Trusting the Mighty God in Impossible Situations

[00:00:51] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Thanks for watching!

[00:05:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
Good morning Christ community, how we doing this morning?
[00:05:16] Yes, good to be in the house of the Lord.
[00:05:18] It's going to be an awesome day.
[00:05:19] Will you stand with me?
[00:05:20] Listen, the kids play is coming up next.
[00:05:22] Go ahead and stand.
[00:05:23] It's going to be awesome.
[00:05:24] But listen, we're here to see the kids.
[00:05:25] But listen, the main purpose we're here is to give glory and honor and to praise and to worship our King of Kings.
[00:05:31] So we worship along with our children during the kids play.
[00:05:35] But we get to kick it off this morning singing, all right?
[00:05:38] The Bible says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
[00:05:40] He's come to rescue us.
[00:05:42] Our soul magnifies Him.
[00:05:43] Yes?

[00:06:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Accompanion
[00:07:50] My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord My soul magnifies the Lord He has done great things for me My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord My soul magnifies the Lord
[00:09:43] Sing that out church.
[00:09:46] My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord.
[00:09:55] My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord.
[00:10:04] My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord.
[00:10:13] My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord
[00:10:40] My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord

[00:11:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
Man, can we just give him praise in this place?
[00:11:51] I'm so excited to be here this morning.
[00:11:53] You guys can go ahead and have a seat as we kind of introduce what we have going on here this morning.
[00:12:01] I'm so glad that everyone's joined us this morning.
[00:12:04] If we haven't had the chance to meet yet, my name is Nick.
[00:12:06] I'm the youth director here at Christ Community Church and on behalf of Pastor David and his wife Katie and just our entire staff and team, I just want to say welcome in.
[00:12:15] We're so excited that you've joined us for worship this morning and maybe you've joined us for a little bit more this morning as well.
[00:12:22] You guys know exactly what we have going on which is why I'm going to be super brief.
[00:12:26] But before that, really quickly, I just want to welcome all of our first-time guests.
[00:12:30] If it is your first time here in the room this morning, welcome in.
[00:12:35] The only thing that I'm going to ask that you do this morning is there's a little Connect card in the Seek Back pocket in front of you.
[00:12:40] It's blue.
[00:12:41] It says Connect on it.
[00:12:42] If you would, just fill that out, and then if you take that to the Black Connect booth at the back of the lobby, someone will be there to say hi, to give you a gift to walk out with on the way out as you've joined us this morning.
[00:12:54] Church, would you just join me in welcoming our first-time guest this morning?
[00:12:59] Yeah, we're so excited you're here this morning as Marissa and everyone else comes and joins us on stage.
[00:13:07] I just want to say really quickly how much this reflects our heart here at Christ Community Church, which is to know Christ, to love through community, and to live as the church.
[00:13:17] There has been so much that has gone into this amazing Christmas play.
[00:13:21] But I don't want to say any more because Marissa is the one that is going to tell you all about it.
[00:13:27] So Marissa, would you guys just give it up for our Kids Crew Director, Marissa?

[00:13:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Hi, guys.
[00:13:37] So I'm Marissa.
[00:13:39] I am the kids' crew director here at Christ Community Church, which means I have the best job.
[00:13:43] I get to hang out with all of your children.
[00:13:45] And you guys have some great children, which has made this so fun.
[00:13:49] We have been working hard on this since October, but we start with a devotion every single play practice.
[00:13:55] And the kids know this isn't about how great they are, even though I do think that they're all wonderful.
[00:14:00] This is about how great God is.
[00:14:02] And so this is our opportunity to share God's love with all of you.
[00:14:06] The message loud and clear so thank you guys.

[00:14:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
So there you have it, angel means messenger.
[00:14:57] One of God's purposes for us is to deliver his messages to his people.
[00:15:00] Wow, this is amazing.
[00:15:01] Can you tell us about one of your messages that he has been delivered?
[00:15:04] Oh, of course.
[00:15:05] I would love nothing more than to tell you about one of the greatest messages I ever had to deliver.
[00:15:14] Eww.
[00:15:14] Tell us, tell us, tell us.
[00:15:15] Okay, okay.
[00:15:16] Well, it was a long time ago, and God's people haven't learned.
[00:15:49] Let me tell you about a baby Born in Bethlehem Come close and hear the story Of God become a man Angels told the shepherds And the wise men came to see
[00:16:18] Let me tell you about a baby Who changes everything
[00:17:11] I'll tell you about a sacred king He left his throne in heaven to be with you and me
[00:20:14] Good evening, everyone.
[00:20:15] My name is Gabriel, and I am an angel of the Lord.
[00:20:19] And I have the biggest announcement in the history of the world.
[00:20:23] Greetings, Mary.
[00:20:24] The Lord is with you.
[00:20:25] Who are you?
[00:20:26] Do not be afraid.
[00:20:27] You're going to have a baby.
[00:20:28] You will call him Jesus, and he will be the Son of the Most High God.
[00:20:32] How can this be?
[00:20:33] The Holy Spirit will make this possible.
[00:20:35] Nothing is impossible with God.
[00:20:36] I am the Lord's servant.
[00:20:37] May it just be as you have said.
[00:20:40] Whew!
[00:20:40] She took that better than I expected.
[00:20:46] I was pretty nervous to tell Mary the news.
[00:20:49] I knew how important it was.
[00:20:51] What did Joseph have to say about that?
[00:20:53] Well, he wasn't too sure about things when he heard about Mary.
[00:20:56] He got cold feet about their wedding, but that is when I got to go and visit him too and deliver the same message to him.

