One at a Time Weekend | Lucas DeVries

Well, hey, Pando family. Welcome to Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. My name is Derek. I'm a part of our online team. And we are so grateful that you decided to join us here for service today. And we would love for you to write us here at Southeast. We have a team of people and volunteers that wait each week to be able to receive your letters, read them and respond to you. And the ones that we love to respond to are the ones where we get to pray specifically for you. We love to join you in prayer, especially in the midst of this season of life. We love to be able to support you in that way. But we would also encourage you to subscribe to our Southeast Christian Church channel. And when you do that, you'll be joining about 28,000 other people just like you that live across the United States that receive our weekly weekend services just like these, but also our podcasts and Bible studies that we create to be able to help you learn more about Jesus and figure out what it looks like to follow Him in your daily life. Well, today is a very special weekend here in person at Southeast. We call it our one at a time weekend, where we are going to be kind of looking back

at what God has done in person this year at our church and looking ahead to what we're hopeful He's gonna do in 2026. And so today you're gonna be hearing from Lucas DeVries, who is our Blankenbaker campus pastor. And I would encourage you while you're listening to this to maybe just think about how God has been working in your life over this past year. Maybe you joined Pando for the very first time, you got a tablet and just be thinking about what are those ways that you have seen God working one at a time over the course of this last year. And so we hope that this message is not only inspirational to you, but we hope that it is challenging and convicting as well. You also prepare your hearts and let's go worship together. Come on, if you've got the joy of the Lord, would you sing? ♪ It is where I believe that You are more than enough ♪ ♪ More than enough for me ♪ Sing, He's faithful. ♪ You are faithful to Your promise ♪ ♪ You are strong and I am weak ♪ ♪ When I'm standing in Your presence I have everything ♪ Come on we sing. ♪ The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength ♪ ♪ Oh the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength ♪ ♪ Sing oh my soul, oh my soul, bless His name ♪ ♪ All that is within me sing ♪ ♪ The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength ♪ ♪ Oh Jesus, come what may, You are worthy of all, worthy of all ♪

♪ My praise oh, You are faithful to Your promise ♪ ♪ You are strong and I am weak ♪ ♪ When I'm standing in Your presence I have everything ♪ ♪ I need, the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength ♪ ♪ The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength ♪ ♪ Sing oh my soul, oh my soul, bless His name ♪ ♪ All that is within me sing ♪ ♪ The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength ♪ ♪ Oh, let it rise, let it rise up like a river ♪ ♪ Let it rise up like a river, an overflowing Holy Spirit ♪ ♪ Let it pour out with no limits, an overflowing Holy Spirit ♪ ♪ Holy, so let it rise, let it rise up ♪ ♪ Like a river overflowing ♪ ♪ Holy Spirit, oh let it pour out with no limits ♪ ♪ Overflowing, Holy Spirit, oh let it pour out with no limits ♪ ♪ Overflowing, Holy Spirit, oh let it pour out with no limits ♪ Come on, put your hands together. With the joy of the Lord as your strength, would you sing, would you pray? Oh! ♪ Yes, within me say, oh my soul, bless His name ♪ ♪ All that is, very sure, the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength ♪ ♪ I've got the joy, I've got the joy ♪ Come on, hands together. With your hands in the air, Hands if you've got one. Yeah! ♪ Oh, God, so wonderful ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ For the sun that wakes the sun, we praise you ♪ ♪ For the breath inside our lungs, we praise you ♪

♪ For your never-ending love, we praise you ♪ ♪ It's what you're worthy of ♪ ♪ For the ways you've changed our lives, we praise you ♪ ♪ For the ways we can't describe, we praise you ♪ ♪ For the millions more to find, we praise you ♪ ♪ It's what you're worthy of ♪ We're singing out this morning, yeah! ♪ This is what you're worthy of, sing praise! ♪ ♪ All the good you've given us cannot be measured ♪ ♪ You alone deserve it all, our lives are rendered ♪ ♪ Jesus, take every part, it's what you're worthy of ♪ Hallelujah, whoo! Whoo! Yeah! Hey! ♪ For the greatest sacrifice, we praise you ♪ ♪ For the grave you left behind, we praise you ♪ ♪ For the resurrection life, we praise you ♪ ♪ It's what you're worthy of ♪ ♪ For the day you will return, we praise you ♪ ♪ For the justice you will serve, we praise you ♪ ♪ In heaven and on earth, we praise you ♪ ♪ It's what you're worthy of ♪ We lift our voices, yeah! ♪ This is what you're worthy of, praise forever ♪ ♪ All the good you've given us cannot be measured ♪ ♪ You alone deserve it all, our lives surrender ♪ ♪ Jesus, take every part, it's what you're worthy of ♪ ♪ From glory to glory, beginning to ending, you're holy ♪ ♪ You're worthy, so we'll keep on singing ♪

