...Committed To Giving Joyously | Clayton Hentzel

Crossing family. If you're excited, you came to

church today. Let me hear a whoop-whoop.

Hi. I'm all right with that.

It's a cold one. Glad you're here.

I want to welcome all of our different locations.

Those of you watching online and inside speaking of which online

people. God bless you.

We've had some campus pastors reach out to me and say there

are some of you who started showing back up at our different

locations and you took what I had to say, and like the kind

pastoral tone it was designed and you didn't get angry and

become a keyboard. Warrior and God bless you.

I also want to welcome those of you here for the first time or

the first time in a long time and our hope and prayer today is

simple. That something about the

worship, the sermon, the interactions with people in the

lobby communion, would do something to draw you closer,

and your intimate personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Before I get into the message, I do want to spend just a little

bit of time in prayer and this weekend.

I just want to pray for teachers, I don't know.

What your thoughts are in teachers?

You know, I think that they're awesome, you might think that

they have a really sweet gig and they get the Summers off and you

might, you know, being her like that and not no matter where

you're at on that Spectrum. I know that there are teachers

who are dealing with all kinds of hardship and all kinds of

heartbreak. I know that sometimes their

teachers and sometimes their guidance counselors sometimes,

their surrogate moms and dads and sometimes they're cool ants

and Any uncles and sometimes their big sisters and Big

Brothers, sometimes their trauma Specialists sometimes, sometimes

it's just really, really hard. And so, what I want to do is I

just want to spend a little bit of time lifting them up, and

then we'll jump into the message, heavenly father.

I just thank you so much for the love that you've poured out on

so many of us, and I'm also thankful for The desire you've

placed in some people's hearts to be teachers.

Some of them, they were the ones who taught us how to read and

how to write. And they're the ones who forced

us to focus and learn to pay attention and develop the

muscles of patients. Gather, the ones who at times

corrected us and we were going off the rails and brought us

back. They were the ones that

Oftentimes might even be the most pastoral person in our life

and got to know that they are dealing with all kinds of

challenges and expectations and sometimes if not all the time

dealing with limited resources. And so I just pray that you

would give them your spirit of Grace, and peace, and patience

God, that you would fill them up so that they could be poured

out. I know.

There are some of them who have probably already started to

circle the last day of school. Cool.

And they've already started the countdown but God, I pray that

you would equip them with A Renewed Energy, A Renewed

excitement that they would see the time between now and summer

break as a strategic opportunity to motivate and change and point

people to you through their example, you know my pray.

Amen. Well, just to recap, we are in a

sermon series called there has to be a place.

And the very first week we talked about there has to be a

place that makes Jesus last words.

It's our first priority. And if you're a Jesus follower,

you'll remember this, that Jesus right before he ascended into

heaven, he came and said, listen, all authority in heaven

on Earth has been given to me, therefore, go and make

disciples. And when we talk about

disciples, this is the spiritual Spectrum making disciples, you

just moving people from left to, right?

So there's people who need to start a relationship with Jesus,

and there's people that need to grow in their relationship with

Jesus. And we are job, is if Or a minus

three is to help you get to the -2.

And if you're a plus 3, we want to help move you to a plus 4.

And I want to say this just that way, it doesn't get confused and

you guys are saying stuff that I didn't say.

So I just want to be super clear.

God loves. Absolutely everybody on the

spiritual continuum. And our church loves everybody

on this spiritual Continuum and we will welcome every single

person on this spiritual Continuum.

I don't want you thinking that God will love you more.

If you move from a -2 to Y, -1 or he will love you more.

If you move from a plus 4, plus 3 2, A plus 4, Because if you

believe that then you'd be tempted to think that when

you're you know you go through a rough patch and you go from a

plus 4 to plus 3 that he would love you.

Less. So, how worse our movement?

This way is more about us, loving God, and being formed and

fashioned into his likeness. Then is about whether or not God

loves you, then we talked about there, has to be a place that

still believes that Jesus changes people, that this is not

something that just happened in the past, but that at any moment

time, you can have a genuine encounter with God and his

people, and it could change the trajectory of your life here on

Earth. Earth and in the life to come,

that Jesus still changes people that he makes people knew.

