WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.240 So in the evenings, Paul is doing a short series on encouragement, which we're taking a break from tonight. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:29.980 ! But I guess my aim really is to give you a little boost of encouragement, I hope, particularly with a view to evangelism from this passage. 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:43.340 In Mark 4. I don't know what you think when you think of the word evangelism, or how you feel. It is normally the word that brings sort of terror into our core, isn't it? 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:57.240 It is a great responsibility, it is a great privilege of the church, to think that God has set up the church as his mouthpiece to the world. 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:05.980 That he has commissioned his church to go to all the nations and to share his gospel message. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:12.000 And I think we know that well, don't we, as a church? We have a high view of evangelism. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:15.780 And with that, I think, comes a feeling of pressure. 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:25.460 We can often think that it is all about us, as evangelists, as a church or as individuals, wherever we are. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:32.539 And in that, I think we can become slightly control freakish about evangelism. 00:01:32.540 --> 00:01:40.620 I know that I want that feeling of being in control as I share the gospel. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:43.480 I don't like to be out of control. 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:53.980 The problem is, recognising, isn't it, that evangelism is actually more about God than it is about me. 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:58.520 It is more about God working than it is about me. 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:05.280 I can think back over conversations, perhaps, that I've had with non-Christians. 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:12.240 And I normally go one of two ways, and I kick myself afterwards. 00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:22.479 I can go in a bit too hard and sort of bamboozle fake with biblical language in terms which just alienate them. 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:25.599 And just push them further away. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:26.719 They don't understand. 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:37.139 Or, perhaps more commonly, I've actually not had enough Bible in my speech and in my language and in my conversation. 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:39.960 I've not been biblical enough. 00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:47.699 And I've just given them platitudes or some of my own cherished thoughts. 00:02:47.699 --> 00:02:51.639 And really, I'm scared of their reaction. 00:02:52.579 --> 00:02:59.039 And that feeling of wanting to be in control determines how I speak to people. 00:02:59.799 --> 00:03:02.699 Slightly control freakish in evangelism. 00:03:03.479 --> 00:03:08.599 But I think that is why this passage is so refreshing in Mark chapter 4. 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:14.599 Because despite our involvement in the kingdom of God growing through evangelism, 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:20.819 God's kingdom grows independently from us. 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:30.740 Jesus gives the parable here of the picture of a farmer who knows the job of sowing seed. 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:35.240 The analogy is sowing the word, isn't it? 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:40.180 And yet he knows the limits of his job. 00:03:40.700 --> 00:03:43.120 Do you see that in verse 27? 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:49.560 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows. 00:03:50.040 --> 00:03:51.580 He knows not how. 00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:53.860 Verse 28. 00:03:55.080 --> 00:03:58.160 The earth produces by itself. 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:04.260 The growth is independent from him, the farmer. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:07.560 He is quietly confident of a harvest, isn't he? 00:04:07.580 --> 00:04:10.260 At the end in verse 29, he puts in the sickle. 00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:14.300 But he has to give up that feeling of control. 00:04:15.260 --> 00:04:18.220 He has to rely on the seed itself. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:20.340 And on the earth, and on the weather, 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:23.959 and on things that he has no control over whatsoever. 00:04:25.159 --> 00:04:27.699 Just remember, this is farming without pesticides, 00:04:28.719 --> 00:04:30.439 without genetic modification, 00:04:31.219 --> 00:04:33.379 without modern machinery. 00:04:33.979 --> 00:04:37.399 And so as a farmer, you have to relinquish control 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:39.519 over the whole process, 00:04:39.919 --> 00:04:41.959 and get on your knees and pray 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:45.879 for bread at the end of the season. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:51.719 You have to do that as an ancient farmer in Jesus' day. 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:55.899 And this, Jesus is saying, is what the kingdom of God is like. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:01.339 It grows, in a sense, independently from us. 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:07.699 And so there is no need for control freakishness. 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:10.719 Now as we get into this more, 00:05:10.719 --> 00:05:12.339 I want us to see that actually, 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:15.360 Jesus himself, in his own ministry, 00:05:15.539 --> 00:05:17.920 has modelled this to us. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.839 He is the ultimate evangelist, isn't he? 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:22.300 The ultimate seed sower. 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:25.039 And yet we see, in his ministry, 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:27.879 that he is not a control freak. 00:05:29.159 --> 00:05:31.779 But his confidence is in the power of 00:05:31.779 --> 00:05:33.539 the seed of the word. 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:37.980 He is convicted that, despite appearances, 00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:41.319 he's actually chosen the right method 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:43.560 for the job, 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:45.420 as the kingdom grows. 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:48.580 So I want us to see three things in this parable 00:05:48.580 --> 00:05:50.740 that show Jesus' mindset. 00:05:52.200 --> 00:05:55.060 Jesus is not a control freak in evangelism, 00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:57.740 because he knows the kingdom will grow 00:05:57.740 --> 00:05:59.180 through the word. 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:02.040 The kingdom will grow through the word. 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:04.800 Now if you look at this farmer here, 00:06:04.900 --> 00:06:05.960 in this parable, 00:06:06.840 --> 00:06:09.800 there's an intentionality here, isn't there? 00:06:10.080 --> 00:06:11.939 He is doing something. 00:06:13.200 --> 00:06:16.000 He is intending on there being results. 00:06:16.740 --> 00:06:19.180 So he bothers to go outside, 00:06:19.640 --> 00:06:22.900 and he is sure that this strange process 00:06:22.900 --> 00:06:26.420 of putting these tiny little seeds 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:29.100 in the ground has a point. 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:32.600 These tiny, tiny specks 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:35.320 of genetic material 00:06:35.320 --> 00:06:37.600 are going to do something. 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:40.860 He relies upon them. 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:43.879 And the kingdom, it grows 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:45.439 only through 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:48.060 the specks, the seeds, 00:06:48.200 --> 00:06:48.939 the word. 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:52.439 Now back in chapter 2 of Mark, 00:06:52.580 --> 00:06:55.140 if you look at verse 38 there, 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:57.319 chapter 2, the seed is that 00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:59.060 Jesus is with his disciples, 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:01.959 and he's got a long queue of people 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:04.019 waiting for healings. 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.959 But in chapter 2, verse 38, 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:07.860 listen to Jesus, 00:07:08.099 --> 00:07:10.159 let us go on to the next town 00:07:10.159 --> 00:07:12.079 that I may preach 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.759 there also. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:16.539 For that is why 00:07:16.539 --> 00:07:18.139 I came out. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:22.699 And this is the pattern, 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:24.399 the priority for Jesus 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:26.180 that comes up again and again 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:27.800 in Mark's Gospel. 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:29.680 Chapter 1, verse 39, 00:07:29.979 --> 00:07:31.699 he went round Galilee 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:34.479 preaching in their synagogues. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:35.579 Chapter 2, verse 2, 00:07:35.659 --> 00:07:39.120 he was preaching the word to them. 00:07:39.219 --> 00:07:40.620 Chapter 2, verse 13, 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:42.139 he was teaching them. 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:45.459 Chapter 3, verse 1, 00:07:45.539 --> 00:07:46.699 he entered the synagogue, 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:47.959 presumably there, 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:48.879 to teach. 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:51.219 And as he sends his disciples out, 00:07:51.719 --> 00:07:54.000 in chapter 3, verse 14 and 15, 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:55.819 he does say that they would 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:58.939 preach and cast out demons 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:00.039 with all authority. 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:03.439 You see, there is a priority 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.699 out of all of the things 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:06.719 that Jesus could be doing 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:07.939 and he has been doing. 