WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.060 One of the things at Watermark that we want to do is be a church which is also raising up other people to preach and to lead in different ways. 00:00:15.900 --> 00:00:20.120 So today's going to be a little bit different from normal. There's going to be two of us preaching. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:24.640 Don't worry, it's not going to go on until past your lunchtime. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:32.340 But Ed and myself will be preaching this morning and just bringing God's word to us as we continue the series looking at mission. 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:39.939 But before we do that, I want to invite Gary and Iris to come and bring God's word to us in scripture reading. 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:49.439 The scripture reading comes from Matthew and 1 Peter. 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:53.320 Please follow along in your bulletin or on the screen. 00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:58.160 In Matthew chapter 28, we read, 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:06.739 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:10.740 And when they saw him, they worshipped him. 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:12.620 But some doubted. 00:01:13.420 --> 00:01:15.799 And Jesus came and said to them, 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:21.359 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:26.859 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, 00:01:27.759 --> 00:01:33.700 baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 00:01:34.819 --> 00:01:38.319 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:43.039 And behold, I am with you always, 00:01:43.039 --> 00:01:45.379 to the end of the age. 00:01:46.419 --> 00:01:49.500 And in 1 Peter chapter 3, we read, 00:01:49.939 --> 00:01:54.639 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:58.879 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:00.700 you will be blessed. 00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:04.599 Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:08.939 But in your hearts, honor Christ, the Lord as holy, 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:13.340 always being prepared to make a defense to anyone 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:16.979 who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:20.599 Yet do it with gentleness and respect, 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:22.840 having a good conscience, 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:25.979 so that when you are slandered, 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:31.719 those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:35.180 For it is better to suffer for doing good, 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:37.280 if that should be God's will, 00:02:37.979 --> 00:02:39.419 than for doing evil. 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:43.500 For Christ also suffered once for sins, 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:46.459 the righteous for the unrighteous, 00:02:46.859 --> 00:02:48.859 that he might bring us to God, 00:02:48.860 --> 00:02:51.740 being put to death in the flesh, 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:55.100 but made alive in the spirit. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:02:57.980 This is the word of God. 00:02:57.979 --> 00:02:58.979 God bless you. 00:02:58.979 --> 00:02:59.219 Amen. 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:15.579 Hi, good morning, Watermark. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:17.899 My name is Ed. 00:03:17.959 --> 00:03:19.659 I'm one of the members here, 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:21.280 and also one of the elders here. 00:03:22.500 --> 00:03:24.979 Now I just want to lead us into a time of pastoral prayer. 00:03:24.979 --> 00:03:27.239 It's not me praying, 00:03:27.399 --> 00:03:31.679 but it's Watermark praying to our sovereign and living God. 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:34.159 So if I could just invite you to pray with me. 00:03:35.859 --> 00:03:37.019 Dear Heavenly Father, 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:39.679 as we enter into this Lenten season, 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:41.479 we thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:44.439 who advocates for our righteousness and salvation. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:47.759 We thank you for being a powerful and sovereign king, 00:03:47.859 --> 00:03:49.280 and yet a gentle servant king, 00:03:49.359 --> 00:03:51.839 who continues to pursue us individually. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:57.599 We pray for your Holy Spirit to minister to those who are affected by the COVID-19 virus, 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:59.860 for those who are sick in Hubei and across the globe, 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:03.280 for the health workers who are strained and pushed to their limits. 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:07.259 We pray for those family who have experienced loss and are hurting. 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:12.379 Families in China who may have had their relative pass away in Hubei 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:15.980 and experience a scent of hopelessness because there's nothing they can do. 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:18.060 The city remains closed and they cannot visit them. 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:20.660 God, will you draw close to them. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:24.519 We pray that the Holy Spirit be with those who suffer and mourn, 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:26.920 and now pouring of your grace and love upon them, 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:30.540 may you let them know that there is a Heavenly Father that deeply cares for them, 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:31.800 that they are not alone. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:36.139 We pray that as the world tackles COVID-19, 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:39.519 we pray that you will use this time and situation for an awakening, 00:04:39.899 --> 00:04:43.420 for the hearts to become receptive to receiving you as Lord and Savior, 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:45.720 as confidence in man-made things diminishes. 00:04:45.720 --> 00:04:52.600 We pray that as you take away busyness from the lives of people in Hong Kong and globally, 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:57.860 that we will learn to be still and know to grow in all of you being God. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:04:59.780 We pray against fear. 00:04:59.940 --> 00:05:00.780 We pray against racism. 00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:01.800 We pray against division. 00:05:01.960 --> 00:05:02.860 We pray against bigotry. 00:05:02.940 --> 00:05:08.240 We pray that we will see each other as inherently valuable as you do during this time. 00:05:08.960 --> 00:05:13.400 We pray for unity among Hong Kong churches as you prepare your church for a new season. 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:16.659 We pray that your will be done, that you will prune the church as you will, 00:05:16.739 --> 00:05:18.639 that you will bring unity to church as you will, 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:25.019 and that we will be a united church ready to be your hands and feet for the revival in Hong Kong, 00:05:25.079 --> 00:05:26.359 that we pray that is to come. 00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:32.239 We pray for Watermark Church, that will be a body of Christ that takes on the mission of Christ. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:37.139 We pray that the missions, the value of missions, drops deep into every one of our hearts, 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:39.839 and that we will take up our cross for the sake of the cross. 00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:42.599 We pray for an emboldening of our hearts. 00:05:42.719 --> 00:05:48.079 We pray for testimonies, many, many testimonies, as we step out in faith and encounter Jesus in the mission fields. 00:05:48.719 --> 00:05:53.399 We thank you, Heavenly Father, for who you are, for sustaining us and giving us this very day. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:56.319 And all these things we pray in Jesus' name. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:57.219 Amen. 00:05:57.220 --> 00:06:10.020 Now, last week, Kevin preached that to be a people of God, we are also the mission of God, 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:17.420 that we were invited to take part of God's movement to restore a sinful and broken world to him. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:21.860 Now, as in Acts, and as in Psalm 67, it reads, 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:24.939 May your ways and salvation be known among nations. 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:27.600 May all nations praise you. 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:32.379 Now, this week, as Chris just mentioned, we will continue in talking about missions, 00:06:32.520 --> 00:06:35.080 and you get two for the price of one. 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:38.660 I guess there's a lot of bargains out there during the COVID virus, and you get one today. 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:47.819 Now, the Great Commission is a sermon passage that I think a lot of us are very familiar with, 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:49.460 probably heard a lot. 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:57.899 And for me, personally, as the sinner that I am, when I reflect on the Great Commission, 00:06:58.379 --> 00:07:06.060 what I think of in my mind is my highlight reel of Ed's greatest evangelistic moments. 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:08.199 Top five, top ten. 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:13.379 Was it the time that I got to minister to my colleague at work because he started dating a Christian girl? 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:19.779 Or was it the time that I brought my long-term high school friend, who I haven't met in a long time, 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:23.779 after a casual steak dinner and invited him to pray the repentance prayer, and he did. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:29.159 At other times, I approached the Great Commission with this laissez-faire approach. 00:07:29.659 --> 00:07:37.040 It's like, I treat it as, Great Commission is great, but it's for those who are called to the mission fields. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:38.660 Someone like Amelia. 00:07:39.260 --> 00:07:48.580 Amelia was called to minister to the Hakka people of Taiwan, so she dropped her things, decided to drop her life in Hong Kong, 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:54.540 moved to Taiwan, started learning Chinese for the past two or three years, and she's following that mission. 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:56.980 Great Commission is for her. 00:07:56.980 --> 00:08:00.560 You know, people in the foreign mission fields, not for me. 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:09.660 But in both of these responses, whether I act as a performance Christian or a licensed Christian, 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:13.500 those, my heart is in the wrong place. 00:08:14.200 --> 00:08:17.379 And today, we're going to be talking about what the Great Commission is really about. 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:18.439 Jesus. 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:20.460 It's all about Jesus. 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:29.319 In fact, the Great Commission begins because of Jesus, is a response to Jesus, and is sustained by the Spirit of Jesus. 