Finding Purpose Through Faith and Service

In my journey of faith and ministry, I've experienced the profound transformation that comes from truly knowing Jesus and serving others. Growing up in a Christian home, I initially embraced faith but faced doubts during my high school years. The pressure to fit in and be known led to a sense of emptiness and purposelessness, despite outward appearances of success. It was during this time of questioning that a close friend's genuine transformation through faith in Jesus inspired me to explore my own beliefs. This journey led me to rediscover the reality of God's presence and purpose in my life.

As I delved deeper into my faith, I felt a calling to serve others, particularly through creative ministry. This began with a pivotal moment in San Diego, where I sensed God's call to communicate His love to those in need. This led me to volunteer in youth ministry, where I discovered the joy and fulfillment that comes from serving others. Over time, this passion for ministry evolved into a broader role at Menlo Church, where I now lead a creative team dedicated to using arts and technology to connect people with God.

Serving is not just an additional activity but an integral part of our walk with Jesus. It is through serving that we often find our own needs met and our faith strengthened. Whether through music, production, or digital engagement, there are countless opportunities to serve and grow in faith. By stepping into these roles, we not only contribute to the community but also experience personal growth and a deeper connection with God.

Key Takeaways:

1. **The Search for Identity and Purpose**: In high school, I struggled with a desire to be known and fit in, which led to feelings of emptiness. It was only through questioning and seeking that I found true identity and purpose in Jesus, who knows us deeply and fulfills our deepest longings. [18:53]

2. **The Power of Witnessing Transformation**: Seeing a close friend's life transformed by faith in Jesus was a turning point for me. It demonstrated the reality of God's work and inspired me to explore my own faith, leading to a renewed relationship with God. [20:27]

3. **Serving as a Path to Fulfillment**: Serving others is not just an obligation but a source of fulfillment. As we give ourselves away in service, we find our own needs met and experience the joy of being part of God's work in the world. [37:47]

4. **Opportunities in Creative Ministry**: There are diverse ways to serve within the church, from music and production to digital engagement. Each role offers a chance to use our unique gifts to connect others with God and grow in our own faith journey. [42:14]

5. **Growth Through Leadership**: Leading a group or ministry can be daunting, but it is a powerful way to grow in faith. By stepping into leadership, we are challenged to rely on God and experience personal growth as we guide others in their spiritual journeys. [49:32]

Youtube Chapters:

[0:00] - Welcome
[06:27] - Creative Team Introduction
[09:19] - Personal Journey and Doubts
[18:53] - Search for Identity and Purpose
[20:27] - Witnessing Transformation
[37:16] - Serving and Fulfillment
[37:47] - Creative Ministry Opportunities
[42:14] - Engaging Through Digital Platforms
[49:32] - Growth Through Leadership
[49:33] - Invitation to Serve and Engage

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
1. John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
2. Matthew 20:26-28 - "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. 1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

**Observation Questions:**
1. What was the speaker's initial struggle with faith during high school, and how did it affect his sense of identity and purpose? [18:53]
2. How did witnessing a friend's transformation through faith impact the speaker's own spiritual journey? [20:27]
3. What role did creative ministry play in the speaker's journey of faith and service? [37:47]
4. How does the speaker describe the relationship between serving others and personal fulfillment? [37:47]

**Interpretation Questions:**
1. How does the concept of remaining in Jesus, as described in John 15:5, relate to the speaker's journey of rediscovering his faith and purpose?
2. In what ways does the speaker's story illustrate the principle found in Matthew 20:26-28 about serving others as a path to greatness?
3. How does the speaker's experience with creative ministry reflect the idea in 1 Peter 4:10 about using one's gifts to serve others?
4. What insights can be drawn from the speaker's journey about the importance of community and witnessing transformation in others for personal spiritual growth? [20:27]

