WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.199 What a word, faithfulness. 00:00:01.700 --> 00:00:06.080 The sermon actually hasn't planted in me at all 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:09.640 until I walked into the building 00:00:09.640 --> 00:00:11.679 and I've been reading the passages. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:13.300 I was given the proverb first, 00:00:14.500 --> 00:00:16.600 which is, obviously it's great, isn't it? 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:17.920 You get given a one-liner. 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:20.900 Talk about that for 20 to 30 minutes. 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:22.780 Don't worry, I'm not going to do 30. 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:24.359 We'll see. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:29.120 But I was like, okay, it says, 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:32.039 who is there that's faithful, essentially? 00:00:32.160 --> 00:00:33.539 Who is there that's faithful? 00:00:34.179 --> 00:00:36.780 And Daniel came to my mind, so I was like, great, 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:38.500 I can get some good meat out of Daniel 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:39.960 because it's a big book. 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:42.560 The book is essentially about God's faithfulness 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:46.799 and the faithfulness of people like Daniel and his friends. 00:00:47.159 --> 00:00:50.219 So I thought, oh, I could really get my teeth into this 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:51.400 and unpack that. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:54.799 And as always, I want to find, 00:00:55.180 --> 00:00:58.920 I want to ground any scripture in our reality today. 00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:00.340 What's the point of reading the Bible 00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:02.260 if it's only history, 00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:03.960 if it's only about the past? 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:06.180 Like, it needs to speak to us today. 00:01:07.420 --> 00:01:09.980 We have to begin by knowing it in its context, of course, 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:13.840 and rightfully interpreting it as best as we can. 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:16.180 But if it's to speak truth, 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:18.359 it needs to be grounded in reality. 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:20.200 And I was worried. 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:21.939 I had some stories going around in my head. 00:01:21.960 --> 00:01:22.920 What could I talk about? 00:01:23.320 --> 00:01:24.599 And I have a sermon written, 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:26.280 but I'm probably not really going to use it 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:31.399 because today is dementia-friendly Sunday, right? 00:01:31.819 --> 00:01:33.000 You're looking at it, right? 00:01:33.399 --> 00:01:34.919 That one went over my head. 00:01:35.859 --> 00:01:37.599 If it was written down, I completely forgot. 00:01:37.739 --> 00:01:38.739 Sorry, I'm sorry about that. 00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:40.599 My dad's actually got dementia. 00:01:41.079 --> 00:01:44.679 And I wanted to give you a story of real faithfulness 00:01:44.679 --> 00:01:46.879 in reality, grounded. 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:52.519 And I had a story of me standing in the school playground this week 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:54.459 while my kids did their sports day, 00:01:54.579 --> 00:01:57.619 which is two hours of waiting for 20 seconds of running. 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:02.119 And mainly betting on which kid's going to fall on their face first. 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:04.219 That was pretty much what I was doing. 00:02:04.979 --> 00:02:06.340 And it was great because I was there. 00:02:06.399 --> 00:02:08.359 My kids clocked that I'd actually turned up, 00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:09.620 and they got excited. 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:12.319 You could see that it lifted the room for them. 00:02:12.419 --> 00:02:14.639 It lifted the space because their dad was there. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:17.239 And they said he was going to be there, and he was there. 00:02:17.339 --> 00:02:19.439 And you could see that faithfulness was amazing. 00:02:20.119 --> 00:02:21.419 But actually, I thought, do you know what? 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:22.859 There's a really cool, it's a bit heavy, 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:25.359 but there's a really cool story of faithfulness 00:02:25.359 --> 00:02:26.879 that I often forget. 00:02:27.279 --> 00:02:28.799 And it was a nice reminder this morning. 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:30.619 So my dad's got dementia. 00:02:30.779 --> 00:02:35.060 My dad actually is my mum's second husband. 00:02:35.259 --> 00:02:38.539 My mum's first husband was not a very nice man 00:02:38.539 --> 00:02:39.679 and caused a lot of problems. 00:02:39.959 --> 00:02:40.979 And they had two kids. 00:02:40.979 --> 00:02:42.659 I've got two older brothers that I don't see. 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:46.159 But yeah, a really messy situation. 00:02:46.399 --> 00:02:50.500 My dad met my mum at some sort of camp that she used to. 00:02:50.579 --> 00:02:53.199 She used to run one of the parks down in Weymouth 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:56.859 for her husband's very rich family. 00:02:57.219 --> 00:02:59.019 And we didn't see any of the money, sadly. 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:03.199 You'd think there'd be some comeback for us, 00:03:03.359 --> 00:03:04.060 but never mind. 00:03:05.359 --> 00:03:06.099 One day, hey? 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:06.159 Hey. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:12.579 I don't even get birthday cards with checks in them. 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:13.680 They're stingy, I tell you. 00:03:14.079 --> 00:03:15.099 Those rich people. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:17.060 Anyway. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:19.300 My dad was just on holiday. 00:03:19.359 --> 00:03:19.919 He was a DJ. 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:22.139 He used to collect these really rare records. 00:03:22.519 --> 00:03:25.780 And he met my mum, and he found out the story. 00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:26.900 My mum was being, you know, 00:03:27.359 --> 00:03:30.019 in lack of a better word, she was being severely hurt. 00:03:30.020 --> 00:03:35.040 And my dad basically smuggled her out of the situation. 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:37.400 He planted her in a new situation 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:39.740 and tried to give her a new life. 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:42.080 Eventually, they got together. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:43.500 But actually, it wasn't that way around. 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:45.100 My dad initially just wanted to help. 00:03:47.160 --> 00:03:48.680 And they fell in love. 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:50.640 It was a lovely story, a happy story. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:54.260 And my dad basically brought up my two older brothers. 00:03:54.700 --> 00:03:55.360 They weren't his. 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:57.780 But he treated them like they were. 00:03:57.940 --> 00:04:00.300 And even today, all the mess is a big story. 00:04:00.780 --> 00:04:02.020 You know, I'm one of those baggage people. 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:07.860 Today, they still call him dad, you know. 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:12.020 And I just thought about how amazing is it 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:14.080 that who can find faithfulness. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:16.020 And sometimes you can actually find it. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:18.520 And what was it about faithfulness? 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:20.259 Well, faithfulness by the dictionary 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:22.319 is this firm adherence to promises 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.860 or perpetual observance of duty. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:28.379 It's very rigorous and sounds very soldier-like. 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:30.680 But actually, it's reflected in words like 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:34.840 dependable, reliable, trustworthy, loyalty. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:40.080 My dad just showed that right before I was even born. 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:43.420 In a difficult situation, my dad carried those words. 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:45.720 And he carried them through to this day. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:48.020 He forgets lots. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:51.160 I'm going there this afternoon to paint over some stuff 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:54.280 that he missed having put up a radiator 00:04:54.280 --> 00:04:55.480 that fell off a wall. 00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:56.720 You know, those sort of things. 00:04:58.120 --> 00:04:59.840 To this day, he is still, though, 00:05:00.400 --> 00:05:03.280 dependable, trustworthy, reliable, and loyal. 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:06.900 And, you know, when we find people like that, 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:09.520 it is really worth taking note. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:10.940 Like, why are they like that? 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:12.300 Why are they like that? 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:16.160 Well, faithfulness, according to Scripture, at least, 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:18.360 in Galatians 5 there is helpful, 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:19.980 because I haven't got it out in front of me there. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:23.360 It's one of the fruits of the Spirit. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:25.560 It's a spiritual thing. 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:27.120 It comes from the Spirit. 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:30.340 It grows in the Spirit's power in us. 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:31.220 It develops. 00:05:32.180 --> 00:05:33.020 It's a fruit. 00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:35.080 And to see that in my dad is actually, 00:05:35.200 --> 00:05:36.120 today, this morning, 00:05:36.460 --> 00:05:37.960 especially, it was like a real reminder. 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:42.240 Actually, there are some people who nail it, you know. 00:05:42.760 --> 00:05:43.460 They nail it. 00:05:43.520 --> 00:05:44.440 And I wonder for you, 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:45.380 it was in the prayers, 00:05:45.440 --> 00:05:46.580 and that was another reminder. 00:05:46.820 --> 00:05:48.380 Gene, I wonder for you, 00:05:48.440 --> 00:05:50.760 who are those people, actually, 00:05:50.860 --> 00:05:51.380 that you think, 00:05:51.440 --> 00:05:53.820 they've shown me faithfulness like I've not seen before? 00:05:55.140 --> 00:05:55.960 Learn from them. 00:05:57.380 --> 00:05:58.140 Take notes. 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:01.360 For my dad, he's not good-looking anymore, 00:06:01.459 --> 00:06:02.379 but he was good-looking. 00:06:02.919 --> 00:06:03.539 And the pictures, 00:06:03.919 --> 00:06:05.639 I feel like I've got the... 00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:06.800 I'm joining him. 00:06:07.099 --> 00:06:08.159 No, no, I'm joining him. 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:10.899 The trajectory's downward. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:13.879 But he was a, you know, 00:06:13.919 --> 00:06:16.259 he's a stunning young man in the photos, 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:19.439 super cool with his beer and his vinyls, 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:20.659 first time around. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:24.919 And he could have had anybody, 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:26.519 just so the story goes, 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:27.159 according to my mum. 00:06:28.139 --> 00:06:30.819 But he saw mum, 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:32.979 and he knew what was the right thing to do. 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:34.839 And because part of who he is, 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:36.279 is he's a faithful guy. 00:06:36.659 --> 00:06:38.180 And he can't ignore an issue. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:39.399 He can't ignore a problem. 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:40.819 And he wanted to help. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:42.959 So faithfulness is, 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:44.500 is a, 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:45.539 is, 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:48.800 is a spirit thing, 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:49.639 but it's, 00:06:49.719 --> 00:06:53.579 it's rare, 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:54.399 I think, 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:55.219 I'm going to be honest. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:55.720 I think, 00:06:56.220 --> 00:06:58.520 it's rare to see it as uniquely 00:06:58.520 --> 00:07:00.120 as I think I've seen it in my dad. 00:07:00.180 --> 00:07:00.940 And even my dad, 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:01.200 you know, 00:07:01.260 --> 00:07:01.440 he's, 00:07:01.820 --> 00:07:02.080 you know, 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:02.300 he's, 00:07:02.440 --> 00:07:03.340 there's been other stuff. 00:07:03.580 --> 00:07:04.260 It's been difficult. 00:07:05.220 --> 00:07:05.480 But, 00:07:06.440 --> 00:07:06.680 you know, 00:07:06.760 --> 00:07:07.360 faithfulness, 00:07:07.420 --> 00:07:08.160 I wonder for you, 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:09.100 if you know people, 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:11.720 where when you hear that proverb, 00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:13.560 many claim to have unfailing love, 00:07:13.640 --> 00:07:15.120 but a faithful person who can find, 00:07:15.220 --> 00:07:15.780 you can say, 00:07:15.940 --> 00:07:16.740 I know one. 00:07:19.380 --> 00:07:21.020 I was looking around faithfulness, 00:07:21.140 --> 00:07:21.260 and, 00:07:21.900 --> 00:07:22.400 yes, 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:23.700 the Bible on the whole, 00:07:23.840 --> 00:07:24.960 is a story of redemption. 00:07:25.380 --> 00:07:27.420 The Bible is the story of God's redemption, 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:27.720 of, 00:07:27.820 --> 00:07:28.960 of his creation, 00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:30.580 his restoration of, 00:07:30.760 --> 00:07:31.200 of it, 00:07:31.260 --> 00:07:32.180 of what he's made, 00:07:32.340 --> 00:07:33.140 healing, 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:34.780 of the brokenness, 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:36.080 is a story of victory, 00:07:36.340 --> 00:07:37.740 and God is the victor. 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:39.540 God is the ultimate person, 00:07:39.540 --> 00:07:40.980 of faithfulness. 00:07:43.400 --> 00:07:44.360 But the heart, 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:46.480 that is the heartbeat of the story, 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:47.420 is faithfulness. 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:48.060 And it's two, 00:07:48.140 --> 00:07:48.960 it's twofold. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.220 It's faithfulness of God, 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:51.500 which we know is consistent. 00:07:52.320 --> 00:07:53.140 And it's why, 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:53.939 the, 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:54.220 the, 00:07:54.260 --> 00:07:55.540 Israel could, 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:56.800 could cry, 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:57.220 God, 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:57.960 where are you? 00:07:58.020 --> 00:07:58.800 Because they knew, 00:07:59.200 --> 00:08:00.600 he was the faithful God. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:03.300 That's why the Psalms are full of crying out to God, 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:04.100 for, 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:06.120 him to be who he is. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:07.660 Because they knew who he was. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:09.540 Um, 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:11.960 but the other side of the faithfulness heartbeat, 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:12.520 in scripture, 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:13.400 is our, 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:14.180 story. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:16.520 And it's the one of, 00:08:16.520 --> 00:08:17.400 unfaithfulness. 00:08:18.380 --> 00:08:19.460 You have the story of the Bible, 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:20.740 you have the faithful God, 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.940 and the unfaithful people. 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:23.720 That's the pattern. 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:25.240 And yet God, 00:08:25.460 --> 00:08:25.580 in, 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:26.820 in grace, 00:08:26.940 --> 00:08:27.600 and love, 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.000 chooses to work through, 00:08:29.080 --> 00:08:30.080 unfaithful people, 00:08:30.260 --> 00:08:30.960 to bring about, 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:33.320 bring about, 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.300 his kingdom, 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:35.060 on it. 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:36.879 And so, 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:37.339 again, 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:38.339 you can see that this, 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:39.859 where is this sermon going? 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:40.179 What, 00:08:40.239 --> 00:08:40.459 what, 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:41.559 what is the big, 00:08:41.939 --> 00:08:44.199 big message we can take? 00:08:44.619 --> 00:08:44.779 Well, 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:45.539 my dad is a, 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:47.279 a real human experience, 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:47.939 from now, 00:08:48.119 --> 00:08:48.459 time, 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:49.599 of faithfulness. 00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:50.839 But when we look at scripture, 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:51.199 actually, 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:53.019 it's not so easy to find someone, 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:53.659 that, 00:08:53.839 --> 00:08:55.119 that we can say, 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:56.819 as long as we're not in Sunday school, 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:57.799 and Jesus is the answer. 