WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:07.280 Every now and then I'll have a conversation with somebody who's perhaps either just starting out in Christian faith 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:16.120 or who perhaps wouldn't even describe themselves as a Christian but nevertheless starting to take a look at the Bible. 00:00:17.179 --> 00:00:21.339 And they will say something along these sort of lines. 00:00:21.539 --> 00:00:27.260 They will say, you know, I've just started to read the Bible and I wasn't quite sure where to start. 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:29.800 So I started right at the very beginning at Genesis. 00:00:31.840 --> 00:00:37.140 And, well, I've been trying to do this every day and I've lasted for about three days. 00:00:38.660 --> 00:00:42.359 And they will then go on to say how actually to find it a really, really puzzling thing. 00:00:42.400 --> 00:00:46.960 And it's such an enormous book and yet just a few pages in, 00:00:47.299 --> 00:00:53.880 they're not quite sure how it is that we get from what they have read to all the things that we say about Jesus 00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:56.600 and how Jesus is so important, how he transforms our lives. 00:00:57.259 --> 00:01:06.159 What I would like to say to anybody, the Bible is obviously not just one book, it's a whole library of books. 00:01:06.679 --> 00:01:10.959 But reading that library of books can be a little bit like a crossword. 00:01:12.259 --> 00:01:18.700 Sometimes if you do a crossword, at first it can take a really long time for it to kind of fall into place. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:23.520 And in these early stages there can be one, two particular things thinking, 00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:25.340 well, how on earth am I ever going to get that? 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:26.799 It just doesn't make any sense. 00:01:28.040 --> 00:01:31.820 But then you get one word and then you get another one. 00:01:31.819 --> 00:01:39.359 And only as you kind of begin to get a few more of those words, it all begins to fall into place. 00:01:39.979 --> 00:01:44.939 And it's not until you actually have the whole thing before you, and that may take some time, 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:48.679 that you see how it all connects together. 00:01:48.680 --> 00:01:57.720 When we read the story of the Bible, and by the way, I would never ever recommend starting at the beginning 00:01:57.720 --> 00:01:59.240 and going right the way through like that. 00:02:00.360 --> 00:02:06.760 But when we find that story, which takes place over many, many, many centuries, 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:13.200 when we come to that story, what we find when we stand back and we look at the whole, 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:16.060 is everything points to Jesus. 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:19.280 It might not always be obvious. 00:02:19.540 --> 00:02:23.980 It might mean that we've got to really dig deep to kind of see how it fits in. 00:02:23.980 --> 00:02:28.460 But it all ultimately points to Jesus. 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:32.200 See, our God is a rescuer. 00:02:32.460 --> 00:02:33.540 He sees we're in mess. 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:38.179 And the whole message of Scripture is about God's rescue plan. 00:02:39.979 --> 00:02:45.659 Ultimately, in all its fullness, that rescue plan we see in the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus. 00:02:47.299 --> 00:02:50.439 But before we get there, we have this really long narrative, 00:02:50.699 --> 00:02:54.239 which paves the way and points towards, directly or indirectly. 00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:57.959 And as we look at the different journeys in Scripture, 00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:03.900 we see how they just serve as examples of how Scripture points us 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:07.879 to God's ultimate rescue plan that is Jesus Christ. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:11.060 So let's ask the question then, 00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:15.340 what does Abraham's story say to us? 00:03:15.659 --> 00:03:20.439 How does his journey, particularly this moment as he steps out in faith 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:25.719 and follows the call of God into a place unknown to him, 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:33.919 how does that point us towards that message that is the very centre of Scripture, 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:36.819 the message of Jesus Christ as God's rescue plan? 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:39.900 Well, the first thing we can say is this, 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:49.080 is that the story is all about stepping out into something new. 00:03:51.819 --> 00:03:53.939 Stepping out into something that is new. 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:59.120 When we come to know Jesus, it is stepping into the new. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:02.259 It is being born again. 00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:04.980 It's like the lights come on. 00:04:04.979 --> 00:04:09.699 But it begins by stepping out into something new. 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:14.259 And we need to be aware that that's something that actually is part of our, 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:16.920 should be part of our everyday Christian experience, 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:21.560 that we should see our lives as that stepping out into something new each day 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:23.159 that God knows about that we don't. 00:04:26.599 --> 00:04:32.500 See, that coming and coming to know Jesus and coming closer to Jesus 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:38.180 is all about that sense of being spiritually woken up. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:42.019 Theologian Tom Wright says that, you know, 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:43.699 that phrase being born again 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:49.379 can be understood as an experience of waking up. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:53.720 It might be that we come to faith in Jesus very quickly, 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:55.060 very suddenly, very rapidly. 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:56.839 We can put a time and a date on it. 00:04:57.019 --> 00:04:59.379 That was when and where I became a Christian. 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:01.300 That was when I started to follow Jesus. 00:05:01.300 --> 00:05:02.840 Bang! The lights came on. 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:05.000 I was in the darkness and now I'm in the light. 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:07.560 Sometimes waking up is like that. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:09.579 You know, the alarm goes off. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:11.879 One moment you're asleep, then you're awake. 00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:15.000 On the other hand, says Tom Wright, 00:05:15.139 --> 00:05:17.740 there are those experiences when we wake up 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:20.780 and it's a much more gradual experience. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:22.660 You know, the alarm goes 00:05:22.660 --> 00:05:24.620 and you kind of sort of wake, 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:26.060 but you're not quite sure. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:27.019 And then you drift off again. 00:05:27.019 --> 00:05:29.359 And then you drift back into being awake 00:05:29.359 --> 00:05:31.399 and then back asleep and then back awake. 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:33.579 And eventually, you've just about come 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:34.539 into the land of the living. 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:37.479 And it might take a really, really long time 00:05:37.479 --> 00:05:40.039 to the extent where it's difficult to say 00:05:40.039 --> 00:05:42.219 exactly when it was that you were asleep 00:05:42.219 --> 00:05:44.039 and when it was that you were awake 00:05:44.039 --> 00:05:46.299 and when you made that point of transition. 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:50.860 Tom Wright says that when we're talking 00:05:50.860 --> 00:05:52.300 about being spiritually awake, 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:54.660 it doesn't matter whether we're talking about 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:56.639 an experience of coming to faith in Jesus 00:05:56.639 --> 00:05:58.439 that is sudden or gradual 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:00.040 or a mix of the two. 00:06:01.340 --> 00:06:03.680 The point is that there is such a thing 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:05.500 as being spiritually asleep. 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:06.939 Dead. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:09.100 And there is such a thing 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:10.879 as being spiritually awake 00:06:10.879 --> 00:06:11.939 when the lights are on. 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:13.939 And there's all the difference between the two. 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:17.620 When we come to this story 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.620 of Abraham stepping out into the new, 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:22.199 we need to remember that that is the life 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:23.639 that Jesus calls us to. 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:26.259 And not just at the point 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:28.779 when we come to faith in him for the first time, 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:31.459 but every day God has plans for you 00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:34.079 that you won't know about when you wake up. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:35.860 But he does. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:38.879 And he calls you to step into that new. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:42.420 He says to Abraham, 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:44.640 I will make you a great nation and bless you. 00:06:44.900 --> 00:06:45.819 I'll make you famous. 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:46.540 You'll be a blessing. 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:48.040 I'll bless those who bless you. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:50.960 And those who curse you, I'll curse. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:52.460 And all the families of the earth 00:06:52.460 --> 00:06:53.780 will be blessed through you. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:56.220 It points us forward 00:06:56.220 --> 00:06:58.720 to God's ultimate saving plan 00:06:58.720 --> 00:06:59.860 by which every day 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:01.540 he will invite us into something new. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:02.319 And that's exciting. 00:07:03.700 --> 00:07:04.660 The second thing, 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:06.420 and it's kind of the other side of the same coin, 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:08.420 that as Abraham was called 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:09.960 to step out in faith, 00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:11.819 and as you and I are called to step out in faith, 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:14.379 we're called to leave the past behind. 00:07:15.899 --> 00:07:18.459 You see, the past can have such a grip on us 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:20.879 that it can detract us 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:22.240 from all the amazing things 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:24.579 that God has ahead of us, 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:27.359 ultimately in eternity, 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:30.379 but even now for the rest of our time here on earth. 00:07:30.859 --> 00:07:31.740 You see, for Abraham, 00:07:32.599 --> 00:07:34.419 he had to leave behind 00:07:34.419 --> 00:07:36.359 everything that he was familiar with. 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:37.639 The Lord said to Abraham, 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:38.840 go from your country, 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:39.540 your people, 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:41.120 and your father's household 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:43.319 to the land I will show you. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:45.060 You know, for Abraham, 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:46.500 he must have been thinking, 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:47.360 well, what am I going to, 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.379 I've been here all my life, 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:49.780 I'm going to, 00:07:49.900 --> 00:07:51.520 I'm expected to leave this behind. 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:53.460 You know, leaving behind 00:07:53.460 --> 00:07:54.560 that which is familiar, 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:55.840 that which is safe, 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.020 that which we know about 00:07:57.020 --> 00:07:58.360 is such a hard thing. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.139 And indeed, 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:01.780 as we look back on the past, 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:03.420 we find it a difficult thing 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:04.340 to let go of. 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:07.039 Things that we've, 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:08.719 mistakes that we've made, 00:08:09.479 --> 00:08:10.679 things that we've got wrong. 00:08:11.479 --> 00:08:13.019 The past, if we're not careful, 00:08:13.119 --> 00:08:14.039 can control us. 00:08:14.379 --> 00:08:16.539 And the invitation to follow Jesus 00:08:16.539 --> 00:08:19.039 is an invitation to let go 00:08:19.039 --> 00:08:20.979 as we step into the future. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:23.859 It's been some years ago, 00:08:24.359 --> 00:08:27.019 some years since I last went 10-pin bowling. 00:08:27.979 --> 00:08:28.879 One thing I could, 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:30.639 two things I can remember. 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:32.659 One is I'm absolutely rubbish at it. 