Download - Base Camp Keep Climbing: Intentional Discipleship… · There’s nothing mystical about these values. It’s not like I received these on top of Mount Sinai. It’s not like I pulled

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Transcript August 19 and 20, 2017

Base Camp | Keep Climbing: Intentional Discipleship Aaron Brockett | Acts 9:1-19

Goodmorning.Goodtoseeeverybody.Howarewedoing?Good.Goodtoseeyoutoday.Hopeyou’vehadagreatweekendsofar.Ifthisisyourfirsttimetobewithus,Iwanttowelcomeyou.HereattheNorthwestcampus,wouldyoupleaseputyourhandstogetherandsendsomeloveacrossthecameratoourothercampuses:North,Downtown,ourWestcampusesandanybodywatchingonline.We’resothrilledtohaveyouguysjoinus.WearejustsothrilledtoseewhatGodisdoinginandthroughyouthroughoutourcity.Weareinthisseven-weekserieswhereweareworkingthroughoursevenvaluesthatwehaveasachurch.Wedothisevery18to24monthsorsoasarefresherforthoseofuswho’vebeenaroundforawhile,butalsobecausewerecognizethatthereareawholebunchofyouwhowerenotherethelasttimethatwewalkedthroughthis.Soifyou’renewtochurchorifyou’renewtothischurch,youmaynothaverealizedthatachurchevenhasvalues,butwedo.Wehavesevenofthem.There’snothingmysticalaboutthesevalues.It’snotlikeIreceivedtheseontopofMountSinai.It’snotlikeIpulledoffmybestCharltonHestonimpersonationanddrovedowntoBrownCountyandcameupI-65withtwotabletswithsevenvaluesonthem,althoughthatwouldhavebeenawesome.Actually,severalyearsago,therewasagroupofushereinthechurchwholoveJesus,lovethischurch,lovethiscity,andwelockedourselvesinaroomforadayormoreand,justthroughalotofstudyandprayeranddialogueandmaybeonenearfistfight,wecameupwiththesevaluesasachurch.Ourvalues,ifIcoulddescribeittoyou,definewhoweareasachurchandtheydescribewhatwedo.OneofthethingsthatwaskindofjustabucketofwaterinthefaceformewhenIfirstgotintofull-timeministryabout20yearsagowasthattherewereallkindsofsuggestionsforthingsthatwecoulddoasachurch.Evennow,myinboxandmymailboxarefilledwithallkindsofideasfrompeopleinsideofourchurchandoutsideofourchurchwhowantustoparticipateinprogramsandtogivetoward‘thisinitiative.’AsIlookatthem,andasIconsiderthem,Ithinkabout98percentoftheideasthatcomeacrossmydeskarereally,reallygoodideas.Wecoulddothem,butitdoesn’tnecessarilymeanwe

BaseCamp|KeepClimbing:IntentionalDiscipleshipAugust19and20,2017

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shoulddothem.Ifwedideverything,thenitwouldkindofdiluteeverything.Oneofthethingsthathelpsustomakethesedecisionsisourvalues.Butourvaluesareevenmoreimportantthanthat.Ourvaluesarepersonal.Ourvaluesshouldhelpshapethekindofpeoplewearebecoming.Thisisimportantbecauseallofusstillhaveworktodoinourlives.Allofusarestillinprocessmakingprogress.Wearestillgrowing.Infact,raiseyourhandsatallofourcampusesifyou’vearrived.Anybody?I’dliketomeetyouafterwardifyouhave.I’dliketopickupsomepointers.Meneither.Ihavenotarrivedbyanystretchoftheimagination.I’vestillgotworktodo.ThereisstilltoomuchmeinmeandnotenoughJesusinme,andIstillneedtogrow.Oursevenvaluesshouldhelpusinthatprocess.Sowe’vealreadylookedatRelationalEvangelisminweekone.LastweekwelookedatBiblicalAuthority.ThosetwoarefoundationalinthesensethatwithoutJesusandwithoutthetruthofGod’sWord,wehavenothingtoshareandnothingtosaythatisofanyvaluetothisworldandtothepeoplearoundus.Thisisthevaluethatwe’relookingatthisweekend.It’sthisrighthere:IntentionalDiscipleship.Here’swhatwemeanbyit.Wewillintentionallydigourspiritualwells,andthat’showIwantyoutothinkofit.Idon’tknowhowmanyofyouhaveawaterwell,butifyouhaveawaterwell,that’saplaceofreserve.Whenyouneedwater,youhaveawelltodrawfrom.Samethingistruespiritually.Wewanttodigourspiritualwellsdeepthrough—herearethreeways—throughstudy,throughprayer,andthethingIreallywanttodialinonthisweekendisthroughrelationships.Iwanttobreakthisdownjustalittlebit,andwe’llkindofwalkourwaythroughit,kindofunpackit.We’regoingtolookatapassageofScriptureoutofActschapter9.Ithinkthatallofuswouldagreethattheoppositeofintentionalisaccidental.Soifwe’renotintentionalaboutthewaythatwe’relivingourlife,thenit’ssafetosaythatwe’resortofaccidentalinthewaythatwe’relivingourlife.We’rekindofstumblingourwaythrough,makingitupaswekindofgoalong.Ifyouwanttoaccomplishanythinginlifeworthwhile,ifyou’vegotagoalinfrontofyou,thenyouknowthatyou’vegottobeintentionalaboutachievingit.It’snotjustenoughtohaveaplan;you’vegottoactuallyworktheplan.Noneofuseverwanttogettotheendofourlivesandtosaytheselittlewordsrighthere:Man,Imeantto.Imeanttogetaroundtothat.Imeanttoinvestinthatrelationship.ImeanttotakemyrelationshipwithJesusmoreseriously.TheantidotetoImeanttoisintentional.Iwanttogiveusthisdefinitionoftheworddisciplehere.Theworddisciplejustmeanslearner.



