Dare to Believe | Joel Osteen | Lakewood Church Service

((music playing)) You fight the battle. You get the glory ((music playing)) ((music playing)) the angels. Here comes the victory. The enemy is ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Oh. ((music playing)) Who brings the power of sin and darkness? ((music playing)) Whose love is mighty and so much stronger? The king of glory. ((music playing)) The king above all kings. Yeah. ((music playing)) Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder ((music playing)) and leaves us breathless in awe and wonder.

The ((music playing)) king of glory, the king above all kings. This ((music playing)) is amazing grace. This is unfailing love. [music and singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Oh Jesus, I sing for ((music playing)) all that you ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Hey, good morning everyone. Welcome to Lakewood. Thanks for coming out today. How many of you are ready to worship the Lord today? Are you glad we have a risen savior today alive and full of mercy and grace?

And we just feel blessed to have you here on this resurrection weekend and we're just going to have a great time worshiping God and thanking him for what he's done. I I love that thought because he lives, we can live. We can live an abundant joyful life. And you know, even though we may have some difficulties in our life, we know that, you know, God being for us is ((music playing)) more than what's trying to stop us.

And I've learned, you know, as you as you celebrate God's goodness, you know, it does something in your mind, that grateful attitude. So, I I I know you probably came like that today, but if you didn't, if there's anything kind of trying to weigh you down, you know, worry can take place up here and guilt and what somebody said and Joel, I got this big challenge this week.

Why don't you empty out all the negative? You know what'll happen? God will fill you a fresh and a new with joy and peace and wisdom. We never want you to leave the same way you came. And I I do think there's something we we have to do.

And really, that's why we start the service off ((music playing)) with praise because we start thinking about the greatness of our God. And we thank him for rising from the dead. We thank him that he's fighting our battles. And I say this often, the bigger we make God, the smaller our problems become.

And the more faith rises in our hearts. So, we're going to make him big today. He's a resurrected savior. And very honored to have you with us this morning. Thanks for coming out, our beautiful online family, listening live on SiriusXM. But here's our prayer, our declaration that not one of us are going to leave the same way we came in.

We're going to go out of here with more joy and more victory in Jesus name. But thanks for coming out. Amen. That is so good. Happy Easter, church. We are so glad to celebrate with you this wonderful celebration of life and victory. You know, sometimes there's things in our life or obstacles in our way that we don't have the strength or the ability to move.

Have you ever faced something like that? Well, in the gospels, it talks about some women who were going to the tomb to put the say their final goodbyes, their unfinished business for Jesus. And he was in that tomb. And that tomb was sealed with a heavy stone. And they go they were going because they just thought,"I feel like we haven't said our goodbyes.

I feel like we haven't done enough." And as they were going, they were saying to themselves, it's recorded, "Who will roll away this stone for us?" See, the stone was so huge and so heavy that these women could not roll it away in their own strength. But when they got to that tomb, they discovered that that stone had already been rolled away, that Jesus had risen.

((applause)) what they could not do on their own, God did for them. And I want to remind you that is what Easter is all about. Things that you can't make happen on your own because of what Jesus did. His death, burial, and resurrection, he can do for us and wants to do for us.

So this morning, if you're facing some difficulties, maybe some things that seem impossible, know this. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead and rolled that stone away is still alive and it's still working today. In fact, Jesus is called our living hope. Sometimes hope seems dead.

It seems impossible. Can I remind us all today that that hope is living? That means no matter what's going on in your life, there's always hope. Cuz hope is not dead. Hope is alive and he is walking in your life. right now. So, we have something to celebrate.

Amen. We have the risen savior. So, as we go into this next portion of the service, let's just open our heart. Let's lift our voices and let's shout to the Lord, "Thank you for being my living hope. Thank you for doing what I couldn't do on my own.

Thank you that you're still rolling away stones. Thank you, Jesus, for what you want to do in my life." Amen. Father, we thank you for this time, this opportunity to worship together, to be together, Father, that we can say we serve our risen savior. Thank you for all you've done and all you're going to do.

And we want to feed this hope. We want to feed this faith of ((music playing)) ours. We want to connect with you. And it's all in the precious name of Jesus. And everyone said, "Amen." Thank the ((music playing)) Lord for the day that he has made. Thank the Lord for his goodness ((music playing)) and his grace.

Thank the Lord that ((music playing)) he always makes a way. Hallelujah. ((music playing)) Thank the Lord ((music playing)) that he chose to take the cross. Thank the Lord, for ((music playing)) the power in his blood. Thank ((music playing)) the Lord, for the wonders of his love. Hallelujah. ((music playing)) Isn't he faithful? Isn't he good? Isn't ((music playing)) he worthy? Somebody thank the Lord.

Give him the honor. ((music playing)) Give him the praise. All of the glory. Somebody ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Isn't he ((music playing)) worthy? Somebody thank the Lord. Give him the honor. Give him the ((music playing)) praise. All of the glory. Somebody ((music playing)) ((music playing)) praise. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) For your mercy endureth forever, all of heaven and earth shall proclaim. ((music playing)) [singing] Hallelujah. God be ((music playing)) praised for your miracle signs and your won—.

All the glory be unto ((music playing)) your name. Hallelujah ((music playing)) God be praised. For ((music playing)) your mercy endureth forever. ((music playing)) [singing] ((music playing)) [singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) There's ((music playing)) joy in the house of the Lord. A home where your soul is restored. Come on through the open door. Come on through the open door. There's ((music playing)) grace that abounds here and now.

A ((music playing)) place where new mercies are found. All are welcome in this house. All are welcome in this house. ((music playing)) Enter his gates with thanksgiving. Enter his ((music playing)) courts with praise. This is a [singing] house of worship. We bless his ((music playing)) holy name. Come and rejoice in his presence. Oh we won't leave the same.

This ((music playing)) is a house of worship. We bless, oh, we bless his holy ((music playing)) name. Let's go. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) For every ((music playing)) chain he's undone, for every breath in ((music playing)) rejoice, ((music playing)) rejoice again. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) [singing] ((music playing)) Enter His gates with thanksgiving. Enter his courts we praise, cuz this is a house of worship. We bless ((music playing)) his holy name.

((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Rejoice, rejoice again. Rejoice, rejoice again. ((music playing)) Rejoice again. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) [singing] He's our living hope today. So we lift our praise ((music playing)) to him. Wo ((music playing)) Let's sing together. Christ alone [singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Oh, [singing] ((music playing)) could we all sing it together this morning? Sing Christ alone, [singing] cornerstone, ((music playing)) weak [singing] made strong in the Savior's love. Through the storm [music and singing] He is the Lord, Lord [singing] of all.

One more time, ((music playing)) let me say, Christ the Lord [singing] Weak [music and singing] made strong Through the storm—through the ((music playing)) [singing] storm ((music playing)) Oh, Lord ((music playing)) of all. [singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Behold ((music playing)) the lamb of God. who takes ((music playing)) away our sin. Our each ((music playing)) and every breath belongs to Him. Behold the ((music playing)) emblem of the [music and singing] greatest love there is. A million ((music playing)) songs fall short, but still we sing.

