for our sins. 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:37.879 But there is a principle here. 00:09:38.319 --> 00:09:42.379 We talked about it just a moment ago with Michaela Ulmer, 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:48.419 but there's a principle that we can learn from both of these parables that Jesus told back to back, 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:50.360 seemingly on this same theme. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:52.220 And the first principle is, 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:56.919 in God's kingdom, big things have small beginnings. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:10:02.600 In God's kingdom, big things have small beginnings. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.500 He mentioned the mustard seed. 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:07.300 Anybody know anything about a mustard seed? 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:10.340 Just yell it out if you know. 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.639 It's small, right? 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:14.039 It's tiny. 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:16.579 And you know what the crazy thing is? 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:19.819 He talks about a grain of a mustard seed. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:23.379 He tells his disciples at another moment, he says, 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:27.659 if you have faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed, 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:31.059 not even a whole seed, just part of it. 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:34.339 I mean, we're talking about a microscopic seed, 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.679 and then an even smaller part. 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:37.779 He said, if you have that much faith, 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:39.639 you can move mountains. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.719 You can do amazing things. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:44.540 Now, you can drive to the nearest mountain. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:45.580 Is there a mountain? 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:51.220 Let's not pretend like the dirt hill in Wichita is a mountain, okay? 00:10:52.180 --> 00:10:54.320 Is there a real mountain around here anywhere? 00:10:56.160 --> 00:10:58.720 I guess for, yeah, outside, yeah, all right. 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:01.899 So you could go to that, and you could say, move! 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:04.300 Move! 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:08.600 Now, do you think that's what he meant? 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:10.399 No. 00:11:10.680 --> 00:11:10.899 Good. 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:12.679 I want to make sure we're all on the same page here. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:14.459 What he meant was, 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:19.459 God can do something impossible through you 00:11:19.459 --> 00:11:24.659 if you have the belief that he can. 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.939 What it does not mean is, 00:11:28.579 --> 00:11:33.240 he always will do the impossible thing that you wish he would. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:38.779 Number one, our wishes, our desires are not perfect. 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:41.339 They're not without flaw. 00:11:41.339 --> 00:11:46.120 So we might want something that is not good for us, 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.600 not good for someone else. 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:50.620 We might be convinced it's the best thing, 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:55.120 and we believe that if God would just do that for us, 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.399 that impossible thing, 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.579 that everything would be better. 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:59.579 Usually it has to do with more money. 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:04.560 However, that is not how God works. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:07.520 God knows exactly what is best, 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:08.940 and he says, 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:12.700 if you believe that I can do impossible things, 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:15.400 then I will do impossible things in your life. 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:17.220 They will be according to my will, 00:12:17.280 --> 00:12:19.180 because I know what's best for you. 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:20.819 We get to taste that a little bit 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:24.000 when we parent our kids, fathers, on Father's Day. 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:26.699 Have you always given your child 00:12:26.699 --> 00:12:28.339 everything that they ever asked for? 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.859 I hope not. 00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:32.559 I really hope not. 00:12:33.839 --> 00:12:36.139 Because kids ask for things 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:38.620 that are not good for them all the time, right? 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:40.479 Let's be real, adults do too. 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:44.459 But kids have even less of a filter usually, 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:47.160 and so they'll ask for things 00:12:47.160 --> 00:12:49.139 that they certainly don't need 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:51.660 and often are not good for them. 00:12:53.660 --> 00:12:57.240 So, faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:00.240 It can be very tiny, is the point. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:04.360 God isn't necessarily always looking for 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:07.160 those who act like they have faith 00:13:07.160 --> 00:13:08.379 the size of a mountain. 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:10.259 He says your faith doesn't have to be 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.160 the size of a mountain. 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:13.379 It can be the size of a grain of a mustard seed. 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:16.559 How small is that? 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:19.980 Well, we have a little picture here for context. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:23.500 So, if this is a whole mustard seed, 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:24.820 very small, 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:30.399 it grows into a mustard tree. 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:34.120 And that's just one picture. 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:36.360 They can grow much larger than that. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:40.120 But I love how side by side 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.539 you can see the scope 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:44.439 of something that has such a small beginning 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:48.159 and could grow into something so large. 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:50.759 What is Jesus talking about? 00:13:51.339 --> 00:13:54.199 He's talking about the kingdom of God. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:59.799 Do you understand that this is how God works? 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:05.500 It's not how the Jewish people wanted him to work. 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:08.740 It's not what they were hoping for. 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:13.159 This isn't what they wanted their Messiah to be. 00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:17.339 They wanted him to ride in on a great white horse, 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:21.019 leading a powerful army to conquer Rome 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:22.959 and free them from Roman occupation 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:25.960 and make them their own mighty nation 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:27.820 and conquering the world and all that. 00:14:27.900 --> 00:14:29.360 That's kind of what they were hoping 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:31.080 their Messiah would be. 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:35.500 Instead, he started small. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.620 He started as a baby. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.720 But that's always how God works. 