WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.939 Welcome to Ontario Community Church. I'm Pastor Patrick Daly and you're listening to the Sermon Podcast from January 18th, 2026. 00:00:10.199 --> 00:00:16.939 Today, we are exploring a foundational question. What is our mission as a local church? 00:00:17.420 --> 00:00:25.039 Not just our activities, programs, or the things that we do, but the divine direction Christ has given to us. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:30.899 Our mission is simple. Encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:30.899 --> 00:00:43.659 Today, we're looking at John chapter 14 verses 1-6 with supporting texts from Proverbs chapter 29 verse 18 and many other verses throughout scripture. 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:47.619 Before we begin, I want you to consider something. 00:00:48.359 --> 00:00:53.759 Proverbs 29 verse 18 tells us where there is no vision, the people perish. 00:00:53.759 --> 00:01:01.460 Without clear direction, we drift off. Without a God-given mission, we become scattered and ineffective. 00:01:02.060 --> 00:01:10.620 But when Christ gives us His direction, when He says, I am the way, the truth, and the life, everything changes. 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:13.500 That's exactly what we're unpacking today. 00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:21.579 Our mission flows directly from Christ's declaration in the Gospel of John chapter 14 verse 6. 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:26.060 We encourage people to follow the way in Christ. 00:01:26.620 --> 00:01:32.280 We equip people with the truth that is found in Jesus Christ and in the Word of God. 00:01:32.679 --> 00:01:38.620 We engage culture through new life that comes abundantly through Jesus Christ. 00:01:39.299 --> 00:01:41.959 Now, this isn't just a clever framework. 00:01:42.539 --> 00:01:50.159 This is Christ's direction that was established for the disciples, but also for us today, for His Church. 00:01:50.159 --> 00:02:00.359 This last week, we explored our identity through the 4-H framework, who we are as hope, heart, hospital, and hub. 00:02:00.899 --> 00:02:05.399 Today, we're discovering what we do because of who we are. 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:10.639 In other words, our mission flows from our identity in Christ. 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:15.800 Now, come join me as we dive into God's Word together. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:19.120 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:24.760 How many of you have been on a boat at sea before? 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:26.900 Show of hands. 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:29.380 Maybe you've been on a boat on a lake, right? 00:02:29.580 --> 00:02:30.860 You can raise your hand on that. 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:35.320 You know, it's very interesting in your notes today. 00:02:36.540 --> 00:02:42.980 We have been going through, it's kind of a pivot, some time off from our time from Revelation. 00:02:42.979 --> 00:02:49.959 The beginning of the year, we talked about blessed are the peacemakers 00:02:49.959 --> 00:02:56.379 and how important it is for us to follow God's calling for this church body this year. 00:02:56.959 --> 00:03:02.959 And last week, we went over who we are as a congregation, 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:06.579 who we are as the church, this local church body. 00:03:06.580 --> 00:03:12.860 And I bring up this example of a boat that's out on sea. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:19.220 You know, if you're going from one direction, from point A to point B, 00:03:19.920 --> 00:03:24.020 you have to constantly pay attention to where you're going. 00:03:24.660 --> 00:03:29.580 Otherwise, you can end up going completely in a different direction. 00:03:29.580 --> 00:03:36.200 It is said that even if you go one degree off, you'll end up in a completely different place. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:42.140 And it's so important to be intentional, to be focused on the task at hand, 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:45.660 to focus on steering that boat in the right direction. 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:53.020 And what's so beautiful is this imagery we can think of, of a boat at sea, 00:03:53.819 --> 00:03:59.719 the chaotic waters, and Christ represented as a lighthouse. 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:02.759 I always love those kind of images. 00:04:02.979 --> 00:04:07.180 And like I was mentioning in your notes, you have this picture of a boat at sea 00:04:07.180 --> 00:04:09.560 that's heading towards a lighthouse. 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:16.600 And it's a great representation of when we are going into different territory, 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:23.959 sometimes even unknown territory, how much hope there is when you see a lighthouse. 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:26.660 That beacon of hope, as it were. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:30.180 That light that is shining out into foreign waters. 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:34.620 And if there's ever a chaotic storm or if it's completely dark, you're like, 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:36.139 where is my destination? 00:04:36.980 --> 00:04:37.939 Where is it? 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:43.060 And you see the light and you head towards it because that's where you want to end up. 00:04:43.899 --> 00:04:46.920 And today we'll go into the importance of that image. 00:04:47.079 --> 00:04:52.160 But today we are talking about this idea of divine vision. 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:58.379 We find within the pages of Scripture, there is a famous verse within Scripture. 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:00.220 We can go to this next slide here. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:04.240 How important it is. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:06.100 You know, we will pray. 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:08.020 Then we'll go into it. 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:12.860 What's so important is God gives us vision. 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:17.560 Not only for our lives, but for churches as well. 00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:23.520 And we as Christians are to follow in that divine direction in our life. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:27.340 God has given us divine vision in Jesus Christ, 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:29.500 who is the way, the truth, and the life. 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:36.860 And he gives us, Christ gives us who he is. 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:40.040 And we are to follow in the way, the truth, and the life. 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:44.779 And Father God, we thank you for this opportunity for us to gather as we've been going through 00:05:44.779 --> 00:05:46.959 who we are as a church, 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:48.779 our mission and vision. 00:05:48.779 --> 00:05:53.019 And in the coming weeks, we'll be going over how does someone belong? 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:54.799 And how does someone grow? 00:05:55.599 --> 00:05:59.579 It is so important for us as a church body to be united in you. 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:04.279 And to focus as you as the source of life, 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:06.359 the giver of life, 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:09.579 the creator of the heavens and the earth. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:12.879 We ask that your Holy Spirit is with us, 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:17.740 convicting us, stirring our hearts, leading and guiding us. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:21.120 May our minds and our hearts be focused on you. 00:06:21.219 --> 00:06:23.360 May we cast our burdens to you. 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:29.360 May there be a sense of unity and divine direction that comes from you. 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:33.620 And we're so grateful that you give us direction in this life. 00:06:33.960 --> 00:06:35.420 You show us a better way. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:40.960 You show us a way that is very different than what the world has to offer. 00:06:41.080 --> 00:06:44.020 When the world offers darkness, you offer light. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:49.639 When the world offers lies and confusion, you offer truth and clarity. 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:56.259 And when the world says there are so many different paths that potentially lead to nowhere, 00:06:56.500 --> 00:06:59.919 you offer the way that leads to salvation. 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:06.240 Bless this time together as we are gathered today in your holy name. 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:11.019 And it is in the name of Jesus that we pray. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:14.519 And we all say together, can I get an amen, church? 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:20.819 And so, how many of you have seen this proverb before? 00:07:20.919 --> 00:07:23.019 This is from Proverbs 29, 18. 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:27.479 Show of hands, anybody has ever read or seen? 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.560 Maybe you've heard this before. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:33.879 That proverb, Proverbs 29, 18 says, 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:37.019 Where there is no vision, the people perish. 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:39.939 And in Proverbs, you know, you have a lot. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:44.939 It is wisdom that is used and it's directly applicable for our life. 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:51.479 And this verse is typically used for businesses, for organizations, and for nonprofits and whatnot. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:54.799 And how it typically works is you've got to have vision in your life. 00:07:55.459 --> 00:07:57.459 You've got to know where you want to end up, right? 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:03.680 Your organization, if you're a, well, I think of Nora right over here, a food pantry, 00:08:03.919 --> 00:08:06.599 your vision and your mission is to feed the hungry, right? 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:08.680 And you have to focus in on that. 00:08:08.760 --> 00:08:10.860 You don't deviate from the mission. 00:08:11.020 --> 00:08:12.480 You don't deviate from the vision. 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:17.920 We can think about that in our own personal life when we think of goals and plannings and these kind of things. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:27.939 And this is a truth that is directly applicable to us today when we think of business and life planning and all these kind of things. 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:32.940 But there is something that is much more to this proverb than meets the eye. 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:38.320 And so it is true, business, people, organizations, we all need vision. 00:08:38.420 --> 00:08:38.600 Amen. 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:40.420 We certainly need that. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:44.720 But there's something much deeper that is going on specifically in this proverb. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:51.500 When it is speaking about vision, it is referring not just having direction and planning and execution, 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:56.879 but it is talking about divine vision or, in other words, divine direction. 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:58.840 And I don't know about you. 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:01.720 I want to have God's direction in my life. 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:05.039 I want to follow in his path and in his ways. 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:17.559 So this vision then, right, where there is no divine vision, where there's no divine revelation, the King James, I like this particular version where it says the people perish. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:22.659 There's other translations that say things to the effect of the people will go crazy. 00:09:23.219 --> 00:09:25.259 The people will run wild, right? 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:27.000 The people are out of control. 00:09:27.219 --> 00:09:28.779 And all of that is true. 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:37.459 And I think for the King James, though, it's more of a seriousness that you can be so out of control that you could end up perishing, right? 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:45.000 And we certainly know that there are a lot of instances in life where people go off the deep end, right? 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:49.939 Where people go, they end up so lost and out of control, they end up in a really bad place. 00:09:50.059 --> 00:09:52.379 And I think there's a lot of seriousness. 00:09:52.379 --> 00:10:02.059 And although we use the English Standard Version here at Ontario Community, it is important sometimes to look at the different translations in here. 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:06.740 If you don't have vision, there will be disorder. 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:08.779 There will be chaos, right? 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.460 Confusion or even collapse. 00:10:10.939 --> 00:10:18.700 And certainly, in the same way that we need to plan and think of how we're going to live our lives and how we're going to carry out our businesses and all these things, 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:25.759 we certainly need to remember that we are to focus on divine direction that comes from the Lord. 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:26.000 Amen? 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:28.080 It's so important for us. 00:10:28.560 --> 00:10:37.080 And this type of vision, right, is, as I was mentioning, this ship that's out in sea, right? 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:40.200 You have all of the tools, right? 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:44.340 You have your compasses and all the dials and things that's telling you where you need to go. 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:54.560 And we have to think that God gives us responsibility, our ability to respond to him by receiving salvation, 00:10:54.820 --> 00:11:02.639 and certainly thinking of God as the one that guides us as we are on this boat in the open sea. 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:08.180 Now, every time you go on the water, it's going to be different, right? 00:11:08.179 --> 00:11:14.899 If you're a surfer, you know there's going to be different seasons and there's going to be high tide and low tide. 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:20.519 There's going to be times where it's just lots of things, lots of variables to consider. 00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:25.659 And we have to think about that as we are navigating through life. 00:11:25.939 --> 00:11:32.299 So a ship needs to constantly steer in the right direction towards its destination. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:36.419 And in the same way, as we journey, may we journey to Christ. 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:40.740 And when we receive Christ, may we journey in Christ. 00:11:40.859 --> 00:11:41.959 Does that make sense, church? 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:43.699 There's a lot of people out there. 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:47.240 They focus on, they search all over the world and they're thinking, 00:11:47.359 --> 00:11:49.839 there's something that's empty in my life. 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:53.139 So I'm going to go to alcohol and I'm going to get drunk. 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.740 There's other people. 00:11:54.839 --> 00:11:58.759 They search, there's something missing in my life and I'm going to gamble, right? 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:03.259 All these different things, fame, fortune, notoriety, right? 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:03.759 Becoming famous. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:08.000 All these different things that there is emptiness that still exists. 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:12.740 You would think that if money and fame and all these things, 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:16.039 if that was really the thing that fulfills you, 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:23.740 aren't there famous people that, or rich people that have everything they could have ever wanted 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:25.659 and yet they still feel an emptiness? 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.120 Absolutely. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:29.100 You hear about it all the time. 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.560 What do you mean? 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.500 You're famous. 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:32.600 You're beautiful. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.399 You're healthy. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:36.840 You have all of this and yet there's something that's still missing in your life. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:44.799 Well, we can find fulfillment, purpose, and direction from the Lord. 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:50.639 With God's instruction and following that divine vision, right? 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:54.460 Following something that is higher than man's vision. 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:57.240 There is blessing by following the ways of the Lord. 00:12:57.240 --> 00:13:02.019 And scripture is not just calling us to have vision, again, in our own personal, 00:13:02.280 --> 00:13:07.600 in our businesses, in all the things, but to follow his vision for our very lives. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:13.840 And not only does that apply to us individually, that applies to us as a church body. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:20.720 And so it applies to individuals, families, right? 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:23.960 Having God at the center of your life. 00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:26.500 Where is God in your life? 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:30.720 Do you put him on a list or do you center him around your life? 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:33.259 There's a big difference when you think about that. 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:37.279 When we put God on a list, we like to check off lists. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:45.040 But when we incorporate God at the center of our lives, having God in every aspect in our life is so important. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:50.420 And when God's people lose sight of this divine revelation, right? 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:53.019 They end up drifting, right? 00:13:53.019 --> 00:14:00.139 Just when we think of this image of someone who is at sea, well, if a storm happens or if you're not paying attention, 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:03.399 are you going to be on the correct course? 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:08.559 Well, there's the chance that you might deviate from the course and you might get lost, right? 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:13.139 It's no different than when you're hiking on a new trail that you haven't been on before. 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:19.419 And you end up not having a map or you realize your cell phone service is completely gone. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:23.559 And well, now you got to really follow directions or you're going to get lost in the mountains. 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:24.439 Whatever that may. 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:29.720 There's lots of examples that we can think of in the real, in our everyday lives, 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:34.720 when we're thinking about from the physical to the spiritual. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:40.000 And so our vision then comes from Christ. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.419 And I want to take a moment. 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:44.179 I want us to go to our scripture reading. 00:14:44.459 --> 00:14:47.379 This actually leads us to turning to the pages of scripture. 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:52.039 Let's turn our Bibles to the Gospel of John, chapter 14. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:57.019 It's going to be on page 1070 in your ESVP Bible. 00:14:57.219 --> 00:15:00.039 And we're just going to read the first six verses. 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:13.159 All right. 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:19.439 You can use your ESVP Bible or your Bible of choice. 00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:21.860 Are we all there, church, pretty much? 00:15:22.479 --> 00:15:23.139 All right. 00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:28.360 So, Gospel of John, chapter 14, where Christ is saying, 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:30.819 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.899 Let's start with verse 1. 