March 24, 2025 • 16 mins
Welcome to The Greater Guild Loading Screen, the podcast where faith meets geek culture! In this episode, Pastor Brandon launches our new sermon series, “I’m In,” with the message “I’m Invited.”
Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Like your past disqualified you from being part of something greater? In this powerful and grace-filled message, we dive into Luke 7 and the story of a woman rejected by people—but fully accepted by Jesus.
No matter your story, you’re not just welcome—you’re invited.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Greater Guild Announcer (00:02):
In a galaxy filled with static and
rejection, one voice echoesacross the stars. You are
invited. Welcome to the GreaterGuild loading screen, the
podcast podcast where faithmeets geek culture. Today, we're
entering a new sermon seriestitled I'm In. Beginning with a
message that speaks to everyoutcast, every overlooked
(00:23):
traveler, and every souldrifting in the void.
I'm invited. Pastor Brandonbrings us a story from Luke
seven, where a woman societyrejected finds full acceptance
at the feet of Jesus. No matteryour past, your failings, or
what you've been told, you havea place in the kingdom. Prepare
for hyperspace. This is yourinvitation.
Pastor Brandon Holm (00:49):
Welcome guildmates, travelers, wayfarers
of the cosmos. I just wish totell you something very
important in this new series.You are not alone in this
journey. No matter how lost youfeel in the void, you have been
called. You've been chosen.
And most importantly, you'reinvited. In this first message
(01:11):
in our series, I'm in, we willengage our warp drives and
navigate through the firstcrucial truth. You're invited
into God's family. I know. Bitof sci fi, but, hey.
Makes sense, doesn't it? Becausethe truth is, the universe is
vast. It's lonely, isolated.Have you ever felt like just
(01:34):
another blip on the star chart?Felt passed over or been
forgotten?
Again, I wanna assure you today,you are not just another name on
a roster. The creator of theuniverse is called you by name,
and the invitation to hiskingdom is already in your
hands. In Luke seven, we meet awoman whose name history has
(01:58):
really never recorded or hasdefinitely forgotten, but whose
encounter with Jesus islegendary. Well, this woman was
known by her past, by her sins.Society had written her off.
She was the outcast, theunwanted, the dismissed to the
fringes of the system. And yet,when Jesus was invited to dine
(02:21):
at the home of a Pharisee, shetook a bold step. She ignored
the whispers, the rejection, andthe shame. She entered the house
uninvited because deep down sheknew all she knew already she
had an invitation from someonefar greater. And this is where
in Luke seven, chapter seven,verses thirty seven and thirty
(02:45):
eight, it tells us, and behold,a woman of the city who was a
sinner, when she learned thatshe was reclining, when learned
that he was reclining at tablein the Pharisee's house, brought
an alabaster alabaster flask ofointment, and standing behind
him at his feet weeping.
She began to wet his feet withher tears, and wiped them with
(03:08):
her hair on her head, and kissedhis feet, and anointed them with
the ointment. This act was morethan bold. It was sacrificial.
The alabaster jaw representedher livelihood, possibly a
year's worth of wages, and itsymbolized her path. In that
(03:29):
moment, she laid it all atJesus' feet.
The Pharisees, the supposedspiritual elite, were appalled,
aghast, and many of themclutching their pearls. But
Jesus looked beyond appearances.He saw her heart. We continue
this in Luke chapter seven fortyfour to 47. Then turning toward
(03:53):
the woman, he said to Simon, doyou see this woman?
I entered your house. You gaveme no water for my feet, but she
has wet my feet with her tearsand wiped them with her air. You
gave me no kiss, but from thetime I entered by the time I
came in, she had not ceased tokiss my feet. You did not anoint
(04:16):
my head with oil, but she hasanointed my feet with ointment.
Therefore, I tell you, her sins,which are many, are forgiven,
for she loved much, but he whois forgiven less loves little.
And finally, the words thatchanged everything. And he said
(04:38):
to her, your sins are forgiven.Then those who were at the table
with him began to say amongthemselves, is this? Who even
forgives sin? And he said to thewoman, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace. In a room full ofrejection, she found acceptance.
