WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:09.120 We are created for good works. Let's be clear, that is in our DNA. That is what God has set 00:00:09.120 --> 00:00:17.719 in us. That is the reset button for us all to do good works that are in Christ. We are created 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:24.400 for good works in Christ as part of the body of Christ. We are part of one body. 00:00:24.399 --> 00:00:31.579 And yet Christians, I don't know whether you might have noticed this if you've listened to 00:00:31.579 --> 00:00:39.219 the radio this morning, have a propensity to squabble and get diverted from what our intended 00:00:39.219 --> 00:00:46.739 purpose is. Has it always been this way? Isn't it a shame that there's something in us that actually 00:00:46.739 --> 00:00:54.079 takes us away from God's purposes? And this morning throughout the Bible it has riven through with 00:00:54.079 --> 00:01:03.140 God's people who have consistently, time and time again, age after age, have failed to fulfill 00:01:03.140 --> 00:01:11.599 that call on God's life that is created for good works. Our scripture this morning is something 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:19.099 sometimes called the Magna Carta of God's grace, Ephesians 2, 1 to 10. And this scripture in 10 00:01:19.099 --> 00:01:28.419 small verses actually leads us and reminds us of the great works that Jesus has done in the lives of 00:01:28.419 --> 00:01:35.340 those who love him and know him. It's an encouraging scripture for us. The amazing work he has done in 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:45.439 my life and in your life and continues to do. So he's not done yet. Be encouraged. He hasn't finished 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:55.319 his work in us and through us. No matter what age or situation before that we are in, his work continues. 00:01:56.539 --> 00:02:01.479 You might have noticed on a Sunday to Sunday now there's Bibles at the back and there's some notes. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:06.780 And if on a Sunday you feel that you sort of go away like I do sometimes and think, oh what was that 00:02:06.780 --> 00:02:11.699 that was said? There's going to be notes at the back that you can take when you can come in and make notes 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:17.599 through the sermon to take away maybe to your small group during the week or home group however you 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:25.639 meet. But in the scripture this morning there's this before and after. I don't know whether you've seen 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:32.659 those adverts on the television. There's always the before isn't there and then there's the after. 00:02:32.659 --> 00:02:44.539 It's normally used to sell dietary products and maybe lifestyle products where we look probably 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:51.719 at sadly the most discouraging picture that they can put on the screen of somebody and then 00:02:51.719 --> 00:03:01.900 transformationally amazingly the after product is somebody looks totally photoshopped into a totally 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:10.420 different beginning. The before and after picture. Well the good news is in our reading this morning 00:03:10.420 --> 00:03:19.200 is there is a before and after. The scripture from Ephesians gives us two pictures, one before Christ 00:03:19.200 --> 00:03:29.180 and one after, verses 1 to 3 and then 4 to 7. But then Paul brings it all together in verses 8 to 10 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:36.260 and tells us why we need to see these comparisons. So let's go with the before. The before picture 00:03:36.260 --> 00:03:46.659 isn't very flattering. Paul says that we are in death, we are dead. Worse still we are spiritually dead. 00:03:47.760 --> 00:03:54.740 That there is that sense, it's hard to imagine it being much worse and as the result of sin, 00:03:54.740 --> 00:04:04.879 because sin kills and destroys. It annihilates. That is what sin does. Sin seeks to deceive us from the 00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:11.860 authority of God's word in the Bible. It's trying to remove God from our education system, remove morality 00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:18.939 and virtue out of literature and the media. It's removing ethics out of business, fidelity out of 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:27.519 marriage, you name it. Sin kills it, tries to destroy it. It's the culture. So we bend our culture 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:36.779 and pretend that it's okay. And we know that it's not, because that's not what we were created for. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:44.759 And the second part of the description that Paul says is about following the world. It is just so 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:50.620 easy to be like sheep. As it said, we all actually have been sheep and gone astray, each of us to his 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:59.279 own way. And yet the Lord has laid upon him the iniquity of all our sin. It's worth stopping to 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:07.300 notice that Paul also includes this idea of slavery, being slavery to our cravings. And we will all maybe 00:05:07.300 --> 00:05:14.759 know what that is like, you know, to, it's so easy to fall in with what our needs or we think what our 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:22.600 needs are, to fit in with the culture of which we are in. The world, the environment, our culture, 00:05:22.960 --> 00:05:29.699 I can probably give you an example of how our culture and society seeks to normalise or even, 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:37.879 in some ways, glamourise sin. You only have to look at celebrity culture. You know, what is our 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:43.039 young people seeking to achieve? Are they seeking to achieve something or just quick, short-term 00:05:43.039 --> 00:05:50.620 celebrity that isn't going to last that long? There's lust, greed. I could go on, but you get the 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:59.019 picture. And J.B. Phillips paraphrases Romans 12 too, that familiar verse, do not be conformed any long to 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:06.939 the pattern of the pattern of this world. And Philip says, do not let the world squeeze you into its mould. 00:06:08.219 --> 00:06:12.519 Don't let the world squeeze you into that mould. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:24.899 Then, of course, Paul talks about the evil one. He talks about the spiritual forces, the realms they're in. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:31.919 And so it's not surprising that Paul mentions it here, probably more than any other. The evil one is a 00:06:31.919 --> 00:06:37.659 great deceiver, will deceive us. And then, then, of course, there's the flesh to which we are enslaved, 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:44.959 our sinful nature that becomes obsessive and harmful to our own lives, the world, the flesh, and the devil. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:49.959 Paul doesn't ignore that. That's the before. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:57.500 Then we come to the good news. And there is good news, and it starts in verse 4. 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:01.979 And the good news is that we are of value, 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:07.399 that we are known and loved by God. Each one of us is valued. 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:10.399 There is value in it. If we weren't valuable to God, 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:16.659 he wouldn't have sent Jesus to die for us. And some of us need to remind ourselves each day about that. 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:25.079 We are of value to him in each and every way in which we are called to share our lives. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:34.359 People that we care about, people we love, desperately to know exactly what Paul is to tell us in his next few verses. 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:39.120 But here in verse 4, one of the great words of Scripture, 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:40.819 but. 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:43.980 But is a great word. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:48.639 But because of his great love for us. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:51.900 But because of his great love for us. 00:07:52.020 --> 00:07:55.180 For those feeling hopeless, helpless, and discouraged, 00:07:55.620 --> 00:08:00.759 overwhelmed, how far, by how far sometimes we can feel from God's standards. 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:03.699 And then we come to this word, but. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:08.420 All I have just said is true, but you are not without hope. 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.659 But there is more. 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:12.959 But God has made a way. 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:15.399 It's good news for us. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:19.219 It's good news for the people then, it's good news for us now. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:24.000 And the next three verses describe that change that comes through Christ. 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:28.579 This is the after picture for each and every one of us. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:30.399 Because Christ died for us. 00:08:30.539 --> 00:08:33.240 The change that takes place through Jesus Christ. 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:38.600 Because it shows that we are created for his good and perfect will. 00:08:39.939 --> 00:08:45.360 The focus is once again, all about God and us in relationship. 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:50.159 Heart change can only come through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:53.259 And we need to ask more and more for that. 00:08:53.579 --> 00:08:56.399 Day by day by day, minute by minute. 00:08:56.699 --> 00:09:01.000 As we seek to do that thing which we are called to do. 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:03.259 Is God's good and perfect will. 00:09:03.339 --> 00:09:06.399 One of the images in the Bible describes this change. 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:10.379 And it is the exact thing of a rebirth of new life. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:11.639 Born again. 00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:15.819 And it can happen time and time and time again. 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:21.600 You should not be carrying those things that define us from the past. 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:23.540 That is the after picture. 00:09:23.780 --> 00:09:28.780 The today picture is we are defined by our lives in Christ. 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:29.940 Him in us. 00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:36.080 That we are made alive. 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:40.080 Paul mentioned both God's love and God's great love. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:47.160 He emphasizes this, this great love and rich mercy for each and every one of us. 00:09:47.280 --> 00:09:48.580 We are made alive. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:50.960 Paul begins by describing us as dead. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:53.780 It is only logical then that the first thing is in Christ. 00:09:53.920 --> 00:09:54.879 We are made alive. 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:56.420 We are made alive. 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:57.120 We were dead. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:58.259 Now we're alive. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:09:59.740 This is our testimony. 00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:01.040 This is our witness. 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:03.200 This is what we take into the everyday. 00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:05.160 This is what we share with people. 00:10:05.420 --> 00:10:06.280 We are alive. 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:07.940 We are alive in Christ. 00:10:08.660 --> 00:10:09.840 And we can laugh. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:11.259 We can have joy. 00:10:12.180 --> 00:10:13.540 We can smile at people. 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:15.520 Thank you. 00:10:17.160 --> 00:10:21.700 For those listening to the podcast, I hope you felt the energy of that smile. 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:24.420 We are raised with Christ. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:25.840 This is our testimony. 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:29.320 We are saved by grace and then raised with Christ. 00:10:29.520 --> 00:10:33.259 God raised up Jesus and seated at the right hand in the same way. 00:10:33.400 --> 00:10:38.820 And Jesus' having been given power over everything exalts us through grace. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:43.720 Why would God do such a thing? 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:46.240 Why would he do that for us? 00:10:47.060 --> 00:10:48.200 The answer is here. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:56.200 In order that in the coming ages, we might show the incomparable riches of his grace, him through us. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:57.200 We are the witnesses. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:58.020 We are the witnesses. 