And then we said, there has to be a place that is committed to

using their god-given gifts to serve the Glorious mission of

Jesus that God has placed in every single one of us something

that we can leverage to accomplish his mission.

And then last week we talked about there has to be a place

that is committed to real Biblical community that we

cannot live the That God called us to alone.

And in isolation, why are we doing this super simple?

Because we want to make this region.

This one right here the hardest place on planet Earth to get to

Hell from. And today, what I want to talk

to you about is there has to be a place that joyously gives to

advance the mission. And there's some of you right

now who are going son of a gun. This is the week.

I brought my friend and of course this is the week we're

talking about giving I understand and there's Some of

you are going, man. We were just watching online and

now we show up for church. Does this guy just hate us?

No, no. Come here.

Okay, let me tell you the story. There's a guy by the name of

Chad Goucher, he is a pastor in Arizona.

In fact, Jerry just had the opportunity to preach at his

church. This past weekend at the

refinery and Chad Goucher tells this story, their church was in

a sermon series on giving and he like good pastors was out in the

lobby in between services and a new couple walked in the door.

The church and he had the same thought that you're thinking

which is oh my goodness of all the times for them to start

coming to our church. They're coming on this one and

their church was doing a series I'm just doing one sermon okay?

And so he's like all right he gets up preachers the sermon he

goes out the lobby season walk out he's like okay but next week

they show back up. Alright then the next week they

show back up next week, this show back out.

But then at the end of the sermon series, his assistant

puts it on his calendar that this couple.

Want to meet with him. He's like, I'll, well, here it

is. I mean, they showed up at our

church, four straight weeks, four straight weeks of giving

they're going. All this church cares about, you

know, you've heard it sits down. They can come in.

They sit down the first question out of their mouth.

Is this, do you believe that our old Pastor loved us?

He said, what do you mean? She goes.

Well, in light of everything that the Bible says about it and

all the blessings associated with it.

How could our old Pastor love us and not talk to us about it.

So I know that some of you you're going to have job

transfers and some of you, you know, you're going to, you know,

go to a different Church of different point at some time in

your life and I just don't want to put you in that situation.

I want to make sure that God's counsel is on Full display in

your life and in this these moments that we have with one

There. So, that way you don't have to

ever have to wonder does Clayton love me?

Because I do because here at the Crossing we believe that God's

way is the best play and this is in every area of your life, that

they're God's way is the best way.

That means when it comes to Salvation his way is the best

way when it comes to relationships.

Forgiveness pain. Worry anxiety Works sex rest and

yes even money. God's way is the Best way that

in when you look at your life you would go.

All right, I can do what I want to do or I can do what God calls

me to. And this is like the universal

belief of this church. That God's way is always better.

In fact, every single time. Well, not every single time

that's not the right way to say. Every week, there comes a point

where we call Landing the plane. I don't know if you guys know

that, that's what we call, what we call Landing the plane, like,

Jerry and I Circle the runway for a little while, then all of

a sudden were like we're moving to a time of decision.

And the landing gear comes out and but has put the tray tables

up. You guys have been there and

then campus pastors get up at their locations and they land

the plane. Well, when I land the plane

here, those of you watching a different campuses, you don't

hear me say this all that often but I'll make this statement to

our congregation. I'll be like, how many of you

how many of you would say that the very best decision that you

ever made was making Jesus Christ, the lord and savior of

your life. A lot of people raise their

hands and then I make this second statement, how many of

you would say that your biggest regret is that you You didn't do

it sooner and like, everybody keeps her hands up.

Like, there's not a whole lot of people like I think I wish I to

put it off. Like, there's very few people

like, well actually, I was getting ready to have a pretty

awesome party in Vegas and then I Found Jesus right before I

went. So I really wish I had found

Jesus after that Vegas trip because it would have been wild,

you know, really get some forgiveness.

