WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.280 I was just wondering, I got peace last week, so here we go with patience. 00:00:05.860 --> 00:00:09.939 Probably the most unqualified person to speak on that one. 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:15.860 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:21.559 clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 00:00:22.179 --> 00:00:27.699 Last week, as we thought about that idea of peace, 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:30.679 I guess maybe that's our prayer for many of us. 00:00:31.099 --> 00:00:32.859 Lord, give me patience. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:36.920 I don't know whether you've screamed that in various situations, 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:41.539 maybe in the early hours of the morning if your child's waking every two hours, 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:50.879 maybe in various situations where peace seems elusive and patience follows and sadly could crack. 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:54.120 It's a familiar prayer in every part of my life. 00:00:54.119 --> 00:01:00.519 And it's in the stuff of life where we're struggling not only to keep our cool, 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:05.439 to chill out, to chillax, as people say, 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:12.840 but we need the presence of God in our lives in extra measure to save us from overheating, 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:17.060 from boiling over, from losing our cool. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:23.240 And our last hymn, Abide With Me, is so often asked for with those, 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:26.500 I love that chin, Julian, that's brilliant. 00:01:27.540 --> 00:01:31.859 But maybe in a traditional hymn, it's often asked for at funerals, 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:36.099 to reassure us that he is there in every part of our life. 00:01:36.820 --> 00:01:39.960 And it's based on Scripture in John chapter 15. 00:01:39.959 --> 00:01:42.719 And in the King James Version, it says, 00:01:43.419 --> 00:01:45.339 to abide, abide. 00:01:45.839 --> 00:01:50.179 That idea to abide, to act or accept in accordance with. 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:54.819 Every branch of me, it says, that does not bear fruit, he takes away. 00:01:55.039 --> 00:01:58.500 And every branch that bears fruit, he prunes. 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:00.639 We'll come back to that later. 00:02:01.199 --> 00:02:03.899 He prunes so that it may bear fruit. 00:02:03.900 --> 00:02:08.760 And you are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:10.879 Abide in me. 00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:12.819 Come close. 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:15.920 Come, abide with me. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:18.659 As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:22.319 unless it abides in the vine. 00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:26.060 Neither can you, unless you abide in me. 00:02:26.860 --> 00:02:28.560 I am the vine. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:29.700 You are the branches. 00:02:30.099 --> 00:02:32.620 He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:35.939 For without me, you can do nothing. 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:38.939 I think that certainly speaks for my patience. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:43.939 I can do nothing in patience without the Lord. 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:46.099 We need to draw on the power of the Holy Spirit 00:02:46.099 --> 00:02:49.200 because we know that patience can bring out the best of us 00:02:49.200 --> 00:02:52.520 and can also bring out the very worst in us. 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:55.080 Lord, give me patience. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:59.740 I would like you to imagine that it is a very hot day. 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:02.100 You are driving a car. 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:05.240 You are already late for an appointment. 00:03:05.580 --> 00:03:08.400 In fact, you are very late for an appointment. 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:12.020 Perhaps you need to pick somebody up from the airport. 00:03:12.200 --> 00:03:14.060 You need to pick somebody up from school. 00:03:14.760 --> 00:03:16.000 Whatever it is. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:19.680 And you are praying that every traffic light will be green. 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:21.480 On the way. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:24.000 Lord, get me there on time. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:28.439 When you encounter this lady with her grandchildren, 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:32.539 three cars in front of you at a busy junction. 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:35.740 This is a grandmother's tale. 00:03:37.060 --> 00:03:40.879 The other day, I went to a local Christian bookstore 00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:45.920 and I bought Sound Your Horn If You Love Jesus bumper sticker. 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:50.739 I was feeling particularly empowered that day 00:03:50.739 --> 00:03:54.839 because I had been to a thrilling choir performance 00:03:54.839 --> 00:03:57.719 followed by a thunderous prayer session 00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:00.679 and I was feeling so close to God. 00:04:00.959 --> 00:04:05.239 So I bought this sticker and I put it on the bumper of my car. 00:04:06.139 --> 00:04:09.639 I was stopped at a red light at a busy junction 00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:13.699 and I was just lost in thought about the Lord. 00:04:13.699 --> 00:04:15.859 I was praying and giving thanks 00:04:15.859 --> 00:04:19.240 and I didn't notice that the light had changed 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:21.159 from red to green. 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:25.339 It was good that someone else loved Jesus 00:04:25.339 --> 00:04:27.519 because if they hadn't honked, 00:04:27.719 --> 00:04:29.319 I would never have noticed. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:34.480 In fact, I found that lots of people loved Jesus. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:35.399 Why? 00:04:35.599 --> 00:04:37.240 Everybody was sitting there. 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:41.039 Even the man behind me was honking like crazy 00:04:41.039 --> 00:04:43.579 and he leaned out of the window and screamed, 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:47.079 for the love of God, go, go. 00:04:47.939 --> 00:04:52.339 My goodness, what an exuberant cheerleader he was for the Lord. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:55.439 Oh, do you know what? 00:04:55.979 --> 00:04:58.279 Everybody just started honking 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:00.319 and I leaned out of my window 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:02.519 and started waving at them 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:06.120 and smiling at all these lovely Christian people. 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:10.139 I even honked my horn a few times myself 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:13.579 just to join in the joy and love. 