((music playing)) Thank you for the cross. ((music playing)) Thank you [music and singing] for the cross. ((music playing)) Salvation [music and singing] is secure. It stands forevermore. Thank you ((music playing)) Thank you ((music playing)) ((music playing)) it ((music playing)) is finished [singing] Thank you Jesus ((music playing)) for your love [singing] has overcome. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Thank you Jesus. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) And though our [music and singing] sins are scarlet, you ((music playing)) made us [singing] white as snow. And though ((music playing)) our sins [singing] are scarlet, you ((music playing)) made [singing] us white as snow.

((music playing)) Hallelujah, what a Savior. Hallelujah, what ((music playing)) a friend. A friend we have in Jesus. Hallelujah, King forever. We thank you Lord. ((music playing)) We thank you for the cross. Hallelujah, ((music playing)) ((music playing)) forever. ((music playing)) We thank ((music playing)) you for the cross. Thank you, Jesus. ((music playing)) We thank you for the cross. Sing it again. ((music playing)) We thank you for the cross.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you—oh [music and singing] your grace. ((music playing)) We thank you for the cross, that it didn't stop there ((music playing)) cuz death could not hold you. The ((music playing)) veils are before you. You silence [singing] the boast of ((music playing)) sin and grave. The heavens are roaring. ((music playing)) The praise of your glory. For you are ((music playing)) [music and singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) [singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Jesus.

((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Lord Jesus, we love you today. Lord, we recognize the price that you paid to take our sins, our sicknesses, our failures. And Lord, we know it wasn't something easy, but you chose to do it. Lord, we thank you for the sacrifice you made, and we're here today to say we love you, Lord.

We celebrate what you've done and where you brought us to. And we thank you for rising from the dead. You hold all power in your hands. And Lord, you've chosen us before we could choose you. We gather on this Sunday that we call Resurrection Sunday just to remember specifically, Lord, all your goodness and your mercy and the the price that you paid.

And Lord, we're here to just thank you for what you've done in our lives and where you brought us to. But Lord, we we know you woke us up this morning and you gave us breath to breathe and life to live and none of us would be here without your goodness and your favor and your protection.

And so Lord, we thank you for that. We thank you for salvation, for eternal life, and just for all your goodness, Lord. We stand here this before you this morning to say it publicly. You're our Lord. You're our God. You're our savior. Make us and mold us into who you want us to be.

Lord, we put you first place in our lives. Our our decisions, we put them into your hands. Our health, our finances, our career, our children. ((music playing)) Lord, we put you first place. Let everything we do bring honor to your name. Lord, shine brightly through each one of us. Let us be bright lights wherever we go, at work, at school, Lord, that will be a a great blessing and a great witness, an example of your goodness and your mercy, sharing light and love and your your goodness with everyone we meet.

So, Lord, we just thank you for this day that you've made. And father, I thank you that as we're worshiping you this morning, ((music playing)) that every force that's tried to stop us has been broken in the name of Jesus. For you are a powerful God. And I thank you that chains of depression, anxiety, and mental illnesses.

Lord, any kind of sickness, and chronic pain, maybe it's addictions, bad habits, bad relationships, trauma from the past. Lord, I thank you today is a breakthrough day that you're doing what only you can do. But Lord, our eyes are upon you today. We know you didn't bring us this far to leave us where we are.

So we stir up our faith today. We believe not for a get by year, but for a blessed 2026, ((music playing)) a productive, healthy, favorfilled year. Lord, show out in our lives. Let us be a greater blessing wherever we go. And Lord, I do lift up those that are fighting battles in their health here in the building, watching and listening.

((music playing)) Lord, you said that by your stripes, we were healed. That you have paid the price. So Lord, I just speak healing to all those that need it. Lord, I thank you. You can even do what medicine cannot do. That you have the final say. So I thank you even now healing's flowing into all those that need it.

((music playing)) into our bones, our joints, our ligaments, our cells, our tissue. Lord, I say what you said with long life you will satisfy us that we will run and not be weary. Good health for your people. And Lord, not just physically, but I I lift up those that are in tough times and those that have gone through loss.

Father, you said you're close to the brokenhearted. ((music playing)) Let them feel your presence even now. even though it may feel like a dark time in their life. Lord, I thank you that light will come bursting in. That you have beauty for the ashes, that you are comforting them and giving them that peace that only you can give.

And Lord, I just thank you for fresh vision and fresh hope. And Lord, just new beginnings. You said weeping endures for a night, but joy is coming in the morning. So Lord, I thank you for the joy that's on the way in Jesus' name. Lord, you've done great things in the past and we are grateful.

But Lord, we believe, declare that the best is still yet to come. That we are victors and never victims in Jesus' name. And if you receive it, can you say amen today? So great to have you in the house of the Lord. Blessed and honored to have you.

We make a declaration of faith in every service. This is just to get in ((music playing)) tune with God and to remind ourselves who God says we are. So come on, say it like you mean it. Ready? I am blessed, prosperous, ((music playing)) redeemed, forgiven, whole, talented, creative, confident, secure, disciplined, focused, prepared, qualified, motivated, valuable, free, determined, equipped, ((music playing)) empowered, anointed, accepted, and approved.

Not average, not mediocre. I will become all God has created me. I will become all created in Jesus name. Amen and amen. All right, y'all. ((music playing)) Y'all messed up. I couldn't hear. I was daydreaming. Anyway, here we go. Y'all, it's blessed that we're blessed to have you in the house of the Lord.

Now, think about on Resurrection Sunday. One thing I think it's obvious, you know, God raised Jesus from the dead. But one principle we could take in our own life today is you know if God can do that he can resurrect dead things in your own life. And you know sometimes we we look at oh man joy my finances or my situation my health or or this relationship joy it's dead it's gone.

But you know don't ever rule out the power and the favor and the goodness of God. When you believe all things are possible. Come on let's be believers. Let's be let's be people that believe we'll become all that God's created us to be. And if you have something that looks impossible, I'm not saying to deny the facts and act like it's not there, but you know, here here's a good prayer.

God, I don't see a way, but God, I know you have a way. You know, God, you know, Victoria quoted that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of us. How about 2026? We see some resurrection power and God brings some dreams back to life or relationships back to life.

We believe you're going to have a blessed, favorfilled, productive 2026. And part of that is just the resurrection power that God has available to each one of us. Let's stay believers and not doubters. And we believe you're going to come to the end of this year and look back and say, "Look what the Lord has done.

God has shown out in my life." One more scripture before we pray. I was reading in Psalms this week and the psalmist said, "God, show me a sign of your favor so that my enemies will know you're on my side." I thought, man, that's a great prayer. We need to all pray that.

God, show us a sign of your favor this week. Not only to move us to our destiny, but so that other people will know that we serve the most high God. I'm praying, believing. You're going to see God surprise you and show you some signs of his favor.

What does that mean? Something you can't do, something you weren't expecting. It's the goodness of God. The scripture says, "Blessings chase the righteous." I just speak his blessing over each one of you today. A sign of of his favor. Maybe not in the sweet by and by. How about in 2026, God show out in our lives so we can be a bigger blessing.

