Please Don't Be Shady | Pastor Travis Greene | Forward City Church

Hey family, thank you so much for joining me for this week's message. We started a brand new series called Planted on Purpose Pop. And uh man, today was an amazing day. I preached a message called Please Don't Be Shady talking about Jonah. And so do me a favor, lean in.

I believe this message is going to bless your life uh and remind you of the importance of being connected to the body of Christ. Cannot wait to see you at the end. God bless you. for the next several weeks, we're going to embark on a journey together. Um, and I'm excited about it.

Uh, we're in a series. We're starting today. So, you made it. You made it to church at the right time. Um, for the kickoff for our series called Planted on Purpose. >> Ah. >> So, every time I say planted on purpose, you got to shout pop. >> Planted on purpose. >> All right.

And, uh, we're going to look at Jonah's story. If you would join me on your feet, if you're not standing already, just for the read on his word, then you can sit for the rest of the service. I promise. Um, but Jonah's story begins with a divine instruction.

Uh, God tells him in Jonah 1 verse two, he says, "Go to the great city of Nineveh." Tells him, "Go there and preach against it." Watch this. He says, "Because it's wickedness has come up before me." Good Lord. You know, you can't just read the Bible. >> Got to read the Bible.

The Lord said, "The wickedness of the whole city has come up to me." And um this is a very interesting story. I'm going to read from chapter 4, but it's a very interesting story because Jonah hates the instruction given from God so much that he tries running away from him.

But how can you run away from a God who's everywhere? That's worth the price of admission right there. That's all you needed. You're trying to run from a God that's omnipresent. And he said, "I'll find you everywhere you are." And he's so committed to escaping west when God had called him east.

And so God interrupts him as he's done all of us. And Jonah finally says the most powerful word you'll ever say. Yes. And he follows the instruction he preach. Revival breaks out. Uh it's effective, but Jonah is still in his feelings. That's what we're going to pick up in Jonah chapter 4.

I'm just going to read five verses. Then you guys will be able to sit for the next few moments as I deliver this word God gave me for us. But to Jonah this seemed very wrong and he became angry. It seemed wrong that God forgave these people. So he prayed to the Lord.

What's his prayer? Isn't this what I said about you Lord when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forall by fleeing to Tarses chapter 4 verse two. He said, "I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in love."

He said, "I knew that you were a God who relents from sin and calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it's better for me to die than to live." I'm going tell you somebody you don't need to uh bluff at. That's God. He like, "Just kill me now."

And God's so gracious. God responds to him. Hey Jonah, is it right for you to be angry? Do me a favor. Look at somebody. Say, "You still mad about that? You still mad about that? Still >> Junior ain't do nothing wrong but look like his daddy. You still mad about that?

He said, "Is it right for you to be angry?" Verse 5, Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade, and waited to see what would happen to the city. I have a word for you today, and it's simply called this.

Please don't be shady. Look at three people. Tell them. Tell them. Come on, look them right in the eyeball. Tell them, "Hey, do please don't be shady. Don't be Don't be shady. Whatever you do, whatever you do, please don't be shady, Lord Jesus. Breathe on your word. We're here for you.

You're already in the room. Open our hearts. Correct us. Connect us. Do a new thing. Do an old thing in Jesus name. Amen. If you're excited for the word of God, give him a praise. Please don't be shady. Shady, slim, shady. I'm a church boy. Um, true story.

I'm 41 years old and I probably can count uh the amount of church services or the amount of Sundays I didn't go to church. I grew up in a day when after church everybody went to Ryan's Quincy's. Y'all ain't from the country. Y'all know about that bread. That's the best bread.

That was mana. You hear me? as a revival. You went to shownies. White people went to Denny's. Black people went to Shies. There was a But I remember going to church on Sunday afternoons or going to Yeah, we went to church until Sunday afternoon and then we would go to Ryan.

