Francis Chan Making Sense of Your Life Preach It Teach It

All right. It is really cool to be back. I had no idea how emotional I was going to get during worship. You know, Ive been speaking everywhere, but theres something about coming into this room, and just remembering everything that took place in your room in many of your lives where you gave your life to the Lord, and some of you that I baptized in that -- whatever you call it. So much just came flooding back, and theres just something about this place. I miss it so much. I miss you so much. I talk to people, you know, and I forget how unique this congregation is. As I speak in other places and I deal with issues in other churches, and I just keep pointing back to Cornerstone, and I go, Man, the elders there, heres what they do. And theyre like, What? Really? I go, No, really. Isnt everyone like this? And theyre like, No. And just to come back in the room and just to sense the spirit in the room, and the worship. Its just -- I cant even explain what it feels like. I didnt even realize how long Id been gone. You know, I know its spoke by video and theyve done little things, but I havent preached in here since last May, and so its just kind of overwhelming to just come and see everyones faces. Its so good to see your faces again. I dont even know where to start. Its like everything I had planned just kind of went out the window as usual.

I guess Ill just kind of give a little bit of an update starting with my own walk with the Lord. Its just been amazing. I am just so loved by God. It blows my mind sometimes. These last few months, the things I pray for. Its always been this thing where I pray and then God answers and youre like wow, and again and again and again, like Im just seeing the supernatural all of the time. But its even gotten beyond that lately. It feels like God now answers prayers that I didnt even pray. You know, like if I thought to pray that I would have prayed that, but I didnt even pray that and You still answered it. You almost feel like a kid whos asking Dad for these things and then Dad just spoils you and says, Okay. You can have that. You can have that. And by the way, you didnt even ask for this, but I went and bought you this while you were gone. I feel like this spoiled kid before the Lord, like, God, are you kidding me? It just seems like on a daily basis Im just in awe of God. As Im reading His Word I just feel more loved by Jesus than ever. When I read this book and I feel like I understand the gospel in an even greater way from Genesis all the way to Revelation. Im going, God, look at how much You love the world! You know, You just wanted the best for Adam and Eve. You just wanted the best for them and they went their own way, and yet You went after them. And then what You did with Noah. I want to start over. Man, I just want to start over, and this family, and just over and over, all through the judges and over the kings. Its like everyone wandering away from God, and theres just this awesome Being up there Who just keeps bringing everyone back, bring everyone back and then finally culminating in Jesus Himself. Im going to redeem this place. Im going to redeem this world. Its just like, Oh

God, why would you do that? And then in everyday life just even silly things where you go, Lord, why do You even care about that? Why do You care about this? Why are You so good? A couple months ago Im in my bed and Im praying, and I got to the point where I couldnt even sleep. I was so excited to be in love with God. Its like I remember when I first started dating my wife. You know how when you first fall in love, you know, and then it gets old. No, Im kidding. Im kidding! But its different. Its just different. Its deeper. Its richer. But you know how that initial like giddiness like, I cant believe shes going out with me! And you just cant even sleep. Thats the way Ive been feeling with God lately, like, I cant believe You love me. Its to where Im waking up in the middle of the night going, The God of the Universe! One night I couldnt sleep, and so I just started counting breaths. Every time as I would exhale Id go, God, thank you for giving me that breath. It says, You alone are immortal. You are the only one that gives life. Thank you for that one. Just to be communicating with the One that gives me every single breath and saying, God, youve got to be kidding me. And then to think that you know me and you love me, and the way you are answering my prayers! Im just stunned. Im just amazed by this God all over again, and its been great. I hope the same is true for you because thats what I pray for you. I go, God, as Im apart from these people now, and for those who dont know me, I just realized you dont even know who I am. My name is Francis and I used to be a pastor here for a little while, like sixteen years. But its just been so good. Family is doing really well. The last time I was here in May I announced that Lisa was pregnant, and sadly it was like a week or two later that we had a miscarriage. But then it was a week or two later she got pregnant again, and so were due in May with our fourth girl. Yeah, dont clap for that. Im kidding. No, its great. Its great. I like girls. I feel bad for my son. But Im cool with it. I