00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:40.740 Think about it. 00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:42.480 God always starts small 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:43.879 and then goes big. 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.060 What was David? 00:14:45.420 --> 00:14:47.000 David was a little shepherd boy, right? 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:48.919 The least of his father's family 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:51.480 before he became a giant killing king. 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:54.179 Gideon was a coward 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:57.700 before God made him a conquering general. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:59.639 Joseph was a prisoner 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:02.259 thrown in a dungeon, rotting away. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:04.059 Before that, he'd been a slave 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:06.960 before God made him ruler of Egypt. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.820 Elisha and Amos were farmers 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:13.000 before God made them powerful and mighty prophets. 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:16.000 Esther was an exiled orphan 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:18.559 before God made her queen of Persia. 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:21.659 Peter was a hot-headed fisherman 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:24.740 before God made him a powerful preacher. 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:26.679 You could say that similar things 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.879 for so many of the disciples. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:31.559 And Jesus himself was a little baby 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:34.559 lying in a feeding trough in Nazareth 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:38.620 before God made him savior of the world. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:43.700 God starts small before he goes big. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:48.679 So, let's look at 2 Kings. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:52.559 Would you turn with me to the Old Testament, 2 Kings? 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.639 Anybody want to guess 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.580 what 2 Kings comes right after? 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:02.139 You're a smart crowd. 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:04.399 2 Kings chapter 4. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.519 Just want to make sure y'all are with me, 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.200 you're still listening. 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.220 2 Kings chapter 4. 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:14.139 1 and 2 Samuel. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.120 1 and 2 Kings. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.540 1 and 2 Chronicles. 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.960 So, if you find one of those, 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:20.440 you're close to 2 Kings. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:24.779 Chapter 4, verse 1. 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:27.820 One of the wives of the sons of the prophets 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:29.320 cried out to Elisha. 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:30.820 We just mentioned him a moment ago. 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.519 He was a farmer 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:33.279 before God turned him to a prophet. 00:16:33.660 --> 00:16:36.060 And the successor of the mighty prophet Elijah, 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.340 who was caught up to heaven. 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:39.100 Man, it's this whole big thing. 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:42.300 He's now arguably the most important person 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:43.320 for God's people. 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:47.060 Their prophet, the spokesman for God. 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.160 And he says, 00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:50.580 one of the wives of the prophets 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.920 studying under him 00:16:51.920 --> 00:16:53.680 to become a prophet. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.800 Kind of an early form of seminary type deal. 00:16:58.420 --> 00:17:00.139 One of the wives says, 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:02.519 your servant, my husband, has died. 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:05.400 The prophet studying under you, 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:07.320 great Elisha, he's died. 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:10.280 You know that your servant feared the Lord. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.840 Now the creditor is coming 00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:13.519 to take my two children away 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.120 as his slaves. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.140 How awful is this? 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.580 So what happens? 00:17:21.280 --> 00:17:22.200 Elisha asks her, 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:23.440 what can I do for you? 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.140 Tell me. 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.759 What do you have in the house? 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.140 She said, 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.759 your servant has nothing in the house 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:30.620 except a jar of oil. 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:32.479 Then he said, 00:17:32.699 --> 00:17:34.299 go out and borrow empty containers 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.179 from all your neighbors. 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.659 Don't get just a few. 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:39.039 Then go in and shut the door behind you 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.619 and your sons 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:41.879 and pour oil into all these containers. 00:17:42.399 --> 00:17:44.659 Set the full ones to one side 00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:45.719 and she left. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.279 She shut the door behind her and her sons 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:50.000 and they kept bringing her containers 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.059 and she kept pouring. 00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:52.359 And when they were full, 00:17:52.479 --> 00:17:53.679 she said to her son, 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:55.019 bring me another container. 00:17:55.179 --> 00:17:55.819 And he said, 00:17:55.979 --> 00:17:57.299 there aren't any more. 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.720 And then the oil stopped 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.759 and she went and told the man of God 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.240 what happened. 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:01.819 And he said, 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:03.960 go sell the oil and pay your debt 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:05.279 and you and your sons 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.799 can live on the rest. 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.919 This is a crazy miracle. 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:13.139 But before we dive into that whole miracle, 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:15.720 think about how it started. 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.859 How did it start? 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.859 What did she have? 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:24.319 She had just a little bit of oil. 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.740 Just a little bit. 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:31.059 She did not have enough. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:34.240 She didn't have what she needed. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:37.399 But she had a little bit. 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:41.799 Do you see what God can do 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:45.779 if you give him the little bit you have? 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.259 Say, I can't afford to. 00:18:49.919 --> 00:18:51.220 This is all we've got. 