Michael Todd - The Outlook of an Overcomer
Today we’re starting week seven of a series that we’re calling Living in the Overflow. Yes, sir! I’m taking a very direct posture for the rest of this series because I’m tired of people living beneath and below what God has provided. I’m sick of it! More prayer requests come in for things that God promises. Sometimes I just think, «Hey, He already said this is ours; why are you begging for what you already have access to?»
That leads me to two conclusions: either we’re ignorant of what we have access to, or we just don’t believe it. And for me, as a pastor who wants people to win, I care nothing about building this church to be large. There are a lot of large gatherings that have no, watch this, fruit. My goal is for you to look at yourself this time next year and be like, «Oh my gosh, where did all this fruit come from? How did all the toxic relationships turn into relationships that push me towards purpose? How did all my negative words turn into words of life for other people? How did my pessimism about waking up—when I didn’t even want to live last year—turn into me dreaming about ten years from now?»
Do you understand what I’m saying? I want there to be fruit that shouts at me because the Bible tells us the only way they’ll know we’re His is by the fruit we have in our lives. Great! I want every person, at least in this church and watching online who is part of this community, to live in the overflow of what God has provided for you. But that means we have to change our, everybody say, «Minds.» So today, I’m going to teach you how to change your mind by having the right perspective. So, write this down: if you’re going to live in the overflow, you may need to change your outlook. If you’re going to live in the overflow, you may need to change your… what? Could you bring me that real quick? And, um, let me—Abby, I need your help for one second. Come help me real quick. Um, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, come here. Great, babe.
Now, Abby, I want you to tell me what you see. Stand right there. What do you see? «I see the back of the canvas,» she says. «And what is on the back of this canvas?» «There’s a piece of wood, some staples, and a little thing where you can hang it up.» May I submit to you that this is a masterpiece, but you’re just in the wrong position? May I submit to you that your outlook is based on your position? And as I’m sitting here, I’m looking at what this really is, and I’m seeing how God has beautifully made it. I see how this thing blesses me all the time! But because of your position, you only see what your position allows you to see. The only way you get a different outlook on what is right in front of you is by changing positions.
Come this way. Hold on, stop! Most people, after they make one move, think they’ve done enough. «Well, God, I did go to church; I did pray; I did do it.» And now you’re mad because you don’t see the masterpiece? You did work, but you stopped short. Everybody is taking a position. This is where people get frustrated: «I tried it, I did it, and I’m going to stay in my position.» Isn’t that what culture is trying to get you to do? Take a position. But it’s not until we make a decision that we are going to get into position to see what God has for us. Abby, come to the other side. Stop! Now she’s right in alignment with what she has the opportunity to see. But if she keeps looking this way and never turns, she can have access to the masterpiece, but because she has not taken her whole body into position, watch this, she has to change her head to be able to look and see what it is.
If Abby would just turn her head… would you turn your head? Yeah, turn your head! You now have a glimpse of what was available. I’m asking people to not just say, «I’m close to what God has for me; I know it’s around here somewhere.» I’m asking you to make a commitment to do what the Bible says, which is called «repent,» and that word all it means is to turn. She was over here, but Abby, I want you to come all the way to the other side. Now when Abby looks at this picture, there is a completely different appreciation, a completely different admiration. And it’s so crazy because I’m looking at the people over here, and they’re still looking at the back while these people saw it the whole time. I don’t know if you noticed it, but all the «yes» and the «amens» and the «uh-huhs» were coming from this side because what they saw changed their praise. Oh my God!
See, some of y’all are not praising God for what’s right in front of you! Yeah, yeah, because you’re looking at it from the wrong angle. This is the picture of my baby Gia; she turns three tomorrow. It’s my baby. Yeah, this is the same picture. The picture never changed. The position did! If you’re going to see all of the promises of God, may I submit to you that God may not change your situation—uh-oh—He may not turn it around. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you may have to change your… what? If God keeps you at the same job—uh-huh—He promised me elevation! He said, «I am not going to be in this valley, this purgatory.»
Hold on, wait! What if He doesn’t change the job but He changes your perspective? He may change your outlook. It’s still this, but maybe you need a different outlook. Could you give God praise for that right now? Thank you so much, Abby! You didn’t know you were going to be my stagehand too. I appreciate that! If you’re going to live in the overflow, you may need to change your outlook because there may be some things that you are forfeiting because of the position you are looking at your situation in. Are you forfeiting the promise of God because of your position? «Well, I hate school.» Is that just your position right now? That the enemy would allow you to feel so defeated in that one area because maybe God has a purpose for you on the other side of that? Maybe you’re supposed to start schools.
So, the very reason that God would give you a burden but then make you hate it before you even had the opportunity to answer God’s call is because it would keep you in the same position. Let me be very clear with you: some of y’all have said to yourselves, «I hate learning,» and for the thing you’re praying for God to do, He said, «There’s going to be another five years of learning.» Would you take a different position to get a fresh… everybody say, «Outlook!» I’ve been convinced that living in God’s overflow has a lot to do with your outlook. How do you see it?