IwanttotrytomakethatassimpleasIcanbecauseIdon’tknowaboutyourexperience,butmyexperiencegrowingupinchurchwaswheneverIheardtheworddiscipleordiscipleship,Ithoughtthatitwaslikethegraduate-levelprogramforsuper-seriousChristianswhoweresuper-spiritual.Youknow,theoneswhocarrytheginormousBiblesandtheyalwayshaveahighlighterintheirhands.Ijustthoughtthatthatwasadisciple.Butletmedemystifythis.Itjustsimplymeanslearner,whichmeansthatwe’realldisciplesofsomething.Whateveryouthinkaboutduringtheday,whateveryouinvestyourenergiesin—thatiswhatyouareadiscipleof.Ikindoflikethisdescription.Idon’thaveaslideforthis,butdiscipleshipjustbasicallymeansthatI’mnotjustgoingtotrustJesuswithmyeternallife,I’mgoingtotrustJesuswithmyhere-in-the-nowlife.That’saprettygoodunderstandingofdiscipleship.It’snotthatI’vegotmysalvationandsowhenIdieIgotoheaven,noit’s,“I’mgoingtostarttrustingJesusrightnow,inallthedecisionsthatImakeinmylife.”DiscipleshipiswhatJesushasinvitedeverysingleoneofusinto.Ifyousearchthroughthescriptures,you’llseethatjustasmanytimes,ifnotmore,Jesusdidn’tjustinviteustobelieveinHim—we’vesortofreducedittothat—JesushasinvitedustofollowHim,andthat’sadifferentthing.He’slike:FollowMeineveryareaofyourlife.Idon’tmeanthistosoundabrasiveormean-spiritedwhatsoever.Idomeanittosoundpastoral.It’sthatJesusisnotjustthatimpressedwithyourbeliefandmybelief.Ithinkoftentimeswejustthinkthat’sallthatHewants—HejustwantsustobelieveinHim.InJames2:19,itsayseventhedemonsbelieveandtheytremble.Didyouknowthatdemonsbelieve?Contrarytopopularbelief,demonsarenotatheists;theybelieve.AndJesusislike:Hey,eventhedemonsbelieve.Thatdoesn’tnecessarilymeanthey’retracking.He’slike:It’sfinethatyoubelieve,butIwantsomethingmoreforyou.IwantyoutofollowafterMe.Asachurch,asoneofyourpastors,Iwantthisforyouaswell.Iwantthisinmyownlife.IwanttofollowafterJesusineveryareaofmylife.Soyoubringthosetwowordstogether,IntentionalDiscipleship,andwhatthatmeansisthatwewanttobepurposefulaboutourpersonalgrowthasChristfollowers.FollowingJesuscertainlyinvolvesstudyingGod’sWord,anditinvolvesprayer,tobesure,butIwanttospendthemajorityofourtimetodaytalkingaboutthatrelationshipthing,andIwanttoshowyouthatthisishowGodalwaysdoesit.Infact,Iwouldgoasfarastosaythis.Godalways,notsomeofthetime,notmostofthetime,butalwaysinvolvesotherpeopleinyourspiritualgrowth,andHe’llalwaysinvolveyouintheirs.Didyouknowthat?



Ithinkthatmanytimeswejustkindofthinkthat,andmaybeyou’vedescribeditthisway,maybeyouhavethoughtthisbeforeoryou’remarriedtosomebodywhohassaidthisbefore:“IbelieveinGodandIbelievethatitisaprivatethingbetweenmeandHim,andsoIdon’tneedchurchandIdon’tneedtotalkaboutittoanybody,andIdon’tneedtobeexpressiveaboutthis.”IwouldjustsimplysaythatabsolutelyyourrelationshipwithGodispersonal,butit’snotprivate.Thosetwowordsmeanvery,verydifferentthings.Youjustcan’tstudythroughtheScripturesandcometothatconclusion,thatyourfaithisaprivatethingwhereyoudon’tneedtotalkaboutit,youdon’tneedtoexpressit,oryoudon’tneedtoshareitwithotherpeople.It’scertainlypersonal,butit’snotprivate.Godwillalwaysinvolveotherpeopleinyourspiritualgrowth,andHe’llinvolveyouintheirs.Listen.Beforeyoukindofbristleupandshutmedown,I’mnotsayingI’mhappyaboutthis.I’mnotsayingthisiseasy.I’mnotsayingyou’llnotevergethurt,becauseyouwill.I’mnotsayingthatpeoplewon’teverbreakyourtrust,becausetheywill.I’mnotsayingthatthisiscleaneroreasier.I’mnotsayinganyofthosethings.I’mjustsayingthatthisisthewaythatGodalwaysdoesit,andthereisareasonwhy.Don’tmisunderstandme.Discipleshipismorethanjustpersonalrelationships,butyoucan’tdodiscipleshipwithoutrelationships.IwanttoshowyouoneofthemanyexamplesofthisinScripture.SoifyouhaveaBibleapp,wouldyoupleasemeetmeinActschapter9?Ihopeyoudo.Goaheadandturnthere.Ifyouhaveourchurchappinfrontofyou,youcangototoday’smessage,clickontheLiveNotes,andallofthepassagesandallofthemainpointsthatIputonthisscreenwillbeinfrontofyouonyourdevice.Youcanactuallytakenotesonitandinteractandfollowalong,sothatwayyoudon’thavetoworryaboutmissingsomething.IwanttoshowyouthispassageinActsbecausewe’vebeeninthebookofActsallserieslong,andwewillbe.ThebookofActsisactuallyabookwrittenbyadoctornamedLuke,andLukeisdescribingtoushowtheearlychurchgotstarted.AllsevenofourvaluescanbefoundinthebookofActs.ThebookofActstellsusthatwearenotjusttobeagatheringofthecrowdsontheweekends,butwearealsotobeamovementofsmallergroupsofpeopleduringtheweek.Inchapter9,wemeetthisguynamedSaul,whoselifeisradicallyalteredbyJesus.Infact,someofyouprobablyknowthestory.Othersofyou,maybeyou’veheardbitsandpiecesofit.Saulisthisguy—laterhisnameisgoingtobechangedtoPaul—andSaul’sstoryisoneofseveralreasonswhy,asachurch,wewon’tgiveuponanyone,becauseifGodcanchangeSaul’slife,thenthereisn’tanybodyHecan’tchange,includingyouandincludingme.Iwanttopickthisupstartinginverse1.Itsays,“Meanwhile,Saulwasutteringthreatswitheverybreath,”thatmeansregularly,“andwaseagertokilltheLord’sfollowers.”Nowhere’swhatIwantyoutounderstandaboutthisguy.Saulconsideredhimselfareligiousman.Saul



