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[0:00] It's good to see you all. If you're a visitor, just we want to remind you that when you walk through the door of this church, you may be here for the first time, but you then become part of our family. Whether you live a long way, whether you come once a year, we just consider you part of Whitby Christian Fellowship's family, and we're delighted you're here today.

[0:18] My name is Mike. Just to put in context, when you see some of my PowerPoint slides, they always have motorcycles on them, and I don't want you to think that I'm just kind of backsliding and thinking about bikes.

[0:29] While I'm preaching, it's because many of us in this church are part of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, which is a worldwide mission to the motorcycle world. We actually work in 45 different countries, thousands and thousands of Christian bikers throughout the world, looking to share the fact that God loves bikers.

[0:51] And we have biker Bibles that we give out. We've given over 260,000 out just in the UK since 2007. And it is such an exciting ministry. So that's why motorcycles are on my PowerPoints.

[1:04] To remind you, please, when you see a bike, will you pray for the biker that's riding it? Okay, if we can have the first slide when Josh is ready. We're continuing a series that we've been doing about prayer.

[1:18] Prayer is such a key part of us as Christians, as we'll hopefully see. But the title of this is The Possibilities of Prayer. Because so often we're inclined to say, I pray, I'll pray for you, or whatever.

[1:31] But sometimes I don't think we truly consider the possibility of calling upon God to come and change a situation. I'm so pleased to say that in the bike world, we see so many people's lives changed beyond all recognition.

[1:51] And when we have folks coming to church, sometimes I think, how many people are here that have never been in a church before? Because I realize, I think back to the day, back in the 70s, when I walked into a church for the first time.

[2:03] I didn't know anything about Jesus. I didn't know anything about God. I had never been interested in those. I had never read the Bible. I didn't know anything that was in the Bible. But I'd met some Christians, and those Christians, their lives were so different from what I expected a Christian to be.

[2:19] And I also became aware, sneakily, they were praying for me, and I didn't know. So it was inevitable that 18 months later, because I didn't go to start, 18 months later, I went into church.

[2:29] And I was basically saying to God, if you're real, show me. And that's one of the best prayers I've ever prayed in my life. And I constantly ask people, whether they're bikers or not, if you're not sure that God exists, wake up every morning for a month and say every morning, and mean it, God, if you're real, show me.

[2:49] Because God wants to reveal himself to you. Why would he hide himself? And therefore, if we know God and the fact he loves us, irrespective of who we are and what we've done in the past or today, if God wants to reveal himself to us, why would we not reveal him as best we can to the world at large?

[3:10] Sandy knows full well that when we ride the bike together, we're just ridden over to Switzerland and back and to meet up with bikers over there. But we and many of us here ride all over the place.

[3:22] And whenever we see bikers coming towards us or overtaking us, we always pray, God bless them. And it's not a prayer that does not work, if you know what I mean. Anything we say to God, he hears.

[3:38] And that is something to rejoice in. But everything we say on behalf of another person, whether it is simply, bless them, bless them, bless them. And when we go to the TT, there's like 50,000 bikers.

[3:50] So I tend to go in groups and bless all on the mountain today, Lord, because I can't say bless, bless, bless, much as I'd love to be able to do. But God blesses. There is no sort of written down way for us to pray.

[4:04] It comes from the passion of our hearts for ourselves in the midst of desperate circumstances or in the midst of absolute joy. We just want to speak to God and let him know.

[4:16] Because the Bible says that he is our heavenly father and we are his kids. It's wonderful. Okay, so you will see whenever I put slides up to do with the Bible readings, anything that is in capital letters, that's your job.

[4:33] I do the rest. So hang in there. Keep looking at what we're doing so you speak at the right time. If you don't, we'll all laugh at you and it won't be a problem. And if you're not familiar with the books of the Bible, when it says James, that's not just a friend of mine that's put these words together.

[4:51] This is a Bible book, a letter that James wrote to a church. It's also, the next one will be Ephesians as well.

[5:01] All these are parts of the Bible. And if you haven't got a Bible, before you leave, come and see John, our pastor, or anybody that looks like they're sort of not frightening. Ask them if they have a Bible and we'll give you a Bible.

