WEBVTT 00:00:00.860 --> 00:00:04.540 Welcome everyone and thanks for listening to this podcast today. 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:10.779 We're entering the fourth part of our sermon series on the Four Point Gospel, 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:14.500 which is the question mark, we need to make a decision. 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:23.640 And if you don't hear the normal spontaneous laughter, clapping, cheering, people shouting Amen in the background, 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:29.300 you'll probably realise that there's been a slight technical glitch on Sunday morning in the recording. 00:00:29.300 --> 00:00:32.480 So I'm making this recording after the service. 00:00:33.200 --> 00:00:46.799 And so sit back, focus, enjoy as we discuss and maybe peruse and think more and more what it is to make decisions as a Christian. 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:56.159 I bumped into a lady and her husband in the park on Saturday and she works with Steve Chalk, who's head of the Oasis Trust. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:03.399 Now, the link is that Steve was a significant part of the Christian journey in the 80s and 90s at Spring Harvest. 00:01:03.739 --> 00:01:14.659 And at that time, there was a significant move of God through a very, very simple wristband that everyone was given. 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:17.519 And on this wristband was WWJD. 00:01:17.759 --> 00:01:19.019 What would Jesus do? 00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:24.859 And doing some research, I realised that this goes back to 1896. 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:33.140 And there was a guy in America, Charles Sheldon, who published a novel called In His Steps, What Would Jesus Do? 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:42.739 And he published this book and asked the question, what would Jesus do in any given situation? 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:47.759 Thanks to a mistake by the publisher, there was no copyright. 00:01:48.579 --> 00:01:56.699 And as a result, over 30 million copies were made, making it one of the top 50 bestselling books ever. 00:01:58.780 --> 00:02:01.840 Fast forward then to 1989. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:07.500 And there was a lady called Janie Tinklenberg, a youth leader in Michigan. 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:15.379 And after reading this book, she thought again about her youth group and thought, what a great idea. 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:20.599 And thought up this idea of wristbands with WWJD. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:21.780 What would Jesus do? 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:23.520 To make us think in the everyday. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:26.300 Of course, it caught on and it went worldwide. 00:02:26.300 --> 00:02:29.300 And it was quite a significant thing for me. 00:02:29.460 --> 00:02:34.620 You know, I wore that wristband in my previous job as a police officer. 00:02:35.160 --> 00:02:36.300 And it really helped. 00:02:36.660 --> 00:02:43.920 You know, to make thinking about decisions in an everyday decision making process and in my own life and in my personal life. 00:02:44.040 --> 00:02:45.060 What would Jesus do? 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:49.880 So today is about decisions. 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:52.320 Is Jesus at the heart of your decision making? 00:02:52.319 --> 00:03:01.039 Truly, I think we need to ask ourselves, is Jesus at the heart of our decision making? 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:06.479 In our Lent series, we come to this symbol where we need to decide. 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:07.659 We've looked at the heart. 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:08.719 God loves me. 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:09.759 The cross. 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:10.759 We have sinned. 00:03:10.799 --> 00:03:11.299 The X. 00:03:11.639 --> 00:03:13.699 And then the cross itself. 00:03:14.079 --> 00:03:17.120 The amazing, powerful symbol that Christ died for us. 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:29.500 And now, now we need to decide and make that decision today of whether we are living for him totally wholeheartedly with every fibre of our being. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:32.140 That we are living for him. 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:39.680 It says, if you declare with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:43.060 And, you know, and I sense that many people give their life to Jesus. 00:03:44.040 --> 00:03:44.439 Amazing. 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:47.379 But, but do we live our lives for him? 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:53.939 You know, living our lives day by day requires us to make decisions that reflect Jesus and his kingdom. 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:55.879 Life in our character. 00:03:56.020 --> 00:03:59.920 You know, the way we talk, the way we forgive, the way we care, the way we share. 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:06.159 We tell people about Jesus, not just by what we say, but by how we live our lives and draw people to him. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:22.740 You know, I'm not laying guilt on anyone, but a very wise and well-known leader once told me, you know, when will you ever rebuke people with their resistance and failure to share their faith, to profess that openly? 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:35.500 You know, and maybe today it's a decision for us all to make that more and more we will share our faith with other people, not just by what we say, but by what we do as well. 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:52.100 So often we choose to make the decision to become chameleon Christians, you know, to blend into the surroundings of our culture and become invisible for Jesus and his kingdom amongst the people that we live and serve and work with. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:05:04.720 And as we move rapidly towards that week in our Christian history where Jesus and his disciples enter Jerusalem, we notice that there's decision after decision that hits us. 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:21.300 You know, we're faced with characters in Holy Week who made decisions that disappoint us, that shock us, that upset us, that frustrate us, anger us at its injustice, and decisions that humble me to the core and make me weep. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:25.840 But the thing is, we are a post-resurrection people. 00:05:26.020 --> 00:05:35.900 We know that Jesus died and rose again for us, which I would suggest makes our decision-making so much easier because the people that we read about in Holy Week didn't know that. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:37.860 They didn't know what was coming. 00:05:37.860 --> 00:06:07.840 We know that Jesus did not know that. 00:06:07.839 --> 00:06:18.799 You know, many Christians would do well to revisit those words when preference takes precedence over his will and his purposes. 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:31.180 And as we rapidly move towards Palm Sunday, we get this, the story unfolds where Jesus enters Jerusalem knowing that he is facing the cross. 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:34.340 You know, the people welcome him as saviour. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:43.780 They decide that this is the Messiah, yet decide to change their minds very quickly when he is not their preferred saviour. 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:46.479 They didn't want a Messiah coming in peace. 00:06:46.859 --> 00:06:49.979 They rather preferred a violent revolutionary, maybe. 00:06:50.679 --> 00:06:58.599 Which, to be honest, Jesus was a revolutionary in the way he faced the cross in love. 00:07:00.559 --> 00:07:06.239 I mean, that decision that made, that came from Jesus on the cross, 00:07:06.739 --> 00:07:08.599 Father, forgive them. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:17.000 You know, who makes that decision in the depths of unfathomable suffering, pain, rejection and deceit? 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:22.840 Jesus, who could have condemned us, decides to forgive us. 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:29.619 And then, of course, there was the religious leaders, you know, who decided from that entry into Jerusalem, 00:07:29.859 --> 00:07:33.979 this man, this Jesus would be killed by fair means or foul. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:41.959 But it's often the personal decisions, isn't it, that are made in relationships that cut us deep. 00:07:42.919 --> 00:07:43.259 Judas. 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:48.819 You know, we hang our heads in disbelief in the decision he made. 00:07:49.219 --> 00:07:50.420 And with a kiss. 00:07:51.039 --> 00:07:52.420 You know, that's the cut, isn't it? 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:58.279 When those who we know and care for betray us, it happens so often in life. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.420 There's hurtful words. 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:05.439 There's actions. 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:06.659 There's comments. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:13.820 And all of those things mar God's image in us and in his church. 00:08:14.080 --> 00:08:19.820 When we decide, and it is a decision, you know, let's not let ourselves off the hook here. 00:08:20.380 --> 00:08:26.540 In doing those things, we deny Jesus in the way we behave, the way we think. 00:08:29.280 --> 00:08:32.120 And those words that cut deep. 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:39.620 As Paul says, anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:47.060 And I read that in that we are indeed sometimes put to shame when I deny Jesus and his way. 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:50.000 You know, what would Jesus do in this situation? 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:56.159 And in this, as we approach Holy Week, we get Peter, don't we? 00:08:56.159 --> 00:09:05.179 Peter, that real rock that was always close to Jesus. 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:12.379 Yet on that fateful morning, what was the decision in Peter's decision-making process? 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:19.179 When Jesus is arrested, Peter makes a decision to try and stay close to Jesus. 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:20.559 All the rest have fled. 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:22.799 All the rest of the disciples have hidden away. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:26.859 But Peter decides to stay as close to Jesus as he can. 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:32.079 What was his decision-making process in that time of fear? 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:35.439 Maybe that time of anxiety? 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:37.139 You know, what do I do? 00:09:38.959 --> 00:09:40.899 Was in his mind a rescue attempt? 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:43.299 Maybe they will release Jesus and I'll be here. 00:09:43.479 --> 00:09:44.539 I'll be close by. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:47.679 And after all, he said to Jesus, didn't he? 00:09:47.719 --> 00:09:49.079 I will never leave you. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:52.520 You know, maybe he's trying to stand by that decision. 00:09:53.980 --> 00:10:01.300 Yet very soon he makes a decision that is totally opposite to all of that. 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:06.379 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.200 surely you are one of them. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.540 Your accent gives you away. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:13.420 Then he began to call down curses and he swore to them. 00:10:13.560 --> 00:10:14.720 I don't know the man. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:17.800 Immediately a rooster crowed. 00:10:18.160 --> 00:10:20.899 And then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken. 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:25.060 Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:30.759 And Peter went outside and wept bitterly. 00:10:32.800 --> 00:10:39.340 You know, when did we last weep bitterly when we have let Jesus down and deny him? 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:42.519 You know, my heart aches for Peter here. 00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:47.340 I can imagine him feeling sick to his stomach the moment that rooster crows 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:51.600 and he realises what he has just done, the decision he has made. 