[00:21:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Well, life has taken an unexpected turn, Libby.
[00:21:08] How am I to believe what Mary has told me?

[00:21:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to marry your fiancée.
[00:21:14] The baby she carries is from the Holy Spirit.
[00:21:17] You will call His name Jesus, and He will save the people from their sins.

[00:21:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Phew, that's a relief.
[00:21:23] I will do as the angel of the Lord has commanded me and marry her.
[00:21:27] My work here is done.
[00:21:28] Mess is delivered and received.

[00:22:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
An angel sent down from the heavens Told Mary that she'd have God's Son And that His name would be Jesus The Mighty One One night when Joseph was sleeping The angel appeared to him
[00:22:34] From the Beginnings

[00:23:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Angels and nuns to the shepherds Glory to God, peace on earth
[00:23:37] And looked up to the night sky And followed a bright star to bring The treasure to the feet of Jesus

[00:24:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Welcome.
[00:24:53] To what do I owe you the pleasure?

[00:24:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_15]:
We are following a sign.
[00:24:56] You have traveled far to worship the King.

[00:24:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Oh, I'm flattered.
[00:25:00] You can leave the gifts right here at my feet.

[00:25:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
I'm sorry.
[00:25:07] We're talking about the child who was supposed to be King of Jews.

[00:25:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Oh, I see.
[00:25:13] Someone else is after my throne.
[00:25:16] You're gonna have to tell me more about this child and the star.
[00:25:19] I'd love to find him and also worship him.

[00:25:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Yes sir, we'll be on our way!

[00:25:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_15]:
We three kings of glory and time, very gifts we traverse afar.
[00:25:57] Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

[00:28:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Of course I did.
[00:28:06] After they found a lady, I warned them in a dream not to go back to King Herod.
[00:28:11] And they found another way home.
[00:28:12] But that is getting ahead of it in story.
[00:28:15] Kim, I was worried for a second.
[00:28:17] That really is the best message ever.
[00:28:19] I'm not even at the best part yet!

[00:28:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
One... Two...
[00:28:32] What are you doing?
[00:28:34] Counting sheep.

[00:28:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
One, two, three.
[00:28:40] Do not be afraid.
[00:28:41] I bring you good news of great joy.
[00:28:43] Today in the town of Bethlehem, a Savior has been born, Christ the Lord.
[00:28:47] You'll find the baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger.
[00:28:53] Glory to God, the highest, the peace on earth.
[00:28:55] That is the greatest message I have ever heard.

[00:28:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_13]:
We have to see this baby.
[00:29:33] Today in the town of David the Savior is born to you.
[00:29:43] He is the Messiah, the Lord, the Lord.

[00:30:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you.
[00:30:36] He is the Messiah, the Lord, the Lord.
[00:31:33] I have the God to deliver.
[00:31:35] The Savior had been born.
[00:31:37] Emmanuel, God with us.
[00:31:39] That really is the best message.
[00:31:41] But did the shepherds find the baby?
[00:31:44] Of course they did.
[00:31:45] They found Mary and Joseph and their newborn baby wrapped in cloth in the stable just like God said they would.

[00:31:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_14]:
The shepherds were lucky to be the first ones to see baby Jesus.

[00:31:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
They were so excited.
[00:31:59] And with the Messiah being born, they went and told everyone.
[00:32:04] So they were messengers too?
[00:32:06] Absolutely!
[00:32:06] God calls all of his children to be messengers to spread the news of his love for everyone.
[00:32:12] He loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus to grow up on earth and eventually save us from our sins so that we shall not perish but live eternal life.
[00:32:45] I've got good news and I'm excited I can't help but tell somebody else The King is coming to Humboldt Hallelujah, praise Emmanuel
[00:33:42] Let's all praise and lose the Lord
[00:35:09] You can't keep this news to yourself.
[00:35:11] You must go.
[00:35:11] Run like the shepherds.
[00:35:13] Go into all the world and share it with everyone you meet.
[00:35:17] Tell everyone, free your foes, young or old, of all that you have heard today.
[00:35:22] Go be angels, messengers to all.
[00:35:24] Even though we were all sinners, Jesus went on to die for all of us, for us, all of us.
[00:35:30] That's the message that changes everything.

[00:36:08] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
And now, we will begin our final prayer.
[00:36:44] We will baby in the name of God and the Lamb

[00:37:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
In Jesus' name we pray.
[00:37:30] Amen.