[5:13] It's just wonderful to give Bibles away. So you can have the word of life and read it yourself. Okay, so we're going to read quite a few verses, but when we do, listen to what the words are.

[5:24] Take it in. God will reveal that to you. And don't forget, anything in capitals is your bit. So, I'll start off. Is anyone among you in trouble?

[5:37] Let them pray. Hey, that's good. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? It's not in capitals.

[5:49] We'll do that again. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church. Pray over them and not in the Lord. That phrase always goes down well with bikers.

[6:01] Because they think it's gearbox oil, engine oil. It's not. It's anointed oil that we want to anoint people with when we pray. In the name of the Lord, of course.

[6:14] We'll make the sick person well. And the Lord will raise them up. If they've sinned, they'll be forgiven. Incidentally, we pray for people who are sick in this church. And God, in his grace, heals people.

[6:25] Sometimes God wants us to pray longer. Sometimes God has something for someone to learn in the midst of an illness. And we can see his hand at work, irrespective.

[6:36] Where are we up to? Therefore. Or therefore, confess your sins to each other. And pray for each other. So that you may be healed. The prayer of God's sin is powerful and effective.

[6:51] Next slide, please. This is your bit. I pray that the power of the glorious righteous. Oh, that was awful. Let's try that again.

[7:02] Go. I pray that the power of the glorious righteous. He may strengthen you with power through the Spirit in your inner being. So that.

[7:13] I pray that the power of the glorious righteous. Through faith. That's trust. Isn't that great? Do the I pray you a bit.

[7:24] Again. I pray. That you being rooted and established. In the Lord. You're having too much fun today. May have power together with all the Lord's people.

[7:36] To grasp. How wide and long and high and deep. Is the love of Christ. That's everything, isn't it? High, long, deep. Wow. Lost my place again.

[7:47] And to know this love. That's what it is. That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. What a statement.

[7:57] Now to him who is able to do. He measures the glory of the Lord. The glory of us. For in our kingdom. According to his power that is at work within us.

[8:08] To him be glory in the church. And in Christ Jesus. Throughout all generations. Forever and ever. Amen. Amen. Thank you.

[8:18] You did a pretty good job there. Really appreciate it. Next slide please. Here we go. Here's the motorbikes. Just hang in there. So. I personally go to lots of different events.

[8:30] As all the members of CMA do. Do. But on one occasion. A few years ago. I was at what's called the Northwest 200 Road Races in Northern Ireland. It's a wonderful place. 50,000 at least per day go to these races.

[8:43] And we used to have a paddock tent. Sort of a display that we had biker bibles on. In amongst all the teams that are riding. All the big names were right above us.

[8:54] Right next to us. Right beside us. That didn't really matter. That the point was. We were where thousands of people would come. To see the riders. And then hopefully see us. It's wonderful opportunities.

[9:06] But one morning I arrived super early. Nobody else was around. And I left to just pray over where we're going to be. And I prayed that day. As I prayed more often than not. That God would change a life.

[9:18] I would like God to change many lives. Every day we're doing what we're doing. And sometimes he does. But I just said to God. I want you to change your life today. To really see somebody's life change.

[9:30] But then what I was saying to God was. I didn't want anything normal today. I didn't want anything ordinary and average. Going back over something we'd done before. And just. I wanted God to do something.

[9:42] Because I felt that if God turned up. It would be miraculous. It would be impossible for us to understand. And it would be something we could never ask or imagine.

[9:55] Because God is that big. And I don't know if you're like me sometimes. I kind of pray. But I don't really ask God. Do it the way you do it. I may have something I want him to do.

[10:07] And if he did it the way I was asking. It wouldn't be exciting. Or it wouldn't be miraculous. God if you turn up. Just do it. In all your being. Pour out your love in this place.

[10:17] But as the words Amen left my lips for that short prayer. A man burst into the tent where I was. He just about bumped into me. It was fantastic. And he said I need help.

[10:30] Great way to begin a conversation. And he explained he'd been an enthusiastic Christian. But for a few years he'd slipped back. There's a phrase that's been used for many years in Christian communities.

[10:43] Where people say he's a backslider. As if he's resisting going to God. And he's trying to pull away. But this man. Oh my goodness. It was so painful. Sad to hear.

