WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.060 As we sit, let's pray together. 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:09.320 Our gracious Father, we thank you for your word. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:16.059 And we pray that this morning you would open our ears and our hearts and our minds. 00:00:17.500 --> 00:00:21.519 Father, that you will do amongst us what you promise you will do. 00:00:22.379 --> 00:00:25.379 And that is you'll change us from the inside out. 00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:32.179 That we might truly be your disciples and may shine in this dark world. 00:00:32.519 --> 00:00:35.259 To the glory of your name. Amen. 00:00:37.140 --> 00:00:44.039 So the topic I've been given this morning to talk to you about is seize the day. 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:48.159 It's a phrase, a little more about that in a minute, 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:54.480 but it's a phrase that has been used a lot in leadership seminars. 00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:02.019 I often think when the speakers of the opinion that the people in front of him are about to slip into a coma, 00:01:02.259 --> 00:01:04.500 suddenly shout at them, seize the day. 00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:12.959 Or again, in our current world, it sits very well with this kind of idea of well-being. 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:18.799 Where you'll have heard oft-quoted the phrase, live in the moment. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:28.299 As if we could somehow easily ditch our past, many of you are prisoners of that past, as a matter of fact. 00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:33.179 Or we could pretend that the future doesn't exist at all. 00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:44.240 And there's a little whiff of what the Greek poet and philosopher, 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:46.940 with the unlikely name of Horace, 00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:50.980 who wrote this set of four books called his Odes. 00:01:51.460 --> 00:01:55.840 And it's in book one and poem number 11, 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:59.740 that he talks about seizing the day. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:04.840 You get a little bit of that, don't you, in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:06.620 when Jesus is talking, he says, 00:02:06.859 --> 00:02:07.960 take no thought for tomorrow. 00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:10.560 Tomorrow will take care of itself. 00:02:10.699 --> 00:02:13.680 Well, of course, what Jesus was dealing with there 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:18.140 was something that can be very crippling in our lives. 00:02:18.139 --> 00:02:22.159 And that is, he was dealing with anxiety. 00:02:23.839 --> 00:02:25.699 He's saying to the crowd there, 00:02:25.959 --> 00:02:28.379 look, when you look at the birds of the air, 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:30.539 they don't worry about what they're going to wear. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:33.239 I'm not going to put your hands up, 00:02:33.299 --> 00:02:35.639 but I wonder if there's anybody in the house 00:02:35.639 --> 00:02:40.439 who has started an evening out with that question, 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:41.739 I don't know what to wear. 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:46.920 So you go to a wardrobe which is copiously full, 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:48.379 and then you announce, 00:02:48.480 --> 00:02:49.939 and I haven't got anything to wear. 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:56.659 Jesus said, you don't need to be anxious about that. 00:02:56.700 --> 00:02:58.240 He's trying to deal with anxiety. 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:01.240 And there's nowhere in the Bible 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:04.700 where you would be encouraged not to think about your future. 00:03:06.140 --> 00:03:07.719 Remember in Romans, 00:03:08.160 --> 00:03:10.580 the letter to the Romans, chapter 8. 00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:13.880 Paul is dealing with a congregation 00:03:13.880 --> 00:03:18.120 who are really dispirited. 00:03:19.460 --> 00:03:21.180 They're being persecuted. 00:03:21.720 --> 00:03:23.400 They're being harassed. 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:26.180 And the Roman authorities were like this. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:29.280 As long as you lived by their rules, 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:30.320 they were fine. 00:03:30.380 --> 00:03:32.260 But the moment you crossed those rules, 00:03:33.380 --> 00:03:36.660 the full weight of the power of the Roman Empire 00:03:36.660 --> 00:03:37.800 would fall upon you. 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:41.280 And you might even find yourself crucified upside down 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:42.880 on the Appian Way. 00:03:45.380 --> 00:03:48.600 This is not a fun time to be a Christian. 00:03:49.980 --> 00:03:50.900 And do you know what? 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:54.360 I don't think it's a fun time to be a Christian today. 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:57.280 Talk a little more about that in a moment. 00:03:57.420 --> 00:03:59.280 But for now, back to Horace. 00:04:01.220 --> 00:04:02.800 Horace wrote his poems. 00:04:02.880 --> 00:04:04.080 The poem that he wrote, 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:06.880 poem number 11 in book 1, 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:08.320 goes like this. 00:04:08.580 --> 00:04:09.660 He's arguing against 00:04:10.380 --> 00:04:14.380 endless speculation about the future. 00:04:16.020 --> 00:04:16.500 He says, 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:46.480 It's been a scholarly debate, 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:48.900 as there normally is around the classics. 00:04:49.580 --> 00:04:52.360 What did Horace actually mean? 00:04:52.840 --> 00:04:54.759 Did he really mean that we seriously 00:04:54.759 --> 00:04:57.340 shouldn't give any thought at all for tomorrow? 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:01.200 Well, that's one scholarly view. 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:03.080 And of course, that's the way it's interpreted 00:05:03.080 --> 00:05:04.780 in our culture today. 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:06.819 It's interpreted very much as, 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:08.640 go out there and get them. 00:05:09.420 --> 00:05:10.500 Or even worse, 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:12.140 it's used as a kind of ticket 00:05:12.139 --> 00:05:14.479 to a hedonistic lifestyle. 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:18.360 Hedonism is a philosophy of pleasure. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:21.500 A lot of writers are writing about 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:24.079 the fact that the Judeo-Christian culture 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:26.000 that formed our own culture 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:28.259 has been pushed to the margins of society. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:30.240 And in consequence today, 00:05:30.659 --> 00:05:32.259 people seem to have no meaning 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:34.819 apart from what we read off from their lives. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:35.759 And that is, 00:05:35.919 --> 00:05:37.899 they want to get as much money as possible 00:05:37.899 --> 00:05:39.279 and have a good time. 00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:41.919 Incidentally, 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:44.199 just in case you're confused about this, 00:05:44.539 --> 00:05:46.579 Christians aren't against a good time. 00:05:47.899 --> 00:05:50.120 It's interesting that before I became a Christian, 00:05:50.419 --> 00:05:52.439 that's exactly what I thought they were about. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:54.799 When I became a Christian, 00:05:54.919 --> 00:05:57.679 I realized that some aspects of my lifestyle 00:05:57.679 --> 00:05:58.899 needed to be curtailed 00:05:59.599 --> 00:06:00.919 in order that I could live 00:06:00.919 --> 00:06:02.739 as Jesus wanted me to live. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:04.359 And that's a great act of faith 00:06:04.359 --> 00:06:06.359 on my part and on your part, 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:08.980 because living as Jesus wants us to live 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:10.699 is very often against the way 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:12.259 we would naturally live. 00:06:15.080 --> 00:06:16.439 Blessed are the meek, 00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:19.460 said Jesus when giving us the Beatitudes. 00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:22.600 You tell me in the city of London 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:23.860 where the meek are blessed. 