love my girls. Were in the process, were trying to figure out this adoption with a kid out in China also. Theres a kid out there. Im praying for that, for our family. Hes special needs. Hes paralyzed waist down, and it just doesnt seem like the future is looking too bright for him out there, and so were trying to work some things out there. Two weeks ago we moved to San Francisco, so thats where weve landed at that point. I just really believe the Lord has called me out there. I cant explain everything. As you know, its not exactly a churched area, San Francisco. Its not really known for its Christianity, but I kind of wanted to be in a place where I just would have to depend on God for anything good to happen, which is true of everywhere but it seems extreme there. But also thats where my mom lives, and I havent done a great job with being a son and honoring her, and my older brother has been taking care of her and helping her out. I talked to some of you. Some of you take care of your parents and you tell me about how your siblings dont help out. Im always like, Yeah, what a jerk, you know. Its all on you. And I never really thought wow, thats what I do. So its kind of good to not be a hypocrite there. Helping my brother out in San Francisco and working with him. He works with the inner city and people in recovery and trains them to be pastors. Working with some inner city pastors and just discipling some guys out there and really just loving it. The transition has been amazing for all the kids. All jump back into public schools, and here they are in a foreign environment. Totally different, but everyone just, its like first day of school, second day of school and theyre in. Its different. Completely different neighborhood. My kids are considered the white kids. Seriously. Everyone is Asian . Theyre

all Chinese, Filipino, so Lisa stands out like a sore thumb. Like, now you know how I felt and see me. Okay. But its good. Yeah. Im very confident that its where the Lord has me right now. He shows me signs every day and has things work out in crazy ways. Because there are days when I just hurt. I miss this so much. This was my life in so many ways. But now that Im in San Francisco, my hope is I can come back here pretty regularly and just keep sharing what God is doing in my life, keep giving you updates on what God is doing in the ministry up there. You know, I think about you guys a lot, and so I think thats why its kind of overwhelming to see your faces, because Ill pray for you. Some of you I dont even know your names, but I picture your faces, and I go, Oh, that lady. God, you know what Im talking about. And you know, her, and him, and that one that always sat in the back and I couldnt tell if he was for real. You know, whatever. You know who Im talking about. This and that, and I sometimes wonder. I go, I wonder whats going on in his life or her life. And every once in a while Ill get an update from someone and hear good reports or sad reports because life just changes. About a week ago I saw this YouTube video from a guy in our church that moved. I dont know If you guys remember Dennis who used to do the donuts every Sunday morning. He hasnt been here. He moved to Alabama. I just recently saw this YouTube video that he made for his church out there, and I ended up emailing and reconnecting with him. But I wanted you guys to watch just the first like two-and-a-half minutes of it, so were going to show that on the screen. My name is Dennis Gugleilmetti. I was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrigs disease, in January of 2009. ALS is a motor neuron disease which causes the nerve cells in muscles to die. This leads to total paralysis and eventually death. My form of the disease is called bulbar ALS, effecting speech and swallowing first. Eventually, it will affect all muscle groups. Live expectancy is two to five years after diagnosis. I first noticed a mild quivering in my upper lip in the summer of 2008, and my speech began to slur by October. Now my speech is too difficult to understand, and I use electronic means to communicate. It took a year, but the deterioration of my speech eventually caused me to retire from my job in California. I was the senior vice president of learning and organizational development for a 53 billion dollar developer, the largest in the world. I had always planned to retire in Alabama, but never anticipated that it would be so soon. Instead of visiting my family for Christmas, I moved here having abruptly given up my career, friends, and church. It may sound weird to some, but Jesus has put a peace in my heart, being faced with this fatal diagnosis. As Christians, we all face adversity. It would be easy to give up, however, I believe Jesus has given my opportunities to witness to others because of my illness. Dont think I dont have thoughts of why me? why now? let this cup pass. But regardless of these thoughts, I am reminded that things happen in Jesus perfect timing. We embrace death as Christians, not accept it. Death is a gift because we get to see the glory of God and the face of Jesus. As Paul said, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. It brings joy to God when we remain absolutely confident in Him no matter what we are facing.