Nobody nobody does that. And so we believe that God has a

plan and a purpose for your life and that our life will be best

if we live in accordance to it. And so, what I want to do with

you today Today is, I want to just talk to you about this, as

if you were over at Jennifer nice house sitting across the

kitchen, table from you and help you see this through Jennifer

and eyes life and experience. So, the way I kind of wrote,

this is why Jennifer and I give and this is not a comprehensive

list, but I figured you guys didn't like a three-hour sermon.

So, I just decided, I'll give you a seven.

So first reason why, Jennifer and I give is, I believe that

the Bible Teaches it. There are many times in the Old

Testament that reference and mention tithing.

Leviticus 27:30 says a tithe of everything from the land.

Leviticus 27:30

Whether grain from the soil or fruit, from the trees Belongs to

the Lord. It is Holy to the Lord.

Now, for those of you who are thinking, hey, this is only an

Old Testament promise. Let me invite you over to the

New Testament for a second. Matthew 23:23 says, woe to you

Matthew 23:23

teachers of the The law and Pharisees you Hypocrites, you

give a tenth. That's the word tithe of your

spices mint dill and cumin. So these guys they go out into

their garden and they pluck all of there.

Mint and they're like one leaf for God.

Nine leaves for me one is the doesn't come and leaves.

I don't I don't that's not my area, okay?

They are they are going into okay look what she says, that's

what you're doing but you have neglected.

The more important matters of the law, Justice, mercy and

faithfulness, then check out what Jesus says.

You should have practiced, the latter, which is Justice, mercy

and faith. - are we say this word without neglecting the

former tithing. Now, tithing means tenth in the

Old Testament, it means 10%, it was not just 10%, it was the

first ten percent or the first fruits and they practiced giving

to God before they gave to anything else.

So if you were, you know, a cattle farmer and you had 10

pregnant cows, the very first baby cow, which is called a

calf, you like that belongs to the Lord and then the other nine

baby caps, those are yours to take care of your family and

navigate your business. If you were a cat farmer and

your cat had 10 cats. Nobody would care.

Right? Like, no.

But so here's how this works that you Give God your first

some of you guys are cat lovers and you're like fine with the

sermon on giving but the cat joke too far that is way too

far. They are fearfully and

wonderfully made. Nope, that's humans, okay?

So Jennifer Jennifer and I we here's what this looks like when

Jennifer and I have jobs, we work.

And when we work ten percent of whatever, we make comes back to

the church and it comes first. So if you know, if Jennifer now

Make a hundred dollars, ten dollars comes the church and $90

is ours, the very first 10th Belongs to the Lord when

Jennifer and I retire, whatever we put into our retirement

account. When we take money out of that

account, 10% will go to the church and we get 90% of it when

we get our Social Security checks, okay?

If those come ten percent of whatever is there whatever's

there, but belong to the Lord, when our parents go to, Be with

the Lord. And let's say, they, my parents

died, and they leave my siblings, you know, 5 grand and

Jennifer. And I 100 Grand like when that

happens. And when they do that and they,

let's say, leave 100 Grand. The first thing we are going to

do with that money is we're going to write a ten thousand

dollar check to the local church here at the Crossing.

And then we get to buy a boat with the 90.

Like, we can do something with the 90 is cool.

All right. If we had if we sold our house

for a profit, If we were not going to buy another house or if

we were, you know, we had a different house, we we wouldn't,

we wouldn't tithe to that because if we're rolling it into

another property, we're not, that's not an increase for us.

We're just moving into a different house.

But when we get out of houses and we're like we're not living

in houses anymore. 10% of whatever were worth that goes to

be with the Lord. If Jennifer not had side hustles

you know what I mean? Like if people were going

Clayton, would you help me pick out clothes every week like If

that was my side hustle and you called me up and you paid me

$100. And I came over and help you put

together really fly outfits. Okay.

Yeah. It's not much of a side hustle.

You like know. Okay.

So just so, you know, every single Thursday, I FaceTime my

wife to figure out what I'm allowed to wear in public and

for the sermon for the weekend. And I wear this on Thursday and

on Sunday. So that way, we don't burn

through too many outfits and I always go for.

I have these baby blue pants and this pink sweater.

You've never seen me in it because I keep Losing the battle

because I'm like, she's like, no you can't look like a fat Easter

egg, you gotta. So Earth Tones, it is.