I remember going to Ryan and if somebody had on casual clothes, that meant they were going to hell. That's how churchy y'all was. If you didn't have on a suit on Sunday afternoon, you don't know Jesus. what is you doing up in here? They probably judge me all throughout the city.

They'd be like, "Ain't no way he saved." Um, but that's how I grew up. And I'm a church boy. I love church so much. And I recognize that in this day there are a lot of people and a lot of narratives that are talking against the local church.

Um, you can't even go online without somebody blasting uh the local church. Um, and I I hate that. I hate how it make us look because I believe in the local church. Yes. Yes. >> That's the only reason I'm here cuz I believe in it. >> You know, I was talking to a guy the other day and I was telling him a lot of pastors chose to be pastors.

Like they like I went to college and all my life I wanted to be a pastor and I want this is all I want to do. That ain't me. I let me let me go ahead and burst somebody bubble. I didn't want this. True story. When God said, "Move to Columbia, start a church," I made a list of reasons it was a bad idea.

I said, "God, here's number one, I ain't really crazy about suits like that." He said, "I ain't tell you how to wear them." I said, "Okay, well, all right." I said, "Number two, I don't want to lose my family to ministry. I've seen that done so many times."

He said, "I didn't tell you you have to do that." Okay, fair. I said, "Number three, I seen a lot of preachers play money games. That ain't me." He said, "That's not you." I said, "Okay, fair." I got my whole list and he just everything I told him, >> he had something to say back to me. >> I thought this was a horrible idea.

Horrible. Who wants to pastor a church? >> See, a lot of y'all look at me and be like, "That's easy. Come up here, please." Every Sunday, thousand people who just looking at me like don't let you be tired. That's why I don't let y'all shout. Cuz when they do that fast music and you do more cardio than you did all week, the people who shout the most be knocked out when I start.

Amen. This ain't fun. This is an assignment. I want my Saturdays like you. Y'all got to watch the Gamecops lose in person yesterday. Somebody said, "Too soon." We still We still stinging about that one, Doc. >> I don't get to go to the fair and eat cotton candy on Saturdays.

I got to pray. Everybody else be having fun. Sometimes I hear them upstairs having fun. I'll be in the basement seeking the Lord on a Saturday, >> consecrating. Y'all get to go to the movies on Saturday. I ain't been to the movies on a Saturday in nine years.

I got to pray and do stuff. But I'm doing this because I actually believe in it. >> I believe in the local church. I believe this right here, the gathering is the epicenter of hope, >> encouragement, deployment, alignment. Since its beginning, since its inception in the first century, the church has always been a place, ladies and gentlemen, where we're supposed to come together to be encouraged and empowered.

The purpose of the church has not changed in the eyes of God. However, we have made it something that it was never intended to be. God never intended for the church to be a country club for the spiritual elite >> and for religious bullies >> to look down on people. >> Never.

Oh, here's something you're not going to like. This was never intended to be the primary place for salvation. >> Read your Bible. That's our problem. We don't read. You can't just read the Bible. >> You got to read the Bible. The purpose of the church ain't to save people.

That's the purpose of the believer. >> The mark of a true believer is evangelism. It ain't a special ministry. Everybody evangelist. >> What's your name? >> Evangelist Pam. >> Introduce yourself properly. [laughter] That is the mark of a believer, not a building. >> But we've become just laying in lazy.

O we become so lazy in our conviction that like Jonah, we're okay watching people perish >> rather than get uncomfortable enough to activate the anointing we claim to have. >> Wait a minute. How come we the only people in here who know you anointed? >> There's no bigger turnoff than when I meet somebody in public and they introduce themselves as their title, >> their church title.

I'd be like, "Really? I don't even do that." Hey, my name's Travis. I am Prophetus of the Third Heaven. Creep me out. What's your actual name? Your mama call you Prophetist? That's a lot in public. We at Food Lion. You ain't prophesying here, are you? When the truth is, you don't have to give your title if you actually operated in it. >> Where is Oh, help me preach.

