WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.600 Well I want to speak to you this morning about how to lose Chris as your minister. How to lose Paul as your minister. I don't know exactly how long it would take but there are some things you can do to get rid of them. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:39.359 Five years maybe. Almost certainly by ten years. If you do these things you will lose your ministers. Here is a passage open in front of us this morning. I hope you've got it there in front of you. 2 Corinthians 11 and 12. Here is a passage that shows you how to lose a pastor. 00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:58.719 Here is a text that shows you how not to be here in ten years time. This is a text about how to fail in ministry. That may seem very strange things to say. It's a wonderful day isn't it? A great occasion. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:10.920 And like I said a real delight for Angela and I here to share in this with you. Our church family in Aberdeen in just a short time took you and Emma and Gabriel into our hearts. 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:20.859 And I know that's just a fraction of what this church family feels for you. It's very evident today isn't it? What everybody wants today is success. 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:38.640 A successful ministry. A successful ministry. A healthy ministry. You want it and God wants it. And so here is a text which will help give you it. And it does it. Well it does it in a surprising way. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:02:00.240 So let me tell you right up front this morning how to fail in ministry. How to be lost. How to get lost. Here it is Chris. Let the people that you pastor come to see more of you than they ever see of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:20.039 That is how to get lost. Let this congregation come to see more and more of you and less and less of Jesus. Allow yourself to come between this congregation and their view of Christ. Block their vision. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:28.539 You know that kind of experience. You know that kind of experience. You know that kind of experience. It's awful isn't it? You've waited for months for the cinema trip or the opera trip. The big game. You've got the tickets. 00:02:29.239 --> 00:02:40.639 And you sit down in what you think is the best seat in the house and some huge oaf comes and sits right in front of you. And you cannot see. And your vision is blocked. 00:02:40.639 --> 00:03:10.619 And you cannot see. And you cannot see. 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:18.959 The view blockers here. The ministers in the way were super apostles. If you look at chapter 11 verse 5. 00:03:20.739 --> 00:03:23.299 Here are the view blockers that Paul is up against. 00:03:23.459 --> 00:03:27.699 Indeed I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super apostles. 00:03:27.959 --> 00:03:31.099 That's how they were calling themselves. How they viewed themselves. 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:33.979 They were boasting apostles. Boasting ministers. 00:03:33.979 --> 00:03:35.500 Look at verse 18. 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:40.259 Since many boast according to the flesh. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:41.960 That's what these ministers were doing. 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:45.099 Boasting according to the flesh. 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:47.300 Boasting about their signs and their wonders. 00:03:47.860 --> 00:03:51.340 Boasting about their conferences and their books and their followers on Twitter. 00:03:51.920 --> 00:03:57.139 Boasting about the size of checks they commanded for preaching in churches. 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:59.139 Boasting about their lives. 00:03:59.139 --> 00:04:03.839 And Paul says that kind of ministry will not last. 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:06.519 It will not survive. 00:04:07.839 --> 00:04:08.959 It may be impressive. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:10.039 It may be bold. 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:12.639 But look what Paul says about it. 00:04:12.699 --> 00:04:14.259 Chapter 11 verse 13. 00:04:15.539 --> 00:04:16.899 Such ministers. 00:04:17.159 --> 00:04:17.740 Such men. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:18.939 Are false apostles. 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:20.240 Deceitful workmen. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:22.819 And disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:23.460 And no wonder. 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:26.939 For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 00:04:27.740 --> 00:04:33.439 So it is no surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:34.500 Their end. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:35.759 It will not last. 00:04:36.840 --> 00:04:38.960 Their end will correspond to their deeds. 00:04:41.340 --> 00:04:42.319 Friends today. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:47.259 If you want to keep Chris as your minister. 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:51.579 Learn today to stop being impressed with him. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:54.379 Save your awe. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:04:57.459 Save your awe for God. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:04:59.060 Not Chris. 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:00.199 Not Paul. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:03.719 Save your awe for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:05.159 --> 00:05:08.519 And you see the Apostle Paul here in this passage gives a minister. 00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:10.420 And gives a church family. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:12.920 Something else to boast in instead. 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:16.360 Take your eyes off the minister for a moment. 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:19.280 And look what Paul is saying here this morning. 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:25.680 Instead of boasting in all the sorts of things that will harm a man's inner life. 00:05:26.460 --> 00:05:27.879 And ruin a ministry. 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:30.060 And ruin a minister. 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:32.360 Paul gives us something else to boast about. 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:35.060 Chapter 11 verse 30. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:36.360 If I must boast. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:40.840 I will boast of all the things that show my weakness. 00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:44.540 So what is going on here in this passage? 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:46.020 I want to show you two things. 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:48.000 In our time together. 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:48.740 Number one. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:51.500 This is verses 1 to 6 of chapter 12. 00:05:51.580 --> 00:05:53.680 We're going to focus on chapter 12. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:54.400 Number one. 00:05:55.460 --> 00:05:58.300 Our most impressive spiritual experiences. 00:05:58.600 --> 00:06:01.280 Can lead others away from Jesus. 00:06:01.900 --> 00:06:02.900 Not towards him. 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:06.019 That's the first thing I want to show you. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:08.519 Our most impressive spiritual experiences. 00:06:08.839 --> 00:06:12.379 Can actually lead other people away from Christ. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:13.879 Not towards him. 00:06:15.599 --> 00:06:17.099 If you look at those verses again. 00:06:17.179 --> 00:06:18.219 At the start of chapter 12. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:19.419 They're unusual verses. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:19.839 Aren't they? 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:23.179 Paul has been pushed into boasting about something. 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:25.300 And in chapter 11. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:27.240 He's been boasting about his sufferings. 00:06:27.340 --> 00:06:28.420 But now verse 1. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:30.620 He's going to boast about something different. 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:32.120 He's going to boast about visions. 00:06:32.660 --> 00:06:33.439 And revelations. 00:06:35.259 --> 00:06:36.519 And it looks as first. 00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:36.879 Doesn't it? 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:38.800 As if Paul is talking about somebody else. 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:39.819 Verse 2. 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:40.680 I know a man. 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:41.980 In Christ. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:43.139 Who 14 years ago. 00:06:43.780 --> 00:06:45.960 Looks like he's talking about somebody else. 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:46.939 In the third person. 00:06:47.840 --> 00:06:49.439 Called up to the third heaven. 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:50.600 In Jewish thinking. 00:06:50.600 --> 00:06:53.900 The third heaven was the kind of highest heaven. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:56.439 You can see it from verse 4. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:58.820 That it's paradise. 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:00.200 Somebody has seen things. 00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:01.860 That cannot even be uttered. 00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:02.660 Or told. 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:05.540 This person has been caught up. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:06.879 Into the very place. 00:07:07.140 --> 00:07:08.660 Where God rules the universe. 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:10.980 The control room of the universe. 00:07:11.200 --> 00:07:12.760 The beautiful epicenter. 00:07:13.140 --> 00:07:13.980 Of everything. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:18.600 And although it looks like Paul is talking about somebody else. 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:20.020 When you look at verse 7. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:23.080 We discover he's talking about himself. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:26.400 So to keep me from becoming conceited. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:28.920 Because of these great revelations. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:32.400 See it's as if Paul here is actually. 00:07:32.820 --> 00:07:35.800 So reluctant to boast about what he's seen. 00:07:35.900 --> 00:07:38.040 That he cannot even bring himself to say. 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:41.580 I've had some extraordinary visions and revelations in my time. 00:07:41.840 --> 00:07:44.020 He just can't bring himself to do it. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:45.220 So he says. 00:07:45.280 --> 00:07:45.620 Yeah okay. 00:07:45.780 --> 00:07:46.720 I know a man. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:47.520 This happened to. 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:49.459 You know what it's like. 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:49.919 People say. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:51.159 I have a friend who. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:56.279 Now we don't know what these experiences were. 