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:55.720 I too have felt that same sick feeling in the pit of my stomach 00:10:55.720 --> 00:11:04.040 when there have been times that I too have denied being openly professing the name of Jesus 00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:08.340 through the words, actions and choices I've made in life at times. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:15.200 Peter's tears are a beautiful reflection of his deep love of Jesus. 00:11:15.660 --> 00:11:17.399 Even in Peter's weakness and fear, 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:22.680 it's a devastating moment of coming face to face with himself 00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:24.639 and the decision he has made, 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:28.000 which was, I guess, self-preservation. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:35.399 When did we last shrink back seeking maybe to preserve our credibility or image 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:38.620 rather than stepping up and stepping in for Jesus? 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:46.500 Someone criticised me a few weeks back for using the term both feet in 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:49.039 when it comes to being a follower of Jesus. 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:51.899 You know, and that's a decision that we all have to make. 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:57.139 You know, moment by moment, am I all in or am I half in with you, Jesus? 00:11:58.319 --> 00:12:03.319 You know, yet Peter must have allowed this experience to shape and transform him 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:06.480 because the only way that we know about this experience 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:12.179 is because Peter recorded it for us to know, to learn from. 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:15.299 You know, we learn from his poor decision. 00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:21.199 Yet in the future, it is Peter's courage and boldness that grows the church 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:25.799 and people recognise him as a man who has been with Jesus. 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.419 Wouldn't that be great as people look at us? 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:31.339 There is a person who walks closely with Jesus. 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:36.399 Is there an area in our life where we are making decisions to deny Jesus? 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:42.100 Maybe it's not as obvious as Peter, but am I being tempted to compromise my integrity, 00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:47.139 to be unkind or to act unjustly out of fear or self-preservation? 00:12:47.459 --> 00:12:49.919 You know, am I afraid to invite people to church, 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:53.159 into a relationship with him and his community? 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:56.120 You know, is my decision based more on my need 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:59.240 than that of the gospel and mission of his church? 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:02.460 Are my decisions maybe shaped by people around me 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:04.800 who don't declare with their mouth openly 00:13:04.800 --> 00:13:08.680 and without hesitation in every setting that Jesus is Lord? 00:13:10.900 --> 00:13:12.480 What would Jesus do? 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:19.000 Today, maybe of all days, is a day to recommit. 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:24.840 Maybe this is a moment where we ask him to come into the centre 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:27.720 of your decision-making in all things. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:30.639 What would Jesus do? WWJD. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.900 It changed my life. 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:38.700 In this setting that we face day in and day out, 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:40.480 what would Jesus do? 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:42.920 Maybe this morning, maybe this day, 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:45.100 wherever you're listening, morning, afternoon, 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:48.320 this evening, maybe you are crying out, 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:50.600 Jesus, I have a decision to make here. 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.700 Show me, show me what to do. 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:55.600 How would you have me react? 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:57.100 How would you have me respond? 00:13:57.740 --> 00:14:00.220 Help me, Lord, in the power of your spirit to do that, 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:03.379 in love, grace, strength, forgiveness and compassion. 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:07.820 Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:10.160 Never be put to shame. 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:15.960 Maybe a decision today is to go deeper into his presence now. 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:19.600 Maybe a decision to accept Jesus afresh today 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:21.019 as your Lord and Saviour, 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:23.220 even for the first time to say, 00:14:23.579 --> 00:14:24.639 come Holy Spirit, 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:28.539 come give me courage to live that life for you 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:29.919 more and more, 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.960 deeper than before. 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:34.379 Lord, would you come and do that? 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.399 Perhaps more importantly, 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:39.480 if you have said that and committed your life already to him, 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:42.420 to look more and more at our character, 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.139 our life, 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:47.240 our commitment to this fellowship of brothers and sisters 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.659 and ask, 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:54.840 do my decisions match up to my involvement in the mission of this church? 