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Sermons Online
  • 5/18/2025
Transcript
00:00I want to talk to you today about being a safe place
00:04We live in a culture where there's so much judgment
00:08People are quick to assume the worst without really knowing the facts just a rumor
00:14Gossip, they heard it on social media. It must be true
00:18So they start throwing stones and trying to shame and discredit
00:23And if we do make a mistake and we all do there's zero tolerance
00:28We're gonna cancel you you should have known better
00:31Their goal is to expose blow out of proportion. Make sure you get what you deserve
00:38But the scripture says the mercy you show others is the mercy you're going to receive
00:44And if you're harsh and critical don't give people grace to be human
00:49Then when you make a mistake people are going to be harsh and critical with you
00:54It's easy to find fault
00:56Kick people when they're down. Can you believe they did this?
01:00But we're not called to throw rocks
01:02We're called to lift the fallen to restore the broken to heal the hurting. They don't need more judgment
01:10They have enough people beating them down
01:12They need someone who will pour the healing oil on
01:17Someone who will help love them back into wholeness
01:21You are never more like God than when you're helping people in need
01:26Showing mercy when they failed pushing them up when others are pushing them down
01:32I've never seen a day where there's so much joy over someone falling
01:36You know people jump on the bandwagon spread their good news. They messed up. They got caught
01:42I told you they were phonies, but you have to remember this but by the grace of God that could be you
01:50Well, he cheated y'all he lied her past finally caught up before you join the mob and start throwing stones
01:58Before you look down in shame and judgment. It's much better to pause and say Lord. Thank you for what you kept me from
02:05Thank you for your grace helping me stay on the right path
02:09If you'll walk in humility and be generous with your mercy
02:14God will keep you on the best path
02:17But when we get judgmental they knew better they're getting what they deserve
02:21That's opening yourself up to be in their same shoes
02:25If we don't humble ourselves the scripture says God will humble us
02:30It's much better if you do it then for God to do it learn to live as a healer as a restorer
02:38Not looking for opportunities to condemn but looking for ways that you can lift people
02:44That's enough judgment in the world
02:46Enough criticism zero tolerance you messed up. I'm gonna expose you. Where are the healers?
02:54Where are the people that will cover their faults show mercy for mistakes have compassion despite their failures?
03:02And this is not excusing their behavior
03:06Covering sin. I'm talking about loving them back into wholeness
03:10Where when they come to you, they know they're not going to be judged
03:15Look down on you're a safe place
03:18You're full of mercy. Your heart of compassion is open. You don't have stones of judgment stones of condemnation
03:26You have healing oil that you're gonna pour on
03:30forgiveness
03:32Understanding that will help them get back on their feet
03:36In the Old Testament, there was something called a city of refuge
03:41They lived under a law that said if you killed someone it was an eye for an eye
03:46You would be killed
03:48The Israelites lived in 48 cities throughout the land of Canaan
03:53God told Joshua to set up six cities that would be known as a city of refuge
03:59If you accidentally took someone's life if you made it to the city of refuge you would be spared
04:07Maybe you were working on your land and your axe head flew off and killed someone or your animal got loose and harmed a person
04:16Normally, there were no questions. You made a mistake. It's your fault. You're gonna get what you deserve
04:23But under this new law if you could just get to one of those cities of refuge
04:28If you could make it to that safe place, the people would take you in they would protect you keep you from harm
04:35When the Avenger came looking for you to pay you back
04:39These people would step up for you. They would cover you and watch after you
04:45Even though it was your fault you deserve judgment, but as long as you were in the city of refuge you were okay, I
04:54Can see people that made mistakes
04:57Caused an accident. It was urgent. I got to get to that city as quickly as I can
05:03Riding their horse so worried taking shortcuts. This was life or death
05:09The Avenger was coming it was a family member a brother and uncle that was looking for justice
05:15They had every right to take his life and I for an eye
05:19Unless he can get to the city of refuge then he'll be safe
05:25This is a picture of what happened to all of us. We were born into sin
05:31We had made mistakes
05:33Fallen short of the glory of God we deserved judgment
05:37The Avenger was coming, but Jesus came as our refuge. He created a safe place
05:45Despite our failures despite our shortcomings if we come to him
05:50We don't receive the judgment we deserve we made it to the city of refuge
05:56David said this in Psalms
05:57God is my refuge a strong tower that we can run to and be safe
06:04Because of what Jesus has done if you'll come to him you're in a safe place
06:09There's forgiveness. There's mercy. There are new beginnings. There is beauty for ashes
06:17Now here's the key Jesus said in Matthew freely you have received now freely give
06:24You've received all this mercy now freely give it away be generous with your mercy
06:31Generous with your forgiveness. It's easy to become like the society
06:36Judgmental critical zero tolerance. You don't deserve it
06:41No, God has called you to be a safe place a person of refuge
06:46Well when people come to you, they don't get judgment. You don't write them off because of mistakes
06:53Spread rumors push them down. You're a healer. You're a restore
06:58They come to you because they know they can trust you. You're a person of honor
07:04You protect their reputation
07:06You shield them from lies and hate you stand up for them and cover their faults
07:12You love them past the guilt and shame you help them understand that they're forgiven that there's mercy for their mistakes
07:20How much better would our world be if we were all a safe place
07:26Not quick to judge quick to condemn. No be a part of the solution and not the problem
07:33Be a healer not a condemner be a safe place compassionate
07:39understanding making allowances for people's weaknesses
07:43Lakewood turns 66 years old today. It was started by my parents Mother's Day
07:501959
07:51One reason I believe that we're still here is we've always been a safe place
07:57Where anyone is welcome any walk of life any background?