00:15:31.959 --> 00:15:32.959 Let's read all six verses. 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:35.240 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:37.100 Believe in God. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.000 Believe also in me. 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:42.000 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:47.620 If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:50.700 And I go and prepare a place for you. 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:56.200 I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:59.300 And you know the way where I am going. 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:01.220 Well, what has Thomas said? 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:06.160 Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:07.820 How can we know the way? 00:16:08.920 --> 00:16:11.320 And this is the important verse, verse 6, right? 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:18.820 Where Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life, right? 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:21.100 And we even go into verse 7. 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:24.400 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. 00:16:24.800 --> 00:16:28.160 From now on, you do know him and have seen him. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:31.100 Talking about the triune God, right? 00:16:31.140 --> 00:16:33.060 The Father and the Son and the Spirit, right? 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:35.740 And it's very important when we're reading this. 00:16:36.160 --> 00:16:37.980 We have this verse up here, right? 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:40.780 And this is the thing that's very interesting. 00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:46.160 I've always been, I don't know about you, I've always been very interested in when Scripture is saying, 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:50.459 when Jesus is saying here, the way, the truth, and the life. 00:16:51.339 --> 00:16:52.039 You think about that. 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.779 Why specifically those words? 00:16:54.539 --> 00:17:00.459 The way, the implication of it is that there is a path that leads to Christ. 00:17:00.819 --> 00:17:04.420 And there is a path that exists in Christ, right? 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.619 Well, we also know the truth. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.720 Well, the truth, that one's pretty easy, right? 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:10.399 Jesus Christ is the truth, right? 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:12.420 He is the way to salvation, right? 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:18.460 Well, we can also realize that Jesus being the Word is the truth. 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:24.440 So not only do we think of Christ being the truth, being the Savior of the world, 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:29.900 we can also see how the truth of Christ being the Word, 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:32.779 and not only do we have Christ as the Logos, 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:41.079 but we have the Word of God with us that we can open, use, study, read, 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:44.779 and allow for the Word to transform our very lives. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:48.319 And then finally, you have the life. 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:52.259 When you receive salvation, when you believe in the Lord, 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:54.859 you're receiving eternal salvation. 00:17:54.859 --> 00:18:04.399 And that's, not only are we, do we receive salvation to be in the presence of the Lord forever, 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:06.439 but we are forever changed. 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:11.119 And we begin on this journey, this path in Christ, 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:14.479 to be transformed and to never be the same. 00:18:15.439 --> 00:18:21.019 And so Jesus is speaking these words on the night before the cross. 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:25.119 And you have to think of this scene where the disciples, they're anxious, 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:27.759 they're afraid, they're uncertain, right? 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:31.879 And you have Thomas that's on the scene, he's asking this very real question. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:36.519 And Jesus is offering himself in those three different ways, 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:38.139 way, truth, and life. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:42.700 And not only is this a description of who Christ is, 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:47.240 but it provides a framework for our very lives. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:51.640 It provides divine direction for our lives, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:55.299 not only individually, but for us as a church. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:59.099 Remember Proverbs when we were going over that? 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:02.700 Without vision, the people perish, right? 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:06.460 Well, we have divine revelation, right? 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:08.900 The mystery of Christ being revealed. 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:15.039 We have divine revelation and divine vision that comes from Christ. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:20.639 And what an amazing verse that actually gives us an understanding 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:24.480 of what our mission is to be. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:27.139 Let's go to that next slide then. 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:31.720 And I want you to think, well, what is happening here? 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:33.379 And in a single sentence then, 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:38.059 Jesus is identifying that he is the way, 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:40.740 he is the truth, and he is the life. 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:44.420 So what can we learn from this? 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:48.400 This divine direction, it's not vague, it's not abstract, 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:49.600 it is specific. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:54.279 And it's not surprising then that the mission of the church, 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:57.720 it flows out of who Christ is. 00:19:58.840 --> 00:20:01.940 I want us to go, yeah, let's go one more in here. 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:06.240 When I first came here to Ontario Community Church, 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:13.840 I provided this framework to encourage people to follow the way. 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:20.539 To equip people with the truth and to engage culture through new life. 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:24.240 In the past, I have worked with other churches, 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:32.259 and the Lord, through people, tasked me with providing mission and vision. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:36.100 There's two other churches that I've worked with in creating something like this, 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:39.959 but it all flows from what we find in the Gospel of John, 00:20:40.159 --> 00:20:41.699 the way, the truth, and the life. 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:45.719 We encourage people to come to know Christ. 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:48.079 Part of that is through invitation. 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:50.299 We invite people to church. 00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:53.659 We invite people to come and to see that the Lord is good. 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:59.100 And so it's in direct alignment with John 14, 6. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:03.100 And then the equipping, a lot of you who have been raised in the church, 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:06.320 you know about the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:11.759 The equipping then is to know what it is to be a follower of Christ, 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:13.680 to follow in the footsteps of Christ, 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.960 to know Scripture, 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:18.079 and to be able with the ability to discern. 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:23.460 That third one, then, to engage culture through new life, then, 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:26.700 is the fact that we are a new creation. 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.039 Right? 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:29.819 We are to put on the new self. 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:32.059 We are to continually to be transformed. 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:36.140 And this salvation that we receive, 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:40.420 if you were given a check to pay off all of your debts, 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.279 your credit cards, 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.360 your student loans, 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.160 your mortgages, 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:47.660 or if any of us own a Tesla or a Chevy truck, 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.040 whatever, 00:21:49.300 --> 00:21:50.820 you would want to celebrate that. 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:57.019 And so in receiving the greatest gift that has been given from God to us 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:59.080 is that gift of salvation. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:02.140 And why wouldn't we want to share that with other people? 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:05.380 Why wouldn't we want to tell the world that Jesus lives? 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:07.360 The good news of the gospel. 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:09.740 And so when we have that third point, 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:12.120 then, the engaging culture through new life, 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:15.419 it is that God gives us life and he gives it abundantly. 