1 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,379 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:27,019 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,359 --> 00:00:36,979 We're going to be blessed today. 5 00:00:38,439 --> 00:00:41,460 Sean O'Donnell is going to speak with us here. 6 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:48,619 Sean has an amazing story of really God's faithfulness to him. 7 00:00:49,420 --> 00:00:53,039 Sean was in various kinds of addiction for many years, 8 00:00:53,039 --> 00:00:54,899 but God's brought him out of that. 9 00:00:57,380 --> 00:01:02,859 Sean has an awesome heart, a heart for just helping disciple people. 10 00:01:02,979 --> 00:01:07,459 Maybe they've gone through similar situations to him in very practical ways. 11 00:01:07,599 --> 00:01:12,599 I think you're going to really find it very interesting what he's going to share. 12 00:01:16,140 --> 00:01:20,599 People need hands-on skills as well, and Sean is good at developing that, 13 00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:22,319 so we'll hear about his ministries. 14 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:30,859 He's the founder of Facing Addiction Ministries and D-Town Vocational Program, 15 00:01:31,540 --> 00:01:33,159 and a lot of other programs as well. 16 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:42,620 He's the father of six kids and attends Covenant Fellowship or Covenant Church. 17 00:01:43,060 --> 00:01:45,719 All right, so let's give a hand for Sean. 18 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:53,959 I met Sean about three years ago. 19 00:01:55,019 --> 00:01:58,019 I don't know if he remembers it, but we were at a picnic, same picnic, 20 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,420 and I was talking with him, and I was just amazed at his story, 21 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,400 and came back and told Pastor Chris, 22 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:08,800 hey, here's a guy who has some really practical ideas for helping people 23 00:02:09,379 --> 00:02:14,879 that are having various addiction problems, so looking forward to hearing from you. 24 00:02:14,879 --> 00:02:15,439 All right. 25 00:02:16,620 --> 00:02:17,900 I appreciate that, Doug. 26 00:02:19,580 --> 00:02:21,419 I'm probably going to read a lot of this. 27 00:02:22,060 --> 00:02:26,379 I don't feel like I'm a good speaker, although I have to do it often. 28 00:02:27,979 --> 00:02:28,960 I'm more hands-on. 29 00:02:29,259 --> 00:02:31,039 I want to disciple people, care for people, 30 00:02:31,620 --> 00:02:34,719 but I know it's encouraging for us to hear about how we're working 31 00:02:34,719 --> 00:02:37,560 and how God's using us and what's possible. 32 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:40,280 With that said, I'd just like to pray. 33 00:02:41,460 --> 00:02:43,240 Father, I thank you, Lord, for all these men. 34 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:46,039 I ask you to speak through me. 35 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:48,740 Give us something we can use practically in our lives 36 00:02:48,740 --> 00:02:50,979 to honor you and to help others. 37 00:02:51,659 --> 00:02:53,039 I pray this in Jesus' name. 38 00:02:53,419 --> 00:02:53,580 Amen. 39 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:57,659 Yep, my name's Sean O'Donnell. 40 00:02:58,000 --> 00:02:59,919 Doug kind of covered my first little section here. 41 00:03:00,759 --> 00:03:02,900 I'm the founder of Facing Addiction Ministries. 42 00:03:03,879 --> 00:03:06,379 We help start addiction meetings in churches, 43 00:03:07,199 --> 00:03:08,560 local churches in Bucks County. 44 00:03:09,419 --> 00:03:11,199 I also have a home remodeling company, 45 00:03:11,199 --> 00:03:14,580 Doylestown Carpentry, and through that business, 46 00:03:14,580 --> 00:03:19,780 we have a program called Doylestown Vocational Training Program. 47 00:03:20,580 --> 00:03:22,960 We hire two to three individuals per quarter, 48 00:03:23,180 --> 00:03:25,539 and we disciple them while training them in a skill. 49 00:03:27,580 --> 00:03:30,139 I just wanted to start with my personal testimony. 50 00:03:30,419 --> 00:03:32,400 Give some backdrop to what God's done 51 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,340 and the changes he can do in people's lives. 52 00:03:36,719 --> 00:03:40,060 For about 20 years, I didn't go a single day without drugs. 53 00:03:41,459 --> 00:03:44,960 I never believed I would be without drugs until 2016. 54 00:03:45,919 --> 00:03:47,580 I thought that was just going to be my life. 55 00:03:48,419 --> 00:03:50,900 I remember standing in line at the methadone clinic 56 00:03:50,900 --> 00:03:52,860 eight years ago thinking this is my life. 57 00:03:53,599 --> 00:03:54,840 I'll be coming here forever. 58 00:03:55,780 --> 00:03:57,740 So standing here today seven years sober, 59 00:03:57,939 --> 00:03:59,219 completely off of everything, 60 00:03:59,719 --> 00:04:01,759 is nothing short of a miracle from God. 61 00:04:03,039 --> 00:04:05,340 I'm thankful for the chance to share my testimony 62 00:04:05,340 --> 00:04:07,180 and I pray it glorifies God. 63 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:09,580 I'll start at the beginning. 64 00:04:10,479 --> 00:04:12,039 When I was two, my father left. 65 00:04:12,879 --> 00:04:15,539 My mother was left to raise me as a single parent. 66 00:04:16,379 --> 00:04:18,339 We were on food stamps and living in the city. 67 00:04:18,860 --> 00:04:21,420 My mother battled addiction throughout most of my childhood. 68 00:04:22,319 --> 00:04:24,160 She was physically and mentally abusive, 69 00:04:24,740 --> 00:04:27,019 yet my mother was also a deacon at our church. 70 00:04:28,139 --> 00:04:30,100 That really confused me as a kid, 71 00:04:30,220 --> 00:04:33,019 that we were part of a church 72 00:04:33,019 --> 00:04:35,779 and my mother had a role as a deacon. 73 00:04:36,340 --> 00:04:37,779 Yet no one saw the abuse. 74 00:04:38,139 --> 00:04:39,860 No one called her out on her drug addiction 75 00:04:39,860 --> 00:04:41,220 or tried to help us. 76 00:04:43,739 --> 00:04:46,259 So that's just to give you some backdrop 77 00:04:46,259 --> 00:04:49,120 to why I wasn't a Christian through most of my life. 78 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:52,839 I grew up hearing things like, 79 00:04:52,980 --> 00:04:56,639 you're the reason your dad left while being physically abused. 80 00:04:57,300 --> 00:04:59,199 I absorbed my mother's rage and pain. 81 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:00,920 When I wasn't at home, 82 00:05:01,539 --> 00:05:03,540 I faced violence in my neighborhood, 83 00:05:03,540 --> 00:05:05,540 getting in fights, being jumped, 84 00:05:06,139 --> 00:05:09,019 and even having my bike stolen at gunpoint at eight years old. 85 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:11,560 By the age of 10, I had so much pain inside 86 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:12,720 that I tried to end my life. 87 00:05:13,500 --> 00:05:15,480 I was placed in a psychiatric hospital. 88 00:05:16,220 --> 00:05:19,019 That was the first of 13 mental hospitals I was in 89 00:05:19,019 --> 00:05:20,639 by the time I was 15 years old. 90 00:05:22,199 --> 00:05:25,120 By 15, I had given up hope life would ever improve. 91 00:05:25,620 --> 00:05:27,199 I ran away and lived on my own. 92 00:05:27,740 --> 00:05:30,319 I lived in parks, sheds, and on couches of friends 93 00:05:30,319 --> 00:05:31,100 I barely knew. 94 00:05:31,639 --> 00:05:33,920 I jumped into relationships with women. 95 00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:36,300 I was looking for something to fill me up, 96 00:05:36,399 --> 00:05:38,379 to fill that void inside of me. 97 00:05:39,420 --> 00:05:42,060 I never knew back then, but it was a God-sized void. 98 00:05:42,339 --> 00:05:43,379 No drugs, no alcohol. 99 00:05:43,740 --> 00:05:44,860 No women were going to fill that. 100 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:51,540 Sex, porn, and drugs was things I got into very early. 