I remember, because I walk through the lobby obviously every Sunday morning, and I remember that first Sunday he just said, I dont know whats happening. I dont know. My speech is starting to slur and no one understands. Ive been to doctors. And each week it would get worse and worse, and I didnt really know what happened. Then I see that video, and thought wow. It was just weird to me. Again it reminded me, and when I saw that and I was able to email him and see how his faith in Jesus was, and to see his joy still, and his confidence. Because everything just changes over night, you know what I mean? Its like one day everything is fine; the next Sunday I go to get my little coffee and donut and suddenly hes talking a little funny, and he goes, Yeah, I dont know. I dont know if Ive got the flu or something like that. And pretty soon its just like okay, its over. We dont know whats left, and so lets deal with it now. Lets finish it up now. And its so good to see that video online and go, You know what, praise God youre using this for His glory. And praise God that youre facing death, and like you said, you embrace it like for me to live is Christ and to die is gain, and you get it. And it was awesome. Theres part of me where I thought gosh, why didnt I spend more time with that guy. Id get a quick update, but Id always be rushing in here, say hi to everyone else, and you think man, why didnt I just spend five minutes each Sunday. Thats it, you know? And just really get the down-low on whats going on, and maybe he would have explained all that, or maybe he told me but I was just so rushing through. I just emailed him and apologized, and just kept thinking man, why didnt you just spend five minutes. You know, just regrets and stuff like that. But then my mind started thinking and I started calculating. What if I gave everyone five minutes a week? And I realized thats not enough time. Like even if I didnt sleep or eat it would take a week and a half. I just mathematically figured that out the other night. I thought okay, if I gave everyone five minutes it would take ten days, without sleeping or eating or talking to anyone else or doing anything else. Just if you were curious. But it was a sense of sadness. Theres a sense of joy. Life just changes. As I pray for you guys, its the same prayer, it seems, from the start. I just pray that your life would make sense in light of eternity. I think the first illustration I ever did was that goofy rope with little red part on it, and talking about how your life is a vapor and heres this tiny little part of our time on earth, and then these miles of eternity, and were so consumed with this little red part, and so worried about the very edge and whats our retirement going to be like, and forgetting about the millions of years afterwards. The passage I want us to look at today is Philippians 1:27-28. It says this: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed but that you will be saved, and that from God. Will you just pray with me for a moment? Father, may we walk out of this room amazed by You and You alone, amazed by your gospel, in love with Jesus all over again. Even now, God, may it be about you, not the novelty of someone coming home or whatever else. Everything has got to be about you, just knowing you. I pray for those in this room who dont really know you. I pray

for those who think they know you but really dont have a clue. Father, may you show them how good you are. May you open their eyes to the beauty of your gospel. And Father, for those who love you and know you, may they just be so encouraged and just even know you more when were done today. Amaze us with your word, with your power, the power of the Word and how it just is going to cut through our souls. Amaze us with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, amen. So he says, Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Thats the main phrase I want to focus on. Its like He wants our lives to be worthy of the gospel of Christ. This is something Im constantly evaluating in my life. Im looking at the gospel. Im looking at this book, the good news about God our Creator -- the One that woke you up this morning, the One that got you in this room, the One thats allowing you to take your next breath -- that God and His love for you. Everything He wants for you, and he just wants to shepherd you. He just wants to be your Father and you to be His kid, His child. Just listen to Him. Its for your good. He keeps sacrificing and giving to woo you to Him. He warns you of what it would be like apart from Him. He does everything to draw you to Himself. Here is Almighty God, you know, the only creature that really matters, and the only being with any true power and life in Himself, who is in charge of all eternity. And for Him to sacrifice for me, for you, to give His Son and say, You know what, Hes going to die for all of your sin. In light of this beautiful picture of Him returning any moment now, Him coming back to judge the world. In light of all that, in light of Him bringing you into Heaven and showing you riches like you cant even imagine, like you think youre rich now. You know, look at what you have waiting for you. In light of all of this, He says, Now live your life in a way that makes sense. If you really believe that, what should your life look like? Im always evaluating my life and going, Gosh, my life doesnt really makes sense in this area. If I believe this, why am I doing this? Thats what this is saying, is live your life. I mean heres this beautiful story, and if you believe it, there ought to be changes in your life, right? I mean dont we all do this where we look at certain things in our lives and we go, That really doesnt make sense. It doesnt make sense. I thought of this illustration. Do you guys remember these? Do you ever use these, Ron? Yeah. In the