**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a sense of emptiness or lack of purpose. How did you address it, and what role did your faith play in that process? [18:53]
2. Have you ever witnessed a transformation in someone else's life that inspired you to explore your own faith more deeply? How did it impact you? [20:27]
3. What unique gifts or talents do you have that could be used to serve others within your community or church? How can you start using them this week? [42:14]
4. Consider the different opportunities for service mentioned in the sermon. Which one resonates with you, and how can you take a step towards getting involved? [49:32]
5. How can you create an environment of permission and encouragement for others to serve and grow in their faith, similar to the creative team at Menlo Church? [37:47]
6. Reflect on a time when serving others led to personal growth and fulfillment in your life. How can you seek out similar opportunities in the future? [37:47]
7. If you feel stagnant in your faith, how might stepping into a leadership role or serving others help you grow spiritually? What specific steps can you take to explore this possibility? [49:32]

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Discovering True Identity in Christ
In the search for identity and purpose, many find themselves lost in the pursuit of acceptance and success. This journey often leads to feelings of emptiness, as external achievements fail to satisfy the deeper longings of the heart. It is through questioning and seeking that one can find true identity and purpose in Jesus, who knows us deeply and fulfills our deepest desires. Embracing this truth allows individuals to break free from the pressure to conform and instead find peace and fulfillment in being known and loved by God. [18:53]

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you feel pressure to conform? How can you invite Jesus into these areas to find your true identity in Him today?

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Day 2: Witnessing the Power of Transformation
The transformation of a close friend through faith in Jesus can serve as a powerful testimony to the reality of God's work in the world. Witnessing such a change can inspire others to explore their own beliefs and renew their relationship with God. This process often involves a journey of questioning and seeking, leading to a deeper understanding of God's presence and purpose in one's life. By observing the impact of faith in others, individuals are encouraged to pursue their own spiritual growth and transformation. [20:27]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone whose faith journey has inspired you. How can their story encourage you to seek transformation in your own life?

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Day 3: Fulfillment Through Serving Others
Serving others is not merely an obligation but a path to personal fulfillment and spiritual growth. As individuals give themselves away in service, they often find their own needs met and experience the joy of being part of God's work in the world. This act of serving allows for a deeper connection with God and a greater understanding of His love and purpose. By stepping into roles of service, individuals contribute to their community and grow in their faith journey. [37:47]

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can serve someone in your community this week. How might this act of service bring you closer to God?

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Day 4: Embracing Creative Ministry Opportunities
The church offers diverse opportunities for individuals to serve, from music and production to digital engagement. Each role provides a chance to use unique gifts to connect others with God and grow in one's own faith journey. Embracing these opportunities allows individuals to explore their creativity and contribute to the church's mission in meaningful ways. By participating in creative ministry, individuals can experience personal growth and a deeper connection with God. [42:14]

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts do you have that could be used in creative ministry? How can you take a step to use these gifts in your church community?

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Day 5: Growing Through Leadership
Stepping into leadership roles within the church can be daunting, yet it is a powerful way to grow in faith. Leading a group or ministry challenges individuals to rely on God and experience personal growth as they guide others in their spiritual journeys. This process not only strengthens one's own faith but also contributes to the spiritual development of others. By embracing leadership opportunities, individuals can deepen their relationship with God and make a lasting impact on their community. [49:32]

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles." (Proverbs 1:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a leadership opportunity you have been hesitant to pursue. What steps can you take to trust God and step into this role for your growth and the benefit of others?

My name is Josh Fox, and I have the privilege of getting to serve as our creative director at Menlo Church. I have been in this role for maybe three months or so. I came on as a worship leader for our Menlo Park campus, helping oversee our weekend services, and now getting the opportunity and privilege to lead our creative team, which is an amazing team made up of our communications director, our digital engagement director who is hosting this very thing and created this whole deal here, Mark Moronishi, our worship teams at all of our campuses, our production director who is also here helping make this happen, and our weekend experience team.

