Hillsong Church - Chris Mendez

we have fun in the house to go [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] yes [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] jeez I was dead but I will come to see the [Music] [Music] [Music] come on the inside to me the hell [Music] that works for credit conference this week we could use we're just making this whole Sunday part of conference so we are just gonna take everything to the next level but honor each Psalm 34 and it says I bless God every chance I get my lungs expand with his praise I live and breathe God if things aren't going well hear this and be happy join me in spreading the news together let's get the word out God met me more than halfway he freed me from my anxious fears look at him give him your warmest smile I wanna see some warm smiles this morning come on everybody past that's a good one Magoo that's like lukewarm it needs to be like super warm worship God if you want the best worship opens doors to all his goodness amen come on who knows this morning we're not just seeing a few songs we are actually worshipping the creator of the heavens another one [Music] [Music] come on church resume south of the so no this game [Music] people praises [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] what [Music] then sing his praises see his crazy [Music] my soul and sing me sing his praise aloud sing his praise [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Oh sing his praise aloud sing his praises [Music] we pray [Music] [Applause] [Music] make no mistake Oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] me holy Oh God Oh [Music] so fun [Music] big sound for [Music] ages through time his truth VV walk-ins me passed by our guys son [Music] he shall [Music] yes you do [Music] you sir [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Laughter] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] before [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Laughter] [Music] we say [Music] before I knew the crazy [Music] now free [Music] Fuli get his eye [Music] everything in everything [Music] [Applause] if I [Music] good I will see you - Leatherhead - sing our crazy [Music] in the frolics the promises [Music] [Music] the [Music] Missy [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] in Jesus Oh in the spirit of faith we're singing about who Jesus is and our praise for him what a perfect time to pray for all these prayer requests you don't know all these people I don't know all these people but in faith the renowned a prayer request and we're gonna believe God together so father in Jesus name I thank you we have a God who answers prayer a miracle working God what a victorious God Jesus you won out over death he won out over sickness and disease poverty things in China find us including Helen death and in Jesus name you have won us the victory but we thank you right there that we can expect I insist a prayer supernatural turnarounds low we claim of my faith in Jesus and we thank you in your mighty name in your mighty name hello ever grateful to be together today we're in your house worshiping you the Lord what a beautiful thing it is when your people come together Lord David says he's glad when they said let us go to the house of God today Lord we're glad to be here then we get to worship King Jesus a lot of pray every person is gathered those watching online those were a part of the service that Lord you're working in their lives whatever their prayers we believe for God to bring their victory Lord with a sickness we believe for healing father with us bondage we believe for freedom and we thank you for it in Jesus name you ready to sing that some more the first and last the Alpha and Omega come on this is it's me [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] yes singing like you believe it tonight big welcome oh it's good to have you a Hillsong Church 11:15 a.m. service great to have you here here at Hills we already had a great payday in the service next door in the theater over in the far building there and then 9 o'clock in here [Music] and of course right now and then tonight I'm excited I'm getting to preach tonight I can't wait I might even start now I'm ready I'm ready right it is great to have you here we just had the most amazing worship and creative conference I praise God for that you can't be yeah amen and thank the team the volunteers those who make it possible to be honest as you the backbone of our church that's what makes all these things possible your faithfulness your consistency your generosity all these things about allow us to host what we just hosted and that is the worship creative conference where people came not only from all over Australia from all over the globe and so we're grateful for that please be seated no minute mingle no minute mingle today don't talk to anyone prove them right it's not a friendly Church [Music] how about we start to get ready for a tithe and our offering the Bible says give cheerfully so why don't we give a big yoke and it yep cuz we're gonna get the chance to give any yelps hey that's a Yelp all right any yelps Biddy yelps up there in the bleachers listen giving us an incredible opportunity it really reflects the heart of God by the way you can see up here this is how people like to give in our church and you're more than welcome but more well over 50 versus 75% of a church give online either today now during the service or during the week 25% give in the service so whichever way you want to give it's great but what I can tell you is when we do give and we honor God and we put him first we're really just perfectly in the heart of God himself only one of the best pictures of God is in a story that Jesus told a famous one that's the story of the prodigal son and sin Luke 15 we got one son who was incredibly rebellious and left home and ended up sleeping with harlots and destroying his life it seems another son who was so mean and tight but he wouldn't even come into the party to celebrate his brother but in the middle of it all this is the most amazing father and the father just shows a Father's heart and the blessing of the Father and I believe as a picture of God the Father's heart toward us and so this is what happens the prodigal son he comes to his right mind the Bible says or came to himself he literally came to his senses and his right mind was to get back in and under the father's blessing and so its first 21 Luke 15 it says in the son said to his father father I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and I'm no longer worthy to be called your son that's