WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.780 I'd like you to cast your minds back, if you can, to when you were at school. 00:00:05.520 --> 00:00:08.599 And I wonder what your favourite lessons were. 00:00:09.560 --> 00:00:11.140 Hands up for geography. 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:12.640 Yes. 00:00:13.099 --> 00:00:13.960 Ex-geography teacher. 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:18.260 Well, you know, five of us, that's a bit, you know, I'll still talk to the rest of you, but that's a little bit sad. 00:00:18.620 --> 00:00:19.719 So geography was my favourite. 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:20.640 French. 00:00:22.339 --> 00:00:23.240 Wow, two. 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:24.500 Okay, at least geography's not that bad. 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:25.379 Maths. 00:00:26.400 --> 00:00:26.620 Cool. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:28.620 Got a bright lot here. 00:00:28.620 --> 00:00:29.320 PE. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.039 A few of you. 00:00:32.520 --> 00:00:35.140 I don't know about you, but I found PE kind of like Marmite. 00:00:35.619 --> 00:00:38.299 You kind of love it, or you really hate it. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:43.840 My PE teacher was my form tutor, so I managed to skive off most weeks, because I forgot my PE kit. 00:00:43.899 --> 00:00:49.000 But he didn't want to give me a detention, because that would look bad on the figures for his class. 00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:52.519 So I managed to skive off most of my PE lessons. 00:00:52.679 --> 00:00:54.519 But maybe some of you loved them. 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:59.600 The footy in the rain, the cross-country along the beach, the rugby in the summer. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:08.299 Maybe the idea of joining your fellow pupils to bounce a basketball, or crack a cricket ball, or hoof a hockey ball, fills you with joy. 00:01:08.299 --> 00:01:12.280 Or maybe you'd rather kind of stay out of it. 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:13.920 And that was me. 00:01:14.519 --> 00:01:15.979 I didn't like any of it. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:24.099 We did cross-country along the beach, and I found quite a nice shortcut that if you found a certain bit in the dunes, the teacher couldn't see if you didn't run it all. 00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:30.500 So me and my friends would sit there for 20 minutes, and then kind of pop out at the end, so she thought we'd run the whole four miles. 00:01:31.419 --> 00:01:32.819 Very naughty, I know. 00:01:33.759 --> 00:01:37.519 I didn't like the idea of pretending to care if my team won or lost. 00:01:37.899 --> 00:01:44.719 I didn't like the bit where I was fielding at the back, and I always had to go and collect the ball that was whacked three miles by the guy that was really good at it. 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:45.599 I didn't like any of it. 00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:49.319 But the worst bit for me was right at the beginning. 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:52.039 Maybe it was just our school that did this. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:53.319 Ritual humiliation. 00:01:53.839 --> 00:01:55.579 You pick the two team captains. 00:01:56.199 --> 00:01:57.699 Yeah, you know what I'm saying, don't you? 00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:06.079 You stand in a semicircle, and then they pick out the best ones, and the last ones, and then there's me left. 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:11.979 And I thought if this video works, this might remind you of what it was like. 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:14.159 This was me. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:18.259 All right, guys, let's play a little softball. 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:19.340 Be good team, gents. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:21.960 Oh, man, here we go. 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:23.079 I've got Lewis. 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:24.359 I've got Humphreys. 00:02:27.579 --> 00:02:28.099 Heathcliff. 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:28.979 Sean. 00:02:29.139 --> 00:02:29.579 Pick me. 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:31.439 Give me Richie. 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:33.379 Jeremy. 00:02:34.079 --> 00:02:34.620 Pick me. 00:02:34.620 --> 00:02:34.859 Give me Nathan. 00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:35.299 Pick me. 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:37.799 Whittington. 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:40.500 No, he sucks. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:41.400 Mike. 00:02:41.519 --> 00:02:42.120 I'm good. 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:42.879 Justin. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:45.000 Henry. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:48.039 Okay, white. 00:02:48.759 --> 00:02:49.159 Yeah. 00:02:49.960 --> 00:02:50.319 Yeah. 00:02:58.819 --> 00:02:59.780 All right, Debbie, I'm up. 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:00.099 Let's go. 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:00.659 Let's go. 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:09.319 That was literally my every PE lesson when I was in year eight, nine, ten, and eleven. 00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:13.219 But looking around at this, you lot, I'm sure that none of you experienced that. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:17.240 But I wasn't the second choice, or the third choice, or the fourth choice. 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:21.460 I was sometimes the fifth choice if the team had five people in it. 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:25.960 But one sunny lunchtime in year nine, that all changed. 00:03:25.960 --> 00:03:35.500 I can remember sitting on our school field with my friends, sitting around, enjoying the sunshine, kind of ignoring the football that was going on, minding my own business. 00:03:35.920 --> 00:03:39.120 Went over, came one of the lads who was playing football. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:42.819 And he came to me and he said, we're a goalie down, mate. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:45.219 Would you mind, would you mind coming to help? 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:48.480 I was like, there must be a trick here. 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:49.400 Would I mind? 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:50.319 I'd love it. 00:03:50.740 --> 00:03:56.740 He explained that they were desperate and that it was the only position on the field that I didn't totally suck at. 00:03:56.740 --> 00:04:05.420 So with his words of enthusiastic encouragement ringing in my ears, I leapt up, I rushed over, and I joined in. 