olden days. You like weigh things. Others of you guys use this for drugs and stuff. You know you have. I was never in that world. Because they still use that for that, right? All right. Eleven oclock, theyll know. But its the idea, this idea of worthy. Okay, the idea of worthy. Pretend this is you. The idea, heres you and heres your life, you put it on one side of the scale, and then it says that the idea of worthy is equal weight. Heres the truth of what youve learned and the beauty of this gospel. It says if you put the gospel on this one side and then put your life on the other, is your life of equal value, of equal worth. Are you living a life -- look at the way youre living. Is it worthy of this truth you say you believe, or does it look like this where its just out of balance? Where you go, Man, I say I believe that any moment Im going to stand with God and all of this wont even matter except what I did for Him. Well then look at your life. Is it really equal to the truth you say you believe? You say you believe that youve got this redemption from God and youve been forgiven and everything has been taken care of. Well, do people see that on your face, then? Is there this joy of this equal? I mean youre telling people you communicate with God Almighty. Youre telling people that youre not like them because Gods Spirit is inside of you. He used to not be, but now God dwells inside of you. The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is inside of your body. Now you believe that truth that youre a completely transformed being. Well, does your life

match up to what you say you believe? He says whatever you do, live your life in a way thats equal to what you say you believe. Another thing that I think of, according to this book theres this place called Hell, this lake of fire. And you just think, okay, does my life look like I really believe that theres a place like that? When people look at my life could they tell that theres an urgency to what I do and how I live? Do they see that theres a joy and a peace because I know the God of the universe? Do they look and do they say, Wow. He really believes that his God could come back any time. I can see it in his life. Thats why Paul says, whatever you do, just make it match up. Because its not about that forum or that forum. I dont care where you work. I dont care this, that, where you live. He goes, just have your life make sense. Live in a way thats in a manner thats worthy of the gospel of Christ. I would see things in my life where Id go, man, it doesnt seem like it makes sense. It seems like the weight of the gospel is far stronger. And so you look at the things in your life and go, gosh, what doesnt make sense. A lot of you guys know that I took the family, and I just pulled everyone out of everything and said, you know what, lets just go to Asia for a while, and if the Lord calls us there lets just stay there. Lets just sell everything and lets just go to Asia. And if were supposed to stay in India, lets stay in India. And then if not, well move on to Thailand. If were supposed to stay in Thailand, lets just stay there. Weve got nothing holding us back, you know? And then lets go to China. You know, and if God wants us there then just stay there. Well go to Hong Kong. And each place, just praying with the family, Is this where He wants us? And there were so many times it was like, Well, I dont want to leave. We were so happy in Thailand it was just unreal, like wow. Just crazy. We were with Life Impact, the orphanage that we support, and just went to all the places that we support, and as a family, waking up, working with these kids. Theyve been rescued out of slavery, and you know, built them a playground, and just worshipping with them each night, and helping them organize like some -- teaching them how to farm and stuff. Not really teaching them. Not like I can farm. But you know, I could buy them a tractor, though, you know, and, Okay, you do it. But its just kind of coming along these people, and just so full of life. And when it came time to leave it was like, I dont want to leave. I think Im supposed to leave. I dont want to. This is wonderful. That was like the happiest, just to see the whole family, everyone serving together every day, waking up, and you know. Its just fun. It was just fun. Its just this team. Then when we were in Hong Kong it was like wow. I had such a burden for this place. I mean I grew up in Hong Kong the first five years of my life and really havent spent any time there since then, and it just felt so right and good. We even started looking at apartments there and just really thinking through gosh, this might be it. And I think someday its going to end up. But I just thought no, God wants us back in the States. Theres a couple things I believe Im supposed to do before I go anywhere else, and Ive got to go do those things and pursue those things. But while we were there -- and let me just help you understand even part of why I went -- part of why I went was because of this. Id look at certain things in my own life and go, based upon what I believe that doesnt make sense. And I would read about people overseas like in Asia, the believers over there, and Id go, gosh, that seems to make sense. And you know, I just had to go and see it for myself because Id hear about the sacrifice, and Id go, gosh, that seems like a manner worthy of the gospel, like theyre giving their lives for this thing. Theyre consumed with Him. And Im just kind of scattered. And yeah, Im devoted to the Lord, but

