WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:11.580 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:15.280 use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:27.260 Good morning. 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:33.840 I'm Carrie Moulton, and I'm a member of the Oakland Women's Little Faith Group, and the 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:36.760 scripture lesson today is a reading from Acts of the Apostles. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:44.799 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. 00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:51.060 There he found some disciples and asked them, did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? 00:00:51.740 --> 00:00:54.980 They answered, no, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 00:00:54.979 --> 00:00:59.500 So Paul asks, then what baptism did you receive? 00:01:00.279 --> 00:01:01.939 John's baptism, they replied. 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:06.819 Paul said, John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:11.699 He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. 00:01:13.199 --> 00:01:16.299 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:23.739 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 00:01:24.479 --> 00:01:26.719 There were about twelve men in all. 00:01:28.039 --> 00:01:34.700 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 00:01:34.700 --> 00:01:40.600 But some of them became obstinate, and they refused to believe, and publicly maligned the way. 00:01:41.579 --> 00:01:42.859 So Paul left them. 00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:48.359 He took the disciples with him, and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 00:01:48.960 --> 00:01:56.020 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and the Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 00:01:56.019 --> 00:02:04.219 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, 00:02:04.459 --> 00:02:07.560 and their illnesses were cured, and the evil spirits left them. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:15.039 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:20.960 They would say, in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out. 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:26.260 Seven sons of Siva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 00:02:27.100 --> 00:02:29.260 One day, the evil spirit answered them, 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:33.520 Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you? 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:38.640 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. 00:02:39.200 --> 00:02:42.719 He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 00:02:43.700 --> 00:02:46.819 When this became known to the Jews and the Greeks living in Ephesus, 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:48.740 they were all seized with fear, 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:52.080 and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 00:02:53.200 --> 00:02:57.140 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:06.140 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. 00:03:06.980 --> 00:03:11.260 When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to 50,000 drachmas. 00:03:11.259 --> 00:03:16.340 In this way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:18.500 This is the word of the Lord. 00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:20.199 Thanks be to God. 00:03:20.199 --> 00:03:27.159 Well, thank you for that reading, Carrie. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:34.419 Christ Church, it's been five Sundays today that our lead pastor, Jonathan, has been away from us, 00:03:34.459 --> 00:03:40.560 and we've been praying that he's had a restorative, restful vacation with his family out on the East Coast. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:44.800 And I've been super thankful for guest preachers to come like Christine. 00:03:45.020 --> 00:03:49.900 And today, we'll have Pastor Ray Hudson visiting us today to bring us the word. 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:51.879 Pastor Ray is a church planner. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:57.460 He has tons of church experience, but he's now planning a church here in Berkeley called Our City Center Church. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:04:03.000 We want us to be a church here at Christ Church that realizes there's so much more going on in the kingdom 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:05.439 than what happens here every Sunday. 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:08.120 So we're excited to have him share some about that. 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:10.240 A little bit about Pastor Ray. 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:12.479 The first time I hung out with him, we had lunch. 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:14.659 And I was like, man, this guy's done a lot. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:18.839 He's super experienced, super innovative, super gifted. 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:21.399 He's really good at golf and basketball. 00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:25.180 And I was like, man, I want to be like this guy when I grow up. 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:29.259 And then at one point, we're like, oh, so how old are you? 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:30.699 He's only three years ahead of me. 00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:34.360 So I got a lot of work to do in the next three years to catch up to this guy. 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:36.660 But Ray, we're so glad you're here to bring us the word. 00:04:36.980 --> 00:04:39.840 We got to bring a Pentecostal in to preach on the Holy Spirit today. 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:41.100 So we're excited about that. 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:43.740 And yeah, praise God for your brother. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:46.939 Please come on up and share the word of God with us. 00:04:54.939 --> 00:04:55.680 Just on? 00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:56.520 Testing? 00:04:57.220 --> 00:04:57.560 Am I good? 00:04:58.040 --> 00:04:58.420 Perfect. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:00.520 I'm Ray. 00:05:01.300 --> 00:05:03.280 And what's your names? 00:05:04.360 --> 00:05:06.540 Really excited to be here. 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:10.280 It fell off. 00:05:10.340 --> 00:05:11.280 Oh, well, that would be why. 00:05:15.900 --> 00:05:18.480 I promise this isn't my first time I've ever spoken. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:20.420 Are we good? 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:21.280 Here we go. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:21.480 Perfect. 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:23.819 I do move a little bit. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:24.460 Is that okay? 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:25.900 Are you guys okay with that? 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:26.780 Yes? 00:05:26.900 --> 00:05:28.040 Is it okay if I come down? 00:05:28.520 --> 00:05:29.340 Oh, come on. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:33.119 Hey, thank you guys so much for having me here. 00:05:33.619 --> 00:05:37.019 It's always interesting when you meet a crowd for the first time and you're like back on the 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:40.500 stage and it kind of feels like, you know, not as intimate. 00:05:40.719 --> 00:05:42.099 So are you okay if I get a little intimate? 00:05:42.100 --> 00:05:48.379 For just a few moments and then I will go back to what you guys are normally used to. 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:51.660 My name is Raymond Hudson and I am, as he said, planting a church. 00:05:51.860 --> 00:05:52.780 You're way too kind. 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:54.600 I am not that cool. 00:05:55.740 --> 00:05:57.939 But excited to serve God. 00:05:58.900 --> 00:05:59.660 Anyone else? 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:00.040 Right? 00:06:00.400 --> 00:06:01.540 Excited about that? 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:02.060 Yeah, come on. 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:03.320 He's good. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:07.219 And I really do count it a privilege to be here. 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:12.399 Both Andrew and Jonathan, his family, they've been great to us. 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:13.800 We got to meet them. 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:17.899 And it's just so cool when you meet a group of people who are different denominations, 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:18.300 right? 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:22.079 Maybe a few different theological beliefs. 00:06:23.079 --> 00:06:25.039 But the cool thing is we serve the same God. 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:25.719 Amen? 00:06:26.719 --> 00:06:30.279 I count it a privilege and I just want to thank, this keeps coming off of me. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:36.659 I want to thank just your church and your team for allowing me to be here and utilizing 00:06:36.659 --> 00:06:39.699 not just your influence in your time, but your funds. 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:45.079 You guys have actually given to our church in the midst of a pandemic, social unrest. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:48.439 It's been a crazy year, but we're so thankful to be here. 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:50.019 And so if you don't mind, I like to pray. 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:52.099 And so if you guys would bow your heads. 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:53.579 Father, I thank you for today. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:55.379 And I just pray that you would open our eyes. 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:57.859 God, that we may see everything that you want to show us. 00:06:57.859 --> 00:07:00.119 Open our ears, that we may hear you. 00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:07.899 And I just pray in these next 20, 25 minutes that you would speak to our hearts and challenge 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:13.579 us to experience past just the things that we want, God, but all the things that you've 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:14.119 called us to. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:15.719 And God, we love you and we praise you. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:17.179 It's in Jesus' name. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:17.539 Amen. 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:22.099 Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. 00:07:22.659 --> 00:07:24.179 And so you find that in Matthew. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:31.220 And what Jesus said was, he said, my father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, your 00:07:31.220 --> 00:07:34.600 name, thy kingdom come, and thy will be done. 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:37.259 Today, we're going to be venturing through the book of Acts. 00:07:37.300 --> 00:07:41.939 And we're going to talk through what God's kingdom is and how he wants to utilize his 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:44.280 kingdom to impact our areas of influence. 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:48.319 And so what I love about being in rooms like this is there's so many of you that have people 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:51.319 that you're going to engage and interact with that I will never meet. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:52.459 And that's okay. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:55.879 There are people that you're going to engage with and interact with that will never show 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:56.759 up to Christ's church. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.759 And that's okay. 00:07:57.819 --> 00:08:04.420 But I believe that when we utilize our influence to build God's kingdom, then the gospel is 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:08.579 taken from a central location of Christ's church in Berkeley. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:14.259 And it expands to the outermost areas of our world. 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:16.379 And so is that exciting? 00:08:17.099 --> 00:08:22.659 And so I hope today that as we leave here, we leave here with a passion to utilize the 00:08:22.659 --> 00:08:26.879 things and the giftings and the influence that God has given us to impact the kingdom 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:28.099 of God. 00:08:28.219 --> 00:08:29.740 And so my name is Raymond. 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:32.120 My parents came here all the way from Pennsylvania. 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:33.939 So they're here today. 00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:41.060 And then if you don't mind, I like formalities, like to keep things a little bit light. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:46.440 Although I enjoy theology, I like to talk about just the practical ways that we can use scripture 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:47.020 in our lives. 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:47.900 Is that okay today? 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:51.080 My beautiful wife, Rachel, do you want to stand real quick? 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:58.440 And we have four kids who listen to us all the time. 00:08:58.660 --> 00:08:59.460 Anyone know what I'm talking about? 00:08:59.540 --> 00:08:59.680 Right? 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:04.099 And so one of those beautiful children is still sitting here with us. 00:09:04.179 --> 00:09:05.079 And so her name's Gabriella. 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:05.759 Why don't you stand? 00:09:06.219 --> 00:09:06.979 Come on, Gavs. 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:08.379 I know she's nervous. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:12.139 That's our daughter. 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:17.739 And she keeps me humble and helps me out, keeps me patient. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:19.699 How many of you guys know your kids help you to be patient? 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:20.139 Right? 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:20.939 There we go. 00:09:21.719 --> 00:09:24.379 And so, again, so excited to be here. 00:09:24.859 --> 00:09:29.439 And what I want to do today is I actually want to, in the book of Acts, and it's so funny, 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:34.020 we were talking, and I'm like, man, there's a lot in this passage of scripture. 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:38.160 A lot of theological things within this passage of scripture. 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:44.000 And so today, I hope to take a portion of this scripture and then apply it to how we 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:46.200 can utilize it to transform our communities. 00:09:46.280 --> 00:09:46.820 Is that okay? 00:09:47.300 --> 00:09:51.400 At City Center Church, our mission is to help people know and love Jesus and place them 00:09:51.400 --> 00:09:52.920 at the center of everything. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:55.020 And how many of you guys have heard of the Tilden Hills? 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:56.580 Right? 00:09:56.680 --> 00:09:57.420 Just right behind us. 00:09:57.419 --> 00:10:00.039 And it's super foggy in the Bay Area. 00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:06.199 And back in April 2019, I was praying, and I asked God, like, what's going to make us 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:07.639 different as we come into Berkeley? 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:10.599 Man, you guys have been in here for now over 13 years. 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:11.719 Is that right? 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:12.779 Close to there? 00:10:13.599 --> 00:10:13.860 Yeah? 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:14.839 Around there? 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:16.199 10 to, let's say 10 to 13. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:17.740 Is that not amazing? 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:20.259 In a city that wants nothing to do with church. 