More Than A Moment - Tim Timberlake

Hey, I'm Tim Timmerlake, and I want to thank you so much for listening to the Celebration Church podcast.

I hope this message encouraged you, strengthened your faith, and gave you something you can carry into your week.

If you'd like to stay connected, I encourage you to join us live every Sunday at 9 a.m.

or 11 a.m.

on YouTube.

We would love to have you there.

And if you're ever in the Jacksonville, Florida area, come see us in person.

We have a seat saved for you.

Thanks again for being with us.

We're so grateful for you.

And see you next time.

Again, when we left off last week, I want to welcome all of our first-time visitors.

Amen.

If you're here for the first time, wave at me, whether you're in this room or in our overflow.

It's good to see y'all.

Good to see you.

All the way up top.

I see you.

Good to see you.

And the overflow makes some noise if you came to lift up the name of Jesus.

Amen.

We're grateful you're here.

And uh we are making room in this room so that you and the overflow can have room in here.

Amen.

And so as you turn around and look, there's black back there.

We're at another 500 seats in here.

And uh we're we're thankful for your patience as we are under construction, and uh we're glad about what God is doing here at his house with his bride, amen.

Whether you're in this building or whether you're watching online, the presence of the Lord is there, and uh I'm grateful that we get an opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus together and celebrate in unity what Jesus has done in laying down his life for you and for me, and that we currently have victory because he's given it to us.

Amen.

So, Acts chapter 8, beginning at verse 38.

Acts 8 · chapter mention

The word of God reads, and he commanded the chariot to stop.

And they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip found himself at Azotas.

As he passed through, he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Again, verse 38 reads, And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water.

Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized them, and they came up out of the water, and the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away.

And the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip found himself at Azotas, and as he passed through, he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

I want to utilize these verses for our subject matter today, entitled More Than a Moment.

More than a moment.

Let's pray.

And so, God, we thank you for what you have done, what we are going to experience today.

And God, how we're going to live changed and transformed because our minds have been renewed by the word of God.

It is in your name we pray, the name that is above every name, the name of Jesus the Christ, our King.

And if you're thankful He's still alive and well, come on one time, real loud, King Shout Amen.

Amen.

You can take your seats in Jesus' name.

And he commanded the chariot to stop.

And they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip found himself at Azultas, and as he passed through, he preached the gospel to all of the towns until he became or to he came to Caesarea.

To give context to the text and to backtrack just a little bit to catch everybody up, we are walking through the Acts of the Apostles in chapter 8, and beginning at verse 38, we have found this Ethiopian eunuch who has just confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

The Holy Spirit plucked Philip out of a revival that was taking place in Samaria, placed him on a desert road where he would encounter this Ethiopian eunuch.

And this Ethiopian eunuch has Isaiah, and he's going through the scroll of Isaiah, and he has landed upon Isaiah 53, and he's reading about the rights of a eunuch now.

And so he's feeling liberated.

He's feeling like he is worth something.

He no longer views himself as less than a human, but he still has questions about what he's reading.

He still has questions about God.

And God saw fit to pluck Philip out of a revival happening in Samaria to send him on this desert path to answer the questions of one man.

And I just want you to hear me when I tell you this: God will send people across your path, no matter where you are in the world, to answer the questions you may have and to be a reflection of Jesus Christ, no matter the season or the circumstance you may find yourself in, God has a way of sending the right person at the right time.

He has a way of sending you the right message.

You can be scrolling on YouTube and you could be looking for something else, and a message pops up, and you click on that message and it speaks to you.

Some of you, you found your way to this YouTube page today, and you have no idea who I am.

And I'm just telling you, God sent you here strategically to speak to you.

And although you may not be looking for a word from God, God will get to you a word you don't even know you have need of when you don't even know you need it, because that's how God works.

And God plucks Philip out of Samaria, places him on this desert road where this eunuch is traveling on a chariot, and he sits in this chariot with this eunuch, and he begins to unfold the word of God to this eunuch.

And we understand and know, although the text does not describe or say this, that Philip took this eunuch from Isaiah to the New Testament because this eunuch now has an understanding of the revelation of who Jesus is, so much so he desires to be saved and transformed into becoming a follower of Jesus Christ.

We we understand this because he also then says, I see a body of water, I want to be baptized.

