The Danger of Positive Confession: A Theological Audit

• The Power of Confession and Declaration [00:29:22 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor argues that speaking positive, faith-filled words is not just positivity but 'prophesying your future' and drawing in what you say, urging the congregation to align their speech with God's word.
• Overcoming Giants and Circumstances [00:30:45 ▶️ 📄]
  > Using the example of David and Goliath, the pastor encourages speaking victory over 'giants' (difficulties) rather than focusing on the size of the problem, emphasizing that God is in control.
• Prayer and Spiritual Anchoring [00:32:10 ▶️ 📄]
  > The second speaker reinforces the importance of prayer as an anchor for the soul, encouraging believers to deepen their prayer life when things feel uncertain or delayed.
• Spiritual Warfare and Mindset [00:39:12 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor defines the 'old man' as a spirit of fear, complacency, and judgment that encourages giving up, contrasting it with God's desire for new beginnings and faith.
• Age and Purpose [00:42:14 ▶️ 📄]
  > The speaker argues that age is not a barrier to God's use, citing biblical (Caleb) and secular (Colonel Sanders, Morgan Freeman) examples of late-life success and asserting that one should never 'retire from purpose.'
• Testimony and Restoration [00:44:19 ▶️ 📄]
  > A personal story is shared about overcoming divorce, a son's drug addiction, and financial ruin to find renewed youth, employment, and homeownership in one's 70s.
• Blessing and Persecution [01:05:33 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor argues that blessings inherently attract jealousy and criticism, and that believers should expect opposition as part of the 'package' when God promotes them.
• Divine Vindication [01:10:28 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor instructs the congregation to stop fighting critics and instead trust God to silence the 'lying lips' and vindicate them, citing Daniel and the disciples in Acts.
• Grace and Maturity [01:14:21 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor defines spiritual maturity as the ability to ignore negative chatter and enjoy blessings despite persecution, relying on God's grace rather than personal retaliation.
• Divine Vindication and Defense [01:17:17 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor argues that God supernaturally turns situations around, opening doors no man can shut and vindicating believers against unfair opposition, as seen in the story of the disciples.
• The Nature of Persecution [01:21:52 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor explains that persecution is a sign of blessing; when people attack a believer, they are actually attacking God, who takes it personally and defends His own.
• Non-Retaliation and Peace [01:22:36 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor advises against taking matters into one's own hands or seeking revenge, urging believers to stay in peace and let God handle the oppressors to avoid stress and frustration.
• Biblical Illustrations of Blessing and Opposition [01:27:46 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the stories of Isaac (who faced Philistine jealousy despite a hundredfold harvest) and Saul (who persecuted the church before conversion) to illustrate that opposition often accompanies divine favor.
• Divine Vindication and Peace [01:30:13 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor argues that believers should not engage in personal battles or attempts to prove themselves, as God is the ultimate defender who will handle unfairness and persecution.
• Faithful Endurance [01:31:15 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor encourages the congregation to commit to living from a place of peace and rest in God, rather than fighting against circumstances or trying to figure out why bad things happen.

• Sermon Illustration [00:30:41 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts the biblical story of David facing Goliath, noting that while it was natural for David to be afraid given the giant's size, David chose to speak a 'report of victory' instead of asking for prayers based on fear.
• Sermon Illustration [00:39:12 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the metaphor of 'putting on the old man' to describe adopting a mindset of defeat, fear, and isolation due to past trauma or aging, urging listeners to 'take it off' and regain their fire.
• Sermon Illustration [00:42:14 ▶️ 📄]
  > Historical and biblical examples are cited to prove it is never too late: Caleb leading Israel at 85, Colonel Sanders starting KFC at 65, Martha Stewart launching her company in her 50s, and Morgan Freeman winning an Oscar at 67.
• Sermon Illustration [00:44:19 ▶️ 📄]
  > A detailed testimony is shared by a woman named Gwen, who faced a womanizing husband, her son's heroin addiction, and financial rock bottom. Despite these trials, she continued serving, got a job at a job fair after a ride with a friend, and was approved for a home in her late 60s/early 70s, proving her youth was renewed.
• Sermon Illustration [01:13:30 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor shares a personal testimony of his transition from working behind the scenes in television production to becoming the pastor of the church, noting that while he had little opposition before, stepping into greater influence brought 'great persecution' and pressure from those who tried to discredit him.
• Sermon Illustration [01:15:21 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts the biblical account from Acts chapter 5, where the disciples experienced great favor and healing, which caused the high priest and his friends to react with jealousy, leading them to arrest and imprison the disciples.
• Sermon Illustration [01:16:55 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts the biblical story of the disciples being imprisoned and supernaturally freed by an angel to teach in the temple, illustrating God's power to open doors no man can shut.
• Sermon Illustration [01:20:56 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor shares the story of Saul (Paul) persecuting the church and Jesus asking, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' to demonstrate that attacking believers is attacking God Himself.
• Sermon Illustration [01:23:08 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor tells a personal anecdote about a faithful friend who was undermined by a jealous supervisor but was eventually promoted to Vice President by the company owner, vindicating him without him seeking revenge.
• Sermon Illustration [01:27:46 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references the biblical account of Isaac, who received a hundredfold harvest during a famine but faced jealousy and well-clogging from the Philistines, yet remained peaceful and was ultimately blessed in abundance.
• Sermon Illustration [01:30:40 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references the biblical figure Isaac flourishing in the famine and the disciples experiencing supernatural doors opening as examples of God's provision and vindication for those who remain faithful.

• Pastoral Charge [00:31:48 ▶️ 📄]
  > Attendees are asked to meet a prayer partner at the front of their section for individual prayer.
• Pastoral Charge [00:33:17 ▶️ 📄]
  > Online viewers are invited to submit prayer requests in the chat.
• Pastoral Charge [00:33:30 ▶️ 📄]
  > Submit prayer requests via the chat function.
• Pastoral Charge [00:50:04 ▶️ 📄]
  > Clap for the Lord.
• Pastoral Charge [01:05:33 ▶️ 📄]
  > The transcript cuts to a new segment; no specific call to action is completed in this chunk.
• Pastoral Charge [01:31:05 ▶️ 📄]
  > Verbal affirmation of receiving the prayer and blessing
• Pastoral Charge [01:31:15 ▶️ 📄]
  > Remain for a closing prayer
• Pastoral Charge [01:30:55 ▶️ 📄]
  > Verbal affirmation of receiving the blessing and vindication
• Pastoral Charge [01:32:12 ▶️ 📄]
  > Self-examination regarding one's eternal standing and peace with God

[00:03:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:03:28] Thank you so much for coming out. How many of you are ready to worship the Lord this morning? God's been good to us, brought us through another week, and we feel so blessed to have you with us in the house today, watching and listening as well, but I really believe the service is better because you took time to come out. You know, you brought joy with you and peace with you, victory with you, and really, you could be doing anything today. You know, running errands, going grocery shopping, resting, but you made the decision, I'm going to go to the house of the Lord today.
[00:03:58] putting God first place. And I learned this when I was a little boy, that when you honor God, God will honor you. In other words, you can't give God something without him giving you more
[00:04:09] back in return. So I hope you know that God saw you take the time to come today. And it's always our prayer and our declaration that not one of us are going to leave the same way we came in. So
[00:04:19] I hope you're ready to receive. I think part of that is you got to let go anything that's trying to weigh you down I mean there's always some kind of worry or discouragement or guilt or you know
[00:04:31] there's something that's trying to take our joy and our peace but if you'll come back to that place of peace and say God I'm in your hands today you know my future is in your hands and
[00:04:40] when you release that God will fill you afresh and anew with joy and peace and vision and that's always our our prayer you know like I said you're going to go out of here better than you were
[00:04:49] before. So we just believe, declare, not an average get by week, but how about a blessed week where you see the goodness of God in greater ways. And thanks so much for coming out.

