Revival Sunday w/ Jared Ming: Use Your Weapon

Thank you so much. Come on, can we give Jesus a praise?

Can we have a lot of reasons to be thankful for the goodness of God?

Amen? Amen, Well, it really is a joy to be here,

Happy birthday, venture church, to see what God has done. It

has been a joy. I met your pastor many years ago, about twenty

five years ago, and he was sitting in my office, and my pastor

at the time, Pastportteau, wanted him to come and meet with some of

the staff members to see if he should hire him as the youth pastor.

So sitting in the chair across me with this young guy by the name of

Brandon Beals with a mullet and an earring. True. And thus began the

relationship with the Beals. And we've been friends for many years. My wife

and Die would go take the kids places and hang out and we would do

things together. And you know, I've been here through your whole journey.

I remember when we started, you guys were in a middle school. I

came and spoke, in fact, had me come and share the vision of

our church, and you took an offering it's a church to help us get

started. Then you ended up at Ashway that little building, and then he

ended up out at the Everett location. And then next thing you know,

you're back at Mill Creek in a school, and then you suddenly God gave

you the dome right here, and if I remember the dome here, and

then next thing you know, you're back in a school. And every time

I'm like, where am I going this time? Pastor Brandon, I'm not

sure. And now look at where we are, look at what God has

done, how He's blessed and changed at a city. Come on, isn't

God good? We serve a good God. Higher Vision now, which is

the church I pastor. I've been married to my wife for thirty one and

a half years. We have four children. We started Higher Vision eighteen years

ago and now we have seven locations, and God has done some incredible things.

In fact, you know, I love to do new things. And

one thing that happened this last year is I decided I was going to do

something new and I started a business and it was a model agency. And

I was excited because I got my first two models and they are incredible.

It's tough to get them. But I wanted to show you a picture of

my new models. That are part of my modeling agency. That is my

grandson Arbor and my brand new granddaughter Kaylani. And we really don't have a

modeling agency, but if you want to book them out for an event,

just call me. We'll work it out and see what we can do.

Honestly, I don't have an agency. I just wanted a reason to show

pictures of my grandkids. They change your life, so so much fun.

All right, So today I want to take a few minutes and I want

to share some things with you. I want to talk on the theme hands

up, everybody say hands up. I want to show you a story.

And I really feel like the Lord's given me this word for this church,

for this moment nineteen years. And it's interesting because when we read the scripture,

there are things that God teaches us. But when God teaches us,

he teaches us to be a blessing that we want to see Jesus become famous

in this region, right. We want to see Hell destroyed. We want

to Hell to get smaller, Heaven to get bigger. The gates of Hell

will not prevail against the Church, but God raises up leaders to lead those

types of movements in life change and he called your pastor, pastor brand and

pastor die to leave everything in modesto and come to this area and plant and

start something that would change a city and change a region. So I want

to talk to you on the theme hands up, and I want to go

to If you have a Bible, turn with me to Exodus chapter seventeen.

We're going to start at verse eight says while the people of Israel were still

at Refidim, the warriors of Amelek attack them. Moses commanded Joshua, choose

some men to go out and fight the army of Amelek for us tomorrow.

I will stand at the top of the hill holding the Staff of God in

my hand. So Joshua did what Moses had command and fought the army of

Amelek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron and her climbed to the top of a

nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand,

the Israelites had the advantage, but whenever he dropped his hands, the Amalekites

gained the advantage. We do this we turn to someone and say hands up.

Now where you turned to your second choice, and tell them. I

want to tell them hands up. Okay, second choice. You realize that

God had chosen Moses to bring people out of Egypt into the Promised Land.