But Jesus said, "My father's house will be called a house of prayer." So every service we like to take time to pray individually. During this next song, if you need prayer, there'll be pray prayer partners at the front of each section. Somebody love to pray for you. Anyone's welcome to come for prayer.

Rest of you, you're welcome to be seated if you'd like, but we'll take this mo next five, six minutes to pray for people watching online, our beautiful audience there, listening live on SiriusXM. Thanks for being with us. We love you guys. We're praying for you and Victoria's there to speak a blessing over you today.

It is so good to be with you this morning and we're excited that we can join our faith with yours to see God do amazing things. You know, we can never give up in prayer. We've got to know that prayer moves the hands that rule the world. And sometimes when we pray, we wonder, God, do you hear us?

But when we pray, we have to pray in faith. And we have to go, God, thank you for hearing us. and then making our requests known to him and thanking him. The Bible says to give thanks to him. And so that's what we want to do this morning.

We want to pray for your needs, but we want to thank him because he's done so much for us. He's given us a living hope in Jesus Christ. It's Easter and we're celebrating the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And I want you to know today that that resurrection power ((music playing)) is available for you today.

The spirit that is on the inside of you is stronger than anything that can come against you. The Bible says that the spirit of a man, that's your spirit. That it is what sustains the man. And so today, I want to speak strength of heart, strength of spirit to you.

I want to speak faith into you so that you will believe for better things and greater days because that's what we have to do. We have to feed our spirit. And that's what you're doing. You're listening to the word of God. You're in the presence of almighty God.

You're staying in that place where your spirit can become strong. So know today as you put your prayer requests in, believe and put them in with faith. If you need anything, whether it's financial difficulties, it's healing, relationships in your family, write it down in the chat, but write it in faith.

Even put a thank you Lord before you put what you need because God hears your faith. He sees your faith and he hears your faith. And what I mean by that is sometimes it's easy to say what we don't have, but when we begin to say what God can do, then God hears that faith.

So ((music playing)) this morning, I just want you to be encouraged that nothing is impossible with him. The same way that he rolled away the stone and he was risen from the grave, he can do things in your life ((music playing)) that seem impossible. We've already got a few prayer requests. We have uh requests for family Omar uh she he is requesting that we pray for his daughter ((music playing)) because she's going through this anxiety after the death of her grandmother.

So Omar, we're going to stand with you for your beautiful daughter ((music playing)) that this anxiety cannot stay that peace is going to blanket that anxiety that her grandmother would would not want her to to be in this place of anxiety. So, we're going to stand with you that she's going to ((music playing)) go past this the grieving period and she's going to go forward in faith.

We have Patty for her daughter to break a drug addiction. And so, we're going to stand with you, Patty, for your daughter as well. You know, when our family's not doing well as as parents or aunts and uncles or when when when the people in our life aren't doing well, man, it's it's hard because you can't fix it because you feel like your hands are tied, but they're never tied in prayer.

You when you pray, you are releasing your faith and God's hands are never tied. So, just untie your hands and say, "God, I'm giving it to you. I believe." So, we're going to stand with Omar and with Patty right now ((music playing)) and with you. If you have family members who are who are struggling with an addiction or maybe a disease or maybe they just need to find God again, let's just pray right now.

Father, I thank you that you love our families and that God, you are going after our family members that are far off. Father, if they're in things that they shouldn't be in, if they're in different lifestyles or they're hooked on a habit, Father, you can break it. We're asking you to send labors across their path.

We're asking you to by the power of your Holy Spirit to break those chains of addiction to heal their bodies. Father, to restore back to them what they need. Father, we're asking you in Jesus' name for Omar's daughter and Patty's daughter and all those who are listening, Father, to build relationships and families again.

And Father, do what only you can ((music playing)) do. Restore. Bring health, Father. bring finances and bring whatever they need in the name of Jesus. And I also want to pray for Valerie and Michelle. Michelle's having surgery in April and Valerie ((music playing)) is fighting lymphoma. And I don't know if there's sickness in your body, but let's just pray because it's by the stripes of Jesus.

It's when he hung on that cross, he took stripes. He took whips that that that striped his body for us, the Bible says. And read the scriptures ((music playing)) about what those what those stripes and those lashes did. It took on him the things that we fight. So let's just say thank you for putting them back on him.

You resist them. We're giving them to him because ((music playing)) he bore them and he can handle them and he can heal you. So Father, I thank you that you're healing every person out there. The sound of my voice or their family members. Father, you're healing them, restoring health back to them.

Father, I thank you that ((music playing)) symptoms have to go in the mighty name of Jesus. By the stripes of Jesus, you are ((music playing)) healed. We're going to stand in faith with you. We're going to believe. This is a new beginning. This is Easter. This is resurrection time. Get that faith in your heart.

We're going to stand in faith with you. We're not going to break our agreement. ((music playing)) We want you to know how much we love you. And it's all in the name of Jesus. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) That's why that's why I ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) [singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((cheering)) ((applause)) Long before there was a cross. Long before there was an empty grave, it was foretold, spoken, written, set in motion.

But for the people of that day, it didn't feel clear. It didn't look like what they expected. It felt uncertain. It felt confusing. But nothing is ever a surprise to God. He always knows. He always sees. And he's never trying to figure it out as he goes. And in Isaiah chapter 55, God pulls back the curtain and he lets us see how he works.

Not how we think he works, but how he actually moves. He says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are my ways your ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways. As high as the sky stretches above us.

That is the distance between what we see and what God is doing. And then he brings it a little bit closer as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return without watering the earth. Picture that rain falling onto dry ground, seeping in where no one can see, but quietly changing everything.

So this is my word that goes out from my mouth and it will not return to me empty. Not one word wasted, not one promise forgotten. He says it will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You see, when God speaks, it establishes.

When God speaks, it settles. Before there was a cross, before there was an empty grave, there was already a word, a promise set in motion. And if God said it, it's already done. So be it. ((music playing)) [singing] And when ((music playing)) heaven touches earth, it can never be reversed. It's the kingdom [singing] come.

So get ((music playing)) the liars out the way. They don't have the final say. There is only [singing] one. Sovereign and supreme. Every ((music playing)) word he speaks is holy. The lamb ((music playing)) of God has overcome. My testimony is his blood. ((music playing)) And if you say that it is done, it is done. [music and singing] ((music playing)) [singing] the throne who cannot be overthrown.

Sing hallelujah ((music playing)) To the last [singing] and the first, ruler of the universe. Sing ((music playing)) hallelujah. To the alpha, omega, [singing] the master, the maker ((music playing)) , the name above. Every other name, give him all the praise. ((music playing)) He's holy. The lamb of God has ((music playing)) overcome. My testimony is his blood. ((music playing)) And if He said [singing] that it is done, it is done.

So be ((music playing)) ((music playing)) they have ((music playing)) no power ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Hundreds of years before these events ((music playing)) would take place, Isaiah writes, "He was despised and rejected. a man of sorrows acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. Yet it was our weaknesses that he ((music playing)) carried. It was our sorrows that weighed him down.

