WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 Lord, may the words of my mouth and my ministry here be pleasing in your sight. Amen. 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:18.000 ! So, you've got yourself a new vicar. Well done. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:23.000 ! The question is, what's he gonna be like? 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:28.000 What is he gonna bring to this amazing church? 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:36.000 You know, an awful lot of work has gone into getting him and his family to Clevedon, for which we are very, very thankful. Thank you. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:43.000 But what are we to expect? What are we to expect of my ministry here? 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:47.000 And I'm beginning to get to know a few of you. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:53.000 And some of you will have had a long, rich history with the church, and others will be very new. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:01:01.000 And that means many of you will experience good ministry, bad ministry, maybe ugly ministry. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:08.000 Some of you will be deeply shaped by the ministry of this church, other churches. 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:15.000 Others of you may be carrying bruises from ministries. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:21.000 Which raises the question, how do we judge what good Christian ministry is? 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:24.000 Whether that's my ministry or any other ministry we might come across. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:30.000 And this is a really important question, because if you were here on Thursday, the bishop made it very clear that it's not my ministry. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:33.000 It's our ministry. It's a ministry we're all involved in. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:39.000 So how are we going to gauge what it is that Jesus is asking us to do? 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:43.000 And what that should look like? What is this? What is he doing? 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:49.000 Well, we are looking at this passage in John chapter 4. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:52.000 It's not a usual post-Easter passage. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:57.000 And in fact, this series about transforming encounters with Jesus, I've slightly added it in. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:01.000 Because I wanted to share my thoughts with you about this amazing passage. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:08.000 Because in it, we see Jesus model a ministry that leads to transformation. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:13.000 Jesus models a ministry that leads to transformation. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:17.000 And it's the moving story of the transformation of a woman. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:22.000 Now, it's particularly important that it is a woman. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:30.000 Because she stands for the hundreds of millions of women through the ages, and even today, 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:38.000 who, because of their gender and the cultural expectations surrounding them, they are victims of injustice. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:41.000 Misogyny, abuse. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:45.000 And I don't doubt there will be some here for whom that is their experience. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:51.000 And so this Samaritan woman is a representative for us. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:57.000 And the portrait that John writes in this fourth chapter, it's a very sort of brief portrait. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:03.000 But it's amazing what you can draw out, the subtle hints about her situation, about her predicament in life. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:11.000 The first thing is that we find that she comes to this well at noon, in the heat of the day. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:13.000 Why would she do that? 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:17.000 Normally, you go to a well in the hot country in the cool of the day, and with others. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:23.000 So immediately, we're suggested that in some way, she's isolated, she's been ostracized in some way. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:29.000 And indeed, of course, reading on, we find perhaps one of the reasons, perhaps one of the main reasons is, 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:32.000 is that she's had five husbands. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:39.000 And so she lives with shame, shamed by others, and no doubt carrying a degree of shame herself. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:51.000 Now, too many male commentators, I should say, blame this woman for her situation, suggesting that she had some kind of licensuous lifestyle. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:53.000 That is hardly likely. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:58.000 More likely, she's been rejected by these men, because she couldn't conceive. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:05.000 And if you know anything about ancient cultures, then women had no rights at all. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:10.000 And so without a husband, perhaps without a son, it was very difficult to survive. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:14.000 And so finding another man was actually sort of necessary for her. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:17.000 And not only that, she was a Samaritan woman. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:24.000 And to her neighbours, the Jews, she would have been regarded as inferior. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:31.000 So she was also probably a victim of racial injustice as well, racial prejudice. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:37.000 So this woman we're meeting is disempowered and marginalised in many ways. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:42.000 And we find that all just from these small details in the text. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:45.000 Some also think that she was a rather large lady. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:48.000 But that's only because she was a woman of Samaria. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:54.000 You'll have to get used to those. I'm sorry. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:56.000 You'll have to get used to those. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:59.000 Now, where was I? Yes. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:06.000 So for many reasons, and many of not of her own making, she's in a bad place. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:07.000 Life is rubbish. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:11.000 And of course, this isn't just limited to women. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:17.000 Perhaps life is rubbish for you, people you know, this morning. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:22.000 Or perhaps there's areas of this woman's life that sort of resonate with you for some reason. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:26.000 Something of her plight collides with your own. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:33.000 And yet, as you read on beyond the passage that Anthea read for us this morning, 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:38.000 actually we see that by the end, she is transformed. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:44.000 She rallies a whole town, men and women, to come and see Jesus. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:45.000 She's a woman of influence. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:47.000 She talks, people listen. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:52.000 She no longer lives in shame, but in freedom. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:55.000 There's no longer sadness, but joy. 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:59.000 There's no longer loneliness, but love. 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:00.000 She's loved. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:00.000 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:08.000 I wonder if you long for that kind of transformation in your own life. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:11.000 The freedom, the love, the being known. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:15.000 So what happened to her? 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:19.000 It's a simple Sunday school answer. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:20.000 She met Jesus. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:25.000 But what's significant is the way that he ministered to her. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:28.000 Now, I've been using this word ministry already. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:30.000 Ministry simply means service. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:32.000 So Jesus served her. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:35.000 And how did he do that? 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:40.000 That's what we're going to spend a little bit of time examining this morning and pondering on. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:47.000 What I see is four qualities, four postures maybe, four ways that Jesus models for us, 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:53.000 which is part of what, well, which is what leads her to transformation. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:07:00.000 And so we're going to just explore these kind of four ingredients of Jesus' ministry this morning. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:05.000 So firstly, Jesus models a ministry that invites vulnerability. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:08.000 That invites vulnerability. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:10.000 And we find that in the verses five to nine. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:15.000 So first of all, we realize that Jesus is putting himself out there. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:18.000 He has gone to enemy territory. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:23.000 He is in a foreign land and he puts himself in an uncomfortable position. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:25.000 He speaks to this woman. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:32.000 Now, that is countercultural where, in a culture where even making eye contact with a woman would have been frowned upon. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:39.000 And then he goes further and expresses his own need to this woman who he's never met before. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.000 Asking her for water. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:44.000 He asks her to serve him. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.000 He asks her to minister to him. 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:56.000 And I think that it's this vulnerable posture that both allows and causes the woman to open up to Jesus. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:02.000 There's a connection that's formed through this mutual vulnerability. 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:07.000 And without that, you can only imagine it's just a man and a woman passing in a hot place. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:09.000 It just wouldn't have happened, would it? 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.000 In that period. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.000 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.000 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.000 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.000 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.000 In that period. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:10.000 In that period. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.000 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.000 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.000 In that period. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:10.000 In that period. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.000 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.000 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.000 In that period. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:12.000 In that period. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:12.000 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:12.000 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.000 In that period. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:13.000 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:14.000 In that period. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.000 In that period. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:15.000 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:16.000 In that period. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:16.000 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:17.000 In that period. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:18.000 In that period. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:19.000 In that period. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:20.000 In that period. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:20.000 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:21.000 In that period. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:22.000 In that period. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:22.000 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:23.000 In that period. 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:24.000 In that period. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.000 In that period. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:26.000 In that period. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:27.000 In that period. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:40.980 I've had to get in touch with my emotions. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:43.100 I've had to discover them and get in touch with them. 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:46.279 And I found some really rather uncomfortable stuff. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:51.220 Anger, jealousy, sorrow, hurt. 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:58.879 And it's an ongoing journey for me to accept this and give space to this in my life. 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:02.679 And therefore, to accept my own need for help. 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:08.500 And as a family, well, we're complicated. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:18.600 Now, if your image of a vicar and his family is of a demure, quiet children sitting obediently on the front row, 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:22.539 on the edge of their seats listening to their father's every words, 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.500 then that's exactly who we are. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:25.200 No, no, no, sorry. 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:29.440 Let me shatter that image for you now. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:32.879 We have a number of needs and a number of challenges. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:36.960 And at times that makes for something truly beautiful. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:42.780 But a lot of the other times it makes for quite a lot of mess and quite a lot of hard work. 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:51.080 But gloriously, part of our sense of God calling us to this place, to your church, to our church, 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:55.820 which has been an incredibly strong sense from God that I'm happy to tell people about and talk about, 00:09:55.820 --> 00:10:03.740 is that sense that as a whole family, even me, is wanted because of all of who we are. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:06.000 Perhaps especially the messy bits. 