WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:07.740 Good morning. My name's Matthew Capone and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:08.419 --> 00:00:14.679 And it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:14.759 --> 00:00:19.600 We're glad that you're here. And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:23.100 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:27.780 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good. 00:00:27.780 --> 00:00:32.399 They don't need God's grace and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:37.960 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:38.939 --> 00:00:41.820 If you've been tracking closely with our church communications, 00:00:42.060 --> 00:00:46.960 you know that we're actually taking a break from Judges this morning and for the four weeks following. 00:00:47.079 --> 00:00:51.820 And we're taking that break because we're going to focus on our Grit and Grace Generosity Initiative. 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:56.480 Now, when you hear that phrase, generosity initiative, you might initially think, 00:00:56.479 --> 00:00:58.219 oh, we're just going to be talking about money and giving. 00:00:58.659 --> 00:01:01.459 The reality is we're going to talk about that almost not at all, 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:05.280 because as we've told you all before, our church is not about money. 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:06.159 It's about a mission. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:08.780 Now, we need money to fuel that mission. 00:01:08.979 --> 00:01:13.179 But what we want to talk about is the mission that we have for this church. 00:01:13.179 --> 00:01:15.759 And we're going to talk about that mission and that vision, 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:19.519 part of what you see on pages 13 and 14 of your worship guide. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:23.120 As we do that, we're going to turn first to the Gospel of Matthew. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:28.460 We're going to look in Matthew chapter 5, when Jesus talks about His vision for His people, 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:32.359 the church, one of the most famous passages in all of Scripture. 00:01:32.960 --> 00:01:36.400 We'll be looking at Matthew chapter 5, verses 13 through 16, 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:40.900 but we're going to focus almost exclusively this morning on verse 14. 00:01:41.520 --> 00:01:46.800 And then we're going to come back on October 22nd and finish out coming back again to this passage. 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:51.500 We're just going to look at one thing simply, which is God's calling on His church. 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:57.939 His church is meant to be an embassy or an outpost or a colony of the kingdom of God, 00:01:58.019 --> 00:02:01.060 which raises the question, why does the church exist? 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:06.260 Why are we actually here in this world? 00:02:06.340 --> 00:02:06.960 What's our role? 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:12.259 It's with that question that I'm going to invite you to turn with me now to Matthew chapter 5, 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:13.460 starting at verse 13. 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:16.099 You can go there in your worship guide. 00:02:16.319 --> 00:02:17.759 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:19.460 You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:22.780 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:27.379 And God tells us that His Word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:02:27.939 --> 00:02:31.960 And it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:02:32.460 --> 00:02:36.480 And so that's why we read now Matthew chapter 5, starting at verse 13. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:03:02.399 Verse 15. 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:25.219 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:25.300 Amen. 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:35.479 Our Father in heaven, we praise you and thank you this morning, most of all, that your Son, Jesus, is the light of the world. 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:39.020 We thank you that He's been the light of our lives. 00:03:39.020 --> 00:03:46.719 And we ask that you would use us to spread that light and share it in our families and our friends and our communities. 00:03:47.400 --> 00:03:52.580 And we ask that you would use your Word this morning in a powerful way, that you would speak to us clearly, 00:03:53.460 --> 00:04:00.260 that we would understand the great calling that you've given to us and the great grace that you've provided for us in Jesus Christ. 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:08.299 Most of all, we ask that you would help us to see Him, that He would be more beautiful to us than He was when we woke up this morning, 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:11.840 and that you would shape us more and more to look like Him. 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:15.120 And we ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:04:15.639 --> 00:04:15.879 Amen. 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:16.019 Amen. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:26.680 I've mentioned to you all a number of times that I grew up in southern Maryland, just southeast of Washington, D.C. 00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:30.100 And there were many times that we would go into the city. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:35.079 My mom was especially passionate about making sure we took advantage of all the free museums there. 00:04:35.600 --> 00:04:39.500 In fact, I didn't realize really until I was older that most museums are not free. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:41.740 But in Washington, D.C., they are. 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:46.560 And as we would drive to various spots, sometimes we would drive along Massachusetts Avenue, 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:52.019 which if you're familiar with our nation's capital, you'll know that there's a neighborhood there that's called Embassy Row. 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:56.360 And it's called that, of course, for a reason, which is that that's where all the embassies are. 00:04:56.680 --> 00:05:01.500 So as you go along, you'll pass the Embassy of India to the United States. 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:05.259 You'll pass the Embassy of Greece, the Embassy of South Africa. 00:05:05.400 --> 00:05:06.819 And, of course, we could go on and on. 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:13.439 This is the place, this is the spot in D.C. where other countries have their outposts, their representation. 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:16.240 Now, Denver has something similar. 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:19.819 I don't think they're called embassies since they're not in D.C., but they have consulates. 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:25.879 So if you are a German citizen traveling to the U.S. and you have trouble, there's a German consulate in Denver. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:34.319 If you're a Canadian citizen and, God forbid, you should run into trouble, there's a Canadian consulate waiting for you there in Denver. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:39.779 Now, of course, if you're familiar with these things, you know embassies do not just exist to exist. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:41.719 They have a purpose. 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:46.019 They are meant to represent another country in a foreign land. 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:52.539 My grandmother used to be, when she was a little bit younger, quite the world traveler. 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:58.560 And so she would go to all sorts of countries around the world, but many countries she would need to get a visa first. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:03.719 And so she would come up to stay with my parents in D.C., and then she would go into the city. 00:06:03.799 --> 00:06:09.919 She would visit the embassy so she could get permission to travel to that other country. 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:18.240 If you want access to another land, often the first place you go is to the embassy, to the consulate. 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:21.120 Now, the opposite is also true. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:29.080 If you are traveling in another country and you run into trouble, where do you run? 00:06:30.220 --> 00:06:32.379 You run to the embassy. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:40.420 If you're an American citizen and you're in Florence and things go sideways for you, where are you headed to first? 00:06:41.159 --> 00:06:42.000 American embassy. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:48.699 If you're in Berlin or Munich, you're in trouble and you're an American citizen, where are you going to run first? 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:51.540 You're going to run to the embassy, to the consulate. 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:58.659 There's a number of movie and TV scenes actually based on this concept where someone has a tight situation. 00:06:58.660 --> 00:07:06.420 They're trying to escape a foreign government, and they're just able to cross the pathway into their embassy in the nick of time so that they can be safe. 00:07:07.320 --> 00:07:10.100 Of course, we know embassies are not always pleasant places to be. 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:15.340 We can think of Tehran in the 70s or Benghazi in 2012. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:19.120 I bring all of this up this morning to say this. 00:07:20.440 --> 00:07:24.460 The church is the embassy of God's kingdom. 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:32.519 The church is the place that represents God's rule and reign here on this earth. 00:07:33.299 --> 00:07:39.939 The church represents another country in a foreign land. 00:07:41.159 --> 00:07:50.199 If you are a citizen of God's kingdom and you run into trouble, where do you run for refuge and help? 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:53.099 You run to the church. 00:07:54.459 --> 00:08:03.919 If you are someone who is not a part of God's kingdom and you want to learn about it, you want to have access to it, where do you run? 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:07.399 You run to the church. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:14.740 The church is the place where we access God's rule and reign. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:22.519 In the church, as we've talked about many times before, there's a place that shows the light in a world that is dark. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:27.819 In fact, that's what Jesus is calling our attention to here in verse 14. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:31.759 You are the light of the world. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:35.860 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:42.340 Brothers and sisters, that is our calling as Christians. 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:45.060 It's the calling of the church in general. 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:49.700 It's the calling of this church in particular. 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:54.840 We are meant to represent heaven here on earth. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:09:01.700 We're meant to work and pray that God's kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven. 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:07.460 And we're meant to do it right here, right now, in Southwest Colorado Springs. 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:14.200 If you go to the Indian embassy, I can promise you one thing. 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:17.639 They are not serving hamburgers. 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:20.160 Right? 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:23.280 They are representing the country. 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:26.259 They are representing another place. 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:30.620 What does it mean for us to be the light of the world? 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:42.220 It means many things, but it cannot mean less than this, that we represent God's rule and reign here and now. 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:50.039 It cannot mean less than representing God's kingdom. 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:57.259 It cannot mean less than showing what is true in a world that is filled with lies. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:10:04.799 It cannot mean less than giving hope in a world that's filled with despair. 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:15.360 It cannot mean less than showing forgiveness and reconciliation in a world that loves cancel culture. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:23.580 It means modeling humility in a world that can't get along. 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:33.040 It means bearing witness to the fact that the problems in this world are so great and so deep 00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:38.759 that no man or woman or group of people can solve them. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:48.040 It means reminding us of the reality that the line between good and evil cuts through every human heart. 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:57.139 It means, in all of that, that we are telling the world that God is our creator. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:00.439 Jesus is our redeemer. 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:07.500 That is what it means for us in this place and this time to be the light of the world. 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:12.379 It means that we are following Jesus together as one community. 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:17.460 And we are convinced of the fact that there is no one so good they don't need God's grace. 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:20.519 And no one so bad they can't have it. 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:26.059 In other words, the church is meant to be the place, it is meant to be the embassy, 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:30.759 where the light of God's kingdom shines the brightest. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:33.799 In fact, that's what we're saying. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.860 If you look on page 13 of your worship guide, 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:39.080 all of these things that we prioritize as a church, 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:43.879 we are saying this is what we believe the task of our embassy is. 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:47.799 As we are a small slice of heaven on earth, 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:52.259 as we represent God's rule and reign in this world, how do we do it? 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.360 Well, we do it in a variety of ways. 00:11:54.439 --> 00:11:57.840 We do it with our joyful worship that is the foundation of our community, 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:01.000 where we are drawn in together as one people, 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:02.960 equipped and filled and then sent out. 00:12:03.780 --> 00:12:06.320 We do it as we are a thick community. 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:09.259 We're not just people who happen to know each other's names, 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:12.680 but we show up in the midst of suffering and struggle and joy. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:16.820 We can remind and practice Paul's words in Romans chapter 12, 00:12:16.920 --> 00:12:20.480 that we rejoice with those who rejoice and we grieve with those who grieve. 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:24.860 We're an embassy when we exercise our fervent witness 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:28.779 that we are actually a city set on a hill that gives light. 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:31.159 It is not something that's hidden under a basket, 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:35.340 that we are quick to share with others our hope in Jesus Christ. 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:40.240 And as an embassy, we are a place that trains people 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:43.379 and brings them up in the ways and practices 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:46.200 and the culture of this foreign land. 00:12:47.800 --> 00:12:49.620 It also means that we're a gospel hub. 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:52.039 We know that this is a place where people are come 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.079 and then they're sent out. 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:55.339 And so we want to be effective and faithful 00:12:55.339 --> 00:12:59.679 in training up leaders for the global church. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:04.939 That is the task of this embassy. 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:08.599 In fact, I would argue it's the task of every church, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.919 of every embassy. 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:16.120 However, there are things about this outpost, 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:20.099 this colony, this embassy that are unique and special. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:25.240 There are things about our church here at 4450 West Meadow Drive 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:27.019 that are not true of every church. 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:31.440 We have a special calling to be a light in a dark world. 00:13:32.040 --> 00:13:34.820 I want you to think with me about this for a second. 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:38.800 We are especially strategic geographically. 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:45.060 To our south, right over there, we have Fort Carson. 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:48.500 We are not sort of close to Fort Carson. 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:50.779 We are literally across the street. 00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:54.679 South Academy is the only street 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.679 that separates us from that army post. 00:13:57.479 --> 00:14:00.059 When you look out the windows of my office, 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:03.899 you can see the tops of houses on the fort. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.719 So we're right outside the gates. 00:14:06.859 --> 00:14:08.279 Gate three, right over there. 00:14:09.059 --> 00:14:10.179 That's just the south. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.219 Now I want you to think, 00:14:11.339 --> 00:14:13.259 what happens when we look to the west? 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:17.819 We have the Broadmoor Bluffs and the Broadmoor, right? 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:21.980 Jump a little north, you hit the Broadmoor. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:23.759 That's our west. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.679 What's to our east? 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:28.779 We have one of the underserved areas of Colorado Springs. 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:31.500 To our north, what do we have? 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.679 Downtown Colorado Springs. 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:40.080 I challenge you to find a more strategic embassy 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:41.520 in terms of location. 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:45.680 We are right here at the intersection 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:46.620 of all of those things. 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:51.600 Shine Mountain is not just strategic geographically, 00:14:51.660 --> 00:14:54.040 it is also spiritually strategic. 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:57.160 We are in the midst of a lot of areas 00:14:57.160 --> 00:14:59.379 that are hard ground for the gospel. 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:02.300 So let's go through our cardinal directions again. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.820 We have to the south of us, 00:15:05.540 --> 00:15:06.100 Fort Carson, 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:10.659 a place of great spiritual darkness, right? 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:12.980 Drive onto the post, 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:15.420 you can feel it when you go through the gates. 00:15:17.060 --> 00:15:19.200 The military is not a place 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.519 where the light of the gospel shines bright. 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:24.639 Praise God that so many of you are doing that 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.379 in spite of it. 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:28.240 That's to our south. 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.420 Now let's look at our west. 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.740 To our west, 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:34.540 we have incredible wealth. 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:37.879 We have incredible wealth in Broadmoor Bluffs. 