We thought his troubles were a punishment from God. But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our ((music playing)) sins. He was beaten so that we could be whole, whipped so that we could be healed. All of us like sheep have strayed away. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

See these words, they hold a lot of hurt from his ((music playing)) pain physically to our pain spiritually. See, I'm glad that we can take a moment, a sigh of relief, get to exhale. We get to have a hope that's an anchor for our soul. Why? Because we committed the crimes, but Jesus ((music playing)) stepped in to serve the sentence.

We ruined the relationship, but he was the one to step in. rebuild and restore it. We built the debt with our sins, but he cut the check that covered ((music playing)) the cost. I'm grateful. Why? Because we no longer have anything to worry about. He didn't wasn't surprised by these moments at all.

This was not news to God. 700 years before these events would take place, Isaiah ((music playing)) prophesied it, but God purposed it from the very beginning. Isaiah saw it coming. But God saw it complete. This wasn't news. This wasn't a surprise at all. This wasn't a plot twist at all.

As a matter of fact, it was a part of his manuscript. ((music playing)) See, let that be an encouragement to us. Cuz we may have to wait on a word. But we don't have to worry about whether or not the word is going to come to pass. Why? Because God doesn't just make statements.

God makes promises. And when he says it, ((music playing)) it will happen. So Jesus figures the pain of the cross is far less than the pain of not having a relationship with me and with you. So he died. He said, "I'll die and I'll get up." And the whole time he had you and I in mind, church, every single word, every prophecy declared, every word that was spoken, every promise was intentional.

God said it and it will happen. I am so grateful. And I wonder if there's anybody else in the room that would be grateful to serve a God that keeps his word. So this resurrection Sunday, let's remember that God has the final say. ((music playing)) And when he says it, it's settled.

It is finished. ((applause)) From a throne ((music playing)) to a cross, who would pay such a price for ((music playing)) the sin of the world? Here's your king crucified. ((music playing)) See the nails in his hands. See the wounds ((music playing)) in his side. See the crown ((music playing)) that ((music playing)) prophesy. That it [singing] was not the ((music playing)) end. Wipe the tears from your eyes.

Don't forget that he said ((music playing)) he will rise. [singing] He's alive. He's alive. He's alive. He's alive. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) Growing up, the environment I was living in started to shape me in a very rebellious way. There was a lot of drug activity. There was a lot of gang activity, graffiti on the wall every time I would walk home from school.

I did not feel safe at all, but it was ((music playing)) life. It was a norm to me. So eventually it was who I ((music playing)) became. I had no respect for an authority. I'm disruptive in school. I'm fighting. Then I end up in ((music playing)) criminal activity and going to juvenile detention center at 14 years old. 1960.

I was like, well, this is this is life. ((music playing)) And I was at a crossroads when I [clears throat] was 16 years old. It was my third time in the detention center. I thought I'm just going to get a slap on my hand. I'll go home again with probation. But that wasn't the case for me.

I was facing a ((music playing)) felony charge. If I was to be found guilty or condemned, I would be in adult prison ((music playing)) as a minor. I didn't sign up for that. But it dawned on me that my choices brought me here. After about 4 months, things were getting ((music playing)) very serious.

Attorneys were talking to me, psychologists were talking to me just to evaluate me how I was doing because I got into like some type of depression. Pastor Joel was a huge um vessel in God's hands to give me hope ((music playing)) and to give me inspiration in my hopeless situation. the detention officers would leave the the broadcasting station on for me.

((music playing)) And it's like every night there was something that was giving me hope. There was something that was tugging in my heart like, "Hey, your ((music playing)) past is the past. What's ahead of you is beyond what you can imagine with God." Let me declare it over you. Despite the delays, the setbacks, how you were raised, you're still going to live a blessed, fulfilled, victorious life. even in the jail cell, God can speak to you.

And I prayed to God and it was in that moment that I I asked him for forgiveness and I asked him ((music playing)) to please give me one more chance. And I felt his presence come into that place in that cell and just embrace me, you know, the broken me, the little girl that didn't have a dad.

And it was like ((music playing)) God was telling me, "I love you. I'm here. And it was in that moment where things started ((music playing)) to change and letters came pouring in from outside organizations or entities ((music playing)) that knew me. They would speak so highly of me when I thought the less of me.

The judge, I really feel like it was the embodiment of God's mercy and ((music playing)) grace in him where he didn't see me as a criminal. He didn't see me as a lost case. He said, "I'm going to give you an opportunity and I'm going to give you a chance."

And it was in that moment where I was given freedom. I did come ((music playing)) back to my same environment and the environment didn't change but I did. What happened to me in that center really changed my life. ((music playing)) So what I'm doing today, I am a prayer outreach specialist with KSBJ and on the prayer and care line, we are praying for countless people who are in dire ((music playing)) situations.

I visit juvenile detention centers and I share my story to these young kids. ((music playing)) I used to be in their shoes. It doesn't matter where you're at. It doesn't matter hopeless your situation may be. There's so much hope in Jesus and there's restoration power in him. God is hope and in Jesus Christ there is new ((music playing)) life.

That's so beautiful. ((applause)) Yesenia. Yesenia is right here on the front row. Come on, you got to stand up for us, can you? Oh, she's weeping, but what a beautiful story. You don't have to stand. What a beautiful story. Come on, y'all. Welcome her to Lakewood and tell her how proud we are of her.

So good. So good, Yesenia, we love you. ((applause)) We're proud of you. I know that was a fight of faith, but man, Yesenia, you broke you broke generational bondages. You're you're setting a new standard for you and your family. And you know, it's not where you start, it's where God can take you.

And so, you got to let her story inspire you as well. May not be the same circumstances, but really, it just shows us that God has the final say. that when you believe, God sends the right people and you take that step of faith and you know what, God can do great things in your life as well.

But we celebrate that. But none of this would happen without you guys because you know it goes out through the media all over the world and we do a lot of humanitarian outreaches as well. So we want to thank you. We we take a moment every service to worship the Lord with our tithes and our offerings.

We'll we'll receive our donations today. And we just always want to thank you and like to show you the stories to let you know you're sewing it into good ground. It's all about how can we impact the world God's given us. And you know together we can make a a great difference.

And I love what the scripture says. The world of the generous gets larger and larger. I think of Lakewood people because you guys are generous with your time serving, attending, helping others with your finances as well. you support the ministry and think you know naturally you think well wait a minute if I give I'm going to have less but that's not the way God works ((music playing)) when you give when you sew your time your energy your finances God knows how to give it back to you pressed down shaken together running over our prayer for each one of you is ((music playing)) you know because you stay faithful your world is going to get larger and larger that means you know greater relationships and greater in your career more influence and just more opportunity and I mean look we're in the former a compact center.

We never thought we'd be here, but you know, this is this is what God can do when you keep in first place. And you know, you take it to your own life. This was for the church, but how about for your own life? We believe, declare your world's going to get larger and larger.

Stay faithful. Thanks for supporting the ministry and allowing us together to impact people all over the world. That's so good. You know, I think about giving like this. When we give, we're we're not just giving, but this giving is living. That means it doesn't end in this very moment.

