WEBVTT

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 Heavenly Father, I pray that you would give us each here today a fresh vision of your kingdom.

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!

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 And I find myself on the annual meeting day. Very exciting, eh? And so I thought I'd take the opportunity very early on to just share my thoughts with you about where I sense God is leading us as a church.

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 And so this isn't about me sweeping in as a vicar and, you know, giving you my 20-point mega plan, you know, that sort of thing.

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 At this stage, this is a process. And this is a process of seeing what gifts, we might call them charisms from the Greek, what charisms has God already given us as a church?

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 And seeing how he wants to fan them into flames. It's about seeing who we are in God's sight and what God is calling us to become.

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 And some of that is about noticing afresh. And it's great to come in sort of from the outside and to see already what God has placed into our hands and into our hearts.

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 And then, as we move forward, through prayer, it's about perhaps letting go of those things that God doesn't want us to hold on to,

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 but holding fast to the things that God wants to bring into fullness and to fruitfulness.

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 And that's really my role as leader, is to help discern these things, to articulate and show you what God is calling us to become and calling us towards.

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 And then releasing the whole people of God into that vision of the future until it starts to become a reality for us,

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 making a difference to our individual and collective lives together and the difference to our surrounding community.

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 And for me, that process didn't start just a month ago, but it started when I saw the job advert for this place.

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 And that was back last autumn, which I believe was nearly exactly the same time as you were doing a 24-7 prayer initiative.

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 Coincidence?

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 Coincidence?

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 Coincidence?

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 And so I saw on paper what was on your heart for this church and for your community.

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 And I know as that document was put together, a lot of care and prayer went into it.

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 And that also came with a list of strategic priorities that you were already committed to.

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 And what I saw excited me.

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 And I know that the type of leader you were looking for fitted really well with the type of person God was also making me to become.

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 And so I came to interview, that's in December.

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 And as that sense of God calling myself and my family to be here with you became increasingly clear,

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 obviously I heard more about the church and its character.

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 And I read some of the history and I started to meet some of you wonderful people.

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 And now, a month in, as I say, even though I haven't met everyone in here yet,

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 and I've barely learned how to open the door.

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 It's a real struggle.

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 It's been a hard time.

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 God has been incredibly gracious.

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 And though my human insights and knowledge are only partial,

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 God's already laid on quite a clear sense onto my heart about some of those charisms,

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 some of those gifts that he sees amongst us and wants to fan into flames.

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 And I've tested a few of those out with a few of the team.

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 And they've confirmed that these kind of resonate and they could be from the Lord.

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 And so on this annual meeting day, I thought, great.

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 This is an opportunity to share with you just what I'm discerning because it's exciting.

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 And just to say, as I share today, do take a note of what resonates with you,

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 what strikes you, because at the annual meeting,

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 I'll just open up the floor to maybe hear a little bit about how your sense God is responding to this.

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 So something to look forward to later.

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 And to help me in all of this, the Lord led me to the passage that Deb read

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 from Matthew chapter 18, the verses 1 to 5.

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 And I realised that another question I could be asking, we could be asking ourselves,

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 if you forget all that preamble that I've just said, forget all of that.

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 The question is, how can we be a great church?

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 How can we be a great church?

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 Now, if that sounds a bit crass or you might lead us into comparing ourselves with other churches,

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 let me, okay, I'll reframe the question.

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 We'll have the question up on the board though.

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 How can we be a great church?

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 Maybe how within the kingdom of God can we be a great church?

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 I think it's a good question.

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 It's a fair question to ask.

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 It's a question that I'm asking as I begin here.

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 So if that's the question, are you ready to hear the answer Jesus gives to that question?

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 Yes.

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 Are you sure?

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 Because it's going to make you pretty uncomfortable, I can tell you.

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 It made me uncomfortable, okay?

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 So brace yourselves.

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 Because, of course, this question is a similar question to the one the disciples were asking Jesus.

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 Verse 1 says, approaching Jesus,

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 Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

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 Now, I suspect there was some comparison and some ambition behind this question.

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 Here they are, the disciples.

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 They're following this charismatic young rabbi from Galilee,

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 who they've just come to realise is actually the promised Messiah.

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 The one appointed to bring in God's kingdom into the earth.

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 And if that's what he's up to, they're thinking,

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 I want to be an important part of that.

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 Let me in.

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 So before we continue, let me just be clear.

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 Let's get clear on what is meant by this phrase,

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 kingdom of heaven.

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 Kingdom of heaven.

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 Matthew's gospel is the only gospel to repeatedly use this phrase.

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 Well, the other gospels, Mark, Luke and John,

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 they refer to, quite constantly, the kingdom of God.

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 As I mentioned last week, if you were here,

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 Matthew's particularly writing to a Jewish audience,

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 who, as a way of honouring God,

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 would not usually utter or write his name.

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 So the kingdom of heaven is, in fact,

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 a sort of shorthand way of referring to the kingdom of God.

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 So they're the same thing.

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 But biblically speaking,

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 the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God,

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 it's not about some far place off above the skies,

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 mainly there for when we die.

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 It's the reign of God.

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 It's a domain where God dwells and rules.

