WEBVTT 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:08.759 Well, let me add my welcome. My name is Sam, I'm one of the pastors here, and it is good to get to open God's Word with you tonight. 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:10.800 Keep that passage open in front of you. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:20.039 Just recently I had the chance to be at a conference, and something they did as part of the conference was pay tribute to someone who had achieved something significant. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:27.839 His name is Professor Graham Clark, so he's an Australian professor, and he is the man who invented the bionic ear. 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:38.980 And as impressive as his achievement is, what I love about his story, and many stories of people who have done significant things, is where those stories begin. 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:48.120 It's to think that to get to the point where he actually achieved his goal, there was a moment where that dream was birthed. 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:53.120 And what you may not know about him is Graham Clark grew up with a father who was deaf. 00:00:53.119 --> 00:00:59.799 I actually found out this morning that one of our morning parishioners, Marie Farley, went to university with Graham and actually knows him. 00:01:00.259 --> 00:01:02.379 And she was giving me all sorts of extra details. 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:09.439 So Graham Clark, growing up, had a father who was a pharmacist and had a chemist, and he was completely deaf. 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:19.439 And the incredible challenges that his dad faced were what birthed a dream for Graham Clark to ultimately be able to deal with that issue and fix it. 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:29.299 And it's a really exciting thing, I think, to not just see the finish line, but to see the journey that was taken to that greatness, to that significance. 00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:38.000 And I wonder if when you hear stories like that, or stories like we just read in Hebrews 11, if there's a part of you that thinks, 00:01:38.579 --> 00:01:40.799 I wish I had a vision like that. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:44.140 I wish I had a dream for significance. 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:48.560 I wish I had something that I was just going to achieve. 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:53.679 I wish I could somehow imagine me being the one achieving something great. 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:59.300 What if it's there and you just haven't seen it yet? 00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:06.940 What if the path to greatness is right in front of you, but you just haven't taken the steps to walk down it yet? 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:13.420 Throughout Scripture, there are many, many people who have achieved great things for God. 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:16.760 And in every single one of them, there is a common ingredient. 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:18.180 Faith. 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:25.000 The passage we just read in Hebrews 11 is sometimes known as the Faith Hall of Fame. 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:33.500 We think it's this list of kind of faith superheroes, people who just had incredibly massive and impressive faith. 00:02:33.760 --> 00:02:37.420 But actually, Hebrews 11 is not about them. 00:02:38.420 --> 00:02:39.560 It's about faith. 00:02:41.659 --> 00:02:43.680 And faith is about God. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:48.159 The superhero, if you like, in Hebrews 11 is God himself. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:52.379 The powerful one in Hebrews 11 is God himself. 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:56.260 Faith is the thing that achieves significance for everyone in Hebrews 11. 00:02:56.599 --> 00:03:01.080 The same faith that all Christians have in the same God. 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:05.840 See, faith isn't just about getting a ticket to heaven. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:09.500 Faith is a foundation. 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:14.539 Faith is a power that God wants to unleash in your life. 00:03:14.620 --> 00:03:17.759 Not just an end point power or an end point destination. 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:24.560 It's a foundation and a power that can be unleashed in us to achieve something significant in our lives now. 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:27.879 This is week three of Activate. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:30.759 If this is your first week here or you've been away for a couple of weeks, 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:34.420 all the excitement that you walked past on your way in is Activate. 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:42.459 It's that time twice a year where we stop and have a chance to connect and serve in church. 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:44.579 So there's a chance for joining small groups. 00:03:44.699 --> 00:03:46.679 There's a chance for committing to doing ministry. 00:03:47.299 --> 00:03:51.619 And one of the questions we've been asking over the last three weeks is, 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:57.319 how can you invest yourself in the work that God is doing here at St. Paul's Chatswood? 00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:01.399 So how can you be a part of caring for people who are in need? 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:04.719 How can you be a part of bringing hope to people who don't have it? 00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:06.520 What part can you play? 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:11.159 And really the question behind that question is the one we're looking at tonight. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:18.019 The question is, what would your life and my life and our life together look like 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:23.939 if we genuinely shared the faith of those who have gone before us? 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:29.860 I mean, as we begin to dream about that possibility, 00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:34.920 dream about the possibility of God's power achieving something significant in us, 00:04:35.219 --> 00:04:37.740 we need to be clear on what we mean when we say faith. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:38.819 It's not a blank check. 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:41.000 But what do we mean? 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:43.920 First off, let's be clear on a few things that faith isn't. 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:47.439 Firstly, faith is not blind and it's not baseless. 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:49.399 I think I've said to you guys before, 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:53.120 faith is a word that sometimes gets substituted for belief. 00:04:53.979 --> 00:04:56.620 And they're close, but they're not exactly the same thing. 00:04:57.599 --> 00:05:01.939 If I was to climb onto the roof of the church and decide that I wanted to fly, 00:05:02.339 --> 00:05:04.519 it doesn't matter how hard I flap my arms, 00:05:04.539 --> 00:05:06.819 if I jump off, I'm going to fall and I'm going to fall quickly. 00:05:07.239 --> 00:05:11.379 Because there's no basis for the belief that I can fly. 00:05:12.359 --> 00:05:15.439 Faith is actually about the thing that you believe, 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.620 more than how much belief you have. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:21.000 See, desire is not a sufficient basis for faith. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:24.340 It doesn't matter how much I want to fly or how much I believe it, 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:27.540 there's no basis for either of those things. 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:33.980 The thing that I'm trusting in, the object, is what defines faith. 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:37.819 So every time I'm driving in my car and I press on the brake, 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:42.680 I'm placing my faith in the brakes to work and to stop me before I have a crash. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:49.360 But it's not my belief in the brakes that makes them work and helps me stop. 00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:51.980 It's the functionality of the brakes. 00:05:53.139 --> 00:05:57.780 It's actually their ability to stop the wheels in such a way that I don't hit another car. 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:01.579 My belief in the brakes, if they're not functional, is irrelevant. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:02.780 I'm still going to crash. 00:06:03.340 --> 00:06:06.620 It's the functionality of the thing that I'm trusting, 00:06:07.019 --> 00:06:08.960 that I'm believing in, that I'm depending on. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:14.779 What matters when we talk about faith in any sphere of life is not so much the faith itself, 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:18.039 but it's what we're placing our faith in. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:21.399 It's the object that's being trusted and depended on. 00:06:21.740 --> 00:06:25.939 And so for Christians, faith is not some vague, ethereal idea 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:29.779 that gets kind of new content depending on what situation we're facing. 00:06:30.179 --> 00:06:33.359 You know, I have faith to fly, I have faith to jump high, whatever it is. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:37.280 Christian faith has specific content. 00:06:37.780 --> 00:06:39.220 It has a specific object. 00:06:39.540 --> 00:06:45.139 Faith, if it's Christian, is necessarily and firmly founded on the promise of God. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:48.080 Have a look in Hebrews 11 at verse 7. 00:06:48.080 --> 00:06:50.259 It says that, 00:06:50.259 --> 00:07:05.060 So Noah had faith in what? 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:07.420 His desire to see the world flooded? 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:11.120 His hope that God would judge the sinful people all around him? 