What's In Your Hand? | Walking IN Authority | Pastor Brenton Fessler

Student Leadership Opportunities and Personal Introduction

Encouragement to Sign Up for Student Leadership

• Applications for residence life and spiritual formation are now open, encouraging students to sign up for the student leadership retreat in August.

• An information meeting is scheduled for tonight at 5 p.m. at the bridge, providing details on how to fill out applications online.

Introduction of Campus Pastor

• Brenton introduces himself as one of the campus pastors, humorously noting his appearance compared to Cody, another pastor.

• He shares his responsibilities alongside Cody and Pastor Bode in the spiritual formation department and mentions teaching as an adjunct professor.

Community Engagement and Roles

• Brenton discusses his role as a pastor in a local church in Orange, highlighting various churches available for students seeking community.

• He also serves as a police chaplain with the Orange Police Department, emphasizing that this role is voluntary and involves supporting officers during critical moments.

Insights from Police Chaplaincy Experience

Training Day with Police Officers

• Brenton describes attending a training day with police chaplains where they reviewed body cam footage related to an arrest incident.

Legal Insights on Worship Disruption

• He reveals California's Penal Code 302, which allows arresting individuals who disrupt public worship services across various faith traditions.

Body Cam Footage Analysis

• During training, they watched body cam footage of an officer responding to a disruption at a local church service.

• The footage captures the officer's approach towards a suspect causing chaos within the church setting, illustrating real-life challenges faced by law enforcement.

Encountering Authority: A Story of Disruption and Divine Calling

The Incident at the Church

• A chaotic scene unfolds in a church where an individual claims to be God, causing disruption and confusion among congregants.

• Police officers arrive on the scene to manage the situation, ensuring safety for both the suspect and the public as they engage with him.

• Officers attempt to reason with the man, who insists on his divine identity while creating further disturbance within the church setting.

• The atmosphere is tense; officers are prepared but do not draw weapons initially. One officer has a Taser ready as a precautionary measure.

• After some struggle, police successfully subdue the individual using a Taser and take him into custody, highlighting issues of mental health and authority.

Lessons from Exodus: Walking in Authority

• The speaker connects this incident to biblical themes, particularly referencing Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus.

• Emphasizing that walking in authority requires understanding one's purpose and calling, akin to Moses being chosen to lead his people out of bondage.

• The narrative shifts back to scripture; it reflects on God's reassurance to Moses about his mission despite self-doubt and fear of disbelief from others.

• Key moments from Exodus 4 are highlighted where God empowers Moses through miraculous signs (e.g., turning a staff into a snake).

• The speaker uses personal anecdotes about bringing props (like a staff), illustrating how everyday items can symbolize deeper spiritual truths.

This structured summary captures key events and insights from both contemporary incidents and biblical narratives, providing clarity on themes of authority, belief, and divine calling.

Moses' Journey: From Prince to Shepherd

The Departure from Egypt

• Moses, once the Prince of Egypt, leaves after committing a murder, realizing his life in Pharaoh's palace was a lie. He represents hope for those with troubled pasts.

Life as a Shepherd

• After fleeing, Moses works for Jethro tending sheep and reflects on his past life in the palace. He questions if this mundane existence is all he is meant to do.

• Moses feels a sense of loss and emptiness as he transitions from royalty to shepherding, holding only a staff as his identity and means of support.

Encounter with the Divine

• Moses encounters a burning bush where God speaks to him about hearing the cries of His people. This moment raises questions about awareness and timing in recognizing God's presence.

• The narrative suggests that sometimes it takes years for individuals to awaken to God's call, emphasizing divine patience in our spiritual journeys.

Significance of the Staff

• God asks Moses what is in his hand—his shepherd's staff—which symbolizes more than just a tool; it represents his identity, income, and influence. This prompts self-reflection on personal resources and capabilities.

• The staff serves multiple purposes: protection against enemies, guiding sheep back into the fold, and providing support for Moses himself during difficult times. It embodies everything he has left after leaving Egypt.

Laying Down Control

• God instructs Moses to lay down his staff—a profound act representing surrendering control over one's life circumstances and fears associated with letting go of past identities or roles.

• When laid down, the staff transforms into a snake—symbolizing fear that often accompanies relinquishing control—and highlights how faith can be daunting yet necessary for growth and leadership.

Dealing with Fear and Past Identity

• As Moses confronts fear upon laying down his staff, he realizes that moving forward requires addressing his past mistakes (being a murderer) before stepping into future authority or purpose ordained by God.

• The narrative emphasizes that one cannot fully embrace their future without reconciling their history; redemption is possible even from significant failures or sins experienced along life's journey.

Restoration through Trust

• After laying down the staff (and confronting fear), when Moses picks it up again at God's command, it returns to being just a staff—indicating restoration through trust in God’s plan despite previous fears or failures encountered along the way.

Moses and Our Journey of Trust

Understanding Our Call to Action

• The speaker draws a parallel between Moses' calling as a deliverer and the personal journeys of individuals today, emphasizing that everyone is in a season of seeking direction for their lives.

• Acknowledges the anxiety seniors may feel about their future, suggesting that trust in God is essential during uncertain times, alongside letting go of past attachments.

• Challenges the notion of prioritizing safety over significance; encourages individuals to focus on meaningful contributions rather than merely securing financial stability.

Embracing Spiritual Growth

• Highlights that education at Vanguard is not solely academic but also focuses on spiritual formation, urging students to be open to God's transformative work during their time there.

• Compares moments of divine surprise in life to Moses’ encounter with God through the burning bush, encouraging openness to unexpected guidance from God.

Overcoming Personal Barriers

• Discusses common fears that prevent people from pursuing God's plans due to comfort in current situations; emphasizes that graduation signifies readiness for new adventures rather than an endpoint.

• Reflects on how personal doubts and societal expectations can create barriers similar to those faced by Moses when called by God, stressing the importance of surrendering these concerns.

Authority Through Surrender

• Explains that true authority comes from surrendering one's desires and trusting God's plan; uses Moses' story as an example where relinquishing control leads to greater purpose.

• Connects Moses’ act of laying down his staff with Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, illustrating that Christian life should focus on giving rather than receiving.

The Importance of Surrendering Control

• Encourages self-reflection on what individuals are holding onto from their past that may hinder their future potential; emphasizes willingness to surrender for growth.

• Urges students not to waste their time at Vanguard but instead listen for God's voice and be open to His surprises throughout their journey.

Final Thoughts and Prayer

• Concludes with a call for complete trust in God’s guidance, inviting students to express availability for His plans while being ready for unexpected opportunities.

• Ends with a prayerful moment encouraging attendees to adopt an attitude of surrender before God, reinforcing community identity as children made in His image.

Moses and the Journey of Surrender

Embracing New Beginnings

• The speaker encourages individuals to let go of their past, emphasizing that victories and failures do not define them. They pray for a new season in the lives of students, urging them to trust in God as they move forward.

• Surrender is highlighted as the first step towards gaining authority from God. The speaker reassures that they are not alone in their journey; just as Moses was supported, so too will they be guided.

• Trusting God is essential for navigating both present and future challenges. The speaker expresses a desire for individuals to know, feel, and trust in God's presence throughout their lives.

• The message emphasizes the importance of stepping into a life characterized by faith and reliance on divine guidance rather than clinging to past experiences.

• A call to action is made for individuals to embrace surrender as a pathway to empowerment and authority in their spiritual journey.