00:08:58.179 --> 00:08:59.099 We can say, 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:01.259 this person really nailed it, 00:09:01.339 --> 00:09:02.579 when it comes to faithfulness. 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:04.320 And actually, 00:09:04.420 --> 00:09:04.960 Daniel is, 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:06.020 a unique character, 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:06.580 in that way. 00:09:07.540 --> 00:09:08.500 The Bible gives us, 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:09.500 no dirt on Daniel. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:11.560 The Bible gives us, 00:09:11.800 --> 00:09:12.820 lots of dirt on other people. 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:14.379 We think of Abraham the Great. 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:15.080 Well, 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:17.060 he had the Hagar incident. 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:19.320 He was a liar. 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.360 He kept passing off his wife, 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:22.060 to the rulers, 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.400 just to keep himself safe, 00:09:23.520 --> 00:09:23.759 you know. 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:25.220 Faithful? 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:25.980 Not sure. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:27.680 We have, 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:28.560 Moses, 00:09:29.060 --> 00:09:30.000 guy who brought out, 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:30.820 the whole of Israel, 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:32.180 through trusting in God, 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:33.299 to take them through the Exodus. 00:09:35.199 --> 00:09:35.539 Yeah, 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:36.319 but he was a murderer, 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:37.599 he got angry. 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:39.899 Okay, 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:40.259 alright, 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:41.039 where should we go? 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:41.500 So we've got, 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:42.319 Abraham, 00:09:42.479 --> 00:09:42.719 Moses, 00:09:42.839 --> 00:09:43.519 not so good. 00:09:45.099 --> 00:09:45.419 David, 00:09:45.579 --> 00:09:45.879 David, 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:47.319 David's good. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:49.139 David's the great king, 00:09:49.199 --> 00:09:49.979 they've been waiting for us. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:50.939 Saul was the bad guy. 00:09:51.059 --> 00:09:51.459 David, 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:53.599 loved the Lord, 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:55.139 his heart. 00:09:56.479 --> 00:09:58.039 But he also loved the women a lot. 00:09:58.039 --> 00:10:01.199 He was an adulterer, 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:02.599 and a murderer, 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:03.899 to try and cover his traps, 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:04.339 and in fact, 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:05.259 even on his deathbed, 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:06.039 he was a bit shady. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:07.899 I said I wouldn't kill them. 00:10:08.439 --> 00:10:08.740 Solomon, 00:10:08.839 --> 00:10:09.339 off you go. 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:12.159 Not the most faithful guy. 00:10:13.339 --> 00:10:13.500 Oh, 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:14.480 there's got to be some in there, 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:15.039 there's got to be some. 00:10:15.099 --> 00:10:16.399 Maybe we need to go a bit further back. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:16.799 Noah, 00:10:17.459 --> 00:10:17.799 Noah, 00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:18.839 the guy with the ark, 00:10:18.939 --> 00:10:19.620 he was a giddy, 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:19.899 right? 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:21.319 Well, 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:22.819 the first thing he did, 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:23.759 when he gets off the ark, 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.500 he gets drunk, 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:26.299 and even Glastonbury would be a bit like, 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:26.580 mate, 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:27.279 steady on. 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:29.019 What's going on? 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:30.419 Okay, 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:31.980 so Noah's not a good one either. 00:10:33.059 --> 00:10:33.320 Ah, 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:33.960 Job. 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:35.860 We all feel sorry for Job. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:37.019 You know, 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:37.379 Job, 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:37.980 poor Job. 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:39.220 Good guy. 00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:40.620 What was he? 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:43.240 Was he covering his family's sins 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:44.259 with the sacrifices? 00:10:44.419 --> 00:10:45.039 Was he diligent, 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:45.879 trying to compensate 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:47.159 for the mess of his family? 00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:47.600 Maybe. 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:50.039 And even if not that, 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:50.399 well, 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:52.740 he finally gave up, 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:54.200 and he got a bit annoyed at God. 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.679 And even he repents 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:58.320 of his doubting God, 00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:59.639 and his relationship with God. 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.220 So actually, 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:01.659 Daniel, 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:02.419 all of a sudden, 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:04.740 there's this really awesome character, 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:05.580 where we can go, 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:06.879 oh my goodness, 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.419 there is faithfulness possible 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:09.379 in human beings. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:11.919 A true example of faithfulness. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:13.159 And Daniel is that for us. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:16.519 And we read just briefly, 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:19.799 an example of why he 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:21.059 demonstrates that, 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:21.820 he embodies that, 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:22.480 is that he, 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.340 a Jew, 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:25.500 taken from his home 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:26.879 into a new place. 00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:27.519 He's, 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.980 chapter one of Daniel 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:30.139 tells us that he's smart, 00:11:30.280 --> 00:11:31.000 and he's good looking, 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:32.180 and all those kind of things. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.540 But actually, 00:11:34.660 --> 00:11:35.399 he's dependable, 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:35.840 trustworthy, 00:11:36.160 --> 00:11:36.440 loyal. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.580 He's faithful. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.360 That's why he rises up. 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:42.480 That's why he gets put over 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:45.320 all these other nation leaders, 00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:46.540 these subtracts, 00:11:46.540 --> 00:11:47.040 as you heard, 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:48.240 these governors, 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:49.579 who would not have been 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:50.839 Israel. 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:51.639 You know, 00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:54.579 he is an exiled person, 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:55.959 and he's been given responsibility 00:11:55.959 --> 00:11:57.519 because of his character, 00:11:58.059 --> 00:11:59.439 because of his faithfulness. 