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:11.180 And even that as we express our needs and receive from others, 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:16.180 we will be a blessing to others and God will work through us. 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:21.919 Now, I recognise, if that sounds strange to you, it sounds crazy to me. 00:10:22.459 --> 00:10:22.679 OK? 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.459 But I've got to believe it. 00:10:24.599 --> 00:10:29.279 And I think that's part of how God has called us as a family to be with you. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:37.019 And I've found over the last about 25 years of doing church ministry, 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:44.980 it's where people are willing to be vulnerable, to be open with difficulties, with weakness, with pain. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:49.299 And of course, that needs to happen in a safe place and with safe people. 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:56.899 But that is where I have seen Jesus most at work and a deeper work of transformation happening. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:01.759 And I expect that Jesus works the same here in Cleveland as he does everywhere else. 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:08.759 So firstly, in this passage, we see Jesus modelling a ministry that invites vulnerability. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:15.939 And secondly, we see him with a ministry that goes beyond physical needs, beyond the physical. 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:21.640 This is in verses 10 to 15, if you are following or want to look it up later. 00:11:23.300 --> 00:11:27.020 So Jesus starts, as I said, by asking for water. 00:11:28.040 --> 00:11:32.340 But then he takes this lady onto living water. 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:37.180 Springs of water that well up to eternal life. 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:41.580 And we see this throughout the gospel accounts of Jesus, 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:47.420 that he is very interested in people's physical needs. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:50.259 They're incredibly important to him. 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:52.480 Whether that's the feeding of the 5,000. 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:57.440 Whether that's the multitude of physical healings that he did. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:00.240 Whether it's even providing the missing wine for a wedding. 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:04.920 But we always find that these point us to something beyond. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:08.460 Into the realm of the kingdom of God. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:16.500 So I love the fact that this church is interested in people's whole lives. 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:19.660 Whether it's the Grieve World Cafe. 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:22.160 Whether it's living life to the full. 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:24.879 Investing in people's mental and emotional well-being. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:27.019 Whether it's caring for toddlers. 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:31.160 Whether it's doing intervention work with children in schools. 00:12:31.780 --> 00:12:32.160 Brilliant. 00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:33.920 Absolutely brilliant. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:39.299 What we need to make sure though, is that those ministries, through those ministries, 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:42.979 we are inviting people to drink God's living water. 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:49.620 Because as people of Jesus, this is our gift to those around us. 00:12:51.079 --> 00:12:54.139 And I know it's easier and certainly much more straightforward. 00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:56.979 And certainly more politically and socially acceptable. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:59.600 Just to meet the physical needs. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:05.060 But if we want to see God's deep transformation at work. 00:13:05.420 --> 00:13:07.700 We will always be seeking, whatever we're doing, 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:12.240 to be opening the window from the physical to the spiritual. 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:16.980 As I say, this isn't always straightforward or easy. 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:19.480 And I'm not saying there's just the kind of formula to do it. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:22.139 Like if we just say the name of Jesus in the right place. 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:22.820 Is that what I'll do? 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:25.440 There's loads of different ways of doing that. 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:26.940 And it's not about ticking a box. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:34.340 But I know there is an opportunity in every act of service to go beyond the physical. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:38.340 We had a great evening on Thursday. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:40.660 Thank you for those who came along. 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:41.900 Wonderful celebration. 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:44.280 So many people have said, wow, that was brilliant. 00:13:45.400 --> 00:13:47.120 One of my friends came from Harrow. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.060 Stayed overnight. 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:51.960 And unfortunately, wandering around Clevedon, 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:54.480 fell over and fractured their wrists on Friday morning. 00:13:54.640 --> 00:13:55.400 Which is nasty. 00:13:56.420 --> 00:13:58.140 What a trip to Clevedon she had. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:02.220 But what was brilliant is I found out about this and got in touch with her. 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:04.260 She was sent down to the minor injury unit. 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.800 And she rang me up. 00:14:05.880 --> 00:14:07.020 She was quite joyful. 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:08.040 I was like, what's going on? 00:14:08.280 --> 00:14:09.080 She said, oh, the nurse. 00:14:09.140 --> 00:14:09.780 She was brilliant. 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:12.000 You know, once she found out that I'd come to this church service, 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:13.100 she said, oh, I'm a Christian. 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:14.140 Can I pray for you? 00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:16.100 So she shut the door and prayed for her. 00:14:16.260 --> 00:14:18.740 And she was absolutely blown away by this. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:23.620 And in some sense, that put in perspective her current situation. 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:27.500 She opened the window to recognize that God was in it all. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.759 So that's just an example. 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:32.060 And I should say, you know, ministry, it's a church ministry. 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.039 It's a bit like an iceberg. 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:36.560 The stuff that actually happens in church, that's just the tip of an iceberg. 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:42.419 Most ministry, certainly in Jesus' way, happens outside in your everyday lives 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:46.599 through the encounters that you have, the people you already know. 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:49.179 There's opportunities waiting to happen. 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:52.019 So Jesus invites vulnerability. 