[00:04:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:04:59] Amen. Yes, it is so good to have you in the house of the Lord this morning. And we are going to have a blessed week, but we're going to first have a blessed day because today is a special day.
[00:05:10] Today is a super special day. This is the day that the Lord has made.
[00:05:17] and we will be and rejoice in it. So today is our promise day. So I want to encourage you that God made you and he made today and he knew where you were going to be and he knew what you were
[00:05:32] going to need. So today he has made something special for each and every one of us. So let's get a new perspective. This isn't an ordinary Sunday. This is a God made Sunday. Amen. This is
[00:05:44] a God-made day and he's got God-made things in store for you and I. So let's just open our heart today and let's just let the baggage go, the things that are trying to distract us and weigh us down.
[00:05:57] And let's just say, God, right now I'm going to make the most of this opportunity. I'm going to make the most of this moment because I know that there is miracles in the making right now. And
[00:06:07] that's what you got to believe in your heart. What you're doing right now, you're planting seeds in your life. You're coming into the house of the Lord. You're worshiping God today. You are planting amazing seeds in your life that I believe are going to come to fruition in the days and weeks
[00:06:24] ahead. So just know today, God's going to put great things on the inside of you. And as the blessings go up, as the praises go up, I believe his blessings are coming down. Amen. Amen. Father,
[00:06:36] we thank you so much that we have this day and this opportunity to spend with you, to spend with one another, that God, that we believe that we are planting seeds because we are blessing you,
[00:06:48] because we are honoring you. And so Father, as we sing these songs of praise, as we put words to our joy, Father, we ask that you would receive it like a fresh smelling aroma, that Father God,
[00:07:00] you would be blessed and that father those blessings would come down on us in jesus name

[00:07:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]
[00:07:06] and everyone said amen gratitude these songs we do see sing hallelujah thank you lord for all that

[00:24:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:24:49] you've done lord we know you chose us before we could choose you you woke us up this morning gave us another day to be alive with family and friends and health and opportunity and And Lord, we don't take it for granted.
[00:25:03] We know it all comes from you, our Father, in heaven above.
[00:25:07] And we just say thank you, Lord, for all that you've done in our lives, for bringing us to where we are.
[00:25:13] Lord, we thank you for what you have planned for each one of us.
[00:25:16] We know you didn't bring us this far to leave us where we are.
[00:25:20] But Lord, we believe the best part of our lives are still in front of us.
[00:25:24] Lord, that even while we're worshiping you today, that every force that's tried to stop us has been broken.
[00:25:31] in the name of Jesus, depression, anxiety, addictions, maybe it's sickness or trouble at home in our finances. Lord, we believe today is a breakthrough day that you're doing what only you can do for father. Our eyes are upon you today. I know there are giants in some of our
[00:25:51] past, but Lord, we believe you can bring down anything that no weapon formed against us will ever prosper. So Lord, we come back to a place of faith today, a place of trust. We believe you being
[00:26:04] for us is greater than anything trying to stop us. So Lord, thank you for all you've done and what you're about to do in our lives. And what I just think is that we all have wisdom and we have clear
[00:26:15] direction for our lives. Father, you said you'd give us the power to obey. You said that you're our doorkeeper, that you open and close the doors in our lives. And Lord, I thank you that we will
[00:26:27] make decisions that honor you, that move us toward our God-given destiny. Father, for the mistakes we've made, we ask for your forgiveness and we receive your mercy. Lord, I thank you that you can still get us to where we're supposed to be, that your mercy is bigger than any mistake. So
[00:26:47] Lord, we shake off the guilt, the condemnation, and we start moving forward in faith, believing that you do have good things in store for each one of us.
[00:26:57] Lord, I do lift up those that are fighting battles in their health.
[00:27:00] Here in the building, watching and listening, Lord, you said you'd restore health back to your people.
[00:27:07] Lord, I thank you right now that healing and wholeness is flowing into all those that need it.
[00:27:12] Lord, you can even do what medicine cannot do, that you have the final say.
[00:27:18] So Lord, I just speak victory and life and healing that we will run and not be weary that the number of our days you will fulfill in good health in Jesus name.
[00:27:31] And Lord, I do lift up those as well that not physically, but they're in tough times.
[00:27:36] They've gone through loss.
[00:27:37] They've gone through heartache.
[00:27:39] Father, you said you're close to the brokenhearted.
[00:27:42] let them feel your presence right now.
[00:27:45] Let them know that we're praying.
[00:27:47] Lord, I thank you that you're comforting them.
[00:27:49] That even though it may seem like it's the end, that you have a new beginning, that you have beauty for ashes.
[00:27:56] Lord, you said weeping endures for a night, but joy is coming in the morning.
[00:28:00] So Lord, I thank you for the joy that's on the way.
[00:28:03] Lord, I speak fresh vision over your people, fresh anointing, fresh favor, fresh attitudes, fresh momentum fresh growth leaving the negative in the past and getting ready for the new things you have in store that we are victors and never victims in Jesus name and if you receive it can
[00:28:26] you say amen today amen so awesome to have you with us today it's our honor and we make a declaration of faith in every service so say it like you mean it ready I am blessed prosperous
[00:28:41] redeemed, forgiven, healthy, whole, talented, creative, confident, secure, disciplined, focused, prepared, qualified, motivated, valuable, free, determined, equipped, empowered, anointed, accepted, and approved.
[00:29:04] not average, not mediocre. I am a child of the most high God. I will become all I was created to be in Jesus name. Amen. You sound great today. We were singing that song while ago. It comes from
[00:29:22] the Bible. It says, let the weak say, I am strong. Let the poor say, I am rich. You know, it's not just, you know, let's just be positive words. You are, you are prophesying your future. You are
[00:29:35] declaring, you know, what's going to happen, you know, in the future. And so that's why it's so important that we get our words aligned with what God says about us. That's why I love to say it.
[00:29:45] You know, we do it every service. I am blessed, prosperous, redeemed. You know, you don't always feel that way, but you know what? You're prophesying it. You're drawing in what you're saying. I just encourage you, listen to what you're saying about yourself. You know, that's
[00:29:59] what you're going to be like five years from now. So don't go around saying, I don't know, Joel, my back's been hurt and I don't think I'll ever get up. You know, you got to zip all that up.
[00:30:08] And I'm not saying to deny the facts, but how about this? Okay. Oh, you know, I've got my child.
[00:30:12] My child may be off course, but here's what I'm going to declare. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. God's working in our lives. I don't know, man, I got this financial
[00:30:21] difficulty. Yeah, I'm not denying that, but Lord, I want to thank you that I lend. I don't have to borrow that. I am above and not beneath. Start speaking life over yourself, over your family,
[00:30:32] over your future. I even love you. Remember when David went out to face the giant? I mean, the guy was twice his size. I mean, he could have said, Hey man, y'all pray for me. He's big.
[00:30:41] I don't know if I can do it. You know, that's kind of natural, but you remember what he said?
[00:30:45] He said this day I will defeat you and feed your head to the birds of the air Man, you got to have a report of victory You may have some giants in your life, but why don't you speak faith speak victory speak what god says about you
[00:30:59] Let me tell you god has you in the palm of his hand and he knows everything that's happening in your life It's not a surprise to him and when you get in tune with god, that's your thoughts your attitudes your words
[00:31:10] That's what causes the creator of the universe to go to work That's why I tell you every week 2026 is not going to be an average get by year But how about a blessed year a productive year a healthy year a favor filled year
[00:31:24] Come on, let's keep speaking it out Declaring what god says about us. That's where the life and the health and the victory is But we love you guys. We we pray over you every day. We speak victory over you every day
[00:31:37] I hope you're doing the same over your family and friends, but we take a moment in every service to pray individually if you'd like for us to agree with you in prayer something's concerning you or just over a dream
[00:31:48] why don't you meet a prayer partner at the front of your section all over the building somebody would be there and be happy to pray for you rest of you you're welcome to be seated if you'd like
[00:31:58] and we'll take this next song to pray our beautiful online family and listening live on Sirius XM thanks for always being a part we love you Victoria's there to pray for you and speak of blessing over your lives