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:03.279 And so I want to take from him, 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:03.639 really, 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:05.059 a couple of examples, 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.379 not examples, 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.399 a couple of points, 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:07.879 I guess, 00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:10.099 about how faithfulness 00:12:10.099 --> 00:12:11.740 can grow in us. 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:13.899 And so my first point 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:15.159 is going to be simple. 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.659 It's going to be that faithfulness 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:18.840 is grounded in relationships. 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:21.580 Faithfulness is grounded 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:22.799 in relationships. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:26.159 Our proverb, 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.299 what does it say? 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.519 Many claim, 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:30.659 many claim 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:32.279 to have unfailing love. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:33.659 Many claim to be, 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.399 you know, 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:35.180 devout, 00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:35.720 committed. 00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:38.519 We're good at words. 00:12:39.820 --> 00:12:40.740 We're good at words. 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:42.299 We can say we're faithful. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.139 We can say 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:45.159 we're dependable, 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:45.620 loyal. 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:47.279 We're reliable. 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:49.139 But how do you know 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.620 if somebody is one of those things? 00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:52.759 It's grounded 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:54.080 in reality, 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.139 and it's found 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:56.399 in actual 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.379 relationships. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:12:58.980 You know, 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:00.139 it's not a theory. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:02.220 Faithfulness is not a theory. 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.779 It's grounded 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:06.039 in relationships. 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:08.919 My dad is the example 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:09.700 that I gave 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:10.480 earlier. 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:11.720 It's clearly there. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.200 You can tell my dad 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:14.399 was a faithful guy 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:15.560 because of the actions, 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:17.139 not just the words. 00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:18.220 And for Daniel, 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:19.019 it's the same thing. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:19.740 In chapter one, 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:20.419 right at the start 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.139 of his story, 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:22.740 when he's being 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.139 prepared 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:25.139 to be useful 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:27.060 in the empire, 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.779 they offer him food, 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:29.259 and he says, 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.019 I can't eat that. 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:32.000 That's not what my God 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.639 says we eat. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.980 And he doesn't just say, 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:36.560 you know, 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:38.560 I'm God's person, 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:39.399 you can't make me eat that. 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:39.840 He says, 00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:40.879 let me eat, 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.919 let me show you, 00:13:42.459 --> 00:13:43.639 let me show you. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.179 Let's have a season. 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:47.500 We will eat this stuff, 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:49.120 and if it's wrong, 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.259 we'll eat whatever. 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:53.379 But he grounds it 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:53.959 in reality. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.379 He makes a good 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:56.059 relationship 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:57.939 with this official 00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:58.779 who's responsible 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.279 for them. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:02.000 and straight away, 00:14:02.079 --> 00:14:02.799 you can see Daniel 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.819 is this trustworthy, 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:04.919 reliable guy. 00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:07.039 So that's the first point 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:07.819 I want us to think 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:08.959 about when we're 00:14:08.959 --> 00:14:09.600 trying to work out 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:12.079 whether there are areas 00:14:12.079 --> 00:14:12.659 where we're maybe 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.480 not so faithful 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:15.199 or lacking in faithfulness. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:17.059 Are you actually 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:18.399 grounding it 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.220 in relationships, 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:20.939 in your friendships, 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.019 in your marriage, 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:24.039 in your workplaces 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:24.860 with your colleagues? 00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:26.879 Are you grounding it 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:28.179 in a real experience 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:29.000 where people can say, 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.200 yes, 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.639 he is reliable. 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:30.960 Yes, 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:32.519 he is faithful. 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.919 So that's my first thought. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.679 And my second one, 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:38.960 again, 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:39.200 Gene, 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:40.259 you nailed the prayers 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:40.720 this morning. 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.559 It's costly, 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:42.879 right? 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.240 Faithfulness is costly. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.159 My dad's example, 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.200 the unwritten part 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:49.759 of the story, 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.700 is the bit 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.580 that shows the cost 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:51.820 of it, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.120 really. 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:54.580 But also for Daniel, 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.320 it was costly. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.799 What if he'd got this wrong 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:58.700 right at the start? 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.019 Might have been 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:01.720 a different story. 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.759 But then we go 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:04.039 to chapter six 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:04.960 and we see that 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.919 he's grounded 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:07.259 in the relationships. 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.220 The leaders, 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:09.419 they trust him 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:10.480 as in at the top. 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.700 And all these other leaders, 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:13.259 they don't like him. 