[10:55] He had been enthusiastic. But then he kind of got distracted in life. Things went wrong. And he'd gone back into destructive habits. He turned away from God. He made bad decisions that had consequences that were dogging him now.

[11:08] And so too much to the point where his marriage was falling apart. His family were going to split up. He was desperate. He was crying. And he was utterly broken.

[11:20] And I'd been like that so I could empathize with him. I knew that sense of guilt and shame. And also I remembered that Isaiah 59. Another book in the Bible.

[11:31] Chapter 59 and verse 2 says that our sin separates us from God. So is there any wonder at times if we're unlike you know we've gone away from God and we're sitting and we're doing stuff.

[11:43] In other words we're doing stuff we know we shouldn't. It's no surprise we feel distant from God. God's never never moves from the position of he loves us. But when we sin turn away from him we're wandering off and we need to come back.

[11:57] And he said it's the loneliest emptiest place he'd ever experienced. But I knew that. And he'd stopped praying because he was so far from God. The one thing he should have been doing more than anything.

[12:10] To cry out to God but he was finding he just could not open his mouth or his heart in prayer and seek God. But in so doing he'd wandered further and further away.

[12:21] And then I asked him can I pray for you? And he said yes. And the tears were rolling down his face. And as I prayed I reminded him of Bible verses. To encourage him that God's love is supreme.

[12:34] And knows him where he's at. And wants to draw him home. And as I was reading these or not reading but sharing these Bible verses with him.

[12:45] He began to smile while he was crying. Because he remembered these verses from years ago. And in fact he remembered them to such a degree. That as I was saying the verse he finished the verse.

[12:57] And then said that's in Hebrews. That's in John. That's what Jesus said. Oh. And it was so exciting. I wasn't expecting him to do that. But he was so exciting.

[13:08] See I prayed. But the possibility of God responding to our prayers. Was doing much more than I was expecting with my simple prayer.

[13:20] He knew. I knew God was calling him back. And it was like in this conversation. This prayer time. He was running into the open arms of Jesus. You know I'm asked to speak sometimes in exciting places.

[13:32] And one of them is a place that used to be a pub. It shows God's got a great sense of humor. It was a pub called the Carpenters Arms.

[13:43] But the Carpenters Arms pub shut down. Because of problems in the area. So a rehab charity bought it.

[13:54] And now rehabilitates alcoholics in this place. It's called the Carpenters Arms. Can you imagine that? And I was invited to go and speak to these guys.

[14:09] Because it wasn't. It was just a men only place. And at the back of it. They had so many sort of rooms for restaurants. And all been changed into bedrooms and everything. And these guys came because they wanted Jesus to change their lives.

[14:21] So there we are talking about it. But it also reminds us the Carpenters Arms. Not only is it referring to Jesus and his arms on the cross. Loving. But also the arms of the father.

[14:32] Of the prodigal son. Maybe you know that story. It's in the book of Luke. Chapter 15 verse 20. Where it says that the guy who's gone off like I did in my life.

[14:43] Messed around. Did stuff he'd never. And eventually he thought. No I've messed up so much. I'm going to go back to my father. But then as he's going back to his father. You can imagine the thoughts going through his mind.

[14:54] How will my father react? But the Bible says the father of the prodigal son. Constantly daily looked for him to come back. And he didn't look for him to come back.

[15:06] So he could criticize him. And ask him to return the money he'd squandered. No he looked because he looked in love. And then when this smelly kid who'd run away came back.

[15:18] Because he'd worked with pigs. And that was what brought him to his right mind. When he saw his father. His father. His father the Bible says. Had compassion on him.

[15:29] And his father ran to him. And embraced him. And kissed him. He hadn't had a shower at that point. See when God turns up.

[15:41] He does miraculous things in our lives. And in the lives around us. And this conversation. This great opportunity. Next slide please. was simply came from me saying to him.

[15:52] Can I pray for you. And him running for answers. When the presence of God. And the power of God. Combine and respond to the simplest of prayers.

[16:04] Even one word prayers. Help. The outcome is always more than we could ask or imagine. And I'm sure if we had time. And we asked you to come up here.