I found this story in Numbers chapter 13. If you would go there, let me give you some context. The children of Israel have been saved and brought out. They’re following Moses, and the whole squad is like, «Are we just going to stay out here in the desert?» And God was like, «Nope! I have promised you a land flowing with milk and honey.» They’re like, «Where is it, though?» So, they’re sitting in this place where they have to actually obey God to see the promises. Let me say it one more time: you have to actually obey God to see His promises come to pass in your life. So, God, through Moses, tells them to send 12 spies into Canaan to go and survey the land that God is already going to give to them.
Let me show you in the Bible: Numbers 13, I want to start at verse one and then we’re going to skip around. It said, «And the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, '» watch this huge important part, God talking to you, «which I am giving to the children of Israel.» No doubt! Somebody say, «It’s mine!» I need you to send the men from each tribe of their fathers, and everyone of these men are leaders. So, He’s sending leaders from each tribe to go actually do a scouting report on the land that God is already giving them. I could preach a whole message right here, but I can’t preach it. Why are you believing for something you’ve never gotten a report on? Some of us think that God’s just going to do it. He said, «I need you to go learn some things first, and I need you to bring me back a report so that you can actually know what you’re going up against.»
So, He sends these people in there, and then I’m going to drop down to verse 27. It says, «These men went into the land; these men brought back grapes that took two people to hold. Wow! They had seen things that they had never seen in their wilderness or ever before. It was a place of overflow.» They come back to report to the people, and the only thing that changed the entire trajectory of millions of people was the outlook of ten people. Today, I want to ask you, do you have the outlook of an overcomer? Because if you do not have the outlook of an overcomer, you will talk yourself out of what God already gave you, and you will never live in the overflow. Good! The outlook of an overcomer!
Somebody say, «I will have the outlook of an overcomer!» Say it one more time: «I will have the outlook of an overcomer!» This is so important because your outlook changes the destiny of so many people you’ve never met yet. Okay, y’all don’t believe me, but you’re about to see it in this story right now. Verse 27, 13:27, it says, «Then they told him and said, 'We went to the land where you sent us; it truly flows with milk and honey, and this is the fruit.'» And they’re like, «Look at how big these grapes are!» And then they said, «Nevertheless, the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak; and they are big! The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, the Gadites, and the Amorites dwell in the Canaanites—all of the '-ites'.»
Okay, verse 30: «Then Caleb said, 'Shut up.'» He stood in front of the people and said, «Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it!» I’m talking about the outlook of an overcomer. «I did see the giants, but I also saw the fruit. I did see what they said about me, but I also heard what God said about me. I did see the obstacles, but I also see the opportunity.» What is the outlook that you have when you face the opposition in the promised land? For most of us, we take the attitude of these next dudes. Hold on, wait! Time out! We’re scared! Scared of these giants over here; they literally said, «We are like grasshoppers in our own eyes!»
Hold on, wait, yeah, that’s true. And then it says in the Bible, «and they think that too.» You didn’t talk to the giants! Because of your own insecurities, you projected onto them what you felt about yourself. Now do you remember? This is the land that God said, «I’m giving it to you! I’m giving you this!» Yes, you’re going to have to go against opposition, but I’m giving it to you! And they were supposed to come back with a report that simply—watch this—oh thank you, Jesus! They were supposed to tell everybody what they observed, not give them their opinion.
Too many times when God tells us to do something, what we were supposed to simply observe and take information down on to know how to go back to God and say, «How do we attack this?» we then take and assume that we cannot do this, and we impose our opinion on it. And not just keep it to ourselves; we give it to other people. Okay, okay! All right, six ways to maintain the outlook of an overcomer. Great! I’m going to give you six ways. The reason I have to do this is because this is what I found has held me as an anchor through every season of my life—my outlook. I have an outlook of faith that no matter what is in front of me currently, I can overcome this. Somebody say, «I can overcome this!»
Think of the biggest thing that has you shaken right now. You’re not showing it on the outside, but there are some things that make you quiver on the inside. I want you to see that situation as just another opportunity for God to prove Himself as a mighty king. Somebody say, «I can overcome this!» I know that it takes a lot for you to say because you’ve never faced anything this big before, and you’ve never seen this much hurt or pain or opposition. But if you keep the outlook of an overcomer, you will see!
The giants in your life fall over and over again because the Bible says if God is for you, who can be against you? Some of us have stopped showing up to even contend for the promise that God has given us because we do not want to look like we don’t believe God. So, we don’t even put our faith out there to avoid disappointment. Y’all didn’t hear what I just said. Some of you come to church, and this is the most faith you use to get there on time, and this is what I’m telling you right now: that isn’t using faith right. What God wants you to do is believe Him for things beyond your own ability. Oh God! All right, I just have to start telling you. Here are six ways to maintain the outlook of an overcomer.