00:10:20.719 --> 00:10:24.379 And I don't know about you, but when you think about your areas of influence, the places 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:28.000 that God has placed you, there are people who are hostile to the gospel. 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:29.059 Anyone know what I'm talking about? 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:29.539 Right? 00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:30.559 Hostile to the gospel. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:36.360 And so we ask ourselves the question, how do we truly utilize our influence to build 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:37.080 God's kingdom? 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:41.860 And what does that look like in an area like Berkeley that can be so hostile to the gospel? 00:10:41.939 --> 00:10:45.840 And so I asked that when God said, hey, I'm calling you to the city of Berkeley. 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:50.860 And my first thought was, am I committing career suicide to plant a church in Berkeley? 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:51.280 Right? 00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:56.040 And so I talked to a few of my pastor friends. 00:10:57.060 --> 00:11:00.320 And I'm up in the Tilden Hills, and it's a foggy, foggy morning. 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:02.879 As we all know, it's foggy in the Bay Area all the time. 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:07.060 And it was a foggy morning, and I'm in the Bay Area, and I'm driving up in the Tilden Hills, 00:11:07.280 --> 00:11:08.360 which is kind of scary. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.240 Anyone been up there, right? 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.180 It's a little scary up there. 00:11:10.959 --> 00:11:13.479 And as I'm driving, it's super foggy. 00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:14.599 It's hard to see. 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:20.359 And I feel like God stopped me, and he says, the job I'm asking you to do is easier than 00:11:20.359 --> 00:11:20.779 you think. 00:11:21.479 --> 00:11:24.079 We all know it's not easy, right, to plant a church. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:30.839 This is before knowing there was going to be political, social unrest in our nation. 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:37.599 And he said, I don't want you to try to go save people, but I want you to help them 00:11:37.599 --> 00:11:39.059 to see me through their fog. 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:42.739 And he said their fog could be their political viewpoints. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:45.139 Their fog could be aspirations. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:49.679 Their fog can be preconceived notions about faith, right? 00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:52.159 Like, but I want you to help them see me. 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:56.539 And so it brings us to our outcome for our church, which is we want to love and serve 00:11:56.539 --> 00:12:01.799 people so hard that when they interact with us, they rethink their preconceived notions 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.619 about faith. 00:12:03.219 --> 00:12:06.939 How many of you guys would agree that if we can't get them to at least rethink their notions, 00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:07.380 right? 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:10.320 It's hard for them to even introduce them to Jesus. 00:12:10.640 --> 00:12:14.000 And so it's not that we don't want to see people's lives transformed, but God said, hey, 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:18.400 how do we just help them see him through the fog? 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:21.860 And that's why I love this passage of scripture in Acts. 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:29.879 And so if you've got your Bibles or your liturgy, we're going to hone in on verses 8 through 12. 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:33.340 I enjoy the NLT version. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:36.000 And so if you have a different version of Bible, please use that. 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:37.899 But I'll be reading from the NLT. 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:46.620 And in this small portion of scripture, I believe there is both scary things that you could see 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:52.600 in this passage of scripture, but I hope that I can demystify this portion to challenge you 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:55.259 to say there's some practical applications to our daily lives. 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:55.740 Is that okay? 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:59.899 And so this is what it says in Acts chapter 19, verse 8 through 12. 00:13:00.439 --> 00:13:02.059 It says, Paul went. 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:05.439 And I like to pause in different portions of scripture. 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:09.739 How many of you guys ever read over something and then you read it again and you missed what 00:13:09.739 --> 00:13:10.839 was in it the first time? 00:13:10.959 --> 00:13:11.719 Anyone know what I'm talking about? 00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:16.219 And so I just want to take a slow journey through this portion and then we'll move into some 00:13:16.219 --> 00:13:16.559 points. 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:18.979 And so it says that Paul went. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:23.779 And what I love about that passage of scripture as we're thinking about building God's kingdom 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:28.799 in our daily lives is although you guys are sitting here in Christ's church and it's cool, 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:29.419 which is nice. 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:30.859 How many of you guys like the breeze coming in? 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:37.940 And as we sit here today, I would encourage you that God is actually sending you into your 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:39.700 areas of influence. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:44.800 Not to jump ahead in my message, but I want to tell you that God actually cares about the 00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:47.100 places that you go to work every day. 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:50.139 God cares about the places that you eat at. 00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:55.019 God cares about the barista who got your coffee order wrong last week, right? 00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:58.519 Or the person in front of you that's driving and cutting you off. 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.259 God cares. 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:02.319 Maybe that employee that you have who's lazy. 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.600 Anyone got any of those? 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:04.159 Right? 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.980 God cares. 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:12.500 And so I love that Paul understood that every place that he was going was to be on mission 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:15.639 for Jesus to build his kingdom. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:18.919 And so here it says that Paul went. 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:21.019 And so then it goes on. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:26.179 Paul went to the synagogues and preached boldly for the next three months. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:29.299 How many of you guys would agree that if you went to your areas of influence, let's just 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:34.000 say your job, and you stood on a desk and you started preaching boldly, there might be 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.600 an issue. 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:35.799 Right? 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:41.919 And so I love that as we look at this passage of scripture, that God actually has something 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:46.099 uniquely specific for each and every one of your influences. 