♪ From glory to glory, beginning to ending, you're holy ♪ ♪ Beginning to ending, You're holy, You're worthy ♪ ♪ So we'll keep on singing, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Keep on singing, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ This is what You're worthy of, sing praise, praise forever ♪ ♪ All the good You've given us cannot be measured ♪ ♪ For You alone deserve it all, our lives surrender ♪ ♪ Jesus, take every part, it's what You're worthy of, Lord ♪ ♪ Praise forever, all the good You've given us ♪ ♪ Cannot be measured, You alone deserve it all, our lives surrender ♪ ♪ Jesus, take every part, it's what You're worthy of, Lord ♪ ♪ It's what You're worthy of, Lord ♪ Hallelujah, amen. Church, we give a shout of praise to the Lord today. He is worthy of all of our praise, amen. You guys can go ahead, let's take a seat together this morning. We are gonna move into a time of communion today. As I was thinking about just this service today and our time together, I was thinking of all of the things that this Advent season brings, you know, hope, joy, peace, and love. But for some of you guys who are here today, maybe the season didn't look like that for you. Maybe it was filled with moments that did not seem very peaceful. Maybe there was some pain, some grief. With whatever your circumstance is today, my hope for you today is that you would know

that we serve a God who is greater, so much greater than anything that we could face on this side of heaven. We just sang about that. With the greatest sacrifice, we praise You. From the grave You left behind, we praise You. From the resurrection life, we praise You. He really is so worthy of all of our praise. As we head into this time of communion, we wanna be reminded of that today, that through the greatest sacrifice on the cross that Jesus made for you, that He saved you from your sins. What a beautiful reminder. That through the bread that represents Christ's body broken for you, with the cup that represents Christ's blood shed for you. For those of us in the room today who have made that commitment to follow Jesus, as you take those elements, just take a moment to meditate with the Lord. And if you don't know what else to say, just thank Him. God, we thank You for all that You've done, for all that You will do, and for just who You are, we thank You. Lord, we place our future in Your hands with whatever is to come, God. The promises that will be fulfilled, the challenges that we will meet along the way, God, we place our future in Your hands, Lord.

We love You, and we will forever worship You, amen. Church, whenever you're ready, you can take communion. Amen. ♪ From the beginning, it's You we worship ♪ ♪ You are the only one who will save us all ♪ ♪ You are the only one who will save us all ♪ ♪ You are the only one who will save us all ♪ You've been unchanging, age to age You stay, constant You remain, every mystery, the questions I carry are safe within Your will So I'll trust You even still I believe You are who You say You are You do what You say You'll do You'll come through You are always able I believe You've already made a way So I'm running through parted ways, straight to You You are always faithful Jesus, You're glory, holding me steady Every word You speak is a promise that You keep This firm foundation cannot be shaken No, my God, You never fail Never was, You never will I believe You are who You say You are You do what You say You'll do You'll come through You are always able I believe You've already made a way So I'm running through parted ways, straight to You You are always faithful, Lord, I believe You're faithful, God, You're good, God That on the cross Your blood was spilled And by Your stripes I have been healed And every promise You fulfilled I believe, I believe That You rose again in victory And that same power lives in me I'm born again, I've been made free I believe, come on, we declare this That the gates of hell will not prevail Your church is still alive and well This gospel truth I live to tell I believe, I believe That one day soon You'll split the sky You're coming for us far and bright Until my faith has driven me astride I believe, I believe I believe You are who You say You are You do what You say You'll do You'll come through You are always able I believe You've already made a way So I'm running through parted ways, straight to You You are always faithful, Lord, I believe

Yes, it's in Your name, Jesus And on the day I've run my race I'll finally see You face to face And nothing there will separate, I believe We believe. I'll join with every tribe and tongue and bow before the Lamb of God singing holy, holy, holy one. I believe. I believe. Behold the Lamb, upon the cross, who takes away the sins of all. Forgiveness flows through hands and feet, as violence meets the Prince of Peace. Behold the King, the Light of the world, the Lamb that was slain. The Lion of Rose was mighty to save. Oh, the fullness of God will be kept in the grave. The darkness, your hour is over. Behold the Lamb, He's dying for you. Behold the grace of Calvary, that rugged cross was sewn to be. Oh, the emblem of a risen King. Oh, behold the King, the Light of the world, the Lamb that was slain. The Lion of Rose was mighty to save. Oh, the fullness of God will be kept in the grave. The darkness, your hour is over. The Light of the world, the Lamb that was slain. The Lion of Rose was mighty to save. Oh, the fullness of God will be kept in the grave. The darkness, your hour is over. Come on, does anyone have hope in a risen Savior today? Amen. Let's declare that victory, that hope we have together. Come on, in confidence. You sing. And no enemy could hold you down. Cause there's nobody in the grave now. One hand is to wear that crown. Cause there's... Come on, you sing louder now. No enemy could hold you down. Nobody. One hand is to wear that crown. Cause there's nobody in the grave now. No enemy could hold you down. Cause there's nobody in the grave now. One hand is to wear that crown. Cause there's nobody, nobody. No enemy could hold you down. Cause there's nobody in the grave now. One hand is to wear that crown. Cause there's nobody in the grave. Light of the world, a land that was slain. The Lion of Rose, mighty to save. The fullness of God will be kept in the grave. The darkness, your hour is over.

