galatians: live free i no longer live (north)…galatians: live free | i no longer live (north)...

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Transcript July 16, 2017

Galatians: Live Free | I No Longer Live (North) Petie Kinder | Galatians 4

Ifthisisyourfirsttime,we’rethrilledtohaveyou.Myname’sPetie.I’macampuspastoratourDowntownlocationthatjustopenedearlierthisyear.I’mgoingtocontinuethelovetrainthatDavidCuppstartedandjustappreciatesomepeople.Firstoff,ya’llneedtoknowthereareveryfewSundaysthatpassattheDowntowncampuswhereIdon’thaveatleastonepersonfromtheNorthcampuswhohascomedowntovisitandtosayheyandtoencourageandtoprayforus.Thatisjustwhoyouguysare.It’sanaturalout-flowing.Youallarethemostencouragingcampus.Youallpavedthewayforusinsomanyways,likeDavidwassaying.Ibelievethatthatspiritofencouragementthatcomesfromyouguysisareflectionofleadership.YourememberthegreatclassicmoviethatshouldhavewonanOscar,RemembertheTitans.Ifyou’veneverseenthatmovie,ABCeveryotherweekplaysit,Ithink.It’slikeonloop.ItseemslikeeverytimeIturntheTVonthatmovie’son.There’sthatclassiclineinthere,“AttitudereflectsLeadership,Cap’n.”Yourencouragementisanover-flowoftheleaderthatyou’vehadforthepastcoupleyears,GregAnderson.Yeah,youcangivehimahandrightnow.I’mgoingtoloveonhimalittlemorethanthat.Iknowyouallknowwhatagreatleaderyou’vehadwhohasgottenthisthingstartedandhelpedyouallgettowherewearenow,butyouneedtoknowonapersonallevel,justasafriend,hehasbeenthebestfriendthatIcould’veaskedforoverthepastyear.HecallsmereligiouslyafterSundayservicesareovertojustcheckonmeandtoseehowthingswentDowntownandjusttoencourageme.He’sbeentheretogivemecouragewhenIneededit,togivemeloveandsupportwhenIneededit.He’smademeabetterfriend,abetterpastor,abetterhusband,abetterfather.Ijustcan’ttellyouhowmuchhisfriendshiphasmeanttome.Soyouneedtoknowthattheleaderyouguyshavehadhasnotjustbeenblessingyouguys;he’sbeenblessingusDowntown,andnow,ashetransitionsintothisnewroleasXPforourwholechurch,manhe’sgoingtoblessthewholechurch.I’msoexcitedaboutthisnextseasonforushereatTrader’sPoint.I’mgoingtotakeanothersecondandtalkaboutthemanthatyouhaveatthehelmsteppingintothecampuspastorrolenow,AaronHoover.YouallbetterclapforhimbecauseI’mgoingtotellyouthesamethingaboutAaronHooverthatIsaytoeverybody.AnytimesomeoneasksmeaboutAaronHoover,Isaytheexactsamethingeverytime.He’sagoodlookingman.No,I’msaying:

Galatians:LiveFree|INoLongerLive(North)July16,2017

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Heisagood-lookingman.IsaythesamethingaboutAaronHoovereverytimethatsomeoneasksmeabouthim,andit’sthis.Therearecertainpeoplethatwhenyousitdownacrossthetablefromthemandyouhaveaconversation,youcanjusttellbythewaytheycarrythemselves,bythewaytheytalk,bythewaytheywalk,bythewaytheypray,byeverythingaboutthem,youcanjusttellthattheyhavespentasignificantamountoftimewithJesus.AaronHooveristhatman.AaronHooverisoneofthoseguysthateverytimeItalktohim,hesomehow,somewayleadsmeclosertoJesus.That’sthekindofleaderyouhaveatthehelm.He’shumble.He’shungry.He’sgotgiftsthathedoesn’tevenfullyunderstandhowmuchGodhasblessedhim,butyouallareabouttobeblessedbyit.Ihavenodoubtsaboutyourfuture.I’mgoingtosaythatkindofasthelastthingandI’llfinallygettopreaching.Youallhavehadsomegreatdaysbehindyou.YouallarewhatIcalltheOGcampus,theoriginalgangstacampus.You’reliketheonesthatwentbeforeeverybody.Everybodywaslike,“Multi-site’snotathing.It’snotgoingtowork.”Boom.Northcampusprovingthemwrong,justblockingoutthehaters,doingyourthing.Youallhavehadgreatdaysbehindyou:baptisms,thousandsofpeoplecome.It’sunbelievablewhat’shappeninghere.It’sbecauseyou’vebeenhumbleandhungryandyoufollowHim.You’vetrustedHim,andit’sincredible.ButI’mtellingyou,therearestillthousandsofpeopleinthiscommunitythatdonotknowJesusandwhoneedtoknowwhatyouguysknow,whoneedtoexperiencewhatyouguyshaveexperienced.Isaythattosay,“Yeah,you’vehadsomegooddaysinthepast,butyourglorydaysarewayaheadofyou.”Thereisstillsomuchworktobedoneinthiscommunity,andI’mthrilledtoseeGodusingHooverandyouguystokeepgoing.GrabyourBible.Wehavetostopthelovetrain,man.Lovetrain’sgottacometoahalt.Galatians,chapter4—ifyou’vegotaBible,getthere.Ifyoudon’t,noworries;they’llhavetheversesrightbehindmeonthescreenforyou.WeareinaseriesgoingthroughthebookofGalatiansrightnow.Ifyoumissedit,youhavetocheckitoutonline.I’velovedallofthemessagesinthisseriessofar,tpcc.orgiswhereyoucanfindallofthem.Also,bytheway,justsoyouknow,ifthisisyourfirsttime,ourleadpastor,AaronBrockett,isactuallytheonewhoyouwouldnormallyhearpreachingaboutthistime.Rightnow,he’sonastudybreak.Oureldersgivehimastudybreakeveryyearjusttokindofgetawayandrefuel



