WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:08.900 I was 17 years old when I felt a call to become a minister, and it took me some time to process 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:13.339 that before I actually responded to it or told anybody about it. 00:00:14.380 --> 00:00:21.460 But of all the many, many, many reasons why I could find within myself why it was not 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:27.920 a particularly good idea, there was one unifying theme, and it was this. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.440 I haven't got it. 00:00:32.700 --> 00:00:37.560 What I mean by that was that every single reason that I could find was basically something 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:39.539 that I felt that I didn't have. 00:00:40.579 --> 00:00:41.740 Not good enough. 00:00:42.820 --> 00:00:44.399 Not confident enough. 00:00:45.659 --> 00:00:47.400 Not spiritual enough. 00:00:47.640 --> 00:00:48.840 Not holy enough. 00:00:49.719 --> 00:00:53.379 My knowledge of the Bible and Christianity isn't enough. 00:00:53.859 --> 00:00:54.900 I just haven't got it. 00:00:54.899 --> 00:01:04.179 And it took me quite a long time to kind of process that and come to the point of realisation 00:01:04.179 --> 00:01:12.680 that not only have I not got it, nobody has. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:15.599 Nobody's got it. 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:20.959 But God's got you. 00:01:23.059 --> 00:01:24.039 Firmly in his grip. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:27.899 And that's what it's all about. 00:01:30.899 --> 00:01:36.259 And I actually kind of wonder whether fairly early on in my life as a Christian and a sense 00:01:36.260 --> 00:01:42.939 of being called into ministry, I don't know this, but I've often wondered whether just maybe, 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:48.560 just maybe the possibility exists that God wanted me to go through that struggle 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:57.900 in order to be able to perhaps present the Christian gospel as it's meant to be presented, 00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:03.200 namely that it's not about what we have got. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:12.560 Rather, it is about knowing that God has got us firmly in his grip. 00:02:14.700 --> 00:02:22.680 And it's because we can know that we are in him that actually then strangely we can say, 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:23.580 yes, we have got it. 00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:28.820 Christ is in you, the hope of glory, as Paul puts it. 00:02:28.980 --> 00:02:30.260 The Holy Spirit is in you. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:37.240 But the reason for that is not because of some innate thing that you possess or that any of us can possess. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:46.760 Rather, it is because being a Christian is about being in Christ. 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:49.920 Now, I think this is so important. 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:53.300 This is why we've been following this series right through these last couple of months. 00:02:53.580 --> 00:03:01.240 It's a recurring phrase that comes up time and time again in the New Testament, that we are in Christ. 00:03:01.540 --> 00:03:04.840 Being a Christian is not just about something that you believe. 00:03:04.920 --> 00:03:09.820 It's not just about subscribing to a set of doctrines, although it is that. 00:03:09.880 --> 00:03:13.460 It's not about just living a morally good life, although it is that. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:17.380 It's not about just worshipping God, although it is that. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:19.340 It's not just about praying, although it is that. 00:03:19.340 --> 00:03:23.580 It's about so many different things that we do, but most fundamentally, it's who you are. 00:03:24.140 --> 00:03:25.300 It's about identity. 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:30.560 It's about that sense of relationship of actually being in Christ. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:44.199 And that's so important to unpack, because I think probably, probably most of us, if not all of us, have this idea of what an ideal Christian should be. 00:03:44.259 --> 00:03:50.219 And it's some kind of ideal that's up there, and what being a real Christian is about. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:55.280 And then we look at our own lives, and it's kind of down there. 00:03:56.240 --> 00:04:04.479 And there's this gap, this disconnect between the ideal of what we think we should be and the reality of what we are. 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:14.039 Now, there's a sense in which, in Christian hope, there is an ideal which God sees, because he knows everything that we can become and will become. 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:18.180 And ultimately, that will be an eternity, but we don't have to wait until then. 00:04:18.420 --> 00:04:23.500 It's a lifelong process that begins right now, and he can make us into that person that he wants you to be. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:27.740 But all the while, you know, the reality is we're not there. 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:29.099 We haven't hit perfection. 00:04:29.100 --> 00:04:33.120 And we may be a really long way, and there's that gap in between. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:40.939 And it may well be that we carry around with us that continual sense of, well, yeah, I know that I should be that, but I'm not. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:46.960 And it might be because it's something that we've done in our past that we just find so hard to let go of. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:51.500 Or it might be a present reality now, something that we know that we struggle with. 00:04:51.500 --> 00:05:03.120 And if we're not careful, we can get this distorted idea that because we haven't hit that ideal yet, then somehow we're not in Christ. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:07.100 And that's blatantly false. 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:17.259 Because as we come to the end of our series today, and the theme today is that we are empowered by the grace, by grace in Christ, 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:20.420 we're going to be thinking a bit about what that specifically means. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:28.139 Let's share with you an image. 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:32.660 You might have heard this before, but if you imagine this piece of paper's you. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:38.120 And this Bible I'm holding in my hand represents Christ. 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:50.560 When you follow Jesus, you are in Christ. 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:55.579 That piece of paper is now in the book. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:06:00.860 It's not the book itself, although there's a sense in which it now forms part of it. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:04.779 Where that book goes, that piece of paper's going. 00:06:04.779 --> 00:06:17.439 It's not a case of you take Jesus wherever you go, but rather wherever you go, Jesus is surrounding you, but in a sense is in you. 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:24.819 But that's not because of something specific about you, but it's something amazing about Jesus. 00:06:24.819 --> 00:06:32.759 In other words, you know, where that piece of paper is now going, Jesus is there. 