Embracing God's Provision and Community Transformation

$110,000 our $35,000 is some instead of being minus about 2 for we are plus $5,000 in what we need to renovate their thank you Lord right where in the world do they know where Stockbridge Michigan is man because God knows right he knows the hairs on your head so God knows God cares God loves us and he wants this to happen in what less than six months that is not how churches move that is not how things happen it isn't it is not I've been doing this I've been in this church 29 years and I've never seen anything like this never okay so let me shift gears Brian was supposed to be up here I only I'll I'll cut into his time not mine so uh a part of our vision that we've had is strengthening other churches in the area so we have What's called the pond we tell you guys all the time about the pond men coming in learning to be elders and then we have two other Church churches there's a church out of Holt and a church out of Mason that come and bring their men to be brought up in how to be Elders so we're strengthening them through the pond churches we didn't even know existed I think you guys met at a conference right and of all places an ABC conference they met and talked about what we're doing and they go we want to join that's very cool so we're helping them out Phil and I have gone to churches to fill the pulpit because their Pastor on vacation or whatever and they called up Brian Johnson said hey I need somebody to fill the pulpit he said hey I know a couple guys give them a call so we're doing that for them we've helped uh a couple other churches trying to be be able to come back from one foot on the grave and one foot on a banana peel that's and and that hasn't worked as well as we l like but it it's been going good so that was our vision that's where I thought we were going not to Chelsea I thought we were going to help churches okay that's mine and Brian's I'm G give this to Phil I'll see you guys I got than thanks [00:10:52]

um so I just uh yeah kind of piggy back off of what Durk was talking about like the pond and everything and um three of us men that are standing up here um who are Elders came from the pond and what God has been doing just a wonderful thing in this church is is just building us up and strengthen us and preparing us for something what was that now we know is to go out you know Matthew 28:19 go out and make disciples of all Nations baptizing them in the name of the father Son and the Holy Spirit that's what God is is calling us to go out take the gospel may maybe not to a different country Town up right up the road here right they need it and uh so you see how God has just been building us up and building us up and and over the past what three years I think it's uh he he's just really been going to town building us up here and we get to go out and uh use what God has done and uh and bless other people with it um so I'm super excited I know we were sitting around the Elder table uh yesterday and uh just praying and praying and praying and just so thankful for what God is doing andad to be part of it and uh it's a beautiful thing for to be going on this journey with y'all all I got really to see a couple things I just wanted to point out um during this process is that if you know me uh speed is not my name I'm slow at everything I do whatever I get into it's always slow thoughtful uh this was a Fast Trip six months uh it we just had to hold on and so yeah give thanks for the Lord for that but his hand was on everything not only from the beginning um a door may be opened but it was closed on us we we'd step another way after after prayer and another closure on us uh nobody uh got disheartened about it we just turned to look at what possibly uh we could do for the Lord and uh uh that's when the church miraculously was sent by a text by Josh to us that um it was up for sale um and we knew when we went over to look at it that uh the price they were asking uh we could not delay if we were going to do it uh so that may be I know I had heard from a few people that uh this came too quick there wasn't enough time to think about it um the same for us we were there the Lord was leading we were following so uh yeah that was uh that was our faith being tested I think there so yeah and then so past here thank you all for for uh U giving us your vote and your U thoughts on it and and so not only that we have the daycare uh being interwoven into that we're hoping to get that um launched at some point in the near future correct and uh so the Lord has blessed us not only with showing us what he wanted us to do uh by the opening and closing of all these opportunities but he was there to uh to lead us uh into what we should be doing so uh we have the opportunity to spread his word uh in another location and that just shows uh God's hand throughout this entire