00:14:46.319 --> 00:14:51.219 And so what I would challenge you with is to say, although you may see this and start with 00:14:51.219 --> 00:14:56.899 maybe weariness or fear, because you're wondering, how do I utilize this passage of scripture in 00:14:56.899 --> 00:15:02.299 my daily lives, I would encourage you that it's less about what he said, and it's more 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:09.720 about what he did on a daily basis, which is he took the gospel into every area of his 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.819 life in a bold way. 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:14.699 And so it says here that he preached boldly. 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:21.939 Just a wisdom point, do not stand on your desk at your work and start proclaiming the gospel. 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:28.760 Now, you know, maybe there's places of your work where you can do that, but I think I 00:15:28.760 --> 00:15:34.420 would challenge you to be wise and maybe talk to Pastor Andrew about if that's something 00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:34.920 you should do. 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:40.800 But he says he preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the 00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:42.600 kingdom of God. 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:48.080 I love those three words, kingdom of God. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:53.740 And I think when we get a true understanding of God's kingdom and what God's kingdom wants 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:59.500 to do, not just in our church, but in the areas of influence that we're in, we will be 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:02.300 more effective as believers and followers of Jesus. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.639 And so then the passage goes on. 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:07.200 But some became stubborn, rejecting the message. 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:09.620 Does that sound like an area we're in right now, right? 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:16.040 Some became stubborn and rejecting the message and publicly speaking against the way. 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:16.079 Okay. 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:19.399 So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:25.959 Then he held daily discussions at the lecture halls of Tyrenius. 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:30.299 And again, as I look at this portion of scripture and you'd ask yourself, well, how does that apply 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:30.740 to me? 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:36.799 And I would encourage you with the fact that what we can learn from this section right here 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:43.500 is that wherever Paul went, he took the kingdom with him. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.659 Would you guys agree with that? 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:49.279 As you look at this passage, wherever Paul went, he took the kingdom with him. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:54.819 Now, the way in which he utilized the kingdom was based off of the context he was in. 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:57.159 So the great thing about this is he knew his context. 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:59.039 His context was they were preaching there. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.980 They were declaring. 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.519 They were proclaiming the gospel. 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:05.519 And so we have to be understanding of the context that God takes us. 00:17:05.639 --> 00:17:06.619 And so then it goes on. 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:07.899 Verse 10. 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:12.080 And this went on for the next two years so that the people throughout the province of 00:17:12.080 --> 00:17:15.580 Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. 00:17:16.320 --> 00:17:17.420 Verse 11 says this. 00:17:17.560 --> 00:17:19.620 Now, this is an interesting portion of scripture. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:25.940 And not knowing where your theological thoughts are on this, I would hope to help to demystify 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:30.460 what you're reading here to also encourage you to say that God wants to do some miraculous 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:32.620 things to each and every one of you. 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.320 And so it says this. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:37.980 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.759 And I would pause there. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:49.240 And what I want to encourage you with is that God's miraculous hand and the amazing things 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:53.339 that he does, a lot of times we look at that as, okay, it could be raising of the dead or 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.360 someone being healed. 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:59.900 But I would argue that the greatest miracle that God does is when someone chooses to go 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:02.360 from death to life, spiritually. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.360 Would anyone agree? 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:11.199 Where God makes a decision to invade the life of a person and they make a decision to say 00:18:11.199 --> 00:18:14.139 that I'm going to give my life to Jesus. 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:20.059 And in the city of Berkeley, when someone makes a decision for Christ, is that not a common 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.899 day miracle? 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:22.719 Come on, listen. 00:18:22.979 --> 00:18:27.500 And so I would encourage you today that as you hear and listen to this portion of scripture 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:32.179 that God wants to do common day miracles in each and every one of your lives. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.439 Amen? 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:38.240 And so in the midst of that, the verse goes on and it says, when handkerchiefs and aprons 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:44.980 that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:47.279 and evil spirits were expelled. 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.539 Mind if I pray over the reading of the word? 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:56.539 God, I pray today that you'd open our eyes, God, as you want to show us some things about 00:18:56.539 --> 00:19:02.039 our own lives and open our ears, God, that we may just hear so clearly what you want to 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.579 say to us. 00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:04.079 And it's in Jesus' name. 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.460 Amen. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:09.700 I like to say this, that if you didn't get anything else out of my message today, here's 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:14.119 my main point that hopefully you can hold on to and apply to your daily lives. 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:16.119 If you're taking note, I'd encourage you to write it down. 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:21.759 And it's this right here, that the greatest miracle the Holy Spirit wants to do through 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:25.599 you is based on your areas of influence. 00:19:25.739 --> 00:19:26.779 I'm going to read it one more time. 00:19:27.479 --> 00:19:33.519 The greatest miracle that the Holy Spirit wants to do through you is based on your areas 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.459 of influence. 00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:39.059 If you study the life of Paul, you know that he was theologically trained. 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:43.480 He was that of a high courts when it comes to Pharisees. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:45.460 Like he had a lot of knowledge. 