Redemption Church Plano Texas

Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx.My name is Chris Fluitt. Two Water Bottles– One is clean.– One has a few drops […]

RISE 5 – From the Grave to the Sky: Find Your Higher Purpose There was a time when all I wanted was […]

RISE – 4 – Failure is Only a Bruise, Not a Burial Happy Mother's Day Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano TxMy […]

Rise – 3 – Fear Holding You Down? How to Get Up! Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx!Everyone Online!Everyone in the […]

RISE – 2 – How to Stop Letting the Past Control Your Future Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx Let me […]

Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx Happy Easter! I love to celebrate the Sunday Resurrection! The RESURRECTION means HOPE! … But […]

Welcome to Redemption Church in Plano, Tx! My name is Chris Fluitt and I welcome everyone…In the Room…Online… Palm Sunday  -An important […]

Underdog's Playbook Bumper Underdog's Playbook Title Hello & Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I […]

Hello & Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I am sure glad you are here! […]

Underdog's Playbook Bumper Underdog's Playbook Title You are welcome here at Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and […]

The Underdog's Playbook – Strategy 3 – A Giant Is Blocking Your View: How to See Past the Struggle Underdog's Playbook Bumper […]

From Serving to Slaying: Your Unseen Path to Victory Underdog's Playbook Bumper Underdog's Playbook TitleWelcome We are in the 2nd week of […]

Underdog's Playbook Bumper Underdog's Playbook Title Everyone loves an underdog story. It's why we get chills when Rocky goes the distance.  It's […]

The Reason Your Goals Die, and How to Make Them LIVE: Belief & Behavior NEXT WEEK Underdog Bumper  Welcome Day 54How is […]

Scriptures Referenced in Sean's Sermon Mark 10:46-52 John 5:2-9 Acts 2:38 Genesis 47:27 Exodus 14:10-12 Numbers 11:4-6 Romans 12:2 Ephesians 4:22-24 Romans […]

Healthy New Year Bumper Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!  Healthy New Year! 5th and final […]

https://youtu.be/xu8FrQEJLHI?si=F2ne2UvWI4vNYFiO (1) RECLAIMING YOUR HEALTH     Food is a very touchy subject. I get it. I grew up in a culture where pretty much everything was a sin, EXCEPT eating. It was all we could do, and we did it enthusiastically! (2) But now we are living with the consequences. Just listen to the prayer requests in any given church. The majority is for sicknesses and illnesses. And most of it is for chronic disease that we have brought on ourselves: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, memory loss, cancer, and the list goes on. Most of these are preventable diseases.     So the big questions is this: Why do we avoid talking about food and health and how it affects us? When information is presented to us, why do we ignore, laugh, or dismiss the information? The answer is simple…we don't want to hear. Health is not dealt with in the church. We think God will take care of me, He's got this. And we keep doing what everyone else is doing.  (3) Romans 12:1 says to present your bodies a living sacrifice….”living” means be among the living, enjoy real life, active, fresh, strong, efficient. Holy, acceptable, meaning well pleasing, fully agreeable. We can't help the body of Christ if we don't take the time to take care of ourselves. We need to be able to function in the capacity that God has called us to.     We are in a war, both physical and spiritual. There are two types of people in a war…..Those who are sucked into it without realizing. Think of the Jews led into the camps. And those who are aware of what's going on around them and are ready to respond….Think of Pearl Harbor. There was no denying war that day.     One way to stop an enemy is to make them believe they are not in a fight. The enemy is a deceiver. The Bible calls him a lion seeking whom he may devour. Who does the lion attack….the one who is not paying attention. He deceives us into thinking everything is ok.     And that is what is happening in the war for our health. It's called the Great American Food Fraud.     You may say, “What's the big deal? I ate fast food, candy, etc, growing up and I turned out ok.” The food that we grew up with in the 70's and 80's is NOT the same food on the shelves today. McDonald's fries used to have 3 ingredients: potatoes, beef tallow, salt. Now they have 12 ingredients! (4) The truth is we can't eat those same foods and neither should our kids. The truth is that the foods we buy in America are completely different from the same food bought in almost every other country.  Why? The chemicals, ingredients and dye are not allowed in their food. That's why you can take a trip to another country, like Italy, eat all their pasta, and feel fine and probably not even gain weight on your trip.     Food has become a science. A very precise, targeted, science. That box of cereal, bag of chips, soda, or whatever it may be, has had a considerable amount of time and money spent on it being studied, developed, tested, and advertised. All with one goal in mind: to get you to buy it. Not just once, but over and over again. The goal is not to make it nourishing for your body, but to get you hooked on the flavor by any means possible. That includes adding chemicals, sugar, artificial colors, forever chemicals, and anything else to appeal to your appetite. (5) I John talks about the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. It's almost like the advertising companies read the Bible!  (6) In the early 90's, the American Dietetic Association was funded by Sara Lee, M&M's, and McDonalds. Today it's even worse.     So who is behind all this? (7) The kids of the 80's were the last generation to grow up without social media. During that time, the Tobacco companies saw the writing on the wall, that the truth was coming out that smoking caused cancer. They had the best marketing machine. They could market to adults and make them buy something that was not good for them. Remember the Marlboro Man? Camel Joe?

https://youtu.be/i4aX0xT53-g?si=36tunNfeIiN1Cs7w Redemption Church - Healthy New Year - 2 - Mental Health Talk   Chris IntroHealthy New Year   Introduction:                       Educational background – Obtained master's in counseling psychology in 2016, Tarleton State University                       Work background – almost 10 years' experience - work with an agency that provides mental health services in individuals across six counties. Have worked extensively with justice-involved population – worked across six different county jails Objective: *Will not be an exhaustive deep dive into all mental health issues… *The purpose of our conversation today is to focus on thoughts/emotional issues that we all face in some way in our daily lives. I've worked with a lot of inmates across many jails who experience the very same thoughts/emotional struggles that we do.  Depression, isolation, anxiety. *Today we will focus on five different areas --  so that we can CLIMB to better mental health in 2025   CLIMB C-Change Your Thoughts Psychological Insights: Author James Allen in his book ‘As a Man Thinketh' states: “As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.” Psychological research confirms this very sentiment. Our thought life is powerful & important – it acts as a steering wheel which can bring us to all sorts of different destinations, bad or good. Discuss Reintegration classes at the jail. There is a big focus on helping individuals identify maladaptive thinking patterns & giving them strategies to dispute and change those thoughts. The ABCs of Thinking is a technique where individuals can gain these new skills. Dr. Albert Ellis developed the “ABCs of thinking” model. This model is used to understand how our beliefs about an activating event influence our emotional and behavioral consequences. ABCs of Thinking A. Activating Event B. Your beliefs about the event. C. Consequences How is it possible that two different people can have vastly different responses to the same activating event?   Bus Stop example –   Failed exam example –   What do I believe about what just happened? After practicing, it is possible to evaluate your belief and reframe in real time to improve the consequence.   It is only fitting that Jim Rohn, an influential motivational speaker and thought leader, once famously said: “No one else ‘makes us angry.' We make ourselves angry when we surrender control of our attitude. Biblical Foundation: What does God say about this?   Allow God to Transform Your Mind Romans 12:2 - “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”   Focus on what is Good-  Philippians 4:8- “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. How easy is it to focus on things that are negative, unwholesome, and distracting? There is power in filling our mind with God's word.   Bring our Thoughts into the Obedience of Christ  2 Corinthians 10:5 -“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,   Stay Your Mind on God Isaiah 26:3  - “You keep him in perfect peacewhose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you.     L-Lean Into Your Purpose  Psychological insights: Purpose - Research shows that having a sense of purpose improves mental health, lowers the risk of depression, and enhances overall well-being. An excerpt from The American Psychiatry Association website states: “What is purpose in life? It means having a central, organizing life aim, an overall sense of direction in one's life, and a belief that one's life activities are valuable and important — making a positive mark on the world.1,

https://youtu.be/_cQHYzXaPnM?si=-I3f9XOEsMehvnqt Healthy New Year - 1 - Spiritual Strength: Unlocking the Power of Faith   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!   Happy New Year!   RESET BUTTON!Big Goals. Reflect & Align Priorities. Changes Go Change the World Something that will help… GET HEALTHY. A healthy you can accomplish more…   Healthy New Year   We want this to be your healthiest year.It is GOD'S WILL for this to be your healthiest year.   Our health focus: Jan 12 – Mental Mastery – Conquering your Thought Battles     January 19 – Body Blueprint – Finding Your Health Design   January 26 – Having the Heart, Eyes, & Voice to change your year.   Feb 2 – Soul Food – Discover Heath from the Inside Out   BE HERE!INVITE!GET HEALTHY!   Today - Spiritual Strength: Unlocking the Power of Faith   My Life is busy.I struggle to find time…   -To go to the gym.   -Sit back and enjoy life.   -Do the things I love… hiking, movies,  music   I also struggle to find time for faith. Faith is my day job… but I find myself trapped in…   -Email, spread sheets, budgets, meetings.   -Social media pages   -The car dropping kids off at school.   -Phone calls – Spam Likely   It is easy to go your whole day (or week) without thinking and talking to God.   I remember sitting in a Starbucks one day… Staring at my phone as it buzzed…Multitasking childcare and social media…Trying to write a sermon……feeling completely overwhelmed. I was doing all the "right" religious things, but something was missing.   I wasn't experiencing the peace that faith was supposed to bring. I was not healthy.   Can we relate?   We live in a world that's constantly demanding our attention.   Recent studies… 2019 - The average person checks their phone 96 times per day. That's once every 10 minutes! (Asurion.com)   2023 – The average person checks their phone 144 times a day. That's once every 6.7 minutes! (Exploding Topics)   The Trend is Real!We are too busy to be healthy… too busy to be spiritual. HONESTY TIME - For many of us, faith feels like one more thing on an already overwhelming to-do list.   65 % and 25 % Studies show that while 65% of Americans identify as Christians, only about 25% actively practice their faith beyond Sunday morning. (Pew Research 2019 & 2020)   We might be this statistic?   You might be thinking, "I believe in God, but what does that actually mean for my Tuesday afternoon?”   “How does faith help me deal with my difficult coworker or my anxiety about the future?"We have the title of Christian.Do we have the life of Christ?   Here's what's fascinating about Jesus - He never intended faith to be a Sunday-only experience.   Jesus reframes how we think about spiritual health.   Spiritual Health: From Obligation to PassionMatthew 22   The religious teacher (Pharisees) taught obligation… RULES, RULES, RULES.   One day a pharisee asks Jesus what religious RULE is the most important.   Matthew 22:37-39 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”   Notice: Jesus was asked about the RULES. 613 rules in the Old Testament.   Jesus shifts from OBLIGATION to PASSION Spiritual Health: From Obligation to PassionMatthew 22   Spiritual health is NOT about keeping rules… but about love. Obligation… I must NOT murder – thou shalt not murder.Passion…I love God and others… out of love I will not murder… instead I love.   Obligation… I must go to church…I must give…I must not cuss…   Passion…I love to go to Church… worship God, serve others out of love.   I love to Give… Thank you God for my job! I trust you God. I want to help others.   Instead of cursing others… I will bless others. The power of life and death are in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21)… I want to speak LIFE AT ALL TIMES.  

https://youtu.be/X-LfDHd1IHk?si=sp2Mo2gUE8fVpVTm Behold I have Become A New Creation RECEIVING SOMETHING NEW AND HOW IT WAS BETTER THAN THE OLD We had a wonderful Christmas in 1995. I shall never forget it. It is probably that one Christmas that was better than all the rest… PIVOT TO – WE UNDERSTAND THAT NEW IS BETTER THAN OLD… DID ANYONE GIVE SOMETHING OLD ON CHRISTMAS? DID ANYONE OPEN UP AN OLD PAIR OF SHOES… SHIRT… AN OLD USED UP GIFT CARD? WE UNDERSTAND THAT NEW IS BETTER NOW PIVOT TO GOD… GOD FEELS THE SAME WAY ABOUT NEW… Gen 1:1 and 3. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…And God said, Let there be Light and there was Light. Now His easel was ready and Created everything new…and wonderful. Read Gen 1 “What do you notice here?” Does God create an OLD heaven and earth…? He speaks and creates a brand new world… life… purpose… Let's turn to the other creation story… an even better creation story… Therefore if any is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away, all things are become new. 2 Cor 5:17 Consider the NIV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” HERE hits your present tense idea… Tie this back to Gen 1… but it is better… this is your story. …are become new. Present tense. Ever seeking newness. GOD CREATES NEW THINGS! GOD DOES NOT CREATE OLD THINGS. Father, we also should walk in the newness of life. Rom 6:4 We should serve in the newness of spirit. Rom 7:6 God is a spirit and those that worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24 Life renewal comes with a newness, a freshness of the spirit. We value new things; not old things. Sure, antiques are wonderful, but they create museum pieces. God is always new; He is not ruled by days, hours, years nor even millennia. He wants to make things new for you every day, as well. He gives us a song in the night, in the middle of the trial… that is praise and thanksgiving. He brings a new song in our hearts for every day through the power of the Holy Ghost Every day new mercies are revealed unto us. GOD LOVES NEW… BUT DO WE PERHAPS TREAT HIM LIKE THAT SAME OLD GOD… GIVE HIM THE SAME OLD WORSHIP… SERVE HIM THE SAME OLD WAY… DEAD BORED OLD… PERHAPS WE NEED A RENEWAL… WE NEED A RENEWAL God loves us each and every day and He orchestrates great things for each of us according to our various needs. Yet, we are responsible for the newness in our lives, too. We walk in the newness. We refresh ourselves in the Holy Ghost through reading His Word and praising Him aloud for the things He is doing. Our praise team works very hard to bring exciting newness to our worship songs. They worship Christ before us, helping us to realize new ways to worship our King. We stand in honor to the Savior of our daily lives and we seek new ways to praise him; not because He requires it, but because we need to keep ourselves renewed in the Holy Ghost. God has asked men to praise Him in the dance and in clapping; in spiritual songs and active praise. When was the last time you said “Hallelujah” aloud in the presence of others? It should be frequent, because He is actively lifting our spirits and fulfilling our needs. If you try it: God will underscore it for you. He loves His children to do new things. Perform exploits! You may feel a little like a fish out of water; HE LOVES IT! New Worship The praise team works hard to bring vibrant songs to us, and to demonstrate through their own worship the ways we can offer up praises to the King. We stand in honor of the One who died for us and who is delivering and protecting us daily. He has told us He desires men to lift up holy hands to Him, to clap our hands in praise, to sing and dance before Him, but we may have allowed our spiritual praise to become stagnant, not fresh and almost unseen by others. Celebrate your life with joy and praise and freedom of movement. New Confidence Encourage yourselves in God. Lay down before God and all your losses,