process and uh that was the other day yesterday we were singing his praise so that's about all I have okay well I don't look much like a cheerleader but um I don't think that if we try to do some kind of a cheer for God that we would do a very good job up here but but I hope that's what you uh guys can see and hear from us is encouragement that God has in this and that we're uh we're excited to be a part of something that that God is doing and uh hey if he can if he can make rocks cry out then he can get some get a little bit of excitement out of us also um so what I wanted to do is just pray for us to close this part of our our sermon get back to the preaching Heavenly Father we're just just in amazement at your grace your goodness and just awe of the many ways that you're able to work and that you're able to use people that have never been to Stockbridge before they've never been to Chelsea but but they heard of us and they go we want to help All For Your Glory and we're just so grateful for that that that you are are bigger than us all that you're able to do things that we can't even understand and that we can't see that there's spiritual Realms out there that that are in control and that that you're guiding us and I just pray that our congregation would see that you are in this that you are in control and that that you're out there leading us and and fighting for us I pray that our eyes will be opened just like Elisha's servant that we'd be able to see the the the Unseen the way that you're out there working for us protecting and guiding so I just pray that you continue to do that that you would continue to lead us and guide us and and that we would be encouraged and we would follow your um just follow your lead in all that we do we thank you Lord in the name of Jesus I pray amen thank you [00:13:33]

man thank you guys um wow what God is doing is blowing us away there's so much more to share and we're going to share more and more more in the coming days but we've got an opportunity this morning uh for Robin to share with us a little bit about what's going on and to encourage us to be a part of it so let me turn this over to you thank you good morning um yeah I I heard about the $10,000 and then the other $10,000 and then another $10,000 and then yesterday at our workday um one of the volunteers came up to me and said you know I was telling our parents about um the children's ministry and what we were doing with the church and they decided to write a $600 check for everything that um to donate for the children's ministry so I'm like of course God made that happen of course that is anymore it's just I'm just um in awe but first and foremost um just a heartfelt thank you to all of the incredible volunteers um your leadership and your commitment to serving the lord during this busy time um it's just exciting um to see in this season of God's church and truly it growing and and just I'm in awe and and truly inspired by all of you um Janine I think she's here um somewhere um but she's just her talents um for putting this together if you've not set foot in the church you can see what's happening and this was all her vision that she's put together and orchestrated um we want to share the pro process what's happening and what still um Li ahead for the church um right now we're transforming the church in the Worship Center um the children's ministry Ministry space new walls have been built and everything is undergoing a thorough cleaning and fresh paint job however there is still a substantial amount of work to be done and we truly need everyone's talents and energy um this is an extraordinary opportunity right now that we are our our church is truly walking and um an opportunity to um be a part of something bigger than ourselves it's going to last for eternity this is an extraordinary opportunity as I mentioned um to use our gifts that he's given us to glorify him as it radiates Christ's love to a new community this moment may never happen again so we don't want to miss this don't miss the opportunity to serve and be part of something um so am amazing for for our church um to advance God's kingdom um it's clear as you just heard that God is blessing this mission of our church and affirming that this is his will for us um word is spreading very quickly in Chelsea people are excited to um join us and hear what's happening and excited for um our first service in April so all of you um each family hopefully received a commitment card um that's what we're asking for is we're inviting you to join us in this commitment we can't do this um alone it's going to take everybody to build continue to build build uh God's Church in Chelsea um what we're asking for is you can see um which Saturday would you like to to attend maybe it's one maybe you can commit to one service a month in the first service of the the first Saturday