(05:01):
In a system filled withjudgment, she found grace. No
matter who you are or what youcarry, Jesus extends that same
invitation to you. Some of youhave felt like this woman,
unworthy, outcast, weighed downby mistakes.
Maybe you feel like your past istoo dark, your failure's too
(05:22):
great, your wounds too deep.Well, society has a way of
making us feel like we don'tbelong. We're like anomalies in
the system. Let me remind you,God's invitation stands. Jesus
didn't come for the elite.
He didn't come for those who hadtheir act together. He came for
you, the wounded, the lost, theoverlooked, the ones society
(05:46):
rejects, but heaven callschosen. In Matthew eleven twenty
eight through 30, Jesus givesthis powerful invitation. Come
to me all who labor and areheavy heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke uponyou and learn from me, for I am
(06:08):
gentle and lowly in heart, andyou will find rest in your
souls.
For my yoke is easy and myburden is light. Not some of
you, not only the righteous, butall who are weary. That means
you. That means me. That meanseveryone who has ever felt like
(06:30):
they don't belong.
If you have felt like, you know,pastors, priests, and others who
have called your gaming,cosplaying, or even enjoying
anime or reading manga bad,Jesus will never abandon you
like they would. I certainlywouldn't because I like those
things. Now, when he said all,he does mean all. You have to
(06:58):
give a pen tie or games thatmake you lust or even modify
your cosplay to be lessrevealing. But the standard of
living a full life conqueringyour sins is much better when
you accept Jesus' invitation.
And it's not just Jesus who isaccepting. In Isaiah forty three
one, God declares, but now, thussay the Lord, we who created
(07:23):
you, o Jacob, he who formed you,o Israel, fear not, for I have
redeemed you. I have called youby name. You are mine. You are
not lost in the crowd.
You are not a nameless wandereradrift in the cosmos. The God
who forged the stars also calledyou by name. You are his. God
(07:47):
knows your stupidity and hascalculated this in his calling
on you to join him. It is notout of spite, but out of love
for his people and the salvationfor you.
Yes, God is wrathful and isjust. But knowing this, anyone
who comes to God and Jesus isblessed beyond imagining, even
(08:09):
when you go through hard timesand difficult situations in
life. If you don't believe me,then look at John ten three,
where Jesus says, to him thegatekeeper opens, the sheep hear
his voice, and he calls his ownsheep by name and leads them
out. This is the voice that cutsthrough the noise of rejection,
(08:33):
the static of shame, and thevoid of isolation. This is the
voice that knows your name.
Not only knows your name, butknows your past, sees your
present, and is very concernedabout your future. And we are
not just talking about yourfuture here on earth. It is a
future after your death whereeternal life with God and Jesus
(08:55):
is desired. If the universe hasever made you feel small, if
religion or people have made youfeel excluded, let the truth
settle in your spirit. You areknown, you are loved, and again,
you are invited.
Now Jesus told another story inLuke 14 about a great banquet, a
(09:17):
celebration that echoes througheternity. The host sent out
invitations, like you would, tothose who should have been most
ready, most willing to attend.But one by one, the excuses
begin to pile up. Sounds likegetting together to form a d and
d campaign or even into a Callof Duty game with your friends.
Right?
(09:38):
Heading back to our host, it'sin Luke chapter 14 verses
eighteen and twenty. It says,but they all alike begin to make
excuses. The first said to him,I have bought a field, and I
must go out and see it. Pleasehave me excused. And another
said, I have bought fiveyokoboxen, and I go to examine
(10:00):
them.
Please have me excused. Andanother said, I have married a
wife, and therefore I cannotcome. Okay. So your friends may
not have bought a field or oxenor just got married. However,
the last excuse is no excuse.
What is at issue is that theguest priorities are misaligned.
(10:23):
Well, except for the last guest.Newlyweds have a very valid
excuse. So what does the masterof the feast do? Continuing in
Luke chapter 14 verse 21.