Along the way, there were some challenges, there were some battles forty year

journey. Interestingly enough, at this moment, in order for them to get

to their promise, the leader of their ministry and movement had to keep his

hands up. And you know, as you begin to lead, having led

something now for many years in southern California, sometimes that can become a weight,

it can become a burden, and you need God to bring people who

will come along that'll help you keep your hands up. Because here's the interesting

thing. As long as his hands were up, the cool thing was,

is it meant that that young men who were fighting were going to make it

out of the fight and go back, and maybe they weren't married. They're

going to find their spouse and get married. Young men, we're going to

go back and start a business. Young you know, they were going to

step into the Promised Land and receive the promises of God. There is something

tied to your did you realize that God has a promise for you? How

many thankful that God has promises for us? You know, The big one

is that we're going to spend eternity in heaven forever. Come on, how

many want to go to heaven, say a man. But God doesn't just

want you to go to heaven. He wants you to live out your best

life. Now. He said, I know the thoughts I have towards you,

of a hope and of a future, thoughts to prosper you and not

harm you. God has promises in this world. Doesn't mean you won't have

trials and tribulations, but Jesus said they'll come, but be a good cheer

come the world. What's interesting in this passage tied to the people stepping into

their promise and their inheritance, was that the leader was able to keep their

hands up and focus on the vision. And so today I want to take

a different twist with this story. I want to take a moment and talk

to you about how you and I can support and help make sure that Pastor

brand and past and Pastor Die, that their hands are up, that they're

able to fulfill the vision and the call to see Jesus become famous in this

region. So if you're with me, shaud amen, because here's the cool

thing. Not only is Jesus going to be famous, but he's going to

fulfill his best life. He said, I came to give you life and

life abundantly. You'll never live your best life if the leadership can't fulfill the

vision. Come on to y'all with me. So I'm gonna give you three

points today. All right, taking notes? Right point one down. If

you're not taking notes, right point number one down. Okay, here we

go, point number one ready. First thing is is get in the fight.

Get in the fight. Look what it says says in Exous seventeen,

verse eighty nine, Moses commanded Joshua choose some men to go out and fight

the army of Amelek for us tomorrow. I'll stand at the top of the

hill holding the staff of God in my hand. So Joshua did what Moses

had commanded and fought the army. Here's basically what Moses said. Hey,

Joshua, you may not realize it, but the fight's already here. They've

already started attacking. Grab a sword, get some soldiers, Get in the

fight. Can I say there's a battle already raging. Whether you like it

or not, the fact is, the battle is already here. We see

it in culture right, confusion with our children, suicide, Our levels are

numbers we've never seen before, Depression, brokenness, divorce. Come on,

how many know we live in a world where there's an enemy and he wants

to steal, kill and destroy. Whether you like it or not. The

devil's coming after your kids, whether you like it or not. The devil's

to coming after the blessings and the promises in your life. And so here's

what the message is. The fight's already here. Are you going to get

in the fight? Did you know that the Bible tells us we should do

that? In the New Testament in James chapter four, verse seven. Those

that are joining us online, look what it says, right here, submit

yourself then to God. Resists the devil, and he will flee. The

word resists literally means to oppose, to be hostile towards to fight. Let

me explain this way. So when I moved from Michigan when I was young

to California, I was about ten or eleven years old, and I moved

into this new school. I got there and at this new school, you

know in California, everybody's dressed with the latest fashions and you know, and

everything. I came from Michigan. Back when I moved there, man,

we were still wearing tough skins from Sears. Come on, anybody remember tough

skin? See mean, like, I have no idea what're talking about.

And then you had the little patch that they would iron on the inside of

your need. I mean it was so I got there, I looked different.

I'm trying to fit in, and so one of the ways I wanted

to fit in and make friends was I figured if i'm I'm I was a

good basketball player, that's the way I would fit in. And so on

the basketball crewd I'd play good and try to make friends. Well, it

just so happened that there one kid named Billy, and he was huge.

I mean I used to think maybe he was related to Goliath or something because

he was massive. He was at least a head head and a half taller

than me, and so he was always in the middle on the court and

he was just moving people around and swatting balls like flies. But you know

what, it just so happened that we were playing he was on the other

team that you know, I was Just because he was big didn't mean that

I couldn't score because I was quick. So he'd come out to guard me,

and I'd be like a you know, boom and make a shot and

he would get angry and I'd do it again. He'd get angry. It

started happening where I'd go inside and he'd elbow me when I'd go through the

you know, close to the basket in the paint well. One time he

came out to guard me. It was a close game and they were,

you know, still tied, and whoever made the next point was gonna win.