Look at somebody. Ask them. Where is your anointing? >> If your anointing is only alive in these four walls, ladies and gentlemen, it is ineffective. I believe in the local church. >> I believe in it. The Bible says for us not to forsake the assembly of the brethren.

Don't He says don't stop. Don't get don't give up on meeting together. The body also in in Corinthians calls us the body of Christ where it talks about how we're all different body parts. And it's very important because until we all function properly, we'll never actually be all that God's called us to be corporately.

The Bible also calls this, this is very powerful, calls us the bride of Christ. >> That's right. Yes. >> Man and woman, you a bride >> of the Lord together. And this is why the devil works overtime to make us look bad because he's trying to tarnish the image of the bride, >> man.

And I I expect the devil to be the devil. I think what disturbs me the most. Can I just talk for a moment? I believe what disturbs me the most is when the church bash the church. >> I hate that. I wish somebody Mark Zuckerberg somebody would invent on social media the ability to slap people like legally.

Well, you could go to jail for it. My hand will be sore today from slapping so many people. I'm going tell you the number one comment I hate when something go on and these idiots cuz that's what they are to me. >> Sorry, that's not You're right. Fools.

They post. Boy, I'm getting in trouble later. Get on Disney in the parking lot. I hate when people post. See, that's why I don't go to church right there. ((music playing)) How weak. >> No, you don't go to church cuz you don't want to go to church. How many McDonald's have you been to that messed up your order, but yet you still go?

Shut up talking to me. You won't stop eating Mickey. I just won't go to that one. But I got to have my Big Mac. ((applause)) ((music playing)) That's what See right there. That's why I don't do church people. But the church, the local church, hear me, is the bride of Christ. >> So you can't, this going to sting, claim to love God and hate his bride. >> That's like saying, Travis, I can do you all day, but Jackie, >> let me tell you how that's going to go for you.

I'm going hit a Martin. I'm going tell you to get to stepping. you, your kids, your dog, everybody. Get out of here. What is we talking about? You can't do my wife. >> And yet we say, "I love you, Jesus. I just can't do church." Really, >> we are his bride.

Jesus resurrected, comes on the beach shore, has a fish fry. Peter recognize him, jump off his boat, run out his clothes, run up to him, and say, "Oh my God, you alive. You alive." And Jesus asked him three times, "Hey, Peter, do you love me?" He says, "Of course, man."

By the third time, he's like getting his feelings hurt. He's like, "Come on, man. You know I love you." He says, "If you love me, feed my sheep." Listen to me, ladies and gentlemen. The proof that you love God is that you hate what he hates and love what he loves.

That's That's good enough to write down. The proof that you love God for real. How do you enjoy what he hates? sir. >> Oh, don't say that, Travis. ((applause)) >> How do you ask God >> to come close to you and be around you, but you're okay watching things on his phone that you hope he closes eyes when you're looking at? >> How can both be true?

And so, ladies and gentlemen, you got to do what you have to do. Lay on your face as long as you have to lay on your face. Fast as long as you have to fast in order that your heart comes in alignment with his. I want to love what he loves.

And ladies and gentlemen, he loves his church. Paul says, he commands us. He says, "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves his church." He loves the church. And so, in this series, we're going to expose and debunk the lie that the local church is optional. Hear me for an effective believer. >> Now, you could be a believer and not be connected, but you won't be effective. >> Oh, we can go we can go scripture for scripture.

I can prove that to you. >> But the reason we think the local church is optional is because like Jonah, many of us are a little bit shady. >> I'm tell don't wear sandals this whole series cuz I'm coming down every row and just East side stomping toes. >> We think this is about us. >> I could talk 30 minutes about this point >> that we actually think all of this >> is for us. >> This ain't about you, boo. >> Our lives are offerings to God. >> Oh man.

You're not about to like what I'm about to say, but I am on assignment not to be liked, but to give you the whole word. >> So, please, if you want to email me, email me evangelist Pam at Forward City. But the reason we actually think that God is okay with abortion >> is because we bought the lie that our bodies belong to us.

