Touré Roberts - You Will Survive The Stretch

I want to explain the unique moment we are experiencing as a movement and as a church. I will present the «why» before discussing the «what.» The ultimate «why» is because God needs you—in your fullness—so you can fully express who He is to a generation that needs God more than ever before. I am reminded tonight of Lamar, who is in the hospital. You may or may not know, but he is battling his struggle with addiction, which he has been facing for a long time. All of us connected to this industry are aware of this; it’s no secret. He has been part of this church, and at some point, we have to ask: where is the power? We can point fingers all day at his situation or circumstances, but at the end of the day, where is the power? Where is the power? Where is the glory to break chains, to break yokes, to break addiction? The reality is that the power is within us. Yes, it is inside us, I promise you. The Bible says we have this treasure, but the challenge is that this treasure is in earthen vessels. I want to communicate this the way I see it—there is this power and glory within us who have come to believe. I mean crazy glory and crazy power—power that is unmatched. There is no power on Earth that could even come close to this type of power residing within us. However, the challenge is that it is wrapped up in us with issues, challenges, problems, distractions, and brokenness—all of these things. What I believe God is doing in this church, both spiritually and naturally, is bringing that treasure to the surface. He truly is. For some of you, it might feel like the most challenging season of your life; for others, it might feel like you are being stripped down. But you need to understand that when you are stripped down, that is when the glory is closest to the surface and can be expressed powerfully. I know it’s hard, and it doesn’t feel good, but I promise you, as Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans (8:18), «For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us.» In that same context, he talks about how all of creation is eagerly awaiting the revealing of us. So there is something very unique happening in this church. The Lord established this church through me a long time ago, and I have witnessed its ups and downs, seasons of growth, and the way God has moved here. What we are experiencing now is something very new and unusual. I believe this has a lot to do with tenure—time with God, faithfulness, consistency, trials, and tribulations—and coming through them. I keep coming back to faithfulness, not growing weary in well-doing, and not quitting when you want to quit. Hello, somebody? Not quitting when you feel like giving up, but continuing to press on, saying, «It is well with my soul,» and trusting that all things will work together for good for those who love God. Things are going to work together for good because I am a child of God. I believe God is producing this spirit within you, and those of you watching via livestream; He is instilling in you this sense of understanding. You don’t get there overnight, but you reach a place where, as Paul said, you are fully persuaded that nothing will ever separate you from the love of God—neither tribulation, distress, peril, persecution, angels, nor demons—nothing. You gain this conviction in your spirit and heart, and as a result of your encounter and experience with God, you tell yourself, «I am going all the way with God. I don’t care what it costs me; I don’t care what I have to endure. I am going all the way because I have tasted and seen that there is nobody like Him.» So, I am trying to explain what is happening, and the question then arises: where do I feed from in those moments? How do I nurture this if this is what’s going on inside me? If that is what this awkwardness is about, then how do I satisfy that? How do I get to a place where I am satisfied while in process? I think Jesus teaches this, and we will look briefly at it in Matthew chapter 6. Stay with me right here. I just want to do something tonight. In Matthew 6, watch this: «Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life…»