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:35.680 Because that piece of paper is encased. 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:37.839 It's wrapped around. 00:06:39.240 --> 00:06:41.079 To be in Christ 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:42.079 Christ 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:45.579 is to know that you are in him. 00:06:46.579 --> 00:06:48.300 And there's nothing, therefore, 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:52.139 that can separate you from him. 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:55.899 There is no situation in which you can go 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:57.500 where he's not 00:06:57.500 --> 00:07:00.599 simply with you, but actually 00:07:00.599 --> 00:07:03.579 around you, because you are in 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:04.539 him. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:07.399 Inseparable. 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:12.219 And yet we find this so hard 00:07:12.219 --> 00:07:14.599 to accept and to come to terms with, 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:16.479 and so easily we become distracted and focused 00:07:16.479 --> 00:07:17.899 on stuff about ourselves, 00:07:18.159 --> 00:07:19.919 and all kinds of reasons why we can't really 00:07:19.919 --> 00:07:21.219 say that with confidence. 00:07:23.099 --> 00:07:23.859 Let me tell you a story. 00:07:23.919 --> 00:07:25.620 There's a story years ago about somebody who was 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:28.620 actually making a journey 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:30.659 in the days of horses and carts. 00:07:31.679 --> 00:07:32.979 And this guy was on his 00:07:32.979 --> 00:07:35.339 cart, being towed along with his horse, 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:36.259 on his long journey. 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:38.679 And as he was making his way 00:07:38.679 --> 00:07:39.699 along the track, 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:41.779 he saw a man walking along 00:07:41.779 --> 00:07:43.579 who was carrying this massive 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:44.379 great big backpack, 00:07:44.599 --> 00:07:45.560 and he looked very tired. 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:47.679 So he drew up on his horse and cart 00:07:47.679 --> 00:07:48.639 alongside him, and he said, 00:07:48.679 --> 00:07:50.079 do you want to climb on board? 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:52.379 The man looked absolutely stunned 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:53.359 that he'd been offered 00:07:53.359 --> 00:07:54.739 to ride. 00:07:56.239 --> 00:07:56.459 I said, 00:07:56.739 --> 00:07:58.379 I can't pay you. 00:07:58.419 --> 00:07:59.179 He said, no, that's fine. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:00.319 Just jump on. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.419 So this man in this huge 00:08:02.419 --> 00:08:03.739 great big backpack climbed up 00:08:03.739 --> 00:08:04.539 onto the cart, 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:05.459 and he sat down 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:06.899 next to the driver. 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:08.479 And off they went. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.120 And they said nothing. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:10.979 There was no conversation 00:08:10.979 --> 00:08:11.500 or anything. 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:12.779 And yet, all the while, 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:14.199 this passenger 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:15.739 kept this backpack 00:08:16.419 --> 00:08:17.199 on his back. 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:19.099 And he looked very, 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:20.479 very, very uncomfortable. 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:24.419 And after some time, 00:08:24.979 --> 00:08:27.279 the driver of the horse and cart 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:28.039 said to him, 00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:28.479 look, you know, 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.659 that backpack, 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:30.500 he said, 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:32.059 you don't have to keep 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:33.120 that strapped to you. 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:34.500 Why don't you just take it off 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.299 and put it in the back 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:36.019 with my stuff? 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:37.279 He said, 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:38.779 I couldn't possibly do that. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:40.100 He said, 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:41.259 what do you mean? 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:42.580 Well, 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:42.919 he said, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.559 it's kind and generous 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:45.360 enough of you 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:46.440 to just give me 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:47.620 a free ride as it is. 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:50.299 I couldn't possibly expect 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:51.879 you to also carry this. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.159 When you're in Christ, 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:00.319 you are completely in Christ, 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:02.339 including all the baggage 00:09:02.339 --> 00:09:03.319 that you may carry. 00:09:04.339 --> 00:09:05.959 Even those things about you 00:09:05.959 --> 00:09:07.279 that you don't really like 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:07.740 about you 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:08.539 and that you sense 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:09.339 should not be you, 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:10.279 they form part of you. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:11.259 And when you're in Christ, 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:12.559 you are in Christ. 00:09:13.719 --> 00:09:15.100 That may sound like 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:17.539 a bit of sloppy sentimentalism. 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:18.639 So let's turn to Scripture 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:20.259 to be sure that actually 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:22.360 that is not just sentimentalism. 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:25.399 It's about grace. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:28.019 You see, 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:28.379 the thing is, 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:30.139 although Christ meets us 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:31.059 where we are at, 00:09:31.939 --> 00:09:33.419 he doesn't necessarily expect us 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:34.519 to stay where we are. 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:36.659 But he meets us where we are 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:37.779 along with all our baggage 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:38.860 and carries that, 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:40.539 knowing that when we are in him, 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:43.079 those things are dealt with. 