No enemy can hold you down. Cause there's nobody. One hand is to wear that crown. Cause there's nobody, nobody. ["Nobody in the Grave Now"] Yes, thank you, Lord. Yes, thank you, God. Thank you, God, that there was nobody left in the grave. That that is your story, Jesus. And because that is your story, that is our story. God, that is our hope, that is our peace, that is our future. Thank you. Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. God, how grateful I am that we get to share in that victory with you. So we just invite you now, Holy Spirit, come in power, move in a fresh way today would we have a fresh revelation of what you're doing in our lives and around us, God, even in this place right now. We want eyes to see what you're doing, Holy Spirit. A greater awareness, a greater openness to it. Thank you, thank you, we trust you, we praise you. Everyone said, amen. You guys can grab a seat. In all of it, do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. For some of you, you would say you want God's plan, but you've got these other plans and you're a little nervous about saying yes to God's plan because what's that gonna do to your plans?

Because of Jesus, your pain has an expiration date. Because he is my strength, I will not shrink back in fear or cave into pressure or obsess how overwhelming I will not settle for a safe and comfortable life, but I will step forward with boldness. He gives you his word to teach you a better way. He gives you a community called the church to heal and grow with. He is faithful and these are his children before they were ever mine. Is there anything that you need to bury in the name of Jesus? Is there anything that you need to hide? To bury and leave here? Your seats have all been prayed over. This morning, there were a group of our church members who came in here and they put a card at every seat and they prayed for every seat. It was high school students that came in here, prayed over revival in our church. And God is on the move in our church. And MOVE is a generosity challenge aimed at 100% engagement where each of us will pray, God, what do you want me to do with what you've entrusted to me? Following the Holy Spirit, he will take you out of your comfort zone and he will use you for things that you thought you could never get used for. People don't change because of facts,

people change because they're loved. We lean in and then we just be a blessing. I promise you, every room Jesus ever walked into was a better room because he was there. Is that true of you? You would in one way or another, hear God speak your name, hear Jesus speak your name on this Easter that it would become, in other words, it would become personal for you. And I just am praying that you would have faith one more time, that every time we see someone surrender themselves to Jesus and ask for forgiveness and grace, we see a dramatic illustration of resurrection power even more so than what we just listened to. And there's shock and there's celebration because there's a recognition that this changes everything. Nearly 600 students and kids were baptized this summer. 600 stories of life, freedom, and hope found in Jesus Christ. 600 stories of life, freedom, and hope found in Christ alone. And that was the first time in my life where I think I surrendered my thoughts and my feelings and my will over to God and say, just do what you wanna do. And I remember rushing to the front and kneeling down and I remember crying and saying yes to Jesus. And when the Holy Spirit speaks,

that's the time that you move. What is so cool is the fact that God, for such a time as this, has brought us together in this community. You know, in the next five to 10 years, Nashville and the greater area is gonna grow by 1.2 million people. There's so many people moving here that don't know Jesus and so what a time for us as a church to get after being unleashed to love people one at a time. Live a life filled with love following the example of Christ. For once you were full of darkness but now you have the light from the Lord. So live as people of the light. That's faithful, that praise for our family. Just something I'm just thankful. Thank you for grace. With one vision as one church in multiple locations imagine a church united not just in name but in heart and purpose. Every campus, every generation, every ministry working as one for one mission. Instead of saying I'm defined by my worst sins you speak Romans 8 1 over know condemnation for me because I'm in Christ Jesus I've been set free by God's grace and his grace is enough for me and you're laughing and you're crying and you're celebrating and in your grieving and your planning and you're waiting and you're speaking and in your silence and you're consuming and you're saving and you're giving and you're receiving and then you're forgiving and then you're confronting and you're encouraging and you're listening and you're leading and you're believing and you're starting and you're finishing and all of it do it all in the name of Jesus come on church let's put it together for all that God's done this past year if we haven't had the chance of meeting yet my name is Lucas Savarese I get the privilege of serving as the campus pastor here at the Blankenbaker campus and essentially what that means is is I get the the privilege to serve and to love all of our staff who lead all the ministries here at the Blankenbaker campus and so I mean I am excited to bring God's Word for us on the last Sunday of the year I'm gonna pray for us we're gonna jump in God we love you God

I am so thankful that you're in this room right now God that you bring peace God that you bring protection God that your presence where you are there's fullness of joy and so father we are so grateful Lord I pray God that you would speak through your word today God that you would allow my tongue to be like the pen of a ready writer writing your truth on your people's hearts God we love you and we praise you and everyone said amen you know sometimes I wish social media was a little bit more like a newspaper here's here's what I mean by that like my bedtime routine don't judge me is oftentimes doom scrolling anybody else in the room there's more hands than that come on I know it I remember you know a couple days ago I was just sitting back in bed I was just scrolling and one of the videos that I saw was like on like economic crisis right like kind of a kind of a heavy video the next one was like like a health scare like it was somebody trying to give me some kind of supplements that if I buy them like everything will get better and then I kid you not the next flick of my wrist was a video about a dog dancing like a human wearing a tuxedo like this is social media like this is the problem like everything is thrown together like there's no weight there's no hierarchy it's just one endless scroll here's my suggestion like what if we all just went back to reading the newspaper like there's there's one person in here who still reads the newspaper maybe a few over here come on that's what I'm talking about because here's the deal like with the newspaper there are two kinds of stories like there are the front page stories right like big font headline stories like this is the Super Bowl this is Derby winners and this is like wars and elections but then kind of tucked back in section D like a little bit down the page like they're the more local stories right like the smaller stories the stories that don't really have it's not that they're insignificant but they're just not like the headline stories and here's my thought is I think the Bible is very similar like the Bible has big stories but it also has small stories for example in the book of Genesis like literally on the front page of the scriptures like when you open up the Bible there's creation the fall the flood

