A Great Podcast Episode | Viny Costa

Welcome to the Celebration Church Orlando podcast.

Thank you for joining us to learn more about Celebration Orlando, a church devoted to reaching the lost, equipping the found, and helping the hurting.

Follow us on social media using the handle at celebrationorl or visit our website, celebrationorl.

Amen.

Alright, before you take your seat, say hi to six people around you.

Can we do that?

If you're feeling extra, say hi to seven.

God bless you.

I only had one people say hi to me.

Oh thank you.

God bless you.

Youth, you are dismissed.

God bless you.

Youth, you are dismissed.

We have a wonderful service planned for you.

So if you feel you are youth, no, it's not about feeling, it's about being.

Good morning, you watching online.

This will be a challenge.

I only have 29 minutes.

Bear with me, okay?

My name is Vini.

I'm one of the pastors here at Celebration Orlando.

I'm so thankful uh you are here this morning.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity of sharing God's word with you.

Today is Baptism Sunday.

Yes, come on.

Pentecostal people came to church today.

Alright.

Just don't run around with flags because we'll call security.

We will be celebrating in a second what God has done in the life of our community.

This is exciting.

I want to be very honest with you, okay?

Can I be honest with you for a second?

Alright.

It was very difficult to choose a topic to preach on today.

Very difficult.

Only yesterday afternoon was I convinced by the Holy Spirit to share this message with you.

So I would like to preach a very, very simple word.

Very simple, but one that's burning within my heart.

Is that okay with you?

Can we do that?

Would you help me preach?

Alright.

Please open your Bible in Luke chapter 8.

Luke 8 · chapter mention

I see a lot of people here who already listened to the message on the first service.

Hopefully, this is a good sign.

If you came back.

Or it was maybe like I understood nothing, so Luke chapter 8.

Luke 8 · chapter mention

We're gonna read verse 1, 2, and 3.

Luke chapter 8.

Luke 8 · chapter mention

That's what the Bible says.

After this, after this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

He was proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

The twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases.

Who are they?

Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had came come out, Joanna, the wife of Cusa, the manager of Herod's household, Susanna, and many others, these women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Luke chapter 8, verse 1, 2, and 3.

Luke 8:1

If you are taking notes this morning, hopefully you are.

I have titled this message A Great Podcast Episode.

A great podcast episode.

We'll get there in a second.

Shall we pray?

Jesus, thank you for your presence here this morning.

Thank you because you have blessed us so much, and we are so ready to receive what you have for us.

And for that, we open up our hearts, we open up our mind so you can plant in us the eternal seeds of your word and create inside of us convictions for your glory and in your name we pray.

Amen.

Amen.

Alright, the passage we just read starts with after this.

So to understand what's happening in Luke chapter 8, we need to dive into the context of chapter 7.

Luke 8 · chapter mention

So in Luke chapter 7, Jesus and a crowd arrive at a city called Nain, where a funeral is taking place.

Luke 7 · chapter mention

A large crowd watches a widow mourning the death of her only son.

Right there in front of Jesus and his disciples, a funeral procession unfolds.

So the Bible tells us that Jesus had compassion for that widow, and he says to her, Do not cry.

Don't cry.

Jesus then touches the coffin and he says, Young man, get up.

And it's very funny when you read that in Luke chapter 7, because the Bible says that the boy not only rises, but he begins to speak immediately.

Luke 7 · chapter mention

I have no idea what he was holding inside, but he was ready to hit Jesus with some words.

Bible says that a great awe filled the crowd as they witnessed the incredible miracle.

After this, Luke chapter 7, word spreads quickly about Jesus.

Luke 7 · chapter mention

His renown reaches a Pharisee called Simon.

So Simon invited Jesus to dinner.

They went to McDonald's in Jerusalem.

While they eat, a prostitute approaches and anoints Jesus' feet with perfume.

She cries, washing his feet with her tears and drying with their with her own hair.

And it's again very funny because Simon, the Pharisee, the doctor of the law, the pastor, the guy who who knows the entire Old Testament, he has that memorized.

It's funny because the Bible says that he silently questions Jesus' discernment, thinking, thinking, if he were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him right now.

He just thought, he never said anything, but he thought in front of Jesus.

We're talking about Jesus.

So Jesus, aware of Simon's thought, Jesus says, Hey Simon, listen, when I arrived, you didn't greet me with a kiss, but this woman hasn't stopped kissing my feet.

When I arrived, you didn't anoint my head, but she's anointing my feet with perfume, with perfume.

Then Jesus looks at the woman, and this is mind-blowing.

He looks at the prostitute and he says, Go and sing no more.

I have a new life for you.

There's future for you, salvation for you.