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:44.539 It may take a very, 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:45.840 very long time. 00:09:45.939 --> 00:09:46.079 Indeed, 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:47.600 this is a lifelong process. 00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:49.720 But nevertheless, 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:51.519 don't think for one moment 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.000 that because you're carrying baggage, 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.220 you cannot be carried. 00:09:56.079 --> 00:09:57.539 Let's go to these verses 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:57.939 that we, 00:09:58.100 --> 00:09:58.740 these few verses 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:00.879 from the opening chapter 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:01.779 of Paul's first letter 00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:02.720 to Corinthians. 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:07.519 Paul was, 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:09.079 he planted the church 00:10:09.079 --> 00:10:09.539 in Corinth. 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.240 We read about that 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:11.539 in Acts chapter 18. 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:12.439 And he was there 00:10:12.439 --> 00:10:13.639 for about 18 months. 00:10:14.699 --> 00:10:16.519 So this was not just 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:19.679 a whistle-stop tour relationship 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:20.360 that he had 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.079 with these people. 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:23.139 He'd visited this place 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.960 and it wasn't without 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:25.960 its problems either, 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:28.059 but he stayed there 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:29.000 for 18 months. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:31.899 And this church was planted. 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:33.899 Some time later, 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:36.059 Paul writes to the church 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:36.960 in Corinth, 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.980 knowing that there are 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:41.639 an awful lot of problems 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:42.399 to have emerged. 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:43.879 Now, 00:10:43.939 --> 00:10:44.639 I want you to imagine 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.600 that you were Paul 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.360 and you had planted this church 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.840 and the news had reached you 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:50.279 that there were so many problems 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:51.220 going on in this church 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:52.019 that you had to write 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:52.779 and you had to address 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:53.339 the problems. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.519 Here's just some 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:56.179 of the problems. 00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:57.000 The church 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:58.539 was divided. 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:00.360 There was quarrelling 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.379 as well as division. 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:02.799 There was an awful lot 00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:03.519 of arrogance 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.199 going on 00:11:04.199 --> 00:11:05.120 within that church. 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:07.339 There was idolatry. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.279 People were beginning 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:09.779 to get mixed ideas 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:11.360 about what they were worshipping, 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:12.339 who they were worshipping. 00:11:12.579 --> 00:11:13.459 There was tolerance 00:11:13.459 --> 00:11:15.120 of sexual immorality. 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:17.339 There was doubting 00:11:17.339 --> 00:11:18.779 the resurrection of Jesus 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.439 upon which, 00:11:19.579 --> 00:11:20.839 the very truth claim 00:11:20.839 --> 00:11:21.919 upon which that church 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:22.759 was set up. 00:11:23.339 --> 00:11:25.120 And there was general chaos 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.379 and carnage 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:28.000 in every direction 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.559 in the relationships 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:30.419 between people 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:31.240 in that church. 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:33.079 Where would you begin 00:11:33.079 --> 00:11:36.199 if you were going to write 00:11:36.199 --> 00:11:38.000 in order to engage 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.000 with those issues? 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.360 Well, here's how Paul begins. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:47.800 I always thank God 00:11:47.800 --> 00:11:49.120 for you 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:53.259 because of his grace 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.000 given to you 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:55.039 in Christ Jesus. 00:11:56.480 --> 00:11:57.639 Not only does Paul 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:59.860 begin by saying 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:02.060 something warm and positive, 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:03.300 he actually says 00:12:03.300 --> 00:12:04.800 that he thanks God 00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:05.620 for these people. 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:06.460 In fact, 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.840 he doesn't just say 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:08.759 he thanks God for them, 00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:09.680 but he always 00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:11.000 thanks God for them. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:12.419 And then he goes 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.159 even further, 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:13.879 he says, 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.259 you do not lack 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:17.259 any spiritual gift. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.500 Now, coming from Paul, 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:21.620 that's quite a huge, 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.360 positive thing to say. 