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:17.300 I saw another man waving in a funny way 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:20.319 with only his middle finger stuck in the air 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:24.060 when my teenage grandson, who was in the back, 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:26.160 and I said, what does that mean? 00:05:26.220 --> 00:05:28.319 And he said rather embarrassingly 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:31.439 that it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:33.540 or something like that. 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:36.620 Well, I'd never met anyone from Hawaii, 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:38.540 so I leaned out of the window 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:41.360 and gave him that good luck sign back again. 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:45.319 Well, isn't this wonderful? 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:48.020 My grandson burst out laughing 00:05:48.020 --> 00:05:51.900 while even he was enjoying this religious experience. 00:05:53.280 --> 00:05:56.160 Well, a couple of the people were so caught up 00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:57.740 in the joy of the Lord 00:05:57.740 --> 00:06:00.439 in the moment that they got out of their cars 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:02.580 and they started running towards me 00:06:02.580 --> 00:06:04.300 with their arms in the air. 00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:07.680 Oh, I bet they wanted to pray 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:09.520 or ask what church I went to. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:12.920 Well, this was when that I noticed 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:14.600 the light had changed to green. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:18.960 Well, so I waved to all my brothers and sisters, 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:22.000 grinning as I just drove through the junction. 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:25.980 Oh, I noticed that I was the only car 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:27.699 that managed to get through 00:06:27.699 --> 00:06:30.259 before it changed back to red. 00:06:30.980 --> 00:06:33.460 I was quite sad to leave them all behind. 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:35.839 with all the love that we had shared. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:38.379 So I just slowed the car down. 00:06:38.539 --> 00:06:39.939 I leaned out of the window 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:43.699 and I gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign again. 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:45.919 Oh, praise the Lord. 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:48.680 What wonderful people I'd shared my day with. 00:06:58.359 --> 00:07:00.519 I don't know what you're like with patience. 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:05.560 Patience is a constant through the Bible. 00:07:06.019 --> 00:07:07.659 Again and again, 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:10.299 God's people again and again 00:07:10.299 --> 00:07:14.279 have had to understand and practice what patience is. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:16.939 Moses in the desert, 00:07:17.719 --> 00:07:20.159 waiting for 40 years. 00:07:20.659 --> 00:07:23.859 40 years waiting on the Lord. 00:07:24.099 --> 00:07:26.759 You know, most of us struggle with 40 minutes 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:29.620 for if a train or a bus is late. 00:07:30.539 --> 00:07:31.539 Wait more than that 00:07:31.539 --> 00:07:33.099 and we're demanding for compensation. 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:38.779 There's a lot we can learn in Scripture about patience. 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:41.079 The prophets take Isaiah and Jeremiah. 00:07:41.599 --> 00:07:42.639 The ebb and flow, 00:07:42.779 --> 00:07:44.480 Lord, do it now, do it now. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:46.300 And they waited. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:48.219 The psalmist, 00:07:48.220 --> 00:07:49.640 when God, 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:51.300 when will you do this? 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:52.660 Job, 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.060 Job not happy, 00:07:54.320 --> 00:07:54.740 tested, 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:57.260 but having to learn through the devastation 00:07:57.260 --> 00:07:58.460 of his life 00:07:58.460 --> 00:07:59.740 and what happened to him. 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:00.500 Hence, 00:08:00.700 --> 00:08:02.540 we get the patience of Job. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:04.200 Elizabeth, 00:08:04.580 --> 00:08:05.720 wanting a child, 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:07.080 having to wait 00:08:07.080 --> 00:08:07.700 till late, 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:08.800 late in life. 00:08:09.220 --> 00:08:09.620 Jesus, 00:08:10.020 --> 00:08:10.640 patient, 00:08:11.100 --> 00:08:12.160 patient to the end 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:13.360 with his disciples. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.939 in the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.220 the crunch time. 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:19.259 Couldn't you wait with me? 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:21.520 Couldn't you just wait with me 00:08:21.520 --> 00:08:23.980 for one brief hour? 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:26.620 Did he come back 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:29.040 and did he lambast them for that? 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:29.360 No. 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:32.360 God's patience with us. 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:34.220 The patience in the early church, 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:35.960 the whole church, 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:37.539 would turn to God 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:38.360 and then, 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:39.080 sadly, 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:39.860 they would make up 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:41.360 all their own rules and regulations 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:42.940 and slowly drift away 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:44.980 from the core sense 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:45.800 of what it was 00:08:45.800 --> 00:08:47.180 and reinvented what it was. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:48.700 Patience is perhaps 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:50.500 one of the greatest fruits 00:08:50.500 --> 00:08:51.720 to exercise, 00:08:52.260 --> 00:08:54.040 but because it is so evident, 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:55.780 but it is so frail 00:08:55.780 --> 00:08:57.320 in our human nature. 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:00.040 That's where 00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:01.520 we need God 00:09:01.520 --> 00:09:03.040 again and again. 00:09:04.140 --> 00:09:04.660 Patience, 00:09:05.160 --> 00:09:05.540 patience 00:09:05.540 --> 00:09:06.720 in the power 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:07.880 of the Holy Spirit 00:09:07.880 --> 00:09:09.460 to be more like Jesus 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:12.639 who just didn't 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:14.100 get to it 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:14.900 but would stick 00:09:14.900 --> 00:09:16.340 and bear with us 00:09:16.340 --> 00:09:17.280 and with them 00:09:17.280 --> 00:09:19.139 through all sorts of things. 