[00:32:10] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:32:10] we are so glad that you've joined us for this time in our service where we pray. And we want to pray for you today. I want to encourage you that when you pray, God hears you. He knows what you need, the Bible says, before you
[00:32:28] even ask. But our job is to pray. Pray without ceasing, the scripture says. And I just want to encourage you, you know, when we pray, when we invite God into our situation, you know, that
[00:32:40] anchors our soul. And it says in Hebrews that this is the hope we have, that we are anchored in our soul, firm and secure. And so that's what I want to do today. I want to reinforce our anchor
[00:32:54] because some of you may have been praying for a while, but let me tell you something. When things feel uncertain, when prayers seem delayed, that's when it's time to come back and anchor. Just drive
[00:33:05] that anchor in a little deeper because God wants to keep us steady in the storm. He doesn't want us drifting. He doesn't want doubt to take us to and fro, but he wants us anchored in him. And so
[00:33:17] today when we pray, we're just setting ourselves even stronger in God. So if you need prayer today, we would love to invite you to put it in the chat because we want to stand in agreement and pray
[00:33:30] with you. We already have a few prayer requests that have come in. So I want to share those with you right now. And some are for healing and for jobs, for financial freedom, for family.
[00:33:41] But Joshua says he needs healing from a tumor that's causing him pain. So Joshua, we're going to stand in agreement with you that God will make you ever withhold, that you'll get the right help
[00:33:53] that you need and that God will lead you and direct you. And you will get on the other side of this pain and this tumor that's trying to come against your body. And you may have a sickness in
[00:34:05] your body today, or you may have some symptoms and you don't know quite what it is. Let's pray.
[00:34:11] Let's pray with Joshua and Opal. Opal says her hand is hurting. It's messed up. So she really needs prayer on her hand. And you know, you think, well, you know, tumor and hands, those seem a
[00:34:24] little different. But the truth is, pain is pain. And when it's yours, it hurts. And it's serious.
[00:34:31] And so God doesn't care if you pray for your little toe. He wants you to bring all these things to Him. So whether it's a bad situation or just something that's irritating and bothering your body, we're going to pray about that today. We're going to ask God to just reveal to us
[00:34:47] anything that we can do to help ourselves, but we're going to ask Him to do everything that we can't do. So today, if you need prayer for healing in your body, I'm just going to stop right now and
[00:34:57] pray. Father, I ask you right now in the name of Jesus that you would heal bodies, that you would cause symptoms to cease from being in Jesus' name and go to the root of that problem. And Father,
[00:35:11] drive it out in Jesus' name. We call our bodies healed and healthy. You created our bodies. And Father, you know how they function and you know how they work.
[00:35:21] So, Father, you know how to fix them.
[00:35:22] And that's what we're asking you for today, a healed body.
[00:35:26] Whatever symptoms, whatever has been diagnosed in my brothers and sisters' body, Father, we are declaring that by the stripes of Jesus, we are whole.
[00:35:38] And, Father, that you are working ever with wholeness in our bodies.
[00:35:42] And, Father, whatever it is, just take us to the right places.
[00:35:46] Let us have the right doctors.
[00:35:47] Give us the right care, whatever we need to do, Father.
[00:35:50] We have ears to hear and eyes to see what you have for us.
[00:35:54] And we want to walk in obedience and honor to you, Father.
[00:35:58] And so, Father, we thank you that you take sickness from the midst of us in Jesus' name.
[00:36:04] Amen and amen.
[00:36:05] I want you to hold on to that promise, whatever it is, that God is your healer and your restorer in Jesus' name.
[00:36:12] we also have Jesse who has some unresolved problems with his co-workers and so Jess I just tell you what you got it listen to the message today a great message for you Cindy praying for
[00:36:24] a promotion at her job so whether you have some disputes some conflicts be it in your workplace your family we're just going to pray right now and that and that those who need financial breakthroughs will get financial breakthroughs if you need restoration in your marriage
[00:36:40] within your family unit.
[00:36:42] We're going to pray for that too.
[00:36:43] So let's just stand in agreement right now.
[00:36:45] Father, I thank you.
[00:36:46] You know everyone by name.
[00:36:48] You know every hair on their head, whether they have an unresolved situation, Father, with a co-worker, with a family member, any disputes, lawsuits, we say cease from being in Jesus' name.
[00:37:01] Father, we thank you that you can build bridges, that you can mend fences, that, Father, you can work all things out according to your glory and your riches in Christ Jesus.
[00:37:11] And so, Father, we thank you right now that you are working behind the scenes.
[00:37:15] And, Father, we may not see it or feel it, but we're trusting you that you will do it, that you will give financial breakthroughs for those who need it, Lord.
[00:37:25] Father God, you'll give them cars and houses and whatever they need.
[00:37:29] Father, we stand in agreement.
[00:37:31] And, Lord, we ask you that you bless the family unit.
[00:37:34] You bless our relationships, God, that you would show us how to love each other, that you would show us how to overlook an offense, that you, Father God, would give us the grace to be the bigger person.
[00:37:46] And Father, that you will work all these things out in Jesus' name.
[00:37:51] Amen and amen.
[00:37:53] Whatever you need today, I want you to know that God heard you, he sees your heart, and he is going to bless you and work with you to just become everything that he's called you to be.
[00:38:04] So thank you for spending this time with us in prayer.
[00:38:06] We've just reinforced our anchor.
[00:38:09] We're going to stand strong and steadfast in Jesus' name.
[00:38:13] God bless you.

[00:39:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:39:12] You know, no matter what age you are in life, when we go through hard things, it's easy to put on what I call the old man.
[00:39:26] It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with outlook and attitude.
[00:39:32] See, the old man's spirit has many willing helpers.
[00:39:36] Fear, complacency, anxiety, and judgment.
[00:39:42] The enemy loves for you to put on the old man.
[00:39:48] In your 20s, you may have gone through something traumatic.
[00:39:51] And here comes the old man saying, maybe you should give up.
[00:39:55] Your life is over.
[00:39:56] in our 30s and 40s we went through loss and think the life we knew is over so instead of beginning a new chapter taking another leap of faith and put on the old man isolate ourselves
[00:40:14] stop trying in our 50s and 60s and 70s it gets easier to put on the old man and woman doesn't it we've carried the weight of responsibility in life we have some miles on us at this age people remind you of how much life you've lived and
[00:40:34] how old you are they'll label you here comes the old man you start you start thinking maybe I am too old you even speak it over yourself not in a positive way even though you have so much
[00:40:52] life still ahead of you, you still might believe I'm too old. I've heard it said, youth is not a time of life. It is a state of mind. But the old man is saying in your ear,
[00:41:09] your best days are behind you. And this can affect your faith, your outlook, your identity.
[00:41:16] But let me encourage you today. That's not God. He always wants to do something new in us.
[00:41:23] and here's what I need you to do when you feel the old man's spirit on you. You need to take off the old man. You need to have some faith. No matter what age you are, what you've been through,
[00:41:46] you need to get your fire back. It's never too late to accomplish your goals and your dreams.
[00:41:55] Amen? You see, in the Bible, Caleb, he led Israel's army at 85 years old, and he declared, give me this mountain. And they drove out their enemies and took possession of the land.
[00:42:14] It's never too late. In your 50s and 60s, who says you can't start that business?
[00:42:21] Get the job you've always wanted. Buy that house you've dreamed of having. Colonel Sanders started franchising KFC at 65 years old. Martha Stewart didn't launch her billion-dollar company until she was well into her 50s. Morgan Freeman won his first Academy Award at the young age of 67.
[00:42:48] You know what's interesting? I can't find anywhere in the Bible where it talks about retirement.
[00:42:58] Come on.
[00:43:02] Look, you may retire one day from your job, but don't you ever retire from your purpose.
[00:43:09] You have so much to give.
[00:43:12] Pastor Joel says, keep learning, keep growing, keep giving.
[00:43:16] If you're still alive, God wants to use you.
[00:43:21] Every day you are alive is a new beginning.
[00:43:25] At 75, you should say, I'm just getting started.
[00:43:33] Let me ask you a question.
[00:43:34] how old would you be in your heart if you didn't know how old you are? The Bible says in Isaiah 40 31, but those who trusted the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
[00:43:50] They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Here's what I want to encourage you today. Keep dreaming, right? Keep believing. No matter what age and what hand you've been dealt,
[00:44:03] nothing is over. Amen? That's what my friend Gwen did. After going through a painful divorce and years of helping her son get off drugs, she could have put on the old person spirit and given up on
[00:44:19] her dreams. Instead, in her late 60s, she kept serving, kept believing, and her youth was renewed

