WEBVTT

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 The scripture reading comes from 1 Thessalonians 2, starting in verse 1.

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 Please follow along in your bulletin or Bible.

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 For you yourself know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

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 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know,

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 we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

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 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive.

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 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,

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 so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts.

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 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with pretexts for greed.

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 God is witness.

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 Nor did we seek made demands as apostles of Christ.

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 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

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 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God,

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 but also our own self, because you had become very dear to us.

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 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil.

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 We worked night and day that we might not be a burden to any of you.

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 While we proclaim to you the gospel of God, you are witnesses and God also.

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 How holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you, believers.

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 For you know how, like a father with his children.

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 We exhorted each of you and encourage you and charge you to walk in a manner worthy of God,

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 who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

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 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us,

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 you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God,

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 which is at work in you, believers.

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 For you, brothers, became imitators to the church of God and Christ Jesus that are in Judea.

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 For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

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 who killed both the Lord Jesus Christ and the prophets,

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 and drove us out and displeased God and opposed all mankind

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 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved,

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 so as always to fill up the measure of their sins.

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 But wrath has come upon them at last.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Great. Thank you, Jonah.

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 Can I invite Al to come up this morning?

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 One of the great things that being in the city of Hong Kong

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 and being here amongst some of the other churches

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 is there is a real sense of churches trying to work together.

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 We have been so blessed by many churches ourselves,

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 and we've been able to go and engage with other churches in the city.

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 And one of the amazing things this morning is to have Al come to be with us from St. Andrews.

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 Al is the Associate Minister of St. Andrews.

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 We met, I can't remember when we met, a couple of years ago.

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 I just had such an encouraging conversation.

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 Al has just got a real heart for Christ and for his people

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 and really shepherding people in his congregation there.

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 And one of the things you need to know about Al is,

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 apart from the fact that he has a wife, two kids, and one on the way,

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 he's also spent a lot of time in South Africa,

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 which growing up in South Africa, so that's okay.

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 We're used to that, but we'll forgive you.

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 We'll forgive you for that.

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 But if you repent of that, that's okay.

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 No problem.

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 But Al's going to come and bring,

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 he's graciously agreed to bring God's word to us this morning.

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 So can I pray for you this morning?

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 Father, I just want to thank you

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 that where brothers dwell together in unity,

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 there is your blessing.

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 And I'll thank you that in this city,

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 there is one church, and it's your church.

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 And we are not part of our own little kingdoms,

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 but it's your kingdom.

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 And Lord, I thank you for Al coming this morning.

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 I pray that you would speak to him, speak through him,

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 and speak through him into our hearts,

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 that we would hear your word,

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 that we would be challenged and changed through him,

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 and that we would learn to walk by faith

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 and to be ministers of the gospel,

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 as you call us to be.

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 In Jesus' name, amen.

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 Amen.

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 Thank you so much, Chris.

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 And as Chris has said,

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 it's a real joy for me to be here with you this morning.

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 It's great that we do have a network of churches

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 that work together.

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 I did spend quite some time in South Africa.

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 I lived there until I was 15.

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 But as you can tell,

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 the accent has become a little bit British.

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 So forgive me if I'm neither one thing or another thing.

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 I'm going to suggest,

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 if you could keep open your booklets,

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 that would be great,

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 because we'll be having a look at these verses over here.

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 Over the recent years,

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 I don't know if you've noticed,

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 but there's been a lot of films about con artists,

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 people who can con,

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 who can talk their way into kind of any situation

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 for their own benefit.

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 So films like The Hustle,

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 Inception,

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 Parasite,

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 Ocean's Eleven,

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 and the remake,

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 and all of the sequels.

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 One film a bit like that,

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 from a few years ago,

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 is Catch Me If You Can.

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 I don't know if you remember it.

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 Tom Hanks,

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 Leonardo DiCaprio.

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 And DiCaprio was actually playing a real-life figure

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 called Frank Abagnale,

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 who was a notorious con artist from the 60s.

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 So whilst he was still a teenager,

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 he managed to convince people

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 that he was a medical doctor,

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 and actually practiced for several months.

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 That's a bit scary.

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 He also managed to pass the bar exam

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 and conduct himself as a lawyer for several months.

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 And he,

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 as well as all of that,

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 he convinced people

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 that he was an aircraft pilot

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 and took loads of flights,

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 and at one stage,

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 allegedly even took the controls

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 of a passenger airplane

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 full of people on board.

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 Well, fortunately,

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 he has repented of his ways.

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 He doesn't con people anymore.

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 He now tries to help firms

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 to avoid being conned.

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 But there is something about these con films

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 that we rather like,

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 don't we?

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 We like hearing about con artists.

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 We probably enjoy less actually meeting con artists,

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 and it's not impossible

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 that some of us have met con artists

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 in the sort of wrong kind of situation.

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 Now, in One Thessalonians,

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 that is the allegation

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 that is being charged against Paul.

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 That's the background to the whole letter,

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 in a way,

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 that Paul is nothing more than a con artist.

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 Now, we've been enjoying One Thessalonians

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 at St. Andrews.

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 We're just wrapping it up, actually, this Sunday.

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 And so, I hope you don't mind

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 me sharing a message from a few weeks ago.

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 And you may remember from the Book of Acts

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 the situation that Paul,

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 as was often his situation,

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 as often his practice,

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 when he arrived in Thessalonica,

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 he went to the synagogue there,

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 and he preached for just three Sundays.

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 And a few people became Christians.

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 They accepted Christ.

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 He planted a little fledgling church.

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 But then,

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 a mob was rounded up,

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 and he had to leave town in a hurry,

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 all of these angry people.

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 And afterwards,

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 they went to those young Christians,

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 and they said,

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 well, you can't believe Paul.

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 Paul is nothing more than a trickster,

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 a charlatan.

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 He's nothing more than a con artist.

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 And this gospel message of his,

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 well, that's just empty words.

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 That's just ideology.

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 That's just a pack of lies.

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 You don't believe that he actually cares about you.

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 He's tramping all over the place,

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 planting churches.

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 It's one just,

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 it's just one big ego trip for him.

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 He's after fame,

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 and he's after your money.

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 I mean, look,

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 he's left town in a hurry.