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:17.659 Not just our salvation, 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:19.119 but transformation, 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:22.259 ongoing transformation that exists in our life. 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:26.199 That we are continually being molded by the Lord. 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:31.200 And what a wonderful and powerful journey it is for us to be on. 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:35.640 To know that when you are a baby Christian, 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.640 how you grow. 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.279 And we should all grow. 00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:41.360 We shouldn't resist growth. 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:44.000 You wouldn't want to remain an infant, 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:44.360 would you? 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:44.619 I mean, 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:48.119 I hope none of us here answers that as a resounding yes. 00:22:48.199 --> 00:22:49.519 We are all growing. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:52.359 We see physical growth from children, 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:53.539 right? 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:57.240 From children who can't even walk or talk. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.119 And then there's crawling. 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.139 Then they're running around. 00:22:59.219 --> 00:23:00.740 I would know nothing about this, 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.039 right? 00:23:02.479 --> 00:23:04.059 And then they grow in understanding. 00:23:05.199 --> 00:23:09.759 My favorite part right now as a dad is when my son asks me, 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.799 why? 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:14.839 And at first you don't mind answering why. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.500 And then eventually you get to a point. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:16.879 You're like, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.059 Hey, 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:17.259 I, 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:17.960 I don't know. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.259 I don't know the answer. 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.779 Or you get a little frustrated. 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:23.319 Let's admit we've all gotten a little frustrated with questions. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.779 But the thing is, 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:27.259 his understanding, 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:29.559 our children and their understanding, 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.299 it grows, 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.200 right? 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.640 They start asking questions. 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:34.740 They start beginning to understand. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:39.039 I remember distinctly when I was in Hawaii, 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.019 there was, 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.180 we went, 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:47.660 we were at a church and it was a good Friday service we went to. 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:52.319 And my son on the way home said, 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:54.660 Jesus died. 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:57.039 And it really hit him. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.119 I said, 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:58.500 yeah, 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.859 Jesus died. 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.339 And it kind of, 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:05.299 the look on his eyes was like, 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:08.920 he understood at least the death of Christ. 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:11.019 And then come around with Easter. 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.200 Explaining to him, 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.019 not only did he die, 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.560 but he's alive. 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:18.680 And it's just such a powerful moment. 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:20.900 Like a moment I'll cherish forever. 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:24.160 We think about that for children, 00:24:24.300 --> 00:24:29.680 but let us also think about that in our spiritual walk and journey in Christ. 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.779 Don't remain an infant. 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:33.579 Remember when we went over Hebrews, 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:33.859 right? 00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:36.539 We're talking about the needing milk, 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:37.859 but not solid food, 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.099 right? 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:40.539 You got to start off with a baby bottle. 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:45.720 You got to start off with milk and you grow into solid food of the word. 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:47.740 And so in this, 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:50.019 then our mission, 00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:50.299 then, 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.579 as we have on here is, 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:55.220 and it's been this way since first beginning here is encouraging, 00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:55.960 equipping, 00:24:56.120 --> 00:24:58.299 and engaging lives for Christ. 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.079 In everything we do, 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:03.240 we do in excellence for the glory of God. 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:05.539 And that's very, 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.660 very powerful. 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:10.680 It's to remind all of us how important it is. 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.620 I want to go to, 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.920 let's go to that next slide. 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:16.340 This is the application then. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:19.560 And so how do we live this out? 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:22.580 This connection with the Proverbs 29, 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.420 18 and John 14, 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:27.259 six is a really remarkable connection. 00:25:27.560 --> 00:25:30.539 Talking about the importance of having divine vision, 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:32.680 divine revelation that comes from God. 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.840 And if you think about it, 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.840 if you don't have it, 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:37.960 how wild and crazy things can get. 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.660 But when you have divine vision, 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:41.700 you have direction for where you're going to go. 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:48.480 And how much more better your life will be in following in the footsteps of Christ. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:53.980 And so how we live this out is to encourage people to come to Christ. 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:55.840 It begins with relationships. 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.920 I'm reminded of how, 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.700 you know, 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:00.800 yesterday when my wife gave, 00:26:01.300 --> 00:26:05.440 when she gave that slideshow presentation of our community partnerships, 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.980 it's about presence. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:10.059 It's about building relationships with people. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:14.839 I have a praise to tell you that through our partnerships, 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:16.120 very recently, 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:20.299 my wife told me of someone who made a decision for Christ. 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:24.740 Someone who had no real connection with the Lord 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:26.019 and was kind of like, 00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:26.500 yeah, 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.420 I know Christians. 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:27.960 Yeah, 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.799 I know Jesus, 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:31.900 but I believe in him. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:34.940 And that was through partnerships, 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:36.500 through just being present. 00:26:36.800 --> 00:26:40.980 When we have all of this community outreach with our church, 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:44.240 we are representing Christ by being present. 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:46.320 Just as in the same way, 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:49.900 we are all called to go out into the world, 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:53.140 representing Christ as a peacemaker, 00:26:53.280 --> 00:26:54.340 as an ambassador, 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:56.939 as someone who represents Christ. 00:26:58.019 --> 00:27:00.639 And you have to think of the words that you say, 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:03.699 the actions that you do. 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:05.299 How do you represent Christ? 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:08.919 How can your life be a living testimony for other people? 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:12.240 And so think of encouraging words, 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.539 right? 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:14.919 Not forcing people, 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.939 but through presence, 00:27:17.139 --> 00:27:18.319 through encouragement, 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:21.220 through meeting people where they are at. 