Christ Un-barred - Sunday Service - Our Story is His Story Part 4

What is a father? The answer can be so many things. He's a handyman, paid in hugs. A wrestling champion, undaunted when outnumbered. And an assembly expert, who never worries about leftover pieces. He's a superhero, defending against spiders and bad dreams. A provider, fueled by coffee and prayer. A grill master, sports instructor, and a vehicle expert. And just like our Heavenly Father, He's a counselor when we're lost, and a comforter when we're hurting. A steadfast protector, mentor, and refuge. But most of all, a father is an example of a man who follows Jesus. A servant leader, gently guiding his family in the footsteps of Christ. He is capable and strong, not just because of the burdens he carries, but because of the one who carries him. He's more than a fixer, a chaperone, or a bank teller. He's living proof of God's love, patience, and faithfulness. Not to mention his sense of humor and adventure. He's a gift, and a blessing. A reflection of God's character. And that's what a father is. Welcome to our Sunday service here at the House of Rest, where Jesus is a senior pastor. We have a seat with your name on it. We appreciate you for spending your Sunday morning with us.

Established in 2011, and still going strong, all in the name of Jesus. Here is our QR code, where you can find out everything you need to know about us. Our schedule, giving, events, and more. Our schedule, giving, events, Bible school, and services. The QR code is posted everywhere in the church's lobby and other rooms. Make sure to check often. There is always something to do. Thank you for joining us at House of Rest Church Modesto. We are a graced international church with over 5,000 churches worldwide. Welcome home. Thank you so much to everyone joining our House of Rest Church Online Discipleship Community on school. Your $20 monthly subscription helps us continue to bring value to your walk with the Lord. This is not just for personal learning, but also to help build you up as a leader for ministry. Inside the community, you'll find classes with new classes every week. Inside the community, you'll find classes with new classes being added regularly. We also have live Zoom meet and greets, where you can connect with other members from around the world.

And don't forget the community page. This is where you can post your thoughts, share a photo or video link, and reply to others as we grow together. Also, when you become a subscriber, you receive a special link you can share with others. For every person who joins through your link, you can earn a commission every month. The first seven days are free, so what do you have to lose? Join us today at HouseOfRestChurch.com. We hope to see you there. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. They are doing such an amazing job. A few announcements, guys. For those of you that are new,

looking to get involved in the things that are going on here at House of Rest Church, next Friday, a small group of us are gonna get together and we're gonna go out into the community and we're gonna pass out flyers, invite people to church. We're gonna try to look for an opportunity to share our testimonies, to pray for somebody, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. So if that's something that you guys might be interested in, let me know. Cherie's somebody who's come alongside me in this and we're trying to just build this team back up and just get out there and save some souls, amen? Baptisms. Every first Sunday of the month here at House of Rest Church, we have baptisms. If that's something you might be interested in, there's a QR code on the back of your seat. Everybody got a QR code back there? Put that thing to use. But yeah, sign up. Getting saved is amazing, but getting baptized is the next step. It's a symbol of just dying with Christ and rising with Christ as a new creation. So please, if you have not been baptized, if you have been baptized and you wanna re-baptize, you're more than welcome. Also, guys, the Monterey bike trip is next weekend.

For those of you that want to come out information clusters for the hotels It's all on the fire If you're interested get with us We'll get you that information as far as hotels if you want to come out just for the day and hang out at the beach If you want to do the bike ride, it's it's a really awesome time to get to know the house of rest family I mean we want to get to know you as well. So please come we encourage you guys to come out, right? And I believe If there's none left just take a picture of the flyer that is out there and and We got a video coming up to the side. So yeah, here's the video. Let's just do that Once a year house of rest Church comes together for a special day in beautiful Monterey at Cannery Row We invite you to bring your bike and join us for our Monterey bike ride day on Saturday, June 27 There will be two starting points for the ride one approximately 10 miles from Cannery Row and another Approximately 5 miles from Cannery Row so you can choose the ride that works best for you And if biking is not for you, no problem We still invite you to meet us at the beach near Cannery Row surrounded by restaurants shops and the beautiful ocean This is more than a bike ride It is a day of fellowship bonding fun and making memories together as a church family As the day comes to an end those with bikes will ride back to their original starting points Some people also choose to stay the night before on Friday, June 26 to enjoy the weekend together for more information Please talk to Pastor David or Sharon. We hope you can join us for this amazing day. God bless you That's basically what I said, right All right guys, so please we encourage you guys just to come out and join us and then the last guys We have youth every Wednesday at 7 o'clock for a grade 7 through 12 I'm if you know what you three have a youth within that age range Sister Diana Rocha is leading that that ministry and she's doing an amazing job. It's more than just It's more than just games and food, you know She's really pouring into these kids the things of God and you know, my daughter doesn't show up She's like texting her like hey, where were you? So put your kids on the list and get them out here guys And it's it's a perfect time because we have Bible study prayer worship that same night