So the servant came and reportedthese things to his master, and
then the master of the housebecame angry and said to his
(10:43):
servant, go out quickly to thestreets and lanes of the city,
and bring in the poor, and thecripple, and the blind, and the
lame. This master decided tobring others into his home.
Strangers, no less. Think ofthis the next time you're
entering a lobby for Hell LetLoose, Call of Duty, or even
Battlefield. When I played thefirst Overwatch, I found a team
(11:07):
that invited me in when myregular friends ditched me on a
scheduled night.
And just like in a game lobby,there still was room at this
banquet. So the master in Lukesent out his servant again. And
the master said to the servant,go out to the highways and
hedges and compel people to comein that my house may be filled.
(11:31):
For us Christians, both oldtimers and new, this is the
mission. This is our purpose.
We are the servants in thisstory, tasked with extending the
invitation far and wide. Tothose who feel rejected, to the
spiritually blind, to theemotionally crippled, to the
socially socially isolated. Nowwhether it's on Twitch, Discord,
(11:55):
in game voice chat, or yourfavorite server, our message is
the same. There is a seat at foryou at the table, in the spot,
in our team. Come join us.
We do not just wait for peopleto find the gospel. We take it
to them, into every game lobby,every friend group, every late
(12:15):
night message thread. Thekingdom isn't static. It is
alive. The invitation is live,and the mission is clear.
No one should drift alone in thevoid when the gates of the
kingdom are wide open. Nowyou've heard this before. God is
calling you. It's true. He'sinviting you into his kingdom.
(12:37):
The question is, will youaccept? This is not just a
moment of emotional stir. It's adivine call to eternal life.
Revelation three twenty paintsthis picture beautifully. Here I
am.
I stand at the door and knock.If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will come inand eat with that person, and
(12:59):
they with me. The creator of thecosmos is knocking at the door
of your heart. This is yourmoment. Open it.
If a Christian asks you, a nonbeliever, to join them, do so.
It will not kill you. And if youdecide not to continue going to
church or attending a group withyour host, a good Christian will
(13:20):
not be upset, but should as tokeep, you know, but you should
as well keep in touch. You neverknow when you need a person to
talk to in your most darkest oftimes. We as Christians have
gone down dark roads in ourlives.
It may not be the samesituation, but many of us can
relate to yours. And, if you'vealready answered the call, then
(13:45):
your mission is clear. Extendthe invitation. Be the one who
echoes the voice of Jesus. Findpeople outside your normal group
of friends.
I know it's hard to do,especially for me, but finding
people just to game should notbe a moment to proselytize.
Okay? If asked, be honest, butdon't be a zealot. Have fun. If
(14:06):
someone asks, answer truthfullyand with kindness.
Eventually, you will be askedabout God, Jesus, and salvation.
Or in second Corinthians fivetwenty, it declares, therefore,
we are ambassadors of Christ,God making his appeal through
us. We implore you on behalf ofChrist, be reconciled to God.
(14:29):
You carry the most importantmessage in all the galaxies, and
if you're an empty person, themultiverse. That reconciliation
is possible, that love isavailable, that the invitation
is open.
You're not just invited, you aresent. So this week, reach out.
Fire up your comms. Send thatmessage. Make that call.
(14:52):
Whether it's through Twitch,TikTok, Discord, a text, or even
just a quiet moment in prayer,invite someone into God's
family. Romans ten fourteen sumsus up nicely. How then will they
call on him in whom they havenot believed? Are they to
believe in him of whom they havenever heard? And how are they to
(15:15):
hear that someone preaching?
You might be the only voicesomeone hears. Be that voice,
accept the call, and extend theinvitation.
Greater Guild Announcer (15:30):
You've just heard I'm invited. A
message from our I'm in serieshere on the Greater Guild
loading screen. No matter whoyou are, where you've been, or
what you've done, the gates ofthe kingdom are wide open. The
call is real. The invitation isnow.