[00:44:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:44:27] like the eagle. Watch this. We grew up with these what I call fairytale stories of how life is going to be in our future. My former husband was a womanizer and he expected me to stay in the
[00:44:45] marriage and he continued that lifestyle because that was the culture of the community that he was from. And there was so much hurt in that, so much betrayal that I felt. Unfortunately, what I didn't expect is how much of a toll it took on my son. And one day I was at home
[00:45:12] and he came and knocked on my door. So he said that he's on heroin. I nearly fell out.
[00:45:22] Couldn't believe it.
[00:45:24] Not my son, my son who I have in church every week.
[00:45:29] Well, it got to the point where several years later, I'm hitting rock bottom financially because I'm always getting him out of trouble.
[00:45:42] I'm still standing with the Lord.
[00:45:45] I'm still believing for so many things to change in my life.
[00:45:51] I just did what I always do, and that is I continued to serve and take my mind off of what I was experiencing and focus more into being a servant to people and their needs here at Lakewood.
[00:46:14] I still believed that God would bless me with another home.
[00:46:18] but by my taking my money and constantly getting my son out of trouble and I say to myself okay you know I'm gonna start it all over again Pastor Joel's messages it was just unbelievable to me that whatever I went
[00:46:39] through week by week he would be speaking to that particular situation This past July, I turned 70, and I started the journey with getting approved for a home.
[00:46:55] And I thought, Lord, I didn't expect for it to be this long, but this is your plan for me.
[00:47:06] And one thing I've learned along the way is that your plan is always the best plan.
[00:47:13] And lo and behold, I was connected with an Althea Morris.
[00:47:20] And she said, hey, I want you to come ride with me.
[00:47:23] We ride out through in the Conroy area, the school district in that area.
[00:47:29] Turns out they had a job fair that Wednesday.
[00:47:33] I went to the job fair, and a couple of days I was hired.
[00:47:38] And that to me said, okay, you got a job.
[00:47:43] offer here, so you got to live out here. You got to be closer. Finally, I got the word that I was approved for a home. I believe that my testimony is one, even for the older generation, for my
[00:48:03] generation, that is still believing God for those things that they may have been waiting for for a long time it's been worth the wait it proves that it's never too late it is never too late

[00:48:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]
[00:48:22] come on Gwen's right here on the front world Gwen stand come on give her a big hand we honor you Gwen she's one of our teachers in Conroe making a difference in kids lives I forgot to tell you one more part of the story
[00:48:47] her son's drug free and living his best life now. It's never too late when we're so proud of you.
[00:49:00] We love you. Let me pray for you right now. Father, I just pray for each and every person.
[00:49:05] I don't know where they are in their life, what age they're at, Father, but God, you always have a purpose for those who will seek after you. And God, I believe what the scripture says that if we trust in you, that our youth will be renewed like eagles. And God, Gwen's
[00:49:23] example, Father, in her 70s, she's teaching. She just got a new house, Father. God, if you can do it for Gwen, can't you do it for someone else in this room today, Father? So Father, let us lift
[00:49:36] our expectations today. I don't know what somebody's going through. Maybe they've stopped believing. Maybe they put on that old man spirit. Father, I just ask that they'll do what we said today. Let them take off that old man's spirit. And Father, let them put on your spirit, God.
[00:49:51] Show them their purpose. Show them the plan. Open up the new job. Give them a home. Father, bless them in every aspect of their life. And Father, as you do, let their light shine like
[00:50:04] Gwen's, Father, and be an example. And we thank you for it in Jesus' name. And if you receive it today. Church, come on, can you give the Lord one more big hand clap today? Hey, Lakewood, each year

[00:50:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]
[00:50:20] you're giving allows us to come alongside thousands of teachers and students to provide them supplies and resources that helps vulnerable families all over our city. And this past week, we had an amazing opportunity to work with two schools to have a teacher appreciation outreach. Teachers
[00:50:35] and the support staff at schools are such an important part of investing into the next generation and we wanted to be intentional about investing in them. During these outreaches you provided every teacher at the school with tangible resources to bless them but you also provided them
[00:50:51] an opportunity for Lakewood volunteers to reflect Jesus' love and heart and action. We offered warm hugs and open prayers and we continue to pray for all our teachers that they will be encouraged and know that Lakewood Church is here and cares about them. So our teachers got to come in and

[00:51:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:51:09] have warm smiling faces from all of Lakewood's family, so we greatly appreciate that. It kind of helped the vibe, so it was very exciting for our teachers just to start a Monday with breakfast, a smile, and a gift to take home. With our campus, we don't have a PTO, so this was very
[00:51:26] exciting to have just another face to tell them thank you for everything that they do.

[00:51:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:51:31] We cannot do this work in silos, and even though sometimes it may feel that way, The school is the heart of the community.
[00:51:40] And so without that community support, then it just makes the work more difficult.
[00:51:45] Every time Lakewood comes to our school, and it's been about three or four times since I've been the principal, like no matter what, they always pray for us.
[00:51:54] And so that just leaves me feeling extremely blessed and extremely grateful.

[00:51:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:51:59] They're generational builders.
[00:52:01] It's so important for us to be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus and come and just tell them how grateful we are for everything that they do. Our community wouldn't be the same without
[00:52:10] teachers that invest in these students and just love on them. All of these stories, large and

[00:52:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]
[00:52:16] small, happen because of your faithfulness. We are so thankful you allow us to be an extension of your faith to help bring hope to teachers in our city and to give hope to the world.

