WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.240 I guess most clergy would say this, 00:00:05.560 --> 00:00:08.560 but I think we could probably all of us write a book 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:12.800 about some of our experiences in pastoral visitation 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:14.780 and all that kind of thing. 00:00:14.939 --> 00:00:16.800 And I want to tell you about Marge, 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:21.879 who was a very elderly lady in the first parish in which I served. 00:00:23.740 --> 00:00:28.240 And Marge, she had various antisocial habits 00:00:28.240 --> 00:00:29.679 which we don't need to go into. 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:33.939 But she did have a large dog called Bruno. 00:00:35.159 --> 00:00:39.179 She told me, and I felt sad when she told me this, 00:00:39.620 --> 00:00:41.980 she said, Bruno is my life. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:45.859 And when I first started my job, 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:49.019 my vicar, the guy who was supposed to train me, 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:52.039 gave me a list of people, 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:54.960 and I would take communion into their home. 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:57.420 You'll know about that, you know, if you're not well, 00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.140 somebody will bring communion to you. 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:01.539 So I went around to see Marge, 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:04.299 and the moment I got through the door, 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:06.739 I could see Bruno was going to be an issue. 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:11.480 He bared his teeth at me to begin with, 00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:15.380 and she said to him, it's okay, Bruno, he's a friend. 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:17.240 He's a really intelligent dog. 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:18.900 He understood every word she said. 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:22.159 So he temporarily withdrew, 00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:24.200 and I sat down, 00:01:24.259 --> 00:01:28.640 only to discover that Bruno fancied to sit down as well, 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:31.359 and came and jumped on me and sat down on top of me. 00:01:32.939 --> 00:01:34.819 And so regularly in Marge's home, 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:37.060 I would lead the first part of Holy Communion 00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:38.479 with a dog sitting in my lap. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:42.140 It even got to the point where she said, 00:01:42.199 --> 00:01:43.799 would you mind bringing a spare wafer, 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:45.579 because I think Bruno would like one. 00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:49.299 I'm like, well, you know, I don't know about that. 00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:52.140 She said, well, you do think there'll be dogs in heaven, don't you? 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:55.719 I'm like, as long as they don't make a mess, 00:01:55.780 --> 00:01:56.719 they can welcome you. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:03.760 How would you describe that relationship? 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:06.140 I don't think most of us would say 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:09.699 Marge had an intimate relationship with the dog. 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:13.259 I think you would say she had a dependent relationship. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:19.740 I think you might say that she had an affectionate relationship. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:24.900 But to call a relationship intimate 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:28.640 is to take it into a different field, isn't it? 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:32.939 Partly because in English law, 00:02:33.460 --> 00:02:35.480 until relatively recently, 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:39.520 to describe a relationship as intimate in a court of law 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:42.020 would mean it would be a sexual relationship. 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:48.700 But the word intimate also has another sense to it, doesn't it? 00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:53.960 It means when we know something so well, 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:55.980 it's like second nature to us. 00:02:56.020 --> 00:02:56.960 We can anticipate. 00:02:59.040 --> 00:03:01.800 It was said of the chief engineer 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:05.920 of the Saudia Williams Formula One racing team, 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:08.700 no man had more intimate knowledge 00:03:08.700 --> 00:03:10.760 of Formula One engines than this man. 00:03:14.980 --> 00:03:18.740 Intimacy is a kind of strange word for us 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:21.159 because ultimately, 00:03:21.700 --> 00:03:23.480 we all crave intimacy, 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:26.760 but many of us are scared of it. 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:30.560 The thought that we might be known 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:34.659 is something that's very scary to many of us. 00:03:38.160 --> 00:03:39.840 Somebody once said, 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:40.760 when they were asked, 00:03:40.900 --> 00:03:42.439 what's the secret of your success? 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:44.020 I racked my brains this morning 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:45.419 trying to remember who it was. 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:47.460 What's the secret of success? 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:47.900 They said, 00:03:47.979 --> 00:03:49.379 to not get found out. 00:03:52.939 --> 00:03:55.000 Well, that's kind of vaguely amusing, 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:57.120 but it's also pretty sad, isn't it? 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:01.680 So, in Psalm 139, 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:05.259 we learn a very foundational truth. 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:06.539 And let me tell you, friend, 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:08.719 you're in church this morning 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:11.079 and you can appropriate this truth 00:04:11.079 --> 00:04:14.219 through your head into your heart. 00:04:15.679 --> 00:04:17.959 It will completely recalibrate 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:19.420 a lot of stuff in your life. 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:23.399 It will change you. 00:04:24.159 --> 00:04:25.659 And I know in relationships, 00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:26.779 you know, for crying out loud, 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:28.420 I've been married for 40-odd years. 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:29.740 You know, don't you, 00:04:29.959 --> 00:04:30.939 if you're a married person, 00:04:31.039 --> 00:04:32.199 don't put your arms up. 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:34.519 But have you ever had this thought, 00:04:35.039 --> 00:04:36.079 if she changed, 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:36.920 if he changed, 00:04:36.979 --> 00:04:38.659 things would be a lot different around here. 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:42.240 The only thing is, 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:43.860 there's only one change 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:45.779 you can take responsibility for, 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:48.240 and that's you. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:51.620 And what's going on in your soul, 00:04:51.899 --> 00:04:54.399 and what's going on in your life. 00:04:54.899 --> 00:04:56.159 Listen to these words. 00:04:56.919 --> 00:04:57.860 Deb read them too. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:04:58.560 I don't know, 00:04:58.719 --> 00:04:58.899 you know, 00:04:59.039 --> 00:05:00.560 every time I read these, 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:02.639 this psalm was nicknamed 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:03.680 the Hound of Heaven. 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:07.439 Starts off with these words. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:08.980 Oh Lord, 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:10.019 you have searched me 00:05:10.019 --> 00:05:10.959 and you know me. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:13.100 You know me when I sit 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:14.040 and when I rise. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:15.540 You perceive my thoughts 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:16.879 from afar. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:20.939 This is a God 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:23.160 who at one level 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:24.420 is awesome 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:25.680 and is the 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:28.220 sovereign Lord 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:29.140 of the universe 00:05:29.140 --> 00:05:30.740 and the earth, 00:05:30.820 --> 00:05:31.620 the heavens, 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:33.680 all that therein is. 00:05:34.440 --> 00:05:35.240 Believe it or not, 00:05:35.580 --> 00:05:36.820 he's even sovereign 00:05:36.820 --> 00:05:37.880 no matter what happens 00:05:37.880 --> 00:05:38.440 with Brexit. 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:41.180 Doesn't mean we shouldn't be 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:43.240 attentive to what's going on. 00:05:44.820 --> 00:05:46.060 But whatever we decide 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:46.700 about Brexit 00:05:46.700 --> 00:05:48.020 won't let the Lord 00:05:48.020 --> 00:05:49.000 of the throne of heaven. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:49.600 Is that right? 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:53.620 But this Lord 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:54.620 who is so 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:55.840 awesome 00:05:55.840 --> 00:06:00.840 is the same Lord 00:06:00.840 --> 00:06:02.060 who knows you 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:02.580 intimately. 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:05.360 You ever thought about this? 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:06.439 What it says in the Bible 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:07.700 is not my idea, right? 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:10.080 It says, 00:06:10.340 --> 00:06:11.980 before a word 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:13.040 is on my tongue, 00:06:14.020 --> 00:06:14.900 you know it 00:06:14.900 --> 00:06:15.560 completely. 00:06:17.640 --> 00:06:18.240 I tell you, 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:18.740 in the past, 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:19.500 there have been some words 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:20.139 on my tongue 00:06:20.139 --> 00:06:20.780 I didn't even know 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:21.920 God knew those words. 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:29.740 That's how intimately 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:31.379 you are known. 