Remembering This One Thing!

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Sermon: “Remembering This One Thing!”

A Service of Remembering those departed in 2019

Scripture Lesson: 2 Peter 3: 3-9

 

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“Remembering This One Thing!”

Pastor Jerry

December 29, 2019

The ability to remember is a wonderful gift that God has given to us.

Some of our memories are happy, & we can recall wonderful experiences. But some of our memories are sad, & we may weep as we remember them.  2 Pet. 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

Some things need to be forgotten but can’t seem to be erased from the memory. Other things need to be remembered but escape easily. One thing we should not forget…IS THE PEOPLE AROUND US!  We should be thoughtful of ONE ANOTHER!

Brothers and sisters, no matter what we do in our service and ministry here at the Boones Mill Church, we must love one another. Why? …because God is Love …and wants us to share His Love with everyone. Our business as a church in this world is also to remember and to love people.

On this Remembrance Day I want us to be people remembering one another in 4 diff. ways:
1- Remember the good and encourage…
2- Remember the hurting and pray…
3- Remember those who have gone on before us and be thankful…
4- Remember the Lord and what He has done for us (and what He promises to do)…

God so loved the world that He sent His Son at Christmas time to be born as a baby – to be Emmanuel – to be God with us. God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son on the cross to die for our sin. God loves everything He has created because it’s good, but His most important creation is YOU. God’s heart is set on YOU. And so ours must be set on one another. Remember people always. Remember them and commend them. Remember them and pray for them. Remember them always and thank God for them and …and do not forget this one thing …that God gave YOU Jesus at Christmas …so you could have a Blessed and Happy New Life!

Love

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Series: “All I Want For Christmas”- Part 4

Sermon:“Love”

Scripture Lesson: 1 John 4:9-11

 

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Series: All I Want for Christmas is… Part 4

LOVE

1 John 4:9-11

I have been told that Santa takes advantage of the technology of the modern age, using GP, iPhones and the internet.  Did you know that you can email your Christmas wish list to Santa Claus at emailsanta.com. They get over a million emails a year.

But, did you know that Jesus is the real reason for the season? Well, of course you do, that’s why you’re here. But do we know why He’s the reason?

What do you think would be the best present you could receive at Christmas? We can all picture in our mind what the best present is. But how do you measure the value of a present? How do you judge its worth? By its size? By its weight? Do you judge it by its cost or perhaps by its usefulness?

What I would like to do this morning is examine God’s present to us. It is wrapped up – it has bows on it – it is under the tree and it is large. Follow along with me as I read from God’s Word.  “This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other.”   1 John 4:9-11 (MSG)

How do you measure the value of God’s gift to you? I would suggest three ways:

I. God’s gift to you is measured by its USEFULNESS.
What is the usefulness of God’s gift to us? Notice in verse nine the usefulness of the gift. “…so we might live.”  Jesus said it this way:  “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 (NKJV)  What a promise that is! God has made you a SPECIAL PERSON for a SPECIAL PURPOSE.  “He chose us – actually picked us out for Himself as His own – in Christ before the foundation of the world; that we should be set apart for Him. . .” Ephesians 1:4 (AV)  You were specially created – hand crafted – uniquely make – for the purpose of bringing glory to God.

II. God’s gift to you is measured by its COST.
What God has done for us is given us the most precious gift He could possibly give – something of worth – something of value. He gave us His son. God knew what had to be done. He knew what price had to be paid. He knew what it was going to cost Him and He sent the best for you and me. He sent Jesus Christ – born as a child for the salvation of the world. If He gave that much to you – what should you give Him?

III. God’s present to you is measured by its EFFECTIVENESS.
Why did God send His Son to die for you? What is the love of God intended to do? Let me tell you: CHANGE YOU.   Verse eleven says this: “If God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other.” Why? Because God is not done loving the world yet. He wants to keep loving the world – through you and through me.

God’s Gift to you is useful – It gives you meaning and values and brings Glory to God!

God’s Gift to you is valuable – It paid the price for your sins and set-you free!

God’s Gift to you is effective – It changes your life – so you love the way God loves!

It is the best Christmas present ever! It is Jesus Christ and His love of you!

Joy

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Series: “All I Want For Christmas”- Part 3

Sermon:“JOY”

Scripture Lesson: Luke 2:9-11

 

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Series: All I Want for Christmas is… (Part 3)

JOY

Luke 2:9-11

Pastor Jerry

December 15 , 2019

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. And we celebrate Christmas Joy!  “What brings you JOY?”

There’s a difference between happiness and joy: Happiness we can try to achieve. Joy, we can only receive.  “Do you have Joy, today?” The problem is that joy is not a commodity that can be produced, bought, sold or stolen. We can’t earn it. Like all expressions of the grace of God, Joy is a gift that we can only receive.

