WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.400 Well, good evening, and thank you for the invitation to come and to share with you. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:14.259 Before we start, let me thank you as well for your partnership in the gospel this past year. 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:20.120 Our church, Holyrood Evangelical, has been meeting in your upper hall for our midweek 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:26.219 prayer meetings, and that has been a tremendous blessing to us, and just a really tangible 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:26.940 partnership. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:28.920 So we are grateful to you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.079 Let me also apologize in advance. 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:34.740 There's a lot of illness in my house. 00:00:34.840 --> 00:00:37.179 My wife and three daughters have a cold. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:44.039 I appear to have caught man flu at the same time, and so my voice is a bit diminished. 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:47.359 So I pray your forbearance tonight. 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:51.400 Listen to these words of Rico Tice. 00:00:52.299 --> 00:00:55.039 I find evangelism hard. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:01:03.039 Rico Tice, probably the foremost evangelist in the United Kingdom today, I find evangelism 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:03.820 hard. 00:01:04.099 --> 00:01:05.959 We all find evangelism hard. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:12.659 I find it much easier to be here just now giving a talk on evangelism than I would actually 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:15.939 doing the work of evangelism somewhere in Edinburgh. 00:01:15.939 --> 00:01:22.700 So we're going to come together tonight to think about this topic and how we might be encouraged 00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:24.280 in our evangelism. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:32.500 And I was really challenged exactly a year ago when I was on a trip to North India, and I was 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:36.280 walking through a park in Delhi, and I got completely lost. 00:01:37.240 --> 00:01:41.200 And I found these two gentlemen, and I said, excuse me, I'm very lost. 00:01:41.260 --> 00:01:44.719 Could you help me get to this particular road I was going to? 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:49.400 And they said, well, we'll take you where you want to go, and Max Muller-Marg, and off 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:49.819 we went. 00:01:50.140 --> 00:01:54.579 And as we were about to part, out of nowhere, this chap produced a little booklet called 00:01:54.579 --> 00:01:55.640 The Meaning of Your Life. 00:01:56.340 --> 00:01:57.959 And he said, I'd like you to have this. 00:01:58.120 --> 00:01:59.959 And I thought, wow, I'm being evangelized. 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:02.039 And I said, that's great, thank you. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:03.200 And are you a Christian? 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:05.420 He said, no, I'm a Muslim. 00:02:05.859 --> 00:02:11.500 And I run this charity, and we produce resources for children and for the work of mission. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:13.599 And I thought, isn't that incredible? 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:18.659 Well, here is a man who is so passionate about his faith that he takes every opportunity, 00:02:18.819 --> 00:02:23.859 even helping a stranger through a public park, to give him a piece of literature and to try 00:02:23.859 --> 00:02:25.639 to talk to him about Islam. 00:02:26.459 --> 00:02:33.019 And I thought, do I have the same enthusiasm about the gospel that I would be so willing 00:02:33.019 --> 00:02:36.060 to do that with people I meet? 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:40.120 Well, the Apostle Paul had that passion for the gospel. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:44.659 And if you have a Bible, if you could open it to Titus chapter 3. 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:55.120 Paul writes a letter to Titus, whom he has left on Crete, to put the church into good order. 00:02:56.219 --> 00:03:03.520 And as we read Paul's letter to Titus, we see that throughout he is passionate about the gospel. 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:09.159 Paul introduces himself, chapter 1, verse 3, as a preacher of the gospel. 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:17.160 Paul is concerned that the leaders, the elders of the church, are those, chapter 1, verse 9, 00:03:17.320 --> 00:03:21.020 who hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught. 00:03:21.379 --> 00:03:24.379 People who love the gospel, who can articulate the gospel. 00:03:24.760 --> 00:03:26.560 People who can defend the gospel. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:35.199 And in chapters 2 and 3, there are these sort of lengthy ethical exhortations. 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:39.379 And yet all the way through, Paul is always pointing them back to the gospel. 00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:44.140 So in chapter 2, he talks about the need for godliness, for self-control. 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:50.680 And the reason he says, chapter 2, verse 11, is for the grace of God that brings salvation 00:03:50.680 --> 00:03:52.159 has appeared to all men. 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:56.400 It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, 00:03:56.719 --> 00:04:01.099 and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:06.579 while we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 00:04:07.139 --> 00:04:10.400 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness, 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:16.740 and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:21.220 The gospel, the grace of God, teaches us to say no to ungodliness, 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:27.379 and to wait that when Christ appears, we will be holy. 00:04:29.400 --> 00:04:34.340 And as we come to chapter 3, I want to look with you at chapter 3, verses 1 to 8. 00:04:34.400 --> 00:04:37.160 He's encouraging the people to be rich in good works, 00:04:38.120 --> 00:04:41.840 to be model citizens, to be kind to the people around them. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:46.819 And again, he gives as the reason for this exhortation the gospel. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:51.299 Let's read chapter 3, verse 1 to verse 8. 00:04:53.039 --> 00:04:56.099 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, 00:04:56.419 --> 00:04:59.059 to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:03.399 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:06.639 and to show true humility towards all men. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:12.399 At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, 00:05:12.779 --> 00:05:15.599 and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. 00:05:16.740 --> 00:05:20.699 We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:26.819 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:30.500 he saved us not because of righteous things we had done, 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:32.839 but because of his mercy. 00:05:32.839 --> 00:05:37.939 He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:42.560 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:46.120 so that having been justified by his grace, 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:49.899 we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:54.639 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to stress these things, 00:05:54.939 --> 00:06:00.000 so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:04.399 These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:09.639 We have in chapter 3, verses 4 to 7, 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:17.660 one of the richest, most concise, most beautiful summaries of the gospel that we have in all of Scripture. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:19.879 It is so rich. 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:21.600 It is Trinitarian. 00:06:21.800 --> 00:06:24.199 We see God the Father taking the initiative, 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:26.500 sending his Son into the world, 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:29.240 God the Son dying for our sins, 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:31.939 being raised to life and exalted to the right hand, 00:06:32.339 --> 00:06:34.420 and Jesus sending the Spirit. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:40.319 And it highlights for us the great benefits of the gospel 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:44.379 in our past, in our present, and in our future. 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:49.199 Chapter 3, verses 4 to 5, 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:51.599 Paul talks about the past, 00:06:51.819 --> 00:06:54.019 the kindness and love of God our Savior has appeared, 00:06:54.479 --> 00:06:57.399 saving us not because of righteous things we had done, 00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:58.839 but because of his mercy. 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:00.560 Verse 7, 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:02.740 having been justified by grace. 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:07.419 Paul talks about the mercy of God shown to us 00:07:07.419 --> 00:07:09.039 while we were still sinners, 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:11.240 the love of God while we were still sinners. 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:17.720 And the word mercy is the same word that is used in the parable of the Good Samaritan. 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:21.759 You know, the story of the man who's traveling along the road 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:22.699 and he gets assaulted, 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:27.379 and he's lying, dying, and bleeding by the roadside, 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:29.079 and along come the religious rulers, 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:31.500 and they sort of cross over and ignore him. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:33.540 And then comes the Samaritan, 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:35.579 and he sees this man unconscious, 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:37.780 puts him on his donkey, 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:39.060 and he takes him to the inn, 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:42.180 and cares for him and pays for his treatment. 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:44.819 And Jesus says, 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:47.000 which one of these men had mercy? 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:52.220 God looks down on us in our sin, 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:53.540 and our shame, 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:54.620 and our weakness, 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:58.120 and he has mercy upon us. 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:00.079 Paul says, 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:01.439 because of his own mercy, 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:03.660 God has saved us. 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:06.160 It's a wonderful picture, isn't it? 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:08.699 The language of Ephesians 2, 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:11.920 not this half-dead man lying on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:15.240 but us dead in sin and trespass. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:16.819 He says, 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.899 all of us lived at one time gratifying the cravings of our flesh, 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:21.800 following its desires and thoughts. 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:22.719 Like the rest, 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:24.980 we were by nature objects of wrath, 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:27.419 but because of his great love for us, 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:29.439 God, who is rich in mercy, 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:31.159 made us alive with Christ, 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:33.039 even when we were dead in transgressions. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:37.059 It is by grace you have been saved. 00:08:38.699 --> 00:08:41.259 And the people of Crete needed that mercy. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:42.860 Look at the description of them. 00:08:42.939 --> 00:08:43.620 They were foolish, 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:44.779 deceived, 00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:45.860 disobedient. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:46.919 They were enslaved. 00:08:47.099 --> 00:08:48.219 They hated one another. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:51.240 And yet God in his mercy reaches down to them 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:53.620 and forgives them their sin 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:55.720 and wipes away the shame. 00:08:57.539 --> 00:08:59.340 It's an incredible thing, isn't it? 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:02.139 The forgiveness of sins. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:03.840 The psalmist says, 00:09:03.960 --> 00:09:05.879 as far as the east is from the west, 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:09.159 so far has he separated our sins from us. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:11.000 If you live in Glasgow, 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:12.940 the east does seem very far away, doesn't it? 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:14.320 But the psalmist says, 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:15.440 it's even further than that. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.600 He's taken it an impossible distance, 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:22.379 casting our sins into the very depths of the sea. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:26.779 We often take for granted, don't we, 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:28.100 the forgiveness of our sins 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:29.639 and the cleansing of our conscience. 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:31.220 The other day, 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:33.159 I was walking my daughter back 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.360 from the bus stop at school 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.779 and there was the window cleaner 00:09:35.779 --> 00:09:39.399 and he was being swooped by a seagull. 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:41.180 Interestingly, I said to him, 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:42.920 this is like something out of a Hitchcock film 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.660 and, you know, 00:09:43.680 --> 00:09:44.960 what have you done to this bird? 00:09:45.060 --> 00:09:45.960 And there was a nest or something. 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:47.019 And we got talking 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:48.220 and after a while, 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:50.740 we go on to the subject of the gospel. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.639 And just out of the blue, 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:53.399 he said, you know, 00:09:53.460 --> 00:09:55.000 I'm really troubled by my conscience 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:57.240 and sometimes I can't sleep at night 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:58.840 thinking of all the things I've done. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:01.799 Isn't it interesting, 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:03.539 a man who spends his whole life 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:04.519 cleaning things 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:07.139 and yet cannot cleanse his conscience. 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:08.720 And yet here, 00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:10.639 Paul says, 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:12.799 God is willing to save us, 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:14.519 not because of righteous things, 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:16.419 but because of his mercy 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:18.379 to cleanse our consciences 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.639 from dead works, 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:21.039 to forgive us our sins 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:24.879 and to put a new spirit within us. 00:10:25.599 --> 00:10:26.240 Verse 5, 00:10:26.339 --> 00:10:28.240 he saved us through the washing of rebirth 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:31.139 and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:34.759 One translation has regeneration. 00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:35.000 Regeneration. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.840 It's a word we sometimes hear, 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:38.319 isn't it, 00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:39.419 if you're a Doctor Who fan? 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:40.600 It's okay. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:42.360 You're allowed to be a Doctor Who fan. 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:43.139 You can admit that. 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:44.799 But regeneration is what happens, 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:45.159 isn't it? 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:46.879 It's when the doctor sort of dies 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:48.720 and then he's changed. 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:49.919 Externally, 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:51.259 his face changes. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:54.720 But regeneration in the Bible 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:56.259 is an internal change, 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:57.319 a transformation. 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:00.240 God putting a new spirit within us, 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:01.519 a new heart within us, 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:03.399 making us new people. 00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:06.899 Look at the difference it made in Crete. 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:09.279 These people who hated each other, 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:11.620 now loving one another, 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:12.939 these people who were foolish 00:11:12.939 --> 00:11:13.799 and deceived, 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:16.639 now walking in the truth of the gospel, 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:19.259 being made wise unto salvation. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:22.539 The transforming power of God 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:23.759 in their lives. 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:27.720 We had a couple of months ago 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:30.080 a 20th reunion of our class at school. 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:31.740 It's amazing, isn't it? 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.580 I mean, time flies. 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:33.559 20 years, 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:34.220 who'd have thought? 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:37.419 But one of the chaps 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:38.679 I was really looking forward to 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:39.519 because at school he'd, 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:40.720 like most of us, 00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:41.500 I suppose as teenagers, 00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:42.659 been a bit of a troublemaker. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:44.379 And yet a few years back 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:45.519 a friend of mine was at Akili 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:47.179 and he did the strip, 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:47.559 the willow, 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:47.759 you know, 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:48.580 they ran up the tunnel 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:50.139 and at the end of the tunnel 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:52.020 he met this chap from school 00:11:52.020 --> 00:11:54.020 and they got talking 00:11:54.020 --> 00:11:54.800 and it transpired 00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:55.460 this other fellow 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.340 had become a believer. 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:58.420 And my friend said, 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:00.560 it was as if he had a new heart, 00:12:00.920 --> 00:12:01.879 completely different. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:03.420 And I said, 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.620 well he did have a new heart 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:07.060 because God had washed him, 00:12:07.180 --> 00:12:08.900 it caused him to be born again, 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.759 he'd renewed him 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:10.980 by the power of the Holy Spirit, 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:12.320 poured out generously on him 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.720 through Jesus Christ our Saviour. 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:16.940 wonderful freedom, 00:12:17.160 --> 00:12:18.720 being set free from sin, 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.860 being set free from walking 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:22.300 according to the flesh 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:23.340 and now walking according 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:24.600 to the Spirit of God, 00:12:25.160 --> 00:12:28.360 bringing forth fruit 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.899 unto him. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:33.040 The gospel deals with our past 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:34.860 in giving to us 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.120 the forgiveness of our sins. 00:12:36.300 --> 00:12:37.860 God deals with our present, 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:39.540 giving us power and strength 00:12:39.540 --> 00:12:40.040 for life, 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:41.600 pouring his Holy Spirit 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:42.159 into us, 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:43.340 that the love of God 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:44.340 may dwell in us. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:46.940 And verse 7, 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:48.060 that we might have hope 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:48.639 for the future, 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.600 having been justified 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.620 by his grace, 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:52.340 we might become heirs 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.340 having the hope 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:55.379 of eternal life. 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.500 I've only known one heir 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.639 in my life, 00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:00.940 university, 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.759 the chap across the corridor 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:03.240 from me, 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:04.340 I thought he was a bit posh, 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.139 I didn't realise quite 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:05.980 how posh he was. 00:13:06.540 --> 00:13:07.240 And I googled him 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:07.879 a few years ago 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.820 and found out he's inherited 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:10.259 this massive country house 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:10.680 in England 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.979 and I wish we'd spent 00:13:11.979 --> 00:13:12.759 more time together 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.879 and become firm friends. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:15.899 He was an heir, 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.739 he had something wonderful 00:13:17.739 --> 00:13:18.799 that he was to receive 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:19.379 in the future. 