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1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. A godly man is all about your CHARACTER traits, not your PHYSICAL traits. Godly men are HUMBLE.  They know pride is their DOWNFALL and humility is the path to GREATNESS. James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 2 Samuel 22:28 You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.  Proverbs 16:5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.  Matthew 23:12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  1 Peter 5:5 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  3 Marks of a Humble Man 1. Humble men ADMIT they're not as STRONG as they think. Matthew 26:33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 MSG Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. 2. Humble men REPENT quickly and let God REWRITE their story. False humility focuses on your GUILT, not on God's GRACE. FALSE humility is still pride. It just SULKS instead of STRUTS. 3. Humble men see greatness as SERVING, not as being SERVED. WE are not a big deal. JESUS is a big deal. John 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. You don't FEEL your way into humility. You ACT your way into humility.

1 Kings 2:1-2 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Godly men take RESPONSIBILITY. Genesis 2:5-7 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. WORK to enjoy God's WILL to obey A WOMAN to love Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” RULES OF RESPONSIBILITY Rule #1: Responsibility means LEADING what you have before CHASING what you want. Genesis 3:6 She took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it too. Men, if YOU WON’T lead your home, SATAN will be happy to. “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do NOTHING.”—Edmund Burke Rule #2: Responsibility BEGINS when APATHY ends. It might not be your FAULT, but it is still your RESPONSIBILITY to lean in and do something about it. Genesis 3:8-9 And they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me — she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Rule #3: Responsibility comes ALIVE when excuses get BURIED. Excuses and responsibility CANNOT coexist.  “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”—Benjamin Franklin  When there's a problem, instead of yelling out the WINDOW, look in the MIRROR. The window gives you someone to BLAME. The mirror makes you take RESPONSIBILITY. When a MAN gets better, EVERYONE gets better.

Nobody trains for a fight just to stay in the gym. We are not in the fight for OURSELVES. The fight is FOR the people who aren't in the room yet. Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. 1. Plant seeds with your FAMILY. John 1:40-41 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 2. Plant seeds with FRIENDS and ACQUAINTANCES. John 6:5-9 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” You are not responsible for the MIRACLE. You are responsible for the INTRODUCTION. 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. You will never reap a HARVEST if you never plant a SEED. 3. Plant seeds with STRANGERS. John 12:20-22 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. You are not responsible for others APPROACHING Jesus. You are responsible for being APPROACHABLE. Jesus didn't call us to be his ATTORNEY. He called us to be his WITNESS.  2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

You can get IN the fight alone. You cannot STAY in the fight alone. COMMUNITY is what keeps you in the fight. Genesis 2:18a The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”  Being RECOGNIZED is not the same as being KNOWN.  1 Samuel 22:1-2 So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. 2 Samuel 23:8 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. 2 Samuel 23:9-10 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. 2 Samuel 23:11-12 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory. The Right CORNER They ran TO the cave, not just AWAY from the fight. The Right VOICE You can't see your own face. Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. The right voice won’t just help you FEEL better, but it will help you FOLLOW JESUS better.  The Right PEOPLE  You become who's in the cave with you. 2 Samuel 23:16-17 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble… A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. A burden shared is not always a burden REMOVED, but it is no longer a burden CARRIED ALONE. Community grows when “SOMEBODY SHOULD” becomes “What can I DO?”  Romans 12:5 So it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Every Sunday runs on volunteers, but what's the truth about serving in the church? Pastors TJ and Shayla talk about why most people never volunteer, what frustrates leaders, how to get real buy-in instead of just filling slots, and if anyone in the body of Christ is more important than anyone else.

God did not design you to be a spiritual CONSUMER. He designed you to be a spiritual CONTRIBUTOR. 1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. BOX SEATS BENCH TOWEL The BOX SEATS  The mentality that the church exists to SERVE ME Mark 10:35-37 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” “What is your request?” he asked. They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The BENCH  The mentality that says, “I'm not QUALIFIED or WORTHY enough to serve,” or “I'm just TOO BUSY to serve God” There is NO bench in the body of Christ. God doesn't call the QUALIFIED. He qualifies the CALLED. God works through your AVAILABILITY far more than your ABILITY. The secret of serving: You are always more FILLED UP than you POUR OUT. HOLDING a TOWEL The universal sign of “I am here to SERVE YOU” John 13:12-15 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Jesus measures greatness not by SEATS or TITLES, but by who picks up a TOWEL.  SAVED people SERVE people.

We don't fight PEOPLE. We fight FOR people. Lukewarm Christianity is accepting just enough of Jesus to make us FEEL better, but not enough of Jesus to CHANGE our lives. COMFORTABLE Christianity is where faith goes to DIE. Revelation 3:15–20  “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” 1. Jesus confronts what he LOVES. The rebuke is not REJECTION. It's RESCUE. Conviction is LOVE refusing to leave you where it found you. 2. Distance creates DRIFT. Ephesians 5:25–27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 3. Self-sufficiency STARVES the soul. Revelation 3:17 "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." Growth doesn't make us LESS dependent on God. It should make us MORE dependent. SUCCESS makes promises that only JESUS can keep. Hebrews 10:24–25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 4. Consistency REKINDLES devotion. All-in Christians do CONSISTENTLY what lukewarm Christians do OCCASIONALLY. What you do occasionally may INSPIRE you. What you do consistently FORMS you. Revelation 3:19–20 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Jesus went ALL IN for you. So go ALL IN for Him.