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:07.879 And it was rough football. 00:04:08.540 --> 00:04:10.100 The tackles were hard and heavy. 00:04:10.420 --> 00:04:11.600 The shots were powerful. 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:13.900 But I was standing my ground. 00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:14.719 I was doing all right. 00:04:15.200 --> 00:04:19.860 But then, down the centre of the field came James Stone. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:23.720 He was about eight foot tall, really lanky, running like that. 00:04:23.720 --> 00:04:27.260 And he had one aim, and that was to score. 00:04:27.580 --> 00:04:29.700 I could see it, the look in his eye. 00:04:29.940 --> 00:04:39.900 And he was drawing closer and closer, and he got to the edge of the penalty area, and he launched a fantastic shot, really powerful, into the top left-hand corner. 00:04:39.900 --> 00:04:42.840 And I leapt in the air with all my might. 00:04:43.140 --> 00:04:46.780 My gloved hand was outstretched, reaching for the ball. 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:51.640 And I just managed to push it over the crossbar. 00:04:52.020 --> 00:04:52.520 Yes! 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:54.719 My team went wild. 00:04:55.099 --> 00:04:56.180 Hair was ruffled. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:58.120 Manly punches were given. 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:00.459 Stoney looked like he was going to kill me. 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:03.819 And Moisey, Danny Moise, came up to me and said, 00:05:03.919 --> 00:05:06.919 Simsie, we're so glad you're on the team. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:09.139 I was accepted. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:10.740 I was included. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:16.879 And I can genuinely still remember that feeling 16 years on. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:22.860 And that gives us an insight into how significant it is to feel included. 00:05:23.339 --> 00:05:27.300 Into how it hurts us when we feel that we're left out. 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:34.839 Into how important it is for us to feel part of a team, part of a family, part of a group of people. 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:43.419 And I think in today's reading from Acts 11, we kind of get a sense of Peter realizing that with his vision. 00:05:43.739 --> 00:05:49.459 He realizes how important God's sense of inclusion is. 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:54.659 That God doesn't mean anyone to be left out or to be last. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:59.000 God doesn't make any distinctions in his society. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:06.199 Peter has this vision that cements in his mind that in the family of God there's no place for social snobbery. 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:09.300 Or for nationalism or racism or sexism. 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:10.519 All are welcome. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:14.240 All are welcome in the Christian community. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:18.159 None are ignored to be picked out last. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:23.120 None are not good enough to be welcomed into the family of God. 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:26.480 A family under the lordship of Jesus Christ. 00:06:27.419 --> 00:06:30.399 And so we read in Acts 11, Peter having this vision. 00:06:30.599 --> 00:06:33.939 And he's explaining this vision to some Jewish believers. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:40.579 These Jewish believers were moaning at him because they'd been associated with Gentiles. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:42.719 That means believers that weren't Jewish. 00:06:42.839 --> 00:06:44.480 They hadn't followed all the Jewish laws. 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.500 And he'd gone to eat with them and spend some time with them. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.240 And they weren't happy with this. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:53.500 This went against the Jewish purity laws that they held quite dear. 00:06:54.659 --> 00:07:01.899 And so Peter's response to these Jewish believers having a go at him is to regale this vision that he has. 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:04.699 Which is quite a wacky vision really isn't it? 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:07.179 This blanket or sheet being lowered. 00:07:07.679 --> 00:07:10.139 And lots of different animals being on this sheet. 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:12.139 And this voice saying kill them. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:12.959 Eat them. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:15.000 And Peter's saying no lord. 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:16.259 No I'm a good Jew. 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:17.739 I stick to the rules. 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:19.959 I know that these animals are unpure. 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:21.019 They're unclean. 00:07:21.179 --> 00:07:22.019 I can't eat them. 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:27.539 And God says don't call anything impure that God has made clean. 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:30.699 And this happens a second time. 00:07:31.639 --> 00:07:33.759 And the same thing happens a third time. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:37.560 God's really pushing the point home to Peter. 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:42.060 And if we put this vision that Peter had in context briefly. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:44.300 We get a bit more of its depth. 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:46.379 If we just look at this passage on its own. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.439 It's quite useful. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:51.959 But it's a bit like watching a 20 minute clip of the Lord of the Rings film. 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.899 We kind of might get the gist of it. 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:55.459 And who the ugly bad guys are. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:56.819 And who the little good guys are. 00:07:57.100 --> 00:08:02.040 But we only get the real gist of it when we watch all 8 million films back to back. 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:04.620 That's when we start to get our head around it. 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:07.340 So if we go back to Acts 10. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:09.720 We hear this same vision again. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:11.079 It's exactly the same vision. 