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:25.960 Now, as Corinthians goes on, 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.700 he doesn't pull any punches 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.799 when it comes to addressing 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:29.879 these massive issues. 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:30.759 But that's not 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:31.620 his starting point. 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:32.700 When he looks 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:33.320 at these people, 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.779 he doesn't see the issues. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:35.659 He doesn't look 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:36.179 at the baggage. 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:39.259 He sees these people 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.479 as God sees them. 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.779 Yes, there's baggage. 00:12:41.979 --> 00:12:42.939 Yes, there's mess. 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.219 But he starts 00:12:44.219 --> 00:12:44.959 with that blessing. 00:12:45.339 --> 00:12:47.439 And that's what grace is. 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:50.639 To know that we are 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:51.519 in Christ, 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:53.459 that we are empowered 00:12:53.459 --> 00:12:54.120 by grace, 00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:55.239 is to know 00:12:55.239 --> 00:12:56.259 that yes, 00:12:56.339 --> 00:12:57.000 there's the mess. 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.159 Yes, there's the rubbish 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:58.979 to be dealt with. 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.620 But it doesn't stop 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.919 God from loving you 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:03.259 right now. 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:07.080 There was a brother 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:07.639 and sister, 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:08.500 Johnny and Sally, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.360 who years ago 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:10.740 were invited to stay 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:12.139 at their grandparents' farm. 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:14.580 Upon arrival, 00:13:14.679 --> 00:13:15.539 Johnny was given 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:17.419 a slingshot 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:18.200 to play with. 00:13:18.939 --> 00:13:19.399 He went out 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:19.960 into the woods 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:20.860 and as he was 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.819 playing with this thing, 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.639 he couldn't get it 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.740 to work properly 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.000 and he was really frustrated 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.539 and he was in a bit 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.259 of an angry mood. 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:27.340 He was making his way 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:28.580 back to the farmhouse 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:30.019 where him and his sister 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.500 were going to have 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:32.759 lunch with their grandparents. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:33.960 And out of frustration, 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.240 he was messing 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.179 with his slingshot 00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:40.139 and his grandma's pet duck 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.399 was making its way 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.580 along the farmyard 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.759 and he struck this thing 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.340 and it died. 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:46.120 He went into 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.720 a complete panic. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.019 He picked up this duck, 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:51.279 didn't know what to do with it, 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.159 so he hid it 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:53.439 behind a pile of wood. 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.240 Just as he went 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.759 to run into the house, 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:58.360 not quite knowing 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.519 what he was going to do, 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:01.500 he just saw his sister there 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:03.039 and noticed she had seen 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.940 everything. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.500 Just as they walked through, 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.000 she said, 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:09.919 I saw that. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.940 He didn't know what to do, 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.039 he didn't say anything 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.600 during the meal. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:17.320 But afterwards, 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.720 as grandma was clearing 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:19.159 the dishes, 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:19.639 she said, 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:21.139 I think it's Sally's turn 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.179 to help with the washing up, 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:22.600 isn't it? 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.940 And she piped up 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:25.220 and said, 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:25.580 actually, 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:26.580 Johnny was just saying 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:27.620 that he'd like to spend 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.620 some quality time 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.240 with your grandma 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.779 and he'd like to do 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:31.519 the washing up, 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:32.740 even though it's my turn. 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.659 Isn't that right, 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:33.980 Johnny? 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:37.560 Next day, 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.220 they got up 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:40.860 and grandpa came 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.379 down the stairs 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:41.879 and said, 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:42.759 okay, 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:43.000 kids, 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.899 who wants to go fishing 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.740 and taking the boat 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.279 out today? 