And so it's just been really an awesome thing. I get to work with Jess to help our team, and it's been a thrill.

Wow. You want to show that camera behind you, Josh? Right here? Oh, look at Scotty. Oh my goodness. And then here's Joan. Wow. Incredible. Can we get these like blown up? I want door size posters.

You better not touch that. Had the Magnum PI. Yep, oh, it's just he rocked that for several years.

Wow, okay, what? Like, what just the energy of it? Just the energy of it, right? But what I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, athlete, would you have?

Oh, that's a good question too. Are you walking off? But what are you walking off of? Like, like a baseball field, a basketball court?

Like, oh wow, that's amazing. Just like get off of the wave and then the song plays.

Yeah, Miss Little Miss. Like, I love that visual, Mark.

Right, Josh. My father-in-law is like an amazing golfer. Like he literally wins tournaments and things like this, and I am absolutely horrible.

He has tried a couple of times. He's like taking me to, you know, the batting—I mean the um—and he's, you know, only a couple of times, and then he's kind of like, okay, you're done. Like, he hasn't invited me back. Like, there's no, there's no, uh, so yeah. So like if I could just be amazing at that, like, you know, like I just get the winning putt or whatever, like super far and it drops in.

And then I don't know what song would—like the first song that came to my mind is like, "Hey man, I'm a rock star."

Oh yeah, like whatever that—yeah, thank you. But I also love like, I love Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors." Like whenever they did the Olympics, like those trailers, I'd get like teary-eyed.

So I can see that too. Like I make—then it's like I see your—you score a goal.

Yep, it's been a whizzy beak. It's been a whizzy beak. Our minds are not, um—

All right. Good luck, Josh. What a powerful story. I know I cannot follow that. I hope there's something about Mexicali in there.

You got to—I grew up in a Christian home, similar to Megan, just parents that love Jesus. And so I remember at a young age saying, I want to trust Jesus. So I do remember that. And I remember having a relationship with God as a kid.

But I also remember a time in high school where I just thought, I don't think this is real. I don't think any of this is real. And I think this is something maybe my folks sort of made up to make life okay and bearable.

And none of my friends at the time—where I was at a public high school, most of my friends that I was hanging with, they're like, what are you talking about? That sounds insane. You would believe in this Jewish carpenter who claims to have, you know, risen from the dead or whatever.

Yeah. Like you're insane. Like this is not what is happening. So I'm like, oh yeah, I am insane. Like this is crazy.

So along with that, I had this deep desire like any high schooler would, but just really needing to fit in. And I had a real craving to be known. But at the time, I think it was more of a surface level. Like I just want to be popular. I just want to be known, sort of maybe not necessarily deeply known, but I just want people to know who I am. Because that would make me feel better about myself.

So I had some like deep sort of insecurities in that way. And so I found that in high school, just like, wow, a lot of people know me now. I have this, I have that. If you were to see my life, you'd probably think, okay, that kid's kind of got everything they would want.

But I just had this deep longing, like this deep emptiness, this deep loneliness of like, wait, is there something more? Is there somebody who really could know the true me? Who even is the true me?

And I was feeling like, kind of purposeless, like purposeless in that phase. It was like, okay, I have all this that I thought I needed and thought I, you know, would make me happy. And yet, I'm like, deeply miserable, if you were to really kind of, you know, dig down.

And so that's when I was like, what is life about? I was kind of going into this like weird, you know, existential crisis, like, here I am 16 years old. And I'm like, what is the meaning of life?

And I couldn't—oh my gosh. I couldn't shake it. I couldn't shake those questions. They would keep me up at night. They were like haunting me.

And I just kind of got to that point of like, if there is no purpose, like, then why, like, why live? Right? So I—it sounds kind of dark, but that's where I was going.

And I had a very, very close friend who we were like partying together on the weekends. And then he would drive, you know, we would sneak—I would sneak out of the house and hang out with like, you know, him and friends and whatever.