Okay, so that's my business. I have a side hustle and she,

and are you guys pay me $100 to come over your house for to pick

out your clothes? Because you're blind person and

I pick out your clothes for you and you give me $100, 10% goes

to the local church and 90% of that is mine.

And when Jennifer and I go to be with the Lord, like one day, we

can't wait to Go to heaven but we're not trying to get there

any faster than God has in store for us.

When we go to be with the Lord, ten percent of what we have left

over, will go to be with the Lord and it's not just something

we do when we die, it's something we do while we live.

That's kind of his his plane for people.

And for us, Jennifer and I want one of the things that's a heavy

burden on. Our heart is, I've wanted to

start a an endowment here at the church.

So that way, when I go on that, the money that I leave behind,

And we'll do the work of the Lord, until the return of the

Lord without ever touching the principal, if Jennifer and I

were to win the lottery, right? And we were to win a billion

dollars and that would be helpful because Jennifer and I

have a long term given goal and I don't know how we're going to

get there without winning the lottery, but we don't play the

lottery. So God's gonna have to do some

cool work there, but if, if we were to get, you know, ten

percent would go to the Lord, that's what tithing looks.

Like, second reason. I believe that the early church

modeled it, that the people closest to Jesus, started to

live like this, and they go Way Beyond tithing.

They go into an area that I would call radical generosity.

Look what it says in Acts chapter 2, they devoted

Acts 2 · chapter mention

themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship.

That's what we talked about last week to the breaking of bread

and to prayer. Everyone was filled in awe, at

The Many Wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

All the Believers were together and had everything In common,

they sold property and possessions to give to anyone

who had need every day. They continue to meet together

in the temple courts, they broke bread in their homes and ate

together with glad and sincere Hearts praising, God and

enjoying the favor of all the people and the Lord added to

their number daily, those who were being saved.

Some of you might be tempted to go.

Well, tithing Was An Old Testament thing under the law

than the Holy Spirit. Came down.

So we're kind of in a different operation or space now and I can

understand that argument, but here's where I would wrestle

with you a little bit. Is it appears to me that every

time Jesus is talking in the New Testament, he is raising the bar

Raising the bar over the law, like there's a way that we

people were supposed to behave under the law, but there's a

different way that people behave under grace.

It's Jesus, who says, hey, you've heard it said he's

talking about the law, you've heard it said, don't murder, but

I tell you. Anyone who is angry.

He raises the bar, you've heard. It said don't commit adultery,

you know, don't sleep with people that aren't your spouse.

But I tell you, if you look at anyone lustfully he raises the

bar. So if you're going to say, hey I

don't think that God wants us to tithe, okay?

That'd be fine. Then he I think you'd have to at

least admit then he's asking you to raise the bar.

Third reason. Why Jennifer and I give I

believe that my heart. Needs it.

My heart is prone to wander. My heart is prone to go selfish.

I mean I want to do things for God and I want to be a part of

the mission of God, but left unchecked, my heart will

eventually turn in on itself and look what happens in Matthew

Matthew 6 · chapter mention

chapter 6, do not store it for yourself.

Treasures on Earth, where moths and Vermin, destroy.

And where thieves break in and steal but store up for yourself.

Treasures in. In heaven, where moths and

Vermin. Do not destroy, and where

thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is there.

Your heart will be also. Jesus knows something about you

and me. That our heart tends to follow

our treasure. So if you direct your treasure,

your heart will follow. That's why for Jennifer and, you

know, most of you probably don't need to do this, but for

Jennifer and I like, we have a, we try to deliberately direct

our heart. So like on top of tithing, what

Jennifer and I do is we have a bank account or a account at the

bank. It's called her generosity fund,

and we pick a percentage every year of our total income above

the tithe, that's going to go into the generosity fund.

So that way, when something comes up in the church or an

opportunity arises, we have Already pre-planned our

generosity because you know you've been there where someone

comes up and you're like, oh that's really good.

Wish I wish I could. But Jennifer I want to do is we

wanted to pre-plan to be able to be generous.