And so we say stuff like, "I can do with my body what I want to." When there's no scripture who actually says your body belongs to you. The Bible says, "Present your body, come on here, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your original boo act of worship."

You don't belong to you. Everybody who belong to themselves burn in hell. Heaven is for those who recognize that I've been bloodbought with a price. Meaning I no longer have ownership. I am a slave to him. >> Again, evangelist Pam at forward city.com. And the reason why we think being planted is an option is because we think our time is ours. >> We think, here we go, our money is ours. >> When the Bible says the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, that means everything I have, ladies and gentlemen, belongs to God. >> Which means, here's the word you're not going to like. that I am submitted to his authority to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, however he wants it.

I must give him a daily yes. >> Marriages that don't work are the marriages that only say I do at the wedding. >> If you want your marriage to be healthy, you have to say I do every day. >> Such it is with your walk with God. I give him a yes every day because there are certain things i.e. pastoring that he may ask me to do that I don't really want to do. >> That's it. >> Psalm 116 says, "What shall I render to God?"

Oh man, for all of his benefit towards me like I want you guys to live like that >> that man I'm so grateful God for all that you've done that I'm looking for ways to say thank you. I'm looking for ways to show you honor. I'm looking for ways to give you praise. >> Give you three reasons why you should say yes.

And we're just going to talk about God for a moment. Number one, God is a planner. >> He's a planner. Jonah's story is proof that God always has a plan. Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11, this is a tattoo. For I know the plans I have for you. This is God talking.

Hey, I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you. Come on, receive this. To give you hope and a future, not to harm you. This is God speaking. God has a plan. He has a plan. God is thorough. He's not like me. See, I like to wing it sometimes. >> I was in Atlanta this past week and I had to do press.

I had to do TV and radio talking about the album made in the South. And we were traveling all through Atlanta and I had been all the radio people in TV. They're like, "Travis is outside, man. You ain't been out here in a while cuz I just be at the crib, y'all.

I don't be doing all that." I was like, "Man, they done brought you out of retirement." So, we was there and we went to one radio station and um this was like a a secular station and my publicist was there and he's like a big deal. He worked with everybody.

And he's like um and then the the program director, I've known him for several years and he comes walking out. He's like, "G, what up man? Man, I'm so glad you back, bro." He's like, "Hey, man. I don't know you heard what happened uh but something happened Sunday with with Bishop Marvin Winers.

He said something happened and uh with like the offering and stuff. He said so we're going to talk about that on the air and then he just walk off and then the public's like so what you going to say? I said I don't know I'm going to wing it.

He's like oh no. He said that makes me nervous. What you mean wing it? I said listen I live clean man. Whatever come out going to be all right. And I did. I went right out there on the radio. I just I just wed it. It was a great debate.

I was able Hey, what I did not do is cast more shame on the church. I don't have to agree. But what I'm not going to do is bash the bride. >> Don't make no sense. But I ain't I'm not as thorough. My wife My wife though my wife has a plan for a plan. >> Anybody wife like this?

When you travel, she overpack. My wife takes so much just in case clothes >> and it's really I want to openly talk about this cuz we need to get counseling about it. Cuz really cuz she don't trust me. >> She said that's true. >> Cuz she say I'm going tell you why she don't trust me.

Cuz she be like but what we going to do? I like nothing. >> I don't trust you. You going to wing it. We're going to go somewhere have to go to a wedding. You got friends everywhere. My wife be all kind of stuff in that bag. She has a plan for a plan.

And this is God. God has a plan. >> God is so good at planning that he plans for your rebellion. >> I don't have time. >> We got fall fist. >> God. >> OMG. God knew you were going to procrastinate on your call. >> So, he had a plan for it. >> This is why God is so good, ladies and gentlemen.

Cuz God knows you really well. And yet, he still called you. And he's such a big God. He's such alpha and omega that he has a plan even for your rebellion. And God had a plan for Nineveh. And his plan for Nineveh involved a man who claimed to be committed to him, Jonah.