So Philip had to teach him about the resurrection, the death, and the burial of Jesus Christ and the importance of baptism.

And now he is not just informed, he has revelation.

And I don't know about you, but I would take revelation over information any day of the week.

We live in a society and a culture that has no shortage of information.

Everywhere you turn, there's information.

But isn't it crazy?

The more we're informed, it seems like the less we have a desire for revelation.

And although you may be informed about the things of the Bible, God wants you to have a revelation about who he is.

He wants his word to be revealed to you.

He wants you to know him in an intimate and intentional way.

He doesn't just want you to know about him, he wants you to know who he is, what he has done, what he desires to do in and through you.

And the only way you can know that is if you spend time with God.

It has to be more than a moment.

It has to be more than a moment.

It has to be what pushes your life into spiritual momentum.

And this eunuch has this encounter now with Philip, and Philip introduces him to the Word of God, and as a result, he understands his dire need of Jesus Christ.

And I want you to notice something fascinating about the text.

Luke spends more time describing the conversion of this Ethiopian eunuch than the miracle that takes place afterwards.

The miracle in this text is not the fact that Philip disappears, which is pretty incredible.

The miracle in this text is that one man's heart becomes transformed because of the word of God.

One person's life is changed and transformed because of the revelation of Jesus Christ.

So what I want us to do, I want us to walk down the text.

Verse 38 says, and he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

So the eunuch is no longer being led by curiosity, he is now being led by the Spirit of God.

And it might have been curiosity that led you here, but it is the Spirit of God that will carry you out of this place into the season that He desires for you to be in.

It might have been curiosity that had you open up the Word of God, but it is the revelation of who Jesus is that will transform your life to become who it is he desires for you to be.

Understand this faith always changes who sits in the driver's seat of your life.

When you have a true encounter with Jesus, when you've really been transformed by the Word of God and you have an understanding of the revelation of the Holy Spirit, that faith that is activated, that faith that is now mobile, that faith that is now moving, breathing, and living on the inside of you, it changes the person in the driver's seat of your life, and you're no longer behind the steering wheel, thinking that you have control, while not even understanding.

You never had control in the first place.

Now it's the Holy Spirit directing your path, ordering your steps, giving you direction, allowing you to operate under a spiritual GPS, telling you this is the way I desire for you to go.

And if you listen, it will lead you into all perfect truth.

But if you do not, you will remain confused.

Oh, this is powerful.

Because the text says they both went down into the water.

Which teaches us titles disappear when grace is again.

It describes this Ethiopian eunuch as a man of stature, a man of power.

It also describes Philip as a man that's following the Holy Spirit, starting revival wherever he goes, a student of the Word of God, one that has a desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they both lose their titles as they go into the water.

They both lose their earthly status as they go into the water.

They have no desire to keep their man-made perspectives as they go down into the water.

And this is powerful for us because oftentimes we think because God has graced us and given us gifts and given us talents, people should recognize our titles before they recognize our anointing.

Philip didn't stand safely on the bank telling this Ethiopian eunuch what to do as he went down into the water.

He entered the same water with him.

This is important for us to understand because the gospel never asks people to go somewhere their shepherd refuses to enter.

Let me put it to you this way.

As your pastor, as me and Jen lead you, we cannot tell you or take you to a place we have not first been.

As a leader, we can only lead you to the last place that we have been.

That's why Moses could only lead the children of Israel in the wilderness because that was the last place that he had been.

So as you are following the Holy Spirit and following Jesus, I want you to understand Jesus has not even asked you to do something that he has not first yet done.

So Jesus entered our humanity before asking us to enter his kingdom.

Jesus, before asking you to lay your life down, he laid his life down for you.

Before he asked you to carry your cross, he carried a cross for you.

Before he asked you to crucify your flesh, he crucified his flesh for you.

Why is this important?

Because the gospel never asks you to go somewhere that the great shepherd has refused to enter himself.

So point number one as we walk through the text is this the greatest evidence of a change heart is a change in direction.

If you say you are following Jesus, but you haven't changed the direction of how you walk since you've gotten saved, then you're not following the Jesus of the Bible.

You may be following a Jesus, but it is not the Jesus of the Word of God.

You may be following a God, but it's not the God of the old and the New Testament.

Because when you follow Jesus, he changes your direction.

