October 2, 2025 • 61 mins
Have you ever considered that the Kingdom of God might be closer than you think? Not a distant future or a faraway realm, but right within you—as accessible as your next breath?
This powerful message explores the revolutionary concept that Christ's presence within us transforms everything about how we move through the world. Drawing inspiration from Colossians 1, we unpack what it truly means that Christ is "the divine portrait of the invisible God" and how this understanding frees us from religious bondage into authentic relationship.
Along the way, we discover unexpected spiritual wisdom through quantum computing—how God has wired infinite possibilities for joy and transformation into the very fabric of our existence. Just as quantum computing considers all possibilities simultaneously rather than sequentially, our lives with Christ open us to profound possibilities in every moment.
The episode contrasts harmful religious practices (like "Bible fighting") with Jesus's radical approach to love and liberation. We share deeply personal stories about moving beyond legalism into grace—including a particularly moving account of a delivery person's transformation through unexpected kindness during a baptism celebration. These everyday encounters reveal how "Christ in you" manifests as healing, compassion, and liberation in practical ways.
Perhaps most importantly, we challenge the notion that Christianity is merely a "sin management program," inviting listeners into something far more revolutionary: becoming co-creators with God in bringing heaven to earth. From grocery store encounters to global injustice, we explore how small acts of kindness become sacred moments that transform both giver and receiver.
Ready to see yourself and others through God's eyes—as holy, flawless, and restored? Join us as we discover what happens when we stop trying to earn God's approval and start embracing our true purpose as carriers of divine light and love in a world desperate for both.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving
In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the First Love Church podcast.
This is a collection of Sundayteachings inspired by the
Revised Common Lectionary andrecorded weekly in Ocala,
florida.
We're already in a good servicebecause you are here, your
presence with us, your intentionto come and to be reminded of
(00:22):
the sacred presence we talked alot in the singing and also here
the kingdom of God, thisbeautiful understanding, and I
want to remind you what Jesussaid the kingdom is so close,
it's in you.
The kingdom is as close as yourown breath and there is such
hope in that remembrance that,no matter where we are, we can
(00:44):
have peace, we can be in love,we can hear grace, because the
kingdom is within us.
I am grateful to be in yourpresence this week and it is joy
to share with you our followingof Jesus and we listen to the
scripture to tell us the witnessof Jesus and it is hope this
(01:07):
morning that we offer to you andhopefully, by the spirit who is
with us and the spirit who is athought adjuster, the spirit
will change our perspective onthings.
I remind you that the teacherthat we have, jesus, the path
that we follow, jesus, was aradical and he was radical in
(01:27):
the way that he loved.
And he said you'll be known asmy followers by your love and so
beloved.
We're invited into radical love.
We're invited into love thatchanges the world.
We're invited into this way.
Jesus said this.
He said I want to remind youthat you've heard it said love
(01:49):
your neighbors and hate yourenemies.
But I say unto you and Jesusconstantly asked us to change
our culture perspective andinvited us into love I say unto
you to love your enemies and topray for those who are horrible
about you.
And so this invitation intoconnection, this invitation into
(02:14):
love, I remind you this morningthat you are loved and that
each one of us come, many of uscome with different pieces of us
being held or differentexperiences that have shaped us
this week, and I remind you ofyour place in God's family.
You are loved, you are held andyou are wanted.
(02:34):
In fact, this morning, rightbefore the service, one of our
friends said that she had familymember that were giving birth
to babies right now, twin babies, and today two babies will be
born.
And what a grace that is, as weremember that.
And then my other friend camein and said to me right after
service today I will go to afuneral and it was such a
beautiful reminder that rightnow, the present, is what we
(02:58):
have, Right now, that there is abeginning and there is an
ending in other life, but rightnow, together, we are in the
presence of love, we are in thepresence of each other and there
is goodness here you know, lastnight I was sitting in bed, uh,
doing a little scrolling beforeI went to sleep, and I know
that's not always a good idea,but uh, I decided on this one I
(03:20):
would learn something, and so II scroll.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
You might want to do this because it's really cool to
I put how does quantumcomputing work?
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Right before you go to bed you should have those
kind of thoughts.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Listen, listen now Don't shake your head before you
hear how powerful this is.
Regular computing works whereit takes an idea, solves it and
goes on to the next idea.
Quantum computing considers allof those possibilities at the
same time and I was thinkingwell, that's a.
It took ten minutes for them toget.
That is all I understood.
(03:56):
I said well, god, how does thataffect me?
And he said well, remember whenI said in all circumstances,
have joy.
This is how you do it, becauseit can happen.
There's all kinds ofpossibilities, but in every
(04:16):
situation you can have joy.
And I thought about that withthe decision for me to be able
to be loving.
There's all kinds of choices Iwant to make, but there is the
power to make that right one.
I don't know if it had the sameeffect on you maybe I was
dozing off to sleep and and uh,so I was in some kind of realm
(04:39):
but I I.
That's better than than the wayit looks on your face, because
I'm telling you God has alreadywired it within the universe
that you have the power to havejoy in every situation, because
every possibility is there atonce.
(05:00):
I feel sometimes and I've feltin the past I'm doomed.
I'm just having a bad day.
No, god has given everypossibility towards me to have
joy.
He's wired the fabric of theuniverse so that I don't have an
excuse to be miserable.
Oh man, maybe one person canget behind me on this you with
(05:32):
me, carol.
I, me and carol are going tohave joy, no matter what,
because god has given me thatability and I and I just sit
there and I thought about that,because sometimes that stuff
washes over me, I get aggravatedby things.
So the other day I got soaggravated, heather I said.
I said to heather said yourguru husband sure about lost it
today.
You know, we think sometimeswe're really getting somewhere
(05:52):
and something can just get underour skin and I just love being
reminded by God the infiniteability and possibility for
transformation and change.
Maybe it'll get to him on theway home, I don't know
transformation and change.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Maybe it'll get to them on the way home, I don't
know.
Well, we're going to go to theportion of scripture that is
going to give us, hopefully, anew way to see, an experience
way to see.
One of the things that Jesusdid all the time in his walking
around here on the earth washeal people's sight, healing the
blind.
And sometimes we relegate it toa literal and say, well, I'm
(06:26):
not blind because my eyes areopen.
But is your eye opened, is theeye of your heart able to see
things the way that God seesthem, the way that possibility
sees them?
And is there for us aninvitation to the spirit to say
can you change the way that I'mthinking about things?
We meet up with this particularportion of scripture.
(06:46):
Last week we read the beginninghere of Colossians chapter one,
and because of time not becausewe couldn't do it I will not go
to the very beginning of thechapter and reread it for you,
though I think that would besomething advantageous for you
to do this week.
But in Colossians chapter one,the apostle is saying to the
church at Colossus, and he'stelling them something about God
(07:08):
in Christ.
He's saying the witness ofChrist brings to us this
knowledge that Christ is thedivine portrait, a true likeness
of the invisible God and thefirstborn heir of all creation.
Here he's reminding us thatChrist is supreme, that
everything that we have to see,that everything that we hear
(07:31):
bows to the living Christ, thisunderstanding that Jesus is the
way to the Father and that Jesusis all good, all love, all
mercy.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
You know, when you've pastored for a while and you do
, uh, offer counseling to people, sometimes I think you've seen
it all and then someone willcome and surprise me.
But I think one of the mostamazing things that I have ever
witnessed as a pastor was acouple, a christian couple, that
(08:03):
came over to our house forcounseling.
Now, I'm not ratting them out,they're already both passed away
and went on to be with the Lordbut what they did was in front
of us, they started to fight andthey started to Bible fight.
I've never seen anything likeit, because the one was able to
point out the other's flaws byusing scripture and to point out
(08:27):
how wrong they were.
Well, you know, according to youknow, jeremiah, something you
know.
A husband does it.
Well, according to this, then awife should do this.
And man, I mean, they were likerapid fires, quick as one could
throw out a scripture to provethe other one wrong.
The other one had a rebuttaland it was absolutely horrifying
(08:50):
and impressive all at the sametime, because I didn't know you
could do that, and Heather and Ihave since, and we've tried to
do a skit, we can't.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
We did observe it, we want to demonstrate it, we
cannot but it was church, it wascollege level crazy.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Do you know what I mean?
It was like maybe master'sdegree and crazy.
And we're just we're not thereyet, so we can't do it.
But I bring that up for areally important point that I'm
convinced they thought they wereright.
Yes, yes, yes, and they thoughtit honored God to take the
scripture and bash their matewith the scripture.
(09:31):
And I just I have to ask youthis question If Jesus was in
that marriage, could you seeJesus doing that?
If you can, you have a warpedview of who Jesus is, and I want
you to find out about love.
I want you to find out about,really, what the definition of
(09:52):
love means that you'd prefer theother person's needs above your
own, that you'd do whatever ittakes so that that person could
be blessed and satisfied andfilled with joy, contentment,
and that you, that's yourbusiness to do.
And and I think that aschristians, sometimes we have
(10:17):
had the bible, you know, uh, youknow, beating us over the head
with it, and we maybe have evendone that ourselves, thinking
that's the way this thing works.
And we want you to understand avery important principle and
it's a key that unlocks you know, it frees you from error.
(10:42):
Really, if you didn't see Jesus, do do it.
Or you know in your heart jesuswouldn't do it, then don't do
it.
And if and if somebody'stelling you a scripture and in
your heart you know that's notjesus.
I had several situations inbible school where somebody say
a scripture out of whack and I'dsay, man, I, I just don't think
(11:03):
that's true.
And they just beat me, beat meover the head with it, and then
I'd start feeling ashamed andthen a teacher would walk in the
class and go.
I don't know why I'm sayingthis, but you know that
scripture that says this it's acomplete erroneous to view it
this way.
It really is this way.
And then I'd want to look upand go in your face, but instead
I'm like, well, just let God dothe conviction.
(11:24):
I'm just gonna.
But I've just, I've seen God dothat over and over.
Where, where we, if we'll beopen, he'll show us how
erroneous we have.
And and so many people, theystand on scripture in this holy,
pious, self-righteous way thatthey think they understand.
And they've got this handle orgrip on God.
And they've got this juggernautor God by the collar saying you
(11:46):
said it.
Now you're going to do it punk.
And I mean I've, really I'vegot to tell you it feels like
they think they're clean.
Age to it Is that six or sevenbullets Make my day and it's
like God is the God of theuniverse, that we stand in awe
(12:12):
and God does what God doesbecause we love not because we
cornered him in his word.
God loves because God is good,you know, and and so I think
sometimes that wrestling in thisdesire to know and desire to
prove, you know it gets us intremendous error.
But I tell you that thatrelaxing and just resting in
god's love for us and for otherswill help you discern.
And if you've been wronged bypeople that claim to be of god,
(12:36):
I bet you the origin of it isabsolutely from the fact that
they thought they had a leg tostand on scripturally but had no
love.
And the bible says even thoughtthey had a leg to stand on
scripturally but had no love.
And the Bible says even if theywould look, you know, if you do
this without love, you're justa clanging cymbal.
You're noisy, just irritant.
I might just preach I don'tknow.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
It is for love that you have been set free.
That's what the apostle said tous Don't get entangled again in
any kind of bondage, in anykind of law, in any kind of rule
that will bind you up again.
Love always releases us.
Love has always been aboutliberation.
Love is the highest, becauselove is God.
(13:25):
God is love, and so we joinwith the thoughts of scripture
this morning that Jesus is thedivine portrait, the true
likeness of the invisible God,the firstborn heir of all
creation, for through the suneverything was created, both in
the heavenly realm and on theearth.
Please be aware of thisinstruction to us, that we not
(13:47):
only look here in the earthlyrealm, but that we would
recognize that there is anunseen world that may be even
more real than the world thatwe're currently experiencing,
that we would have our inner eyeopen to recognize that there is
a realm that is beautiful andpowerful and that is truly real,
(14:08):
all that is seen and all thatis unseen, every seat of power,
realm of government,principality and authority.
