WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.700 I think this message, this parable, 00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:10.720 enshrined in a small little Baptist tin church 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:12.720 on the council estate where I grew up. 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:14.740 That's the first where I heard this. 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:19.780 But the thing that sticks in my mind is the song. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:24.980 The wise man built his house upon the rock. 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:28.160 The wise man built his house upon the rock. 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:30.980 The wise man built his house upon the rock 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:33.179 and the rains came tumbling down. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:33.859 You know it. 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:37.060 And the rains came down and the floods came up. 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:40.060 The rain came down and the floods came up. 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:42.820 The rain came down and the floods came up. 00:00:42.939 --> 00:00:45.980 And the house on the rock stood firm. 00:00:47.539 --> 00:00:51.460 The foolish man built his house upon the sand. 00:00:51.719 --> 00:00:54.060 The foolish man built his house upon the sand. 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:56.679 The foolish man built his house upon the sand. 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:58.799 and the rain came tumbling down. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:01.519 The rain came down and the floods came up. 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:03.840 The rain came down and the floods came up. 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:06.219 The rain came down and the floods came up 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:08.760 and the house on the sand fell. 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:11.939 Well done. 00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:18.219 It's a great kid's song enshrined in Christian tradition. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:23.200 And as I was reflecting on this Sunday, 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:27.219 because the wise man built his house upon the rock, 00:01:27.600 --> 00:01:31.920 I'd like to suggest that in me, as part of a confession, 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:35.920 there is something a little bit smug in me 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:40.180 because I like to think of myself on the rock. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:49.780 And to view what we see from our own rock, 00:01:49.780 --> 00:01:51.180 wherever we may be, 00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:54.120 the sadness and deep sadness 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:59.220 of those that have built on sandy soil. 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:02.680 A little bit of smugness in me thinks, 00:02:03.540 --> 00:02:04.940 well, I'm okay. 00:02:06.540 --> 00:02:08.620 But that's not so good, is it? 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:13.560 I'd like to suggest that often we miss, me included, 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:18.240 that we're too hasty sometimes in this story 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:22.379 to rush in and maybe suggest here on a Sunday morning, 00:02:22.460 --> 00:02:24.939 we've confessed our sin, 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:29.340 we've lived a Christian life as far as we knew. 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:32.520 But what does that do for the person 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:35.379 who is building on the sandy soil? 00:02:35.379 --> 00:02:39.439 Where are we in a place to be able to reach out, 00:02:40.079 --> 00:02:41.139 to be able to help, 00:02:41.579 --> 00:02:45.939 to be able to help them from a secure place in which we are? 00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:48.680 Because many of us, 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:50.439 you know, as a children, 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:53.060 you think, what a silly man, you know, building there. 00:02:53.180 --> 00:02:56.759 But we look back and we reflect at times, 00:02:56.819 --> 00:02:58.340 and I certainly do in my life, 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:01.139 where I haven't built on God's word. 00:03:01.139 --> 00:03:05.239 And where I need to build more and more on God's word, 00:03:05.299 --> 00:03:09.000 and where I need to understand more about grace and serving. 00:03:09.299 --> 00:03:11.139 Because when the storm came, 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:12.439 he realized, 00:03:12.559 --> 00:03:15.219 and it's not until the storm comes. 00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:18.819 And Jesus was clear about that when he said to them, 00:03:18.899 --> 00:03:20.299 you know, and many of us will know, 00:03:20.579 --> 00:03:24.179 many of us will know those who all it takes was their, 00:03:24.179 --> 00:03:27.519 we thought their faith was as strong as anything, 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:31.760 and all it takes is the slightest storm of life. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:34.780 And suddenly it crumbles. 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:37.260 Where was it built on? 00:03:38.260 --> 00:03:40.920 Where were the people around them to secure, 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:41.920 to help them, 00:03:42.200 --> 00:03:44.300 to uphold them at those times? 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:47.180 Maybe something in there about being church, 00:03:47.740 --> 00:03:51.140 that we are strong there to support the community 00:03:51.140 --> 00:03:54.439 and others in each other when we need that strength. 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:54.479 faith. 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:59.079 Because I realized that, 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:03.300 where was he investing? 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:05.900 It took a long time to build on that rock. 00:04:06.579 --> 00:04:08.060 It probably took longer. 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:10.539 It took longer to build, 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:13.780 and there is no quick fix 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:17.379 to faith in the Christian life and serving. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.759 And I don't know whether you've experienced that. 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:21.839 I certainly have. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:24.399 You know, I learn more and more, 00:04:24.659 --> 00:04:25.339 day by day, 00:04:25.419 --> 00:04:26.560 that the Lord's showing me, 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:27.759 bit by bit, 00:04:28.039 --> 00:04:31.379 about what it means to live and serve out the gospel. 00:04:31.619 --> 00:04:33.639 And this is what Jesus was saying to them, 00:04:33.899 --> 00:04:34.599 right at the beginning. 00:04:34.739 --> 00:04:36.739 Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine 00:04:36.739 --> 00:04:39.799 and puts them into practice, 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:41.799 ouch! 00:04:43.299 --> 00:04:44.519 I know the word, 00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:47.159 but Lord, show me in this moment 00:04:47.160 --> 00:04:50.380 how I put your word into practice. 00:04:50.980 --> 00:04:52.140 How do I do that? 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:54.439 How do I encourage other people 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:56.180 to show them this rock 00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:57.960 on which we are building, 00:04:58.120 --> 00:04:59.620 this strong foundation? 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:01.060 How do we do that? 