Number one: change your outlook. Your perspective may hold the key to your promise. Change your outlook! This is what I’m asking you to do right now: if you have an outlook from your parents, your community, or your culture that goes against the word of God, change it. Some of us are more committed to the culture we grew up in than to the Christ and the character He wants us to live in. I ran into one of my family members, who will remain nameless, but they had this idea that they could use other people’s things—buy something, use it, and return it. I’m talking about wearing it. I’m talking sweat stains. I’m talking about using the product and filling it back up with water. I asked, «Why do you do that?» They replied, «Well, I need to take care of my coins,» and they tried to convince me it was good stewardship.
Now, I’m not coming at anybody; I’m just saying they were trying to convince me that stealing was good stewardship. Y’all should see how tight it is right now; there are people trying to say «Amen,» but they’re thinking of an actual situation where they do the same thing. So just look at me, look straight, and then in the next breath, they asked me to borrow some money.
I didn’t even go into the full explanation because what I would have to explain was dismantling a cultural principle that went against the word of God, and they weren’t ready for that conversation. They thought they were doing the right thing because they were committed. I said, «Why do you do this?» They answered, «This is how my mama did it.» Y’all, they looked at me as if I was strange for paying for something and not returning it. I said, «God, what is this?» He said, «There are many people living today who are more committed to the culture around them than to embracing a character that reflects Christ.»
So today, I just want you to take inventory. «Pastor Mike, why are you being so strong?» Because I want you to have fruit in your life! If you have an outlook on something that goes against the word of God, you need to change it. Just be open to not being mad at all white people. Uh-oh, they thought I was going to say something else. Just know, I know there’s discrimination. But what I’m saying is that blaming «the man» for your laziness? You don’t want to get up. It can go the other way too; come on! There are some people who love this word, and you’re watching online right now because you can’t be seen here, and it would be bad for your real estate firm, sir, because of the ethnicity. What I’m saying to y’all is, either we’re going to be real or we’re not. We’re going to tell the truth. If the vehicle God uses to bless your life looks like this, could you potentially take a different stance?
If you have an outlook that is keeping you in bondage, see, the promised land is right over there; they can literally see it, but they stay out of it because of their outlook. Has anybody ever felt like the change, the transformation, the release is right there? You can almost feel it, but you never fully get in? It might be your outlook. Are you in a season of isolation or a season of preparation? It’s the same season; it’s just a different outlook. Are you in a season of loneliness or a season of—oh, I got so many words right here—you remember when God wanted to make something special, He called it holy? The word holy just means separated. You’re saying, «I’m just so lonely.» No, I’m trying to make something holy in you. I’m trying to separate you from well… my friends don’t call anymore. You prayed for this; you don’t want that temptation right now. I’m trying to make you into who you prayed to be.
Your perspective may hold the keys to your promise. This is one of the things I’ve decided: my outlook is filtered through God’s word, and when my outlook is filtered through God’s word, I do things a little differently. I’ve just decided that I’m not better than you, but I am different than you. Who does he think he is? No, no, no, you don’t know the decisions I made when nobody was there. You don’t know that I’ve been believing in crazy faith before I was a pastor. Before there was a church, I would have been doing what I’m doing on another level. I’ve written down things that came to pass since I was in sixth grade. What you’re experiencing is the overflow. So when people come into this part of the journey, they think I’m just some character—look at that pastor with that leather jacket and those sparkly shoes. Baby, I was doing this buying clothes from the Salvation Army. This is me!
God continues to bless me because I will not put on a different version for anybody else. Hear me! I’m trying to give you a secret today: you need to change your outlook. It’s okay, as long as it aligns with God’s word, to be different. When you walk in that, that means sometimes when your family is doing something, you can’t do it. Oh gosh! That means if you all always talk like this when you get around them—some of y’all only curse when you go back around them. Your language completely changes; you’re saying, «What’s going on?» You’re doing all this stuff, but you don’t talk like that any other time. But as soon as you get into that environment, you feel familiar. Some of y’all can’t go home because if you go home, you’ll be back in the space that drags you down.
Y’all better hear what I’m saying; it’s time for somebody to change your outlook. If you don’t, you will be stuck in a place that keeps you in prison when the promise is right there. Okay, I’m sorry; I’ve gone off. I’m not better than you, but I’m different than you. When everybody’s complaining, I’m going to speak life. When everybody’s saying, «I can’t,» I’m going to say, «But God will make a way for me to do it.» I’m not better than you, but I am different than you. When everybody has to be broke, busted, and disgusted to serve God, I bet you I won’t be. I bet you I will be a lender and not a borrower, and I will help people in their time of need. I’m not better, but I am different. They might hate on me, but I’ll bless you. I’ve got to filter it through the word of God, sir. If you have an outlook that doesn’t line up with the word of God, everybody say change it! Change it!
My outlook on losing weight and being healthy was that I could not do it. So the reason it didn’t happen until three and a half years ago is not that I wasn’t physically able; it was because I was mentally blocked. Oh my God! Many of the things you’re trying to do have nothing to do with your physical ability; it has to do with your mental disability. And when I say that, I’m not talking about something wrong with your learning; I’m talking about you have disabled yourself to think and see yourself differently than you are right now. You can’t see yourself without sitting up in bed at night eating Wingstop and Blue Bell. I’m using my own testimony so don’t feel offended; this is me! Cookies and cream, root beer floats, spicy corn, Parmesan—with ranch! Yes, there’s a miracle in that ranch; I don’t know what they do! I’ll drive back for the ranch!