https://youtu.be/PiznHI8zAZU?si=-8t4BVtLFPCel7dX Chill Christmas - 4 - How to Make A Moment Chill Christmas Bumper?   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!   Chill Christmas Title   Christmas is upon us!We are in the FINAL week of our message Series – Chill Christmas.   Last week we talked about…   Rediscovering Simple Fun – through Joy!   Life is complex, but Joy is simple   In this series we have lit the candles of HOPE, PEACE, & JOY. Now we light the candle of Love.   Today – How to make a moment   I remember a Christmas Eve where Sarah and I were doing a Christmas Eve worship service.   Beautiful Ambiance… Music… Spiritual moment… Candlelight   It was PERFECT!   But then the Service ended…   -No food ready at home…-Search for restaurant – Closed! -Only Chinese food (Packed out)   Kids – Dad what are we going to do?Extended family with us…   We had a PERFECT Christmas Eve service… But our Christmas Eve was complicated. Thankfully Sarah saved the day with a traditional Christmas Spaghetti!   Perfection We know this season is driven by an idea of perfection.   Scrolling through Instagram… perfect Christmas photos. Perfect tree. Perfect family. Perfect matching pajamas. Perfect everything.   Your life – NOT PERFECT.-Christmas tree - dent where the cat attacked it -Your kids are fighting because – they are awake. (Fight Club) -Turkey is dry again…-Thoughts “How do I return whatever ugly sweater I get as a gift.”   We are chasing perfection… but this world is anything but perfect.   You know the stats… debt, divorce, depression.You've seen the news… We have no idea what the drones are!   We have REAL HARDSHIPS in our life…THIS WEEK, some of you have… Hospital…Job problems… Anxious & freaking out…   Trying to manufacture perfect moments in the middle of an imperfect world is exhausting.   The first Christmas – it wasn't perfect. Not even close.   Luke 2:7 "And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”   Let that sink in.   The most important moment in human history – and He did it in a stable. No place to stay…   Cloths… Swaddling clothes… STRIPS OF CLOTH (No onesie – Baby's First Christmas)   No perfect conditions… but WHAT A MOMENT!   The moment marked… not by what they DID NOT have… but what they did have.   Love made the moment God didn't wait for perfect conditions to show perfect love. He didn't say, "Let me wait until humanity gets its act together." No, He stepped right into our mess. Our chaos. Our imperfection. Perfection did not make the moment… Love made the moment…   Yeah yeah… God's love… but Chris… Easy for God… difficult for people in the real world…   Let's not talk about God for a moment…   Let's talk about Joseph….Mary, Joseph, Jesus   Joseph is engaged to Mary!Life gets complicated – Mary becomes pregnant!   Not what Joseph signed up for…Joseph continues to love Mary. How do we know?He chooses to trust God and to not divorce Mary. Love made the moment…   Joseph has a son that is not technically his…Complicated…Joseph loved Jesus… How do we know?#1 It appears Joseph adopts Jesus. Matthew gives us the lineage of Jesus through his adopted father – Joseph.   #2Do you know Joseph's profession? Carpenter. Same as Jesus' profession.Joseph JesusJoseph loved Jesus enough to share wisdom.Jesus loved Joseph enough to receive wisdom.   What an amazing example for our families.Parents & Kids listen up!LOVE ENOUGH to give wisdom.LOVE ENOUGH to receive wisdom.   Life was NOT PERFECT for Joseph… But Love Made the MomentLove made the moment   So what does this mean for you?   Stop waiting for perfect conditions… Create meaningful moments with Love. Love is what makes the moment.   Complication does not have to derail the significance of the season.   Instead, try these three things: 1. Check your motivation - LOVE    - Before you plan anything this holiday season,

https://youtu.be/MDRGUjj0_bM?si=0hRLL_oO2Jw95gcu Chill Christmas - 3 - Rediscover Simple Fun Chill Christmas Bumper?   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano TX. My name is Chris Fluitt!   Merry Christmas. Chill Christmas Title   We are in the 3rd week of our message Series – Chill Christmas.   Last week we talked about…   How to Navigate Holiday Chaos - Peace   Rethink Peace – NOT LACK OF WAR -WHOLENESS Jesus is either A PIECE of your life, or…Jesus is THE PEACE of your life. Focus on WHOLENESS   In this series we have lit the candles of HOPE & PEACE.   Now we light the candle of Joy.   Today – Rediscover Simple Fun   The world is awfully complicated.Just this week – The shooter was found! (Luigi Mangione) Health Insurance CEO killed…   Shocking questions… “Is murder ok if we don't like the guy that was killed?”   What will happen this week in the news?IDK, But I bet it is complicated.   Israel, Palestine – complicated.Immigration changes – complicated. Personal life is complicated… Health is complicated… Your career, hopes & dreams…    With all this complication… Merry Christmas?   Can you imagine a world that is not complicated? Can you imagine a world with joy?   (Me) Fisher Price Crazy Combo Horn Set Uncomplicated toy… Plastic, no battery, no app, no monthly subscription   Opened this on Christmas… AWESOME!HOWEVER, I had received this toy months earlier… Not disappointed.   Like receiving the gift all over again. (We) I bet you have a Christmas memory like this…   -Simple-Happy & Fun I bet it also feels distant… long time ago.   Growing up, we've somehow transformed Christmas from a moment of pure wonder to a complex algorithm of expectation, performance, and exhaustion.   Statistics… - 2/3 report major stress. - Spending! Over 1k per person avg. - Police - Domestic disputes spike 35% - Divorce rates increase   We've traded joy for stress & celebration for complication.   If only there was a different way…   Let's go back to the original Christmas story.   In Luke 2 – Shepherds working night shiftBoom – Angel! God's Glory!   Luke 2:10-11 …the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.   Notice something? Joy wasn't complex.   Good news was announced. It CAUSED GREAT JOY.   Joy here is simple.   Life is complex, but Joy is simple   Life for the shepherds was complex…No respect…  oddball profession All of Israel – Tyrannical Roman government   Religion was complex… Different groups believed different things… Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes…   Life is complex… but the good news that causes joy is simple.   …A savior has been born……And He is nearby…   Then more Angels show up… They sing… Wow   Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” What amazing news!A savior in Bethlehem… not that far away… “Let's go…”   Simple… They hear the message and go to experience it…   Luke 2:16-18 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.   Now they are sharing the message and spreading Joy.   3 lessons of Joy#1 Joy is CAUSED The Angels said the good news will CAUSE great joy to all people.   Joy does not just happen… something causes it.   What causes joy?WHO causes your joy? (TELL THEM) #2 Joy is PRESENCE, not Presents   The presence of a savior…   When the angel announced Jesus's birth, it wasn't about: - Perfect decorations - Expensive gifts - Flawless family photos - Instagram-worthy moments   We need to value PRESENCE. -The presence of the Savior.-The presence of our family and friends.   Gifts are good… people are better.

https://youtu.be/zf410_hZWe8?si=WJ-KX3X6QY9ht6tm Chill Christmas - 2 - Navigating Holiday Chaos Chill Christmas Bumper?   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!   Merry Christmas! Chill Christmas Title   We are in the 2nd week of our message Series – Chill Christmas.   Last week we told you…   DO NOT breathe life into traditions…Choose traditions that breathe life into you.   We talked about the hope that lights up dark times.   Today I want to talk to you about Navigating Holiday Chaos.   Navigating Holiday Chaos   Is your schedule chaotic?Thank you for being here today…   Which picture does your family look like?Family Picture   Which picture do you feel like?   Is this a peaceful time? …and why not?World: Constantly at war.In 2024 -56 ongoing national conflicts.-involving 92 nations.Last year- 162,000 war deathsThis year's numbers will be similar. Even stable democratic nations like South Korea are lacking peace. This week that National government experienced a coup, and declared martial law.   Here in the US we are not at peace.No “weapons live” active war… but lacking peace.   -Political divide (Holiday withdraw)-Relationship struggles -$$$ - “The average American is expected to spend $1,778 per person.” (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holiday-spending-forecast/)-Youth – School & social media – NO ONE FITS IN – BULLY ONE ANOTHER. -Mental & physical health   Family Picture Chances are good that you are not the peaceful family in this picture…   Chances are you are stressed out, burned out, and feeling left out.   And yet the Bible says this about the Christmas season…   Luke 2:1413 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”   Other translations “Peace on Earth, Good will to men.”   Christmas should be marked with Peace… but what exactly does that mean?   Does peace mean…-No chaos?-No more wars?-No more $$ problems? -No more relationship struggles?   PEACE does not mean any of this. News to you?  Rethink Peace  At the Birth of Jesus the Angel's declared “PEACE ON EARTH…”  BUT the the world Jesus was born into was not perfect… but broken.  There was still chaos……darkness…wars…murder & death…poverty…relationship issues  Let's rethink peace.Peace does NOT mean problem free   Even though the Light of Jesus came… still evil and darkness. Jesus was born in the middle of a war torn nation, under the occupation of a brutal empire called Rome.Jesus was born, and a self made “king” Herod started killing all the young boys in order to protect his power.   Jesus was born, and yet still poverty was around… and racism… and prejudice… and sexism…   Jesus was born and his mother Mary was still thought of scandalously because of the miraculous birth.   Let's rethink peace. You can have problems and still have peace.   This is why the angel declared peace in the middle of chaos.     What is peace?How do you define it?What if our definition is differently from God's definition?   Shalom (šālôm) - Completeness   Peace is most often used to convey Completeness… wholeness… not lacking…   That is probably a different definition for us.That is likely the definition we need.   Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  When we call Jesus our PRINCE OF PEACE… we are saying that He is the ruler, the authority, the leader… that makes us whole and complete.   This season is not PEACEFUL because we are always looking for one more thing…   Imagine if we could say and truly mean that we have EVERYTHING WE NEED. That would be peaceful. Not chaotic.   This is why Jesus came. He came to provide EVERYTHING you need. His life and example showed that He was always providing everything people needed.