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:32.939 I'm always struck 00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:34.540 when I read 00:06:34.540 --> 00:06:35.220 in the epistle 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:36.240 to the Ephesians, 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:37.259 you know that amazing 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:37.620 verse, 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:39.040 Ephesians 2 verse 10 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:39.639 I think it is, 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:40.500 where it says, 00:06:40.840 --> 00:06:42.240 you are God's workmanship. 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:45.160 You might be at a stage 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:45.660 in your life 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:46.600 where you look in a mirror 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:47.199 these days 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:47.720 and you think, 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:48.400 well, you could have done 00:06:48.400 --> 00:06:49.460 a better job there. 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:52.700 But that's not 00:06:52.700 --> 00:06:53.480 what God sees. 00:06:55.080 --> 00:06:56.100 What God sees 00:06:56.100 --> 00:06:57.160 when he looks at you. 00:06:58.600 --> 00:07:00.160 However hurt you feel, 00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:01.840 however aching you feel, 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:04.060 however messed up you feel, 00:07:04.200 --> 00:07:06.380 however hidden you feel, 00:07:08.380 --> 00:07:10.300 he sees what you could be. 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:13.560 And when he sees that, 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:15.020 it gives him real pleasure. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.280 And the only sadness 00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:18.160 in all that 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:19.759 is when we resist 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:21.620 becoming what we could be 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:22.900 because, 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:24.960 well, 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:27.139 that's just me. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.519 That's just us. 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:33.199 you remember in the book 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:33.839 of Genesis, 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:34.939 there was this 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:36.839 amazing narrative 00:07:37.539 --> 00:07:38.099 about, you know, 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:39.399 God makes the world 00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:40.199 and then there's 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:41.399 this beautiful garden. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:46.240 And the man and the woman 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:47.039 are told, 00:07:47.719 --> 00:07:49.139 you both can do 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:50.039 whatever you like 00:07:50.039 --> 00:07:50.659 in this garden. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:51.639 There's just one thing. 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:53.759 just one thing 00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:55.939 that you can't do. 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:57.279 And that is, 00:07:57.379 --> 00:07:58.379 you must not go 00:07:58.379 --> 00:07:59.759 and pluck the fruit 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:00.419 from the tree 00:08:00.419 --> 00:08:01.079 of the knowledge 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:01.860 of good and evil. 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:02.759 You remember that bit? 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:05.759 And then this 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:08.419 blooming snake shows up 00:08:08.419 --> 00:08:10.519 who has 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:12.539 really 00:08:12.539 --> 00:08:14.639 good, 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:15.500 you know, 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:16.500 speaking. 00:08:17.419 --> 00:08:18.519 This is a snake 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:19.339 that can talk. 00:08:19.339 --> 00:08:22.699 And he tempts Eve 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:24.459 and she goes 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:25.419 and picks the apple, 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:26.459 takes a bite of it. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:27.319 You know one of the 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:28.279 first things the Bible 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:29.619 says happened after that? 00:08:31.239 --> 00:08:32.839 It says in verse 00:08:32.839 --> 00:08:34.399 8 of chapter 3, 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.220 do you not believe me? 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:36.059 Go look this up. 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:37.039 It says, 00:08:38.699 --> 00:08:39.539 they heard the sound 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:40.279 of the Lord God 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:41.299 walking in the garden. 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:42.720 Immediately after 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:43.959 she'd taken a bite 00:08:43.959 --> 00:08:44.659 of that fruit, 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:48.579 they hid. 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:51.840 And friends, 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:53.780 human beings, 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.680 maybe you and me, 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.120 spend our lifetimes 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:58.620 hiding. 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:01.780 Because we're frightened 00:09:01.780 --> 00:09:03.160 that if somebody 00:09:03.160 --> 00:09:04.379 had intimate knowledge 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:04.840 of us, 00:09:05.540 --> 00:09:06.820 they might reject us. 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:11.820 success 00:09:11.820 --> 00:09:15.600 is not being 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:16.400 found out, 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:18.780 then basically 00:09:18.780 --> 00:09:19.680 what we're saying 00:09:19.680 --> 00:09:20.780 is our lives 00:09:20.780 --> 00:09:21.860 are a lie. 00:09:24.640 --> 00:09:25.340 We're just 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:25.940 pretending. 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:27.600 And do you know 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:28.620 that word pretending? 00:09:29.140 --> 00:09:30.120 It comes up in the 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:30.720 New Testament 00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:31.440 a fair bit. 00:09:32.660 --> 00:09:33.700 Remember when Jesus 00:09:33.700 --> 00:09:35.060 started to speak 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:37.099 to the fantastically 00:09:37.099 --> 00:09:38.579 committed religious 00:09:38.579 --> 00:09:39.799 people of the time, 00:09:40.339 --> 00:09:41.339 the Pharisees. 00:09:42.699 --> 00:09:43.099 I mean, 00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:43.699 we have them 00:09:43.699 --> 00:09:44.419 written off as the 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:45.439 kind of New Testament 00:09:45.439 --> 00:09:46.199 baddies. 00:09:47.979 --> 00:09:48.779 But actually, 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:49.699 they were serious 00:09:49.699 --> 00:09:50.699 about their faith. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:52.479 They prayed 00:09:52.479 --> 00:09:54.019 five times a day. 00:09:54.119 --> 00:09:54.719 Put your hand up 00:09:54.719 --> 00:09:55.819 if you pray five times 00:09:55.819 --> 00:09:56.659 and don't do it really. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.939 I'm just making a point. 00:09:58.659 --> 00:09:58.819 Right? 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:00.920 They gave 10% 00:10:00.920 --> 00:10:01.760 of their money. 00:10:03.160 --> 00:10:03.580 The treasure 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:04.420 is getting aroused 00:10:04.420 --> 00:10:05.200 at this point. 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:08.100 And then they gave 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:09.660 on top of that 10% 00:10:09.660 --> 00:10:11.040 free will offerings. 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:12.600 These were people 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.480 who were the 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:14.800 respectable religious 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:15.840 people of the moment 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:17.260 and Jesus tore 00:10:17.260 --> 00:10:17.860 into them. 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:22.240 Called them 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:24.680 hypocrites. 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:26.980 That's a world 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:27.759 borrowed from 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:28.779 the world 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:29.519 of Greek theater. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:30.000 Do you remember 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:30.420 the world 00:10:30.420 --> 00:10:30.920 of Greek theater? 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:32.360 Everybody wears a mask. 00:10:34.060 --> 00:10:35.240 To hide 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:36.480 their true identity. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:39.240 Lord, 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.399 you've searched me 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:42.840 and you know me. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:45.379 And the amazing 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:46.060 thing about 00:10:46.060 --> 00:10:47.039 covenant grace 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:47.980 is that though 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:48.879 you've searched me 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:49.899 and you know me, 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:57.059 you still love me. 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:00.319 And you still 00:11:00.319 --> 00:11:01.039 want to reside 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:01.740 in me. 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:04.139 And you still 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:04.819 want to change 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:05.439 my life 00:11:05.439 --> 00:11:05.980 and you want 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:06.980 to liberate me 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:08.279 to be the person 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:09.500 that I could be. 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:11.779 Imagine. 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:15.279 I wonder 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:17.000 how many of you 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.699 have relationships 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:19.520 that you would 00:11:19.520 --> 00:11:20.320 like to go 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:20.900 further but 00:11:20.900 --> 00:11:21.620 somehow they 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.340 get kind of 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:22.780 stuck. 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:27.220 It's not that 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:28.240 anything's bad 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:28.720 about the 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.200 relationship, 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:29.820 it's just that 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:30.360 you feel this 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.379 relationship could 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:31.860 be more. 00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:33.759 I sense that. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:34.320 If a lot of 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:34.759 people in 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:35.560 marriages think 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:36.060 about that, 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:36.520 they think, 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:37.840 you know what, 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:38.100 this, 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.600 this, 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:42.440 do you have 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:42.759 this, 00:11:42.920 --> 00:11:44.080 I have this 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:44.600 sometimes, 00:11:45.540 --> 00:11:45.879 you know, 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.019 I feel I 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:47.820 know my 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:48.480 wife inside 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:48.899 out. 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.279 And then 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:50.700 some days, 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.279 she'll just say 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:51.879 stuff to me, 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.080 I'm like, 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:52.659 where did that 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:53.240 come from? 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:56.019 Why would 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.679 anyone think 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:56.960 that? 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:02.580 And the 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:03.139 problem with 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:03.700 that is, 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.080 as I said, 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.019 many of us, 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:06.919 if we feel 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:07.240 we're in a 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:07.840 relationship 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:08.500 that's kind 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.019 of peaked 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:09.419 early, 00:12:11.419 --> 00:12:11.980 we kind 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.240 of think 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.120 the responsibility 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:13.860 for the 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.899 last yards 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:15.200 of it 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.460 are the 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:17.159 other person 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:17.480 I'm in 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.100 relationship 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:18.620 with. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:21.779 Listen, 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:22.179 here's a 00:12:22.179 --> 00:12:24.019 very seminal 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:25.299 universal 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.039 truth 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:28.240 that could 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.799 free you 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:29.159 today. 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:32.080 That if 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:32.480 you could 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.759 truly believe 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:35.360 that God 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.159 knows you 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:36.840 intimately, 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:38.940 and yet 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.580 he still 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.220 loves you, 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:42.759 you could 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:43.540 be released 00:12:43.540 --> 00:12:44.920 to start 00:12:44.920 --> 00:12:45.720 to understand 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.460 intimacy 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.379 in your 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.120 horizontal 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:48.960 relationships 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:49.720 with your 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:50.519 relationships 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.100 here on 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:51.440 earth 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:52.879 in a new 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.240 way. 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.340 For if 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:55.820 the God 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:56.139 of the 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:56.460 heavens 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:56.840 and the 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:57.139 earth 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:57.399 and 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.080 universe 00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:58.620 and all 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.000 that there 00:12:59.000 --> 00:12:59.220 is, 00:12:59.660 --> 00:13:00.320 could look 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:00.620 at me 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.060 and know 00:13:01.060 --> 00:13:01.279 me 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.100 and still 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:02.420 love 00:13:02.420 --> 00:13:02.800 me, 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:07.399 wouldn't 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:07.700 that be 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:08.100 something? 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.620 it's not 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:12.200 my thoughts, 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:12.700 this is what 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.320 scripture 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:14.740 reveals to 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.960 us about 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:16.500 the God 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.840 we worship 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.360 today. 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:21.480 So I 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:21.800 want to 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:22.259 speak a 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:22.680 word of 00:13:22.680 --> 00:13:23.399 you to 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.060 those who 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:24.920 feel you 00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:25.420 might be a 00:13:25.420 --> 00:13:26.160 bit stuck 00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:27.060 in a 00:13:27.060 --> 00:13:27.740 relationship. 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:29.139 We'd like 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:29.519 it to go 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:29.700 more, 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:30.180 listen to 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:30.399 me. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:33.980 Improvement 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:34.540 in any 00:13:34.540 --> 00:13:34.899 of your 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:35.560 relationships 00:13:35.560 --> 00:13:36.680 is virtually 00:13:36.680 --> 00:13:37.420 entirely 00:13:37.420 --> 00:13:37.940 down to 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:38.180 you. 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:42.940 you can 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:43.620 spend your 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.279 life wishing 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:44.920 the person 00:13:44.920 --> 00:13:45.279 that you 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:45.720 want to be 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:46.300 friends with, 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:46.660 you want to 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.120 be married 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:47.460 to, 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.259 would be a 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:48.920 different kind 00:13:48.920 --> 00:13:49.460 of person, 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.240 but in the 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.139 end, it 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:51.740 will be your 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:52.460 behavior that 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.200 changes them, 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:54.040 not your 00:13:54.040 --> 00:13:54.720 moaning at 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.040 them that 00:13:55.040 --> 00:13:55.720 changes them. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.460 I know 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.320 that nagging 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:00.080 feels like a 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:00.580 good blood 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:01.040 sport, 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:03.139 but it 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:03.360 doesn't 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:03.899 change the 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.160 world, 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:04.639 does it? 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:09.980 what could 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.699 I show 00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:13.000 of myself 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.340 in the 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:14.740 friendships 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.220 that I 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:15.460 have? 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.220 I'm always 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.580 amazed when 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:17.960 I go to 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:19.059 places and 00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:19.559 preach. 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.080 I was 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:22.819 speaking to 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.460 a bunch of 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.620 men in, 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:25.840 is there a 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:26.340 place called 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:26.740 Froome? 00:14:26.939 --> 00:14:27.319 Froome? 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.120 Yeah, 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:28.879 somewhere in 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.200 England. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:32.360 and I 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:32.800 talked to 00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:33.300 these men 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:35.759 and I 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.320 was talking 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:36.759 about, 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.060 you know, 00:14:37.140 --> 00:14:37.820 how the 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:38.340 Lord had, 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:39.400 you know, 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:40.200 taken a 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:41.180 total moron 00:14:41.180 --> 00:14:43.200 and sort 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:43.620 of changed 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.060 his life 00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:44.460 around. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.900 And at 00:14:48.900 --> 00:14:49.400 the end of 00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:49.540 it, 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:49.920 there's a 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:50.440 guy in the 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.060 audience who's 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:51.440 a bishop. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.120 And he 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.420 was a 00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:55.020 bishop in 00:14:55.020 --> 00:14:55.400 Kenya, 00:14:55.520 --> 00:14:55.879 though he's a 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.360 white guy, 00:14:56.420 --> 00:14:56.720 he was a 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.140 bishop in 00:14:57.140 --> 00:14:57.379 Kenya, 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:57.800 he sticks 00:14:57.800 --> 00:14:58.280 his hand 00:14:58.280 --> 00:14:58.520 up, 00:14:59.000 --> 00:14:59.140 says, 00:14:59.200 --> 00:14:59.600 may I ask 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.180 a question? 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:02.540 I'm like, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:02.660 well, 00:15:02.660 --> 00:15:03.080 I think you're 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.440 going to 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:03.840 anyway, 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.300 but, 00:15:05.640 --> 00:15:06.100 you know. 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.400 He says, 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:08.660 how would 00:15:08.660 --> 00:15:09.300 you say 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:10.680 the way 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:11.400 your father 00:15:11.400 --> 00:15:12.480 treated you 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:14.900 influenced the 00:15:14.900 --> 00:15:15.320 way you 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:15.860 cared for 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.480 the clergy? 00:15:18.780 --> 00:15:19.160 I'm like, 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.600 wow, 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.040 you know, 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:21.540 that's a 00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:22.680 googly and 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:23.320 a bouncer, 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.379 all in one 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:25.900 delivery. 00:15:28.160 --> 00:15:28.780 So I 00:15:28.780 --> 00:15:28.960 said, 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.139 well, 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:29.759 I'm sure 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.240 it must 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.560 have in 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.240 some ways. 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:32.519 I'm sure 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:32.940 it must 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.080 have. 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:33.820 But listen, 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:34.580 there's one 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:34.879 of my 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.639 former clergy 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.300 sitting there. 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:39.780 Why don't 00:15:39.780 --> 00:15:40.040 you, 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:41.160 no, 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:41.700 you stand 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:41.900 up, 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:42.100 no, 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:42.680 tell him 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.540 how you 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:44.680 think I 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:45.160 behaved 00:15:45.160 --> 00:15:45.639 partially 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.259 towards the 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:46.639 clergy. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.139 And the 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.560 phone went. 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.820 No problem, 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:53.720 I've done 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.300 it myself. 00:15:54.299 --> 00:16:02.339 where was 00:16:02.339 --> 00:16:02.539 I? 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:04.159 I was, 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.199 and so 00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:05.699 this guy 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:06.099 says, 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.399 well, 00:16:06.479 --> 00:16:06.679 my, 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:07.879 you know, 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.359 it's a mixed 00:16:08.359 --> 00:16:09.079 bag, 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:09.459 actually, 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.000 what he said. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.179 He said, 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.959 you have great 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:14.000 communication skills, 00:16:14.099 --> 00:16:14.319 anybody, 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:14.639 you know, 00:16:14.699 --> 00:16:15.139 people love 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.740 listening to you, 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:15.919 blah, 00:16:15.959 --> 00:16:16.039 blah, 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:16.240 blah. 00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:16.659 He said, 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:18.039 but probably 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.339 pastoral stuff 00:16:19.339 --> 00:16:19.839 is not your 00:16:19.839 --> 00:16:20.240 strength. 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:22.719 Where's 00:16:22.719 --> 00:16:23.199 this going? 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.399 He said, 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.860 but fortunately, 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:26.539 your colleague, 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.079 the Bishop of 00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:27.379 Swindon, 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:27.959 was brilliant 00:16:27.959 --> 00:16:28.419 pastoral, 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:28.919 so you made 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.459 a great team 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:29.919 together, 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.419 and, 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:30.919 and, 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.039 and, 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:36.919 I thought, 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:37.120 oh, 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:37.360 well, 00:16:37.439 --> 00:16:37.659 you know, 00:16:37.719 --> 00:16:38.899 I have to 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.399 hear that. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.360 You know, 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.279 I felt it was 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.819 from the Holy 00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:42.620 Spirit to hear 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:42.899 that. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.860 You know, 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.720 I have to say 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.240 that even 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.659 though my 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.480 regular visits 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.019 to March 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:48.860 provided me 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.740 enough 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.960 information 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.440 to write 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:51.940 a book. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.519 I am not 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:56.899 the kind 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.340 of person 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:57.820 who finds 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.539 it that easy 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.220 to listen 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.019 to the same 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.879 person tell 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.360 me the same 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.060 story of their 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:02.940 hip replacement 00:17:02.940 --> 00:17:04.120 over and over 00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:04.579 again, 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.700 and still look 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.200 interested, 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:07.400 right? 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.339 I tell you, 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:08.799 I could do 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.559 a hip replacement. 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.019 Here's my 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.380 point. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:16.960 At the end 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.240 of that 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.779 meeting, 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.299 these guys 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:19.640 were coming 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.120 up to me 00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:20.440 saying, 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:21.319 whoa, 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.099 what did 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.620 you do? 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.319 I said, 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:24.799 what do you 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.079 mean? 