And then we'd like, I'd spend the night at his place. And then we'd, you know, go to church the next morning and be like, yeah, we're okay. And kind of trying to convince our parents that we were not living this crazy life.

And he gave his life to Jesus, just totally changed his life. Like God just drew him to himself and changed this guy's life. His name is John Ball.

And John started to share like his faith, not in a weird way, but he was just sharing his faith, just that how real God is and in his life and what God's doing in his life and how God's giving him purpose and meaning and how his life is changing.

And I'm just like, oh my gosh, are you kidding me? Like, dude, like really? Like this is, you know, how is this real?

And he's like, this is not just what our parents, you know, have sort of forced, you know, tried to get us to believe. This is actually real.

And so that was the first time I was like, wow, if God is working in my friend's life in this way, maybe there's something to this.

And that's what led me on a journey to lean in and see what, you know, who Jesus was all about. And obviously, as I know now, like God was like using all of that to draw me back to himself and show me that he is very real and wants to do some neat things in and through my life.

So that was, yeah, that's kind of how I redirected to Jesus at that time.

Ministry stuff, I can remember living in San Diego and having a weekend by myself. I'm a very social person. So it was like, but I just felt like I just needed to be by myself that weekend.

A bunch of my friends were going out of town. I'm like, I'm going to stay home. And I was in my dorm room and I was reading through a book called "Who's Listening."

And it was all about—it was journal entries from high school students going through just the darkest of times. Sharing raw, like this is what's happening in my life. Just very hard stories to read.

And as I read through it, I began to sense my heart breaking. I'm just like, oh my gosh. And I felt like God was saying to me, Josh, I'm listening to their cries and I want you to tell them that I'm listening and that I love them.

And I'm like, okay. And so that led me to get involved with a local church I was attending called Skyline.

And I got involved with their youth ministry. And I was like, okay, I'm supposed to help these students know that God's listening, right? And God loves them.

And that's kind of had my entry into volunteering with a student ministry and then eventually worship stuff and then eventually creative stuff and all kinds of crazy stuff.

But anyway, it's been really amazing, but that was kind of my entry to Jesus and to ministry. Menlo, that's a whole nother story, but wow.

I was on a journey in Nashville with my family, which is a whole nother thing I won't go on, but I was contacted and saying, hey, do you know any worship leaders to fill in for a time at Menlo?

So I was giving them names like, hey, there's some great people, give them a call. And then as God was leading my family back to the Bay Area, I was like, huh.

I wonder if they have that like a job opening still at Menlo because I was looking at a few different churches. And then my friend Josh Robertson was on staff at Menlo and he was like, dude, you should come join us, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

And so that one thing led to another. And I was like, hey, do you guys still have that role open? And they're like, sure. So I jumped in.

That's a whole nother story for another podcast, but yeah, it's been a wild ride. It's been great.

And the huge difference that it does—a huge difference it creates for someone who's coming for the first time.

Yeah, to see something like a kid like that who's like, welcome. They're like, yeah, giving you something or like—

I love the risk that the kid took. I also love the environment that you guys create because it's like an environment of permission giving.

Like it matters, you know, it's not you're too young, but no, like you're not, you're not, you're not, you're just not Jewish. You know, because your could never use me.

Yeah, and so I just love that maybe that was the first time, you know, that that kid had.

So, and we're hoping that we can create—not just a first time for one person, but like a first time that people feel that.

Like we hope there'd be like a hundred stories of that. It's like, this is my first time, you know?

So I asked a couple of people that serve with the creative team. I'm like, you know, what is a way that God's grown you as a follower of Jesus? Or what does it feel like to be used by God?

And one gal named Janelle, she serves with the creative team with music. And she said that I try to present to God the best sound I can make.

She's this amazing cello player. She's like world-class and she just comes and volunteers and she joins the worship team and plays along.

And she says, best sound I can make to connect with others while doing so, because music is my language to express love for God and love for others.