You're not just accepted, you'rewanted. If this message spoke to
(15:53):
you, share it with someone whoneeds to know they belong. Join
us every week for more messagesthat bridge faith and fandom,
Jesus and geek culture. Untilnext time, stay in the word,
stay in the fight, and neverforget, you are in.
In a galaxy filled with static and
rejection, one voice echoesacross the stars. You are
invited. Welcome to the GreaterGuild loading screen, the
podcast podcast where faithmeets geek culture. Today, we're
entering a new sermon seriestitled I'm In. Beginning with a
message that speaks to everyoutcast, every overlooked
(00:23):
traveler, and every souldrifting in the void.
I'm invited. Pastor Brandonbrings us a story from Luke
seven, where a woman societyrejected finds full acceptance
at the feet of Jesus. No matteryour past, your failings, or
what you've been told, you havea place in the kingdom. Prepare
for hyperspace. This is yourinvitation.
Pastor Brandon Holm (00:49):
Welcome guildmates, travelers, wayfarers
of the cosmos. I just wish totell you something very
important in this new series.You are not alone in this
journey. No matter how lost youfeel in the void, you have been
called. You've been chosen.
And most importantly, you'reinvited. In this first message
(01:11):
in our series, I'm in, we willengage our warp drives and
navigate through the firstcrucial truth. You're invited
into God's family. I know. Bitof sci fi, but, hey.
Makes sense, doesn't it? Becausethe truth is, the universe is
vast. It's lonely, isolated.Have you ever felt like just
(01:34):
another blip on the star chart?Felt passed over or been
forgotten?
Again, I wanna assure you today,you are not just another name on
a roster. The creator of theuniverse is called you by name,
and the invitation to hiskingdom is already in your
hands. In Luke seven, we meet awoman whose name history has
(01:58):
really never recorded or hasdefinitely forgotten, but whose
encounter with Jesus islegendary. Well, this woman was
known by her past, by her sins.Society had written her off.
She was the outcast, theunwanted, the dismissed to the
fringes of the system. And yet,when Jesus was invited to dine
(02:21):
at the home of a Pharisee, shetook a bold step. She ignored
the whispers, the rejection, andthe shame. She entered the house
uninvited because deep down sheknew all she knew already she
had an invitation from someonefar greater. And this is where
in Luke seven, chapter seven,verses thirty seven and thirty
(02:45):
eight, it tells us, and behold,a woman of the city who was a
sinner, when she learned thatshe was reclining, when learned
that he was reclining at tablein the Pharisee's house, brought
an alabaster alabaster flask ofointment, and standing behind
him at his feet weeping.
She began to wet his feet withher tears, and wiped them with
(03:08):
her hair on her head, and kissedhis feet, and anointed them with
the ointment. This act was morethan bold. It was sacrificial.
The alabaster jaw representedher livelihood, possibly a
year's worth of wages, and itsymbolized her path. In that
(03:29):
moment, she laid it all atJesus' feet.
The Pharisees, the supposedspiritual elite, were appalled,
aghast, and many of themclutching their pearls. But
Jesus looked beyond appearances.He saw her heart. We continue
this in Luke chapter seven fortyfour to 47. Then turning toward
(03:53):
the woman, he said to Simon, doyou see this woman?
I entered your house. You gaveme no water for my feet, but she
has wet my feet with her tearsand wiped them with her air. You
gave me no kiss, but from thetime I entered by the time I
came in, she had not ceased tokiss my feet. You did not anoint
(04:16):
my head with oil, but she hasanointed my feet with ointment.
Therefore, I tell you, her sins,which are many, are forgiven,
for she loved much, but he whois forgiven less loves little.
And finally, the words thatchanged everything. And he said
(04:38):
to her, your sins are forgiven.Then those who were at the table
with him began to say amongthemselves, is this? Who even
forgives sin? And he said to thewoman, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace. In a room full ofrejection, she found acceptance.
(05:01):
In a system filled withjudgment, she found grace. No
matter who you are or what youcarry, Jesus extends that same
invitation to you. Some of youhave felt like this woman,
unworthy, outcast, weighed downby mistakes.