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:16.480 The cost of his faithfulness 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:17.279 to the empire, 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.919 his faithfulness to God 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:21.019 first and foremost, 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:22.360 means that people 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:23.240 are out to get him. 00:15:24.819 --> 00:15:25.639 Faithfulness isn't 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.279 something the world 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.039 actually wants. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:28.199 We talk about it a lot. 00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:29.679 But you just read the papers. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:33.299 You use your news app. 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:35.259 You tell me if faithfulness 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.939 is a characteristic 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:38.340 of our society, 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:40.000 something we really want. 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:41.679 Let's not get into 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:42.600 politics right now. 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:43.500 But I think 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.579 across the planet, 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.259 we're seeing that 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.159 faithfulness is really 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:48.039 not that important. 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:52.039 For Daniel, 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:52.899 to be faithful 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.980 meant to be at odds 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.220 with people in the world. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:57.399 And for us, 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.980 to be faithful, 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:02.559 means that we're going 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.179 to be at odds 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:04.659 with people in the world. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.960 Especially when we're 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.600 trying to protect 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.259 our relationship 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:08.860 with God. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.019 But also, 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.740 our relationship 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.460 with each other. 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:14.440 I wonder if 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:15.620 that's something 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.240 that maybe 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:16.980 that is the area 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.019 for you right now 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.639 when it comes to 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.639 faithfulness you're struggling. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.440 Actually, 00:16:21.900 --> 00:16:22.680 it's going to cost 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.660 if I'm faithful there. 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.980 If I'm going to be 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:27.400 faithful to God's promises 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.740 and call on my life 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:30.379 to be a Christ-like follower, 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:32.800 I'm going to have to 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:34.440 put myself a little bit 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:35.639 lower on the spectrum. 00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:37.240 A little bit lower 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.940 on the scale. 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:41.180 Because that's 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:42.140 the reality of it. 00:16:43.380 --> 00:16:44.580 Faithfulness isn't a theory, 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.360 it's something 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:47.100 we are to embody. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.360 Daniel embodied it. 00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:51.100 The cost for him 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.720 was great. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.420 So much so, 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:52.940 it wasn't just 00:16:52.940 --> 00:16:53.400 that the people 00:16:53.400 --> 00:16:54.140 were out to get him, 00:16:54.160 --> 00:16:54.820 he ended up 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.760 in a lion's den. 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:57.980 I don't know about you, 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:58.880 but that doesn't sound 00:16:58.880 --> 00:17:00.060 like a motive 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:00.860 to be a faithful 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:01.680 kind of person. 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:03.960 I don't even like 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:04.600 big cats. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:05.940 Lions are... 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:10.980 All of a sudden 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.680 you're stroking them 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.100 and they're like 00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:12.779 pouncing on you 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.799 trying to kill you 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.039 or something. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.039 It's a tiger in them. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.680 It's got to be... 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.820 That's the problem 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:22.539 with not using notes 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.539 is you get sidetracked 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.039 by your own 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.039 terrible jokes. 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.180 Lion's den. 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.700 Daniel. 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.420 Faithfulness 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:31.059 was proven. 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.700 His loyalty to God 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.240 was proven. 00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:33.900 His trustworthy, 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.420 his reliableness 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.220 was proven. 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.700 Even in a lion's den, 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:39.779 this guy did not quit. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.360 And then it comes back to, 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:43.860 well, okay, 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.220 so you're saying 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.820 it's costly. 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.140 What is it worth it? 00:17:47.380 --> 00:17:47.860 Sometimes 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:49.600 it's going to be my answer. 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.500 Sometimes it's worth it 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.580 in the now. 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.080 It's always worth it 00:17:55.080 --> 00:17:56.120 when we talk about 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.940 the kingdom of God. 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.580 But sometimes 00:17:58.580 --> 00:17:59.279 it's worth it. 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.000 There's another story 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.519 I tell you 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.860 which I really... 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:03.039 I love and I hate. 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.320 Has anyone heard 00:18:04.320 --> 00:18:05.000 of a guy called 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.880 Kenji Goto? 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.200 Yes? 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.039 Kenji Goto 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.600 was a Japanese 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.960 journalist. 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:14.779 In about 2015, 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:15.759 there was some stuff 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.600 going on in Syria. 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:20.580 And Kenji Goto 00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:21.019 had a friend 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.600 called Haruna Yakawa. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.600 And Haruna 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:27.680 was a complicated character. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.220 But these two 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:28.660 were friends 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.779 and they both 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.380 spent some time 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.220 in Syria together. 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.200 One of them... 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:34.740 I love this. 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.539 I'm just going to... 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.240 That's so good. 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.840 That is awesome. 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.900 Normally a young person 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:39.640 is on their phone. 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.920 Yeah, yeah. 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.620 Hello! 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:52.220 Haruna Yakawa 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.600 was a complicated character 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.160 and he... 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.980 he ended up 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.400 trying to do 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:57.460 lots of stuff in Syria 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:59.059 like bodyguarding 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.319 and all sorts of things. 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:00.940 And he ended up 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.759 getting captured 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.179 by the ISIS 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:04.759 bunch of people. 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.339 And... 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:08.200 Yeah... 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.799 Kenji Goto 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.319 was at home 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.839 back in Japan 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:11.440 and his wife 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.059 and two kids 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:13.119 and he heard the story 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.919 and he was compelled 00:19:14.919 --> 00:19:16.419 to go 00:19:16.419 --> 00:19:17.559 and try and help out. 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.299 He was compelled 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:22.839 to respond. 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.579 He was a Christian, 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.240 funny enough. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.819 And he knew 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.720 the love of Christ 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.400 and what Jesus 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.220 had done for him. 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.000 And his friend 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.859 was in prison, 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.440 literally. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.319 His friend 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:31.980 was in the hands 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:34.220 of an empire 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:34.900 of evil. 00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:38.599 And he could not 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:40.460 stay in Japan. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.160 He had a wife 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.660 and kids. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.620 He could not 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.240 stay at home 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.880 because he said 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.339 Christ 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.799 and greater love 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.400 have no man 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.019 and he lay his life 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.839 down for his friends. 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.180 And so Kenji 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.180 went to Syria 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.620 and he started 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.559 making noise 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:55.139 his faithfulness 00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:55.700 was costly. 00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:56.539 He started 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.179 making noise. 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.240 Where is this person? 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:58.960 Where's my friend? 00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.679 Finding out 00:19:59.679 --> 00:20:00.240 where he is. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:00.960 Ends up, 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.159 no surprise, 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.480 ends up getting captured. 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.940 Ends up sat 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.279 next to his friend. 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:07.220 He found his friend. 00:20:09.179 --> 00:20:09.700 I wonder what 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.759 conversations they had 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.899 sat next to each other 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:14.599 in a prison cell 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:16.319 knowing what the outcome is 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.159 because it was 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:17.859 always the same. 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.919 But Iharu no Yakawa 00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:23.059 knew his friend 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.659 was trustworthy, 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.419 reliable, 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.200 dependable, 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.279 faithful. 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.419 And they both died. 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.419 They both were executed. 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:33.519 They were both executed. 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.000 Sometimes, 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.220 faithfulness 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.119 is costly 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:41.659 and it doesn't 00:20:41.659 --> 00:20:42.319 end up good. 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.359 Now the story 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.000 is amazing. 00:20:46.919 --> 00:20:47.700 The story 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.240 is amazing 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:48.899 for us. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.139 But I don't want 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.919 to make it light. 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:52.180 I want it to be real. 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.600 It's grounded in reality. 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.320 It's a horrible 00:20:54.320 --> 00:20:55.160 true story. 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.460 But it's the reality 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.320 of trying to be 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.180 faithful people. 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.560 Sometimes it doesn't 00:21:00.560 --> 00:21:01.039 go well. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.340 Yes, 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.539 faithfulness 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:05.080 is costly. 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:11.559 but it's what we're 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:12.019 called to. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.339 And not only is it 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:14.980 what we're called 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:16.379 to seek out, 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.379 it's something 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.220 that shows 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:20.579 we follow Jesus. 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.839 The fruit 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:25.059 of the Spirit. 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.619 Those who follow 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:27.119 Jesus 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.079 have the Spirit 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.480 of God 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:28.980 in them. 00:21:29.939 --> 00:21:30.259 Now, 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.539 the Spirit can do 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.059 what it likes 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.659 and it can work 00:21:32.659 --> 00:21:33.659 through unbelievers. 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.440 Of course it can. 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.139 It can work 00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:35.859 through non-Christians. 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.579 Of course it can. 