[00:52:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:52:25] Yeah, it's so good, Lakewood. Thank you for all that you do. We honor all the teachers, all those in the education field, but thanks for that. Just your consistency, being a blessing, being with us today. And every time we meet on Sundays, we take a moment to worship the Lord
[00:52:40] with our tithes and our offerings. So that's what we'll do now. And always want to thank you for just being so generous and consistent and just keeping the ministry going. Not only helping people in the community, which is very important. But y'all know the media goes out all over the
[00:52:55] world. My brother Paul's over in Africa now operating on people for probably another month or two. And so it all happens because of you guys. So thanks for that. And I was thinking about what
[00:53:05] it says in second Corinthians. I read it this week. It says, when you sow sparingly, you'll reap sparingly. But when you sow generously, you will reap generously. And that's what I think about Lakewood givers because you guys are generous. You know, Lakewood's been going on
[00:53:20] for 67 years and you know, you're not, maybe not all been here that long, but those of you that have, you know, through the years, there's been generous people and just being here today. And
[00:53:28] not only you're giving, but not only you're giving your finances, but a lot of you give your time and you volunteer and all that. You are, you are generous givers. And so the promise we're standing
[00:53:39] on for you, one of the promises, many, but one of them is you're going to, you're going to reap generously. You're going to see the open windows of heaven because you continue to honor God and
[00:53:48] keep in first place. So when, when you give, I think this is important. You know, I think it's easy these days because it's, you know, you can give online and you can click a button and all
[00:53:57] that. And that's all, that's all great, but don't just do it out of habit. When you give, give in faith, say, God, I'm giving this money. You gave it to me. I'm giving, I'm giving joyfully. And
[00:54:07] Lord, I'm giving it knowing that I'm planting a seed that's going to help people all over the world. And Lord, that you give seed back to the sower, that you will let me reap a harvest from
[00:54:16] what I'm giving. So I hope you'll give in faith. Know that we pray for you. And we're just speaking in abundant 2026 over you and your family. The job's not our source. God is our source. He
[00:54:27] controls it all. So let's stay in faith in our giving. That is so good. It reminds me of Ephesians

[00:54:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:54:32] 320. It says, God can do exceedingly abundantly above all you ask or think according to the word that worketh within you. And what's interesting about that is, is when you're obedient to God, when you are the hands and feet of Jesus, when you are doing God's work, you, that you have the
[00:54:52] word working in you. And so God says, I can do so much when the word is working in you. So I just want to encourage you today that God can do anything. He can go beyond your expectations.
[00:55:05] but like Joel said, you got to stir up your faith. You got to know that, hey God, I, you know, I am sowing. I believe that you're going to do for me what I can't do for myself. You know,
[00:55:17] it's interesting because Jesus asked a blind man, he said, what do you need? Jesus knew that man was blind, but he wanted him by faith to say, I need my sight. What are you saying to God by faith today?
[00:55:32] You're saying, God, I'm being obedient.
[00:55:34] The word's working in me.
[00:55:35] Can you give me a financial breakthrough?
[00:55:38] Can you heal my child?
[00:55:39] Can you do something for me?
[00:55:42] See, he said it in faith.
[00:55:44] God wants you to ask.
[00:55:45] He knows what you need.
[00:55:46] But when you ask in faith and you're obedient, he can do exceedingly, abundantly above all.
[00:55:53] You ask, think, or imagine.
[00:55:55] So that's why we don't ever want you to get tired of hearing about giving because giving really unlocks so much in your life.
[00:56:05] It is a key.
[00:56:07] When you're generous, God says, I love a generous giver, a cheerful giver.
[00:56:11] That is a key to unlock amazing things in your life.
[00:56:14] So we just want you to know how much we appreciate you being here, serving here, giving here, being a part of this family.
[00:56:22] You go out all over Houston and I hear it all the time.
[00:56:24] The best people go to Lakewood.
[00:56:26] The best people, people all want to pray for me, go to Lakewood, you know? So anyway, we love you guys so much. You mean the world to us. So thank

[00:56:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:56:35] you for being who you are. That's so good. Let me pray. Lord, thank you for all of our generous givers today. And Lord, we're given in faith joyfully. We know you've given us these funds
[00:56:44] that we can give today. We recognize you're the source of all good. And Lord, as we give, I think of what you promised, the open windows of heaven, let their gifts and talents come out
[00:56:55] to the full. Lord, I thank you that you're bringing the contracts and businesses and opportunities and just the ideas, the creativity. Lord, I thank you that we all will lend and not borrow above and not beneath so that we can fulfill the purpose as you've called us to and
[00:57:12] bring the gospel all over the world. And Lord, I just thank you. You'll entrust us with greater influence and resources and Lord that you'll bless your people in greater ways. You know, Lord, they're good stewards here at Lakewood. And I thank you for it, doing it in advance in Jesus
[00:57:27] name. Amen and amen. God bless you as you give. Here are some ways you can give. Using your

[00:57:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]
[00:57:35] smartphone, scan the QR code located on the screen. Then select the online giving option that is the most convenient for you. Go to lakewoodchurch.com slash give. Text give hope to 77977, mail a check to P.O. Box 27450, Houston, Texas 77227, or call us toll free at 888-567-JOEL.

[00:58:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]
[00:58:24] soul, and I can't hide it no more. I gotta praise the one who... Are you glad to be here on a Sunday