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:58.339 Verse 2. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:01.019 It's as if Paul himself. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:03.240 Doesn't even seem to know what the experiences were. 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:03.579 He's. 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:04.719 Was he dreaming? 00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:05.680 Was he transported? 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:09.240 But look what happened to him. 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:10.040 Verse 4. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:10.780 This man. 00:08:10.900 --> 00:08:11.379 Myself. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:14.079 I heard things that cannot be told. 00:08:14.660 --> 00:08:16.040 Which man may not utter. 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:19.100 Things that I saw. 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:19.960 Things that I heard. 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:21.540 Even if I was a lie to. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:23.220 I couldn't pass them on to you. 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:25.800 All these things happen to me. 00:08:25.840 --> 00:08:26.400 Paul is saying. 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:28.660 And if I was to come up to the front of church. 00:08:28.780 --> 00:08:30.000 And tell you all about them. 00:08:30.080 --> 00:08:30.680 Verse 6. 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:32.639 I would be telling the truth. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:35.899 But I just don't want to do that. 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:42.259 I do not want you to know about my most impressive spiritual experiences. 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:43.980 You see that? 00:08:44.040 --> 00:08:45.040 At the end of verse 6. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:46.599 If I did. 00:08:46.719 --> 00:08:48.000 I would be speaking the truth. 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:49.120 But. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:50.439 But. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:52.139 I refrain. 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:55.339 So that no one may think more of me. 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:57.819 Than he sees in me or hears from me. 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:59.199 I could tell you. 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:00.059 But I refrain. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:02.079 I just press pause. 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:03.679 On the microphone. 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.959 Turn off the mp3 recorder. 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:10.500 You just don't need to know. 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:13.439 It's amazing isn't it? 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:13.880 Imagine. 00:09:14.160 --> 00:09:15.660 Caught up into paradise. 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:17.620 Into the highest heaven. 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:19.620 Remember the apostle John. 00:09:19.680 --> 00:09:20.540 In the book of Revelation. 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:22.380 Has that kind of vision. 00:09:22.780 --> 00:09:24.920 It's as if God pulls back the veil. 00:09:25.900 --> 00:09:26.820 He sees sea. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:28.600 He hears thunder and lightning. 00:09:29.040 --> 00:09:29.940 It's strange. 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:30.620 Bewildering. 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:32.380 An incredible spiritual experience. 00:09:32.560 --> 00:09:33.160 Paul says. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:34.320 I had it too. 00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:37.180 And I do not want to tell you about it. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:41.120 Can you see why? 00:09:41.680 --> 00:09:42.640 From these verses. 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:46.280 Your personal experiences. 00:09:46.280 --> 00:09:49.540 Which led you so close to Christ. 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:51.380 And which meant the world to you. 00:09:51.460 --> 00:09:52.060 When they happened. 00:09:52.059 --> 00:09:55.299 What could happen. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:59.199 If you share those experiences with others in the wrong way. 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:02.459 Well the answer is there in verse 6. 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.239 I refrain. 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:07.579 So that no one may think more of me than he sees in me. 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:09.039 Or hears from me. 00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:14.299 I do not want you to see more of me. 00:10:14.299 --> 00:10:17.379 More than you see Christ. 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:19.299 Paul is saying. 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:19.859 See. 00:10:19.859 --> 00:10:19.859 00:10:19.859 --> 00:10:23.219 I grew up. 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:24.639 In Northern Ireland. 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:26.059 In a church tradition. 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:27.519 Where. 00:10:28.219 --> 00:10:28.779 Incredible. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.779 Dramatic conversion stories. 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:32.199 Were really almost the norm. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:33.599 Almost. 00:10:34.179 --> 00:10:35.159 Well not quite every week. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.319 But very regularly. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:39.120 People would come to speak to us. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:40.559 To teach and preach in church. 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:41.439 Terrorists. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.759 Who were converted to Christ. 00:10:43.859 --> 00:10:44.279 In prison. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:44.699 And men. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:46.199 About to detonate the bomb. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:47.679 And Christ met them. 00:10:48.079 --> 00:10:49.339 And changed them. 00:10:50.839 --> 00:10:52.600 People whose lives were broken. 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.740 By drug addiction. 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:54.959 Or alcohol abuse. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:56.879 Amazing. 00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:58.299 Spiritual experiences. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.059 Deep. 00:10:59.339 --> 00:10:59.779 Real. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.120 Turning to Christ. 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:03.879 And it's wonderful. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:05.519 And yet. 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.419 Paul says here. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:06.959 Doesn't he. 00:11:07.299 --> 00:11:08.500 Isn't there a danger. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:10.279 In a world like that. 00:11:10.339 --> 00:11:11.220 That the greatness. 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:12.379 Of one personal. 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:13.360 Spiritual encounter. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:13.919 With Christ. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:15.039 Well what happens. 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:15.579 It makes. 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:16.759 My relationship. 00:11:16.939 --> 00:11:17.419 With Jesus. 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:17.939 Seem. 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:18.740 Ordinary. 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:20.659 Unimpressive. 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:23.759 That's Paul's point here. 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:25.379 Who looks great. 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:26.720 The speaker. 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:28.519 Or the saviour. 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:31.879 Friends. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:33.240 Our most impressive. 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:34.480 Spiritual experiences. 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:35.779 Can lead others. 00:11:36.199 --> 00:11:37.379 Away from Jesus. 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.500 Not towards him. 00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:40.860 Because people see. 00:11:41.079 --> 00:11:41.519 Us. 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:43.199 Instead of him. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:43.820 They see. 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:45.820 They see. 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:46.680 What we tasted. 00:11:46.680 --> 00:11:48.120 And they don't get to taste it. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:48.820 And they're left. 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:49.660 Hungry. 00:11:51.140 --> 00:11:51.840 Paul is. 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:52.780 Teaching us here. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:53.460 In this passage. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:53.720 That. 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.540 Closeness to Christ. 00:11:55.540 --> 00:11:56.340 Does exist. 00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:57.660 It can be found somewhere. 00:11:58.020 --> 00:11:58.960 But it is not. 00:11:59.240 --> 00:11:59.680 Usually. 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:00.720 On the mountaintop. 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:01.400 It is not. 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:01.960 Usually. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:02.680 In the vision. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:03.680 Or the dream. 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:04.620 As wonderful. 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.240 As that is. 00:12:05.300 --> 00:12:05.860 When it happens. 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:08.800 For Paul. 00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:09.919 And for us. 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:11.360 Real. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.639 Closeness to Christ. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:14.060 Is found somewhere else. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:17.159 And this is the huge surprise. 00:12:17.300 --> 00:12:18.320 Here's the second thing. 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.200 That I want us to see. 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:20.960 Number two. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:24.019 Our most painful. 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:26.039 Personal experiences. 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:27.039 Can lead us. 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:27.879 To Jesus. 00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:29.600 Not away from him. 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:39.060 See Paul knows. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:39.540 Doesn't he. 