WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:06.839 Let's get into the Bible and as Neil mentioned, let's look at 1 Peter chapter 2. 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:11.220 That clock is at three minutes past four, which is going to be really confusing. 00:00:11.859 --> 00:00:16.719 So I'm going to look at that one at seven o'clock and not speak for the next three and a half hours. 00:00:17.140 --> 00:00:21.300 And I promise you we'll just be half an hour and we'll be finished at half past seven. 00:00:21.740 --> 00:00:28.219 So 1 Peter chapter 2, I'm going to read from verse 9 down to verse 25. 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:31.799 Let's look at that together if you have a Bible or you can have it on your phone or whatever. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:40.600 1 Peter 2, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:47.759 That you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 00:00:48.340 --> 00:00:51.579 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. 00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:56.899 Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 00:00:56.899 --> 00:01:05.920 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul. 00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:11.859 Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:16.819 they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:21.280 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority, 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:30.400 whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 00:01:31.019 --> 00:01:36.920 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:41.920 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. 00:01:42.460 --> 00:01:43.879 Live as God's slaves. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:47.119 Show proper respect to everyone. 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:49.420 Love the family of believers. 00:01:50.179 --> 00:01:50.839 Fear God. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:52.439 Honor the emperor. 00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:57.060 Slaves in reverent fear of God, submit yourselves to your masters, 00:01:57.379 --> 00:02:02.879 not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 00:02:03.579 --> 00:02:10.539 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:15.959 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? 00:02:16.219 --> 00:02:20.959 But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:28.699 To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:33.219 He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth. 00:02:33.579 --> 00:02:36.579 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. 00:02:36.859 --> 00:02:38.759 When he suffered, he made no threats. 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:42.739 Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:50.799 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. 00:02:51.179 --> 00:02:52.780 By his wounds you have been healed. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:03:01.000 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:08.319 It's a wonderful passage and I want to make clear at the outset I'm not going to try and speak right through all of it. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:11.919 It's a passage I'd invite you to reflect on in your own readings. 00:03:12.039 --> 00:03:17.079 So I'm looking at this passage and thinking about the subject tonight, how should we work? 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:22.519 And I want to bring to you two negatives and two positives from this passage. 00:03:22.579 --> 00:03:34.459 But before doing so, as I have looked at this, there's one little word that appears in verse 11 and also in verse 25 that's repeated that I think is quite relevant. 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:44.900 And I need to credit my home group for spotting this on Monday because they were very generous and we spoke about this passage there. 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:48.040 And verse 11 says this, 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:53.100 Abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul. 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:55.939 And verse 25 says this, 00:03:55.939 --> 00:04:06.180 Two references to the soul. 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:09.280 Firstly, a reference to 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:12.280 the things 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:14.180 that wage war 00:04:14.180 --> 00:04:16.459 against our soul. 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:33.139 And then at the very end, this beautiful reference to Jesus as the shepherd and overseer or in some other verses, the shepherd and guardian of our souls. 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:43.519 And I suppose I just want to make the point, I've been challenged about the point about as we work, we need to watch our souls. 00:04:44.599 --> 00:04:54.099 I wonder if we maybe don't hear as much as we might about the soul nowadays or necessarily think as much about it. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:05:02.600 But even those two verses convey a sense of the things that would seek to destroy our souls. 00:05:03.320 --> 00:05:09.220 Maybe things that might be described as soulless or things that are trying to kill our souls. 00:05:09.340 --> 00:05:13.180 And I suppose I look around at work and I see whether it's greed, 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:15.340 whether it's pride, 00:05:16.080 --> 00:05:17.540 whether it's unhelpful 00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:19.939 ambition and competition, 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:24.860 whether it's the relentless pressure of work at times. 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:31.459 And I wonder if these are the things that can wage war against our souls, 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:33.319 our inmost beings, 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:37.579 our being the people that God really created us to be. 00:05:38.740 --> 00:05:43.139 And I look at that and I then come to this great encouragement 00:05:43.139 --> 00:05:50.079 as we look at those final verses about who Jesus is and what he's done for us, 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:53.680 about how we were going astray. 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:57.860 But I just trust this will define us all as Christians, 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:04.240 people who have returned to the shepherd and guardian of our souls, 00:06:04.719 --> 00:06:08.579 people whom we need to constantly turn to for help, 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:17.379 people whom we need to absolutely rely on as the shepherd and guardian of our souls. 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:23.599 So whatever you're going to do with what I have to say and my thoughts on work, 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:27.740 can I encourage us all to be people who run to Jesus, 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:30.479 people who run to him, 00:06:31.159 --> 00:06:32.060 where if we wander, 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:37.680 we are people who return to him as the one who is our healer, 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:38.759 our shepherd, 00:06:39.240 --> 00:06:40.139 our protector, 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:41.480 our guardian. 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:45.439 Let me then take us to the first negative. 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:46.240 I want to suggest, 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:46.860 first of all, 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:50.060 that whatever work might be for us, 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:52.240 whatever area of work you might be in, 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:54.220 whether that's in business, 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:55.680 whether it's in the home, 00:06:56.160 --> 00:06:57.540 whether you have now retired, 00:06:58.060 --> 00:07:02.040 whether you're a student at school or college, 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:02.460 or whatever, 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:05.700 or university and looking to a life of work, 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:09.319 whether you're out of work and seeking to find employment. 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:16.220 The first negative that I think comes over really clearly and importantly from this passage about work is, 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:21.280 we must not be defined by our work. 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:26.160 Dare I say that might even include those who are the pastors and the teachers. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:30.220 They should not be defined by what they do. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:31.480 Because I look at verses, 00:07:31.960 --> 00:07:34.400 I look at verse nine, 00:07:34.960 --> 00:07:39.500 and I see there the definition of who we are. 00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:42.100 A chosen people, 00:07:42.760 --> 00:07:44.340 a royal priesthood, 00:07:44.780 --> 00:07:46.040 a holy nation, 00:07:46.760 --> 00:07:49.140 God's special possession. 00:07:49.640 --> 00:07:50.220 Verse 10, 00:07:50.220 --> 00:07:51.940 once not a people, 00:07:52.260 --> 00:07:54.180 but now the people of God. 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:56.820 Once not having received mercy, 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:59.420 but now having received mercy. 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:02.400 And the challenge to me from that 00:08:02.400 --> 00:08:04.360 is that my identity 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:07.620 must not be in the job that I do. 00:08:07.960 --> 00:08:10.240 My identity must not be 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:11.900 as primarily 00:08:11.900 --> 00:08:13.860 a civil servant in 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:15.240 the Scottish government. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:18.699 But my identity is primarily in 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:20.980 who I am in Jesus Christ. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:23.699 God's special possession. 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:27.120 It was my mother's comment to me 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:28.540 that has stuck in my head 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:31.199 as she at times 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:34.039 perhaps worried about some of the choices 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:35.899 that we might be making, 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.899 that her children might be making. 00:08:38.180 --> 00:08:40.019 And her little phrase was this, 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:41.659 always remember 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:43.139 whose you are 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:44.860 and whom you serve. 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:46.840 Have some of you used that as well? 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:47.940 Always remember 00:08:47.940 --> 00:08:49.299 whose you are 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:50.940 and whom you serve. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.159 Incredibly simple, 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:54.940 but incredibly powerful and true 00:08:54.940 --> 00:08:57.539 as we look at this. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:01.279 I wonder if, like me, 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:02.419 you've been asked 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:03.759 hundreds of times 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:06.080 as one of those early questions 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:08.240 when somebody's trying to get to know you. 