That is how we define repentance.

Repentance is not merely confession, repentance is a change in direction.

When I repent, I am intentionally changing the direction in which I was walking and how I was walking, and now I'm headed towards Jesus.

I no longer pursue the things of my flesh, I no longer pursue the things I want, I no longer pursue the things I desire, I no longer pursue the things I crave for.

I pursue the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and the only way I can pursue him is by changing my direction.

So one of the greatest evidences that your heart has been changed is you're no longer headed in the direction you once were headed in.

Salvation doesn't just change where you go after death, it changes how you're living before it.

If you're still living like hell and you have an expectation to make it in heaven, I got an update for you, you're not gonna make it.

And you can say all these beautiful things, but if your life and your lifestyle does not follow what you say means absolutely nothing to God.

Because the word of God says he looks on the inward while others look on the outside.

So you may sound like you're a follower of Jesus Christ, but he's judging your heart.

He's looking at your actions, he's looking at your motives, he's looking at your ambitions, he's looking at your pride, he's looking at your ego, he's looking at your lust, he's looking at all your desires, and he's saying, nope, they're not who they say they are.

How do we know this?

Because the evidence of a change heart is a change direction.

I cannot say I am a believer in Christ, and I'm headed in the same direction I was when I was serving the enemy.

Look at the Ethiopian eunuch.

He was headed in one direction, had an encounter with a man, discovered the revelation of Jesus Christ, then changed directions because he wanted his life to model what he now believed in.

You can't meet Jesus and keep traveling in the same direction.

He will cut you off and he will redirect you and tell you there's a better way than the way you're headed.

The way you're headed is going to lead to eternal death.

The way I'm pointing you is going to lead you to eternal life.

And if you don't change course, you will not inherit the kingdom of God, regardless of what you say.

That's why the word of God says, faith without works is dead.

That's why the word of God says, this race is not given to the swift, it is given to the one that's endours.

So conversion is more than just changing your destination.

Conversion is also changing your direction.

When I am fully converted to following Jesus Christ and being a disciple of his word, my direction has changed.

I no longer follow the GPS of my flesh.

I now follow the GPS of the Holy Spirit.

And here's the reality of your life: the road you're on may look the same, but the traveler looks different.

Did you catch that?

You're gonna go back to the same home today, but you're gonna go back different.

You're gonna get in the same car you drove her in today, but you're gonna get in different.

You're gonna go back to the same job tomorrow, but you're gonna go different.

Why?

Because the road may look the same, but because of the Holy Spirit, the traveler looks different.

Aren't you glad that you look different?

Aren't you glad you don't talk the same?

Aren't you glad you don't live the same?

Aren't you glad you're still not shacking up and living with any and everybody because you've had an encounter with Jesus Christ?

And now you know your worth, you know your value, you know that you are a treasure in this earthen vessel, you understand that there's significance to your life, and so the direction of your life has changed.

Because now you know who you are in Christ Jesus.

Aren't you glad he lifted you?

You may look the same, but you don't live the same.

You may look the same, but you don't talk the same.

You may look the same, but you don't walk the same.

You are different because whatever Jesus transforms, he makes into a new creation.

The old has passed away.

Something brand new is coming.

So the road may look the same, but the traveler looks different.

Hear me when I tell you this.

God isn't just interested in you getting to heaven.

He's interested in changing the person making the trip there.

You're waiting to experience heaven until until you die.

He's like, why not experience heaven on earth?

So salvation ensures you make it to heaven.

But the Holy Spirit is a gift for you to experience heaven on earth.

Like, I don't want to just experience the grace and the glory of God when I die, when it is available for me to experience while I'm here.

But what you settle for, you will receive.

What you tolerate will never change.

I want what the word of God says that I can have.

Nothing more, nothing less.

But if it is available to me, I want it operating and active in my life.

I don't want to be one of those people who proclaim to be followers of Jesus Christ, but not go through the Word of God to see all of the benefits and blessings that come with it.

Only an ignorant person confesses Jesus without reading the manual.

You got everything you need, it's in the manual.

Some of y'all, you're trying to operate in this Christian life without reading the manual.

You're failing because you don't know what the word of God says.

So don't be that person that purchases something.

And think to yourself, I don't need the manual.

I can put it together myself.

I don't need the instructions.