And I did a move and boom, I made a shot, and

he got furious and he runs over to me and he grabs me by the

chest and he throws me backwards and I go flying backwards, and without realizing

what I had done, I caught myself and I looked at him and I

put it on my finger and I said, don't you ever do that again?

And then then I'm like, what did I just say? Let me

say more what it really was like. I was like, don't you ever

do that again? And he looks at me, He's like, what did

you just say? And he walks over to me. Kind of with the

saunter. It's a little swag. What did you say? And I'm like,

don't you ever do that again? And he grabs me by the chest

again and he throws me backwards and I goes stumbling back and he walks and

said, what you got to say? Huh, what you got to say?

And he's like doing a little chest thing, you know, you know,

hitting my face with his chest and he's bumping me. He's bumping me.

He's like pushing me, poking me. He's starting to slap my face.

He's like and suddenly something snapped. And the next thing, let me

say, if there's any children in the room, let me just say,

this is not how you settle conflict. I weld up my hand into a

fist and he was in my face and the next thing I know, I

swing with all my might. I clock him on the side of the face

and I knock him on the ground. Come on out, you know,

want to know what happened? He got up and I ran and you know

what, he caught me. And when he caught me, I don't know

what happened. It was just like the David Anointing came on me. I

swung again. I knocked him down, and you know what, happened.

He got up and I ran faster. Here's the funny part of the story.

He didn't chase me anymore. And when I look back at that silly

little story, here was the point is that the battle was there, and

I had to make a decision. I'm either gonna let him push me back,

push me down, or I'm gonna stand up and I'm gonna fight.

Did you know the battle says in James chapter four, resist the devil and

he will flee. The battle is here, and I'm telling you that God

has given a mission to this church to expand the Kingdom of God that the

gates have held will not prevail against it. And he's looking certain for some

people, just like Moses, who said, come on, Joshua, grab

a sword. Come on, pick up the sword and get in the fight.

I'm here to tell you something. You're not here just to participator,

just to come and to observe and to watch. You're here to be a

participant, to get involved. Come on, get in the game, Get

off the bench, get out of the seats, get onto the field,

and get in the fight. Come on, somebody say, man, here's

why. Because Moses couldn't swing a sword. He had to hold the staff.

But here's what we do. We go who will passenger? That's kind

of a you know, cool idea. But you know, you don't understand.

I've made a lot of mistakes. I'm not qualified. I didn't get

a degree in ministry. I'm not qualified to be in this fight. Can

I tell you something that really interesting? You realize that if you didn't know

this, Joshua was never trained as a general. He wasn't a colonel,

he wasn't even a private. You know what he was. He was Moses'

personal assistant. And Moses says, grab a sword and go into battle.

The reality is that sometimes we disqualify ourselves. But listen, even Moses when

he began because because he said, listen, God, don't use me,

I stutter. And here's the problem. I murdered someone in Egypt. I

can't go back. You can't use me. And what will happen is when

we're in the battles of life, when we're a great calling of God in

a city, the enemy will whisper into our mind. You don't have what

it takes, You don't have anything to bring to the table. But I'm

here to tell you something God has chosen you. You're not here by accident.

In fact, can I read a verse to you. It's found in

the Book of John. John fifteen says this. You didn't choose me.

Jesus said, I chose you, and I appointed you to go and produce

lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using

my name. God has chosen you. So I have a word for you

today, Joshua, get in the fight. Yeah, yeah, that's good.

There's a story that I heard about this man who would have to go

in India who's in a very rural community with no running water, and he'd

have to walk down to the river and bring water back to his house every

every single day. And so he had two pots that were on a pole

he would put on his shoulders. He would go down, fill him up

and bring them back. But what would happen is every time he would bring

the pots of water back, one of the pots of water would be half

empty by the time he got home because there was a crack in the side

of it and it would leak and it would drop water on one of the

sides of the path on the way home. So one day, obviously this

is a story. Not a true story, it's like a parable. One

day, the cracked pot looked at the man who carried the water pots and

said, I don't want to say something. I'm really sorry because I you

know, you work so hard to bring this water, but because of my

flaw, you end up with only half of the efforts that you put in,

because I'm half empty. And then the man who carried the water looked

back at the pot and said, you know, it's interesting that you bring

that up. But because I knew you had a crack in you when he

chose you. And what you didn't know is that I went down to home

depot, so I mean like I had a home depot. Back there,

he's carrying his own water pots. And interesting, they're everywhere, home depots

everywhere, he said. I went and I bought some seeds and I planted

them on that side of the path. And if you'll notice, there are

flowers all along that side of the path. In fact, if you've been

in my home, and you know that in my home, every day we

put a beautiful pot of flowers in the living room, and my home has

been made beautiful because I knew about your flaw, and I chose to use

you, for you have watered those seeds and has caused those flowers to grow.