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 And it's a realm, if we want to use that word,

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 it's a realm separated from the realm of the earth.

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 And we're separated because of sin.

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 But it's still a realm that's closer than we think.

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 God's kingdom still interacts with our earthly kingdoms and our lives,

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 but only partially.

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 There's a kind of rupture.

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 There is a divide between heaven and earth.

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 And that divide will continue until we're told,

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 until Jesus comes again,

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 to renew heaven and earth,

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 to unite them together.

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 And then the kingdom of God will be fully come,

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 and God and humanity can be fully one together.

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 And that, if you like, in a nutshell,

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 is the future hope laid out in the Bible.

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 And so we now,

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 we can enter a kingdom that is now but not yet.

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 It's a phrase that's often used to explain this idea

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 that God's kingdom is available to us,

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 but it won't be in its completeness

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 until the future when Jesus comes

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 to bring the home of God to us.

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 So I just wanted to put that as a definition,

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 because some of us may be thinking

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 about heaven being in the skies.

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 That's not really what is being talked about here.

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 And so the disciples are not asking

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 who will be greatest in heaven

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 when we die and go to the skies.

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 No, it's as God begins to break in

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 and rule on earth,

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 who's going to be at the top table?

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 That's what they want to know.

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 And there are three things that happen

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 in Jesus's response to this question

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 that I think we need to take note of

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 as we seek to be a great church

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 in the kingdom.

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 And the first is this.

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 Jesus calls a little child

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 and places the child among them.

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 Now, this would have been surprising.

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 Children have no real place

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 among adults in that culture.

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 And we find, in fact,

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 that in the next chapter of Matthew,

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 that when people bring the little children to Jesus,

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 the disciples resist it,

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 presumably thinking that it was a complete waste of time.

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 So in this one act,

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 Jesus is challenging the prevailing culture.

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 He places a child among them.

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 Now, of course,

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 much has changed

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 in our attitude to children

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 since the first century.

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 And much of that

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 is to do with how Christianity

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 has helped change our values

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 and our culture.

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 But nevertheless,

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 I feel that this act

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 of placing the child among us

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 helps us to identify

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 one of the charisms

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 of our church.

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 Now, I know that Christchurch

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 has long had

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 a passion for children

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 and youth work.

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 We've invested in children's workers,

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 we've invested in youth work,

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 and we've got a whole lot going on

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 for children and young people

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 on Sundays and midweek,

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 not just in this building,

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 but in schools as well.

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 But here's the challenge.

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 How many under-18s

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 have you talked to this morning?

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 And where are all the younger adults

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 in their 20s and 30s?

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 He says,

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 sounding like an old man at 43.

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 There we are.

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 Where are they?

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 So the question I'm asking

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 that's been stirred within me is,

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 what would it look like here

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 to further place the child among us?

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 Now, some of you

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 are already panicking.

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 If I start using phrases like

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 child-centred

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 or growing younger,

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 your heart sinks.

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 It feels a bit like,

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 and I'm going to be deliberately

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 provocative and political here,

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 it feels a bit like

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 I might as well be saying,

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 America first!

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 Okay?

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 The concerns of one group

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 to the complete exclusion

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 of everyone else.

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 No.

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 Let's say a big no to that.

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 But what I am seeing

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 is God wanting to make us

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 to become

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 what I'm calling

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 increasingly intergenerational.

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 Increasingly intergenerational.

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 You see,

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 I like to think of

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 the church

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 as it gathers

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 as being a bit like

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 one of those

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 big family Christmas gatherings.

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 Now, forgive me

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 if this isn't your experience,

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 or hasn't been your experience,

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 it wasn't mine,

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 particularly as I grew up,

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 but I'm sure you can imagine

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 grandparents,

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 parents,

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 aunts,

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 uncles,

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 cousins,

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 nieces,

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 nephews,

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 a few waifs and strays

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 thrown in,

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 all pitching up

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 to celebrate Christmas

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 together.

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 Now,

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 if you think about

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 the chaos that that is,

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 the actual time

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 you spend together

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 in the same room

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 is actually fairly minimal.

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 You know,

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 maybe for pulling the crackers,

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 maybe for eating together.

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 And when you are together,

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 you kind of have to make it

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 about being about the children,

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 or else it doesn't really work.

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 Yes, it's a bit noisy,

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 but also that's where the joy is.

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 And of course,

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 if you think about that Christmas day,

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 other points in the day,

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 the kids go off to play

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 with their toys together,

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 and the grown-ups

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 get to spend a bit of time

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 and quiet on their own.

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 Some adults,

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 usually me and my house,

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 spend most of the day

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 putting batteries into toys.

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 Others gather around tables

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 to do puzzles.

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 Others go for a walk, maybe.

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 The fact is, though,

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 and through experience,

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 if you try to get everyone

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 to do the same thing

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 at the same time,

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 it's very hard work.

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 And it's never going to work,

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 in fact.

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 And when it comes

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 to the washing up, though,

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 you might say,

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 you might have young and old

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 rubbing shoulders together

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 as they share stories,

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 and as they look after the homes,

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 they tidy up.

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 Now, I grant you

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 that that's all a bit idealised.

