This weekend, Mosaic in Los Angeles hosted the Mosaic Conference.
Brian Houston, the Senior Pastor and Global Founder of Hillsong Church spoke on “Ceilings and Floors.”
Here are notes from Brian’s message:
“Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.” – Psalm 45:16-17
This is a messianic psalm about Jesus.
This is also a call to honor fathers from whom we can learn wisdom.
We are to be prince makers!
Success is setting up a platform for the next generation to win.
The kingdom of God is generational.
Our ceiling should be the next generation’s floor.
- Honor the past.
- Live in the present.
- Build for the future.
In 1999 Hillsong took on its second campus which was Brian Houston’s father’s church. Brian and Bobbie took on their building the same month all the debt was completely paid off.
His father’s ceiling became Brian’s floor.
On Generations and the Future
“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” – Psalm 145:4
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green….”
– Psalm 92:12-14
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love him. – 1 Corinthians 2:9
Don’t settle for remembering the better days.
You never have to graduate from being effective. Always be intentional about pressing things younger.
Releasing sons doesn’t mean putting fathers on the shelf.
Investing in our children is one of our greatest privileges and become our greatest trophy.
On Predictability
There are some times when predictability is important – loyalty, reliability, credibility, beliefs, commitments, honesty, and vision.
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24
We are to be persuaded and committed but not dogmatic or legalistic.
Lots of people are great starters but not nearly so many are great finishers.
On Unpredictability
Jesus led His followers on a crazy and random adventure! Jesus was unpredictable!
Learn to trust the uninitiated, unproven, the untried, the young.
Our default is the status quo and conventional wisdom and public opinion.
The Kingdom of God needs to be led by the unconventional – those willing to obey at all costs.
Areas where predictability is not to your advantage:
- Spontaneity – the moving of the Spirit.
- Surprise – “the mystery of God’s will” (Colossians 1:9)
- Creativity – for Hillsong the frame is clear (beliefs and ethos) and guides planters but the planters paint the picture
- Innovation – better to be an artist than an art critic, better to be a church builder than a church critic. Hillsong has influence not by copying but by being true to who God called them to be. Step out beyond what’s already been experienced.
- Programming, books, culture, heritage, experience are our servants not our masters.
Stand out and be who God called you to be!
There is nothing predictable about serving Jesus!