00:09:19.780 --> 00:09:20.900 When you read the scripture 00:09:20.900 --> 00:09:21.560 about Jesus 00:09:21.560 --> 00:09:22.580 with his disciples, 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:23.460 for me, 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.480 it reflects so much 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:25.519 of our walk with God, 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:27.440 of him saying again 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:28.280 and again to us, 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:28.860 do you know what? 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:31.019 I'm so patient with you, 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:31.379 Clive, 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:32.519 but when are you going to get it? 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:34.800 When are you going to get this right? 00:09:34.900 --> 00:09:35.900 When are you going to 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:37.139 actually connect 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:38.679 with this patience 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:39.860 and grace stuff? 00:09:41.439 --> 00:09:42.620 It was that deep, 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:43.840 eternal sigh, 00:09:43.939 --> 00:09:44.720 that pause 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:45.459 that says, 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:47.220 patience. 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:50.539 And knowing in our own lives 00:09:50.539 --> 00:09:52.399 that we will let people down 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:54.279 because of our lack of patience 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:55.980 in our own discipling, 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:57.399 in our lack of love. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:09:59.559 And Paul knows this 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:00.620 as he wrote this scripture 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.159 this morning 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:02.220 because he knows 00:10:02.220 --> 00:10:05.079 people will be frustrated 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:06.580 with us 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:08.120 and distracted. 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:10.520 Yet we are called 00:10:10.520 --> 00:10:11.759 as God's people. 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:13.520 We are called 00:10:13.520 --> 00:10:14.620 as holy 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:16.120 and dearly loved. 00:10:16.900 --> 00:10:17.700 We are called 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:19.259 to clothe ourselves 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:20.259 with compassion, 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:21.720 kindness, 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:23.280 humility, 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:25.020 gentleness 00:10:25.020 --> 00:10:27.220 and patience. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:30.259 And perhaps that starts 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:31.379 not only with each other 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.460 but with us 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:33.680 within our relationship 00:10:33.680 --> 00:10:34.259 with God. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:36.920 because when I think 00:10:36.920 --> 00:10:37.520 about patience, 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.280 I think of myself 00:10:38.280 --> 00:10:39.040 being patient 00:10:39.040 --> 00:10:40.220 with one another, 00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:41.139 being patient 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:42.460 and bearing 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.720 with people. 00:10:44.920 --> 00:10:45.720 But how about 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:46.420 my relationship 00:10:46.420 --> 00:10:47.000 with God 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.460 where we are urged 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:49.400 to keep on asking, 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.040 seeking, 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:51.220 keeping on knocking, 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:53.080 to have patience. 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:53.280 patience. 00:10:56.280 --> 00:10:57.240 I've said a prayer, 00:10:57.420 --> 00:10:57.560 Lord, 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:59.620 and you haven't 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:00.340 answered it 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:01.879 to my satisfaction. 00:11:03.180 --> 00:11:03.660 Lord, 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:04.820 I've asked this prayer 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:06.259 and you haven't 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:07.000 answered it 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.160 in the last 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:09.080 half an hour 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:10.200 in the way 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:11.320 I expected it. 00:11:12.280 --> 00:11:12.700 In fact, 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.360 I've prayed this 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:14.060 twice, Lord, 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:14.940 and you haven't 00:11:14.940 --> 00:11:15.759 answered this. 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:18.759 I've had to learn 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:19.519 like you 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:20.200 again 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:21.019 and again 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:21.740 and again 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:23.279 that patience 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:24.179 works two ways 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:24.939 in a relationship. 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.100 In our relationship 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.700 with Jesus, 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:28.899 it works two ways. 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:29.840 And we often 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:30.779 put in our prayer 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.600 and we expect 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:32.100 an answer, 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:33.379 a bit like a vending machine. 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:34.799 We put it in 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.819 and we expect it 00:11:35.819 --> 00:11:36.740 to just drop 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:37.980 into the tray 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:38.539 of life. 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:41.000 Yet often 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:41.860 in my experience, 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:42.519 the answer 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.439 to my prayer 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:44.940 isn't what I asked for. 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:46.820 And it's answered 00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:47.560 in a totally 00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:48.200 different way. 