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.240 They said, 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.079 you let that 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.559 guy talk 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.319 about you 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.160 in a pub, 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.700 he could have 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.359 hung you out 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:31.900 to dry. 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.380 Somebody pretty 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:33.839 well did, 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:34.220 as a matter 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.700 of fact. 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.620 They said, 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:38.000 we can't 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.859 believe anybody 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:40.079 would be 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:42.159 that honest. 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:45.819 So, 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:46.479 you know, 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:46.919 my thought 00:17:46.919 --> 00:17:47.139 was, 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.539 so it 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:47.799 would be 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.219 better if 00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:48.859 I lied. 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:51.059 Well, 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.500 some of you 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:51.879 have taken 00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:52.459 that option 00:17:52.459 --> 00:17:52.819 in your 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.199 life. 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:55.479 You have 00:17:55.479 --> 00:17:56.539 decided it'd 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.099 be better to 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:57.919 tell lies 00:17:57.919 --> 00:17:58.740 about who 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.259 you are 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.159 than be the 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:00.699 person you 00:18:00.699 --> 00:18:01.059 are because 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.919 you're scared. 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:03.399 Actually, 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.059 if people knew 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.479 what you were 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.539 really like, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.700 oh my goodness, 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.599 they would 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.380 reject you. 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.140 And you need 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:10.279 to hear this 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.339 message very 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:11.860 clearly, 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.039 very loudly, 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.180 in a way that 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.700 goes through 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.460 your head and 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.380 into your heart. 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.400 If the God 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.299 of the heavens 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.259 and the earth 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.140 and all that 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.700 therein is, 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.400 knows you 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:21.900 better than 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:22.720 you even know 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.140 yourself, 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:23.700 knows what 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.019 you're going 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:24.700 to say before 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.599 you even say 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:25.980 it, 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:28.680 and still 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.319 loves you, 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:31.860 there's got 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.519 to be hope. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.599 Hope for me 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:37.500 and hope for 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:37.779 you. 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.620 So to the 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.480 people who 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.140 are stuck in 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.740 relationships, 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.680 just think 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.299 about this. 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.240 Maybe at the 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.640 end of the 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:46.960 service, 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.500 I'm sure there's 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.140 a prayer team 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:48.740 hanging around 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.120 somewhere, 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:49.559 they're always 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.579 lurking somewhere, 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.019 aren't they? 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:53.160 They're there, 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.779 they're going 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.259 to get you 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.640 sometime. 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:57.019 Where will 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.480 they be? 00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.380 They'll be 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.559 by the 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.259 giving bowl. 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:07.900 you need 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:08.339 to go get 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:08.880 that sorted 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.220 out. 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.420 The second 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.019 thing is, 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:11.779 this is 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:13.460 really tricky. 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:16.299 A lot 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.720 of us, 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.220 sometimes, 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.839 I mean mostly 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.240 through our 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.160 experiences of 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:20.559 life, 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.299 are never 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:21.960 really sure 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.620 whether anybody 00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:23.299 really loves 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.660 us. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:25.900 What's that 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.759 lingering doubt, 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.220 you know? 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.660 And some 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.099 of us 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.319 involve 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:30.940 ourselves 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:32.120 in neurotic 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.720 behavior. 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:32.839 behavior. 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.579 And it 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.079 goes like 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.460 this, 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.480 I am 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.360 a very 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.240 rejectable 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.819 person. 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.079 I'm in a 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.640 relationship 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.120 with you, 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.720 so I will 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.279 act out 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.620 behaviors that 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.420 test whether 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.019 you really 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.559 love me, 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.160 till I 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.940 overdo it 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.240 to the 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.680 point where 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.180 you chuck 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.579 me out, 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:49.980 and then I 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.600 say I was 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:51.059 right all 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.400 along, 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:51.620 I'm 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.259 rejectable. 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.059 It's 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.079 very tiring 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.740 for both 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.440 parties to 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.180 a relationship 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.799 in that 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:01.019 kind of 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.660 context. 