So, please come and get involved like pastor I used to always say if you got plans cancel them and come anyways, you know, so God bless you guys We're gonna take about 30 seconds to meet and greet if you guys could just say hello to your neighbor say hello to somebody if You've never seen before God bless you guys You You You For over two and a half years our Bible studies Podcasts and Sunday sermons have been streaming into prisons and jails across the country Reaching nearly 7 million views and seeing over 9,000 salvations We read every letter stories of former Muslims former drug addicts Former gang members who met Jesus behind bars and had their lives transformed, but when they come home, it's hard You feel like you don't belong Expectations are high Reality is rough and many end up going back that cycle is called recidivism and we're stepping in to break it Introducing bridges a re-entry and life skills program for men and women coming out of prison or jail bridges means breaking old patterns restoring responsibility integrating into society developing life skills gaining accountability Establishing stability and sustaining the change. This isn't another church service It's a weekly space to be real get support and build a foundation So you don't go back but move forward into the life God has for you If you or someone you love has come out within the last year visit our website Click prison ministry and fill out the form. Let's build a bridge to a new beginning together Through they come here and what we ask is if everyone gave three dollars every single week It makes a huge difference because every quarter they add up and we're able to be a blessing to them, you know

and and And so on the envelope or wherever it is Just make sure three dollars goes toward them because I believe that what God is doing here is directly because of the blessings that we do here and admissions, you know and and there's so many churches around the world that are part of grace, but these are the three that we choose to support, that we choose to love on them, that we choose, you know? And it's just a huge, huge blessing. And not only that, but the offering and the tithing. You know, I've said this many times, but this church started in the basement of my house 15 years ago with 20 chairs, you know? And I didn't realize how hard that would be. I look back and I'm just like, how did I do that? How did that happen? But I mean, obviously it's God. You know, it's God, it's the Lord that does it. But just to see the progression of that, to see what God is doing, and even though 15 years later, I still believe in my heart that this is just the beginning. This is just the beginning of what God is going to do. He is raising up leaders across this nation who are, and churches, and I mean, just people that are hungry for God and are not ashamed of the Lord, you know? And this is going to be one of those places. I know it, I know it, you know? So with that, we can just, I just want to remind you,

there's ushers and they have envelopes if you need an envelope. And if you have one, you can give it to them. There's that wooden mailbox right there. There's the QR codes right in front of you. Just go ahead, dump your whole life savings on Father's Day. They're like, oh, there's those preachers asking for money again. We wouldn't be able to be here if it wasn't for all of you. And trust me, regardless of what it is, it helps, it adds up, and we can do it, you know? In the same way, when one person tries to lift up something heavy, it's really hard. But when a multitude of people lift it, it's easy, you know? And I believe that this is good soil. We are loving on your children, loving on your youth, doing everything we possibly can to build up your family, to help you, you know? And I think that this whole thing's about, is to help each other, you know? Churches are full of broken people. In one way or another, we're broken. All the way from anybody that's preaching, worshiping, ushering, greeting, media, we're all broken in a way. But we come together collectively because there's one that isn't broken. And 2,000 years ago, he died for us. 2,000 years ago, he rose again. And because of that, that's why we come together.

You know, I like to say it like this. When you have a married couple, and they're complaining about each other, and they wanna get a divorce because they're not reaching each other's expectations. And you gotta realize, and you gotta tell them, listen, everything you're holding your spouse to, you don't even reach those standards. But once you realize, I'm broken, you're broken, but how about we come together and worship a perfect God? And that's what the Lord means in the Bible when it's a three chord. When he's the third one in the chord, he holds it all together. And once we get past the fact that we are not perfect, and your spouse is not perfect, then we can allow God to bring healing. The same thing with family, same thing with those who are widows and those who are single and those who are not married or whatever. God is there to bring your life together. That's what we're here for. So with that, I am gonna take my hat off because we're gonna pray. Let's bow our heads. Lord God, we thank you so much. We give you all honor and all glory. We thank you for the offering, for the tithing. We thank you for our jobs.

We thank you for our future jobs. We thank you, Lord, for the sustenance that you provide. You are the provider. We thank you for missions, for all the ministries that we support and those that we can't support. We pray for every church in the city of Modesto in this area, Lord God, and all those ministries also, Lord. We pray over our homes, over our lives, over our families, over our jobs and our schools. And we just give you all honor and all glory, Lord God. We pray for every dollar to be multiplied and let it be used in a way that pleases you, Lord, because we wanna further your kingdom. We wanna bring more people to you, and we want a place of discipleship, a place of growing, a place of maturity and growth. We thank you in Jesus' name, amen. In tribute to our country's 250th birthday, I'm inviting our children to come and sign up with me so we can do something very special for that weekend, and I'd like for the parents who would like our children to be part of that, to come and sign up with me after service if you'd like them to be part of that choir, please come see me and sign up with me right after, amen? Thank you Lord, your praise is precious. Prison door We lift up our voices Praises go before us We know the battle is the Lord I'm gonna sing like the battle is over

I'm gonna dance like the war is won Every prison door swings open wide The king has overcome I'm gonna sing like the battle is over I'm gonna dance like the war is won Every prison door swings open wide The king has overcome I remember every victory How he wrote my story The moment that I crossed from death to life So if the battle rages I'm safe here in his presence For I know he's never lost a fight I'm gonna sing like the battle is over I'm gonna dance like the war is won Every prison door swings open wide The king has overcome I'm gonna sing like the battle is over I'm gonna dance like the war is won Every prison door swings open wide The king has overcome Victory is mine before my eyes can see it Now there's nothing that can keep me from my promise No, I won't be moved, my hope's in you His light rips through the darkness Now there's nothing that can keep me from my promise Victory is mine before my eyes can see it Now there's nothing that can keep me from my promise No, I won't be moved, my hope's in you His light rips through the darkness