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:36.419 When we read the passage of the Great Commission, it's very easy to focus on, 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.679 go and make disciples of all nations. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:41.059 Because that's kind of probably the most famous phrase. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:48.139 But, there is a radical claim that Jesus makes right before that, 00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:51.259 that I would argue is probably even more important. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:53.000 Because Jesus says, 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:57.059 all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:08:58.059 --> 00:09:01.519 That is, when the resurrected Jesus makes the claim, 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:07.759 Jesus is claiming in no uncertain terms that his status is that of equal to God. 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:12.259 One who rules over kingdoms is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:14.659 I think we're just working. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:17.200 There's some slides in the background that could pop up. 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:23.080 Now, to the Jewish people, the Gospel of Matthew was written for the Jewish people. 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:28.480 To the Jewish people, this would have been a radical, radical claim. 00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:30.439 Very eye-popping. 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:33.600 Because to the Jewish people, there's only two authority. 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:39.299 There's Torah, the Word of God, and Yahweh, God himself. 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:45.879 And so, when Jesus makes this claim and challenges the authority and worship of the Jewish, 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:47.919 the paradigm of authority and worship, 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:50.099 Jesus is making a very bold claim. 00:09:50.479 --> 00:09:53.799 And that's really the key point to the Gospel of Matthew. 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:58.679 That Jesus is Emmanuel, the fulfillment of the Messiah that is, 00:09:59.079 --> 00:10:01.259 the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:10.500 In fact, in Matthew chapter 1, Matthew begins with tracing the lineage of Jesus to Abraham. 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:15.039 And as we learned last week, from Genesis 22, 18, it says, 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:18.740 through your offspring, this is God speaking to Abraham, 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:21.159 through your offspring, all nations would be blessed. 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:27.000 Every Jewish reader would know that the implied implication of that is that Jesus is the Messiah. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:33.919 Twelve times Matthew mentions that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy and that prophecy. 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:37.700 And at the bookend of the Matthew of Jesus, it said, 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:38.779 Jesus, what does Jesus say? 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:44.539 Go and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:47.580 Equality, but distinct. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:49.240 Distinct, but equal. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:50.919 The point is this. 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:55.220 It was always God's plan to bring salvation to this world. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:57.700 And Jesus is the fulfillment of that. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:01.940 Jesus is God's promised salvation to mankind. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:05.560 Without Jesus, there is no Great Commission, 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:08.139 because there would be no path to salvation. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:14.019 There is no way back to be with our Heavenly Father who is holy and righteous. 00:11:15.040 --> 00:11:18.860 The Great Commission is a movement that begins because of Jesus, 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:21.639 because of who He is and what He has done. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:27.299 Now, in the passage, the disciples are traveling to Galilee, 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:31.319 and they encounter Jesus, and they worship Him. 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:34.439 And that's a natural response for seeing a resurrected Messiah. 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:37.679 You just saw this guy die maybe like, you know, a couple weeks ago, 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:41.319 and here there he is, the resurrected Messiah standing there. 00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:43.019 And of course, you're going to worship Him. 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:46.279 And then Jesus goes and commissions them and says, 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:48.379 go and make disciples. 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:52.100 Now, why is this sequence of events important? 00:11:54.459 --> 00:11:58.019 The disciples first encounter, then the disciples worship, 00:11:58.419 --> 00:12:00.079 and then the disciples get commissioned. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:07.879 This is important because missions always starts with an encounter and worship of our Lord. 00:12:08.959 --> 00:12:13.259 You have to be changed by the gospel to want to share the gospel. 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:16.519 You know, I believe everyone, I believe, 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:19.860 has a thing that they like to share with their friends or family. 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:23.039 You know, it could be your favorite book, your favorite restaurant. 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:28.659 I think most topical these days is we want to share the most latest COVID news, right? 00:12:28.939 --> 00:12:32.240 Where to go to get toilet paper, where to go to get masks, 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:34.139 where not to go because there's infected people. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:37.799 Well, my thing is sharing good deals. 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:41.559 I love to scour the, if you know me, you know me. 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:44.419 I love to scour the internet for good deals, 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:51.199 mostly with regards to good places to take Trish to a discounted date night dinner, 00:12:51.839 --> 00:12:55.159 good places for a staycation, best value, 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:59.599 or also best ways to accumulate Asian miles for free flights. 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:04.039 Now, I love to share this with my friends. 00:13:04.359 --> 00:13:04.679 Why? 00:13:05.099 --> 00:13:06.359 Because these are good things. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:08.639 I mean, these are good experiences and good deals, 00:13:08.739 --> 00:13:10.619 and I want to share good things with my friends. 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:16.740 And in the similar way, the motivation of missions comes from the worship of our Lord. 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:22.100 Mission begins with an encounter with Jesus that changes you. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:28.340 Unless you encounter Jesus and see that he is a treasure above all earthly treasures, 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:30.960 you wouldn't naturally look to make disciples. 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:34.659 But where this analogy totally ends is that, you know, 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:36.639 Jesus is not merely a good thing. 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:40.080 Jesus is life-giving. 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:44.779 And so, if I'm so willing to share about good things and good experiences with my friends, 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:46.860 sometimes I always ask myself, 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:49.419 why am I not more bold in sharing about Jesus, 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:52.439 who gives life and is infinitely more valuable? 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:58.700 Now, the most integral part of this passage is make disciples. 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:02.620 Like, this is a really important instruction that you read in this passage. 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:07.920 And as such, it is imperative that we understand what discipleship looks like. 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:12.339 Now, discipleship, as it was meant in this, written in this text, 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:15.279 is defined in the context of the Jewish religion. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:21.360 If a rabbi agreed to be a disciple of a younger boy and a man, 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:27.740 that disciple will agree to submit to the authority of the rabbi 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:36.779 in all areas of his life with regards to the interpretation of scripture for all of his life. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:41.159 That's a very, very high bar for devotion. 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:47.379 The rabbi-disciple relationship is deep, is relational, and transparent. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:51.740 The disciple would observe how the rabbi deals with things, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:56.299 matters of the family, with marriage, with money, 00:14:56.299 --> 00:15:01.240 and he would choose, he would seek to copy him, to emulate him. 00:15:01.719 --> 00:15:03.439 And that's the role of the disciple. 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:10.919 And there's a story once told that a disciple so wanted to learn from the rabbi 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:13.539 that he hid in the rabbi's bedroom 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:19.120 so that he can learn from the rabbi how to be intimate with his future wife. 00:15:19.979 --> 00:15:22.039 So that's how close there is. 00:15:22.099 --> 00:15:25.599 It's total devotion, and there's total transparency, and it's very deep. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:31.560 When we translate this rabbi-disciple relationship to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:37.759 it means that as a disciple of Jesus, we are to fully surrender to him 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:45.920 and take Jesus and his teachings as our only and ultimate authority. 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:51.500 Our love for Jesus versus the things of this world must be like in Luke 14, 26, 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.299 which says, 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:57.599 If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, 00:15:57.959 --> 00:16:02.019 yes, even their own life, such a person cannot be my disciple. 00:16:02.459 --> 00:16:04.559 That is, on a relative basis, 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:09.559 versus our love for even the most dearest things to us in this world, 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:14.739 we must love Jesus infinitely more, many folds more. 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:19.719 A disciple then, therefore, if we read into all this context, 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:24.739 would naturally take on the mission and the purpose of Jesus. 