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:11.339 His priority is the word 00:08:11.339 --> 00:08:13.919 for the kingdom to grow. 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:17.020 And so you see how Jesus 00:08:17.020 --> 00:08:19.140 is not a control freak 00:08:19.140 --> 00:08:20.460 to start off with 00:08:20.460 --> 00:08:22.140 because he chooses 00:08:22.140 --> 00:08:23.500 the one method 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:24.920 that looks most 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:26.080 out of control. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:28.500 It's interesting, 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:30.420 as you get to Mark chapter 4, 00:08:30.520 --> 00:08:31.660 you see a division 00:08:31.660 --> 00:08:34.580 amongst two sets of people. 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.560 There are what Mark calls 00:08:36.560 --> 00:08:37.340 the insiders 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:38.279 and the outsiders. 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:40.860 We see a number of people 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:42.159 listening to Jesus 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:44.299 and hearing his word 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:46.100 and they want to know more. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:47.100 They ask questions. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:48.480 They get close to Jesus. 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:51.199 They want to pursue him. 00:08:52.079 --> 00:08:52.959 But on the other hand, 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:53.959 you see this group 00:08:53.959 --> 00:08:54.740 that Mark calls 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:55.500 the outsiders 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:57.799 and they hear Jesus' word 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:59.240 and they don't take it 00:08:59.240 --> 00:08:59.779 any further 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:00.679 and they give up 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:01.779 and they walk away. 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:04.159 Jesus' word, 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:04.860 it's kind of like 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:07.019 the Marmite of words, 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:07.480 isn't it? 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:08.639 Some people love it 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:09.519 and stick around. 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:10.840 Some people hate it 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:12.220 and don't want to go 00:09:12.220 --> 00:09:13.279 anywhere near it. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:15.220 And yes, you see, 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:16.579 rather than looking 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:17.740 in control, 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:20.379 choosing this priority 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:22.079 of sowing the word 00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:24.139 makes Jesus' kingdom 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:25.960 look out of control. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:28.559 And that is how 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:30.759 seed sowing feels 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:32.419 so often, isn't it? 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:34.179 It just feels 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:36.319 out of control in a sense. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:38.280 We cannot control 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:39.620 people's response. 00:09:40.280 --> 00:09:41.180 How are they going 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:41.860 to react? 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:43.420 How are they going 00:09:43.420 --> 00:09:44.640 to respond to me? 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:45.300 Will they ever 00:09:45.300 --> 00:09:46.420 speak to me again 00:09:46.420 --> 00:09:48.340 if I say this? 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.660 But Jesus knows 00:09:50.660 --> 00:09:52.540 despite the appearances, 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:55.379 God's kingdom grows 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:56.620 because the seed 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:57.700 does its work 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:58.700 independently 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:00.860 from the sower. 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:02.040 Now that is quite a thing, 00:10:02.140 --> 00:10:02.460 isn't it? 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:02.940 Jesus, 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:04.660 the son of God, 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:07.920 he must also rely 00:10:07.920 --> 00:10:08.840 on the power 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:10.040 of the Holy Spirit 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:12.040 and the power 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:12.900 of his word, 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:13.500 isn't it? 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:16.639 Even he faces rejection. 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:18.639 It looks as if 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:20.320 even he and his word 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:21.680 are out of control. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.379 But he is assured, 00:10:23.560 --> 00:10:24.480 he is assured 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:26.740 that despite appearances, 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.519 God's kingdom 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.940 grows only 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:31.759 through the word 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:32.680 going out. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.299 Now all of this 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:36.480 sounds pretty obvious, 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:37.120 doesn't it? 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:38.940 Maybe to you. 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:40.740 Evangelism 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:40.700 must 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:42.799 be about 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:44.080 God's word. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.200 That might sound 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:46.799 obvious. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:49.019 But I think the real 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:50.340 challenge in this 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:51.139 as we think about 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:51.840 our own 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:53.100 perhaps personal 00:10:53.100 --> 00:10:53.879 evangelism 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:54.600 with folk 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:55.919 is that 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:56.799 conversations 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:58.799 need to be 00:10:58.799 --> 00:10:59.860 biblically 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:00.620 flavoured, 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:01.259 don't they? 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:03.460 It is getting 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:04.259 the meaning 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:05.279 of the Bible 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:07.059 into people's 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:07.740 minds 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:09.179 and hearts. 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:10.100 It is getting 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:11.799 Jesus' words 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:13.879 into their ears. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.340 And as I think 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:16.700 about that, 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:17.840 I know that as I 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:18.720 speak with people 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:19.539 I can just be 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:21.100 far too cryptic 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:22.279 at times. 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.399 I can pretend 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:25.559 that people 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:27.039 will understand 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:27.679 the gospel 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:28.299 just from 00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:29.299 suggestions 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.779 that I make. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:33.019 That I expect 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:33.939 them to join 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:34.720 the dots 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:36.139 where they just 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:36.980 do not have 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:37.879 the categories 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:39.139 that I'm 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:39.860 expecting them 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:40.500 to have. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:41.620 And what is 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.299 going on there? 00:11:42.339 --> 00:11:43.039 In all honesty 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:44.019 I'm just too 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:45.000 embarrassed about 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:45.839 the seeds, 00:11:46.839 --> 00:11:48.259 about the 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:48.720 word. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:50.579 Too embarrassed 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:51.539 about the seeds 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:52.379 to plant it 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:53.000 confidently. 