Sermon
Mountain Movers Part 2 | Create Your Imprints with Chris Schlotterbeck
Publisher transcript
Transcript
-
Welcome to Hub City Vineyard.
-
To get connected or to give online go to connect.hcv.church or give.hcv.church.
-
If at any point during this message you feel called to make a change in your life, text
-
change me to 970-00.
-
Thank you and enjoy the message.
-
Hey good morning everyone.
-
Was that Derrick Henry putting that offering in?
-
Like was he slam dunking that offer?
-
Oh sorry that was just me next.
-
Welcome to HCV everyone.
-
Is there a lot of Steelers fans here or something?
-
Sorry.
-
If you're joining us from home, hopefully you're loud and excited like I am.
-
Thank you for welcoming us into your space and shout out to HHC.
-
We love you and appreciate worshiping with you.
-
So good morning.
-
I want to start off by sharing a few photos with you.
-
If you take a look at these photos you might recognize something that we just built.
-
Check that out.
-
So as you look through these photos you're going to see that the kitchen that we raised
-
money for, remember a few months ago we said hey I want to build a kitchen in Kenya.
-
We need ten grand and we got it in a month.
-
Well that kitchen is built, it's beautiful and the people are excited to use it.
-
Let me just say and make you realize and put it in perspective.
-
That kitchen is the equivalent of a $50,000 kitchen here in the U.S.
-
We gave them the best.
-
The cool thing is we are changing lives all around the world.
-
Isn't that awesome?
-
So you are doing it HCV.
-
We're excited about that and we're grateful for all that you give.
-
Now I've had several people ask me about the fires in Southern California and the tragedy
-
that's happening out there.
-
Watch this short video and then I'll tell you how we're going to respond.
-
Everything inside the Convoy of Hope Distribution Center in Sacramento has been donated.
-
And everything they're loading up Thursday afternoon is headed to Southern California.
-
Water, food and hygiene immediately.
-
This is one of about half a dozen truckloads the nonprofit has sent to Los Angeles County
-
hoping to fill a need.
-
You've got a family, you've got children and you're just running for your life.
-
We send down those essential relief supplies.
-
Ryan Allen, a convoy nation representative, says with disasters like the wildfires in
-
Los Angeles, getting supplies to those who really need them can present a challenge.
-
One of the hard things about this disaster is that fires, people kind of scatter.
-
They go wherever they can go.
-
No one really goes to a central place.
-
So their trucks go to churches and other organizations in the area where they know people will be.
-
And from there, they start distributing essentials to anyone who needs them.
-
They're upside down.
-
The world's been changed dramatically and forever.
-
It'll never be the same.
-
And if all we can do is help them have a sense of peace and a little bit of hope that somebody
-
on the other side cares and we're here to help, that means the world sometimes.
-
In a time when these fires have left so many with nothing, that help can mean everything.
-
And we asked just how many truckloads they'll be sending down to Los Angeles County.
-
They say they don't have an exact number right now, but they'll send them as long as they're
-
needed.
-
It's great to see what they're doing there.
-
So we are going to partner again with Convoy of Hope.
-
And as you can see there, they're on the ground.
-
They're meeting needs.
-
They're making a difference in people's lives with the name of Jesus.
-
So if you feel compelled to give, you can give in your offering envelopes and just mark
-
fires or you could go online to hcv.churchgive.
-
And there's on our drop down selection, you can select wildfires.
-
And all of that money that you feel compelled to give will be given to Convoy of Hope and
-
will be sent directly to California to make a difference.
-
That's how we will be responding.
-
Okay?
-
So if you feel compelled, please do so.
-
So last week we kicked off our yearly series, 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.
-
At the start of every new year for the last five years, we've set aside the first 21 days
-
to focus on Jesus and to prioritize our relationship with Him as a means of growth.
-
And what does it mean?
-
Some of you may be thinking, what does it mean to fast?
-
Well, just to give you an example, this year as Jess and I prayed about what to give up,
-
we are fasting dumb TV.
-
Okay?
-
And when you say, well, it's dumb TV.
-
Dumb TV is the TV that we watch after we put Phoenix to bed.
-
You know that show that you just kind of turn on and it's mindless and it just happens
-
and it's a series or whatever it may be.