00:16:25.699 --> 00:16:27.779 As in the parable of the lost sheep, 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:32.639 where the good shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to seek that one sheep. 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:35.860 That is the heart of Jesus. 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:38.939 Jesus' heart is for that lost sheep. 00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:44.580 His heart is so that he knows that everyone is so valuable 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:50.840 that he will go to the ends of the earth to go after every one lost sheep. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:57.000 And if to be the disciple of Jesus means to take Jesus as the only authority 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.840 and ultimate authority, 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:03.560 and if Jesus' heart was about lost sheep, 00:17:04.340 --> 00:17:08.100 then as disciples, we have to be about lost sheep as well. 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:12.180 To be the people of God is to be the mission of God. 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:14.279 And I think you heard that from Kevin yesterday. 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.799 But this is the key point. 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:19.360 You cannot be a true disciple of Jesus 00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:21.940 and not be seeking to make disciples. 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:25.579 And I just repeat that because this really spoke to me. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:29.539 Because being a disciple of Jesus, 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:35.700 this sermon really helped me define what my walk with Jesus should really be like. 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:39.839 You cannot be a true disciple of Jesus 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:43.139 and not be seeking to make disciples. 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.659 Because that is his heart. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:49.180 Now, making disciples, that's a daunting task. 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.660 I mean, that's a daunting task. 00:17:50.800 --> 00:17:54.660 And I think in our culture, you know, our DIY, do-it-yourself culture, 00:17:54.800 --> 00:17:57.600 we, you know, we just think about, let's pull up our bootstraps 00:17:57.600 --> 00:17:58.820 and let's just go out there. 00:17:59.060 --> 00:18:00.700 Let's follow a formulaic plan. 00:18:01.080 --> 00:18:03.320 You know, five steps to evangelize in the workplace, 00:18:03.600 --> 00:18:05.840 ten steps to make a disciple, and let's go. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:11.819 But the reality is, the Great Commission is not a movement that belongs to us. 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:13.059 It's God's movement. 00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:18.000 And so making a disciple means changing the hearts of an individual. 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:24.240 And how can man, how can we change the hearts and affection of another person? 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:25.639 That is impossible. 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:28.939 Heart change is the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:36.200 And so this impossible task is only possible with the help of Jesus, 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.420 the Spirit of Jesus. 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:41.900 The Holy Spirit is so important that in the movement, 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:43.559 that in Acts 1-4, it says, 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.980 Do not leave Jerusalem. 00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:46.059 Jesus says to his disciples, 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:49.120 Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.920 which you have heard me speak about. 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:55.519 And in the same vein, Jesus reassures his disciples in verse 20, 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:58.720 Surely I am with you always to the very end of age. 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:00.759 And now he instructs them to go. 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.860 Go to all nations. 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:04.860 Now remember in verse 17, 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:08.700 when the disciples encountered Jesus, 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.200 it says, 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:13.660 They worshipped him, but some still doubted. 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:18.900 Well, Jesus' disciples weren't the crackerjack, hot shots, faithful men 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:21.180 that we all put them out to be. 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:23.259 They were actually still very much sinners. 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:27.259 And they still struggled to trust in Jesus. 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:31.319 But yet, Jesus still entrusts his mission to them. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:36.640 The thing that is going to make you successful is not how well you speak, 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:38.019 or how well you argue. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.940 It's that Jesus is with you. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:45.859 And practically speaking, that means we need less of us and more of him. 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:48.960 It means that we pray for heart change more than try to change hearts. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:51.900 It means that we are bold in impossible situations, 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:53.500 because it's not about us. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:55.220 And it means that we can be bold in missions, 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:57.840 because nothing is impossible with him. 00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:01.279 This is God's movement, and not our movement. 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:05.340 And I think John 15, 5 summarizes best. 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:07.240 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:10.059 If you remain in me, and I in you, 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.559 you will bear much fruit. 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.759 Apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:18.279 So when I reflect back at how I respond to the Great Commission, 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:23.180 whether it be Ed Choi's greatest evangelistic highlight reel, 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:27.539 or passing the buck to missionaries like Amelia, 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.420 I am led to repentance. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:35.460 I repent that I fall short of being a true disciple of Jesus, 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:38.759 where someone who takes Jesus as my only authority, 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:42.059 and ultimate authority in my life. 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:44.240 How many voices do I have 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:46.419 commenting to me on this and that, 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.879 about how to live life? 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:50.460 And how many times do I listen to those voices instead of Jesus? 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:54.619 I repent that there still exists a large gap 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:56.619 between my heart and the heart of Jesus, 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:59.299 especially with regards to lost sheep. 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:03.379 And I repent that oftentimes I choose to glorify myself 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:06.839 than to bear the cost of missions. 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:09.819 I want to invite Chris now to share about 1 Peter 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:11.859 and the cost of missions. 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:19.299 Great. Thanks, Ed. 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:22.000 That was really helpful. 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:30.619 So I want to just really follow on from what Ed was talking about 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:32.679 and having a look at the 1 Peter passage, 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:37.919 which is written about 30 years or so after the Great Commission. 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:42.800 And you're getting to see where this Great Commission flows out in practice 00:21:42.800 --> 00:21:44.220 in people's lives. 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:47.160 Because many of us, 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:49.759 if you're a Christian and you've been in church for a while, 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:52.080 you know that we're supposed to share the gospel 00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:54.480 and be bringing Jesus' love to people. 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:56.840 Most of us are not unaware of the information. 00:21:56.839 --> 00:22:04.279 But actually, most of us struggle in reality with that. 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:08.500 And it's not because we don't know the information. 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:12.859 It's because mission will always cost us. 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:16.939 You see, it costs Jesus everything. 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.859 His whole life. 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.919 And if we are following as his disciples, 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:23.599 it's also going to cost us too. 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:28.299 You know, I read a story of a family in the U.S. 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:31.539 who befriended this guy in their neighborhood 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:35.919 who is a very private, kind of lonely, reclusive kind of guy. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.580 And their relationship started off 00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:40.620 as they just got to walk their dog with him. 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:42.080 And they built up a friendship. 00:22:42.300 --> 00:22:44.140 And eventually, they invited him into their home. 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:46.440 And they were beginning to share the gospel. 00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:48.080 He was hanging out with their family. 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:51.960 And then one day, they woke up to see over in his house, 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:54.759 the police had cordoned off the whole of his house. 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:59.039 And they were bringing out drug-making equipment 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.940 from his property. 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:06.100 And they discovered that he'd actually been making crystal meth 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:08.340 and producing it in his basement. 