of the month or maybe it's all four if you could check that box we' appreciate it um the ways to serve are are similar to what we need here for volunteers um in addition I would like to add to that musicians um hospitality and Outreach if those are of interest to you please um write that on your card and if you are not receiving the email to going to volunteers um please write email on the card as that goes um when you filled it out um you can put that in the offering plate but we'll add you to the um volunte L because there's volunteers there four to five nights a week until um the goal is accomplished and we're we're ready to open those doors so when we invite you um to join us whether you can commit to one or all four whatever you can commit to until we're ready to pass the Baton um just to the next people that are ready to serve in those areas we don't know how long that's going to be only God does to launch our effort successfully and truly reflect God's love to this community we are encouraging these commitments um so let's remain steadfast in our service to him when uh even when challenges um it challenges our comfort and our convenience which it will I believe God will continue to bless our efforts and our obedience to serving him through this way um please take a moment to fill out your card and again put that in the offering Plage and please continue to pray for Chelsea as well as Stockbridge as um and please always continue to invite um to be able to advance God's Kingdom so we're excited about what's what's happening and thank you all for your support amen amen if I could have uh Janine come on up here and uh we just want to pray over you I'm looking around for Elder wives and Carol you're here so will you come up here and will you lay hands on these two ladies I'm going to pray for them God is using these two ladies in some incredible ways right now and uh we just want to pray over them and continue to bless them as they do the work so let me pray Holy Father we are so grateful for the report we have just heard and as we are watching and hearing Lord we know that all of this is from you we say thank you Father Lord we want to take some time to say thank you for these two women who are serving you with the gifts and abilities and skills you have given them both that they were born with naturally and that they were born again with through the power of of your Holy Spirit Lord gifts that are given to them to be used by You For Your Glory we thank you Lord for Janine and how she has the gift to be able to walk into a room and see not what it is but what it can be and we ask father that you continue to pour out your blessing on her we thank you for those who have rallied around her to to help reshape this space into a space that's going to point to Christ that's going to Fresh it up and and bring a new look father we thank you for that and thank you for those whom you have placed your spirit on just as we looked a few weeks ago in your word as you had gifted bezel and a holab with the skills of craftsmanship we thank you for those whom you've surrounded Janine with who have the skills to be able to put into place the the vision you've given Lord continue to bless her and help her to see that father you have her right where you want her and you're using her for your purposes father thank you for Robin the gifts and skills you've given her and that she's honed over the years of being able to coordinate and organize and and to schedule thank you for her personality that attracts people to want to serve thank you Lord for how you're using her to begin to build just a core team of people who will go and serve we want to be light and Lord we know that there's a lot of darkness and so we ask that you continue to uplift Rob that you would continue to strengthen Robin you'd encourage Robin Lord that you continue to surround her with the volunteers that are needed as we go and plant a new church thank you Lord for your care for your love for your concern for us we know that you're doing greater things than we can even imagine thank you father in Jesus name amen thank you [00:19:32]

I love this passage and there are a lot of reasons why I love this passage but Israel also loved this passage we see throughout the Old Testament that Exodus 346 and 7 is quoted again and again and again this is a profound moment moment this is a moment where God tells us who he is this is a moment where we no longer have to speculate about who God is because he has told us and so as we dive into the text we're going to answer three questions this morning first how does God reveal himself this is a massive question for every person and if we answer it wrongly then we end up living apart from God how does God reveal himself there's so many gospel Illusions and pictures here in Exodus 33 20 and 23 and if I had time to dive into each one