WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.480 Good morning. Can you hear me? Great. It's now a beautiful day. It seems to be, I feel 00:00:11.480 --> 00:00:15.880 very at home with the weather like this. It seems to be raining and then sunny and then 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:24.019 raining. That's just like the UK. If you don't know me, my name's Chris. I oversee community 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:34.280 groups here at Watermark. We've been going through a series in Jonah. Now, some of you 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:40.420 may or may not know, I do a little bit of teaching at Hong Kong Youth Space just a couple of hours 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:49.760 a week, teaching English. I started a course last week. I arrived about 40 minutes early. 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:56.679 And just as I arrived outside the classroom, there was a 70-year-old guy standing there. 00:00:57.659 --> 00:01:05.819 And I kind of said, oh, hi, the usual pleasantries. And almost immediately he said to me, you know 00:01:05.819 --> 00:01:12.159 what? I'm hopeless. Now, I was a bit shocked. That's not the normal way you do small talk. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:22.719 And I said, oh, right. Why? He said, my life is just hopeless. I've got no hope for my future. 00:01:23.179 --> 00:01:31.299 There is no reason for me to really continue living. And trying to kind of decipher what 00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:37.439 was going on, I asked him, okay, why do you feel like this? And he said, you know, I went 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:43.359 to university in London for one year when I was younger. I got kicked out after the first 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:49.379 year. I then went to university in Manchester in the UK for one year. And I got kicked out 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:53.599 after one year. And I said, oh, what did you do after that? And he said, the rest of my 00:01:53.599 --> 00:02:01.700 life, I've never worked. I've been in and out of psychiatric hospitals. And so now I feel 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:12.780 like my life is hopeless. I've got no future. And as I thought about it, you know, we often 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:20.599 say things like past performance is the greatest indicator of future results. Yeah. And if he 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:26.840 was to look at his past performance in his life, his future results didn't look very good 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:36.340 for him. And so he thought, my life is hopeless. And that may not be the most happy way to start 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:41.920 thinking about the book of Jonah. But actually, if you were to look at Jonah and you were to 00:02:41.920 --> 00:02:49.699 think, what potential does he have for God to use this guy? You would look at his track 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:57.679 record in the past and think, it's not looking too good, is it, Jonah? You see, Jonah seemed 00:02:57.679 --> 00:03:01.579 to be very happy obeying God when it was a nice message to give, when it was kind of, you're 00:03:01.579 --> 00:03:05.159 going to grow wealthy, you're going to expand. And Jonah was right there to tell everyone about 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:10.899 that. But then God had given him a message to go to the city of Nineveh and to preach 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:23.000 against them. And if you remember the story, God says, arise, go to Nineveh. And Jonah says, 00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:29.960 okay, I will arise. And he went as fast as his little prophet legs would take him as far away 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:37.800 from Nineveh as possible. And then he gets on a boat. And when he's on the boat, the storm 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:45.200 raises up. And some sailors say to him, arise, get up, pray to your God. And Jonah says to him, 00:03:45.660 --> 00:03:53.240 or says to them, nah, sorry, me and God, we're not on great terms at the moment. I'd prefer that you 00:03:53.240 --> 00:04:02.080 throw me overboard and kill me rather than me talking to God. And so eventually the sailors 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:07.980 actually do that. And Jonah is going down, down, plunging into the depths of the Mediterranean 00:04:07.980 --> 00:04:12.840 Sea. He didn't bring his scuba diving kit. The marine life was not what he was looking 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:19.080 at at that moment because he's right on the brink of death. And then God sends a giant fish 00:04:19.080 --> 00:04:28.040 to come and rescue him and save him. And that's where we've got to in the story. Jonah has a death 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:40.100 and resurrection experience. And then you come to chapter three. Jonah knows that God has saved him 00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:51.900 and he knows that God has saved him for a purpose. But in chapter three, we see the story continue. 00:04:52.080 --> 00:04:56.020 So we're going to look at three aspects of the story going through chapter three. We're going 00:04:56.019 --> 00:05:01.159 to look at a reluctant messenger. We're going to look at an awesome task. And we're going to look 00:05:01.159 --> 00:05:06.859 at a God of miracles. Okay, a reluctant messenger, an awesome task, a God of miracles. 00:05:08.099 --> 00:05:12.620 So in chapters three and four are really the centerpiece of this book of Jonah. 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:20.079 They're where the action is really meant to take place. Now, if I was Jonah, I think Jonah would have 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:26.000 wanted to stop at the end of chapter two, go back to Galilee, and that's it for the end of the story. 00:05:26.919 --> 00:05:29.479 But you see, in chapter three, verse one, it says, 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:38.799 the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time. Now, some people think that Jonah was kind 00:05:38.799 --> 00:05:45.620 of vomited up by the fish. He's on the beach covered in fish sauce. And then God says to him 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:50.139 immediately, get up, go to Nineveh straight away. Okay, he's still got seaweed in his ears and he's 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:57.039 walking along to Nineveh. Now, I don't think that's what happened because I suspect that between 00:05:57.039 --> 00:06:03.199 chapter two, verse 10 and three, verse one, there's no time given. And I suspect that God is actually 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:10.659 gracious enough to give him some time to recuperate because, you know, it's a 500 mile hike in the hot 00:06:10.660 --> 00:06:18.800 sun, which would take at least a month to get to Nineveh. So what happens is, we don't know, weeks, 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:25.360 maybe months later, God comes again to Jonah and speaks the second time and tells him to get up 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:31.680 and go to Nineveh. Now, it's interesting because if you think about it, I can imagine Jonah lying 00:06:31.680 --> 00:06:38.960 there on the beach. He knows what God has called him to do. He's had some time to reflect in the fish 00:06:38.960 --> 00:06:46.360 and on the beach maybe about what he should be doing. He knew that God cared for the city of Nineveh. 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:53.860 He knew it. So why doesn't he go? Why does God have to speak to him a second time? Because he knows 00:06:53.860 --> 00:07:02.080 what he's got to do. Well, you see, Jonah didn't want to go. Jonah didn't want to go. He, I can 00:07:02.080 --> 00:07:07.080 imagine him sitting there with all the excuses going on in his mind. I mean, I can imagine him 00:07:07.080 --> 00:07:11.860 saying, okay, yeah, I know I need to go, but, you know, I'm suffering from post fish swallowing 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:20.360 traumatic stress syndrome. Or maybe I'm planning now my new marine park in Galilee with the kind of 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:26.939 fish, human fish swallowing simulation to teach the kids about how they should obey God. 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:32.540 You know, that's what I, that's what I want to do. I mean, it's going to be better than ocean park. 00:07:32.660 --> 00:07:38.020 God, I'll do that for you. But he didn't want to go to Nineveh. 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:44.379 He didn't want to go to Nineveh. He'd do anything. He'd tithe. He'd go on a mission trip. He'd do 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:51.959 anything except what God called him to do. Why? Because he despises the people that God has told 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:58.259 him to go to. He knows God cares for them. He knows God loves them. He knows that God's heart is for them, 00:07:58.259 --> 00:08:07.860 but he can't get over the fact that they have hurt his people. They have been so brutal towards his 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:12.860 people that he doesn't think they deserve God's grace and his mercy towards them. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:22.480 And it's fascinating because when God calls someone, there's three responses that we can often make. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:29.259 And Jonah makes all three of them. The first response is to run. You know, God calls you to 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:36.740 go to Repulse Bay and you go up to Shenzhen for a massage. Okay, that's, that's the first way. You can run. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:43.460 The second way is you can, God calls you to go somewhere and you just stay there, lying on the 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:49.340 beach, thinking, maybe feeling a little bit guilty, wallowing in the fish sauce of your condemnation 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:53.419 and guilt. But really, you don't want to go. It's so comfortable here. You don't want to put in any 00:08:53.419 --> 00:09:00.779 effort to move. That's the second way. We just be passive. Or the third way is to actually obey what 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:11.419 God calls us to do. Three ways we can respond to God. And you know, when God calls you to do something, 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:17.679 there's always a collision between God's word and what you want to do. Do you know that? 