It was all created through himand for his purpose.
He existed before anything wasmade and now everything finds
completion in him.
He is the head of his body, whois the church, and since he is
(14:34):
the beginning and the firstbornheir of resurrection, he is the
most exalted one, holding firstplace in everything.
Again, the apostle is remindingthese people Jesus, the Christ,
is the head of the church, isthe head of everything, and
Jesus has the final authority onall things.
(14:55):
So if there is something thatyou don't understand or
something that somebody else hasbrought to you, does it look
like Jesus?
Now, this was really importantto the people then, particularly
who saw with their own eyesthese things, because Jesus
consistently confronted rulesand religious laws that kept
people bound, and by this I meanthere was a law that said
(15:19):
because we are honoring the TenCommandments, we're honoring the
Sabbath, then if you seesomeone who is sick or someone
who needs food, then you can'tfeed them on that day.
Now, beloved, I do want toremind you of something that's
not just for them, it is for us.
There is a difference betweenlegal and moral, and all of our
legal laws are not alwaysmorally correct, and that is
(15:42):
what Jesus confronted.
If you see someone who is sick,heal them, bring them to a
doctor.
I mean, this is the story ofthe Good Samaritan.
Stop what you're doing and takecare of that person, people
that are made in the image ofGod.
This goodness and this apostleis writing to the church at
Kloss and he's saying the exactsame thing.
(16:03):
Is writing to the church atColossus, and he's saying the
exact same thing.
Jesus is the way.
If you see Jesus doing it.
There was a rule during theirtime that said no one can touch
a leper.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
What they have may be contagious, so we can't touch
them, and so they died, oftenneedlessly because we had rules,
(16:33):
and one the first thing jesusdid was come down and touch
lepers and and, and.
So here's this idea of and whois jesus?
God in the flesh, god in ourhumanity.
Can I just look at that verse18 for a second, because it says
there that he is the head ofthe body.
And so, you know, we, we kindof you know, in our culture it's
like who, you know, who's theboss, who's in charge, who's the
head, and so we, we hear Godsaying that he's the boss, he's
the head, he's in charge, and soit's like, you know, we kind of
get the idea that he's up there, you know, telling us and many
(16:54):
people really have theirrelationship tell us, well, get
in line.
You know I'm the head, you know.
But that's why it's soimportant to have an
understanding of Jesus, becauseyou know, uh, was he around
saying to people yeah, get inline, dude.
You know, start worshiping,let's see what you got.
He went around healing anddoing good, so there.
(17:14):
So what is it then, when he'ssaying I'm the head, if he's not
telling you that you know I'm,I'm your boss and I'm trying to.
You know he's demonstratingsomething.
But it says in verse 17,something real key.
It says that we're how does itsay that we're completed.
I love the way this saysEverything finds completion in
(17:35):
him and that's what he'soffering for us Is not a boss,
but that you've been doing itoutside and you've been
struggling by yourself andyou'll never really get it right
.
Because the idea is we do thistogether with God.
(17:56):
God wanted a relationship withyou, but I found myself for
years wanting to save somethingfor me, something on the outside
, and I feel and hear this callof God to the church and to us
that we would surrender to unity, that really that's what church
is about.
Right, that we're all thisgroup of people, no one better
(18:18):
than the other, but we're allkind of doing our part.
What does God reallydemonstrate?
But a family togetherness thefather, son and Holy spirits,
you know and he's offering thatwe do this together.
And so I'm telling you, ifyou'll, if you continue to
struggle, you can outside andtrying to get your own identity
(18:40):
and get your own approval andget and find your own self-worth
.
And I think for me, I was drivenas maybe even a young kid kid I
covered it with the idea that Igot to make something out of
myself and I got to be anindividual, and and, and as much
as I fought for individuality,what I'm doing is I'm pulling
away from the one who wants tomake me complete.
(19:01):
Complete what In a brokenness Ican be healed?
With carrying sin, I can bereleased.
Errors of brokenness, I can betransformed and healed.
This is what God wants andoffers us, and he is the head,
in other words, he has theauthority over all of that stuff
(19:21):
, not to Lord, but to give it.
What a king, what a king heshares and gives us.
But yet we fight so much for ouror maybe it's just me, in case
that is just stretch your handsout towards the weird pastor.
He says I got all theseproblems, or I wonder if that's
the problem of mankind, that allof us want to do it and achieve
(19:44):
on the outside.
And then, god forbid, we dowell.
And then we think, really,we've got a handle on this and
we can do it.
Oh, we're all in such need.
We don't realize how miserable,wretched and naked we are and
what it could be if we wouldsurrender.
(20:06):
You know, there's such a fearof what would be taken away, but
I wonder if we could open upour eyes and see differently of
what is offered and what will begiven.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
The invitation into unity does not negate the
diversity.
That's good you are invited tobe one, to be part of the
oneness.
But your individuality in theoneness is expected and it is
what God does.
I mean, just look at nature.
There is more than one kind offlower Beloved.
You would exhaust yourselflooking at every flower that's
(20:41):
out there.
The diversity, amazing.
The birds, amazing.
The flowers, the plants, themoss, amazing, mushrooms,
amazing, beloved.
Allow your heart and your eyesto be amazed at the diversity
and then look around and say, ofcourse God would make people in
(21:03):
these diverse ways.
In fact, in the book ofRevelation, where one man
believes that he sees theseincredible things and he says
that from every nation, everytongue, every people, everyone
in all different languages,lifting praise to the one true
God.
And this invitation is to join,to be a part of, but you do not
(21:28):
lose your own identity, you donot lose your uniqueness.
You are made by God uniquelyand you are welcomed to bring
that.
And this invitation, then, isto wholeness, and wholeness is
what we receive when we rejointhe head, when we get our source
from Christ.
God is satisfied to have allhis fullness dwelling in Christ.
(21:52):
This sorts out a lot of thingsfor people, and here's how it
does that.
If someone tells you.
This is what God is like.
Look at Jesus, and if it lookslike Jesus, then that is what
God is like.
Jesus is the perfect image ofthe invisible God, and God is
satisfied to have all of God'sfullness, all of this love
(22:15):
dwelling in Christ and by theblood of his cross, everything
in heaven and earth is broughtback to himself, back to its
original intent and restored toinnocence again.
What a gift, what a gift tohave only your innocence seen,
(22:37):
that you would remember that youare faultless.
There is no flaw in you to beseen as one who is wholly
innocent.
This is the hope for all of us.
Even though you were oncedistant from him, living in the
shadow of your evil thoughts andactions, he reconnected you
back to himself.
(22:58):
He released his supernaturalpeace to you through the
sacrifice of his own body as thesin payment on your behalf, so
you would dwell in his presence.
And now there is nothingbetween you and Father God, for
he sees you holy, flawless andrestored.
This is how God sees you thismorning.
(23:21):
I don't know how you saw youwhen you looked at yourself in
the mirror this morning.
I hope it was the way that Godsaw you Holy, flawless and
restored.
Restored to what, restored toinnocence, restored to oneness,
restored to love.
That is the invitation of us.
This is how God sees us, ifindeed you continue to advance
(23:43):
in faith, assured of a firmfoundation to grow upon, never
be shaken from the hope of thegospel that you have believed in
, and this is the glorious newsI preach all over the world.
I can even celebrate the sorrowsI've experienced on your behalf
, for, as I join with you inyour difficulties, it helps you
(24:03):
to discover what lacks in yourunderstanding of the sufferings
of Jesus Christ experienced forhis body, the church.
Back there just for a moment.
This verse reminds you that youmay have gotten some things
wrong, yet you are holy andflawless and restored.
It is possible that somethingthat you chose to believe, or
(24:27):
someone asked you to believe,was not the right perspective or
was not how God enabled theworld and the universe to give
back to us and he's saying youmight need to re-establish a
connection between thesufferings of Jesus and the
goodness that God has in theworld you know, when I first
(24:49):
came into a church like this, aProtestant church, I came from a
Catholic background and I wasdevout.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
I went to grade school until sixth grade when
they asked me to no longer go tothe Catholic grade school.
But in that time I had, uh, Igot expelled but uh, but before
that I and I did communion, youknow, and, and, uh, and of
course I was baptized.
You know, sprinkled when it,when it's a baby, it had, and I
(25:21):
even had um, uh, confirmationand uh.
So I was pretty serious aboutit and I went all the time.
But I stumbled into aProtestant church in a real
interesting way.
This man was my brother's wife'suncle and he read a scripture
(25:43):
in my brother's wedding and heimpressed me how he behaved at
the reception.
Everybody was drinking andacting silly and he was laughing
with everybody, but he wasn'tpartaking and he wasn't like
this holy, righteous guy, but hewas different, just the way he
was behaving and whatnot.
So I asked him what he wasdoing while he was in town and
he said he was preaching at thischurch and without thinking I
(26:04):
said I'll go see you preach andthat's not a good Catholic thing
to do.
You do not step foot into aProtestant church, and I told
the guy I'd go and I wassweating then all that night
afterwards.
And then Sunday morning I go tomy church and I went to two
(26:26):
services to make sure I'd reallycovered for this Protestant
church.
And so I go into thisProtestant church and all sudden
I heard the message of thegospel and it was like you know,
I heard priests speak and readthe Bible, but I'd never heard
the message of of God's love forme and that I was forgiven and
that that I could walk thisaltar, this offer of a new life
(26:47):
with God.
I responded, and I was forgivenand that I could walk this
altar, this offer of a new lifewith God.
I responded.
And I was with my wife's.
No, no, I wasn't married.
My brother's wife's brother,who was no relation to me, but
he went along and I remember himeven yanking me don't go.
And that was his uncle preaching.
He just didn't want me to lookweird or for me to make him look
(27:09):
weird, but I'm like nothing'sgonna stop me.
I'm going forward, you know,and and I went forward and they,
and then even afterwards I Ifollowed them upstairs.
You're not supposed to, becausein protestant church a lot of
times they'll have like a mealfor the speaker and stuff.
I just went up there.
I don't want anything to eat, Ijust want to listen to you guys
talking.
And from then on I was thereevery week, but I'd still go to
(27:30):
my Catholic church on Sundaymorning because I didn't want to
mess up and go to hell.
You know, just, I'm dabblingaround this Protestant church
and I'm already on thin ice.
So I went and they would tell meabout forgiveness, that just,
can you accept this?
And I'd be like I, I accept it,but I'm still going to go to
the priest, you know, and andget some certainty, because they
(27:52):
said, do this and it and it was, was finally at some point I
felt myself on this, thispendulum, you know, swinging
from here to here.
You know it's like do youbelieve?
Yes, I and I want believe.
But there was such turmoil.
What if I believe the wrongthing?
What if these people aredeceived?
They put this whole church hereand all this just to deceive me
(28:14):
and tell me to go to hell.
But it's like I began to say,well, what is their message
doing for me?
Is it making me more like GodMore good, more forgiven.
And as I began to just finallygo, you know what I just have to
make this plunge and just trust.
And I'm telling you, it waslike a weight was stripped off
(28:36):
of me when I went and and and,uh, responded to that and, and I
didn't have all the answers andI didn't know, but I knew one
form of teaching was constantlytelling me I wasn't doing enough
and one teaching was telling meit was already completed.
And I went from someone who wasconstantly ashamed and filled
(28:58):
with guilt because of the waythat I thought and the way that
I was taught, kept me in abondage and I think it kept me
at some level under control ofthe church, right, because they
had something I needed and Ibetter pay and I better show up
and I better do.
And all of a sudden this churchis saying it's freely given,
(29:21):
freely give, and they gave itaway.
They didn't sell it to me, theydidn't tell, tell me, now I
have a.
You know?
Now, later I found out fromother churches some churches
will have a maintenance programon that free gift.
You get the timeshare, but ifyou don't pay every year for its
(29:42):
upkeep, you lose it.
And I realized that, as Paulsaid oh foolish Galatians who
have bewitched you that you'dstart off in the spirit and end
up in the flesh that for all ofus, we battle our whole lives
dangling between this free giftand how I need to earn it.