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:47.159 They both got really excited 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:48.860 and then Sally said, 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.039 oh, 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.360 Johnny said that 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:51.500 he's not really 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.320 into fishing much 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:52.940 these days 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:54.019 and he'd actually 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.580 much rather stay at home 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:56.460 and spend some more 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.200 quality time 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:57.960 with grandma 00:14:57.960 --> 00:15:00.000 and help out 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.940 with perhaps 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.800 some of the jobs 00:15:01.800 --> 00:15:02.519 around the house. 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.220 Isn't that right, 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:03.480 Johnny? 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.060 Sally went fishing 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:08.000 and Johnny stayed at home. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.780 She kept this up 00:15:10.780 --> 00:15:12.080 for several days 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.400 and the week 00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:14.240 that they were staying there 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.220 was drawing to an end 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.460 and young Johnny knew 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:17.240 that he could not 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.500 cope with this any longer 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.300 so eventually 00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:20.340 he went down, 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:21.259 found his grandma, 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.400 burst into tears 00:15:22.400 --> 00:15:24.360 and confessed the lot. 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.259 Before he even 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.379 got to the end 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:29.279 she put her hands 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:29.919 on his shoulders 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:30.580 and she said, 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:30.759 look, 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:32.840 I know what happened. 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:34.980 I was standing 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.720 at the window 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.620 at the time 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:40.080 and I knew straight away 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:42.620 that I'd forgiven you. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.860 I was just fascinated 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.059 to know how long 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:51.000 your sister was going 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.100 to make a slave of you. 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:56.940 Isn't there something 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:58.180 similar that goes on 00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:59.340 in our own relationship 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:00.180 with the mess 00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:00.720 and the baggage 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.120 that, you know, 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:01.899 we hear this message 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.540 all the time, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:02.840 you know, 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.040 that God loves you, 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.920 that God forgives you, 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.800 that he accepts you, 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.720 that it's all about grace. 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:11.720 But that's the message 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.779 we need to actually 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:14.580 not just be part 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.120 of our faith 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.639 but know that 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:17.200 that is the very thing 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:18.300 that underpins our faith. 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.559 It's about grace. 00:16:21.099 --> 00:16:24.179 To be in Christ 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:26.059 means that every single 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:26.559 one of us 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:27.199 has the mess 00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:27.979 from our past 00:16:27.979 --> 00:16:28.740 and our present, 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.819 stuff that we still 00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:30.599 struggle with, 00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:31.859 stuff that we wish 00:16:31.859 --> 00:16:32.459 wasn't there 00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:33.379 but we know is, 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.620 stuff that we know 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.159 makes us not that 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.419 perfect person 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.000 that is up there 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.740 but the reality 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.819 of the person down here. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.579 But when you are in Christ, 00:16:42.359 --> 00:16:43.299 you are in Christ 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:46.919 and you are held 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:48.439 in Christ 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.500 including 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.179 the struggle, 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.279 including the mess, 00:16:53.579 --> 00:16:54.719 including the baggage. 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.299 That is what it is 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.339 to be empowered 00:16:58.339 --> 00:16:59.679 by grace 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:01.439 in Christ. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:06.200 During the 1930s, 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:08.599 the Golden Gate Bridge 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:10.539 in San Francisco 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.399 was being constructed. 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.279 It took several years 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.839 to construct. 