And part of the reason why we're doing that is we want an

opportunity to not only be generous but to direct our

heart. If I were to describe it this

way, there's giving this is when you just decide, you're going to

give an amount to God from time to time.

Okay, then there's tithing. This is where you decide.

You know what? I'm going to give 10%.

I'm going to do what God calls me to do then.

Generosity begins after the tithe is taking care of.

So if I want to be a generous person, I have to navigate

tithing first, so, I can become generous now.

That's why? When Camp scholarships come up?

Or when Jacksonville in your corner events, take place or

cool Ministry moments happen men.

You've been around where your wife just looks at you and she

just gives you the nod. Like you needed, you need to

handle that. But so that way, when those

things happen were already in a position to be able to help out.

The cool thing is, the tithe Belongs to the Lord, but our

offerings are generosity is something that we get to direct

and participate. In number four, reason why

Jennifer and I give I believe that my faith is strengthened by

it. Faith is a muscle that has to be

exercised and there is a big difference between first fruits

and Last fruits, first fruits is, I believe that I'm going to

give the 10% to God first. And that he's going to take care

of the rest. Last fruits is God.

I want to give to you but I got to navigate my Netflix and Hulu

first and then if there's something left over, I'm

definitely sending it your way. The problem is one is stepping

out in faith and one is a lack of faith.

Because you've been there before, oftentimes, if God's

last God doesn't get our best and God doesn't get what he

asked us to here's what I've noticed in my life.

That when I give to him first, he takes care of the rest.

God blesses. Obedience God does not bless

Disobedience. So if I want to put got well let

me just show you second Corinthians chapter 9.

2 Corinthians 9 · chapter mention

Remember this whoever sews sparingly will also reap

sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap

generously, you have to so before you can have a Harvest.

We are each of you should give whatever you have decided in

your heart to give, you don't have to come up to me.

And ask me, it's what's in your heart?

Not reluctantly or under compulsion, why?

God loves a cheerful Giver. I'm excited to do this.

I'm excited to have my faith strengthened.

I'm excited to direct my heart. He loves a cheerful giver and

God is able to bless you abundantly.

So that in All things at all times, having all that you need,

you will abound in every good work.

There's a pretty strong promise inside of this.

That if you trust God with your first fruits, he will take care

of you and that strengthens your faith.

I'm going to, I'm going to say this way.

I'm actually going to say in this point and the next Point

what you find out is Is people who are like, who are givers

they would, they would back me up on this that they would

believe this statement. That it is better.

To live on 90% with God in the equation, then to live on a

hundred percent with him out of the equation.

Second, there's another reason I believe that God blesses it

That's another reason why Jennifer?

And I give 2nd Corinthians says this.

Now, he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will

also Supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge

the Harvest of your righteousness.

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous

on every occasion. And through us, your generosity

will result in Giving to God Solomon.

Why does man ever born says this in Proverbs chapter 3 honor, the

Proverbs 3 · chapter mention

Lord with your wealth with the base that word.

Yeah, it's a compound word but we got it first fruits of all

your crops then your barns will be filled to overflowing and

your Vats will brim over with new one.

Those of us who've trusted God in the area of tithing belief

that 90% with God is a better Financial strategy than 100%

without him. Reason number 6, why Jennifer?

And I give I believe that love. Requires it.

You can give without loving April 15th.

Right. You can give you can give

without, loving April 15th. Government puts a gun to your

head, says pay your taxes, and I know there are some of you out

there. Like, no, no, no man.

No, not me. I bleed, red white and blue.

Okay, come here. I mean, for all the people and

I'm a big American, got to love it and you've got, like, a big

flag in your at all that, but I've never heard this story.

Tell me, I'll tell you what. April 20th.

I was thinking, you know what honey?

We should have given more money in taxes this year.

I was at that sporting event, there's singing the national

anthem I was like we should have given like way more taxes this

year because I love this country so much never heard.

That story. I don't care how much of a

farmer you are and how much you love American soil.

There's a farmer looking out for a way to write off a pickup

truck so he doesn't have to pay taxes.

Okay, that I don't listen, listen, listen, listen.