And I'm telling you, there'sfreedom in accepting that
forgiveness and there's nothingbut torment in that place of
(30:06):
shame and guilt and work.
And I believe that the effortreally is to stay out of the
shame and the guilt and toreally rely and trust in that
oneness, in that unity, in thatrelationship with the King, the
one who has forgiven, who hasgifted us.
And that is the struggle Ithink so many people are in,
(30:28):
where we don't have peace.
Why?
Because we can't just stop andgo.
I'm forgiven.
Oh, that's arrogant, that'sprideful.
Or is it the truth that, as Iaccept that and believe it and
understand it, so I becomeforgiven, released, loved, new?
Speaker 1 (30:56):
And then the next step is for you to release
forgiveness to everyone else.
For you to see everyone else'sholy innocence, for you to
practice loving people.
There is a divine mystery.
A secret surprise that has beenconcealed from the world for
generations, but now it is beingrevealed, unfolded and manifest
(31:16):
for every holy believer toexperience.
Living within you is the Christ.
Breathe that in for a moment.
Christ in you, the hope ofglory, god in you, love in you.
(31:40):
We pause here for a moment tothank you for joining us today.
If you're finding this episodemeaningful, would you take a
moment to share it with a friend?
This podcast is made possiblethanks to the generosity of
people just like you.
If you would like to supportthe ongoing work of First Love
Church and the continued work ofour podcast, visit us online at
(32:03):
firstlovechurchorg, remindingyou to like, follow and
subscribe.
Living within you is Christ whofloods you with the expectation
of glory.
This mystery of Christ embeddedwithin us becomes a heavenly
treasure chest of hope, filledwith the riches of glory for his
people, and God wants everyoneto know it.
(32:25):
This is why Jesus said you willbe known as my disciples if you
love people, if you love people, if you love all people, if you
love everyone.
And this is a practice, andthis is one of the reasons why
being a part of a church,fellowship or a community or a
part of people that you takecare of and look after.
(32:46):
It expands our ability to love.
I felt a grief the other day forsomething that I was aware of
that was happening, and I shareda grief with someone that I was
talking with on the telephoneand they said, yeah, but don't
even really worry about itbecause it doesn't affect you
directly.
Thank you for being offended bythat, and I think I heard the
(33:16):
goodness in what my friend wasoffering to me like, just don't
feel bad.
But that is a numbing of thingsthat are happening and to be
able to say it may not haveaffected me directly, but I am
one with brothers and sistersall over the world.
If someone is suffering, I amsuffering.
If someone is putting theirchild to bed at night hungry,
(33:38):
then that is a suffering that Imust deal with.
And this is why the apostlesaid here let me explain things
to you about Jesus and thechurch and the suffering he went
through.
But this is the beauty ofcommunity that together we
expand our capacity to love.
We expand our capacity to seedeeply and to recognize the
(33:59):
Christ that is in all of us.
Christ is our message.
We preach to awaken hearts andto bring every person into the
full understanding of truth.
It has become my inspirationand passion in the ministry to
labor with tireless intensity,with power flowing through me,
(34:20):
to present to every believer therevelation of being his perfect
one in Jesus Christ.
You are one in Christ Jesus andyou are one with every person,
because we are part of thisbeautiful family that God made,
(34:41):
that God is the father of, thatGod is telling us that you
belong, that you are holy, thatyou are faultless and you are
loved.
Come back to God, come back toyourself, to this understanding
that God is within you.
Why does this matter?
Because very often we feelalone in our struggles.
(35:02):
We feel alone in the pain.
We feel separate, and yet thisis why the truth comes to us.
We are not separate.
We are alone in the pain.
We feel separate, and yet thisis why the truth comes to us.
We are not separate.
We are one in Christ Jesus.
This goodness, this oneness,reminds us we will never be
alone.
You mentioned earlier.
Sometimes there is a thought,or there is maybe a fear that
(35:24):
would come to us and say what ifyou are believing the wrong
thing?
And I ask you to remember thatyou have a very good shepherd.
You have a very good shepherd,and you are his beloved and he
will not leave you there.
But the voice that you arelooking for, and the truth that
you are looking for, is withinyou, christ.
(35:44):
In you you look to the sound ofyour own voice saying this is
not right, and then you listento that wisdom, and then you
would yield to the spirit whenyou say how can we solve this?
How do we understand this?
It's an invitation to livefully human and fully divine.
It's an invitation to anembodied living where we are
(36:07):
present in this moment that weare in saying how can we help?
What is it that is in our handsto help with?
There are many of the stories inscripture that are so beautiful
to me and I love their imagery.
It reminds me constantly,throughout the day, this
invitation to be the Samaritan,this invitation to be the little
(36:31):
boy who offers loaves and fish.
Imagine sitting with 10,000people and recognizing that
everyone is hungry Everyone.
They've been there a long timeand there's no place to go to
the little deli market on thecorner.
We are on a field, we arereally hungry and I don't know
(36:51):
if you've ever been aroundsomeone who's hungry and has low
blood sugar, but it could be athing.
I mean, it could have been morelike than we're hungry.
Then maybe the crowd's gettinga little agitated.
Somebody needs to have a littlesnack and this crowd is immense
and the disciples they're going.
You know, what are you going todo?
(37:12):
I love this one part of thestory where Philip says to Jesus
what are you going to do?
Because you better do something.
And then Jesus says to Philipwhat are you going to do?
And that's what Jesus is sayingto us.
Do you see the suffering of theworld?
What are you going to do?
Do you see the suffering of thepeople around you?
(37:34):
Do good, find a way to help,find a way to lift it up less.
But this little boy brought hislunch and he gave it to the
disciples and he goes.
It's a little bit.
Never underestimate the powerof a little love, a little bit,
a little kindness, a littletenderness.
Never underestimate that,because he put that little bit
(37:58):
in the hands of Jesus, whoblessed it and multiplied it.
And that's what we do, beloved,every time we use kindness and
tenderness, every time we offerforgiveness, every time that we
choose to see light andflawlessness in someone.
This is the invitation to belike Christ, to allow the Spirit
(38:21):
in us to testify, but also togive us a plan.
How does the world get better?
Speaker 2 (38:28):
because we become the healing, we become the people
who love, and love is such apowerful force you know, I've
had people, um, reallyfrustrated and actually even
leave the church over the factthat we don't do an altar call
at the end of every message thatwe preach.
(38:49):
And you know, I've asked them.
I said, well, why does thatreally upset you and concern you
?
And they said, well, you're tooprogressive, you're not a
historical church.
And then I reminded them thatan altar call is only started in
the mid-1800s.
So actually we're way more of ahistorical church than one that
(39:14):
would do an altar call everyservice.
Now, I'm not saying that it'swrong for them to do it, but I
will tell you what Heather and Iwill never do is we'll never
threaten you with hell andthreaten you with God's wrath
unless you walk the aisle andget our free get out of hell
card.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
No.
Speaker 2 (39:38):
Because I don't think that exists and I don't think
that's how God intended.
I think that someone went tosome marketing school and
thought this is a great way tobuild the church through the
scaffolding of fear and we'llbuild fear up and we'll get
people so afraid and they'llneed us and they'll come and get
our stuff and we'll have them.
(39:59):
We'll have their money, we'llhave their attendance, we'll
have them.
And what I want to say is wedon't want to control you.
We got ourselves and four acresand a dog and some goats and
we're busy.
We're not here to control you.
We wouldn't do a very good jobof it.
We're here to tell you aboutbuilding a life with the
(40:23):
scaffolding of love instead,with the scaffolding of love
instead.
And so, if you're not beingthreatened by God, maybe you can
stop to realize it's justoffering love and transformation
and forgiveness and healing.
(40:43):
And why would I resist that?
Why would I want to?
You know, keep myself from that.
And and so for us, we, we seethis message differently.
Christ in you, that's whatgod's offering, and jesus even
said you'll do greater thingsthan I did.
He's offering us to go higherin this thing, and we tend to
(41:11):
just preach christianity as asin management program.
And let's be honest, as a sinmanagement program, christianity
has failed.
I mean, in fact, if you'regoing to find sin, look no
further than our leaders.
It's all over the papers, andit's all the time, isn't it?
(41:33):
And it's heartbreaking BecauseI think we've been sharing the
wrong message.
The message is Christ in us andwhat is the potential?
And that's what Heather and Iare asking ourselves every day.
You know, did you wake up andthink that you can have a
(41:53):
difference on human trafficking?
Or do we bury our heads in thesand and just worry about our
own stuff?
What if we realize that thereis something we can rise up into
?
That will you know, and I'vealways thought about well, I
can't change the world, but Ican change the life of the
person near me.
And I'm telling you, I don'tknow how that works, but God
(42:15):
will change this world and he'sasking who's on board?
Who is interested?
Who wants to take that ride?
Or are we going to continue toreduce the relationship with God
down to some sin managementprogram?
And that's?
Christ came just to forgive youof your sins, and so, as long
as you're straight with him,just wait for the sweet bye-bye.
(42:35):
One day you'll get raptured upand everything will be fine.
No, he's left us here becauseyou have a purpose, you have an
influence, a power to infuse itand infect and transform
everyone around you and I'm soexcited when I see those moments
happen where God uses us.
(42:58):
It is so beautiful to watch Godjust change the life of
somebody.
If you haven't seen it, just askHeather if you can spend an
afternoon with her shopping.
Don't do that.
It's the crazy.
Haven't seen it.
Just ask Heather if you canspend an afternoon with her
shopping.
Don't do that.
Don't do it.
If you don't believe me, I'llwatch my wife and she gets
cornered in the produce sectionor somewhere and she's praying,
(43:21):
holding somebody's hands andthey're crying why?
Because she's opened up hereyes to the possibility that
this could be happening allaround us.
And guess what.
It begins to happen.
And do we have the answers, dowe?
Speaker 1 (43:35):
oh, but this is what.
This is what peter said when hesaw the man crippled by the
gate.
I don't have the things thatyou need in this realm, but
whatever, whatever I have, Igive to you.
Whatever grace we haveexperienced, we are offered a
chance to pass that same grace.
(43:55):
Whatever mercy that we havereceived, we can give that mercy
away.
Whatever joy that we have, wecan give that mercy away.
I tell you that there issomething that happens in a
grocery store.
I don't know what it is exactly.
I think there's a frustrationby the time you have to go to
the grocery store.
Maybe you're hungry or maybeit's the last thing on your list
(44:17):
, but there's a lot of veryhurting and frustrated people at
grocery stores.
Now there are, I'm sure, peoplelike that at Staples and other
stores too, but it seems likeweekly I'm at the grocery store.
So I think that that's whythese things happen at the
grocery store.
But I am reminded all the time,particularly in the produce,
while I'm taking a minute, andmaybe that's the reason we're
(44:41):
all choosing the beautiful fruitor the beautiful.
There's a moment there, fruitor the beautiful there's.
There's a moment there, and inthat moment, if you will ask the
spirit.
Is there any love that I needto give here?
Is there any compassion that Ineed to be a part of?
Is there any kindness that Ican offer?
(45:05):
I found the most perfect applethe other day and I picked it up
and the smell of the apple wasso strong.
It smelled like something thatyou would remember, like if you
were older and you remembergoing into an apple orchard
where the smell is something youexperience first.
I think very often because thisis my opinion the fruit that we
(45:26):
get is like very waxed andthings, so I think the fragrance
is not as good.
But I picked up this apple andit was so good Like I brought it
to myself and I was like, oh,this is going to be delicious.
I have people in my house thatlike to eat apples and I was
going to give it and the womannext to me said you got a good
(45:47):
one, and she goes I think yougot the best one here.
And I said but it's for you.
I picked it up especially foryou and she started crying.
It's an apple beloved.
But it wasn't an apple, it was.
I had something that I felt wasgood and that I shared it, and
then the spirit made it muchbigger than sharing apples, by
(46:08):
the thing.
But it's this moment that, ifyou will take it and say, is
there a compassion that I could?