the Tower of Babel I mean frontline stories like big big big stories but then as you journey a little bit more you start to see other stories, like smaller stories. Again, they're not insignificant, but they're just quieter. They're kind of tucked in the corners of Scripture. And today, I want us to look at one of those smaller stories. I want us to look at a smaller story in 2 Kings chapter six, where we read about a prophet by the name of Elisha. Elisha is, during this time, like he is starting a school of ministry, and there are all kinds of young people that are coming to join him. The enrollment list is booming, and they're coming, and they wanna be a part of what God is doing. And so, I'll start reading for us in 2 Kings chapter six, starting in verse one. Now, the sons of the prophet said to Elisha, see, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there. And he answered, go. Then one of them said, be pleased to go with your servants. And he answered, I will go. Now, at first glance, this seems like a pretty simple story. Again, like these young leaders are flocking to Elisha, like they see his miracles, and they are amazed by what God is doing. The enrollment list is booming,

so much so that they actually have to go down to the Jordan River. They have to start cutting down trees to expand the campus. And if this is all we read, like this would just be a sweet story. Like it would be a small story that we'd celebrate that God is growing this school. But I think for us to understand the weight of this story, we have to step back, and we have to zoom out and see the backdrop that it sits against. You see, right before this story in 1 Kings, like things were spiritually bleak. Like Israel had been led by an evil king and queen named Ahab and Jezebel. Like under their leadership, God was pushed aside. Like idols were lifted up. Violence, compromise, and spiritual confusion filled the land. Even the strongest followers of God were exhausted and lonely. By the time we arrive here in 2 Kings chapter six, like Ahab and Jezebel are gone, but the darkness hasn't magically disappeared. Like Israel is still spiritually fragile, and idolatry is still lingering. And I want you to see this. People are living with fear and uncertainty every single day. Does that sound familiar? Like today, God is being pushed to the margins.

Like biblical truth is being dismissed. Life is no longer treated as sacred. Marriage is being redefined. Gender is treated like an opinion. And right and wrong are blurred every single day. And if you're anything like me, like you could start to get nervous about the darkness that our kids are growing up in. Yet what I love about this story is that Elisha's ministry becomes this living, breathing reminder that even in the darkest days, God has not stepped off the stage. Like God starts to work through Elisha's life, and he heals poisoned water, an entire city. Like he raises a child from the dead. He feeds a hundred men with a single meal, and there are leftovers. Like as you're reading through 2 Kings, like you should just get this idea that there's just miracle after miracle after miracle, all shouting the same truth. Like even when the darkness grows, God is still at work. You know, the Barna Research Group recently reported that the most spiritually open generations in America right now are Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Gen Z is ages 13 through 28. Gen Alpha is ages zero through 12. Nearly three out of four Gen Z students

say that they want to grow spiritually. Almost 70% say that they pray weekly, and more than half say that they're open to conversations about Jesus, even if that person is not someone that they know well. Gen Alpha is showing very similar patterns. We don't have enough metrics in yet, but what we're seeing is like they're growing up in a dark world, yet they have this surprising spiritual curiosity and this softness towards the things of God. And I just want you to see this for a second. Like the generations everyone assumed would walk away from the faith are actually leaning in towards God. And it's not just data. Like we are seeing this real time. Like we have watched student-led prayer gatherings break out on college campuses around the nation, and right here in our church, the next generation is coming to Christ every single week. Like we have students. stepping into prayer and worship with boldness. Kids and Southeast kids are asking deep spiritual questions like middle schoolers and high schoolers are leaning into the scriptures and responding to the gospel. Church, we believe God is stirring something unique in the next generation. It's just like our story in 2 Kings chapter six.

It's not happening because the darkness has left. It's happening right in the middle of the darkness. You know, something that you may not know is that we have a residency program here at Southeast. It's our own version of that school of ministry in 2 Kings chapter six. It exists for one reason, to equip young adults for impactful leadership in the local church. Right now, we have 20 residents who have stepped into that calling. These are young men and women who've decided that they're gonna leave jobs, they're gonna leave cities and families, and they're just saying to God, like, God, whatever you want, I'm in. Like, our prayer is is that they would either be a part of our church one day or they would take a job at another church across our nation or around the world. But what we do know, whether they take one here or somewhere else, is that all of them will be ready to lead. And on this one-at-a-time weekend, we usually try to slow down. We try to share how God has been moving one person at a time in our church, but specifically here at the Blenkebaker Campus. And I could tell all the stories. I like to talk a lot, and I could continue to share those stories, but I just thought,