wasabelieverinGod.Hejustwasunawareofthegospel,maybelikesomeofustoday.MaybeyoubelieveinGod,butyou’rejustunawareofthegospel.SaulwasthreatenedbythisnewgroupofJesusfollowersknownasTheWay—theywereknownasdisciples—sohethoughthewasdoingGodafavorbyeliminatingthem.Inverses3through9,asheisontheroadtoDamascus,GodcomestohiminalightthatissobrightthatitliterallyblindsSaul.Itsaysinverse4,“‘Saul!Saul!Whyareyoupersecutingme?’‘Whoareyou,lord?’Saulasked.Andthevoicereplied,‘IamJesus,theoneyouarepersecuting!Nowgetupandgointothecity,andyouwillbetoldwhatyoumustdo.’”Forthenextthreedays,Saulsitsindarknessandsilence.He’sunabletoseeathing.Hedoesn’teatanything.Hedoesn’tdrinkanything.I’msurethathedidn’tsleep.Iwantyouthinkaboutthatforjustamoment.Thisisacrucialtimeinhislife.Saul’slifeisabouttobechangedforever.Now,whetherit’sgoingtobeforthebetterorfortheworseisyettobedetermined.Ifyoudidn’tknowthestory,ifyou’veneverreadthisbefore,thinkaboutthisforaminute.Thinkaboutwherehisheartcouldhavegone.Itcould’vegottenbitter.Hecould’vegottenangrywithGod,like:God,IthoughtIwastryingtodoYouafavor.IthoughtIwastryingtoserveYouandthisiswhatIget?You’veblindedme.He’slonelyandhe’sconfusedandhe’shungry,andnothingseemstobehappening,andforthreedayshesitswithoutanywordfromGod.It’sjustdarknessandsilence,andforallheknows,nothingisgoingtochange.Ijustwonderifanyofyouhaveeverbeeninasituationsimilar.Now,maybeGoddidn’tphysicallyblindyou,butmaybeHedidemotionallyorspiritually,andyoujustareinaseasonoflifewhereyoucansortofrelatetothisguy.You’relike,“Ican’tmakeheadsortailsofthis.Idon’tknowwhyI’minthissituation.Idon’tknowwhyIlostmyjob.Idon’tknowwhythatpersonleftme.Idon’tunderstandwhatGodisdoing.Idon’tunderstandwhyHedoesn’tsaysomethingtome;Imean,I’mcryingouttoHim.”Inthosemoments,yourheartcangooneoftwoways.Itcangotowardthepathofbitternessoritcangotowardthepathofchange.Well,there’sabouttobeabreakthroughinSaul’slife,andit’snotgoingtocomewithhimstayinginisolation.It’sgoingtocomeinanunexpectedwaythroughanunexpectedperson.Lookwithmeatverse10.Itsays,“Nowtherewasabeliever,”sothisisaJesusfollower,“inDamascusnamedAnanias.”He’sjustmindinghisownbusiness,livinghislife.“TheLordspoketohiminavision,calling,‘Ananias!’‘Yes,Lord!’hereplied.TheLordsaid,‘GoovertoStraightStreet,tothehouseofJudas.Whenyougetthere,askforamanfromTarsusnamedSaul.Heisprayingtomerightnow.IhaveshownhimavisionofamannamedAnaniascominginandlayinghandsonhimsohecanseeagain.’”I’msurethatAnaniasislike:Saywhat?Justthinkaboutthisforaminute.IfyouwereinAnanias’sandals,andyou’rejustkindoflivingyourlife,you’regoingtoworkeveryday,runningthekidsaround,andallofasuddenGodcomestoyouandHe’slike:Hey,Iwanttointerrupt