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:50.480 And so his area of influence at this time was utilized in the synagogues. 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:55.139 And I would encourage you today that the miracle that God wants to do in and through you has 00:19:55.139 --> 00:20:01.019 nothing to do with you standing on a podium and proclaiming in your office that Jesus is 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:04.259 risen, although that God may give you the opportunity for that. 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:09.000 But I would encourage you that it's the person sitting next to you in your cubicle who just 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.460 needs to know that they're loved. 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.619 Anyone agree? 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:16.980 It's the neighbor who's far from God and they never mow their lawn. 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.500 Come on, somebody, right? 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:20.180 And it's hard to love them. 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:27.819 But God has placed you there uniquely, specifically, and we may never be there, but God's placed 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:29.460 you there for a specific task. 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:33.900 And so I'd say it again, that the main and the greatest miracle that the Holy Spirit wants 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:38.720 to do through each and every one of us is based on our areas of influence. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:41.680 I know why you all are here today. 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:49.559 And I believe that each and every one of us in our lives want to know, how do we truly 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:51.019 build God's kingdom? 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.279 You want to know what I'm talking about? 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.160 Would you agree with that? 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:57.559 That when you come to church or you interact with your pastors or your deacons or your elders, 00:20:57.559 --> 00:21:02.839 you want to know, man, how do I actually take the gospel that's preached to me every single 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.159 week? 00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:05.759 And how do I apply that to my life? 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:09.819 And how do I truly build the kingdom of God? 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:12.440 And the answer to that is, what is my purpose? 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:16.619 And I believe that God has created each and every one of us on purpose for purpose. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:21.399 And what we learn from this passage of scripture with Paul is that he utilized and understood 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:23.660 what God was calling him to do. 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.480 And he was unashamed of it. 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:32.259 If I think we would be honest, living in an area like we live in, sometimes it's hard to 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:34.100 be bold in what we believe in. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.460 Anyone know what I'm talking about? 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.180 Don't worry. 00:21:36.300 --> 00:21:38.160 There's no, this is a judgment-free zone. 00:21:39.340 --> 00:21:40.720 Anyone know what I'm talking about? 00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:41.000 Right? 00:21:41.060 --> 00:21:46.680 It's hard to truly stand firmly in what we believe when everything is attacking it. 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:51.080 And so this is what I believe God is wanting me to say to you today, which is this. 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:53.120 He did not place you in your jobs. 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.720 He didn't place you in your neighborhood. 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:59.460 He didn't place you in the city of Berkeley by chance. 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.759 He didn't. 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:08.640 And I think that sometimes we place our jobs and our ministry in separate areas. 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:14.160 And I believe today that if we will realize that God has actually created you in your area 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:19.480 of work on purpose for purpose, that there are miraculous things that he wants to do in 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.860 your areas of influence. 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:26.820 And the most miraculous is when one of your friends comes up to you and says, man, I know 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:29.660 that, man, you've been praying and I know that you're a believer. 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:32.820 And right now, my mom is sick. 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:37.019 And I don't know what's going to happen with her, but I know you pray. 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:37.720 Would you pray? 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:41.259 Has anyone ever had a circumstance like that where you've got a friend who's far from God, 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:46.759 but something happens in their life and they come to you because they know that you are 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.200 a believer. 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:53.119 And I believe that that is the, right there is the opportunity where you can help someone 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:56.220 rethink their preconceived notions about faith. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:59.039 I believe that that's one of the greatest miracles. 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:05.819 And what I want to do for just a moment is I just want to look at why the Holy Spirit is 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.079 here. 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:09.039 Real quick, I'm going to go through three passages of scripture. 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:11.500 And so the first one is John 14, 15 through 16. 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:16.639 And Jesus says this, if you love me, keep my commandments and I will ask the father and 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:25.399 he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever with the spirit 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.920 of truth. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:33.119 John 16, 17 says this, but in fact, it is best for you that I go away because I don't, 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:35.680 because if I don't, the advocate won't come. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:40.039 If I do go away that I will send him to you. 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:41.360 John 16, 17. 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:45.019 And the last verse I want to read is in Acts 1 through 8. 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:51.100 And it says this, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:56.660 will be my witnesses telling people about me everywhere in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, 00:23:56.740 --> 00:24:00.279 and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:03.539 I believe that God sent the Holy Spirit, yes, to be our advocate. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:08.220 But what we see here in Acts chapter 1, 8, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:16.399 you see that Peter in the next chapter preaches and over 3,000 people get saved. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:21.160 And so what I like to encourage people with is the fact that one of the greatest miracles 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:26.339 that the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through you is to utilize your life to bring someone 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.039 to Jesus. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.899 Would you agree? 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:31.279 To utilize your life to bring someone to Jesus. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:35.539 And so as we move through here, I want to answer this question as we are going to be coming 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.500 close to our closes. 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:41.899 What will stop us from using our influence to build God's kingdom? 00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:48.480 I want you to think about that today is what will stop you specifically from utilizing your 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:51.019 influence to build God's kingdom? 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:56.700 And so I want to connect a verse of scripture that's found in Genesis 11, 1 through 4. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.599 And this is what it says. 00:24:57.680 --> 00:25:02.519 At one time, all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:09.220 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylon and settled there. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:14.680 They began saying to each other, let's make bricks and harden them with fire. 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:20.460 In this region, bricks were used instead of stone and tar was used for mortar. 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:29.240 Then they said, come, let us build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.240 into the sky. 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:36.759 This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world. 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:46.019 One of the biggest issues that I see in scripture, and I think we'd all agree, is that pride destroys 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.639 a nation all the time. 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.660 And a person. 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:57.360 And so what is the very thing that will stop us from building God's kingdom and utilizing 00:25:57.360 --> 00:26:00.279 our influence for it will be our own pride. 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:06.800 And so what you know about this passage of scripture is the world had fell into the same trap generations 00:26:06.800 --> 00:26:07.779 of generations. 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:13.960 Far from the original garden, these cities represented arrogance, tyranny, and wickedness. 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:19.360 This world was the world's hub for human pride and idolatry. 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:24.380 They were wanting to make a name for themselves. 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:27.360 They were wanting to make a name for themselves. 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:35.380 The builders sought fame through idolatrous ambition, but God chose to give Abram a famous name because 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:37.500 of his humble obedience. 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:47.960 Today, what will stop us from utilizing our influence to build God's kingdom is being okay with building our own kingdom over God's. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:52.640 Being okay with building our own kingdom over God's. 00:26:52.640 --> 00:27:03.460 What I love about Acts, as Paul is preaching boldly, and you're seeing the miraculous happen, is that he chose to build God's kingdom over his own name. 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:09.680 You'll see in scripture where Paul says, man, I've done all of these great things, but none of that matters with the knowledge of knowing Jesus. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:15.900 And I believe that God wants to do miracles in your own lives to see people's lives transformed. 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:22.759 But the greatest thing that's going to get in the way of that is us choosing to build our kingdom over God's kingdom. 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:28.660 Choosing to make our names famous over God's name. 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.000 It's so interesting. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:35.779 The Holy Spirit speaks to me in different places, in sometimes weird places. 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:37.240 I'm going to come down off the podium again. 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:40.259 Anyone like movies? 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.440 Yeah? 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.259 Okay, great. 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:44.299 We're okay with movies at Christ Church. 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:45.599 Just wanted to make sure. 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.339 I wanted to be clear. 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:46.980 I wanted to be clear. 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:52.039 Because I told him I want to honor and be mindful of the space that I'm speaking. 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.740 Has anyone heard of the movie Creed 2? 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:55.980 Yeah? 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.559 Okay. 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.880 Has anyone watched that movie? 00:27:58.380 --> 00:28:00.960 It's like some people are like, yes, yes, yes. 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.839 Andrew's not looking. 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.299 Look for it. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:03.680 Look for it. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:03.779 No. 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.099 Yeah, so I watched that movie. 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:08.039 I was with my wife and we were in Danville. 00:28:08.179 --> 00:28:11.599 So I was an executive pastor of a multi-site church in the East Bay. 00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:14.139 And we're coming out of this movie Creed 2. 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.559 I thought it was a really good movie. 00:28:16.719 --> 00:28:20.379 And my wife has given the, I enjoyed it. 00:28:20.699 --> 00:28:21.799 And we're coming out of the movie. 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.799 And babe, I don't know if you remember this. 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.599 We're coming out of the movie. 00:28:23.899 --> 00:28:28.799 And as I'm leaving the movie, I just feel God stop me and challenge my heart. 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.579 And my wife will tell you. 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:32.299 I literally said, babe, I need you to stand over there. 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:35.159 I need to get my phone out because God is speaking to me. 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:44.240 And at that moment, as God is speaking to me, he makes this statement that has crushed me and also has challenged me. 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:48.359 And the statement was, you're more prideful than you think. 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:56.039 Isn't it hard when the Lord speaks to you and you're like, ooh, you know, it just kind of gets you on the inside. 00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:59.240 He said, you're more prideful than you think. 00:28:59.719 --> 00:29:03.379 And I remember as I was walking there, my wife will tell you, it was like 10 minutes. 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:07.379 And I'm just writing down and journaling because I thought, man, I'm humble. 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.199 Anyone ever thought that? 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.119 Man, I'm humble. 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:12.459 And God was challenging me there. 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:30.839 And I remember as I was writing and praying and thinking, and what God was challenging me with was this understanding that you're the only hindrance to the great things I want to do in your life is your own pride. 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:31.779 Right? 