Don't disqualify yourself. God has chosen you. Get in the fight,

Joshua, come on, turn to your neighbor and say, get in the

fight. Number two. Those of you join us online. Write this down.

Number two is so is share the burden. Everybody says share the burden.

Look what it says. Moses said, Joshua, you get in the

fight. I'm gonna go up the hill and I'm gonna grab the staff.

I'm gonna hold this staff up in the air. So the scripture says in

Exodus seventeen twelve, Moses' arms soon became so he went to the top of

the hill. Aaron and her go with him. He's got his hands up

in the air, but soon his arms become so tired he could no longer

hold them up anymore. So Aaron and her found a stone for him to

sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses holding up his hand.

I'm gonna tell you that, as a leader, when God's called you

to lead something. Maybe you're here and you're a business person, and you've

launched a business, and you understand this. Maybe you're running your family as

a mom, and maybe you're called to stay home and do homeschooling. Whatever

the vision and calling is in life, sometimes it can get heavy. In

fact, you might ask you might say, well, pastor, how heavy

is that staff? I mean for Moses, was he a weekly? Or

what? How heavy? In fact, I can ask your question, how

heavy is this staff? Now? I know that up here in Seattle you

have all these engineers that are here. You immediately when I asked the question,

like well, pastor Jared. It depends on what is the thickness of

the wood, and what is the diameter of the piece of wood, and

how long is it? All of those things factor in. Can I tell

you what's funny is that all of you are wrong because how big it is,

how long it is, what type of wood it is, has nothing

to do with the weight. Here's how you can tell how heavy it is

by how long you hold it. Because if you hold it for a couple

of minutes, it's it's gonna be one way. If you hold it for

a couple hours, it's going to be a lot heavier. If you hold

it for a couple decades, Suddenly something that was maybe easy in the beginning,

became a little bit heavier. And I got to tell tell you that

this staff has been up in the hands of Pastor Brandon and Pastor die for

nineteen years. And sometimes when you're called to lead, what can happen is

the burden can feel heavy. I've talked to your pastor in seasons when the

staff has been heavy. I've talked to your pastor in season when this calling

felt heavy. And the question is is are you someone who will get in

the fight, someone who will share the burden. Because what's interesting in the

story is says that that Moses went up to the top of the mountain,

and he didn't go by himself. He brought Aaron and her, which,

by the way, her was a hymn. So he had Aaron and her

who was a hymn, who went with him up the mountain. Now you

could be Aaron and Her who was a hymn, could have said to themselves,

wait a minute, why are we here, because Moses is supposed to

hold this rod up in the air. But soon they discovered while they were

there, because the Bible says that his ants begin to fall, and they

realized, wait a minute, he's not going to keep his hands up.

And if his hands didn't stay up, if the rods stay up, they're

gonna die down in that valley. So what did they do? The babble

says, they start looking around. We've got to find a rock that he

can sit on. And next thing you know, they found a rock,

which this is a drumstool can representing rock and roll. And so they found

a rock and they said, Moses, here, quick, come come over

here. And so they, you know, push away some branches and some

stuff that he could trip on, and they sit here, sit down,

and so they sit him down and they and they help him hold the rod

in the air. And as I began to pray about it for this this

congregation, like God, what does that mean for us? Practically? Here's

what I think it means. I think it means that God is looking for

people not only only who will get in the fight, but people who will

look for ways to find a way to support the vision that God has called

to this house. That's good. How can God use you to support the

vision? I gotta tell you. Over the years, as a pass there's

been some times where the vision got heavy. One time when the vision got

heavy. I was holding up the rod and we had this call and vision

to plant a the church. And God did some miracles and then we felt

like we moved into our building and began to grow, and we needed to

expand our children's ministry and wanted to build a children's ministry. It was like

Disneyland. It just so happened. The guy who built Disneyland a lot of

it toned Town, Indiana Jones and the templa doom. He got saved in

my church. So he said, Pastor, I want to help. Let's

do it. And so we began to put together this vision to build a

place called kid Venture and we built it. If you're ever in La come

and see us at Higher Vision Church in the Valencia area. Incredible kids facility.