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:27.099 When God calls you to do something, there's always a collision between your comfort, your security, 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:38.059 your plans and dreams and what God calls you to do. And even this morning, you have a choice. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:44.159 You have those three choices to how you respond to what the message that God wants to speak to you 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:51.759 this morning. And so the question is, who are we going to listen to? Who are we going to listen to? 00:09:51.860 --> 00:10:01.980 Now, if you think about it, God's call here to Jonah is actually a sign of his grace. It doesn't 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:07.079 sound like Jonah didn't think it. Jonah wanted to be right out of there. But actually this, when God 00:10:07.079 --> 00:10:13.339 calls you to something, he calls you to go, it is God's gracious call on your life. Do you know why? 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:22.580 Because if your past performance is the greatest indicator of your future results, Jonah shouldn't 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:27.580 have been on God's list to be used. You know, God should have said something like, I'm sorry, 00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:33.220 Jonah, your prophet's resume is not looking too good at the moment. Go back to Galilee, get a couple of 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:40.759 years obedience experience and then come back and then maybe I'll use you. But he doesn't. He doesn't. 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:47.879 Maybe I think Jonah would have preferred that God had said that. But God's grace was evidence in calling 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:54.679 him to a task because he wanted to use him. He'd already saved him. He was already part of his people. 00:10:54.679 --> 00:11:05.159 But now he says, I want to involve you in what I am up to in the world. You know, God calls us to obey him 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:14.419 because he wants us to enjoy him. God calls us to obey him because he wants us to enjoy being involved 00:11:14.419 --> 00:11:20.899 with what God is involved with in the world. It's a call to enjoy God, actually, obedience. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:31.120 You know, my friend's disobedient child hid behind the sofa when he heard his daddy coming because he 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:37.620 knew that he'd eaten the chocolate cake that his daddy had told him not to eat. You see, when he 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:44.799 disobeyed, it put a barrier between his relationship between him and his father. And even though he was 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:51.579 still his child, he couldn't enjoy the relationship with his father to that full extent because he 00:11:51.579 --> 00:12:00.000 disobeyed. It's the same with us. He knows if we want to live a fully satisfied life in God, 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:07.819 you have to obey him. You have to obey his call and he wants to delight you in him. 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:16.200 But maybe you judge your potential for God to use you based on your past performance. You know, 00:12:16.260 --> 00:12:22.000 you tried to be a good parent, but somehow you always end up getting frustrated with your kids. 00:12:22.660 --> 00:12:28.020 You try to share your faith with your colleagues, but then you end up shouting at them. And you think, 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:35.220 man, I'm such a hypocrite. How can I share my faith? How can I be someone who is a witness for God 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:45.340 if I am like this? Maybe you don't even care what God calls you to do, what God's go, get up to you 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:52.540 and go is. Because really, you don't want to think about it. Maybe. Maybe it just seems too 00:12:52.540 --> 00:12:59.940 uncomfortable and there's too many other things on your mind at the moment. I spent a year in France 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:07.880 studying. And at the time, I was struggling with depression. And God felt about as far away as 00:13:07.880 --> 00:13:13.560 Pluto at that moment. I felt totally distant from him. I didn't want to pray. I wasn't reading my 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:23.680 Bible. I didn't even want to obey God. Didn't want to. And then one day, I suddenly started having 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:28.660 all these people, all these French people coming up to me, asking me about Christianity. I had no idea 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:35.600 why. And I remember having one two-hour conversation with a Hindu girl. And at the end of that two-hour 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:42.620 conversation, she said to me, you know what? Talking to you was like talking to Jesus. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:53.360 She had never talked to Jesus before. And then somebody else became a Christian. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:59.480 And I was there kind of scratching my head thinking, God, I don't even want to obey you 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:10.980 at this stage. Why are you bothering to use me? And suddenly something clicked. I suddenly understood 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:20.220 that God's grace, God wanting to use me was not based on my performance. It was based on his 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:26.860 graciousness. Because all the time I'd been thinking it was down to me how good I'd been. 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:29.360 And because I wasn't very good, then I thought God couldn't use me. 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:40.340 But God wanted to involve me in what he's up to because he wants me to delight in him and to enjoy 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:45.899 his grace. And do you know what happened? That set off this kind of series where I suddenly thought, 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:51.000 wow, I started to read the Bible. And then God started to speak to me. He started to show me that 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:55.620 in the university restaurant, there were some international students who nobody else would 00:14:55.620 --> 00:15:02.639 speak to because their French sounded like they were having an asthma attack. And so I started going 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:09.299 up to them. And that was the beginning as God started step by step taking me on the journey. 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:19.240 I began to enjoy his grace so much more. That's what God wants to do with each one of us. That's why 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:27.099 he wants to involve us in what he's up to in the world because that's when you'll find true living, 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:36.599 satisfying life in God. Past performance doesn't indicate your future results with God because of God, 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:47.779 not because of you. So we mustn't stay on the beach. God calls us to go. That's the second thing. 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:58.340 Jonah is not just a reluctant messenger. He's also got an awesome task ahead of him. He says, 00:15:58.340 --> 00:16:05.160 go to Nineveh. Okay, go to Nineveh. And Nineveh, it says in verse two, is a great city. And it's 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:10.980 repeated again. It's a great city to God. I mean, it's a humongous city in the time that they were 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:17.180 living. It was one of the greatest cities in the world at that time. It was a center for mathematics 00:16:17.180 --> 00:16:22.460 and science. You know, locks and keys were invented there. You know, longitude and latitude. The first 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:29.040 libraries were there. There was trading all over the empire. But not only that, it was a political 00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:39.820 center and a symbol of oppression and exploitation. It was a city of tyranny because the weak were crushed 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:51.879 underneath the power of this mighty city. But this city was great to God. God had this city in his 00:16:51.879 --> 00:17:07.359 eyesight. And God said, this city matters to me. Now, I don't think Jonah felt excited by that prospect. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:14.640 It's an intimidating prospect. But it gets even worse for Jonah to go to Nineveh because God then tells 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:19.880 him, I'm going to give you the message to preach. Now, you might think that's great. God's going to give 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:27.360 me a great message. But you know, the message he gives him, in Hebrew, it's only five words. In our text, 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:37.220 it says, yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown. There's no, come to God and he'll give you love, 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:43.160 joy, peace and kindness. There's no, raise your hand and make Jesus your special friend here. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:51.360 This isn't a cool message to go and take to an intimidating city if you are a little foreign 00:17:51.360 --> 00:18:00.019 country boy coming into this great city. It doesn't look good because you're going to tell them God's 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:05.259 going to judge this city. I mean, imagine in the Second World War and a Chinese person under Japanese 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:15.000 occupation goes to Tokyo and says, Tokyo's going down. They would probably say, and your head's coming off. 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:24.240 But you know, this was God's word to Nineveh. It's what the Ninevites needed to hear. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:33.380 And God's word comes on a collision course with everything that this proud, self-reliant, confident 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:41.660 city believed in. It believed in itself. And yet God loved this city. He knew what they needed to hear 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:50.240 and he tells Jonah to go to this city. And you know, we live in a great city. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:59.799 Hong Kong is a great city in God's eyes. God has got Hong Kong in his eyesight. 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:08.259 And God, you see up here, we have three values, gospel, community and mission. And part of what it 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:15.000 means as a church, what we believe God has called us to is to be on a mission to Hong Kong. That is 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:21.640 God's go to us. Now, what does that mean in practice? I think of that meaning in four categories. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:27.400 I think his mission is to go to our work or to our schools. His mission is to go to our families. 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:32.940 His mission is to go to our neighborhoods and to the marginalized and the poor. His mission is to go 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:38.099 to our other friendships, the people we meet in the club. This is his mission to this city, 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:47.000 which he's called us to go on as a church. And I don't know where you feel God has called you 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:54.039 and where God is even saying, which one of those aspects is God now calling you to go to? 00:19:55.299 --> 00:20:01.559 Maybe it's your office, but you just can't see how on earth anything could possibly change 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:06.159 in your office. It's dog eat dog. You've got to play the system out or you'll get eaten alive. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:11.820 And you say, Chris, it's a nice idea. Go to my office, but you don't know what my office is like. 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:16.840 No, I don't know what your office is like. But you don't know what Nineveh was like. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:25.880 You know, you may feel like you'd be flayed alive and stuck up on a pole verbally by your boss or by 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:33.000 your colleagues. But you know, in Nineveh, they were doing that physically. I don't know whether it's 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:39.680 your family. You know, you've wanted your family to change. Maybe it's your husband. Maybe it's your 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:46.339 wife. Maybe it's your kids that you desperately want to see them change to become, to lead spiritually. 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:51.720 You want to see them become more considerate. You want to see them grow to know Christ. 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:57.839 Or you look out on the injustice in Hong Kong and you see it's such a massive task. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:21:06.319 Where do I even begin? And you feel paralyzed. And maybe you look at your past record of where 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:14.679 you've tried to engage and you don't feel you've got anywhere. You've tried to change your kids. 00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:19.899 They weren't changing. You tried to change your friends and share the gospel with them and they 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:28.600 ignored you. And the task seems too big. So we'd prefer to just lie on the beach, feel a little 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:33.700 bit guilty about ourselves because it's a bit more comfortable than obeying what God calls us to do. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:44.100 But if it doesn't look very hopeful for Jonah, maybe for us, you've got a disobedient messenger, 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:51.199 you've got a crazy message, you've got an intimidating, hardened audience, it's not a great recipe for success. 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:55.559 Which brings us on to the third thing, 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:58.559 which is a God of miracles. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.599 A God of miracles. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.919 Read verse 5 for me. 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:07.759 And the people of Nineveh 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:10.079 believed God. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:14.720 The people of Nineveh believed God. 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.859 They didn't believe Jonah. 00:22:16.699 --> 00:22:18.399 They believed God. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:21.220 And what's happening here 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:23.099 is one of the greatest miracles 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:25.899 in the whole Bible story. 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.919 You have a whole pagan city, 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:29.599 utterly self-reliant, 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:31.179 utterly self-confident, 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:33.699 falling on its knees before God 00:22:33.699 --> 00:22:35.699 and saying, God, we need you. 00:22:36.439 --> 00:22:37.159 We turn away. 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:39.059 You've got the king of Nineveh 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.639 the governor. 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.919 He arises 00:22:41.919 --> 00:22:43.500 in verse 6. 00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:44.279 You see, the word 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.460 reached the king, 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.639 the word literally means 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:47.659 it touched the king, 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.639 it touched his heart. 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.500 And he arises, 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.779 he gets up from his throne, 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.839 from the place where he was trying to control 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.819 the world around him, 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.559 and he goes out to sit 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.740 in the ashes, 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.599 outside, 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:01.639 in the lowest possible place. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:04.079 And then he has his robe, 00:23:04.159 --> 00:23:05.480 which is a symbol of dignity 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.379 and glory 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.039 and honor 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.039 and power for him. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.180 And he takes it off 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:10.200 and he replaces it 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:13.159 with this coarse material 00:23:13.159 --> 00:23:14.119 called sackcloth, 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:16.220 which people used to put on 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.940 at funerals. 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:22.720 You see, what's going on here 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:25.440 is he is being humbled. 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.159 He is humbling himself. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.980 It's utter humiliation 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:31.079 before God 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:32.220 because God's word 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.180 has changed him. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:35.460 And it's not even that. 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.560 You see, what happens? 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.860 He sees God's word so serious, 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.900 he's got to go and proclaim it 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.720 to everybody else. 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:42.180 He calls everybody else 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:43.060 to turn away 00:23:43.060 --> 00:23:44.039 from, he says, 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:44.920 their evil way, 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:46.420 which means just general sins, 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.840 on and also 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.680 to turn away 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:51.720 from violence as well. 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:54.320 And the violence 00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:56.180 is specific sins. 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.740 For them, 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.640 it was oppressing 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.279 the poor 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.299 and the needy 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.259 and other nations. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.819 He calls them 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.599 to turn away. 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.519 I don't know about you, 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.200 wouldn't you love 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.319 to see that in your office? 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:10.039 To see your boss? 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.740 To see your colleagues? 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:13.079 Maybe not on their knees 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:13.579 in ashes, 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:17.099 but actually changing? 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:18.940 Wouldn't you love 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.779 to see your friends? 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.440 Wouldn't you love 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.440 to see your family? 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.960 Impacted by God's word 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.819 and changed? 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:29.460 Just think how different 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.859 Hong Kong could be 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.519 if that happened. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.859 You see, 00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:36.799 this is a miracle 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:40.019 that is better 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.519 than being swallowed 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.099 by a fish 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.039 and coming out alive. 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.200 It's a bigger miracle. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.539 And you know, 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:48.339 if I'm honest, 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:50.119 I believe in my head 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:51.099 that God can do miracles 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.899 because I believe 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:52.960 he's in control of the world, 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.679 he can intervene. 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.160 But in reality, 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:57.320 I rarely believe 00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:58.440 that God can do miracles 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.600 in the people around me. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:03.019 I rarely believe it. 00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:05.200 Because, I mean, 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.880 just think for a minute. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.680 Think about the people 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.259 around you 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.160 that you would love 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:08.940 to see change. 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.200 Now, 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.240 you want your spouse 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.320 to be more considerate. 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.019 Okay? 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.600 You want them, 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.460 your kids, 00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:17.519 to just be obedient. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.160 You want them 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.400 to be more gracious 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.299 to other people. 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.080 Maybe you want your boss 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:23.519 to stop exploiting everyone 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.420 and making you work 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.019 like a dog. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.859 Maybe you want your friends 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.799 to come to Christ 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:29.500 and it hasn't happened yet. 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.379 Do you know, 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.920 sometimes I get frustrated 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:34.099 and angry. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:37.119 Why haven't you changed yet? 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:38.779 And you know, 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:40.720 what I can tend to do 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.039 is I start trying 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:43.359 all kinds of little magic tricks 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:45.160 to kind of make them change. 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.200 change. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.240 You know, 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.340 I used to teach 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:49.560 and I taught students 00:25:49.560 --> 00:25:50.080 in the past 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:50.880 who would never hand in 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.420 their homework. 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:53.580 And so, 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.500 my little tricks 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.400 would be 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:57.340 shouting at them 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:59.180 to try and make them change. 00:25:59.580 --> 00:26:00.420 If that didn't work, 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.560 I'd try bribing them 00:26:01.560 --> 00:26:02.320 with chocolate 00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:03.019 or movies 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.560 or something. 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.140 If that didn't work, 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.580 you'd try emotional blackmail. 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.340 Don't you see 00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:08.600 how I'm suffering 00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:09.279 at the moment 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.040 as a teacher? 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:12.899 And do you know what? 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.619 Sometimes, 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.879 sometimes people 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:18.559 do outwardly 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.819 seem to change 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.799 but really 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.680 they're just doing it 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.879 because of fear 00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:23.519 or a desire 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.220 to please me. 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:28.139 Because it's often 00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:29.359 outward performance 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.779 that looks like 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.339 it's changing 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.339 but none of you, 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.899 none of us 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:35.220 can change the heart 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:36.099 of anybody. 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.159 I don't know 00:26:38.159 --> 00:26:39.000 if you realize that 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.559 but you cannot 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.980 ever 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.700 change the heart 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.779 of anybody. 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.740 What you need 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.539 if you want to see 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.339 someone change, 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:51.259 whether it's your spouse, 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.220 whether it's a friend, 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.380 whether it's a colleague, 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.859 whoever it is, 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.460 you need a miracle. 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.519 Only God 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.099 is the one 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.900 who does miracles. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.339 Think about it. 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.480 How many times 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.140 have you ever said 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.640 to someone, 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.720 can you just be patient 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.440 for a while, 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.700 at that point, 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:12.460 did suddenly 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.559 an aura of zen 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.299 come over them? 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.740 Did suddenly say, 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.440 you're right, 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:18.120 I am so impatient 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:18.880 at this moment, 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.140 forgive me, 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.839 I will become 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.880 very patient now. 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:22.980 Do they say that? 00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:24.319 Normally, 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.100 if I say something 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:25.620 like that, 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.500 what happens is 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.700 sometimes they either 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.680 shout back at you 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:31.140 or they shut up 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:31.840 but then you see 00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:32.980 the steam coming 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.900 from their ears. 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.840 You see, 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:38.180 it's not your 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.840 responsibility 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:40.180 to change people. 00:27:40.580 --> 00:27:41.720 Our responsibility 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.779 is to go. 00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:44.539 It's not to change 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.460 people's hearts. 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.720 God's responsibility 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.920 is to change people. 00:27:49.620 --> 00:27:51.340 This changes everything. 