00:13:20.739 --> 00:13:21.519 And as Christians, 00:13:21.719 --> 00:13:22.599 we are heirs, 00:13:22.739 --> 00:13:23.699 we have the hope 00:13:23.699 --> 00:13:25.000 and the promise 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.379 of eternal life, 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:27.959 a glorious inheritance 00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:30.019 kept in heaven for us, 00:13:30.099 --> 00:13:31.120 being shielded 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:33.259 by the power of God. 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:36.379 Makes all the difference, 00:13:36.479 --> 00:13:36.919 doesn't it? 00:13:37.859 --> 00:13:38.839 Makes all the difference 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:40.100 between a humanist funeral 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.440 and a church funeral. 00:13:43.800 --> 00:13:44.800 Made all the difference 00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:45.500 a few weeks ago 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:47.379 sitting for the last time 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.600 at the bedside 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.840 of an old friend of mine. 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.340 As he said, 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.080 I'm looking forward 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:52.660 to heaven, 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:55.080 having the hope 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.860 of eternal life. 00:13:56.860 --> 00:14:00.360 The gospel deals 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.139 with our past, 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.279 it deals with our present, 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.480 it deals with our future 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:05.340 and Paul was so excited 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.139 by the gospel. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.379 He rejoiced 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:08.120 as people turned 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.700 from the worship 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.399 of idols 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.060 to the worship 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:11.060 of the living God, 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:12.300 as people were freed 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.039 from their sins 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.860 to know the forgiveness 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.419 of them, 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:16.139 as they ceased walking 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.279 according to the flesh 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.460 and kept in step 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.539 with the Spirit of God, 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.460 as they moved 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.860 from objects of wrath 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:22.740 to children 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.940 of blessing 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:24.860 and salvation, 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.100 as they went 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.460 from darkness 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.659 and death 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.620 to life. 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.919 He was passionate 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.639 about it 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:35.080 because he'd experienced 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:35.740 that mercy 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:37.060 in his own life. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.820 First Timothy, 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:39.820 he gives his testimony 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:41.240 and he says, 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.139 even though I was once 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:42.779 a blasphemer 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.580 and persecutor 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.419 and violent man, 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:46.120 I was shown mercy 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.919 because I acted 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:48.659 in ignorance 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.539 and unbelief 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.820 and the grace of God 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.500 was poured out 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.620 on me abundantly 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:54.240 along with the faith 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.580 and love 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:54.600 and love 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.560 there in Christ Jesus 00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:56.639 who came into the world 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.500 to save sinners 00:14:57.500 --> 00:15:00.580 of whom I am the worst. 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:02.240 Paul believed the gospel 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:04.700 and he knew it to be true. 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.700 He knew its power 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:06.680 in his own life 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:08.080 and he was passionate 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:11.159 and he wanted to share it 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:11.580 with people 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.919 that they might know 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.379 the power 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:13.960 and the freedom 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:16.200 that comes in Christ. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.480 Why share? 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:22.180 Because the gospel 00:15:22.180 --> 00:15:22.700 is true. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.879 Because it's good news. 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.379 Because we've come 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.480 to know the Lord 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.340 and experience 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.480 the many benefits 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:31.600 of living by faith 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:31.960 in him 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:32.920 because we have been 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:33.920 forgiven our sins. 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.539 We are born again 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.440 of the Spirit of God 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:37.279 because we have hope 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:37.820 for the future. 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:38.779 So many reasons 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.639 to get excited. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:41.620 I hope you're all 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.300 going to be hanging out 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:43.080 in the meadows tomorrow 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:44.060 looking for lost people. 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.779 Giving them literature. 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.259 Why share? 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:50.319 But of course 00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:51.299 it is hard to share 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:51.720 isn't it? 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.379 Rico Tice 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:54.799 finds evangelism difficult. 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.039 And I wanted 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.340 as our second heading 00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.039 to ask 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:00.620 well why not share? 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.740 Why are we not sharing? 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.539 Why am I not sharing 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.100 the gospel? 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:07.120 And Rico is very perceptive 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.600 in this book 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.899 which I commend to you 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:10.360 Honest Evangelism. 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:13.439 And we'll see in a second 00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:14.500 that he points out 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.819 the hostility 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:17.000 that can come. 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:18.460 Before we do 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.299 I want you just to look 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:19.919 at this quote 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:21.679 by Michael Gove. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:23.019 He's had an interesting year 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:24.100 but last year 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:24.980 he wrote an article 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.939 for The Spectator 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:27.319 and he said this 00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:28.100 To call yourself 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.740 a Christian 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:30.000 in contemporary Britain 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.519 is to invite pity, 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:32.799 condescension 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:34.019 or cool dismissal. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.419 In a culture 00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:35.960 that prizes 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.980 sophistication, 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.080 non-judgmentalism, 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.139 irony and detachment 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.439 it is to declare 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:41.779 yourself intolerant, 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.559 naive, 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.700 superstitious 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.720 and backward. 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:44.960 hurt. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.340 Rico Tice 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.080 says it 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:49.840 maybe a bit more 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.899 accurately. 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.820 He says if you're going 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:52.600 to talk to people 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.220 about Jesus 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:54.840 you're going to get hurt. 00:16:55.660 --> 00:16:56.680 It is going to sever 00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:57.560 some relationships. 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:59.519 It is going to provoke people. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.580 Not every time 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:02.180 and depending on our circumstances, 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.080 friendship groups, 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.339 workplaces and so on 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.920 our experiences will vary 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.920 but we will face rejection 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.759 enough of the time 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.120 to give us second thoughts. 