I've had an apple before,beloved.
I know how they taste.
They're really wonderful Mostof the time, especially the ones
like from Wisconsin andMichigan and up north.
Oh so good.
Anyway, you have that apple,but is every good thing just for
you?
Speaker 2 (46:28):
No, the answer is no.
Speaker 1 (46:29):
Every good thing is not just for you to consume,
it's for you to give.
This is the Jesus way.
This is the way of saying lovegives for God.
So love the world that God gavehis one and only son.
That whoever believes in lovebelieves in God and will have
eternal life.
This practice that is given tous is given away.
Speaker 2 (46:51):
You know, if we shift gears out of sin management, we
realize what the purpose of itall is.
If we could just accept I'mforgiven, now I'm going to go
out and I'm going to share.
All of a sudden your lifebecomes different, because
otherwise it's just about youand I can't.
You know.
And I'll tell you something.
Let me tell you a great story.
Last sunday we did baptism oh,it was beautiful.
Speaker 1 (47:10):
Thank you so much for everyone who participated.
Look at our baptismers, ourfreshly watered baptismers we
love you so much.
Speaker 2 (47:18):
And so we figured well it'd be, it'd be about one
o'clock and we'd feed them.
So we told the food people tobe there at one.
But the weather was bad.
So we go.
We got to get out there and get, uh, get the get in the pool.
Uh, because the weather was bad, so we go.
We got to get out there and getin the pool Because the weather
started turning right there atthat time.
So about the time we got in thewater and we asked the boys
would you stand in the water andhelp the baptismers in and out?
And about the time we lined upout there in the pool, it just
(47:41):
started monsoon and not rain,and I'm talking about buckets.
It was like we were under theocean.
And then the baptismers and allyou watchers just stood there
and laughed at us.
Look at them out there in therain, look at Thomas' face.
And everybody was just laughingat us.
Here we were out to serve andwe're being mocked and ridiculed
in our own home.
Speaker 1 (48:03):
That is not what was happening.
That's not what was happening.
Speaker 2 (48:04):
It kind of happened.
So we baptized everybody andgot everybody, the rain stopped.
It was a beautiful baptism, butthen all of a sudden it's 20 to
1 and we got 20 whole minutesbefore the food gets there and
there was a lot of people thereand so we're rushing around
trying to get the stuff readyand then 1 o'clock comes and 1
o'clock goes no food, 1.15, nofood comes, and finally at 1.50,
(48:28):
so everybody's standing around,stomachs growling, looking at
us low blood sugar low bloodsugar.
People are hangry.
That's what they call that.
It's a biblical word it's not.
I've already read it, so so thelady comes in and she goes.
Oh, she was so frustrated.
Oh my god, I'm so embarrassed,I'm so sorry.
Sorry, you know, take this.
(48:50):
And then I was rushing aroundbut I walked past and I noticed
that Heather had reached out andput money in her hand and she
goes.
I don't deserve this.
I'm so late, I'm so embarrassed, I'm so sorry she goes, I
cannot take this.
And Heather said no, it'm solate, I'm so embarrassed, I'm so
(49:11):
sorry she goes, I cannot takethis.
And Heather said no, it's ourjoy to bless you and to thank
you.
And that woman stood in ourkitchen people all around,
everything going.
And she stood in our kitchenand she just began to weep
everything going.
And she stood in our kitchenand she just began to weep and I
(49:32):
go.
And I said don't you know?
I mess up stuff all the time,don't feel bad.
And I said look, it's here andwe're all going to eat.
Nobody died of starvation.
This is a good day, it's acause to celebrate, thank you.
And it was.
(49:55):
And we took that time with thatlady and I'm telling you it's
happening all around.
But there's another, there's agear we could have been in and
it would have been fine if wewere in that gear.
We'd be loved and forgiven bygod.
But you're going to be.
Can you believe that broad?
She drives all over town.
She's late with our food.
We got all these guests.
I'm looking like an idiot Allthis.
We've got all the food, but nomain course.
Man, I can't believe people.
(50:15):
What's your problem?
Lady?
Can't believe you.
And let's be honest, we couldhave gotten in that gear and
many of us kind of live in thatthat the world didn't serve us.
But what about looking at howcan christ manifest?
And that's what my wife did.
And it costs you, you something.
(50:37):
It costs giving a tip to somemight not, might judge that that
person didn't deserve it, but Iwould say, do you want that job
?
Figuring out where houses areall the time and having a time
limit, and probably nothing butpeople looking for reasons to
not tip you, and that's yourincome.
You're working on a Sundayafternoon instead of being with
(51:00):
your family and looking forthose opportunities.
And if you'll crack the door andif we stop making God just
about this forgiveness deal, orwhat's worse is, I'm Jimmy God,
what can you give me Then?
God's all about.
He's the big vending machine inthe sky.
I pray my prayer to God, Iclaim it and I name it.
(51:21):
You know what Come on church.
You know that that ain't right.
And you know what would bebeautiful is if we just looked
around and all the waitressesand waiters and all the people
that are there to serve you.
All of a sudden you begin toserve them Because that's right.
That's what Christ did.
He served.
He didn't come to be served.
Although he's the king of kings, he thought it not be wrong to
(51:45):
sit down and wash the feet ofthe disciples.
What if we took a page out ofChrist's life?
And that was what we lived by.
Not well, I lived by thescripture that says that you
know, and also we're like thatcouple fighting the scriptures.
Well, I'll claim this and byGod, it's going to happen to me
in Jesus' name, you know.
And we're like no, you don'tknow.
Jesus, in Jesus' name, I would,I would, I would, I would have.
(52:08):
And how many have I missed thisweek?
Probably hundreds.
I just tell the story.
And I caught it.
Out of the corner of my eye wasHeather who caught it, but I
joined in and it was awesome.
It was so amazing to be able togive that to that lady and the
food was so good.
And then here's what's crazythe place called and they said
(52:29):
we're so sorry that it was lateand Heather's like forgiving her
.
She goes.
No excuses, that meal was free.
All that food we ended upgetting free anyway.
Come on, god.
Oh, we were suffering, likepoor me.
I didn't get a meal for 50minutes.
Amen, amen, amen.
(52:53):
Or we could get a chance to seeGod working.
Wouldn't it be awesome,starbucks workers, if the world
got a hold of this, thoseentitled blessings that think
that somehow, that their $8drink they deserve it, made
(53:14):
perfectly by their loyalsubjects.
What if we could just turn thescript on that and we become the
people that go around?
Just, the world is so parchedthat you will watch the most
amazing tears and of joy and andof transformation happen right
around you if you'll become avehicle of god's spirit to just,
(53:39):
oh, because god wants to, toreach out.
Amen, do you see it?
Do you want to be a part ofthat?
Let's stop just playing gamesdown here, low level.
Oh, just, you know me, my stuffand my sin.
Oh, we rise above that.
God has freed us from sin, butwhat did he free us to A life
(54:00):
where we get to co-create withthe King of Kings.
That Christ lives on the insideof me, the Christ.
What does that mean?
Speaker 1 (54:14):
It means you are the light of the world.
What?
That's what Jesus said.
I want to remind you of that.
Steve, you are the light of theworld.
Sue, you are the light of theworld.
Speaker 2 (54:27):
Francie, you are the light of the world, you do such
a good job, letting your lightshine.
Speaker 1 (54:31):
I want to just tell you what light does.
It allows us to see something.
You, your presence, yourgoodness, your service allows
someone else to see.
God Allows someone else to seesomething else.
You are the light of the world,Beloved, be bright and shiny.
(54:55):
You are the light of the world,Beloved, be bright and shiny.
You are the light of the worldbecause you have received the
love of God.
This is the invitation.
Where there is darkness, be thelight.
Where there is need, find someway to do good and remember that
Christ is in you.
(55:17):
I can't think of anything andI've spent time thinking about
this.
I can't think of anything oranyone that would not be
transformed if it was in thepresence of Christ.
I think about people sometimesthat are very difficult and that
are hurting other people.
And with such a deep grief, Idon't know what to do with the
(55:37):
feelings in my body that happenwhen I hear about children not
being fed Beloved.
This is not right.
Fed Beloved this is not right.
And when there are men in powerwho withhold food from children
(55:58):
.
It breaks my heart and itshould break yours.
But what do we do with thatfeeling.
Well, first of all, I takethose people anyone that I know
of that are a part of it oranyone who's not a part of it
and I bring them in my mind tothe loving presence of Christ.
Because I just want to tell you, if they were in the presence
of Christ, they too would knowhow do we break the bread that
the little boy gave us and howdo we make sure everyone is fed.
(56:19):
And it's not just about feedingphysically.
There is a feeding emotionallyand spiritually that we do, and
there is so much that we'reinvited into.
Jesus said, and we repeat ittogether as a church, and it has
been prayed for 2,000 yearsyour kingdom come, your will be
done on earth as it is in heaven.
No one in heaven starves todeath.
(56:41):
So, beloved, we've got somework to do.
One of the things that we'll dotogether as a church this
Wednesday is we'll give food andwe'll take food, and we have an
outreach this Wednesday and youcan come and be a part of it.
And that's not going to feedeveryone, but it's going to feed
some people and it's going tobe an invitation to be light and
to be joy and to haveconnection, and that's beautiful
(57:03):
and there are many ways thatyou can do it, because here's
how I know there are so manyways.
Christ is in you.
Everywhere you go, Christ goes.
Every person that you are infront of, Christ is in front of,
and that's how the worldchanges.
And we pray, Beloved.
There is power in our prayers,in our connection.
When we see something that isnot right, we pray about it.
(57:23):
We bring it before God and saywhat would your spirit do to
show me how I can be a part ofthe solution, what can I do to
bring peace to this situation?
And this is a practice for usto join our minds with the mind
of Christ by the Holy Spirit andsay how do you intend to bring
(57:44):
a solution here, and what a giftit is to participate in the
goodness of God.
Speaker 2 (57:50):
You know, in the outreach it's just an
opportunity to be trained.
You know we talk about Heather,you know, at the grocery store
a lot because she, you know,with working at the church and
stuff, our office is at home andwe, you know, we still have a
family at home, so we're at home.
So really that's youropportunity to be around people
you know that aren't you'vealready.
(58:10):
You preach to us a lot but youknow this is other people that
you get to preach to and andit's.
It's a beautiful opportunityand maybe you haven't got the
opportunity, and so going alongand and and experiencing it it
trains you.
This one woman was cause we goto Harvey's and it's, and she
was needed hip surgery and shewas real frayed and so we went
(58:33):
up and we brought her her foodbecause she was having the hip
surgery.
And then the next month I cameand I saw her starting to climb
down the stairs and I said don'tcome down, we'll bring the food
up to you.
And she goes why?
And I said, well, up to you.
And she goes why?
And I said, well, you're hip,and she goes.
You prayed for me and she wasconfused and so she came down
(58:58):
and grabbed her Bible.
I said well, we're going tobring it up to you.
She goes, I know, but my hipworks and I, like a dummy, I go
oh, so you had the surgery.
She goes what don't youunderstand?
I was going to have a surgery.
I asked for prayer.
You prayed for me.
Don't you remember theelectricity in that circle?
And everybody was crying andprobably I was thinking.
(59:21):
I got to get to the next room,you know, and so I, right in
front of me, missed a wonderfulshow, a beautiful Because of my
plans, because of my stuff.
Now, you've never done anythinglike that.
But, your pastor, I goof up soI can teach you.
(59:46):
I'm here at your service 24-7.
And so she comes down and shereminds me that prayer works and
she reminds me that this stuffis important and it trains me.
And next time I'm going to openmy eye and watch what are you
(01:00:09):
doing, god, my expectancy beginsto stir.
Speaker 1 (01:00:12):
And I remind you that there are people that we've
prayed for and then we've alsoattended with them their hip
surgery and their recovery, andit is still the miraculous power
of God.
The miracle workers in thosesituations are the doctors that
can perform this where knees arereplaced.
It's such a gift to be able toagain.