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:55.720 The principle of the kingdom of God 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:58.100 is you can't afford not to. 00:18:59.600 --> 00:19:01.120 Because God can take 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.860 the little bit you have 00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:05.579 and do so much more with it. 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.779 Over and over again, 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.960 we see this principle 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:11.140 in the kingdom of God. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:13.000 And that's what Jesus was teaching us 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.860 with this seed 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:17.759 that becomes a great mustard tree. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:20.299 God can take something little 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:23.220 and make something great from it. 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:26.519 Big things have small beginnings. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:28.400 But there's another principle here. 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:32.140 And we get it from this story 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:33.099 in the Old Testament 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:35.000 of Elisha, 2 Kings, 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.640 this woman with her oil. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.920 The first principle, 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.920 little things have what? 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:40.660 I'm sorry, 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:42.680 big things have what kind of beginnings? 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.560 Little beginnings, 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.360 small beginnings. 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:47.019 But there's another principle 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:48.140 and that is, 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.800 with God, 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:52.759 little can become much. 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.300 There we go. 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.500 With God, 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:56.400 little can become much. 00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:57.560 We see it happen. 00:19:58.120 --> 00:20:00.500 God can turn that little thing 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:02.160 into something big, 00:20:02.300 --> 00:20:03.680 into something powerful, 00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:05.200 into something mighty. 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:07.880 So you might feel insignificant this morning. 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:10.000 But God can take you 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:11.700 and turn you into something great. 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:13.620 Look at the story of the girl 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:15.360 with the lemonade and the bees, right? 00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:17.200 She's just a little four-year-old girl 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.460 getting stung by bees. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:21.320 What's significant about that 00:20:21.320 --> 00:20:23.040 other than you feel bad for her, right? 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:25.740 But her parents thought it through 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.200 and said, 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.720 let's educate her about this. 00:20:27.800 --> 00:20:28.720 And then that little girl 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.840 took it upon herself. 00:20:30.040 --> 00:20:31.900 I want to educate everybody about bees. 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:33.880 And what can I do to help that happen? 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.280 And before you know it, 00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:35.880 she's a multimillionaire 00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:38.400 and speaking all around the country 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:41.400 and impacting people with her mission. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.640 Little can become much. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:47.940 If God wants to take little old you 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:50.240 and make you something greater, 00:20:50.540 --> 00:20:51.760 something more impactful, 00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:53.180 He can do it. 00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:55.260 But usually the problem is 00:20:55.260 --> 00:20:58.140 we don't turn over the little we have to Him. 00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:01.020 We don't think about 00:21:01.020 --> 00:21:03.540 what He can do 00:21:03.540 --> 00:21:06.920 with our little bit of energy, 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.960 our little bit of time, 00:21:09.520 --> 00:21:10.920 our little bit of money, 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:14.040 our little bit of emotional capacity. 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.440 Any of you feel like you just run out 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:17.620 of emotional capacity? 00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:20.240 Like, I just can't right now? 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.920 Just leave me alone. 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:24.039 Stay out of my way. 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:26.319 I can't with the world right now. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:26.700 Okay? 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.200 You ever hit that place? 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.759 Don't look at me like that. 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.440 Maybe it's just me. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.359 It's not just me. 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.859 The little bit you have, 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.740 you give that to God. 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:40.140 He can multiply it. 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:41.740 Multiply it. 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:44.059 What this does not mean 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:46.720 is that if you put a dollar 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.759 in the offering plate, 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.700 God's going to make you 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.940 a multimillionaire tomorrow. 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:53.299 If that's what you're taking away from this, 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:55.039 then you're not paying attention. 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:55.860 All right? 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:58.259 There is no promise 00:21:58.259 --> 00:22:00.620 of earthly riches on this earth. 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.519 If you ever hear a preacher 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.420 telling you otherwise, 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.600 he's lying to you. 00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:04.840 He's lying to you 00:22:04.840 --> 00:22:05.519 and he's trying to get you 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.140 to give him money. 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.519 Now, I'm not going to turn down 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.640 if you want to give me a dollar 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:13.019 because, man, 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:14.720 you can't buy anything 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.460 with a dollar anymore. 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.000 I was going to say, 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.100 you can go out of the dollar menu. 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:18.480 They don't have dollar menus anymore. 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.539 Even dollar tree 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.840 is now a dollar 25 tree, 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.240 so that's all right. 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.440 Never mind. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:24.940 Keep your dollar. 