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:12.200 And then all the neighbors around them, 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:16.920 suddenly, because this family had associated with him, 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:21.640 they began to start, like, rumors started going around. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:24.840 Everyone started kind of backing off and backing away from, 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.240 like, are you involved? 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:28.059 Like, how could you do this? 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:29.840 How could you encourage this in our neighborhood? 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:33.580 And people, they would walk down the street, 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:35.880 and people would just walk the other way from them. 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:41.480 Because they had associated with this guy. 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:46.299 And their reputation became linked to this guy's reputation. 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:52.160 Now, when we are following Jesus as God, 00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:54.220 as the Lord of our life, 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.920 Jesus isn't a drug dealer. 00:23:57.740 --> 00:24:00.320 He's not actually even just a nice teacher. 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:04.620 If you really see who Jesus actually is, 00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:06.200 for many people, 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:08.799 he's really somebody who's actually quite weird and dangerous. 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:13.440 If you really see what he's actually saying in our lives. 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:15.340 You see, in Peter's day, 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.220 who's writing this, 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:18.340 no one had a problem with worshiping Jesus. 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:21.840 They had a problem with worshiping only Jesus. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:24.419 Because that was too exclusive. 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:26.980 Because the pagans around them, 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:28.859 all their gods required worship. 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:30.379 And if you weren't worshiping them, 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:33.299 then you could bring the anger of the gods on your community. 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:36.980 And that was going to be dangerous for you. 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:40.539 And so Christians at that time, 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:42.440 were treated either indifferently, 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.519 or they were mocked, 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:45.319 or just treated as a threat. 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.579 You know, when I was in the UK, 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.799 actually, there was Franklin Graham, 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.440 who was the son of Billy Graham, 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:53.079 was actually coming to just, 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:55.460 do some sharing of the gospel with people. 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:57.240 But he was banned from speaking, 00:24:57.720 --> 00:25:00.259 because of some of his views on gay marriage. 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.579 And there was actually, 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.519 when I was there in the city, 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:04.599 there was a massive campaign against him. 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:08.980 Because people think that Christians, 00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:10.000 and some of their beliefs, 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:11.819 it's not just old-fashioned any longer. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.639 It's even dangerous. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.879 And isn't that what we fear? 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:20.420 We fear a sense of social rejection by people. 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:21.639 Don't we? 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:23.539 That was the situation for them. 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.559 And Peter here, 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:26.359 he says this in the passage. 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:26.859 He says, 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:30.639 even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.900 you will be blessed. 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:34.340 Don't have no fear of them, 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.720 nor be troubled, 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:37.140 but in your hearts, 00:25:37.340 --> 00:25:39.880 honor Christ the Lord as holy. 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:42.920 You see, when Christ is Lord, 00:25:43.060 --> 00:25:45.700 it challenges our idols and our fears. 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.800 Do you know that word, 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:47.960 honor Christ as Lord? 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:49.460 It's actually one word in Greek, 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:52.340 which is sanctify Christ as Lord. 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:54.360 That means set him apart as Lord. 00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:55.620 He is Lord. 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.900 He has all authority. 00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:58.880 But actually, 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:01.340 we can sing about Jesus as Lord, 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:02.740 and we worship him on a Sunday, 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:04.799 but actually we can go out in the rest of our weeks 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:06.699 and worship somebody else as Lord 00:26:06.699 --> 00:26:08.899 or something else as Lord in our weeks. 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.299 Because in our hearts, 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:13.500 we fear other people more than we fear him. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.919 In our hearts, 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.259 we want to please other people 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.500 more than we want to please him. 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:19.599 We fear awkward conversations 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:21.900 more than we fear dishonoring him. 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.420 And you know, 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:26.779 the mission of God puts in crystal clear focus 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:30.500 whether Jesus is not just Lord of our mouths, 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:32.220 but is Lord of our hearts too, 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.460 because it's uncomfortable. 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:37.740 And I'm really challenged by this, 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:39.240 but actually I think it's true 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:41.380 that the only reason, 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:45.079 the only reason that stops me 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:47.380 from boldly proclaiming Jesus as Lord 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:50.259 and shaping my life around his mission 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:53.059 is because functionally, 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.960 I'm making something else in my heart 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.759 Lord and not him. 00:26:57.360 --> 00:27:00.680 I'm worshiping something else and not Jesus. 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.039 Because if, 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.860 like Ed was saying, 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:04.440 if Jesus is filling my heart, 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:06.160 he's got to overthrow flow 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.560 in the way that I live my life 00:27:07.560 --> 00:27:09.279 and the words that I speak. 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.039 You know, 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:11.980 last week I was in a cafe 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:14.140 and I got talking to the server 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:15.400 behind the counter 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:18.799 and we started having a great conversation. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.820 We were talking about, 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.000 we talked about sin, 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.820 we talked about death, 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.400 we talked about church, 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.400 and then I knew I needed to come on 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.200 and talk about Jesus. 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.900 And suddenly I was like, 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:30.539 I felt weird. 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.200 I was kind of, 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:32.860 and Jesus, 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:33.980 it's kind of mumbling. 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.720 And I thought to myself, 00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:39.140 why do I do that? 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.799 And I do that because, 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.120 you know, 00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:43.940 you see that look? 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.799 Here's a religious nut kind of look. 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.460 You know that? 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.240 Right? 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:51.480 And I don't like awkward conversations 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:53.080 and I don't like making other people 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:54.160 feel awkward either. 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:56.340 I'd like just life to be fairly smooth 00:27:56.340 --> 00:27:57.259 for you to like me. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:57.840 You know, 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.880 you can have your faith, 00:27:58.880 --> 00:28:00.880 but I want nothing much 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:02.160 to disturb my life. 00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.860 Anyone like me? 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.780 One person at the back. 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.160 Good. 00:28:07.780 --> 00:28:08.700 Everyone else is sorted. 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.760 I'll just talk to you, 00:28:09.800 --> 00:28:10.000 Tiff. 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:14.840 But I've got this friend in Shanghai 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.959 and he's a lawyer. 