There are miracles all aroundus, beloved, if we'll look for
them, and there is a place forus to rejoice and a place for us
(01:00:36):
to be kind.
And I remind you of what weread in the Beatitudes this is
the virtuous path, this is theeighth path that Jesus gives us,
and Jesus said this do thesegood works so that the Father in
heaven will be seen.
Do and Jesus said this do thesegood works so that the Father
in heaven will be seen.
Do these good works so thatlove will be seen.
And this is the invitation forall of us to practice love in
(01:00:58):
our generosity, in our care forthe people who are shopping, in
the way that we love ourneighbors, in the way that we
take care of the world around usand in the prayers that we pray
.
We hope you've enjoyed thisweek's sermon.
If you would like moreinformation about us, visit us
online at firstlovechurchorg.
Welcome to the First Love Church podcast.
This is a collection of Sundayteachings inspired by the
Revised Common Lectionary andrecorded weekly in Ocala,
florida.
We're already in a good servicebecause you are here, your
presence with us, your intentionto come and to be reminded of
(00:22):
the sacred presence we talked alot in the singing and also here
the kingdom of God, thisbeautiful understanding, and I
want to remind you what Jesussaid the kingdom is so close,
it's in you.
The kingdom is as close as yourown breath and there is such
hope in that remembrance that,no matter where we are, we can
(00:44):
have peace, we can be in love,we can hear grace, because the
kingdom is within us.
I am grateful to be in yourpresence this week and it is joy
to share with you our followingof Jesus and we listen to the
scripture to tell us the witnessof Jesus and it is hope this
(01:07):
morning that we offer to you andhopefully, by the spirit who is
with us and the spirit who is athought adjuster, the spirit
will change our perspective onthings.
I remind you that the teacherthat we have, jesus, the path
that we follow, jesus, was aradical and he was radical in
(01:27):
the way that he loved.
And he said you'll be known asmy followers by your love and so
beloved.
We're invited into radical love.
We're invited into love thatchanges the world.
We're invited into this way.
Jesus said this.
He said I want to remind youthat you've heard it said love
(01:49):
your neighbors and hate yourenemies.
But I say unto you and Jesusconstantly asked us to change
our culture perspective andinvited us into love I say unto
you to love your enemies and topray for those who are horrible
about you.
And so this invitation intoconnection, this invitation into
(02:14):
love, I remind you this morningthat you are loved and that
each one of us come, many of uscome with different pieces of us
being held or differentexperiences that have shaped us
this week, and I remind you ofyour place in God's family.
You are loved, you are held andyou are wanted.
(02:34):
In fact, this morning, rightbefore the service, one of our
friends said that she had familymember that were giving birth
to babies right now, twin babies, and today two babies will be
born.
And what a grace that is, as weremember that.
And then my other friend camein and said to me right after
service today I will go to afuneral and it was such a
beautiful reminder that rightnow, the present, is what we
(02:58):
have, Right now, that there is abeginning and there is an
ending in other life, but rightnow, together, we are in the
presence of love, we are in thepresence of each other and there
is goodness here you know, lastnight I was sitting in bed, uh,
doing a little scrolling beforeI went to sleep, and I know
that's not always a good idea,but uh, I decided on this one I
(03:20):
would learn something, and so II scroll.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
You might want to do this because it's really cool to
I put how does quantumcomputing work?
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Right before you go to bed you should have those
kind of thoughts.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Listen, listen now Don't shake your head before you
hear how powerful this is.
Regular computing works whereit takes an idea, solves it and
goes on to the next idea.
Quantum computing considers allof those possibilities at the
same time and I was thinkingwell, that's a.
It took ten minutes for them toget.
That is all I understood.
(03:56):
I said well, god, how does thataffect me?
And he said well, remember whenI said in all circumstances,
have joy.
This is how you do it, becauseit can happen.
There's all kinds ofpossibilities, but in every
(04:16):
situation you can have joy.
And I thought about that withthe decision for me to be able
to be loving.
There's all kinds of choices Iwant to make, but there is the
power to make that right one.
I don't know if it had the sameeffect on you maybe I was
dozing off to sleep and and uh,so I was in some kind of realm
(04:39):
but I I.
That's better than than the wayit looks on your face, because
I'm telling you God has alreadywired it within the universe
that you have the power to havejoy in every situation, because
every possibility is there atonce.
(05:00):
I feel sometimes and I've feltin the past I'm doomed.
I'm just having a bad day.
No, god has given everypossibility towards me to have
joy.
He's wired the fabric of theuniverse so that I don't have an
excuse to be miserable.
Oh man, maybe one person canget behind me on this you with
(05:32):
me, carol.
I, me and carol are going tohave joy, no matter what,
because god has given me thatability and I and I just sit
there and I thought about that,because sometimes that stuff
washes over me, I get aggravatedby things.
So the other day I got soaggravated, heather I said.
I said to heather said yourguru husband sure about lost it
today.
You know, we think sometimeswe're really getting somewhere
(05:52):
and something can just get underour skin and I just love being
reminded by God the infiniteability and possibility for
transformation and change.
Maybe it'll get to him on theway home, I don't know
transformation and change.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Maybe it'll get to them on the way home, I don't
know.
Well, we're going to go to theportion of scripture that is
going to give us, hopefully, anew way to see, an experience
way to see.
One of the things that Jesusdid all the time in his walking
around here on the earth washeal people's sight, healing the
blind.
And sometimes we relegate it toa literal and say, well, I'm
(06:26):
not blind because my eyes areopen.
But is your eye opened, is theeye of your heart able to see
things the way that God seesthem, the way that possibility
sees them?
And is there for us aninvitation to the spirit to say
can you change the way that I'mthinking about things?
We meet up with this particularportion of scripture.
(06:46):
Last week we read the beginninghere of Colossians chapter one,
and because of time not becausewe couldn't do it I will not go
to the very beginning of thechapter and reread it for you,
though I think that would besomething advantageous for you
to do this week.
But in Colossians chapter one,the apostle is saying to the
church at Colossus, and he'stelling them something about God
(07:08):
in Christ.
He's saying the witness ofChrist brings to us this
knowledge that Christ is thedivine portrait, a true likeness
of the invisible God and thefirstborn heir of all creation.
Here he's reminding us thatChrist is supreme, that
everything that we have to see,that everything that we hear
(07:31):
bows to the living Christ, thisunderstanding that Jesus is the
way to the Father and that Jesusis all good, all love, all
mercy.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
You know, when you've pastored for a while and you do
, uh, offer counseling to people, sometimes I think you've seen
it all and then someone willcome and surprise me.
But I think one of the mostamazing things that I have ever
witnessed as a pastor was acouple, a christian couple, that
(08:03):
came over to our house forcounseling.
Now, I'm not ratting them out,they're already both passed away
and went on to be with the Lordbut what they did was in front
of us, they started to fight andthey started to Bible fight.
I've never seen anything likeit, because the one was able to
point out the other's flaws byusing scripture and to point out
(08:27):
how wrong they were.
Well, you know, according to youknow, jeremiah, something you
know.
A husband does it.
Well, according to this, then awife should do this.
And man, I mean, they were likerapid fires, quick as one could
throw out a scripture to provethe other one wrong.
The other one had a rebuttaland it was absolutely horrifying
(08:50):
and impressive all at the sametime, because I didn't know you
could do that, and Heather and Ihave since, and we've tried to
do a skit, we can't.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
We did observe it, we want to demonstrate it, we
cannot but it was church, it wascollege level crazy.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Do you know what I mean?
It was like maybe master'sdegree and crazy.
And we're just we're not thereyet, so we can't do it.
But I bring that up for areally important point that I'm
convinced they thought they wereright.
Yes, yes, yes, and they thoughtit honored God to take the
scripture and bash their matewith the scripture.
(09:31):
And I just I have to ask youthis question If Jesus was in
that marriage, could you seeJesus doing that?
If you can, you have a warpedview of who Jesus is, and I want
you to find out about love.
I want you to find out about,really, what the definition of
(09:52):
love means that you'd prefer theother person's needs above your
own, that you'd do whatever ittakes so that that person could
be blessed and satisfied andfilled with joy, contentment,
and that you, that's yourbusiness to do.
And and I think that aschristians, sometimes we have
(10:17):
had the bible, you know, uh, youknow, beating us over the head
with it, and we maybe have evendone that ourselves, thinking
that's the way this thing works.
And we want you to understand avery important principle and
it's a key that unlocks you know, it frees you from error.
(10:42):
Really, if you didn't see Jesus, do do it.
Or you know in your heart jesuswouldn't do it, then don't do
it.
And if and if somebody'stelling you a scripture and in
your heart you know that's notjesus.
I had several situations inbible school where somebody say
a scripture out of whack and I'dsay, man, I, I just don't think
(11:03):
that's true.
And they just beat me, beat meover the head with it, and then
I'd start feeling ashamed andthen a teacher would walk in the
class and go.
I don't know why I'm sayingthis, but you know that
scripture that says this it's acomplete erroneous to view it
this way.
It really is this way.
And then I'd want to look upand go in your face, but instead
I'm like, well, just let God dothe conviction.
(11:24):
I'm just gonna.
But I've just, I've seen God dothat over and over.
Where, where we, if we'll beopen, he'll show us how
erroneous we have.
And and so many people, theystand on scripture in this holy,
pious, self-righteous way thatthey think they understand.
And they've got this handle orgrip on God.
And they've got this juggernautor God by the collar saying you
(11:46):
said it.
Now you're going to do it punk.
And I mean I've, really I'vegot to tell you it feels like
they think they're clean.
Age to it Is that six or sevenbullets Make my day and it's
like God is the God of theuniverse, that we stand in awe
(12:12):
and God does what God doesbecause we love not because we
cornered him in his word.
God loves because God is good,you know, and and so I think
sometimes that wrestling in thisdesire to know and desire to
prove, you know it gets us intremendous error.
But I tell you that thatrelaxing and just resting in
god's love for us and for otherswill help you discern.
And if you've been wronged bypeople that claim to be of god,
(12:36):
I bet you the origin of it isabsolutely from the fact that
they thought they had a leg tostand on scripturally but had no
love.
And the bible says even thoughtthey had a leg to stand on
scripturally but had no love.
And the Bible says even if theywould look, you know, if you do
this without love, you're justa clanging cymbal.
You're noisy, just irritant.
I might just preach I don'tknow.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
It is for love that you have been set free.
That's what the apostle said tous Don't get entangled again in
any kind of bondage, in anykind of law, in any kind of rule
that will bind you up again.
Love always releases us.
Love has always been aboutliberation.
Love is the highest, becauselove is God.
(13:25):
God is love, and so we joinwith the thoughts of scripture
this morning that Jesus is thedivine portrait, the true
likeness of the invisible God,the firstborn heir of all
creation, for through the suneverything was created, both in
the heavenly realm and on theearth.
Please be aware of thisinstruction to us, that we not
(13:47):
only look here in the earthlyrealm, but that we would
recognize that there is anunseen world that may be even
more real than the world thatwe're currently experiencing,
that we would have our inner eyeopen to recognize that there is
a realm that is beautiful andpowerful and that is truly real,
(14:08):
all that is seen and all thatis unseen, every seat of power,
realm of government,principality and authority.
It was all created through himand for his purpose.
He existed before anything wasmade and now everything finds
completion in him.
He is the head of his body, whois the church, and since he is
(14:34):
the beginning and the firstbornheir of resurrection, he is the
most exalted one, holding firstplace in everything.
Again, the apostle is remindingthese people Jesus, the Christ,
is the head of the church, isthe head of everything, and
Jesus has the final authority onall things.
(14:55):
So if there is something thatyou don't understand or
something that somebody else hasbrought to you, does it look
like Jesus?
Now, this was really importantto the people then, particularly
who saw with their own eyesthese things, because Jesus
consistently confronted rulesand religious laws that kept
people bound, and by this I meanthere was a law that said
(15:19):
because we are honoring the TenCommandments, we're honoring the
Sabbath, then if you seesomeone who is sick or someone
who needs food, then you can'tfeed them on that day.