I thought, well, what a cool angle that as she's serving in the creative team in that way, it's the way that she's loving God and loving other people.

And I thought, well, what a cool angle that as she's serving in the creative team in that way, it's the way that she's loving God and loving other people.

And it's behind what we do is this motivation to love. And I loved that. I was like, oh, that's beautiful that it's really about the Lord and about other people.

It's not about—even though she's so amazing, it could all be about her. She's just directing it upward and outward to people.

And then she said, God's taught me that serving is not an additional, but rather an integral part of my walk with Jesus.

Life can become busy, which we all know in the Bay Area, our listeners know, but I've discovered that it's during those busier weeks of serving that my faith strengthens by relying on God more and that by serving others, my own needs get fulfilled.

So that was the other, like, wow, she just is hitting at such a major principle of what we're talking about in terms of opportunities to serve is that when we serve others, all of a sudden this deep need inside us is like met.

It's like we really are created to love and serve other people. And when it's inward about ourselves, we never get that.

It's just a never-ending sort of black hole of like, I can't ever get that kind of fulfillment I'm after, even though everything around us says, no, it's about you.

And it's about using everybody around you and everything around you to make it, you know, to make yourself feel better or whatever advance.

And this is the opposite. It's like, as you give yourself away, you actually end up feeling filled up.

And so I love that. That's just one example of somebody who's serving on our teams. That is experiencing that as they give their talent, their skill, their time, their sacrifice away.

They're actually like, oh, like this is what I've actually been after.

It's really kind of neat how God does that as we—it's like, you know, there's a good reminder.

There are so many different ways that people get to serve with creative. I can think of a couple of high school students that are involved with our production, which is kind of behind the scenes.

They're holding cameras. They're, you know, directing our services. I know there—

Yeah, no, there is.

Yeah. Absolutely.

Yeah. There's—which I also love, like we want high school students, junior high students that we want them to feel like this is their church.

Like they can serve or they can put on a lanyard, even if they're like an elementary kid. And so I love seeing the—

Yeah, that are like, let's go, let's get behind.

So a lot of it is, there's a lot of behind the scenes opportunities, even with this podcast.

Like there's opportunities to help, you know, make this happen and, you know, allow for people listening to be encouraged and equipped.

There are opportunities, obviously like with music through at all of our campuses, which is such a great, powerful vehicle for people to connect with God.

There are opportunities with photography and graphic design and some of the creative stuff.

I love that, you know, we just celebrate the arts here and we celebrate creativity.

So just looking for people who have a passion for that to be involved and telling stories through the arts, it's just such a fun way to serve God.

And there are—what are, what other ways are we getting to do?

We get weekends. I mean, we've got our communications, we've got social media is a big one.

It was really fun.

Yeah. We had a—that's another high school student story, but she's just like, I'd love, I'd love to be involved helping with that.

Social media. And so, and we're like, great, because you know way more about how this all works anyway. So teach us.

And so, you know, another opportunity for people to be involved is helping with our socials and really helping people engage that way.

And then online is so key because a lot of people might not come to a worship service in person, but they'll check it out online.

They'll go to the website. They'll be like, you know, I've got some questions about faith or God or—and not in this church context, but a different church context.

I was chatting with someone online. It was during COVID. And this person kept asking more and more questions about faith and Jesus and the Bible.

And I was like, huh? And then he's like, would you ever be open to talking with me more about this in person?

And I'm like, sure, I'll call you right now. And so I call this guy and I'm at my brother's house and I'm outside in the front yard and I start walking around the yard and I end up having like over an hour and a half talking with this guy about faith.

And he ends up saying like—and I'm like, what do I do? I ask him if he wants to follow Jesus.

Like it was—it was one of these weird moments, right? Where you don't know what to do.

Like, I don't want to be like, you know, pressuring this guy. I'm just like, would you want to, you know, have a relationship with Jesus?