Im also devoted to quite a few other things, and I think Im in a fog in some ways. Some people say, Wow. That was very courageous of you. You went over to Asia. And Im like, I didnt go because I was this courageous person. I went because I was weak, and I went because I wanted to be encouraged by people who actually were very strong and from what Id read and what Id hear about. And sure enough. You know sometimes how you build something up like a movie and you get there, and like, it wasnt that good. And sometimes people, theyll be lifted up and youll hear about this person and you go, I dont know. It seems fine. And you get let down. But over there it really wasnt that way. Man, I went with KP. We had KP here speak a little while ago. Love that guy. Every time I meet him or get to know him more and more I just love him more. Like wow, this humble, godly, just giving his life for the gospel, supernatural things. Leading over 2 million people over there in India. You know, theyve lead to the Lord. Serious, hard-core believers. I went and I got to speak at one of their conferences in Arisa. Weve prayed for Arisa. Thats where all the persecution was. I got to go speak to the persecuted church out there, and they did a big conference. Thousands of the people, they showed up. Many of them have lost family members because the persecution is so bad in that area. And then I just got to talk to some people. You know, talk to this lady who had this newborn baby with her. And she was feeding so its a little awkward. But Im just saying, Hey, you know, tell me. Tell me about your life. What was it like when you became a believer? And she talked about being pregnant and giving her life to the Lord and getting serious about the Lord, and everyone in her village finding out about it. Theyd come to her house. Her whole -- everyone she knows comes to her with this lizard with its head cut off, and saying, You need to drink its blood and convert back to Hinduism, because thats how you convert back to Hinduism. And if you dont, you know what happens. And she just grabbed her Bible, she said. She looked at them and said, I am not going to deny Jesus Christ, and grabbed her Bible and just ran, and just left everything, and her husband just ran with her. And she just talked about being out in the middle of a jungle all alone with her husband and giving birth out in the jungle. I mean imagine. Man, youre out there. Youve never -- you dont know how to deliver a baby. And youve got this thing, you know, and youre just trying to -- you dont even have food for yourself, and just talking about the struggle of that. Then eventually finding their way to this -- theres this little refugee camp -- and still there was nothing there, and just the dependence on the believers that she met. They finally helped her out. Just telling me these stories. Another gal, exact same story. You know, came with her little baby feeding also. Its like just wait, you know? But just tells me this story, and Im just like gosh, you know. And then the husband comes and shows me this big scar on his head. New believer, just a few months. He goes, Man, and then suddenly he goes, I just surrounded by this mob of people with sticks and everything, and he goes, I just immediately just said to the Lord, So this is it. This is it. Im ready to go. Im ready. Im ready. I knew this was one of the things that could happen to me and here it is. And Im just talking to this guy, and how he somehow -- he goes, I dont know, they cut my head open. He showed me his leg, I got away, but then I saw that my friend, my brother, they were killed. And Im just going, man, this is insane. This is nuts out here. And as theyre sharing these stories I just kept thinking. See, but that makes sense. From what I read in this book, that totally makes sense. I mean if you believe in this book, thats a life thats worthy of this gospel. Yeah, you were only a Christian for a few months, but if you believe this you go for it, whereas here we go, Well, Ive only been a Christian six years. You know, I dont know that much. There its man, its a few months and youre giving it all, and

you know it. And Im going man, see thats what I came to see. I even asked the leaders, I go, This is weird. I go, Arent there like, you know, people that just call themselves Christians that are kind of casual, you know, like what we do in the US? You know, we just prayed a prayer and accepted Jesus and we call ourselves Christian but it doesnt really change our life. I go, Arent there people like that here? Theres got to be. And he says, Well, it doesnt makes sense in India. He goes, Why would you do that? Oh, yeah. Thats true. Like why would you just call yourself a Christian? Like you lose everything when you get baptized. So either you believe this thing and call yourself a follower of Jesus, or -- its all or nothing. I thought, well, that totally makes sense. When I was in Thailand, some of the most amazing worship times because you guys know Lana and everyone. You know, they rescue these kids, and Im in this little hut type of thing at night with my kids. In this one particular thing theres like 36 kids and some of the leaders and some of us, and were sitting around just worshipping. I mean, the guy playing the guitar, you know, I naturally think, well, Im better than him. Its just voices, everything. Its just -- its sad. But you know I cant sing, either. I was better than this guy. I was very proud of myself. But you know, nothing. Just -- but no one cared. Its not about voices. Its not whatever. Its you see this room of these kids that have been rescued physically and spiritually. You see these little kids, their eyes closed and just screaming, just screaming out to God. You cant -- I would be so shocked if you could sit in that room and not cry, because you just think, oh God, this has got to be so beautiful to You. This is like the most beautiful chorus of these kids that have been rescued physically, spiritually. They owe everything to You and they sing like it. They pray like it. They live like it. And then the way they serve each other and get along, and theres this beautiful picture of redemption. And I thought