Do you have joy? Well you can …because it is coming to you, today. From our scripture lesson, we read:  “…the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy’…”  (Luke 2:10).

There are so many good reasons for us to be afraid in the. But the world can’t steal or take away our joy.  Let me give you three good reasons for Christmas Joy this year.

First 1. The Good News of Great Joy is that THE MESSIAH HAS COME!
“The angel said to them … ‘I bring you good news of great joy’ …” (Luke 2:10).

Second 2. The Good News of Great Joy is that THE MESSIAH HAS COME TO SAVE.
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

Third 3.  The Good News of Great Joy is that THE MESSIAH HAS COME FOR ALL.
“The angel said to them…”  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people“ (Luke 2:10).

Joy is about God coming to you. It’s a gift! You can’t earn Joy. Joy is something you can only receive. Will you receive it?

Peace

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Series: “All I Want For Christmas”- Part 2

Sermon:“PEACE”

Scripture Lesson: John 14:23-27

 

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Series: All I Want for Christmas is… (Part 2)

PEACE

John 14:23-27

Pastor Jerry

December 8 , 2019

How many of you have heard the Christmas story about Mary & Joseph and the birth of the baby Jesus? It’s not easy keeping all the facts straight about Christmas.

Let me ask you a personal question, “Are you at Peace? Are you at Peace about your health, your finances, your family, your job, your faith?”  According to most studies, this is a season of stress and distress, of sadness not gladness.

The word PEACE in the New Testament means to “join together; to set at one again.” It has the idea of gluing something back together, to fix something after it is broken.  Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted; to bind up the broken. You know what? That is the problem we face this morning. We’re all broken in some way. Jesus wants us to have Peace! Now there are four ways we can experience Peace at Christmas.

The first way is…

  1. Peace with God (that’s the vertical dimension). Did you know that there is a war going on between God and mankind? People may not realize that they are at war with God, but if they don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior…if they are not loving Him …if they are not obeying Him …God considers them to be at war with Him. What about you? Are you at war with God …are you broken with God …or, are you at Peace?

Colossians 1:20 says that Jesus reconciled Himself to all things “making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.” We don’t deserve this peace. But, because of God’s great love, He provided a way for us to be set at one again with the God of the universe. Jesus is our Peace!

The second way Jesus wants us to have Peace at Christmas is …to have the…

  1. Peace of God (this takes place internally). In order to have the peace of God internally, we must first experience peace with God vertically. The upward dimension must be taken care of before inward peace can permeate our lives. Shortly before Jesus died, He declared in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This inner peace is a gift from Jesus and comes to us as a key element of the fruit of the Spirit.

The third way Jesus wants us to have Peace at Christmas is …to have…

  1. Peace with others (that’s peace horizontally). When we’re at peace with God, and we have internal peace, we can then be at peace with others. The followers of Jesus find that Jesus is their peace. But now they are told that they must not only have peace but make peace.” Jesus said in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” And Romans 14:19 lays out our responsibility: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

    The fourth (and final) way Jesus wants us to have Peace at Christmas is …to have…

4. Peace for others (that’s the proclamation of peace in the gospel). The only way for people to have peace with God, to have peace inside, and to be at peace with others, is for people like us, people who know Jesus, to tell them about the Good News, about the gospel of peace. Peter declares in Acts 10:36: “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” We need to share peace with others.

Today, “All I want for Christmas …” is PEACE!

 

Hope

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Series: “All I Want For Christmas”- Part 1

Sermon: “HOPE”

Scripture Lesson: Luke 1: 26b-33  “…You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will …be called the Son of the Most High…”

 

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Series: All I Want for Christmas is… (Part 1)

HOPE

Luke 1:26b-33

Pastor Jerry

December 1, 2019

 

Have you been asked the question, “What do you want for Christmas?” Children get so excited as they list the many items that they desire which they are sure will bring them a lot of enjoyment. But as we grow and mature, what we look for changes from childish delights to something more. At some point, the desires become intangible, things you cannot wrap and open.

 

So, “What do we want for Christmas?”…  What we really want for Christmas is… HOPE!

Do you have Hope about your life this morning? Too often hope can be very difficult. But not if you put your hope in God. That’s what Christmas is all about. Hope! Trust in Him.

 

The Psalmist wrote: …We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.  – Psalm 33:16-22 (NIV) What matters this Christmas is whether you are placing your trust and hope in God.

What will happen if you do that? “Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” – Isaiah 49:23 (NIV) Our scripture lesson gives this promise:

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will …be called the Son of the Most High. …His kingdom will never end.”  Lu 1:31-33 (NIV)

 

Where’s your hope today? Is it in yourself, in others or in something else, or is it in Jesus?

Jesus is your hope.