Now, beloved, I do want toremind you of something that's
not just for them, it is for us.
There is a difference betweenlegal and moral, and all of our
legal laws are not alwaysmorally correct, and that is
(15:42):
what Jesus confronted.
If you see someone who is sick,heal them, bring them to a
doctor.
I mean, this is the story ofthe Good Samaritan.
Stop what you're doing and takecare of that person, people
that are made in the image ofGod.
This goodness and this apostleis writing to the church at
Kloss and he's saying the exactsame thing.
(16:03):
Is writing to the church atColossus, and he's saying the
exact same thing.
Jesus is the way.
If you see Jesus doing it.
There was a rule during theirtime that said no one can touch
a leper.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
What they have may be contagious, so we can't touch
them, and so they died, oftenneedlessly because we had rules,
(16:33):
and one the first thing jesusdid was come down and touch
lepers and and, and.
So here's this idea of and whois jesus?
God in the flesh, god in ourhumanity.
Can I just look at that verse18 for a second, because it says
there that he is the head ofthe body.
And so, you know, we, we kindof you know, in our culture it's
like who, you know, who's theboss, who's in charge, who's the
head, and so we, we hear Godsaying that he's the boss, he's
the head, he's in charge, and soit's like, you know, we kind of
get the idea that he's up there, you know, telling us and many
(16:54):
people really have theirrelationship tell us, well, get
in line.
You know I'm the head, you know.
But that's why it's soimportant to have an
understanding of Jesus, becauseyou know, uh, was he around
saying to people yeah, get inline, dude.
You know, start worshiping,let's see what you got.
He went around healing anddoing good, so there.
(17:14):
So what is it then, when he'ssaying I'm the head, if he's not
telling you that you know I'm,I'm your boss and I'm trying to.
You know he's demonstratingsomething.
But it says in verse 17,something real key.
It says that we're how does itsay that we're completed.
I love the way this saysEverything finds completion in
(17:35):
him and that's what he'soffering for us Is not a boss,
but that you've been doing itoutside and you've been
struggling by yourself andyou'll never really get it right
.
Because the idea is we do thistogether with God.
(17:56):
God wanted a relationship withyou, but I found myself for
years wanting to save somethingfor me, something on the outside
, and I feel and hear this callof God to the church and to us
that we would surrender to unity, that really that's what church
is about.
Right, that we're all thisgroup of people, no one better
(18:18):
than the other, but we're allkind of doing our part.
What does God reallydemonstrate?
But a family togetherness thefather, son and Holy spirits,
you know and he's offering thatwe do this together.
And so I'm telling you, ifyou'll, if you continue to
struggle, you can outside andtrying to get your own identity
(18:40):
and get your own approval andget and find your own self-worth
.
And I think for me, I was drivenas maybe even a young kid kid I
covered it with the idea that Igot to make something out of
myself and I got to be anindividual, and and, and as much
as I fought for individuality,what I'm doing is I'm pulling
away from the one who wants tomake me complete.
(19:01):
Complete what In a brokenness Ican be healed?
With carrying sin, I can bereleased.
Errors of brokenness, I can betransformed and healed.
This is what God wants andoffers us, and he is the head,
in other words, he has theauthority over all of that stuff
(19:21):
, not to Lord, but to give it.
What a king, what a king heshares and gives us.
But yet we fight so much for ouror maybe it's just me, in case
that is just stretch your handsout towards the weird pastor.
He says I got all theseproblems, or I wonder if that's
the problem of mankind, that allof us want to do it and achieve
(19:44):
on the outside.
And then, god forbid, we dowell.
And then we think, really,we've got a handle on this and
we can do it.
Oh, we're all in such need.
We don't realize how miserable,wretched and naked we are and
what it could be if we wouldsurrender.
(20:06):
You know, there's such a fearof what would be taken away, but
I wonder if we could open upour eyes and see differently of
what is offered and what will begiven.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
The invitation into unity does not negate the
diversity.
That's good you are invited tobe one, to be part of the
oneness.
But your individuality in theoneness is expected and it is
what God does.
I mean, just look at nature.
There is more than one kind offlower Beloved.
You would exhaust yourselflooking at every flower that's
(20:41):
out there.
The diversity, amazing.
The birds, amazing.
The flowers, the plants, themoss, amazing, mushrooms,
amazing, beloved.
Allow your heart and your eyesto be amazed at the diversity
and then look around and say, ofcourse God would make people in
(21:03):
these diverse ways.
In fact, in the book ofRevelation, where one man
believes that he sees theseincredible things and he says
that from every nation, everytongue, every people, everyone
in all different languages,lifting praise to the one true
God.
And this invitation is to join,to be a part of, but you do not
(21:28):
lose your own identity, you donot lose your uniqueness.
You are made by God uniquelyand you are welcomed to bring
that.
And this invitation, then, isto wholeness, and wholeness is
what we receive when we rejointhe head, when we get our source
from Christ.
God is satisfied to have allhis fullness dwelling in Christ.
(21:52):
This sorts out a lot of thingsfor people, and here's how it
does that.
If someone tells you.
This is what God is like.
Look at Jesus, and if it lookslike Jesus, then that is what
God is like.
Jesus is the perfect image ofthe invisible God, and God is
satisfied to have all of God'sfullness, all of this love
(22:15):
dwelling in Christ and by theblood of his cross, everything
in heaven and earth is broughtback to himself, back to its
original intent and restored toinnocence again.
What a gift, what a gift tohave only your innocence seen,
(22:37):
that you would remember that youare faultless.
There is no flaw in you to beseen as one who is wholly
innocent.
This is the hope for all of us.
Even though you were oncedistant from him, living in the
shadow of your evil thoughts andactions, he reconnected you
back to himself.
(22:58):
He released his supernaturalpeace to you through the
sacrifice of his own body as thesin payment on your behalf, so
you would dwell in his presence.
And now there is nothingbetween you and Father God, for
he sees you holy, flawless andrestored.
This is how God sees you thismorning.
(23:21):
I don't know how you saw youwhen you looked at yourself in
the mirror this morning.
I hope it was the way that Godsaw you Holy, flawless and
restored.
Restored to what, restored toinnocence, restored to oneness,
restored to love.
That is the invitation of us.
This is how God sees us, ifindeed you continue to advance
(23:43):
in faith, assured of a firmfoundation to grow upon, never
be shaken from the hope of thegospel that you have believed in
, and this is the glorious newsI preach all over the world.
I can even celebrate the sorrowsI've experienced on your behalf
, for, as I join with you inyour difficulties, it helps you
(24:03):
to discover what lacks in yourunderstanding of the sufferings
of Jesus Christ experienced forhis body, the church.
Back there just for a moment.
This verse reminds you that youmay have gotten some things
wrong, yet you are holy andflawless and restored.
It is possible that somethingthat you chose to believe, or
(24:27):
someone asked you to believe,was not the right perspective or
was not how God enabled theworld and the universe to give
back to us and he's saying youmight need to re-establish a
connection between thesufferings of Jesus and the
goodness that God has in theworld you know, when I first
(24:49):
came into a church like this, aProtestant church, I came from a
Catholic background and I wasdevout.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
I went to grade school until sixth grade when
they asked me to no longer go tothe Catholic grade school.
But in that time I had, uh, Igot expelled but uh, but before
that I and I did communion, youknow, and, and, uh, and of
course I was baptized.
You know, sprinkled when it,when it's a baby, it had, and I
(25:21):
even had um, uh, confirmationand uh.
So I was pretty serious aboutit and I went all the time.
But I stumbled into aProtestant church in a real
interesting way.
This man was my brother's wife'suncle and he read a scripture
(25:43):
in my brother's wedding and heimpressed me how he behaved at
the reception.
Everybody was drinking andacting silly and he was laughing
with everybody, but he wasn'tpartaking and he wasn't like
this holy, righteous guy, but hewas different, just the way he
was behaving and whatnot.
So I asked him what he wasdoing while he was in town and
he said he was preaching at thischurch and without thinking I
(26:04):
said I'll go see you preach andthat's not a good Catholic thing
to do.
You do not step foot into aProtestant church, and I told
the guy I'd go and I wassweating then all that night
afterwards.
And then Sunday morning I go tomy church and I went to two
(26:26):
services to make sure I'd reallycovered for this Protestant
church.
And so I go into thisProtestant church and all sudden
I heard the message of thegospel and it was like you know,
I heard priests speak and readthe Bible, but I'd never heard
the message of of God's love forme and that I was forgiven and
that that I could walk thisaltar, this offer of a new life
(26:47):
with God.
I responded, and I was forgivenand that I could walk this
altar, this offer of a new lifewith God.
I responded.
And I was with my wife's.
No, no, I wasn't married.
My brother's wife's brother,who was no relation to me, but
he went along and I remember himeven yanking me don't go.
And that was his uncle preaching.
He just didn't want me to lookweird or for me to make him look
(27:09):
weird, but I'm like nothing'sgonna stop me.
I'm going forward, you know,and and I went forward and they,
and then even afterwards I Ifollowed them upstairs.
You're not supposed to, becausein protestant church a lot of
times they'll have like a mealfor the speaker and stuff.
I just went up there.
I don't want anything to eat, Ijust want to listen to you guys
talking.
And from then on I was thereevery week, but I'd still go to
(27:30):
my Catholic church on Sundaymorning because I didn't want to
mess up and go to hell.
You know, just, I'm dabblingaround this Protestant church
and I'm already on thin ice.
So I went and they would tell meabout forgiveness, that just,
can you accept this?
And I'd be like I, I accept it,but I'm still going to go to
the priest, you know, and andget some certainty, because they
(27:52):
said, do this and it and it was, was finally at some point I
felt myself on this, thispendulum, you know, swinging
from here to here.
You know it's like do youbelieve?
Yes, I and I want believe.
But there was such turmoil.
What if I believe the wrongthing?
What if these people aredeceived?
They put this whole church hereand all this just to deceive me
(28:14):
and tell me to go to hell.
But it's like I began to say,well, what is their message
doing for me?
Is it making me more like GodMore good, more forgiven.
And as I began to just finallygo, you know what I just have to
make this plunge and just trust.
And I'm telling you, it waslike a weight was stripped off
(28:36):
of me when I went and and and,uh, responded to that and, and I
didn't have all the answers andI didn't know, but I knew one
form of teaching was constantlytelling me I wasn't doing enough
and one teaching was telling meit was already completed.
And I went from someone who wasconstantly ashamed and filled
(28:58):
with guilt because of the waythat I thought and the way that
I was taught, kept me in abondage and I think it kept me
at some level under control ofthe church, right, because they
had something I needed and Ibetter pay and I better show up
and I better do.
And all of a sudden this churchis saying it's freely given,
(29:21):
freely give, and they gave itaway.
They didn't sell it to me, theydidn't tell, tell me, now I
have a.
You know?
Now, later I found out fromother churches some churches
will have a maintenance programon that free gift.
You get the timeshare, but ifyou don't pay every year for its
(29:42):
upkeep, you lose it.
And I realized that, as Paulsaid oh foolish Galatians who
have bewitched you that you'dstart off in the spirit and end
up in the flesh that for all ofus, we battle our whole lives
dangling between this free giftand how I need to earn it.
And I'm telling you, there'sfreedom in accepting that
forgiveness and there's nothingbut torment in that place of
(30:06):
shame and guilt and work.
And I believe that the effortreally is to stay out of the
shame and the guilt and toreally rely and trust in that
oneness, in that unity, in thatrelationship with the King, the
one who has forgiven, who hasgifted us.
And that is the struggle Ithink so many people are in,
(30:28):
where we don't have peace.
Why?
Because we can't just stop andgo.
I'm forgiven.
Oh, that's arrogant, that'sprideful.
Or is it the truth that, as Iaccept that and believe it and
understand it, so I becomeforgiven, released, loved, new?
Speaker 1 (30:56):
And then the next step is for you to release
forgiveness to everyone else.
