WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.939 Good morning, everyone. So this is a sermon about the Great Commission, Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations. 00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:29.280 ! And I think it's a particularly relevant, a great opportunity for me as I begin here as your vicar, because mission is central to what I've come here to help facilitate amongst us. 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:55.219 It really is at the heart of our church, all churches' existence. Just over three weeks ago, when I was instituted, inducted and installed, a bit like a dishwasher, I think, I committed myself before God, together with you, to, and I quote, proclaim the faith afresh to each generation. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:01:05.519 I love that phrase. And as the Diocese of Bath and Wales' strapline goes, we are to live and tell the story of Jesus. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:26.699 So why am I sometimes so bad at it? Okay. Take last weekend, for example. I'm at a rugby festival with my eldest son, and I get talking to this other dad who works, look at that timing, who works in advertising. 00:01:26.700 --> 00:01:32.120 I have already revealed that I'm a vicar, so there's a slightly awkward look on his face. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:41.640 But the conversation turns, as it often does these days, to American Christianity and those born-again types. 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:51.439 But I'm thinking, here you are, Simon. Here's the open door for a conversation about Jesus. Let's go through it. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:02:05.000 There's plenty of options available to me. Option A, I ask him, are you born again? Now, I'll grant you that's a pretty direct approach, but I tell you, it gets a quite good reaction either way. 00:02:05.900 --> 00:02:12.539 That's my first option. So B, so is faith important, something that's important to you? Great question, by the way. 00:02:12.900 --> 00:02:16.300 Open discussion, you know, whether they're religious or not, it's a great opening. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:22.939 Or C, mumble something about, I'm not a great fan of Christian nationalism anyway, what's the weather like these days? 00:02:25.380 --> 00:02:30.680 Which option do you think I took? Yes, it was C, folks. Yes, it was me. 00:02:31.660 --> 00:02:39.060 Why did I do that? Why did I do that? It's not that I'm not quick on my feet, or I don't have knowledge about the subject matter. 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:50.520 Something else was going on that hindered me in that moment to talk about the very thing that I thought was central in my life. 00:02:50.860 --> 00:02:55.719 And of course, in a different setting, in this setting, I could talk for hours about, but don't worry, I'm not going to do that today. 00:02:57.800 --> 00:03:03.300 I wonder if anyone else here sometimes struggles to share their faith. 00:03:03.300 --> 00:03:09.680 Or even that, another question is, who here struggles to live out their faith? 00:03:11.260 --> 00:03:20.000 By which I mean, you know, you know that habit, which you know in God's sight is wrong or unhelpful, but you just can't stop doing it. 00:03:20.660 --> 00:03:29.240 Or that response you give when someone annoys you or upsets you, and you know it's not very godly, yet you can't seem to change it. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:36.360 Living and telling the story of Jesus is more difficult than we'd like it to be, isn't it? 00:03:37.980 --> 00:03:45.660 And if we collectively, as a church, are seeking to share Jesus across Clevedon, as we've already been praying about this morning, 00:03:46.020 --> 00:03:50.439 if we struggle like that as individuals, then we have a problem. 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:52.480 We have a problem. 00:03:52.479 --> 00:04:03.099 Now, there are plenty of resources and tips I could share with you about faith sharing, and I will, in good time, hopefully share those with you. 00:04:03.579 --> 00:04:11.339 But as my own failings showed, it's really a lack of knowledge that makes people poor at sharing their faith. 00:04:13.359 --> 00:04:20.579 Nor is it a shortage of knowledge or even willpower that prevents us from living the good Christian life. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:28.120 The problem in all these things, I think, lies at a slightly deeper level. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:36.879 And as I've meditated on this famous passage that Marilyn read from the end of Matthew's Gospel, 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:40.240 it's really crystallised something for me. 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:43.639 And it's really helped me know what is going on here. 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:46.159 And I hope it will help you too. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:52.540 Because actually, at the heart of it, we all have an authority problem. 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:56.660 It's an issue of one of authority. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:04:59.060 What do I mean by that? 00:04:59.940 --> 00:05:03.440 Well, let's start with a definition of authority. 00:05:04.220 --> 00:05:06.800 And I'll just take a simple dictionary definition. 00:05:07.200 --> 00:05:12.800 Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce them. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:15.340 Okay, that's your general definition of authority. 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:21.900 So let's examine what or who has authority in our lives. 00:05:22.540 --> 00:05:25.240 What do you think of when I say the word authority? 00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:28.620 Maybe some of you are thinking about government. 00:05:28.960 --> 00:05:31.100 You've just been praying about the recent elections. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:34.300 If you're of a younger generation, you might be thinking about teachers, 00:05:34.460 --> 00:05:36.639 because I'm sure we all used to obey our teachers. 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:40.460 People in power, we often think, don't we, about authority. 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:44.899 But if you think a little bit further about it, as I have been, 00:05:45.299 --> 00:05:50.939 there are other things that also have authority in our lives. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:58.139 Just think about how our culture has an authority in our lives, 00:05:58.179 --> 00:06:02.740 how it influences what we think, what we say, and even what we wear. 00:06:03.299 --> 00:06:09.479 It's really dictated by how things are done around here in 2026. 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:15.180 Consciously and unconsciously, we follow what others are doing. 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:20.099 We're being told what to do, and our behavior is being enforced. 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:22.680 Who delivers those orders? 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:25.539 I mean, we don't get it, you know, do we know? 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:28.879 Well, all sorts of ways, through the media that we consume, 00:06:28.979 --> 00:06:30.599 through the people that we hang around with. 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:33.539 It orders our lives for good and for bad. 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:36.260 So my first question for you this morning, 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:42.160 are you aware of those authorities coming from around you? 00:06:43.840 --> 00:06:46.360 If you are, that's a good start. 00:06:46.900 --> 00:06:47.780 That's a good start. 00:06:47.840 --> 00:06:49.840 But we have to go, again, I think, deeper 00:06:49.840 --> 00:06:55.700 to a more powerful authority in your life and in mine. 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:59.139 And it's not an external kind of out there authority, 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:01.939 but one that actually comes from within. 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:04.279 What do I mean? 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:08.920 Well, you and I have been receiving messages 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:12.060 about how to survive and how to stay safe, 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:14.199 basically since we were in the womb. 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:18.639 I'm told that by the age of five, 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:22.680 90% of our brain growth has already happened. 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:26.560 So the messages and responses we learn at that time 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:30.740 basically form the foundations of our messaging for life 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:32.800 and how we get what we need. 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:37.220 So our parents and our early carers 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:40.800 are huge authorities in our lives. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:43.060 They're setting the pattern for decision-making 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:46.319 and behaviour throughout our lives. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:47.939 And of course, when this is done well, 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:49.960 with love and good attachment 00:07:49.960 --> 00:07:52.579 and all the jargon words that I begin to get to learn, 00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:55.100 this sets us up really well 00:07:55.100 --> 00:07:58.060 for healthy responses through life. 00:07:58.220 --> 00:07:59.240 We know where we're at. 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:00.699 We've got a good sense of self. 00:08:00.900 --> 00:08:02.100 It's well balanced. 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:05.939 And our relationship boundaries are usually healthy. 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:10.420 But when we experience trauma 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:12.280 or some kind of rupture 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:14.399 at an early stage of life, 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:16.060 and indeed any stage of life, 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:19.819 this leaves us with different messaging, 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:24.939 which unchecked can dictate our response 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:29.100 to other situations throughout our lives. 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:31.959 Let me give you an example. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.899 Just this last Tuesday morning, 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:37.220 we were meeting to pray as we do, 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:38.480 quarter past nine on Tuesday, 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:41.139 and we were hearing from Heather, 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:43.259 who together with Jim and Sophie 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:45.100 have been leading this course 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:46.300 called The Bereavement Journey. 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:48.039 And what an amazing ministry 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:49.740 that sounds like it is. 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:51.879 And Heather briefly shared with us 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:54.139 what they covered in the last week's section. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:55.139 And it so struck me, 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:55.659 I thought, wow, 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.039 I'd actually quite like to share that 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:58.100 with the wider congregation. 00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:00.220 So each week they have a video 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:02.279 and discussion about a certain topic. 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:06.399 And this last week was about loss in general. 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:08.919 And what Heather was describing 00:09:08.919 --> 00:09:10.779 was that this process 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:13.199 of how early responses to loss, 00:09:13.740 --> 00:09:15.419 whether that's the loss of a teddy bear 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:16.839 or a loss of a person, 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:19.899 lay the foundations for responding 00:09:19.899 --> 00:09:23.839 to other losses later on in their lives. 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:26.220 So if someone, for example, 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:29.899 was inhibited from being able to grieve as a child, 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:32.139 maybe they were never allowed to cry 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:34.340 or no one got alongside them, 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:37.259 that grief would simply get stuck 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:39.539 and carried with them. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:42.460 So when they face other losses 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:44.899 later in life, 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:46.360 that would just kind of compound, 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:49.559 condense the grief they already had. 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:52.220 And of course, this, in many cases, 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:54.580 results in all sorts of dysfunctional 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:56.840 and destructive coping behaviours, 00:09:57.179 --> 00:09:59.179 such as addictions or avoidance, 00:09:59.179 --> 00:10:02.439 which in turn impacts relationships 00:10:02.439 --> 00:10:04.239 and all of life really. 00:10:08.199 --> 00:10:11.359 So do you see how, in this case, loss, 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:13.439 it can have an authority 00:10:13.439 --> 00:10:15.279 over someone's lives? 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:15.899 Yeah? 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:19.239 It's like it's giving silent orders 00:10:19.239 --> 00:10:21.139 and enforcing decision-making, 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.319 actually not so much decisions, 00:10:22.459 --> 00:10:23.879 but actually reactions 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:27.279 through to other situations. 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:29.759 And it's often driven by deep fears 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:31.120 and hurts. 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:35.320 And if you're sitting there wondering, 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:36.799 well, how do I know 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:38.120 if I have that kind of authority? 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:39.399 That sounds pretty serious, Simon. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:41.779 Well, I just encourage you 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:42.840 to look out for moments 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:44.039 when you behave in a way 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:44.580 that you think, 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:46.639 well, that's not like me, 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:49.100 or I wouldn't normally do that. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:52.100 Perhaps you might fly off the handle 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:53.460 at something that seems trivial 00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:54.199 to most people 00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:55.899 or you're deeply distressed 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:57.559 by a particular interaction 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:57.939 by someone. 00:10:58.019 --> 00:10:59.379 That's just a little flag 00:10:59.379 --> 00:10:59.899 just to go, 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:02.379 ooh, there's a deeper authority 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:05.179 at work going on there. 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:08.080 And these are like wounds. 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:10.679 And if we don't check out those wounds, 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:13.139 don't get them tended to, 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.799 it can cause us to react 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.519 rather than respond. 00:11:20.199 --> 00:11:22.000 So to go back to my failure 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.019 to share faith 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:25.139 with the dad at the rugby match, 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:27.259 even though I have the ability 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.659 and the training to do so, 00:11:29.359 --> 00:11:30.159 what was going on? 00:11:31.099 --> 00:11:32.120 Well, the fact is, 00:11:32.179 --> 00:11:33.339 and without a lot of time 00:11:33.339 --> 00:11:34.079 to go into it, 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:36.000 a lot of my strong early messaging 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:38.079 was that to get love 00:11:38.079 --> 00:11:39.120 and appreciation 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:41.079 that I deep down desire, 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:43.240 I often feel the need 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:45.259 to get people on the side. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:47.580 And that sometimes means 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:48.180 I feel the need 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:49.940 to conform 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:50.919 to what I think 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:52.740 their expectations of me will be. 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:54.120 I'm a complex being. 00:11:55.940 --> 00:11:56.560 And it means 00:11:56.560 --> 00:11:57.519 when I get to those situations 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:58.639 where someone might think 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:59.720 I'm a bit of a weirdo 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:01.500 or that I might be pushing them 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.740 out of their comfort zone, 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.440 I find that hard. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:06.379 And so I duck out of it, 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.379 I divert it, 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:08.320 or I diffuse it. 00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:09.940 And in the case of last Saturday, 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:10.480 all three. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.639 But do you see 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:13.600 how there is 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.480 an authority from within 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.120 which is holding power 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:18.039 for me 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:20.000 in particular circumstances? 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:22.480 And I'm sharing that with you 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.460 because I'm on a journey 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.080 with all this. 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:24.860 And it's one of those 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:25.940 kind of two-step-forward, 00:12:26.060 --> 00:12:26.680 one-step-back 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:27.340 kind of journeys. 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.800 But I know that the first step 00:12:29.800 --> 00:12:30.539 that I took, 00:12:30.920 --> 00:12:31.539 with help, 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.240 I should say, 00:12:32.680 --> 00:12:33.800 was to get in touch 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:34.980 with these wounds 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.399 and be curious 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:38.039 about what was going on for me. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:40.959 I wonder if you're in touch 00:12:40.959 --> 00:12:42.419 with yours. 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:47.399 So, 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:49.259 if we've got these external 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:51.439 and internal authorities 00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:53.539 influencing our lives, 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:55.079 quite often in a way 00:12:55.079 --> 00:12:58.039 that leads us away 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:59.179 from living 00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:00.399 and sharing 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.699 the story of Jesus, 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:03.299 what do we do? 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:04.699 What do we do about that? 00:13:04.719 --> 00:13:05.639 If we've got a problem, 00:13:05.959 --> 00:13:06.839 what do we do about that? 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:08.040 Well, 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:09.920 let's turn to the Bible. 00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:11.160 Finally, 00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:11.500 Vicar, 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:12.040 come on. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.840 Let's turn to Matthew's Gospel. 00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:15.899 If you've got it, 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:16.740 if you've got a Bible there, 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:17.220 it's going to come up 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:18.019 on the screen as well. 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:19.800 It will help you to know, 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.560 just to set the scene, 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:21.399 that Matthew 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.660 wrote his Gospel 00:13:22.660 --> 00:13:25.040 with a particular 00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:26.440 readership in mind. 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:27.740 He was a Jew 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:29.180 writing for 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.759 a Jewish audience. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:31.460 So, 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:32.100 as he gathered 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.259 his materials 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:34.300 and arranged 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:35.560 these stories together, 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.879 he did so in a way 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.559 that would actually 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:38.639 make most impact 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.419 on his Jewish 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.259 readership. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:42.899 And so, 00:13:42.979 --> 00:13:43.399 if you read 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.219 through Matthew's Gospel, 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:44.859 you'll see 00:13:44.859 --> 00:13:46.139 there are lots 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.179 of Hebrew Bible, 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:47.959 Old Testament 00:13:47.959 --> 00:13:49.019 references, 00:13:49.459 --> 00:13:50.179 there's prophecies 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:50.739 being fulfilled 00:13:50.739 --> 00:13:51.739 all over the place, 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:53.119 but even in the way 00:13:53.119 --> 00:13:54.019 that he's formed 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:54.819 his Gospel, 00:13:55.839 --> 00:13:56.619 it's actually 00:13:56.619 --> 00:13:58.059 made to read 00:13:58.059 --> 00:13:58.699 a bit like 00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.939 a book of the Pentateuch, 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:00.279 that is, 00:14:00.339 --> 00:14:01.339 the first five 00:14:01.339 --> 00:14:02.679 books of the Bible, 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:05.059 which are the 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:05.579 foundations 00:14:05.579 --> 00:14:06.359 for the Jewish 00:14:06.359 --> 00:14:06.759 faith. 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:07.919 And if you've got 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:08.579 time to read 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:09.459 those and Matthew's 00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:09.659 Gospel, 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.399 you'll see what I 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:10.620 mean. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.000 Because in the 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.579 Old Testament, 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:14.159 what do you see 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:14.779 in those first 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.819 five books 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.339 of the Bible? 00:14:16.419 --> 00:14:16.939 You see the 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:17.799 forming of the 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.659 people of God, 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:19.659 the twelve 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.620 tribes of Israel, 00:14:21.099 --> 00:14:21.919 and their journey 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:22.979 from slavery, 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:24.959 preparing them 00:14:24.959 --> 00:14:26.079 for life 00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:27.120 in the 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.079 promised land, 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:29.699 led by 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:30.399 Moses. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:32.759 And you'll 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.279 also find 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.299 throughout the 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:34.720 Pentateuch 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.039 and the Old 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.399 Testament, 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:36.939 God often 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:37.639 meets them 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.959 on mountaintops, 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.539 does he not? 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.340 Gives the law 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:40.980 on Sinai, 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.439 et cetera, 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:41.860 et cetera. 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.899 And you've 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.579 got this pattern 00:14:44.579 --> 00:14:45.620 of the people 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.199 of God 00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:47.360 either obeying 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.240 those commands 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:48.699 that are given 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:50.000 or disobeying 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.220 them. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.559 And in the 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.340 final chapter 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:54.620 of the final 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.480 book of the 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:55.879 Pentateuch, 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:56.620 Deuteronomy, 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:58.500 we find Moses 00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.860 blessing 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:01.740 11 tribes 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.960 of the 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:03.279 people of 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:03.480 God. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:04.019 That's 11, 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.279 yes, 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:04.620 there's one 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:04.960 missing. 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.440 And then 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:07.019 he ascends 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.300 to a 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:07.840 mountainside 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:08.440 overlooking 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:08.899 the promised 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.139 land for 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:10.480 which the 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.200 tribes are 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:12.100 to claim 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:12.620 as God 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:12.980 promised 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.300 that they 00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:13.620 would. 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.120 And there 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.620 Moses dies, 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.240 failing himself 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.180 to enter the 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:19.680 promised land 00:15:19.680 --> 00:15:20.019 because of 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.279 his own 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:20.919 disobedience. 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:21.379 Actually, 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:21.899 Mike touched 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.500 on this last 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:22.759 week, 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:23.680 if you were 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:24.000 here. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:26.779 Fast forward, 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:28.339 the final 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:29.919 chapter of 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:30.620 Matthew's 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.000 gospel, 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:31.860 what do we 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.139 have? 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:32.899 You see on 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.220 the screen 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:33.439 there, 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:34.079 Jesus 00:15:34.079 --> 00:15:34.439 gathers 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:36.019 11 disciples 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:37.959 representing 00:15:37.959 --> 00:15:39.220 the people 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:39.779 of God. 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.639 He goes 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.039 onto a 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:42.299 mountain, 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:42.779 he gathers 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.220 them to a 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:43.500 mountain, 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:43.919 and what 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.259 does he say 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:44.579 to them? 00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:45.100 He says 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:45.519 to them, 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:47.000 all authority 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.899 in heaven 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.220 and on 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:48.620 earth has 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.000 been given 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.519 to me, 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.299 therefore 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:51.159 go and 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.100 make disciples 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.320 of all 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:53.840 nations. 00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:56.899 So can 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.360 you see 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:57.899 how, 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.700 if you've 00:15:58.700 --> 00:15:58.960 got that 00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.259 kind of 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.600 reading 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.139 background, 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:00.720 you see 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.060 that Matthew 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:01.300 is trying 00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:01.720 to emphasize 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.040 here, 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:02.620 this is 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.220 the beginning 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.820 of a 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:04.259 new, 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.080 renewed 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.740 people of 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.159 God. 