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 He's got something to hide.

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 That's the kind of allegations

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 that were coming through.

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 And if you read the letter through,

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 it's so very clear.

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 And so,

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 Paul has to address these.

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 And in chapter one,

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 he firstly affirms the gospel

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 and the faith of the Thessalonian church.

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 He says,

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 with this gospel message,

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 it's not just empty words.

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 No,

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 it's God's power to transform you.

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 And you yourselves

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 are the evidence of that.

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 Just see how you've changed.

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 You've turned from worshipping idols

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 to worship the Lord Jesus Christ

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 and wait for him.

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 Your lives are now marked

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 by faith and hope and love.

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 You've even accepted suffering.

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 You bear all of the hallmarks

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 of authenticity.

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 That's chapter one.

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 And now in chapter two,

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 with what we're looking at today,

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 Paul turns to himself

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 and he says,

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 and I bear all of the hallmarks

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 of authenticity as well.

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 Now,

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 Paul isn't trying to boast here,

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 big himself up.

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 No,

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 he's doing it

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 for the sake of the Thessalonians.

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 He knows that if they reject him,

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 then chances are

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 that in the end,

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 they'll reject the gospel as well.

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 And so what we have here

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 is like a little portrait

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 of faithful gospel ministry.

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 Now,

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 Paul isn't saying

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 that he's perfect.

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 In other places,

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 he admits that he's not perfect.

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 But he is saying

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 that he ticks these boxes

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 of basic faithfulness.

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 And he wanted the Thessalonians

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 to be able to discern

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 what counted as faithful gospel ministry

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 and what wasn't faithful gospel ministry.

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 And as such,

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 these verses are very helpful for us.

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 You know,

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 we're inundated

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 by people who claim

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 to be Christian leaders.

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 If you go onto the internet,

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 there's no end of people

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 who want you to watch their video

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 and read their blog

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 and buy their book.

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 And some of those teachers

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 are excellent.

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 And sadly,

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 some of those teachers are not.

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 And we need to be able

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 to discern

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 what's faithful teaching

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 and what isn't.

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 It's also very helpful

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 for gospel ministers,

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 this passage

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 that we should reflect

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 on our own ministry

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 and to think,

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 am I doing

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 what the Bible says?

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 But more than that,

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 these marks,

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 these things

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 that Christian ministers

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 are meant to do

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 are for us all.

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 You see,

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 the Bible tells us

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 that we're all the ministers.

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 We're all the pastors

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 in the church.

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 Sadly,

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 Kevin,

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 your senior pastor,

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 has been unwell.

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 We've been praying for him.

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 Praise the Lord

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 that he's on the mend.

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 But he's not

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 the only pastor here.

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 Nor is just Chris

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 or Henrika

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 or Jeremy

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 or the rest of the staff team.

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 No,

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 the Bible says

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 if we're a Christian,

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 then we're all the pastors.

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 We're all the ministers.

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 And so we should all

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 be doing these things.

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 So whether we're

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 in Sunday school

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 or helping to lead

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 a community group

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 or whether we're a parent

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 teaching our children

00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:29.879
 or whether we're

00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:31.060
 just one ordinary Christian

00:11:31.060 --> 00:11:31.960
 trying to encourage

00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:33.379
 another ordinary Christian,

00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.480
 these are things

00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:35.460
 that we should all do.

00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:36.700
 All aspire to do.

00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:37.700
 We won't do them perfectly

00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:39.200
 but these are things

00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:39.820
 that we should do.

00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.820
 Now we're going to split

00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:42.000
 our passage up into three.

00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:42.600
 Forgive me,

00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:43.779
 I am a kind of

00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:45.779
 three-point sermon guy.

00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:46.439
 So we've got

00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:48.759
 three points this morning.

00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:49.500
 I'm sorry about that.

00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:50.639
 Three points.

00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:51.220
 Firstly,

00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:52.600
 right motives.

00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:53.439
 Right motives.

00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:54.299
 So have a look with me

00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:54.779
 at verse one.

00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.379
 Paul says,

00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.259
 remember back

00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:58.059
 to how we lived amongst you.

00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.120
 And he uses this phrase

00:11:59.120 --> 00:11:59.740
 again and again,

00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:00.240
 you know.

00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.440
 You know how we lived.

00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.100
 Verse one.

00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:04.580
 But you yourselves know,

00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:05.200
 brothers,

00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.620
 that our coming to you

00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.519
 was not in vain.

00:12:08.060 --> 00:12:09.220
 But though we had

00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:10.040
 already suffered

00:12:10.040 --> 00:12:11.240
 and been shamefully

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.279
 cheated at Philippi,

00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:12.980
 as you know,

00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:14.759
 we had boldness

00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.639
 in our God

00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:16.960
 to declare to you

00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.060
 the gospel of God

00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:19.019
 in the midst

00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.360
 of much conflict.

00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:20.920
 So he's saying,

00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:21.680
 remember back

00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:22.340
 to what happened.

00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:24.220
 We arrived in your city

00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:25.620
 and we'd just come

00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.540
 from Philippi.

00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:27.580
 In Philippi,

00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:28.360
 Paul had preached

00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:28.860
 the gospel

00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:30.040
 and he'd been opposed.

00:12:30.040 --> 00:12:31.600
 An angry crowd

00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:33.100
 tried to take hold

00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:33.440
 of him.

00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.259
 The city officials,

00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.560
 they arrested Paul

00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:37.620
 but instead of protecting

00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.580
 him from the crowd,

00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:40.019
 they unlawfully beat him

00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:40.940
 and threw him into prison.

00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:42.000
 Eventually,

00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:43.440
 he managed to extricate

00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.840
 himself from prison

00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:46.000
 but that didn't stop him.

00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:47.200
 Then he went on

00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:48.259
 to Thessalonica

00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.800
 and he was opposed there.

00:12:49.920 --> 00:12:50.540
 He had to leave

00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:50.960
 in a hurry.

00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:51.779
 Next,

00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.600
 he went to Berea.

00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:52.960
 Again,

00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:53.700
 he was opposed

00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:54.440
 and had to leave

00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.000
 in a hurry.

00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:55.860
 Then he went on

00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.340
 to Athens.

