Mosaic - Erwin McManus

Many of us grew up in environments where we were encouraged to lay our ambitions aside in the name of following Jesus. We were told that it was vain to pursue success in many arenas. In this message, Pastor Erwin McManus challenges this cultural belief by diving into Matthew 20:20​-28. In this passage, Jesus redefines the definition of greatness for his followers.

Pastor Erwin shares that Scripture never condemns the human desire to accomplish great things. In Matthew 20, Jesus simply encouraged his followers to see greatness as the result of sacrificial servanthood. We were not meant to live average, mediocre lives. We were meant to live with an ambition that works hard to see dreams accomplished and success realized. Because we are exposed to so much information about those who have accomplished greatness, it can be easy to believe that high levels of success are easy to come by. Pastor Erwin suggests that our greatness is waiting to be uncovered by hard work and discipline. Since we are representing God, we are wired with a desire to bring our very best to the world around us. “If you go to the edge of servanthood you will find yourself standing on the brink of greatness.”

-Erwin McManus

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"The Drive For Greatness" message by Erwin McManus, previously recorded at Mosaic Hollywood.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20210131

At times, it can feel as though we are too broken for God to do anything great in our lives. The incredible news is that there is nothing God can't use in our lives to make us better. God takes our damage and uses it to make us who we were actually created to be. No matter what we're going through or what we have experienced, God has an incredible way of pulling us together because with God nothing is wasted.

Moses' life was so unexpected on many levels. His story is a true reminder that how we start doesn't have to be how we finish. Sometimes we make decisions and let them cripple us and steal from our future. In Acts 7:30-32 Moses met God and God directed him toward his future. It says “An angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look."

The only way to leave our past in the past is to let God create a new future. There are things we will do that we must own. There will always be people who want to define us by the worst moments in life. Even when Moses was running God, was preparing him. When we think we are wasting time, God uses time as fertilizer. We must remember God looks at us at our worst, and only sees all the good we can do.

“With God there is nothing wasted." - Erwin McManus

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"Nothing Wasted" message by Erwin McManus, previously recorded at Mosaic Hollywood.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20210124

For some of us, having faith in God comes more naturally. For others, it isn’t that simple. In this week’s message, Pastor Erwin McManus walks us through his journey of finding faith. He explains that to him, the journey to Jesus was just that-a journey! Growing up he experienced a wide array of religions and was exposed to many world views. He did not imagine being a pastor when he grew up.

As we navigate our way through life, we are informed about different religions and ways to God. But how do we know which path really is the way? Pastor Erwin references John 14:6 when Jesus says “No one comes to the Father except through me.” He explains that Jesus came to us and did not force us to believe. Rather, our own souls call us to believe in something more.

When we have only a mathematical view of the world, we simply become a part of the falling domino effect. Our lives are a passive happening that we do not have freedom of choice inside of. But we know there must be more intention and meaning to our lives than this. We know deep down there is purpose and that our choices make a powerful impact on the future. Jesus’ life is the perfect example of a God who meets us right where we are and opens us up to the wonder of life all around us.

“Jesus came to show us what God would do to get to us.”

-Erwin McManus

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"Why Jesus" message by Erwin McManus, previously recorded on August 26, 2018, at Mosaic Hollywood.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20210117

Pastor Erwin McManus inspires us with this great message from April 22, 2018 as part of our "Best Of" Series. — Many of us long to step into the life Jesus imagined for us. But how do we really do it? First, we must realize that faith is not a moment or merely a one-time decision. Inviting God into our lives is just the starting point. There's much necessary work needed to move into a spiritual depth. Sometimes we misunderstand what it looks like to step into faith with God but the struggle of faith is not a new struggle!

Asaph shares his struggles in Psalms 73:1-2 “God is truly good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts but I had almost stopped believing this truth. I had almost lost my faith because I was jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well." We lose our clarity when we focus on what others are doing. As long as we're looking at others’ journeys and comparing, we're walking blind.

There will be moments in life that just don't make sense. Because of this, our faith must be connected to who God is instead of understanding all that God does. There may be days we question if it's worth it. Like Asaph, we're human and we have struggles, but when we stay close to Jesus we don't have to run when crisis comes. We meet God right in the middle of our journey.

“Faith is not connected to what God does. Your faith has to be connected to who God is.”

- Erwin McManus

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"Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose" message by Erwin McManus, previously recorded on April 22, 2018, at Mosaic Hollywood.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20210110

This future that’s becoming a reality belongs to those who are bold enough to create it. Right now, someone is creating a future for us to live in. The future is not created passively.

The words from Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes help us build the kind of future we long for. Solomon teaches us that we must have a generous spirit to create the greatest impact. We must ask ourselves: are we committed to doing the most good we can? Solomon says in Ecclesiastes chapter 11, "Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie."

