Romans 12 | Jerry Harris

Well, hello, crossing church. How are you doing this?

Fine. Day It is so good to see you in

the House of the. Lord with the people of the

Lord, and it's going to. Have an impact on your whole.

Week The fact that you've. Been here, that you've invested

this time, God is going to redeem that time and he is going

to. Just bless you with it, fill you

up with good things, because that's just the way.

He is. And man, I'm thankful to be

here. With you.

Be able to speak to you. From God's word particularly.

Romans before I do that. Last year, Allison and I did a

marriage retreat. And I think we did.

Three in the fall and we did three in the spring and they

were full and so we're doing three more this.

Fall and if you'd like to be a part of that now.

Listen, if you've been married a few months, it's great.

If you've been married 40 years, it's.

Great, because you need tools like we don't want to.

Just a good marriage. We don't even want a great

marriage. You want, like, the very best

marriage that we can? Have and that's what you need.

You need. Good practical tools to be able

to. Experience that and time with.

Each other to explore. That and there's always room for

improvement. Just ask my wife.

There's plenty of room for improvement and.

And we would really enjoy. I don't know.

OK. That it will.

Stop that right now. It was listening.

To me and recording me this kind of weird.

What's going on? With technology today, and if

you're worried about it being at a camp, don't.

Because our marriage. Retreat center is second to

none. I mean, it's like a Marriott.

It's very, very. Nice and you'll really.

Enjoy it. We have great food.

We don't want anything to distract you from what God will

be. Doing in your.

Life so and in your. So really want to encourage you.

To do that you just get on the Q.

R code. That at all of our locations

that'd be probably. Where in front of you.

Where your the chairs are. Just scan that and it'll.

Tell you the dates. And get signed up for it.

Why I'm saying that I want to welcome.

All of us that are joining from all eleven of our locations,

we're so thankful for you if you're inside or online.

We're thankful for you as well, and we can be.

One body in Christ, now Romans, is an.

Incredible book, isn't it? I mean, it's incredible.

It's deep. It's strong.

It's. Strong medicine.

It's red meat for the soul, I mean.

Really, really important stuff. There to understand the

mysteries of God and they they're revealed in the book of

Romans and and up to this. Point We've been learning a lot.

God's been. Revealing a lot.

We've been learning a lot, but there's going to come a time,

and that time begins in Romans 12.

Where there needs. To be a response.

We know this about God, that he always initiates.

He's always the one who takes. The first step, or maybe a lot

of first steps, but he never does that.

Without looking for a response, A love response.

The I love you, too. He's always the one.

Who initiates but then he? Wants us to respond to him and

Romans. 12 spells. Out that response you remember.

When Jesus was. Was teaching in the Sermon on

the Mount, and it's in Matthew 5-6 and seven against the very

end of that compelling sermon. And he says a person who

listens. To my words and puts them into.

Practice will be like. Someone who builds his house on

a rock and then he says a person who hears my words and does not

put them into practice. Will be like someone who.

Builds his house on the sand, and then he talks.

About the results of that. And so.

Jesus himself is saying it's not just about.

What you learn not just to hear these words of his.

But then to put. Them into practice.

You need to put them into practice.

And so that's what we're going to.

Do, and there's three ways we're going to do it.

So the 1st way we put God's. Words into practice is

vertically it's we need to understand where we are in our

relationship to God and how we relate to Him.

And what is expectations? Are vertically in this

relationship. Then we want to move.

From that to horizontally to the people around us.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ, the people of the world.

Who don't know Jesus Christ? How do we relate to people?

Horizontally and then thirdly the. 3rd way we're going to.

Look is inwardly and this is the hardest one.

None of us really want to do that.

We don't really want to look inwardly.

We don't want to know that. Truth, but in Romans 12, all

three of those. Things are going to become

apparent to us. So we're going to begin.

With upward and to do. That let's go to.

Romans chapter 12 and we're going to read verses one and

Romans 12 · chapter mention

two. This is what it says.

Therefore I urge you, brothers. And sisters in view of God's.

Remember that phrase in view of God's mercy to offer your.

Bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

This is your true and. Proper worship do not conform to

the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing

of your mind. Then you will be able to test

and. Approve what God's will is his

good, pleasing and. Perfect, Will.

Now there's a lot in those two verses, two small verses, but so

much there. So the first thing that we're

that I see. That jumps out to me.