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.059 Just to the north, 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.639 we have incredible wealth in the Broadmoor. 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:43.339 What happens when you have incredible wealth? 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:47.740 We talked about this already in Mark chapter 10. 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:51.379 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:55.339 than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. 00:15:56.919 --> 00:16:00.120 Wealth inoculates people against the gospel. 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:06.159 It is hard to believe that you are spiritually needy 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:08.600 when you are materially rich. 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:13.100 It's hard to believe that you're spiritually needy 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:14.940 when you're financially wealthy. 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.399 Now remember, I've said many times before, 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.240 wealth is not bad. 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.919 It's just very dangerous. 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.340 Okay, it's not bad. 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:22.820 It's dangerous. 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:24.299 We need wealthy Christians. 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:27.500 We need wealthy Christians who are focused on the kingdom. 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:29.700 So that's our west. 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:30.779 That's our south. 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:32.019 Once again, to our east, 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:34.120 we have one of the underserved parts of our city, 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:37.419 parts that's often overlooked and ignored. 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:41.139 Then, up to the north, 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:43.700 south downtown Colorado Springs, 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:45.340 you have many people who rejected the gospel. 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:49.639 Folks who grew up in Colorado Springs, 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.279 perhaps in the church 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.620 and for a variety of ways, 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:53.879 have walked away. 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:58.679 geographically and spiritually, 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:02.320 you would be hard-pressed to find 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:05.220 a more strategic location 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:08.039 than Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:12.180 You'd be hard-pressed to find 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:16.079 a more strategically placed light for the gospel. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:21.279 Now, many people talk about Colorado Springs. 00:17:21.399 --> 00:17:22.159 They'll even use this phrase. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.500 They'll say, 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:24.259 Colorado Springs is a Christian Mecca. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:28.859 It's just a Christian town filled with Christians. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:30.759 We've got focus on the family. 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:32.500 We've got Compassion International. 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:33.720 We've got the Navigators. 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:35.659 And I could just go on and on, right, 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:37.339 listing all the ministries that are here. 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:44.419 That is only true of northern Colorado Springs. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:48.099 It is not true in the south. 00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:50.299 Where is focus on the family? 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:53.019 Over 30 minutes from here. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.679 Where is Compassion International? 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.899 30 minutes from here. 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:02.639 Yes, Colorado Springs is a Christian Mecca in the north. 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:05.639 It is under-churched in the south. 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:09.660 There have been many churches that have come 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:11.840 and gone in this part of town. 00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:16.220 And over the last 27 years, 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:19.920 God has established and sustained this church. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:25.040 God has preserved us in what is hard soil, 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:27.580 literally, you can go out into our field. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:33.000 And he has sustained and preserved us 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:36.160 in what is hard ground spiritually. 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:41.740 God has seen fit for almost three decades 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:44.460 to have an embassy right here, 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:46.380 4450 West Meadow Drive. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:51.539 God is continuing to build his church. 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:54.639 When I started out here at Cheyenne Mountain 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:55.579 many years ago now, 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:56.579 at least it feels that way, 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:59.099 I had a meeting with a man named Kevin Feldado, 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:02.139 who's a campus pastor for Woodman Valley Chapel 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.759 here in town. 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:04.460 And he's over the campus 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.920 that's sort of in the southern part of town. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.339 And he said, 00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:09.200 Matthew, if you go up to northern Colorado Springs, 00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:12.940 you would have a hard time finding a public school 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:15.659 that does not have a church meeting in it. 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:19.060 And if you go to southern Colorado Springs, 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.500 the opposite is true. 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:23.160 You will have a hard time finding a school 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:26.320 that does have a church meeting in it. 