So we come up with the design, we get everything going, and

as we start to build it, they shut us down. And what should

have taken a year, we're now three years in and we can't get it

finished. And I got to tell you, all the people were saying pastors

said we're going to build this, and look how long it's been. And

I gave money to that and it's not done yet. Man. I got

to tell you, the weight started getting bigger and bigger, heavier and heavier

and heavier. You know what, I'm so thankful because there was somebody who

looked for a way to support the vision. Because there was a contractor in

my church, a ken you said, pastor, you know what I heard.

I heard the reason why that you guys can't get this through is because

there's someone at the building of trade place at the city that doesn't like you

guys and is trying to stop this from happening. He goes, guess what,

I I'm his best friend, said, you mind if I do a

little behind the scenes, And I'm like, come on, Jesus, and

you know what he do. He started taking him to lunch, He brought

him to the church, started walking around telling him about all the lives that

have been changed, all the things, and the next thing, you know,

our permit was done. We were able to finish everything. Why because

God found someone who was able to find a way to support the vision.

God has you here to get in the fight and to figure out ways to

support the vision. I'll never forget when things were going on as I'm leading

the church and my family and one of my sons got in trouble with the

law and was being prosecuted. It was pretty bad, and I didn't know

what to do, and I gotta tell you here, I'm trying to leave

the church and do this. And you know what's interesting is that Moses couldn't

find a rock because he had to keep his eyes on the battle. Maybe

God has you here so that you can see the rocks that need to be

pulled into the situation. And I'll never forget. I was so over,

you know, I was so under it from what am I gonna do with

my son? And all of this is going on, and he's being prosecuted,

and suddenly a lawyer comes to me and says, Passor Jared, listen,

you know, did you mind if we could help in this thing?

Like what do you mean? He's like, well, I'm best friends with

the prosecutor. And God did a miracle and got my son out of a

situation because someone found a way to support the vision. Here's the question,

why are you here? Maybe you've asked yourself that question, why am I

here? I mean, I like the building and you know Pastor Branny,

he's a cool dude. He likes sports like me, and he could be

funny sometimes how many think he's got potential going to pesteror granda hit some potential.

I think he's got potential. I think he's got potential. But maybe

we're not here to be spectators. Maybe we're here because God has put us

here to find a way to support the vision. You realize that just showing

up every week, even when the Seattle Seahawks is getting ready to play.

By the way, don't tell us what the score is. Just being here

brings support to the vision you giving. I'll never forget someone were struggling a

little bit, we had to hit a season financially, and someone shows up

and said, passing to talk to you, Can I have a meeting with

you? I'm like sure, We sit down, said I want to give

you this, and it was a check for fifty thousand dollars. And the

reason he gave you says, I just sold a property. You were talking

about it, and just God told me to give the tithe And so I'm

bringing the tithe in And you know what, it came in a moment when

we were struggling and we're figuring out how we're going to try to meet payroll,

and that money gave us enough to meet payroll and finish the bills at

the end of the month. How many are thankful that God can use people

to support the vision. Get in the fight, share the burden. God

wants you to share the burden. I want to give you the last thought

and what I'm going to share with you really kind of I had never seen

it before, as I've studied scripture over the years, I've never seen it

quite this way. This last idea is simply this, and that is in

facts. Repeat it after me, everybody and those join us online. Can

you do it right there at your house, wherever you are in your car,

Just say this, say use your weapon, Use your weapon now.

Remember here. Here's the interesting thing about God is when we do the things

God wants us to do. And let me say it this way, this

is a great phrase. When you care about the things God cares about,

God will demonstrate in awesome ways that He cares about the things you care about.