[16:15] All of you. Would be able to testify. Talk about that. Christine. I think. Is just incredible. Doing the job she does. And then she goes away. And puts on the WhatsApp group.

[16:26] Please pray for this person. She obviously keeps it confidential. The situation is really difficult. Please pray for this. Two days later. Circumstances totally changed.

[16:37] Not by the eloquence of any prayers. That we've given. Or even necessarily. Because Christine's asked us to pray. But because God responds to our prayers. And the possibility of prayer.

[16:49] Isn't vague. Maybe. Perhaps. Or anything like that. It's yes and amen. If it's combined by faith. And you know. Sometimes. We may ask ourselves.

[17:00] Does God listen? I don't know if you've ever found yourself in a place where you pray. And it's almost like. Your words that you've said out loud. Have hit the ceiling. And you're not sure if God's heard.

[17:11] Well. Rejoice in Psalm 34 verse 17. It says. God hears us. And will deliver us from our troubles. And the Lord is close to the broken hearted.

[17:23] And will save those who are crushed in spirit. So therefore. Speak out to God. However many words in that prayer that you pray. He hears. And he will respond.

[17:34] And we never know the silent cry of an individual's heart. Do we? In fact. I've found. In many years. Of speaking to people. About what God's done in my life. I've found that those who are the jokiest.

[17:46] Fun people. Often have. Got a bit of a mask on. If I'm honest. And inside. They're falling apart. I was a police officer. Many years ago. And I came to faith.

[17:57] Through meeting people. When I was on duty. As a policeman. And there was one guy. Who I used to work with. And every time I saw him. He'd tell me 10 jokes. He did it to everybody. And then sadly.

[18:08] He committed suicide. I couldn't believe it. He was the funniest guy. I'd ever met up to then. He just made everybody happy. But inside. He was breaking. He was falling apart.

[18:20] So we never know. The silent cry of an individual's heart. They may never put it into words. But God knows. Even the toughest. I've experienced. Foul mouthed biker.

[18:31] Ever. I was witnessing to a biker recently. A place called Storm in the Castle Rally. And. I can't tell you everything he said. But what I will say.

[18:41] Is every sentence. Had the F word in it. And some Christians might think. Oh that's terrible. And not want to speak to him. But that's the world he is. That's where he's from. That's the place he's in.

[18:54] And if you'd known me in the 70s. That was me. Because I was in this macho police world. And we all spoke like that. But in my heart. I was falling apart. And this wonderful guy.

[19:06] Four o'clock in the morning. He started the conversation by asking. Why did Lot's wife. Have to become a pillar of salt. When she looked back. Leaving Sodom and Gomorrah.

[19:17] Before God destroyed it. This is in the Old Testament. If you're not familiar with this story. I have never asked. I had a biker ask me that. Before. Four o'clock in the morning. Eventually we got on to the grace of God.

[19:28] And all the rest. But it was an interesting begin. But that was how he expressed his silent heart. That was what was happening in his life. The desperation. He wanted to know God.

[19:41] Because four members of his family had committed suicide. His family. Not his friends. Two of his best friends in their 20s died. Of illnesses.

[19:52] And he was saying. What about all this? Where is God? God. And we had the most wonderful time. And he sobered up a little bit. As God was clearly speaking into his heart. So the possibilities of prayer.

[20:04] Are beyond our comprehension. They don't require fancy words. Quite the reverse. All you've got to be.

[20:15] And somebody said this to me the other day. And I'll keep using it. All you've got to be is authentic and real. In anything you do or say. Or ask God about. Be real.

[20:25] But also be real to people who are not Christians. Who've never read the Bible. Never been in church. Be real. Say. If it's hard. God.

[20:35] This is hard. If you read the Bible. Especially the Psalms. Often people said. God. This is too much. I can't do this. Too painful. I don't understand. Help me trust you.

[20:47] In fact. That was one wonderful thing. Where there was. A man whose son. In the Bible. A man whose son. Was in a terrible state.

[20:59] He'd had a demon in his life. I mean. It's just horrendous to think that. But he'd come to the disciples. And asked them. To heal his son. But then. He came to Jesus.

[21:10] And said to Jesus. If you're able. Will you do this? That is an incredible prayer. Because Jesus then said. How do you mean. If I'm able to do it.