how he saw himself it realized how undeserving he was but the father said to his servants bring out the best robe and put it on him put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet and bring the fatted calf not a skinny runty won the fatted calf here and kill it and let us eat and be merry it's just generous just generous even when we're under serving that's the heart of God he's generous I pray we will always have that heart naturist it'll always be part of the DNA and the culture of who we are we talk about our church has been generous at heart useful in spirit faith filled in confession loving in nature and inclusive in expression and I pray that we always will be at that church youthful spirit in a youthful spirit you don't have to be you don't have to be young to have a youthful spirit generous AHA generous to the core so I'm gonna pray then we're gonna receive the tithe and the offering this morning and thank you in advance for your faithful giving so father we thank you in Jesus name we get to do this and lord I thank you for your heart God your father's heart ever daddy father Lord you always for us the arms are always hoping a lot others pray we'll always be people who reflect that hard or a committed to reflect in your heart if people give I believe your word is working in our lives and our homes and our families and it's working Lord and AB in our endeavors a career father wherever it is we thank you for instant prayer in Jesus name Amen amen come on pass the giving yeah you know not much sport on this weekend but Chelsea had a great win Chelsea my team and your England in in England that's right where is England anyway I forget but in England they had a great win the West Sydney Wanderers the Western Sydney Wanderers they had a big win in their first ever game at Bank West Stadium there's a big weekend a sport there were something I can't remember what else that all I know all I know is Chelsea had a big win and my granddaughter who is nine got scouted by some kind of rep big deal team in California that's what's matters nothing else matters nothing you know I was from New Zealand but the Bible says forgetting those things which are behind I press on I press on amen so just one little message want to show you on the screen well we continue to receive the giving and because a lot of visitors maybe after conference I just want you to see something about the spirit the culture of that church oh hi firstly so glad you're in church and your being here makes a big big difference and that's kind of what I want to talk to you about we thank God for the people who attend our services and people come expectant and I want to encourage people to understand that coming early coming on time taking time to have our kids in the program and being in our place early really makes a huge difference for the services in the atmosphere and also stay until the end if you can stay you make a massive difference and we're trying to build the kind of culture in our church where anything could happen now I encourage you to just stay right through to the last prayer and then you're welcome to head out straight away it makes a big difference and I know you can help us to take the church forward there you go had the same clothes on hey big hi to every campus every location everywhere throughout Australia in Bali in Indonesia and wherever else you guys are we're glad you're part of the service this morning it's a great blessing actually and we had the most amazing worship creative conference and I already said here at Hills is because of our church that these things are possible but our three conferences color conference and marks usually and then our Hillsong conference in July and they are this conference which are now three years old and worship creative they're all so unique and so different but also powerful and very quickly there's become such a powerful part of what we do and what we're able to provide for the body of Christ at large I wanted you to get a glimpse of the conference and I hope you're a bit of the spirit of the conference comes through in this video highlights right now so check it out watch it get off your phone get off your phone watch the screen especially the team now they're good they're all good no phones inside actually then he's got a Bible open it was upside down she just turned it around but it was open it was sighs hey come on push this together [Music] oh Jesus come shaking you would we see you in all your beauty Oh Your Majesty all your goodness all your grace doctor experiment thank you just clean sphere this is your Genesis week for you where do you find yourself that's where God wants you that's where God does the miracle [Music] I'm listing welcome to the hill son created podcast so thankful did I get to use my creative gifts to work on a brief that'll never get old the brief of seeing people come to mouth Jesus Christ your art is meant to bring hope that heaven is for real that jesus is alive and the holy spirit is still moving today believe in the presence of God will be present in your room in your situation in your circumstance what can happen when what you do becomes about others research shows that creativity is one of the effective ways of being able to restore health even though I lost my God in the sky I found well he found me in the trenches I'm still here the difference between where I am now and where I was then it's just time and perspectives we've been writing prayers for you and we've been trusting God that right now the right prayer would find its way to the right person if you want to open the card and read the prayer that people have prayed over you your imagination is god-given so don't settle stir up that imagination for this day that we have two minutes till midnight we're going to lift up the greatest shout of praise it's not hot and it's on noise but it's a prophetic declaration that a cadre [Music] [Applause] [Applause] they did a vision I thought you were a new heaven even wipe away every tear from their eyes and eliminate death entirely I will continue to be their God and they will continue the children to me [Music] so there you go ah it was well I hope you got a sense of how great it was you know this is not just for these guys on the stage it really is to bring creativity out of everybody and already we're planning for next year about the same time of the year and we love you guys to be a part of it and so this is the best time to register like all our conferences you actually saves 70 dollars which is significant if you register right now you save $70 but I just really