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:48.720 If you look 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.380 at your journals, 00:11:49.540 --> 00:11:50.520 if you journal anybody, 00:11:50.900 --> 00:11:51.560 look back 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:52.340 and think of the way 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:53.040 in which the Lord 00:11:53.040 --> 00:11:54.100 has answered prayer 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.500 in an amazing 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.220 different way, 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:57.520 certainly not in the way 00:11:57.520 --> 00:11:58.780 I ever expected 00:11:58.780 --> 00:11:59.360 it to be. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:01.200 Consider God's patience 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:01.900 with us. 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:02.600 Yeah, 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:03.620 I can hear you. 00:12:03.900 --> 00:12:05.160 I hear you asking. 00:12:05.540 --> 00:12:06.400 I know what you're 00:12:06.400 --> 00:12:07.180 asking of me. 00:12:07.280 --> 00:12:07.980 I am here. 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:09.360 I am always here. 00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:10.580 I will never leave you 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:11.680 or forsake you. 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:12.800 But I am here. 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:14.179 But the answer 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:15.339 that you are asking 00:12:15.339 --> 00:12:16.740 for is not for now. 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:19.319 And that takes patience. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.000 I don't need 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:22.199 to tell people here 00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:23.399 of that patience 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:23.959 of waiting. 00:12:25.359 --> 00:12:26.159 My goodness, 00:12:26.339 --> 00:12:26.919 is he a patient 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.599 God with me. 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:30.099 The times 00:12:30.099 --> 00:12:30.979 when I fail 00:12:30.979 --> 00:12:31.500 to listen 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.179 and wait on him. 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:33.699 The times 00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:34.359 when I expect 00:12:34.359 --> 00:12:35.299 instant results. 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:36.039 The time 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.659 I come up 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:37.419 with a solution 00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:38.779 that doesn't reflect 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:39.639 his grace and love. 00:12:40.719 --> 00:12:41.359 The times 00:12:41.359 --> 00:12:42.639 that I bite back 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:44.500 rather than waiting 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.059 and reflect on grace. 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.600 The times 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.600 when I rush in 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.419 rather than 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.139 wait for wisdom. 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:52.539 The easy route 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.980 or so many of us 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.559 is often 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:55.759 filled with impatience. 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:56.419 And indeed, 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.179 isn't that 00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:58.259 what our culture 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.100 says to us? 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.539 No wonder 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.439 we get impatient. 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.679 Our impatience says, 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:03.580 I remember that 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.559 credit card advert? 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.259 There was a 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.379 take the waiting 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:07.179 out of wanting. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.019 It was a great 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.319 advert, 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:09.879 wasn't it? 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.720 We're all 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.759 encouraged to go out 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.100 and just 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:12.960 duck the card 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.600 and get it 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:14.159 there and then. 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:16.980 Do it now. 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:18.240 Take it now. 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:18.980 Why wait? 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.960 You deserve it. 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:20.980 You can pay for it 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:21.340 later. 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.519 And that reflects 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.700 the whole of society 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:24.879 to the spiritual 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.480 dynamic. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:26.700 For waiting 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:28.340 isn't encouraging. 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.000 Wait, 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.379 said Jesus. 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.220 Wait 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:33.879 until the Holy 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.279 Spirit 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.559 comes upon you. 00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:37.419 Wait. 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:39.159 Have patience. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:39.879 It will come. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.000 Wait. 00:13:41.719 --> 00:13:42.679 I will send another, 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:43.339 the comforter. 00:13:43.699 --> 00:13:44.059 Wait. 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:45.099 The Bible is 00:13:45.099 --> 00:13:45.879 riven through 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:46.759 with wait, 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.879 wait and patience. 00:13:48.959 --> 00:13:49.839 The old idea 00:13:49.839 --> 00:13:50.379 of patience 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.179 as a virtue, 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.000 I'm sure maybe 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:53.699 many of us 00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:54.379 said that to us. 00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:55.679 Patience is a 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:56.059 virtue. 