yourlife.Iwantyoutogodownthestreettothisguy—oh,bytheway,thisguyismurderingChristfollowers,ofwhichyouareone—andIwantyoutogoin;Iwantyoutobefriendthisguy.Justimaginewhatyouwould’vesaid.It’sjustlike,“Oh,comeon,God,really?”Well,that’saboutwhathesays.Lookatverse13.Itsays,“‘ButLord,’exclaimedAnanias,”thatmeanshedidsowithgreatemotion,“‘I’veheardmanypeopletalkabouttheterriblethingsthismanhasdonetothebelieversinJerusalem!Andheisauthorizedbytheleadingprieststoarresteveryone,”inotherwords,hehasgottenpermissiontokillpeople,“whocallsuponyourname.’”Inotherwords,Ananiasislike:God,you’vegottobekiddingme.NotonlyisthisguySaulamurderer,butheisamurdererwhohasn’thadanythingtoeatforthreedays,whichmeanshe’samurdererinabadmood,whichistheworstkindofmurderer.AndGod,Iamnotafighter;I’malover.Imean,Iprefernon-contactsports.MynameisAnanias,forcryingoutloud.MyapologiestoallthedudesnamedAnaniastoday,butthat’sjustnotaverymanlyname.Bygoing,he’sgoingtobesigninghisowndeathcertificate.AndIwouldimagineifI’mAnanias,I’msittingtherethinking:Whydoyouevenneedmeanyway?You’vealreadyblindedhim.You’vealreadytalkedtohim.Can’tyoujustclosethedeal?Whydoyouevenneedmetogo?Lookatthis,verse15.“ButtheLordsaid,”what’stheword?Sayitoutloud,allofourcampuses”‘Go,”which,bytheway,isoneofthemostcommoncommandsinScripture—go,don’tstaythesame,move,“…forSaulismychoseninstrumenttotakemymessagetotheGentilesandtokings,aswellasthepeopleofIsrael.AndIwillshowhimhowmuchhemustsufferformyname’ssake.’”Andyou’vegottolovethis.“SoAnaniaswentandfoundSaul.Helaidhishandsonhimandsaid,”noticethis,"'BrotherSaul...”Wow.That’sasignofaffection.Thinkaboutthisjustforaminute,howthatwould’vesoundedliketoSaul’sears,howencouragingthatwouldhavebeen.Itsays,“You’renotalone,brother.Iamherewithyou.”“‘...Saul,theLordJesus,whoappearedtoyouontheroad,hassentmesothatyoumightregainyoursightandbefilledwiththeHolySpirit.’Instantly,”itinstantlyhappened,“somethinglikescalesfellfromSaul’seyes,andheregainedhissight.Thenhegotupandwasbaptized.Afterwardheatesomefoodandregainedhisstrength.”NowtheBibleisfilledwiththesetypesofnarrativeswhereyougetfinishedreadingit,atleastforme,andyougo,“Man,thatwasreallyinteresting.Now,whywasitnecessary?”Atleast,that’sjustme.MymindwasfloodedwithallthesequestionsasIreadthroughthispassagethispastweek.Ithoughttomyself,“Okay,whydidGodblindSaul?WhydidGodchoosehim?”IfyouknowanythingaboutSaul’sstory,hisname’sgoingtobechangedtoPaulandhe’sgoingtobecome



oneofthemostinfluentialleadersintheearlychurch.HewrotemuchoftheNewTestamentthatyou’reholdinginyourhands.WhydidGodchoosehim?Whythreedaysofdarknessandsilence?WhysendAnaniastosaysomethingthatGodeasilycouldhavesaidtohim?AndwhatdidAnaniasevenreallydothatwasallthatsignificantanyway?Justgobackandlookatit.AllAnaniasdidwashewalkedinandsaid:BrotherSaul,Godhassentmetoyou.Andbam!Hecanseeinstantly.Now,ifI’mAnanias,I’mgoing:Really?That’sit?Imissedmykid’ssoccergameforthis?IthoughtIwouldsaysomethingprofound.IthoughtthatIwouldsaysomethingreallyinfluentialtobeworthwritingdown.Infact,thecontentofwhatAnaniassaidwasn’treallythatearthshattering.Iwantyoutogetthisrighthere.WhydidGodsendAnanias?Well,maybeit’snotbecauseofanythingthatAnaniascouldsaythatwasofsubstantialcontent,maybeGodjustsentAnaniasbecausethereispowerwhenanotherpersonsays,“I’mhere.”OneofthemostuncomfortablethingsformetodowhenIfirstgotintofull-timeministrywasmakinghospitalvisits.IwouldgetthissheetofpapereveryMondayanditwouldbasicallytellmewhoallwasinthehospitalbecausetheyweresick,andsoIwouldusuallytakeoneofmymorningsoroneofmyafternoonsandIwouldmaketheroundstothehospitalsandgoinandmeetwithpeopleandpraywithpeople,anditwasreally,reallyuncomfortableformefortworeasons:One;hospitalscreepmeout.Anybodywithmeinthat?Okay,afewofyou.Idon’tknowwhatitis.Evennow,whenIwalkintoahospitalandIjustfeelthereallysanitizedair,Ijustfeellikeanurseisgoingtojumpoutandshootmewithashotorsomething.It’sjusttotallyirrational.It’sneverhappenedbefore,butI’malwayslookingaround,like,“Don’tyoudaregivemeashot.”That’sonereason.ThesecondreasonisbecauseI’dalwaysputallthispressureonmyselftosaytherightthing.I’ddriveallthewaytothehospitallike,“Man,thisperson’sreallygoingthroughitandthey’rereallyinalotofpain,andtheirfamily’sreallyconfused,”andIwouldputallthispressureonmyselfandgo,“Man,I’vegottagofixthisandI’vegottagosaysomethingtowherewhenIwalkoutoftheroomtheygo,‘Phew,thatmanhasbeenwiththeLord.’”ThatwasjusthowIfelt,butIwouldendupgoinginsaying,“Well,whenlifehandsyoulemonsmakelemonade.”ThenI’dthink,“Stupid.”Mostofthetime,whenIwalkedoutofthehospitalroomIfeltlikeChrisFarleyfromSaturdayNightLive.DoyouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout?Allthewaybacktotheelevator,I’dbelike,“Stupid.Stupid.WhydidIsaythat?”Here’sthethingthatI’velearnedandthethingthatIhavetoconstantlyberemindedofevennow.It’sthatwhenIgotomakeahospitalvisit,it’snotwhatIsay;it’sjustthefactthatIcared