Now there's nothing that can keep me from my promise I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna sing like the battle is over I'm gonna dance like the war is won Every prison door swings open wide The king has overcome I'm gonna sing like the battle is over I'm gonna dance like the war is won Every prison door swings open wide The king has overcome I'm gonna sing like the battle is over I'm gonna dance like the war is won Every prison door swings open wide The king has overcome I'm gonna sing like the battle is over I'm gonna dance like the war is won Every prison door swings open wide The king has overcome It's the Lord. It's the Lord. It's the Lord. Amen. Alright. So, before we proceed more with the service, a couple of things I want to mention and talk about. You know, man, biblically speaking, the enemy has made you target. You are the target, you are his biggest enemy because the enemy knows that if he destroys the man, the family could fall apart. And we see it all the way from the very beginning of Adam. And I just want you to know that maybe some of you didn't have, maybe you didn't have a father to say Happy Father's Day or maybe your father didn't earn that. But that doesn't mean you can't for your children. And we need to change that and turn it around. You know, because we are the bullseye for the enemy because he knows.

Because why? Because this is what God instituted for us. He says, men, be the head of your house. And because of that, we are targets. Everything we do, every choice, everything that's thrown at us, everything that is bombarded over us is meant to destroy not only you but your families. And we can't let that happen. So we're going to continue our sermon series. And where did my wife go? Sharon. I thought we were doing this. Where are you at? Yeah. Were you just hanging out? Oh, okay. I didn't know what was going on. I don't know. She's teaching. Awkward. You said we're not a normal group. Well, since we're killing time, oh, man, there it is. You were supposed to be in here from the beginning. Hello. Where's your husband? Hi, husband. Where's your husband? What is happening? Well, since we're going off the cuff, guys, I want to share with you this, is that in January, this last January, you guys, I walked my daughter down this aisle, right? It was just super exciting. I was really happy about it. And she told me that she told us that this coming January, we're going to be grandparents all over again. So that's kind of like my gift, a little late for a Father's Day, you know, but.

I got it on Mother's Day, actually. What's that? That gift. Yeah. Oh, yeah, was it? Oh, that's right. She came over to give us a, yeah. Is she even here? No, she's not here, huh? No? I saw Joel here, though, somewhere. Oh, there he is. All right. I know, it's his first Father's Day. Are we ready now? Yeah. Can I? So. I know. Well, those are, your dad jokes are pretty bad, though. It's actually kind of getting better. I'll tell you why, though. It's because Christ on Bard, we have a thing where the guys from Christ on Bard, or anybody from Christ on Bard, they send us jokes, and we collect the jokes. Eventually, what I would love to do is make a book of jokes of all the people that come. to send us jokes from Christ on Bard. And I thought that would be really cool. So we get so many jokes, you guys. And some of them are really, really good. And the whole point is for them to make me laugh. And some of them are so bad.

And I'm like, and he laughs at the real bad ones. And I'm like, of course you'll laugh at those because they're David jokes. But it's really cool because I love that we're able to compile something that comes from them. And sometimes they make them up and they're really, really, you know, they're really good. And I wanna compile that and I wanna create a book for them that comes from them. I think that's really cool, right? Yeah, but they are, I'm gonna call them dad jokes instead of dad jokes, dad jokes, yes. But I did tell Jessica, I call her Jessica. I said, sister, let somebody cover for you because I want you in here with your husband, with your hubby, but she doesn't listen. You're gonna get pow, pow. Thank you, girl. But okay, so did you, you haven't talked to anything about this at all? Okay. So the Lord really, really placed it in my heart, in our hearts because we had been talking and we're just like, it would be so cool to acknowledge this is, I think this is the perfect time to acknowledge some MVP dads that we have seen just that have been just going far and beyond this year. And we have just seen such an amazing growth, but just not, just spiritually and just as dads, we have just seen them go far and beyond.

And the Lord placed these two amazing fathers, amazing men, amazing examples of men. And we see them go to work. We see them come. We see them constantly. They're constantly here at the church doing things even when not asked. The thing is, we're just watching and we're just going far and beyond. And we're just so thankful for the men that they have exemplified to be. And just like I said, the growth and everything. And we just wanted to acknowledge them just to go a little extra mile. If you would say, would you say? Okay, so I'm gonna let you go from here. Oh. So we wanted to call up Brother Eduardo. Brother Eduardo, we would love to call you up and just, just say what an MVP of a father you are. And Brother Felix, if you would come up brother. Thank you. So funny story yesterday. Funny story yesterday. Felix decides to come into my office while I'm working on the computer, working on his certificate. I almost ripped my whole computer off of my, literally almost ripped my whole computer off of the whole wall.