00:08:11.340 --> 00:08:14.100 But we hear of it as it happens. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:16.639 One of my pastor friends once said to me. 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:18.420 If God repeats himself in his word. 00:08:18.759 --> 00:08:19.980 Maybe he's trying to make a point. 00:08:20.280 --> 00:08:21.360 And within two chapters. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:23.840 We have the same thing happening six times. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:26.759 God's saying don't call anything impure. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:28.620 That I have made clean. 00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:34.519 And so Peter is using this vision to persuade the Jewish believers. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:37.879 That it's okay to be accepting of Gentile believers. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:39.539 And in the church at that time. 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:41.560 That was a big debate. 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:44.039 That was the big argument of the day. 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:46.399 What do we do with these Gentile believers. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:48.220 Who are new to faith in Jesus. 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:50.200 And haven't kept all the purity laws. 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:51.659 They're not circumcised. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:54.860 And how do we kind of relate as Jewish believers. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:56.679 Who have come to faith in Jesus. 00:08:56.919 --> 00:08:57.779 What do we do? 00:08:58.060 --> 00:08:58.820 Do we talk to them? 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:01.980 Can we be friends with them but not eat with them? 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:04.340 Can we eat with them but in a different house? 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:05.360 How does it work? 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:09.800 And despite Peter here trying to sort the situation out. 00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:12.180 It doesn't really get sorted actually. 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:14.899 When Paul writes to the church in Corinth. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.159 In 1 Corinthians 10. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:20.680 Paul is addressing exactly the same issue. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.460 He's writing to the church in Corinth. 00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:26.980 Which is made up of mainly we think ex-pagan Gentiles. 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:29.580 But there are some Jewish believers there. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:31.460 And they're having a bit of an argument. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:32.320 What do we do? 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:33.039 Do we talk to them? 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.039 Can we be nice to them? 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:35.700 Do they have to get circumcised? 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:37.200 If not why are we? 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.000 That's not fair. 00:09:38.420 --> 00:09:40.620 And Paul turns around and doesn't really. 00:09:40.920 --> 00:09:41.899 As Paul often does. 00:09:42.060 --> 00:09:43.560 Doesn't really address the issue. 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:46.180 But just kind of drops a bit of a grenade in. 00:09:46.560 --> 00:09:47.120 And says. 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:49.039 Don't be ignorant. 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:52.440 That our ancestors were all under the cloud. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:53.860 They passed through the sea. 00:09:53.980 --> 00:09:55.519 They were baptised into Moses. 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:58.059 They ate the same spiritual food. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:02.620 So basically Paul turns around and gives them a history lesson. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:07.319 He gives them a history lesson that would have been really well known by the Jewish believers. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:10.960 But the Gentile believers probably wouldn't have known it. 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:13.519 Paul says. 00:10:14.079 --> 00:10:17.720 I do not want you to be unaware that our ancestors. 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:19.960 Our ancestors. 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:23.240 These are even the ancestors of the Gentiles. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:28.820 Those people that were nothing to do with God until maybe a couple of years ago came into faith in Christ. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:29.680 And Paul is saying. 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:31.680 They are our ancestors. 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:33.899 Paul is you know the Jew of the Jews. 00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:35.700 He knows what he's on about. 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:37.519 And he is here stating calmly. 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:42.899 That the Israelite ancestors are the ancestors of the whole church in Corinth. 00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:48.299 That the God of the Exodus is the God of the church in Corinth. 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:51.819 And that's one of the main things I think we need to get our heads around. 00:10:52.219 --> 00:10:54.120 If we want to be a church that's inclusive. 00:10:54.479 --> 00:10:57.879 Is to first of all realise that we are included. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:00.299 We are welcomed in. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:03.319 We are accepted into God's history. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.120 Here is Paul saying. 00:11:05.219 --> 00:11:05.599 Look guys. 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:06.779 Your history matters. 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:10.139 You might be unaware that it's your history. 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:12.000 But it is your history. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:14.980 Your God has been at work throughout history. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:15.759 From creation. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.899 And now that history is yours. 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:21.199 You can learn from your own history. 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:24.539 We are included my friends this morning. 