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 Certainly in my household,

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 if I try to get young people

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 to do the washing up,

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 they run a mile.

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 It's incredible

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 how quickly they move.

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 But do you see

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 how just that picture

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 gives a sense

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 of what it means

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 to be intergenerational?

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 What if our gatherings

00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.239
 on Sundays

00:13:38.239 --> 00:13:39.579
 and across the week

00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:41.699
 felt a bit more like Christmas?

00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.479
 Yes, a bit more mess.

00:13:45.939 --> 00:13:46.939
 Yes, a bit more noise.

00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:47.839
 But yes,

00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:49.699
 a lot more joy.

00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:52.679
 And I'd love to see,

00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:55.519
 as I see moments of it here,

00:13:55.859 --> 00:13:56.759
 different generations

00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:58.419
 learning from one another.

00:13:58.839 --> 00:13:59.039
 You know,

00:13:59.039 --> 00:13:59.819
 the reason why Jesus

00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:00.939
 places a child in front of us

00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.920
 is because he knows

00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:02.640
 there's so much for us

00:14:02.640 --> 00:14:04.240
 to learn from our children.

00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.940
 What would it look like

00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:09.500
 to serve together

00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:11.860
 all ages and stages,

00:14:12.400 --> 00:14:13.860
 following Jesus together?

00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:16.860
 And I really do believe

00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.560
 this is already

00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:19.060
 within the DNA of our church.

00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.840
 If you think of things

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:21.240
 like our Transforming Lives

00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:22.080
 for Goods project,

00:14:22.380 --> 00:14:23.360
 that's a real model of that,

00:14:23.400 --> 00:14:24.480
 that intervention work,

00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.220
 people going in,

00:14:25.280 --> 00:14:25.960
 helping children.

00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:28.220
 And I just really feel

00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:28.680
 that the Lord

00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:31.080
 wants to increase this gift,

00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:32.980
 this charism within us.

00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:34.420
 And I just,

00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:35.100
 as I say,

00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.900
 I haven't got a 20-point mega plan,

00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:38.120
 but I'm just saying

00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.160
 that I want to explore

00:14:39.160 --> 00:14:40.280
 along with you

00:14:40.280 --> 00:14:42.620
 what this could look like,

00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.940
 bespoke for us

00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:45.700
 here at Christchurch

00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:47.200
 in this new season.

00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:51.240
 So that's the first

00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.100
 of the calls

00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.860
 that I sense God

00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.580
 is making to us,

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.420
 is to be increasingly

00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:55.460
 intergenerational.

00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:56.700
 The second

00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:58.580
 is to be increasingly

00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.879
 inclusive.

00:15:01.540 --> 00:15:02.280
 Let's just skip

00:15:02.280 --> 00:15:03.360
 to verses 4 and 5

00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:03.980
 for a moment.

00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:04.940
 Jesus says,

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:05.340
 therefore,

00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.120
 whoever takes

00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.019
 the lowly position

00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.840
 of this child

00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:09.040
 is the greatest

00:15:09.040 --> 00:15:10.240
 in the kingdom of heaven.

00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:11.759
 And whoever welcomes

00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.780
 one such child

00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:13.740
 in my name

00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:15.519
 welcomes me.

00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:20.240
 So Jesus is saying

00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.840
 that childlikeness

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:23.160
 is the key

00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:24.120
 to greatness

00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:26.320
 in God's kingdom.

00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:30.519
 Now there's always

00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.220
 some debate

00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:32.700
 about what quality

00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:34.179
 of being a child,

00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.360
 what quality is it

00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:37.799
 that Jesus is inviting us

00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.200
 to become?

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.179
 Is it their innocence?

00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.679
 Is it their openness?

00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.799
 Is it their playfulness?

00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.779
 Is it their dependence?

00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.340
 And I think all of these

00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.279
 have their place,

00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.419
 but actually Jesus

00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.299
 is clear

00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.620
 about what it is

00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.680
 about a child

00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.719
 that makes them

00:15:50.719 --> 00:15:52.179
 great in the kingdom.

00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.939
 And it is

00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:54.939
 their lowliness.

00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:56.500
 Their lowliness.

00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.219
 He says,

00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:57.899
 whoever takes

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.059
 the lowly position

00:15:59.059 --> 00:16:01.079
 of this child.

00:16:02.959 --> 00:16:03.439
 Now,

00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:04.079
 as I said before,

00:16:04.299 --> 00:16:05.099
 children at that time

00:16:05.099 --> 00:16:06.099
 had no status.

00:16:06.479 --> 00:16:07.179
 Their only rights

00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.179
 came through their father.

00:16:08.859 --> 00:16:09.719
 And they had no

00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.599
 political power

00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:11.659
 or worldly importance.

00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.199
 They were

00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:13.139
 marginalized.

00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.279
 They were vulnerable.

00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.340
 And it's this

00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.960
 humble state

00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:20.779
 that Jesus says

00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:22.379
 makes someone great

00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.419
 in the kingdom.

00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:27.799
 And we are to welcome,

00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:28.960
 let's call them,

00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.699
 the lowly.