You look at the book of HAGGII. They were building their own houses

and neglecting the House of God. But when they turned and started taking care

of the House of God, God helped them build their homes. There's something

about what does the Bible say, Seek first the Kingdom of God and his

righteousness, and all these things will be added under you. I'm telling you

you'll never see the best and most blessed life until you say, Lord,

I want to be someone who's involved in helping keep our leader's hands up,

keeping the vision going forward. So I'm going to get in the fight.

I'm going to share the burden, and I'm going to use the weapon God

has given me. Look what it says says his hands got heavy. So

they found a rock they sat on the sat him down on the rock,

and here's what they said. They stood on each side of Moses holding up

his hands, so his hands held steady until sunset. As a result,

Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amelek in battle. Now here's the interesting thing I

used to think that, you know, what happened here was that basically,

you know, they put him on the rock. He raised his hands like

this, and then they stood on each side and they held onto the rod,

and then he just kind of hung his hands, you know, So

it worked, and they kind of stood there like this, and you know,

everybody with the leverage and the way it was it was pretty easy for

hours to stay in that position, and I often thought about, Okay,

what does this represent? And I believe it represents a weapon. Let me

tell you what some theologians will say, and that is that what this represented

was that Moses was in a position of intercession. And I want you to

know something. I think it can mean that. And I want you to

know that I know your pastor praise. I know that this leadership team that

you have, they pray, they intercede on your behalf, praying that God

will bless you, praying that God will bless your marriage, the God bless

your families, praying that you'll stay healthy and strong, your fulfill your purpose.

How many thankful for prayer and intercession, So it can mean intercession.

So having leadership that will pray and intercede, that's awesome. They were involved

in and so they were involved in the intercession as well Aaron and her who

is a him. But then we have another thing that could mean, and

that is worship. Because the Bible says that we lift our hands in worship,

so it means worship. And if you read through the scripture. As

a worship pastor, I taught for years on the power of worship and how

that it brings victory and breakthrough. Remember when Paul and Silence were in prison

and they began to worship God and the prison doors flew open and their chains

fell off and there was breakthrough in their life. And so I think that

can represent that that's a weapon that we have, and that's why we have

worship times where we get to be in the presence of God, where the

spirit of the Lord is, there's freedom and his presence, there's fullness of

joy, all of these things. But I think it can mean something else

because the Lord showed me something that I'd never seen before. Tony, can

you come up real quick, and I'm going to have you represent Tessa.

Brandon just coming up because he looks so much like him, you know,

and then they're both wearing flannel. Amen. I know he's sitting right there,

but he's got shoulder issues, so I don't want to have to you

know. So if you'll have this in your hand, so passor Brandon is

here and God says, get your hands up. Everybody say hands up.

Now here's what the scripture says. The scripture says that Aaron and her they

came and what do they do? They found the rock? And then what

did they do? They kept his hands up. What I used to think

is that they put their hands on the rod so that he could keep his

hands up. But the Bible says they didn't grab the rod. The Bible

says they supported his hands. So one was on one side holding his hand,

the other one was on another side holding his hand. Now, why

is that important? You can put your hands out for your sec Why is

that important? Well, I think the revelation here is simply this is that

there's a weapon God's trying to teach us that you and I can be a

part of advancing God's kingdom and also really God's blessing in our life. Fact,

let's give it up for PESTERTONI thank you FESTERTONI. Here's the weapon.

You're ready? What is your secret weapon that will literally open up the blessing

of God on a nation, that will open up the blessing of God into

your life. You're ready. Here's what it is. Not just prayer,

it's not just worship. Ready, it's honor. Because here's the point.

Only God had called Moses to lead the people. The problem is is a

lot of people they're so quick to think they have the answers for everything.