of these we would but this morning I just want to show you a few things first God says in response to Moses's cry show me Me Your Glory God says listen you can't handle my glory you can't handle it so here's what we're going to do beside me is a rock and you're going to stand on it and then I'm going to put you in the Cliff of a rock and my hand will cover you and I'm going to pass by you and if you have gospel ears you ought to be hearing Jesus is at the right hand of the father Jesus is the rock we're hid in Christ this is beautiful and and and then God's going to pass by and it's not through seeing that he's going to understand who God is because he doesn't see anything he gets a small glimpse it's like us looking at the sun we can't look at it for very long maybe you play that game I did when you were 10 with your friends and you're like let's see who can look at the sun the longest go one two three God doesn't make himself known through what is seen but he makes himself known through what is heard this is exactly what the Apostle Paul picks up in Romans chapter 10 when he says that faith comes through hearing and hearing the word of Christ and it's in that same passage that Paul says therefore blessed are the feet of those who bring good news because how will they hear unless someone goes and tells them and how will they believe unless someone speaks the good news of the Gospel so then blessed are those who bring good news so don't miss what's going on here this is an awesome story where Moses is hidden in the Clift of The Rock and he gets to see a glimpse of God but it's not in the seeing that he gets to understand who God is it's in the hearing because as God passes by he proclaims the truth of who he is so our first question how does God reveal himself there's so many gospel Illusions and pictures here in Exodus 33 20 and 23 and if I had time to dive into each one of these we would but this morning I just want to show you a few things first God says in response to Moses's cry show me Me Your Glory God says listen you can't handle my glory you can't handle it so here's what we're going to do beside me is a rock and you're going to stand on it and then I'm going to put you in the Cliff of a rock and my hand will cover you and I'm going to pass by you and if you have gospel ears you ought to be hearing Jesus is at the right hand of the father Jesus is the rock we're hid in Christ this is beautiful and and and then God's going to pass by and it's not through seeing that he's going to understand who God is because he doesn't see anything he gets a small glimpse it's like us looking at the sun we can't look at it for very long maybe you play that game I did when you were 10 with your friends and you're like let's see who can look at the sun the longest go one two three God doesn't make himself known through what is seen but he makes himself known through what is heard this is exactly what the Apostle Paul picks up in Romans chapter 10 when he says that faith comes through hearing and hearing the word of Christ and it's in that same passage that Paul says therefore blessed are the feet of those who bring good news because how will they hear unless someone goes and tells them and how will they believe unless someone speaks the good news of the Gospel so then blessed are those who bring good news so don't miss what's going on here this is an awesome story where Moses is hidden in the Clift of The Rock and he gets to see a glimpse of God but it's not in the seeing that he gets to understand who God is it's in the hearing because as God passes by he proclaims the truth of who he is [00:31:39]

so our first question how does God reveal himself there's so many gospel Illusions and pictures here in Exodus 33 20 and 23 and if I had time to dive into each one of these we would but this morning I just want to show you a few things first God says in response to Moses's cry show me Me Your Glory God says listen you can't handle my glory you can't handle it so here's what we're going to do beside me is a rock and you're going to stand on it and then I'm going to put you in the Cliff of a rock and my hand will cover you and I'm going to pass by you and if you have gospel ears you ought to be hearing Jesus is at the right hand of the father Jesus is the rock we're hid in Christ this is beautiful and and and then God's going to pass by and it's not through seeing that he's going to understand who God is because he doesn't see anything he gets a small glimpse it's like us looking at the sun we can't look at it for very long maybe you play that game I did when you were 10 with your friends and you're like let's see who can look at the sun the longest go one two three God doesn't make himself known through what is seen but he makes himself known through what is heard this is exactly what the Apostle Paul picks up in Romans chapter 