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.279
 So it's not just children,

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.019
 but all

00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.580
 who in society

00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:37.139
 feel cast

00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.860
 to the margins,

00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:38.960
 who are made

00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.720
 to be vulnerable.

00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:41.940
 Those are the ones

00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:42.879
 we are especially

00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.180
 to welcome.

00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.440
 Because it's

00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.500
 the lowly

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.480
 who are,

00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:48.879
 if you like,

00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.680
 the celebrities.

00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.639
 They're the royalty

00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:52.279
 in the kingdom

00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:52.840
 of heaven.

00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.580
 Jesus says,

00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:55.399
 blessed are the poor

00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:55.820
 in spirit,

00:16:55.920 --> 00:16:56.639
 for theirs is

00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.460
 the kingdom of heaven.

00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.320
 Blessed are those

00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:59.000
 who mourn,

00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.480
 for they will be comforted.

00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.820
 Blessed are the meek,

00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:02.899
 for they will

00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.800
 inherit the earth.

00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.440
 You know,

00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.339
 it's like we're called

00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.460
 to be kingdom

00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.880
 celebrity spotters.

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:09.700
 Okay?

00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:12.120
 The vulnerable,

00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.079
 the marginalized,

00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:13.759
 the least,

00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:14.420
 the lost,

00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.240
 the lonely.

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.279
 They are those

00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.259
 who we are to

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.200
 particularly welcome

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.759
 and bless those

00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.759
 who Jesus says

00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:23.120
 he blesses.

00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:24.980
 And actually,

00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:25.640
 you'll see,

00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.519
 just to kind of

00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.660
 drive the point home,

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.420
 if you read on

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:28.980
 from these verses

00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.819
 when you get home,

00:17:30.100 --> 00:17:30.759
 you'll see that Jesus

00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:33.019
 saves his strongest words

00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.420
 for those who hinder

00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:34.980
 what he calls

00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.960
 the little ones,

00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:36.880
 the lowly,

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.640
 the marginalized,

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.400
 from entering the kingdom.

00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:41.300
 And right after that,

00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.080
 Matthew places

00:17:42.080 --> 00:17:43.340
 the famous story

00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:44.320
 of the lost sheep

00:17:44.320 --> 00:17:45.840
 straight after it.

00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.920
 And it's like he's

00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.820
 ramming home the fact

00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:49.360
 that it's the father's heart

00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:50.320
 and his joy

00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:51.860
 to leave the 99

00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:53.080
 to make sure

00:17:53.080 --> 00:17:54.780
 the wandering little one

00:17:54.780 --> 00:17:56.240
 is included

00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.000
 and safe

00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.860
 in his flock.

00:17:57.859 --> 00:18:03.159
 So again,

00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:04.339
 inclusivity

00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:05.439
 is already

00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:06.339
 within our gift

00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.959
 here at Christchurch.

00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.159
 I've already met

00:18:09.159 --> 00:18:09.859
 so many of you

00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.879
 whose vocations

00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:12.259
 are to work

00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.699
 amongst the vulnerable

00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:15.259
 in social care,

00:18:15.459 --> 00:18:16.019
 in teaching,

00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.879
 in care work,

00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.759
 et cetera, et cetera.

00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:20.000
 But more importantly,

00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:22.279
 I've met many among us

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.319
 who have probably

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.000
 put themselves

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.859
 within the categories

00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.659
 of being

00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.719
 the least,

00:18:26.959 --> 00:18:27.439
 the lost,

00:18:27.719 --> 00:18:28.379
 the lonely.

00:18:29.959 --> 00:18:31.019
 And they are

00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.859
 the celebrities

00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.799
 of this church.

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.399
 So it's already

00:18:36.399 --> 00:18:37.240
 part of what God's

00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.139
 calling us to do

00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:39.279
 and be,

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.159
 but could we make

00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.619
 our church

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.299
 more accessible

00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.339
 to those with

00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:44.439
 learning difficulties,

00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:46.199
 financial difficulties,

00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.459
 physical difficulties,

00:18:48.679 --> 00:18:49.679
 relationship difficulties,

00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:51.279
 mental health needs,

00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.519
 those who've

00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.480
 experienced trauma?

00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.319
 Could we cater

00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.200
 better for those

00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.960
 who are neurodiverse?

00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.559
 Could we include

00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:02.279
 all more centrally

00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.039
 into the life

00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.980
 and the heart

00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.980
 of our church community?

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.259
 You bet we could.

00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:11.099
 And as we do so

00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:12.759
 in Jesus' name,

00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.180
 we will be welcoming

00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:16.180
 Jesus increasingly

00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.879
 into our midst.

00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.119
 And that is what

00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:21.259
 the Bible defines

00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.539
 as inclusion.

00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.699
 Now again,

00:19:26.739 --> 00:19:27.159
 there'll be some

00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:27.699
 sitting here

00:19:27.699 --> 00:19:28.339
 whose hearts

00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.419
 are sinking a little bit

00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.459
 because perhaps

00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:31.459
 this has not been

00:19:31.459 --> 00:19:32.099
 your experience

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:32.839
 and this all sounds

00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.599
 to you like

00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.379
 the vicars come here

00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.099
 to maybe dumb

00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:36.000
 things down a bit.