like, man, how honoring would it be of this passage if we let one of our residents share how God is moving in this campus. And so that's exactly what we're gonna do. She hails from Knoxville. She has been serving, learning, leading, and letting God shape her here at the Blenkebaker Campus church family. Will you help me welcome one of our residents? Give it up for Aubrey Christensen. Everyone, I'm Aubrey. What a pleasure and a privilege it is to be a part of continuing that vision, that 2 Kings 6 vision. It starts with, hey, we're gonna train ministers, and it's continued throughout all generations to this one Southeast residency program. And I just want to thank you as a church family personally for how I've been impacted by you all, but also by how you guys have impacted every single person that has walked through these doors. This is a church founded on biblical principles that preaches them in a world that doesn't know truth anymore. It's a church with ministers of character and integrity, both on the stage, and I've seen them off the stage, and it holds true. And nobody paid me money to say that. This church is also authentically living out what they preach, reaching people one at a time,

looking behind the folds to see who's tucked away, and who could see and use the love of God. As my residency, I have served both on the preaching team and on the middle school ministry team, and I've been struck by how God really does see his people one at a time, and reveals himself to them in unique ways. And one of these ways that really sticks out to me happened at the end of one of our middle school services. And we were worshiping, the lights were down, I was in the back of the room whenever I felt a tap on my shoulder. And I turned and I saw this middle school girl, she was really awkwardly holding a Bible, and her face had so many emotions on it. She looked lost, she looked hurt, she looked confused. She looked up at me and said, hey, I don't really feel like I belong anywhere, and I don't know like why I'm here on this earth. Do you know anything God has to say about me? And she kind of threw the Bible, and I was like, oh. And in that moment, God reached out and touched his daughter. We opened up that Bible straight to Zephaniah chapter three. It was spoken over her life, that God rejoices over her was singing, merely because she exists before she did anything. And then we flipped to the other end and we hit up Ephesians 2.10, and she heard that. She is God's poema, his poem, his work of art,

and not just a work of art, but his masterpiece over all of his creation. And then we went to Philippians one, verse six, and it says, God started a good work in all of us, and he's not gonna quit on you until he carries it onto completion, and the day whenever Jesus comes, and all his fullness and his glory. In that moment, a girl was reminded of her identity and why God brought her on this planet. It was in that moment, darkness was trying to prevail, but God was still working in it. Just as Lucas stated, there's been research that's come out that revival's happening and we hear it, but like I've gotten to go to a couple of states in the last couple of months and see it, like the youth gatherings and see people, the generations above is trying to figure out, okay, how do we steward this? Gen Z, which is me and a couple of ages older than me, and then Gen Alpha, so like everybody younger than me, are the two most open to spirituality generations that we've seen in a while. And it's exciting because revival's happening, but I would argue too, that's a little bit dangerous because they're standing at the very edge, being open to spiritual things, but we know that route goes both ways and they haven't chosen Christ yet.

And it's my aim as a minister of the gospel of Christ, and it is our job as the church to point them towards Christ like this, to fill them with the identity that Christ says that they are and to fill them with the purpose that God created them uniquely for on this planet. That's why it's not just good that we sacrificially give to impact the next generation, but it is essential that we reach the next generation, these kids, before Satan can snatch them up. Because we're in a war right now, and that's the God that we serve, because our God is worthy of it. Our God is a behind the scenes kind of God who sees every single child. He is a God that is worthy of it all, worthy of our sacrifice, worthy of our worship, worthy of the very way that we orient our lives. That's the God that we serve today, so may his kingdom come, may his will be done here in this next generation, in this church as it is in heaven. Let's give him a round of applause today. Thank you. I think the next generation is in good hands. Let me just say this, this has not been a year of decline. It's been a year where God has been steadily at work among us. I had the privilege of getting to know a young man in our church this year named Johnny,

but the Johnny that I met is not the Johnny that he's always been. He grew up in Chicago, eventually made his way to California, and what he would say is is that he was chasing meaning and peace in all the wrong places. Like he was partying, there were drugs and relationships, and he was trying to fill an ache he couldn't silence. Johnny would tell you that he was Muslim. Like his father grew him up to believe that, but even then he would tell you like something just felt missing still. Eventually Johnny would find his way here to Louisville, Kentucky to be with family. A friend invited him to church, and he sat in this room in these services every single week, and he heard the preaching of God's word, and he heard the gospel shared, and eventually he got plugged into our college-age ministry and through a series of conversations and only God moments, like Johnny encountered Jesus. And on July 6th, in the pool right behind me, Johnny stood before this congregation, and he made a declaration. Like when he went under that water, what he was declaring in baptism was that he was done trying to lead his life. Like his sin was too great, false religion had not brought peace or direction, but when he came up out of that water,

he declared with confidence that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and his Lord and Savior, and today, church, Johnny is not a follower of Muhammad or Allah. Today, because of the grace of Jesus, Johnny is a follower of Jesus, and I think that that's something worth celebrating. And I hope that you know that every person who gets baptized at our church is a physical representation that God is not done. Like the world may be dark, but God has not stepped off the stage. He is at work in our city, he is at work in our church, and so I hope that you will celebrate this with me, because this year, right here at the Blankenbaker Campus, we have had the joy of celebrating 1,498 baptisms. And those people didn't just get wet and go back to their seats, like they are being discipled, they are joining Bible studies, they are serving in the church, they are following Jesus, and church families, specifically the Blankenbaker Campus. I could not be more proud of our church, the way that we have wrapped. to our arms around them and help them grow towards Jesus. You know, our seemingly smaller story continues as these young prophets head out to cut down trees so that they can expand the ministry. We'll pick up in verse four. So he, speaking of Elisha, went with them.