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:37.379 But two is every time I do it, 00:08:37.579 --> 00:08:38.620 same thing happens. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:39.980 I pick up this massive, 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:40.559 great big, 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:41.959 what feels like a really massive, 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:43.519 big heavy bowl. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:45.259 Go like this 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:46.319 and try to pretend 00:08:46.319 --> 00:08:47.399 that I know what I'm doing. 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:50.179 And then to just 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:52.059 throw the thing down, 00:08:52.199 --> 00:08:53.899 which is probably where I go wrong, 00:08:54.219 --> 00:08:56.539 but throw the thing down. 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:58.740 And as it makes its way 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:00.299 in the direction of these pins, 00:09:01.219 --> 00:09:02.539 I start to do this. 00:09:06.199 --> 00:09:07.240 Nine times out of ten, 00:09:07.319 --> 00:09:08.719 it goes into the little bit on the side. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:09.599 I don't know what you call it. 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:10.819 It says how much I know about it. 00:09:11.219 --> 00:09:11.839 But, you know, 00:09:11.939 --> 00:09:13.259 and it doesn't strike anything. 00:09:13.459 --> 00:09:14.620 But that doesn't stop me 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:16.039 from twisting and turning, 00:09:16.319 --> 00:09:17.059 as though somehow 00:09:17.059 --> 00:09:18.079 that's going to influence 00:09:18.079 --> 00:09:19.620 the direction of the thing 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:21.439 that's heading towards the pins. 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:24.940 There's something about that, 00:09:25.020 --> 00:09:25.440 I think, 00:09:25.640 --> 00:09:26.560 which resonates about 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:28.200 the way in which we react 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:29.220 to our past. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:30.220 That, you know, 00:09:30.260 --> 00:09:31.240 you've let go of that bowl. 00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:32.420 There's nothing you can do about it. 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:32.880 And yet, 00:09:33.040 --> 00:09:34.340 we still contort 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:35.000 and contract 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:36.580 and move and twist and turn 00:09:36.580 --> 00:09:37.920 as though we can somehow 00:09:37.920 --> 00:09:39.460 influence that which has happened. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:40.200 We can't. 00:09:42.400 --> 00:09:42.880 You know, 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.880 when you let go of that bowl, 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:44.680 you've got to let go. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:48.640 And when God calls us 00:09:48.640 --> 00:09:49.360 into a future 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.340 which we don't know about, 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:51.500 and this was totally 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.480 Abraham's experience, 00:09:52.920 --> 00:09:53.820 he calls us to let go 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:54.560 of that past 00:09:54.560 --> 00:09:56.580 and to trust him 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:57.340 for that future. 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:00.620 You know, 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:02.240 that's perhaps easier said 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.420 than done. 00:10:04.540 --> 00:10:05.620 But it's the reality 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.680 of what we're called to do 00:10:06.680 --> 00:10:07.440 each and every day 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:07.899 of our lives. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:08.280 And, you know, 00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:09.200 I think perhaps 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:10.660 it becomes even more 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:11.660 of a challenge 00:10:11.660 --> 00:10:13.280 the longer 00:10:13.280 --> 00:10:15.080 we've been following Jesus. 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:17.360 You see, 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:19.600 this sense of entering the new, 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.220 it doesn't, 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:21.500 it never stops. 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:23.519 And the danger can be 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.540 that the longer 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:25.860 that we've been following Jesus, 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.240 that the older we get, 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:28.960 the more we can feel 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:29.440 that somehow 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:30.480 we've exhausted 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:31.560 all there is 00:10:31.560 --> 00:10:32.480 to know about it. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:33.840 We've been to church 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.740 so many times, 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:36.240 we've heard so many sermons, 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.300 we've read so many 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:38.100 Christian books, 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:38.639 you know, 00:10:38.680 --> 00:10:39.200 we've sung, 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:40.480 we've sung so many 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.080 Christian songs 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:41.659 over the years 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:42.920 that we've been there, 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:44.460 we've got the spiritual postcard 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:45.460 and there's nothing more 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.940 left to be encountered. 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:47.620 You know, 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:48.600 nothing could be further 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:49.379 from the truth. 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:50.320 You see, 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:51.980 notice that in this story, 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:54.179 Abram was how old 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:55.100 when he stepped out 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:55.659 in faith? 00:10:57.299 --> 00:10:59.080 75 years old. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.759 And things were only 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:03.379 just beginning 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:04.080 for him then. 