[21:21] If I can. Of course I can. Nothing's impossible to God. And then he released his child. From the demon. And we're also talking about.

[21:31] The flowery language. Some people use. Well on the cross. Next to Jesus. On Calvary's cross. There were two. Other criminals. Either side. But one of them.

[21:42] Said to Jesus. The most significant prayer. Lord remember me. He knew. He deserved to die. His life had been horrendous.

[21:54] But then he saw in Jesus. Something he'd never seen. In anybody else. And he simply said. Remember me. When you come to. You know. Remember me. When you come into your kingdom.

[22:05] Remember me. And then Jesus turned. In agony. Still. Full of love. For this man. Who'd a minute ago. Been swearing at him.

[22:15] And cursing him. And he said. Today you'll be with me. In paradise. That's grace. That's the mercy. And love of God. That in the midst of pain. And suffering. On behalf of the world. He can look.

[22:26] And say. You will be with me. Because of that simple statement. Jesus remember me. Often people say.

[22:36] Prayer works. And in one sense. It does. But I think we need to clarify. It's that. You can pray to anything. People pray to the sun. The moon. Carved wooden effigies. Anything. But that will achieve.

[22:48] Absolutely nothing. But if you. Pray to God. The one true God. And he. He hears and responds. Based on his perfect love. Faithfulness. Mercy and grace.

[22:58] Then prayer works. See. The Bible says. That our God. Who so loved the world. He gave his only son. Jesus. To die on a cross. Not like all the criminals.

[23:10] But to die on the cross. By taking. The punishment. For my sin. And your sin. That we might be forgiven. Of everything. And right. And then Jesus. Rose from the dead. Three days later.

[23:22] There is no other religion. At all. That offers this. And to those who trust him. He guarantees. After his life. After this life on earth. Sorry. Will be welcomed into heaven.

[23:32] Which isn't boring at all. Please don't ever think it is. Next slide please. So. I ask the question. Very quickly. What is a church that prays? What does it look like?

[23:45] Well a praying church. Is a church. Hang in here. Because there is quite a lot. But I want you to hear it. A praying church. Is a church. Where individuals pray. Married couples pray together.

[23:56] Families pray together. Actually I will start again. What is Whitby Christian Fellowship like? As a praying church. And by no means. Are we perfect. Perfect. And I would never say that.

[24:10] But. I believe Whitby Christian Fellowship. Has people here. And as a church. We pray together. We pray as individuals. As married couples. We pray as families.

[24:22] People pray in this church. As friends together. Ministry teams pray together. The worship band prays together. The cafe team prays. Leaders pray.

[24:33] Youth team. Children's team. Welcome team. Welcome team. On the door. The most important part of this church. I believe. The building team. Prays. John will pray with people.

[24:44] When they come. If he's in the office. Or in the church. And they ask for prayer. The life groups. We pray together. But there's so much more we could do. But also a praying church. In a general sense.

[24:55] Is a church in which people pray big prayers. To our big God. To achieve his big plan. But also a church in which people. Know they can pray little prayers.

[25:06] For what the word. The world may think is insignificant. But to God. The smallest detail of their lives. Is incredibly. Infinitely. Important. A praying church.

[25:17] Is a church. Which young people. And new Christians. Learn to pray. There's nothing better than having a child. Pray for you. And also.

[25:31] We can learn to pray. By the example. Example of others in the church. And taking part in prayer. Prayer. A praying church. Is a prayer. A church. In which people pray.

[25:42] For the community. Who don't come to church. It's great to have a service. But it's not. You know. This isn't our mission field. Our mission field. Is beyond these walls. And a praying church.

[25:55] Is a church. Which repents as they pray. Because we're not perfect. A praying church. Knows that God. Is always more ready. To hear our prayers. Than we are ready to pray.

[26:06] And that he's able. To do far more. Than we could ask or imagine. I keep saying that. But I'll keep saying it. Praying church. Is a church. In which people plan to pray. Make time to pray.

[26:16] And pray spontaneously. Alone and together. In a praying church. Believes God can heal today. And if you want prayer. For any healing. Ask John afterwards. And others will pray for you.