andrechargebeforehejumpsintothefallsemester,andsothat’swhyyou’restuckwithmetoday.Buthe’llbebackinhereinjustafewweeks.ThisseriesonGalatians,we’vegivenitasubtitle,andthesubtitleisLiveFree.NowIlovethatsubtitlesomuch.Ifyou’rehereandyou’renotlikeachurchgoer,youknowexactlywhatI’mabouttosay.WhenyouthinkofgoingtochurchandyouthinkofChristianity,oneofthelastthingsyouwouldeverthinkofislivefree.WhenmostpeoplethinkofgoingtochurchandthinkaboutChristianity,theythinkoflikeliverestricted.TheillustrationIalwaysusewithourDowntowncrowdisthatwhenmostpeoplethinkofChristianity,theythinkofTommyBoy,ChrisFarley,“fatguyinalittlecoat.”It’slikeChristianityisthethingthatholdsyourarmsdown.It’slike“fatguyinalittlecoat,”andthenripsthewholething.Forreal,whenpeoplethinkofChristianity,theythinkofliketherulesandyou’retellingmewhatnottodoandthatIhavetowatchwhatIthink,IhavetowatchwhatIsay,IhavetowatchwhatIdo,andIhavetogivemoremoney.It’sjustathingyouwanttogetoff,soyoushakeitoffalittlebit.That’sthereasonIlovethissubtitlesomuch.BecausewhatI’vecometoexperience—whatmanypeopleinthisroomhavecometoexperience—isthatthegreatestandtruestexpressionoffreedomthatwe’vefoundinthisworldisfoundinthemidstofarelationshipwithJesus.IhopeandIpray,ifyou’reheretodayandyou’venotexperiencedthat,thatmaybetodayisthestartofyouexperiencingthat.Whatwe’regoingtodotodayiswe’regoingtotalkthroughsomethingthatIbelievehasthepowertosetyoufreeevenfurther.Nowhere’smykindofdisclaimer.Ibelieve,inmyexperience,thatmostpeopledon’tlivefreewhetheryou’reChristianornot.SomeofyouhavebeeninchurchforalongtimeandbeenfollowingJesusforalongtimeandyouwouldnotsaythatyoulivefree.Youwouldnotsaythatfreedomisawordtodescribeyourlife.Idon’tthinkmostpeoplelivefree.Ithinkmostpeopleliveinfear.Andfearisoftentimeskindoftheantithesisoffreedom.YouthinkbacktoeventslikeSeptember11.September11wasaprimeexampleoffearkindofinfringinguponourfreedom.Whenthathappened,wehadtobealotmorecarefulaboutwhatwedid,andairportsecuritychanged.We’reallkindofwalkingaroundwithalittlebitofaloomingfearafterthat.Butthenyougetdownonapersonallevel.Someofyouinthisroomrightnowaredealingwithsomesituationsatworkthatarecausingyoutofear.Itmaybeaconflictwithsomebodythatyouknowyou’vegottoresolve.Itmayseemsmall,butyou’resonervousabouthavingthatconversation.It’slikefearisjustrunningaroundinyourhead.



Ormaybeyou’reseeingabunchofpeoplegetlaidoffandyou’rewondering,“AmIinthenextgroup?AmIgoingtomakethecut?Andifso,whatdoourfinanceslooklike?”andyourmindjuststartsracing,“Fear,fear,fear,fear,fear.”Ifanyofyouareparentsintheroom,Idon’tknowthatthere’sagreaterfear-inducingventureinlifethanhavingkids.Itdoesn’tmatterifyourkidsareindiapersorifthey’regoingtogotocollege,there’saconstantloominganxiety.Aretheygoingtomakeit?Aretheygoingtobeokay?What’sgoingtohappentothem?DidIdoagoodenoughjob?DidIsetthemup?DidIpreparethem?It’sjustconstant.Ithinkmostofusliveinfear,notfreedom.Whatwe’regoingtotalkabouttodayisfoursimpleversesfromGalatianschapter4thatIbelievehavethepowertosetyoufreefromthatfearandhelpyoulivefree,likea24/7,365,all-dayfreedombecauseofthisillustration.Now,I’mbuildingthatillustrationupasaverypowerful,verybeautiful,veryinspiringillustration,butI’mgoingtogiveyoualittledisclaimer,alittlewarning.Andthewarningisthis:Alongwiththebeautyandthepowerofthisillustrationwe’regoingtotalkaboutitisalso,atthesametime,wildlyoffensive.Somepeoplearegoingtohearthisillustration,you’regoingtothinkthroughit,andyouaregoingtobeoffended.Guaranteed.Butifyoucanworkthroughtheoffensivenessofit,Ibelievethere’salotoffreedomtobefoundinit.Let’sjumpin,Galatianschapter4,startinginverse4.Youallready?Fivepeople.Thatwasthreemorethanfirstservice,sowe’regrowing.Galatians4:4.Let’sstart.Itsays,“Butwhentherighttimecame,GodsentHisSon,bornofwoman,subjecttothelaw.GodsentHimtobuyfreedomforuswhowereslavestothelaw,”nowpauseforjustasecond.Thisiskindofalittleone-linesummaryofwherewe’vebeenforthepastthreeweeks.We’vebeentalkingaboutthelawandabouthowJesusdiedtosetusfreefromtheneedtopleaseGod,butthatbecauseofJesus’deathonthecross,wecannowbefreefromthat.Godlovesusforwhoweare.Heacceptsusaswearerightnow.Wedon’thavetoworryaboutearningHislove.Thathaskindofbeenthepastthreeweeks,butnowHe’sgoingtotakeitastepfurther.Hesaysthis,“...sothatHecouldadoptusasHisveryownchildren.AndbecauseweareHischildren,GodhassenttheSpiritofHisSonintoourhearts,promptingustocallout,‘Abba,Father.’NowyouarenolongeraslavebutGod’sownchild.”Thewordwe’regoingtocenteraroundforalittlebitisthatwordadoptandtheanalogy,ortheillustration,ofadoption.Again,atfirstglance,whenyoureadit,you’regoingtodowhatmostofusdowhenyoureadtheBible.It’slike,“Ah,that’ssweet;that’scute.Itsoundslikeagood