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:30.240 But little can become much, 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.779 and that is the second principle 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.740 that Jesus is trying 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.380 to teach us here. 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.400 In God's kingdom, 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:35.740 little can become much. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:38.380 Big things have small beginnings, 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:40.640 and little can become much. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.960 Look at that second part. 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:44.200 Back in Matthew 13, 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.559 she puts the leaven in. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:48.460 She puts the yeast in the dough, 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:51.399 and it works all the way through. 00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:51.859 Right? 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:53.379 What do we mean by this? 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.480 Anybody know what this stuff is? 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:58.839 Bread? 00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.579 Well, it's dough. 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:01.099 It's dough. 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.639 It hasn't quite yet become bread, 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:04.960 but it's dough. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.039 They're making bread, right? 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:08.599 So do you see on the left, 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:10.619 you see those top and bottom pictures? 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.480 You see on the left, 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:14.399 that's when they put it in the bowl, 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:16.539 and then on the right 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.799 is after it's been what? 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:22.619 It's been sitting there for a time 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.960 doing this thing called 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:26.980 resting, proving. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:31.240 Maybe I just watch too much 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.399 like baking TV 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:34.180 because my wife is into that stuff, 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:36.519 but I know all the technical terms 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.440 of what it's called, all right? 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:39.279 It's called proving or proofing. 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:42.519 You know what I love about that concept? 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:47.000 is that's what God does to us sometimes. 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:51.200 He lets us sit and prove. 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:54.920 And you know what happens to us 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:56.319 while we're proving? 00:23:58.200 --> 00:24:02.279 We rise, we grow in our faith in Him, 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:04.319 and as we grow, 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:08.579 we're filled up more with His Spirit. 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.960 Now, if you're a child of God, 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:12.119 you have the Holy Spirit of God. 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:13.959 You've got all access to Him, 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:15.579 but it doesn't mean 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:17.319 you're filled up with Him, right? 00:24:17.959 --> 00:24:19.019 Because a lot of times 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:21.000 we fill ourselves up with other stuff. 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:23.339 But the idea 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:28.399 is that God works His Holy Spirit through us, 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:30.879 lets us sit, 00:24:31.459 --> 00:24:33.899 often in a waiting time of life, 00:24:34.699 --> 00:24:36.459 while He prepares us, 00:24:36.459 --> 00:24:39.039 we prove ourselves, 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:42.579 and then at the right moment, 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.740 we're ready to bake. 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:48.000 We're ready to go out and nourish others. 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:52.779 We're ready to do whatever He has for us. 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:54.960 I can't begin to guess 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.720 or tell you what God has for you. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.059 Again, that's another thing. 00:24:58.159 --> 00:25:00.019 If a pastor or faith leader 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:03.000 tells you what God's will is for your life, 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.779 he's lying to you. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.539 He doesn't know. 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.740 That's between you and God. 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:09.079 Now, you can be advised by someone. 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.299 You might consider this. 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.460 You might pray about this. 00:25:11.659 --> 00:25:12.899 But I can't come and say 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:15.759 God's will for you 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:18.460 is this specifically in your life. 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.460 That's a lie. 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:23.240 But He does have one. 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:26.779 And it's moment by moment, 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.420 day by day, 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:31.940 God has a purpose for you. 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:35.720 But we're not always ready for that purpose 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:39.240 while He's molding and shaping us. 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:44.140 This isn't an exact illustration. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.819 Otherwise, it'd be all through the Bible. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.779 But He does mention it here. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:50.819 He does use this idea 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:52.339 that the kingdom of God 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:54.139 is like this yeast 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:57.539 that this woman puts into her dough 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:59.440 and it spreads all through 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.879 and then it rises. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:03.599 It's just a little bit of yeast, 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:05.359 but she works it all through. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.799 And you know what happens then? 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.279 It becomes much. 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:10.519 It starts small 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:12.180 and it becomes big. 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:14.339 How many of you ever heard the old song, 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:16.519 little is much when God is in it? 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:19.460 Labor not for wealth or fame. 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.200 There's a crown 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.079 and you can win it 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.279 if you'll go in Jesus' name. 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.900 They tapped into that idea 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:26.720 that there is a little bit that we have, 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:29.259 but God can turn it into much. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.559 All it takes is a little bit of faith. 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:34.019 You don't have to be a giant of faith. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:36.259 You don't have to be a superstar of faith. 