Cause he comes in and I'm like, no! So I'm pulling my computer off of the wall. Brother Eduardo, this is for you. And Brother Felix, this is for you. Um. Now we're just gonna sit down. You know, we were talking about just the father's, you know, just Felix getting to know you and just seeing the type of man that you are, not only as a man with other men, but with your wife and knowing your story and your testimony that you've shared and the man that you have become and are still even becoming, and just seeing you with your children. We just wanted to acknowledge you, you know, and know that we notice and we see, you know, of an example of a father, you know. And Eduardo, you came in to not only marry, Jessica, but you inherited a son. And seeing you step up to be a father has been amazing to see, brother. And we just see you, we see you, you know. And just, you get our respect, you get my respect. Thank you guys. God bless you. Amen. So yes, you can go. We are doing a sermon series, Our Story is His Story, and I wanted to continue that. I'm really excited about this because I'm going to ask Pastor Armando, who's our Spanish

pastor, to share. And in April, he went to Texas, him and his wife Lorena, and they got recognized as Grace International licensed ministers. It was really exciting. And a lot of you know that he got his license for ministry, recognized by Grace International. You know he's over there preaching, but none of you have ever heard him. So I thought, what better time than to have him speak than on Father's Day. That way you guys can know who it is that's teaching our Spanish services. You know? And I had asked him, and he obliged. But before that, who has your Bible? You got to do it first. All right, lift up your Bible. Can you believe it? I only have my electronic Bible today. But I'll hold it up. This is my Bible. It is God's Word to me. My guide and my strength. I bring it ready to learn. I open it with faith in Jesus. I live it with courage. Without it, I grow weak. With it, I grow strong. Today I bring it, believe it, and obey it. In Jesus' name. Please welcome Armando and Lorena as they come up. All right. Good morning to you all. Buenos dias a todos.

Are you guys awake? Están despiertos? Yes. Yeah? Ready to go. Praise God. Well, I'm honored, Pastor David, to be able to give my testimony today and to give this preaching as well. Today, not only am I going to give a message from God's Word, but also a testimony of God's grace. And today's message is titled, From Darkness to Light. If you go with me to Luke chapter 15, we're going to read a parable of the prodigal son. And we're going to read from chapter 15, verse 11 to 24. It says, And he said, There was a man who had two sons. There was a man that had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country. And there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate. And no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread? But I perish here with hunger.

I will arise and go to my father and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion. And ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, bring quickly the best robe and put it on him and put on a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. For this, my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and he is found. And they began to celebrate. Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you for this privilege and this honor that you give me, Father God, to be able to be in front of your people. I thank you, God, that you're here today and that you're gonna use me. I pray that my testimony and your word, Father God, would be a blessing and would be something that fathers here and people around this world would cherish, Father, in their hearts. I pray this in the name of Jesus

and I thank you, Father God. Amen. You want me to start on one scripture? Yeah, go ahead. Which one, which verse? Verse 11. Okay. 24. También dijo un hombre que tenía dos hijos. Y el menor de ellos dijo a su padre, Padre, dame la parte de los bienes que me corresponde. Y le repartió los bienes. No muchos días después, juntándolo todo el hijo menor, se fue lejos a una provincia apartada. Y allí desperdició sus bienes viviendo perdidamente. Y cuando todo lo hubo malgastado, vino una gran hambre en aquella provincia. Y comenzó a faltarle. Y fue y se arrimó a uno de los ciudadanos de aquella tierra. El cual él envió a su hacienda para que apacentase cerdos. Y deseaba llenar su vientre de las algorabas que comían los cerdos. Pero nadie le daba. Y volviendo en sí, dijo, cuántos jornaleros en casa de mi padre tienen abundancia de pan. Y yo aquí perezco de hambre. Me levantaré e iré a mi padre y le diré, padre, he pecado contra el cielo y contra ti. Yo no soy digno de ser llamado tu hijo.

Hazme como a uno de tus jornaleros. Y levantándose, vino a su padre. Y cuando aún estaba lejos, vio su padre y fue movido a misericordia. Y corrió y se echó sobre su cuello y le besó. Y el hijo le dijo, padre, he pecado contra el cielo y contra ti. Y ya no soy digno de ser llamado tu hijo. Pero el padre dijo a sus siervos, sacar el mejor vestido y vestirle. Y poner un anillo en su mano y calzado en sus pies. Y traer el becero gordo y matarlo. Y comamos y hagamos fiesta. Porque este hijo mío muerto era y ha revivido. Se había perdido y ensayado y comenzaron a regozarse. Amen. Amen. So before I start breaking down these scriptures. So antes de que comience a descifrar estas frases. I am gonna give you a little bit of my testimony. Les voy a dar un poco de mi testimonio. My name is Armando Iniguez. Mi nombre es Armando Iniguez. This is my beautiful wife, Lorena Iniguez. Esta es mi esposa, Lorena Iniguez. And we both. Y nosotros dos. We have seven children. Tenemos entre los dos, siete hijos. And seven grandchildren.