00:10:58.700 --> 00:10:59.940 We do this today. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:02.200 This is what we're called to do. 00:11:02.520 --> 00:11:06.100 Expressed in his kindness to us as in Jesus Christ. 00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:12.480 God did this to show the world what he is like in us and through us. 00:11:13.160 --> 00:11:14.240 Isn't that great? 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:18.259 We go out from here and we are ambassadors. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:21.779 And people will look at us and say, Amen. 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:24.039 I heard somebody say Amen. 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.340 We can say Amen. 00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:28.220 You know, God did this. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:30.279 Let me ask a searching question. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:39.200 When the world looks at us, do they see the incomparable riches of his grace expressed in the kindness of us in Jesus Christ? 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:43.120 Because that's what the world's looking for at the moment. 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:46.120 When people look at us, is that what they see? 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:54.140 People need to see in us the incomparable riches of his grace expressed in kindness. 00:11:54.139 --> 00:12:06.519 My prayer for each and every one is that we would go out from here filled afresh with that knowledge and confidence of what has been placed in us and through us. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:12.919 For by grace through faith, another part of the after picture is that by grace through faith, we are saved. 00:12:13.939 --> 00:12:14.419 We are saved. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.620 We have that confidence. 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:19.340 This brings us to the heart of the gospel. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:23.480 And what is often seen is the heart of the book of Ephesians in 8 to 9. 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:31.879 And they succinctly and powerfully state this incredible message for us that Paul wants us to, those Ephesian church today, but for us as well. 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:35.399 For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith. 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:37.779 And this is not from yourselves. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.340 It is a gift of God. 00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:44.320 Not by works so that no one can boast. 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:47.139 This isn't what I did for myself. 00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:50.399 You know, we're not like McDonald's. 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:52.159 We don't get different stars. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:55.500 How much we have achieved. 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:58.019 We are all called. 00:12:58.560 --> 00:12:59.560 We are all saved. 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:03.700 Not by works so that we can boast about it. 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.500 A boast in Jesus Christ. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:08.000 What more needs to be said? 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:09.639 God's grace offers it. 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:10.920 We receive it by faith. 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:14.399 It is simply a gift to believe and accept it. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:17.360 To be asked for and not earned. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:20.039 Do you struggle with that? 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:30.460 You know, I've met part of my Christian life maybe earlier was to feel as though I had to earn something. 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:33.300 You know, I had to tick the boxes. 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:35.759 That's not at all. 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:37.799 We live by grace. 00:13:38.579 --> 00:13:40.319 And that's why we're free. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:42.559 This freedom that we talk about. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:45.459 Maybe you want to take away that verse 8 to 9. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.159 Memorize it this week. 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:48.319 Put it on your fridge. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:50.059 Put it on a screensaver. 00:13:50.459 --> 00:13:51.599 Write it on your hand. 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:53.479 Put it on the inside of your glasses. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:14:00.420 Whatever you need to remember that this is what God is saying to us. 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:04.440 And finally, we are God's workmanship. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:09.620 I don't know whether you have made anything and you sit there and you look at it and you think, 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:11.659 Ah, do you know what? 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:12.279 That was good. 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.600 That was really good. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:17.759 We are part of God's workmanship. 00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:21.840 We need to be encouraged more and more that God looks at us and says, 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:24.600 You are part of my workmanship. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:27.100 You are amazing. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:31.780 And what I'm calling you to do and empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit in us. 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:33.759 The idea of craftsmanship. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:35.620 And that is what we are. 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:37.519 Craftsmanship of God. 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:40.720 It took me to a verse in Isaiah. 00:14:41.660 --> 00:14:43.240 And it's on the screen. 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:47.080 In Isaiah, it says, 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:49.420 Listen to me, you islands. 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:52.099 Hear this, you distant nations. 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:55.539 Before I was born, the Lord called me. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:59.639 From my mother's womb, he has spoken my name. 00:14:59.719 --> 00:15:02.559 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.979 In the shadow of his hand, he hid me. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:09.279 He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. 00:15:09.579 --> 00:15:10.519 He said to me, 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:16.799 You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor. 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:21.019 But I said, I have labored in vain. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:23.179 Anybody put their hand up to that? 00:15:23.859 --> 00:15:25.719 I have labored in vain with this. 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:27.279 I've tried to do it in my own strength. 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.199 I've labored in vain. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:31.139 I've spent my strength for nothing at all. 00:15:31.459 --> 00:15:34.879 Yet what is due to me is in the Lord's hand. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:37.979 And my reward is with my God. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:41.859 For you have made me a polished arrow. 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:45.279 I don't know whether you've ever looked at an arrow. 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:49.680 This one mocked together. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:53.680 The thing about an arrow is when you find this arrow, 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:56.360 and if you think about an arrow being our life, 00:15:57.080 --> 00:16:01.460 it doesn't come straight off the tree made like this. 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:04.360 It has to be shaped and fashioned. 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:07.720 And sometimes that will mean some things need cutting away. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:12.879 That means that some things that we have held dear to where our grafting was 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:16.960 needs to go in order to make this straight. 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:20.279 I'll leave that between you and God 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:23.460 to know what those things are in each of our lives. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:27.300 I can think of the things that need cutting away in mine 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:30.920 from time to time and the things that get attached. 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.960 We need to be that straight. 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:39.440 And of course, with the archer, of course, the purpose is that we need that balance. 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:45.440 It's no good just having this lovely, amazing, straight thing, 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:49.820 because when it goes out, it needs balance. 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:51.920 And the balance is Scripture. 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:54.200 The balance is the Bible. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:58.740 We need to come back to that again and again and again, 00:16:58.800 --> 00:17:00.040 as we have this morning, 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:05.420 to get that balance in Scripture so that we don't go off all over the place, 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:08.460 as we tend to do. 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:11.759 It's that balance in Scripture. 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:16.000 But the interesting thing is about the tip. 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:20.779 Now, I don't know, I was from a certain age where boys made bows and arrows. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:23.440 I don't know whether they do that these days, 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:26.139 but we did because we were poor. 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:30.220 But now we are rich in Christ. 00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:30.940 Hooray! 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:36.080 But now, we would just like cut off the end. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:38.840 And you just knew that when it was going to hit, 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:40.140 and it was just going to bounce off. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:45.220 In our arrow, you'll notice that the tip is added. 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:50.900 It's the power of the Holy Spirit added into our lives, 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:58.519 penetrating power to actually engage with the purposes of God in our life, 00:17:58.640 --> 00:18:03.120 so that when he sends us, we don't just bounce off. 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:07.140 We actually have penetrating power to make a difference 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:09.839 to the kingdom that he has called us to serve. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.240 Penetrating power. 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.240 Penetrating power. 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:17.500 But then the reading says, 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:20.019 you have placed me in your quiver. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:23.980 You know, and for many of us, we will say, 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:26.460 well, I've got my life straight, Lord. 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.539 I'm getting here. 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:29.420 I've got the balance of Scripture. 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:32.079 I'm filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.039 Wow! 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:37.120 But then I'm in this dark quiver. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.220 I'm in this place. 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:41.720 Why have you placed me there? 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:45.440 The thing is, I want to reassure you, 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:47.240 if you are in that place today, 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:51.380 that you're in that place because I can assure you 00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:57.660 that the archer straps his arrows close to his chest. 00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:01.600 They are close, and they are ready to go. 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:04.279 They're not left in a Marks and Spencers, 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.079 Sainsbury's, or Tesco bag, 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.839 ages away. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.240 Oh, where did I put my arrows? 00:19:09.659 --> 00:19:10.399 Where did I do that? 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:12.619 They are strapped to his chest, 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:14.019 close to his heart, 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.619 so that when the Lord sends, 00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:18.199 and the Lord prompts us, 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:20.799 we are ready to go. 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:26.079 For you have made me a polished arrow. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:29.759 I'd love you to take this image with you this week. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:34.279 For those things that we need to clear away, 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.680 to make us straight. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:39.059 For those balance of scripture that we need in our life, 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:43.859 but also this power and penetrating tip of the Holy Spirit 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:45.519 in all that we do. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:48.019 For we are God's handiwork, 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:51.960 created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:55.660 which God prepared in advance for us to do. 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:57.960 We may feel we're in a dark quiver, 00:19:58.380 --> 00:20:00.080 but the Lord has got opportunities 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:03.580 for each and every one of us this week. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:06.860 We may not see the opportunities, 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.540 but God will show us. 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:11.759 Maybe it's going to be at Tesco's, 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.700 at the checkout, 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.300 talking to somebody. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.060 Maybe it's going to be in the street. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.500 Maybe it's in our workplace. 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.120 Maybe it's with a friend. 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.720 Maybe it's with a family member. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:24.200 But we are created for good works and to share this. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:28.039 You see, the arrow is, 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:31.740 this arrow is for us to do good works. 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:34.339 He has laid out the opportunities in front of us 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:36.019 to live out this purpose. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:38.500 And my prayer is that Holy Spirit 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:41.700 would reveal to each and every one of us 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:44.680 what our scripture is saying to us today. 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.559 In our lives, 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:49.799 that we are created for good works. 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.579 In Christ Jesus. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.460 Are you encouraged by that? 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:59.319 For the podcast, 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.960 people are nodding. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.900 And then they laughed. 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.600 And then they said, 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.140 yes! 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:08.600 Well done. 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.180 Should we pray together? 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.200 Thanks to you. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.819 Holy Spirit, 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.880 you have created us for good works. 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.160 Holy Spirit, 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.200 would you come 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.800 and would you embed this scripture 00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:23.160 in our hearts this week? 00:21:23.800 --> 00:21:26.060 Would you give us a fresh confidence 00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:28.100 that always comes from you? 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:30.420 To live for you, 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:31.460 to serve you, 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.580 to worship you. 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:34.880 And Father, 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:36.460 we thank you for the blessings 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:38.300 that we have seen in our lives 00:21:38.300 --> 00:21:40.060 through your good works. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.560 The blessings that we have seen 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:46.059 and the blessings you are about to show us 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:48.619 in every stage of our lives. 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.500 So Holy Spirit, 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:54.319 so Holy Spirit, 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:58.539 seize our attention, 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.119 we pray. 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:01.159 In Jesus' name, 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.539 Amen. 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:02.599 Amen. 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.539 Amen. 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:03.679 Amen. 00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:03.740 Amen. 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:03.779 Amen. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.679 Amen. 00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:05.740 Amen. 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:05.779 Amen. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:05.819 Amen. 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:05.859 Amen. 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:05.940 Amen. 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:05.980 Amen. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.000 Amen. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.019 Amen. 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.059 Amen.