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:08.000 some of 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.360 us 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:10.920 need to 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.960 hear again, 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.420 I'm not 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.920 trying to 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.720 feminize the 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.259 gospel or 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.819 anything like 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.000 that, 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.779 we need to 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.539 hear again 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:20.680 that this 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:22.039 God loves 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.720 you more 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.180 than you 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.700 can ever 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.200 imagine, 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.079 that this 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:26.059 God sent 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.600 his son 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:27.460 onto the 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.039 cross of 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.640 Calvary, 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:30.640 so that 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.180 the bits 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.580 of you 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:31.960 that you 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.680 don't like, 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.140 the bits 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.560 of you 00:20:33.560 --> 00:20:34.140 that you 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:34.440 want to 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:36.600 hide, 00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:38.720 that's the 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.600 straight old 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.100 hymn that 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.580 we sang 00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:41.340 earlier said, 00:20:41.780 --> 00:20:42.259 it gets 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:42.940 nailed to 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.560 the cross, 00:20:44.580 --> 00:20:45.340 it's done, 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.480 Jesus said 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:46.940 from the 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.400 cross, 00:20:48.340 --> 00:20:49.840 consummatum et, 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.480 sorry he 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:50.880 didn't speak 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.200 Latin, 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:52.819 it is 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.400 finished, 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.400 it's done, 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.220 you can 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.319 stop hiding, 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.759 you can 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.400 come out 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:02.819 from the 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.160 bush, 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:04.900 you can 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:08.259 know 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.960 that this 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.720 God loves 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.000 you, 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.180 and the 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:14.000 evidence for 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:16.360 that is 00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:17.019 the cross, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:23.360 a piece 00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:24.579 of history, 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.600 even the 00:21:26.600 --> 00:21:27.759 most ardent 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.860 atheist would 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:29.779 not seek to 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.180 try and 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:31.079 disprove that 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.779 the cross of 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:33.000 Calvary was 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.200 a place where 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.680 Jesus Christ 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:37.259 was crucified, 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.900 they might 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:39.799 dispute who 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.240 he is, 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:40.759 but the 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.759 historical fact 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.659 is solid, 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:45.899 bearing shame 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:46.680 and scoffing 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.059 rude, 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.339 in my place 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.000 condemned, 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.000 he stood, 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:50.940 seal my 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.639 pardon with 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:52.079 his blood, 00:21:52.419 --> 00:21:52.940 hallelujah, 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.579 what a 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:54.919 savior. 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.879 I think 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.279 if you're 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.879 the person 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:03.039 who is so 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.299 insecure that 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:04.720 you have to 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.480 keep testing 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:05.960 out your 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.720 relationships, 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.059 then you 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.500 need to go 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.240 get help as 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.500 well. 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:17.240 intimacy 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:21.099 in the 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:21.700 hands of 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.339 God means 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.000 that you 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.299 are known, 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.799 you are 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.399 known better 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:27.759 than you 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.559 know yourself 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.319 and that God 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:29.919 who knows 00:22:29.919 --> 00:22:30.519 you loves 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:30.819 you, 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:33.819 and he offers 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.240 you the 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.680 invitation to 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.399 become the 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.579 person that 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.079 you could 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.539 be, 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:38.980 you could 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.439 be, 00:22:39.439 --> 00:22:42.699 by submitting 00:22:42.699 --> 00:22:43.319 to him. 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.579 You know, 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:49.179 there was 00:22:49.179 --> 00:22:49.519 a, 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.039 I used, 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:52.799 I was once a 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.500 movie star, 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.319 appreciate that, 00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:55.599 right, 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.699 which technically 00:22:56.699 --> 00:22:57.419 means I was an 00:22:57.419 --> 00:22:58.339 extra in a movie 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.220 called General 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.720 Pattern, 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.179 Blood and 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:00.560 Guts. 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.320 I took place 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:02.660 in my 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.440 hometown of 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.100 Knutsford in 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.500 Cheshire, 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:05.820 and all the 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:05.920 letters, 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.360 we were given 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:06.860 these long 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.799 shorts to wear 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.720 and boots 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.560 like kids did 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.299 in the Second 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.840 World War 00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.299 allegedly, 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:15.160 and I didn't 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:15.600 even get a 00:23:15.600 --> 00:23:16.200 mention at the 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.640 Oscars. 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:20.840 But one of 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.060 the things, 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.000 so when I 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.840 got into 00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.540 kind of 00:23:23.540 --> 00:23:24.160 teenage years, 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.500 I got 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.380 interested in 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:25.680 General 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.160 Pattern, 00:23:26.300 --> 00:23:26.740 who was a 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.100 very, 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.740 I suppose 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:28.960 you would 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.220 say he was 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.500 a very 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:29.960 aggressive 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.520 military 00:23:30.520 --> 00:23:30.980 leader, 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.640 and one 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:31.880 of his 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.380 jobs was 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:32.759 to come 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.140 up through 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:33.940 Italy towards 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.360 the end 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:34.600 of the 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:34.860 Second 00:23:34.860 --> 00:23:35.420 World War, 00:23:35.820 --> 00:23:36.480 driving out 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.600 enclaves of 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.620 Nazis and 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:38.820 their 00:23:38.820 --> 00:23:39.560 collaborators, 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:41.040 and they 00:23:41.040 --> 00:23:41.520 tell the 00:23:41.520 --> 00:23:42.120 story of 00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:42.480 the day 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.620 when he 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:44.160 got on 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.560 the back 00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:44.900 of his 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:45.200 tank, 00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:45.740 put his 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.440 berry on 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.120 and addressed 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.539 the men 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:47.940 who'd been 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.799 fighting for 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.240 weeks. 