I got the box.

I can look at the picture.

No, no, you better open this manual.

You better find out how it works, when it works, where it works, what you are belonging to, who you are belonging to, what's available to you as a son and a daughter in Christ Jesus, what faith is, what healing is, what discipleship is.

You need to understand this walk and this relationship with Jesus Christ.

And the only way you do it is by the word of God.

The greatest evidence of a change heart is a change in direction, and you can't tell me that you believe in Jesus, but you have not changed your habits.

I'm not talking about this foo-foo new Christianity that people are celebrating on TikTok and Instagram.

I'm not talking about this popularity test, and no, I'm a Christian, but there's no lifestyle, there's no decisions, there's no direction to follow it.

No, no, no.

I'm not talking about this soft, long-haired, uh, a Facebook, uh, uh, uh profile picture of Jesus Christ with completely smooth skin and whoo, he looks so pretty, almost effeminate.

I'm not talking about that Jesus.

I'm talking about the Jesus of the Bible.

I'm talking about the God of the Word of God.

You can keep that soft Jesus.

I want the real Jesus.

I want the God of the Bible, the one that convicts me when I'm in sin, the one that tells me there's more for you than what you currently know, there's more for you than how you're currently living, there's more for you than what you currently see.

I want the God of the Bible.

I don't want this post.

About it on Sunday and live however I want to live on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and get ready for another post again on Sunday.

No, no.

I want the God of Genesis.

I want the God of Exodus.

I want the God of Leviticus.

I want the God of Numbers and Deuteronomy.

I want the God of judges.

I want the God of the Word of God.

You keep that soft saving mess.

Give me the God that the Word of God describes him.

Eyes like fire, hair like wool.

Do you do you do you really think people are not gonna be offended when they get to the pearly gates?

And Jesus said, depart from me.

I don't know you.

You think they're not gonna be offended?

But God, I talk to you.

I don't know you.

You think they're not gonna be offended?

And here you are having an opportunity to point people towards him so that they can make a decision to follow him.

And you sit here talking about some, I don't want to offend them.

The most offensive thing you can do is know someone is living in sin, tolerate it, not speak truth into their life, and allow them to die and go to hell.

No, no, I'm not talking about this soft, seeker, sensitive Christianity.

I'm talking about the word of God where you love somebody enough to tell them, hey, there's a standard that you gotta live your life by in order to make it into eternity.

There's a standard you gotta live and walk by in order to know him as your savior and your Lord.

That's the God of the Bible.

You think Jesus didn't offend people in the New Testament?

You think the disciples didn't offend people in the New Testament?

It literally tells you Peter cut the ear of a man off.

What are we talking about?

Are we so soft?

Can't even receive the word of God until we get us a chai latte.

Oh, you're out of mocha today?

Oh, I'm gonna have a bad day.

If I don't start the morning off with coffee.

What about if you don't start the morning off with Jesus?

What about if you don't start the morning off in the presence of the Holy Spirit?

What about if you don't start the day off in the Word?

What are we talking about?

Got the nerve to be upset because we're in overflow.

It was like, what are we doing?

That's not the God of the Bible.

That's not what the word of God says.

Verse 39, and when they came up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way, rejoicing.

This is one of Scripture's most mysterious miracles in the Bible, and oftentimes we blow past it like it's just normal.

The Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away.

He disappeared.

What would you do?

If I tell you, close your eyes.

You open your eyes and I'm gone.

Ten seconds later, I'm in Africa.

How many of you know you would never go back to the life you used to live?

Mine would be blown.

A little scared, a little worried, a little concerned, a little nervous.

But I guarantee you won't go back, open up your laptop, and go to their website.

Because you've now had a revelation of the power of the Holy Spirit and you know what he's capable of doing.

And whenever you have an encounter with the Holy Spirit, your life cannot stay the same.

It leaves you changed, it leaves you marked, it leaves your walk different, it leaves your talk different, it leaves your mind different because you've encountered the presence of the true and living Savior.

The Greek word for this suggests Philip suddenly was seized and carried away by God's Spirit.

Philip disappears, yet notice the eunuch doesn't chase Philip.

He doesn't panic, he doesn't lose his faith because his pastor is gone.

He's not waiting for the 11 o'clock to determine who spoke at the nine o'clock.