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.900 Are we all sinners? 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:25.079 There are a bunch of sinners in the house. 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.839 The answer is yes, 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.140 right? 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:31.140 We're all sinners and we're in the need of Christ 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:33.319 as our Savior and our Lord. 00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:36.160 We all need Christ. 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:38.059 And as we receive Christ, 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:40.480 we got to share in the good news of the gospel. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:44.900 And what better way to meet people where they are at 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:46.559 instead of forcing people. 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:50.120 Something that I want you to think about is, 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:54.279 God gives us a choice 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:56.619 in how we are to respond, 00:27:57.199 --> 00:27:59.500 saying yes or no to Christ. 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:04.339 So what are we doing forcing people to respond? 00:28:04.979 --> 00:28:06.939 You give people the opportunity 00:28:06.939 --> 00:28:09.699 and the choice through presence, 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.059 through your own testimony, 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:14.479 through sharing 1 Corinthians 15, 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.799 verses 1 through 4, 00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:17.459 believing in the death, burial, 00:28:17.459 --> 00:28:19.479 and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:22.159 We also live this out, 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:25.399 going back, 00:28:25.739 --> 00:28:26.500 to encourage 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:28.359 is to welcome. 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:30.459 It is to invite people. 00:28:30.939 --> 00:28:33.099 It is to walk alongside people 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:35.079 as they take steps towards Christ. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:36.299 This person, 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:39.219 this individual who made a decision for Christ, 00:28:39.459 --> 00:28:41.739 it's been over the course of a year. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:43.940 And we praise God for that. 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:46.720 Every conversation mattered. 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:50.099 Every step in people asking questions. 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.120 What do you believe in? 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.339 Oh, I believe in this. 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.940 What is your church doing? 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:55.099 Why do you do this? 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:57.640 These kind of things we have to think about. 00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:58.940 And encouragement, 00:28:59.160 --> 00:29:01.039 it creates a space for trust, 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.640 for healing, 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.380 and for hope. 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:05.700 How important it is for people to feel welcomed 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:07.480 and to feel safe 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:10.220 in building those relationships. 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.660 Ask yourself that question. 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.980 Is there someone 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.920 that God is calling for you 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.940 to encourage to, 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.000 towards Christ, 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:21.220 towards inviting them to church? 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:24.180 This ties into who we are, right? 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.779 When we've talked about hope, 00:29:26.080 --> 00:29:26.360 heart, 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.299 hospital, 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:27.860 and hub. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:30.360 We want people to come to Christ, 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:32.659 but also to belong something 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:34.019 that is very different 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:35.479 than what the world has to offer. 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.359 You really think about it. 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:40.500 How many of you have gone on social media 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:42.000 or turned on the news recently? 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.799 It's okay. 00:29:45.959 --> 00:29:46.439 Yeah. 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:48.099 It's icky, right? 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:50.879 It's not a lot of good things going on. 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:54.379 With all these bad things that are happening, 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.740 we could be here all day 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:57.299 talking about all the bad that's going on. 00:29:58.159 --> 00:29:59.539 With all of the bad, 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:01.319 it seems hopeless. 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:04.279 What an opportunity for us 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.519 to speak to people 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.700 who are without hope. 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:09.579 What an opportunity for us to say, 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:11.599 Christ offers a different way. 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.180 Hope in healing 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:15.039 instead of the world 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.159 that doesn't forgive 00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:17.319 or doesn't forget. 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:19.839 That's the problem with the internet. 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.680 That's the problem with social media. 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.559 And that's the problem 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:24.579 even with artificial intelligence. 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:26.399 When people are placing 00:30:26.399 --> 00:30:27.740 all of their trust in AI, 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.460 it remembers, 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.740 it doesn't forget. 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:32.799 You think about these things. 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.599 God offers 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:36.339 a much better way 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:38.000 than what the world 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.859 has to offer. 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.940 And man, 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.980 I don't even know 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:43.220 why I have a TV anymore. 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:45.360 I really don't. 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:48.380 I can't think of 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:49.660 the last time 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.960 I've seen a positive. 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.200 You got to really 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.079 seek it out anymore. 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.240 Right? 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.400 You got to really search 00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:56.579 to find good news 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:58.200 in the news. 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.579 But, 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:01.000 let us be reminded 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.140 of the greatest news 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.640 in Jesus Christ. 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.759 The hope 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.759 that exists for Him. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.900 The peace 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.799 that surpasses 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.579 all understanding. 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:10.500 The inexpressible 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.500 and inexhaustible 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.059 joy. 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:14.039 And even in that, 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.619 when we get 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.079 wounded, 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.819 when we get hurt, 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.759 not only is God 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.359 there for you, 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.400 but we should be there 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.220 for one another. 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.460 Being present, 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:26.059 praying for one another. 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.640 Whenever something, 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:29.039 a medical complication 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.720 happens, 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:32.160 whenever we feel alone, 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.500 just a simple phone call 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.039 to somebody, 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.380 you'd be amazed 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:37.279 at just giving someone, 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.660 sending someone a text, 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.640 hey, I've been thinking 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:40.160 about you. 