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:02.640 And we all have tears, 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:04.700 we all have thoughts this morning, 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:07.379 maybe for those that are close to us, 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:09.140 that we just long 00:05:09.140 --> 00:05:10.600 to see 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:12.780 to come into a firmer foundation. 00:05:12.779 --> 00:05:16.039 And that will often be through us. 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:17.839 It'll be for them 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:19.319 not giving up 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:21.059 as Jesus didn't 00:05:21.059 --> 00:05:21.799 on those 00:05:21.799 --> 00:05:23.459 as he sent out his disciples. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:25.259 And here in this reading, 00:05:25.299 --> 00:05:26.359 I want to stress this morning, 00:05:26.459 --> 00:05:26.579 you know, 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:26.819 we've, 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:31.000 it's part of God's architectural plan, 00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:31.699 actually, 00:05:32.339 --> 00:05:34.519 that we should build strongly 00:05:34.519 --> 00:05:35.819 on his word. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:38.899 You see, 00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:42.379 I don't know what you were like 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:43.180 at growing, 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:45.159 at putting furniture together. 00:05:45.899 --> 00:05:47.199 I remember years ago, 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:48.819 we had MFI furniture. 00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:50.279 Do you remember that? 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:51.839 My Furniture Incomplete? 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:53.399 It was called, 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:54.939 there was always something missing 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:55.719 from the box. 00:05:56.500 --> 00:05:58.500 But we moved on to Ikea, 00:05:58.699 --> 00:05:59.100 and I, 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:01.560 Mandy will tell you stories 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:03.680 of the early days of Ikea 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:04.879 where, 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:06.579 as gentlemen, 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:07.980 I don't know whether you're like me, 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:09.439 there's something about 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:11.360 not reading the instructions properly. 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.900 What is it about a manual 00:06:13.900 --> 00:06:16.259 that we don't get that idea 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:17.240 about reading a manual? 00:06:17.460 --> 00:06:18.800 We just want to open the box, 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:20.480 and we want to get stuck in. 00:06:20.960 --> 00:06:21.920 And I think this morning, 00:06:22.019 --> 00:06:23.420 Jesus was talking to people 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:24.720 who knew the manual, 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:26.199 but really hadn't got 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:28.259 to putting things together properly. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:32.240 And it lives as a living testimony for me. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:35.480 My Ikea furniture in the early days, 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:37.340 of Mandy reminding me 00:06:37.340 --> 00:06:39.800 of the drawer that never runs properly, 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:43.259 of the door that never closes 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:45.220 quite as it should, 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:48.079 of having enough left over 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:49.319 to build a coffee table. 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:54.240 I have learnt in my wisdom 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:55.160 in my old age 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:56.259 that it's a good idea 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:57.379 to look at the manual. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:58.240 And now, 00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:00.719 I'm probably verging on 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:03.519 probably more of my autistic side, 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:05.699 where I have to lay everything out 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:07.100 and count everything now. 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:09.060 So I know I have everything 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:10.399 as I start. 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:11.659 And it's amazing 00:07:11.659 --> 00:07:12.360 how much better 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:13.920 the furniture actually is 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:15.199 for looking at there. 00:07:16.219 --> 00:07:17.659 And as Mandy will tell you, 00:07:17.719 --> 00:07:19.000 the furniture is a lot better 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:20.779 than me having looked at it as it is. 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:22.759 There is something about the manual, 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:23.740 and Jesus is saying, 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:25.120 yeah, the manual is great, 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:27.079 but it's how we use it. 00:07:28.840 --> 00:07:30.079 Who hears these words 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:31.459 and puts them into practice, 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.600 it wasn't luck 00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:34.399 that this house stood firm 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.199 in the storm. 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:38.340 It was about some graft 00:07:38.340 --> 00:07:39.500 that had gone into it. 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:40.800 It was about prayer. 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:41.840 It was about thought. 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:43.420 We know in our own lives, 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:44.680 and we, each of us, 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:45.660 will have a story 00:07:45.660 --> 00:07:47.720 of what that storm looks like 00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:49.040 for each of us. 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:50.699 For what that storm 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:51.920 may look like at the moment, 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:52.939 for what the storms 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.139 look like in our lives. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:56.819 For maybe storms that came 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:57.919 and how we weathered 00:07:57.919 --> 00:07:59.500 that storm with the Lord 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:01.539 and how we thought 00:08:01.539 --> 00:08:02.779 maybe at the time, 00:08:02.899 --> 00:08:03.360 my goodness, 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:04.579 this is going to crumble. 00:08:05.219 --> 00:08:06.599 This is all going to fall apart, 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:07.699 but it stood firm. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:10.079 Even the wind battering it. 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:11.939 But we stood firm, 00:08:12.219 --> 00:08:13.500 and our faith stood firm. 00:08:14.159 --> 00:08:15.560 And I think this is a scripture 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:17.819 that not only is to inform, 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:19.039 but it's to encourage. 