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:26.900 They're mostly giving a P45 00:06:26.900 --> 00:06:28.280 and told to be, 00:06:29.080 --> 00:06:30.000 we'll see you later. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:37.300 But there's another interpretation of Horace, 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:38.860 and it's this. 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:41.920 When you seize today, 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:46.120 seize it in the light of tomorrow. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:48.860 That is, 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:51.040 whatever you decide to do today, 00:06:52.660 --> 00:06:54.600 think about the ramifications 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:56.160 in the future. 00:06:56.160 --> 00:07:01.180 Never forgotten this heart-rending 00:07:01.180 --> 00:07:04.460 personal story 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:07.620 on some documentary 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:10.960 on one of the Netflix 00:07:10.960 --> 00:07:11.920 or one of those. 00:07:13.200 --> 00:07:16.140 And this guy is 27 years old 00:07:16.140 --> 00:07:17.080 and he's nearly dead. 00:07:19.640 --> 00:07:22.120 And he's sobbing in front of the camera 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:22.580 saying, 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:23.759 if only. 00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:27.240 20, 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:30.060 17 years ago, 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:32.579 when somebody said, 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:33.819 I've got something 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:34.800 that will cheer you up, 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:35.579 a street dealer. 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:38.319 And he took it. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:41.399 And it was the beginning 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:42.719 of what became the end. 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.560 Three months after this documentary, 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:46.199 he died. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:50.319 Think about 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:51.719 the decisions 00:07:51.719 --> 00:07:52.779 you make today 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:54.879 in the light 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:55.800 of what outcomes 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:56.599 they might have 00:07:56.599 --> 00:07:57.360 for you tomorrow. 00:07:58.659 --> 00:07:59.819 That seems a very 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:01.099 reasonable thing 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:01.680 to think. 00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:04.099 Yet so many people 00:08:04.099 --> 00:08:04.579 don't. 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:07.240 I want to say to you, 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:08.039 I think that 00:08:08.039 --> 00:08:09.039 the problem 00:08:09.039 --> 00:08:10.180 in the Western church 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:11.659 is so many of us 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:12.779 who warn the people, 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:13.800 well, we don't have pews here, 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:14.800 we're business class, 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:15.060 right? 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:20.800 People who warn the pews 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.399 of churches 00:08:21.399 --> 00:08:22.699 in the Western church, 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:24.720 in terms of their walk 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:25.199 with God, 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:27.180 in terms of their discipleship, 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:28.959 are cases of 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:30.300 what I would call 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.639 arrested development. 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:33.899 And I want to turn 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:35.559 to our Bible story now 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:37.019 and show you 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:38.940 that in this strange story 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:40.600 about blind Bartimaeus 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.000 and his meeting with Jesus, 00:08:42.620 --> 00:08:43.759 there are four things 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:45.379 we really need to think about 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:47.340 unless we're happy 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:48.340 to remain 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:50.340 as cases of arrested development. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:51.299 Let me tell you 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:52.960 what those four things are. 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:55.259 One is, 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:56.819 we learn from this story 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:59.200 that we can easily 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:00.179 be distracted. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:04.200 Distracted from what God wants 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:05.419 in our lives. 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:06.079 two, 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:07.779 this story teaches us, 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:10.439 don't be intimidated. 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:12.740 Don't be intimidated 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:14.599 by the background noise 00:09:14.599 --> 00:09:15.740 of our culture. 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:18.479 Thirdly, 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:19.360 it teaches us 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.360 don't lack in faith. 00:09:23.099 --> 00:09:23.919 Believe it, 00:09:23.959 --> 00:09:24.959 when Jesus said, 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:25.680 with God, 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:27.340 all things are possible. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.379 And don't be mutable. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:33.780 That means, 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:35.860 don't think 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:37.500 that you cannot change. 00:09:38.040 --> 00:09:38.860 Some of you are sitting there 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:39.080 saying, 00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:39.600 well, hang on, 00:09:39.660 --> 00:09:40.759 I'm older than you, mate. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:42.440 I'm too old to change. 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.300 Look, 00:09:44.800 --> 00:09:46.200 the Bible teaches us 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:47.139 you're never too old 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:47.700 to change. 00:09:48.800 --> 00:09:49.840 Think about Abraham. 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:50.620 He had to give up 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:51.900 his middle class lifestyle 00:09:51.900 --> 00:09:52.920 at the age of 90 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:54.339 and go on a scary journey 00:09:54.339 --> 00:09:55.879 and nobody at that point 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:56.399 had told him 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.139 where he was going. 00:10:01.339 --> 00:10:02.159 With God, 00:10:02.979 --> 00:10:03.899 all things 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:05.120 are possible. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.120 Anybody in the house 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:07.679 believe that? 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:08.559 Someone say amen. 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:08.699 Amen. 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:13.479 So here we are 00:10:13.479 --> 00:10:16.159 and this man 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:19.079 is seated 00:10:19.079 --> 00:10:20.319 by the roadside 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:21.120 on the road 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:22.299 to Jericho. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:23.179 Jericho. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:23.979 Jericho is nearly 00:10:23.979 --> 00:10:25.039 40 kilometers 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:26.699 away from Jerusalem. 