pray I love having people in a room like that because I'm what God does and what God says and all the lives that are impacted in change so why don't you really think about being part of it they're also giving you what they call a creative Deluxe bunch bunch of what I don't know bunch of roses bundle oh it's a bundle there you go a huge difference winner but to the bundle I have no idea what that difference is but there's apparently a huge difference between a bunch and a bundle and so I'd rather have a bundle any day and so that's also part of what's in a just as a matter of interest what is next they hope you're all enjoying the service there and every other campus what's actually in a creative Deluxe now that was that the word deluxe deluxe bundle thanks to that benefit everyone counts hey are your voice is gone a whole bunch just come out she fell demon a whole bunch of resources that are push everybody's worship their life and the creativity much much beyond what they can even imagine that's what's in a bundle it was phenomenal see the link to the screen they had the name the first name of every person who was in the conference every single yeah now look at that alright now let's go through the ACE real quick get to the bees get to the bees BR a bee Bradley Brandon Brianna Brenda Brendon brollies Brent Brenton Brett Brianna Brett Brianna [Music] another kind of Breanna Bridget Bridget Bridget Grimm hey it was something missing in there I gotta Briana I've got plenty of bricks and prints but something's missing no in all of those people nearly seven thousand people not one Brian even though I was actually there I don't matter anyone else who was there and your name wasn't on that list isn't on that list yeah see we don't matter we don't matter everyone else bad as we know better yeah you're let's Brian for the ego I do you don't have to be another Brian there somewhere I just don't understand why knowing cause they're babies Brian it's obvious hey listen uh that was FD a fantastic moment I figure out what happened but it was fantastic just remind us for exactly what happened we prayed for everybody by name because God sees them and because we wanted people to leave having had a personal encounter with Lord Jesus Christ that you didn't pray for Brian I prayed for you I have a fantastic hope you're gonna be we haven't got time for all this is our guest speak at work what am i today is not a gift speaker you're part of the family part of the house but what's happening in South America Central America with Hillsong that part of the globe in other Latino world under 34 years four years and they've got over 10,000 people in church on Sundays in Monterrey Mexico in Argentina and in Brazil Sao Paulo it really is a move of God and Chris is a faith man he's an awesome guy he's a faithful son of this house and I think you're gonna be blessed to hear him speak but before he comes I really genuinely am excited about tonight we're having a that Hillsong conference snow what is it worship creative but it's always the third service against me worship creative conference afterglow which means we're gonna have the spirit of the worship and they glowed what you saw there that there's further phase we're gonna have it here tonight and I'll get to preach the word I'm already prepared and ready so it's gonna be a phenomenal night unless of all permissible and so let's be here and ready for that be blessed and why don't you stand everywhere give Pastor Chris Mendez a huge welcome home thank you when was the yes what an absolute honor not just to be home but to get to speak across the life of our church this morning when I got the message throughout the week during the week said hey Pastor Brian would love you to speak Sunday morning I was like really does any want to do the morning or do the night and an absolute honor and the reason I'm here just so you know is at the start of this year we were planning we started Monterey Mexico on the 5th of May and so with our schedule with life and that we sort of said to our kids this year everyone's gonna get a trip with Daddy where would you like to go and my middle daughter we told them where we had planned to be and and what we had to do my middle daughter said well I want to go to the creative conference and I'm like but that's not on my schedule so she brought me to creative conference this week and at our daddy-daughter trip and it's been absolutely amazing and what's crazy that after the first night but it's my first one creative conference we come to Hillsong conference Lucy comes to color and after the first night of Pastor Brian spoke so brilliantly I rang Lucy and I was like Miyamoto we're coming to this every year there's just something about this conference as as Brian said it is different and it's just another opportunity for us to come back to home base and inhale and just remember why we get to do what we do on the other side of the planet because of what 36 years has done at home base and strengthened us globally for us to extend the platform of our house and extend the family to thank you church for being family thank you for being who you are and just know that you have many many cousins in Latin America that are always trained for you and Brian Bobby thank you for the privilege of speaking this morning can we thank the team for an incredible job you guys can be seated so good hello to everybody everywhere so good to be speaking in Bali this morning too hon member Cathy which means may the Lord bless you and I just want us to kick off in Genesis chapter 50 Genesis 50 verses 15 to 21 and I just got faith that God's gonna stir something on the inside of us this morning through this word and the Bible says when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead they said what if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him so they sent word to Joseph saying your father left these instructions before he died this is what you are to say to Joseph I ask you to forgive your brother's the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly now please forgive the sins of the servants of the god of your father when their message came to him Joseph wept his brothers then came and threw themselves down before him we are your slaves they said but Joseph said to them don't be afraid am I in the place of God you intended to harm me but God you intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done the saving of many lives so then don't be afraid I will provide for you and your children and he reassured them and spoke kindly to them the father this morning I I thank you for