101 00:05:53,199 --> 00:05:58,019 And so I started to use it to self-medicate, 102 00:05:58,439 --> 00:06:00,339 to deal with the insecurities and depression. 103 00:06:00,339 --> 00:06:03,000 And as drugs became a big part of my life, 104 00:06:03,579 --> 00:06:04,639 I knew it was a problem. 105 00:06:05,019 --> 00:06:07,740 But alleviation from the reality of who I was becoming 106 00:06:07,740 --> 00:06:09,379 was more important to me. 107 00:06:09,699 --> 00:06:11,680 It helped me to be blind to what I was doing, 108 00:06:11,879 --> 00:06:12,680 blind to my sin. 109 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:16,420 By the time I was 18, I started selling drugs, 110 00:06:16,699 --> 00:06:17,939 stealing, and robbing. 111 00:06:18,459 --> 00:06:20,759 My sense of right and wrong had become more distorted. 112 00:06:22,180 --> 00:06:24,259 At this time, I was a womanizer. 113 00:06:25,259 --> 00:06:27,420 I would always have a few women as options 114 00:06:27,420 --> 00:06:28,860 that I was talking to. 115 00:06:29,420 --> 00:06:31,060 And that was normal to me. 116 00:06:31,899 --> 00:06:34,379 Looking back, I see how much pain and hurt I caused. 117 00:06:35,339 --> 00:06:37,519 Even now, I know some of the women I used 118 00:06:37,519 --> 00:06:38,360 and treated poorly. 119 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:41,399 I know my actions of cheating, demeaning, 120 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:43,019 and sexually mistreating them 121 00:06:43,019 --> 00:06:45,920 has contributed to dysfunction in their relationships, 122 00:06:46,100 --> 00:06:47,879 marriages, and families to this day. 123 00:06:48,779 --> 00:06:51,139 We perpetuate the sins of this world 124 00:06:51,139 --> 00:06:52,639 and we minimize its effect. 125 00:06:53,339 --> 00:06:56,339 But those acts of taking advantage of women by misleading, 126 00:06:56,339 --> 00:06:59,199 having a one-night stand, or watching porn, 127 00:07:00,620 --> 00:07:04,259 that creates revenue for the porn industry, 128 00:07:05,019 --> 00:07:08,019 which entices women and coerces them 129 00:07:08,019 --> 00:07:10,240 to be victimly exploited. 130 00:07:11,399 --> 00:07:14,420 Our sin in these areas as leaders, protectors, and men 131 00:07:14,420 --> 00:07:18,500 distorts Gods and men of God, 132 00:07:19,060 --> 00:07:21,379 distorts and diminishes the power and authority 133 00:07:21,379 --> 00:07:23,899 we are supposed to walk in as blood-bought men of God. 134 00:07:25,259 --> 00:07:29,000 At 19 years old, I was given my first prescription of Percocets, 135 00:07:29,319 --> 00:07:31,699 and that was the start of a lifelong addiction. 136 00:07:32,060 --> 00:07:33,379 That was when it was solidified. 137 00:07:33,620 --> 00:07:36,360 I had a steady supply of drugs every month 138 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:37,680 by just going to get a prescription. 139 00:07:39,199 --> 00:07:42,560 I moved from Percocets to Oxycontin to fentanyl patches. 140 00:07:42,839 --> 00:07:45,060 These are all different degrees of pain medications, 141 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:47,100 stronger and stronger. 142 00:07:47,980 --> 00:07:49,379 I was in and out of jail. 143 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:51,120 I spent many nights on the streets. 144 00:07:51,839 --> 00:07:53,600 I was depressed and hopeless. 145 00:07:53,899 --> 00:07:56,300 I survived by lying, cheating, and stealing. 146 00:07:57,379 --> 00:07:59,800 During that time, I was involved in drive-by shootings, 147 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,860 robberies, attempted murders, bank robbery, assaults, and overdoses. 148 00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:09,500 The life I had run from at 15 was now my reality as an adult. 149 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:13,139 At the age of 20, I had my first child. 150 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:20,120 I was a part of her life on and off from 2020, or from 2000 to 2008. 151 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:23,980 I was trying hard not to walk away like my dad did, 152 00:08:24,500 --> 00:08:27,420 but I could see the damage with me in and out of her life. 153 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:29,240 I couldn't stop using drugs, 154 00:08:29,639 --> 00:08:33,039 so I ended up deciding to leave her at eight years old, 155 00:08:33,059 --> 00:08:34,200 just like my dad did. 156 00:08:35,159 --> 00:08:37,379 I didn't become part of her life again 157 00:08:37,379 --> 00:08:39,240 until I found Christ seven years ago, 158 00:08:39,799 --> 00:08:44,580 and that is a restored relationship that I'm so thankful for. 159 00:08:44,940 --> 00:08:45,980 I didn't think was possible. 160 00:08:47,419 --> 00:08:51,299 In 2008, I overdosed twice in the same year. 161 00:08:51,899 --> 00:08:54,360 The first time I was found unresponsive in a trailer, 162 00:08:55,620 --> 00:08:58,799 an officer cleared my throat and performed CPR, saving my life. 163 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:02,279 The second time I was found unresponsive in an apartment, 164 00:09:02,580 --> 00:09:03,700 and it was one month later. 165 00:09:04,799 --> 00:09:06,879 Both times, I was in a coma for over a week. 166 00:09:07,179 --> 00:09:09,240 I had a pick line stitched into my neck. 167 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,039 That's where they put an IV directly in your neck, 168 00:09:13,039 --> 00:09:15,340 because you'll need emergency medications. 169 00:09:15,980 --> 00:09:18,899 They only do that with people who are going to be out for a while. 170 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:20,340 You wouldn't have that if you're conscious. 171 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:26,460 It was very serious, and I shouldn't have survived. 172 00:09:27,779 --> 00:09:29,600 I'll never forget waking up in the hospital. 173 00:09:29,919 --> 00:09:33,279 They told me that they pulled 60 fragments of Xanax out of my lungs. 174 00:09:35,159 --> 00:09:39,279 It was something I realized I probably committed suicide. 175 00:09:39,519 --> 00:09:41,980 I just don't remember how it happened or what happened, 176 00:09:42,259 --> 00:09:44,220 but you don't take that many pills 177 00:09:44,220 --> 00:09:46,779 without intent to die. 178 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:54,480 From 2008 to 2016, I was in and out of jail, 179 00:09:54,759 --> 00:09:56,600 continue the same cycle. 180 00:09:57,919 --> 00:10:00,039 I was in dozens of toxic relationships, 181 00:10:00,399 --> 00:10:01,340 mostly for my doing. 182 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:05,159 I was always on drugs and living on social security disability. 183 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:08,919 I was using street drugs and going to methadone clinics. 184 00:10:09,379 --> 00:10:11,139 It was a slow burn version of hell. 185 00:10:11,740 --> 00:10:13,519 It was just very slow burn. 186 00:10:13,519 --> 00:10:15,879 Not obvious, but obvious enough. 187 00:10:17,580 --> 00:10:24,960 2016 to 2017, at the age of 36, my second daughter was born. 188 00:10:25,559 --> 00:10:27,860 That should have been enough to get me clean, but it wasn't. 189 00:10:28,919 --> 00:10:30,620 I was still stuck on methadone. 190 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:32,840 I was still using heroin and fentanyl. 191 00:10:34,220 --> 00:10:37,460 I was adding testosterone to the mix to get energy back. 192 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:41,440 But it only made me more impulsive and angry. 193 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,159 It only made me more demanding of my girlfriend for sex. 194 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:48,480 It only increased my porn addiction. 195 00:10:51,379 --> 00:10:54,220 So I coerced and mentally beat down 196 00:10:54,220 --> 00:10:56,860 to get my sexual desires filled by my girlfriend. 197 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:58,620 At that time, it was the mother of my child. 198 00:11:00,159 --> 00:11:04,019 To put things into perspective, this is in 2017. 