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:12.739 everyone who wants 00:17:12.739 --> 00:17:14.559 to live a godly life 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.359 in Christ Jesus 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:17.659 will be persecuted. 00:17:18.979 --> 00:17:19.519 Rico says 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.579 there is hostility. 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.000 Some people 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.059 will take exception. 00:17:23.219 --> 00:17:24.259 They will take offense 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.759 at you sharing 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.799 the gospel with them. 00:17:27.739 --> 00:17:28.759 But with the hostility 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.919 there is also hunger. 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.039 And he goes on to say 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.659 something else 00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:33.519 is going on too. 00:17:33.939 --> 00:17:34.899 There is increased hunger. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.879 The same rising tide 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:36.719 of secularism 00:17:36.719 --> 00:17:37.579 and materialism 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.679 is proving to be 00:17:38.679 --> 00:17:40.039 an empty and hollow way 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:40.460 to live. 00:17:41.179 --> 00:17:42.299 And that means excitingly 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.339 you're more and more likely 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.339 to find people 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.419 quietly hungering 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.539 for the content 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.720 of the gospel. 00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:50.460 So we live in a situation 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.819 where there is hostility 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.519 to the gospel. 00:17:52.679 --> 00:17:54.099 Maybe you've experienced that. 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:55.759 But there is also hunger. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:58.279 And the difficulty is 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.379 we never know quite 00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.460 what we're going to meet. 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:03.460 Evangelism is a risky business. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.179 And whenever we seek 00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:06.819 to say a word about the Lord 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.759 there is always a risk 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.139 isn't there? 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.619 It may go badly. 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.740 Someone may be hostile. 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.759 But there's the risk 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:14.039 the person may be hungry. 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:15.839 And we might be given 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:17.559 a tremendous opportunity. 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:19.319 We don't know. 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.679 We can't second guess. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.480 And therefore the Lord 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.859 calls us to step out 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:26.000 of the comfort zone 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:28.960 into what one writer 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.500 describes as the zone 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.279 of the unknown. 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:33.079 And to take a risk. 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.720 It's a risky business. 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.980 But it's an exciting business. 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.619 Normally at this time 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:41.059 of night on a Sunday 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:41.700 or just before 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:43.000 I usually stand on the street 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.339 outside Portobello Town Hall 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.779 and try and sort of 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.819 bring people into the service. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.159 And a couple of weeks ago 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:49.359 this chap walked past 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.939 in a huge black cape. 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:52.379 And I thought, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.279 well this is interesting. 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.480 He's either a Jedi Knight 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.619 or is Harry Potter 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.339 going to the beach 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:56.720 or something. 00:18:56.939 --> 00:18:57.899 I wasn't quite sure. 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.500 And I said, 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.399 would you like to come in? 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.700 It turns out he does 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.439 the ghost tours 00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:03.279 on the Royal Mile. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:06.079 And he was very interested. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.579 And he said, 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:07.019 who are you? 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.579 What do you do? 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.960 And we began to talk 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.759 about theology. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.139 And he'd done a few modules 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:12.180 at Edinburgh University. 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.639 And who'd have known 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:15.339 that this chap 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.420 dressed all in black 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.139 wandering around 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:18.399 was actually asking 00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:20.399 deep and philosophical questions. 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:22.000 It's a risk, wasn't it? 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.299 A risk to strike up 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.420 a conversation with him. 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.839 It is a risky business. 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.579 Rico says, 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.839 you will get hurt. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:32.379 You will face ridicule. 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:34.699 You will face rejection. 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:36.119 Painful rejection. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.959 From friends. 00:19:38.439 --> 00:19:39.339 Perhaps from family. 00:19:40.159 --> 00:19:41.159 You may face difficulty 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:41.839 in the workplace, 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:44.139 particularly in the public sector. 00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:47.859 But it is a risk worth taking. 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:53.079 What I want to do next 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:55.879 is have a little think, 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.119 maybe a bit more practically, 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.619 about how we can 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:00.000 take these risks. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.699 Maybe think through 00:20:01.699 --> 00:20:02.579 in our own minds 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:03.659 how individually 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.479 and corporately 00:20:04.479 --> 00:20:06.579 we can think about 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.519 sharing the gospel. 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.679 This is something 00:20:08.679 --> 00:20:09.679 we've been working through 00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:10.659 as, God willing, 00:20:10.739 --> 00:20:11.899 we hope to be in a new building 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:12.639 in a few weeks. 00:20:12.679 --> 00:20:13.939 And we've been wondering 00:20:13.939 --> 00:20:14.859 how we're going to 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:16.079 share the gospel 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:17.099 with people in that area 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.559 of Edinburgh. 00:20:18.739 --> 00:20:19.979 And I've got 00:20:19.979 --> 00:20:21.559 really three headings for you. 00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:23.419 I have the four G's, 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.139 the four S's, 00:20:24.219 --> 00:20:25.119 the four C's. 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.959 And what I've done, 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.039 you can see why I 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.939 dropped standard grade art 00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:31.039 at a very early stage 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:31.439 in school. 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.639 Here's some graphic design 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:34.039 that I put together. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.099 And this is what I call 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:36.939 the four G's. 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.779 And you've got up there 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.599 glorifying God. 00:20:39.719 --> 00:20:40.659 This is what I think 00:20:40.659 --> 00:20:42.799 Paul is teaching in Titus. 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:44.059 What is the purpose 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.379 of the church? 00:20:45.659 --> 00:20:46.599 At one level, 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:47.979 we are to glorify God. 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.379 How? 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:50.559 Well, by living godly lives, 00:20:50.719 --> 00:20:51.399 being holy, 00:20:51.979 --> 00:20:52.879 as God is holy, 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:54.740 by being rich in good works, 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.060 as we adorn the gospel 00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:58.200 and silence the criticism 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:00.220 of a cynical world. 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:02.380 And as we proclaim the gospel, 00:21:02.520 --> 00:21:03.620 that others might turn 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:04.820 from idols to worship 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:06.500 and to glorify God. 00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:08.020 I've put it in a sort of circle. 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.100 It makes it quite hard to read. 00:21:09.260 --> 00:21:11.240 So that's it in bullet points. 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:13.280 Paul wanted the church in Crete 00:21:13.280 --> 00:21:14.320 to glorify God 00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.640 by sharing the gospel, 00:21:15.800 --> 00:21:17.140 by being holy, 00:21:17.280 --> 00:21:17.900 being godly, 00:21:18.060 --> 00:21:19.300 and doing good works. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.099 And I think that's quite 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:21.099 a handy grid 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:22.599 as we think about 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.879 what we're doing each day. 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:26.440 God wants us to be holy. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.940 He wants us to adorn the gospel 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.960 by our lips, 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.839 our conversation, 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.639 and our lives, 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.419 by our conduct. 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:34.720 He wants us to do good to people 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:37.440 and to seize the opportunities 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:39.079 as and when they come. 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.180 And you say, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.519 well, who can I share with? 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:43.359 Well, to help you, 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:45.019 I've got another indecipherable picture, 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.539 and this is what I call 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.720 the four C's. 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:49.640 I'll just put it there. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.640 And who do I know? 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.860 Who am I in contact with? 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.039 Well, we all have, 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:56.980 I trust, 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:58.140 close friends and family. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.440 There's people we know regularly 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:00.819 and have known for many years 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:02.740 and often very hard, in fact, 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:04.299 to share with close friends and family, 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.839 but there are opportunities. 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:08.440 We have colleagues and acquaintances, 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.420 people in the badminton club 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:12.220 or the crochet society, 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.799 whatever we do in our spare time. 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.519 There are those people 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:16.039 we're always encountering 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.859 day by day, 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.960 week by week. 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.720 There are opportunities 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:21.000 to get involved, 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:22.539 to engage with the community. 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:25.700 You could join the community council 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:27.519 or join a club. 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.379 And there is, of course, 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.960 cold contact, 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.339 that is, 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.279 complete strangers, 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.720 people in parks, 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.220 knocking on doors, 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.220 giving out leaflets 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.220 at bus stops, 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:40.620 all sorts of ways 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:42.600 in which to come into people. 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.759 So we have the four G's. 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.059 We know what God wants us 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.600 to do in our lives day to day. 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:49.140 We have the four C's. 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.579 We have all these people 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.860 we're sort of encountering 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.819 and rubbing up against, 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.620 but how can we communicate 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.559 the gospel to them? 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.960 Well, we have the four S's. 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.460 And actually, 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.259 it's really one S, 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.640 but I've repeated it four times. 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:02.180 And it's all about sharing. 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:05.259 And how can we share? 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:07.560 Well, in theory, 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:08.740 it's quite simple. 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:11.320 We can share a resource 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:12.259 with somebody. 00:23:13.060 --> 00:23:14.039 Somebody could read 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.580 the message of the gospel 00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:17.340 or the text of scripture. 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.539 Somebody could watch something 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:21.019 that communicates visually 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.759 the eye gate. 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:24.539 Somebody could hear or listen 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:26.720 to an MP3 or a CD 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.759 or a tape. 00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:28.420 Remember them? 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.940 We can communicate the gospel 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.700 through the eye gate, 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.500 through the ear gate. 00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:33.460 We can share. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.319 Give somebody something 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.120 to take away, 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.759 like the man in the park. 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:39.080 We can share one-to-one. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.460 And hasn't it been encouraging 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.920 to see the growth 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:43.160 of the Uncover project 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.180 in UCCF, 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.660 where they've had 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.380 the gospel of Luke, 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.720 they've had the gospel of John, 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.840 and their vision is 00:23:48.840 --> 00:23:49.960 you invite a friend 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.600 to sit down 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.920 and have a coffee with you 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.819 and you read a short episode 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.500 in the gospel 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.380 and discuss it 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:57.100 and you lead them 00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:58.799 to a presentation of Christ 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.519 and who he is. 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:01.400 You can share one-to-one, 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.900 sitting down with people 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:04.300 that's borne tremendous fruit 00:24:04.300 --> 00:24:05.900 in recent years. 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.980 We can share in a small group. 00:24:08.560 --> 00:24:09.540 Christian Explored, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.440 Life Explored, 00:24:10.540 --> 00:24:11.540 exciting new resource, 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.100 house group, 00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:13.880 youth group, 00:24:14.300 --> 00:24:14.940 student group. 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:17.160 Wonderful to invite people along, 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.519 informal setting, 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.600 just be able to talk about 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:20.460 the things of the Lord. 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:22.100 And of course, 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:22.780 we can share 00:24:22.780 --> 00:24:24.080 in a service, 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.280 guest service, 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.759 or week by week 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.380 as the word 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.400 is systematically expounded. 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:28.920 expounded. 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.740 And we pray that God's spirit 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.840 will take that word 00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:33.580 and apply it to the hearts 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.759 of the hearers, 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:35.759 awakening them 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.840 to new life. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.259 Four S's. 00:24:39.340 --> 00:24:40.980 How can we share 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:43.060 getting the Bible 00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:44.480 into people's hands, 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:46.300 getting it into their ears 00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:47.000 and their eyes, 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:48.140 getting it into their minds, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.180 and ultimately 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.560 into their hearts? 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:53.539 Well, that's the theory, 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.019 isn't it? 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:56.779 And the practice is, 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.099 of course, 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:57.919 much more difficult 00:24:57.919 --> 00:24:59.919 as Rico Tice 00:24:59.919 --> 00:25:01.679 and all of us know. 00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:03.619 I think I spoke here 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.419 a few years ago 00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:06.299 just about 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.619 conversational evangelism 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:10.019 and there were nine points 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:12.119 and John remembers all nine, 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.200 so if you want to know 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.579 what they are, 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.700 you can speak to John afterwards. 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.159 But I think, really, 00:25:16.179 --> 00:25:17.159 I've only got two points 00:25:17.159 --> 00:25:17.639 to say 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:19.960 about conversational evangelism now. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.860 And I'm no expert, 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.600 but I've learned some lessons 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.299 over the years. 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.000 And really, 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:26.380 my first heading here 00:25:26.380 --> 00:25:27.680 is simply to speak 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.860 in a way people will listen 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:30.079 and listen in a way 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:31.120 people will speak. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.079 And I have found it 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:36.319 just a tremendous help, 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.220 a lesson I learned 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.120 from an older Christian 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:40.299 that if we genuinely 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.200 take an interest 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.880 in other people 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:43.740 and inquire 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.900 as to their interests 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.960 and their work and so on 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:47.059 and ask them questions, 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.200 there comes a point 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:49.579 where they stop wanting 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.500 to answer questions 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:52.019 and start asking questions. 00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:52.619 Instead, 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.960 you can ask a window cleaner 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.919 about a seagull 00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:57.960 and end up talking 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.240 about the cleansing 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.839 of one's conscience. 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.539 I think as Christians, 00:26:02.679 --> 00:26:03.359 we have to be 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.259 outward looking, 00:26:04.439 --> 00:26:05.419 we have to be 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:06.460 engaging people 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.279 in conversation, 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.579 talking to natural people 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.720 about natural things 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.839 in order to move 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.579 the conversation 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:14.039 onto spiritual things, 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.539 listening in a way 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.500 that people will speak 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:19.279 and speaking in a way 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.079 people will listen. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.220 And I think listening 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.059 is very important 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.500 because, 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.539 as I've said, 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.200 we can't second guess. 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.420 And everybody 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:29.180 has a story, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.480 don't they? 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.200 Everybody has 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.980 some kind of understanding 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.700 of the gospel. 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:35.240 And it's interesting 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:37.579 to try and get at 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.740 what people are thinking. 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.519 We're speaking to somebody 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.539 and we discover 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.339 they're not a Christian. 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.099 Well, we have to ask, 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.839 well, why is that? 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.639 There must be a reason. 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.400 Is it simply 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.120 that this person 00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:48.040 has never heard 00:26:48.040 --> 00:26:49.660 or understood the gospel? 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.580 And that's very likely, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.580 actually, in Scotland 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:53.660 as in many other parts 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.100 of the world. 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.380 They've simply never 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:57.040 held a Bible in their hands, 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.020 never met a Christian, 00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:59.380 never had somebody 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.020 talk to them. 00:27:01.820 --> 00:27:02.880 Is it that they 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.920 have questions 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:04.620 about the gospel 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:06.240 like my Jedi Knight friend 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.580 the other day, 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:09.520 obviously a deep thinker, 00:27:10.520 --> 00:27:11.320 and yet just looking 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:11.880 for somebody 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:12.720 who could discuss 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.480 these things with? 00:27:13.520 --> 00:27:14.340 Are there questions 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.199 people have? 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.240 Genuine, 00:27:16.699 --> 00:27:17.980 intellectual questions 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.980 that they want 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.599 to explore? 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.639 I don't know 00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:22.959 if you heard 00:27:22.959 --> 00:27:23.500 Tom Devine 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.039 on the radio 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.159 a couple of weeks ago. 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:25.799 Sir Tom Devine, 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.459 the historian, 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:28.439 in a fascinating interview 00:27:28.439 --> 00:27:29.379 on the Sunday morning 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:29.779 programme, 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.019 and he said 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.879 his biggest stumbling 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.899 block to faith, 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.639 though he is himself 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.399 a Roman Catholic, 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.500 was why there is 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.519 only life on earth 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.539 when the galaxy 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.119 is so big. 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:41.220 That isn't a particular 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.199 issue for many people 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.480 I meet, 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.500 but a genuine 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.559 intellectual question. 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.100 Has God got a purpose 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.960 for this universe 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.400 beyond this one planet? 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.940 Or are there issues, 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.100 moral, ethical, 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.200 lifestyle issues, 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.460 that stop people 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.640 believing the gospel? 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.299 They might understand it, 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:00.980 they might know it 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.480 to be true, 00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:02.680 but something is 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.620 holding them back 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:05.019 like the rich young man. 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:07.660 One thing they lack, 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:09.279 something they're not 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.120 willing to give up 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:11.460 in their lives. 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.420 And as I mentioned, 00:28:14.580 --> 00:28:15.420 I really only have 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:17.180 two tips in terms 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.500 of conversational evangelism, 00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:20.259 and it's both to 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:21.980 wait to be asked questions, 00:28:22.300 --> 00:28:23.860 and then to ask questions. 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.279 And as John 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.220 would remind you, 00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:27.460 I've got two headings 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.820 for these, 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.960 both borrowed 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.600 from other people, 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.000 of course. 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.019 And the first is really 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.980 to shake the tree. 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.019 And that is in the course 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.759 of conversation, 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:36.000 simply to throw things 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.539 out there that identify 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.579 you as a Christian. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.259 So tomorrow at work, 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:40.819 when folks say, 00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.359 what did you do 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.599 at half past six last night? 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.259 You say, 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.279 well, I went to church. 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.180 Or we're going to have 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.220 a prayer meeting this week, 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.680 or one of my children's 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.480 getting baptized, 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:51.000 just to put things out there. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.859 And it's amazing 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.660 how often people 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:54.559 will come back to you. 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.660 I was pushing my daughter 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.900 in a swing in Portobello, 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.500 and this other lady 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.440 appeared next to us, 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.259 a sort of middle-aged 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.960 American lady, 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.059 and she was pushing 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.660 her granddaughter, 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.440 and we got talking 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.460 about swings or something, 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.960 and she asked me, 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.799 I can't remember what it is, 00:29:08.840 --> 00:29:09.740 I mentioned I'm a minister 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.759 in a church or something, 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.799 and she immediately 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.840 began talking about 00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:13.799 a book she'd be reading 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.940 by an Episcopalian 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.480 in America, 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.759 and the questions 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.579 that she had 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.860 from reading this book, 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.799 this Christian book. 