Off the page is that I'm. Supposed to be a living.

Now there's something I know about.

Sacrifices biblically, like when you talk about a.

Sacrifice in the Bible that usually involves.

What death. That's exactly right.

I heard it. Death.

It involves death like. Oh, great, you know.

I'm supposed to be a sacrifice. Aren't you glad he put?

That other word in. Front of it.

Like living sacrifice. Does that really make sense?

Yeah, it's almost like an. How I become?

A living sacrifice. Well, Paul in one of his letters

explained that he said I am crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I. Who live but Christ.

Who lives in me and the life I now live in the flesh I.

Live to God Who? Loved me and gave himself for

me. So.

That's what I'm. Supposed to do a living

sacrifice is taking. Is a person taking their own

hopes, dreams? Desires, and they're laying

them. Aside so that they can

concentrate on the things that. God wants for them and the

things that God's leading them to, and that is always A.

Good trade, because that's God's upper story and the upper.

Story is an incredible. It's the lower story.

Where all of the. Problems and the pain and the

challenges are and that's where we're making our own decisions,

so I want to. Be a living sacrifice.

And then it says that. Phrase in view of God's mercy.

Have you viewed God's mercy like the 1st 11 chapters of Romans

Really helps us to view. God's mercy.

Like, maybe it should be a question like mercy for what?

What do I need mercy for? Well, by the way.

That's a really long list, and going through the first part of

Hebrews, you begin to get a. Flavor of it, and I'll just give

you a few right Like you need mercy for being so sinful for

being without. Excuse have mercy God for

trading God in for shameful things.

I've done that. And you've done that for

approving of others who do. Those things I've done that for

condemning others we think we're.

Better than when we do the very same things they do for being

stubborn, for being unrepentant, for falling short, for boasting.

When I really. Have nothing to boast about for

not caring about what? Jesus did for me for being just

another part of the problem for acting like slaves to sin.

Even when we've been delivered from that slavery for knowing

it's wrong, when I do wrong things and still doing them for

being so inconsistent and realizing that.

All of us are in the same boat, and that judgment is coming.

Do I need mercy in view of? Do I need?

It yes, I need it, and so do you.

I mean, think about this. I'm up here standing behind a

pulpit, looking so important, talking to thousands of people.

And I'm dealing with the very same stuff you're.

Dealing with I'm as inconsistent as you are, we're all just

broken, and we need somebody to give us mercy.

All of us do. So what does this Mercy look

like? Well, that's a longer list.

It might be a long list of all the things I'm guilty of.

All the things that I do that I or or I fail to do, but this is

a better list. This is what it looks like.

It looks like God taking. The initiative to repair the

broken relationship with Jesus even.

When I didn't care. Do you know what I call that?

Good news everybody. Say that with me, will you?

Good news? Oh.

Yeah, we need some of that, right?

It looks like we can live in a but.

Now reality, do you remember that from earlier in?

Romans like I was this and I was this and I was, but now I'm

this. You know, like the the old hymn

I was, I once was. Blind but now.

I see. Yeah.

I. Live in a but now reality?

That's awesome. It it it it that's.

Good news, it looks like Jesus gives us this grace for free and

redeems us we have. Nothing to return to him.

That's good news. It looks like Jesus has opened

the gates of grace to literally everybody.

Everybody. Can receive his grace, that's.

Good news, it looks. Like Jesus paid it.

All can I get a? That's good news.

Wow, looks like we have peace. With God.

Good news, it looks like we're safe from God's wrath.

Good news, It looks like through Jesus we have more grace than we

will ever. Need good news?

Looks like my condemnation is. That I I've been given abundant

life. That I'm adopted into God's.

Family, that I'm his child, that God's going to work everything

out. That he has a plan and I'm part

of that. Plan that I've been predestined

and called. And justified and will be

glorified. And who can be against me?

And who can separate me? And death holds no sway on me,

and hardship cannot defeat me. And there's no created thing

that can separate me from God's love because of Jesus.

That is good news. Is that news everybody?

Needs to know. Is that news that everybody

needs to embrace? Certainly that's just verse.

One people, that is verse, one verse.

Two says no longer conform yourself to the pattern of this

world. But be transformed by the

renewing of your mind, not confirmation conformation.

And we all want people to like us, right?

Nobody wants people not to. Like us.

And so there's this natural desire inside of.