-
It may be compelling, but here's the reality.
-
It's a waste of time.
-
So what we did, we've chosen to replace that time with reading, meditation, prayer, and
-
conversations.
-
Okay?
-
And that in no way means that we're more spiritual than you.
-
Okay?
-
It doesn't mean that.
-
It just means that we're using time that we typically waste and have now replaced it with
-
God and His purposes for us.
-
That's fasting.
-
It doesn't have to be food.
-
It could be food.
-
It doesn't have to be, you know, lunchtime.
-
You give up your lunch and then you pray and fast.
-
It could be though.
-
It's whatever God puts on your heart to replace with Him.
-
And if you've missed the start of our fast, the big deal start today.
-
Right?
-
Join our community of faith and growing closer to Jesus in 2025.
-
And then set aside one morning this coming week, Monday through Saturday, show up here
-
at 6 a.m. and join many others in praying for our church, the tri-state area, our nation,
-
and the world.
-
And that will happen for 21 days.
-
You don't have to show up to all of them.
-
You don't have to feel like you have to have perfect attendance.
-
If you want to do it, go for it.
-
God bless you.
-
But if you don't, it's a little too early for you.
-
Show up to one or two.
-
And what you'll discover is God is moving in that place.
-
Now, our series in Yearly Focus for 2025 is found in Mark 1123 and it reads this.
-
And Jesus said to his disciples, have faith in God.
-
I tell you the truth.
-
You can say to this mountain, may you be lifted up and thrown into the sea and it will happen.
-
But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.
-
And we kicked off our series with a discussion on how a fresh anointing moves mountains.
-
And we are challenged to pray, right, with that little, little mustard seed of faith.
-
And here's the reality.
-
We all have mountains.
-
You know, the unavoidable and overwhelming obstacles that come at us every single day
-
in life.
-
It may be a mountain in your marriage.
-
You don't see how you're going to stay together.
-
It may be a mountain in your finances, right?
-
It doesn't look like you'll ever get out of debt.
-
Maybe it's a mountain in your health.
-
The doctors say you're never going to get well.
-
Maybe it's a mountain of addiction that can't be broken.
-
Maybe there's a mountain in your relationship with God like doubt or fear or sin or temptation.
-
Right?
-
Well, prayer is how you write history before it happens.
-
Prayer is how you write history for yourself and your family before it even happens.
-
As we pray, as we believe in miracles that will happen over the next days, weeks, months,
-
even this year, I believe it can all be traced back to these 21 days of prayer.
-
Last week we said you may only have a little mustard seed of faith, but planted together
-
with other seeds that are watered in prayer, it brings breakthrough from God that can impact
-
generations.
-
Think about that.
-
Generations from now, even after you die, could be impacted from these 21 days.
-
Because if we press into the presence of God like never before, we will experience God
-
like never before.
-
It's not coincidence.
-
It's an expectation that the more we pray, the more God will break in and make a difference.
-
So it's a great way to start the new year.
-
But friends, let me warn you.
-
These next 21 days, this next month, it won't be easy.
-
And we need to have our shield of faith ready and in hand because spiritual opposition is
-
going to come.
-
Any time in the spiritual realm that a follower of Jesus takes a step of faith to possess
-
a promise from God, the enemy is not happy.
-
And he's going to come right at you.
-
But if we pray through, we will believe that God is going to break through.
-
And today God challenged me to share with you what it looks like to be strong and courageous
-
in our prayer life.
-
And we're going to jump into the book of Joshua, which is in the Old Testament.
-
It's the sixth book of the Bible, a little backstory before we begin reading.
-
After Moses died, Joshua is the hand-picked leader by God to lead God's chosen people
-
into the promised land.
-
And in Joshua chapter one, we read this.
-
After the death of Moses, the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses'
-
assistant.
-
He said, Moses, my servant is dead.
-
Therefore the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan
-
River into the land that I am giving them.
-
Now I just want to pause here for a second and put this into context.
-
Remember the nation of Israel, God's chosen people, they had just suffered in Egypt for
-
over 400 years as slaves.
-
They experienced tremendous trauma and generational pain until the Bible tells us that God stepped
-
in and raised up Moses to lead an Exodus out of Egypt.