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.480 Our responsibility 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.220 is to go 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.200 to bless people, 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.080 to pray for people, 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.799 to love people, 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.559 to share the gospel 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.119 with people. 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.659 That's our responsibility 00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:01.039 as God gives us 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.940 grace to do that. 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.619 God is the one 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:04.500 who does the work 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.019 of changing. 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.159 Think about it. 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.419 If it's God's job 00:28:07.419 --> 00:28:08.440 to change people, 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:12.000 then for those people 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.839 you want to see 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:14.419 change in your life, 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.599 you will be engaged 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.460 in persistent, 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.799 regular prayer 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.339 for them 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:20.940 because it's got to be 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.740 God who does it, 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.700 not you. 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:25.559 How often 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.460 are you engaged 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.019 in prayer 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.860 for your friends, 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.580 for your family, 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.500 for your colleagues? 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.360 If it's God's job 00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.240 to change people, 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.420 then you don't have 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.299 to desperately try 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.279 and control everybody 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.039 around you 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.380 by manipulating them, 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.840 by emotional blackmail. 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:43.319 Or we just give up 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:43.660 on them 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:45.200 because things don't 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.740 seem to happen 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.580 in our own timing. 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.500 You just say, 00:28:47.580 --> 00:28:47.720 okay. 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.180 And then you go 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.059 and complain to everybody 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.840 else that they haven't 00:28:50.840 --> 00:28:51.240 changed. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:54.059 If it's God's job, 00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:57.000 we can just trust Him. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.579 We do, 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.839 we go. 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.039 That's our obedience. 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.400 We trust God 00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:02.220 to change people. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.180 You see, 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:05.859 I tried reaching out 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.460 to my neighbor 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.079 when I came 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:10.220 into Hong Kong 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.120 and he just moved 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:11.799 into the flat 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:13.140 and I went around 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:13.980 with a box of chocolates 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.400 to him. 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.240 The next morning 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.819 he came around 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.539 with a bottle of wine. 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:20.079 I thought we'd end it there 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:21.399 because this could get expensive. 00:29:22.439 --> 00:29:25.039 And occasionally 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:26.019 I started trying 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:28.199 to kind of just see him 00:29:28.199 --> 00:29:28.699 in the lobby. 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:28.960 I said, 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.339 hi, 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.119 and hey, 00:29:30.179 --> 00:29:30.779 would you like to go out 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.619 for a drink sometime? 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.460 And he was kind of, 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.119 yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.539 But I knew what that meant. 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:34.859 That meant, 00:29:34.939 --> 00:29:35.419 no, no, no. 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:38.879 And, you know, 00:29:38.939 --> 00:29:40.179 six months would go past. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.180 I wouldn't see him. 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:42.220 I'd kind of sometimes 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.019 knock on his door 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:44.299 and he was always having a shower. 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:44.940 I don't know why. 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:48.080 But he probably saw me coming 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:48.519 and I heard, 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:53.660 and so for six months 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:55.759 I'd kind of keep asking, 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.620 oh, do you want to grab a drink? 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.539 I'd be, no, no, no, no, no. 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.539 And then I just kind of 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.560 forgot about him really. 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:01.639 He just kind of 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:03.279 went off my radar 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.159 for a while, 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:06.019 two and a half years. 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:10.399 And then about three weeks ago, 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.000 you know, 00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:13.919 we had occasionally 00:30:13.919 --> 00:30:14.879 seen him on the stairs 00:30:14.879 --> 00:30:15.619 and just said hi, 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.480 asked how he's doing 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.119 and that kind of thing. 00:30:17.179 --> 00:30:17.859 And three weeks ago 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.639 he came up to me, 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.740 I saw him just getting out 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.139 of the lift 00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.679 and he said, 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:21.940 hey, 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.399 do you want to go 00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:23.339 for a drink sometime? 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.299 And I was like, 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.940 yes. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:31.000 You could have said that 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.099 two and a half years ago, 00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:34.460 but now's okay. 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.480 I don't mind. 00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:38.720 And it got me thinking, 00:30:38.899 --> 00:30:39.279 actually, 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:43.539 because that moment there 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:46.079 was God telling me, 00:30:46.919 --> 00:30:48.519 get up and go. 00:30:49.659 --> 00:30:51.579 I think I'd been lying 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.779 on the beach 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:55.059 for quite a long time. 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:57.220 I'd given up on him. 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:58.379 I'd stopped believing 00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:59.399 God could actually work 00:30:59.400 --> 00:31:00.120 in the situation, 00:31:00.300 --> 00:31:01.140 so I just kind of got 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:02.340 wrapped up in my own things. 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:04.080 And I'd missed the heart 00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:05.519 that God had for him. 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:08.200 And God used him 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.740 to wake me up 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.100 and say, 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.040 get up. 00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:12.120 And so we did go 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:12.940 for a drink the other day. 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.780 I don't know what God's 00:31:13.780 --> 00:31:14.420 going to do there. 