It goes on. It has a ripple effect. There are people that you will never meet that were touched by your giving. There's generational lines that will be blessed because of your giving. You see, you may not know this on earth, but I bet you'll know it someday in heaven.

But it is a it's a living giving. So I just want to encourage you that not only does your giving give life, but your giving brings life. It brings joy. It brings peace. It brings, you know, satisfaction to your own soul. So think about your giving not as here it goes, but as I'm just giving something, but think about it in faith and saying, God, I'm not just releasing my money.

I'm releasing life. I'm releasing life. I'm releasing life because you're very, very important to the kingdom of God. And the things ((music playing)) that you do make a huge impact not only on others, but on your in your own life and in your own family. So today, I just want to encourage you.

You're releasing life. You know what? You're storing up treasure in heaven. God is writing it all down, and he's got you covered. So, you got to know today that you are important to him. You're important to us. And we just want to thank you for all you do.

Yes. Beautiful. Victoria, Lord, thank you for our generous givers here in the building and listening. Lord, we recognize everything we have comes from you. For you've given us life and gifts and opportunities and resources. And Lord, as we give, we don't do it because we have to. ((music playing)) We do it to honor you, to build your kingdom, to put you first place.

And father, I ((music playing)) just pray what you promised that your people's world will get larger and larger. That they live under the open windows of heaven. That you ((music playing)) pour out blessings. Lord, we know the economy is not our source. You are our source. Lord, I thank you. You'll give your people ideas and creativity, wisdom, inventions.

Lord, bring them contracts and opportunities. Let their gifts and talents come ((music playing)) out to the full. Let them excel Lord God and shine brightly so we can build your kingdom. We love you Lord. We give not in our name but in the name of Jesus in Jesus name. Amen and amen.

God bless you today as you give. Here are some ways that you can give using your smartphone. Scan the ((music playing)) QR code located on the screen. Then select the online giving option that is most convenient for you or go to lakewoodurch.com/give. Text give hope to 77977. ((music playing)) Mail a check to P.O.

Box 27450, Houston, Texas 77227. Or call us ((music playing)) toll-free at 888-567 Joel. ((music playing)) Oh, happy ((music playing)) day. Oh, happy day ((music playing)) when Jesus was. ((music playing)) Oh, when he was. When Jesus was, he washed ((music playing)) my sins away. Oh, Happy day. Oh, happy day. Oh, happy day. ((music playing)) Oh, happy day. Oh, happy day. ((music playing)) When Jesus was Oh, when he wash.

Oh, when Jesus ((music playing)) was, he washed my sins away. Oh, happy day. ((music playing)) Oh, [singing] happy day. ((music playing)) He taught me how [singing] ((music playing)) Good God. Oh ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) my God. ((music playing)) Oh God. Oh [singing] ((music playing)) happy day. Oh happy day. [singing] Oh happy day. When Jesus was. When Jesus was, ((music playing)) when Jesus was. When Jesus was, when ((music playing)) he was, he washed my sins away.

I'll be washed ((music playing)) in the water. Washed in the blood. I'm as good as new. Oh, hallelujah. I'm washed in the water. Washed in the blood. All because [music and singing] of you. Oh, come on. I'll be washed in the water. Washed in ((music playing)) the blood. I'm as good as new. Oh, hallelujah.

((music playing)) All [singing] because of you. Come on. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) I've been washed in ((music playing)) the water. ((music playing)) I've been ((music playing)) washed ((music playing)) [music and singing] Hallelujah. Praise God. Come on. Are you glad to be at Lakewood on a resurrection Sunday today? ((applause)) Well, we are honored to have you. Do you mind all standing one last time? But can I tell you how honored we are to have you?

The service would not be as good today if you had not have come. So, we welcome you. That person on your left and on your right, they are a VIP. They are full of God. They're goodlooking. They're full of faith. You're sitting by somebody very important. And we we love you guys.

Thanks for being a part. Y'all know this, but we're kind of wild out here at Lakewood. We celebrate all the time. But here's what I've learned. Your new week goes better when you put God first place. And I know you're all busy. You work hard. You got things you're dealing with.

But here you are in the house of the Lord. So the scripture says when you're planted in the house of the Lord, you will flourish. So, you know, life can be distracting now, but stay planted. Keep your children planted in the house of the Lord as well. You know, like I said, life goes better. and we love having you here and we just speak in blessings over each one of you.

Hey guys, if you've never been baptized in water, I would be honored to do that this Saturday. We do it twice a year and I would be honored to baptize you in water. ((applause)) It's just, you know, it's celebrating the death, burial, and resurrection of of your old life.

You're leaving the old in the past and you're coming up new. It's what Easter's all about. I know some have been baptized, you know, years ago when they're a little baby, may not not remember or some people got away from the Lord and they want to do it again, but we'd be honored.

You just sign up and we'll tell you when to come. But again, we would be honored to to baptize you. Last thing is I've got a new book out. I do a new book once or twice a year. I got a new book out. I'm proud of it.

It's called Rediscovering the Forgotten You. And we'll talk more about it, but um I'm not going to brag on myself there, Johnny. I don't want to brag on my books, but it's good, y'all. [laughter] Well, we are honored to have you here. If you're visiting, special welcome to you.

If you got time, I'd love to meet you in the lobby afterwards if you got a moment. But, uh, just blessed to have every everybody here today. I'm going to ask you, when you see yourself on the big screen, would you give our TV audience a great big Lakewood welcome?

God bless you. It's great to be with you today. And I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, and social media. and you can come visit us in person. We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services.

But I like to start with something funny. And someone sent me this interesting observation from the book of Genesis. Goes like this. In the beginning, God created the earth, then rested. Then God created man and rested. Next, God created women and since then neither God nor man has rested.

A lady asked my father, "Where would you men be without us women?" My father smiled and said, "In the Garden of Eden." All right, y'all say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have.

I can do what it says I can do. Today, I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same. I'm about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, everliving seed of the word of God. I'll never be the same.

Never, never, never. I'll never be the same in Jesus' name. God bless you. If you'd like to open your Bibles to John chapter 20 and verse 24, we'll put scriptures on the screen as well. John 20 24. But don't forget this afternoon at 2:00 we have a great Spanish-sp speakaking service.

An amazing team. I see Talia sitting over there. What a singer he is. Worship leader. But Monday night we got the Bible study. Wednesday we're back on person. If you want to come, we have a couple thousand people. It's a fantastic hour service. Love to have you. Plus the youth.

The junior high meet on Wednesday and a lot of good things. But again, honored to have you. I want to talk to you today about dare to believe. There are times in life when our faith is high and we're filled with great expectation and we're pursuing dreams and seeing doors open, making progress.

Then life happens. Person walks away, a contract falls through, the medical report isn't good. [crying] We were so close. It's like we could grasp it, but now it doesn't seem possible. All of us face these moments when life doesn't make sense. or what we were hoping for didn't happen.