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:19.579 And at board meetings 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.679 or client meetings, 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.859 he would come in 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:24.459 and he'd bring his Bible with him 00:28:24.459 --> 00:28:25.919 and put it straight on the table. 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.199 And then people would look at it 00:28:28.199 --> 00:28:28.619 and go, 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.939 what's that? 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.679 And he'd go, 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:31.959 well, 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.819 just very briefly, 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.299 he'd say, 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.639 well, 00:28:33.939 --> 00:28:34.740 I'm a Christian 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:36.459 and Jesus is the most important thing to me 00:28:36.459 --> 00:28:38.119 and I just want to rely on his words. 00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:41.159 That's risky, 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.559 right? 00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:43.679 That's like, 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:45.239 he could lose clients 00:28:45.239 --> 00:28:46.099 because of that. 00:28:46.679 --> 00:28:47.679 That's like somebody 00:28:47.679 --> 00:28:48.779 who's actually saying, 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:50.799 Jesus is really Lord. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.839 Because for him, 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.639 he knows 00:28:55.639 --> 00:28:56.439 that actually, 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:58.359 even though someone thinks I'm weird, 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:58.839 and actually, 00:28:58.939 --> 00:28:59.500 I can tell you, 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.959 he's had so many conversations 00:29:00.959 --> 00:29:02.299 where people have then gone to him, 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.759 huh, 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.219 so what is it that you believe? 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:07.200 And what Peter says is, 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.900 be prepared to give a reason 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.319 for the hope that you have. 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:12.299 And because he's been living in a way 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:14.240 where he's honoring Jesus as Lord, 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.460 so it's actually enabled him 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.259 to have opportunities 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.900 to then go, 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:19.059 and here's why I believe this. 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:21.799 This is what Peter is talking about. 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.559 But in mission, 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.460 if Jesus is Lord, 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:26.019 then my reputation isn't. 00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:29.500 And so we don't play it safe any longer. 00:29:30.100 --> 00:29:31.220 We're willing to put our reputations 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.460 on the line. 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.200 So, 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.620 you know, 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.819 Peter says here, 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:38.220 have no fear. 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.980 Have no fear. 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.819 Have no fear. 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.220 Why? 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.480 Because I've got this. 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:46.140 You can trust me. 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.220 But actually, 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.960 we often justify 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:50.559 our idolatries, 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:52.100 the things we put before God, 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.860 with excuses. 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:56.600 Some of the excuses we go, 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:58.140 I'm not very good at arguments. 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.380 Right? 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.779 I'm not very smart. 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:04.079 I always seem to kind of mess up conversations. 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.480 Things always seem to go badly. 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:07.460 Has anyone ever thought like that? 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.579 But if Jesus is Lord, 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.359 do you know what he says? 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.139 He says, 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:14.560 why are you relying on your ability? 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.820 If I, 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.000 as the great king 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.380 of the whole universe, 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:21.280 have entrusted you 00:30:21.280 --> 00:30:22.320 and you're representing 00:30:22.320 --> 00:30:23.240 with a message 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.160 of the king 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:25.980 whose love is so expansive 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.860 and great 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:28.259 that the universe 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.200 cannot contain it, 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.340 how on earth do you think 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:31.240 that you can possibly 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.940 adequately 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:33.540 communicate that 00:30:33.540 --> 00:30:34.780 by yourself? 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:38.200 That's actually arrogance. 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.720 Why are you making 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.559 all about you? 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.319 Because he says, 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:43.579 no, 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.660 the gospel 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:46.160 humbles us to go, 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:48.200 Jesus doesn't choose 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:49.160 adequate people. 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.680 He chooses you 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.099 if you're completely inadequate. 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.440 In fact, 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.399 if you think you're adequate, 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:55.960 then you're going to 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.740 screw it all up. 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.740 He chooses people 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.279 who fumble 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.000 and are clumsy 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.680 and, you know, 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.059 just make mistakes 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.599 and just, 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.660 we're sinful. 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.200 So that's why 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:07.240 he gets the glory, 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.559 which is what Ed was saying. 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.980 That's why he says, 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.539 when I am with you, 00:31:12.139 --> 00:31:12.960 he's the only one 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.639 who can guarantee 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:14.899 this mission will succeed. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.279 Isn't that encouraging? 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.980 I'm encouraged. 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.960 Maybe three of you are, 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.359 but I... 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:22.039 But the things, 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:23.480 there's this great passage 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.899 in Acts 4. 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.960 I don't know if you've read it, 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.639 the disciples 00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:28.059 come before 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:29.960 the most powerful 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.779 religious leaders 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.339 of the time 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:32.379 and they're grilling them 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:33.660 about their faith in Jesus. 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.660 These are the most 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:36.580 intimidating intellectuals 00:31:36.580 --> 00:31:37.240 of the time. 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:37.840 You know, 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.960 we always have some people 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.840 who are intimidators, 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.140 right? 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:42.120 These guys are intimidating 00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:43.180 and it says in Acts 4, 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:45.000 they knew that 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.940 the disciples 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.160 were uneducated 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:48.220 common people. 00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:49.860 Okay? 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.180 Intellectuals, 00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:52.120 uneducated. 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.140 They hadn't even got 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.900 through grade three 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.440 at school. 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.460 But it says here, 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.040 and I love this, 00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:57.600 this is beautiful, 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.060 it says, 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.059 and... 00:31:59.059 --> 00:32:01.419 But these religious leaders, 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.980 they were astonished 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:06.679 because they saw 00:32:06.679 --> 00:32:08.099 that these people 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:10.119 had been with Jesus. 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:13.019 That's our qualification 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.960 for mission. 