Y siete nietos. And I'm gonna start. Y voy a comenzar. I was born in Tulare County. Yo fui nacido en el condado de Tulare. And I was just born there. Y solamente nací allí. I lived my whole life here in Modesto. Viví toda mi vida aquí en Modesto. And because my father and my mother were immigrants. Porque mis padres eran inmigrantes. They would migrate from Mexico to United States on and off. Ellos migraban de los Estados Unidos a México. And in one of those days. Y en uno de esos tiempos. They had me here. Me tuvieron aquí. In the United States. Aquí en los Estados Unidos. We were. Nosotros éramos. Not a rich family. We weren't, you know, people with classy things. We were just a humble family. And I have five brothers and two sisters. So it was a family of 10. Here in Modesto, we lived in a duplex. With two rooms. Two rooms for 10 people. So my sisters, my two sisters would sleep in one room.

Me and my brothers in another room. My mom and dad would sleep in the living room. So you could imagine how we lived, right? But nevertheless, we were a family, correct? So I'm happily married with Lorena, now in Christ. But before in Christ, when I was a child, growing up, seeing violence, seeing my dad, being a heavily drinker, I started to go farther and further into the darkness. And during my childhood, I was hanging around the wrong crowd. I had friends that I made life with, and we would go out, ride bikes, do different things. But things started to change. I started to hang around with different friends. Now these friends were gang members. And when I was in junior high, that's when I started gang banging. Which of you guys are gang bangers? You better not be today. So you know the lifestyle of a gang member is full of darkness, correct? Well, there was a time in my life when I was living in darkness, and in that darkness, I was doing drugs, I was partying all the time, and I was away from God. Not knowing the purpose that God had for me, I was living a life of darkness, and in the middle of that darkness, I joined a gang that was called OGL,

which is Original Gangster Locos, and it's in the OG part of Modesto. I was chasing the things of the world, hanging around with the wrong crowd, doing things, hurting people, hurting myself, and not realizing I was far from God. And sometimes, me and my siblings, because some of my brothers are older than me, so they started in a gang before me. So I started out in this gang. You know, I was jumped in. And during the time I was in the gang, I met my first wife, and with that wife, we had two daughters. Now, you can imagine how a dad lost in darkness was living in a home with two daughters and one wife. It wasn't a good scenario, correct? Right? Nevertheless, I was destined to be better. The day. which was the last time I was incarcerated I had a lot of time to meditate in my life and I was fed up with life and sometimes I would wonder I don't want to live life because I was in a place without my family, without God. But in that time of despair, that time of darkness, some preachers would come into the jail and preach the gospel of the good news of Jesus. It was that moment in 2001 when I heard the message of salvation and that message of salvation sparked a flame in me. It touched my heart. So I then realized what was going around my life and where I was at at the point of my life. So in 2001 at the end of November I surrendered my life to the Lord

and I got baptized. In the middle of the cold, man, outside in a animal feeder, they would baptize us and we would get up and go dry up real fast because it was cold. But that day my life started to change around. And like the prodigal son, I was supposed to be living it up, having women, partying almost every day. And as I got older, I started to think differently. I thank God for that moment, that encounter, that divine appointment that I had with him that day, incarcerated. Because that day changed my life. I was able to have hope again. I was able to fight for my family. Even though I lost my first wife, I was determined to fight for my daughters. My daughters were the age of three and seven. So as soon as I got out, a born-again Christian, washed in the blood of Jesus, I started proclaiming God's Word. And in the middle of everything, I started going to court, I started fighting for my daughters. Now I'm going to ask you a question. How many of you have gone to court? Now how many of you guys know that it's very difficult for someone that has a record versus someone that doesn't have a record to have full custody of their children? Every time I would walk into that courtroom, before I walked into that courtroom, I would cite the scriptures, Isaiah chapter 41, verse 10 to 13. And I would walk in that courtroom with the confidence in God, knowing that I will win my daughters back. And one day, the judge said, Mr. Iniguez, I grant you full custody of both of your daughters. Praise God. All those years living in darkness were wasted. And there's nothing I can do about it, right? But from the moment I won that custody case, I started instructing my children in the path of the Lord. And that's a great thing. for a father to do. And it's more than a great thing, it's a privilege to be able to instruct your children in the path of the Lord, and watch them grow in the things of the Lord. Amen? God is good, and I stand here today to tell you that God can do anything in your life. The day that I

surrendered my life to the Lord in that jail, that flame that sparked in me, I thank God that it still sparked in me. And during the years of being a Christian, I have gone up and down with the things of life, because things happen. Nothing is gonna be easy when you come to the Lord. Nothing is gonna be easy. You're gonna have to do your part to get stronger in the Lord, to grow spiritually, so that you can face the battles of life, and anything that comes to your life. Amen? Maybe I didn't go, maybe I didn't have the same circumstances as the prodigal son, but I was lost. I was far away, and God was looking at me from far away. And many of you, maybe, are far away. Maybe. God is watching you, and there's a plan and a purpose for your life. Let us go to the message. Amen? Number one, sin always takes you farther than you plan to go. In Luke chapter 15 verse 13 says, that the younger son, repeat after me, gathered all his possessions, to journey to a far country, and there he wasted his possessions, in prodigal living. Now I want to ask you a question, how far have you journeyed away from God, in your life? Well the prodigal son, didn't leave home, planning, right? To suffer. Correct? He was planning to have a good time. Right? And for the moment he did, but it did not last. Right? It did not last. He simply wanted to live life his own way, in this world. And like the prodigal son, when I was in darkness, I was doing the same thing. Trying to live my life the way I wanted. Right? Proverbs chapter 14 verse 12 says, there is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way to death. Trying to live our lives, apart from God, is exactly what the devil wants you to do. He wants you to stay apart from God, because he hates you, and he hates God. The Bible says, that the devil, the enemy, only came, is only here, to rob, to kill, and to destroy. But Jesus, came to this world, died on the cross, resurrected, so that you, and me, and all who believe in him, can have eternal life. Amen?