Handle your taxes with all with Integrity With Honor but I've

just never met someone who's just looking to give the

government more. The government's never stopped

you. You can write a check for as

much as you wanted over your taxes.

It's when you write it for under, what you love that, they

got a problem. So as much as you love the

government, you're not trying to give it more But you'd be

hard-pressed to find a stingy grandma.

Right. Like stingy moms exist.

Exist, but not stingy Grandma's. I remember when Jennifer died

were raising Kennedy and she like asked for an iPad, we like,

no, we can't, we can't do that for you.

She's like, that's okay. I'll just call Grandma pay him.

It's like will tell Grandma paying there's a light bill that

needs page, so we can plug the iPad in which you write your,

just that shit. And when you win, you love, you

can't help. But give You can give without

loving, but you can't love without giving, you know this

verse, whether this is your first time, or your 100th time,

John 3:16 for God. So loved the world that he.

John 3:16

Yeah. You get it. you can't love and

not give and Jennifer and I We love this church and we love God

and the natural expression of Love is giving in light of a

blood-stained cross how could Jennifer and I do anything less,

we give to all sorts of things that we love.

We love our friends, we love our family, we love our kids, we

give to stores because we love to eat.

We give to other stores because I don't love being naked in

front of people. Like there's all kinds of things

that we love. Number 7.

I believe that people's lives are changed because of it.

That's the seventh reason why Jennifer and I give look what it

says in 2nd Corinthians chapter 9.

This service of giving that you perform.

It's not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but

it is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God

because of the service by which you have proved yourselves.

Others will praise God for The Obedience that accompanies your

Confession of the Gospel he saying you are putting your,

you're putting your money where your mouth is.

It is showing up that you believe God, you trust God and

you want to be obedient to God. And other people are going to

start thanking God for your obedience and for your

generosity in sharing with them, and with everyone else.

And in their prayers for you. Their hearts will go out to you

because of the surpassing grace. God has given you.

I cannot get over the amount of life change that happens every

single week at the Crossing. You would be a part time job,

just keeping up with all the stories and all of the emails.

And I know that in a church of our sizers people who are

thinking all kinds of things and I just want you to hear me say

this one. I can promise you that Jennifer

and I will always be first in on anything.

Do here at the Crossing whether it's giving during the weekend

service, whether it's participating in scholarships

for camp or whether it's being a part of an initiative, we want

to be in your corner with our generosity.

We want to be in your corner creating a space and going on

mission to help this be the hardest place on planet Earth to

get to Hell from. We want this for your friends

and we want this for your family.

We will be the first in. Also want you to know that

there's a whole other list. I could probably go to 25

reasons. Why Jennifer and I my live this

out in our life and why. So many people around us do the

same thing and I want to tell you this today, every single one

of you can take a step, you could start going by going.

You know what, I'm going to give for the very first time, or I'm

going to start giving regularly. Some of you are going to go, you

know, what? It's time for us to take a big

step in to actually start trusting God and honoring God

with the ties. Some of you might be interested

in going. You know what?

Tell me more about this Legacy project.

That sounds exciting. Others of you might be going,

you know what? We're going to start giving

Above the Tie, then we're going to set up our own generosity.

T fund. Here's what I know is that every

single time, somebody takes a step, we make this place this

region right here, just a little bit harder to get the help from,

and I hope you'll join me in that mission.

We're moving to a time of decision.

This stuff is tough because I know that right now there are

some of you who are going man, that was fantastic man.

Ambush, we talked about it more and there are others of you who

are going All this church cares about and that stuff breaks my

heart. That's actually the fear I have

when I preach on messages like this.

Because if it was just a bunch of Christians in here, like I

could say things that are just so true to the core of who I am

and how deeply I believe in what, I just talked to you

about, but to go, you know, full fully down that road.

I know that there be other people who are going really.

I mean, this is, Like I just brought my friend and I need you

to hear me say this, if you're brand-new to Faith and you've

never start a relationship with Jesus Christ, that is the stuff

that's in front of you. there's the first thing he wants you to

give to him, is you And the reason why the rest of us give

is to join God in this Mission, and to be obedient to him and

what he's called us to do and to make a space for you.