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:16.259 Have we been with Jesus? 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.519 Have you been with him? 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.599 Have you experienced him? 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.379 Let the fact 00:32:22.379 --> 00:32:24.500 that most other powerful people 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.139 in the world 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:26.619 only want to be with you 00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:27.719 if you've got something 00:32:27.719 --> 00:32:28.539 to offer them. 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:30.079 But Jesus, 00:32:30.239 --> 00:32:31.819 who already has all power 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:34.559 and you have nothing 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.279 to offer him, 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:36.399 wants to be with you. 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:38.979 Today, 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:39.779 tomorrow, 00:32:40.179 --> 00:32:41.119 every day this week 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:41.799 in your family, 00:32:41.979 --> 00:32:42.839 in your workplace, 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.859 wherever you are, 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:45.379 he's going to be with you. 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:47.039 And he's Lord. 00:32:48.139 --> 00:32:49.159 That's encouraging. 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:54.899 So if Jesus is Lord, 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:56.359 it strips and challenges 00:32:56.359 --> 00:32:56.979 our idols 00:32:56.979 --> 00:32:57.819 and our fears. 00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.119 Practically, 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.179 if he's also Lord 00:33:00.179 --> 00:33:01.139 in your hearts, 00:33:01.679 --> 00:33:03.000 it means we're going 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.519 to prepare 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.539 for his mission. 00:33:04.659 --> 00:33:05.219 He says this, 00:33:05.479 --> 00:33:06.659 always being prepared 00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:07.859 to make a defense 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.719 to anyone 00:33:08.719 --> 00:33:09.359 who asks you 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:09.959 for a reason 00:33:09.959 --> 00:33:10.500 for the hope 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.179 that is in you. 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.639 Many of us go, 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:14.339 but I don't know 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:15.000 how to share. 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.859 And Peter would go, 00:33:17.199 --> 00:33:17.939 have you prepared? 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:19.679 Like, 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.119 have you actually 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:21.179 even thought about 00:33:21.179 --> 00:33:21.639 how to share 00:33:21.639 --> 00:33:22.659 the gospel with people? 00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:25.279 because, 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.600 you know, 00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:27.120 if something's 00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:28.100 really important to you, 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.040 you prepare for it. 00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:29.840 Right? 00:33:30.540 --> 00:33:30.759 Like, 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.540 you've got a presentation, 00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.500 you're not just going to, 00:33:32.540 --> 00:33:33.720 like a really major presentation, 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.440 you're not going to just go, 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.600 I'm going to wing it today. 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:37.519 No, 00:33:37.580 --> 00:33:38.759 but if the mission of God 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.779 is that crucial 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.680 to who we are 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:42.140 and what Jesus calls us to be, 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.980 then we're going to prepare for it. 00:33:44.540 --> 00:33:45.380 We're going to go, 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:46.720 okay, 00:33:47.080 --> 00:33:47.800 in our CG's, 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:47.940 like, 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.680 if someone comes to you 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:48.879 and says, 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:49.799 why are you a Christian? 00:33:49.859 --> 00:33:50.899 Do you know how to answer that? 00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:54.099 If someone says to you, 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.480 like, 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:57.379 what's happened in your life? 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.200 Are you able to just 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.019 share your testimony 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.819 in two minutes? 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.139 I want to encourage 00:34:01.139 --> 00:34:01.859 every one of us 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:03.059 in our community groups 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:04.319 to actually take the time 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:05.079 to just 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:06.740 prepare. 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:09.579 You know, 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.159 my mom, 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.579 whenever we'd have people 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.500 around at our house, 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:14.099 sometimes we had people 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.340 who are not Christians, 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.779 and at the end of the meal, 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:18.180 they'd be leaving, 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:19.460 and she'd just kind of go, 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:19.640 oh, 00:34:19.720 --> 00:34:20.940 I've got a great book 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:22.000 I'd love to hand to you. 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.360 And I'd be going, 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:23.680 God, 00:34:23.800 --> 00:34:25.140 that's just really awkward. 00:34:27.040 --> 00:34:28.140 But not because 00:34:28.140 --> 00:34:29.400 Jesus was Lord, 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.720 more important than just 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:31.960 whether it was awkward or not. 00:34:33.140 --> 00:34:33.660 And actually, 00:34:34.080 --> 00:34:35.000 for some of us, 00:34:35.060 --> 00:34:36.019 if you're looking for, 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:36.640 like, 00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:37.920 resources to help you 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:38.620 or to give, 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:39.940 this is a great book. 00:34:40.180 --> 00:34:40.700 It's called 00:34:40.700 --> 00:34:42.100 Confronting Christianity 00:34:42.100 --> 00:34:44.160 by Rebecca Glocken. 00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:45.620 I highly recommend it. 00:34:45.620 --> 00:34:46.740 It's great for you 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:47.279 to read, 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:48.679 to prepare yourself. 00:34:48.779 --> 00:34:49.579 It's great to give 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:50.659 to other people to read. 00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:52.159 I really encourage us 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:53.319 to have some resources 00:34:53.319 --> 00:34:53.859 and tools 00:34:53.859 --> 00:34:55.059 just so that you can be ready 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.819 and prepared. 00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.539 Is that clear? 00:34:58.139 --> 00:34:58.579 Yeah? 00:34:59.279 --> 00:35:00.419 Because if Jesus is Lord, 00:35:00.479 --> 00:35:01.139 it's going to strip us 00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:01.879 of our idols. 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.819 It's going to help us 00:35:02.819 --> 00:35:04.639 to actually prepare. 00:35:04.899 --> 00:35:05.679 Last thing, 00:35:05.939 --> 00:35:06.819 if Jesus is Lord, 00:35:07.939 --> 00:35:08.919 it's going to help us 00:35:08.919 --> 00:35:10.719 to be courageously gentle. 00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:16.059 Peter says this. 00:35:16.199 --> 00:35:16.639 He says, 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:17.859 you know, 00:35:17.939 --> 00:35:19.219 if you get into this conversation 00:35:19.219 --> 00:35:20.119 about Jesus 00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:22.279 with people 00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.959 who might be pushing back 00:35:23.959 --> 00:35:24.759 against you, 00:35:25.339 --> 00:35:26.919 do it with gentleness 00:35:26.919 --> 00:35:28.579 and respect. 00:35:31.819 --> 00:35:32.939 It's really interesting. 00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:33.339 You know, 00:35:33.419 --> 00:35:33.879 I don't know, 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:35.099 I have many conversations 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:35.739 with people 00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:36.859 who are atheists 00:35:36.859 --> 00:35:38.299 or call themselves agnostics. 00:35:39.080 --> 00:35:40.300 And often what happens 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:41.019 in the conversation, 00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:42.180 it goes something like this. 00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:43.920 Christianity is stupid 00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:44.760 and unscientific. 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.539 And I just go, 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:46.820 atheism is stupid 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.420 and irrational. 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:49.080 And then we just kind of start 00:35:49.080 --> 00:35:50.660 attacking each other 00:35:50.660 --> 00:35:51.620 and trading blows. 00:35:51.740 --> 00:35:52.160 And then it just, 00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:53.080 the temperature goes up 00:35:53.080 --> 00:35:53.480 and afterwards, 00:35:53.620 --> 00:35:54.800 I never want to do that again. 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:58.519 That is not gentleness, 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.560 by the way. 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:01.480 Because when you're attacked, 00:36:01.640 --> 00:36:02.900 we naturally want to feel 00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:04.120 like we want to attack back. 00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:06.360 But if we're disciples of Jesus, 00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:07.640 how does Jesus respond 00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:08.539 when he is attacked, 00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:09.659 what does he respond with? 00:36:10.819 --> 00:36:12.379 Grace, gentleness. 