00:13:56.599 --> 00:13:57.360 My goodness, 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:58.179 is it a virtue 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:58.879 that I need 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:00.620 time and time 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:00.959 again. 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:02.379 Yet often 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.459 in today's culture, 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.579 patience is seen 00:14:04.579 --> 00:14:05.860 in some circles 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.799 as weakness. 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.539 certainly often 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.299 in leadership. 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.259 Do it now. 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:11.339 Drive it forward. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.120 Get it done. 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:13.120 Go for it. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.819 Yet let's not 00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:15.360 underestimate 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.659 the power of God 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:18.240 when he does 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.579 and can 00:14:19.579 --> 00:14:20.839 act immediately. 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.839 But be ready 00:14:23.839 --> 00:14:24.519 to exercise 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.219 patience 00:14:25.219 --> 00:14:26.399 when the time 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.000 is right 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.899 to listen to God. 00:14:28.979 --> 00:14:29.399 To give 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.500 holy space. 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.019 To allow 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.120 space for us 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.779 to grow. 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:34.679 I don't know 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:34.980 about you, 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.600 I've grown 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:37.240 so many times 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.560 in my patience. 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.019 My character 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.200 grows 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.580 because I've 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:43.180 had to wait. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.220 I've had to see it 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:44.879 from the other 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.920 person's point of view. 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:46.720 I've had to 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.860 still my soul. 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:48.960 I have had to 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.620 abide, 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:50.899 as it says. 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:54.680 Mandy will tell you 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.720 quite frankly 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:56.560 and you can, 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.279 Mandy will go to 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.220 the information desk 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.360 and you can stay there 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.680 until about six o'clock 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.859 where she'll tell you 00:15:01.859 --> 00:15:02.859 about my instances 00:15:02.859 --> 00:15:03.899 of impatience. 00:15:05.219 --> 00:15:06.000 But I remember 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.199 when this dog 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:07.819 collar thing 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.579 came along 00:15:08.579 --> 00:15:10.139 and God 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.059 was very fortunate. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:11.439 I mean, 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:11.659 you know, 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:12.259 other than 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:13.559 going up a mountain 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:14.379 and bringing down, 00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:14.959 he couldn't have 00:15:14.959 --> 00:15:15.459 left me 00:15:15.459 --> 00:15:16.899 in any doubt. 00:15:17.479 --> 00:15:18.379 But I was 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:18.839 impatient. 00:15:19.839 --> 00:15:20.439 And I was due 00:15:20.439 --> 00:15:21.219 to go for a thing, 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:21.599 it was called 00:15:21.599 --> 00:15:23.179 a bishop's advisory panel 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:24.519 and we were due 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:25.240 for the date 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.099 was in July. 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.259 Mandy, 00:15:27.479 --> 00:15:28.439 who has the wisdom 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.620 as all women do 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.659 in life 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:31.440 as we know 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:32.039 that husbands 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.860 and partners, 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.259 we know 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.019 that our partners 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.879 has this great amount 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.279 of wisdom. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:38.879 And I said, 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:39.720 I think I need 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:40.539 to bring it forward. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:41.840 I think I need 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.679 to go for May. 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:43.840 I'm going to find out 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.779 if there's a cancellation. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:45.960 Mandy said, 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.379 no, 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.320 no, 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:47.899 be patient. 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.639 That's the date 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.600 you've got in July. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:50.480 Ah, 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:52.480 but if we do it in May, 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:53.480 that'll give us time 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.519 to put in my notice. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.899 I can put in my resignation 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.720 in the police. 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.360 I can do all of this. 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.120 We can think about 00:15:59.120 --> 00:15:59.560 the house. 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.159 We can get it. 