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.480 Hey, I heard about 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.620 this transition, 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.519 good or bad. 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:45.560 It is our responsibility 00:31:45.560 --> 00:31:46.360 as the church 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:48.200 to continue 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.720 the mission of Christ. 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.620 And that's just 00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:52.900 encouragement, right? 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.019 Equipping then is, 00:31:54.560 --> 00:31:55.300 what does it mean 00:31:55.300 --> 00:31:57.100 to be a follower of Christ? 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.940 What does it mean 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:58.880 to be more like Him? 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:00.860 Well, we think of Christ 00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:02.120 as the greatest example, 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.420 right? 00:32:02.540 --> 00:32:03.560 As our Savior 00:32:03.560 --> 00:32:04.920 who's providing a way 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:06.279 for us to live 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.160 and love like Him. 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:10.019 Is it easy 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:11.160 to love like Christ? 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:13.660 It's a little harder, right? 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:14.920 But that's what 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.779 we're called to do. 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:18.100 To follow in the footsteps 00:32:18.100 --> 00:32:18.900 of Christ. 00:32:19.800 --> 00:32:21.160 To have your mind 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:21.860 and your heart 00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:23.440 changed and transformed. 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:26.120 There are some people 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:28.080 who you know 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:29.740 God is really working 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.340 in and through. 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.840 And it's remarkable, 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.920 especially if they came 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.580 from a dark 00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:36.620 and broken place. 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:39.079 And even if they haven't, 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.939 it's still remarkable 00:32:40.939 --> 00:32:41.679 to see 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:43.139 the tremendous amount 00:32:43.139 --> 00:32:44.279 of change that happens. 00:32:44.979 --> 00:32:45.639 So equipping 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.599 to know 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.899 the truth. 00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:49.619 Not just that 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:50.859 Jesus is the truth, 00:32:50.959 --> 00:32:51.559 but the truth 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.719 of the Word of God. 00:32:53.679 --> 00:32:54.859 To be equipped 00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.319 then. 00:32:55.959 --> 00:32:57.179 To be trained, 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.459 right? 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.299 As I've talked about 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:59.279 the importance of 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:00.899 knowing discernment 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:02.759 and ongoing transformation. 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.419 To be formed, 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:05.759 to prepare believers 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.880 to live faithfully. 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.980 We think of 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:10.100 spiritual formation 00:33:10.100 --> 00:33:11.759 and discipleship, 00:33:12.300 --> 00:33:13.740 how it shapes us 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:15.180 and how we become 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:16.560 more like the Lord. 00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:18.880 There's a few verses 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:19.560 in Scripture, 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.680 all Scripture being 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.759 God-breathed 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:23.920 and equipping us 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.960 for good works. 00:33:26.340 --> 00:33:28.200 The equipping of the saints 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.279 for ministry, right? 00:33:29.320 --> 00:33:30.180 And as I've talked about 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:31.200 milk from solid food, 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.680 there's all kinds of verses. 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.880 Right? 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.980 We even think of 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.779 the parables, 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:37.080 the seed that gets planted 00:33:37.080 --> 00:33:37.640 and grows 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:39.259 so that we can bear what? 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.420 Fruit. 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.080 Right? 00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:42.259 All these kind of... 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:43.480 Why is it repeated 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.340 throughout Scripture 00:33:44.340 --> 00:33:46.080 unless it's important? 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.420 And it's explained 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:48.720 in so many different ways. 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.740 The importance of us 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:51.019 to grow spiritually, 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:52.019 the importance for us 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:53.480 to be equipped then. 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:54.820 And that third one then 00:33:54.820 --> 00:33:56.759 is to engage culture, 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.320 church, 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.200 and community. 00:33:58.200 --> 00:34:00.340 To have a servant's heart. 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:02.539 to serve the Lord 00:34:02.539 --> 00:34:05.519 and to serve others as well. 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:07.119 And Jesus came 00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:09.960 that we may have life abundantly. 00:34:10.779 --> 00:34:11.619 An abundant life 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.799 does not remain hidden. 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:15.960 It flows from inward transformation 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:18.139 into outward expression. 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.940 To engage then 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:21.500 is to serve others, right? 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:23.460 Serving in the church, 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:24.920 serving within the community. 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:27.240 If you don't know where 00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:28.480 or how to serve, 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.280 ask God for direction. 00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:32.360 But also talk to people 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:34.300 if you ever feel moved 00:34:34.300 --> 00:34:35.360 to serve. 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:38.079 Step into responsibility. 00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:40.420 And I want you to think 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.380 when we went over 00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:43.000 our interactive reading, 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:45.519 many of us know 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:47.019 Ephesians chapter 2 00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:48.280 verses 8 through 9, 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:49.460 for it is by grace 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.420 that you are saved, 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.340 not by work 00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:52.480 so that no one may boast. 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:53.200 Some of you can quote 00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:54.099 that verbatim, right? 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:55.819 It's that following verse 00:34:55.819 --> 00:34:57.559 that we are made 00:34:57.559 --> 00:35:00.239 for good works. 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:01.599 We're not saved 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:03.219 by what we do, 00:35:03.339 --> 00:35:04.099 but we are saved 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:06.759 so that we can do good things 00:35:06.759 --> 00:35:08.259 in the name of Christ. 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:11.460 It's not to remain stagnant. 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.960 It's to be active 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:14.400 and to journey 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:16.380 and to navigate through life. 00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:19.599 Engagement is actively looking 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:21.500 into how to serve the Lord. 00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:23.239 And when we think about it, 00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:24.739 this is our mission then. 00:35:25.199 --> 00:35:26.579 It is encouraging, 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.300 equipping, 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:29.059 and engaging lives for Christ. 00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:30.880 And this comes 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:33.340 from Christ himself. 