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:22.000 Because to love, 00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:23.879 the greatest commandment 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:25.840 that Jesus had already taught them 00:08:25.840 --> 00:08:26.920 was to say, 00:08:27.260 --> 00:08:29.439 to know that God is there for you. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:31.500 To love the Lord your God 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:32.320 with all your heart, 00:08:32.420 --> 00:08:33.159 with all your soul, 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:33.920 with all your might, 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:34.920 with all your strength. 00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:36.899 The greatest commandment. 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:37.820 The second is this, 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:39.420 to love your neighbor as yourself. 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:41.879 And I don't know about you, 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:43.899 I could stand on my rock 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:45.820 and my heart will break 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:47.240 as yours did 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:49.799 for when you see lives crumble 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:52.700 for those who haven't built 00:08:52.700 --> 00:08:55.820 or didn't make wise decisions. 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:58.820 For things that were done and said, 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:00.320 for things that, 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:02.820 for I want to be in that position 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:05.559 to reach out from a place 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:07.460 of strength and security 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:09.159 to save. 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:13.879 This scripture 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:16.139 seems a cut and dried parable 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:17.399 for Sunday schoolers. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:18.379 For me, 00:09:19.079 --> 00:09:20.699 it brings me to my knees. 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.120 Matthew records 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.519 how Jesus teaches us 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:25.759 about judging others. 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:27.480 Before this, 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:28.100 if you go home 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:29.219 and read in Matthew's gospel, 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:30.539 it's about asking, 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:31.639 seeking and knocking. 00:09:31.959 --> 00:09:33.220 It's about the narrow gate. 00:09:33.339 --> 00:09:34.600 It's about false prophets. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:36.799 It's about true and false prophets. 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:38.860 Not everybody who calls me, 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:39.980 Lord, Lord, 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:43.960 will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:09:45.060 --> 00:09:45.580 Ouch! 00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:48.759 That is a hard verse. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:52.019 That one puts me on the ropes 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:55.340 because effectively, 00:09:56.060 --> 00:09:56.700 here we are, 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:57.860 people like the boxer, 00:09:57.980 --> 00:09:58.980 we can find ourselves 00:09:58.980 --> 00:09:59.720 on those ropes. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:01.560 Everybody who hears these words 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:03.539 and puts them into practice, 00:10:03.800 --> 00:10:04.980 that is the rock. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:07.940 put it into practice 00:10:07.940 --> 00:10:08.899 day by day. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:09.159 Lord, 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:10.480 help me to do that 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:12.220 and give me grace 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:13.500 to do that. 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:15.700 It's about making sure 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:17.060 that our brothers and sisters 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:18.840 have got the opportunity 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:20.560 to be saved. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.300 Going on from the story 00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:24.960 on the plane, 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:26.019 the beauty was, 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:28.399 is the guy I sat next to 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:29.000 was, 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:30.700 had worked in Germany, 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.420 sorry, 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:32.559 in Jersey for ages 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:35.120 and we had this great conversation 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.679 about his homeland, 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.219 about where he'd come from, 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:39.599 how he'd worked there 00:10:39.599 --> 00:10:41.740 and about how he'd jettisoned 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:42.299 his faith 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:44.259 when he was 16. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.120 We had a great conversation. 00:10:47.319 --> 00:10:48.519 I'd love to tell you 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:50.339 that I prayed for him 00:10:50.339 --> 00:10:51.360 and he came to faith 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:51.959 there and then. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:53.719 It would be my airline testimony. 00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:55.240 Everybody has one. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:57.340 I just have a train one. 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:59.940 But we had this great conversation. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.180 It was a double blessing. 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:03.180 But again, 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:04.580 the strength of us 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:05.399 being on the rock, 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:06.919 whatever our rock looks like. 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:08.200 And I'd want to encourage you 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:08.779 this week 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:09.899 to think about 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:11.379 what that rock looks like 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:11.919 for us. 00:11:12.700 --> 00:11:13.860 Is it in prayer? 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:16.000 Is it in people 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.159 that we bring around us? 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:18.360 Is it in a growth group? 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:20.860 Is it in our Bible study 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:21.600 every day? 00:11:22.180 --> 00:11:23.299 Is it in our experience? 