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.860 That his incredible. 00:12:41.040 --> 00:12:42.000 Spiritual experiences. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:43.659 Pose a perilous threat. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.279 To his spiritual health. 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:45.920 Doesn't he. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.840 These surpassingly. 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:48.840 Great revelations. 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:49.639 Might have been. 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.420 The end of me. 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:51.980 Isn't that what he's saying. 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:52.659 In verse seven. 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:54.700 So to keep me. 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:55.920 From becoming conceited. 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.639 Because of the surpassing. 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:59.000 Greatness of the revelations. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:12:59.500 God. 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:01.259 Did something to me. 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:05.220 Then if you remember. 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:06.259 2004. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:08.259 Young chap. 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.200 Alex Malarkey. 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:11.120 Was in a car crash. 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.200 That left him in a coma. 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:14.299 And when Alex Malarkey. 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.139 Emerged from the coma. 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.820 He told the world. 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:17.179 That. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.460 While he had been in the coma. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.419 He went to heaven. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.840 And saw Jesus. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:23.860 Face to face. 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:26.940 Now what happens. 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:27.480 To somebody. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.500 When you come back. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.679 Almost from near dead. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.399 And say that. 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:33.440 Well in Alex Malarkey's case. 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.740 It got him a book deal. 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:37.340 Got him television shows. 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:37.899 Got him. 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.659 Huge checks. 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:40.620 Actually in his case. 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:41.259 It was a book deal. 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:42.159 Which was pulled. 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.139 Eventually. 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:43.919 As he admits. 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.159 That he now made it all up. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.799 But he's not the only one. 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.320 Is he? 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:49.460 There's plenty of stories. 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:49.860 Like that. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:50.620 Where people have. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.100 Extraordinary experiences. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:53.100 What happens. 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.279 What happens. 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.139 In your heart. 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:55.899 As you appear. 00:13:56.060 --> 00:13:56.779 On the chat show. 00:13:56.940 --> 00:13:57.680 On live TV. 00:13:58.040 --> 00:13:59.340 As you tell your stories. 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.700 And the money comes rolling in. 00:14:00.920 --> 00:14:01.720 What happens. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:02.700 Inside you. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.659 Surely what happens. 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.840 Is pride. 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:08.759 And conceit. 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:12.000 So tomorrow morning. 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:13.939 Or whenever the bank holiday passes. 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:15.100 The Royal Mail. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.860 Are back in action. 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.759 And an invitation. 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.700 Drops through your door. 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.779 Completely unexpected. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.639 Out of the blue. 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:23.139 You are one of the few. 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.700 Members of the public. 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:26.179 Chosen to attend. 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:27.840 Harry and Meghan's wedding. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:30.680 And you can't believe it. 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:31.960 The invitation is stunning. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:32.980 It looks spectacular. 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.560 And off you go. 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.560 To the Royal Wedding. 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:36.960 And you are treated to. 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:38.560 Every single part of the day. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.360 You meet the Queen. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:39.920 For tea. 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.139 You are there. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.639 In the church. 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:43.200 You witness. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.240 Absolutely everything. 00:14:44.420 --> 00:14:45.100 You get to go to. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.340 Both receptions. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.920 You meet everybody. 00:14:48.040 --> 00:14:48.960 You're involved in it all. 00:14:49.060 --> 00:14:49.960 And as you leave. 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.759 Someone in a dark suit. 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.879 Pulls you up to the side. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.320 And says. 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.900 You must not tell. 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:56.060 A single person. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.720 About what you've seen. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:58.120 Today. 00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:00.399 It's the same. 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:00.720 Isn't it. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.500 As verse 4. 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.160 Paul has seen. 00:15:03.280 --> 00:15:04.680 Things that cannot be told. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.660 That he may not utter. 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:06.940 You go back to work. 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:08.240 And everybody's talking. 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.780 About the Royal Wedding. 00:15:09.780 --> 00:15:10.720 Wouldn't it have been amazing. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.360 To be there. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.460 Imagine seeing it. 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.240 And you're sitting there. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.519 And you have to keep. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.259 Your mouth. 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.040 Shut. 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.700 And yet you were there. 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.160 You saw it all. 00:15:20.280 --> 00:15:21.180 Experienced it all. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.720 What would happen. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.780 Inside you. 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:24.900 At that moment. 00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:27.800 Would be pride. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.480 Wouldn't it. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.100 You would need. 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:30.820 Something. 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:33.160 To kill your pride. 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:35.240 To stop you feeling. 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:35.920 Superior. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:36.600 Different. 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.160 Better. 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:38.600 More in the know. 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:42.540 Look again. 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.240 At verse 7. 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:45.460 So to keep me. 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.659 From becoming conceited. 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:48.220 Because of the surpassing. 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:48.940 Greatness. 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.940 Of the revelations. 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:51.779 A thorn. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:53.440 Was given me. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.180 In the flesh. 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:55.860 A messenger. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.419 Of Satan. 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.320 To harass me. 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.320 To keep me. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.480 From becoming conceited. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:02.560 See. 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.240 Paul is saying. 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:05.200 If that's all I've known of God. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.440 What I saw in heaven. 00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:08.399 If that's all I've known of God. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:10.379 I would think I was so strong. 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:13.240 So special. 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.639 And so he says. 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.879 God set about. 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.620 Killing. 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:18.980 My pride. 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.159 Humbling me. 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.399 God set about. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.439 Poisoning. 00:16:22.439 --> 00:16:23.399 My conceit. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.879 At its very roots. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.080 Deep in my heart. 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.539 And let me tell you this. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.139 Paul says. 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.220 It hurts. 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:31.019 More than I can say. 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.460 It's interesting. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.699 Over the centuries. 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.759 Theologians have invested. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.199 A huge amount of energy. 00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:40.840 People have done. 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:41.580 PhDs. 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.379 And all sorts of things. 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:43.799 Trying to work out. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.000 What this thorn. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:45.659 Was. 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:46.379 For Paul. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:49.019 And some people have said. 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:49.840 It was malaria. 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:52.080 Perhaps. 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.779 A serious eye condition. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.899 Maybe depression. 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:58.120 Some kind of physical. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:58.819 Deformity. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.480 Maybe it was a besetting sin. 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.519 That he just couldn't. 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.799 Seem to shake off. 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.980 Huge amounts of study. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.779 Have gone into. 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.759 Trying to work out. 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.299 What it was. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.240 When in fact. 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.799 Isn't it the greatest. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.319 Help. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.019 And kindness. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:11.539 To us. 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.299 That it just. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.200 Says. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.359 Thorn. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.400 That's all we need to know. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.200 Think what would happen. 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.160 If we knew it was. 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.039 Poor eyesight. 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:25.319 Think how conceited. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.900 Everybody with poor eyesight. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.319 Would be. 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.000 Towards everyone. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.640 With depression. 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:30.460 I have Paul's. 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.400 Thorn in the flesh. 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.420 You're just dealing. 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.359 With a scratch. 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:38.299 No. 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.319 It is a great mercy. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:39.740 Because. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.619 Well. 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:42.240 We do not live long. 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:42.940 In this life. 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.319 Do we. 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:44.400 And in these bodies. 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:46.180 Before we know. 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:46.819 What it is. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.920 To be tormented. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.779 By something. 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:49.720 Something. 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.779 Nearly put. 00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.880 Out of your mind. 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.700 By something. 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.299 Thorn. 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.200 This word. 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.500 This word here. 00:17:57.600 --> 00:17:58.100 For thorn. 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.240 It's not a splinter. 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.580 It's not even really. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.759 Your garden rose. 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:03.519 Kind of thorn. 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.279 This word. 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:04.980 Is more like. 00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:05.819 A stake. 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:07.259 It's like the kind of thing. 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.000 You peg. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.019 You peg. 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:09.359 Down your tent with. 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.339 It is big. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.839 And strong. 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.740 And sharp. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.079 And you feel it. 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:15.839 All the time. 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.740 And look how it works. 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.839 Look at the actual wording. 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.079 You notice what's happening here. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.980 Paul is given this thorn. 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.680 And it seems like. 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.400 He's given it. 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.379 From Satan. 00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:28.059 The devil. 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:30.059 It is a message. 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.779 He has sent. 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.220 To you. 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:31.599 Paul. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:32.959 And yet. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.779 Look at verse 8. 00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:34.699 He does not. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.079 Beg the devil. 00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:36.819 To pull it out. 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:37.619 And take it away. 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.839 But the Lord. 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.980 See it might be. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.119 A messenger of Satan. 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.959 But Satan. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.799 Paul knows. 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.599 Satan is God's. 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.099 Satan. 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:48.139 He's on God's leash. 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.639 And God can take it away. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.439 If he wants to. 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:52.959 Did you notice. 00:18:52.959 --> 00:18:53.719 What's happened here. 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.379 Notice where Paul has landed. 00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:56.459 He has been taken. 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:58.439 From the highest height. 00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.799 Right up into the third heaven. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.839 And God has taken him from there. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.619 And he has. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:04.879 Brought him down. 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.240 To the lowest low. 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:08.619 He has arrived in a place. 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.500 Where he knows. 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:11.399 God is making him. 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:11.940 Weak. 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.019 To kill. 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.220 His pride. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.119 And to show. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:16.759 Christ. 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.500 As powerful. 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.440 And Christ. 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.019 As everything. 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:23.019 Here's how one. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.599 Commentator puts this. 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:25.720 Listen to this. 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.680 Being tormented. 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.559 By a messenger. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.279 From Satan. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.220 Is a gift. 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.980 Because it is. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.059 Better than being. 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.519 Ruined. 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.279 By pride. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.279 Astonishing words. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.360 Being tormented. 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.319 By a messenger. 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.000 From Satan. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.940 Is a gift. 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:41.620 Because it is. 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.440 Better than being. 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:42.779 Ruined. 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.400 By pride. 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.460 I think this goes. 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.620 Right to the heart of it. 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.579 I think this gets it. 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:46.940 Right. 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.220 Being tormented. 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:49.960 By a messenger. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.620 From Satan. 