199 00:11:04,879 --> 00:11:08,159 2016 to 2017, I would tie a string to my belt 200 00:11:08,799 --> 00:11:11,360 and I would tie it to my seven-month-old daughter 201 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:14,139 while she's sleeping so that I could do heroin 202 00:11:14,139 --> 00:11:17,120 and dip out and know if she got too far away 203 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:18,860 or know if she would roll off to bed. 204 00:11:19,639 --> 00:11:22,659 So that's the type of person I was just eight years ago. 205 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:24,419 That was normal to me. 206 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:25,159 That was okay. 207 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,840 This is one of the countless ways I was living in sin. 208 00:11:35,139 --> 00:11:39,299 In 2017, the mother of my child went for a restraining order 209 00:11:40,159 --> 00:11:42,899 and I was only able to see my little girl twice a week 210 00:11:42,899 --> 00:11:45,779 at the Georgetown Library with supervised visits. 211 00:11:46,539 --> 00:11:48,559 This lasted for about seven months. 212 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:52,480 During that time, I was broken. 213 00:11:52,799 --> 00:11:53,879 I didn't want to live anymore. 214 00:11:54,460 --> 00:11:55,679 I felt suicidal. 215 00:11:56,639 --> 00:11:58,879 I reached out to one of our mutual friends, 216 00:11:59,179 --> 00:12:00,759 hoping to get information. 217 00:12:01,139 --> 00:12:02,980 Not to talk to this guy or anything, 218 00:12:02,980 --> 00:12:04,919 but just to get information about my family 219 00:12:04,919 --> 00:12:06,019 because I couldn't see them. 220 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:09,039 And he didn't give me any information. 221 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:10,960 He invited me to a picnic. 222 00:12:11,659 --> 00:12:14,500 I ended up going to the picnic in hopes of getting information. 223 00:12:15,879 --> 00:12:17,820 And when I got there was a Christian in picnic 224 00:12:17,820 --> 00:12:21,039 and still didn't get any information. 225 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:23,419 But they actually talked to me. 226 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:25,419 They cared, prayed for me. 227 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:27,799 And I remember still to this day, 228 00:12:27,799 --> 00:12:29,740 they put their hands on me in a circle 229 00:12:29,740 --> 00:12:31,759 and prayed for me at the end of the picnic. 230 00:12:32,839 --> 00:12:35,139 And I just kept thinking in my head 231 00:12:35,139 --> 00:12:36,100 that I'm going to hit them 232 00:12:36,100 --> 00:12:37,759 and that they should get off of me. 233 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:39,620 But I didn't show that 234 00:12:39,620 --> 00:12:41,240 because I knew it was genuine. 235 00:12:41,539 --> 00:12:41,940 It was real. 236 00:12:42,039 --> 00:12:42,879 So I let them do it. 237 00:12:43,879 --> 00:12:46,840 But I completely rejected it in my head and in my heart. 238 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:50,259 When I went home that week, 239 00:12:50,340 --> 00:12:51,879 I was still suicidal. 240 00:12:52,279 --> 00:12:55,019 I was still hearing phantom cries of my daughter upstairs 241 00:12:55,019 --> 00:12:56,360 even though she wasn't there. 242 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:00,600 But the memory of her hearing her cry was there 243 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:01,580 and it was torturing me. 244 00:13:03,919 --> 00:13:06,419 And so when they invited me to church on Sunday, 245 00:13:06,539 --> 00:13:07,399 I had nothing to do. 246 00:13:07,919 --> 00:13:08,799 And I went. 247 00:13:09,179 --> 00:13:12,360 I went high, broken, still living in all my sin. 248 00:13:13,340 --> 00:13:14,980 And they wanted to sit up front. 249 00:13:15,379 --> 00:13:16,539 I made them sit in the back. 250 00:13:17,460 --> 00:13:18,559 This is not sit up front. 251 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,039 They were putting their hands up during worship. 252 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:23,639 And I was making fun of them in my mind 253 00:13:23,639 --> 00:13:24,879 thinking it's ridiculous. 254 00:13:25,220 --> 00:13:25,960 These people are crazy. 255 00:13:27,019 --> 00:13:28,820 And so I vowed I'd never go again. 256 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:30,019 I left again. 257 00:13:30,019 --> 00:13:31,799 They kept inviting me. 258 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:33,120 I think a week or two weeks later, 259 00:13:33,139 --> 00:13:35,320 I went again because I was still dealing with depression 260 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:37,340 at home and hearing my daughter. 261 00:13:38,759 --> 00:13:39,480 And I went. 262 00:13:39,799 --> 00:13:41,779 I let them take me up closer to the front. 263 00:13:42,539 --> 00:13:45,539 And during worship, I just felt the wholeness of God 264 00:13:45,539 --> 00:13:46,679 fill my being. 265 00:13:47,740 --> 00:13:49,100 It happened on its own. 266 00:13:49,500 --> 00:13:50,480 Nobody prompted it. 267 00:13:50,740 --> 00:13:52,399 Nobody structured it, planned it. 268 00:13:52,940 --> 00:13:56,600 But that void for like one minute was completely filled. 269 00:13:57,379 --> 00:13:59,139 The void that I was trying to get in porn, 270 00:13:59,139 --> 00:14:01,600 sex, drugs, alcohol, 271 00:14:02,179 --> 00:14:03,759 all the wounds that I was trying to fill 272 00:14:03,759 --> 00:14:05,899 were completely filled for one minute. 273 00:14:08,059 --> 00:14:10,080 And from that point on, I knew God was real. 274 00:14:10,460 --> 00:14:11,580 So what do I do with that? 275 00:14:11,659 --> 00:14:12,440 I'm living in sin. 276 00:14:13,039 --> 00:14:14,019 I know God's real. 277 00:14:14,460 --> 00:14:18,179 I know he can fill all those voids and make you whole again. 278 00:14:18,940 --> 00:14:21,019 But it was still a process after that. 279 00:14:22,620 --> 00:14:24,200 One time I called the church. 280 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:27,399 They had those little cards 281 00:14:27,399 --> 00:14:29,120 like fill this out with a problem. 282 00:14:29,399 --> 00:14:31,299 So I called the church. 283 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:32,740 It was on that card. 284 00:14:33,220 --> 00:14:35,360 And I explained my situation. 285 00:14:35,740 --> 00:14:37,879 And the person, I think, felt overwhelmed 286 00:14:37,879 --> 00:14:38,919 by what I was saying. 287 00:14:39,779 --> 00:14:41,600 And they said, I'm gonna have someone else call you back. 288 00:14:42,639 --> 00:14:44,820 And then someone else called me back within a minute. 289 00:14:47,199 --> 00:14:49,659 And after talking for about 20 minutes, 290 00:14:49,779 --> 00:14:52,740 we said the sinner's prayer together on the phone. 291 00:14:53,419 --> 00:14:56,299 And I'll never forget, I was leaning over my dryer 292 00:14:56,299 --> 00:14:59,279 in my apartment crying and saying the prayer. 293 00:15:00,559 --> 00:15:02,019 I mean, like full-on crying, you know, 294 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:03,700 like you got the quivers going and all that. 295 00:15:05,259 --> 00:15:07,299 I was seeing all the pain and hurt 296 00:15:07,299 --> 00:15:09,600 I had caused and was done to me. 297 00:15:10,059 --> 00:15:12,419 I was crying so hard my nose started to bleed. 298 00:15:13,399 --> 00:15:17,460 The red drops kept landing on the white dryer one by one. 299 00:15:17,620 --> 00:15:19,559 And I remember looking down full of tears, 300 00:15:19,559 --> 00:15:22,799 seeing them hit the white, the red blood hitting the white. 301 00:15:25,459 --> 00:15:27,940 And I finally stood up and took a breath 302 00:15:27,940 --> 00:15:30,500 after leaning over the dryer after I said the prayer. 303 00:15:30,940 --> 00:15:33,120 And I felt his spirit fill me with grace 304 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:34,139 like he did in worship. 