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:09.799 And what do you do? 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:12.680 Such an easy question to ask, isn't it? 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:14.539 The risk is that we start to 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:16.399 box one other in 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:19.139 in terms of the answer to that question, 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:20.620 what do you do? 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:23.559 And it's an interesting question 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:24.659 and it's natural 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:26.120 that we want to find out more 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:28.500 about the things that we all do 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:29.379 and we're all involved 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:30.360 in so many different, 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:33.399 interesting aspects of work. 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:36.819 But let's not be defined 00:09:36.819 --> 00:09:38.259 by what we do, 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:40.939 but defined by who we are, 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:43.399 who we are in Jesus Christ, 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:45.699 God's special possession. 00:09:45.939 --> 00:09:46.679 See, the trouble is, 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:49.299 if we're defined by what we do, 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:51.120 it's so temporary, 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:53.039 it's so fleeting. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:56.220 For me, the answer has changed 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:57.500 many times, 00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:59.100 despite my thinking 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:01.319 that I'm still relatively young. 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:02.000 student, 00:10:02.400 --> 00:10:02.780 trainee, 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:03.980 qualified lawyer, 00:10:04.280 --> 00:10:04.920 civil servant, 00:10:05.160 --> 00:10:06.240 working for one government, 00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:08.300 now working for another government. 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.460 And if I define myself 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:11.300 by any of these things, 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:13.140 what happens if they're taken away? 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:15.480 What happens when they vanish? 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:18.740 I love my job. 00:10:18.820 --> 00:10:19.440 I've been blessed 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:20.660 with interesting work 00:10:20.660 --> 00:10:21.860 and I encourage all of you 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:24.360 to use all of your gifts 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:25.540 and talents 00:10:25.540 --> 00:10:27.400 for the glory of God 00:10:27.400 --> 00:10:29.140 in whatever area of work 00:10:29.139 --> 00:10:30.519 he might take you to 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:31.360 and not in any way 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:32.299 to be indifferent 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:33.399 about the work 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:35.159 to which he has called you to 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:35.720 and we'll come on 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.199 to look at what good work 00:10:37.199 --> 00:10:39.340 is really like. 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:41.059 But don't allow work 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:42.480 to possess you. 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:43.539 I have worked with 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:45.039 quite a number of people 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:46.679 who one day 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:48.139 have great power 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:49.879 and seemingly 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.740 incredible amounts 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:52.620 of authority. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:55.419 and for whatever reason 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.799 that vanishes. 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:59.340 A term of office ends. 00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:01.700 Controversy strikes. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.419 And the work and the title 00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:04.539 is no more. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:06.379 And what is left? 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:07.580 I've observed some 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:10.399 dealing magnificently with that 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.659 and moving on 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:13.560 and finding other things 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:15.779 because I think their job, 00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:16.879 their role 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:18.200 didn't define them. 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:18.940 Who they are, 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:19.779 who they were 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:21.159 was much, much more 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.419 than that. 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:22.860 I was reading 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:24.519 The Times yesterday 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:26.240 and reading a bit 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:26.740 of an interview 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:28.559 with the actor 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:30.240 Matthew Good 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.459 who is appearing 00:11:31.459 --> 00:11:32.360 in the next series 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:33.120 of The Crown. 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.159 I fear that some of you 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:35.379 might only take the fact 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:35.919 that The Crown 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:37.299 is streaming on Netflix 00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:37.959 season two 00:11:37.959 --> 00:11:39.240 from the 8th of December. 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:41.179 It's worth renewing 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:42.279 your Netflix subscription 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:43.579 or getting it 00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:44.219 for the first time. 00:11:44.339 --> 00:11:45.179 Brilliant programme 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:46.120 there in the run-up 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:46.639 to Christmas. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:47.480 But he, 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:49.379 as a successful actor, 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.319 now appearing 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:51.839 in this very, 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:53.060 famous 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:53.680 and, as I say, 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:54.620 excellent drama 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.700 said this, 00:11:56.160 --> 00:11:56.940 if you tie 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:58.379 all of your hopes 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.240 to the net production 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.259 of your work 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:02.180 then you're going 00:12:02.180 --> 00:12:03.200 to get depressed 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.580 because sometimes 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.440 you feel like 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:05.920 you're working 00:12:05.920 --> 00:12:06.720 really well 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:08.300 and then you watch it 00:12:08.300 --> 00:12:08.940 and you go, 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.340 I am terrible. 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:12.200 I assure him, 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:12.879 said the interview, 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.780 he is excellent 00:12:13.780 --> 00:12:14.399 in The Crown. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.259 But it was a 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.080 one-off gig. 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:17.300 Series three 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:18.659 will be recast 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:20.219 with older actors. 00:12:20.219 --> 00:12:21.199 Just another 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:22.179 little illustration 00:12:22.179 --> 00:12:23.279 of, for that guy 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:24.059 as an actor, 00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:26.959 if he put all 00:12:26.959 --> 00:12:28.099 of his hopes 00:12:28.099 --> 00:12:28.879 in that, 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:30.779 then he may well 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.319 find, 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:32.620 as he said, 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:35.219 that sometimes 00:12:35.219 --> 00:12:35.979 you just watch 00:12:35.979 --> 00:12:36.859 it all go. 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:38.939 So, 00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:40.179 what does it mean? 00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:41.659 I ask, 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:43.000 I ask myself 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:44.519 to both 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:45.699 pursue the things 00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:46.319 that we believe 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:47.539 God has given us 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.299 to do 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:50.599 but to hold 00:12:50.599 --> 00:12:51.299 lightly 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:52.079 to them 00:12:52.079 --> 00:12:53.259 at the same time 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.879 and to refuse 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:55.599 to allow 00:12:55.599 --> 00:12:56.259 ourselves 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:57.759 to be defined 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.439 by 00:12:58.439 --> 00:12:59.399 those 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.399 things. 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:02.459 And I don't 00:13:02.459 --> 00:13:02.939 pretend 00:13:02.939 --> 00:13:03.579 for a minute 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:04.519 to have all 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.319 of that sussed. 