00:10:26.859 --> 00:10:27.319 Those of you 00:10:27.319 --> 00:10:27.919 who have visited 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:29.539 the Holy Land 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:30.279 and very lightly 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:31.079 travel along 00:10:31.079 --> 00:10:32.059 what's, you know, 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:33.359 now a modern 00:10:33.359 --> 00:10:36.179 motorway to Jericho. 00:10:36.839 --> 00:10:37.459 Back then, 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:38.399 it was just a track 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.419 and he's sitting there 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:41.559 and he's blind. 00:10:43.319 --> 00:10:43.959 And there's no 00:10:43.959 --> 00:10:44.919 public services. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.339 There's no 00:10:47.339 --> 00:10:48.719 companies 00:10:48.719 --> 00:10:50.299 running with an idea 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:51.899 of inclusion 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:53.039 and including 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:54.139 disabled people 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:54.459 in that. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.279 It didn't exist 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:55.620 then. 00:10:57.359 --> 00:10:58.319 He had a 00:10:58.319 --> 00:10:59.279 wretched life. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:01.959 Some of you 00:11:01.959 --> 00:11:02.459 are sitting there 00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:02.699 saying, 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.199 me too. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:04.719 May not be 00:11:04.719 --> 00:11:05.139 blindness, 00:11:05.339 --> 00:11:05.899 it may be other 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:06.259 stuff, 00:11:06.359 --> 00:11:07.740 may be bereavement, 00:11:07.859 --> 00:11:08.839 broken relationship, 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.319 whatever. 00:11:10.859 --> 00:11:11.359 Illness. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:15.500 And he shouts 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:15.879 out. 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:18.480 Says he hears 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:19.360 that Jesus is 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:19.659 coming. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.440 I don't quite 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:21.019 know what that 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:21.620 means. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:23.600 But he hears 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:24.580 Jesus is coming 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.360 and he shouts 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:25.720 out. 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:27.759 Jesus, 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:28.779 son of David, 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.519 have mercy 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:31.460 on me. 00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:33.460 And here you 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:33.680 go. 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:35.200 What do we 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:35.840 read in the 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:36.259 text? 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:36.419 Christ. 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:38.480 Many rebuked 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:39.480 him and told 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:41.240 him to put a 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:41.860 sock in it. 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:42.299 I mean, 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:42.860 my words, 00:11:42.939 --> 00:11:43.200 not the 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:43.779 Bible's. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:46.019 Be quiet. 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:50.039 But he 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:50.679 persists. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.580 And Jesus 00:11:52.580 --> 00:11:53.960 stops. 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:56.679 You know, 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:57.639 I read those 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.360 two words in 00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:58.860 the Bible 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.159 and here's 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:00.600 this man 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:00.919 who's had 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:01.460 this wretched 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:01.919 life, 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:02.799 no hope, 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.019 no public 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:04.600 services, 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:05.340 very little 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:06.060 money apart 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:06.460 from what 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:07.040 he can beg. 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:07.740 Jesus 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.420 stopped. 00:12:13.800 --> 00:12:14.639 And Jesus 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.220 needs to 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:18.500 stop and 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:18.940 let you 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:21.080 know that 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:21.519 he's looking 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.280 at you with 00:12:22.280 --> 00:12:22.820 compassion. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.759 And that 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.680 his heart 00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:30.440 is not set 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:31.160 against you. 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:33.639 He is not 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.440 happy if you're 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:34.960 the kind of 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:35.280 person, 00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:35.639 who feels, 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:35.820 well, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.200 I've been 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:37.940 dealt a, 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:39.420 you know, 00:12:40.300 --> 00:12:40.899 duff set of 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:41.620 marbles in 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.160 this life. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:45.100 He stops. 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:47.080 And he 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.519 wants to 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:47.920 help. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:49.780 And this 00:12:49.780 --> 00:12:50.480 man shows 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.220 his faith 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:53.960 because he's 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:54.480 persistent. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:56.960 You know, 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:57.720 it would have 00:12:57.720 --> 00:12:58.220 been easy 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:58.740 for this 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.560 poor, 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.280 blind man 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:01.940 to be 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:04.060 distracted 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:04.459 distracted by 00:13:04.459 --> 00:13:05.000 the noise 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:05.299 of the 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:05.719 crowd. 00:13:07.119 --> 00:13:07.859 Like many 00:13:07.859 --> 00:13:08.219 of you 00:13:08.219 --> 00:13:08.479 are. 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:10.979 The background 00:13:10.979 --> 00:13:11.839 noise of our 00:13:11.839 --> 00:13:12.539 culture today 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:13.279 is very loud. 00:13:13.579 --> 00:13:14.139 Let me tell 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:14.979 you a statistic 00:13:14.979 --> 00:13:16.119 which I think 00:13:16.119 --> 00:13:16.959 will shock you 00:13:16.959 --> 00:13:17.879 and if it 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.379 doesn't, 00:13:18.479 --> 00:13:18.919 we'll get the 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:19.719 defibrillator 00:13:19.719 --> 00:13:20.059 out. 