00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.459
 Let me give you

00:19:38.459 --> 00:19:38.779
 an example

00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.799
 why that is not so.

00:19:40.959 --> 00:19:41.919
 How increasing

00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:42.559
 accessibility

00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.599
 and meeting

00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.619
 additional needs

00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.199
 can actually be

00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:46.239
 a blessing to all

00:19:46.239 --> 00:19:46.819
 and will be

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.659
 a blessing to all.

00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:50.500
 Amy and I

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.279
 were discussing

00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.259
 with our

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.840
 children's needs

00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.700
 with their new

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.519
 teachers at their

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:55.920
 new school

00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.660
 and we shared

00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.580
 about how they

00:19:57.580 --> 00:19:58.400
 really appreciate

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.200
 having a visual

00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.019
 timetable,

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:00.920
 sort of drawings

00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.720
 about what goes

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.300
 on in the day

00:20:02.300 --> 00:20:02.740
 and where.

00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:04.680
 And it really

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.300
 helps them

00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:06.560
 navigate the day,

00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.120
 helps them feel

00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:07.740
 sort of safe

00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.940
 and understand

00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.759
 what's coming up.

00:20:11.040 --> 00:20:11.779
 And the teacher

00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.240
 said yes,

00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.720
 actually yeah,

00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.120
 we've already

00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:13.740
 got a pupil

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:15.100
 who needs that

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.199
 and we've put

00:20:16.199 --> 00:20:16.639
 one together

00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:16.959
 and we've

00:20:16.959 --> 00:20:17.619
 displayed it

00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.339
 in the classroom

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.859
 and actually

00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.439
 we've found

00:20:19.439 --> 00:20:20.379
 that all the

00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.019
 other pupils

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.319
 really appreciate

00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.099
 it and they

00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:24.059
 benefit from it

00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:24.579
 and it gives

00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.159
 them a stronger

00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:26.399
 sense of structure

00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:27.000
 and rhythm.

00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.939
 So even in

00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:30.599
 that example,

00:20:31.459 --> 00:20:32.099
 what if

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:34.139
 that's a step

00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.619
 we could take

00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.279
 even here on a

00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.539
 Sunday?

00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:37.019
 Imagine if you're

00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:37.599
 walking here for

00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.279
 the first time,

00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.579
 that's great if

00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:39.980
 that's you,

00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.879
 very warm welcome

00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.819
 to you by the way

00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.939
 and don't we want

00:20:42.939 --> 00:20:43.579
 to see more people

00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.259
 coming in for the

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.819
 first time?

00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.819
 Oh yes.

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.079
 Perhaps you're not

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:49.000
 so good with words

00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.640
 or you learn

00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.359
 visually rather

00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.059
 than orally.

00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.079
 How are you

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.859
 expected to

00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.900
 navigate your

00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.539
 way for a

00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.079
 strange and

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.180
 unfamiliar service?

00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.279
 One thing we

00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.299
 could do is to

00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.200
 display some

00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.839
 kind of visual

00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.680
 cues if you like

00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.539
 outlining the

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.140
 service at the

00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.720
 beginning and as

00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.099
 we go through

00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.680
 the service.

00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.359
 And if we did

00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:07.920
 that I can tell

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.119
 you I think some

00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:09.619
 more regular

00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.420
 attenders could

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.000
 also get a better

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.500
 sense of what's

00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.339
 going on and that

00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.279
 probably includes me.

00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:13.819
 So there are

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.299
 things we can

00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.700
 do that we

00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:16.740
 think actually

00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.439
 as we become

00:21:17.439 --> 00:21:18.079
 more inclusive

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.960
 actually it's

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.939
 about mission.

00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:21.819
 Do you see how

00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.960
 becoming more

00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.480
 inclusive is

00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.059
 actually about

00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.839
 mission?

00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.299
 It's like opening

00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.200
 the doors wider

00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.200
 to that big

00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.939
 family Christmas

00:21:29.939 --> 00:21:30.399
 gathering.

00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.639
 Come in.

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.259
 Come in and

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.179
 enjoy and be

00:21:34.179 --> 00:21:35.720
 able to join in

00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.859
 with what God

00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.619
 is doing amongst

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.000
 us.

00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:42.759
 So the

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.519
 direction God

00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.200
 is leading us

00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.819
 is to be

00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.259
 increasingly

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.119
 intergenerational

00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:47.619
 and increasingly

00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:49.259
 inclusive and

00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.720
 the last, yes

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.359
 of course it has

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.799
 to begin with

00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.140
 an I,

00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.799
 increasingly

00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.259
 inspired.

00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:57.579
 Inspired.

00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.059
 I'll tell you

00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.480
 what I mean by

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.019
 that in a moment.

00:21:59.220 --> 00:21:59.720
 Verse 3,

00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.720
 Jesus says,

00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.900
 truly I tell

00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.140
 you,

00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.140
 unless you

00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:04.600
 change and

00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.079
 become like

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.779
 little children,

00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:07.140
 you will never

00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:08.120
 enter the

00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.700
 kingdom of

00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.039
 heaven.