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.839 Isn't Paul saying. 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.440 God brought me down. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.900 From my elevated position. 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:55.880 And he has. 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.660 Pinned me. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.660 Staked me. 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.400 To the ground. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:01.700 It is a severe. 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:03.180 Kindness. 00:20:03.300 --> 00:20:03.880 From God. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.340 Severe mercy. 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.200 It is better. 00:20:07.320 --> 00:20:08.259 To have the thorn. 00:20:08.340 --> 00:20:09.100 In the flesh. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.800 Than pride. 00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:11.440 In the heart. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.460 Brothers and sisters. 00:20:16.580 --> 00:20:17.040 In the healing. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:17.740 This morning. 00:20:18.820 --> 00:20:19.380 Friends. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.279 God might. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:20.920 Use. 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:21.720 Satan. 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.360 To keep. 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.360 Your ministers. 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:24.840 In ministry. 00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:24.900 In ministry. 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:29.440 Chris. 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.759 Without weakness. 00:20:32.080 --> 00:20:33.160 If you love. 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:33.880 Strength. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.140 It is possible. 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.019 That you will come. 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.600 To love. 00:20:37.780 --> 00:20:38.900 All the wrong things. 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.600 In your ministry. 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:41.940 And Paul. 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.720 Is saying here. 00:20:42.780 --> 00:20:43.120 Isn't he. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.700 That the strong man. 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:47.100 The strong man. 00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:47.620 Ministry. 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.540 Gets. 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.340 In the way. 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:49.860 Of people. 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.440 Seeing. 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:50.980 Jesus. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.220 Jesus. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.339 And so. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.220 What he does. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:54.900 So often. 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.420 Is to. 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.680 Gospel ministers. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.660 Is that he. 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.500 Pins them. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.240 To the ground. 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.519 So that there is. 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.420 Less and less. 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:03.819 Of them. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.559 To be seen. 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.819 And more. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.640 And more. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.140 Of Jesus. 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:07.880 To be seen. 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.160 I don't know. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.839 How God. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.519 Will do it. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.000 With you. 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:14.680 Chris. 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.559 I think. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:16.900 The Lord. 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.539 In his kindness. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.220 Treats. 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.200 His gospel ministers. 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:20.079 In different ways. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.519 Doesn't he. 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.299 We're all different. 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.759 Different struggles. 00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:23.759 Different personalities. 00:21:24.939 --> 00:21:26.319 And his severe. 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.539 Mercies. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.319 Are different. 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.279 For each of us. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:33.179 For some ministers. 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.419 God is gracious. 00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.379 In hiding. 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.099 Our fruit. 00:21:37.439 --> 00:21:37.980 From us. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.619 Think about that. 00:21:40.679 --> 00:21:41.579 God often. 00:21:41.679 --> 00:21:42.419 Hides the fruit. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:42.939 Of our work. 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.379 Because. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.460 For some of us. 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.159 It would be more. 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:45.859 Than our heads. 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.639 Could cope with. 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:49.099 Listen to J.C. 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:49.500 Ryle. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:52.039 He says this. 00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:53.399 Let it never be forgotten. 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:55.019 That the time of success. 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.379 Is a time of danger. 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.619 To the Christian soul. 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.059 The very hearts. 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:01.819 That are depressed. 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:02.480 When all things. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.240 Seem against them. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.779 Are often unduly. 00:22:04.939 --> 00:22:05.379 Exalted. 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.539 In the day of prosperity. 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.639 Few men. 00:22:07.679 --> 00:22:08.460 Are like Samson. 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.579 And can kill a lion. 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:10.740 Without telling others. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.539 Most of Christ's. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.019 Laborers. 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:14.859 Probably have. 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:16.079 As much success. 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.439 As their souls. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.000 Can bear. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:22.380 Where's all the fruit. 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.079 Lord. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.279 Surely that's what ministry is about. 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.099 All this labor. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.920 All this work. 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.759 What am I getting back from it? 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:34.160 Maybe God knows us. 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.579 Better than we know ourselves. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.579 To lose. 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.579 To lose. 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.579 To lose. 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.619 To lose. 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.619 Your minister. 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.139 To lose. 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.619 Chris. 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:44.000 Grow his pride. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.839 To lose. 00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:47.559 Chris. 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.480 Put him on a stage. 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.619 In your minds. 00:22:50.699 --> 00:22:51.539 In your hearts. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.740 To get lost. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.319 Chris. 00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:56.399 Fight. 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.019 God. 00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:58.140 When he brings you low. 00:22:59.800 --> 00:23:01.340 Be discontent. 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.080 With the pain. 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.780 In your life. 00:23:06.540 --> 00:23:06.980 See. 00:23:07.040 --> 00:23:07.480 This is only. 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.259 Ten verses. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.660 From. 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.680 One letter. 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.120 This morning. 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.500 Isn't it? 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.200 Chapter 12. 00:23:12.560 --> 00:23:13.340 Only one part. 00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:13.840 Of the Bible. 00:23:14.800 --> 00:23:15.280 But. 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.040 Isn't it always. 00:23:16.040 --> 00:23:16.519 The case. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.560 That in every passage. 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.400 In every place. 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.519 We find the story. 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.400 Of the whole Bible. 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.460 For what was. 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.740 The first sin. 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.120 The greatest sin. 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:26.579 The root. 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.879 Of all other sins. 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.779 It's pride. 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.859 The greatest sin. 00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:32.659 Was not. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.199 Taking the fruit. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.159 Or touching the fruit. 