https://youtu.be/0JpHpaZ24f0?si=m1MlM_P2mwEXrvyM Chill Christmas - 1 - How to Light Up Dark Times   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano TX. My name is Chris Fluitt!   Merry Christmas!   Have you ever felt like the holiday season was more stressful than joyful?   Our traditions ought to serve us…But we may feel like our traditions have become a burden.   The tree… the good/the bad The gifts… The perfect day… The full schedule…   Christmas traditions stressing you?Make new traditions. DO NOT breathe life into traditions…Choose traditions that breathe life into you.   Inventory your Christmas traditions this season.   Chill Christmas Title   Our Message series is called…   Chill Christmas – Crafting your holiday vibes.   Series Outline Dec 8 - Navigating Holiday Chaos  Crazy time of the year – Need PEACE Dec 15 - Rediscover Simple Fun  NOT fun – Rediscover the Joy Dec 22 - How to make a moment Left with wrapping paper trash and  empty feelings? Better option. Filled with Love. Today – How to Light Up Dark Times     We live in dark times.   World stage - World War III US – Anxiety epidemic.20% experienced anxiety disorder this year.…Female more likely…younger more likely (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder) Anxiety Reasons?-Disconnection-Social pressure-Uncertainty-Financial stress -Poor habits (Sleep habits) Compare your Christmas Traditions to this list…Is it possible we are…-less connected to family, friends, and God?-Social pressure of the perfect… Decor, Instagram Pics-Social pressure of the busy… FULL CALENDAR-Less certain… new year… many are weighing divorce. (January #1 divorce month)-$$$ Stress – pressure to provide = debt   -Holidays kill diets.  Poor sleep       Review… This Christmas is…WW3 FearsAnxiety on steroids   Are we even enjoying the season?Is the season amplifying our struggle   Can you relate? The Ideal vs The Real What is ideal? Images of perfect familyLavish gifts (Car with bow, Jewelry) Non-stop celebration   What is reality? Crazy kids out of schoolPacked stores and bad trafficLoneliness – loss of loved one The gap between IDEAL & REAL leaves us feeling hopeless and lost in the dark. God wants us to know something…   The very first Christmas wasn't ideal. Anxiety Reasons? THE 1ST CHRISTMAS-Disconnection-Social pressure-Uncertainty-Financial stress -Poor habits (Sleep habits)   Not a mistake… but prophecy… Isaiah prophesied.Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   We read and sing this verse often… Check out four verses earlier…Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.   Dark times do not ruin Christmas.It is because of Dark Times we need a Christmas!   (Christ Mass – a Jesus celebration)   People walking in darkness have seen what? A new iPad?A fancy tree?No! The people walking in darkness saw A GREAT LIGHT.ONLY ONE EVENT could fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah.   Only the birth of God's Son Jesus… the light of the world could push back on the darkness. One of Jesus' disciples described Jesus like this…John 1:4-5 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness…   John refers to Jesus as a light in darkness.   Where did John get this description??From Jesus Himself!   John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."   Do you believe Jesus is the light that shines in dark times?   If so… then why wouldn't you focus on Jesus to light up your dark times?   Leave it to silly humans…We take a season about Jesus… and spend all our time and energy anxiously doing this…   Anxiety Reasons?-Disconnection-Social pressure-Uncertainty-Financial stress -Poor habits (Sleep habits)  

https://youtu.be/gZ5DL5HHkwc?si=PLu6I1YAVAVIpybX   What's Right with You - 4 - Bring Out the Best in Others **WHAT'S RIGHT WITH YOU Bumper   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!   We are in the Good News Business.   What's right with you (Title) Not – What's wrong with you.   Last week we challenged you to achieve expert level success. -Stop trying be decent at everything and become exceptional at one thing.   Today – Bring out the best in others.   I used to think leadership was all about me. -My strengths, my talents, my purpose, my success… -As a pastor – my sermon…I'd work tirelessly to improve myself, thinking that was the key to success.   I did improve… but was that really success?I couldn't help but feel I was missing something.--   How many of us have felt that way?   What does that look like for you?Focused on…Your… career, skills, project, promotion, business, health… We improve… but still it feels like we may be missing something.   Something we weren't told about in college, seminary, business school…   Self-improvement is valuable, but not enough…   So what is missing?     Jesus shows us…Think about the leadership of Jesus.   Jesus does NOT just put his talents, strengths, and gifts on showcase.   Jesus focuses on the gifts and growth of others, and puts them on display.   "I'm just trying to figure out my own life. How am I supposed to worry about others?" Or perhaps you've felt inadequate… “Chris, I am not leadership material…”As followers of Jesus, we're all called to be leaders.True leadership isn't just showcasing our growing own talents - it's about recognizing and nurturing the gifts in others.   Jesus examples:   Matthew 4:19 - “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” John 1:42 - And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter/rock).   Jesus sees NEW & TRUE potential in others. Not just fishermen… I see you influencing people.That would be like Jesus telling you… I don't just see you in your current job… I see you in a promoted position.   Not just Simon… a new name – Peter.That would be like Jesus telling you…I don't define you by what others have called you… I have a new identity for you.   Jesus sees New & True potential in us.   We should be more like Jesus.   Do we see New & True potential in others?   Followers of Jesus, we should see others differently.   A great story in the book of Acts… Barnabas   Barnabas known for…-Loving God.-Generous giver-Encourager (name - son of encouragement) Perhaps Baranas' most important accomplishment is what happens in Acts 9…   In Acts 9… There was a murderer… did bad things… BUT THIS MURDERER had found the grace of Jesus.   The Church, the people, the leaders… did not trust this new convert because of his past.   Acts 9:26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.  Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.   Who was this guy Barnabas brought?Paul   -Paul wrote 13 books in your Bible.-Paul carried the Gospel – new nations people groups   We would have missed out… People were NOT AWARE of the NEW & TRUE potential… but Barnabas was aware.   Are we aware?Here is an AWARENESS TEST   How many counted the correct amount…?How many missed the moonwalking bear?   How can miss something so obvious?We are distracted…   Do we see New & True potential in others?   What is it that distracts us? What is our big dancing bear that we may not be focused on?   What is the obvious thing that we are missing?   Discipleship – helping others realize their NEW & TRUE potential. Discipleship is a concept from Jesus. It works in both sacred and secular contexts… so listen up.   Discipleship is our dancing bear… somehow we are missing it.   Jesus multiple times commands his followers to MAKE DISCIPLES.  

https://youtu.be/sVFaWrHLtyw?si=zxAQk-XypEtl7qPA What's Right with You - 3 - Expert Level Success **WHAT'S RIGHT WITH YOU Bumper   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano TX. My name is Chris Fluitt!   We are in the Good News Business.   What's right with you Not – What's wrong with you.   Last week we looked at Timmy's report card and decided to shift our focus from weakness to strength.   Today – Expert Level Success   Me: You know, for years I thought success was about being good at everything… Read self-help books Attend seminarsWatch every TED talk… Improve…   It was exhausting. I was spreading myself thin, trying to be a jack-of-all-trades… but a master of none.Lightbulb moment - I was so busy trying to be decent at everything, I wasn't giving myself the chance to be exceptional at anything.   It was like I was trying to play every instrument in the orchestra instead of mastering the one I was meant to play.   WE: I bet you can relate. We live in a world obsessed with success.   Social media bombards us with highlight reels of people's lives. We're constantly comparing ourselves, wondering why we're not as successful as the next person.   They are good at… cooking – I'll try to be like that.home keeping –  Style & fitness – Automotive repair – A decent man would be able fix up his car! Under-water basketweaving – I'd like to give that a shot. 77% of millennials (25 to 39-year-olds) 83% of Gen Z (16 to 24-year-olds) feel pressure to reach traditional life milestones earlier than previous generations.   This is the thought at work… I have to be good at all the things…I have to accomplish all the things…If I don't, I am unhappy, unfulfilled, a failure… It's exhausting! But what if I told you… The key to success isn't about fixing what's wrong with you, but maximizing what's right with you?   Success is not become better at all the things…Success is becoming an expert at the unique strengths God has invested in you.   GOD: Let's look at a success story from the Bible – Joseph.   JosephFancy Coat and Big Dreams   Son of Israel/Jacob Gift from his Dad - coat of many colors. Gift from God – Spiritual Dreams & AdministrationHis gifts did not make him popular with his brothers. In fact, it landed him in a pit and then sold into slavery.   Pit   God's plan for us is sometimes scary.   Joseph is sold into slavery to a man named Potiphar.   Pit -> Potiphar   God's gifting is still at work.Potiphar notices… and puts Joseph in charge of his household. (Genesis 39:4)   Administrative gifting. Manages the house.   BUT Potiphar's wife accuses Joseph of sexual assault- wrongfully by the way. Pit -> Potiphar -> Prison   God's plan for us is sometimes scary.   But God's gifting is still at work.   The warden of the Prison notices… puts Joseph in charge of managing the prison. (Genesis 39:22)   In the prison Joseph gets better at his gifts…He went from managing a household to managing an entire prison organization.He went from having dreams to interpreting the dreams of others. (The cupbearer and baker – Genesis 40)   No matter the hardship… his gifting causes Joseph to rise.   Your gifts still work in hard times   This is a hard time… what should I do?USE YOUR GIFTS!The economy is rough… what should I do? USE YOUR GIFTS!My new boss hates me… what should I do?USE YOUR GIFTS!I don't fit in at school… what should I do?USE YOUR GIFTS!   Use your gifts, and become an expert at your gift.   – Pharaoh has a dream. None of Pharaoh's wisemen and magicians can Genesis 41 interpret the dream…   The cupbearer says… I know a guy named Joseph. Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams. Not just give a vague interpretation; he provides a detailed analysis and a strategic plan.   This plan will cause… Pharaoh to grow to be the wealthiest person in the world. Solve a regional disaster of a famine. Save countless lives – including the lives of his brothers who threw him into a pit!   Joseph does not return to the prison…  

https://youtu.be/9QfYVexn9Dw?si=W7_JU2FsEme2yUFF What's Right with You - 2 - Shift From Weakness to Strength **WHAT'S RIGHT WITH YOU Bumper   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano, TX. My name is Chris Fluitt!   We are in the Good News Business.   What's right with you (Title) Not – What's wrong with you.   Studies show… People who use their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged in their jobs and three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life.   God uniquely created you to be different and to make a difference.   Today – Shift from Weakness to Strength We must KNOW our strengths… We must FOCUS on strengths…   See strength.Not focus on flaws.   Timmy's Report Card What subject will we encourage Timmy to focus on?   Science – Timmy almost failed. We must spend more time on science.   English – A little more work and you will raise that to an “A.”   Teachers and parents are focused on the flaws…   Timmy learns to focus on flaws.   What about Timmy's strengths? Our education system is not focused on increasing strength, but mitigating weakness.   What about your report card…? How many of you are focused on your weaknesses? …feel like you're just not good enough?   The Weakness Trap – Fix Focus   Our culture - obsessed with fixing what's broken.   Self-help industry - $10 billion market in the U.S. alone. Advertisements bombard us - the message, how we need to improve, change, and fix ourselves.   -Cover blemishes with this makeup…-Wear this automatic AB BUILDER EXTREME belt… turn your gut into extreme abs. -Hey loser – you have this problem… but our product. On the job – are you focused on strength or weakness?   Think of your last staff meeting…  It is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease…The friction is where our attention and resource is focused.   What keeps you up at night? Thinking about weakness or strength?   In the family home – Mom and Dad what was your last conversation about? Probably a problem…   Here's the thing: Jesus never told us to obsess over our weaknesses.   Matthew 25 “Parable of the Talents.”   Talent (Greek - talanton) - Worth about 20 years of a day laborer's wage.   A master gives 3 servants talanton – bags of money.   Matthew 25:15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.   Why? The master wanted them to invest and increase. Fruitful & multiply.   How did the master decide who to give what?   “Each according to his ability.” The decision was made according to STRENGTHS… not weakness.   What can we learn from this?   The master (God/Jesus) gave each according to ability.   -EACH: each one of us has received treasure from God.   -God distributes - Not everyone receives the same amount, and that is okay.   -God focuses on your strengths and “hires” you to work your strengths.   -God invests in your strengths and expects increase.   The servant with 5 talent bags of money – doubled the investment. They used their strengths to increase.   The servant with 2 talent bags of money – doubled the investment. They used their strengths to increase.   BUT the servant with 1 talent bag of money – buried the talent bag of money in the ground.   What does God think of us this?   Verse 26: “You wicked and lazy servant!”   God knew the ABILITY of this servant…The Servant did not use their ability.The Servant focused on weakness…   Are you using your ability? Are you burying your strengths?Are you focused on your weakness?   Strength Shift   God knows your abilities.He created your abilities.  Your abilities are your God-given design.   Psalm 139:14: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;     your works are wonderful,     I know that full well.   You are wonderfully made, right now. NOT… -when you get stronger. -when you fix your flaws. -when you accomplish some metric.   RIGHT NOW!   It is praise to God when you use your God-given strengths.

https://youtu.be/3q8JsM8m53E?si=9YZ6clnRD-D_RoZ9 What's Right with You - 1 - Discover Your Gifts and Win   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano, TX. My name is Chris Fluitt!   From 1950 – 1953 – THE Korean War was fought.   Korean War US POWS   The deadliest prisoner of war camps in US military history.   38% mortality rate.   What makes this statistic so hard to fathom is that on the whole, POW's were provided with adequate food, water and shelter and for the most part were not subjected to physical torture so prevalent in previous wars. -Captain Tim Wilson (https://www.302aw.afrc.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/191174/the-prison-of-hopelessness/) These brave soldiers did not die from physical warfare... but psychological warfare.   A Prison of Hopelessness: Nothing but bad news -Informing: Erode relationships and trust. -Extreme self-criticism: Small groups, confess all failures, and the good left undone.-Withhold all good news. Good letters from home were withheld. Bad letters from home were delivered immediately. (Divorce papers, death of a family member, BILLS) “It was not unusual for a soldier to wander into his hut, go into a corner alone, sit down, pull a blanket over his head and within days he would be dead.” The enemies operated in the realm of bad news. We are in the Good News business. Over the next 4 weeks we are going to focus on Good News about you and for you. What's right with you Not – What's wrong with you. What's RIGHT with you. Good news – God has uniquely created you to do great things in the world. You have unlimited potential. Series outline November 10 - Shift from Weakness to Strength (Choosing to use your strengths, instead of focusing on failures) November 17 - Expert Level Success (Become a respected authority – rising above average) November 24 - Bring out the best in others (Become the leader who lifts others… sees strength in others) PLAN TO BE HERE – WE ARE INVESTING IN YOU! Today – Discover Your Gifts & Win! Have you ever felt like you're just not good enough? Studies show that 85% of people struggle with low self-esteem at some point in their life. Cause – focus on weakness.We are focused on WHAT'S WRONG… Let's change that. Focus on WHAT'S RIGHT… The Strength Revolution What if we saw our strengths, instead of fixating on our flaws? Studies show… People who use their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged in their jobs and three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life. Your life can be radically different – change your focus. God is focused on your Unique Gifts You have gifts from God. Your gifts are unique. Gifting from God Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. You are created to do good works.Prepared in advance – before God created you, he created the good work for you to do. Unique gifts… It is GREAT to be different. 1 Corinthians 12:4-64 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. It is GREAT to be different. The same God has made us all DIFFERENT. Your job isn't to become someone else; it's to become the best version of you. God uniquely created you to be different and to make a difference. Get rid of comparisons… “I can't do what you do…”“They are better than me…” God did not create you to be like them… Be You! Stand out! Resist the urge to copy… break the mold. Don Clifton – Strength Finders test 32 areas of gifting and strength.Focus on your top 5 gifts. Top 5 gifts – 1 in 32,000 chance of duplicating results. Impossible to duplicate how you use your gifts. Even if we had the same areas of gifting, and worked in the same trade, we would bring unique personality and experiences to the work. Give yourself permission to be different.