But y’all see what I’m saying? Because your outlook has never changed, that’s not even a possibility for you; you stay right there. So if you want to have an outlook of an overcomer, the first thing you do is—somebody say change your outlook! Second thing: check your informants. Those men came back with the destiny of millions of people in their outlook. My God! Two men were over here like, «Yo, we’re about to go back and take that house over there; that’s going to be my house!» But ten others came back and said, «Guys, listen. We’ve calculated the actual chances of us being successful in this endeavor, and it looks like we’re staying here.»
The reason I say check your informants is that there are people speaking to you right now who are either helping you go toward purpose or infecting you to draw you away from it. Oh gosh! Check your informants because informants without faith infect your future. They all saw the same thing, but two had faith when they saw it, and the others did not. When they came to the people, it literally was a transfer of spirits. Have you ever been around somebody who was in a bad mood, and they passed that on to you? You know what I’m talking аbout: somebody who just came in all negative, and you were like, «How are you doing?» and they replied with a sigh. You were like, «I guess I’m here too.»
Then you know what I’m saying; five minutes with them and another person comes in all cheerful. «Hey, John!» and you’re like, «Hey!» It’s a transfer. You weren’t even feeling that way, but because of who you allowed yourself to listen to, it changes your outlook. In the same way, have you ever run into someone with a lot of joy, and you were having a bad day? They were like, «Oh my God, it’s so good to see you!» That joy lifts you up! Whoever is informing you about your situation, make sure they have faith as part of the equation. Yes, sir!
This is why you can’t listen to your girlfriend or boyfriend who is not actually listening to God. God will tell you something He’s already given you, and He sends somebody else to bring you a report back. Depending on whether they have faith in their own lives, they will project on you what they think God won’t do for them, and if you believe them, you will stay stuck. Yes, sir! I can’t tell you how many people told me this would never work. People told me, «There’s no way white people and black people in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will come together at the same church. You’re going to still do all of that? You’re going to worship like that? There’s no way you could buy that building!» I appreciate your illegitimate concern, but I’m going to go talk to some people with faith. Tammy, can God do something through our little church on the North side? Bishop, can God do something? Scott, do you think? Pastor Debbie, Mom, and Dad—do you think God could?
We came over here and walked through this building without the money. Look at this land that God’s going to give us. Bishop, take a picture of me. The first picture of me in this building was us breaking in. I think the statute of limitations is we own it now—us breaking in. I mean, not breaking in, because some of y’all—the door was open; we didn’t have an appointment or anything, but we just walked in. They did call security, but we just walked in. Do you know what we were doing, though, right? We were getting our scouting report. Y’all missed it. I had to know what it felt like to walk into a building like this.
I had to see the people. I had to be able to stand there and imagine you worshiping like you are right now. I had to hear it. I had to go into the promised land before I possessed it, and I had an outlook of an overcomer. Yeah, we’re going to have to pay for it. Yeah, we’re going to have to talk to the city. Yeah, we’re going to have to soundproof it. If I had stopped at every obstacle— we didn’t have a stage the first week we came here. Do y’all hear what I’m saying? Oh, well, I guess God left us; we don’t have a stage. No, I would have preached from the floor, because opposition for an overcomer is just another opportunity. That’s a nasty position for an overcomer—just another opportunity. So I got to change my outlook. I got to check my performance.
And then, watch this—you got to challenge your insecurities. Okay, let me tell you about Joshua and Caleb. They’re sitting here literally looking at everybody telling the people we can’t do this, and they saw the same thing. So they probably were like, «Hold on, can we do this? Is this okay for us to do?» Right? «Okay, God, I believe we can do this. But should I say anything? I don’t want to ruffle any feathers. You know me; I’m an introvert. I’ll just play the background right now. I’ll let them do their thing.»
I mean, me and God know what it is, but He puts you in a leadership position. He put you in influence over somebody. When God trusts you with leadership over anyone, influence over anyone, He’s never asking you to play the background. He’s always asking you to speak up and bring His will into the equation. 'Cause I don’t think y’all understand what Joshua and Caleb are about to have to do. They’re about to have to check everybody in the nation. Y’all missed it; this is not a small group. This is not their church congregation. They’re about to have to go against—watch this—culture.
So before you stand up and go against culture with what God said, you got to check your own insecurities. If you want to keep the right outlook, you have to tell yourself this ain’t about me. That’s right; I’m here on behalf of God. This is not about my Instagram followers and my aesthetic, right? Oh, God, it’s quiet, 'cause some of y’all are concerned about somebody you knew in eighth grade and how they view you. You ain’t seen them since eighth grade, and they don’t even look how fine you thought they looked back then. Stacy James—she was like the finest person in the world in eighth grade; she doesn’t look like that anymore. But God has asked you to be a leader in a space, and because you haven’t checked your own insecurities, you will not step up.