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:25.500 I am included. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:27.319 The God that I come to worship. 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.600 To adore this morning. 00:11:28.819 --> 00:11:32.679 Is the same God that brought the Israelites through the Red Sea. 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:34.799 That brought them through the desert. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:36.799 The same God that punished idolatry. 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:39.620 The same God that promised blessing. 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:43.259 The same God that never left his people. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:48.679 It's amazing that as followers of Jesus Christ this morning. 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:50.179 God has chosen me. 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:53.120 And God has chosen you to be holy. 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.879 To be blameless. 00:11:55.719 --> 00:12:00.539 We were predestined from the beginning of time to be adopted as his children. 00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:01.839 Ephesians says that. 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:05.740 We were chosen to be adopted into his family. 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:07.080 We've been brought near to God. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:09.320 Seated in heavenly places with him. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:13.280 You might not feel this morning that you're seated in heavenly places. 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:13.940 But we are. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:16.580 We're seated in heavenly places with him. 00:12:16.920 --> 00:12:17.680 I am included. 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:20.080 You are included. 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:22.259 And that's a real challenge maybe. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:24.180 To really grasp that. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:29.040 To really grasp this morning that your inclusion in the household of God. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:31.039 You are included. 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.679 You are included. 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:36.620 And once we realise what it means to be accepted. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:37.899 To be included by God. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.000 We want to tell people about that don't we? 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:42.659 We want to go and invite others in. 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:44.799 To be included in that family. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.559 And that's what happened in Acts 11. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:50.639 These Jewish believers that were really kind of quite anti this vision. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.659 And weren't too sure about it. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:53.059 At the end of this vision. 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:55.039 They had no further objections. 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:59.079 They praised God and said even to the Gentiles. 00:12:59.319 --> 00:13:00.059 Even to them. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.799 Even to the Gentiles. 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:05.559 God has granted repentance that leads to life. 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:07.199 So these Jewish believers. 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:11.419 Although probably quite uncomfortable with what God was doing. 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:14.759 God was probably pushing them out of their comfort zone. 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:17.159 They were able to give him glory. 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:18.860 To say you are good. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:21.079 Because people from outside of our group. 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:22.059 Our comfort zone. 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:24.860 Are coming to know you as Lord. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:30.879 And the difficult thing is that acceptance doesn't mean anything goes. 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:33.399 I think maybe in today's society. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:36.679 We think that to accept people as they are. 00:13:36.819 --> 00:13:39.439 Means to say that whatever you do is okay. 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:43.539 And actually we don't read that in Acts 11. 00:13:43.819 --> 00:13:47.079 Acceptance doesn't mean that we don't challenge sinful lifestyle choices. 00:13:47.079 --> 00:13:48.159 That go against scripture. 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:50.919 It doesn't mean we don't ask hard questions. 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:53.319 It doesn't mean that we back down in our belief. 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:55.580 That Jesus Christ is the only Lord. 00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:56.160 The way. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:56.879 The truth. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:57.760 And the life. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:00.740 In fact this whole story is how Peter. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.780 Comes to a guy called Cornelius. 00:14:03.160 --> 00:14:05.220 And in chapter 10 we read that Cornelius. 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:06.500 Is a pretty good guy. 00:14:06.900 --> 00:14:08.080 He's got life sorted. 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:08.800 He's devout. 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:10.160 He's sincere. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.060 But he wasn't saved. 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.100 He didn't know the gospel. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:16.040 And despite being a good guy. 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:17.379 Despite having good morals. 00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:18.480 And a solid lifestyle. 00:14:19.060 --> 00:14:21.600 He still needed to hear the message. 00:14:22.040 --> 00:14:24.899 That Jesus Christ is Lord of all. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.360 And that's the second challenge for me. 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:29.480 And for you this morning. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:33.440 That to realise that if we want to include others. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:35.659 We have to go out and invite them. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.200 We'll need to invite them into a family. 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:40.180 Which unconditionally loves them. 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:42.580 But also models what it means. 00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:44.600 To be a follower of Jesus. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:47.280 And to encourage them to join us. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.600 You see if we think back to my story. 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:50.620 About playing football. 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:52.120 With those year nine lads. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:54.020 If they had invited me in. 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:56.620 And then kind of watered down their game a bit. 00:14:57.020 --> 00:14:58.100 And not played as well. 00:14:58.440 --> 00:15:00.000 And kind of been a bit soft on me. 00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:02.680 I wouldn't have felt really included. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:06.039 I wouldn't have felt included in that game. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:09.019 I wouldn't have felt like I truly shared in that game of football. 00:15:09.359 --> 00:15:10.879 And I think that's kind of the same. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:14.559 When we invite people into the family of God. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:18.699 Others that we might find difficult to talk to. 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:21.120 Others that we kind of cross the street. 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:23.000 So they don't see us. 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.559 And don't engage us in conversation. 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:26.639 Others who make us uncomfortable. 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:28.019 And even those who. 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:29.179 If we're honest. 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:31.039 Even though they're not following Jesus. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:32.339 Deep down we might think. 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:33.759 Oh but they're doing alright. 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:35.360 They're doing alright. 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:36.000 They're good guys. 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:36.819 They've got good morals. 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.919 They've got good lifestyles. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.219 We don't need to tell them about Jesus. 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:41.539 But this story. 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:42.939 Challenges us. 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:43.620 Otherwise. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:45.559 You see Romans 3. 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.919 And we heard that in our testimony. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.419 Romans 3.23. 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:50.059 Has these really tough words. 00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.339 That we all. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.240 Have sinned. 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.519 We've all missed the mark. 00:15:53.599 --> 00:15:55.419 We've all fallen short of the glory of God. 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:58.039 But the good news is that we're justified freely. 00:15:58.459 --> 00:15:59.639 By Jesus Christ. 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:03.659 And this compels us to join in with Peter. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:06.039 And say God doesn't show favoritism. 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:09.000 That everyone who believes in him. 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.899 Receives forgiveness of sin. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:14.000 And I wonder who God is challenging me. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.199 And challenging you. 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.980 To invite this morning. 00:16:18.339 --> 00:16:20.219 I wonder if there's someone that you've written off. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:23.240 They'll never come to faith in Jesus. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.159 They're too far gone. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:26.000 Or maybe it's the other way. 00:16:26.199 --> 00:16:26.939 They're good guys. 00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:29.579 They don't need to hear all this Christian stuff. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:31.180 They've got it sorted. 00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:34.900 But that's not what Acts 11. 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:36.259 Challenges us to do. 00:16:37.400 --> 00:16:39.240 So we're challenged to be included. 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.200 And to know we're included. 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:41.680 We're challenged to go out. 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:43.560 And invite other people to be included. 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.180 And our final challenge. 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:47.680 Is that once we've realized all that. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:49.020 To totally rely. 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:50.660 On the Holy Spirit. 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.540 In chapter 10 of Acts. 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.520 We read Peter saying. 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:55.700 That God anointed Jesus of Nazareth. 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.580 With Holy Spirit. 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.580 And power. 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:59.240 And he went around doing good. 00:16:59.540 --> 00:17:00.220 And healing all. 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.300 Who were afflicted. 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:02.980 Under the power of the devil. 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.960 And earlier in Acts 2. 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.319 It was the Holy Spirit. 00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:09.180 Which enabled the early believers. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.340 To speak in tongues. 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:12.319 And that enabled other people. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.200 To hear the gospel. 