enoughtogo.There’sjustsomethingaboutthepresenceofanotherhumanbeing,whentheywalkintotheroomandtheyjustsay,“I’mhere,andI’mnotquitesurewhattosay,butI’mhere.”Godhaswiredusupthatway.Youneeditwhenyou’reinthelowpointsinlifeandyouneedittoactuallygetoverthathumpthatyou’reonwhenitcomestospiritualgrowth.WeseeenoughofthesetypesofexamplesintheScripturesthatshowusthatthisisnottheexception;thisisthenorm.Godalwaysinvolvesotherpeopleinyourspiritualgrowth,andHe’llalwaysinvolveyouintheirs.Letmecomebacktothisvalueonemoretime.IntentionalDiscipleshipisthatwe’regoingtointentionallydigourspiritualwellsdeepthroughstudy,throughprayertobesure,butalsothroughrelationships.AndIdon’twantyoutoneglectthis.It’sthatrelationshipthingthatissohuge.RelationshipsareallovertheNewTestament.Didyouknowthereare59oneanotherstatementsintheNewTestament?Letmejustreadyouaportionofthem.“Loveoneanother,”John13.“AcceptoneanotherasChristhasacceptedyou,”Romans15.“Stoppassingjudgmentononeanother,”Romans14.“Instructoneanother,”Romans15.“Serveoneanotherinlove,”Galatians5.“Carryoneanother’sburdens,”Galatians6.“Bekindandcompassionatetooneanother,forgivingoneanother,”Ephesians4.“Bearwithoneanother,”implyingthatit’snotgoingtobeeasy.“Admonishoneanother,”Colossians3.“Encourageoneanotherandbuildoneanotherup,”1Thessalonians5.“Prayforoneanother,”James5.“Confessyoursinstooneanother.”“Clotheyourselveswithhumilitytowardoneanother,”1Peter5.AndonandonandonIcouldgo.ItisallovertheBible.YouandIjustcannotdothisalone.Isaidthistwoweeksago:Godalwaysusespeopletoreachpeople,butthesameisalsotruethatGodalwaysusespeopletogrowpeople.IthinkthisiswhyJesuscommandedussorelentlesslytoloveothers.HesaidthegreatestcommandmentistolovetheLordyourGod,butthesecondislikeit;loveyourneighborasyourself.What’sunderneaththat?Well,becauseHeknowsthatthewaywegrowiswhenwegetinvolvedineachother’slives.Thisiswhywekeepurgingyoutogetintoagroupthatmeetsregularlysometimeduringtheweekoutsideoftheweekendgathering—whatwe’redoingrightnow.Groupscanmeetinhomes,theycanmeetincoffeehouses,theycanmeetatplaygrounds,theycanmeetatworkconferenceroomcenters,whereveryou’regettingtogetherwithasmallergroupofChristfollowers—thatisjustbasicallysaying,“Hey,I’mhere.”It’swhereyoucanstudyGod’sWordandpraytogetherandopenupandactuallyshareandotherpeoplecancarryyourburdens.YouandIdesperatelyneedthis.



Spiritualgrowthhappensbestinrelationships.That’snottheonlyplacethatithappens.Thereisathingwhereyouneedtobeindividuallyinprayer,individuallytobesure.I’mnotdisputingthat.Butspiritualgrowthhappensbestwhenyoucandoitwithotherpeopleinrelationships.Proverbssaythis:Ironsharpensiron,soonepersonsharpensanother.Italsotalksabouthowacordofthreestrandsisnoteasilybroken.Weneedotherpeople:peopleyoucanberealwith;peopleyoucanmeettogetherwithonaregularbasis;peoplewhowillencourageandlistenandprayandcrywithyou;peoplewhowillspeaktruthintoyourlifeevenwhenthattruthhurts.Butyouknowwhat?Theydoitbecausetheyloveyou,andthey’regraciousaboutit.They’renottryingtotearyoudown.Theydon’tjustaffirmwhatitisthatyouwanttohear,buttheyencourageandtheyloveandtheyacceptyouforwhoyouare,tobesure,buttheyalsourgeyoutobewhoyou’recurrentlynot.Theysay,“Heyman,it’stimetogrow.It’stimetomoveinyourlife.”SocanIaskthisquestionthisway,andthisisjustforyouindividually.WhoisyourAnanias?Ifyougobacktothepassage,seethatwhenGodsentthisguyintoSaul’slife,whatdidhesay?“BrotherSaul,I’mhere,”andinstantlythescalesfell.Haveyoueverhadthatkindofexperience,whenyougottogetherwithsomebody?Theydidn’tevensayanythingprofound,butjustbecausetheywerethere,justbecausetheylistened,justbecauseyouwereabletocommunicateandtalk,itwaslikesomethingfellfromyoureyes.Youwereabletoseeclearly.WhoisyourAnanias?Maybethatquestionisphrasedkindofweird.AllImeaniswho’sspeakingintoyourlife?WhohasGodsentintoyourlifeandareyoulistening?Areyoulettingthemspeak?TherehavebeenpeoplewhomGodhassentintomylife,Ananiasessotospeak,andIshutthemdown.Ididn’twanttohearwhattheyhadtosayandIkindofturnedthemaway.Sometimeswecandothat.Sowhenweurgeyoutogetintoagroup,thisiswhatwearehopingyouwillfind.Let’sjustbehonest.Thereareallkindsofthingsworkingagainstthis.Numberoneismaybefear.Itisonethingtocomeintoanyoneofourcampuses,sitinaroomfullofhundredsofotherpeople,singsomesongs,listentomegiveatalkonstage,andthengohome.It’sanotherthingtoactuallyinvitesomebodyintoyourlifefacetofacewhowillspeakintoyourlife.That’sterrifying.Thatrequiressomevulnerability.Thatrequiresalotoftrust.We’reallbusy.EvenasIsaythis,you’relike,“Man,Idon’thavetimeforonemorething.”Thereareallthesethingsworkingagainstus,beingincommunitywithoneanother,andsowhatendsuphappeningisthatwesortofdriveourselvesfurtherintoisolationorwehavethisfalsesenseofcommunitybehindourscreen.Wethinkjustbecausewe’vegotsomeinteractiononFacebookorwhatever,thenthat’senough,butit’sreallynotandweendupfindingourselvesinisolation.