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:11.399 No. 00:07:12.159 --> 00:07:15.939 His faith is based on the fact that God warned him. 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:18.039 God's word was there. 00:07:18.040 --> 00:07:22.480 God promised something and Noah believed that God would follow through. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:23.939 Now you've got to remember, 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:27.100 this is just a snapshot of a whole story back in Genesis 6. 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.379 Noah was ridiculed when he did this. 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:34.600 He was building the biggest boat that the world has ever seen in the middle of nowhere 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:37.080 with no means of getting it anywhere near water. 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:40.140 Probably in the middle of a drought. 00:07:42.020 --> 00:07:43.180 And so people said, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.259 You've lost your mind, Noah. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:46.500 You are in all sorts. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:47.779 But he stood firm. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:53.100 He kept his faith because he was trusting something that was immovable. 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:58.259 He was trusting the words of God who doesn't change. 00:07:59.420 --> 00:08:02.899 Faith is not a blind step in the dark full of optimistic hope. 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:08.000 It's confidence based on the sure promise of God. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:10.899 So faith is not blind or baseless. 00:08:10.899 --> 00:08:13.620 The second thing faith is not is it's not seen. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:18.299 Hebrews 11 and verse 13 says, 00:08:18.679 --> 00:08:21.759 All these people were still living by faith when they died. 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:24.259 They did not receive the things promised. 00:08:24.639 --> 00:08:27.779 They only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:30.259 Or verse 39 of chapter 11. 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:47.460 All of these people, these heroes apparently of the faith, 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:50.139 were still living by faith when they died. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:53.419 So they hadn't yet been given the things they were promised. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:56.379 The things that were shaping their whole life. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:58.399 The things that were motivating them to sacrifice, 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:02.220 to suffer for following God with unwavering commitment. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:05.899 They didn't receive them. 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:11.179 And that's because faith is by its nature forward looking. 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:14.480 Faith is future oriented. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:17.360 It's about something that you don't yet have. 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:19.820 Something that's just that little bit beyond your reach. 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:21.820 And that's important. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:25.259 Because it reminds us as Christians, 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:28.039 that stepping out in faith, 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:31.940 is not just a way of kind of having a transaction 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:33.759 to get something we want from God. 00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:40.399 Faith's not necessarily going to be about getting immediate gratification back 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:42.440 because we've done something bold for God. 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:45.820 The definition that Hebrews gives us is quite clear. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:47.500 In verse 1 of chapter 11. 00:09:48.380 --> 00:09:51.360 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:53.780 and certain of what we do not see. 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:56.360 Now I have a slightly adjusted definition. 00:09:58.340 --> 00:10:01.700 Faith is a certain future hope 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:05.260 that changes your uncertain present. 00:10:06.900 --> 00:10:09.260 Faith is a certain future hope 00:10:09.260 --> 00:10:11.520 that changes your uncertain present. 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:13.899 See, faith brings perspective into situations 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:15.500 that would otherwise be overwhelming. 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:20.159 Faith has the power to take something that could be hopeless 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:22.519 and give you a firm footing. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:25.860 Even though faith is future directed, 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:29.679 we must understand that it has power now. 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:33.579 It is about something we look forward to, 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:35.199 something we haven't yet received, 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:37.379 but it has power now. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:39.340 And so the question remains, 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:41.679 what does it look like to live by faith? 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:44.100 And I guess maybe more specifically, 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:47.259 what would your life and my life and our life look like 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:51.080 if the defining reality of our existence 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:54.139 was the death and resurrection of Jesus? 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:56.320 What if that was the looking glass 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:59.460 through which we perceived every circumstance that we faced, 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:01.799 every relationship, every job, 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:04.019 every engagement, every challenge, 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:04.939 every obstacle? 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:08.779 Because this chapter in Hebrews 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:10.620 is called the Faith Hall of Fame 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:13.519 because it's clearly a picture of significant life. 00:11:14.979 --> 00:11:17.620 These people did significant things. 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:20.779 And it doesn't matter whether you're three or 23 or 103. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:23.960 Faith is the ingredient in this chapter. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:27.779 It's the thing common to every single person who's mentioned. 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:33.039 And today, we need to lift our eyes 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:35.220 and begin to dream. 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:40.100 Begin to imagine just how incredible it might be 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:44.360 for God to work through us in a similar kind of way. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:48.379 because I can guarantee that God's plan for you 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:51.620 is bigger and better than your plan for you. 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:55.800 So as you begin to visualize that, 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:58.379 let's unpack what the path might look like to get there. 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:01.460 Four things that faith looks like from Hebrews 12. 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:05.200 Therefore, since we are surrounded 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:07.100 by such a great cloud of witnesses, 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:09.759 let us throw off everything that hinders 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:12.139 and the sin that so easily entangles, 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:14.319 and let us run with perseverance 00:12:14.319 --> 00:12:16.139 the race marked out for us. 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:18.659 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:21.379 the author and perfecter of our faith, 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:23.500 who for the joy set before him, 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:26.039 endured the cross, scorning its shame, 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:29.059 and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:32.159 The first thing that faith looks like is surrounded. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:35.439 Faith is not a personal or isolated reality. 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:38.639 Our Christian faith is a communal activity. 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:41.939 One of the things that seeds our faith, 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.819 or that strengthens our faith, 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:45.480 or even gives birth to our faith, 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:49.059 is actually seeing faith in the lives of other people. 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:52.559 And not even necessarily the superheroes, 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:54.059 like in chapter 11 here, 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:57.860 but surrounded by brothers and sisters 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:59.259 here in this community, 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:02.419 who are living out faith in their jobs, 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:04.139 in their families. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:08.100 People like the Fitzroy family 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.600 in our 930 congregation, 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:12.980 who dealt with a really difficult 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:14.240 and challenging situation 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.899 with the health of their second born son, 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.779 and yet continued to trust God 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:20.240 in spite of the uncertainty. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:23.980 Or living out faith like the Fitzpatricks, 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:27.299 who moved to a suburb further away from us 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:28.080 and less convenient, 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:29.639 but convinced and convicted 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:31.819 that this is where they wanted to serve. 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:34.540 That this was the ministry 00:13:34.540 --> 00:13:35.879 that God was calling them to. 00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:39.300 We are surrounded by witnesses 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:40.780 who are living out their faith 00:13:40.780 --> 00:13:42.240 in the day-to-day. 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:43.940 And faith is a shared journey 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:45.640 towards a future hope. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.540 You're not required to hold on to hope 00:13:49.540 --> 00:13:51.560 in the difficult circumstances by yourself. 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.960 That's what was so great 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.300 watching the Fitzroy family. 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:56.580 It's what's so great watching 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:59.140 in so many of our lives and situations 00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:00.759 is that when we are struggling, 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:03.019 God provides the encouragement and support, 00:14:03.179 --> 00:14:04.039 not within ourselves, 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:07.139 but within the cloud of witnesses. 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:09.000 He gives us models 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:10.699 of what it looks like to persevere. 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.399 He gives us brothers and sisters 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.480 who bear with us. 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:17.740 This is the point of chapter 11. 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:21.379 All of these witnesses 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:23.819 are on the same journey of faith. 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:26.920 That's why they can be an encouragement for us. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.980 And so faith lived out 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.360 demands that we surround ourselves 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:33.260 with the people of God, 00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:35.300 with witnesses to faith. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:37.300 It demands that we gather, 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:40.320 that we invest relationally in one another, 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.940 that we benefit from this community, 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:44.980 but also that we seek to be a benefit 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.960 to this community. 00:14:47.040 --> 00:14:48.740 Because faith has one goal, 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.460 heaven. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:52.840 So it's uncompromising 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.800 and undivided 00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:55.240 in its commitment to getting there. 00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:58.180 And in our quest for heaven, 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.680 faith recognizes 00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:01.560 that we are stronger together. 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:05.160 Faith is surrounded. 00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:06.139 The second thing 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:08.440 is faith is unhindered. 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.720 We must throw off 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.280 anything that gets in the way. 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:12.860 As a younger man, 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.720 I used to go on Christian camps 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.620 for one reason 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.560 and one reason only. 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:17.879 Girls. 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:20.059 From the moment 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:21.379 that I arrived at registration, 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.679 I would begin to prowl 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.639 the other campers 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:26.500 looking for pretty girls. 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:28.580 I would then proceed 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.559 to place myself 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:30.439 in the proximity 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.379 of pretty girls. 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.120 I would then proceed 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.080 to do whatever I could 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:35.460 to make said pretty girls 00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.240 notice me. 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.539 And you know, 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:40.960 there was a lot of girls 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.740 in the youth ministry 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.340 that I went to, 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:43.580 so sometimes this was quite 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.519 a big task. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:46.819 But one camp, 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:49.319 I got particularly ambitious. 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.059 Now, 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.279 you guys might know 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.199 that I'm not somebody 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.139 who has really ever 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:54.879 in my life struggled 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.220 particularly with self-confidence. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.460 But, 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.879 unfortunately, 00:15:59.100 --> 00:15:59.899 my self-perception 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:00.500 and reality 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.819 have not always lined up. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.100 And so, 00:16:03.199 --> 00:16:04.639 from where I was standing, 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.899 I would strut around 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.019 registration thinking 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:07.740 that, you know, 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.419 Brad Pitt 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:09.659 is gracing the halls 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.460 of camp registration 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.759 and that any girl 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.660 with functional eyes 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:13.180 is struggling 00:16:13.180 --> 00:16:14.180 to control herself. 00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:16.139 In reality, 00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:17.680 I was a little chubby. 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.460 I had a bold haircut 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.560 and a goofy smile. 00:16:21.400 --> 00:16:22.820 In my perception, 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.680 I was very smooth. 00:16:25.400 --> 00:16:26.639 I was irresistible 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.780 to the opposite sex. 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:28.800 I had all the lines 00:16:28.800 --> 00:16:29.420 ready to go. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.240 But in reality, 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:31.900 if any of these girls 00:16:31.900 --> 00:16:32.980 actually talked to me, 00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:33.840 all I could manage was, 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:34.720 hi. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:34.820 Hi. 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:38.300 But, 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.780 in spite of reality, 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.699 one year, 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.939 I got particularly bold. 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:43.919 I spotted 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.000 a gorgeous girl 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.600 at registration. 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.379 I found out her name, 00:16:48.199 --> 00:16:48.500 Alicia. 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.620 She was in year 10. 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.419 I was in year 8. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.899 To make matters worse, 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.639 my older brother 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:56.459 was in year 8 00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:58.419 and he was actually 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.039 all the things 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.019 that I thought I was. 