[01:01:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[01:01:43] morning worshiping a good God today? We're so honored to have you here. Do you mind all standing one last time? We're gonna hold up our Bibles in a moment, but I just want to tell you what a joy it
[01:01:53] is to have you here, and if you're visiting with us, a special welcome to you. I'd love to meet you after the service. I'm always right back over by the bookstore lobby afterwards and be my joy to
[01:02:03] say hello to you, but thanks for coming out. We're going to have a great summer here at Lakewood.
[01:02:08] Hope you stay plugged in, you know, a lot of negativity in the world. It's good to get around to some faith-filled people like here at Lakewood. You know, I enjoy coming. I know I'm the pastor,
[01:02:18] but I enjoy coming to just be around faith-filled people, people that build you up. And so thanks for being here. And Gwen, I love that story. Wherever would Gwen go? Anyway, Gwen, I love that story, Gwen. You know what? It's a testimony of the faithfulness of God. And Gwen's a mighty
[01:02:34] woman of faith come through a lot, but look what the Lord can do at 70 years old. And that's why we tell you, you know, I already said it, you know, you don't know what God has in store for
[01:02:44] you. She never knew at 70, she'd be getting her first home, but you don't know what God's going to do in your life. Let's, let's be believers and not doubters. There's enough doubters in the
[01:02:54] world. Let's, let's be people that say, you know what, God, I think you're 2026, a blessed year in my life and new things that you're doing. It just opens, opens up your mind and your spirit to
[01:03:04] receive what God has for you. But anyway, I'm not supposed to be saying all that, but it's good.
[01:03:09] But Hey, all the men Monday, Friday night on May 29th, all the, all the men I'd love for you to meet us out here. We're going to have a great time, an annual men's night that we have, and just a
[01:03:19] time of fellowship and teaching and camaraderie. And afterwards, we've got the big food trucks out there. Just a lot of fun. But men, maybe you want to bring a neighbor with you that night. We'll
[01:03:29] just get together and have a great time. We'd love to have you be a part, but thank you all for coming out today. When you see yourself on the big screen, can you give our TV audience a great
[01:03:38] big Lakewood welcome? God bless you. It's great to be with you today. And I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through our daily podcast or YouTube channel, social media, and you can come visit us in person. We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services.
[01:03:57] I like to start with something funny. I heard about this mother. She had two young sons that were known for their mischievous behavior. Anytime trouble occurred, they were certain to be a part of it. She decided to take them to see their pastor one at a time. The pastor said to the
[01:04:15] first boy, son, where is God? He sat there silently. He asked again, where is God? Still no reply. The third time he asked the boy bolted out the door, ran home and told his brother God
[01:04:29] is missing and they think we did it. Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do today. I will be taught the word
[01:04:44] of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same.
[01:04:51] I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever living seed of the word of God. I'll never be the same. Never, never, never. I'll never be the same in Jesus name.
[01:05:05] God bless you. If you'd like to open your Bibles to Mark chapter 10 and verse 29, you're welcome to, Mark chapter 10. And we'll put the scriptures up on the screen as well. And don't forget,
[01:05:18] we have a great service at two o'clock today. It's all in Spanish. Monday night, the Bible study, Wednesday night, Pastor Nick and our team have a great Wednesday night, one hour service, real powerful here. If you can come back for midweek, we'd love to have you. But again,
[01:05:33] thanks for coming out today. I want to talk to you today about blessed with persecution.
[01:05:39] we all believe for God's goodness on our lives and we stand on his promises that we'll lend and not borrow and that our children are mighty in the land that we are crowned with his favor
[01:05:50] that's releasing our faith that's what activates God's blessing and favor but what we don't always realize is the blessing never comes alone the blessing brings jealous people being criticized misunderstood. If you expect everyone to be for you, all your friends to celebrate your promotion,
[01:06:13] your coworkers to be happy you got that new house, you're going to be frustrated. Blessings stir up jealousy. Favor causes people to become critical. Promotion brings resistance. You can't have the blessing without opposition. It's a part of the package. When you understand this, you don't let
[01:06:33] it bother you? You don't try to fight all those battles and straighten everyone out, convince the jealous people to be for you. You stay on the high road, let God deal with the opposition while you
[01:06:46] enjoy the blessings. This is what Jesus told his disciples. They had left everything to follow him, made great sacrifices, put their careers on hold. Peter asked in effect, what are we going to get in return. What's in this for us? And Jesus didn't get upset. Hey, Peter, you're selfish.
[01:07:07] You should be grateful that I chose you. No, Jesus wanted to be good to them. He said in verse 29, anything you've given up for me, houses, brothers, sisters, property, you will receive a hundred
[01:07:20] times more in this life. Not in the sweet by and by, not when you get to heaven, but in your lifetime. God was saying, I'm going to promote you, open doors and give you houses you didn't
[01:07:34] build, cause you to break barriers, set new standards, blessings you've never seen. But he said, there's one caveat, one qualification. I have to make clear. This is all going to happen with persecution. Not I'm going to bless you and all the persecution will leave. I'm going to
[01:07:55] promote you and the negative chatter will stop. I'm going to give you so much influence. There won't be any trouble. No, the blessing attracts trouble. Favor attracts criticism. New levels attract new devils. Here's the key. Don't take it personally. It's not you. They don't like
[01:08:14] it's the favor on your life. Some people can't handle you being blessed. They're fine. As long as you stay at the same level, don't make any waves. But when God promotes you and doors open
[01:08:28] and you start shining brightly, that stirs up jealousy in people, brings out a critical spirit.
[01:08:35] They'll try to discredit, minimize, make you look bad. It's tempting to get upset, want to straighten them out. And why are they doing this? Well, stay in peace. You can't have the blessing without the
[01:08:49] persecution and sometimes we don't enjoy the blessing because we're fighting with the opposition upset over what they said trying to get rid of something we can't get rid of can you handle the blessing can you deal with the persecution not let the criticism get under your skin
[01:09:08] not fight battles with small-minded people the enemy would love for you to miss the blessing because you're focused on the persecution.
[01:09:18] The truth is you can't change that.
[01:09:21] You're not the problem, the blessing is the problem.
[01:09:24] You're being persecuted because of what God has done.
[01:09:28] The flip side is if God took away the blessing, then people would leave you alone.
[01:09:33] If you didn't have his favor causing you to shine and stand out, set new levels, nobody would bother you.
[01:09:40] But for where God is taking you, the assignment on your life, the greatness on the inside. There's going to be some of these 100 times blessings where God catapult you ahead, takes you where you've never imagined. Now, the key is you have to learn to
[01:09:58] enjoy the blessing despite the persecution. You can't be blessed in a greater way without having greater persecution. We want big blessings with little opposition, but it doesn't work that way.
[01:10:12] Paul said a wide door of opportunity is open to me and there are many adversaries Big doors big opposition, but can I encourage you we serve a big god You don't have to fight it
[01:10:28] It's not your job to fix people Change the critics mind stop the politics at work. That's god's job The scripture says he will silence the lying lips He shut the mouths of hungry lions to save daniel. He can shut the mouths of people that are trying to discredit you
[01:10:48] He'll vindicate you better than you can vindicate yourself Stay on that high road Overlook the offenses don't pay any attention to the negative chatter. You have a destiny to fulfill You've an assignment to accomplish
[01:11:04] Your time is valuable Don't waste it fighting battles that you're not supposed to fight trying to stop something that God says is a part of the package. The blessing comes with persecution. When we hear that word persecution, we can think of oppression by the government,
[01:11:24] people put in prison for their faith, even martyrdom, losing their lives. And that's part of it. But the word Paul used for persecution there in the Greek is much broader. It means pressure, resistance, harassment. It's talking about people coming against you that resent the
[01:11:44] blessing, that try to stop your progress and ruin your reputation. Jesus was warning his disciples, I'm going to bless you in great ways, but don't be surprised when it stirs up trouble, when you get unfair judgment, when opposition comes out of the woodwork. Here's the good news.
[01:12:04] the blessing on your life is stronger than the persecution.
[01:12:08] The trouble cannot stop your purpose.
[01:12:11] The jealous people, the ones that try to pull you down, that's a sign that his favor is on you.
[01:12:18] The hundredfold blessing often will come with hundredfold chatter.
[01:12:23] Don't sweat it, it's a part of the package.
[01:12:26] See, God could have just as easily said, I'm gonna bless you with a hundredfold and take away all the trouble.
[01:12:33] Quiet all the naysayers. You're not going to have any pressure That wouldn't take any faith God wants to see what you're made of Will you trust him when things come against you that are not fair?
[01:12:46] Will you stay in faith when you're misunderstood?
[01:12:49] When people are talking bad behind your back When that co-worker does his best to get on your nerves You are tempted to lose your cool tell him off No, come back to that place of peace
[01:13:00] Those are battles. You're not supposed to fight A mark of maturity is when you can enjoy the blessing despite the persecution When you don't spend your valuable time trying to get rid of the opposition