For you to see everyone else'sholy innocence, for you to
practice loving people.
There is a divine mystery.
A secret surprise that has beenconcealed from the world for
generations, but now it is beingrevealed, unfolded and manifest
(31:16):
for every holy believer toexperience.
Living within you is the Christ.
Breathe that in for a moment.
Christ in you, the hope ofglory, god in you, love in you.
(31:40):
We pause here for a moment tothank you for joining us today.
If you're finding this episodemeaningful, would you take a
moment to share it with a friend?
This podcast is made possiblethanks to the generosity of
people just like you.
If you would like to supportthe ongoing work of First Love
Church and the continued work ofour podcast, visit us online at
(32:03):
firstlovechurchorg, remindingyou to like, follow and
subscribe.
Living within you is Christ whofloods you with the expectation
of glory.
This mystery of Christ embeddedwithin us becomes a heavenly
treasure chest of hope, filledwith the riches of glory for his
people, and God wants everyoneto know it.
(32:25):
This is why Jesus said you willbe known as my disciples if you
love people, if you love people, if you love all people, if you
love everyone.
And this is a practice, andthis is one of the reasons why
being a part of a church,fellowship or a community or a
part of people that you takecare of and look after.
(32:46):
It expands our ability to love.
I felt a grief the other day forsomething that I was aware of
that was happening, and I shareda grief with someone that I was
talking with on the telephoneand they said, yeah, but don't
even really worry about itbecause it doesn't affect you
directly.
Thank you for being offended bythat, and I think I heard the
(33:16):
goodness in what my friend wasoffering to me like, just don't
feel bad.
But that is a numbing of thingsthat are happening and to be
able to say it may not haveaffected me directly, but I am
one with brothers and sistersall over the world.
If someone is suffering, I amsuffering.
If someone is putting theirchild to bed at night hungry,
(33:38):
then that is a suffering that Imust deal with.
And this is why the apostlesaid here let me explain things
to you about Jesus and thechurch and the suffering he went
through.
But this is the beauty ofcommunity that together we
expand our capacity to love.
We expand our capacity to seedeeply and to recognize the
(33:59):
Christ that is in all of us.
Christ is our message.
We preach to awaken hearts andto bring every person into the
full understanding of truth.
It has become my inspirationand passion in the ministry to
labor with tireless intensity,with power flowing through me,
(34:20):
to present to every believer therevelation of being his perfect
one in Jesus Christ.
You are one in Christ Jesus andyou are one with every person,
because we are part of thisbeautiful family that God made,
(34:41):
that God is the father of, thatGod is telling us that you
belong, that you are holy, thatyou are faultless and you are
loved.
Come back to God, come back toyourself, to this understanding
that God is within you.
Why does this matter?
Because very often we feelalone in our struggles.
(35:02):
We feel alone in the pain.
We feel separate, and yet thisis why the truth comes to us.
We are not separate.
We are alone in the pain.
We feel separate, and yet thisis why the truth comes to us.
We are not separate.
We are one in Christ Jesus.
This goodness, this oneness,reminds us we will never be
alone.
You mentioned earlier.
Sometimes there is a thought,or there is maybe a fear that
(35:24):
would come to us and say what ifyou are believing the wrong
thing?
And I ask you to remember thatyou have a very good shepherd.
You have a very good shepherd,and you are his beloved and he
will not leave you there.
But the voice that you arelooking for, and the truth that
you are looking for, is withinyou, christ.
(35:44):
In you you look to the sound ofyour own voice saying this is
not right, and then you listento that wisdom, and then you
would yield to the spirit whenyou say how can we solve this?
How do we understand this?
It's an invitation to livefully human and fully divine.
It's an invitation to anembodied living where we are
(36:07):
present in this moment that weare in saying how can we help?
What is it that is in our handsto help with?
There are many of the stories inscripture that are so beautiful
to me and I love their imagery.
It reminds me constantly,throughout the day, this
invitation to be the Samaritan,this invitation to be the little
(36:31):
boy who offers loaves and fish.
Imagine sitting with 10,000people and recognizing that
everyone is hungry Everyone.
They've been there a long timeand there's no place to go to
the little deli market on thecorner.
We are on a field, we arereally hungry and I don't know
(36:51):
if you've ever been aroundsomeone who's hungry and has low
blood sugar, but it could be athing.
I mean, it could have been morelike than we're hungry.
Then maybe the crowd's gettinga little agitated.
Somebody needs to have a littlesnack and this crowd is immense
and the disciples they're going.
You know, what are you going todo?
(37:12):
I love this one part of thestory where Philip says to Jesus
what are you going to do?
Because you better do something.
And then Jesus says to Philipwhat are you going to do?
And that's what Jesus is sayingto us.
Do you see the suffering of theworld?
What are you going to do?
Do you see the suffering of thepeople around you?
(37:34):
Do good, find a way to help,find a way to lift it up less.
But this little boy brought hislunch and he gave it to the
disciples and he goes.
It's a little bit.
Never underestimate the powerof a little love, a little bit,
a little kindness, a littletenderness.
Never underestimate that,because he put that little bit
(37:58):
in the hands of Jesus, whoblessed it and multiplied it.
And that's what we do, beloved,every time we use kindness and
tenderness, every time we offerforgiveness, every time that we
choose to see light andflawlessness in someone.
This is the invitation to belike Christ, to allow the Spirit
(38:21):
in us to testify, but also togive us a plan.
How does the world get better?
Speaker 2 (38:28):
because we become the healing, we become the people
who love, and love is such apowerful force you know, I've
had people, um, reallyfrustrated and actually even
leave the church over the factthat we don't do an altar call
at the end of every message thatwe preach.
(38:49):
And you know, I've asked them.
I said, well, why does thatreally upset you and concern you
?
And they said, well, you're tooprogressive, you're not a
historical church.
And then I reminded them thatan altar call is only started in
the mid-1800s.
So actually we're way more of ahistorical church than one that
(39:14):
would do an altar call everyservice.
Now, I'm not saying that it'swrong for them to do it, but I
will tell you what Heather and Iwill never do is we'll never
threaten you with hell andthreaten you with God's wrath
unless you walk the aisle andget our free get out of hell
card.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
No.
Speaker 2 (39:38):
Because I don't think that exists and I don't think
that's how God intended.
I think that someone went tosome marketing school and
thought this is a great way tobuild the church through the
scaffolding of fear and we'llbuild fear up and we'll get
people so afraid and they'llneed us and they'll come and get
our stuff and we'll have them.
(39:59):
We'll have their money, we'llhave their attendance, we'll
have them.
And what I want to say is wedon't want to control you.
We got ourselves and four acresand a dog and some goats and
we're busy.
We're not here to control you.
We wouldn't do a very good jobof it.
We're here to tell you aboutbuilding a life with the
(40:23):
scaffolding of love instead,with the scaffolding of love
instead.
And so, if you're not beingthreatened by God, maybe you can
stop to realize it's justoffering love and transformation
and forgiveness and healing.
(40:43):
And why would I resist that?
Why would I want to?
You know, keep myself from that.
And and so for us, we, we seethis message differently.
Christ in you, that's whatgod's offering, and jesus even
said you'll do greater thingsthan I did.
He's offering us to go higherin this thing, and we tend to
(41:11):
just preach christianity as asin management program.
And let's be honest, as a sinmanagement program, christianity
has failed.
I mean, in fact, if you'regoing to find sin, look no
further than our leaders.
It's all over the papers, andit's all the time, isn't it?
(41:33):
And it's heartbreaking BecauseI think we've been sharing the
wrong message.
The message is Christ in us andwhat is the potential?
And that's what Heather and Iare asking ourselves every day.
You know, did you wake up andthink that you can have a
(41:53):
difference on human trafficking?
Or do we bury our heads in thesand and just worry about our
own stuff?
What if we realize that thereis something we can rise up into
?
That will you know, and I'vealways thought about well, I
can't change the world, but Ican change the life of the
person near me.
And I'm telling you, I don'tknow how that works, but God
(42:15):
will change this world and he'sasking who's on board?
Who is interested?
Who wants to take that ride?
Or are we going to continue toreduce the relationship with God
down to some sin managementprogram?
And that's?
Christ came just to forgive youof your sins, and so, as long
as you're straight with him,just wait for the sweet bye-bye.
(42:35):
One day you'll get raptured upand everything will be fine.
No, he's left us here becauseyou have a purpose, you have an
influence, a power to infuse itand infect and transform
everyone around you and I'm soexcited when I see those moments
happen where God uses us.
(42:58):
It is so beautiful to watch Godjust change the life of
somebody.
If you haven't seen it, just askHeather if you can spend an
afternoon with her shopping.
Don't do that.
It's the crazy.
Haven't seen it.
Just ask Heather if you canspend an afternoon with her
shopping.
Don't do that.
Don't do it.
If you don't believe me, I'llwatch my wife and she gets
cornered in the produce sectionor somewhere and she's praying,
(43:21):
holding somebody's hands andthey're crying why?
Because she's opened up hereyes to the possibility that
this could be happening allaround us.
And guess what.
It begins to happen.
And do we have the answers, dowe?
Speaker 1 (43:35):
oh, but this is what.
This is what peter said when hesaw the man crippled by the
gate.
I don't have the things thatyou need in this realm, but
whatever, whatever I have, Igive to you.
Whatever grace we haveexperienced, we are offered a
chance to pass that same grace.
(43:55):
Whatever mercy that we havereceived, we can give that mercy
away.
Whatever joy that we have, wecan give that mercy away.
I tell you that there issomething that happens in a
grocery store.
I don't know what it is exactly.
I think there's a frustrationby the time you have to go to
the grocery store.
Maybe you're hungry or maybeit's the last thing on your list
(44:17):
, but there's a lot of veryhurting and frustrated people at
grocery stores.
Now there are, I'm sure, peoplelike that at Staples and other
stores too, but it seems likeweekly I'm at the grocery store.
So I think that that's whythese things happen at the
grocery store.
But I am reminded all the time,particularly in the produce,
while I'm taking a minute, andmaybe that's the reason we're
(44:41):
all choosing the beautiful fruitor the beautiful.
There's a moment there, fruitor the beautiful there's.
There's a moment there, and inthat moment, if you will ask the
spirit.
Is there any love that I needto give here?
Is there any compassion that Ineed to be a part of?
Is there any kindness that Ican offer?
(45:05):
I found the most perfect applethe other day and I picked it up
and the smell of the apple wasso strong.
It smelled like something thatyou would remember, like if you
were older and you remembergoing into an apple orchard
where the smell is something youexperience first.
I think very often because thisis my opinion the fruit that we
(45:26):
get is like very waxed andthings, so I think the fragrance
is not as good.
But I picked up this apple andit was so good Like I brought it
to myself and I was like, oh,this is going to be delicious.
I have people in my house thatlike to eat apples and I was
going to give it and the womannext to me said you got a good
(45:47):
one, and she goes I think yougot the best one here.
And I said but it's for you.
I picked it up especially foryou and she started crying.
It's an apple beloved.
But it wasn't an apple, it was.
I had something that I felt wasgood and that I shared it, and
then the spirit made it muchbigger than sharing apples, by
(46:08):
the thing.
But it's this moment that, ifyou will take it and say, is
there a compassion that I could?
I've had an apple before,beloved.
I know how they taste.
They're really wonderful Mostof the time, especially the ones
like from Wisconsin andMichigan and up north.
Oh so good.
Anyway, you have that apple,but is every good thing just for
you?
Speaker 2 (46:28):
No, the answer is no.
Speaker 1 (46:29):
Every good thing is not just for you to consume,
it's for you to give.
This is the Jesus way.
This is the way of saying lovegives for God.
So love the world that God gavehis one and only son.
That whoever believes in lovebelieves in God and will have
eternal life.
This practice that is given tous is given away.
Speaker 2 (46:51):
You know, if we shift gears out of sin management, we
realize what the purpose of itall is.
If we could just accept I'mforgiven, now I'm going to go
out and I'm going to share.