Our prayers weren't answered. It's easy to get discouraged. That's when doubt comes. Whispers, "You must have heard God wrong. You'll never get well. Never see your family restored. It's too late to accomplish your dreams." No, God wouldn't have put that dream in your heart. He wouldn't have given you that promise if he wasn't going to fulfill it.

You're not going to understand the plan of God in real time. We look at what's happening now, but God knows what's coming later on. His ways are not our ways. His plans are better and bigger than our plans. If you try to understand everything that's happening in that one season, you're going to be frustrated because God is doing things now that are setting you up for something much better later on.

He may have to close a door, move a person out of the way, or take you through this detour, this difficulty. I don't understand this. God, where are you? Why did this happen? Faith is all about trusting when you don't understand. Doing the right thing when you have unanswered questions, when it doesn't make sense.

All your emotions will say, "Be disappointed. Live in self-pity, give up on your dream. No, come back to that place of peace, that place of trust. God is ordering your steps. He is the author of your story. He has planned your days for good and not for harm.

And yes, there may be some seasons you don't understand. And seasons of struggle where what was working is not working anymore. Seasons of silence you're praying, doing the right thing, nothing's changing. seasons of closed doors, disappointments, where it looks like it's canceled your dream, but God wouldn't have allowed it if it was going to stop your purpose.

It looks like a setback. The truth is, it's setting you up for something you've never seen. Dare to believe. Dare to trust him when it doesn't make sense. When you don't understand. When doubt comes bombarding your mind, telling you it's too late. It's over. It's never going to happen.

No. What God started, he's going to finish. What he promised you is still on the schedule. No disappointment can stop him. No sickness, no bad break. God has the final say. He has you in the palm of his hand. He sees you doing the right thing when it's hard.

He sees you praising when you could be complaining and staying in faith when all the circumstances say you should be discouraged. Your time is coming. You're going to see God show out in your life. Jesus told Peter, "You don't realize what I'm doing now, but later on you will understand."

We get frustrated cuz we're trying to figure out now. Why did that door close? Why' they do me wrong? Why am I in this trouble? Well, stay in faith. You're later on is coming. You're going to see it was all a part of God's plan. What you thought was a disappointment was necessary for you to step in to who you were created to be.

This is what Thomas had to deal with. He left everything to follow Jesus and became one of the 12 disciples. For three years, he saw Jesus walking in power, favor, huge crowds gathering. He was there when Jesus healed the blind, cured the lepers, multiplied the food. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the chosen one.

He'd seen it firsthand. But the Jewish people in that day believed the Messiah would overthrow the Roman government, free them from oppression and restore Israel back to the glory days, from when David sat on the throne. They expected Jesus to rule and to reign, to defeat the enemies.

Things didn't turn out the way they thought. Instead of overthrowing Rome, Jesus was crucified by the Romans. Instead of sitting on a throne, he hung on a cross. Instead of this huge victory, they saw this great defeat. Their world was shattered. They were confused. They had questions. Thomas thought, "Man, did I waste my time?

Did I spend three years believing a lie? Was I fooled? Was he not who he said he was?" You can imagine how heartbroken and disappointed. But what Thomas couldn't see right then was this was all the plan of God. It had to happen. If it had worked out the way Thomas wanted, we wouldn't have salvation.

We wouldn't have redemption, eternal life. Thomas wanted Jesus to change the government. God wanted Jesus to change the world. Thomas wanted freedom from Rome. God wanted freedom from sin. Thomas wanted a temporary kingdom, God wanted an eternal kingdom. Thomas wanted a throne in Jerusalem, God wanted a throne on our hearts.

What looked like a setback, them crucifying Jesus was really a setup for us to have an abundant, victorious life. What am I saying? You can't always see the plan of God in the present. It's not always going to make sense. God is doing things we can't comprehend that are much better than we can imagine.

We get discouraged and think, "Man, Joel, this is not what I thought would happen. This company didn't treat me right after all these years. This friend betrayed me. My loved one didn't make it." You don't know what God is up to. Things are happening behind the scenes that you can't see right now.

They crucified Jesus on that Friday and put him in the tomb. They thought it was over. All the forces of darkness were celebrating, having a big party. But on Sunday morning, it was a different story. They got the surprise of their life. Jesus came up out of the grave and he said, "I am he that lives.

I was dead, but I'm alive forever more. By the way, I have the keys of death and hell." He rose in great victory. But the truth is Jesus didn't like going through that suffering season when he was mocked, betrayed, and beaten. He sweat great drops of blood. He said, "Father, if you will take this cup from me."

He knew it was going to be painful, but he trusted the plan of God. He understood that it had to happen. There are some levels you can only get to by going through difficult seasons. The key is don't focus on your crucifixion, so to speak. You have to believe that your resurrection is coming.

It may be Friday in your life today. Things you don't understand. You could be discouraged. Why is this happening? God is up to something. Your Sunday is coming. Something that you can't see right now. It's going to launch you into a new level of your destiny. When my father went to be with the Lord, 77 years old, he had a heart attack and suddenly passed.

And I didn't understand that. I thought daddy would live another 20 years. We were best friends and now he was gone. Felt like everything was upside down, like this was the end. But I soon realized it was all a part of God's plan. I never had ministered before.

I'd been behind the scenes for 17 years and my father tried to get me up here again and again. I always told him no. But when he passed, I suddenly had the desire to step up and pastor the church. I didn't know any of this was in me.

I didn't think I could minister. But there are gifts and talents God has put in you. And sometimes he has to push you into your destiny. the struggle, the disappointment, things you don't understand. It's going to launch you into a new level of your purpose. We see the moment, but God sees the whole story.

We don't like Friday, but stay in faith. Sunday is coming. The scripture says to lean not to your own understanding. Things are going to happen that we don't understand. It's because our understanding is limited. We are natural. God is supernatural. He said we haven't seen, heard, or imagined what he has in store.

What he's planning, you can't see right now. Where he's taking you, it may not happen by traditional ordinary ways. He's going to do things uncommon that you haven't thought of, bigger than you had planned. Had Jesus done what the disciples wanted and become that political messiah and overthrown the government, we wouldn't have a savior, his ways are better than our ways.

Trust him when it doesn't make sense. On that Sunday evening, after they crucified Jesus, the disciples were in a room locked behind closed doors. They were afraid of the Jewish leaders and what would happen after the crucifixion. Would they be next? When Jesus suddenly appeared to them, standing right in the middle and talked with them, you can imagine how they were in awe.

Well, Thomas wasn't there that night. They rushed out to find him. Couldn't wait to tell him the good news. They said, "Thomas, we've seen the Lord. He's alive." They thought, of course, he'd be excited. But Thomas was a little more analytical. He was logical, practical. He had questions.

This didn't make sense. He was crucified. How could he be alive? That's not possible. He answered them back, "Unless I see the nail prints in his hands, unless I touch the wounds in his side, I'm not going to believe." It wasn't so much that Thomas was lacking faith or he wasn't committed enough.

It's that he didn't want to be hurt again. that disappointment, that loss was so painful. He couldn't deal with anything more. And sometimes when we've been through hurts and plans haven't worked out, it's tempting to lower our expectations, don't get our hopes up. It's easier to not believe and just accept it.