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.040 These 00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:07.440 11 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:07.960 disciples 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:08.659 chosen 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:09.139 as 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.860 representatives 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.879 for all 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.220 God's 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.639 people, 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:12.800 and they're 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:13.080 not just 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:13.300 going to 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:13.600 go out 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.019 and claim 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.180 the 00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:14.460 promised 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:14.960 land, 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.300 but they're 00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:16.500 going to 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.279 bring all 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:17.800 nations 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:19.180 into the 00:16:19.180 --> 00:16:20.200 life of 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:20.700 the Father, 00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.360 Son, 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.220 and Holy 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:22.639 Spirit. 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.419 But unlike 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:26.000 Moses, 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.039 careful 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.600 readers would 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.000 observe, 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.259 this great 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.080 revered leader 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:30.940 as he was, 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.159 Jesus will 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.620 go with 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:32.820 them. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:34.720 He never 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.460 disobeyed. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:36.800 Jesus, 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.240 if you like, 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:37.720 is the 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.220 greater 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.120 Moses. 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:41.180 And Jesus, 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:41.600 in fact, 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.080 is the 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.519 greater 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.340 Joshua, 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:44.320 who, 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:44.560 if you 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:44.820 remember, 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:45.300 led the 00:16:45.300 --> 00:16:46.039 people into 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.440 the promised 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:46.800 land. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:47.720 And I'm 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.000 sure you 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.360 know this, 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.300 but Joshua, 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:49.960 the Hebrew 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:50.360 word is 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:50.980 Yeshua. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:51.680 which is 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.259 exactly the 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.879 same name 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.740 as Jesus 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.220 was known 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:54.560 as. 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.340 He will 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:56.680 lead them 00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:57.080 into an 00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:57.820 even better 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.779 promised 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.480 land. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:16:59.840 In fact, 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:00.519 he is 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.139 Emmanuel, 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.700 God with 00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:03.060 us. 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:03.580 And by 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.240 his spirit 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.019 he continues 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.480 to be 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.420 until the 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:06.799 end of 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.279 the age 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.599 when he 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.420 will return 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.480 to renew 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.200 all of 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.720 creation, 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:11.339 uniting 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:11.940 heaven 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:13.140 with 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:13.860 earth. 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.720 That makes 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.140 my heart 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:16.559 beat a 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:16.860 little bit 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.299 faster. 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.639 God 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:19.759 will 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.659 be 00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:20.819 together. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.059 Let's 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.440 look a 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:21.700 little bit 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.159 closer 00:17:22.159 --> 00:17:23.779 at these 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.159 verses. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:24.700 It's 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:24.879 really 00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:25.299 encouraging, 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:25.700 isn't it? 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.339 He gathers 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:26.539 them. 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:26.740 Can we 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.000 just go 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.759 back one, 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.500 Pauline? 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:28.659 That would 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.039 be great. 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:30.559 He gathers 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:30.740 those 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.119 disciples. 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:31.519 Now, 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.039 were they 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.519 perfect? 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.099 Absolutely 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.480 not. 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:33.940 They saw 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.159 him, 00:17:34.419 --> 00:17:35.099 they worshipped 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.399 him, 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.359 but some 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:36.859 doubted. 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:37.859 Now, 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.259 I hope that's 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.639 encouraging 00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:39.099 for you. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.279 It's okay 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:40.579 to have 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.639 questions and 00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:42.019 not be 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.980 sure and 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.359 not get it 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:43.779 right all 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.279 the time, 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.039 but what 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.660 Jesus says 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.319 to each 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.660 and every 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.019 one of 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.480 them and 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.119 to us, 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:48.839 and this 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.059 is the 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.339 critical 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:49.819 bit, 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:50.799 all 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.660 authority 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.879 in heaven 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.379 and on 00:17:53.379 --> 00:17:54.259 earth has 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:54.639 been given 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.379 to me, 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.339 Jesus 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:56.759 says. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:58.920 Jesus 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.299 is the 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:00.960 name above 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.359 all names. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:03.899 It says 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:04.299 in the book 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:04.879 of Colossians, 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:05.680 for in him 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.319 all things 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.879 were created, 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:07.480 things in 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.059 heaven and 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.579 on earth, 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.759 visible and 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.220 invisible, 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:11.160 whether thrones 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:11.859 or powers 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:12.319 or rulers 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.000 or authorities, 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.140 all things 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:14.400 have been 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.779 created 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.599 through him 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.220 and for 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.559 him. 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.720 He is 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.460 before all 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:18.839 things and 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.400 in all 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.180 things hold 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.759 together. 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:22.940 So he 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.519 is greater, 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.279 Jesus that 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:24.519 is, 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:25.660 than any 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.039 ruler, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.400 any 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.019 government, 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:28.039 any 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.640 cultural 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.119 trend, 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:29.740 any 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.900 societal 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.400 trend. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.079 He is 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:33.779 greater than 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.740 any authority 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.259 that might 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.119 rule within 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.220 you and 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:37.819 within me, 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.539 any past 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:39.859 power, 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.420 any present 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:40.700 power, 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.460 any future 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:41.859 power. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.180 And his 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.000 is a rule 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.000 of peace, 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.079 joy, 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.559 and love. 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.460 Sounds good, 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.740 doesn't it? 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.079 Sounds good, 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.039 but it also 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.480 says, 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.599 how's it 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.799 actually going 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.819 to help me 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.880 overcome those 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:01.599 other voices 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.259 of authority 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:04.220 in my life 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.819 that seem to 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.339 have such a 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.539 sway on 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:06.960 how I 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.339 behave? 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.279 How can I, 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.680 as it were, 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.039 transfer his 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.680 authority 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.980 into an 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.560 authority 00:19:12.560 --> 00:19:13.140 that's in 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.820 my life? 00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:14.740 That's the 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.220 question I'm 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:15.880 asking myself. 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.360 Well, 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:17.660 let's read 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:17.820 on. 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.360 The answer 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:18.900 is in 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.740 the scriptures. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.600 He says, 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.100 therefore go 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:23.660 and make 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.580 disciples of 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.180 all nations, 00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:26.539 baptizing them 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:26.920 in the name 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.460 of the Father 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:27.940 and of the 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.460 Son of the 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.000 Holy Spirit 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.640 and teaching 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.019 them to 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.320 obey 00:19:30.320 --> 00:19:31.180 everything I 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:31.880 have commanded 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:32.180 you. 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:34.180 The key 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.600 for transferring 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.779 the authority 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.259 of Jesus 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.039 into our 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.820 lives is 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.899 discipleship. 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:42.980 Discipleship. 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:43.720 Now, what does 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.220 that word mean? 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:44.779 It's a word we 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.419 use in church 00:19:45.419 --> 00:19:45.899 a lot. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.639 I think one 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:48.919 of the most 00:19:48.919 --> 00:19:49.679 helpful descriptions 00:19:49.679 --> 00:19:50.819 I've heard of 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.720 what being a 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.259 disciple of 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.819 Jesus means 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.639 is that we 00:19:53.639 --> 00:19:54.939 become and 00:19:54.939 --> 00:19:56.399 make apprentices 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:57.700 of Jesus. 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.200 Now, when you 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.759 become an 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.919 apprentice in 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:02.359 whatever trade, 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:03.559 let's say you're 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.039 an apprentice 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.159 furniture maker, 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.299 you, obviously, 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.599 you watch and 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.299 you observe 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:11.799 your master 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.940 doing what 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.359 they do, 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.740 what they're 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:16.039 skilled and 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.839 experienced in. 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:17.759 But if you're 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.159 an apprentice, 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.519 you don't watch 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.339 what your master 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.579 makes to sort 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.319 of take it 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.559 home with 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:23.759 you. 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.319 Oh, that's a 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:24.819 nice sofa, 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:25.200 boss. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.339 Oh, that's 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:26.899 really nice how 00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:27.220 you've made 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:27.440 that. 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:27.899 Let me just 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.379 take it home 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:29.579 and I'll go 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:29.960 and sit on 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.099 it. 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.119 Is that how 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:31.440 it works? 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:31.740 Is that how 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.119 an apprenticeship 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:32.559 works? 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:33.460 If you've 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:33.680 been an 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.079 apprentice and 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.379 that's how 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:34.779 it's worked, 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.480 I'm wondering, 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.559 probably not. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.839 No, an 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:39.000 apprentice watches 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.759 learn and 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.639 does until 00:20:40.639 --> 00:20:41.659 she or he 00:20:41.659 --> 00:20:42.720 is also 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.679 able to make 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:44.460 sofas, for 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.759 example, for 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.179 others. 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:48.940 And in 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.359 fact, is 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:49.940 then in a 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.259 very good 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:51.579 position to 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.679 teach others 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:53.279 to make 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.740 sofas. 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:54.539 Are you 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:54.919 following me? 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.480 Sofa so 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:56.659 good? 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.379 Oh, 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.339 terrible. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.220 You see, 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:00.859 becoming a 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:04.119 disciple is 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.480 about, 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.339 well, it's not 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.639 just about 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.419 receiving the 00:21:06.419 --> 00:21:07.220 benefits of 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:07.679 what Jesus 00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:08.179 has done 00:21:08.179 --> 00:21:08.759 for us, 00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:09.299 although we 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.779 do do that. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.299 We receive 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:10.740 the benefits 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.220 of what he 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.799 did for us, 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.439 dying on 00:21:12.439 --> 00:21:13.579 the cross to 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.179 release us 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:14.579 from our 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.480 sins, where 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.220 he defeated 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.179 the evil 00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:19.099 authorities that 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:20.059 lie behind all 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.699 other authorities 00:21:20.699 --> 00:21:21.639 that enslave us. 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.259 Yes, he did 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.619 that, but it's 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.059 not about us 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.639 taking that and 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:23.959 just going 00:21:23.959 --> 00:21:24.339 home and 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.799 sitting on 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:24.959 them. 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.459 No, it's 00:21:27.459 --> 00:21:28.099 about becoming 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.779 skilled, 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:30.519 confident, and 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:32.240 prepared to 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.599 continually apply 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.059 what Jesus 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.839 has done and 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.639 does in our 00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.619 lives and 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:37.059 into the 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.399 lives of 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:37.719 others. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.459 So if we 00:21:41.459 --> 00:21:41.799 want to 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.199 transfer the 00:21:43.199 --> 00:21:44.079 loving authority 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:45.079 of Jesus into 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:46.159 our lives in a 00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:46.539 way that will 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.119 speak more 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.740 powerfully than 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.519 any other voice 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.579 that is telling 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.279 us what to do, 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.579 there are two 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.740 things Jesus 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:54.579 says here that 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.119 we are to do. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.799 And again, it's 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.379 right here in the 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:56.740 passage. 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:57.779 Verse 19, 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.980 we are to 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.420 baptize them in 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:00.799 the name of 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.660 the Father and 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.160 the Son of the 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.539 Holy Spirit and 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.940 teach them to 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:06.319 obey everything I 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:06.859 have commanded 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.160 you. 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.200 Now, to be 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.859 baptized is not 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:13.299 just about getting 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.420 wet one day and 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.000 then ticking a 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.440 box. 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:18.019 No, it means to 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.039 be immersed, 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:19.720 doesn't it? 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.519 Think about what 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.119 a baptism is. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.519 It means to be 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.839 immersed into the 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.579 life of the 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:23.980 Trinity. 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:25.940 Through faith, 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.160 baptism is the 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.759 gateway into the 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:30.200 life of God. 00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:31.340 We become united 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.759 to the Father 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.519 through the Son 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.080 and the power of 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:34.740 the Holy Spirit. 00:22:35.860 --> 00:22:36.640 Nothing can 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.660 separate us. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.380 We are connected, 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.320 we are bonded, 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.560 we are wedded to 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:41.840 God. 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.519 That is the 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:44.200 invitation Jesus 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.340 is giving to 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:45.980 his people. 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.340 And just as 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:48.900 each member of 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.440 the Trinity, 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.320 Father, Son, and 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:50.900 Holy Spirit, 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.600 does anything 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:54.100 for the glory and 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.940 pleasure of other 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.500 members of the 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.040 Trinity, they're 00:22:56.040 --> 00:22:56.960 constantly laying 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.740 themselves down in 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.720 love for one 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.259 another, in 00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.759 community. 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:02.039 So we too will 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.380 also desire to 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:03.700 do that. 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.759 Our lives become 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.220 all about God, 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.600 not about me. 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.180 So that's the 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:12.299 first step, is to 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:13.900 be immersed in 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.279 God. 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:15.720 That's what's 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.259 going to be the 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.600 start of transferring 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.700 that authority of 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.360 Jesus into our 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:19.640 lives. 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.100 Next step, as I 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:22.759 said, it's all 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.019 there. 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:24.799 How do we do 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:24.940 that? 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.360 How do we get 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:25.979 immersed into 00:23:25.979 --> 00:23:26.279 God? 