00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:56.960
 His message

00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:57.980
 was mainly rejected.

00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:58.840
 Eventually,

00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.899
 he found himself

00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.279
 in the city of Corinth

00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.259
 where he was writing

00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.100
 this letter from

00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:04.840
 and he's saying,

00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.340
 remember

00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:07.579
 how our lives were.

00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:09.139
 We weren't doing it

00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:09.679
 for fame

00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:10.299
 and glory

00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:10.860
 and money.

00:13:10.959 --> 00:13:11.079
 No,

00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.519
 it was highly inconvenient

00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:13.220
 for us

00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.299
 sharing the gospel

00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:14.919
 with you

00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:16.100
 and that shows

00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:17.179
 that our motives

00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:18.299
 were right.

00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.659
 See what he goes on

00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.279
 to say

00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:22.179
 in verses 3

00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:23.139
 and 4.

00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:24.159
 For our appeal

00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.120
 does not spring

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.960
 from error

00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:27.319
 or impurity

00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.920
 or any attempt

00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.680
 to deceive

00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:31.300
 but just as we

00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.180
 have been approved

00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:32.680
 by God

00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:33.879
 to be entrusted

00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.700
 with the gospel

00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:36.420
 so we speak

00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:37.900
 not to please man

00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:39.000
 but to please God

00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.180
 who tests our hearts.

00:13:40.680 --> 00:13:41.340
 For we never came

00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.680
 with words of flattery

00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:43.340
 as you know

00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:45.000
 nor with a pretext

00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.100
 for greed.

00:13:46.400 --> 00:13:47.480
 God is our witness.

00:13:47.640 --> 00:13:47.940
 He's saying,

00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.060
 look,

00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:49.020
 we never did any

00:13:49.020 --> 00:13:50.480
 of that con artist stuff.

00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:52.060
 We never used flattery

00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:53.180
 to get into your good books.

00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.660
 We never put on a mask

00:13:54.660 --> 00:13:55.460
 to hide greed

00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:56.140
 in our hearts

00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.840
 because we were

00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:57.799
 after your stuff.

00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:58.019
 No,

00:13:58.319 --> 00:13:59.139
 we weren't trying

00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:00.419
 to please ourselves

00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:02.199
 or to please others

00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:03.399
 or even really firstly

00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.480
 to please you.

00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.240
 No,

00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.319
 as custodians

00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:07.000
 of the gospel

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.639
 firstly we were seeking

00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.220
 to please the Lord

00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.679
 not con artists.

00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:14.559
 One of the most infamous

00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:15.439
 con artists

00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:16.819
 in the animal kingdom

00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:18.100
 if you can call it that

00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:19.360
 is the angler fish.

00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:19.679
 I don't know

00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:20.019
 if you know

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:21.379
 about angler fish.

00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.480
 I'm at the stage

00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.399
 where my oldest daughter

00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.779
 is three years old

00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.360
 so I'm always

00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.480
 showing her pictures

00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.519
 of animals and things

00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:29.139
 and the angler fish

00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.960
 is this rather grotesque fish

00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:32.820
 that lives in the murky depths

00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.320
 of the ocean

00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.279
 where there's hardly

00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.180
 any light at all

00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:37.120
 and it's got this bulbous protrusion

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.539
 that comes off

00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.639
 that someone's nodding.

00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.700
 You know what I'm talking about

00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:41.139
 at least.

00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.340
 Or the top of its head

00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.460
 which glows in the light

00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:44.860
 and the little fish

00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.720
 are attracted to this

00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:47.200
 and they swim up to it

00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:49.100
 and then it just swallows them

00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.740
 with one big gulp.

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:51.759
 Fortunately,

00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.779
 it's only this big

00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.100
 so you don't have to worry

00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:55.639
 too much about the angler fish

00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:56.879
 but there's almost

00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:58.439
 a sense in which

00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.720
 some gospel ministers

00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:00.399
 are sadly

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.759
 a bit like that.

00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:02.839
 They're holding out

00:15:02.839 --> 00:15:03.939
 the light of the gospel

00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:06.179
 in a dark world

00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.899
 and people are attracted

00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:08.360
 to that

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.220
 but their intention

00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:09.740
 all along

00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.220
 is to exploit those people

00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:13.179
 and so we hear about

00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:13.699
 ministers

00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:15.480
 who are after money.

00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:16.519
 They're stolen

00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.379
 from their church.

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.419
 They're paying themselves

00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.419
 huge salaries.

00:15:19.579 --> 00:15:21.059
 They've got luxury cars

00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:22.179
 and private jets.

00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:22.639
 Meanwhile,

00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:23.459
 their congregation

00:15:23.459 --> 00:15:24.879
 is impoverished

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.759
 after money

00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.779
 or after fame.

00:15:28.119 --> 00:15:29.079
 They've turned ministry

00:15:29.079 --> 00:15:30.179
 into a vehicle

00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:31.119
 for self-promotion.

00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:32.159
 It's all about them

00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.239
 and what they're doing

00:15:33.239 --> 00:15:34.199
 and their latest CD

00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:35.479
 and their latest book

00:15:35.479 --> 00:15:36.879
 and Paul here

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.039
 is defending himself

00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:38.659
 against that.

00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.119
 He's saying,

00:15:39.339 --> 00:15:39.379
 look,

00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.719
 I really wasn't

00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:41.559
 that kind of

00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.079
 con artist

00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:42.939
 Christian minister.

00:15:43.219 --> 00:15:44.159
 I really wasn't.

00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.039
 Just remember

00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:47.099
 to how I lived amongst you.

00:15:47.219 --> 00:15:47.599
 You know.

00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.079
 It wasn't like that.

00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.179
 It had the right motives.

00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:51.839
 Right motives.

00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:53.439
 And I think

00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:54.179
 this reminder

00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.739
 about having right motives

00:15:55.739 --> 00:15:57.139
 in what we do

00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.039
 is so important.

00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.379
 It's so easy

00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.579
 if you're anything like me.

00:16:00.739 --> 00:16:01.399
 It's so easy

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.299
 to do what seems

00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:03.199
 to be the right thing

00:16:03.199 --> 00:16:04.919
 for the wrong reasons.