So God sends Jonah to Nineveh. He sends him to warn them about a destruction that'll come if they don't turn. And he has a plan for Nineveh. And the plan is that they're going to have revival. And they have revival. And everything that God planned happened. But in order for God plan to work out, he always puts a man in the plan.

Ladies and gentlemen, God has a plan for Colombia. >> Some of y'all have been scratching your head. Say, "Why am I at 803?" >> It's because >> God has a plan. And so, he planted you to be a part of the plan. Here's what you don't recognize. You are the solution, my God, to a problem.

And your location is not a coincidence. It is strategy. What if? What if your Yes. was the very thing that gave so many people in this city the freedom they've been waiting on. >> God is a planner. Not only that, God is a preparer. while Nineveh was having freak night.

Only those above the age of 40, they're like, "God, I'm so glad Facebook was not out in 92. I would not be married today." ((applause)) Oh boy. They had nothing but Polaroids back then. That's why your kids don't know who you really were. We men were whing out but wow going crazy.

And as they are wilding out, watch this. God is preparing a servant named Jonah to send revival. My God. He goes into Nineveh preach. And this is probably the most significant thing in this man's life. 120,000 people give their hearts to God. Revival breaks out. They repent. And God was preparing him for that moment.

Question. Do you really know what God's been preparing you for? >> See, the reason, my God, the reason you don't understand how powerful his preparation is is because you still think you're not ready for the assignment he called you to. >> And God has been preparing you your whole life.

Lean in. This is why you had to go through the stuff you had to go through. Listen, this is why you had the experience. Sometimes God will use exposure, my God, to show you something that you're not >> so that you can create something differently. He's been preparing you.

Help me preach. L tell he's been preparing you. >> Well, watch Jonah. Jonah is still on the run. The Bible says in Jonah 1:3, this is powerful. Says, "But Jonah ran away from the Lord, headed to Tarsus. He went down to Jopa where he found a ship bound for that port.

After paying the fair, he went aboard and sailed for Tarsus to flee from the Lord. I thought it was significant. I read my Bible with a red pen and I just be underlining stuff. And I underlined the fact that the man paid a fair to get on a boat.

That he was willing to pay a price to run from God. >> But he didn't know rebellion always costs more than you know. >> And so he's on the boat. Watch this. The Bible says, "And God sends a storm." What happens when whatever happens in your life is unreable? >> How you rebuke something that God said? >> The Bible says God sent the storm.

Everybody start panicking. Oh God, we f to die. Oh God, we f to die. The Bible says it threatened to break the boat up. Peace is just falling. People panicking. They start praying to all their different gods. Zeus, everybody. They're just calling on God. Help me, please. Help me.

Help me. Help me. Please help me. Please, please don't let me die. And then they look at the Bible said they look at Jonah and say, "How you sleep?" They said, "Call on your God, too. Maybe he'll help." And Jonah like, "I'm sleep cuz I'm the problem." He said, "My God is the maker of heaven, >> land, and sea, >> and I'm running."

He said, "The only way y'all not going to die with me is if y'all throw me off this boat." They was like, "You crazy." Then the Bible says, they literally said, "Lord, Jonah, God, he his blood ain't on our hands. We just going to do what he say."

Jonah went in my mind he like did a whole dive like he get in the sea and the Bible says immediately the storm dies. >> This freaked out the people on the boat so much. This is the Bible y'all. That's why you can't just read your Bible. You got to read your Bible.

This freaked them out so much. They said, "Well, his God real. Ain't no need praying to our guys no more." They start sacrificing and making vows to the true living God. So revival happens on the boat everywhere Jonah go. Revival happening. And God sent the storm. This messed me up a little bit ladies and gentlemen.

And I had to wrestle with this question. How many storms are people enduring because of my rebellion? >> Wow. How many lives are falling apart because you keep giving God a not yet? >> Jonah is in the water. The boat keep moving and they just know he dead.