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.399 He was attractive 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.480 and he was smooth 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.100 with the ladies. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.759 But, 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:04.660 remember, 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.619 I hadn't realised 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.319 that there was barriers 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:06.759 like that. 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.639 I was Brad Pitt. 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:08.859 So, 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:09.759 eyes on the prize 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.059 I dedicated myself 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.259 for the seven days 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.019 of that camp 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.379 to pursuing 00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:15.259 this older woman. 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.680 I was so committed 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.680 that at mealtimes 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.440 I sat with her 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.099 and her friends 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.160 instead of my friends. 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.559 When it came 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.539 to picking activities, 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.400 I chose what she was doing 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:27.000 instead of what 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.859 I wanted to do. 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:30.359 Craft was much more exciting 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:30.980 than abseiling. 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:34.400 In fact, 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.279 for that week, 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:37.279 I pretended to learn 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:37.940 how to whistle 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:39.879 because she couldn't whistle 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:40.740 and that gave us 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.619 something to do together. 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:42.740 I mean, 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.079 come on, 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:43.740 who can't whistle? 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.559 I even wrote 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.759 her little love notes 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.299 and no self-respecting 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.079 14-year-old 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:50.980 writes any notes, 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.000 let alone love notes, 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.559 that other people 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.440 might find out about. 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:55.759 But I was single-minded 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.579 in my commitment 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.200 to the goal 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.359 of getting this older woman 00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:59.059 to like me 00:17:59.059 --> 00:18:00.019 and be my girlfriend. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:00.799 Now, 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.259 unfortunately, 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:02.319 that was my only goal. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.679 So after I succeeded, 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.619 and I did succeed, 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:07.740 we started dating 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.339 for a whopping 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:08.980 three weeks 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.679 and then broke up 00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:10.799 because I hadn't figured out 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.599 what happened after 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.579 I managed to convince her 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.299 to go out with me. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.079 Now, 00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:14.679 a quick caveat 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:15.399 on this story. 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.200 I'm not endorsing 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.500 going on camps 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.339 to pick up girls. 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:21.000 The moral of the story 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.980 is not try harder 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.439 when you're trying 00:18:22.439 --> 00:18:22.980 to get a boyfriend 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.460 or girlfriend 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.319 or husband or wife. 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.240 That's not what I'm saying. 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.019 The point is, 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:29.179 when you really 00:18:29.179 --> 00:18:29.960 want something, 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.899 when it is first 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:33.280 priority for you, 00:18:34.600 --> 00:18:36.220 you need to forego 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.980 anything 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.940 that could slow you down 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:39.620 from achieving 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.580 your goal. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:43.519 For us as Christians, 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:45.140 faith defines 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:45.759 our goal. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.780 Heaven is the destination. 00:18:49.320 --> 00:18:49.960 That is what we are 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:51.000 being prepared for 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.840 and every step 00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:52.720 between now and then 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:54.480 exists as an opportunity 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.440 to serve God. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.080 Every step 00:18:57.080 --> 00:18:57.840 is an opportunity 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.880 to be satisfied 00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.500 in God, 00:18:59.580 --> 00:19:00.320 to enjoy Him 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:00.919 and to point 00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:01.619 other people 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.319 to see 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.460 how satisfying 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.099 He is. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.460 And so, 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:06.960 we've got to 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.939 throw off 00:19:07.939 --> 00:19:08.899 anything 00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:09.859 that gets 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:10.299 in the way 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:10.639 of that. 00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:12.439 Anything 00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:12.960 that gets 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.480 in the way 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.579 of us serving 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.439 or enjoying 00:19:15.439 --> 00:19:16.079 our God. 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:16.919 Anything 00:19:16.919 --> 00:19:17.740 that steals 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.480 our affection 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.259 from Him. 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.259 One of the questions 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.200 we need to be asking 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.019 about everything 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:25.039 we do is, 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.500 does this thing 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.960 help me love God 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.879 or does it 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:30.659 hinder my love 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:31.180 for God? 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.299 Does it grow 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.039 my affection 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.680 for Jesus 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:36.079 or does it steal 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.720 my affection 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.639 from Jesus? 00:19:38.659 --> 00:19:39.440 There is no 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.399 neutral category 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.079 when it comes 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.599 to the way 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.379 that we spend 00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:43.259 our time 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.940 and our energy 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.579 and our money. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.139 It either 00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:49.119 drives us forward 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.639 in our love 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.059 for God 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.799 and our enjoyment 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.259 of Him 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:53.079 or it holds us 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:53.420 back. 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:55.800 By definition 00:19:55.800 --> 00:19:56.480 if it's not 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:56.940 helping 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.560 it's hindering. 00:19:59.340 --> 00:19:59.920 And so we need 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.519 to let go 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.019 of sins 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.380 that we're 00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:02.140 holding on to. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.160 Maybe secret 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.539 sins 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:04.920 that we've 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.240 kind of 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.100 conceded on. 00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:07.300 You know 00:20:07.300 --> 00:20:07.620 the ones 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:07.880 that we've 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.200 kind of 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.360 gone 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:08.720 oh look 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.220 I'm a sinful 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.620 person 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:10.000 I'm not 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.640 perfect yet 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:10.980 so it's 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.400 just part 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:11.860 of the deal. 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:14.840 Throwing 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:15.320 those things 00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:15.900 off means 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.640 confessing 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.300 them to God 00:20:17.300 --> 00:20:18.860 and trusting 00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:19.140 Him 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:19.940 when He says 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.500 that Jesus 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.279 has died 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.039 and risen 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.680 and that's 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.180 enough 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.740 to wash 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.360 you clean 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.039 and to 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.519 transform 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.259 your heart. 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.700 This isn't 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.140 about being 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:28.740 perfect 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:30.140 but it's 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:30.880 about being 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.620 on a journey 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.380 an ongoing 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.180 process of 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:34.039 trusting God 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.799 to keep 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.380 washing you 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.080 and keep 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:36.820 forgiving you 00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:37.820 by His grace. 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.240 Plus 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:40.660 all this 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.320 throwing off 00:20:41.320 --> 00:20:41.820 as well as 00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:42.400 wrestling with 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.220 sin and things 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.700 that are a waste 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.340 of our time 00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:45.420 includes letting 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.120 go of the 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:46.720 fear and 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.360 insecurity 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:48.440 that sometimes 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:48.960 holds us 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.400 back from 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.120 serving God 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:50.580 in the ways 00:20:50.580 --> 00:20:51.320 that He wants. 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.980 Now I know 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.639 that we don't 00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:54.119 actually have 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:54.599 the ability 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.139 to switch 00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:55.559 off that 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:55.919 part of 00:20:55.919 --> 00:20:56.679 the brain 00:20:56.679 --> 00:20:57.319 that freaks 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.159 out sometimes 00:20:58.159 --> 00:21:00.419 but what 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:00.819 we do 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.279 have 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.899 is the 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:03.379 opportunity 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.019 to take 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.659 that fear 00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:04.980 or that 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.500 anxiety 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:05.839 or that 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.399 uncertainty 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:07.399 and take 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:07.599 it to 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.179 the cross. 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:09.639 What we 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:10.200 do have 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.799 is a 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.599 cloud of 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:11.980 witnesses 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.399 who are 00:21:12.399 --> 00:21:12.960 maybe going 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.339 through the 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:13.579 same 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.159 processes 00:21:14.159 --> 00:21:14.639 but have 00:21:14.639 --> 00:21:15.059 learnt 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:15.679 how to 00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:16.039 swap 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.659 that fear 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:17.319 and uncertainty 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.839 for the 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.399 confidence 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:20.000 in what 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.460 God has 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.820 done 00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:21.600 and in 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:21.840 His 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:22.180 power 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:22.680 instead of 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:22.920 in our 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.140 own 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:23.480 power. 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.400 We can 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:26.960 trade our 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.440 fear for 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.060 the confidence 00:21:28.060 --> 00:21:28.780 that comes 00:21:28.780 --> 00:21:29.340 from knowing 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:29.720 that we 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.100 have a 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:30.580 Saviour 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:31.880 who has 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.640 proved 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.460 that He's 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.080 more powerful 00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:34.600 than anything 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.140 we will ever 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.600 face. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.840 And when 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:38.320 we're free 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:38.720 from that 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.220 hindrance 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:39.740 the third 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.200 thing that 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.660 our faith 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.100 will do 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:41.960 is release 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.420 us to 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:42.700 run. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.259 Again 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.600 Hebrews 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.120 12 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:47.700 end of 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.240 verse 1 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:50.680 let us 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.279 throw off 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.839 everything 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.620 that hinders 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:52.920 and the 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.359 sin that 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:53.980 so easily 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.660 entangles 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.220 and let 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:56.380 us run 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.420 with 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.099 perseverance 00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.779 the race 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.359 marked out 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.039 for us. 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.880 Run the 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.240 race. 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:03.740 Faith is 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.339 not half 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.859 hearted or 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.640 apathetic or 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.319 lethargic. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:07.880 Faith is 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.720 undivided and 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.339 committed and 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.039 energetic and 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:11.539 enthusiastic but 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:11.839 it's really 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:13.180 important that 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.680 you run 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.720 your race. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:18.259 when I was 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.759 growing up 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.500 I grew up 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:19.980 with a 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.819 group of 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.920 guys getting 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.700 discipled as 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.240 a teenager 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:25.319 and some 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:25.660 of those 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.259 guys were 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.860 clearly 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.400 impressive 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:27.940 people. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.059 I had a 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.480 friend who 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:29.940 happened to 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.319 be into 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.640 comics but 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.480 that masked 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.200 an ability 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.740 that he had 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.339 to basically 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.380 inhale books. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.980 He's now a 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.360 minister and 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:39.000 the time in 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.519 his life has 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:39.940 come where 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.400 he's starting 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.920 to output 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.500 some of the 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:41.920 books that 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.640 he has been 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.680 inhaling for 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.080 the first 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:44.440 half of 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:44.880 his life. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.400 He's just 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:47.200 recently published 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.020 his first book 00:22:48.020 --> 00:22:48.660 on leadership. 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:49.840 If you're a 00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:50.300 Christian leader 00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:50.980 in any capacity 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.580 I recommend it 00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:51.900 but that's not 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:52.360 the point of 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:52.880 what I'm saying. 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.360 He has published 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.000 this book and 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.759 it's a significant 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.800 work and he's a 00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:57.780 significant guy and 00:22:57.780 --> 00:22:58.560 he will be known 00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:59.940 in church and 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.500 ministry and 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.240 Christian circles 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.500 going forward as 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.380 somebody who will 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:03.940 do something 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.820 significant for 00:23:04.820 --> 00:23:06.680 God by faith. 00:23:07.300 --> 00:23:07.660 But what I 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.280 wanted to read 00:23:08.280 --> 00:23:09.680 to you was the 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.440 second page. 00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:12.560 It says 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:12.980 this, 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.679 for Stu 00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:15.339 and Tim, 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.119 the two men 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:18.220 God used to 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:18.720 bring me to 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.039 Jesus, 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.179 build me up in 00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:21.220 him and send 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.899 me out for 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.200 him. 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:24.039 At a stretch 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.240 the ministry 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.899 nerds amongst 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:26.500 you might have 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.179 some idea who 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:27.639 Tim is. 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.559 He's a kind 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.179 of fairly 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:30.039 significant youth 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.099 pastor but if 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.659 not that's fine 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:31.919 too. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.419 But no one 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:33.919 here will know 00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.539 who Stu is. 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.679 No one here 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.379 will know that 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:38.359 Stu spent week 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.000 after week 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.740 after week while 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.099 we were in 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.659 high school 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.859 sewing into 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:42.419 Craig and 00:23:42.419 --> 00:23:43.219 explaining who 00:23:43.219 --> 00:23:44.000 Jesus was and 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.379 what it meant 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:45.059 to follow him. 00:23:45.479 --> 00:23:45.979 No one here 00:23:45.979 --> 00:23:46.619 will know that 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.619 Stu still calls 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.579 Craig and 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.240 me and a 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.599 bunch of the 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.179 other guys that 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:50.939 he discipled when 00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.579 we were teenagers 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.559 to encourage us 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.599 to continue to 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.459 trust God and 00:23:54.459 --> 00:23:55.439 live by faith. 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:55.519 faith. 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.500 But the key here is 00:23:58.500 --> 00:24:00.400 Stu has still done 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.680 something significant 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.900 by faith. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.860 It's a different 00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:05.779 path to the one 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:07.039 that Craig who 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.600 wrote the book 00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:09.539 is running but 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.279 he's still running 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.039 his race. 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:11.799 He still 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.100 sacrificed hours 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.680 when he was at 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.580 university and in 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.500 his early marriage 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.000 and during his 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.259 family to sow into 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.360 ungrateful teenage 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:20.980 boys like me and 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.400 like Craig and like 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.059 a few others. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:25.779 faith doesn't turn 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.599 Christians into 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.019 clones. 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:28.019 It doesn't take 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.559 away everything 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.319 about you that's 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.099 unique and say we 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.879 all have to do the 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.700 same things. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.220 Sure there's some 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.279 stuff that we're all 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.740 called to like loving 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.740 people who don't know 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:38.379 Jesus, being humble, 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:40.579 being generous but in 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.179 terms of the 00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:42.579 specifics of the 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:44.119 race that God has 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:45.019 designed for you, 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:47.220 it's your race. 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:49.799 just like in chapter 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:51.440 11, Noah had a 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.860 race, Abraham had a 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:54.120 race, Enoch had a 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:54.299 race. 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.120 Did you notice that 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:56.500 Moses' parents got a 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.339 mention in chapter 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:57.640 11? 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.140 They're not big 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:01.600 players in the Bible 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:02.440 other than getting a 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:04.059 mention here but they 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:05.220 did the thing that was 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.700 required. 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:08.480 They were bold at a 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.460 time that boldness was 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:10.579 required, they protected 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.839 their son and then God 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.880 went on to use Moses 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.640 significantly. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:16.640 Some of us might be 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:19.140 called to by faith live 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:20.259 in singleness in a way 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.940 that honors God. 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.800 Some of us might be 00:25:22.800 --> 00:25:24.100 called by faith to work 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:25.780 significantly in caring 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:26.600 for those who are 00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:27.660 desperate and in need in 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.360 our society. 00:25:29.040 --> 00:25:30.120 Some of us might be 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:31.420 called by faith to honor 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.480 God in the corporate 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.980 world or in artistic 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:35.259 expression or even in 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.680 ministry. 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:39.500 But the key is wherever 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:41.000 God has placed you, 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.320 whatever he has put in 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:45.700 your life, get rid of 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.619 what is slowing you 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:48.000 down so that you can 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.279 run. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.179 Confess the sin that 00:25:51.179 --> 00:25:52.039 you're holding on to 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.179 and being distracted by. 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:55.159 Trust Jesus to forgive 00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:57.200 you and run with the 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.399 energy and freedom that 00:25:58.399 --> 00:25:59.379 he has won for you. 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:03.519 I wonder where in your 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:05.299 life tonight God is 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.819 asking you to trust his 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:08.000 promises more fully. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:12.819 I mean are there any 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.980 areas of your life, 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.920 maybe it's your job, 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.839 maybe it's home, 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.779 maybe it's social, 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.359 whatever it is, are 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.500 there any areas where 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.900 trusting Jesus makes no 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.779 difference right now? 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.640 And if so, just think for 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.700 a minute, what difference 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:27.039 would it make if you did 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.779 trust him there? 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.319 Faith is about stepping out 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:32.339 of your comfort zone. 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.920 It's about dreaming beyond 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:36.420 what you're capable of 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:38.060 within yourself and 00:26:38.060 --> 00:26:39.300 chasing that dream because 00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:40.740 you believe and trust the 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.720 promises that God has 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.060 made. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.440 Lastly and most 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:47.700 importantly, faith is 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:49.039 eyes on Jesus. 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:52.220 Do you ever wish that you 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.900 knew the future? 00:26:55.320 --> 00:26:56.340 I mean wouldn't life be 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.500 easier if you knew how it 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.820 was going to end up, take 00:26:58.820 --> 00:26:59.640 stress out of those 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:01.440 decisions, out of those 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.180 uncertainties? 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:04.920 Well you do. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.880 Listen to Hebrews 12 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:10.060 again, verse 2. 00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:13.140 Let us fix our eyes on 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:15.420 Jesus, the author and 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.960 perfecter of our faith, 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.400 who for the joy set before 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.920 him endured the cross, 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.340 scorning its shame, and 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.759 sat down at the right hand 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.680 of the throne of God. 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:26.460 Consider him who endured 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:28.160 such opposition from sinful 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.900 men, so that you will not 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:31.460 grow weary and lose heart. 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:34.640 See, not only does Jesus 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:36.160 make it possible for us to 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:37.799 get to heaven, he actually 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:39.120 walks the path in front of 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.220 us to show us what the 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:42.420 path is, to show us what it 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.100 looks like. 