All of us to be conformed to. Be like everybody else so that

everybody else feels. Comfortable around us, But the

Apostle Paul says no, don't be conformed.

To the pattern of this. Don't be like everybody else in

the world instead. Be transformed by the renewing

of your mind and. The way that that is.

Designed in its original language and we.

Also see it in the English language is really powerful

because there is. Nobody listening to my voice

right now that has the power to transform no one.

We live in a world. Today, where everybody's trying

to transform but there is nobody that can do that on their own.

There's only one person who has this power.

And that is. God Himself through the Holy

Spirit and that's why the. Grammar of the sentence is so

important, it says be transformed by the renewing of

your mind, which means you. Can't do this by yourself, but

that's okay. Because the one who has the.

Power to transform is in you and he will accomplish it so even

though I fall so far short vertically.

With God I. Have this knowledge in this

promise that because the Holy Spirit is living in me, because

He's living in you. Is that I know that.

He can do this. Work in me of transformation and

my mind can be different. It can be renewed.

And then it talks about proving what God's will is, His good

perfect will. And you know what this is?

This Is Us. Coming into alignment with the

upper story. This Is Us saying I'm not going

to. Live down here in this lower

story anymore. I'm going to keep my eyes.

Up and I'm going to look at the. Upper story, because that's

where all the good things are, that's where.

God is. I'm coming into alignment with

that upper. Story So this.

Is how I fight my battles. This is how I worship.

This is how I prove who he is. That's my.

Vertical relationship, but then it moves.

From there to outwardly or horizontally.

So you move from the. Vertical to the horizontal so.

If all that's going on vertically, how does that affect

my outward reality? You remember when Jesus?

Was asked by a lawyer. What's the greatest commandment?

And this is what he said. He said to love the Lord your

God with all your heart. Soul, mind and strength.

And the second is like unto it, which means it's really kind of

1A and 1B to love your neighbor as.

Yourself, right? Means those two things can't

really be. They go together.

How can I love God? And not love my neighbor.

How can I love my neighbor adequately without being

empowered? With a love for God.

And from God. Both of those things were

together. As a matter of fact, Jesus said

all of the law and all of the prophets are summed up.

In this one statement, well, that's pretty powerful.

So how do I do that? How do I accomplish?

That well? It's in the third verse.

Let's read it together. It says for by the grace given.

Me, I say to everyone of you, do not think of yourself more

highly than you ought, but rather think of.

Yourself with sober judgment in accordance.

With the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Now that's just a nice way of saying you need humility.

I need humility. Don't think more.

Highly of yourself than you ought, but with sober.

That's humility. And that's where our outward.

Relationships really need to begin with an attitude of

humility. I have to have humility to

understand that I am just a part of God's.

Incredible plan to bring his. Lost children home Now I fit

into. That plan.

And you fit into that plan, but you aren't the whole plan and I

think sometimes. We kind of get this in our head

that we are the. We're the whole plan.

No, we're just. Part of that.

Whole plan Now this is a great weekend for Allison and I

because. This weekend we're celebrating

our. 25th anniversary this. Weekend of being at the

Crossing. This is exactly 25.

Years this weekend. Praise God for that.

And when we came here and those who were.

Here at that time can attest to this we.

Had no idea what. God was up to and we had no idea

how we would fit into that. But you and I and others that

have gone before us, we have witnessed incredible things that

only God. Could do and the beautiful.

Thing is. That he would do all.

Those things. And choose us.

To be a part to take us along. With him to experience that

wonderful ride, let me just tell.

You how wonderful it is. I was doing some numbers on

Monday at home and since 2000 and. 6:00 So we.

Came in 1998. That's 25 years in August.

The 90. 8 and. I don't have the numbers from

9899, 2002, 1001, two. 3-4 and five but from 2006 till.

The end of 2022, we've baptized 10,000 people. 10,000 people.

Not just OK, how'd that happen? How in the world did that

happen? Because, you know you're not

that good. And I'm not.

That good? And this church is not that

good. I mean, we're all a bunch of

messed up people, right? How in the world could that

number, and it's actually a larger?

Number than that, how could that even be true?

Do you think for one minute that any of us should get any credit

for a number like that? Absolutely not.

There were countless listen opportunities, relationships,

conversations, circumstances, ministries and the roads that

God had plowed for years that people have been praying for for

years to make that happen. But it was everyone.

Operating as the body of Christ doing their part.