[01:13:15] Focused on who did you wrong got to put out this fire You just move forward in faith being your best thanking god that he's fighting your battles 17 years. I worked behind the scenes here at lakewood and
[01:13:30] I didn't really have any enemies to speak of very little persecution or opposition life was good But when my father passed and I stepped up to pastor the church I saw that hundredfold blessing so to speak. I never dreamed I could do this
[01:13:46] Never dreamed we'd have the former compact center. I'd have books and media But along with that great blessing came great persecution People that didn't understand they would try to discredit pressure opposition trouble if you focus on that you'll miss the blessing you'll spend all your
[01:14:06] time frustrated trying to fix things you can't fix the persecution is a sign that you're blessed they're not against you they're against the favor God put on you God gives you grace for every season
[01:14:21] that you're in when I work behind the scenes doing the television production I love that I thought I'd do that the rest of my life, but when God promoted me and I had greater influence
[01:14:33] and favor, I also had the ability to ignore the negative chatter, to overlook the insults, to enjoy my life despite the persecution. And sometimes the reason we're living upset and frustrated is we're not tapping into that grace. We're trying to do it all on our own. Fix this
[01:14:53] person, respond to this comment, pay that coworker back. That's not your job. You have the grace to ignore it, to rise above it, to enjoy life despite what's coming against you. What are you focused
[01:15:06] on? The blessing or the persecution? To get rid of all the persecution would mean that God would have to get rid of all the blessings. Acts chapter five, the disciples were seeing favor in great
[01:15:21] ways. People brought the sick out of the villages and they were healed and these big crowds were gathering. Church was multiplying. The whole city was impacted. They'd never seen this kind of influence in favor. Well, you'd think everybody would be happy. People being healed and freed
[01:15:39] and uplifted. But verse 17 says, the high priest and his friends reacted with great jealousy.
[01:15:47] some people are so small-minded they can't handle the blessing on your life instead of celebrating people being healed the church growing the high priest got jealous he had the disciples arrested and put in jail here they had just seen great favor
[01:16:06] the biggest victories of their life now they're seeing great persecution many times you're not being persecuted because you're doing something wrong. It's because you're doing something right.
[01:16:19] You're being good to people, going the extra mile at work, loving your family, making a difference.
[01:16:26] Yet people try to push you down, discredit you. Don't let it bother you. It's not you that's offending them. It's the blessing on your life. It's what God put on you. You can't stop it.
[01:16:38] and the good news is they can't stop it.
[01:16:42] You stay in peace and God will take care of the opposition.
[01:16:46] In the middle of the night, while the disciples were sleeping, an angel came and opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.
[01:16:55] The angel told them to go to the temple and share the good news.
[01:17:00] Early the next morning at daybreak, they were back in the temple teaching.
[01:17:05] The blessing on your life doesn't make you untouchable, but it does make you unstoppable.
[01:17:11] God wouldn't have allowed the opposition if it's going to keep you from your purpose.
[01:17:17] When doors close that are unfair, don't worry.
[01:17:20] God knows how to open them.
[01:17:23] When people do you wrong, jealousy, trying to discredit you, they think they're pushing you down, but it's going to backfire.
[01:17:31] God knows how to use it to push you up.
[01:17:33] They think they're discrediting you, But God knows how to prepare a table in the presence of your enemies how to make you shine In front of those that tried to make you look bad The next morning the high priest sent for the disciples. He's gonna put them on trial and hopefully get rid of them
[01:17:52] But when his men went to the jail, the disciples were gone They went back and told the high priest the guards were still outside. The doors were still locked But when we went in nobody was there
[01:18:04] God knows how to supernaturally turn things around He opens doors that no man can shut You are not at the mercy of what's come against you They may have more power influence resources, but no weapon formed against you will prosper. You are unstoppable
[01:18:23] Jealous people cannot stop you Sickness can't stop you injustice can't stop you the past can't stop you You may be facing great persecution today, things that don't make sense.
[01:18:38] You're being good to people, honoring God, taking care of your family.
[01:18:43] God sees what's happening.
[01:18:46] He knows the sacrifices you've made, how you've done your best to keep him first.
[01:18:51] That persecution is not how your story ends.
[01:18:54] The same God that delivered the disciples is about to deliver you.
[01:19:00] The same God that parted the Red Sea for Moses The same god that kept king saul from killing david the same god that brought joseph out of that pit He's working in your life right now
[01:19:12] It's going to happen quickly Something you can't explain you didn't see it coming but suddenly the opposition is gone Suddenly you're vindicated those enemies will become your footstools You will walk on what tried to hold you back
[01:19:29] it's because the blessing on your life makes you unstoppable yes persecution comes but the blessing will override it yes people will do you wrong but God will make it right yes they'll try to push you down but God will lift you up the high priest and his men were scratching their heads
[01:19:50] they didn't know what had happened about that time word came that the disciples were in the temple teaching. They rushed there and when they saw them, the scripture says they were afraid that if they treated the disciples wrong, the people would kill them. Notice how the tables had turned.
[01:20:10] The ones that used to persecute them were now on defense. They were concerned for their own life.
[01:20:17] God knows how to turn things. You don't have to fight battles. God sees the injustice. He hears every negative word spoken against you. He knows when people are jealous, hurtful, and trying to discredit you. It's not you they're coming against. It's the blessing he put on you. Don't take it
[01:20:37] personally. God takes it personally. He's your defender. You remember in the scripture, Saul was the greatest enemy of the church. He went door to door and would drag people out of their homes and have been thrown into prison, not just in Jerusalem, but he traveled to other cities
[01:20:56] trying to stop the message of faith. The scripture says he was breathing out murderous threats against the followers of Christ. One day while he was on the road to Damascus with letters in hand from the authorities to arrest believers, a light suddenly shined down on him. He fell off his
[01:21:18] animal and couldn't see him. Laying there on the ground, a voice boomed out, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? He was confused. He said, who are you? The voice said, I am Jesus, the one you are
[01:21:33] persecuting. What's interesting is Saul had never met Jesus. He'd never heard him teach. They'd never interacted. Jesus could have said, Saul, why are you persecuting my followers? Or why are you persecuting the church, but he said, why are you persecuting me? See, when people persecute you,
[01:21:52] God takes it personally. When they come against you, really they're coming against him.
[01:21:58] Jesus said in effect, Saul, you're not attacking them. You're attacking me. Can I tell you, God knows how to defend himself. Nothing can stand against him. This is why you don't have to try to fix everyone, straighten them out, stop that noise, have a new perspective. They're not
[01:22:17] attacking you. They're attacking the blessing God put on you. You don't have to defend yourself.
[01:22:23] You have a defender. The most high God will take care of your persecutors. But here's what I've learned. If you take matters into your own hands, God will step back and let you do it on your own.
[01:22:36] he won't override that choice that's going to cause stress and frustration can't sleep at night oh let God deal with it he'll take care of your souls he'll deal with those that are jealous try to discredit and leave you out he knows how to knock people off their horse so to speak
[01:22:55] how to change their minds and cause them to see you in a new light a friend of mine worked for this company for many years. He's very faithful, hard worker, always doing more than required,
[01:23:08] but his supervisor was never for him. He was jealous. He'd leave him out of meetings and try to discredit him. It looked like my friend was stuck being limited by this unfair supervisor.
[01:23:21] The scripture says, never avenge yourself, but leave the matter in the hands of God.
[01:23:27] That's what he did.
[01:23:28] He didn't get bitter.
[01:23:30] He didn't try to pay the man back.
[01:23:32] He just kept being his best, shining where he was.
[01:23:36] He understood with the blessing comes persecution.
[01:23:40] One day the owner of the company needed something done, but the supervisor was out of town.
[01:23:45] So my friend worked with the owner that week.
[01:23:48] He got him all the reports he needed, sat in meetings and gave him some advice.
[01:23:53] The owner was so impressed a few months later. He decided to restructure the staff He called this man in and the supervisor He said to my friend i'm making you the vice president From now on you'll run the company and report directly to me
[01:24:11] He turned to the supervisor and said from now on you'll report to him God knows how to vindicate you you don't have to force these things to happen Prove to people get even change their mind. No stay in peace
[01:24:27] Keep doing the right thing You can't have the blessing without some persecution If you'll stay on that high road at the right time god will turn things in your favor. He'll take care of your souls
[01:24:40] They're not attacking you. They're attacking the blessing and favor god put on you You don't have to defend what god has done. God will defend himself You keep shining keep loving keep being good to others and god will move the wrong people out of the way
[01:24:58] He'll silence the negative chatter. He'll promote you in the presence of your enemies Paul said in second thessalonians God will pay back those who persecute you And he will provide rest for you who are being persecuted