Your past is behind you.

All of this happened in Luke chapter 7.

Luke 7 · chapter mention

Jesus' ministry is in full swing.

He has already delivered a sermon on the mount, which is the core teachings of his ministry.

He has already performed lots of miracles.

So the Bible says in chapter 8, after this, boom.

After this, after chapter 7, after Simon, after that city, nine after this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

This Jesus is unstoppable.

He's unstoppable.

He is filled with mission.

He is filled with love.

He's filled with purpose.

There is persecution for sure, but Jesus has courage to face it all.

Jesus has a message to share.

Jesus has to meet a sinner.

Jesus has someone to heal.

Jesus has someone whose life he wants to transform.

Jesus is unstoppable.

He's doing many things.

But listen, he's not doing them alone.

He's not doing them alone.

Bible says the twelve were with him.

Twelve who?

Who are they?

Who are they?

Well, Jesus had lots of disciples.

The Bible called the twelve apostles.

The twelve were with Jesus.

The twelve apostles, he chose men we might not consider ideal for business partners, not great people.

Yet Jesus selected them to walk with him, to preach alongside him, to expand the kingdom of love.

But what's fascinating to me in Luke chapter 8, verse 1, it's because it says that some women who had been cured of even spirits and diseases, they were traveling with Jesus preaching the gospel.

Luke 8:1

It's not only Jesus, it's not only the twelve, but some women too.

And this, my friends, let me tell you, this is counter-cultural.

You would ask me, why, Vinnie?

I'll tell you, because women in that culture weren't supposed to be in these kinds of situations.

They were viewed differently, typically placed beneath men in social standing, especially within religious contexts.

They couldn't do what they were doing to an Orthodox Jew.

This was scandalous.

But Jesus' team was counter-cultural.

Yes, is Jesus the twelve apostles?

Yes, the woman preached with him, but they preached a new message.

It wasn't the kind of message everyone was used to hearing.

It didn't necessarily revolve around the Mosaic law or the familiar teachings of the Old Testament.

It wasn't tied to the conventional ways they discerned and understood the law.

The Bible says these women, along with the 12 apostles and Jesus, were preaching about the kingdom of God.

Not about the law, not about Exodus, about the kingdom of God.

So if you have two codes, give one to someone who has known.

Jesus, listen, how many times do I have to forgive?

Great question.

Do you really want to talk about this?

70 times seven.

Jesus, what if someone hits me on the cheek?

We really want to talk about this.

Turning off for the other one.

Jesus is teaching and preaching a new message.

It's a message of the kingdom of God.

It's a message of love, message of hope.

It's a message that changes lives.

It's a message that lives on to this day.

This countercultural women preached alongside Jesus a countercultural message.

There is a God who desires relationship with his children, a God who became human to die in your place and my place.

But listen, it wasn't just this women's message that was countercultural.

They preached it to a counter-cultural audience, too.

Jesus wasn't necessarily preaching to the Pharisees.

He wasn't focused on the religious leaders.

His ministry wasn't centered in the synagogues.

He didn't plan to preach at the top ten most influential churches in Jerusalem.

His schedule was not like, okay, tonight I'm preaching at Lakeywood Church.

On Tuesday I'll be preaching at Bethel.

On Thursday, I'll be preaching at Elevation Church.

No, no, no.

Jesus was preaching a countercultural message to a countercultural audience to the poor.

To the sinners.

To the demon-possessed.

He was speaking to people with problems.

People marginalized by society.

He was preaching to those crushed by the Rompire.

Jesus had his eyes on those whom no one else wanted.

Those no one else cared about.

His team is countercultural.

His message is counter-cultural.

His audience was counter-cultural.

So I don't know if you noticed or not.

But our Jesus, he's a revolutionary.

But it's not an ideal ideological revolution.

It's a revolution of love.

It's a revolution of peace.

It's a revolution of hope.

A revolution of a future.

At the height of his ministry, Luke chapter 8 says, Jesus was going from village to village, town to town with the 12, and this countercultural woman preaching a counter-cultural message to marginalized people.

Luke 8 · chapter mention

What a revolution, Bob.

But do you know what's fascinating?

Ask me, Vinnie.

What's fascinating?

Can you please ask that for me?

Thank you for asking.

What's fascinating to me is that in chapter 8, the Bible lists the name of these women who preach alongside Jesus.

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.

The twelve were with him, and also some women who have been cured of evil spirits and diseases.

Mary, here we go.

Married called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out.

Joanna, the wife of Cuddle, the manager of Herod's household, Susanna, and many others.

We have their names right there.

Today we live in the world of podcasts.

And I started thinking, what a great episode it would be if we could have a conversation with these three women.