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:53.459 He goes beyond the physical. 00:14:53.959 --> 00:14:57.159 And thirdly, he has a ministry that is prophetic. 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.379 It is prophetic. 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:01.299 This is verses 16 to 19. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:05.839 Jesus says to the woman, go call your husband. 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.199 And come back. 00:15:08.479 --> 00:15:10.539 I have no husband, she replies. 00:15:11.359 --> 00:15:14.679 Jesus says, you're right when you say you have no husband. 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:16.159 The fact is, you've had five husbands. 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:18.939 And the man you now have is not your husband. 00:15:20.239 --> 00:15:21.039 Can you imagine that? 00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:21.559 Whoa. 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:25.459 That grabs the attention, doesn't it? 00:15:26.239 --> 00:15:27.439 Yeah, uncomfortable, yes. 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:30.019 But to be known and seen? 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.339 Wow. 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:37.120 And you'll notice that it isn't done by Jesus doing a thorough investigation, 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:40.800 looking through all the paperwork or asking the local gossip. 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:41.639 No. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:43.600 It's a divine insight. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:48.740 And it cuts right through the heart of her life and the challenges that she's facing. 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:55.440 And because of this, you know, she instantly recognizes that Jesus is a prophet, a man of God, 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:59.240 who brings God's revelation into her life. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:07.000 Now, prophetic ministry, which is what we're kind of talking about here, 00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:10.440 is something which I've come on quite a journey with. 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:17.600 Earlier in my Christian life, I was deeply skeptical of this wishy-washy words from the Lord stuff, 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.440 if I'm honest with you. 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.659 Surely it was so subjective. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.279 And, you know, what if we got it wrong? 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:25.000 Couldn't we cause such damage, such danger? 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.460 Oh, okay, it's okay for Jesus. 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:27.679 He's the son of God, but me? 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:31.679 But over time, and a little bit of humility, 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:36.100 I've discovered that as much as I believe that good listening, 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:40.320 counseling, generally good pastoral care is really important, 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:47.759 I know that when people encounter God directly through a message that can only be from him, 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.919 that's personal to them, 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:54.299 it cuts through so many layers and goes straight to the heart. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:17:03.139 And it opens that person to the Lord being active and real in their lives, 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:05.339 whether that person is a Christian or not yet a Christian. 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:11.000 So the prophetic is a gift God gives us for both evangelism, 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:12.339 as we want to share Jesus, 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:17.000 and also it's a real encouragement for those who already know Jesus. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:25.880 I remember one occasion in a situation where there was someone who lost their spouse, 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.460 very tragic circumstances. 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:34.000 And the widow was very, the widow, I should say, was very kind of closed, 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:36.460 very non-vulnerable, if you know what I mean. 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:39.799 And I was driving to meet her, and I just thought, 00:17:39.840 --> 00:17:45.600 oh, Lord, how am I going to get through this closed-offness? 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:49.819 And I was praying, I think I prayed in tongues a little bit, 00:17:50.139 --> 00:17:51.859 and suddenly this question came into my mind. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:55.899 This question came into my mind, and I thought, that is from the Lord. 00:17:56.159 --> 00:17:58.959 And indeed, as I sat down and chatted with this lady over a cup of tea, 00:17:59.459 --> 00:18:02.019 it's all right, I am a proper vicar, I will sit over a cup of tea, 00:18:02.459 --> 00:18:06.259 I asked her this question, and indeed, it's like an axe, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:09.199 it kind of split open the conversation, 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:13.940 and it was clear that God was at work and was transforming and helping her. 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:18.640 So actually, I've come to this point in my life and my ministry, 00:18:19.080 --> 00:18:23.960 where I'm always looking for prophetic insights whenever I meet people. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:28.640 So I'm asking the Lord for messages, images, pictures, 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:32.700 maybe a word of scripture that often seems to kind of come from nowhere. 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.960 Sometimes there's a sort of strangeness about it. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:39.000 I'm not sure if this is it, but I wasn't thinking about this on my own, 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:42.259 sort of reason to bring into that situation. 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:46.519 And that means I'm letting the Lord do the talking, not me. 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:54.099 The prophetic gifts are hugely important in ministries that transform. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.779 It was important in Jesus' ministry. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:00.900 So whatever your experience of prophecy, 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:05.680 and given that St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 says that above all, 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:07.819 he would desire that people would prophesy, 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:12.000 I wonder, is that something you'd like to grow in? 00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:15.200 In fact, let's do something a bit brave here. 00:19:15.659 --> 00:19:16.559 Quick show of hands. 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:21.099 Wherever you are on even understanding or experiencing this prophecy stuff, 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:23.579 would you like to move forward in it? 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:26.480 Somehow grow in it, in your understanding and practicing it. 00:19:26.919 --> 00:19:27.980 Go on, quick show of hands. 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:29.960 Wonderful. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.500 No, no, no, keep your hands up. 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.159 Keep your hands up. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.420 I'm going to pray. 