There's people who thought you would have drowned by now. >> But they didn't know your God was a preparer. >> No, you're not ready for what I'm about to say. You're not ready for what I'm about to say. While Jonah was running, God was preparing a well. God has a plan for your rebellion.

This ain't going to hit everybody the same way. Your God is so good that even when Jonah was tripping, God made a way of escape. Now, you're going to look at me in this tone of voice if you ain't got no real story. But if you know the only reason you're here on this Sunday is because your God made a way of escape.

You should be dead. You should be burning in hell. You should be lost by now. You should have lost your mind. But your God made a way of escape. ((applause)) Tell somebody, "He brought me out. >> He brought me out." >> The Jonah, he stayed at the well hotel for three days.

They ain't had no room service. This is seaweed and it stunk really bad. And this verse tripped me out. It be verses like this that be preaching to me with my red pen. The Bible says in Jonah 2:10, "And the Lord, good God, commanded the fish." Did you know that your God voice is so strong that all creation >> know when he talking?

Your dog be looking at you like, "I don't know what you talking about." >> Dogs understand God. >> Hyenas understand God. Lions understand God. Trees understand God. Wind and waves understand God. And this fish understood God so much. The Bible says the Lord commanded the fist, watch this, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Y'all, this thing preached to me so much. Lord said, "Travis, I want you to get in your car. I want you to go to Two Knots Road. I want you to get on a stage on this Sunday, and I want you to let my people know that I'm about to command some stuff that's been holding them to let them go."

Do me a favor. Grab somebody. Tell them it's time to come out. You didn't hear what I just said. This is your come out season. This is your breakout with a real slim shady, please stand up. This is the season where the real you is about to be on display.

The devil has been playing game with your mind. The devil's been holding you back for your destiny. But I hear the word of the Lord. He said, Pharaoh, let my people go. Depression, let my people go. Anxiety, let my people go. Bitterness, let my people go. It is your season to come out.

If that's your word, take 10 seconds, take the roof of this building, and praise God like you're about to break out. Break open prison doors. Set all the captains free. Bring up a well in me. It is my season. I've been on the sideline long enough. It is my season to break out. >> Ain't it funny that the same whale that was there to rescue Jonah, >> if it had held him too long, could have killed them.

Amen. >> Single people, be careful who arms you run to when you're escaping something. >> Cuz the same arms that embrace you in this season can hold you hostage in the next season. And some of us has been inspired seasons and God said it was good while it lasted, but this is a new day.

It's a new season. It is time to break out. It's time to break forth. I need you to grab somebody and tell them, "You're loose. You're loose. You're loose." Step out of that grave. Step out of that bedroom. Step out of that relationship. Step out of that city.

You're loose to be everything God called you to be. And whom the son set free is free indeed. Give your God a praise. I'm coming out. I'm coming out. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm coming out. It's my season. I'm coming out. Somebody declare, decree, and say it.

I'm coming out. It's time for me to walk in purpose. >> I'm coming out. >> It's time for me to walk in power. I'm coming out. >> I'm coming out. >> I'm coming out. ((applause)) ((music playing)) >> The devil. Hear me. Praise God. He is afraid of you >> finally releasing you.

((applause)) The only reason you're stuck is because you don't know how powerful you are. Egypt was a place where Joseph family escaped to and yet 400 years later >> it became a place that they had to escape from. >> What's crazy >> about the bondage of Egypt is that the Bible tells us that the Israelites outnumbered the Egyptians.

They were more powerful, Jamal, than the oppressors. You got more in you than the devil can do against you. And until you recognize who you are, you'll stay bound. You stay living low. You'll stay tolerating his attack. But I need a few people to jump on their feet and say, "I just remembered.

I remembered that I'm not my own. I remember I've been bought with a price, and it's time for me to step out. Lazarus, we got to go. Lazarus was bound. And Jesus said, "Hey, hey, hey, Lazarus, come forth." >> And Lazarus said, "Well, I've come as far as I can by myself."