Another thing, is that nobody starts drugs, nobody starts to use drugs, to be addicted, right? Is that a truth? Yes, right? Supposedly, we try drugs to get a high and to leave our worries behind, right? But it doesn't happen that way. You get a high, you hit a low, and then you hit rock bottom because the devil takes everything. And I thank God that I was able to fight for my daughters and not lose them. And I'm talking about the time that I was, you know, back in the days when I was in darkness. I mean, now I have another son, and, you know, it's a challenge, but hey, I love him, and I fought for him too, and I won my case. Amen? Amen. How many of you guys used to belong to a gang? Everybody's cautious now. Looking around, who's raising their hand? Pastor Al's not saying nothing. Nobody joins a gang. I didn't join a gang to destroy my life. Sometimes we join a gang so that we can feel tough and think that we're, you know, we're somebody. But those are just lies, again, from the enemy. Being in a gang makes us a target for others to hit, especially the demons that prowl around, that are lurking around waiting for the opportunity to keep attacking you and attacking you until they have you bond.

Nobody wakes up in the morning and says, I want to lose everything. Right? If you do, after the service, come talk to me, please. Those of you that are watching on Pando and Edovo, and you that are here, the enemy works gradually, and he is like a roaring lion seeking who he might devour. If you give the devil one opening, he opens many doors in your life. In my testimony, drugs became a way of life. The gang became my identity, and I was surrounded by darkness. And I thought I was in control, but the truth was that the drugs were in control of me. And not only that, the devil was in control of me. You see, when we're in gangs, living in darkness, we become a puppet to the devil, and he does whatever he wants because you gave him the authority. Sin promises acceptance, but it produces isolation. Jesus said in John chapter 8, verse 34, whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. That's what the word of God says. Number two,

darkness always leads to brokenness. Luke chapter 15, verse 14 to 16 says that when the prodigal son has spent all his money, there arose a severe famine in that land where he was. eventually hit rock bottom. And everything that he trusted in failed him. Everything's gonna fail you. But Jesus doesn't fail you. All the stuff that I was doing failed me. It never lifted me up. It always brought me down. Amen? But the moment Jesus came into my life and started putting everything in order in my life, hey, he started lifting me up. Because God says that he raises up the humble. Right? Amen? Turn to someone and say, it's not about you. It's about Jesus. Amen? The darkness was affecting every area of my life. And relationships were broken. I did not have good relationships when I was in that condition. Trust me. And one of the hardest realities that I faced was the possibility of losing my daughters. How many of you guys are parents? Do you guys wake up every morning and intercede for your sons and daughters? Do you do that? It's your job. It's my job. It's our duty. That each day, just as Job did in the Bible, he presented sacrifices every day. He said, just in case my sons and daughters fail or sin, we're responsible as parents for our children. Amen? The enemy had convinced me that I was living the life, but I was fully dead in life. I was dying spiritually and losing my treasures. How many of you guys know that everything that God gives you, it's a treasure from God? And God says, do not store your treasures in this world, but in heaven, right? The sons and daughters

that you have, they're not yours really. They're God's. They're treasures that God's give you so that you can take care of them, nourish them, build them up, and send them out. Amen? Number three, God's grace meets us at rock bottom. In Luke chapter 15, verse 17, says, But when he, the prodigal son, came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger? Those words changed everything, because the prodigal son finally realized, I don't have to stay here. You do not have to stay in your situation in life. You can move on, because God can help you move on. Amen? There is hope. There is hope, and even when you hit rock bottom, God extends his hand and picks you up and gives you a new start. The problem is that you want to stay where you are. That's the problem when God wants to take you further in life. Amen? God says, my plans for you is to prosper you, to give you hope, and to show you great and mighty things your eyes haven't seen. Amen? The devil wants people to be stuck in their life in subida forever or siempre in their addictions He's in Susa Dixiana and their fornication and so fornication and their adultery and so adulterio in their bodies How do you say it? In the religion and so religion and in many different things different discusses that he throws out as bait gay Abienta para que ustedes lo agarren You need to know That you yourself and I myself

need God's help The prodigal son el hijo prodigal realized I do not have to stay here Se dio cuenta no tengo que permanecer aquí. He knew where he came from Correct, verdad, and he knew yes a via that he had sinned Against God contra Dios and against his father y contra su padre when he realized that when they'll say yo cuenta de eso He turned around and went back home Yo la vuelta y regreso a casa Listen escuchen if you have strayed from God Si tú te has desviado de dios turn around that de la vuelta and come back home y regresa a casa con dios God Is good in Psalms chapter 40 Verse 2 Says he said he brought me up Out of my out of a horrible pit Out of the merry clay De lo más profundo and that's where I was Very clay and I was a lost cause But he brought me up Amen. Amen. He brought me up and many of you God has brought up And you need to give your testimony You need to rise up And be a mouthpiece for God Una boca para dios wherever you go. No, they cannot get the way wherever you go. They cannot get the way Yes, because God can use you. Okay, just a point inside. God can use you just a point inside God is a specialist. Yes, it's an especially in rescuing people in restaurant. Oh, that's personas from the pit Man, I'm in number four. Numero cuatro. The father never stopped loving his son El padre nunca paro de amar a su hijo in Luke chapter 15 in Lucas capítulo verse 20 says But when he was still great way off