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:05.759 Those of you 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.339 who know me 00:13:06.339 --> 00:13:07.079 will know 00:13:07.079 --> 00:13:07.939 that sometimes 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:09.620 the challenges 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.840 of work 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:12.700 get in the way 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:14.120 of the other 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:14.980 things that I 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.880 would like to be 00:13:15.880 --> 00:13:17.140 and should be 00:13:17.140 --> 00:13:17.780 doing. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.100 And my fellow 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:20.260 elders were 00:13:20.260 --> 00:13:21.360 incredibly gracious 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.380 but I will 00:13:22.380 --> 00:13:23.480 out myself 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:25.120 for having not 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.940 managed to 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:27.000 our elders meeting 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.820 this Tuesday 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:29.060 because of 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:29.520 the work 00:13:29.520 --> 00:13:30.260 that I was doing. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.320 And that for me 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:31.840 is just 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:33.000 an example 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.760 of the sort 00:13:33.760 --> 00:13:34.280 of thing 00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:35.540 that I have 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:37.060 to grapple 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:37.579 with. 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.719 And I know 00:13:38.719 --> 00:13:39.239 many of you 00:13:39.239 --> 00:13:39.779 will be grappling 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.239 with as you 00:13:40.239 --> 00:13:40.679 think through 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:41.419 the call 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.239 that work 00:13:42.239 --> 00:13:43.199 has on your 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:44.019 life and the 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:45.239 demands of 00:13:45.239 --> 00:13:45.759 work and the 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.799 need at times 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:48.159 to be devoting 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.779 lots of time 00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:50.759 and energy 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.299 to it. 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.139 But let's not 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.019 allow ourselves 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.539 ever to be 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:56.159 defined by it 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:56.859 and rather 00:13:56.859 --> 00:13:58.119 to be defined 00:13:58.119 --> 00:13:59.699 by who we are 00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:00.619 in Christ. 00:14:00.719 --> 00:14:01.819 Let's crack on 00:14:01.819 --> 00:14:02.399 because as well 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.000 as not being 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.199 defined by our 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:04.519 work, 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.539 my second 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.279 negative is 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:06.839 that we should 00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:07.860 not be deterred 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.179 by challenges 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:10.240 at work. 00:14:10.459 --> 00:14:11.139 If you want a 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:11.759 heading to put 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.459 over this bit 00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:13.159 it would be the 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:13.519 words, 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.860 no one said 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:15.439 it would be 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:15.860 easy. 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.339 Are some of you 00:14:18.339 --> 00:14:19.000 finding work 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.519 tough? 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.459 Are some of you 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:22.939 already dreading 00:14:22.939 --> 00:14:23.659 some of the 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.519 challenges that 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.419 face you at 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:26.500 work this 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.220 week? 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.679 Well, I suspect 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:32.319 our lot maybe 00:14:32.319 --> 00:14:33.459 wasn't as bad 00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:34.199 as the people 00:14:34.199 --> 00:14:34.879 who Peter was 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.580 writing to 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:37.220 in 1 Peter 2. 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.340 Have a look 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:38.939 at verses 00:14:38.939 --> 00:14:41.139 18 to 21 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:41.759 where he 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:43.139 writes to 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:44.240 slaves. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.519 And I don't 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.039 think for a 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:47.379 minute that 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.279 this is a 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.639 defence of 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.159 slavery, 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:51.279 rather I think 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:51.860 this is him 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.740 speaking to 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.960 people about 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:54.679 the situation 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.080 that they 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:55.759 found themselves 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.899 in in this 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:58.220 day and age. 00:14:58.700 --> 00:14:59.340 But he was 00:14:59.340 --> 00:14:59.860 speaking to 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.460 them and he 00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:00.740 could have 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.419 said to them, 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:02.460 slaves, 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.700 nobody said 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.000 it would be 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.300 easy. 00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:04.920 I realise 00:15:04.920 --> 00:15:05.379 some of 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:05.920 you have 00:15:05.920 --> 00:15:07.040 got incredibly 00:15:07.040 --> 00:15:08.700 tough masters. 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:09.820 Some of you 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.180 might be 00:15:10.180 --> 00:15:10.980 fortunate enough 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:11.400 to have 00:15:11.400 --> 00:15:12.560 reasonable and 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.820 sympathetic bosses. 00:15:14.400 --> 00:15:15.020 But others 00:15:15.020 --> 00:15:15.680 of you have 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:16.280 bosses who 00:15:16.280 --> 00:15:17.020 are not good 00:15:17.020 --> 00:15:18.200 and considerate 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:18.700 but are 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.640 harsh. 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:20.960 And indeed 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.620 some of you 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.580 are being 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.960 beaten in 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:24.360 your work. 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:24.920 I sincerely 00:15:24.920 --> 00:15:25.360 hope that 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:25.879 isn't applying 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.460 to anyone 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:28.100 here today. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:29.220 but he 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.360 urges them 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.480 to carry 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:31.980 on, 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.259 to persevere 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:33.860 in their 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.800 work despite 00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:35.560 the suffering 00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:36.300 that they 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:37.279 might be 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.340 experiencing. 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:39.320 And in 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:40.019 their suffering, 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:40.620 in the 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.300 challenges 00:15:41.300 --> 00:15:42.700 of work, 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.460 to see 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.240 beyond the 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:44.720 immediate 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.399 challenges 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.139 and to 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:46.860 see to 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.440 the bigger 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:48.620 picture in 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.019 terms of 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:49.440 the work 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:50.139 that God 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.139 is doing 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:51.860 in our 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.620 lives and 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.139 through 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.920 our lives. 