00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:05.719
 Now,

00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.379
 we'll never have

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.659
 perfect motivation

00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:09.199
 because we have

00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:09.939
 a sinful nature.

00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:10.919
 We can't wait

00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.699
 until our motives

00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:12.179
 are perfect

00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:13.139
 before we do something

00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:13.759
 because otherwise

00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.699
 we'll never do it.

00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.839
 But we do need

00:16:15.839 --> 00:16:17.239
 to work on our motivation

00:16:17.239 --> 00:16:19.519
 and I need to be reminded

00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.120
 that sometimes

00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.620
 at church

00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.360
 it's so easy

00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.279
 first to be

00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.439
 thinking about

00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.579
 what other people

00:16:24.579 --> 00:16:25.179
 think about

00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:26.039
 what we're doing

00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:27.600
 whether that's

00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.600
 in the music team

00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:29.699
 or whether we're

00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:31.240
 serving in kids zone

00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.539
 or Sunday school

00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.620
 to be thinking

00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.379
 about other people

00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.019
 and to want

00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:35.819
 their affirmation.

00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:37.039
 It's not wrong

00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:38.100
 to want to please others

00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.860
 but we need to

00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.699
 remind ourselves

00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:40.460
 we're doing this

00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.399
 firstly

00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.980
 to serve the Lord

00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.799
 to please Him.

00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.480
 The same is true

00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.360
 in evangelism.

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.480
 We know that we

00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.100
 should be doing

00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.860
 evangelism

00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.940
 and it's possible

00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.560
 to do that

00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:50.940
 in a way

00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:52.039
 to please ourselves

00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.300
 just so that we

00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:54.419
 get it off our conscience

00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:54.820
 phew,

00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.899
 I've told them

00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:57.340
 I can rest now

00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.860
 or to convince

00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.480
 other people

00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.200
 that we're keen

00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:01.000
 other Christians

00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.580
 can see that

00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.000
 we're bringing

00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.460
 our friends

00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.220
 to church

00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:03.560
 and that

00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.799
 we're a keen

00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.339
 Christian

00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.799
 but we should be

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:08.259
 doing evangelism

00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.700
 firstly to serve

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.099
 the Lord

00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.960
 and to please Him.

00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:13.200
 Equally wrong

00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.799
 motivation

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.799
 can keep us

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.539
 from service.

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.519
 For instance

00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.480
 if we firstly

00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.440
 are thinking about

00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.480
 serving our boss

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.319
 and getting ahead

00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:20.859
 in our career

00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.839
 then we might be

00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.480
 quite reluctant

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.579
 to take on

00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:25.059
 additional responsibility

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.720
 at church

00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.899
 because it might

00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:27.519
 get in the way

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:29.039
 or if we're seeking

00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.180
 to please ourselves

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.359
 if someone asks us

00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.399
 to take on a role

00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.359
 on the welcome team

00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:33.899
 or the AV

00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.599
 we might think

00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.720
 well this is quite

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:37.000
 menial and inconvenient

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.720
 I don't really want

00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.339
 to do it.

00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:40.299
 Well gospel ministry

00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:41.359
 wasn't convenient

00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.220
 for Paul

00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.619
 but he was willing

00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.220
 to do it

00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.600
 because he had

00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:46.480
 the right methods

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:48.079
 inspired through

00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:48.480
 the gospel

00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.079
 and what Jesus

00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.940
 had done for him.

00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.600
 Right methods

00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:53.140
 and secondly

00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:54.079
 right methods.

00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.519
 So Paul says

00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.600
 well I was an apostle

00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.700
 and I could have

00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.880
 made demands of you

00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:00.339
 but I didn't live

00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.000
 like that.

00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.420
 Instead

00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.120
 verse 7

00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:04.019
 have a look with me

00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.920
 he says

00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.120
 but we were gentle

00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:07.200
 among you

00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.000
 like a nursing mother

00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:10.000
 taking care

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.000
 of her own children

00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:13.000
 so being affectionately

00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.240
 desirous of you

00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.299
 we were ready

00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.160
 to share with you

00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:17.220
 not only the gospel

00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:17.720
 of God

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.759
 but also

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.119
 our own selves

00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:21.079
 because you had

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:22.799
 become very dear

00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:23.940
 to us.

00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:26.559
 Well Paul is making

00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.319
 an analogy here

00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:27.940
 saying that he's

00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.500
 like a mother

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.299
 and mothers

00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.460
 I think are really

00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:32.220
 the epitome of caring

00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.160
 that's true isn't it

00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.160
 and I see that

00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.119
 very much first hand

00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:35.799
 in my wife

00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:36.880
 as Chris has said

00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.880
 we've got

00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:38.779
 a little girl

00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.460
 who's three

00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.559
 and one who's one

00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.680
 and another little girl

00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:43.160
 who's coming in October

00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:44.140
 we're absolutely

00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.019
 thrilled by that

00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:46.319
 it is quite an

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.600
 exhausting phase

00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.340
 of life

00:18:48.340 --> 00:18:49.259
 and a lot of that

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.420
 falls on the mum

00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.380
 now obviously

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.340
 dads have to do

00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:52.860
 their part

00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.700
 but there's some

00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.779
 things that dads

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:56.220
 can't easily do

00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:58.180
 and so the mums

00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.700
 are the ones

00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.500
 who end up doing

00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.240
 a lot of it

00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.799
 and they just keep

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.259
 on giving

00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.120
 and giving

00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:02.700
 and giving

00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.519
 and I see that

00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.059
 in my wife

00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.960
 just the epitome

00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.559
 of caring

00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:07.360
 and Paul is making

00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:08.600
 this comparison here

00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.980
 now I don't think

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.419
 that we need

00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:11.480
 to misunderstand him

00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.279
 he isn't trying

00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.199
 to claim motherhood

00:19:13.199 --> 00:19:13.859
 for himself

00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:15.299
 he's not trying

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.859
 to say that he

00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:16.980
 understands all women