If you don’t check your own insecurities like Joshua and Caleb had to do, then you won’t be able to do the next thing. 'Cause if you’re going to keep the outlook of an overcomer—watch this—you are going to have to, at some point, confront the culture. Every Christian who, at some point, is not going to confront the culture—I actually question, do you really believe God? Wow, so good, 'cause there are things that are regular in culture that are completely against what God believes. Now, I didn’t say be a jerk. I didn’t say—'cause some Christians, I went to the game, that same game. I went there, and there was a dude outside shouting, «Repent! You’re going to hell! Gates of fire! You think the basketball game is going to save you?» My wife was like, «Mike, why are you doing that?» I was like, «'Cause I didn’t want anybody to see me next to him. This ain’t the way to do it. Even if you want to give me a million dollars, like, don’t yell at me. Don’t tell me I’m going to hell; that’s not it.»
But he was convinced he was confronting the culture. I’m saying it with love, with their future in mind. That’s good—because you may not even understand why this matters to you right now. But I got to step up and say something. I got to do this because God is compelling me to step across the line and actually face my own insecurities and say this to you: shut up. This is what Caleb has to do. «We should go right now! John, get your stuff! Susie, come on! Pack the kids! We are well able to do what they said we can’t do!» Somebody say, «I am well able.»
Say it with faith. Say it with faith! He stood up, confronted culture because he was compelled by God. When’s the last time you stood up? I’m not talking about on a social media platform—that’s weak. I’m talking about, «Hey, uh, boss, um, real quick. There seems to be a toxic atmosphere in our… you know what I’m saying? Like, uh, this… yeah. Do you think we could have a conversation about how to actually work with people you disagree with and act in love in a work environment?» They never thought about that. Yeah, they never thought that was an option. But when a Caleb steps up—when somebody with God on the inside of them steps up—maybe something can change that would never change otherwise if you actually get into position. That’s good. He confronts culture, and guess what they do to him? «That is not a good idea; we’re going to go with these guys' idea.»
What happens when you do what God said, but they don’t listen? See, this is where most people give up, and that’s where your outlook gets dim. But Joshua and Caleb were like, «All right, cool. What do I have to hang my hat on? I did what God said; I kept an outlook of an overcomer, and I’m going to do this last thing. I’m gonna commit that even though they’re not doing this, I’m going to commit to a different spirit.» See, when you confront the culture, you use your voice to cast God’s vision. But when you commit to a different spirit, you cultivate daily what matters in eternity. What’s different about your spirit? That’s what’s different about how you face situations.
What’s different? Do you pray about it? Do you speak life over it? Do you stand in the face of adversity and say, «I know my God is able?» What do we sing in praise and worship? He’s able! What is different about you? What I found out is that having a different spirit is the thing that changed the trajectory of Caleb and Joshua’s whole life. Y’all want to see it? 'Cause when you commit to a different spirit, you see prayer as a connection to God. You see worship as a weapon. You see community as protection. Some of us need to make a decision that we are committing. Even if nobody else does, I’m going to keep the outlook of an overcomer, and I’m going to be committed to a different spirit.
In Numbers 14:23, it says, «Okay, let me just give you context. God was sick of these people.» When I say «sick of them,» I mean after they decided to take the outlook of the ten spies who were pessimistic and lacked faith. God said, «Fine, as a matter of fact, they want to stay in the valley; I’ll kill them all right now.» Y’all read the Bible; it’s like He said, «I’mma smite them.» And listen, who comes to their defense? Moses. How gangster is it to have a relationship with God that you can convince Him not to kill the people He made? I mean, y’all have to go read it.
It’s the funniest story. Moses says, «Alright God, they are rebellious and did not listen, but do you want to be known as the God who just—oh no, you don’t want that smoke.» This is the Michael Living Translation version of this. He was saying, «You don’t want to be known for that. Okay, forgive them because You are the God of love. Remember, God is love.» He’s reminding them, «No, literally, you’ve got to read it.» He was convincing God to just forget them, but just let them suffer the consequences of not believing.
And this is God’s response: «Verse 23: They certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. But my servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.» Caleb didn’t fight differently; he just looked differently. There was no big war or fight he had to do. He said, «Because he had a different spirit and his outlook was one of an overcomer, I’ll take him and Joshua—two out of two million.»
Now, people say, «Why would God do that if He was a loving God? Why wouldn’t He just let them in?» He said He tried over and over. I mean, this is the same group of people where Moses would go up to pray, and they would be down having a kickback, building golden calves, and worshiping other gods. They were wild. God said, «Alright, I’mma bring them to the promised land, Canaan; it’s right there! Just get the right outlook!» And they couldn’t do it. And because they didn’t have the right outlook, why are you saying this, Pastor Mike? Because maybe your situation is not changing yet, but maybe your outlook could change today. I don’t want your outlook to keep you out of the promise. I don’t want how you’re looking at this situation to keep you from what God has, watch this, already prepared for you.