[00:38:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
Alright, let's give one more round of applause for our kids!
[00:38:45] Incredible.
[00:38:45] So as they're exiting, I have a couple announcements for you.
[00:38:49] So don't be too distracted by all the chaos.
[00:38:51] It's organized chaos this morning.
[00:38:53] But hey, next Sunday, make sure you come back and join us.
[00:38:56] We have a candlelight services, both services, the 9 and 11 o'clock.
[00:38:59] And then next Sunday night at 6.30, we have a holiday hymn sing-along.
[00:39:04] And so we'd love for you to join us.
[00:39:05] We have Coco and Wassil.
[00:39:07] and some cookies and it's going to be a great time of celebration next sunday so be here invite a friend invite a neighbor to come with you amen all right go ahead and stand up with me if you would so i want you to do one thing right now as we work through this transition i want you to turn to your neighbor or behind to your neighbor and share one what your favorite thing about the christmas play was just now ready go you got two minutes
[00:40:45] So as we continue to worship this morning, we get to join with all of the enthusiasm that those kids had, right?
[00:40:51] So the first song, you were a little sleepy, I'll give you a break, I'll give you a pass, but I want some energy.
[00:40:57] The Word says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
[00:40:59] I believe our children did that this morning, don't you?
[00:41:01] Yeah, yeah, so I think we can match just what they did, all right?
[00:41:06] Parents, just a quick announcement.
[00:41:08] If you're not staying for this service, you can pick your children up in the desert room.
[00:41:11] But I hope you stay and worship with us and hear this great sermon that Pastor David has for us.
[00:41:15] So give us just one moment and we'll get started.

[00:41:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_17]:
A starry night, a newborn King Hark the herald angels singing
[00:42:09] In a manger lay a God at three and one displayed His glory, glory Behold Him Come and behold Him
[00:42:42] He is the Son of Heaven Behold!
[00:43:09] Enlightened life to all He brings Everlasting Prince of Peace
[00:43:13] and Ever.
[00:43:18] And hope has come now here to dwell in the abode of Emmanuel, Messiah, Messiah, behold Him.

[00:44:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
The Savior's here and He is the Son of God

[00:44:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_17]:
Rejoice!
[00:44:53] Tidings of comfort and joy Rejoice!
[00:44:54] Rejoice!
[00:44:54] Rejoice!
[00:44:54] Tidings of comfort and joy
[00:45:01] Rejoice!
[00:45:07] Time is a coming bird of joy.
[00:45:07] Rejoice!
[00:45:53] Amen.

[00:46:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
Give Him praise in this place.
[00:46:15] You know, the first time Jesus came, he came in the form of a baby, but in his second coming, he comes as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and all of his glory and all of his splendor.
[00:46:25] Aren't you thankful?
[00:46:27] Yes.

[00:46:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
In the darkness we were waiting without hope without light till from heaven you came running there was mercy in your eyes to fulfill the law and prophets to a virgin came the word from a throne of endless glory to a cradle
[00:47:20] Praise the Son, praise the Spirit, three in one God of glory, majesty, praise forever to the King
[00:47:50] To reveal the kingdom coming and to reconcile the lost To redeem the whole creation you did not despise the cross For even in your suffering you sought to the other side Knowing this was our salvation Jesus for our Savior died
[00:48:27] Praise the Son Praise the Spirit Three in one God of glory Majesty Praise forever
[00:49:01] All of heaven held its breath Till that stone was moved for good For the Lamb that conquered death And the dead rose from their tombs And the angels stood in awe For the souls of all who come To the Father are restored And the church of Christ was born
[00:49:31] of Christ Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
[00:50:04] God of glory, majesty Praise forever to the King of Kings Praise forever to the King of Kings

[00:50:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_18]:
We thank you that you came to rescue us.
[00:50:52] Can we just say that?
[00:50:56] We thank you Lord.
[00:50:58] Say that one more time.
[00:51:11] We thank you.
[00:51:16] Lord, and all God's people said, Amen.