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.859 You don't have to get your name in the Bible 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:39.440 or your name on the wall at church. 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:42.779 You could just have a little bit of faith 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:44.839 and God can grow it. 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:46.419 Now, real quick, 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:47.799 before we move on from this, 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.859 and we'll be done in just a moment, 00:26:49.939 --> 00:26:52.399 don't get the idea in your head 00:26:52.399 --> 00:26:55.199 that God wants your faith to stay small. 00:26:57.579 --> 00:27:00.399 That is the excuse that people use. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:02.139 We've been trying to disprove 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:04.559 some really commonly misused scriptures. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.939 Last Sunday, was it last Sunday, 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:08.319 the one before it was, 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.240 no, last Sunday, 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:11.059 I had my friend Phillip Nation up here preaching, 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:13.339 but recently we hit the verse, 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:15.139 judge not lest ye be judged. 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.799 Remember that one? 00:27:16.879 --> 00:27:18.500 And usually how people use that 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:21.700 is not what it was intended to be used as. 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.379 We're not going to take time on that today. 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.099 It's on YouTube if you want to go back and watch it. 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:30.559 But this verse is, 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:34.440 tiny little bit of faith can move mountains, right? 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.720 So people will take that 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:38.620 and they'll make it say what they want it to 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:41.200 and say, well, I believe, you know, 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.980 I believe in God. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.860 That's all he really needs, 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:44.779 just a little bit of faith 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.640 and I can move mountains. 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:48.620 No, that's how it starts. 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:53.000 That's a little bit of leaven. 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.960 It's a little bit of yeast, 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.799 but it's supposed to grow. 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:56.879 No. 00:27:58.240 --> 00:28:00.159 The disciples actually caught on to that 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:00.619 and they said, 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.960 they came to Jesus and said, 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.740 Lord, increase our faith. 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:06.200 We've been walking with you, 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:07.659 been seeing you, 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.700 been learning from you. 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:11.039 Increase our faith. 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:11.779 Make it bigger. 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.539 And he taught them how to do that. 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.659 Taught them how he would do that. 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:21.220 But little can become much 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:24.220 and little is supposed to become much. 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:27.299 But it starts with something small. 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:30.759 Now, if you have the Holy Spirit in you, 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.559 you have all you need. 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.720 You have all you need. 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:38.680 You're not lacking anything. 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:42.140 By contrast, 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:46.700 if you don't have the Holy Spirit of God in you, 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:50.039 then you're missing everything you need. 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.779 You can have a lot of money in the bank. 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:56.240 You could look good on the outside. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:59.400 Your life could be ordered just how you want it to be. 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:03.700 You could be faithful in church. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:07.200 You could be a good-looking person on the outside. 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:12.779 But we're not in the business of making Christianity. 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:16.279 We're in the business of making disciples, 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.980 followers of Jesus, 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:21.680 not followers of church. 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:23.259 Now, we're a church. 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:25.320 We want you to jump in with us 00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:27.259 as we strive to follow Jesus. 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:30.500 But it's not all about church. 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:34.120 It's not all about a set of rules. 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:36.340 It's not all about living a certain way. 00:29:36.560 --> 00:29:38.340 It's about it being real. 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:43.500 It's about it being alive inside you. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:45.200 And if it's not, 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.220 then you're missing it. 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.880 You're missing it all. 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.180 And I'm so afraid 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.880 that so many people 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:54.599 who faithfully attended church for years 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:56.799 are going to get to God someday. 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.980 They're going to look at Him and say, 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.180 man, I'm one of yours. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:01.400 I lived that life. 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.660 He's going to say, 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:05.420 no, you're not one of mine. 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.359 It was never real for you. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:11.000 It was never alive inside you. 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.059 But the Holy Spirit 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:16.219 is like a seed 00:30:16.219 --> 00:30:18.599 that will grow. 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:20.799 You know a fascinating thing? 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:23.339 Back in 2005, 00:30:23.939 --> 00:30:25.879 scientists successfully germinated 00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:29.719 a 2,000-year-old Judean date palm seed 00:30:29.719 --> 00:30:32.019 found at Masada in Israel. 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:36.440 A 2,000-year-old palm tree seed. 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:39.319 They germinated it. 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:42.559 Means they made it start growing 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.900 and it produced. 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:46.879 How crazy is that? 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:48.960 2,000 years old. 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.059 Why? 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.859 How did that work? 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:56.339 How did they find a 2,000-year-old seed 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.740 and watered it 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.539 and gave it... 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.500 I'm trying to think back. 