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:38.580 Lord, I pray that you might receive these expressions of desire 00:19:38.580 --> 00:19:41.700 to receive more of your prophetic gifting, 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.960 however tentative, 00:19:43.540 --> 00:19:45.380 that you might pour out your Holy Spirit, 00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:48.300 you might gift your people for works of service, 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:50.279 and be glorified through it. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.300 Amen. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.620 You weren't expecting that, were you? 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:54.259 There you go. 00:19:55.459 --> 00:19:55.739 Okay. 00:19:57.979 --> 00:20:00.259 So, a ministry that invites vulnerability, 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:03.819 a ministry that takes people beyond the physical, 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.739 a ministry that is prophetic, 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.839 and finally, 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:12.659 a ministry that is full of spirit and truth. 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:18.720 These are the final verses we heard Amphia read. 00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:24.660 So, this woman's vision of religion is hampered by, 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:28.660 let's call them cultural blind spots and practices. 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.560 Where should I worship? 00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:30.340 What's right? 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:30.900 What's wrong? 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.380 Ah. 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.840 Jesus says to her, 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:35.940 a time is coming and has now come 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:38.800 when the true worshippers will worship the Father 00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:41.320 in the Spirit and in truth. 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:45.519 They are the kind of worshipper the Father seeks. 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:49.139 Now, as I've meditated on these verses, 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:51.839 I've become rather arrested by the idea 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:56.079 of worshipping in both spirit and in truth. 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:59.759 And it's made me realise how God has made us all 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:01.500 so amazingly different. 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:05.700 You'll know that for some of us, 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:08.839 we're made to be quite intuitive people, 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.179 experiencing people, 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.119 sensing people. 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:13.239 We seek spiritual experiences. 00:21:13.419 --> 00:21:15.179 Maybe that's the way we've come into church, 00:21:15.239 --> 00:21:16.799 is through experience like that. 00:21:17.979 --> 00:21:19.559 And yet there are others who are much more 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:21.319 kind of rational, analytical, 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.959 researchers, evidence-based. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:26.339 They are, if you like, truth-seekers. 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:30.219 Jesus says the kind of worship 00:21:30.219 --> 00:21:32.019 his Father is seeking 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:35.019 is worship in spirit and in truth. 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:39.139 And he's given us the truth of his word 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:42.400 to inform us about who God is 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.720 and what he has done. 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.879 But if we only read this book 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:48.559 with intellectual or academic intent, 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:50.740 it's only going to take us so far. 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:55.160 Similarly, if we pursue things spiritual, 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:57.839 whether they are experiences or gifting, 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:59.079 as we've just been praying for, 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:02.019 without the word to interpret 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:04.359 and define those experiences, 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.259 we are going to, 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:09.139 we're going to be led off into all sorts of weirdness 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:10.079 and confusion. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:13.159 So spirit and truth. 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:16.659 Jesus invites one to shape the other. 00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:19.579 And so I wonder, 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.059 for you this morning, 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:23.439 which is it you need to lean into more? 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.679 Perhaps if you're someone 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:25.759 who's naturally inclined 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:27.480 to a good Bible study, 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.779 can you set aside some time 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.419 to just sit in silence, 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.399 just wait on the Spirit of God? 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.779 Or perhaps if you're someone 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.019 who loves the song worship, 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.819 why don't you just take some words 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.579 that you love singing 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:41.199 and do some research behind it, 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.439 find the truth behind 00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:44.480 what we're singing about? 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:48.259 And it's interesting that even in this passage, 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:50.220 as Jesus talks to this woman 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:52.500 about spirit and truth, 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:54.480 she's immediately drawn to declare 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:56.339 what she believes about the Messiah, 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.179 the coming Messiah, 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:59.559 that he's coming and he's going to explain everything. 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.279 And at that point, 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:03.740 Jesus immediately reveals himself to her, 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.519 declaring, 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:07.799 I, the one who is speaking to you, 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.779 I am he. 00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:12.139 And I wonder, 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:14.980 is that your experience of worship? 