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:27.279 young people 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.219 between the 00:13:29.219 --> 00:13:29.819 ages of 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:30.500 nine and 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.139 14 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:33.439 spend nine 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:34.259 hours a day 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:34.879 in front of 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:35.339 a screen. 00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:38.319 Now, 00:13:38.739 --> 00:13:39.339 some of that 00:13:39.339 --> 00:13:39.779 will be 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.739 learning time 00:13:40.739 --> 00:13:41.299 in school, 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.099 I get that, 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:43.579 but a lot 00:13:43.579 --> 00:13:44.299 of it will be 00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:45.239 on smartphones, 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:45.840 a lot of 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.419 it will be 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:47.360 on television 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.240 watching so 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:50.039 much of the 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.279 utterly horrible 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:52.100 stuff that's 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.600 served up 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.279 these days. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.940 You think 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:58.399 that's not 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.019 distracting, 00:13:59.200 --> 00:13:59.899 particularly on 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:00.480 a developing 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:00.980 brain. 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:03.519 Frankly, 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:04.659 the outcomes 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.360 for tomorrow 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.060 of that kind 00:14:06.060 --> 00:14:06.779 of behaviour 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:09.480 are potentially 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.500 horrendous. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:13.820 And what 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:14.639 distracts you? 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:17.860 what are 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.039 you, 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:18.820 are you, 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:21.480 are you 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:21.940 sitting there 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:22.580 thinking about 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.340 God or are 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:23.740 you sitting 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.240 there thinking 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:24.580 about, 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.080 I wonder who's 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.680 been in touch 00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:26.120 with me on 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:26.960 social media? 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.340 Are you 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:29.820 sitting there 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:30.379 thinking to 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:30.799 yourself, 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:32.799 I forgot to 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:33.100 put the 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.940 potatoes in. 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:39.299 I'm not 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:40.980 saying those 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:42.860 are completely 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:44.539 wrong 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:45.199 questions, 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:47.839 but they're 00:14:47.839 --> 00:14:48.459 distracting. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.980 And we 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.519 are a 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.079 distracted 00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:52.740 culture. 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.379 Paul said 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.019 in Romans 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.019 chapter 12, 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:01.980 he said, 00:15:02.199 --> 00:15:02.459 don't be 00:15:02.459 --> 00:15:03.240 conformed to 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.860 this world, 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:05.740 but be 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.459 transformed 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:07.639 by the 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.079 renewal 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:09.060 of your 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:09.600 mind. 00:15:12.160 --> 00:15:12.540 We 00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:12.700 better 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:13.120 start 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.480 working 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:13.780 out, 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:14.720 how the 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.180 heck are 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:15.440 we going 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:15.720 to do 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.139 this? 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:18.180 Because the 00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:19.060 background noise 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:19.960 is overwhelming, 00:15:20.420 --> 00:15:21.040 just like it 00:15:21.040 --> 00:15:21.340 could have 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:21.900 been for 00:15:21.900 --> 00:15:22.759 blind 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.720 Bartimaeus. 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:27.460 But he 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.040 kept going, 00:15:30.160 --> 00:15:31.300 avoided the 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:31.920 distraction, 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.399 and Jesus 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:34.960 stopped. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:36.879 Second 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.440 thing is, 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:38.620 it tells 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.340 us that 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:40.360 Bartimaeus, 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:42.100 a man who 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:42.420 would be 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:43.100 considered of 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.580 very little 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.160 worth in 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:44.899 his society, 00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:45.920 nobody, 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.420 no barrister 00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:47.899 is going to 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.639 represent him 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.200 and represent 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:49.800 his human 00:15:49.800 --> 00:15:50.080 rights, 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:50.720 because truthfully, 00:15:50.800 --> 00:15:51.139 he didn't have 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:51.360 any. 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:55.340 It would 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:55.560 have been 00:15:55.560 --> 00:15:56.259 easily for 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.039 this worthless 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.519 man, 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.180 and as we 00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:58.720 know today, 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.159 sadly, 00:15:59.300 --> 00:15:59.779 some people 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.639 of disability 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:02.240 get horrible 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:02.899 things said 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.300 to them. 