[01:25:15] Maybe you're in a situation now. That's not fair. God sees the injustice he sees you doing the right thing taking the high road overlooking the offense your time is coming there's already a moment that God has scheduled to turn things in your favor what you couldn't
[01:25:36] make happen will suddenly fall into place the vindication the promotion the honor don't sweat the persecution you wouldn't be persecuted if you weren't blessed people would leave you alone if you weren't that talented. You wouldn't have opposition if you weren't a masterpiece making
[01:25:54] a difference. The fact that you have persecution is a sign that the blessing of God is on your life. He's promised rest is coming. It's not always going to be a struggle. I know you're
[01:26:07] strong. You can withstand, but that's not how your story ends. God's about to lighten the load, lift that burden like he did for my friend where it's not a struggle you don't have to overlook
[01:26:20] the injustice anymore God is going to step in and pay back those who persecute you and give you rest from a season of struggling from a seat to a season of ease but sometimes when we're blessed
[01:26:34] and we have jealous people and things coming against us it's tempting to shrink back just man, I don't want to stir anything up. No, don't apologize for God's blessings.
[01:26:45] Don't water down your dreams and hide your gifts. So you won't make any waves and people won't talk about you. If they can't handle you being blessed, you don't need them in your life.
[01:26:57] If they're going to judge you for shining brightly and find fault because you're happy and generous and have a big vision, they are not for you. They get jealous, dust your feet off and move on.
[01:27:10] Don't waste your time with small-minded, petty, insecure people that cannot celebrate who God made you to be. You need people that cheer you on, that are inspired by your vision, that encourage you to go higher, that don't persecute you. They promote you. They're not
[01:27:32] jealous. They challenge you to become all you were created to be. Genesis 26, there was a great famine in the land. Everyone was struggling and trying to survive. Isaac was about to leave and find a
[01:27:46] more fertile place, but God told him to stay there and plant his crops. That didn't make sense.
[01:27:52] Really, there was no water. Nothing could grow, but Isaac was obedient. He went out and seeded all of his fields. Well, the Philistines, the people that lived around him, they thought he was not all there. They laughed and made fun. But in a few months, the scripture says Isaac received
[01:28:11] a hundredfold harvest. He had his biggest harvest in the middle of a famine. That's that whole hundredfold blessing that Jesus talked about. When you obey, when you keep him first, you're going to see these times where God shows out in your life. If the story stopped there, it'd be great. Let's
[01:28:31] celebrate the blessing, but with the blessing comes persecution. The Philistines that thought he was so far out, verse 14 says, they became jealous of him. They tried to make his life miserable. They clogged up his wells. Water was the source of life, but Isaac didn't fight with
[01:28:52] them. He didn't try to get even, defend himself. He knew it wasn't about him. It was about the blessing on his life. He kept moving forward and settled in another place. That wasn't far enough
[01:29:04] away. They clogged up those wells. It happened again. But on the third time, they left him alone.
[01:29:11] He said, God has brought me to Rehoboth, a wide and spacious place. They meant it for harm, but God used it to take him to a bigger, more fruitful place. He was blessed before, But now because of the persecution, because he kept God first place, he came out better
[01:29:32] than even the hundredfold harvest. He was blessed in abundance. Like with Isaac, with the blessing comes a persecution. With the favor comes the Philistines. They were fine as long as Isaac was suffering in the famine. Once he saw increase, they found fault. They stirred up trouble.
[01:29:55] The question today is, can you handle the blessing?
[01:29:59] Will you stay in peace when persecution comes?
[01:30:02] Will you enjoy the favor despite the negative chatter?
[01:30:06] You can't have the blessing without the persecution.
[01:30:10] Maybe you need to have a new perspective.
[01:30:13] You'll never get to the place where you're so blessed that all the trouble goes away, the negative chatter, the jealousy, that's connecting to the blessing.
[01:30:21] What i'm saying is it doesn't have to bother you. That's not your battle Quit fighting with people trying to pay back prove defend god is your defender He sees what's not fair stay in peace keep honoring him. I believe and declare
[01:30:40] He's going to pay back those who persecute you Like isaac you will flourish in the famine Like the disciple supernatural doors are about to open. The right people showing up, vindication, promotion, a table in the presence of your enemies in Jesus' name. And if you receive it, can you say amen?
[01:31:05] Let's pray together. If you have five minutes, stick with me if you can. We'll just seal it in prayer. Lord, I thank you for what we've heard today. I know it falls on great ground,
[01:31:15] faithful people here at Lakewood and many watching and listening. And Lord, we commit that we're going to live from a place of peace. We're not going to go around fighting everything, trying to figure out why this is happening. Lord, we rest in you today. We know you're our defender
[01:31:31] and Lord, we know it's a part of the package. And so Lord, we trust you to move the wrong people, to turn the negative situations. Lord, we're going to stay in faith. We're going to keep
[01:31:42] honoring you. Lord, I ask that you'd help us to enjoy each day. Help us to recognize it's a gift that you've given us, that we can live in faith, that we can turn it over to you, that you are our
[01:31:55] defender. Lord, I thank you that you haven't brought us this far to leave us where we are, that we'll continue to move forward. See your goodness and mercy. Father, as your people go out this week, watch after them, their children, thinking that your angels are protecting them
[01:32:12] in Jesus' name. With our heads bowed in prayer, just a quick question. If your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes? Are you at peace with God? Do you know where you'd spend eternity
[01:32:26] if you died a few minutes from now? If not, I would love to pray with you. I'm not here to condemn anybody. I'm here to help you find a new beginning. I know this comes from a personal
[01:32:40] relationship with Jesus Christ. In just a moment, if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian, but you've grown cold toward God. You know, you need to rededicate. You need a
[01:32:54] fresh new start. If that's you in just a moment, I'm going to ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together. I can't think of a better time to get on the road
[01:33:07] to victory than right now. God is not mad at you. Your sins have already been forgiven. All you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ salvation. Will you do it today? In your thoughts, the enemy
[01:33:23] will whisper, do it next week. Do it another time. Listen, the Bible says today is the day of salvation. You're not hearing this by accident. Well, Joel, it's embarrassing to stand in front of everyone. I have people at the house. I can't lift my hand. Listen to what Jesus said. If you
[01:33:41] won't be ashamed of me before people, then I won't be ashamed of you before my father in heaven.
[01:33:49] I'm going to give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed of him. If you're not at peace with the Lord, or you just need to rededicate your life, you need a fresh new start,
[01:34:01] a new beginning. If that's you, would you be bold, take that step of faith and stand right where you are, and we'll pray together. Would you do that?
[01:34:09] Come on, Lakewood. Let's give them a hand as they stand all over the building.
[01:34:19] Come on, don't put it off. I feel like there ought to be a few more. Anybody else?
[01:34:25] Your heart's beating fast.
[01:34:26] Up top, watching, listening. Anybody else?
[01:34:32] God bless you. Please remain standing if you don't mind. Let me tell you how proud we are of you.
[01:34:38] More importantly, I know that God's never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith today.
[01:34:44] We're gonna be praying for you. The scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Let me help you to call. Do you mind all praying this after me if you would please or Jesus I?
[01:34:59] repent of my sins Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior Amen, or main standing one more moment. I won't tell you how much we love you Like I said, we're gonna be praying for you
[01:35:13] And I also want to give you a personal invitation to come back and be with us on a regular basis.
[01:35:19] This next year of your life is an incredibly important time.
[01:35:23] We'd love to have you back here if you're in person, on the radio, however you do it.
[01:35:27] If you can come in person, hope you'll get plugged in.
[01:35:29] Got some great teams that you could get on.
[01:35:31] And I really would love to see you meet some of the great people at Lakewood.
[01:35:35] Like I said earlier, people that'll lift you up.
[01:35:37] And I know you're busy and Sunday's a day off and you could be resting, but let me tell you, there is a blessing on your life when you put god first place and you get into a community of faith
[01:35:48] and we'd love to have you here at lakewood we're going to help you grow people ask me what's the next step well after service i'd love to meet you i'll be over there maybe 20 minutes or so it's a
[01:35:58] little place we've got called new beginnings you can meet some of our staff and they'll give you some resources and just different ways that you can get connected here but you got a moment right
[01:36:08] out there. Otherwise, I'm always back that way if you can't do it today, but I hope you will stop by. Know this, the moment you stood up, God washed away all your sins, your mistakes, your failures.
[01:36:19] You are starting with a fresh, clean slate. Write it down in your Bible, May 17, 2026, a new day of victory in your life. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Well, let's all stand together if you would, please. Thanks for coming out today. How many of you going home better off
[01:36:37] than you were before.
[01:36:38] Amen.
[01:36:39] Oh, we love you guys.
[01:36:41] And it's going to be a blessed week.
[01:36:43] Let me speak this blessing.
[01:36:44] Until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you.
[01:36:47] May the Lord show you his favor and have mercy on you.
[01:36:50] And may the Lord watch after you and give you his peace.
[01:36:54] God bless you.
[01:36:55] Have a great week, a favor-filled week.
[01:36:57] See you back real soon.