08:02No matter what you've done where you are. You're not going to be judged
08:07You're not going to be condemned. Oh, man, you're not worthy don't come back till you get it all together
08:13This is a place of refuge
08:15We're gonna tell you God's mercy is bigger than your mistakes that you're forgiven. You're redeemed
08:22You're valuable
08:24You're made in the image of Almighty God. You still have a purpose and destiny to fulfill
08:31My father he never threw rocks he never pushed people down
08:35Never wrote anyone off
08:38One reason was he had made mistakes
08:41He'd gone through failures. He felt the sting of rejection and being pushed out. He was raised in poverty and defeat
08:49He experienced great mercy great love great forgiveness and freely he gave that away
08:57He was always for the underdog
09:00One of his greatest joys was lifted the fallen
09:03restoring the broken
09:05Making people feel loved
09:07Valuable wanted no matter what they've been through
09:10We became known as an oasis of love a place where you could find a new beginning
09:16We've seen it happen over and over again. I remember a young man
09:21He was in a motorcycle an outlaw motorcycle game
09:26They were known for drugs and crime and violence
09:30he was always in and out of jail in trouble, but he had a mother at home that was praying for him a
09:37Mother that wouldn't give up
09:39Night and day she would call out to God and declare his protection and his mercy over her son
09:47One morning he got up looked in the mirror and said a dead man was staring back at him
09:52He was so strung out and depressed he took a whole bottle of pills trying to end his life
09:59For some reason those pills didn't have any effect on him
10:03Why is that God hears the prayers of a concerned mother when someone stands in the gap for you?
10:10The enemy cannot take you out before your time
10:14He turned on the television and there was my father talking about the goodness of God
10:20Friend called out of the blue and said you need to go to church today
10:24He was so taken aback still high on drugs. He kind of laughed and said no church would ever accept me
10:31He had long hair tattoos skulls, you know look very rough. The friend said yes, they will
10:37I know a place go to Lakewood. They won't judge you. They'll help you to get free
10:43He got on his motorcycle. It was Mother's Day
10:46Drove to Lakewood the other location sat in the very back in that service. He felt chains breaking off of him
10:54Afterwards, he went back to his motorcycle in the gravel parking lot got down on his knees gave his life to Christ
11:01Today our friend Ben priest is an amazing pastor an amazing man of God
11:06Helping so many get back on course
11:11This is what happens when you're a safe place
11:15You don't condemn
11:16Fine fall
11:18Getting what they deserve Joel. Why do you get in that game in the first place? Why do you make those poor choices?
11:24We're not the judge. We're not the jury. We're the healers. We're the restores
11:29We're a place of refuge. I want to live my life in such a way that when people make mistakes
11:36When they fail they think if I can just get to Joel, I know he'll help me
11:41He won't condemn me if I can just get to Robert. I know he'll show mercy
11:46I know he'll understand if I can just get to Maria. She's trustworthy. She's honorable
11:52She'll pray for me without making me feel ashamed
11:56God is looking for people who will be a safe place
12:00Because so many around us are hurting
12:03Dealing with things we know nothing about
12:06We wonder why they're not friendly why they don't do more at the office and why do they still have these addictions
12:12If we walked in their shoes, we would understand
12:16They're carrying heavy burdens that we can't see
12:20Maybe it's a child that's breaking their heart
12:23They're dealing with mental issues. They've been through hurts and injustice. There's a reason they're not up to par
12:30God has put them in our path not so we can be critical
12:34Kick them when they're down. No be a safe place
12:38Be a healer
12:40Pour all the poor oil on the wounds and help them get back on their feet
12:46Few weeks ago a man came up to me after the service and he was dressed in a suit and looked very nice
12:53And he said Joel that was a freaking good message today
12:57It really helped me, but he didn't use the word freaking he used the other word. I
13:02Had never had anybody compliment me that way but
13:07The fact is I wasn't offended. I thought it's a good message, too. I
13:11Just didn't use that word, but I realized this was all new to him
13:17He wasn't raised in church like me. He was in his 50s
13:21He told me that he hadn't been to church since he was 7 years old. I
13:25Was glad that he felt comfortable coming here that he knew this was a safe place
13:31That we weren't going to condemn him judge him tell him all his faults
13:36Here's what I've learned
13:38Everyone is on a journey
13:40Where they are is not where they're going to end up
13:44Will you have the mercy the grace the understanding to love them while they're changing to be a safe place?