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:22.200 Just throwing things 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.600 out there 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.539 and waiting 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.660 to be asked questions. 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.440 But of course, 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.100 sometimes we need 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:28.100 to be a bit more proactive 00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:29.039 and to take the initiative, 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:30.600 and sometimes we need 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.440 to ask the question. 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.299 Enrico Tice, 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:33.819 again, 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.819 this tremendous book 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.859 calls that crossing 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.579 the pain line. 00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.379 Don't know about you, 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:40.460 but I find it incredibly hard 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.599 to ask people 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.740 personal questions. 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.679 I used to work 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.200 as a doctor, 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:47.159 and I used to ask people 00:29:47.159 --> 00:29:49.259 incredibly personal questions, 00:29:49.879 --> 00:29:50.779 and yet, 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.539 I find it very difficult 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:54.359 outside of that 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.220 professional bubble 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.359 to ask people 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:57.279 personal questions 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.039 about their lives. 00:29:59.119 --> 00:29:59.559 And yet, 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:00.480 sometimes we just need 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:00.859 to say, 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:02.359 do you have a faith yourself? 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.639 Do you get any 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.519 church connections? 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:06.059 You ever read the Bible? 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.179 As I walked to get 00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:09.000 my daughter from school 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.439 last week, 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.139 there was a chap 00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:10.979 waiting in a taxi. 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.039 He was the driver 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.039 just waiting for a fare. 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.879 He had his window down. 00:30:14.939 --> 00:30:15.319 He obviously 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.719 enjoys the cold. 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:18.179 And he was just sitting there, 00:30:18.199 --> 00:30:18.919 and I had a sort of 00:30:18.919 --> 00:30:19.979 evangelistic newspaper, 00:30:20.159 --> 00:30:20.979 and as I walked past, 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.259 I said, 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.099 would you like a paper, mate? 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.019 And he said, 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.419 what's this? 00:30:23.459 --> 00:30:23.779 And I said, 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:23.919 well, 00:30:23.939 --> 00:30:24.839 it's a Christian newspaper. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.339 And he was a kind of 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.179 tough-looking guy. 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.319 And he said, 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:28.500 oh, 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.240 it's really interesting. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.099 Oh yeah, 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:31.039 my brother's a Baptist 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.319 pastor in Manchester. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:32.980 I said, 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.240 oh. 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.180 And he said, 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:34.779 and my wife goes 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.720 to the local church. 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.079 And I said, 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:38.099 what about yourself? 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:38.839 Do you have a faith? 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:39.160 And he said, 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:39.460 oh, 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:39.700 no, 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.980 but I'm really interested. 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.620 Crossing the pain line, 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.559 just asking that 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.440 personal question. 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.200 Shake the tree, 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.220 cross the pain line, 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.539 two points, 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:51.019 and it's incredible 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.299 what the Lord can do 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.779 with those two little questions. 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.640 What and when to share. 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.680 So how do we put 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.319 this all together? 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:58.559 Well, 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.220 the four G's, 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.720 the four C's, 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.439 and the four S's, 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.139 the four G's, 00:31:02.179 --> 00:31:03.319 we want to glorify God, 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:04.419 we want to be godly, 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.579 we want to do good works, 00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:06.759 we want to share the gospel. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.480 Who are we going to share it with? 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:08.679 Well, 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.419 we want to share it with 00:31:09.419 --> 00:31:10.419 close friends and family. 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.939 We want to share it 00:31:11.939 --> 00:31:12.579 with our colleagues, 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.299 we want to share it 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.359 with people in the community 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:15.399 we sort of have 00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:16.339 some connection with. 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.240 We want to share it 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.539 with complete strangers. 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:21.059 How do we share it? 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.259 Well, 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.059 you can give somebody 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.819 something to read 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.460 or listen to 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:23.939 or watch. 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.419 You can invite them 00:31:25.419 --> 00:31:26.419 to sit down with you 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.820 and have a discussion 00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.640 over a coffee. 00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:30.300 You can invite them 00:31:30.300 --> 00:31:31.220 into a small group. 00:31:31.340 --> 00:31:31.759 You can say, 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.920 come along on a Sunday evening, 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:33.680 there's some tremendous 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.640 biscuits and coffee 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:36.860 and we'll listen for an hour 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:38.100 and then we'll have 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.820 a conversation. 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:41.240 Simple in theory, 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:43.300 very difficult in practice. 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:46.240 But friends, 00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:47.180 my prayer is that 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:48.099 we would all be passionate 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:48.879 about the gospel, 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:51.099 that we would be patient 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:52.799 and persistent in prayer 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:54.480 and of course 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.500 that we would apprehend 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.579 the tremendous power 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.180 of the gospel. 00:31:58.740 --> 00:32:00.240 Think of the difference 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.559 it's made to your life, 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.099 knowing the Lord. 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.940 Think of the difference 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:05.819 it made in Paul's life. 00:32:07.159 --> 00:32:07.859 Think of the difference 00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:10.500 it's made in your family's life. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:12.880 At the end of my trip, 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.539 I ended up in Bangalore 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:16.839 and I had a friend 00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:17.460 from Bangalore 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.359 who I knew from church 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:18.819 in Glasgow 00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:19.980 and I texted him 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.240 and said, 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:20.819 we'd love to come 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.339 and see you 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:21.799 and he said, 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.380 that's fine, 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.000 come and visit 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:24.440 after church on Sunday 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:26.180 and we got there, 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.880 it transpires, 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:28.180 he actually was on holiday 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:29.000 and he lives in London 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.980 and I thought, 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.240 well, 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.420 it would have been cheaper 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.079 to go and visit you 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:32.440 in London 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.619 but here we are 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.700 and he was there, 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.140 he was having 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:35.940 a family gathering, 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.740 Christian family, 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.599 Indian Christian family 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.980 and we sat 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.539 and we had tea 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.539 and sort of cakes 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:41.859 and things 00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:43.959 and I said, 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.199 you know, 00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:46.000 you're Christians, 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.579 you're India, 00:32:46.699 --> 00:32:47.599 how did all this happen? 