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.480 I trust God 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.440 to change his heart. 00:31:16.820 --> 00:31:17.560 My responsibility 00:31:17.560 --> 00:31:18.420 is just to try 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.200 and be a good friend, 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.540 to love him, 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:22.280 to share the gospel 00:31:22.280 --> 00:31:22.800 with him 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:23.920 when there's an opportunity. 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:26.680 You see, 00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:29.120 God's the one 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:30.120 who changes people, 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.480 not me. 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.320 But we need to go 00:31:33.320 --> 00:31:34.480 and God wants 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:35.460 to give us his heart. 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.539 Because where's 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:38.480 the whole story going? 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.640 The whole story 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:40.120 of Jonah 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:43.140 is not actually 00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:46.039 really about Jonah. 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.539 You see, 00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:49.799 we have a reluctant prophet 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.559 who turns 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.619 and does what God says. 00:31:52.139 --> 00:31:53.599 We have Ninevites 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.899 who turn 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:56.819 and repent 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:57.539 before God. 00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:59.000 But then we also 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.740 have God 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:01.220 who seems to turn 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.379 and seems to change 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:02.879 his mind. 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.599 I'm not sure 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:05.279 whether he thought, 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.359 oh, 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.019 didn't expect them 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.740 to change. 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.000 Oh, 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:12.139 maybe I've got to 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:13.099 stop bringing judgment 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.599 on them. 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:16.219 I don't think 00:32:16.219 --> 00:32:16.799 that's what God 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.259 was doing. 00:32:17.439 --> 00:32:17.819 Why? 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.399 Why does God 00:32:19.399 --> 00:32:20.579 seem to turn? 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.619 Because that's the way 00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:22.919 God set the whole thing up. 00:32:23.939 --> 00:32:24.139 You see, 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.919 it's the reason 00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:25.419 why Jonah 00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:26.059 didn't want to go 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:26.539 to Nineveh 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.439 because he knew 00:32:27.439 --> 00:32:28.599 that if he went, 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:30.159 God would do something. 00:32:33.179 --> 00:32:33.719 And so Jonah 00:32:33.719 --> 00:32:34.439 didn't want to go. 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:36.059 So God 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.740 was using 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.439 his message 00:32:37.439 --> 00:32:38.079 of judgment 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:39.740 to wake the people up 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.879 because he wanted 00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.879 to show 00:32:41.879 --> 00:32:42.819 his mercy 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.539 and his love 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:43.980 to them. 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.059 The story's not 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:46.740 about Jonah, 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.500 how good or bad 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:47.819 he was. 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.899 The story's not 00:32:48.899 --> 00:32:49.939 even about the Ninevites, 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.619 how wonderful 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.899 their repentance was. 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:52.939 The story 00:32:52.939 --> 00:32:53.740 is about 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.539 a gracious 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.500 God 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.419 whose heart 00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:57.500 is for the worst 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.299 of his enemies. 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.500 He wants them 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.299 to know him 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.720 and 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:05.019 that he wants 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.779 to turn away 00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.319 his wrath 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:06.939 and his anger. 00:33:07.619 --> 00:33:08.259 And as Christians, 00:33:08.439 --> 00:33:08.859 we know 00:33:08.859 --> 00:33:10.200 that in Jesus Christ, 00:33:10.879 --> 00:33:12.240 God has turned away 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.200 his wrath 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.140 and anger 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:15.460 and he then 00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:16.480 calls us 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.799 as his people 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.559 who have been 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:20.339 saved by his amazing grace 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.460 to get involved 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.599 with what he's up to 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.240 in this world 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.240 because he wants 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.680 you to experience 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.620 the thrill 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.740 and the joy 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.740 of seeing God 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.539 do miracles 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:31.099 in and through you 00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:32.579 to see him 00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:34.039 changing people's lives. 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.740 That's what God wants. 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.620 and you know 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:38.500 you will never 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.400 truly understand 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:41.099 the grace 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:41.980 and the power 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.660 of God 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.799 until you start 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.480 obeying him 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.140 in what he's calling 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:45.620 you to do. 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.400 And that's when 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:48.279 it gets exciting. 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:51.099 But it's not 00:33:51.099 --> 00:33:51.839 based on your 00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:52.740 past performance 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:55.140 because 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.819 whoever God 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.720 calls us to, 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.359 we are too 00:33:59.359 --> 00:33:59.839 sinful, 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.480 we are too 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.880 broken. 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:02.000 broken. 00:34:02.800 --> 00:34:03.520 The potential 00:34:03.520 --> 00:34:04.140 for change 00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:04.920 in people's life 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:06.100 is not based on us, 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.300 it's based on him. 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:11.380 So what's the challenge 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:12.220 for us? 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:16.059 Are you running away 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.599 like Jonah? 00:34:17.740 --> 00:34:18.820 God calls us 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.780 to go to this city 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:21.300 to look around us, 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.640 to reach out 00:34:22.640 --> 00:34:23.280 to the people 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:24.460 with his message, 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.360 the gospel. 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:27.280 But are you 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:28.059 so wrapped up 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.460 in your own 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.039 busyness? 