13:52Where they feel comfortable coming to you because they know you're not going to throw rocks
13:57You're not going to join the mob and push them down
14:01Cancel them because they had a failure. You're gonna be a healer a restore
14:06John chapter 8
14:08Jesus was teaching people in the synagogue and many had gathered there
14:14Intently listening all of a sudden the religious leaders came bursting in
14:19Dragging this woman caught in the act of adultery. They threw her down right in the middle of all the people
14:26They could have dealt with this privately they could have waited till the session was over and taken her to a back room
14:33But some people want to publicly shame you
14:36Instead of covering their fault instead of covering the fault helping you get back on the right course. They'll expose your faults
14:44Call a few friends stir up more gossip
14:48It's interesting that the religious leaders
14:52Were the ones that made this big scene
14:55They should have been the ones that had the mercy the ones that should have been a safe place
15:00They didn't care about the woman. They had an agenda. They were trying to trap Jesus. First thing is where is the man?
15:07Talking about injustice. They didn't drag him in
15:10They said to Jesus the law says to stoner. What do you say we should do?
15:16Jesus had been up there talking the whole time, but now he went silent. He didn't say a word
15:23When people make mistakes when they have a failure one of the best things we can do is go silent
15:30Zip it up. Don't talk about him. Don't call your neighbor
15:35Did you hear who they drug in today be a surf safe place be a person of honor?
15:41This lady was surrounded by a mob and they were all ready to stone her
15:47Really? That's the society that we're in today a mob culture who we're going to cancel who we're going to jump on and discredit
15:55humiliate
15:57Nowadays, you can do it on social media
15:59Be anonymous don't even have to put your name just add to the hurt the shame the guilt. Nobody will know
16:05Here's the catch what you sow you're going to reap if you sow judgment
16:12Being harsh. They made a mistake. Let them have it. You're gonna receive judgment
16:17When you make a mistake people will blow it out of proportion and humiliate
16:22disgrace
16:24Life is too short to live that way. We're all going to make mistakes
16:28We're all going to need mercy and forgiveness. Make sure you're giving away what you want
16:34This lady was lying on the ground clothes torn she's afraid
16:40Humiliated the mob picked up their rocks. They're ready for judgment. Just waiting for the go-ahead
16:47Jesus was standing there silent. It still hadn't said anything
16:51Then he knelt down on the ground and began to draw in the dirt with his finger
16:56The lady couldn't get up. So Jesus went down to her
17:01Jesus would rather be on the level of a person condemned than on the level of a person with a rock
17:08When you stoop to help the fallen the broken the guilty you're where God is
17:14But when you have a rock judging condemning you're where the mob is
17:20Where are you in this scene? Are you a rock thrower or do you have compassion on the hurting?
17:27Jesus finally said to them you who are without sin throw the first stone
17:32He was saying if you never made a mistake
17:35Never failed never done something. You're not proud of then go ahead
17:41The fact is we've all needed mercy
17:43We've all done something where if God hadn't covered us, we wouldn't be where we are
17:49The scripture says the men begin to leave one by one from the oldest to the youngest
17:54They all put down their rocks and walked away
17:58Jesus said to the woman. Where are your accusers? Hasn't anyone accused you? She said no man Lord
18:05He said neither do I now go and sin no more
18:10One thing this story should teach us is to not be rock throwers
18:15When you're throwing rocks
18:18Accusations judgment you're on the wrong side
18:21But Joel they're guilty they deserve it only the guilty need mercy
18:27Paul said in Galatians if someone is caught in sin you who are spiritual should gently restore them
18:35Like this lady, they're caught doesn't say expose them put it on Facebook. Make sure they feel guilty
18:43No, we're not the judge
18:44Put down those rocks. Our job is to gently restore to be a safe place to help them get back up on their feet
18:53See in the Old Testament
18:56According to the law this woman should have been stoned. But in the New Testament, it tells us to gently restore
19:03The religious leaders had their rocks ready to stone carry out this law
19:09Jesus said in effect. This is a new day. No more stoning for sins. There's mercy for your sins
19:16Now my question are you living under the Old Testament or the New Testament?