00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.120
 So if you

00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:12.680
 weren't already

00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.480
 uncomfortable with

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.360
 Jesus' answer to

00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:15.079
 becoming great

00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.539
 already,

00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.539
 this gets even

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.240
 more uncomfortable,

00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:18.819
 doesn't it?

00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.460
 Jesus says that

00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.319
 unless we become

00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:21.920
 lowly,

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.720
 like a little

00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.220
 child,

00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.660
 we ourselves

00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.539
 will not even

00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.200
 be part of

00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:27.720
 God's kingdom.

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:30.120
 What does he

00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.319
 mean?

00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:31.860
 Do we need to

00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.500
 become immature?

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:33.779
 No.

00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.259
 Do we need to

00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.819
 stop thinking

00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.440
 like adults?

00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:36.940
 No.

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.440
 Do we need to

00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.000
 give up our

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.380
 jobs and

00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:39.920
 positions in

00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.339
 society?

00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.700
 Not often.

00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.779
 Do we need to

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.160
 give away our

00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.500
 possessions?

00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.059
 Sometimes,

00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.579
 especially if

00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.319
 they're becoming

00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.740
 a hindrance to

00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.200
 us becoming

00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.680
 lowly.

00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.039
 No, at its

00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.299
 heart, to

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.160
 become lowly

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.799
 like a little

00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.220
 child is to

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.240
 actually recognise

00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.500
 that in and

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.200
 of ourselves,

00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.440
 we bring

00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.779
 nothing to

00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.079
 God.

00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.980
 We have no

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.480
 status.

00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:08.680
 In fact,

00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:10.440
 little children

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.120
 bring, as far

00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.539
 as I can

00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:11.920
 remember,

00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.640
 only tears,

00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.420
 sleepless

00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.559
 nights, and

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:15.880
 poo.

00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.299
 The Bible

00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.579
 tells us we

00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.120
 bring nothing

00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:22.779
 but poo.

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.640
 We are dead

00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.559
 in our sins.

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.519
 We are, in

00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.059
 our fallen

00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.480
 nature,

00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.480
 rebels, like

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.559
 oversized

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.179
 toddlers,

00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.240
 throwing tantrums

00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.639
 if we don't

00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.019
 get the thing

00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.599
 we want,

00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.159
 who, when

00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.500
 we're told

00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:34.879
 not to do

00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.339
 one thing,

00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:35.579
 we do

00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.119
 exactly the

00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:36.419
 opposite.

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.119
 And to

00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.399
 make it

00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:37.759
 worse, we

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.299
 just laugh

00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.679
 at it,

00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:40.899
 or cry

00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.619
 if we end

00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:42.000
 up hurting

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.480
 ourselves.

00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:44.619
 You know,

00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:44.960
 we don't

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.740
 deserve to

00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.259
 be in this

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.539
 realm of

00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.220
 the perfect

00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.740
 God.

00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:48.779
 God.

00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:50.839
 So,

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.120
 entry into

00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.500
 the kingdom

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.000
 of heaven

00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.880
 actually begins

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.759
 with recognizing

00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.900
 that we are

00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.460
 lowly.

00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.000
 It's to take

00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.519
 a humble

00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.099
 position.

00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.700
 Our situation

00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.279
 alone before

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.740
 God is

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.839
 actually worse

00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.400
 than many of

00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:04.960
 us want to

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.339
 imagine.

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.420
 And yet,

00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:10.420
 and yet,

00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.620
 God loves

00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:13.460
 his little

00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.160
 children,

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.500
 like the

00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.140
 perfect

00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.339
 father that

00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.839
 he is.

00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:19.099
 He delights

00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:20.439
 in his

00:24:20.439 --> 00:24:20.740
 little

00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.159
 children.

00:24:21.959 --> 00:24:22.339
 He can't

00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.179
 stop smiling

00:24:23.179 --> 00:24:23.539
 at them,

00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.439
 looking into

00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:25.000
 their eyes,

00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.679
 hugging them,

00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.500
 kissing them,

00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:27.639
 longing for

00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.059
 his children

00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.720
 just to be

00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.279
 close to

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.639
 him.

00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.099
 We don't

00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.599
 earn his

00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.039
 love, we

00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.419
 don't have to

00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:34.879
 clean up

00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.139
 ourselves or

00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:36.559
 do good

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:36.879
 deeds.

00:24:36.959 --> 00:24:37.399
 He loves

00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:37.859
 us because

00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.459
 he loves

00:24:38.459 --> 00:24:39.019
 us because

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.839
 he loves

00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.299
 us.

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.159
 And the

00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:43.619
 damage that

00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.259
 we have done

00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.639
 in our

00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.459
 rebellion against

00:24:45.459 --> 00:24:46.500
 him, that's

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:46.879
 all been

00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.419
 dealt with on

00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:47.819
 the cross.

00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.699
 us, just

00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:49.059
 as we were

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.759
 singing earlier.

00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.159
 Jesus cleans

00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:51.859
 up that mess

00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.159
 on our

00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:52.500
 behalf.

00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:53.220
 He's been,

00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.579
 as it were,

00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:54.839
 chastised for

00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.220
 us.