00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.779
 he's just using

00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.279
 an image

00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.819
 that most people

00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.799
 can understand

00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.699
 and he's saying

00:19:21.699 --> 00:19:22.919
 look we cared for you

00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:23.519
 we didn't want

00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.179
 to be a burden

00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:24.759
 at all

00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:26.399
 we weren't

00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:27.519
 so often Paul

00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:29.279
 would get a job

00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.659
 as a tent maker

00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:32.619
 or repairing tents

00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.139
 and he's saying

00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:33.779
 look remember

00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.379
 how we lived

00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.059
 amongst you

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:36.059
 during the day

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.039
 we were working hard

00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.279
 repairing and making

00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.960
 those tents

00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.159
 and then in the evening

00:19:40.159 --> 00:19:40.759
 we'd come

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.319
 and we'd tell you

00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:41.899
 about Jesus

00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:43.319
 and we'd do a bible study

00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.740
 and we'd pray together

00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.539
 and we'd be there

00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.259
 late in the evening

00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:48.059
 up in the early morning

00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.579
 repairing those tents

00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.680
 and all the while

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.480
 we were opposed

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.519
 and sometimes even

00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.559
 fearing for our lives

00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.799
 but through it all

00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.680
 it was worth it

00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.960
 because we really

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.960
 cared about you

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.339
 like a mother

00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.500
 and also

00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:02.619
 like a father

00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.980
 see what he says

00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.420
 in verse 11

00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.940
 for you know

00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:09.200
 how like a father

00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.460
 with his children

00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:12.319
 we exalted each of you

00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.960
 and encouraged you

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.360
 and charged you

00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.920
 to walk in a manner

00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.799
 worthy of God

00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.440
 who calls you

00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.339
 into his own kingdom

00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:20.400
 and glory

00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:21.599
 now again

00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.140
 I don't think

00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:22.839
 Paul is trying to

00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:24.140
 promote gender stereotypes

00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:24.799
 he's just saying

00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:26.240
 that in the average family

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.059
 so often

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.880
 the mother

00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.860
 is a bit more gentle

00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.539
 and the father

00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.360
 is often

00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:31.160
 but not always

00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.299
 a bit more stern

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:34.079
 often in a helpful way

00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.940
 and he's saying

00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.659
 we were a bit like

00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.440
 a dad to you

00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:38.099
 we set you an example

00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:39.639
 through our conduct

00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:41.240
 through our speech

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.440
 and we wanted

00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.259
 the best for you

00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.519
 we didn't pander to you

00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.399
 no we were willing

00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.879
 to have that slightly

00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:48.180
 more difficult conversation

00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:49.359
 because we wanted you

00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.579
 to really live

00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:52.000
 for the Lord Jesus Christ

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.759
 there's a kind of honesty

00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:55.599
 and straightforwardness

00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:57.440
 gentleness

00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.559
 on the one hand

00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.339
 and honesty

00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:00.680
 and straightforwardness

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.399
 and sometimes

00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.240
 those things

00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.040
 are lacking

00:21:03.040 --> 00:21:04.580
 from Christian leadership

00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.460
 there can be

00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.820
 a lack of gentleness

00:21:06.820 --> 00:21:08.240
 some Christian leaders

00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.720
 are so determined

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.400
 in their zeal

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.240
 to build the kingdom

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.060
 that they become

00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:13.740
 quite authoritarian

00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:15.420
 and domineering

00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:17.120
 in order to get things done

00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.080
 and that might work

00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:18.920
 in the short term

00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.680
 but in the end

00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.580
 it always leaves

00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:21.940
 a trail of destruction

00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:23.420
 and sadly

00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.460
 over recent years

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.259
 there's been a number

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.700
 of high profile pastors

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:28.580
 who've had to step down

00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.500
 from their ministry

00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:31.539
 amongst allegations

00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.279
 of bullying

00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.759
 and abuse

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.140
 now that is

00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:36.900
 absolutely scandalous

00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:38.180
 a Christian leader

00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.019
 should not be

00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.480
 a bully

00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.660
 Paul was not a bully

00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.380
 Christian leaders

00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.839
 should be gentle

00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.859
 gentle

00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:45.240
 but also

00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.160
 honest

00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.599
 and forthright

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:49.259
 some Christian leaders

00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.759
 are so scared

00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.000
 about upsetting anyone

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.940
 that they're not

00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.759
 willing to say

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.319
 to anyone

00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.500
 hey you're a Christian

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.740
 you shouldn't be

00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.920
 doing those things

00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:59.279
 but for Paul

00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.340
 the gentleness

00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:02.480
 and the forthrightness

00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.920
 went hand in hand

00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.019
 that's how it works

00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.100
 for Christians

00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:06.740
 gentleness

00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.759
 and forthrightness

00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.660
 go hand in hand

00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.960
 Paul was willing

00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.900
 to get emotionally

00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.000
 involved in the lives

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:13.019
 of these individuals

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.580
 not a kind of

00:22:14.580 --> 00:22:15.380
 professionalism

00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:15.880
 keeping them

00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.620
 at arm's length

00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:17.180
 no he says

00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.259
 we loved you so much

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.960
 that we were willing

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.660
 to share our lives

00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.800
 our very selves

00:22:21.800 --> 00:22:23.140
 getting emotionally

00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.660
 involved

00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:25.580
 now I think

00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.620
 that's a big challenge

00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.560
 for us here

00:22:27.560 --> 00:22:28.420
 in Hong Kong

00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.540
 getting emotionally

00:22:29.540 --> 00:22:29.960
 involved

00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.200
 you know

00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.340
 we lived in a city

00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.279
 that's just packed

00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.860
 with people

00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:34.240
 and so many of those

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.480
 people are stressed

00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.840
 and angry

00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:38.720
 and tired

00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.259
 and don't have

00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.800
 much energy

00:22:40.800 --> 00:22:41.840
 and we're stressed

00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.620
 and tired

00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.840
 and without much energy

00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:45.040
 and it's easy for us

00:22:45.040 --> 00:22:45.980
 to say to ourselves

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.580
 well if I had more

00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:48.480
 time and energy

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.300
 and more emotional

00:22:49.300 --> 00:22:49.880
 resources

00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:51.040
 then maybe I could help

00:22:51.040 --> 00:22:52.200
 but I just

00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.440
 don't have it in me

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.900
 to deal with

00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.960
 all of the stuff

00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.840
 that's going on

00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.180
 in other people's

00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.799
 lives at the moment

00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:02.100
 but brothers and sisters