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.580 Am I giving my best 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:59.840 or am I bringing him my leftovers? 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:03.500 Love and commitment. 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.720 Where do I need to be, 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:05.919 Lord, 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:07.039 in my decision making? 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:10.679 Do I radically need to change my life? 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:15.559 Where do I need to live and speak out for you more and more 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:17.399 to bring people into your presence? 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.740 As I said on Sunday, 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:24.639 I'm hopeful that every person in Christchurch 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:27.720 will invite one person to Alpha. 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:31.160 it's one evening for 10 weeks. 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.800 There's an option to come to bring a friend, 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.899 family member, 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.440 somebody who you know, 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.379 neighbor perhaps, 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.040 to Alpha, 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:41.340 to maybe make a decision 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:43.340 for you to make a decision 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:45.820 to sacrifice maybe 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:47.740 whatever it is 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:50.060 that gets in the way 00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:51.940 of you inviting somebody 00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:53.580 to come along 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:56.379 and explore what it means 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:58.080 to be a follower of Jesus 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:00.039 and ask all the questions 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:03.059 you may ever want to ask. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.899 There's invitation cards 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:06.500 that are available at Christchurch 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:08.559 that you can actually give to people 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:09.620 because it says 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:11.200 if you declare with your mouth 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.740 Jesus is Lord 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.899 and believe in your heart 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.720 that God raised him from the dead, 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.740 you will be saved. 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:19.860 It is a decision that we make 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:22.700 to share Jesus with other people. 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.879 What would Jesus do? 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:30.820 maybe listen to those words 00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:31.439 that he says, 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:33.539 come and follow me. 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.779 Sin no more. 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.600 Through the power of the cross 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.679 you are healed 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:41.220 and trust in God 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:42.259 and trust in me. 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:43.980 And now, 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.779 that decision, 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.840 do we give him 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:49.379 all of our life? 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:52.320 I hope that in listening 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.320 to this this morning 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:56.500 that maybe that will help 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:58.179 in your decision making process 00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:59.700 to maybe pause now 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:01.779 to just take a moment 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:04.960 maybe wherever you might be 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:07.259 to just pause 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:09.240 probably not if you're driving 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.700 but at the next opportunity 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.420 pull over 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:13.640 where it's safe. 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:16.600 and maybe just say 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:17.160 Lord Jesus 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.900 would you 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:19.500 would you come now? 00:17:21.100 --> 00:17:22.140 Lord in the power 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:22.980 of your Holy Spirit 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:25.180 would you come close to me now? 00:17:27.820 --> 00:17:28.940 And come into 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.820 my decision making Lord 00:17:30.820 --> 00:17:33.660 and to ask myself 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.540 again and again 00:17:34.540 --> 00:17:36.020 what your will is for me. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:39.879 and to ask myself 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:41.379 in everyday decisions 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:41.680 Lord 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:43.379 what would you do? 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.519 What would Jesus do? 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.839 Lord we just ask this 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:49.480 in Jesus name. 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:50.559 Amen.