305 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:37,879 And as I exhaled with the shivering breath, 306 00:15:38,039 --> 00:15:39,259 I let go of the weight. 307 00:15:39,919 --> 00:15:42,259 I just felt, I remember feeling it just go, 308 00:15:42,519 --> 00:15:45,320 the weight with one breath out. 309 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:47,580 And he came in with one breath in. 310 00:15:48,379 --> 00:15:50,379 And he took it so I could do the work 311 00:15:50,379 --> 00:15:52,320 of restoration led by him. 312 00:15:53,180 --> 00:15:55,279 And I'm still working on that restoration 313 00:15:55,279 --> 00:15:57,440 of my past relationships and refinement 314 00:15:57,440 --> 00:15:58,899 of the man I am today. 315 00:15:59,820 --> 00:16:02,860 But I was fully restored to my relationship with Jesus. 316 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:04,840 So all things have been possible. 317 00:16:06,419 --> 00:16:09,539 That year in 2017, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. 318 00:16:10,100 --> 00:16:11,679 He moved in miraculous ways, 319 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:14,460 helping me to overcome pornography addiction, 320 00:16:14,779 --> 00:16:17,200 drug addiction, and so many unhealthy habits. 321 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:20,639 I spent so much time in prayer and scripture. 322 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:23,299 I would go to the lake in the morning and at night 323 00:16:23,299 --> 00:16:23,960 and seek him. 324 00:16:24,419 --> 00:16:25,539 There was a restraining order. 325 00:16:25,679 --> 00:16:27,580 So I really didn't have anything else to do. 326 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,679 I'd go to multiple churches and just find him 327 00:16:30,679 --> 00:16:31,360 and seek him. 328 00:16:32,179 --> 00:16:33,659 And he structured that on purpose. 329 00:16:33,980 --> 00:16:35,100 I had nowhere to go but him. 330 00:16:36,700 --> 00:16:39,460 He transformed this heart of stone into a heart of flesh. 331 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:42,799 He wrote his commandments on my heart and renewed my mind. 332 00:16:43,500 --> 00:16:44,840 I now have six kids. 333 00:16:45,639 --> 00:16:47,279 My wife and I have our own home 334 00:16:47,279 --> 00:16:48,639 and I am able to be a husband, 335 00:16:48,639 --> 00:16:50,879 a father, a provider, and a protector. 336 00:16:51,820 --> 00:16:54,100 I never knew how rewarding, challenging, 337 00:16:54,100 --> 00:16:56,860 and beautiful it is to devote your life selflessly 338 00:16:56,860 --> 00:16:57,759 to your family. 339 00:16:59,039 --> 00:17:00,820 And all those attributes you get, 340 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:04,920 they start to get solidified in your heart 341 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:06,599 by God's work through your obedience. 342 00:17:07,299 --> 00:17:10,640 And you become stable to not just do those things in your home 343 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:13,480 but to do them outside of your home and disciple others. 344 00:17:14,380 --> 00:17:17,359 It is a beautiful and difficult plan of sanctification 345 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:19,900 and growth but I wouldn't trade it for anything. 346 00:17:22,659 --> 00:17:25,240 In 2017, I was still having a hard time 347 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:26,200 not seeing my daughter. 348 00:17:27,319 --> 00:17:28,500 Even after all of this, 349 00:17:28,519 --> 00:17:30,420 I would still hear my daughter upstairs 350 00:17:30,420 --> 00:17:32,579 randomly trying to watch a show, 351 00:17:32,740 --> 00:17:34,460 trying to watch a podcast, trying to read the Bible. 352 00:17:34,559 --> 00:17:36,420 I would hear her crying upstairs. 353 00:17:37,700 --> 00:17:40,740 And it was still trying to pull that old spirit 354 00:17:40,740 --> 00:17:42,440 of depression out of me. 355 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:44,660 Depression of lonely, 356 00:17:45,140 --> 00:17:46,619 the feeling of the spirit of loneliness 357 00:17:46,619 --> 00:17:47,400 out of me. 358 00:17:47,519 --> 00:17:49,539 It was trying to draw those old things back. 359 00:17:53,019 --> 00:17:55,460 And I shared this at a men's Bible study 360 00:17:55,980 --> 00:17:57,920 and along with being prayed for, 361 00:17:58,019 --> 00:18:00,059 they told me to start a Bible study in my house 362 00:18:00,059 --> 00:18:02,720 to have those spirits be done 363 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:05,200 and have new memories, good memories in my home. 364 00:18:06,460 --> 00:18:08,519 And we started that meeting at my house. 365 00:18:08,940 --> 00:18:10,140 It was like two or three people 366 00:18:10,140 --> 00:18:11,339 who didn't know what we were doing. 367 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:14,140 One of the pastors showed up one time. 368 00:18:14,299 --> 00:18:15,299 One of the elders showed up. 369 00:18:15,299 --> 00:18:16,539 They tried to show support, 370 00:18:16,660 --> 00:18:19,079 help guide us how to have a Bible study. 371 00:18:19,759 --> 00:18:21,819 It ended up turning into a small group 372 00:18:21,819 --> 00:18:24,420 where it was a small Bible study dinner 373 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:26,599 and it kept growing. 374 00:18:26,819 --> 00:18:28,400 It went from two to three people 375 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:30,480 to five people to 10 people, 376 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:31,740 multiple churches, 377 00:18:32,039 --> 00:18:33,259 different people from my neighborhood. 378 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:36,440 And when it started to push like 30, 40 people, 379 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:37,740 I approached Covenant Church, 380 00:18:37,940 --> 00:18:39,539 the church I was at and I said, 381 00:18:39,619 --> 00:18:40,819 we need a place to meet. 382 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:41,740 We can't do it here. 383 00:18:42,839 --> 00:18:44,180 And we prayed about it 384 00:18:44,180 --> 00:18:46,859 and we started the Facing Addiction Ministries 385 00:18:46,859 --> 00:18:48,579 first meeting, 386 00:18:48,819 --> 00:18:50,660 addiction-related meeting in a church. 387 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:56,200 And our first meeting was 60 people. 388 00:18:56,940 --> 00:18:59,099 We started calling it Facing Addiction Ministries. 389 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:02,339 This meeting still meets every Thursday 390 00:19:02,339 --> 00:19:03,819 for over seven years 391 00:19:03,819 --> 00:19:06,779 and I haven't ran it once in five plus years. 392 00:19:07,259 --> 00:19:08,700 So that's amazing. 393 00:19:09,259 --> 00:19:10,799 We don't have to be involved 394 00:19:10,799 --> 00:19:11,980 if God's involved. 395 00:19:12,599 --> 00:19:13,480 It's a blessing. 396 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:16,240 By the end of 2017, 397 00:19:16,279 --> 00:19:18,039 I found it Facing Addiction Ministries, 398 00:19:18,599 --> 00:19:19,119 501c3. 399 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:21,059 This nonprofit ministry grew 400 00:19:21,059 --> 00:19:22,779 from the needs of the addiction meeting. 401 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:25,859 I was leading in Covenant 402 00:19:26,500 --> 00:19:27,319 every Thursday night. 403 00:19:27,460 --> 00:19:28,980 We were in need of funding 404 00:19:28,980 --> 00:19:30,319 for step recovery books, 405 00:19:30,619 --> 00:19:31,099 Uber rides, 406 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:32,859 and recovery treatment scholarships. 407 00:19:33,799 --> 00:19:35,000 So everything that happened 408 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:36,019 happened organically. 409 00:19:36,279 --> 00:19:37,960 Like the meeting came about on its own, 410 00:19:38,299 --> 00:19:39,180 the needs grew. 411 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:40,400 So then we needed some way 412 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:41,220 that people could give 413 00:19:41,220 --> 00:19:43,579 and help us provide for the needs. 