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:07.980 It would 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.220 have been 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:08.720 easy, 00:16:09.800 --> 00:16:10.360 wouldn't it, 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:10.779 to be 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.700 intimidated 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:13.279 by the 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:13.919 rebuke. 00:16:16.680 --> 00:16:17.200 And friends, 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.019 I need to 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.500 tell you 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.639 that I 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.420 think today 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.799 a lot 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.139 of us 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.620 who own 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:22.959 the name 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:23.479 of Jesus 00:16:23.479 --> 00:16:24.179 are comfortable 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:24.699 when we're 00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:25.159 sitting here 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.479 singing, 00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:26.519 you know, 00:16:26.599 --> 00:16:27.339 worshipping God 00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:27.860 together. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.500 We're comfortable 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.259 when we're 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:30.839 amongst our 00:16:30.839 --> 00:16:31.979 Christian friends. 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.759 We're comfortable 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.519 when we're 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.339 doing God 00:16:35.339 --> 00:16:35.939 stuff. 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.439 Maybe a bit 00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:40.199 too comfortable 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:40.959 when we're 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:41.939 doing definitely 00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:42.699 God stuff, 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:43.339 not God 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:43.860 stuff. 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:46.519 but I 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.120 think a lot 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.700 of us, 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.039 when we 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:49.620 go out 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.000 through the 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.419 doors of 00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:50.919 this church, 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:51.779 feel a little 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.840 intimidated 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.860 about owning 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.480 the name of 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.800 Jesus in 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.440 our culture. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.379 There is 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.460 evidence to 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.620 suggest that 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.080 you would have 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:03.720 good reason 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.220 for being 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.960 intimidated. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:08.019 a lot of 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.579 you are 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:11.680 maybe working 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.460 for companies 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.340 who have 00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:14.460 policy 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.120 statements 00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:16.640 that as a 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.160 Christian, 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:17.980 you're not 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.519 comfortable 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.079 with. 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.680 There's an 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:24.000 organization that 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.220 represents Christians 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.340 who feel that 00:17:26.340 --> 00:17:26.980 they've been 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.019 persecuted, 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.140 intimidated in 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.519 their faith. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:29.980 I don't want 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:30.900 to call what 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:31.519 happens to 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.160 Christians in 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:32.700 our country 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.119 persecution because 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:35.279 it doesn't 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.019 compare well, 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.379 does it, 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:37.799 with the people 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:38.420 who be losing 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.079 their lives 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:41.139 today simply 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.839 for owning the 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.240 name of 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.720 Christ. 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.400 Intimidation, 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.279 I'll allow. 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.000 A lot of 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.359 people are 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.359 intimidated by 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:49.720 that. 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.339 Not just the 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:52.779 thing of, 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:53.000 you know, 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.440 I don't want 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.019 to be thought 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.460 of as a 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.460 religious fanatic. 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.480 It is the 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.379 thing that in 00:17:57.379 --> 00:17:58.579 certain organizations, 00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.500 particularly some 00:17:59.500 --> 00:17:59.940 of the bigger 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.799 tech companies, 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:01.640 if you're not 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.500 prepared to sign 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.119 up to things 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:03.579 that you're 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.059 uncomfortable 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.880 with, you 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.279 will lose 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.839 your job. 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:08.400 Companies over 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.299 here, it is 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:09.920 true to say, 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.299 if you don't 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:10.920 sign up to 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.420 that stuff, 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.299 the likelihood 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.279 is you will 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:13.859 not get 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.740 promotion within 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.539 the organization. 