the honor I have of speaking your word and we thank you for the power truth and authority that is found in your word I pray that today you woodster faith in us you would cause paradigms to shift in our thinking that you would give us eyes to see ears to hear and hearts to receive that which you want to deposit in our lives through this message thank you Father for what you're about to do I pray that across our church lives would be encouraged challenged and inspired in Jesus name and the familiar said together amen I wonder if I was to ask you that if you were given the opportunity the possibility if you had the capacity to change some aspect of your past life how many of you would say Amina I'd love to change that experience I love to change that moment where I made that decision that was incorrect and it would have saved me from so much pain grief heartache uh I wouldn't have walked down that road or embarked upon that journey on that pathway how many of us would say yes I would have that opportunity I would love that supernatural ability to change something of my past life I believe across our church today there would be many of us that wouldn't just raise one hands for that ability we'd raise both just recently in an interview I was asked by someone who had obviously heard my story of conversion and how I came to faith and I'll speak a little bit about that later on this person asked me in an interview Chris what would you change from your past life if given the opportunity to do so and I paused nice thought about it and then from the insider is that I just said neither nothing I wouldn't change anything and this person who knew my personal journey said to me why would you not change anything having heard that you caused your parents heartache the addictions you went through the the pain you injured what how can you say to me you wouldn't change anything my immediate response was well everything I went through brought me to the feet of Jesus everything I experienced everything I faced everything that came against me brought me to the foot of the cross therefore I would not change anything of my past life because it's through those experiences that I came to faith this person then went on and asked me a similar question and said okay well what about since becoming a Christian what would you change is there anything that if you were able to change that you would change and I thought about wrong decisions I made I thought about the times where you know as a Christian you aim for perfection and you always fall short and I thought about mistakes I'd made even in leadership decisions I made that weren't filled with god-given wisdom and and I thought about it and I said once again I I would change nothing none of the lows definitely none of the highs because everything I've experienced seen coming to faith has molded me into the man I am today or the mistakes or the wrong decisions or those paint-filled experiences have brought me to the place in life I find myself in today and it reminded me of Romans chapter eight verse 28 that says all things work together for the good of those who love God and to those who are called according to his purpose and we know the scripture we preach the scripture we pray the scripture we sort of understand the scripture but when you're in the sick of a challenging time when you're in the midst of a storm it's hard for that scripture to become real to you because of that which you're facing in that moment but I am one who believes the pain the turmoil the take the challenges the non pleasing circumstances with a divine and kingdom perspective where you can make a choice to step back from what's in front of you and get God's perspective on that which is coming against you I am one of those who believes that God can use all things that all things work together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose and that's why I'm challenged what's more I'm inspired by Joseph's attitude and perspective when he receives the word from his brothers in a moment of uncertainty for them Jacob their dad had graduated to heaven they're freaking out they don't know what Joseph is now going to do because they believe that he favored them because dad was still alive but now he's no longer on the scene they send message to their brother to sort of figure out what he's gonna do right because when Joseph was 17 he had a dream we know the story he shared his dream with his family that at some given moment in his life he would be in a place of authority and his brothers who were envious of him already because he was their father's favorite child they hate him even more so they plot a plan to kill him but one of the brothers steps up and says no let's not get his blood on our hands and they sell him into slavery Joseph goes on a 13-year journey as a slave he gets falsely accused then he gets put in prison but he begins to shine even in prison because it didn't matter what circumstance he faced he knew he had a word from God he knew he had a promise from God so whatever circumstance he faced in life he always stood out the Bible describes him as having an excellent spirit his spirit didn't dwindle because of the challenges he faced thirteen years later when he's thirty years of age he steps into that place that God had prepared for him he steps in to that position that God had showed him when he was a meeting his brothers come to him because he's put as number two in a nation and he's bringing wisdom to a time of lack and a time of famine he's helping those who are in need and he he reveals himself to his brothers and his brothers once their dad died begins to freak out thinking what's gonna happen now he's gonna want blood he's gonna want revenge and they go to him and Joseph says boys boys boys Frankie knows it's okay what you intended to destroy me God used to position me in the place of my purpose and I believe when you have a god-given perspective a kingdom perspective you can see potential in the midst of any situation you can find purpose in your pain and you live with a faith that says regardless of what others want to do to me regardless of what the devil throws at me God can use any situation to position me in the place that he is prepared for me Joseph is literally telling telling his brothers come on God used what you did to me to position me in my place of purpose which is why I've titled this message it all counts it all counts as people of faith we must understand that life is not perfect when we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior it does not mean we're gonna live a problem-free