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:07.399 However young 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.019 or old 00:11:08.019 --> 00:11:08.919 we may be 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:09.940 or feel, 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:14.860 there's always 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:15.480 more ahead. 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:18.700 And the danger 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:19.139 can be 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:19.800 that the longer 00:11:19.800 --> 00:11:20.600 we've been carrying 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:21.659 around that message 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:22.759 of the Christian gospel, 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:23.860 we can become 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.120 so familiarised 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:25.399 with it 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:26.180 that we forget 00:11:26.180 --> 00:11:27.800 just how life-transforming 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:28.379 it is. 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:30.200 I'll tell you a story. 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.000 One of the meetings 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:32.340 that I really, 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.480 really love going to 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.000 every year 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.100 is the Methodist 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:35.940 District Synod. 00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:38.700 I love it. 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:39.420 Several hours 00:11:39.420 --> 00:11:40.600 of sitting in a church, 00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:41.740 listening to all kinds 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.680 of talks and presentations 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:43.620 about church politics. 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.200 It's wonderful. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:46.620 One of the synods 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.659 we have each year 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:48.759 is a bit different 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.680 and the focus 00:11:49.680 --> 00:11:50.940 is more on ministry. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:53.139 And part of 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.560 that annual event 00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:55.800 is actually 00:11:55.800 --> 00:11:56.779 when ministers 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.700 that are coming up 00:11:57.700 --> 00:11:59.600 to retiring 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:01.580 will stand up 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.480 and will share 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:04.300 some of their stories 00:12:04.300 --> 00:12:06.620 of their experiences 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.639 of ministry 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:08.600 as they come up 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.259 to retire. 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:10.879 And to be really serious 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:11.539 for one moment, 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:12.420 that is one part 00:12:12.420 --> 00:12:13.180 of the synod 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.159 that actually 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:16.179 I find absolutely fascinating. 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:17.899 And there was one story 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:19.599 a couple of years ago 00:12:19.599 --> 00:12:22.279 shared by a minister 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.719 who was just coming up 00:12:23.719 --> 00:12:24.219 to retire 00:12:24.219 --> 00:12:25.659 and they had spent 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.779 some of their ministry, 00:12:27.319 --> 00:12:28.419 I can't remember 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:30.599 which exact country it was, 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.859 but it was an eastern 00:12:31.859 --> 00:12:33.239 African state 00:12:33.239 --> 00:12:36.299 where the language 00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:36.979 was Swahili. 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:39.379 and they couldn't speak 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:40.060 a word of it 00:12:40.060 --> 00:12:41.399 when they first arrived. 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:43.920 And so they said 00:12:43.920 --> 00:12:44.480 that they had to have 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:45.600 an interpreter with them. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.259 And they'd been in ministry 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:47.840 for some time, 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.500 they'd been preaching 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.159 for years, 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:51.299 but they were leading 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:52.819 this service 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:55.019 that was in Swahili. 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:57.120 So they would preach 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.039 in English 00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:00.600 and the translator 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.839 would translate 00:13:01.839 --> 00:13:02.679 into Swahili. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:04.299 And they said 00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:05.719 that as this happened, 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.339 that they couldn't 00:13:07.339 --> 00:13:08.399 quite understand 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:09.399 the behaviour 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.899 of the translator. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.279 This minister said 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:15.620 that they were preaching 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.559 this sermon, 00:13:16.959 --> 00:13:17.659 they would pause 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.339 for a line 00:13:18.339 --> 00:13:19.299 and allow for the 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:20.240 translation to happen. 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.339 And the further, 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.240 the deeper they got 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.500 into this message, 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.600 the longer 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.719 and more elaborate 00:13:27.719 --> 00:13:29.779 the translation 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:30.600 seemed to be. 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:32.199 And as it happened, 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.100 this translator 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.719 didn't just stand there 00:13:34.719 --> 00:13:35.519 and translate, 00:13:35.959 --> 00:13:36.899 but started to get 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:37.679 quite excited 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:39.139 and quite emotional. 