https://youtu.be/Sf04z6hh7FA?si=EY0mImcBjLjptfuf Taking Hatred Head-on - 4 - Restoring What Hatred Broke   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano TX. My name is Chris Fluitt!   Hatred Head On   Hatred is widespreadHigh Cost.Fight Hatred with Peace   ME I have felt the sting of betrayal?   I remember a time when people I trusted deeply let me down… I was 20 years old… working in a church…   Intense hurt – cut them off…Revenge thoughts… Dark I almost gave up on my ministry calling…   WE:Been there? Anger and resentment take root, and you think, "They don't deserve my kindness." “They deserve my worst…”   -Marriage misunderstanding-Harsh words from a friend -Broken trustAftermath… isolated and hurt.   The world's game plan…retaliate, revenge, to cut ties, or to hold grudges.   Deep down, we know that this approach doesn't heal our wounds; it only deepens them.   What if there's a different way to respond? Restoring what Hatred Broke There is an alternative to remaining in the wreckage of hatred.   GOD: What would God's alternative look like?   Matthew 5:43-44 Jesus is preaching his most famous sermon – the sermon on the mount. Matthew 5:43-44 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”   There are natural instincts…You hate me… I hate you.You hit me… I hit you.You hurt me… I hurt you.   Notice what Jesus does here…Jesus commands & challenges us to rise above our natural instincts.   Jesus points at our enemy and says…Love themPray for them   Not popular…Difficult…Kind of annoying Jesus…   Here are the proceeding verses…. 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.   Eye for an eye… Tooth for tooth…(Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21)This is reference to the laws found in the Old Testament. If someone hurt your eye, you had a legal right to hurt them back.   This principle in the Old Testament law was a guideline for proportional justice, ensuring that punishments fit the crime without allowing for excessive retaliation.   Jesus offers the alternative of grace over the mechanism of retaliation. (Matthew 5:38-44)   Jesus offers an alternative eye for eye, tooth for tooth… Do we reject his alternative? It's not about… ignoring the hurt or remaining in abuse…but choosing to respond with love instead of hate.   The brokenness of hatred is all about retaliation.Jesus gives an alternative that leads to reconciliation.   Reconciliation - The process of restoring broken relationships   Jesus gives us a clear path for reconciliation in Matthew 18:15. Matthew 18:15: If your brother or sister sins *against you*, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.   Notice: “If they SIN AGAINST YOU.” NOT they annoy you… looked at you funny… didn't invite you to a party. BUT THEY SIN AGAINST YOU! Lie, Steal, Harm, Kill you… A lot of conflict is personality conflict that we should not escalate. If they did not SIN against you… the problem is YOU! Go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. Direct communication. Do not text. No gossip. Talk to THEM only! This is grace! “If they listen to you, you have won them over.” The goal of conflict is to regain who was lost; a Brother or Sister.Reconciliation, Not Retaliation   Quick pattern study from your Bible…(Spouse) Adam & Eve conflict (Gen 3) – Blame & Shame – Difficult to reconcile.(Sibling) Cain & Able conflict (Gen 4) – Revenge and murder – became impossible to reconcile.

https://youtu.be/sxe59pYQxik?si=a3eUPt19p0OAtBdv Taking Hatred Head-on - 3 - How to fight Hatred as a Peacemaker Taking Hatred Head-On Bumper   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!   Hatred Head On   Hatred is widespread.-in our heart. Hatred has a high cost.-wrecks our health, mind, relationships.-not just a strong dislike… Jesus says hatred is like murder.   We should take hatred head-on. Me: Scrolling facebook… “Every person who believes   BLANK   is a stupid hypocrite… and other insults.”…thoughts. -Untrue-How can they think this about me?-How do they think they are? -Oh yeah… Anger! Hands near the keyboard… ready to let loose! I'LL SHOW THEM! …But then I paused and asked myself, "Is this really how I want to fight hatred?" “Arguing with a fool makes two.” Leon Darden   Keep scrolling… don't get into hateful arguments.   I am a Pastor… I am drawn to foolish hateful arguments.   Us: We live in a world where hate seems to be winning. -Battleground of ideologies. -Political divisions are tearing families… -Racial tension is high. -Hateful culture – school. -Destroy your enemy!   Hatred feels insurmountable.   It's easy to feel overwhelmed and want to fight fire with fire.   How the World fight Hatred…   The world tells us to… -stand our ground -shout louder -"cancel" those who disagree with us   Here is the problem with that. Hatred vs Hatred = More Hatred Hatred cannot overcome hatred.   Fighting hatred with hatred, only creates more hatred.   But what if there's a better way? What if we're called to be different?   What if Christianity were more than just an old dusty religion, but an ancient truth that reveals a better way to fight hatred?   Worth checking out?Something radically different?   God: Jesus says something radical in Matthew 5:9. *Context* Most noteworthy message – Sermon on the mount. Huge crowd, early in his ministry… What would Jesus want them to hear?  Matthew 5:9 " Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Jesus didn't say… "Blessed are those who win arguments" "Blessed are those who silence their opponents." No! Jesus praises the peacemakers.Jesus says there is Blessing in making peace… Blessing (Makarios) – Blessed & Happy “Happy are the peacemakers…” Peacemaker (eirēnopoios) – One who loves peace   Jesus – You will be happier when you prioritize peace.   Love peace… value peace… more than.. -Ego/pride.-Revenge. -Winning.   Peace is an important word… Understand it? Peace is not an absence of conflict. The effort of peacemaking may bring you into conflict. Peace is security & safety even in conflict. In the storm… but safe.Have enemies… but secure.   Peacemaking will draw you into conflict for the security & safety for others. The prophet Micah reveals something we need to remember… Micah 6:8 And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.   Act Justly. Strive for Justice for others.   Wild turn for some… Peaceful pursuit for safety & security-Peaceful Protest & Resistance -Civil disobedience-Speaking Truth to Power Biblical examples… Peaceful pursuit for safety & security-Peaceful Protest & Resistance -Jesus speaks out & removes dishonest money system from the temple. (Mark 11:15-17) -Civil disobedience -Egyptian Midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, refused the Pharoah's order to kill children. (Exodus 1:15-21) -Speaking Truth to Power - Prophet Nathan confronts king David over adultery & murder (2 Samuel 12) Peacemakers enter conflict for security and safety.   Not enough to avoid conflict.It is Christian to enter conflict… but we must not act in hate.My rules of thumb… Motivation must be HELP not HURT.If peaceful protest becomes hateful… Leave.No riots or threatening others.Refuse to be a political pawn. Count the cost… you could be arrested.   Simpler…-Speak up for others at school.-Stand against other people's bullies.-Be both biblically and politically educated and vote.

https://youtu.be/1Jp6o_9RVtk?si=MXn3Nwadrey_eP7N Taking Hatred Head on - 2 - The High Cost of Hatred and a Better Option Taking Hatred Head On Bumper Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt! Hatred Head On Hatred is widespread.-in our heart. Extreme radical Hate Extreme radical Community The answer to hatred is a new heart and community. The Challenge Weeks from now… Be extreme & radical in community. Take constant steps in LOVE over hate. Days from now… That surprising anger – STOP and pray for your enemy. Might feel awkward/insincere at first, but stick with it. It changes your heart. How are we doing? Today…The High Cost of Hatred and a Better Option Me- The high cost of Hating College – jerk, better than you, show off car, unlikeable Hits me with his car. Still a jerk. Hard to not hate this guy. The high cost of being Hated Grocery store with Alex. See someone(perhaps), who hates me… has lied about me, has been threatening to my wife… Anxiety, fear, panic, flight You- Imagine the person you hate…-the person you have trouble loving, serving, caring… Imagine the person that hates you…-causes you to want to fight (hate them back)-causes you to want to flight (shame, guilt, fear) Someone in the office, school, church…Someone from a past relationship…Just a random person…Someone in the news, social media, celebrity, a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Aftermath- Consumed by hatred – High Cost. • Deterioration of mental health: Increased stress, anxiety, and depression.   • Physical health issues: Cardiovascular problems, weakened immune system, and other physical ailments.   • Damaged relationships: Destroyed friendships, romantic partnerships, and family bonds.   • Reduced productivity: Obsessing over hatred can distract from work and personal goals, leading to decreased performance.   • Emotional exhaustion: Maintaining hatred requires significant emotional energy, leaving little for positive experiences.   • Impaired decision-making: Cloud judgment and lead to poor choices in various aspects of life.   • Spiritual/moral decline: Hatred is detrimental to personal growth and spiritual well-being. We can see the high cost of hatred EVERYWHERE! We Christians are not immune to the struggle of hatred. What does Jesus say about this? What if the cost of hate is higher than we know?What if some of our actions that we feel are justified are not justified and hateful? Matthew 5:21-26 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' Murder is real serious. Real hatred.I don't go that far… 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.   What “judgment?” The judgment of murder.   Anger is murder.   Do you have unresolved issues of anger?Could God judge you as a murderer? It is not enough to say… well I am angry but I have not done anything… What is in the heart is still judged.   What about what comes out of our mouth? “anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,' is answerable to the court.” Raca- empty headed insult.  “And anyone who says, ‘You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.”   The hate in our heart… and the hate in our word is judged.   Anger is murder.Our angry words put us in danger of hell fire. Do we take our anger serious?   23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.   How serious is Jesus about overcoming hatred and anger and becoming reconciled? The gift at the altar… Israelites would travel to the temple in Jerusalem to bring a sacrifice to the altar.  They could travel hundreds of miles…  

https://youtu.be/TQtyxdIIIls?si=ZHO3Ea9qOCjBv65O Taking Hatred Head-on - 1 - The Origins of Hatred & How to Avoid the Trap   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!   Excited! New Series in October!   Scariest Season – Election Season. Hatred Head On   Hatred is widespread. Political – Elephants and donkeys Yard signs and bumper stickers Assassination attempts Racial hatred, still a thing, but oddly difficult to discuss. BLM, all, blue… Immigrant issues – Political – Asylum seekers, refugees, through a legal port or not – unwelcome.   Antisemitism – Jewish Hate Islamophobia – Muslim hate Asian Hate during covid-19 Different lifestyle hate – LGBTQ+   Cancel Culture – We disagree but I hate you so much… destroy you. Doxxing - Publicly revealing personal information about someone.   It is only getting worse! You agree? Let's take it head-on!   Series outline Week 2 The High Cost of Hatred & a Better Option What is it costing us?Big-Gov does not have the best options.. People lost in hate need rescue Week 3 Taking Hatred Head-on as a Peacemaker Jesus teaches us how to fight like lambs. To be harmless as a dove, but wise as a serpent. How do we do this? Week 4 Restoring What Hate Broke Lot of wreckage – how can we heal?   I PROMISE Not political – Biblical Not hurt – help Not VOTE - heart Today The origins of Hatred & how to avoid the trap   Pray – Lord help us… Show us… Call us…   rorschach test Scene from some movie…“I hate you mom and dad!”   Where did that come from? Imagine:Driving – Road rage. Where is a policeman? I must beat them! Revenge! Yell – hits steering wheel.   Scrolling social media – All people who believe “A” are hypocrite scumbags. I'll show them! *TYPES FEVERISHLY* Unfriend them – block them I'll make my own passive aggressive post   On the job, or at school – your rival says something… or you see their weakness You undermine them – perhaps lie You spread hurtful information Re-enact conversations where you hurt them with your clever comebacks.   Someone expresses a different view One of THOSE people A family member… You erupt.   Have you ever caught yourself feeling a surge of anger towards someone and wondered, "Where did that come from?"   We don't want to admit… The issue of hatred is not just “those people,” but US.   One sentence sermon Hatred doesn't just appear out of nowhere. It grows from seeds we often plant ourselves.   I have 3 points to make #1 The Origin of Hatred   Where does this hatred come from? Does it come from… The fact they are stupid jerks? The wrong thing they did? I am right they are wrong? Skin color, lifestyle choice?     Leviticus 19:17 (NET) You must not hate your brother in your heart…   It doesn't say "in your actions." "In your words." It says "in your heart."   WHY? What a strange choice, because isn't hatred an outward thing you can see?   God's Word teaches differently! Hatred starts internally, long before it manifests externally.   The Bible does more than curb some hateful actions. The Bible takes aim at the source of hate IN YOUR HEART. Yeah but that is Old Testament… Jesus says it this way…   Matthew 15:11 What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”   The problem does not originate externally – what goes inside the mouth.   The problem originates internally – what comes out of the mouth.   Say it plain… It is not those people.  IT IS ME. The biggest HATE problem is the one inside me!   God's answer for hatred is not to come up with a bunch of rules to stop hateful actions. God's answer for hatred is to stop hatred at its origin – our heart!   A small seed of hate, planted in your heart, can bring forth a lot of destruction.   #1 The Origin of Hatred#2 Extreme & Radical Hatred   Radicalization and extremism is not just the terrorists that live in another country…   Seed… Someone hurt me… I seek support… find it online.