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:54.219 I look at the 00:11:54.219 --> 00:11:55.259 raw materials 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:55.899 that God has 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:56.399 given me 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:57.219 and I just 00:11:57.219 --> 00:11:57.480 think, 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.439 no way 00:11:58.439 --> 00:12:00.099 are they going 00:12:00.099 --> 00:12:00.579 to swallow 00:12:00.579 --> 00:12:01.139 this. 00:12:02.339 --> 00:12:03.059 I look at 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:03.620 what God 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.339 supplies and 00:12:04.339 --> 00:12:04.659 I think, 00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:05.259 no way. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.179 It's just like 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:06.480 what the 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:07.259 disciples did, 00:12:07.299 --> 00:12:07.559 isn't it, 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:08.159 with the feeding 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:09.240 of the 5,000. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:11.000 They look at 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:11.719 the supplies, 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:12.839 they look at 00:12:12.839 --> 00:12:13.539 Jesus and 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:13.879 they go, 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:14.679 no way. 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:16.519 But Jesus 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:16.860 says, 00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:17.159 no, 00:12:17.319 --> 00:12:18.139 you feed 00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:18.399 them. 00:12:19.339 --> 00:12:20.000 You feed 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:20.319 them. 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:22.820 J.I. 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.300 Packer 00:12:23.300 --> 00:12:24.000 once said, 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:24.580 you have 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.780 liberty and 00:12:25.780 --> 00:12:26.640 authority 00:12:26.640 --> 00:12:28.320 when you 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:29.140 allow the 00:12:29.140 --> 00:12:29.640 Bible 00:12:29.640 --> 00:12:31.220 to talk 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.300 through you. 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:34.400 And our 00:12:34.400 --> 00:12:35.180 desire is to 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:36.280 have biblically 00:12:36.280 --> 00:12:36.920 centred 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:37.740 conversations 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.920 with folk. 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:40.700 And that is 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.680 quite a radical 00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:42.300 thought, 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:42.800 isn't it? 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:44.500 Our religion 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:45.000 is supposed 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:45.820 to be private 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.040 in our 00:12:47.040 --> 00:12:47.620 society. 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.480 We don't 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.480 expect that, 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:50.879 we don't 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.580 look for that 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.520 perhaps enough. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.340 And I'm 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:54.740 not just 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.420 talking about 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:56.520 scattergunning 00:12:56.520 --> 00:12:57.200 people with 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.180 Bible verses. 00:12:59.180 --> 00:12:59.820 Occasionally a 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.400 Bible verse 00:13:00.400 --> 00:13:00.820 helps, 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.400 doesn't it? 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.320 But it is 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:04.600 conversation which 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.500 is gospel 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.379 flavoured. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.280 And I want to 00:13:08.280 --> 00:13:08.420 say, 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.340 we can 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:10.840 actually get 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:11.460 the Bible 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.140 open with 00:13:12.140 --> 00:13:12.520 people, 00:13:12.640 --> 00:13:13.240 can't we? 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:15.019 that might 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:15.879 not freak 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.560 people out 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:16.980 as much 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:17.259 as you 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:17.860 think. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.779 It's so 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.519 easy to be 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:21.539 embarrassed about 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.240 the raw 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.440 materials that 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:24.539 God gives 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:24.980 us. 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.120 I was hearing 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:26.639 the other day 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.360 about a Bible 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.159 study that 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.340 someone was 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.080 laying on in 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:30.600 a Christian 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:32.039 union in 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.060 a workplace. 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:34.919 And this 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:35.680 workplace was 00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:36.259 full of 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:37.279 hard-nosed 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.840 business people. 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:39.460 And this 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.200 Bible study 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:40.639 leader was 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.100 getting a bit 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:41.820 discouraged. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:43.500 we're going 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:43.920 through the 00:13:43.920 --> 00:13:44.420 gospels, 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:45.000 but is this 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:45.860 really sinking 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.140 in? 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:46.640 Is it doing 00:13:46.640 --> 00:13:47.040 anything? 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.300 Well, there 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:48.640 was one 00:13:48.640 --> 00:13:49.200 particular 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:50.520 executive, 00:13:50.760 --> 00:13:51.280 she was a 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:52.000 woman who 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.020 had a no 00:13:53.020 --> 00:13:54.160 nonsense air 00:13:54.160 --> 00:13:54.740 about her, 00:13:54.800 --> 00:13:55.200 she was quite 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:55.980 intimidating, 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:57.660 and she'd 00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.360 been coming 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:58.840 along to 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.440 this Bible 00:13:59.440 --> 00:13:59.960 study for 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:00.520 quite a while, 00:14:00.660 --> 00:14:01.000 and she 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:01.920 came and 00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:02.400 spoke to 00:14:02.400 --> 00:14:02.960 this leader 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.540 and said, 00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:04.300 you know, 00:14:04.400 --> 00:14:04.879 I haven't 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.460 been able to 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:05.980 get Jesus 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.580 out of my 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.060 head. 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:08.780 I keep 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:09.720 asking myself, 00:14:09.900 --> 00:14:10.380 what would 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.220 Jesus do 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:11.659 with the 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.340 power that 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:12.899 I have 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.299 in my 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:13.799 job? 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:15.120 You know, 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:15.740 I can spot 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.659 a person a 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.299 mile away 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:17.759 who has 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.299 complete 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.039 authority, 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:20.340 and Jesus 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:21.580 possesses 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:23.100 authority like 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:23.919 no one else 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:24.360 I've ever 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:24.899 seen. 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.360 And yet, 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.159 he uses 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:28.059 his power 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:29.320 so beautifully 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:30.019 to serve 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.500 others. 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:32.259 I found 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.059 myself wanting 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:33.799 to talk to 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.179 him about 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:35.360 important decisions 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.080 I had to 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:36.500 make in 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:37.080 business. 