00:23:35.219 --> 00:23:35.779 Or tasting. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.519 That was not. 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.059 The deepest. 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.019 Act of rebellion. 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.699 That merely. 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.539 Rode the crest. 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.159 Of the wave. 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.679 What drove it all. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.179 The seismic. 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:44.639 Shift. 00:23:44.739 --> 00:23:45.299 At the center. 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:45.939 Of the universe. 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.319 That sent the waves. 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:49.219 Crashing through time. 00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:51.000 Was pride. 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:53.539 I will be. 00:23:53.719 --> 00:23:54.479 Like God. 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.099 And take the place. 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:55.959 Place of God. 00:23:56.439 --> 00:23:57.480 And from start. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.059 To end. 00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:59.279 The story of the Bible. 00:23:59.439 --> 00:24:00.279 Is the story of. 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.740 Human strength. 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.000 And puny. 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.899 Human fists. 00:24:04.179 --> 00:24:04.919 Being shook. 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.919 In God's face. 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.399 I will. 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.519 Be king. 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.779 Here we are. 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.319 This morning. 00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:15.419 2018. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.679 Taking our place. 00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:17.599 In the story. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.219 Of the world. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.699 And simply. 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.659 Doing the same. 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.599 As our forebears. 00:24:22.699 --> 00:24:22.839 Did. 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:24.000 And what their forefathers. 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.939 Did before them. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.740 We will be God. 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.539 We will say. 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.259 What is right. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.740 And wrong. 00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:29.700 We will decide. 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.059 Read the story. 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.180 Of Israel's kings. 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.759 And again. 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:37.180 And again. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.100 You get the refrain. 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.660 He became strong. 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:42.019 And did what was right. 00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:43.000 In his own eyes. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:43.940 Strength. 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.400 And rightness. 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.180 In my eyes. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.840 Go together. 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.439 Paul says. 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:49.599 And Paul says. 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:50.379 To all of us. 00:24:50.459 --> 00:24:50.839 This morning. 00:24:50.959 --> 00:24:52.199 There is no enemy. 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.000 In our lives. 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:53.759 As sinister. 00:24:54.459 --> 00:24:55.559 As stubborn. 00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:56.859 As strong. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.919 As persistent. 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.959 As pernicious. 00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:01.079 And pervasive. 00:25:01.959 --> 00:25:02.879 As pride. 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.959 No enemy. 00:25:05.959 --> 00:25:06.720 Is strong. 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.919 We all battle. 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.919 Other significant. 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.759 Personal enemies. 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.240 Don't we. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.680 And yet. 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:14.079 God thinks. 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:15.079 Our humility. 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.059 Is more important. 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.819 Than our comfort. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.480 God gave Paul. 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.120 The gift. 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:22.960 Of pain. 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.359 The gift. 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:24.940 Of pain. 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.700 To kill his pride. 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.579 He was making. 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.199 Paul weak. 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.619 So that. 00:25:29.939 --> 00:25:31.179 All over the Mediterranean. 00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:32.579 All over the first century. 00:25:32.699 --> 00:25:33.240 Ancient world. 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.399 People would hear. 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:35.099 A man called. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.879 Paul speak. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.119 But. 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:37.319 As he spoke. 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.480 They were coming. 00:25:38.659 --> 00:25:39.539 Face to face. 00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:40.439 With Christ. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.399 With Christ. 00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:44.139 Not with Paul. 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.980 Is there a point. 00:25:47.179 --> 00:25:48.439 To you being pierced. 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.819 To my being pierced. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.240 Yes. 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.259 God is killing. 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.480 Our pride. 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.000 Will not be all. 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.679 God is doing. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.240 In our pain. 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.559 In every single thing. 00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.839 Happening to us. 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.980 God is always doing. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.099 A thousand things. 00:26:03.659 --> 00:26:04.579 But isn't this. 00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.279 What we're learning. 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:05.639 You. 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.419 Here in Ealing. 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.299 As a church family. 00:26:07.419 --> 00:26:07.599 Isn't it. 00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:08.819 What you're learning. 00:26:08.939 --> 00:26:09.639 Week by week. 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.519 Year by year. 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.500 Some of us. 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.159 Here this morning. 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.259 Are not the people. 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:13.740 We were. 00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:14.679 Ten years ago. 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.339 Or maybe even. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.220 Ten months ago. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.819 We have. 00:26:18.179 --> 00:26:18.619 Cried. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.500 More than we ever. 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:20.259 Thought possible. 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:22.339 But. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:22.899 Christ. 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:24.019 Is all the more. 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.199 Precious to us. 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:25.939 Through the pain. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.759 We're learning. 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.159 Aren't we. 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.980 That the Lord Jesus. 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.799 Has a way of. 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:32.839 Creeping. 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.819 Into the windows. 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.500 Of our lives. 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.099 And switching. 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:36.500 All the price tags. 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.139 Around. 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:42.100 I didn't actually ask. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.040 Paul this. 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.380 This morning. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.740 I don't know. 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.900 If this is true here. 00:26:46.540 --> 00:26:48.000 But it never ceases. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.660 To amaze me. 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.380 How particularly. 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.000 When it comes. 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.000 To world mission. 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:52.340 Particularly. 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.160 World mission. 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:54.560 God. 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.540 Takes the people. 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.259 Who seem. 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:56.780 To want. 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.380 To give. 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.100 The most. 00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.680 Seem. 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.380 To be willing. 00:27:00.520 --> 00:27:01.020 To give up. 00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:01.480 The most. 00:27:01.580 --> 00:27:01.960 And yet. 00:27:02.080 --> 00:27:02.360 Seems. 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.140 To make them. 