-
Now as Pharaoh pursues the people, God used Moses to perform the miracle, the parting
-
of the Red Sea.
-
And as he raised his staff, the people of God walked through on dry land with walls
-
of water on each side.
-
God rescued his people.
-
They were free, but then they wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
-
Think about that because the people constantly complained, doubted, and were easily drawn
-
to worship idols.
-
They didn't follow God's command to conquer the land of Cana, the promised land that God
-
wanted the people to occupy.
-
Because of their doubt and their unbelief, an entire generation of people would die in
-
the wilderness, including Moses.
-
So upon Moses' death, Joshua was raised up and listened to this promise that God gives
-
Joshua in verse 3.
-
I promise you what I promised Moses.
-
Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you.
-
No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live.
-
For I will be with you as I was with Moses.
-
I will not fail you or abandon you.
-
And here it is again, listen, be strong and courageous.
-
For you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors
-
that I would give them.
-
Be strong and very courageous.
-
Be careful to obey the instructions Moses gave you.
-
Do not deviate from them, turning either right or left.
-
Then you will be successful in everything you do.
-
Study this book of instruction continually.
-
Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.
-
Only then will you prosper and exceed in all you do.
-
This is my command again, the fourth time.
-
Be strong and courageous.
-
Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
-
And I believe God has a promise for each and every one of your lives.
-
It's not coincidence that you are sitting in these seats today.
-
It's not coincidence that you are watching online.
-
You have a calling from God on your life.
-
And as you step into these promises, Jesus declares this.
-
I will be with you.
-
I want you to look at your neighbor and tell them God is with them.
-
Now look at the other neighbor, the one you don't like very much.
-
Give them a wink and say God is with you.
-
That's funny isn't it?
-
Now listen, as we step out in faith over this next month remember we are declaring mountains
-
to move.
-
Struggles.
-
You know this unsurmountable problem that we have in our life allow these words to encourage
-
you.
-
No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live for I will be with you as
-
I was with Moses.
-
I will not fail you or abandon you.
-
See as we press in and get closer to God and become more like Jesus praying boldly for
-
God's promises over our families, our careers, our marriages, our finances, our health, our
-
struggles.
-
Listen, God is going to move and it may take some time and you may have a few setbacks
-
but Jesus promises I am with you every step of the way.
-
So what I want to do this morning is just highlight some simple practices that Joshua
-
put in his life and led God's people into.
-
And I'm believing that for many of us after these 21 days we are going to find these practices,
-
these principles throughout our lives every single day that we pray which leads us to
-
our first thought, Joshua consecrated himself to God.
-
So Israel is camped on the eastern bank of the Jordan River and the people they need
-
to cross the river but before crossing notice what God commands the people in Joshua 3,
-
5.
-
Joshua told the people, consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things
-
among you.
-
Consecrate yourselves.
-
Now by show of hands, humor me.
-
How many of you want to see God do amazing things in your life?
-
How many?
-
Come on.
-
It should be 100% right?
-
It's 100%.
-
God I want you to do amazing things in my life but notice the first step in experiencing
-
amazing things is consecration.
-
We have to consecrate ourselves to God as Joshua told the people.
-
Now what does that mean some of you are thinking Chris?
-
What in the world does that mean?
-
I may have never heard that term or the only time I saw that term was when I was reading
-
the Bible or when you were talking about it.
-
Consecration simply means this.
-
To set yourself apart and to be fully devoted to God.
-
That's what it means.
-
To be fully devoted to God that you are set apart.
-
Jesus says it this way in Matthew 22.
-
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.
-
In other words, God I'm giving you everything.
-
My mind and all its thoughts.
-
My body and its strength.
-
My spirit and soul are yours God.
-
I desire to be a living sacrifice devoted to worshiping you and serving you.
-
Now this week I was reading about church movements and revivals in Outreach magazine and Dr.
-
Edwin Orr wrote these words.
-
History is silent about revivals that do not begin with prayer.
-
History is silent about revivals that do not begin with prayer.
-
The article went on to share how Dr. Orr was a professor and he took a group of college
-
students to England to visit the childhood home of John Wesley.
-
John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist Revival and Movement and in Wesley's bedroom
-
the students saw two indentations on the floor side by side.