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:04.619 It was sunlight, water, chlorophyll. 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:06.759 I got kids, elementary kids. 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.480 You got to help me here. 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.259 It's been a while 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.319 since I learned all that stuff. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.279 They did all the things 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.740 that you're supposed to do, right? 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.579 And they made it grow. 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:16.220 2,000 years old. 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.140 How in the world? 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:19.420 Because it contained 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:21.880 the principle of life inside it 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:23.819 and that life never died. 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.980 Now listen to me real quick. 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:26.220 If you don't hear anything else 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:27.420 the whole time, hear this. 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:30.519 Jesus Christ, 00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:31.920 the Holy Spirit, 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:32.880 God the Father, 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:36.019 God is the principle of life 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.880 that is inside you. 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.960 If you are his child, 00:31:40.300 --> 00:31:42.060 if you have invited him in, 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:44.200 then he is inside you 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:46.180 and he contains the principle of life. 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.940 Maybe you haven't been walking with him 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.580 like you should, 00:31:48.820 --> 00:31:50.200 but that principle of life 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.779 is still in there. 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:53.299 And that is what Jesus 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:54.539 is trying to teach us. 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.700 The kingdom of God 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.660 is like that. 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:58.559 This world is wicked, 00:31:59.119 --> 00:32:00.480 but the kingdom of God 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.680 is here. 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:04.220 And it can grow. 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:06.000 And it can take over. 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.700 And someday, 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:11.339 we'll see how that happens. 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.480 Right now, 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.039 we don't have to worry 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.799 about taking over. 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:15.000 Right now, 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:15.940 we just have to worry 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.119 about nurturing 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:19.339 that spirit of life 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.259 inside of us. 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:22.259 nurturing that seed of life 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.160 inside of us 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.819 and not running from it, 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:25.940 not squandering it, 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:27.140 not ignoring it. 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:32.859 The gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:35.400 the good news about Jesus, 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:38.680 that contains the spirit of life. 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:40.319 That contains the principle 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.480 of life inside us. 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:43.579 You can't stop that. 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:46.259 You can try, 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.379 but you can't. 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:49.220 It will win. 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:51.360 It will grow. 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:54.100 You can't make it die. 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:59.759 I study a lot of different preachers 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.380 in closing. 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:02.200 I study a lot of different preachers. 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:05.059 I study two different ones 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.880 specifically preaching 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.860 about this passage. 00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:08.880 One was a pastor 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:10.319 I've referenced before 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:10.980 down in Georgia, 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.720 Eric Hayes. 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:15.220 and he said, 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:18.759 Jesus began a good work in you, 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:21.140 but you're depending on yourself 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:21.880 to complete it. 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:24.380 I thought that was an interesting quote. 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:27.519 Jesus began a good work in you, 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:29.539 but you're depending on yourself 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.680 to complete it. 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.460 You know what he's referencing? 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:34.140 He's referencing Philippians 1.6. 00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:37.180 Being confident of this, 00:33:37.280 --> 00:33:39.120 that he who began a good work in you 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:40.920 will carry it on to completion 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:43.259 until the day of Christ Jesus. 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:46.160 Do you understand what's inferred here? 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:47.860 When you are saved, 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:49.240 when you give your life to Jesus, 00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:51.340 he begins a good work in you. 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:53.680 But then his promise is, 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:56.060 I will carry this good work on 00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:58.160 until Jesus comes back, 00:33:58.300 --> 00:33:59.300 we all go to heaven, 00:33:59.520 --> 00:34:00.300 it's all great. 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:01.740 Until then, 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:03.139 I'm working on you. 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.480 There's another old song. 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:05.919 He's still working on me 00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:07.599 to make me what I ought to be. 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:09.980 And he's going to keep doing that 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.340 until we go home to heaven 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:12.179 because none of us 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.679 are going to get all the way there 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.599 until he gives us 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:16.159 perfect bodies and all that. 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:19.039 But the problem is, 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:20.840 it takes time. 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.659 It takes time. 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.739 And we get impatient. 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:28.539 So we try to take over. 