And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees, but as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water and he cried out, alas, my master, it was borrowed. Then the man of God said, where did it fall? When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it there and made the iron float. And he said, take it up. So he reached out his hand and he took it. You know, this is one of the most strange miracles in Elisha's ministry. Like up until this point, Elisha has only been a part of like large scale miracles. Like right before this, he heals Naaman, who is a foreign leader. And then right after this, Elisha blinds an entire army. And so right here in the middle, in chapter six, like the story kind of takes a unique shift. Like there's no king, there's no army, there's no national crisis. There's just a ministry student with a borrowed axe head who drops the axe head in the river. And Elisha responds and God works a miracle. You see, scripture shows us that miracles are never random. Like they always reveal something about who God is. Like most often miracles point to God's power in his authority. We see this all throughout scripture, specifically in Jesus's life. Like whenever he worked a miracle,

it was pointing to the fact that he was indeed the son of God. But when you come to this miracle, like there's something interesting here. You see, this miracle isn't here to show us how powerful God is. Although he is, it's here to show us how personal God is. There are two theological words that I think help us understand what's happening here. The first is transcendence. It means that God is above us. Like he rules over nations. He speaks galaxies into existence. Psalm 115 says, our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases. Like he is greater, he is holy, he is completely other than us. But this passage is showing us something else too. It shows us that God is not just transcendent, but that he's imminent. Like it means that he's near. Like he's not just this cosmic God who's controlling things from a distance, but he's close. Like he is present. He is deeply involved in his creation. Like the same God who holds the universe is the same God who's mindful of a ministry student with a broken axe head. And if God cares about an axe head, how much more does he care about you?

Jesus said it this way in Matthew 10. He said, are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father, but even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore you are of more value than many sparrows. In other words, nothing is insignificant to him. Like if God sees a sparrow, he sees you. Like he sees your stress, he sees your fears, your financial pressure, your marriage strain, your loneliness, your kids, your infertility, your sleepless nights, your quiet prayers. Like he is not distant. He is not detached and he is not indifferent. The God who keeps track of the sparrow, the God who's mindful of an axe head is the same God who is deeply, personally, and intentionally involved in your life. There's a young man who started attending our church a couple years ago. He pretty much serves in every way possible. If the doors are open, he's here. But he's specifically gotten involved in our college age ministry. And he came to our college age pastor and he was like, Caleb, I got some unfortunate news. Like I realized that I've got like a $2,000 car repair and dude, I just, I don't know how I'm gonna fix it. And of course, you know, our college age pastor's like,

dude, I've got nothing either. And so they just, at least how the story goes, like they just sat there and they prayed about it. Like not flippantly, but just saying, okay, God, like we're out of answers. And so God, would you help here? And they prayed. And I imagine that they prayed that God would provide, whether that be specifically for the money or. or a way to work for that, like however it be, like God, would you make a way? And so they left. The very next day, there was a couple who called Caleb and said, hey man, we just, we really felt like you probably knew someone who needed some help in your ministry, and my wife and I have been praying about it, and we just, we just feel like God is leading us to give $2,000 to whoever you think needs it. Is there anyone who needs that? And Caleb just said, I think that there is. And so Caleb went back to this young man, and he was able to share the good news, and I think the temptation here is just get uber focused on the money and be like, oh man, if you pray, God gives you a check. That is not the point. That wasn't supposed to be funny. Like the point is, is that God saw that young man. Like God is intimately involved,

and so the question that I have for you today is what is your axe head? Like what's the thing you're convinced God doesn't really care about? I'm not saying God will give you everything that you ask for, but what I am saying, scripture is crystal clear on, is that if it matters to you, it matters to God. Now let me be clear about this. I'm not saying God endorses everything that we want. I'm not saying that every desire is good or every request is right, but what I am saying is that God cares about us. We see this in the scriptures. First Peter 5-7 says, cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Not some of it, not just the spiritual things, not just the big things, but all of it. Why? Because he cares for you. Psalm 34 says, the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. In other words, he sees you, he hears you, he cares about what you carry. If it matters to you, it matters to God. You know, I love how verse five describes the posture of this young prophet. It says, and he cried out, alas, my master, it was borrowed. Like, I love that he didn't just hide the problem. Like, he doesn't pretend he can fix it.