-
Dr. Orr pointed out the indentations and asked the students if they knew what these indentations
-
were.
-
With no response from the students, Dr. Orr kneeled down into the groove marks in the
-
floor and said this, John Wesley knelt in prayer every morning from the age of 18 until
-
he died for two hours.
-
Wesley was consecrated himself every day for two hours in the morning asking God to use
-
him in a powerful way.
-
Now many of the students they took photos of the indentations returned to the bus.
-
Dr. Orr began to take a head count before leaving.
-
He didn't want to leave anyone behind but he noticed one of the students was missing
-
and as he went back upstairs into Wesley's home he found a young man named Billy kneeling
-
in those kneel holes praying God do it again, do it again in me.
-
That student was Billy Graham and he was consecrated himself before God and would go on to become
-
one of the greatest evangelists this world has ever seen.
-
Consecration is complete and total surrender to the lordship of Jesus.
-
Some of you are thinking what?
-
See you have to understand Jesus he's not just our savior.
-
He's also our lord which means he has control in everything that is part of our lives.
-
And the first step in moving mountains and claiming the promise of God over our lives
-
is getting down on our knees and devoting ourselves completely to God by saying God
-
my life is yours, my home is yours, my career is yours, my education is yours, my finances
-
are yours, everything in my life God is yours.
-
I want it to bring glory and honor.
-
See consecration puts us in a position for God to literally light us on fire.
-
It's the first step in claiming God's promises over your life.
-
It's a sign of humility.
-
It's a sign of releasing control that all of us have we're control freaks.
-
And typically when I begin to pray first in my life I seek forgiveness.
-
I say God search my heart if there's anything in my mind in my heart that's not from you
-
forgive me.
-
I don't want to be separated from you.
-
Then I invite the Holy Spirit to come.
-
God fill me.
-
God give me wisdom and direction.
-
I give my desires my needs to you.
-
I'm committed to following you.
-
Change me God.
-
Then I move on to my requests.
-
See Joshua told the people consecrate yourselves for tomorrow God will do amazing things.
-
And notice if we want God to do amazing things tomorrow what do we have to do today?
-
We have to consecrate ourselves.
-
So I want to challenge you tomorrow morning when you begin your day begin it in prayer.
-
And don't pray about that mountain that has to move.
-
Don't pray about what you need.
-
Get right with God.
-
Clear your heart and mind.
-
Then pray for God's will and plan to be done in your life so that others see God working
-
in us using us to impact and change lives.
-
That's how Jesus prayed in the garden when Jesus was facing the greatest mountain in
-
his life.
-
Death on the cross he fell to his knees and prayed these words.
-
He went a little further bowed his face to the ground praying my father if it is possible
-
let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.
-
And notice his words I want your will be done not mine.
-
That my friends is consecration.
-
It's giving God authority in our lives.
-
It's giving God the ability to use us to change us.
-
That's how mountains begin to move which leads us to our next stop.
-
Victory begins to surrender.
-
Victory begins to surrender.
-
Mark 11 then Jesus said to his disciples have faith in God.
-
I tell you the truth you can say to this mountain may you be lifted up and thrown into the sea
-
and it will happen.
-
But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.
-
Now I want everybody to notice that word doubt.
-
If you're in your outline circle it.
-
If there is doubt there is no surrender.
-
If there is doubt there is no surrender.
-
Because when we lay ourselves down when we consecrate ourselves in prayer we give God
-
the authority we give God the ability to move the mountain as he desires.
-
Not as I wanted to move.
-
And not as how I believe it should.
-
And that is why Jesus challenges us with these words Matthew 6 33 seek the kingdom of God
-
above all else live righteously and he will give you everything you.
-
I'm sorry.
-
Need.
-
Need.
-
Notice that doesn't say anything about wants.
-
He'll give you everything you need.
-
A prayer that I've been praying for more than a year now is God I need healing.
-
God I need this disk in my back to be totally healed bring it back into alignment.
-
God restore this nerve so that I can once again feel my right foot so I can return to
-
all the activity that I love to do.
-
God use these doctors use these physical therapists God use these needles to bring relief and
-
healing.
-
But I've been learning.
-
Over the course of the last 15 months.
-
That if it's your desire that I remain this way physically may your will be done.