As the lead pastor, I'm just going to tell you that people think they

know everything. They know how the seat should be, they know how the

lights should be, they know where things should go. And the next thing

you know that people are grabbing the staff, something that God never intended for

them to hold, and they don't realize that when they do that, that

it adds more weight to the burden rather than lifts the burden. Is See,

one of the greatest you can do things you can do is grab hams

with your pastors. Say I'm coming in agreement with you that we're gonna make

Jesus famous. I'm gonna come in agreement with you that we're gonna do an

outreach where we have a bunch of people to decorate their trunks so that people

will come and see a church that loves their community. I'm gonna get behind

you and I'm gonna come in agreement with you, and I'm going to write

a check so we can do that outreach. Listen, God is looking for

some people who understand honor that they realize that God has positioned leaders to grab

the staff and the rod of leadership and to lead well, so that we

can say, how can we support that leadership step somebody like, are you

sure, Pastor Jared, is that really what that means. I'm gonna tell

you. I believe it's what it means. It's dangerous to grab a hold

of something that's not yours to hold. Remember when Uzza grabbed a hold of

the arc. Even though here's the thing is, everybody's intentions are good.

I just want help. I want to bring some of my knowledge and help

you out, Pastor. So the next thing, you know, we're questioning

leadership, we're dividing people's loyalties because we're saying, well, I think I

know better. Let's talk about we should have done. And rather than honoring

their dishonoring, let me show what happens when you dishonor. Jesus went back

to his own town, and here's what it says. Then, Jesus told

them he's talking to his crew from his town. Jesus told them a prophet

is honored everywhere except in his own town and among his relatives and his own

family. And because of their unbelief, because of their dishonor, he couldn't

do any miracles among them, except to place his hands on a few sick

people and heal them. The word honor there means to treat, to treat

with esteem, to value, to respect, to cherish, dishonor means to

treat common. See when you treat your pastor and the leadership, just calm,

well, that's just Brandon. Just treat it common, that's just Jesus.

You know what happened. Because they didn't use the weapon of honor and

honor him, God shut off the divine flow of his promise and his blessing

into the whole region. Now, I know this is a little heavy.

Look at somebody and say this feels a little heavy right at the moment,

but it's a powerful truth. But the moment that they said, we want

to honor you, you be what you're called to be, and we got

your back coming in agreement. We're holding your hands or standing with you,

we're praying, we're giving, we're serving, we're believing. What does it

do? It opens up the divine power of God. And now the Israelites,

who had never fought in a battle, defeated an army and continued on

into their promised blessing. Can I tell you, one of the greatest weapons

we have in the church we don't realize is the weapon of honor. Because

if you and I will support with gifts we've been given, and we'll come

in agreement and we'll honor one another, we'll honor our leaders, I just

feel like God's going to just open up the valve. There's a story that

I heard about a pastor and his wife who were having a counseling session.

And in this counseling session, they were meeting with another man and his wife

that were having major marital problems. And as they were sitting there, the

wife just kept dishonoring the husband in this meeting. And finally the pastor's wife

got frustrated and she said, can I stop you? She said, I'm

just going to tell you, I'm really grieved by the way that you keep

dishonoring your husband, by the way you talk about him, by the things

that you're saying, by some of your actions. And then the woman,

the wife, looks back at the pastor's weapon says, well, if I

had a husband half the man your husband is, it would be easy to

honor him. And then she looked back at her and she said, well,

maybe the reason my husband is the man that he is is because I

honor him. Because here's the reality, with honor, when you gifted,

when you gift honor, what you gift him will lift him. The fact,

it could be that your pastor could even be a greater pastor, a

better preacher. That pastor die and him could be a better team, more

anointed, more powerful if you use the weapon that God has given you,

and you grab their hands and you honor the calling and the gift. I'm

going to tell you what they're doing in this region is not common. It

is a movement. It is a gift, a blessing of God to this

valley. I can't tell you how many stories he's told me of families who've

gotten saved through their lives. Literally, generations are going to be changed forever.

If Jesus hasn't returned, why because of the vision that God has put

in their hearts. So now God's saying, listen, I want not only

to change this region, I want to change your life in your future.

So get in the fight, share the burden, and use the weapon of

honor, and watch them rise, watch victories come, watch breakthroughs. Finally,

take place where they said it will never happen. I want you to

close your eyes. Those that are joining me online, would you do the

same. You know today this word is not meant to discourage you. It's

meant to inspire you. Gives us truth to coach us up, to lead

us to higher places. He said, I want to take from glory to

glory's strength to strength. Maybe you're even here and you've been guilty of taking

hold of that rod saying well, I think it should be this way.