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.359 However we do it, 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:17.480 whatever form it takes, 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.000 and as I say, 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.460 a lot of it happens in everyday life, 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.680 not just in this place, 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.279 that as you search for the truth 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:25.159 and in your own spirit, 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.819 whether you've got doubts or questions, 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:29.119 have you come to recognise 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.259 that it is Jesus 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:32.299 who is speaking to you 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:34.039 and that it's him 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:35.319 who it's all about? 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.740 I 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:38.799 am he. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:43.519 And by his spirit 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.859 and by his word, 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:46.740 Jesus invites each of us 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.099 into his kingdom, 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:50.200 the place where he rules and reigns. 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.680 And the way into that kingdom 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:55.019 is through his cross 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.240 and resurrection, 00:23:56.919 --> 00:23:58.440 dying to our old selves, 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.899 passing on to him 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:01.019 our shame, 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.639 having our sins forgiven, 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:06.420 and then receiving from him 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:07.640 those living waters 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:10.120 that spring up 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.940 into eternal life 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:13.460 and bring us freedom. 00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:16.620 And as we join us 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.360 in his kingdom, 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.100 and a number of us 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:19.380 have been part of his kingdom 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.280 for years, 00:24:20.620 --> 00:24:21.500 praise the Lord, 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.640 he is inviting us 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:25.160 to be the person 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.860 he has created us to be, 00:24:27.560 --> 00:24:29.540 which somehow still includes 00:24:29.540 --> 00:24:30.520 all our weaknesses. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:34.019 And he also invites us 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.920 to do the things 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.879 that he does, 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.240 to join in 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.259 with his ministry, 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:41.319 offering that water of life 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.400 to others, 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.759 meeting the needs of others, 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.519 both physical, 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.279 spiritual and emotional, 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.319 speaking God's words 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.579 to others prophetically, 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:51.660 and also sharing 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.420 in his suffering. 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:57.180 And so as we come 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.819 into land now, 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.879 I hope that you will 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.980 continue to pray for me. 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.940 I know you have been praying 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.680 for me and my family 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.539 so faithfully, 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.180 thank you. 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.599 But continue to pray for me 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.180 as your vicar, 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.539 that my ministry, 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.860 as well as the ministry 00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:08.579 of this church, 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.519 will be shaped 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.900 by these ingredients, 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.120 that we will be inviting, 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:13.880 vulnerability, 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.620 go beyond the physical, 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.700 be prophetic, 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:19.220 full of the spirit of truth. 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.000 And of course, 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.120 the many other ingredients 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.480 that we find 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.680 through the Gospels 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.360 as we watch 00:25:24.360 --> 00:25:25.400 the amazing ministry 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:26.079 of Jesus. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.380 That is what I am about 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:28.839 as a vicar, 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:30.279 as I smack my microphone. 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.579 But of course, 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:34.139 the good news is 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:35.619 you don't actually 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.199 need a vicar. 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:36.740 I mean, 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.539 the last 20 months 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:37.899 have probably 00:25:37.899 --> 00:25:38.959 pretty much proved that 00:25:38.959 --> 00:25:40.559 because we can come 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.500 straight to Jesus. 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.799 We can come 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.519 straight to Jesus. 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.799 He is here 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:46.419 by his spirit 00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:48.079 and has been 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:49.159 speaking truth, 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.079 his reality, 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.379 to us 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:52.779 already this morning. 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:56.220 So my question to you, 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:58.899 what do you need 00:25:58.899 --> 00:25:59.660 from him right now? 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:02.079 What is it you need 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.759 from Jesus? 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.399 He is here, 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:04.379 as it were. 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.240 You are 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:07.139 sat by that well 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.639 with him. 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.000 What is it 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.899 you need from him 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.220 right now? 