19:21Are you trying to condemn expose cancel or are you gently restoring?
19:28covering healing
19:30Years ago, there was a minister that had a failure in his marriage. It's a very public ordeal
19:37Big controversy in the press went on for months and months at one point another minister that was very well-known
19:46Criticized this minister told how he was a disgrace
19:49Should be disqualified never again in ministry
19:53So hard and condemning he picked up the rocks through stone after stone made sure he would get knocked down
20:01That's what happened. The other minister faded away
20:04But when you judge something harshly you're gonna let people have it then what you're judging can infect you
20:13That's why it's so important to keep your heart of compassion open
20:18When I'm tempted to be judgmental and they're getting what they deserve
20:22Always come back to that thought but for the grace of God that could be me
20:27Instead of criticizing and adding fuel to the fire. I'm gonna let them know that I'm praying for them
20:34That I believe in them that God knows how to restore
20:37I'm not gonna live under the Old Testament. We got a stone. Um, I'm putting down my rocks. No stones coming from me
20:45I'm gonna live in the New Testament. I'm in the healing business
20:49Lifting the fallen restoring the broken showing mercy to the guilty
20:54And that minister that was so harsh a few years later
20:59He was involved in an even bigger
21:02Controversy where he got off course in a relationship and he had to step down from the ministry
21:07When you judge things harshly
21:10You don't give people any room to be human. That spirit is getting off on you. You know, what keeps you free?
21:18Mercy be in a safe place
21:21When you're helping those that have fallen that's the heart of God
21:26The mob is going to expose the crowd is gonna throw rocks don't fall into that trap
21:32I mean half the things we hear today are not even true
21:35We make judgments based on social media
21:39people that want to discredit
21:41Some people make a living trying to expose and distort
21:46Mischaracterize that's the mob
21:49Joining them is only going to bring you harm get on God's side
21:53Put those rocks down and be a safe place. I
21:57heard a story about a
21:59College student named Bill and he was known on campus for his wild hair and the way he dressed
22:05He wore an old t-shirt blue jeans
22:08Sandals like a hippie from the 70s. He was always experimenting with drugs and smoking weed
22:15He was a good student, but he was far out there
22:19One day he attended a campus ministry event
22:23Felt something he had never felt and he made a decision to give his life to Christ
22:28They encouraged him to get into a good church
22:31Well, there was one right across the street from the campus was a very formal church very prestigious
22:38Everyone dressed in their finest clothes
22:40That Sunday he got there a few minutes late and couldn't find a seat
22:45The small auditorium was packed as the minister was speaking bill began to walk slowly down the center
22:52I'll in his t-shirt blue jeans flip-flops trying to find a seat
22:59Everyone was intently watching got all the way to the front row and there were still no seats
23:04So he sat down on the floor right in the center of the altar
23:09You could hear the gasp in the crowd. They had never seen anything like this
23:13All of a sudden the head deacon got up from the back of the auditorium and started walking toward bill
23:21He was in his 80s a very distinguished man silver hair and glasses
23:26impeccably dressed
23:27He walked slowly down the aisle with his cane
23:31There was such a commotion that the minister stopped his sermon to wait for the man to get to the front
23:37Everyone was thinking you can't blame him for wanting to correct the situation and remove this young man
23:44But when he finally reached bill, he laid down his cane and with great difficulty
23:50Lowered himself to the floor and sat next to bill so he wouldn't be there alone
23:57the place
23:58erupted in applause
24:00The minister said the sermon I preached today you'll forget in a week or two
24:05But the sermon you just saw you'll remember for a lifetime
24:09Be a safe place
24:11Look at people through eyes of compassion not eyes of judgment. You don't know their story
24:18We see what people do, but we don't know why they do it
24:22Some are dealing with things. We've never had to deal with
24:25Carrying heavy loads burdened by mistakes trying to break generational baggage
24:31Let's be healers. Let's be lifters
24:34Jesus said you are the light of the world a city on a hill that cannot be hidden
24:41You're a city that cannot be hidden. You're impacting people all around you
24:46The question is what kind of city are you?