-
That if it's your desire that I have this numbness in my foot.
-
That's your will see we have to be careful not just to want our agenda and not just to
-
have our prayers met the way we want them to.
-
We can't go before Jesus with a list of needs in our life.
-
That we have to be focused on what God wants to do in us.
-
We have to get in God's presence and allow him to reveal his agenda to us.
-
Yes we pray with passion we do not doubt but we also have to surrender the outcome to God
-
and trust that his plan is perfect for our lives.
-
See the goal of 21 days of prayer and fasting is to not get everything we want.
-
It's to figure out what God wants to do in our lives.
-
Please understand.
-
Your answered prayer may be very different than what you initially prayed for and thought
-
that your mountain would be moved.
-
And why would it be different?
-
Well because Isaiah 55 tells us that God's thoughts are nothing like our thoughts.
-
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine for just as the heavens are higher
-
than the earth so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts are higher than
-
your thoughts.
-
See when we pray we are asking for God's plan to be revealed in our lives.
-
So young people when you pray for God to open a door to get into the college of your dreams
-
and instead you get offered a scholarship from a school lower on your list are you surrendered
-
enough to accept God's plan for your life?
-
When you are praying for your marriage to thrive and blossom for communication to improve
-
and the opportunity arises to be a part of the marriage course here at HCV are you surrendered
-
enough to get rid of your pride and grow your marriage?
-
See the point is the plans of God are only revealed in the presence of God.
-
Over the years I've learned that I may be praying for something only to realize that
-
something was answered in a very different way that I didn't expect.
-
And until we surrender our mountains to God and their outcomes and how they should come
-
to be we are not fully devoted.
-
We have to surrender them both because our hearts are not pure.
-
Our motives believe it or not can be very selfish.
-
There's a jealousy and a greed effect in us.
-
You know that desire to be rich and famous because Jeremiah 17 tells us the human heart
-
is the most deceitful of all things desperately wicked.
-
Who really knows how bad it is and God searches our hearts and examines our motives and that
-
is why we first have to seek God to purify our heart and mind our selfish desires and
-
let his outcome bring glory to him not us.
-
Every prayer for a mountain to move should begin with God's will be done and end with
-
God let your glory reign.
-
Surrender is inviting God to reveal all the selfish desires within us so that our prayer
-
life is about God not us.
-
God's not a genie in a bottle friends.
-
He's our creator and he desires an intimate relationship with us.
-
He desires for us to walk in his plans for our lives and this happens when we surrender
-
and we allow him to move as he wants.
-
Remember his ways are higher than our ways.
-
His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
-
If we want an amazing tomorrow we have to go all in with God today which leads us to
-
our next thought.
-
Joshua took a step of faith.
-
See to move mountains we can't just pray like it depends on God.
-
Yes we pray with passion and believe God's in it but then we have to take a step of faith
-
because faith is an action verb we have to step out.
-
Remember Joshua and the people they were on the eastern side of the Jordan River and they
-
had to cross over the river to walk into the promise.
-
Seems like no big deal right?
-
We can wade through the Potomac River no big deal but then we read in Joshua 3.15 it was
-
the harvest season and the Jordan was overflowing its banks.
-
A little detail that many of us read through and just let it go by but the events that
-
the Israelites are facing that Joshua is facing is taking place in the spring and the Jordan
-
River was at flood stage.
-
Flood season on the Jordan River means the river is raging right?
-
Take white water rapids okay?
-
Think the raft that you're on and you're getting tossed out and the river widens to more than
-
200 feet.
-
And then we read this in Joshua 3.7-8.
-
The Lord told Joshua today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all
-
the Israelites.
-
They will know I am with you just as I was with Moses give this command to the priests
-
who carry the Ark of the Covenant.
-
When you reach the banks of the Jordan River take a few steps into the river and stop there.
-
The only thing between Joshua the people and God's promise is a raging river that has to
-
be crossed and God just wants me to walk into it.
-
I'm sure the people wanted to build a bridge.
-
I'm sure they were looking for a boat.
-
They tie a zip line to the tree but God says if you want to receive my promise you've got
-
to get your feet wet.