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.839 And the father said 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:51.579 that in the 19th century, 00:32:52.639 --> 00:32:53.439 an evangelist 00:32:53.439 --> 00:32:54.399 had shared the gospel 00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:55.099 with one of their 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:56.139 distant ancestors, 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:56.759 some kind of 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.099 great, 00:32:57.219 --> 00:32:57.980 great grandfather 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:59.859 and he'd believed, 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.899 been baptized 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:01.919 and made a profession 00:33:01.919 --> 00:33:03.659 of faith in Christ 00:33:03.659 --> 00:33:04.779 and that changed 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:06.199 the entire direction 00:33:06.199 --> 00:33:06.939 of that family 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:08.660 such that over 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:10.100 a hundred years later 00:33:10.100 --> 00:33:11.480 instead of worshipping 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.100 idols 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:14.240 and being held captive 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.240 by the fear 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.220 of spirits, 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:18.320 generations of that family 00:33:18.320 --> 00:33:19.000 had come to faith 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.519 in Christ 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:21.900 and had been brought up 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.740 in Christian homes 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.059 and had served 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:25.180 in their local churches. 00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:28.120 Think of the remarkable 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:29.259 things that can happen 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.740 when you share the gospel 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.559 with an individual, 00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:33.080 fruit being born 00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:34.200 hundreds of years 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:34.680 from now, 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:37.240 perhaps in faraway lands. 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:39.900 God is glorified 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:41.560 when people are godly, 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.140 when they believe 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:43.700 the gospel 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:45.320 and when they share 00:33:45.320 --> 00:33:45.820 the gospel. 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.820 Well, friends, 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:49.740 I trust that you and I 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.840 will still find evangelism 00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:51.900 difficult tomorrow morning. 00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:54.380 But I pray 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:55.039 and I suppose 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.840 this is my prayer 00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:56.299 that the Lord 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.259 will give us opportunities 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.700 just to pray, 00:33:58.840 --> 00:33:59.019 Lord, 00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.980 somebody this week, 00:34:00.060 --> 00:34:01.380 let me just share 00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:02.480 something of the gospel 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.560 with somebody this week. 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:05.139 maybe carry 00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:06.799 in your pocket 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.519 a little booklet 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.799 like that chap in the park, 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.719 just something you can 00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:10.599 give to somebody 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:12.559 and be willing 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.699 to take the risk 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.900 and to say, 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:15.460 I don't know what's 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.199 going to happen here, 00:34:16.279 --> 00:34:17.519 maybe I'm going to be ridiculed, 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:19.119 maybe I'm going to face rejection, 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.119 but maybe the Lord 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:20.739 is going to give me 00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:21.440 an opportunity 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:24.420 and maybe in a hundred years' time 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.199 there will be people 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.259 worshipping God 00:34:26.259 --> 00:34:27.880 because I was willing 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:29.259 to step out of my comfort zone, 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:31.079 into the zone of the unknown 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.900 and to say a word for Christ. 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.980 What a privilege. 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.900 May we be passionate 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:38.719 about that privilege. 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.719 Let's pray together. 00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.639 Father, we thank you 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:49.360 for your mercy 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:51.440 and your grace 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:54.219 that in Christ 00:34:54.219 --> 00:34:55.099 you have forgiven us 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:56.079 all our sins. 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.519 You have 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:59.480 renewed us 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.559 by your Holy Spirit 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.740 you have given to us 00:35:01.740 --> 00:35:02.659 hope and a future. 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:06.280 Lord, that we have in him 00:35:06.280 --> 00:35:07.460 every spiritual blessing 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:10.000 and we do not forget 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.980 all your benefits. 00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:13.659 We think of the blessings 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:14.460 it is to be part 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.460 of this church family. 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.619 For many of us 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.920 we think of the great benefits 00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:19.840 of being raised 00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:21.019 in Christian homes, 00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.719 having Christian parents 00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:24.460 or grandparents, 00:35:25.199 --> 00:35:26.300 Christian friendships, 00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:29.820 and how grateful 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:30.940 we are for all these things 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.680 and yet we find it 00:35:31.680 --> 00:35:32.400 so hard 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.440 to share that blessing 00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:36.320 and to risk 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.680 our reputations 00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:40.300 and our comfort 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:41.180 in order 00:35:41.180 --> 00:35:42.080 that others might come 00:35:42.080 --> 00:35:42.980 to know every spiritual 00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:43.880 blessing in Christ. 00:35:44.220 --> 00:35:45.120 Forgive us, we pray, 00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:47.660 when our hearts 00:35:47.660 --> 00:35:48.260 grow cold 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:50.980 and yet, Lord, 00:35:51.060 --> 00:35:51.680 may your power 00:35:51.680 --> 00:35:52.480 be made perfect 00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:53.380 in our weakness 00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:56.280 though we might go out 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.200 in fear 00:35:57.200 --> 00:35:58.000 and trembling 00:35:58.000 --> 00:36:00.280 that we will hear 00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:00.900 your voice 00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:01.740 saying to us, 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.960 you know, 00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.900 keep on speaking 00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:05.220 for I am with you. 00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:07.460 We pray, Lord, 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:07.980 that this week 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.400 each of us 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.440 will have the great pleasure 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:10.980 of speaking 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:11.880 to a friend 00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:12.500 or a colleague 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.119 or somebody 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:13.920 at a bus stop 00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:14.460 about you 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:16.360 that there might 00:36:16.360 --> 00:36:17.039 be rejoicing 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.519 in heaven 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:19.420 even if 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.619 only one sinner 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:21.200 repents. 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:23.579 and, Lord, 00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:24.619 that you would give us 00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:26.199 a holy boldness 00:36:26.199 --> 00:36:28.460 and a humble love 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:30.259 to say a word 00:36:30.259 --> 00:36:30.799 for Christ. 00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:32.899 So we thank you 00:36:32.899 --> 00:36:33.439 for this time. 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.319 We pray that we would 00:36:34.319 --> 00:36:35.980 encourage one another now 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:37.299 and that you would 00:36:37.299 --> 00:36:38.019 go with us 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:39.859 as we continue on 00:36:39.859 --> 00:36:40.559 into the evening. 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.500 But we thank you 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:43.339 for this time together 00:36:43.339 --> 00:36:44.159 in Jesus' name. 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:45.399 Amen.