okay, that makes sense. Thats the way, if we really believe this, thats the way we should be singing. It doesnt matter whos up there. It doesnt matter what the music is. It doesnt matter what song it is. Thats the way we ought to -the look in their eyes. Then when I was in China -- Id always heard about the underground church in China, and I had an opportunity to teach at an underground missionary training place. So these are the believers. They were all about 18 to 25. These are the believers that the church looked at and said, man, these guys are hardcore. Were going to get them to this training area because they want to go into the Middle East. They want to go to places where its going to be even more dangerous, and theyre just ready to give their lives. My oldest daughter Rachel and I walked in, and the way they were praying was just different. I mean it was so intense, crying out to God. The way they would sing, you just felt that energy in that room. But then they started sharing, and you know, I came there to teach, and I was like, You guys, I feel really dumb up here, you know, like I want to hear your life. I go, Tell me about the persecution, because I want to hear from you. I came here to learn. I didnt come here to teach. Ive made that mistake in the past, thinking Im going to go there to Africa and Im going to teach them, and then you realize, oh my gosh, I need to just sit and listen to your stories, your life, because you have a faith I dont get. And so I told them thats what I want to hear about. And they gave me this weird look like, What are you talking about? I go, Persecution. Dont you guys get persecuted? And they go, Well of course, but everyone does. And I go, No. Not everyone does. It was a strange interaction because they go, Explain what you mean. And I said, Well, like when people persecute you for like sharing your faith. And then they just started rattling off scripture. They go, But thats what Jesus said would happen. Why do you even want to hear about that? Like it was so

commonplace. But then I said, Just tell me some stories. The last time, tell me the last time. So this girl gets up, and she goes okay, and she explains. Real broken English, but she talked about -- just the funnest group of people. You would have loved them. I mean theyre full of joy. Theyre laughing. You know, and this girl was talking about them having a meeting, and then you know, government officials. Someone warned them, Hey, theyre coming! Theyre coming! And she just talked about, she goes, First time in my life, she goes, I thank God I so skinny. She talked about how it was so funny. Everyone laughing. Shes talking about how she fit in between these two boards and how she was trying not to breathe, and praying because her backpack was downstairs, Oh Lord, please dont let them see my backpack, and some of her friends got taken away. But meanwhile, theyre just laughing, and you know, Yeah. Yeah. Right on. Youre skinny. Just on and on. Another guy gets up and he just talks about how, Yeah, these three officials came, and we thought okay, theres only three of them, theres 13 of us. Lets just run. Everyone run in a different direction. And everyone in the room is like, Yeah! And they all start running. Then he goes, Then they started firing. You know, they started firing their guns. But we were taught never stop running, so we just kept running and going I hope theyre bluffing and just shooting in the air. And sure enough, you know, they said, We shot in the air, but were going to shoot you next. He said, We just ran and ran because thats the way we were trained. And everyone is in there, Yeah! Its just, this is life to us. And Im sitting there going, Wow. Really? Man, thats cool. And theyre just like, Whats up with you? I go, You got to understand. Where I come from its not like that. And I said, Where I come from we have these buildings called churches, and we attend them, and we have so many that if you find music that you like better at a different one you just switch. And thats exactly what they did. Theyre laughing hysterically like, Shut up. I go, No. Seriously, if theres better childcare there, you know, they have better schools for their kids or the service is shorter, whatever else, we switch. We jump from place to place. And these guys are just looking in -- I mean that was the weirdest part was how hard they were laughing. Because to them, they just go, That doesnt make sense. They said, How do you read this book and come up with that? And I go, I know. I know. I know. But its just what we do there. And it was just one of those moments where you walk away going wow, it really is ridiculous. Some of what we do, its like how did we get that from here? So for me, it was like I needed to see that. I need to see that when you just put India and China together, thats 40 percent of the worlds population. Okay? Were not talking about a little weird country here. Thats 40 percent. The US is about 4 percent of the worlds population. So youve got to understand that the majority of the world, the way they view Christianity, the way Christians conduct themselves is very different, and that we are the weird ones. In fact, were the ones that are laughed at by the majority of them out there going, Look at what they do. When I look at this -- I went because I needed to see that. I just needed to see, is it really true that people live in a manner thats worthy of the gospel, because I want to be that, and Ive got to strive after that, and I pray for that. I go, God, give me a burden for this. I mean if I really believe some of these things, if I really believe I Timothy 6:16 : He who is the blessed and only sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Who alone has immortality, Who dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be the honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