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:31.719 Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, 00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:33.940 is working on us. 00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:35.880 He's completing the work 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:37.699 that he started in us 00:34:37.699 --> 00:34:40.519 so we don't need to take over 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:41.279 and say, 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.340 I got this from here. 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.539 You got me off to a good start 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.800 with the whole being saved 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:47.139 and forgiving me and all that, 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.360 but I got it from here. 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:51.320 I will take over the rest of my life. 00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.019 No, no, no. 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:55.639 Jesus is still completing the work in you. 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:58.799 So, another pastor that I heard of 00:34:58.799 --> 00:35:00.159 preached on this 00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:01.679 and I was actually there when he did it. 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:03.239 Let's move on past that. 00:35:03.299 --> 00:35:03.699 There we go. 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.579 Anybody know that man right there? 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:06.519 His name is Joel Gregory. 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:08.119 In Texas Baptist life, 00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:10.239 he's one of the prominent preachers, 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.099 pastored 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:15.480 at very impactful large churches in Texas 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:17.400 and he teaches preaching 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:19.519 down at Truett Seminary in Waco. 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:22.579 Preached the most powerful sermon 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:23.920 on the kingdom of God I've ever heard 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:25.119 and it was from Matthew 13 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:25.940 and I wanted to share 00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:27.000 a couple of thoughts he had. 00:35:27.820 --> 00:35:29.460 The kingdom of God is a gift. 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.880 We don't build it. 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:32.079 It builds us 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:34.360 through its inherent power. 00:35:34.760 --> 00:35:36.260 Just like those seeds 00:35:36.260 --> 00:35:38.840 that were germinated 2,000 years later, 00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:41.340 they contained inherent power within them. 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.420 It just needed to be unlocked. 00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:45.159 That is like the kingdom of God in us. 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:47.720 God gave us a gift 00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:49.099 which is his son, 00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:51.440 his kingdom on this earth. 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:54.559 It is allowed now for us to come into it. 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.740 We've been invited in 00:35:55.740 --> 00:35:58.079 and we don't build that kingdom. 00:35:58.300 --> 00:35:59.539 It builds us. 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:01.280 God builds his kingdom 00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:03.440 as he's building us. 00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:05.139 You understand the difference there? 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:06.920 You got all these people are like, 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:08.200 man, I got to build my church. 00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:09.420 I got to make it bigger. 00:36:09.720 --> 00:36:10.980 I got to build my business 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.179 or I got to build everything. 00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:13.700 We're all builders, right? 00:36:14.240 --> 00:36:17.119 God says, let me build you. 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:20.299 He's more worried about us. 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:22.900 He can impact others 00:36:22.900 --> 00:36:27.259 as he has more access to us. 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:31.319 But when we get so focused on our agenda, 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.639 say, no, no, no. 00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:35.299 You're not going to complete this work in me. 00:36:35.359 --> 00:36:36.339 I've got my own work 00:36:36.339 --> 00:36:37.460 I'm going to complete in myself. 00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:40.339 Then he doesn't build us. 00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.380 We build ourselves. 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:44.039 And the results we get from that 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:46.680 are what you would think they would be. 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:48.420 And then the second thought, 00:36:48.860 --> 00:36:50.660 the kingdom of God is invisible. 00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:54.260 It's here, but it's just not seen. 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:57.400 It's already, but not yet. 00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:58.900 You understand what I mean by that? 00:36:59.860 --> 00:37:00.860 It's very confusing, right? 00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:03.300 I'm not going to take you to seminary today. 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:04.640 We've got like two minutes left. 00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:06.200 I'm not going to take you to seminary today 00:37:06.200 --> 00:37:07.619 because it would be a long time 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:09.220 to try to figure out this concept 00:37:09.220 --> 00:37:10.680 of already, but not yet. 00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:12.659 But I'm going to take you to Luke 17. 00:37:13.399 --> 00:37:14.819 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:16.279 when will the kingdom of God come? 00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:18.319 How would y'all like to know that? 00:37:18.899 --> 00:37:20.419 When will the kingdom of God come? 00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:21.099 Yeah, me too. 00:37:21.899 --> 00:37:22.559 Jesus replied, 00:37:22.699 --> 00:37:24.259 the kingdom of God can't be detected 00:37:24.259 --> 00:37:25.460 by visible signs. 00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:27.319 You won't be able to say, 00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:29.159 here it is, or it's over there. 00:37:29.719 --> 00:37:31.440 For the kingdom of God is, 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.159 what does that say? 00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:34.579 Already among you. 00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:37.500 He's saying, here I am. 00:37:38.500 --> 00:37:39.419 I am here. 00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:41.400 And my kingdom is beginning. 00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:44.860 And my kingdom will grow through all of you. 00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:47.260 For his children. 00:37:48.480 --> 00:37:50.559 For those who will say, 00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:51.860 God, use me. 00:37:52.180 --> 00:37:52.860 Build me. 00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:55.840 Build your kingdom as you're building me. 00:37:56.059 --> 00:37:57.300 So there's a principle here. 00:37:58.260 --> 00:38:01.000 The kingdom of God is already here, 00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:04.059 but it's also not yet. 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:06.219 You understand what we mean by that? 00:38:07.119 --> 00:38:08.480 Read the book of Revelation. 00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:11.039 You'll see how the end happens. 00:38:11.820 --> 00:38:12.519 That's confusing. 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:15.019 It's hard to totally wrap our heads around 00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:17.199 because that's probably intentional. 00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:18.619 We don't need to know exactly 00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:19.759 how everything's going to happen, 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:20.900 but we get the idea. 00:38:21.259 --> 00:38:22.820 We understand and have confidence 00:38:22.820 --> 00:38:24.079 that God's going to win. 00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:26.900 God's way is going to prevail. 