-
If you're going to trust me in my power in your life friends you have to realize that
-
we have to take a step of faith and we see this in the New Testament when it comes to
-
Peter in Matthew 14.
-
Then Peter called to him Lord if it's really you tell me to come to you walking on the
-
water yes come Jesus said.
-
And Jesus is inviting some of you to come today.
-
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
-
See faith is taking the first step before God reveals the second.
-
Taking the first step before God reveals the second.
-
Today listen is baptism Sunday.
-
After our third gathering our next gathering we will be celebrating the more than 50 people
-
that have signed up to be baptized.
-
I didn't stutter 50 people.
-
But it doesn't stop there as I was preparing this morning I heard God speak this to me.
-
There are fathers in this gathering and watching online that need to take a step of faith and
-
get baptized for your family.
-
You hear that dads?
-
Maybe it's time to turn things around.
-
I also heard God say there will be people in this gathering that need to take a step
-
of faith and get baptized.
-
Because when you get baptized your addiction will be destroyed.
-
Is that you?
-
See there are two parts to mountain moving prayer.
-
First you give yourselves to God.
-
We consecrate.
-
We surrender.
-
But there comes a moment when we have to put feet to our faith.
-
Most miracles begin with a step of faith.
-
For example maybe you're praying for a loved one to be physically healed.
-
That's your mountain.
-
That's what you're praying for.
-
Maybe God now is challenging you to take a step of faith, visit them, lay hands on them
-
and believe in that healing.
-
There's a big difference.
-
Maybe you're praying for freedom in your finances to get out of debt.
-
That's my mountain God.
-
Help me.
-
You know what taking a step of faith is?
-
Joining financial peace this winter.
-
Do something about it.
-
Maybe your prayer is for a relationship in your family to be healed.
-
Maybe you have a broken relationship with your mom or your dad or your kids.
-
And you're praying for it.
-
But God is now challenging you to take a step of faith, reach out and seek restoration.
-
Someone's got to take the first step.
-
Maybe you're here this morning and you're a young person or not so young person.
-
I have no idea.
-
And you desire to be married.
-
You're tired of being lonely.
-
And you're praying boldly for God to bring someone into your life.
-
What if your step of faith is actually asking them out on a date and not using the internet?
-
Because that don't count.
-
Look around.
-
There's a lot of people in here.
-
No better place to meet your significant other than face to face in a gathering at a church.
-
Right?
-
The internet don't work.
-
So ask someone out.
-
Maybe you'll become best friends.
-
Maybe you'll be married.
-
Let's continue with Joshua 3, 15 through 17.
-
It was the harvest season.
-
The Jordan was overflowing its banks.
-
But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the ark touched the water at
-
the river's ends, the water above that point backed up.
-
The water below that point flowed down to the Dead Sea.
-
Then all the people crossed near, crossed over the river near the town of Jericho.
-
Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the ark of the Lord's covenant stood on dry ground.
-
Isn't that amazing?
-
In the middle of the riverbed as some people passed by, they waited there until the whole
-
nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.
-
And this was not like the miracle they were expecting.
-
You know, they're thinking parting of the seas, staff.
-
No, the priests had to get wet.
-
I mean, that's a step of faith.
-
But here's the reality.
-
What we can learn, God desires that we all live that way.
-
That yet we pray first and then we act.
-
We step out and believe that God is going to use us.
-
And I get it.
-
Listen, stepping out in faith is scary.
-
But we must remember what God told Joshua.
-
What did he say?
-
You're the leader now.
-
This is my command.
-
Be strong and courageous.
-
Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
-
How many times did he speak that over Joshua?
-
Four.
-
Four times.
-
In chapter one.
-
And I believe God is saying to us this morning, the miraculous happens when you take a step
-
of faith.
-
Step out because on the other side, Jesus is waiting for you.
-
You're like, what?
-
See, after Joshua and the people step out in faith and they cross the Jordan River, look
-
at the final thought.
-
A step of faith causes God to respond.
-
Joshua five, 13 to 15, when Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up.
-
He saw a man standing in front of him with a sword in his hand.
-
Joshua went up to him and demanded, are you friend or foe?
-
Neither one, he replied.
-
I'm the commander of the Lord's army.
-
At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence.
-
I am at your command, Joshua said.
-
What do you want your servant to do?