He's not asking the question, who's preaching today?

Ah I really, I really wanted to hear Pastor Tim today.

He's not here.

Don't idolize me.

You're not coming to hear me.

You're not coming to see me.

You're coming to hear from the power of the Holy Spirit.

You're not coming here for a man, you're coming here for the man, and his name is Jesus Christ.

And if you don't come from him, you can leave right now.

Perhaps this is one of the greatest passages of pastoral history we've been given in the canons of the New Testament.

God gave the eunuch enough of Philip to meet Jesus, but did not give him enough of Philip to replace Jesus.

Philip disappears at the exact moment, discipleship could have turned into dependency.

At the exact moment, the Ethiopian unit could have said, I want to follow you all the days of my life.

The Holy Spirit said, Okay, it's time to go.

Because discipleship has to be deeper than dependency on a man or a woman, it has to be devoted following of Jesus Christ.

So in context, the eunuch's first lesson as a believer is this Christ is enough.

Sometimes God removes people that you've been leaning on.

So you'll learn to lean on him instead.

Sometimes God will remove the hand that led you to Jesus so you can grab a hold of the hand of God.

Don't be dependent upon no man or no woman to do it only.

Jesus is powerful and capable enough of doing.

And the word of God says Philip disappeared, the eunuch got out of the water, and he went on his way rejoicing.

Point number two is this.

Joy rooted in Jesus survives the absence of people.

It ain't dependent upon me.

I'm a man.

I got flesh on me.

At some point in your journey with me, I'm gonna let you down.

I'm gonna say something that you don't like.

I may frustrate you.

I may rub you the wrong way.

I'm a human.

You're not dependent upon me.

You're dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit.

Are you listening to me?

Now make no mistake about it.

We honor the gifts of God given to us in the earth.

We honor the vessels that God uses.

We honor those that are obedient to the text, obedient to the call, obedient to the purpose, obedient to the things that God has instructed to them.

We honor those gifts.

We honor up, we honor down, we honor all around, but we're not dependent upon those gifts.

We are devoted to Jesus Christ.

And as devoted disciples of Jesus Christ, if he removes everyone in our circle and all we have is him, we have all that we have need of.

So simply put, if losing people makes you lose your praise, you are following the wrong person.

God never intended personalities to replace his presence.

Sometimes we put too much emphasis on the personality of the person behind the podium rather than we do the power of the presence of the Holy Spirit using them.

Don't get hung up on personalities.

Are they preaching the word of God?

Are they preaching the sacred text?

Are they giving you context to scripture?

Are they removing themselves from the text and allowing you to see Jesus and the Holy Spirit at work through the text?

So joy rooted in Jesus survives the absence of people.

Verse 40 says, but Philip found himself at Azultus, and as he passed through, he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Azultus.

Azotus is referred to in the Old Testament as Ashdod.

Which was one of five Philistine capitals that the Philistines operated, lived, and moved out of.

This is the same city that the Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant back to and placed the Ark of the Covenant beside a false God.

This is the same place that they celebrated the idea that they had defeated Israel and the God of Israel.

But in the Old Testament, it teaches us something very valuable.

They placed the Ark of the Covenant beside this false God, Dagon, and Dagon fell forward on his face and broke into pieces.

This is the same place Philip is now carrying the message and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And this identifies something powerful to us that God loves sending redeemed people into places that once represented defeat.

Notice what Philip did not do.

Philip did not complain about where God sent him.

Philip did not complain that God had plucked him out of Samaria the first time, placed him on a desert road.

Now God plucks him out of this desert and places him in Ashdod, a place that has not yet heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He does not complain because his purpose is greater than his position.

Luke never tells us Philip questioned God, he complained to God, he was confused about what God was doing.

He never said that he requested a return to Samaria or Jerusalem.

It says he carried out the Great Commission wherever he was, wherever God dropped him, he preached.

Philip never confused his assignment with location.

Are you listening to me?

He never complained about where he was.

Why not LA?

Why Jacksonville?

Why?

Why?

It's hot.

Why Jacksonville?

We can't even feel the ocean breeze.

Why Jacksonville?

He never asked him why.

And you may be asking God why?

Why you're here?

Why you're in the season that you're in, why you're in the place that you're in, why you're in the relationship that you're in.

And instead of asking God why, ask God who?