spiritualHallmarkcard.ItprobablyisonaHallmarkcard,”andthenjustmoveontothenextverse.ButwehavetositonthisforalittlebitbecausewhatthatversemeansisthatfromGod’sperspective,youandI,weneededtobeadopted.Justletthatsitforasecond.Youneeded,andsomeofyoustillneed,tobeadoptedfromGod’sperspective.Ifyou’realogicalpersonandyou’rethinkingthroughthis,youarealreadyprobablyalittlebitoffendedandmaybegrabbingyourbagsandgettingreadytoheadforthedoorbecauseyouknowthatifyouneedtobeadopted,therearesomethingsthatyoualsohavetosayaretrueaboutyourself.Forinstance,ifyouneedtobeadopted,ifweneedtobeadopted,thenwehavetoadmitthatfromGod’sperspective,whatHe’ssayingaboutusisthatwearehopeless.Wearehopeless.Wedon’thaveafutureinfrontofuswithoutGod.We’vegotnobodylookingoutforus.Here’sthethingwithadoptionsituations:Mostofthemarehopeless.Mostpeoplewhoareinsituationswheretheyneedtobeadoptedareinahopelesssituation.Letmegiveyousomecontextforthatstatement.TheyearpriortouslaunchingtheDowntowncampus—welaunchedDowntownJanuary1.SotheyearbeforethatIspentthewholeyearreallyworkingonpreparingtheteamandlivinginthecommunity,tryingtogettoknowdowntownbetterandjustreallylearninghowGod’salreadyworkingdowntownandhowcouldwegoaheadandjoinin.God’sdoingsomanyincrediblethingsinlittlepocketsofthecity.It’sverycooltosee.ButoneofthemeetingsIhadduringthatyearwasameetingwithaladywhoworksfortheChildren’sBureau.TheChildren’sBureauworksprimarilywithkidswhoareinthefostercaresystemwithinourcity.Whenwethinkofadoption,wenormallythinkoflikeababy,adoptayoungchild,butwhatshedidisshecametothismeetingandshebroughtmeacatalog.Shesatitonthedesk.Shesaid,“Hey,justtakealookatthis.”Iopeneditup,anditwashundredsofprofiles,pictures,anddescriptionsofteenagerswhoarecurrentlylivingingroupfosterhomesinourcity.I’mnotsayingthey’relikewithafosterfamily;they’reinagroupfosterhomewithabunchofotherfosterkidsandafewoversights.Theyare13to17.Shesaidtheyneedtobeadopted.Itwascrazybecauseitwasn’tthisfar-offdistantthing.Itwaslikerighthereinourcity,withinafewmilesofus.Mymindstartedracing.Iaskedheraquestion.Isaid,“Alright,I’vegotallthesethoughts,alltheseideasrightnow.Tellmewhat’sthegoal?”I’mlookingatthesekidsonsomeofthesepageswhoare17yearsold.They’vegotlessthanayearleftuntilthey’relegaladults.Then



theycangooffanddowhatevertheywanttodo.SoIsaid,“What’sthegoalinadoptinga17-year-old?Whatgoodcanwepossiblydofora17-year-oldwhenwehavetheminthehouseforafewmonths?What’sthegoal?”Shesaid,“Well,it’sactuallyreallysimple.Thetruthisthateverybodyneedssomebody.”Everybodyneedssomebody.Everybodyneedssomeonetheycancallwhenlifehitsthefanandtheyknowthey’regoingtobethereforthem.Really,whatthesekidsneedistheyjustneedaplacethattheycancallhomeonThanksgivingandChristmas.IftheyhadaplacetheycouldgoonThanksgivingandChristmasandafamilytheyknewtheycouldcallwhenthey’rereallystruggling,itwouldactuallychangealotintheirlife.ThenIaskedtheoppositeofthequestion.Isaid,“Walkmethroughwhathappensifnobodyadoptsthem.A17-year-old,nobodyadoptsthem.What’sgoingtohappentothem?”Shesaid,“Well,Ican’tsay100%allthetime,butavastmajorityofthetime,whathappensisthattheydeclinetoparticipateinanyofourpost-systemprogramsforyoungadults.Theydeclinethat,theyhitthestreets,theygetintodrugs,andtheyendupinjail.”Ifyoulookatourprisonsrightnow,there’sabigchunkofthemthatarejustkidsthatagedoutofthefostercaresystem.They’rehopeless.Theyhavenofuture.Idon’tsaythattoyoujusttogetyourheartstirringfortheyouthofourcity—that’spartofmyploybecauseIbelieveinministrieslikeLive1:17.AlotofyouguysareapartofLive1:17hereatthiscampus.It’saministrythathelpssupportsafefamilies,fosterfamilies,andadoptivefamilies,andisjustanincredibleministry.Ibelieveinthatsomuch,butthat’sactuallynotthereasonI’mtellingyouaboutthis.I’mnottryingtogiveyouaplugforthat;that’sabyproduct.WhatI’mreallytryingtogetyoutodoistounderstandthatthewaythatyouthoughtjustthenaboutthat17-year-oldthat’sgoingtohitthestreetsandhasnohopeandnofutureinfrontofhim,that’sthewaythatGodviewsyouandmewithoutHim.That’sthehumblepillthatyouhavetoswallow.Theoffenseofitisthat,foraroomofpeopleinthemiddleofCarmelwheremostofusareholdingourown(we’repayingthebills;wegotthemortgage;wegotthekids;we’rethinkingaboutretirement),forallofuswhohaveafutureinmindthatwe’reworkingtoward,Godwouldsay,“You’reactuallyhopeless.”PaulwouldsayitlikethisinEphesians.Chapter2says,“InthosedaysyouwerelivingapartfromChrist…YoulivedinthisworldwithoutGodandwithouthope.”Yougotnohope,accordingtoGod.