https://youtu.be/VgvTWD30rLg?si=SGOO9tIIdWueiCRW   Family30 - 5 - Your Secret Advantage – The Source for your Best Taking Hatred Head-On NEXT WEEK Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano Hatred is killing us.In October we are taking hatred head-on. Family 30 Who is thankful for your family? The final week of the 30 day challenge! Join our Facebook groupDownload your free challenge We have talked about so much in this series… No review. Find the series at…RedemptionPlano.comYouTube.com Podcast TodayYour Secret Advantage – The Source for your Best Advantages are good.You have several. Your advantages  Jesus – Perfect example for your family. Your Church – Serves your family. Not talking about these today… An advantage everyone has TODAY… Imagine this: Messy home… “Eh, I'll do it tomorrow.” Check Engine…“Eh, I'll do it tomorrow.” At work or school…“Eh, I'll do it tomorrow.” We've all been there. Procrastination — it's sneaky. Procrastination creeps into our lives… even the most important areas—like our families. Now Imagine this:Distant spouse…“I'll have a deep conversation tomorrow…” Struggling kids… I'll spend more time with the kids tomorrow… “We'll start those healthier family habits... tomorrow.” The truth is, we've said ‘tomorrow' so many times that we forget ‘tomorrow' never really arrives.  WE ONLY HAVE TODAY. Your Secret Advantage – Today No matter what you are facing… -Guilt… -Broken relationships…-The aftermath of bad decisions… -Debt -Bad health The answer for whatever you are facing is found in TODAY. The Bible says this many times and in many way… Jesus says… Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Jesus is standing in front of people who are not focused on TODAY… but TOMORROW. TOMORROW Jesus may be in another town…  TODAY he is with these people. Jesus is telling us to focus on today. Tomorrow is a source of Anxiety.Yesterday is a source of Regret. Today is a source for Triumph. God would have us live in TODAY…Are we living somewhere else?Are you living in yesterday?Are you living in tomorrow? John Wooden is the greatest men's College Basketball coach in history. 10 Championships in 12 years. The greatest players wanted to play for JW.-Kareem Abdul Jabbar -Bill Walton Coach wooden preached constantly about the power of today. John Wooden Quotes-“Make Today Your Masterpiece.” -“Today is the only day. Yesterday is Gone.” “Do not give me 90% today. You can't give me 110% tomorrow.” Champions focus on today!Today is a source of Triumph. (Statistics - https://madelaineweiss.com/94-say-procrastination-hurts-their-happiness/) Procrastination is an Enemy 94% say it negatively affects their happiness 18% severe effect 25% chronic procrastinators 80% students procrastinate often Higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression. Links to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and heart disease Shocking stat…. 2 Hours and 25 Minutes That is the average amount of time spent procrastinating every day. Don't we often say… “I don't have enough time?” Today is our secret advantage.Take advantage of Today Here is how. 1. Start Simple & Small, but Start Today Not complicated… Grow spiritually? - Start with 5 min pray- 1 Chapter Bible read Grow relationally?- 10 minute talk (no phones) - Schedule a game night Family 30 challenge – Make it simpler and smaller – BUT START TODAY. 2. Set a Visible Reminder -sticky note-dry erase marker message-Family30 glow in the dark bracelet -set a calendar reminder Little things keep the important things top of mind. 3. Create your Family Mission Take time to define your mission. What kind of family do you want to be? Once you have that mission, procrastination becomes harder to justify because you're working toward something greater. Anything is possible TODAY. Say that! Declare that! The great thing about today.. it's always right here, right now. So, what will you do with it? Act TODAY!

https://youtu.be/Ku7rTEA4L6Y?si=HIBuUf2ghKi5a1nr Family30 - 4 -  Knowing, Embracing, & Celebrating Your Role in the Family   Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano Family 30   Who is thankful for your family? Week 4 of the challenge! Join our Facebook groupDownload your free challenge   Personally – Feel accomplished… more work to do.   A LOT OF WORK… and little time. Fear of school shooting:  -Did you pray?   -Did you pray with others?  -Aren't you glad we pray for your school…?     -Other sons – thankful God kept us safe.   -Other dad (Christian) – “Aren't you glad for God's peace?”   Let's be thankful for our families!   Today Knowing, Embracing, & Celebrating Your Role in the Family   God created the family – created roles. Do you know your role?Do embrace your role?Do you celebrate the role others play?   Titles in the world = Succe$$ & Power   Titles in God's Kingdom = Loving Service and Responsibility     Every step you take into your role is a step away from selfishness. You can't succeed and be selfish Grow in your role – or lose it. Your role serves others. Not fight others.   The Role of the Spouse Mutual Love & Respect (Eph 5:21,25) Different but unified Men desire significance Women desire security Produce life together   Do not be Al BundyAl Bundy  (Married with Children) Joked about dying over staying married Instead produce LIFE   The Role of the Parent Grow & Guide “Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4) Grow faith, curiosity, strength, passion, Guide values, responses Balance discipline with love No means no No means I love you as much as yes. Discipline is love (spare the rod – Proverbs 13:24) Model & teach   Deuteronomy 6:4-74 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.   The Role of the Child Obedience and Honor   Ephesians 6:1-3Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”   “But they are wrong.”Your role is not to correct your parents… Obey and honor. Ask questions as you obey and honor.   Grow Luke 2:52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Be trustworthy Parents delegate AUTHORITY and not just tasks CELL PHONE They are ready for a cell phone when they are ready for authority. Follow up with accountability.    The Role of Extended Family Offer Support, care, and wisdom Pass down heritage What will you pass down? Family history Faith Proverbs 17:6 Children's children are a crown to the aged   Knowing, Embracing, & Celebrating Your Role in the Family We should be thankful for the roles in our family.   Activate your gratitude.   Grow in your role – or lose it. If you don't become the voice in your child's life… they will seek another voice.   If you don't operate in your role… They may never understand their future role.   If you don't use your time… your time will pass.   Harry Chapin song… “My child arrived just the other day He came to the world in the usual way But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay He learned to walk while I was away And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it And as he grew, he'd say "I'm gonna be like you, Dad You know I'm gonna be like you"   And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon "When you comin' home, Dad?" "I don't know when But we'll get together then You know we'll have a good time then"   “I've long since retired, my son's moved awayI called him up just the other dayI said,

https://youtu.be/Si0KSWRA7t8?si=-XTeVwWOdcqadgnc Family30 - 3 - Blessings for Blended, Mended, and Extended Families Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano Family 30   Families are important. We need to get back to God's design. Words matter. Speak life and not death According to scripture… Marriage is a blessing.Children are a blessing. …but sometimes life gets complicated.   Divorce happensSeparation… Death…Difficulty and pain, but God's promise still remains true. Blessings for Blended, Mended, & Extended Families.   No matter what … God has blessing for you.   Blessing for you kids…Future relationships…Blessing as you heal from past hurt.   Blended Families   In Genesis 1 marriage shows up and it is “very good!”   But in Genesis 3 other things show up…LyingGuiltBlameShameSin & death   Very good, blessed marriages are always damaged by bad behavior. It is important that we follow God as a family.   Some of this breakage causes what we call blended families.   When two come together in marriage but bring children from previous marriages… The Brady Bunch! There are blended families in the Bible. Blended Families DeathPolygamy (God was never for polygamy) Adoption Jesus was raised in a blended family. Jesus had a mother named Mary.Jesus had a father named God. But Jesus also had an earthly father. Joseph treated Jesus as his own son. Joseph is a man of great character in Scripture. Matthew 1:18-19 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Joseph and Mary are pledged to be married… But Mary becomes pregnant! The son is not Joseph's. V-19 Joseph was faithful to the law. The law and culture of the day made it traditional for the woman to be put to public shame. …Often to be executed by stoning. Joseph was faithful to law, but He chose grace and was going to divorce her quietly to save her shame and death. Joseph was unusual. He covered someone he thought was unfaithful with mercy and love. Love covers! 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Joseph made his blended family work 1 Honor and respect for his familyHe honored Mary even when he was not sure… 2 Follows GodHe had a dream and trusted God!DOES NOT ARGUE! OBEYS! Can you do that? Can God speak to you in His word… a message… a dream… and you obey? Do it God's way! 3 Sacrifices for others. Laid down his rep - Faced ridicule. Laid down his plan –   Receives dream to go to Egypt.    Leaves home, carpenter business… trusts      God's plan.   Names the son Jesus. Culture named the   first son after the father… but God's plan   was different. Blended families are not easy.Friction and dis-ease – requires sacrifice. 4 Patience in the process Joseph waits to consummate the marriage. Joseph waits to return from Egypt. You must have patience. Blended parenting - “You're not my dad…”   Adoption Surprise This is a picture of a step daughter serving her step father with adoption papers…   I want to take your name.I want you to be my dad.Not just blended… but family.   5 Great outcomes are possible It is not a coincidence that Jesus became a carpenter. The greatest man in Jesus' life, Joseph, was a carpenter and taught him the skill. God has blessings for blended families.   Mended Families We live in a time where divorce is too frequent. Divorce is painful and leaves behind wreckage. -Children-Emotions-Finances Remarriage after divorce has less chance of succeeding statis...

https://youtu.be/DjOyZCMLvsI?si=M7kY0MBTYbDWoO4l Family30 - 2 - Is Someone Creating Unnecessary Stress and Disappointment? Let's Talk. Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano Family 30   Families are important. God created the family. Families are fracturing Divorce Single parent households Poverty and food insecurity Screen time and depression Decline in faith community We need a Godly family mission Submission – coming under the mission What is your family's mission?   Sticks and stones… Words hurt… even more when they come from within the home.   Today… Is someone creating unnecessary stress and disappointment? Let's talk.   We don't always get along.The way we act, speak, and think can cause stress and disappointment.   How do we handle this?   Go back to the mission… Fluitt Family Mission Statement “We follow Christ, love one another, serve others, and grow together in purpose and grace."   These actions, words, and thoughts… are they on mission?   3 opponents to your family mission. Antagonism Sarcasm Narcissism   Antagonism - mutually opposed Opponents in the family.Antagonistic traits CallousHostilityManipulation Deceit Attention Seeking Suspicious   Callous — Showing little concern for the feelings or problems of others. Hostility — Recurring feelings of anger and irritability, especially in response to minor slights and insults. Manipulation — Trickiness in one's behavior, typically meant to influence, control, or charm others. Deceit — Dishonesty, embellishment, and/or fraudulence. Attention seeking — Engaging in behaviors designed to make oneself the focus of others' attention and/or admiration.   Suspicious — Over-sensitive to interpersonal ill-intent or harm.   Do you recognize antagonism?We are not supposed to enemies in our home.   You might be the antagonist.Someone else might be the antagonist. How do we handle the antagonist? 1. Maintain Calm Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.You can't out yell an antagonist.Peace and calm is our weapon.   2. Establish boundaries   What is acceptable behavior?What are the consequences if boundaries are crossed?   This can protect your emotional well-being and help maintain peace in the home.   3. Communicate Effectively   Use non-confrontational communication.Express your feelings.   Use “I” statements…"I feel hurt when you speak to me in that tone…" INSTEAD OF…"You always speak to me disrespectfully."   4. Practice Empathy   Be open to their feelings. Ask them about their feelings.   How does the Bible tell us to treat our enemies?  NOT LIKE ENEMIES.Love your enemies.Pray for your enemies.Feed and clothe your enemies.   We choose a loving response over a revenge response.This fulfills our family mission.This models our mission… correct behavior.   3 opponents to your family mission: Antagonism Sarcasm Narcissism Sarcasm literally means to strip off the flesh. (Latin)   We must be careful with our words. Sarcasm tears down and we are called to SERVE and BUILD UP.   Galatians 5:13-16 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.     Ephesians 4:29-32 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  