00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.900
 the Christian way

00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:05.039
 is to get involved

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.360
 to get emotionally

00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.039
 involved in other

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.819
 people's lives

00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:09.460
 now obviously

00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.880
 we all have our limits

00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.140
 in a larger congregation

00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:12.720
 like this

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.759
 we can't get to know

00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.240
 everyone

00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.080
 which is why

00:23:15.080 --> 00:23:15.980
 I think our

00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.840
 small groups

00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:18.259
 are so important

00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.980
 and at St. Andrews

00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.200
 we're always saying

00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:21.640
 join

00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.180
 we call them

00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.660
 growth groups

00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:23.640
 join a growth group

00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.460
 join a growth group

00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.180
 join a growth group

00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.560
 because of course

00:23:25.560 --> 00:23:27.660
 in these smaller groups

00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:29.180
 we're able to

00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:30.060
 study the Bible

00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:30.620
 and pray

00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:32.120
 but more than that

00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:32.980
 to really get to

00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.780
 know each other

00:23:33.780 --> 00:23:35.400
 and support each other

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:37.060
 so that if we hear

00:23:37.060 --> 00:23:37.860
 that someone in our

00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.600
 community group

00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.440
 is going through

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.200
 a rough patch

00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.380
 well we pray for them

00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:41.940
 but more than that

00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.560
 we bring them up

00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:42.980
 and we say

00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:44.440
 hey how are you doing

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.220
 can I take you out

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.560
 for lunch

00:23:45.560 --> 00:23:46.060
 can we go out

00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:46.500
 for coffee

00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.680
 what can I do

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.380
 to help you

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.820
 because we really can

00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:51.579
 and if we hear

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.139
 that someone

00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:53.299
 in our community group

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.839
 is maybe

00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:56.500
 making a bad decision

00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.879
 or fallen into

00:23:57.879 --> 00:23:59.099
 some kind of sin

00:23:59.099 --> 00:24:00.480
 then we don't ignore it

00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.740
 we don't bulldoze

00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.539
 they know we're gentle

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.419
 but we don't do

00:24:03.419 --> 00:24:03.980
 nothing at all

00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.319
 instead

00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.899
 we get in touch

00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:06.259
 with them

00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.759
 and we say

00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.559
 brother, sister

00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:09.119
 I care about you

00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.799
 very much

00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.700
 but these are the reasons

00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.339
 why I think

00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.299
 this may not be

00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.960
 the right course

00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.460
 of action

00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:15.000
 and these are the verses

00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.559
 in the Bible

00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.359
 that say that

00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.079
 maybe this is not

00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.500
 the right thing

00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:17.799
 to do

00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.799
 and we're willing

00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.139
 to have that conversation

00:24:20.139 --> 00:24:21.899
 and the potential pushback

00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:23.639
 that we might receive

00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:24.220
 in it

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:26.399
 because we care

00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.399
 about that person

00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:29.339
 right motives

00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.839
 right methods

00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.480
 and finally

00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:34.480
 right message

00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:36.299
 well Paul is talking

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.659
 about a gospel message

00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:37.919
 here

00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:39.619
 which is not his own

00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.179
 look with me

00:24:40.179 --> 00:24:41.519
 at verse 13

00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:43.839
 and we also

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.599
 thank God

00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.960
 constantly for this

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:47.340
 that when you received

00:24:47.340 --> 00:24:48.240
 the word of God

00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.039
 which you heard

00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.759
 from us

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:51.220
 you accepted it

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.779
 not as the word

00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.319
 of men

00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.960
 but as it really is

00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.019
 the word of God

00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:57.400
 which is at work

00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:57.920
 in you

00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.380
 believers

00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:58.799
 say

00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.460
 he repeats

00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.860
 word, word, word

00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:01.840
 it's not his word

00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:03.460
 it's the Lord's word

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:05.400
 and it's a word

00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.940
 which is opposed

00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.240
 see what he says

00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.420
 in verse 14

00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:11.019
 for you brothers

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.180
 became imitators

00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.019
 of the churches

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.120
 of God

00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:15.359
 in Christ Jesus

00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:16.639
 that are in Judea

00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:18.079
 for you suffered

00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.219
 the same things

00:25:19.219 --> 00:25:20.419
 from your own countrymen

00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:20.879
 as they did

00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.579
 from the Jews

00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.779
 who killed

00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:24.699
 both the Lord Jesus

00:25:24.699 --> 00:25:26.099
 and the prophets

00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:27.739
 and drove us out

00:25:27.739 --> 00:25:29.379
 and displeased God

00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:30.359
 and opposed

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.199
 all mankind

00:25:31.199 --> 00:25:33.199
 well Paul is making

00:25:33.199 --> 00:25:33.879
 the point here

00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:35.199
 that from beginning

00:25:35.199 --> 00:25:35.779
 to end

00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.439
 this message

00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:37.199
 was opposed

00:25:37.199 --> 00:25:38.239
 now he mentions

00:25:38.239 --> 00:25:38.899
 the Jews

00:25:38.899 --> 00:25:39.779
 not because he's

00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.500
 anti-semitic

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:40.899
 of course

00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.899
 he's a Jew

00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.640
 himself

00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.680
 he has a deep

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.560
 love for the Jewish

00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:44.940
 people

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.640
 but he's making

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.160
 this point

00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:47.259
 that from beginning

00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.700
 to end

00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.640
 this gospel message

00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.460
 was opposed

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.580
 it was first

00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:51.700
 preached in Jerusalem

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.940
 and there was

00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.380
 opposition

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.160
 that message

00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.100
 spread all over

00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:55.580
 the place

00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.440
 and now even

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.320
 in Thessalonica

00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:58.800
 there was opposition

00:25:58.800 --> 00:25:59.920
 even from their

00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.920
 own countrymen

00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.900
 that is what

00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.740
 the Thessalonians

00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.500
 had experienced

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.220
 so opposition

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.140
 and suffering

00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:06.340
 was intrinsic

00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.259
 is intrinsic

00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.500
 to the gospel message

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.460
 and isn't that

00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.920
 what we see

00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:11.060
 in the Lord Jesus Christ