Theoffensedoesn’tstopthere.Wekeepgoingwithit.Takethisanalogyfurther.NotonlyisGodsayingthatwe’rehopelesswithoutHim(thatifweneedtobeadoptedwe’rehopeless),He’salsosayingthatwe’rehelpless.SomanypeopleactuallybelievethattheBiblesaysGodonlyhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves—factuallyincorrect,notintheBible.Ifthere’sanythingthatisanti-American,it’s“helpless.”We’reusedtopullingupourbootstrapsandgettingtoworkandfixingtheproblem,thechoose-your-own-destinybooks.Wegettochoose.Wemakedecisions.Wearenothelpless.ButGodwouldactuallysayquitetheopposite.Idon’tknowifyou’veeverfelthelpless,butit’sanawfulfeeling.Thereispossiblynoworsefeelingonthisearththanbeinghelpless.Ihavethreekids.Mykidsareeverythingtome.Ilovethemtodeath.I’vegota5-year-oldsonnamedEmmett,a2-year-oldSonnamedSolomon,andalittle8-month-oldbabygirlnamedTatum.Ifyouwanttoknowwhorunstheworld,it’sgirls.Girlsruntheworld.Myboys,they’llbefine.Theycansurvive.She’sgettingeverythingIhave.Emmett,myfirst-born—lovehimtodeath,awesomekid.Ifyouputthepictureupthere,thisismytwo-year-oldsonnamedSolomon.Don’tletthatsweetphotofoolyou.He’samonster.HeisoneofthecoolestkidsIthinkGodhasevercreated.He’sgotsuchspunk,suchcharacter.Heisjustroughandtumble.He’sallboy.Dudeistoughasnails.Hegetshurtallthetime.Therarethingaboutthisphotoisthattherearenobruisesorcutsontheface.ThatisararethinginSolomon’sworld.Heissorough.He’salwaysgettinghurt.JustonFridaynight,weweredownatCircleCentermalleatingdinnertogetherasafamily,andwe’resittingthereeating.Ilookover,andSolomonhasclimbedthismassivearcadegamesomehow.It’slikean8foottalldeal,andhe’sontopofitjustlikekingoftheworld.Isaid,“Solomon,getdownoffofthearcadegame,”andhestartedtoclimbdown.IlookedatBrittany,andIsaid,“Brittany,youknowthatourkidhasgottenhurtalotintwoyearsandwhenIjusttoldhimtogetoffofthatthingIactuallydidnotcareabouthiswell-beingwhatsoever.Ijustdidn’thavetimetogototheER.Igotalifetolive.IgotthingsIwanttodowithmylife.Iain’ttryingtogetinconveniencedbyatriptothehospital.”That’sjustwhoheis.Hegetshurtallthetime.Notonlydoeshegethurt,whenhegetssick,hegetsrealsick.Hehasnochill.Ifhegetssick,itiszeroto100.Inhistwoyearsoflife,we’vealreadyhadtwoambulanceridestothehospitalbecausewewereactuallyworriedthathemightnotmakeit.



Oneofthemwasatimewhenhegotthisvirusandhegotreallydehydratedquickerthananyonehadexpected.Theytriedtogetaneedleinhimtogivehimfluidsandtheycouldn’t.Hewassodehydrated,andhisorganswerestartingtoshutdown.Wewerelike,“Man,whatishappening?”Thesecondtimewaswhenhegotthisreallybadcough.Itwaslikeacaseofcroup,andsohewascoughing,coughing,coughing.Wetookhimtoanurgentcarecenter,andlowandbehold,hisoxygenlevelsstoopedsolowsoquicklythattheywereworriedabouthimnotbeingabletobreatheandcontinuetogetenoughoxygen,andsotheysaid,“Hey,wegottarushhimtoRileyrightnow.”Ifyou’veeverbeenthereasaparent,there’sanewlevelofpanicthatyougettowhenyoustarttoseethemedicalprofessionalspanic.There’sadifferentlevelof“whatishappening?Thedoctorsandnursesarelosingtheirmind.What’shappening?”Thenthere’sanewlevelitreacheswhentheEMTlooksatyouintheambulanceandsays,“Hey,ifhestopsbreathing,I’llbreatheforhim.”Helpless.Iwastotallyhelpless.MywifeandIweretotallyhelpless.TherewasnothingIcoulddotohelpmyson.Ididn’thavetheskills,theabilities,theintelligence,theknowledge,theresources.Ihadnothingtoofferhimthatwouldhelphim.Iwastotallyhelpless.That’sactuallythewaythatGodviewsyouandme.That’ssooffensivetous,butGodsaysthatweareinsuchabadstate,ourheartisinsuchawickedplace,wearesodarkontheinside,thatthere’snothingwecandotoimproveourstandingwithGod.There’snothingwecandotoeffectually,positivelychangeourtrajectoryinlife.WearehelplessinGod’seyes.PaulwouldactuallywriteitlikethisinRomans3:9.He’sactuallyquotingtheOldTestamenthere.Hesays,“...allpeople,whetherJewsorGentiles,areunderthepowerofsin.AstheScripturessay,‘Nooneisrighteous—notevenone.Nooneistrulywise;nooneisseekingGod.Allhaveturnedaway;allhavebecomeuseless.Noonedoesgood,notasingleone.’”ThisisGodlookingdownathumanityrightnow.“Theirtalkisfoul,likethestenchfromanopengrave.Theirtonguesarefilledwithlies.Snakevenomdripsfromtheirlips.Theirmouthsarefullofcursingandbitterness.Theyrushtocommitmurder.Destructionandmiseryalwaysfollowthem.Theydon’tknowwheretofindpeace.TheyhavenofearofGodatall.”Welcometochurch.ThisishowGodviewsus.ThisiswhatGodactuallysaysrealityis.Whetheryouthinkyoucanhelpyourselfornot,whetheryouthinkyouhaveafutureornot,accordingtoGod’sword,thisisus.Thisisusinitstruest,realestform.Thisisyouandme.Wearehopelessandwearehelpless,andweneedtobeadopted—everysingleoneofus.