And he's like, yeah, I do. And it was almost like, really? Are you just—did someone like pay you to just encourage me today?

But it was really neat to get to pray with this kid and to realize like, you know, some people might not show up in person, but they could connect online and then be connected with a person and to a place where they're, you know, eventually beginning a journey with God.

And so I just can't stress that enough, just how important that is. And that's a way for people to be involved because you might not be able to serve in person, or maybe you feel more comfortable in the online space, but what a cool opportunity to jump in and be involved serving that way.

That's—I was going to share. I don't know that there's a greater way for someone to grow in their faith than to lead a group.

Like, you know, because we've had that experience. Like all of a sudden we're entrusted with leading a group and we're like, oh, this is scary. What's going to happen?

And then how much more we actually grow as we're helping others and as we're like maybe sharing some of the content or teaching or facilitating some of it.

We're like, whoa, I'm actually—I'm growing in my own love for God and love for people and love for his word.

And so it's like I'm thinking of the listener who's just like, if they're feeling kind of stagnant in their life or their walk with Jesus, like this would be a huge sort of growth, you know, moment for them if they were to step in and lead as scary as it is.

But when they step—when you step in and lead, if you're listening and you're like, man, maybe that's me, you will be amazed at how God shows up and grows you through it.

It's just a really fun experience. Your faith kind of comes alive in a new way.

It is you. It is you. Jump in.

Yeah. Jump in.

So what was the question?

Oh, there's so many.

With our—I'm excited just to invite more people in, like just to have three services. That's more opportunities for people to get involved and join in and serve.

I'm excited for some of the things that we're doing with our social media. And Mark Mornish is really driving this, but really excited to connect and engage people online.

So we want to be less of just, hey, we're telling people what Menlo's about or, you know, who Menlo is.

But it's more about like, no, we're actually wanting to engage people and meet them where they're at and journey with them around questions of faith and growth and Jesus.

And so I'm excited for that whole team. And so if you're listening and you're like, oh, I love social media. I love engaging with people, like we would love to have people jump in and help us with that.

I'm excited where we're going. We have this film—we're in this podcast studio.

Well, again, Mark is driving this. We're creating an entire film studio.

And so we're going to be creating digital content for ministry, for online engagement.

And so if you're listening and you're like, oh wow, they're creating a studio. I'd love to work at a studio or like serve with a studio behind the scenes with tech or helping them think.

I'd love to work at a studio or like serve with a studio behind the scenes with tech or helping them think.

Content for the studio like that'd be amazing, you know?

So if you're listening and you're like, that'd be super fun, it is going to be super fun.

So that's one thing I think about like, wow, we have a—we have this amazing resource and it'll be really fun to see people get involved and even learn.

You know, somebody might have a passion for film or videography or interviewing people and it's like, come and learn.

Like we would love to teach you.

That's the other thing that I'm excited about is just having opportunities for people to get involved and learn and master something, right?

We all—that just drives a lot of us, right? We want to become great at something.

And so this would provide a lot of opportunities for that.

I'm excited for where we're going with our broadcast video team. We not only want to broadcast from our Menlo Park campus, but we want to be able to broadcast from any campus.

And so that means like having a mobile recording whole system and going at any of our campuses and broadcasting a weekend or a creative event.

So I think about like people who love, you know, love video or love camera. I get excited about that.

I get excited about our music. We're actually writing original worship songs and introducing them here and there.

We have one releasing in January and we're making a music video around that.

I'm really excited about how it's going to encourage our church.

So I love, you know, where musicians can get involved and be creative and start to shape some of the future that way.

Gosh, there's so much.

You don't have to list it all.

I know, I can't—I can't stop. I can't stop talking about creativity.

Time for—

No, that's great.

Yeah, I'm excited for all of it.

I love what you just said, you know?

Yeah, Mark said it too, just that we're not asking something from you. We're asking something for you.

Of course, Jesus asks us for our life. He says, you know, be crucified with Christ.