[00:51:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_12]:
As you're being seated, tell the person next to you, I'm really glad you're here.
[00:51:24] I've got a shortened message for you today.
[00:51:28] I promise you're still going to get out of regular time.
[00:51:31] We're going to open God's Word to Mark chapter 5.
[00:51:34] We're in week 3 of our series and it's called His Name Shall Be Called.
[00:51:38] And in the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah
[00:51:41] The Lord is with us.
[00:52:04] and so he said he is God with us and then last week we did the story of the woman with the issue of blood and and how she believed if she could just touch the hem of Jesus's garment she would be made well that Jesus is the one who is the wonderful counselor he he has supernatural wisdom he has supernatural guidance and supernatural healing
[00:52:28] It's available.
[00:52:28] And we talked about how Jesus fulfilled that role as the wonderful counselor.
[00:52:33] Today we're going to talk about Jesus as the mighty God.
[00:52:35] Jesus as the mighty God.
[00:52:37] And if you're taking notes, there's this little program on one side.
[00:52:41] Grandparents, parents, it's got all your kids' names.
[00:52:44] So you can take that home, put it up on your fridge, let them know how proud you are of them.
[00:52:48] Can we just give it up one more time for our kids and also the kids' crew leadership?
[00:52:52] They did such a great job.
[00:52:55] I love that the dance break is my favorite.
[00:52:57] That was amazing.
[00:52:59] I taught him every one of those moves.
[00:53:01] Yeah, I'm just kidding.
[00:53:03] So on the back of the program that you want to keep as a keepsake, there's a place for you to take some notes so you can remember along.
[00:53:09] And then also a place if you would like to give back to the Lord, you want to continue to support the work that God's doing here through kids, ministry, and youth.
[00:53:17] Women's, men's, all sorts of outreach to our community.
[00:53:20] Then if you'd like to do that as part of your year-end giving, you can just scan the QR code and do that there.
[00:53:25] Let's open our Bibles to Mark chapter 5.
[00:53:27] Mark chapter 5, we're going to start with verse 21.
[00:53:29] And today we're going to see the story of Jesus.
[00:53:32] Jesus' name shall be called the Mighty God.
[00:53:36] The Mighty God, the one who has all power.
[00:53:39] To do every one of God's purposes.
[00:53:42] Jesus is the mighty God who has all power necessary to accomplish every single purpose of the Father.
[00:53:52] And so let's look and see what the story is.
[00:53:54] Jesus has just gone from one side of the lake to the other.
[00:53:58] And so he's shown up in Capernaum.
[00:54:00] Peter's hometown and Jesus' adopted hometown.
[00:54:03] And as he gets there, there's a man who comes to him with a dire circumstance.
[00:54:08] Somebody who really needs to see Jesus as the mighty God, the one who has all power to accomplish every single one of God's purposes.
[00:54:17] This guy shows up to him in verse 21.
[00:54:20] Look at what it says.
[00:54:22] And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him as he was beside the sea.
[00:54:28] And then there came one of the rulers of the synagogue.
[00:54:30] The rulers of the synagogue, they weren't a priest.
[00:54:32] They were just like everybody else, but they were sort of the executive director of the organization.
[00:54:39] And so they made sure that they designated people as hosts to read the scripture that day.
[00:54:44] They were in charge of keeping all the scrolls and all the documents.
[00:54:47] They were in charge of enforcing Jewish law and Jewish life in that particular town.
[00:54:52] And so this guy, he was a follower of God and he had heard about Jesus.
[00:54:57] He had seen Jesus do miracles in that same town before.
[00:55:00] And now he hears that Jesus has just rolled up on the shore and he decides, this is my chance.
[00:55:06] Everything feels hopeless.
[00:55:08] There's nothing left to be done.
[00:55:09] I've got to get to him because I think Jesus is the mighty God and so in the midst of this look what happens it says then came verse 22 one of the rulers of the synagogue Jairus by name Jairus his name in Hebrew means the one who's going to be enlightened the one who's going to be enlightened he's going to showcase the
[00:55:29] and enlighten everybody about who Jesus really is in this moment.
[00:55:33] Look at what it says.
[00:55:35] And seeing him, he did what?
[00:55:36] Read this out loud with me.
[00:55:37] This is an interactive portion.
[00:55:39] He fell at his feet.
[00:55:41] He fell at his feet.
[00:55:42] This happens for the demoniac in Mark 5.
[00:55:44] This happens for the woman with the issue of blood.
[00:55:47] Anytime you get a real glimpse of who Jesus is, his true identity, you can't help but worship him.
[00:55:53] and so he falls down at his feet and he's imploring him and look at what it says verse 23 he implored him earnestly saying my little daughter his 12 year old it tells us later in the scripture my little daughter is at the point of death she's at death's door come and lay your hands on her so that read this out loud what does it say so that she may be made
[00:56:16] Well and what?
[00:56:18] This word that he uses, it's not just to heal her physically, but it's so that you can rescue her.
[00:56:25] There's no other hope.
[00:56:27] This situation appears hopeless.
[00:56:29] Have you ever had a situation that you felt hopeless in before?
[00:56:33] We're the only possible way for any sort of outcome is if God shows himself to be the mighty God.
[00:56:41] This was him.
[00:56:42] My little girl, she's my world.
[00:56:45] Twelve years old.
[00:56:46] I don't have any other kids.