Maybe you feel like your past istoo dark, your failure's too
(05:22):
great, your wounds too deep.Well, society has a way of
making us feel like we don'tbelong. We're like anomalies in
the system. Let me remind you,God's invitation stands. Jesus
didn't come for the elite.
He didn't come for those who hadtheir act together. He came for
you, the wounded, the lost, theoverlooked, the ones society
(05:46):
rejects, but heaven callschosen. In Matthew eleven twenty
eight through 30, Jesus givesthis powerful invitation. Come
to me all who labor and areheavy heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke uponyou and learn from me, for I am
(06:08):
gentle and lowly in heart, andyou will find rest in your
souls.
For my yoke is easy and myburden is light. Not some of
you, not only the righteous, butall who are weary. That means
you. That means me. That meanseveryone who has ever felt like
(06:30):
they don't belong.
If you have felt like, you know,pastors, priests, and others who
have called your gaming,cosplaying, or even enjoying
anime or reading manga bad,Jesus will never abandon you
like they would. I certainlywouldn't because I like those
things. Now, when he said all,he does mean all. You have to
(06:58):
give a pen tie or games thatmake you lust or even modify
your cosplay to be lessrevealing. But the standard of
living a full life conqueringyour sins is much better when
you accept Jesus' invitation.
And it's not just Jesus who isaccepting. In Isaiah forty three
one, God declares, but now, thussay the Lord, we who created
(07:23):
you, o Jacob, he who formed you,o Israel, fear not, for I have
redeemed you. I have called youby name. You are mine. You are
not lost in the crowd.
You are not a nameless wandereradrift in the cosmos. The God
who forged the stars also calledyou by name. You are his. God
(07:47):
knows your stupidity and hascalculated this in his calling
on you to join him. It is notout of spite, but out of love
for his people and the salvationfor you.
Yes, God is wrathful and isjust. But knowing this, anyone
who comes to God and Jesus isblessed beyond imagining, even
(08:09):
when you go through hard timesand difficult situations in
life. If you don't believe me,then look at John ten three,
where Jesus says, to him thegatekeeper opens, the sheep hear
his voice, and he calls his ownsheep by name and leads them
out. This is the voice that cutsthrough the noise of rejection,
(08:33):
the static of shame, and thevoid of isolation. This is the
voice that knows your name.
Not only knows your name, butknows your past, sees your
present, and is very concernedabout your future. And we are
not just talking about yourfuture here on earth. It is a
future after your death whereeternal life with God and Jesus
(08:55):
is desired. If the universe hasever made you feel small, if
religion or people have made youfeel excluded, let the truth
settle in your spirit. You areknown, you are loved, and again,
you are invited.
Now Jesus told another story inLuke 14 about a great banquet, a
(09:17):
celebration that echoes througheternity. The host sent out
invitations, like you would, tothose who should have been most
ready, most willing to attend.But one by one, the excuses
begin to pile up. Sounds likegetting together to form a d and
d campaign or even into a Callof Duty game with your friends.
Right?
(09:38):
Heading back to our host, it'sin Luke chapter 14 verses
eighteen and twenty. It says,but they all alike begin to make
excuses. The first said to him,I have bought a field, and I
must go out and see it. Pleasehave me excused. And another
said, I have bought fiveyokoboxen, and I go to examine
(10:00):
them.
Please have me excused. Andanother said, I have married a
wife, and therefore I cannotcome. Okay. So your friends may
not have bought a field or oxenor just got married. However,
the last excuse is no excuse.
What is at issue is that theguest priorities are misaligned.
(10:23):
Well, except for the last guest.Newlyweds have a very valid
excuse. So what does the masterof the feast do? Continuing in
Luke chapter 14 verse 21.
So the servant came and reportedthese things to his master, and
then the master of the housebecame angry and said to his
(10:43):
servant, go out quickly to thestreets and lanes of the city,
and bring in the poor, and thecripple, and the blind, and the
lame. This master decided tobring others into his home.
