WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:04.120 It was one of those talks that I've never forgotten. 00:00:05.219 --> 00:00:10.279 I was a student in my second year of college, I think, so I must have been, what, 19 or 20. 00:00:11.300 --> 00:00:19.199 Our college Christian union had invited this internationally renowned, super heavyweight academic theologian to come and speak. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:27.859 I was expecting him to spend his time unpacking profound, complex, sophisticated theological ideas. 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:34.119 But what he said was in fact just plain and simple and yet so deeply, deeply challenging. 00:00:35.259 --> 00:00:41.060 His talk finished with a challenge that stayed with me for my entire adult life and it was simply this. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:49.579 He said, I want each of you to think of one person who played an important part in leading you to Jesus Christ. 00:00:49.579 --> 00:01:01.200 Now the chances are you can think of several people, but for now I just want you to focus your thoughts on one person who was a key influence in your journey to becoming a Christian. 00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:12.200 Now I want you to imagine yourself putting the same question to them, who led them to Jesus or influenced them in that direction. 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:16.859 And then imagine that the person they named was also asked the same question. 00:01:17.980 --> 00:01:23.000 Now imagine continuing that process, going back generation after generation. 00:01:24.100 --> 00:01:33.780 Eventually you will be taken right the way back to the early church, the first disciples and Jesus himself. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:38.520 You have a spiritual pedigree there of some 2,000 years. 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:47.759 Now I want you to imagine that one day someone else who you know is asked the same question. 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:53.439 And the person that they name is you. 00:01:55.039 --> 00:01:57.560 What's stopping you from making that happen? 00:01:59.259 --> 00:02:04.399 Now that challenge was put to me nearly 30 years ago and I've tried to hold it close ever since. 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:09.980 But one of the things about it that I've particularly wrestled with and still do wrestle with is this. 00:02:10.580 --> 00:02:21.200 How on earth can we realistically build relationships with people and seek to help and influence other people's lives when there are only so many hours in the day? 00:02:21.920 --> 00:02:26.159 Is there a sense in which we need to be selective in our approach? 00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:28.300 And is it alright to be selective? 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:34.680 We're currently following a series based on a book called The Art of Neighbouring. 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:46.420 And what I love about the book is the way it helps us to understand that Jesus himself modelled a thoroughly practical and realistic approach to building relationships. 00:02:47.220 --> 00:02:49.920 This week's title is Open Doors. 00:02:49.919 --> 00:03:02.560 And in the book it's pointed out that as we seek to open up our homes and our lives to others, we need to be aware of the need for boundaries. 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:07.000 Or we risk burning ourselves out and being no use to anyone. 00:03:08.119 --> 00:03:09.639 Now Jesus himself modelled this. 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:15.299 He didn't always help everyone in the way they wanted to be helped. 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:18.500 He cured some but he didn't cure others. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:22.379 He stopped and talked to some but not all. 00:03:23.580 --> 00:03:28.439 What's particularly interesting, I think, is the parable of the Good Samaritan. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:31.939 Remember Jesus told that story when someone asked him, 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:33.000 Who is my neighbour? 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:41.240 Now in the story, a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho gets attacked by thieves. 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:43.180 They leave him for dead. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:48.379 Two religious people pass by but don't want to get involved. 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:52.159 And finally a Samaritan stops and helps the man. 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:59.840 He bandages him up, loads him on his donkey and he takes him to an inn where he can recover. 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:06.599 But then, get this, he continues on his trip. 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:09.719 That Samaritan could have done more. 00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:12.359 He could have stayed with the man. 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:15.859 He could have taken him back to his home. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:19.040 He could have cancelled all his plans and totally rearranged his schedule. 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:20.579 But that's not what he does. 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:23.199 He does some amazing things. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:25.639 But he doesn't do everything. 00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:30.279 He made some big sacrifices and he acted selflessly. 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:34.500 But the event didn't change his entire life. 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:37.899 You see, it's okay to draw boundaries. 00:04:38.239 --> 00:04:41.319 In fact, it's essential that we draw boundaries for two reasons. 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:46.040 First, without boundaries, we get consumed. 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:52.240 We'll never be satisfied that we've done enough because there will always be more that we can do. 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:56.540 And as such, we'll be drained from being able to help anyone at all. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.459 We'll just crash and burn. 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:04.680 But second, without boundaries, we don't actually help the other person anyway. 00:05:06.039 --> 00:05:14.019 See, boundaries set the difference between being responsible to others and being responsible for others. 