00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.179
 And that

00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:56.899
 demonstrates

00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.539
 just how

00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.199
 much God

00:24:58.199 --> 00:24:59.339
 loves us.

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.359
 And so,

00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.199
 if we are

00:25:03.199 --> 00:25:04.079
 to enter the

00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.639
 kingdom of

00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.659
 heaven and

00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:06.199
 to continue

00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:07.019
 to experience

00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.699
 the kingdom

00:25:07.699 --> 00:25:08.199
 of heaven,

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.099
 there are two

00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.500
 things that

00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:09.759
 have to

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.039
 happen.

00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.459
 Two things.

00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.119
 Firstly,

00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.199
 recognise

00:25:14.199 --> 00:25:14.939
 ourselves as

00:25:14.939 --> 00:25:15.459
 lonely little

00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:15.779
 children.

00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.340
 And second,

00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.200
 receive the

00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:19.759
 unconditional

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.440
 love of

00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.880
 the father.

00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.120
 My voice

00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:23.539
 dropped there.

00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.440
 Receive the

00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.059
 unconditional

00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.900
 love of

00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.380
 the father.

00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.240
 So this

00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.860
 is an act

00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.420
 of our own

00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.200
 willpower,

00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.579
 like, come

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.160
 on, let's

00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:32.559
 go, let's

00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:32.920
 enter the

00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.160
 kingdom.

00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.240
 No, it's

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.960
 all grace.

00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.160
 It's the

00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:36.720
 work of the

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.440
 Holy Spirit

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.299
 who convicts

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.680
 us of the

00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.240
 truth about

00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.360
 ourselves and

00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:40.940
 then brings

00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.299
 new life and

00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.400
 love into

00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.560
 our lives.

00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.240
 And so it's

00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.700
 not so much

00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.160
 about actually

00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.820
 entering the

00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:48.220
 kingdom of

00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.700
 heaven, it's

00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.140
 about the

00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:49.620
 kingdom of

00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.940
 heaven entering

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.540
 us.

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.060
 And this

00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:56.440
 lies at the

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.180
 heart of

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.420
 spiritual renewal,

00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.640
 bringing life

00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.060
 to lost

00:26:01.060 --> 00:26:01.360
 sinners,

00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.720
 starting with

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.800
 us, that

00:26:03.800 --> 00:26:04.500
 flows into

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.960
 us and

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.880
 out into

00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.480
 the community.

00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.220
 And if we

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.340
 do desire to

00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:12.080
 be increasingly

00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:13.439
 intergenerational

00:26:13.439 --> 00:26:15.000
 and inclusive,

00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:17.099
 spiritual renewal

00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.819
 is essential

00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:20.099
 because otherwise

00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:21.779
 we won't, our

00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.419
 desire to do

00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:22.899
 that won't be

00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.500
 there and it

00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:23.819
 was going to

00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.399
 cost us too

00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:24.619
 much, it

00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:24.779
 would be

00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.220
 challenging.

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.079
 It's what

00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.939
 revival looks

00:26:26.939 --> 00:26:28.720
 like, is to

00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.740
 open our doors

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.460
 and see just

00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.279
 God do his

00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:31.639
 thing.

00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.179
 It will

00:26:33.179 --> 00:26:33.779
 change the

00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.199
 atmosphere.

00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:37.159
 So we need

00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.740
 to be

00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.839
 inspired.

00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:39.579
 And that

00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:40.039
 word, I've

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.480
 chosen quite

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.099
 carefully, that

00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:41.939
 word, inspired,

00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.820
 literally means

00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:44.059
 to breathe or

00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.420
 to blow

00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.799
 into.

00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:47.299
 Spirit

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.019
 breathed.

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.740
 And of

00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.180
 course God

00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:52.299
 again has

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.740
 given us

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.200
 here, has

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.880
 given all

00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.700
 his church

00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.799
 everything we

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.720
 need to

00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.460
 see this

00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.920
 happen.

00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.539
 He's given

00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.180
 us his

00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.580
 inspired word.

00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.000
 2 Timothy 3

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.640
 says, all

00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.519
 scripture is,

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.160
 that was a

00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:07.740
 pause to fill

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.340
 in, God

00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:09.100
 breathed is

00:27:09.100 --> 00:27:09.340
 what we're

00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:09.720
 looking for,

00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.100
 sorry I

00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:10.279
 could have

00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.580
 given you a

00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:10.840
 bit more

00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.359
 warning there.

00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:12.179
 All scripture

00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:12.779
 is God

00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.319
 breathed,

00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.779
 useful for

00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.199
 teaching,

00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:14.819
 rebuking,

00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:15.399
 correcting and

00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:15.819
 training in

00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.220
 righteousness.

00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.699
 And the

00:27:17.699 --> 00:27:18.079
 second thing

00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:18.419
 he gives

00:27:18.419 --> 00:27:19.039
 us is the

00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.779
 promise of

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.500
 his spirit

00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.139
 to blow

00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:21.980
 into us

00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.379
 and transform

00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:23.899
 us.

00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.539
 Spirit and

00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.019
 truth.