00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:28.599 We're all going to be in heaven forever. 00:38:28.699 --> 00:38:29.460 It's going to be great. 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:30.240 We're going to love it. 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:33.000 But it's not here yet. 00:38:33.880 --> 00:38:37.420 So God's kingdom will be eternal and everlasting, 00:38:37.740 --> 00:38:39.940 and it's already here and started, 00:38:40.420 --> 00:38:42.639 but it hasn't yet fulfilled. 00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:46.320 So here's my question for you. 00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:51.900 Has God started his kingdom in you? 00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:56.519 And what has happened since then in your life? 00:38:59.240 --> 00:39:02.760 Big things have small beginnings, 00:39:03.760 --> 00:39:07.480 but are you still back at the small stage 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:09.980 or has God done anything through you? 00:39:10.640 --> 00:39:14.559 There's no limit to what God can do through you 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:16.260 if you unlock the door. 00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:19.000 If you quit resisting, 00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:24.480 if you say, God, I am yours. 00:39:25.140 --> 00:39:25.980 You take over. 00:39:27.180 --> 00:39:28.559 Build your kingdom in me. 00:39:29.240 --> 00:39:30.360 You build me, 00:39:30.740 --> 00:39:33.580 and then build others as a result of it. 00:39:34.100 --> 00:39:35.200 And that's our takeaway today. 00:39:35.840 --> 00:39:39.940 There are no limits to what God can do through you, 00:39:40.100 --> 00:39:42.740 what God in you can do. 00:39:42.739 --> 00:39:46.539 Say, God, do this in my life. 00:39:46.859 --> 00:39:49.879 And God says, no, I'm interested in working in you. 00:39:49.880 --> 00:39:53.380 I'm interested in changing you. 00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:56.760 You know, we always want him to change everything outside, right? 00:39:57.619 --> 00:39:59.260 We want him to make everything better. 00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:02.119 We want him to fix all these things, 00:40:02.200 --> 00:40:03.940 all these problems that come up in our life. 00:40:04.180 --> 00:40:05.039 God, change this. 00:40:05.140 --> 00:40:05.660 Fix this. 00:40:05.760 --> 00:40:06.700 Make this different. 00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:08.500 Make her different. 00:40:09.019 --> 00:40:09.800 Make him different. 00:40:10.620 --> 00:40:11.500 God says, no, no, no. 00:40:11.600 --> 00:40:13.560 I'm more interested in you. 00:40:14.180 --> 00:40:15.280 I want to change you. 00:40:15.580 --> 00:40:16.560 I want to build you. 00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:18.340 Y'all, that's what I'm working through in my own life. 00:40:18.740 --> 00:40:19.440 I promise you. 00:40:19.740 --> 00:40:20.360 That's what I'm, 00:40:20.680 --> 00:40:22.980 me in my private quiet time with God, 00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:25.200 I'm saying, God, change me. 00:40:26.680 --> 00:40:28.519 Do a work inside me. 00:40:28.519 --> 00:40:31.860 There's all kinds of things in my life, 00:40:31.940 --> 00:40:32.659 in my career, 00:40:33.000 --> 00:40:33.780 in my vocation, 00:40:33.860 --> 00:40:34.539 in my relationships. 00:40:34.739 --> 00:40:35.820 There's all kinds of things 00:40:35.820 --> 00:40:37.519 that I wish were different. 00:40:37.719 --> 00:40:38.719 I wish were better. 00:40:39.800 --> 00:40:40.639 But instead, 00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:42.980 I've got to take it to Jesus and say, 00:40:43.059 --> 00:40:43.320 Jesus, 00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:45.639 you change me. 00:40:45.860 --> 00:40:46.960 I'm opening up the door. 00:40:47.659 --> 00:40:48.480 You work on me. 00:40:48.539 --> 00:40:49.519 Because there's no limit 00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:51.980 to what God in me can do. 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.400 Would you pray with me now? 00:40:54.300 --> 00:40:55.440 God, I pray right now 00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:56.780 that you would impact us. 00:40:56.780 --> 00:40:59.600 We've heard your word. 00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:01.740 We've understood the principles from it. 00:41:01.860 --> 00:41:04.120 God, there's nothing you can't do 00:41:04.120 --> 00:41:06.680 can take something small 00:41:06.680 --> 00:41:07.980 as the little bit of faith 00:41:07.980 --> 00:41:09.240 that we in this room have. 00:41:10.100 --> 00:41:11.720 Can take something as small 00:41:11.720 --> 00:41:14.700 as the little bit of faith 00:41:14.700 --> 00:41:17.220 that we had when we gave our lives to Jesus. 00:41:18.340 --> 00:41:19.700 But God, you want to grow it. 00:41:20.600 --> 00:41:22.880 You want little to become much. 00:41:22.880 --> 00:41:26.680 You want to take something 00:41:26.680 --> 00:41:27.559 with a small beginning 00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:31.840 and make it world-changing. 00:41:33.760 --> 00:41:34.860 There are no limits 00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:37.619 to what you and us can do. 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:42.280 Move in your church right now, God. 00:41:42.360 --> 00:41:43.599 Teach us what we need to learn. 00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:46.180 Take lessons 00:41:46.180 --> 00:41:49.640 and just bury them deep inside us. 00:41:49.639 --> 00:41:51.359 So as we wake up tomorrow morning, 00:41:51.420 --> 00:41:52.879 it's the first thing we're thinking about. 00:41:54.839 --> 00:41:56.279 Church, right now in that spirit, 00:41:56.400 --> 00:41:57.139 I'm going to ask you 00:41:57.139 --> 00:41:58.440 just a couple of questions. 00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:00.900 How many of you would say 00:42:00.900 --> 00:42:02.219 there's something in my life 00:42:02.219 --> 00:42:03.500 that I need to turn over to Jesus? 00:42:04.219 --> 00:42:05.519 Would you slip your hand up right now 00:42:05.519 --> 00:42:06.179 and I'll pray for you? 00:42:06.659 --> 00:42:07.099 Thank you. 00:42:07.339 --> 00:42:07.679 Thank you. 00:42:08.179 --> 00:42:08.619 Thank you. 00:42:09.000 --> 00:42:09.940 Just something in my life 00:42:09.940 --> 00:42:10.940 I need to turn over to God. 00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:12.879 Thanks. 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:14.819 How many of you would say 00:42:14.820 --> 00:42:21.300 I haven't grown as much as I should. 00:42:21.380 --> 00:42:23.320 I've got that little seed of faith 00:42:23.320 --> 00:42:26.019 that I put in Jesus when I was saved 00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:27.519 and I just haven't grown it 00:42:27.519 --> 00:42:30.660 and I want God to grow in me, 00:42:30.880 --> 00:42:32.260 to change me. 00:42:32.440 --> 00:42:33.760 That's what I'm praying about right now. 00:42:33.820 --> 00:42:34.700 Would you slip your hand up 00:42:34.700 --> 00:42:35.480 and I'll pray for you too. 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:36.220 Thank you. 00:42:36.820 --> 00:42:37.380 Thank you. 00:42:37.500 --> 00:42:38.019 Thank you. 00:42:38.059 --> 00:42:38.460 All around. 00:42:38.539 --> 00:42:38.880 Thank you. 00:42:39.559 --> 00:42:39.960 It's awesome. 00:42:40.059 --> 00:42:40.800 You put your hands down. 00:42:41.640 --> 00:42:42.460 Final question. 00:42:42.559 --> 00:42:43.260 How many of you would say 00:42:43.260 --> 00:42:44.220 I've got to get it started? 00:42:44.980 --> 00:42:46.099 I've got to get my life 00:42:46.099 --> 00:42:46.919 with Jesus started. 00:42:47.500 --> 00:42:48.619 I've been putting it off 00:42:48.619 --> 00:42:49.579 for whatever reason. 00:42:50.159 --> 00:42:51.500 I want to get saved today. 00:42:51.579 --> 00:42:53.079 I want to give my life to Jesus today 00:42:53.079 --> 00:42:53.819 for the first time. 00:42:53.859 --> 00:42:54.719 Would you slip your hand up 00:42:54.719 --> 00:42:55.619 and I'll pray for you too. 00:42:56.839 --> 00:42:57.399 Thank you. 00:42:58.059 --> 00:42:59.579 Whatever you raise your hand for, 00:43:00.000 --> 00:43:01.839 whatever is on your heart and mind, 00:43:02.039 --> 00:43:03.599 would you do business with God right now? 00:43:04.199 --> 00:43:05.339 You can keep your seats. 00:43:05.899 --> 00:43:07.139 Jared's going to lead us in singing. 00:43:08.419 --> 00:43:09.959 We'll be dismissed in just a moment. 00:43:10.019 --> 00:43:11.319 If you'd like somebody to pray with, 00:43:11.379 --> 00:43:12.279 I'll be right down here. 00:43:12.279 --> 00:43:13.719 If you want to come pray at these steps, 00:43:14.219 --> 00:43:15.000 if you want to turn around 00:43:15.000 --> 00:43:15.779 and pray at your pew, 00:43:15.919 --> 00:43:16.619 just stay seated. 00:43:16.939 --> 00:43:17.839 Whatever you want to do, 00:43:18.219 --> 00:43:19.759 you do business with God right now. 00:43:19.839 --> 00:43:20.379 Let him work.