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.160 They were 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.700 tired, 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.160 they were 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.740 smelly, 00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:52.160 they were 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.779 hungry, 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.600 they were 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.039 just not 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.539 in the mood, 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.120 and he did 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.200 his big 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.180 speech thing, 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:57.900 he said, 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:58.900 men, 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.840 some of you 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.580 today will 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:01.080 lose your 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:01.539 lives, 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.600 some of you 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.039 will lose 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.680 your guts, 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.840 many of you 00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.900 will lose 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.660 your friends. 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:08.840 He said, 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.519 but we need 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.220 to take that 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.059 hill up there, 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:13.279 and I can't 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.980 march with you 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.600 if you're half 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:15.039 committed. 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:18.580 So would 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:18.980 you put 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.559 your hands 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:19.980 up if 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.180 you're 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.660 willing to 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.059 march, 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.799 and one 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.299 by one 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.880 these grubby 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:25.059 men put 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.600 their hands 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:26.240 in the air 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.620 and the 00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.539 army marched, 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.200 and the 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:29.640 hill was 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.100 taken. 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.059 Let me 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.420 ask you 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:35.840 something. 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.720 Do you 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.360 think General 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:40.039 Patton could 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.500 have taken 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:40.980 a hill 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.360 with a 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.059 half-committed 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.440 army? 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:45.220 you know, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.440 would you 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.279 think if 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.640 I just 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:46.860 said, 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.160 yeah, 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:47.740 okay, 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.100 how many 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:50.720 of us 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.440 realistically 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.080 say, 00:24:53.340 --> 00:24:53.740 yeah, 00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.400 okay, 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.120 to God? 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.420 This 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.299 course of 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.140 messages that 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.480 you'll be 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.019 hearing over 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.620 the next few 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:01.880 weeks, 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.299 not from 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:02.539 me, 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.080 someone say, 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.680 thank God. 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:06.980 It's about 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.980 growing commitment, 00:25:08.340 --> 00:25:08.740 deepening 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.340 commitment. 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:12.399 that's what 00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:13.240 God is 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.179 looking for 00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:15.619 in you 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:17.079 and for 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.439 you. 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.619 And friends, 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.379 finally, 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:21.879 just a 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.359 footnote. 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.299 The footnote 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:26.019 is this, 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.019 that if, 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:28.879 as many, 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.599 many churches 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.000 do, 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.619 their mission 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.779 statement is, 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.299 you know, 00:25:32.439 --> 00:25:33.659 to know the 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.379 love of God 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.240 and share it 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.679 with those 00:25:35.679 --> 00:25:36.579 around us, 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.119 yada, 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.500 yada, 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:37.939 yada. 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.519 What kind 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.079 of church 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.779 do we 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.480 need to be 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.699 to be the 00:25:45.699 --> 00:25:46.559 kind of church 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:47.099 that makes 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.939 people come 00:25:47.939 --> 00:25:48.740 who feel 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.299 they may have 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.899 a lot to 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.319 hide, 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.679 come out 00:25:52.679 --> 00:25:53.119 into the 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.519 open 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:55.980 and know 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.539 God in a 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.099 new way? 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.299 I was 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.179 really encouraged 00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:02.959 about our 00:26:02.959 --> 00:26:04.059 church recently. 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.019 I was talking 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.579 to a young 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.199 couple who 00:26:06.199 --> 00:26:06.619 were here. 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.000 They'd only 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.559 come because 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.220 their parents 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.899 were Christians 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.320 and they 00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:09.600 kind of 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:09.880 dragged 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.380 them along 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:10.880 on a 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.640 Sunday 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.100 morning. 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.380 And, 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:14.680 you know, 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.060 it's likely 00:26:15.060 --> 00:26:15.519 to be a 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:15.980 one-off 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.060 because I 00:26:17.060 --> 00:26:17.440 don't think 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:17.660 they had 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.259 any commitment 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.680 to coming 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:18.960 back. 00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:19.200 They just 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.440 had a 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:19.800 commitment 00:26:19.800 --> 00:26:20.200 to kind 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.600 of keep 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:20.900 in with 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.180 their mom 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.580 and dad. 00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:25.480 So I 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:25.920 said to 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.280 them, 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.500 she explained 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.320 their situation, 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:29.940 I said, 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.540 do you come 00:26:30.540 --> 00:26:31.780 here often? 