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.600 By the way, when we started out, 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.880 our first years as a church, 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.360 we met at Broadmoor Elementary School. 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.980 Giant mountain trivia fact for you. 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:38.900 We have many churches in the north of this city. 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:44.320 We have very few faithful Bible-believing churches 00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:45.080 in the south. 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:48.280 Brothers and sisters, 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:52.100 we have a mission and a calling 00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:53.980 here in southern Colorado Springs. 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:59.180 We have experienced God's blessing here 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:01.420 over and over again. 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:05.920 God has given us an enormous opportunity 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:08.320 in this community and this location. 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:14.500 Now, this is our church in a secondary sense. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:18.680 It is God's church in a primary sense. 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.980 In other words, 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:23.140 the reason that this church exists 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:26.100 at the intersection of South Academy and 115, 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:30.240 the reason that we are just north of Fort Carson 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:31.360 and just south of downtown, 00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:34.580 the reason that we are just to the east of the Broadmoor 00:20:34.580 --> 00:20:38.420 and we are just to the west of eastern Colorado Springs 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:42.320 is because God decided there would be a church here. 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:48.039 And God, in his mercy and in his grace, 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:51.800 has chosen each one of us to be a part of that church here. 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:56.059 God has a mission and a future for this church, 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:58.399 and he has a vision for it. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:03.539 God has chosen this people in this place 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:06.720 and this time to reach this area. 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:12.059 God has chosen you to be a part of a church 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:15.339 that is serving a spiritually dark part of town. 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:21.559 And God has chosen to strengthen and sustain us 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:24.439 year after year after year. 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:28.039 By the way, that is why we are calling 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:30.220 this generosity initiative Grit and Grace, 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:33.880 because it has taken an enormous amount of grit 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.860 from the people here 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:37.740 and an enormous amount of God's grace 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:39.340 for us to make it almost 30 years. 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:42.320 There are multiple times this church 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:43.559 should have shut her doors, 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:46.960 and there was a small group of faithful people 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.220 who said no. 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:52.640 People like David and Paula Johnson, 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:56.319 people like Ken and Nancy O'Connell, 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:59.660 who refused to give up. 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:03.220 And so God used them as his instruments, 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:06.059 because ultimately it was God 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:08.680 who decided that this church would be here 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:11.200 in this place at this time. 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:14.600 Of course, there's a number of miracles that have happened. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:16.059 David Johnson talked about those 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:19.419 at our congregational meeting on September 17th. 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:22.220 Miracle after miracle after miracle 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:25.059 for us to stay as a church in this area, 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:27.480 for us to purchase this plot of land, 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:29.639 for us to be able to build this building. 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:33.220 And we are at a place as an embassy 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.799 of the kingdom of God 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:39.779 where it is time for us to take the next step. 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:44.299 We're at a place as this outpost and this colony 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:48.000 to go to the next level of impact 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:50.519 and influence in this part of town. 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:53.720 And so we are asking God for another miracle. 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:58.619 We're asking God to provide for this church again. 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:03.019 We're asking him to be faithful in the future 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:05.240 as he has in the past. 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:09.380 I don't have to tell you that this church is growing. 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:13.720 That is something everyone in this church agrees on 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:15.640 despite all the other things we might disagree about. 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:19.299 All you have to do is look around on a Sunday morning 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.799 and say, wow, there's a lot more people 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.099 than there were a year ago. 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:25.400 And this church right now 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:29.660 is what I call a two-engine plane with one engine. 