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:15.119 Progress was held back 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.879 because there were 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:18.240 numerous deaths 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.379 of workmen 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:20.200 working on the bridge 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:21.579 who fell. 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.039 It held back progress 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.159 and the investors 00:17:25.159 --> 00:17:26.359 had to make a decision 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.119 what to do 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:29.399 and there was a very, 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.700 very long discussion 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:32.200 as to whether or not 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.220 they could justify 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:35.139 installing a safety net 00:17:35.139 --> 00:17:36.139 because it was going 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:37.240 to be so expensive. 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:39.700 Eventually, 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.700 they took the decision 00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:42.000 that they would do that 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.740 and they did. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:45.079 There were 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.899 one or two falls 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.700 but actually 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:50.539 after that safety net 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.359 was installed, 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:53.639 progress on the bridge 00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:54.240 continued 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.339 more or less 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:55.980 unhindered. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:58.220 Why? 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.960 Because although 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.720 they were still 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.680 working in the same 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.420 conditions, 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.819 that sense 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:07.000 of confidence 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.319 overtook 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.079 the fear 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:11.680 and those workmen 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.200 could get on 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:14.180 and do their job 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.579 and live their lives. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.259 Any analogy 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.039 breaks down 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.519 eventually 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.779 and I'm not suggesting 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.880 that Christ 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:24.200 is just a safety net 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:29.480 but he represents 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.480 freedom from fear 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:33.820 and to be 00:18:33.820 --> 00:18:36.100 in Christ 00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:39.120 is precisely that. 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:41.139 to be not 00:18:41.139 --> 00:18:41.839 driven 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.699 or rather held 00:18:42.699 --> 00:18:43.979 back by fear 00:18:43.979 --> 00:18:45.779 and knowledge 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:47.479 of ourselves 00:18:47.479 --> 00:18:48.059 that we know 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.799 all too well 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.500 and those struggles 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.079 and the mess 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.679 and all the stuff 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.599 that we would rather 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.879 wasn't there. 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.500 To be in Christ 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.319 means that 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:57.939 everything, 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:58.619 everything 00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.279 about us 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.959 is in 00:19:01.959 --> 00:19:02.759 his hands. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.819 we are in 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.119 him 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:06.859 and because 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.640 we are in him 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.220 we may know 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.879 that he is 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:09.579 in us 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.900 and there is 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:11.279 nowhere 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:13.079 where you can 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:13.420 go, 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.640 no situation 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:16.359 that you can 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:16.879 face 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:18.079 where you are 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.220 not held 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.359 securely 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.480 in 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.640 him. 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.460 So let's 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:25.980 pray together. 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.059 Amen. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:36.960 Lord, 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.460 over these 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.079 last few 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:38.420 weeks 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:38.879 we have 00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:39.180 been 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.640 thinking 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:39.980 about 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.339 what it 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:40.940 means 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:42.579 to be 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:42.940 in 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.519 Christ. 