Amen. And ultimately, it was all Jesus

and Jesus only who should receive the glory.

But we are His body and he works through us.

That's what it says in verses 4 to 8.

For just as each of us has. One body with many members, and

these members do not all have the same functions.

So in Christ. We though many form one body and

each member belongs to all the others.

We have different gifts according to the.

Grace given to each of us. And if your gift is prophesying,

then prophesy in accordance with your faith.

If it is serving then serve. It if it is teaching, then teach

if it is to encourage. Then give encouragement.

If it is giving, then give generously.

If it is to lead, do it diligently.

If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

That's how it works. You see, this is what.

We were meant for this is what we were designed.

And listen to me here we. Not only belong to God, we

belong to each other, and we are empowered by God to accomplish

far more. Together than we could ever.

Accomplish apart. That's one of the core.

Values at the at the crossing to understand.

That we always accomplish more together than we could.

Ever accomplish apart. Now I know that there are people

who don't think that they need to be part of a body.

Or a church to be what God wants.

Them to be. But listen to me, they're wrong.

And I know what how some people can get spun out because of.

Quote UN quote the Church. But listen, the problem with

churches isn't the church. The problem with churches are

the people in them, and you're one of them, right?

Because the church is full of messed up people.

And you're a messed up person and everybody else is a messed

up person and we get frustrated with messed up people.

I don't know why, because we're you're messed up.

We're all messed up people and we go, I don't like that church

because you know. It it didn't do anything.

They did right. But hey, you're in the same

thing. You've done the same thing.

I've done the same thing. We need each other.

We operate as a. Body because you're let.

Me Tell you something, I'm 63 years old.

Is everything in total. Cooperation right now in my

body. The short answer to that is no.

I was talking to Clayton. Last week.

And he goes, man, this being over 40, I go, you don't know.

Anything, man. Dude.

Yeah, it doesn't mean the whole body is always cooperating like

it ought to, but we were designed to operate as a body

together. Do we?

Do we? Have that inside of us, you see,

John said. We can't say we love God who.

We've never seen unless we love the people around us whom we

have seen so. There has to be this horizontal

and the horizontal. Empowers the vertical, and the

vertical empowers the horizontal.

But now we get to the final one, and it's the one I'm kind of

dreading, and that's the inward one, because the Holy Spirit,

through the words of Paul, places us.

In front of the mirror and says it's time to look inward.

I don't know about you, but mirrors are my enemy.

Are mirrors your enemy? I have a full length.

Mirror In our bedroom we have a full length mirror I.

Avoid it, I avoid. That mirror like like there was

a time I would look in the mirror and I go okay and now I

only want to look there. What is the problem with looking

in the mirror? But what it's?

Something inside your brain. Something inside my brain.

Is it true that when you look in the mirror, what you?

See are all the things that are wrong.

That's why we don't want to look in the mirror.

At least that's why I don't want to, because I don't want to be

reminded of all the things. That are wrong and we live.

In this society today where it's like, well, you got your.

And I've got my truth. But.

You know what the mirror does? It's just the truth.

But the mirror? Is not the worst thing that's in

your house. There's something worse that's

more against you than your mirror, and that is the scales.

Amen. The scales are way way.

Worse than the mirror, How many of you?

How many of you have? Scales at home.

But then when you go to the doctor's office, you always

weigh more at the doctor's office that you do on your

scales at home. What is wrong?

It's terrible. I was.

Just at the doctor. Not too long.

Ago and they had these scales and it was like, it wasn't like.

Scales normally I guess. It's for like some people would

be in a wheelchair that could get up there on scales, but it

was like. A truck is it was like going to

the to the weigh station, you know, it's like.

Really. Like literally like should I

should I should I do this backward?

And go beep beep beep. So I got on the scale.

And you know, it's like. It's like it's reading your

fortune, you know? It's like this thing.

You're just waiting, you know? It's doing this like, blinkly.

Blinkly blink and then it's going to tell you the truth.

The truth. You don't want to deal with.

And then? And then it told me the truth.

But listen, this was the scale was incredible.

It was in kilos. And I don't know how to convert

kilos into pounds. And I saw the number.

And I go I haven't weighed that little since junior high.

This is great. That's absolutely true.

I don't like that but. You know that's the reality, so

you get to verse. Nine in Romans 12, and he starts

hitting you with the truth. Hitting me with the truth.

And every one of these. Is worse than the scales.