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:00.659 No, 00:16:00.940 --> 00:16:01.419 said Mandy. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.240 Don't change it. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.820 Did I change the date? 00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:06.919 Yes, 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.299 I did. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.399 And do you know, 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:09.960 from the moment 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:10.940 I got on that train, 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:11.480 I didn't feel 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:12.560 one sense of peace 00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:14.039 in that bishop's 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.899 advisory panel 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.299 right the way through, 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.019 even right to the end. 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:18.620 Praise God 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.539 there's some good bishops 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.600 who have wisdom. 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:22.639 That's great. 00:16:24.180 --> 00:16:24.460 You see, 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.460 I had to learn 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:25.980 a lesson, 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.180 a huge lesson 00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:28.639 about patience, 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.779 about waiting on God 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.919 and listening. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:33.819 But I'm certainly 00:16:33.819 --> 00:16:34.439 not here 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:36.559 to preach to you 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.659 in any way 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:40.199 for those of you 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:42.319 who have 00:16:42.319 --> 00:16:44.399 shown patience 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.819 in so many different ways. 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:45.860 things. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.300 But sometimes 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:47.700 the Lord 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.140 gives us 00:16:48.140 --> 00:16:48.640 the time 00:16:48.640 --> 00:16:49.280 to do that. 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:50.920 As you know, 00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:51.960 I love the film 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:52.720 Evan Almighty. 00:16:53.760 --> 00:16:54.580 Like many of you, 00:16:54.660 --> 00:16:55.200 I will be 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.300 very disappointed 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.160 when I get on 00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:57.960 that great day 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:59.140 and find that God 00:16:59.140 --> 00:16:59.879 doesn't look like 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.600 Morgan Freeman. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:04.339 But it's, 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.700 it's just, 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.400 to me, 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.240 the character 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.980 in that film 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:08.839 embodies 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.839 the character 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.480 of God 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.519 in so many 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.240 different ways. 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.680 And if you don't 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.259 know the film 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.200 of Evan Almighty, 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.519 what happens 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.339 is that 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.839 Evan is 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.660 a congressman. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.539 He's been towed 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.400 to build an ark 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.099 in the middle 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.700 of the desert. 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:25.259 And God 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.799 sends him 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.299 all these 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.940 things that happen. 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:28.720 First of all, 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.279 he starts 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.519 growing a beard. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.639 And his hair grows. 00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:33.079 And then all of a sudden 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:34.099 animals arrive 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:35.159 at his front door. 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.219 And then somebody 00:17:36.219 --> 00:17:37.619 delivers all this wood 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.339 to him 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.259 with a plan 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.219 wherever he looks. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.139 And I want you 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.759 to imagine 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.579 the patience 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.559 of his wife 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:45.799 with all of this 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.279 happening 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.199 in his children. 00:17:48.179 --> 00:17:48.740 And it gets 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.359 to a point 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.519 where she 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.959 has almost 00:17:51.959 --> 00:17:52.579 had enough. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:52.879 Well, 00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:53.719 she has had enough. 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.240 She bundles 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.219 the kids in the car 00:17:56.219 --> 00:17:57.419 and she gets 00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:58.240 to a diner 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:00.319 and she sits 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:00.599 there. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.099 And she's 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:02.839 served by 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.899 a man 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:05.279 who is 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.659 God. 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:06.819 If you look 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.480 very closely, 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:08.439 it's almighty 00:18:08.439 --> 00:18:10.200 on his badge. 