00:13:39.719 --> 00:13:40.259 And they couldn't 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.100 understand how they 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:41.559 would feed them 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:42.519 one sentence in English 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.539 and it would be followed 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:44.720 by several sentences 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.480 in Swahili 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.759 as this translator 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:47.559 jumped up 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:47.979 and down 00:13:47.979 --> 00:13:49.000 and started crying 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.719 and laughing 00:13:49.719 --> 00:13:51.039 and engaging 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:51.579 and expressing 00:13:51.579 --> 00:13:52.239 all sorts 00:13:52.239 --> 00:13:53.359 of emotional responses. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.039 They got about 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.159 halfway through this 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:56.839 and they thought 00:13:56.839 --> 00:13:58.379 something's going on here 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.319 that I don't know about. 00:13:59.399 --> 00:13:59.759 So they took 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.279 the translator 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.119 to one side 00:14:01.119 --> 00:14:02.279 and they said, 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.539 is everything all right? 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:06.459 Yeah. 00:14:07.739 --> 00:14:08.819 It's your message. 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.500 It's amazing. 00:14:11.839 --> 00:14:12.739 And this minister 00:14:12.739 --> 00:14:13.719 was thinking to themselves, 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.639 is it? 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:17.439 And they shared 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:18.059 that story 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:18.519 to say that 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:20.059 ever since that experience, 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.460 they have never, 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.179 ever, ever 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.139 gone into preaching 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.299 with this sense of, 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.879 well, it's just 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:26.240 the same old message again. 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:28.480 And yet there's 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:28.919 the danger 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.840 that it can be. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.360 The assumption 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:33.539 that we inadvertently 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:34.379 take 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:36.039 that actually 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:36.559 this story 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:37.159 has just been told 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:38.100 so many times. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.899 We've heard it all before. 00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:41.919 And that's not just 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:42.179 the case 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:43.059 if you're a preacher. 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:44.419 It's true for any one of us. 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.679 If you've been following Jesus 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.739 and you've heard these stories 00:14:46.739 --> 00:14:47.759 over and over again, 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:48.899 we can lose sight 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.719 of the power, 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.859 the transforming power 00:14:51.859 --> 00:14:53.279 of Jesus Christ. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.399 And that's something 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:55.959 that we need 00:14:55.959 --> 00:14:57.000 to stay close to, 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:58.219 to hold dear to. 00:14:58.839 --> 00:14:59.679 I remember years ago 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.539 I was taking a wedding 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:02.500 and we had 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.699 the reading 00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:04.439 from Corinthians, 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:05.759 Paul's passage on love. 00:15:06.239 --> 00:15:07.159 And afterwards, 00:15:07.579 --> 00:15:08.659 somebody came up to me 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:08.819 and said, 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.799 what were those words? 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:10.679 And I remember 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.419 being taken aback 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:11.659 and said, 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.240 so what are you talking about? 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.279 Those words 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:15.120 in the service. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:15.860 I was thinking, 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.959 what would we do 00:15:17.959 --> 00:15:18.899 that was so out of the ordinary? 00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:19.339 No, 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.919 they opened up 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:21.599 the order of service 00:15:21.599 --> 00:15:22.099 and they pointed 00:15:22.099 --> 00:15:23.599 exactly what they were referring to. 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:24.479 And they were referring 00:15:24.479 --> 00:15:25.779 to the Bible reading 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:27.360 from 1 Corinthians 13. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.639 They'd never heard it before. 00:15:30.979 --> 00:15:31.979 As the conversation went on, 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.439 it turned out 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:32.839 that actually 00:15:32.839 --> 00:15:33.620 they hadn't heard 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.279 much of the Bible 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.019 at all before. 