God, who do you want me to preach to in this city?

God, who do you want me to tell about you on my workplace?

God, who do you want me to encounter today so that they can encounter you?

Who do you want me to impact in an eternal way?

Because I'm in my rightful position.

I mean, I understand why you have me here, but God, I believe I'm on assignment wherever I am, because the word of God says he will order your steps and direct your path, which means wherever you are, he's with you.

Whatever city you're in, he's with you.

And he'll never leave you nor will he forsake you.

He'll be with you until the very end of all time.

So instead of asking God why, ask God who?

Who is it that you want to hear the message of Jesus Christ?

Because no matter where I am, everybody can get the word of God.

Wherever God dropped him, he preached.

Will that be your confession?

Will it be your confession that you model reflect image bearers of Jesus Christ in the bathroom?

Will it be your confession that you model Jesus Christ at the Jags game?

See how quiet again?

Because as soon as we enter into the stadium, we lose our salvation.

And don't let the Jags lose.

Oh boy.

You won't show up to church next Sunday.

Wherever God places you, will you model him?

Will you reflect him?

Will you be an image bearer of him?

Will you point people to him?

Wherever God dropped Philip, he preached the word of God.

This is why.

His mission traveled farther than his comfort.

Point number three.

People obsessed with purpose don't waste time complaining about placement.

People obsessed with purpose don't waste time complaining about placement.

I'm on purpose.

And so I'm in the parking lot this Sunday helping people find a spot.

I'm on purpose, so I'm at the door greeting.

I'm on purpose, so I'm in the lof, making sure you get your mocha latte that you got to have.

Because you're gonna have a bad day if you don't get it.

I'm on purpose, so I'm making sure that people find their seats in an orderly fashion.

I'm on purpose.

No matter where God places me, I'm on purpose.

Whether I am here, whether I'm in another city, whether I'm in another country, I'm on purpose, and wherever God places me, the gospel will be preached because I'm on purpose.

Every assignment becomes sacred when Christ becomes your message.

No matter where you are, every assignment becomes sacred when Christ becomes your message.

The bathroom needs to be clean.

That's a sacred mission.

Why?

Because Christ is my message.

Do what you do like Christ is watching you.

Ain't that what the word of God says?

Do it as unto the Lord.

But nobody's gonna see me.

I'm not gonna get credit for nothing.

I'm not gonna get at a boys.

Nobody's gonna pat me on the back.

Who's gonna watch me do this for Jesus?

Who cares?

He sees you.

He's taking notes, he's identified your heart, he's identified your obedience.

He's identify who cares who else sees you?

We want attention more than we want anointing.

But people that are obsessed with purpose don't waste time complaining about placement.

Purpose travels better than comfort ever will.

Philip didn't complain about where God sent them.

Whether it was in Samaria, whether it was in the desert, whether it was in Ashdod, he preached the word of God without complaining.

He preached the word of God with faithfulness.

He preached the word of God with dedication.

And the reality for some of us is some people are looking for a miracle in the water while God is looking for obedience before you even enter it.

Do you walk different?

Do you talk different?

Do you live different?

Or will it be said about you that nothing about you has changed except for your title?

When you started following and believing in Jesus and became a disciple of Jesus, did any of your friends notice a difference or a change in you?

And when they did, they complained you're changing.

You tried to tell them, no, no, no, I'm not.

I'm the same.

No, no, you you are changing.

Your mind is being renewed.

Your heart is being changed, your life is being transformed.

The purpose of this Christian walk is that you would be transformed in becoming more like Jesus Christ.

Stop telling people that you have not changed.

To say that you have not changed minimizes the transformative power of Jesus Christ at work in your life.

To say you're the same person means that you have not changed or turned in any direction outside of the direction you were already headed in.

To continue to do the same things that you once did after confessing Jesus Christ is your Lord and personal Savior is a poor reaction to salvation in and at work in your life.

To say that you're the same, it minimizes the power of Jesus Christ.

You are changing.

And it is okay to change.

And how do you know when people no longer fit the change in your life when they're not changing?

And they constantly try to remind you of who you were and what you used to do and who you used to be.

And when we go get the old friend back, never.

I'm never going back to the way I used to be.

I'm never gonna walk the way I used to walk.

I'm never gonna talk the way I used to talk.