414 00:19:44,180 --> 00:19:46,359 And it's just been a beautiful journey. 415 00:19:47,819 --> 00:19:48,500 FAM is dedicated 416 00:19:48,500 --> 00:19:49,559 to equipping churches 417 00:19:49,559 --> 00:19:50,900 to serve their communities 418 00:19:50,900 --> 00:19:52,960 with addiction-focused support. 419 00:19:53,759 --> 00:19:55,299 We work with a number of companies 420 00:19:55,299 --> 00:19:56,599 to provide work training 421 00:19:56,599 --> 00:19:58,740 while mentoring and discipling. 422 00:19:59,599 --> 00:20:01,640 We start and develop leaders. 423 00:20:02,099 --> 00:20:03,599 We help develop leaders 424 00:20:03,599 --> 00:20:04,579 for recovery meetings 425 00:20:04,579 --> 00:20:06,519 and ministries within local churches. 426 00:20:07,099 --> 00:20:08,839 We don't go run the meetings 427 00:20:08,839 --> 00:20:09,619 or ministries. 428 00:20:09,980 --> 00:20:11,019 We want to bring people 429 00:20:11,019 --> 00:20:12,000 from the community 430 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:13,059 to be developed 431 00:20:13,059 --> 00:20:14,579 as a leader for that community. 432 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:16,900 As of now, 433 00:20:16,980 --> 00:20:17,759 there are six meetings 434 00:20:17,759 --> 00:20:18,579 in Bucks County. 435 00:20:19,059 --> 00:20:20,779 The churches fully support the meetings 436 00:20:20,779 --> 00:20:21,740 and help with the needs 437 00:20:21,740 --> 00:20:23,000 that arise from the participants. 438 00:20:24,279 --> 00:20:25,799 Our volunteers provide rides 439 00:20:25,799 --> 00:20:26,400 to treatment, 440 00:20:26,619 --> 00:20:27,380 recovery meetings, 441 00:20:27,599 --> 00:20:27,819 church, 442 00:20:28,119 --> 00:20:28,440 work, 443 00:20:29,319 --> 00:20:30,940 and if volunteers aren't available, 444 00:20:31,079 --> 00:20:31,960 we use Uber cards. 445 00:20:32,680 --> 00:20:34,180 And we know what's up. 446 00:20:34,319 --> 00:20:35,720 We don't give them an Uber card. 447 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:37,759 We order the ride 448 00:20:37,759 --> 00:20:39,099 from point A to point B, 449 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:40,440 make sure it's going to a church, 450 00:20:40,539 --> 00:20:40,960 a meeting, 451 00:20:41,299 --> 00:20:42,079 a doctor's office, 452 00:20:42,079 --> 00:20:42,740 work. 453 00:20:44,759 --> 00:20:46,420 And we offer one-on-one 454 00:20:46,420 --> 00:20:47,559 mentorship and training. 455 00:20:48,759 --> 00:20:50,119 And we train church volunteers 456 00:20:50,119 --> 00:20:51,160 to do that as well. 457 00:20:52,299 --> 00:20:53,460 We offer recovery house 458 00:20:53,460 --> 00:20:54,579 and treatment scholarships. 459 00:20:55,460 --> 00:20:56,980 We help with groceries for work 460 00:20:56,980 --> 00:20:58,779 with local food pantries. 461 00:20:59,259 --> 00:21:00,920 We work with local food pantries as well. 462 00:21:01,019 --> 00:21:02,299 And if we ever order someone food, 463 00:21:02,940 --> 00:21:03,900 we do the same thing. 464 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:05,039 We order the food, 465 00:21:05,559 --> 00:21:06,619 send it to their door. 466 00:21:07,559 --> 00:21:08,420 I used to actually, 467 00:21:08,599 --> 00:21:10,140 six years ago, go shopping with them. 468 00:21:10,319 --> 00:21:11,279 That, once it grew, 469 00:21:11,279 --> 00:21:12,519 that wasn't possible anymore. 470 00:21:12,740 --> 00:21:14,559 So thank goodness I can deliver food. 471 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:17,720 And we provide job training 472 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:18,619 and job placement. 473 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:21,859 Our first way that we help 474 00:21:21,859 --> 00:21:22,779 in job placement 475 00:21:22,779 --> 00:21:24,940 is we offer a work readiness assessment 476 00:21:24,940 --> 00:21:26,460 in our office in Doylestown. 477 00:21:26,759 --> 00:21:28,299 It's 199 North Broad Street 478 00:21:28,299 --> 00:21:29,000 in Doylestown, 479 00:21:29,279 --> 00:21:30,400 right across from the courthouse. 480 00:21:31,319 --> 00:21:32,940 That was God's providence as well 481 00:21:32,940 --> 00:21:33,980 because people can walk 482 00:21:33,980 --> 00:21:34,980 from the probation department 483 00:21:34,980 --> 00:21:36,819 or court and be near the transportation, 484 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:37,960 public transportation, 485 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:38,720 and come right over. 486 00:21:40,059 --> 00:21:41,140 So that's been great. 487 00:21:41,140 --> 00:21:42,420 We get referrals from churches, 488 00:21:42,740 --> 00:21:43,339 safe families, 489 00:21:43,900 --> 00:21:44,759 probation departments, 490 00:21:45,119 --> 00:21:45,839 recovery houses, 491 00:21:46,039 --> 00:21:46,920 and recovery meetings. 492 00:21:48,099 --> 00:21:49,279 I usually have an opportunity 493 00:21:49,279 --> 00:21:50,779 to share some of my story, 494 00:21:51,279 --> 00:21:53,180 which allows the person to open up 495 00:21:53,180 --> 00:21:54,559 and feel like they're not sitting 496 00:21:54,559 --> 00:21:55,359 with someone that's sitting 497 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:56,279 in judgment of them, 498 00:21:56,279 --> 00:21:57,200 but they can open up 499 00:21:57,200 --> 00:21:58,559 and I can figure out how I can help 500 00:21:58,559 --> 00:22:00,259 them best with the truth. 501 00:22:01,559 --> 00:22:02,660 Over the last seven years, 502 00:22:02,660 --> 00:22:04,279 we've helped 62 individuals 503 00:22:04,279 --> 00:22:05,900 in the work mentorship program 504 00:22:05,900 --> 00:22:08,220 with a 60% success rate, 505 00:22:08,279 --> 00:22:09,759 meaning they haven't returned 506 00:22:09,759 --> 00:22:11,500 to jail or long-term relapse, 507 00:22:12,900 --> 00:22:14,420 but we also have lost people. 508 00:22:14,819 --> 00:22:16,200 I've been to too many funerals. 509 00:22:16,599 --> 00:22:18,180 I'd rather not ever lose 510 00:22:18,180 --> 00:22:19,200 somebody I care about 511 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:20,640 and working within a deep way, 512 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:22,960 but we are in a fallen world 513 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:24,119 and these things happen. 514 00:22:25,180 --> 00:22:26,460 And I pray for a day where 515 00:22:26,460 --> 00:22:28,240 that won't be the case anymore 516 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:29,640 and I know that's coming. 517 00:22:31,519 --> 00:22:33,079 And through the meetings, 518 00:22:33,079 --> 00:22:35,319 we've calculated that we've helped about 519 00:22:35,319 --> 00:22:37,680 or reached about a thousand people 520 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:39,200 that have heard about Christ 521 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:40,759 and heard about recovery and hope. 522 00:22:43,759 --> 00:22:45,160 Through Dolestown Carpentry, 523 00:22:45,420 --> 00:22:46,000 my business, 524 00:22:46,859 --> 00:22:48,940 we provide paid hands-on training 525 00:22:49,519 --> 00:22:51,519 in a trade with wraparound care 526 00:22:51,519 --> 00:22:53,420 provided by Facing Addiction Ministries. 527 00:22:54,859 --> 00:22:56,059 And we help men who've come 528 00:22:56,059 --> 00:22:57,740 out of addiction or incarceration. 529 00:22:58,559 --> 00:22:59,779 We have helped one woman. 530 00:23:00,180 --> 00:23:02,380 It's rare, but that's in there 531 00:23:02,380 --> 00:23:03,500 if we can and it fits. 532 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:05,779 The heart of the work 533 00:23:05,779 --> 00:23:06,859 is building integrity, 534 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:07,880 hope, and purpose 535 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:09,460 through biblical values 536 00:23:09,460 --> 00:23:10,660 and community care. 537 00:23:11,480 --> 00:23:12,240 Everything we do 538 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:13,000 through our business, 539 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:14,559 our ministry, and our partnerships 540 00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:16,160 is about helping people 541 00:23:16,160 --> 00:23:17,380 stand on their own two feet 542 00:23:17,380 --> 00:23:19,140 and experiencing the love of God. 543 00:23:19,779 --> 00:23:20,559 That's been the goal. 544 00:23:20,700 --> 00:23:21,480 It was done for me 545 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:22,539 and I'm trying to reproduce 546 00:23:22,539 --> 00:23:23,859 what God's done in my life 547 00:23:23,859 --> 00:23:24,519 for others. 