-
The commander of the Lord's army replied, take off your sandals for the place where
-
you're standing is holy.
-
And Joshua did as he was told.
-
Now that commander of the angel armies with a sword in his hand, many Old Testament scholars
-
believe is Jesus Christ.
-
Is Jesus making a rare Old Testament appearance as the son of God?
-
And Joshua sees him with this sword.
-
He falls on his face out of reverence and fear.
-
Some of you say, what's the fear of the Lord?
-
That's the fear of the Lord.
-
It's reverence that God is going to fight our battles, right?
-
He doesn't take sides.
-
Like God doesn't just get behind you, he takes over.
-
He leads the way.
-
That is where we find our strength.
-
And when we give our entire lives to Jesus and we step out in faith, right?
-
Then that's when God is invited into the battle, into the mountain moving business.
-
And I believe that many of us are going to have life altering encounters over this next
-
month.
-
You're going to see mountains move.
-
You're going to see lives changed.
-
But notice what Jesus said to Joshua.
-
Take off your shoes.
-
Why?
-
Because God is now involved and that requires reverence.
-
The plans of God are revealed in the presence of God.
-
And friends, God is always with us.
-
Look at John 14.
-
And I will ask the father and he will give you another advocate who will never leave
-
you.
-
He is the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth.
-
The world can't receive him because he isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him.
-
But you know him because he lives in you now and later will be in you.
-
I'm sorry.
-
He lives with you now and later will be in you.
-
Now I will not abandon you as orphans.
-
I will come to you.
-
Which leads us to our action step.
-
Church, we're called to surrender.
-
We are called to surrender.
-
In Galatians 2.20 my old self has been crucified with Christ.
-
It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me so I live in this earthly body by trusting
-
the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
-
And this morning I was prompted by God to invite our community of faith to surrender.
-
I want to invite you to see the miraculous and to see the Holy Spirit invade your life.
-
So if you stand with me.
-
Alright I'm going to ask you something that's a little uncomfortable and I'm going to do
-
it anyway because I did it during the first gathering.
-
If you can and you're physically able I want to invite you to kneel with me this morning.
-
If you get out of your seats and kneel with me.
-
And if you say Chris I'm not physically able to kneel.
-
Take your shoes off.
-
Take them off.
-
Come Holy Spirit.
-
Alright now everybody look up here.
-
Here's what I want you to do.
-
As a community of faith as a church community as we kneel in reverence before God.
-
I want you to put your hands out clenched fists like this.
-
Holy Spirit come.
-
God forgive me for anything that's not of you.
-
Forgive me for my negative thoughts.
-
My outlook.
-
My sin.
-
My struggles.
-
My temptation.
-
I give them now to you.
-
Now open your right hand and give them to God.
-
God I bring my mountain to you.
-
But be specific whatever it is in the quietness of your heart speak it out.
-
Marriage.
-
Finances.
-
Career.
-
Whatever it is.
-
Speak it out to Jesus.
-
Jesus I give it to you.
-
Work in my life.
-
Teach me.
-
Work a miracle.
-
Whether it be in my family.
-
My marriage.
-
My sin.
-
Now open your left hand and give it to God.
-
I'll say these words.
-
God.
-
I give all of myself to you.
-
I lay down all my wants.
-
All my needs.
-
To you.
-
Use me God.
-
Powerfully.
-
To see others come in a relationship with you.
-
In Jesus name.
-
Amen.
-
Now I'm going to pray a simple prayer because I believe that God brings people into our
-
midst that are far, distant or have walked away from God.
-
Every single gathering that we meet here.
-
And we're all going to pray it together and if that's you we're not going to point you
-
out.
-
We're not going to make you raise your hand but we're going to pray with you and celebrate
-
what God is going to do in your life.
-
Amen.
-
Jesus.
-
I'm broken.
-
I'm full of doubt.
-
Shame.
-
Regret.
-
Sin.
-
Change me.
-
I believe you're God's son.
-
I believe you died for me.
-
Make me new.
-
Set me free.
-
Fill me with your spirit.
-
Help me God.
-
To serve others.
-
In Jesus name.
-
Amen.
-
There's no impossible.
-
I believe that you are working now.
-
Pour it out.
-
Oh pour it out.