 

Giving Thanks

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Sermon: “Giving Thanks”

Scripture Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5: 13a-18  “…Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

 

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“Giving Thanks”

Pastor Jerry

November 24, 2019

 

“What is “Thanksgiving?” I guess you could say that Thanksgiving is a time set aside to give thanks for all the good in our lives.   True thanksgiving is an action and an attitude, an action and an attitude of the heart.

 

The apostle Paul tells us to “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thess. 5:18)

 

What do you have to give thanks for this Thanksgiving?

 

It is easy to be thankful when everything is going well. Yes, gratefulness often comes easy when we have a solid marriage, reasonable health, good kids, and money in the bank. But what about when the marriage is not going well, or our health is on the rocks, or the kids are rebelling, or our account balances begin to stress us out? It is not so easy to give thanks then.

 

God’s Word tells us to, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Even in our time of need, we also need to remember to thank God.  

 

Giving thanks can change your life! Some days it may seem that there is little to thank God for. But there is always some glimmer of light in the darkness. And every day …we should thank God for the gift of His son and the hope of eternal life. God has demonstrated his mercy by giving his Son to die for us. God loves you!

 

God commands us to give thanks because He knows all the good that he can work in us when we do so! This attitude, in turn, can totally transform our lives—if we will do it.

How To Reconcile A Relationship

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Series: “Secrets to a Happy Life”- Part 4

Sermon: “How to Reconcile a Relationship”

Scripture Lesson: “God blesses those who are peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9

 

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Series: “Secrets to a Happy Life” – Part 4

“How to Reconcile a Relationship”

Pastor Jerry

November 17, 2019

 

God blesses those who are peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”    Matthew 5:9 (NLT)

 

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PEACEMAKING

 

What peacemaking is not!

 

  • It’s not _______________________________________________ and

 

  • It’s not ___________________________________________________.

 

 

DAMAGE CAUSED BY UNRESOLVED CONFLICT

 

It blocks my _________________________________________________

 

It blocks my _________________________________________________

 

It blocks my _________________________________________________

 

“Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.”     

 James 3:18 (NLT)

 

 

HOW TO BE A PEACEMAKER

 

  1. _______________________________________________________________________

 

“If you’re standing before the altar in the Temple, giving an offering to God, and you suddenly remember someone has something against you, leave your offering there beside the altar. Go at once and first be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your gift to God.”     

Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)

 

  1. __________________________________________________________________________

           

“If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you . . .”  James 1:5 (LB)

 

  1. ____________________________________________________________________________

 

“Don’t get bitter or angry or use harsh words that hurt each other. Don’t yell at one another  or curse or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.”  Ephesians. 4:31-32 (CEV)

 

Proverbs 13:10 NCV) ; Matthew 7:3,5 (NCV)

 

  1. ____________________________________________________________________________

 

“. . . be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”  

James 1:19 (NLT) ; Philippians 2:4-5 (NIV) ; Romans 15:2 (LB)

 

  1. ____________________________________________________________________________

 

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”          

Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

 

“Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed . . .”   

Ephesians 4:29 (TEV)

 

  1. ___________________________________________________________________________

 

“You must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”  Col 3:8 (NIV

 

  1. ___________________________________________________________________________

 

Reconciliation = reestablish the relationship

Resolution = resolve every issue

 

“God has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. God was in Christ restoring his relationship with humanity.  He didn’t hold people’s faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others.  We are Christ’s representatives . . . We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God.”      2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (GW)

 

Why You Need To Stay Hungry

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Series: “Secrets to a Happy Life”- Part 3

Sermon: “Why You Need to Stay Hungry”

Scripture Lesson: “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

 

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 Series: “Secrets to a Happy Life” Part 3

“Why You Need to Stay Hungry”

Pastor Jerry

November 10, 2019

  

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

                         

RIGHTEOUSNESS IS.  .  .

 

  • A Relationship: ________________________________

 

“The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself.” Romans 1:17 (NCV)

 

  • A Lifestyle: _____________________________________

 

“.  .  .  all who practice righteousness are God’s true children.”  1 John 2:29 (Message Bible)

 

THE GOOD NEWS:

God’s Plan To Make Me Right With Himself

 

  1. ______________________________________________

      

“There is not a righteous person on earth who always does what is right and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NIV) ;

Romans 3:20 (NLT)

 

  1. ______________________________________________

 

“For all have sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard…”

  Romans 3:23-25 (NLT); 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)

 

  1. _____________________________________________

 

“We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.”

 Romans 3:22 (NLT); Romans 10:9-10

 

HOW DO I STAY SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY?

 

  1. ___________________________________________________

 

“…pray that you have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep God’s love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  THEN you will be filled with the fullness of life AND the power that comes from God.”

Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)

 

  1. ___________________________________________________

 

“The Lord says, “All you who are thirsty, come to me and drink! And to those of you who don’t have money to buy food, come and eat for free! Why do you spend your money on something that isn’t real food and doesn’t really satisfy you?  Come to me and you’ll eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the stuff that really satisfies!”            