548 00:23:25,799 --> 00:23:27,720 This isn't an easy operation. 549 00:23:28,099 --> 00:23:29,500 This is an intense process 550 00:23:29,500 --> 00:23:31,380 of walking with people day to day 551 00:23:31,380 --> 00:23:32,359 through good and bad. 552 00:23:33,859 --> 00:23:34,920 How can we all walk? 553 00:23:35,119 --> 00:23:36,500 So this is my question to everyone. 554 00:23:36,500 --> 00:23:38,559 How can we all walk with people 555 00:23:38,559 --> 00:23:39,720 in our day to day lives 556 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:40,500 through our businesses, 557 00:23:40,500 --> 00:23:42,799 our jobs, our neighbor, 558 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:44,799 someone we see that's struggling. 559 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:47,180 Do you see the struggle 560 00:23:47,180 --> 00:23:48,200 of your neighbor 561 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:49,480 or do you walk right by? 562 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:52,099 That's my question. 563 00:23:52,539 --> 00:23:53,660 I mean, we all get busy 564 00:23:53,660 --> 00:23:54,960 and we just keep doing 565 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:56,099 what we need to do. 566 00:23:57,039 --> 00:23:59,039 And sometimes that has to be the case 567 00:23:59,039 --> 00:24:00,660 and other times we need to pray 568 00:24:00,660 --> 00:24:01,920 about where we can step in 569 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:02,319 and help. 570 00:24:03,480 --> 00:24:04,839 The truth of the matter is 571 00:24:06,500 --> 00:24:08,579 is many of us look through others 572 00:24:08,579 --> 00:24:10,740 instead of seeing them. 573 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:12,440 And sometimes it's not even 574 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:13,259 about the action 575 00:24:13,259 --> 00:24:14,480 of doing something. 576 00:24:14,660 --> 00:24:15,720 It's about letting them know 577 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:16,299 they're seen 578 00:24:16,940 --> 00:24:18,400 and that they're cared about. 579 00:24:20,860 --> 00:24:22,319 When we are preoccupied 580 00:24:22,319 --> 00:24:23,559 with our own concerns, 581 00:24:23,559 --> 00:24:24,720 much of the world 582 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:26,619 is simply invisible to us. 583 00:24:27,339 --> 00:24:28,619 Service is rooted in seeing 584 00:24:29,220 --> 00:24:30,980 and seeing others as God does 585 00:24:30,980 --> 00:24:32,819 as seeing the image of God 586 00:24:32,819 --> 00:24:33,539 in others. 587 00:24:33,539 --> 00:24:37,079 The rhythm of missional encounter 588 00:24:37,079 --> 00:24:38,920 has to do with anticipating 589 00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:40,240 and planning to share 590 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:41,660 the love of God with others 591 00:24:42,180 --> 00:24:43,819 who we encounter in society. 592 00:24:45,380 --> 00:24:46,579 Encounter could be an accident, 593 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:48,119 but missional encounter 594 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:49,380 has some thought 595 00:24:49,380 --> 00:24:50,819 and intention behind it. 596 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:52,480 A missional encounter 597 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:54,279 might happen through conversations, 598 00:24:55,299 --> 00:24:56,000 through a conversation, 599 00:24:56,339 --> 00:24:56,859 through witnessing 600 00:24:56,859 --> 00:24:58,680 or by praying for others. 601 00:24:59,460 --> 00:25:00,779 But one of the most effective 602 00:25:00,779 --> 00:25:01,859 missional encounters 603 00:25:01,859 --> 00:25:03,039 is when we serve 604 00:25:03,039 --> 00:25:05,000 those in great need 605 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:06,720 and alleviate hurt, harm 606 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:07,400 and suffering. 607 00:25:09,039 --> 00:25:09,819 I want to ask 608 00:25:09,819 --> 00:25:11,099 every man in this room 609 00:25:12,299 --> 00:25:13,680 where you can evaluate 610 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:15,339 and give up some of your time 611 00:25:15,339 --> 00:25:17,160 and energy to help someone. 612 00:25:17,599 --> 00:25:19,119 I really want to challenge you guys 613 00:25:19,119 --> 00:25:20,339 if God can use me 614 00:25:20,339 --> 00:25:21,240 all these years. 615 00:25:21,759 --> 00:25:23,380 I haven't even graduated high school 616 00:25:23,380 --> 00:25:24,500 and he's equipped me 617 00:25:24,500 --> 00:25:26,000 to do things for his will 618 00:25:26,579 --> 00:25:28,240 and to be obedient to it. 619 00:25:28,420 --> 00:25:29,660 And he's blessed it 620 00:25:29,660 --> 00:25:30,839 and provided for me 621 00:25:30,839 --> 00:25:31,720 every step of the way 622 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:32,920 in ways that don't make sense. 623 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:34,720 A business should not 624 00:25:34,720 --> 00:25:35,480 be able to take on 625 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:36,420 a bunch of trainees 626 00:25:37,099 --> 00:25:38,059 all the time 627 00:25:38,059 --> 00:25:39,279 and then send them out 628 00:25:39,279 --> 00:25:40,539 to have their own businesses 629 00:25:40,539 --> 00:25:41,839 or do well somewhere else. 630 00:25:41,940 --> 00:25:43,039 You would keep that asset 631 00:25:43,039 --> 00:25:44,160 you trained in a business 632 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:45,200 for it to do well. 633 00:25:46,099 --> 00:25:47,180 So he does bless 634 00:25:47,180 --> 00:25:48,700 the hands of the things 635 00:25:48,700 --> 00:25:49,640 that we're doing 636 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:51,259 for his will, for his kingdom. 637 00:25:54,960 --> 00:25:56,680 And if we can't sacrifice 638 00:25:57,420 --> 00:25:59,619 after Jesus sacrificed himself 639 00:25:59,619 --> 00:26:03,480 for us, then we're lost. 640 00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:05,640 I don't want to waste 641 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:06,480 the single breath 642 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:07,400 of his new life 643 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:09,140 on selfish exploits. 644 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:11,420 I want to be kingdom-minded. 645 00:26:12,099 --> 00:26:13,319 I want to see his church 646 00:26:13,319 --> 00:26:14,200 move in power 647 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:16,039 and work together 648 00:26:16,039 --> 00:26:17,559 in united prayerful ways. 649 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:20,539 It can be as simple 650 00:26:20,539 --> 00:26:22,299 as taking someone out 651 00:26:22,299 --> 00:26:23,339 weekly for coffee 652 00:26:23,339 --> 00:26:24,700 and going over scripture 653 00:26:25,220 --> 00:26:26,079 or as complex 654 00:26:26,079 --> 00:26:27,319 as creating a new position 655 00:26:27,319 --> 00:26:28,160 in your business 656 00:26:28,160 --> 00:26:28,960 just for training 657 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:29,960 someone who desperately 658 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:30,799 needs a chance. 659 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:33,619 You can't force the care. 660 00:26:34,259 --> 00:26:35,400 Don't do it reluctantly. 