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.379
 the Lord Jesus Christ

00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.079
 was opposed

00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:14.839
 the Lord Jesus Christ

00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:16.200
 suffered and died

00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.819
 when he bled

00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.379
 on the cross

00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:18.819
 in order to bring

00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.539
 God's love

00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.720
 into this broken world

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.859
 in order that we might

00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.859
 receive his forgiveness

00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:24.119
 and if you're here

00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:25.359
 and you're still exploring

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.200
 the Christian faith

00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:28.079
 then all you need to do

00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.759
 to receive God's forgiveness

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.500
 for sins

00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.619
 that our shame

00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:33.179
 might be washed away

00:26:33.179 --> 00:26:33.619
 is to say

00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.099
 Lord Jesus

00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:35.839
 I'm trusting in you

00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:37.539
 I'm trusting in your

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.139
 suffering

00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.119
 in my place

00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:40.960
 that's all we have to pray

00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.759
 and our sins

00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.860
 are washed away

00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:44.660
 but even as we

00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.579
 receive Christ

00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.380
 the Bible says

00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.299
 that we also need

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.880
 to submit

00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:49.319
 to Christ's authority

00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:50.620
 that we need

00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.100
 to pick up

00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:52.079
 our cross daily

00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.720
 and that leads us

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.220
 inevitably

00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.259
 into a path

00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.799
 of opposition

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:57.460
 and even of suffering

00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:59.240
 but that aspect

00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.840
 of the gospel

00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:01.000
 is often deeply

00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.940
 unpopular today

00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.799
 and sometimes

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.620
 people want to

00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:04.299
 minimize it

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.819
 and even to deny it

00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:07.600
 so take for instance

00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.319
 two ways

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:08.860
 in which that

00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:10.000
 sometimes happens

00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.359
 liberal theology

00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.400
 amongst other things

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:12.740
 I think

00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.940
 liberal theology

00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.920
 often says

00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:16.099
 well you don't need

00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:17.640
 conflict in the Christian life

00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.660
 the main thing

00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.920
 is that we're a nice person

00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.960
 and that we get on

00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.660
 with everyone else

00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.880
 and don't worry too much

00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.759
 about doctrines

00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.640
 and the miracles

00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.980
 and other religions

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:27.920
 and the resurrection

00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:29.220
 and things like that

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.920
 it doesn't matter

00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:31.059
 exactly what you believe

00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.900
 so long as you're

00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.559
 a nice person

00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.880
 we don't need conflict

00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:35.500
 liberal theology

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.680
 or another

00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:39.500
 another form of false teaching

00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.740
 is prosperity gospel

00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.779
 which in many ways

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.480
 says we don't need

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.500
 suffering in this world

00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:45.180
 that God loves this world

00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:46.019
 and he wants to bring

00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:47.200
 an end to pain

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.740
 which is true

00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:49.759
 but that we can have that now

00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.900
 if we just believe

00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.799
 and trust

00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.880
 then he'll give us

00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.400
 healing

00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.619
 and he'll give us

00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:54.980
 health

00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.799
 and wealth

00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:57.579
 and self-actualization

00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.619
 and we can receive

00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:59.660
 all of our dreams now

00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.920
 we don't have to have

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.440
 suffering

00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.839
 in this world

00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:06.000
 well those two forms

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.720
 of teaching

00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:08.139
 are at variance

00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:10.079
 with the apostle Paul's

00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:11.459
 personal experience

00:28:11.459 --> 00:28:12.799
 and so clearly

00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.519
 with the verses

00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.279
 that we've been looking

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.079
 at this morning

00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:16.500
 and it's important

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.599
 that we as Christians

00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.919
 are able to discern that

00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:20.039
 you know sometimes

00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.039
 people come up to me

00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.619
 at St. Andrews

00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:22.019
 and they say

00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.539
 oh Pastor Al

00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.579
 I was watching YouTube

00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.559
 last week

00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.519
 and there was a brilliant

00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.539
 guy on that

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:29.259
 and I watch him every week

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.959
 and you should really

00:28:29.959 --> 00:28:30.679
 watch him too

00:28:30.679 --> 00:28:31.379
 you'll love him

00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.559
 and then they mention

00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.539
 the name of the person

00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:35.039
 and my heart sinks

00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.919
 because it's a well-known

00:28:36.919 --> 00:28:38.619
 prosperity gospel preacher

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:40.460
 or liberal theologian

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:42.179
 and just because

00:28:42.179 --> 00:28:43.379
 someone holds a bible

00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:44.539
 and smiles

00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:46.639
 and tells a few nice stories

00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:47.819
 and is emotionally engaging

00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:49.440
 doesn't make them faithful

00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:51.000
 we need to be able

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.599
 to discern

00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.440
 what's faithful

00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.299
 ministry

00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.059
 and what's not

00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.659
 of course

00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:55.359
 I'm not talking

00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:56.480
 about watermark church

00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:58.519
 but the ministry

00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.659
 here is very faithful

00:28:59.659 --> 00:29:00.859
 I mean more

00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.500
 what's out there

00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.139
 on the internet

00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.420
 and in the books

00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:04.240
 that we read

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:06.400
 now Paul was that

00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.780
 kind of faithful

00:29:07.780 --> 00:29:08.520
 minister

00:29:08.520 --> 00:29:10.080
 even through the

00:29:10.080 --> 00:29:10.620
 opposition

00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:12.040
 even through the

00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:12.540
 persecution

00:29:12.540 --> 00:29:13.759
 he went to Thessalonica

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.060
 and the Lord

00:29:15.060 --> 00:29:16.060
 used him

00:29:16.060 --> 00:29:17.780
 to richly bless

00:29:17.780 --> 00:29:18.900
 those Christians

00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.160
 there

00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.100
 he told them about

00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:20.380
 Jesus

00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:21.460
 he led them to Christ

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.520
 he nurtured them

00:29:22.520 --> 00:29:23.440
 he discipled them

00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.220
 he wrote to them

00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.920
 he prayed for them

00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:26.240
 he sent other Christians

00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.420
 to look after them

00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:29.039
 and it was a wonderful

00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.519
 thing

00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:31.320
 now we haven't had