10 when he says that faith comes through hearing and hearing the word of Christ and it's in that same passage that Paul says therefore blessed are the feet of those who bring good news because how will they hear unless someone goes and tells them and how will they believe unless someone speaks the good news of the Gospel so then blessed are those who bring good news so don't miss what's going on here this is an awesome story where Moses is hidden in the Clift of The Rock and he gets to see a glimpse of God but it's not in the seeing that he gets to understand who God is it's in the hearing because as God passes by he proclaims the truth of who he is so our first question how does God reveal himself with his word and we have to be a people who believe that God has spoken and that he has made himself known to us through his word and that we have to be a people who believe that and live accordingly and so the first way that God reveals himself is through General Revelation and the second way is through special Revelation and special Revelation is the truth that God speaks and the truth that God has spoken and the truth that God has given us in his word and so we have to be a people who believe that God has spoken and that he has made himself known to us and that we can know him and we can know him through his word and we can know him through his son Jesus Christ and we can know him through the power of the Holy Spirit and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of 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we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word of God and we can know him through the word', 'start': 1893.44, 'duration': 7.68}, {'end': 4329.36, 'text': 'of God and we can know him through the', 'start': 4326.96, 'duration': 5.76}, {'end': 4330.08, 'text': 'cross of Jesus Christ and we can know', 'start': 4329.36, 'duration': 5.28}, {'end': 4332.0, 'text': 'that you are the God who is merciful and', 'start': 4332.0, 'duration': 4.88}, {'end': 4334.08, 'text': 'gracious and slow to', 'start': 4332.0, 'duration': 5.28}, {'end': 4336.12, 'text': 'anger and abounding in steadfast love', 'start': 4334.08, 'duration': 4.72}, {'end': 4338.0, 'text': 'and faithfulness and that you are the', 'start': 4334.08, 'duration': 4.88}, {'end': 4340.08, 'text': 'one who forgives iniquity and', 'start': 4338.0, 'duration': 4.0}, {'end': 4342.92, 'text': 'transgression and sin and so Lord we', 'start': 4340.08, 'duration': 5.52}, {'end': 4344.279, 'text': 'thank you for that and we ask that you', 'start': 4340.08, 'duration': 5.279}, {'end': 4347.48, 'text': 'would help us to respond to you quickly', 'start': 4344.279, 'duration': 5.841}, {'end': 4350.0, 'text': 'humbly and worshipfully in Jesus name', 'start': 4347.48, 'duration': 5.28}, {'end': 4352.48, 'text': 'amen', 'start': 4347.48, 'duration': 5.28}, {'end': 4354.28, 'text': 'so as we look at this passage and we', 'start': 4352.48, 'duration': 4.08}, {'end': 4356.719, 'text': 'think about how God has revealed himself', 'start': 4354.28, 'duration': 5.76}, {'end': 4359.0, 'text': 'to us and we think about how we should', 'start': 4356.719, 'duration': 4.721}, {'end': 4361.679, 'text': 'respond to him we need to respond', 'start': 4359.0, 'duration': 4.72}, {'end': 4364.08, 'text': 'quickly we need to respond humbly and we', 'start': 4361.679, 'duration': 4.721}, {'end': 4366.719, 'text': 'need to respond worshipfully and we need', 'start': 4364.08, 'duration': 4.72}, {'end': 4368.0, 'text': 'to respond in a way that says God I', 'start': 4366.08, 'duration': 4.08}, {'end': 4370.08, 'text': 'believe you are who you say you are and', 'start': 4368.0, 'duration': 4.72}, {'end': 4372.32, 'text': 'I believe that you are who you say you', 'start': 4370.08, 'duration': 5.28}, {'end': 4373.76, 'text': 'are and I believe that you will do what', 'start': 4372.48, 'duration': 4.88}, {'end': 4376.08, 'text': 'you say you will do and I believe that', 'start': 4373.76, 'duration': 4.72}, {'end': 4378.0, 'text': 'you will do it for your glory and for my', 'start': 4376.08, 'duration': 4.72}, {'end': 4380.0, 'text': 'good and so I will follow you and I will', 'start': 4378.48, 'duration': 5.28}, {'end': 4382.92, 'text': 'worship you and I will trust you and I', 'start': 4380.0, 'duration': 5.68}, {'end': 4385.36, 'text': 'will obey you and I will do it quickly', 'start': 4382.92, 'duration': 5.68}, {'end': 4387.279, 'text': 'and humbly and worshipfully and', 'start': 4382.92, 'duration': 5.68}, {'end': 4390.679, 'text': 'expectantly because you are who you say', 'start': 4387.279, 'duration': 6.0}, {'end': 4393.04, 'text': 'you are and you will do what you say you', 'start': 4390.679, 'duration': 5.361}, {'end': 4396.8, 'text': 'will do in Jesus name', 'start': 4393.04, 'duration': 6.0}, {'end': 4408.16, 'text': 'amen', 'start': 4396.8, 'duration': 3.96}]