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:44.039 When it says he's the 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.440 perfecter of our faith, that 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.759 means he has walked in it, he 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:48.000 has lived by faith. 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.600 He trusted his heavenly 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.080 father. 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:54.320 He knows the joy, the hope 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.340 that we hold on to. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.160 And so he obeys 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:58.840 unconditionally everything that 00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.940 his father asks of him. 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:02.700 And now he sits at the 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.960 right hand of God in heaven, 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:05.600 exalted with all authority in 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.440 heaven and on earth. 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:09.120 I mean, can you imagine what 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:10.160 it would have been like to be 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.559 Jesus? 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:14.860 Facing torture, being mocked, 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.860 ultimately being crucified. 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.820 How does he keep walking that 00:28:19.820 --> 00:28:22.460 path willingly, by choice? 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:30.240 The answer is, he knew his 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.680 future. 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:33.319 He knew what God had 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:33.860 promised. 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.680 He knew that on the other 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:37.240 side of his suffering, he would 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:39.039 be exalted to the right hand. 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.900 Hebrews chapter 6, a few 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:43.400 chapters earlier, talks about the 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.720 certainty of God's promises, 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.840 about the absolute confidence we 00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:48.600 can have that God will deliver on 00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:50.660 everything that he has said he 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.180 will do. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:53.120 And it describes that hope, 00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:55.080 that trust in his promises, 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:58.580 that faith, as an anchor for the 00:28:58.580 --> 00:28:58.840 soul. 00:29:00.040 --> 00:29:01.380 It's an anchor because it 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.940 guarantees the finish line. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.400 No matter how dark the 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:06.500 circumstance gets, the anchor 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.800 makes those circumstances 00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:08.500 bearable. 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.920 It doesn't make life easy, 00:29:11.560 --> 00:29:14.080 but it gives you confidence to 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:14.660 keep going. 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:17.360 It gives you a rock to stand on 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:18.400 when the ground is getting 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:18.940 uncertain. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:21.279 It gives you security in the 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:23.720 storms to step out and live in 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:25.420 light of the power of God. 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:29.960 And it empowers you to live a 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:33.480 significant life for Jesus, to do 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.960 more than you're capable of in your 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.620 own strength. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:40.400 Faith is a certain future hope that 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:42.799 transforms your uncertain present. 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:46.680 It's a certain future anchor which 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:49.019 makes a difference and has power for 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.559 everything in your life now. 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:55.339 And so the question for us tonight is, 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:57.500 what are our eyes focused on? 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:03.119 Are you focused on the things that are 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:03.779 in your way? 00:30:04.399 --> 00:30:06.119 The things you can't do, whether it's 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:07.740 your own limitations or external 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.240 factors? 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:14.160 What would it look like if you fixed 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:18.019 your eyes on Jesus, the all-powerful 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:21.440 king, instead of all the reasons you 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.980 can't? 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:26.799 What would it look like if you fixed 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:28.980 your eyes on Jesus and the unmatchable 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:32.079 joy that's in him instead of the good 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:34.220 but inferior things that he's given you? 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:40.160 This round of activate, what ministry is 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.600 God calling you to have a go at? 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:44.120 Where is he calling you to step out of 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:46.059 your comfort zone and trust him and his 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:48.500 power instead of your ability or your 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.259 experience? 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:54.079 What would God do in your life and in 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:56.640 this church if we completely surrendered 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:58.180 to him in faith? 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:03.360 If like Jesus, we fixed our eyes on the 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:08.619 uncertain future hope and we're able to 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:14.299 give up our own ambition and serve no 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:18.259 matter the cost because that's faith. 00:31:19.719 --> 00:31:23.539 It's a certain future hope that transforms 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:27.699 our uncertain present, that has power in 00:31:27.699 --> 00:31:28.779 our uncertain present. 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:32.059 Faith is security in God. 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:34.519 It's confidence that he will look after us 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:37.000 because he has said he will and so we can 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.819 stop chasing our own agenda. 00:31:39.419 --> 00:31:41.000 We can stop spending our lives trying to 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:42.819 look after ourselves because God has 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:44.259 promised to do that for us. 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:48.440 Paul expresses faith in Philippians 1 when 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:48.940 he says, 00:31:48.940 --> 00:32:09.299 Paul can say that because he is secure and 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:11.880 confident that when he finishes the race, 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:16.060 whenever that is, his finish line is heaven. 00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:20.540 He's confident that no matter what happens, 00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:23.240 he will be welcomed into the warm embrace of 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.160 his heavenly father. 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.580 God is faithful. 00:32:28.280 --> 00:32:32.440 He has a path for you, a faith-filled journey for 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:34.040 his purposes and his kingdom. 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:37.879 So throw off sin. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:42.659 Throw off anything that entangles and fix your 00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:43.399 eyes on Jesus. 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.599 Dream. 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:48.779 Imagine. 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:52.240 And watch what God will do. 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.259 Amen. 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.660 And watch what life is. 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.579 Amen. 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:56.859 So that's how I see it. 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.299 Amen. 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:05.500 Amen. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.599 Amen.