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:35.420 I always want, 00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:36.159 personally, 00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:37.159 as your pastor, 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:38.400 I always want to teach 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:39.559 from Scripture. 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:42.300 And asking the question, 00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:43.320 where in Scripture 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:45.780 can God guide us? 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:47.480 Where can God guide me? 00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:48.679 Where can God guide you? 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:50.379 And where can God guide us 00:35:50.379 --> 00:35:51.159 through his word? 00:35:51.399 --> 00:35:52.679 And what a powerful, 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:55.440 powerful directive 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.899 that we have from Christ 00:35:56.899 --> 00:35:58.839 just explaining who he is. 00:35:59.779 --> 00:36:00.559 The way, 00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:01.039 the truth, 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:01.519 and the life. 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.440 In that order, 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:04.259 the path that leads 00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:05.039 to salvation, 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.659 to grow in him, 00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:07.579 in the truth, 00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:08.419 in the knowledge 00:36:08.419 --> 00:36:09.359 of who he is, 00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:11.740 and to live that life 00:36:11.740 --> 00:36:12.519 abundantly. 00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.500 It's beautiful. 00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:15.940 It is 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:18.559 something that is 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:20.220 divine. 00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:22.640 It forms a pathway, 00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:23.480 and this pathway 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:24.760 is how our identity 00:36:24.760 --> 00:36:26.140 becomes visible 00:36:26.140 --> 00:36:27.620 in everyday life. 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.820 This image here, 00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:33.860 to follow Christ's 00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:34.740 divine direction, 00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:35.820 as I've mentioned, 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:38.000 without vision, 00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:39.360 the people perish. 00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:40.400 Certainly, 00:36:40.840 --> 00:36:41.559 we need vision 00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:42.220 in our life. 00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:43.580 Vision of, 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:44.320 you know, 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.440 how am I going 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.380 to be a good student 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:47.320 in college, right? 00:36:47.600 --> 00:36:48.320 How am I going 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:49.220 to be a good employee? 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:49.920 How am I going 00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:50.860 to grow my business? 00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.980 But we have to think 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.940 much beyond that. 00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:56.220 God's divine direction 00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:57.940 for our lives. 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:59.559 And we are to follow 00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:01.200 his way, 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:03.260 because he is the truth, 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:04.740 and he gives us 00:37:04.740 --> 00:37:06.240 life abundantly. 00:37:07.540 --> 00:37:08.880 Without divine revelation, 00:37:09.180 --> 00:37:10.280 without divine vision, 00:37:10.600 --> 00:37:11.580 people drift. 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:13.600 But God has not 00:37:13.600 --> 00:37:14.400 left us 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:16.220 without direction. 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:18.700 Jesus is our Savior, 00:37:19.560 --> 00:37:20.580 he is our Shepherd, 00:37:21.400 --> 00:37:22.440 and he is our Lord. 00:37:22.580 --> 00:37:23.040 Essentially, 00:37:23.660 --> 00:37:25.020 he will walk with us 00:37:25.020 --> 00:37:26.080 along the way. 00:37:26.800 --> 00:37:28.040 As I always mention 00:37:28.040 --> 00:37:28.740 to people, 00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:29.640 when I go to 00:37:29.640 --> 00:37:30.800 Grace Assisted Living, 00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:33.460 or when I need to go 00:37:33.460 --> 00:37:34.960 to the hospital 00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:36.740 and be present, 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:37.680 I always think 00:37:37.680 --> 00:37:38.340 of that verse. 00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:39.820 Even though I walk 00:37:39.820 --> 00:37:40.519 through the valley 00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:41.780 of the shadow of death, 00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:44.600 I will fear no evil. 00:37:45.160 --> 00:37:46.240 For you, God, 00:37:46.340 --> 00:37:47.380 are with me. 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.440 Throughout all of Scripture, 00:37:50.620 --> 00:37:52.220 there's so many times 00:37:52.220 --> 00:37:54.039 that question, 00:37:54.140 --> 00:37:54.880 where is God 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:56.800 when this happens? 00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:59.140 God is there with us 00:37:59.139 --> 00:38:00.639 in every season 00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:01.900 of our life, 00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:03.159 even when we don't 00:38:03.159 --> 00:38:03.739 realize it, 00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:05.339 even when we don't see it. 00:38:06.279 --> 00:38:07.420 And not only should that 00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:08.139 give us comfort 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:09.119 regarding the Lord, 00:38:09.379 --> 00:38:10.339 it should also 00:38:10.339 --> 00:38:11.679 give us comfort 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.960 that it's our responsibility 00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:14.839 to be there 00:38:14.839 --> 00:38:15.599 for one another, 00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:17.299 to love one another 00:38:17.299 --> 00:38:18.420 just as the Lord 00:38:18.420 --> 00:38:19.059 has loved 00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:20.259 each and every one of us. 00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.900 And so, 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:23.519 Jesus is the way 00:38:23.519 --> 00:38:24.940 that we follow. 00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:27.179 Jesus is the truth 00:38:27.179 --> 00:38:28.759 that forms us, 00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:29.500 molds us, 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:30.719 and transforms us. 00:38:31.399 --> 00:38:34.119 And Jesus is the life. 00:38:34.679 --> 00:38:36.000 The life everlasting. 00:38:37.139 --> 00:38:39.039 When Christ is at the center, 00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:39.359 then, 00:38:39.779 --> 00:38:41.039 of our own lives 00:38:41.039 --> 00:38:42.639 and our church life, 00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:44.139 the mission then 00:38:44.139 --> 00:38:45.139 becomes clear. 00:38:46.000 --> 00:38:47.879 If you need encouragement, 00:38:48.219 --> 00:38:49.539 may you receive it. 00:38:49.839 --> 00:38:51.059 And may you offer it 00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:52.039 to someone else. 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:54.119 If you need to be equipped, 00:38:54.119 --> 00:38:55.900 be ready. 00:38:56.659 --> 00:38:58.219 Be open to being molded 00:38:58.219 --> 00:38:59.380 by the word, 00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:00.699 by the Lord, 00:39:00.779 --> 00:39:01.299 by the leading 00:39:01.299 --> 00:39:02.299 of the Holy Spirit. 00:39:02.759 --> 00:39:03.699 And if you're ready 00:39:03.699 --> 00:39:04.659 to engage, 00:39:04.799 --> 00:39:06.599 may you step into 00:39:06.599 --> 00:39:08.940 serving with humility 00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:10.380 and with trust 00:39:10.380 --> 00:39:11.599 representing Christ. 00:39:12.420 --> 00:39:13.539 Follow Christ's 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:14.519 divine direction 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:16.400 one step at a time. 00:39:17.159 --> 00:39:18.679 May you be on this journey 00:39:18.679 --> 00:39:20.679 faithfully following Christ, 00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:21.619 the way, 00:39:22.179 --> 00:39:22.659 the truth, 00:39:22.659 --> 00:39:23.579 and the life. 00:39:23.759 --> 00:39:24.699 Let's pray together. 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.039 And Father, 00:39:26.239 --> 00:39:27.359 we thank you 00:39:27.359 --> 00:39:28.719 for this time 00:39:28.719 --> 00:39:29.639 and this opportunity 00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:30.379 to go through 00:39:30.379 --> 00:39:31.719 our mission and vision 00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:32.719 that comes 00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:34.319 from your Son, 00:39:34.659 --> 00:39:35.440 Jesus Christ, 00:39:35.579 --> 00:39:36.739 and who he is, 00:39:36.839 --> 00:39:37.359 the way, 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:37.940 the truth, 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:38.619 and the life. 00:39:39.379 --> 00:39:40.179 And how wonderful 00:39:40.179 --> 00:39:41.299 it is to have 00:39:41.299 --> 00:39:42.839 not just vision 00:39:42.839 --> 00:39:43.579 for this church, 00:39:43.679 --> 00:39:44.699 but divine vision 00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.639 that comes from you. 00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:47.299 May we follow it. 00:39:47.379 --> 00:39:48.399 May we receive it. 00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:49.359 May we follow it. 00:39:50.299 --> 00:39:51.319 May you transform 00:39:51.319 --> 00:39:52.379 each and every one of us 00:39:52.380 --> 00:39:53.039 and Father God, 00:39:53.140 --> 00:39:55.200 I pray that everyone 00:39:55.200 --> 00:39:56.720 who is here 00:39:56.720 --> 00:39:58.240 in this place 00:39:58.240 --> 00:39:59.280 may know 00:39:59.280 --> 00:40:00.380 your Son, 00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:01.260 Jesus Christ. 