https://youtu.be/oF-uPoSk9oA?si=rtmpDGbh8EBdtYAF Family30 - 1 - Discover Your Family's MISSION and WIN Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano Family 30 How important are families? Is your family important?What about the families around you? Families are fracturing. Rising Divorce Rates 40-50% Single-Parent Households 23% Poverty 16% children (11.6 million)         30% of children in single parent homes Food Insecurity 12.5% of households Screen Time & Mental Health 7 hours a day on screen Increased depression, anxiety, disorder Substance Abuse 20 million people Childhood Obesity 19.7% Decline in Religious Participation Steady decline linked to weakening family bonds, community involvement, and value confusion.  Work-Life Balance Stress                    Domestic Violence +33%. Let's ask again… How important are families? Is your family important?What about the families around you? Where should we go for help?Self-help books?Therapy/counseling/coaches?Good choices… better choice? God created “Family” God loves your family – answers in His word. Genesis 2 God creates ADAM ('āḏām) from the GROUND ('ăḏāmâ) Genesis 2:18 (NIV) The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God creates everything good… Let there be light… it is good.Let there be sky and water… it is good.Lands, plants, animals… it is good. BUT GOD CREATES A PERSON… “IT IS NOT GOOD ALONE” We are not good alone… We need family.Single, widowed, empty nesters, we still need family. Adam needed family… Genesis 2:22-24 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,' for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. God created family by taking OF ADAM and FOR ADAM. Took the rib – of AdamMade a wife – for Adam. Family is OF YOU and FOR YOU. Your children are OF YOU and FOR YOU. God's design is for your children to leave one day and find someone to continue this idea of family. God created “Family” We should understand His design. Divorce is not His design…Domestic violence is not…Zombie children staring at screens…Absentee dads… Let's get back to the design. Family 30 We are going to challenge you to grow deeper, stronger, and more connected as a family over the next 30 days. We have some value adds…-Calendar challenge to do relationship building activities EVERY DAY. -Facebook group to share ideas, plans, successes, and community online – and perhaps get together IRL (in real life) -We have bracelets to help remind you… Series outline Week 2 – Is Someone Creating Unnecessary Stress and Disappointment? Let's Talk. Week 3 – Blessings for Blended, Mended and Extended Families. Week 4 – Knowing, Embracing, & Celebrating Your Role in the Family. Week 5 – Your advantage - The Source for your Best Family. MAKE PLANS TO BE HERE EVERY WEEK!GO ALL IN – 30 DAY CHALLENGE Family? Stop living life alone. Grow in your friendships… Prepare for future families…Invest in extended families… Today Week 1 – Discover your Family's MISSION and WIN! A verse that often causes people to bristle… Ephesians 5:22-24 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. What word causes people to bristle? SUBMIT SUBMISSION This feels like a negative word. Slave mentality… loss of independenceBeing controlled Unhealthy balance of powerEmotional harmFeeling trapped or unable to speak. These thoughts hurt families… So let's rethink submission. Sub/Under  Mission Under Mission We come under the mission of Jesus and work to achieve the mission.

https://youtu.be/J3eZDpUnp70?si=e0HTaGXoxMEVNYNk Check Your Balance - 3 - Add PURPOSE to your PROFIT   Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano Check Your Balance We are talking about money… but we are not asking for money. We want to give to you, not receive from you. Worksheets to help you conquer debt and produce wealth Free E-book to go into detail   Neiman Marcus Game1 T-SHIRT2 T-SHIRTS COST $128 3 Leather Jacket 4 Leather cost $798 5 Shoe 6 Shoe Cost $1,090 7 Flip Flop 8 Flip Flop Cost $545 9 Womans Hoodie 10 Hoodie Cost $170 11 Dress 12 Dress Cost $995   3 laws of balance: Reference point Constant correctionClear Objective   Week 1 – Reference point - SPENDING.   Week 2 – Constant Correction - BUDGET.   A budget is a plan for every dollar.   Today – Clear Objective   Keep this stick upright/balanced.   What is the objective of money?   Things you can do with moneyMake itSpend itSave itGive it MAKE all you can – NOT balanced, happy, or content.SPEND all you can – Fun but not balanced or satisfying.   SAVE all you can – Hoarder, miser, Scrooge. Nobody benefits/enjoys it… until you die.   GIVE all I can…“I KNEW THE PREACHER WAS GOING TO ASK ME TO GIVE HIM MY MONEY….”NO!GIVE all I can – may be irresponsible. Give to the wrong thing?Might give while your family goes without.  What is the objective of your money?  You may be focused on… MAKING moreSPENDING moreSAVING moreGIVING more   None of these options satisfy. Here is why.   Hunger vs AppetiteEating food satisfies hunger.Eating does not satisfy appetite. -Drugs & alcohol, materialism, lustful habits, any addiction.   Appetite is not satisfied by indulging.   Appetite is psychological.Your brain is telling you to "Make more," "Spend more," "Save more," "Give more…" and you cannot satisfy this craving.Appetite is satisfied by abstaining.   Fasting – going without food.Around the 3rd day – your appetite goes away. Balance is going to require abstinence.Learning to say NO – sometimes not all the time.   What is your appetite? Is it throwing you off balance?   Balance requires a clear objective.   To understand the proper objective/goal for your personal finances, you need to know how God views your money/stuff.   Turn to 1st Chronicles 29:10.   Context: For years Israel's worship was focused on a tent where the Ark of the Covenant was housed.   King David sat in his palace and realized God dwelt in a tent. He decided to build God a temple.   David designed… raised money…About $14 billion in gold and silver was gathered. David invited anyone who wanted to give “God's House” to give.   As people came, David prays and praises God and in these words, we see David's view of money… a clear objective of money.   1st Chronicles 29:10-14 (NIV)10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.   EVERYTHING belongs to God. Not me.   12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.   Everything COMES from God. Not me. Everything is DISTRIBUTED from God. Not me.   13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.   14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.   If everything belongs to God, comes from God, and is distributed by God, then our objective should be to HONOR GOD with everything.   To honor God with your finances requires… Balance.A realization that YOU ARE NOT GOD. Thankfulness.Wisdom.  Honoring God isn't just about giving.It includes giving and living.   How many know the word tithe? To give the first 10% to God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chtv7S61kSQ Check Your Balance - 2 - Freedom from Stress, Anxiety, and Greed   Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano   We are talking about money… but we are not asking for money. We want to give to you, not receive from you. Worksheets to help you conquer debt and produce wealth Free E-book to go deeper   Check Your Balance   3 laws of balance Reference point Constant correction Clear Objective   Last week – Reference point The reference point for your finances is SPENDING.   You must be KNOWINGWhere your money is GOING   We challenged you to track your spending and become debt free.   Today I want to talk to you about constant correction.   Constant Correction   Balance – look at reference pointbut hand is constantly making corrections.  When it comes to our finances, we make constant corrections with a BUDGET.   A budget is a plan for every dollar.   We know where our money is going because we track our spending.   Now we must manage our money – Stewardship.   Over a few months of tracking your spending you now know approximately how much money you need to operate.   There are times when we get off balance, we have to make corrections to get back on track.   Are your finances unbalanced?  Have you ever figured out a budget?  Are you living by it?   Balance requires constant correction.   Here is a hard truth.We usually have enough money, we just don't manage it properly. There might be enough money, but there isn't any balance.   Managing money becomes more difficult when we get married.   One of the reasons people give pastors for wanting to get married is… It'll save us money.  There are tax benefits to being married…    The truth is marriage often brings about financial disasters.   Specific upbringings…They didn't talk about money… Just use a credit card…Hoard your money…Worry about money… Before you get married - talk about money!   Two people in love can be destroyed by an out of balanced view of money.   Balance requires a Reference Point and it requires constant correction.    Your kids need to hear you talk about money. They need to hear conversations about how we should spend our money.              They shouldn't be caught off guard when they enter their own lives.   You need a budget – a plan for every dollar. You need to tell your money what to do.   Budget for…The essentials – Housing, food, transportation… Insurance, Utilities…What about the things I enjoy doing?   Entertainment & lifestyle… Saving for future needs:-Retirement-Car replacement-Home repairs   Imagine – your car breaks down…What if you saved for your next car NOW?Not a loan (Debt) but you paid cash.   This is possible.This is balance.This is a plan called a budget. What if you had a budget that included giving to the needs of others? Hate the idea of budgets…?Master Your MoneyOr be Mastered By Your Money   My problem… I did not have a plan, so there was no telling where my money would go. Money was emotional.  -Stress, anxiety, greedYou know what is not emotional – a budget.   Freedom from stress, anxiety, greed…   Cash system-GroceriesClothesEntertainment (blow money) I had to learn to master my money  - negative emotional relationship with money. Awareness& Discontentment You are content until you become aware of better. Aware of a new house… discontent…New phone…New brand…New shoes… Discontentment leads us to debt……stress, anxiety, and greed.   God has a plan… 1 Tim 6:6-11 But godliness with contentment is great gain.7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God,

https://youtu.be/7edhoEFR1_k?si=BILrsdQ8SWt6_ZJ7 Check Your Balance - 1 - Conquer Debt and Build Wealth   Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano, TX   Check Your Balance For the next 3 weeks we are talking about Money.   Let me level with you… NO GOTCHA OFFERINGS/PLEDGE DRIVES   “Now that we made you feel like a guilty selfish scumbag let's take up an offering.”NOT HAPPENING.We want to give to you, not receive from you. Worksheets to help you conquer debt and produce wealth Free E-book to go deeper Why talk about money? Effects us all…  Every part of our lives… Emotions HealthSpiritualityRelationships (#1 cause of divorce – Money)The next generation   US Statistics-U.S. consumer debt $17.1 Trillion.A 4 % increase from the previous year​ (Experian). -Credit card debt up $110 billion in 2023, the highest annual increase since 2004, bringing the total to approximately $1.13 trillion​ (WalletHub)​ (ConsumerAffairs). -Average household credit card balance was $9,423 at the end of 2023​ (WalletHub). - Student loan debt is $1.6 trillion​.Avg 35k - The debt-to-income ratio for the median U.S. household was 107% in 2022… The median household debt exceeded median household income​ (ConsumerAffairs).   - 36% have more debt than savings.   My ProblemDriving In Richardson… 2009 (1st baby in the backseat)   EmotionsFlight (run hide avoid)Shame & guiltInadequate Hopeless   Your Problem No idea what your finances look like…No plan – OstrichWorried about today – Gas, groceriesWorried about next week – Bills dueWorried about the future – Housing, AC, CarFurther future - Retirement, Kids education   Worry + Ignorance = Hopeless  Concern + A PLAN = Hopeful   Let's talk about a plan.We feel hopeless without a plan.   3 laws of balance Reference point Constant correctionClear Objective   You need a reference point in your finances.   Cheerleading balance – Not looking downTight rope walking – Not at feet – forward FIND SOMETHING STATIONARY AND FOCUS   What is my reference point?Hebrews 12:2: Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…   Proverbs 17:24: A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.   Jesus is God's plan…Wisdom is God's plan…   What is reference point for finances?   SPENDING   You must be KNOWINGWhere your money is GOING   Have you ever looked at your bank statement and said… “I spent how much?!”Can't even remember what we bought…   Reference Point: Keep a detailed record of where your money is going.    We have tools to help you keep a record…Track your spending form.   You may be saying… well the bank sends me a statement…-After the fact knowledge…-This is the BANK knowing where your money is going.-We need discipline with our money.   There is no substitute for YOU knowing where your money is going.   Not paying attention – wake up thousands in debt.   Too often we need more, without being able to answer what we did with what we were given? Teenager asks for money…Dad asks “What did you do with the money I gave you?”Teen – “I spent it.”Dad – “What did you spend it on?”Teen – “I. D. K. I need more money.”   We see this in our kids.. do we see it in ourselves?   Proverbs 21:20: In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.   The wise STORES (saves)The foolish DEVOURS ALL (spends)   REFERENCE POINT WORK -Financial Overview-Actual Monthly Spending-Track your spending  May be painful & want to quit.Worry + Ignorance = Hopeless Concern + A PLAN = Hopeful LEARN THIS Debt is Slavery “The borrower is slave to the lender”   - Proverbs 22:7   “Mastercard”Looking at your debt reminds you that YOU ARE NOT FREE.   Think you are free? Tell them you don't feel like paying this month…   Debt is bad and you need a plan. When a wise plan arrives – hope follows.   Driving in Richardson… Let's make a plan.Total Money Makeover – Financial assessment.   We were 25k in debt.Medical bills, car loan, credit cards…

https://youtu.be/PXB2AYQn518?si=ytcfEYL-Af_1u7fQ The Lord is Near  - 08/04/2024 Welcome to Redemption Church. I'm the Care Pastor, Marshal Blessing. I wanted to start my message today with a joke… Picture a bunch of people working in an office building. Suddenly, they all start getting alerts on their phones, and on their computers: “Jesus is returning!” This is the Second Coming of Christ. They all go to their manager and ask:“What should we do?” The manager thinks for a minute, and then says:“Look busy!” Jesus is coming back. That's not a joke. But when he comes back, trying to look a certain way isn't going to help. Trying to look busy or look productive, that won't matter. Trying to look like we're very religious, probably won't help either. I realize this is a very popular sermon subject I was inspired by a guy on a street corner up by my house holding a sign that looked like this… THE END IS NEAR When you see someone with a sign like that, you naturally want to go talk to them, right? No! Probably not. You're probably worried that they are going to try to talk to you. What does a sign like this tell you about the person holding it? Whether it is someone on a street corner or a preacher, when their lead-in is “THE END IS NEAR” I'd be a little worried where it goes from there.You're probably in for some “REPENT, SINNERS! TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS! THE JUDGEMENT IS AT HAND!” and maybe some old-fashioned fire and brimstone preaching. So, I'm going to change this message slightly. THE LORD IS NEAR The Lord Jesus is coming back. And that is good news. I don't know when, but we are closer to his return today than we were yesterday. MATTHEW 24:26 NIV “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” MATTHEW 24:42 NIV “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Jesus said that even He didn't know when He would return. There have been a long, long list of people who have predicted that He is about to return, and so far they have all been wrong. We don't know when Jesus will return. But we also don't know what each day holds for us… We should always be preparing, because we don't know the day nor the hour,and we live in some interesting times. Wars, pandemics, the world is increasingly hostile to Christianity… Whether Jesus' return is imminent or not, God gives us resources to help us to be prepared and to help us in our daily Christian walk. Today I'm going to talk about three powerful things that God gives us to help us grow in our faith, and to help us navigate through the interesting times in which we find ourselves. We just finished the “Leadership on the Go” series. If I wanted to put this in a leadership context, I could say that leaders are very familiar with the tools at their disposal. They're not just aware that they exist; they have practice using them so they can make effective use of them when they are needed. I am aware of lots of musical instruments, but if you handed me a guitar and told me we needed some worship music. It would probably take me a while to pick out “Jesus Loves Me.” God gives us tools to help us; we need to be familiar with these tools and have practice using them, in order for them to actually benefit us and improve our lives. I'm going to talk about three things today. You're probably aware of all of them. But we might be under-utilizing them. The first one is Chat GPT. – Just kidding. THE WORD OF GOD The first tool is the Word of God, the Bible. We're all aware of the Bible, but how many of us would say we are familiar with the Bible? I'm not going to ask for a show of hands, but how many of us have read the whole Bible? How many of are actively reading the Bible on a regular or daily basis? If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, that's great. If you answered “no” to both, that's not great. But really, we need to be able to answer “yes” to both. The Bible is God's word.