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.420 They said, 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:34.759 no, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.620 we've just been 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:35.860 out. 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:36.099 And then 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:36.459 this woman 00:26:36.459 --> 00:26:36.899 said to 00:26:36.899 --> 00:26:37.159 me, 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.899 this is 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.119 the 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:39.679 friendliest 00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:41.259 church I 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.639 have ever 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.139 been in. 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.079 And my 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.659 heart skipped 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:46.059 a beat. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.419 And 00:26:49.419 --> 00:26:50.419 oftentimes 00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:51.199 when I was 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:51.619 in local 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.539 church ministry, 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.599 when our 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:53.859 church, 00:26:53.959 --> 00:26:54.659 every church 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:55.199 thinks they're 00:26:55.199 --> 00:26:55.539 friendly. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.399 You know, 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:56.799 I've taken 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.479 hundreds of 00:26:57.479 --> 00:26:58.299 church weekends, 00:26:58.439 --> 00:26:58.719 you know. 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.000 So what do 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.159 you, 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.740 the people of 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:00.879 St. 00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:01.319 Grottis, 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.719 think your 00:27:01.719 --> 00:27:02.099 main show, 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:02.240 oh, 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.659 we're very 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.079 friendly? 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.399 I said, 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.699 so do you 00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:05.000 get a lot 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.359 of people 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.699 who come 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:06.119 once? 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.119 They said, 00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:09.279 yeah, 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.659 we do, 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:09.980 yeah. 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:11.159 Quite a lot 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:11.659 of footfall 00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:12.279 past our 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.379 church, 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:12.619 yeah, 00:27:12.679 --> 00:27:12.859 we go. 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.439 I said, 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:13.659 why don't 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:13.839 you go 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.159 and talk 00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:14.539 to them? 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.579 Find out 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.059 how friendly 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.579 you really 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:17.919 are. 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.720 Listen, 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.559 the warmth 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.359 of God's 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:24.759 love, 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:25.339 if it's 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:25.919 genuine, 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.939 will bring 00:27:27.939 --> 00:27:28.819 people out 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.419 of hiding. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.839 And the 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.299 glorious 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:32.940 liberation 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.559 of the 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.019 gospel 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:35.799 is that 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.180 we could 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.659 become 00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:37.339 the people 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:37.899 that God 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:38.659 wants us 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.099 to be. 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.460 Come on, 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.960 we can do 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.339 this. 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.599 We can do 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.180 it together. 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.440 What it 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.099 needs is a 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.680 move from 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:48.960 you. 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.299 Stop 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:51.799 hiding. 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.259 Stop 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.839 doubting 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.480 God's love 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:54.960 for you. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.559 Stop 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.359 just talking 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.759 to your 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.339 friends in 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:58.559 church. 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.279 Go look 00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.639 at some 00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:00.039 people you 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.680 never seen 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.159 before. 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:02.360 and be 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:02.800 friendly to 00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:02.860 you. 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.100 By the 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:03.220 way, 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.380 if there's 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:03.640 anybody 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.120 here for 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.519 the first 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.040 time today, 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:05.720 I apologize 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.380 if you get 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:06.840 absolutely 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.779 consumed at 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.040 the end 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:08.320 of the 00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:08.660 service. 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.759 It's 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.380 well-meant. 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.140 Oh, 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.580 Lord, 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.360 you've 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:17.720 searched 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.019 me, 00:28:19.300 --> 00:28:20.140 and you 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.680 know me. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:23.680 God, 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.560 I find it 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.100 hard to 00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:27.400 believe that 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:28.360 the God 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:28.600 of the 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.299 heavens and 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.360 the earth 00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:30.720 and all 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.120 that there 00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:31.820 is could 00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:32.440 know me 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:35.539 and still 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.080 love me. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.180 And he 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.779 knows you 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:42.200 and he 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.799 still loves 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.100 you. 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.820 And he 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.620 invites you 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.100 out from 00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:46.960 behind your 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.400 bush, 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.000 from behind 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.519 the tree, 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:50.539 so that 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.240 he can do 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.799 his work 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.259 in you. 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.500 Your life 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:54.879 will be 00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.599 transformed, 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.740 your 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.420 relationships 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.019 will be 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.680 transformed, 00:28:58.680 --> 00:29:00.519 and you 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.120 start to 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.820 edge towards 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:03.640 becoming the 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.220 people that 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.759 God wants 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.259 you to be. 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.320 Amen. 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:05.759 Amen. 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:05.820 Amen. 00:29:05.820 --> 00:29:06.320 Amen. 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:06.380 Amen. 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.820 Amen. 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:06.860 Amen. 00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:06.920 Amen. 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:06.960 Amen. 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.019 Amen. 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.259 Amen.