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.179 We are to be 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:27.919 taught how to 00:23:27.919 --> 00:23:28.959 obey everything 00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:29.819 Jesus has 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.319 commanded. 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:33.059 A disciple, an 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.819 apprentice, knows 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:36.240 how to hear from 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.559 God, they know his 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:39.159 commands, but more 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:39.879 importantly they know 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.459 how to obey those 00:23:41.459 --> 00:23:42.959 commands, to put them 00:23:42.959 --> 00:23:43.759 into practice. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.359 And that, of course, 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:46.159 includes the command 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:47.379 to make disciples. 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.699 A well-made disciple, 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.859 as it were, a well-trained 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:53.339 apprentice, knows what 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.599 to do, they know why 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.879 they do it, and they 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.819 can navigate the 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.659 unknowns when they 00:23:57.659 --> 00:23:58.159 come to them. 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.659 They're skilled, they're 00:23:59.659 --> 00:24:00.359 confident, they're 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:02.579 prepared apprentices of 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:02.939 Jesus. 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.919 And this isn't just for 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:06.779 the elite, this is for 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.599 the worshippers and the 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.399 doubters, this isn't 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:09.139 just for the people with 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:10.299 dog collars and 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:12.299 degrees, oh no, this 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.159 is for everyone, 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:16.259 everyone here, and 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:18.220 everyone around us. 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:22.039 Again, here's another 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.639 definition of 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.379 discipleship, I wonder 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:25.220 if this makes your 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.019 heart sing a bit. 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:28.039 Making disciples 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.599 introduces people to 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:30.799 a God who loves them 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:32.399 and understands them. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.220 He helps them 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.460 understand who they 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.460 are and what they 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:38.339 can be, and helps 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:39.339 them apply his 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.859 transforming truths 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:42.460 and releases them as 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.500 prepared, confident, 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:45.539 and skilled to live 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:47.759 the best life ever on 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.139 earth. 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:49.720 Does that sound 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:49.940 good? 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:50.700 Yes. 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.339 Does that sound 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:51.599 good? 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:52.799 Folks, if we want 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.419 to experience that, if 00:24:53.419 --> 00:24:54.199 you want to experience 00:24:54.199 --> 00:24:56.259 this in our own lives 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.119 and in the lives of our 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:59.259 community, this is going 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.500 to take more than just 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.439 pitching up to a sermon 00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:02.139 every other week. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.619 If you want to see that 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:06.179 transfer of Jesus' 00:25:06.439 --> 00:25:08.079 authority into your 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:09.439 life to bring freedom 00:25:09.439 --> 00:25:11.039 from all those other 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:13.240 authorities, then you 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.240 need to be immersed and 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:16.159 you need to listen to and 00:25:16.159 --> 00:25:17.579 obey Jesus. 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:17.879 this. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.879 In my previous setting 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:24.220 in Harrow, I was part 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.299 of a journey of making 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.699 disciples. 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.799 We did a lot of learning 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.579 and experimenting and 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:31.779 we landed on following 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:33.639 a kind of simple, 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.720 quite intentional, 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:35.899 quite kind of 00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:39.079 counterintuitive method 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:40.759 of apprenticing people to 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.039 Jesus. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:45.059 And over just a year, I 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.680 saw a dad who was in my 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:48.740 group overcome barriers to 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.599 loving his kids. 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:52.839 I saw wives learn to serve 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.519 their non-believing 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:55.240 husbands in such a way that 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.440 husbands were like, ooh, I'd 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.359 like a little bit of that. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:00.259 I saw people overcome 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:02.019 anxieties and habits that 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.980 they'd been stuck in for 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.559 years. 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:05.619 What Jesus is saying 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:07.839 here, if we really pursue 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:10.460 discipleship, it is and it 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:12.839 can make that kind of 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.519 difference. 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:17.519 And it all flows from this 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.679 great commission. 00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:20.940 The making of disciples 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:23.299 immersed, obedient. 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:27.980 Now, I'm out of time, but if 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.259 that begins to put a bit of 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.279 fire in your belly, as it 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.299 were, if that's something 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.319 that you're, oh, yeah, I'd 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.419 like that, some of that 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:35.279 in my life, and I know my 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.620 family, my friends would 00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:37.920 like to see, well, more of 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:39.340 that in me, but also in 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:39.640 them. 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:44.140 Then, well, first of all, 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.340 don't stop nagging me until 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:46.440 we get something like this 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.779 going in Christchurch over 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.500 the months, okay? 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.920 That's a sort of pledge from 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.140 me. 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.440 Discipleship is going to 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:53.240 become a really key and 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:55.120 important aspect of our 00:26:55.120 --> 00:26:55.320 life. 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.900 Now, I know that that goes 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.600 on, absolutely. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.360 I don't, I recognise God's 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:00.560 absolutely at work, and 00:27:00.560 --> 00:27:01.680 many of you live 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.400 transformed, and Jesus 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:05.240 led lives, but we know 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:06.820 we could all do with 00:27:06.820 --> 00:27:07.140 more. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.400 And so that is something 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:10.600 that's a priority for me. 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.820 That's a sort of long-term 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:13.640 thing, but even this 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:17.700 morning, if to be a 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.519 prepared, skilled, 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:20.420 confident apprentice of 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.519 Jesus is something that 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.560 you want to do, then we 00:27:23.560 --> 00:27:24.540 just need to start by 00:27:24.540 --> 00:27:24.980 asking. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.900 We ask. 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.340 He already has you here 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.240 this morning for a 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:30.539 reason. 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:37.079 And it's a first step to 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:39.480 accept his invitation to 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:41.519 follow him and to learn 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.099 from him. 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.959 Now, many of you have been 00:27:43.959 --> 00:27:44.699 doing that for years. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.799 Some of you are fresh to 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.119 this. 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.419 But as we look at the 00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:49.299 Great Commission, and we'll 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.059 just have a moment in a 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.339 moment to recommission 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.039 ourselves in the Great 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.179 Commission, but it begins 00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:54.699 with us. 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:56.660 Where are we at in our 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:58.460 apprenticeship to Jesus? 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:01.380 It's going to leave some 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:01.740 space. 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.420 Think it through. 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.779 Feel in your heart. 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.220 Maybe you're feeling like 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.299 you're miles away at the 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.500 moment. 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:12.860 Maybe this is kind of a new 00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:14.700 idea that we can apprentice 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:19.000 ourselves to the Master, and 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.840 that that is the thing that 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:22.340 will bring freedom and life 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:23.059 to its fullness. 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:28.680 And I also wonder whether, 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.220 just as I started, just to 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.700 literally lift the lid on 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:34.620 this idea of those inner 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.960 voices, those inner 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:38.200 authorities that come from 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:41.140 places of hurt and fear, I 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:42.279 wonder if the Holy Spirit's 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.740 just beginning to help you 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:46.840 shine a gentle light on 00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:47.680 something for you. 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:51.759 And if so, just allow him. 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.080 The Spirit is gentle. 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:55.379 And where we're willing, he 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.579 will just help us. 00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:58.000 He wants to bring healing, 00:28:58.639 --> 00:29:01.799 hope to those places, and 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:03.619 to release us from things 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.799 that have become authorities 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:07.659 in our lives that he is a 00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:09.000 much better authority on. 00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:12.519 So again, just leave some 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.919 space, just trusting that the 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.960 Holy Spirit is already at 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.319 work. 00:29:16.919 --> 00:29:19.899 We need to bring healing to 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.560 those wounds. 00:29:24.560 --> 00:29:26.220 And even with those wounds, 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:28.740 God, or perhaps particularly 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:30.240 those with those wounds, he 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:32.600 wants to invite each of us to 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:34.620 be those who live and share the 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:37.440 story of Jesus, who takes part in 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:39.920 this life-fulfilling mission. 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:43.160 And before I sort of invite 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:45.759 whoever those who want to to be 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.500 sort of recommissioned in that, 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:50.279 each of us, every single one of 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:53.619 us, may have an opportunity this 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:56.559 week to either share the story of 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:58.039 God's love or show it. 00:29:58.799 --> 00:30:00.440 And I just invite you, together with 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.359 the Holy Spirit, just to maybe 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:02.140 highlight that. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:05.339 Maybe just think ahead in the week 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:06.680 who you're going to be meeting. 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.640 Maybe you're anticipating a rather 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:12.420 tricky conversation or encounter. 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:15.560 Maybe it's back in with family. 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:17.220 And family can be sometimes the 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:19.380 hardest people to talk to about 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:19.800 faith. 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:25.960 So if you would like the Holy 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:28.360 Spirit's help in that situation, 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:31.480 and in the rest of your life, and 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:33.279 for the weeks and months ahead, and 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.340 for the years ahead, to be 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:37.620 apprentices to Jesus, making 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:40.519 disciples of ourselves and others, 00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:42.019 can I invite those who would just 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.859 like to receive some help for that? 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.680 To stand? 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:47.400 Or if you're not able to stand, you 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.500 might just want to raise your hand, 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:50.079 or in some way indicate that you 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:52.839 would like to be filled with the 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:57.279 Spirit of God, to afresh, make 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.299 disciples of all nations. 00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:01.099 Just put your hands out, hands up, 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:02.000 stand up, whatever. 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:05.079 God takes us in all shapes and 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.379 sizes. 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:05.379 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:14.339 Let's just hear those words again. 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:16.460 And just imagine that there's Jesus 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.400 saying to you, 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:22.480 all authority in heaven and earth 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:24.180 has been given to me. 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:29.720 Therefore, go and make disciples of all 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:32.259 nations, baptizing them in the name of 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.359 the Father, the Son, and the Holy 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:35.759 Spirit, and teaching them to obey 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:38.240 everything I have commanded. 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:44.559 Behold, I am with you to the very end of 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.240 the age. 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:47.980 Holy Spirit, come and fill your people 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:52.620 afresh for the work and the life of 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:54.400 mission that you have given us. 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:57.940 Not a place that's just contained in here, 00:31:58.019 --> 00:32:00.740 but our everyday lives where you have 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:04.160 called us to be light and salt, to be 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:06.440 beacons of hope. 00:32:08.080 --> 00:32:09.900 And Lord, even, and perhaps especially in 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:11.320 those areas of our lives in which we feel 00:32:11.320 --> 00:32:14.940 so wounded that there seems to be a sort 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:16.740 of authoritative grip, Lord, I know that 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:19.340 even the things that the enemy means for 00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:20.980 evil, he's working for our good. 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:24.259 They might especially be the places where 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:27.160 God wants to use you to share his love 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:27.660 with others. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:29.820 So wherever we're at on that journey, Lord, 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:32.900 we ask for your Holy Spirit to fill us up, 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:36.680 send us out in your power to live and work 00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:38.680 to the praise of your glory. 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:40.240 Amen. 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.360 Amen. 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.880 I invite the band to come.