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:17.799 Is it 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.220 fair? 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.619 Hate crime 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.220 in the last 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:21.779 two years 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.539 since lockdown 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.700 has gone up 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.640 by a third. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.140 That is hate 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.839 crime towards 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.440 people of 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:27.799 faith. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:27.879 death. 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.740 Now, I 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.480 think, and 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:30.980 you need to 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.559 hear this, 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.579 I think this 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.180 is a problem 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.099 that can be 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.779 seriously 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.779 overstated, 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.559 and sometimes 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.299 is, but I 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.299 also think it's 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.159 a reality that 00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:40.519 can be 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:42.359 understated in 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:42.980 the church. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.240 Friends, when 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.680 are we going to 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.259 wake up and 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.839 get the coffee 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.079 on? 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.559 I was 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.220 expecting when 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.599 I asked that 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:51.339 question, some 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.180 smart aleck would 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:53.180 say, after you 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:53.899 finish at the 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.220 back, 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:58.660 look, we've 00:18:58.660 --> 00:18:58.980 got to get 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.759 beyond this. 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.600 We've got to 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:02.120 get beyond 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:03.000 distraction, we've 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.720 got to get beyond 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.600 intimidation. 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.440 What's the third 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.539 thing this story 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.440 teaches us? 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.620 Don't be lacking 00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.420 in faith. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:13.140 This guy didn't 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.079 recite the creed 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.819 before Jesus 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.460 healed him. 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:17.000 Jesus had no 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.740 idea where he 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.400 was, except 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.259 that Jesus 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.220 picked up this. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.579 This man 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.900 thinks I can 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.460 heal him. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.700 what does he 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.240 say to him? 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.480 Your faith, 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:28.840 your faith has 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:29.600 healed you. 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.900 A lot of 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.160 people in the 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:38.299 church, some 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.420 of you suffering 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.779 from sickness. 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.720 Some of you are 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.380 reaching the 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.299 senior years of 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.980 your life when 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.539 what used to 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.500 work okay doesn't 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.279 work quite as 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.539 well. 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:48.599 God. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.559 And friends, I'm 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.200 not standing 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.920 here to tell 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.839 you, trust 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.740 Jesus and you 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.240 be healed 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.799 immediately, 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.539 though I do 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.079 believe that 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.740 Jesus could 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.079 heal. 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.639 And maybe 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.259 there's something 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.980 wrong in our 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.680 lives or something 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.599 wrong in us that 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.440 might get in the 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.139 way of that. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:12.560 But what I am 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.580 saying to you is 00:20:13.580 --> 00:20:15.420 that if the 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:16.400 worst thing 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:18.320 that happened 00:20:18.320 --> 00:20:19.360 in your life, 00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.060 i.e. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.320 the old 00:20:21.320 --> 00:20:22.280 enemy got you 00:20:22.280 --> 00:20:23.280 and you died, 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:26.080 your faith in 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:27.140 Jesus means, 00:20:29.520 --> 00:20:30.380 it means that 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.800 death will not 00:20:31.800 --> 00:20:32.259 be a brick 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.040 wall for you. 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:35.559 that you will 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.559 enter into a 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.700 new quality of 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.980 life, almost 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:40.079 unimaginable to 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.420 us. 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.559 And faith will 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:46.180 reveal that to 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.440 you. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.500 We all sit in 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.339 churches, don't 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.279 we, hoping that 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:53.259 we might see a 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.539 lot more mighty 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.399 works of God. 