00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.819 It's not weak gentleness, 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:15.799 it's courageous gentleness. 00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:17.719 Someone once said, 00:36:17.799 --> 00:36:19.400 gentleness is strength 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:20.440 under control. 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:21.980 I love that. 00:36:22.359 --> 00:36:24.119 Strength under control. 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:25.879 Doesn't that typify 00:36:25.879 --> 00:36:27.179 Jesus on the cross? 00:36:28.379 --> 00:36:29.400 Strength under control. 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.879 Everyone's throwing things at him. 00:36:31.819 --> 00:36:33.219 Strength under control. 00:36:34.219 --> 00:36:35.379 And if Jesus is Lord, 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:37.180 we're secure because 00:36:37.180 --> 00:36:38.240 we're under his control. 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:42.320 So whether someone laughs at me 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:44.920 or, you know, 00:36:45.180 --> 00:36:46.460 I lose the argument. 00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:48.200 Sometimes you can win an argument 00:36:48.200 --> 00:36:49.079 and lose a person. 00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:50.220 Right? 00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:53.160 But actually he says here, 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:57.400 the way that you bring Jesus 00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:58.780 to people is not just 00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.559 with your words, 00:36:59.720 --> 00:37:01.380 it's also how you respond 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:02.019 to people. 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:04.119 There are many people here 00:37:04.119 --> 00:37:04.960 that I know, 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:06.000 you have said to me, 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:08.340 I was just like obnoxious 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.119 to every Christian 00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:09.940 that came to me 00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:11.420 for like a long time, 00:37:11.500 --> 00:37:12.800 but they were so patient 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:13.420 with me 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:14.780 and gentle with me 00:37:14.780 --> 00:37:16.019 that actually after a while 00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.940 God just did something 00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.420 in my heart 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.300 and now I'm a believer. 00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.500 Anyone else 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:20.519 seen that? 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.980 What would it be 00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:24.059 if we have a community 00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:26.539 of courageously gentle people 00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:30.159 who know Jesus is Lord? 00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:32.340 And the thing is, 00:37:32.659 --> 00:37:36.099 sometimes we want to attack 00:37:36.099 --> 00:37:37.480 because we feel insecure 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:39.400 and if we lose the argument 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:40.559 we feel like we're defeated. 00:37:41.820 --> 00:37:43.259 But if Jesus is Lord, 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:44.380 then I'm not a failure 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.559 for trying to obey him 00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:48.000 because his verdict over me 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:49.139 is more important 00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:50.980 than somebody else's verdict over me 00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:52.519 or what I think of me. 00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:54.440 And what he says is, 00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:55.639 if you're a Christian, 00:37:56.360 --> 00:37:57.639 you're his child. 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:59.220 He delights in you. 00:37:59.700 --> 00:38:00.460 And do you know 00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:02.159 when you see a child 00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:03.139 learning to speak 00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:04.119 and they go like, 00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:05.760 da-da here 00:38:05.760 --> 00:38:06.500 or something, 00:38:06.720 --> 00:38:07.320 da-da here. 00:38:08.280 --> 00:38:09.760 The father doesn't go, 00:38:09.900 --> 00:38:11.260 you stupid child, 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.840 get your grammar correct. 00:38:14.740 --> 00:38:15.119 He doesn't, 00:38:15.220 --> 00:38:15.340 he goes, 00:38:15.639 --> 00:38:16.420 yes, 00:38:16.700 --> 00:38:17.039 woohoo, 00:38:17.159 --> 00:38:17.880 he said da-da. 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.619 That's how Jesus 00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.920 looks at us 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.679 when we try and share 00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:23.900 the gospel with people. 00:38:24.920 --> 00:38:25.980 Not in a kind of like, 00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:26.400 and you know, 00:38:26.440 --> 00:38:26.920 it's fumbling, 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:27.179 we're like, 00:38:27.220 --> 00:38:27.420 oh, 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:28.300 I just should have said that. 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.099 He's going, 00:38:29.240 --> 00:38:29.760 yes. 00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:34.039 Because he loves us 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.760 as his children 00:38:34.760 --> 00:38:36.179 and he loves us 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:37.400 to respond to him. 00:38:38.740 --> 00:38:39.639 And the thing is, 00:38:39.700 --> 00:38:40.940 if someone laughs at me 00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.659 or mocks me 00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.480 or rejects me, 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:43.159 it's okay 00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:45.300 because Jesus is my savior 00:38:45.300 --> 00:38:47.260 and I have laughed at him. 00:38:47.260 --> 00:38:48.539 I have mocked at him 00:38:48.539 --> 00:38:49.320 with my life 00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:50.820 in so many ways 00:38:50.820 --> 00:38:53.039 and yet he's so patient with me. 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:54.719 He's so gracious to me. 00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:56.400 He's so forgiving of me. 00:38:57.340 --> 00:38:59.360 And if that gets into my heart, 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:02.300 it doesn't matter. 00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:04.340 And I need to hear this 00:39:04.340 --> 00:39:04.980 again and again, 00:39:05.079 --> 00:39:05.300 right? 00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:07.420 It doesn't matter 00:39:07.420 --> 00:39:08.759 because Christ is Lord 00:39:08.759 --> 00:39:09.820 and that gives me 00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:10.400 the courage 00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:11.199 and patience 00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:12.420 and gentleness 00:39:12.420 --> 00:39:13.960 to be able to respond 00:39:13.960 --> 00:39:15.340 in that way to others. 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:17.579 I'm going to 00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:19.219 finish with two things. 00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:19.699 One is, 00:39:20.679 --> 00:39:22.039 I love Simon here. 00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:23.919 If you don't know Simon, 00:39:25.039 --> 00:39:27.359 you've got to get to know Simon. 00:39:27.439 --> 00:39:28.099 He's great. 00:39:28.859 --> 00:39:29.000 You know, 00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:29.980 ever since I've known Simon, 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:30.899 I've known him for years. 00:39:32.239 --> 00:39:33.500 He's always been telling me 00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.639 about him trying to share 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:35.619 the gospel with his brother. 00:39:37.099 --> 00:39:40.159 And quite often, 00:39:40.779 --> 00:39:41.539 over the last time, 00:39:41.699 --> 00:39:42.579 he's come back to me 00:39:42.579 --> 00:39:43.919 just feeling very discouraged. 00:39:44.799 --> 00:39:45.319 It's kind of like, 00:39:45.339 --> 00:39:46.759 it felt like talking to a brick rule. 00:39:46.899 --> 00:39:47.500 He thinks everyone 00:39:47.500 --> 00:39:48.679 who believes this is stupid. 00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:50.019 All that kind of stuff, 00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:50.280 right? 00:39:51.300 --> 00:39:52.179 For years. 00:39:53.719 --> 00:39:55.320 But Simon has just been 00:39:55.320 --> 00:39:57.320 trying to share the gospel. 00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:57.960 And recently, 00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:59.539 I can't remember when, 00:39:59.719 --> 00:40:01.019 but God's done a miracle 00:40:01.019 --> 00:40:01.940 in your brother's life, 00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:02.360 hasn't he? 00:40:03.820 --> 00:40:05.199 You can talk to him later. 00:40:05.579 --> 00:40:06.480 But what he's done, 00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:07.900 he said this, 00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:09.980 and Simon told me this 00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:11.000 just on Tuesday. 00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:11.400 He said, 00:40:11.739 --> 00:40:12.679 his brother told him, 00:40:12.719 --> 00:40:13.380 I think last week, 00:40:13.440 --> 00:40:13.719 was it? 00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:14.440 That actually, 00:40:14.519 --> 00:40:15.639 you're the only person 00:40:15.639 --> 00:40:17.339 I know who would ever 00:40:17.339 --> 00:40:18.480 keep on telling me 00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:20.099 this message for so long. 00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:24.539 Now, 00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:25.420 I don't think he was just 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:26.539 beating him into the ground 00:40:26.539 --> 00:40:27.259 into submission. 00:40:28.659 --> 00:40:29.659 But there's something 00:40:29.659 --> 00:40:30.379 that actually just 00:40:30.379 --> 00:40:31.199 that persistent, 00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:32.239 courageous, 00:40:32.799 --> 00:40:33.400 gentleness, 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:34.359 but kindness, 00:40:34.599 --> 00:40:35.559 just continually saying, 00:40:35.659 --> 00:40:36.519 I just want this person 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:37.619 to come to know Jesus. 00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.739 That is actually 00:40:39.739 --> 00:40:40.699 what Jesus does. 00:40:41.179 --> 00:40:41.679 And he said, 00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:41.879 like, 00:40:42.059 --> 00:40:42.859 he's gone from being 00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:43.980 this worry-driven, 00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:45.440 fret-filled man 00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:46.079 to suddenly have 00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:47.380 this lightness and joy 00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:48.099 in his life. 00:40:49.120 --> 00:40:50.099 That's what the gospel 00:40:50.099 --> 00:40:50.960 does in people. 