00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.519
 If you were

00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.220
 here for my

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.839
 first Sunday

00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:31.539
 sermon, I

00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.019
 talked about

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.480
 how this

00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.000
 empowers

00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.019
 true worship

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.879
 and leads

00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.179
 us to

00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:35.459
 Jesus.

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.759
 and last

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.779
 week I

00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.519
 also mentioned

00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.319
 word and

00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.539
 spirit as

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:40.840
 it's the

00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:41.240
 thing that

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.220
 fuels our

00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.100
 discipleship,

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.340
 our

00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.380
 apprenticing to

00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:44.880
 Jesus.

00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.620
 Without

00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.880
 word and

00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.980
 spirit we

00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.480
 cannot do

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.140
 those things.

00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:51.340
 And of

00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:51.700
 course it's

00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.340
 God's spirit

00:27:52.340 --> 00:27:53.559
 that releases

00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.319
 among us his

00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.980
 gifts for

00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.779
 healing, for

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.740
 prophecy, etc.

00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.140
 etc.

00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:58.840
 And it's

00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.360
 this spirit

00:27:59.360 --> 00:27:59.820
 who brings

00:27:59.820 --> 00:28:00.740
 his fruit

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.880
 into our

00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.440
 lives.

00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.560
 Love, joy,

00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.780
 peace, forbearance,

00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.780
 kindness, goodness,

00:28:06.540 --> 00:28:07.120
 faithfulness,

00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:07.860
 gentleness,

00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.500
 self-control.

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.620
 And it's the

00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.100
 work of the

00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:14.820
 spirit who

00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:15.620
 also releases

00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.280
 the other

00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:17.360
 childlike

00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.180
 qualities

00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.900
 among us.

00:28:20.280 --> 00:28:20.920
 Openness,

00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.180
 dependence upon

00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.780
 our father,

00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:24.060
 generosity,

00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:24.940
 playfulness,

00:28:25.560 --> 00:28:26.240
 creativity.

00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.600
 That's what I

00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.620
 mean when I

00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.200
 feel that the

00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.640
 Lord is

00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:31.200
 calling us to

00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.360
 become increasingly

00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.700
 inspired,

00:28:34.540 --> 00:28:35.460
 blown by the

00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:35.840
 spirit.

00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:38.700
 And as this

00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:40.340
 happens we

00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.340
 experience the

00:28:41.340 --> 00:28:41.940
 kingdom of

00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:43.340
 heaven in

00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:43.900
 our midst,

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.580
 flowing out

00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.580
 among us.

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.380
 Church, is

00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:50.460
 this what you

00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:50.840
 want?

00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.300
 For one

00:28:54.300 --> 00:28:54.920
 person, that's

00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.300
 amazing.

00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:58.839
 it begins

00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:00.960
 if we do,

00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:01.799
 and I've

00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.180
 just sprung

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.519
 that on you

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:02.819
 and I don't

00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.220
 expect,

00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.619
 specifically in

00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.099
 our culture,

00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.779
 for people to

00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.759
 jump up and

00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:08.099
 down, but I

00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.659
 know that this

00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:09.740
 has made some

00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.419
 of you hungry

00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.639
 and thirsty

00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.200
 for this,

00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.359
 for the Holy

00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.059
 Spirit to blow

00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.659
 in our midst,

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:15.879
 to be actually

00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.399
 turning us

00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:17.440
 inside out in

00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:17.879
 the shape of

00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:18.399
 the kingdom,

00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:20.139
 upside down,

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.759
 like the

00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.259
 kingdom that

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.559
 Jesus taught.

00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:27.440
 Spirit of

00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.079
 God, Spirit

00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.579
 of the living

00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.299
 God, fall

00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.259
 afresh on us

00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:32.720
 here, releasing

00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:34.039
 us all that

00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.659
 you have made

00:29:34.659 --> 00:29:35.639
 us to be and

00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:36.159
 to become.

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.339
 Thank you for

00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:39.519
 those who are

00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.059
 talking to you

00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:41.159
 right now about

00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:42.019
 a desire to

00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.639
 enter your

00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:44.000
 kingdom, to

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.359
 enter your

00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:44.839
 kingdom more

00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:45.579
 fully and to

00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:47.119
 live out lives

00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:47.899
 that Jesus

00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:48.619
 wants us to.

00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:48.679
 see.

00:29:53.139 --> 00:29:54.119
 And thank you,

00:29:54.199 --> 00:29:55.599
 Lord, for us

00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.559
 as a family.

00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:58.079
 Thank you that

00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.539
 you want to do

00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.519
 great things

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.299
 amongst us,

00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:01.479
 great kingdom

00:30:01.479 --> 00:30:02.819
 things, which

00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:04.559
 include love,

00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:06.679
 grace, mercy,

00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.359
 the inclusion of

00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.039
 those who feel

00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:11.259
 left out, the

00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.959
 love of all

00:30:11.959 --> 00:30:12.500
 ages and

00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.039
 stages.

00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:15.700
 come, Holy

00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:17.259
 Spirit, fill

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:19.500
 us again.

00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:19.599
 Amen.

00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:19.599


00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:19.599


00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:19.599


00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:19.599


00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:19.599


00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:19.599


00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:19.599