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:37.259 The Spirit did that 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.759 throughout the whole 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.419 of the Old Testament. 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.899 Let's not be crazy here. 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.079 But for us 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.639 as Christians, 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.559 the promise 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.179 is the Spirit. 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.980 The great counselor 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.940 will be with us. 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:46.559 Yeah? 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.079 So those things, 00:21:49.679 --> 00:21:50.240 one of which 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.139 we're looking at today, 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.679 are fruit 00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:54.299 of that relationship 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.659 with the Spirit 00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:56.440 in us. 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.259 So it needs 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.819 to be grounded 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.700 in our reality. 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:04.599 grounded 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:05.500 in our relationships, 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.759 grounded in reality, 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.279 and yes, 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:09.059 it is costly. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.159 Now that's 00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:12.859 the lowest point. 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:14.099 We're going to build now. 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.559 We're going to 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:16.700 lighten up 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.159 a little bit 00:22:17.159 --> 00:22:17.740 because 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:19.599 we began the service, 00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:20.559 which initially 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.240 panicked me, 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.319 with a really clear 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.079 point about how 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.700 we're going to learn 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.960 about God's faithfulness 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.539 to us. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.319 God's faithfulness 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:28.879 to us. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:29.839 Yes. 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.639 We cannot compare 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.620 to God's faithfulness. 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.560 That's why we need 00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:33.920 Daniel. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.020 That's why we need 00:22:36.020 --> 00:22:36.600 the testimony 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.940 of people 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.520 who choose 00:22:38.520 --> 00:22:39.380 to follow Christ 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:41.640 because we can 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.160 comprehend 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.280 that level 00:22:43.280 --> 00:22:44.040 of faithfulness. 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:44.900 God's faithfulness 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:46.800 is so far above. 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.900 So far above. 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.120 We are not worthy, 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:52.620 we say in some 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:54.200 traditional communion, 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.000 we are not worthy 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.100 to even eat the crumbs 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:57.100 under your table, 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.460 yet you welcome us. 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.460 God's faithfulness. 00:22:59.460 --> 00:22:59.799 God's faithfulness. 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.400 Wow. 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.920 That's faithfulness. 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.019 That's dependability, 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:03.680 reliability, 00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.980 trustworthiness, 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.720 loyalty. 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:08.259 Even while we were 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.860 still sinners, 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.100 Christ died for the 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.640 ungodly. 00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.240 Wow. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.779 Even if we didn't 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.840 choose to follow him, 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:16.059 he still did it for us. 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.960 He still went to the 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.880 cross for us. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.920 That's something 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:21.200 we can never quite, 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.579 even snippets, 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.079 Kenji, 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.960 the snippets of it. 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:28.180 But here's the good news 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:28.759 and this is where 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.680 I want us to feel like 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.480 we can breathe a bit 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.200 deeper again. 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:33.100 The fruit 00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:36.620 of the Spirit 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:38.500 is 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:41.480 not the fruit 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.960 of Jay's hard work, 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:45.500 not the fruit 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.900 of your hard work, 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.140 your upbringing, 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.799 your money, 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.799 your situation, 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.860 your context. 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.740 No, the fruit 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.679 of the Spirit 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:58.119 is faithfulness. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.179 How freeing 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:00.959 is that to know? 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:01.539 That actually, 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.839 the bottom line is, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.079 our job isn't to try 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.699 and become 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:06.000 more faithful. 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.859 It's not to try 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:09.039 and make plans. 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.299 It's to live 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.779 our life 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:14.799 and trust 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:15.699 the Spirit 00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:16.679 to lead the way. 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.479 Not to make 00:24:19.479 --> 00:24:20.119 it happen, 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.059 but to let 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.539 the Spirit 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.359 do what the Spirit 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.519 does in his people. 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:25.899 The Spirit 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:26.179 of God 00:24:26.179 --> 00:24:26.639 is in us, 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.679 perfecting us. 00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:29.139 That was one of the things 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.939 that I was worried about 00:24:29.939 --> 00:24:31.439 talking about faithfulness, 00:24:31.919 --> 00:24:33.139 is actually sometimes 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:34.619 when we hear a sermon 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.759 and it gets to the 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.899 moral conversation, 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:37.899 we get guilty, 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.679 we feel bad, 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:40.179 because for so long 00:24:40.179 --> 00:24:40.839 you've heard from 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.919 the front of a church 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:43.259 how you need to repent 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.179 and how you need 00:24:44.179 --> 00:24:44.839 to be better. 