Now, that’s why when I look at this scripture, I come to one conclusion: God honors the outlook of faith. He remembered Caleb not because he prayed a great prayer or did some amazing feat. It’s because when he looked at the opposition, he had an outlook of faith. When you look at your marriage right now, do you have an outlook of faith? I know the passion is not there, but can you see it being there? Can you see y’all actually making it through a vacation without arguing? I know your kids are far from God right now and don’t care; they think you’re the crazy praying mom. But do you have an outlook that maybe one day, all of these seeds you’ve sown into other people’s children, praying for them, will come around, and God will do the same thing? Do you at least have the outlook?
You can’t make it happen. I’m not saying for you to white-knuckle your way through a situation, but I know you’re in that apartment with all those kids, and they’re on top of each other sharing space. But could you have an outlook that maybe one day, God’s not just going to provide a house for you; He’s going to allow you to provide a house for somebody else? I’m just saying. I’m not saying that you have to make it happen. I know you can barely read the Bible right now, but you feel a sense of God calling you into ministry. Could you get the outlook that maybe God will illuminate the scriptures to you, and one day you’ll have revelation coming out of your mouth? I know you can barely sing, but God said that you would write songs that would go all over the nations.
Could it be that today, church, if you want to live in the overflow, I need you to change your outlook? Can I tell you a real story? God called me to pastor, and I didn’t want to. Can I be honest with you? This is not my profession of choice. Let me be very clear: I did not get a word on a mountain that was like, «Yes, this is it.» I did this out of obedience. The reason it was so hard is that I was already good at something else. I had a career path laid out; I was going to be a music producer, and I was going to make music for the stars. I was going to sit back in my house in Miami. No, it didn’t happen, so just hold on. I was going to sit back in my house in South Beach, write checks to people who did ministry, and make sure my parents had a conference. «Stop asking the people for money; this booty-shaking song made me a lot of money!» Here, go save some.
Y’all, can I be honest? When God called me into ministry, He said, «Give up music.» I said, «You’re not asking for this!» He said, «Give it up.» I said, «Hold on, wait! Twenty-something years of my life have been spent perfecting this skill. This is not a hobby for me; this is my purpose!» He said, «No, being with Me is your purpose; that’s just a tool.» He made me put music on the altar, and He made me pick up the knife. He said, «If I tell you I want you to kill it,» and I said, «God…» Then, one day, something switched about a year into the ministry. I got a different outlook.
About a year into it, I was like, «Well, if God had to use music to get me into purpose, it worked.» Now, watch, because the way that I got to Greenwood is that I produced music for their conference. After I produced music for their conference, they asked me to stay around and run sound, and then I became the music director. My parents started a church called Spirit and Truth, and the Holy Spirit was like, «You can at least help them with the music.» It was just step after step where God used my passion to put me in position so that He could do what He really wanted to do in my life. Because my outlook changed, I got a different spirit about it.
Music was that season, and if God wants to do something else, I’ll work on it for another twenty years. I’ll become the best pastor. I’ll love people. I’ll figure out how to preach; I’mma learn how to pray. I just have a different spirit about it. Instead of being like, «God took this away from me,» it was like, «God used this to get me where I needed to be.» And do you know what God did? Yes, He honored my outlook of faith. Can you bring me that real quick? Um, this past week, I didn’t know this was going to happen, but Transformation Church released Overflow, the album. This is what y’all did. Remember, I told you we were going to come together in unity, and we were going to represent God in systems and in worlds that don’t care about what Christians do. But once we come together in unity and make a concerted effort, then they have to notice, right?
Well, this is an article written by Billboard. Y’all don’t hear what I just said; this is an article written by a non-Christian company. It says, «Transformation Worship’s Overflow debuts at number one on Christian and gospel album charts.» Let me read the article. It says, «Christian and gospel worship music collective Transformation Worship arrives at number one on Billboard’s top Christian album and top gospel album charts with Overflow, a set that was recorded live. It’s the act’s entry on both lists for the first time.» It says, «The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Transformation Worship was launched at the city’s namesake church led by Pastor Michael Todd. The album, which is seven songs long and runs 54 minutes, includes hit-makers from both the Christian and gospel music genres, including Todd Delaney, Tori Kelly, and Fred Hammond. Overflow Live may be the album of the year.» Can’t nobody tell me what God can do.
Now listen, I believe this is God honoring my outlook because I didn’t get bitter and mad that He didn’t do it the way I wanted Him to. Fifteen years later, He allowed the first thing that we put out to the world to be recognized at the highest level. Literally, y’all, they told us it was number eight in emerging artists and number thirteen in albums sold in any genre. I’m not talking Christian and gospel. Yo, Pastor Mike, why are you showing this? It’s because this is what happens when you look at a hard situation and say, «No, I’m going to have the outlook of an overcomer. God didn’t put this here to take me out; He put this here for me to go over.» If He is with me and for me, then I can take up my space. Another way you could say it is, «I have dominion.»