Exodus 2:11-15 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?” The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known.” When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. BIG IDEA: Whom we were born to be may be hidden under whom we appear to be. The culture that surrounds us cannot be the context that defines us. Exodus 2:19 They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock.” God may be waiting for our attention before He gives us His commission. Exodus 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” Whom God wants to send us to is often the people we’ve tried to escape from. Exodus 3:10 “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Our big but doesn’t dissuade God from His big plans. Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Matthew 11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heisart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Ever wonder what ministry is really like beyond Sunday? In this episode, our pastors share the honest realities of the job. They talk about the hidden parts of a typical week, the toughest challenges, and the things people often get wrong (and right) about life in ministry.

Control asks, "What if it doesn't work out?" Surrender asks, "What if it's already in good hands?" You were never given the power to CONTROL. But you were always given the power to SURRENDER. Surrender isn't a FEELING. It's a DECISION you make, and then a PRACTICE you keep making. 5 THINGS THAT ARE TRUE ABOUT SURRENDER 1. Surrender is a DECISION, not a discovery. Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2. Surrender is NAMED, not vague. If you don't NAME it, you can't TAME it. 3. Surrender is DAILY, not one-and-done. Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Exodus 16:19-20 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. 4. Surrender is MODELED, not manufactured. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." CONTROL was in the garden. SURRENDER was on the cross. He chose the cross so that you would HAVE THE POWER to choose it too. 5. Surrender is REWARDED, not wasted. 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Control promises you SAFETY and pays you ANXIETY. Surrender promises you LOSS and pays you PEACE. THE SERENITY PRAYERGod, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

The Law of CONTROL: whatever we try to FIX with control, we end up BREAKING even more.3 Areas Where Control Costs Us:1. Control breaks us PERSONALLY — Leads to EXHAUSTION and ANXIETY. Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything…Philippians 4:6-7Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.1. The space INSIDE ME.Some Control 2. BETWEEN ME and PEOPLE. 3. The space BETWEEN ME and GOD.No Control 4. INSIDE OTHERS.1 Peter 5:2-3Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." Peace isn't found in BEING IN CONTROL — it's found in TRUSTING THE ONE who is.CONTROL was never in your hands, but SURRENDER always is.Control costs us RELATIONALLY — Leads to BROKEN relationships. Genesis 16:1-2Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her." The Law of CONTROL: whatever we try to FIX with control, we end up BREAKING even more. When you hold on with FORCE, you ultimately FORCE AWAY.Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. John 15:5I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.Control costs us SPIRITUALLY.—It leads to a POWERLESS faith.Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God.Matthew 17:19-20 "Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, 'Why couldn't we drive it out?' He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"What you try to control the MOST reveals where you trust God the LEAST! Personally: exhaustion, and anxiety Relationally: broken relationships Spiritually: powerless faithYou don't have the power to CONTROL, but you always have the power to SURRENDER.THE SERENITY PRAYERGod, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Galatians 5:22–23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." #1: Make the plan. Proverbs 21:5 "The plans of the diligent lead to profit, but the plans of the hasty lead to poverty." Proverbs 24:27 "Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house." Luke 14:28–30 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'" # 2: Live a principled life. Romans 12:11-12 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:19 "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." # 3: Surrender the outcome. We control because there is something we desperately want as the outcome. Control begins where trust ends.

Control is an ILLUSION.  Control is a GOD category — it's not a HUMAN one.  The more we try to CONTROL, the more CHAOS we create. 3 TOOLS WE USE TO CONTROL KNOWLEDGE and INFORMATION. Can be idols for control.  The tree of KNOWLEDGE. Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” From the beginning, we have believed the lie that KNOWLEDGE = CONTROL. We have confused information with INFLUENCE. Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and she ate it. The tighter you grip for INFORMATION, the tighter ANXIETY grips you.  POWER and MONEY.  Sell the illusion of control but only lead to more chaos.  Genesis 3:5 …when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.  When you hold with FORCE, you ultimately FORCE AWAY. Proverbs 23:4-5 Do not wear yourselves out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.  SHAME and BLAME. The hidden and destructive tools of control.  Genesis 3:10 “I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."  Shame convinces us that if we HIDE the worst parts of ourselves, we're in control. But hiding only CREATES CHAOS.

In this episode, we unpack tithing, generosity, debt, stewardship, and the prosperity gospel. Join us as we explore how followers of Jesus can honor God with their finances.

Control is an ILLUSION.  Control is a GOD category, not a HUMAN one.  The more we try to CONTROL, the more CHAOS we create. Galatians 5:22–23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control. Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:2–3 The woman said, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” Genesis 3:4–5 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:7–10 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Three Reasons We Reach For Control 1.  Control is rooted in DOUBTING God's GOODNESS. What you try to control MOST reveals where you trust God the LEAST. 2.  Control is driven by our DESIRE for AUTONOMY. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? We are at our freest not when we're in CHARGE, but when we give God CONTROL. 3.  Control fuels FEAR and ANXIETY. Control CREATES anxiety.   Peace comes when I stop PLAYING God and start TRUSTING God. Control is an ILLUSION. Surrender is the SOLUTION. If you don't NAME it, you can't TAME it.