He doesn't minimize it or move on like it doesn't matter. Scripture says that he turns in desperation and he calls out to the man of God and he cries out for help. Blanketmaker Campus, I can't help but wonder, like, what would happen if we decided that this would be our posture as followers of Jesus? Like, what if when we hit a problem, like, our first response wasn't to control it? Like, it wasn't to explain it away or power through it, but to turn and to cry out to God? Like, no matter how big, like, no matter how small, like, we are going to turn to God in it all. You know, something that's exciting that's happened at this campus over the past two years is, two years ago, we started what's called 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. And it's something that happened here at the Blanketmaker Campus and when we opened it up for people to engage, like, you guys just ran with it. And it's just been such a sweet time as our church at the very beginning of the year just puts all of our devotion and our focus on the Lord. And what's exciting about this year is that it's not gonna be something that we just do here at the Blanketmaker Campus, but it's gonna be something that we do across all campuses as the beginning of the year. We just say, God, we are turning to you.

And so as a church, starting January 1st, we are stepping into 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting across all campuses. Biblically speaking, like, fasting is choosing to abstain from food for a time so that we can grow more aware of our hunger for God. Like, it's not about impressing God. Like, it's a way of saying, God, we need you. Like, we don't need slick strategies. We don't need more momentum or more effort. Like, when we fast, we are saying, Lord, we are only satisfied in you. And so here is how we are inviting you to come along on the journey. First is, I would ask that you would pray. That you would pray and ask God, like, God, what is something that I can temporarily say no to so that I can say yes to you? For some, it might be social media. It might be sugar. It might be caffeine. Like, my hope is, is that you just set aside something that allows you to spend more time with Jesus. You can scan the QR code on the seat back in front of you for a simple resource our team created to help you think through that. We can't have an exhaustive teaching on fasting this morning, and so this resource is gonna help you kind of dig in and figure out what this means

and how you can be a part of it. Second, I would encourage you to join the daily prayer prompts. Like every day at 11.30 a.m., we're gonna be sending out a short prayer prompt so that it can help guide us as a church as we seek the Lord. And so you can text 21DAYS, the 733-733. It's gonna be a really powerful experience as we journey towards Jesus together. And then last of all, and something that I'm probably the most excited about, is I wanna invite you to come. Come, and every Sunday night of the fast, we're gonna be gathering in the atrium for our Catch the Wind nights. It's something that we started two months ago, but we wanted to, during this time, during our fast, to just call like a sacred assembly and just say, whether it's adults or children, like everyone come and we are going to seek the Lord. And so January 4th, 11th, and the 18th at 6.30 p.m., we're gonna gather out in the atrium and we are gonna pursue the Lord. And so here's what these 21 days are really about. Like we're not here to be impressive. Like we're not doing this to be dramatic. Like we are simply admitting that we need God. Like that young prophet who stopped and cried out for help. Like we are choosing to bring ourselves honestly before God.

And just as James 4.8 says, I believe that when we draw near to God, God will draw near to us. Like y'all, I am praying that at the beginning of this year, like this will be such a formative season for our campus and our church as we pursue the Lord. You know, this room holds 8,600 chairs. At least I think it does. There's a lot of chairs in here. In a room this size, it's easy to feel like you're just one person in the crowd. And on a human level, like that might be true. But what I love about this story is that it reminds us that no one is anonymous to God. Like you might think that you blend into the crowd, but I want you to hear this clearly. You have never slipped out of the view of your God. Like the Bible says that God so loved the world, but I wanna tell you that God so loves you. And just like that axe head was lifted out of the depths, Jesus came to lift us out of the depths, out of our sin, out of our shame, out of our burdens that we could never figure out on our own. And so wherever you find yourself today, hear this clearly. You are seen, you are known, and you are loved. Psalm 145, 18 says this, the Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. And that's my prayer, that you would turn to Him

and that you would call out to Him, not because anyone else is watching, but because God always has, and He deeply cares for you. Let's pray. Lord, we love you. God, I am so grateful, Lord, that we are reminded today, God, that even though the darkness feels like it's growing, God, you're at work. God, even though things seem like they're out of control, God, you are the sovereign God who has galaxies in His hands. Job says that the waters fit within your hand. God, we just trust you. God, we wanna come alongside of whatever you're doing here at this church. And so, Lord, we just pray, God, that you would continue to move in the next generation. I pray, God, that they wouldn't just be open to spirituality, but that they would trust in Jesus. God, as we do that, Lord, I pray that we would be a church. God, I pray that we would be a church that believes that you are big enough for the small things. And what that means is, is that we're just gonna pray about everything. God, I pray that you would just continue to mark us with prayer. I pray that, God, as we seek you, Lord, that you would draw near to us, and ultimately we would be changed by that. God, we love you, and we praise you.

In Jesus' name, amen. In the next few weeks, like I said, we just wanna devote ourselves to the Lord. And we just believe that, like Jesus said, his house will be a house of prayer. And so, for the next few weeks, something that we've done is we've just. had prayer down front here. And so I'm gonna ask all of our staff, elders, deacons, folks who are on our prayer team to come down. And I just wanna invite you to come. Like maybe today there's been something that you've been praying about for a very long time. Like you've just, you've resorted to believe that like God just doesn't really care about it any longer. Maybe it's a prodigal daughter. Maybe it's a sickness. Maybe it is a financial struggle. Like we just, all we're saying is it's like, let's just bring it before the Lord and let's trust whatever he chooses to do. Maybe today you just want to figure out what it means to place your faith in Jesus's hands. The good news is, is that we would love to have that conversation with you. And so whether it's down front or whether it's over in our next step room, I wanna encourage you, would you come? We'd love to talk to you about what it means to place your faith in Jesus's hands.