If I really believe that theres a being up there Who dwells in unapproachable light, Who is the only Sovereign, Who is the only one thats in control -- like no one has any power in this room. Everything is up to Him. And Hes the only one thats immortal. Like theres just one being thats in charge of life. Satan has no charge over that. Like God determines whether or not Satan breathes. Theres one being. Thats all that matters. And I get to talk to him. In light of that truth, shouldnt I be excited to talk to this being and excited to sing to Him, and giddy about knowing Him, and just blown away that He loves me? And I think, okay, if I believe this, if I believe Luke 16:24, the story of Lazarus and the rich man, and that the rich man at one point in verse 24 says as hes in this place of torment says, Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue because Im in anguish in this flame. If I believe that right now there are people going, Come on, just one -- one little drop of water on my tongue. I hate it down here. I cant stand this anguish! If I believe this. If I believe Revelation 20 that anyone whose name is not written in the book of life, thats the destiny, this eternal torment. Man, am I living a life thats worthy of that belief? Does it make sense because it seems like there are a lot of Christians that really do live that way. I want that. If I believe Matthew chapter 25, that when the Son of God comes, when the Son of man comes down from Heaven in all of His glory -- not Jesus coming down veiled as an infant like we worshipped Him for in Christmas, but when He returns in all of His glory. In all of His glory, the glory that made John take one glimpse and fall over like a dead man. That glory. And if I really believe any day He is going to come back, and not just like that in His glory, but it says with all of his angels with him. Imagine this throne coming down from Heaven, Jesus in all of His glory, a hundred million angels all coming down, descending towards the earth. And then it says in Matthew 25 that hes going to gather all of the people on the earth to one spot. Everyone. And Hes just going to start dividing them one at a time, the sheep from the goats. And Hes saying, you know what guys, I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty; you gave me something to drink. I was naked; I was in prison, you clothed me; you visited me. Man, you cared for me. So come on. Im going to bless you so much. And they go, but we never did that for you. No, whatever you did for the least of these, you did it for me. But these other ones who didnt do that, man, away into this eternal punishment. If I really believe that, and I really believe that God valued us as believers caring for one another, and our brothers and sisters that are just, you know, having nothing. Thats so important to Him that He would say that message in Matthew 25. Wouldnt my life be just about, man, how much can I give? I dont need this. I dont need that. Just joyfully, like man, I want to give to you. I mean youre like Jesus to me. So here, take it. I dont care what I wear. I dont care where I live. I mean it should look that way. If I believe Romans 8, seriously, that the Holy Spirit is in me. Like right now. Im not just a human being up here on this platform. Im not just another guy. Its like God Himself lives inside of me. Its so different from the majority of people on the earth. Ive got God inside of me, the God who created the world, the Spirit who raised a dead body to life. Hes all inside of me. And if my life does not look radically different from someone who doesnt have God in him, this doesnt make sense. You know? It doesnt measure up. And so you just pray, oh God, thats what I want because the Spirit is in me. Thats what changes all of this. Its a desire to be this. Its not like a bummer or a downer, Ive got to follow this, Ive got to follow that. Its like no, God, its a supernatural thing. And this is what it comes down to. When I pray for you guys, yeah, I thank God because some of you guys get it. Like people I dont -- I dont see that very often. But there are so many of you whom Ive known over the years where I go, wow, he gets it; wow, she gets it. I see that in

his or her life, and its so encouraging. And I thank God for you and I pray for you that -because it may feel weird sometimes when you think gosh, does anyone get the weight of this, and yet in your heart you keep changing and you go, no, this is what I want. This is what I want, and people think Im weird. And I thank God for you. I was even praying about this last night. I said, God, one of the things that doesnt make sense in my life is I believe that there are a lot of you still, who you know your life doesnt make sense in light of the gospel. Youre still all about you. See, because when the Holy Spirit comes into you He changes something. Suddenly your life, whereas before everything was about you and what you like and what you wanted, suddenly now you care about the things of God, and youre like, its not even about me. I dont care about my reputation. I dont care about my stuff. I dont care about how Im going to live in the -- all I care about is this God and His reputation and His glory. Theres a supernatural regeneration that takes place in your life where, wow, I am not all about me. Like I dont even really -- Im not even thinking about me. Im thinking about God and His reputation, and I want everyone to see how beautiful He is. And then this other change takes place where its like, wow, Im not thinking about me; Im actually thinking about other people. Like Im consumed with these people that are having a hard time, like how can I help them, how can I serve them, how can I give to them. Theres these changes that take place. Its like wow, that is a miracle. All my life Ive thought about Francis Chan, and