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:31.120 Are you 00:34:31.120 --> 00:34:33.099 unable to see 00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:34.140 the people around you 00:34:34.140 --> 00:34:34.760 that God wants you 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:35.280 to reach 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.800 because life 00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:37.720 is all about yourself 00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.820 or just your 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:39.660 kids' education? 00:34:40.660 --> 00:34:40.920 You know, 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.940 if you're a Christian 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.840 here this morning, 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:44.599 you weren't saved 00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:45.500 for the rest 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.039 of your life 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.680 to be attending 00:34:46.680 --> 00:34:47.539 church services 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:48.140 on a Sunday. 00:34:49.160 --> 00:34:50.059 Did you know that? 00:34:51.640 --> 00:34:52.599 You were saved 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.720 for so much more 00:34:53.720 --> 00:34:54.380 than that. 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.539 God wants you 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.360 to enjoy 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:58.740 life with him 00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.780 by engaging 00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.420 with what he 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.220 is calling you, 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.120 the people he 00:35:02.120 --> 00:35:02.700 is calling you 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.840 to go to. 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:06.660 Maybe it's your 00:35:06.660 --> 00:35:07.079 colleagues, 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:07.900 I don't know. 00:35:08.160 --> 00:35:08.579 Maybe it's your 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:08.960 family, 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.440 maybe it's your 00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:10.460 children he wants 00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:11.019 you to invest 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.620 time in. 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:14.000 Maybe you're 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:15.420 not running away, 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.180 maybe you're lying 00:35:16.180 --> 00:35:16.780 on the beach 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.720 still covered 00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:18.680 in the fish sauce 00:35:18.680 --> 00:35:20.120 of your condemnation 00:35:20.120 --> 00:35:20.660 and guilt 00:35:20.660 --> 00:35:21.380 and shame 00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:22.099 and you feel like 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.940 you're not good enough. 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.180 And God's word 00:35:25.179 --> 00:35:25.960 comes to you 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:26.980 a second time 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.539 and says, 00:35:28.319 --> 00:35:29.159 get up 00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:30.159 and go. 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.379 I've forgiven you, 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.639 I've restored you, 00:35:32.819 --> 00:35:33.960 I've saved you, 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:36.259 I want to use you. 00:35:36.799 --> 00:35:37.759 Look at the people 00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:38.440 around you 00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.199 that I've placed 00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:40.039 in your life 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:41.319 and I want you 00:35:41.319 --> 00:35:42.399 to take one step 00:35:42.399 --> 00:35:43.859 because when you 00:35:43.859 --> 00:35:44.639 take one step 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.099 you'll begin 00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:45.759 to see me 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:46.639 taking steps. 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.440 We've seen this 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.199 so many times 00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:50.139 in the church already, 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:50.619 we see that 00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.599 with St. Barnabas, 00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:53.199 people in the congregation 00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:54.279 have taken one step 00:35:54.279 --> 00:35:55.159 and God has done 00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:56.179 amazing things. 00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:59.000 Maybe you've 00:35:59.000 --> 00:36:00.119 been going, 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:01.679 maybe you've been 00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.379 obeying what God 00:36:02.379 --> 00:36:02.699 has called 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.199 but it's actually 00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:04.179 got hard for you. 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:06.439 You felt it's, 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.519 you don't feel like 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:08.159 you're getting anywhere. 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.219 You're frustrated 00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:10.039 that change 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:10.799 hasn't happened 00:36:10.799 --> 00:36:11.379 in the people 00:36:11.379 --> 00:36:12.059 you want to see 00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.699 changed. 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:16.039 But remember, 00:36:16.679 --> 00:36:17.279 God's job 00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:18.339 is to change people. 00:36:18.980 --> 00:36:19.599 He's the God 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.139 of miracles. 00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.259 You need to just 00:36:22.259 --> 00:36:23.259 keep crying out 00:36:23.259 --> 00:36:24.440 to Him again 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.159 and again 00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:25.860 and again 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:29.579 and trusting Him 00:36:29.579 --> 00:36:30.460 for the change. 00:36:31.179 --> 00:36:31.880 Don't give up, 00:36:32.299 --> 00:36:32.799 keep going. 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.380 You see, 00:36:35.779 --> 00:36:36.839 I want to have stories, 00:36:36.900 --> 00:36:37.519 I don't know about you, 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:38.639 I want to have stories 00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:39.799 to tell of you, 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:40.380 to you, 00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:41.940 of things that God 00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:43.500 is doing in my life 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.360 through me 00:36:44.360 --> 00:36:44.940 and in me. 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:46.019 Do you want to have stories 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.719 to see what God 00:36:46.719 --> 00:36:47.059 is doing? 00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:48.900 Do you want to have stories 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:50.160 of God doing miracles 00:36:50.160 --> 00:36:50.880 through you? 00:36:52.019 --> 00:36:53.260 Because if you do, 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.900 then get on His mission 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:57.960 and you'll see 00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.720 God's grace 00:36:58.720 --> 00:36:59.619 in an amazing 00:36:59.619 --> 00:37:00.760 multicolored way. 00:37:02.820 --> 00:37:03.800 If you're like me, 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:05.660 I hear this kind of message 00:37:05.660 --> 00:37:07.099 and I think, 00:37:07.539 --> 00:37:08.280 yeah, great. 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:10.720 And three weeks later, 00:37:10.780 --> 00:37:11.380 I'm back lying 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:12.160 on the beach again 00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:14.059 because life just seems 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:14.940 to overtake me. 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:18.059 That's why we need 00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:18.460 to remember 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:19.280 this final thing. 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.760 The call to go 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:22.400 is not an individual one, 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:23.780 it's a corporate one. 00:37:25.320 --> 00:37:26.639 If you look in your bulletin 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:28.320 and look in the text 00:37:28.320 --> 00:37:30.559 on the back page here, 00:37:30.820 --> 00:37:32.659 I've written three questions. 00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:34.820 I'm going to give you 00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.519 a little bit of time 00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:36.420 to reflect on them 00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:38.240 because this is not 00:37:38.240 --> 00:37:39.059 a message for you 00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:39.780 just to say, 00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:40.940 oh, that was nice, 00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:42.019 I just lie on the beach 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.699 for a little longer. 