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.959 If you really follow 00:24:45.959 --> 00:24:46.240 Jesus, 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.419 you need to be better. 00:24:48.219 --> 00:24:49.240 And that's not the message 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.839 of the Gospel, 00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:50.559 the message of 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.459 you're not better, 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:53.460 but I love you anyway. 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:56.039 You can't be perfect, 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:58.100 but I can perfect you 00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:59.240 through my Spirit. 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.160 I'll do the perfecting, 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.740 says God. 00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:04.120 My Spirit will be in you 00:25:04.120 --> 00:25:04.980 and it will guide you. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.140 I'm sending you 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:08.079 a great counselor. 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.480 The guidance, 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.680 the actions, 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:12.000 the words, 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.299 they're God's. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:15.000 and we have just 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.240 got to be willing 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.819 to take a faith step. 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.019 That's our responsibility 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.759 in this, 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.200 a faith step. 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.639 And so let's land 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.659 on a challenge, 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.159 if I haven't already 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:26.480 felt, 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.659 been a bit too challenging 00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:28.019 already. 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:29.740 Here's a challenge for you. 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.919 Right now, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.940 the Spirit is in you. 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.339 If you follow Jesus, 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.519 that's no question. 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.619 And if you don't follow 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.539 Jesus right now, 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.339 the Spirit is still hovering. 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.539 Hovered over the waters 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.119 in the beginning, 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.200 it's hovering now. 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.099 The Spirit 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:47.059 is showing you stuff. 00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:48.539 Even now, 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.619 as I'm talking, 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.319 the Spirit's probably 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:51.659 bringing people into mind. 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.119 In relationships, 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.940 where you need to be 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.539 more faithful, 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.659 or you know that 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.460 that's the issue. 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:58.059 Or situations, 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.099 maybe jobs. 00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:00.700 Maybe you're in 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.559 a career path 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.440 and there's some options 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.419 going on and you think, 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:03.720 actually, 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:05.059 am I being faithful to God? 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.379 Am I being faithful 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.059 to my colleague? 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.539 The Spirit's giving you 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.139 opportunity. 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.139 He's not saying, 00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:13.220 now I've shown you, 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.039 go do it. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:14.980 He's saying, 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.919 now I've shown you. 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.500 Trust me. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.839 Seek me. 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.619 God, 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.259 here's the issue. 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:23.680 Be the God 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.700 that I know you are. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.259 Be the God 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.200 that Daniel trusted. 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.940 I'm not going to eat 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.500 this food, 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.279 and I know it's really 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.859 unpopular, 00:26:31.159 --> 00:26:31.779 chapter one. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.659 But I need to trust 00:26:33.659 --> 00:26:35.319 and trust in my God's 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.279 faithfulness. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.639 The fruit 00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.940 was proven. 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.519 It's illegal. 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.960 The only thing 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.519 we're going to be able, 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.120 chapter five, 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.740 the only thing 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.360 we're going to be able 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:46.059 to do to catch him out 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:47.960 is to break 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.240 his own laws, 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.259 his God laws. 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:50.840 We're going to have to 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.680 change the rules 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.039 so that he gets in trouble. 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:54.460 First thing he does 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.160 when he finds out 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:55.600 is he goes 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.660 and he breaks the rule. 00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:57.940 God, 00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:59.039 he prays, 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.539 gets seen praying. 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.680 Naughty boy. 00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.640 He's in the lion's den. 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.440 I'm going to trust 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.720 my God's faithfulness. 00:27:07.080 --> 00:27:07.660 For Daniel, 00:27:07.820 --> 00:27:08.240 it's different 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.200 than it was for Kenji, 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:12.060 but faithfulness 00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:14.040 is God's to produce 00:27:14.040 --> 00:27:14.920 the fruit of. 00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:17.200 Faithfulness grows 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:19.200 when God cultivates it. 00:27:20.560 --> 00:27:21.580 But we are 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:24.980 to be faith-filled people, 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:27.160 and our role is 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.820 to start with 00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:28.759 the step of faith. 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:31.140 Just one step of faith. 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:32.980 And you'll be surprised 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.779 at what God does 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.579 with that little thing. 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.779 That little step. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.680 How God will 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:40.319 fill you 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.860 with faith-ness. 00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:41.920 Amen.