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.140 The weakest. 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.580 We've had it. 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.460 In our church family. 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.740 Just recently. 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.620 A precious family. 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.160 Returning. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.759 From Cambodia. 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.340 Because of. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:11.799 Health. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.059 Concerns. 00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:13.960 After years. 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.759 Of preparation. 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.180 Years of language study. 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.140 In many ways. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.660 It seems like. 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.860 They're just getting going. 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.539 About to. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.799 Be effective. 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.360 And useful. 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.779 And their home. 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.120 For good. 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.559 Why? 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.140 What is God doing? 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:33.060 Do we grasp. 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:33.840 How deeply. 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:35.000 God treasures. 00:27:35.800 --> 00:27:36.280 Weakness. 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.680 Among his people. 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.840 See in chapter 11. 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.600 If you just look. 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:41.460 Back at it. 00:27:41.520 --> 00:27:42.340 The bit that Paul read. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.040 Read to us. 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.900 Paul is listing. 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:44.620 All the things. 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.480 He boasts in. 00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:47.400 It's an incredible list. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.560 It's all weakness. 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.240 Five times. 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:50.840 I received. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.840 From the hands of the Jews. 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:52.720 The forty lashes. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:54.120 Beaten with rods. 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.240 Once I was stoned. 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.440 And. 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.599 This is his. 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:59.099 Medal of honor list. 00:28:00.620 --> 00:28:01.859 See in ancient Greece. 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.640 The finest. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.579 Military award. 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.279 You could get. 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.039 The top. 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.039 Dog honor. 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.640 You could get. 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.099 Was called. 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.299 The Corona muralis. 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.160 Like today. 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.579 In our day. 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.519 The George cross. 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.480 Or the purple heart. 00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:12.299 And do you know. 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:12.680 What you got. 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:14.059 The Corona muralis for. 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:15.900 You got it. 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:17.019 For being the first. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.140 Over the wall. 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.000 The first. 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.759 Over the line. 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:20.700 In battle. 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.880 In the face. 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.420 Of the enemy. 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:25.140 And here is Paul. 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.060 In second Corinthians. 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.160 With a church. 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.980 Full of leaders. 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.000 And they are all. 00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:29.560 At the front. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:32.160 And in their. 00:28:32.340 --> 00:28:33.160 Leadership style. 00:28:33.280 --> 00:28:34.200 These super apostles. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.100 As if they are all. 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:35.920 Lined up at the front. 00:28:36.040 --> 00:28:36.680 Showing off. 00:28:37.020 --> 00:28:38.040 Their medals of honor. 00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:40.040 We are such. 00:28:40.280 --> 00:28:41.100 Significant leaders. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:44.080 And Paul joins them. 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.560 At the front. 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.160 With their medals. 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.700 And he says. 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.640 I've got a medal too. 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:46.920 Do you know. 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.700 What my medal is. 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:47.860 Do you know. 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:49.080 What my claim to shame is. 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.460 Verse 32. 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:51.240 Chapter 11. 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:53.780 I was the first one. 00:28:54.120 --> 00:28:54.820 Down the wall. 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:56.240 Not over. 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:56.780 And up. 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.720 I ran away. 00:28:59.300 --> 00:29:00.000 I escaped. 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:01.240 I didn't stand and fight. 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:01.740 I ran. 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:02.940 That's how weak I am. 00:29:04.060 --> 00:29:05.560 They came to get me. 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:06.780 And I turned. 00:29:07.060 --> 00:29:07.620 And ran. 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:07.740 Oh. 00:29:09.340 --> 00:29:10.780 You are so magnificent. 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.759 In your strength. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.800 See how broken I am. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:20.139 Helen Rosevere. 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:20.220 Helen Rosevere. 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:22.299 Who just died. 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.099 Very recently. 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:24.139 The veteran missionary. 00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:26.000 To the Congo. 00:29:26.159 --> 00:29:27.019 In the 1950s. 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.500 Helen Rosevere. 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.680 Was part of the same mission. 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.180 As C.T. 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:29.559 Studd. 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:30.859 The famous Cambridge missionary. 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.579 And you'll know C.T. 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:32.899 Studd. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.599 Many of you will know. 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.539 His famous words. 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.000 He said. 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.399 If Jesus Christ. 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:36.859 Is God. 00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:37.680 And died for me. 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:39.319 Then there is no sacrifice. 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:40.159 That I can make. 00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:42.900 If Christ is God. 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.500 And died for me. 00:29:43.560 --> 00:29:44.600 There is no sacrifice. 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:45.640 That I can make. 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:48.560 And Helen Rosevere said. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.800 Nearly right. 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:52.220 C.T. 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.600 Studd. 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.800 Was nearly right. 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.440 She said this. 00:29:56.540 --> 00:29:57.660 If Jesus Christ. 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.160 Is God. 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.160 And died for me. 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.680 Then there is. 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:02.100 No sacrifice. 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.180 That I can make. 00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:05.480 C.T. 00:30:05.560 --> 00:30:05.800 Studd. 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.000 Said. 00:30:06.080 --> 00:30:07.220 There is no sacrifice. 00:30:07.560 --> 00:30:08.340 Too great. 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.279 For me to make. 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.040 See. 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:12.259 Helen Rosevere came along. 00:30:12.340 --> 00:30:12.680 And said. 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:12.940 No. 00:30:13.040 --> 00:30:14.040 There is actually. 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.540 No sacrifice. 00:30:15.540 --> 00:30:16.440 You can make. 00:30:16.800 --> 00:30:17.300 At all. 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:18.840 All. 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.779 Is privilege. 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.380 All. 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.080 Is privilege. 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:25.080 Helen Rosevere wrote. 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:25.800 Two books. 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.320 About her time. 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:28.259 In the Belgian Congo. 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.220 And she wrote a book. 