00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:44.559 It's a message 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:45.639 that's a call to say, 00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:47.119 what step does God 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:47.960 want you to take? 00:37:48.860 --> 00:37:49.840 But the thing is, 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:51.840 we need other people 00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:52.840 around us. 00:37:53.719 --> 00:37:54.280 Number three is, 00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:54.980 who can I ask 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:55.800 to pray with me 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.480 about this? 00:37:56.699 --> 00:37:57.380 That means, 00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:58.460 not just once, 00:37:58.800 --> 00:37:59.119 that means, 00:37:59.239 --> 00:38:00.460 who am I going to share 00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:01.860 the people that I really 00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.960 want to reach out to 00:38:02.960 --> 00:38:04.920 so that they can keep 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:05.920 coming back to me 00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:06.559 and saying, 00:38:07.179 --> 00:38:08.320 hey, how's it going? 00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:09.980 Hey, let me pray with you. 00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.940 When you're frustrated, 00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:11.960 hey, remember, 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:13.019 God's the one 00:38:13.019 --> 00:38:13.920 who changes people. 00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:15.500 That's what community 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:16.340 groups are about. 00:38:16.619 --> 00:38:17.460 If you're not in one, 00:38:17.659 --> 00:38:18.720 you need to be in one. 00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:19.840 If you're in one 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:20.980 and you're not encouraging, 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:21.820 you don't know who 00:38:21.820 --> 00:38:22.679 other people are trying 00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:23.380 to reach out to, 00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.440 you need to be talking 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.139 about that 00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:26.940 because that's what God 00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.780 has given us 00:38:27.780 --> 00:38:28.940 the mission to do 00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:30.679 and God will do 00:38:30.679 --> 00:38:31.679 amazing things. 00:38:32.559 --> 00:38:33.079 So let me 00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:34.960 take a couple of minutes. 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:36.000 Jeremy's going to come up 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:38.539 and I want you just 00:38:38.539 --> 00:38:39.559 to take a couple of minutes 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:40.659 to look through 00:38:40.659 --> 00:38:41.480 these three questions. 00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:42.259 Maybe you want to 00:38:42.259 --> 00:38:43.079 write down an answer 00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:46.500 and to think for yourself, 00:38:46.659 --> 00:38:47.719 who is it that God 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:49.719 is calling me to go to? 00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:51.699 If you're not a Christian, 00:38:52.299 --> 00:38:54.019 God is calling to you 00:38:54.019 --> 00:38:56.320 that he wants to save you. 00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:58.199 So let's just spend 00:38:58.199 --> 00:38:58.820 a couple of minutes 00:38:58.820 --> 00:39:01.139 just thinking about this. 00:39:01.279 --> 00:39:02.119 Let's get serious 00:39:02.119 --> 00:39:02.840 with what God 00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:04.519 is calling us to do. 00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:09.280 Father, thank you 00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:14.239 that you don't call people 00:39:14.239 --> 00:39:16.559 who are sorted. 00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:19.340 You don't call people 00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:22.139 who have got their acts 00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:23.019 together in life. 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:26.840 Thank you that there is, 00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:28.860 that we're all in so many ways 00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:29.440 like Jonah 00:39:29.440 --> 00:39:31.920 and yet you want to show 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:33.699 grace upon grace to us. 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:36.699 Father, I thank you 00:39:36.699 --> 00:39:43.300 that you were the greater Jonah, 00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:46.679 that where Jonah was disobedient, 00:39:46.780 --> 00:39:47.380 you were obedient. 00:39:48.800 --> 00:39:51.179 Where Jonah went to the depths 00:39:51.179 --> 00:39:54.659 of the sea for his own sin, 00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:55.920 you went to the depths 00:39:55.920 --> 00:39:57.119 of the sea for our sin. 00:39:57.119 --> 00:40:00.699 you were resurrected 00:40:00.699 --> 00:40:01.960 and then you called 00:40:01.960 --> 00:40:05.019 your disciples to go. 00:40:08.239 --> 00:40:10.079 Not to go because it's 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:11.579 a heavy burden, 00:40:11.719 --> 00:40:13.279 not to go because it's 00:40:13.279 --> 00:40:15.139 a crushing weight 00:40:15.139 --> 00:40:15.859 on our shoulders 00:40:15.859 --> 00:40:17.380 which should make us feel guilty, 00:40:18.380 --> 00:40:19.739 but to go because 00:40:19.739 --> 00:40:20.599 that's where 00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:22.719 we experience 00:40:22.719 --> 00:40:24.299 the amazing power 00:40:24.299 --> 00:40:25.679 and grace of God 00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:26.599 in our lives 00:40:26.599 --> 00:40:27.299 and through us. 00:40:27.399 --> 00:40:28.359 Thank you that you want 00:40:28.359 --> 00:40:29.179 to use us. 00:40:30.299 --> 00:40:31.959 You want to involve us. 00:40:33.500 --> 00:40:34.719 You want us to share 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:35.480 that excitement 00:40:35.480 --> 00:40:37.159 of seeing what you're up to 00:40:37.159 --> 00:40:37.919 in this world. 00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:41.500 Lord, it can seem daunting. 00:40:41.859 --> 00:40:42.839 We may not even know 00:40:42.839 --> 00:40:43.519 where to start, 00:40:43.919 --> 00:40:45.500 but I pray that you'd help us 00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:46.500 to see that you want us 00:40:46.500 --> 00:40:48.500 just to take little steps 00:40:48.500 --> 00:40:50.199 and you will guide us. 00:40:52.760 --> 00:40:54.719 I pray for all of us 00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:55.380 who feel 00:40:55.380 --> 00:40:59.019 maybe we don't really 00:40:59.019 --> 00:40:59.619 want to do it. 00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:01.840 We don't really want to bother. 00:41:02.039 --> 00:41:02.900 We feel too busy. 00:41:03.019 --> 00:41:03.960 We feel we've got too much 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:05.880 on our plates at the moment 00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:07.079 to think about anyone else. 00:41:07.179 --> 00:41:07.699 Lord, I pray, 00:41:07.860 --> 00:41:08.579 change our hearts 00:41:08.579 --> 00:41:10.719 to see the people around us 00:41:10.719 --> 00:41:11.599 as you see them. 00:41:12.699 --> 00:41:13.739 Help us to see the people 00:41:13.739 --> 00:41:14.500 in our offices. 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:16.059 Maybe we despise them. 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:18.559 But Lord, help us to see 00:41:18.559 --> 00:41:19.280 with your eyes 00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:20.219 how you see them. 00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:23.719 To see that the gospel message 00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:24.420 for them 00:41:24.420 --> 00:41:26.300 is a message 00:41:26.300 --> 00:41:27.420 of bringing mercy, 00:41:28.280 --> 00:41:29.360 not judgment. 00:41:31.940 --> 00:41:33.099 Lord, I pray for us 00:41:33.099 --> 00:41:33.820 who may be 00:41:33.820 --> 00:41:37.679 struggling with 00:41:37.679 --> 00:41:41.159 feeling like 00:41:41.159 --> 00:41:42.400 we know we should do things, 00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:43.880 but it feels too hard. 00:41:43.960 --> 00:41:44.800 It feels too difficult. 00:41:44.980 --> 00:41:45.559 We've tried. 00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:46.320 We've failed. 00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:48.680 We look at our own selves 00:41:48.680 --> 00:41:49.380 and we think, 00:41:49.840 --> 00:41:52.220 God, how can you use me? 00:41:54.120 --> 00:41:55.680 I pray that you would show us 00:41:55.680 --> 00:41:59.760 that you're an amazing God of grace 00:41:59.760 --> 00:42:01.660 and you will get all the glory 00:42:01.660 --> 00:42:02.900 when we see you using 00:42:02.900 --> 00:42:04.100 and working through us. 00:42:05.400 --> 00:42:06.420 Please just show us 00:42:06.420 --> 00:42:07.420 very clearly 00:42:07.420 --> 00:42:08.740 that one or two people 00:42:08.740 --> 00:42:11.280 that you call us this week 00:42:11.280 --> 00:42:12.680 to just go and ring up. 00:42:12.680 --> 00:42:13.640 And if we're frustrated 00:42:13.640 --> 00:42:14.120 and we just, 00:42:14.120 --> 00:42:30.220 we feel like giving up, 00:42:30.440 --> 00:42:32.120 Lord, I pray that you just encourage us 00:42:32.120 --> 00:42:32.640 this morning 00:42:32.640 --> 00:42:34.860 that, Lord, 00:42:35.080 --> 00:42:36.120 whether things happen 00:42:36.120 --> 00:42:37.340 in our timing or not, 00:42:37.340 --> 00:42:38.320 you are the God 00:42:38.320 --> 00:42:39.600 who is the one 00:42:39.600 --> 00:42:40.640 who changes hearts. 00:42:43.300 --> 00:42:43.940 So, Lord, 00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:45.480 let us see you at work. 00:42:46.140 --> 00:42:47.180 Let us be the people 00:42:47.180 --> 00:42:48.340 that you've called us to be. 00:42:49.660 --> 00:42:50.320 Thank you. 00:42:50.960 --> 00:42:51.460 Thank you. 00:42:51.500 --> 00:42:52.780 That even if we mess up, 00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:53.100 Lord, 00:42:53.539 --> 00:42:54.920 that you come to us 00:42:54.920 --> 00:42:55.700 another time 00:42:55.700 --> 00:42:57.500 and you tell us to get up, 00:42:57.900 --> 00:42:59.240 I want to use you. 00:43:00.240 --> 00:43:01.500 Your grace is amazing. 00:43:01.500 --> 00:43:04.460 Let us enjoy it as we go. 00:43:05.780 --> 00:43:06.659 Thank you, Father. 00:43:07.619 --> 00:43:07.940 Amen.