So, that way you can hear these words right now that you can

begin today, and intimate personal relationship with Jesus

Christ. So you could hear these words

for God, so loved the world. That he gave his one and only

son, that whoever believes in him, would not perish, but have

eternal life and there's some of you who are going.

Yeah, I know that verse, I've heard it, I've heard enough

heard it, but listen, there's a big difference, there's a big

difference between knowing a verse and experiencing a verse

Recently this past December December 7th, we had a staff

Christmas party. And one of the staff members,

her husband just bought the new Ford Lightning, all electric And

he's, he said, you want to take it for a drive and I know that

they're fast. I've heard about it, read about

it and he said, you want to take it for a drive.

I was like, do you have insurance?

He's like yeah. Mike well then let's go right

and I think what he was wanting was for me to get out on the

highway before I lit it up but downtown Quincy cars.

Everywhere. Pedestrians Let's go all four

tires. Start, chirpin vision.

Gets blurry. It was special.

There's a big difference between knowing how fast it is and

experiencing how fast it is. I can't talk to you right now

about the beauty of a sous-vide steak you put in that water

bath, you let it cook to the perfect temperature, and then

you just see her for a little bit and you could read about it.

And I mean, I had a person after service that was the decision

that they made for Christ today. As they were going home to buy a

machine to sous vide their steaks.

I mean, God bless them. Okay, it was special month.

That was all they got out of the sermon but you know, we'll take

it and I could talk to How good of a steak that that makes and

you could read about it but there's a difference when I cut

it open and it's just perfect on the inside and you get to taste

it. There's a big difference between

you knowing that verse and experiencing the love of Jesus

in your heart. And the reason why so many of us

are on this mission is we want you to be able to start that and

if you have questions about what that looks like or what it means

to be in relationship with Jesus Christ and just a few moments in

our belts around you stay and you can go right over there, the

bath Street and somebody would love a chance to talk to you

about what that looks like to the rest of you in the room.

Who are already trust in God, with your salvation, you've

already made him your savior. I want you to hear me say this.

He is just as good of a lord. As he is a savior.

If you can trust him as your savior, you can trust him as

your lord. He is just as good of a lord as

he is a savior. And every single one of us needs

to go on this journey of starting to trust him and making

this place the hardest place on planet Earth to get to Hell from

I don't know how to do the invitation time.

Like what do I say? What do I say?

Hey guys, if you're a beer at either.

Did you just come up here to the steps and pray.

There'll be some you back. Oh, we're going forward but

we're going, we ain't sitting this week, okay?

Funs there's some ours at the steps.

Okay? Listen, listen, here's my heart.

Okay. If you really are, if you're a

person who's trusting God with your finances, I am asking you

to come up here, get down on your knees and just pray for

people who are getting ready to take a step that you took a long

time ago, you remember what that stuff was like, I'm also going

to encourage you to pray, come up to the steps to get down on

your knees or maybe if you want, you guys can do.

Do it this for everybody, you can do it back where you're at.

But some of your going man we're getting ready to take a step and

it's a scary stuff and got. I'm gonna need your help and I'm

going to need your strength. Some of you just had a rough

week or you're navigating tough time with your kids and you're

going through a different difficult circumstance in your

marriage. Would you get down on your knees

and pray to the whole purpose of our invitation time is for every

single person to get closer to Jesus.

So, what you do that, would you stand with me?

Heavenly Father You know, what kind of work needs to get done,

you know, what's going on in our hearts?

Got you also know what kind of seeds have been sown in our

hearts and our ears. And God, I pray that you would

deal with those. The God, you would let the birds

take away the seeds that you don't want planted, but God,

that you would protect the ones that you do want plaintiff.

Yeah, that you would help every person in here.

Take a step today. Whether that's on a generosity

Journey with you as their lord or it's as a Salvation Journey

with you as their savior, God move every person closer to you

and your name, I pray. Amen.

Whether that's on a generosity Journey with you as their lord

or it's as a Salvation Journey with you as their savior, God

move every person closer to you and your name, I pray.

Amen.