Iwastalkingtoafriendofoursthispastweek,andshewasdescribinghowhergrandfatherservedinGermanyduringWorldWarII.Ifyou’veevermetaWorldWarIIvet,theydon’tspeakabouttheirexperiencesveryoften.Buthebegantoopenuptothemoneday,andhesaidonedaythatheandhisplatoonwereinabeautifulGermantown.Hesaiditwaskindofquiet.Itwasagorgeousday.Hewaskindofbored.Hedecidedtogetupandgoforawalk.Hewalkedaboutaquarterofamileoutsideoftown,outsidethesafetyofhisplatoon,andhewentupthishillside.Hesaidtheviewwasjustabsolutelygorgeous,whenallofasuddenheheardacoupleofrifleshotsfollowedbyacoupleofsniperbulletsthatlandedrightathisfeet.Herealizedwhatwashappening.Hewasinthecrosshairsofasniper.Hisheartbegantobeatoutofhischest,andhebegantosprintbacktothesafetyofhisplatoon,andhesaidthistothem.Hesaid,“Youknow,Iwasaneasyshotupthereallalone.”Hesaid,“Sniperswaitforsomeonetodriftawayfromthegroup.”CanIsaythattheexactsamethingistruespiritually?Wehaveanenemywhowillwaitforyoutodriftfromthegroupandthenhe’llputyouinhiscrosshairs,andinisolation,you’reaneasytarget.EdStetzer,whoisanauthorandchurchstatistician,recentlycameoutwiththesestatsfromjustsurveyingChristfollowersinchurches.About21percentofbelieverssaytheyevenseetheneedtoconnectwithothers—saytheyevenseetheneedforittogrowintheirrelationshipwithJesus.Inotherwords,“Myfaithisprivate;Idon’tneedanybodyelse.”That’skindofwhatthat’ssaying.Twenty-onepercentsaytheyevenseetheneedforthis,andthen65percentsaythattheykeeptheirpersonalstrugglestothemselves,sothey’renotsharingitwithanybody.About50percentofourchurch,I’mtalkingaboutTradersPointatallofourcampuses,about50percent,asnearaswecantell—andIknowthisisn’tlikeaperfectscience—arenotingroups.Nowthatdoesn’tmeanyou’renotinanygroupoutsideofhereandallthat,andifthat’sthecase,that’sfantastic;I’mnottryingtobelegalistic.Butasnearaswecantell,therearestillawholebunchofyouwhoarenotinagroupthatmeetsduringtheweek.Iknowoneoftheknocksonabigchurch—believeme,Ihavehearditalot—isthatbecausethechurchissobig,it’shardtogettoknowotherpeople.Ihearthat.Idon’tfullyknowwhattheansweristothat.AsIlookbackatthebookofActs,Iseethattheywereachurchofthousands,buttheyalsometinsmallergroupsduringtheweek.Itisatensionthatwe’rejustgoingtohavetocontinuetomanagebecausewearetryingtoreachmoreandmoreandmorepeopleforJesus,whichjustmeansasyouinvitefriendsthechurchisgoingtocontinuetogrow,soIblameyou.Inallseriousness,canIjustsaythis?I’vebeenapastorofareally,reallysmallchurch.ThefirstchurchthatLindsayandIservedinforfouryearswhenwewerefirstmarriedwas15people,andwhenwegotupto100,allofasuddenwedidn’tknoweverybodyanymore.



Soitdoesn’tmatterifthechurchis100or100,000,thetensionisthesame;you’rejustnotgoingtoknoweverybody,sothepoint—you’veheardmesaythisbefore—thepointisn’ttoknoweverybody,thepointisjusttoknowsomebody.Andthere’sgoingtobethistensionthatwe’regoingtohavetomanageinthat.Iwanttoputituponyouandsay,“Youknowwhat?Youneedtoleaninandseektobeknownandtogetintoagroup.”Nowlet’sjustbehonest.Someofyou,that’soneofthethingsyoulikeaboutabigchurch—anonymity,right?AndIusuallyknowwhoyouarebecausewheneverIseeyou,youdivertyoureyesandactlikeyoudon’tknowme.You’renotfoolinganybody.Thankfullyforyou,Ihaveabeautifulwife;shebuildsupmyself-esteemlater.CanIjustsaythis?Igetit.Itotallygetit.I’vebeenhurtinthechurch.Maybeyou’vebeenhurt.Maybeyoudon’ttrustallthis.Maybeyou’retryingtofigureoutthisChristianthing.CanIjustsaythis?Ifyou’vecometoourchurchbecausethisisasafeplaceforyoutosortofbeanonymousandkindofcheckthingsout,thenIamsogladthatwecanbethatforyou.Soyoutakeallthetimethatyouneed.ButIwouldjustsaythis.Youknowwhat?Everybodyneedsahospitalroomoccasionally,butahospital’snoplacetotakeuppermanentresidence.Everybodyneedsaseasonintheirlifewheretheyjustneedalittlebitofanonymity,butanonymityisnoplacetolive.IguesswhatI’msayingisjustsimplythis.Whenyou’rereadytomakeyourselfknown,pleasemakeyourselfknown.Takeallthetimethatyouneed,buildsometrust,buteventuallyIwanttoknowyou.Oneofthereasonswhyourpastorsstandoutinthelobbyisjustbecausewesimplywanttomakeanintroductionandgettoknowyou.WhenI’mnotpreachinghereatNorthwest,I’musuallyatoneoftheothercampusesinthelobby.AndthereasonwhyI’mthereisbecauseIwanttogetachancetomeetyou,soifyouseeme,comeupandintroduceyourself.MakeyourwayovertoConnectionCentral.Getonthewebsite.Ontheveryfrontpageofourwebsite,there’satabthatyoucanclickon.Itsaysfindagroup.Ifyoucan’tfindagroup,there’satabtoclicksowecanhelpyoustartagroup.Here’sthepointthatI’mtryingtomake.Connectioninachurchisalwaystwo-way.Wewanttoknowyou,butyou’vegottobewillingtobeknown,andwecan’tdodiscipleshipforyou;you’vegottobeintentionalaboutit.Whatwedohereontheweekendsisreally,reallyimportant,tobesure.Itbetterbebecausewespendawholebunchoftimepreparing.I’mspendinglike20hoursaweektryingtoprepareamessageandgiveyoufreshbreadeveryweek,andIknowtheworshipteamsandthevolunteersandtheKids’Ministryteam,theyareeveryweekinvestinghoursandhoursandhoursofprayerandpreparationsothatyouhaveagoodexperiencehere,butI’mtellingyouthis.Ifthisisallthatyou’regetting,it’snotenough.