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:38.679 we can become 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.720 so accustomed 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:41.419 to the story 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.179 of Jesus, 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.620 to the saving power 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.279 of the Gospel, 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:45.740 to the transforming power 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.799 of the whole message, 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.500 that we lose sight 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.559 of just how 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:51.899 amazing it is. 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:54.659 Abraham, 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:56.220 at 75 years old, 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:57.000 as he has this 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:58.199 wake-up call from God, 00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:58.759 step out 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.579 because I'm about to do 00:15:59.579 --> 00:16:00.460 something amazing 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.159 in your life, 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.319 reminds us 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:03.419 that we must never 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.259 become weary 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.159 of this message 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.360 because it is a message 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.179 that is irrelevant 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.399 every single day 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.139 you woke up 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.259 as it was the first day 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.120 that you heard it 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.240 and responded to it. 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.079 You see, 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.799 we're called 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:18.319 to be expectant. 00:16:19.599 --> 00:16:20.439 We're called 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:22.759 to be 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:24.279 in that position 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.199 of poise 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:28.980 to receive 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.620 the Gospel 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.620 every day 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:32.059 as though 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:33.000 it were the first time 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.740 we've ever heard it. 00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:36.519 That can be 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.659 a frightening thing 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.600 when that involves 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.700 stepping out 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:42.580 into the unknown. 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:44.980 But it's what 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:45.820 we're called to do 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:48.139 in some way 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.679 or another 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:50.500 to embrace 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.740 the unknown. 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.279 For Abraham, 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.639 at 70 years old, 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:56.720 he was called 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.659 to leave behind 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.539 everything that he 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.539 was familiar with 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.919 and go off 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:01.440 to a land 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:01.960 trusting 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:03.200 that even though 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:04.160 he couldn't see it, 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.840 God could. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.940 And that may mean 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.700 a different thing 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.460 for each and every 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:09.940 one of us 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.420 but it is something 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:13.440 that is for each 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.420 and every one of us. 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:18.140 That every day, 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.380 even though we don't know 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.200 what lies ahead, 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.640 God does 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:23.360 and he invites 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:24.300 us to be poised. 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:26.680 So we come to pray. 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.180 I want to share 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:27.500 with you 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.640 one last image. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.420 Could we have a picture 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.220 on the screen 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.660 of this 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:33.060 particular animal? 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:33.700 Does anyone know 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.860 what animal that is? 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.060 It's called 00:17:38.060 --> 00:17:39.500 an impala. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.940 It's an impala. 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:41.380 It can 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.960 it's an African impala. 00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:43.900 It can jump 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:45.220 over 10 feet high 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.100 and over a distance 00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:47.580 over 30 feet. 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.360 Extraordinary. 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:51.319 And yet, 00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:52.000 if you put it 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.199 in enclosed conditions 00:17:53.199 --> 00:17:54.259 in a zoo 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:56.299 behind a wall 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:56.939 that's only 00:17:56.939 --> 00:17:57.839 three feet high, 00:17:57.939 --> 00:17:58.659 it won't move. 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:01.000 It refuses to budge. 