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:25.019 Whatever way it is for us, 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:26.759 what is that rock 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.740 that when the wind comes, 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.059 not just for us 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:30.939 but for others, 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:32.500 we can reach out? 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:35.100 And I'm really sorry 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:37.059 that this is a bit tough 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:38.579 talking today 00:11:38.579 --> 00:11:39.620 because it really is. 00:11:39.939 --> 00:11:41.579 It's not an easy scripture. 00:11:42.079 --> 00:11:43.279 It's one that as childhood 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:44.699 we think is cut and dried 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:45.879 but it's tough. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:48.079 But I know where I would rather stand 00:11:48.079 --> 00:11:49.039 when the wind comes. 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.980 And I'd rather know 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.220 where I'd have people with me. 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:56.420 They say one of the number one 00:11:56.420 --> 00:11:58.980 funeral songs at the moment 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:01.040 is Frank Sinatra's 00:12:01.040 --> 00:12:02.240 I Did It My Way. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.960 Isn't that interesting? 00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:07.660 How people want to choose a song 00:12:07.660 --> 00:12:10.180 as we say our farewells 00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:12.899 of saying I did it my way 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:14.580 rather than 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:15.940 I did it with you, Lord. 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.480 We did it together. 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:21.120 And sometimes it's about 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.680 their life, 00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:22.360 their choice, 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.220 their future, 00:12:23.800 --> 00:12:24.519 their choices 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:25.700 and their salvation. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:29.320 But I want to encourage us today 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:31.259 that from the place we are, 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:33.220 not a lofty high place, 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:35.440 that we would look down on people 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.279 and say, 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.580 oh, look at my rock. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.180 Isn't this wonderful? 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.159 It's all sewn up. 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.360 Come and join me. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:43.659 But so often the rock 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:44.560 is the place 00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:45.820 in the storm of life 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.840 that we cling to 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:50.460 as we reach out to others 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:51.860 and bring them in. 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:55.180 If that is a picture for you this morning, 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.659 I pray you'd hold on to it 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:58.519 because that is my picture 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:00.320 of life in this story. 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.240 Of not soothed 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:03.740 looking out the window, 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.279 at the rain coming down, 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:07.000 at my brother and sister failing. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:09.620 But to hold fast 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.799 to that rock, 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:12.799 knowing that it's firm, 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.720 his grip in my hand, 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:16.799 that he will never let me go 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:18.759 as I reach out 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:19.860 to seek, 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.440 to save, 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:21.960 to bring my brothers and sisters 00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:22.720 to that rock. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.580 I pray for us 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:27.799 this picture this morning 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:29.379 would be strong. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.179 I don't think 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.759 God is going to ask me 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:33.320 of the things I did to achieve 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:34.820 in building my own salvation. 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:37.780 I'm sure he's going to ask me, 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:39.120 what was it like 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.400 when I was holding your hand 00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:41.340 as you were reaching out 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.020 to other people 00:13:42.020 --> 00:13:43.680 to bring them in to me? 00:13:45.920 --> 00:13:48.040 In this time of slippery sand, 00:13:48.640 --> 00:13:49.840 in this time of where 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.860 our country is, 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:52.460 of stories we're hearing 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.320 all over the world, 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.900 I pray that each 00:13:55.900 --> 00:13:56.820 and every one of us 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:58.300 would know that rock 00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.400 of security 00:13:59.400 --> 00:14:01.680 to enable us 00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:02.960 to do what the Lord 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.060 is calling us to do. 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.920 I pray that God 00:14:05.920 --> 00:14:07.020 will bless you in that. 00:14:07.640 --> 00:14:08.620 I pray that he would 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:10.120 strengthen those rootings, 00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:11.600 that where we feel 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.520 that may be weak, 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.840 that he will strengthen 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:15.120 those places for us, 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.560 that he would give us 00:14:16.560 --> 00:14:17.260 that ability 00:14:17.260 --> 00:14:19.600 that when the storms come, 00:14:20.280 --> 00:14:21.280 not just for us 00:14:21.280 --> 00:14:22.060 but for our brothers 00:14:22.060 --> 00:14:22.680 and sisters, 00:14:23.520 --> 00:14:24.240 we would know 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.879 that hand that holds us 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:27.100 to bring others 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.780 to safety, 00:14:28.280 --> 00:14:28.980 to salvation, 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.400 and to know him. 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.900 And the people said amen. 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:34.360 Amen. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:34.559 Amen. 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:35.779 Bless you.