[26:29] You know. I read once. About a praying church. That is within a town. And nearby was an estate. And nobody from this estate. Which was quite tough. But this estate. Nobody from there.

[26:40] Ever came to their church. So they decided. As a praying church. That they would visit. Every house. On the estate. In person. Knock on the door. And say.

[26:50] Is there anything. You would like us. To pray for you about. And the response. Was incredible. I don't know if you've ever done. What they call. Door to door work. Where you go to a door.

[27:01] Knock on it. Hope that. You can get a chance. To talk about Jesus. Before they. Crush your foot. In the bottom of the door. I know John's done a lot. Of that in the past. And I hated it.

[27:13] But then one day. I said. Okay God. This was when I lived in Harrogate. Okay. I'd like to do this. And see what you can do. That simple prayer again. And I've never forgotten. That I knocked on the door.

[27:24] And the doors were opened. And I asked them. I'm from the church. Down the road. And we'd like to know. What we can do for you. And every single person on doors. I knocked on. Said. Come in.

[27:37] And where. I was thinking. I'll be knocking on 10 doors tonight. I got to three. Because every single person. And there's one bloke. Who was an ex-forces guy. Real tough guy. I opened the door.

[27:49] So he opened the door. And I knocked on it. And he said. What do you want? And I said. I'm from the church. And he said. Not interested. I said. Well can I ask the one question. I've come to ask you. What can we do for you?

[27:59] Can I pray? And he said. Okay then. I'll put the kettle on. It's not us. It's God. And it's so exciting.

[28:12] If we ask people. Can we pray? What is there? In fact. When it was locked down. I was encouraging people. To ask those who deliver. To your house. When you couldn't go to the shop. You know.

[28:22] As the people. Whoever they all are. When they deliver. How are you doing? Is there anything we can pray for? Yes. Fantastic. And by the way.

[28:33] When they prayed for these houses. On this housing estate. The prayers changed. The whole community. Wasn't their opinion. The police told them. That the community had changed.

[28:46] And they acknowledged. That crime numbers. And anti-social behavior. Had reduced. Dramatically. So why wouldn't we ask somebody? Can we pray? Next slide please.

[28:56] Next slide please. Have you ever thought. Can God help? You're thinking in terms of. How can God do this? And.

[29:08] I just love it. When. Max Lucado. I've just quoted him on here. Tremendous Christian writer. If you. If you want to read about him. His books are so readable. And ordinary.

[29:19] And real. And authentic. He said this. He said. Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer. Is in the one.

[29:30] God. Who hears it. And not in the one. Who says it. Our prayers. Do make a difference. And have you ever realized.

[29:41] That prayer. Has no part in. Sadly. In atheism. I really. It breaks my heart. When somebody says. I'm an atheist. I went to. With a team. To a big adventure bike event.

[29:51] Back in June. And. We were praying. You know. Lord. We just love to be able. To touch lives here. And the first night. For those of us. Who had stands. We about 200 of. All went together.

[30:03] And we were going to have. Like a. A burger. And sit down. Talk. And we sat down. On this table. And there was this. Absolutely. Fabulous young guy. Who was a young student. And he sat there.

[30:14] And he said. Oh. Christians. Because we wear a big white cross. On our back. It was pretty evident. And then. He said. I'm an atheist. And I said. Why? And he'd never really considered.

[30:27] Why? But he said. He was an atheist. He was aligning himself. With something. Because he said. I don't know God. So we spent.

[30:38] I kid you not. Two and a half hours. Sat at this table. Talking to him about. Why. We're Christians. Christians. But you know. When you think of somebody like that.

[30:49] Who is. Or says they're an atheist. Or don't believe in God. Or are not running to God. To find out about God. They have no one to pray to. No one to comfort them.

[31:00] A heavenly father. Who cares for every aspect. Of their desperate lives. And desperate circumstances. No one to forgive them. No source of hope. For their future. Absolutely nowhere to go at all.

[31:12] So I love to pray for atheists. Or people who are confused. Or not sure. To just say. Look. Whether you believe or not. Doesn't change the fact. That God is real.

[31:24] And I want to invite him. Into your life. And then that changes. So finally. And I mean finally. I've been going a while. But finally. It's only half a page to go.