00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.240 And the reason 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.199 why this animal 00:18:04.199 --> 00:18:04.819 that is capable 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:05.259 of jumping 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.519 such large distances 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.679 will actually 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:08.659 refuse to move 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.740 if you surround it 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.799 with such a small wall 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.679 is this. 00:18:12.699 --> 00:18:13.439 Even though 00:18:13.439 --> 00:18:14.219 it can jump, 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:16.139 it won't 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.900 if it can't 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.380 see 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:20.160 where its feet 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:21.380 will land. 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:29.259 All of that potential, 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.020 all of that power, 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.120 and yet 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:36.140 when it can't see 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:37.040 where it's going, 00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:39.500 remains unleashed. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:43.960 God has plans 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.400 for each 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:44.980 and every 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.019 single one of us, 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.220 no matter how old 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.480 or young we are. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.720 Every day 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.440 of our lives, 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.420 danger can be 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.339 we wince away 00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:57.440 because we don't 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.319 know where it's going. 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.000 Abraham didn't 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.039 know where it was going. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.000 But God said 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.380 to him, 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:05.960 as he says 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.599 to you and me, 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:06.980 come, 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.880 trust me, 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.720 I've got 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.240 great things 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.700 in store. 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.700 Let's pray together. 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.279 Lord, 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:21.799 thank you 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.720 for this story 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.759 of Abraham 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:26.380 and how 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:26.940 through him 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.559 you point us 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.079 to Jesus 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.359 and show us 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:31.240 that you are 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.559 the God 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.500 who rescues, 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.099 the God 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.059 who calls us 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:35.240 to step out 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.000 into something 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.660 new, 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:38.380 to step out 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.359 into the unknown, 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:41.279 to leave 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.880 the past 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.440 behind 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:44.420 and to embrace 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.180 what to us 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.119 may be an unknown 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:46.640 future, 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.720 but to you, 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.359 you know it all. 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:52.740 Lord, 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.440 forgive us 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.880 how 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:56.680 we retreat 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:58.779 from trusting 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.359 in you. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.539 Forgive us 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.160 for when we are 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.660 reluctant 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.839 to step out, 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.980 to leave the past 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.500 behind 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.420 and to embrace 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.119 that unknown 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.619 future. 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:11.879 Lord, 00:20:11.939 --> 00:20:12.319 whatever 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.939 unknown future 00:20:13.939 --> 00:20:14.559 we may be 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.500 facing now, 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.319 help us 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.479 to trust 00:20:18.479 --> 00:20:19.159 in you 00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:19.739 with that. 00:20:22.699 --> 00:20:23.399 Help us 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:23.879 to hand 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:24.439 that over 00:20:24.439 --> 00:20:24.919 to you 00:20:24.919 --> 00:20:25.459 and to have 00:20:25.459 --> 00:20:26.179 the courage, 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:27.579 whatever it 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.339 means for each 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:28.679 of us, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.379 to take that 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.219 step forward, 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:34.219 knowing that 00:20:34.219 --> 00:20:35.279 all is in 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.099 your hands 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:38.720 now and in 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.079 the time 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.599 to come. 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.220 In Jesus' 00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:43.119 name we pray. 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.420 Amen.