https://youtu.be/QO1LvCtnj8Q?si=BYC6glbksMlvI8sv On the Go Leadership - 4 - 24/7 Success   Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano, TX   Your career, calling, and cause   Case study: 120 people… no degrees, no capital backing, no government grants   Grow organization to over 2 Billion. This is the Church of Jesus.   Week 1: You are a leader & leadership is INFLUENCE.Week 2: Develop your message, and stay on message. Mission, Vision, Values.   Week 3: Your promotion playbook is adding value… ALWAYS BE SERVING. Today – 24/7 Success   What if we could win every day? Not the like the cringe Charlie Sheen interview where he talks about “Tiger Blood” and “Winning.”   24/7 Success Real success. Real victories.New heights.Breakthroughs and Achievements.   Not occasionally… but every day.   My ProblemI have small windows of time where I do really good work.   -Creative work – inspiration… fleeting-Physical health – temporary achievement -Spiritual life – Seasons where I am engaged… seasons not -School work – small windows of good work   I can be exceptional sometimes… but not all the time.   You can relate…-Some days you feel it… some days you don't. -You make plans to be better… but…-Projects started but not completed.-Days where you accomplish and days where you barely start   How can we experience success every day and not just occasionally?   The ultra short version of my sermon… Consistently working in love, yields consistent reward.   -Consistency-Work in love-Recognizing the reward     Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2 – Birth of the Church (Born Again)3000 people!Mission accomplished.Becomes an annual Church conference… Acts 2:42-46 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.44All the believers were together and had everything in common.45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, Acts 2 was an amazing MOMENT.They did not let it become a MEMORY. They continued… They devoted… They turned a moment into MOMENTUM. How do you do that? What does that look like for you? -Pre-Decide TODAY, what you will do TOMORROW.-Follow up.-Do not allow success and breakthrough to be an outlier. MAKE IT A HABIT! Work in Love “Choose a Job You Love, and You Will Never Have To Work a Day in Your Life.” “Find something you like to do so much that you would gladly do it for nothing; then learn to do it so well that people are happy to pay you for it.” –John C. Maxwell Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now.It's useless to brood over how long we might live. “Delighting in the work.”The work is God given. But I hate my job… my boss… my coworkers… In order to succeed – find delight in YOUR work.   Consider Michaelanglo Grueling 4 years.Painted ceiling on his back.WHY do such hard work – Love. DELIGHT IN THE WORK.DELIGHT IN YOUR GOD GIVEN ABILITY. -Love using your gifts and skills.-Love seeing your ideas come to life.-Love teaching and communicating.-Love organizing and efficiency. No job is perfect… But find delight in work. -dislike 12 hour shifts, but LOVE what I do.-Coworkers are knuckleheads, but… -My pay is not what I want, but it supports my family I love.               

https://youtu.be/tBka6ARvrEI?si=c7GyfQp6TgKQCwuH On the Go Leadership - 3 - Your Promotion Playbook   Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano Your career, calling, and cause   Case study: 120 people… no degrees, no capital backing, no government grants   Grow organization to over 2 Billion. This is the Church of Jesus. Week 1: How to become a leader.Leadership is INFLUENCE.Week 2: How to STEP UP and STEP OUT.   How can you always have the right thing to say and be able to step up and speak it?Always be on message.Message = Mission, Vision, and Values.Mission is WHAT you are trying to accomplish.Vision is HOW you will accomplish the mission.Values are the BEHAVIORS that are rewardable in your organization.   Today – Your promotion playbook   The Problem we can all relate to… Work hard but looked past… Passed over for the promotion. Taken for granted.Not in the position you want – Your sights set higher.   WANT MORE…   At the same time… how do I not fall into the rat race? How do I avoid the office politics and backstabbing? How do I get ahead without becoming a creep?   Can a Christian even make it in business? There are times where Christian faith can seem like a disadvantage. Moral limitations like…Honesty, kindness, not cussing others out.Not fitting in with the happy hour business crew. In school or on the job your Christian faith can actually seem like a disadvantage. The real successful people do FILL IN THE BLANK and I can't do FILL IN THE BLANK because I am a Christian. In business they have a saying…Always be Selling (Always be closing – ABC)   It means that you are always acting towards your own gain – trying to close the deal and make the sale.   It means that you willing to sale your self in order to make the sale…Value the sale more than… -Your authenticity-Your values and character-Helping the client   I imagine a used car salesman who is only talking to you to make the sale.-Every complement is self serving.-Willing to lie in order to make the sale.   How do we make the sale without being a sale-out?   How do we climb the ladder without stepping on others?   The answer according to Jesus… Always be Serving   Christ is counter cultural.He was when he walked the Earth 2,000 years ago...He is today…   Most of the leadership and sales advice today, line up with our Jewish carpenter.   Mark 9:33-37 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.   They are arguing over PROMOTION… The rat race mentality… DISCIPLES!   35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”   Upside down. The way up is down.The servant is greatest.Put others first…Lift others up… Become servant.Did Jesus demonstrate this? 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” To be great – serve. Always be serving. But I want to be the manager. That does not work in the real world…Not in my line of work…You don't become one of the cool kids by being nice…You get the corner office by beating others…Become valuable by ADDING VALUE John Maxwell – 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: #5 Law of Addition Value others. Make yourself valuable to others. Know and relate to what others value. Do what God values.   Add value and become valuable.   Value everyone, but place 80% of your effort on your top 20%.   This is a key understanding for promotion. Pareto Princile (80/20 rule)20% of the effort nets 80% of the results.Prioritize your top 20% effort…Invest in your top 20%...Equip your top 20%...Promote your top 20%... As an employer – be on the lookout for your top 20%.As an employee – DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT DOING 80% OF THE...

https://youtu.be/1pkaz2bZ6XI?si=llsBrerdIf2YtFCB On the Go Leadership - 2 - How to Step Up and Step Out   Welcome – Chris Fluitt | Redemption Church Plano   Your career, calling, and cause   Case study: 120 people… no degrees, no capital backing, no government grants   Grow organization to over 2 Billion.   Last week: How to become a leader. Leadership = INFLUENCE You are a leader.Permission > PositionMore obedience leads to more influence   How to STEP UP and STEP OUT.   My problem.   Phone call – serious situation. Random situation.   The need to be instant, ready, knowledgeable, spiritual, give an answer, conviction, and inspiration.   Step up. Be present. Take on the issue.Step out. Say something. Do something.   “What do I do? What do I say?”   31,102 verses in the Bible! Which one do I quote? You can relate… Your Problem. -Phone call-Called on at meeting-Called into the Bosses office-Called on in Mrs. Mansfield's 10th Grade -Your child asks you an important question -Pressured to respond or defend…   The need to be instant, ready, knowledgeable, spiritual, give an answer, conviction, and inspiration.   Important moments.Difficult moments.Confusing moments.Stressful moments.LEADERSHIP MOMENTS.   How do you STEP UP and STEP OUT and not miss the moment?   Acts 2 – Peter's moment.   Peter: DiscipleKey's to the Kingdom – leader.Failure – sword swinging, dumb question, wrong answer, lying coward Peter…   In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit dramatically fills 120 people…   The crowd… Acts 2:12-13 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”   13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”   Pressure – Respond, defend…   14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.   Step up and Step out moment.Turned away criticism.Success.Changed forever.   How do you do that?What do I do?What do I say?   How to know what to do and say?   Pattern in Acts   Ridiculed in Acts 2 – Response: JesusQuestioned in Acts 3 – JesusInterrogated in Acts 4 – Jesus Threatened in Acts 5 – JesusAccused in Acts 6 – selected leaders filled with JesusMartyred in Acts 7 – Jesus Persecuted and running in Acts 8 – Jesus to a new community   I am not saying – Next board meeting – Blurt out Jesus   Application   Always be on message Peter and the crew knew what to do and say.They always said and did the same thing.   No new invention required.Go with what is tried and true.   Stressful moment – Stand and deliver the message.Asked a point blank question – Message.Asked for specifics - Offer specifics in the context of message.   Asked WHY, WHAT, HOW? Message.   Dangerous to be off message.Solid and profitable to be on message.   Message? What do you mean?   Do you have a message?What is your message?   MissionVisionValues   Define these… How to know what to do and what to say.   Business terms… but what do they mean? Mission (WHAT)Vision (HOW)Values (BEHAVIOR)   Your career, calling, cause needs this defined.Family…Church…   Redemption Mission:To help people find and follow Jesus.   Jesus Mission:For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – Luke 19:10   General purpose.Compelling.Clear.   Mission is WHAT we are doing.Vision is how we are going to do it – more specific.   Redemption Mission:To help people find and follow Jesus. Redemption Vision:Love God, Grow Faith, Serve Others, Go Change the World   Jesus Mission:For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – Luke 19:10 Jesus Vision: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”   Vision is what… Mission is how.How are you going to accomplish your goal?This is your message.

https://youtu.be/nVVhxQcRB6I?si=z0vjRAY1ilEa_v5e On the Go Leadership 1: How to be a Leader   Welcome   What Church doesn't talk about enough… Your work. Job, 9 to 5, grind.   40 hours a week.2080 a year. 50 years = 104,000 hours   Your career, calling, and cause Essential! Provision and purpose.Identify it! Becomes your identity.Finding your purpose changes the world. So many get stuck..   Do not get stuck… GO   Undervalued? GO get promoted. Underappreciated? GO change that. Problems? GO Solve them.Closed doors? GO Find the key… unlock future   It is time to GO!   On the Go Leadership   Case study: 120 people… no degrees, no capital backing, no government grants   Grow organization to over 2 Billion.   The Church of Jesus. How did they do it?   Week 2 – How to STEP UP and STEP OUT    KNOW what to do and what to say. Week 3 – Your promotion playbook    Become so valuable… Week 4 – 24/7 success    Not small bursts of temporary success…    A consistent proven track record…   Today – How to Become a Leader Not a mystery – Simple.Not impossible – DOABLE.   My ProblemPeople Problems Good with many personality types.Terrible with some types of personality.   Failure over and over… resistant, cold, unresponsive, agitated.   Do they hate me?What am I doing wrong? Do I just avoid them? Stay stuck… or Go LEAD! The only thing that answers a problem like this is… LEADERSHIP.   Does not have to continue like this…I can lead this person.People are not one size fits all. Change my interaction – positive outcome.   What is your Problem?  Boss Coworkers Interviewers Clients, customers Family Stay stuck… or Go LEAD!   Leadership answers the problems that we are facing.   Problems aren't so bad… They reveal what needs to change They grow you They are promotion platforms   Whatever your problem, you can solve it, and you will feel accomplished.   Become a leader! …BUT WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?   WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?   Misunderstood – Born leader – Really cute, not a leader There is no secret leadership gene. NOT – you just have it or you don't.   “Leadership is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less.” - John Maxwell   Leadership = INFLUENCE The power to affect a person, thing, or course of events. Be honest…Are you a leader? Do you have influence? Sociologist study – The shyest introvert will influence 10,000 people over the course of his or her lifetime. Introvert- Attempt to have zero interaction with people, still influence thousands. It is impossible to not be an influence!God has called each of us the change the world! Our lives shape the people around us.Intended or not… we affect others through our actions and words. You are a Leader Stop resisting it…Don't discount it…Do not say, “Yeah… but”   The question is not, “Am I a leader.” The question is, “What kind of leader am I?” The question is not, “Do I have influence?” The question is, “What level influence do I have? What will be the reach of my influence?”   Jesus teaches us about influence and sees our potential. Matthew 13:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Is Salt an exciting world changing element of great Value? Na (periodic table humor) I am sorry my jokes are SODIUM. Salt is plain, but put it in food – changes it!You are the SALT of the EARTH – ingredient for change. Your presence brings change. DON'T LOSE YOUR SALTINESS. Make a difference wherever you are. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. You are a light that can't be hidden.   Your influence, gifting, calling, potential… when people see it, no one will want to hide it under a bowl… Instead – lampstand. What is it that you can do, that others don't know? Knowledge? Skill? Personality? Strength?