[00:56:48] She's sick.
[00:56:48] She's at the point of death's door.
[00:56:50] And I've seen you heal other people.
[00:56:52] I'm believing that you can.
[00:56:55] I don't know if you will.
[00:56:56] I don't know if you will say yes or if you'll say no, but I've got to ask you because I believe that you are the mighty God who has power to be able to accomplish every one of God's purposes.
[00:57:08] I'll leave it up to you whether it's your purpose or not to say yes or no to the healing, but I've got to ask, please, can you come?
[00:57:15] So that she can be rescued.
[00:57:17] And Jesus says yes.
[00:57:19] And as they start to go, this is when the woman with the issue of blood that we talked about last week, she interrupts things.
[00:57:24] Do you remember?
[00:57:24] She sneaks up through the crowd.
[00:57:26] She doesn't call out unclean, but she grabs the hem of his garment and she's made whole in that moment.
[00:57:31] And Jesus stops.
[00:57:33] And he says, who touched me?
[00:57:34] And the crowd said, what do you mean who touched you?
[00:57:36] Everybody's around you.
[00:57:36] Everybody's gathering around you.
[00:57:38] What do you mean who touched me?
[00:57:38] No, no, no.
[00:57:39] Somebody touched me and power went out from me.
[00:57:42] And then the woman comes forward and she falls down at Jesus' feet and then she tells her whole story.
[00:57:48] It was 12 years ago when this started and she's going on it.
[00:57:51] I want you to put yourself in the position of Jairus.
[00:57:55] You've made your way.
[00:57:56] You've found Jesus.
[00:57:57] You told him this is life and death.
[00:58:00] You've got to come right now.
[00:58:02] And in that moment he says I'll come and then all of a sudden he gets stopped.
[00:58:07] How would you be feeling about the person who stopped Jesus?
[00:58:11] Jesus, this is great.
[00:58:13] I love her story.
[00:58:14] Wonderful.
[00:58:15] Great to hear testimony time.
[00:58:17] But I have a little girl that he had already promised to get to.
[00:58:21] He was already on her way.
[00:58:22] He was already on the way to see and touch and heal her.
[00:58:25] You're stopping him.
[00:58:27] These minutes are adding up.
[00:58:30] After about 10 minutes, she finishes her testimony.
[00:58:35] And look at what it says.
[00:58:36] This is what it says, verse 35.
[00:58:38] And while he was still speaking, this is Jesus looking at the woman saying, Daughter, your faith has made you well.
[00:58:45] Go in peace.
[00:58:47] Beautiful moment for her.
[00:58:48] But while he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house a servant.
[00:58:55] And he said, Your daughter is dead.
[00:59:00] Why trouble the teacher anymore?
[00:59:02] There's no point.
[00:59:05] He doesn't need to come.
[00:59:08] Your daughter's gone.
[00:59:10] Now if you were that parent, what are you thinking in that moment?
[00:59:15] How would you feel about this woman who got her healing but interrupted the progression of Jesus?
[00:59:24] Could the ten minutes have made the difference?
[00:59:26] I'm sure he was feeling shock.
[00:59:27] I'm sure he was feeling anger.
[00:59:29] I'm sure he was feeling doubt, disappointment.
[00:59:31] He can't believe it.
[00:59:32] His little girl is gone.
[00:59:33] And Jesus, the mighty God who has all power to accomplish every one of God's purposes, he has a message for this man.
[00:59:45] And look at me.
[00:59:46] It's a message for some of you in the house today.
[00:59:49] Because there's some of you that are in the midst of a hopeless situation.
[00:59:54] There's some of you that are in the midst of a situation that's totally broken beyond repair.
[00:59:59] There's some of you that are in the midst of a situation where you're like, no doubt about it, that thing is dead.
[01:00:04] Like, the hope is dead, the life is gone, I've got no hope physically, spiritually, emotionally.
[01:00:11] Like, I'm in this place and it looks like nothing is ever going to happen.
[01:00:16] And maybe you just got the news.
[01:00:18] Maybe you just got the news about the diagnosis, or maybe you just got the news about how much is in you.
[01:00:23] Your bank account and Christmas is still coming or maybe you just got the news about getting laid off at work or maybe you just got the news about about the tension in between your relationship with one of your children or maybe you just found out that one of your parents is being diagnosed with
[01:00:38] With Alzheimer's, whatever it is.
[01:00:41] In the midst of that moment, Jesus has a message for you, just like he had a message for Jairus.
[01:00:48] And here's what it is.
[01:00:49] Look at what it says, verse 36.
[01:00:51] But overhearing what Jesus said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, read this out loud with me.
[01:00:56] It's five words, but it's so powerful.
[01:00:59] This is his message to every one of us today.
[01:01:01] It doesn't matter what your situation, whether you're walking through the lowest valley or on the highest mountain,
[01:01:06] Read what Jesus would say to you just like he would say it to Jairus.
[01:01:10] What does he say?
[01:01:11] Read this out loud.
[01:01:11] Do not what?
[01:01:13] Don't fear.
[01:01:14] Don't let fear overtake you.
[01:01:16] Don't let the reality of the situation overtake you.
[01:01:19] Look right here at me.
[01:01:21] I'm not saying ignore reality.
[01:01:24] Have you ever met people that always try to put a spin of good on everything that happens?
[01:01:30] And it's like you're ignoring reality, right?
[01:01:33] Sometimes my family gets a little mad at me because of my eternal positivity.
[01:01:38] They're like, just say it's terrible, Dad.
[01:01:40] Like, why do you got to put a silver lining on it?
[01:01:42] Like, this is ridiculous.