So God sent the community. You're not going to like this. God sent the people who wrapped him without permission >> and said, "I called him. Now you loose him and let him go." >> The reason you're at Forest City Church is God's going to surround you with some people who going to give you permission to be free.

You heard what I said? Loose him and let him go. Look at somebody and tell loose him and let him go. It's time for you to rise. It's time for you to walk in power. It's time for you to walk in authority. No more being suppressed. No more being oppressed.

No more walking around timid with your head. Lift up your hand, oh ye gangster, and be you lifted up, ye everlasting doors. And the king of glory shall come in. Loose me and let me go. Loose me and let me go. There's more in me. Loose me and let me go. >> There's more in me.

Loose me and let me go. >> I've been called to be a prophet. >> Loose me and let me go. >> I've been called to be an intercessor. >> Loose me and let me go. >> Lift me. >> Loose me and let me go. >> Loose me and let me go. >> Loose me and let me go.

Your God has been working in the background. And often when you don't see him, he's doing the most work. And your God is a planner. Your God is a preparer. Hear me. And your God is a planter. He only plants on purpose. >> Everybody in here >> have a natural father.

So it doesn't take a genius to know that we're all seed first. >> You're seed. You're seed. The potential of seed has everything to do. My God, I'm about to lose my mind. with the environment it's being planted in. >> An orange has potential in the seed, but it'll flourish in Florida and die in Canada.

So God says, "I had to get you to a place where I can give you some roots, get you anchored, and get you planted because I need you to cast this prophetic word. You're about to enter the most productive season in your life. You're about to flourish. You're about to grow.

The Bible says he'll give you fruit and fruit that'll last." I need you to grab somebody and tell them, "It's time to get planted. It's time to get planted. It's time to get planted. It's time to get planted. God is a planter. We're done. But nothing compromises the seed more than shade ((music playing)) >> on the side of our house.

You've been in Kurt. We got these big old trees and everything up under that tree, including the grass, is dead. >> Because the sun ((applause)) It's hindered from getting >> through >> when a shade has been built. >> We're done very quickly. The Bible says in Jonah 4 verse 5, Jonah built for himself a shelter. >> I'm going to give you five trends of shady people very quickly.

Literally, I'm going to do this in two minutes. You ready? Number one, shady people choose comfort over compassion. This man Jonah, a prophet, was posted up watching and waiting, hoping that God would destroy. >> He was upset that God accepted their repentance >> and gave him forgiveness. Number two, shady people are easily offended. >> Offense drove Jonah into isolation.

Oh man. Many people don't serve, don't give, don't connect to a church because they're still holding on to a previous offense. But you don't recognize that offense builds a church. >> And you think you're keeping people out when the truth is you're keeping yourself bound. >> Oh man, >> this is why it is so important that you release yourself. >> What are you saying, Travis?

I'm saying trust again. >> I'm saying try to try again. Number three, shady people have selective grace. >> Ain't it crazy >> that this man Jonah was willing to die for some strangers on a boat >> but was mad that God saved over 120,000 people. >> Cele grace of grace is when I think that the mercy of God is only for the people I like. >> Number four, shady people mistake results for relationship.

This man preaches an effective revival and yet he is suicidal. >> Which tells me that me being used by God does not mean I'm in alignment with him. >> My churchy people need to hear this. >> Just because God used you don't mean he approved your lifestyle. OMG.

I want every worship leader, every gospel artist, every Christian artist, please, every pastor, please hear the words that I'm saying. Just because God used you and it's effective does not mean he's pleased with you. It's not what it means. >> Well, why would God use me? Because he has mercy for the people you're reaching.

((applause)) >> So, there's people out here that'll go to heaven and people up here that'll go to hell. This is the Bible. The Bible says that people will stand before him and say, "But Lord, Lord, didn't I cast out demons in your name? Lord, Lord, didn't I have conferences in your name?