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:37.119 Because what we do, I think, in life, and I don't know if you've ever done this, anyone ever traveled before? 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:38.940 I know there's been a pandemic. 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.960 Anyone recently? 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:40.519 Right? 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:43.059 So you travel and what do you bring with you? 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.019 Suitcase. 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.119 Right? 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:47.660 Some luggage. 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:59.079 And I think there, and God was saying to me, is there are times in my life where I've put things in my God suitcase that I said, this is for God's glory. 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:04.240 And what I had to realize it was that it was actually to build my own name. 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.259 Right? 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:11.500 You ever do something that you think you're saying, hey, this is for God, but it's actually to make yourself look good. 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.720 Anyone ever been there? 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.319 Come on, right? 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.559 Thank you for the hand. 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:23.740 And so I remember as I'm writing and listing, and he's just like, man, like there are things that I have said this is for God. 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:27.880 But then realizing it's actually has not been for God, it's been for myself. 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:31.140 And God is like, you're more prideful than you think. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:41.200 And so as we think about God wanting to utilize our influence, right, the places of work in ministry, in business, in careers that he's placed us, 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:44.140 the very thing that hinders that is our own pride. 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:52.840 Because what we're looking at is how do we make a name for ourselves and not realizing that God's actually placed you in this job and career to make a name for him. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:54.740 Right? 00:30:55.560 --> 00:31:06.780 And so God is saying that the very thing that will hinder the miraculous, right, you look at Paul and you see that, okay, there was a handkerchief that touched his body and people's lives were healed. 00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:09.240 That's just what God did for Paul in that moment. 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:14.000 But the miraculous thing that God wants to do in your life today could be that. 00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:19.740 But I know for sure it is that he wants to utilize you to impact your friends. 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:25.119 He wants to utilize you to impact the areas of influence that he placed you in. 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:34.799 And he's not asking you to stand on a podium and declare and proclaim because the greatest proclamation of our faith in God is how we live our lives. 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.079 Amen? 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.139 Amen. 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:46.279 And so as we are coming close to our close, do you guys do like keyboard while like near the end of the message? 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:55.359 Or I don't know if you guys do that at all, but if you did and you're okay with playing, I mean, is he not like the greatest piano on the planet or something? 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.079 Come on. 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:05.680 It's funny, it's a side note, wasn't in my notes, but I walked in today and you never know what type of music you're going to get when you show up somewhere. 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:09.920 And I came in and he was just, can I say this? 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.120 He was getting it. 00:32:12.860 --> 00:32:16.019 And so, so good, Pastor Eric. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:23.879 Here's one of the hardest questions that I deal with in my life. 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:26.180 And I still have to ask myself this. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:28.660 And I don't know if I really have a good answer. 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:30.139 I think I have a good answer. 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:34.100 Do you ever feel like you think you're better than what you are and then you're like, ew, you're not there yet. 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:37.820 And so, here's the hard question that God asked me is this. 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:45.839 If no one knows your name, but I served God faithfully and had a great family, would that be enough? 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:53.399 If no one knew my name, if no one understood what we were doing and no one was like, oh, this is great. 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:56.879 And no one knew my name, but God knew me and I was just faithful with my husband. 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:57.899 I mean, my husband. 00:32:57.900 --> 00:33:01.320 We are in Berkeley, but my wife, I have a wife. 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:01.800 She's there. 00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:08.519 With my wife, faithful with my children, would that be enough? 00:33:10.040 --> 00:33:12.600 And it'd be easy to start by saying, yes, that's okay, right? 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:20.240 And your job's, like if no one knew your name and your job, if you never rose to be the VP or the CEO or you never got a raise, 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:24.720 but people just knew that you were faithfully serving God, would that be okay? 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:27.519 And I think we could all agree that that's a hard yes. 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:30.200 I mean, like hard to say yes, right? 00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:32.060 It's hard to say yes. 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:38.900 So as we get ready to close, I want you to know that Jesus wants to use you to build his church. 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.259 Would we all agree with that? 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:42.540 Jesus wants you to build his church. 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:45.540 As you look at this passage in Acts, you can go through that entire chapter. 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:47.040 I'd encourage you to read it this week. 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:53.120 There are so many crazy, amazing things that are in that passage and maybe some freaky things, right? 00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:56.400 Some things that you're like, yeah, like that's hard for me to grasp, 00:33:56.400 --> 00:34:00.280 but I would encourage you with this, that the foundation is true. 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:04.500 God's heart is to be in relationship with people. 00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:04.960 Amen? 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:08.840 I like to tell people that there are two reasons why you exist. 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:09.880 Just two. 00:34:10.200 --> 00:34:13.639 In the midst of a world where people are trying to figure out what, why am I here? 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:14.519 What is my existence? 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:18.539 I would encourage you that there are only two reasons why you exist. 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:24.440 Number one, you exist to be in relationship with Jesus, right? 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:29.039 If you read the Bible, he created, if we believe in the word, he created us for community and 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.559 relationship. 