00:40:51.420 --> 00:40:52.220 That's why we want 00:40:52.220 --> 00:40:53.260 to share it with people. 00:40:54.340 --> 00:40:55.780 And if Jesus is truly 00:40:55.780 --> 00:40:57.039 Lord of our lives, 00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:59.360 we can trust him. 00:41:00.980 --> 00:41:02.059 We can trust him. 00:41:03.920 --> 00:41:05.200 So how do we respond? 00:41:06.320 --> 00:41:07.160 How do we respond? 00:41:07.159 --> 00:41:09.899 I think the first response 00:41:09.899 --> 00:41:10.420 we need to do 00:41:10.420 --> 00:41:11.239 is to get real. 00:41:13.960 --> 00:41:15.440 Our problem with mission 00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.319 and sharing the gospel 00:41:16.319 --> 00:41:17.579 is not a lack of skill. 00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:19.179 It's a problem 00:41:19.179 --> 00:41:20.079 of our priorities. 00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:22.759 And we just need 00:41:22.759 --> 00:41:23.719 to be honest about that. 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:25.440 We need to remove 00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:26.859 any excuses that we have 00:41:26.859 --> 00:41:27.859 and just come before God 00:41:27.859 --> 00:41:29.019 and just repent before him 00:41:29.019 --> 00:41:29.239 and say, 00:41:29.299 --> 00:41:29.460 God, 00:41:29.599 --> 00:41:30.559 I've placed so many 00:41:30.559 --> 00:41:31.599 other things before you. 00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:32.879 I get distracted 00:41:32.879 --> 00:41:34.139 by so many other things. 00:41:34.339 --> 00:41:35.440 I fear other people 00:41:35.440 --> 00:41:36.339 more than I fear you. 00:41:36.340 --> 00:41:37.579 change my heart. 00:41:39.539 --> 00:41:40.740 We repent of making it 00:41:40.740 --> 00:41:41.500 about ourselves, 00:41:42.140 --> 00:41:43.340 about our performance. 00:41:46.920 --> 00:41:48.640 And we start praying. 00:41:49.740 --> 00:41:50.000 You know, 00:41:50.039 --> 00:41:50.559 what would it be 00:41:50.559 --> 00:41:51.600 if 150, 00:41:51.860 --> 00:41:52.120 100, 00:41:52.220 --> 00:41:53.140 150 people 00:41:53.140 --> 00:41:53.780 in Watermark, 00:41:54.360 --> 00:41:54.920 and this is something 00:41:54.920 --> 00:41:56.059 I'm just really praying, 00:41:57.420 --> 00:41:59.260 that we get on our knees 00:41:59.260 --> 00:41:59.880 and ask God 00:41:59.880 --> 00:42:00.840 to do such a work 00:42:00.840 --> 00:42:01.539 in our heart 00:42:01.539 --> 00:42:02.840 that his spirit 00:42:02.840 --> 00:42:03.700 takes us 00:42:03.700 --> 00:42:05.140 from being chickens, 00:42:05.139 --> 00:42:06.379 cowards 00:42:06.379 --> 00:42:06.839 who just, 00:42:06.980 --> 00:42:07.980 we kind of, 00:42:07.980 --> 00:42:08.239 you know, 00:42:08.299 --> 00:42:09.539 we like fumble over Jesus. 00:42:10.539 --> 00:42:11.099 He takes us 00:42:11.099 --> 00:42:11.659 from chickens 00:42:11.659 --> 00:42:12.400 to lions. 00:42:13.539 --> 00:42:14.319 He takes us 00:42:14.319 --> 00:42:15.420 from cowards 00:42:15.420 --> 00:42:17.900 to courageous 00:42:17.900 --> 00:42:19.139 gospel warriors 00:42:19.139 --> 00:42:20.279 for him 00:42:20.279 --> 00:42:21.679 who are willing 00:42:21.679 --> 00:42:22.480 to put in the work 00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:23.259 to prepare 00:42:23.259 --> 00:42:24.199 for the mission 00:42:24.199 --> 00:42:25.319 that he's called us to, 00:42:26.259 --> 00:42:27.359 knowing that 00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:32.099 we are inadequate, 00:42:33.099 --> 00:42:35.120 completely inadequate. 00:42:36.720 --> 00:42:37.480 But if we're 00:42:37.480 --> 00:42:39.039 an adequate people 00:42:39.039 --> 00:42:40.180 who are Jesus-loving, 00:42:40.360 --> 00:42:41.240 spirit-filled, 00:42:42.180 --> 00:42:42.700 humble, 00:42:43.579 --> 00:42:44.120 gentle, 00:42:44.599 --> 00:42:46.360 yet irresistibly fearless, 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:49.059 because we know 00:42:49.059 --> 00:42:50.079 that Jesus is Lord, 00:42:50.820 --> 00:42:51.700 and he's Lord 00:42:51.700 --> 00:42:52.800 not just in our mouths, 00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:53.320 but he's Lord 00:42:53.320 --> 00:42:54.200 in our hearts, 00:42:54.199 --> 00:42:56.219 and we know 00:42:56.219 --> 00:42:57.379 that he loves us, 00:42:58.599 --> 00:43:00.879 then I think 00:43:00.879 --> 00:43:02.559 from this week, 00:43:03.659 --> 00:43:04.879 Satan is going 00:43:04.879 --> 00:43:05.559 to be trembling 00:43:05.559 --> 00:43:06.319 in his boots. 00:43:08.239 --> 00:43:09.559 As we launch out 00:43:09.559 --> 00:43:10.399 from here 00:43:10.399 --> 00:43:11.219 for the rest 00:43:11.219 --> 00:43:11.859 of this week, 00:43:12.000 --> 00:43:13.000 every day, 00:43:13.119 --> 00:43:13.879 every morning, 00:43:14.239 --> 00:43:15.019 why don't you 00:43:15.019 --> 00:43:16.000 start by saying, 00:43:16.239 --> 00:43:17.639 today I'm not my own. 00:43:19.039 --> 00:43:20.039 I'm yours. 00:43:20.960 --> 00:43:21.400 Spirit, 00:43:21.460 --> 00:43:21.900 would you just 00:43:21.900 --> 00:43:22.719 lead me today? 00:43:23.679 --> 00:43:25.059 Give me that courage 00:43:25.059 --> 00:43:26.300 to put you 00:43:26.300 --> 00:43:27.519 as Lord in my life. 00:43:28.800 --> 00:43:29.440 And I think 00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:30.480 he's going to do something, 00:43:31.119 --> 00:43:33.219 because God loves 00:43:33.219 --> 00:43:34.259 answering prayers 00:43:34.259 --> 00:43:34.960 like that. 00:43:39.679 --> 00:43:40.619 If you are not 00:43:40.619 --> 00:43:41.199 a Christian, 00:43:42.960 --> 00:43:45.340 Jesus is calling 00:43:45.340 --> 00:43:46.000 you today, 00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:49.440 because if he truly 00:43:49.440 --> 00:43:50.199 is Lord, 00:43:50.300 --> 00:43:51.000 that means anything 00:43:51.000 --> 00:43:52.019 else in your life 00:43:52.019 --> 00:43:52.679 is going to be 00:43:52.679 --> 00:43:53.500 always lesser 00:43:53.500 --> 00:43:54.320 than him, 00:43:54.400 --> 00:43:55.019 and one day 00:43:55.019 --> 00:43:55.500 you will come 00:43:55.500 --> 00:43:56.199 before him, 00:43:56.920 --> 00:43:57.920 and you'll have 00:43:57.920 --> 00:43:58.699 to give an account 00:43:58.699 --> 00:43:59.820 of your life. 00:44:01.380 --> 00:44:02.360 And Jesus says 00:44:02.360 --> 00:44:02.699 to you, 00:44:02.940 --> 00:44:03.820 I have given 00:44:03.820 --> 00:44:05.219 my entire life 00:44:05.219 --> 00:44:06.420 to die for you 00:44:06.420 --> 00:44:06.980 so that you 00:44:06.980 --> 00:44:07.360 could come 00:44:07.360 --> 00:44:08.059 to know me. 00:44:08.960 --> 00:44:10.059 Now lay down 00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:12.980 your own sense 00:44:12.980 --> 00:44:13.260 of wanting 00:44:13.260 --> 00:44:14.019 to live your life 00:44:14.019 --> 00:44:14.639 your way. 00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:17.199 and say, 00:44:17.280 --> 00:44:17.500 Jesus, 00:44:17.599 --> 00:44:18.360 I want to accept 00:44:18.360 --> 00:44:19.000 the gift 00:44:19.000 --> 00:44:20.179 of your salvation 00:44:20.179 --> 00:44:20.860 to me. 00:44:21.260 --> 00:44:22.199 And right now 00:44:22.199 --> 00:44:23.199 to recognize 00:44:23.199 --> 00:44:24.500 you're a sinner 00:44:24.500 --> 00:44:25.940 who is in desperate 00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:26.820 need of saving, 00:44:27.159 --> 00:44:28.219 but you have an amazing 00:44:28.219 --> 00:44:29.360 Savior in Christ. 00:44:30.039 --> 00:44:31.059 And come to him 00:44:31.059 --> 00:44:31.360 today. 00:44:31.480 --> 00:44:32.260 Come and see me. 00:44:32.619 --> 00:44:33.159 Come and see one 00:44:33.159 --> 00:44:33.920 of the other elders, 00:44:34.619 --> 00:44:35.340 because we want 00:44:35.340 --> 00:44:36.559 you to come 00:44:36.559 --> 00:44:37.260 to know him. 00:44:39.239 --> 00:44:40.139 So let me just 00:44:40.139 --> 00:44:41.559 stop here. 00:44:41.619 --> 00:44:42.320 I want you to pray. 00:44:43.739 --> 00:44:44.440 And I want you 00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:45.119 just to get real 00:44:45.119 --> 00:44:45.559 with God. 00:44:49.759 --> 00:44:50.400 Let me just 00:44:50.400 --> 00:44:50.900 stop and just 00:44:50.900 --> 00:44:51.059 think, 00:44:51.219 --> 00:44:51.940 where has my 00:44:51.940 --> 00:44:52.739 heart been 00:44:52.739 --> 00:44:53.500 as I think 00:44:53.500 --> 00:44:55.480 about the 00:44:55.480 --> 00:44:56.039 mission that 00:44:56.039 --> 00:44:56.599 God has called 00:44:56.599 --> 00:44:56.980 me to? 00:44:57.099 --> 00:44:57.639 Is Jesus 00:44:57.639 --> 00:44:58.500 really Lord 00:44:58.500 --> 00:44:59.619 of my heart? 00:45:00.900 --> 00:45:01.319 And let's just 00:45:01.319 --> 00:45:01.940 do some business 00:45:01.940 --> 00:45:02.339 with him. 00:45:02.400 --> 00:45:03.039 Maybe the musicians 00:45:03.039 --> 00:45:03.839 can come up. 00:45:05.159 --> 00:45:05.960 Maybe the prayer 00:45:05.960 --> 00:45:06.679 team can come up. 00:45:06.699 --> 00:45:07.739 If you like prayer, 00:45:08.239 --> 00:45:08.940 and you just know 00:45:08.940 --> 00:45:09.319 actually, 00:45:09.759 --> 00:45:10.259 this is an area 00:45:10.259 --> 00:45:11.099 you just struggle 00:45:11.099 --> 00:45:11.480 with. 00:45:11.480 --> 00:45:13.340 Jesus is not 00:45:13.340 --> 00:45:14.320 bringing condemnation 00:45:14.320 --> 00:45:14.719 to you. 00:45:14.760 --> 00:45:15.079 He's bringing 00:45:15.079 --> 00:45:15.960 challenge to you, 00:45:16.039 --> 00:45:16.639 but he wants you 00:45:16.639 --> 00:45:17.460 to come and run 00:45:17.460 --> 00:45:17.920 to him. 00:45:18.980 --> 00:45:19.400 So come and 00:45:19.400 --> 00:45:21.059 just spend some 00:45:21.059 --> 00:45:21.280 time. 00:45:21.360 --> 00:45:21.840 Get right with 00:45:21.840 --> 00:45:22.599 God right now. 00:45:27.119 --> 00:45:27.880 Pray that 00:45:27.880 --> 00:45:28.960 before him. 00:45:30.639 --> 00:45:31.000 Lord, 00:45:31.099 --> 00:45:32.740 I'm not my own. 00:45:34.699 --> 00:45:35.420 Help me to live 00:45:35.420 --> 00:45:36.000 this week 00:45:36.000 --> 00:45:38.659 not as my own, 00:45:39.679 --> 00:45:40.519 but for the one 00:45:40.519 --> 00:45:41.679 who died for me, 00:45:42.179 --> 00:45:43.539 gave his life for me, 00:45:43.880 --> 00:45:44.639 so that I might 00:45:44.639 --> 00:45:45.639 no longer live for 00:45:45.639 --> 00:45:46.159 myself, 00:45:46.340 --> 00:45:47.199 but him who loves 00:45:47.199 --> 00:45:48.500 me outrageously. 00:45:48.500 --> 00:46:17.179 You might just want to ask yourself, 00:46:17.179 --> 00:46:18.559 do I ever prepare? 00:46:23.359 --> 00:46:24.960 Or am I so wrapped up with fear 00:46:24.960 --> 00:46:26.519 that I don't see the people around me, 00:46:26.539 --> 00:46:28.219 so wrapped up with my circumstances, 00:46:28.699 --> 00:46:29.699 with the things I want to do, 00:46:29.779 --> 00:46:30.759 I want to get on and do, 00:46:30.879 --> 00:46:32.419 but I don't think, 00:46:32.539 --> 00:46:33.819 well, God, what do you want me to do? 00:46:39.579 --> 00:46:41.059 Father, I pray for us as a church, 00:46:41.119 --> 00:46:42.179 we desperately need you. 00:46:43.739 --> 00:46:45.199 I know in my own heart, Lord, 00:46:45.199 --> 00:46:47.119 so many other things compete with you 00:46:47.119 --> 00:46:47.559 as Lord. 00:46:48.339 --> 00:46:50.579 I don't want that to be the case, Lord. 00:46:51.940 --> 00:46:53.400 Pray for us as a church 00:46:53.400 --> 00:46:56.619 that we would see that you are more beautiful 00:46:56.619 --> 00:46:58.960 than anything else, 00:46:58.980 --> 00:47:02.880 and we may take gospel risks 00:47:02.880 --> 00:47:05.639 because of the fact that we're utterly, 00:47:05.819 --> 00:47:07.119 utterly secure in you. 00:47:07.119 --> 00:47:10.819 give us that courage this week 00:47:10.819 --> 00:47:12.460 not to play it safe any longer, 00:47:13.460 --> 00:47:16.839 but to really want to seek your face 00:47:16.839 --> 00:47:18.980 and love you with all of our being 00:47:18.980 --> 00:47:21.619 and that other people might come to know you. 00:47:21.619 --> 00:47:23.519 in Jesus' name, 00:47:23.519 --> 00:47:23.539 in Jesus' name, 00:47:24.539 --> 00:47:24.779 Amen.