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:14.819 And be included. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.380 In Acts 7. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:18.860 We read the amazing story of Peter. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:19.720 I'm sorry. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.200 Of Stephen. 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.880 Who was full of the Holy Spirit. 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:23.539 Who tries to include. 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.440 The Sanogen. 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.200 He says look. 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.720 Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:28.539 I can see his glory. 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.600 In Acts 9. 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.940 The Holy Spirit led Paul. 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:33.320 To be dramatically converted. 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.640 In Acts 14. 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.240 We hear of the same Paul. 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.120 With Barnabas. 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.680 Being sent on the way. 00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:41.279 By the Holy Spirit. 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:44.920 Without asking him. 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.620 The Holy Spirit. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.279 To guide us. 00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:46.960 To prompt us. 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:48.320 We're not going to be as effective. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:49.420 As we could be. 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:50.840 In inviting others. 00:17:50.840 --> 00:17:52.180 To be included. 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:54.100 I know that when I rely. 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:55.360 On my own good ideas. 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.580 And my own wisdom. 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.140 It tends to fall flat. 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.580 On its face. 00:18:00.320 --> 00:18:01.779 I can remember some friends of ours. 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:03.820 Who heard an amazing sermon. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:04.860 It wasn't mine. 00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:06.080 An amazing sermon. 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.840 About lifestyle evangelism. 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:08.600 Yes. 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.440 Sounds good. 00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:10.920 And so they had a great idea. 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.519 They thought. 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:11.860 I know. 00:18:12.320 --> 00:18:13.840 We'll invite our neighbours round. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.460 For dinner. 00:18:14.820 --> 00:18:15.360 Friday night. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.120 They're not Christians. 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:16.900 We are. 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.019 We'll invite them round. 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.660 Boom. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.560 What could go wrong? 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.880 They've got two little children. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:21.880 What could go wrong? 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:23.100 So they invited. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.440 These neighbours round. 00:18:25.260 --> 00:18:25.820 And they thought. 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.220 I know. 00:18:26.580 --> 00:18:27.780 We'll get one of our little boys. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.540 To say. 00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:29.180 Grace. 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:30.740 We want to show our neighbours. 00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:32.300 That we've got good Christian values. 00:18:32.300 --> 00:18:32.880 In this home. 00:18:33.520 --> 00:18:34.480 So the mum said. 00:18:34.560 --> 00:18:35.460 To little five year old. 00:18:35.520 --> 00:18:35.780 Johnny. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.580 Johnny. 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.220 Would you mind. 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.540 Sharing grace with us. 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.220 Before we start. 00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:40.480 Would you give thanks for us? 00:18:41.540 --> 00:18:42.740 Johnny was a little bit shy. 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.240 And he said. 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:44.200 Mummy. 00:18:44.260 --> 00:18:44.840 I don't really. 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:46.400 I don't really know what to say. 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.680 I don't really know how to do it. 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.840 And mummy said. 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.600 Don't worry Johnny. 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:51.339 Just say what daddy said. 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.339 At breakfast. 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.240 This morning. 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.679 The little boy is very well behaved. 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.419 Very obedient. 00:18:57.879 --> 00:18:58.480 So he thinks. 00:18:59.500 --> 00:18:59.899 Okay. 00:19:00.699 --> 00:19:01.519 Not sure this will work. 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.039 But okay mummy. 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:04.379 So the little boy obediently repeated. 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:05.379 Oh God. 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:08.039 We've got those awful neighbours coming to dinner tonight. 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:10.980 I hope they don't stay too long. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:11.799 Amen. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.039 Relying on our own wisdom. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.359 Doesn't always work. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:17.899 Does it? 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:18.779 And you know. 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.200 I'm a huge fan of Alpha. 