Asifthatwasn’toffensiveenough—I’mgoingtokeepgoingwithit.I’mgoingtokeepsteppingonitforjustasecond.I’mgoingtokeepdrivingitdown.We’regoingtogetsouncomfortablewithit—Iwantyoutothinkaboutjusttheconceptofadoptionforasecond.That’sagainpartofthereasonIloveNorthcampus,becauseyouallhavealotofpeopleatthiscampuswhohaveactuallyadoptedkidsandareintheprocessofadoptionrightnowandaresafefamiliesandarefosterfamilies.Youallhavegoneallinonit,whichisincredible,andsoalotofyouintheroomwillbeabletoattesttothisandsayamentoit,whichisadoptioncostsalot.Adoptionscostalotinalotofways.Adoptionistimeconsuming,exhausting,andexpensive.It’stimeconsuming.Someofyouguysarethegoldenchildrenofadoptionandyougotthreemonthsandyouhadababy.Othersofyouknowwhatit’sliketowaityears.It’stimeconsuming.It’sexhausting.Youwanttotalkaboutexhausting—preparingyourheartandpreparingyourhometoreceiveanotherpersoninandwelcomethemintothefamily.I’vewalkedalongsidesomecoupleswhothoughtthattheyweregoingtogetachildandthenlast-minutecircumstanceschangeandtheruggotpulledoutfromunderthem.Theygobackhomeandtheydon’thavethatnewadditiontothefamilythattheythoughttheywould.It’sexhausting.Youwanttotalkaboutexpensive.Backjusttwoyearsago,2015,theaverageadoptiondonethroughanagencyhereintheStatescostover$40,000.It’stimeconsuming,it’sexhausting,andit’sexpensive.IsayallthattosaythatitisnodifferentintheeyesofGod.InorderforyouandItobeadopted,ohit’stimeconsuming.We’reactuallystillinthemiddleofGod’srescueplan;Hisadoptionprocess.HewaitedthousandsofyearstobringJesustostarttherescueplan,andnow,guesswhat?ForallofhumanhistoryGodissittingbackandenactingthisadoptionplan.It’stimeconsuming.It’sgoingtotakehimallofhumanhistorytofinishit.Andexhausting?Youwanttotalkaboutexhausting?Parentsintheroom,youknowthatwhenyourkidactsup,whenyourkiddisobeys,whenyourkidactsafoolyouknowhowexhaustingthatis.Youknowhowexhaustingitistoparent.CanyouimaginehowexhaustedGodis?CanyouimaginehowexhaustedHeiswithmerightnow?He’slike,“Petie,ohmygosh.HowmanytimesdoIhavetotellyou?”Ijustimagineitjusthastobethemostexhaustingthing.IjustknowithastobeexhaustingforHim,becauseover40timesintheBible,itsaysthatHisloveenduresforever.Hislovewouldn’thavetoenduresodangmuchifwedidn’texhaustHimsodangmuch.“WhydoYouhavetokeeptellingusYourloveenduresforever?”



“BecauseI’mexhausted.”It’sexhausting,andit’sexpensive.Youwanttotalkaboutexpensive?Fortygranddoesn’ttouchit.Inordertoadoptyou,itcostGodputtingonfleshandboneandcomingdownhereandstretchingoutHisarmsanddyingoneofthemostgruesome,humiliatingdeathsthatyoucouldeverimagine.That’swhatitcost.ItcostHimeverything.Andthatshouldbeveryoffensivetoyouandmebecausewecan’treceiveagiftoracompliment,muchlesssomeonegivingusalltheirtime,alltheirenergy,andalltheirmoney,alloftheirresources,everythingtheyhave.YouandIcan’tevenreceiveacompliment.Wearesopridefulthatwecan’treceivesomeonegivingusagift.Wecangivegiftsalldaylong,butsomeonegivingusalltheirtime,andthenthatcausingustoquestionlike,“Man,amIthatbad?AmIsobadthatitwouldrequireGodtogiveallthistimeandallthisenergyandalloftheseresourcesjusttosaveme?AmIreallythatbad?”Yes.Itsoundssooffensive.I’mjusttellingyouthatthisisatthecoreofChristianteaching,thecoreoftheGospel,thatifyouwanttoembracefreedom,ifyouwanttobeadoptedasasonoradaughterofGod,ifyouwanttofollowJesus,youhavetocometoaplacewhereyouarewillingtoswallowthehumblepillsof:Iamhopeless,Iamhelpless,anditcostGodeverythingtorescueme.Ifyoucan,getthere.Iknowit’shard.It’ssofunnyfromthepreachingperspective.Icanseehoweveryone’srespondingtoitinthemoment.It’ssofunny,too,becausesomepeoplethinkthatpreachingisjustlike,“He’snotwatchingus;we’rewatchinghim.”No,Iseeyou.WhenIpreachedmyfirstsermonattheNorthwestcampusfouryearsago,Iremembertherewasaguylikesecondrowsleeping.Hewasgone,andIwantedsobadtojuststopthesermonandbelike,“Sir!Excuseme.Iworkedallweekonthis.”IknowatthismomentwhenIsaythisthatforsomeofyou,thismessagehitsyouanditisoffensiveandyouthinkwe’recrazy;youthinkit’scrazy;youthinkthiswholething’scrazy.Thenthereareothersofyouandithitsyouandit’smeltingyourheartrightnow.That’snotbecauseofme;that’sjustGodworkinginyourlife.That’sactuallyhowthisthingworks.Paulwouldactuallysayitlikethisin1Corinthians,“Themessageofthecrossisfoolishtothosewhoareheadedfordestruction!”Tothosewhodon’tbelieve.“ButwewhoarebeingsavedknowitistheverypowerofGod.”Forsomeit’sfoolishandforothersitjustmeltsyourheart.