All of a sudden your lifebecomes different, because
otherwise it's just about youand I can't.
You know.
And I'll tell you something.
Let me tell you a great story.
Last sunday we did baptism oh,it was beautiful.
Speaker 1 (47:10):
Thank you so much for everyone who participated.
Look at our baptismers, ourfreshly watered baptismers we
love you so much.
Speaker 2 (47:18):
And so we figured well it'd be, it'd be about one
o'clock and we'd feed them.
So we told the food people tobe there at one.
But the weather was bad.
So we go.
We got to get out there and get, uh, get the get in the pool.
Uh, because the weather was bad, so we go.
We got to get out there and getin the pool Because the weather
started turning right there atthat time.
So about the time we got in thewater and we asked the boys
would you stand in the water andhelp the baptismers in and out?
And about the time we lined upout there in the pool, it just
(47:41):
started monsoon and not rain,and I'm talking about buckets.
It was like we were under theocean.
And then the baptismers and allyou watchers just stood there
and laughed at us.
Look at them out there in therain, look at Thomas' face.
And everybody was just laughingat us.
Here we were out to serve andwe're being mocked and ridiculed
in our own home.
Speaker 1 (48:03):
That is not what was happening.
That's not what was happening.
Speaker 2 (48:04):
It kind of happened.
So we baptized everybody andgot everybody, the rain stopped.
It was a beautiful baptism, butthen all of a sudden it's 20 to
1 and we got 20 whole minutesbefore the food gets there and
there was a lot of people thereand so we're rushing around
trying to get the stuff readyand then 1 o'clock comes and 1
o'clock goes no food, 1.15, nofood comes, and finally at 1.50,
(48:28):
so everybody's standing around,stomachs growling, looking at
us low blood sugar low bloodsugar.
People are hangry.
That's what they call that.
It's a biblical word it's not.
I've already read it, so so thelady comes in and she goes.
Oh, she was so frustrated.
Oh my god, I'm so embarrassed,I'm so sorry.
Sorry, you know, take this.
(48:50):
And then I was rushing aroundbut I walked past and I noticed
that Heather had reached out andput money in her hand and she
goes.
I don't deserve this.
I'm so late, I'm so embarrassed, I'm so sorry she goes, I
cannot take this.
And Heather said no, it'm solate, I'm so embarrassed, I'm so
(49:11):
sorry she goes, I cannot takethis.
And Heather said no, it's ourjoy to bless you and to thank
you.
And that woman stood in ourkitchen people all around,
everything going.
And she stood in our kitchenand she just began to weep
everything going.
And she stood in our kitchenand she just began to weep and I
(49:32):
go.
And I said don't you know?
I mess up stuff all the time,don't feel bad.
And I said look, it's here andwe're all going to eat.
Nobody died of starvation.
This is a good day, it's acause to celebrate, thank you.
And it was.
(49:55):
And we took that time with thatlady and I'm telling you it's
happening all around.
But there's another, there's agear we could have been in and
it would have been fine if wewere in that gear.
We'd be loved and forgiven bygod.
But you're going to be.
Can you believe that broad?
She drives all over town.
She's late with our food.
We got all these guests.
I'm looking like an idiot Allthis.
We've got all the food, but nomain course.
Man, I can't believe people.
(50:15):
What's your problem?
Lady?
Can't believe you.
And let's be honest, we couldhave gotten in that gear and
many of us kind of live in thatthat the world didn't serve us.
But what about looking at howcan christ manifest?
And that's what my wife did.
And it costs you, you something.
(50:37):
It costs giving a tip to somemight not, might judge that that
person didn't deserve it, but Iwould say, do you want that job
?
Figuring out where houses areall the time and having a time
limit, and probably nothing butpeople looking for reasons to
not tip you, and that's yourincome.
You're working on a Sundayafternoon instead of being with
(51:00):
your family and looking forthose opportunities.
And if you'll crack the door andif we stop making God just
about this forgiveness deal, orwhat's worse is, I'm Jimmy God,
what can you give me Then?
God's all about.
He's the big vending machine inthe sky.
I pray my prayer to God, Iclaim it and I name it.
(51:21):
You know what Come on church.
You know that that ain't right.
And you know what would bebeautiful is if we just looked
around and all the waitressesand waiters and all the people
that are there to serve you.
All of a sudden you begin toserve them Because that's right.
That's what Christ did.
He served.
He didn't come to be served.
Although he's the king of kings, he thought it not be wrong to
(51:45):
sit down and wash the feet ofthe disciples.
What if we took a page out ofChrist's life?
And that was what we lived by.
Not well, I lived by thescripture that says that you
know, and also we're like thatcouple fighting the scriptures.
Well, I'll claim this and byGod, it's going to happen to me
in Jesus' name, you know.
And we're like no, you don'tknow.
Jesus, in Jesus' name, I would,I would, I would, I would have.
(52:08):
And how many have I missed thisweek?
Probably hundreds.
I just tell the story.
And I caught it.
Out of the corner of my eye wasHeather who caught it, but I
joined in and it was awesome.
It was so amazing to be able togive that to that lady and the
food was so good.
And then here's what's crazythe place called and they said
(52:29):
we're so sorry that it was lateand Heather's like forgiving her
.
She goes.
No excuses, that meal was free.
All that food we ended upgetting free anyway.
Come on, god.
Oh, we were suffering, likepoor me.
I didn't get a meal for 50minutes.
Amen, amen, amen.
(52:53):
Or we could get a chance to seeGod working.
Wouldn't it be awesome,starbucks workers, if the world
got a hold of this, thoseentitled blessings that think
that somehow, that their $8drink they deserve it, made
(53:14):
perfectly by their loyalsubjects.
What if we could just turn thescript on that and we become the
people that go around?
Just, the world is so parchedthat you will watch the most
amazing tears and of joy and andof transformation happen right
around you if you'll become avehicle of god's spirit to just,
(53:39):
oh, because god wants to, toreach out.
Amen, do you see it?
Do you want to be a part ofthat?
Let's stop just playing gamesdown here, low level.
Oh, just, you know me, my stuffand my sin.
Oh, we rise above that.
God has freed us from sin, butwhat did he free us to A life
(54:00):
where we get to co-create withthe King of Kings.
That Christ lives on the insideof me, the Christ.
What does that mean?
Speaker 1 (54:14):
It means you are the light of the world.
What?
That's what Jesus said.
I want to remind you of that.
Steve, you are the light of theworld.
Sue, you are the light of theworld.
Speaker 2 (54:27):
Francie, you are the light of the world, you do such
a good job, letting your lightshine.
Speaker 1 (54:31):
I want to just tell you what light does.
It allows us to see something.
You, your presence, yourgoodness, your service allows
someone else to see.
God Allows someone else to seesomething else.
You are the light of the world,Beloved, be bright and shiny.
(54:55):
You are the light of the world,Beloved, be bright and shiny.
You are the light of the worldbecause you have received the
love of God.
This is the invitation.
Where there is darkness, be thelight.
Where there is need, find someway to do good and remember that
Christ is in you.
(55:17):
I can't think of anything andI've spent time thinking about
this.
I can't think of anything oranyone that would not be
transformed if it was in thepresence of Christ.
I think about people sometimesthat are very difficult and that
are hurting other people.
And with such a deep grief, Idon't know what to do with the
(55:37):
feelings in my body that happenwhen I hear about children not
being fed Beloved.
This is not right.
Fed Beloved this is not right.
And when there are men in powerwho withhold food from children
(55:58):
.
It breaks my heart and itshould break yours.
But what do we do with thatfeeling.
Well, first of all, I takethose people anyone that I know
of that are a part of it oranyone who's not a part of it
and I bring them in my mind tothe loving presence of Christ.
Because I just want to tell you, if they were in the presence
of Christ, they too would knowhow do we break the bread that
the little boy gave us and howdo we make sure everyone is fed.
(56:19):
And it's not just about feedingphysically.
There is a feeding emotionallyand spiritually that we do, and
there is so much that we'reinvited into.
Jesus said, and we repeat ittogether as a church, and it has
been prayed for 2,000 yearsyour kingdom come, your will be
done on earth as it is in heaven.
No one in heaven starves todeath.
(56:41):
So, beloved, we've got somework to do.
One of the things that we'll dotogether as a church this
Wednesday is we'll give food andwe'll take food, and we have an
outreach this Wednesday and youcan come and be a part of it.
And that's not going to feedeveryone, but it's going to feed
some people and it's going tobe an invitation to be light and
to be joy and to haveconnection, and that's beautiful
(57:03):
and there are many ways thatyou can do it, because here's
how I know there are so manyways.
Christ is in you.
Everywhere you go, Christ goes.
Every person that you are infront of, Christ is in front of,
and that's how the worldchanges.
And we pray, Beloved.
There is power in our prayers,in our connection.
When we see something that isnot right, we pray about it.
(57:23):
We bring it before God and saywhat would your spirit do to
show me how I can be a part ofthe solution, what can I do to
bring peace to this situation?
And this is a practice for usto join our minds with the mind
of Christ by the Holy Spirit andsay how do you intend to bring
(57:44):
a solution here, and what a giftit is to participate in the
goodness of God.
Speaker 2 (57:50):
You know, in the outreach it's just an
opportunity to be trained.
You know we talk about Heather,you know, at the grocery store
a lot because she, you know,with working at the church and
stuff, our office is at home andwe, you know, we still have a
family at home, so we're at home.
So really that's youropportunity to be around people
you know that aren't you'vealready.
(58:10):
You preach to us a lot but youknow this is other people that
you get to preach to and andit's.
It's a beautiful opportunityand maybe you haven't got the
opportunity, and so going alongand and and experiencing it it
trains you.
This one woman was cause we goto Harvey's and it's, and she
was needed hip surgery and shewas real frayed and so we went
(58:33):
up and we brought her her foodbecause she was having the hip
surgery.
And then the next month I cameand I saw her starting to climb
down the stairs and I said don'tcome down, we'll bring the food
up to you.
And she goes why?
And I said, well, up to you.
And she goes why?
And I said, well, you're hip,and she goes.
You prayed for me and she wasconfused and so she came down
(58:58):
and grabbed her Bible.
I said well, we're going tobring it up to you.
She goes, I know, but my hipworks and I, like a dummy, I go
oh, so you had the surgery.
She goes what don't youunderstand?
I was going to have a surgery.
I asked for prayer.
You prayed for me.
Don't you remember theelectricity in that circle?
And everybody was crying andprobably I was thinking.
(59:21):
I got to get to the next room,you know, and so I, right in
front of me, missed a wonderfulshow, a beautiful Because of my
plans, because of my stuff.
Now, you've never done anythinglike that.
But, your pastor, I goof up soI can teach you.
(59:46):
I'm here at your service 24-7.
And so she comes down and shereminds me that prayer works and
she reminds me that this stuffis important and it trains me.
And next time I'm going to openmy eye and watch what are you
(01:00:09):
doing, god, my expectancy beginsto stir.
Speaker 1 (01:00:12):
And I remind you that there are people that we've
prayed for and then we've alsoattended with them their hip
surgery and their recovery, andit is still the miraculous power
of God.
The miracle workers in thosesituations are the doctors that
can perform this where knees arereplaced.
It's such a gift to be able toagain.
There are miracles all aroundus, beloved, if we'll look for
them, and there is a place forus to rejoice and a place for us
(01:00:36):
to be kind.
And I remind you of what weread in the Beatitudes this is
the virtuous path, this is theeighth path that Jesus gives us,
and Jesus said this do thesegood works so that the Father in
heaven will be seen.
Do and Jesus said this do thesegood works so that the Father
in heaven will be seen.
Do these good works so thatlove will be seen.
And this is the invitation forall of us to practice love in
(01:00:58):
our generosity, in our care forthe people who are shopping, in
the way that we love ourneighbors, in the way that we
take care of the world around usand in the prayers that we pray
.
We hope you've enjoyed thisweek's sermon.
If you would like moreinformation about us, visit us
online at firstlovechurchorg.
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