Manyofyou,you’renotnecessarilyhereeverysingleweekend.Andwhenwearen’tineachother’slives,thenweareinthecrosshairsofanenemywhowantstogetusoutfromthegroup,isolated,andthenhe’lltakeashot,excepthe’sawaybettershotthanthatGermansniperinthestory.TheauthorofHebrewsputsitthiswayinchapter10,verse25.Itsays,“Andletusnotneglectourmeetingtogether,assomepeopledo…”Onetranslationsays,“assomepeopleareinthehabitofdoing,”andthat’showitusuallyworks.“But,”let’sjustsayitoutloudtogetheratallofourcampuses,“Butencourageoneanother...”Thatwasn’tveryencouraging.Let’sjustsaythatagain.Alittlemorezesto.Zesto’snotaword.“...encourageoneanother,”thankyouforencouragingmeinmyfauxpas,“especiallynowthatthedayofhisreturnisdrawingnear.”Encourageoneanother.He’slike:Hey,that’swhatweneed.Encourageoneanother.Whatthatdoesn’tmeanisyougetdowninfrontofsomebodylike,“Man,you’rejustsofantastic.You’rejustsogreat.Everythingyoudoiswonderful.”That’snotwhatthatmeans.Encouragementmeans,“Man,howareyoudoing?Areyoumakingtherightdecisions?How’syourthoughtlife?Areyoukeepingyourheadscrewedonstraight?CanIhelpyouwithanything?Man,I’mnotquitesurewhattosay.I’mreallygladyoutoldme,though.”EncourageoneanothertostayintheraceandtokeepgoingandtokeepfollowingJesus.Thisiswhatwemeanwhenwetalkaboutbeingintentional.Nowletmejusttellyou,we’renotjusttalkingaboutagroupthatmeetsmidweek...Letmetellyouwhatit’snotandletmetellyouwhatitis.Agroupisnotjustmerelyasocialgatheringwhereyougettogetheroveratsomebody’shouseonthebackdeckandyou’vegotsomereallygreatfoodandsomedrinksandyou’rejustkindoflaughingitupandenjoyingeachother’scompany.Heyman,that’sfantastic,butagroupismorethanthat,andsoifthat’sallyou’redoingrightnowinyourgroup,Iwanttoaskyoutobemoreintentional.However,agroupismorethanjustanin-depthBiblestudy.It’snotaseminaryclasswhereeverybody’swalkingintothelivingroomwiththeirthree-ringbindernotebooksandtheirhighlighters,and,“You’vegottwominutesforapottybreak,”and,“we’regoingtotakeapopquiznextweek.”I’vebeenapartofgroupslikethat.They’renotfun.WhilestudyingGod’sWordisanimportantelement,it’snotaseminaryclass,soifthat’swhatyou’redoing,bemoreintentional.Agroupisnotwhereyougettogetherandgossipandcomplainaboutsomethingthatyoudon’tlikeatthechurch.Nowlisten,I’vebeenapartofinstanceslikethatwhereyoudon’tmeantogossip,theconversationjustsortofgoestherebecausesomebodysays,“Doyouhaveaprayerrequest?”andyouraiseyourhand.Allofasudden,you’regossipingoryoubegintotalkaboutitlike,“Whatdoyouthink?”Andthenitkindofgoesthere.Here’swhatIwanttoask.Whenyoudriftintogossip,becausethat’swhathappensmostofthetime,somebodywouldbecourageousandintentionalenoughtosteerthatthingbackontrackintoahealthydialogue.