Here with us, we have Mary.

Would you please welcome Mary?

I know you're all you're you're looking at the nobody's coming out.

We're just pretending.

Welcome, Mary.

Right off the bat, I have to ask you, do you know that many people think that your last name is Magdalene?

She might respond, really?

No.

The thing is, I am from this poor village near to Galilee, and the name of the village is Magdala.

So people start calling me Mary from Magdala, and it became Mary Magdalene.

Wow! Thanks for clarifying, Mary.

Hey, listen, Mary, I heard you were preaching the good news of God's kingdom with Jesus.

That's incredible.

I read that in Luke chapter 8.

Luke 8 · chapter mention

But what was life like before him?

It was chaotic.

I was possessed by seven demons.

I would say, I'm glad you brought this up.

Because in the theology world, there is a debate about this, Mary.

Some theologians believe that you were literally possessed by seven demons, while others they think look was using biblical numerology, where the number seven represents fullness to convey that you were completely overtaken by darkness.

She might say, Vinny, I don't know much theology, but my situation was terrible.

I was tormented with no way out until Jesus found me.

Before I was possessed by seven demons, now I am Jesus' partner preaching alongside him.

Before it was confusion, it was disorder, it was darkness, despair, but Jesus saved me.

Thank you, Mary, for sharing.

Joanna, come on over.

And at this point, it's one and a half hour of podcast, as you know.

Joanna, come on, come on over.

Tell us a little bit about your story, Joanna.

I was married to Herod's assistant.

Let me tell you, I was rich.

I used to attend the best parties and banquets.

I used to mingle with high society.

I could travel whenever I wanted.

My bank account was full.

And Vinnie, let me tell you something.

I had thousands of followers on my Instagram.

But Vinnie, one day, I realized my money didn't fill my emptiness.

Friends, medication, books, possession, they didn't fill my emptiness.

Then I met Jesus.

He saved me from my emptiness.

I realized that a BMW means nothing.

A house with a pool means nothing.

A trip to Paris means nothing.

All of that is wonderful, but it's it's even better to be saved by Jesus first.

Thank you, Joanna.

Hey Susanna, three hours.

What about you, Susanna?

The Bible doesn't mention you anywhere else.

Sorry.

No other passage speaks of you.

Sorry.

We don't know your testimony.

Could you share with us?

Susanna would say, Vini, my life was ordinary.

Nothing special enough to make it into the Bible.

I wasn't possessed, nor did I attend grand parties.

I was a regular woman, but just like my friends, I needed Jesus.

It was an ordinary life.

You know, I woke up, I go to my work.

Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry.

Sometimes I feel like leaving everything and running away.

Sometimes I feel like closing the door and talking, talking to no one.

Sometimes I scroll through my phone wondering who should I text?

Sometimes I don't understand my husband.

Sometimes my husband, my husband doesn't understand me.

Sometimes I have plenty of friends, sometimes none.

Sometimes I have money, sometimes no.

Sometimes I tread.

Sometimes I doubt, but despite my normal life, I needed salvation.

There was a hole in my heart only Jesus could fill.

Just an ordinary life.

Lizzie asked me this past Thursday.

Vinny, would you mind when you have a second?

Would you mind sharing your testimony with me?

I told her, I'm Susanna.

Ordinary life, but desperately needed Jesus.

Mary, Joanna, Susanna were different from each other, living unique lives, but they all shared one similarity.

They all needed salvation.

They all needed Jesus.

So let me ask you this morning, my friends.

Who are you?

Are you Mary, Joanna, or Susanna?

Did Jesus save you from confusion, emptiness, or ordinary life?

Who are you?

There is a Portuguese song that I love that says, and when my story seemed like it had come to an end, your grace reached out to me.

And when it all seemed lost there on that cross, your blood set me free.

Jesus, the perfect plan, the mystery of grace that transformed my soul.

His name is Jesus.

His name is above every name.

He came to the world to save, and he saved me whole.

We were blind and now we're sea.

We were walking in darkness, but now we walk in the light.

My name is not Mary, my name is not Joanna, my name is not Susanna, my name is Vinnie, and I thank Jesus because he saved me like he saved then.

Thank you, Lord.

I love these ladies.

Somebody taught uh stopped me at the at the end of the first service, and she said, I've never heard about then before, but now I love then.

I told her, I got you.

I know what you mean.

These three ladies teach me two precious lessons.

The first is I can't forget what he has done for me.

I can't forget what he has done for me.

Me, Vini.

Let me confess my sin to you.

Sometimes I caught myself playing a game with myself.

I find myself wondering, what would I do if I won the lottery?

Do you guys play this game?

Forgive us all, Jesus.

Hallelujah.