00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:30.659 So that's number one. 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:33.039 And number two is similar. 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:38.179 He's created you to help others get in relationship with him. 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:43.159 Now that's not to downgrade or downplay your influence in your jobs or your careers. 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:47.460 Maybe I'm sure in this room, some of you are doing phenomenal things to impact this world, 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:51.719 but I would encourage you that the greatest thing that God wants to utilize your life for 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:56.119 is to help people go from lost to found, right? 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.779 Look at the life of Jesus. 00:34:57.940 --> 00:35:02.399 All the miracles that he did was only to help people to go from lost to found. 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:05.179 Everyone say lost to found. 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.139 That's it. 00:35:06.339 --> 00:35:07.099 That's what he wants. 00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:11.000 And everything that he's allowed you to do, all, I mean, some of you guys are probably 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:16.659 students here, some of you guys are running companies, and you're doing phenomenal things. 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:21.000 But your influence has been given to you by God. 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.579 Do you agree? 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:25.760 Your influence has been given to you by God. 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:31.079 And he wants you to utilize your influence to build his kingdom. 00:35:31.739 --> 00:35:33.780 So Jesus wants to use us to build a church. 00:35:33.780 --> 00:35:38.620 For some odd reason, God's plan for his church is you. 00:35:39.780 --> 00:35:40.480 For some reason. 00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:46.200 For some reason, he doesn't want to show up with blaze of glory and do all these miraculous 00:35:46.200 --> 00:35:50.000 things in our world to help people come to know and just, like, wouldn't that be easier 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:52.880 if God just showed up and said, hey, peekaboo, here I am. 00:35:53.680 --> 00:35:54.100 Right? 00:35:54.160 --> 00:35:56.800 That would be the easiest thing for him to do. 00:35:56.800 --> 00:36:03.500 But for some odd reason, the greatest thing that God wants to use is you. 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:07.420 And I like to say, and I apologize, crusty, stinky me. 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:08.500 Right? 00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:11.780 I'm imperfect, but God wants to use me. 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:13.160 You're imperfect. 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:15.880 If you think you're not, look it to your neighbor and ask them. 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:16.519 Okay? 00:36:17.820 --> 00:36:22.560 You are imperfect, but God wants to use you. 00:36:23.640 --> 00:36:24.640 He chose you. 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:25.539 Yes, you. 00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:27.119 He chose you. 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:31.719 The places that you're in right now are not by happenstance. 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.039 It's not. 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:36.759 If you're in here and you're in college, it's not by happenstance. 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:40.320 Or high school, like wherever you are at, it's not by happenstance. 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.599 It is for a reason. 00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:47.739 So the question you have to ask yourself today is, whose kingdom are you going to build? 00:36:48.380 --> 00:36:50.179 As you look at the Babylonians, right? 00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:53.900 And they built this huge tower of Babel, right? 00:36:53.900 --> 00:36:58.760 Because they wanted to proclaim and uplift their own names. 00:36:58.840 --> 00:37:02.280 It was the biggest prideful thing that can be done. 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:05.240 But is it not true that we do the same things? 00:37:05.740 --> 00:37:05.920 Right? 00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:10.039 Our lives that we build are for ourselves. 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:14.440 And God is saying, I've given you your influence for a reason. 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:29.820 I'd ask you today if your life, if your pride, maybe ambitions, maybe selfishness is hindering God's work, 00:37:30.300 --> 00:37:33.840 what are you willing to do to make a change? 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:41.079 God's kingdom is dependent on both church and the marketplace. 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.660 It is. 00:37:42.720 --> 00:37:45.740 As you look throughout scripture, most of the miracles happened in the marketplace. 00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:51.220 It happens at coffee houses. 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.460 God wants to do miraculous. 00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:53.200 I like Pete's. 00:37:53.240 --> 00:37:53.900 Any Pete's people? 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.059 Yes? 00:37:55.180 --> 00:37:55.300 No? 00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:57.039 If you're Starbucks, you got to leave now. 00:37:57.039 --> 00:37:59.380 We're in Berkeley. 00:37:59.900 --> 00:38:00.739 Pete's was, okay, no. 00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:08.019 God wants to do a work in the first Pete's coffee shop that's down the street here. 00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:10.099 Maybe you frequent there. 00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:13.980 The grocery stores that you buy your food in. 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:17.679 He wants to utilize your influence to impact that area of influence. 00:38:18.219 --> 00:38:19.880 The law office that you work in. 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:21.559 The school, your career, the government. 00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:24.139 Chick-fil-A, if you're like me, because I love Chick-fil-A. 00:38:24.139 --> 00:38:31.639 If you're a teacher or a business owner, a barista, superintendent, president, government, lawyer, 00:38:31.779 --> 00:38:36.139 wherever you are, God wants to utilize your influence to build your kingdom. 00:38:38.239 --> 00:38:39.559 Come on, are you supposed to say no there? 00:38:41.119 --> 00:38:45.239 No, God wants to utilize your influence to build his kingdom. 00:38:46.179 --> 00:38:48.839 Every good and perfect gift comes from where? 00:38:49.900 --> 00:38:50.420 God. 00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:52.619 I'd encourage you today, don't forget it. 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:56.839 Today, I would encourage you as we close, crucify your wants and your desires. 00:38:57.719 --> 00:38:58.779 Pursue God daily. 00:38:59.799 --> 00:39:06.960 Daily consume the word of God and consistently utilize your influence to build his kingdom. 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:08.199 Why don't you pray with me? 00:39:08.799 --> 00:39:10.239 God, I thank you for today. 00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:15.039 God, I am so thankful that you are patient with us. 00:39:15.039 --> 00:39:21.179 God, I'm so thankful that you are not condemning of us, as Romans 8 says, 00:39:21.239 --> 00:39:24.759 that there's now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:32.259 But I love the fact that you're constantly and consistently inviting us to be better. 00:39:32.679 --> 00:39:36.320 So today, as you invite us to utilize our influence to build your kingdom, 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:42.059 I pray that you give us eyes to see and ears to hear all the things you want to show us and speak to us. 00:39:42.059 --> 00:39:43.500 It's in Jesus' name. 00:39:44.039 --> 00:39:44.279 Amen.