I'm never gonna live the way I used to live.

I am a new creation found in Jesus Christ, holy, and set apart a peculiar person, a royal priesthood, so I carry myself like royalty because he calls me royal.

You get an understanding of who you are, you'll stop giving yourself to everybody and anybody.

And every bed you crawl into, you demise and diminish this treasure.

You're valuable.

You are a treasure.

You are God's creation, handmade, handwoven.

How dare you not understand how significant of a life God has called you to live by giving yourself to any and everybody.

No, no, you walk different now.

You talk different.

You live with expectation that God can do anything anywhere and use anyone.

You live with the understanding that I'm ready for anything.

If the word of God is true, and I believe it is, it says God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

Which means if God allowed the Holy Spirit to do miracles like this, then God will allow the Holy Spirit to do miracles like that now.

Live ready.

Live ready for anything to happen anywhere.

Live like the Holy Spirit can use you to do anything anywhere.

Live hyper-aware of the power of God at work on the inside of you.

Live with an awareness of the kingdom of God.

Live ready, live like any day he can crack open that sky and return for his brother.

Live ready.

Why are you living so numb, so blind to the word?

Like revelation is not going to take place, like he's not going to return.

And get those who believe in him.

Live ready.

Live with an awareness.

Live with urgency.

Live with the understanding that this life you are currently living is not the pinnacle of living.

Heaven is.

And because you live different, you walk different.

You walk faithfully.

You walk generously.

You walk consistently.

You walk different now.

You are a different person.

Why are you a different person?

Because you live different.

Why do you live different?

Because you believe different.

Why do you believe different?

Because you've met a savior that has changed you, that has transformed you, that has renewed your mind, that has saved your soul, healed your body, changed the direction in which you were headed in because you were headed to hell and he cut you off and said, No, no, no, I have a better way for you.

I am the way, the truth, and the life.

And all that believe in me shall never perish.

Live different.

Live ready.

Live like a life depending on it.

Because it does.

Live ready to submit.

Live ready to become humble in his presence.

Live your life like it is more than a moment.

We're not here because we want a moment with God.

We're here because we want moments like this to carry us into momentum and it to become our lifestyle.

I don't just want God to drop by and visit.

I want to dwell in his presence.

I want all of what he desires to give me.

I don't want just a little breadcrumb of his presence.

I want everything he has for me to receive from him.

And it is more than a moment.

It is my entire life, and there is an opportunity for you to dwell in his presence, but you have to want it.

How do you want it?

By living like you want it, by being ready, by having your mind made up.

Whatever you desire from me, it is yes and always yes.

Whatever you need me to do, it is yes and always yes.

Wherever you want me to go, it is always yes, God.

If you tell me to go preach in the streets of Jacksonville, I'll preach in the streets of Jacksonville.

If you tell me to host Bible studies, God, if you tell me to start a small group, if you tell me to do this, I'll do it.

Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.

Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.

Wherever you want me to go, I'll go.

Whatever you want me to say, I'll say.

It has to be yes and only yes, because you've lived a surrendered and submitted life to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Have we forgotten that he gave everything for us?

Have we forgotten that he laid his life down for us?

Have we forgotten that he took a pierce in his side where he shed blood and water for us?

Have we forgotten that he's taken a crown of thorns on his head?

He was whipped into flesh, was removed from his body and his organs exposed?

Have we forgotten that he received nails in his hand and in his feet?

Have we forgot that he carried a cross that was over 250 pounds for you and for me?

Have we forgotten the sacrifice?

Who have we become?

That we live for moments and not for his presence.

Who have we become?

May we be a people and have our mind made up.

I never shall forget what you've done for me.

I never, I never will forget what I encountered the presence of Jesus Christ, where he spoke to me, where he infused my life with hope, where he breathed fresh air into my lungs because I was dead.

Where he changed my direction because I was headed towards hell.

I never shall forget how he saved me, how he healed me, how he set me free, how he delivered me, how he changed my mind.

Do you know how hard it is to change your mind?

Because you're stubborn.

It takes a God to change your mind.

And he changed your mind.

Not only did he change your mind, he changed your life.

And he said, as long as you follow me, your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

So this, it is more than a moment.

Who are we that he is mindful of us?

What kind of God do we serve?

That is mindful of you and mindful of me.

A God that would lay down his life.