00:40:01.940 --> 00:40:03.039 Pray for everyone 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:03.920 that is online 00:40:03.920 --> 00:40:05.680 that they may 00:40:05.680 --> 00:40:08.019 know who Christ is 00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:09.700 and that you provide 00:40:09.700 --> 00:40:10.880 a better way 00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:11.420 through him, 00:40:11.940 --> 00:40:13.340 that you give us 00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:14.019 new life 00:40:14.019 --> 00:40:14.920 in him. 00:40:15.860 --> 00:40:16.940 May we all 00:40:16.940 --> 00:40:18.160 be encouraged, 00:40:18.760 --> 00:40:19.059 equipped, 00:40:19.059 --> 00:40:20.000 and may we 00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:21.719 engage lives 00:40:21.719 --> 00:40:22.980 for Christ. 00:40:23.940 --> 00:40:24.840 How thankful 00:40:24.840 --> 00:40:25.679 we are for who 00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:26.139 you are. 00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:28.000 May we remain 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:28.559 in you 00:40:28.559 --> 00:40:29.460 our constant, 00:40:29.659 --> 00:40:30.460 our foundation, 00:40:30.719 --> 00:40:31.460 our anchor. 00:40:33.460 --> 00:40:34.719 May this proverb 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:36.219 and may 00:40:36.219 --> 00:40:38.079 this description 00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:38.960 of Christ 00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:42.259 guide our lives. 00:40:42.260 --> 00:40:44.100 it is in Jesus' 00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:44.660 name 00:40:44.660 --> 00:40:45.640 that we pray 00:40:45.640 --> 00:40:46.540 and we all 00:40:46.540 --> 00:40:47.080 say together, 00:40:47.140 --> 00:40:47.340 Amen, 00:40:47.560 --> 00:40:47.840 Church. 00:40:48.080 --> 00:40:48.440 Amen. 00:40:50.920 --> 00:40:51.740 Thank you for 00:40:51.740 --> 00:40:52.280 joining us 00:40:52.280 --> 00:40:53.080 from this message 00:40:53.080 --> 00:40:53.780 from Ontario 00:40:53.780 --> 00:40:54.720 Community Church. 00:40:55.260 --> 00:40:56.160 Today we have 00:40:56.160 --> 00:40:56.980 reflected on our 00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:58.000 mission as the 00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:58.320 Church, 00:40:58.660 --> 00:40:59.640 not just what we 00:40:59.640 --> 00:41:00.560 hope to accomplish 00:41:00.560 --> 00:41:01.000 someday, 00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:02.280 but it is the 00:41:02.280 --> 00:41:03.240 divine direction 00:41:03.240 --> 00:41:04.300 that Christ has 00:41:04.300 --> 00:41:05.080 given to us 00:41:05.080 --> 00:41:05.980 right now. 00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:07.719 Jesus declared, 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:09.159 I am the 00:41:09.159 --> 00:41:09.460 way, 00:41:09.960 --> 00:41:10.480 the truth, 00:41:10.760 --> 00:41:11.539 and the life. 00:41:12.139 --> 00:41:12.920 No one comes 00:41:12.920 --> 00:41:13.519 to the Father 00:41:13.519 --> 00:41:14.260 except through 00:41:14.260 --> 00:41:14.539 me. 00:41:15.099 --> 00:41:15.920 Our entire 00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:16.900 mission flows 00:41:16.900 --> 00:41:17.380 from this 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:18.000 declaration. 00:41:19.079 --> 00:41:20.039 Let me remind 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.920 you of the 00:41:20.920 --> 00:41:21.719 3E framework, 00:41:22.480 --> 00:41:23.340 that we encourage 00:41:23.340 --> 00:41:24.240 people to follow 00:41:24.240 --> 00:41:24.760 the way, 00:41:25.340 --> 00:41:26.219 inviting them to 00:41:26.219 --> 00:41:27.099 come and see 00:41:27.099 --> 00:41:27.639 that the Lord 00:41:27.639 --> 00:41:28.139 is good, 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.619 to love God 00:41:29.619 --> 00:41:30.139 and to love 00:41:30.139 --> 00:41:30.599 others. 00:41:31.159 --> 00:41:31.800 We equip 00:41:31.800 --> 00:41:32.440 people with 00:41:32.440 --> 00:41:33.159 the truth that 00:41:33.159 --> 00:41:33.920 is found in 00:41:33.920 --> 00:41:34.659 Jesus Christ 00:41:34.659 --> 00:41:35.820 by training them 00:41:35.820 --> 00:41:36.340 in God's 00:41:36.340 --> 00:41:37.400 word so that 00:41:37.400 --> 00:41:38.400 they are rooted, 00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:39.440 built up, 00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:40.420 and established 00:41:40.420 --> 00:41:41.080 in Christ. 00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:42.519 And we engage 00:41:42.519 --> 00:41:43.320 culture through 00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:44.280 this new life, 00:41:44.380 --> 00:41:45.300 this new identity 00:41:45.300 --> 00:41:45.800 in Him, 00:41:46.220 --> 00:41:47.140 serving one another 00:41:47.140 --> 00:41:47.960 as faithful 00:41:47.960 --> 00:41:48.519 stewards, 00:41:49.000 --> 00:41:49.820 going in His 00:41:49.820 --> 00:41:51.100 name to live 00:41:51.100 --> 00:41:52.140 and to love 00:41:52.140 --> 00:41:53.340 as His people. 00:41:54.200 --> 00:41:55.000 These three 00:41:55.000 --> 00:41:55.440 elements, 00:41:55.620 --> 00:41:56.140 these three 00:41:56.140 --> 00:41:56.800 aspects, 00:41:57.000 --> 00:41:57.460 encourage, 00:41:57.620 --> 00:41:57.820 equip, 00:41:57.920 --> 00:41:58.440 and engage, 00:41:58.640 --> 00:41:59.300 they belong 00:41:59.300 --> 00:41:59.740 together. 00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:00.960 You cannot 00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:01.900 encourage without 00:42:01.900 --> 00:42:02.360 equipping, 00:42:02.500 --> 00:42:02.980 you cannot 00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:04.000 equip without 00:42:04.000 --> 00:42:04.539 engaging, 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.420 and all of 00:42:05.420 --> 00:42:05.760 this is 00:42:05.760 --> 00:42:06.420 interconnected. 00:42:06.900 --> 00:42:07.400 Engagement 00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:07.780 without 00:42:07.780 --> 00:42:08.380 encouragement 00:42:08.380 --> 00:42:09.300 then becomes 00:42:09.300 --> 00:42:10.240 empty activism. 00:42:10.980 --> 00:42:11.360 So, 00:42:11.720 --> 00:42:12.300 the three 00:42:12.300 --> 00:42:13.700 all belong 00:42:13.700 --> 00:42:14.220 together. 00:42:14.740 --> 00:42:15.260 For this 00:42:15.260 --> 00:42:15.599 is our 00:42:15.599 --> 00:42:15.960 mission, 00:42:16.480 --> 00:42:17.300 flowing from 00:42:17.300 --> 00:42:17.920 our identity 00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:18.579 in Christ. 00:42:19.139 --> 00:42:19.800 As we 00:42:19.800 --> 00:42:20.619 concluded last 00:42:20.619 --> 00:42:20.960 week, 00:42:21.300 --> 00:42:21.980 we are a 00:42:21.980 --> 00:42:22.860 church with 00:42:22.860 --> 00:42:23.220 a clear 00:42:23.220 --> 00:42:23.700 identity, 00:42:24.360 --> 00:42:24.659 hope, 00:42:25.260 --> 00:42:25.599 heart, 00:42:26.220 --> 00:42:26.659 hospital, 00:42:27.059 --> 00:42:27.619 and hub. 00:42:28.200 --> 00:42:28.720 And today, 00:42:29.119 --> 00:42:29.840 we see that 00:42:29.840 --> 00:42:31.099 identity expressed 00:42:31.099 --> 00:42:32.099 through this 00:42:32.099 --> 00:42:33.219 clear mission, 00:42:33.739 --> 00:42:34.259 encourage, 00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:34.960 equip, 00:42:35.179 --> 00:42:36.039 and engage. 00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:37.159 And this is 00:42:37.159 --> 00:42:37.799 how we live 00:42:37.799 --> 00:42:38.360 out who we 00:42:38.360 --> 00:42:38.619 are. 00:42:38.980 --> 00:42:39.579 This is how 00:42:39.579 --> 00:42:40.460 we cross the 00:42:40.460 --> 00:42:41.339 bridges that 00:42:41.339 --> 00:42:41.940 we have been 00:42:41.940 --> 00:42:42.759 building together. 00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:44.579 May you be 00:42:44.579 --> 00:42:45.319 encouraged to 00:42:45.319 --> 00:42:46.219 follow Christ's 00:42:46.219 --> 00:42:46.599 way with 00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:47.059 confidence. 00:42:47.599 --> 00:42:48.500 May you be 00:42:48.500 --> 00:42:49.099 equipped with 00:42:49.099 --> 00:42:49.839 His truth for 00:42:49.839 --> 00:42:50.579 every good work. 00:42:50.880 --> 00:42:51.480 And may you 00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:52.299 engage your 00:42:52.299 --> 00:42:53.319 world with the 00:42:53.319 --> 00:42:54.219 life and love 00:42:54.219 --> 00:42:55.559 of Jesus Christ. 00:42:56.139 --> 00:42:57.139 May you remember 00:42:57.139 --> 00:42:58.380 that this mission 00:42:58.380 --> 00:42:59.440 is not a 00:42:59.440 --> 00:42:59.940 burden to 00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:00.559 carry alone. 00:43:00.940 --> 00:43:01.900 It is a 00:43:01.900 --> 00:43:02.900 calling that 00:43:02.900 --> 00:43:03.579 we fulfill 00:43:03.579 --> 00:43:04.860 together as 00:43:04.860 --> 00:43:05.539 the body of 00:43:05.539 --> 00:43:05.940 Christ. 00:43:06.760 --> 00:43:07.440 You can find 00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:08.220 all of today's 00:43:08.220 --> 00:43:09.220 resources at 00:43:09.220 --> 00:43:11.220 ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:43:11.400 --> 00:43:12.280 There you will 00:43:12.280 --> 00:43:13.740 find slides, 00:43:13.960 --> 00:43:14.599 sermon notes, 00:43:14.800 --> 00:43:15.480 Bible studies, 00:43:15.640 --> 00:43:16.119 the interactive 00:43:16.119 --> 00:43:16.559 reading, 00:43:16.740 --> 00:43:17.360 and other 00:43:17.360 --> 00:43:18.200 resources. 00:43:18.900 --> 00:43:19.519 You can also 00:43:19.519 --> 00:43:20.320 find us on 00:43:20.320 --> 00:43:20.680 YouTube, 00:43:21.059 --> 00:43:21.340 Rumble, 00:43:21.619 --> 00:43:21.980 Facebook, 00:43:22.260 --> 00:43:22.559 TikTok, 00:43:22.840 --> 00:43:23.220 Instagram, 00:43:23.519 --> 00:43:24.380 or wherever 00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:24.940 you get your 00:43:24.940 --> 00:43:25.519 podcasts. 00:43:26.160 --> 00:43:26.700 May the Lord 00:43:26.700 --> 00:43:27.420 bless you and 00:43:27.420 --> 00:43:27.940 keep you. 00:43:28.380 --> 00:43:28.860 May he make 00:43:28.860 --> 00:43:29.760 his face shine 00:43:29.760 --> 00:43:30.740 upon you and 00:43:30.740 --> 00:43:31.559 give you peace. 00:43:32.200 --> 00:43:32.660 May the Lord 00:43:32.660 --> 00:43:33.320 direct your 00:43:33.320 --> 00:43:34.320 paths as you 00:43:34.320 --> 00:43:34.920 encourage, 00:43:35.420 --> 00:43:35.740 equip, 00:43:36.140 --> 00:43:36.840 and engage 00:43:36.840 --> 00:43:37.400 lives for 00:43:37.400 --> 00:43:37.760 Christ. 00:43:38.200 --> 00:43:39.079 God bless you 00:43:39.079 --> 00:43:40.099 and thank you. 00:43:58.380 --> 00:44:00.780 God bless you and 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:00.780 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:30.760 Thank you. 00:44:30.780 --> 00:45:00.760 Thank you.