Cuando el hijo todavía estaba muy lejos. His father saw him el padre lo miró and he had compassion Y tuvo compasión Listen to me. Escúchame. God is a god of compassion. Dios es un dios de compasión And he feels your pain. Y el siente tu dolor. He feels your need He feels everything you feel el siente todo lo que tú sientes and his love would never change for you y su amor hacia ti nunca cambia Something very powerful algo bien poderoso The father never stopped El padre nunca paro hoping Teniendo la esperanza never stopped watching nunca paro de buscar never stopped Loving nunca paro de amar his son a su hijo, although his son aunque su hijo was out there Estaba ya fuera. He was still waiting for his son. El todavía estaba esperando a su hijo que regresara. Amen Well, I was in darkness cuando yo estaba en la oscuridad God was pursuing me Dios me estaba persiguiendo and while I was trapped in addiction cuando yo estaba atrapado en la adicción God Did not give up on me y Dios no se dio por vencido en mí Romans chapter 5 Romanos capítulo 5 verse 8 says versículo 8 dice God demonstrates his love Dios demuestra su amor Toward us hacia nosotros and that while we were still sinners cuando todavía éramos pecadores Christ died for us Cristo murió por nosotros. Many people believe muchas personas creen God only loves them Dios solamente los ama after they change después de que ellos cambien. But the truth is That God loves you where you're at right now Amen God's love is what transforms us His love is so powerful That it covers a multitude of sins And overall his love is unconditional Y sin embargo su amor es incondicional no matter how sin how many sins you have committed no importa cuantos pecados He still loves you Loves you not that you go ahead and do whatever you want. No, no because that is not right Knowing how to do the right, and not do it, it's sin. That's what the Bible says, amen?

Number five. God restores what sin tried to destroy. Luke chapter 15, verse 22 to 24, explains to us that the father restored his son. Isn't that what the word says? Yeah. He gave him a robe, he put on a ring, and he put sandals on his feet. And not only that, he killed a calf, and he celebrated, right? I thank God that in my testimony, when God saved me, he did not just forgive me. He began restoring me. He restored back my purpose in life. He restored relationships, and he restored hope in me again. He gave me another chance to be a father again, and not lose my daughters at that time. Joel chapter 2, verse 25 says, I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten. The devil did destroy many years of my life, but now, how do you say it, I'm destined to live many more years for the Lord as he allows me to. You see, we cannot do nothing about our past, but God can do something about your future. If you start now, planning in God's hands, your future, amen? For God knows the plans that he has for you, and he has for me. Never to destroy us, but always to prosper us, always to bring hope to us,

and always to restore us. Number six, your testimony is now your ministry. The same man who once lived in darkness, now proclaims the light. 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 9 says, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. God did not save you just for you. He saved you so others could know there is hope. There is hope. When a drug addict hears your testimony, they listen. When a gang member hears your testimony, they listen, right? When a broken father hears your testimony, they listen. Why? Because they see proof that God still does miracles. He changes, he transforms, and brings new life to people like me that I used to live in darkness. Amen?

And I will conclude with this. My story is not about drugs. It's not about gangs. It's not about my failures. My story is about Jesus. I was living in darkness. I was trapped in addiction. I was caught in a gang life, and I could say I was headed straight for destruction. The same God who welcomed the prodigal son The same God that welcomed me is calling to you, and He loves you. The same God that changed my life can change your life. 2 Corinthians 5, verse 17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed, all things become new. Amen? Maybe today someone feels like a prodigal son. Maybe you have wasted everything you thought would bring you happiness or hope in your life apart from God. Or maybe you just don't care. There is hope for you. God is here today. He wants to do something in your life. Amen? And I thank God that I didn't lose my mind and I didn't lose my life. Many of my friends in the gang I was in lost their mind and lost their lives. Trust me, there is no life apart from God. Our life should be hidden in Christ because He is our hope for today, for tomorrow, and

for our future. Amen? Pastor David? Thank you. You know, as we go through the story of the prodigal son, there is something that always struck me in this story where it says that when the son finally decided to come home and when the son was far off, his father saw him. That always struck me. Because how could the father see the son coming unless every day he was looking and waiting? Jesus says something interesting. He says, I leave the 99 to go and find the one. And when I find him, I put him over my shoulders and I carry him home. That is a beautiful story. Because maybe you don't have a good earthly father, and if you did have a good earthly father, then you are blessed. But even if you didn't, you have a father in heaven. Somebody can say, I don't celebrate Father's Day. You can't do that as a Christian. Because you have the greatest father ever. Yes, we celebrate our earthly fathers today. You know, my children texted and said, Happy Father's Day. But on this day, we celebrate our father in heaven. The one that leaves the 99. The one that found us. The one that calls us. The one that waited for us to come home. And he never got tired of waiting. I don't know about you, but I didn't deserve his mercy. But he still gives it. That's amazing.