troubled free life we have anniversary we live in a fallen world this world right now is a mess and life is not perfect but the advantage we have as children of God is our faith in a God who never fails us in a God who never leaves us in a God who never forsakes us and if we have a kingdom perspective to see that is at work in the midst of every situation even when we're mistreated even when things are done enjoy sleeeeep to us but our faith leads us to believe that all things work together for good and regardless of what comes against us God can use those situations to position us in our place of purpose it all counts there's another biblical character that I love that he's just inspiring and he challenges my faith to the core speaking of the Apostle Paul the Apostle Paul who had the same perspective as Joseph he went through so much beaten near death on many occasions shipwrecked imprisoned for preaching the gospel come on he was in the midst of the will of God planting churches conquering a continent expanding the kingdom literally seen the dead raised the sick healed the lost saved and he endured so much as he embarked his journey of faith after he encountered Christ and Paul finds himself in a season of his life in prison and he puts pen to paper writes many epistles one of those was the book of Philippians and this is what he says in Philippians 1 verses 12 to 21 it says now I want you to know brothers and sisters that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel like he's a freak he's writing from prison encouraging others never I was in prison I would be woe is me here on my own chained to a wall can't see the light of day I wouldn't be thinking about encouraging others and he's like I just need you to know brothers and sisters that what has happened to me has served this purpose the advance of the gospel he says as a result it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I mean chains for Christ like is he serious when I get to heaven on a high-five Paul because he said he saw purpose in his chains do we see purpose in our pain because I'm in Chains for Christ and because of my chains listen because of my situation because of my challenge most of the brothers and sisters have become confidence in the Lord and they're all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear it is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry the same thing happens today I know not here just in Latin America but others out of goodwill the latter do so out of love knowing that I'm put here for the defense of the gospel the former preach Christ out of selfish ambition not sincerely supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I'm in Chains Batz what does it matter the important thing is that in every way whether from false motives our true christ is preached and because of this I rejoice yes I rejoice and continue to rejoice for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance and the original word used there is salvation what has happened to me will turn out for my salvation I eagerly expect and hope that I wouldn't by no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body whether by life or by death for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain he's the man that in the midst of struggle in the midst of natural pain in the midst of heartache in the midst of his darkest hour bound by chains in a prison he says hey it all counts I'm not living with a victim mentality I may be in change but the gospel is advancing I may be imprisoned but believers are being strengthened people may be preaching falsely in accusing me of so many different things but Christ is being preached and what matters is that people come to a relationship with him Paul had an incredible mindset just like Joseph that come what may it all counts and at the end of the day God will have his way and he will prove that his word is true there's just a few thoughts from these stories that I believe God put on my heart to share with you to stir your faith again today to lift your eyes to think of fresh that God can work even in the midst of that situation that you find yourself right now that it all counts and the first thought is this your context cannot limit your reach your context cannot limit your reach in verse 12 of Philippians 1 Paul started by saying I want you to know brothers and sisters that what has happened to me has actually served the advance of the gospel let's think for a moment about his context he's in prison naturally speaking his life is limited naturally speaking that there's not much he can do chained they may have changed his hands but they should have cut off his fingers because he put pen to paper and he's like hey yeah it's all good I may be in Chains but this is serving for the Advancement of the gospel my context may be dark my context may be uncertain my natural context may be limited but my context cannot limit my reach because it's not about the context that surrounds you that's about the one who lives in you this is my context cannot limit he was imprisoned and he used this time in this season to write the book of Ephesians Philippians and Colossians and we're beneficiaries of that today listen to me friend Paul did not allow the prison to imprison him and limit his reach and that's why our perspective is so important where when we are in the midst of any challenging situation so please do not say because of my context my life is limited please do not say because of my context firstly God can't reach me and God can't reach others through me somebody needs to hear today that God is not after a perfect context in your life I came to faith drew my third drug overdose in the bathroom of a nightclub here in downtown Sydney I was kneeled over the white throne I cannot explain from a church platform what was going on in the cubicle next to me I cannot describe in church what others were consuming on the bench that was in that bathroom and at that moment thinking my the end that comma I remembered the voice of a friend of mine who months earlier said to me Chris I met a man who set me free from my heroin addiction and I said who's this man she said to me his name is Jesus and if he could do it for me he can do it for you and at that moment over the white throne I cried out to this man I didn't know and I said Jesus what you did for my really good you do it for me and I heard a voice say to me get up and go home and I thought wow these drugs are incredible I'm hearing voices but then I heard a second time the same voice in the same words and I've come to understand that when God wants