661 00:26:35,740 --> 00:26:36,880 Don't give reluctantly 662 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:40,640 because sincere 663 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:41,700 God-led action 664 00:26:41,700 --> 00:26:42,960 is not fake 665 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:44,400 and the power of God 666 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:44,980 only moves 667 00:26:44,980 --> 00:26:46,039 in an obedient heart. 668 00:26:47,339 --> 00:26:48,500 So that's so important 669 00:26:48,500 --> 00:26:49,400 to be moved, 670 00:26:49,559 --> 00:26:50,579 to be called to do it, 671 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:51,900 not to force it. 672 00:26:56,579 --> 00:26:58,099 Ultimately, we have to let go 673 00:26:58,099 --> 00:26:58,720 of everything 674 00:26:58,720 --> 00:27:00,500 to receive the gift of eternity. 675 00:27:01,319 --> 00:27:02,319 So I encourage you 676 00:27:02,319 --> 00:27:03,619 to stretch, give, 677 00:27:03,779 --> 00:27:04,740 and invest in others. 678 00:27:07,859 --> 00:27:10,099 In John 21, 679 00:27:10,279 --> 00:27:11,740 verse 15 through 17, 680 00:27:12,779 --> 00:27:13,779 when Peter failed 681 00:27:13,779 --> 00:27:16,359 and denied Jesus three times, 682 00:27:16,900 --> 00:27:18,200 the Lord came to him 683 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:19,660 for redemption through action. 684 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:21,819 That action was simple. 685 00:27:22,539 --> 00:27:23,240 Do you love me? 686 00:27:23,579 --> 00:27:23,819 Yes. 687 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:25,960 If you do, feed my sheep. 688 00:27:26,940 --> 00:27:27,700 Shepherd my people. 689 00:27:27,700 --> 00:27:29,400 Feed my lambs. 690 00:27:29,640 --> 00:27:30,859 It's very clear 691 00:27:30,859 --> 00:27:31,900 how redemption works 692 00:27:31,900 --> 00:27:33,319 and how restoration works. 693 00:27:33,980 --> 00:27:36,180 He wants us to be used 694 00:27:36,180 --> 00:27:37,000 for his will 695 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:37,940 to help others. 696 00:27:39,579 --> 00:27:41,140 Jesus is clear in Matthew, 697 00:27:41,420 --> 00:27:42,420 chapter 25, 698 00:27:42,599 --> 00:27:44,039 verse 31 through 46. 699 00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:46,039 We will be judged. 700 00:27:46,700 --> 00:27:47,799 And one crucial test 701 00:27:47,799 --> 00:27:48,720 of a man who serves 702 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:49,619 the Lord is this. 703 00:27:50,619 --> 00:27:51,559 Did you show love 704 00:27:51,559 --> 00:27:52,339 and compassion 705 00:27:52,339 --> 00:27:53,559 by serving the hungry, 706 00:27:53,839 --> 00:27:54,380 the thirsty, 707 00:27:54,660 --> 00:27:55,099 the sick, 708 00:27:55,299 --> 00:27:55,779 the imprisoned, 709 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:56,480 and the needy? 710 00:27:57,259 --> 00:27:58,539 Because in serving 711 00:27:58,539 --> 00:27:59,539 the least of these, 712 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:01,259 we are serving him. 713 00:28:02,440 --> 00:28:03,160 Those who neglected 714 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:04,339 such acts of mercy 715 00:28:04,339 --> 00:28:06,039 will face eternal separation 716 00:28:06,559 --> 00:28:07,359 while the righteous 717 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:08,740 will inherit eternal life. 718 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:12,019 And in John chapter 13, 719 00:28:12,359 --> 00:28:13,859 verse 33 through 35, 720 00:28:14,700 --> 00:28:16,640 we're left with a call to action. 721 00:28:17,940 --> 00:28:18,380 He says, 722 00:28:18,740 --> 00:28:19,319 little children, 723 00:28:19,799 --> 00:28:21,240 I shall be with you no longer. 724 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:22,279 I shall be with you 725 00:28:22,279 --> 00:28:23,339 a little while longer. 726 00:28:24,420 --> 00:28:25,380 You will seek me. 727 00:28:25,619 --> 00:28:26,140 And as I said 728 00:28:26,140 --> 00:28:26,859 to the Jews 729 00:28:26,859 --> 00:28:27,920 where I am going, 730 00:28:27,960 --> 00:28:28,799 you cannot come. 731 00:28:29,640 --> 00:28:30,779 So now I say to you 732 00:28:30,779 --> 00:28:31,859 a new commandment. 733 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:33,119 I give to you 734 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:34,539 that you love one another. 735 00:28:35,579 --> 00:28:36,299 I have love 736 00:28:36,299 --> 00:28:37,579 as I have loved you 737 00:28:37,579 --> 00:28:39,640 that you also love one another. 738 00:28:40,359 --> 00:28:41,000 By this, 739 00:28:41,079 --> 00:28:41,700 all will know 740 00:28:41,700 --> 00:28:42,779 that you are my disciples 741 00:28:42,779 --> 00:28:43,880 if you have love 742 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:44,680 for one another. 743 00:28:45,779 --> 00:28:47,440 So he just reiterates 744 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:48,299 the same thing 745 00:28:48,299 --> 00:28:49,200 in different ways 746 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:50,140 over and over. 747 00:28:51,299 --> 00:28:52,799 In Matthew 28, 748 00:28:52,859 --> 00:28:54,259 verse 18 through 20. 749 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:57,680 And Jesus came and spoke to them 750 00:28:57,680 --> 00:28:58,920 saying all authority 751 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:00,079 has been given to me 752 00:29:00,079 --> 00:29:01,920 in heaven and on earth. 753 00:29:02,779 --> 00:29:03,460 Go therefore 754 00:29:03,460 --> 00:29:04,420 and make disciples 755 00:29:04,420 --> 00:29:05,599 of all nations, 756 00:29:06,259 --> 00:29:07,019 baptizing them 757 00:29:07,019 --> 00:29:08,059 in the name of the Father 758 00:29:08,059 --> 00:29:08,839 and the Son 759 00:29:08,839 --> 00:29:09,960 and the Holy Spirit. 760 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:12,099 Teaching them to observe 761 00:29:12,099 --> 00:29:13,079 all things 762 00:29:13,079 --> 00:29:14,519 I have commanded you. 763 00:29:15,259 --> 00:29:15,900 And lo, 764 00:29:16,140 --> 00:29:16,799 I am with you 765 00:29:16,799 --> 00:29:18,200 even to the end of the age. 766 00:29:19,019 --> 00:29:20,119 So he commanded us 767 00:29:20,119 --> 00:29:20,940 to love others. 768 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:22,700 And then he says, 769 00:29:22,700 --> 00:29:24,440 do what I've commanded you 770 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:25,460 in Matthew. 771 00:29:26,279 --> 00:29:27,220 And I am with you 772 00:29:27,220 --> 00:29:28,319 to the end of the age. 773 00:29:29,119 --> 00:29:30,299 So he is with us 774 00:29:30,299 --> 00:29:31,200 when we are loving 775 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:32,579 and caring for someone else. 776 00:29:33,019 --> 00:29:33,759 When we see them 777 00:29:33,759 --> 00:29:35,160 as an image bearer of God 778 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:36,599 instead of as somebody 779 00:29:36,599 --> 00:29:37,339 that's in our way 780 00:29:37,339 --> 00:29:38,019 of our schedule. 781 00:29:40,300 --> 00:29:42,299 Before I finish this, 782 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:44,039 I'd like to remember 783 00:29:44,039 --> 00:29:46,200 what God has modeled for us 784 00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:47,500 in a big way. 785 00:29:51,070 --> 00:29:54,190 In his perfect, faithful, loving way. 786 00:29:55,210 --> 00:29:56,789 So in Romans chapter 5, 787 00:29:56,990 --> 00:29:58,369 verse 5 through 11, 788 00:30:00,430 --> 00:30:03,250 and hope does not put us to shame 789 00:30:03,250 --> 00:30:04,690 because God's love 790 00:30:04,690 --> 00:30:05,650 has been poured out 791 00:30:05,650 --> 00:30:06,549 into our hearts 792 00:30:06,549 --> 00:30:07,769 through the Holy Spirit 793 00:30:07,769 --> 00:30:09,849 who has been given to us. 794 00:30:10,609 --> 00:30:12,190 You see at just the right time 795 00:30:12,190 --> 00:30:13,869 when we were still powerless, 796 00:30:14,269 --> 00:30:15,930 Christ died for the unGodly. 797 00:30:17,049 --> 00:30:17,509 Very important. 