Every one of these is worse than a mirror. 1st when he says his

love must be sincere, must be. I mean, we throw that.

Word love around a lot, don't we?

Well, I love that and I love this.

And Oh yeah, I love those people.

Are those people? Yeah.

But is it? Sincere man.

A lot of times I'll throw that word around and I'm not being

sincere with it at all. I bet that's the truth with you

as well. Then it says hate what is evil

You. Know, there's a lot of times I

don't necessarily hate. Maybe I just don't.

Maybe I dislike it, but I don't. I mean, it's a strong word.

Like it? Maybe I don't even have, like,

an opinion. Maybe I just tolerate it.

Maybe I'm actually kind of leaning into things like that.

Evil things, it says. Cling to what is good.

We live in a society. Today that makes makes fun of

what is good. Am I clean to it?

Am I throwing my arms around and say I'm not going?

To let go. Of the things that are good,

it's just be devoted to one another in love.

Well, you know, devoted. That's a strong word.

Would I? Would I say I'm devoted to

others? With my love.

Just honor one others above yourselves.

Do I do that? Do I do?

That all the time never be lacking in zeal, but keep your

spiritual fervor. Do I ever lack passion for God?

Do you? Are you phoning it in sometimes

like I do. Then it says, Am I joyful in

hope? If that's true, somebody needs

to tell my face that, because sometimes I don't look very

joyful and I don't look very hopeful a lot of times.

Actually, am I patient in affliction or am I saying?

God, why is this happening to me?

Am I faithful in prayer? Am I generous with those who are

in need? Is my home open and available?

My practicing hospitality? Do I return blessing when I'm

attacked? Do I match emotions with others?

But do I weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who

rejoice? OK, stop.

I just need to stop. There's more on that list, but I

just need to stop because the truth is I'm.

Failing at every single one of these things, and I bet you are.

But then I remember Romans chapter 3 where Paul said for

Romans 3 · chapter mention

all have. Sinned and fall short of the

glory of God. Past tense all have sinned, you

know and fall short. Present tense, present active,

indicative. Right now, listen, I'm up here.

I'm preaching to you. Right out of the word of God and

hold it. Right here.

And read it right out of the book.

And I'm falling short. Even as I do this right now, I'm

falling short. And you?

Certainly are where you are. Right now we are all falling

short. And The thing is, God knows that

about you. And that's.

The thing about the love of God. Is that he knows who you are and

still loves you anyway, but he loves you enough to not leave

you that way. That he will challenge you.

He will put you in front of the. Mirror and he'll say, Come on

now, take. A hard look at yourself what

needs to. Happen and you know it.

You know, we come to decision times at the crossing and we.

Pray and and that's still. Small voice starts talking to

you, right? Like, how about this?

We need to do something with this.

Let's, let's let's. Work on this one today, because

that's God. Loving you and.

He's loving me that. Way and it shows me.

I need his mercy. I can't get by without both.

I still need his mercy, and I desperately need his.

His mercy and His grace. Now the.

Chapter ends with Romans 12/21 and it says do not be overcome

by evil but overcome evil with good.

So I get on my Twitter feed and I start reading.

And it's. Showing me a picture of the

state of the world. State of America, State of

Politics, State of basically everything.

And and what do I see? I just see evil.

I just see. Evil and more evil and more

evil. Do you see that?

And then it affects me. Affects my attitude.

It affects me, affects my. Affects my outlook.

Takes away my joy. Reigns on My hope, right?

What does it say there? Do not be overcome by evil.

I'm blowing it right there. Maybe I should just shut that

feed off? I'm blowing it right there, but

then it says what I should. Do instead of letting evil.

Overcome me, I should overcome evil with good.

How do I do that? There's so much evil in this

world, God. How do I do that?

You know when we band together as brothers and sisters in

Christ, and then we reach. Out into our communities, reach

out into our relationships, family.

And friends. And we start talking about

Jesus. We start talking about life.

You realize what's happening, don't you?

You're overcoming evil with good.

You may remember the story of the rich young ruler that came

to Jesus. And he.

And when he approached him, he said, good master.

And then Jesus stopped him right there, and he goes, Why do you

call me? There's no one good but God

alone. What he was actually saying was

what? Yeah, you're right.

I am good and it and it's because I'm God.

Is there anything that can turn evil away, that can dispel the

darkness, that can break the whole that?