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:55.940 I love 00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:56.660 verse 12 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.759 where he 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.339 encourages 00:15:58.339 --> 00:16:00.219 those slaves 00:16:00.219 --> 00:16:01.139 and others 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:01.879 to live 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.679 such good 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:03.259 lives among 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.819 the pagans 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.379 that though 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:04.759 they be 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.600 accused of 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.339 doing wrong, 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.319 so though 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:07.699 they may 00:16:07.699 --> 00:16:09.019 face accusation 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.019 and hardship 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.120 in what 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:11.699 they do, 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.039 others will 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.539 see their 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.240 good deeds 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.860 and become 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.319 Christians? 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:17.439 No. 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:18.539 Not 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:19.240 necessarily. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.000 Others will 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.459 see their 00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:22.139 good deeds 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.600 and glorify 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.879 God on 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.259 the day 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.339 he visits 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:26.960 us. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.360 It seems 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:28.940 that the 00:16:28.940 --> 00:16:29.620 suffering 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.879 and perseverance 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.740 and faithfulness 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.379 of these 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.340 individuals to 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:36.060 whom Peter 00:16:36.060 --> 00:16:36.720 is writing 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.920 here will 00:16:37.920 --> 00:16:38.580 be of 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.379 huge 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.120 lasting 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.860 significance 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.519 to those 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:41.980 around, 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:43.139 perhaps even 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:43.759 if that 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.399 isn't 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.019 reaping 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.340 any 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:45.920 immediate 00:16:45.920 --> 00:16:47.379 consequences 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.040 or doesn't 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:48.440 have any 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:48.920 obvious 00:16:48.920 --> 00:16:49.600 impact 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.320 on those 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:50.680 around 00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:51.060 in the 00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:51.480 present 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:51.960 day. 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:52.740 I take 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.180 that from 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:53.700 verse 12, 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:53.980 they may 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:54.420 see your 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:54.860 good deeds 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.720 and glorify 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.280 God on 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:56.600 the day 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.460 he visits 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:57.640 us. 00:16:57.680 --> 00:16:57.879 So they 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.120 have to be 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.520 encouraged 00:16:58.520 --> 00:16:59.240 even when 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.660 work is 00:16:59.660 --> 00:16:59.920 tough, 00:17:00.140 --> 00:17:00.600 even when 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.140 the conditions 00:17:01.140 --> 00:17:01.640 seem to be 00:17:01.640 --> 00:17:02.100 unreasonable, 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:02.840 even when 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.180 the whole 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:03.720 thing seems 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.140 to be one 00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:04.860 massive 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.799 struggle. 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.759 Not just 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.420 because God 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.240 is at work 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:09.759 and because 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.200 of the 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.220 impact that 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.400 it may 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.819 have around 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.600 but because 00:17:12.600 --> 00:17:13.000 they have 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.600 the most 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:14.539 incredible 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.299 example. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.039 And that's 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.200 what Peter 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.680 goes on 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.880 to encourage 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:19.600 them to do. 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.079 He said 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.359 if you're 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:20.919 suffering, 00:17:21.399 --> 00:17:21.699 if your 00:17:21.699 --> 00:17:22.480 work is 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.319 incredibly 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.079 tough, 00:17:25.719 --> 00:17:26.519 then look 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:26.740 at the 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.699 example of 00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:28.699 Jesus Christ 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:31.559 who when 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.279 faced with 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.000 insults 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.519 did not 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.199 retaliate, 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:34.619 who when 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.099 suffered 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.899 made no 00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:36.559 threat and 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.059 instead 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:37.919 entrusted 00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:38.980 himself to 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.839 him who 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.599 judges 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.659 justly. 00:17:41.699 --> 00:17:41.899 And we're 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.379 back to 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.480 the incredible 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.719 example that 00:17:44.719 --> 00:17:45.139 our Lord 00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:46.579 Jesus sets 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.980 for us. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.920 and the 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.160 person to 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:50.480 whom we 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:50.860 should look 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.539 in every 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.519 situation. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.019 Let's not 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.720 be deterred 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.700 by challenges 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.299 at work. 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:56.680 Perhaps 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.880 sometimes it's 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.740 in working 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.519 through those 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.620 challenges that 00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:01.079 we're most 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.620 able to 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.500 fulfil the 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:02.900 work that 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:03.339 God has 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.140 called us 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:04.819 to do. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.599 I've certainly 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.019 been thinking 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.799 that while I've 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.460 been reading 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.400 this brilliant 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.160 book over 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.860 recent weeks. 00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:10.319 If you're 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:10.700 still looking 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.000 for a 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.279 Christmas 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:11.860 present to 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:12.099 buy, 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:12.579 anybody, 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.839 then I 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.860 highly recommend 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:15.360 this book 00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:16.120 called Just 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:17.940 Mercy by 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.320 a fairly 00:18:19.320 --> 00:18:20.400 young American 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:20.920 guy called 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.980 Brian Stevenson. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.660 I heard him 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.320 speak on 00:18:23.320 --> 00:18:24.500 live stream at 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:24.920 the Global 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.779 Leadership Summit 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.660 which was 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.220 streamed just 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.580 down the 00:18:27.580 --> 00:18:28.500 road from 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.140 Willow Creek 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:30.259 or started 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.660 off from 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.160 Willow Creek 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:31.940 Church in 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.460 America. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.840 Brian Stevenson 00:18:33.840 --> 00:18:34.539 is a human 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.519 rights lawyer. 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.620 He is black 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.320 and he has 00:18:38.320 --> 00:18:39.600 particularly fought 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.559 for some of 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.400 the rights of 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.200 black people 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:42.740 who have been 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:44.080 incarcerated in 00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.940 death row in 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.519 the States. 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.759 Some of the 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.460 young people 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.379 aged as 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:48.779 young as 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.720 11 who 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.000 have been 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.660 given life 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.559 without parole 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.599 at times for 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.839 offences that 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.379 have not led 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:54.940 to anybody 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.619 being hurt. 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.740 For some of 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.140 those with 00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:58.879 disabilities who 00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.700 are in prison 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.480 without any 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.779 recollection of 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.359 their crime. 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:05.000 He writes at 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.759 times from a 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.460 perspective of 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.019 certainly being 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:08.359 rooted in a 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.700 Christian faith but 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.720 he writes of the 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:12.119 enormous challenges 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:13.379 that he faced 00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:13.980 at work. 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.059 Facing at times 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.919 his own death 00:19:15.919 --> 00:19:17.039 threats, bomb 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.919 threats, working 00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:20.419 right through the 00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:21.819 night on case 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.759 after case after 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.799 case, facing 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:25.179 setback and 00:19:25.179 --> 00:19:26.539 defeat time and 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.759 again, losing 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.019 cases despite the 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:30.200 obvious injustice 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.460 that some of his 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.299 clients were 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.359 experiencing but 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.119 keeping going 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:34.559 because he was 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.740 convinced that he 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.740 was doing the 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.740 work that he was 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.259 meant to do in 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.940 this life, 00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:40.859 therefore not 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:42.359 deterred by the 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.659 challenges of 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.000 work. 00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:44.779 And I won't 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.380 give too much 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.360 away but it's a 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.519 brilliant read and 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.220 has lots to 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.259 encourage us both 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:51.300 about his life and 00:19:51.300 --> 00:19:52.120 about what it means 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:52.720 to really be 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.740 passionate about the 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.920 work that we do 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:55.840 despite the 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:57.019 challenges that it 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.519 might bring. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.519 So those are two 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:58.880 negatives. 00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.400 We shouldn't be 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.120 defined by our 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:00.700 work and we 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.120 shouldn't be 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:02.380 deterred by the 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:03.660 challenges at work 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.000 but two positives 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.980 and they are 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:08.000 simply, we'll look 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.680 at them together 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.360 because I think the 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.640 two need to go 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.240 together. 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.180 How should we 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:12.559 work? 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:13.819 Well the two 00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:14.779 positives that are 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:16.180 woven through this 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:17.579 passage is we 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.279 should be marked 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.559 in our work by 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:23.720 good lives and we 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.819 should seek to be 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.039 marked in our work 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:28.180 by good works or 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.559 good deeds. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:32.380 So our lives must 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:36.039 be really exemplary to 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.140 those round about 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:39.120 us and we should be 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:40.240 recognized for 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:42.200 excellent work. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.140 Is this fair from 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:45.680 the passage? 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.740 Run through it with 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.120 me and let's just 00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:49.380 track this together. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:51.720 Verse 12, live such 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:54.140 good lives among the 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:55.420 pagans that though 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.359 they accuse you of 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:57.460 doing wrong they may 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:59.339 see your good deeds 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:00.859 and glorify God in 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:02.599 the day he visits us. 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.160 Verse 13 and 14, 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:04.859 really interesting 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.640 couple of verses 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:07.140 about the role of 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.160 government and those 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.759 in authority and 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.619 right at the end we 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:12.359 see that the role of 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.660 those in authority are 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:15.039 there to punish those 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.379 who do wrong and to 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:17.779 commend those who do 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.539 right. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:20.579 And then verse 15 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.460 running right on from 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.500 that it is God's will 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:24.920 that by doing good you 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.720 should silence the 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:27.119 ignorant talk of 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.379 foolish people. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:30.319 Verse 17, showing 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.859 proper respect to 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.920 everyone, loving the 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.799 family of believers, 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.299 fearing God, honoring 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.759 the emperor. 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:38.859 And then in verse 20 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:40.339 we read about suffering 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.299 for doing good. 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.500 If you suffer for doing 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:44.440 good and you endure it, 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:47.079 this is commendable 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:48.579 before God. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.980 So I want us just to 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:52.619 reflect for a few 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:54.500 minutes on what it 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:56.500 looks like to be marked 00:21:56.500 --> 00:22:00.140 by good lives and by 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.140 good deeds. 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:03.580 and by the difficult 00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:05.340 challenge that I think 00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:07.820 Jesus and God's word 00:22:07.820 --> 00:22:09.300 calls all of us to, 00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:10.860 to actually be marked 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.540 by both. 00:22:12.300 --> 00:22:13.020 And I'd like us to 00:22:13.020 --> 00:22:14.120 reflect on perhaps the 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:15.759 challenge of just being 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.880 marked by one or 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.320 other. 00:22:18.800 --> 00:22:20.040 We've all been 00:22:20.040 --> 00:22:22.220 surrounded by so many 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.560 stories, haven't we, 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:25.560 in recent weeks of 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:28.179 those who have come 00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:30.980 to ruin because what 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.679 has come out is that 00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:34.740 their lives have not 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:36.039 met the standard that 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.359 was expected of them. 00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:38.279 Whether from the world 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:40.720 of show business or 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:43.179 Hollywood, whether from 00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:45.159 politics at Westminster 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:46.659 or closer to home in 00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:47.099 Edinburgh. 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.799 So many people have been 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:50.599 filling our screens and 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.559 newspapers and they've 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:53.220 come a cropper because 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.700 of aspects of their 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.779 personal lives that 00:22:57.779 --> 00:23:00.220 have not been marked by 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:02.059 respect for others. 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.360 That have not been 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:06.000 marked by kindness and 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.779 graciousness or by the 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.539 things that we would 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:10.360 identify as the fruit of 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:10.779 the Spirit. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.339 And in particular as we've 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.500 seen this spotlight on 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:16.039 men and on allegations or 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.200 indeed many cases of 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:19.039 sexual harassment towards 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.319 women and it's something 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.079 that I've been very 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:23.140 conscious of in my work 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.220 environment as we've been 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.800 thinking through these 00:23:25.800 --> 00:23:26.400 issues. 00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:29.140 It's been wonderful to 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:30.160 reflect and I've been 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.640 grateful for one or two 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.800 friends who have helped me 00:23:32.800 --> 00:23:35.060 in this to reflect on once 00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:36.220 again the example of 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:38.660 Jesus in terms of the 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:40.820 life that he lived and the 00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:42.400 example that he set in 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.320 terms of how he treated 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:43.800 others. 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:46.040 Reflect for just a moment or 00:23:46.040 --> 00:23:47.840 two in terms of how our 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:49.420 Lord Jesus treated women. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:53.820 reflect on him treating and 00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:55.120 how he treated the woman 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.440 caught in adultery while 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:58.620 others were ready to stone 00:23:58.620 --> 00:24:01.779 her as he looked to the 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:05.600 ground and made those words 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:10.360 in the dust and then allowed 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:12.080 her to go as he said where 00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:13.160 are your accusers? 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:15.920 I don't condemn you go and 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.940 sin no more. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:19.140 As we reflect on how Jesus 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:20.460 treated the woman at the 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.820 well in John 4. 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:23.660 As we reflect on the way in 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.740 which Jesus allowed that 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:26.460 group of women to show love 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:28.539 and support to him throughout 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:30.059 his ministry on earth. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:31.220 As we reflect on the fact 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.720 that as far as I can see he 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.799 never really had a harsh or 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:37.259 critical word to say to a 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:39.220 woman in the entirety of his 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.519 ministry. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:41.519 Plenty of harsh and critical 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.940 words to say to the male 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:44.600 religious leaders of the 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:44.880 day. 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:46.840 But look at how he treated 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:48.799 women and for me what a 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.720 challenge. 00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:51.980 What a wonderful example as 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:53.220 I think about the workplace 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:55.500 and how our lives should be 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:57.860 exemplary in terms of how we 00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:58.940 treat others. 00:24:59.080 --> 00:25:00.820 And this of course applies to 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:03.039 all of us here whether male or 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.519 female. 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:05.340 And we see it in the passage 00:25:05.340 --> 00:25:07.100 where we are encouraged in 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.640 verse 17 to show proper 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:10.460 respect to everyone. 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:12.779 And to love the family of 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:14.480 believers and to fear God 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.539 and to honour the emperor. 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:18.720 Good lives. 00:25:19.360 --> 00:25:20.299 And for those of you setting 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.480 out on the path of work I 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.700 have to say to you it doesn't 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:24.019 matter how brilliant you are 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.860 at the job you do. 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:26.160 It doesn't matter whether you 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:27.960 become the greatest expert 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.460 whether in law or engineering 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:30.460 or medicine. 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.680 If you treat others badly. 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:35.460 Well first and foremost it's not 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.160 honouring God. 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:38.480 It's not following the example of 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.259 Jesus Christ. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:43.140 And it may well be that it also 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:44.900 leads to a situation where 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:46.559 others are not going to want to 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:49.400 work with you or where your 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:51.420 career, your hopes, your dreams 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:53.279 come to a juddering halt. 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:57.400 But we as Christians have such an 00:25:57.400 --> 00:26:01.420 example that we can look to as we 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:03.240 seek to work through in every 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:06.460 situation what does it mean for 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:09.980 our lives to be exemplary in this 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.940 situation. 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:15.480 So good work without good life 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:17.000 is not satisfactory. 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:20.500 But equally good lives without 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:24.259 being marked by good work is also 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.539 unsatisfactory. 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:27.440 Because God has not called us 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:30.279 simply to seek to live in a bit of a 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.460 kind of holy huddle and close 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:33.500 ourselves off from the world around 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:35.180 and just ensure that we remain 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:38.720 pure and undefiled by those 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.180 round about. 