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:49.640 Lord, 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.059 we know 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.400 that we 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:50.879 struggle 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:52.240 and we 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.420 know 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:52.720 that there 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.099 are so 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:53.359 many 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.000 things 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:56.660 that hold 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.160 us back 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:57.759 from being 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.279 the people 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:58.680 that you 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.660 long for 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.099 us to 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.400 be. 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.500 But Lord, 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.079 we thank 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.559 you that 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.259 the message 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.019 of Christ 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:08.019 is not 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.519 that it's 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.279 just alright 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.660 to have 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.200 these struggles 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.759 but that 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.839 you accept 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.740 us with 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.440 those struggles 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:15.000 and that 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.359 we can 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:15.960 know that 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.920 even though 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.359 we are 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.079 far from 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:18.460 perfect 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.119 that you 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:19.660 love us 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.759 and accept 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.240 us 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:22.660 unconditionally 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.480 that you 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:23.940 meet us 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.359 where we 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.119 are so 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.440 that we 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.819 can come 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.500 with everything 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:26.960 that we 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.359 carry 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.500 and know 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.819 that all 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.180 of that 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.819 mess 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.180 that comes 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.860 with us 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:35.539 is picked 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:35.980 up 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.460 and held 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.060 by you. 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.660 So Lord, 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.160 we ask 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:41.740 this day 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.160 and in 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:42.519 the time 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:42.920 to come 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.480 that whatever 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.080 those things 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:44.539 may be 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.019 that we 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.900 struggle 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.460 with 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:48.940 that we 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.279 may not 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.720 be afraid 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.220 to bring 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.799 those struggles 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.360 to you 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.560 to know 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:52.920 that you 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.460 are far 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:53.799 bigger 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.740 and stronger 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.519 and greater 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.180 and wider 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.740 and deeper 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.320 than any 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:57.720 of those 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.140 things 00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:00.960 that we 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.520 may be 00:21:01.520 --> 00:21:02.040 empowered 00:21:02.040 --> 00:21:03.020 not by 00:21:03.020 --> 00:21:03.500 fear 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:05.840 but by 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.640 your grace. 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.400 Lord, 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:09.800 help us 00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.220 to know 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.460 that, 00:21:10.580 --> 00:21:10.920 help us 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.440 to believe 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.720 that, 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.280 help us 00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:12.740 to live 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.280 by that 00:21:13.280 --> 00:21:14.320 this day 00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:14.960 and every 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.259 day. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.600 In Jesus' 00:21:16.820 --> 00:21:17.180 name we 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:17.500 pray. 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:18.980 Amen. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.140 Amen. 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.180 Amen. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.200 Amen. 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.259 Amen. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.320 Amen. 00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:21.200 Amen. 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:23.200 Amen. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.259 Amen. 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.320 Amen. 00:21:23.320 --> 00:21:23.380 Amen. 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:25.259 Amen. 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.380 Amen. 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:27.259 Amen. 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.380 Amen.