WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.019 What a great covenant day. I was just thinking about those covenant promises and also the 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:14.060 readings that we had and that sense about remaining in God's love, but also that sense 00:00:14.060 --> 00:00:20.120 of in the Jeremiah reading, for I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:28.640 no more. That's a pretty good deal, isn't it? I will remember their sins no more. I don't know 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:34.240 about you. Whenever you have a disagreement, and for those who are married here, I'm sure 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:40.340 there are those moments, what is the thing that comes up first? It's like Dinerod, isn't it, really? 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:47.960 All the mess from the past comes up as you try to drag up all the stuff just to score some points. 00:00:48.380 --> 00:00:54.000 This is a great deal because God is saying, I will forgive their wickedness and will remember 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:59.179 their sins no more. That is a great covenant relationship. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:08.640 What's your relationship with Jesus like today? Let's not mess around and let's go to the heart 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:19.420 of it. What is your relationship with Jesus like today? What does new life in Christ look like for us? 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:30.460 For those who continue to invite Jesus in to have that deep, deep relationship with him, it's wonderful 00:01:30.460 --> 00:01:40.740 when that happens because like many here, I lived my life as a nominal Christian for many years 00:01:40.740 --> 00:01:49.400 without connecting into the vine. I was associated with it, but I wasn't fully connected. 00:01:49.420 --> 00:01:57.340 connected. And I love that when we see, as Mike preached last week on intimacy, of when that 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:03.099 realisation is that we come into that relationship with Jesus that is truly intimate. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:12.560 I'll tell you a story that probably isn't strange to you, but will be strange to many who don't 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:22.699 understand the vine. And I'll call him Ben. Ben was 12. Ben was 12 and he used to come, and I first met 00:02:22.699 --> 00:02:31.860 Ben in 2001. He was there with his football at half past eight of a morning in the summer, playing in the 00:02:31.860 --> 00:02:42.400 churchyard outside of the church. I went over to Ben. Ben was a notorious kid from our area. His father and his 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:50.219 brothers knew the Queen were a lot of friends. They were detained at her pleasure. And on numerous occasions. 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:57.879 And Ben was streetwise. When I met Ben, he gave me that look of, so what do you want? 00:02:59.340 --> 00:03:06.560 And I said, mate, what's been the highlight of your summer holiday? And he said, I found 50p on the street. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:14.199 That was the highlight of his holiday. And that's where Ben was. I made a bold step and I said to Ben, 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:20.340 do you fancy coming on a youth group? It was actually called Youth Alpha. But do you fancy 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:25.460 coming on? And he immediately said, he sort of looked me up and down. Like people do, you know, 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:31.000 sussed you out. What's your game? What's your angle? This kid was truly streetwise. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:40.580 And he said, yeah, if there's football involved. I had no clue how I was going to work Alpha and 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:51.120 football together. But we did because Ben was coming. Ben came along week by week with his football. 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:59.580 And we got to the Holy Spirit day. And he came along and, you know, you have those expectations, 00:03:59.580 --> 00:04:04.320 don't you? But you're not surprised and you think, you know, Ben probably won't get into this. But 00:04:04.320 --> 00:04:09.939 we chatted on the weeks before. And he'd said, if I'm going to experience God, if I'm going to get 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:17.160 into this relationship, I want it large. It was a bit like ordering a Big Mac. You know, I want it big. 00:04:17.160 --> 00:04:24.700 And I suppose looking at that banner, with God, all things are possible. 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:34.040 Ben, on the Holy Spirit day, went up with all the rest of the young people. And there was an 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:38.300 invitation to light a candle. And then if you wanted to, you could go off and do what you wanted, 00:04:38.440 --> 00:04:44.160 or you could stay. Others went up, lit a candle off it. But Ben stood there. 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:52.600 Transfixed. It's the first time I've ever seen Ben stand still for so long. 00:04:54.840 --> 00:05:00.300 One of my colleagues just went up beside him and said, Ben, are you all right, mate? And he said, 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:06.860 I know that God is real because it's like electricity in every part of my body. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:17.980 Ben had an encounter, a life-changing encounter, a covenant, life-changing encounter with God. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:25.000 But it didn't end there because God hadn't finished, but because with God, all things are possible. 00:05:26.939 --> 00:05:31.180 And Ben said, I want to get baptised. And we said, that's great. 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:38.600 But he said, what I would like more than anything is for my dad to be there and see me baptised. 00:05:38.660 --> 00:05:45.740 Now, this was a bit difficult because his dad was elsewhere most of the time. 00:05:48.639 --> 00:05:52.379 But with God, all things are possible. And he happened to have parole. 00:05:52.379 --> 00:06:02.500 This family is notorious. And on Ben's baptism day at the Baptist Church, as we fully immersed Ben, 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:08.360 and he made the statement, and people, friends, community came along. 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:13.379 And then my colleague had a great moment. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:20.879 And he said, is there anybody else here who would like to make that decision 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:24.939 and enter into a relationship and give their life to Christ? 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:29.279 There was a gasp in the room. A gasp. 00:06:30.839 --> 00:06:35.659 Because his dad was running down the aisle taking his jacket off. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:42.399 He gave a testimony, which even I think would have made Mother Teresa blush. 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:51.159 He told it as it was about his life, but how it needed to change. 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:59.879 And because through Ben, he had seen a change and saw in Ben the life that he wanted 00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:01.560 and had always wanted. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:09.240 And we stepped out of the water and let Ben baptise his dad. 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:17.240 Life-changing, covenantal decisions are made. 00:07:17.780 --> 00:07:24.280 And we need to be in that place where we can make those decisions, as Ben did. 00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:27.920 Because covenant, we use lots of churchy words. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:31.960 And I can invite you and say, would you like to come to Vespers with me? 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:33.699 You know? 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:37.000 And most people say, sorry, I'm not really into scooter rallies. 00:07:40.039 --> 00:07:43.959 And then we use other churchy words like hassocks and cassocks. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:48.919 And you see, the thing is, is you wear a cassock and you kneel on a hassock. 00:07:49.099 --> 00:07:51.279 Because a hassock doesn't cover much. 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:52.299 Really? 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:53.980 And that is why. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:55.639 It's churchy words. 00:07:56.300 --> 00:08:00.199 And I was thinking about this covenant relationship during this week. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:03.800 And I thought, guys, I'll just remind you that Valentine's Day is coming up. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:04.920 Okay? 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:09.500 Now, I just, we're talking about new life in Christ and growth. 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:19.000 And if I arrived with these, do you know, I'm just not going to get much of a result, am I really? 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:21.639 There's a slide coming up. 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:23.879 It's not good. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:26.759 And the thing is, it's about growth. 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:28.240 I'm not a great gardener. 00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:29.720 You know, I don't garden a lot. 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.759 And I don't really know. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:34.159 But I know what new growth looks like. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:36.360 And I know that it looks good. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:42.460 And if I go off pruning and cutting, I'm probably cutting away stuff that I shouldn't be. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:44.580 Because it's going to burst into new life. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:47.960 The thing is, this guy here, it's got it right. 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:51.200 Look at that. 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:52.680 Well invested. 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:55.039 Well done, guy. 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:57.019 I think he's going to get a result. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:09:03.680 But as we see from the next slide as well, so often we ignore. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:06.259 Here's the guy who didn't get it right. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:10.180 And we need to invest. 00:09:11.539 --> 00:09:12.539 Let's just start our next slide. 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:16.200 And Jesus said, I am the vine. 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:17.840 You are the branches. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:21.759 If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:23.899 Apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:30.620 And if you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that has been thrown away and withers. 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:35.720 Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:44.060 I don't hear the Lord condemning me with that, but encouraging me to remain more and more in him. 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:46.460 Covenant can be one of those words. 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:50.340 It can become something that we do once a year. 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:53.759 Or it can be something that we live. 00:09:53.759 --> 00:10:00.460 I remember a couple of years ago at a fact service here, our children's service. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:04.179 There was a large white thing down through here, which was the vine. 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:09.939 And people were encouraged to come and write their name and say where they were connected. 00:10:10.339 --> 00:10:13.199 And I remember a dad that was sat just about there. 00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:14.959 And he looked at it and he said, do you know what? 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:15.519 I get it. 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:19.100 I totally get it today. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.019 This is it. 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:23.519 And I want to be connected more in. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:26.840 Where are we with that connection? 00:10:28.319 --> 00:10:31.860 You see, I think sometimes God needs to do a bit of pruning. 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:42.159 And I guess my challenge to myself on Covenant Day is if I'm the same as I was a year ago at Covenant Service, 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:44.220 then I haven't been grafted into the vine. 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:53.700 What difference does it make being grafted in to my daily life and my witness in the change that it makes in people's lives? 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:55.460 To see the fruit. 00:10:56.279 --> 00:11:02.300 To see what fruits in me and what that can be to the community that we're called to serve. 00:11:03.660 --> 00:11:06.540 I was just thinking about Adele's calling. 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:11.600 I remember the day that we were struggling with this calling thing, Mandy and I. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:16.659 And I think Mandy's defining moment was said, I know even you can't be nice for that long. 00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:17.560 It must be God. 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:20.600 You've changed. 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:28.259 And I think when we're talking about this pruning, I suppose I want to ask you today, 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:34.899 is what has got to be cut away in our lives for us to bear the fullness of the fruit? 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:40.080 And we won't know what that fruit looks like until we're fully connected into the vine. 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:43.200 How are we going to make that connection? 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:52.420 You know, if anybody's tried to live that life not connected into the vine, I've been there. 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.040 I've been there. 00:11:54.780 --> 00:11:56.060 And it's tough. 00:11:56.280 --> 00:11:57.440 It really is. 00:11:57.440 --> 00:12:03.200 Because one thing I sense God did for me many years ago at a New Wine Leaders Conference 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:06.780 is showed me what needed to be cut away. 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:08.600 And one of them was comparison. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:11.900 Comparison with other people. 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:14.720 It is the death nail in a Christian's life. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:19.500 To compare yourself to what somebody else or another church is doing. 00:12:20.040 --> 00:12:21.020 Don't do it. 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:25.579 Just enter into that deep relationship that he wants with us. 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:29.279 And he will show you what that fruit looks like. 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:31.379 And what that looks like for you. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:38.279 Covenant is more than words and ritual and ritualistic language. 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:48.480 So, can I ask you before we move on? 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:56.699 What is draining the life spirit of God from your life? 00:12:57.860 --> 00:13:05.659 What is stopping you entering in to the fullness of that covenantal relationship we've just talked about? 00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:08.840 And only you and God will know that. 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:15.620 And only he will know if you allow him what bits to prune and cut. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:20.840 And secondly, in order for that to happen, what needs to be pruned? 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:23.580 And will you allow him to do it? 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:26.019 Which is the question. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:32.700 What saddens me is when I hear of Christians who have allowed spiritual starvation 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:37.060 to define their life in ministry and stunt their growth. 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:43.959 A few years back, there was a comedy series. 00:13:44.479 --> 00:13:46.819 I don't think it actually was a comedy series. 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:47.759 It was called Rev. 00:13:48.359 --> 00:13:57.239 And I think it was a really interesting and perceptive comment on ordained ministry. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:14:08.060 Adam Smallbone was a guy who really had got to a point where he had lost that disconnection 00:14:08.060 --> 00:14:11.159 with the depth of that relationship. 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:13.200 Because things had dragged him away. 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.440 Churchy stuff. 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:17.860 Trying to keep it going. 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:23.620 And then disillusionment sets in and everything else. 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:27.480 Rather than being connected into the vine, he became disconnected. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:34.039 And one morning in his desperation or night, he decided to take up his cross. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:38.379 And we heard Russ say earlier about this thing, put me to suffering. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:42.500 Suffering can be created in all sorts of ways. 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:52.460 And he took his cross and he carried it to a hill, symbolically, as the sun rose. 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:56.740 I can't watch this clip without weeping. 00:14:57.559 --> 00:15:03.960 Because I think we're all looking for this encounter, which is ready and waiting for us in the vine. 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:07.120 When in the vine is. 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.200 When in the vine is. 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.100 When in the vine is. 00:15:09.540 --> 00:15:11.000 When we turn in the wind and sit down. 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:13.660 When we turn. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:15.700 In the water's water's water's water's water. 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:21.519 When we take it fromевич. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:23.379 And he noises about banks. 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:30.259 And he means that to 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.519 есть us a few cycles. 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.960 When we turn. 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:42.960 Dance, dance, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the dance, said he. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:49.960 And I'll lead you all wherever you may be, And I'll lead you all in the dance, said he. 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:55.960 I danced for the scribes and the Pharisees, They wouldn't dance, they would not follow me. 00:15:55.960 --> 00:16:01.960 So I danced for the fishermen, for James and John, They came with me, so the dance went on. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:06.960 Dance, dance, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the dance, said he. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:24.960 And I'll lead you all wherever you may be, And I'll lead you all in the dance, said he. 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:30.960 Nurse Iikt P أيënos Have cuando interact, con con con. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.960 Yes. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.960 You're in a good mood then. 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.960 Not really. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.960 Oh? 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.960 Why's that then? 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:46.960 I'm trying to keep something alive but I don't think I can do it. 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:47.960 Ah. 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:52.960 Ah, you know, I've learned a few things over the years. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.960 Oh yes. 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:59.960 You can't, you can't make an omelette without cracking some eggs. 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.960 Right, thanks. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.960 It doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.960 I see. 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:07.960 We are what we eat. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.960 Yep. 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:12.960 You buy cheap, you buy twice. The open hand has the strongest grip. 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:14.960 It's okay, you can stop now. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:18.960 Never parachute into an area you've just bombed. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.960 Well that's a good one. 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.960 Adam, Adam. 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:29.960 We all have our crosses to bear. 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.960 Yes, yes we did. 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.960 I understand, Adam. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.960 I will always be here. 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.960 I will always be here. 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:39.960 I will always be here. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.960 I will always be here. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.960 I will always be here. 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.960 I will always be here. 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:45.960 Yes, I will close it. 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.960 We'll always go. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.960 But we'll be here. 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.960 I'll decide. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.960 I'm not Butter. 00:17:51.960 --> 00:18:14.340 I am family 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:24.960 I'm trying to keep something alive but I don't think I can do it. 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:29.319 Adam, Adam. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:33.220 We all have our crosses to bear. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.960 I understand Adam. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:37.980 I will always be there. 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:40.440 I will always be here.