Joel, I doubt that I can get well now, but man, I can live with this sickness. Or I doubt I'll ever be free from this addiction. It's been so long, but I can handle it. I doubt that I'll meet the right person. I doubt I'll ever see abundance, the open windows of heaven.

That's right where Thomas was. He thought, "Man, I've grieved this loss. I've accepted it's not going to happen. And I'm okay with the disappointment. You may be okay, but God's not okay. He loves you too much to let you miss your destiny. You may have given up on a dream, but God has not given up.

When you won't go to him, he'll come to you. A week later, the disciples were in a room again. This time, Thomas was there. The door was locked, deadbolted. All of the sudden, Jesus came walking through the door. They were standing there in astonishment. Jesus walked right past Peter, past John, Matthew, James, and he went straight to Thomas.

He bypassed all the people who had faith and went to the one person that had doubt. He didn't speak to the believers. He went to the one man that didn't believe. He reached out his hands, said, "Thomas, touch my nail prints." He turned his body. "Thomas, touch the wounds in my side."

God was showing us that doubt doesn't disqualify you. Jesus could have said, "Oh, fine, Thomas. I don't need you anymore. I'll find somebody else that'll believe." Good riddance. But God doesn't write you off because you don't have enough faith. You have questions, things you don't understand. The enemy will try to bring condemnation.

You're not strong enough. You're not committed enough. Why are you doubting? You're doubting because you're human. It doesn't mean that you're going to miss God's plan. You're not going to see his goodness. God knows your heart. There may be doubt in your head, but in your heart, you love God.

You want to believe. You're trying to stay in faith. God will come to you even in your doubt. He knows the struggles are real. Disappointments can weigh us down. People that do us wrong, doors close, that can be discouragement, bring questions. I must have heard God wrong. He's not saying if you're Superman, if you never doubt, you never have a down moment, then I'll help you.

Then I'll show you favor. No. Even in the doubts, God is looking for you. He's coming your way. When my mother was fighting terminal cancer, she told how she would wake up in the middle of the night and so worried and fearful, all these thoughts telling her that it was over and there was no way to get well. and she would get a little discouraged and even confused trying to stay in faith, but doubt was so real and so strong.

She told my father, "John, I feel bad that I'm doubting, trying my best, but these negative thoughts keep weighing me down." My father told her, Dodie, you're doubting in your mind, but in your heart, you believe God. In your spirit, you know that healing is coming. We all know that God works when we have faith.

But what I want you to see is God is so good. He'll meet you in your doubt. When you have questions, when you feel confused, when things happen that you don't understand. Now, I love how Jesus walked through a closed door. He didn't knock. He didn't go to the window.

He didn't try to push the door open. He simply walked through the door. You may have doors that are locked in your life, so to speak. Things that seem impossible, in your health, your finances, your dream, no way in the natural. The good news is there's not a door that God can't walk through, not a sickness he can't heal, not an addiction he can't break, not a child he can't turn around.

You have the most powerful force in the universe on your side. But maybe today you're like Thomas and things haven't turned out the way you thought and you're looking at it in real time and it doesn't make sense. The medical report is not good and now you're doubting whether you'll get well.

You had that breakup and now you're doubting if you'll ever meet anyone or you lost that client. You're doubting if your business can make it. You're right where Thomas was. The door is locked, deadbolted. Odds are against you. What you can't see is God is about to walk through that door.

It's going to be supernatural. You couldn't make it happen. It's the hand of God doing what only he can do. You see, Resurrection Sunday is not just about Jesus rising from the dead. That's that's the most important thing. But if Jesus can walk out of a tomb, he can walk into your doubt.

Dare to trust him. Dare to believe. It may not make sense right now, but he's working behind the scenes. His plan is better than your plan. It may be Friday in your life, but Sunday is coming. Something that launches you into your destiny. Jesus told the disciples in John chapter 16, "It's better for you if I go away.

That way, the Holy Spirit can come." Well, they couldn't understand that in real time. Nothing could be positive about Jesus leaving. He was their leader, their teacher, their Messiah. They had seen all the miracles, all the good that he had done. This made no sense that it would be better if he left.

It's because they couldn't see the plan of God. They didn't know what was coming. See, before Jesus rose again, the Holy Spirit only lived in certain people, the prophets and priests. In the Old Testament, David would tell his men, "Go to the prophet and ask him what God wants us to do."

When you made mistakes, you had to go find a priest to make a sacrifice for your sins. They were dependent on other people for guidance and protection. Everything in the disciples reasoning said, "Jesus leaving is a bad thing. This is not what we expected. With him not here, we'll be less effective."

But it was just the opposite. When Jesus left, he sent the Holy Spirit to live on the inside of each one of us. Now we don't have to go to a prophet. We don't have to find a priest, a minister, a pastor. We are temples of the most high God.

The Holy Spirit is in you right now leading you, guiding you. He's called your counselor, your advocate, your helper. That's why Jesus said, "It's better for you that I go away." Sometimes God will remove things we don't understand. He'll close doors or move someone out of our life.

We don't like it. Nothing in our logic can see how it's a good thing. You don't understand it now, but later on you will. God is doing things you can't see. And he's going to take you where you've never been. Trust him when it doesn't make sense. Don't fight everything you don't like.

God is smarter than we are. If he's closing a door or doing something you don't understand, be mature enough to say, "God, I trust you. You know what's best for me. I may not like this. I may be in a crucifixion right now, but I believe my resurrection is coming."

Thomas became known as doubting Thomas. We were taught in Sunday school, don't be like Thomas. He didn't have enough faith. He had to have proof. But do you know how long Thomas doubted? Was it for a year, 5 years, 30 years? He's got this nickname. This lasted 2,000 years.

No. Thomas doubted for eight days. It was 8 days from the time they told him Jesus had risen until the moment Jesus walked in the room. Eight days. And thousands of years later, people are still calling him doubting Thomas. What's my point? People will try to label you by one bad moment, by one failure, one tough season, one breakup.

Do yourself a favor. Take off those labels, weak Thomas, addicted Thomas, divorced Thomas, compromising Thomas. That's not who you are. That was one moment of your life. You may have failed, but you are not a failure. That's what you did. That's not who you are. You may have doubted, but you're not a doubter.

Don't let that label become permanent. You may struggle with an addiction, but you are not an addict. You are a child of the most high God. Don't let people label you. Let God label you. We call him doubting Thomas. You know what God calls him? Believing Thomas. Forgiven Thomas.

Blessed Thomas. Now, you may need to take off some labels today. Unattractive, damaged, hurt, compromiser. Don't let that define your future. Every person has had a moment of doubt, a moment of compromise that we wish we could undo. If we could go back, we'd do better. If Thomas had another chance, he would have believed right at first.

But it happened. You can't change the past, but you don't have to let it define you. Now, the enemy is an expert with labels. He'd love to deceive you into wearing that doubting label. Inferior, shame, washed up, unworthy. Take off those labels. You are who God says you are.