[01:01:44] Just say this, right?
[01:01:46] I'm not telling you to be the eternal optimist.
[01:01:49] Jesus looks at him and he says, the situation is dire.
[01:01:55] She is dead.
[01:01:56] Don't fear.
[01:01:59] Don't let fear in the midst of the dead situation overtake you.
[01:02:03] But then he tells him these two words.
[01:02:06] What does he say?
[01:02:07] It's not just don't fear.
[01:02:08] It's only what?
[01:02:10] In the words of the great theologians, like they actually knew the Greek from this.
[01:02:16] It's a band called Journey.
[01:02:18] Don't stop believing.
[01:02:19] Like this is what it means.
[01:02:21] Keep on believing.
[01:02:23] It's a continuous thing.
[01:02:24] You believed up until the darkest moment.
[01:02:28] Now that the darkest moment has happened, don't stop believing.
[01:02:31] He's still the mighty God.
[01:02:34] Here's what he's saying.
[01:02:36] Maybe some of you just need to jot this down.
[01:02:38] Here's God's message for you today.
[01:02:40] You can accept the reality and refuse the finality as long as you believe that Jesus is the mighty God.
[01:02:50] I'm not saying don't say it's dead.
[01:02:52] Say it's dead.
[01:02:54] I'm not saying, don't say it's broken.
[01:02:56] Say it's broken.
[01:02:57] Say it's hopeless.
[01:02:59] Say it's beyond repair.
[01:03:01] Accept the reality.
[01:03:02] But you can have two things that are true at the same time.
[01:03:05] You can accept the reality and refuse the finality because you know that there is one who is a mighty God who all things are possible with Him.
[01:03:17] Right?
[01:03:17] You can accept the reality but refuse the finality.
[01:03:20] Well, it's not the end.
[01:03:22] It may not turn out like I hope it turns out.
[01:03:24] He may not answer the exact way that I want him to.
[01:03:27] It might not be next week that my kid comes back to Jesus.
[01:03:30] It may not be next month that my marriage is restored.
[01:03:33] It may not be that I get the financial blessing that I'm praying for.
[01:03:36] It may not be that he says yes or no to the healing.
[01:03:40] I don't know, but here's the deal.
[01:03:42] In the midst of this situation, I can accept the reality and refuse the finality.
[01:03:46] This is not the final word.
[01:03:49] The mighty God can take even things that people mean for evil against you.
[01:03:54] I'm not saying it's good what they did.
[01:03:55] But God is so powerful it's not the end of the story.
[01:04:00] He's so powerful.
[01:04:02] He's the mighty God who has all power to accomplish every one of God's purposes.
[01:04:08] He can take even the evil and then somehow spin it around and bring good things out of it.
[01:04:14] I'm not saying the thing was good.
[01:04:16] I'm saying what He's going to produce out of the pain is good.
[01:04:21] Do you see it?
[01:04:21] He's the mighty God.
[01:04:23] And some of you today, you're saying, I need to accept the reality.
[01:04:27] Yes, do, but refuse the finality.
[01:04:30] Because you can say, I still am going to keep on believing that He is the mighty God.
[01:04:37] Have you seen him be the mighty God before?
[01:04:40] Have you seen him be your provider?
[01:04:41] Have you seen him be the healer?
[01:04:43] Have you seen him be the restorer?
[01:04:44] Have you seen him be the one who speaks hope and breathes life into dead situations?
[01:04:49] He's still that God.
[01:04:50] So you can accept the reality but refuse the finality of it.
[01:04:56] This man keeps on believing.
[01:04:57] Look at what he says.
[01:04:58] Verse 37, And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John.
[01:05:03] verse 38 so they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue and Jesus saw a commotion people weeping and what what's it say wailing loudly it had been some time they had already hired the professional mourners so in Jewish culture you were required to have at least three mourners one flute player and two wailers right can you imagine putting that on your LinkedIn resume I can go to decibels of crying nobody can do like there's nobody who can cry like I can cry right
[01:05:33] and so they're there they're crying over this 12 year old girl who is now gone and Jesus comes into the midst of that look what he says verse 39 and when he entered he said to them why are you making such a commotion and weeping the child's not dead but she's sleeping this this is a euphemism for death right people who fall asleep in death like that's what he's meaning look what it says verse 40 their reaction is strange what does it say and they what laughed at him
[01:06:03] Sleeping?
[01:06:05] We already got paid.
[01:06:07] Like, we're here.
[01:06:07] We're not dumb people.
[01:06:08] We know the difference between sleep and death.
[01:06:13] And Jesus, look at what he does.
[01:06:15] Do you know Jesus is the master of every house he enters?
[01:06:18] It's Jairus' house, but Jesus is the master.
[01:06:21] Look what he says.
[01:06:22] He put them all outside and he took the child's father and mother and those who were with him.
[01:06:26] That's Peter, James, and John.
[01:06:28] And he went in where the child was.
[01:06:29] Look right here.
[01:06:30] Their unbelief doesn't stop Jesus from doing the miracle.
[01:06:35] They just don't get to witness it.
[01:06:38] Like Jesus is still able to do it.
[01:06:41] He's not depending on your faith to make the miracle happen.
[01:06:45] He can still do it, but you might not witness it.
[01:06:50] These guys get to witness it because they kept on believing that He was the mighty God who had all power and authority even when it looked hopeless, even when it was dead.
[01:07:01] They accepted the reality but refused the finality.
[01:07:05] And in the midst of this moment, He goes in.
[01:07:07] I love this.