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:13.319 And he gives 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.179 her these words 00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:14.679 of wisdom. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:16.240 Huh? 00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:17.140 Excuse me, 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.880 can I get a 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.539 refill, please? 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:20.200 Come right up. 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.840 Thank you. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:22.960 Excuse me. 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.920 Are you alright? 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:25.360 Yeah. 00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:28.100 No. 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.700 This is a long story. 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.259 Well, I like stories. 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:33.019 I'm considered a bit 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.060 of a storyteller myself. 00:18:34.320 --> 00:18:34.820 Huh? 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:38.819 My husband? You heard of New York's Noah? 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:41.819 The guy who's building the ark. 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:43.819 That's him. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:45.819 I love that story. Noah and the ark. 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.819 You know, a lot of people miss the point of that story. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:50.819 They think it's about God's wrath and anger. 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:52.819 They love it when God gets angry. 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:55.819 What is the story about, then, the ark? 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:58.819 Well, I think it's a love story. 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:00.819 About believing in each other. 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:03.819 You know, the hellos showed up in Paris. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:06.819 They stood by each other, side by side. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.819 Just like Noah and his family. 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:11.819 Everybody entered the ark side by side. 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:15.819 But my husband says God told him to do it. 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:18.819 What do you do with that? 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:20.819 Sounds like an opportunity. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:25.819 Let me ask you something. 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:29.819 If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:32.819 Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:36.819 If he prayed for courage, does God give them courage? 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:38.819 Or does he give them opportunities to be courageous? 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:44.819 If someone prayed for the family to be closer, 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:47.819 do you think God zaps them with warm, fuzzy feelings? 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:50.819 Or does he give them opportunities to love each other? 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.819 Well, I got to run. 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.819 A lot of people to serve. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.819 Enjoy. 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:55.819 What's the story about? 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.819 It's believing in one another. 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.819 It sounds like an opportunity. 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.819 If someone gives you patience, does he give them patience? 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.819 Or does he give them opportunities to be patient? 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.819 Does he give them opportunities? 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.819 If someone gives you patience, does he give them patience? 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:07.819 Or opportunities to be patient? 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.819 Does he give them opportunities? 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.819 Does he give them opportunities? 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.819 Does he give them opportunities? 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:16.819 If we don't respond in his gifting in power, how will we know? 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:18.819 If we're not grafted into the vine? 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:39.819 I'm not going to stand here because, and I can't preach because I know that many of you have 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:42.819 born with things for a very long time. 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.819 Maybe that's an illness. 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:46.819 Maybe that's with a situation. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.819 Maybe a family situation. 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:50.819 That might be something in your own relationship. 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:58.819 It might be something that you have asked for patience and abundance and you are there at 00:20:58.819 --> 00:21:01.819 that moment in time. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:10.819 All I'm going to say this morning is, into that space, we ask the Holy Spirit to come. 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:13.819 And that's what we're going to do today. 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:28.819 In our patience and in this week, we're going to ask the Holy Spirit to come into that place to speak to us, to be with us, and to abide with us, and us with God. 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.819 I think that's what we're going to say. 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.819 I think that's what we're going to say. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.819 I think that is so important. 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:39.819 And the psalmist in Psalm 40 said, I waited patiently for the Lord. 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.819 He turned to me and he heard my cry. 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.819 He lifted me out of the slimy pit. 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:46.819 He lifted me out of the mud and the mire. 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:52.819 He set my feet on a rock, on a firm place. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:59.819 And he gave me a firm place to stand. 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:02.819 It didn't say he took away the situation. 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:05.819 It just said he gave us a firm place in which to stand and wait. 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:18.819 He played a go to the perspend, where he condensed the iceulator and put his hand on his Saf线. 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:25.819 He protested me back in Australia with a strong Beautiful Ruthie. 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:29.819 Happy New 30's!