You know, I'm 54 years old. And it's taken me this long to be the type of father that I am to my kids. I'm not a perfect father. But I can confidently say that I'm a good father. I'm not a perfect son. But I think I'm a good son. I call my mom and dad every day. on you guys. I'm not a perfect husband, but I try to be a good husband, and I say all of that to say this, it's taken me 54 years to be able to stand in front of all of you, and confidently say, follow me as I follow Christ. I'm not here to just talk, I'm here to live it out, and I want to challenge all of the fathers to come up, all the grandfathers to come up. If you are an uncle, and your nephews and nieces see you as a father figure, I want uncles up here too. If you are a spiritual father, I want you to come up, because I know many times dads, we don't get told anything. The mothers get told, but the fathers don't, so I'm gonna say it. You guys are special. You mean something. You are the pillars of your house. Your children eat because of you, and every time we suffer, we take it to God, and many times, our wives and our children will never see our tears or our broken heart, but we have a father in heaven, that we can lay down at his feet. You guys are called for something. You're called to be leaders. You're called to be warriors. God is looking for men with a backbone, that in this day and age, will say, not in my house. My house will serve God. We will honor the Lord in our house, and it will begin with me, and I will lead by example, and if my children don't follow, they can never say I didn't lead them right, because when I stand before God, you can have a clean conscience, and say, I taught my family about you Lord. If there's anyone here that have you not given your life to the Lord, I'm talking, not only to those that are here, but those

that are on the screen. There's many fathers who are incarcerated, and you're broken. I don't have something to give you to make you feel better instantly, but you can always become the man you were meant to be right now, however that looks, but he's still waiting for you to come home. If anyone here wants to give your life to the Lord, what better day to come home, because he's waiting for you on Father's Day. If that is you, I just want you to repeat, the Bible says that when you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, you shall be saved. If that is you, I want you to repeat after me, and say Lord God, I repent of all my sins. I come to you on Father's Day, because you are my father. I believe you died on the cross, and after three days, you rose in power. Take out my stony heart, and give me a heart of compassion, beginning today, in Jesus' name, amen, amen, amen, amen. Lord God I want to pray for every man that's up here that's right here right now in the name of Jesus Lord God I pray for their heart and for their mind in the name of Jesus Lord the enemy wants to destroy every man here but we come against it in the name of Jesus that we will be pillars that we will be warriors that we will be examples that we will lead the way for our families that no matter what I will go forward I pray that over every man that is here for the fathers the uncles the grandfathers God is a generational God and your legacy lies inside of you and I pray for you to be encouraged and for you to be lifted up. Women if you could stretch your arm out toward these men. Women the men need you. We might not act like we don't but we need you and sometimes we need to be lifted up and raise your hand toward them and pray blessings over them Your love captures my heart Lord I just want to stay right here at your feet Lord you are my refuge and my hiding place is in your presence

all I want to do is see you and think about you and think about you you have all of my attention I'm here to praise you I'm here to praise you There's no one like you There's no one like you You're greater God with all of You're greatest love that I know There's no one like you There's no one like you You're honest and you're thankful You conquered death and it wasn't me Your love captures my heart Lord I just want to stay right here at your feet Lord you are my refuge and my hiding place is in your presence all I want to do is see you and think about you and think about you you have all of my attention I'm here to praise you I'm here to praise you There's no one like you There's no one like you You're greater God with all of You're greatest love that I know There's no one like you There's no one like you

You're honest and you're thankful You conquered death and it wasn't me There's no one like you There's no one like you You're greater God with all of You're greatest love that I know There's no one like you There's no one like you Lord, You said You're faithful Of the death and endless days Oh Ooh, ooh, Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus, thank You, Lord Jesus Sing His name Jesus, we love You, Lord Jesus Jesus Every nation bound confess that He is Lord In His name, there is power In His name, Father, you can do it Dad, you can do it in His name In His name, you can do it There's nothing impossible for Him Jesus He sees you

He sees you Jesus Sing His name Jesus Thank You, Lord Jesus Jesus, we adore You, Lord Jesus Thank You, Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus, we adore You, Lord Jesus We love You, Lord Jesus All I want to do All I want to do is see You And think about You And think about You You have all of my attention I'm here to praise You I'm here to praise You There's no one like You There's no one like You The greatest love of all, Lord The greatest love that I know There's no one like You There's no one like You You're all the strength, You're faithful You conquer death, and end all sin, yeah

Jesus Thank You, Lord Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus, we love You, Lord Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Yes, Lord. I thank you, God. I thank you for all the men that are here. I thank you for being our everlasting Father. I thank you for giving me the strength when I thought I couldn't anymore. I thank you for the inspiration when I was uninspired. I thank you for life. It is a privilege to serve you, Lord. And we will take it to heart when you say that we are the head of our household. We will take that as our calling orders. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Let's give the Lord a hand.

Before you leave, there's a fish bowl here that Sharon brought up. So, let's see what's going on here real quick. So, I want to make sure, did every... For more information, go to www.fema.org For more information, go to www.fema.org