Here’swhatagroupis.AgroupiswhereweruthlesslyeliminatespiritualisolationfromourliveswithotherChristfollowers.AgroupiswherewereceivetheknowledgefromGod’sWordwithresponsivehearts.Soit’snotaseminaryclass,it’smorelikespiritualsurgery.Wesay,“Okay,wellthisiswhatGod’sWordhassaid,nowamIwillingtoreceivethis?”AgroupiswhereweencourageoneanothertolookmorelikeJesusinaworldthatincreasinglynolongerrecognizesHim.Agroupiswherewepulleachotherupoutoftheditchwhenlifeknocksusintoone.SoIwanttoaskyoutopursuethisinyourlife.Atallofourcampuses,ifyouarejustrelyinguponthisonehourontheweekends,that’sfantastic.I’mgladyou’rehere.Butit’sjustnotgoingtobeenoughtosustainyou.Asoneofyourpastors,IwouldneveraskyoutodoanythingthatIamnotwillingtodomyself.CanIjusttellyouthis?I’vegotthisinmylife,andIneedit.I’vegotmultiplegroupsinmylifeandmultiplerelationshipsinmylife,menandwomenwhodon’tthinkI’mabigdealandtheywilljustgivemethetruth.Theyjustaskmetoughquestions.Ihaveoldermenthat’llspeakintomylifeandmentormeandguidemeandshapemeandhelpmetoseethings.SomanytimesIhadtheseconversationsandit’slikeinstantlyscalesfallfrommyeyes.I’mlike,“Man,IseewhatIwasblindto.”I’vegotguysthataresimilarinagetome,guyswhoareinasimilarseasonoflifethatIjustneed.IneedtheminmylifetohelpmecarrysomeoftheweightthatI’mshouldering.Asoneofyourpastors,Ican’tbelieveIgettodothis.Ican’tbelievethatGodhasseenfittoentrustmewiththisrolehereatthischurch,andIlovethischurch.IconsideritoneofthegreatestjoysofmylifetobeabletoserveTradersPointinIndianapolisin2017.It’samazing.CanIalsotellyouthatI’venevercarriedaheavierburdeninmylifethanwhatI’mcarryingrightnow?Ifeelit.Ifeeltheresponsibilityforyou.Ifeeltheresponsibilityofwhatwe’redoing.TherearetimeswhenmykneesstarttobuckleandrightthenGodsendsmeotherguyswhowillcomeupunderneaththeweightandsay,“We’vegotyou,bro.”Ineedyoungerguysinmylife,guyswhohelpmethinkinwaysthatmaybeIhaven’tthoughtofbefore,thatIcanmentorandencourage.Thebestwaytolearnistoteach,andIneedthisinmylife.Iwantyoutohaveitaswell.CanIjustendwiththisfinalthoughtrighthere?Whenitcomestoagroup,youmaynotthinkyouneeditnow,butonedayyouwill.Youmaynotthinkyouneeditnow.Youmaythink,“Aaron,IthinkI’mprettygood.”That’sfantastic.I’mgladyou’regood.Onedayyouwill.Sowhenshouldyoudigawaterwell?Beforeyouneedwaterorafteryouturnthefauceton?Yeah,before.Youlearnedsomethingtoday.Youdigthewellbeforeyouneedit.Thesamethingistruewhenitcomestospiritualandemotionalstormsinyourlife.Digthewellbeforeyouneedit.Hey,church,asapeople,let’sbemorethanpeoplewithgoodintentions,let’sbeintentionalpeople.



Father,wecometoYourightnowandwethankYouforthepowerinthetruthofYourwordasitservesasascalpel,notabutcherknife.God,Ipraythattoday’smessagewouldpenetrateourhearts.Mefirst,mefirst.God,YouknowIneedthis.God,YouknowthatIneeditinmylife,andIsuspectthereareprobablysomeotherpeoplewhodoaswell.SoLord,todaywejustwanttocometoembracethetruththatYouaregoingtoinvolveothersinourspiritualgrowth.Thisisnotjustame-and-Godkindofdeal;it’swe.Father,Ipraythataswegrowasachurch,andwegiveYouallthegloryforthat,allthehonorforthat,andwearehumbledbythefactthatYouaregrowingusnumericallyasachurch,butGod,weknowthatthat’snotthegoal.Thegoalisn’tjusttoattractcrowdsontheweekend;thegoalistodigdeeperspiritualwells,andso,God,IpraythatYou’dhelpustomanagethistensionwellasweintroducepeopletoYou,butalsoaswefacilitatepeople’sgrowth.God,helpustogetintoagroup.Ipraythat100percentofourchurchwouldsay,“Youknowwhat?We’reinagroup.We’remeetingregularlyduringtheweek.It’snoteasy.Youknow,it’shardtofigureoutwho’sgoingtowatchthekidsandtherearepersonalitytypesthat’slikeoilandwater,”or“I’vebeeninagroupbeforeandIdidn’tgetmuchoutofit.”Thereareallkindsofthingsworkingagainstus,butGod,Ipraythatwewouldnotletgoofthisbecauseweknowthatthisisnottheexception;thisisthenorm.ThisishowYoudoit.Yougiveustheprivilegeofbeingineachother’slives.Andintheworldweliveinrightnow,weneeditmorethanever.SoGod,Ipraythatyouwouldspeakthroughustodayinthesefinalmomentstogether.WeaskthisinJesus’name,andthechurchsays:Amen.We’regoingtotakecommunionrightnowtogethertoday.Whatthisis,ifyou’renew,isit’sapieceofbreadandalittlecupofjuicethatrepresentthebodyandthebloodofJesus.Wedothiseverysingleweektomakeabeelinetothefootofthecrosstounderstandthatisthecenterofourfaith.Butalsoit’sthis.Thisisnotatimetogatheryourthings.Thisisnotatimetosay,“Hey,quick.Let’shittheexitsowecangettotherestaurantbeforeeverybodyelse.”That’snotwhatthisis.You’renotfoolinganybody.Whatthisisisatimeforyoutojuststopandgo,“Youknowwhat?NoteverythingAaronsaidinthatmessageisforme,butwhat’stheonethingthatisforme?God,whatdidyouwantmetohearthatIneedtopushdownintomylife?”That’swhatthisis.Ifyou’renotcomfortabletakingcommunion,ifyou’renotafollowerofJesus,justletitpass.Nobody’sgoingtothinkathingofit.Theushersaregoingtocome,andafterjustamomentortwoofreflection,theteamwillcomeoutandleadusinonemoresong.Ushers,youcancomenow.