Blessed, valuable, worthy, a masterpiece. See, people may define you by what you did, but God defined you by what Jesus did. He made you worthy. He made you righteous. He calls you his own child, his prized possession. And this is really a good lesson for all of us.

Don't judge people by one event. Don't label them by one bad season. I can't believe they did that. If it wasn't for the grace of God, you could have done it, too. It wasn't just your discipline, your focus, it was the mercy of God helping you. Don't be self-righteous.

Holier than that. Well, I've never done that. No, our righteousness comes from God. Walk humbly. Recognize it's his mercy and his grace keeping us on course. The mercy you show others is the mercy God is going to show you. This is what Lakewood is all about. People walk in here shortcomings, addictions, compromise, doubt.

But we don't call you by what you've done. We call you by who God says you are. Not doubting Thomas. That was eight days. But believing Thomas. Not addicted Thomas, but free Thomas. Not ashamed Thomas, but worthy Thomas. Not failing Thomas, but victorious Thomas. Well, Thomas is probably most known for his doubt.

But that wasn't the end of the story. That eight eight days got a lot of attention. But what we don't hear a lot about is Thomas took the gospel further than any other disciple. Peter, James, John, they went to Rome, Greece, Judea. Thomas went to India, to another continent 3,000 miles away.

The man who doubted, God used to go the furthest. I've been to India many times with my father and everywhere you go, you meet a Thomas. Churches are named after Thomas. Parents name their sons Thomas. There are groups called St. Thomas Christians that trace their faith back to Thomas 2,000 years ago.

Yes, Thomas had a season of doubt, but he didn't let it define him. He went on to live a lifetime of faith. Because of that, millions of people in India, generations later are still hearing about the goodness of God. The enemy would love to convince you that your doubts, your failures, what's happened in the past, that's tainted your future.

Man, just sit on the sidelines. Don't believe those lies. God is coming to you with love, with mercy, with forgiveness. Not to just make it through, but like with Thomas, to go further, to leave your mark. The best part of your life is still in front of you.

Jesus said to Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. But blessed are those who have not seen yet will believe." That's you and me. We haven't seen. We weren't there in person. we weren't able to touch to feel. Yet you're here. You're honoring God. You're putting him first place.

You are blessed because you believe and you haven't seen. Maybe like Thomas, you've had some seasons of doubt, wondering, questions that didn't disqualify you. If God can use Thomas, he can use you. Maybe you're in a situation now. It doesn't make sense. Feels like you're going backwards. God is up to something behind the scenes.

You don't understand it now, but trust him. Later on, you will. His plan will unfold into something better than you've ever imagined. If Thomas were here today, he would tell you, "Take off the negative labels. Don't be defined by one event, by one bad season. Don't let that sour the rest of your life.

Move forward in faith. Your destiny is waiting. Your children are counting on you. Relatives in heaven, those that have gone before you, they are cheering you on right now. This is your moment. This is your time to shine. Dare to believe. If you'll do this, I believe and declare like Thomas, doubt is not going to stop you.

It's going to launch you further and higher. It may be Friday in your life, but get ready. Sunday is coming. healing, favor, breakthroughs, the fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name. And if you receive it, can you say amen today? Let's pray together. If you have a minute, if you don't mind sticking with me, I'd like to seal it in prayer.

Lord, I thank you for what we've heard today. You see everybody here and watching, listening that came out to honor you, to celebrate your resurrection. We recognize you're our savior. Lord, help us to go out of here full of faith. You know, letting go of the doubt, knowing that you still love us, that you're pleased with us, that you still have a bright future.

Lord, we're going to trust you even with unanswered questions. We're not going to get stuck in that. But we believe, Father, you're doing things that we can't see. Help us to stay in faith. Help us to honor you. Thank you for your Holy Spirit rising up and big in all of us to step up to who you have created us to be.

Lord, as your people go out this week to work, to school, thank you that your angels are watching after them, keeping them from evil and harm. With our heads bowed in prayer, just a quick question. If your hearts stop beating in the next few minutes, are you at peace with God?

Do you know where you'd spend eternity if you died a little while from now? If not, I would love to pray with you. I'm not here to condemn anybody. I'm here to help you find a new beginning. I know this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. in just a moment.

If you're not if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian, but you've grown cold toward God and you need to rededicate, recommmit your life, you need that fresh new start. If that's you, in just a moment, I'm going to ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together.

And I can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now, Resurrection Sunday. God is not mad at you. Your sins have already been forgiven. All you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ salvation. Will you do it today?

In your thoughts, the enemy will whisper, "Do it next week. Do it another time. You can't stand." Listen to what Jesus said. ((music playing)) If you know the Bible says, "Today is the day of salvation. Don't put it off. You're not here by accident." Well, Joel, there's so many people.

I don't want to stand. I got people at home. I can't lift my hand. Jesus said, "If you won't be ashamed of me before people, then I won't be ashamed of you before my father in heaven." I'm going to give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed of him.

If you're not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate, you need to recommmit your life to Christ. You need that fresh new start, a new beginning. If that's you, would you be bold? take that step of faith and stand right where you are if you would please.

Come on, Lakewood. Let's give them a hand as they stand all over the building. Come on, don't put it off. I feel like there ought to be others. Your heart's beating fast. Don't go home without peace. Come on, don't be left out. Anybody else? Come on, Lakewood. They're still standing.

Anybody else? Still time? ((music playing)) Well, God bless you and please remain standing if you don't mind. I want to tell you how proud we are of you. I know that took courage to stand and more importantly, I know God is never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith.

The scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Let me help you to call. Do you mind all saying this even with our friends that are standing? Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, ((music playing)) I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior.

Amen. Remain stand one more moment. I want to tell you how much we love you. We're going to be praying for you. Also want to give you a personal invitation, even a challenge to come back and be with us on a regular basis. This next year of your life is incredibly important.

And I'd love for you to get plugged in here at Lakewood if you if you live around here or you can do it online, however you do it. But if you will give us the next year of your life, I will make a promise to you before that year is over, your life will never be the same for the better.

We're going to help you grow and become who God's created you to be. And I said it earlier, I know you're busy. You know, Sunday's a day off, but you know, there's there's something happens. There's a blessing on your life if you can when you put God first place.

And you can get plugged in after the service. People ask me, Joel, what's the next step? Well, we've designed a space after the service right over here. It's called New Beginnings. It's on the second floor right right over there. It takes about 20 minutes and we have resources to help you grow.

You can learn how you can get connected and meet some of our team. I'd love to meet you over there, too. I'll be there in 5 10 minutes. just take a moment just to say hello to you, but know that you're important to us, that we're going to be praying for you.

We want to see you become who God's created you to be. The moment you stood up, God washed away all your sins, your mistakes, your failures. How about writing it down in your Bible? April 5th, 2026. A new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Well, let's all stand together if you would please. Thanks so much for coming out today. How many of you going home better off than you were before? Amen. All right, guys. We love you. I want to speak one more blessing. Until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord show you his favor and watch over you. And may the Lord give you mercy and an amazing week. We love you very much. God bless you. Have an awesome week. We'll see you back real soon. And happy Resurrection Sunday.