to get your attention who speak to you a second time and I leaned on that bathroom on that white throne the moment I stood up that feeling of overdose completely left my body and from that night to this day my life has never been the same again do not tell me that God can't reach you in your context and do not tell me that God can't reach others through you because of your context now we've been doing Church as Pastor Brian said now for four years in Latin America started in Buenos Aires Argentina eleven months later started in Sao Paulo Brazil just this year in Monterrey Mexico were getting ready to launch in Montevideo or Dawei in Argentina right now if you remember to pray tonight please pray for Argentina tomorrow's the elections we need a miracle in Argentina right now 37% of the population live under the poverty line the average income is $300 a month and people living what we call Vizier's shanty towns just like this all over the nation in brazil we call them favelas and a large a large number of our nation's population live in these conditions and people from this context come into this context on a Sunday they leave their context searching for hope for answers for a word of encouragement they come into a corporate context that is the church to be stirred in their faith and I say to our people back home hey your context cannot limit your reach if you understand what you're a part of because it's the beauty of the kingdom of God and this morning you need to know whether you're in CUDA or Denpasar Bali you in the outer suburbs of Melbourne or you're in the southwest of Sydney or you're in Brisbane and Newcastle wherever you may be God is not limited by your postcode your life cannot be limited by your postcode Paul was in prison and I say to our church who live in this context on a weekly basis do you know that from your shanty town because of what you're a part of thousands of children in Uganda have an education have medical attention and can go through school because your context can limit your reach are you aware that from your context right now thousands of children in Mumbai India are being educated and fed and taken off the streets and cared for because when we put aside our personal context and come into a corporate context like this our reach is multiplied because God uses anybody and everybody for the expansion of his kingdom I say to our church do you understand that from your context in the last two years you've planted a church you you have planted a church in San Francisco in Tel Aviv Israel in Sao Paulo Brazil in Monterey Mexico where thousands are coming to faith regardless of your context your reach can't be limited because of what we're a part of I'm torn you I'm a part of the kingdom of God and no prison is gonna limit my reach no personal challenge is gonna stifle my faith your context cannot limit you then number two we need to understand that his process in you may be different to the progress you want to see his process in you friend may be different to the progress you want to see I can imagine Joseph four years into this still a slave promise isn't fulfilled that the dream seems so far away from coming becoming a reality can imagine in his humaneness in his humanity Paul in prison at some point at some point thinking oh man I've been preaching the gospel helping people and here I find myself the natural progress that everyone wants us to see for Joseph was I received the promise let me see the fulfillment of it but there was a 13 new process can imagine poor and the church at the time the progress they wanted to see chains broken jail cells swung wide open and poor walking out a free man to be amongst the Saints once again disciple in one-on-one with people that was the progress they wanted to see like many of us we pray a prayer yesterday we want the answer today we believe we have a drive through faith drive through faith where you pray at one window you receive the promise at the next window and often the progress we want to see he's very different to the process he's working in us and when all things can't you understand that God is perfect in his timing and we're not gonna deny the process that he's working on the inside of us because it's through the process that he molds our character he shapes our faith he strengthens our convictions so that we can keep moving forward and believing that the day will come where we see the progress we want to see see he's the fourth thing friend you need to understand if God doesn't change the situation he will use the situation to change you but we need to embrace the process pause prison not only helped the advancement of the gospel gospel but it's strengthened believers and produced in the believers an audacious faith they could see that Paul was joyful even in the midst of his challenges they could see that God was at work in for whilst he was in prison they could see that God was using poor regardless of his limited natural context see progress is not always seen clearly and immediately we often want the sort of faith that if God says you're at point-a I'm gonna take you to point B that it's going to be a straight path free of problems and challenges and what I've come to understand over the last 20 years that when God gives a promise there's not a straight path ahead of us there's a windy road and you slightly move forward and all of a sudden you move backwards you're not seeing the progress you want to see cuz that's where God told you he wants you to be but on the windy road there's a process working on the inside of you that is shaping your faith that is changing your mindset that is causing you to be steadfast in your conviction in a fallen world in a world that's filled with challenges so that when you get to the place that God wants you to be you've got the character to sustain you there but his process in us is often very different to the progress we want to see and someone needs to hear today that your greatest problem can become your greatest platform if you embrace the process God is working in you for you to see the progress you want to see can we need to we need to celebrate the small victories along the way we've got a guy back home who had an encounter with church and he would smoke a packet of cigarettes a day I don't care who you are that's a great effort encounter Jesus the grace of God starts to work in him and over a period of time a packet of cigarettes becomes only five cigarettes a day and you know the religious few in church who want to judge your process failing to understand that they're in a process or as well huh but that's