WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.399 Called as Companions in Ministry. 00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:07.820 When I got this topic, I couldn't wait to unpack it. 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:11.640 Because I thought as easily as it could be acknowledged, 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:16.660 Companions in Ministry, ah, that's nice, good idea, that. 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:19.800 It could just as easily be ignored. 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:22.519 Companions in Ministry, yes. 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:25.320 That's for someone else, not me. 00:00:25.980 --> 00:00:27.179 I'm not in the ministry. 00:00:28.240 --> 00:00:28.839 Wrong. 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:30.539 Wrong. Yes, you are. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:35.539 If you've been saved, we are all family. 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:40.600 And the family business is proclaiming Jesus is Lord. 00:00:41.659 --> 00:00:45.840 Lord of all, we are here to share that love, that good news, 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:49.200 to everyone who needs it and everyone we meet. 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:54.780 Well, Companions, today we've read about Paul. 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:58.600 His skill, his livelihood, his intent-making. 00:00:59.620 --> 00:01:01.180 He meets Aquila and Priscilla. 00:01:02.340 --> 00:01:05.380 And as they were tent-makers too, he stays with them. 00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:07.240 He works with them. 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:09.760 They found a shared common ground. 00:01:10.320 --> 00:01:13.540 And they were united in their skills and in their interests. 00:01:13.540 --> 00:01:21.920 And through that, he used what he knew and was able to meet with the people and preach the gospel. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:26.540 And as it says, one night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision. 00:01:27.700 --> 00:01:28.680 Do not be afraid. 00:01:28.820 --> 00:01:29.680 Keep on speaking. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:32.120 Do not be silent, for I am with you. 00:01:32.740 --> 00:01:34.299 And we read on, he stayed. 00:01:34.299 --> 00:01:37.599 And when it was his time to leave, he left. 00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:42.479 And then when we read on, there's a line I like. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:47.620 It says, Paul traveled from place to place, strengthening all the disciples. 00:01:47.620 --> 00:01:50.200 That line I love. 00:01:50.240 --> 00:01:51.240 I'm going to say it again. 00:01:52.540 --> 00:01:57.020 Paul traveled from place to place, strengthening all the disciples. 00:01:58.060 --> 00:01:59.880 And that line I love. 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:01.520 Strengthening. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:02.900 That's what you want, isn't it? 00:02:03.580 --> 00:02:05.000 Think of your dearest friend. 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:06.159 Think of a companion. 00:02:07.460 --> 00:02:10.280 Someone who strengthens you, who loves you. 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:11.860 That is what you want. 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:19.320 So today, I'm going to unpack the very title, the very theme, the very three points. 00:02:19.720 --> 00:02:21.200 So you know how long it's going to be. 00:02:22.260 --> 00:02:25.440 Called, companions, and ministry. 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:26.740 Simples. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:28.060 Hopefully. 00:02:30.440 --> 00:02:32.780 To have your name called. 00:02:33.620 --> 00:02:34.560 To be called. 00:02:35.280 --> 00:02:36.140 Let's make a point. 00:02:37.420 --> 00:02:38.960 David, give us a wave. 00:02:39.480 --> 00:02:40.240 Hi, David. 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:42.020 Can't ignore that, can you? 00:02:42.040 --> 00:02:42.840 I'm pretty loud. 00:02:43.480 --> 00:02:43.860 You okay? 00:02:44.700 --> 00:02:45.680 Good prayers earlier. 00:02:45.760 --> 00:02:46.120 Well done. 00:02:48.480 --> 00:02:51.140 When you are called, you can't ignore it. 00:02:51.760 --> 00:02:53.120 Unless you are my children. 00:02:55.560 --> 00:02:57.379 See, I didn't say husband, Damon, see? 00:03:01.040 --> 00:03:02.180 Think about it, though. 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:05.780 At school, at work, out and about. 00:03:05.780 --> 00:03:10.580 Now, if you are called, someone calls you, it's because they want you. 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:12.000 It's because they need you. 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:17.580 And a call isn't a pleasant, cooey, hello. 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:20.259 Calling is strong. 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:21.219 Calling is loud. 00:03:21.420 --> 00:03:22.580 Calling is fierce. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:24.580 It's to cry out. 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:25.479 It's to shout. 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:26.580 It's to yell. 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:27.199 To bellow. 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:27.879 To roar. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:28.979 I googled. 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:30.599 It's to scream. 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:31.379 It's to shriek. 00:03:31.500 --> 00:03:32.159 It's to summon. 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:35.520 And you certainly can't ignore that. 00:03:36.859 --> 00:03:39.159 It sounds almost a bit serious, doesn't it? 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:42.919 So we are called by God. 00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:47.859 The creator of the world has called every one of us. 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:49.960 It's pretty heavy, huh? 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:52.659 How can we ignore that? 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:57.540 The creator God, our saviour, wants us. 00:03:58.219 --> 00:03:59.400 Every one of us. 00:04:00.420 --> 00:04:03.580 So who are we to put our heads in the sand and ignore that? 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:11.040 In Jeremiah, there's an experience of being called, and I want to read it to you. 00:04:12.480 --> 00:04:14.560 The Lord gave me this message. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:18.860 I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:26.519 Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:31.579 Oh, sovereign Lord, I said, I can't speak for you. 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:32.360 I'm too young. 00:04:33.459 --> 00:04:36.500 The Lord replied, don't say I'm too young. 00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:42.240 For you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:49.319 Don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and I will protect you, says the Lord. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:51.180 Well, crikey. 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:52.860 How could he argue with that? 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:56.079 But I don't know about you. 00:04:56.960 --> 00:04:58.620 I can certainly relate to that. 00:04:59.400 --> 00:05:00.400 I can't speak. 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:01.300 I'm too young. 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:02.259 I'm too old. 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:04.740 I'm a hundred different things. 00:05:05.340 --> 00:05:06.420 But what does God say? 00:05:06.960 --> 00:05:07.319 Go. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:09.300 I will be with you. 00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:11.759 Well, okay then, we better go. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:17.019 We are called because he wants us. 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:22.259 And you and I wouldn't call for something if we didn't want it, if we didn't need it. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:24.340 But called to what? 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:28.199 John 13, 34, 35. 00:05:29.819 --> 00:05:31.900 Let me give you a new command. 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:35.699 Love one another in the same way I have loved you. 00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:41.879 This is how everyone will recognise that you are my disciples. 00:05:42.719 --> 00:05:45.740 When they see the love that you have for each other. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:51.360 We are called to serve God with what we have, with who we are. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:06:01.160 So if you're a tent maker like Paul, if you're old, if you're young, if you're black, if you're white, if you're quiet or you're loud like me. 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:06.580 If you're happy or if you're sad, God will still use you. 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:11.039 Isaiah 43 says, don't be afraid. 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:11.879 I've redeemed you. 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:13.339 I have called you by name. 00:06:13.919 --> 00:06:14.659 You are mine. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:18.339 When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:22.579 When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:27.879 When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end. 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:31.560 Because I am God, your personal God. 00:06:32.599 --> 00:06:37.000 I have paid a huge price for you because that is how much you mean to me. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:41.399 That is how much I love you. 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:45.839 We are called and we are not alone. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:49.299 Number two. 00:06:51.299 --> 00:06:51.740 Companions. 00:06:53.139 --> 00:06:54.479 I'd like you to take a minute. 00:06:54.719 --> 00:06:56.060 Think of someone dear to you. 00:06:56.219 --> 00:06:57.259 Think of someone precious. 00:06:57.620 --> 00:07:03.159 Think of someone who you can't wait to spend time with, to be daft with, to work with. 00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:04.759 Have a think. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:12.279 People who, when you're together, you enjoy each other's company. 00:07:13.599 --> 00:07:17.399 People, friends, loved ones who support you. 00:07:18.159 --> 00:07:20.399 Who follow you with your ideas. 00:07:20.399 --> 00:07:22.479 Ideas who trust you. 00:07:22.539 --> 00:07:24.819 And likewise, you would support them. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:29.120 A companion is all of those things and more. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:33.420 Someone who encourages you, supports you, builds you up. 00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:35.560 Tells you when you're wrong too. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:44.040 In Genesis, God says, God made us for each other to be fruitful and responsible. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:45.600 We have each other. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:47.600 And like in that video earlier. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:48.700 And like in that video earlier. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:54.200 How cool is it that we are all alive on the same planet at the same time. 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:56.800 We are born to make a difference. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:07:59.520 But it can be easy to get overwhelmed. 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:02.240 Feel like we can't do anything. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:04.579 But that is why we have each other. 00:08:05.400 --> 00:08:06.280 We have you. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:07.060 We have me. 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:09.400 Together we can do anything. 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:12.180 What a wise little fella, huh? 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:14.319 And he's right. 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:18.900 By yourself you're unprotected. 00:08:19.420 --> 00:08:21.420 With a friend you can face the worst. 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:23.379 Can you round up a third? 00:08:24.280 --> 00:08:26.980 A three-stranded rope isn't easily broken. 00:08:27.580 --> 00:08:29.759 The Bible tells us we need each other. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:33.800 There is strength in numbers and we are called to serve together. 00:08:35.920 --> 00:08:39.539 Love one another in the same way I have loved you. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:43.840 This is how everyone will recognize you are my disciples. 00:08:44.560 --> 00:08:47.620 When they see the love you have for each other. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:49.340 Number three. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:51.159 Ministry. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:52.719 Now I like this one. 00:08:53.439 --> 00:08:57.139 I think we can possibly glaze over this one the easiest. 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:02.620 When we read the theme companions in ministry. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:08.339 It's not like we are talking about the vicars and the ministers all being best friends and being each other's companions. 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:10.959 Ministry is doing. 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:13.339 Ministry is being active. 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:14.579 It's being involved. 00:09:15.699 --> 00:09:18.500 To minister is to attend to the needs of someone. 00:09:18.959 --> 00:09:19.740 To provide. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:20.699 To care for. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:23.220 So for example. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:25.780 Any cog. 00:09:25.920 --> 00:09:26.540 Any job. 00:09:26.680 --> 00:09:27.620 Any person. 00:09:28.180 --> 00:09:28.800 That helps. 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:29.379 Just say on. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:30.520 Just on Sunday. 00:09:31.680 --> 00:09:32.940 Anything you have done. 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:33.720 Today. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:35.500 You have ministered. 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:37.620 Any job you have done. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:38.980 Out of love. 00:09:39.540 --> 00:09:40.300 You have done. 00:09:40.420 --> 00:09:42.300 Because he loved you first. 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:43.920 You have ministered. 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:46.860 Anything you do during the week. 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:50.279 Any driving around for people. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:51.539 Any shopping for people. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.419 Any kindness. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:54.879 A thoughtful text. 00:09:54.979 --> 00:09:58.719 You have ministered because you have shared the love of God. 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:02.600 It might seem small to you. 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:02.820 It might seem small to you. 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:04.660 But it's not to others. 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:05.659 Don't. 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:05.919 I'll notice. 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:09.899 So talking in the spiritual, what did Paul do? 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:14.000 He went from place to place, strengthening all the disciples. 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:18.439 His ministry was to tell the good news of the gospel, 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:23.539 to encourage and to build up his companions along the way. 00:10:25.219 --> 00:10:29.199 And when we think of Jesus' ministry, we think of what he did, 00:10:29.199 --> 00:10:32.919 who he got alongside, who he encouraged. 00:10:33.839 --> 00:10:39.360 While Jesus met with his disciples, we know, believers, non-believers, 00:10:40.319 --> 00:10:48.279 the confused, the good, the bad, prostitutes, scholars, women, men, children, beggars, 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:55.360 the wealthy, the afflicted, rulers, tax collectors, the lonely and the popular. 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:58.019 He encouraged all of them. 00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:01.159 So what is our ministry then? 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:03.419 What is our calling? 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:09.039 Firstly, you need to know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.799 That's the first. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:16.079 And if you don't, and if you're not sure, get sure of it today. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:17.659 There's going to be prayer. 00:11:18.079 --> 00:11:19.519 Come and be prayed for. 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:24.980 There are people that want to pray for you. 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:31.460 And if you do know Jesus as Lord, make sure the Holy Spirit is your companion. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.019 See what I did? 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:33.600 Link that in. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:37.039 Welcome him in and get to know him. 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:38.659 Then what? 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:40.539 Well, how about this? 00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:45.620 Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the law? 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.799 Jesus replied, 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:54.539 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind. 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:58.039 This is the first and greatest commandment. 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.279 And the second is like it. 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:03.879 Love your neighbour as yourself. 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:08.419 All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:12.000 And I'm going to say it again. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:16.219 Love one another in the same way I have loved you. 00:12:17.339 --> 00:12:21.339 This is how everyone will recognise you are my disciples. 00:12:21.979 --> 00:12:24.339 When they see the love you have for each other. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.539 We are called to be radical. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:28.159 We are called to be awesome. 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:32.139 We are called to do things for nothing in return. 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:35.100 So love one another. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.220 Know your companions. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:38.960 Support them. 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:39.840 Encourage them. 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:41.939 Build each other up. 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:43.419 Follow God together. 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:45.199 And together you're stronger. 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:48.240 So the good news of the gospel.