And so yes, like Jesus asks us for everything. And yet as we lay it down, we find what we're really after.

Like he fills us up with that meaning and that purpose.

And it's just like, whoa, it's just this interesting thing that happens with this kingdom and principle of like, we're not asking something from you.

We're like, I'm going to say, I'm going to lay my life down and say yes to whatever this opportunity might be that he's like stirring me to do.

Whether it's like lead a group or, you know, help with students or help with, you know, creative team.

Those are just a few examples. There's hundreds of ways to serve in this church and outside this church.

And as we do that, what we discover is like, wow, this is lighting me up, you know?

And so anyway, excited for people and what will happen in their lives as they take a step.

Here are the selected quotes from the sermon transcript:

1. "I grew up in a Christian home, similar to Megan, just parents that love Jesus. And so I remember at a young age saying, I want to trust Jesus. So I do remember that. And I remember having a relationship with God as a kid. But I also remember a time in high school where I just thought, I don't think this is real. I don't think any of this is real. And I think this is something maybe my folks sort of made up to make life okay and bearable. And none of my friends at the time where I was at a public high school, most of my friends that I was hanging with, they're like, what are you talking about? That sounds insane. You would believe in this Jewish carpenter who claims to have, you know, risen from the dead or whatever." [00:18:05] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


2. "Yeah. Like you're insane. Like this is not what is happening. So I'm like, oh yeah, I am insane. Like this is crazy. So along with that, I had this deep desire like any high schooler would, but just really needing to fit in. And I had a real craving to be known. But at the time, I think it was more of a surface level. Like I just want to be popular. I just want to be known, sort of maybe not necessarily deeply known, but I just want people to know who I am. Because that would make me feel better about myself. So I had some like deep sort of insecurities in that way. And so I found that in high school, just like, wow, a lot of people know me now. I have this, I have that. If you were to see my life, you'd probably think, okay, that kid's kind of got everything they would want." [00:18:53] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


3. "And so that's when I was like, what is life about? I was kind of going into this like weird, you know, existential crisis, like, here I am 16 years old. And I'm like, what is the meaning of life? And I couldn't - Oh my gosh. I couldn't shake it. I couldn't shake those questions. They would keep me up at night. They were like haunting me. And I just kind of got to that point of like, if there is no purpose, like, then why, like, why live? Right? So I, it sounds kind of dark, but that's where I was." [00:20:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


4. "And she said that I, I try to present to God the best sound I can make. She's this amazing cello player. She's like world -class and she just comes and volunteers and she joins the worship team and plays along. And she says, best sound I can make to connect with others while doing so, because music is my language to express love for God and love for others. I thought, well, what a cool angle that as she's serving in the creative team in that way, it's the way that she's loving God and loving other people. And it's behind what we do is this, this motivation to, to love. And I loved that. I was like, oh, that's, that's, that's beautiful that it's really about the Lord and about other people. It's not about, even though she's so amazing, it could all be about her. She's just directing it upward and outward to people. And then she said, God's taught me that serving is not an additional, but rather an integral part of my walk with Jesus. Life can become busy, which we all know in the Bay area, our listeners know, but I've discovered that it's during, those busier weeks of serving that my faith strengthens by relying on God more and that by serving others, my own needs get fulfilled." [00:38:47] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


5. "So that was the other, like, wow, she just is hitting at such a major principle of what we're talking about in terms of opportunities to serve is that when we serve others, all of a sudden this deep need inside us is like met. It's like, we really are created to love and serve other people. And when it's inward about ourselves, we never, get that. It's just a never ending sort of black hole of like, I can't ever get that kind of fulfillment I'm after, even though everything around us says, no, it's about you. And it's about using everybody around you and everything around you to make it, you know, to make yourself feel better or whatever advance. And this is the opposite. It's like, as you give yourself away, you actually end up feeling filled up. And so I love that. That's just one example of somebody who's serving on our teams. That is experiencing that as they give their, their talent, their skill, their time, their sacrifice away." [00:40:54] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