Ifyoucancometotheplacewhereyoucanhumblyadmitthatyou’rehopeless,you’rehelpless,andthatGodwouldgiveeverythingtorescueyou,ohmygoodness,youarerightthere.Youareonthecuspoffreedom.Youarereadytoexperiencelifetothefulllikeneverbefore.Youknowwhy?BecauseifyoucanembraceadoptionandGodisnowyourFatherinheaven,youhavenothingtofear.Youhavenothingtofeareveragain.Infact,wecanmaybesayitlikethis.Youdon’thavetofearanyoneoranythingbecauseyourFatherownstheplace.Heownsitall.Whywouldyoueverbeafraidanymore?Whywouldyoueverfearanything?Youarenowuntouchable.NothinginthisworldcantouchyoubecauseyourheavenlyFatherownstheworld.Heownseverythinginit.HeisagoodFather.Heknowsexactlywhatyouneed.Youhavenothingtofear.Let’srunbackthroughsomeofthosesituationswesaidearlier.Ifyou’reinthemiddleofajobcircumstancerightnowandyoudon’tknowifyou’regoingtogetlaidoff,youdon’tknowwhatthefuturelookslike,you’renotevensureifyou’resupposedtobeinthatjobmuchlongerandyou’rejustscaredtodeathatthefutureunknown,youdon’thavetobeafraidanymore.YoucanwalkinconfidencebecauseyouknowthatGodhasyou.Thatdoesn’tmeanthatGod’sgoingtokeepyouinthatjob,butthatdoesmeanthatGod’seithergoingtokeepyouinthatjobandHe’sgoingtoblessyouthroughit,or,ifyouhappentogetlaidoff,He’sgoingtowalkwithyouthroughitandHe’sgoingtocareforyouthroughit,andHe’sgoingtogrowyouclosertoHimthroughit,andthenHe’sprobablygoingtoleadyoutosomethingontheothersidethatyou’lllookbackandgo,“Man,thankgoodnessIgotfiredbecauseGod’sgotmeinabetterplacenow.”YouhaveagoodFather.Youdon’thavetofearanymore.Youhavenothingtofear.Thinkaboutyourmarriage.Rightnow,someofyouarethinking,“Idon’tknowifwe’regoingtomakeitthisyear.”You’rescaredtodeathofwhatlifemightlooklikeifyouhavetogothroughdivorce.Well,guesswhat?WhenyourheavenlyFatherownstheplaceandyoubelongtoHim,youdon’thaveathingtofearanymorebecauseeitherGodisgoingtoredeemyourmarriageandrestoreitandrebuilditandit’sgoingtobeanincredibletestimonyofHisfaith.Or,Godisgoingtolovinglywalkyouthroughthatseasonandyou’regoingtodependonHimlikeneverbefore,andyou’regoingtoshareinChrist’ssufferings,andyou’regoingtogettoknowwhatitmeanstogothroughheartbreak,andyou’regoingtocomesoclosetoGodthatontheothersideofityouwillbesothankfulthatGodhasbeenthereforyou.YouwillgrowsoclosetoHim.You’llbesharingthattestimonywitheverybody.YourFatherownstheplace.Youhavenothingtofear.



Iknow(IgetemailsaboutitandIgetprayerrequestsaboutit)someofyouguysgotadiagnosisrecently,oralovedonegotadiagnosisrecentlythatisscaringyoutodeath.Iwantyoutounderstandthatnomatterhowseverethatdiagnosisis,ifyouareanadoptedchildofGod,youhavenothingtofearbecauseyouwilleitherhavethatdiagnosishealed,orGodwillwalkyouthroughitandHewillactuallyuseyourpainandyourmiseryforministry.HewilluseittoleadotherpeopleclosertoHim,evenindeath.Iknowit’ssocrazytothink,butevenindeath,Paulwouldsay:ToliveisChristandtodieisgain.IfIlive,Igettobeherewithyouguys.IgettoshareJesus.IfIdie,IgettogobewithJesus.Eitherway,I’mgood.Guesswhat.Evenindeath,I’veseenit.I’vedonetoomanyfuneralstocount.I’veseenGodusedeathtoleadotherpeopleclosertoHim,toleadotherpeopleintosalvation.Youwineitherway.Yougotnothingtofearanymore.You’reuntouchable.You’reheavenlyFatherownstheplace.Thatiswherefreedomisfound.WhatIloveabouttheversewereadinGalatiansis,thosesituationsIjustdescribedtoyouarebigsituations(jobloss,divorce,death),butformostofus,thestuffthatscaresusiswaysmaller.Formostofus,it’slikethatdifficultconversationIhavetohaveatwork.“Ohmygosh,whataretheygoingtothinkofme?Ohmygosh.”Or,“Myneighborgavemeaweirdlook.Iwonderwhattheythinkofme?”They’renotthinkinganything.They’rewonderingwhatyou’rethinkingofthem.It’stheselittletinythingsinyourheadthatjustsitthereandyou’relike,“Ohmygosh.Whatarewegoingtodo?Idon’tknowwhatwe’regoingtodo,”andyou’reafraidandyougetanxiousandyougetworried.You’reactinglikeitisn’ttrue.I’vebeenaroundforalongtime.IwasbornataveryyoungageandIhavealotofexperiencewithpeople.Firstservicedidn’tgetthatjoke.Theyjustsatthere,andIwaslike,“Ya’llwillgetitonthewayhome.Haveanothercupofcoffee.”WhatIloveaboutthisisthattheversethatwereadactuallytellsusthatthereisnothingtoosmalltotaketoGodinthis.There’snothingtoosmallforyoutosurrenderovertoHimandsay,“IwantYoutoconquerthisfearforme.IwanttotrustYou.IwanttowalkinfreedombecauseYou’remyFatherandYouowntheplace.”Gobackwithmeforjustasecond.ItsaysthisinGalatianschapter4.Itsays,“AndbecauseweareHischildren,GodhassenttheSpiritofHisSonintoourhearts,promptingustocallout,‘Abba,Father.’”Nowifyou’vebeeninchurchforawhile,youprobablyknowwhatthatmeans.Ifyouhaven’tbeeninchurch,that’sallright.Abbaisbasicallykindoflikechildbabble.It’slikedada,daddy.”Again,asadaddywhohassmallchildren,approximately37milliontimesaweekIheardaddy,dada,daddy,daddy.