https://youtu.be/EAN2xEdkl30?si=u2Rdj5Axz0kYsxpm Search Engine - 4 - 06/30/24 Anonymous Text Line: 469-651-1178 Every Sunday we repeat the four reasons Redemption Church exists. So when we say, "Go change the world!" - how do we begin talking about Jesus with strangers or people we've just met? I'd like to hear some ideas on that. 1 Cor 3:6 some plant, some water, God gives the increase. Don't control or force… influence. The goal of every conversation is to have another conversation.Grow - influence and friendship.NO RELIGIOUS AGENDA You can't fake friendship.Evangelism & Discipleship take calendar time - use time wisely. THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR YOUR UNBELIEVING FRIEND TO COME TO REDEMPTION CHURCH IS YOU. Problems are open doors.HealingWisdomCompanionshipRescue Promise Pray! God is sovereign. He can heal all diseases!! So why do some believers have to suffer? Alzheimer's? Cancer? Autoimmune diseases? Undiagnosed Joint pain (entire body sometimes)? Wheelchair victim? Addictions? Surgeries? God does heal. Why doesn't God heal everyone? Sickness - Genesis 3 sin.  WE CREATED THE PROBLEM by not following God. Not God's problem… but God's solution… When we are sick… James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. I rarely get a call to pray for sickness.ACTIVATE YOUR FAITH - ASK FOR PRAYER. The ultimate answer for sickness and death is the victory of Jesus. The purpose of healing is to KNOW THE HEALER. Matthew 9:6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” One day everyone will be healed… Jesus on the throne. Why are there so many pedophiles and sexual predators that are Christian or claim to be Christian? It's so disheartening to open up social media and see this in the news. No wonder so many are turned away. “I love you God, but people suck.” 2 well known pastors resigned over sinful allegations. Sin took down every person in Scripture not named Jesus.Adam & Eve, Abraham & Sarah, David, Peter, John, Paul… Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. I am the worst… Acts 14 - Paul & Barnabas (Hermes & Jupiter) TORE CLOTHES “WE ARE ONLY HUMAN LIKE YOU” Ban the term - celebrity pastorThe more light shined on people the darker the world is.Jesus is the light  Pray for ministers and ministries. Why is long hair shameful for a man? 1 Corinthians 11:14 1 Corinthians 11:6 it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, Paul does define the “nature of things.”  Nature here means “natural sense, native conviction or knowledge.” (Thayer's lexicon) https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5449/kjv/tr/0-1/ Define short and long? Paul does not define. Any other scriptures about hair length? None OT or NT What is 1 Corinthians about? Troubled Church in need of correction. The pagan culture of Corinth was effecting the Church. Chapter 11 is about headship.  The head of Christ is God… The head of man is Christ… the head of the wife is her husband.  Distinct relationship difference between men and women. So what do these verses mean? Because there is no other teaching about hair, it leads me to believe Paul is addressing the culture of Corinth.  Hippocrates (Greek Physician 400-300BC) believed hair had to do with fertility.

https://youtu.be/0q0kPp5Urso?si=8uY9TDDJOnY8xYYT Search Engine - 3 - 06/23/24   God's will shall always be done! What's the difference between praying: "Thy will be done"  & not praying at all!?   2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.   Your decisions matter.   Where was Jesus in His teens and 20s?!   12 years old… Luke 2:41-43 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.   52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.   Carpenter? Joseph death? Supported family rather than be chosen for Sanhedrin discipleship?Puberty?   Jesus ministry starts when He is 30… 18 year gap of knowledge.   Who were some influential women and followers of Jesus in the NT?   Ancient world often devalued women. Scripture celebrates women.   Eve - It is eve's seed that defeats the serpent.Sarah - God does not just make a covenant with Abraham… but Abraham and Sarah.Haggar - She names God - El Roi - The God who sees me. Moses - Jochebed, Miriam, Pharoah's daughter, Exodus 1 - 2 Egyptian midwives - Shiphrah and Puah Prophets - Miriam, Deborah, Huldah (2 Chronicles 34),   NT MaryElizabethMary & Martha of BethanyMary Magdalene - Possessed woman saved by Jesus  Luke 8:1-3 1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Women were disciples.Women were prophets - Phillip's daughters.Many churches started in the houses of women.Romans 16 - Paul mentions several women  Phoebe - a Deacon - servant in the Church.  Priscilla (and Aquilla) co-workers in Jesus  Junia - Great among the apostles   What was the purpose of Jesus being led by the spirit to be tested in the wilderness?  (Was it to experience human struggles?)   Matthew 4:1-3 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”   Not tested to see if He would fail. Tempted to demonstrate - HOW TO OVERCOME   Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.   Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.   Everything grows at night.Night seasons grow us.   1 Cor 12 - Spiritual Gifts  One is given this gift, one is given that gift, one this, one that  Vs 11 - He divides up the gifts to each person as He wills  Is this to say that most people have only one (or limited) spiritual gift(s)?  And further, does each person have at least one gift?   God gifts creation. Everyone has giftings in the natural.   The Spirit is a gift. Acts 2:38The Spirit gives SPIRITUAL GIFTS.    9 Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)Word of wisdom Word of knowledge Gift of faith Gift of healing Working of miracles Prophecy Distinguishing between spirits Speaking in tongues Interpreting tongues   1 Cor 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.   The Spirit distributes and determines. Do all prophesy? Do all interpret? V29-30   31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

https://youtu.be/NA2jZLWqJ3M?si=4E10l3OHJGggQR0C Search Engine - 2 - 06/16/24     Proverbs 3:11-12 it speaks of the Lord's disciplines and rebukes and that he disciplines those he loves. What does it mean? Will he will make life harder? Why??? Don't we get enough of that from the devil trying to take us down? Just so much seams harsh. I'm supposed to strive to be like Jesus but he can be so mean sounding sometimes when reading the scripture.   God - Motivation of LoveEnemy - Motivation of Hate   Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.   Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.   -Hot stove   Why did David kill Goliath? I understand that he was a threat, but isn't God against murder?   Kill/Murder - Hebrew ratsach - intentional killing without cause.   Was there cause?   All death is a transfer of an eternal spirit…God gives life   The Bible says God is the same forever, but why does He feel regret after the flood? If He's supposed to be perfect, why would He make a decision He regrets?   Genesis 6:6 - God regrets making man.1 Samual 15:11 - God regrets making Saul king of Israel.   God repents - changes his mind.   Numbers 23:19 (NIV) God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?   Sovereign vs Permissive will of God. Sovereign (Christ will win and have His bride)   Jeremiah 18:6-7 (NIV) “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.   To what extent would featuring God in a fictional work count as blasphemous?   Eye of the beholder. 1 Corinthians 8:4 (NIV) An idol is nothing at all in the worldNo victory is being rude…   Blaspheme - to despise, reject with contempt   It is easier than you think to reject God…   Some say that Hell is empty right (except for the fallen angels) now until after the Rapture. Some say that bad people are there now. Which is right?   Hell? Sheol - holding place of the soul (Rich man & Lazarus story Luke 16) - Hell, hades, bosom of Abraham   Lake of Fire/second death - HELL   Who are the first to enter the lake of fire? Revelation 19:20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.   Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown.   White throne judgment -  each person was judged according to what they had done. (v13)   Who are the last to enter the lake of fire? Revelation 20:14  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.   No one is in the lake of fire now.Some are in sheol now.Some are present with the Lord now. (2 Cor 5:8)   Were there other people in the world after Adam and Eve left the garden? How did 2 sons have wives?   Sisters?Other interpretations - Adam & Eve represent humanity and not 2 single people.Other interpretations - God created other people that we are not told about. Based just on scripture - everything was produced from Adam and Eve, and they filled the Earth. Incest issue?  Covered by Grace.NOW - don't do it.   Most of the apocryphal text can be dismissed as too new or too strange or not in line with the rest of the Bible.  Why did so many early Christians read them then?   The Apocrypha is a group of 14 books written betw...

https://youtu.be/WbUwTXJf-Vw?si=vBWLkW7ijYjhBexo Search Engine - 1 (06/09/2024) Anonymous Text Line   Why does God hate divorce? (Malachi 2:16)  And why does God divorce Israel? (Jeremiah 3:8-10) Double standard?    Malachi 2:16 (NKJV) “For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” Jeremiah 3:8-10 (NIV) 8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. 9 Because Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. 10 In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the Lord.   Allow vs Endorse   In Deuteronomy 24 3-4, why can't a person who has been divorced twice remarry their first spouse? 2   Deut 24:1-4 (NIV) If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, 2 and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, 3 and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, 4 then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of the Lord. Do not bring sin upon the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.   Greek question? What is the difference in Rhema (Word) and Logos (Word)? 3   John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word(Logos), and the Word(Logos) was with God, and the Word(Logos) was God.   Ephesians 6:17 (NIV) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word(Rhema) of God.   Should Christians be pacifists or is it OK to fight in wars? “Thou shall not kill.” 4     I heard someone mention righteous anger. Can you explain? 5   Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry     Why aren't dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures not mentioned in the Bible. What about Neanderthals, other types of hominids. Homo erectis. Homo floresiensis. Homo naledi. They all existed within the time, or just before the time of humans. 6 Prehistoric animals Job 40:15-18 (NIV) “Look at Behemoth,     which I made along with you     and which feeds on grass like an ox. 16 What strength it has in its loins,     what power in the muscles of its belly! 17 Its tail sways like a cedar;     the sinews of its thighs are close-knit. 18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,     its limbs like rods of iron.   5 OT VERSES ABOUT “LEVIATHAN”   One of the days of creation - or before the days of creation. The flood?   Evidence that man and dinosaurs lived in the same era - Glen Rose - Dinosaur Valley.   Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo sapien… different skull shapes.   Growing evidence that Neanderthals were not dumb. https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2022/07/02/neanderthals-where-do-they-fit-bibles-history/   Possibilities… Common Descent - Evolution from a common genus Creation and adaptation of humanity An abnormality Another creature altogether Differences… but created by one God. Malachi 2:10 (KJV) “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?”   Can you explain Mark 9:24? - The man believed yet had unbelief. 7   Mark 9:24 (NIV) Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”   Both belief and unbelief… 23 “‘If you can'?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”   Mark 9:24 (CEV) At once the boy's father shouted,

https://youtu.be/SM7zNoTp8D8?si=MXxyOgxIRblmGmZA The Promise - 4 - Purity WelcomeGoal – Save future & current marriages… Bless your relationships with Godly wisdom.   The Promise Title Sin ruins marriages.Adultery, pornography, unforgiveness, secrets, coveting other things. Not yet married crowd… do not wait until you are married to work on your secret sin issues. Sin is not a foundation you want to build anything upon. Genesis 2:24-25 (NIV) 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. SHAME: Bûwsh - to be ashamed; to become pale. This is bad.Not the playful “oh you are so bad.” Shame means PALE as in the blood/life force drains from your countenance. In Genesis 2 Adam & Eve felt NO SHAME. But the serpent came… Adam and Eve disobeyed God and the they felt… shame. Genesis 3:7-10 (NIV) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Shame causes us to retreat and hide. Kids – Did you eat a cookie? Cause a mess?  -> Hide Adults – Did you cause a mess? -> Hide Shame happens when we connect a bad action to our identity. I did bad… I am bad. We become the thing we did. We hide because of shame. What does it look like to hide in a marriage… Working late again. I am headed to bed early. I think I am going to hang out with the boys/girls again tonight. I don't need to talk about it. Don't check my phone. Spending habits. I have a secret… Secrecy is the Enemy of Intimacy Want a deep relationship, get rid of shallow secrets. Bare all before one another… Get Naked Promise #4I promise to CONFIDE, not HIDE. If secrecy is the enemy of intimacy… I choose… Honesty, confession, righteousness, honor I choose light over darkness. Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV) 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. What is the darkness in your life? Movie theater… Darkness… Eyes adjust to darkness… Have your eyes adjusted to darkness?Or are you a Child of Light? Do you say that some sins are not a big deal? Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity… Not even a hint… redraw the line. Hopping in bed…  LOOKS AND THOUGHTS. Jesus redrew the line of adultery… Matthew 5:28 (NIV) 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Redraw the lines.Confide, don't hide. No more… Lusting after anyone that is not your spouse. Fantasy – thoughts and emotions. Secret desires. Hebrews 13:4 (NIV) 4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Would you ever wear dirty boots to bed?Would you go straight from the sweaty gym to bed? NO! You don't want to rest in filth. Clean your bed Do not allow anger in your bed… Unforgiveness… Passive aggressive undertones… silence… Secrets… Unaddressed issues… How do we live a life of purity? Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Promise #4I promise to CONFIDE, not HIDE. Confession to God brings intimacy.Openness to your spouse brings intimacy. STOP HIDING!Turn from sin.Turn toward God. Future shame exercise (Close your eyes)