Isaiah 55:1-2

 

  1. ___________________________________________________

 

“The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants.  Then all these other things you need will be given to you.”  

Matthew 6:33 (NCV)

 

  1. ___________________________________________________

 

“You must crave the pure spiritual milk [of the Word] so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation.  Cry out for this nourishment like a baby cries for milk!”  

1 Peter 2:2 (NLT)

 

  1. ___________________________________________________

 

“Join the company of good men and women, who will keep you on the path of the righteous.”  Proverbs 2:20 (Message Bible/NLT)

 

* The idea and material for this message series was inspired from Rick Warren , pastor of the Saddleback Church in CA, and author of the “Purpose Driven Life.” 

 

How God Blesses Broken Hearts

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Series: “Secrets to a Happy Life”- Part 2

Sermon: “How God Blesses Broken Hearts”

Scripture Lesson: “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” .” Matthew 5:4

 

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Series: “Secrets to a Happy Life” – Part 2

“How God Blesses Broken Hearts”

Pastor Jerry

November 3, 2019

  

Matthew 5:4

“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

 

(First Insight) God Doesn’t Expect Me to Be ________________________________

           

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven . . .There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”  Eccl 3:1, 4

 

(Second Insight) Grief is _________________________________________________

                       

“I was silent and held my peace to no avail. My distress only grew worse.”  

Psalm 39:2 (ESV)

 

How Does God Bless Broken Hearts?

 

  1. ___________________________________________________________________

      

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed.  Psalm 34:18 (NCV)

 

Hebrews 13:5;  2 Cor. 6:10a (LB)

 

  1. ___________________________________________________________________

           

“When Jesus saw Lazarus’ sister sobbing, and saw how all those with her were crying also, his heart was touched, and he was deeply moved . . . Then Jesus started crying. ‘See how much he loved Lazarus!’ they said.”  John 11:33-36

 

3.____________________________________________________________________

 

“In Christ we who are many form one Body, and each member belongs to all the others . . . Be devoted to each other like a loving family . . . Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.”   Romans 12:5,10,15 (NIV/GW)

 

4.____________________________________________________________________

 

“Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.”

Prov 20:30 (TEV)

 

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him . . .”

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

 

  1. ____________________________________________________________________

 

“We don’t want you to be ignorant about believers who have died.   We don’t want you to grieve like the people who have no hope.”  1 Thess 4:13 (GW)

 

“God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away.”           Rev 21:4 (NIV)

 

6._____________________________________________________________________

 

“God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others with the same comfort we received from God.”  2 Corinthians 1:4

 

Every day I either need ________________ or need ____________________ others.

 

* The idea and material for this message series was inspired from Rick Warren , pastor of the Saddleback Church in CA, and author of the “Purpose Driven Life.” 

It Depends on Who You Depend On

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Series: “Secrets to a Happy Life”- Part 1

Sermon: “It Depends on Who You Depend On”

Scripture Lesson: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

 

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Series: “Secrets to a Happy Life” Part 1

“It Depends on Who You Depend On”

Pastor Jerry

October 27, 2019

  “BLESSED are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  (NIV)

“God blesses those who realize their need for him . ..” (NLT)

“. . . who know they have great spiritual needs . . .” (NCV)

 

“The Lord God blesses everyone who trusts him and depends  on him.”  Psalm 146:5 (CEV)

 

To Be “Poor In Spirit” Means:

 

______________________________________________

 

How Do I Do This? (Be Poor in Spirit)

 

  1. _________________________________________________________________________

 

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”   

Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in ALL you do….” Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT)

 

“If any of you lack wisdom, you should pray and ask God, who gives it generously and graciously to all.” James 1:5

 

 

  1. _________________________________________________________________________

           

“You bless all who depend on you for their strength.”

Psalm 84:5a (CEV)

 

“Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. ….they will run and not get weary….”  Isaiah 40:31 (TEV)

 

Psalm 71:16a (LB) ; Psalm 73:26 (NLT)

 

  1. _________________________________________________________________________

 

“I trust in you, O Lord. You are my God. My times are in your hands.”   Psalm 31:14-15a

 

“God has set the right time for everything.”  Eccl.3:11a (TEV)

 

Isaiah 60:22b (NCV);   Micah 7:7 (CEV)

 

 

  1. __________________________________________________________________________

 

“God blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.” 

Psalm 2:12 (CEV)

 

 “I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him. He alone protects  and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated.  My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my strong protector; he is my shelter!”  Psalm 62:5-7 (TEV)

 

 

  1. _______________________________________________

 

“And my God will supply all my needs from his abundant wealth because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.”  Philippians 4:19

 

* The idea and material for this message series was inspired from Rick Warren , pastor of the Saddleback Church in CA, and author of the “Purpose Driven Life.”