Or maybe I tell you one of the greatest ways that you can bring support

to your leader is give him a break. Give your leaders a break rather

than questioning every And I don't know of any problem. There's no issue that

I know of in this church. It's just it's a prophetic message that God

wants to remind us of. And I got to tell you as a pastor,

it feels so good to have people give me the benefit of the doubt.

Say I know Jared, I value him, and I know his heart,

and I trust his leadership. So I'm with him. This is what

God's saying. Let's go. God's put you here, He's chosen you.

Here's a question. Maybe you're here and you haven't had a relationship with God.

You don't realize that God wants to send you to a place called Heaven

one day when you die, and that he wants to also have you live

a life here on earth that is fulfilled and promise and blessed and prosperous,

not just money, but prospers. Your soul prospers. See what stops us

from that is a thing called sin, and the Bible says we all sin

and fall short. So today, if you are here and you're not sure

if you're going to heaven, if you've never had your sins forgiven, listen,

I'm not here to point a finger. You can say, shame on

you. The good news of the Gospel is that you get this. Have

shame off you, because when you receive Jesus, if you'll confess your sin

and you'll call on Jesus, every mistake you've ever made in life will disappear,

it'll be erased, it'll be removed, and you get a fresh start

in a new beginning. You get to go to heaven. But you also

have the power and presence of God as you walk through this life. So

today, if you want to be forgiven of your sins. If you want

to know that you're going to heaven and you've never done this, this is

the way you start a relationship with Christ. Number One, you confess and

repent of your sin. So I'm gonna count to three, and I say

three, lift your hand and put it back down. All right. Secondly,

we're gonna pray a prayer, and about says, if you confess with

your mouth and believe in your heart, you will be saved. Now,

maybe you're here and you've prayed that prayer. Me, you're online right now.

You've prayed this prayer before, but you've walked away like a prodigal and

you want you realize you need to come home. I'm talking to you too.

Are you ready? This is your moment? And I say three,

Would you lift your hand? Say I'm ready to confess my sin. I'm

really ready to get on the track the path that God has for me.

You're ready when I say three, lift your hand high? Where are you

one? Two? Where are you? Three? Right? Now? Lift

up? Lift them up. Don't be a shame. Thank you, thank

you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank

you. Over here, thank you back there? Anybody else but thank you

back there, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,

thank you, thank you else, thank you there, thank you there,

anybody else, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,

thank you, thank you. Who have to day? Thank you there,

thank you back there. I've seen that hand, Thank you. I see

your hand all right, thank you. You can put your hands down.

Thank you. Now everyone pray this pra with me, say Jesus today,

I confess I've made mistakes, I've sinned, and I need a savior.

I put my faith in you as the Son of God and the savior the

world. Come into my life. Forgive me and change me. Starting today,

I want to follow you. Serve you get in the fight in Jesus'

name. And everybody shouted, hey, man, now, will you do

this with me if you receive Christ? The mob says heaven started to rejoice.

As you stand to your feet, can you put your hands together and

thank God for all the people that made a decision to follow Jesus. Now

lift your hands, Hi, Father, Come on, everybody, lift your

hands Father. In the name of Jesus. We're going hands up today.

God. As we go, hands up, we're saying God, use us

Lord. I pray you would speak to people. You would reveal to people,

Lord, the gifts and talents you've given them. Lord, let them

say no more sitting on the bench. It's time to get in the game.

I pray Lord that you would begin to give us the passion to say

I want to be involved. God use me. I'm not perfect. I've

got from practics and flaws. But Lord, I know that you don't call

them Lord. Those two have ability. You call those with a So Lord,

I pray raise up some warriors who will grab the sword like Joshua and

get in the fight. Secondly, Lord, I pray God that you would

show us how we can support the vision. Lord. Maybe it's writing a

check, Lord, maybe it's sending a card. Lord, maybe it's talking

to our neighbor and bringing him to church. But Lord, we want to

get involved and want to share the burden. And Lord, I thank you

that this is going to be a church that's known as a church of honor,

that honors leadership, and that honors your call upon our lives. In

Jesus' money Day,