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.339 I'm a huge fan of healing on the streets. 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:23.039 Where we go out. 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.139 And we pray for people. 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:26.379 I'm a huge fan of door to door evangelism. 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:28.279 And all that stuff that works. 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.639 But I wonder if sometimes. 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.019 We try and over complicate it. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.000 And actually. 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.139 To include other people. 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:35.900 I think they just need to see. 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.580 An authentic faith. 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.840 In Jesus Christ. 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.520 An authentic faith. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:42.060 That like we read in Acts 11. 00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:43.120 That Peter had. 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:44.680 That he was challenged by God. 00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:46.000 And he was open with that. 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.759 I think that's what people. 00:19:49.020 --> 00:19:50.220 Are crying out for. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:52.000 A faith that can struggle. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.259 With God challenging us. 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.240 A faith that can sometimes. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.740 Need the Lord to repeat himself. 00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:57.180 Once. 00:19:57.600 --> 00:19:58.040 And twice. 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.280 And a third time. 00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:00.100 Before finally. 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.740 Maybe. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.680 It kind of. 00:20:02.020 --> 00:20:02.640 Sinks in a bit. 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:05.940 I wonder when the last time was. 00:20:06.040 --> 00:20:06.720 That you or I. 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:07.980 Asked the Holy Spirit. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.040 To direct us. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.220 To a person. 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.740 That needed to hear. 00:20:12.540 --> 00:20:13.460 That Jesus loves them. 00:20:15.020 --> 00:20:16.060 It's a real challenge that. 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.480 I get home sometimes. 00:20:17.540 --> 00:20:17.820 And I think. 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.759 What have I done today. 00:20:18.820 --> 00:20:19.280 For the kingdom. 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:21.000 I haven't told anyone today. 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.259 That Jesus loves them. 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.840 And you read Acts. 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:25.920 And you see Paul almost doing it. 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.900 In his sleep. 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:27.540 You know. 00:20:27.540 --> 00:20:28.080 Walking around. 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:29.280 And all this stuff is kicking off. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.940 It's a real challenge. 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:31.900 Isn't it? 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.640 But as Christians. 00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:34.960 It's really important to remember. 00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:36.060 That we are included. 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.920 You and I this morning. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.000 No matter how you feel. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:41.040 You are included. 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:42.360 In the history. 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:43.680 And in the family. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.460 Of God. 00:20:44.580 --> 00:20:46.200 Since the beginning of creation. 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:47.720 God loved you. 00:20:47.780 --> 00:20:48.800 And wanted to adopt you. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.480 Into his family. 00:20:49.540 --> 00:20:50.680 That was his first choice. 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.140 And the scripture says. 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:53.259 He took joy in doing it. 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.480 He takes joy. 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.880 In you joining in. 00:20:56.100 --> 00:20:57.180 His story. 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.660 And through being included. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.400 We're called. 00:21:00.780 --> 00:21:01.420 To include. 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.060 Others. 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.519 Those that we might have. 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:04.100 Written off. 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.360 Those that might be. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.200 So different. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.100 To us. 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:08.759 Those that really challenge us. 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:09.779 We're called. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.900 To include them. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.140 In the good news. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.400 Of Jesus Christ. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:16.140 And we can only do this. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.820 Not with our own ideas. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.560 Not with our own wisdom. 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.000 But as with. 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:21.759 Happened with Peter. 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.140 When the Holy Spirit. 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:24.100 Comes in. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:24.779 And gives us. 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:25.240 Vision. 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.180 Of how. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.080 To do it. 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.460 To do it.