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:41.799 The two have to go absolutely 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.140 hand in hand. 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:45.779 And so what does it look like to be 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:48.180 marked by really good work? 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:50.000 And I suppose here the answer is 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.839 going to be different for all of us 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.960 in different situations. 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:55.380 And in whatever sphere of work we're in 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:57.200 I encourage you to really think 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.660 through what does it look like to do 00:26:58.660 --> 00:27:01.500 this to the very best of my abilities 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:03.500 relying on the strength that God 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:06.100 gives me and to seek to do it well 00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:08.820 in a God glorifying way. 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.640 In this I have been tremendously 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.560 helped by this book. 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.860 I've mentioned it here before. 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.740 I will unashamedly mention it again. 00:27:14.800 --> 00:27:16.820 It is the best book I have ever read 00:27:16.820 --> 00:27:19.220 about work from a Christian 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.779 perspective. 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:21.680 It was recommended a number of years 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.660 ago by John Gemmel. 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.880 It's called What's Best Next? 00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:27.600 How the Gospel Transforms the Way You 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:30.259 Get Things Done written by Matt 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.839 Perman. 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:35.000 And he speaks a lot about good work. 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:39.299 And I want to just give you one or two 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:41.919 snippets from this book which I have 00:27:41.919 --> 00:27:44.759 found incredibly helpful. 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:48.259 There's a little section entitled 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:51.639 Encouragement for You Right Where You Are. 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:53.000 And he says this. 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:55.559 The things we're doing every day 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:57.059 when we're being productive 00:27:57.059 --> 00:28:00.319 answering emails, going to meetings, 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.279 making supper for the family, 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:04.579 dare I say going to school, 00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:05.720 working hard, 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:08.919 are not just things that we're doing. 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:11.419 They are good works. 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:13.259 When you're answering emails, 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:15.059 you aren't just answering emails. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.839 You are doing good works. 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:18.179 When you attend meetings, 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.679 you aren't just attending meetings. 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:21.079 You're doing good works. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.940 When you make supper for your family, 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.440 you aren't just making supper for your 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:24.779 family. 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:26.200 You're doing good works. 00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:27.680 When you put the kids to bed, 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:29.519 you aren't just putting the kids to bed. 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:31.680 You are doing a good work. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:34.340 The activities of our everyday lives 00:28:34.340 --> 00:28:37.799 are not separate from the good works 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:39.539 that God has called us to do. 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.860 They are themselves part of 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:44.740 the good works that God created for us 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.340 in Christ. 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.539 And therefore, 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:48.340 they have great meaning. 00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:50.860 I want you to see everything you do, 00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:51.339 he says, 00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:52.159 in a new light 00:28:52.159 --> 00:28:54.839 so that you can become an agent for good 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:56.839 right where you are 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:58.479 to the glory of God. 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:01.740 Don't just try to get things done. 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.839 Seek to serve others 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.359 to the glory of God 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:07.019 in everything you do. 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.539 More than that, 00:29:08.719 --> 00:29:10.719 be proactive and enthusiastic 00:29:10.719 --> 00:29:12.899 in doing good for others. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.319 Make plans 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:16.339 for the welfare of others 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:17.919 and use all the things you learn 00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:18.439 from this book 00:29:18.439 --> 00:29:19.619 to make yourself more effective 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.739 in carrying out the plans. 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.239 There's a lot there. 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.379 But fundamentally, 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:24.579 he is saying 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:26.500 that in every situation, 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.979 God has given us 00:29:27.979 --> 00:29:29.500 countless opportunities 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:32.879 to do good works. 00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:36.199 And maybe sometimes 00:29:36.199 --> 00:29:37.699 we see that phrase, 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.299 good works, 00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:39.579 and we're a bit nervous about it. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:41.519 We're nervous about it 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:43.159 because we're always ready, 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:43.839 rightly, 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.779 to be clear 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:46.059 that we cannot become 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.959 Christians through good works. 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:50.539 But as this passage 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.180 is made clear 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.279 solely through what Jesus 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.180 has done for us, 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.539 but do we then miss out 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:56.420 on the multitude of teaching 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.920 that Scripture has for us 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:59.319 about what good work actually, 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.819 good work and good works 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.960 actually entails 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:03.160 and how important it is 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.340 that we who are followers 00:30:04.340 --> 00:30:04.880 of Jesus 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:06.319 are people who are marked 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:06.980 day and daily 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.900 by good lives 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:09.120 and by good work. 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:11.120 And so in the workplace, 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.460 we seek to do what we're doing 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.380 with enthusiasm 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.840 in a way that helps 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.500 and supports 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.920 and loves and serves 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.619 others, 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.519 whether our colleagues 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.880 or others whom we are, 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:21.400 whom we have opportunities 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:23.119 to serve and support 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:24.359 in the work we do 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:25.359 or whether it's in the home, 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:27.720 whether it's in our training, 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:29.480 the way in which we go about it. 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.980 I find it tremendously encouraging 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:34.259 that that provides us 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:36.680 countless opportunities 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:38.539 to do good works. 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.200 I think it's great 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.079 that being a Christian 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:43.880 is not marked primarily, 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:45.360 and Matt Perman in this book 00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:46.420 talks a lot about this, 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:48.540 it's not marked primarily 00:30:48.540 --> 00:30:51.360 by trying to avoid stuff. 00:30:52.520 --> 00:30:53.380 We can sometimes be 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.160 a little bit like that, 00:30:54.300 --> 00:30:54.740 can't we? 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.100 Being a Christian is largely 00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:56.600 about, you know, 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:57.680 this kind of keeping ourselves 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.600 pure and avoiding 00:30:58.600 --> 00:31:00.140 all that might defile. 