6. "I was going to share. I don't know that there's a greater way for someone to grow in their faith than to lead a group. Like, you know, because we've had that experience. Like all of a sudden we're entrusted with leading a group and we're like, oh, this is scary. What's going to happen? And then how much more we actually grow as we're helping others and as we're like maybe sharing some of the content or teaching or facilitating some of it. We're like, whoa, I'm actually I'm growing in my own love for God and love for people and love for his word. And so it's like I'm thinking of the listener who's just like if they're feeling kind of stagnant in their life or their walk with Jesus, like this would be a huge sort of growth, you know, moment for them if they were to step in and lead as scary as it is. But when they step when you step in and lead, if you're listening and you're like, man, maybe that's me. You will be amazed at how God shows up and grows you through it. It's just it's just a really fun experience. Your faith kind of comes alive in a new way." [00:48:17] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


7. "With our I'm excited just to invite more people in, like just to have three services. That's more opportunities for people to get involved and join in and serve. I'm excited for some of the things that we're doing with our social media. And Mark Mornish is really driving this, but really excited to connect and engage people online. So we want to be less of just, hey, we're telling people what Menlo's about or, you know, who Menlo is. But it's more about like, no, we're actually wanting to engage people and meet them where they're at and journey with them around questions of faith and growth and Jesus. And so I'm excited for that whole team. And so if you're listening and you're like, oh, I love social media. I love engaging with people like we would love to have people jump in and help us with that. I'm excited where we're going. We have this film. We're in this podcast studio. Well. Again, Mark is driving this. We're creating an entire film studio. And so we're going to be creating digital content for ministry, for online engagement. And so if you're listening and you're like, oh, wow, they're creating a studio. I'd love to work at a studio or like serve with a studio behind the scenes with tech or helping them think. I'd love to work at a studio or like serve with a studio behind the scenes with tech or helping them think." [00:49:37] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


8. "content for the studio like that'd be amazing you know so if you're listening and you're like that'd be super fun it is going to be super fun so that's one thing I think about like wow we have a we have a this amazing resource and it'll be really fun to see people get involved and and even learn you know somebody might have a passion for film or videography or interviewing people and it's like come and learn like we would love to teach you that's the other thing that I'm excited about is just having opportunities for people to to get involved and learn and master something right we all that just that drives a lot of us right we want to we want to become great at something and so this this would provide a lot of opportunities for that I'm excited for where we're going with our broadcast video team we not only want to broadcast from our Menlo Park campus but we want to be able to broadcast from any campus and so that means like having a mobile recording whole system and going at any of our campuses and broadcasting a weekend or a creative event so I think about like people who love you know love video or love camera I get excited about that I get excited about our music we're actually writing original worship songs and introducing them here and there we have one releasing in January and we're making a music video around that I'm really excited about how it's going to encourage our church so I love you know where musicians can get involved and be creative and start to shape some of the future that way gosh there's there's so much you don't have to list at all I know I can't I can't stop I can't stop talking about creativity time for" [00:52:29] (91 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


9. "i love what you just said you know yeah mark said it too just that we're not asking something from you we're asking something for you of course jesus asks us for our life he says you know be crucified with with christ and so yes like jesus asks us for everything and yet as we lay it down we find what we're really after like he fills us up with that meaning and that purpose and it's just like whoa it's just this interesting thing that happens with this kingdom and principle of like we're not asking something from you we're like i'm gonna say i'm gonna lay my life down and say yes to whatever this opportunity might be that he's like stirring me to do whether it's like lead a group or you know help with students or help with you know creative team um those are just a few examples there's hundreds of ways to serve in this church and outside this church and as we do that what we discover is like wow this is lighting me up you know and so anyway excited for people and what what what will happen in their lives as they take a step" [00:57:52] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)