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:37.960 But then I 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:38.320 said to 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:38.740 myself, 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:39.500 wait a 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:39.679 minute, 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.159 you don't 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:40.639 even know 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:40.919 if you 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:41.539 believe in 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:42.340 Jesus yet. 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:44.700 You see, 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:45.440 she'd spent 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:45.860 time, 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.500 hadn't she, 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.039 in the 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:47.639 Gospels. 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:48.279 She'd been 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:48.860 confronted 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:50.419 with Jesus 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.720 in God's 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.240 word, 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:53.759 and the 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.600 seed was 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.720 working there. 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:58.019 God uses 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.960 his word in 00:14:58.960 --> 00:14:59.700 ways that 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.340 can't be 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:00.840 measured, 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.440 or explained, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.440 or controlled. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.320 The seed 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:05.259 works, 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.399 as that 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.200 Bible study 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:07.560 leader, 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.360 found out 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.640 independently 00:15:09.640 --> 00:15:11.280 from the 00:15:11.280 --> 00:15:11.640 sower. 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.440 And we 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.220 are sure, 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:15.840 along with 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:16.140 Jesus, 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:16.680 that the 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.340 kingdom will 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:19.180 grow only 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:19.900 through the 00:15:19.900 --> 00:15:20.540 word, 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:22.680 even though 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:23.160 it feels 00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:23.720 weak and 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.259 banal. 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.259 So don't 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.900 forget the 00:15:25.900 --> 00:15:26.759 liberty and 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.600 the authority 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.460 that you 00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:30.060 have when 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:30.700 you let the 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:31.580 Bible speak 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.280 through you, 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:32.660 and don't 00:15:32.660 --> 00:15:33.520 be embarrassed 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.919 about the 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:35.960 raw materials 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.419 that God 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:36.840 has given 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.159 us. 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.279 Let go of 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:38.899 that feeling 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:39.379 of needing 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.460 to be in 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.179 control, 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:43.480 because the 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.100 seed grows 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.000 independently 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:46.740 from you, 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.340 the sower. 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.019 It grows 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.059 by itself. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:51.939 So the 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.620 kingdom grows 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.120 through the 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.639 word. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:54.659 That's an 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.539 important thing 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:56.600 to get in 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.079 our minds, 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:57.779 but secondly, 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:58.439 the kingdom 00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.279 will grow 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.159 gradually 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:01.779 through the 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.299 word. 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:03.779 Verse 28, 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:05.659 the earth 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:06.759 produces by 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.620 itself 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:09.339 first the 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:09.839 blade, 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.519 then the 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:10.839 ear, 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:12.139 then the 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:13.100 full grain 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:13.679 in the 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.079 ear. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:15.919 It grows 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.740 gradually 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.539 in stages. 00:16:19.819 --> 00:16:20.459 Just imagine 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:20.980 the farmer, 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.759 there he is, 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:22.799 Monday, 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.399 he goes out 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:24.799 and he 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.600 plants the 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.139 seeds, 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.839 doesn't he? 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.079 But he is 00:16:28.079 --> 00:16:28.799 not there 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.919 on Tuesday, 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:31.319 wondering 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:31.980 where the 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.819 grain is. 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.120 He understands 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.719 that it's 00:16:35.719 --> 00:16:36.379 gradual. 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.100 He doesn't 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.959 expect too 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:39.559 much too 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.179 soon. 00:16:40.839 --> 00:16:41.439 First the 00:16:41.439 --> 00:16:41.839 blade, 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.459 then the 00:16:42.459 --> 00:16:42.759 ear, 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:43.600 then the 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.139 full grain 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:44.459 in the 00:16:44.459 --> 00:16:44.779 ear. 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:46.799 And again, 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.339 isn't that 00:16:47.339 --> 00:16:48.139 reflected in 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.679 the way that 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:50.620 Jesus ministers 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.360 with his 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.079 disciples? 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.980 You can see 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:54.639 it in Mark's 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.039 Gospel. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.039 Just think 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:56.860 of all of 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.399 the times 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.500 in the 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.339 Gospels, 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:00.899 where Jesus 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:02.040 gives clear 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:03.379 signs of 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.860 who he 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.160 is and 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:05.660 how he 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.079 is going 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.819 to fulfil 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.680 his mission 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.539 to the 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.319 disciples and 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.700 they are 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.240 clueless, 00:17:10.340 --> 00:17:10.779 aren't they? 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:11.920 They just 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.819 don't get it. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.759 Because there 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.700 are stages 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:17.039 to the 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.620 understanding 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:17.980 of the 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.539 disciples. 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.420 Later on 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:20.920 you can read 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.420 in Mark 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:21.960 8, 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.299 the midpoint 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:23.660 of the 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.059 Gospel, 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.840 the episode 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:26.019 of the 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.699 gradual 00:17:26.699 --> 00:17:27.339 healing 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:27.659 of a 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.079 blind 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.480 man. 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:28.839 It's a 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.179 strange 00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:29.459 thing. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:29.720 There are 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.039 two 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.659 stages 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:32.039 in his 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.599 healing. 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.240 And that 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.500 is an 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:34.899 active 00:17:34.899 --> 00:17:35.500 parable 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.199 of the 00:17:36.199 --> 00:17:37.199 gradual 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:38.339 understanding 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:38.779 of the 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.359 disciples. 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:41.859 And Jesus 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.859 throughout 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.339 Mark, 00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:44.720 he is so 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.599 patient with 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:45.759 them, 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:46.199 isn't he? 00:17:46.679 --> 00:17:47.159 He 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:48.459 perseveres 00:17:48.459 --> 00:17:49.799 with them. 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:51.359 He teaches 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:51.819 them and he 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.500 shows them 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.559 himself and 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.259 he knows 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:54.700 that the 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.119 kingdom, 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.019 it grows 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.839 gradually. 00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:58.819 He is in 00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.319 it for the 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.039 long haul 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.559 with them. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.359 He is not 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:02.480 expecting too 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.179 much too 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:04.500 soon from 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:04.879 them. 00:18:05.419 --> 00:18:06.019 But with 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.559 that there is 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.619 a calmness 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.079 in his 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.799 approach. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.579 He is not 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.179 a control 00:18:11.179 --> 00:18:11.500 freak. 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.059 He is not 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.599 trying to get 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.240 them to pray 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:13.980 a prayer after 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.659 a five week 00:18:14.659 --> 00:18:15.819 course and 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.379 expect them 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:16.700 to know 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.179 everything all 00:18:18.179 --> 00:18:18.899 at once. 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:21.119 But he is 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.000 confident that 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.119 his word will 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:24.219 do its work 00:18:24.219 --> 00:18:24.979 in its own 00:18:24.979 --> 00:18:25.719 time. 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.219 He is not 00:18:27.219 --> 00:18:28.000 a control 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.599 freak farmer. 00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.419 And that is 00:18:32.419 --> 00:18:33.159 so encouraging 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:33.579 isn't it, 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.039 I think, 00:18:34.219 --> 00:18:35.099 for many of 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:35.599 us who 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.759 have got 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:38.899 friends and 00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:39.419 neighbours 00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:42.259 who we've 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.079 perhaps shared 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.739 the gospel 00:18:43.739 --> 00:18:44.739 with in the 00:18:44.739 --> 00:18:45.239 past. 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:48.239 We are to 00:18:48.239 --> 00:18:49.219 be calm 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.759 in evangelism 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.579 and yet 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.420 quietly 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.160 confident 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:55.039 of gradual 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.779 growth. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.360 Perhaps those 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.779 conversations that 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.259 have happened 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.140 years and 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.779 years and 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.539 years ago 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.079 and you're 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:03.579 beginning to 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.860 think that 00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:05.460 they are a 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.620 lost cause. 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.299 I just 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:08.880 forget about 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.600 them now. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.700 Perhaps you can 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:11.400 remember that 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.339 conversation that 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.019 happened years 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.360 ago. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.360 And we are 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:16.140 not to lose 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.160 hope, are we? 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.580 Because the 00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:19.519 kingdom grows 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.320 gradually. 00:19:22.340 --> 00:19:23.120 On the other 00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:23.920 hand, I do 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.279 want to say 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.720 that actually 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.259 we need to 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:28.180 be wary of 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:29.279 times where 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.120 there is 00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:31.259 exceedingly 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.800 quick growth 00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:34.140 and it's 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.759 exceedingly 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.640 speedy. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.360 We long 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:37.759 for a 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.340 revival, 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:39.220 don't we, 00:19:39.300 --> 00:19:39.940 in London, 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:40.420 in this 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:40.759 country, 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.100 that would 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:41.740 be a 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.160 wonderful 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.500 thing. 00:19:42.560 --> 00:19:42.740 But at 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.120 the same 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.519 time, we 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.200 are wary 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:44.640 when there 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.560 is exceedingly 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.160 speedy 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:46.480 growth. 