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:33.360 In other words, a community of this size, 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:35.940 an embassy, if you will, of this size 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:38.740 requires a certain amount of staff, 00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:40.080 not for the sake of staff, 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:42.400 but for the sake of ministry and mission. 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:46.800 And so the time has come for this church 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:48.720 to move forward. 00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:50.400 When we built this building and opened it up, 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:52.000 we went up as a church 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:54.019 in what we were able to do by an order of magnitude. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.840 Those of you who are there, remember that. 00:23:56.839 --> 00:24:00.399 It is time for us to step up again 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:02.480 by an order of magnitude. 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:05.779 And so we're inviting you as a congregation 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.699 to take part in that. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.819 We're inviting you to be generous 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:09.519 and give towards this campaign. 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:11.819 Our goal is to raise $800,000 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:13.519 so we can eliminate our debt. 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:15.459 We can redirect our resources 00:24:15.459 --> 00:24:17.379 from facilities to ministry. 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:21.459 We are inviting you 00:24:21.459 --> 00:24:25.899 to give your resources towards God's mission. 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:31.079 We're asking you to fund this embassy. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.699 Why? 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.759 Verse 14, 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:35.980 you are the light of the world. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:39.379 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:47.700 We talked about this last week as well 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:49.160 when we looked at judges, 00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:53.100 that God uses us as an instrument. 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.580 God's going to accomplish his purposes. 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.440 He can accomplish his purposes 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:01.200 whether we decide to come along or not. 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:07.600 And don't miss out on the joy of obedience. 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:11.480 Don't miss out on the joy of joining along. 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:16.059 Don't miss out on the joy of being used by God. 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.059 God's going to be the light of the world. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.059 God's going to be the light of the world. 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.740 God's going to be the light of the world. 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:20.399 We want to be an effective outpost 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:24.839 in a strategic place of spiritual darkness. 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:28.960 And how ultimately do we do that? 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:32.740 Well, Jesus says here, 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:36.059 Father, you are the light of the world. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.819 And why is he able to say that? 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:43.099 He's able to say it because of what he also says in John 8. 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:46.079 I am the light of the world. 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:48.940 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:51.620 but will have the light of life. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:54.460 There is a great light, 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:57.880 our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:26:04.720 And he chooses in his grace to use us as small lights. 00:26:05.780 --> 00:26:09.020 Lights that show and reflect his love and mercy 00:26:09.020 --> 00:26:12.300 and goodness and justice and truth out into the world. 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:16.020 Brothers and sisters, 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:18.740 we are the light of the world 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:22.780 because Jesus is the light of the world. 00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:26.180 We are an embassy. 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:26.259 We are an embassy. 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:30.039 Merely representing the king. 00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:33.400 And so what do we do? 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:35.519 What's our prayer in the midst of that? 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:37.940 Our prayer is here for you on page nine. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:41.279 Grant, O Lord, that we may hear your people be 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:43.680 a witness to your faithfulness, 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:47.500 your light for all the world to see. 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.500 Let's pray. 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:52.440 Our Father in heaven, 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:54.200 we praise you and thank you 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:56.019 for your faithfulness to this church 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.759 over many years. 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:59.180 And we ask that you would continue 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.900 to use us as your instrument. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.779 You would use us to shine 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:04.980 your light into this community 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:07.500 where there's so much darkness and despair. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.779 You'd use us to bring 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:10.720 the hope and the joy of the gospel 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:13.220 that you'd continue to sustain 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.980 and preserve this community 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:16.700 here in Southwest Colorado Springs. 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.580 We ask all of these things 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:20.180 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:20.819 Amen. 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:20.960 Amen.