Lord, Lord, didn't I have best-selling books in your name? Lord, Lord, didn't I make CDs and DVDs in your name?" He'll say, "Depart from me. I never knew you, you worker of iniquity. Because you thought that I used you, that I approved you." Don't mistake results for relationship.

Number five, shady people >> want to cover themselves. >> Jonah built himself a shelter. >> Jonah appointed himself as his own pastor. >> He said, "I don't need a covering. I can cover myself." The Bible says God creates everything. The sun, the grass, the sea, the animals, the stars.

He calls everything good. The first time in the Bible God says something is not good is when he says it is not good for man to be alone. However, we be thinking we smarter than God. >> I don't need nobody. >> That ain't what God said. >> And there's a difference.

I'm done. Between being insulated and being isolated. >> Insulation is protection by connection. >> It's being held together by community. Here's a here's a key word. And having accountability. Yeah. >> Most of the problem with grown folks now, >> I'm grown. >> Is nobody can tell you nothing. >> I don't want a pastor that don't have a pastor. >> See on that screen, that man who was talking, that's my wife and I pastor.

He has the authority at any moment to call me and say, "Sit down somewhere, Travis." This man called me one time and said, "Hey, prayer life 1 to 10 right now." Dang. Can't lie to him cuz he he a prophet. It's a couple years ago. I was like, "I don't know, man."

Like seven, eight, not good enough. Pray. Bye. One time my wife and I was into it. We got FaceTime with him. I hate this. The thing I hated the most. He said, "Right now, son, pray for it." I said, "Okay." He said, "No, out loud. I'm mad. Pray." >> Lord, you know your daughter.

((applause)) >> Hey. Hey. I am a man submitted under authority. I don't cover myself. And some of us, hear me, >> have been hitting the lid because we created our own shelter. >> Isolation disconnects us. It compromises healing and growth. All predators look for prey that are isolated. >> The devil is threatened by community.

That's why he's fighting the local church so much, >> man. >> Isolation. Isolation keeps you shaded. Insulation keeps you planted. >> Last thought, God does not plant you to hide you. >> The proof that the seed is working is that eventually it should be seen. >> It should sprout up.

And the Lord sent me today for one purpose. I'm done. To tell you that your hiding season is over. Your days of running. Hear me. Your days of telling yourself you don't have anything to offer. >> I feel this so strong. The Lord want me to deal with this just for one minute.

Your days of being tormented, tortured, and abused by church hurt. >> It's a real thing that maybe you've seen something or been exposed to something. You say, "Yo, that's what it's about. I'm good." And the devil is afraid of you, releasing you to trust, to be active in the body.

God has a plan. God has been preparing you and God desires to plant you on purpose. Lift your hands for a moment. God have me for a season do nothing but teach on the Holy Ghost. And I want you all to be filled with power. But the way that you continue to fan the flame, hear me?

And stay on fire is by being connected, by being planted in a house. I can promise you this church ain't perfect. No churches, no McDonald's is, >> but we love God for real. >> I can promise you, my wife and I live consecrated lives. I can promise you we don't take this as a joke or a game.

I can promise you that we pray and we fast and we seek God to make sure that we're bringing you guys a word that can help change your life. I can promise you that we ain't got no dirty little secrets that's going to come out. We're not perfect, but we do live upright before the Lord.

I like Paul. I could tell you, follow me as I follow Christ. The Lord in this moment, would you stand? He's healing some hearts. There are some people who's been on the sideline ((music playing)) because the devil is afraid of you being involved. He's afraid of you giving God a return on the investment that he placed in you.

Father, >> wow, what a time. Hey, thank you so much for tuning in. I'm so blessed um by you and I pray that uh you were blessed by this word. Do me a favor, comment below, let me know how this message touched your life. Like, share, subscribe, all the things.

And I believe that today the Lord ministered to you and reminded you that you are important that we need you. Very important. There's something in you and on you that the body of Christ in your city needs. I love you so much. Cannot wait to see you next week.

God bless.