Strangers, no less. Think ofthis the next time you're
entering a lobby for Hell LetLoose, Call of Duty, or even
Battlefield. When I played thefirst Overwatch, I found a team
(11:07):
that invited me in when myregular friends ditched me on a
scheduled night.
And just like in a game lobby,there still was room at this
banquet. So the master in Lukesent out his servant again. And
the master said to the servant,go out to the highways and
hedges and compel people to comein that my house may be filled.
(11:31):
For us Christians, both oldtimers and new, this is the
mission. This is our purpose.
We are the servants in thisstory, tasked with extending the
invitation far and wide. Tothose who feel rejected, to the
spiritually blind, to theemotionally crippled, to the
socially socially isolated. Nowwhether it's on Twitch, Discord,
(11:55):
in game voice chat, or yourfavorite server, our message is
the same. There is a seat at foryou at the table, in the spot,
in our team. Come join us.
We do not just wait for peopleto find the gospel. We take it
to them, into every game lobby,every friend group, every late
(12:15):
night message thread. Thekingdom isn't static. It is
alive. The invitation is live,and the mission is clear.
No one should drift alone in thevoid when the gates of the
kingdom are wide open. Nowyou've heard this before. God is
calling you. It's true. He'sinviting you into his kingdom.
(12:37):
The question is, will youaccept? This is not just a
moment of emotional stir. It's adivine call to eternal life.
Revelation three twenty paintsthis picture beautifully. Here I
am.
I stand at the door and knock.If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will come inand eat with that person, and
(12:59):
they with me. The creator of thecosmos is knocking at the door
of your heart. This is yourmoment. Open it.
If a Christian asks you, a nonbeliever, to join them, do so.
It will not kill you. And if youdecide not to continue going to
church or attending a group withyour host, a good Christian will
(13:20):
not be upset, but should as tokeep, you know, but you should
as well keep in touch. You neverknow when you need a person to
talk to in your most darkest oftimes. We as Christians have
gone down dark roads in ourlives.
It may not be the samesituation, but many of us can
relate to yours. And, if you'vealready answered the call, then
(13:45):
your mission is clear. Extendthe invitation. Be the one who
echoes the voice of Jesus. Findpeople outside your normal group
of friends.
I know it's hard to do,especially for me, but finding
people just to game should notbe a moment to proselytize.
Okay? If asked, be honest, butdon't be a zealot. Have fun. If
(14:06):
someone asks, answer truthfullyand with kindness.
Eventually, you will be askedabout God, Jesus, and salvation.
Or in second Corinthians fivetwenty, it declares, therefore,
we are ambassadors of Christ,God making his appeal through
us. We implore you on behalf ofChrist, be reconciled to God.
(14:29):
You carry the most importantmessage in all the galaxies, and
if you're an empty person, themultiverse. That reconciliation
is possible, that love isavailable, that the invitation
is open.
You're not just invited, you aresent. So this week, reach out.
Fire up your comms. Send thatmessage. Make that call.
(14:52):
Whether it's through Twitch,TikTok, Discord, a text, or even
just a quiet moment in prayer,invite someone into God's
family. Romans ten fourteen sumsus up nicely. How then will they
call on him in whom they havenot believed? Are they to
believe in him of whom they havenever heard? And how are they to
(15:15):
hear that someone preaching?
You might be the only voicesomeone hears. Be that voice,
accept the call, and extend theinvitation.
Greater Guild Announcer (15:30):
You've just heard I'm invited. A
message from our I'm in serieshere on the Greater Guild
loading screen. No matter whoyou are, where you've been, or
what you've done, the gates ofthe kingdom are wide open. The
call is real. The invitation isnow.
You're not just accepted, you'rewanted. If this message spoke to
(15:53):
you, share it with someone whoneeds to know they belong. Join
us every week for more messagesthat bridge faith and fandom,
Jesus and geek culture. Untilnext time, stay in the word,
stay in the fight, and neverforget, you are in.
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