What would I buy?

Where would I travel?

What new experiences would I have?

But often I find myself asking, where would I be without Jesus?

Where would I be without Jesus?

And all the answers are catastrophic.

I love the way Paul explains it to us.

Come on, it's Paul.

He's the guy.

And this is what he wrote in 1 Timothy chapter 1.

1 Timothy 1 · chapter mention

He puts like this I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service, even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, even though I was married possessed, even though I was Joanna dealing with emptiness, even though I was possessed with an ordinary life, I was showing mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

Along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus, we here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

I can't forget what he has done for me.

What he has done inside of me, I won't forget.

What kind of grace accepts me just as I am and transforms me?

What kind of peace floods me on the darkest days?

What kind of joy overtakes me when I'm in his presence?

What kind of love blesses me?

His arms are always opened, his voice always calls my name, his gaze never ignores me, his heart still loves me and will love me forever.

I won't forget what he has done for me.

The second lesson I learned with Mary Joanna and Susanna is I can't forget what he wants to do through me.

Because in Luke chapter 8, verse 3, what we just read at the beginning of our service, he says, This woman, Mary Joanna, and Susanna, were helping to support them out of their own means.

Luke 8:3

They were saying, Jesus, because you saved you saved me, everything I am, everything I have is at your feet.

You can use.

Today is a day for water baptism.

And maybe you are here and you've never been baptized.

Maybe you're asking, Vini, I don't know if I'm ready.

Let me tell you, we we've been there.

So let me ask you two questions this morning.

One, do you understand what He has done for you?

Two, are you ready for God to do something through you?

If so, then baptism is for you today.

So if you are wondering, if today is the day, let me tell you, yes.

Today is the day.

You can spend your entire life wondering, but if you recognize what He did for you, today is your day, my friends.

Baptism is just a public, public confession of faith.

I know that you are feeling tempted to look at them, but look at me.

Baptism is a public confession of faith, it's a way to declare to the natural and spiritual world, just like Jesus saved Mary, Joanna, and Susanna, he saved me, and just as they dedicated their life to proclaim him, I'll dedicate mine too.

This is baptism.

So if you feel in your heart you are ready, we have everything we need.

You need we have towels, we have extra clothes, we have everything.

The water is not that cold.

That's the price of following Jesus.

I'm sorry.

But if God is knocking at your door, if you recognize what He has done for you and you are ready for what God wants to do through you, today is your day.

Can you go really cheesy?

Look at your neighbor and say, Today is your day.

Do a little bit more Pentecostal.

Come on.

Today's the day.

Say it to him.

Sorry, but I need to close the podcast episode.

And I would close by saying, ladies, thank you so much for coming.

I know the trip from Israel to Orlando isn't easy.

But as a tradition of our podcast, I need to ask you three.

Is there a song that tells your story?

Do you have a favorite song?

Is there a song that reminds you what he has done for you?

Joanna, who is the most outgoing, would respond, Yes, Vinny, there is.

But I'm a terrible singer, Vinnie.

But it's that song that goes like this, she would say.

Who thought I'd find you at the lowest place?

Who thought you would feel me in a crowd?

Who knew you make good of my mistakes?

You're nothing like I thought you were, you are better.

What a God! What a God.

I thought you would show up for perfection.

Because what kind of God looks for the lost?

They say it's over for a sinner.

Although you say, No, it's not.

What a God.

What a God.

If the highest place I reach is at your feet, then I've done it all.

If the best thing that I've seen is your glory, then I've seen it all.

Your love has changed my life, forever satisfied God, you are my everything.

If one word is the only thing you speak, then I've heard it all.

If I feel your heart and never see your hand, I still have it all.

No treasure of this life could ever satisfy God, you are my everything.

What a God.

Who saved Joanna, Mary, Susanna, Vinnie, Amy, Zach, Madison, Andy, Val, Brianna, Paula, DJ, what a great love.

What a God.

Thank you, Jesus.

Thank you for this morning.

Thank you for your presence.

Thank you for Luke chapter 8.

Luke 8 · chapter mention

Thank you because you had a countercultural team.

Thank you because you were preaching a countercultural message to a countercultural audience.

Thank you because this good news found us.

Thank you because you because you loved us.

And we will never forget, Jesus, what you have done inside of us.

We will never forget what you have done for us.

But we will never forget what you want to do through us.

So we are here, Jesus.

We are here for you, saved by your grace, loving you with everything we are and everything we have.

What a God.

What a God.

Thank you for joining us to learn more about Celebration Orlando, a church devoted to reaching the lost, equipping the found, and helping the hurting.

Follow us on social media using the handle at Celebration ORL or visit our website, celebrationorl.