not good enough you need to give up entirely don't you have the willpower come along this guy and I'm like man well done you're telling me you went from one packet a day to now only five cigarettes a day hey how about we thank god you're not where you used to be you might not be where you want to be but embrace the process because all things work together for good and every step that sees you move forward is worth celebrating because we're all in a process with God and lastly today as the band comes a friend what's most impressive is not always what's most important poor still in prison a chapter and a half later writes whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ what is more I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord for whose sake I have lost all things I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ and be found in him not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but that which is through faith in Christ we need to understand what Paul is saying because Paul had an impressive CV get incredible resume like Paul for years studied the law and there a master in the law named Gamaliel like saying that you studied under Gamaliel is like saying today you studied at Hillsong College under Lee burns like having Gamaliel name as your mentor on your CV open the door to any Christian conference on the planet it's like everything I gained I can at a loss Paul was used by God to start so many churches missionary trips that revolutionized the then-known world stood in front of politicians and people of authority spoke the gospel healed the sick raised the dead Paul had such an impressive CV but at the end of it all he says hey the heartaches of being true that's serving for the advancement of the gospel the stuff I've achieved it's impressive my CV is impressive but what's important that in the midst of every experience and every achievement and every heartache and every pain and every challenge I've come to know Christ because there's nothing that compares to one who has the opportunity to know Christ crucified and Christ resurrected he said hey my CV may seem impressive my faith may seem impressive because I withstand the challenges were know this what's most important is the fact that an imperfect human being like me was given the opportunity to know Christ I'll it's never in church and with our faith be enamored by the impressive we all do it I do what we all do it well what's gonna happen tomorrow what's gonna happen tomorrow as a church we all do it this isn't having a go at anyone it's just to remind of reminders of what's important we just had incredible force services in Ueno Saders how did you had to do Church Saturday night because of the elections our final service just wrapped up lots of people and what are we going to show tomorrow on Monday photos like this crowd a full room how impressive after such a short period of time venues that are packed that cannot contain the growth and make just because as part of our vision statement and God fulfills that which he speaks but we get enamored by huge crowds filled rooms but for God and for us as a church what is really important is the individuals that come together as a part of this context then are alongside of us building family we're we're on a journey together and the journey is to know Christ more deeply to fall in love with him more passionately because he works all things together for good he is the one who still today heals the sick and saves the lost and restores the broken and raises the weary he is the one who strengthens the weak let's not get enamoured by the impressive let's remember what's really important and what is all what all this is about see to God into this church you are important it's what's important to us as a family of faith where we come together under the same vision globally where we understand that we're not perfect we're far from it we're just having a goal believing God embracing our process and along the way having a whole bunch of fun and getting to glorify God for what he does in and through broken vessels like you and me let's not focus on the impressive let's remember what's important it's knowing Christ the beauty the power the majesty of his name that is at work in us and wants to work through us and he's not looking for a perfect context in your life your context cannot limit your reach come on you might want to see some sort of progress but embrace his process we are all a work of art that I find ourselves in the midst of a god-given process that shapes us in a fallen world into not being weak Christians but Christians who know that life is not perfect and sometimes all our faith requires is for us to hold on and maybe that's the word for someone today just hold on it all counts God is faithful to his word God is true to his character he hasn't left you he hasn't forsaken you step back from your situation get a heavenly perspective on it all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose can somebody say Amen and just before just before I hand back to Pastor Brian I'd love to pray across every location if you find yourself in church today and you know you're during the midst of a challenge you need to know that hey accounts accounts accounts accounts I want to pray for those of us who are in church today who say you know what I I need to just hold on I need to understand and believe that he is working all things together for my good because I love God I know I'm called according to his purpose the enemy would love for you to give up the circumstance would love for you to throw in the towel just hold on hold on embrace the process he can still use you from that context to reach far beyond your wildest dreams be a testimony to others because you have not fainted you have not given up if that's you with every eye closed than every head bowed across all locations and you would say Chris would you just include me in this prayer my prayers not magical I'm just gonna pray that in the midst of your struggle whatever it may be the midst of your prison that God would just strengthen you and what's more that he would enlarge your perspective where you'd be able to say like Joseph a what the enemy intended to use to destroy me I know and believe God's gonna use to position me in the place of my purpose with every eye closed across our church if that's you would you just raise your hand so I can include you in this prayer there and many here in hero's I believe also across all locations there are many why don't we pray together father you see the hands rays of these your children these amazing