[01:07:08] Jesus breaks the rules.
[01:07:10] He takes her by the hand.
[01:07:11] You weren't supposed to touch dead things or dead people.
[01:07:14] That would make you ceremonially unclean, but Jesus, whenever he touches somebody, he doesn't get unclean, he makes that person clean.
[01:07:21] And in the midst of this, it says, taking her hand, he said to her, Talitha kumeh, this is Aramaic, which means, little girl, I tell you, arise.
[01:07:34] In this moment, this word for little girl, it's a term of endearment, it's a term of affection, it means like, little lamb.
[01:07:41] Little lamb, it's time to get up.
[01:07:44] and in that instant look at what it says verse 42 immediately this is one of Mark's favorite words in his gospel immediately it's always about the power of God immediately the girl got up and she began walking for she was 12 years of age and they were what immediately yeah he loves this word overcome with amazement have you ever had a moment of sheer joy where God does something you never thought he would do
[01:08:09] I mean it looked hopeless it looked dead it looked like the situation was not going to work out and then God did something that shocked you the sheer joy they just can't believe it so much joy and in the moment look at what he tells them I love this verse 43 and he strictly charged them that they should tell nobody and then this is how you know Jesus was a southerner look at what he says the last words read this out loud with me and he told them get that girl something to
[01:08:38] Yeah, you better feed that girl.
[01:08:39] She's hungry.
[01:08:40] Like she needs a biscuit with some honey.
[01:08:42] She's been down for a long time.
[01:08:44] She needs her strength back.
[01:08:45] You better feed that.
[01:08:46] Feed that fever, right?
[01:08:47] Like this is how you know Jesus was in the midst of this story.
[01:08:52] At the end of this story, I want you to know that we have a mighty God.
[01:08:59] I'm not saying your situation isn't dire.
[01:09:03] I'm not saying your situation isn't hopeless.
[01:09:06] I'm not saying your situation isn't terrible.
[01:09:10] You can accept the reality and refuse the finality.
[01:09:15] Because you're going to keep on believing that Jesus is the mighty God.
[01:09:21] Now we don't know if he's going to say yes.
[01:09:25] To every request, right?
[01:09:26] We know that he doesn't sometimes.
[01:09:28] Sometimes instead of the healing physically, he heals us by taking us to be home with him where we never ever have to suffer again.
[01:09:35] Sometimes he doesn't put the pieces back together because he gives us free will and people make choices, right?
[01:09:44] But he tells us to keep on believing that it's not the final chapter.
[01:09:50] He's still writing the story.
[01:09:52] He's still the mighty God even if the healing doesn't come.
[01:09:56] He still can produce something beautiful at the end of the story.
[01:09:59] So today there's some of you in this moment that you're feeling the weight of your situation and I just want to tell you accept the reality and refuse the finality.
[01:10:10] He is still the mighty God.
[01:10:13] So keep on believing.
[01:10:15] There's some of you in the house today that you need to experience the ultimate purpose of Jesus and why He came.
[01:10:21] You heard the kids talk about it.
[01:10:23] He came so that you could be forgiven of every one of your sins and that you could have the Holy Spirit of God attach Himself to you so that you could go through life, every bit of life, with God as your Savior
[01:10:42] Where He never leaves you and never forsakes you and He promises that He will always be there as the mighty God.
[01:10:51] And that the second that you take your last breath, death is not the end because He conquered sin, He conquered death, He conquered hell and the grave and He gives you the gift of life and friendship with Him that lasts forever.
[01:11:05] He's the mighty God.
[01:11:06] Do you know Him like that?
[01:11:09] If you don't, today is your day.
[01:11:10] Today's the day.
[01:11:12] You can't even want a relationship with God, John chapter 6 says, unless the Spirit of the Father is calling you.
[01:11:22] So if you have any desire at all to know Jesus like that as the mighty God, as your Savior, it's because the Spirit Himself, like John 3 says, He's blowing.
[01:11:35] You may not see Him, but you can feel what He's doing.
[01:11:39] And in this moment, you have a decision to make.
[01:11:42] You have to receive Him as your Savior.
[01:11:46] You receive the gift of salvation.
[01:11:49] The Bible says in Romans 10 that if you confess with your mouth,
[01:11:52] Jesus is Lord that you're not gonna be in charge of your life we make terrible gods but but you're gonna surrender your whole life to him and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead that means what he did on the cross somehow that paid all of the wrong things you've done on your account until it was paid in full and you're forgiven
[01:12:15] it says if you believe that and you confess that then in that moment you're saved the Holy Spirit of God comes and joins himself to you and awakens a part of you that you didn't even know ever existed he wipes your sleep clean and he puts his spirit in you and you start to live and think a brand new way and you have this mighty God who is your savior
[01:12:41] If you'd like to do that today, this is the moment.
[01:12:44] You can ask Him.
[01:12:46] You can tell Him that I want to receive that.
[01:12:47] Would you just pray with me this morning?
[01:12:49] If that's you and you've never done that, would you just say, Dear Jesus, that's what I want.
[01:12:55] I want to know you like that.
[01:12:56] I want to know you as the mighty God.
[01:12:58] I want to know you as my Savior.