Come on church, why don't you guys stand with me and let's worship our great God. Thanks God. This is my confession Of sinners I'm the worst I know my need for saving grace A life not built on words This is my repentance From all that I've done wrong I walk away from who I was And daily lift my cross Oh I believe Jesus is the Christ Oh I believe He's the Son of God He's my Lord, my Savior, my confidence Hallelujah, I'm born again This is my salvation Made righteous in His sight Only through the death of Christ Oh I am raised to life Oh I believe Jesus is the Christ Oh I believe He's the Son of God He's my Lord, my Savior, my confidence Hallelujah, I'm born again Oh, I'm born again Oh, I'm born again Oh I'm born again Yes I'm born again I'm born again In the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit I'm alive, been given new life

Been given new life And death doesn't own me, I'm chosen I am a child of God Been given new life Been given new life In the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit I'm alive, been given new life Been given new life And death doesn't own me, I'm chosen I am a child of God Been given new life ♪ I've been given new life ♪ ♪ I've been given new life ♪ ♪ I've been given new life, you say ♪ ♪ Oh I believe Jesus is the Christ ♪ ♪ And oh I believe that he's the Son of God ♪ ♪ He's my Lord, my Savior, my comfort is ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, I'm born again ♪ ♪ I believe Jesus is the Christ ♪ ♪ And oh I believe that he's the Son of God ♪ ♪ He's my Lord, my Savior, my comfort is ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, oh I'm born again ♪ ♪ Oh I'm born again, oh I'm born again ♪ ♪ Oh thank you Jesus, I'm born again, yes I'm born again ♪ ♪ Yes I'm born again ♪ ♪ I'll join the great procession of saints from long ago ♪ ♪ And my years of faith will turn to salt ♪ ♪ At last forever home, at last forever home ♪ Well, welcome back Pando family. We hope that you enjoyed that message

from our Blankenbaker campus pastor, Lucas DeVries. My name is Derek. I am a part of our online team here at Southeast and from our team, for me, we are so glad that you decided to join us again this week at Southeast Christian Church here in Louisville, Kentucky. And this weekend was a very special weekend because we call it our one at a time weekend where all of our in-person campus locations get to hear from their campus pastor and celebrate all that God has done over the course of this past year and look ahead in anticipation for what God has over the course of this next year. And one of the challenges that I would have to kind of take away from this message is to literally take a pencil and a piece of paper and sit down and kind of set apart time in your day to be able to think about all of the different ways that God has come through for you this past year and answered prayers. And it can be in big ways, it can be in medium ways and sometimes it can even be in the really small ways. But one of the things that I have learned by doing that sort of exercise at the end of every single year is that it reminds me of all of the different things that I forgot about that God has done. And I would be willing to bet for you in the same way, there are things that you're already forgetting

that God has come through for you in prayer requests that he's answered that I think would be a blessing to you to be able to remember and write down. Because as we head towards 2026, we want to be full of courage and faith that we can walk with God through every single season of life, especially in the circumstances that you find yourself in right now. And if there's anything that I have learned following Christ is that it requires courage, right? It requires faith. And so I think by looking back on all God has done, that will give us the courage and the faith to step into what God has for us in 2026. Guys, but we also hope that you're looking forward to our Pandu exclusive podcast that launch every single week. We have another one for you this upcoming Thursday based on the message that you just heard from Lucas DeVries. So be on the lookout for that, y'all. But like normal, we would like to close with a prayer. And again, you can take out a pencil and a piece of paper and write this down so you can pray this prayer in the midst of your daily life, wherever you may be today. So if you would, if you don't have a pen or a pencil or a paper, and if you'd like to bow your heads and pray with me. Oh God, early in the morning, I cry to you. Help me to pray and to concentrate my thoughts on you,

for I cannot do this alone. In me, there is darkness, but with you, there is light. I am lonely, but you do not leave me. I am feeble in heart, but with you, there is help. I am restless, but with you, there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience. I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me. Oh, Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for rest in the night. I praise and thank you for this new day. I praise and thank you for all your goodness and faithfulness throughout my life. You have granted me many blessings. Now let me also accept what is hard from your hand. You will lay on me no more than I can bear because you make all things work together for the good of your children. Lord Jesus, you were poor and in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am. You know all man's troubles and you abide with me when all men fail me. You remember and seek me and it is your will that I should know you and turn to you. Lord, I hear your call and follow, help me. Oh, Holy Spirit, give me faith that will protect me from despair, from passions and from vice. Give me such love for God and men as will blot out all hatred and bitterness. Give me the hope that will deliver me from fear and faintheartedness.

Amen. Well, Pando family, thanks again for joining us. We hope that not only these segments, the worship service and the message and even that prayer bless you as you head in to 2026. We'll see you next time.