[31:38] All of us have suffered. In one way or another. Haven't we? All of us have known pain. All of us. Maybe going through. A very painful time. At the moment. And we pour out our prayers.

[31:49] To our heavenly father. But sometimes. Heaven seems silent. Sometimes. It can feel. As if God is being distant. From us. And we're not sure.

[32:01] What's going to happen. But. And this was a comment. By John Lennox. A mathematician. A professor of mathematics. At Oxford University. Tremendous Bible teacher.

[32:11] And I would encourage you. To just go. Watch some of the things. He shares. On YouTube. It's just tremendous. Bible teaching. He says.

[32:22] Jesus in. Jesus is suffering. On the cross. Shows. That God. Has not remained distant. From human suffering. Because he himself. Became part of it.

[32:33] On our behalf. I hope you follow. What I mean there. And don't forget. Jesus's death. And suffering. Wasn't the end. Because he rose.

[32:43] From the dead. You know. We often say to people. Jesus died. For our sins. But we've got to say. But he rose. From the dead. Because he. He conquered. Death.

[32:54] And sin. The Bible says. But to finish. I want to share. I'd been speaking. At an event. Where a lot of our CMA members. Were there. And a CMA member.

[33:05] Came up to me. And told me. He'd shared. With me. An experience. Of offering to pray. With a local biker. Where he lived. And this biker.

[33:15] Sadly. Had numerous problems. But also. A very serious illness. And the biker. Was a tough guy. Somebody that. Many people. Would probably find. Intimidating.

[33:26] Even to approach. Never mind. To ask. Can I pray for you? But he said yes. When the member of CMA. Offered to pray. And he prayed.

[33:37] And God healed him. Can you imagine? A man. Who felt. That far from God. Saying yes. And God healed him.

[33:50] And they met up regularly. At the same place. Because the. The. The. Member of CMA. Was so wise. Because it was local to him. He kept going back. And saying. How you doing?

[34:00] Can we have a coffee together? He didn't want to just. See the guy healed. He wanted. The guy. To know. Jesus. But he wasn't really sure. How the biker. Was feeling.

[34:11] About meeting up with him. Every time. They talked. But one day. As he turned up. This biker. Turned around. And said. In a very. Aggressive way. I. I hate.

[34:23] Effing. Christians. But then he smiled. And said. But you're alright. Because you keep coming back. And isn't that true?

[34:35] When I went to a home. As a police officer. A horrible individual. And I sat down. I'm in a cup of tea. Because I was skiving. After I'd done a job for them. And they said to me.

[34:46] Anytime you're passing. Come back for a cup of tea. So I went back every week. For 18 months. To skive. But what they did. Was they were always there for me.

[34:57] When I knocked on the door. They never once said no. Even on one occasion. It was 10 o'clock at night. It was just too cold. To walk the beach. So I wanted to. Get hunkered down in their house.

[35:07] As it were. By the hot fire. For 10 minutes. They never said no. I didn't understand Christians. But they were alright. Because they were there for me. And I want you to consider.

[35:21] The possibilities. Are beyond imagination. Because God is real. Whether you know that. Or not. And if we pray for people. We need to be where those people are. And we need to be authentic.

[35:32] And real. Trusting God will come through. As we pray. Last slide says this. We read a passage earlier. From Ephesians. Well this is in the message Bible.

[35:44] For anybody who doesn't know. The message Bible. It's a very kind of modern version. Of the Bible. It's not a study Bible. But it's something that can often give us. A slightly more interesting. And obvious understanding.

[35:56] Of what God was trying to say. At that stage. And there's some capital letters in it. So you're up and at it again. This is just to finish. No more after this. I promise. Ready? Go. Go. No.

[36:09] That was so mediocre. That statement is phenomenal. So can we have a bit of oomph. Ready? Go. God can do anything. You know. Far more than you could ever.

[36:21] Imagine or guess or request. In your wildest dreams. He does it. Not by which he does ever. But by working within us.

[36:33] His spirit. Deed me and gently within us. Glory to God in the church. Glory to God in the Messiah who is Jesus.

[36:43] Glory down all the generations. And glory through all millennia. Oh yes. Amen. Thank you.