[01:13:01] I want to know you as Lord where I don't lead my life anymore.
[01:13:05] I surrender everything over to you.
[01:13:08] I believe what you did on the cross somehow paid for my sins so I don't have to pay for them.
[01:13:15] I accept the gift of your payment in my place.
[01:13:20] I believe that you came back from the dead so you can give me life that starts right now and lasts forever.
[01:13:27] I want to know you like that, Jesus.
[01:13:30] if you pray that today you need to do what the shepherds did you got to tell somebody that's the first thing you should do so on that little response card that nick talked about earlier the little blue card on the seat back in front of you put your name and address flip it on the back and it says i prayed to receive jesus as my savior and lord check that box and then take that with you to the the connect booth across the lobby they have a book that they want to give you about what you do now that you started this journey with jesus i'm so excited for you
[01:13:59] For those of you in the house that are a believer this season, you may be walking through the darkest night of your soul.
[01:14:08] And I want to tell you, don't fear.
[01:14:12] Keep on believing.
[01:14:16] He is the mighty God.
[01:14:20] He's the mighty God.
[01:14:22] You can accept reality and refuse the finality.
[01:14:25] He's not done writing the story.
[01:14:28] He's so powerful.
[01:14:30] Would you just call out to Him about your situation?
[01:14:33] Maybe you're addicted to something and you haven't been able to get free.
[01:14:38] Call out to the mighty God right now.
[01:14:42] There's some of you in relational situations, whether it's dating or marriage or a relationship with a kid or a relationship with a parent that's estranged and it's dead, it's hopeless.
[01:14:52] Just keep on believing.
[01:14:55] And in this moment, say, Jesus, would you show yourself to be the mighty God?
[01:15:00] I talked to a woman after first service and she said I just got the diagnosis I got stage 3 of stage 7 Alzheimer's and the doctor told me this week and you know what if this would have been a few years ago I would have been so afraid and living and terrified with fear but you know what's different now I have Jesus in me and so I've got peace even though I'm still scared I have peace that's attached to it
[01:15:26] That's what it's like to know the mighty God.
[01:15:29] There's some of you that you're in a tough financial situation.
[01:15:33] I can't tell you how many times I've seen the Lord provide.
[01:15:36] If you can't pay your bills, please let us know as a church family like we would love.
[01:15:41] Our goal is to make sure there's not a needy person among those that call this their church family.
[01:15:47] We'd love to help if we can.
[01:15:49] Maybe God wants to provide that way or maybe He's going to provide with an unexpected job or an unexpected thing.
[01:15:56] Don't stop believing.
[01:15:58] He's still the provider.
[01:16:00] He's still the healer.
[01:16:01] He's still the restorer.
[01:16:02] He's still the one that puts broken things back together.
[01:16:05] There's some of you that are hung up on one particular sin.
[01:16:08] and your flesh keeps breaking you over and over and over and over again and I want to tell you this year is the year where the mighty God shows you victory.
[01:16:21] Don't stop believing.
[01:16:25] He's the mighty God who has all power to accomplish every one of God's purposes.
[01:16:32] Lord would you help us all believe it?
[01:16:35] Would you help us all receive that?
[01:16:37] In the name of Jesus and all God's people said, Amen.
[01:16:55] you can pick those up or you can find it on our Instagram page or Facebook page or on my personal one so make sure you grab that and then also as a way to leave we want to encourage other people with some hope and so we have a relationship with a pediatric oncologist at Levine's Cancer Institute down in Charlotte and on the cards on the table you'll see these greeting cards and we'd love just to send some encouragement to people that may be fighting a really difficult some feeling like it's a hopeless situation
[01:17:24] and so these are Christmas cards there's little kid ones on this side and you can write a little card for a kid make sure you say from Christ Community Church Family at the bottom of it on this side of the lobby there's cards for their parents and so about 40 percent
[01:17:41] of the Patients have Spanish as their first language and so I know we have lots of Spanish speakers in our house and so if you can write a card in Spanish we have a basket for that as well whether it's for kids or for the adults but we would love to be able to give these cards as a little message of encouragement and hope that we're believing in the mighty God and we're praying for them this Christmas that the Lord would be with them and they'd feel his peace whatever they're walking through all right
[01:18:11] So make sure that you do that this week.
[01:18:13] Would you stand?
[01:18:15] You can fill out the card right there at the table.
[01:18:17] Make sure you put from your Christ Community Church family.
[01:18:19] Come back and see us next Sunday for the candlelight service.
[01:18:22] Let me pray a prayer of blessing over you.
[01:18:23] Would you close your eyes?
[01:18:25] May the Lord bless you.
[01:18:26] May the Lord keep you.
[01:18:27] May His face shine upon you.
[01:18:28] May He lift up His countenance over you and give you the peace that passes all understanding.
[01:18:34] Even in the midst of hopeless situations, may you always believe and see Jesus is the mighty God who has all power and all authority to still make all things possible for those who believe.
[01:18:47] And all God's people said, Amen.
[01:18:49] Have a great Sunday.