00:05:14.899 --> 00:05:20.339 We're called to be responsible to others, but not responsible for others. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:26.539 When we take responsibility for others, we make them dependent on us. 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:28.960 It makes them the passive recipient. 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:34.500 Now, that might make us feel a bit special for a while, but it doesn't empower them at all. 00:05:35.640 --> 00:05:37.160 The very opposite, in fact. 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:43.340 Whereas when we're responsible to others, it means we're responding to their needs. 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:46.100 It means we're giving them a hand up rather than a hand out. 00:05:47.020 --> 00:05:50.320 It's about helping people get back in charge of their own lives. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:53.800 And this is what we see modelled in the life of Jesus. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:56.740 Jesus empowered others. 00:05:57.259 --> 00:05:58.620 And he was selective. 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:03.879 From the multitudes, he selected 72 and he sent them out. 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:06.819 From the 72, he chose 12 apostles. 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:11.040 And from the 12, he was even more intentional with three in particular. 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:16.259 And that's what we see going on in today's reading from Matthew chapter 17. 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:21.120 Jesus chose to focus on Peter, James and John. 00:06:21.719 --> 00:06:28.219 They left the others and they went up the mountain where they witness Jesus' transfiguration. 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:32.000 The glory of God shining around and from him. 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:37.680 Jesus chose to invest his time in these three in particular. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:46.740 Indeed, according to both Matthew's and Mark's Gospels, Jesus later took these three with him to Gethsemane to pray with him on the night before he died. 00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:50.519 He focused on them and he empowered them. 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:56.639 And there's one thing in particular that strikes me about what happened up on that mountain. 00:06:58.139 --> 00:06:59.600 Jesus is transfigured. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:02.939 Peter, James and John fall to the ground in fear. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:10.080 And then Jesus touches them and says, Get up and do not be afraid. 00:07:11.700 --> 00:07:18.040 See, it's when they're touched by Jesus that they are empowered to get up and not be afraid. 00:07:19.640 --> 00:07:22.460 Interestingly, that phrase comes up time and time again. 00:07:22.459 --> 00:07:29.239 When Mary was visited by an angel and told that she was going to give birth to Jesus, the angel said, Do not be afraid. 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:34.799 When the angel broke the same news to Joseph, he was told the same thing. 00:07:34.859 --> 00:07:35.599 Don't be afraid. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:41.799 When Zechariah saw the angel in the temple, he too was told, Do not be afraid. 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:50.139 When shepherds in the field met with angels in the skies announcing the birth of Jesus, they were told, Do not be afraid. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:57.899 Now, there seems to be a clear pattern when it comes to experiencing the supernatural presence of God. 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:00.199 He always empowers. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:08.120 And so as Jesus touched Peter, James and John, they were empowered. 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:11.159 They were simply told, Get up. 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:12.979 Don't be afraid. 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:13.540 Don't be afraid. 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:19.980 And so they were able to go back down into the valley and live out what God was calling them to do. 00:08:21.080 --> 00:08:24.860 And that's precisely what God's Holy Spirit does in our lives today. 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:26.240 He touches us. 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:27.540 He empowers us. 00:08:27.640 --> 00:08:30.140 And he says, Get up and don't be afraid. 00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:35.659 So let's go back to that question that I was talking about right at the start. 00:08:35.659 --> 00:08:38.219 Who? 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:41.559 Who might God be calling you to connect with? 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:46.000 It won't be anyone and it won't be everyone. 00:08:46.339 --> 00:08:47.600 It's important to understand that. 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:49.139 But it will be someone. 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:54.139 Mother Teresa said, Never worry about numbers. 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:56.039 Help one person at a time. 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:59.079 And always start with the person nearest to you. 00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:05.560 So who is God calling you to open your doors to? 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:10.060 Pray with me. 00:09:13.040 --> 00:09:17.020 Lord God, thank you that you open the door for us. 00:09:17.280 --> 00:09:21.320 And that you invite each and every one of us to know you and to love you. 00:09:22.280 --> 00:09:24.560 You call us into relationship with you. 00:09:24.640 --> 00:09:28.300 Not just as neighbours or even as friends, but as your children. 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:36.220 Help us to understand who you are calling us to reach out to and to grow relationships with. 00:09:37.660 --> 00:09:41.940 And give us the wisdom and the courage to set boundaries. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:50.780 Help us to focus our time and our energy in caring for those who you are calling us to be alongside. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:58.240 And help us like Peter, James and John to know your presence and to hear your voice which says, 00:09:58.500 --> 00:10:01.559 Get up and don't be afraid. 00:10:01.559 --> 00:10:06.959 And so now may we all go in peace. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:15.559 And may the blessing of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:18.039 Amen.