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.220 We do 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.740 not want 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.259 folks to 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.759 be like 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.420 those people 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:49.759 in the 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.360 parable of 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:50.900 the sower 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.259 who spring 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.059 up quickly 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:53.620 but they 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.079 do not 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.620 have the 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.880 roots and 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:56.759 they wither 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.039 under the 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.819 pressure of 00:19:58.819 --> 00:19:59.440 living for 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.019 Jesus in 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.579 the world. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.740 We should 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.599 not expect 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.360 too much 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.360 too soon. 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.319 I heard 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.019 the story 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.460 just the 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:08.819 other day 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.220 about a 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.960 conversation 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.460 someone had 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:11.960 had with 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.480 a young 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:12.880 woman 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.500 friend 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.900 years and 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.400 years and 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:16.099 years ago. 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:18.120 she had 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:19.180 lost touch 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.180 with this 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.779 girlfriend 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:23.200 and she 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:23.920 had apparently 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:25.180 stopped going 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:25.980 to church. 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:26.420 She'd 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:26.759 seemed 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.640 completely 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:29.220 lost to 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.799 the gospel 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.640 and Christian 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.319 things. 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.500 This was 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.339 years ago. 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:34.980 But then 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.640 just recently 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.079 she'd 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.079 re-emerged 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:39.559 and life 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.379 had led 00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:41.699 her on a 00:20:41.699 --> 00:20:42.199 path to 00:20:42.199 --> 00:20:42.539 a new 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.139 city, 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:44.419 to a new 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:45.079 job and 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:45.839 a marriage 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.379 in which 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:46.960 the husband 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.720 turned out 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.740 to be a 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.179 Christian. 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.259 And he 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.639 took her 00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:52.119 along to 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:53.879 church and 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.480 over time 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.579 she's returned 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.299 to the 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:56.759 Lord. 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.179 And as 00:20:59.179 --> 00:21:00.559 these friends 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.199 got chatting 00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:01.659 she said, 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:01.899 you know, 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.519 I really 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.399 never forgot 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.419 that conversation 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.680 we had all 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.420 those years 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:06.960 ago. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.100 See, that was 00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:09.840 the planting, 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:10.640 wasn't it? 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.960 And it took 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.019 years and 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.720 years and 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.580 years for the 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.940 blade and 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.779 the ear and 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.980 the full grain 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:18.940 to appear. 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.340 Seed farming, 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.440 it takes great 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.240 patience. 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.180 There's one 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.000 lesson we know 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.039 very well here, 00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:26.380 isn't it, 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:26.800 in Ealing. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:28.279 and we 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.220 can't expect 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.240 it all at 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.779 once. 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:32.639 And it's 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.399 easy to think, 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:33.759 isn't it, 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.000 well, 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.779 nothing's 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.819 happened yet 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:37.460 in that 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.039 family, 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:38.599 amongst that 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.200 family in 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.720 the estate. 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.200 Nothing's 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.019 happened yet 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.599 with that 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:43.839 family member 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.639 that I know. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.159 Nothing's 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:45.720 happened yet 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.099 with that 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:46.539 colleague. 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.500 And so, 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.319 because of 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.559 that, 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.639 Jesus is not 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.639 working there. 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.759 That is wrong. 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:55.899 The kingdom 00:21:55.899 --> 00:21:56.579 grows, 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.720 gradually. 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.879 This kind of 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.079 thing, 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:01.899 it does apply 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.639 to us as 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:02.859 well, 00:22:02.919 --> 00:22:03.319 I think, 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:03.759 in the 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.259 church, 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.639 as believers. 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.559 Each of 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:07.919 us have 00:22:07.919 --> 00:22:09.159 different stages 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:10.440 of faith 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:10.899 and of 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.319 knowledge, 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:11.960 don't we? 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.180 And our 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.899 approach to 00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.519 each other 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:16.399 should be 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:16.980 one of 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.839 patience. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.720 As Jesus 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.440 is patient 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.940 with his 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.559 disciples, 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.700 we need 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.680 to know 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.419 what people 00:22:25.419 --> 00:22:26.259 need to know 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.980 and when. 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.339 We need 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:28.720 to be 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.720 long-suffering 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.720 and accommodating 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:32.240 with people's 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.720 gaps, 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:34.779 I guess. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.240 John Owen 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.859 said that we 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.779 can be justified 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.799 by faith 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.460 without 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.539 understanding 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.299 justification 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.400 by faith. 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:43.519 faith. 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:45.540 We do 00:22:45.540 --> 00:22:46.580 not slam 00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:47.460 somebody 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:47.980 because they 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.340 don't 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:49.040 completely 00:22:49.040 --> 00:22:49.940 understand 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.420 a doctrine 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.940 or something 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.780 about Jesus. 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.480 We need 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:56.880 to know 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.480 what people 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.140 need to know 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:58.800 and when 00:22:58.800 --> 00:22:59.640 they need to 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.200 know it. 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:01.400 So the 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.180 kingdom grows 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:02.920 through the 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.360 word 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:04.800 and it grows 00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:05.600 gradually 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.240 through the 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.480 word. 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:07.120 And lastly, 00:23:07.280 --> 00:23:07.860 the kingdom 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:09.179 is heading 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.859 for a 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.339 great 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.079 harvest. 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.719 Verse 29, 00:23:13.439 --> 00:23:14.019 the grain 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.719 is ripe 00:23:14.719 --> 00:23:16.139 at once 00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:16.740 he puts 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.079 in the 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.419 sickle 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:17.979 because the 00:23:17.979 --> 00:23:18.519 harvest 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:20.000 has come. 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:21.839 Finally, 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.399 in the end, 00:23:22.459 --> 00:23:22.899 there will be 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.279 a great 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.859 harvest. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.679 The harvest 00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:26.259 has come. 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:26.779 God's 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.059 kingdom, 00:23:27.199 --> 00:23:27.740 it seems 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.419 banal, 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:28.959 it seems 00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:30.219 small now 00:23:30.219 --> 00:23:31.639 and there 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.119 is nothing 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:32.779 spectacular 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.740 about it. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.799 it's just 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.680 some little 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.559 seed, 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.500 Jesus says. 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.380 It seems 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:40.559 commonplace. 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.740 Even the 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:43.240 king of 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.720 the kingdom 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.720 is rejected 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.460 in the world 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.079 today. 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:47.759 And yet 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.380 the farmer 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.319 is confident 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.799 in its 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.819 final power 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.700 and in its 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.740 end result. 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.599 It's inevitable. 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.920 So rather 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.940 than embarrassment 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:59.279 about the 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.240 material God 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.000 gives us, 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:02.240 we should be 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.140 optimistic 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.780 actually. 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.900 It seems 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:08.000 so insignificant 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.080 and its 00:24:09.080 --> 00:24:09.980 king seems 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.800 so hidden. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.140 But the 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.780 goal 00:24:12.780 --> 00:24:14.740 is inevitable 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:16.200 of great 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.880 harvest. 00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:19.080 I wonder 00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:19.640 whether you 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.160 think about 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.759 that day. 00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.060 I think 00:24:21.060 --> 00:24:21.700 Jesus is 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.600 referring here 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:23.160 to the day 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.040 when he 00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:24.960 will return 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.280 and all 00:24:26.280 --> 00:24:26.620 of his 00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.240 people will 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.800 be joined 00:24:27.800 --> 00:24:28.640 together with 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:30.580 him on 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:31.040 the last 00:24:31.040 --> 00:24:31.580 day. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.380 On the 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:32.800 day of 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.319 harvest, 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:33.799 I wonder 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.259 will there 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.879 be people 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.339 there who 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.079 you thought 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.119 were lost, 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:39.720 who'd heard 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.259 the gospel, 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:40.819 the seed 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.119 had been 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.599 planted, 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.019 and perhaps 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.440 you will look 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:44.659 at them 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.180 and you'll 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.440 say, 00:24:45.919 --> 00:24:46.240 is that 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.879 really you? 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:49.079 I saw you 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.759 years ago 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:51.099 and even 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.639 then I 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:52.759 didn't believe 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.139 it, but 00:24:53.139 --> 00:24:53.919 God was 00:24:53.919 --> 00:24:54.399 working 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:55.119 independently 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:55.919 from me, 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.519 wasn't he? 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.619 And you're 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:57.919 here. 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:59.980 there is 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.600 no doubt 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:00.980 about it 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.560 for Jesus 00:25:01.560 --> 00:25:03.380 because the 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.140 seed grows 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:04.880 independently 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:05.580 from us 00:25:05.580 --> 00:25:06.300 farmers and 00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:06.680 so we're 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.400 not to be 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:09.180 control freaks. 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.380 This is the 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:12.120 liberation 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:13.880 and authority 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.779 you have 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.180 when the 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.080 Bible talks 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:17.080 through you. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.240 And this 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.980 is real. 00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:20.259 This is 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.840 everyday 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:22.440 Christianity, 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.440 isn't it? 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:26.440 It is 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:26.759 worth 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.480 remembering 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.340 who we 00:25:28.340 --> 00:25:29.100 are speaking 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.740 to as 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.259 we share 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.840 our lives 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:33.120 with non-believers. 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:33.620 Let me 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.180 finish with a 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:34.820 quote from 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:36.080 C.S. Lewis. 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.980 It is a 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.759 serious thing 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.400 to live in 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.120 a society 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:41.840 of possible 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.700 gods and 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.660 goddesses. 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.100 So remember 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:45.480 that the 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:45.940 dullest, 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.120 most uninteresting 00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:48.000 person you 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.039 can talk to 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:50.180 may one 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:50.920 day be a 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.900 creature which 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.820 if you saw 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.579 it now, 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.720 you would be 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.759 strongly tempted 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.519 to worship. 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.559 Or else 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.460 a horror and 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.139 a corruption 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:01.220 such as you 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.039 now meet, 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.099 if at all, 00:26:03.179 --> 00:26:03.799 only in a 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.139 nightmare. 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.480 There are 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.480 no ordinary 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.099 people. 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.599 You have 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.619 never talked 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.339 to a mere 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.919 mortal. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.619 But it is 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:14.939 to immortals 00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:15.839 that we joke 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:16.279 with, 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.619 work with, 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.939 live with 00:26:18.939 --> 00:26:19.599 and speak 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.000 to. 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.919 And immortal 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:22.720 horrors 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:24.240 or everlasting 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.240 splendors 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.220 follow them. 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.299 There are 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:29.120 no ordinary 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.799 people, 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:30.980 no mere 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.819 mortals, 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.319 but each 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.940 one has an 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.860 immortal soul. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:35.579 And so this 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.420 is Christianity 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.440 and speaking 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.460 biblically, 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.839 biblically 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.700 flavoured 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.960 speech to 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.519 people 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.920 is so 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.339 crucial, 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:44.920 isn't it? 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.620 It does not 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.140 have to mean 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:47.039 quoting verses 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.680 of people. 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:47.779 gospel, 00:26:48.320 --> 00:26:49.140 it is simply 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:49.960 to explain 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.460 the meaning 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:50.799 of the 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.140 gospel, 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:51.840 to speak 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.500 of Jesus 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.039 without 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.900 embarrassment. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.460 And that 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.140 is scary, 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.660 isn't it? 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.799 That is scary. 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.500 But it's 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.180 exciting. 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.700 And gloriously, 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.640 we are not 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:06.440 in control 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.860 of that. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.700 And that is 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.160 humbling, 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.560 but it's 00:27:10.560 --> 00:27:11.220 incredibly 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.740 liberating. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.460 Our lives 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:13.940 are so 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.519 messy, 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:15.900 and we are 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.560 not very 00:27:16.560 --> 00:27:17.420 good at it. 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.279 But this 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.740 passage 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:21.540 encourages us 00:27:21.540 --> 00:27:22.100 to see that 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.700 the seed 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.720 will grow 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:25.019 independently 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:26.119 from us. 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:27.879 And so I 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.680 can let go 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.139 of my 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:29.879 control 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:31.240 in my 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.799 witnessing, 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.440 in my 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.279 evangelism, 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:33.960 in my 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:35.519 seed sown 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.379 with folk 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:36.740 that I 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.139 meet. 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.180 And I 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.960 must get 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.519 on my 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.240 knees 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:41.539 and pray 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:41.960 for the 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.539 harvest. 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:44.920 Spurgeon 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.259 said, 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:45.660 whether we 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.079 like it 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.539 or not, 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.500 asking 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.220 is the 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.660 rule of 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.160 the kingdom 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:51.139 because it 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:51.720 grows 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.619 independently 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:54.259 from us. 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:54.759 It grows 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.299 through the 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.720 word, 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.799 it grows 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.379 gradually, 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:57.900 and there 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.400 will be a 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:58.839 harvest. 00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.480 Let's 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.299 pray together.