Every other God tells you to give your life to them.

Our Savior says, No, I'll lay down my life for you.

Before I ask you to do anything, I'm going to do everything.

Before I ask you to crucify your flesh, I'm going to crucify my flesh.

Before I ask you to die, I'm going to die.

And because I die and I am resurrected, you'll be resurrected with me.

Before I ask you to make a sacrifice, I'm going to make sacrifices.

And as long as you believe in me, you will be able to do that.

What a God.

When you could not find hope, he made sure you found him.

What a God.

When you thought this was the end, he stepped in and said, nope, but this is a deep tour.

What a God.

When you hit rock bottom, he reminded you that I am the rock.

And upon this rock, I will build my church.

And the gates of hell shall not prevail.

What a God.

That would bring your kids back home when a phone call wouldn't do it.

What a God.

That would heal your body when medicine couldn't do it.

What a God.

That would restore your marriage when you tried therapy, counseling, you tried everything you could.

What a God.

What kind of God would see more in us than we see in ourselves?

I'll tell you what kind of God.

A righteous one, a holy one, a worthy one, a majestic one.

That is the God that we serve, the true and living Savior.

He is better than Buddha.

He is better than Allah.

He is better than Harry Christian.

His name is Jesus the Christ, our King.

And I wonder, isn't anybody glad that he doesn't desire just to spend a moment with you?

He desired to spend all of eternity with you.

I want to send 40 people that understood.

What a money God we serve.

What a money God with.

What a money God we serve.

What a mighty God we serve! Angel's Bible for me.

Heaven and number for Dorman.

What a mighty God we serve! What a mighty God we serve! What a mighty God we serve! What a mighty God we serve! What a mighty God we serve! What a mighty God we serve! This is more than just a moment.

My prayer is that this is momentum that will carry you for the rest of your life.

By your heads, close your eyes.

I don't want no one moving.

Just stand where you are.

You'd be here.

And you need Jesus to be your Lord and your Savior.

You know today, if you would die, you would not make it into eternal rest with Him.

I want you to stretch both hands to heaven right now.

Whether you're in this room, whether you're in the overflow, whether you're watching online right now, you put in the chat, that's me.

If you know right now, if something was to tragically happen to you, you would not spend eternity in heaven, I want you to stretch your hands towards heaven right now.

Stretch them high.

And I want everybody to repeat this prayer after me.

Lord Jesus, I repent from my sin.

I ask that you would help me, that you would change me, that you would transform me, that you would renew my mind so that I can become who you desire for me to become.

I turn from sin and I turn towards you.

And today and every day henceforth, I confess that you and you alone are my Lord, my master, and my savior.

And I believe in my heart of hearts that you and you alone have changed me, transformed me, and saved me.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.

Amen.

I want you to rejoice, like you know, that Jesus is faithful.

I didn't say one, God said rejoice.

Rejoice the king is the king of kings and the Lord of Lord.

Take your seats for a moment.

Take your seats for a moment.

We're gonna get ready to give, but before we do that, three things.

Look at your neighbor, say three.

You got more neighbors than that.

Say three.

Three things.

The first one, if you gave your life to the Lord today, get baptized today.

Our team is waiting for you.

They're ready.

We got clothes for you.

There's no excuse not to do it today.

Get baptized today.

Okay?

Get baptized today.

You gave your life to the Lord, get baptized today.

Something powerful, something miraculous, something supernatural happens when you go down in that water and you come back up, a new person, a new creation.

The old man stays in that water and you walk out rejoicing.

Amen.

This is not baptism Sunday, but it is baptism Sunday.

That's the first thing.

The second thing, I'm taking some weeks off.

Listen to me.

Stay faithful.

Do you understand me?

Stay consistent.

Stay faithful, stay consistent.

And whoever's communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ, you show them the same respect that you would show me.

Don't get up and walk out early.

I'm a fuss at you when I come back.

And the third thing, bring somebody with you that needs the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Okay?

We're making room.

We're adding 500 more seats.

Bring somebody with you.

Do you understand?

We live in a dying world.

This world is not going to survive all of eternity.

Heaven will.

And you want to see your friends and your family there, do you not?

Bring them to church with you.

It makes no sense for you to come, you know the Word of God, and your community not be impacted because of what you know.

Bring somebody with you.