Our human portfolio must be diversified because we never know what disaster might come. We must not hesitate to take all of the ground we can. Those who create the future understand what we consume is what will come out of our lives. If we want to exhale courage, we have to inhale it consistently. Love makes us strong, hope makes us resilient and hope transforms our lives. What are we full of right now? We must remember the people who change the world are the ones who decide where and how they will leave their mark.

“The future awaits those with the courage to create it.”

-Erwin McManus

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"The Future Belongs To The Bold" message given by Erwin McManus at Mosaic Hollywood.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20210103

There is no doubt that this year has been devastating for so many of us. Job loss has been unprecedented and a sense of lost hope is tangible. Times of such great uncertainty can leave us grabbing onto safety, just struggling to survive. The good news is that God’s promises reach us in our present circumstances today.

Pastor Erwin McManus leads us through Isaiah 61 as He encourages us that God is a God who restores. When we let God inhabit our lives, we begin to see differently. God gives us eyes to see wounds that need healing. He gives us the ability to be healing to what is broken. But first, we have to be willing to be broken. Though our culture fears weakness, we are reminded that God can use the material of our brokenness to create a beautiful future. God wants to fill our imaginations with possibilities in place of our despair because with God-nothing is wasted. There is no question if God has a great future for us. The question is, are we willing to pay the cost to see it come to pass?

“When the world is broken that’s exactly when Jesus becomes undeniable.”

-Erwin McManus

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"Finding Freedom" message given by Erwin McManus at Mosaic Studios.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20201227

Merry Christmas, Mosaic! Pastor Erwin McManus sits down on Christmas Eve and explores the often forgotten role of Joseph during the birth of Jesus. Pastor Erwin highlights how Joseph's place in the Christmas story can mirror our own—how in the middle of God's work in the world we can find ourselves inconvenienced or forgotten, yet we have the ability to chose the future that God has for us. 

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"Home For The Holidays - Christmas Eve" message given by Erwin McManus, recorded in the McManus home.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20201224

We've faced so much this year. It’s been a year with challenges that have at times felt endless. In moments like these, we must remember to look back and single out moments that we can express gratitude for. When we look back at 2020, we don't only want to remember the struggles.

We must remember the moments that have been gifts to us. The story of Jesus may be familiar but we can choose to lean in with wonder as if we've never heard it before. In Luke 2:11 it reads, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” One birth changed human history.

2,000 years ago Jesus didn't wait for the perfect time. The perfect time is sometimes in the middle of what looks like a disaster. Love sees a disaster and brings the healing. God will push through all things to create a scenario where he could get to us. 2020 was disastrous but we must not miss the miraculous. God always has a plan for redemption. Christmas is a miracle story and we are vehicles for the miraculous.

“God makes himself known through the unexplainable." - Kim McManus

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"Home For The Holidays" message given by Erwin and Kim McManus, recorded in the McManus home.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20201220

Although no one knew her, God saw her. Overjoyed by the message from God, Mary burst into song. "My soul glorifies in the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant." After Mary was told by an Angel that she would carry a baby boy, the son of God, she was shocked and overjoyed responding “I'm your servant, may your will be fulfilled." God can take the humble and raise them up.

When we want God to see us we must choose humility, honor and courage as Mary did. When we’re full of ourselves or unkind, we move out of God sight. God’s mercy extends to those who fear him and scatters those who are arrogant. Mary’s song is a declaration that God is doing something to be remembered forever in human history, through those who humble themselves. We must remember the more we are full of ourselves the more invisible we become to God. Kindness and compassion is what God sees. This is the material that God uses.

“Jesus points the way to what God celebrates.” - Erwin McManus

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"Home For The Holidays" message given by Erwin and Kim McManus, recorded in the McManus home.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20201216

While we’re home we can choose to make this the best Christmas ever. We can’t let this season pass by uncelebrated! In the first chapter of Luke, the author documents Jesus’ extraordinary life in real time. Luke knew the that the things Jesus was doing were so incredible and it would be hard for people to believe. Because of this, he wanted to make sure to make a historical record of what he saw. Luke took on the role as an eyewitness and servant.

To be a servant of the world, we must do our part in the history we’re living through. We may find ourselves wondering if God knows what to do in this moment. He does! This is the moment where we need to be sharing how God has been good to us.

We need to make sure we’re telling the orderly account of what God is doing in our lives. Even if the middle has been rough, it’s how the story ends that matters. We need to be eyewitness of Gods activity and servants of that reality. We’re all supposed to be like Luke, writing the orderly account of God’s work. God is grounded in this moment and He is here with us. But we need to ground ourselves in Him or this moment may overwhelm us.

“A story can never be as powerful as a history.”

-Erwin McManus

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"Home For The Holidays" message given by Erwin and Kim McManus, recorded in the McManus home.

For more information, visit mosaic.org. © MOSAIC / Erwin McManus. #20201206