I was supposed to tell y’all earlier, but listen—don’t tell anybody! Yes, sir. But listen, don’t scream yet because they’re not supposed to know this right here. I’ve gone against all the rules of all the people in all the high places. Today, for Transformation, I have gotten just on our situation at the representation store. You can go right now and preorder for $5.99 the entire Dominion album. Okay, now listen carefully because they didn’t want me to do this, but they didn’t take away my computer. All you have is all you need. I’ve uploaded just for anybody who purchases the album in the next day or so because they’re probably going to make me take it down. But I went to the studio last week and I did an Afrobeat version of Overflow. Now watch—if you go and buy it before it goes down, I’m sending you an email today with that track. I don’t even know if it’s coming out; it’s so fire! Q, you’re not supposed to tell people you heard it! It’s so fire, but it’s only for those who believed in the vision when so many others didn’t.
Today, I’m asking you, church, I want you to get an outlook of faith, amen, so that you can see the promises of God. This is one thing, y’all; this is one thing, but I’m letting you know it’s real today because if not, generations of people will suffer because you didn’t believe God. Think about all the other people whose kids were not born and will never experience the promised land because they didn’t have the faith to believe. Would you stand everywhere else? The last thing I want to tell you as we’ve gone through all these points, y’all just hear me for five minutes, and we’re out of here.
If you’re going to maintain an outlook of an overcomer, you have to change your outlook. You have to check your informants, challenge your insecurities, confront culture, and commit to a different spirit. Lastly, collect your evidence. I had them print that big because that’s going on my wall in the gym. There will be another giant I face that I will try to forget, that I have history with God. Many times, you just have to remind yourself that you’ve been through valleys before, and you’ve been through pain before, and you’ve been through hurt. But you’ve got to collect your evidence. There are things that God has done that you forget about because you won’t put them in front of you. I keep that crazy faith paper with me all the time. Why, Pastor Mike? Because any time I come into a moment where I don’t believe, I’ve got evidence that God has already done this! God always leaves proof of His promises.
Has anybody in this place ever seen God heal them or someone around them? Hands up. Okay, put them down. Has anybody seen their marriage changed and transformed because of what God has done in their life? Okay. So, for everybody, look at me, look at me, for everybody watching this: that doesn’t have evidence of their own. This is why you come to church. It’s because you can borrow somebody else’s evidence. Oh, you missed it! So, we’re reading their story, the story of Joshua and Caleb. Yeah, but my question is, will they be able to read the story of Charles and Abby? Will they be able to read the story of Kima and Cordel and Kesha? Will they be able to read the story of Bram and Zoe?
Will they ever be able to read the story of Fawn and John? Will they be able to read the story of your faith? Because I’m the only Bible some people are ever going to get to see. Today, if you need evidence of God’s faithfulnessroof of His promises, just look around, sir. That’s why we say I am confident that we are evidence. Yes, You are faithful, and you are God. Yes, I am confident that we are. It’s all around. It’s all around that You are faithful. Today, I want to pray for every person under the sound of my voice, that you would from this day on operate with a different spirit. I don’t know what that means for you, but when everybody else is going down this crazy path, you’re saying, «No, no, no. I’m putting it through the filter of my God, and I’m about to operate with a different spirit.»
If that’s something you desire, would you lift your hands online or in the room? I’m going to pray for you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. This is just you identifying, «I want a different spirit.» So, God, here we are. No pomp and circumstance, no confetti, no lights, no pyro—just Your children asking, would you do a work on the inside of our hearts and in our minds that gives us the ability to, in the face of everything looking like it’s not going to work out, have a different spirit? We would have the outlook of an overcomer.
Father, there are people under the sound of my voice facing things that seem overwhelming, insurmountable, and actually downright unfair. But in this place today, Father, I thank You that their outlook would be shifted to one of faith; that they would have the faith to believe that You can change the situation, and even if You don’t change it, You can change them in the situation. Today, I thank You that we would be a people like Joshua and Caleb who would look at giants and imagine them falling. We would be a people, Father God, that would not just do it for us, but we would do it for the generations to come. You told Joshua and Caleb that because of their outlook, their children’s children would inherit the promise. Today, Father God, I thank You that the selfishness that tried to make us stay silent and step back would no longer be able to control us. Would you allow the Holy Spirit to be the different spirit on the inside of us? For Your Word says You have not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Today, Father, would You be strong on the inside of us? I declare, Father, as opposition comes this week, we won’t back down or back up; we will stand in the authority that You have given us as children. Yes, we have the grace that we don’t deserve, but we put it on every day. Father God, we will have an outlook of an overcomer. For those who find it very hard right now, with all the death, frustration, and confusion around them, God, would You be the Prince of Peace in their lives right now? God, in this sincere prayer, those who are facing, Father God, financial hardships and frustrations that are taking over their thoughts and processes, acting out of character, Father God, would You just leave a peace that gives them the ability to continue moving forward? For the child who doesn’t know where they’re going to school next year. For the couple who is about to call it quits because they are sick of fighting. For the person who got the bad report this week. Today, God, I thank You that every obstacle is an opportunity for You to be God and to show us and others that we shall overcome. Today, God, we honor You. Would You be the God that You were to Joshua and Caleb for us? I declare we will see the promised land.