Butdoyouknowwhat?Itdoesn’tmatterhowsmallarequestitis,whenmykidssay,“Daddy,”theyknowthey’regoingtoheardad’sfootstepswalkingupthestairscomingtocheckonthem,calmingthemdown,andgoingbackdown.Theyknow.Itdoesn’tmatterhowbigorhowsmall,theyneversaydaddyforsomethingbig.It’salwayssomethingsmall,andI’malwaysrightthereforthem.ThereasonwegetthispassageandwesaythatGod’sSpiritinyoupromptsyoutocryout,Daddy,isbecausethereisnothingtoosmallforHimtotakecareof.There’snothingtoosmallforyoutobringtoHimandtosay,“God,I’mstrugglingwiththis.I’mafraidofthis.Ineedyoutocarrymethroughit.Iknowit’scrazy.IfIsaiditoutloud,Iwouldprobablyprocessthroughitonmyown.Iknowhowstupiditis,butI’mjustcomingtoYouandIneedYoutohelpmewithit,”andHe’srightthere.IlovethewayTimKellerputsit.Hesaysthis.“Theonlypersonwhodareswakeupakingat3:00AMforaglassofwaterisachild.Wehavethatkindofaccess.”YouhavenothingtofearbecauseyourFatherownstheplace.Iknowthatforsomeofyouintheroomrightnow,you’venevermadethatdecisiontogiveyourlifetoChristandbecomeafollowerofJesus,butIalsoknowthatforsomeofyouintheroom,you’vebeenfollowingJesusforawhile.Thisisn’tlikeanewthingforyouintermsofyou’renotjustnowbecominganadoptedchildofGod.You’vebeenanadoptedchildofGodforawhile,butyou’relikeme.Youjustforgetit.That’sactuallywhatPaulwasdealingwithinGalatians:AgroupofpeoplewhoknewJesus,theyjustforgotwhotheywere;theyforgottheirstandingwithGod.That’sactuallywhyIgaveyouthiscardwhenyouwalkedintodaythat’sgottheversethatwe’rereadingwrittenrightonit.Ijustwantedtogiveyousomethingtangiblethatyoucouldtakehomeandjustputitsomewheresothatyou’regoingtoreaditoften.I’masimpleguy.Idon’tknowhowtogetstuffstuckdownintomyheartandmyheadunlessIreaditalot.Putitsomewhere.Putitonyourmirror.Putitonyourcardash,somewhereyou’regoingtoseeitoften,somewherewhenyou’reafraidandyou’vegotthosethoughtsthatareswirlinginyourheadandyou’restartingtonotlivefreeanymore,you’restartingtoliveinfear,thatyoucanreadthisandgo,“Okay,phew.MyFatherownstheplace.I’mgood.IcantrustHim.Icanwalkinconfidence.I’mgood.”Weneedthat.Ialsoknowthatasheetofpaperisn’tgoingtofixallyourproblems.It’snotgoingtofixallyourfears.It’snotlikeyou’regoingtohavethissheetofpaperandneverfearagain.That’swhyIactuallythinkthere’sonelastthingIwanttosharewithyoubeforewewrapup,andit’sreally



whatIthinkisoneofthekeystounderstandingthisadoptiondeal.It’sreallytounderstandGod’sattitudeandGod’sdemeanorwhenitcomestoyouradoption.Maybeyou’relikeme.WhenIthinkofGod’sloveforme,I’mlike,“Godlovesme?Yeah.Godloveseverybody,soHehastoloveme,”buttruthfully,whenIthinkofdaddy,likeIcanalwaysyellatDaddy.IcantakeHimanythingIwant.IprobablywouldposemyownfatherhoodonHimalittlebitandgo,“Man,whenIyellDaddy,He’sprobablylikearmscrossed,like,‘Ohmygosh.Ifthatkidgetsoutofbedonemoretime,I’mgoingtoendupinjail.’”Seriously,sometimesmykidsaskdaddyandIdon’thavethatlike,“I’malwayshereforyouasagreatfatherandhearmyfootstepscomingandIloveyou.”No.I’mlike,“Wouldyoushutupandgobacktobed?”Idon’tsaythattothem,butIwantto.SometimesIthinkwehavethatviewofGod,that,“Yeah,HelovesusbecauseHehasto,butprobablydoesn’tlikeus.Whenitcametoadoptingme,He’sprobablyprettymuchjustbotheredbyit.IwasprobablymoreofanannoyancetoHim.Yeah,Iwashopeless,Iwashelpless,andHegaveeverythingforme,butHedidn’tdoitwithmuchjoybecauseI’msuchascrew-up.”Ijustthinkit’sreallyimportanttounderstandGod’sperspectiveinyouradoption.Thispastweek,Iwastryingtogetmyheartreadyandgetmymindreadyforthismessage.IwentonYouTubeandIjusttypedinadoptionstories.Ifyoueverwanttocry,whichIdon’tknowwhyyou’dwanttocry,butifyoueverwanttocry,gotoYouTubeandjusttypeinadoptionstories,andit’sjustatear-fest.You’rejustswimmingintearsbytheend.ButwhatIdidn’tanticipatewas,asIexpectedtosee,likeIsaid,abunchofvideosofnewparentsbringinghometheirbabies.Isawsomeofthose,butmoresowerevideosofolderkids,sometimeseventeenagers,whowereaskingtheirstepmomorstepdadorcaretakertoofficiallyadoptthem.Ididn’tanticipateseeingthat.Theresponseoftheparentsinthis,theresponseofthedadsinthistomewaslike,“Ahman.”IwantyoutowatchthisvideoI’mgoingtoshowyouinjustasecond.IwantyoutothinkthroughGod’sattitudeasaFatherthinkingofadoptingyou.Nowthisvideoisalittleroughontheaudio.You’regoingtohavetokindoflikeleaninalittlebitbecausethere’salotofbackgroundnoise.It’snotlikeaprofessionallyproducedvideo;it’saYouTubevideo.Justleanin,IwantyoutoreallythinkaboutGod’sperspectiveonyouradoption.Youcangoaheadandplayit.Video“Dad,Iknowtodayissupposedtobeallaboutme,buttodayisreallyaboutus.Brandon,Imetyousevenyearsago...butithaschangedtoday.I’velearnedsomuchfromyou.Iaskedmom