798 00:30:17,509 --> 00:30:18,970 Very rarely in this world 799 00:30:18,970 --> 00:30:20,130 will anyone die 800 00:30:20,130 --> 00:30:21,309 for a righteous person, 801 00:30:21,890 --> 00:30:23,029 though for a good person 802 00:30:23,029 --> 00:30:24,109 someone might possibly 803 00:30:24,109 --> 00:30:24,990 dare to die. 804 00:30:26,349 --> 00:30:27,450 But God demonstrates 805 00:30:27,450 --> 00:30:29,130 his own love for us in this. 806 00:30:29,609 --> 00:30:30,869 While we were still sinners, 807 00:30:31,210 --> 00:30:32,309 Christ died for us. 808 00:30:33,269 --> 00:30:34,210 Since we have now been 809 00:30:34,210 --> 00:30:35,769 justified by his blood, 810 00:30:36,170 --> 00:30:36,910 how much more 811 00:30:36,910 --> 00:30:37,789 shall we be saved 812 00:30:37,789 --> 00:30:39,269 from God's wrath through him? 813 00:30:39,990 --> 00:30:41,029 For while we were 814 00:30:41,029 --> 00:30:41,789 God's enemies, 815 00:30:42,369 --> 00:30:43,789 we were reconciled to him 816 00:30:43,789 --> 00:30:45,029 through the death of his son. 817 00:30:45,730 --> 00:30:46,509 How much more 818 00:30:46,509 --> 00:30:47,849 having been reconciled 819 00:30:47,849 --> 00:30:48,769 shall we be saved 820 00:30:48,769 --> 00:30:49,609 through his life? 821 00:30:50,569 --> 00:30:52,089 Not only in this so, 822 00:30:52,609 --> 00:30:54,529 but we also boast in God 823 00:30:54,529 --> 00:30:56,069 through our Lord Jesus Christ, 824 00:30:57,529 --> 00:30:58,650 through whom we have 825 00:30:58,650 --> 00:31:00,430 now received reconciliation. 826 00:31:01,730 --> 00:31:03,390 So the verse I selected 827 00:31:03,390 --> 00:31:04,970 really focused on us 828 00:31:04,970 --> 00:31:05,970 abiding in him, 829 00:31:06,470 --> 00:31:07,549 doing his will, 830 00:31:07,809 --> 00:31:08,690 helping his people, 831 00:31:08,849 --> 00:31:11,369 seeing his people as him, 832 00:31:11,609 --> 00:31:12,950 as him being with us. 833 00:31:13,250 --> 00:31:13,990 And he promises 834 00:31:13,990 --> 00:31:15,009 in those places 835 00:31:15,009 --> 00:31:15,769 when you're doing 836 00:31:15,769 --> 00:31:16,430 those things, 837 00:31:16,690 --> 00:31:17,970 he is abiding in you, 838 00:31:18,349 --> 00:31:19,069 and with you, 839 00:31:19,190 --> 00:31:20,089 and empowering you. 840 00:31:21,130 --> 00:31:22,109 And I know I want to be 841 00:31:22,109 --> 00:31:23,630 as close to Jesus as possible. 842 00:31:24,450 --> 00:31:25,630 I know the life I led 843 00:31:25,630 --> 00:31:26,269 without him. 844 00:31:27,410 --> 00:31:28,609 And so that's my, 845 00:31:28,829 --> 00:31:29,549 I want to challenge 846 00:31:29,549 --> 00:31:30,470 everyone in here. 847 00:31:30,910 --> 00:31:32,109 This is his call. 848 00:31:32,369 --> 00:31:33,210 He reiterates it 849 00:31:33,210 --> 00:31:34,190 so many times. 850 00:31:34,809 --> 00:31:36,569 It's not a me-centered faith. 851 00:31:37,170 --> 00:31:38,009 It's an outward 852 00:31:38,009 --> 00:31:39,049 expression of faith. 853 00:31:43,349 --> 00:31:44,470 The other thing I'd like 854 00:31:44,470 --> 00:31:45,630 to encourage everyone 855 00:31:45,630 --> 00:31:47,230 with is getting prayer. 856 00:31:48,390 --> 00:31:49,369 We can't, 857 00:31:49,369 --> 00:31:51,029 we can't care for others 858 00:31:51,029 --> 00:31:52,250 if we haven't received 859 00:31:52,250 --> 00:31:53,589 care from God 860 00:31:53,589 --> 00:31:54,269 and his people. 861 00:31:55,309 --> 00:31:56,049 You're not going to 862 00:31:56,049 --> 00:31:56,950 disciple well 863 00:31:56,950 --> 00:31:58,730 if you haven't been discipled. 864 00:31:59,470 --> 00:32:00,849 And being discipled 865 00:32:00,849 --> 00:32:01,650 takes vulnerability. 866 00:32:02,210 --> 00:32:03,190 Going to another man, 867 00:32:03,650 --> 00:32:04,809 someone, a pastor, 868 00:32:05,230 --> 00:32:05,869 a brother in Christ, 869 00:32:06,450 --> 00:32:07,849 with open vulnerability 870 00:32:08,350 --> 00:32:09,130 and honesty 871 00:32:09,130 --> 00:32:10,670 to be cared for. 872 00:32:11,910 --> 00:32:12,910 So today, 873 00:32:12,910 --> 00:32:13,769 if you have anything 874 00:32:13,769 --> 00:32:14,809 you need prayer for, 875 00:32:14,809 --> 00:32:15,750 I would urge you 876 00:32:15,750 --> 00:32:16,490 to find someone 877 00:32:16,490 --> 00:32:17,309 to pray for you 878 00:32:17,309 --> 00:32:18,750 and be open about it. 879 00:32:18,910 --> 00:32:19,789 We all have stuff. 880 00:32:19,990 --> 00:32:20,869 Every single person here 881 00:32:20,869 --> 00:32:21,609 guarantees there's 882 00:32:21,609 --> 00:32:22,529 something you need prayer for. 883 00:32:23,730 --> 00:32:25,049 And so that vulnerable, 884 00:32:25,450 --> 00:32:26,049 that humility, 885 00:32:26,849 --> 00:32:27,910 that's where God fills 886 00:32:27,910 --> 00:32:28,450 that space 887 00:32:28,450 --> 00:32:29,349 and equips you 888 00:32:29,349 --> 00:32:30,630 to do it for someone else later. 889 00:32:32,170 --> 00:32:33,170 It was a little shorter 890 00:32:33,170 --> 00:32:33,849 than I thought, 891 00:32:34,210 --> 00:32:35,549 but did you want to do? 892 00:32:40,730 --> 00:32:41,289 Yeah. 893 00:32:45,309 --> 00:32:47,950 After. Okay. 894 00:32:50,309 --> 00:32:51,650 So for the prayer time, 895 00:32:51,829 --> 00:32:52,589 I'd like to, 896 00:32:56,090 --> 00:32:57,809 yeah, I'm torn between the two, 897 00:32:58,029 --> 00:32:59,329 to the two options. 898 00:33:00,410 --> 00:33:02,009 So I feel like 899 00:33:02,589 --> 00:33:03,230 it would be good 900 00:33:03,230 --> 00:33:04,230 to pray for others 901 00:33:04,230 --> 00:33:05,009 that we know 902 00:33:05,009 --> 00:33:05,750 that are struggling 903 00:33:06,369 --> 00:33:08,509 and how God can use us 904 00:33:08,509 --> 00:33:09,410 to help them. 905 00:33:10,089 --> 00:33:11,230 I also feel 906 00:33:11,230 --> 00:33:11,970 it's really important 907 00:33:11,970 --> 00:33:12,769 for us to actually 908 00:33:12,769 --> 00:33:13,849 pray for one another, 909 00:33:14,369 --> 00:33:15,750 like every person to your left 910 00:33:15,750 --> 00:33:17,130 to be equipped to do that. 911 00:33:17,930 --> 00:33:18,769 That's a lot, 912 00:33:18,849 --> 00:33:19,490 but I think we have 913 00:33:19,490 --> 00:33:20,349 enough time for it. 914 00:33:20,410 --> 00:33:21,230 I'd like to do both. 915 00:33:23,210 --> 00:33:24,250 Please don't use names 916 00:33:24,250 --> 00:33:24,789 of the people 917 00:33:24,789 --> 00:33:26,109 that you want to pray for. 918 00:33:26,569 --> 00:33:27,589 You can just say 919 00:33:27,589 --> 00:33:28,250 my neighbor, 920 00:33:28,809 --> 00:33:29,849 my coworker, 921 00:33:30,150 --> 00:33:30,809 him, her, 922 00:33:31,470 --> 00:33:31,730 you know, 923 00:33:31,789 --> 00:33:32,369 we don't want to throw 924 00:33:32,369 --> 00:33:34,150 everybody's name out there. 925 00:33:35,609 --> 00:33:36,230 But yeah, 926 00:33:36,349 --> 00:33:37,210 if everyone can just go 927 00:33:37,210 --> 00:33:38,650 around their table 928 00:33:38,650 --> 00:33:40,009 and say someone 929 00:33:40,009 --> 00:33:41,009 they would like to pray for 930 00:33:41,009 --> 00:33:41,809 and pray for them 931 00:33:41,809 --> 00:33:43,210 and do that first 932 00:33:43,730 --> 00:33:44,890 and then go around 933 00:33:44,890 --> 00:33:45,750 and pray for the man 934 00:33:45,750 --> 00:33:46,410 to your left 935 00:33:46,410 --> 00:33:47,609 that they be equipped 936 00:33:47,609 --> 00:33:48,730 by the Holy Spirit 937 00:33:49,250 --> 00:33:50,730 to care for those people. 938 00:33:51,430 --> 00:33:52,269 I think that would be 939 00:33:52,269 --> 00:33:53,289 a beautiful exercise. 940 00:33:55,890 --> 00:33:56,869 I'll go to my table 941 00:33:56,869 --> 00:33:57,309 and do that 942 00:33:57,309 --> 00:33:58,029 and then I'll come back up 943 00:33:58,029 --> 00:33:58,829 for a Q&A. 944 00:34:03,490 --> 00:34:04,809 Thanks for joining us 945 00:34:04,809 --> 00:34:06,170 at Lansdale Life Church 946 00:34:06,170 --> 00:34:07,329 as we praise God 947 00:34:07,329 --> 00:34:08,690 and discuss His Word. 948 00:34:09,389 --> 00:34:10,630 Don't forget to join us 949 00:34:10,630 --> 00:34:12,449 for Worship Lives Sunday mornings 950 00:34:12,449 --> 00:34:14,829 at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 951 00:34:15,869 --> 00:34:16,289 Be blessed 952 00:34:16,289 --> 00:34:17,929 and have a great day!