people firstly I pray Lord that you would strengthen them in their faith that I would put the towel down and by no means throw it in and give up give them the courage the strength the conviction to hold on help them father God understands that there is a purpose in the pain that you can use that pain to propel them onto a platform that sees others reaps and impacted by what you have done in them and through them father God in enlarge their perspective may they step back in faith today from that which they're facing get your eyes on it father and understand that it all counts I thank you for renewed strength I thank you for faith that is being stirred on the inside of them and I thank you Lord for fresh vision speak your strength over them today may they receive by faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name in Jesus name you can put your hands down and just before we conclude this service I also want to pray for those of you who maybe today is the first time you find yourself in this sort of context you're in church came with a friend with a family member maybe you walked in off the street on your own well you need to know friend whatever location you're in you're not there and you're not here by chance or by coincidence you find yourself in the house of God today and in the center of God's plan and purpose for your life because He loves you and as we've spoken of today God's not after a perfect context in your life he's just after availability in your heart regardless of where you've been or what you've done regardless of whether you think how can God love me how can God want something to do with me my past mistakes are huge I don't need to know your past mistakes is one thing I know is that your past mistakes are not greater than his grace and the God we sung to today the God we're speaking of today he's a God of love and relationship not of religion and tradition and he loves you and he's for you he has a plan and a purpose for your life and his heart's desire is to walk in relationship with you and there's only one requirement only one and this is it that's a decision where you say yes in your heart to him it's the only requirement God just won't say yes to come from your heart and if you need to say yes to a relationship with him today I love the honor of praying with you and for you there are others of you that at some point said yes to God and like Pastor Brian mentioned here at the hills we're the prodigal son abandon the arms of the father but came back to him your life that product was signed you once walked with the Father but you abandon his arms and you realized today you know what God is not optional he is the way the truth the life I must come back please know this that his arms are open towards you today waiting desiring to embrace you once again so if you're backsliding in your heart come on would you run back to his arms this afternoon with every eye closed across all locations and every head bowed if in your heart you need to make the decision to say yes to him yes to a relationship with him this moment's your moment if you need to come back to him because you drifted away this is also your moment with eyes closed if you would say Chris include me in this prayer here and across the screens would you just raise your hands right where you're seated just raise your hands right where you are that's awesome thank you awesome hands are being raised people are responding here at the hills and I'm full of faith that the same thing is happening across all locations just raise your hands raise your hands right where you are fantastic praise God praise God you can put your hands down and look this way for those of you who respond that I'm gonna lead you in a simple but powerful prayer and I'm gonna ask that you would repeat these words after me but don't worry please I don't want you speaking out aloud I'm feeling uncomfortable in what you think is a crowd church is not a crowd it's family so every single person in church today is gonna say these words with those of you who raised your hands cuz it's our honor to support you in this decision so together can we pray these words D Jesus today I open up my heart and surrender ownership of my life to use I ask that you'd forgive me of all my sin that you'd wipe away my past and give me a brand new start give me a right thank you for your love and mercy thank you for your grace I receive you today as my Lord and Savior and ask that you'd guide me in living a life that is pleasing to you thank you for salvation in Jesus name and everybody said together come on across the church can we celebrate these amazing people today and just as Pastor Brian comes for those of you who raised your hands in all locations as a church we want to mark this decision that you made by saying yes to Jesus by giving you a gift it's a Bible you know I always say many books in form this is the only book that transforms receive it on behalf of our show sit still for a moment please we receive it on behalf of our church because it marks this decision where you made the choice to get your life right with God can we celebrate them one more time today Church right come on let's stand let's worship together as we do can you think pasta Chris for such a fantastic way everyone [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Oh [Music] we're bliss for the message amen come on every prior benediction over you let me pray a prayer of faith into the days and the weeks ahead and father we thank you in Jesus name that we get together around jesus the lord I just thank you for your blessing upon your people your promise father that your countenance your smile is upon us Lord that your grace abound toward us and in the days to come in the weeks ahead I believe father that you are leading people guiding them taking them forward new leaders from glory to glory from strength to strength and we thank you in Jesus name that no strategy of the devil can stand against the purpose of God well we thank you that we go believing that God is on our side and the new Lord the source of all good things that we thank you for those good things across our businesses our endeavors our lives our homes our marriages our families Lord a inner well-being we thank you in Jesus name in Jesus name see tonight be blessed thanks so much [Music] [Music] this [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music]

Channel: Hillsong Church

Views: 46,420

Rating: 4.9022899 out of 5

Keywords: jesus, hillsong, praise, worship, Chris Mendez

Id: xC1yhQHn56o

Length: 91min 37sec (5497 seconds)

Published: Sat Oct 26 2019