Even in this moment right now, there’s a tender feeling. Some people are coming out of wrong thinking. I hear it like this: God says you’re no longer going to be the victim. I wouldn’t say this, but He keeps pressing; my prayer was hard to get out because God said you’re changing positions. From a young age, things have happened to you. I don’t know exactly who this is for, but I’m prophesying. I feel this super strong: God says today the word is for you to change your outlook. You are no longer the victim. It did happen to you, and God protected you. Now He’s changing your position, and you’re about to become a victor. You will be such a victor in situations that God will allow you to rescue other people.
Hear me, you can’t even see it yet, but today God stopped this service to let you know that what you have been a victim to will be under your feet. Hear what I’m saying to you right now. Somebody’s receiving this word. I’m telling you right now, it’s almost as if whenever God says something, there’s a thief that comes to say there’s no way you can do that because of what you did and what happened to you. God says today this whole message was to change your outlook. You will stand on the testimony of everything that happened to you, and God will use it to bring people to His kingdom. Receive the word of the Lord: you are no longer a victim; you will bring people to victory because your outlook is changing right now, in the name of Jesus.
Yes, I am confident that we are evidence. You are faithful. You are God. Something sweet is happening right now. Yes, I am confident; somebody’s hope is being restored. It’s because of the grace of Jesus. You are faithful. You are God. Some of you are going back to that job tomorrow, and it’s going to be like you’ve never been there before. Your outlook is about to change. Every place that you saw frustration, you’re about to actually see freedom. You’re going to say, «Oh my goodness, this is an opportunity for God to use this skill.» This is an opportunity. I’m telling you, there is about to be an outlook change. Some of you are going back to that house, and you’re going to get inspired to decorate. You’ve been ready to move, and you’re going to walk back in that place like, «Hold up, wait a minute, let me put some paint in it.»
You’re going to go to Sherwin-Williams and say, «I just need an accent wall right here.» And I’m telling you, you’re going to get a different outlook. Some of you are going to go back to that closet, and you’re going to say, «You know what? I don’t want to wear these clothes anymore. I don’t want to be this unhealthy anymore.» So tomorrow, I’m going to walk. Matter of fact, tonight, I’m going walking because I’m going to walk this block until I lay aside every weight. See, y’all don’t read the Scripture. It’s not just sin; it’s every weight and the sin that is so easily besetting us. But if you could just get a different outlook that every step you take brings you closer to a version of you that can fulfill God’s purpose without pain. Somebody say, «I’m getting a different outlook.»
Hear me, if you’re in this place and you’ve never received Jesus, there is a sweet presence here right now. If you want to make Him your personal Lord and Savior, the only thing that changes your outlook is a relationship with Him. Today, I want to give you that opportunity. At Transformation Church, we’re a bunch of regular people with flawed lives that God saved. Some of us didn’t look flawed; we looked buttoned up, but under all that, it was filthy, okay?
So, you’re in the right place to admit you need a Savior because everybody else in here has done that. That’s why we go so hard and we cry, pray, and ask for forgiveness. It’s because we know we don’t deserve what God did for us, but every day we walk towards Him, trying to get a greater relationship and understanding of who He is on this Earth. Today, if you want that, I want to offer you Jesus. Some churches don’t do this anymore because they think you should know, but because of how messed up I was—I was a liar, a manipulator, addicted to pornography, and I had a lot of bad things in my heart—I decided, «God, I can’t change my outlook by myself. Could you give me principles in Your word and Your love to help me change?» As soon as I received Him and accepted Him, my world began to shift.
Today is that day for you; if you’re in this room, I don’t care how much money you make, how many businesses you have, or how many times you’ve done what I’ve done. If you are out of the will of God right now, if you’re away from it, or if you’ve never put your faith in Him, today is the day of salvation for you. Today, God wants to say, «Come on home,» so that you can be exactly where I’ve called you to be. If that’s you, on the count of three, I just want you to shoot your hand up. Ain’t nothing magical going to happen out here—ain’t no confetti; ain’t nothing— all we’re going to do is clap because we know that you just changed generations of your family and, more than that, your eternity is secure, and now you get help in this life.
If you want to make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior in this sweet atmosphere, one: you’re making the greatest decision of your life. Two: I’m proud of you, but more than that, your name is going to be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Three: shoot your hand up all over this building. I see you, my brother. I see you, my brother. I see you. I see you. Hands up. I see you. Glory to God! I see you. And more than I see you, God sees you. Can somebody give God praise? If you’re online, would you just shoot your hand up? Hey, at Transformation Church, nobody prays alone, so would you all lift your hands and just say:
God, thank You. Thank You for sending Jesus to change my outlook. Change my outlook today. I need You. I need You, my God. I believe You lived. I believe You died just for me. Change me. Renew me. Transform me. I’m Yours. I’m Yours. In Jesus' name, Amen.