Satan has on this world, but a world hearing the good news of

who Jesus is. And then that.

Way evil is overcome with good. And that's a message you've got.

And that's a message that I've got today.

Yeah, I I failed this miserably but.

Listen to me, Jesus doesn't. He's never has and he never

will. He was so good that he was able

to come overcome all evil. In one event, in one moment.

Jesus put death to sin. And and and to death itself.

And brought life to all who would receive him by faith.

And he turned a world full of failures into a family of

conquerors. Now there's a lot of evil to.

Overcome in this world with good and that means there's lots of

work to do. And God needs his body working

together more. Now than ever before, let me ask

you a question. You think there's?

Another 10,000 out there that need.

To come into an intimate. Personal Relationship with Jesus

Christ and Can You Be Part? Of that plan to make.

That happen, It's been over 16 years since there's been a

weekend at the crossing where we didn't witness a baptism.

Over. 16 years and in 16 years from now I'm going to be 79

years old. And I won't be bleeding.

Anything probably you know? When I come up here, if I'm

still alive. But I I tell you what I would

like for somebody standing on this stage to say it's been 32

years since we didn't have a weekend where.

Somebody was given his life. Or her life to Jesus Christ?

Being buried and raised to walk in newness of life.

I want you to think about that as we.

Move to a time of decision. Praise the Lord, but listen.

There's people in this room right now who don't have an

intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

And I'm not talking about religion.

You may be all very religious. I'm not talking about pedigree.

You may be related to a lot. Of people who had a lot of

religion. I'm just talking about you.

Just talking about you. You.

Just you. When God looks at you, you only

sees he sees a little lost child.

When I was a kid, malls were a big deal.

They're starting to go away now, but malls used.

To be a big deal. And there's a lot of things to

see in the mall. Boy, if you're a little kid, a

lot of. Distractions in the mall and I

remember my mom and dad said, listen, if you ever.

Get separated from us. What do you do?

They said. Stand right where you are.

We'll find you. You just stay right where you

are. Don't move and we'll find you.

I don't care how far you have strayed away.

From God, I don't care how lost you are.

I don't know if you spell that with all capital letters, but

you just stay right where you are.

Right now, in this moment, because he will find you and

he's been looking. For you like that father and

the. Prodigal son who recognized his

son. Even though he was nearly

starved to death and disheveled coming over that hill.

And he ran to him. There's a spot right over there,

hallowed ground right over there by that baptistry.

And there'll be somebody. Over there, if you've never made

a decision to have an intimate, personal relationship of crap

with Christ, the water's warm. We got a change of clothes.

You may look. Weird when you come up out of

the water for a little bit, but we've got blow dryers.

And curling irons and everything else you need.

Take a step. Take a step for Jesus.

Christ, right now. He's right here, right now.

You're right here, right now. This is the time.

Simon Peter, early in the book of Acts, concluded a ceremony.

Says Now is the appointed time. Today is the day of salvation.

Stop kicking the. Tires and light the fires, for

goodness sake. It's time if you're here today

and you already have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

That doesn't mean that you're not hurt, that you're not

struggling. And you're still trying to

manage things on your own, and that's why these steps are here.

Not for me to walk down them, but to for you to kneel before

them. Spend time with the Lord, just

you and him. Or maybe you and your spouse and

him. Or maybe you and your small

group and him every single week at the crossing at all eleven of

our locations. And I guarantee you, when we're

done praying, God's lifting us back up and we feel better than.

This area is always full of people.

When we went down, because only God can do that, that's.

Transformation. And you're invited right now to

come up here and do some business.

With God and be reminded of who he is.

Bring yourself back into alignment with the upper story.

Would you stand with me? We're going to pray Heavenly

Father in Jesus name. Take this moment, this this.

Hallowed moment, This sacred moment that you're protecting

with your angels right now. And I.

Pray Father, you would do. A great and mighty thing in

someone's life. Whether that's to come into a

relationship with you and father, I know it.

When we go down that water come up out of that water.

There's a lot of applause in this room.

But it is nothing compared to the.

Applause of heaven because that. Applause, the applause of

angels. Shakes the foundations of heaven

itself. We want to join in that

celebration and for those of us. Father that are carrying

burdens. Help us to be reminded that

Jesus paid it all and we can lay our.

Burdens down, and we can give them to the shepherd of our

souls. Take this moment, make it yours.

Help us to have courage to move in Jesus name.

Amen.