00:31:00.600 --> 00:31:01.060 He says, 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:02.380 a life of serving 00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:03.900 is a life of joy 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:05.040 and adventure 00:31:05.040 --> 00:31:06.340 and excitement, 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:08.500 far more exciting, 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.180 in fact, 00:31:09.520 --> 00:31:10.520 than a life lived 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.559 for yourself, 00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:14.079 no matter how many times 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:16.039 you get to travel 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:18.460 all around the world. 00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:20.279 So let me finish 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.639 by talking about 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.920 our downstairs toilet, 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:27.440 thinking about good work. 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.240 You see, 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.500 our downstairs toilet, 00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:32.079 we discovered last year 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:33.000 we had a problem 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:35.099 because it seemed as though, 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:35.660 first of all, 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.579 ever so slowly, 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.539 slowly, slowly, 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:39.039 there were little drips 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.700 of water 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:41.720 coming from the cistern. 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.079 But drips of water 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.740 have a habit, 00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.279 first of all, 00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:44.819 being ignored 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.599 and just giving them 00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:46.259 a little wipe 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.799 to becoming much more 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:49.019 of a steady stream of water 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.980 and then you go away 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.159 one day and you come back 00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:52.059 and there's water 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.359 all over the floor. 00:31:54.139 --> 00:31:55.079 Why did that happen 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:56.519 to our downstairs toilet? 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.259 Well, 00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:59.839 we got the emergency plumber out 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:01.200 and he opened up 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.899 the cistern 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:03.220 and within five minutes 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.720 was saying, 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.139 dear, 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.740 oh dear, 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.680 oh dear. 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:09.940 and was able to show us 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:12.940 this cheap little fitting 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:15.659 that appeared to have been 00:32:15.659 --> 00:32:19.859 put onto one of the pipes 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:21.339 in the toilet. 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:21.639 He said, 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:23.519 that should never have been used 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.579 in your toilet. 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:27.259 That cheap little plastic thing 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:29.460 was never going to last. 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:31.619 Here's what should have been used 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:33.180 as he showed us 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:35.259 the metal equivalent, 00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.319 some sort of metal, 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.440 I don't know what it was, 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:38.659 and as he said, 00:32:38.859 --> 00:32:39.399 you do know, 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.680 the builders realised 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:42.159 that those cheap plastic things 00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:42.879 shouldn't have been used. 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:44.259 Yours was one of the first houses 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.960 and after 10 or 15 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:47.339 they stopped using them 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:48.240 and they put on 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:50.039 the quality metal things 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.500 and all the other houses 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:53.019 that have got the cheap plastic things 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:54.659 have exactly the same problems 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.480 whereby basically 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.899 their bathrooms start to leak. 00:32:56.900 --> 00:32:58.940 Now can I suggest 00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:00.380 very practically 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:03.540 that those who decided 00:33:03.540 --> 00:33:05.620 to put on the cheap plastic fittings 00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:08.460 were not doing good work. 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:12.100 And actually there's something 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:13.579 about good work 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:15.140 which will bless 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:16.960 and help others 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:18.519 which will be to their 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:20.220 long-term benefit 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:21.380 and advantage. 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.940 And so I want to encourage you 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:24.360 whether you are a bathroom fitter, 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.420 any of you bathroom fitters 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.440 here today, 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:27.460 please don't put on 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.440 cheap plastic fittings 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.620 because they're not going to bless 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:31.079 others in years to come. 00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:32.100 It's just going to cause them 00:33:32.100 --> 00:33:33.360 countless expense 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:34.039 and difficulty 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:35.420 even if it saves you 00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:36.440 a couple of quid 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.859 in the process. 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:39.779 Good work is not slack. 00:33:40.180 --> 00:33:41.180 It's not shoddy. 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.359 It's not like those 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.680 plastic fittings 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:45.139 in the bathroom. 00:33:45.379 --> 00:33:46.539 With one final quote 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.899 from Matt Perman, 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:48.420 he says, 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.339 we are to do work 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:51.039 that will truly benefit people 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:53.059 by going the extra mile 00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:54.720 rather than just doing 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:56.440 the minimum necessary. 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:58.720 Excellence in our work 00:33:58.720 --> 00:34:00.539 is a form of generosity 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:02.240 and love. 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:04.460 while poor quality 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:06.940 is a form of stinginess 00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:08.780 and selfishness. 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.199 Shoddy work 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:12.619 is not just shoddy work. 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:15.340 It is a failure of love. 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:17.380 Let's pray. 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.840 Lord Jesus, 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.599 we thank you 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:23.199 that you have 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:25.559 so much to teach us 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:28.480 about every single aspect 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.539 of our life. 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:32.259 and we want to just 00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:33.539 lay our lives 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.320 before you 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:34.960 tonight. 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:39.320 We ask that we 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:40.820 would never be defined 00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:41.519 by our work 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.219 or what we do, 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:44.820 but that we 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.800 all here 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:46.599 would be 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:49.039 knowing what it is 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.840 to be your 00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:50.800 precious 00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:51.820 possession. 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:54.680 and that all 00:34:54.680 --> 00:34:55.340 that we do 00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:57.280 would simply 00:34:57.280 --> 00:34:58.620 be an outpouring 00:34:58.620 --> 00:35:00.600 of thankfulness 00:35:00.600 --> 00:35:01.160 to you 00:35:01.160 --> 00:35:03.300 for who you are 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:04.800 and for all 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.480 that you have done. 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.820 So help us, 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.100 God, 00:35:08.160 --> 00:35:09.160 in all that lies 00:35:09.160 --> 00:35:09.940 ahead of us 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.800 this week. 00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:12.860 May we work 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.460 well 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:15.340 and work 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.480 for your glory. 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.820 Amen.