00:29:31.320 --> 00:29:31.840
 the privilege

00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:33.380
 of being led to Christ

00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:34.920
 by an apostle

00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:37.340
 but if you're a Christian

00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:37.880
 here today

00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.900
 then the Lord

00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.620
 would have used

00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:41.400
 someone in your life

00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.940
 in order to richly

00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.580
 bless you

00:29:43.580 --> 00:29:45.060
 and I want to ask

00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:46.680
 who is that person

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.800
 and who are those people

00:29:47.800 --> 00:29:48.700
 just think back

00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:50.620
 I can think of many people

00:29:50.620 --> 00:29:51.279
 in my life

00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:52.060
 like that

00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:54.079
 take for instance

00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.899
 a few

00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:56.059
 just to mention

00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.679
 take for instance

00:29:56.679 --> 00:29:57.659
 my parents

00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.339
 my parents

00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:59.579
 would describe themselves

00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:01.359
 as ordinary people

00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:02.960
 and ordinary Christians

00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:04.639
 but every single Sunday

00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:05.679
 they went to church

00:30:05.679 --> 00:30:08.039
 and every single morning

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:09.079
 they got up a little bit early

00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:10.019
 in order to read the Bible

00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.480
 and pray

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.000
 and as a young person

00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.159
 that made an enormous

00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:14.399
 impact on me

00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:15.960
 or take for instance

00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.799
 my youth group

00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:18.359
 when we immigrated

00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:19.319
 from South Africa

00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:20.139
 to the UK

00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:21.440
 I was a confused

00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.440
 Christian teenager

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.620
 trying to figure out

00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:24.519
 what it meant to be a Christian

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.559
 in a foreign culture

00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.840
 and having a youth group

00:30:26.840 --> 00:30:28.299
 to journey alongside me

00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:29.799
 was profoundly helpful

00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.720
 during that time

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.840
 or when I was at university

00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:34.000
 I arrived at university

00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.920
 not really sure

00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.600
 what I wanted to do

00:30:35.600 --> 00:30:36.380
 with my life

00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:38.340
 and it was really

00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.720
 really really helpful

00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.799
 when an older Christian

00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.779
 from the local church

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.600
 met up with me

00:30:42.600 --> 00:30:43.559
 for about six months

00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:45.000
 in order to read the Bible

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.420
 and pray

00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.640
 and that started to change

00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.600
 the whole trajectory

00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.279
 of my life

00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.519
 as I began to think

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.140
 more seriously

00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:52.040
 about Christian ministry

00:30:52.040 --> 00:30:54.100
 now my hunch is

00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:55.360
 that you probably

00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.420
 have people like that

00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.500
 in your life as well

00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.840
 everyday people

00:30:58.840 --> 00:31:00.160
 ordinary people

00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:01.960
 broken people

00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.160
 sinful people

00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.220
 but people who

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.720
 nevertheless

00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.920
 the Lord has used

00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:07.340
 to bless you

00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:08.120
 richly

00:31:08.120 --> 00:31:09.280
 and I think

00:31:09.280 --> 00:31:10.100
 part of the challenge

00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:10.880
 of this passage

00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:12.040
 is whether we're willing

00:31:12.040 --> 00:31:13.240
 to be that kind

00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:13.800
 of person

00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:15.180
 to the people

00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:16.200
 whom God

00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:17.860
 has put in our lives

00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:19.719
 and to the people

00:31:19.719 --> 00:31:20.199
 whom God

00:31:20.199 --> 00:31:21.119
 has put in the room

00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.939
 around us

00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:23.419
 and we might feel

00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.059
 like we don't have

00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:24.740
 much time

00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.719
 or that we don't

00:31:25.719 --> 00:31:26.819
 have much experience

00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:27.679
 or that we're the wrong

00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:28.500
 kind of character

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.799
 remember the apostle Paul

00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:31.059
 he was completely

00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.719
 the wrong kind

00:31:31.719 --> 00:31:32.279
 of character

00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.319
 and the Lord

00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.539
 turned his life around

00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.759
 and used him

00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:37.139
 to richly bless others

00:31:37.139 --> 00:31:39.699
 the Lord can use you

00:31:39.699 --> 00:31:41.159
 to richly bless others

00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:42.579
 and what we see

00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:43.539
 in this passage

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.879
 is a little portrait

00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:46.240
 of how we go

00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.000
 about doing that

00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:48.520
 right motives

00:31:48.520 --> 00:31:49.920
 not seeking to

00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.740
 please others first

00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.660
 but seeking to

00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.660
 please the Lord

00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:53.860
 right methods

00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.860
 being gentle

00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:56.660
 but also honest

00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:58.460
 right methods

00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.820
 sticking faithfully

00:31:59.820 --> 00:32:00.760
 to that good news

00:32:00.760 --> 00:32:01.700
 of Jesus Christ

00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:03.220
 despite opposition

00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:04.420
 and suffering

00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.880
 let's pray

00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:11.180
 heavenly father

00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:12.600
 thank you so much

00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:14.539
 for your rich goodness

00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.179
 to us

00:32:15.179 --> 00:32:16.299
 in the Lord Jesus Christ

00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:16.859
 thank you

00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:17.619
 that he suffered

00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.539
 and died

00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.339
 that we might have

00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:19.759
 forgiveness

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.639
 a new life

00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.339
 and renewal

00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.500
 and thank you

00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.439
 that you bring

00:32:23.439 --> 00:32:24.339
 that renewal

00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:26.000
 through everyday

00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:27.839
 ordinary broken people

00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:28.819
 thank you

00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.599
 for the example

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:31.299
 of the apostle Paul

00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.699
 and the way

00:32:31.699 --> 00:32:32.599
 that you used him

00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:34.039
 to bless that church

00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:35.379
 in Thessalonica

00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:36.500
 thank you

00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.039
 for the ways

00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.000
 in which you've used

00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:39.079
 people in our lives

00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.359
 to bless us

00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:41.559
 and strengthen us

00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.240
 in our walk

00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.319
 and help us

00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:43.799
 we pray

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.960
 and show us

00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:46.460
 how we can do that

00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.779
 and be used by you

00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:49.160
 to bless others

00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.160
 Amen