24:50I'm asking you to be a city of refuge
24:54Not a city of guilt
24:56City a condemnation a city that cancels
24:59Nobody wants to live in those cities
25:02Make sure your city is full of mercy
25:05compassion forgiveness
25:07Be a person that gently restores that lists the fallen and I know we're gonna be tempted to condemn to find fault
25:14Put the rocks down. We're not the judge. We're the healers
25:18We're the ones to love people back into wholeness
25:21If you'll be a safe place
25:23I believe and declare there will always be mercy for you and your children in their time of need
25:30God will cover you protect you restore you and you will become all that he's created you to be in
25:38Jesus name and if you receive it, can you say amen?
25:45Amen I'll receive it as well. Let's pray together. If you have five minutes, let's just seal it in prayer Lord
25:50Thank you for what we've heard today. I know it falls on great ground faithful people, but I know I'm talking to healers
25:58I'm talking to restores today and Lord
26:01Thank you for reminding of us of this truth and as we go out this week Lord help us to see through eyes of compassion
26:08Lord show us areas where we're being harsh and judgmental and Lord help us to have your heart and Lord as we're merciful
26:16I just want to thank you for the mercy that you're having on each one of us
26:20Help us Lord to to fulfill your purpose as we go out this week and keep your people
26:26They're the students the children the parents the family's strong
26:30Safe and healthy your angels watching after them in Jesus name with their heads bowed in prayer
26:37Just a quick question if your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes. Are you at peace with God?
26:46Do you know where you'd spend eternity?
26:49If not, I would love to pray with you. I'm not here to condemn anyone
26:54I'm here to help you find a new beginning. I know this comes from a personal relationship
27:01with Jesus Christ
27:03In just a moment if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian, but you've grown cold toward God
27:11You know, you need to rededicate your life. You need a fresh new start if that's you in just a moment
27:18I'm gonna ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together
27:24I can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now
27:29You heard it today. God's not mad at you. Your sins have already been forgiven. All you have to do is
27:37Accept the free gift of Christ's salvation. Will you do it today?
27:42In your thoughts the enemy will tell you do it next week. Do it another time. Listen, the Bible says
27:48Today is the day of salvation
27:51You're not hearing this by accident
27:53Well, Joel, it's embarrassing to stand up in front of everyone. I have people at the house
27:58I can't lift my hand. Listen to what Jesus said if you won't be ashamed of me before people
28:04Then I won't be ashamed of you before my Father in heaven
28:09I'm gonna give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed to him
28:14If you're not at peace with the Lord, or you just need to rededicate your life
28:19You need a fresh new start a new beginning if that's you
28:23Would you be bold take that step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together
28:29Would you do that? Come on Lakewood. Let's give him a hand
28:32As they stand all over the building
28:39Come on don't put it off
28:41I feel like there ought to be others anybody else up top
28:46Watching listening anybody else your heart's beating fast a little more clapping that Lakewood. They're coming in. They're standing up anybody else
28:57Well, God bless you
28:59Please remain standing if you don't mind. I got to tell you we're proud of you
29:03I know that took courage to stand and more importantly
29:07I know God is never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith
29:12The scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved and I'd love to help you to call
29:18Would you pray this after me everyone if you would please Lord Jesus. I
29:24repent of my sins
29:26Come into my heart. I
29:29Make you my Lord and Savior
29:33Amen we remain standing one more moment if you don't mind
29:35I want to tell you again that we love you gonna be praying for you
29:39Also want to give you a personal invitation to come back and be with us on a regular basis
29:44We ask new believers. Give us the next year of your life
29:48Make a commitment just like you go to work for the next year. You're gonna be here every time you can
29:53I'll make a promise before the year is over your life will never be the same for the better
29:59We're gonna help you grow and become who God's created you to be now
30:04I know you're busy Sunday can be a day off and you got errands to run
30:08But let me tell you when you get into a community of faith and put God first place your new week goes better
30:14There is a blessing on your life. We'd love to have you here at Lakewood. You can meet some amazing people join our teams choir
30:22Usher's prayer partners so many areas you can meet some great people here. Hope you'll take me up on that
30:27Hey after service right over here. There's a room called new beginnings
30:30If you need anything love to have you stop by I'm normally out there after service
30:35I can't do it today, but I'll be there a couple weeks from now
30:38I'd love to meet you sometime know this the moment you stood up God washed away all your sins your mistakes your failures
30:46You are starting with a fresh clean slate write it down in your Bible Mother's Day
30:51May 11 2025 a new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen
30:58Amen, well, let's all stand together if you would please
31:02Thanks so much for coming out today, how many of you going home better off than you were before amen
31:08Well guys, we love you. Let me speak a blessing
31:10Until we meet again
31:11May the Lord bless you and keep you
31:14May the Lord show you his favor and have mercy on you and may the Lord watch over you and give you his peace
31:20God bless you. Have a great Mother's Day and a blessed blessed week. See you back real soon