Matthew 13:16-17

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

You are blessed…because of what you’ve seen, what you’ve heard, and where you are.

Some people think you’re crazy.  Know why they think you’re crazy?  Because they haven’t seen what you’ve seen.

Charlotte didn’t need another church; Charlotte needed a move of God.

A rumor is something a stupid person says when they don’t know the truth.

Most “Christian prayers” are a joke, and nothing more than gossip.

I love how people call this a feel good church…what do you want, a feel bad church?!

This church is a great church – but it will be greater the more you love, the more you serve, the more you give.

When you gather with the church, you gather with the most powerful people in the world.  People who have the potential and message to change the world.

Resonated with these closing thoughts from Steven Furtick:

Sometimes the battle wears you down so much that when the victories come you’re too tired to enjoy them.  Let’s not get so weary from the battles that we don’t thank and praise God for the victories.

Night 4 included Christine Caine from Hillsong Church. Besides a killer accent, she’s a gifted speaker. Each time I’ve heard her speak I’ve heard God speak – I’ve gone away challenged and inspired.

Here’s some takeaways from her message tonight:

We serve a God who doesn’t believe in expiration dates. (Sarah – Heb. 11:11)

Do you remember when you first got saved, before you were educated to be cynical? When did you stop just believing God for radical things?

The reason there is so much darkness is because of the absence of light.

We will not rationalize God, we will not shrink God. There’s nothing our God cannot do.

We confuse OUR due date with GOD’S appointed time.

God cannot move where there is doubt and cynicism and fear.

When we don’t think anything is going on, it may be that God is preparing us for what he has already prepared for us.

Sometimes we put expiration dates on things HE hasn’t put an expiration date on.

Sometimes we think we’re the 4th part of the Trinity.  The Trinity seems to be functioning just fine without you.

Sometimes God asks:  do you trust me in the gap?

When you try to prematurely do what you think God should have done, you will give birth to “Ishmaels” all through out your life.

Good news:  even if you have given birth to “Ishmaels”, there’s still hope for an “Isaac” in your future.  He’s the God of a second chance – HIS will, HIS timing will be accomplished.

“Happiness and joy are not the same thing. Happiness can be taken from you in a second; ultimately you don’t control happiness. I am not interested in boosting your happiness – I believe it’s cheap and it will not sustain you for the journey God has you on.  I’m after your joy, and sometimes getting to joy stings.”

You live long enough, you’ll bleed. You’ll experience loss. Your strength will fail you. (Ecclesiastes 12)

Read Psalm 23 wrong, and you’ll think it’s all about you – “God is really into me.”  But God’s motivation is always his glory, his name, his renown.  All through the Scriptures, the works of God are expressed “for the glory of HIS name”.

Everything you own is the stuff of future garage sales and dumps.  Only Jesus remains.

God loves to use guys it doesn’t make much sense to use.

I’m gonna make much of me through you, so let’s go. And I’m gonna wound you along the way because I love you too much to let you get puff-headed. So I’m gonna wound you, give you tears, give you enemies – because i love you so much and it’s all for the praise of my glorious grace.

Since God is for himself above being for you – two huge things:

• He is not after my begrudging submission; he’s about my joy. Heaven isn’t a place for people who don’t want hell, it’s a place for people who love God.  All the commands of God are to lead you into greater life and greater joy, rather than your way – which doesn’t work.  Greater life is found in obedience.

• If God is about God, then you are not the center of the universe.

Almost all the conflict in your life is built on your belief that the world is about you. The more the world is about you, the more angry and tired you’ll be.  The more it’s not about you, the more free you’ll be.

The Apostle Paul…untouchable. you couldn’t do anything to him, couldn’t touch him.  Shipwrecked, stoned, beaten, etc.

• “We’ll kill you.” To die is gain.
• “We’ll leave you alone.” To live is Christ.
• “We’ll torture you.”  I do not consider these sufferings to compare with the glory ahead.
• “We’re gonna put you in prison.”  Well give me a hymnal, cuz I’m going to convert your guards.
  

Couldn’t touch him – in all things he was free!

God so owns the glory in your salvation that no one should walk with a swagger, and no one should walk with a limp.

Israel never did well with the blessing, they only did well with a whack to the head.

Is anyone a worse enemy to you then you are? anyone lied to you more than you have?

The law was given because you can’t, and in your can’t you’ll look for a Savior.

God is not in love with some future version of you.  The cross of Christ is this glaring acknowledgment that all of us fall short.

Being a church person and not a Jesus person is like being engaged but not married; it’s miserable.

If you can catch a night or two – I really encourage you to.  I’m being fed, stretched, convicted, and inspired.  You might, too.  Click here for info.

Leslee and I had an opportunity to visit Elevation Church in August '10.  Elevation is a dynamic church experiencing God's favor in unreal ways. The visit was powerful and influential for us, both personally and on how we do ministry.

Elevation is hosting their version of an "old-school revival", 12 nights of preaching - calling it "Code Orange".  Since we can't get there in person (the 2305 miles to Charlotte, NC are just out of driving distance) we're catching it online.  Leslee and I are leaning in, energized to hear from God through the worship and teaching.

You can catch it online by clicking here.  They'll be doing a couple replays each day as well.

I'm taking notes, so thought I'd share them.  Here are key takeaways from night one.

Value One at Elevation:  We Act in Audacious Faith.

• Romans 4:19 - Abraham had a promise that didn't match up with his reality.

• Face the facts, but keep the faith.  God's truth is greater than our facts.

• Mark 10 - Bartimaeus - they told him to shut-up.  So he cried out all the more.  And Jesus brought healing.  Good thing he didn't shut up.

Be an Idiot For Christ:

When someone says "bless your heart", they're really saying you're an idiot.