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.480 I share that. 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:58.079 I want to see 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.240 it. 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.579 I can't explain 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.539 why that's not 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.039 happening. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:05.899 But I think a 00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:06.680 healthy Christian 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.299 would want to 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.000 see some more 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.319 of that, 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:08.779 wouldn't we? 00:21:10.159 --> 00:21:10.639 We'd want to 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.579 see people healed 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:11.920 of their 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.299 sickness. 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.139 Don't be 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:16.079 distracted, don't 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.680 be intimidated, 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.500 don't be 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.279 lacking in 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.720 faith. 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:23.899 We've been 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:25.599 told a little 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.240 earlier in 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.200 Mark's gospel 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:29.299 when Jesus 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.259 calmed the 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.579 storm and the 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.399 disciples were 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:32.899 terrified. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:34.420 Jesus says he 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:35.240 rebuked them for 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.899 their lack of 00:21:35.899 --> 00:21:36.339 faith. 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.599 I often think 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.899 if Jesus 00:21:40.899 --> 00:21:41.940 metaphorically 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.960 stopped by me, 00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:43.440 would he 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.180 rebuke me for 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.740 my lack of 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.059 faith? 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:47.500 Yeah, on the 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.079 other hand, the 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:49.000 Bible says, just 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.039 to reassure you, 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.099 you need faith the 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.000 size of a mustard 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.200 seed to shift 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.659 mountains. 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:56.000 God's faith to be 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.060 good. 00:21:56.060 --> 00:21:57.120 God's faith to be 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:57.720 good. 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.120 God's faith to be 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.220 good. 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.720 God's faith to be 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.100 good. 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:00.860 We don't know what 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.560 kind of faith 00:22:01.560 --> 00:22:04.620 Bartimaeus had, but 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.580 we know it got him 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.720 healed of his 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:08.200 terrible affliction. 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.259 transformation. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:12.880 And finally, don't 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:15.259 imagine yourself to 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.920 not being capable of 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.759 transformation. 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.819 I think it's going to 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.819 be a hard road for 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.440 some of you. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.799 It's been for me, and 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:25.559 I still should carry an 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.840 L plate on my back. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:33.139 I wonder if 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:35.659 Bartimaeus, before he 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:37.740 met Jesus, before 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.959 Jesus stopped in 00:22:38.959 --> 00:22:39.659 front of him, thought 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:41.039 to himself, this is 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.439 it, I'm going to see 00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:42.859 again. 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:46.159 I don't know. 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.839 Maybe if I bump into 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.980 Bartimaeus in heaven, 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.699 I'll ask him. 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:55.159 I do know this. 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:59.500 I do know that the 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:01.019 moment we decide we 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:04.220 are unchangeable is the 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:06.740 moment we declare 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:09.380 ourselves to be cases 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.580 of arrested development. 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:14.340 I'm pretty sure if I 00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:15.500 had to stick your hand 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.740 up, if you want to be a 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.460 case of arrested 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.240 development, I don't 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.660 think there would be 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.680 many hands up in 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.080 church. 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:23.220 But there might be 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.880 some of you. 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:26.460 who know yourself to 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.640 be a case of arrested 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:29.880 development, and are 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:30.880 comfortable with that. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:35.300 Maybe today, God is 00:23:35.300 --> 00:23:36.900 going to whisper in your 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.440 ears. 00:23:37.820 --> 00:23:39.240 These four things, don't 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.500 be distracted, don't be 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.700 intimidated, don't be 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.180 lacking in faith, and 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:45.040 don't think yourself to be 00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:45.900 unchangeable. 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:50.360 These are serious 00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:53.240 things that can 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.160 undermine our faith. 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.040 There are other things 00:23:55.040 --> 00:23:55.960 too, but I don't have 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.740 time for that. 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.340 Do you ever hear 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.380 yourself saying, I'm 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:03.340 only human, give me a 00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:03.660 break. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:06.600 I'm happy where I am, 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.580 leave me alone. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.820 I'm not even sure whether 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:13.120 God loves me, whether he's 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.480 ever going to stop by my 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:14.800 life. 00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:19.180 I don't want anybody to 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.580 think I'm a bit too 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.519 devoted. 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.519 I don't want people to 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:25.400 mistake me as a member of 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.900 a cult. 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.940 Let me tell you the bad 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:31.139 news and the good news to 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:31.400 end. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.539 Whatever God needs to do in 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:39.680 your life, you cannot do in 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.579 your own strength. 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:40.639 strength. 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:44.019 Let me say that again. 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:47.359 Whatever God needs to do in 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:49.159 your life, you cannot, cannot 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:51.000 do in your own strength. 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:54.740 You can only do it when you 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.699 invite God in the power of his 00:24:56.699 --> 00:24:58.759 Holy Spirit from deep inside of 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.899 you, if you're a believer. 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:08.360 to start to do his work of 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.820 making you more like him. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.740 It's what theologians call 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:13.380 sanctification. 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:17.820 Making us fit for God's 00:25:17.820 --> 00:25:18.180 kingdom. 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.279 kingdom. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:24.000 I wonder if any of you are 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.700 prepared to do anything about 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.360 that today. 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:29.039 I think at the end there are 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:30.500 going to be some prayer teams 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:32.180 either side at the front here 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:35.500 and I would love it, but even 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:37.220 more significantly, God would 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.920 love it if you recognize that 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:40.539 you need to go and get somebody 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:44.360 to pray with you for something 00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:46.400 that's just not working in your 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:46.759 life. 00:25:49.560 --> 00:25:52.280 Come on, those of you who are 00:25:52.280 --> 00:25:53.100 intimidated. 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:56.940 Come on, those of you who are 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.740 distracted. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.840 Come on, those of you who think 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:02.680 you're too old to change or I can 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.480 never change. 00:26:03.800 --> 00:26:05.580 My habits run too deep in my 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:05.900 life. 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.600 Come to me. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.500 Come to me. 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:12.500 If you're the kind of person who's 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:15.500 lacking in faith and seek a 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:20.800 deeper gift, you notice that 00:26:20.800 --> 00:26:26.540 Jesus said to this man, what do 00:26:26.540 --> 00:26:27.820 you want me to do for you? 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:32.840 And I'm surprised that his 00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:35.160 disciples didn't just go, duh. 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.720 It's pretty obvious. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:40.180 There's a blind man begging Jesus. 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:43.519 Jesus, why did Jesus say that? 00:26:43.580 --> 00:26:46.560 There's a psychological phenomenon. 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:51.060 And it's this, that if we've lived a 00:26:51.060 --> 00:26:53.259 wretched life and been for so long in 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:56.700 the pit, the pit becomes security for 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:59.440 us and we resist attempts to help us 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:02.019 out of the pit, not least because if 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:04.060 we're being pulled out of the pit and 00:27:04.060 --> 00:27:06.019 somehow we fall back in, it feels a lot 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:08.339 worse than we were before we started. 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:12.839 Explains why it is that those of you 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:14.940 who've got addictive illnesses find 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.839 it so difficult. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:19.000 Your security's lying in the pit. 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.500 Maybe today. 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:24.240 God's saying, I'll give you a hand. 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:24.879 I've stopped. 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:30.099 Friends, this is a great passage and 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:32.460 God forgive me if I've not done justice 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.019 to it. 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:35.559 But this stuff is so important. 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:40.519 And I need to stop because you look 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.460 like you need lunch. 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:44.500 Come on. 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.720 Come on. 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.860 In this world, 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.640 we in the Western Church 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.779 have got to step it up. 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:56.620 It's too important for us just to 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:58.819 kind of half-heartedly 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.600 limp along. 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:03.339 You know that the Church of England, 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.659 it won't surprise you, 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:06.759 the Church of England in the last two 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.740 years has lost nearly 200,000 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.299 members. 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:13.219 That's 20% of who we were. 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:19.159 Nobody is going to be impressed by 00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:22.039 distracted, intimidated 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.719 Christians. 00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:26.039 Come on. 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.639 Let's seize the day. 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.740 Carpe diem. 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.740 And go out there 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.199 and do God's work 00:28:34.199 --> 00:28:35.079 in God's way. 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:38.019 In the name of our amazing God, 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:39.959 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.699 and the people who agreed, 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.480 said together, 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.959 Amen.