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:30.460 Called. 00:30:30.540 --> 00:30:31.380 Give me this mountain. 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:31.980 It was a story. 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.480 Of her work. 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:32.980 In the country. 00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.960 Up until that point. 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.279 When she had to leave. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:35.720 The country. 00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:36.779 Due to civil war. 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.540 And she returned. 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.519 Several years later. 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.000 And she wrote. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:41.039 A second book. 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:43.400 Of all that she experienced. 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.379 Second time round. 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.559 I know that many of you know this. 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:46.940 Do you know what the second book is called? 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.700 First one. 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.960 Give me this mountain. 00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:51.680 The world at her feet. 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.339 Her dreams. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.460 Her life ahead of her. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.359 Her second book was called. 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.160 He gave us. 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.799 A valley. 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.099 Give me this mountain. 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.400 He gave us a valley. 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.440 And as you read. 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.160 That second book. 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:05.879 What you realize. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:07.240 Is that Helen Rosevere. 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.279 Her. 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.259 Well. 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.980 She recedes. 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:11.359 More and more and more. 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.259 Into the background. 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:14.440 She goes down and down. 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.120 Into the valley. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:15.859 And Christ. 00:31:16.099 --> 00:31:16.519 Gets. 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.500 Bigger. 00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:18.539 And bigger. 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:19.480 And bigger. 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.039 Chris. 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:23.680 The most. 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.339 Painful. 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.500 Personal experiences. 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.299 Can lead. 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:26.819 You. 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.480 And others. 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.259 To. 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.140 Christ. 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.720 Not away from him. 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:34.960 Very little. 00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:35.460 Grows. 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.539 On the mountain tops. 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:38.180 But plenty. 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.579 Grows. 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.160 In the valleys. 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.380 That's how it goes. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:41.920 With God. 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:42.559 Grace. 00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:43.579 Rests. 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.039 On those. 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:45.079 Who have been brought low. 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.819 And so Chris. 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.200 Today. 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.400 Is a significant moment. 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:49.779 Isn't it? 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.600 In your life. 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:52.640 And Ealing's life. 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.460 But it's true. 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.259 Significance. 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:56.079 And it's deepest. 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.559 Impact. 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.259 Lies. 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.299 In where you are. 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:58.940 With God. 00:31:58.940 --> 00:32:01.519 Reset. 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:03.620 Your contentment settings. 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.240 Congregation. 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:06.860 This morning. 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:07.460 Click. 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:08.980 Refresh. 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:11.460 On what impresses you most. 00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:16.000 Let me finish. 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.120 With these words. 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:19.059 From Pilgrim's Progress. 00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:23.120 We come again. 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.940 To this valley. 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.779 Of humiliation. 00:32:25.860 --> 00:32:26.920 It is the best. 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.740 And most fruitful. 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.580 Piece of ground. 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.500 In all those parts. 00:32:29.619 --> 00:32:30.559 It is a fat ground. 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.779 And as you can see. 00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:33.439 Consists much in meadows. 00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:35.019 Behold. 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:35.699 How green. 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.279 This valley. 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:37.059 Of humiliation. 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:37.759 Is also. 00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:38.359 How beautiful. 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:39.039 With lilies. 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.720 I have known. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.679 Many laboring men. 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.939 That have got good estates. 00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:43.419 In the valley. 00:32:43.439 --> 00:32:44.119 Of humiliation. 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.819 For God. 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.439 Resists. 00:32:46.439 --> 00:32:47.019 The proud. 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:47.919 But gives grace. 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.519 To the humble. 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.539 For indeed. 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.759 It is a very fruitful. 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.359 Soil. 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:53.939 And does bring forth. 00:32:53.939 --> 00:32:54.299 Crops. 00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.259 By the handfuls. 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.019 In this valley. 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.519 Our Lord. 00:32:56.659 --> 00:32:57.039 Formerly. 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.159 Had his country house. 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.200 He loved much. 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.820 To be here. 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.000 Here a man. 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.460 Is free. 00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:02.360 From all the noises. 00:33:02.360 --> 00:33:03.120 And hurryings. 00:33:03.120 --> 00:33:03.880 Of this life. 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.500 Only the valley. 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.240 Of humiliation. 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.960 Is an empty. 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:08.180 And solitary place. 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.880 Here a man. 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:11.000 Shall not be so hindered. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.100 In his contemplation. 00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:13.240 As in other places. 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.200 He is apt to be. 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.220 This is a valley. 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:17.620 That nobody walks in. 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.540 Unless he loves. 00:33:18.540 --> 00:33:19.600 The pilgrim's life. 00:33:21.080 --> 00:33:22.100 And though Christian. 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:23.400 Had the hard happenstance. 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.060 To meet here. 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:24.800 With Apollyon. 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:26.359 And to enter with him. 00:33:26.399 --> 00:33:27.319 In a brisk encounter. 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.519 Yet I must tell you. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.319 That in former times. 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.419 Men have met. 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.220 With angels. 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:34.059 Here in the valley. 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:34.779 Of humiliation. 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.019 Men have found. 00:33:37.159 --> 00:33:37.980 Pearls here. 00:33:39.139 --> 00:33:40.539 And have in this place. 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:42.440 Found the very words. 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.000 Of life. 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:45.680 Amen. 00:33:47.619 --> 00:33:48.419 Let's pray. 00:33:48.419 --> 00:33:48.519 Amen. 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.519 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:50.519 Amen. 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.519 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.519 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:52.519 Amen. 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:52.519 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:52.519