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.119 Perhaps you know 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.819 you need 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:13.000 more of that 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.720 living water 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.619 that he is offering 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.720 to quench 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.519 that thirst 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.960 that goes beyond 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:19.339 any drink 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:19.859 on earth 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.339 can give. 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.919 Perhaps you, 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.439 like the woman, 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.339 carry shame, 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:24.859 guilt, 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.899 maybe not of your 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:26.379 own making 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:27.679 and you know 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:28.779 you desperately 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.679 want that to be 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.579 washed away. 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.359 Perhaps you are here 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:32.859 and you realise 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.839 you want to go deeper 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.799 in worship 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.439 and spirit 00:26:35.439 --> 00:26:36.099 and truth. 00:26:37.679 --> 00:26:38.179 Perhaps you just 00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:38.919 simply want to 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.959 you see this 00:26:40.959 --> 00:26:41.639 new season 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.439 as one where 00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:42.899 you want to be 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:43.359 empowered 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.679 to do Jesus' 00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.259 ministry 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.759 and we can't do 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.039 that without 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.759 the Holy Spirit. 00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:49.720 I just invite you 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.460 to open yourself 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:50.920 to him. 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.819 He's here 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.200 and he will meet you 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.940 even in the most 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:56.100 uncomfortable places 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:56.779 in your life. 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.120 Perhaps particularly 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:58.819 in those places. 00:26:59.400 --> 00:26:59.779 But he won't 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:01.100 force his way in. 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.779 You just need to 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.220 let him in. 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.440 So if there's a 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.079 crack in the door 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.600 this morning 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:06.140 would you let him in? 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.559 Because he went 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.640 as far as death 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.960 to bring you 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.740 living water 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:12.180 and he longs 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.600 to speak 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.640 heaven's words 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.660 into your life 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.200 right now. 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.500 Pouring out 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:17.960 his gift 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.740 of his spirit 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.100 and his truth 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:20.779 to guide you 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.100 in life 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:21.640 to make you 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.700 a true worshipper 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:24.240 and to shape you 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.100 to be like Jesus. 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:27.000 So come 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.660 Holy Spirit 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:29.940 pour out 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.360 yourself 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.220 amongst us. 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.740 Just as he did 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.579 with the woman 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.140 at the well 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:42.779 he wants to 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.660 bring transformation 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:45.940 through his love 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:47.240 and his presence 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.720 with you. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.960 So no matter 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.519 how difficult 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.259 the situation 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.039 or the 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.279 ugliness 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.799 or the thing 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.320 that you're 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.320 drawn to 00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:56.860 bring before him 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:59.340 invite him in. 00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:04.439 If I can invite 00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:04.899 the band 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.539 to begin 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.139 to make their 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:06.439 way 00:28:06.439 --> 00:28:07.519 back up 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.000 onto the 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.259 chance 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:11.440 to make 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.000 to make 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.500 a 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:12.759 way 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.440 to make 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.299 a 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:14.500 way 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:14.859 to 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.460 the 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.000 way 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.240 to 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.359 the 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:16.799 way 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.500 to 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.299 !