what’sthedifferencebetweenastepdadandarealdadbecauseIdon’tgetitsometimes.IknowImetyouwhenIwasjustalittlekid,butyouhavebeenhereforeverything:allmyschoolprogramsandparentconferences,allmysports,everytimeI’msick,whenIactup.Youtakemeeverywhere,likeSanDiego.Sothatmakesyoumyrealdad,right?SotodayIhavesomequestionstoaskyou.Doyouloveme?”“Iloveyou.”“Doyoulovemom?”“Youknowthat.”“Canyoulivewithoutus?”“No.”“Solet’sstopplayingandmakeitofficial.BrandonFrankWilliamson,willyoudomethebiggestfavorintheworld?Willyouadoptme?”PetieThat’stheheartofGodforyouandforme.YouwanttoknowHisdemeanorandHisattitudewhenitcametoyouradoption?NothinggaveHimgreaterjoy.NothingmakesHimhappier.NothingmakesHisheartbeatmorethanforthechancetogettoadoptyou.Yeah,youwerehopeless.Hewantstogiveyouhope.Yeah,youwerehelpless.Hewantstohelpyou.Andyeah,itcostHimeverything.Hegladlygaveitall.HiswordsaysthatforthejoysetbeforeHimheenduredthecross.Youknowwhatthatjoyis?It’syouandme.Helovesyouthatmuch.Helovesmethatmuch.Zephaniah3:17saysitlikethis.Itsays,“FortheLordyourGodislivingamongyou.HeisamightySavior.Hewilltakedelightinyouwithgladness.WithHislove,Hewillcalmallyourfears.Hewillrejoiceoveryouwithjoyfulsongs.”Helovesyoumorethanyoucouldeverimagine.JesuswouldtellitinasimilarstorybysayingthatGodislikeafatherwhowaitsonhisfrontporchforhiswaywardsontocomehome.Nightafternightafternighthesitsthereandwaitsforthepossiblesightofhissonoffinthedistancecomingback.Whenhisson,who’ssquanderedawayeverythingandruinedhislifeandgavehisfathereveryreasontobefrustratedwithhim,whenthatsonfinallycomesback,thefatherdidn’tmeethimwithjudgmentorshameorpunishmentorconsequence,hemethimwithanembraceandakissandamandatorycelebrationbecausehislostsonwasfound.That’sGod’sheartforyou.Godwantssomuchmorethantojustsaveyoufromyoursins.Godisn’tjustofferingfreedom.Godwantstomakeyoufamily.Godwantstomakeyouasonora



daughter.Yousee,whenyoucomeintoarelationshipwithJesus,yourfreedompapersthatyougetfromHimareattachedtoyouradoptionpapers.They’reoneinthesame.Ijustthinkforsomeofyoutoday,that’sgoingtosetyoufree,freeofthefearthat’scripplingyourlife.Forsomeofyouintheroom,it’sgoingtobetheveryfirsttimethatyougiveyourlifetoChrist.YouwouldnotconsideryourselfafollowerofJesus,andtodaymightbethedaythatyoustepupandyousay,“God,I’mreadytobeadopted.I’mreadytoadmitthatI’mhopeless,thatI’mhelpless,andI’mreadytoacceptthistruththatYousacrificeditallforme.I’min.”Ifthat’syou,we’dlovetopraywithyouafterserviceisover.I’llbedownfront.Ourprayerteamswillbedownfront.Forsomeofyou,though,it’sgoingtobethattimewhenyou’vewanderedaway(youalreadybelongtoHim;you’realreadyHissonorHisdaughter),buttoday’sthedaythatyoucomebacktoHimandsay,“I’mgoingtostartlivingfreelikeYoucreatedmetolive.”Regardlessofwhatdecisionitisthatyou’remakingtoday,beforeyoucomeandtalktooneofusaboutit,youneedtotalktoyourFatheraboutit,sowe’regoingtogiveyousometimetodothataswetakecommunion.WetakealittlepieceofbreadandacupofjuicethatsymbolizesHisbodyandHisbloodsacrificedforusonthecross.ThisisachanceforyoutotalktoyourFatherandtothankHimforadoptingyouintoHisfamily.Letmepraythatforyouguys.Jesus,thankYouforYourlove,forYourgrace.Weareforeverchangedbyit.God,Ican’tbelievethatthismorningIwokeupandmysinswereremovedasfarastheeastisfromthewest,thatmyslatewaswipedclean.God,weasapeoplerightnowexpressourgratitudetoYouinthat.WewouldbenowherewithoutYou.We’rehopelesswithoutYou.We’rehelplesswithoutYou.ButGod,Youfilledusupwithhope,andYou’vehelpedusbeyondbelief.WejustloveYouforthat,God.Iprayforanyoneintheroomrightnowwho’sstrugglingtomakethatdecisiontogivetheirlifetoYou,thatYou’dgivethemthecourageandtheconfidencetogetoffthefenceandtostartfollowingYou,tocomehome,toacceptthosefreedompapersandthoseadoptionpapersandbewelcomedintoYourfamily.God,Iprayforthoseinherewhoarestruggling,whostillhavethatloomingfearhangingovertheirheadsandovertheirhearts,thatinthesenextmomentswithYou,God,astheytalktoYouandastheycryouttoYouastheirDaddy,thatYouwouldcalmtheirfear,thatYouwouldhelpthemtowalkinfreedom.WepraythisinJesus’name.Amen.

galatians: live free i no longer live (north)…galatians: live free | i no longer live (north)...

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