now suddenly I care about the things of God and His reputation. Im more concerned that people have a low view of Him, and Im more concerned about these other people and their futures rather than my own. Im not just concerned about me and my retirement, what am I going to live with, my family -- but suddenly Im thinking about all these people. I love them. And suddenly its, ah, I hope they have a high view of God. I care much more what you think about God than what you think about me. See, these are the things that take place when the Holy Spirit comes into you. Its unbelievable, because your whole life youre consumed with yourself and then you change. I just think a lot of you hear that and you still go wow, thats not me. Im still thinking about me. In fact Im here for me, and maybe God will help me with this or that. And I just go gosh, I dont think it ever happened where the Holy Spirit came into their lives. Not that Im judging anybody. Its more like a concern and a fear. When I first started ministry it was because of Matthew chapter 7 verse 21, which scared the heck out of me reading it as a high schooler, where Jesus says, Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord is going to enter the kingdom of heaven. Its only he who does the will of my Father Who is in Heaven. And that scared me. Not for myself. It scared me because Id look around and go man, that means a lot of people are deceived. They come to the end and theyre expecting to go to Heaven, and theyre in for the shock of their lives when God says, I was never your Lord. You never followed me. It was always still about you. And thats never left me. You know? Twenty-five years later I still get concerned for some of you because I go, Man, has the Holy Spirit really come into your life? Because after pastoring here for so many years I just assumed a lot of things, and assumed people are right with God, and things happen in life and then they show their true colors, and you go wow, really. Maybe I never really -- maybe no one really came alongside of you to make sure you really got it. I feel like Ive given this type of message over and over, but I just -- I cant help but give it because I think, God, if youre not going to be there with me in the end, nothing else matters. I look at some of you kids that are in the room, and I think some of you I watched you grow up here, and so many kids that once they turn 18, once theyre out of the house, I just realize wow, those 16 years you sat in that room with me, it just was never yours, was it? It was always just your parents, and now youre showing that it was never about you and

God. And it just breaks my heart. I just want you to know I pray. I prayed even this morning. I was in tears praying for you. Like God, for those who dont really know You, who have never really just decided to follow You and made You their king, just joyfully said man, I want to follow that, God. For those who dont understand this amazing love relationship, its like man, are you kidding me? Ill sell everything I have and follow You. I just pray that maybe today through the Word of God, through the Holy Spirit you would see, Wow, if I say I believe that, my life sure doesnt show it and I need that Holy Spirit to come into me and change me. And thats what the dying to yourself means. Its like wow, heres the better life. Im done with the old. Ill turn from that. Thats what baptism is. Im going to die to myself. Im going to follow Jesus now. So if thats you today and you just go, You know, I never really followed for myself, and I want that for today. Then as the worship team comes up, were going to have some leaders up here just to pray with you, and you can get baptized right now and take that first step. But only do it if you need it, you know, where you go, Im ready to follow, and I want my life to make sense in light of the gospel. I want to live in a manner thats worthy of the gospel of Jesus. Just one last thought. Man, Im so happy right now. I mean I just -- theres so much sadness and things I miss, but I knew there were some things I had to change for my sake and my own walk with the Lord and for my family, and Gods just shown that every day. I made some hard changes and I thank God for that because Im at peace, so at peace with my life right now, and its just right. And I just encourage you to do the same thing, that for some of you -- it doesnt mean youve got to move. It doesnt mean -- but that you just go, You know, Ill change anything. Nothing is sacred except for my walk with the Lord. Nothing is sacred except that I keep in step with the Spirit. And I hope you do that. I hope you just have your hands wide open and just go, God, I dont care. You wanted me to move? You want me sell the house? You want me to live in a trailer? You want me to live in a tent? It doesnt matter. Im the richest man on earth. I know You, Jesus. And to really live that way. And for some of us we need to make changes because its going to bring us closer to the Lord. Its going to help us, and we had to just shed some of those things. And for me, that idea of this home for me was just something I needed to shed, like just really go, no, my home is in heaven. It was a step I had to take and something I felt like I needed to teach my kids, that our home is not on this earth. I didnt know that I was showing them that, and you know, just showing them that we go wherever the Spirit wants us to go. Let me show you, because right now I really think were supposed to go here, so lets do it, and never been happier. Its scary, though. I dont know what changes you need to take in your life. Its going to look different for all of us. I never go, hey, just do exactly what I did, because thats just something God wanted me to do. I do encourage you to let go of everything and just experience real life before Him. Lets just worship.